the man with luminous eyes

13.

Brett didn't know what to expect from the younger man when they met again a few days later. The weight of Eddy's revelation lingered between them, a silent thread connecting their thoughts. He stole a glance at Eddy, who was focused on the road, his expression calm, almost too calm. The car ride was unusually quiet.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Brett cleared his throat awkwardly. "You feeling alright?"

Eddy parked the car and turned to Brett, his eyes betraying a flicker of uncertainty. "Yeah."

Brett nodded, though his concern remained. He knew better than to push; it was too personal of a topic. "Alright. Let's just make sure we have a good time."

They stepped out of the car, the late morning sun casting long shadows on the pavement. The event they were attending, a music gala organized by one of Brett's old conservatory friends, promised an afternoon of performances and social mingling. Brett had been looking forward to it, but now, his mind was elsewhere, still caught up in their moment in Eddy's apartment.

Inside the venue, they were greeted by the buzz of conversation and the faint strains of a string quartet warming up in the distance. Brett spotted familiar faces, some waving him over, but he hesitated, keeping pace with the man next to him.

Eddy glanced at Brett with a small smile. "You go ahead. I'm going to grab a drink first."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'll catch up with you in a bit."

Reluctantly, Brett nodded and made his way toward the gathering crowd, though his thoughts remained on Eddy. He couldn't help but watch as his friend moved towards the bar, ordering something with a casualness that felt out of place.

Brett exchanged greetings with a few people, but his heart wasn't in it. His eyes kept drifting back to Eddy, who was now leaning against the bar, sipping his drink and staring off into the distance.

Finally, he couldn't resist. Brett excused himself and made his way back to Eddy. As he approached, Eddy turned to him with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Already said hi to all your friends?"

"Just wanted to make sure you weren't drinking alone," Brett said, motioning for the bartender to bring him a glass of whatever Eddy was having.

Eddy chuckled softly. "I was doing alright. Enjoying the view."

Brett nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Eddy was keeping something at bay, a storm behind those eyes that he was trying so hard to hide. "Well, I was running from some old enemies, so, win-win."

Eddy's laugh was more genuine this time, and for a moment, the tension between them eased. They clinked their glasses together, the sound almost drowned out by the music starting up in the next room.

As they sipped their drinks, Brett leaned closer, lowering his voice. "We can leave a bit early if that's what you prefer."

Their eyes met. Eddy's gaze flickered with something—gratitude, maybe? It was hard to tell. He nodded slowly, then finished his drink in one long gulp. "Alright then. Let's go see who's here to show off their musical genius today."

Brett smiled, relieved to see Eddy's mood lifting, even if just a little. "Lead the way."

As they walked toward the main hall, Brett's mind wandered back to the photo he'd seen that day. He couldn't shake the image of the younger Eddy, so full of life and joy, standing with his parents. The contrast between that picture and the man beside him now was stark, and it made Brett's heart ache. He knew he couldn't change the past or take away Eddy's pain. That's what hurt the most.

He blinked when he felt a hand sliver into his own, warm fingers interlocking with his. Eddy's lips pushed into a thin smile when he looked up to meet him.

"Just in case you get lost," He leaned in and muttered into his ear. "Don't let go, yeah?"