the man with luminous eyes

15.

"I think I like him."

"...Finally! Why did it take you so long?"

Brett glared harshly at the screen. "Don't start. I'm being serious."

On the other line, Hyung scoffed. "I'm being even more serious. I thought you'd have figured this out by now! It's not like you're new to any of this!"

"I am when he's a guy!"

"You've slept with more men than women," Hyung said pointedly. Brett flinched, wanting to hang up before his friend read him like an open book.

"Sex and romance are two very different things," Brett argued.

Hyung let out a sigh, the kind that Brett could almost see through the phone. "Okay, fine. But you can't tell me you didn't see this coming."

Brett leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't, honestly. He was just supposed to be a one night stand. Then a fellow coworker. Now we're holding hands in public."

"Mhm. But hey, it's not like this is your first time in a relationship, right?"

"No, but... Eddy's different."

"Different how?" Hyung's tone softened.

Brett hesitated, trying to find the right words. "It's like... everything feels more intense. Like, I actually care about what he thinks, how he feels. And I want to be around him, even when we're not doing anything special. Just... being there is enough."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Brett wondered if Hyung was processing or just trying to figure out how to respond.

Finally, he spoke. "Sounds like you're falling for him. Badly."

The words hit Brett harder than he expected, making his heart skip a beat. "Yeah," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I think I am."

Hyung chuckled softly. "Well, it's about time you realized. So, what are you going to do about it?"

Brett bit his lip, staring at the wall as if it could give him the answers. "I don't know," He admitted. "I don't want to mess this up."

"Then don't," Hyung replied simply. "Be honest with him. You know, communicate. Like an adult."

Brett rolled his eyes. "Easier said than done."

"But worth it," Hyung countered.

Brett sighed, the weight of his realization settling on his shoulders. "But, here's the thing."

"Oh, god. What now?"

"He's 22."

"...Ok? So?"

"He's a kid!"

"Pfft, no he's not," Hyung laughed. "He is a man, and I mean in every definition. You're the one being weird about it."

"Hyung. I'm 26. There's a whole 4 years between us. He still goes to school."

"He'll graduate soon."

"Dude!"

"I don't get why that's a problem, here," Hyung said firmly. "You like him, don't you? And he very much seems to like you. You're both adults, MEN, if I must, who are holding themselves back from each other for reasons I still don't understand. Yes, it might be weird if we were in high school, but that's not the case, is it? And would Eddy really appreciate you treating him like he's 13 years old?"

Brett winced at Hyung's words, feeling a pang of guilt. "No, he wouldn't," he admitted. "But it's not just that. I don't want him to feel pressured or like I'm taking advantage of him or something."

"Come on, Brett," Hyung said, his tone softening. "Eddy's not some naive kid. He's smart, he knows what he wants. If he didn't like you back, he wouldn't be spending all this time with you."

Brett sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know, but... I don't want to ruin what we have."

"You're overthinking this," Hyung replied. "If you keep treating him like a kid, that's what's going to ruin things. Give him the respect he deserves. Talk to him, be honest about how you feel, and let him decide how he feels too."

Brett nodded, even though Hyung couldn't see him. "You're right. I just... I don't want to mess this up."

"You won't," Hyung reassured him. "As long as you're honest and open, you'll be fine. And if Eddy's as great as you say he is, he'll appreciate that."

A small smile tugged at Brett's lips. "You've been waiting for me to realize all on my own, haven't you? You sound excited."

"Hey, watching a dummy like you figure your own feelings out is harder than you think."

"Haha," Brett rolled his eyes. "But... thank you."

"Anytime, dude. Let me know what happens. You got this!"

"Thanks, Hyung. I'll treat you to another drink."

"Mhm."

After they hung up, Brett sat in silence for a moment, letting Hyung's words sink in.

Eddy wasn't supposed to mean anything to Brett. He still hadn't realized that Brett remembered their first night. He had been an annoying junior who wouldn't leave him alone. What the hell happened since then?

Brett shook his head. It didn't matter anymore, what their past was. Brett liked him now, and that's all that mattered to him. His hand still tingled with Eddy's touch. He longed to touch him again, to feel his breath against his ear, watch as those gorgeous eyes stared at him as he pulled those beautiful lips into the most alluring smile.

Now it was just a matter of Eddy liking him back. Age had been a concern ever since he met the younger man. He'd had more identity crises about sleeping with a university student than he wanted to admit.

If you keep treating him like a kid, that's what's going to ruin things. Give him the respect he deserves.

Damn you, Hyung.

But he knew he was right. Eddy was capable of making his own decisions, and Brett needed to trust that.

Taking a deep breath, Brett resolved to talk to Eddy the next time they were together. It was time to stop overthinking and start being honest—with himself, and with Eddy.