the man with luminous eyes

20.

"Here," Eddy placed the warm cup in his hand. Brett took it quietly as Eddy took a seat next to him. The quiet, cornered bench they had found was placed conveniently to a small airport cafe. Two oversized vending machines hid them from the view of the outside world.

Brett squeezed his eyes shut as his legs trembled. They hurt too much to move.

He flinched when he felt Eddy's fingers push a piece of hair away from his face. They met eyes, and for a moment, Brett definitely felt his heart skip more than a beat.

"...You read the letter?"

"Mhm."

Eddy seemed to hesitant to continue.

"What'd you think?"

Brett swallowed. "I..." His voice trailed off. Eddy noticed his hesitation and smiled.

"Well. You're here, aren't you?"

Brett stared at the warm cup in his hand, squeezing it tight, hoping some of its warmth would seep into his awfully cold fingers.

"Please don't leave," He could only mutter. He wasn't sure what else to say. "I don't want you to leave."

"I know," Eddy reached over and offered an open palm. Brett stared at it before he took his hand, intertwining their fingers together. He sighed deeply, his warmth providing the comfort he so desperately tried to squeeze out of that cup. That's what made Eddy so magical-- he made it look so easy.

Brett felt his eyes well with tears. God, how he'd missed this. The constant overflow of thoughts about Eddy not being here anymore had drained him to no end. He rubbed circles against the back of Eddy's hand as he cried. Eddy reached over with his other hand and wiped them away. The warmth of his hand against his skin made his chest flutter.

One look and they knew— no words needed to be exchanged.

"I like you," Brett sobbed against his hand anyway. Eddy looked him in the eyes. A faint, knowing smile lined his face. "I like you, Eddy, I like you so much. I love you, I love you, I love you..."

"I know, Brett," He said, his voice just barely a whisper. "I like you, too. I love you, too."

"Please don't leave. I don't care about the Sydney Symphony. I want you more than they ever will."

Eddy laughed softly, and somehow, that made Brett want to sob even harder. It was a sound he thought he'd never hear again. Eddy wiped his tears away slowly, softly.

"Stop crying," Eddy encouraged. "It's alright."

Brett looked up and made eye contact. "You're not gonna go, right?"

"The love of my life is here with trembling legs and tears running down his face, confessing his love and begging me not to go," Eddy said pointedly. "You think I'm going to go now?"

"'Love of your'..."

"Mhm. Now stop crying so I can kiss you."

Brett blinked rapidly, trying to process what he'd just heard. His heart was still pounding in his chest, but the tears stopped as if on command. Eddy's words echoed in his mind, the weight of them sinking in.

"What?"

Eddy leaned in closer, his hand still cupping Brett's face, thumb brushing away the last little drops of tears. Brett's breath hitched as Eddy's face came closer, the world around them fading away.

It was like time had slowed down. Brett could see every detail of Eddy's face—the way his eyes softened, the way his lips curved into that small, reassuring smile. He could feel the warmth of Eddy's hand, the way it made him feel safe.

And then Eddy kissed him.

It was gentle, tender, everything Brett had imagined it would be and more. The kiss felt like a promise, a reassurance. Brett felt himself melt into it, his fingers tightening around Eddy's hand. Brett froze as his mind blanked, closing his eyes tight.

Eddy pulled away slowly, staying close.

"Kiss me back, dummy."

His voice was soft, his breath warm against his lips. Brett closed his eyes as he felt Eddy lean in again, taking his lips.

Stars exploded beneath his eyelids as he kissed back. His face warmed against Eddy's palms when he felt a small smile tug at the younger man's lips.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other's. Brett could still feel the warmth of Eddy's lips on his, the lingering sensation sending sparks through his veins.

Eddy smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and Brett couldn't help but smile back, his heart swelling with a mix of relief and joy. "I'm not going anywhere," Eddy murmured, his voice barely audible but carrying a weight that made Brett's chest tighten.

Brett nodded, his eyes welling up again, but this time with tears of happiness. "I'm so glad," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.

Eddy kissed him again, softer this time, like he was sealing a promise.

"The universe is ours, now," Eddy murmured against his lips. Brett smiled as he kissed him again, hoping this moment would last forever.

The universe could wait a bit. For now, all Brett needed was the man in front of him.