Neighbour

48.

"I can't believe it is over," Eddy said softly, turning his head to look at Brett lying next to him on the bed. The sun had set outside, leaving the room illuminated only by their two reading lamps on the night stands. "Can you?"

Brett shook his head a little.

"It feels unreal," he said softly, turning his head to look at Eddy too. "But it's such a relief. I feel like I can breathe again."

"I'm happy you're feeling better now," Eddy said softly, smiling a little.

It was quiet for a moment, the two of them just looking at each other. There was no awkwardness or unease, just a sense of calm between them. Maybe except a tiny hint of nervousness in the bottom of Eddy's stomach.

"Finally you don't have to have me here if you don't want to," Brett said softly, his dark brown eyes shifting slightly between Eddy's as if trying to read him. It was really a question, or rather a plea.

Eddy took a slow deep breath, trying to ease some of his nerves..
"Well... it's been really nice to have you here. A lot nicer than being on my own," he said softly, a bit unsurely, trying to figure out if Brett meant what he thought he did.

"It's been very nice to be here with you," Brett agreed softly, licking his lips a little. "I wouldn't want to intrude, though..."

"You're not intruding. I... I really hope I haven't made you feel like you're intruding at all," Eddy said softly, a bit quicker. "I've really loved having you here. You're not intruding."

"Okay," Brett said softly, looking like he was trying to figure out how to continue.

Eddy was faster though.
"And... you know, if you'd like... I wouldn't mind at all if you stayed."

"You wouldn't?"

"I wouldn't. Not at all."

It was quiet again for a moment, both of them looking at each other. Brett carefully reached a hand out, and Eddy met it, intertwining their fingers.

"Then... if it is okay, I would very much like to stay here with you. Together. You'd be too far away as my neighbour, I think."

Eddy couldn't help but smile a little at that.
"I really would be, wouldn't I?" he hummed softly. "Of course it is okay. I would very much like for us to be together."

There was a pause following Eddy's words, and it took a moment before Eddy had really digested what he had just said. Brett spoke just as he realized.

"Together as in... together?"

"I mean... only if you would want to," Eddy said softly, feeling his heart rate go up and his cheeks get warm. "It's probably too soon after everything... I probably shouldn't have s..."

Eddy's string of half concluded sentences was interrupted as Brett's soft lips were lightly pressed to his, making his worries and nerves melt away. When Brett pulled back, neither of them could help their soft giggles.

"Together as in together then?" Eddy asked finally, gently squeezing Brett's hand.

"Together as in together," Brett confirmed.