The Runaway Groom // Brallon

Chapter 5

"Dallon, are these your only shoes?"

Brendon stares at the worn out, overused shoes that the stoic man uses. It's been tattered with what Brendon would assume must be years of use. When was the last time Dallon bought something for himself?

The taller man looks embarrassed at the remark, his cheeks tinting with a rather rosy color as he stares at the old, very much used converse shoes that Brendon is holding in front of him.

He noticed how the only thing making the shoes intact was some strong glue and number of patches that Brendon would assume are holes on the shoes. The color of the shoes are fading due to years of use.

Why hasn't Dallon thrown the shoes away?

Dallon takes the shoes from him, patting the dust off from the tattered pair of Converse shoes. "This is the first thing I bought for myself." He explains, as he places the shoes just beside Brendon's new-looking rubber shoes.

"I guess, it's something that makes me proud whenever I see it. It reminds me of all the hard work I did." Dallon shrugs as if it was nothing. He still looks embarrassed as his eyes seem to avoid Brendon's gaze.

"Why don't you buy a new one?" He suggested, but it seems the older man made his mind of not buying a new one.

Dallon shook his head, his gaze turning back at his shoes. "I can't. Not yet. Maybe soon."

That's when it hits Brendon. He can't afford it now. Dallon can't afford it now especially since Brendon's been staying over, his expenses might have added because of him. It feels like a punch in the gut to know that he's been keeping Dallon from buying something he wants.

He felt a hand pat against his head. The taller man is looking at him with concern, and perhaps, he might have read what Brendon has been thinking.

"I can't afford it at the moment because Jordan needed help with his project in school. I had to give him my savings to help him." Dallon explains, giving him a reassuring smile as he runs his hand softly through Brendon's hair, fixing the strand of hair against his forehead. "You've been nothing but a big help to me Brendon. How can I forget that?"

A warm, gentle smile graces Dallon's lips as he said those words. Brendon thought about how that smile is worth falling for. It's unfair, really, when Dallon does something innocent such as a sweet smile or his warm gaze. It's unfair how the stoic man's voice is so soothing that he wants to wrap that voice around himself like a blanket and stay there forever.

Brendon has gaping holes within him, but Dallon keeps sewing him; he keeps fixing him. Dallon takes him in despite being broken and ruined.

Almost two months in this run down apartment, he felt more whole than he's ever been. Unexplainable, probably irrational. But he wants this. He wants this life. He wants Dallon.

But deep within his inner pessimistic thoughts, a voice would object and reason out that the more he wants, the more unattainable they become.

*****

Dallon knows infatuation when he sees one and it worries him.

When he wished for Brendon to find someone he likes, he didn't think to include himself on that list.

He had his fair share of people who he was infatuated with. During those ages, he would have spoken out and asked those people on a date. But Dallon never had the courage to. Also adding the fact that he has priorities to take care of. Specifically, his brothers, Nathan and Jordan.

Now Brendon, he's not sure what to feel about the boy's recent attachment to him. Matty told him he's good at reading people. Noticing the younger man's fondness directed towards him is just an example.