WINGS

CHAPTER FIVE

"It's open!" Mason called out from the back room.

"Hey there." Brent saw Mason folding clothes and packing them away into a box.

"Hey yourself," said Mason, glancing up with a slight pause at the handsome face hanging in the doorway. Casual civilian wear not going unnoticed.

"Just thought I would stop by. Check in, you know," he said, and leaned into the doorframe, watching Mason fold another shirt and lay it neatly inside the box. His hands held behind him.

"Not necessary, Brent. The funeral happened a couple of weeks ago. Thanks though. And as you can see, I am managing okay," said Mason, sounding more confident. Brent tried to read Mason as he accounted for what was inside the box. Something was going on in that head of his, he just wasn't sharing. "Not sure what I'm going to do with all this stuff."

Brent hated the sinking feeling in his chest, caught completely off guard at the thought of missing Mason. But he would let him go, even if he didn't consider him a friend if that's what Mason wanted. "I hope, you weren't gonna leave without saying goodbye?"

Mason noted the fraction of a smile. Surprising, and sweet for Brent to say. "Not hardly," he said, settling his arms over the border of the open box. "I've already been back to work and I haven't even begun to look for a place yet." 

Brent hummed a laugh, his sound as warm and appealing as the rest of him. His delicious smile, disarming. "You'll get there."

In a fleet of courtesy not to stare, Mason focused back on the box. "Nice of you to say, but even I'm not sure I have that much faith in me right now." 

He ignored Mason's self-critique. "So what's with all the packing?"

"Just doing what needs to be done." Brent remained with the question in his eyes, so Mason felt the need to clarify. "It's...Michael's stuff." He shrugged, half smiling, careful not to trigger his emotion. "Had to do it sooner or later, and better sooner than later, right?" he asked, trying to minimize what he was doing. 

Brent smiled although he heard the guarded deflection even as Mason braved a smile. He lifted himself up off the door frame. "Sorry, Mason. I did intrude. I should probably..."

"It's okay, really," said Mason, waving him off before turning back to the box. "And you didn't intrude. In fact, it's kind of like testing the waters you know? And think I'm good now. Or maybe I'm still trying to convince myself. Who knows."  

There was that brave smile again, he noticed. "Listen, I won't keep you. Just came by to bring you these. Some forms the base needs you to fill out." Mason didn't stop what he was doing. Brent tried to hand over the envelope, but it was as though Mason hadn't heard him. He laid the clasped envelope down on the side table. "I could help, if you want?" Brent asked, feeling slightly awkward.

Mason stopped folding and looked around the room. "Actually, I'm almost done."

"Oh, okay, then. I guess I should go," Brent said, a little disappointed.

"Wait," came the words and brought Brent to a halt. "Could I ask a favor?"

"Sure. Anything, bud. You name it."

"I wouldn't mind some company?" Mason asked, hopeful. Brent's mouth slightly parted as though he wasn't sure what his answer should be. "You know what? It was a stupid question. I know you probably have a million and one things to do besides hanging out with some dead guy's brother?" Mason ducked back at himself, stunned. "I can't believe I just said that. I'm sorry." Mason sat down on the edge of the bed, his head bowed.

"Hey." Brent walked around the bed. "Hey, it's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. Mason, you really need to stop being so hard on yourself." It was tempting but Brent kept his hands on his own thighs. "Look. Sometimes, people say things they don't mean because they're they're nervous. Is there something you want to talk about, get off your chest?" He gave him a playful nudge. "It's okay. I'm a good listener."