WINGS

CHAPTER SIX

Brent cocked brow and came from behind the desk. And in a forgiving breath, he said, "Come here." He took Mason by the hand, and instead of shaking it, he pulled him along until he reached his desk and sat down on the edge. Mason didn't understand, but obediently stood in front of the soldier with his hand held in his.

He softened his gaze allowing his gentler side to come to the rescue. Mason made him feel vulnerable as his want to nurture him affectionately could easily dissolve the tension between them.  He was it all but reminded him of the arguments he and Michael would have one minute, then be okay the next after sitting him down to explain his reasons.

"He wouldn't be so proud of me now, would he? I really am sorry, Brent." He couldn't bare to look at him anymore. Too ashamed of his behavior. "You lost him too, I see that now. I just assumed it was all about me. God, you must think I'm a stuck-up brat. I'm a little embarrassed that I accused you of wanting anything more than friendship between us."

"Mason."

"No. I should have known better, it's okay. I'm used to it. And you probably are too," he laughed with a small breath of regret, eyes still cast away. "I have no doubt that you get all kinds of men throwing themselves at you. And here I am with the gall to even think..."

"Mason stop," Brent pressed, gently squeezing Mason's soft angelic hands. He looked directly at him intent on a full confession. "You're not wrong..." Mason  "About anything. It's true. I am interested in you. Both, on a personal and platonic level. Teetering more on the personal level, if I'm being truthful."

"You are?"

Brent lifted his brows to imply the need to explain further. "I don't want to assume anything on your part, but I wouldn't mind if you decide you might want this...or us, to be more. Just don't tear yourself down because of me. My promise was to look out for you, and I'm pretty sure Michael figured we would be years into the future by the time you and I met. By then, I'd be too old and wrinkly for you to have any interest." He winked with a brief smile.

Mason melted into a smile, his heart surrendering under whatever it was clutching him. Hope maybe? Or just the idea that he had found a someone to he could be himself with. "Wow. Funny how the truth can be..."

"Surprising?" Brent offered, mildly.

"Sobering was my choice." Brent's gaze held new meaning. Mason could see it, felt it. "It's weird because I hate surprises, but you...this...," he added, sounding grateful but uncertain all at the same time of what this revealing moment really meant for the both of them. "So, for what I said to you..."

"Forget it."

"Just for the record, I have to say that it's official. I'm a hypocrite and an asshole."

"At least you're a handsome asshole." Brent hummed a laugh and squinted for a split second. "I can't believe I just said that. It sounded so much sexier in my head."

"It's okay." Mason smiled hard. "Thank you, I think."

Brent became blinded to everything else around him after seeing the tender-hearted smile crease Mason's pouting lips. He couldn't resist himself drawing him nearer as he gently traced his hands up to Mason's shoulder's, holding them firm under his gaze. "It was bad timing, coming out to you the way that I did. I'm sorry if it felt like such a bomb."

Mason tensed under the heated gaze brewing in Brent's eyes, he had nowhere else to turn as Brent stood on his feet and was seduced by the wide chest closing the scant distance between them. "Well, it is what it is, right? At least we can be friends or whatever...again." He shrugged in a light shudder of what Brent's encompassing presence was doing to him.