This chapter is the last one.
When I first started writing, I didn't expect anyone to read this, and I'm amazed at how many people have. Thank you all so much for reading and for your lovely comments! Also, thanks for putting up with my annoyingly short chapters – I can't write a long one to save my life.
Without further ado, let's get to the chapter!
***
"You have to talk to him, you know," John said.
Roger sneered. "I don't have to do anything. Why don't you talk to him?"
"He won't listen to me, nor will he listen to Freddie."
"Well, that's his problem. Let him rot away."
John frowned and looked at Roger. "I'm worried about him."
"So am I," said Freddie, putting his newspaper down to join the conversation. "He hasn't left his room in two days. I doubt he's eaten anything."
Roger swallowed, feeling a pang of guilt. "I don't care." He knew neither of the other two believed him. He was a lousy liar.
"You obviously do," Freddie said, rolling his eyes. "Just talk to him."
"I don't want to," Roger said in a voice that was much whinier than he had intended. He knew he sounded like a child who hadn't got his way about something. He hated it.
"You've got to, darling. He's miserable and so are you!" exclaimed Freddie.
Roger didn't bother to deny it. Any objection was futile at that point. He had been sulking ever since his fight with Brian and he knew better than to assume Freddie and John hadn't taken notice.
Roger inhaled shakily and looked up at Freddie. "Fine. I'll talk to him."
***
The door to Brian's room wasn't locked. Roger knew he probably should have knocked before entering, but he wasn't feeling up to such courtesies at that moment.
He closed the door behind him. It took a moment for his eyes to get used to the dark.
There was no sign of life in the room. Roger thought Brian had left somewhere until he saw his immobile figure lying on the bed under a duvet.
"Brian?" Roger said, deciding to announce his presence as Brian hadn't noticed him.
Brian startled and hit his head against the wall. He gasped in pain and scrambled into a sitting position. He was staring at Roger, looking as though he'd seen a ghost.
Roger could have found that amusing if it weren't for the horrible condition Brian was in; he was deathly pale, his hair was an utter mess and there were dark shadows under his eyes. His eyes were red and swollen. It was evident he had been crying.
Roger could feel every last bit of anger leaving his mind as he took in Brian's appearance. He took cautious steps forward until he reached the bed. He lost all the composure he had held on to. He threw himself into Brian's arms and whispered: "I'm so sorry."
Brian wrapped his arms around him. "I should be the one apologising," he said and sighed.
Roger shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. "We have both been such idiots, haven't we?"
"You're absolutely right," Brian said and broke into a smile. But as soon as his smile had appeared, it was gone. He bit his lip nervously. "I didn't kiss you out of pity."
Roger gaped at him in amazement. He had definitely not been expecting that. He opened his mouth and then closed it again. He didn't trust himself to be able to say anything comprehensible.
Brian looked down when he spoke, unable to meet Roger's eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I was so scared of getting hurt and then I hurt you instead. I'm so sorry. You have every right to slap me if you want."
Roger didn't want to slap him. He couldn't believe his ears. Had Brian really meant what he'd said? Since his newfound muteness prevented him from giving any sort of verbal response to Brian, he did the only thing he could think of; he kissed him.
Despite the kiss being tentative and quick, it beared emotions neither of them could put into words.
After they had pulled apart, Brian smiled at Roger. He found his smile to be very contagious, and was soon grinning from ear to ear.
"I love you," Brian whispered.
"I love you too."
***
I hope you enjoyed the story!
I'm planning to write another Maylor fic soon.
Update: I posted the new story a while ago and I'd really appreciate if you read it. It's better than this one in my opinion – I think (or at least I hope) I've improved as a writer since writing this one!
