World Tour

Hong Kong, concert day

Eddy could really get used to waking up next to Brett. He couldn't remember a time when he'd slept so soundly, and woken up so comfortably. It was like Brett had erased a loneliness he didn't even know was there. 
Brett opened his eyes and grinned at him, and judging from his shining eyes, he wasn't feeling too bad himself. 

¨Good morning, love¨, Eddy said, before he realised what he was actually saying. 
He could feel his cheeks exploding. Whoa. That had just slipped out. Were they ready for terms of endearment?
But Brett just smiled at him with a glint in his eye, and softly stroked his reddened cheek. 
¨Good morning. I like the sound of that.¨he said, leaning in for a kiss.
Eddy felt himself relax again. Brett liked the sound of that! 

¨How are you feeling this morning?¨ Eddy asked, a bit of concern in his voice. 
¨I'm good, Eddy, ¨ Brett replied solemnly. ¨Don't worry about me, I'm real good. I'm not even sore anymore, I just feel like I did a good workout.¨
Eddy burst out laughing.
¨Cool, that'll be an awesome incentive for us to get fit!¨
Brett jabbed him playfully and kissed him quickly, before he jumped out of bed.
¨Well, you sure look full of vigour this morning¨, Eddy jibed.
Brett turned around and gave him the finger, before disappearing into the bathroom. 

Eddy lay for another minute, snickering a bit to himself, feeling happy that they hadn't lost their banter, when Brett stuck his head around the bathroom door, looking sheepish again.
¨Just in case my behaviour at the time didn't make it blatantly obvious, I absolutely loved how what we did yesterday felt. Okay?¨
Eddy broke out in a wide grin, as he dragged himself out of bed to go kiss Brett. 

It was concert day, and they were about to do it all again! 

After a quick breakfast they walked to the venue, sniffing up the smells and impressions of China. Nothing in the world was the same as this place. The energy here was so rich, so vibrant! Even the colours were brighter. And even though there were people everywhere, Eddy felt at ease, at home.
He felt so comfortable with himself and his surroundings, that he had to stop himself from  grabbing Bretts hand, reminding himself that they were keeping things quiet.
It made him wonder... he wouldn't have thought twice about taking a girlfriend's hand. But now he had to, with Brett. Would they ever be able to be openly hold hands? How would people react? He was... he was gay, now? He guessed? At the very least, he'd have to consider himself bisexual?
He hadn't really considered the implications of that very much in the flurry of it all, but they hit him now. He knew the world would see him differently than before. 
He didn't really want it to. But he also didn't want to hide in the shadows with Brett forever. 
But they could hide for a little while. He was loving this secret they shared. 

As he snapped himself out of his pensiveness, he found that Brett was eying him curiously. 
¨In the stratosphere again, mate?¨
Eddy thought for a second. Was he ready to share these thoughts? Was now the time? 
But his mouth had already taken over from his brain and he blurted out:
¨I was just wondering about how the world will see me, us. It suddenly hit me: am I gay, now? Or bi? It's... I don't know, it's just a bit to process.¨
Eddy realised straight away that maybe he shouldn't have said this. Brett's face fell, ever so slightly. He tried to hide it, but Eddy knew him too well. Shit, he'd hit him right where he'd been insecure. Wanker! 
¨Yeah, I know¨, Brett said. ¨It's a change. But we don't have to tell anyone until we're both ready to.¨
¨Brett, that's not...¨ Eddy began, but the venue was now right in front of them, and his words were stopped by Matt approaching them enthusiastically. This guy seriously made a habit of interrupting them at important moments. 
¨Hey, blokes, g'day! Ready to do it all again?¨

And just like that, the moment had passed. Shit.