Andante

XXXV

The train trip took forever, but Eddy didn't care. He was there, his violin was in the overhead compartment, his best friend was sitting next to him and they were surrounded by other musicians. He would have happily stayed there for weeks. 
They'd all brought food and snacks, of course, so there was eating, there was chatting and even some singing. Eddy wasn't much of a chatter, really, but he was very happy to sit there in this little cocoon of like-mindedness and listen to other people chat about music, while he got to sit next to Brett and feel like he belonged somewhere. 
Every once in a while he'd catch Brett's eyes, and there were shining with what Eddy guessed was the same happiness as he was feeling. It was awesome and they hadn't even gotten there yet!
He was almost sad when at last the train rolled into Sydney station and they all got up, picked up their instruments and got off. Eddy was one of the last ones off the train and he caught himself glancing back into the coach, making sure there were no instruments left behind. He wasn't going to forget his violin again in a hurry! 

The dorm room was quite stark, with white walls and white bed sheets. There were two beds, about a metre or so apart, and there were a couple of chairs by a small fake wooden table. They had their own bathroom, which seemed clean enough. Not that he was that bothered anyway. 
He was exhausted, and considering how pale Brett looked he guessed he was no better. He knew there was some food in the cafeteria though, and they should eat something before turning in. 
Tomorrow rehearsals started at nine sharp. 
¨Wanna go eat something quickly?¨ he asked.
¨I'm so tired, I don't even know if I'll get anything down, I think I'll just have my last sandwich.¨ Brett replied. 
Eddy had eaten all of his sandwiches on the train. 
¨Okay, you do that then, I'll quickly go and eat, 'kay?¨
Brett just nodded, already digging around his bag. 

Eddy walked off in the direction the other kids were heading, and soon he was digging into some fried rice. Well, that could have been a lot worse at least! 
He ate on the double and then hurried back to the room, pushing any worried thoughts about sharing a room with Brett out of his mind for now. But when he got there and opened the door he was met with an unexpected sight: Brett had fallen asleep across his bed, fully clothed, glasses still on, half a sandwich still in his hand. 
A big smile spread over Eddy's face. This was without a doubt the most adorable thing he'd ever seen. More adorable than any silly kitten photo that had been e-mailed to him, ever. But he couldn't leave him like that, of course. 
He shook Brett's shoulder a little.
¨Bro, you should get in the bed.¨
But Brett just carried on sleeping, clearly having no intention of waking up for the foreseeable future. 
Eddy sighed. Well, okay, then.
 At least Brett had taken his shoes off by the door, as they always did everywhere. 
He plucked Brett's glasses off his nose and put them on the nightstand, putting the half-eaten sandwich next to them. Then he tugged at his unyielding legs, trying to get him to lie at least so that he wouldn't fall off the bed in the night, wrestling with the sheets to get them out from under Brett and on top of him. 
No way he was going anywhere near his clothes, Brett could just sleep with them on. 
When he'd finally got his friend somewhat installed, with his head on his pillow, he stood back and allowed himself to really look at him for just a moment. 

Oh, but what a lovely, beautiful guy he was. His thick dark hair, fanned on the pillow, his soft and smooth skin, that he was sure would feel lovely to touch, his eyes softly closed, eyelashes fanning over his cheeks. If only he could reach out and touch those cheeks. 
He shook his head, hard. Come on, man! Get a grip!
He sighed and quickly took his own clothes off, slipping under the covers and mercifully falling asleep straight away.