Andante

LXXVI

The morning entered slowly, stealthily sneaking away with the darkness that had enveloped them, that had kept them safe. And Eddy knew, as he lay in Brett's arms, trying to keep his eyes closed for as long as he possibly could, that there would be a point where he'd have to face up to this spur-of-the-moment decision he'd made last night. 
But not yet. 
He'd get to lay here for a little bit longer for now, he got to stretch out slightly, resting his head gently on Brett's shoulder, his right arm around Brett's torso, pulling him closer still. 
Nothing had ever felt as good, as safe as this. 
Brett grunted very softly then, almost a hum, and it was the most contented sound in the world, resonating from the back of his throat. Then he moved slightly and buried his nose in Eddy's hair, putting a featherlight kiss on the top of his head as he inhaled deeply. 
Eddy lay quietly, leaning into Brett's touch, not wanting to disturb the moment, this most perfect of moments, in any way. 
He felt the fabric of Brett's t-shirt, silky soft under his hand - courtesy of Mrs. Yang's laundry skills - and underneath it he could feel the firm shape of Brett's back muscles. 
Man, he really wouldn't mind touching those muscles without the t-shirt. 
He shook his head softly. No, not going there, Eddy. 

"I love you, my lovely Eddy." Brett whispered against the top of his head, and Eddy felt the Cheshire cat smile spread over his face. 
You know what? He thought as he softly stroked Brett's back with his long fingers. Not thinking had worked out pretty well for him last night. Maybe he should keep doing that a little while longer?
As long as he kept track of the limits. 
Yeah. He definitely had to keep track of those.
"I love you too, Bretty. More than I could ever explain."
At any other point, or uttered by anyone else, those words would have seemed way too corny, too sickly sweet. But right now, in this one moment, they fit perfectly. 
He felt Brett's smile against his scalp and then suddenly Brett groaned again. Eddy knew very well what that groan meant. 
"We'll have to get up."
Eddy nodded. "Yeah, I know. I don't want to, though."
Brett grinned softly. "Nah, me neither. But we'll get to sit together on a big stage and make more great music. Does that help?"
"That does help, actually."
Eddy pushed a swift kiss against Brett's neck and pulled him close one more time, and then he got up and walked to his suitcase to find some clean clothes. 
They got dressed quickly, side by side, the awkwardness blissfully absent now. 

Yeah, they'd be okay as long as they kept track of the limits. 

A few minutes later they were ready to go to breakfast. They were actually reasonably on time today, so they'd have ten minutes to sit as a group and eat their breakfast at a table like civilised people. Maybe he'd even have enough time to have some coffee? His mum had only recently started allowed him to drink coffee, and it was quickly becoming his favourite thing ever. 
They picked up their violins and their bag with the sheet music so they wouldn't have to come back upstairs and then Eddy started to walk to the door. 
"Eddy?" Brett's voice came behind him, halting him. 
He turned around to face him, and Brett was looking at him so sweetly he stopped breathing for a moment. 
"Bretty?" he answered as he put his violin case back down. 
Brett came forward and swiftly folded his arms around Eddy. 
"I just wanted to say that this was the best night ever. Thank you."
Eddy closed his eyes, letting the words wash over him like a warm shower. 
"It was for me as well, Bretty. I guess I just figured maybe I shouldn't think so much and follow my heart."
He felt Brett nodding. 
"Maybe you're right."
Eddy sighed once and started steeling himself to go back to normal upon exiting their room.
"Come on, let's go to breakfast and enjoy ourselves today, hey?"
Brett nodded again as he let him go and smiled at him.
"Yeah. Let's do that."