Andante

CXX

Eddy didn't know how long they were sat there on his bed, and frankly, he didn't care. A quiet, a calm came over him as he put his arms mildly around his boyfriend and pulled him close to him, leaning Brett's head tenderly against his chest as he cried. He stroked his back softly, all the while vehemently wishing for his mother to stay the fuck downstairs. 
He knew very well that if she were to open that door right this moment, she'd see straight away that this was not a bloke, comforting another bloke. But there wasn't very much he could do about that right now, was there? Brett was hurting, and Brett needed him. So he held him, he stroked him and he kissed the top of his head softly as he sobbed. 
He had started rocking softly from side to side, hoping the swaying motion would bring his boyfriend comfort when, at last, Brett stopped sobbing, let go and looked up at him apologetically, his eyes red and his cheeks still wet with his tears. 
"I'm sorry." he whispered. 
"What?" Eddy's soft voice shot up a minor seventh in astonishment. "What the fuck are you sorry for? Just... please, just tell me why you're so sad. Did anything else bad happen?"
Brett shook his head. "No. Not really. I just... I was just faced with it all, Eddy. I was in my room, and that's always been a comfortable space, but it just seemed so empty. I just saw all this time, ahead of us, before we can ever be together for real. It... I guess it got to me."
He swallowed, and Eddy could see that he was fighting tears still. He put his hands on Brett's thighs, imploring him. 
"It's okay to cry, Brett." he said softly. "I cried, too."
Brett looked up at him. "You're not crying now, you're being strong."
Eddy pulled him close again. "I'm only being strong and happier because I knew you were about to be here, Brett."
Brett just looked at him with his red eyes and wet cheeks, and Eddy reached and tenderly wiped the tears away with his thumb.
"It's okay." he whispered. "I'm right here."

Brett was quiet for a long moment. 
"I'm about to have to tell my folks about the con, you know." he said then. "The deadline for registering to audition is only a few months away."
Eddy nodded. Yeah. God. The dreaded 'I'm going to be a musician, mum' conversation that Brett was about to have to have.
"Do you want me to be there?" he asked, but Brett shook his head.
"Nah. I'd like you to be there after, though, if that's okay."
Eddy nodded. "Of course, I'll be there whenever." 
Brett was quiet again. 
"I liked it better when we were in that bubble." he whispered. "And I didn't have to think about any of this shit. Sometimes... sometimes I feel like it's just too much to handle."
And just like that Eddy's arms were around him again, and he held him tight. 
"I get that. But you're not alone, not really."
Brett nodded. "I know. And neither are you. Anyway. We should go out and get some bubble tea. It's been forever since we've had any. So, how badly do I look like I've been crying?"
Eddy smiled and bent over sweetly, rubbing the backs of his fingers over Brett's cheek once more. 
"You may have to stay here with me for a few more minutes." He was well aware of the small smirk that played on his lips. "I'm sure the redness will go away then."
Brett looked at him appraisingly, cocking his head to the right, and then he suddenly got up and walked to the door. Eddy thought he was going to open it for a moment, but he didn't. He just stood against it, a bit like he had that time in the bathroom in the big building they both knew so well now. 
He didn't need to say anything, Eddy followed him straight away, and then he locked his arms around his boyfriend once more and finally, finally he got to kiss him once again.