Closer 2

14.

Eddy hated seeing Brett cry himself through explaining how he didn't feel like he was good enough for him anymore, he hated hearing about how he was insecure about his body and everything he had tried to "fix" it. Everything he did because of him.

"I'm so sorry, Eddy," Brett ended his explanation with, tears running down his cheeks in streams. He carefully reached over the hospital duvet and took Eddy's hand. "Please don't leave me, I'll be better, I'll..."

"Of course I won't leave you, Brett," Eddy croaked, pulling him into a hug to hide his own tears. "Bretty mine, I love all of you, you're perfect just the way you are. Please don't try to change for me, please just be you."

Brett shook his head, shivering in Eddy's arms.
"I'm not small and... and fit... Nothing like when we got together... I know I'm not as attractive to you anymore," he sniffled, burying his face in Eddy's shoulder. "I'll fix that, I'll..."

"You are perfect, Brett," Eddy whispered, hugging him tighter. His heart was breaking into smaller pieces every time Brett talked himself down. Had he caused this somehow? Was it his fault Brett thought this about himself? "Please don't fix anything, you're not broken."

"You don't mean that," Brett sniffled, shaking his head. He pulled himself slightly away from Eddy, reaching out to try and wipe his tears despite still crying himself. "And that's okay, I understand, I'm just asking for you to stay with me while I fix it."

"I mean that, Brett, with my entire heart," Eddy said, placing his hand over Brett's on his cheek. "What did I do to make you think this, Brett?"

"Nothing, Eddy, you're perfect, you're doing everything right always! I just want to be attractive to you again," Brett tried to explain, his hand dropping from his cheek. "I just... I started noticing we're not being affectionate like we used to, and I have been gaining weight and gotten quite chubby... I mean, I have eyes, I can see that this isn't exactly desirable."

"Bretty mine, let's go through this, okay?" Eddy said, wiping his own tears. He had to be the strong one this time, had to take care of Brett. "I think you are desirable, the most desirable man in the world. Chubby or not, you're perfect."

"That can't true, Eddy..." Brett mumbled, but Eddy kissed him gently to shut him up.

"I love you, Brett, no matter what you look like you're beautiful to me," Eddy said after moving away. He gebtly brushed the back of his hand over his cheek. "I loved you when you had your braces, I loved you with your long hair, your wire glasses. You think adding a little more of you will change how I feel about you, huh?"

Brett shrugged slightly, a hint of pink over his cheeks. He didn't know what to say.

"I think work and being parents have just been a bit rough on us lately, which is why I haven't been as good at showing you how much I love you, but we'll fix that together, okay?"

"Okay," Brett mumbled quietly, licking his lips. He really wanted Eddy's words to be true, and maybe they were, but the thought that he would at least be MORE attractive to Eddy if he was skinnier just wouldn't let go.

"I love you, Brett," Eddy said with a small smile, kissing his forehead. "We'll work this out."