Closer 2

15.

Taking Brett home that night felt like the hugest responsibility Eddy had ever taken on, perhaps only second to the moment he said he would help Brett with a baby even if they weren't a couple. Firstly, he had to make sure Brett was okay physically. He had a cut in his head and a light concussion, which didn't sound like much but still felt like the hugest deal in the world to Eddy.

"Please don't tell Belle what happened," Brett asked quietly in the cab back to Belle's place. He gently rested his head on Eddy's shoulder.

"She knows you were in hospital," Eddy said back, brushing some hair away from his forehead. The cab driver thankfully seemed like the quiet type. That or he understood this wasn't a conversation to get involved in.

"Tell her I tripped or something," Brett mumbled quietly, closing his eyes. "I don't want her to know... my thoughts..."

"Okay, love," Eddy said, kissing his forehead as the cab stopped outside Belle's flat. Eddy scooted out of the cab, helped Brett out and went to the window to pay the cabbie. Brett just stood on the sidewalk, his arms wrapped around himself. It was getting a bit cold out for the shorts and thin sweater he had gone out for the run in this morning.

Brett felt ashamed as they opened the door to Belle's apartment finding her in the kitchen cooking something. It was past Elise's bedtime, so she was probably sleeping.

"Hey you guys," Belle said softly, putting the wooden spoon she was stirring something with down to go over to them. She focused on Brett, studying his bandages for a bit. "What happened?"

"Fell over," Brett mumbled with a shrug. "I'm sorry to have thrown you into babysitting all day, and that we didn't get to go to London Eye."

"Don't worry about that at all, Brett. It's more important that you're okay. You're family too, you know," Belle said, stroking his upper arm. "You guys hungry? I made some spaghetti."

"Yeah we haven't eaten since lunch," Eddy said, watching how Brett looked like he wanted to sink through the floor.

"Actually I'm... I'm a bit tired..." Brett began to say, taking a step towards the bedroom. He didn't get further before Eddy took his hand gently, holding him back.

"Have dinner with us, babe? I know you're tired, but it would be nice to have a short half an hour more?" Eddy asked, and Brett slowly turned to meet Eddy's worried eyes. He moved hia gaze to the floor.

"Will you come to bed with me after, then?" he asked quietly, studying their hands. Belle went to grab some olates but got stuck waiting for Brett's reply.

"I will, promise," Eddy said, squeezing Brett's hand. "Let's have dinner and hear what Belle and Elise has been up to all day."

"Okay," Brett mumbled, walking into Eddy for a hug while Belle grabbed plates for them. Maybe if he could get out the following morning for a run, eating would be okay.