Andante

CXLIII

They got to their field, but instead of standing in the corner like they usually would, Eddy looked straight ahead, at a gap in between some trees. He wondered what was behind them. Could those trees maybe hide them better from any wandering eyes in the park? 
"Hang on, I just want to see." he said as he walked off to the gap. He pushed a branch aside and stepped onto the dark earth underneath. It was darker, here, the bushes around him blocking out most of the Brisbane sunlight. There was the sounds of cars, coming somewhere from the distance ahead of him, and he realised that he must be right at the end of the park, where there would be a gate bordering on the busy road. Awesome. That meant that there wouldn't be anyone coming in from that side, would there?
He heard Brett behind him them, and before he knew it spun around on his heels, throwing his arms around his boyfriend, pulling him behind the trees and kissing him hard. 

He felt the rough bark of the tree, pressing against his right side, as they hid from the world, as they created this space for themselves where they could vanish and just be them. And he kissed him over and over in that little space, until they were both breathless. 
"So, you seem happier now." Brett whispered, as he rested his forehead against Eddy's and caught his breath. 
Eddy grinned. "Really? What gave it away?"
Suddenly Brett threw his arms around Eddy again and pulled him against him, their chests and bellies pressed together, Eddy's cheek resting against Brett's hair. He held tight, and just breathed for a moment, feeling his body relax. 
At least this thing had gone okay. Brett was alright. 
"I can't believe you're going to audition in just a few months." he said against the thick black hair. 
"I know, right?"
"I wish I could go with you straight away, instead of having to spend another year doing subjects I have zero interest in."
"I know, my love."

Eddy sighed deeply, because he knew that the last thing he needed to do right now, in fact, the last thing either of them needed to do right now, was to be late. So he kissed him one more time, sweetly on the lips, and then he took his hand while he looked around the trees, to see if they could safely exit their hiding spot. 
"This is a nice spot you found, Eddy." Brett remarked in his deadpan voice. "I suspect we may see it again at some point."
Eddy grinned curtly. "Yeah. I'll try not to lose my shit and call you over here at inconvenient times, though."
Suddenly Brett sounded very serious indeed. "Eddy, you had good reason to be rattled, and I do hope you'll always call me when you are. I want to be there for you just as much as you for me, hey? Don't forget that."
Eddy nodded, and he really did try to let Brett's words sink in. He wasn't sure if he completely got them, though.
"I'll try." he said then, and stepped out onto the empty grass field. 

They had to run again, of course, Eddy's new impromptu fitness regime holding steady like this, Brett heading left where Eddy went right with a quick wave.  
"See you tomorrow!" he called.
"See ya!"

The house seemed empty and quiet as he stepped into his hallway and kicked off his shoes. His mum was there, in the kitchen, and he smelled the food already. Itt was peaceful, here, and suddenly he didn't really know what to do with himself. 
"Hi mum." he said in Mandarin as he wandered into the kitchen. "How was your day?"
She looked at him with just a touch of surprise, but she recovered quickly. 
"Good, Eddy. How was yours?"
He almost laughed, because imagine if he would give her the full answer now? 
"It was okay. I'm a bit stressed, mum. This whole thing with Ian, and school, and everything."
It wasn't a lie. It wasn't the whole truth, perhaps, but it wasn't a lie. His mum turned down the fire and wiped her hands on a dish cloth. Then she suprised him by turning around and pulling him into a hug. 
Now, he still hugged his mum sometimes, to say hello or bye mostly, but a hug to comfort? That had seriously been a while. Still, she seemed to understand he could do with some, today, and just like that he found himself relaxing into the hug, and he stood there with her, just like he was a little boy again. 
"Why don't you peel these carrots?" she asked him then, as she let him go. 
He nodded. Yeah. He could peel some carrots. He picked up the peeler and started. 
"So, tell me about school, then." his mum said.