Et Nos Cedamus Amori

XXIII.

"Hey, where are your ties?" Brett asked, looking at Eddy who's patiently waiting for him.

"They're in the drawers." Eddy said, smiling up at Brett.

"Okay, while I look for ties you should put this on." Brett instructed as he handed the clothes gently to Eddy.

Eddy stood up and took his shirt off but Brett stopped him.

"No, not here, please." Brett starte, looking away from Eddy's body.

Eddy picked up the clothes and went to his bathroom, chuckling lightly.

"You act as if you haven't seen me like this." Eddy replied while he was in the bathroom.

"It's different now... I feel like I'm breaching your privacy or something." Brett said as he was looking through the drawers for a gold tie or at least similar to gold.

"You've been in love with me for years and had seen this but you're concerned now?" Eddy asked in disbelief as he came out of the bathroom.

"Well, it's different because you're completely aware now. I don't wanna seem sus now, or like I'm taking advantage of our years worth of friendship." Brett said, facing Eddy with a tie that was in a light gold color.

Brett raised the collar of Eddy's shirt and wrapped the tie gently to a nice Windsor knot. While Brett was focused on the task, Eddy looked down on him and smiled softly. It's subtle but it's there, the look of love that Brett had always been longing for.

When Brett was finished, he looked up at Eddy with an accomplished smile. Eddy was still looking at him with the same expression of love. Eddy leaned his forehead against Brett and held Brett close to him as he closed his eyes.

"You're smiley today, aren't you?" Brett asked, smiling as he closed his eyes.

"How can I not? You're here with me even if I'm wearing a suit intended for tomorrow's wedding." Eddy replied, holding Brett tighter. "Thank you for helping me." Eddy added, kissing Brett's forehead.

"Of course. I'm always here to help." Brett whispered, hugging Eddy to hide his pinkish face.

There was a moment of silence between them. Eddy was brave enough to break it.

"Hey, I think I'm ready..." Eddy whispered to Brett.

"Of course you're ready for the wedding." Brett whispered back to him.

"I know I'm ready for the wedding. What I mean is I'm ready to be officially yours. To be your boyfriend... After I've come home from the wedding, could you live with me here?"

Brett was silent for a while, his pinkish cheeks turn red. Tears of joy filled his eyes as he nodded enthusiastically. He was so happy he could cry.

"Of course..." Brett said, smiling as he wiped his tears off his face.

They were now just stuck there, both happy.

"But you have to take off the suit. We have to iron it and hang it for you tomorrow." Brett said, moving away from the hug.

Eddy went back to the bathroom and removed the suit. He changed to his more comfortable clothes and lied down on the bed as Brett press ironed his clothes. He smiled wide, closing his eyes until he fell asleep.

When Brett was done, he had noticed that Eddy was asleep.  He hanged the clothes back on the hanger. He hung it up where Eddy would see it in the morning.

He gently sat down on the bed. He admired the sleeping man. He ran his fingers through Eddy's hair. He could feel the younger boy subconsciously lean in the touch. Still, he shook Eddy awake as he was about to leave.

"Eddy, I'm gonna leave." Brett said gently, knowing his mother is waiting for him.

"Okay..." Eddy said as he stood up to go with Brett on the door.

"I'll see you the day after?" Brett asked when they were at the door.

"Of course..." Eddy said as he hugged Brett.

He was still a bit drowsy with sleep, so he leaned a bit closer to Brett. Brett didn't mind, he supported Eddy's and his weight.

"Do you really have to go?" Eddy asked as he nuzzled his nose against Brett's neck.

"Sadly, I do... But I'll see you the day after tomorrow." Brett said, stroking Eddy's hair, giving the scalp a slight massage along the way.

When Brett opened the door, he was met with a cold breeze. Even Eddy noticed it so he grabbed the nearest zip up hoodie that was sitting on his couch. Eddy put it on Brett and smiled. Brett kissed his cheek and smiled softly.

"There you go, you wouldn't be cold anymore." Eddy said, zipping up the hoodie.

"Thanks... I'll see you soon. Tell me how the wedding goes, okay?" Brett replied, walking towards his car.

"Oh, also... Before you go, I just have to let you know something."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Toni is my date for the wedding. Is that fine?"

"Eddy, of course it is! You don't have to ask permission. I know you guys are friends. Is her boyfriend okay with it?"

"Yeah."

"Well, there's nothing wrong there." Brett said, smiling at Eddy.

"I would've taken you but you know my family..." Eddy replied, holding Brett's hand.

"It's okay, Eddy. I understand." Brett reassured. "Good night, Eddy."

"Good night, Brett." Eddy said, letting go of Brett's hand.

Brett smiled as he drove away. He was so excited to tell Alexander.