Miss you, not.

IX

Brett's face paled for a moment before flushing bright pink. It was a comical sight to behold. Slowly, everything started to make sense. The answer was so simple. He just didn't want to face it.

"I couldn't even deny that. I think.. you may be right after all." He groaned and covered his face with the pillow.

Eddy chuckled softly in amusement.

"I did some thinking by myself last night.. I've been pretty stressed out about some things these days. I'm sorry if I've been distant when you needed me most. I've been a terrible friend aren't I?"

Brett knew in his heart that wasn't true. He didn't blame him. He knew Eddy only did what he thought was best. He was so worried about his best friend's recent stand-offish behaviour but now he was glad that Eddy was opening up about his feelings.

"Sometimes I have these thoughts about you that, uh.. doesn't exactly describe the concept of a best friend. I thought the stress was just messing with my head. So tried to put some distance between us. That was such a bad idea. The longer I was away from you, the more you keep appearing in my thoughts and in my dreams. So, what you said yesterday got me thinking. And it all made sense now. I think you and I are much more alike than we thought. So uh, I guess what I'm trying to say is.. I like you too, Brett." His expression was so soft that it almost brought Brett to tears.

He took Eddy's hand and held it close to his chest. "I want you to know that I'm always here for you. So, please promise me. Don't ever do that again."

"I promise." Eddy gave him a sad smile and caressed Brett's cheek. He leaned pliantly into the touch like a man deprived of affection.

"So uh.. do you wanna.." Brett couldn't find the word for it.

Are we going out? What are we now? A couple.. of boyfriends..?

He screamed internally at the thought of them being 'boyfriends'.

"Yes. I would love to." Eddy leaned forward and kissed Brett on the lips.

Oh. I was right. It is as soft as it looks, Eddy thought as he pulled away to look at the other man.

He let out a hearty laugh. Brett was frozen like a deer caught in headlights and it was the funniest thing Eddy had ever seen.

"I meant to ask do you wanna start dating! Not—" Brett stuttered.

"Well, too late for that now huh? You should've seen the look on your face when I kissed— oof."

Brett hit Eddy on the chest repeatedly, not enough pressure to hurt him but enough to show that he was definitely angry. And embarrassed. "Ugh, I hate you."

"I know you don't."

"You keep catching me off guard and making me flustered!"

"I know I do." He grinned with pride.

"That was so unromantic for a first kiss." Brett pouted and all Eddy wanted to do at that moment was shut Brett up and kiss him again.

"We should start slowly. Like, I don't know, holding hands, going on dates, cuddling or something."

Eddy smiled warmly.

So he wants to do those things with me. He should've been more honest. God, Brett. You're such an adorable dork.

"We have held hands before plenty of times though. We even went on dates together. Although that was when we were friends."

"Yes, well, that's not the point. God, you're throwing me off. I was hoping our first kiss to be, I don't know, at the perfect moment, the perfect place, fit for a perfect first kiss."

Eddy simply smiled.

But with you, anywhere is perfect.

"Don't worry, I'll give you all the hugs and kisses you want to make up for it from now on. And more. How's that for a deal?" Eddy wriggled his eyebrows.

Brett's eyes widened in disbelief. "Have you always been such a flirt?"

Eddy scooched closer and wrapped his arms around Brett, cuddling him. "Only for you. It's just a side of me you'll see more often now."

His hands rested on Brett's waist almost naturally, hoisting him closer.

Their legs tangled underneath the blanket. Brett's body was pressed closely against Eddy's own. "Well, this is new but I like it." He snuggled into the cuddle.

A while went by in comfortable silence. Only the sounds of their breathing were heard. The morning rays were starting to peek through the curtains and birds can be heard chirping outside.

They were so close, Brett can hear the beating of Eddy's heart. It was surprisingly calm even in this moment. He thought that he could get used to it. It felt so peaceful.

Eddy could feel the ghosting of Brett's breath against his neck. He basked in this special moment they were sharing. For a while, it felt like the were the only two people on earth.

Brett brought his head up to Eddy's. They looked into each other's eyes and closed the distance between them with a kiss. Their lips brushed softly, delicately. It was short and experimental. They were getting a feel of each other. With a swift gradation of intensity, Brett leaned in for a deeper kiss. His hands were pulling at Eddy's shirt, wanting to feel more of him. The taller replied with just as much passion into the kiss. It felt euphoric. It felt right. They kept on going for a while till one of them began moaning. Neither knew whom. Hands have started to roam around. The air in the room felt unbearably hot.

Eddy exhaled with a shaky breath as he broke the kiss. "Woah, slow down, Brett."

"S-sorry.." he replied breathily, a little embarrassed for getting really into the kiss. Brett's face was dusted with a shade of pink. Eddy's eyes wandered lower to the slightly swollen and glossy lips that was just on his. He brought Brett's chin up and gave him a quick peck. Chaste yet felt tremendously intimate.

They gazed at each other affectionately. They've been friends for many years however this was the first time they looked at each other in such a way. Perhaps the feelings they felt have lingered for quite some time now but never spoken.

Eddy's heart was overflowing with happiness in ways he never felt before. He felt complete and at peace. Like the man in his embrace was the answer he had been searching all along. Brett had been there all this time and he was so blinded by his thoughts, he didn't listen to the sound of his own heart's desire.

Was this what they called a romantic epiphany? They found it little funny that they've reached this point in a fortunate stroke of serendipity.

For the first time in a while, both them slept serenely, being held in each other's arms.