Even after the group finished their warm up exercises and had their first water break, Firefighter Brett was still feeling a bit down. He knew moping around over something that could not be rectified straight away was pointless though, especially when he already knew what he had to do. He just had to strengthen up if he wanted to remain as a good working partner for Eddy. Eddy deserved someone as strong as he was to work with. Brett knew he should be grateful that he was given an opportunity to realise this as well. Brett stood lost in thought when he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder.
"Brett...?"
Brett turned around. Of course it was Eddy.
"...yeah?"
"Mate, are you alright?"
Firefighter Brett shrugged. His colleague Eddy just seemed to always know when he was feeling a bit down.
Brett gave a wry smile.
"I gotta strengthen up a bit more, hey. I felt like I let you down as a partner in that first warm up exercise where I had to carry you."
Eddy shrugged.
"Well...I did put on a fair bit of weight from all that weight training leading up to the photoshoot... I'm actually trying to trim off the excess now."
Brett raised an eyebrow.
"OMG Eddy, you're not overweight by a long shot."
Eddy let out a chuckle.
"Yeah I know, but I actually feel kinda heavy when I move so.. hopefully I can drop a few kilos and you'd be able to carry me just fine like you've done in previous training sessions."
"Eddy.. are you sure you don't want someone as tall and as strong as you as a partner?"
Eddy raised an eyebrow.
"What, instead of you? No f*cking way, don't be ridiculous."
Brett looked up towards Eddy. Eddy's gaze back towards Brett was stern, as were his words.
"...That was a really stupid thing to say, Brett. You don't spend years building up trust with someone you can trust your life with.. then just change at some f*cking whim"
"Sorry.. I was a bit messed up. Look, I'm afraid I can't grow any taller but I'm determined to train up so that I can lift and run with you on my shoulders just as fast as the other guys, okay?"
Eddy grinned.
"That's more like it. Just let me know whenever you want to pRaCtIcE. You can carry me and run around whenever you like."
With that comment, Brett's brain wiring short circuited yet again and he had to make a quick exit.
"I... I need to get a drink..!"
Instructor Brett watched the two Firefighters talking and carefully observed the face of the taller man as the shorter darted away.
"...Eddy."
"Yes Brett?"
"I get what you mean now. That tall guy does look an awful lot like you. And his name is Eddy, too."
"Really? Had you had a look at the other guy? He looks as if he's your twin!"
"Hmm, I didn't notice that."
"Well I can't see myself looking like that guy either. I suppose it's harder to recognise your own doppelganger. Hey, Brett I'm just gonna duck out and get a drink from the bubbler...I need to refill"
"Okay. We'll start as soon as you get back, Eddy."
Instructor Eddy ducked out of the gymnasium and looked around for the water bubbler. He saw the fireman that looked like Brett having a drink at the water bubbler. He walked up to him.
"Hey, Brett, right?"
Firefighter looked up from the bubbler and when he saw Eddy, he spat out a mouthful of water and had a coughing fit.
"OMG"
"OMG sorry, I didn't mean to startle you... Are you okay?"
"Um.. yeah, sorry. Geez you look so much like my colleague.. I don't think I could tell you guys apart if it wasn't for your martial arts uniform."
"Yeah? I also thought you look an awful lot like my... um.. martial arts partner too."
"And your name is Eddy, too, right?"
"Yeah. How strange..."
"I'll tell you what's strange.. this isn't the first time my colleague and I have met doppelgangers as a set of Brett and Eddy"
"Really !?!? Wow now that's bizarre."
"So.. Eddy, are you two together as well?"
Instructor Eddy was caught off guard completely, he instantly went red like a beetroot.
"WHAT!?"
"Oh, so you guys aren't."
"N.. no, we aren't.... OMG.. But, um.. that's nice that you guys are..."
"Huh?"
Instructor Eddy gave a shy smile.
"No wonder.. I saw you guys talking to each other before.. you guys look sweet together... I'm ... envious."
"Huh?"
"Hey, we better get back, hey? See ya inside."
Instructor Eddy left Firefighter Brett at the water bubbler and started walking back towards the gymnasium.
It took another good 2 seconds before it finally hit Firefighter Brett.
OH NO, NO, NO, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I meant whether they were together like the zookeeper and concertmaster!!! NOT US!!!!!!!!!!!
"No...!! Eddy..!! Wait..!!!"
Firefighter Brett sprinted after Instructor Eddy and in the heat of the moment, with all the nerves and turmoil and blushing and everything else, in haste, he tried to grab Instructor Eddy's wrist from behind. Well, at least he tried to...
Firefighter Brett had no idea how it occurred but his hand was flicked away, way before Instructor Eddy turned around and looked at Firefighter Brett sternly. It all happened in an instant though. The next moment Instructor Eddy looked surprised with what he had done.
"OMG Brett, I'm sorry. It's a reflex.. did I hurt you?"
"OMG.. n... no Eddy, I'm fine. And I'm sorry, it was rude of me to try to grab you like that.. I think I got you mixed up with my colleague Eddy."
Eddy chuckled.
"You can't tell us apart?"
"No... as in, yes, I can, but.. I wanted to tell you that Eddy and I.. we aren't together."
"Oh."
"Yeah, um the other Brett and Eddy I met... one worked at the zoo and the other was a musician.. they're the ones that are a couple."
"O..kay...?"
"..and... and I was really envious of them, too... The other Brett assured me that if we're anything like our doppelgangers, we're all meant to be crazy about each other like them."
Instructor Eddy blushed.
"Uhuh..."
"Um... look, knowing that you like Brett.. your martial arts partner.. gives me hope. I'm crazy about my colleague, too.. I just wanted to tell you that."
Instructor Eddy smiled.
"...thanks Brett. That was really nice of you to tell me that."
Firefighter Brett smiled back.
"Eddy!?!?!?!?"
Instructor Eddy ducked his head as he recoiled in horror.
"Sh*t.. that's my Brett, wasn't it? Um I mean.. you know what I meant.. "
Firefighter Brett grinned.
"Yeah I know what you meant. I suppose we better hurry back...!!!"