31.

                                    

                                          
Sitting with takeaway like the old days, having the tv on some crap neither of them didn't care, talking about whatever crossed their mind. It was Eddy's personal definition of heaven, and he insisted on enjoying every bit of it. He didn't know how long it would be until next time, if ever.
                          
"It's stupid, cause it's my fault, but I've missed this," Brett sighed as he got a piece of vegetable in his mouth. "We should do this more often."
                          
Eddy nodded in agreement, not really knowing what to say. Of course he wanted that too, but he knew asking for it wouldn't work. 
                          
"I'm sorry I keep neglecting our friendship, Eddy. I swear I'm trying to be better," Brett sighed, chewing on his food. Eddy couldn't help but feel bad for him. Maybe he was expecting too much? 
                          
"Don't worry about me, Brett. I understand Leonora is important to you," Eddy said, just moving his food around in the takeaway box. "I'm sorry I'm asking so much of you." 
                          
Brett shook his head and had to push up his glasses and pull some hair away from his forehead as a result.
"No, no. You're really not, Eddy, that's the thing," Brett sighed, putting the half empty takeaway box on the table. "I'll get better, Eddy. I'll have to divide my time better." 
                          
Eddy watched as Brett took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes, looking like was about to burst into tears any minute. It hurt to see him like that.
                          
"Dude, don't..." Eddy began, putting his takeaway box next to Brett's. "Don't be sad, it's okay. A few days apart won't make a difference."
It felt like he was lying as he said it, but if it would make Brett happy he would go with it.
                          
"I just... I just see that you're... so obviously not okay, and still I'm being so selfish and..." Brett began, fighting tears with every word. They didn't overflow, though. Not until for the first time ever, Eddy pulled him into a tight hug.
                          
"Of course I'm okay. As long as you're happy, I'm happy okay?" Eddy assured him, rubbing his back. It was a lie, but when he said it, it sounded like he meant it. "You're happy with Leonora, yes?"
                          
Brett nodded against Eddy's shoulder, allowing his larger best friend to hug everything better.
"I am, I... I feel so lucky getting to be with her," Brett confirmed, and Eddy had to swallow his feelings as he realized Brett felt lucky being with Leonora in the same way he felt lucky when he get to be with Brett.
                          
"Yeah? That's good, that's the most important thing," Eddy mumbled, trying his best to keep his voice from shaking. "As long as she makes you happy, that's good enough for me." 
                          
"Thank you, Eddy. You're really the best friend a guy could have," Brett sighed, letting himself lose from the hug. Eddy reluctantly let him go. "I promise I'll try to be better at dividing my time, anyway. You deserve a good friend too, not just the half assed idiot I've been lately."
                          
"Don't worry about me, Brett. Do what makes you happy," Eddy sighed, grabbing his takeaway box again.
                          
"Just let me know if there's anything I can do to make you happy, too. I can tell you're not," Brett mumbled under his breath as he grabbed his own takeaway. Eddy pretended he didn't hear.