We don't like to put a label on it or, in other words, Twosetviolin one-shots

The price of loving

Brett remembered well those times when the thought of being with Eddy seemed strange and even slightly off-putting to him, but fortunately, a few long years of frustration, internal conflicts, and love had passed, and now he was in his apartment, hugging his neck, kissing him in every place possible, hoping for something more. His boyfriend said something stupid, and Brett giggled like a teenage girl and felt happy because finally, they were officially...

The doorbell rang. Annoying, several times repeated, and impatient. Eddy pulled away from him with a displeased expression. He didn't want to be interrupted, neither of them wanted to. Soon, however, understanding crossed his face, then a slight panic, and he pushed Brett away completely.

"Hide somewhere!" Eddy hissed, and Brett's eyes widened.

"What?" he asked, completely confused.

The doorbell rang again, and Eddy swore under his breath.

"I mean, don't hide, just don't do anything weird and fix yourself up. And shush," he ordered and began to fix his hair himself.

Brett frowned and straightened his shirt, smoothed his hair. Did Eddy invite someone and forgot about it? That would actually be typical of him.

"I'm coming!" Eddy shouted in the direction of the door, which was already being knocked on with a fist. Before opening it, he cast a quick glance at Brett, and Brett had no idea what that look was supposed to mean.

"To keep your own mother waiting!" Mrs. Chen scolded her son as soon as he opened the door.

Brett loosened up. It's just Eddy's mum...

"Sorry, Mum, I didn't hear the doorbell," Eddy lied. "Come in..."

"No, I'm not going in, I'm in a hurry. I was just supposed to bring you the food I promised you yesterday." She handed him the plastic bag she was holding in her hand, stepping across the threshold for a moment anyway. "And one more thing, Eddy. I met Mrs. Wells. Oh, good morning, Brett. Well, anyway, this neighbour of ours has a daughter, you know, this Amanda, she's about your age, a lovely girl, apparently she's studying biology or something, and . . ."

"Mum..." Eddy sighed. Not once did he look at Brett.

"We agreed earlier that you would do this for me!" she reminded him. "You said if I proposed someone to you, you'd think about it!"

"Yes, but..."

"Exactly, so I'll tell her you're going to meet her," Mrs. Chen decided, and Eddy put his hand over his face.

"Well, yes or no?" the woman attacked again, and her son sighed.

"Yes..." he nodded, and she patted his cheek contentedly.

"Alright then," she said. "I'm only increasing your chances. You won't find anyone if you don't look! You have to stop being so shy. Alright, I'll go now. Bye. And goodbye, Brett!"

The door closed softly behind her, and there was complete silence in the apartment. Eddy didn't look at Brett. Brett didn't want to look at Eddy. He wasn't sure what he felt, but he felt bad. He wanted to get out of there, to go back to his place. What was he supposed to say? What should he say? He took a deep breath to try, but Eddy dared to do so faster.

"Brett, I'm so sorry..." he said in a contrite voice and walked over to him. "I forgot she was coming..."

Brett took a few steps back and swallowed. He was still avoiding Eddy's gaze.

"You know what, I think I need to leave..."

"No!" Eddy grabbed him by his shoulders. "Don't go. Are you angry? Don't be mad at me, Brett, you know I only love you, and it's stupid to feel jealous..."

Brett didn't know he could feel any worse, but he did.

"I'm not angry. I'm... I'm disappointed..." he muttered and brushed his bangs away from his face. He had to sleep on it all. He couldn't think rationally right now.

"Don't be like that..." Eddy whined. "You know it's hard for me. I told you it's not that easy to tell her..."

Brett felt a sudden annoyance and stepped away.

"You told me. That's why we waited, and we waited for so... So long... Until finally..." He wondered if he would cry. He took another shaky breath in to avoid it. "Until finally you told me you had taken care of it. That it's over... That you told your mom about us."

"Yes, but..."

"You lied to me. And what's more, you go on dates... How many of them were there? How much have you hidden from me?"

"You think that I want to do this?! I don't want it either, I just..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Brett shouted, losing his temper. "I'm so sorry you have to hang out with pretty girls, you must be having such a hard time, yes, of course, you're the biggest victim here!"

He placed his hands on his forehead, brushed back his hair, and stared at the floor. He tried to calm down.

"I'm leaving this place, I'm just leaving, I... I don't want to..." he tried to explain and reached for his bag, now placed on the chair.

"So you're just going to leave?!" Eddy cried out almost tearfully. "Are you breaking up with me?!"

"No!" Brett shouted in impatience and annoyance. "Just... leave me alone. Leave me alone, I need to think it over."

"But Brett..." Eddy grabbed his arm, but Brett pulled away immediately.

"Do not touch me. Give me some time. Maybe at least that is something you can actually do."

Then, without looking back, he grabbed the doorknob and crossed the threshold of the apartment. He went outside, feeling pain and disappointment. He didn't know what to do with it, didn't know how to fix it. Right now... Right now, all he wanted to do was stop thinking.