Destroying Love

Seven

Six years ago

"What's your favorite fruit?" I ask him, smiling shyly.

"My favorite fruit? What the hell is that question?" Brandon asks in disbelief before he bursts out laughing when he sees me blush.

"Shut up, okay? I don't know how this kind of things works, all right? I mean, it's a date... you're supposed to ask shitty questions or something, right?"

Brandon smiles. "Peaches."

"What?"

"My favorite fruit, Montgomery."

"Oh." I nod slowly.

"What about you?" he reaches out for my hand, his thumb stroking the recent scar on it.

"Hmm..." I think a moment before I shrug. "Bananas?"

Brandon looks up, an evil glint in his bright blue eyes. He wiggles his eyebrows.

"Bananas, you said?"

"Oh, you're so fucking gross!" I reach out and hit his arm as he laughs.

"Hey don't use your full strength on me," he pouts, tilting his head. "We all know you're stronger than me."

I smirk. "I am, John."

He growls, narrowing his eyes. "Don't call me that, I hate it."

"Okay, Johnny boy—"

"Seriously, stop it!" he pauses and all amusement disappears from his face. "I— it reminds me too much of my mother. She liked to call me this."

I take a deep breath and we stay silent for a while. I know he's not waiting for me to say sorry or stupid things like that and that's why we understand each other so much.

I take his hand in mine again and look up at him. He's already watching me.

"I took my mother's name," I say softly after a while, smiling a little.

Brandon watches me curiously, waiting for me to continue.

"When Garry brought me to the agency, I chose to have her last name. Montgomery."

Brandon brings my hand to his mouth, kissing it softly. I blush a little.

"May I ask what was your last name before that?"

My father's last name.

I let out a big sigh and force myself to smile. I know I can tell Brandon anything.