III

Eddie walked into Reno’s dressed in neatly pressed slacks and a grey shirt that brought out the color of his eyes. Reno was a top class Italian restaurant where Matty worked as a sous chef. Eddie walked up to a girl dressed in the red and white uniform; he has been here enough times to know the staff by name.

“Hi Becky, table for one please,” Eddie greeted with a smile.

Becky smiled when she saw him, she pouted and stared at him for a moment before he realized what she wanted. This has happened on more than one occasion, he rolled his eyes and kissed her cheeks, shaking his head as he pulled away.

“Better. You can have a seat by the window if you want.” Becky spoke, wiggling her brow.

To get into Reno’s one must have booked the reservation weeks in advance but Eddie was part of the lucky few that always got a seat; because he was best friends with the sous chef. Becky almost always tried to make him seat near the window. She always said his beauty would make passers-by stop by, or, come in and ask him out on a date; she said he deserves a man who can treat him like a prince. Eddie thinks she has seen far too many romantic comedies.

“In your dreams, lady.”

Becky narrowed her eyes at him as if she was saying one day. “Follow me,” she ordered, earning a snort from Eddie.

She led him into the restaurant that was filled with the sound of chatter coming from every direction. They weren’t booming voices, but were loud enough that one might say whatever they liked and no one else would pay any attention. He smiled at her as she led him to a seat at the far side of the restaurant, close to the wall, next to the window. Immediately she’s gone, a waiter takes her place.

“Freddie hi.”

“Back again?” Freddie asked as he handed over the menu. Eddie didn’t bother opening it since he knew the menu like the back of his hand.

“Yeah. It’s meant to be a night out with Matty, but he got called in, so we moved it here.” Eddie replied with a shrug.

“So what drink would you like?”

“A glass of pineapple flavoured Ciroc,” Eddie said, and Freddie nodded before walking away, leaving the menu with Eddie.

As Eddie waited for either Matty or Jamie, he settled for staring around. He hummed to himself as he did so, fingers lightly drumming on his table, he was close to tapping his feet when he saw him. Elijah Sheridan. His eyes widened when the man stood up, Eddie was about to shift his gaze when Elijah looked directly at him, blue eyes pinning him in place. Eddie gulped and dropped his head and let out a silent gasp when a cup was placed in front of him.

Oh. His order.

“Thank you, Freddie.”

“Anytime. Anyways, Matty said I should tell you he’s going to be out soon.”

“It’s alright. You guys are booked full. Please tell him to take his time.” Eddie said and waved Freddie off. The red head moved to another table while Eddie took a sip of his drink. He took a deep breath and calmed his rapidly beating heart then finally looked towards Elijah, but the man wasn’t there. A disappointed feeling wormed its way up his body, and it made Eddie fall back against his chair and pout.

“Cute.”

Eddie jumped, accidentally hitting his knee against the underside of the table.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Elijah said, the look on his face showing sincerity. Eddie nodded and rubbed his knee.

Now that the shock had worn off, he finally took in the man in front of him. Elijah had on a black button down shirt and fitted jeans, instead of a suit, and a brown trench coat. He looked like anyone’s dream man as he stood in front of Edward who was finding it hard to speak. His mouth opening and closing, but no words coming out.

“May I?” Elijah asked, pointing to the empty seat across Eddie.

Eddie nodded his head in reply. He silently watched as Elijah dragged a chair from an empty table and sat down.

“So, are you waiting for someone or?”

“Yeah, a friend. He’s a chef here.” Eddie said, giving himself a mental high five for not stuttering and saying real words.

“That’s nice. It’s good to see you outside the office,” Elijah said.

“Yeah?” Eddie asked before taking a sip of his drink.

“You look free,” Elijah stated, matter-of-factly.

“And what do I look like at work?” Eddie asked, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table.

“Guarded, is the right word.”

“Oh.”

Eddie let his hands fall from the table to his lap. He played with the sleeve of his shirt, his gaze set on the cup in front of him. He gnawed on his bottom lip and fought the will to run. He almost jumped out of his skin when he felt Elijah’s hand on his, a sharp tingle shooting up his arms and spreading around his body. He suddenly became aware of the man seated across from him.

“It’s okay, Mr. Sharpe. It means you’re protecting something.” Elijah said, voice coaxing Eddie to look up. Eddie’s eyes trailed from where Elijah’s hand was to his eyes.

“Thank you, Mr Sheridan.” Elijah leant forward. “I told you to call me Elijah.”

Eddie smiled. “Only if you call me Eddie.”

“I thought it was Edward?”

“It is. Eddie is my nickname.”

“Then I’ll call you Edward,” Elijah said and for the first time since they’ve met a few minutes ago, Elijah grins. “I would love to stay, but I have something to get to.”

“It’s alright.”

“But I’d love to do this again. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch.” Elijah said as he got to his feet, hands shoved deep in his pockets and Eddie couldn’t even fight back the nod he gave in reply.

Once Elijah leaves, Eddie lets out a breath he hadn’t even know he was holding and drank his alcohol in one gulp. Matty still hadn’t come out a few minutes later, and so Edward ordered for the both of them. He ordered rice and curry sauce for Matty and Shrek pasta for himself.

The moment the food was placed in front of him, Matthew walked out. Immediately he sees Eddie he waved cheerfully and made his way to the table, he sat down on the seat Elijah was on just minutes ago

(Shrek pasta -----------> )

“You were the one that ordered this? Sweet!”

“Yeah. I was hungry, and I couldn’t wait any longer.”

Matty smacked his arm. “Glad to see you care more about your stomach than your friend,” Matty pouted, stabbing at his food. “I don’t think I like you today.”

Eddie laughed out loud. “But I love you, and I know you love me too.”

“Sadly that is true.”

They ate in silence for a few minutes. Matty broke the silence by asking Eddie about his day and not so slyly asking about Noah. Eddie thought he should tell Matty about what Elijah had said about them getting lunch the next day but he pushes it back to his mind, it’s going to be a totally platonic lunch date between a boss and his employee.

Eddie had just one more glass of vodka, but Matty kept drinking and Eddie tsked as he thought of the hangover his friend was going to nurse the next day.

They paid for the food and left the restaurant. Eddie laughed as he watched and heard his best friend sing, butchering Ellie Goulding’s On My Mind. He tried to help his stumbling best friend, but he got pushed off. Eddie’s eyes, however, widened when Matty ran to the middle of the street and began dancing around, spinning under the night sky.

“It’s so beautiful,” Matty sang, hands stretched out towards the sky.

Eddie agreed the moon was full, and it looked like the stars were brighter. “Get off the road, Matty.”

“Eddie, don’t you think all Matthew’s are gorgeous? I mean...” Matty hiccups. “I’m fooking gorgeous.”

Eddie laughed as he ran to a still stumbling Matty, he gripped the man’s wrist tight and dragged him away from the road to the pavement. He held Matty’s hands in his as they began the walk home. He could feel the cold air prickling the skin on his hand, and Elijah’s words about him guarding something precious echoed in his head. Elijah was right of course, he was guarding something, his heart. All because a man he’d loved for a large part of his life, up and left. Eddie was puzzled though, how did Elijah know? Was it slapped across his forehead?

It doesn’t matter. He was doing it, even though its slow, he’s doing it. He no longer misses the old apartment or the warmth of Ben. He was letting go little by little, and maybe after it’s all gone he’ll look less guarded. He snapped out of his thoughts when Matty slapped him so hard that his head tilted a bit. Eddie held his cheeks and glared at his friend who was pouting.

“I’ve been calling you for ages.” Matty’s words were slurred.

“But that didn’t mean you co-”

He was cut short when Matty slapped both of his hands to Eddie’s cheeks and raised his head so that they could maintain eye contact.

“I w-want you to...” Matty hiccupped. “...know that Ben is a piece of shit that doesn’t know what he gave up.” He hiccupped again. “You are beautiful okay? You deserve to date an awesome person that will...” Matty hiccupped. “...where did I - oh, he should treat you like a prince. Heck, he should even make you one.”

“Thank you, Matty.”

“Yeah. So I...” Matty giggled. “Go and kiss every man that your dick likes, maybe it’s time for your lower half to choose instead of here.” Matty giggled as he pointed to his head. “And here.” He laughed as he pointed at his heart.

“Maybe.”

“Now give me a hug, ya wanker.”

After the hug, it took them a full ten minutes to get a cab. The instant they’re in it, Matty’s head fell against the glass. Eddie gave the cabbie the address and made sure his best friend was comfortable as they were driven home. On the way, he couldn’t help but ask himself if Matty was right.

--

QOTD: Fav song? Mine's everything Twenty One Pilots.