Brian couldn’t believe it. Yet again he was stuck sitting there and listening as the one he loved was tore apart by the one person who was supposed to love and cherish him. It took everything Brian had inside of him not to get up, go next door, and put himself right in the middle of it. To think that someone so wonderful, so absolutely beautiful in every single way, would stay in that kind of relationship! It baffled his mind. Yet he had never thought that his best friend would be that kind of boyfriend, either.
The angry voices grew louder and louder. One was angry and high, screaming things that Brian had never guessed would come from him. The other voice was lower, deeper, and full of pleading. That right there broke Brian’s heart and sent his temper up to a danger level. To hear him reduced to begging! It was inexcusable. No one should have to live that way.
Why he chose to stay was a mystery to Brian. One that he had never been able to figure out. ‘Why won’t you open your eyes?’ he wanted to scream at him. ‘Look right here! I’m right here! I’d treat you so much better than that!’
Something crashed to the floor, causing Brian to flinch. A part of him wanted to grab the remote and turn the TV on. Turn the volume up so loud that he wouldn’t be able to hear anything. There was no one else on the floor. These fights never happened where the others could hear. No, they were out at a club, dancing the night away.
More often than not anymore Brian didn’t feel like going out dancing. He didn’t really feel like going out anywhere. How could he, when he knew what was going on here? When he was the only one who knew? When they went out with the crowd, that’s when Brian went out too. He was a masochist, putting himself in situations that he knew would cause him pain. But he couldn’t resist. Especially on nights like this. He would be here, where he was needed.
Needed was the right choice of words. He was needed here. Before too long, if the cycle followed the route it always did, things would escalate. But once things were all said and done, there would be a knock on his door. There always was.
Even though he hated what he would find on the other side he never failed to answer that knock. Since he had found out the truth, he had been there each and every time he was needed. If it was all he was allowed to do, then he was going to do it to the best of his ability. Even if it broke his heart every single time. But how could he do anything else? When the one you love needs you, no matter the situation, what else are you going to do but be there?
Another crash, and then the thud of something hitting the wall almost behind Brian’s head. He closed his eyes and prayed. He didn’t notice that his hands had clenched into fists on the bed sheets. Nor did he notice the tension that had his body as tight as bowstring. All of his attention was focused on the fight that was steadily growing louder on the other side of the wall. There was another thud, and then the deeper voice stopped.
Swear words were still shouted; insults that no one should ever have to hear from their lover. But before too much longer, those stopped too. Brian’s body slowly relaxed. It was over. The hardest part was over. This time. This night.
He stared at the wall, unable to cry. A part of him knew there would be another time on another night. How many more nights any of them could take, he didn’t know. But he stayed where he was as one hour blended in to two.
Things had been quiet for three hours before there was a knock on his door. He had known it was coming. Knew what would be waiting for him on the other side. It was the same thing every time. He always had to come and apologize. No matter how many times Brian said it wasn’t needed, he still came and apologized, and tried to explain.
Brian didn’t care about explanations. He was only grateful that he came to him at all, and allowed him to help get things under control. That’s what best friends did. Even if one of the best friends cared more than he should. More than was right, considering the circumstances.
On stocking feet he padded to the door. After a deep breath he opened it, staring into the eyes of the man he loved with all of his heart and soul waiting on the other side. “Hello, AJ.”