Author's Note: WARNING - mentions of physical/sexual abuse (not intense detailed descriptions, though).

Happy Halloweenie! Stay safe out there!

The familiar smells brought Metz back to the waking world, even if their dreams were benign, for once. They sat up without even opening their eyes, inhaling slowly as they swung their feet over the bed towards the floor. Metz sat for a moment and listened to the sounds of muted dishes clinking against each other.

Opening their eyes, they looked down to see themselves still in yesterday's clothing – the crumbled black tee and jeans. Metz couldn't hold back a smile as they stood and padded towards the bedroom door, peeking out to find Eddie at the kitchen, a plate piled high with pancakes and another filled with eggs and what they figured was bacon.

Something about the scene was not only endearing, but slightly jarring in its nostalgia. They thought of all the mornings their mother prepared breakfast just the same way. Pancakes weren't a traditionally Mexican meal, but Metz's mother knew how much her child loved them and would prepare them every Sunday, a tradition their godmother continued. To see Eddie, of all people, doing this caused both a troubled and pleasant feeling in the pit of their stomach. "Morning," Metz called from the door, leaning against the frame. Their neighbor jumped as his eyes shifted to them, then smiled.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. Not yet, anyway," he replied as he focused back on the pan. "Hungry?"

"Starving," Metz replied and stepped to Eddie, taking the place he usually would be in and leaning against the counter now. "How'd you sleep?"

"Best sleep I've gotten in months," he admitted as he tilted the pan to add to the heap of eggs. "You?"

Metz noticed the cutting board was out, the juice of something still covering the surface. Curious, they opened the fridge to find diced, fresh fruit sitting in two bowls. Mangoes in one, strawberries in another. Something new to the mix, uniquely Eddie. It made Metz smile. "Good. Sorry I made you put me to bed. And if I accidentally smacked you or something. I tend to trash a bit in my sleep. I'm usually better at staying up late, but I suppose our wild day yesterday drained me."

An expression, embarrassment, Metz guessed, flickered over his features at the last bit and he turned off the stove. "You were fine. Slept through the whole transfer without a single slap." He turned to Metz as he wiped his hands on a dish towel. "Metz, I'm truly sorry. About everything that happened at the prison and after. I didn't mean to scare you or make you worry, much less upset you. I can promise you won't have to worry about me anymore. And you don't have to worry about the apartment either. I can handle it."

"Breaking up after the first date? Ouch," Metz said, giving him a playful smile and reaching into the fridge, plucking up a piece of mango and popping it into their mouth. "You're not getting off the hook that easy, Mr. Brock. But, you do get brownie points for breakfast."

Eddie flushed at this even as he laughed. "Well, I had to make it up somehow, in case you did decide the break up was a go," he joked as he gently pulled Metz away from the fridge and closed it. "That's dessert. Though, I guess you can't get into too much trouble for wanting fruit before a meal. It's not like it's not healthy," he said as he turned them towards the table. "Go sit."

"Oh, role reversal," Metz said, grinning but obeying and taking a seat at the table. Their eyes noticed their mail neatly piled on top of the usual notebook. They thumbed through the letters and despite already knowing what the meal was, they asked, "What's on the menu?"

"Breakfast," he said while approaching the table, a plate practically hidden with the stack of pancake and a more than healthy serving of fluffy eggs and crispy bacon.

Metz smiled up at Eddie and they noticed a familiar pinkness fade slowly up his neck. "I don't recall keeping any of this in my apartment," they noted, picking up a fork and knife as Eddie brought maple syrup and butter to the table. "I really must've been knocked out if I didn't hear you leave the apartment."

"It's basic items, so the trip out for them was quick," Eddie said as he went back to the kitchen and brought back a plate for himself. "Drink?"

"Orange juice, please," Metz replied and tucked into the meal. The food looked good, but Metz was surprised by the taste. "What did you put in this?"

"Chef's secret," Eddie said with a grin as he poured out two glasses of juice and headed back to the table. "I can't have you stealing my recipe. I'd have no way to make up any future fuck ups, if you have that handy." Metz laughed while Eddie took his seat, the memorable crooked smile on his lips. "You like? I wasn't sure exactly if there was maybe something in particular you preferred, or that you couldn't eat. I was hoping this was the safest bet."

"You've no idea how perfect this is, Eddie," Metz said, their voice gaining an edge of softness Eddie couldn't quite place. It wasn't exactly sad. More like wistfulness, Eddie decided.

Still, he liked knowing he hadn't fucked this up for Metz. He liked that feeling a lot. And for once, he didn't have to worry about sharing that feeling with anyone else or having it pried into. "It's not a thank you for everything," Eddie said. "But, I hope it's a good thank you for letting me stay the night, to start."

Metz chased a bite with a bit of orange juice. "Technically, I had to force you to stay," they pointed out, smiling over the cup at him. "But, I guess it's not kidnapping since you were able to leave at any time. Still, I'm glad you stayed."

The duo ate in amicable silence after, and when Metz made to help Eddie with the dishes, he shooed her away. "Go be lazy on the couch or something. I've got it," he insisted, blocking the sink with his full body until Metz gave up. "Also, I ordered some stuff, so I'll head back to my apartment after I'm done cleaning up here, yeah?"

"In that case, I'll shower and change clothes to help fix up your trash hovel," Metz stated and pointed at Eddie when his mouth opened to argue. "One word out of you and it nixes the beautiful breakfast you just made, you hear me?" There was an audible click as his teeth came together and Metz grinned. "Good. We're friends. Friends that trust each other and can count on the other, right?" Eddie looked away at this and Metz raised a brow. "Right? Because if you're going to keep me from helping, then I can't exactly go to you when I need anything. It's a two way street, Eddie."

"You haven't exactly come to me in any way to start, you know," Eddie said, sounding almost hurt. His response startled Metz. "I'm the one always coming to you, really. You're saying it's a two way street, Metz, but it doesn't exactly feel like that. And I don't like feeling like I'm taking advantage of you."

A sense of guilt pricked at Metz's chest and they closed the distance between them and Eddie. "Hey. I promise you aren't taking advantage," Metz said, lightly placing a hand over his. "My life is pretty boring, though," they added with a smile. "I just work and stay in my apartment. And I don't have roots here in the sense of friends or family, aside from you, so it's not exactly like I'm drowning in drama. Eventually a pipe will bust, though. Or I'll need to build new furniture or something tedious like that," they joked.

Eddie's fingers curled over Metz's and he looked into their eyes. "You can also call on me when you're lonely or upset or homesick. Or feeling any sort of way, really," he said seriously. "I want to support you as much as you support me, Metz."

Words escaped Metz, unsure what sort of response Eddie expected. But, that wasn't the way they should be taking this, should they? As a puzzle to answer correctly? He had placed a lot of himself out there and Metz had replied with information they didn't mind sharing in general. And while he had accepted their invitations, unknowingly, during times Metz felt down or wanted company, that might not always be the case in the future. Not if they didn't speak up. "Alright, Eddie," Metz replied softly. "I'll reach out to you when I need it, even when it doesn't involve handy tools."

They were standing so close now, Eddie realized. Just a handful of inches of distance between them. He could see the individual lashes on their eyes as Metz looked into his eyes, their lip quirked at their little joke. There was no more symbiote voice, but now he could hear the way his heart banged against his ribs. "Okay," he exhaled, trying a small smile. "Good."

"Okay," Metz echoed, dropping their hand away from Eddie's. "I'll be ready in twenty." Eddie watched them go, well after Metz went into their bedroom, before turning away and getting to work on the dishes.

Eventually, the two found their way over to Eddie's apartment and began the intense process of cleaning that up. The pair chitchatted as they worked, a pile of trash bags growing at the front door as they tossed all the garbage. "Sorry. Again," Eddie apologized as Metz waved it off, giggling as they chased after the chickens.

"What's their names?" Metz asked as they caught one of the fowls, finally petting the soft feathers.

"Sonny and Cher. I'll have to go drop them off at their new home," he sighed as he dragged another bag towards the exit. "I can't believe I can finally see the floor in here," he added, a bit abashed at the state his apartment had gotten into. He glanced up at the plastic-covered holes in the ceiling, wincing. Metz hadn't bothered asking how they got there, even after gauging the size of them. Venom had stood in his natural form one too many times, but at least he wouldn't have to try to explain it away.

"Take my car," Metz said, digging into their joggers to pull out their keys. "I don't think it's a good idea to try to transport two live chickens on a bike." The mention of his vehicle caused another flare of anger against the symbiote. At least Metz wasn't aware of that yet. How a human could decimate a Ducati would be too hard to explain. "Just take some of the plastic and put it over the back seat, at least."

"Thanks," Eddie sighed as he took the offered keys. A knock came to the door and they paused for lunch. Afterwards, Eddie went to drop off the chickens, Metz assuring him they would be fine finishing up the rest of the apartment. When he came back, his neighbor was vacuuming the now cleared out floors. Looking around, the whole place was sparkling, and he was surprised to like the way Metz had organized the few, untouched valuables that survived the fight.

Outside the windows, the sun was barely headed towards the horizon when Metz dropped into his clean couch and chicken-free, spotless apartment. They absentmindedly wrapped their arms around themselves, rubbing their forearms as Eddie unboxed his new television. Eddie looked back at Metz after a few minutes to thank them again for the help and noticed their attempt at keeping warm. He stood from the floor and headed to his bedroom, grabbing one of his hoodies and tossing it to Metz as he walked back to the living room. "You could've told me you were cold," he said as he went back to work on the TV.

"I wasn't that cold," Metz replied but they quickly put on the hoodie, hiding their hands in the pockets. Eddie raised a brow at them and Metz laughed sheepishly. "Okay, I was. Thank you."

Eddie rolled his eyes, finishing the TV setup before taking the spot next to Metz, his arm slung over the back of the couch. "This is the life," he sighed as he grabbed the remote to change the channel. "I really appreciate you helping me out. It's like a whole new place."

"You're most welcome," Metz replied, slipping off their shoes to get comfortable and tuck their legs under them. "This is an apartment I would want to break into and steal stuff from." Eddie laughed at this as he flipped through the channels.

"What are you craving for dinner?" he asked, glancing over at Metz.

"Is today feed Metz day?" they joked as they returned the look. "Or is it more thanks?"

Eddie used his free hand to tuck a strand of hair hanging over their eye behind Metz's ear. "Definitely more of a thanks," he said, smiling. The action caught Metz off guard but they returned the smile easily. "I was thinking we should go fancy date style. You know, a celebratory dinner of sorts out in the world instead of the usual take out."

"And what are we celebrating?" Metz asked, curiously, a twitch at the corner of their mouth.

"Whatever we want," Eddie replied without hesitation. "Friendship? New starts? An actual apartment I can walk around in without fear of stepping in chicken shit?"

Metz's laugh filled the air and Eddie grinned, pleased to be the cause of that sound. "Alright. I'm down. I'll have to change, I'm assuming?" they asked even as they settled more into the couch. Eddie shifted as he watched the screen, unknowingly moving closer to Metz. "Wait, how fancy are we even talking here?"

"Hmm, think cocktail attire," Eddie replied.

"That means you already have a place in mind, don't you?" Metz asked with a slight nudge. Eddie grinned and Metz rolled their eyes, smiling still.

"Oh, oh. Let's take a before picture," Metz suggested suddenly, grabbing their cell and turning it to selfie mode. "Then we can take one after. Evidence of a fresh start, yea?" Eddie laughed and nodded, leaning his head close to Metz's as they threw a thumbs up to the camera. "God, such slobs," Metz teased as they looked at the picture. "I'm very curious now to see you all cleaned up. I should have something fitting, too. I think. Will you even be able to get reservations?" they asked after, realizing how last minute all this was. "Or you're planning to use your fame to get us in?"

"I'm definitely counting on my newfound notoriety to get us a spot," Eddie laughed, pulling out his own cell now to look up the place. "If not, we can class up a local joint around here." Metz joined in the laughter as they leaned their head back onto the couch.

Eddie's arm still rested over the back of the couch and pressed lightly at the top of their head. For the first time, Metz noticed how close the two were, despite both having plenty of space on either sides. They could practically feel the warmth from his body, see the way his chest rose with every breath. A single shift in position could have Metz's head lying over his shoulder. The idea caused a blush to appear on their cheeks, and they stole a quick look at Eddie from under their lashes to find him absorbed with finding information on his phone.

Metz wasn't sure how the two had gotten to this point, with the two practically inches away from a snuggle session. It was always just… so comforting, to be around Eddie. When he introduced himself, Metz was overjoyed at the prospect of a friend. Sure, they had coworkers they spoke with, but it never went anywhere outside of school grounds. They weren't around enough at the restaurant to make bonds with anyone there, and while Mrs. Chen wouldn't mind the company, Metz couldn't exactly just hang out at the store all the time, could they? And then Eddie showed up and things livened up, if only a bit. It wasn't so lonely anymore, even when he was across the hall in his own apartment. Knowing he was there, just steps away, was enough.

They weren't blind to the red flags Eddie warned them about, but they also noticed how those flags were contradicted more often than not. Anyone else would've continued taking from Metz, but he hadn't, even when he labeled himself as selfish. His ways of giving back were more subtle – in the form of keeping them fed or giving feedback on their book or helping with dishes. He called himself self-absorbed, and yet he had called Metz out for keeping him at arm's length, for not letting him support them even emotionally. He must've seen something, noticed an expression or reaction, if he knew Metz was hiding their need for that type of support.

And didn't Metz have their own red flags? That isolation streak many called independence, the same thing that kept people at a distance? Giving but never taking, as if that could prevent them from ever owing anyone anything? The talent at hiding the most vital parts of themselves, the most vulnerable parts, offering tidbits of information that made a person feel they knew Metz, when they really didn't? Eddie had seen through that, somehow. Maybe that alone was proof he cared, enough to notice the mask Metz hid behind.

"Eddie?"

He looked over with a hum, tilting his chin down a bit to find Metz's eyes on him. There was a serious expression on their face and he noticed just how little distance there was between them, between their mouths. He swallowed hard and considered shifting just enough to give them space, but the way Metz stared at him made him stop. "What is it?"

"There was someone, before I moved. A person I loved and that I thought loved me."

The words knocked the air out of his lungs, along with any intimate fantasies wanting to bubble up in his head. Eddie sat up a bit, but didn't move away from Metz.

"About a year and a half after my godmother was diagnosed with dementia, I met a guy," Metz continued, their voice even, but quiet. "It was like some dumb meet-cute. We both went for the only empty table at a coffee shop and after a few, awkward apologies and trying to get the other person to take the table, we decided to just sit together. We talked. And talked and talked. We were interrupted by a friend I was supposed to meet, so we said our goodbyes, but not before he asked for my number."

"His name was, or, is, I guess, Daniel. He started asking me out on dates. Started out once a week, then twice a week, then before I knew it, we were seeing each other every day. He brought gifts almost every time, little things. A flower, a book that reminded him of me, even a shiny rock he thought was cute," Metz said with a pained smile. "He'd constantly talk about how much he loved spending time with me, how much he liked me, how he could see us being together for a long time. He'd call or text constantly, just to say hi or see what I was doing, saying how much he missed me. I didn't think too much on it. I learned later there's a thing called love-bombing that people do, just drowning people with affection and presents. And his constant calls and texts were just a subtle way of keeping track of me."

"We dated for seven or eight months before I introduced him to my godmother. We had an at-home nurse at the time for her, but she wasn't doing as well as that point, so I wanted to spend more time with her. Of course, Daniel was super understanding and would even visit me at her place, bringing food for my godmother or other little trinkets. My godmother was civil until he left. Every time, without fail, she'd say she didn't trust him. That there was something off. She was so good with that before, saved me from a lot of sticky situations. Not that all my partners were bad, but I have a knack for attracting certain types, it seems. But, Daniel wasn't like any of those other people I dated. I chalked it up to paranoia from the dementia worsening. And Daniel, just… he was just so nice," Metz's voice cracked and they cleared their throat as their eyes dropped to their gripped hands. Eddie's arms slipped over their shoulders and pulled them close, tucking their head under his chin. "I'm glad I never left them alone. Never. That's one mistake I'm relieved I didn't make."

"As always, my godmother was right. Daniel wasn't who he painted himself to be. He leveled my godmother's illness to keep me from going out with friends, saying I should be enjoying every moment with her and pointing out how they seemed to call me less anyway. He started talking about moving in together, how it would be easier for all three of us. He even suggested I quit my job to take care of my godmother full time, that he'd take care of everything. With how bad my godmother was getting and the cost for the at-home nurse growing, I looked at our combined finances to see if it was possible without burdening Daniel too much, and I stupidly agreed."

"Eventually, he spent more nights with me at my godmother's house than at his own place. We settled into a routine, but there were changes in him. He began pointing out clothes he didn't like, saying I should dress feminine all the time. He would talk more about my body, saying how he preferred my hair long or how I could afford to lose some weight. Without anything else to do, and with my friends pretty much ostracizing me, I couldn't really think straight. I started to do these things to please him, not wanting to lose the one person who still cared for me."

"Then, my godmother passed. We held a funeral and a lot of my friends showed up. They told me how they'd tried to reach out, but were never able to get a hold of me. It confused me, and I thought they were lying, really, because my telephone never once showed a call from any of my friends. Still, it was a relief to know I wasn't fully alone, that maybe I could get some sense of normalcy back, and I promised to call them after things settled. Daniel overheard, though, and when we were alone, he leveled my godmother's death, saying I should be grieving, not thinking about going out with friends that abandoned me, and that all I needed was him. We argued that night of the funeral. It was our first fight. I kept trying to say I eventually needed to leave the house, get back to work, and he shut me down, insisting I needed time to process, that he'd take care of me from now on and I didn't need to worry. Eventually he wore me down and I gave up on it altogether."

"If nothing else, he was right about my need to grieve. But, I didn't get a chance to do that even. We moved to his apartment that same month, and he had me at his beck and call, making his meals, going out only to take him lunch to work, checking up with calls and texts, asking for picture proof to make sure I was where I said I was. I moved through it all like in a fog for months, unable to process exactly what was my life now as the grief seemed to build up."

"And then, it happened. I'd spent the whole day in the bedroom, crying and feeling like I was going mad with only seeing the walls in the apartment. When we sat down for dinner, I brought up that I wanted to go back to work. As always, Daniel spoke against it, saying the time wasn't right. But, I stood my ground. I told him I felt like a prisoner here, and that I didn't need his permission. I was going back to work. He folded his napkin carefully, stood from the table and pulled me up from my chair before slapping me. A metallic taste filled my mouth and in a daze, I lifted a hand to my mouth, pulling it away to find blood. He towered over me still, digging his fingers into my shoulders with this absolutely livid expression on his face. I… I couldn't move. I was terrified. He told me again I wasn't going back to work, forced me back into my chair and took his own seat, picking up his utensils and eating like normal. Even his face was completely neutral now, not a hint of his anger anywhere in his features."

Metz took a gulp of air here. Their voice had been trembling as they told the story. Eddie's arm was tight around their shoulders as they watched them and he had to force himself to relax his hold. He could feel every muscle in his body twitching with rage, though. If he ever saw this animal…

"I didn't talk the rest of the evening," Metz continued in a hushed, thick voice. "We went to bed and we made love." They paused. "No. He raped me. That's what it was. I was too scared to reject him. And even then, he kept saying how much he loved me, how everything he did was for me. It made me sick, but I still didn't answer. The next morning, he took my cell with him, saying it was better if he held onto it. I didn't object. As soon as the car left the driveway, though, I packed a bag with only the essential and walked out. I found a payphone and called the school one of my friends worked at. She quickly came and picked me up. Daniel had all my credit cards, access to my bank account, but we kept our passports in the apartment, so I had snagged that on my way out. My friend tried to talk me into reporting him to the police, but I had no evidence, really, aside from a bruise on my cheek. I was sure the police wouldn't do anything about it and the fear of repercussion from Daniel was too strong. All I wanted was to get out of there forever."

"What Daniel didn't have was access to the money my godmother left me. I used that to buy a plane ticket out of there. In the hours after, my friend helped me closed off all my credit cards and I drained what little was left in my bank accounts to a new one. My friend got me a new cell and I transferred my number to it in a whole new account. I don't know what must've gone through Daniel's mind when he came back to an empty apartment or when he saw all my things closed off. And I know he must've looked into my finances because he tried calling me cell phone. After that, though, I just closed out my cell line and got a burner phone, at least until I could set myself up here. Only the friend that helped me had that number, and sh tried to keep me in the loop, but when Daniel showed up drunk to her house, trying to fight her husband and terrifying her kids, I decided to cut off all contact. It wasn't worth endangering her family because of me. From the little I could find online, seems he did it to a few people that knew me. He showed some disturbance charges, but nothing that said he was jailed for long. I'm sure he stopped looking when he realized no one knew where I was. He had my cell after all, and I hadn't talked to any of them in such a long time. I didn't even tell my friend where the ticket was for, when she dropped me off at the airport. I just, I felt it was better to have a clean start."

A silence impregnated the room as the two sat huddled together, Metz looking down at their lap now as Eddie only looked at them. "I am sorry, truly sorry, that you had to go through something like that," Eddie told them in a whisper. "You are the last person on this planet who deserves to be hurt that way."

Metz tried a smile, though they hid their face after, hurriedly wiping at their eyes. "Thank you for listening."

Eddie wanted to ask why now, what prompted Metz to share this with him in this exact moment. Then, he realized it didn't matter. Something had triggered Metz, and they had shared what they felt, just as Eddie had asked. They'd made themselves vulnerable to him. What prompted it wasn't important. Eddie tilted Metz's chin up, leaning forward and resting his forehead against theirs. Metz jumped at this, eyes wide and swimming with tears. "You don't have to hide here. You can cry or scream or whatever you need, yeah? I promise I'm not going anywhere."

It would've been a Herculean task to keep from crying, but Metz didn't bother trying. Their features crumpled and they pressed their face against Eddie's chest as he wrapped both arms around Metz, pulling them tight against him. They sobbed without restraint, the pain of heartbreak bursting through the high walls they kept it behind for so long. They grieved the loss of their godmother, who had been the pillar of their life after losing their parents. They grieved the loss of Daniel, of the man they thought they knew, a man they had loved deeply. They grieved the loss of their friends, the loss of their community and the only place they knew as home. And when Metz thought no more tears could come, new streaks travelling down their cheeks, wetting their neighbor's shirt until it was damp.

The sound of Metz's crying tore through Eddie's heart. He closed his eyes and tried his best to keep them from noticing the way he shook with fury and pain. For the first time all day, he wished for Venom back. He wanted to hunt this asshole down, beat him within an inch of his life before letting the symbiote make a proper meal out of him. He deserved worse, much worse, but that would've been enough for Eddie right that moment. His fingers combed through Metz's hair softly, the other hand rubbing at their back. He knew it was necessary, but god, how he wished he could stop their tears. He'd do anything, anything, to make them smile or laugh right now. He hadn't felt that way about anyone except. He pushed the thought away immediately, focusing instead on comforting his friend. His friend, Metz.

For the first time in over a year, Metz felt empty. No, light. The emotional burdens they'd dragged behind them all this time were gone. Finally, they felt they could breathe again. Metz's cries softened, but they remained settled in Eddie's embrace for a moment longer, taking in his scent, his warmth. Aside from their parents and godmother, he was the closest thing to home Metz had ever experienced, they realized. Not even Daniel, with all his niceness, had been able to replicate this feeling. It was this sensation that made Metz wonder if their feelings were more than friendly sentiments towards Eddie.

They knew it could never happen, though. Eddie was in love with his ex. And Metz knew they weren't ready for anything of the sorts either. It wasn't that they didn't trust Eddie, but that they didn't trust themselves. They didn't want to get lost in another person again, not before cementing themselves fully in their own wants and desires and needs. Metz couldn't imagine Eddie trying to change them, though. He'd proven time and time again he accepted Metz just as they were. But, still. It was too early to really tell, anyway. For all Metz knew, this was just remnants of old emotions from the past.

Another thought entered Metz's head right after. Whatever business there was with Daniel, it was still unresolved, a loose end. Dragging Eddie into that nightmare, if the past ever came knocking was not only unfair, but dangerous. People like Daniel, they didn't let prey go so easily. And no amount of affection for Eddie would keep him safe if Daniel decided to reclaim what he thought was his.

That thought sobered Metz enough to pull away from his chest. Eddie's thumb gently moved over their cheek, his eyes moving over their features attentively. Metz was able to give a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine," they assured. "Well, better."

"Do you need anything?" Eddie asked, his face still inches Metz's. He could've moved, but he couldn't bring himself to be too far from them, as if his presence alone would ward off the past.

The tenderness with which he was treating Metz caused their stomach to flip flop and they pressed their fisted hands into their thighs. It wasn't lost on them how close Eddie was now, his arm still curved around their shoulders. "Water would be nice," they said with a slight nod, a sudden need to place some distance blaring in their mind.

For a moment Eddie didn't move, simply went on holding their eyes with his, fingers gripping their shoulder still. Metz was holding their breath at this point, as if even the softest of gust of air would bring about something cataclysmic. "Water. Okay," he said, blinking his eyes and suddenly gaining a hint of a blush on his cheeks as he lowered his arm from Metz's shoulder. "Water. Got it," he nodded, practically shooting up from the couch now and heading to the kitchen.

He had been very close to doing something very stupid. It would've been a blatant disrespect to his friend, to their friendship, to their trust. Especially when Metz finally opened up and shared that piece of their past Eddie had been restraining himself from asking about. It explained their reluctance to be involved with anyone. Recalling Metz's story brought a twisted pain to his navel. Daniel. It wouldn't be hard to find him. Eddie had a knack for finding people, didn't he? He could very easily –

"Eddie!"

Metz sounded terrified and for a moment, he thought he'd done, he'd gone back to Metz and kissed them. The sound of the news, though, hit him as he turned to face his neighbor on the couch.

"News of Kasady's escape has spread like wildfire due to the strange circumstances around the event. Unbelievable accounts are coming through, as well as the reported deaths of innocents, with the numbers steadily climbing to–"

"Shit, shit, shit," Eddie breathed out, forgetting the glass of water and stumbling towards the couch for his cell. "Fuck. Fuck!"

Metz simply stared at the television, as if to will the news to contradict itself, to say it was all a lie. Kasady had been executed and this was some cruel joke, some beyond-the-grave hoax he managed to somehow pull off. The video the news played, though, dashed their hopes. Destruction, fires, sirens. It was real.

"Metz, you need to go to your place now. Lock yourself in. Or got to Mrs. Chen! Stay with her," Eddie rattled off as he scrolled through his phone, pressing down on the familiar name of the detective. "Kasady doesn't know about you, you'd be safe, you just need to–"

And before he could finish, a machine gun knock came to the door.