AN: For mshooplover.
Inhibitions II
By: anybodihearme
Originally Uploaded: Monday, October 8, 2018
From the kitchen, I could hear Eddward shuffling around on the couch in his sleep. In a way, it was as if he was running from his demons with how tormented his tosses and turn sounded. I couldn't help but feel as if I somehow caused his pain, even though I know I have done nothing to bring about the emotions that plague his heart. Nevertheless, it was a heart-wrenching sight to hear, let alone look at.
It was a quarter till six - about the time the sun was supposed to rise according to the news - but I could already hear the birds outside chirping and the early-morning traffic starting up on the e-way. With fall progressing as fast it is, I wouldn't be surprised if, within the next couple of weeks, or even days, the sun would slowly start to rise around seven, maybe even half-past. Even now, I miss waking up and seeing the sun shining brightly in the sky. It's all a little too moody for my taste.
Picking up my coffee, I walked back into the living room where Eddward was fast asleep. I always imagined him as being the type that rises with the sun but taking into account the events of last night, it doesn't shock me all too well that he was still asleep; however, even in the darkness of the room, I could see the dark, restless circles under his eyes. I have no idea how I could have missed those last night, but I did. Then again, I've missed a lot.
Eddward was still dressed in the clothes that he stumbled around in when I first opened the door, the only difference being that I slipped off his shoes and replaced them with a throw that was heavy enough to keep him warm despite the crisp cold air that creeps in from the windows every now and then. With ease, I slid down into the chase lounge that was almost adjacent from where Eddward laid; however, I was more conscious of the noise I made, trying my best not to wake him.
There are so many things that I want to say but I don't know how.
The warm liquid of the coffee slightly burned my upper lip when I took a sip, but it did wonders to warm my cold, hollow chest. I couldn't help but watch as Eddward slept on the couch. Was there something that I have done to lead him on? Thinking back, I never treated him differently than those around him. Given that I did bully him often when we were children, but that stopped once we got into high school and could be all chucked up to simple adolescent deviance. Not to mention that once I started to get to know him as an individual, I began appreciating as an equal. Which, can simply be attributed to being a decent human being and nothing more.
Leaning back into the lounge, my head slowly lolled to the right and then the left before I began to feel the heat of the sun. For just a moment, I basked in the warmth and embraced how it relaxed my tense muscles. It wasn't even six yet and I was already tense. Maybe he does that to me. Who knows. With a stretch, my neck popped. Opening my eyes, I followed the rays of the sun as they danced across the floor and slowly crept up the couch and across Eddward's body. A glamour flickered in the corner of my eye - like a shining star in the evening sky - and it was then, at that moment, that I realized Eddward still had on his glasses.
Thinking back, I could count the number of times that he complained about having to get a new pair of glasses on both of my hands. I would always chuckle when he would walk into the library after school with tape on the bridge of his glasses and tell me "not to start" with him. I wouldn't even say anything, and he would always get bothered.
I sat my coffee cup down on the table and stood without a second thought. Crossing the room in no more than three, four strides, I crouched down beside the couch and placed my one hand on the cushion, right below Eddward's chest. With the other, I reached out and slowly pulled his glasses off his face. Eddward stirred and his eyes opened slowly. It was as if every breath got caught in my throat and I suddenly couldn't breathe. The combination of the sun and the shimmering blue of his eyes was enough to keep me still and entranced by his calm demeanor. Never before in my life have I had an urge to reach out and softly brush someone's hair, so I could simply see more of their face. It was a foreign feeling, to say the least.
But, as fast as he opened his eyes was as fast as he closed them and slipped away.
In a matter of moments, it was as if the lines of care and toil had smoothed and virtually disappeared from his face, the crow's feet all but a memory. His eyelids, closed against the dim light of dawn, accompanied by his breathing was deep and relaxed, as if all the muscles in his face and body were totally at peace. Not a twitch, nor a spasm, was barely present to indicate life besides the subtle rising and falling of his chest with each intake of air, such was the depth of his oblivion. This was a body, a soul, and a spirit at total peace with itself, slowly rejuvenating the mind and muscle before the onset of yet another day of turmoil.
It was remarkable, and I couldn't help but sit next to him on the floor and watch him sleep for as long as I could.