"Mastace..." Briggan said, "My addiction... is you..."
Mastace had no idea how to respond. He was absolutely bewildered by the revelation that had been bestowed upon him. He found it both disconcerting and endearing. Two very opposite forces in his mind clashed together, causing everything to simply freeze. He felt his heart pound against his ribs. His face became very hot as he took in the meaning of what was said. He just couldn't believe what he'd heard. Was he so out of tune with both himself and his surroundings that he wasn't able to see this coming, or was Briggan the first person that was truly impossible for him to read completely? Either explanation suited him logically, but he wanted to know for sure which one it really was.
Then there was the deal with how to respond. He couldn't find the words to say. He was suddenly incapable of coming up with anything as a reply. Mastace could see that Briggan was searching him for any kind of inner response, any kind of light in his eye that might indicate what he was feeling. Briggan was searching when Mastace didn't even know.
"I-I... I'm flattered..." Mastace said, a faltering in his voice. "I-I... I don't know what to say..."
"Then, don't say anything." Briggan said. "If there's nothing to say, then there's nothing to say. Words will come in time."
Mastace looked at Briggan in surprise. "You seem so different all of a sudden... What's going on?"
"I guess I finally got back into touch with who I am... with a bit of help." Briggan gestured to Mastace. "Or, I'm beginning to... I don't know just yet."
"We'll figure it out soon enough then, huh?" Mastace chuckled.
"I suppose," Briggan said. He looked at Mastace a moment, and tilted his head. Mastace once again noticed the dainty nature of the motion. He couldn't help but label it as cute in his mind. Everything felt suffocating, and Mastace was finding it difficult to find any room to breathe. First, it was his father. Then it was Briggan and his self-mutilation. Now... it was Briggan's confession. He had no idea how to feel, much less handle it all in a smooth manner. It was all... caving in on him and he had no idea where to go.
"Yeah," Mastace said, a faint smile falling upon his face.
"Mastace... you look tired." Briggan said as he put a hand on Mastace's shoulder.
"I am... I am tired..." Mastace yawned as he spoke. With all that had transpired, fatigue was only now setting in. His brain wanted so desperately to sleep right here but there were things that needed to be taken care of before then.
"Then why don't you spend the night here? I know this isn't ideal... but..."
"No, it's okay. I... That was actually the reason I came here. I... don't want to live with my father anymore." Mastace looked straight ahead to avoid eye contact. "I've had enough of his never-ending cycle, and I want away from it. I just... don't have anywhere else to go yet."
Briggan watched Mastace's face as he spoke about the situation. "I'll be glad to help you out, Mastace. You've done nothing but make it your mission to do the same for me. I think it's high time I returned the favor."
Mastace's facial expression softened. The worry in his face melted away and evaporated. He could see Briggan's inner tension was also fading. "Thank you," was all Mastace said; however, it seemed by the look in Briggan's eye, that he picked up on a lot more than just the verbalized message. It looked as if he got all the underlying words that weren't, or may never be, spoken.
"You're very much welcome. You always have a place in this home."
Mastace closed his eyes. This was all too much for him at the moment. He was overcome by a wave of new and uncharted emotions. Tears ran down his face once again, but these were not brought on by sadness or agony, nor were they the product of fear or irritation. These tears... were a signal of his relief and joy. Once again, all Mastace could say was "Thank you."
Briggan watched Mastace for a moment. "You know... I don't like getting very close to other people very much... but... I think you need this." Now, it was Briggan who enveloped Mastace in a tight hug. Mastace gave in and began crying. "You have nothing to worry about. Not anymore." Briggan said.