The sequel to The Double-D Dare is here!

I realize some of you aren't on Tumblr, so, to clear
up any confusion, Rave is an OC created by the
lovely Kirakurry. This story will, indeed, be darker
than TDDD, and you guys'll probably hate me
after this chapter. But I do hope you enjoy it,
and please, give me your feedback!

As always, I don't own EEnE. Kirakurry owns
Rave, and Acid owns Nathan!

A Double-Eddged Sword

Chapter One

Written by l0velyfe

"What the fuck are you staring at?"

Edd blinked rapidly and shook his head, intelligence flooding into his eyes as he gazed at the brunet before him. Golden-brown eyes were alight with annoyance, impatiently awaiting a response.

"My apologies, James..."

"Jesus, you're a fucking space cadet today." The crosswalk light flashed white with a walking figure, and Rave grasped Edd's sleeve, dragging him across the street through the smell of exhaust. "Come on. If you make me late, I swear to God..."

Rave continued to grumble threats, but Edd's mind had wandered again, consumed by reflections. 'Today is going to be wonderful,' he decided, following Rave down the sidewalk. Debate class had been invigorating, as always, and he had received the highest mark in his class on their previous Anatomy exam. Now, he was on his way to meet Kevin at the coffee shop Rave was employed at. It was a mere two blocks from their dormitory; very much within walking distance.

Edd had missed Kevin dearly. Things had been much different since they had begun attending university. While Edd had been accepted to a small, private college of the Science and Arts, Kevin had received a complete football scholarship to a state school approximately 150 miles away. It would have been foolish not to accept – even Kevin had admitted that – and while it was not across the country, it was still over three hours away: an impossible distance for Edd to travel, for he didn't have a vehicle, and Kevin had practice nearly every night after class, making it difficult for him to visit. It was almost been a clean-cut split, greatly contrasting their previous situation where they spent at least a few hours together every day. Edd had to admit, it was difficult. Today was the first day he would see Kevin in nearly two months, marking only the third time he'd seen him since they had moved to their respective colleges and begun their new schooling. Texts were sent, phone calls made when possible, but nothing compared to speaking face-to-face. Edd's heart pounded at the anticipation of doing just that.

"Hey." Edd turned to look at Rave, who nodded his head toward the small parking lot. "Looks like he's already here."

Edd followed his gaze, and, sure enough, a large black and red motorcycle stood propped up on its kickstand, parked next to the curb. A smile curved Edd's lips. Rave smirked, stepping forward to hold the glass door open for him.

"Have fun with your jock douchebag boyfriend."

Rave disappeared into the shop before Edd could retort. The boy stood there in the entryway of the small café, the piquant scent of coffee flooding his nostrils. There were only a few tables occupied; an elderly man reading whilst sipping his mocha, two young women conversing over frappuccinos, a middle-aged man in a suit on his laptop, and...

Kevin.

Heart pulsing rapidly in his chest, Edd strode across the shop on shaky legs, approaching the table Kevin was seated at. The redhead caught his eye, and something was off about his smile, but Edd was too elated to notice. Kevin stood up as he came closer, and Edd practically leaped into the strong arms, reveling in the warmth and musky scent that was purely Kevin.

'Finally.'

"Sit down, Edd."

Kevin pulled away from their embrace prematurely, but Edd didn't protest, sitting across from him instead at the circular glass table. Kevin slid back into his chair.

"How are your studies proceeding, Kevin?"

Kevin shrugged one shoulder noncommittally. "Good, I guess." His short answer caused Edd to frown slightly. Overall, Kevin seemed unsettled, as though he knew something Edd did not.

"Is something wrong?" Edd prodded gently.

Kevin fidgeted with his wallet upon the table. "Well, uh..."

'C'mon dude, just say it. You gotta say it.'

Kevin lifted his head to gaze into those concerned bluegreen eyes, wide and genuine; the very ones that had reflected his own when he'd said I love you, all those times.

"Nah, just missed you."

Outwardly, he faked a smile as Edd grinned in relief. "Oh, I certainly missed you as well, Kevin!"

Inwardly, he slapped the heel of his palm against his face. 'You fucking pussy.'

They continued to talk, but to Kevin, it was just petty conversation. He was half-paying attention, nodding when Edd prompted him, consciously aware of the words he was holding back. Each time he turned to look at the kid, excitedly babbling away, he doubted his own common sense and decision-making. Was this right? Was any of this right? He had never been in so deep with anyone before. Fuck, he loved Edd. 'That's why I gotta do it. Right?'

Edd excused himself to go to the restroom. After relieving himself, he scrubbed his hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap. He glanced up at himself in the large mirror. His appearance had changed only slightly since high school. His hair fell almost to his shoulders, soft and dark. He had developed the lightest of freckles from the previous summer, as most of it was spent outside with Kevin. Striped sweaters and V-neck shirts still made up his wardrobe, but Rave had influenced his style somewhat, and he'd taken to wearing skinny jeans on most days.

Drying his hands off, he pushed the bathroom door open with his shoulder and strode down the narrow hallway to the main room in the café. Almost immediately, his eyes locked on their table - or, what he thought was their table. But there was no one seated there. Glancing around the café, he concluded that no, he wasn't mistaken, and yes, that was the table he'd been sitting at previously. But there was no Kevin in sight.

"He left."

The voice startled him, for he had not seen Rave approach. Chestnut hair pulled back in a low tie and an apron strapped around his waist, the teen regarded him with sharp golden-brown eyes.

"He told me to tell you he was sorry. Asked to borrow a pen. I think he left you something." Rave nodded toward the table. With furrowed brows, Edd approached the table almost hesitantly. Sure enough, a note sat upon the glass, folded, with his name scrawled upon the top in familiar messy handwriting. Edd unfolded it gingerly, eyes scanning the words quickly.

Edd,
There's a lot I wanna say, but there ain't really
enough time to say it. I think we're expecting too
much. The distance is killing me. So let's make it
easy and say goodbye. Not for forever, just for
now. I'll see you on the flip-side, Double Dee.
- Kevin

Rave eyed Edd from behind the counter as he mixed steaming milk into the drink he was making. He was curious; Kevin had been acting fucking weird, sneaking away while Edd was in the bathroom. Even from a distance, he could see the change in Edd's face. 'The fucking kid's gonna make a scene. Shit.'

"Chris, cover for me."

It didn't click in his head right away. Edd's eyes skimmed across the creased napkin over and over. Surely he had misread; surely he had missed something or he was misunderstanding the message Kevin was trying to convey. After a minute, he found he couldn't read the note anymore, for tears blurred the words beyond recognition. He felt a hand on his wrist, tugging him out of the café. He saw red-brown hair, caught a whiff of Rave's familiar scent.

Outside, it was raining. They stood under the cover of the coffee shop's canopy.

"Let me see that."

The note was snatched from his hand, but Edd didn't care. Why? Why would Kevin do such a thing? Why now? True, the distance had proved difficult on their relationship, but did that really warrant a breakup? Edd felt as though his heart had risen into his throat, threatening to choke him.

"What a prick," Rave mumbled, shoving the note into his pocket. He lifted his eyes to regard the crying teen, somewhat sympathetically. "Listen, Edd, you can stay here until I'm off. I'll get you a mocha or something."

Instead of a response, Rave received a softly crying Edd against his body, arms around his neck. Indignantly, Rave opened his mouth to tell Edd to get off before he stained his work shirt with tears and snot, but he caught himself as Edd's body shook with the effort of a sob. With a reluctant sigh, Rave patted his dormmate's back comfortingly.

'Fuck you, Kevin. Now I won't get any studying done for at least a week.'