Well hello there. I've had the idea for this story for a while and the first few chapters I've had down for a few weeks now, I'm hoping ill be able to keep this one and my others going on a more regular basis. I'm trying to work my way out of the rut I've been in with my other stories. But anyway I really hope you guys enjoy this and I cant wait to hear what you all think. I was planning to post the next chapter next week but depending on the response I can have it up sooner. Love you guys. :)

Kevin stared at the ground, lost in thought. The memory of what had transpired only an hour ago still fresh in his mind. As the water spraying from the rusted shower head poured over his red locks, he could still hear his boss's voice.

"Look Kev, I'm sorry, I mean my hands are tied."

"Are you kidding me Murphy?! I'm the best goddamn mechanic you've got out there!"

"Yeah and you're also my most recent hire. I told you when you started this was a temporary thing, if it worked out we would keep you on. And guess what, it hasn't worked out."

The gruff manager sat behind his desk looking down at the stack of invoices before him, not looking up to see the fuming red head only feet from him. Kevin's fists became so tight he felt as though his knuckles would come out of socket, containing himself as best he could he turned to leave the room only to feel a rough and calloused hand on his shoulder.

"Kev…look, I'm sorry alright. I took you on because I know the situation you're in and…well I guess I owed it to your dad. This isn't personal kid. If you ever need anything, my doors open."

Kevin shrugged the man's hand away before he spoke to him over his shoulder.

"I don't need your charity Murph…I need work. I'll make sure to say hey to pops for you."

Anger loomed heavily in the red heads voice as he walked out of the auto shop. Two trains and a bus ride later, he walked a few blocks to find himself standing before the gates of Peach City Cemetery. The former athlete made his way across the grounds coming to rest in front of a black almost mirrored headstone. He stared at the name chiseled across it for what seemed like an eternity as his hands rested in his pockets. Finally, after some time he managed to bring himself to speak, he always felt strange when he came here. He knew he was just speaking to a slab of stone, but somehow it brought him a sense of peace. His voice still hoarse from his previous anger he forced his thoughts to voice themselves.

"…how you been ol' man?"

"Kevin?"

Kevin's eyes shot open as he heard the soft voice he had come to love so much echo through the apartment. Ordinarily the sound would bring him relief after a long day but today, all he felt was dread. This would be the fifth job Kevin had lost in the past six months.

"How the hell am I going to tell him."

Kevin ran his hand through his hair and looked up at the cracked ceiling. He really couldn't understand how Edd had brought himself to be okay with living in a place like this. The bathroom tile was chipping, all of the walls had turned a sickly brown color from previous residence smoking inside, and holes and ripping wallpaper adorned the walls. Really the only thing in the entire unit that was definitely clean was a brand new mattress atop the old creaky bedframe. Edd had insisted on replacing it once they had moved in and Kevin had been in full agreement. But even with all of this the sock head forced himself to endure the unsanitary conditions, and if that didn't help Kevin realize just how much he meant to the raven haired intellectual then nothing would. He sighed hearing his name called again.

"In here babe."

The door to the bathroom opened slowly as Kevin moved the curtain slightly so as to see his dork poking his head in the steam filled room. It amazed him that even after all this time together he could still so easily bring a light blush to the sock heads face. Although from Edd's point of view it actually made perfect sense, opening the door upon returning home to find a well-toned, former multi-sport athlete in a steamy shower would be enough to make anyone blush…right?

"Oh, your home early. Did something happen at work?"

The jock's muscles all seemed to tense at once, he had no clue where his words came from as he calmed himself as best he could to not appear suspicious.

"Not really, just a slow day. Murph decided to cut me loose for the afternoon."

He hated lying to Edd but he couldn't bring himself to tell him what had happened. Not yet.

"That's odd, will you still be going in tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah, same time."

Edd gave Kevin a slightly confused look, the red head had never been sent home early before. But giving it some thought it didn't seem like the most far-fetched thing in the world.

"Alright."

Edd stepped into the room and placed a gentle kiss on his red heads lips before calling out as he left, moving into the kitchen.

"I just came from the store, I found a place that was a bit less expensive so we may be able to make it last for a while longer. What would you like for dinner?"

"Anything's fine baby."

Kevin placed a hand on the tile wall in front of him as his mind raced. How long would that food really last, the lights? Gas?

"Just have to stay afloat for a little while longer…..I hope."