It's been a while, hasn't it? Finally out with a new story, of which bits and pieces have been floating in my head for a while, but just haven't connected until lately. For those who have been around for a while, this is going to be a prequel to Into the Ocean, which is currently being rewritten. It's exploring how Kevin and Edd first became partners, and their struggles and termoil. Also, because, with the new release of the comics, some more of their characters have come out, so I wanted things to be a bit more in character for both of them.

Also, sorry about some typos. I'm writing this between flights, and will go back and edit it all later on.

That being said, I hope you enjoy! The R!AU belongs to Asphyxion.


Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart

But, your blade- it might be too sharp

I'm like a rubber band, until you pull to hard

Yeah, I may snap and I move fast

But you won't see me fall apart

Cause, I've got an elastic heart

They say even the smallest chain of events can change the course of a lifetime forever. Something so small and insignificant, can blossom into something much more grand and leave such a mark that it will never fade. Whether these events are good or bad, they can change our perspectives and the way we see the world and others around us. It forms us, almost as though there is some otherworldly hand guiding the obstacle in our path.

That was very much the case for Eddward Rockwell, outside a strong willed, snide, exceptionally smart swimmer. There were not many that knew of hardships like he had, at least, not in the small town of Peach Creek. To his peers, and even friends, the man almost seemed untouchable. Loved by teachers, and his coach; making captain in a very short amount of time; feared by those whom crossed him, and a very well off family of surgeons.

He prided himself on keeping up that image, never letting his walls slip or snap. Never letting someone else come close to him, lest he hurt them or they hurt him. There had already been enough cracks to his psyche, he needed no others. No more scars that were etched on the very depths of his soul. He'd come to the conclusion a long time ago, that if he was disposable, then so were others. He would never be weak again, and allow someone in.

Still, something was slowly threatening his sharp mind. Something sharper. A stupid, pathetic nerd that'd he'd picked on for god knows how long now. There was something about the way the kid fought back, snapped and snarled when there was something the swimmer did that he did not approve of. Truly the only person who would dare to speak like that to him, and get away with it.

Which, for whatever unknown reason he allowed. Whether it was from entertainment, or some kind of morbid curiosity, he wasn't sure. It baffled him, a problem he couldn't find the answer to. Well, didn't wish to may be a better term. There were things, in the few moments when the two men would just speak in which the swimmer treated him as an equal.

He tried to avoid those talks as much as possible, and keep their social standings separated, even if he needed to butt in from time to time about Kevin's math when it came to robotics. Kevin. He was even allowing his name to saturate into his mind. Names were only spoken when people mattered. Not for short bursts of entertainment.

Kevin's side, is a bit more simple. He was so courious as to what made the shark tick. What made him the way he was now? Seeing as he wasn't like that, from what he remembered as a child. Sure, he was still mischievous, but nothing like the ass he turned out to be. There had to be something. He almost felt bad for thinking of this as some kind of experiment. Taking apart someone else, to see what made them tick.

Still, for all the shit that Eddward had given him, he was still fascinated by the man. Someone like him to even give the nerd the time of day, was what baffled him. Why the red head? He didn't really see the guy pick on anyone else, he was just some how lucky enough to get singled out. He deserved at least an answer to why, even if he didn't get any of the other answers he wanted.

They were polar opposites. Unlike Eddward, Kevin was secure in himself. Sure, he had normal insecurities, like everyone, but nothing so deep rooted as the swimmer. He had a small group of close friends that he was more than happy to keep around. Which is why, whatever standing he and Edd had, was so confusing to him, and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. Regardless of what those consequences would be.

Without either of them knowing, life had been connecting their chains since they were born. All of their events, would lead up to their climax. No one could figure out how it would end, or when, but their story was about to be told. Another chain of events, to spark yet another.