By and Ed
Summary: Eddy finds Double Dee's medication.
x x x
"Hey Double Dee, what'cha got here?" Eddy impishly swiped the little plastic bottle from the counter, where it stood beside a tall glass of water.
"Eddy, please!" his friend turned and made a grab for it, but the damage was done. Eddy furrowed his brow in confusion as he read the label.
"The heck d'you need anti-depressants for?"
"Please return that, Eddy. How many times have I asked you not to touch my things without permission?"
"Answer the question, smart guy," Eddy extended the bottle out of the taller boy's reach.
"Eddy, I –"
"'Eddy, I' what?" he mocked his friend's panicked voice, then continued gruffly. "Ain't I a good pal? Ain't Ed a laugh-and-a-half? So, what? We ain't good enough for ya 'r somethin'? Huh? Is that it?"
"Strange as it seems, this has nothing to do with you, Eddy," Double Dee spat as he successfully pried the container from his friend's grip. "And if you must know, these pills are also sanctioned for treating anxiety."
"Oh yeah, that sounds like you alright. Mister 'I'm so delicate I fall to pieces over the smallest thing, like getting dust on my stuff or a hair out of place. How unsanitary!'" he burst into giggles over his unflattering impression.
Stung, Double Dee clutched the bottle tightly as his temper bubbled.
"You see, this is exactly why I tried to keep this from you and Ed! I knew I wouldn't be met with understanding, only condescension and scorn! – as usual, I might add. You never take anything seriously, do you, Eddy? Well you listen here, mister, this is exactly the kind of trigger I was hoping to ease with this medication – in addition to a bit of cognitive-behavioral therapy, of course. I've only just recently started this program, you know, and it would be nice to have some support from the people I thought were my friends!" he folded his arms and turned away, only to dive into his meds a few seconds later. Eddy swore he heard mumbling along the lines of 'untimely ingestion' in the process.
An incredibly tense and lengthy moment passed between the two as Double Dee rinsed out his cup and returned the pills to his pocket with a deliberately slowed pace. He'd hoped Eddy would just drop the subject and walk away, but this wasn't the case. Instead he stood with a wistful expression, clutching his chin and tapping his beak-lip carefully. He could practically see the gears turning in Eddy's flat little head.
He maneuvered around the little no-neck obstacle to make his escape from the cramped kitchen, but as he reached the doorframe, Eddy's voice caught up with him.
"Look, I'm sorry, okay?"
He paused and stood with his back towards the other. He knew Eddy was holding the same position, neither of them baring the capacity to make eye contact.
"Like, I don't... I don't know what's wrong or – or how it feels, 'n why you think you need meds or whatever, but... well, me 'n Ed are here for ya, okay Sockhead?"
Double Dee could swear he heard Eddy's voice waver ever-so-slightly.
"Oh, and uh, you should try 'n take those with food from now on, 'kay? Makes things easier on your stomach, y'know? 'Least, that's what my mom always said." His hand found the back of his head and scratched it lightly.
It was all he could do not to be overcome with emotion. He bumped the plastic container gently as he reached for a handkerchief to stem the grateful tears that sprung to his eyes.
"Thank you, Eddy."
FIN