Chapter 1: A life to save
Damn you eddy…
Those were the last words that crossed Edd's mind as the hangman's noose scratched his pale delicate neck. What had he been thinking…? Listening to that imbecile had only proven once more to be an error in his calculations. But then his calculations were one of the reasons Edward P. Feccia* had recruited the genius. His mind had been his savior then; yet it was his down fall now.
He could no longer hear what was being read about his crimes, bit that he would have needed to hear someone else's word to remember the misdeeds he, Ed and Eddy had performed. But why was he sentenced to death whilst the others were set free?
He knew the answer already. Ed was too mentally slow to fully understand the actions he took part in. His family was simply fined. For Edd, there was to family to pay his fine, no sneaky brother for a sheriff to set him free with a slap on the wrist as per Eddy's punishment.
No. He was left in jail only over night while the noose was made. He knew that the law required he go free as a slave or husband if someone paid his bail.
He did not hold much hope in his options. He was pale, small, weak, and now a convicted felon. No one was going to save him.
He lifted his head, thankful that he had been allowed to keep his beaten old had, the Judge and probable mayor of the little town said his name.
"-plead guilty of all crimes to which you stand accused, have you any final words?"
Of course, but none the like of you would understand. He bit back a bitter smile, in his final hours his sass had not left him. For a moment he opened his mouth as to say something, instead to brilliant ravenette closed his mouth and shook his head. "No."
Edd glanced around the crowd, sending out a final pleading thought to any of the on lookers; begging with his eyes to be saved. Instead a masked man gripped onto a lever, panic swept over Edd causing him to go rigid. He saw the man's grip tighten around the lever, he took a final breath of air. He had often wondered what death would be like. What the act of dying felt like, and whether there would be an afterlife for him. There were still so many questions unanswered, so much of life he had not gotten to experience.
At least I'll die without heart break… his final thought as his eyes snapped shut his head brought down so his hat could hide any last minute tears.
-x-
"STOP!"
The voice rang through the ravenettes head. He was still breathing, still tied up with that itchy piece of rope around his neck, but alive. Had it been an eternity while he waited for the trap door beneath his feet to fall through? Was he reliving this nightmare in some part of his own personal hell? His questions were met with an angry looking mayor ordering the masked man to remove the noose and cut his bindings.
This was it. Eddy had come through for him. Edd quickly looked around for his friend, but his face was not in the crowd. Instead he found a new face, an unfamiliar face in the crowd staring lazily at him with piercing green eyes that looked much too similar to the mayors to call for a coincidence.
The mayor was blocking Edd's view of the man in a matter of moments. "You were lucky today. M—someone has paid you fine. But hear me now and listen well Eddward Vincent. If you value your life you will do every thing this person says. You will serve them and you will stay away from Eddy Feccia* do you understand me?"
Edd nodded. The mayor nodded. He was quick to grab Edd's arm and roughly lead him through the sneering crowd. He only let go once the smaller male was face to face with the red head from the crowd.
"He's all yours so— Mr. Barr." Twice. That was twice the mayor had intended to say one thing but continued his sentence with another. Edd made a mental note of it. Mr. Barr simply nodded and took hold of Edd's forearm, his grasp was firm but gentle as though he feared hurting the ravenette before him. He lead him away from the dispersing crowd and all their whispers, toward a covered wagon attached to an oxen.
Edd followed his savoir to the back of the wagon where he was released. He watched Mr. Barr climb into the wagon.
"You can settle down back here, I've just a bit more shopping to do in town then we can make our way back out." Mr. Barr's voice was gentle with a twinge of huskiness that had the ravenette's knee buckling. Honey could not have been sweeter. With a nod the genius turned to climb his way into the wagon. He nearly jumped from his skin the moment two strong hands gripped his under arms and hoisted him up. He gripped the sides of his hat, tugging it down the slightest bit to hide the redness of his cheeks as he was placed in the wagon.
In a matter of seconds the hands were gone and Mr. Barr was settling into the bench at the front of the wagon.
"Th-thank you…" his voice cracked as he settled himself the best he could onto a make shift bed he assumed Mr. Barr had previously used. He doubted that he had been heard, but did not care. He was safe from the hangman's noose, even if it meant he would live as a slave. Happy tears and quiet sobs lulled the small male to sleep while Mr. Barr made his way into town. Edd drifted off to sleep replaying Mr. Barr's honey sweet voice in his mind.
-x-
The trip back to his cabin was much more peaceful then normal for Mr. Barr. Several times he caught himself glancing back at the small male in the bed of his wagon hugging a bag of rice to himself dearly. A smile crossed his features when the male lost his hat tussling around the make shift bed. He let out a chuckle as he snapped his oxen's reigns. He was more than a little excited to get home. Three days without seeing Kelsey was enough for him.
"Mmm…" Mr. Barr looked back into the wagon to see Edd sit up. The ravenette ran a hand down his face trying to stifle a yawn before stretching his limbs out.
"Good evening'. Sleep well?" The last rays of the sun played a crossed both males features. Edd's starling blue eyes shone brightly, a pink hue crossing his cheeks, his unruly raven hair sticking up in various places, caused Mr. Barr's pulse quicken. Beautiful… For Edd seeing Mr. Barr's face in the glow of the sunset was breathtaking. He swallowed hard before turning his focus away.
"Y-yes… thank you for allowing me to slumber. I-it was much needed."
Mr. Barr chuckled. "Come on up front here, the stars are starting to come out."
Edd nodded, quickly climbing onto the bench next to Mr. Barr. He looked up at the on coming night sky. "Its lovely…" He chanced a glance over at the man that had saved his life. "Mr. Barr… Thank you so very much for what you did today. Whatever I can do to repay you no matter how hard the work may get… I realize I do not look like much but believe me when I say I will try my hardest to push through whatever you may wish me to do around your home. I—"
"Don't worry about it for now. Cooking, maybe some cleaning, you any good at teaching? You seem like the type."
Edd nodded perking up at the mention of education. "Why yes, my aunt was a teacher she taught me quite a lot."
Mr. Barr grinned. "That's good."
Silence fell over the two as a cabin came into view. There was a river within walking distance, and a large barn Edd figured would be his sleeping quarters. Almost too soon Mr. Barr pulled the reigns of the oxen to signal a stop. Edd took the moment Mr. Barr gave while unhooking the animal, to take in his new living area. It was quaint and cozy. He reckoned that Mr. Barr had at least an acre and a half to himself.
"Here." That honey voice pulled Edd out of his thoughts. "Let me help you down." A hand was extended to the ravenette how blushed deeply when he took hold of it. Edd sent a silent thanks to the heavens for the setting sun. Mr. Barrs hand was callused and warm against Edd's. It made the genius feel like he had never worked a day in his live. He knew too well how girlishly soft and small his body, hands included, was. It pained him, though Mr. Barr said nothing much to the ravenette's delight.
Once his feet were on the ground Edd took it upon himself to make his way to the barn. He was half way before a strong callused hand spun him around by the shoulder. He flinched instinctively, eyes snapping shut as he braced himself for a strike. Eddward! You were careless! Just because this man has shown you a shred of kindness you let it get to your head! Now you'll get it… just wait… just… Edd slowly opened his eyes to see a frowning red head staring confusingly at him. He quickly straightened up, even more thankful that the darkness covered his increasingly dark blush.
"Oh m-my apologize… I should have waited for you to show me my quarters I simply assumed that since you had gone to all that t-trouble with me today you would want to head to sleep and well I don't mind goi—" The hand was removed from Edd's shoulder and gently placed over his mouth to silence his ramblings.
"What in the world are you talking about? You were headed toward the barn, only animals sleep in a barn."
Edds shoulders slumped. Eddy had him sleeping in a barn. Eddy made him use hay instead of a real mattress. Eddy… I'm no longer with Eddy. Edd took a deep breath before removing Mr. Barr's hand from his mouth.
"Thank you. You have no idea what this kindness means to me."
A smile, a breath taking smile was all the reply Edd received. It was all the reply he needed to know he was going to be safe from harm on this farm.
"Come on, we'll get you all settled in." Mr. Barr gestured him to follow as he began making his way to the cabin. Edd happily obliged. "Tomorrow I'll show you around and introduce you to Kelsey."
For one reason or another Edd's heart sank a bit. His smile drooped and the color slowly left his face. Of course there was a Kelsey. He had been stupid to think anything else. True they were in the west. The 'Anything-Goes-West.' That, however, should not have made him assume there would be any similarities between himself and Mr. Barr.
"I look forward—" The slamming open of the cabin's door stopped the ravenette cold.
"Daddy!" A small figure ran toward the two before throwing itself into Mr. Barr's waiting arms. The man was chuckling as he spun the offending person around before hoisting them up. Edd followed still as the pair made their way into the cabin. He proceeded to close the door behind himself after a moment of waiting to be told to do so.
In the light of the cabin, Edd could see the red head that rescued him as well as a little girl that looked to be a miniature female version of Mr. Barr.
A pair of green eyes peaked over one of the man's shoulders as a small pale hand pulled on his shirts sleeve. "Daddy… Daddy who is that?" Mr. Barr turned around, placing the girl down on her own two feet. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave Edd a smile.
"I'm sorry Mr. Vincent I had hoped to wait till tomorrow for introductions, but apparently some people can't sleep without being tucked in."
The little girl, she was probably no more than ten looked up at her father, pouting as she crossed her arms. "Miss Nazz fell asleep reading my bed time story and there was no goodnight song Daddy."
Edd watched the two playfully argue, wondering if that would have been how he and his parents would have been.
"Is… is this Kelsey?" A hopeful smile played at Edds lips. The little girl grinned from ear to ear turning her full attention on Edd.
"This is. Who might you be?" Kelsey's head tilted ever so slightly till she looked like a doll.
"Hunny this is Eddward. He'll be living here from now on to be your teacher." At this information Kelsey gave a groan. Her arms dropped to her sides and her posture gave way till she was swinging her arms in front of her. She gave Mr. Barr a pleading look.
"Can't he just be my new mama."
A fresh wave of redness flooded Edd's cheeks.
-x-
It had taken a full twenty minutes to get Kelsey to fall asleep. Miss Nazz was introduced as a lovely neighbor who stayed with Kelsey when Mr. Barr had to go on his trades. Finally Edd was being settled into a spare bedroom.
"I'm really sorry about Kels. Sometimes she just doesn't stop to think about things." Mr. Barr was standing in the doorway holding a change of clothes for Edd. "Here these are for you… I've got more clothes in a trunk that should fit you."
Edd gingerly took the articules from the man. "Thank you Mr. Barr."
"Please. Call me Kevin."
-x-x-x-x-x-
Hello guys and gals!
It's me MissFiolee!
I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of my new Kevedd Fanfic
For those joining me from my other Kevedd story
Worry not dear ones the next chapter will be up in the next couple of days
As always leave a review to let me know how you feel about this fanfic!
Reviews are motivation!
With love Missfiolee22
*Feccia means Scum in Italian.