Disclaimer: EEnE belongs to Danny Antonucci and AKA Cartoons.
I know that you know,
why you were not the first.
From the depths of my heart,
I really hope that you're the last,
that you're the last.
-Subtact & Jay Rodger-Burden
Without warning, the classroom door swung open, startling the occupant inside. Double Dee clamped a hand over his frightened heart, whipping around to meet his intruder.
Looking a little startled himself, having been greeted by a high pitched screech upon his arrival, Eddy froze midway threw the entrance, his hand still gripping the knob.
"Gracious, Eddy! Warn a fellow first!"
Eddy cocked a brow at his tardy friend. "Y'know, you could warn me when yer gonna to take your sweet ass time. What's takin' ya so long?" He made a show of looking Edd up and down. "You look fine, dear." He added sardonically.
Edd placed his hands on his hips, subconsciously mimicking Eddy's expression. "Really, Eddy?" Edd scoffed. "Wait... how did you get in here? The doors are supposed to be locked after school hours."
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Eddy said, cockily hooking his thumbs into the lapels of his jacket like it had taken all his wits and expertise to get in.
Mint green eyes narrowed into suspicious slits. How many times did the stubborn man need to be reminded that breaking and entering was a federal offense?
Eddy's eyes widened at the withering glare he was met with. Sensing he was about to be lectured he held up his hands in defense. "Relax, Charles Kingsley. Janitor let me in."
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Edd sighed. "Mr. Jenkins... Charming fellow." The senior was becoming senile in his old age, nearing his mid nineties in fact. Edd was amazed the school district allowed him to continue working for this long, especially now that he was developing dementia. Despite it being neither his job nor place, Edd felt responsible to help Mr. Jenkins out the best that he could by cleaning up here and there when he had the spare time. It was part of the reason Edd lingered, a matter of respect to clean up his own mess. It was worth while knowing he was lessening the load on the old mans shoulders. Especially since Mr. Jenkins would show his fondness for Edd by leaving a few gratuitous chocolate mints on Edd's desk for him to find in the mornings. Those deliciously melting morsels where always something to look forward to at the beginning of a day.
However that did not excuse the old fellows irresponsibility. Allowing strangers inside the building!? Edd would need to have a kind word with him. He couldn't let just anybody inside. What if Eddy had been some meddling miscreant up to no good? Edd furtively glanced at Eddy, his hand sliding down his face to cover the forming smirk. Okay, so Eddy was those things. Though nothing Edd couldn't handle -at least some of the time.
Eddy strode further inside, uncaring whether he was given invitation or not. The door swung shut behind him with a back tap of his heel. He peered about the room like a bored tourist in a museum. Even here in Edd's classroom, everything was labeled, reverently named, and organized. The morbid lighting in the room provided by an insignificant desk lamp lent little help to decipher the descriptive words.
"So what'cha doin' again that's more important than me?" He frowned at the duster poised in Edd's hand. "Dustin' for prints? Someone been murdered?" His brow lifted again, eyeing Edd like a detective scrutinizing a suspect. Why the heck did Edd have a duster here of all places anyhow?
Unimpressed, Edd crossed his arms against his chest. "Hardy har har. As if you couldn't tell, I'm cleaning up before departure, of course."
"Guess I shouldn't be surprised..." Eddy groused, leaning his rump against the desk. How the hell did Edd manage to clean in the dark? Guy must have the eyes of a hawk, or the mouth of a bullshitter. It was obvious he was trying to stall, but what for? Was he mad at him? "Well, are ya done yet 'er what?"
"Almost." Edd bent over to pick up the stubborn wad of paper that had previously refused to go in the trash bin, his jeans hugging the curvature of his butt. Eddy whistled at the unintended display, causing Edd to blush and abruptly straighten. "Eddy, Please! That's most uncalled for." He knew Eddy wasn't trying to flirt with him, though his rude teasing did at times come off that way.
"What?" Eddy grinned innocently, before reverting his attention to the collection of items across Edd's desk. One such item caught his interest in the glare of the desk lamp.
He picked up the lone silver picture frame from among the personal belongings. It was of all three Ed's together, back when they were fifteen, maybe sixteen, he couldn't exactly remember. Edd and him were squished together in one of Ed's crushing hugs, pressed so tightly their cheeks were touching. Eddy himself looked mildly irritated yet tolerant of Ed rubbing his face into his thickening navy blue hair (claiming it felt as soft as a baby's). Edd had a big adorable gap-toothed grin on his face, laughing so hard his eyes were shut tight.
Eddy had the same picture, stored away in a shoe box with a variety of special memories and knick-knacks hidden in his closet somewhere. Most of the valentine cards he ever received were also stored inside, most which came from Double Dee. He didn't exactly know why he kept them, they were stupid anyway. Besides, Double Dee gave almost everyone valentines cards, it was just a thing he did being the nice guy that he was. Now if you had received socks from him, that was special, which Eddy never had. What a bogus tradition anyways. It was borderline creepy, yet strangely personal, and more intimate then chocolates and flowers could ever hope to be.
Eddy's thumb absently picked at something sealed across the bottom of the frame. Another label. Expecting it to say My Friends or something of that sort, he's surprised instead to find it reads My Family.
Pressure built up in Eddy's chest. He breathed out, trying to relieve some of the tension. 'Probably just a build up of gas', he told himself.
Ignoring the discomfort Eddy surveyed the desk. There's no picture of Edd's actual family anywhere to be seen. Were Ed and him really more of a family to Double Dee then his parents had ever been? Eddy grimaced, chalking it up to more bad gas. Ugh, he felt like he could just puke. Usually only Sarah's or a Kanker's presence could make him feel that way. At the thought of Sarah he mildly wondered if she had ever occupied a spot on Edd's desk when they were together. A sharp pain joined the pressure in his chest, like someone had crudely pinched his heart. Shit, maybe what he should be doing right now was visiting the after hours clinic.
He lightly tapped the picture frame against his knee, trying to remember what he was thinking about before that annoying broad tarnished his thoughts. 'Oh, right'. He chuckled. "Heh. Some dysfunctional family we are."
Edd paused from inspecting underneath the student desks for gum to register the picture Eddy held. Clasped in his hands similarly to how he might hold a record: like something precious. A small knowing smile slipped onto Edd's face before he turned back to dusting the bookshelves. "I don't know about that, Eddy. If we didn't have each other, who knows where we'd be."
Eddy inwardly shuddered. Jeez, that was too scary to even think about. If it weren't for his friends, Eddy would probably be a cruel, vindictive, heartless bastard, living all by his lonesome in a rundown trailer; and working at some rust infested, equally rundown amusement park in the middle of nowhere.
Not to mention, without his friends, Ed would have no one who could hope to even remotely understand him, or appreciate his oddball quirks. There'd be no one to encourage Ed to be more then what his parents ever believed he could be.
But what had Edd gotten out of their companionship? He remained a prisoner to his parents strict expectations, and to his own disappointment. He feared the darker corners of himself like Eddy had feared the shadow of his older brother. The only times Edd was ever free to be himself, to let the mischievous boy lose from the uptight facade was when they were together as the Ed's. But they hadn't been the Ed's in a long time, not since the responsibilities of an adult began to mount up, not since Sarah had gotten in the way.
Sure, Double Dee had Ed, with his blithe air and hugs that kept you held high, and his nonsensical quotes that only his state of higher conscientiousness could understand, but that was just half the glass.
Eddy chewed his lip while watching Edd's back as he sashayed around the room. The duster dancing across surfaces that hardly needed cleaning in the first place. Eddy didn't normally think this much about things, but he had a very long time to do so. And had it not been the push from an unexpected someone, he didn't think he'd be here.
"Ed, back off a bit, will ya? You're breathin' down my neck. It's givin' me the creeps."
"Back, back, back it up." Eddy's roommate and long time friend rose from where he leaned against the arm of the secondhand couch, and sidled past him to gracelessly drop down onto the cushion next to him.
Eddy clasped a hand to the back of his neck to calm his crawling skin. "Jeez, what are ya? If I didn't know any better I'd think you were a demon."
"Shows what you know, Eddy. Hur, hur."
"More then you, Ed."
Shifting so that he was no longer vulnerable to Ed's fetid breath, Eddy turned the page of the comic book he had been trying to read. Displayed on the following page was the heroine, dressed in a lab coat which hugged her body in all the right places. An entire page was dedicated to the slender vixen with legs that seem to go on for miles. Caught in the moment she swivels in her desk chair, she suspends a vile of illuminated green substance in her hands. From her expression alone, it is clear she has discovered something that will alter life as she knows it.
"Damn Ed, have you got skills or have you got skills?" If there was this much detail and effort put into an ordinary dame, what must the monster look like? It was well known by everyone who knew him, Ed took his monsters very seriously.
"I thought I did once but it was just a rash."
Eddy snorted, making the connection with Ed's misunderstanding (scales?). He swore the guy did this on purpose.
"Do you think Double Dee would like her?" Ed asked, his voice quieting. Eddy frowned, narrowing his eyes at the fictional woman as if he accused her of making Ed sad. He didn't get why Ed sounded that way. Lumpy saw Edd all the time. Especially when Edd had been with his sister. So what was that all about? Did Ed think mentioning Edd would upset him? Sure, he missed Double Dee, but he wasn't going to get all choked up just from the thought of him.
Eddy cleared his throat, suddenly finding it difficult to find his voice. Must be the change in the weather. Now fall, the leaves were exchanging their summer clothes for more exuberant colors. Readying for departure before the chill settled in for the season. He better not be getting a damn cold.
Getting back to the question, Eddy gave the vixen another looksee. The character was more then enough attractive. Ed had somehow mixed bimbo, bad ass, and intellectual all into one being as easily as mixing paint. Even the nerd wasn't immune to beauty, and he would certainly appreciate her intelligent side.
"Don't see why not. She's the hottest dame you made yet." He smacked the back of his hand against the page for emphasis. "Wait a sec... " It was only now, after a third good look, did Eddy notice the woman wore a beanie. The black hat nearly blended into her long black hair. Probably why he hadn't noticed it at first. With the hat noted and added into his data banks, it became clear the woman had a startling resemblance to a particular person. Ed had sneakily drawn her to look like Double Dee with exaggerated feminine features. "What the heck, Ed!? W-why!?" Eddy slapped the comic closed. "I take that back, your chick stinks." He grumbled.
Ed sighed despondently. "I miss him."
"Why?" Eddy snapped irritably. Keeping his face turned away, Eddy hoped the burning in his cheeks was from anger and not from blushing. "You still see him for coffee sometimes, dont'cha?"
"Yeah, but it's not da same... He's not da same."
His face cooling, Eddy slowly turned his head to look at Ed. The tall man's chocolaty eyes glistened with emotion. "Sometimes I think it's not our pal anymore, and is now possessed by a demonic form, harnessing its powers from the depths of darkness."
Eddy rolled his eyes.
"It's true Eddy, I've got proof!" Ed insisted, grasping onto the startled smaller mans wrist. "I've seen it! Double Dee always ordered tea, two sugars. But now he drinks coffee... BLACK!"
"Cool your jets, Lumpy. You're scaring me." Eddy brushed off Ed's grasp, desperate claws raked across his skin leaving deeper pink lines. "His taste buds probably changed, that's all. Who drinks wimpy tea still anyways?"
Ed nodded, but it was apparent he was not convinced in the least. "I will keep a vigilant eye on our friend."
"Yeah, you do that... " Eddy flipped the comic back open, riffling through until he found the following page, revealing the shadow of the monster looming in the doorway of the genderbent Edd's lab. He held the comic close his face, letting Ed know the discussion was now closed. Normally Eddy encouraged Ed's eccentric thoughts. Always proved to be a riot. But this time, Ed was getting a little too screwy even for him. Ed sensed something was off about Double Dee, and was perceiving it in the warped way he had about viewing things. But Eddy didn't want to hear about it. He didn't want to hear about how bad Double Dee was doing.
The duo settled back into quiet, stuffing Eddy's ears with the cotton of silence. He hated it being so quiet. He needed music or something to take his mind off things. Silence encouraged thinking, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. He continued viewing the pages, his eyes following through the panels of the comic. Yet, he might as well be trying to read tea leaves, because nothing was making sense.
Apparently sensing Eddy's discomfort, Ed decided to help his friend out by leaning forward to heavily breath in his ear.
"Ed!" Eddy screeched, planting a hand over Ed's mouth to pushing him away.
That was when Sarah chose to suddenly and unexpectedly walk threw the front door.
The men froze in mid-quarrel, Ed's saliva slicked tongue twining around Eddy's hand.
Sarah paused at the entrance, unsure whether she cared to come inside after witnessing the weird scene. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "Did I come at a bad time?"
Eddy withdrew his hand, dripping with spit, and wiped it across Ed's Matrix inspired jacket, leaving behind a snail trail of slime. "Yeah, so come back never."
"Baby sister!" Ed cried out, running up to her with open arms, and scooped her up into a tight unreciprocated hug.
"Why did ya give her keys to the place, Ed? Now she thinks she can waltz right in here whenever the fuck she wants." Eddy grumbled, precariously tossing the comic book aside.
"Put me down, Ed!" Sarah barked, though not as harshly as she used to in the past. Over the years, Sarah had softened her edges towards two of the Ed's. Eddy was not so lucky. Even if he were, it wouldn't lesson the nausea he felt in her presence any less.
"Have you come to look at my new comic, Brainy Babe and the Platonic Pishacha?" Ed asked hopefully.
Sarah conjured an apologetic smile. Definitely not. Although she could appreciate Ed's skills, boobs and grotesque beasts just weren't her thing. "Actually, Ed. I was hoping to talk to you." She cast a glare at Eddy, her voice adopting a growl. "Privately."
"Oh no! If you think I'm getting kicked out of my own home you've got another thing comin'!"
Reluctant to end his sister's visit so soon, Ed pouted. "Please, Eddy?"
Eddy crossed his arms, making it clear he would not move an inch. Sarah huffed and dug into her purse. Withdrawing a handful of change, she stepped towards Eddy, extending her hand in offering. "Here."
Eddy could only stare at it uncertainly. "Quarters... You've got to be freakin' kidding me. You think that still works one me?" In truth, had it been anyone but Sarah, it might have.
"Well it's worth a try isn't it?" Sarah answered snidely. "No, you idiot! I'm giving you the chance to get coffee, so Ed and I can talk alone."
Eddy sneered at Sarah, fighting the urge to smack the change from her hand. "When did you get to be so charitable, huh?" Sure, he was one to be talking, but when had Sarah ever done anything remotely nice for him?
Large puppy brown eyes ensconced Eddy's vision. Hating to see his loved ones fight, Ed had stepped between them. "No, Ed, that ain't fair. Don't look at me like that."
Lower lip protruded into a trembling pout.
Eddy smacked a hand over his eyes and audibly sighed. "Fine!" He roughly snatched the change from Sarah's aloft hand, ignoring the satisfied look on her face. The change curled up in his fist until the coins bit into his skin. He jabbed a finger in Ed's direction. "And just so ya know, that was really low."
Ed beamed with pride. "Do you really think I'm good at limbo?"
Ignoring Ed's comment, Eddy opened his palm, visually counting out the change. "Hey Sarah, how long do ya want me to take? Cuz I sure could go for a donut too." Truth be told, he wasn't that hungry, but he couldn't resist pissing Sarah off a little more.
Sarah made an exasperated growl. Jamming her hand into her purse once again she pulled out more change, and tossed his way. Eddy expertly caught the change, cupping it to his chest. He grinned smugly at Sarah who was obviously irritated that she didn't get to watch him pick it off the floor like a pauper.
"There, are you happy? Now get lost!"
"Gladly. Anywhere you're not, is where I want to be." Eddy slammed the door behind him, sending a gust of wind to harshly blow Sarah's hair back.
Eddy paused on the front step. Irritation triggering a particular craving, he pulled out a packet of smokes and a white Bic imprinted with a simple black spade from his jeans, while allowing the change to fall, refilling the emptied pocket.
As he was igniting the end of his cigarette the sound of Sarah's muffled voice and the mention of a particular someones name exuding from inside, caught his attention.
" ...Double Dee... "
What about Double Dee? Eddy backed up and placed an ear against the door.
"Behold, treasure!" He heard Ed exclaim as if he'd been presented with something.
"I think it's about time I gave it back. Would you return it for me Big Brother? I'd do it myself, but... "
Eddy cringed from the exaggerated sweetness of her voice. Was this all she wanted? Why would Sarah want him absent for this?
"Uuuuuuh... "
"Well?"
"Uuuuuuuummm... "
"Are you going to do it or not?"
"Buttered toast."
"Grrrr! JUST TAKE IT YOU MORON!" Just then, there's a sound that Ed imagines to be of Sarah shoving an object into Ed's hands.
Which is confirmed by Ed's: "Message received."
Attempting to calm herself, Sarah breathed deeply. "Thank you Ed, I'm ever so grateful you're doing this for me." She gritted out.
"No problem-o, sister o'mine."
"And Ed... "
"Yes, oh merciful one?"
"Don't let Eddy see it."
"Only heaven will know."
"Just make sure Double Dee gets it. Don't eat it or something equally as stupid."
Eddy was one with the door, practically inseparable. The curiosity was killing him. Just what did Sarah not want him to see? So entranced in the conversation was he that Eddy's smoke had gone forgotten and singed its way to his finger tips. Hot coals kissed his skin, causing him to hiss in pain and drop the remaining carcass on the ground. Abruptly, before Eddy could react, the door gave way beneath him and he found himself now flat against the front entrance floor. Big black letters spelling out Welcome blended in with his reddened vision. "Ow."
"Hello, come again." Ed greeted, rolling Eddy's body aside with a foot in order to close the door behind them.
"EDDY!" Sarah screeched, the pitch reverberating off the window panes.
"Jeez Sarah, I already busted my face, you don't need to bust my ears too." Eddy grumbled. Using fistfuls of Ed's coattails, Eddy dragged himself upright from the door mat.
"You're face was already busted." Sarah sneered. "And I'm about to bust it more then that if you don't tell me what you were doing!"
Discreetly inching behind the traitorous Ed, Eddy shrugged nonchalantly. "I forgot my coat, what's it to ya?"
"It's not even that cold. You couldn't suck it up long enough to walk the block?"
Summers days where long gone, but the cold had yet to make itself at home in Peach Creek. As long as the sun was high in the sky, a simple light jacket or sweater was enough to keep one comfortable. However, he wasn't going to make things that easy on Sarah. "What, and catch a cold?"
"With that blubber? Better luck catching the ice cream truck."
Eddy jutted out his chin in indignation, bringing forth a resemblance no one cared to remember. "What we should really be asking here is what's in the box, Sarah?"
"None of your business!"
"Ed, let me see the box."
"But Sarah told me not to, Eddy."
Eddy knew he couldn't compete Sarah for Ed's loyalty, in order to get his way he's have to think like Ed. Closing his eyes, he held his hands out, fingers itching greedily. "There, I can't see it right? So hand it over."
"Good one, Eddy. Heh Heh. Pass it on."
"Ed, stop right there!" Sarah demanded, but it was too late, Eddy snatched the box from Ed's hands before he could retract it.
"Ah-hah!" Eddy tucked the box under his arm and sprinted for the bathroom. "You'll never catch me now coppers!" He swiftly slammed the door behind him and turned the bolt. Laughing manically, he leaned against the door as if his body could act as a barricade. He knew he only had moments before Sarah convinced Ed to rip the door off its hinges. Fingers trembling with expectation, he pried the lid open.
laughter abruptly died. Only its echo bouncing off the tile walls remained as faint reminder to his ears. "What's with this junk? I don't get it."
He dropped the lid and riffled around the box's contents. Notes, lots and lots of notes. An assortment of colors and sizes all folded into neat little squares. Despite their near perfect condition, some papers were edged with the telltale yellowing of age. And there were socks too. Some pairs too small for even Sarah's tiny tootsies to wear. The patterns better befitted a young boys tastes, many of featuring dollar designs.
"I don't get it." He repeated dumbly. He slid down the door until the box rested on his lap. He randomly picked out a note and unfolded it. Edd's extravagant handwriting was immediately recognizable.
A thousand times I wished to tell, in a thousand words I failed to dispel. Would it fall upon deaf ears? Or would It bring about my greatest fears?...
Poetry? what did it even mean? He always hated poetic literature and its oblique meanings. Locks were much easier to crack then trying to understand this nonsense. The note was dropped back into the box without bothering to fold it. He wouldn't have been able to. The way Edd had creased it was as complex as a road map.
He shuffled through the remains of paper, picking out odd ones that caught his eye. There where more poems, along with wrinkled notes passed in class, which Edd had clearly tried his best to smooth out. Silly little insignificant scribbles, that shouldn't have been anything worth holding on to. Yet all consisted of one recurring theme, they all came from him, evident by his squiggly signature he liked to make, like he was some movie star to be admired. A winking face emoji, a caricature of their math teacher with exaggerated ears (Ed had added upon this with sharp, dripping fangs and blood red eyes), badly drawn blueprints for the latest scam; and mundane asking for test answers or, were they going to hang out after school?
Double Dee kept all this? Edd wasn't a pack rat, so why did he have almost every piece of paper ever exchanged between them?
And those stupid socks... Did that mean?... No, couldn't be.
Sliding back up the door, Eddy got to his feet. His brain was shorting trying to process this information. All this stuff, he knew it meant something. But his head refused to cooperate. He knew the answer shouldn't be that hard to comprehend. But he needed to hear it from someone else. He needed someone to explain it to him, or else his brain would continue to outright deny the irrefutable evidence.
He listened for anyone outside the door. He expected Sarah to have come breaking it down by now. But there was nothing. Had she left? He turned the knob and slowly opened it a crack. The silence that met him whooshed in like a strong breeze. As soon as he had the chance he was going to blast Tom Jones until the walls shook.
Ed and Sarah hadn't moved from the living room. The withdrawn form of Sarah was nuzzled into her brothers side. Petite feet tucked up onto the couch, boots discarded on the carpet. She looked so frighteningly vulnerable, a small little girl who needed her big brother to make everything better.
Feeling Eddy's presence from across the room Ed looked up from stroking his sisters hair to acknowledge him. "Help me Eddy, I think Sarah's broken."
Sarah lifted her head then. She hadn't been crying, but Eddy could see the blotches of red around her pupils, the smudges of purple underneath her eyes. Had she looked like that the entire time? It was just like him not to notice nor care.
Eddy uncomfortably cleared his throat. His face remained impassive, while the turmoil inside him couldn't settle on one emotion. "Why do ya have this?"
Sarah pulled away from her brother, breathing a sigh of resignation. Her voice was as dull and hollow as her eyes as they met Eddy's. "I found it among Double Dee's things." Nice way of saying she was snooping. "That's when I found out how- " A shadow of hostile emotion passed over face for a passing moment before she took a calming breath and continued talking. " -he felt about you."
Eddy glanced down at the box clutched tightly in his hands. It couldn't be true, Edd would have told him if it were.
He forced an uptight chuckle. "This is a joke, right?"
"I wish it were."
"Does he know ya have this?"
"No. He doesn't." Her answers are purposefully short and vague. She's not going to bother explaining the details to Eddy, he's lucky she's saying this much. But he doesn't ask her to elaborate. Which was kind of odd. He appeared to be in shock.
Sarah stood up and slipped her feet back into her boots, she wordlessly buttoned her coat and walked towards the door with Ed in tow. No words were exchanged between them, not even goodbyes. It's all said in their gestures; a comforting hand to her shoulder, a small acknowledging smile from her.
Eddy's in his own little world, staring at the object in his hands as if he had just opened Pandora's box, releasing something both awing and equally terrifying. He wouldn't have noticed Sarah leaving had she not spoke to him before departing; "You know what, Why don't you take the box to him?"
Eddy didn't bother looking up, only nodded.
Eddy placed the picture back down. Not in its original spot which he knew would drive Edd mad when eventually noticed.
"Hey, uh, Dee... I'm ss- " Eddy titled his head back and scratched at the patch of fuzz on his chin. Damn, this was hard. "I should'a been there for ya." Like Ed and him had been there for Eddy. They had helped him when he didn't know who he was anymore. They coaxed him outside when he didn't want to face the world without his mask. They tempered his anger when other emotions where too much to bear.
He too had once been suffering from a breakup of sorts. He broke away from the poisonous influence of his brother. Bro's love had been all a facade, a disguise, but in the end that didn't matter. Despite it all, he had still loved his brother, and he he still had to deal with the pain of his loss. And now it was time for Eddy to repay his dept. Edd was experiencing something not all that different. He needed someone to break him from his mold, drag him outside and show him what he's missing. And if anyone could do that it was Eddy.
Edd paused from wiping the whiteboard, his shoulders visibly tensing. "I-it's okay, Eddy. I... understand."
"No. Ya don't." Eddy insisted.
"You're right. I don't." Edd's head drifted to the side, as if he longed to. "I can't comprehend why my best friend couldn't bother to ask me how I was feeling, if I was doing okay... "
An awkward silence permeated the air until it's too stiffening for Edd to bear and he turned to see why Eddy hadn't responded.
His eyes downcast, Eddy muttered. "I'm a shitty friend."
Edd's heart thudded in sympathy for the desolate figure slumped against his desk. He confronted Eddy, and took his limp hands into his own. "You're a marvelous friend. When you put in the effort."
Eddy tilted his head and smirked, looking up at his taller friend through long dark lashes.
It may have been Edd who was often forced to crossdress when they were kids, but it was Eddy who always had the eyes for it with his too long feminine lashes and intense baby blues. Edd's heart skipped a beat. He knew he was being victimized by yet another guilt ploy of Eddy's. But how could he turn away from that look?
Eddy lightly squeezed his hands. Jump-starting Edd's heart again.
Perhaps Edd was reading too much into this, but what would seem like an insignificant gesture to some, spoke volumes to Edd, as if Eddy was trying to convey that he would do whatever it took to keep their friendship standing strong. Edd was so gratified by this small assurance that he leaned forward and kissed Eddy's temple. Beneath his lips Eddy's pulse quickened.
"Dou-Double Dee?" Eddy stammered, his voice nothing more then a choked whisper.
Oh, curses! Edd tore away, horrified by what he done. Curse these hormones of his that rebelliously acted on their own accord! Just as it seemed their friendship was saved he had to go and risk it. He threw it all away on a kiss, after all this time ignoring his feelings in order to protect their friendship, Eddy's ego, Edd's parents expectations.
Pathetic.
Edd gripped and pulled down the sides of his hat in frustration.
"Dee... "
Weak.
"I... I'm s-so sorry."
You can't do anything right.
"Dee!"
Blindly, Edd began to back away. "Forgive me."
"Fucksakes Double Dee! Get over here."
Suddenly, Edd's body was roughly pulled forward, and met with the brute force of Eddy's lips against his own.
At first Edd whimpered in surprise, he had been expecting anything but this. It must be a dream. He must have fallen asleep at his desk. Yes, that had to be it. But he could taste Eddy's cherry flavored chap stick, and feel the calming circular motions Eddy's warm hands were making on his back. Dare he believe this was real?
"Holy crap." Eddy cussed, as if he couldn't believe it himself, his voice becoming impossibly more garroting and deep.
Edd never would have believed profanity could sound so good. He sighed against Eddy's mouth, melting into the thick mans embrace, allowing himself to be fully captive, and captivated. He didn't think this would ever end, nor did he want it too. It felt so right. He felt at home, here in Eddy's arms. But the echoing sounds of Mr. Jenkins's cart rolling in the hallway pulled them back to reality. He stepped away, his hands reluctantly sliding away from Eddy's shoulders.
The departure of their bodies left Eddy feeling cold and uncomfortable. He rubbed the back of his neck, taking a minute to find what he wanted to say. "Look, we've got some talkin' to do. That's kinda why I asked to hang tonight. You know... a-about us."
Edd had been fussing with his hat, anything to distract him from becoming a a weak kneed mess, when this gave him pause. "Y-you knew?" How long had Eddy known about his... preferences?
"What don't I know?" Edd rolled his eyes in response, and Eddy snickered. "Okay, okay. I'll explain later." He then straightened and headed for the door. "Are ya ready to go now, or do you want to fumigate the room too?"
Edd snatched his bomber jacket from his the back of his chair and shrugged it over his shoulders before following him out. "Don't give me any ideas, Eddy."
On their way out, they passed Mr. Jenkins, who courteously tipped his cap before turning back to moping the hall.
Edd decided he wouldn't chastise the old man like he intended. After all, he had done Edd a favor by letting Eddy in.
Hot air swirled its way threw the vents, quickly warming the cars interior. The warmth permeated Edd's tense bones, softening them into a more relaxed frame. It wasn't until now, surrounded by the blanket of heat did he realize just how tired and worn down he was. He wrested his head against the fogged window, his beanie protecting him from its chill. Surly Eddy would forgive him if he were to take a quick nap on the ride over?
It wasn't until he heard the soft snores did Eddy notice Double Dee had fallen asleep. He almost barked out to rouse the man out of habit, but stopped himself. It was better this way. Easier to maintain the surprise. And the guy looked like he really needed the nap. He probably hadn't been getting very much sleep, not where he had such a bad tendency to over work himself.
Eddy turned his focus from his driving for as long as he dared, to look at Double Dee's slumbering face, who even as an adult still looked so boyish and angelic when sleeping.
He had to tear his eyes away, train them on the road before he could get them into an accident.
Author's note: Chpt 2 rewritten. again, minor changes for most of the chapter. I have made the season Eddy discovers the box in the fall, several months before he comes to Edd. Also, there is one big change. I took out the part where Edd finds the box in Eddy's car. It was something that was really bugging me. And what I believe might have been keeping me from progressing. Edd will see the box, but I'm going to do something with that later.