Hi again! Look at me responding so soon! Too be honest I had started the second chapter before I posted the first so I'm not sure if all the updates will continue in such fashion. Here is to hoping though. My apologies if this doesn't seem thought out in anyway. I'm kinda just flying by the seat of my pants on this one. Not what I normally do at all but I'm finding it to be rather fun. So without further adieu Chapter 2!
Chapter 2: Flirtation Like the Days of Old.
A few days later Edd found himself working in his garage on modifications for his flying car. After a brain storm the other day he began to drum up some ideas. He decided to lose focus and try to forget about Kevin and the conversation with Eddy. He needed to focus.
" Hey dork, the conversion program is ready to go online."
Well ok so he couldn't really completely forget about Kevin.
" Keep it on hold for just a moment. Could you hand me a 9/8ths rench?"
Kevins projection stood with his hand in his pockets, he looked over at one of the large mechanical arms and proceeded to operate it. Dropping the needed item into Edds hand as he lay under the car. After a few seconds he pulled back out and rushed over to the other workstation. A large circular metal object looking somewhat like a small jet turbine sat on his desk. He dragged over some displayed holograms and wired the object up. A panel was connected to a short cable, soon it clicked on.
" Kevin if you would please start filming, this is gravity turbine check, test 1 at 75% capacity. Ignition in three... two... one..." Edd hit the button on the panel and like a shot the turbine whizzed off hitting the sealing, buzzing against it before the trajectory changed and it crashed into a wall scattering rubble and papers.
" Oh my. It has quite a kick doesn't it."
" I suggest weighing it down nextime."
" Ah right... good idea." Edd blushed slightly looking at the new upgraded Kevin hologram. He had managed to alter some of the clothing settings to him so now he appeared wearing a tight gray t-shirt and dark blue jeans. His hat tucked into his back pocket. He was having trouble remembering this wasn't the real kevin. Part of him considered switching the image to someone else but he couldn't seem to do it. It was the only seemingly good way to keep him sane.
After fetching the turbine and cleaning up its mess, Edd returned to the car. He worked away getting ready to remove the motor while holo Kevin leaned against the car playing blaring classic rock over the speakers.
" You know, now that you've actually seen.. Kevin, do you think keeping this program running is a tad bit creepy?"
" More or less creepy than having 21 year old Kevin argue and lament over my life choices."
" Its opinion based at this point. Ahh looks like I'm at the door."
" What?!" Edd pulled his head out banging it on the inside of the hood of the car, a few tools clattering to the ground.
" Should I go show me in?"
" Yes.. Wait! change first please!"
The image on the hologram began to morph until Edd was staring at a shirtless Kevin with a bow tie around his neck and tight dress pants. Holo kev smirking as he turned to leave!
" WAIT NOT LIKE THAT! END CDS PROGRAM!" instantly Hana appeared again taking the place of the scantily clad ginger.
" You're going to have to tell him about your use of the program eventually, If you want to be in a relationship of any sort at least."
" Yes. I understand the point, but appearing as a half naked version of him is NOT the way to bring forth such a fact! Go let him in and tell him to wait I want to finish up here."
Hana nodded and vanished, reappearing at the front door. The door swung open revealing Kevin Barr in his usual leather jacket, t-shirt and jeans. His hat removed though tucked away in the pocket of his jacket.
" Good afternoon Mr. Barr, if you could please wipe and or remove your shoes and hang your jacket, I have a pair of slippers here for you."
" Same old Edd. Yeah no problem. And call me Kevin."
" If you wish, Kevin. Mr. Vincent is currently working down stairs on his latest home project, he will be up shortly."
A distant crash resonated through the house causing Kevin to jump, looking around for the location of its origin. Hana just sighed.
" Do you need a hand sir."
For a second Kevin was confused, until he realized she was talking to Edd.
" Sir the arms do not currently have the proper handle to grip that device and I cannot attach them obviously... understood."
She looked down at kevin who had finished putting on his slippers and hanging his jacket.
" Might I ask of a favor from you Kevin?"
" Uhh.. sure?"
" Good. Follow me please." The two walked quickly through what looked like to be the living room and kitchen, heading down a staircase to a garage. Kevin was quite impressed, it was of decent size and seemed to be kept with the latest equipment, not to mention how clean it was... say for a hole in the wall.
" Woah... nice digs."
" Kevin! Hana I thought I told you not to bring our guest down here!"
Kevin looked over and saw DD holding the restaurants that seemed to be keeping a motor hovering above the hood of the car. No doubt it was a struggle to keep the thing up, even Kevin knew removing a motor was not an easy one man job.
" Hana said you might need a hand." Kevin said walking over and tagging Double D out while he ran to fetch an attachment for the robotic arm. Once he had quickly changed the arms out Hana took control and finished attaching the motor to the rig to safely be lifted out.
" My thanks Kevin, I am sorry though to have bothered you with such a task, Hana knows I normally won't ask something like that of my guests."
" Your elevated stress and heart levels showed an increasing sign in danger."
" It was no issue man, but what are you doing removing the motor from a delorean?" Kevin glanced over to the car noticing some other modifications that had been made to the dashboard.
" Its for a project of mine I'm working on."
" What, time travel?"
" Good heavens no. Time is relative, there is not yet a mind that can fathom traveling along something as relative as time. I intend to make it fly."
" You're gonna make a flying car, out of a delorean?"
" An eco friendly flying delorean yes. The construction of the car suits my needs and I simply need a control run to see how I would have to modify the eventual frame, givin weight distribution and... ah! Sorry I didn't mean to run on." Kevin just watched Double D with a smile though, one that made the young scientist blush.
" Its fine dude.. this stuff I kinda get."
" Right.. of course. Now If you would allow me to go get freshened up, I'll meet you upstairs."
" Choice." Though apart of Kevin kinda liked the little neat freak smudged with motor oil and a little sweaty. It was a rare sight. His shirt clung to him and his hat was asque on his head. But pleading for him to stay a little dirty was a lost cause even if he did have a better reason than it being a turn on, so he followed Hana back upstairs to an area that looked to be the kitchen. He sat awkwardly at the breakfast bar trying to be calm about the house he was in. It was modern, of design and furnishings. It was like a well equipped modern bachelor pad. Which made sense considering, but it was still strange to think it all belonged to the double dork. The amount of books seemed to fit though so Kevin focused on that. It seemed that Ed had taken up a few more languages in the years apart going off the number of foreign titles. He noticed a small movie collection that also housed several foreign films. When Edd reappeared He was in an old t-shirt from college that had a well designed math joke on it, and some faded jeans. His hat as well though it appeared a little wet no doubt soaking in moisture from Edds hair.
" I apologies for all the books, I've been meaning to add on a small library for them but I keep getting distracted." He spoke fetching them some drinks.
" Naw its fine, the one thing about this place that feels like you." Edd looked a little put off by that statement at first but soon relaxed.
" Yes of course to someone who actually knows me this is a little strange. Although I am fond of the design and enjoy my home I had no hand in designing it. I was only allowed a few requests. They decided to make it some school related contest. I was won over by the prospects to benefit education."
" Still, this place is way rad." Kevin stood up and walked around a little. Edd soon approached him with a glass of lemonade and he took it thankfull to have something else to concentrate other than Edd's house or.. Edd.
" So Kevin, when about did you set up residence here."
" About two and a half months ago."
" My word, not too long at all, where were you before this?"
" Just down the coast. More people are inclined to by custom jobs if they don't get damaged by crazy weather. So best business is in places where the weather never changes."
" A valent business plan."
" So besides tabloid junk, how was life for you after school in britain or whatever."
" Cambridge Kevin, and I wish I could say it was average. I mean it was at first slighly normal. Worked at various internships until I sold my first invention.."
" The Robotic limbs for disabled right?"
" Correct. After that there was hardly a moment where I could live a normal life that wasn't in my home. I think it was the special effects I helped design in one of the movies Ed begged me to work on that aroused peoples fascination with me. I hardly see why I have to hide in my home like some movie star."
" Makes sense to me, celebrities are rarely the people to be celebrated."
" Why Kevin, what a beautiful thought." Double D said taken back. He hardly felt the need to say that even though he agreed with this, stalking is hardly proper celebration. He was too busy being flattered.
" Don't have to be a genius to write poetry."
" I suppose not. Geniuses make the worst poets. Too many big words not enough feeling."
" Says the walking dictionary." Kevin chuckled and Edd joined in. Feeling himself start to relax. This awkward air seemed to be fading, and it was good to have kevin once again by his side. Temptations aside he was rather enjoying the company. The two fell upon a soft silence, gazing out into Edward's back yard, the afternoon sun beginning to drift towards the horizon. Though the silence was comfortable Edd found himself fidgeting slightly with the rim of his glass. Peeking up to catch quick glimpses of the warm light striking the redheads face. Unknowing of the glances he was getting in return. Finally Edd spoke up.
" SO, are you hungry? Can I offer you dinner, please bear in mind I have to 'order in', but I can order from anywhere. Cicile is great for pizza but the arrival time is brutal, chicago is good as well.
" Are these places or cities?"
" Technically both." Edd said pulling a phone out of his pocket.
" I mean restaurants or places where people live and make their living thousands of miles away. Cause you don't have to wave your wealth at me like some cheap hussy you know."
Edd felt a slight blush creep on his face but it intensified with a shiver when Kevin leaned in to whisper.
" I'm easy"
Edd promptly dropped the phone in shock but soon tried to desperately regain himself. Kevin turned to hide a knowing smile. Perhaps this whole crush wasn't as one sided as he thought. Edd grabbed the phone setting it on a nearby counter, clutching his chest, trying to steady his breath. He was a grown man now, such flirtations should hardly faze him. Though the prospect of Kevin full heartedly flirting with him left him weak at the knees.
" R-right. Well then what would you suggest."
" How about you order from somewhere within 5 miles from us. Theres a challenge."
" Fine.. I hope you're game for sushi then."
" Sounds awesome."
Later the two found themselves laughing on the couch stuffed to the brim with rice and cold fish. Kevin, who had much to Edds distance been using his fingers, was now attempting to use the given pair of chopsticks. Both drowning the house in hilarious states of laughter.
" I don't know how you use these things? They don't make sense?" Kevin laughed while attempting to use the covided two hand technique which installed grabbing one stick in each hand and trying to balance the sushi to your mouth. It instead fell back onto the plate.
" IT... its quite simple" Edd said between laughs wiping his tears of laughter before snagging the fallen piece.
" Hey that was mine!"
" My apologies Kevin here." Without thinking Edd reach forward, plucking a piece of sushi from the plate and holding in front of Kevin. As Kevin starred in a bit of shock Edd realized what he had just done. The laughter left the room like a vacuum and Edd was left with a bright red face, that only worsened when a pink cheeked Kevin opened his mouth taking the piece with his teeth, mumbling a short 'thanks' before looking away. Edd too hastly put down the chopsticks and returned his hands to his knees. Resting there awkwardly, fidgeting with the fabric. Jumping when Kevin cleared his throat.
" Ya know... I was wondering.. And this may seem kinda... sudden after not seeing each other for years but... ah geese." Kevin tensed sitting straight, one hand clutching his knee while the other was scratching the back of his neck. Edd felt his heart rate increase ten fold. He couldn't be.. could he?
" Y-yes Kevin." He chanced a glance at the seemingly flustered redhead whose eyes shifted towards him as well, before quickly darting back to somewhere else in the room.
" I was... hoping... possibly... sometime... we could-"
Just then kevins phone went off.
" FUCK! oh uh.. sorry Double D.. Ill.. just... answer that."
Double D meekly nodded, watching kevin then leave the room. He didn't really know what to do with himself. Part of him was telling him to look busy incase Kevin came back to make it look like he too had an outside life. But in reality it seemed rather silly. He instead opted for staying frozen on the couch hoping that Kevin would come back to what he was asking. Although Edd was a little peeved at whomever was on the other end of the line he felt bad when Kevin answered with an angry 'WHAT!' before calming down slightly and walking away. When Kevin did finally return, he held a solemn look on his face. Edd stood fast to meet him for it seemed Kevin was not sitting down.
" I ehh.. have to go. Some mix up at the shop, I...I'll keep in touch though." Kevin spoke softly and patted Edds arm before walking out the door. Edd felt his heart sink.
A few days later Edd found himself loafing on the couch playing video games, It was not a common image to be honest. In fact he hadn't played since High School days with Ed, despite attending E3 regularly. The Xbox he had been playing on had never been opened and he was now immersed in H20 Jolt a fantastically written game about cults and strange powers. But Edd found more enjoyment in sending flocks of batts at people and setting them on fire. He had never been the violent type but his encounter with Kevin had made it so he couldn't sleep or even work on his inventions. He was frustrated to no end.. emotionally... physically... sexualy. Though he would never admit that last one out loud. He was currently laying on the couch upside down with one leg thrown over the back, yelling at the screen when Hana appeared.
"Good afternoon sir, were you perhaps thinking of getting dressed at any point, I picked out your clothing in the closet and they should appear upon opening."
" Hana, were you aware of the fact that you can increase any games difficulty by simply turning the angle of oneself, just as I had gotten bored with the game mechanics I found myself in this odd pose and the entertainment has been restored. Perhaps I should invent some kind of rotating television given that long periods of time upsidedown is not healthy."
" Agreed, perhaps you should sit up while I add rotating television on the laundry list of inventions you have come up with this morning. Right under cereal slide and walking toilet. Now if you would please pay attention I have your mail."
" Very well." Edd said pausing the game and rotating. His pajamas shifting slightly, his hat left on the floor revealing his constant bed head hair he was so desperate to hide. " You may continue."
" Thank you sir. You have received a thank you letter from St. James memorial hospital In bristol. They have named a wing after you and wish you could attend the ceremony this september."
" How many hospitals and wings and wards do you think they can name after me without it starting to sound silly or get confusing?" Edd joked.
" Next the mandatory public servants charity ball is in a month, your invitation for that has arrived and per your request last year Mr. Lorings has agreed to not arrange a companion for you."
" Good. I've about had it with the tabloids saying I'm with some actress I've never met, better to not add fuel to the fire." Edd continued picking up his game again. These seemed pretty unsurprising mail anyway.
" Your mother sent a digital photo album of their last cruise around Alaska, and finally the mayor of chicago sends his thanks for the help designing a better snow emergency system and snow plows and has sent two tickets to the next cubs game this saturday. It includes a spare ticket and he has noted your dislike to be publicly seen so they are well placed in a normal section."
" I don't think I'll be needing the tickets, how about re gifting them to someone?"
" Fine idea sir, who did you have in mind."
Edd knew there were tons of people at the office who would love the tickets but the idea of baseball brought on person to his mind. He paused his game and sighed
" Send them to Kevin.. as a gift. I'm sure him and one of his co workers.. or perhaps a girlfriend would love to go." Hana nodded and seemingly began composing the email in his head, Edd returned to his game.
" I do not think girlfriend though sir." Edd paused again.
" Why not?"
" No reason.. just.. observation." Hana gave him a knowing look and vanished. Edd just slumped back at the couch taking a moment before tossing his controler on the table and leaning forward placing his head in his hands. A few minutes passed and Edds phone buzzed. He didn't recognise the number but out of obligation and common courtesy he answered.
" Salutations, this is Eddward speaking, who might I ask is calling."
" Double D! Are you serious!?" Edd froze sitting up immediately. He knew that voice too well, it was the voice that had been itching at the back of his mind for the past few days.
" K-Kevin! How on earth did you get my number."
" Uhh Hana... she said to give you a call back... ya know.. whenever." Dammit Hana. " But thats not the point! The point is are you for real with these tickets, you know cubs are my fav team."
" I was not aware no, I figured you would follow a team with better stats."
" Yo don't be hatin on the Cubbies."
" I shall refrain. But indeed they are real and yours. I figured you would enjoy them more than I would." Edd felt himself drift, a little irritated Kevin was so nonchalant and now had his phone number to call at any moment and bring upon heartache and woe.
" W.. you're not coming with.. there are two."
" I figured you might want to pick who you spend the day with, of course they would be worthless if you can't get there so hotel and transport are on the house. They were a gift from the mayor so don't worry about cost."
" Its just..."
Edd could hear him on the other line, seemingly taking deep breaths and messing with some object, the nerves that suddenly filled his voice intrigued Edd. He sat up to listen better gripping the side of the couch slightly.
" Yes... Kevin?"
" It would be more fun if we went together, and I would feel bad just taking advantage of such a badass gift like this."
" I assure you its no hassle, as I stated it was a gift to me so you putting them to better use is infact a favor to m-"
" DAMMIT DORK WILL YOU JUST GO OUT WITH ME ALREADY!"
The line went silent, Edd felt his heart bursting out of his chest.
" Oh shit.. no I mean.. god fu- ughh.. Look I'm asking you to go with me."
" As a friendly outing between pals?"
"... yeah sort of.. that vibe, kinda more like... a date." Edd felt his heart leap unknowing that kevin was on the other line as tense as wood and twitcher then a mental patient.
" In that case... I'd love to." on the other line it sound as though something dropped and Kevin quickly scrambled.
" For real?"
" Yes, it sounds delightful." Edd could hear a breath escape Kevin and he too felt as though he could properly breath again.
" ... Rad."
" Indeed."
Hi guys sorry if this is a bit short, feel free to comment because reading them really helps to keep me going. Updates soon? not as soon as last time but not too bad.