Here is your new chapter! I will update on Sundays but that may change for my own convenience. I hope you enjoy!

Kevin sat down on the bleachers that afternoon in the pool yard. He watched halfheartedly as Edd dove into the water blowing past his other team mates. This time he watched as Edd came out of the water then started swimming, gasping for air when he turned his head. Then he went under the water and kicked the side of the pool with an amazing force. After he made his way back to the other side he did another four laps. Kevin didn't understand how he was so fast. The other team members were always so proud of him that it was sickening. They called him names like the Not-So-Secret Weapon, and the Savior.

Then Kevin noticed that Johnny and Jimmy weren't at today's practice. They usually went to hang around with Edd afterward. Apparently they were busy today so they couldn't go. Even those idiots get busy; Kevin thought about how everyone ditched him at Quiz Bowl. It wasn't their fault but he was really looking forward to it. He shook the negatives out of his head and focused on the swimmers in front of him. Today he was a bench higher from Tuesday because he wanted to see more action to take his mind off Quiz Bowl.

The red head's eyes involuntarily found Edd. The bully was looking at him too. It was kind of weird so Kevin looked away and directed his attention to the other boys. Edd must have gone under again to do another lap because he wasn't there when Kevin looked back.

"Hey Pumpkin, go to the vending machine down the street and get me a Coke." Edd bent over waving a dollar bill in Kevin's face.

Kevin looked up a bit displeased but he took the dollar. Edd stood up straight and then walked away to the locker room to change out of his swim suit. "Okay." Kevin said sighing.

"Be back in five minutes, 'kay?" Edd attempted to say this cutely. He failed…but it was a good try. Kevin moved with his messenger bag and then walked out of the pool yard. If he was going to make it back in five minutes, he had to hurry. It took about two minutes to get to the vending machine by the park by car, so if Kevin hurried he could be back with time to spare. He started to jog down the hallway, and then stopped at his bike to get on. Then he peddled down the street at a somewhat safe speed.

He got the Coke out of the vending machine after a lot of wrestling with it. First the dollar wouldn't go in, and then some of the Coke buttons wouldn't work so he had to check every one of them. He put the soda in his green bag and peddled back to the school. When he got there he noticed that Edd was waiting on the steps of the school. Kevin walked up to him leaving his bike on its kick stand by the curb. Kevin was a bit out of breath. There were a lot of hills on the way back from the park. Kevin gave him the Coke.

Edd smirked. He pulled out a purple stop watch. "Two minutes late isn't a bad start."

"You were timing me?" Kevin asked looking down at him with a sad face.

"No complaining. I had to test it out sometime." Edd snickered. "Now, I do have a swim competition to go to tomorrow so make sure to bring me a Coke. And get me a pack of gummy bears; I love 'em." Edd said relaxing a bit on the stairs before he got up. He walked down the stairs and then to his car.

Kevin just nodded at what he had to say before he started to blush. He instantly remembered the gummy bears that were thrown out the window at him. He still hadn't asked him about it, thank god. Kevin was sort of curious as to what he would say, but he kind of knew that it was just a trick to see what he would do. Maybe he just did that to make fun of the red head. No matter how many reasons he came up with in his head, nothing added up to the gummy bears. Right now the gummy bears were all lying under his bed. He hadn't touched them since the day they were chucked at him.

Kevin noticed that Jimmy and Johnny were there at the competition but they were a bit beat up. Jimmy's clothing was a bit tattered at the neck. His eye was bruised and it looked like he was coughing up a little blood a few minutes ago. Johnny's regular white shirt was dirty on the back and he had several bruises on his legs and large grass stains on his jean shorts. They looked like they were just jumped by the strongest guy in town…but that was Edd. Kevin realized that Edd wasn't even there at his own competition yet.

Kevin walked from his usual spot on the bleachers over to Johnny and Jimmy. He didn't think that they would beat him up given their current condition. When he got there he looked them over again. Johnny looked up.

"What do you want nerd?" Johnny said in a tired voice.

"Uh…I just wanted to know where Edd was. He hasn't shown up yet and the competition will start in five minutes." Kevin said to them and they looked over at each other. Their silence was unnerving.

"We don't know where he is. Last time we saw him he sent us here to wait for him." Jimmy said.

"He said he would be right back…those jerks must've gotten more of their buddies to fight with them." Johnny said angrily. Kevin could see him shaking.

Kevin wasn't curious anymore. He had a feeling he knew exactly what had happened. He was in another fight with some guys he recently pissed off. This occasionally happened. Edd wasn't stupid enough to go alone though. He always knew that the opponent would have a backup plan just in case something went wrong. If he was ever outnumbered he had Johnny and Jimmy covering his back. Edd enjoyed fair fist fights but sometimes someone brought a bat and Edd had to use more than his physical strength. He had to outsmart his opponent too. Kevin wasn't necessarily worried for the bully, but something didn't sit right when he heard that Edd was alone and fighting with other angry apes.

Everyone was now leaving the pool yard now. Edd wasn't there so most of his fangirls went home before it started. The team had won by using one of their bench warmers to fill the place of their best player. Edd had never missed a swim competition before so his coach was never prepared for this kind of change. He was always used to cheering on Edd to win. When Edd didn't show up the team was confused as to why their favorite team member was not there. Kevin watched as everyone left. He guessed that it was his turn to leave. He was about at the door when Johnny grabbed his shoulder. The red head was terrified that someone grabbed him from behind but was okay when he turned around.

"Look dork, he told us not to show up no matter what. Go to his house and check on him for us." Johnny said his hand still on Kevin's shoulder. Jimmy was nodding his head when Kevin looked at him for confirmation.

It wasn't like him to listen to these idiots but something in their tone of voice made his chest hurt. "O-okay, I have some things to drop off for him anyway." Kevin said as he looked into Johnny's eyes. He was rushing his way to his bike in the front of the school.

He adjusted the kick stand and was on his way to Edd's house. It wasn't far from his house, just about a mile away. In about fifteen minutes Kevin was slowing down at Edd's driveway. Kevin looked up at the white colored house. It was simple siding with clean windows and blue shutters. The front walk was very nice and clean. Kevin parked his bike on the stone pat closer to the door. Kevin took his messenger bag with him and he knocked on the door.

He knocked on the door about three times before he decided to give up. The sun was setting already and his father was probably home maybe even wondering where Kevin could have gone. As soon as Kevin turned to leave the door opened. Kevin looked at the dark figure in the door. Kevin took a step closer. He was just inches away from the shadow that was now breathing heavily.

Edd was hunched over clutching his stomach tightly. Blood dropped from his lips a few times. Dried blood covered his nose and upper lip. His bottom lip was split open a bit. Edd was covered in bruises probably from head to toe. His clothes looked dirty and tattered, just like Johnny's and Jimmy's. They were right to be worried, Edd looked horrible. He must've taken on like six guys at once all on his own.

"Pumpkin…go away." Edd clutched the frame of the door with one eye shut.

"I-I was told by Johnny and Jimmy t-to check on you." Kevin said stuttering a bit. Edd looked so set on making him leave.

"I could care less about your reason. Go the hell away." His voice was venomous now.

"B-but, you are hurt…are you sure you don't want me to-" Kevin was cut off when Edd's head collapsed on his shoulder.

"N-never mind…first aid kit is in the cabinet under the sink." Edd said admitting defeat.

Kevin listened to him and brought him to sit on the bathroom floor. He sat his messenger bag down at the door. If he was ever going to treat Edd's wounds he had to be completely clean. Edd was undressing himself and stepping into the shower as Kevin left the room keeping an ear out for him turning off the water. He washed off the dirt he had on his skin. It took about five minutes until Edd was out of the shower and covered with a towel so that Kevin could treat him. His hips and upper thigh were covered by the white material. While Edd was showering, Kevin grabbed the first aid kit. Edd's black hair was out and since Kevin had never seen it he was shocked at how long it was. It was about to his shoulder in the back because it was layered. His bangs went over his right eye a bit. Edd had already put on his dog tags and they were a tad dirty, but it didn't look like their owner cared. Edd was sitting in the middle of the bathroom on the floor so that Kevin could access his injuries more efficiently.

Edd had a somewhat deep cut on his cheek so Kevin put some healing cream on it and plastered a Band-Aid on gingerly. With Edd's chest bare and so close it was kind of hard to focus, but Kevin did his best. Now was not the time to be nervous. It wasn't like Edd would try something anyway. He was falling in and out of consciousness. The only time he reacted to the treatment was when Kevin was putting a bandage on each of his knees. He didn't mean to be rough. As soon as Edd winced Kevin apologized profusely. When there was no response he gave up and continued looking at the damage on his back. There was nothing but bruises and the occasional drag mark. Edd's hands were all marked up so he took some bandages and made sure that they were covered. Once that was done Kevin grabbed Edd's hat off the floor. He reached up and put the hat on Edd's head carefully, making sure that he didn't wake the sleeping boy.

Kevin went upstairs trying to find Edd's room to get some new clothes for him. Kevin eventually found the room to the left of the hallway and it was the last door. It was a deep blue colored room with a white trim at the top and bottom of the wall. His carpet was a blue color similar to the wall but just a hue lighter. Kevin walked over to dresser and pulled out a fresh pair of boxers…it was actually really awkward looking through Edd's collection of clothes. If he had done this just as a nerd and not Edd's slave he would be killed…twice. He found a pair of black shorts that weren't tight so that he could wear pants and not irritate his knees. The shirt that Kevin found was a normal white T-shirt. He carried the clothing down and walked back into the bathroom. Edd was already trying to get up but he had failed. Kevin left the room while Edd got dressed. When he was done he came back in and helped him to the couch. He didn't think that he was able to get to his room with his knees all marked up.

"Okay, seems like you are content…for now." Kevin said giving a heartfelt expression. He wasn't smiling; he didn't think that Edd would appreciate what kind of miracle it would be for him to get a smile.

"Pumpkin…pain killers." Edd said faintly. "Medicine cabinet in the bathroom."

"Okay…" Kevin rushed to grab him some pills and water. Once the pills were eaten and a sip of water was taken. Edd looked like he was doing fine. He might become a little warped because of the pain killers, but that was probably going to happen a while after Kevin was gone.

Once it looked like Edd was sleeping Kevin lifted himself from the foot of the couch and walked towards the door. Then he felt a tug on his long sleeve.

Kevin looked over his shoulder to see Edd's blue eyes open and focused on him. He blushed slightly and then turned around completely. "Yes Edd?" Kevin asked him crouching down beside his head.

"Stay." He said with such a faint firmness that Kevin was questioning whether or not this was an order or a request. Kevin blushed a bit more. His glasses showed the details in Edd's face. He looked like a puppy that had been kicked too many times. Edd was still holding onto his sleeve as well, even if he would've disagreed Edd wouldn't have let him leave without a fight. There was no way that Kevin could take down Edd, even in his new condition. Kevin sighed.

"Fine, but I have to call my dad." Kevin said and then Edd let go of his green sleeve. He hunted a minute trying to find the phone. It was right beside the fridge. Kevin called his house, but there was no answer. His father was probably asleep. Thank god. He left a message, just in case when his father woke up and was hunting for him.

"Alright Edd, would you like anything now that I am here for the night?" Kevin asked sitting down right beside his face.

"Hand me the remote?" He asked pointing to the plastic rectangular shape on the top of the TV. Edd gave it to him and then put it on a movie channel. "Would you look at that, this was the movie that was playing at the drive in." Edd was snickering.

"Oh…" Kevin got a bit quiet.

"Hey did you bring that Coke and my gummy bears?" Edd asked.

"Yes…" Kevin said and then going into the bathroom to retrieve his messenger bag. He handed Edd the box of gummy bears and then put his Coke on the table next to his glass of water. Kevin sat down at Edd's feet again.

"This is exactly like the drive in…aside from my hand being in your pants." Edd said chuckling. He seemed a bit loopy. The pain killers were clearly getting to him. The fact that he said this so easily hit Kevin like a ton of bricks. He was blushing severely now.

"I guess so…" Kevin said quietly.

Edd sensed his discomfort. Even if he was all doped up he could read the atmosphere. "Sorry about that…it was hard to stop myself." He said slurring a bit.

First Kevin gawked at him. Edd never said sorry, and he never would have said anything relating to what he felt, ever. It seemed like pain killers could solve any Edd problem with the correct dosage. He certainly was easy to deal with while out of it. "It's okay…but what were the gummy bears about?" Kevin asked. He didn't know if he was actually okay with what Edd did to him. He moved passed it in no time. Kevin guessed that it was just because he never really held onto the bad things in life. When his parents got divorced he didn't bother to ask questions or want an explanation. He figured it was the same with what Edd did to him. He felt like he was taking advantage of Edd by doing this while he was calm…too calm.

"I don't know..." Edd said innocently. This was the sweetest that Kevin had ever heard him speak.

Kevin looked at the black haired boy lying on the couch, his feet over the red head's thighs. Edd didn't look at him once while he was speaking. Kevin's heart was thumping noticeably in his chest. He blushed a little bit more and looked at the TV.

"Pumpkin? What are you doing in my house…fully clothed?" Edd asked as he lowered his head over Kevin's. Their lips were dangerously close together this time.

"Huh? Oh…I patched you up last night. You wanted me to stay," Kevin yawned "so I did." He then collapsed on the couch where Edd used to be laying. From all of the sunlight in the room he could tell that it was early morning.

"You seem content in your tormentor's house. I could make you do anything right now." Edd threatened.

Kevin sighed on the couch and looked completely peaceful. "Yeah…just a nap first."

Edd blushed a bit and then stared at the red head. He was ignoring him! Edd looked over the small boy as he rested his head. His glasses were still on and were a bit crooked as he snuggled the couch cushion beneath him. His hat fell off his head and was now lying upside down. Edd just shook his head and walked away from the couch and into the kitchen.

"You are really lucky…" Edd muttered to Kevin.

When Kevin woke up he was still on the couch at Edd's house. The sunlight was a bit brighter. He must have been sleeping for about an hour. He could barely sleep with Edd lying near him so he was really tired. The TV was off and Edd was nowhere to be found. Kevin got off of the couch and went looking for the bully. He adjusted his glasses and put on his hat. He first went upstairs to Edd's room. The red head saw Edd sitting on his bed. His white T-shirt was off but he was still in his shorts.

"Edd, I am going home now. Remember to change your bandages tonight." Kevin said looking at him.

"Whatever Pumpkin." Edd said leaning back on his palms and smirking at the red head.

Then Kevin got his messenger bag and rode his bike back to his house. While leaving he felt his heart pang in his chest slightly with each time he peddled. He was reminded of Edd as he slipped in and out of consciousness last night. The sudden weakness probably made the bully hate that someone saw him like that. Kevin laughed at Edd on the inside while he slowed down into his driveway. He put his bike in the garage and then walked into the house.

When he got there no one was waiting for his arrival, his father was sleeping in his room. Kevin moved quietly around the house and thought about nothing but his academic work.

"Are you done now?" Kevin asked watching Nazz walk out of the book store with two bags in her hands.

"Yes, I think this will hold me for about a month." Nazz said happily. She put the five books in her back pack and threw the bags away in the trashcan beside the book store.

Kevin laughed and then got on his bike and waited for her to get on hers. Once she was on her pink bike Kevin started peddling down the street. Going with Nazz to the book store was really refreshing. She didn't know about anything about Edd pushing himself on top of the red head so it was like an escape to him. He enjoyed talking to her about the new series that were out and whether or not they were a decent read. He didn't think that he would enjoy normalcy as much as he did today. Kevin stayed at Nazz's house for a few minutes before getting on his bike and leaving her.

Please review! I would love to hear feedback and possibly improve my work. Thank you for reading.