I think it's still Tuesday somewhere. I swear I didn't almost forget to post this. (Except, I'm sort of a liar.) And I left everything on such a stupid note XD
Also, my definition of "goodies" should probably be reevaluated.
Anyway, I really do want to thank everyone who took the time to read this. And thank you for all the favorites, follows, and reviews. They all truly do make me happy. This has really been a lot of fun to write and I am really excited to go on from here. I have a couple more ideas planned that I'll get working on once this is all done.
And I'm sorry if the next chapter (Friday's) seems disconnected or inconsistent. (It might not, I may just be paranoid.) Granted, I'll probably be sorry for Friday's chapter in general. Also, sorry for any language that may come up. There may be some offensive things. (Not much, though.)
Okay, enough of me. Thank all you lovelies for reading this. I hope you enjoy~
The two boys lounged on the floor of Kevin's living room. Kevin had his back leaning against the couch with his legs splayed out, and Edd sat in front, relaxing against Kevin's chest. Each had a game controller in hand, with Kevin's arms wrapped warmly around Edd.
"What do you think others would think of us?" The question seemed to come out of nowhere, but Edd's tone told Kevin that he was serious.
"Oh, uh… I don't know. I've never really thought about it." Kevin brought a hand up to scratch his hairline for a second. "I mean, it doesn't really matter. I don't give a shit what anyone has to say."
The red head leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on his neck, right below his ear. Edd squirmed a bit before speaking, "That is not completely accurate."
"Are you calling me a liar?" Kevin tried to joke.
Edd didn't bite, "In this particular situation, yes. I do believe that you are not currently being honest."
"O-oh… What do you mean?"
"What would your teammates think, for example?"
"Well… I don't know." And he didn't. He had no idea how his team would react to that kind of news. It really depended on the person, but even then, he couldn't be sure. "I mean… they already think we're friends, and they're totally cool with that."
"Perhaps. However, this is a different matter entirely."
"Yeah, I guess you're right… Sorry." Kevin took a breath. "So, what do you think?"
"Such things are not important to me, Kevin. I simply enjoy you." Edd looked back, reaching up to place a kiss on Kevin's cheek. Kevin responded by connecting their lips.
About a week later, the two were lounging once again on Edd's couch. Kevin had begun to keep his game system there and had taken to attempting to beat his next level. Edd worked on some homework on the coffee table, at times watching Kevin's character die continuously. After giving up on the level, Kevin glanced over to Edd. "So, uh… How was lunch with Sarah the other day?" Kevin couldn't help but ask after pondering the idea for days.
"It was quite nice. We had pleasant conversation, and the meal was lovely."
"Y-yeah? What do you guys even talk about?" Kevin tried to sound casual, abandoning his controller on the couch. He dropped down to sit next to Edd on the floor.
"Various things."
"Like?"
"School, I suppose, and books. Sarah does enjoy reading. We also talk about our friends sometimes."
Kevin couldn't help the grin spreading on his face. "So, have you guys talk about me?"
Edd's face reddened. "W-well, possibly, at some time…"
Kevin's grin widened, "You guys totally talked about me. What did she say?"
"I…I am sure I do not remember."
"Bull. You remember everything."
Edd fidgeted a little. "There was nothing to note. We did not discuss anything important." It was clear that Edd did not want to say.
"Really, you know you can tell me."
Edd simply shook his head.
"Is it embarrassing? Is that it?" Kevin nudged Edd a little bit.
"It is not that…" There was something off. Edd really didn't want to tell what had been said. Kevin felt he knew what the problem was.
"She doesn't like me, does she?"
Edd jumped slightly, scrambling to cover the thought. "No, no. It is not that at all. It is just…"
"Just?"
"You-you do recall that she has retained a sort of interest in me since we were children, correct?"
"Yeah, she followed you around like a puppy sometimes. But I thought that you and the other Eds got her to crush on Jimmy instead."
"I suppose that kept her focus for a time, but she did return to her previous feelings."
"Okay."
"Well, I guess after spending some time with her, after we began to converse about more… serious things, I began to underestimate her feelings. When… when I told her about… well…"
"What?" Kevin knew what the dork wanted to say, but he looked so cute, all embarrassed like that.
Edd took a moment to find the words, face darkening. "When I began to take an interest in you…"
"Yeah?" Kevin grinned, holding back laughter.
Edd remained serious. "She didn't take too well to the idea."
"So…?"
"So, she did not always have the most flattering words about the situation."
"Ah, she talked shit about me, didn't she?"
"I suppose you could phrase it as such…despite the use of quite vulgar language." Edd gave Kevin a pointed look. "However, it had nothing to do with your character. It was simply her reaction to…everything."
"So, does she still talk like that?" Kevin wasn't too upset. He could see himself doing the same thing if the tables were turned.
"At times, she can be rather unpleasant, but she has been understanding overall."
"Well, I guess that's good."
"I suppose. I have always assumed that she speaks similarly to Nazz as well."
"Maybe. Nazz kinda has a way of chilling people out. And she wouldn't believe any of it anyway, so…"
"Nazz is definitely an interesting person."
Kevin let out a laugh, "That's for sure. Did I ever tell you about that one time she tried to convince me that her fish drowned?"
The two boys walked along the sidewalk, heading home after school.
"So, how were your classes today?" Kevin walked a little closer to Edd, bumping his shoulder ever few steps.
"They were pleasant. Collin and I worked together for our biology lab again today."
"You work with him a lot, don't you?"
"I suppose. Our schedules are very similar, so we share many classes. Such has been the case since about middle school."
"Really? That long?"
"We work well together. Where I find myself lacking, he excels, and vice versa. It is a very beneficial partnership. Not to mention, he is generally pleasant to be around. We tend to have very interesting conversations."
"O-oh. I guess that's good." Kevin found himself walking a little further away from the dork. He began to wonder when he last had a conversation that Edd could have called interesting. As they reached the cul-de-sac, Kevin left Edd with the promise of heading to his house after changing.
As he moved up to his room, he continued to wonder. All they ever talked about were things like video games and movies and things, never anything smart. Kevin couldn't understand that stuff. He slipped into some gym shorts and a t-shirt before heading out to cross the street.
After knocking on the door, Kevin fidgeted a little. Edd answered quickly and lead the way to the couch. He sat, seeming to expect Kevin to sit next to him, and lifted his book to resume reading. Kevin, however, sat on the other end of the couch and messed around on his phone. He thought about texting Nazz and asking her if she knew this Collin kid, but he knew it was none of his business.
Still, Kevin couldn't help feeling that this other kid was way more compatible with Double D. They had classes together, could talk about "interesting" things, and even work on school work together. When it came to Kevin, Edd always had to tutor the boy. The only help Kevin had ever been to Edd in the realm of school work was when they were assigned to write a paper for Phys. Ed. (for some ridiculous reason). Kevin was able to explain the rules of basketball to the dork decently enough, but even then, his description was elaborate and disconnected.
Kevin gave in, pulling up Nazz's contact and sending a quick message. He got a reply within a minute.
From Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: Ya, I know him. He's in AP classes with Double D, right?
To Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: Yea. Dork was just talking about him again…
From Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: Rly? Ive seen them together before but theyre always doing school stuff.
To Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: Youve seen them together?
From Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: Yea… are you worried about it?
To Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: I mean its none of my business. But I guess I am a little.
From Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: Well, don't be. That nerd is a dweeb. Nothing to worry about.
To Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: But my nerd is also a dweeb.
From Nazz Van Fartonschmeer: Dude, chill. Youre thinking way too much into this. If youre that worried, just ask him.
Kevin exited the message and locked his phone, setting it onto the coffee table with a sigh. He sat for a few more moments, trying to decide how to bring the topic up to Edd. He had no idea how the boy would react, and he didn't want it to seem like an accusation. There was really nothing for Kevin to be even questioning. He knew that Edd wouldn't be doing anything behind his back, right? So, why did he feel like he had to interrogate about this kid?
Edd cleared his throat, knocking Kevin out of his thoughts. "Would you like to discuss what is currently on your mind?"
Kevin was about to consider the boy to be a mind reader until Edd scooted on the couch, lessening the distance between the two. Double D was smart; of course he could tell that Kevin was upset about something. Not to mention how well the two knew each other. They could easily pick up on those sorts of clues.
Kevin glanced over to Edd, seeing the deep concern in his eyes. How could he think that Edd cared about some kid in his class more than him? He was sure Edd never looked at the kid like that. Clearing his throat slightly, Kevin averted his gaze. "No. It's nothing. Just somethin' stupid."
Edd leaned back slightly to examine Kevin's face, coming to some conclusion. "All right. However, I am more than willing to listen to anything that may be worrying you."
With a sigh, Kevin supposed he should at least calm that part of his mind. Really, what could a simple question hurt?
"That… that Collin kid… a-are you guys close?" He glanced once more to gauge Edd's reaction. He seemed confused at first, but that slowly slipped into a skeptical gaze.
"Not particularly. We are merely classmates." He waited for a further explanation from Kevin, continuing after it was clearly not coming. "We have been classmates for a few years, yes. However, we have never discussed much outside of class work and interesting theories. Why would such a thing matter?"
"I guess I was just wondering…"
Edd was silent for a moment before bringing a hand to rub at his eyes, clearly annoyed. "Do you really think I would convey romantic feelings for Collin?"
"Well, no. I just… I was just being stupid." Kevin crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Edd drew back even further. "Do you really hold so little trust in me?"
"No. That's not it."
"Then why would you ask about him?"
"I told you, I was being stupid. I wasn't thinking."
"But such an idea would never have surfaced had you held trust in me."
"I said that wasn't it."
"Then what was it? I would have never thought such things about you and Nazz. I have never questioned such things."
"I-I know. Edd, just listen. I trust you. I was being stupid."
"So you have stated." Edd stood, scratching under his hat.
Kevin followed, attempting to draw the boy into his arms. After Edd pulled away, he sighed. "I swear, Edd. I wasn't thinking that. It's just… I was… I guess I was just jealous."
"In jealousy, there is more self-love than love." The quote left Edd's mouth simply, almost automatic. His tone, however, was far from automatic, laced with hurt and anger.
Kevin paused for a moment, considering the words. Was his jealousy just him being selfish? "I… that's not… I'm not trying to be selfish."
Edd looked at him disbelievingly.
Kevin felt his voice faltering, growing fainter with each word. "I… I just think that… that you deserve someone smart…someone better than me."
Double D seemed to be caught off guard, turning to fully face the red-head. "Kevin, why… what makes you say that?"
"I'm not smart, Edd. I can't talk to you about interesting things, and I can't work with you on school work. I'm just…really lame."
Edd closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Kevin and pressing his face into the taller boy's chest. "Don't say such things. You are very smart and very interesting. Just because I do not converse with you about the growth cycles and physics does not mean we do not discuss interesting things." Edd pulled back a little to look into Kevin's eyes. "We discuss much more important matters."
"I guess…"
A small smile grew on Edd's face. Reaching up, Edd connected their lips, remaining for a moment before pulling away. "You need to think more of yourself. There is no one I deserve more than you, Kevin."