I really want to apologize for yet another disappearing act. I enrolled in school in September to pursue my dream. Which of course left no time for writing. But now I'm almost finished so I've dredged up time to continue this. I hope to keep up the momentum this time. Thank you for all the faves and follows as well as the reviews. I hope everyone enjoys this new chapter as much as the previous ones.

Edd sat there for a moment allowing Kevin to attempt to soothe him over what had just occurred. "It'll be okay Edd, just give him some time," the jock said as he lightly rubbed his back. The raven nodded and choked back a sob. Both boys dressed in silence before trudging downstairs to join Edd's parents for breakfast. "Oh there you are Eddward. Is everything okay with Eddy? He stormed out of here pretty quick," Nathaniel asked glancing over his newspaper. Edd chose to ignore the question, fearing that his stoic face would crack if he discussed the incident this soon. Unfortunately Kevin decided to inform his parents for him. "Eddy doesn't agree," was all the jock needed to say for both parents to understand the gravity of the situation. Everyone relented into small talk after that, recognizing that Edd wouldn't be in a happy mood for a while. Eddy and he had been friends for the longest time.

Meanwhile back at Eddy's, the teenager paced in his basement room while Ed read his comics. "Why didn't Double Dee come over to play games Eddy?" the lovable oaf asked. "Because he'd rather play go hide the sausage with shovelchin," Eddy huffed. "Why would anyone want to hide sausage Eddy?" Ed asked the metaphor clearly going over his head. The short one only smacked is forehead in frustration. "I don't know Ed. Some people just prefer sausage to tacos I guess," he quipped. "But tacos and sausage are both yummy," Ed replied still not understanding. The scam artist couldn't take it anymore. "He's dating Kevin, They're having sex Ed!" he yelled. "Oh, well what's wrong with Double Dee dating Kevin, Eddy?" the oaf asked. He was always the most understanding out of the group, something everyone loved him for. He accepted anything people said to him. "For two reasons. One, its fucking Kevin of all people, and two, it's just wrong," Eddy said, now pacing even quicker than before. "How can love be wrong Eddy?" Ed questioned. That made Eddy stop in his tracks, that was a very valid point. He shook his head, no it was wrong, Ed just didn't understand that. "So are you not going to be friends with Double Dee anymore Eddy?" Now on that one Eddy really had to think, was he really going to throw away that long of a friendship all because he didn't agree with who his friend decided to screw? He wasn't so sure he could accept it though. Eddy groaned before flopping on to his bed in a huff. This was gonna be a hard choice on him morally.

Back at Edd's, Kevin was winning over the sockhead's parents with his all American boy charm. "So Kevin, where do you plan on going to college?" Nathaniel asked. "Uh well I guess where ever gives me the best offer scholarship wise. I want to get out of Peach Creek for sure, but I want to be smart about it. I know Edd wants to go to MIT though so hopefully one of the schools close to there will want me to play for them. Won't know until the scouts come out for the big games though," the redhead replied, his cheeks lighting up. Eddward grinned at him, sure the jock didn't have his whole future planned out but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It meant that things could be adjusted if they made it together past this year. Nathaniel seemed just as satisfied with the answer judging by his grin. The man had always been an avid football fan, he even indulged in the fantasy version while he was gone on business trips. "Well I should actually head home to be honest. I mean my dad knew I was crashing here but I'm sure he wants me home," the jock said. Edd's parents nodded and his mother actually piped up with an idea. "Why don't you boys spend tonight over at your house Kevin? We got to meet you and get to know you but has your father met Eddward yet?" she inquired. Kevin shrunk back underneath their gaze. "Oh um no he hasn't actually. Sad to say but since Dad is the only one now he pretty much works all the time, but I know he'd love Edd anyway. In fact I'd really like it if you spent the night Edd," Kevin looked at him with pleading eyes.

Edd mulled it over for a short while. He knew it was a ploy by his mother to get him out of the house so his parents could discuss whether or not Kevin was good enough for him. Not to mention he was sure that Kevin didn't want to let him be alone after the Eddy incident. He did of course confess to having had attempted suicide before. Seeing no feasible way out since all his homework was completed he agreed. Kevin couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. "So Edd what do you say we um invite the cul de sac over and uh um make it official? Just to the cul de sac though," Kevin tried. Edd merely stared at him with his mouth agape. They had literally just had this discussion the previous night. "Kevin I don't think that's the best idea. Not everyone in the cul de sac can keep secrets. I may resign to a few individuals such as Nazz and Rolf along with a select few. But I don't want anyone to tell Sarah or Jimmy," he replied. Edd figured that was the best compromise he could give. Kevin nodded feeling that it was more than fair. "Then it's settled boys, go get changed and pack Eddward an overnight bag," Irene said with what appeared to be the most genuine of a smile she could muster. The boys retraced their steps upstairs where they began on the task.

While Eddward finished packing the few remaining essentials, Kevin sent out a text to the people they had mutually agreed to tell. He instructed them all to be at his house in 45 minutes and to bring some beers because it was a celebration. Finally ready the raven and ginger set out across the street to Kevin's home. "Now I'll warn you corbeau, my house isn't nearly as tidy as yours. It's a bachelor pad after all," Kevin said chuckling. Edd only rolled his eyes and motioned for Kevin to open the door. The jock hadn't been kidding about the state of his residence Edd soon realized. There were a few beer bottles on the dining room table and a sink full of dishes that had clearly been there a couple days. The raven refrained from curling his nose and followed Kevin upstairs to his room. The jock had posters everywhere of famous athletes and half naked women who somehow managed to make the sockhead feel inadequate. "Well this is my room. I know it's trashed and I'm sorry," The jock said sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "Pumpkin how on earth do you live like this?" Edd asked wide eyed. The room had clothes strewn everywhere and there were old pop cans piled in random places. An ashtray sat on the windowsill full of butts that had clearly accumulated over a week if not longer. "Well um I'm hardly ever home so I just uh crash here really," Kevin said his gaze falling to the floor clearly embarrassed. "Well then that's definitely understandable mon cher. However if you really do expect me to stay the night I will need to clean," the beanie clad boy said trying not to chuckle. "You don't need to clean my room for me," Kevin said his face contorting with anger. "Oh no Pumpkin. It's not for you. It's for me, you know how I feel about cleanliness. And it won't be just your room, it's going to be the whole house. You do have company coming over after all," he said this time unable to refrain from laughing.

Kevin sighed in defeat, he knew that Edd was still the clean freak like before the accident. "Can I at least help?" Kevin asked. "Oh I fully expect you to Pumpkin, I am by no means a maid," Edd chided. Kevin couldn't help the thought of Edd in a little maid costume from sliding through his mind, He nodded and went downstairs to fetch the cleaning supplies. When he returned, the raven had already set to work and had piled up the dirty clothes. "Please toss those in the wash, they smell of gym rat," Edd laughed. Kevin only stuck out his tongue in response but did as instructed. Thirty minutes later the house was at least presentable in the raven's mind so he shooed Kevin into the shower. While the jock cleaned himself up, Edd changed clothes. He slipped into one of his new pairs of skinny jeans that were ripped all down the front, along with a green V-neck shirt. He wanted to compliment the emerald eyes of his pumpkin that he had come to adore. His dogtags clinked around his neck as he positioned his beanie back into it's rightful place. Just as he did so Kevin walked in wearing a nice pair of denim jeans along with a simple blue shirt. Before either had a chance to appreciate the other, Kevin's doorbell rang.

Nazz lead the group of the cul de sac kids who had been invited. She quickly hugged Kevin. Everyone was rather surprised to see the sockhead though. Rolf pulled Kevin into the kitchen. "Since when is Casnova Kevin, friends with smart Ed boy?" he asked. "That's actually why I invited everyone over," Kevin said smiling. Rolf nodded and they rejoined the others in the living room. The ginger motioned for Edd to come to him and the raven obliged. "So guys," Kevin said calling for everyone's attention. They all stopped their chattering to turn to look at the two boys. Edd shuffled uncomfortably. He was scared to death even if he refused to let his face show it. He had already dealt with rejection once today. Rather than try and say anything, Kevin simply turned to the raven haired teen, and kissed him. The world fell away from Edd, he was floored but all he could focus on was how Kevin's mouth molded to his and how right it felt. After a few moments the two teens broke apart and turned to look at their friends. The silence in the living room was deafening, Edd looked to Kevin whose cheeks were flushing brighter red with each passing second. "So um yeah," Kevin finally muttered. Much to the surprise of both boys the room broke out into cheers. They both watched in shock as money started being passed to Nazz who was grinning like she had won the lottery. "What's with the cash Nazz? Kevin asked bewildered. "Well we um had kind of all made a bet on whether or not you and Edd were dating. I was the only one who thought you guys were." Nazz said giggling as she began to count her money.

Each friend came up and hugged them both making sure to let them know they were accepted. Rolf passed out a beer to everyone so they could drink to celebrate. Eddward of course declined but Kevin took the offered beverage much quicker than he meant to. The cul de sac kids sprawled out in the living room while Kevin ordered pizza and they debated on what movie to watch. Nazz took the opportunity to speak to Eddward privately. "Hey Edd?" she asked. He turned towards her with an eyebrow arched. The female had always made it a point to avoid him and his friends so he was unsure of what she could want. "I just uh. Congrats dude. Kevin is a great guy, and uh so are you for that matter. I do just have one request though," she said keeping her distance as if she attempting to tame a wild animal. Edd nodded for her to continue. "Please don't push him too hard. This is new territory for Kevin and I don't want to see him hurt. And please for the love of god don't break his heart, Kevin's dealt with enough loss already. He doesn't need anymore, ok?" she said barely audible. "My dear Nazz. I have no intent of hurting him whatsoever. Truth be told I was against anyone knowing of the relations that Kevin and I share. However he insisted that we at least advise our friends of the circumstances," he replied trying to alleviate her fears. The cheerleader nodded and smiled at the raven. "I really am happy for you guys," she said. "If only my friends had shared that sentiment," Edd replied without thinking.

Now it was Nazz's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Eddy walked in on us this morning, he wasn't as receptive to the idea as you guys have been," the raven explained. Her mouth formed an o and she nodded before retreating back to her spot on the couch. Kevin rejoined the group. "Pizza'll be here in fifteen," Kevin said with a triumphant smile. He gazed at Edd lovingly, it was enough to make the raven's stomach drop. He approached the sockhead and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's waist. After a chaste kiss they turned to the group and agreed to instead turn on some music since no one could agree on a movie yet. More beers were passed out as Nazz plugged in her iPod to the stereo. She cranked some upbeat music with heavy hitting bass. The pizza arrived and Kevin generously tipped the driver before closing the door and carrying the feast into the kitchen. Not even a second after the boxes hit the counter everyone flooded the kitchen and snagged some. Edd had continued to turn down beer after beer as the rest of the kids drank more than their fair share. Finally a song that Eddward knew crept through the speakers. Sure it was a girlish song, Rihanna's Shut up and Drive but he did have eclectic taste in music. Someone had managed to convince the raven to loosen up and indulge in the alcohol with the rest of them. At first he didn't much care for the taste but after about two or three glasses it wasn't half bad. Dancing ensued as more music played and even more alcohol was passed out. The sockhead had eventually lost count of just how many glasses he had ingested.

At about seven o clock everyone was pretty far gone and they had all agreed to some random movie to settle down and watch. Kevin and the raven wound up curled into each other on one of the corners of the couch. The others were scattered across the floor and other furnishings. "Was that so bad corbeau?" Kevin whispered into his boyfriend's ear. A soft hum was the only response given which made the ginger chuckle. After the movie the teenagers decided they were ready to pass out so Edd was lead upstairs to the now clean room of Kevin's. He stumbled over to the bed, far more intoxicated than anyone else considering he had never imbibed in alcohol before. He giggled as he fell back on to the jock's bed. "Pumpkin, come here," he beckoned with a dainty finger. Kevin stared at him in disbelief but slowly made his way over anyway. He drank in the sight, Edd had never looked so carefree as he did in this moment. When he was in close enough proximity, the ravenette pulled him down and crashed their lips together. Hands tangled in hair just like always, both groaning at the feel. This kiss was by far more sloppy but also more passion filled considering all inhibitions had went out the window hours ago. Kevin pulled back for just a brief moment, "I love you Edd," he blurted. Eddward froze completely, "What?" "I said I love you Edd," the ginger repeated. Edd sat up and suddenly the room was spinning, he immediately tucked his head between his legs to attempt to quell the nausea. "Kevin, you, you can't love me," He said after a few labored breaths. "Why the hell not Edd?" Kevin snapped. "I'm not worth it Kevin, don't you get it? I'm damaged goods..." the raven trailed off. The ginger couldn't believe what he was hearing. Were they really going to go over this again? "Eddward look at me," Kevin said softly and the ravenette couldn't help but oblige.

"You are not damaged goods, and if I want to love you then I will. Don't you love me?" Kevin asked hurt beginning to feel his emerald eyes. "Of course I do Pumpkin, more than I could ever possibly explain. I just don't want this to blow up and you get hurt in the process. I'd rather keep you at arms length, keep you safe," the sockhead replied letting his hair cascade in front of his eyes to hide the tears. Kevin tugged his chin forcing the ravenette to look at him. "You don't get to make that choice for me corbeau. I love you and nothing will change that. Understand?" he said as his thumb slid back and forth across Edd's jaw. Edd nodded defeated and Kevin leaned down kissing him once more.