To pass the time, Edd paid a visit to Sasha's bar. During daylight hours, the bar was empty, but he could hear music coming from Sasha's connected apartment. Thus, Edd allowed himself into the bar and descended into what would be considered the back room and Sasha's front porch.

He knocked and waited patiently by the door, behind which he could hear cursing and footsteps. Minutes later, the music stopped and Sasha answered the door in a pair of green boxers and a rainbow pride shirt. His hair was not styled like he usually had it and he wore vampire bat slippers on his feet. Judging from the bags under his eyes, he'd just woken up.

Sasha took one look at Edd and sighed with relief; "Oh, thank god. I thought you were the 'rents. I love them, but they can be a tad overbearing at times." Sasha then gestured through the door. "Where are my manners? Come in."

Once Edd entered the domicile, he saw horror movies, an empty pizza box, Chunky Puff cereal bars, popcorn, and candy wrappers thrown askew all over the floor of the living room.

"Having a pre-Halloween movie marathon?" he asked with a chuckle.

He was reminded of similar scenes in Ed's basement bedroom where seemingly endless movie marathons would take place that often resulted in the whole neighborhood ganging up on the three of them due to his actions during his break from reality.

"Oh, you know it," Sasha boasted, peeling off his own shirt.

The redhead was naturally pale with freckles on his shoulders. The scar on his lower back that Matthew gave him when they were teens was still visible.

"You know what I don't get?" he continues spitefully, "Why do they keep churning out Saw movies every single year? Ever since the first one, they've all sucked so much ass. I mean, they're all just so goddamn predictable!"

"I wouldn't know," Edd shrugged, "I've never seen the series."

"Probably for the best. So what brings you to my neck of the woods?" Sasha asked, "The bar doesn't open for another six hours or so."

Edd shrugged again; "I just wanted to talk to someone."

"Well, you came to the right place," Sasha smiled, "Mi casa es su casa. We could exchange hoe stories, watch movies, or whatever you want to do."

"I'm sorry," Edd eyed him weirdly, "Exchange what stories?"

Sasha then explained; "Hoe stories. Y'know; talking about our sexual experiences. Not to brag, but I probably have you beat in that department. Though if I keep eating like I have been, I'll have to switch to chubby chasers, which may slow me down a tad."

"I'd… rather not," Edd blushed. How can Sasha be so casual about such a sordid topic?

"Relax! I share hoe stories with my friends all the time, even my female ones," Sasha laughed and then lightly joked, meaning no offense; "Though I've probably never drunkenly macked on a dude in the middle of a wedding. I'm sure everybody there saw you and the sociopath together. I know Kevin and I did. What's with you and Matthew anyway? Are you fucking him on the side?"

Edd's blush got even brighter; "Wh-Why would you even want to know about my intimate life?"

"I'm just curious," Sasha shrugged, "We have a sex partner in common, you know."

"Yeah…speaking of that," Edd replied, trying to steer the conversation away from sexual matters, "I thought you should know; Matthew is having Lucas build a rack — you know the medieval torture device — repurposed from an old workout bench."

"Yeah, I doubt it's for me," Sasha dismissed, "So I don't see how it's my business."

"I never said it was meant for you," Edd stated, "But…wait, what makes you so certain that it's not? Do you…know anything about it?"

"Hey, why don't I get you a soda or maybe some candy?" Sasha offered, taking his turn to dodge the issue, "If you don't wanna share stores, we can watch a first Hellraiser is a good one for this time of the year. Either that or Susperia. Did you know that the original Pinhead was supposed to be androgynous?"

"C'mon Sasha! This is serious!" Edd shouted, "That machine they're making is going to be used on someone, and…and I'm possibly going to get punished for trying to dismantle the thing."

"I don't care if they're going to use it on some old perv. That's hardly my concern," Sasha sighed nervously and then looked at Edd, "Do you need a place to stay until Matthew cools down?"

"I don't know," Edd admitted indecisively, "I need to keep the fort down at the house and feed Niels Bohr. Plus, there's the whole issue that Matthew might tear up the town — metaphorically speaking — until he finds me."

"It kinda sounds like you're making excuses," Sasha noted, "What's the real reason you want to go back to him?"

With a sigh, Edd shrugged; "Maybe I'm just lonely?"

Sasha looked thoughtful for a second and then got a mischievous look in his eye; "I know one way to figure out your problem."

"And what might that be?" Edd asked, a bit suspicious of the man's intentions.

Sasha was Kevin's cousin after all. After years of being bullied by Kevin, Edd was just a bit weary of anyone in association with him, despite the fact that Sasha had been a good friend to him and Eddy since they first met him four years prior.

"You'd be able to figure out where you stand on the Matthew issue if you let me kiss you," Sasha then answered.

"You—" Edd was at a loss for words, "You're just a big flirt, aren't you?!"

"Hey, it worked for me and a girl I knew back in the day," Sasha shrugged in an innocent matter.

Edd eyed him with a bit of confusion; "What sense does that make? You'll have to explain how that worked, since, last I checked, you only sexually preferred men."

"I do," Sasha agreed, looking hesitant, "I'd explain it, but, I don't suppose you'd really want to hear about it. It's kind've a long story."

"Oh, I have time," Edd retorted, "Matthew's out at Lucas' for a few days for some unknown reason."

Sasha sighed; "Alright, I'll try to keep it brief anyway. You see, during my childhood and my teen years, I struggled to come to terms with my sexuality. It didn't help that the only person that could kinda understand that on a personal level bullied me with his friends. My only friend was an unpopular girl named Misty. We both had our demons that we were dealing with. I struggled with my sexuality and she struggled with her infatuation with…someone who wouldn't stop invading her personal space. Anyway, one day we kissed and discovered that neither of us were attracted to each other. She still liked the creep that was her age that wouldn't quit touching her and I still didn't have an attraction to girls."

"I never knew…" Edd muttered, pausing to think. After a second he relented. "Very well, but if this gets weird; I expect you to stop."

"And if it goes further, there's condoms in my end table," Sasha then added, earning himself an elbow in the ribs.

"Don't make such assumptions," Edd warned him, "This will just be a kiss."

Sasha then smirked; "Don't get your panties in a twist. It was a joke."

"A real kidder, aren't you?" Edd grumbled.

"What can I say?" Sasha snickered, "I like that kinda thing. Y'oughta swing by the bar on April Fool's Day. I play 'I Wish I Was Queer' by The Bloodhound Gang and dress like a Catholic priest. It's a riot."

"I'm sure it's hilarious," Edd huffed, rolling his eye, "But it was still a tasteless joke." Taking a moment to calm himself, he looked around awkwardly. "Anyway, how should we —"

"Oh, the couch would be a great place; it's pretty comfy," Sasha suggested, motioning to the seating arrangement across from the television, "You might wanna move the lemon cookie box, by the way."

Glad for the distraction, Edd followed the recommendation, moving the box to the coffee table. Brushing cookie crumbs off the couch, he sat down daintily and then waited for Sasha to join him. He was a bit nervous. In a way, it felt like he was about to kiss Kevin — someone he's never had any sort of romantic feelings for.

Sasha sat down next to him, seemingly more confident than Edd was; "Relax, Edd. You know you can back down from this anytime."

"I-It's fine. I'm ready," Edd said confidently, which gave Sasha enough permission to continue.

Green eyes met blue as Sasha's lips connected with Edd's. Edd breathed through his nose as he felt chapped lips rubbing against his own. Sasha's kiss was much sweeter than Matthew's, but that didn't stop the rotten feeling in his gut.

Sasha's tongue prodded his lips as if to wordlessly ask permission to continue. Edd opened his mouth and allowed Sasha to deepen the kiss. Edd felt Sasha's tongue expertly explore his mouth. Sasha had obviously had a lot of practice. The twenty eight year old man had clearly been with a lot of different men in his lifetime, but it would be rude of Edd to ask for a precise number.

Then the thought of Matthew arose in his mind, leading Edd to softly push on Sasha's chest, feeling panicked.

"W-We have to stop!" he stuttered, "Ma-Matthew would be so angry with me if he found out and I've got to keep him happy so he doesn't cause any harm. I don't know why, but — in spite of everything I…I need to go back."

"Okay," Sasha gave Edd his space and reached down for some of his candy. Just as he was unwrapping and popping a peanut butter cup into his mouth, he shared his thoughts; "I think I know why you keep going back to him."

Edd looked at Sasha's face for an answer. When he couldn't predict what he was going to tell him, he decided to ask; "And why is that, oh great oracle?"

"I mean…feel free to yell at me, slap me, or whatever," Sasha replied nonchalantly; "But it's pretty clear to me that you're addicted to Matthew and his cock."

Edd squeaked; "Wh-What?!" He groaned indignantly. "Do tell me this is one of your jokes!"

"Not this time," Sasha replied, his tone quite serious, "Listen, the reason why I was with Matthew was because I was the lonely, gay teen who was manipulated by him into letting him use my body. When I was with him, I would've killed for another gay or bisexual man to offer to take me away from Matthew's metaphorical reach. In fact, my desperation to connect with another boy or man in my teens is what led to me almost getting stat-raped and possibly kidnapped by a stranger at a gay club."

Edd fidgeted awkwardly on the couch; "I don't see what that story has to do with me."

"To put it simply," Sasha explained, "I was looking for a way out while you're looking for ways to stay. You're addicted to him."

Edd was a bit miffed at hearing that. He was not addicted to Matthew, was he? He couldn't be. His reasons for staying with Matthew were a bit unknown to him, but, that did not mean that he was addicted.

"Thanks for your input Sasha," Edd replied haughtily, though pretending to not be affected by his own thought, "But I sincerely believe you're mistaken. I'm just lonely."

"Dude seriously? I've seen drug addicts with less resolve with drugs than you have with Matthew," Sasha pointed out.

He got him with that one, but Edd wasn't about to admit it. Instead, he forced a smile and stood; "I should really be heading back. It's almost dinner and, no offense, but the only food you ever seem to have around here is junk food."

"No offense taken," Sasha shrugged, "Before you go, though, can I get your opinion about what kind've dog I should get? I was thinking maybe a Beagle or a Yorkie? Oh, what about a Saint Bernard? Like, should I get a small dog to carry around with me wherever I go like one of those fabulous, but overprivileged socialites? Or a big dog to guard my house and take up half of the bed?"

Thinking over that briefly, Edd then stated, "Whatever the size, I think you should get a dog from the animal shelter. There are plenty of poor lost souls there that would kill to occupy your home."

"That's a great idea," Sasha praised, "It'd be like an adventure except I'd be browsing for an animal to let into my home. I'm gonna go tomorrow and pick one out. I can't wait."

"That's great, Sasha…" Edd said distantly, "Anyway, as I said; I better get going. I need some food in my stomach — real food. Those lemon cookies of yours are just empty calories."

"You sure?" Sasha asked, his tone growing serious again, "You know that when you walk out that door and go home, I can't show up or call to check in on you because of that restraining order I have on Matthew. I guess I could always have Nazz do a wellness check if that helps?"

"Perhaps…" Edd replied, "I'll see you in a few days, Sasha."