A/N: This is a sequel to "Senior Trip Sleepover" and "No Holds BarrEdd" so you should probably go read those two first :)

The relationship between Kevin and Edd changed drastically after that first date. They spent most of the school day the next morning talking and bonding, finding more and more in common. But what they didn't find in common was post-high school plans. Kevin finally found out which college Edd had decided to go to, and it wasn't in state. It was far from in state. Eleven hours from Kevin's chosen college, to be precise, and that's without taking in the possibility of traffic or construction along the way.

The sadness was palpable, and Kevin hated seeing Edd like that, so he wrote him a quick note and waited for the school day to end in ten minutes.

After school, he finds Edd in the science wing bathroom. Edd turns to him, holding up the note, and says, "We're just going to keep bringing up the Cold War anytime one of us wants to make out after school?"

Kevin grinned, closing the distance and pulling Edd close. "I was hoping so at least."

And after making out for a while, things seemed to return to normal for the boys. As they walked home, hand in hand, talking about all their summer plans, there was a sort of unspoken agreement. They weren't dating, they couldn't try, not with the impending long distance and them still being teenagers, but they will still do everything as if they were dating.

And this seemed to work for quite some time.

The rest of the school year was spent having deep discussions, bonding over silly things, a few more 'Cold War' sessions after school, and both boys crossing off a bucket list item of theirs.

For Edd, it was making out in the library, just past the reference section, where no mirror or camera could reach. Though they still almost got caught when Edd knocked over quite a few books trying to grip the shelving. He blamed Kevin though, since he was feeling him up and making his knees give out.

For Kevin, it was making out in the dugout of the baseball field behind school. Though Edd decided to pay him back for the library incident and take it a step further. As he sat straddled across Kevin's lap, Edd reached a hand down between them and started rubbing Kevin through his jeans. Once he realized Kevin forgot to wear a belt that day, he snuck his hand inside Kevin's pants. He didn't finish Kevin off, but that was the problem. They had snuck out during lunch, and when the bell rang, they raced back inside the building. Not only were they still quite late, but now Kevin had to sit in class, consumed by lust, for the remainder of the day.

At the end of the day, Kevin found out Edd had gotten in trouble for being late and kept apologizing profusely as they left the school building. Eventually Edd spun him around and kissed him hard, in the middle of the street, right in front of the school.

Kevin stood there dumbfounded, eyes darting slightly at all the students walking by slowly and now whispering.

Edd grabs his hand and leads the way home, both not saying anything until they were a good two blocks from school grounds.

"I can't believe I did that!" Edd exclaimed suddenly.

Kevin turned and noticed that he was blushing harder than he ever seen before. "Not that I'm complaining, because I'm definitely not, but why'd you do that?"

Edd sighed heavily. "I got tired of hearing you apologize for that. It's not that serious. I mean, tomorrow's the last day of school, and like they're going to give the valedictorian detention the day before graduation just for being four minutes late."

Kevin stops walking, and Edd jerks to a stop when Kevin pulls back on his hand. "Who are you?"

Edd rolls his eyes. "I'm just saying, it wasn't that serious… and I didn't mind… mainly because it was you."

"It was me?"

Edd takes a few steps back, grabbing Kevin's other hand in his. "I know we were late because of… carnal reasons… but I don't mind being late for class because I was spending time with you. I never had such great conversations until you came along, and I feel like I can really be myself around you. I'm… I'm really glad we're so close now."

Kevin feels his heart swell, hearing that Edd feels the same way about him as he does, but as soon as the emotions overcome him, they break. He remembers that this isn't supposed to last.

But they still proceed to grow closer, talk more, go on pseudo-dates, and explore things sexually. So, by the time Kevin leaves for college, earlier than Edd because of football camp, he finds himself getting choked up.

They kept in touch via text and phone calls during the school year, still trying to remain close. They had deep late-night discussions and started sexting on occasion after Kevin sent him a picture with minimal clothing, claiming he was just trying to show Edd the injury he sustained in the recent game, but that didn't explain the lack of pants.

During breaks in the school year, they were sometimes lucky enough to cross paths, what with Edd taking summer class and Kevin's football practice. But when they did meet in person, it was like time had stopped between visits. They were just as close, just as fond of each other, and Kevin couldn't be happier.

But now it's fall semester of their sophomore year, and Kevin feels at a loss. Things feel… off.

After a few weeks, Kevin started to realize that he was the one that always initiated conversation, was the one that always checked in on the other person, and Edd would only reply, if he did reply. His responses were starting to become shorter, and he found less time for Kevin.

Kevin tried to convince himself that this was due to Edd's schedule, but that doesn't mean the pain still wasn't there.

Kevin felt like their relationship is dwindling. Not just the physical side, but the emotional side. Because of that and his grandmother's declining health, he goes to therapy to figure out what to do besides sit in his sadness constantly. He tries to keep messaging Edd, keeping it purely PG, unlike the occasional flirty text he used to send. That seems to help a lot, prompting Edd to respond more, giving Kevin some relief.

Though he does greatly enjoy the friends with benefits relationship they have, he doesn't want to lose the friends part of it. He'd give up all physical contact with Edd, all flirty messages, everything, if he could remain friends. He realizes that no one makes him happy, no one expressed more pride in his successes, no one else he'd want to talk to about his highest highs and lowest lows, except Edd. And he likes to believe Edd feels the same way about him. He does. But with a month left in the semester, Edd seems more unresponsive to even the civil messages.

Kevin went home for winter break. He noticed Edd was home as well, judging by the light in the house, but he decided to let Edd make the first move.

It took two days. And it came in the form of a text that Kevin didn't want to ever see from him.

Edd: We need to talk.

They agreed to meet at the swings by the old playground behind the cul-de-sac. They slowly swing in silence until Edd starts to ask Kevin about school and being home.

"What was it you wanted to tell me?" Kevin hated how harsh he sounded, how he had cut Edd off, but he wanted to get this over with so he could go home and cry.

"There's… there's someone from lab… who has expressed interest in dating me…"

"I see."

"And I… I would like to give it a shot…"

Only a few more words were exchanged until Kevin says, "I understand. Don't worry. I'll leave you alone now."

He sees Edd start to speak, but quickly clamps his mouth shut, looking away. Kevin tried bowing out as gracefully as possible, walking away calmly as if this didn't hurt him, but finds himself sprinting past the cul-de-sac, running until the pain in his chest was more from exercise and less from heartache.