A/N I wasn't sure if I was going to add to this story or not but this seem to come out of nowhere. The Ed, Edd & Eddy characters belong to their creators, Nat belongs to his creator. I hope you enjoy.

Just as he reached the cul-de-sac his phone chimed with a text message. It wasn't Ed or Eddy they were walking up ahead of him talking about some cheap horror film that Ed wanted to watch this evening. He looked at his messages and saw that it was from an unknown number.

The message read: Sorry for pretending I didn't notice you all day, but I didn't want the guys to give you hell. I heard what they did to you the other day. I don't want to give them any reason to hurt you again. Kevin

All Double Dee texted back was "Thanks"

Later that night Dee lay on his bed trying to catch up on the sleep he had lost the night before, but missing that warm body that had covered him most of the night. Around midnight he heard his phone chime, he picked it up and saw the he had a text message from Kevin. Earlier he had entered Kevin's contact information into his phone.

Kevin: Hey

DD: Hey

Kevin" WYD?

DD: sleeping

Kevin: can I come over?

DD: no

Kevin: Please!

DD: no

Kevin: Why not?

DD: I'm sleeping, and have to get up early in the morning.

Kevin: It's Friday dude, you can sleep in tomorrow

DD: NO! Good night Kevin

Double Dee sat looking at his phone for a few moments, Thoughts running through his mind. Why this sudden interest from Kevin? The red head had bullied him in middle school, but he had realized that it was mostly due to Eddy's scams. Kevin had come to him for help with his school work and he had been glad to help the jock better his grades, while they had been working on the green eyed boys grades they had become somewhat friends and study partners. Since school had started this term Kevin had distanced himself from Edd. They had talked much when they were studying together. They had grown close and felt they could discuss private matters between themselves. Kevin had told him about problems he was having with different girls that he dated, why he and Nazz had never really gotten together. How being the captain of the football team and star athlete took up most of his time, but it was what his father expected of him. Kevin had even told him just how lonely being the most popular boy in school felt. Yes, you had friends, but they weren't really friends. You had to live up to their expectations or become an outcast. That he was glad that Edd had become his friend because that gave him at least one true friend that he felt he could really be himself around. Edd had seen that Kevin could be warm and caring, funny and care free at times. He had explained to the raven haired boy that at school he had to live up to his reputation and had to act a certain way, that he was truly sorry that at times he would have to pretend that the dork wasn't even on his radar. That hurt, but at least he and Kevin were friends. He remembered the first time he had seen Kevin really smile. The kind of smile that lit up his face, brought sparkles to his green eyes and made the freckles on his nose and chin dance across his face. What Dee hadn't realized about that smile was that the only time it came out was when he was around the dork and felt happy and secure.

Double Dee had even opened up to Kevin, he had never felt he truly had anyone that he could really tell about himself, even the Eds only knew so much about him. One evening when they were taking a break from studying and Kevin had been telling him about some girl he was dating at the time, and that she was only after him because he was an all star quarterback and one of the most popular boys at school. Edd had told him that he really didn't know anything about that situation.

"What you mean Dee? You're really a cute guy the girls should all be throwing themselves at you." Kevin had said with a smirk.

"The only reason any girls talk to me is to get me to do their homework. When I explain that I will help them but they have to do the actual work themselves they walk away." Double Dee said looking down at his hands.

"What about the smart girls, and you got Marie after you. So you got that."

"I'm not interested in any of them. I finally had to explain to Marie why I wasn't interested in her that way. We are friends now, but nothing more."

"Well some of those smart girls are really cute Dee, I've been out with a few, but they really aren't interested in the dumb jock."

"Well you do have a reputation as a Casanova Kevin, or as I have heard others refer to you as 'Love em and leave em' Kevin. Maybe if you concentrated on just one for awhile."

"Nah, I haven't found any that really interested me that way. Oh, I've boinked a few, but usually after the sex is over I don't really care if I see them again or not. You got anybody you're really interested in Dee?"

Double Dee blushed and said "No, not really, especially anyone that would be interested in me."

"Why not Dee, you're cute, have a great sense of humor, although at times you do go over most people's head. Anybody you are interested in should be honored that you are interested in them."

Dee looked at Kevin for a moment, then said. "I'm gonna tell you something Kevin, it's something I haven't even talked about with Ed and Eddy. I just hope that once I tell you, you will at least be civil to me. I have grown accustomed to us being friends and I hope after I tell you this we can still be friends"

"What Dee, you a serial killer, you have some horrible contagious disease, and I'm going to die in the next few moments?" Laughed the green eyed boy.

Dee sighed and looked Kevin directly in the eyes and said "I'm gay."

Kevin looked at Dee for a moment and said, "is that all, so what, I don't care, we're friends and I have no problem with gay people. You know that Nat is my best friend, and you know how open he is about his sexuality. You're not interested in Nat are you?"

"Oh, heavens no, the only guy at our school that I could be remotely interested in is totally and irreversibly straight. He's cute, charming, can be witty at times. He's able to hold an intelligent conversation. He has a great body and is everything I'm not."

"Who is it Dee, Chad?" Kevin asked. "Tho I don't see how you could say Chad is remotely cute."

"No, good heavens no, Chad is a total ass, he bullies me horribly. Don't get angry at me Kevin, but it's you. I know that it is only a pipe dream, please don't let this spoil our friendship."

The ginger sat back in his chair with a shocked look upon his face. Dee looked at him sadly and said, "I knew that this would spoil our friendship. Please don't hate me Kevin, I promise that I won't bother you in that way ever. Please forget I told you that." Dee said with tears forming in his eyes.

Just then the red head's phone chimed, he looked at the message and stood up, "I got to run Dee, I gotta make a phone call, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Kevin grabbed his books and ran out the door. Edd felt his heart sink, he just knew he had ruined what ever friendship he had with Kevin. Tears welled up in his eyes. He walked over and closed the door that Kevin had left open, he locked up and turned off all the downstairs light. He knew his parents weren't going to be coming home tonight. He went up to his bed room and fell across the bed crying. Why, when the first time he felt he could really open up to someone he had went overboard and ruined their friendship.

Dee finally wept himself to sleep, meanwhile across the street in his bedroom Kevin was pacing up and down his room his mind in a turmoil. He thought about what Double Dee had told him, He really needed to talk to the dork but didn't know how to say what he needed to say. He had once had those same feelings for the dork, but had worked hard to suppress them. That was the reason he never could really get into a relationship with anyone. He had a reputation to uphold, he was captain of the football team, all star athlete and one of the most popular guys at school. He was expected to date pretty girls, play sports, but dating the dork wasn't an option. His parents would be so disappointed in him and would probably disown him. He thought he probably had hurt the dork by running out the way he did, because if he hadn't left quickly he would probably have kissed the dork.

He paced most of the night trying to decide whether to do what he felt was right for him, or what others expected of him. If he chose to make himself happy he would lose all he had worked so hard to achieve. If he chose to make others happy he'd lose the one he loved. Oh why did he have to chose between the two? He finally decided that he would take it slow and see where life led him. First he needed to apologize to Edd for the way he ran out of the house. Would Double Dee forgive him? He thought about the way Dee was treated at school and he would do his best to protect the Dork from the idiots at school.

But how to do that and maintain his reputation was the question that he couldn't find an answer for. He walked to the window and stared at the house across the street, all was dark. How could the dork be asleep when he had sent Kevin's world out of kilter? He sat there the rest of the night staring out the window. Sometime during the night he had lain his head on the window sill and fallen asleep.

Kevin woke up and looked at his phone and saw that the last message from Double Dee was the one where he had said good night. He heard a commotion outside and got up and walked over to his window. He saw Double Dee outside his house washing a window. Good, I'll get dressed and go over and talk to the dork. He wanted nothing more than to just run right over and talk to Dee, but knew the raven haired boy would throw a fit if he showed up in nothing but boxers. Kevin looked down at his lean muscular body and grinned. He had a body to be proud of but to respect the dork he would get dressed. He grabbed a fresh pair of black shorts and a green tee shirt from his dresser and walked to the bathroom to get dressed. After getting dressed he ran down the stairs and opened his front door. Then he noticed the dork squad coming down the street headed to Double Dee's house. Damn, there went his chance, they probably had plans for the day. He pulled his phone from his pocket and texted Dee.

Kevin: We really need to talk

He walked over to the garage and opened the door and started cleaning his motorcycle. All the while watching the house across the street. After awhile he saw the Eds come out and head up the street. He watched as they caught the bus headed downtown. After he saw the Eds get on the bus his phone chimed.

DD: There's nothing really to talk about. We tried to be friends and I still hope that one day we can be. But your friends don't want me even showing that much interest in you. If you need help with your studies I will always be glad to help you. Other than that, nothing more. I refuse to be a convenient fuck when you can't find some girl. Thank you for the dream come true, as I told you we shouldn't because we would both regret it. I don't want to be a regret so I am going to put dreams back where they belong, in dreamland and move on with my life.

Kevin quickly pulled up Edd's number and pressed call. It went straight to voice mail. He hung up and tried again. Same thing, he tried a third time and got the same response.

"Damn, he's quick with the bitch button."

Kevin: Please Dee, say all this to my face.

DD: No, I would get lost in those beautiful green eyes and forget all my resolve. I am also tired of being bullied and beaten if I so much as speak to you. I've had enough. Good luck in your life Kevin. From now on leave me alone, unless you need help with studies, then you may come to my study group at the library on Thursdays.

Kevin looked at his phone and frowned he wanted to throw the thing as hard as he could, but he knew his parents would not buy him another phone. He kicked the pail that held the soapy water that he had been cleaning his bike with. He walked around his house to the back yard where hung the punching bag that he used in sparring practice. He hit it as hard as he could. That didn't make him feel any better so he keep punching it until he was tired. He sat down on the lounge and frowned. He needed to get this rage out of his system and he knew just who he wanted to take it out on. He got up and started punching the bag as hard as he could. Suddenly in mid swing a hand appeared on his fist and stopped him. He turned to face a middle aged red haired lady with worried green eyes. He saw sadness in her face and felt the rage calm down for the moment.

"What's wrong baby?" she said expecting Kevin to tell her not to call him that. She watched the rage drain from his green eyes, and saw tears and fear come into them. She pulled Kevin over to the lounge and sat down pulling him down beside her. She wrapped her arms around her son and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Mommy" was all the boy said and laid his head on her shoulder and started to cry. Mrs Barr was surprised, she hadn't seen her son cry in years. He was such a strong young man. He hadn't called her mommy since he was in middle school having adopted "Ma or Mom". This action worried her more than the boy punching the bag with everything he had in his being.

"Just calm down and tell me all about it, who or what has hurt my baby so bad."

"I feel so lost at the moment, everybody wants to tell me how to live my life. I can't even be me anymore. I have to live up to all these expectations and don't know how to do it anymore. I try so hard to be what everyone wants me to be. I want to be me again."

"Well baby, you know your father and I both love you and want whats best for you, we are so proud of you. You have become so much to be proud of. Why you've even brought your grades up to 'A' level. Is that it? Are our expectations too much. Foremost you have to be true to yourself, but what you want first."

"Nah ma, I want you and dad to be proud of me. It's just people want to decide who can and cannot be my friends. I had a friend tell me that he couldn't be my friend anymore because he was tired of being beat on and bullied because I spoke to him."

She pulled back to look her son in the eyes and said, "Why, you can be friends with whoever you chose, what business is it of theirs who you are friends with."

"I'm the all star quarter back and one of the most popular kids in school. My friend is not popular, he's intelligent and quirky, and they don't like him. The only reason they have anything to do with him is that he is so smart, and they can make him do their homework for them. The funny thing about that is that when he helped me with my homework he made me do the work myself. He said he knew I could do better if I just applied myself. He said he expected so much more from me and knew I wasn't a typical dumb jock."

"He sounds like a true friend to me, so be his friend if that is what you want. Don't let others tell you how to live your life. You only have a couple of weeks of school left for this term, so let things lie for awhile and take all summer to decide which is more important to you a true friend or your reputation in high school, which won't matter much once you graduate."

Mrs. Barr pulled her son back into a tight embrace and they sat there for awhile. "Kevin, if you have more than just friendship feelings for this boy, neither your father nor I will have a problem with that. After all there's your uncle Bobby and we all love him dearly. You aren't ashamed of your uncle Bobby are you."

The red head didn't say a word he just pulled back and looked at his mother. She looked back at her son. "I saw the same rage in Bobby, when we were in high school and some boys were picking in his boyfriend Derek. Is that part of your problem dear, you like this boy but he is straight?"

"No Ma, he told me he was gay and that he once had a crush on me. It took me awhile after he told me to get over the shock. I've been trying to talk to him, I want to see if I am bi, gay, or straight. How can I do that if the only guy I'm interested in won't even talk to me?"

"Who is this boy that has caught my baby's eye, is he alright?"

"It's Edd, you know the Vincent boy across the street."

"He's such a polite and sweet boy, His mother and I interned at the same hospital. Just don't rush into anything,"

"Well Mom, I may have already put my foot in it." Kevin said and then showed her the last message from Dee on his phone. His mother looked at him, and he blushed a bright red.

"Honey, you will just have to win him back if it was meant to be then it will happen, if not then let it go and try to find someone that makes you happy. I have to get to work, see you later this evening when I get home, and I think you need to talk to your father about this as well. Don't worry, he'll be supportive, just look how he treats his brother."

"But, Ma, won't it be different in this case, I'm his son."

She leaned over and placed a kiss on her son's forehead and headed out to work. The red head sat there for a while thinking about what he could do to protect his favorite dork that wouldn't cause him to be harmed in return. He kept drawing up blanks, he didn't know what he would do but he needed to do something. His stomach started growling and he realized he hadn't eaten anything all day. He got up and went into the kitchen. On the counter was a note from his mother about some meatloaf sandwiches that she had made for him and placed in the fridge. He grabbed the plate from the fridge and sat at the table eating the food. He looked at his phone, for some reason it had been quiet all day. As if summoned a message came in.

Nat: Hey Kev, whut up?

Kevin: nothing, just in a bad mood

Nat: want me to come over and cheer you up?

Kevin: No, I just want to be left the fuck alone, I don't want to be around people today.

"I'm about to whup somebody's ass" ringtone started playing and Kevin answered "No, Nat I don't want you over here, I'm in the mood to punch somebody and I'll start with you if you come here."

"Whoa, what crawled up your ass and died? What is this national be pissed off day or something? I just saw Ed yelling at Eddy about something not being their business."

"What? You sure you got that right, Ed is the big dork."

"Nah, man, Eddy is sitting on a bench across the mall from me, and Ed is really going to town on him. I can't hear what they are actually saying, but he sure is livid about something. Oh damn, I see what the commotions is all about."

"What is it Nat? Eddy stole Lumpy's popcorn or something?"

"Nah, you not gonna believe this shit. I'm looking at it and I don't believe it."

"Tell me already before I come down there and fuck your ass up."

"You come down here with that attitude mister, and when I turn you lose you'll be smiling on both ends."

"Not in your wildest dreams freak, now what the fuck is going on dude?"

"Double Delight just came strolling by holding hands with somebody. The smart dork has found him a dork of his own."

"What!"

"Hold on a moment Naomi I gotta speak to a friend, but just a moment. Hi Double Delicious whose your friend?"

"Oh hi Nathan, This is Devon. At least you will be happy for me, Eddy's upset and Ed is trying to bring him around. I figured since everybody at school talks about me being gay, I might as well live it up, if I can't live it down." Dee sat down next to Nat and smiled that gap toothed smile. He's as smart as I am, so at least he won't be expecting me to help him with his homework. Shouldn't you be talking to the person on your phone?"

"Nah, she'll wait, she hangs onto every word I say, I gotta know more Dee, when and where did you guys meet? How long has this been going on? Does Kevin know about this?"

"We met in a geek chat room online, and got to know about each other there, we just actually met in person today. Why would Kevin care, all I am to him is his homework slave. He doesn't care what I do in my personal life as long as it doesn't affect him in anyway."

Kevin was all ears listening to the conversation. He frowned when he heard Dee say that he was Kevin's homework slave. It hurt him to the core. He really need to punch something. He hung up and ran out to the patio and started to punch the bag. Picturing Chad's face every time he hit it.

"Devon, be a dear and run over there and get me a water, here's the money and get yourself something as well, my treat." Dee watched the boy walk away and turned to Nat and said, "You really should make sure that others can not see who you are talking to on your phone. I knew that was Kevin and I wanted to make him angry, so that he would leave me alone. Every time he talks to me I get beat up and I am tired of it. This way he won't talk to me and the football team will have one less reason to bully me."

"But Dee, Kevin told me you were friends, and he was going to protect you from the other guys."

"Now he doesn't have to fight with his friends, and maybe they will leave me alone. I would like to feel that Kevin is still my friend, however I do not want him to get harmed over me. I have to move on for my own sanity and safety. Tell him that I am sorry, but this is how it must be." Nat watched as Double Dee walked over to Devon and get his bottle of water. He noticed that the Dork cringed when Devon said something to him. "Well, well, well, it seems Dorky had traded one bully for another. I hope he knows what he is doing." Nat pulled up messenger on his phone and texted Dee.

Nat: FYI Dee, don't ever let Red see you cringe like that or your new boyfriend will be a mush pile on the sidewalk.

DD: How I act around my boyfriend is none of his business.

Nat: Everything about you is Red's business Dee. Just be careful and don't get hurt. If you need any form of help come to me. No matter what you seem to think Red does care about you.

Double Dee turned and looked at Nat, smiled a wishful smile, then did something that Nat was totally unprepared for. The raven haired raised his right hand up and gave Nat the middle finger. He turned and walked off with his new boy friend.

The teal haired boy sat in stunned silence watching the two boys walk away. He watched as Ed and Eddy got up and followed the other two out of the mall. He saw a booty walking away from him that he recognized and ran over to talk to her forgetting all about texting Kevin anymore about Double Dee.

Later that evening, Kevin was in the kitchen making supper for his parents. He had always found cooking to be calming to him. He heard his dad pull in to the driveway and come in the door of the house. The Auburn haired man walked into the kitchen sniffing. "Smells good."

"Hi dad, we need to talk, I got something I wanna tell ya."

"Would this involve why you were getting home late Thursday, or I should say early Friday morning, pushing your bike across the street shirtless?"

Kevin looked up at his dad, "Um, you saw that?"

"Yup, I was standing in the kitchen drinking my coffee when you came in. So what do you want to tell me?"

"Um, would you be upset if I were bi and had a boyfriend?" Kevin blushed as he looked as his father.

"Son, why should I be upset? Remember I have Bobby as a brother. As long as you are happy then I am fine with it. If you need any advice along that line go ask your uncle Bobby, I can advise you about girls but Bobby with have to help on the others."

"Thanks Dad. I just didn't want to disappoint you or mom,"

"We are both proud of you Kevin, Are you serious about this boy, or is it a phase?"

"I don't know dad, it may go somewhere, or fizzle out at the start. I don't know just what I want it to be, it's all so new to me. I do want to find out though."

"Do what you feel is best for you, and don't let others decide your fate for you. I'm gonna run take a shower."

The red head watched his dad go up the stairs and thought to himself that went well. It could have been so much worse. But to think I have such cool parents. Kevin looked out his window as a car pulled into the cul-de-sac. It pulled into Double Dee's drive way. Ed and Eddy got out the back of the car and started home. The two in the front seat sat talking for a few minutes, then Eddward got out and walked towards the door of his home. The car backed out of the driveway and sped down the street not even slowing for the stop sign. Kevin thought to himself, I would have at least walked him to the door. The dork stopped as he was unlocking his door and looked across the street at Kevin's house. He had a sad look upon his face.

Dee walked into his house and closed the door and leaned against it. He sighed to himself, he was half hoping that when he got home, the red head would come across the street to make him talk. In the back of his mind he had been hoping that Kevin would come over and yell at him or maybe even punch him for ignoring him all day. There had been no sign of the ginger boy. He had put things in motion so now he had to live with the consequences. Tears welled up in the blue eyes. Why did something that seemed the right thing to do feel so wrong? He had to do this thing, It was better for his safety if he pushed Kevin away. If the redhead had nothing to do with him then the jocks would have one less thing to bully him about. Edd walked up to his room and sat on the bed, he pulled out his phone and opened a picture of Kevin. It was one he had snapped in the hallway. The red head had been getting something from his locker and Dee figured he could snap the pic without him knowing. But after he took the picture he saw that Kevin was looking at the camera and grinning that sexy grin of his. Those green eyes seem to be smoldering with naughty thoughts. They seem to be saying to the dork 'come and get you some'.

Dee looked up when he heard a motorcycle enter the cul-de-sac. He walked over to his window and looked out thinking that he would see the red head out there. It was a sleek Harley Davidson chopper with lots of chrome and blue paint. The man riding it was big and burly, when he took off his helmet, there was an unruly mass of red hair. He wore a blue denham jacket with Barr across his shoulders. He turned to put his helmet on his bike and spotted Double Dee standing at his window. The big man waved and turned and went up to the front door of the house. Just as he was about to knock the door was pulled open and a red headed teen grabbed the man in a warm hug.

"Hi Sport, it's good to see you aren't too much of a he man jock to hug, your queer uncle." laughed the big man. "How's my favorite nephew?"

Never, Uncle Bobby, because if I did try that you'd whup my ass." grinned the red headed teen. "What brings you over?"

"I heard my jock of a nephew needs a little manly advice. I also heard he was seen doing the walk of shame the other morning. I was even told that he didn't seem ashamed at all but rather proud of himself."

Kevin blushed a bright red and heard a laugh behind him, he turned and said "Daad,"

Kevin's father laughed again and said "wasn't me, I haven't talked to Bobby today." He grabbed his brother in a embrace and said, "Great to see ya little bro."

The big man grinned and said to Kevin, "Ken's innocent this time Kevin, it was Kathleen who told me."

"Ma! She knew but she didn't say anything to me about it."

"She was waiting for you to tell her. She knew you were interested in Edd awhile back. She pointed out to me how you would stop and watch him, when he was out and about in the cul-de-sac." Kevin's father grinned and ruffled the teen's red hair.

The trio went into the house and closed the door. Double Dee had watched the whole thing, he even noticed when Kevin blushed. The big man must have been teasing him about one of his girl friends. Dee wondered why Kevin was home on a Saturday night, usually he was out and about with his jock friends or on a date with some girl.