Over Christmas break, both boys were away on family holidays, but they managed to keep in touch though texting. At one point Edd sent Kevin a picture of mistletoe decorating the walls the of restaurant he was currently at with his family. He quickly sends a follow-up text.
1Edd: You should be here.
Kevin teased him about the mistletoe and Edd's obsession with holiday traditions, but secretly wished he was there, able to take advantage of the situation.
Throughout the holiday, Kevin kept thinking about his relationship with Edd. They both confessed, and immediately started stealing kissing when they were together. They were sneaking in moments to be alone, to subtly touch each other, when no one was looking. But Kevin was a bit concerned. He knew he still felt the same and was wanting to do more with Edd, but also felt bad about wanting that, since he didn't want to date with the distance between them.
He wasn't sure if Edd still felt the same, and if he was okay with what contact they've been doing when together. He wanted to ask but figured a conversation of this nature should be done in person and not via text. Unless there was plenty of holiday distractions at the moment, the uncertainty of Edd's perspective of the relationship haunted him.
Shortly after Christmas both boys found themselves back at the cul-de-sac. A few days before New Year's, Nazz decided to throw a belated Christmas celebration with just the cul-de-sac kids. As everyone was playing an obscure board game that Nazz got for Christmas, Edd, who was already out of the game, gets up to get a drink from the kitchen. Kevin allows Eddy to beat him so he could follow Edd into the kitchen, but it takes a moment too long thanks to all of Eddy's gloating. Just before Kevin entered the kitchen area, Edd started to leave. Kevin grabbed his arm, forcing Edd to turn around and head back into the kitchen with him, quickly looking over his shoulder to see if anyone noticed. Luckily, Ed was trying to lick one of the game pieces, effectively distracting everyone in the living room.
"Something the matter, Kevin?" Edd asked, concern on his face.
Kevin quickly shook his head. "Nah. Just had to ask you some stuff."
"What do you need to ask?"
"Do you… do you still feel the same?"
"What do you mean?" Edd gave him a puzzled look before sipping his cider.
Kevin dropped his voice. "I mean… we like… said we liked each other, then started to secretly touch and kiss and stuff… but we don't really talk in that kinda matter when we're apart… So I just wanted to make sure. Didn't know if this was just like… messing around when it's convenient or whatever…"
"Oh." Edd whispered, taking a half step back and peeking into the living room. He places his drink on the counter before looking around the kitchen. Edd was taking too much time to respond, concerning Kevin.
"So… do you still feel the same about me?"
Edd enjoyed the way Kevin looked nervous and had started to turn pink. "Yes. I do. Probably like you a bit more now, if we're being honest. What about you?"
Kevin nodded slightly and grinned, blush high on his cheeks.
"And this isn't just a convenience thing for me, just so you know." Edd took a deep breath, a bit surprised that he was managing to say all this without shaking. "If anything, I wish you were closer to me, so I wouldn't have to wait a month or two between seeing you… There's literally no one else I want to kiss except you."
At this point, Kevin's freckles were starting to blend in with his flushed skin. He stepped closer, invading Edd's space, and quietly said, "Glad to hear that, because it's exactly the same for me."
Edd looked past him briefly before grabbing his hand and saying, "Perfect. Then, I can do this."
Before Kevin could ask what was going on, Edd steered Kevin to the other side of the kitchen, towards an archway that led to the bedrooms in Nazz's home. Edd abruptly stopped as soon as he enters the hallway and turned, facing Kevin.
Edd grabbed Kevin's other hand before leaning up and kissing him. It's not on the cheek like the first time, or quick pecks on the lips like all the time since. It is a lingering kiss, just long enough for Edd to slowly run his hands up Kevin's arms then bring them down his chest, feeling the toned muscles. Just long enough for Edd to enjoy the press of their lips together, before he slips his tongue across Kevin's bottom lip, seeking entrance. Just long enough for Kevin to go breathless with shock, then realize what is happening, barely in time for him to notice his mouth opening as if on instinct, allowing Edd to deepen the kiss. Just long enough for Edd to press himself up against Kevin while he ran his tongue across Kevin's.
But not long enough for Kevin, so he made a needy sound when Edd pulled away. Kevin stared down at Edd's lips, a bit pinker and a bit shinier with spit. Kevin tried to lean in again, wanting to feel more of Edd immediately. However, Kevin barely moved before Edd pushed his hands against Kevin's chest while taking a step back. As soon as more distance was placed between the two, Edd drops his hands and shyly smiled at Kevin. Kevin couldn't tell if this was Edd playing coy, if he was teasing Kevin, or if there was something else going on. But he did know he wasn't a fan of not being able to touch Edd more after a kiss like that. Kevin threw his head back in frustration and that's when he saw it hanging from the archway to the hall.
"Really, dork? Mistletoe?"
"What? I like traditions." Apparently Edd had mastered the smart-ass smirk Kevin had perfected himself.
"That sure as hell wasn't a mistletoe kiss," Kevin grumbled, leaning forward, trying again to continue the kiss.
Edd shied away once again, slipping to the right of Kevin back into the kitchen. As Kevin reached for Edd's arm, hoping to stop him and maybe get another mistletoe kiss, Nazz yelled out, "Hurry up in there! We're about to watch Elf!"
As Edd walked back to the kitchen counter to pick up his cup of cider, Kevin turned to the frame of the archway and thumped his head against it while loudly groaning. Edd looked back at him and said, "Come on, now, drama queen. You'll live."
"You don't know that," Kevin griped but grabbed his own cup of cider and followed Edd back into the room.
Kevin never did get a second mistletoe kiss or any second kiss for that matter during the rest of their winter vacation. However, the boys were able to steal glances and subtle touches from time to time, which felt thrilling given the secrecy of it all.
