It would be a lie to say the knocking woke him up, but he could still act disgruntled anyways.

It was one in the morning, after all, and he had finally finished cleaning everything he had to and was just finishing up his extracurricular work.

Despite it being Friday night (or Saturday morning if you want to get technical), he had to get everything done if he still wanted to have time for his daily chores and spending time with his friends and own research.

While there was no dire need for him to do his own research or extracurricular , Edd felt it was important to maintain all of his work- both mandatory and optional. It would allow him to keep moving forward into the world of adults as a young man who showed he would get the job done, no matter how much was on his plate and how much was weighing on him- just like his parents taught him.

Just like they demanded and asked of him.

The exhaustion- something deeper than just having stayed up too late- gnawed at him and begged him to go to bed. To ignore the person knocking at his door so late in the night- to ignore how Edd was going to be awake for a couple hours more anyways making sure he did everything he had to do.

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Edd approached his door to see who had knocked at this ungodly hour. There were no flashing lights, so it wasn't the police to tell him his world was over. Who, then? Peering through the peephole only added to his confusion, and after brief hesitation, he opened the door.

"Kevin?" He asked the clearly drunk boy, squinting- it took a moment for his eyes to adjust for him to make out his features.

The older boy was wearing a T-shirt and shorts, hardly appropriate for the cold, weather. Labored breathing and a confused, hazy gaze told Edd what he needed to know while the two stared at one another for what felt like hours. The nerd standing nervously in his home in pajamas, and the jock leaning against his door frame as though it's a casual summer afternoon.

After a few moments, he finally spoke. "Can I come in? It's cold…" His words were much quieter- Edd never heard the other speak so softly before.

"Oh! Um- of course, please." Edd pulled him inside, more concerned with his health than whatever filth he might be bringing in. "Kevin- what are you-"

"'M drunk." He answered simply, aware of himself at least. "Mom 'n dad will kill me if I come home like this." The redhead made a beeline for the living room, plopping himself on their couch- it was enough for his size. Meaning it was way better than the couch at his Nazz's where he had to uncomfortably curl up or hang off of it. This was so much better, he mused, sinking his body into the cushions with a sigh.

"So… you came here?" The confusion Edd displayed only confused the drunken jock. Which Edd thought was amusing, though it was hidden well- this wasn't the best situation to be laughing at he felt.

"Well, why not? You're alone and have a comfy couch." Kevin responded, squinting at him. Well, no, he wasn't squinting- his eyes would have to be open for that.

While he did have a point that no one else was there to yell at him for being drunk (and his couch was comfortable), Edd was still baffled. "Why not stay with Nazz? Or with one of your other friends?"

"'Cause you have a comfy couch."

Ah, the answer to everything.

Edd sighed through his nose, shaking his head and scratching the back of his neck, a little surprised he wasn't denying him and kicking him back out like he knew his parents would want.

It was Friday night, so he supposed it was alright for Kevin to sleep it off. His parents definitely weren't coming home this weekend, so he didn't have to worry about them coming home and demanding answers he didn't have.

He wondered what would make them more upset; that there was a drunk boy with their son- who use to bully him, or that someone else was in their precious house?

With that bitter thought in mind, Edd made his decision.

"Alright, let me get you a blanket, then." And off he went, fetching the bigger boy a comforter so he could be warm and cozy.

It was weird- foreign- to Edd to have another sleeping in house. It was years ago that Ed and Eddy had slept over, but after the stress it put on Edd they decided not to do it again, after the third or fourth attempt. It was awhile later they just stopped hanging out inside his house beyond brief moments for collecting him or the rare study sessions where they actually sat down and did their work- albeit begrudgingly on Eddy's end.

When his parents were home, they felt like strangers to him. He couldn't remember the last time they had a proper conversation. At this rate, they really did speak more between notes and emails where they told him what he needed to do.

So needless to say, having someone drunk on his couch- moaning at how comfortable it was- was a new thing Edd wasn't expecting nor did he know how to handle it beyond the basics of making sure he was covered with a blanket and had water and asprin for when he woke up.

"Here you are." The nerd mumbled, throwing the blanket over him with a soft sigh through his nose.

A hand grabbed his wrist before he pulled away completely, causing him to squeak in surprise- not that he would really admit that.

Then Kevin was pushing himself up, twisting his body so his elbow was supporting him and he was able to stare at Edd- and the smaller boy felt required to return it. Despite how obviously drunk he was, Kevin really did have a powerful stare that kept Edd in place.

"K-Kevin?" Nervousness coiled within his gut for a moment, but that expression didn't seem all that cruel or mean. Just… serious. But why?

"Why… why are you all alone?" The jock asked, voice soft and eyes hurt.

Hurt? Hurt for who? For what reason?

"I- I- what do you mean?" Edd needed answers for his confusion, but he was given none. The other boy just huffed- perhaps the thought had left his mind- and turned over to go back to sleep. His hand was still holding onto the nerd's wrist, and instead of pulling away, he simply sat down by the couch so the redhead could continue holding it.

"Kevin?"

There was no response, confirming it for Edd that the other was asleep and he would be receiving no answers to his questions tonight.

Nevertheless, he remained for a few moments more, listening to Kevin's even breathing.

There was something nice about having someone else there, in that big, empty house. His family were minimalists when it came to decorations beyond his own room- even then it was more that he had a lot of practical items rather than decorative.

However, that was beyond the point.

The point was Edd often felt alone in a house meant to offer warmth and sanctuary.

And it wasn't until he was sitting next to Kevin, passed out drunk on his couch, that he felt that again.


Sorry for how long I took and that this chapter is shorter uwu just a little tired.

I'm getting back into making charms and stickers and doing other art stuff, so that's been taking up a majority of my time. I also got married tho so heck ye!

I have the story outlined tho so I won't be abandoning it I promise 3