Description: It's Christmas Even and the Eds are invited to a party over a Nazz's, just like every year, only this time things will be different. This takes on in the future when the Eds are older teenagers and are about to finish school.

Warning: SLASH! Lots of it. Do not read if you don't like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd, n' Eddy.

Ed's Christmas Gift!

Written by Lor and Tiffy

Ed tried desperately to hold in his tears as he dashed all the way home, in an angry-like fit. Eddy was always mean to him, ever since the beginning, same with his sister and everybody else! ...Well, almost everybody, but that person probably hates him by now anyway, probably as much as Eddy and his parents do, after all, Eddward was probably a professional star at giving everyone else pity, even himself. Ed rushed into his home by sliding down through the window that led into the basement, his domain of the house, the very thing his parents put him when they didn't want him living in rest of their house. His parents never did want him and they made it clear to him everyday since his childhood, nowadays it was more severe, they didn't want anything to do with him. Ed didn't know what was worse, being abused or being completely forgotten. Whichever it was, they both seemed the same to him and the only reason why he never ran away was because of his friends, especially Double D whom he loved and cared for so much. ...Too bad they hate him now, too. Now Ed didn't have any meaning here whatsoever, he didn't belong at all, now that his friends don't want him, and now he was free to run away any time he wanted. No one cared anyway about "the lovable oaf" and seeming how things have gotten bad so far, he knew no one would want him around for Christmas, which he only celebrated at Double D's house because all of the presents under the tree here were always for Sarah.

Ed moaned at the ache he felt inside and let a few of his tears escape him. He sniffled as he looked at his room, which over the years had gotten even worse, weather he cleaned it or not, the basement was always a dump and had terrible leaks in which his parents would tell him to fix them himself. Ed felt tremors all over his body, he couldn't stand it here no more, not another week, a day, hour, minute, second, and the little numbers that were in seconds, he just wanted out of here and he wanted out NOW! Ed then grabbed whatever was useful to him, which wasn't much, and even some of his other things, like his comic books he collected and even the ones he had been creating himself. He then passed a badly made old mirror, looked in it and saw that his neat hairstyle he made for the holidays was ruined, it looked like broken antlers with painted stripes now, so he went over to the sink and washed all of hair coloring, gel, and hairspray out. Once done, he wrapped his hair into a towel for only a couple of minutes and then let his hair down, which fell past his shoulders. Ed continued to sniffle as he threw the towel into a corner carelessly and grabbed his stuff he wanted to carry with him. "This is it." He said to himself, staring sadly around the room. "Good-bye everyone." He sighed and went pushed his luggage through the little window and climbed through himself, standing in the snow without a coat and a wet head. He shivered to himself, it is much colder now than it was before. However, he grabbed his things and moved on, not lifting his head up to anyone that be out there to greet and make fun of him, which they're weren't. No one was out there and it was silent as the stars were in the sky, but tonight there weren't no stars for a snow storm had came in, but Ed didn't care, he just wanted to walk to the city and get on a bus to go somewhere else where no one could find him. Perhaps Alaska or Florida would be a good location.

Edd, across the cul-de-sac, looked up from watching his feet to make sure he didn't slip on something icy and crack his skull and saw Ed walking away from his house. "Ed!" he called out, hurrying over to him. "Ed I'm sorry I left you there like that I--" He stopped mid-sentence as he saw the luggage, Ed's ruined hair and a bruise on his face that had no question come from Eddy. "...What.. what happened? I'm so sorry Ed this all my fault oh my god are you alright?"

Ed looked at him with the saddest look he ever gave anyone before. "I'm okay, Double D."

Edd stared at him for a minute. "No, you're not," he said. "Come on Ed, let's go inside, it's cold out here." He grabbed Ed's hand and tugged on it a little. "You're soaking wet, you're going to catch a cold. Please come inside?"

Ed's frown deepened and he closed his eyes. "I'm leaving, Double D." He said with a sigh. "I don't belong here."

"Ed, please, come inside," Edd said again. "Please. I don't want you to leave." He held onto Ed's hand tighter now.

Ed opened his eyes and blinked at him. "...You...you want me to stay?"

Edd sniffled a little and squeezed his hand. "I do want you to stay, Ed," he said softly. "I don't care if everyone else thinks we're even bigger freaks than before, either. I want you to stay. Please, come inside where it's warm."

Ed looked at him closely and felt guilty, he didn't like to see Edd cry, especially if anyone made him cry, even himself. "Okay, Double D." He said in a slight whisper. "Let's go inside."

Edd smiled at him and tugged on his hand a little again. "Come on, Ed," he said, leading the way to his house. He didn't want to go to Ed's place, even if it was closer. It was pretty obvious to anyone who knew him well enough that Ed's family life wasn't the best, and Edd didn't want him to go back there right after he'd been about to run away. So, to his own house he headed.

Ed blushed to himself as Edd lead him away from his house to what appeared to be the nerd's home. He felt his heart be lightened up some, but the weight of everyone and everything else still held it back down. He can feel the little monsters eating him from the inside, torturing him and his heart, trying to make it be cease and break, broken and never to beat ever again. Ed continued to let his friend lead him, Edd's warm hand sending goosebumps down his arm and his spine. Ed began to feel nervous inside, hoping that his friend wasn't just taking pity on him like he use to always do in the past. However, thinking this, made Ed feel bad about himself, because he really loved Edd and wanted nothing more than to be near him and to have him by his side, but who's to say that will ever happen anyway.

Edd held tight onto Ed's hand as he led him across the cul-de-sac and up his front steps. "My parents are out at a company holiday party," he said as he opened the door and nodded for Ed to come in. Why he had to say that he didn't know, just seemed easier because it was merely stating a fact. He didn't want to ask any questions and upset Ed even more while they were still standing in the doorway. He let Ed in and closed the door behind him, looking at his tall friend. "You're all wet," he observed again. "How about you go put on something dry and I'll make us some cocoa, okay?" There had to be clothes in that suitcase somewhere. Edd looked down at himself and went a little pink. "And I'm wearing your coat. Erm.."

Ed blinked and realized that indeed he actually was and smiled at him. "I'll, go get dressed." He said and walked into Edd's house, remembering to take his shoes off first at the door before going anywhere else. Ed then took his luggage, laid it down, opened it, took out a few clothes, closed it, and took the clothes with him and went to Edd's restroom to go change.

Edd watched him go before wiggling out of his own shoes and heading into the kitchen. He busied himself with making cocoa and tried to put into some sort of orderly fashion all the thoughts running amok in his head. Eddy was a horrible friend, their peers weren't much better, Ed was upset, he wanted to hug him a whole lot, that coat still smelled very nice, the little presents he'd set down on the coffeetable in the other room were just waiting to be opened, he really liked Ed...

Once in the bathroom, Ed began to change out of his wet clothes and into the dry ones that he finally learned to wash when he turned thirteen. Thirteen. Everything changed for him then when he hit that age, that's when his parents didn't want anything to do with him anymore and it was up to Edd to teach him how to take care of himself and fix his own things such as eats, besides his parents never really took care of him anyway, but it all just went for the worse once he hit his teen years. Ed shook his head, he didn't want to go back home, but seeing as how bad Edd wants him to stay, he would have to go back, he'd have to deal with all of them, his family and the rest of the cul-de-sack. Ed sighed at these thoughts, they weren't pleasant, but Edd made him happy and that was gonna be his focus for the rest of tonight. And with that, he finished dressing and went out of the restroom with his wet clothes and went to go find his crush.

Edd, bustling about in the kitchen looking for mugs and still wearing Ed's coat, waved to him. "You can put those wet things in the dryer, if you want," he said, pointing in the direction of the laundry room and trying to stand on tiptoe to reach the mugs at the same time. "I just have to get these mugs and I'll be right there." He stretched and managed to grab two of the mugs. "There!" He smiled over at Ed, pleased that he could reach something that high, and went to fill the mugs with cocoa.

Ed smiled at him, watching him for a few seconds as Edd poured hot cocoa into the mugs. "Okay, Double D." He said and went to go put his clothes into the dryer.

Edd filled the mugs and dropped a few marshmallows into them before picking them up and making his way back into his living room. He set the mugs down on the table next to his presents and sat down to wait for Ed.

And surely, Ed came back into the living room, smiling at his best friend. Thoughts about how adorable Double D was while sitting on couch seemed to fill his mind. Ed felt himself about to giggle like a school girl as the feelings inside of him got stronger. 'OH MY GOD, HE'S SO FIIIIIIINE! Him sitting there in my coat, MY COAT. OH MY GOOOOOOD. He's SO CUTE in that hat of his!' He thought to himself, trying hard to keep those thoughts to himself.

Edd twiddled his thumbs a little, waiting still. He turned and spotted Ed in the room and motioned for him to come over. "Come on, Ed, don't let your cocoa get cold. Come and sit."

Ed squealed inside of his mind. "Okay." He answered and went over and sat down beside him, resisting the urge to cuddle him close, just like he always did.

Edd handed him a mug of cocoa and sipped a little of his own, looking at his friend and wondering what he should or shouldn't say so as not to upset him. "So um, Ed..." he began. "I'm uh.. I'm sorry about everyone else. They shouldn't have acted like that. Especially Eddy."

Ed looked at him and said; "I know. I knew they wouldn't like me more once they knew, too." He sipped his cocoa, made a 'Oooh, tastey' sound, and sipped some more. "This is good, Double D."

Edd watched him, torn up inside that anyone could be so mean to someone like Ed. It just didn't make sense. "Thank you," he said. Pause. Speak gently, don't want to upset him. "...Do your parents know?"

Ed looked at him and shook his head. Of course they didn't know, if they did, he wouldn't be living there anymore, but rather at his gay cousin's house instead.

I didn't think so," Edd said. He reached over and put a hand on Ed's shoulder. "You don't have to go back there if you don't want to. You... you can stay here. My parents wouldn't mind as long as the chores get done. You're welcome to stay." Wow, where did that come from? Rather sudden for him, just up and offering to take him in. But he liked Ed, he did, probably a lot more than he thought, after all..

Ed blinked at him. "...Are you sure, Double D?" He didn't want to invade his home anymore and really didn't know if it would be okay or not with Edd's parents, and if he could stay, where would he stay at.

"Of course I'm sure, Ed," Edd said, patting his shoulder. "I don't want you to stay there if you're unhappy. I, um.. I really care about you." ..Well, that was a start. Better wording and less confusion and he'd get the words out eventually!

"...Really?" Ed blinked, so Double D did care about him, but how much? "...More than Eddy does?"

"Yes," Edd said. This was treading on sensitive ground, now, with Eddy thrown into the mix. There was just so much of that guy you could take. "Eddy, he, well.. he doesn't.. he doesn't care about you at all, Ed. When you were away from the party, I was talking to him, and he just.. he said he hangs around with you because you're strong and he needs 'the muscle' for his stupid scams. He said you'd be nothing if it wasn't for him and I, he did. But that's not true, Ed. Eddy may think so, but I don't."

Ed looked at him. "I pretty much felt that he didn't, but...I couldn't help but stay around him and do everything he wanted me to do."

Edd squeezed his friend's shoulder in a comforting sort of way. "Eddy isn't a good friend. He thinks everything revolves around him and he doesn't care about anyone. Even if he claims they're his friends." He put his mug down on the coffeetable and put his arm around Ed's shoulders. "Don't get hung up on him. We don't need him around anymore if he's going to keep on being like that."

Ed blushed a little at Edd when he put his arm around him and looked down at his cocoa. "...He was my first friend I ever had. ...But he wasn't really ever my best friend, well, he was until you came to the neighborhood, then I was confused on who I liked more, so I loved you both, especially in the past five or more years. Eddy always treated me badly and even wouldn't help me in my times of need unless you dragged him into it. I realize that now. I remember when I hit thirteen and you helped me, but Eddy just sat around and whined about wanting to do his latest scam." He smiled up at Edd. "You helped me with everything, even stayed there for almost a month until I had gotten everything under control. ...You were always there for me, Double D."

Edd smiled at him. "I'll always be there for you, Ed," he said. "No matter how cheesy that sounds, I will. Always. I really, really care about you, Ed, I just, er.." He paused and rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. "I uh.. I'm having some issues figuring out how exactly to say all of this."

Ed's smile turned into a puzzled look, instead of just asking what he meant, he said, "Well, take your time, Double D. When you're ready, you'll be ready. Just like you always tell me when I have something to say and yet can't say it." He smiled at him again and patted him on the head. "You know, I always liked your hair."

Edd turned a little pink at this. "I hope I'll have things figured out soon. ..My hair? Really?"

"Mhmmmm." Ed affirmed and wrapped an arm around him, his expression turning back to that affectionate gaze again.

Edd turned a little more pink and stuttered. "Um, thanks," he managed to say. "You have very nice hair, too." Good god, the fluttery feeling was back again, and this time it brought lovely friends by the names of 'wait, am I gay?' and 'I guess I might be bisexual, or.. something like that.'

Ed continued to smile at his friend, and hugged him closer. "Aww, Double Deeee. No matter what, I will always love youuuuu." He then kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for the hot cocoa and for being so sweet to me."

Edd blushed some more and smiled at him. "You're welcome, Ed," he looked at him for a little bit before speaking again. "You know, Ed, I.. um.. I.." he hesitated and glanced around the room, his awkward nature getting the best of him again. His eyes landed on the present on the table and he picked it up. "I think I should open this." Good save. He smiled sheepishly.

Ed only smiled at him and waited for him to open his presents.

Edd fumbled with the wrapping paper on the presents, hands shaking with nerves a little too much for him to do so much as get the ribbons off.

Ed watched with anticipation, hoping inside that Edd would at least appreciate his gifts for him.

Edd fiddled with the wrapping some more, having succeeded in at least getting the ribbon off. However, Ed hugging him as close as he was and being.. well, Ed, was making him very shy and stuttery and nervous, and along with that came incredibly shaky hands. He laughed a little and looked at Ed, holding up the little boxes. "Um.. can you help with these?"

Ed smiled some more and said; "Okay, Double D." And started to help him open them.

Edd looked into the little boxes and got that wide-eyed look again. He looked up at Ed and stuttered out some sort of shocked gibberish, unable to formulate a proper sentence. "Ed, this stuff is.. this stuff is wonderful," he breathed, looking at the gifts. He picked up the fancy watch out of its box and put it on, watching the second hand tick around. He smiled at Ed and got up, going across the room and hanging the handmade ornament of love on his family's tree. He sat back down and turned the locket over in his hands, looking at it like a happy little child who received a new toy. "This is lovely, Ed," he said. "And it's a heart and everything... I think I know what I'm going to put in here." He leaned against Ed and smiled up at him.

Ed continued to smile at Edd, he was happy again now that Edd was smiling. He held the smaller boy closer to him and said, "Merry Christmas, Double D!"

Edd scooted closer to him and smiled again."Merry Christmas to you, too," he said. He thought for a few minutes and looked up at the other boy again. "You know, I.. I think I'm in love with you, mister Edward."

Ed's eyes grew wide and he looked at him. "Re-really, Double D?" He asked, his heart fluttered more than ever.

Edd nodded. "I do believe so," he said. He thought it over for a second, then nodded again. "Yes, I do."

Ed grin widened and he pulled Edd into his lap and held him closer than ever before. "I love you, Double D! I really and for truly do!"

Edd squeaked in surprise at finding himself suddenly seated in the taller boy's lap, but this was soon replaced by a nice, warm fuzzy feeling that had to be another friend of the fluttery. He wrapped his arms around Ed and laid his head on the other's chest, smiling. "I love you, too, Ed," he said. He smiled up at him and laughed a little. "Took me long enough, didn't it?"

Ed continued to smile and said, "Hmmm. I dunno, Double D, but this is the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten."

"Well then, I guess I'm right on schedule." Edd leaned on him again before sitting up and looking at him with a serious expression. "Your face," he said. "You're hurt, he hit you didn't he, oh I'm sorry I should've gotten you some ice first!" Fret fret.

To be continued...