Chapter 1: Let Me See Those Sexy Legs
Edd peered through his closet, trying to decide on what he wanted to wear. Not that it was a special day or anything, but, in this second week of April, their area had entered into a slight heatwave. Nothing too bad, but warm enough to forgo coats and heavier clothes. The weather the past week had been chilly in the morning but warmed to nearly shorts temperatures by the afternoon. As the school still had the heat on, the classrooms could get stifling.
Kevin came into his room, startling him. He still wasn't quite used to this - Kevin practically living at his house. Especially in the mornings. After nearly two years of living on his own, the presence of another person took some time to adjust to, even if it had been over a month since Kevin had sort of moved in. Sort of, because they often slept at Kevin's house too, depending on what was going on.
Kevin smiled at him as he went to the dresser to open 'his' drawer - a space Edd had cleared out for him to put t-shirts, socks, and underwear. A few shirts and pants hung in Edd's closet as well; it gave Edd a small thrill every time he saw them hanging there next to his clothes.
Kevin pulled out a shirt, one with the Star Wars logo on it, and pulled it on over his head, covering his naked top half. He already had boxers on, but he dug out socks and asked, "Did I bring any shorts over here yet?"
"I washed some Sunday," Edd replied. "They are in the laundry basket as I did not know where to put them."
"Thanks, sweetheart."
Kevin pulled on his shorts then sat on the bed to put on his socks. "You're taking a long time today," he said, glancing up at Edd as he let his foot fall back to the floor.
"I am trying to decide whether to wear shorts or not."
"Go for the shorts," Kevin suggested. And, his expression shifting into something mischievous, added, "Let me see those sexy legs."
"Hardly sexy, Kevin," Edd chided absently. He chose the shirt he wanted and went to retrieve shorts from the dresser. Kevin impeded him by coming up behind to wrap arms around his body to kiss on his neck.
"Don't tell me 'hardly sexy'," Kevin mumbled into his skin. "Especially when they're propped up against my shoulders."
Edd giggled, a blush staining his cheeks. "This is not helping me get ready for school, Kevin."
Kevin kissed him a few more times before letting go to head back to the bathroom. Edd sighed, a mixture of happiness and something else. It had been a difficult month, and while they were fine and even more in love than ever, he sensed a slight tension now and wasn't sure how to approach fixing it.
It began a few weeks after they started sleeping together. Kevin asked Edd to join him and his parents on a trip to his grandparent's house for spring break. Pete's parents, whom Edd had not yet met, lived in the southern part of Illinois, and Kevin wanted them to meet Edd. Edd wanted to meet them, though the looks exchanged between Pete and Sylvie when Kevin brought it up to them told him it probably wasn't a good idea.
It turned out not to be. Through a FaceTime call with them, Kevin introduced Edd as his boyfriend and asked if Edd could come on their visit. It did not go over well and Kevin, who was spoiled by these grandparents, took it hard. They did not accept his sexuality and said some rather harsh things. Kevin adored these grandparents and was devastated, especially as his other grandmother and both sets of Edd's grandparents were all happy about their relationship.
Edd did his best to comfort Kevin, but the hurt ran deep. Outwardly, to their friends, Kevin appeared his normal, happy self, but Edd was the one to hold him during the nights that first week, wiping away tears and murmuring how much he loved Kevin into his boyfriend's ear.
The grandparents had called the next week to apologize. Kevin accepted it but didn't talk with them further. They apologized for saying what they said, but they still didn't accept this 'phase' of Kevin's. They thought the apology was enough to get Kevin and his parents to come visit anyway, but Pete told them no.
Instead, the Barr's and Edd went up to the Wisconsin Dells and spent a relaxing week that did much to bring a smile back not only to Kevin's face but also to his eyes. Edd heard his light-hearted laugh again and by the end of the week, things appeared to be almost back to normal.
Except.
From the beginning of their relationship, Kevin agreed to Edd's request to keep it a secret, even though Kevin wanted to be open about it. Edd's feelings on the matter were complicated and had a lot to do with Kevin, so he was hesitant about it. He was, however, thankful that Kevin never pushed the matter and respected Edd's wishes.
Yet, with the five-month anniversary of them becoming a couple the very next day, it was getting more and more difficult to keep it quiet. When the weather was colder, it was easy to stay inside, cuddled up and watching movies, or playing video games. It was how most of their dates were. But with the onset of warmer weather, Kevin wanted to get out of the house. He was an active teen and enjoyed going out to do things. Of course, he wanted Edd along with him. So Edd found himself going on hikes through spring woods, rides on Kevin's motorcycle, playing mini-golf, and a good deal of other things that took them outside.
And into the public.
It made him nervous when it was just the two of them, though it was now established at school that they were 'friends'. Seeing them out together should not raise too many questions. Certainly, none when they were with the rest of their friends. Many of the things they did together didn't bring them into contact with other schoolmates, but there was the occasional run-in. Especially when they grabbed dinner at the local diner.
Their schedule during the week didn't allow them too much time for leisure. Kevin was now deep into practice for the baseball team and the first games started the first week of April. Edd now found himself attending high school sporting events, something he never thought he'd be able to say. There was no way he would miss Kevin consistently leading their school to victory. Peach Creek High dominated their high school conference, led by Kevin as their captain and pitcher.
Edd floored Eddy once when Eddy made a snide remark once about how Kevin played 'pitcher', right? Wasn't it like that in the bedroom, huh? Edd smirked at him and replied slyly that Kevin often played 'catcher' as well, which shut Eddy up. Jokes about 'pitchers' and 'catchers' never again crossed his friend's lips.
The difficult part about all these going-out dates was trying to pretend they weren't dating when they were somewhere they could run into other people from school. It was almost physically painful for Edd not to touch Kevin, and he could see the frustration in Kevin's expression as well. Comments from Kevin about wishing to be 'out' came more frequently and caused Edd's anxiety to shoot up.
It wasn't that he didn't want to be affectionate to Kevin in public. He wanted it very much. He couldn't wait to be at college, free to hold Kevin's hand, kiss him, and let Kevin encircle him in the safety of his arm. But here? With the knowledge of how cruel high school kids could be? Kevin, whether he knew it or not, enjoyed the attention his popularity brought to him, and while Edd didn't think any of Kevin's closest friends would cease their friendship once they knew Kevin was gay, he certainly didn't want Kevin to lose his popularity or even one of his friends.
It may be paranoid to have these thoughts, but Edd had them and couldn't shake them. Watching Kevin laugh and joke around at their lunch table with the others showed Edd how much Kevin would be hurt should those friends shun him when they found out. Peach Creek was, generally, a progressive and accepting school. There were other LGBTQ+ students there – Kevin and Edd would hardly be the first same-sex couple, either.
None of those individuals was the most popular jock of the school.
Kevin might not appreciate his social status, but Edd, who had no social status – whose two closest friends had no social status – did appreciate it. Sure, Eddy dating Nazz raised it, and by association his and Ed's, but they were still outsiders. Accepted among the popular kids, but still not popular themselves. If Kevin and Nazz weren't in the picture, the Eds would still be sitting at their corner table, ignored by nearly everyone in the school. Kevin constantly told Edd he was overthinking things, but Edd thought Kevin didn't think about it enough.
Overall, it was creating a sort of tension between the two. A strange sensation for two people who hadn't fought in the entire time they'd been together. There'd been no reason to fight – they were surprisingly compatible. Neither was a pushover, neither asked for too much, neither made any unreasonable demands. Their relationship was like a smooth, flowing river – placid, calm, and happy. The most they clashed over was which movie to watch and how Iron Man was superior to Captain America (Edd's superbly correct opinion, by the way).
Now that the smooth river had started flowing over some bumpy rocks, it was throwing Edd into an uneasy state. They hadn't fought – yet – but Edd felt something was brewing. With Kevin still upset about his grandparents and his frustration with Edd's reluctance, Edd knew it would come to a head soon. Kevin was still loving and affectionate with him, of course. Edd never doubted Kevin's love for a moment.
Edd didn't know how to fix things right now. Other than coming out, he could see no way. It was a constant struggle because he wouldn't mind being 'out'. He didn't think anyone would care about him. Anyhow, he could handle anything thrown at him. What would one more label be to someone who'd been picked on since he was a little kid? Nothing.
He was worried about Kevin, who had never been bullied. Had never been called names (except from Eddy). Had never had to hide in the bathroom to avoid someone who was after you. Edd didn't want Kevin to deal with any of that.
He didn't want Kevin to question whether he, Edd, was worth it.
Edd could feel his resolve crumbling – knew he would cave in to Kevin soon - but he wasn't there yet. A growing part of him wanted to give this to Kevin, concede in this as Kevin conceded in nearly everything else. He'd, in a way, conceded with Kevin on the motorcycle thing. That worked out fine and was now one of Edd's favorite things to do...ride with Kevin. That part of Edd's mind argued repeatedly with the nagging voice that whispered all the things that could go horribly wrong. That nagging voice in his head held him back.
"Where's your mind, sweetheart?"
Edd, who had been staring at his wall for the whole time Kevin was in the bathroom, jumped. "Kevin!"
"You look deep in thought," Kevin said, crossing the room and sliding his arms around Edd. "You okay?"
Trying to calm his racing heart, Edd nodded. "I am, Kevin. I was merely lost in thought."
"Anything good?"
"You."
Kevin laughed, throwing his head back. Though Edd's thoughts had been serious, he grinned. "Well, I'm glad you can get lost in thoughts of me, my little dork," he said affectionately. "I'm always lost in thoughts of you."
"Kevin…" Edd said, blushing. Yes, Kevin still could make him blush.
A quick kiss against his forehead, a little extra squeeze, and Kevin let him go. "I'm taking the bike in today," he said. "So I'm gonna leave now."
Edd smiled slightly. "All right." Kevin took every opportunity to be on the bike and it promised to be a nice day.
Kevin dropped another kiss on Edd's lips and patted him on the butt. "See you at school, sweetheart. Love you!"
"See you at school! Love you, too!" Edd echoed as Kevin disappeared from his room.
