We're Lucky We Have Such Good Friends
"Things okay?" Eddy asked.
Edd, wedged between Eddy and Ed on his couch, nodded. "They are getting there."
"It's been…quite the week," Eddy said.
"That it has."
They were silent for a bit, the only sound was Ed munching on the chips from one of the bowls on the coffee table and the action scenes on their movie, Winter Soldier.
"So…you've been fighting…" Eddy tried to prompt again.
"What? You're fighting someone, Double D?" Ed asked.
Edd sighed. He loved that his friends cared, but all he'd done the past few days was deal with this. He didn't want to think about it tonight. "Yes, I have been fighting with Kevin. Arguing, to be more exact."
"Why?" Ed asked, his brows scrunching together as he frowned.
"It was a misunderstanding," Edd tried to explain. "I thought Kevin was going to tell everyone my sexual orientation."
"Kevin wouldn't do that," Ed said.
"No, he would not," Edd agreed. "I should have known better."
"Is that why you did at lunch the other day? Was that why you were sad?"
"Yes, Ed, that is why I was sad."
"Are you happier now?"
"I am well on my way."
"Good. I don't like when you or Eddy are sad."
"I do not like it much either."
"So you're better?" Eddy interjected.
"I think so. Kevin and I had an argument yesterday when he came home. Which, by the way," he said, shooting a little glare at Eddy, "I am still upset with you about."
"You're mad at Eddy?" Ed asked.
"Somewhat. I told Eddy and Nazz something in confidence. They were not supposed to tell Kevin, but they did."
"Eddy!"
"Don't give me shit, Ed," Eddy growled. "I did it because this so-called genius was putting himself in danger."
"Kevin told me. He said someone might hurt Double D."
"Someone threatened him, so yeah. We were worried," Eddy said, ignoring Edd's frown. "He didn't want to tell Kevin."
"Double D! Why?"
Edd pressed his fingers to his temples. "It was a foolish notion of mine, Ed. I know, now, I should have told Kevin right away. At the time, I thought it best to keep it to myself so I would not worry Kevin. It was another poor decision on my part. I did tell Eddy and Nazz and they told Kevin."
"Don't be mad at them. They love you, like I do. Like Kevin does. We just want you to be okay."
How could Edd hold onto the vestiges of his anger at Eddy and Nazz when Ed reminded him of that? He knew Eddy and Nazz only went against his wishes because they cared. He knew he would have done the same if Eddy or Ed came to him with some secret he thought might bring harm to them.
"I am not mad at them anymore," Edd assured him. He turned his head to smile at Eddy, who grinned back at him. "I understand why they did."
He oof'ed as Ed dragged him into a hug. "Good! We're best friends and should never be mad at each other!"
Much to Edd's dismay, Eddy also jumped into the hug, squeezing Edd between them so hard the boy had trouble breathing. "Stop! Stop!" he gasped out between laughs. "If you care so much about me, do not smother me!"
Their hold did loosen – slightly – but they stayed there, arms around each other. Edd felt so comforted, and he was happy he had made the decision to spend the evening with his closest friends. It did much to soothe his mind and his emotions. Kevin certainly comforted him. He comforted Edd in a way no one else could. However, the comfort the Eds brought to him was of a completely different sort. An old comfort. The kind which can only come from someone who has known you for your whole life. And not just know you, but also understand you in a way that only the closest of friends can manage.
"Thank you for being here for me tonight. And thank you, Eddy, for informing Kevin of what happened. Though I was upset at the time, I know you did it out of your love and care for me. Nazz, too."
"We're always going to be here for you, Sockhead. You can't get rid of the Eds that easily." Eddy finally scooted back a few inches. "We're glad you wanted tonight, too."
"Our Fridays are the best thing during the week," Ed said. His arms were still around Edd.
"Well, pretty much. A good close second to a date with Nazz," Eddy said, laughing.
"Well, I don't have a date with Nazz, Eddy," Ed said.
"You'd better not," Eddy said, shaking his fist at Ed, though his tone was playful and teasing. "We'll have to get you your own girlfriend."
"I should find one. I need a girlfriend for the prom, don't I?"
The prom? Edd hadn't thought about it. His thoughts focused on that, even as Eddy rambled on about how Ed just needed a date for prom, not a whole girlfriend unless he wanted one, and started speculating on whom Ed should ask. Edd didn't pay much attention, because he wondered if he would go with Kevin. They were out now, so there was no reason they should not. However, Kevin had not mentioned it to him. Perhaps Kevin figured if Edd wasn't going to allow them to be out at school, there was no point? Now that they were out, should he expect Kevin to ask him? Should he ask Kevin?
Did he even want to go?
"What do you think, Double D?"
Eddy's voice broke into his thoughts. "Oh? Um…"
"Yep. Karen is perfect to ask. She's cute, but quiet. Almost as much of a nerd as Edd here," Eddy continued, jerking his thumb at Edd.
"Eddy…"
"I said 'almost'," Eddy shrugged.
"Karen is nice. I can ask her. What about you, Double D? Are you and Kevin going together?"
"Yeah, Edd," Eddy turned his focus on Edd. "Nothing's stopping you guys now."
"I, um," Edd hesitated. "I had not thought about it."
"How do you not think of prom?"
"I guess I have only been thinking about my speech and my finals," Edd admitted.
"Oh, this is the best part!" Ed interrupted, pointing at the screen where the Winter Soldier was seen jumping onto Sam's car on the highway. Ed laughed in glee as Sam swore when Bucky yanked the steering wheel from between Sam's hands.
Their attention turned back to the movie, though Edd's thoughts continued to dwell on prom.
Kevin let himself into Edd's house on Saturday morning. He felt good; refreshed and well rested. It was the first good sleep he had since the damned talent show, even though he was alone in his own bed. He had been too stressed out to sleep well, but now he knew his friends – at least the friends who really counted – accepted him for who he was and still wanted to be friends with him. Life felt good now. He and Edd didn't have to hide things, his friends and family accepted him, and he felt he and Edd were in a good place. Kevin felt positive about it as he shut the door, kicked off his shoes, and yelled a 'hello!' out. He heard the responses of all three Eds and followed his nose to the smell of bacon from the kitchen.
"Hey guys!" Kevin said as he stepped into a kitchen bathed in the warm light of the morning. Edd was at the stove, apron on, while the Eds waited at the table for their breakfast. Eddy and Ed returned his greetings, Eddy a little surly as he often was in the morning and Ed with his normal enthusiasm. Kevin came over to Edd, slipped his arms around the slim waist of his boyfriend, and leaned around to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Morning, baby."
"Good morning, Kevin!" Edd said, turning his head for a proper kiss, which Kevin happily supplied.
"Ugh. Too early for this," Eddy complained.
"I am making eggs and bacon, Kevin. Would you like some?"
"If you're making them, sure! Need some help?"
"Yes, if you would like. You can do the toast."
With Kevin's help, breakfast was soon on the table. They chattered about non-important things, mostly about the next Marvel movie scheduled to come out, the second Guardians in a couple weeks. Kevin bragged that Marvel planned the release for his birthday, which had the Eds bent over laughing. It was, however, a reminder to Edd to plan something for Kevin's birthday.
Eddy dragged Ed away once they had cleaned up the remains of breakfast and helped Edd set the house to rights, muttering something about giving Edd and Kevin their privacy. "See you at the game, Kevin," Eddy called over his shoulder before slamming the door.
Kevin and Edd turned to each other. They stood in the living room, very much as they had the day before. They gazed at each other and Kevin couldn't quite read Edd's thoughts, though normally he could. The boy just stared back at him with a somewhat neutral expression.
"Did you have a nice time with your friends?" Edd asked.
"I did. Ben and Joel were there."
Edd smiled, grabbing Kevin's hands and putting them on his own hips, pulling him closer. "I am so happy to hear that."
Kevin's fingers flexed, pressing into Edd's hipbones. "I was really happy to see them," Kevin admitted. "More than I realized. You know," he said, leaning down to kiss Edd's nose. "I knew you were a book-smart-genius, but I had no idea you were a people-genius, too."
Edd gazed at him, amused. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you know me better than I know myself. Nazz told me that, but I didn't realize it until last night."
"What happened?"
"Nothing really happened. I just realized it when I got to the diner and felt how scared I was my friends wouldn't be there. I thought I'd be okay if they didn't want to be friends anymore. Hurt, but okay. But, I was wrong. I knew right there how much it would hurt. And when I went in and saw them there, I was so happy. I get it, now, why you were so worried about me."
Edd nodded, placing his hands on Kevin's chest. "Is it any surprise I know you so well, Kevin? That I understand you?" he asked. "I love you. Do you not understand me as well?"
"I do, now, little dork. Did you and the Eds have a good time last night?"
"We did. We watched Winter Soldier and Civil War, though we spent much time talking as well. "
"I'm glad you're still not mad at Eddy."
"Ed reminded me of why I should not be. Eddy was just looking out for me because he cares about me."
"We're lucky we have such good friends."
"Yes, we are."
They spent the rest of the morning snuggled up on the couch with loving caresses, sweet little kisses, and exchanging little sentiments to each other. Kevin thought about carrying Edd upstairs, but decided against it. They had had a lot of sex this week and while Kevin normally would never not want sex, it was sweet to him to have this quiet time with Edd, especially after the emotional roller coaster of a week they'd had.
"You don't know how much it meant to me that you held my hand after practice, Dee," he said at one point.
"I want you to know, Kevin, I am not embarrassed or ashamed of our relationship," Edd said, looking at Kevin with a serious expression. "I never have been. I have been afraid, not ashamed. There is a great difference. I know I freaked out about everyone knowing about us, but I now actually feel a great amount of relief."
"You do?"
"I do," Edd affirmed. "There was a certain amount of tension in myself. I know I was adamant about keeping this hidden, but it was stressful to me. The fear of discovery made me anxious. Now? Now, I do not feel that and it feels like I am free. It probably does not make sense to you..."
"No, Dee, it does!" Kevin interrupted. "I feel the same. I wanted so much not to upset you, but at the same time wanted to kiss you or show you some sign of affection. I wasn't sure, actually, if you'd let me now, but when you held out your hand, it felt like you were handing me the world."
Edd touched his fingertips to Kevin's cheek with a small laugh. "Ever the romantic, Kevin," he said in a voice that was almost a purr and Kevin felt the urge to take him upstairs again. "I do not think I am quite ready to make out against my locker, but I will certainly not be against small gestures of affection."
"Okay, deal! No making out, but handholding is okay. Got it!"
Edd laughed, then snuggled up against Kevin again. "I almost wish you did not have a game today," he said. "I would like to spend the whole day with you."
"You'll have me all night and all day tomorrow," Kevin promised.
Kevin left shortly before noon in order to be at the ball field early. The team was required to be there for warm ups and last minute strategizing. Their biggest rival, Lemon Brook, would play Peach Creek on Peach Creek's home field. For this week, Carla refused to speak to Jake, as she would be there to root for her high school's team. Jake took it in stride, lamenting the temporary loss of his girlfriend in a playfully mocking tone.
For the first time, Edd attended with Kevin's parents. The other Eds and Rolf sat in front of them. They had arrived early in order to get a good spot in the bleachers. The double-header games were important ones. If Peach Creek won both games, they would advance to the playoffs. If they won one of the games, they would play another team for the wild card spot. Two losses meant the end of the season, something none of the team was willing to accept. Edd didn't quite understand the logistics of the setup, but he was there to cheer on Kevin with his friends.
Sylvie had made a sign, intent on embarrassing Kevin, out of poster board. It merely said "WE LOVE YOU KEVIN!" and Sylvie originally meant to be the one to hold it, but she told Edd when she showed it to him that she hoped he would help her hold it up, now that the boys were out. He smiled at her and nodded.
The first game went quickly. Pete remarked to Edd, who sat between him and Sylvie, that he wasn't sure if the Lemon Brook team had shown up. Even Edd, who knew very little about the mechanics of the game, could see the players on the opposing team were not at their top form. Kevin pitched two innings, but the coach replaced him in the third, which worried Edd. Peach Creek was already up six to nothing and Pete explained to the boy that since it appeared to be a blow out, the coach took Kevin out in order to give the pitcher's arm a break. "Guaranteed he'll start Kevin for the next game, too. That way, if Lemon Brook shows up, Kevin's arm will be good to go and he'll be at top form, not tired out after pitching a full game."
Once explained, it made perfect sense to Edd, who was constantly surprised at how much strategy went into the sports Kevin enjoyed. He remembered years ago trying to play football with Kevin and smiled at the memory. He knew how frustrated Kevin was at the horrible loss.
"Well that was an easy win," Pete said when the game ended. The teams left the field for the locker rooms - Kevin said for double-header games they let the visiting team use the girl's locker room - and Pete offered to get hot dogs for them all from the food stands. The Peach Creek band went to the field to play, and the Eds and Rolf cheered them on. Jonny and Sarah were both in the band. The cheerleaders took the field as Sylvie and Pete returned carrying a box of hot dogs and a box of sodas, which they handed out to the Eds and Rolf, who all thanked them profusely. The older couple had always liked Rolf and Nazz, Kevin's closest friends, but his relationship with Edd brought all of the Eds into their life, which they welcomed with open arms and spoiled as much as Kevin's other friends.
There was approximately an hour between games, and the teams stayed in the locker room for the entire time. Edd had hoped to be able to see Kevin at some point, but he didn't until the start of the second game. He cheered as loud as anyone when the team took the field again. Sure enough, Pete was right. Kevin took his place on the mound, shooting a grin towards Edd and his mother, who held the sign high up in the air.
The hour wait seemed to have settled the Lemon Brook team, who played much better than before. They were able to score once on Kevin in the first inning, which caused Kevin to settle into his rhythm even more. Edd marveled at the change that came over his boyfriend. He knew how serious Kevin took the game, and to see the fire in his eyes gave Edd a thrill.
Throughout all nine innings, the score remained tied or close. First Lemon Brook was up, then Peach Creek tied, then Lemon Brook pulled ahead. "Not sure where this team came from," Pete said in a worried tone at one point. "Good thing Kev's keeping them at bay."
Kevin was. Edd could tell without Kevin's pitching and the work of his team, the Lemon Brook team would have dominated. The defense on the field when Lemon Brook was at bat was something to see. It was beautiful, to Edd, to watch Kevin's team work with each other and to recognize the elements they practiced the day before come into play. Kevin looked fierce on the mound, and more so when he batted. He logged one home run and a couple of runs from batting his teammates into home.
The last inning was tense. Lemon Brook batted first and at the bottom of the ninth, the score was seven to six in Lemon Brook's favor. Peach Creek needed to score or they would lose. It wasn't as important a win, but a win would guarantee them playoffs. A loss would mean another game played in order to advance.
Ben batted first for the Peach Creek side. Lemon Brook fans razzed and screamed while he waited patiently for the first pitch, trying to distract him, but Ben's focus wasn't wavering. He stood at home plate in the manner in which he did everything - calm and quiet - staring down the pitcher. The first pitch was down the middle, but he didn't bother to swing at it. The second pitch set him into motion, a solid base hit just out of reach of the second baseman's glove. By the time the center fielder retrieved it, Ben was already on first.
John, the Peach Creek center fielder, was next. He connected on the first pitch, sending an easily caught pop fly into right field. Once caught, however, Ben took off for second base and made it by sliding. He was safe. Pete murmured to Edd that this play was a sacrifice fly. The team would give up an out in order to move a player into a better scoring position.
Kevin then stepped to the plate, swinging the bat as he did to loosen up his shoulders. Edd and Sylvie held their sign up high again and Kevin saw it. He held up his hand in the "I Love You" sign at Edd, then settled into his batting stance, his eyes trained intently on the pitcher.
The first pitch was a ball. So was the second. Kevin swung at the third and hit it foul. He hit the fourth pitch straight and hard at the ground in front of the shortstop and it bounced over his head. The outfielder fielded it, but had nowhere to throw it. Kevin had stopped at first and Ben stayed put at third.
Edd was on the edge of his seat. He never knew he could be this excited and tensed up about something like baseball. He knew how important it was to Kevin to win this game, and to succeed at the sport. The scholarship to Maryland was already a lock, but Kevin wanted to start his college baseball career with, if not a state championship under his belt, at least an appearance in the finals.
Jake was up to bat next. Edd had come to know Jake as a goofy jokester. While Edd was generally quiet at their lunch table, he did enjoy Jake's silly sense of humor. He knew it was one of the many reasons Kevin was so fond of this friend. The serious expression on Jake's face, however, changed his whole appearance. Where there was normally an amused gleam in his brown eyes, now there was a flat and intense fire.
Edd had been to most of the home games this season, and many of the away games, and he knew Jake was one of the best hitters on the team. Kevin was always going on about how Jake could go pro if he wanted to do so. Kevin may have been the star and the captain, but Jake was right behind him.
Three pitches were thrown at Jake, which he watched go by. A strike and two balls. The Peach Creek crowd was dead silent, while the Lemon Brook fans were going wild with trying to distract Jake. If Jake could just get one run, he would tie the game, with still two outs to go leaving Peach Creek an excellent shot of winning.
The fourth pitch sailed toward Jake and, as if in slow motion, he swung and connected. Edd had never heard such a perfect crack of the bat as Jake hit it dead center, lifting it over the heads of the pitcher and center fielder, soaring over the fence.
The screams were deafening from the Peach Creek side. Ben jogged to home plate, jumping on the base as he made it. Kevin rounded second, third, and followed suit at home, also emphasizing his point with a jump onto the plate. Then he and the rest of the team and coaches waited for Jake to run the bases. Jake ate up the victory, of course, the fierceness gone from his face, replaced by exultant joy. He threw himself into his teammate's arms as he crossed home plate, and they all lifted him into the air, cheering the boy who had won the game for them.
