This Is the Best Way to Prove It
"Trav is having a bonfire tonight," Jake mumbled around a slice of pizza. "To celebrate."
Kevin hummed, taking a drink from his solo cup of pop. Travis was one of their teammates, the center fielder. His family lived outside of Peach Creek on a large property consisting mostly of forest. There was a convenient clearing deep in the woods where Travis often held bonfire parties. Kevin had been to many of them over the years. Before Edd.
"I think most of the team will be there," Jake continued. "I know Ben and Joel are going. Carla's keen to go." He nodded his head to his girlfriend, who was talking with Nazz over by the table loaded with pizza boxes.
Kevin hummed again, his eyes roaming over his backyard until he spotted Edd. His boyfriend sat in the shade atop the picnic table, laughing at something Eddy was telling him and Ed. He felt his heart lift and couldn't stop the smile that appeared. It was so good to see Edd smiling again. His genuine smile. Kevin could hear his laughter across the yard. After this awful week, it was the most welcome sound he could imagine.
Their eyes caught and Edd's smile brightened more as they gazed at each other. At least, until Eddy caught Edd's attention again. Kevin's eyes, however, remained on him.
"So…whatcha think?"
"Huh?" Kevin asked absently.
Jake laughed, then took another bite. "Dude, your mind is miles away," he said with a full mouth. "Or, I guess a few yards away."
"Sorry. Sorry. It's just. I guess. It's good to see Edd smile again." Pete walked by with some of the empty pizza boxes. After the games, Pete and Sylvie invited everyone back to their house to celebrate, ending up buying a dozen pizzas from Sal's for Kevin, his friends, and their parents. Jake and Carla, who was talking to Jake again now that the games were over, and Jake's mother were there, too.
"Things all good, then? I know you said so last night, but…" Jake shrugged.
"Yeah. I think we're good. I think it'll be awhile until he's fully comfortable being out, but we talked it out a lot. I think we understand each other a lot better."
"I'm glad, man. Like Carla said, you two are adorable together, so it'd be a shame if…" he left it hanging.
"Nice," Kevin muttered, though his cheeks warmed up.
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah." After a moment, he chuckled. "Just not used to anyone but Edd calling me adorable."
"Well, Carla said it. I don't think you are."
"Right."
Jake laughed. "Okay. Maybe a little." He shoved the last bit of crust into his mouth. "So the bonfire. You wanna go? You and Edd?"
Kevin imagined a high school party was the absolute last place Edd wanted to be. Sure, they were good, but Kevin wasn't stupid enough to push something like this just when they'd stopped fighting. "I don't know," he hedged. "It's not really Edd's thing…"
"But you're the team captain," Jake pointed out. "And it's a party to celebrate our wins."
"You think I can take off on a Saturday night and leave him home so I can go to a party?"
"I said 'you and Edd'."
"And I said it's not his thing. He'd never agree to go. Especially not after this week. He's still freaked out about this whole thing."
"Kev," and Kevin looked at Jake with surprise at the unusually serious tone, "maybe it'd be better if he does show up. I mean, everyone at the games saw him rooting for you."
"If Jason's there…"
"Who gives a fuck?" Jake said. "He won't try anything. If he does, we shut him down. You can't think me and Ben and Joel are the only ones who have your back, do you?"
"No, it's not…"
"So a few guys are being dickheads."
"Dickheads? Jason attacked Edd."
Jake looked away for a few moments. "And he won't do it again," Jake replied. "I'm not downplaying what he did. Believe me. I want to punch his fucking face. But you can't let him keep you from missing out on anything."
"It's just a party."
"To celebrate our hard work. And I think we fucking deserve it."
"We do."
"Nothing sticks it to Jason than rubbing it in his face that you two are together. And more than that, you're happy."
Kevin snorted. "True." He sighed. "I just don't think Edd will go for it. He doesn't like crowds. I don't think it's so much us being out and all that. He'd be uncomfortable anyway."
"I'll send Carla after him. Her and Nazz can probably convince him."
"A party?"
Edd fidgeted his hands, pulling on his fingers in front of his chest. He still sat on the picnic tabletop, with Eddy and Ed on the seats next to him. Nazz and Carla, expressions determined and innocent at the same time, faced him with their arms crossed.
"Yes! A party!" Eddy exclaimed. "I'm in!"
"Sounds like fun! I hope I can help with the bonfire!" Ed said, bouncing a little in his seat.
Edd glanced at his friends in turn. They seemed excited, but a party was the last place he wanted to be tonight. He was happy here with his friends. This little party was more his speed – their friends, their friends' parents. Boxes of pizza and laughing with Eddy and Ed. It had done much for his emotional state of mind. "I do not…" he started.
"Eddy? Can you go grab me something to drink?" Nazz asked.
"Uhh…" Eddy responded.
"Ed, sweetie?" Carla said in an oversweet voice. "Can you grab something for me, too?"
"Eddy has two hands," Ed reasoned. "He can get something for you."
Eddy, who was having a silent conversation with Nazz by their eyes, sighed and stood up. "C'mon Lumpy. Let's do what these lovely ladies ask of us."
"But, Eddy…"
"C'mon," Eddy growled, dragging Ed away.
Edd watched them leave. He felt trapped. Especially the way the two girls looked at him. "You do not what, Edd?" Nazz asked.
"A party," he answered, looking down at his hands, which still fidgeted in front of his chest. "I do not think it wise that I go."
"Kevin will want you to."
"I know."
"Why don't you want to go, Edd?" Carla asked.
Edd looked at her. He realized she would not know very much about him. Jake didn't, so he assumed Carla would not. At least Nazz would understand his social anxiety. She was familiar with it, after all. "There are many reasons. I am sure there shall be many people there."
"We'll protect you."
Nazz nodded absently, her eyes studying Edd in a way which made him start to squirm.
"And I am sure…" he said, pressing his fidgety hands into the tops of his thighs to stop them. "I am sure Kevin's team…he should probably go without me. I would not want to cause any problems."
"Edd," Nazz said, her voice a little hard but still gentle, "everyone knows. I get how you feel, but if Kev shows up without you, it will look bad."
"In what way?"
"Look, I know what that asshole did to you. Jason," she said. "And I know he's probably going to be there. If Kev shows without you, he wins."
"He wins?"
"It shows you're intimidated. Are you?"
"No."
"This is the best way to prove it."
He looked down at his hands again, now clenched atop his thighs. She was correct. His absence would indicate the other boy intimidated him, appearing to follow Jason's orders to stop seeing Kevin. He could see how attending with Kevin would show Jason that he and Kevin would not break up. Thumbing his nose at the bully, so to speak. He did want to make it clear to anyone who thought they could break him and Kevin up that it wasn't going to happen.
Nazz settled on the table next to him, her arm snaking over his shoulders. "I know how anxious crowds make you, but we'll all be there with you. I think it will be good for you."
It was one of the first times for Edd on the bike at night. Twilight, to be more exact. He had full confidence in Kevin, of course, but the limited visibility caused him a small amount of anxiety. Kevin navigated confidently, however, following Nazz's car in front of them. Farm fields and trees flashed past as they left the borders of their town.
Edd squeezed his arms around Kevin's torso and pressed his helmeted-head between his shoulder blades. It was slightly chilly now that the sun was disappearing to their left, dipping below the tree-lined horizon. He was thankful for Kevin's letter jacket enveloping him in warmth and Kevin's scent. Wearing it would leave absolutely no doubt to anyone at the party that he and Kevin were together.
It was a big step for Edd to attend the bonfire, but Nazz had been right. He was worried about Jason. He was worried about the other teens. He was worried about the crowd. Knowing Kevin and their friends would be there helped, but his anxiety wasn't something he could simply shove aside and ignore. Nor did he know what to do if Jason did anything or carried through with his threats.
Edd knew Kevin didn't want any fighting among the team, but he also knew Kevin wasn't going to put up with any of Jason's, or anyone else's, homophobia. Especially now that they were out. He assured Edd many times as they changed into warmer clothes that he'd in no way let Jason near him and if it came down to it, Jason would be removed from the team. Simple as that. He had Coach Travers' promise.
Edd would hate for that to happen, but was grateful for the support of Kevin's coach. Maybe it shouldn't have surprised him as much as it did – this support from their teachers. Surely, Edd, who was an impeccable student, was well liked by all the staff at the school. In the way model students always are. Students who excelled at academics and never caused any issues. Kevin may not have been a model student, but the teachers tended to love him as well because of his charisma and charm.
Nazz's SUV turned onto a small track off the main road that led into the trees. Kevin followed, going slow over the right track of the two-track drive. Despite his slow progress, the bike still bounced and jerked around rocks and ruts in the track. Kevin's death grip on the handlebars and skill kept them upright and soon they reached an impromptu parking lot where cars already lined up among the trees. They parked next to Nazz.
When the engine cut, they could hear the faint noise from the party ahead in the trees. A faint glow and a whiff of wood smoke indicated the bonfire was already burning. Kevin slid off the bike and lifted Edd off, then locked their helmets on the handlebars. "Keep close to me tonight, okay, Dee?" Kevin requested anxiously. "I don't want you out of my sight."
Edd understood. He didn't want to give anyone the chance to do anything to Edd. "I shall, Kevin," he promised.
"If not me, then Rolf, Eddy, or Ed. Jake, Ben, and Joel will be here too." Then he chuckled. "Hell, even Nazz would probably scratch someone's eyes out if they looked at you funny."
Edd laughed. "I certainly would not want to face the Wrath of Nazz."
"Wrath of Nazz?" Eddy growled, joining them with the object of their discussion's hand held tightly in his.
"Just saying we wouldn't want to piss her off," Kevin said, grinning at Nazz.
"That sounds like a good movie title," Ed said.
"The Wrath of the Nazz-girl," Rolf yelled.
"Terrorizing the poor citizens of Peach Creek!" Edd quipped.
"I'll terrorize all of you," Nazz threatened, pointing her first two fingers at her eyes, then pointing them each in turn to all the boys.
They wove through the haphazardly parked cars toward the clearing. The noise got louder – laughter and conversation shouted above the thump of music. "They usually run playlists through a car," Kevin explained to Edd. He noticed Kevin wasn't trying to hold his hand, but did walk close enough for their arms to brush.
As they entered the clearing full of loud partygoers, Edd wished them back to Kevin's house. The earlier gathering was much more in his comfort zone. This? This was way out. There were so many people there, gathered around the three separate bonfires. The noise was a jumble in his ears and he felt his heart start racing. It took everything in him not to cringe behind Kevin.
Kevin was muttering something about finding Jake, Ben, or Joel – he was looking around for the familiar faces of his friends. Nazz and Eddy disappeared for a moment when Nazz noticed a few of the cheerleaders hanging out by the keg. Edd marveled at how easy it was for high school students to obtain alcohol for their parties. He had no idea how he would even go about it should he ever want to throw one.
Okay, that one almost made him laugh aloud and the hilarity of the thought eased some of his anxiety. Even should Edd ever throw a party, he was sure no one but Kevin and their friends would come. Unless Kevin threw the party.
This party reminded him of Nazz's party back in February. Loud and drunk conversations and dancing to the music. They found Jake, standing by one of the fires with Carla. They left Kevin's earlier than their other friends had. He fist bumped Kevin, then Edd, as the pair joined them, and Carla gave out hugs.
"No adoring fans?" Kevin asked. "I figured you'd be surrounded by everyone here."
Jake shrugged and Carla rolled her eyes. She answered for him, "I chased those hos away. They tried to hang on my man, but I put a stop to that."
"They were earlier," Jake added, giving Carla a look. "And she didn't chase them away. The keg arrived."
"Well, they know the true star of the night," Edd said. As the others laughed, he blinked at his audacity. Normally he would never jump into the conversation as he just did, let alone say something funny. Not with others. With Kevin, Nazz, Rolf, and the Eds, of course, but with others? He could tell it was unexpected from Jake, who, while he laughed, tried to put on a hurt expression.
"Wow. I see how it is!"
For the next hour, Edd remained tense, though it wasn't as bad as he feared. Apart from a few witty barbs he delivered, he mainly stayed close to Kevin and listened to their friends. His stomach hurt from laughter, because Eddy was on a roll with his jokes and wild, but true, stories. People drifted in and out of their circle, Kevin's teammates and other girls. It felt strange, especially the sly, little smiles from some of the girls. He wasn't used to being in a group of people whom everyone tried to be around, but no one was rude or mean or insinuated anything wrong.
He was thrilled no one seemed to treat Kevin differently. Girls kept their distance and didn't flirt with Kevin, as he had seen many times over the past five months. If anything, the girls tried to strike up conversations with Edd, asking personal questions about their relationship. Edd tried to answer, but it was hard to hear over the music and laughter. His anxiety from the press of people rose occasionally, but a slight brush of fingers over his from Kevin helped to calm it.
Other than those little touches, Kevin remained hands off. Edd surmised Kevin was going to wait for him to initiate it, to make sure Edd was comfortable with any display of their affection. It was enough for Edd to wear his jacket with the name BARR across his back, the sleeves hanging past his hands. It was warm and smelled like Kevin, and felt like Kevin was hugging him. It was enough for now.
The proud smile Kevin gave him every time he looked at him helped, too. It happened often. Despite everyone wanting to talk to Kevin, it seemed he only had eyes for Edd. Edd couldn't help but preen about it. Kevin could have anyone he wanted and he chose Edd. Not only chose him, but also looked at Edd as if Edd were his whole world.
Should it be a surprise, though? Kevin was Edd's whole world, too. As he turned down the cup of beer Eddy tried to press on him, Edd thought about how much his life had changed since that momentous day five months ago. Never in his whole life would he think he'd be at a big party during his senior year, surrounded by half-drunk schoolmates, tucked close to a boyfriend, laughing and making people laugh.
He was anxious, but he couldn't believe how easy it was to be himself among Kevin's friends. He knew the knowledge that they not only supported Kevin, but also supported his relationship with Kevin, helped, but it was more than that. They were all nice to him, and he remembered Ed telling him once. That Kevin's friends all seemed nice. They were. Funny, too, though Edd knew that from sitting with them every lunch for the past few months.
It made Edd regret keeping him and Kevin secret for as long as he did. This feeling of inclusion could have happened months ago.
Edd glanced at his phone, amazed it was almost midnight. The crowd was larger and rowdier, and Edd turned his head to look at Kevin beside him. Maybe he should suggest they go home, though he hesitated, because Kevin was animatedly talking to Joel and Edd hated to interrupt him.
The weight of an arm fell across his shoulder as a body pushed itself between him and Kevin. The blood in his veins went cold when a glance to the side revealed Jason had come up behind them, slinging an arm over each Kevin and Edd. "Here's our two resident gays!"
Edd flinched, his heart now hammering in his chest. The expression on Kevin's face terrified him.
"Get the fuck off," Kevin growled, turning and twisting out of Jason's hold.
"What?" Jason said with a humorless laugh. "Just trying to say a friendly hello."
"Let go of him," Kevin said, his voice flat. "Don't ever touch him again." He grabbed Edd's upper arm and pulled him away. Jason stepped back, holding up his hands.
Edd stumbled against Kevin, who stepped half in front of him, shielding him. He had no idea what Kevin would do, but he held on to Kevin's arm, hoping he wouldn't strike out at the other boy.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Jason said easily. "Wouldn't want to get in trouble with Coach's favorite, would I?"
"I said it yesterday. If you have a problem with me, bring it to me. Leave him out of it."
"I didn't do anything."
"You did enough the other day. Don't lay another hand on him."
"I'm trying to make peace," Jason said. "You're the one getting defensive."
"I have good reason."
"What do you want, Jason?" Jake asked, stepping to the other side of Kevin. Edd noticed Eddy bristling next to him, with Ed's hand on his hotheaded friend's shoulder.
"Just saying hi. You know, being friendly."
"That'd be a first," Eddy snarled.
"Kevin," Edd murmured, "ignore him. Do not start a fight."
"I don't plan on it, Dee, unless he touches you again."
"I got it, hands off your man. No worries, there, Captain. I certainly don't want him." Jason leered at Edd.
Edd felt the tension rise in the air. Fortunately, Kevin hadn't had anything to drink, but Jason seemed a bit unsteady on his feet and Edd hadn't missed the whiff of alcohol when Jason first thrust himself upon them.
"Don't start any shit," Jake warned.
Jason held up his hands again. "Wouldn't dream of it, ass," he said. He laughed again. "Ass. That's more Kev's thing, ain't it?"
"That's not your fucking business," Kevin said.
"It is when my team is led by a fag like you."
Edd tightened his grip on Kevin's arm. But, he needn't have worried. An outcry from all of those around them drowned out Kevin's retort. It wasn't only their circle of friends, but all the others who had been hanging around them all night. Edd had not noticed them moving closer to see what the commotion was. He squeezed closer Kevin, looking around at all his classmates. So many were yelling that he had trouble hearing anything clearly, but they were all cussing out Jason, who suddenly looked nervous.
Ed held tight to Eddy, but Nazz looked ready to claw out Jason's eyes. Carla had a hold of her. Jake lunged toward Jason, getting up in his space. "You need to fucking leave," he demanded.
Jason glanced side to side and didn't see any friendly faces or support, and a flash of fear shot over his face, but he didn't back down. "It's a free country."
"But it's my property," a new voice broke through the angry voices. Edd recognized Travis, whose family owned the woods. "If you say one more thing and don't leave, we're taking this to Coach."
"Fucking pussies," Jason growled, shooting Kevin a hateful glare. He scoffed and backed up a few paces to get away from Jake. "Enjoy your queer little party." With that, he shoved his way through the crowd, shouldering people to the side to make a path.
The bonfire party ended early. At least according to Kevin. Two in the morning didn't seem early to Edd, but Kevin said they usually ended when the sun came up, shining on all the kids passed out around the warm ashes of the fires. Kevin didn't say it, but Edd surmised he'd been one of those kids a couple of times, but Edd didn't want to think of it.
Edd was exhausted. The spike of fear from the confrontation with Jason contributed, but it was more from the crush of people after he left. He was overwhelmed with emotion that everyone stood up for him and Kevin. He barely registered Kevin's arm coming around his shoulders for a little squeeze.
The party went on, of course. The slight incident was barely a blip in the night. When there was a keg, music, and drunk friends, a little spat wasn't anything to defuse the enjoyment. It took some time for Edd to relax – longer for Eddy to shift from fight to fun mode. Edd was surprised that Eddy didn't attack Jason, and he was grateful Ed was able to hold their friend back.
Clouds had rolled in, blanking out the moon and the stars, while the wind kicked up among the trees surrounding the clearing. Edd predicted rain – he thought he could smell it over the copious amount of smoke from the bonfires – and sure enough, a light drizzle sent everyone dashing for their cars.
The full rain held off until they were near home, which Edd was grateful for as they were on Kevin's bike. He went between wishing Kevin would hurry and being happy Kevin went slow so he wouldn't skid on the increasingly slick roads. As much as Edd now loved riding the bike, he realized the weather certainly played a part in his enjoyment of it. He did not enjoy the bike in the rain.
They were soaked when they stumbled into Edd's house, laughing tiredly as they clung to each other. Kevin's red hair looked dark in the light of the living room as rain dripped from the ends of his longer locks. Water beaded on his freckled cheeks and Edd felt a shiver run through his body that had nothing to do with the temperature of the house.
If only they weren't so tired. It had been a long day.
As if reading his mind, Kevin bent and kissed him, whispering that they should go up and take quick showers and get to bed. Edd swallowed down his desire and nodded. It was unfortunate, but Edd agreed. He was so tired and he knew Kevin must be, after playing a double header that afternoon.
They dragged themselves upstairs and showered together, though there was little sensuality about it. Lazy kisses that stirred some interest, but not enough to get anything going. They yawned through the shower, through brushing their teeth, and through getting dressed. It was close to three-thirty in the morning when they finally cuddled up together, tucked under Edd's comforter. Kevin had opened the window to allow them to listen to the now-steady rain, though it did bring the temperature of the room down.
Edd didn't remember ever feeling so cozy. Kevin was warm from the shower and smelled of Edd's shampoo and body wash. Kevin always made him feel safe and loved when they slept together, but something about tonight felt perfect.
Maybe it was the chill in the room, encouraging the close snuggling and appreciation of the warm quilt over them. Maybe it was the exhaustion, leaving them hovering in an almost-asleep-but-still-awake state with heavy eyelids and heavy limbs. Maybe it was the light kisses, brushed against foreheads and cheeks like sweet little promises for later. Maybe it was the steady patter of raindrops, tattooing a rhythm that whispered of sleep and dreams.
Maybe it was all of those things.
"We're sleeping in tomorrow," Kevin said, his voice thick with sleep.
"But my chores…"
A finger pressed against his lips then quickly pulled away to be replaced by Kevin's lips. "We sleep in. Our chores can wait. We're more important."
Edd gave Kevin one last kiss. Then one more. "Yes, Kevin," he slurred as he turned over so they could settle into their spooning position. He fell asleep with Kevin's soft snores ruffling the hair at the nape of his neck and the breeze blowing in through the window.
