We Are Proud of Our Love

The rain continued all through Sunday. Kevin got his wish. They slept in until ten, which was still early for Kevin, but quite late for Edd. Part of Edd was anxious that he neglected his normal Sunday chores, but another part of him thrilled at the rebellious feeling. Logically he knew the house was clean and the laundry could wait, but it still felt strange to not jump out of bed and start cleaning right away.

It was nice to make breakfast with Kevin – a big one since both boys were ravenous. The last food they'd had was the pizza at Kevin's the day before. There had been no food at the bonfire. Edd made them waffles and scrambled eggs, and instructed Kevin in how to make fried potatoes. Their bellies were comfortably full by noon.

Unfortunately, with full bellies, the sound of rain, and the aftermath of an emotionally crazy week, both of them moved sluggishly after the meal. It took a long time for them to clean up and even longer for them to shower and dress. Edd glanced at his full hamper as he pulled his shorts on, a little frown on his face. No. Kevin suggested cuddling on the deck and that sounded much better than shuffling dirty laundry around.

Kevin's suggestion turned out to be one of his best ideas ever. That sleepy, lazy feeling remained as they cuddled together on the cushioned chaise lounger. The deck was partially covered, which kept the rain off them, but the air was slightly chilled making them grateful for the fluffy fleece draped over them. The rain drummed on the wooden deck and splashed in the puddles in the yard. It was one of those heavy rains that fell without thunder or lightning. Edd's favorite type of rain, though thunderstorms were certainly thrilling.

However, this type of rain was so cozy. Especially now that he had a firm lap to sit in, strong arms around him, and little kisses pressed against his hair every few moments. He again drifted in a half-sleep/half-awake state that gave him a pleasurable shiver throughout his body. He'd always loved this weather, but to get to share it with Kevin was perfect bliss. They didn't need to speak – they were content simply to exist with each other as the rain bathed the earth and soaked the ground to encourage spring growth. The world looked greener already.

They sat out there for hours, falling in and out of a doze. When Kevin was awake, he'd slowly card his fingers through Edd's hair – Edd had left his hat up in his room. Edd would absently draw figures on Kevin's chest with his finger. Kisses exchanged occasionally, but nothing urgent or pressing.

Until.

It was close to dinnertime, but neither were hungry after the huge breakfast. The lethargy of the day remained, but Edd did feel a slight building of heat within. It wasn't the normal flash of desire he usually felt for Kevin. Neither was it the bright burn he sometimes got. While he couldn't put his finger on the difference, there was a difference. It was a comfortable flare up. Like kindling catching fire slowly.

Kevin reached up to entangle his fingers with Edd's, which had paused their motion on his chest. "What'cha thinking, sweetheart?"

His shoulders lifted in a sort of shrug and Edd said, "Not much. Just how happy I am."

Kevin shifted, causing Edd to sit up straighter, and gazed at him for a few minutes, a little smile stretched lazily across his face as he sleepily blinked. "I love you."

Edd smiled back as Kevin squeezed his hand. That little flicker was catching into a little flame. "I love you, too," he said, leaning forward to kiss Kevin, a lingering one that fueled the heat in his belly. It wasn't an urgent heat, but it was there. "Do you want to go upstairs?"

With a low chuckle, Kevin returned the kiss. "Upstairs, Dee?" he asked.

"Mhm," Edd hummed. "I would like to lay with you and be close. If you do not want to make love to me, that is fine. I just want to be close to you."

Kevin tightened the arm around him, pulling Edd closer. "This isn't close enough for you?" he teased.

"It is quite close enough," Edd agreed. "However, we cannot be naked here in the backyard."

Kevin burst out into laughter, which got Edd laughing with him. "Well," Kevin said, his tone shifting to mischievous, "nothing is stopping us from being naked right now." He let go of Edd's hand to reach down to tug at the button of Edd's shorts.

"Kevin!" Edd gasped, curling a little in on himself.

"We have a blanket over us," Kevin said, ducking to kiss Edd's neck.

Edd couldn't help but let out a tiny moan. "Still, I would feel more comfortable in bed," Edd protested.

The blanket had slipped halfway off, anyway. And, Kevin did think taking Edd up to bed was a great idea. The day had been cozy and lazy, and he wasn't even thinking along the lines of sex or anything, but he wasn't about to say no if Edd wanted it. His boyfriend looked so cute at the moment, too, with his long, dark hair curling on his shoulders from the dampness in the air, the shine of his blue-green eyes, the impish, gap-toothed grin Kevin could never resist, and the little wrinkle lines from his happiness that told Kevin more than anything Edd was genuinely happy.

"If you insist, baby," Kevin said, slipping his arm under Edd's legs and somehow scooting down the chaise lounge so he could stand. The blanket fell all the way off as he wobbly got to his feet, Edd's arms clinging tightly around Kevin's neck.

"What are you doing?" Edd asked, half-laughing and half-shrieking.

"What you said. Taking you upstairs."


It was different. Edd's mind searched for a way to define the difference, but he couldn't. He lay under Kevin, his hands curled up under his shoulder blades. A sheen of sweat sent shivers all over his body from the cool breeze blowing in through his open window, bringing in the sweet smell of budding flowers, wet earth, and rain. He was hot and cool at the same time, satiated already from the oral already done. They did it on each other at the same time, a new thing for them.

It was, understandably, difficult to concentrate on giving pleasure to Kevin when his own pleasure was shooting through him. But they took their time, one pausing for a moment to bask in the warmth of the other's mouth. Then starting again. It took much longer than usual to reach orgasm, but that was on par with the lazy way this Sunday was going. They were in no hurry and, while the desire was there, they felt no urgency to reach the final climax.

Now, after a rest where they snuggled together and listened to the rain falling outside, their kisses became a little more than lips pressing. They sensed a bit more urgency, but it still didn't reach a demand. Their movements were slow with each other, slow and deliberate. Each breath drawing out, fingers trailing, lips nipping. Kevin had rolled atop him, settling comfortably between Edd's legs, propped up on his elbows.

Edd enjoyed feeling trapped; the insides of Kevin's elbows pressed against his upper arms and Kevin's hands cradled his head. He loved the feel of Kevin's weight on him, holding him down. Even though it was Edd's legs, bent with his feet pressing against the mattress, which caged Kevin below, he felt wrapped up in Kevin – Kevin's attention and Kevin's love.

They kissed for the longest time – how long Edd never knew. His entire focus was Kevin. They'd kiss, then stop, Kevin resting his forehead against Edd's so they could simply stare into each other's eyes. Words didn't seem necessary. He was hard again and knew Kevin was, but that didn't seem to be their main goal. He traced patterns on Kevin's back the way he drew the same patterns on Kevin's chest earlier. The times where Kevin or he shifted, inevitably rubbing against each other, were enough. For now.

The rain pattered on. The breeze chilled their skin, raising goosebumps on Kevin's back that made Edd smile as his ran his fingers over Kevin's skin. He closed his eyes as Kevin dipped to kiss him again, Kevin's tongue slipping into his mouth easily as his fingers clenched in Edd's hair.

Kevin did a subtle thrust against him. Nothing strong or urgent, just a gentle movement of his hips. The flame ignited again in Edd. A slow burn that made him ache now with the need to feel Kevin inside him, but he couldn't ask for it at the moment as his mouth was occupied. Instead, he pressed his thighs against Kevin's, giving him a little squeeze he hoped would give Kevin the hint.

It must have, because Kevin pulled back. Not far, but enough to look down at Edd with the smile he saved only for his love. He didn't say anything, but he did move one hand over to retrieve the lube kept conveniently on the nightstand. "Give me a sec," he whispered.

It took Kevin a few minutes to apply lube to himself. He'd already prepped Edd during their mutual blowjobs. He had to lift himself to do it, but soon settled down between Edd's legs again allowing Edd to hook his ankles against the small of Kevin's back. Kevin took a second to position his cock at Edd's entrance and push in before moving his arms to how it was before – with a quick wipe on the sheets. He slid inside Edd slowly. Edd closed his eyes for a moment, relishing the feeling of Kevin entering him. He always loved this part – the feeling of giving himself to Kevin, trusting in the man above him.

The thought of a difference entered his hazy mind again. Something was different. Kevin placed a couple of kisses to Edd's mouth and other spots on his face, but mostly he hovered above Edd, noses almost touching, and stared into Edd's eyes. He moved in Edd – soft and subtle thrusts that had no urgency about them, but still provided Edd with a wonderful feel of push, pull, and drag.

There were few words. Whispers of love to each other between kisses. The intense stare conveyed more than words anyway, as did the sharp gasps and little moans. Nothing like usual, where Kevin was vocal and Edd loud. The patter of rain was louder than they were, as if they didn't want to interrupt nature with their lovemaking.

With a little effort, Kevin wriggled his hand between their bodies to stroke Edd. Kevin adjusted his position a little to accommodate the movement, but he remained staring down into Edd's eyes, watching his lover as he brought him to his orgasm. As the rest of the day, it was unhurried and though Edd desperately wanted to come, he didn't ask or beg Kevin to go faster. The slow thrusting into his body and the slow movement on his cock were enough – as if he were mesmerized by the beautiful green eyes that had captured his.

His orgasm came, rolling over him in a delicious wave that had him closing his eyes halfway. He didn't want to break his eye contact with Kevin, not even to bask in the pleasure shooting through his body, curling his toes and digging his nails into Kevin's back. It had never felt this erotic before and the moans he let out as each pulse brought cum messily onto Kevin's hand and their stomachs finally broke the spell of silence, which had possessed them all afternoon.

Kevin's hand let go and landed aside his head so he could speed up slightly, chasing his own release. Edd's eyes opened wider, their gaze never breaking, though Edd could see the sweat now beading up on Kevin's forehead.

"Come for me, my love," Edd encouraged with a whisper. He saw Kevin's eyes widen with surprise as his hips stuttered. He pushed in hard for his release, eyes closing briefly, but opening again to stare down at Edd while he jerked in and out a few times. He panted when he slowed to a stop, breathing hard with the last effort.

Edd hadn't thought they'd expended much energy, but he was overcome with a feeling of lethargy. None of his muscles wanted to move, not even to clean up. Kevin seemed to feel the same, sagging heavily on his elbows to keep his whole weight off of Edd. Their breathing and heartrates slowed and still they kept their eyes locked. Time had seemed to stop and Edd had no idea what had just happened.

Kevin finally licked his lips, breaking the spell when he leaned down for a kiss. The kiss stirred up some interest, but Edd knew he wouldn't be able to do much more of anything – not even the slow lovemaking of the past couple of hours. "How about a bath in your parent's bathroom?" Kevin asked.

It sounded good, of course, but took a lot of effort to get themselves out of bed and down the hallway. After their first bath in his parents bathroom, Edd had purchased bath bombs and oils for the large jacuzzi tub and their hour in the hot water, cleaning each other with languid movements, kissing and talking in low tones, was one of the happiest moments in Edd's life. Something was different. He kept returning to the term, and thinking of it started forming an idea in his mind.


Kevin handed Edd a warm mug with steam rising from the surface of the dark liquid inside. The rain had stopped, but a chill hung in the air and Edd had turned the heat back on, though at a low temperature. They were still warm from their bath and another fleece blanket would keep them cozy. Kevin made them a couple of mugs of hot chocolate to sip while snuggling on the couch. Edd navigated to Netflix and scrolled through the choices to find something to watch.

Kevin pulled the fleece over his legs, balancing his mug carefully as he settled in. "Can I ask you something?"

Edd paused his scrolling and turned his head. "Of course, Kevin. You do not have to ask me if you can ask me something," he teased.

Kevin smiled, then blew over the surface of his drink. "Earlier. When we were…"

"Having sex."

With an eye roll and a snort, Kevin answered, "Yes. That." He took a sip, staring at the screen full of choices. "Did it feel…" he paused. "I don't know. Weird? Or, uh, maybe strange?"

Edd thought he could gather what Kevin hinted at. Or, at least, what Kevin couldn't find the word for. "Different?" he suggested.

"Yeah…" Kevin said, turning to face Edd, drawing his foot under him to sit more comfortably. "Kind of. Like. It was amazing, of course. It's always amazing with you. I don't mean different in a bad way."

"I felt as if something were different, too," Edd admitted.

"Different, like more. Like better." Kevin frowned, however. "That kind of makes it sound like it's not been good before."

"But it has," Edd said.

"Always," Kevin said firmly. "I love loving you. I love when we…" Kevin stumbled over it, "…make love." Edd smiled at Kevin's awkwardness. They'd been intimate for over a month and the fact that Kevin still blushed about it when discussing it seriously endeared him to Edd.

"I love making love to you, too," Edd said. "I know what you mean, Kevin," he added, circling his finger around the rim of his mug, staring down into the steaming chocolate as he thought. "It was different."

"I can't figure out why," Kevin said with a shrug. "It's bugging me because it shouldn't. It was, like, slow and nice. But that's not what I mean."

"It was more than just what we did, or how we did it," Edd said.

Kevin turned the thought over in his head. "What do you mean?"

"I thought about this during our bath," Edd answered. "I think it felt different because I believe we are now fully committed to each other."

Kevin's brows drew together, his lips pressing into a little pout. "You didn't think I was already committed to you?" he asked, his tone slightly hurt.

"I do not mean that. I also do not mean I did not feel committed to you," Edd explained. "I have felt committed to you from our first kiss." The statement brought a little smile back into Kevin's expression. "In my heart, when you first told me you loved me, I committed myself to you forever." His cheeks pinked at such a bold statement.

"I knew right away, too," Kevin said. "Even before I said I loved you. I knew I loved you long before I said it."

"Well, I admit I felt that way myself."

"Then why do you think we're more committed now?"

Edd chewed on his lower lip for a moment. He then leaned over to put his mug on the coffee table and turned his full attention on Kevin, placing his hands on Kevin's knee. "We have fully embraced our relationship," he said, trying to make himself clear. "No more hiding. No more secrets. Hiding we loved each other categorized it as something shameful." He flexed his fingers slightly to prevent Kevin from speaking. "I know it is not shameful, but hiding it suggested it is. Now that we are out…it fully says we are proud of us. We are proud of our love. We show our commitment to the world." He smiled at Kevin, then continued, "I think now that we can fully express our love to each other, and have promised to be completely honest as well, we have reached a new level in our relationship."

Kevin's expression was thoughtful as he gazed at Edd. "Makes sense," he agreed, putting his free hand on top of both of Edd's. He huffed out a small laugh. "I thought I couldn't be more in love with you," he added. "But up in bed, all I could think of was how much more I loved you at that moment. I'm glad it wasn't just cause I felt good."

Edd chuckled. "Feel good we did. But, yes, I felt it, too. To be perfectly honest, though, every day I find more reasons to love you."

Kevin blinked a few times. Edd wasn't usually one to say things like that. Edd was always more practical. He told Kevin many times every day that he loved him. Just, Edd rarely said anything along the romantic line. Kevin was the one who did that. "Look at you being all romantic," he teased.

Edd laughed. He knew more than anyone did his own limitations when it came to saying romantic things. It wasn't as if he didn't feel anything for Kevin, it was simply not in his nature to say it. "It happens. Sometimes," he answered, squeezing Kevin's knee. "I shall try and do it more."


It was a beautiful Monday morning, the sun rising above a rain-drenched world. The buzz of Kevin's motorcycle filled Edd's ears, covered with his Iron Man helmet. The traffic wasn't bad this morning, despite them leaving at the normal time. It was strange to be on the bike, holding on to Kevin tightly as he turned the corner to the street of their school. The two days last week he rode in with Kevin didn't count. Edd's anxiety made it so he couldn't enjoy the ride as he usually did.

Today, though, he didn't feel afraid. He felt…free…and it had more to do with the fact that they were out. He didn't have to hide. More importantly, he didn't have to hide how he felt about Kevin. He could smile at Kevin at school without worrying about what people might think. He could sit next to Kevin at lunch, as he did Friday, and not worry if Kevin's friends would suspect something. He could, once he was brave enough, kiss Kevin at his locker.

He wasn't sure how long it would take to get to that point, though that was due more to his general shyness about public displays of affection than about it happening at school. He was shy about kissing Kevin when they were with their friend group. It would probably take him awhile to get to that point, but the knowledge that he could now do it made him feel lighter than he had in a week.

Had it only been a week since they came out? Less than a week. Five days. It was a huge change for him, but he welcomed it. Kevin had been surprised when Edd told him so, but it was true. Edd thought it was probably their promise to be honest with each other. Fully honest. No more half-truths or incomplete truths. Edd felt it was a significant step in their relationship. Maybe more profound than their first time.

Honesty came with a level of commitment. At least, in his mind it did. Because it also spelled out trust, and to know he could trust Kevin meant more to him than anything. And it wasn't simply the trust that Kevin was honest with him. It was the trust in knowing he gave Kevin his heart and Kevin would cherish it. The insecurity that had lived with him since the start of their relationship had disappeared. His fear of Kevin one day thinking Edd wasn't good enough for him was gone.

Maybe one day they might part ways. Edd knew he would be sad about it, but he wasn't afraid of it. He knew, if it happened, it wouldn't be because he wasn't good enough for Kevin. He deserved Kevin and Kevin deserved him. He would always be enough for Kevin and Kevin would always be enough for him. He thought of their discussions during the weekend. The permanence. Edd knew he didn't need to worry.

And that made him free.

And happy. He had thought his relationship made him happy. Now, he knew it wasn't only the happiness that Kevin brought to him. It was that, and more, now. He could now express the love he felt for Kevin. Now that everyone knew, he felt freer than he'd ever had before.

He squeezed Kevin's middle a little tighter as Kevin turned into the winding driveway which led to the back of their high school and the parking lot. It wasn't a nervous squeeze. It was a grateful squeeze – a loving squeeze – a reminder that Edd was behind him, loving him. Kevin patted his hand, a quick gesture as Kevin was slowly moving up the lot to the building where the motorcycle spaces were.

Edd didn't feel his heart speed up as they passed other students hanging out at their cars, delaying the moment they had to walk into the school as long as they could. Past the students walking toward the door in small groups. Past the one student running back to his car – likely having forgotten something. They stared at the pair on the bike. He and Kevin would be the talk of the school for another week or so, Edd surmised. Unless something else happened. And Edd didn't care. He smiled at a few of his peers who waved at them as they went by.

Kevin stopped the bike and turned off the ignition. Edd scooted back a little to give Kevin room to get off. They both removed their helmets and Kevin looked over his shoulder. "You sliding off first?"

"No, Kevin. I think I shall wait for you to lift me off."

Kevin blinked a few times in surprise. "Okay!"

He jumped off the bike and turned, his expression eager. Edd smiled, swinging his leg over the bike so he faced Kevin. Kevin hooked his helmet on the left handle, then took Edd's helmet from him and locked it onto the right one. He smiled at Edd and reached to put his hands on Edd's waist. Edd's hands rested on his biceps and he felt Kevin manhandle him off the bike and gently put him on his feet.

"Thank you, Kevin."

"Always, Dee."

Kevin opened the storage compartment and pulled out his backpack and Edd's messenger bag. Edd settled it into place and glanced at Kevin, who was looking at him with a pensive expression. He vaguely acknowledged and waved at students passing who called out greetings to them, but his eyes were on Edd.

Taking a deep breath, Edd held out his hand, palm up. He promised himself he would make things up to Kevin, and part of that was to give Kevin one of the things he wanted most. The ability to show affection for Edd at school. Edd would have to start small, but it was a start, and the smile that broke out on Kevin's face was worth everything.

"Walk me to my first class?" Edd asked.

"Of course, Dee," Kevin said, slipping his hand into Edd's. They smiled at each other for a moment, then with a quick squeeze of their hands, both turned to join the crowd of students heading into the school.


Author's Note: Thank you for sticking with this! I have a one shot coming out soon that should be followed by a few more!

On Twitter at devoosha
On Tumblr at devooshawrites for my fanfiction!