After much waiting and annoyed reviews, I've finally finished the chapter I've been sitting on for some time. I wasn't intentional, it's just inspiration is pretty fleeting for me anymore with the crazy stuff I have to deal with. I promise I have never forgotten about this story, just... procrastinated a bit here and there. Rest assured there will be more to come sooner or later.

Keep in mind this is still a little rough. I have yet to sit down and really read through this for editing purposes, but I'd prefer to get it out to you all sooner rather than any later. Hope you all like the newest installment, I believe our boys have made some progress in this chapter. Things will be getting heavier and heavier from here on out!

UPDATE: Just had to fix a couple things I noticed after a quite read-through.

Chapter 9: Study Your Ed Off

Tick…

Tock…

Tick…

Tock…

The small, classic-style alarm clock next to Eddward 'Double Dee''s bed sat like a metronome, clanging loudly in the silence of the room while Kevin's pencil scribbled hastily along row after row of problems. While he worked away at the architect's drawing table, behind him, Edd sat comfortably upon the soft, cushioned bed in his room, book in hand. Next to him were a few math text books, some easier, and some harder than what Kevin was use to.

"One minute," The words were softly, evenly spoken with just a hint of a humored lilt from the brainiac in women's clothing in the room. Kevin shot him a slight glare over his shoulder before returning to his work. Just a few questions left!

Tick…

Tock…

He heard the small body slide off the bed, bare feet tapping the ground lightly before padding near silently across the room. The smell of a light, apple-scented perfume washed over him before Edd was even close. It was like someone had wafted a warm apple pie under his nose…

"Thirty seconds," Uttered that horribly soft voice just out of his field of vision. If he wasn't such a good friend, Kevin probably would have thrown something at him. Damn, Edd would make one awesome teacher. Even with his smooth, light tone, he could feel the pressure to finish weighing down on him more and more. He could feel the eyes looking over his shoulder.

"Five…" The feet turned and padded back to the bed. "Four… Three… Two…" A soft rustle of fabric must've meant that Edd had once more taken up a spot on the bed. "One… Time's up." He giggled softly. "Let me see what you've got." Called the slim teen lightly.

Standing like a prisoner going to the chair, Kevin turned and walked towards the collected-looking teen. What he could probably do in physically tormenting this guy with exercise and stuff, Edd could double that when toying with your mind it seemed.

Smooth legs crossed over each other, the already short skirt riding up just a couple of inches more as he examined his answers. Did he practice this or something? The whole leaning back on one hand, legs crossed and hair just messy enough to be called cute… It was like something out of some teen's wet dream! That is… If it was a woman of course…

Kevin did his best to gauge his work through Edd's face, but it stayed annoyingly even. He could still hear that damn clock in the completely silent room.

Tick…

Tock…

"Not bad Kevin…" Edd began, "But there are many simple mistakes in your work. A sign flipped, a number miscounted…" Looking up, he offered a smile. "Not 'A' material, but you're improving from the first worksheet."

Sighing, Kevin dropped to the bed, flopping onto his back immediately. "I'm wiped, Dork… Let's take a break."

Offering his own sigh, Edd acquiesced and stood. "Very well, would you care for a drink?"

"Whatever you're having," A large yawn escaped his lips before he stretched out a bit. "Thanks,"

"Think of it as a reward for working so hard. It's not often you get to be waited on by me." Hummed the slim teen with a smirk.

"Yeah yeah…" Kevin waved it off a bit before another yawn escaped him.

Tick…

Tock…

Warm winter light washed over him as a passing cloud outside lifted away from the bright rays of sunlight. He grinned a bit to himself. Double Dweeb would put his bed right in the sunlight. Even in the warm house, the slight chill of winter was present. As the sun enveloped him like a blanket, the football player sighed lightly. The whole room smelled of lingering perfumes and lotions, maybe a bit of whatever body wash the guy used. Turning his head slightly, Kevin took in the scent of the thick comforter below him. It had that apple cinnamon scent Edd had about him.

Shifting a bit, the young man felt his eyes growing heavier in the radiant warmth. He could faintly hear his friend coming back upstairs. Maybe he should sit up… That would probably be the better thing to do, but damn… It was too comfortable on the bed to consider that much. Instead, he opted to shift a bit more onto the bed, claiming it as a proper napping spot.

Entering into his room once more, Eddward raised an eyebrow at seeing his guest sprawled out in a heap on his bed. Soft, short breaths escaped the large chest as Kevin soaked in the sun in his red flannel shirt and jeans. "Honestly… Falling asleep?" The cross dresser sighed softly, setting the glass of cranberry juice on the nearby nightstand.

Moving closer, Double Dee sat on his bed, looking down at the scruffy redhead. For a moment, he considered waking him up to study some more… However… Looking to his clock, they had been at it for a couple of hours already. Maybe a break was in order… He scooted a little closer, gently biting at his lip. Would Kevin get mad if he were to lie down too? It was his bed after all and he wasn't about to sleep on the floor. He didn't seem all that mad last time either…

Listening to the soft breaths, Double Dee smiled while watching the strong-jawed young man snooze lightly. Though he may had mentioned earlier that morning that he wasn't exactly clear on his own standings in preference, he was distinctly aware that he found the burley guy next to him more than a little attractive, physically speaking. Ever so carefully, he allowed the back of his soft-skinned hand to brush the deep-red scruff on Kevin's cheek, enjoying its rough feeling. He was well-built, worthy of his title of 'football player', toned too. Allowing himself to be a little selfish, he let his slim digits brush over the solid, muscular shoulder closest to him, followed the powerful arm. Edd was well aware he was probably overstepping an unspoken boundary, but he was rather enjoying himself, and was carelessly throwing caution to the wind.

As he inspected the teen before him, Edd's eyes wandered of their own accord. His curious mind began to do a bit of its own meandering as well. Kevin didn't seem repelled by his admission of curiosity when it came to the deeper levels of relationships and had even mentioned that Edd's legs distracted him. Even jokingly, that had to mean something right?

Edd bit his lip a little harder; did Kevin truthfully find him physically attractive?

Feeling his cheeks heat up, Double Dee lets his hand drop to the blankets below them. Perhaps he was thinking too much about this right now… Too much about Kevin specifically. Honestly, he was thankful just to have a friendship with the slightly older teen. When they were younger, they would chat together from time to time when Edd wasn't caught up in one of Eddy's plans and it was quite enjoyable. They weren't good friends at the time, but could talk easily with one another. Now, their acquaintanceship had been cultivated into a true friendship, and it was one Edd wouldn't give up easily.

Caught up in his sudden feelings of appreciation and closeness towards Kevin, Edd laid down facing the redhead, pressing closer than he might have in a slightly less cheerful state of mind, even going so far as to possessively wrap his arms around the young man. The motion and touches didn't go unnoticed by the second party in the bed. Green eyes cracked open just as Edd's face nuzzled into Kevin's chest with a small sigh.

"Guess study time's over for now?" Came the low whisper, turning Kevin's normally deep pitch into a low growl. The slim body jumped against him before worried blue eyes snapped up to meet Kevin's own eyes. Seeing the apology from a mile away, the redhead grinned easily, letting his heavy arm drop over Double Dee's side. "No big," He shrugged as best he could, watching the cheeks slowly darken before Edd buried his face shyly.

So, Edd lay there, not quite so tired anymore, but stewing in what he could almost call a miasma of embarrassment. He hadn't really thought about what he was doing or what he would do if Kevin had decided to wake up as he just had. The heavy arm around him tightened its hold a bit as Kevin adjusted himself a little to gain a hair more comfort. Was Kevin just being nice? Was he angry and simply amusing Edd? He couldn't just lie there quietly…

"Kevin…" The inky haired teen's voice barely registered to the larger of the two, making him glance down at the sea of ebony just below his chin. Edd blushed at the soft, questioning grunt that rumbled through the muscular chest he rested his face against.

Leaning back, Edd looked up, right into the deep green eyes before him. "Would you like me to… move? I'm sure I'm once more crossing lines that young men normally don't and as you're a more normal person than myself I don't wish to cause you any annoyance with things such as thing. I just was feeling at little sentimental I suppose and acted without thinking. I would further understand if you wish to simply leave since this is a rather awkward situation if one w-were to consi-" He was cut off by the hand on his back dropping gently into his thick hair.

"Dork… You're ramblin'…" Kevin laughed easily. He could see the beginnings of tears forming in the corners of the protégé's eyes. He offered a comforting grin with another shrug. "I really don't mind man… Yeah, it's a little out of the ordinary for me and stuff." Apparently at some point, his fingers had begun to massage the scalp they rested on by running through the dark locks, he stared at them a moment before laughing a bit louder. "Alright, really out of the ordinary… But it's cool y'know?" Looking back down to the cute face so close to him, Edd's head had lulled back into a spot against his chest once more, enjoying the petting he was receiving. Seeing that content, pleasure-filled look on the soft features shut him up immediately. Somewhere in his mind, he decided he liked that look and that presently, words were completely unnecessary. Somewhere deeper in his mind, he decided he really liked that look and that this guy… This cross-dressing, nerdy-as-all-hell, genius, guy – as in a not-female – was really… delicious looking… with that look on his face…

Kevin gulped heavily, almost snatching his hand from the ensnaring sea of hair, instead slowly drawing it out as to not hurt his friend. This little guy messed with him in ways he really didn't expect…

"Hn… Kevin…" Whined the slim body pressed into him, tone gently urgent with want.

Deep in his core, he felt something like a… a twitch… That tone coming from this guy was way nicer than any voice he had ever heard before in his life. Without even thinking about it, the arm that lay just above Double Dee's head rose up to allow its fingers purchase within the black tresses once more. Apparently the other arm didn't want to slack off and drew the feminine body to him almost greedily. Were anyone to question the jock, he wouldn't say he was in total control of himself at the present moment in time.

He felt small hands clutch at his back as he slid his strong hand carefully through the locks, gentle mewls of enjoyment issuing forth from the throat of the teen pressed as close as he possibly could. The redhead noted how nice the guy felt pressed against him… However foreign that thought may have been. It wasn't nearly as obtrusive as it was last time he found himself in a bed with him. He smelled good too… Really good… Like a warm apple pie just waiting for someone to come devour it…

Teeth clenched a bit as Kevin's eyes slowly closed. He had many girlfriends before, he knew exactly what a situation such as this normally lead to. Things between the two of them had quickly jumped to what he would definitely call 'intimate' within the span of a few minutes. Sure, he didn't really expect things to escalate beyond what they were now, not with this guy, not with him and any guy for that matter… But he wouldn't deny that he was enjoying this moment.

A small giggle trickled into his consciousness from beside him. Green eyes opened once more before focusing down on a pair of large, clear eyes looking up at him, filled with humor. "W-What?" Stuttered the jock, a little surprised how lost he was in stroking his friend… What the hell? Stroking his friend? Inwardly he grumbled at his own thoughts.

"While I appreciate what you're doing…" He cheeks darkened a bit as Kevin's eyes widened a little at realization. His other hand had apparently been stroking his back which would have been totally cool and all if it had just stuck to doing that. Unfortunately though, it had dipped under the sweater and shirt covered the slim chest of the teen under his hands to stroke the bare back, apparently the sides too, and was wandering dangerously low if the faintly misplaced skirt was any indication. "I do believe you're allowing your more base urges to guide your hands…"

Slipping his hand from smooth, warm, faintly sweaty skin of Double Dee's back, Kevin did his best to calmly adjust the clothing back into their proper places before gulping a bit. He wanted to say something, anything to smooth out the god awful awkwardness that suddenly intruded upon this awesome time together, but his throat had apparently stopped working while his mouth dried up completely. Instead, he stared in embarrassment and faint shame at the flushed and amused face so close to his.

Edd could see the apology in the dark eyes mere inches from his and gave his own cheeky grin to Kevin. "Remember that beneath these misleading clothes lies a trap of sorts, waiting to be sprung by an unsuspecting ne'er-do-well to throw them into utter confusion." He spoke in a silly, ominous tone.

Embarrassment gave way to humor as Kevin let out a hoarse laugh, before reaching over the genius to grab the near-forgotten juice. After a quick few sips, Kevin took up his previous spot, looking curiously at the awaiting teen. "Waiting huh?" Seeing that Edd wasn't following his leading words, the jock smirked. "You're waiting to be… sprung?'

Slowly, the double entendre of the words dawned on the brilliant mind of the tutor, causing his cheeks to redden instantly. "I'm not-!… I-I mean-!... You're twisting my words Kevin!" Lightly hitting the strong chest, Edd frowned as he became more and more flushed. Seeing the oh-so-cheeky grin being beamed at him, Edd fiercely rolled over, crossing his arms over his chest with a huff.

Kevin let Edd sulk for only a few moments before snatching him up around the waist from behind, pressing into his back. "Come on, dork, I'm just messin' with ya." He chuckled deeply. His words did little to budge the still firmly crossed arms. "Aw c'mon Double Dee!" The stronger of the two squeezed gently, but still earned no reaction from his captured friend. Sighing, he pondered the huffy intellectual in his arms. After only a few moments of consideration, he grinned to himself. Releasing one arm from its spot around the slim waist, he draped it parallel with Edd's side, resting itself in his hair. The firmly tensed body relaxed as finger combed through the messy locks casually. Slowly, the body twisted in Kevin's hold, a pair of blue eyes doing their best to hold a glare which was rapidly failing.

"Consider yourself lucky I'm a forgiving friend." He half-grumbled as he pressed himself back into the young man.

"And that I found one of your weaknesses." Kevin snickered as he held the boy close, letting the sensory overload that was Double Dee wash over him. A light pinch of his side made him laugh lightly before letting his face dip into the warm tresses, resting in their feathery soft comfort. Not that he meant to make a big deal out of it, nor did he consider what he was doing, but as he rested against the head of the young man, he allowed a small kiss to be planted on the crown of the teen's head. Both young men flushed faintly, but were far too caught up in their individual, through similar enjoyments to mention it.

"… You smell good…" Edd mumbled into Kevin's throat sleepily.

"You too, dork…" Murmured the larger teen into the soft hair, slowly drifting off once more into a light, sun-bathed snooze.

Author's Notes: Not much to say here other than sorry once again for the long wait, tell me what you think! More to come!