My dears...my messages for you will be at the end of this chapter. Pardon how long it has been...enjoy.

"Dinner was exquisite, Mrs. Barr, if I do say so myself," Eddward exclaimed, his fake smile kinda getting under my skin, "do you require any assistance in the way of cleaning up? It's only fair, after all, since you provided us with such a sumptuous meal!"

Laying it on pretty thick there, aren't you, Wolf?

My mom was fooled though, her eyes widening, "Oh, dearie, I quite appreciate the offer; it's rare anyone appreciates how much work I put into mealtime. If only my little Kevin had such good manners!"

Show off, I thought, rolling my eyes.

Eddward shook his head, sitting up from his seat and lifting his dishes, "Oh, come now; your son is a gentleman! One simply becomes lax in their own home, and forgets such things. I am no better than him, I assure you," his fake smile pointed my way, but my eyes saw the actor behind them.

I bit back a scathing reply, reminding myself that he wasn't faking this all just to one-up me. Honestly, he probably didn't even realize how insignificant he was making me feel around my family. I just played my part, shrugging with a partial smirk as I sauntered off into the living room, plopping down onto the couch as my mom and Eddward continued to talk.

I found the fabric of the couch pretty damn entertaining while I listened in on their pointless conversation, but I didn't really feel welcome. It was only a matter of minutes before the click of heels made its way out of the kitchen, my mom in tow.

"So sorry to make you wait, Kevin, but your mother is an absolutely delightful woman, and I found myself engrossed in our conversation, at your expense."

"Yeah, it's fine," I smiled at him habitually, pushing myself up from the boredom that was the couch...and my arm bumped into his as I stood. I muttered an apology under my breath, trying not to react to the fact I'd made physical contact with him around my parents.

He took it in stride.

"No worries, Kevin. Now, what would you like for us to do, now that our evening is free?"

I furrowed my brow, not sure how to answer, "Uhh, whatever you want I guess."

"Well, perhaps we could discuss the upcoming lesson for our English class? I am certain I have the materials at home, if you'd be so obliged as to join me in a study session."

I looked over to my mom, unable to read her expression, "I mean, if that's fine?"

"I...can't see why not, Kevin. I'm proud of you for looking ahead in life. Just try to be home before it gets too late, and take a spare key just in case we go to bed early, alright?"

"I hope it will not be a burden on anyone for me to have your son over this late; I've already taken enough from your family after partaking in that scrumptious meal."

My mom laughed, and I could almost see disbelief behind her eyes, "No no, it's quite alright, dear. You two go and have a fun time studying then!"

I left so quick, I forgot to shut the door.

"Was your mother's presence truly that grating?" I inquired, admiring the frustrated slump of my Little Red's shoulders as he skulked off towards my home, across the street.

"No, ...I mean," he huffed, "it wasn't her, it was-" He stopped his speech, movement tripping up.

"Moi?" I finished, coming beside him with a few clicks upon the asphalt.

His eyes were fixed upon the cul-de-sac, little pieces of it glinting in the setting sun, "Not...I mean, he wasn't really you…"

We stood there, immobile in our thoughts, but he did not finish his description before he moved on. I blinked away by disappointment, but followed after him, my stride careful and silent.

He went around back, locating the key and unlocking the door; I wasn't certain of his intentions, but I allowed it. Whatever gave mon Petit Loup contentment, I supposed. However, he did not move to relock the door once we had entered, and thus, I turned to-

I felt his arms encircle me, pausing me in the act. I stumbled my fingers forward to click the lock, before closing my eyes, trying to regain myself after the unexpected action.

I cleared my throat lightly, trying not to betray any reaction, "...Mmm?"

"Edd…"

I chill ran up my spine, but it was immediately countered by the warmth against my back. Breath spilled over the hairs of my neck, and I winced, trying my best not to surrender to the comfort I was feeling. I closed my eyes, centering myself.

"Kevin," my voice intruded on the silence of the room, "pray tell why you have me held as such?"

A mumbled voice crept out against the skin of my neck, "I wanted to…"

The sentence hung.

"Yes? To…?"

He shifted, his ear turning to rest against my shoulder, "I wanted to listen."

"To what?" I held myself stiff, waiting his response. He took his time, but I didn't let him win.

"To...listen to your heart, ...beating," his voice trailed off meekly, a squeeze tugging me back as I focused on reality.

"Little Red, there's little to no reason for-"

He started to speak, but his voice caught; it still gave me pause. I felt him breathing, each attempt to speak coupled by a held breath...that collapsed over my spine. My eyes closed, and despite my best attempts, I existed within his embrace for a moment. Each stuttered attempt was endearing, and I felt I could let myself lose the game so long as he didn't realize we were playing. He was too focused on whatever this was.

Whispered words came forth, but I didn't understand them; I could feel his frustration.

With a few more wordless movements of his lips and tongue, he finally found his voice, and spoke.

"Je...t-t-tem, too…"

I found myself at a loss for words; lips parted, body gone slack. I found myself shaking my head imperceptibly, my tongue at the roof of my mouth, teasing at the word.

"I know you...know what that means," the weak words hummed against my back, and I felt my cheeks begin to warm.

You can never love me, my Little Red; never. Do not say that.

My lips closed, and I stood still in his hold.

"I know you said it earlier...I just, I couldn't get out the words, wasn't sure you'd even said it, but I," a shaky breath, and his grip tightened, "I do, Edd."

I stared at the floor, breathing unevenly as my mind yelled aloud. Do not love me, I do not deserve it. My love is concern, it is nothing more, do not return it, do not know of it. I will shatter you, and you'll never be the beautiful creature you deserve to be…

"...No.."

I felt him jump at my word, only to be embraced tighter. I cringed.

"Edd," the sweet, rasped voice spoke quietly through me, and I felt myself losing to the sensation, "I want to know you…"

No windows could see us; he planned this. Do not…

Pillowy lips swept over my lower neck, and my mouth parted again. I closed my eyes, the sensation drawing air from my lungs in a slow, hushed gasp. My mind spoke despite myself, and I found his name just barely passing my lips. He heard it anyways.

He didn't respond, instead letting his lips travel upwards, sipping at my neck. I raised my hand, palm planting against the closed door in front of me as I held myself up. My free hand clenched.

"I've wanted to be this close for a while, but you never let me," smoke tinged his voice as it blew into my ear, "always, 'can't do this' or 'forget that,' but I'm tired of waiting, Edd."

His treasonous hands slipped over my ribs, linking over my stomach, before pulling away. The fabric of my shirt stretched under his fingertips, coaxing them to return inwards...but lower. One hand went up, the other down. My mind screamed at me.

"Ne faites pas ça…"

"If I can't understand you, I'm gonna keep going," confusion intoned his voice as I felt another nip at my neck.

"D-" I could not keep the weakness in my voice, "don't, do this…"

His lips ceased movement. The feeling of his breath washing over my neck sent a shudder down my spine.

"Edd," his hand slid upwards, coming to rest near the top left of my chest, "I lov-"

"Don't."

I cut his fragile voice off with a high-pitched squeak of protest, but the sensation in my chest wouldn't go away. He'd almost…

"You said 'je tem,' earlier…"

I sighed defeatedly, "I...say I lot of things I shouldn't, Little Red…"

His arm squeezed tighter around my waist, "Say it again, then...nobody's watching, I want to...to hear…"

I stood there, a broken statue, with my muse hung around me hopelessly. I couldn't shake my head; couldn't answer; couldn't do anything.

An entire minute passed.

His chin came to rest at the crook of my neck, the brim of his hat teasing my own.

I could feel the hesitation in his body, in the way he shook as he held me. His fingers would fidget, his breath betraying his nervousness. All-in-all, I should have been more prepared.

"...Love you, Wolf," he spoke, and I lost my breath.

The hand he had placed over my heart, lifted further, and I felt fingertips touch against my chin. He pushed, and though every piece of my mind screamed to stop him, he had taken hold of my will through the heart in his hand. I liquefied at his touch, allowing him to turn my head into his wanting lips. His pining for me only magnified the kiss, so I turned to continue it.

I gave in.

He must have moved his hat, as the kiss quickly deepened, his hands feeling over the sides of my clothed chest, dipping beneath my jacket.

Our lips parted as he spoke, "I like...how your jacket looks on you, but," he caught me in another, solitary kiss, "right now, it's just in the way."

I could see the smokey look in his eyes, lust brushing over his cheeks, but I couldn't deny how attractive a sight it was. My mind, slowly-losing as it was, pleaded for me to push him away, before he made a mistake with someone like me. My traitorous heart slid my favored jacket off, dropping it by the wall. His tender hands cradled my upper back as Kevin's body pressed to me, and I found my arms acting on their own.

I spoke, "Kevin…"

His colorful eyes greeted mine as he replied in his daze, "Yeah?"

"I've only ever wanted to...hold you, like this...but I could never…"

His brows conveyed his confusion, "But, we've…"

"..." I thought the words, but couldn't say them, instead locking him within my arms, head beside his.

I can tease you for ages, play games of lust and desire...but I want more than your body. I want your heart, your mind, your affections, your worth…

"You're so warm," he mumbled, eyes glancing over to mine, staring into their depths.

I leaned in to place a light kiss at the base of his neck, "For you alone…"

Desperation fed into his voice, "Can you...let me know you, Edd?"

I breathed in deep, staring vacantly at the details of his neck, his hair…

"..." my lips parted, but I had to gather myself, "...Oui, my Little...Red…"

My dears...I suffer from depression. Bipolar II, I'm beginning to think...I'm quite thoroughly fucked genetically, so it could be both, since there's a lot of other things wrong with me. This has kept me from continuing this, mon amies, and I apologize greatly for this.

This has been written, or, I started it back in April...that was around the time the fit hit the shan. I won't trouble you with how, because it's really not relevant. Depression doesn't need logic, it just needs me.

I never finished the chapter; I wrote a little further than this, then broke. I've had a lot of trouble coming back, and decided I owed you guys an explanation. I promised I'd finish this fic, and I will, I just need to...to get better.

This chapter would have been a lot longer, but I need some time to reread and recall my story a tad; not to mention I can't even recall what day of the week this is taking place on. If any of you can tell me, it would be EXTREMELY helpful.

Thank you for your patience. I am only human, after-all.

And I hope, at least...you enjoyed this taste enough to push me to continue. I read every review.

Adieu.

~ Anzel Wolveine