I'm so glad no one hates me for Chapter 9!
But it had to be done to ring in the story.
Yes Dexter is a dick, and I am surprised to use one of my favorite OC's as an ass.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut, this chapter maybe a bit confusing. But it does have a point.
The next day was hell to actually leave the bed. Edd forced himself up and ran both hands through his hair sighing deeply, the night had been terrible, nightmares floored him to his bed and left his pillow tear stained. Those times were over, his life was starting over. Huffing and refusing to let his mind win he stormed to the bathroom for a much needed, scalding hot shower. Dunking his head under the burning water, the man hissed clawing the tile before pulling away the heavy fog clogging his throat as he struggled to change the temperature. When snow like water hit him he backed away till it warmed in just the slightest. Finishing his shower the ravenett dried slowly and cleaned up like he once did as a child. Dressing in easy to wash clothes, knowing he would have to wash them when he returned home so not to get sick himself the male quickly slid into his vans before cooking up some chicken soup for Kellie.
Once across the street he looked to the sky, the light grey clouds promised a chilly rain shower, he would have to make sure to leave before it got too bad. Knocking with his knuckles he held the warm bowl to his chest to keep it warm. Foot steps could be heard before the door opened slowly. "Salutations Kev- You look terrible!" Kevin rolled his darkly circled eyes, his cheeks red from inner heat, and his nose was rubbed raw from tissues. "Yeah because that's what I wan't to hear when I feel like shit." Kevin croaked his throat sounding raw. "I a-apologize, I had heard that Kellie was sick, not you too." Edd's fingers gripped the bowl tightly. "I should make you a bowl of soup as well..." The red head's lip curled up slightly waving his hand. "Actually.." "Daddy! You should be laying down!" Kellie's voice screamed from across the room before she appeared next to his legs forcing the door more open. "Kellie, we had a guest." The adult male smiled down to the clearly angry girl. "Dun matter! Your sick!" Overly dramatically Kevin's shoulders dropped and he gave a sympathetic smile to Edd before disappearing into the house. Edd was stunned before Kellie turned to him smiling. "Sorry Double Dee, Daddy can't play today he caught my cold." With risen eyebrows Edd smiled softly and held out the bowl. "I brought some cold fixing soup, and maybe I could help a bit, have you eaten lunch?" Kellie's eyes grew bright, "Not yet! Daddddddy! Double Dee is coming in!" The girl announced taking Edd's hand pulling him inside just in time to hear Kevin grunt from the living room.
"Kellie, where is the kitchen?" Edd asked looking around the house last time he had only seen the living room. Kellie walked into an opening leading into the kitchen, there was a breakfast bar that looked out to the dinning room, that had a soft glow from the electric chandelier. The table looked highly unused compared to the breakfast bar. Sighing Edd placed the bowl on the counter as he retrieved a clean paper towel and began to clean the counter. "Kellie what would you like to eat?" He asked between scrubs. "Something without carrots!" She commanded tugging her hair that was slightly messy from being in bed. Edd smiled at her and threw away the paper towel. "Come on lets get you in a quick bath while I cook with out carrots. Even though their good for your eye sight." Kellie made a disgusted face, going as far to make a gagged noise. "Nope nope noooooope!" She cried running for the rest room followed by Edd, making sure she was still dressed, he began to run the water changing the temperature till she deemed it okay. She showed off her bath toys till the water was ready, Edd smiled and cut the water leaving the room but keeping the door cracked if she called for anything.
Returning to the kitchen he saw Kevin picking at the bowl like it would bite him. Smacking his hand away causing the red head to jump from surprise frowning at the other. "Hey you said that was for me." The coach pouted towering over Edd who had placed himself between the soup and Kevin. "I said it was for Kellie." The shorter male glared weakly, "Not for some one who pokes at my cooking." Kevin chuckled locking his arms against the counter and caging the raven haired male whose breathing became ragged from the caged feeling, though from the smile that Kevin had Edd was positive both their thoughts were in different places. The placement was so similar to him. With his chest beginning to hammer from his heart he clutched it causing Kevin's eyes to follow and his smile to fall. Pulling back like he had been burned Kevin's eyes studied Edd's form who quickly turned to the counter and took deep breaths and quickly wiped his tears.
Before Kevin could ask questions Edd moved around him to the fridge looking at the food hoping to find something small and quick to make for Kellie. As he pressed closer to the cool air of the fridge to search he was yanked back by his shirt and the fridge door shut before Kevin stood in front of it and Edd. "What was that?" The raw voice was low but the intensity of a yell was there causing Edd to look away. "What ever are you talking about." With down cast eyes Edd removed Kevins hand from his shirt only to have his arm grabbed in a tight grip. Gasping Edd squeezed his eyes tightly and weakly pushed the grip. "P-please." Edd couldn't see Kevin's surprised and confused look as the red head released him. Forcing himself to breath calmly, he flinched back when fingers touched his cheek. "That"s twice." Edd looked up to see Kevin pull back hurt on his face. "That twice you flinched away from me." Blue eyes grew wide as his mouth opened to explain but the words dried on the back of his tongue as Kevin grabbed the bowl and a spoon from the dish rack and with a sad smile waved his spoon and disappeared into the living room.
Tears filled Edd's eyes as he pressed his hand to his mouth. He almost. He was so close. He could have told. Fear raked down his back and he sniffled softly before realizing Kellie would be out soon, wiping his tears with his sleeves ignoring the idea that it was germ infested, he returned to making lunch. While the pasta boiled low on the stove Edd peaked his head in the living room Kevin was laying on the couch his head propped on one couch arm, while his legs curled towards his body, one hand curled under his chin while the other's fingers brushed the carpet. The sight was almost childish and brought a nervous smile to Edd. The TV light was the only light in the room, the clouds outside had become slightly darker, Jeffery stood on the other side of the glass door, his tail wagging at the sight of Double Dee. Edd moved into the living room grabbing the empty bowl before biting his lip at Kevin's flushed face and the sweat on the red head's brow.
Going to the kitchen he grabbed a clean rag soaking up cold water and squeezing out the extra before he stood at the living door wondering if it was a good idea or if he could throw it and just so happen it would land on Kevin's forehead. Who was he kidding with his luck it would hit the wall and cause a picture to fall on Kevin, the sharp edge kills the red head and Kellie becomes an orphan all because Edd is a pansy. Sighing heavily the raven haired boy moved as quietly as he could and with shaking hands he moved to press the rag on the others head. When Kevin grabbed him Edd covered his mouth before he could scream and let his fearful eyes meet Kevin's green ones. "I w-w-was just trying t-to cool you o-off." Edd stuttered tugging at the held hand the grip tightened causing him to whimper, not in pain but in fear. He knew Kevin wasn't going to hit him, but Dexter. He kept seeing Dexter. Dexter, Dexter, Dexter.
With out realizing it Kevin had moved to stand in front of the other, his hand not leaving the others wrist as he brushed Edd's cheek wiping one of the tears that formed there. "Your crying." Kevin said weakly, as Edd only whimpered pulling harder on his arm, but Kevin's grip was a vice. "I'm not holding enough to hurt. Are you scared? Are you scared of me?" The voice was barely a whisper and Edd almost didn't hear it over his pounding heart. Shaking his head no hoping Kevin would release him before he had a panic attack but the grip only pulled him closer to Kevin grabbed the back of his head the warm hand could be felt through the hat. "What are you scared of?" Edd whimpered and sobbed lightly as he shook his hand away finally using his nails to claw at the hand. Kevin hissed into his bangs and yanked him closer releasing his arm you hold him in a merciless hug. Kevin's muscled arms wrapped around his shoulders and the red hair brushed Edd's wet cheek.
"I don't know why you're scared, but please don't be scared of me." Kevin's words were a ghost against Edd's ear, as he sobbed lightly, his entire being shaking now. Worse of all he hated himself for it, he could't help it anymore. Kevin was just being sweet and Edd was acting like this. Kevin began to pull back, his head bowed and looked towards the kitchen. Dropping his hands to his sides he returned to laying on the couch this time chest up placing the forgotten rag on his head. Edd took a deep breath wiping his face and nose with his sleeve he practically ran for the kitchen to finish the home made mac and cheese. A simple meal and something both the red heads could eat.
Kellie came out of the bathroom looking less pale than she had before, her hair still wet and she was now wearing just a large shirt. Edd wondered why she didn't get fully dress but the tired look on her face said she was still not feeling well. Placing her food down he cover the other bit and placed it in the microwave for Kevin later. "Ith's goood." Kellie smiled through her food causing Edd to wave his finger. "Don't talk with your mouth full." The red head blinked and nodded before continuing to eat, humming softly in happiness. When she was done Edd was done with the dishes cleaning hers quickly before sighing at the wet mark her long hair left on her clothes. "Kellie you wont get better with your wet hair." Taking her hand they entered the bathroom, Edd sitting on the toilet seat with a towel as Kellie was turned away. As gently as he could Edd dried the long locks, smiling at the yawns leaving the little girl as she swayed softly.
Done drying he patted her back, "Why don't you take a nap?" The dark hair male offer before Kellie's arms wrapped around his neck and she pressed into him. "Don't hate Daddy." Surprised was the only way to described Edd that moment. "I know he can be a butthead, but he can be really sweet!" The girl was sniffling against Edd's collar as he placed a comforting hand on her back. "I-if he wasn't the angels wo-wouldn't have given me to-to him." Smiling softly Edd squeezed the girl in his arms softy. "I don't hate your dad Kellie." "But you were crying! I heard you!" The dark haired male felt his heart break placing his chin on her head as his hand rubbed soothing circles on her back. "I was scared of something." The girl sniffed loudly still hiding against Edd's chest, "Is it gone now?" She hiccuped against him. "N-not yet. But maybe one day." Kellie nodded pulling away and sniffed again before Edd cleaned her face with a bit of tissue paper. "Daddy will protect you, just like he's protecting me from the angels, he will protect you." Kellie sniffed wiping her cheeks with her hands before hugging the other once more and running out the door. Edd looked at the mirror and sighed. I'm not scared of angels. I fear the devil himself.
Yes I know Edd is a bit odd in this Chapter.
But fear makes you crazy. Kevin does feel like he is to blame.
Being Edd's childhood bully, its understandable he would feel guilty.
Buuuuuut things will come to a head soon.
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THEY ARE MY CRACK!