Hey guys!
Yup I'm back and with a whole new chapter. I've been so busy working with With Grace & Civility that I think it's frying my brain. So I took a mild break to work on this. I still love this story myself but at nearly 6k words a chapter it also works as a good stress reliever. I know you've guys have been waiting for this so I'm not gonna bother with much commentary.
Enjoy!
While Kevin wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, let it never be said he didn't know how to put on a show. The man couldn't pass an algebra test to save his life but boy did he look good in surfer shorts and sandals. He worked out for more than just his health and with his high metabolism it was no wonder every ounce he gained was earned in fabulous miles of muscle. Beneath sun kissed flesh danced toned tendons, stretching and fluttering just under his skin like a butterfly in flight. If Edd were being honest with himself, it was hard for him to ignore the way Kevin's stomach rolled, muscles tensing in time with every powerful step in his stride.
The young man walked confidently, his nose tipped up at the world as if to say 'come at me bro' in that ever cocky countenance of his.
The sockhead's gaze faltered often, shifting from the road ahead of them to the soft rippled pecks that seemed to taunt him with their very presence. The jock's arms and legs were just as fit as his center, firm like marble when engaged yet incredibly pliable when lax. And he would know. Those had been the very arms that saved him from his fall just days before.
Not a bad fall but one that had the potential to be nasty. A miscalculation had nearly sent the sockhead plummeting to the ground from the ceiling. His foot had slipped out from under him, his grip much too at ease to catch him in time. He should have known better than to allow himself to be so distracted but with Kevin's eyes watching his every move the dork had found it difficult to perform even the simplest of tricks. Somewhere near the beginning he had forgotten just what he had been doing and in the end had paid for his convenient aberration.
Luckily Kevin had been there to catch him, feet moving before his brain could process the body falling like a stone in water. He had tucked the dork against his chest like a football and rolled across the floor out of the way of the pole just in time. They landed against the far wall with a loud and Edd could have sworn his heart was about to jack hammer right out of his chest cavity. If someone were to ask how it felt being held in Kevin's arms Edd would say it was like being wrapped in the arms of an angel. A red haired, strong armed angel with a smirk the size of Canada plastered to his face.
"Could you be any more troublesome dork?"
Edd never blushed so hard in his life. Rule one in any sport: PAY ATTENTION! He was utterly embarrassed and thanked Kevin profusely once more, making the red-head's grin widened. While he batted the sockhead's appreciation away Edd secretly wondered if Kevin adored the praise. It was hard not to notice how Kevin's chest rose with what he suspected to be pride.
"Don't sweat it dork." Kevin said as they came to a cross walk.
Kevin had opted to ride his bike with Edd to the convention, while said ebony beauty jogged beside him. Kevin of course was having his own troubles. It was becoming growingly difficult to resist the urge to glance to his left where Edd was running in perfect time. Because Kevin biked rather fast the double dork had to pick up the pace just to keep up, and frankly he was impressed. The very same kid who whimpered during dodgeball and avoided everything having to do with physical activity was skating over a mile's worth of foot traffic like it was nothing. His blue eyes were firm and focused, his brow slightly pinched at the center of his forehead in complete concentration. For reasons escaping logic it filled Kevin with the strong urge to bend down and steal a kiss.
The dork was cute as a bookworm but as an athlete? Oh don't even get him started. Popping a boner now only serve to embarrass him and riding a bike with a stiffy was horribly uncomfortable.
And yes. He would know.
They were a good block or so from their destination when Edd signaled Kevin to pull off to the side. To keep from running into a woman with a stroller Kevin hopped right off the curb and cruised right back onto to the side walk. Edd was leaning over a white picket fence, a hand at his chest and heaving for air. Kevin's red brows pinched together and he was immediately his side.
"Hey, Double D? You ok?"
The dark haired dancer nodded, his chest rising and falling rather quickly. "Yes." He said under his breath. "I'm fine."
The jock crossed his arms. He wasn't buying it. "I think you're lying to me."
Edd merely waved his hand, pushing himself up from the fence. "Don't be ridiculous."
He inhaled deeply, feeling heat flood his face. The truth was that he was exhausted but they didn't have that much further to go. The convention was just a stone's throw away and he was eager to get there on time. The other students in his dance class would be arriving within the hour and he had promised to be there early to help the instructor with her stand. As a self-proclaimed health nut Edd had been more than happy to offer his assistance in organizing pamphlets. She even promised to give him her VIP card to certain aspects of the convention typically off limits to standard guests as thanks for his help. He was excited. There had been rumors going around about a new pole being on the market and a handful of professionals in the 'pole athletics', as some called it, would be in attendance.
Kevin didn't hover over him but his eyes swept over the sockhead's face with a knowing look. The jock pursed his lips, kicking up away from the fence.
"You're fatigued dude."
Edd shook his head and Keing rolled his eyes.
"Oh come off it and sit down." He pointed to a bus stop bench. "Just take a breather. Your body is overheating."
Had he the breath to argue Edd would have stood there and done just that, but his heart was thumping a good million miles an hour and sitting down sounded so heavenly. He plopped with an unceremonious grunt, his head falling back over the back rest as he felt his legs turn to jelly and finally give out on him. Seems he was much more tired than expected.
Kevin's eyes strayed over the slender column of the nerd's neck, green orbs glistening in appreciation over the slight curve of his Adams apple. Hoping to distract himself the jock stepped over to his bike and unhooked his water bottle from the frame. He tested the water himself before handing it over.
"Wet your whistle with that. Oh and make sure to take small-"
The bottle was now half empty. Edd licked up the drops that had fallen past his lips, using his arm to wipe the rest off his chin. He grinned sheepishly, capping the bottle once more. Already he was feeling 50% better.
Kevin's brows hit the top of his head. "Damn dude. Didn't you drink some water before we left?"
Eddward glanced at the floor between his feet. "W-well I sort of forgot to. I didn't mean to. I just was far too ecstatic to remember. My apologies."
Kevin sighed, a smirk making its way across his freckled face. "Idiot."
Edd smiled, his gaze glancing away. It felt more like a pet name than an insult anymore. Though he had to wonder, when did Kevin turn out to be such a thoughtful, caring… oh he wasn't sure what to call him. A pale? A friend?
Perhaps.
Kevin had told them they were cool and he had wanted to ditch and hang out after school hours. So did this really mean he wanted to extend his hand in companionship? The thought both frightened and enthralled him. A new friend. How joyous! But with someone like Kevin Barr? His bully from grade school? Again, the very idea was preposterous. Lunacy. And devilishly delightful. It filled his heart with something akin to fire, breathing to life a spark of something new. Something unsuspecting- terrifying, and yet so beautiful.
After all it had to mean something that Kevin was coming along with him to the convention. Right? Edd had invited him along to make up for missing their original plans and to his surprise the jock had been eager to accept, making Edd promise not to go back on his word.
"After all I did save your life." Kevin had teased, turning Edd's face beet red. Oh yes. So humble. Rather reminded him of a certain friend whom he chose not to think about at that moment. No, Kevin and Eddy were as different as night and day. Where Eddy was selfish… well ok Kevin could be a little selfish as well. He did steal their lunch money on more than one occasion as kids. But Eddy was entirely obnoxious. Always thinking about himself and… Er, ok, so Kevin could be so too but not to the extent of the scammer! Kevin would be confident where Eddy refused, facing his problems head on and owning up his mistakes when proven wrong. He even had a tender heart, consoling broken sockheads and moving past his prejudices against nerds just to make a dweeb like him feel cared for. Using his body as a wall to protect him from the slings and arrows of Eddy's cruel words. Pressing their chests together-
Edd's mouth quickly dried and before he could think to stop himself he downed the rest of Kevin's water. Edd's cheeks threatened to burn red once more. He was stumbling over his thoughts once again. That's quite enough of that.
Kevin smiled when he handed the now empty bottle back, both standing as Edd felt his energy returning to him in a snap.
"Feeling better?"
Edd nodded, stretching his arms above his head. "Much. Thank you."
Kevin grabbed the rim of his hat and adjusted it, a big smile stretched across his face. "Cool. But when you take off make sure not to over exert yourself. Find a steady pace and signal me if you're about to drop again."
Double D snorted, rubbing the bottom of his nose in indignation. "I can keep up just fine."
The jock smirked, hopping back up onto his bike. "You know I could always give you a ride there. It'd be much faster." He said, petting his handle bars.
Edd purposely turned his back on Kevin to hide the blush creeping up his neck. "N-no need. I'm perfectly capable of continuing."
Kevin nodded, not feeling snubbed in the least. He actually liked the idea of watching the dork run. Would it be crazy of him to admit it was actually soothing? Seeing the dweeb in such a new light was like seeing a whole new person. Sure the dork was still there under all that cool he was emitting but, damn, Kevin liked this. He liked it a lot.
The rest of the way there was spent is blissful silence. Edd jogged with the sound of Kevin's bike riding over branches and dirt and Kevin's ears will filled with the pound of the sockhead's footsteps. They both felt as peace in one another's presence. Edd had taken Kevin's advice and found a steady pace. While it was a little slower he knew at this rate he'd make it there with plenty of breath to spare. His heart nearly skipped a beat as the convention came into view, the parking lot and its parking structure filled to the brim with excited guests and vehicles. They stopped at one of the conveniently placed bike racks near the entrance, by passing parking entirely, and stood outside the dome shaped hall. Edd's blue eyes were wide, his hands clutched the front of his shirt as he bounced agerly from one foot to the other. Kevin watched him, his energy leaking into the jock and the two made their way inside.
A dozen tables were place side by side with men and women on the other side accepting and giving tickets to events. Kevin took the tickets out from his pockets and they slipped their lanyards on. They were able to bypass the check in station as well, Edd's helping with the instructor's stands having granted him early access. The guests wouldn't be flooding in until noon so he had a good half hour to help before the people came rushing in. Goodness you'd think it was an anime convention or something of that sort.
Taking Kevin's wrist Edd rushed them through the doors and into the convention hall where most of the other stands were already in place. He spotted his instructor nearby, a muscle bound female with short black hair and soft brown eyes. She was currently trying to organize her papers but was making more of a mess than she had anticipated. Chuckling softly Edd made his way over to her quickly, greeting in hi usual polite way, completely missing the look of shock that had overcome Kevin's face. He'd grabbed his wrist. Just a few inches lower and he would have grabbed my hand.
"Greetings Ms. Garcia."
The caramel colored woman paused in her work, turning a beaming smile in her pupil's direction. "Eddward! I'm so happy you came. Would you mind?" She asked, papers slipping from her hands.
"Of course."
With quick speed and precision Edd was somehow able to organize all of the instructor's stand. He even commissioned Kevin to assist by making sure the top of the stand was sturdy enough to stand. By the single wobbly leg he nearly bumped into Kevin didn't think so and took it upon himself to fix it.
"Oh thank you boys so much!" She said, pulling Edd in for hug, her accent thick.
Kevin merely shook her hand, not quite up to hugging strangers. Especially in spandex shorts and sports bras.
"And who is this handsome man?" She asked winking in Edd's direction. "Aye, he's very strong. Good firm hand shake."
Kevin felt his cheeks lighten. "Thanks ma'am."
"And so polite too! Edd why didn't you ever tell me about this boy? Hm?"
Edd's face burned and this time Kevin was witness to it, smirking in some other direction to keep the dork from going off on a tangent.
"A-apologies Ms. Garcia. T-this is my…" Edd bit his lip, suddenly finding something about the carpet so enthralling that his mouth fell back shut.
Catching on Kevin threw his arm around Edd's shoulders, tucking him in close. The dork gave a tiny gasp, the warmth of the jock's body immediately captivating him and Kevin's hand came to rest gently on his shoulder.
"I'm Edd's friend. Kevin."
Edd's eyes widened. He didn't even use his nickname, but rather his full name.
Carol smiled. "Well it's always good to meet Edd's friend. The last two, oi, troublesome those two are."
Edd pouted. "Not entirely. They can be a bit rambunctious at times I admit but-"
"You talking about the two dweebs?" Kevin asked, all amusement draining from his face. "Ugh. Those two. I don't know who I'd rather listen to; a mute man giving a speech are those two."
Eddward gaped. "Kevin!"
Carol laughed out loud, her hands on her hips. "I like this kid. He's funny." She elbowed Edd in the gut and winked. "He's a keeper you know."
Edd bit so hard into his lip he thought he might have broken skin. "Ms. Garcia I apologize for that. So rude."
The jock snickered, following Carol's lead. "Oh come on lighten up. It was funny."
Double D crossed his arms. "Hardly Kevin Barr. Hardly."
Rolling his eyes Kevin took his arm back from over Edd's shoulders, the dork immediately mourning the loss of his touch.
"Come on kid. You said there was something you wanted to show me?"
Edd immediately perked up. "Oh yes. Ms. Garcia would you mind if we had the VIP ticket you promised?"
The older woman nodded, fishing through her purse and handing over two cards. "My husband couldn't come so here is an extra one for you darling." She said placing one into Kevin's hand. "You two have fun ok? Go to the best booths before everyone else. They open their doors soon you know."
Nodding his head Edd thanked Ms. Garcia for her tickets and they made their way into the fray. Some of the early entry gusts had been let in already, the rest waiting at the doors, so Kevin and Edd were able to visit plenty of the stands in time. Many of the stands were dietary and work out plans. Activities and demonstrations geared towards those with active life styles and Kevin found himself appealing to the convention more than he had anticipated. When Edd first invited Kevin along the jock had been hesitant. Pole dancing wasn't his thing but if Edd was going… well who was he to say no? Besides this was a chance to catch up on missed time together. It almost took him by surprise. So much so he had jumped the gun without really thinking about it. Even if it turned out he didn't like the convention at all he didn't think he was going to regret being there.
Edd smiled up at him and Kevin grinned back.
No, not one bit.
Edd was handed a flyer with big yellow print on it when Kevin's elbow bumped into his back. Edd hadn't been expecting it and glanced up over his shoulder at the jock. His attention was elsewhere, green eyes sweeping over the many guests and stands. Edd's breath caught in his throat and for a split second the world had come to a stuttering halt. Kevin's face was shaven clean, his wife beater hanging over the waistband of his surfer shorts. His waist was small but thickened by muscle, much like the rest of his body. His neck, his shoulders, and his face, they all seemed chiseled from marble; every curve smooth. Every point on target.
The flyer in his hand slipped from out of his grasp, left forgotten on the display table. His belly rumbled but he was neither hurting nor hungry. His insides felt tickled, his heart stammering about as he continued to stare.
No wonder so many girls pined after him. He was like a god amongst them, an excellent athlete with popularity rocketing off the charts. His charisma was close to hypnotizing and now Edd understood what Nazz was talking about when she gushed on and on about her boyfriend. Kevin was incredibly handsome.
Oh goodness. Edd bit into the side of his cheek. I shouldn't be thinking such things. He's… He sighed. I'm completely out of his league.
Kevin turned his attention back to Edd upon hearing him breathe so heavily. There was a hazed look in his eyes. A foggy like substance dimming their natural shine and Kevin rose a brow out of curiosity.
"Ejoying the view?"
Edd's eyes widened. Whoops. Got caught staring.
"O-oh. Yes. Er, I mean no! Uh-" Edd held ah and up to his lips, hiding the crooked grin that split across his lips. "Apologies."
Kevin waved his hand. "Oh please. Stare all you want. With guns like these who wouldn't?"
Kevin made a display of flexing his arms and Edd couldn't help but chuckle. Kevin did so again, ooh and awing over his own body and Edd couldn't stop the stream of laughter that burst forth.
"Oh Kevin you are too much." Edd chuckled, wiping away a tear. "I can only imagine what Nazz thinks."
Kevin's smile tightened. "Heh. Yeah. She enjoys it."
He immediately turned around, not wanting to think long of his, he swallowed, girlfriend. Ugh, why did that word sound so wrong on his tongue? He didn't dislike girls. If the magazines he kept hidden in his room were any clue- he liked them a lot. And it had nothing to do with Nazz either. She was fun to hang around with so-
Looking at Edd he felt his stern smile ease.
So it had everything to do with Edd.
"Are you hungry?" Edd asked, breaking Kevin's train of thought.
The jock hummed to himself, looking around. "Yeah sure. I could use a bite but I don't see any food stands around here."
Edd shrugged. "As a new rule in the hall they moved all their food court to the building next door. I do believe there is an open café there. Would you care to join me and sample their selections?"
Kevin grinned, snaking his arm back over Edd's shoulders. "What are we waiting for? Let's stuff our guts."
Edd bit into his lip and snickered, leading the way. "Onward then?"
The cafeteria in the next building over was a maze of food stands, ranging from the ethic variety to the traditional burger and fries. There were a lot of people in attendance and many of the lines had backed up into the sitting area. Not wanting to bother with the circus of people Kevin and Edd opted for the tiny café in the corner. They had a few patrons scattered about, most with coffee and pastries that simply looked divine.
Edd ordered a salad but Kevin was starving. Seriously didn't this kid ever eat? It was a big ol' burger for him with a heaping mound of fries. The calories he'd burn on a daily basis made up plenty for his poor diet. His coach had insisted he stick to proteins but eh, why not have all the trappings? Oh and a soda to go with that. The dork stuck to water. Lame.
"So," Eddward began after they spent five minutes hunting for an available seat. "How do you like the convention so far?"
Kevin shrugged. "I'll be honest. It wasn't what I was expecting."
Edd blinked up at him. "How so?"
"Well," Kevin rubbed the bridge of his nose. How to say this without being too crass…
"Where are the short skirts?"
Double D nearly spat his water out. "P-Pardon?"
Kevin snickered, handing him a napkin. "I mean I know you said it was a sport but wow. I was totally expecting a bunch of hot babes to be strutting around in bikinis or something like that."
Or something like that, Kevin's mind wandered. He so was NOT about to admit he'd been looking forward to the babes. Not even of the hot male variety; though, there were plenty enough of them there to make up for the missing panty shots he'd been digging to see. Crotch shots? No need to judge the spectator in this.
Eddward barked in laughter, the sound filling the jock's ears like music. "Oh my no. Not here." He said mixing his salad about.
Kevin pursed his lips, looking only slightly disappointed. "Why not?"
Edd took the first bite of his salad, humming appreciatively at the tang of the dressing that coated his tongue. Kevin couldn't deny that he liked the sound of it.
"Well if you must know we of this particular activity have a certain finesse we must adhere to."
"Finesse?" Kevin asked awkwardly. "What's that mean?"
"Well it means we hold ourselves to a certain criteria to out rank any insinuation that pole dancing is anything but a sport."
Realization dawned in Kevin's eyes. "Oh. Like, in clubs or music videos?"
"Don't even get me started." Edd huffed over the end of his straw. "What could those videos possibly suggest other than what is being presented?"
Kevin cocked his head, popping a french fry into his mouth. "Ok. So what's being presented?"
Edd shuddered. "Women and men gallivanting in their underwear. This is a sport, a personal recreation. Not an event for wolves to gather and howl."
Kevin hummed in contemplation.
"Furthermore, how are we as dancers going to achieve respect in the athletics world if others subject themselves to these tacky displays? I for one can't stand the thought of it."
Kevin hummed some more, leaning back in his seat. He chewed his food slowly, thoughtfully, watching the dork rant to his heart's content.
"I for one do not strip as they would. Yes we are required to relinquish certain garments for the purpose of the gripping the pole, purely for tactile reasons and not aesthetics, but never to dehumanize ourselves. They extort themselves and the people who watch them. Their vulgarity earns them praise in all the wrong senses and that propaganda is what I intend to stay as far away from as humanly possible."
"Have you ever thought," Kevin interjected. "That maybe you're being a little too harsh on the critics?"
Edd frowned. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."
"Well think about it." Kevin scratched at his hair line. "You dancers have to do all that flexibility training right? Well so do the girls in those vids you're complaining about. They had to learn it from somewhere."
Edd shook his head. "It isn't the same."
"Oh?" Kevin was curious. "How so?"
"Well for starters those videos depict a generation of under aged individuals who propagate an ill portrait of our sport. We're dancers, not sex mongers." Edd sounded genuinely offended, jutting his plastic fork into his salad as if it had somehow dishonored him. "The way people portray our sport as if it is some desperate cry for negative attention. It turns my stomach just to think about it."
Kevin rubbed his fingers over his chin, feeling baby smooth skin rather than his usual teenage stubble.
"But where do you think your sport originated?"
Edd had stuck his fork in his mouth when he paused. Well, he hadn't thought of that before.
Kevin continued. "I mean, yeah it's cool you can get fit doing that. I could run miles around you but ask me to do the splits in the air and you can just forget it. But to diss its history like pole dancing is something new doesn't make sense."
Edd set his fork down, eyes now dancing with intrigue.
"I understand why you'd be pissed at the ignorance surrounding it. Rumors suck hard core, especially when you've got the potential for something to be great only to be ridiculed at every turn. But nah. Don't diss it. Embrace it."
Kevin clicked his tongue against the roof of his moth, staring straight ahead into Eddward's eyes.
"Didn't you say dancing made you feel confident or free, or something like that? Can't your sport be, I don't know, sexy too? I mean sexy ain't bad. I like my fair share of showmanship in these cases."
Edd's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. It was surprising to say the least but Kevin had a point. Where his sport originated could be argued but the rep surrounding it currently was rather negative. Negative enough to drive the ones who enjoy it to discriminate its own history and others who took part in the less dressed aspects of it. Claiming what he had just a moment ago was the equivalent to the U.S. History books ignoring every battle that led to the nation's configuration. Asinine.
"The purpose of our elected activity is to feel freedom." Edd went on to say after a thoughtful moment. "The freedom to be as open with our bodies and minds as we want. Whether that is to feel like one is receiving a decent work out or-" He smiled bashfully. "To feel quote on quote 'sexy'."
Kevin smiled. "No better way to do it right?"
Edd chuckled, shaking his head. "No I suppose not." He packaged up the remainder of his salad, his smile still breaming bright on his face. "You are quite the conversationalist Kevin Barr. I never would have thought to peg you for one."
The jock slapped his chest. "What can I say? I've got skills."
"Skills enough to cheat on your girlfriend?"
Kevin's face immediately drained of its color. Edd's gaze snapped up in an instant, recognition glossing over in his eyes.
"Nazz!"
"In the flesh." The blond giggled. "I see you boys have fun." Said girl walked up to Kevin's chair, leaning down to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Haha! Sure scared you didn't I?"
Kevin swore his heart stopped beating for just a second.
"I am surprise to see you here." Edd said, dragging open the closest available chair. "I wasn't expecting you to show up after… well, you know."
Nazz twirled her finger in her hair and scooted the chair closer to Kevin. Under the table her hand reached over for his, fingers grasping the jock's in a gentle hold.
"Yeah I know. I didn't think I'd show up either but the girls in my cheer squad told me I needed to get out of the house or something." At that she sighed, her lips twitching this way and that. "Besides Ms. Garcia called and wanted to know why I skipped out on practice the other day. I couldn't tell her about what happened at school or else she would have gone ballistic."
Edd nodded. "Yes of course. I was worried you wouldn't return. Practice just wouldn't be the same without you."
"Awe you were worried about me? That's sweet." Nazz giggled softly. "Well. You know. Shit happens and it just so happens to be named Eddy at this point. Not much can be done about that now."
Kevin huffed, stealing back his hand in order to cross them over his chest. Did she really, really have to bring that dweeb up? He did not miss how the light in Edd's eyes dimmed, his happy smile floating downwards into a scowl. Damnit. Thanks a lot Nazz. They were JUST having a good time when she had to show up. Of all the people in all the places!
Eddward nodded, glaring down at the table top. "I couldn't agree with you more." His fingers clasped into a fist. "I couldn't agree with you more."
Nazz shrugged. "Live and let learn I guess. Hey. You going to finish your salad?"
He shook his head. "No. Here help yourself."
"Thanks buddy." She smiled, peeling back the lid. "You're a life saver."