Forget-Me-Not 10
The rest of the ride had been less fun, with everyone more on edge and cautious, except for Ed, of course, and Edd, who was still trying to process what they had told him.
"So…giant rats?" he asked slowly. Kevin nodded, his and Edd's interlaced hands on his lap, stroking Edd's knuckles and fiddling with his slender fingers.
"It was nasty," Eddy said next to them, "I just hope they didn't have rabies or something."
"Oh God, just the thought of it makes me feel all gross inside," Nazz said, rubbing her arms. Edd agreed with her.
"I'm glad I was asleep through the experience," he said turning to Kevin, "Thank you for carrying me out." He smiled shyly and lowered his head, still embarrassed after Eddy had told him Kevin kissed his cheek while he was asleep. Kevin wasn't as embarrassed anymore. He lifted Edd's hand and kissed his knuckles. Edd's face flared up, making the redhead grin widely.
"You're welcome, Angel," he said as he laid their hands back on his lap and continued stroking Edd's knuckles. Edd kept his head down, afraid he might burst into flames if he looked Kevin in the eye. Nat leaned forward and rested his between Kevin and Edd's.
"Getting bolder with your moves there, buddy," he said with a raised eyebrow, "If you keep that up, I might just ask you for tips," he snickered.
"Shut up, Nat," Kevin said, trying to shove Nat's head back playfully. Nat laughed and leaned back in his seat.
"So how much longer 'til we get there, Nazz?" Eddy asked with a bored expression. They passed a sign and Nazz sat straight up.
"Well that sign we just passed said 1 more mile, so…" Nazz grinned.
"Guys, I think that's the beach over there!" Sarah pointed towards the ocean line half a mile to their side. The others immediately perked up and tried to get a look.
"Whoa, I can see the sea!" he grinned widely, then faltered when several of the others gave him questioning looks. "It sounded funnier in my head," he muttered under his breath.
When the van was finally parked, everyone got out excitedly. It was almost noon, so they wasted no time and looked for a spot to set up their stuff. They found a great one just beside a cliff, providing them with the perfect scenery and shade. The girls, and Jimmy, quickly fled to the restrooms to change into their bikinis and put on sunscreen, and Jonny and Ed disappeared into the water, leaving behind a trail of clothes for Edd to pick up later. Kevin laid down the blankets while Rolf and Edd held their food baskets. Eddy looked around.
"Look at all these babes without their boyfriends," Eddy said as he took off his shirt, revealing his hard abs.
"Over there, Eddy," Nat said, tilting his head to a couple of girls who were watching Eddy undress. "Those girls are checking you out, man," he said, impressed. Eddy smirked at them and they giggled.
"I may be shorter than you guys, but I'm still hotter than any of you," he teased the other boys, then turned to Edd with a grin. "Joining the mixed martial arts team was the best thing you ever convinced me to do, Double D," he whispered as he leaned in just enough so only Edd could hear him. Edd shrugged.
"You needed an outlet, Eddy. It was either that or anger management classes," he said teasingly. Eddy scoffed then looked around once more.
"What's taking Nazz so long? I need her to help me pick up chicks," he said looking towards the restrooms. Nat pat his shoulder after he was done stripping as well.
"If ya need a wing-man, ya got one right here," he said, wiggling his eyebrows. Eddy rolled his eyes.
"Whatever man, come on," he said as he slicked back his hair, then walked towards the two girls with Nat beside him. Edd watched them and smiled to himself.
"Double D-Ed boy, the sheets have been laid," Rolf called out. Edd looked back to respond, but his voice got caught in his throat. Kevin was only a few feet away, his midriff exposed as he lifted his shirt over his head. His muscles flexed, and Edd couldn't look away. After the shirt was off, Kevin finally noticed him staring. He smirked.
"Like what you see?" he teased, exaggerating his arm-flexing. Edd gasped and lifted the basket to cover his reddened face.
"I- I didn't mean to stare," he stuttered. Kevin chuckled. God, can he be any cuter? He took the basket from Edd and put in down, keeping one of the genius' hands in his. He looked back at Edd, who was averting his eyes.
"Hey, I like it when you stare at me," Kevin continued to tease, his hand moving further up Edd's arm. "So you can stare for as long as you want, Angel." He leaned in close, his hand rubbing up to Edd's elbow, making the other feel very bothered. "I only ask that you let me do the same." Kevin smirked at Edd's reaction, then gave him a small kiss on his forehead. He let go of Edd to pick up his discarded shirt and put it into his backpack. Edd finally let go of the breath he's been holding.
"Well, I- I suppose that would be fair," he said without really thinking about it. When he realized what he said, he quickly glanced up at the redhead nervously before averting his eyes. Oh, how I pray the day that I get used to this would come sooner! He heard Kevin chuckle, then his breath hitched when one of Kevin's large hands touched his jacket's zipper.
"Your turn," he said with a grin. Edd looked up at him pleadingly. Kevin stopped. "What? You're not planning on keeping this thing on the whole day, are you?" Kevin asked. Edd gulped. That was the plan, yes. Kevin could read the expression on Edd's face. He gave a light laugh. "You'll overheat, ya know, and that would totally ruin our first date," he said with a smirk. Edd's eyes widened. First date? First date?!He felt ready to combust in the heat of the sun, in his stuffy jacket, and in Kevin's presence. He swallowed hard, then slowly unzipped his jacket. Kevin watched.
"This will suffice," he said nervously when the jacket was fully unzipped, but he didn't take it off. Kevin stared, a look of mild surprise on his face. Edd folded his arms instinctively. "Wh- What is it, Kevin?"
"Nothing, just-" Kevin said quickly as he took Edd's hands in his, "I was so not expecting that!" He stared at Edd's exposed midriff, impressed at what was hidden under all those smart clothes. "I mean, look at you! You're toned!"
"Um, no, no- uh, not really, no." Edd felt panicked and slouched to hide his body, even just a little. Kevin kept a wide grin and pulled him upright and closer. He put his hands on Edd's waist and watched him look up in even more panic. He brushed his nose against Edd's.
"You're so cute," he whispered. Edd gulped.
"I- I think we- you have established that already," he stammered, eyes locked with Kevin's, unable to look away, or pull away. Kevin stared right back into his eyes, and he could feel himself get pulled in closer. He closed his eyes slowly, and Edd could feel himself doing the same, but just as their lips barely touched, they were (of course) interrupted.
"Where's Eddy?" Nazz asked, looking around for the other, then froze when she saw Kevin and Edd tense up, faces red and noses touching. "Oh my God, did you just kiss?!" she squealed. Kevin moved away from the very embarrassed Edd, but still held tightly to his hand.
"We would have if you hadn't interrupted us," he huffed. Edd put up his hood to hide his reddened face and looked everywhere but the two. Nazz giggled an apology and stuffed her clothes into her bag.
"So where is Eddy?" she asked again. Kevin pointed to where Eddy and Nat were talking to a couple of girls.
"Over there trying to pick up girls with Nat as his wing-man," he said. Nazz mock-gasped.
"That traitor! I was supposed to be his wing-man!" She took her sunglasses from her bag and stomped towards the other two boys. Kevin watched her go, then turned to Edd when he felt a tug at his arm.
"Kevin, please release my hand," he whispered, "people are staring." He kept his head low to hide his face. Kevin looked around and noticed a few people looking at them then looking away. Edd tried to loosen their hands, but Kevin just laced their fingers tighter together. Edd looked up, and before he could react, Kevin placed a short, soft kiss on his lips. He looked at the redhead wide-eyed and face flushed, and Kevin smiled warmly, his own cheeks red from a mixture of embarrassment and satisfaction.
"Does it matter if they look? It's not like we're the first gay couple to ever step on the beach," he tried to assure Edd they would be fine, then gave him a lopsided smile. Edd couldn't suppress his own gap-toothed smile, partly because Kevin's smile was contagious, and partly because Kevin called them a couple, but all because of Kevin.
"I suppose you are right, Kevin," he chuckled, leaning his head against Kevin's shoulder. "It was silly of me to worry," he said, biting his lip as he spoke his mind softly, "especially when I have you here with me…" he sighed contentedly. Kevin squeezed his hand slightly and gave him another kiss, just at the top of his hood-covered head.
"Come on, let's get this date started," he said as he pulled Edd towards the sea.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
You guys have been so supportive and understanding that I thought I'd make this chapter extra fluffy! Seriously, thank you guys so much! I love you all!