A/N: Sorry the delay guys, but my Beta disappeared... because of that I decided to post this chapter without correction, so pleeeease go easy on me. English is not my native langague. That being said, any mistake, please feedback me.

(Falls Apart - Hurt, it's the perfect music for this chapter.)

The rain came suddenly in Peach Creek, such as the sense of loneliness that dominated Edd. On that rainy Sunday afternoon, Derek couldn't visit him, because he needed to take care of his two younger brothers.

Edd's mind, however, couldn't forget what had happened last night. Since that happened, he couldn't calm his heart down, and every time he breathed it seemed that the air was not enough.

Kevin had always been his crush, but never would have Edd imagined that the... admiration was reciprocal. Maybe it was not. Maybe Edd had only appeared in a moment of weakness, where Kevin had discounted on him.

Edd shook his head trying to allay such thoughts. They hurt. He wanted to be special for Kevin, as Kevin was for him.

Edd shook his head again. How could he think of such things being with Derek?

But he couldn't just ignore what had happened, what happened should mean at least something, small as it was, but something.

The kiss he always wanted, even if it wasn't how he always dreamed of, it was perfect. It was hot. Exciting. He wanted more.

Edd's heart ached even more.

He felt the same things with Derek, but with Derek... with Derek was... it was different.

A tear oozed down Edd's face.

It was painful not knowing how to handle these things.

It was painful not being able to return the same love, affection and care that Derek gave him. Since they decided to stay together, Derek said he would make he love him, and all that he had built up now, collapsed with a simple act of Kevin.

Edd cried for being weak.

To be confused.

To need to hug someone and not know who.

I'm getting ahead of myself. Edd sat on the bed and put his hands on his face, breathing deeply. How can I be confused between the right and just a kiss?

Edd looked out the window at the rain that was falling fluid and clear.

He took a deep breath. I need an explanation. He stood up decided.

Kevin spent hours staring at the screen of his cellphone.

[[Double Dork]] I'm worried. Contact me, please, yes?

The redhead read and reread this simple message over and over again.

He didn't regret what he had done last night, as he generally regretted. He was serene, and everything seemed fine. The rainy day was wonderful; the rain that fell couldn't be more beautiful and flawless.

Kevin laughed out loud.

I look girlie. Kevin looked at the window lazily putting his hands behind his head. If this is what they call love... I like it.

Days ago Kevin would have denied everything he was feeling, but now he cared little to show his feelings to the world. If nothing was what it seemed to be, he wanted to make clear who he was. No lies or games. Perhaps this would make things a little easier, where nothing was easy.

I need to see him.

Kevin suddenly stood from his bed and ran out of the room, knocking down the chair when he got his jacket, going down the stairs two steps at once. He sat in front of the door putting on his shoes carelessly.

When leaving, in his haste, he ran into who he had longed to see.

Kevin's face lit up in a big smile when he saw Edd all soaked in his arms.

Kevin laughed. "Edd" He said raising Edd's beanie, who flinched. "I won't take off your beanie, relax." Edd was a little flushed. "Come on in, I'll get a towel before you get a cold." Kevin smiled and Edd returned.

Edd sat on the floor in front of Kevin's bed, who put a towel on his shoulders, sitting on the bed behind Edd, removing his beanie and putting a towel over his head.

Edd groaned, but didn't have time to object; Kevin had begun to dry his wet hair.

"You shouldn't be ashamed to stay without your beanie." Kevin smiled at Edd's back. "You look much better without it."

"What... What meant that... kiss to you?"

Kevin suddenly stopped in front of Edd' candor, but then continued, smiling.

"It meant everything to me." Kevin noticed that Edd's shoulders relaxed. "I decided I won't care about what others think about me anymore, I'm tired and I want to be who I am." He approached Edd's ear. "And this is me." He whispered.

Edd quickly and clumsily walked away from Kevin, finally looking into his eyes.

Kevin continued. "I'm sorry Edd, for taking so long." He held the hands of another. "I know I can't be with you now, but I won't give you up so easy now that I realized that it's you who I want. I'll fight. I'll wait for you. 'Cause I love you."

Edd felt his throat tighten and his heart pinching there. He tried to speak, but all he wanted was to collapse into Kevin's arms, and say the same, that he loved him, and always loved. But the situation was more complicated than that, and they both knew.

Reality returned, and Edd turned his head toward the door when the doorbell rang.

Kevin sighed and presses their hands. "Wait here." He kissed Edd's forehead and left.

Edd collapsed on Kevin's bed. His mind was clouded, and couldn't think straight. He grabbed the towel that was on his head and pulled to cover his face.

I can't! I can't!

Kevin ran down the stairs, nervous. Whoever it was, it wasn't welcome at that time.

The punk who was standing at his door made him even angrier.

"Of all the people on earth, you were the last I would like to see now." Kevin was closing the door when Plank held it.

"Believe me; you will love that is me the one that is here." Plank's voice, gaze and expression were serious, unlikely the usual jesting air he was used to wear.

Kevin opened the door completely. "What happened?" He was beginning to worry.

Edd passed through Kevin and gently bumped on Plank before he could respond.

"Hey Edd, wait a..." Kevin tried to reach him, but Edd was already in the middle of the street.

Double D turned. "I'll talk to you later, okay?" And he shoved hurriedly into his house without waiting for any response.

"Who was the cutie?" Plank asked mischievously looking for Kevin, pointing with his thumb to where Edd had just passed.

"Stay away from him."

Plank raised his hands in defense. "Francis is more important now." He reassumed the serious expression. "Before you start to freak out, be aware that he is well... for now..."

Kevin grabbed Plank by the collar of his jacket and pressed him against the wall. "What happened to Francis?"

Kevin was used when his uncle was away for just one night, but now Plank was there, and that wasn't a good sign. He was really worried.

As Kevin, Plank began to lose his patience, and it was his turn to get Kevin's collar. "Hear me first, damn it! Fuck man, haven't I proved that I'm not the one who you should discount your fucking angry?" Kevin didn't hesitate, the punk continued. "Someone tried to 'finish' Francis, but they didn't have time to complete the job. We still don't know who they were, but we are behind it."

"We who?" Kevin yelled and pushed Plank further against the wall. "I'm tired of not knowing things and still be involved. Damn it!" He let go of Plank, he massaged the bridge of his nose abruptly and sighed deeply. "Just take me to him, ok?"

Kevin found himself again inside Plank's jeep much earlier than he would like.

He was involved in something that was strange to him and that put the life of his godfather at risk. He himself must be in danger, and he knew it was because of it that Plank come looking for him. But what annoyed him was not to be aware of the details of what was happening.

It took an hour to arrive at a strange house on the edge of town. From the outside, the only thing you could see was the wall, and above of it, only the tops of some small trees.

Plank stopped in front of the great gate, and in front of this, it was still couldn't see the house. They waited a few minutes before the door open without the need to pronounce themselves. Once inside the property, still took five minutes to actually being in front of the house.

Kevin had never known that that kind of people lived in Peach Creek. Seeing the ground outside, it seemed only an empty and abandoned field, but now it was possible to contemplate a great and luxurious house. Kevin was amazed at the wealth of detail that the house boasted, Plank had to caught his arm to make him in.

"Who lives here?" Kevin asked without bothering to remove the sight of all that luxury.

"Your godfather is under care of friends there. It wasn't feasible to sent to a hospital, but don't worry because he is in good hands."

Kevin looked at the punk. "My uncle..." He held the jacket sleeve of the other. Is he that bad? "Where is he?"

Plank led Kevin through the house that was bigger on the inside. The redhead would be lost grandeur if he were alone. They passed through several doors before reaching which they wished.

Plank opened the door letting Kevin in. Lying on the bed, his godfather seemed perfectly fine, just sleeping peacefully. Kevin came closer, Francis' face had only few minor cuts and a small purple beneath the left eye, he then put his hand lightly on the cover that was over his uncle, and pulled gently. Francis' trunk was wrapped in bandages that were getting bloodied.

Before Kevin could touch his godfather, a man pushed him gently away. He was with surgical gloves, cap and a mask which prevented visualization of his face. The man swiftly began to cut the bandages finally showing the severe bruising Francis got.

Kevin was shocked. "We need to get him to a hospital." His voice was almost a whisper.

"A wound infected because we couldn't remove a bullet. The other coagulated: we need to cauterize." The man spoke ignoring Kevin. "I ask you to be brief because we need to do this sooner."

"HE MUST BE HOSPITALIZED." Kevin grabbed the man's shoulder and threw him roughly back.

"Kevin! Wait!" Plank tried to hold Kevin. "Kevin! Kevin!"

Even with a brutal effort Kevin kept to rebut. Plank finally managed to stay in front of him and use the strength of his whole body to press Kevin against wall, stopping him.

"He will die if he stay in these conditions!" Kevin tried to get to his godfather, but Plank was strong.

"Dude, listen to me! I guarantee he won't die. This guy's a doctor." Kevin was still rebutting. "This room, the utensils, the bed, the sheets, everything..." Plank was trying to calm Kevin down. "Everything is sterilized."

"Indeed." The man left standing. "The infection which I mentioned is a result of this bullet that is inside the body of your uncle. We didn't withdraw it yet because it is very close to the artery that leaves the heart, if we're not picky, we can break it."

"WHAT?" Kevin took a step forward, but Plank pushed him roughly against the wall.

Francis began to wake up. Kevin saw the man talking on a cell phone, and soon after two big men stepped into the room and helped Plank to pull the redhead away. When released, already outside, Kevin punched the door with both hands and tried to open it, but it was locked. He punched once more the door.

"Kev ..." Plank was abruptly away with a violent punch in the jaw when he tried to touch the redhead.

"What do you have to do with it?" Kevin hissed.

Plank massaged where he was hit and mortally looked at Kevin, who stared at the door. "I just thought it would be worth you knowing. Supposedly you wasn't even supposed to know about this place."

Plank passed behind Kevin, but stopped when he heard him mutter. "He's all I have."

Kevin's knuckles were white by the gallows he did on his closed fists, leaning against the door. Plank sighed when he saw the redhead touching his forehead on the door, between the handles, and a tear rolling down his cheek.

Kevin's phone rang and he slowly lowered one hand to pocket without lifting the head of the door, and answered the call.

"Kevin! Are you okay? I saw you fight with a guy and then immediately get into his car, I did not wanted to get involved, but I started to get really concerned. I couldn't help." Edd spoke wildly.

"Edd! Edd." Kevin whispered, trying to hold back the tears biting his lower lip, but it was useless.

"Kevin. Oh dear! Where are you?"

Kevin couldn't answer.

"Kevin, are you okay?"

No. I'm not! He wanted to shout. I need you here. "I am!" He said instead. He cleared his throat. "Yes I am Edd." He tried to reassure his voice. "If it wasn't, I wouldn't be talking to you... right?" Kevin tried to smile.

Edd thought for a moment. "Yes, but ..."

"Seriously, I'm really good Edd." Kevin ran a hand over his face.

"If ... If so. I'll talk to you tomorrow because... you are not at home." Edd said, but not hung.

Kevin lingered to answer.

"Bye, then."

"I love you." Kevin whispered, but Edd had already hung up. He looked at the punk. "What am I going to do?"

Plank placed a hand on Kevin's shoulder. "If something happens to Francis, blame me for everything, but now, I only ask you one more time: trust me, ok?"