A/N:

So Jean Jacket is officially going to be a multi chapter story! I want to thank everyone that read and reviewed the first chapter and it's thanks to you guys that I decided to continue this story. I don't anticipate there being a lot of chapters to this because I'm going to keep the chapters kinda lengthy to remain consistent. But who knows!? I'll be posting updates on the status of this story and my other one on my tumblr (same username) if you guys wanna check it out.

I want to warn you that there is like no dialogue in this chapter because it was the only way I felt I could tell the story, so sorry if it's kinda boring and not your thing. Bare with me, it going to get better! And this chapter was completely inspired by Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik: First Movement in Allegro! (If you haven't heard it you probably should, but you've probably heard it 'cause it's super famous.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd, and Eddy or any of the characters. This story is of my own original thoughts inspired by music!

Edd set his bow down on the music stand in front of him for what would be one of the last times, because tonight would be the last show of the season and his swan song. Edd couldn't be more grateful for the 6 long years the London Philharmonic Orchestra gave him.

In his sophomore year of college his maestro had convinced him to try out for the viola opening. Edd was reluctant to audition at first because he didn't want to get his hopes up only to be rejected. Getting the spot would be a dream come true, a dream he never imagined he could actually achieve. The maestro of his college orchestra assured Edd that he was very talented and would likely get the spot or at least a spot as a sub. So Edd took a chance and tried out. After his audition he felt proud that even if he didn't get the spot he could walk away content because he got the chance to play for one of the world's most prestigious orchestras and he might have even been considered for the spot. A week later he received a call to come rehearse the next day as their new 6th chair violist! Edd was ecstatic. So, he left his college's small orchestra for the London Philharmonic.

He had moved up 2 chairs since then. His fellow violist no longer teased him for being one of the youngest players. Edd even became good friends with a cellist, a second violinist, and a percussionist. Life had been good to Edd since leaving Peach Creek. He attended a small private college where he studied biology and music theory. His two passions in life. And even acquired a teaching degree so he had something to fall on.

When Edd received notice that his dream college in London had accepted him and was offering a substantial academic scholarship early in his senior year of high school he was over the moon. He was finally going to leave Peach Creek and he was more than willing to leave everyone behind. He almost couldn't believe that something was going the way he wanted. He was going to be surrounded by like minded individuals and following his dreams. Gone would be the days that Edd would be under someone's thumb doing what they wanted. For once in his lonely life Edd was getting the recognition and attention he deserved from his school of choice in his dream location. London.

At the age of 12 Edd's parents urged him to play a musical instrument. They believed playing music has an important discipline for the boy to have. Only later did Edd realize it was all a ruse to keep the small boy busy. They told Edd they only wanted what was best for him and were willing to do anything for him to be the best even if that meant leaving him to raise himself once he was old enough to be left alone. They insisted Edd play a stringed instrument. So he was left with few choices- the ever popular violin, the great deep that was the bass, the tempting beast of the cello, and finally, there was the lonely last one ever picked, the viola.

And that's what Edd chose. He felt the instrument suited him perfectly. The viola had the ability to be as tear evoking as the world's saddest violin and as soul wrenchingly rich as a Yo-Yo Ma cello concerto. The viola was versatile and often overlooked just like him. Edd understood the instrument's beauty and pain, and it fueled his passion and will to learn to play the viola to the best of his ability. The strings demanded respect and Edd gave it and in turn the viola sang for him whenever he played. His love for the odd instrument would be unparalleled to anything else.

Edd turned out to be a natural and something of a prodigy. His parents started him on private lessons three times a week, but Edd quickly mastered the basics in just 9 short months and also outgrew his teacher. His parents were proud, but shortly shown disappointment when they couldn't find a replacement teacher that could keep up with Edd's advancing. So the small boy began to teach himself and did pretty well on his own, but the loneliness began to eat at him. Edd wanted more than just playing quietly to himself. He wanted to be a part of something greater. So his parents got him involved in a local youth orchestra in the neighboring town. A car was arranged to pick him up and take him to rehearsals and performances because his parents were never home to take him or see his shows. He would come home after performances to a card to congratulate him on the show and that's the only acknowledgement he received from them when it came to his musical abilities.

Edd quickly learned why the viola was often overlooked when playing in a full orchestra with strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion all involved. It left little of the melody to be played by the viola section. The viola almost never got the melody or hardly an interesting harmony. Not to mention all the music they played was at a difficulty level Edd could have played in his sleep. He was easily the the most advanced player amongst the 50 or so 13 to 18 year olds that made up the orchestra.

Edd was 14 when he joined and only stuck around throughout high school to keep busy and because his school didn't have an orchestra, let alone a music department. Edd also got the chance to play in front of a crowd. A crowd that would cheer him on even if it wasn't directed toward him but something he was a part of. He could pretend for just a moment that his parents were sitting in the audience just beaming with pride for their son.

Even without the guidance of a private lesson teacher Edd continued to grow in his playing. He convinced his parents to get him a cello and a violin so he could master them too, but eventually grew bored with them and returned to his viola. Edd filled his quiet lonely time with concertos and suites of the greatest musical minds that ever lived. They would be his company, his teachers, when no one else was around to hear, not that anyone ever was.

Once Edd dedicated all his free time to music by his freshman year he left behind his childhood friends, the Eds. Yes, he knew his loneliness would only grow, but he knew his friends would never understand what he felt for the strings on his coveted viola and he could no longer keep his passion a secret from Ed and Eddy. He had played since he was 12 and neither of his friends had inquired about how he spent his only free time nor had they noticed the oddly shaped case that leaned against his desk. Edd even went so far as to leave his viola out and exposed when they visited once and neither boy acknowledged it. All Edd wanted was to be asked about the musical instrument so he could share his passion and the beautiful music he could play. But no, no one ever asked. All Eddy seemed to care about was bossing them around and Ed was too clueless to notice.

No, no one acknowledged the love of Edd's life. Even his parents didn't care once Edd started high school. It was only an attempt on their end to keep the genius boy busy while they were away for work weeks on end. Edd knew the carefully crafted stringed instrument demanded and deserved more respect than that and so did he. So his passion for his viola and the music it commanded would only flourish and continue to burn deep inside him.

There was no doubt that he loved music and that's why London was Edd's dream place to escape to after graduation. He never anticipated he would be a part of the London Philharmonic, just like he never anticipated becoming close friends with a certain redhead in his senior year or even falling completely in love with him the last summer before he left to chase his dream.

When Edd found out the redhead was going to share almost all his classes his senior year, he was honestly a little worried that Kevin would take advantage of him like so many others before, even though Kevin had stopped bullying him and his old friends shortly before high school started. Edd quickly learned he was wrong in judging Kevin like he had, because the redhead had worked just as hard as Edd to get there. When Kevin was assigned to be his lab partner Edd was relieved to discover just how smart he actually was, Kevin could contribute to an intelligent conversation and the redhead was just as dedicated to his education as Edd was.

Edd mentally sighed in relief, though that did little to stop the feelings that Edd thought he had abandoned long ago would come bubbling back to the surface when they became more than lab partners and began studying every night at his empty house. Much to Edd's surprise Kevin would pick Edd to be his partner for many other assignments in their other AP classes. Edd just assumed Kevin picked him out of mere convenience and the fact that they worked well together and lived across the street from each other.

Edd couldn't stop the growing affection he felt toward the redhead, though he tried with his logical side to remind himself that it was highly unlikely that Kevin could honestly return the sentiment and then there was the fact that Edd was planning to leave the country soon to live out his dream. A dream he could never bring himself to share with the athletic redhead. Edd tried to convince himself to be content with the fact that he had become friends with his ex bully/crush. After all they had grown rather close after winter break and Edd openly admitted to Kevin he was glad the redhead was there to keep him company, but only after Kevin said so first. Edd continued to push his true feelings aside to avoid ruining the first friendship he had since he grew apart from Ed and Eddy.

Edd sighed in relief again once graduation came around. He figured he would live out his last summer quietly now that he didn't spend 8 hours a day, 5 days a week with his peers and neighbors. Everyone would soon forget about the genius and by fall everyone would move on living their own lives no longer forced to spend time together. But that wasn't to be Edd's case when one early evening in June Kevin knocked on his door asking to hang out. Edd could never say no to the redhead.

When Kevin took him up to the best view in town on his motorcycle Edd only became confused about his intentions. The genius never thought Kevin would wish to remain friends once school was over. Edd always had a small doubt in Kevin's friendship. It's not like Edd's past friendships worked out for him. Even though he and Kevin had grown close in the last school year Edd still believed the redhead had befriended him out of convenience seeing as how there weren't many jocks in their classes let alone almost all of them like he was.

Even after sharing so much time together studying late and working on projects Edd still was a little insecure about holding a long term friendship with Kevin. The redhead would prove the genius wrong time and time again when it came to relationships. When Kevin confessed his feelings for him Edd was shocked and he still somehow doubted the redhead's intentions, but Edd quickly let all logic go when he saw the sincerity in the redhead's twinkling eyes and gave in to his emotions just this one time.

The entire summer was perfect. Kevin shared everything with him, but the genius would never return him the same kindness. Edd locked away his viola in the closet so he wouldn't be tempted to tell Kevin. Edd felt he couldn't share that part of himself with anyone, not even Kevin. As much as he loved Kevin Edd knew if he told him he wouldn't be able to leave the new love of his life in the fall for the first love of his life, his music, his dream. So Edd kept his near future plans to himself. Neither boy discussed the topic of college. They both knew what was coming at the end of their beautiful summer. Kevin would never know what Edd didn't tell him, he would never know how far Edd was actually going to be from him both physically and emotionally.

When the day came that Edd was to leave he couldn't face his boyfriend. He had avoided it all summer. Edd couldn't break his heart, so he decided to break his own and said goodbye forever to the redhead that showed him how to love, how to trust again and how love could be beautiful and it could hurt so much. Edd thought Kevin would be better off without him and he would be doing him a favor by letting him go. So Edd cut off all ties. He deactivated his phone, email, and all social media. He wanted Kevin to forget about him, to love again without him. He deserved it. Edd believed he was doing the right thing, so why did he feel so rotten and dirty for what he did. He knew Kevin deserved someone who could be completely honest and secure with him.

So 8 years later Edd still wondered if he made the right choice as he stared down at his slightly swollen wrist. He proceeded to the storage room behind the stage where the musicians kept their personal belongings and cases during rehearsals and performances. Edd took out his case and set it on the bench opening it to reveal the emerald velvet interior that protected his delicate instrument. He gently nestled his viola in its proper spot securing it with the Velcro strap that went around the neck. He slowly wiped an old cloth over and under the strings and fingerboard to remove dust and rosin residue. He then loosened the bow hair and secured in its proper place in the top half of the case. Edd closed the case fastening the zipper that went around the edge. He retrieved his coat and messenger bag that held his wrist brace and music. As he walked out of the building he fastened the brace over his left wrist and headed to his apartment.

After a short 15 minute walk Edd arrived at his barren apartment. The only things that remained were a few boxes that contained his clothes from the last week that would board the plane with him to Peach Creek tomorrow. Tonight was going to be his last night in London and his last performance as a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Edd was retiring and going back to Peach Creek, not by his choice though.

Edd started to develop tendinitis about 2 years ago. Edd knew it was inevitable, he just didn't think it would come so soon. Since his official diagnosis Edd did what he could to keep the tendinitis at bay, but to no avail. Nothing worked and the pain and swelling only got worse after each performance. By the time his sixth season started his doctor informed him that he needed to retire or he might not be able to play again. So Edd made the difficult decision to leave once the season was over. Edd accepted that he couldn't keep playing as rigorously as he had since coming to London. His left wrist would no longer allow it. Edd decided he would return to his hometown for the time being as a biology teacher at his old high school until he could plan his next move. Maybe he could give music lessons too since his high school never offered music of any sort when he attended. Edd couldn't completely give up music. He would say good bye to his viola for now, but he refused to let it be forever.

Edd's final performance was themed around Mozart. The orchestra had prepared various pieces from the great composer's lifetime. Their grand finale was Eine kleine Nachtmusik: 1st Movement in Allegro. Which was the name of the evening's show, A Little Night Music. Edd couldn't have been more satisfied with the show he put on. He just loved the elated feeling he got when he played. The moment when the notes all swelled together, he just breathed it all in. The melody was passed around briefly by the first violins to the second violins and even to violas and cellos for a few measures. He just took it all in for what would be the last time in this setting. The bellowing of the cellos and basses that made the stage vibrate with life. When everyone all came together to create such beautiful sound those were the moments Edd lived for. All the hours of practicing, counting rests, making his fingers memorize differents positions, playing as quietly as he could, playing as loudly as he could, swaying with each stroke of his bow, the glorious key changes that would relieve a minor key, and every little thing that made playing so enjoyable, so worth every moment of his time he spent with the fingers of his left hand delicately splayed over the fingerboard and his right hand so naturally holding the frog of his bow poised over the strings ready to sing. Edd would miss his dream dearly and silently promised himself to never forget.

The next morning Edd packed his remaining belongings in his suitcase that would board the flight back to Peach Creek. Edd never thought he'd be returning to to his hometown after all these years. He couldn't help his wandering mind that started to grow anxious at the thought of returning to a certain redhead's caring arms as if no time had passed. Edd scolded himself for thinking that Kevin would even still want him after all these years with no contact and not to mention how the genius left him in complete ignorance during the amazing summer they had spent together.

No, there was no way. How could anyone in their right mind still love someone after 8 years with no hint of ever returning to the other? Not even a goodbye was shared. Edd was sure Kevin hated him and probably had moved on since then, but those thoughts did little to keep Edd's poor heart from hoping. Would Kevin even still be there in Peach Creek? How could he be? Kevin had made plans, he had a future set out for himself before he left. Edd tried to listen to his own logic telling him that Kevin had surely left a long time ago and he likely had a family of his own. Yeah, that's probably what Kevin had done. Edd's logic did little to ease his nerves.

Edd arrived late the following night to his childhood home via taxi from the airport. Seeing how his parents still owned the house and it was basically abandoned he took the opportunity of a rent free home for the time being. He didn't want to stay in the house that held so many reminders of his lonely childhood and a love long gone. He was exhausted. Getting his sleep schedule adjusted to the current time zone was going to drain him for the next few days. School was going to start in about two months and he had a lot to do before he was ready to start.

He walked up to his porch and opened the front door. Everything was exactly the same. It was like he had just left yesterday. He set his bags down in front of the closet by the door and trekked up the familiar staircase. When he reached the top and turned to his right to where his bedroom was. He reached out to grab the knob.

It was like time had stood still. He was still alone in a house that didn't feel like home, there was no welcoming parents or loved ones, and the only comfort was the consistency of his routine. He sighed and pushed open the door to his old room. Everything was exactly as he had left it. Except there was a gaping hole in the dry wall above his desk and an envelope pinned to his cork board.

Edd approached his desk slowly. Everything went quiet. His heart skipped a beat when he recognized the familiar chicken scratch handwriting on the front of the envelope that read his name. Edd's hands began to tremble as he carefully removed the tack that held the letter in place. He opened it slowly to reveal a letter from the redhead. It read:

Edd,

I don't know why you left or what made you decide to leave the way you did, but I want you to know I don't hate you one bit, in fact, I've realized I will always love you. There is no one else out there for me but YOU, even if you don't feel the same. I just wish you had told me. You know I would have followed you anywhere.

Edd, I've written this letter thousands of times for the past 4 years hoping you would return home after you finished school and as many times as I've written this letter I still don't know how to tell you how much you mean to me. I can't let you go and I'll never accept the letter you left me. I'll always love you D. I'll always wait for the day you come home to me again.

I love you forever,

Kevin

The letter was dated 4 years ago around the time Edd had graduated college. It had been there waiting for him to come home for 4 years.

For the first time in 8 years Edd cried. He cried out for the the redhead he didn't deserve. His knees buckled under him and he fell to his hands and knees still clutching the letter in his hand. He sobbed loudly to himself for what felt like hours until his throat was raw and his eyes were swollen. When he couldn't cry anymore he set the letter on the empty desk and slowly climbed onto the bed not caring that it didn't have any sheets or blankets. He reached for the letter and stared at it until he fell asleep with new tears in his eyes.

Edd woke up before dawn, but didn't get out of bed until well into the morning. He had actually slept his allotted time, but his body was not feeling like it just got its 8 hours of rest. He stood up and groaned as his achy back and shoulders cracked and popped as they set into a normal position. His throat was sore and his eyes still felt puffy. He went to the bathroom to shower and began his day.

Edd got dressed and went down to the kitchen to prepare his breakfast only to remember he just got back last night which hadn't given him time to go to the grocery store to get what he needed yet. He was in dire need of some caffeine and food if he was going to function at all. Edd closed the fridge door and saw a sticky note from his parents telling him about the car they had recently purchased that was waiting in the garage for use at his leisure and that they were sorry they couldn't be there to welcome him back.

Edd sighed and mumbled under his breath, "Typical. I shouldn't have expected anything more of them."

Edd decided he would make use of the newly acquired vehicle to drive into town to get his groceries and maybe stop at a coffee shop to get his sluggish brain the pick up it needed. He knew the coffee would do little to alleviate the physical exhaustion and would do nothing for the emotional exhaustion he felt. What was he going to do? Should he seek out Kevin? Could they honestly pick up where they left off like nothing had happened? His logical tried to convince him that there was no way, but his heart said otherwise.

He pulled up to a small cafe he faintly remembers studying at after school because he was never in a rush to return to his empty home at least until his senior year when everything had changed. Edd walked into the cafe that only had a couple of elderly people reading the newspaper. Usually this coffee shop would have been filled with teenagers looking to get their pick me up before school, but it was already early afternoon and still summer which meant the mall was probably crawling with angsty teenagers. Edd walked up to the counter and placed his order for a black coffee with sugar and a cake donut. He needed the sugar and carbohydrates.

Edd walked out content with himself. He was still feeling emotionally drained due to the turmoil he had inquired in the short time he had been home, but that was expected. Edd began to open his car door when he thought he heard someone call his name. He looked up and heard it again. His eyes honed in on a tall muscular redhead walking toward his car with their arms raised and waving to get his attention.

Edd froze momentarily when he met the gaze of wide dreamy emerald eyes and that dashing smile. After all this time how could he still captivate him with just one look?

Edd let his coffee and donut fall to the ground as he took off running in the opposite direction before he could give the redhead a chance to approach him.

I just wanted to say that I didn't use his nickname (Double D) because I feel like he's an adult and he would have stopped going by it when he went to London because nobody knew him there.

Thanks for reading! Please review! Tell me what you guys think. I love hearing from you!

I also wanted to mention that I put some personal stuff and experiences into this chapter (no, I am not a prodigy, but I did play the viola for many, many years and am barely starting to play again). Hope you liked it!

Hazel out!