Hey lovelies. Liking it so far? I hope so. This chapter is a bit longer than the last one. Here's the next part. Cha-cha-cha. Enjoy!
Summary: KevEdd. Kevin stumbles upon a homeless Double D. Fixated on the boy, Kevin takes matters into his own hands.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot of the story and the side Characters Judy and Casandra.
Eddward hummed happily as the taste of garlic danced on his tongue. Luke warm or cold garlic fries were his favorite. He made sure to eat slowly, as not to upset his stomach, and nibbled on the sandwich. It was a bit bland but he wasn't complaining. Whoever didn't want the second half of their sandwich had to have had good taste in bread. Sourdough was the best in Edd's book.
The sockhead sighed. He really missed his home back in Peach Creek. The last time he heard from Eddy was an email stating his acceptance into some trade school and his desire for a visit. Eddward hadn't told him, or anyone else for that matter, how his recent lifestyle change. He didn't want his friends worrying.
Edd looked down at the half eaten sandwich in his hands and suddenly lost his appetite. He was eating food from the garbage and sitting in the same spot he would sleep, on a bench outside. How much lower could he sink? Anyone with half a brain would have told him to suck it up and contact his parents but no, he had something to prove. He set the box down beside him and clasped his hands in his lap. He figured another job search on the library computers would be in order but that would have to wait until tomorrow. The libraries were closed on Sundays. For now he hoped the city police weren't prowling in the area so he could get some rest.
He yawned as his eyes began to droop. The exhaustion of walking for hours through crowded sides walks and resting at bus stops was catching up to him fast. It couldn't hurt to rest his eyes. Just for a bit, he promised himself. Then I'll go.
Kevin had snuck into the park and was now hiding behind a tree when Edd fell asleep. He watched the boy from afar. Something about the kid had caught his interest. He figured it was because he was so young. As far as he knew homeless people were shaggy looking and much older than he assumed the boy to be. He didn't look too young though, 20 to 25 at the oldest. Kevin rubbed the unshaven stubble on his chin and briefly wondered how the boy kept his face so smooth. It was rather surprising to see that though the boy's clothes were worn and horribly outdated he was in fact clean. The red-head couldn't spot a speck of dirt anywhere on him.
Stepping out from behind the tree Kevin started to approach to the boy.
Eddward awoke from his light sleep just in time to feel a presence looming over him. Big blue eyes peeked up through inky lashes to stare up at the man standing before him. He stood at 5'8'' with stiff broad shoulders hidden beneath a lamb skin flight jacket that looked deliciously warm. His hands were shoved deeply into his pockets, his chin tipped up in an impressively confident countenance. Through his skinny jeans it was easy to spy the rock solid muscle of his calves and thighs. Edd got the feeling this stranger was the living-breathing essence of pure masculinity. Bright strands of red poked out from under his cap which was turned backwards. Edd could see his reflection perfectly in the man's mirror glasses, noting that at some point in his staring that the man was staring back at him. A light shade of pink colored Eddward's cheeks and he cleared his throat.
"Greetings." He smiled. "We have a lovely afternoon today don't we?"
Kevin stared back in about as much wonder though it was cleverly hidden. His lips pressed into a firm line to stop himself from laughing out loud. The little cutie had a gap in his front teeth. It was absolutely adorable.
When the man didn't respond Eddward frowned. Had he said something to offend him? Surely a comment on something as general as the weather couldn't have provoked him. Unless it had nothing to do with his words but rather his presence instead. If that were the case- Oh. The mirror glasses. He must be an officer of the law.
Eddward bit into his bottom lip, his gap exposed prominently against the soft flesh. The man had yet to say anything and the sockhead had the sudden urge to get up and run, though he knew he hadn't done anything wrong. The NYPD weren't exactly known for their kindness to the homeless and more often than not Eddward found himself and his fellow vagabonds the victim of a random officer's harassment. It was draining to be chased away for simply being without a place to go and in his exhausted state Eddward just wasn't up to dealing with another bully disguised as a deputy of the people.
"I-I apologize. I came here to enjoy my lunch, I-I didn't mean to fall asleep." He stuttered softly. "I'll go peacefully. Just please don't throw me out."
Kevin stared down at the sockhead in shock. Did the kid think he was a cop or something? He was shaking from head to toe and looked as nervous as one could be. The corners of his lips turned upwards.
"Chill dude. I'm not going to kick you out."
Eddward blinked. "You're not?"
Kevin chuckled, the sound soft with just a bit of edginess to it. Oh yes he was male through and through. "Nope. Why should I?"
"Are you not an officer of the law?" Eddward raised a brow. Had he been wrong?
The redhead shook his head and adjusted the glasses on his face. "You're funny kid."
Edd's brows shot to the top of his head, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "Oh dear. My apologies sir. I merely assumed-"
"Ya you did." Kevin shifted his posture, leaning onto his left leg. "You got a name kid?"
The sockhead quickly cleared his throat and held out his hand. "Oh yes. My name is Eddward Vincent. It is a pleasure to meet you mister…"
"Barr. Kevin Barr."
Kevin left Edd hanging and the raven haired boy felt his cheeks getting warmer. "O-oh. It's a lovely name." He dropped his hand to his side awkwardly.
Kevin thought Eddward's nervous stutter was cute and found himself smiling because of it. He took a cautionary step forward and to gauge Eddward's reaction, noting how the boy flinched.
"You scared of me?"
Eddward blinked and huffed as though he were offended. "No I am not. What a ridiculous thing to say." Scary, no. Intimidating? Oh yes, very much so.
Kevin smirked as if reading his mind. "Dude I'm not going to jump you or anything. It's not like you've got a lot anyways."
The color in Eddward's cheeks faded and his mood immediately swung the other way. It wasn't like he needed to be reminded of his predicament. He was quite aware of his lack of resources. The sockhead felt the urge to explain that even the homeless got robbed from time to time as they were easy prey for seasoned stalkers but Edd figured this gentleman couldn't care less about that bit of information. Instead he kept it to himself and gathered what was left of his meager meal.
"So how long you been like this?"
"Have been." The words flew out of his mouth before Eddward could stop them. "S-sorry. It's a bit of a habit I have."
Kevin waved his hand dismissively. "Whatever. So how did it happen?"
He sighed. "If you must know, my living arrangements while attending university were lost approximately four months ago. Some weeks before that my six week internship was terminated and the employment I was promised had been granted to someone else. Someone better qualified than the likes of me, they said." Eddward tried his best not to sound bitter but Kevin could clearly hear the venom in his words. "So to answer your questions I have been… in my situation for approximately 16 weeks."
Kevin's mouth pressed into a thin line as the blue eyed boy stood, tucking his scarf safely into the neck of his coat. "Brutal."
Eddward shrugged. "I haven't yet started to push daisies therefore I have faith that I will live to see another day."
Kevin shifted his weight to his other leg. "How can you stand to live like that?" He really couldn't fathom it. Garbage diving for dinner was just one of those things Kevin couldn't imagine doing. "I mean, why? Don't you have some place to go, like your parents or a friend's house?"
Edd shook his head. "I haven't any friends. And it is not that I don't have loving parents to assist me in my time of need but rather… well, I simply refuse to go to them for help!" He crossed his arms, glaring in a random direction. "I haven't any need for their assistance in this. I am well on my way to fixing my problem and hypothesize my return to normal economical standing within this year."
Kevin could laugh. What this kid was saying was nothing short of insane but he had some heart.
"Cute excuse. Aren't you embarrassed?"
Eddward paused and looked up at the red-head. "E-excuse me?"
"Of being homeless. I mean it's obvious that you're really smart and yet here you are out on the streets. I'd say that's mocking your own intelligence when you clearly deserve better."
Eddward felt his cheeks warming. Was he just complimented? He swallowed the bile that rose to the back of his throat, feeling incredibly uncomfortable under Kevin's stare.
"W-well it is not the best the best place to be, I can assure you that, but if you are insinuating that I am not living to my full potential-"
"I am." Kevin said firmly. "But your pride has got your head shoved so far up your ass that you don't see how stupid you're actually being."
"Is that so?" Eddward's narrowed angrily.
"If I had to choose between sleeping on a bench or in a bed, I'd suck up whatever issues I had with my folks and just go home. Seriously, what could you possibly prove to them by living like this?"
How dare this stranger say such things! What did he know of Eddward or his efforts of escaping this retched existence on the streets? Absolutely nothing.
"If you will excuse me," He said tossing his left overs into a bin next to the bench. "I have a rather long walk ahead of me. It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Barr. Have a nice day."
The sockhead then turned on his heels and headed back out the entrance of the park, not once looking back at the audacious red-head. Every step slapped the face of the side walk with a brooding temperance. With his chin tucked into the folds of his scarf and his hat tipped forward his face was partially protected by the breeze. Goosebumps rose up on his flesh beneath his jacket. The material was much too worn even for this mild weather. He would need to find another one soon. The Salvation Army should still be open. If he hurried he could make it to the donation center before it closed for the weekend. Eddward picked up his pace.
Eventually he had slowed himself to a leisurely pace. He calculated the distance between 5th street and the donation center and should expect to make it just ten minutes before closing time. As he walked the sockhead didn't realize the body following him had finally caught up to him. He was caught by the shoulder and suddenly turned around.
Hello again. Me? Author stalker? Nah. *shifty eyes* lol
Ya so I hope you guys liked it. Next part will have A LOT more to I guarantee it. Let me know what you folks think.
