Hey guys! So I'm popping in real fast to post this chapter minus my mumblings.
Hope you guys like it, I know you were all practically shaking my head lose over the cliffy. I didn't for that to happen it kind of just did... Anyways...
Enjoy!
Edd had every intention of braving the winter cold. If not to enjoy a nice nightly walk then to burn off the access of frustration pent up inside him. The physical exertion through the snow promised a quick drain of his physical and perhaps emotion capacities; maybe even granting him the opportunity to think.
Outside and away from the noise, Edd had the time and space to contemplate his thoughts and feelings, however he found in doing so, he was forced to confront the ache inside of him. It was an avenue he just wasn't ready to engage.
Every couple of feet a lamp post from overhead would flicker to life, splashing dim and dingy hues of yellow and white on the snow covered ground. The sidewalks were reasonably full of people rushing to get out of the frigid weather and into their cozy homes. Edd still had a bit of a walk ahead of him before he could do the same but he hardly felt remiss for it. He enjoyed a good walk from time to time and granted after all that had happened he was grateful to have been given the opportunity to do so.
He detested arguments, especially those with no logic. Emotionally driven conflicts often lead to misunderstandings and regret. Unintended responses without proper and clear motives could render a person a slave to their own emotions; stripping a man of his ability to think and feel as he sees fit. Then again man had yet to achieve perfection, and the aspect of human reaction to vulnerability is to raise a red flag in warning.
Edd's own being had raised at least a thousand of them, puppeteering his body in the wake of his shock like a backup generator. It was like every word he had said wasn't his own but at the same time they were. They had tumbled out of his mouth, using his voice and pieced together a sentence in the usual eloquent way he spoke. So in reality, there was no denial to be made. Edd had acted on his own, every sense of his reason diminished long before he had a chance to gather his wits about him. He quite clearly was himself, every bit as emotionally and physically driven as Eddward Vincent could be.
This realization did little to help, however. It didn't solve his problem nor did it ebb away any of the grievance that now ate at him.
His blood was boiling like lava in a pit. His face was red and palms sweaty from flexing in and out of being a fist. He may have lost control of himself but there was no excuse for Kevin. His behavior had been a complete embarrassment. Their night had been ruined and all because a certain red-head, whom he presently refused to call by name, couldn't keep it together long enough to enjoy a nice night out. At least Edd had given him a chance. At least he had attempted to be logical enough for the both of them and tried to steer Kevin's misguided acrimony; but there was only so much he could take before he too shed the skin of reason and stormed off in a display of his own displaced malevolence.
He didn't want to be angry, but he was. He ached so badly he could feel it in his bones. Like fire it burned to the point of pain, shallow enough to ignore but still very present. The leftover of his cut throat words tasted like bile on his tongue and now he was forced to either spit it out like an animal or swallow it back. Neither appealed to him but one way or another the bitter flavor had to go.
To his surprise his feet had led him three blocks from the club to the front step of a bar. It was odd he ended up here of all places but then again tonight had been a weird enough night. If it weren't for the alluring glow of the neon signs hanging in the window he would have continued on his way. At first he thought about moving along and then the crazy idea to go inside struck him.
Ah hell, what was one more act of obscurity?
Nothing, he decided, and let his impulsiveness guide him one last time for the night.
When he stepped inside his senses were immediately assaulted by the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke. He choked on the smell at first, waving away a cloud of smoke from his face as he let the large oak wood door swing shut behind him.
Inside was, to put it politely, cozy. He saw only a few patrons scattered about at the bar with just a hand full of tables organized on the dining room floor. A worn pool table sat in the middle with ripped pockets and duck taped pool sticks resting on its uncovered top. A table or two had their chairs placed on top, indicating it was close to closing time. The bartender didn't seem present but he wasn't too concerned. He would probably use the restroom to wash his hands and leave. He had only been interested in what the inside looked like and now that his curiosity had been answered there was no need for him to stay any longer than he had to.
On his way to the facilities which were located in the back, he caught sight of a familiar face, his eyes lighting up in an instant.
"Todd?"
The youngest man sitting at the bar caught sight of Edd, having been drawn from his drink by the sound of Edd's surprised voice. He had been mindlessly chatting with two other patrons who seemed quite content with the atmosphere. Todd looked over at him; eyes smiling and inadvertently turning Edd's face crimson.
"Edd. Wow, what a surprise."
"Todd what are you doing here?" He asked. "I thought-"
"Oh well I went after you." He said, swinging around on his bar stool. "Your friend looked really pissed and I wanted to make sure you were ok but I lost sight of you and came here instead." He chuckled sincerely. "Guess it was a good thing I came here then."
"I see." Edd's heart fluttered in his chest. "How kind of you."
Todd quirked a brow and lifted his drink to his lips. "Where is your date? Outside?"
Edd shook his head, his tone taking a vehemently pitch. "No. He's gone."
Just about then was when the bartender had made his return, his eyes casting a look of pointed disapproval at both Todd and Edd. The sockhead didn't like the way the man was looking at him. Todd on the other hand cleared his throat, clearly ignoring the bartender's glare and continuing with their conversation.
"Oh. I'm sorry."
Edd shook his head. "Apologies are not necessary. It wasn't your fault."
"Still, I didn't mean to be the cause of your guy's fight. Perhaps I can make it up somehow?" He smiled, nodding to the seat beside him.
The sockhead was surprised. His invitation was still valid. Was that even possible?
Elation filtered through him but Edd kindly excused himself. As much as he wanted to stay he just wasn't sure he was up for the flirting he had been so inclined in practically begging for before. He didn't feel much in the mood for anything and a drink with a stranger was the last thing he wanted on his to-do list.
"You will have to pardon my rudeness kind sir but I don't believe I am as inclined as earlier to join you." Edd said. "As tempting as the offer is, I must politely and respectfully decline."
Bowing his head and wishing the man a good night, Edd turned and headed straight for the bathroom.
He scurried inside, rubbing his cheeks of their heat. Receiving and giving rejection were two completely different aspects of the solid NO variety; however neither were a favorable outcome. It would be best if he just put the man from his mind for the rest of the night. Now that his fun had been demolished in every sense of the term Todd would only act as a reminder of his and Kevin's argument. He knew that that would soon need rectifying and he was going to need his wits about him if he had any chance of facing down the red-headed. This meant putting his careless feelings aside and focusing on the bigger picture.
Edd washed his hands in slow precise movements, using a paper towel to turn the faucet on and off. The washroom's conditions were deplorable. Honestly, the owner of the bar should be ashamed. If he were a regular patron he may have had the mind to complain but Kevin had virtually sucked the fight out of him. His soft bed of pillows and blankets sounded good right about now. Maybe Kevin had the right idea about going home- not that Edd would ever admit to Kevin being right at the moment.
Shrugging off the urge to find a sanitizer and scrub brush Edd turned to exit only to run into something soft. Edd blinked up at the wall he bumped into, his face turning red once more as he looked up into the blue eyes of Todd.
"Sorry 'bout that." The taller man grinned. "Didn't mean to surprise you there."
Edd blushed hard, waving his hand. "Oh no, please excuse me."
Edd moved to walk around him but the man's cool voice halted him.
"You know, you're really cute."
Edd went stiff as a board. The presence at his back was warm and Edd couldn't help the goose bumps that rose over his arms and legs from it.
"I hope that wasn't too forward of me. It's just a shame I couldn't get to know you a little more."
Edd spun around on his heels, pressing a shaking hand to his chest. The man was persistent. He would give him that much. Cute and persistent.
"No, not at all. Tonight has just… well, it was unexpected."
"Victims of pomp and circumstance?" He offered.
The sockhead concurred.
At the very least this handsome stranger for whom he had only met that night understood; and he wouldn't have to go explaining any unnecessary details. Actually he rather liked that. The man didn't question him at all about his personal relationship to Kevin and Edd actually preferred it that way. This way he didn't have to think or discuss anything about the red-head or the impending 'discussion' that would greet him not so kindly at the door.
"I don't find that hard to believe." Todd's eyes danced hopefully. "You really are cute. And if I may be so bold to say, beautiful even."
Edd's face couldn't have turned any redder. He had never been complimented so openly before. Well there was Kevin but he was much too frustrated with the red-head to even think about him in that moment.
"So how about it? Just one drink and I'll stop bugging you."
Eddward giggled, raising a hand to hide the painfully visible gap in his teeth. It felt nice to laugh after tonight. He was starting to feel good again. Giddy even.
Perhaps one drink wouldn't hurt.
One hour and two sweet teas later Edd stumbled giddily into the flat; giving in to the sorcery that was his human biology. There was no sense of betrayal, only hot and desperate longing.
The glasses on his face slid the whole way down his face, free falling and landing with a silent clatter on the carpet next to his bed. The lenses landed half way folded and somewhere between them, reflecting back the image of Edd as he crawled onto his bed and then onto Todd. Bedroom eyes danced as lust clouded out all other rational thought. The blond tickled his fingers over Edd's abdomen and the sockhead practically purred. This outcome had been far from what he expected. As the two shared in a fevered kiss their clothes fell one by one to the floor. First a shirt, then another, and then, well, the rest is history.
Edd scooted back on the bed and parted his legs to allow the man access, throwing his head back in ecstasy as Todd lowered his head to lick a wet trail from his belly button to his chest. It felt strange to have another man touch him. It was nothing like the molting heat he had savored from his first. This was more like a tickle, a gentle caress of the skin that sent prickles cascading down his arms while his hardening length rose to attention.
He had only ever made love to one other man but said buffoon was probably out making an ass of himself or something along those terms. He didn't want to think of the nasty thought that suddenly fluttered through his head or the possibility that it could be true. Kevin seeking another lover didn't sound as preposterous as he wished it did. He had found one after all. There was nothing stating Kevin couldn't have more than one lover. Edd staked no claim on him, therefore rendering his jealousy inert. But it soared through him like hot water through a pipe, heating his nerves and pushing his inhibitions out.
The handsome stranger took Edd's nipple eagerly into his mouth, suckling softly and nipping with pearly white teeth until Edd became a writhing and begging mess. Edd's fingers curled into the man's hair and tugged. The man above chuckled softly, providing sweet words of nothingness as he worked quickly, preparing his member for a tight penetration. Edd was left to prepare himself which was an odd sensation in of itself. With his own fingers Edd stretched himself until he could go no further; easing his digits in and out with lube he had to sneak from Kevin's bedroom. Kevin would probably kill him if he found out Edd had been in his room but he wasn't about to make lube out of his own spit. The very thought of it made his stomach queasy.
He wasn't even sure where Kevin was.
There was a possibility he had come home but he seriously doubted that logic. Kevin was a brooder and he would have paced the floors of his living room until the wood caught fire before he even considered making his way to his room.
Edd tried not to let it worry him. Kevin was a grown man; he could do as he pleased, and so could Edd.
Todd slipped out a condom from his pants pocket and opened the silver wrapper. When Edd quirked a brow the man chuckled. "Some like it bare but I want to be safe."
Feeling silly Edd nodded in understanding and laid back. The man crawled back on top, trekking a path of kisses long the boy's collar bone. Once into position Edd took in the sight of the man's length. It was average in length and girth. It wasn't all that impressive but Edd yearned for it just the same. Edd parted his legs further and waited in baited breath as the man's length found its mark. Edd had smeared a generous amount of lube to his entrance and added more to the already lubricated condom. It did little to ease his nerves and the better part of his conscience had decided now was the perfect time to scream outrageous obscenities at him. Silently he worked to quiet them.
This was pure insanity. He knew this. Taking a complete stranger home was as dangerous as… well, the first time he did it. If he had been paying better attention he would have sensed a pattern.
Was it wrong of Edd to want this? Though he knew he would never see this man again and the night would probably be forgotten in just a few weeks' time, the event could never be erased from history. There was nothing in the world that said he couldn't have this man for the night. The same rule applied to Kevin as well. It was only fair. Still, he couldn't sponge the red-head's face from his mind's eye.
No he didn't feel guilty and he probably wouldn't after all was said and done, but it just wouldn't be the same. He wasn't trying to get back at Kevin. In fact, during his impromptu date he configured a plan to apologize to him for having acted so terribly. He had intended to do as such the moment he got home, but this man, this handsome boy with sparkling blue eyes, had swept him off his feet. It was a sort of innocent lure that dazed him, charming him into agreeing to this madness.
And it didn't help that those blue eyes reminded him of someone from his past, someone he both loathed and missed with every fiber of his being.
When the man entered him Eddward cried out, biting into his wrist as his body worked to adjust to the length that now sat inside him. The man was a bit impatient, thrusting into him right away. Luckily for Edd the pain went away the moment the man wrapped a solid first around his length and started to pump. Stroke by stroke the fire was stoked to a blazing inferno. He wasn't sure how long it lasted but it felt like forever before the man above him granted a reprieve and stopped his teasing. Though nowhere near as intense as his love making with Kevin, Edd found his release just seconds before Todd found his. The milky white of his manhood squirted in wet ropes over his stomach, shock wave after shock wave of bliss raking through him as the man above grunted, thrusting one last time as his own orgasm was reached. Todd man collapsed beside him, a smile gracing his face. When he fell asleep Edd remained awake.
Naked, wet, and only partly exhausted he took to staring up at the ceiling. The sound of the clock on the wall ticked loudly in his ears as he heard the sound of the front door open and close.
Let me know what you guys think!
