Hey guys! I'm back and with a new chapter! :) Yup its the 6k+ I promised.

A lot has been going on in my life recently. I am not sure what will happen next but the chapters may take a little longer than usual. Hopefully this will only be temporary but right now I need to pace myself to make up for the difference or else I may fall behind.

I'll keep you guys updated so you aren't in the dark. Like hell I'm going to let this go in hiatus without good reason!

So without further ado,

Enjoy!


Snowflakes pelted the earth, blanketing the town of Peach Creek in soft powdery whiteness. Everything and everyone in it was chilled to the bone, hugged by the southern wind that blew through nearly unhindered. On roof tops and window ceils Eddward could see where water had melted only to freeze again, this time taking more ethereal shapes.

Icicles lined every rooftop like hardened tear drops, falling into cylindrical shapes that came to threatening jagged points. This iclces, and all that was covered in snow, twinkled like fine sugar crystals; reminiscent of thousands of diamonds reflecting color beneath a jeweler's high beam light. They emulated the smallest bits of sun that peaked through the fog hat-grey of the clouds, filling the gap toothed man with more than just a single waring feeling.

Laughter he had known only as a child bubbled up to the surface. He remembered a time long ago when he would have done anything to please his mother in order to get outside and play. During the winter seasons he, Eddy and Ed would gather their snow gear and take the most treacherous hike up a steep hill to concoct some asinine plan to make sledding even more fun and make a buck while doing it. While they never succeeded in such endeavors it didn't stop them from trying and having the time of their lives.

Such fond memories were not lost to him. No amount of wishing could do away with them, not when they sat so close they could practically be tattooed to his heart. In the depths of his own mind he was glad to not have lost them. The nostalgia was pure, clean, and did not taste of stale fondness; much like the ones he shared with Edwin and Kevin. For that he could only blame himself but he chose not to ponder on it for long.

It was there beside his heart that most of his precious memories were stored. Yes, there were some of Kevin and Edwin there as well; however they seemed to nearly over lap each other. One happy time consuming another; blue eyes turning green and while thick firm fingers turned spidery and gentle, rather than complimenting one beautiful moment to another. Like out of a horror movie, those eyes of green would flash back to blue and that gentle nature would rupture into something hot and wild. The change so frighteningly fast it made the world he thought he understood shift beneath his feet- until stability was inevitably lost and he went tumbling down a dark and never ending hole with maddening fury.

It had taken him days to admit his dreams had taken on a frightening visage. At first they would tantalize but then just as quickly fill him with the same kind of dread one would feel before plunging over the hill of a rollercoaster. One moment he would be lying beside Edwin before he was tickled by the soft strokes of Kevin's cherry tongue, and then he would wake in the dead of night; breathless and shaking, wrapped in the steel arms of the man that brought nothing but a never ending ach to his already wounded heart.

Three weeks had passed since his return to Peach Creek and to his relief the nightmares did come to an eventual end. Kevin's face had steadily begun to fade from the forefront of his thoughts, blurring sharpened contours so all he could remember where the darling freckles that spotted a face he rather forget. The nightmares had been particularly cruel to him his first week home, haunting him in every shadow and every corner of the house. One moment he thought he saw Kevin, standing and smiling in the kitchen and the next Edwin would shimmer into full view, scowling as though he sensed something amiss. Edd did his best not to show something had been bothering him, hoping Edwin just wouldn't notice.

But he did.

Edwin had kept an extremely close eye on Edd since bringing him home. The sockhead at times seemed a bit far off, his mind traveling to places he could not follow. It bothered him the way Edd would look at him; so forlornly, as if looking through him and never directly at him yet any inquiry on his part ended in an infuriating shake of the head. Edd didn't feel like having to explain himself when he could barely understand himself as it was and Edwin's snoopy personality granted no reprieve. They both knew it was just a matter of time before Edwin's patience ran out but Edd was determined not to let him get involved where he felt his ex wasn't welcomed.

After succumbing to exhaustion on his first night home, Edd had a fitful sleep; twitching and mumbling in the throes of one of many nightmares to come. When woke it was to a steaming glass of warm milk and a hand on his thigh coaxing the dream away. Edwin had watched him the whole night through, leaving his side only once to fetch the milk. It was a late night remedy Edwin had learned from his mother for fussy dreamers. Edwin didn't speak much about his family but he once told Edd how warm milk did the trick when it came to restless nights of his own.

Edd supposed Edwin had a right to be concerned but he never did tell him what he had been dreaming about. He shuddered to think what Edwin's reaction might be. That night the older of two had stayed up well into the morning, caressing Eddward's back and promising he would not leave until Edd had fallen fast asleep. The dork felt both smothered and comforted, sipping the milk until his body collapsed under its own weight and he floated back into slumber.

Over the next few weeks Eddy and Ed had proven themselves as great distractions, though his time with them felt forced.

Even now as he thought of them coming over for the fourth day in a row he inwardly urged himself not to just cancel on them out of frustration. He loved Eddy and Ed dearly but they could be hard to handle at times, and at the moment their constant presence was starting to grate on his already frazzled nerves. He wasn't a puppy that needed to be leashed or baby sat for goodness sake!

Looking out the breakfast nook he decided the cul-de-sac seemed no different than it had when he first left it. The blue house on the corner was still blue, Rolf's front lawn was still slightly unkempt, and his room had been untouched. The bed had been made and thankfully the dust had been cleared but no other sign of life could be found. Even the protractor he had left behind was still in its place on the edge of the table, as though to be preserved until his return. At least his clothes had been washed to keep from going stiff.

His earl grey tea had cooled but the taste was unbeknownst to him as he downed the contents of his glass. Edwin was there in a flash, refilling his cup before setting a steaming pot on the kitchen table. A plate of eggs and bacon soon followed.

"Eat little one. We have a busy morning."

Edd made a show of rolling his eyes.

Edwin had been doing all that he could to keep him busy. It was his own way, Edd supposed, of integrating the sockhead back into their small town way of life. By giving him tasks and setting up 'play dates' with Eddy and Ed. Oh gosh even that sounded juvenile even to his ears. He guessed Edwin had hoped this would just snap him out of the slump he was in since returning to Peach Creek.

Apparently he thought Edd did need a leash of some sort. Not that the sockhead would blame him. His second day back found him sneaking out his bedroom window only to get caught by Edwin who had just pulled into the driveway after a quick trip to the grocery store. Eddward swore up and down he wasn't trying to run away again, that his bedroom knob had jammed and he was just going to get the spare key from under the front door matt. It was safe to say Edwin didn't buy it in the slightest, though he did give the door knob a good greasing right after. Whether Edwin believed or not didn't matter. It wasn't like he planned on going anywhere any time soon with his mother so indisposed at the moment.

However, the two of them had argued long and hard after that.

"For goodness sake Edwin I am not five. I haven't a need for sitter, nor do I appreciated being treated like a child. Have I no freedom in my own home?"

There were times when he just wanted to be left alone. He ached deeply for the life he had started in New York. He missed the city very much, the sights and sounds, but none more so than Kevin. Duty to his mother kept him from going back and all Edd wanted was time; time to heal and adjust before eventually moving on.

"Of course you have freedom ma chérie (my sweetheart). You are not a caged rat."

Edwin had always had a way with words.

"This is for your benefit. You have neglected your family and friends long enough. It is time you stopped this foolishness and focused on your priorities."

Edwin had been very point blank with him. There was without a shadow of a doubt in his mind that this was what Eddward needed to be 'normal' again. Even if the thought sounded contrived, if not downright possessive, letting Edd sit alone in his room to lick his wounds wouldn't do him or anyone concerned any ounce of good. The boy wasn't meant to be shuttered away in the dark and he'd be damned before the sockhead threw himself upon the steps of depression and self-loathing like his loathsome mother Bernice had.

Eddward's mother, what was there to say about her? A single parent with her son as her only living relative. Just thinking of her made Edwin's blood crawl. Never in his life had he met a more stubborn woman than she. To his amusement and fear he saw a lot of her in Edd; the brains, the beauty, and even more importantly: the sorrow. If he had his way he'd never let Edd near her again. He'd take the house and send her away until she was once more a person and not this shell of weakness and misery she exuded. Bernice was sick, so very sick, and for that reason he feared for her son's livelihood. Lord knew what traveled through his head in respect to that woman.

Edd's health and wellbeing has always been his top priority. Since the first day he stepped forth in the Vincent household he made it his mission to ensure Edd had a happy normal childhood. At the time Edd's mother had inquired about him at a rehabilitation program in Lemon, very similar to that of Big Brother; her single parent life having been drowned by the intense call of her failing marriage and crumbling career. At the time Edwin figured his presence in her and Eddward's life was the only thing keeping the woman's sanity intact, though he had been none the wiser when he accepted the position. For him it had been a way out but for them it might as well have been life-saving.

Young and newly divorced, Bernice had no choice but to leave her child in his care; often for days at a time when she had to work double and triple shifts just to make the piling house payment. Edwin spent so many hours in the day and night at the Vincent residence that he just eventually moved in. Edwin didn't mind however, and neither did his parents. They saw only good things in the Vincent family, a slighted perspective as it was for them and their cloud nine life style and Bernice's impeccable ability to disguise a situation for what it was, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Opportunity was opportunity in his eyes and he had been prepared to abuse the hell out of it. He had only been a few years older than Edd but when he looked into those curious chrome depths for the first time Edwin knew he had to do whatever it took to care for him.

For years he stood in as Edd's means of moral and emotional support, tutoring him after school and growing with him into adulthood as Bernice was drawn further and further into the dark hole of depression and debt. The divorce proceedings had dragged on for what seemed like an eternity. He remembered nights when Edd's mother lumbered her way through the house every weekend looking ragged and tired. There was a sadness to her that Edwin had grown accustomed to seeing. Her smile held no light and her laughter sounded as hollow as she looked. Always her eyes seemed distant and because of that she looked very much alone in the world. It frightened Edwin to the core that the sweet boy he cared for would ever become that way.

Eddward Vincent had been a gap toothed, wide eyed hellion. He was insanely intelligent and so curious about the world it was almost obnoxious how much cuter it made him look as he ran around the house, naming the table of elements and color coordinating his playdough in his little purple overalls. Edwin was rather surprised by the boy's wit at first, struggling at times to keep up with the dozens of questions he asked on a daily basis. Edwin had to read books about humanity and science every night in order to keep up!

The absolute trust in his every word had been what sparked his charm in Edd. As they grew they began learning from one another, naturally became inseparable. Wherever Edwin went Edd would go too. They cooked together, bickered together, fought over the last slice of bacon in the morning, and above all loved one another like the best of siblings. They shared no secrets and sought one another out in times of need. In their hearts and in their minds they shared a brotherly bond beyond the realms of friendship. It dug deep down into the core of their souls, weaving them into an unbreakable singularity. Even as boys Edd had become the apple of his eye, his very reason for wanting to be a better person. At the time he hadn't thought much of it. He did things, terrible things, which he regretted even to this day. While sifting through his own personal darkness Edd had become a beacon of light and Edwin never once looked back to wonder if he ever made the right decision.

In a way they became dependent on each other.

Edd had been too young to remember much about the divorce, and for that Edwin had been grateful. He had made sure Eddward was kept as far away that as possible. There had been no doubt Bernice would gain custody. Her ex-husband it seemed didn't want anything to do with the family he helped create. He'd had only ever seen Edd's father twice. Both times the man had come to the house with his lawyers in tow. In typical Vincent fashion those meetings never ended well.

He didn't know why Edd's parents divorced and he never bothered asking. He thought the sooner the divorce went through the sooner mother and son could heal; however it was during one of Bernice's late night drinking fests that he stumbled upon the truth. It angered him. It disgusted him but he never breathed a single word of it to Edd. For the sockhead's sake, the truth wasn't worth the heartache he knew would come because of it. He had promised himself that one day he would tell Edd the truth. He deserved to know why he had no father but now just wasn't the time. Not while Bernice ravaged her body and mind into an irreparable state- leaving her son to pick up the broken pieces.

Speaking of which, Bernice's doctor had called early that morning to inform them she had woken. She had been reasonably disoriented from the medication they had pumped into her system and warned him that any other medications she was on would need reconfiguring. Apparently they were giving her something more to combat the chemical imbalance her alcoholism was creating; ironically brought upon by her depression. The ugly cycle she had drawn herself into seemed endless but he knew it was all her doctors could do for her.

A secondary psychiatric evaluation was suggested and Edwin readily agreed to it. Anything to get that woman help. He'd have to remember to thank Eddy for watching over later.

The call had been held in whispered conference. Edwin had snuck off to the kitchen so Edd could sleep soundly. Since coming home Edwin slept with Edd in his room, both curled around one another on the small twin sized bed. Edwin's bed was bigger and softer but not even a rescue from an achy back could top the feeling he got every morning waking up to his beloved tucked safely in his arms. Just thinking of those trusting blue eyes clouded with sleep helped to ease the stress he was to face that morning.

Bernice wanted to see her son but Edwin had denied her. She wasn't to see him until she had her evaluation, to which she rose a massive fuss; forcing the nurse on the other end of the line to break up the call before it got out of hand. He stood firm in his decision however and to his relief they eventually struck a deal.

Once Bernice was released from the hospital Edd would come to collect her himself. The plan was farfetched but it the only one to get her to stay and actually follow through with her doctor's orders. If she could somehow manage just three days more in the hospital then perhaps convincing Edd to see her again wouldn't be so difficult. Again, farfetched, but it was the only one he could think of.

Edwin bit into a slice of sizzling bacon, rolling the sweet greasy piece of meat on his tongue and glanced over at Edd. The sockhead was stirring his eggs around with his fork, puncturing the yolk and watching it spill all over his plate. Edwin sighed, concern etching across his face in form of a frown.

"Mon petit, what ails you?"

Edd nearly jumped, startled out of his thoughts by Edwin's sugar coated tenor. "Nothing."

Edwin bit into his bacon once more, swallowing the piece quickly. He admired that Edd to this day still wore the same hat he did. To the naked eye they looked like blood siblings. They both shared the same ebony hair and each had a very skinny complexion. The hat was the biggest give away but Edwin didn't mind at all. He felt rather proud seeing the sockhead wear it.

"Have you any plans with your friends today?"

Edd shrugged, finally cutting into his eggs and bringing a fork full to his mouth. "Nothing in particular."

He chewed very slowly as if wanting to avoid the answer.

Edwin cocked a brow. "Nothing in particular? That hardly sounds entertaining."

Edd's brows bounced up mockingly. "Indeed."

Edwin sighed, dropping his fork onto his plate with a clatter. Edd leaned back into the cushion, arms crossed and steeled eyes turning to look back out the window. Another quiet breakfast ruined by their stubborn egos.

"Eddward that is enough."

Edd immediately rose to the challenge. "Do not condescend me Edwin. I am in no mood for it."

"Well if you didn't act so much like a child then perhaps I would not be forced to treat you like one."

Edwin picked up his mug of tea and promptly chugged it down to the last drop. "Eat so we can leave, less we be late for all of our appointments."

Edd promptly shoved his plate away from him, earning a groan of frustration from his ex.

"Why? Why do you do this to yourself?"

Edd closed his eyes, inhaling sharply as that question struck a nerve in him.

"You couldn't possibly understand." He began, rubbing his hands up his arms. "I do not expect you to either. Why can you not just leave me be?"

Edwin scowled. "I have warned you time and time again about the journey of self-pity. There is no relief in it and serves no purpose to yourself but to bring you down."

Eddward scoffed. "It's not self-pity!"

"Then what is it?"

Edd opened mouth to retort but found himself falling short. He hadn't actually thought that far in to it. Just how long was it appropriate for one to mourn a loss? He lost his second life, an opportunity which should have taken him to new and grander heights. He had been so torn up about it that for three weeks he had tried to lock himself in his room and even attempted ditching out on time with his friends to collect his thoughts.

To his chagrin that sounded an awful lot like wallowing. It was a tad selfish, he knew, but… he had been angry! Didn't that account for something?

His inner self sighed. Yeah. Edwin was right. It was self-pity.

Edd squeezed his eyes shut, blocking his chrome depths from Edwin's critical gaze.

"I liked my life in New York. I can't expect you to understand why I hated leaving it behind."

Edwin gazed at him with a pitiful look, his lips tightly sealed as he allowed the sockhead to speak. It had taken some time but Edd was finally opening up to him again. Knowing this filled him with such a joy it nearly over took him, urging him to jump across the table to hug and kiss him until their lips turned blue.

Edd shrugged his shoulders. "It was so beautiful. Everything and everyone was so alive, racing to their destinations, always on the go and never stopping to rest. And I was one of them." He sighed, feeling his palms come to rest on the table. "It felt as though my life was starting coming together. I was in a good place there."

Edwin couldn't stop himself from snorting. Edd snapped his head up, narrowing his eyes.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?"

"That brute." Edwin said, unbidden thoughts of Kevin swirling around in his head. "That one with the red-head hair. The one I found you with while you were crouched on the floor holding your head as if it had split open like a melon."

Edd's eyes widened, his cheeks burning a dark shade of red. "What? Oh no Edwin that was just a misunderstanding."

"Oh I understood very well just what the hell was going on." He huffed, causing Edd's face to redden even further. "A good place indeed."

Edd bit the side of his cheek, stomping down on the curse just waiting to leap from his silver tongu;, but that didn't stop him from smacking his fist on the table out of frustration.

"Your behavior that day was unacceptable!"

Edwin was quick to collect himself but the taunting smile tugging at his lips served to only infuriate the sockhead further.

"I had everything under control until you stepped in. How did you even find me?"

Edwin didn't answer immediately. Instead he took his time, observing the yellow consistency of his eggs before drawing in a slow and calculated breathe.

"I don't quite like a man who turns savage towards his own brethren, but to harm an unarmed innocent whom I love most dear was an all-out declaration of war." A satisfied grin touched his lips. "I merely met his aggression with that of my own."

Edd couldn't have been any more disgusted. "You are pompous Edwin. Truly." Edd stabbed his fork into his leaking yolk. "And you didn't answer my question."

Edwin finally picked his fork back up. "Do you remember Caesar?"

Edd felt his brows furrow. Why did that name sound so familiar? He couldn't picture a face but he knew that name from somewhere.

"Caesar, my friend from Saint Caravans."

Edd's eyes lit up with recognition. Now he knew. "Caesar Fuentes? How on earth did he-"

"Remember when I told you he moved?"

Edd nodded slowly, feeling something harden in the pit of his stomach. His brain was starting to put the puzzle pieces together.

"He moved to Brooklyn four years ago and has since gained employment at a popular young adult scene as their head of security."

Edd felt his face fall flat into his hand. The bouncer at the club had been Edwin's friend this entire time. He should have known! Caesar wasn't the kind of guy to be so easily forgotten. What a horrible twist of fate.

Edd felt the breath he had been holding in release. What a small world we live in.

Edwin felt the corners of his lips tip down into a frown. "You were lucky he was working that night or else I might never have found you."

Edd clenched his fist. "Edwin did you ever think that maybe I didn't want to be found?"

Edwin shook his head. "Yes the thought occurred to me but having realized how particularly stubborn you are and how asinine this entire venture was, it was in your best interest that I sought you out."

"My best interest." The sockhead repeated. "You say that so very often."

Edwin shrugged, ignoring that sting of the sockhead's words. Edd doubted him. That hurt.

"The truth is what it is." He finally said. "Define it however you want Eddward but the fact of the matter remains; that so long as I am alive I will see to it you are given every possible chance at success in this life. If this means stepping in when you make idiotic decisions then so be it." That was that. Edwin was putting his foot down.

Eddward wanted nothing more than to throw his plate of food at his so-called 'care taker' but he had far more control over himself than that. Besides, a face full of eggs would only prove Edwin's point further and Edd simply refused to let him be right in this.

"You are delusional Edwin. Simply delusional."

Edwin once again ignored the insult, refilling his glass of tea and politely refilling the sochead's. There was no chance in hell that Eddward was going to listen to reason. Edwin could have pulled him out of a burning building and Edd would have still screamed his head off about it. It was just the stubborn way he was. The gap-toothed boy had always been a firecracker, always wanting to do things himself and never wanting help. Edwin provided it, much to Edd's frustration, but always Edwin did so out of love. His actions were never meant to belittle Edd but the sockhead would see it no other way. His will was impenetrable and once he set his mind, changing it was damn near impossible.

"Just who was he to you?"

Edd was so caught up in his own thoughts he nearly missed the question all together.

"Who? Caesar?"

Edwin shook his head. "No. The brute."

Edd bit into his cheek once more, but this time a little harder. He was talking about Kevin and Edd knew this was going to be tricky to explain.

"A friend." Edd said. "He was my friend."

Edwin looked about as convinced as he had been about Edd's sticky door story.

"Hmm, somehow I find that hard to believe."

If Edd thought he had forgotten about that kiss, he would be dead wrong. Ugh, it disgusted him to even think about it!

Edd lifted his hands in surrender, pretending to be mocked. "What on earth did you think we were then? Lovers?"

The taller man chuckled. "Please mon cher (My Dear), do not insult me." Edwin pushed his plate aside, reaching across the table to Eddward's surprise and clasping the younger man's hand in his own. "I know you would never so freely give yourself to another. Especially to likes of that odious le bâtard (Bastard)."

Edd found it a bit hard to breathe. Edwin's hand was warm, brushing feather soft strokes over his knuckles. If only he knew the truth.

"I would never disrespect you by accusing you of such activity. You are far more worthy and deserving. You are better than that. You do know this, do you not?"

Edd did his best not to let the blush creeping up his neck reach his cheeks. It didn't help that Edwin's thumb had begun a gentle brush across each of his fingers, tickling the tendons all the way up to his elbow. He gave an involuntary shudder.

"He may have hurt you but that shall never happen again. I am here to protect you." His eyes narrowed, the arctic blue in each round sphere turning cold with self-loathing. "I had not been there to protect you from him for a time but never shall I let you down again."

Edd shook his head, slipping his hand out from beneath Edwin's. "Please listen to me. You have it all wrong."

Edwin cocked a brow, resting his chin on his fist. He might as well hear him out, though he sincerely doubted there was a thing Edd could say to change his mind. He could be just as obstinate.

"Kevin and I had been fighting. That's all. It was just an accident. He didn't mean to hurt me."

That did not help Edd's case at all. Edwin pinned him with a look.

"Accident or not you still came away wounded, did you not?"

Edd nodded in duress. "Yes but-"

"Did he apologize? Get down on his knees? Did he say he would never hurt you again?"

The look on Edwin's face had soured and Edd saw exactly where this conversation was going; nowhere.

"No. It's not like that."

"Oui. Oui! (Yes, Yes!) An accident it was." Edwin huffed. He was always one for dramatics. "If you think me daft then you are mistaken."

Eddward rubbed his lap vigorously. "You are not listening to me."

Edwin tapped his finger impatiently on the table. "That I am, Eddward. That I am."

The dork sucked in a deep relaxing breath, holding it as he worked to collect his scattered thoughts. He wouldn't allow himself to be upset with Edwin. It had been a complete misunderstanding. Frankly, had he walked in on something similar, he would have believed his own eyes as well. It was all circumstantial at best.

"Kevin would never harm me Edwin. He and I… we were good friends."

Edwin rubbed the back of his neck and pinched his eyes shut.

"I'm serious. Kevin and I get along just fine. He would never hurt me on purpose. What you saw was just a misunderstanding. A red herring really."

"To what?"

Edd sighed, peering down into the open mouth of his tea mug. "Look I know you don't believe me but trust me when I say he would never harm me. Never."

Edwin wanted to believe him. Really he did.

"He is so gentle. So kind." A find smile touched Edd's lips. "And so funny. When he made me laugh I just couldn't stop. And he's so smart."

Edwin inwardly quivered. Nice, funny and smart? "My, what fascinating if not generic qualities in a man."

Edd grunted, this time tossing a piece of bacon at Edwin. The taller of the two grinned, plucking the piece of meat off his chest and shoving it into his mouth.

"I saw what I saw mon amour (My love). You can no more change my mind than you can the color of the sky."

Edd huffed, slouching back in his seat. A stray ray of sunshine was peeking through the silver clouds, leaping off the face of the breakfast nook window and spilling over the kitchen table. He could feel the warmth of the sun on his arm and for a moment he reveled in it. It was as the sun fell back behind the clouds and the warmth slipped away that he allowed himself to look at the man across from him, a sincere, if not sad, smile sweeping his face.

"I know. You're going to believe what you want to believe; but Kevin-"

"Is that his name?" Edwin asked. "Kevin?"

Edd's cheeks flushed for what felt like the thousandth time that day. "Oh. Yes. Kevin Barr."

"Kevin Barr." Edwin let the name roll off his tongue. "I don't like it. It's much too stern a name."

Edd rolled his eyes. It seemed Edwin was just going to keep his stubborn pants on until this all blew over.

Thinking about Kevin was tough but Edd honestly hadn't thought it possible to talk about him as openly as he just did. It was almost therapeutic the way he spoke so casually, almost admiringly, about the red-headed motorcyclist. Even now as he thought about that cocky grin gleaming back at him he couldn't help but want to smile.

Thinking about his time with Barr family at Thanksgiving had been just the memory he needed to feel good again. He actually didn't feel as depressed as he had before talking with Edwin, which wasn't really any kind of weird occurrence for the two; but an odd a mix of the two had definitely helped. Looking out the window the day didn't seem as bleak or boring. Even the thought of spending time with his friend's didn't seem as big a hindrance as it had just moments ago.

He wanted to laugh at himself.

He felt like a pendulum, emotions swinging far from one side to another, only this time the pendulum had stopped. He'd have to analyze himself some time later, to see if what he felt was not just a product of the feel good moment he was having, but rather a genuine epiphany. For now it felt that way and for that reason he couldn't stop smiling. He missed Kevin dearly but for now, since allowing himself to think fondly of him instead of that vicious fight that nearly rendered him in two, he could focus on other things.

Looking up at the clock he decided now would be a good a time as ever to end the conversation. He wanted to leave it on a good note, something they could come back to later when they had the chance. Picking up his and Edwin's plates he carried them to sink, humming softly as he did so.

Edwin was a bit at a loss. He wasn't entirely sure what happened but one thing was for certain, their talk had healed a part of Edd's heart that he couldn't reach before. Had the sockhead been more wounded than he thought? Perhaps, but for now he was at peace just knowing the healing process had begun. While he detested the thought of Eddward speaking so kindly of that brute, what was his name, Kevin, the memory of the man had brought a smile to a face that needed it.

Eventually he would make Edd forget about this Kevin person. His plans for their day were meant to give the two time to rekindle their bond, to mend their broken connection. Already having opened up and shutting up on his part long enough to hear the other out, had left a positive impression. He now hoped nothing but the better for their future.

As for their relationship... Edwin would come to that in time. He didn't dare push the subject. For now Eddward needed him more in other ways. He had a broken heart that needed caring for, a life out of balance that needed some semblance of structure in order to move forward. He would find a way to make that happened. He always found a way. His beloved Eddward was a brilliant young man with such promise, the very kind that would put everyone he knew to shame. He deserved better and Edwin would continue to raise him higher in order to give him the chance in life Edwin never had. This had been a first step. A good step, in the right direction.

Edwin collected his keys from beside the front door, slipping quickly into his coat as Edd jogged after him. Toeing on his shoes Edd looked up to Edwin, the two sharing a look. Edd had been the first to smile.

"Perhaps I have been wallowing in some form of self-pity."

The sockhead glanced at the ground between his feet, shrugging into his fluffy orange winter coat.

"It is not my proudest moment but I will get over this in time. I intend to move on with my life, even if the hand I have been dealt had not been of my own creation." He said, zipping up his coat, turning to Edwin sharply. "But you must promise me one thing."

It was an obvious command, not a suggestion. Already Edd was feeling like his old self again.

Edwin nodded. "Anything."

"Give me time to heal on my own. I understand I haven't been the most cooperative in this. I never wanted to come back. That fact my mother' own cowardice was what forced my presence here grates heavily on me every day."

He looked up to Edwin, eyes glistening with unspoken feeling.

"But that does not mean I want to be away from my loved ones. It does not change how I feel about my own family. There are many who sacrifice day in and day out for others, giving all that they can just so that they never have to want."

Edd's eyes pinched shut as a breath shuddered past his lips. "My mother in need of me. I shall tend to her, no matter the circumstances between you and me, or myself and Kevin."

"You are willing to come to terms with this?" Edwin asked rather stupidly.

Edd nodded, albeit very slowly. "Yes. I only ask for time. I understand you have given me plenty of opportunity to grow out of this but I am only just realizing how silly I have been acting."

Edd let himself chuckle, the sound sardonic in his ears as Edwin wrapped a fluffy scarf around the sockhead's neck.

"Just promise me that you will give me time. Grant me the space and I will come to terms on my own. This is all I ask of you."

Edwin tied the scarf off, flipping the loosened end over the younger man's shoulder before allowing his hand to cup the side of Edd's rounded cheek.

"If that is what you desire then who am I to deny you?"

His fingers danced up higher, caressing the rim of Edd's hat before diving down to dance atop the rim of his ear. "I only want to see you happy."

"Edwin."

Blue eyes lit curiously. "Yes?"

Eddward pinched Edwin's hand until the older man yelped and took it back.

"Ow, ow, ow!" Edwin shook his throbbing hand. "What on earth was that for?!"

Eddward sniffed, throwing his nose and smile into the air as he made his way outside. "Nice try. You're gonna have to jump higher than that."

Edd couldn't stop the smile that touched his lips, not even the cool air of outside able to make him retract it. Kevin's voice rang sweetly in his head before fading to the farther parts of his mind to be remembered for later.

Edwin held his throbbing hand, thoroughly confused.


So what did you guys think? Let me know cause I love knowing!

Also if you guys didn't notice, that 'jump higher' comment was a throw back to chapter 4. :)

Ciao!