It wasn't getting any clearer.

Lunchtime was not promising a good time. Double D was already certain of that the minute he came into the cafeteria with Eddy at his side. At his insistence, they were holding hands, and looking every bit of a happy couple. Once more, their peers were surprised and confused, but otherwise didn't make too much fuss. Double D was at least glad for that.

Ed was still silent. He hadn't spoken a single word to anyone unless absolutely necessary. Whatever was going on seemed to be affecting him as well. Double D wasn't even sure how to approach him of the matter. He knew just as little as Ed seemed to know.

"Hey, Eddy!" Jonny came into view as they entered the cafeteria. "Plank and I are gonna join Kevin for some catch after we eat! You in?"

Double D felt his breath hitch. He watched Eddy carefully as he turned his attention to Jonny.

"Nope! Sorry, Jonny! I'm too busy with my boyfriend right now!" Eddy said cheerfully. He then made a shooing motion. "Now run along, we've got things to do!"

Jonny's face fell, but he nodded, "Well, okay then! See ya later!" He looked at Plank, bit his lip, and then went over to stand in line behind them.

In front of them, Double D spied none other than Marie Kanker, who was staring at him, and then glaring at Eddy jealously. Double D swallowed hard. He wasn't sure if this was a relief or not. But usually not.

"Huh. If it isn't Siegfried and Roy," she said nastily, her eyes narrowing.

"Oh, thank you!" Eddy said brightly, as if it were a compliment.

It was admittedly comical to see the confused and put off look on Marie's face.

Double D shifted on his feet a bit. "Hi, Marie..."

Marie looked at him, then folded her arms across her chest, staring the two of them down. "Hello, Double D."

"Is, erm... everything... all right?" He dared ask, not quite looking at her.

Pursing her lips, Marie's jealous glare didn't lessen. "I don't know how you could say that. But far be it from me to see my own boyfriend going behind my back. Again."

Double D's eyes went wide, "But we were never-!"

"Hey!" Came Eddy's voice.

Turning his attention to Eddy, Double D couldn't help feeling a spark of hope. His tone sounded annoyed, just like his usual self. Sure enough, he could see Eddy giving Marie a look of disapproval. Not quite his usual angry glare, but anything resembling it was good enough for him.

"How dare you insinuate that he's your boyfriend! He never has been and never will be!" Eddy declared, sounding less angry and more indignant. "I will kindly ask you to stop harassing my boyfriend, Miss Kanker! Either you turn around and walk away or be silent! Your antics are not appreciated here!"

And just like that, Double D felt his bubble of hope pop. It was nothing compared to the time that Eddy had unrelentingly raged at the Kankers to leave him alone. This was not right. Not at all. They may have always had trouble in dealing with the Kankers, but it was nothing like this.

Marie looked taken aback, but growled and turned away with a huff. At least it got the job done, but Double D had a feeling they would pay for it later.

Eddy then turned to Double D, squeezing his hand and patting it. "I'm so sorry you had to see me like that, Double D. But I couldn't bear seeing her harass you like that!"

Double D trembled, sighing a little bit. "It's... It's all right, Eddy. I'll... go save us a table. You know what I like."

"That I do!" Eddy said cheerfuly, giving him a pat on the cheek. "You go right ahead and sit your cute little keister down and I'll be there soon! Missing you already!"

"Heh heh... yeah... sure, me too..." Double D muttered half-heartedly. He headed past the line and over to the usual table, glad for some breathing room.

Sitting down at the table, Double D leaned over and buried his face in his hands. None of this was making any sense. There was no logical reason or explanation for what was happening. Amidst all that, Eddy wasn't himself. This wasn't what he wanted or expected.

'They say be careful what you wish for... As much as I want Eddy to be more open with his feelings and to be himself, this is too much...' Double D thought, sighing heavily. 'If he did feel the same way about me... I would have wanted him to win me over in his own Eddy way... Not like this...'

"Something is wrong with Eddy, Double D."

Looking up, Double D caught sight of Ed sitting across from him, a solemn look on his face.

"Where'd you get that idea..." Double D muttered sarcastically.

Ed sighed, shaking his head. "I saw him this morning and I knew. And it wasn't because of mind-altering space mutants of from space."

A tiny smile tugged at Double D's lips, "No... Although considering how outlandish all of this has become, I certainly wouldn't be surprised."

"I miss him, Double D..." Ed said sadly, looking over his shoulder toward where Eddy was standing.

Following his gaze, Double D felt his heart sink all the more. He nodded and straightened, "Me too, Ed..."

Coming up on his left side, Jimmy sat down at the table as well, while Sarah sat across from him.

"Hello! How are-Double D? Ed? Why the long faces?" Jimmy asked, his smile melting into a look of concern.

Even Sarah looked dumbfounded. "Jeez, Ed, I haven't seen ya look this sad since Mom took away your TV that one time."

Ed looked at Sarah, then sighed as he patted her hair, "It is not the television this time, baby sister."

Sarah frowned, then pushed his hand away, albeit not as roughly. "Okay, okay! So what's bugging you?"

"Eddy is acting not himself!" Ed moaned sadly, tears filling his eyes. "He is all Casanova without the nova!"

Raising an eyebrow, Sarah looked at Jimmy, then turned around to look at where Eddy was. "Huh."

Jimmy blinked, then turned to Double D, "But what's wrong, Double D? From what I saw, Eddy is acting very romantic!"

Double D managed a small smile, "He is, which can be nice, but... There is something about the way he's acting that doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel like he's himself. I'm not even sure why."

"Oohhh..." Sarah looked at Jimmy with uncertainty. "Ya know, Jimmy, maybe we should-"

"Lunchtime, Double D!" Eddy interrupted as he came over to the table, carrying a tray in his hand. He placed it front of Double D like a butler would do. "Bon appetit, honey! Anything else I can get ya? A soda? Maybe some more peas? Ooh! I know! Maybe I should get you some more napkins! Be right back!" He winked, then dashed across the cafeteria.

"Awww! Isn't that romantic?" Jimmy giggled, holding his clasped hands against one cheek.

Double D winced a bit, looking down at his tray. "I suppose..."

"Oh, come now, Double D! He's just trying to be sweet! Isn't that wonderful?" Jimmy said with a pout.

Giving a half smile, Double D just proceeded to start eating his lunch. Eddy came back moments later with a handful of napkins, more than he actually needed. He then sat down next to Double D, gazing fondly at him all the while.

As Double D bit into his food, he looked all around Eddy's person, and frowned a bit. "Eddy? Where's your lunch?"

"Don't have one." Eddy said brightly.

"You don't have one?" Double D said with disbelief. "Didn't your mother make you one?"

"I dunno." Eddy shrugged, smiling brightly at him.

Double D gaped. "What do you mean, you don't know?! How could you not know? Didn't you go into the kitchen and see if she made you one?"

"'Cause I didn't check, silly!"

"Why didn't you check?!"

"I had to make sure I was ready to pick you up! I was waiting outside your house since four AM!" Eddy said cheerfully.

The fork Double D was holding fell from his hand. "You have been waiting outside since four in the morning?! Eddy! What were you thinking?!"

"Of you, my sweet little dumpling!" Eddy cooed, giggling.

"Eddy! Why in the world would you do that?!" Double D yelled, grabbing at his shoulders. "Are you insane?! You could have caught a cold!"

"Oh, don't worry, sugar plum!" Eddy smiled brightly, as if nothing was truly wrong with any of this.

"How can I not worry?! Do you at least have some money to get a lunch now?!" Double D demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"Nope!" Eddy beamed. "Who needs money when I have you?"

That did it right there. Double D felt his heart drop like a slab of cement. This was unbelievably out of control. Never in his life would Eddy ever say that about money. If he had doubted that something was wrong with Eddy beforehand, this would have clinched it.

"Eddy... What is the matter with you?!" Double D shrieked in frustration, tears pooling in his eyes. "You've been acting completely out of character all day! What has gotten into you?!"

"Aww, no need to be upset, sugarcube! Everything's going to be okay, I promise!" Eddy beamed, taking Double D's hands and holding them tenderly. "Now why don't you relax and eat? Don't mind me! I'll be fine."

"You'll be fine?! Fine?! You haven't eaten breakfast as far as I know now!" Double D yelled, pulling his hands away. "How in the world could you do this to yourself?! You're acting like a... like a...!"

"Yes?" Eddy smiled cutely.

Double D panted and huffed, realizing where this was going. If he went any further, it would ignite the fire and make Eddy fight back. Just as their usual bickering would do. But most especially, during their big argument back in the swamp. That had been a huge turning point in their friendship. It was probably going to be just the thing they needed to get Eddy to snap out of this.

Maybe, just maybe, it would work. He hated to do this, but right now, he had no choice.

"Like a lunatic!" Double D yelled as he stood up, glaring angrily. "That's right, a lunatic! You are absolutely and irrevocably acting like an absurd, nonsensical and completely misguided lunatic!"

The entire table fell quiet. Jimmy and Sarah stared at the display with widened eyes and slacked jaws. Ed was looking hopeful, if a bit nervous as well as he bit his lip. Everyone else in the cafeteria were stopping and staring at the two of them, curious about the yelling. But Double D didn't care about any of that. He just wanted to fix this.

"Me?" Eddy pointed to himself, wide-eyed. "Oh Double D, you're so silly! Please sit down and eat your lunch, you're acting a little hyper right now!"

Whatever it was, something inside Double D just snapped. Maybe it was his own growing frustration or the entire situation still not making sense or Eddy's response. He didn't know or care.

"HYPER?!" Double D screamed, tugging at his hat in frustration. He all but grabbed Eddy's wrist and pulled him up off the bench. "You have a lot of nerve calling me hyper and silly, mister! What is wrong with you, you lunatic?! This is not like you! You would never be this passive! Why aren't you yelling back at me?! Why aren't we arguing?! This is NOT like you! You would never sit back and take it! I know you!"

"I wouldn't? Oh! Okay then!" Eddy said cheerfully, grinning. "Should I start yelling back? I don't want to yell at you, you're too precious! But I will if you really want me to!"

Panting angrily, Double D advanced on him, glaring daggers into Eddy's wide and innocent eyes. Tears fell down his own, but he ignored them. "Then do it! Get angry with me! I know you're in there somewhere, Eddy! Now do it! Let it out already!"

"Okay!" Eddy giggled. He cleared his throat, inhaled deeply, and then fixed a glare on his face. But was half-hearted and looked silly. "Um, grrr! How could you say such things? That's, uh, really mean of you! Grr! I'm so tired of you acting this way! Grrr! ...How'd I do? Was that good?"

The silence was practically deafening. All Double D could do was stare in shock, completely taken aback by the half-hearted display. No. This wasn't right. Everything was wrong. His heart was shattered and he could feel his gut stinging with the immense emotions. It was a wonder that his legs hadn't given out yet.

"Eddy... what... happened to you?" Double D croaked, more tears falling down his face.

"Double D! You're crying!" Eddy said in worry. He hurried over to grab some napkins, to which he used to wipe his face. "What's the matter, sweetheart? Talk to me."

Double D sniffled, trembling a little. He then pulled away, shaking his head, "No... No, this is wrong! You're not... You're not my Eddy!"

"You tell him, Double D!" Ed chimed in.

"What do you mean?" Eddy asked, confused. "I'm me! I'm Eddy! Why wouldn't I be?"

Wiping his eyes, Double D turned and headed toward the cafeteria doors. "I-I can't do this right now...! I need to be alone..."

"Double D, wait! Honey! Don't cry!" Eddy hollered, trying to go after him, but Ed held him back. "Ed, let go! I have to go to him! Please!"

"No! You will not!" Ed said sternly.

"Nooo! Don't keep me from him! Double D! Double Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

As the tears flowed freely, Double D hugged himself and sobbed as he heard Eddy's protesting cries from behind him. It was all too much. He could barely hold himself up as he walked slowly to nowhere in particular.

After some time, he found himself standing in front of the nurse's office. Wiping his eyes, he opened the door and slipped inside. At least he could distract himself with his little job as the nurse's assistant. Double D exhaled, wiping his eyes again before he went to work on getting into his nurse outfit.

"I don't understand... There's no scientific or logical reason for Eddy to be acting this way... A complete one-eighty from how he is!" Double D muttered to himself as he changed. "Who does he think he is?! If this is a prank, it has gone on far long enough! But even that doesn't seem to be the case! How could this be happening... I can't even discern it!"

More tears spilled down his face. Double D gripped the examining table to steady himself as he cried, sniffling loudly.

"What happened to him... He's not the same... I always loved the new Eddy, but... not like this..." Double D whimpered, his fingers clutching at the paper along the table. "He's not my Eddy..."

His tears fell onto the paper, staining it. Double D fell over a bit and sobbed, trembling violently. This went on for a while and made it hard for him to hear the sound of knocking on the door. Jerking up, Double D sniffled and wiped his eyes hurriedly before grabbing a pair of gloves to put on.

"C-Come in!" He cried out, inwardly cursing at the fact that his voice was cracked.

The door opened very slowly before Eddy peeked his head in nervously. "Um... Double D? Are you all right?"

Sniffling, Double D wasn't sure how to feel at this point. He just nodded and turned away to put on his gloves. "I'm fine."

"Did I... Do something wrong?" Eddy came into the office, closing the door behind him. "You were crying and getting all upset earlier. If I did something to upset you, please tell me! I don't want to make you sad."

Trembling a bit, Double D hid his tears from his friend. "I'm fine! I just need to do... do my job now..."

"Double D, I know you. You're upset," Eddy said from behind him. His shoes clapped silently against the floor as he approached. "C'mon, you can tell me anything. I'll listen to you and try to help you, I promise. Just please tell me, I hate seeing you so sad. It breaks my heart."

A choked sob escaped Double D as he hugged himself, unable to face him at all. He shook his head and whimpered. "I can't do this, Eddy... You're not yourself. This isn't like you at all... You haven't even called me Sockhead today..."

"No? Oh dear! Well, I can certainly try doing that!" Eddy said, sounding relieved, but still worried. "What else can I do, er... Sockhead?"

Double D shook his head again and walked toward the clear containers of tongue depressors. "Eddy, don't... Please. I can't take this. I don't want this... I just want you to be yourself... Not this... this... Casanova Romeo..."

"Oh Double D, why not?" Eddy asked, sounding sad. "I'm trying to be a good boyfriend to you. Isn't this what you want?"

"Of course it's what I want! But not like this...!" Double D choked out, sniffling. He wiped his eyes again, trying to clear his blurring vision. "Why are you doing this, Eddy... I don't understand!"

"Because you're my boyfriend, and I love you."

Breath hitching, Double D was stricken as he let those words sink in. He dared look Eddy's way, clutching a bit at his chest as his heart raced. Had he heard him right? Still with tears, he finally turned to him, letting his arms fall to his sides.

"Eddy... what did you just say?" Double D managed to say.

Eddy came closer, taking Double D's gloved hands. "I love you, Double D," he gave a crooked grin, giggling a bit.

At that, Double D fell to his knees, unable to keep himself standing anymore. His heart was swelling and his stomach churned as the mixed emotions ran in his mind. How could he even resist those beautiful words? Even Eddy's soft and tender tone was enough to overtake him. Why did such a moment from his fantasies have to happen like this?

Everything leading up to it was wrong. Everything about it was wrong.

But in that moment, Double D just didn't care. All he could do was take it in. And it felt nice. Very nice.

Completely overtaken by his emotions, Double D grabbed Eddy and hugged him tightly, clutching at him. "Oh Eddy... I-I love you, too!"

Heart pounding, eyes stinging and stomach churning, Double D went for it and leaned in for a kiss. Eddy didn't resist and leaned in as well. Their eyes closed just as they were about to-

The door slammed open.

"Double D! Double D, I'm sorry! It's all my fault!"

The two broke apart like a bullet had gone off, to which they faced the door and saw Jimmy in the now open doorway. Behind him was Sarah, looking very guilty.

"J-Jimmy?" Double D wiped his eyes and tried to focus on the younger boy. "Jimmy... what are you talking about?"

"I'm the reason Eddy is acting this way!" Jimmy said with shame, tears in his eyes.

"But...how?" Double D uttered, dumbfounded.

"I'm confused," Eddy admitted.

Sarah came in as well, putting a hand on Jimmy's shoulder, "We spiked Eddy's soda with the potion Jimmy showed you."

Now Double D's eyes went wide. "You... did... WHAT?!"

"Wait, what's going on here?" Eddy looked amidst them all. "Double D? Did something happen?"

Double D ignored that for now. He advanced on Jimmy, who looked up at him with fright. "Let me get this straight... You went ahead and used the potion... Despite that I very specifically said not to?!"

"Don't get mad, Double D!" Sarah cried with desperation. "He was only trying to help!"

"Quiet, Sarah!" Double D snapped, turning back to Jimmy. "How could you do that?! Never mind my emotional torment, you put Eddy through a complete mental shift without his consent! How could you?!"

Sniffling, Jimmy wiped his eyes and trembled. "I'm so sorry, Double D! I only wanted to help and to make you happy!"

"You change Eddy back to normal this minute, mister!" Double D snarled, pointing a finger at the floor. "And you are to throw out the rest of your potion! I haven't a clue what kind of mixtures and procedures the two of you used, but I will not allow it again!"

"I-I can only do that with a mixture of lemon juice mixed with sparkling water! I-It will counteract the effects of the potion!" Jimmy squeaked, holding his hands up in defense.

Softening ever so slightly, Double D looked at Sarah. "Please go and retrieve the necessary items from the cafeteria. Tell them that Eddward the nurse's assistant sent you."

Sarah didn't argue as she nodded and hurried out of the office. Jimmy meanwhile stood shaking in his spot, covering his head as if he were about to be hit.

"I am furious with you right now, Jimmy." Double D said acidly, going over to the nearby cabinet to procure a disposable cup. "You stay right here."

"Yes, Double D... I-I will..." Jimmy said shakily.

Eddy slowly approached Double D, twiddling his thumbs and looking nervous. "Um, Double D?"

Turning his head toward him, Double D softened a little more. "Yes, Eddy?"

"Is there... Anything I can do?" Eddy asked demurely.

Exhaling a bit, Double D at least felt a little more relieved to know what was going on. He gave a small nod and pointed to the examining table, "I'd like for you to sit here on the examination table. Just until we get this whole situation sorted out."

"Um, okay..." Eddy nodded a bit, then obliged as he climbed onto the table.

Managing to regain himself a little more, Double D placed the cup next to the sink, barely looking at his friend. "I do... apologize for my outburst earlier, Eddy. Regardless of the circumstances, I ended up letting my emotions and my confusion get the better of me."

"Oh! It's okay, Double D. Nothing you do would ever make me love you any less!" Eddy assured with a smile. "Of course you're still my sugar plum!"

Double D winced a little, but otherwise nodded and went to work at distracting himself a bit more.

A couple minutes later, Sarah returned with a bottle of lemon juice and sparkling water. She placed the items next to Double D and went to stand next to Jimmy. He looked at her with teary eyes, then wiped them before he went to help make the mixture.

Once it was all made, Double D took the cup, along with a bottle of water, and handed them both to Eddy.

"Here you are, Eddy. I'm going to need you to drink this," Double D said.

"Are you sure?" Eddy sniffed the cup and made a face. "It smells kind of weird."

Double D sighed and nodded, "Yes, I'm sure. I'll just need you to trust me on this."

Looking from the cup to Double D, Eddy exhaled and smiled. "Well, okay. I'll do it for you, my little Sockhead."

A tiny smile came to Double D's lips. "Okay."

Eddy looked at the drink, then quickly drank it down and chased it with the water. He made a face and gagged, trembling a little. "Yuck! That was gross!" He shook his head wildly, nearly falling over in the process.

Reaching over, Double D was about to touch his shoulder, but hesitated. He drew it back, looking at his friend with concern. "Eddy? Eddy, are you all right?"

"Huh?" Eddy looked up, blinking a few times and rubbing his eyes. "Double D? Why the heck am I in the nurse's office?"

Feeling a tiny spark of hope, Double D reached over and touched Eddy's arm gently. "Well, it's a little difficult to explain, but... How do you feel?"

"I'm starvin'! And why the heck am I wearing these nerdy clothes?!" Eddy said, hopping off the table. He didn't resist Double D's touch, however. "Wait, did I pass out or somethin'?"

"Oh..." Double D smiled now. "Well, in a matter of speaking. Why don't you head down to the cafeteria and get something to eat? I, erm, wasn't hungry, so you can eat my lunch if you want."

"I can?! Aw man, thanks, Sockhead! You're a pal!" Eddy grinned at him, then hurried to the door. He then paused and looked at him with a confused frown. "Are you feelin' okay? Your eyes are all puffy and bloodshot. Were you cryin'?"

Giving a giggle, Double D just shook his head. "I'm all right, Eddy. I was-er, very worried about you, that's all. I'm glad you're feeling better!"

"O-kay then..." Eddy looked at him with a raised eyebrow, then noticed Jimmy and Sarah. "Sooo, what are you guys doin' here?"

"Oh! Um..." Jimmy looked over toward Double D nervously, "I was... er, merely lending my assistance to Double D."

"What he said," Sarah shrugged. "I'm gonna get outta here too. You coming, Jimmy?"

Jimmy nodded, "I'll be right there, Sarah."

Sarah left, while Eddy lingered for a second or two longer, then he too exited. Once the door closed, Double D exhaled with massive relief and sat down on a stool to collect himself.

"Oh, thank heavens that's over..." Double D murmured, wiping across his forehead.

"I'll say..." Jimmy said as he came over, not quite looking at him. "Double D, I'm... I'm sorry I went behind your back like that. It was terrible of me. But as I said, all I wanted was to give you a push to be honest with your feelings. Although it wasn't the right way to do it."

Exhaling, Double D looked at him with something of a smile. "I forgive you, Jimmy. I know you were only trying to help. Please, just don't do it again."

"I won't, I promise!" Jimmy said desperately, clasping his hands. "But, there is one more thing I didn't tell you about the potion!"

"Well... I don't suppose it matters, but what is it?" Double D asked.

Jimmy was silent for a moment or two before responding. "Well, unlike before, the love potion we made doesn't make you fall in love, let alone with the first person you see."

Double D rose his eyebrows. "What are you insinuating?"

"You see, the potion Eddy drank... what it did was enhance the love that was already there. It took away his inhibitions about the feelings he has and that's why he was acting the way he did," Jimmy said softly. "And that wouldn't have happened if he weren't already in love with you."

Wide-eyed, all Double D could do was sit there and stare at Jimmy in awe. The words sunk in as he now saw what it all meant. His heart pounded vigorously. His breathing quickened as he then stood up, trying to get a grip on himself. Everything made sense.

"Anyway... I'd better get going," Jimmy said awkwardly, heading to the door. "I'll be sure to throw out the rest of the potion."

Double D merely nodded, waving him out the door. Once it closed, he grinned widely and couldn't help doing a little dance.

"Eddy loves me! He loves me!" He squealed softly, hugging himself. "Oh wondrous day! Though it started with confusion and emotional turmoil, this is splendid!"

Gathering himself enough, Double D went about his duties, humming and grinning widely all the while.

Everything was going to be all right.

XXX

After school that day, the Eds were walking home together, as usual. Even with the ribbing and questions from their peers, the rest of the day went by without incident. It was so hard to believe what had happened. But Double D was relieved that all was normal again. So was Ed, who had returned to his usual cheerful self the moment he knew Eddy was himself again.

"Man, I can't believe Jimmy used some kinda mind-altering potion on me! Just to see what happened!" Eddy shuddered a bit. "And it was a love potion? Jeez!"

Double D gave a mild shrug, looking up from the sidewalk and to his friends. "Well, as I said before, I suppose he wanted to see how the effects would work on you, Eddy. And you said, ah... you can't remember any of it?"

Eddy shook his head. "Nope! It just felt like I blacked out or something! All's I remember was getting up in the middle of the night, feeling all weird, then it was like I fell back asleep!"

"Ah, I see," Double D nodded. "Intriguing."

"I'm just glad you're normal again, Eddy!" Ed said cheerfully, grinning. "Casanova Eddy was weird!"

"Ha! I bet he was!" Eddy laughed, shaking his head. "Sure wish I could've seen that on tape!"

Double D chuckled nervously, then cleared his throat, "Well, I'm glad you're back to normal as well, Eddy. It certainly was an... interesting experience, to say the least. But you know that I-er, we love you just the way you are."

"Yeah yeah, sure..." Eddy blushed and looked away. "Thanks, uh... for gettin' me out of it, Sockhead."

"You're welcome, Eddy."

Ed bounced a little, coming between the two. "Movie night at my place! We will have a monster marathon, oh boy! Tonight's theme, Godzilla!"

"All right, all right! We'll be there!" Eddy laughed, nudging Ed in the side.

"I concur," Double D smiled.

Once they made it to the cul-de-sac, a very eager Ed hurried off to his house to prepare for their movie night. All the while, Eddy and Double D slowly walked together, neither in any hurry to go home just yet.

"So, Sockhead... I er, heard from the guys that I, uh... was kinda actin' like a Romeo or somethin'. And that it was only with you," Eddy remarked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Oh!" Double D blushed, then looked away, "Y-Yes... It's true. You only acted that way around me."

"Huh. Weird," Eddy murmured, kicking a pebble across the sidewalk. "Hope I didn't freak you out too much."

Touched, Double D smiled and shook his head. "It's not your fault, Eddy. I was more... confused and worried than anything."

Eddy looked up at him, then gave a little chuckle as he averted his gaze, "Sure sounds like you, Double D."

"Mm-hmm... You weren't yourself, so it certainly made me worried, especially since I had no idea that Jimmy even slipped you the potion," Double admitted.

"What a crazy idea," Eddy snorted.

"Agreed."

When they finally reached Double D's house, the two stopped in front of the walkway, unsure about what to say or do next. They didn't even look at each other for at least a minute or so. When they finally did, soft blushes marred their cheeks before looking away.

"You're my boyfriend, and I love you."

Those words kept replaying in his mind, and probably would for a long time to come. Just until the day came that they would finally be honest with one another about the love they shared. A love that Double D now knew was no longer unrequited.

"So, uh... Listen, Double D... you uh, you want to... I don't know, do somethin' sometime? You know, just us?" Eddy stammered, rubbing the back of his neck.

Wide-eyed, Double D looked back at his friend with shock. "You mean, you and I?"

"Well, yeah. The guys think we're boyfriends now... may as well, uh... keep up appearances, I guess," Eddy shrugged, not looking at him. "If ya want."

Giving a bright smile, Double D nodded as they went up the front walk. "I'd like that, Eddy. How about tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sure. One-ish, I guess?"

"That would be adequate."

Now on his doorstep, with his back against the door, Double D blushed and gave his friend a wave. Eddy looked at him with a crooked smile, then waved back. Their eyes met for a few moments.

Turning away, Double D took out his house keys and proceeded to unlock the door. Just as he put his hand on the knob, Eddy spoke up again.

"Hey Sockhead."

"Yes, Eddy?" Double D turned around.

His breath hitched the moment he saw the insidious smirk on Eddy's face.

"Do ya still think I'm a lunatic?"