Winged Cupid Painted Blind Chapter 14 - The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth
A/N- "Ay me! For aught that I could ever read, Could ever hear by tale or history, The course of true love never did run smooth. But either it was different in blood—Or else misgraffèd in respect of years" A Midsummer's Night Dream Act 1 Scene 1. Which means in all the tails they have ever read love never did came easy, either the lovers were in different social status' or there was an age difference, it goes on to give more reasons but those two fit the lovers I am portraying here best.
Kevin had been sitting in the lunch room surrounded by people who he was suppose to be associated with, the jocks, cheerleaders and popular cliché. He was currently half heartedly listening to Nazz go on and on about the Halloween party she was going to throw this coming up weekend, and why she was doing it the week before the holiday. "So like my parents are going to be out of town so it's the perfect time to have it," She paused for a brief moment looking for a hint of approval from him, but all she got was Kevin sitting there with his chin resting in the palm of his hand looking off into the distance. Not getting what she wanted she continued, "And the following weekend all the kids from the area will be coming to the door looking for candy, and of course my parents will be right there passing it out, so it's the only time I can have it, you see."
She pauses again and this time Kevin noticed the stop and replies, "MMhmm that's good."
She was flustered, but not giving up, "So you're coming then?"
Kevin caught that part a little clearer than the rest of the conversation and answered her, all be it unenthusiastically, "Sure, wouldn't miss it." Out of the corner of his eye he sees Nat waving his hand at someone, pulling his eyes away from a very interesting section of table he had been staring at he looks in the general direction his friend was looking in and sees Edd returning the wave. Their eyes briefly lock and Kevin's heart plummets, Edd's eyes looked so sad at that very moment, and his heart told him that he had better get off his ass and go over there and talk to the dork, that there was nothing to really fear.
Nat shacks his head at his friend, knowing full well that he was being an idiot about something and he had a good idea what it was, "So what the hell happened between you and Double Delinquent over there?"
"Nothing happened between us," Kevin replied and Nat's interest was piqued, it was the way that Kevin answered that made him think that something did in fact happen, what that something was had yet to be revealed.
"Did you two have an argument?"
"No."
"Were you and asshole to him?"
Kevin took a moment to think about it but decided to answer, "No."
Leaning his head on his friends shoulder with his hands clasped together while batting his eyes, "What did you kiss him," puckering up his lips he kissed the air a few times, "and now can't figure out how to handle the situation?"
The side glance Kevin gave him told Nat all he needed to know, Kevin shrugs him off his shoulder and replied, "No Nat, nothing like that."
"Whatever bro," Nat leans back into his seat and crosses his arms, "Go ahead and keep it a secret, see if I care." Kevin gets the distinct feeling that he is being looked at and turns his eyes away from Nat and in the direction where Edd was sitting, the boy was busy talking to his friends and putting on a happy face, though his eyes told a different story. Still getting that feeling he turns his head a little further and down the table he was sitting at. A few seats down from him sat Tim, who was staring in his direction challengingly, as one of his lackeys was looking in the direction of Edd and laughing to himself. The jackals have apparently sensed that the alpha male was away from the weaker members of the pack for whatever reason, and were now circling the cub, ready to strike.
Nat saw the display between the two, "So are we going to nip this in the bud now?"
Kevin's heart said yes get your ass out there right now and reassert to this dumbass that he had better not lay one fucking finger upon Edd if he knew what was good for him. His mind on the other hand was stock full of fears on what other's would do or say if they figured out what happened between them over the weekend, and he didn't want to risk the image of his masculinity and be branded a limp wristed queer. "No, the boy has to learn to take care of himself," and his heart plummeted once again at his own words, why was his heart aching though, they were just friends that made a mistake and did something that they shouldn't have.
The bell rings to begin the day and Nat stands, "You know what, you just need to grow up and get over it already."
"Come on Nat, don't be like that"
Nat took in a deep breath and massaged the bridge of his nose, "I'm not being like anything," He starts toward the hall with Kevin following beside him, "I'm not the one who is allowing a friend to get beat up by some punks."
"If he keeps relying on me he will never be able to stand on his own two feet."
"So you're plan this whole time was to piss Tim off and then abandon Edd?" They stop in front of Nat's locker and he begins to dial in the combination.
"No it wasn't like that," Both of their attentions were drawn to a loud bag, and find Eddy flipping the bird while yelling at a casually retreating Tim, as Ed helped Double D pick up his books from the floor.
"Well that is exactly what it's like now," opening his locker he pulls some books from it, "Tim is testing Edd's defenses now, and if you don't do something about it he's going to make that boys life hell, just like Edd tried to tell you the first time you stepped in." Seeing the muscles in Kevin's jaw contract as he gritted his teeth he decided to push a little more, "So you have two choices as I see it, step up to the plate and keep him safe like you said you were going to do, or be a little bitch, stand there and watch someone you care about get hurt, and for what your reputation." Nat closes his locker door and walks by him to head to his first class but pauses as they were shoulder to shoulder, "Hypocrite."
He takes a few steps forward, but noticed that Kevin wasn't moving, so he figured that he must have hit a few of the right buttons, stopping one finally time he turns and gets his friend attention by calling out to him, "Kevin, I'll watch over him for now, so you go ahead and take the day to think about what I said, ok." Kevin nods, thankful that Nat was his friend and didn't hold back when it came to calling out his bull shit, now he just needed to figure out what to do.
Over the course of the day Nat did what he said he would do and kept a watchful eye on the dork, he had a good feeling what was going on between the two of them but had no real proof. The day ticked by slowly and at ever change of class Nat would see Edd walking down the hall with his two friends close beside him, which was a blessing in on itself, Tim would be less likely to try anything with the three of them grouped together, to many witnesses and possibilities to account for. Finally lunch came along, Nat was famished and made his way toward the lunchroom, the halls were practically empty except for a few straggler here and there who were all in a rush to get their government approved and nutritionally balanced meal. Turning the corner he sees movement out of the corner of his eye in the direction of the secluded corner of the now empty stairwell, probably some kid skipping class to go smoke under the football bleachers he thought to himself. That is until he heard the quiet but harsh words being said then the sound of flesh smacking against flesh, an all too familiar voice whining at the impact, the bullies were trying to keep the noise down as to not draw unwanted attention to themselves. He slowly walks forward to try and ascertain how many people were in there, and whether or not he had a chance against them, he knew he could take Tim with no problems, but if he had three or four of his buddies with him that was different story, but he would give it his all none the less.
"So what did you do huh, try and grab his dick?" Tim grabs a handful of Edd's hair and pulls back violently making the dork look him in the eye, his beanie was already laying on the floor along with his books, from where Tim had forcefully pushed him into the stairwell and had knocked it off of his head. He smacks him hard in the face and when Edd's head jerks from the impact the hair in Tim's hand is pulled even harder, "Or did he finally realize that you're a pole puffing queer."
"I didn't do anything wrong," Edd said with a hint of furry in his eyes from being mistreated so.
Nat peaks around the corner and sees that it is just Tim with only one friend, "I think you did," Tim states, he was so sure he was correct about Edd, "You see that's why you faggots can't be friends with normal people, you're addicted to cock, you need it, you just can't help yourselves. And now that Barr is no longer saving your ass I'll teach you the lesson you so rightfully deserve."
"And who said that they weren't friends anymore?" Tim and Lucas both turn around to see Nat casually leaning against the door frame. "Just because Kevin has been busy today does not mean their friendship is over, you assume too much Timmy."
"And what does it matter to you Goldberg," Tim Spits out.
"It doesn't really, but," Nat points to something behind Tim, the boy turns just in time to see a book coming down in his face, Edd brings back his foot and swings wracking the bully in the family jewels sending him tumbling to the ground.
Lucas forgetting about Nat went to take a swing at Edd but before he could begin the forward motion of his fist his arm was grabbed by Nat and he was spun around to face the teal haired boy. Nat readies his fist and Lucas crumpled bringing his hands up to protect himself he squealed, "Don't hurt me."
"As I thought," Nat said and let go of the boys arm, Lucas taking the chance ran for it. Nat beckons to the boy, "Come on Edd lets go," and he hops over Tim's groaning body and exits the stairwell, Nat puts his arm around his shoulder and walks him down the hall toward the cafeteria, "Damn Edd, didn't know you had it in ya."
A panic hit Edd, what the hell is Tim going to do to him for wracked him, "I think I'm going to get sick."
"Naw, you're fine, it's just the adrenaline working its way through your system," Nat bumps his fist against Edd's chin playfully, "I'm proud of ya, way to stand up to that asshole." Almost to the cafeteria Nat releases his hold on Edd and puts a step between them, more of a curtsy to Edd then anything else. "Hey Edd," Edd looks to the boy, "Did Kevin do something to hurt you this weekend?" Edd hesitated but said no, "Well did something happen that would cause him to act differently to you?" Again he hesitated but answered no, "Ok Double Delish you don't have to tell me what's going on if you don't want to, but I just wanted to let you know that you can talk to me anytime about anything, I won't judge you."
"Thank you Nat, I appreciate that."
"I mean it, your secrets are safe with me, doesn't mean I won't kick Kevin's ass if he hurt's you, he'll just have to figure out why I'm doing it on his own."
Nat made a few comical jabs with his fists which made Edd laugh a little, "Thank you, I'm glad that you're still my friend Nat."
"Why wouldn't I be," Nat said as though this was a very silly thought for such an intelligent person to have, "Just because he's being an idiot and not talking to you doesn't mean I'll follow behind him blindly and do the same, you're a good kid, you just continue being you and it will all work out, you'll see." Nat spent that lunch period with the three Ed's, choosing to ignore his friend in hopes that it would spur the idiot into coming over and joining them. But as usual Kevin can have a thick head at times and he didn't catch on to the hint and thus spent his lunch listening to Nazz yet again go on about her party that coming weekend.