All We Are

by Ariela246

Eddward frankly was a very mysterious guy. There were people in school who respected him, most, however, feared his intimidating presence. Little Kevin had no idea how Eddward had gotten so much power in his possession, but he hoped someone would step up and give him a piece of his own medicine. [REV!KEVEDD] SLOW BURN(Warning: Graphic Violence & Self Harm! Please read with caution)

54. Chapter 54

Welcome back my loves!

Thank you so much for understanding how long it takes for me to write these chapters. It truly warms my heart to know you all are willing to wait for my slow ass haha

so because of this I was able to take my time on this chapter. I edited it so many times and now I am releasing it before I change my mind.

Hope you all enjoy!

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When Eddward entered his home once more it was far too quiet. Upon settling back in the silence of his home he realized it left him feeling uncomfortable and missed the rowdy gang. He hung his coat at the entrance and kicked off his shoes trying not to care of where they landed. Then took off his new scarf and stared at it memorizing the texture of the garment in his hand before letting a breath of air out and hanging it by his coat. Today was certainly overwhelming... he entered his kitchen flicking the lights on and saw that Nazz's decoration still hung in place. He took a seat at the table and stared at everything in silence. He couldn't really express what he was currently feeling as he looked at everything surrounding him. The necklace that hung from his neck and the watch the hugged his wrist both very present in his mind. He took his hat off and ran his fingers through his hair his mind at peace but exhausted. He was grateful to have had that moment with Ed in the morning or else he wouldn't have survived this day. Thankfully, it was over now.

However, he was in no mood to go to sleep at the moment, he was unsettled but in a positive way. So he just sat down and stared at the colorful balloons tied to the chair and the various shark's cutouts and blue ribbons and the apple pie that had been left on the table. He couldn't seem to bring himself to hate all these things although they were quite childish... he couldn't bring himself to take them down as well. It was unbelievable to think Nazz had made such an effort as well. Truly, who would have thought that the girl who absolutely loathed him with all her being would personally knit him a scarf of all things and make a willing effort to put all this together. It felt weird...in a good way. He lifted his legs up on the counter crisscrossing them despite every atom in his being scolding the action.

Last year, he remembered he had spent the day reading and had gone to bed early. It was what he normally did, and what he expected for this year but here he was. With everything that had happened he didn't expect to be so calm about today's events. He supposed he owed Ed more than thanks or perhaps he had let all of his stored rage fuel him when he had...beaten up Trevor.

With another huff of breath he stood and made his way to the cabinets opening one to find bottles of wine and reached for the opened one. Grabbing a glass along the way he took a seat on the counter, something he hadn't done since childhood. But fuck it.

He poured the glass half full and then swirled the glass gently looking at the velvet liquid move around. He hated the sight of it, he hated the smell of it, but no mattered how much he detested that this wine was related to his father he couldn't help but also connect it to his mother. This was her favorite brand...her favorite smell. He remembered watching the woman dance around the kitchen with her long black hair swinging right behind her, and pale hands waving above her. She would pick up the glass and inhaling the scent of the drink. A bright smile would form on her red painted lips as she took a sip and giggled making her way back to him and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. She never behaved this...free when his father was home.

A part of him wondered if...perhaps his father would drink this beverage for the same reason as him? If perhaps the old man had lovely memories of their younger years before he came along and ruined everything. Was the woman an empty shell of was she used to be now?

Perhaps...Something had broken her and that was why his father had forbid him from seeing her all this time. He constantly thought about what she had been crying about that night he had found her in the office sobbing. Maybe she really didn't want to see him? Maybe he had broken her and that was why his father came back enraged enough to nearly have killed his only son.

As he took a sip he noticed he had finished the glass and frowned at it. He poured some more and sat in silence drinking the second glass now the depressing emotions beginning to crawl up his ribcage. He looked towards the living room a vision of his younger self sitting in the middle of the living room facing the fireplace watching the fire burn. Once he finished his fifth glass, a slight buzz made him finally feel sleepy enough for him to decide it was time to head upstairs. He jumped off the counter and placed the glass in the sink and returned the bottle to where it belonged. He made his way up the stairs stopping a moment to look at the door that lead into the office and glared at it.

With a moment of hesitation Eddward finally stepped up and opened the door. He looked around as he made his way to take a seat at his father's desk and turned on the lamp. It wasn't like he hadn't ever searched for any information in the office before, but his father had left no trace of their current whereabouts. He had looked through articles about his father as he was a famously known doctor but he had noticed that after their disappearance there had been about a two year period where there were no articles published. Nothing about his parents was found. It had been exasperating when he had first attempted to find them. Then he had only seen things about his father and never once again anything relating to his mother, Isabella.

Long shaky fingers typed away the password to his father's computer. It wasn't like he wasn't allowed to go through the computer. His father had never once changed the password. Eddward typed his mother's maiden name and birthdate. This little detail reassured him that the bastard had indeed cared for her even now. Perhaps they were fine as they were without him in their lives. Why would the most perfect looking couple with perfect lives want a queer child to ruin what they had established?

He knew he couldn't ever be with a woman in that regard. He had realized it with Marie, and although they had been far too young to be exploring such mature experiences he had needed to know right then and there. Marie had looked devastated but had hugged him regardless which is something he had always missed about the girl but now Kevin was there.

He clicked through the files trying to see anything new or anything he might have missed. There wasn't anything. There never was. However he knew that once in a while the man would leave with a handful of documents. Perhaps they were just related to his work but he couldn't help but wonder.

He hated being in the office. It was as if his father was right there watching him with his menacing stare. The entire aesthetic of the room was a clear personification of his father's character. He searched quickly for anything on the computer that could give him a clue. Nothing... he opened the cabinets and searched through his father's files, but there were just old tax files, research and articles, nothing of relevance. He lightly tapped his head on the desks wooden frame as he finished going through the last bits of papers.

Nothing.

Always nothing.

Feeling a bit dizzy now from a mixture of sleep deprivation and alcohol Eddward decided he was overthinking as per usual and it was all just as it appeared. Had the woman wanted to even just see him she would have by now right? Maybe that was why in some peculiar and twisted way the reason why his father kept coming back. Rare and unexpected where his visits but he had stopped by even if it was only to try and convince him of harsh and inhuman treatments. He stared at the design on the dark wooden desk once again remembering stumbling upon his mother crying alone on the floor of this very room. When had been the last time he had seen her smile he wondered…it had been far too long… and that thought makes his heart sink even further. The silence and coldness of the house only fueled the suffocation of the sensation that swarmed his chest.

Sleepy…sleepy sleepy sleepy. His eyes opened and he decided to give up once more and stood up turning off the light and heading over to his bedroom across the damned office room.

…

Winter's season only grew harsher in Peach Creek as the days passed. Everyday seemed to be easier on Kevin's leg and aching back. He had been locked up in his home for an entire week only ever seeing Nazz and twice Ed. Eddward and Kevin hadn't kept in much contact just short texts and even shorter calls which disappointed him heavily. However he did appreciate the help from his friends in bringing him assignments in order to stay up to date on homework.

Every day that began and ended worried Nazz further. She tried to keep calm and collected but being close to such chaos was troubling her. She had heard more fights breaking out involving Sam's gang, and Eddward had been involved in the one that broke out the weekend after his birthday. She truly was scared for her friend's safety especially with some psychopath calling themselves the masked man still roaming about. She kept her eyes on the platinum blonde wandering the hallways but he never seemed to give her much than a simple scowl before walking away. Nazz had seen the marks the boy's wrist way back then but never mentioned it to anyone. Why? Something in her gut told her it was too easy. Jimmy had wanted her to see it or else he would have been much more careful. Sam had eventually picked up on her disturbed aura and would greet her in the mornings and sometimes during lunch whisking her away in the middle of conversation with the Ed's. It was during these lunch banters that she learned a lot about the dark eyed teen. She learned that Sam enjoyed old music like swing which he got her to laugh about because he stood up and started dancing without a care in the world. She also learned that the teen had two tattoos and that he was a natural when speaking French. Apparently he had lived in Paris for about three years with his mother. Although these interactions were wholesome, Nazz couldn't fully shake the idea of what this boy did in his free time.

Every night when the moon was brightest was painfully tormenting Ed. He'd hear his sister's cries from underneath and he knew he couldn't go over to comfort her. She wouldn't let him. He'd hear her frustration lash out with objects being thrown across her room before his parents would run in to aid her. He wasn't getting much sleep these days and he would spend the rest of the day half asleep. Nazz and Eddward would constantly bug him about his poor condition but he'd brush them off. He didn't want them to worry, it wasn't anything serious. However, he appreciated when Eddward would visit Sarah and those few times Sarah's tantrums had died for that entire day. Eddward, he noticed put the girl in a good mood.

Every sunrise seemed to be a soothing relief for Eddward in these troublesome times. Kevin was home for an entire week and although he did miss the ginger's presence the idea that the boy was safe at home was reassuring to him. He hadn't had the courage to go visit him at all, not after what happened before his birthday. It was still uncomfortable and disconcerting to know that Kevin knew his secret. Sure, the teen had said what he said but that didn't change anything for Eddward. Nevertheless, not having Kevin around felt unbalanced. It should be all four of them… it didn't feet right to the raven haired teen. He really missed staring at the freckled teen doodling in his notebooks during class.

Still, although school life was quiet and normal for once, the mighty Eddward Vincent was still heavily troubled outside of school. Between the random fights that broke out among the gang and his paranoid thoughts and constant nightmares that started up again the athlete was beyond exhausted. Though, this wasn't anything new for him. Every day he dedicated sometime of searching and investigating for the whereabouts of his mother. He didn't want to ask for help. Didn't want to be more in debt to Sam and neither was he going to get any information out of his bastard old man. Eddward knew better than that.

A week after he started looking he had found a small clue of his mother's last where about. It was an article dating 7 years back in where she had visited a small hospital in a town 4 hours from Peach Creek. He had driven there that weekend only to find the building demolished. Thankfully they had moved across the town and he found an older man who worked there at the time. The lanky man only had remembered Isabella mentioning heading over to Mulberry University that was another 3 hours from the current town. Eddward had decided to then head over to Mulberry and spend the night in a motel. He had entered the university early in the morning asking to tour over their medical programs and when he had the chance asked around if someone knew Isabella G. Vincent. That's when he hit a bump in the road. No one in the staff seemed to know if his mother was ever there although one did look into it recognizing the name Vincent from his father. In the system it found that Isabella along with his father had had a presentation with a class of one of the Doctors doing research there.

From there, the raven haired teen had no other lead to follow. The doctor he found out had died only two years back from terminal illness. A defeated Eddward sat slumped on one of the benches outside watching the light fluffy snow pile up with a warm bagel in hand. He felt lost and hopeless once again. Here he was in a town 7 hours from Peach Creek and with no avail of where his mother could be. The place was peaceful however, perhaps it was the soft snow, but there were a handful of people in this area enjoy the weather as well and the area remained quite.

Mulberry was large, about six times bigger than Peach Creek. It was a city essentially. Kevin would love it here, the teen thought looking around the University. There was a clear view of mountains and wonderful greenery just outside the city. With a sigh of surrender, for now, he stood deciding it would be best to start heading back home. It would be a long drive and he would most likely arrive in the evening.

…

Nazz sat at her desk focused on a short novel she had begun to write only a couple of days ago. Her ideas fresh and easily flowed onto the document. She had found that while she was writing that she was able to surpass everything that could send her into a state of paranoia. She had found Eddward's disappearance rather worrisome when she had headed over the previous day and had found the place lonesome. The boy hadn't even told anyone of them where he was headed and so she assumed Sam had given him a task outside of town. She had prayed that night hoping everything would be alright and the raven haired boy would return safely soon.

As he was starting the next page of her writing she heard a quick sound close by. She took her headphones off and looked around the room in silence waiting to hear it again. She could feel her heart pounding in suspension when it came again. This time Nazz turned towards the window where a few seconds later she saw a pebble hit her window.

Breaking out the worrisome thoughts she stood and walked over to the window finding none other than a smirking blonde staring up at her with the proudest expression ever. Nazz opened her window carefully wincing at the cold weather that intruded "What are you doing here Sam?"

The boy's smile only lifted his rosy cheeks up higher "Come down?"

She only stared at him for a few moments in confusion before she responded "What for?"

"Want to go on another date with me, love?" Sam shoved his hand in the warm pockets of his leather jacket with his head tilting to the side. His nose and cheeks a bright crimson color from the chilling weather but his dark eyes so bright as they stared at Nazz in a wondrous boy like joy that, in that moment, captivated her in a way the teen would never know.

Closing the window in silence she stepped out of sight and felt warmth engulf her neck and cheeks. Nazz stood for a moment dumbfounded and conflicted about meeting the boy outside or ignoring him. Ignoring him would seem rather harsh seemingly as he was walked all the way to her house since she didn't see his bike around. Without indulging too much into this conflict in her head she began marching towards her bedroom door before she looked down at herself and immediately opened her closet to change her sweater.

She quickly glanced in the mirror grabbing her purse and combed her hair then looked at her little perfume bottle before scowling at it and stepping back out of the room. Then stopped… frustrated she ran back and put on perfume and finally stomped her way back down grabbing her coat and shoving it on along with her red scarf.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming out" Sam stood by her door patiently waiting leaning from foot to foot obviously very cold.

Nazz closed the door behind her with a frown "What do you want?"

"Silly, I already told you what I wanted" Sam raised his arm offering his elbow to the girl as he made a sniffling sound.

She stared at his arm before cautiously reaching and placing her hand there. Nazz let him drag her out into the street and they quietly walked about passing Eddward's neighborhood. She took the chance to look over and noticed he still wasn't back. "He's fine" Sam spoke out quietly not looking at the girl.

Somehow that reassured her somewhat, but with Sam she never really knew. They walked in silence for the most part which was a rather peculiar thing of the blonde boy. When they reach the bridge leading them into town, Sam slowed his walking and looked out observing two toddlers and their mother on the beach down below. "Why so quiet today?" she finally decided to ask ripping his attention from the family.

Sam just smiled at her "Just enjoying the moment, love"

"…" Nazz squinted slightly looking over the other's face and truly getting a sense of the hidden expression. She frowned at him now concerned upon realizing that the smile he was giving her was forced. Clearly something personal seemed to be troubling him. "What's with you?"

"Nothing you should worry about, sweetheart" Sam reached over and placed some her hair behind her ear "your hair is growing rather beautifully"

This made Nazz flush and her hand rand through her hair "You're changing the subject…flirt" she added shyly.

The comment managed to get him to chuckle for a moment before he looked down the street as if searching. He met her eyes once more "How about we get something hot to eat? I can barely feel my fingers" he tried wiggling his fingers.

Breathing in and dropping the subject for now she looked down the street "I know a place close by, if you're into pho?"

"Sounds great" Sam took her hand interlocking their finger together "Lead the way my lady"

Nazz tried not to think too much about the teen's hand and neither did she pull her hand away. With a roll of her eyes she walked forward crossing the street with the tall blonde trailing right by her side. As they reach the restaurant small specks of snow began to fall down.

"Hope we get snowed in here" Sam commented taking a seat at the table in the middle of the room. "How romantic would that be love?"

"Who'd want to be snowed in here with you?" Nazz looked around the place taking in the various Vietnamese decorations and Christmas lights along the walls as well as a giant fish tank by the entrance. "I'd dig my way out instead" She also noticed one other pair seated at the very back corner laughing about something on one of the girl's phone their hands resting on top of one another. Now, that was romantic she smiled glancing away from the girls and meeting dark eyes observing her.

"Want to hold hands like them?" Sam smirked reaching over and lightly touching her finger with his.

"No!" she yelped pulling away her hand and catching the attention of one of the employees and the couple behind her.

"I'm just teasing love" Sam leaned back in his chair and looked over the menu.

Some moment's passed in silence as the waiter came by and took their orders and shortly returned with their drinks. A bit uncomfortable Nazz leaned her chin on her palm staring at Sam focused on typing a message on his phone. "So, you didn't get the lead cheerleader's attention and decided to take the girl next door out instead? Or maybe you're just bored?"

"Excuse me?" Sam looked up from his phone.

"You're extremely focused there" She motioned on his phone "One of your shady deals didn't go through?"

With a sigh "My apologies love" Sam sent one last text before placing it on the table faced down "…Business" he took a sip from his drink before answering her "And no, the girl next door was my first and only choice in mind. Only girl I wanted to see today"

"Oh really?" she blush slight feeling some confidence rise in her chest "She seems like a lovely girl"

"The most beautiful girl I've seen in all of town, -er the country really" Sam smiled crossing his arms enjoying the slight fidgeting of the girl due to his words. "She's strong and clever, you see. She's got this… wittiness and innocence to her personality I enjoy so much. And, and these massive bright blue eyes I can't seem to get out of my head. She's angry most of the time, well, at me but I deserve it really. She's just protective of her friends, she cares so much about them and I can see it so clearly. She's wonderful truly." He paused staring at the girl who stared back with wide eyes in surprise. "I only hope she can come to care for me as much as she does them" he picked up his drink breaking eye contact "That's why I wanted to see her today"

Nazz stood frozen in her spot stunned by Sam's words and she would be lying if they hadn't stirred a fluttery feeling in her chest. Pushing down the feelings she regained herself and decided to respond. "P-perhaps…she could learn to care for you" this caught the boy's attention and she stared at him with a firm expression "If you made an effort to meet her halfway"

"What would that indicate?" Sam leaned forward lowering his voice rather interested.

"I think you know exactly what that would indicate" The blonde girl breathed out breaking eye contact with him. She wrapped her hands around her drink looking at the translucent liquid. She couldn't truly deny these thoughts about the boy in front of her. Sometimes, she wondered if this was how Kevin felt about Eddward at the beginning. Heaven knows they are much denser to their own emotions than she was with hers. She wanted to swim in these emotions, but Sam was different. He was, well, unreliable in regard to change. So she knew she had to be strict with herself. She wouldn't fall in his trap if he wasn't open to be better. Sam was focused and determined on what he was doing and where he was going.

The girl looked up watching Sam's head turned to the side looking out the window in lost thought. She wondered if he was truly considering her words and that thought made her happy. His face however, was ever so slowly turning grim and it seemed like the expression she had caught while they were walking. "Sam…?" she called out quietly with a frown.

With a breath in he slowly turned back to meet her stare and he smiled a sad smile "I hope I can meet her halfway one day." In that moment their food arrived and they left that part of their conversation. Nazz was genuinely saddened by the boy's answer. What did he mean by one day?

By the time they stepped out of the restaurant there were a few inches of snow on the ground but it had stopped. The sun had shifted and the sky ever so slowly turning darker by the minute. Sam led Nazz through the streets until they arrived at the park they had been to about over a month ago. There were Christmas lights all over the trees and a crowd dancing in the middle of the park.

As they got closer to the crowd Nazz knew Sam's intention and she felt awfully embarrassed about it. She turned to look at him with a shake of her head trying to pull the taller teen away but he only laughed out and pulled her forward. "It's alright love, I'm right here with you"

"I-I don't want to dance Sam" she begged sticking close to him trying to avoid the crowd.

He turned then and chuckled "My, aren't we shy. Alright then follow me"

They walked out of the crowd and headed towards the gardens. When they entered, she could see so many lights hanging above it almost looked like stars were raining down. They weren't too far from the music as they could still hear the sweet melody in the isolation of the garden. "May I have a dance love?" Sam turned to her with a tilt of his head he had stretched out a hand for her.

She let a huff of air out and hesitantly took his hand. The boy then pulled her close to his body, terribly too close in her opinion, and began to sway slowly. She didn't dare to look up at him and instead stared at the flowers around them. However, she couldn't truly stay focused on them as she could feel the firm muscle under the leather jacket. It was then she felt warmth engulf her face as she tried to push down those thoughts. He would hold her back more tightly and she would be awfully too aware of how pressed they were to one another.

Thankfully she had room to breathe and regain her composure when he twirled her around. As he pulled her back in she spotted the bench they had sat at during their first outing. He had said he had been thankful of his mother back then and she wondered if she could ask about that story today. She let their moment continue in silence for some time as she looked at the scenery. After a while of dancing it was easier to let herself lean into the teen's hold, a part of her wished Sam was someone else. As to say, she wished he hadn't done every horrible thing he has done. In that moment when he spun her once more she wished this was a normal date with a normal guy, but this was Sam…

Somehow, she understood Kevin now when he had confessed to her before school year begun. "You have no idea how many times I asked myself that the night I rushed over to his place…but I'd catch myself wishing that I could forget all the horrible things that he has done"

"I-I just knew that he was capable of being saved"

She looked up then noticing they had slowed down to a stop and she saw Sam looking right at a mistletoe hanging right above them. He turned down and smirked "Must be my lucky day" and before she could truly register what was happening Sam leaned down and stopped when he was merely half an inch from her lips. She had closed her eyes so fiercely and grabbed onto him so tightly it brought a laugh out of him. He then kissed the corner of her mouth instead and pulled back laughing. "You're so innocent"

That made her blush profoundly that she shoved him off though Sam only continued to laugh at her reaction. "Don't you dare try that again!"

"Hm? It seemed to me like you were more than ready for my lips to meet yours" the blonde boy teased puckering his lips and leaning in again before being pushed again.

"Gross" she pouted embarrassed turning around and crossing her arms "Whatever"

Sam only laughed out more reaching to pull back her hair from her cheek and he leaned in once more kissing her rosy cheek "We're still under the mistletoe, sweetheart"

Nazz yelped taking a couple of steps away followed by Sam. She recalled their last conversation here. "Can…I ask you a question?"

"Of course" Sam shoved his hands in his jacket intrigued.

"What happened today?" the girl frowned looking up at the others dark eyes.

With a breath he chuckled out "What do you mean? We're one a date love."

"No, I don't mean this…" she sighed out "I mean, before you showed up at my door?"

"I don't know what you're implying love?"

Nazz bit her lip frustrated "You didn't randomly come to me, Sam. You came to me looking for comfort. Why?"

It was then she caught a glimpse of a broken expression surface, his smile had twitched into a thin line. "I already told you not to worry about it love?"

"And I remember telling you to meet me halfway…." She shoved her hands into her coat feeling the cold hit her skin harshly.

"I don't want to talk about it love. It's truly none of your business, so don't push it." Sam look turned stern now.

She shook her head in disbelief "I'm reaching out to you here"

Sam then stepped closer to her and turned her around having her watch the crowd in the distance "Please… don't push it love"

"I—" she began but was silenced when Sam then placed a small long box in her hands. It was a lovely wine red and she knew there could only be two things in it, a necklace or a bracelet.

"I won't be here for the holidays…so Merry Christmas love" He whispered out meeting her wide eyes as she turned to him. "I hope you like it"

Before she could say anything they heard footsteps running in their direction and she instinctually stepped behind Sam. It was one of Sam's goons who was completely out of breath when he stopped in front of them "S-Sam…" he paused catching his breath before continuing "We need you back, it's an emergency" the member carefully emphasized his words making sure not to let Nazz know about whatever it was. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but…we really need you back now"

With a glare at the member Sam let out a low growl "Fine" he turned to the girl "I'm sorry to run off all of a sudden…duty calls. I'll have Evans and Jon escort you back home"

The teen made a small cough sound catching their attention once more "Uh…Sam, you told them they could have the day free this afternoon…since…you…" he gestured with his hands at them.

"Fuck…I've forgotten" Sam sighed annoyed.

"Hey, it's cool. I can make it home fine" Nazz interrupted feeling awkward.

"Sweetheart, I would rather you not walk home alone at this hour" Sam frowned

She let out a laugh "I have friends I can call, mom" she teased.

At that the blonde rolled his eyes "You sure you can have someone pick you up?"

"Yeah, I'll call Ed since Eddward might not be back yet. I'm sure he wouldn't mind" she chuckled at the teen's sudden scowl at the mention of the tall brunette.

"Fine, then stay here until he comes. I'll…get going then" Sam turned to glare more harshly at the gang member who only nervously stood in silence waiting impatiently. "I had a lovely time, Nazz and I do hope you'll like your present. I'll see you around love" he caressed her cheek before turning and running followed by the goon.

She sat down on the bench and let out a long sigh. Was she crazy? How could she say she was willing to…to care for someone like Sam. With a shake of her head she dialed Ed's number feeling guilty. "H-hey Ed…I hope you're not doing anything too exciting"

"Well, This trigonometry homework is quite exciting if I do say so myself"The boys warm voice came through the phone making her laugh softly. "What for?"

"Sorry to disturbed your exciting night, but could… you possibly come pick me up?" Nazz spoke quietly looking up at the hanging lights seeing the snow start to fall once more.

"Yeah, I can totally do that madam. Where are you?"

"I'm at the park…In the garden to be exact" Nazz sighed out leaning back on the bench.

"Alone?" Ed's voice was concerned

"Yeah, I'm alone" Nazz heard her friend stand up grabbing keys "Don't worry I'm fine"

"Alright, I'm on my way. Be there in 20"

"Kay, thanks Ed" she hung up and stared down at the box in her hands. Carefully she undid the bow on the box and opened it to reveal a delicate beautiful golden necklace with a small bright blue gemstone. It was beautiful and breathtaking, but she closed the box and clutched it to her chest with a frown. She really shouldn't be accepting these gifts from Sam of all people. What was she doing? She was getting herself in more trouble is what she was doing.

…

Tan skin glistens under the moonlight almost as if under water. The moon's light in the dark room highlighted a familiar muscled body that hover above in anticipation. A freckled hand strayed up the moonlit arm outlining the bicep and feeling with his touch the smooth skin covered in a light coat of moisture. As his sight traveled upward alongside his hand he spotted beautifully wavy hair fall down past pronounced collarbones. He reached up and lightly ran his fingers right between the person's collarbones and then followed up to their Adam's apple, he wanted to plant a kiss there when he saw it shift.

Instead, his freckled hand hovered lower and lingered on the person's firm cool chest. He let his eyes wander around the chest above him knowing the person was on display only for him and that thought only made him be more selfish with them. Funny enough, he felt like he had seen this body before, not once or twice but various times before. He finally let himself look up meeting familiar ocean eyes staring lustfully down at him.

Dark hair framed his face a magnificent distinction to their light blue like eyes. Their lips partially open as if he wanted to let out a sound but held himself back. They leaned down pressing their bottom half awfully close to his. Their hand reach to grab at his right leg forcing it to hook onto their hip and that's when he felt their hip press into his making him gasp. Instinctually, he reached for the other male wrapping his pale arms around the other's shoulders and pulling him down closer.

He pressed his freckled nose to the person's neck as he followed the light rhythm between them. They smelled faintly of chlorine which was odd but still familiar to him. He loved the mixture of the person's natural scent with it; it was a highly comforting smell. He trailed one of his hands down the person's smooth board back. It truly was the perfect representation of a swimmer's body.

How did he know this person swam?

His mind was ripped away from his thoughts when the person pressed their forehead onto his staring at him with those stunning half shut eyes. He felt intoxicated with the teen's every touch. His pale thigh was burning under the touch of the firm tan palm. Long fingers stretched out trying to encompass as much pale skin as they could within their reach. Their foreheads pressed to one another burned, noses bumping every once in a while as they picked up a faster rhythm.

He lifted his other leg wrapping it around the swimmer's hip feeling himself sink further into the sensation. The person moved to place a soft kiss on his freckled neck before continuing to play with the skin between his teeth then kissing it again apologetically and tentatively sucked at the spot. Oh, that was lovely… he let out a small whine directing the teen to continue and they complied. They eventually trailed down to his freckled chest planting kisses and leaving marks. He curled a freckled hand into the other's dark black hair. As he pulled the other's hair back he spotted an elegant little scar that went into the person's hairline. Then they looked back up at him and rapidly leaned into him letting their lips faintly touch but didn't press for a kiss. They were teasing.

He arched his slim back and moved to bite at the teen's shoulder in retaliation. He smirked when he found the teen had let out a soft groan, he had finally made him make a sound. Well, now he needed more of it. With a snicker he was pushed back, the other smiling down at him revealing a gap between his teeth. He felt the hand that had been on his thigh moved upward ever so lightly as his thumb trailed a faint touch to his groin.

They rubbed gentle strokes with their thumb and moved their hips again in a slow rhythm once more, it was maddening. He tried arching again trying to get more of the touch but was pushed down once again. He let out another whine making the other laugh and press their lips to the freckled teen's ear "Patience Pumpkin" they cooed playfully.

"Eddward" he whined out squirming under the other's touch. Suddenly his eyes went wide and he turned his head to look at the other's face. Ocean eyes observed him with a smirk on his lips waiting for the boy. A hand continued to tease him and hips continued to fog his mind with the pleasurable feeling…he couldn't think straight. His own lips parted with every second that passed, he was drowning. He couldn't close his eyes, no matter how much he wanted to, Eddward's trapped him like a deer caught in headlights. He laced his small hands into the teen's dark hair and held on tight.

"Eddwar—AH"

His eyes wide open stared no longer at a familiar face but rather at a bland ceiling. His arms limp above his head, chest rose up and down rapidly, lips parted and mouth feeling rather dry. He stayed still trying to wrap his head around what he had just dreamed about. A tingly sensation lingered right below his stomach along with wetness and at the realization of what it was he felt his heart stop.

Kevin quickly sat up and pulled the covers off of him and squeaked when he saw his pajama pants. He looked down hearing a bell ring on his phone notifying him of a text. His phone remained on his pillow and he just stared at its black screen and its blinking green light. He must have fallen asleep while he was on the phone with the raven haired teen. And then he went and…dreamed…that. "Oh my– Fuck" he leaped from his bed and rushed into his bathroom.

When he returned he shut his door and stared at his bed freaking out for VARIOUS reasons. One, Kevin had never had a dream like that before about anyone really. Two, it has been about Eddward fucking Vincent! Out of everyone in this universe his first wet dream consisted of the swimmer. REALLY?

Pushing down every embarrassing thought he tried to get ready for the day but every time he let his mind wonder it recalled every image from the dream, even the sensation that it had brought. When he was in the middle of breakfast he nearly choked on his coffee when he the image of Eddward sucking at his neck popped up.

"What's got you all distracted Kid?" Tom's laughed out handing his son a napkin and taking away the drink.

Kevin coughed a couple of times with a red faced trying not to think. "Nothing's distracting me" he choked out.

Tom shook his head with a smirk "Well someone burned their finger, and nearly tripped down the stairs.. It's not nothing."

"It's…just a weird morning I guess" Kevin groaned out placing his cheek on his palm suddenly feeling like the entire house was burning up.

"If you say so" Kevin's father chuckled out continuing to eat.

With a sigh, Kevin picked up his plate and cup and placed them in the sink washing them "Think I'll head to school now…"

"Want me to drive you? I'm about to head out too" Tom asked sipping at his coffee.

The freckled teen shook his head "Nah, its ok dad. Kind of want to walk today" he frowned walking past grabbing his house keys and shoving them into his back pack that was on the couch in the living room.

"Be careful and stay focused, don't want you to get run over because your distracted" Tom called out leaning back in his chair.

"Yeah dad…I'll be fine" Kevin smiled waving goodbye "Have a good day at work. I'll see you tonight" he closed the door. He let out a quiet whine dreading having to go to school today. How was he supposed to face him today? UGH. He groaned out annoyed as he remembered Eddward had kept true to his word and had asked Sam to assign not one but two gang members to babysit him. Rolling his eyes at the pair across the street he started walking with a slight limp, his leg wasn't entirely better but he could walk well enough at this point. He felt his ear get increasingly hotter as he tried not thinking about this morning's dilemma. He needed to get over this stupid dream, it was just a dream and nothing else, and it meant nothing. The brain was weird some times and that was what it was, just psychological stuff.

He took his headphones out after crossing the street and continuing his journey to school. It was the last week before winter break, he was excited about that but also he had already had a week long 'break'. He plug them to his phone and put on some music turning it up all the way hoping it would block out the images from his dream.

...

With a frustrated groan he ripped his headphones out upon arriving at his locker in the west wing and banged his head against it. The music didn't help all that much. The beat of some of the songs had only amplified the dream and at one point he had to stop and catch his breath as he quickly changed the song. The stupid goons had rushed to his side thinking something was wrong but Kevin had just irritatingly pushed them away. This was dangerous…he had to avoid him at all costs today. He was too scared and ashamed to face him.

"Kevin?" Nazz quiet voice made him jump bumping his head again on his locker.

"Ouch" he hissed out rubbing at his forehead then fixed his hat "Morning Nazz" he couldn't look at her either. He felt like she would be able to read his mind immediately, woman's intuition she would say.

"Uh, morning?" she stopped next to him opening her locker and eyeing him as he fumbled to open his own "Dude…what's up?"

"N-nothing" Kevin felt his ear burning and his cheeks warming up as well as another image popped into his head. "Johnny in grandma's night gown" he mumbled to himself forcing himself to conjure up the silly image.

"What?" Nazz bumped her elbow with his highly confused

"What?" Kevin yelped out still not looking at her and instead rushed to put away his coat and umbrella.

"What's up with you? You're like super red. Kind of beginning to think I'm talking to a tomato clone of you" Nazz leaned close to the boy hoping to catch his eye. "Have you caught a fever?" Yet he still wasn't talking, so with a pout she reached over to his ear where she knew he was ticklish and began her torture.

"STOP" Kevin yelped nearly falling over but was caught by the giggling girl. "Ok ok I'll tell you" he hissed out nervously looking around only spotting a handful of student in the hallway. Classes didn't start until another twenty minutes. With a sigh he took off his hat and used it to cover his face from passing students. "This is so weird…" he whined.

"Why?" Nazz giggled leaning closer to hear him clutching onto her Physics textbook, her bag loosely hanging from one of her shoulder.

"Cause you're…a girl" the freckled boy whimpered out embarrassed.

With a roll of her eyes she slapped Kevin on the shoulder "Dude! Come on, I've hold you a lot about girl stuff. It's fiiiine spill"

"Don't remind me. You were lecturing me about the vagina for hours after they didn't teach shit about it in health" Kevin closed his eyes shut for a moment and looked into his locker feeling the heat rise even higher "I uh…I just had a very particular dream this morning" he mumbled out.

The blonde girl leaned against the lockers with a raised eyebrow "What kind of dream did you have that's got you all– OH" she paused with a gasp raising both her eyebrows and with an o shaped mouth and gave him a questioning look to which the boy nodded. "Oh My God! Kevin! You had your first wet dream~"

"SHHHHHHHH" Kevin hushed her covering the girl's mouth for a second. He was certain his face was even redder. He looked around but it seemed no one had heard anything to which he slightly relaxed but still couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was looking at him. "Don't be so excited, it's weird"

"About whom?" she asked with a smile a slight blush on her cheeks but it wasn't anything compared to Kevin's.

"Not telling" Kevin put on his hat again and leaned into his open locker trying to hide from his best friend.

With a sing song hum she sighed out looking around before leaning forward to whisper in his ear "Could it have possibly been about our local grumpy swim captain?" she giggled leaning back watching the boy's horrified reaction.

"N-NO! Oh my– no ugh… fuck!" Kevin knew he couldn't hide it from her. He didn't know how to bluntly lie to Nazz of all people. How did she know? "This is so weird" he repeated not knowing what to say.

"Why? It's just a dream. It's perfectly normal" Nazz laughed turning to bump her shoulder to his lightly "Or does this mean…?"

Kevin gestured his hands around knowing they were slightly sweaty from this conversation "No? I-I'm not… I don't know? Maybe? I don't know what it means" he whined. "This is so weird…and definitely not normal to dream about one of your best friends…like that"

"Oh Kevin" The girl giggled at the boy's frustrated expression.

"I don't know Nazz, I think it just came to me because I know he's…well gay" Kevin sighed out running a hand through his hair "Psychological stuff ya know?" Kevin hadn't known when it was that Nazz found out but he believes it had to be Ed who confessed it to her, which she seemed in no way shocked at all. How did she know everything honestly? Woman's intuition was a scary thing.

"Kevin~" she placed her head on the lockers "I don't think this is about him. This is about you!" she smiled softly at him before continuing "I mean, you've never experienced this before"

"I don't understand" he mumbled out with a pout as he crossed his arms slouching a bit.

"Well…" she inhaled placing a hand on her hip her skirt shifting from the movement "I'm going to be blunt and say maybe you like him?"

"Like!" Kevin blushed again shaking his head "Like Like-Like him?"

Nazz gave him a blank stare "Kevin, your first wet dream was about him… it's definitely a like-like"

This was where the third reason he was freaking out this morning came in. "What does that say about me?" Kevin looked down at the ground in question as if his answer would be written on the floor.

"What do you mean?" Nazz asked confused.

"I-I mean, if let's say hypothetically I did like-like him… him is a guy…Does that mean I'm gay too and never knew until now?" Kevin sighed out blushing again "Like you said…I've never been like the other guys in school. They're constantly bragging about their experiences and I've never so much as had a crush on someone"

"I said you haven't experienced this before, not that you weren't like other guys. Which by the way isn't a bad thing Kevin" Nazz placed a hand on the boys arm to comfort him.

"But point is, even you've had so many attractions and I've never understood how someone could be…ugh you know super into a person with just looking at them? Like I understand when someone is attractive but like… that's it you know?" Kevin gestured his hand up as if giving up.

"Ok" Nazz turned so the students lingering in the hallway wouldn't see her "Well, do you… you know" she lifted a fist between them and motioned it to go up and down.

"Oh My God! Don't ask that Nazz! You're like my dad" Kevin yelped covering his face and feeling his face heat up all over again.

"Yes or No?" Nazz shook her head with smirk.

He took his hat off again and this time shoved his face into it wanting to hide from the world. "I don't know, yeah? Not often" his ears were fuming from embarrassment. "Do you?" he asked curiously it was only fair really.

With a chuckled Nazz nodded a blush on her cheeks "Sometimes" she responded. "What do you think about? Girls, Boys or both?" she then asked with a patient voice.

Kevin held his hat in his hands and sighed looking up now "No one honestly"

"No one?" she asked confused.

"Yeah…" he looked at her then shyly "…I just can't imagine people like that"

"Hm" Nazz frowned letting her eyes trail down in thought "Yet here you are just experienced a wet dream"

"Stoooooop saying that" Kevin squeaked looking around noticing more people were beginning to gather in the hallway.

He watched the girl pull out her phone and began typing away. He waited patiently as she read through whatever it was "Well I can't say for certain what you might want to identify as, if you want to identify as anything really. But…" she paused looking over her phone one last time before putting it back in the pocket of her skirt "…I think you might be demisexual, Kevin. Now if you're into girls or boys I don't know? OH maybe bi? You did have a crush on that one girl in elementary remember?"

"Who?" Kevin raised an eyebrow.

"That fifth grader who was your reading bubby in third grade?" She chuckled out "That was cute"

"Oh" Kevin frowned recalling the faint memory of the girl "What's a demisexual anyways?"

Nazz then lifted a finger up in the air in that traditional lecture pose of hers "A demisexual person is someone who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form an emotional bond. Which, might I formally say that you and Eddward are rather very close in my humble opinion. Maybe this dream of yours is your body telling you that it finally caught up with you?"

"Caught up with me? What does that mean?" Kevin flushed holding onto his hat even tighter.

Nazz glanced behind Kevin before leaning in and whispering in his ear "Next time you…" she cleared her throat giving him look "…tell me who comes to mind" she almost silently mouthed the last of her words confusing Kevin.

"What are you two on about?" Eddward's steady voice seemed to almost ring throughout the hallway in comparison to their quiet conversation making Kevin jump and turned far too quickly bumping his head against the locker door once again.

"Fuck!" Kevin hunched over angrily dropping a textbook, his hat and his backpack on the floor. He was so annoyed with his locker. He heard Nazz burst out into laughter next to him and he gave her a glare and a look that said why didn't you warn me?

Eddward had leaned down and placed a hand on his cheek before lightly rubbing at the injured spot pushing away his own hand "Sorry, I spooked you" Kevin looked up then seeing a sad expression on him, shit.

"Kevin, you're going to get a concussion at this rate and it's your first day back" Nazz wheezed out bending down and picking up the boy's textbook. "You're prone to injury"

"How many times have you hit your head already?" Ed spoke coming from behind Eddward and picking up Kevin's hat.

"This is the third time, can you believe it" Nazz chuckled faking extreme worry.

Kevin then realized the thumb Eddward had on his cheek began gently stoking while the boy was distracted with Nazz's commentary. The image of dream Eddward teasing him with that same thumb flashed before his eyes and he yelped standing up straight and stared down at the blue eyes that in dream had stared back at him with lust aaand THAT was IT. Kevin quickly grabbed his belongings and slammed the locker shut catching the attention of half the students in the hallway. "I'm heading to Physics" he called out rushing away.

"We've still got 8 minutes Kevin!" Nazz called out.

"I'll walk slow!" he called over his shoulder pulling down his hat, his face was burning up.

Eddward stood speechless beside Ed and Nazz and once the freckled boy was out of sight he turned to look at Nazz who was quietly laughing. Ed then looked at him before asking Nazz "What's up with him?"

The girl only shrugged "Is he ok?" Eddward asked concerned and unsure of what to make of the situation.

"He'll be fine, but…" She closed her locker before grabbing Eddward and turning him around and placing her hands on his back lightly shoving him forward "I think you should stick close to him today. He might fall down the stairs, I'm not joking. He's really out of it today." Eddward eyed her inquisitively before deciding it best to listen and he walked after the freckled boy.

When the raven haired teen was out of sight Ed stood beside Nazz offering his arm for her to take. "Madam, what could you possibly be scheming this fine morning?"

Nazz laughed out wrapping her arm around his and bumping her hip to his playfully "Honestly nothing. It's all just playing out naturally" she giggled as they walked down the hall slowly.

"Really?" Ed excitedly looked down at her "I just hope they finally get together soon, I'm dying with their high key pining"

"Be patient my friend. They still need to come to terms with themselves first. It won't be long…I hope" she shrugged sighing sadly "With them, it could take a million years"

"We already knew that…ah young love" Ed shook his head and made a dramatic gesture.

Nazz only laughed even harder "We're all just dumb high school kids" she said swaying her hips as they walked together down the hallway.

…

Eddward sat in his third period class in deep thought. He had finished reading through his courses textbook and written their final essay project for the end of the semester. He had decided to cover different ecosystems in the ocean and the effects of climate change on them. They still had the entire winter break to research thoroughly and work on the project but he had something more important to research.

His journey had hit a dead end that weekend but he had to keep on trying. Even if it was for just a second he wanted to see his mother. He wanted to see her well even if she didn't want anything to do with him, he needed this to finally move on and begin focusing on whatever his future held.

After he graduates, Eddward Vincent doesn't plan on staying in Peach Creek. He doesn't really now what do to with himself really. He definitely doesn't want to follow Sam's path even though the blonde truly believes he will. He doesn't want to be a pro swimmer although his coach practically begs him to. And out of all the classes he's taken and topics he's read about the only three that truly seem to captivate an interest from him are psychologically, Oceanography, and the medical field concerning surgeries. He was hesitant about pursuing the surgeon field completely turned off about the idea of following his father's footsteps. He knew the moment he stepped into that field he would be recognized and would live under his father's reputation and the last thing he wanted was to still be in relation with his old man. Eddward has been thinking for a very long time and still he is unsure more so than ever before.

With a sigh he shook his head lightly feeling a headache brewing and turned to research about more universities and organizations his mother had visited and worked in. After all his parents hadn't moved into town until he was three. He placed a hand on his cheek wondering where he could find his parents residence before Peach Creek, never has he been able to find anything in that office...and he hadn't ever dared enter their old bedroom. That room was locked by his father and remained that way. He felt uncomfortable that the thought of breaking into the room but if he was going to follow through this investigation then he'd had to.

Before he knew it the class period ended and he was off to his History class that he shared with Kevin. As he turned a corner staying close to the edge of the hallway avoiding the swarm of students he noticed a bright red baseball cap stand out in the middle of the crowd. Eddward stopped walking observing the freckled boy who seemed to be in his own world today.

Kevin had looked to the side with a pensive expression before turning bright red in a matter of seconds then closed his eyes pulling his hat down like he had this morning. Eddward followed quietly across the hallway wondering what was with the ginger teen. Kevin bumped into a handful of students on his way to class and every time it happened Eddward couldn't help but laugh quietly. The freckled boy even passed right by some smaller nerd who tried talking to him, totally unaware.

When Kevin reached their class he stopped by the door and sighed out leaning against the wall next to the door. He was pouting for the longest time before he lightly slapped his cheeks and he entered the classroom. Now, why was he so nervous? During their second class Nazz had sat between the boys. The girl kept whispering things to Kevin and the boy would only glare back at her and avoid his glances completely. Something in the pit of his chest seemed to become disturbed at the thought of the possible reason the teen was acting the way he was.

Pulling at his beanie nervously the swimmer finally entered the class eyes immediately landing on the freckled boy who was staring back and awkwardly smiled before looking down. Eddward frowned making his way to his usual spot in the back of the class and sat down crossing his arms and eyeing the teen that would just not look at him. The teens ears a light shade of red and hands on his face blocking the boy from the rest of the classroom.

Annoyed Eddward lightly kicked the teen's seat trying to get him to look up. Kevin only slightly turned looking at the floor "yeah?" But before the raven haired teen could ask anything the teacher turned off the lights beginning class, it was a lecture day. Eddward huffed out irritated sinking into his seat, guess he'd have to wait until after class.

When class ended Kevin had tried to dash out of there as quickly as possible. Unfortunately for him, the boy could be predictable sometimes and Eddward had snatched the boys backpack and placed it under his own desk. He sat crossed arms waiting for everyone to leave and in the meantime Kevin kept on fidgeting. It kind of reminded him of the time he'd torment the boy, but it was a different this time. Kevin's fidgeting wasn't out of terror, it was just uncomfortable.

When everyone had left, Kevin cleared his throat slightly turning to him but still didn't looking at him. "What's up?" He mumbled out.

Eddward raised an eyebrow and smirked at the teen "what's up?" He asked jokingly with a soft laugh. "That's my question" he turned towards the freckled boy now leaning forward elbow resting on his desk.

"I've already said it's nothing. I'm fine, don't listen to Nazz" he mumbled out with flushed freckled cheeks.

"It's not nothing, your completely out if it today" the swimmer trying ignoring the uncomfortable feeling in his chest "may I know why?"

"I-I'm fine...really" Kevin red ears were bright red.

Eddward sighed out "On your way here you bumped into like 5 people"

The smaller boy's eyes widen before looking embarrassed "you saw?" He rubbed his left arm deflating.

"...Pumpkin" the raven haired teen started and noticed Kevin let out a sound turning to look away. Eddward didn't know what to make of this... he frowned standing up and giving Kevin his backpack "It's alright, here sorry to keep you." Eddward gave him a small smile without looking down at the teen "Try not to crash into any more innocent people" he grabbed his own belongings walking out the classroom.

On his way down the hall he was stopped by Ed and Nazz "Where's Kevin?" Ed asked looking behind the teen.

"Still in the classroom" He answered starting to walk away.

Nazz gave the brunette a look before calling out to Eddward "where are you going?"

"Not hungry" he waved a hand and continued to make his journey towards his locker stopping by to grab his coat. Then walked out of the school entrance with his bag hanging loosing on his right shoulder and hands shoved into the coats pockets. In the distance he spotted Sam getting onto his motorcycle and the blonde gave him a wave that he returned half-heartedly. Eddward made his way to the gate that entered the forested area. It wasn't snowy today but there was a slight breeze that stung his skin.

When he arrived to the usual area far enough away from the school ground he spotted two what seemed to be juniors as well smoking in the area. He gave them a harsh look that made them groan annoyed and stood up moving away to a different area. Eddward leaned against a tree reaching into his bag and taking out a vaping pen that Sam had gifted him during his so called "birthday party". It had turned out into an absolute drunk fest, although it had been hilarious seeing some of the guys trying to fist fight while being utterly wasted. He had left early that night.

He didn't hate vaping especially since the flavor Sam had given him had just been straight up tobacco knowing very well he would not be into any artificial sweet flavors. It definitely was more convenient but he tried not to use it too often realizing he had started the habit once more. But right now? Right now he needed it. Fuck it.

The swimmer sat on top of his backpack and began taking in the substance holding it in before releasing it and watching it disperse slowly in the cold air. He let his fingers run through his hair under his black beanie in irritation. He took it in again trying to rid the image of Kevin turning away from him…was Kevin uncomfortable because of him?

It had been almost two weeks since…since the freckled teen had found out his secret and he hadn't acted much different. Considering the teen had been home recovering for a week…

Maybe it wasn't about him, maybe it really was about something else or the teen was just having an off day. Who knew, but he didn't want to think about it anymore it only made him want to panic. Instead, he thought about informing Ms. Adams soon hoping to get a week off in order for him to go on a weeklong get away. Yeah, he would do that tomorrow and perhaps he would go out and buy something nice for her as a holiday present. She deserved it after putting up with him calling in to reschedule his hours so often. She was far too nice for her own good.

Staring out at the wooded area only made him recall spending time with Kevin at the cabin. He wondered what it would be like to take the freckled boy back there during this time of the year. Kevin would be overjoyed at the amount of snow that gathers but there. Images of Kevin just kept flashing in his mind. Like the night Kevin had asked if they had were friends…

The smaller teen could feel the warmth from his flushed cheeks embarrassed to ask the question. He placed a hand to his left cheek and breathed in "um..." He began "A-Are we...you know...f-friends now?" He asked looking down at the pile of cards in his lab too embarrassed to make eye contact.

Eddward remembered seeing the flush on the teen cheeks much like this morning and he remembered their sparring practices and their early morning hikes up the mountain in order to see the sunrise. It felt like an awfully long time since they had done that didn't it?

The swimmer had thought about many things since he had talked with Ed and since then he hadn't brought up the topic which Eddward appreciated. For a handful of days after he hadn't let himself reflect on his friends words but finally he had one night while he was in the middle of closing the store and Ms. Adams had sat down beside him noticing his tense and she began retelling a story. It had been as if the woman could read what was on his mind sometimes and it was kind of incredible. She had recalled a memory of going to a Disco over in Lemon Brook during her younger years called the Wolves Den, and he immediately knew that the club belonged to The Northern Fangs. She had sighed fluttering her eyes as she described to him how liberating the club was as it was filled with diversity which Eddward understood to mean people in the LGBTQ community.

That night after work he had stayed in the silence of his car finally reflecting on his friends words.

"You're human. Everything that you are makes you human."

Ed had said.

"I know you have feelings…feelings for him"

It was at this statement that Eddward always seemed to close his train of thought. He didn't want to acknowledge it, knowing it would make everything so much more complicated for him. But was it true? And if it was, since when?

The more he sat there in silence the more he began to become irritated and wanting to punch something or someone. "Fuck" he quietly mumbled out kicking at a rock hard enough it bounced against another tree.

…

The week was passing by rather quickly for the gang. Most had an exam coming up by the end of the week and they would spend their lunch in the library hunched over different textbooks and looking over notes. Eddward however didn't join them usually off doing something by himself making the excuse of 'being busy'. Although, Ed seemed to catch on that the swimmer was just trying to avoid them and he couldn't figure out why. He did notice Kevin and Eddward were distant in some regard; they still talked sure, but ever since Kevin returned the other kept to himself. Now this past Monday when Kevin was being super weird it seemed that they were both more distant than before. It was frustrating watching them not even make eye contact when standing next to each other, it was killing him.

Ed quietly sat on his bed with a textbook on his lap trying to studying for a trigonometry exam he had the next day but failing his thoughts consumed by his hopeless friends. His father was still out working and his mother had gone over to the neighbors. Sarah was in her bedroom downstairs blasting music and every once in a while he'd hear her laugh. It made him smile knowing she was getting better mentally and physically. Eddward had decided to come over and see the girl, and when he had told her that the teen was on his way her eyes had brightened up instantly. She got that way every time the boy would come over, it was sweet truly but unfortunately Eddward's visits weren't very often.

The doorbell rang only a few minutes later and he put down his textbook rushing off to open the door. As he passed his sister's door he heard more giggling but it was muffled by the loud music, he wondered what was so funny. He opened the door to find Eddward patiently waiting with a gift in his hands. "For Sarah?" he smiled stepping aside letting his friend in.

"Thought she'd like it" Eddward shrugged looking at the bag with a very chubby Santa on it. "Your parents?" he looked around noticing the place rather quiet despite the loud music blasting most certainly from the girl's room.

"They're out" the brunette boy started walking down the hall leading his friend to his sister's room. As they approached they heard a laugh from her and a sudden shush Ed paused at her door as he looked at the swimmer.

"Is someone with her?" Eddward whispered out.

Ed just shook his head and they stood quietly but they only heard the music playing. Holding his breath he opened the door to find Sarah by her window looking down at her phone. Ed stepped up to her computer and turned down the music "Double D's here sister" he announced gesturing to the teen beside him. Maybe he had misheard.

She turned her lovely brunette eyes to meet Eddward's and she emitted the biggest smile she could muster raising her hands up wanting him to embrace her. The teen walked up to her bending down to hug the girl who squeeze him with so much force it made him laugh out "Someone's gotten stronger" he spoke quietly leaning against a desk by the window.

"I've been working on my upper body strength" The girl rolled up the sleeves of her gray sweater to flex her fair arms and sure enough there was some defined muscle there. With a gasp she pointed at the bag and with a smile Eddward nodded handed her the small gift bag.

"Happy Holidays" he murmured noticing Ed step out of the room.

"May I open it now?" she whispered with a mischievous look in her bright eyes.

He gave her a slight nod reaching to tug at his hat feeling some nerves crawl up his chest "Of course you may"

With a little dance in her chair making her hair swing from side to side she opened the bag to find a petite box and inside the box an elegant silver ring shaped in the form of crown and had three small diamonds on it. "Oh My~" she cooed quickly picking up the jewelry and putting it on her ring finger "Are you proposing Double D?" she giggled stretching her arm out and looking at it in awe. "How romantic of you"

"…" Eddward simply gave her a small smile feeling extremely awkward at the statement. He knew the girl had always been a flirt much like Sam in that regard. However, it was pleasing to see the girl returning to her person. It had been odd the first year not seeing her 'accidentally' bump into him around town. "How have you been?" he tried to change the topic.

Ripping her attention from the ring she sat up straight and began combing her ginger hair that reached down to her lean hips. Eddward noticed it was a shade darker than Kevin's, almost brown like, and although they were both red heads the real difference between the two was that Kevin's hair aided in contrasting his bright olive eyes. The boy's features perfectly complimented each other while Sarah's were seamlessly uniformed.

"Fine I guess. Still not allowed to be on my own" she groaned out "But it's all cool I've been busy. I go see a therapist and the doctor and a chiropractor and so on and so forth" she waved a hand "You know I'm starting to get really bored being stuck in the same routine. I wish I could back to school and make friends again but no one is going to want to hang around a cripple right?" she laughed out.

With a shake of his head Eddward bend down beside her "You know that's not true. You have a natural talent of being charming. You're a social butterfly. When the day comes that you get to go back to school I'm sure you'll be surrounded with good friends."

At this the girl leaned closer to him "Ever the sweet talker Vincent" her body leaned to the left side creating a slight curve to her waist and causing her hair to fall down like a curtain exposing her ice like skin that was uncovered by her sweater.

The swimmer let out a tight laugh standing up and took a seat on the furry chair that was by her desk. He turned facing her, placing his elbow on his knees. "Mind if I ask a personal question?"

"Shoot" she shook her head leaning back in her chair waiting for him.

Eddward looked directly at her direct eyes formulating questions in his head "Do you remember your accident?" he started.

With an arched eyebrow she began to spin the ring on her finger "Bits and pieces" she said steadily.

"Are you alright talking about it with me?" he noticed the girl look down at the ring for a moment before nodding and staring back at him. "What happened that evening?"

Sarah inhaled deeply before getting out a long sigh "I remember being wasted, and a little high. Not a good combo. But I'm sure you know all about that" she eyed him curiously "Then my bitch ass boyfriend was trying to go over to Lemon Brook, he got some stupid call about something I can't remember." She rolled her eyes "I wanted to stay at the party but I didn't want him to get into trouble. I remember getting in the car with him and then I passed out next thing I know we're rolling down the fucking cliff and then it's all black." She shrugged.

"I'm sorry" Eddward paused giving her time to calm down "Do you happen to remember who was at the party?"

She shook her head reaching to gather her hair to one side of her shoulder "His friends most likely. They're all about Liam's age so they might all be gone or in jail I don't know"

Liam was Sam's older step-brother who at the time had control over the gang and who at this current moment was a captain under their father's mafia. Eddward let out a breath breaking eye contact to look at the breeze picking up outside. So the girl had no recollection about her fight with Nazz before the accident? "Can I ask one more question?" Eddward spoke out softly. The girl simply nodded still playing with the ring on her finger. "Do you happen to know Jimmy Christensen?"

Her fire red hair uncovered her peach flushed shoulder once more as she turned her head in interest "Yeah I know him. Well, used to anyways. He was a good friend of mine back then. How do you know him?"

"He's an acquaintance of mine" Eddward simply put it "How close were you with him?"

The girl ran her fingers through her smooth thin hair again "Fairly close I'd say. I did start getting distant with him when I started dating my ex. Since then, I haven't seen him. I'm guessing he's moved on with his life, I don't know. Ed says he's different now, says he's gone bad. Has he?"

"He's…made his decisions. Ed's right it's better for you to stay far from him" Eddward sighed out not sure what to do with this information. He'd have to do more investigation with this matter as well over break. Now, he knew Sarah and Jimmy had been acquainted at some point before her accident but he hadn't come by to see her ever since? This masked person had to have been someone very close to her, someone who loved her whole heartily otherwise why attack Nazz over this incident? "He wasn't at the party that day?" he asked trying to push for more answers.

"Nope" she said calmly her coffee eyes staring right at him as if trying to uncover some answers herself "I would have remembered him being there. Why are you asking about him?" a corner of her thin lips rose subtly.

Yet she didn't remember Nazz, could it possibly be that her brain repressed the memory of the fight or was she simply too wasted to remember? Who else was at the party that day? He would have to sit down and talk with Nazz since she was his only reliable sober source. "Just curious" he quietly murmured.

"Can I ask you a question?" Sarah moved her wheelchair beside Eddward. When the teen nodded the girl's bony fingers reach for the stripped beanie and lightly pulled on it. "You still wear this every time I see you. Do you still love her?" her finger curled around his hair.

Eddward blushed slightly but then felt sadness in his chest at the memory of the enthusiastic blue haired girl "In a way"

"Shame, she was a good one" she giggled out reaching her hand through his raven hair locks making the teen lean away. "I suppose she just couldn't handle you" she gave out a soft chuckled leaning away and looking directly at him with devilish eyes they made the athlete speechless.

"She was good" he answered in a whisper before hearing Ed step in with two hot beverages in hand.

They sat down and talked for a while longer and in the middle of their conversation Ed's mother returned home giving Eddward a big hug and forced him to stay over for dinner. Sarah had been thrilled and showed off her ring as she linked an arm around the swimmer for most of that evening.

At some point Ed had wrapped an arm around Eddward stealing him away from Sarah saying it was bromance time and dragged the raven hair teen up the stairs to his room. He closed the door behind him letting out a laugh as he saw the raven haired teen drop exhausted on Ed's bed. "Sarah can be a handful huh?"

Eddward took his beanie off running his hands through his hair. "It's alright. She's just vibrant. It's a good thing"

"I think it's rather sweet she still has a crush on you after all this time" Ed laughed out sitting beside Eddward grabbing a pillow behind him and hugging it.

Eddward laughed out awkwardly "She's just teasing"

"mhm" Ed laid down on the bed looking up at his friend head "so…"

Eddward turned around looking down at the taller teen inquisitively "so what?"

Ed smiled simply "What's up with you this week? You've been avoiding us" he stated bluntly.

"I haven't been avoiding you. I'm here?" Eddward leaned back on a hand.

"Ok, maybe not Nazz and I…but you've definitely been weird around Kevin" Ed shifted onto his side hand on his cheek "What the problem?"

"There's no problem" Eddward frowned turning away from his friend.

Ed sighed out "Double D I've caught you smoking so much this week. I know you smoke, but you don't do it that often. It's been significantly more than your customary occasional smoke and the week's not even over. That's only the times I've caught and smelled you, it's a miracle you came here clean." Ed sat up with a firm look "This is an intervention. I know you only do it when you're trying to deal with some stuff. So spill or I'm banning that vaping pen and your cigarettes." He pointed a finger at the raven haired boy.

Eddward rolled his eyes letting himself fall on the bed covering his face with his hands and groaning out "Ed really?"

"Yes! I'm serious D!" Ed lightly punched at the swimmer stomach making the teen flinch and uncover his face in the process.

"What do you think is the issue? What's always the damn issue?" he irritatingly spat out looking away crossing his arms.

Ed frowned laying down beside Eddward facing him "But why are you being so weird around him?"

"Because!" Eddward lifted his hand up "Because…he knows"

"And?" Ed raised an eyebrow confused.

Eddward scowled at his friend "Because he knows and he's being weird!"

"What are you talking about?" Ed smiled down at his friend; sometimes he could be so silly. "You know he's fine with you being you"

"Look I didn't see him for over a week and the next thing I know he's avoiding me. What do you think is the problem here" Eddward sighed out "It's always the same thing" he looked away with a glare.

The taller teen simply stayed silent for a moment then reached a hand to pat at the boy's arm "Double D, I'm pretty sure that's not the problem. Kevin isn't like that you're just misunderstanding."

"What's to misunderstand Ed?" Eddward turned to him now "When you and Eddy found out it started the same. You guys avoided me and then we had that stupid fight and then you guys left."

"Why not just talk to him and clear this up" Ed sighed out "Why drag this on then?"

Eddward grabbed a pillow hiding his face "Fuck off Ed" he said with no real spite to it.

"Double D…" Ed tried taking away the pillow "D…You guys need to freaking communicate, you're killing me here. Look if it is what you think it is it's better to get it over with now." The brunette shoved at the teen's shoulder "But I think you're just paranoid and misunderstanding because we both know Kevin Barr." The teen simply groaned under the pillow as a response "So, besides this mess. How have you been?"

"…fine" Eddward finally pulled off the pillow revealing a slight blush to his cheeks.

"Really?" the other teen questioned poking the swimmers waist. "Have you…been thinking?"

"Kind of…I've been preoccupied more than anything" Eddward muttered out with a sigh.

"Preoccupied with what?"

Eddward stayed silent for a long moment his hands gripping onto his hat "…Ed, I've been looking for my mother" he confessed looking at the ceiling above.

Ed then sat up looking down at his friend in wonder "Why?" he didn't mean it to sound mean but he was genuinely curious. "After all this time?"

Eddward sat up as well slouching "I can't stand it Ed. I need to see her." frowning he look up at the brunette "I've reached my limit"

With a shake of his head Ed spoke carefully "She left you Double D…If she wanted to be with you or even see you don't you think she would have by now?"

"Perhaps…but at this point I couldn't care less if she rejected me again. She's done it before. I just want to see her once more that's all" the athlete shrugged "I just want to see her well"

Ed frowned knowing this was only going to end tragically for his friend but if this was what he wanted then he would support him. The day that horrible woman rejected him, Ed would be there with Eddward, he wasn't going to let him do this alone. "Have you found anything? Followed your father?"

Eddward gave a dark laugh "I haven't found anything. I followed the man some time ago..." he paused seemingly conflicted "He's living in Lemon Brook, and he lives alone. I don't know what that means"

"Divorced?" Ed questioned intrigued

Eddward shook his head "I don't think so. I've been in his office at the hospital before he has a picture of their wedding day framed and still wears his ring."

"She might be traveling then?" Ed hunched over a bit trying to catch Eddward's gaze.

"Most likely, Question is where?" he sighed out "I haven't been able to find any news about her online. The most current article was years back and then it just stops."

"What about articles about your father?" Ed asked

The other teen thought back "There are some, yeah. The most current one dates back only 9 months" he mumbled out.

"It didn't mention anything about your mother?"

"No nothing." Eddward looked up miserably desperate to find the woman.

Ed then only wrapped an arm around him "I don't know D. But we'll find her soon enough don't stress. You've got the smartest kid in school helping you out" he gave the teen a smile and the swimmer smiled back laughing a bit. "Just stop smoking please"

…

If one found themselves in the streets of Lemon Brook during the darkest hour of the night when loud music played from bars and clubs they would know that the streets of the town where filled with highly radiating neon colors that consumed them entirely. The streets of Lemon Brook where a club in itself, every once in a while groups of dancers could be found outside at the corners of the streets and other times cars would cruise by with beats blasting and it's drivers loudly singing. One can easily find the various groups around town, the druggies, the drunks, and the ones who wanted a good time.

Lemon Brook was known as the Rave Town.

That's what Eddy loved about the damned town. He could easily find a group of pampered up chicks standing by every corner of the streets either trying to get into a club, dancing on their own or smoking waiting for one of those pimps cruising to pick them up. He shoved his hands into his denim pockets the chain he carried jingled along every step he took. His leather boots making a harsh splash sound from stepping on the recently rained concrete but that didn't stop everyone from going out on a Friday night.

He should be making his way over to Peach Creek to see the usual cage fights but he had noticed that Double fucking D had decided to sign up and if you asked him? Eddy couldn't give an absolutely shit about that fucking homo. He'd seen enough fights to know that the swimmer would win every single fucking fight. After a while, Eddy stopped hoping Eddward would finally meet his match and get a real fucking beating, it got boring. What didn't get boring was scamming the fucking idiots who made beats.

Rolling the sleeves of his leather jacket he proudly let his shark tattoo be exposed to every fucking bitch who glanced his way. He loved it when they noticed his tat and they would make way for him to walk through followed by his goons. The power he held in these streets could never get boring, he loved it. A power that he had heard Double D was starting to lose in Peach Creek, maybe soon enough Sam would see how utterly shit of an idea it'd be to leave the gang to Double D. He'd show Sam, the gang would prosper under his rule and when his trail was up he would be able to play with the big guys. Guns and all, fuck he lived for that dream.

He glanced over a group of chicks only covered by variations of bras or just plain pasties with short shorts or dresses and fur coats. Eddy sneakily passed right behind one of them and lifted her dress catching sight of the stunningly chocolate plumped butt cheek. He heard her yelp and scream out curses at him but he had learned to just tune them out. He had no respect for hoe bitches he was after real boss ass women. He imaged it every night, a beautiful curvy mafia wife, someone who knew how to make men kneel. One day he thought as he spit right at the heel of another innocent girl who gasped and stuck the middle finger at him.

The short Ed made a turn making his way down a rather quiet street where there was the slight steam from underground. Most stores and restaurants were closed but he wasn't interested in any of them. He walked down an alleyway where there was only two lights shining. He had two of his most trusted goons walking a few steps behind him both double his size so he wasn't that creeped out about the meeting stop.

They stopped a few feet away from the second light that was coming from the back end of a store and they waited quietly. Eddy crossed his arms feeling the cold breeze hit his exposed chest that wasn't very covered from the v neck shirt he was wears. "When the fuck are they gonna get here" he muttered out after noticing the time on his phone "They're fucking five minutes late" Footsteps sounded behind them and they turned around seeing three figures make their way towards them "Finally" he whispered out shoving his hands in his pockets once more to seem more intimidating.

As they approached however and their figures were illuminated by the light Eddy realized they were not the people he was expecting to deal with that night. "Who the fuck are you?" he exclaimed seeing the first figure seemingly the leader stop only a few feet away.

It was a girl no more than three or four years older than him. She had dark tanned skin with a small tattoo on the temple of her right side and silky silver hair held back with a braid. She had a top that crossed her bubble breasts in an X, a skin tight black skirt that hugged her curves snuggly and thigh high leather boots it almost made Eddy drool. The short teen could see another rather large tattoo wrap around her left leg though he couldn't tell what it was. He quickly noticed the girls behind her were dressed in similar fashion. "I-I said who the fuck are you?" he tried asking once more though he couldn't get his eyes off her hips.

"Eddy?" She questioned in a low seductive voice that could easily make the short teen do cart wheels for her if she asked. "I know I'm not who you're looking for but I'm here to make a deal with you"

Her wine covered lips seemed to drip the words with every movement and intoxicate him. "I…Uh what deal?" he dumbly spoke.

She gave a soft chuckle as she pulled a stand of hair behind her ear "I know you're carrying narcotics with you right now. Sell them to me and me alone and I'll give you double the price if you give me 25% more than the common. Give Sam the usual portion of cash and you keep the rest, nobody but those of us present have to know"

"What's it to you?" Eddy's attention was ripped away from the girl's figure at her proposal.

"Our usual supplier has caused us enough trouble and I know where Sam gets his production. It's good, so I'll pay." Her firm stared looked down at the short teen's crotch knowing well that was where he had it hidden.

"Alright, but why the fuck you telling me to scam the Boss?" Eddy looked her figure over once more slightly distracted all over again as she began to faintly run her tigress fingers along the length of her delicious thigh.

"I've heard so many rumors about the dashing Eddy." She giggled lifted her hand delicately and reaching to touch a finger on his exposed cold chest "…and in my opinion you'd be a much better business man for the gang. Sam's been making a lot of poor decisions recently and we all know when there's a weak shark" She had leaned down red lips ghosting over Eddy's lips "I want to help you run this fucking town Eddy" she whispered giving him an unwavering eye contact before pulling away "we have a deal?"

"It's a fucking deal my lady" Eddy reached out to grab her hand planting a smoldering kiss on the dark slender skin.

"Perfect" she stood silently waiting a moment and just stared down before putting her palm up "Drugs please" she giggled.

Eddy jumped and elbowed the members behind him and the three reached down their pants each pulling a bag out full of narcotics. The girls behind her grabbed the other bags while she reached the bag Eddy was holding and she marveled at it. She reached down her top pulling out cash and handing it to Eddy before reaching down her boot and pulling out another stack of cash. "Thanks handsome, I'll be in touch" she winked.

"W-What's your name gorgeous?" Eddy called out with a blush on his cheeks.

"Oh how rude of me" she laughed bending down to Eddy's ear and speaking a low voice "Call me Bonnie, honey" with that she turned on her heel and walked away with a faint sway of her hips leaving Eddy absolutely enthralled. "Invite me to a party in town sometime hon!" she called out blowing a kiss.

Now THAT was a woman.

…

It was the early hours of the morning and the raven haired teen had just arrived home from a run thankfully streets had been cleared of snow but some parts continued to have ice. He had only gone out for an hour stopping to stretch and relax when he arrived at a park close to Peach High before turning back home. He felt an odd mixture of hot and numbness prickle his skin upon entering his home.

He let the shower water heat him up letting his skin regain life and color. Dark marks and scrapes still remained from the fights he had participated in the night before. It had allowed for him to blow off some steam he had been holding in for the entirety of the week. His tanned fingers found a rather nasty bruise by his hip where one of the last rounds he had fought against a rather big guy with barbaric tactics. He let out a hiss when he pressed down on it and suddenly a memory resurfaced to his mind.

"Don't move too much you imprudent worm"

He had said those vile words to little Kevin not only 7 months ago. He chuckled at the stupidity of himself in the situation. He had been so cruel and it still amazed him how much the boy had influenced him. He could still remember his eyes lingering along the lean freckled chest in that moment when the boy had been unconscious. Yes, Kevin's skin had been ghostly compared to his normal rosy tone making his freckles horribly prominent. He remembered the thinness of the boy's body to where it had seemed almost glass like. When he had unbuttoned the smaller teens shirt the first thing that had caught his eyes where the distinction of his bones that for a moment it had terrified Eddward enough to make him question if he was staring at a corpse.

Yet despite the unhealthy condition the boy had been it hadn't stopped him from hesitantly pressing a hand to Kevin's chest. He remembered feeling the faint rise and fall of the torso and had been almost entranced with how smooth the boy's pale skin had been. It embarrassed Eddward to think back on the moment but he couldn't help but to now recall the last time he had seen Kevin's exposed torso.

It had been one of those nights the boy had stayed over and since they now had the habit of sharing the bed they also happened to change clothing in front of one another. Eddward had been sitting at his desk going over both their homework assignments when he heard the teen let out a whine. It had caught his attention naturally and he turned seeing a shirtless Kevin roaming through his drawers looking for a sweater whimpering about how cold it was. In those few moments before Kevin happily shoved on a sweater Eddward had inclined to let his eyes stare. He had felt invasive staring at a half nude Kevin but it wasn't uncommon between them. Well, he felt invasive now just thinking back on it.

The rosy sun-kissed skin however was too enthralling for the swimmer to look away. He couldn't, not when Kevin was at a healthy weight now with small amount of muscle build and even a bit of chubbiness on his bully. It was adorable and radiating. Especially when he saw the myriad flaming freckles drape the boy's body lusciously.

Eddward reached to turn the temperature of the water to cold feeling his face warm up. Perhaps it was time to get out of the shower knowing he needed to do something before work. Thoughts of the ginger haired boy seem to be the only thoughts going through his head this week. It was blissfully exasperating.

He found himself in the kitchen not 20 minutes later his hair still damp. Waiting for the water to boil he leaned hip at the counter munching on an apple a hand shoved into the pockets of his dark jeans. He knew he needed to go upstairs and search the room, but a part of him was terrified of doing so. What would he find up there? He had thought about it many times but never once dared to break open the door. The sharp alarm of the kettle seemed to wake him and he turned around to grab a mug and then paused to think if he might need something stronger today. Eddward settled for the coffee this morning, he needed to energy for sure. He stood drinking the beverage leaning against the counter his foot lightly tapping the floor as his nerves began to consume him.

When he was about half way through the drink he decided it best finally get the damned thing over thing. There was the perchance outcome of finding nothing but the belongings his parents had forsaken in their haste to escape from him. Either way, no matter what he found the day would start rather depressing. With a sigh he put down the mug and made his way up the stairs pulling at the sleeve of his red sweater feeling cold.

He made his way to his room first hoping to find a paper clip and a tension wrench he had prepared and left on his desk. Eddward grabbed the tools and then made his way down the hall to the locked door. With only a moment of hesitation he began picking the lock working slowly and patiently.

As soon as the wrench turned Eddward pushed the white door open and stood still looking at the untouched master bedroom. It was a rather wide room with the queen sized bed in the middle and a chandelier stealing the spotlight. The room definitely smelled like a forgotten room of many years smelled, eerie and sort of dusty. He imagined his father would clean every once in a while when he arrived else it should have been in worse condition. The floor was carpeted and the walls slightly a grey color though he figured they were supposed to be white like the rest of the house. Huge window were behind the bed but were covered by royal blue curtains.

As he stepped inside he took in the rest of the room he couldn't believe it was exactly as he remembered it to be. There was a loveseat in the corner with a small coffee table and royal blue furniture all around. As he turned taking in everything and his crystal eyes stared down at the bench of the foot of the bed he felt his chest tighten. He could see her. It was as if the woman was sitting there with a book in hand whispering the words under her breathe too focused to notice the habit. The woman's pale face so clear to him in that moment, her preternaturally glossy raven hair so protuberant in his memory. He remembered her wear high waist jeans with button up shirts all the time, but sadly he couldn't remember her favorite shirt. He breathed in realizing he didn't remember her favorite color…or her favorite flower even though he always saw her decorating the living room with them.

The teen dropped the tools on the bench looking around unsure of where to begin his search. He slowly walked over to a drawer and began opening them one by one. Most of them were empty and some held old clothing. He made his way to the other where it was particular similar though this one contained somethings from his father, a golden watch remained in its box and some luxurious cufflinks as well as clothing.

Finally he turned to their closet with dread knowing he might really not find anything. He opened the closet and saw some boxes and a suitcase, an old suit, random jewelry that was left behind and two of his mother's best dresses. He couldn't help himself and the teen grabbed one of the dresses, it was a long black dress with a revealing back and a slit on the left side. He couldn't remember seeing her in this but he knew she would have out shinned anyone in the room.

Placing it back he finally grabbed one of the boxes finding VHS tapes of old kids movies and some had faint sharpie dates. His heart stopped when he saw one of them had his full name written on it. He put it to the side for a later time.

Opening the other box he found a baby's blanket and toys that made him hold his breath. Were these really his? He picked up the light blue blanket with small cartoonish blue sharks on one side. Wow, the thought that he'd been associated with sharks most of his life made him want to laugh out. The blanket was rather old and dusty perhaps he would wash it later. He then picked up a small stuffed grey bear with long legs wearing a light brown sweater. He found that on one of the elephant foot the letters E L was embroidered and it seemed like his mother had started with a third letter but never finished. He wondered what the name was going to be. He found another grey bear but this one was wearing a black sweater and on the foot his name was embroidered.

At the very bottom there was a silver key with a faint writing on it to which he placed at the back of his jean's pocket. With that he sat down looking around at the items he had pulled out. There didn't seem to anything abnormal just old stuff and there was nothing that could possibly give him a clue of where his mother might be hiding. The raven haired teen let out a sigh starting to place everything back into the closet thinking perhaps this was a mistake.

Eddward put down one of the boxes hearing a light thump sound from underneath and out of curiosity he grabbed the box and pulled it back out reaching to look for a possibly loose wooden tile. It was a tile that was most definitely loose and he pulled it out noticing a small hole with a metal box. Eddward held his breath picking up the small item and tried to open it but found it was locked. Lifting the box to see the keyhole he remembered the key he had and pulled it out of his pocket hoping it would open the box.

As soon as he heard the soft click sound he let out a smile opening it. The first thing he noticed was a faded and yellowish newspaper article dating 15 years back. It displayed a photograph right underneath the bold title. 'HONEYVILLE'S PRODIGY' he immediately recognized the woman standing with a bachelor's degree in one hand. Her long black hair and gap toothed smile was unmistakable and as he continued to stare at the photograph he realized that there was an older couple next to her. The pale slender woman had a little toddler with wild wavy locks in her arms; though the kids face was turned away he knew without a doubt it was him.

With shaky fingers he reached to take hold of the piece of paper and observed the photograph further. The older man was a lot like his own father in expression; though this older man looked a lot like his mother he had a rather nasty stern gaze. The woman had a rounder face and short dark hair with light brown eyes, she was smiling proudly looking over at Isabella. Eddward assumed that these must be his grandparents. He quickly scanned through the article but it didn't give him much information except that the entire town was proud of Isabella. Putting down the article he pulled out his phone and searched for Honeyville finding that it was a large town in the middle of the country. Now, if only he remembered what were the names of his grandparents then perhaps he would have a contact.

Putting down his phone he thought about the idea of possibly calling his grandparents. What would they say? Did they know where his mother was? What if they hated him as well? And what if they were in on this sick mess too? The many thoughts and questions just made him want to hyperventilate. He had to contact them he knew he had to do it.

Finally looking down back to the metal box he noticed a notebook. He opened it to find smooth handwriting immediately recognizing it as his mothers. Each page had dates on them and he realized quickly that this was his mother's diary from around the time when she had been attending Peach Creek High.

He turned the page back to the first and began to read the entry.

Liz and Tom forced me out of my cave today and took me to the beach.

The water was can icicle as one would expect in the midst of November,

but the brute of a Barr man child still foolishly dashed right in.

I couldn't believe it. Tom Barr jumped right into the freezing temperatures

like a mad man. He had Liz and I howling with laughter with his girlish

screams. He had it coming. The idiotic goof.

My dear best friend the foolishly brave Tom Barr.

I sincerely hope Liz finally gives in to her liking of the ginger. They make a

good pair no matter her denials. Alas, she is currently far too entertained

kissing up the skirt of a fellow freshman gal.

We'll see how long her current endeavors last. Perhaps she'll find another

pretty and innocent Christian girl to deflower. She's a wildfire, that one. But I

love her nevertheless.

Eddward didn't know what to make of this first entry in the diary. His mother sounded so happy during her teen years in Peach Creek. Now more than ever he wanted to see the photo album Liz had promised to show him. It was his own fault for declining their frequent dinner invitations.

This passage revealed a lot about Kevin's mother as well which poked his interest and surprised him. He ran a finger along the coffee colored page, rereading the passage as if trying to visualize his mother sitting at her desk writing, would she be smiling? He wondered.

Quickly he flipped through the pages before looking down at his phone realizing he needed to start heading out. Taking a breath in, Eddward stood and began placing everything back except for the diary. He would read through the diary through his breaks between shifts hopefully avoiding catching Ms. Adams attention. He didn't want to talk about this with anyone, not at the moment at least.

…

Kevin left his house in an oversized black sweater his father had recently just gifted him with perfectly hiding his still recovering frame. He wore his usual red Quiz Bowl cap covered by the hoodie as it was chilly, though thankfully no snow. He stood for a moment looking out across the street at a pair of teens older than him both with coffee cups in their hands. They both looked like they had a terrible hang over and most certainly didn't want to be there babysitting him. Well, he didn't want them either. With a sigh he patiently waited by the bus stop putting in his headphones and scrolled through his phone. As much as he knew he could probably walk to Eddward's house, he knew it would take far too long and the slight lingering limp to his walk didn't help.

In what seemed like 6 minutes the Peach Creeks bus finally arrived. The freckled teen greeted the driver and paid his fair and began walking towards the back. It was the early morning and the few people who were on where still half asleep. Kevin sat down towards the back in the uncomfortable leather seats. He slouched sinking down and turning his attention to the window seeing homes pass by.

Kevin was aware that it was currently 9:15 in the morning and by now Eddward had just started his shift at Ms. Adams shop. But you see, little Kevin wasn't going to the swimmer's home to find him, but rather to retrieve something. He was stubborn, as much as a Barr man could be and Kevin was determined to find the East Sharks jacket. This whole situation wasn't over and besides he was going to meet Nat Goldberg in town later that day.

He got off before they reached downtown and began walking to the west side noticing that the normally quiet town was being awaken with holiday songs from people walking by in groups and pretty green dresses and red suits. The town's choir group made up of young and old. He the small group a smile before quickly passing by wincing, it was still painful to run or even to walk fast.

By the time Kevin finally arrived at the home it was nearing 10 in the morning. He picked up the hidden house key and opened the door steeping inside the eerie house. Kevin found it funny that he could still describe that home as such, having so many good memories here as well as the fact that it was Eddward who lived here. Someone he was more than comfortable with.

Slightly blushing at the previous incident he rolled his eyes and pushed back his hoodie taking off his hat and shoes leaving them at the entrance. He did feel guilty having avoided Eddward for most of the week after not seeing him for a good chunk of time. In all honestly he really hasn't seen the athlete except in class this week, but now the week was over and they were now on winter break. But Kevin still couldn't face Eddward, not after…

So embarrassing

How can people gloat about these things in the middle of class? He remembered about the many football and swimmers happily whispering about their fantasies and even revealing who the other person was. Kevin had always ignored them knowing they were a bunch of assholes, but then Rolf had confide to him.

Now, here he was feeling utterly conflicted especially after talking with Nazz about it. It wasn't the first time Nazz suggest such an idea of him having possibly…feelings…towards the other. However, the idea was just…embarrassing. Was it truly the time to be feeling such things? No. Not to mention that Eddward literally loathes that side of himself meaning that if Kevin were to even consider perusing such feelings, well, he was going to get flat out rejected. Kevin was certain the raven haired teen didn't see him in that light. He couldn't possibly, never ever.

Kevin opened the door to Eddward's bedroom immediately looking down at the bed and frowning feeling a sting of hurt. Eddward…didn't like him like that. He felt his heart wanting to drop to his stomach at the thought. Was it possible that every time he had fell asleep on this very bed next to the raven haired teen that a part of him was unconsciously developing these feelings that now encompassed him.

But did this mean Kevin actually liked him like that?

The freckled boy stood quietly leaning against the door and looking straight at the mirror. He was still thinking through the fact that Eddward of all people was who he was and how his issues rooted from that fact as well as his toxic parents. Now he was rethinking about every encounter he had with Eddward and snowballing into the fact that it grew into these emotions he couldn't deny. It was a dangerous thought…should he be thinking deeply about it when he knew the end result of the situation? Would it hurt less if he didn't think about it and left it as it is…as they were.

That was a good idea. Just leave it as it was... nothing would have to change. Nothing would be complicated and in the end nothing would have to hurt or become awkward. Not after they have developed such a strong friendship.

He closed his eyes and breathed in for a few minutes trying not to recall every sweet smile and gentle touch from the raven haired teen. He tried so hard not to think about how beautiful ocean eyes brighten when Eddward looked his way. He didn't want to think about how Eddward only ever called him Pumpkin when they were alone and that every time he did, it was always in a soft low voice. He didn't want to think about how safe he felt when the taller teen wrapped his long arms around his small frame and how Kevin's chest would feel all bubbly whenever he got a laugh out of the grumpy shark. He didn't want to think about it, he didn't want to think about it…he really didn't.

It was going to hurt if he did.

Kevin was on the floor pulling his hoodie over his face knowing there were tears. "Damn it" he sniffed out with still shut eyes. This would end terribly… He knew it.

…

Thankfully Ms. Adams didn't question him in any regard that day. It had been the usual slow day at the shop, and the usual arguing with the same old man who wanted him to lower the price of very valuable antiques. Ms. Adams was as cheerful as ever and seemed to understand when Eddward needed space to himself. Eddward over time seemed to understand that what he appreciated about the woman was that she was very maternal and genuinely cared about him. He had stopped by to purchase flowers and a bracelet for her holiday gift. When she saw him come in with the gift it had made her tear up causing Eddward to internally panic and tense up but the woman accepted the gifts and had hugged him tightly. He really appreciated her in these times of chaos and confusion. During his 30 minute break in between his shift he had left the shop and sat in his car looking through his mother's diary. There was a particular passage that had caught his eye while he was reading through.

Got stuck with Malcolm for a biology project.

As horrid as I thought the idea of us working together might be,

Turns out he is rather smart. Much smarter than I had anticipated.

He also is actually pretty funny, but I won't ever admit that.

We'll see where this project takes us, but I hope we learn to get along.

As he finished reading the short passage his phone went off. He looked down seeing it was Ed who was calling. "Ed" he greeted looking back down at the journal in his hand.

"Hey Double D. How are you doing?" The brunettes boys sounded genuine which always made Eddward smile.

Eddward let out a small exhale closing the journal and slouching in the cars seat "I'm fine Ed, what's up?"

"I uh, just got back from the hospital. I went with Sarah to her weekly appointment and well I thought it was a good idea to um you know ask around"

"Ask around?" Eddward frowned taking a drink at his tea.

"Well I asked around about your mom, b-but don't worry I didn't make it like weird haha" Ed nervously laughed out and continued before the other could respond "I don't really know what to say. I bumped into Doctor Jones and you know casually asked about Isabella Vincent and she just kind of gave me a look but told me that your mom was away? Like in another country away and that she's been there for a long time because of work. I asked some other doctors and they all told me the same story. The weird thing about all of this is that no one knows where she works at they all just assume."

Eddward frowned "…Thanks Ed…I'll go talk to my old man today...he's the only one who knows where she could be. I'll see if I can find any information in his office"

The brunette let out a small hum before clearing his throat "You know you're not going to get anything out of your old man right? Maybe it might be better to go to Sam…you know he'll find out information faster."

The other teen let his head bump against the window of his car "I don't want to owe him more than I already do Ed. You know he'll only hold it against me eventually. His trial is almost over and all he wants more than to over shine his father is for me to work for him, but that's not happening in my book."

"Yeah… you're right sorry. Maybe, I don't know…" Ed spotted speaking for a moment processing what he wanted to say "Maybe she just doesn't want to be found D…"

The boy's word certainly felt like a punch to the swimmer. Of course she didn't want to be found or else Eddward would have by now. He just wanted to find out why she didn't want to be found? He just wanted to see her once, was it too much to ask? "Perhaps, but something just doesn't sit right with me in all these years how could there not be one single article covering her professional career Ed? She couldn't have just have given everything up. Look, I found an old newspaper this morning, she studied Hematology and the article talked about her future research and internship. She was a prodigy as much as father was the only difference was she's some years younger than him. So, why the hell can't I find any damned coverage about her? It's as if the earth swallowed her up and deleted her existence. My fucking Father knows Ed"

"Double D, I'm sorry I know" Ed concerned voiced spoke through quietly "I'm sorry, calm down. I get it. You're right…you're right. You're father's just trying to use her against you."

"I'm going to his office in two hours and see what I can get out of him…" the raven haired teen sighed.

"And if you can't find anything?"

"I'll break into his fucking office when he isn't there if I have to" Eddward huffed out knowing that was probably going to be the only outcome of today.

Ed let out a laugh "Call me then, I'll join you"

"Will do" Eddward smiled looking back down at the diary.

…

Kevin stood by Eddward's desk looking down at a VHS tapes with the swimmer's name written on it. He wanted to see the contends of the tape. But who still owned a VHS player in this day and age. He rubbed at his itchy eyes and placed back down the tape wondering if the raven haired teen had already seen it or was going to.

The small freckled teen then opened the closet trying to figure out where Eddward would have stored the jacket if he hadn't thrown it away which he was hoping the teen hadn't. He noticed a lot of black clothing and at the very end he saw a distinct leather jacket with lettering on it. He grabbed it hoping it was the east side ones but when he pulled it out he instant realized they were jackets for the Great Whites. Bold white letters curved over a Jaws like shark that had red tribal designs around the image and slightly on the ends of the sleeves. He stood silently staring at the design wondering if Eddward actually wore the jacket. He never saw anyone wear them not like normal gangs who proulyd showed off their membership.

He hanged the jacket once more closing the closet in the process leaving Kevin to look around trying to think where in this room the teen would have hidden it. He opened the drawers and quickly searched through them. Noticing some boxes underneath the bed Kevin kneeled down grabbing one of them and finding a pair of sneakers and reached for another. The freckled teen smiled looking down at the East Sharks leather jacket that was neatly folded.

Quickly he noticed the teared shoulder part of the sleeve and back where he had landed on the night of his accident. Thinking he could probably sew it back together Kevin quickly took off his oversized hoodie and put on the jacket then hid it by wearing the hoodie on top once more. Sam's goons were hanging outside the house monitoring him and he most definitely didn't want this jacket taken away so soon.

He then placed everything back and walked downstairs. He stood the look down the steps feeling like he was walking down those stairs the first time, or rather in a different perspective. Just how many times had he walked down to meet Eddward down stairs? He realized then the fluttery cheerful feeling when found the boy. Walking past the living room he looked over at the couch where they had fallen asleep on top of one another several times which now made him blush remembering himself latching onto the other. Sure he and Nazz slept together various times but now that he thought about it they weren't as cuddly as he and Eddward were. He remembered Eddward saying how he didn't let Ed do the things that Kevin did and now he questioned that response. Why did Eddward let him? He stopped by the kitchen where he Nazz and Ed all sat around talking and laughing with their homework on the table waiting for Eddward who would be preparing tea and snacks. It was wild to think about how Eddward's home had suddenly become the gangs hang out place. Nazz and Eddward would constantly start debates about whatever classical novel they were currently reading in their English Language class. While, Kevin and Ed would sneak away after finishing homework into the living room and open up their laptops to play online games like World of Warcraft.

Then there were the times when he would stay over and he'd be sitting at the table secretly wanting a cup of coffee but instead enjoying his mint tea. Kevin would watch over as Eddward would cook for them and the scene was always so domestic but he'd caught himself smiling and his face heating up. He'd pull at the borrowed oversized sweater or shirt and realize how comforting they were, and part of him knew it was because they were Eddward's clothing.

Had this…feeling, been developing for so long? Kevin paused at the small hallway taking in a breath trying to realize when it was that he started feeling this emotion. At what point in time had his heart begin beating with a such a strong sense of infatuation? And how had he not realized until now.

The freckled teen stepped to the garage door opening it and turning on the light. Lazily, he walked down to his poor bike that continued to reside in Eddward's home. The garage was astoundingly colder, almost 20 degrees less he was sure of it. He pulled up his hoodie over his head and sat down on the ground placing a hand on his bike. He had started buying some replacement parts in order to begin fixing her up this coming break and hopefully she would be ready before the New Year. He missed his bike…a hell of a lot.

Kevin bumped his head on to the bike and sighed out "I'm doomed girl" he whined out looking to the side where Eddward's punching bag was. Part of him wanted to use it and let some of his frustration out but he knew his arm and shoulder still weren't up for something like that. It was fine, he'd rather just hug his bike and cry about his stupid unattainable fixation.

"Why have you forsaken me?" Kevin whimpered out bumping his head against his bike. "I only just…and I'm already heartbroken" he let his shoulders slump down. Why had he dreamed that night and why did he feel the way he felt UGH.

There were already plenty of issues to deal with and this was just another problem piled on top of things he had to stress and cry about. He was only 17 for crying out loud!

The small teen decided to just sit there leaning against his broken bike and be depressed about his newly found dilemma until it was time to meet up with Nat downtown. The goons outside could freaking freeze their asses for all he cared.

…

The white floors and walls were almost blinding from the sun's rays illuminating the entrance to the huge building. His dark clothing immediately made him stand out as he stood in the corner of the lobby hands in his coat's pocket. The nurses came and went dressed in a light grey or blue scrubs and Doctors in their long white lab coats. Eddward wasn't waiting for anyone he just needed some time before marching over to interrogate his bastard father. He knew the man was currently in his office as he had asked one of the nurses and he knew the man would be there for another two hours. Every once in a while one of the doctors would recognize him and send him a smile and a wave.

He stood there silently before pulling his beanie a bit down and finally walking down the hall towards his father's office. He looked down at the white tiles as he walked his reflection a blurry figure. He didn't need to look in front he knew the way like the back of his hand. He walked slowly only ever looking at the doors and their numbers with no particular interest. Turning a corner he bumped to a nurse who recognized him "Eddward, lovely seeing you here in good conditions" The teen smiled at the man as he passed by. He had been someone who had looked after him both times he had been a patient.

The raven haired teen came to a stop as he stared at a smudge on a tile. That smudge had always been there and would never go away, it annoyed him. But it also informed him that he was but a few feet away from Doctor Vincent's office door. Finally he looked up straight at the white door a window on the side but the texture blurred the figure inside. He could see the man hard at work seating at his desk typing away with what seemed to be a stack of papers at his side.

The last time he had been in the office had been after he'd been discharged after recovering from the hit on his head. He remembered sitting on a chair in silence for almost ten minutes before his father had spoken though never once had the man turned to look at him. The man had been furious calling him a disgrace to the Vincent name, and how much money he had to waste paying the media to not cover yet another story about his rebellious son. He couldn't remembered the rest as Eddward had tuned it all out and instead wishing he had died from the fucking incident though he hadn't want that to carry on Ed's shoulders.

With a breath in he walked to the door and knocked hearing a stern approval from inside. Internally he groaned closing his eyes shut for a split second before exhaling and turning all emotions off as soon as he opened the door. He entered and closed the door behind him then stood silently as he stared directly at the man behind the desk.

Without a glance the man continued to type away muttering under his breath. Eddward rolled his eyes shoving his hands in his coat once more "…Father" he called out taking a few steps closer. He continued to stare at his father who continued his work in silence adjusting his glasses once in a while.

Then finally, finally after a long tormenting handful of quiet minutes he stopped and leaned back in his chair. "Did you get that dick out of your ass and come for my forgiveness?"

Ooh this man knew how to push his buttons…Eddward pushed down his anger as best as he could only displaying a frown on his face. With fist clenched in his pockets he said "I didn't come to seek forgiveness from you Sir."

Victor Vincent turned back to his computer and started typing again clearly annoyed "Then why the hell did you come by to inconvenience me. I'm a busy man Eddward and the only reason you should be in here is to beg. Now leave."

Eddward didn't leave but instead looked at the man's golden wedding ring wondering if she too still wore it as if show casing the lie of her false happy family life. "Where is she?" he bluntly asked looking down at the wooden desk.

"Who?" the man asked in confusion clearly focused back on his work.

"Mother, you're wife. Where is she? Where does she reside?" Eddward frowned slowly becoming impatiently. "Father…"

"Cease this childishness at once Eddward!" the man looked up with a glare and paused for a second the corner of his lip twitched. "I've told you, you won't get to see her until you have accepted God's grace in your heart and mind. Only until you eliminate the revolting illness that has consumed you"

"Don't you think I want that?" Eddward glared at his father. His nails digging into his palm from the amount of anger that continue to pile over the more he stood in front of this man. "I pray I wasn't…who I am. But I will not conform to the inhuman treatment you call grace. That is not grace, Father"

The man stopped typing once more and continued to look at his son with clear disgust. "You won't ever know where she is. She…she lives well without you. She refuses to acknowledge that you exist, and so will I as soon as you turn 18 and are out of my hands. You know very well that our inheritance will under no circumstances be passed down to you as soon as your birthday comes around the following year. That house that you infest, it may be your mothers but don't get too comfortable for it will be going on sale. So you better make a decision very soon."

He was so close to punching his bastard father and to revealing how much this man affected him. "I haven't depended on you for year's father. I work and make my own money. I work to pay bills and debts that a normal 17 year old shouldn't have to worry about. I'm not afraid of your threat. I do not want your fortune"

The man let out a rough laugh "Yes, I've heard all about your own fame. The king of sharks? Is that what they call you?" he let out a low laugh "Can you imagine, a Vincent next in line to test run a little high school gang? The first Vincent to be known for becoming a criminal and for kneeling down for The Wolf and his pups like the bitch that you are? You call that work?" The man leaned forward elbows resting on his desk "You're a nightmare, Eddward. One mistake after another." He laughed out again "A cock sucking criminal. What a great future awaits you, your mother would be so proud"

"Where else was I presumed to get the money to pay for expenses? My daily necessities, and to keep the house functioning? Not to mention saving enough to get the hell out of your way" Eddward raised his voice now.

"I kept you alive you ungrateful demon" Victor hands had turned into fists.

"Why?" Eddward could feel himself unraveling the more his father spoke. "Why did you come back that night? I would have bled out if you had left me to die that night. Why didn't you let me die then? Why let me live, when you and mother are so revolted at my very existence. I didn't have to go through all this torment and you wouldn't have had to deal with me"

It took a moment for the man to regain his composure as he had looked away from Eddward. Then slowly he looked up and breathed in "I still saw my son in that ten year old boy"

Eddward could feel his voice wanting break with his emotions all clashing at the same time. How was this man capable of manipulating him the way he did "Father…"

"Enough of this! Leave now" the man now refused to look back up at Eddward as he resumed his work.

"Father, I need to know where mother is please" Eddward was on the edge of breaking down, like he did every time he interacted with this man. "Please just let me see her once and I won't ever ask again."

"Eddward!" the man spat out without looking at his son "Leave." He breathed in harshly his hands formed tight fists. "You have always been a waste of my time. You never learn, you abomination."

The raven haired teen stared straight at the empty chair in front of him. He loathed this man so much, so so much. With a rise of anger Eddward kicked the fucking chair as hard as he could sending it flying across the room and knocking over some shelves. "Farewell" he spat out.

He walked out of the office without closing the door just to annoy the man further and practically rushed out of the suffocating hospital ignoring everyone who whispered gossip around him. He stomped over to his car getting in and slamming the door close then letting a loud scream out. Eddward felt tears spilling out his eyes in a mixture of fury, disappointment and hurt.

It was always the same he was angry with himself for letting the man's words get to him every time. It was hard to try and ignore such harsh words from someone who was supposed to be the respected and admired figure but turned out to be a cruel and harsh man. Pressing his face to the steering wheel he gripped it with such a hard grip the leather burned his hand. He could almost hear those stupid voices laughing at the back of his mind once more, could easily visualize those stupid nightmares in that moment. It was so hard to breathe and so hard to maintain a clear mind. Just pure rage and anger toward his father radiated in his mind and heart. He hated him with all of his being. It was hard not to believe everything he called was consumed in pure darkness as he was unable to open his eyes.

Every scar on his arms and the one on his forehead scorched so harshly he whined out in pain. The pocket knife in his pocket evident as his body was so used to the quick solution. Sniffing he pulled it out of his pocket and stared at it through tear filled eyes. His father's words only more evident in his mind. The scars on his arms burned even more as if pleading and wanting him to go through with it. "Why?" A familiar voice rang out through all the chaos in his head making him stop and clear his eyesight. He looked down at his scarred wrist visualizing trembling freckled hands wrap around this wrist.

Eddward smiled looking away rubbing his eyes and letting the knife fall under his car seat. He knew he wouldn't be able to hide it from Kevin, and he knew the smaller teen would be in tears once knowing and he didn't want that. He didn't want Kevin to see cry over him again. Eddward leaned back in the seat rubbing his eyes with the sleeve of his coat. After a moment of silence he sat in silence looking out the window noticing the sky turning grey as if it would rain later that day.

…

Kevin had left Eddward's house just before he knew his shift at Ms. Adams was over and was now on his way to meet Nat downtown. It was just afternoon and he wondered what Nat had in mind. It had been a surprised when the green haired teen had messaged him earlier that week, but Kevin had been happy to hang out with the teen.

The freckled teen shivered at the chilly wind even if he was wearing about three layers of clothing. It was middle of December and at this point he knew better than to go out without a coat on but, of course he didn't. He did appreciate the coldness on his eyes that were still very puffy. He noticed many people walking around doing Christmas shopping while couples were out and about kissing under the mistletoe that were hung every other block. Across the street from where he was Kevin noticed a long line of parents with their kids trying to get a picture with the Santa Claus inside the town's bookstore. "Sorry" he mumbled accidently bumping into an older person who simply wished him a Merry Christmas.

He walked towards the south side of downtown which was where Nat had indicated to meet up by a bunch of clothing stores. However, he still had about an hour before meaning he had enough time to stop by the Auto Parts store. He needed to buy some paint and bolts for his poor girl at the moment and the next day he would come back with his dad's truck to buy new wheels, a light, and a rear fender. Hopefully, Eddward wouldn't mind fixing up the bike in the garage as there was more space to work.

Finally he walked up the wooden stairs of the store and entered noticing there was a wind chime with a seldom tune. Kevin gave a small smile to the man that the counter who he knew, the dark bronzed man was his father's friend. A quiet man in comparison to his father but surpassed the Barr man's build. Kevin made his way to the back where the spray paints were and began comparing the small amount of red values available. He settled on a darker red and picked up two bottles for now then went over to the front to grab a pack of nuts and bolts he would need.

"You be careful on that motorcycle boy" the man smiled scratching at his stubble on his jaw as he handed Kevin the bag with his purchase. "Your father has been worried about you riding again"

Sheepishly Kevin took the bag "Yeah I'll be more careful from now on, thank you" Kevin stepped out of the shop hearing the seldom tune once more as he made eye contact with one of his babysitters clearly bored out of their mind the other playing on their phone. Kevin sighed out seeing the condensation of his breath fade away and began to made his way to the meeting spot.

As he was getting close he got a message from the green haired teen saying [Your prince just arrived with a wink] it made Kevin smile and he put away the phone deciding not to answer as he was close enough. They had been texting for a while now while he had been home recovering and Kevin was used to the boy's flirtatious personality by now. He wondered what his friends were up to today now that they were essentially free from school. He wondered what Eddward had planned for the holidays… would he mind if he dropped by on Christmas to give him his gifts? Would he spend it alone? Kevin frowned knowing every well that the teen most likely would. Perhaps he should invite him over though he knew that the athlete would without a doubt reject him. Kevin couldn't imagine how depressing it would be for Eddward sitting alone on the day everyone was having fun with their loved ones. But that was just it huh, Eddward didn't have 'loved ones', family related at least. His lifted his hand to his chest, the thought really did hurt him.

"Woah there cutie, come here often?" Kevin felt a hand wrap around his shoulder and someone press up to him. Immediately he turned meeting eyes with golden ones. Nat let out a laugh at the look of confusion on Kevin's face "A bit distracted aren't you?"

"S-sorry…" Kevin awkwardly laughed out relaxing his shoulders "I guess I am"

"Everything alright?" Nat asked tilting his head with a confused look as he rubbed Kevin's arms in order to comfort the teen.

"I'm fine really" Kevin smiled breathing in and trying his best not to be a bummer on his first hang out with the green haired teen. He really didn't want to make the other worry over his own personal teen issues. "How have you been?"

"Gnarly" Nat sighed out exasperated "Raine is so stressed out right now, but let's talk about it later. For now…" Nat moved in front of Kevin and pointed above them. Kevin looked up seeing a mistletoe hanging right above them. Before Kevin could register Nat had leaned in and pecked him on the lips before quickly grabbing his hand and started walking.

"N-NAT!" Kevin yelped out hand on his lips seeing some people in town give them looks but for the most part they all were too busy running around minding their own business. "Did you just kiss me?"

"What? Not into dudes?" Nat glanced back quietly laughing and continuing to pull Kevin along.

Kevin immediately thought back on his dream blushing heavily "…that's not it" he mumbled out.

Nat raised an eyebrow curiously "First kiss with a guy then?" the green haired teen pulled the flustered Kevin forward and wrapped an arm around him "I'm honored, though if I knew I would have made it more memorable" he winked down bumping the freckled boy's hips with his own.

Kevin whined out embarrassed beside the boy "you can't just do that" he gripped the bag in his hand tighter as a gap toothed smiled popped into his head.

"Sorry, there was mistletoe. I just staying true to the holidays" Nat shrugged giving him an apologetic smile.

Kevin leaned close smiling back "I mean…this isn't Lemon Brook"

"Oh" Nat rolled his eyes with a shake of his head "You know I'm not of member of the Northern Fangs but there is one thing I learned from hanging around the lot" Nat flashed Kevin a toothy grin as he proudly raised his free hand, middle finger raised for the world to see. Kevin laughed out although he heard many parents and older people gasp. Although a group of teens did cheer Nat on as they raised theirs up as well. "Fuck them" Nat lowered his hand pulling Kevin closer to his side.

Kevin smiled and laughed out hoping one day Eddward could be as proud as Nat was. "Why haven't you officially joined the Fangs?" Kevin asked curiously as they walked into a clothing store.

Nat detached himself from the ginger teen and jumped over to a couple of folded jeans "I don't do the whole tattoo thing. My skin needs to be pure and shiny I can't have a tattoo ruin that" he winked over. "Besides, I like being their cheerleader" he giggled picking up some ripped jeans looking at them and eyeing them "They take good care of me. I just miss out on the sexy outfit"

Kevin shook his head looking around the store. The girls section was filled with some girls he recognized from school. He awkwardly turned back to Nat who had a pile of clothing in his hands. "You're buying all that?"

"No silly" Nat shoved the pile into Kevin's arms "You're going to try these on" the teen shoved him towards the back and into a stall grabbing Kevin's bag. "It's a fashion show baby" he winked and closing the stall.

"I thought these were for you?" Kevin hummed out concerned "I can't afford these" the freckled teen was freaking out looking down at the price tag. He didn't even know there was such an expensive boutique around here.

"Just try them on, please me darling!" Nat called out taking a seat in front of the stall and winking at the group of girls who were whispering.

With a sigh Kevin hanged up the clothes and started undressing. This was definitely not what he had in mind when Nat had asked to hang out today. Out of all the outfits he had tried on Nat had approved on two which in Kevin's opinion resembled his father when he was back in High School but he wasn't going to argue that they looked rather good on him.

The green haired teen had quickly grabbed the two outfits from him and when Kevin had finished putting on his own clothing Nathan was standing by the stall with a big bag in hand. "What's this?" Kevin asked.

"For you gorgeous, nothing cheers me up like shopping" The golden eyed teen winked shoving the bags to Kevin who stood shocked.

"Nat! No oh my god. I can't take these" a flushed Kevin tried giving the bag back but Nat was instant.

"You can and you will. It's my Christmas present to you" Nat patted Kevin's shoulder and then leading him out of the store.

"Nat…" Kevin mumbled looking up at the green haired teen with a frown "You didn't have to"

"I didn't but I did and now you have two new super fashionable and super sexy outfits to get some" he laughed out wrapping his arm around the others arm. "Now let's get some coffee I know a great place"

…

Eddward had returned back home and was in the middle of punching the shit out of his punching bag in the garage trying to get all his frustration out. He needed to let his mind tire out in order to think clearly again or else he knew he was going to fall back down to rock bottom. He couldn't afford to do so right now.

When he couldn't muster up any more strength to stay standing Eddward let himself fall on the ground wheezing for air. His hair stuck to his face although the majority was tied in a ponytail and his entire body coded in sweat. He could feel his arms burning from the nonstop workout but it was essential.

Once he had enough air in his lungs and had enough strength to get up the swimmer stood to make his way back into the kitchen drinking three cups of water. Then he proceeded to shower as he let his mind stay clear and tired. When was finished he sat in his bed with his mother diary in hand, the article tucked inside.

"Honeyville…" he muttered out wondering if he should make his way there. Wondering if he would find anyone there? He skimmed through his mother's diary trying to find any other clue, but all her entries where about Peach Creek and a handful where about the cabin. He grabbed his laptop and began searching for the place trying to find anyone who lived in the place on social media. It was then that he found an article about a man named Felix O. Garcia which appeared to be the same man in his mother's photo. He grabbed the article and compared the men and truly the only difference was the age. The man in the current photo was definitely almost 20 years older.

The then continued to read the article finding that the man in the photo had died about two years ago and then it read something about a woman named Valeria M. Garcia who appeared to be the wife of the man. The blue haired teen looked down at the woman in the photo…unsure of where to go now.

He could look more into the woman named Valeria try to contact her or he could ignore this lead and possible reunion with his grandparents. The earlier fight with his father only made him nauseous and the thought about possibly meeting this woman was horrifying. What if what his father said was true? Maybe she was well and better off without him and maybe is she saw him it would only torment her. Eddward closed his laptop and tossed the diary to the nightstand unsure what to do anymore. Maybe he should give up on this hunt to find her. Maybe it would be better to just let everything go and pretend they don't exist for the rest of his life.

Eddward let himself fall on his bed staring up at the white ceiling. He could still feel an itchy sensation on his wrists as if his body was addicted to the sharp blade. He had been able to forget about it while he had been using the punching bag but now…

He tried ignoring it and decided best to just sleep it off but it was still rather too early to fall asleep. Instead he sat up and grabbed his backpack and took out his Psychology textbook and began reading the current chapters that were due when they returned. Even, if he had already read them…

…

"This is a Pub, Nat…" the freckled boy mumbled out looking inside the place. It was hidden in an alleyway in the south side which made it seem rather eerie to Kevin, especially since they had to go down some stairs to get in. Inside, it was old fashion with checkered floors, brick walls and wooden tables. It was your typical pub, the bar side on the right and tables on the left, though there was a pool table behind the bar. There were a handful of older men and women hanging out by the pool table and some couple of people in their mid-twenties sitting. "We shouldn't be here"

Nat giggled elbowing Kevin "We're fine, it's a Wolf bar. It used to belong to your gang but they had some financial trouble, so Raine bought it. Surprised you haven't been here before" the green haired teen pulled Kevin along to the bar where a girl with pixie lavender hair stood bored out of her mind. "Hey Llan, can we get lattes?" The girl only nudged her head and turned around starting to make the drinks. Kevin looked at Nat with a questioning look "She's just hungover" Nat chuckled making his way to one of the tables. "Friday nights at Fangs gets wild, especially since us young folks are on break"

"I can imagine. I mean, you guys were partying on a Wednesday when I went over" Kevin sat down hoping no one in the bar belonged to the Eastern Sharks or else he might be doomed. He looked around seeing there were a lot of frames both new and old on the walls.

"Yeah…us Lemon Brooks ya know. Party people" Nat leaned his cheek on his hand looking at Kevin "Has Raine contact you since then?"

Kevin turned his attention to the teen across from him shaking his head "No, you haven't had any more trouble from the masked man?"

With a sigh Nat let out a whine "Big trouble. Raine is convinced the masked man is someone from the Great Whites. I heard a box of dead rats made its way to the Fangs doorstep, and shortly after Eddy's stupid gang provoked some wolfs. There's been on and off fighting even at school it's ridiculous. Raine is furious and the Great White's leader won't settle it. Says the masked man has given him trouble too" Nat leaned back as the girl named Llan set their drinks and went back with an irritated look.

"He hasn't been spotted at all?" Kevin frowned grabbing his cup and taking a sip.

"Nope" Nat inhaled the sweet smell of the coffee's aroma "Some of the Fangs have had enough of their graffiti though. It was getting out of hand, every Fang logo was covered by a shark. Honestly, I don't think it's a Great White who's doing this. Seems to me like whoever it is has got it against the leader, else they wouldn't have graffiti the harpooned shark. But I don't understand why they decide to provoke The Northern Fangs"

Kevin quietly listened looking towards the older people on the other side who would cheer once in a while. "If your suspicion is true then it might just be to spite Raine into fighting Sam. The problem is we don't truly know the masked man's intentions. I mean, they went after my best friend who has nothing to do with Sam or the gang. I don't see how she relates to that at all" Kevin pouted annoyed that the masked man was still out there. The thought only made him want to go over to Nazz and make sure she was alright.

"I don't know hun" Nat continued to drink "I just hope this ends because a stressed and angered Raine is not a beautiful sight at all. I'd much rather hang around school eyeing the athletes and their glorious bubble butts."

This made Kevin laugh out almost choking from his coffee. "You have it so hard Nat" he giggled.

"I do have it hard" he gave the freckled boy a flirtatious wink that made Kevin blush "Serious mode again, are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine Nat no need to worry about me" Kevin giggled sipping at his drink then stopped a moment to observe the green haired teen in front of him "Actually… can I ask a personal question?"

"Hit me baby" Nat raised an eyebrow curious ignoring the loud cheering from the pool table.

"Have you um, liked someone before?" Kevin could feel his face warming up rapidly. The words created a stir to his stomach as he had spoken them out loud.

With a giggle Nat asked "Do you mean like a crush?" seeing the cute freckled teen nodded awkwardly Nat smiled knowing his earlier distraction must be about his question "Yeah I have, lots and I've been in a relationship with one of those crushes. I'll give you great love advice my friend"

Kevin laughed nervously looking down at his coffee "…um this is going to be a stupid question" he emphasized breathing out.

"No, there's never a stupid question. Just a lack of experience or knowledge" Nat placed his hand on cheek once more lifting a leg onto his seat. "You can be super open with me Kevin. No judgement here"

"Thanks…well h-how did you realized you like someone?" Kevin reached for his hat pulling the brim down.

"Easy, I want to kiss them but like passionately ya know?" Nat chuckled "Buuut, when you actually like-like someone. You know, you kind of want to be with them like 24/7" the green haired teen giggled "Like, they make your heart full and you can't stop looking at them and you want to hold hands with them and see them smile and hear them laugh. They become like your best friend but with developed feelings ya know?" Nat paused observing the freckled boy who was very pensive as if he had just swallowed a truth pill "Whose the lucky person?" he questioned thinking Kevin was endearing.

"Um…I…I was just curious…" Kevin avoided the teen's question still trying to process his emotions "and…have you ever liked someone you know for certain won't like you back?"

Nat paused and gave him a sad smile "Honey, you never truly know until they straight up tell you, directly."

"…but have you?"

"Yeah, back in middle school I had a huge crush on this soccer player. He was without a doubt …and unfortunately very fucking straight." He hummed out shutting his eyes tightly as if repressing a memory "that crush didn't last very long"

"Sorry" Kevin smiled sadly assuming what had ended the boy's liking.

"But, that's just my experience not yours. So, first off boy or girl?" he quickly asked sitting up straight and ready to encourage.

"Nat...uh…." Kevin blushed heavily feeling a desperate need to hide.

"Boy?" Nat giggled at the ginger teen's adorable reaction "Is this your first crush on a boy?" the question only made the teen freckled face bright cherry colored. "YAS!" Nat cheered lifting his arms up in the air "Oh my fucking god I'm all in. We're getting you that boy"

"Nathan!" Kevin couldn't help how red and hot his entire head held he had his hands on his face. He paused a moment looked at the tiles on the floor and let out a long breath "It doesn't matter how I feel about…him"

"Why?" Nat lowered his arms

Kevin thought back to the his realization of a few hours ago and the reason why he had been crying "He needs me as a friend right now…I'd just be adding more unnecessary baggage"

"Woah, waoh there, you are not unnecessary baggage Kevin" Nat reached over to grab the boys small plump hands. "Hey, look something I learned from my pervious relationship was if someone makes you feel like that, they're not worth it ok?"

"Oh no, he's not like that at all…not anymore" Kevin smiled "He's one of my best friends and he just doesn't realized how great he is all. He has a lot of personal things to sort out…but I think he just needs a friends support more than ever and hopefully in time he'll learn to heal and grow stronger and hopefully learn to see himself the way that I do…He's fucking perfect Nat, you have no idea." Kevin could feel the other's fingers make their way up to his cheek and caress them with a soothing movement of their thumb "He doesn't need me to suddenly ruin everything. He doesn't see me as more than a friend I know that and that's all he needs"

"Kevin, don't cry." Nat said in a low voice wiping Kevin's freckled cheeks "You don't know that for sure. Look, it seems to me like you just figured out your feelings so give it some time ok? Give yourself some time to reflect and come to embrace these new emotions you're experiencing. Maybe this person will figure out some things within that time and maybe they might feel the same way. You never know, you can't decide for yourself that he doesn't have a slight possibility of liking you back. So just breathe for now. You're ok and everything is going to be fine in the long run. Give yourself time."

"Wow, the fabulous Nathan Goldberg is so wise" Kevin smiled composing himself hoping no one else saw. He felt a bit silly "But thanks, really"

"Well, if he does end up not feeling the same way. You'll cry it out and learn to let it go and hopefully you can both continue to be friends and eventually you'll find some other butterfly flying about who will like you back. There are like 8 billion people on this planet Kevin, one rejection isn't the end for you."

"You're right" Kevin chuckled "You're absolutely right…"

Nat then leaned forward and in a low voice said "But how cute would it be if you guys end up being like high school sweethearts? I ship it"

Kevin laughed out "Doubt it Nat"

They ended up spending a few more hours at the place just talking and Kevin learned a lot about Nat like his middle name being Kedd and that he was just as much a coffee lover as he was. Eventually the place started to get filled up and Kevin began getting nervous of any possibly East Sharks entering. As they stood up to leave he looked at the old photographs in the walls catching some interesting personalities. "East Sharks were really badass back in their prime. It's a shame they've died down a lot with the Great White's leader coming in and all"

Kevin looked through the frames and paused looking at one in particular. "Look that's your leader 20 years ago." Nat pointed and Kevin saw a big Samoan looking man around his 40's possibly and around him there were both various male and female members proudly showing off their leather jacket that was exactly the same as the one he possessed. However, bright blue eye's caught his attention in the old photographs. There was a teenage tall girl on the right side with a lovely gap toothed smile and amazing long dark hair pulled up in a ponytail. The darkness of her hair was a lovely contrast to her fair skin and resulted in her eyes standing out ever the more. Kevin swore he was looking at the female version of Eddward. He had to blink several times in order to figure out if he was mistaking this so cheerful girl to the dull portrait that hung in Eddward's living room. They almost seemed like totally two different people, but he was sure that without a doubt…Eddward's mother had been a member of the rivaling gang, the East Sharks.

…

Eddward heard a loud knock on his door as he was peacefully reading and with a huff of breath he stood placing his book on the coffee table and making his way towards the door. It must have been about 10 in the evening as he realized the sun had gone completely down. Upon opening the door he saw the two Shark members who had been scheduled to follow Kevin lazily lean against the walls. "Sup, Captain" one yawned out "We were driving back and thought it best to stop by and give you a report."

"You only give reports if something is suspicious. I don't need you telling me he's been home all day idiot" Eddward rolled his eyes.

"Well, we thought it was important you knew he actually wasn't home most of the day." The other frowned with a raised eyebrow "He came here, to your house for a few hours then left and met up with his boyfriend."

Eddward stared a minute at the member who had just spoke considering if he had misheard him "With who?"

"Some green haired kid, we knew they were like together caused they kissed and all. Gross"

The other then spoke up again "Never mind that stupid, what's worse is this kid's boyfriend is a fucking filthy wolf!"

"Raine's pack?" Eddward stood very baffled processing everything they had just said…secret…boyfriend?

"Yeah! They went into a wolf bar and stayed there for hours. We had to fucking hide so the wolves wouldn't pick a fight." They said annoyed "I recommend you figure out where your friend's loyalty is at Captain. Sam wouldn't be happy knowing your 'friend' is giving shark information over to mutts."

Eddward instinctually grabbed onto their jacket and shoved them hard letting them fall onto the ground. "I suggest you don't threaten me if you wish to keep your tongue"

"S-sorry Captain…We're just saying…y-you know this is suspicious"

Eddward turned around feeling agitated "You're certain you saw them together?" addressing the other.

"One hundred percent Captain" They raised their hands "They were definitely together until an hour ago."

"Is he home now?" The raven haired teen couldn't look at the buffoons; he knew if he did he would certainly punch one of them.

"Yup, he was like super tired and like pensive." They snickered out "Who knows what happened inside the bar, I've heard how wild the Wolves are. Eddy—"

"Ok. Whatever, go home I'm fucking done with you both." Eddward waved them off "I'll deal with it." He slammed the door shut feeling a mixture of emotions stirring in his chest all over again. Since when was Kevin seeing anyone? Could it have been that they had been right? Was Kevin…dating someone in secret?

He took hold of his hat and threw it onto the couch in frustration. Who was this stupid green haired mutt? Green hair? Eddward let himself fall on the couch and picked up his phone dialing the only person he could talk to right now.

"Ello~" Came Ed's friendly tone from the phone "What's up D?"

"…Ed…Have you happened to dyed your hair green?" Eddward muttered out.

"Green?" Ed laughed out "Hell no, why you ask? Looking for a new hairstyle?"

Eddward turned his face and planted it right into the couch groaning out "Double D?" Ed voice called out from his phone.

…

It was now the 23rd and Kevin Barr couldn't believe how loud the town was with its holiday carols and ringing bells coming from downtown. Every year it seemed like the town outdid itself from the previous year. Kevin has been home for the most part of the first half of the break unable to go over to Eddward's because of his internal crises but now he was missing the grumpy teen and as stared down at the gifts he had gotten the boy the more he craved to run over there. He felt dumb and selfish for the way be was behaving knowing he had to get over himself eventually. Thankfully he was aware that Ed was with the Eddward for the most part of their break but he was envious realizing that Ed knew something he didn't and that had made him feel lonesome. Nazz had been over to the Barr home frequently as well trying to comfort him and she would try and encourage him to go over to Eddward's. Well, he had to at some point but he just wasn't ready to pretend like he didn't feel the way he felt.

Kevin had dreamed about the raven haired another night but this one was pure. In dream, the raven haired teen had simply been lying awake next to him in his room. Kevin had looked up following the other's gaze and had seen the same starry sky they had watched together back over in the summer at the cabin. He had felt the teen's slender fingers intertwined with his own distracting his gaze and he had turned his attention to the raven haired teen who had a brilliant smile on his face. When Kevin had awoken that morning he was sad his dream hadn't been a reality but at least in his head there was lovely escape.

He would go over on Christmas day. He had decided he wasn't going to let him spend it alone and was determined to celebrate it as they normally would, platonically.

Kevin had gone out on a run far too early in the morning. The sky was still night and the moon still shined so brightly in the sky but it was the only time in the town where it was quiet enough for him to breathe and get a quiet setting. Not to mention Sam's goons wouldn't arrive until later meaning he was free to run about without a care. He stopped when he was getting close to the west side and started walking.

A few blocks ahead there was a park that lead to a wooded area just past the swings. Kevin made his way to the swings and sat down leaning against the chains and closing his eyes for moment. The freckled boy hadn't been able to sleep at all that night just anticipating for the 25th to come already. He pulled back his hat so the brim was behind him and sighed out lifting his legs up and standing up on the swing and began to swing forward like he had done as a child many times. He gripped the chains tightly and let his body hang back as he stared up at the night sky. Just as he closed his eyes he noticed a few snowflakes begin to fall lightly but he wasn't too worried as the snow had kept on melting and only a few patches would remain.

The air was cold but at least it wasn't windy. He wondered if Eddward ran during this cold season. If he did Kevin hoped the teen bundled up at least, the weather wasn't forgiving. He wondered if the teen ever stopped by this park and hanged out. This neighborhood wasn't as busy with children as his was so he imagined this park to be rather quiet even in the summer time. He was however curious to know what was beyond the forested area but knew better than to wonder alone at this hour into the unknown. He was careless but not completely.

As he was about to step down he heard movement and faint heavy breathing. He felt his heart quicken and he turned around to find a familiar bundle of messy wavy hair and wonderful blue eyes. "…Kevin?" Eddward spoke out breathlessly as he ran a hand to pull his hair out of his face. "What are you doing out here at this hour?"

The freckled teen felt speechless staring down at a curious Eddward. "H-Hi" he squeaked out blushing still standing on the swing. "I-Um…same as you" he chuckled out.

The athlete made his way towards the smaller teen his breathing calming down "Are you alone?"

He questioned with a stern look that Kevin didn't know what to make of it.

"uh yeah I am" he started stepping down the swing but his shoe taught on the swim tripping him. Eddward reacted quickly running to him and catching the teen by his waist. A freckled arm wrapped around the taller teen's shoulder and Kevin was holding his breath. He let the chain go and wrapped his other arm around the swimmer in a sudden swarm of necessity to hug Eddward. They had only been apart for about 4 days plus the awkward long week and it was like years for him. He wondered if this was just the exaggeration of his newfound realization for if he would have felt like this if he hadn't grasped it. Nonetheless, he was in the teen's arms now and this hug was all he wanted.

"Is something upsetting you?" Eddward's low voice finally broke their silence. Kevin gave the teen one last tight embrace before detaching himself and looking up at the swimmer. Kevin didn't know how to read him at that moment, it was as if he was a mixture of concern and anger.

"I'm alright" he gave the teen a smile wanting nothing more than to embrace him once more.

"You seem like you have something on your mind" Eddward, Kevin noticed continued to linger a hand on his waist almost protective.

"There's a lot to think about" he chuckled out feeling his cheeks warm up at his hyper-focus on the Eddward's hand.

"Like?"

Kevin looked up at Eddward's observant blue eyes as if wanting to ask more but holding back. "Like…" he felt himself blushing now at the simple word forcing to step away unable to take the close proximity they had. "um…l-like…well, casual things like the holidays, school projects and the more important things like Sam…the masked man"

With sigh out, Eddward shoved his hands into his pockets "That's why you shouldn't be out here alone. If you wanted to go out running you could have just called…" Eddward frowned looking at the swing in front of him.

"I…Sorry. I forgot you're the only one who wakes up at ungodly hours" Kevin laughed out.

"I'm serious Kevin" Eddward looked up now "You shouldn't be so careless…you shouldn't trust so easily"

There was that look again making Kevin confused "I know…Eddward I'm fine. I just needed to be out of the house for a bit."

Eddward only silently looked at him as if wanting more of an answer but what was he supposed to say? His goons were annoying to have around? He was having anxiety just thinking about going over to his place because of his dumb emotions?

As if giving up Eddward let out a sigh and motioned for him to follow "Come on I'll walk you home"

Kevin quietly followed a few steps behind the raven haired teen. For most of their walk to Kevin's home it was silent. Kevin had just stared at the taller teen whose messy ponytail was endearing to look at. Yet, for their entire walk Kevin could tell the teen was heavily tense about something. He knew something was up with him, Eddward was naturally a serious person but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was on his mind. "Edd—"

Eddward had stopped and turned around before Kevin could finish calling out to him. "How's your leg?" he suddenly asked.

Was that what he had been worried about? "It's better" Kevin smiled feeling relief at the question. "I still have a slight limp but it doesn't hurt"

"…sorry" the boy looked down at his leg with lips pressed tightly.

"You don't have to apologize, it wasn't your fault" Kevin smiled up moving his leg around to demonstrate him. "I'm fine now"

"…" Eddward was pouty as he stared down at the concrete between them making Kevin feel the familiar bubbly sensation in his chest. "I know you're angry about the sharks watching over you but…I don't want this to happen again" he moved closer placing a hand on Kevin's back where the injury had been and with a thumb pressed down making Kevin wince. "You don't have to hide it, I know it still hurts"

The ginger boy frowned looking away "I didn't think you'd notice…"

"How come?" the swimmer looked down at the freckled boy as he soothed the spot he had pressed down on Kevin's back.

"I mean, we've barely talked this past week" Kevin laughed out "I don't know…I'm sorry"

"Why are you sorry?" Eddward giggled out lifting his hand to cup the teen's chin and turning the boy to face him.

Kevin stared up at Eddward with wide eyes his face flushing completely. Was he always this touchy? Kevin didn't know how to handle it. "Um…B-because I've been a bad f-friend" he let the last word sink into the quietness of the street before he breathed in and continued "I know I've been distant and I'm sorry. I just…been thinking a lot" he mumbled out looking away. "I'm sorry…"

Eddward let go of Kevin shoving his hands back into his pockets "I'm sorry too"

Kevin looked up taking notice of how there seemed to be something more the boy wanted to speak out but wouldn't. "What do you mean?" he asked hoping the boy would respond.

"For everything" Eddward laughed out "For getting you caught up in this mess and have you stress about things you shouldn't."

The smaller teen shook his head "None of this is your fault. You know I practically forced my way into your life" he smiled.

"And I still can't figure out if it was the right decision to let you in"

Kevin frowned feeling hurt by the words "Of course it was…"

"Ed was right…look what's happened. Both you and Nazz keep getting in danger and it's not going to stop any time soon" the raven haired teen looked out into the street as if recalling something "and now…"

"Eddward" Kevin breathed out feeling his stomach turn.

The taller teen shook his head turning to look back at a concerned Kevin "Never mind"

"Hey, I'm right here. Just talk to me" Kevin reached a hand to pull at the boy's arm.

"Can you close your eyes?" the sudden question confused the smaller teen. He was at a mixture of scared the teen would run away and complying. He tightened his hold on the teen's clothing and closed his eyes. For a long second there was nothing happening and Kevin was tempted to open his eyes again but then he felt the boy lean closer to him which made him blush. He felt Eddward finger traced to the back of his neck and a slight cold feeling from a thin metal. "Merry Christmas" Eddward's soft voice whispered next to his right ear that sent shivers down his spine.

When he opened them he didn't look down but rather stared at how close Eddward was to him. The teen gave him a smile and then Kevin looked down to see a dog tag hanging from a delicate necklace. He picked it up to read his own name and Eddward's wonderful handwriting along with his birth date. He turned it over to read a small quote that said Thank you, for standing by my side when times get hard. For making me laugh when I didn't even want to smile. Little trees where engraved at the bottom.

Kevin looked up feel himself wanting to cry. Eddward had turned away and had started walking "Come on we're almost to your place" he called out. Kevin gave the tag a small squeeze before quickly walking to catch up to Eddward. He reached a hand to link it with Eddward's arm and slowed down the taller teen's walking speed. Kevin waited for the other to look down before he said anything. "I love it…I really do love it, thank you"

Eddward laughed out looking away and pulling Kevin along with him "I'm glad"

For the rest of their walk, it was filled in a peaceful silence and Kevin latched onto Eddward's arm. The freckled teen couldn't stop smiling as he stared down at the tag hanging from his neck. When they were in front of the Barr home Kevin was so tempted to ask the swimmer to stay but he knew better and instead wrapped his arms around the taller boy embracing him once more. "I'll see you later?" he quietly asked sinking his face into the other's chest. When he heard a quiet hum in response he let go and stepped away "Bye" he smiled waving and walking to his door. When he entered he looked out his window seeing the other walk out of sight with his hands in his pockets and head down leaving Kevin worried.

…

On the 24th Kevin's mother and her husband had come over to spend the day with the Barr men. Kevin noticed Lizzy had brought a gift for Eddward as well and it made Kevin happy to know there were more people thinking about the raven haired teen beside him and their friends. They had spent a lovely afternoon catching up and playing board games and in the evening his mother had reheated the feast she had cooked that morning then had watched movies until very late into the night. That night Kevin had texted Nazz letting her know he was going to pick her up before heading over to Eddward's and little Kevin had just barely been able to sleep feeling excited to go over and give the teen all the presents he had missed out over the years.

Early in the morning he had opened his own gifts and waited for his parent's to do the same. For the most part, he had received things to customize his motorcycle, a helmet, and a new hat from his dad and a Polaroid camera from his mother as well as a new sketchbook and a set of Prismacolor col-erase pencils from his mother's husband. As soon as everyone had finished he headed out giving his parents a hug and loaded his dad's truck with everything he was bringing to the raven haired. Tom had graciously let him take the truck that day.

As he parked on the street by Nazz's street the girl hurried out of the house in the cutest poka dotted dress he's seen on her. "New dress?" he ask watching her closed the door and settle in the car.

"Yup it's cute isn't it?" she giggled shifting in her seat with a smile.

"Definitely" he gave her a smile and started driving to Eddward's neighborhood. When they got there they saw Ed's car parked on the street so he pulled into the driveway. He and Nazz got out leaving the stuff behind for now and headed to the house knocking. Ed opened the door a look of surprise and distress on his face. "What's wrong?" Kevin immediately panicked when he saw how the brunette tried to regain his composure. "Ed?"

"Sorry, everything's fine" Ed let them in and Kevin rushed pasted the teen and looked into the home searching for Eddward. He turned back noticing how quiet the place was and gave Ed a questioning look. "He had to leave"

"Leave?" Nazz walked to Kevin "Where did he go?"

"Um, the Cabin. He left for the cabin said he'd be back in a week" Ed breathed in looking down with a sad expression.

"Ed, what happened?" Kevin frowned feeling his hand begin to tremble.

Ed crossed his arms together feeling a bit uncomfortable "He just needed to get of here." Ed gestured at the house "He's been dealing with a lot and being cooped up in this gloomy house isn't good for him. I told him to go"

Kevin felt his heart sink wondering why the teen hadn't said anything that morning they had bumped into each other. Was that why he had given him the tag early? Was he planning on leaving then? "Is he going to be ok being alone?" he felt Nazz hold his hand.

The brunette boy nodded with a sad smile "Yeah…he will be"

With that, the three of them sat down on Eddward's couch just quietly talking to each other. Kevin had pulled his phone out and started writing a message for Eddward. He would give the teen his space but he just need to let him know here was here for him when he came back.

They unloaded the gifts from Tom's truck and placed them on the coffee table except for one that Kevin had brought. He placed a small little round cactus on Eddward's bedroom window where it would get enough sunlight in the mornings. Kevin had just watered the small thing and knew it wouldn't need another until the soil was very dry which in winter would take a long while. With that, Kevin took one of Eddward's sticky notes and wrote a supportive sentence on it and sticking it next to the cactus. While Nazz and Ed talked downstairs Kevin let himself lay down on Eddward's bed hugging a pillow and staring at the labels around the room.

…

Eddward hadn't responded to Kevin's message which made him worry the entire following week. However, little Kevin had tried his best to believe that Eddward was fine and most likely recovering in the place he most enjoyed. After the 25th Kevin had stopped by Eddward's home every day to work on his motorcycle and it was then he realized how isolating the house was and wondered how the teen lived alone on a day to day bases. The neighborhood was quiet and the house eerie but Kevin tried to make the best of it by playing music in the garage and letting himself sing and dance while he worked. He had been on the phone with Nat a lot as well and the green haired teen never failed to make him burst out laughing which Kevin heavily appreciated.

Every morning as he was getting ready he would stare at his tag with a big smile and reread the message on the back feeling the fluttery feeling all over again. His tag made Kevin so happy and he hoped that somehow his positive energy would reach the other.

On New Year day Kevin, Nazz and Ed had met up and gone out to an arcade playing the day away there and then heading to the park where a festival was taking place. They had had a lot of fun but they all still felt off without their quiet shark among them. The day before Kevin had finished fixing up his motorcycle and had test driven it around Eddward's neighborhood. Yet, he had left it in the boy's garage as an excuse to keep going back. A week had now passed and Kevin knew the boy would return before school started but when he wasn't sure. There was still not answer from the raven haired teen and it was sad to think the teen would spend the New Year alone as well but there wasn't much Kevin could do.

As the day had started getting darker the three of them had ran towards the bridge where the best view of the fireworks would be. Thankfully, they had arrived and set up blankets to sit down before it got crowded claiming the best spot. Kevin and Ed had brought their 3DS as Nazz watched and every once in a while would take a turn on Kevin's. They had brought popcorn, and various other kinds of snacks waiting for the night to fall. Ed had eventually gotten up and bought food for all of them to have.

As the darkness and brilliant stars began to encompass the sky they heard loud music playing from the town park and someone announce it was getting close to midnight. They had all looked down at their phones looking at the time and as they hit the last minutes everyone out started counting down.

Kevin and the gang were pressed up close to the edge of the bridge counting along when he felt a buzz from his phone. He looked down taking out his phone and felt his heart stop as the message from Eddward was on screen. He quickly opened it and read a simple thank you from the teen and finally, Kevin felt a huge sense of relief wash over him at the simple message. He was ok.

A loud boom filled the air and Kevin looked up seeing a blurry mix of bright colors in the sky. He lifted a hand wiping his eyes. This was what they needed right now. Just to be there for one another as friends and stay true to this bond they had formed. Kevin knew Eddward enough at this point, he knew his emotions were one-sided. He knew it was best to leave it alone as they were. So that was what he was going to do.

He turned around wiping his eyes and breathed out. His eyes fixed on the ground and the various shoes trailing to the other end of the bridge. His gaze trailed up seeing the various faces in front of him blur because at the very end of the crowd was the one person he's been missing like crazy. At the other side of the bridge stood Eddward Vincent looking up at the fireworks hands in his pocket and eyes so bright. Kevin stood staring silently until he caught the raven hair's attention. Eddward met his gaze and gave him a smile that warmed the freckled boy's chest all over again. They were fine as they were.

…

---

Hope you enjoyed, this chap was over 31K! WOAH i can't believe how long this chapter was lmao

once again i'm so sorry for errors and what not... these chapters are too long for me to catch every mistake plus i write best at 3 in the morning and am out of my mind lmao.

PLEASE PLEASE leave a review about your thoughts, feels, and predictions! They really do help me stay motivated! and I'm so excited to read your thoughts on the new development? what do you think? Honestly, I'm so nervous but something told me it was time lmao

Also if you want any updates on the next chapter, or just want to see AWA related art check out my instagram or twitter! Arielagam.