So it was needless to say that Kevin's plan for a romantic dinner with his boyfriend was a complete and utter bust. Kevin wanted to spend the holiday with Edd more than anything. The second he had left his boyfriend's house he formed an elaborate plot to stay home. Okay, so feigning sick was not exactly an "elaborate plot," but Kevin had mastered the art of being sick to get out of school over the years, he could pull this off.

His plan was full proof and there was no way it would fail. It was rather simple really. Wake up and tell his stepmom he had a stomach ache while rubbing his stomach for the added emphasis. Also he was going to splash some water on his face right beforehand for an added dramatic effect. It was the perfect plan, but he didn't need to pretend.

After he had called Eddward that night his stomach twisted into a knot. He could tell in Edd's voice that something was wrong. Kevin wasn't stupid and he had grown to know Edd over their short time spent together. The kid shut people out, especially him and to top it off he was a horrible liar. Eddward had not been sick earlier in the day so how would he have fallen ill so suddenly? Kevin wasn't buying it in the least bit.

After he had hung up with Edd his mind wandered into worst case scenarios and Kevin was physically sick by the time morning came. What if Eddward cut again? He promised he wouldn't, but still. Kevin had never worried like that over someone else in his entire life. It was terrifying for him. Eddward had a hold on him and he kept falling harder and harder.

Thanksgiving morning his parents had left really early after they granted Kevin permission to stay home. As soon as their car left the driveway, Kevin had dashed across the street to Edd's house. He called and called, but there was no answer so he resorted to pounding on the door mixed with chiming the doorbell. He had stood outside for what felt like a few hours, when in reality it was maybe five minutes. So he did something rash and abrasive, it was a very "Kevin" thing to do given the circumstances… he kicked in the door.

Sure it was a total invasion of privacy and Eddward would probably freak the fuck out, but Kevin needed to make sure Edd was okay. He had this gut wrenching feeling that something was very wrong… and unfortunately, he was right.

When he burst through the door his eyes quickly surveyed the living space as he called out Eddward's name. He headed towards the stairs when a muffled scratching noise caught his attention. He followed the sound to the kitchen where a figure was huddled in the corner. Kevin mentally prepared himself for the worst as he slowly approached his boyfriend. He called his name again, but the boy was unresponsive, or just flat out ignoring him. Kevin wasn't sure at first. A wave of shock washed over him as he saw what Eddward was doing.

Eddward had his back pressed against the refrigerator and was scratching at his knuckles to the point where his fingertips were drenched in blood. Kevin acted without hesitation as he threw himself down in front of Eddward. Edd's eyes were unfocused and glossy as he meticulously picked at the scabs and cuts on his hand. It was like someone completely different was in control and Eddward was their willing victim. Kevin grabbed him and shouted. He screamed, yelled, and begged, but it aided him to no avail.

In a desperate attempt to halt Eddward's actions he grabbed at the boy's wrists and held him so he could no longer inflict any pain upon himself.

And then there was the scar… that God awful scar that was meant to end Eddward's life. It was the reason for Eddward's destructive ways and Kevin could do nothing about it. Eddward had confessed to him,

"When I cut I control the pain."

What did that mean exactly? Kevin had never considered cutting as a way to control pain. Didn't it hurt? Hell, paper cuts hurt, wouldn't razors hurt more? In the end he had just hugged Edd and said nothing. He was failing miserably at being a boyfriend, he just knew it.

That whole morning had seemed like so long ago when it was just yesterday morning. After Eddward had calmed down and then gotten over the initial shock of his busted down front door, Kevin had convinced him to shower while he fixed the mess he had made. Kevin's original plan was to prepare Eddward a home cooked meal, but instead they got Chinese and watched movies all day. The whole time Eddward felt distant and whenever Kevin asked if he was okay Eddward got defensive. No matter what he did, he couldn't win.

He had spent the night and sure they had cuddled, but something was different. Eddward was different and Kevin felt like he was losing the one person who made him truly happy.

When they woke the following morning (today), Eddward told Kevin he was going to the gym. Kevin said he would go too, but Eddward declined, stating that he was fine and he wanted to go alone. So Kevin let him go.

And that lead Kevin to his third beer as he slouched in his seat at Nazz's kitchen table. Kevin had been sitting on her porch waiting for her to come home from her black Friday shopping. Upon seeing the miserable jock she quickly invited him inside.

Now they sat in an almost awkward silence as Nazz waited for him to answer a question from her magazine.

"Come on Kevin, I can't fix whatever it is you messed up if you don't help me out here," Nazz exclaimed as she pulled her hair up into a loose ponytail.

Kevin took another sip of his beer, "I'm not answerin' that."

"Kevin." She chided

He grunted. "What's the stupid question again?"

Nazz cleared her throat, "You and your man are going out for a romantic dinner followed by a night on the town, what does he wear? And your choices are a suit, khakis and a button up shirt, sweatpants and a t-shirt, or basketball shorts with a tank top."

Kevin rolled his eyes as he downed the rest of his beer and then slumped forward so he could lie on the table. "Tight black jeans, a gray shirt, his leather jacket with the hooded part up and his stupid hat."

Nazz huffed as she shut the magazine and pushed it aside. "Come on Kev, I've never seen you this bummed out before. What happened?"

Kevin crossed his arms on top of the table as he buried his face in them. "It's complicated," he mumbled into his arms.

What was he supposed to say? The problem was that Eddward had a problem and if Kevin confided in Nazz then she would tell Eddy and then Eddy would tell Edd. It was a vicious circle and Kevin was trapped in the downward spiral no matter how it played out.

"I can't tell you." He mumbled with his head still buried.

"Can't or won't Barr?"

Oh, last name. She was getting impatient.

"It's not my problem. It's Edd's problem and I just- I don't know what to do."

Nazz rolled her eyes as she hopped off her chair and went to the fridge to pour herself some juice. Kevin's ears perked at the sound of the refrigerator door opening and he jumped off his chair, strolled to the fridge, bypassed Nazz, and grabbed another beer. He gave her a half-hearted smile as he walked back to his seat. Nazz shook her head as she returned to the table as well. Kevin was already a quarter of the way done with his beer by the time she sat down.

"Damn Kevin, mind cooling it, it's barely noon."

Kevin only shrugged as he resumed his slump against the table, this time he didn't bury his face in his arms.

"Kevin, you're seriously scaring me, whatever it is it can't be that bad."

Kevin's previous encounters with Edd played through his mind.

"You have no idea."

"Then tell me." She demanded as she crossed her arms. "Edd's problem is clearly affecting you too and now you're making it my problem."

Kevin sighed as he let go of his beer and ran his fingers through his hair. His hat tumbled to the floor in the process and he turned his head to see where it had landed. He shrugged his shoulders and made no move to grab it. He turned back to face Nazz. It must have been the beer that eased his mind or maybe he was desperate. He already felt like he was losing Edd, what was left to lose?

"Okay, so you remember how like Eddy was worried about Edd? Well I found out why and I've been trying to help Edd through- the issue, but I feel like I'm just fucking everything up. I'm the worst boyfriend ever."

Nazz furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head as she leaned in closer.

"Kevin, don't talk like that. I can see how much you care about him. There's no way you're a bad boyfriend." She said, and the added as an afterthought. "Does this have to do with why he slammed the door on you when we got home from school the other day? I thought you already cleared that up."

"No, well yeah that too, I guess, but he's just… there's a lot going on with him Nazz. He… he beat the shit out of a punching bag and his hands are all fucked up from it. He did it because of me." Kevin sighed. "I'm a shitty boyfriend."

"Kev-" Nazz started but was interrupted by a third voice which cut into the conversation.

"That doesn't surprise me, I still don't get why Dee's with you." Eddy mocked him as he strolled into the kitchen and kissed Nazz on the cheek before making himself comfortable in the chair beside her.

Kevin rolled his eyes, "why are you here pipsqueak?" Kevin asked, but the teasing tone he usually held was absent from his voice. Eddy's words actually hurt. Why was Eddward with him?

Eddy cocked an eyebrow as he looked to Nazz. "The fucks wrong with him?" He asked.

"I'm still trying to figure that out," Nazz answered.

Wait. This might be a good thing Kevin deducted in his slightly alcoholic induced state. Eddy knew about Eddward's cutting. Maybe he could talk to Eddy! Oh God, what was he thinking, he was seriously about to ask Eddy for help… well Eddward was worth it and this was worth a shot.

"Hey dork, have you noticed Edd acting weird lately?" Kevin asked seriously.

Eddy was taken aback a moment before he asked his own question. "What do you mean exactly? We're talking about Dee remember, he went from the geekiest nerd to dark and brooding overnight."

Kevin took a moment to process. Eddy was right. How was he supposed to word this without saying it? He didn't want Nazz to know. He knew Nazz and she wouldn't judge him, but it wasn't his wrists he was exposing here. Eddward might never forgive him if he found out. But Eddward needed help, if his parents weren't going to be there for him then his friends were.

Kevin pointed to his wrist nonchalantly and waited for the light bulb to go off in Eddy's head. This was pure Barr brilliance if he did say so himself. He could tell Eddy without telling him. This was genius.

He didn't, however, factor in the short fuse that ruptured in Eddy's head. The light bulb burst and glass shards flew everywhere.

Eddy stood suddenly and gripped his hands on the table. "I'll fucking kill him." He mumbled under his breath and then his eyes slowly focused on Kevin. "Did he start again?"

"Eddy what's wrong? Did he start what?" Nazz asked as she looked between the two.

"No, he stopped. He told me he wouldn't anymore, but, he… he's scaring me. He's withdrawn now more than he's ever been. I feel like he keeps shutting me out and I don't know what to do anymore. I sorta… busted down his front door yesterday morning." Kevin said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck and then continued, "I found him zoned out on the floor. He was scratching his knuckles until they were bleeding worse than they had been the other day. I've never seen someone get like that before. It's like he didn't even know I was there."

Eddy seemed frozen as Kevin's words washed over him. Like he was processing every detail until he finally sat back down, but something had changed about his posture. He was rigid, like the wrong word would set him off and he would burst with everything he wanted to say, but he held his composure.

"You saw it?" he asked as he pointed to his wrist.

Kevin cocked his head slightly. That was an awkward question to ask. Of course he saw it. And Eddy knew so he must have seen it too.

"Yeah, why?" Kevin asked curiously.

"When?"

"The night we saw Jensen being released on the news."

Kevin looked from Eddy to Nazz. She sat in stunned silence. Kevin knew she probably didn't understand everything, but he hoped Eddy would clear it up later. He had said more than he meant too, but it didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was Eddward and helping him. Eddy was probably one of the few people who cared for him as much as Kevin did.

"Where is he now?" Eddy asked breaking the silence.

"He ran to the gym, should be coming back in the next hour or so. Said he needed some space."

"Fuck his space. That house has given him enough space." Eddy spat as Nazz reached over to entwine their fingers. In return he gave her a sympathetic look.

"I'm open to suggestions," Kevin said as he finished the rest of his beer.

"What if we all went over and did like a movie marathon?" Nazz suggested, she was still clueless about the details, but she was still trying to help. Kevin admired her for that.

"Parties aren't really his thing though; he won't want a lot of people in his house," Kevin said.

"Too bad. We're doin' it." Eddy exclaimed as he grabbed his phone and began writing out a mass text.

Two phones went off right afterward and both Kevin and Nazz looked at their recent messages.

'movie night D's house 30 min'

"He's gunna be pissed," Kevin said after shutting his phone.

"Good, he pissed me off first. Fuckin' liar." Eddy said as he pecked Nazz on the cheek and headed for the door.

"Dork, where you goin'?"

Eddy never answered as he exited the house, leaving Nazz and Kevin sitting with a thick air of words that had yet to be spoken.

Eddward was more than on edge today, he was about to fall off the edge and take whoever got in his way down with him. His nerves were sparking like live wires that were waiting to shock the next person that touched him. Eddward had spent a little over an hour at the gym. There was so much pent up energy he needed to rid his body of. He felt sick thinking about how Kevin found him.

What boyfriend wants to barge in and see their significant other scratching their skin off? His involvement with Kevin was getting too deep, but wasn't that the point? Why else had he agreed to date Kevin?

I love him.

Eddward shook his head, he didn't want to admit it, but he did… he loved Kevin and it scared him more than almost dying two years ago.

When you love someone they become your entire world and the only being that has the power to completely take it all away and destroy you at any given moment.

After Eddward's parents abandoned him he had told himself he would never let anyone in that close again, but he had failed. He handed Kevin his heart in a nicely wrapped box and now it was just a matter of time before it was shredded like his wrist.

Oh his wrist, how he wanted to sculpt a new portrait. His gallery was longing for a new addition, but instead he had bloody and swollen knuckles that adorned his pale flesh. The sight of his knuckles made his stomach twist up like the ends of the bows you see on Christmas presents. His knuckles ached from digging the tip of the razor into them. He needed to figure out a new loophole for his promise to Kevin. Not cutting was obviously not working.

Eddward decided that he would try to think of an alternative as he ran home, opting not to listen to his music for once. He needed to hear the sound of his feet thumping against the concrete pavement. He needed to feel the steady rhythm of his heart as it pumped blood throughout his body. He needed to focus on the sweat as it trickled beneath his wristbands and collected where his scarred flesh was… he needed to cut.

He really wasn't ready to go home and face Kevin again. The inevitable breakup couldn't be too far away. There was no way Kevin still wanted to stay with him. After all, he'd opened up and shared his reasons for cutting. It made sense to him, but to someone like Kevin… he probably sounded ridiculously insane. He wanted Kevin to understand more than anything. He showed him the scar on his abdomen and Kevin said nothing. He acknowledged nothing. Kevin saw him as nothing.

I'm a failure. I can't even hold a relationship.

Eddward rounded the corner and entered the cul-de-sac. He slowed his pace a few houses before his own. He really didn't want to go inside and face the jock. Maybe Kevin had gone home for awhile, that was plausible. Eddward climbed his porch steps and frowned at the splintered wood of his door frame. Kevin had fixed a majority of the damage, but eventually the wood would need to be completely replaced. He sighed as he opened the door.

If anything, he was expecting Kevin to be sitting on the couch waiting for him. He was not, however, expecting an array of cul-de-sac inhabitants to be residing within his home.

He squinted his eyes at the intrusion as he glared angrily throughout his living room. Jimmy and Sarah were sitting on the floor with their backs against his couch. Ed was wailing his arms near his television; it seemed he was struggling to make the DVD player work. Nazz and Kevin were in the entryway of his kitchen with their backs facing him while they talked to Eddy.

Eddward wasn't sure who made eye contact first, Eddy or himself. No words were said as they glared down at each other. A crooked grin crept up on Eddy's lips as he cocked his head to the side slightly. This was all Eddy's doing, Eddward knew it. His breath came in ragged intervals as his eyes bore holes into Eddy's skull. Oh, if only looks could actually kill.

Eddy knew he hated large gatherings of people. Especially parties. And to top it off it was in his house. He couldn't even leave.

"Double Dee you're here!" Ed exclaimed as he ran over and went to scoop Eddward up in a hug, but came to a halt when Edd raised a hand to stop the unwanted gesture.

"Please refrain from touching me until I've showered, Ed." He bit out angrily and Ed looked taken aback.

Upon hearing Ed's loud announcement of Eddward's arrival Kevin and Nazz turned to face him and Eddy pushed between the two as he sauntered over to greet his best friend.

"About time Dee, can't believe you're late to your own party," Eddy said sarcastically as he crossed his arms and cocked his hip, placing all his weight to one side.

"What party?" he asked through clenched teeth.

As if on cue, Ed procured his phone from his jacket and scrolled to the message that had started it all. Eddward's eyes glanced over it quickly, taking notice of whom the sender was.

Eddy.

"Why are you all here?" he asked as a general question to the small group of people surrounding him.

"Movie marathon, didn't you read the message?" Eddy said sarcastically.

"Eddy I can't get the movie to play!" Ed whined as he pulled Eddy gracelessly over to the television.

Now only Eddward stood in the doorway with Kevin and Nazz in front of him. Nazz must have sensed the tension between the two as she smiled and nudged Kevin toward Eddward. She gave him a small, nervous wave which Eddward refused to acknowledge. She gave Kevin a pat on the back for good luck and then made her way over to Eddy.

To say Eddward was mad was an understatement. He was absolutely livid with disdain.

"Hey," Kevin said sounding unsure of himself.

Eddward scrunched his nose in disgust. "You smell of cheap alcohol and mouthwash." He said as he bypassed his boyfriend and ascended his staircase.

Kevin was stunned for a moment but quickly regained his momentum.

"Hey wait," Kevin called out as he went after him.

When he finally grabbed Eddward's arm they were at the top of the stairs out of earshot from the others.

"Edd," Kevin began as Eddward whipped around.

"What is the meaning of this?" Eddward shouted, but not loud enough to draw attention to them. "You decided to throw a party with Eddy to welcome my return from the gym. This is idiocracy at its finest. Well done, I applaud the both of you for this one." Eddward commented as he tried to rip his arm from Kevin's grip. "Release me at once."

"Hey, this was Eddy's idea, not mine!" Kevin yelled defending himself.

"Well you obviously did nothing to prevent this. Or even attempt to warn me. Thank you for that by the way."

"Dee, come on man-"

"No! I don't want these people here. I don't want anyone here. I just want-"

Kevin grabbed him tight. "I don't want you to be alone anymore," he whispered in his ear. "Please, just for today. I know this isn't your kind of thing, but just this once."

Eddward relaxed slightly in the uncomfortable embrace. Kevin sounded desperate. "May I ask why you smell of booze this early in the day?"

Kevin shifted uncomfortably and pulled away. "Sorry, it was only a few beers. I'm done now."

He avoided the question completely.

"Dude, you reek," Kevin commented.

"As do you," Eddward answered as he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Excellent observation. May I shower now?"

A cheeky grin spread across Kevin's face, "can I join you?" he asked.

"You're clearly still intoxicated," Eddward responded.

He turned from the jock and made his way to the bathroom. As he shut the door he heard Kevin yell, "is that a no?"

Eddward shut the bathroom door and locked it. He let his body slide down until he was sitting with his back against the door. A small smile had manifested on his face and his stomach felt as if tiny winged insects were currently trapped inside of him. He'd never felt a sensation like this before. Sure, Kevin made him nervous sometimes and there were other times where he knew a fierce blush would take hold of his cheeks. But this sensation was new. He'd heard of the expression in the past but had never experienced it. He couldn't decide if he liked it or not.

Once Eddward had showered he left his bathroom with only a towel around his waist. He entered his bedroom and heard a low whistle emitting from his bedside. Kevin was lounging back with his hands behind his head. Eddward rolled his eyes as he went to his dresser to retrieve some clothes. His stomach was still doing flips. He heard the weight on the bed shift, a pair of feet shuffle across the floor, and a pair of arms suddenly appeared around his chest. Kevin rested his head against Eddward's shoulder.

"Still mad at me?" Kevin asked, his breath was warm against Edd's neck.

Eddward relaxed, this game they were playing was pointless. They were tiptoeing around each other. Eddward wasn't mad at Kevin, how could he be? True, Kevin had allowed the entire neighborhood in his house, but in reality, it was all Eddy's doing. Eddy wasn't easy to stop, Eddward knew that firsthand.

"No, I suppose not."

Kevin smiled and then squeezed him tighter. Kevin's fingers brushed against his scar and he froze. They both did. Maybe Eddward had been asking for too much when he opened up to Kevin. It had been a desperate attempt for someone, anyone to understand. Secretly maybe he just wanted Kevin's permission to continue cutting, but that wouldn't be the case.

It's not your fault you don't understand. I'm embarrassed for trying to force you too.

"Kevin, if you don't release me I can't get dressed."

"I like you better this way," Kevin answered playfully.

"I'm sure you do, but I don't think everyone downstairs will feel the same."

Kevin grunted. "Fine, but no clothes tonight. Okay?"

Eddward rolled his eyes which was pointless because Kevin was still behind him. He was sure the alcohol was still in charge. Kevin squeezed him.

"Okay?"

"Yes, now go." Eddward agreed as a vicious blush spread across his face.

After Eddward changed he made his way to the stairs where his ears were bombarded with noise from the numerous occupants in his home. He shifted uneasily at the top. He despised parties. He could smell alcohol drifting in the air, which meant people were bringing it into his home. He gripped the handrail tightly. Did he really want to go down there?

"Dee, you okay?"

He looked down the stairs and noticed Kevin waiting at the bottom with a concerned look on his face. Eddward didn't even bother to force a smile as he made his way down the stairs. He wasn't trying to fool anyone.

Eddward sauntered over to the end of his couch and sat down. Kevin followed and pushed him over so he could sit on the end. Eddward eyed him suspiciously, but Kevin just shrugged in response. Eddward surveyed his living room again and noticed that Rolf and Jonny were now present. They had pulled some of his chairs from the kitchen so that everyone could have a place to sit. Eddward's skin crawled at the thought of everyone moving his furniture and touching his stuff.

Ed was lying on the floor almost directly in front of the television as he waited impatiently with the remote in his hand. Nazz and Eddy were sitting with their backs against the coffee table. Rolf and Jonny took their seats in the kitchen chairs. Sarah and Jimmy were now sitting on the opposite end of the couch. Ed looked back to them all and then to Eddy.

"Eddy can we start the movie now please?!" he begged.

"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead." Eddy said irately.

Eddward noticed the four empty beer cans behind his small-statured friend.

Wonderful he's drunk too.

Eddward crossed his arms as he slouched back against the couch. Instead of the plush cushion, he was met with Kevin's arm. Edd turned to Kevin and raised an eyebrow to him, questioning his motive. Kevin only shrugged and nudged Edd. Eddward sighed, but reluctantly leant back and into Kevin's side. Was Kevin truly ready for his friends to know about them?

As the movie played Eddward couldn't really focus. His mind was observant and he took note of everyone in the room. Nazz was cuddling into Eddy's side; she seemed rather relaxed while Eddy was uptight and rigid. The muscles in his back seemed tense and he continuously clenched his beer can, leaving it with dents. Sarah and Jimmy were the only ones who took notice of Kevin and Eddward's close proximity. Out of his peripheral vision, he could see Jimmy eyeing them and just overhear the hushed whispers with Sarah.

After two very long movies, the group of kids started talking about old times when they were younger. One way or another, Eddward didn't quite remember who started it; all of their stupid childhood scams were brought up as everyone recalled the crazy antics that ensued in the Cul-de-sac.

"Oh, Sarah! Do you remember the prize grab machine?" Jimmy asked.

I built that.

"I've got three words for you guys, Canadian squirt guns!" Eddy chimed in earning him an elbow in the rib from Nazz who couldn't contain her giggles. "What you guys all believed it, scamming's in my blood."

"The worst of them all was that gerbil wheel one," Kevin added.

I built that.

The room erupted into laughter.

They're all laughing at me.

"Oh, and then there was the obstacle course you had me run, it was fun until you tried to scam a quarter out of me!" Jonny exclaimed.

I designed that.

"Remember the rocket car?" Sarah said as she tried to contain her laughter.

I built that too.

"Yes, so fast it traveled around the world, did it not?" Rolf commented.

His head was pounding as all their voices circled around him like hungry vultures waiting to pick at what little remained of his sanity. The insults just wouldn't stop. They were mocking his failure. Eddward felt Kevin squeeze his arm lightly, but he was too focused on the chorus of laughter ridiculing his existence.

They were laughing at him.

They were all laughing at him.

They were picking him and his inventions apart with every memory, even Kevin. He never wanted to be a part of those stupid schemes, it was Eddy… it was always Eddy.

Eddward focused all of his rage in on that one name as said person spoke.

"Not my fault you all believed it."

"Remember the pyramid tour."

I built that pyramid.

Eddward tried to remain calm. He needed to push past the horrific noise circling around him. Focus Eddward, just breathe.

Inhale.

Exhale.

He could feel his breath becoming labored as he tried to remain calm. He did not need these people to witness a breakdown. They didn't deserve to see him like that. They would just mock him some more. He absentmindedly started picking at his sweatband and rubbing his wrist. This notion did not go undetected by Eddy.

Eddy narrowed his eyes as he raised his voice above everyone else, "Hey Dee, remember when I got you to dress up like a bunny?" His words were menacing as they sliced through the air.

Eddward gripped his wrist tighter as he felt Kevin tense beside him. Something snapped inside Eddward in that moment, he wasn't sure what had caused it. It may have been he could simply take no more. Or perhaps he finally honed in on something dark lurking in the depths of his mind that overrode his feeling of failure. Or perhaps his best friend was calling him out in front of an audience of onlookers who loved watching him fall. Enough was enough. Fuck this.

"Double Dee made a very nice bunny," Ed added.

"If we're going to reminisce about the past we cannot forget about the carnival games. My favorite was when all of yours failed so Ed and I charged a penny so everyone could smack you into a tree." Eddward said darkly.

"That was a fun one." Ed agreed.

"Oh yeah, well my favorite was when Ed and I convinced you, you were dying so you started offering all your stuff to everyone," Eddy yelled as he hit his beer can against the table.

"And how did that end for you Eddy?" Eddward asked triumphantly, "I seem to recall misplacing your spare key." Eddward said and then turned to Kevin.

"Oh yeah, that was a good day. One of the best ass kickings I've ever given." Kevin commented.

Now it was Eddy's turn to squirm under the laughter of their peers. Eddward relaxed slightly against Kevin who wrapped his arm around him. Eddward continued to fidget with his wristband as the conversation shifted to another topic. He felt slightly better now. Mocking Eddy and redirecting the laughter had helped ease him slightly, but he was done. He wanted everyone to leave so he could retire to his bed. He rubbed at his wrist until someone in the room couldn't take it any longer. Eddy waited for their eyes to meet before he spoke.

"Something wrong with your wrist, Dee?" Eddy asked in a low tone.

Eddward began to panic. "Not now Eddy."

Eddy stood and locked his eyes on Eddward.

"What's wrong with your wrist, Dee?"

Eddward froze as icy dread ran up his spine. Was Eddy really going to do this right here? Right now? In front of everyone? He had sunk low before, but this was brutal and betrayal on an entirely different level. Kevin must have sensed his uneasiness because his grip tightened around Eddward.

"Back off Eddy," Kevin said authoritatively.

Nazz grabbed at Eddy's hand trying to make him sit back down beside her. Everyone was quiet all around them as they watched the chaos ensue.

"Answer me!" Eddy barked as he began to circle around the coffee table toward Eddward and Kevin.

Kevin stood first, followed by Eddward as he got in-between the two

"That's enough Eddy!" Kevin yelled.

"Fuck off Shovelchin, this don't have nothin' to do with you." Eddy challenged him.

"I said back off, now. Before you do something you'll regret." Kevin said as he pushed Eddy.

Eddy stumbled back briefly but regained his balance. He was definitely the fighting, angry type of drunk.

"Fucking coward, you always need someone to fight your battles."

No. Not anymore.

"A coward? I'm a coward?" Eddward said as he pushed Kevin to the side and stepped in front of him.

"Yeah, this getup may fool everyone else, but I still see you for who you really are. A fucking pathetic coward who hides inside his big, fucking empty house instead of facing your problems head on. You act all tough, but when push comes to shove you'd rather break promises and cut your-"

The fist seemed to come out of nowhere. Eddward didn't even realize what he had done until it was already over. Eddy was sitting on the floor rubbing his swollen jaw as Eddward towered over him. Eddy was rude and ruthless and he spoke his mind no matter the situation without thinking about the consequences. Eddy was furious, but Eddward had heard enough. Eddy had no right… Eddward felt the tears coming, but he couldn't cry. Eddy could not win… he wouldn't let him be right.

Everyone was staring at him now. He could feel their eyes piercing at his vulnerable flesh. They all had something to say. Maybe they all agreed with Eddy. He needed to leave this scenario.

"This party is over," Eddward said as he turned and pushed by Kevin as he headed for his staircase.

He heard the hushed whispers behind him, but they didn't matter right now. He didn't care about what they thought they knew or what they thought of him. They never mattered before. They were never there for him in the past. The only thing that had ever been there for him was pain and he welcomed its return into his life with open arms. The pain never failed him, it was always there.

The memories mentioned were from the following episodes:

A case of Ed

Brother, can you spare an Ed?

Ed in a Halfshell

Know it all Ed

Postcards from Ed

Ready, Set… Ed!

Urban Ed

Who let the Ed in?

Who's minding the Ed?

-LunaMaye