LeavesofMyself: Well, here's plot bunny number 2. It has no relation to Alpha Omega. Anyway, enjoy.
Pairing: Kevin x Eddy
Rating: M
Warnings: TRIGGER WARNING!: Abuse, substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual situations.
Lyrics: So Cold by Ben Cocks
"It's so quiet here
And I feel so cold
This house no longer
Feels like home"
Eddy had bolted the moment the final bell rang, his short legs moving swiftly through the crowded hallways. He stopped long enough to dump his books into his cramped locker before he raced for the exit. Truthfully, he just really wanted out of the forced torture chamber that was school; he greatly disliked school. Like…. A lot.
'Finally,' Eddy thought as he elbowed his way through the crowd to burst out the front doors, 'Thought this day would never end!'
Eddy moved to head home, his body moving absentmindedly along his routine path, his fingers flying across his cell phone as he walked. He had sent a quick message to Edd, letting the boy know that he'd text him tonight but that he had plans this afternoon. Edd acknowledged his text, letting Eddy know he had an after-school tutoring session with a lower classmen. Ed had gone home earlier in the day, something about a doctor's appointment and whatnot.
After a few minutes, Eddy went to put his cell phone in his back pocket, but, before he could, his phone pinged, letting him know he had a text. Eddy quickly glanced down, a bright, warm smile stretched across his lips.
Kevin : Should 'a waited for me.
Eddy quickly sent back an apology, letting Kevin know that he just wanted to walk back to their cul-de-sac. It wasn't far, truth be told, and it was a rather pleasant day.
Kevin : Could've given ya a ride.
Kevin had lucked out this past year. His parents had bought him a pickup truck for his 18th birthday. It wasn't anything outrageous, but it was fairly new and in great running condition. Kevin had admitted to him that he was a little bummed his parents didn't get him a motorcycle, like he had wanted; but, apparently, Kevin's mother had outright refused to get her son anything so 'dangerous'.
Eddy would occasionally take the offer of a free ride home, but he did so very rarely. While most of their friends assumed the two teens were just friends, only two others knew that they were a thing… Both parties had been sworn to secrecy… Well, more like bribed and threatened, but yeah… they kept their lips shut.
As natural as it felt to French the red head, he was still incredibly apprehensive in revealing their relationship. Especially with Kevin being Mr. Popular; he was always surrounded by other jocks and cheerleaders. It made Eddy feel uncomfortable and inadequate – he was just the short guy who hung around a genius and a B-rated horror fanatic… He wasn't exactly winning Prom King anytime soon.
Realizing he hadn't responded to Kevin yet, he sent back a rather scandalous, 'Rather ride you,' before the texting ceased.
Eddy placed his cell phone in his back pocket just as a black pickup came roaring up the road. Eddy slowed his pace, watching as driver came to a crawl next to him. The driver's window rolled down as Kevin leaned out the window, letting out a cat-call as he eyed the shorter male.
Eddy snorted in barely contained laughter, "Stranger danger".
"Aww… don't be like that," Kevin said, a sly smile covering his face. Eddy continued to meander along the sidewalk as Kevin's truck continued to inch forward next to him.
"I know those pretty little lips would love to call out my name," Kevin said, causing a blush to bloom across the younger male's cheeks.
Not one to be outdone, Eddy quickly retorted, "You sound confident about that."
Kevin's grin was absolutely lecherous, "I know I can," Kevin started as he put his truck into park, as both had stopped moving, "In fact, I got a recording of those same lips chanting my name…"
"Ke-Kev-in!!" Eddy admonished, his cheeks flaming red in both embarrassment and arousal.
"Sounds just like that!" the jock quickly interrupted, silently enjoying the way Eddy looked as if he wished for a hole to swallow him up. Eddy glared as much as he could at the red head, his finger instinctively coming up to flip the other teen off.
A few seconds of silence proceeded a command to 'Get in'. Eddy cautiously looked around, making sure no one saw before he heaved himself into the truck, seat belt clicking into place as Kevin started moving again.
"You need a lower truck," Eddy grumbled as Kevin maneuvered through the streets of their neighborhood.
"You need to grow, dork," Kevin teased back, earning an angry hiss of 'Fuck you,' in return. Kevin allowed himself a small chuckle before he reached over with his hand and took one of Eddy's hands into his own. He brushed his lips across the back of the younger male's hand in apology, earning him another blush.
Eddy's felt his insides tighten as they pulled into their cul-de-sac, Kevin expertly steering his truck into the voided space of his driveway. Blue eyes darted back and forth, constantly scanning for any signs of the rest of the gang, but only spotted an empty, quiet street. Eddy allowed his tense body to relax slightly as Kevin shut off the engine.
"You coming in?" the jock asked, his green eyes briefly glancing over at the shorter male. Eddy cautiously look around again, double checking that the coast was clear before he nodded, moving to get out of the vehicle.
Once the duo were inside, Eddy felt the knot that had forming in his stomach loosen, his nerves settling as the door shut behind them, granting them reprieve from the outside world.
Without wasting a second more, Kevin grabbed Eddy by the hand and led him on the familiar path to the older teen's bedroom. As soon as they entered, Kevin heaved a sigh of relief as he plopped down on the edge of his bed. Just as Eddy moved to join the jock, the red head flopped backwards, his arms spread eagle, a groan escaping his lips.
"Bad day?" Eddy questioned as he lay back, his arms resting lightly on his slight frame as he turned his head to take in the red head.
"The worst," Kevin replied, his green eyes fluttering closed as a hand came up to pinch the bridge of his nose, irritation slipping into his words.
"Got my test back in Chem. Got a 56%," Kevin started, annoyance clearly getting the better of him as he huffed an angry sigh, "If I don't pass the next test then I'm failing. If I fail, I'll get benched!"
Eddy listened sympathetically; he too didn't do overly well in school. He paid attention just enough to pass, but his grades were still abysmal.
Eddy rolled onto his side, an arm coming up to rest underneath his head as he listened to the red head rant for another ten minutes on the absurdity that was his chemistry teacher.
"You know," Eddy started once Kevin fell quiet, "You could always ask Double D for help."
Kevin barked out a bitter laughter, "I ain't askin' the double dweeb for help."
"Okay: 1) don't call him that, and 2) stop being uppity. Edd would help if ya just asked him." Eddy said, a bit of irritability seeping into his voice.
Kevin snorted in response, but adamantly stood his ground. After several minutes of back and forth, Eddy threw in the towel as he grumbled a quick curse, "Fuck… fail for all I care."
"I will," huffed the red head as he glared up at the ceiling.
"Fine," Eddy answered, inwardly strangling the complicated red head.
"Fine."
"Fine!"
Kevin and Eddy laid in silence for a few minutes, Kevin lost in his own musings while Eddy cursed the jock for being so difficult.
Without warning, Kevin rolled his body over, trapping the slighter male beneath his built frame. Strong biceps flexed as they held the majority of the red head's weight, a small gap formed between the two as the older male settled into place. Eddy squirmed, maneuvering his body until he was comfortable beneath Kevin; his thighs spread slightly around the jock's waist, shaky hands coming up to rest on the muscular arms.
They held that position for what seemed like ages, green eyes silently gazing into blue ones. Just as Eddy opened his mouth to say something, Kevin leaned down, sealing his lips over the smaller male's. A surprised 'mmph' escaped Eddy as his tense body fought to relax in the older male's embrace.
With a swipe of his tongue, Kevin got those plush lips to open with a soft gasp. Kevin took the opportunity, his tongue delving inside the other's mouth, tongues dueling in a messy tango as they fought for dominance. It didn't take long for Kevin to win, though, as he expertly kissed Eddy, the smaller male whimpering slightly when the other pulled away, only to nibble on his bottom lip. Teeth gently pulled at Eddy's lower lip before the shorter of the pair was pulled back into a heated kiss.
Moments later the two separated, each breathing heavier than normal. Every few seconds Kevin would lean down and pull Eddy into a sensational kiss; short but heated with an intoxicating passion.
Kevin began to move, his lips ghosting over Eddy's red cheek so that he could lick the shell of the smaller male's ear. Eddy moaned softly, his head tilting in the opposite direction, allowing the jock more access. Kevin gently nipped the other's earlobe, his teeth lightly biting down before he sucked on the lope to soothe the ache.
Eddy released another soft, hesitant moan as the red head began to kiss and nibble at the other's neck. The jock's mouth set to work, drawing gasps and groans as he peppered Eddy's neck with love bites. Kevin gently brushed the neck of Eddy's black shirt to the side, revealing smooth, unblemished peach skin. Eddy nearly leaped off the bed as Kevin bit down harshly just above his collar bone, a breathy moan dancing on Eddy's lips. Kevin hummed as he licked and suckled at the younger's hot spot before, once more, wickedly biting down, drawing another desperate moan from the slighter male.
"Ah…" Eddy groaned as Kevin cycled between roughly biting down on Eddy's spot and soothing the ache with soft kisses, suckling the skin from time to time, "Kev-in".
Some minutes later, Kevin pulled back, his darkened green eyes taking in his handiwork. Eddy lay panting below him, his blue eyes lost in a daze as a large, dark hickey began to bloom over Eddy's collar bone.
Just as Kevin leaned down to seal those lips with another kiss, the sound of the front door closing caused both teens to tense up. Kevin quickly rolled off of Eddy, both moving to sit up on his bed as footsteps came down the hall. Eddy, flustered, moved to adjust his black shirt, making sure to hide the blossoming hickey on his collar bone.
The duo managed to look presentable as the door to Kevin's bedroom opened and Kevin's mother peaked her head in.
"Oh," the slender woman exclaimed, "I didn't realize you had a guest."
Kevin just nodded at his mother, silently praying she would just go away.
"Hello Eddy, how are you, dear?" Kevin's mother asked, her red painted lips twisting up into a charming smile.
"I'm good," Eddy mumbled politely, body fidgeting uncomfortably under the woman's scrutiny. A tense silence filled the room and it looked as if Kevin's mother wanted to ask something else, but she refrained. Her slender arm pushed Kevin's bedroom door open further, a frown on her face.
"Well, you best be getting home. Kevin, you're still grounded, you know. Your father won't like this if he finds out." The woman smiled as she left the doorway.
Both Kevin and Eddy sighed in relief when the woman disappeared into her own bedroom. Eddy slowly stood from the bed, a look of amused inquiry on his face.
"Grounded?" asked Eddy, chuckling softly as Kevin snorted in mockery, his eyes rolling.
"Like they can ground me," Kevin said as he, too, stood from his bed, "I'm an adult."
Eddy did allow a laugh at that, blue eyes checking to see if the coast was clear before quickly pecking the red head on the lips.
"Text ya later?" Eddy asked as he began to leave. Kevin nodded, gave him a thumbs up, before pulling him back into another quick, but more passionate, kiss.
When the two separated, Eddy gathered his wits and left.
Eddy opened and closed the door to his house as softly as he could. The house was silent, a shaky "Hello?" resounding throughout as the slight teen tried to figure out if anyone was home.
Releasing a tense breath, Eddy moved to take off his shoes before he quickly, but quietly, padded through the house, checking room after room for any occupants. Finding the house completely empty, Eddy sighed in relief, his taunt frame relaxing slightly as he retraced his steps to the kitchen.
Things had been… complicated lately. His father started drinking again due to a particularly bad car accident. It had landed the burly man in the hospital for several weeks and left him in chronic pain. So, his father turned to self-medicating. It did work for a bit. He would drink enough that he would be pleasantly buzzed, just enough to take the edge off the pain.
His mother wasn't so thrilled to have her husband buzzed all of the time. They would get into arguments, with his father always ending up telling the woman that she needed to quit nagging him. She didn't; she was a stubborn woman after all.
The nagging arguments turned into boisterous yelling and then morphed into all out war. Eddy had tried his best to play referee, but no matter how much he protested or tried to calm things down, the fights just continued to worsen.
Eddy would usually spent his after-school hours cleaning up shards of glass from where one of them had thrown a bottle at the other. Sometimes he picked up broken furniture…. Other times , he watched from the shadows and his family fractured.
Months of this vicious arguing passed. Eddy barely slept as he constantly had to be on his toes around his parents, his small body poised to jump into action if needed.
The worsening arguments only drove his father to drink more. The more they argued, the more alcohol he poured down his throat. It got to a point where his father was drunk, belligerent drunk, almost all of the time. He would curse Eddy's mother, put his fist through the walls… he even broke their dining room table – having slammed one of their chairs into the table until the tiled top splintered and shattered, the table top caving in under the heavy blows.
His father was turning savage.
Eddy shook his head, trying to temporarily discharge his unsettling memories. Eddy opened the cabinet, eyes glancing over the leftover cups (the ones that hadn't been shattered yet) and grabbed a small one, turning to the sink to fill his cup with water. Sighing, Eddy gulped down his slightly iron-tasting liquid, before he began to rummage through the pantry.
Eddy's stomach gave a rolling rumble of hunger as he looked for anything to satisfy his need. There wasn't much, not anymore.
Some of their funds went to bills, some to groceries, but most of it was squandered, relentlessly feeding his dad's substance abuse. Eddy did his best with what they had… often forgoing eating at home to opt for a meal at school. It was kind of hard to make a meal out of expired food anyway.
Eddy reached for the last Cup Noodles – it was better than nothing. He quickly set about preparing his meal, eyes glancing at the clock as he microwaved his mixture of water and noodles. Frowning, Eddy shuddered; his father would be home soon… and not long after, so would his mother.
Eddy stood in the kitchen, lips lightly blowing on the steaming hot noodles as his father barreled into the house. Eddy took one look at him and already knew he was gone.
Eddy's father stumbled into the kitchen, a couple cases of beer underneath his arms as he went to put them away in the fridge. Eddy did his best to stay out of the large man's way. As soon as Eddy's father deposited his beer into the nearly empty fridge, he turned towards his 'liquor' cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. The large man stumbled away, the sound of the large TV turning on as his father settled in his recliner.
Eddy quickly finished his meal and cleaned up after himself. He silently made his way to his room and shut the door. Eddy crept over to his round bed and laid down, eyes instantly closing as exhaustion caught up with him.
Eddy's eyes snapped open at the sound of a loud bang. Groaning, Eddy blinked wearily at the clock in front of him: 8:07 PM. He had been asleep for a few hours.
Loud screaming could be heard upstairs and it took everything in Eddy to climb out of bed to go get in-between his parents… again.
Eddy sighed as he climbed the last stair, opening his bedroom door to a disaster zone. It looked as if his father was on a war path again, much to Eddy's annoyance. Eddy followed the sound of yelling and objects splintering against the walls, finally finding his parents at each other's throats in their bedroom.
Eddy sat back and watched as his parents tore each other down, slurs and curses firing away like ammunition. Eddy would have stepped in, but the last time he got between the duo, his father had shoved him to the floor and stomped on him…. It hadn't been pleasant, neither was the healing period. He really wasn't in a hurry to have a repeat of that incident.
So, Eddy stood quietly against one of the walls of his parents' bedrooms, eyes wearily watching the two adults go at it. He watched as his mother repeatedly berated his father, her face red with rage as her arms gestured wildly. His father simply snarled back, his beady eyes narrowed and fists clenched at this side.
They went at each other for nearly ten more minutes before Eddy's father turned to his mother's vanity table and put his fist through it. He then proceeded to pick up a lighter portion of the table and hurl it against the opposing wall.
His mother wailed in horror… It had been an heirloom… something about her grandmother gifting it down.
'Well, it's junk now.' Eddy thought as he watched the table shatter against the wall.
The room fell eerily quite as the sound of skin smashing against skin echoed throughout.
Eddy's blue eyes widened in stunned disbelief as watched his mother swiftly slap his father across the face. Eddy's father looked stunned too, but only for a moment.
In a split second, all hell broke loose.
Eddy groaned in agony as his feeble body shifted minutely, aching limbs cramping with pain as he struggled to move. It took him several moments, but he managed to open his eyes, noting that half of his vision was blurry. A whimper of pain escaped Eddy as he shifted slightly, his body coiling tighter in on itself to soothe the ache.
Eddy blinked his blue eyes a few times in attempt to clear his blurry vision. It didn't work, so that was something.
Eddy slowly shifted his tired, haggard body into a seated position, a sob of pain breaking loose as he did so. Everything hurt. It hurt so much.
Especially his head… it felt like a brick had been thrown at him. Eddy tried to think back to last night – his mind recalling screaming, furniture being broken, his mother hitting her husband…. Oh! Oh, yeah…
He shook his head slightly, trying to clear the fog thickening in his memories but it did little to help. Eddy couldn't recall much after… He remembered his mother screaming in terror… He remembered trying to pull his dad off of his mom…. He remembered being dragged through the house… and then, blackness.
Eddy groaned again and went to stand up, his body crying in torment as his world tilted. He managed to make it into a crouched position before his vision blackened and his entire world shifted.
"Oh man," Eddy mumbled, freezing in place to stabilize before slowly standing. He looked around him; he was in his room.
Taking a few deep breaths to combat the sudden wave of nausea, Eddy stumbled over to his bathroom. When he made it, he gave himself a once over.
Eddy's left eye was bruised and swollen, causing his field of vision to diminish.
'Well, that explains the blurred vision.'
He had a nasty looking bruise developing in the shape of a large hand print on both his throat and his right forearm. Eddy lightly pressed against a large knot at the back of his head, hissing in pain as he did so, the spot being incredibly tender. Eddy lifted his shirt as best as he could, noticing several pocket bruises forming on his torso. Eddy slowly spun, eyes squinting enough to see the dark bruise spanning in a line across his back. Dropping his shirt back into place, Eddy gingerly sat down on his commode and slowly pulled off the sock covering his left ankle. It was swollen and bruised from heel to toe and from the ankle down. Eddy lightly poked at the sensitive flesh, a hiss slipping through his teeth.
"Fuck…" Eddy hissed out, lightly placing his one barefoot on the ground.
Eddy closed his eyes… He remembered being dragged through the house… and…
'And what?'
Eddy sighed, he just couldn't remember. He wasn't sure if that was a blessing or not.
Eddy slowly stood and hobbled his way into his room. He carefully sat down on his bed, replaced his sock, and lied down.
For several minutes, Eddy shifted into a position that didn't cause severe pain. After finally settling, Eddy closed his eyes and fell away in darkness once more.
When Eddy awoke again, the house was silent. His room was filled with the soft glow of the sun. Eddy heaved a sigh, eyes slowly blinking the world into focus.
Curious, Eddy pulled his cell phone from his back pocket, a frown instantly smothering his face. His screen was shattered, most likely from the event only a few hours beforehand; he just wished he could recall what happened.
Eddy pressed the power button to his phone, watching as the splintered screen glowed, a distorted image flickering on his screen. Eddy quickly unlocked his phone, fingers immediately pressing his texting app, watching as the unread messages pulled up on his screen.
"At least it works," Eddy muttered as he thumbed through his messages. He had several from Double D and Kevin, which mostly involved the two asking where Eddy was and why he had gone radio silent. He had a few random texts from a few others but nothing that stood out.
Eddy quickly sent a text to both Kevin and Edd, letting them know he was fine, that he had just fallen asleep. Edd responded almost immediately which was surprising. He usually would never have his phone out, especially when he was in class (where he assumed Sockhead was, with it being 1:28 PM).
Edd had admonished him for 'skipping school' and that he needed to 'apply himself better,' yada yada. Eddy just let him rant, rolling his eyes as Double D's messages pinged through again and again. Eventually, Edd stated that he would stop by and drop off his missed work. Eddy desperately tried to get his companion to change his mind, but Edd was having none of it.
"Shit," Eddy mumbled quietly to himself. 'What am I supposed to do now?'
As close as he was to both Double D and Ed, he had yet to reveal the hell that was his home life recently. He just… didn't want anyone else to know. It was… embarrassing? Shameful? He didn't know… he just really didn't want the information leaked to the public, no matter how close he was to them.
He hadn't even told Kevin.
Eddy shifted his body into a seated position, a hiss of pain leaving his mouth as he did so.
'Note to self, move slowly.' Eddy thought as he dumped his phone on the comforter, his mind racing. Sockhead would be here within the next few hours, he couldn't let him see him like this.
Eddy moved, a wave of lightheadedness sweeping over him as he managed to stand from his bed. Swaying on uneven feet, Eddy took a moment for the feeling to pass before he moved over to his closet.
Eddy stood pondering in front of his closet for several moments, eyes glancing over each article of clothing he owned in great detail. His closet was full of t-shirts and hoodies but that was about it. Moving cloths aside, Eddy managed to find a decent turtleneck hidden in the back of his closet.
With some difficulty, Eddy managed to switch shirts, body relaxing slightly as the darkening bruises around his neck was hidden from view. Eddy hobbled over to his bed and sat down, deciding to scroll through his social media accounts in an effort to not dwell on the thoughts in his head.
The knock of his bedroom door ripped Eddy away from a rather amusing reel he had been watching. Eddy heaved a sigh and went to the door that led from his room directly to outside.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Eddy opened the door to find both Edd and Kevin waiting for him on the other side. Eddy's heart sank into his stomach; Double D he could handle, he wasn't so certain with the red headed jock.
"Salutations Ed-" Double D started, his bright, toothy grin slipping from his face as his eyes widened in shock, "My Heavens, Eddy! What happened to your eye?"
Eddy gave a weak grin, moving out of the doorway so the duo could step into his room.
'Time to face the music,' Eddy thought as he turned to face the other two.
"Wha? Oh! Nothin', just tripped. No biggie," Eddy said nonchalantly, one of his hands coming up to wave the question away dismissively.
"You tripped?" Edd question, his voice caring suspicion towards Eddy's words.
"Yeah! I was doin' somethin' and I tripped, hit my eye on a doorknob," Eddy quickly explained.
'Maybe I shouldn't have said that. They don't look like they believe me.'
"A doorknob?" Double D reinstated, confusion clouding his voice, "What on Earth were you doing to trip into a doorknob?"
'Fuck… Redirect!'
"Does it matter?" Eddy questioned, as he hobbled over to his bed and sat down once more. He definitely tried not to notice how hard, green eyes followed his every move as he did so. "Anyway, what'cha doin' here?"
"I told you I would bring you your missed work from today," Edd said, a frown pulling at his features.
"I know that, Sockhead. I meant why are ya both here? Together?" Eddy said, his index fingerings indicating between the two as he asked.
"Well, it seems Kevin was going to stop by your house after school. I mentioned how I would be doing the same. So, we came here together."
Eddy made a slight 'huh' sound, his head nodding minutely as he did so.
"But why?"
Double D looked confused, his light blue eyes shifting over to the silent jock for assistance.
"Ya could've just given my work to Kevin. He would've brought it here," Eddy stated, watching as another frown pulled at his best friend's features.
"While true, Eddy; I wanted to check on you myself," Double D said, the frown still marring his face, "We were concerned."
"We?"
"Kevin, Ed…" Edd started, his frown deepening, "Myself as well."
"The hell would ya be concerned for?" Eddy asked, his eyes shifting between his boyfriend and his best friend.
"You went radio silent last night," Kevin interrupted, his arms crossed against his lean chest, green eyes narrowing at the smaller male.
"I already told ya! I fell asleep!" Eddy huffed back in irritation. Eddy's own arms crossed against his chest in defiance.
"Well, it was still early when each of us sent you a text." Edd interjected, his body finally moving to deposit the small stack of papers onto Eddy's desk.
"I was tired!" Eddy hissed, his frustration levels quickly rising as the duo continued their interrogation.
"Why were you so tired? Are you not sleeping well," questioned Double D, his frown morphing into one of concern.
"Look," Eddy started, his face twisting with his irritation, "I had a headache last night, took some medication, and fell asleep."
Several minutes of silence ticked by as Eddy sat on his bed. Kevin stood not to far from his, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against one of Eddy's walls. Double D lingered near his desk, a look of apprehensive concern painted across his face as he looked as if he doubted Eddy's word.
"Are you sure that's all, Eddy?" Double whispered, his own blue eyes downcast, his hands fidgeting as if he were uncomfortable.
"Of course, Sockhead! What else would there be?" Eddy said, exasperated.
Double D sighed and seemed resigned to give in, Kevin, on the other hand, look displeased. Yet, the red head made no movement to interrupt.
"If you say so Eddy," Edd said, "Well, I will be taking my leave."
Edd gave a small smile to Eddy as he moved to leave. His delicate hand had opened the door to the outside world before he paused in the doorway and turned back towards Eddy.
"Take care of yourself, Eddy." Edd said, his words almost unheard with how quietly they were said. Edd wouldn't meet Eddy's eyes, and the smile that overtook his features almost seemed… sad.
Eddy almost asked what Double D meant, but, before he could, his best friend was already gone.
Kevin moved away from the wall and sat down next to Eddy on his bed. His arms came to rest over his spread legs, his body leaned forward as his hard eyes glared at the ground. Neither male said anything for several minutes.
"You okay?" Eddy asked the red head next to him. Kevin remained silent for several moments longer, before a hefty sigh escaped him.
"Are you okay?" questioned Kevin, his green eyes finally looking away from the floor. Eddy just looked at him confused as ever.
"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Eddy asked.
Kevin allowed a frown to tug at his lips for a brief moment, his green eyes taking in the small frame of his lover as a thick silence blanketed the room.
"Kev?" Eddy finally questioned, his body shifting uncomfortably when the jock only continued to stare at him in silence.
"You know you tell me anything, right?" Kevin finally whispered, his eyes locking with Eddy's.
"Okay, you're kinda worrying me now." Eddy said, uncertainty gripping his heart.
"It's just…" Kevin started but stopped, looking as of he were searching for the right words before a sigh of defeat left him. A quickly muttered 'never mind' gave way to another bout of silence.
Not knowing what else to do, and absolutely hating the uneasiness that was strangling his frame, Eddy leaned over and gave the jock a quick peck on the cheek. Kevin's head snapped to look over at him before the red head leaned forward and claimed Eddy's lips.
The kiss was off… It was good; really good! But usually when they kiss, it was hot passion and unyielding lust, a fiery tango of want and need. This, though, was different. It was soft and sensual. Instead or conveying pure carnal desire, this kiss captured the sheer intensity of their devotion. It spoke enough of their affection that Eddy wanted to sob at the sanctity of it.
When they pulled apart, Eddy was trembling from the sheer intensity of the emotions he felt. A shuddering breathe left him as he remained just a breath away from Kevin.
"What was that?" Eddy softly questioned. Kevin only gave him a small smile in return, one of his calloused hands reaching up to run his thumb over Eddy's bottom lip hesitantly.
Kevin quietly pulled Eddy back into another tender kiss, this one more brief than the last. When they parted this time, Kevin placed a sweet kiss to Eddy's forehead before pulling away completely.
"I need to get going," Kevin whispered into the space between them. Eddy nodded and watched as his lover stood and moved to leave. Just like Double D had, Kevin stopped just before he vanished completely.
"I'm here if you need me, babe."
Eddy was left utterly confused as the door to his bedroom closed for the last time. Not knowing what else to do, Eddy made his way over to his desk and sat down. He thumbed through the work that Edd had brought him. With a hefty sigh, Eddy got to work.
While he worked quietly, he could not stop the overwhelming sense of dread that consumed his heart.
Several weeks later
Things had gotten worse, so much worse.
His mother had disappeared after the incident, only to resurface a week later with fading bruises. She never said anything to Eddy about where she was or who she was with. She was just gone one moment and back the next, as if nothing had ever happened.
When his mother returned, things had quieted somewhat; his mother and father tip-toeing around each other so much that they really couldn't cause much conflict. Eddy's dad had even lightened up on his drinking somewhat, had asked his mother for forgiveness – which she readily gave.
Eddy was starting to catch up on sleep, which put him in a better mood most of the time. He was back to cracking jokes and goofing off with his classmates, while simultaneously fending off Double D's lectures on how he needed to 'mature' and start thinking of his future. Blah blah, same old, same old.
Then… it was like a light switch flipped. His parents went from perverse pleasantries to full-on, all-out throw downs.
Eddy was used to their arguing, was used to the unpleasantness of cleaning up after one fight or another; he was used to picking up broken furniture and throwing away empty alcoholic containers…
He wasn't prepared for when things traversed the line from emotional to outright physical. It had started off small: his mother would slap his father, his father would shove his mother. Then they just… fought. Like, for real fought. Arms would swing wildly on both sides, each striving to cause as much harm to the other as possible, all the while the slurs and degrading insults continued to fire away.
His mother had ended up with a plethora of bruises, some visible, some not. He listened to his mother tell others about where they came from – a trip here, a falling spell there… She often favored the car accident excuse. She used it so often that he wondered if she, herself, believed it.
Eddy had never seen his parents like this. He had tried several times to separate them, especially when it seemed like things were getting way out of control. He tried; he really did.
Yet, no matter how many times he pulled his mother away from the situation, the woman always went back for more. It was as if she was convinced that if she could inflict just one more wound, one more laceration, then her husband would snap back to reality. In the end, she only ended up more wounded, both mentally and physically.
Eddy, himself, had received several blows from both parties. They had been unintentional (at least, he thought they were) but they stung. He couldn't recall what hurt more, however; the blows themselves or the actuality that each hit was designed to actually harm the other person.
Eddy had been at his wits end, and, not knowing what else to do, he reached out to the one person who may help: his older brother.
Big Bro didn't help though, he simply mocked Eddy's situation – told him to buckle up for rough road ahead. He even offered absolutely horrible advice:
"Leave 'em be. They kill each other eventually."
He had said it so nonchalantly, like it was the most normal thing to say in the world. Eddy had blanched at the statement, his mind unable to comprehend that his own flesh and blood saw nothing wrong.
'Are we all so fucked?' Eddy's mind had whispered as he thanked Big Bro for nothing.
To make matters worse, Eddy was constantly greeted with whispered discussions and pointed gazes from his peers. He would enter the school and the hushed mumbling would begin, often accompanied by pointing fingers and somber smiles. He did his best to ignore it and, for the most part, he was successful…
Then he noticed that Kevin and Edd mingled a little too closely, a little too often. It made Eddy's insecurities explode, his mind constantly berating him with all of his faults and failures. His negative self-image was only reinforced when he would get near his best friend and the jock he was dating… and they went silent at his approach, or the subject suddenly shifted, or they just quickly separated and left him alone – on the verge of tears and breaking under the stress of it all.
Ed had picked up on the fact that there was something catastrophically wrong in Eddy's life. Monobrow had constantly offered to have Eddy over to watch the newest movie he was enthralled by… The Big Lug had even, on several occasions, offered to make Eddy buttered toast – because that always made Ed feel better.
Eddy would accept the companionship; often going to Ed's to watch whatever-it-was that he was into at that moment while simultaneously trying desperately hard to hide the cracks in his façade.
Truth be told, though, Eddy would gaze unseeingly at the television, his mind lost in his suffocating thoughts as time ticked away. He would force himself to mutter a 'cool' or something along those lines when Ed would get riled up with excitement at some of his favorite parts of a movie. He would force a pathetic grin onto his face when the oaf would turn to him, glee shining brightly in Ed's eyes, wanting to gage whether or not Eddy was enjoying himself. His weak grins usually placated the taller teen, however; it still pained Eddy to have to fake a good time with one of his closest friends.
That's where Eddy was now, sitting silently in his friend's bedroom, unfocused eyes staring blankly at the movie Ed had put on. The movie Ed insisted on watching was almost over, which was all well and good, as Eddy needed to get home. Several minutes ticked by, Ed practically glued to the screen while Eddy was fidgeting in his seat.
When the credits finally rolled on Ed's interesting choice of movie, staring battle robots and aliens, Eddy quickly stood up, mumbled something about having a curfew and needing to get home. Ed simply waved enthusiastically at the shorter teen as Eddy left, a loud, ear-splitting 'Bye, Eddy!' following him as he closed to door to Ed's home.
Eddy meandered his way home, body coming to a full stop halfway up his driveway as he could already hear the screaming match going on inside.
'Wonder if any of the neighbors can here 'em.' Eddy quietly pondered as he stood in his driveway, his mind willing his body to move forward, to go in and referee his parents once more…
Yet Eddy simply turned and walked away.
Eddy had made his way to the park nearby, his mind racing through thoughts as he slumped into a vacant swing. He was so lost in thought that he never heard his name being softly called or sound of footsteps closing in.
It wasn't until a hand lightly rested on his shoulder that Eddy snapped out of his thoughts… and his skin. The simple action had caused a knee-jerk reaction from him, his body unconsciously going into defensive mode.
"Shit!" Eddy had shouted, his small frame tense, his breathing labored.
"Don't sneak up on people, Sockhead!" Eddy said as he forced himself to take several deep breaths in an attempt to calm his racing heart. Double D withdrew his hand as if he had been burned.
"I'm sorry, Eddy! I had no intention of making you jump," Edd said, his lithe body taking several steps back to give the smaller male room to breathe.
After several seconds, Eddy waved a hand dismissively at his friend.
"What are ya doin' here anyway?"
Edd smiled softly at the other teen before slowly taking the empty swing next to Eddy.
"Ed told me that you had left his house…" Edd started, his eyes focusing on the ground, unable to meet Eddy's inquisitive gaze. "I saw you through my window…"
A heavy silence settle over the two when Double D paused, his eyes finally lifting to look at Eddy, his face solemn.
"So you're spying on me?" Eddy asked, watching as his friend fidget in his own swing, the movement causing the vessel to softly sway back and forth.
"Yes," Double D admitted, causing Eddy to startle at the admission. "I've… been worried about you."
"Worried? For me? Why?" Eddy questioned. Double D simply sighed, his eyes pleading to Eddy to let him in. Eddy shifted uncomfortably under his friend's scrutiny.
"Eddy…" Edd started, his voice temperate.
"No!" Eddy had denied, his mind racing in both shame and embarrassment as he seemed to see the light in Edd's eyes.
'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!' Eddy's mind raced as he fought to keep his humiliation a dark secret.
"Eddy, please," Double D whispered, his delicate hand coming up to grasp Eddy's. The shorter male flinched away from the contact, his body jumping to his feet in an effort to get away.
"No! Just… no, Sockhead!" Eddy rambled as he tried to walk away from his best friend.
Lithe arms grabbed him, forcibly pulling Eddy back against the slender teen. As arms wrapped firmly around his small frame, Eddy's façade began to crack and splinter. Double D softly turned Eddy into his body, the smaller male choking back tears.
"You're hurting, Eddy." It was the only thing Double D whispered into the air around them. His slender arms tightened around Eddy as the smaller teen finally allowed an anguished sob free.
It was like a damn broke free. Eddy's frame heaved with every sob, tears streaming down his face as he buried himself into his friend's embrace. Barely distinguishable words tumbled out of his mouth as he told Edd everything: His father's drinking problem, his parents fighting, the abuse he watched on a near daily basis… He told his childhood friend everything and Edd simply held him through it all.
He even told Edd what his older brother had said.
Minutes ticked by before Eddy's sobs slowly ceased, the tears in his eyes beginning to dry up. When Eddy was able to compose himself enough, he pulled away from Edd, his blue eyes watching his shoes scuff against the ground. Eddy allowed his smaller frame to be maneuvered back to the vacant swings.
"You know what the most fucked thing about this?" Eddy questioned as he retook his seat, his eyes slowly shifting to look at Edd. The slender male chose to stay silent, waiting for Eddy to finish, "I kinda agree with Big Bro."
Eddy had whispered the words so quietly that Edd had to strain to hear them.
"They just… need to… ya know. And then it'll be over. No more yelling, no more abuse… No more playing referee." His words were whispered, but even so, Double D could practically see them dripping with self-loathing. "I guess I'm just as fucked as the rest of my family."
Eddy gave him a weak grin, his lips wavering slightly as he held back more tears. Double D gave a small smile in return, his hand once more reaching over to grasp his companion's.
The duo sat in silence for awhile, Edd providing comfort to Eddy by simply existing in his plane. Eventually, Eddy had to know.
"How'd ya know?" Eddy asked. Double D worried his bottom lip for a few seconds before answering.
"Our parents talk," was all Double D said and Eddy gave a somber chuckle.
"Kevin knows," Edd offered quietly and, while the words pained him, he was somewhat relieved.
"Kevin?" Eddy questioned, wanting his friend to confirm his words, "My Kevin?"
Edd nodded gently, watching as Eddy processed the information before slowly sitting up a little straighter.
"Is that why you were all buddy-buddy all of a sudden?" Eddy questioned.
"Bu-?" Double D started, confusion blossoming over his face for a brief moment, "Oh… Oh! Why yes, Eddy; Kevin and I were simply comparing reports that we had overheard from our parents."
"Oh, thank God!" Eddy said, "For a moment there, I thought ya were moving in on my territory."
Double D looked aghast at the mere idea of Eddy's suggestion, "Eddy! I would never-"
Eddy cut his friend off with a weak chuckle, his hand waving dismissively.
"I know, Sockhead; I know." Eddy stated, a wide, genuine smile stretching over his lips.
"Besides," Edd started, "Kevin and I are not, exactly, compatible."
Eddy gave a thoughtful hum at the comment, "Don't really need to be compatible when you see what he's packing."
Edd's cheeks went bright red, "Don't be gross, Eddy."
Eddy allowed himself a small, genuine laugh at his friend's embarrassment.
The duo sat in a comfortable companionship until the street lights came on in their cul-de-sac. Eventually, Edd and Eddy had left the park together, each giving small talk as they went. The two stopped in the middle of their street, arms coming to wrap tightly around each other as they said their 'Goodnights'.
Double D left for his house, Eddy watching as his friend's slender frame disappeared. Eddy moved across the street to his own dwelling, stopping once more outside the house as screaming on the other side of the door kept him at bay. He needed to go in; should go in… but he just couldn't handle the stress of their wars anymore.
Sighing, Eddy turned and walked away from his house for the second time that night. He quickly cut across his lawn and over to his neighbors', his fist knocking lightly against the wooden door in front of him.
A minute ticked by and Eddy gently knocked again, though slightly louder than the last time. Just as Eddy was about to give up and walk away, the door opened.
"Eddy?" came the confused whisper of the older male in front of him, "What'cha doin' here?"
"Well gee… here I thought you'd be happy to see me." Eddy said, a slight pout pulling at the corners of his lips. Strong arms reached out and gently grabbed the male by the arms, guiding the smaller of the two inside the semi-dark dwelling.
"I am!" the red head quickly replied, his hand grasping Eddy's as he pulled him along towards his room.
"It's just late…" Kevin said as they made it to his room, the jock gently shutting the door behind Eddy.
Kevin sat on the edge of his bed, silently waiting for Eddy to join him. When the smaller male did, Kevin was surprised that Eddy's slight frame straddled his lap, his small body relaxing into Kevin's more athletic one.
Eddy wrapped his arms around Kevin's shoulders, just as the jock went to rest his hands gently on Eddy's hips. Eddy leaned forward and gently rested his forehead against Kevin's, watching as green eyes widen a bit in surprise.
"Babe?" Kevin questioned, his eyes locking with blue ones. When Eddy said nothing, Kevin gently messaged Eddy's hips, before moving a rough, calloused hand to gently knead his lover's back. Eddy gave a soft sigh at the action, his head tilting somewhat to capture Kevin's lips in a soft, delicate kiss.
When they parted, Eddy pulled Kevin closer to himself, arms tightening around the jock's larger frame. Eddy pressed into Kevin's arms further, until there was no space left between the two.
"Eddy?" Kevin questioned again, concern painting his features, "You okay?"
Eddy shook his head, his mask shattering in front of his lover. Tears slowly streamed down his cheek as choked sobs escaped his lips. Alarmed, Kevin held onto Eddy tighter, his hands kneading the younger male's back.
"I can't do it anymore." The confession was uttered in absolute defeat, causing Kevin to smother Eddy's face and neck in sweet, innocent kisses.
"All they do is fight," Eddy sobbed, his face tucking into the jock's collarbone as he sobbed. "I'm tired… I'm so tried. I just want it all to end."
Kevin remained silent, his strong arms holding Eddy tightly to himself. His larger frame swayed back and forth, unconsciously trying to soothe the wounded soul in his arms.
"It's okay, babe," Kevin whispered in an effort to alleviate the younger male's misery.
Eddy pulled away enough to look Kevin in the eyes. His shaky hands came up to brush the tears away from his eyes.
"But it's not..." Eddy said, his broken voice cracking with his pain, "It's not going to be okay. He's just gonna keep drinking… They're just gonna keep fighting… And I'm always going to be stuck in the middle."
Kevin wiped Eddy's tears away as they continued to fall. His calloused hands gently held Eddy's face in his hands, his own green eyes pained at his lover's turmoil.
"It'll be okay," Kevin whispered softly only to have Eddy violently shake his head in denial. Kevin doubled down with his resolve, forcing Eddy's blue eyes to look into his own, "It will, babe; it will! I promise you; it's gonna be okay."
Eddy gave a bitter chuckle, his hands violently wiping away his tears.
"How can you be so certain?" Eddy said, his voice harsh with doubt. Kevin gave a solemn smile, his forehead leaning against Eddy's.
"I'll steal you away," Kevin whispered into the space between them. Eddy, alarmed, pulled back enough to stare Kevin down.
"Wha?" Eddy answered, confusion clouding his features as he sniffled. Kevin leaned forward and quickly pecked Eddy on the lips.
"I'll take you away. I have a job, it's not much, but we'll get our own place. You'll be safe; I'll be with you. You won't ever have to get in the middle of their violence again." Kevin rambled, watching as a small, despondent smile stretched over Eddy's lips.
"You're gonna run away with me?" Eddy questioned quietly, a snort of bitter disbelief escaping him.
"Yes! I'll get you out of there; I'll take care of you…" Kevin said adamantly, causing a small, sincere smile to light up Eddy's features.
"You and me…" Eddy said, his hand passing back and forth between the duo. Kevin nodded vehemently, his face set in a dutiful resolve.
"Sounds nice," Eddy whispered, his body pushing as close as possible to the jock. They sat in silence for several minutes, Eddy losing himself in his imagination of a life with Kevin… just the two of them… against the world. It brought a warm, fuzzy feeling to Eddy; one he wasn't quite sure how to name.
When Eddy pulled back, his tears had stopped but his lips continued to stretch in a heartbroken smile. Eddy reached up and cupped Kevin's face, his body leaning forward to place a sweet, innocent kiss to the other's lips.
"As lovely as that sounds," Eddy began, his hands never leaving his lover's cheeks, "I can't do it. It sounds… amazing. But I can't leave my mom."
Kevin released a breathe he had been holding, his own eyes closing in disappointment for a moment. Having nothing to say, Kevin pulled Eddy tightly against him, afraid to let go.
The two sat in a somber silence, arms wound tightly around each other. Eddy leaned his forehead to Kevin's collar bone, listening to the jock's steady, even breathing; for some reason, it comforted him in ways he couldn't understand.
Eventually, Eddy sat up, his body shifting slightly in discomfort. He went to move off of the red head's lap, but strong arms kept him at bay.
Just as Eddy went to question the jock, Kevin leaned forward and captured Eddy's lips. The soft, sensual kiss turned hot with passion as Kevin sought to devour him. They pulled apart for a brief moment, eyes locking before the two fell back together, lips locked in an emotional kiss.
Several minutes ticked by, the two lost in fervor affection. They would pull away, only for one to peck the other on the lips, before falling back into a heated tango.
Kevin maneuvered his body so he was no longer straddling the edge of his bed. When he was able to get his legs up onto his mattress, he slowly leaned back, pulling Eddy with him.
When they pulled away again, Eddy stared down at his older lover, eyes smoldering in feverish love, with a hint of lust. Eddy sat up, his legs straddling the jock's hips as he did so. Kevin gently knead Eddy's hips as the other bent down to gently kiss the other. As they remained lip lock, Kevin rolled his hips upwards into his lover, causing a hesitant, breathy moan to escape the shorter male. Eddy pulled away and sat back, his blue eyes uncertain as he worried his bottom lip.
"I want you," Eddy whispered as he kissed the red head again. Kevin hummed, following slightly as the shorter male pulled away again. Eddy, tentatively, moved off of Kevin's hips, eyes unable to meet Kevin's questioning stare as he laid down beside the red head.
"But I need you to hold me more… just for a little bit." Eddy whispered, his cheeks aflame with shame. Kevin said nothing; he simply turned onto his side, arms reaching out and pulling Eddy into his frame.
Minutes of sincere silence ticked by, Eddy listening to the thump thump of Kevin's steadily beating heart. It was that soothing heartbeat that gently lulled him into a peaceful sleep; the first one he has had in a long while.
Eddy frowned slightly as he was pulled away from his pleasant dreams. He shifted slightly, his body fighting the sleep that gently pulled at him. Next to him, Kevin stirred in his own sleep, arms tightening around Eddy's slender frame before pulling away, the red head rolling onto his back as a hand came up to rub across his eyes.
The flash of lights lit Kevin's room repeatedly causing Eddy to stirr even more, muttering incoherently as he blinked his eyes open. A soft 'the fuck' came from Kevin's lips as the red head sat up, eyes squinting at the red and blue lights repeatedly lightning up his room in alternating colors. Eddy sat up as well, his fist rising to rub the sleep from his eyes.
When the two finally became coherent, Eddy's eyes glanced over to the gap in his lover's curtains. His heart plummeted to his stomach as he watched the hypnotizing red and blue colors swirling in a memorizing dance.
Eddy slowly got off Kevin's bed, his heart pounding in his ears, wide eyes staring unseeingly at the gap, his breathing growing shallower with panic.
Kevin, too, climb off his bed, his body moving more steadily towards his window. Taking a steady breath, Kevin's slightly trembling hands pulled back the curtains, unconsciously sucking in a sharp breath at the sea of lights that met him.
A strangled 'Oh god' sounded behind him as Eddy tore out of Kevin's bedroom. Small legs moved swiftly down the house's stairs, skipping several at the bottom in an effort to get to his house quickly.
Eddy ripped open the front door, bolting into the chaos that was his cul-de-sac. Bare feet raced across pavement, body blinding running towards his house. Just as Eddy reached his driveway, strong arms pulled him back, even as he fought to get free.
"Lemme go!" Eddy screamed in utter horror as a stretcher was pulled off a nearby ambulance and wheeled through his open front door.
More hands grabbed at him, pulling him away from his house. Eddy could hear voices talking to him, but the words never registered through his blind panic. It wasn't until arms wrapped securely around him and a familiar scent invaded his senses that Eddy ceased struggling. Instead, Eddy turned into Kevin's arms and clutched tightly to the male's black shirt.
"Breathe, babe… Breath." Kevin whispered into his ears as the shorter male struggled to suck in air. Eddy's entire body trembled, sheer hysteria creeping in. Eddy muttered into the red head's frame, a string of panicked 'no, no, no' uttered on repeat by the slighter male.
"I'm here," Kevin whispered, his arms tightening around his lover, even as they sank down to the pavement. "I've got you, babe."
Eddy sobbed is horror, wide blue eyes staring as medical personnel moved in and out of his house. His panic climbing higher and higher as neither of his parents were seen.
A slight shadow fell over him and gentle hands reached out run soothingly over the trembling frame. A slender hand gripped his, causing Eddy's wide eyes to glance over, the lithe frame of his best friend filling his vision. Double D kneeled next to the two lovers, his hand gently holding onto Eddy's, even as the smaller began to squeeze too tightly. A heavy weight draped over his shoulders as Ed wrapped an arm around his shoulders, the other one coming up to pet Eddy's hair.
Eddy stayed that way for several minutes, small frame wrapped up in the arms of those closest to him. It wasn't until a law enforcement officer walked over to the kneeling teens, his face a blank mask, that Eddy moved slightly, wide blue eyes staring inquisitively at the adult.
The officer knelt down in front of the small group of teens, "Are one of you Eddy Meyer?" the officer asked, voice giving nothing away.
"I am," Eddy coarsely whispered, his petrified eyes never leaving the police officer in front of him, "What happened? Are my parents okay?"
The officer simply nodded before speaking something over his radio. A confirmation came through before the officer answered.
"My name is Officer Evans, I'm a Sergeant with the Peach Creek Police Department." Sgt. Evans began, watching as Eddy's eyes closed in obvious despair, the slight teens frame wracking with an uncontrollable sob. "Can you tell me who the occupants are?"
Eddy sobbed, words unable to form as his anxiety climbed higher and higher. Double D soothingly rubbed circles on Eddy's back with his free hand while Ed continued to pet his hair. Kevin simply held him tightly, whispering words of endearment in an effort to calm the teen.
Several seconds went by before Eddy was able to swallow down another sob, his voice cracking as he spoke, "My parents and I live here."
Sgt. Evans nodded dutifully, "Your parents?"
Eddy nodded, "My mom and dad…"
The officer spoke through his radio again before he turned his attention back to the group of teens.
"Okay. We responded to a domestic violence call," Sgt. Evans began, his voice firm but light, "It appears your mother called in after a fight with your father."
Eddy's breathing grew shallower, dread filling his being.
"Your mother is currently getting medical treatment from our medical personnel. You father has been placed into custody and will be taken to our detention center for holding." The officer explained slowly. Eddy listened intently, his small frame shuttering under the stress of everything.
"They're alive?" Eddy questioned, his lips quivering.
"Yes, both of your parents are alive."
Eddy sobbed an 'thank god' in relief before he broke down sobbing into Kevin's neck. A distorted voice came over the officer's body radio, in which the male confirmed before turning back to the teens.
"Eddy, your mother is going to be taken by ambulance to the hospital to be checked out," Sgt. Evans stated as he stood. He could see the small male's body tighten with concern. "She suffered some minor injuries but they just want to look her over to make sure."
"Can I see her?" Eddy asked, his blue eyes pleading with the adult in front of him. The officer nodded, extending his hand to help Eddy to his feet. Double D and Ed stood back, both faces contorted with worry. Kevin moved to follow Eddy, but the officer refrained him.
"Family only," Sgt. Evans said as he guided Eddy's trembling frame through the sea of police cars and ambulances. As Eddy passed one of the vehicles, his eyes made contact with his father's, who had been detained in the back of one of the cruisers. His father looked furious and a chill crawled up Eddy's spine. Eddy forced his gaze away from those beady eyes, instead focusing on weaving through several personnel before entering his home.
Eddy made it to his living room, where he found his mother being doted on by EMTs. She looked relatively okay, minus the blossoming bruises on her face and arms. He was sure there were some hidden by the woman's nightgown. Eddy slowly approached his mother, who was busy clutching her left wrist in her hand as she answered multiple questions.
"Mom?" Eddy whispered softly, mirror blue eyes turned to look at him.
"Oh, Eddy!" the woman exclaimed, opening her arms, inviting her son into her embrace. Eddy did so carefully, trying his hardest to not aggravate her fresh wounds. His mother was having none of it as she pulled him into her body, her arms tightly gripping her son in relief.
"Are you okay?" Eddy asked his mother as she held onto him tightly.
"I'm fine, Eddy. A little banged up, but I'm okay." She felt Eddy's tears as they began to dampen her shoulder. Eddy's mother kissed her son's cheek in response.
"I was really scared," Eddy said, his words warbling off into sniffles as he held back his sobs. Eddy's mother pulled him from her shoulder and smiled weakly at him.
"Me too," she whispered, before pulling her son back into her. They stayed that way until one of the EMTs came over to collect his mother for transport.
"I'm sorry," Eddy croaked out as they both stood. His mother looked at him in confusion, so he continued, "I should have been here." Eddy desperately whispered.
"No!" Eddy's mother said, voice soft but stern. Eddy looked up wearily at his mother, "It's not your fault, Eddy. Not at all."
Eddy quickly wiped away tears, "I could have stepped in…"
Eddy's mother frowned, "No, you would have just gotten hurt and I would never forgive myself. Eddy, honey," his mother stated as she gently raised his chin, "The only one at fault here is your father. Okay?"
Eddy numbly nodded, "I'm gonna go with you."
Eddy's mother shook her head no, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead to quell the rising fear in her son's eyes.
"You stay with Kevin, he'll keep you safe while I go get looked at and everything settled," his mother said, her lips stretching in a knowing grin. Eddy blushed.
"You… uh… know about… that?" Eddy stumbled over the words. His mother left out a soft chuckle as she kissed his cheek once more.
"Of course I know; a mother always knows," she said cryptically as she moved over to gingerly sit down on the waiting stretcher. EMTs fastened her into it before beginning to wheel her out of the house and into one of the awaiting ambulances. Eddy followed her, giving her one last hug before she was carted into the ambulance.
Eddy stood immobile, watching the ambulance pull away, lights flashing but siren silent. When the bus turned off their street, Eddy finally raked his eyes over the crowd outside his house. Many of the uniformed officers were taking their leave, a parade of police cruisers vanishing into the dark. He could see the neighborhood grouped together, curious eyes watching the happenings around his dwelling. Eddy ignored them, blue eyes searching for his friends through the crowd. He finally spotted them – Kevin was pacing back and forth in agitation, Ed was quietly patting Double D on the back as their nerdy friend twisted his hands in worry.
Eddy silently appeared in front of the trio, just as Kevin murmured a string of curses.
"Guys?" Eddy questioned causing the trio in front of him to center their attention on him simultaneously. Double D gave a weak smile, while Ed looked liked he wanted to pounce on the smaller male but had been told not to previously. Kevin shifted his position, green eyes worrying over his lover.
"Mom's okay," Eddy started, "bruised, but okay."
Double D gave him a hug, before Ed came up behind the two and pulled both of them into a bear hug. Eddy would have protested the treatment, but, feeling drained, he simply allowed the contact. Edd, on the other hand, demanded that Ed put them down, which he did after a lot of coaxing.
Eventually, Eddy sent both of his friend's off, promising to message them as soon as he heard from his mother. Double D and Ed hesitantly left, but not before squeezing the life out of Eddy.
Minutes later, Eddy was sitting on the edge of Kevin's bed once more, his exhausted frame leaning against Kevin.
"Why don't you lie down?" Kevin whispered, his hand running through Eddy's black hair. Eddy hummed in return, sliding his body across Kevin's comforter. Eddy rolled to his side, eyes fluttering close as he felt the red head press against him from behind.
With a gentle peck to the back of his neck, Kevin wrapped his arms around Eddy, and the two fell into a soundless sleep.
LeavesofMyself: Well, there you have it. I wanted to go more in-depth, but for the sake of my own PTSD, I chose not too. I hoped you all enjoyed.