I See Red

by LeavesofMyself

So this fic is basically a place I can deposit my little plot bunnies. Some of the chapters may connect; however, most of them will not. This fic will primarily feature KevxEddy (cause there just isn't enough).

5. I'll Be Good

LeavesofMyself: This is a much darker chapter than my previous ones. Please read at your own risk.

Pairing: OC x Eddy, One-sided Eddy x Kevin, slightest mention of Ed x May

Rating: M

Warnings: TRIGGER WARNING! Domestic abuse/violence, non-con/rape, blood and gore, and false imprisonment

---

Eddy quickly silenced his alarm when it went off at 4:00 AM, so as not to disturb the large male slumbering next to him. Carefully, Eddy slid out from under the covers, moving gently so as not to shift the bed too much. When Eddy made it to his feet, he quietly padded from the room, carefully avoiding the creaking spots in the floorboard.

Eddy made it into the hallway, his hand noiselessly closing his bedroom door behind him. He moved through the dark hallway, not turning on a light until he made it to the kitchen. With the light on, Eddy set about quietly pulling the can of coffee grinds from an overhead cabinet. He carefully prepared the coffee machine, pouring the grounds into their compartment, cautious of spilling any. When the coffee was loaded, Eddy filled the coffee pot with water, before starting the machine. It gave a soft hiss as water bubbled in it. Once satisfied that the machine was doing what it was supposed to, Eddy moved over to the fridge, pulling out a pack of bacon, and a carton of eggs.

Eddy placed his items on the small counter space, before he opened a narrow cabinet to the right of the stove, pulling out a pan. He turned on his gas stove as he lightly placed the pan on the burner.

As soon as Eddy had washed his hands, he began to cook his partner's breakfast. Frying the bacon until it was crisp but still soft, exactly how his partner liked it. Once the bacon was done, Eddy cracked three eggs into the pan, carefully frying them sunny-side up, dutifully flipping them over so as not to break the yoke.

Just as he was finishing cooking the meal, he heard heavy movement in his shared bedroom. Eddy took his cue to reach into another cabinet to grab a plate. Eddy loaded the plate with several slices of the cooked bacon, piling the eggs onto the leftover space.

Eddy walked over to the dingy dinning room table, gently setting the plate at the head of the small table. Eddy walked over and pulled his partner's coffee mug from the drain next to the sink, flipping it over and filling it with coffee. Eddy walked the mug over to the table, placing it just as delicately onto the table as he had the plate.

Eddy heard the bedroom door open, heavy footsteps stomping down the hallway. Eddy had just laid his partner's fork and knife on the table when said man appeared, his burly frame shuffling over to his seat. Eddy quickly placed a napkin next to the bountiful plate, while simultaneously depositing the salt and pepper shaker.

The large man plopped down into his seat, saying nothing to Eddy as he began to tuck into his plated meal. Eddy didn't mind the tense silence, he had grown accustomed to it. The heavyset man chomped away on bacon, pouring a decent amount of pepper onto his eggs before shoving one into his mouth.

Eddy stood quietly in the corner, eyes downcast, refusing to look up from the linoleum floor. Eddy jumped when his partner banged on the table, Eddy quickly grabbing the extra bacon and putting it onto the man's plate.

Eddy placed his empty serving plate into the sink, along with his now cooled off frying pan. Eddy methodically cleaned up his cooking utensils, placing them gently into the drain next to the sink to air dry.

"Do you want me to pack you a lunch?" Eddy quietly asked as he dried his hands on the towel draped over the handle of his stove. The larger man grunted, swallowing down his mouthful, before taking a long sip from his coffee.

"I'm getting lunch with a coworker," the man said, fork scrapping irritatingly against the porcelain plate as he shoveled the last remnants of his breakfast into his mouth.

Eddy nodded, moving to grab the large man's thermos, carefully filling it with coffee before setting it next to his partner's set of keys and wallet.

The large man stood, unceremoniously dumping his plate into the sink before grabbing his wallet and keys, stuffing each into one of the pockets of his jeans.

"I need to go to the store today," Eddy said, his voice lacking any sort of inflation. The man ignored Eddy's statement as he shuffled around the small living room, gathering his jacket and work boots.

When the man continued to ignore Eddy's comment, the small male carefully whispered a soft, "Marcus?"

Marcus continued to ignore Eddy, instead focusing on pulling on and lacing up his steel-toed boots. Eddy moved over to the burly man, gently laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Marcus," Eddy started again, "I need to-"

"I fucking heard you," Marcus sneered as he stood up, shoving Eddy's small frame away from his, causing the young teen to stumble before finding his footing.

Marcus pulled his wallet from his back pocket, opening it and shoving his credit card towards Eddy. Just as Eddy went to take the card, a large hand grabbed his wrist in a punishing grip. Eddy silently winced, but made no noise otherwise.

"No goddamn funny business. You go there, get your shit, and come straight home. Am I fucking clear?" Marcus hissed as he squeezed Eddy's wrist, bruising the flesh beneath his large hand.

Eddy frantically nodded his head, earning him a sharp grunt from the large male as he released his wrist and finally handed over the card. Marcus turned to leave, stopping just before he closed the door, "And clean this goddamn place up; it's a fucking pigsty."

The door slammed shut and Eddy was left alone in his small living room, eyes downcast as he gently rubbed his abused wrist with his other hand.

Turning, Eddy moved silently over to the sink, washing off his partner's plate. Once he set it to dry, Eddy began to do as he was told.

Eddy started by vacuuming what little carpet their dwelling hand, carefully lining up the vacuums lines on the shaggy carpet. Once finished, Eddy dumped the contents of the vacuum into their small, kitchen trash can. He then moved on to mopping his linoleum floors, careful to not leave any streaks on the dulled, white floor.

Hours passed as Eddy slowly, meticulously cleaned his shared dwelling, working hard to trap and get rid of every last speck of dust.

As he worked, Eddy's mind wandered back to how he ended up like this.

---

Eddy had met Marcus in his senior year of high school, the large male being a linebacker on his crush's football team. Marcus was large, both in height and weight. Marcus stood at a dizzying 6'4, his body heavy set as he pushed 300 lbs. Marcus had brown hair that he kept buzzed, and hazel eyes that gleamed fiercely when he was on the field.

At first, Marcus befriended Eddy, who would attend their practices and games often, if only to watch his crush play. The two would joke and laugh together, Marcus openly flirting with him. It had made Eddy feel good, having someone want him.

It wasn't until their senior prom that Eddy gave in – having just had his heart shattered as he spotted his red headed obsession dancing intimately with Nazz, the blonde bombshell and head cheerleader.

Their relationship started off well, the two spending much of their free time together, joking around and genuinely having a good time.

Then it changed one day.

Eddy had been joking with Marcus one night, stating that Marcus was his bitch and that he could make him do whatever he wanted. He meant no offense to that and Marcus had even laughed with their small group of friends. It wasn't until he and Marcus were in the car together, Eddy sitting in Marcus' passenger seat, idling through phone as they left a senior party together, that the atmosphere shifted.

The car had rolled to a stop at a red light and Eddy looked up to ask his partner if he wanted to grab a quick bite to eat. Before the words could leave his mouth, a powerful, closed fist slammed into his face, rocking Eddy back into the car door from the force.

Silence filled the car, Eddy's eyes wide as he quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and nose, feeling blood trickle from one of his nostrils. Eddy quickly grabbed a napkin that had been sitting in one of the cup holders, placing it over his nose and clamping, hoping to stifle the blood flow.

Eddy trembled in his seat, his mind in shock at what just transpired. Eddy's breath quickened, fear pulling adrenaline through his body. Eddy had tears in his eyes as he looked over to the linebacker.

"Who's the fucking bitch?" Marcus sneered, turning through the intersection like nothing had happened. Eddy sat back in his seat, trying desperately to stop the suffocating feeling from taking over.

When Marcus had dropped Eddy off at his house, the brunette forcibly kissed Eddy, aggravating his injuries. Eddy climbed out of the car, mind lost in a daze as he stumbled across the yard to the front door, slipping quietly into the dark house. Eddy moved through his house, up the stairs, and into his bedroom.

Eddy had no sooner shut the door to his bedroom before a sob racked his body, his back sliding down the length of the door as he curled into himself. Eddy's entire body trembled, his breathing shallow as panic and fear gripped him. Eddy gasped for air as he choked on his sobs. His field off vision burst into an array of static-like colors, before it sharply blackened.

Eddy came to minutes later, his body slumped over on the floor. Eddy, after recognizing his surroundings, eventually pulled himself to his feet and walked over to his bed, gingerly laying down as he softly cried himself to sleep.

Marcus began to regularly smack him around after that, the brute uncaring of any bruises he left visible on his body. He left the young teen to fend off the various questions from his friends. He made up so many excuses, but he could tell from some of the pitying looks that others hardly believed him.

Yet, no one came to his rescue as he began to become more and more isolated, Marcus overtly jealous anytime he spent a decent amount of time with someone else, regardless of who they were. He would grow angry anytime the smaller male would start to talk about his friends.

He brutalized Eddy one night as he was given a lift home from a party they had gone to. Eddy had spent most of his time avoiding Marcus, choosing instead to hang out with Ed and Double D in a small corner of the place, the trio lost in a conversation of their upcoming futures.

Marcus had not been amused and drove Eddy to his own place, void of any parental supervision and mercilessly beat Eddy. The small teen had sobbed and pleaded with his partner, begging him to stop as a fist repeatedly pummeled his small frame.

Marcus eventually did stop, before he dragged Eddy's bruised body through his house. Eddy was thrown to the floor of the linebacker's bedroom. As Eddy sobbed into the hardwood beneath him, Marcus grabbed him by his hair, dragged him up and threw his small body onto the bed.

And that's when Eddy found out just how much of a monster the other male was.

Marcus had forced himself onto Eddy, the young teen screaming and begging him to stop. His small arms had shoved at the bulky frame above him, panic setting in when the older teen never budged.

Panicked 'No's' were sobbed over and over again, Eddy fighting desperately to free himself. Marcus had only violently backhanded him, disorienting Eddy long enough to get his way.

Eddy had sobbed a painful scream as the brute shoved in him, tears streaming non stop as he uttered pained noises.

Eddy never stopped begging, even as his body was forcibly rocked with the other's brutal pace. Eddy limply lied there, sobs spilling from his mouth as he was used, defeat setting in.

As Marcus had neared his finish, he had reached down and crushed Eddy's throat in his large hand, cutting off the young teen's air supply.

Eddy had struggled weakly, feebly clawing at the other's hand as it clamped down. Yet, Marcus didn't let go, not until he finished inside the small teen, his hips brutally thrusting into Eddy's abused, bleeding body.

When Marcus was done, he let go of Eddy's neck and climbed off him, using a washcloth next to the bed to clean himself off.

Eddy had stared catatonically up at the ceiling, tears pouring from his eyes as soft, hiccup sobs escaped him, his mind completely shutting the situation out.

Not allowing his mind any peace, Marcus had roughly grabbed his chin, forcing Eddy to look him in the eyes.

"Now you're mine," Marcus had sneered at him, his tone condescending, "No one is gonna want a used up whore. You understand me?"

Marcus had thrown his used washcloth at him, barking at the young teen to, "Clean yourself up."

When Eddy didn't move to follow directions, Marcus had grabbed Eddy by the arms and pulled him off the bed, a scream escaping Eddy's lips as the action caused a wash of agony to claw at him from his lower body.

Eddy shakily stood in the middle of his tormentor's bedroom, trembling hands snaking down to wipe away the blood and cum dripping down the length of his legs.

Eddy was forced to dress in his clothes, dragged to Marcus' car, and driven home. Eddy had stared unseeingly ahead of him, and it wasn't until Marcus grabbed his chin in a bruising grip that Eddy realized he was home. Silence filled the car as Marcus glared at the short male.

"You ever try to leave me, I'll fucking kill you," Marcus had whispered while tenderly brushing his thumb over Eddy's busted lower lip. Eddy nodded, as he slowly exited the vehicle.

Eddy had spent that night huddled on his shower stall's floor, burning hot water pouring over his frame as he heaved into the drain.

---

Eddy pulled himself from his depressing memories as he finished cleaning. Eddy looked around their shared home, a burning feeling of shame engulfing him.

The cul-de-sac kids had all moved on, everyone going off to colleges, beginning their way towards their bright futures. But not Eddy; no, he had been left behind.

Shortly after graduation, Marcus told him they were moving in together. Marcus had bought a single-wide, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom trailer in the trailer park. It was dingy and a bit run down, but it's what Eddy called home now.

Eddy never thought his life would end up like this, trapped in an abusive relationship with a man who would sooner murder him than let him go. At 19, all his friend's lives were beginning to blossom… while his own withered and decayed.

Eddy quietly brushed away a stray tear as it slipped free. With a sniffle, Eddy moved to change his clothes, putting on a baggy pair of sweats and a hoodie. He looked as if he were swimming in his clothes, but Marcus didn't want him showing off any part of his body, and Eddy… he didn't want anyone to see his hidden bruises.

Eddy made his way over to the key rack, grabbing his simple key ring before leaving his dwelling, checking his pocket for his wallet, before he locked the door behind him.

Eddy walked down the few, rickety, wooden steps to the gravel pathway leading over to their pothole-ridden driveway. Eddy moved over to the car door, sticking his key in and unlocking it. Eddy slowly climbed behind the wheel, carefully shutting the door.

The car was old, very old. It's exterior was covered in chipped paint and rusting metal, large dents pushing in the ugly, pale yellow plating.

The interior was covered in mud brown leather, yellow foam padding peaking through the various rips and tears. The dash board was made of a false, panel wood, the dark brown material bubbling with age. The steering wheel was a hideous brown as well, the wheel thin and loose in terms of steering, a byproduct of its time.

Eddy's driver side window was broken, the entire glass falling down into the door if it was shut too hard. His passenger window worked, but it was manual, so it was rarely ever opened.

Eddy pushed the metal key into the ignition, wiggling it back and forth slightly when it jammed. When he finally got the car to turn over, after the third try, Eddy put the car into reverse and backed out of their shifty driveway.

When Eddy pulled onto the road, he kept the car under 45 miles an hour, any more and the damn thing would overheat. His brakes barely worked, his foot having to push the pedal to the floorboard in order to stop his tank of a vehicle.

Eddy never bothered with his seatbelt, the strap on the contraption permanently loosened… to the point it was utterly useless. To be honest, the car was a rolling death trap, but it was the only thing Marcus had ever bought him.

Eddy pulled his loud vehicle into the grocery store parking lot, pulling into a space near the front. Eddy got out of the ancient car, carefully shutting the door and hip-checking it until he heard a faint click.

Eddy went into the store, grabbing a cart on his way in. He spent nearly an hour meandering the store, grabbing what he needed and dropping it into his cart. He picked up things to make several dinners for the next few days.

Eddy finished grabbing his items before he walked over to the self-check-out. Eddy quickly scanned through his items, bagging them together, and paying with Marcus' card.

Eddy was loading his bags into the trunk of his car, when he heard a voice call out his name. Confused, Eddy looked around, his eyes landing on the man walking towards him, a smile stretched over his lips. Eddy felt his heart flutter as he recognized the handsome features of his longtime crush.

"Eddy! Long time no see, pipsqueak," Kevin said, his voice light with surprise and mirth. Kevin eagerly pulled Eddy's tense body into a brief hug, pulling away to pat Eddy on the shoulder.

Eddy gave a small smile, his hands absentmindedly depositing his last bag of groceries into his car, shutting the trunk before he turned his full attention back to the athlete.

"Hey, how's it goin'? Make it to the big time yet?" Eddy teased, causing the taller male to chuckle.

"Nah… not yet. Soon though," Kevin replied, eyes glancing down at Eddy. An awkward silence took over for several seconds before Eddy politely asked Kevin about his semesters at college.

Both Kevin and Double D had ended up going to the same college, the jock on a football scholarship and Edd on an academic one. They ended up rooming together, opting to do so since they knew each other.

Eddy listened as Kevin talked about how his classes were going, how he drove Double D crazy with his wild antics and vice versa. Eddy couldn't help the pang of envy that washed over him as he listened to his crush paint a satisfying, adventurous life.

"What are ya doin' back in Peach Creek?" Eddy asked Kevin as he finally ran out of things to talk about.

"Spring break," Kevin said as he leaned a hand against Eddy's junk car, "Double D's back too."

Eddy minutely nodded, his eyes nervously glancing at the time on his phone. Kevin must have caught onto his body language.

"Anyway, I'll let you get outta here. Oh! Double D and I are gonna grab a bite to eat tomorrow – my repayment for him helping me pass a couple of classes. You should come!" Kevin said. Eddy looked uncomfortable, a small part of him craving the companionship, but a larger part, the one he always gave into, feared Marcus' reaction.

"I don't…" Eddy started to say, but Kevin gently waved off his protest.

"Look, text if ya change your mind," Kevin said as he dug into the several pockets of his cargo shorts. Eventually, Kevin pulled a small, crumbled piece of paper from his pocket, using a worn down pencil to scribble his number down before handing it over to Eddy.

Eddy looked down at the small slip of paper, his stomach twisting in giddiness. Eddy gave a small smile as we waved at the red head, who trekked back to his own car.

Eddy slipped the piece of paper safely into his wallet before he climbed into his death trap, making his way home.

---

Eddy was busy making Marcus' supper, a simplistic meal of grilled brats, cooked on his outdated, barely working Foreman grill, when the roar of Marcus' truck sounded from outside the house. The trucked pulled into the driveway, headlights illuminating their small trailer.

Eddy quickly piled the finished links into their individual buns, before setting them on the table for his partner. Eddy placed a small bowl of sauerkraut and a jar of Dijon Mustard in the center of their small table.

Eddy was just grabbing Marcus a cold beer from the fridge when the large man stormed into the house. He paused momentarily to survey the house, before he dropped his thermos on the counter. He sat down in his chair at the head of the table, his filthy work boots leaving smudges of gunk across Eddy's freshly mopped floor.

Marcus' looked over the spread of food, a sneer stretching over his pudgy cheeks.

"The fuck is this shit?" Marcus growled, causing Eddy to flinch as the man raised his voice.

"It's brats…" Eddy began, but tensed when Marcus' eyes glared over at him. The large man held up a hand, beckoning the smaller male towards him. Eddy quietly moved towards his partner's side, hesitantly leaning forward when the man motioned him to do so.

"Do I look fucking stupid to you?" Marcus bit out, his voice eerily calm. Eddy reared back, unsure what to say.

"Do. I. Look. Stupid. To. You?" Marcus growled out, punctuating every word with a hard shove into Eddy's chest.

"Wha…" Eddy could clearly the man beginning to lose his temper, "No! No!" Eddy said frantically, a shiver of fear racing up his spine.

"The fuck is this then?" Marcus snarled as he stood from the table, "I work all goddamn day to support your worthless ass and you can't even make a decent meal?"

Eddy shuffled back slightly as the towering man began to invade his space.

"I'm sorry," Eddy immediately apologized, "I just thought.."

"Just thought what? You can sit on your lazy fucking ass all goddamn day?" Marcus snarled as he backed Eddy into the kitchen counter, trapping the small male between it and his frame.

Eddy's lower lip trembled, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. It only made Marcus angrier.

"Oh, look! You're gonna fucking cry! That's all you goddamn do!" Marcus was yelling now, his deep baritone voice sounding like steel drums in Eddy's ears. In a fit of rage, the burly man turned towards the small table, grabbing one end and tossing the table to it's side, the contents on the table splattering every which way. Eddy jumped as the sound of dishes crashing echoed through their tiny home.

Marcus stormed back over to Eddy's trembling frame, grabbing the smaller teen's throat, large hand pressed tightly, but not enough to choke. It was a warning.

"When I get home, I expect a decent fucking meal to be on the table. Got it! Not some fucking thing you threw together in 10 minutes! Understand?" Marcus hissed, his face inches away from Eddy's. Eddy numbly nodded his head, but Marcus' simply shook Eddy, his hand clamping a bruising hold on Eddy's chin.

"Say you fucking understand!" Marcus growled.

"I understand." Eddy whispered desperately. Marcus held on for a moment more before releasing Eddy, stomping back over to the front door.

"Clean this shit up!" Marcus had yelled as he slammed the front door, the sound of the large truck revving up and speeding away echoing in the dark night.

Eddy stood in place for a few minutes, trying to calm his trembling frame. Eddy allowed a solo sob to break free before he clenched his teeth, swallowing the rest. Furiously wiping away the sting of his tears, Eddy slowly kneeled down and got to work cleaning up the massive mess.

---

Eddy sat down on his bed, his entire being exhausted. Feeling a lump in his pocket, Eddy pulled out his wallet. He lazily tossed the barren item onto the dresser across from him, the wallet thudding against the edge of the dresser before dropping softly to the floor.

With a small sigh, Eddy stood up and retrieved the fallen item, about to put it on the bulky stand, but a slip of paper untucked itself from one of the slots. Eddy pulled the slip free, realizing it was the one with Kevin's number on it.

Eddy sat back down on his bed, the slip held in one hand, his eyes glued to the numbers. With a rush of adrenaline, Eddy grabbed his outdated phone, quickly sending a message to the number.

Eddy: Hey.

When no answer came for several minutes, Eddy felt stupid and was about to put his phone away when it's quietly pinged.

Kevin: ?

Oh… Oh, yeah! Kevin wouldn't know his phone number. Feeling a little silly, Eddy answered the text.

Eddy: It's me. Eddy.

Kevin: Pipsqueak!

Eddy: Don't call me pipsqueak… I'm not that short anymore.

Kevin: lol Nah… still pretty short to me. What are ya 5'3?

Eddy snorted in amusement, mentally giving the red head the middle finger.

Eddy: I'm 5'6.

Eddy allowed a short giggle to himself, his mood beginning to lighten the longer he talked to Kevin. They bantered back and forth for several more minutes, each new text pulling a small smile from Eddy.

Kevin: So, what's up?

Eddy paused, not entirely sure why he reached out to his crush. He knew the consequences of talking to… anyone. For some reason though, his sheer need for regular, human contact outweighed his encompassing fear of what Marcus would do to him. He knew it wouldn't be remotely pleasant, but his soul was so, so lonely.

Eddy: I thought about your offer.

Kevin: Oh yeah? Ya comin'?

Eddy: Do you think you could pick me up?

Kevin: Yeah! I'll be there around 2? Sound good?

Eddy felt giddiness in his dead soul, the feeling bringing with it a warmth he hadn't felt in years. Sending back a confirmation and his address, Eddy placed his phone back on his charger.

Eddy pulled back the covers on his bed, crawling under them and curling into a small ball. Eddy turned off the room's light, his body falling sleep within minutes, his dreams no longer terrorizing him as he slept.

Eddy quickly pulled on a tight pair of jeans. He's only worn this pair once before, Marcus banning the jeans from public spaces once he saw how well they hugged his frame. Eddy had to admit, it was a little thrilling to be wearing them again.

Eddy dug through his closet, pushing past several hoodies to reach the right one. It was still a hoodie (Eddy practically lived in them), but this one was in his actual size. The hoodie stopped just at his waist, the long, grey arms loose but not baggy enough to make him look like a child playing dress up. The hoodie was adorned with a graffiti teddy bear, the inside of the bear blending multiple colors.

Eddy walked into the bathroom, slicking his tousled hair back into a somewhat presentable style. Eddy quickly grabbed his phone and his wallet, moving to put on his nicest pair of tennis shoes.

Eddy heard the loud sports car before he saw it, the engine purring as it accelerated down his street. He quickly grabbed his key ring before he dashed out the door, stopping only long enough to lock the door.

Eddy swiftly moved over to the shiny, black car to get in. As soon as he was safely buckled into his seat, Kevin pulled out of his uneven driveway, before flooring it out of the trailer park.

Kevin and Eddy chatted back and forth, the red head never breaking his focus as he shifted gears, weaving the sleek car in and around slower traffic.

"You suck at driving." Eddy said as Kevin narrowly slid by two cars, speeding up as the road opened up in front of him.

"You drive like an old lady." Kevin retorted, a grin spreading across his lips as Eddy balked.

"I do not!" Eddy said defensively, the urge to flip the red head off rising but he squashed it down.

"Dude! I saw you leaving the grocery store yesterday!" Kevin said, his car slowing to a hard stop at a red light, "I think a snail moved faster than you."

Kevin laughed at Eddy's indigent face, the smaller male unconsciously puffing his cheeks in irritation.

"Not all of us have fancy sports cars!" Eddy said, his hand coming up to grip the door handle as Kevin accelerated a little too quickly.

"Speaking of that… the fuck are you driving? It's looks a fossil from the prehistoric age." That got a chuckle out of Eddy, the short teen unable to refute the claim.

"Don't pick on my car," Eddy laughed quietly, Kevin shrugging his shoulders dismissively.

"Why? Am I gonna hurt its feelings?" Kevin answered, his car slowing, pulling into a slightly crowded parking lot once there was a break in the traffic.

"I don't know… Maybe!" Eddy started as Kevin whipped into a parking space rather quickly, "It's a sensitive car."

Kevin laughed at that, his hand shifting his car into park, then engaging the parking brake. Kevin's green eyes looked around the parking lot and, not seeing what he wanted, he pulled out his cellphone and quickly sent a text. A few seconds later, Kevin got a confirmation ping and he began to get out of the vehicle, promptly Eddy to do the same

"Double Dweeb is inside already." Kevin said as he joined Eddy on the passenger side of the car, waiting for the smaller male to get to his feet, shutting the car door behind him.

"You still call him that?" Eddy asked, as he and Kevin walked into the establishment, the taller male looking around for a familiar figure.

"Eh… It just kind of stuck," Kevin absentmindedly said, his eyes finally landing on Edd at a table towards the back of the restaurant, seated right next to a big window.

"Uh huh… and he just let's you call him that?" Eddy's voice dubious as his face twisted with skepticism.

"More or less," Kevin said as he lead the shorter male to Edd. The smaller followed silently, his heart quickening as anticipation overwhelmed him. The last time he spoke to Double D was two years ago at graduation. Ed and Double D had asked to do a picture together, just the three of them. Eddy had declined as Marcus hovered over his shoulder. Edd had seemed genuinely upset, his mouth pulled down in a disapproving smile, while Ed cried for Eddy, telling him 'don't go'. Eddy walking away from his two friends that day was hardest thing he's done in his short life.

"Double Dweeb! My man," Kevin said as he finally reached the table.

"Kevin, I have asked you, repeatedly, not to call me that." Double D said as he looked up from his phone. Light blue eyes shifted behind the tall jock, honing in on Eddy's small frame.

Eddy offered a small smile, his hand coming up to wave shyly at his best friend.

"Eddy," Double D said curtly, his eyes going back to his phone. Eddy wouldn't lie, the dismissal from Edd stung, a lot. But, Eddy had become used to hiding behind a complacent mask, so the wound never showed.

Kevin slid into the booth opposite of Edd, Eddy awkwardly lingering as he was torn on where to sit. His decision was made for him when Double D looked up at him again, lithe finger pointing across from him.

Eddy took the silent cue, seating himself across from Edd and next to Kevin, his eyes automatically staring down at the table. When the waitress came by, they placed their drink orders, Kevin going with a soda and both Edd and Eddy opting for water.

Minuets later, their drinks were placed in front of them, the waitress asking if they were ready to order.

Kevin had ordered some monstrosity of a burger while Edd had ordered a pasta dish. When the waitress got to Eddy, he quietly mumbled that he would just take a house salad, easy on the dressing.

It wasn't until the waitress walked away that Eddy noticed the other two were staring at him.

"What?" Eddy asked, shifting uncomfortably under their scrutinizing stares.

"You sure you just want a salad?" Kevin questioned, Eddy mutely nodding his head, blue eyes avoiding his companions' gazes.

"Ya sure? It's my treat, so you can get whatever," Kevin continued, only for Eddy to weakly smile at the offer.

"I'm fine… just… watching my weight," Eddy mumbled. Doubt clouded Kevin's eyes, but red head pushed no further. Eddy inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, as the subject was dropped.

What else was he supposed to say? He couldn't very well tell them the truth: that Marcus' controlled that aspect of his life as well.

Marcus' had taken to belittling him for his weight. Callously calling him a 'fat ass' every chance he got; telling him that he was a 'worthless pig'. Eddy had always been self conscious of his weight, so when Marcus kept throwing it in his face… it stung.

But that wasn't enough for Marcus; no, he had to really fuck up Eddy's mind. The insults and slurs evolved into Marcus denying Eddy any sort of food, sometimes for days on end, in an effort to break the shorter male and make him more complacent.

Marcus made Eddy believe he was truly worthless… not even worth a slice of bread.

"Eddy…?" Eddy quickly shook his dark thoughts away as he refocused on the conversation at hand.

"Uh…. Wha?" Eddy asked, his two companions staring him down.

"I asked what ya been up to?" Kevin said as he took a sip from his soda. Eddy tensed…

'What am I supposed to say? Life's swell? I mean, I'm only beaten everyday and the sex is… painful… but hey! I'm alive?' Eddy thought darkly to himself. As the seconds continued to drag on, Kevin raised an eyebrow in question.

"Not much," Eddy finally lied, a tense, false smile stretching over his lips.

"Oh! Eddy tell ya he's got his own place?" Kevin said to Edd, who look neither interested nor as if he cared. "You live there alone?"

"No," Eddy somewhat whispered, his blue eyes falling to the table, unable to look at the other two.

"I live with Marcus…" Eddy mumbled, feeling his cheeks flush in shame.

"I see; so the two of you are still together then." Double D muttered, his tone clipped, making Eddy flinch.

Eddy stopped talking after that; instead, he sat in silence, listening to the other duo banter back and forth.

'They've gotten close.' Eddy couldn't help but think, the sting of tears pricking his eyes, but he furiously blinked them away.

When their food arrived, the trio fell into a mutual silence as they started into their meals. Kevin ruthlessly attacking his overly thick burger, while Edd politely polished off his pasta. Eddy mostly pushed his salad around on his plate, taking a bite when it felt like the other two were watching him.

As they finished and their plates were removed, Eddy's still mostly full, Kevin excused himself to the restroom, leaving Edd and Eddy at the table alone.

Double D had changed quite a bit. He was taller now… but then again, they all were. He no longer wore his signature beanie, instead opting to pull his long, black locks into a ponytail. Edd had filled out a bit more, no longer looking rail thin; he had some definition about his muscles. His friend wore a light blue button up shirt and black slacks… He looked good.

"So… um… How ya been, Sockhead?" Eddy questioned, realizing that Edd looked a little miffed to be called by that particular childhood nickname.

"As well as ever, Eddy." Double said curtly, his attention going to his phone.

"So… have ya heard from Ed?" Eddy tried, hoping to catch his friends attention. Edd huffed in irritation, setting his phone down a little harder than Eddy was expecting.

"Let's forego the pleasantries, Eddy," Double D started, his mouth drawn down in a frown, "It's been clear from your two years of silence that we are no more than acquaintances at this point."

Eddy felt his heart break; he had never anticipated this sort of reaction from the usually level-headed teen.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" Eddy started, his voice growing a little more desperate.

"That's just it, Eddy! You never mean to do anything. Yet, you still do it." Edd said, his eyes stern and staring at him with same look Marcus gave him.

"No!... I mean… Let me explain!" Eddy said, his voice trembling as he tried to reason with his best friend.

"Explain what? That you dropped Ed and I as soon as you got yourself a boyfriend?" Edd was seething, Eddy could see it and it crushed his soul to know it was because of him, "News flash, Eddy! You're a horrible, selfish person and have always been that way."

Eddy stared wide-eyed at Edd, his mouth opening and closing several times, words trying to escape but nothing did.

"You… you don't understand…" Eddy whispered, his voice breaking from his distress.

"I understood your absence well enough!" Edd hissed, his light blue eyes glaring at Eddy.

Just as Eddy opened his mouth to beg for forgiveness, a non-too-gentle knock came from the window next to them. The duo startled, as did some of the other diners. Eddy looked over and felt his heart stop. His eyes widened in absolute terror as he stopped breathing.

Marcus stood on the other side of the window, his large silhouette draping the two in an overbearing shadow. His hazel eyes glared at Eddy, the man's frame tense from obvious displeasure.

"Isn't that Marcus?" Double D questioned, his eyes glancing back at the short male. Eddy had gone white as a ghost, his body trembling, as he sucked in panic breaths.

"Eddy?" Double D said, his face morphing into one of slight concern as he watched the smaller male fall apart.

"I have to go," Eddy whispered, his voice dripping in fear. Edd frowned reaching out to grab Eddy's arm as he moved to slid out of the booth.

The two stared at one another for a moment before Marcus banged harshly on the other side of the glass, his action causing the restaurant full of patrons to look over to see what was happening.

"I'm sorry," Eddy sobbed as he pulled away, quickly sliding out of the booth, power-walking through the restaurant and out the front doors, not stopping as two different voices called his name, one in confusion, the other in concern.

Eddy walked around the side of the establishment, speed slowing the closer he got to the furious male. When Eddy was close enough, Marcus grabbed Eddy by his bicep, practically dragging the smaller male over to his truck.

"Get your fucking ass in the truck." Marcus said, his voice calm and even but eyes promising pain. Eddy quickly scrambled into the truck, trembling hands finding it difficult to latch his seatbelt.

When Marcus climbed into the driver's seat, he started the truck and quietly pulled out into traffic.

"Just wait until I get you home."

---

Kevin came back from the restroom just in time to see Eddy's small form dart out of the front doors.

"Eddy!" Kevin shouted, trying to draw the other's attention but to no avail.

Kevin made his way over to their occupied booth, standing at the edge of the table as both he and Double D watched as Marcus non-too-gently dragged Eddy across the parking lot before shoving the smaller teen into the oversized truck.

Kevin slid back into his booth as he watched the truck pull out into the road and disappear in the congested traffic.

"What's all that about?" Kevin asked as he gave the waitress his credit card as she came by to deliver the bill.

"I don't know," Edd said, his mouth formed in a tense frown.

---

Marcus whipped the truck into their driveway, quickly shutting off the engine and climbing out. Eddy sat motionless in the passenger seat, tears of sheer panic stinging his eyes. The passenger door was ripped open as Eddy undid his seatbelt before he was violently pulled from the truck.

Eddy was pulled across their tiny yard and into their trailer, where he was immediately thrown to the ground. Eddy scrambled away from the burly man as he stormed over to his crumbled frame.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait" spilled like a prayer from Eddy's lips, but it went unanswered. A large hand came crashing down, backhanding Eddy until his small body collapsed onto its side from the force. Eddy's lip split from the impact, the taste of copper filling his mouth.

Marcus pulled Eddy to his feet, before he tossed his small frame into the corner of the kitchen counter, a cry of pain bursting from Eddy's lips as his side bruised from the impact. Eddy was scrambling to his feet as his partner reached him.

Marcus twisted his hands into Eddy' black locks hard enough to pull several strands of hair loose. The large man turned the shorter male in his grip, before shoving Eddy, making him trip backwards, over the coffee table, and ending up sprawled out on the floor.

Marcus unbuckled his belt as he stomped over to Eddy's prone figure.

"Marcus! Wait! I can explain! Please, stop!" Eddy stuttered, his eyes blown wide with wild fear. Marcus said nothing as he striped his belt off, towering about Eddy's shaking frame.

Without a word, Marcus swiftly brought down his belt, buckle first, with brutal strength. A cry echoed throughout their trailer, followed by another, and another as Marcus repeatedly beat Eddy with his belt, the buckle making a metallic thud as it slammed against Eddy's body.

"Stop," Eddy sobbed as he curled into himself in an effort to minimize the damage, "You're hurting me."

Marcus only beat him harder, putting some of his body weight into each blow. Eddy could do nothing by flinch and cry out from each impact made to his body.

It felt like hours but when Marcus finally stopped delivering his blows, Eddy sobbed in agony. Eddy laid on their shaggy carpet for several moments, his bruised, bloody, beaten body curled into a small ball.

Eddy teetered on the edge of consciousness, his vision swimming as soft, choking sobs left him. Eddy felt Marcus grab him by a foot and drag his abused body through the hallway and into their bedroom.

Eddy screamed himself hoarse until several hours later, when he finally blacked out.

---

When Eddy came to, every fiber of his being impossibly ached. His dull eyes stared upwards at the ceiling as several shuttering breaths filled his lungs. Eddy shifted slightly but a bulky frame was pressing him into the filthy sheets below him.

Marcus gave a tired grunt from above him, causing Eddy to still. Tears leaked from his eyes as his memories surfaced.

Marcus had raped him… repeatedly. His force so brutal that Eddy could barely move his lower body without white-hot agony searing his insides at every little twitch. Eddy knew he had bled; he could still feel the warm trickle leaking from his body as he laid there.

Marcus had passed out on top of him; his heavy frame squashing Eddy and trapping him in place. Eddy shifted, a choked sob of torture escaping his lips into the quiet room. Regardless of his anguish, Eddy managed to pull most of his body from underneath the brute before he woke up.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going," Marcus grumbled sleepily, his eyes barely open but, at the same time, his large hand crushing Eddy's arm.

"Bathroom," Eddy hoarsely replied, Marcus hanging on for a few more moments before releasing the smaller male, rolling over, and going back to sleep.

Eddy's naked frame managed to get to its feet, frame hunched over as it felt like molten fire was moving through his insides. Eddy stumbled towards the bathroom, his gait heavy with a limp. A trail of blood drops followed his brutalized body.

When Eddy reached the bathroom, he quietly shut the door as he turned the light on. He didn't want to do it, but he turned his broken gaze towards the mirror, a hand immediately came up to stifle his cry as his tears flowed freely.

Eddy's body was battered, covered in blossoming bruises from the belt buckle. His wrists were colored darkly from where Marcus has physically held him down on the bed as he violated him. Large, darkening bruises adorned his cheek, his lip split, dried blood staining his chin.

As Eddy's blue eyes traversed lower on his body, a mixture of a sob and a dry heave escaped him. His thighs were darkened with bruises, blood and semen staining nearly his entire lower body. Eddy heaved again as he continued to watch his blood run in a small river down the inside of his leg, making a small pool at his bare feet.

Not being able to take it, Eddy moved as fast as his vandalized body would allow him, dropping to his knees in front of the toilet before retching up what little stomach contents he had. He stayed that way for several minutes, his body wracked with his dry heaving, spit and snot dripping from his face into the toilet water.

When Eddy had nothing left to give, he sat back on his knees, reaching for a wad of toilet paper to wipe his face with. Once clean, he threw the used paper into the porcelain bowl, flushing its contents soon after.

When he was able to, Eddy stood, slowly, ignoring the searing pain shooting through his abdomen. Refusing to think about anything anymore, Eddy numbly reached for a washcloth and proceeded to remove as much evidence of his torture as possible.

Twenty minutes later and Eddy was standing just beyond the doorframe of their bedroom, his dulled eyes gazing at the large lump underneath the covers. His skin crawled at the thought of climbing in beside his tormentor. He knew he would end up lying in the mixture of his own blood and Marcus' semen, the thought alone threatening to tear another heave from his tired body.

He wasn't sure if his flight or fight instincts kicked in, or if the sheer desperation to escape drove him, but he limped over to his dresser, carefully sliding open one of the drawers. He cautiously glanced back, watching as the larger male's chest rhythmically inflated and exhaled in the other's slumber. Eddy pulled out a pair of sweats, gingerly pulling them on over his body, his eyes glued to Marcus' sleeping frame.

Once the waistband of the sweats were over his hips, he quickly looked around the floor of their bedroom and picked up a hoodie that looked like it was his. Eddy slowly lowered the article of clothing over his head, eyes glancing around the room, spotting his phone and wallet on the bedside table.

Eddy quietly crept over to the bed, his breath hitching anytime the floorboards made a noise. Five slow, agonizing minutes passed as Eddy finally made it to the table, grabbing his belongings and turning tail, feet delicately tip-toeing from the room.

Just as Eddy made it their bedroom door, he accidentally stumbled when he placed his weight down wrong, causing roaring agony to lace up his spine. In his stumble, Eddy's foot managed to press on a rather loud spot on their floor, the old beams giving a long, low groan as it shifted under the added weight.

Eddy quit breathing, his eyes glancing back over his shoulder in sheer terror. He locked eyes with Marcus, who had quietly sat up in their filthy bed, his hard eyes glaring lifelessly at Eddy's beaten frame.

Eddy swallowed shallow breaths as adrenaline and fear coursed through his body. The small male froze in place as the other male stood from the bed, his bulky frame towering over Eddy's own petite one.

Blindly, Eddy bolted, adrenaline washing out the overwhelming agony surging through his lower body. He moved as fast as he could, quickening slightly when the thunderous steps of his partner could be heard from behind him.

Just as Eddy reached the front door, he managed to open it just a crack before a large hand slammed it closed again. Eddy stood there, entire body trembling as he fought back the panic taking hold. Eddy pulled at the door several times in desperation, knowing full well that Marcus would never let him out.

"Just let me go," Eddy said, his voice wavering in defeat, "Please… please… just let me go."

Marcus said nothing, one of his large hands gripping Eddy's covered bicep as he gently led the shaking male into their tiny kitchen. Marcus pushed the smaller teen into the counter, his free hand opening a drawer and reaching inside.

"You wanna go?" the brute questioned as he pulled free a large butcher knife. A terrified sob escaped Eddy as his blue eyes followed the weapon.

"Please…" Eddy sobbed, leaning away from the blade's sharp edge as it was carelessly dragged across exposed skin. Eddy's breathing became labored as Marcus drew the tip of the blade down his torso, using the blade to lift the saggy hoodie until cold steel met skin.

"I'll let you go," the large male said, his voice deathly calm as lifeless eyes gazed down at him. The blade pressed into Eddy hard enough for the tip of the blade to pierce the skin.

"Wait… wait, wait, wait…" Eddy hiccupped, his voice catching in his throat as his hands clasped on the other male's bulkier frame when the knife slipped deeper into Eddy's body. A strangled gasp left Eddy, his knees threatening to give out as the knife pushed deeper.

"The only way you're leaving me," Marcus said as he twisted the knife just a tad, a choked noise coming from deep within Eddy, "Is in a fucking body bag."

The threat was backed up by Marcus sharply jabbing the blade into Eddy's body, causing a horrified yell to fill the silence.

"No, please, no…. No, no, no, no" Eddy whispered on repeat, his entire frame tense, waiting for the blade to impale him.

"So, you don't want to leave, right?" Marcus asked, his hand neither pulling the knife from his body nor pushing it deeper. Eddy frantically shook his head, feeling the cold steel inside his body twist a little more.

"You want to stay here."

"Yes," Eddy frantically whispered as the steel blade pushed just a bit further into his body in warning.

"Good, now say you love me." Marcus hissed, his soulless eyes sending shivers down Eddy's spine. When Eddy said nothing for several minutes, Marcus pushed the blade further, an inch of the cold steel already embedded into his skin.

"Yes!... Yes… Fuck!" Eddy was beginning to hyperventilate, the action causing more stress to his wounded abdomen.

"Fuck! I love you… I love you… I love you…" the small male chanted as the blade was driven deeper into his body. Marcus paused, the blade now another inch deeper than what it was. Eddy could feel his warm blood bubble to the surface, leaking around the smooth edges of the knife to spill down his stomach and collect at the waistline of his pants.

"Now gimmie a kiss," Marcus deadpanned, Eddy not hesitating to do so. The small male stood on the tips of his toes, causing the knife to jostle inside of him as he placed a timid peck to the brute's chapped lips.

"Like you fucking mean it," Marcus hissed, his hand repeatedly pulling and pushing the knife into Eddy's body in a fluid motion, his gesture a warning.

Eddy frantically leaned up and kissed Marcus, ignoring the way the cold steel violated his body at his movement. Marcus controlled the kiss, his cold eyes open the entire time, glaring down at Eddy as he forced his tongue into the small male's mouth. Eddy didn't pull away, though; he pushed more into the kiss, fiercely dueling with Marcus in a one-sided tango.

When Marcus pulled away, he slowly, yet deliberately, pulled the knife from Eddy's trembling body. Eddy gave a strangled gasp as it pulled free, his hand automatically coming up to catch his blood as it spilled out. Marcus looked over the bloody tip, as if memorized by it's gory display.

Marcus wiped the blade on Eddy's hoodie, watching the way it darkened as a trail was smeared across it. The brute tossed the large knife on the counter before forcibly dragging Eddy back to their bedroom, even as the small male weakly protested, saying he needed to bandage his wound. Marcus ignored him, shoved Eddy's weakened frame into their filthy bed, before trapping him there with an arm slung over his waist.

Eddy quietly cried himself to sleep, his dreams full of torment and mockery as he slept.

---

Eddy picked up the worn, blue towel from the floor, where Marcus had left it, and timidly slung it over their shower rod. The action drew a pained hiss from Eddy as he did so, the wound on his abdomen just barely beginning to heal.

Eddy limped from the damp bathroom, his gait heavy with unseen agony. It had been 2 days… 2 days since Marcus tortured Eddy for hours, only to finish the evening off with a threat against his life.

Marcus had to leave for out-of-town work, something he hadn't been thrilled about, especially since it meant leaving Eddy home alone, unsupervised. So, in order to avoid that, Marcus had set in motion a little assurance that his partner would be amiable and listen to him. The large, burly man had gone to one of their local hardware stores, purchasing a heavy-duty, lengthy chain.

He got it for Eddy.

Marcus had chained Eddy to the house. He had wrapped one end of the chain around an exposed pipe in the utility closet next to their bedroom; the other end wrapped tightly around Eddy's right foot, a padlock holding it in place. The brute had left just enough give in the chain for Eddy to comfortably go into the bathroom and bedroom, as well as partially into their living room. The chain had not been long enough to get into the kitchen, Marcus' way of weakening the smaller teen.

The older male was going to be gone for roughly 3 to 4 days, depending on how his work went. Eddy was thrilled by his partner's absence, if only so he could get a little reprieve.

That's how Eddy found himself laying on his side on one of their couches, the heavy weight of the chain pulling uncomfortably at his ankle. Despondent, glassy eyes stared into nothing, his head resting lightly on a pillow that had been propped up by his right arm.

He had been in that same position for several hours now, his ankle swelling slightly from the poor circulation. Eddy's hollowed eyes stared hauntingly at the peeling wooden paneling of the walls of his makeshift prison, his thoughts running at a million miles per minute but ultimately going nowhere.

Eddy's phone lay on the rickety coffee table in front of the couch, the young teen braking his trance long enough to answer the seemingly unending phone calls from Marcus, always checking in to make sure he was still held prisoner within his own home. A short conversation, a snapping of a photo of his surroundings, and video of the chain holding him in place played on repeat, every couple of hours, without fail.

When the phone rang for the seventh time that day, Eddy mindlessly reached out and answered it, never once glancing at the caller ID.

"Hello," Eddy whispered in greetings, his voice flat and almost dead-like.

"You know the drill." Came the clipped voice of Marcus on the other end of the phone. The line quickly died as Eddy complied with the brute's command. He took a photo of the living room that he had been lying in for hours before he switched his outdated phone to video. He quickly made work of taking video of his chained appendage, hand jiggling the padlock to show it was still in place. Eddy slowly stood and followed the length of the chain until he reached the utility closet, opening the already cracked door to show the other end of the heavy chain, wrapped several times around a pipe with another lock in place. For good measure, Eddy weakly reached out a hand and tugged on the other end of the chain, yanking it a few times in proof that it had not been tampered with.

Eddy quickly sent both the photo and the short clip to Marcus, receiving nothing in reply. Eddy sullenly made his way back to his chosen perch, weak arms wrapping tightly around himself in an effort to soothe his broken soul.

Tired, blue eyes closed as a makeshift illusion blossomed before him… A life where he genuinely smiled and was surrounded by his friends… people who cared for his wellbeing. He was free… He was loved… It was a life worth living.

Yet, when blue eyes opened, the dim, depressing interior of his dingy home met him. Silent tears leaked as a dead soul wept.

Eddy's beaten body curled into itself as he watched all his dreams wash away in the stark reality that had become his world. He would find no peace that night, even as his exhausted frame gave itself to the sharp blackness.

He found only torment and hollowed words as he slumbered, his silent tears still streaming down his pallid cheeks.

---

When Eddy awoke, it wasn't to the horrid sound of his choppy ringtone, but to the authoritative knock coming from his front door. Eddy's blue eyes blinked tiredly before shifting over to look at his front door as if it was some sort of foreign object.

The knock came again, the repeated thudding vibrating the wooden door in it's frame softly. Eddy simply stared, knowing full well that he was absolutely forbidden from answering the door. And he wouldn't have… if a familiar voice hadn't called out to him from the other side.

Eddy, slowly, meandered off the couch, his abdomen racing with pain that he dutifully ignored. Hobbling over to the front door, Eddy stood in front of the barrier to his freedom, every ounce of his will urging him to open the door and run… but the familiar feeling of desolate despair kept it closed.

Barren blue eyes watched the door vibrate in its housing once more as the voice called out to him. Silently, Eddy's right arm lifted, his bruised palm grabbing the door handle before he stopped moving.

'Is it even worth it?' Eddy solemnly thought to himself as he lifted his hand once more so that it hovered over the handle.

Could he even be saved?

It was an absolutely depressing thought, but it felt true nonetheless. Had he been too damaged from the years of abuse? Was he too broken?

Was there anything left to save?

Eddy silently dropped his hand to his side, hollowed eyes staring at the door as it vibrated in its housing once more. Eddy's arms wrapped around himself in a false hug and he took a step away from the door. And then another.

Eddy turned away from his front door, mind too shattered to fathom that he could escape and live a perfectly normal, happy life… that he could gain his freedom.

His small frame made it back to the couch, laying his tired body down, pained blue eyes shutting to close out his world.

This is what he was worth.

---

"He's not answering," Kevin said, frustrated as he knocked harshly on the door once more. Green eyes turned sharply to look into light blue ones as a huff of annoyance left the red head's mouth.

"We have to keep trying!" Edd urged as he stood just behind Kevin, at the bottom of the rickety, wooden steps.

Kevin frowned, "Are you sure? Doesn't seem like he's home."

Edd nodded, "We have to make sure he's okay."

"What makes you think he isn't?" Kevin asked as he outright banged on the door.

"It's just… Marcus seemed really upset, and Eddy… He looked petrified." Edd began as he twisted his hands in anxious energy, "It looked like Marcus was being overly rough with Eddy." Double D had nearly whispered the last part, as if admitting it aloud would confirm his many suspicions.

Double D had always thought there was something off with Eddy's relationship with Marcus, something foul. He had tried to confront Eddy many times, but the shorter male would dismiss his concerns so nonchalantly that Edd had backed off.

'I should have tried harder.' Edd thought to himself as he told Kevin to just try the door knob: if Eddy wouldn't come to them, they would go to Eddy.

"He did seem overly aggressive with the pipsqueak." Kevin muttered under his breath. The red head attempted to turn the handle, only for it to lock in place almost immediately. For good measure, Kevin tugged on the handle several more times before he turned toward Double D, his expression pure exasperation

Edd's frowned deepened before his eyes examined the surroundings of the door. Double D moved several objects, tipping over others in an effort to locate what he was looking for. Kevin only watched in confusion until Edd pulled up a little ceramic pot with a dead plant in it, a bright smile stretching over his features as he grabbed his sought after item.

"Eureka!" Edd exclaimed as he handed over the silver key to Kevin.

"How'd ya know there would be a spare?" Kevin asked as he turned around and began to unlock the door.

"Eddy always had a habit of forgetting his keys, so his parents eventually put a spare key under their rug for him." Double D said, a genuine smile stretching over his face at the memories that surfaced.

The door finally made a click as Kevin turned the key in its housing, the flimsy wooden door popping loose from its frame as the jock turned the handle.

---

Dead blue eyes opened at the sound of his front door unlatching, the old hinges groaning loudly as the flimsy piece of wood was pushed open. He tilted his head, eyes locking onto the intruders.

He simultaneously heard a mortified gasp and a harsh curse from the duo who forced themselves into his dwelling.

"Edd? Kevin?" Eddy whispered in a broken voice as he sat up, a pained groan leaving him as doing so aggravated his internal injuries.

Eddy opened his eyes, he wasn't sure when they had closed again, to find a concerned Edd kneeling in front of him, his wide eyes staring in horror at his naked, bruised thighs.

'Oh yeah… I'm not wearing pants.' Eddy thought to himself as he tugged on his overly baggie shirt, pulling the edge down until it covered his boxers and, more importantly, most of his thighs.

"E-Eddy…" was the only thing Double D whispered, his hands reaching out to touch him but pausing before making contact, afraid to trigger anything in the young teen.

"What are ya doing here?" Eddy questioned, his voice barely audible as he flinched when the chain trapping him was lifted, examined, and then harshly dropped.

"We came to check on you," Kevin roughly said as he dropped down to his knees, hands gingerly inspecting the entangled metal twisting its way around Eddy's ankle. Calloused hands reached out, fingers drifting over the heavy weight of the padlock, a frown marring his features.

"Check of me?" Eddy repeated, his voice soft but deadpanned. Eddy heard more than saw his crush stand and follow the chain towards the back of the trailer, a loud curse echoing from down the hall.

Eddy felt fingers lightly press his bruised cheek, forcing blue eyes to lock with his friends tearful ones. Eddy lightly leaned into the touch, a warmth blossoming in his chest.

That warmth was promptly frozen over when his pitchy ringtone sounded through the trailer, the small phone vibrating across the coffee table as it rang. Eddy didn't need to look at the caller ID; he knew who was on the other end of that call.

"I'm fine," Eddy frantically said as he pushed Double D away from him, a broken smile on his lips.

"I'm okay, but you should go." Eddy said as he pushed Edd towards the entrance, the haunted, nervous smile never leaving his lips, "Marcus will get angry."

Edd started mortified as Eddy pushed him away, the young teen expressing more concern for him rather than his own wellbeing. Edd lunged forward, just as Eddy grabbed ahold of his ringing phone, one of his hands enclosing around Eddy's. Edd starred pleasingly at Eddy, using what little strength he had to keep the young teen from answering his phone.

The duo remained locked in a stalemate, Eddy's hand grasped in Double D's as both hovered over the ringing phone.

Tears sprang to Eddy's eyes, his breathing growing slightly more labored as he listened to his ringtone repeat again and again, until the device fell quiet.

"Double D," Eddy said shakily as his phone started up again, a choked sob escaping him as he tried to pull his hand away. Edd refused to let go; instead, Double D grabbed the offending item and chucked it across the room, the small device slamming hard against opposite wall before clattering to the ground.

"Edd!" Eddy screamed, horrified, his small frame weakly fighting to race over to his phone and answer it. Instead, he found himself pressed into the lithe frame of his best friend, lean arms wrapping around him and holding him tightly.

"Your safe now, Eddy; he can't hurt you anymore." Double D whispered firmly into his ear, Eddy's eyes widening as tears formed small rivers down his cheeks.

Eddy's resolve shattered, his hollow shell caving as sobs of sheer anguish escaped him, small hands coming up to twist into Edd's black dress shirt, his face pressing tightly into his friend's chest to muffle his sobs. They stayed that way for several minutes, only pulling away when the smaller teen choked back his sobs, hands reaching to furiously wipe away his tears.

"Get me outta here, Sockhead." Eddy demanded as they pulled apart, his attention turning to the jock who came back into the small living room.

"We're gonna have to break the chain," Kevin said as he closed in on Edd and Eddy.

"How?" Edd asked as he glanced down at the overly thick chain, "The chain is too big to get through."

"Can you break the pipe?" Eddy questioned softly as several sniffles left him, his hands still wiping back tears as they came, "In the utility closet… Can we break that?"

Kevin looked thoughtful for a moment, his mind working out several different scenarios before the red head frowned, his head shaking negatively. Edd made a sound of frustrated anger as Eddy's shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Do you have anything to get through the padlock?" Double D questioned, watching as Eddy's frame tensed when the distorted sound of his ringtone played in the background.

"There's a hammer in the drawer to the right of the fridge." Eddy offered up as he glanced nervously over at his phone that was still vibrating across the ground, the cracked screen flickering with muted life.

"That should work!" Edd said as he gestured for Kevin to go get the item. The jock quickly ran over, opening the indicated drawer and shuffling through the various tools haphazardly dumped into it.

Several seconds passed before Kevin turned towards the pair, "There's no hammer."

"Is there anything blunt in there?" Double questioned as he softly held Eddy's trembling frame.

"There's a screwdriver…" Kevin trailed off as he lifted the tool from the drawer, holding it out so Edd could see it.

"That should work!"

Kevin walked back over to the duo, watching as Edd gently coax Eddy back into a seated position, his anger raging when he noticed the smaller teen's wince as he did so. Double D grabbed hold of the padlock, two of his fingers pulling the shackle away from it's body, causing tension in the device. Edd pointed his finger at the fixed end of the shackle as he looked over to Kevin.

"What do I do?" Kevin asked as he knelt down.

"Hit the lock with the handle of the screwdriver," Edd started, "But not hard! It should be quick, short strikes!"

Kevin nodded, carefully took aim, and began to tap the lock. The red head adjusted his strength, listening to Double D's quick gripe of, "A little harder."

Kevin felt like hours had passed and, just when he was ready to tell the smart Edd that this wasn't working, the lock clicked, the shackle releasing. All three made a triumphant noise as Kevin quickly undid the padlock from the chain, tossing the item to the side as he began to unwind the chain.

Eddy made a noise of relief as the weight around his ankle disappeared, teary eyes watching as the thick chain dropped to the floor with a rattle. His ankle had been bruised from the weight, but he could handle that.

"Come on Eddy," Double D said as he helped Eddy to his feet, flinching when a sharp yelp of agony left the short male's lips as he stood.

"Can someone get me a pair of pants?" Eddy quietly questioned as he straightened out, his downcast eyes refusing to meet that of his companions as he tugged his baggy shirt down lower.

"I'll go," Kevin offered as he darted back down the hallway, returning only minutes later with a pair of sweatpants.

"I can't bend over to put them on." Eddy whispered, ashamed. Kevin seemed to understand as he knelt down, gently helping Eddy's legs into the article of clothing before softly pulling it up.

"What's this?" the red head questioned as he fingered the thin, yet deep line in Eddy's abdomen. The smaller teen hissed at the action, his body immediately tugging away from source of the pain. The jock offered a quick apology, pulling his hand away quickly.

"Marcus… stabbed me." Eddy whispered, not watching the horror stretch over the other's faces.

"He… what?" Double D questioned as he reached to pull up the smaller teens shirt so he could examine the wound. Eddy simply smacked his hand away.

"I tried to leave." Eddy started as he began to cry, tears falling down a familiar path on his face as that night's horrendous memories surfaced, "I tried to leave but he stopped me. He said… He…"

Eddy's words trailed off, sobs racking his frame as he tried to stifle them with a hand over his mouth. Double D gently rubbed his back as Kevin hesitantly grabbed his other hand and gently held it.

"It's okay, Eddy," Kevin whispered as he and Edd began to lightly urge Eddy forward towards the entrance. The smaller teen said nothing else as he began to walk out of his prison, he feet stopping at the threshold as every internal instinct screamed at him. Eddy stood there for a moment, panic welling inside of him briefly as his mind flashed with the consequences of his actions.

Eddy felt the gentle pressure on his back, Kevin already through the front door, his hand still clasped in Eddy's as he waited for the smaller teen to take a step.

"You can do this, Eddy." Double D whispered, offering his friend a small smile. The short teen nodded before he took a hesitant step through his front door, a solemn sob escaping his lips as he was overwhelmed with emotions.

Kevin and Edd slowly led Eddy over to Kevin's vehicle. Edd quickly opened the door and shifted the passenger seat forward, before quickly turning back to Eddy.

"Do you think you can climb into the backseat?" Double D questioned as Eddy stepped forward. Eddy nodded before he did just that, several whimpers of pain leaving him as he did so. Once Eddy was sitting in the center of the back seats, Edd climbed in beside him.

Double D said nothing as he coaxed Eddy to lie down with his head in Edd's lap. Kevin swiftly righted his passenger seat before rounding the car and getting into the driver's seat.

Eddy watched as his trailer, front door still wide open, was pulled from his view as Kevin backed his car out of the worn-out driveway before it disappeared from his vision.

Eddy lay in Edd's lap, his vacant eyes staring at nothing as memories replayed in his head. This time, however, his abused soul was soothed by his best friend's hand running through his thick, black hair.

---

Eddy shifted uncomfortably on the hospital bed, his arm itching where the IV line was inserted. Eddy did his best to rub the itch away, but it barely helped. With a huff, Eddy turned his attention back to the random channel his TV was on, mind trying desperately to focus on anything other than the torment that haunted him.

The trio had argued on where they should go, Kevin and Edd telling him the hospital was the best place while Eddy vehemently denied it. It had taken a lot of coaxing, but Eddy eventually caved, his mind quietly agreeing with Double D's logic.

The duo had brought him in, and, after explaining to the registration desk why the were there, Eddy had been swiftly whisked away. The small teen's heart was in his throat as he went through awful exam after exam, each one leaving him with the feeling of being violated.

He kept his unfocused eyes facing the ceiling, refusing to look at another medical personnel's sorrowful smile as they tenderly handled him. After several hours of poking and prodding and answering horribly personal, yet uncomfortable questions, Eddy was moved into his private room.

He had been informed that he had no broken bones, but he did have several bruised muscles from his recent beating. Eddy's internal injuries were serious but not enough to warrant surgery; instead, he was placed on a concoction of pain meds and antibiotics. His stab wound had been cleaned and bandaged, the doctor's telling him he was lucky that the damage hadn't been more serious.

Eddy's attention was pulled away from the arbitrary show he hadn't really been paying attention to when a soft knock came from his hospital room's door. Eddy frowned, mentally preparing himself for more invasive questioning from authorities… His frown turned into a small smile as Kevin and Edd walked into his room.

Double D pulled up a chair on the left side of his bed, closest to the door, while Kevin had circled his bed and dragged over a rather heavy chair to Eddy's bedside. When both were seated, Edd reached out and grasped Eddy's hand in his own.

"They're gonna keep me here for a couple of days," Eddy began even though neither of his companions had questioned him, "They said I'm malnourished and dehydrated… so… yeah."

"They caught him." Double D said, causing Eddy's eyes to snap over to him as they misted with tears.

"What?" Eddy choked out as he tried to process the information.

Edd squeezed his hand lightly, a small smile on his lips as he repeated himself, "Marcus… The authorities arrested him as soon as he got back into town. They're holding him at the Peach Creek Correctional Facility."

Eddy couldn't tell if he was crying from the sheer relief that washed through his being at the news, or if it was at the finality that he was, indeed, free. Eddy wept for nearly an hour before he was able to regain his composure, a small hand rubbing his eyes to wipe away his tears.

"That's the best news I ever heard, Sockhead!" Eddy said as he pulled himself together, a wide, genuine smile stretching over his face as he continued to wipe away straggling tears.

Edd smiled warmly back at him, his thumb lightly brushing over Eddy's knuckles. The trio fell silent, Kevin hovering close, but not invading Eddy's space while Double D soothed him as gently as he could. Eddy fell away into his thoughts, the muffled voices from the TV being the only thing to stifle the silence.

Eventually the jock stood, stretching his muscles out before he gently rested his hand on Eddy's shoulder.

"I'm gonna grab a coffee at the cafeteria." Kevin said when Eddy's attention turned to him, "Want anything?"

"Anything edible would be appreciated." Eddy said with a small smile. The jock gave him a thumbs up before disappearing out of the room, the heavy wooden door closing behind him with a soft click.

"I'm sorry!" Double D lamented once the red head was gone, causing a look of confusion to cross the shorter teen's features.

"For what I said at the restaurant; I'm sorry." Edd reiterated before Eddy could questioned him.

"You don't have to apologize." Eddy said as Double D's eyes filled with unshed tears, "You weren't exactly wrong."

"Eddy!" Double D whispered, horrified that his friend believe himself to be at fault for the distance between them. Eddy gave him a sad smile, before using what little strength he had to pull the slender teen to him, his arms immediately wrapping tightly around his friend's frame.

Double D was caught off guard, his eyes briefly widening at the action, his frame tensing for a moment before relaxing into the embrace. Edd wrapped his own arms around Eddy, tightening as he pressed his face into Eddy's shoulder.

"I've missed you, Sockhead." Eddy whispered after several minutes, his arms tightening slightly before he pulled back.

"I've missed you too, Eddy." Double D said as he gave his smaller friend a bright smile.

---

Eddy had stayed in the hospital just short of a full week, the staff pumping fluids and nutrients into his deficient body until they were satisfied. When he had been released, he figured he would be on his own, but that wasn't the case.

Eddy had been welcomed back into his childhood home with open arms. His parents, while happy to have their youngest back in their care, were absolutely devastated at the reason why. Eddy did his best to be patient with his parents' prying questions and meddling ways as they tip-toed around the profound abuse Eddy had suffered. In turn, his parents exhibited great patience and love with Eddy when he constantly reverted back to his ingrained ways, always expecting the worse from them but it never happening.

Kevin and Edd had returned to their college, but only at the coaxing of Eddy. He hadn't wanted them to pause their lives because of him, and, while the duo greatly disagreed with Eddy's viewpoint, they reluctantly gave in. On one condition though: that Eddy would contact them everyday, even if he had nothing to say. They had also been adamant that when Marcus finally went to trial, they would be there no matter what. Well, that was technically two conditions, but Eddy had readily accepted the terms.

That's what Eddy was doing at the moment. He was lying on his side on his bed, his new phone held out in front of him in one hand, his other arm underneath his head as he watched the figure on the screen move about.

He was talking to Kevin, waiting for Edd to get out of class so he could include him in the conversation. Kevin had propped his phone up on a stack of books as he moved about his compact dorm room. The jock was stripping off his shirt for a cleaner, more comfortable one as he had just gotten back from the gym.

Eddy gave a cat-call as he watched the half naked teen pull a loose cotton shirt over his defined muscles. Kevin blushed slightly, half-heartedly flipping Eddy off as the young teen kept a wolfish grin on his face.

"You're impossible." Kevin muttered as he sat back down at his desk, the blush more evident since he was closer to his phone.

"What?" Eddy questioned, "That was hot!" The young teen gave a stifled laugh at Kevin's flushed embarrassment.

"Next time, you're gonna pay me." Kevin grumbled as he picked up his phone, his surroundings blurring together as he moved about. Eddy let out a boisterous laugh, only quieting down when the sound of a door opening was heard over the phone's speaker.

Eddy could hear Double D's voice in the background, Kevin and Edd exchanging a couple of words before Edd filled the screen. The jock gave a voice of disapproval as the slighter teen stole his phone.

"Hiya Sockhead." Eddy said as soon as Double D was on screen. Edd smiled at him as he sat on his own bed, Kevin still protesting in the background.

"Salutations, Eddy. How have you been?" Double D said as he jumped out of Kevin's range when the jock went to take his phone back.

"I'm okay," Eddy said, a slightly sad smile forming on his lips, "Just taking it day by day."

Double D nodded in understanding, the background behind him becoming a dizzying display of colors as Edd dodged Kevin again.

"I have news!" Edd exclaimed excitedly before the phone blurred again, Eddy watching as the jock successfully snatched his phone back.

"Oh yeah? Anything good?" Eddy questioned, watching as the jock placed his phone back down, allowing both himself and Edd to be in frame.

"It's about our loveable Ed." Double D said, his frame almost radiating with excitable energy.

"What about him?" Eddy asked, his own nerves turning giddy as Edd continued to bounce in place.

"He's dating May!" Edd said, his slender frame bouncing on the balls of his feet, a grin plastered on his face. Eddy looked confused for a mere second before realization dawned on him.

"What?" Eddy exclaimed, a mixture of disbelief and amusement in his tone, "May. As in, May Kanker."

Kevin was to the right of Edd laughing in amusement, while Double D frantically nodded his head. Double D went on to tell him the story Ed had shared with him. Apparently, Ed and May had been attending the same art and design school. May had been studying graphic design while Ed focused more on game art and animation. The duo often seemed to run into one another, which turned into them enjoying each other's company, which then turned into them officially dating.

"Good for Monobrow," Eddy said as Edd finished telling him the story.

"Don't let him know that I told you!" Double D said hastily, "He said he wanted to tell you himself."

"Double D!" Eddy said in mock awe, laughing lightly as he poked fun at his friend's eagerness to tell him.

"You would've done the same," Double D muttered, a smile still stretched over his lips.

"Probably," Eddy said with a wide grin on his face. Eddy shifted in his position, his arm beginning to go numb from the constant pressure.

Eddy quickly sat up, leaning back against his headboard in an effort to become more comfortable.

"They set a trial date," Eddy whispered after a few minutes of silence. Both Double D and Kevin straightened up, more serious looks on their faces as they listened intently.

"It'll be on August 7th." Eddy explained as he began to nervously pick at his loose fitting jeans, "My attorney told me it's gonna be a bench trial."

"Nervous?" Kevin questioned softly as he watched Eddy fidget in his seat. The smaller male nodded, unconsciously sucking in a deep breath.

"Ye-yeah." Eddy said as he opened up to the duo on screen, "I'm actually terrified."

"That's understandable, Eddy. He put you through abhorrent grievances." Double D offered lightly, his tone sympathetic.

"I'm just afraid to see him again," Eddy said as a shadow of fear crept on his face, his eyes hazing slightly with unwanted memories, "He's gonna be so pissed."

"He won't be able to hurt you." Kevin said a little forcibly, his voice turning a little harsher as he watched the young teen start to suffer a panic attack.

"Eddy!" the jock said firmly, yet compassionately.

"Eddy, look at me," Kevin reaffirmed, which the smaller teen did, blue eyes swimming in obvious anxiety and dread, "He's going to be handcuffed, okay. He's gonna be surrounded by guards. He won't be able to get to you."

Eddy nodded, listening to Double D as he instructed him to take deep breaths, doing so until he felt the distress inside him lighten slightly.

"We'll be there, too, Eddy." Double D said, watching as Eddy nodded, his trembling hand wiping away a few stray tears.

"Thanks," Eddy said, his voice strained, "You guys are the best."

The trio continued to talk for a little while longer, before Kevin spoke up, saying he had to get to his next class. Eddy said his goodbyes, laughing slightly as Double D and Kevin began to bicker as the video call ended.

'They really are the best.' Eddy thought to himself as he placed his phone on his bedside table, his body rolling over as he hugged his pillow closer. Eddy drifted off into a light slumber.

---

Eddy hadn't anticipated the unwanted tug at his heart as he watched Marcus, orange jumpsuit and all, be escorted into the small courtroom. He felt almost guilty for putting his ex in this situation.

'But he deserves this,' Eddy reminded himself as he broke his gaze from Marcus.

Eddy took a deep breath, eyes shifting to look behind him at his supporters. His parents were present, his mother dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. Kevin and Edd sat next to them, Double D offering a small smile while the jock proceeded to glare daggers at the hefty form in the defendant's chair.

Ed was there too, his large, imposing figure dwarfing Double D's own as they sat next to each other. Ed gave him a large smile and a thumbs-up, before his brows frowned and he, too, tried to murder Marcus telepathically.

Eddy offered up a nervous smile at his supporters, before he turned his attention back to the matter at hand. The judge walked in, prompting everyone present to stand.

"You may be seated," the judge said, his gravely voice firm as he, too, took his seat in his chair.

The trail began, his lawyer painting a disturbing picture of how Eddy was physically, mentally, psychologically, and sexually abused at the hands of his ex, the larger teen committing heinous acts on Eddy's person for his own twisted pleasure.

Marcus' lawyer had tried to twist the story, instead revealing that Eddy had asked for such treatment, that it had appeased some sort of twisted sexual gratification within Eddy. The young teen felt his stomach churn as the defense lawyer wove a tale of dark, sexual fantasies and the smaller teen's full participation in such acts.

When Eddy had taken the stand, he had been outright terrified, his eyes locking onto the bench's railing for the first ten minutes of his questioning. His voice had been faint; the young teen timid in the presence of his tormentor.

Eddy had faltered several times, his shaking voice warbling off and on as he tried to describe what the past two years had entailed for him. Yet, when Eddy had quickly glanced at his small group of supporters, the young teen found a strength within himself he never knew existed.

Eddy had begun to speak more clearly, voice a little firmer as he kept his gaze locked onto his loved ones. He managed to answer every question lobbed at him, only ever pausing to choke down the tears that threatened to break free.

The young teen had even been able to forcibly deny the defense lawyers viewpoints. Systematically striping the defense of their concoction of twisted needs and morbid gratification.

It had helped, though, when Eddy's own lawyer had presented his sustained injuries before he was hospitalized. His attorney introducing nausea-inducing photographs of Eddy's bruised body. Each picture only showed how almost every inch of Eddy's skin was colored black and blue, some bruises being an almost exact imprint of the belt he had been beaten with.

His attorney continued to pile on the evidence, as he had called the attendee doctor to the stand, the one that initially treated Eddy when he arrived at the emergency room.

The doctor, an older gentleman with drooping skin and bushy eyebrows, went on to expose Eddy's unseen injuries – revealing that Eddy had sustained several tears to the anal cavity due to an extreme use of force. The doctor had furthered his point as he included photos of Eddy's wrist at that time. The doctor had drew on the projected image, his steady hands tracing the imprinted outlines, demonstrating the large, but clear handprints bruised into both of the young teen's wrists.

Eddy's lawyer then brought in the Holy Grail of evidence – the steel blade that been used in a threat against Eddy's life. The tip of the blade was still smeared with Eddy's dried blood, the lawyer holding up the evidence bag in showmanship as several quiet sobs echoed from the gallery.

Marcus' lawyer had tried to dismantle the prosecutions accusations, stating that 'Eddy lived within the trailer' and had 'full access to all utensils' held within the kitchen. The defense tried to wave off the blade as a device used in an everyday kitchen accident, thus explaining the blood.

Eddy's lawyer fired back, showing evidence that the handle of the blade only had one set of prints on it: Marcus'. The prosecution furthered his case when he offered forensic evidence that the admitted blade was, indeed, the one that had caused the penetrating wound on Eddy's abdomen.

Many hours of back and forth followed, each side trying to string together a narrative that explained away Eddy's past two years. Eventually, both prosecution and defense levied their final remarks, the judge granting a brief recess while the judge weighed his options.

Marcus was escorted back to his holding cell within the courthouse, while Eddy meandered into the hallway just outside of courtroom. Eddy stood in a small huddle with Edd, Kevin, and Ed, his parents excusing themselves to get a bit of fresh air as they tried to come to terms with the life Eddy had been subjected to.

"You did good, Eddy!" Ed said enthusiastically, simultaneously giving the smaller teen a thumbs up and a wide grin.

"Thanks, Monobrow." Eddy said softly, his anxious eyes glancing around the small group once before falling to the floor. His body shifted from foot to foot, unable to stand still with the nervous energy thrumming through his veins.

"Are you okay, Eddy?" Double D questioned as placed a gentle hand on the other's shoulder.

Eddy was silent for a few moments, his mind twisting over everything before he audibly whispered, "What if the judge doesn't believe me."

The group frowned in unison; they all knew it was a possibility, but would never voice it aloud. Having Eddy, the victim of Marcus' subjugation, say it pierced their souls in ways they couldn't put words too.

"My lawyer said it would be hard to prove the rape.. and… and you heard the defense. Marcus' lawyer kept saying that.."

"Enough," Kevin said as he pulled Eddy into a one-armed side hug, "You had medical science on your side. Proof. So don't stress."

Eddy accepted the red head's hug, his own arm looping around the jock's waist to recuperate the sentiment before they pulled apart.

"Can we please talk about something else?" Eddy questioned as his mind obsessed about his uneasiness and anxiety, "Anything else."

"I'm taking a sabbatical." Kevin chimed in, watching as Double D's eyes widened in disbelief while Eddy's swam with curiosity.

"Really?" Eddy said as he glanced the red head over, "What about your scholarship."

"I'll figure something out… I dunno… I love playing football, don't get me wrong, but… I just kind of think college isn't for me." Kevin explained almost nonchalantly, though the others could hear a bit of his uncertainty in his voice.

"Do you have something else in mind?" Edd asked, his own curiosity peeked.

"I was actually thinking of doing some type of trade. I love working with my hands, and, I dunno… feels more like me, I guess." Kevin explained.

Eddy and Ed wished Kevin luck in whatever avenue he chose to explore, Ed not saying anything at all.

The four teens talked quietly amongst themselves, Edd revealing that he was much more interested in pursuing a science career path as opposed to the medical one his parents had hoped for. Ed talked about May, letting his friends know she was a "sneaky little kitten" that warmed his soul more than buttered toast. Ed even confessed that he loved her, possibly more than he loved chickens.

It was nice, allowing Eddy to slightly relax as he pushed his trial to the back of his mind. He felt almost normal again, and that alone made Eddy feel incredibly good.

All too soon, though, they were called back into the courtroom. Eddy nervously glanced down the hallway, breathing a small sigh of relief as he saw his parents power walking back to the courtroom.

They all filed in, one by one, Eddy taking his place next to his lawyer, while his parents and his friends filled in the front row of the gallery. The judge filed into the room, prompting every to stand before they were permitted to sit back down.

The judge read his notes, speaking almost directly to Marcus, who was glaring at the table in front of him, in a tone that held neither sympathy nor leniency. The judge's voice was hard, his tone firm as he admonished Marcus on his treatment of his intimate partner.

The judge's voice echoed loudly in the courtroom as he read out the long list of charges against the defendant, ranging from physical assault to emotional abuse. The room fell silent as each count was announced, with the seriousness of the allegations palpable in the air. The defendant sat with a blank expression, seemingly unfazed by the gravity of the accusations leveled against them. With each charge, the weight of the situation became increasingly clear, painting a grim picture of the defendant's alleged actions in the eyes of the court.

The judge's solemn voice filled the courtroom as he delivered the verdict: guilty on all counts. Marcus' expression remained unchanged as the judge proceeded to announce the sentencing – 10 years behind bars. The sound of the gavel striking the bench marked the end of the trial, leaving a heavy silence in its wake as Marcus was taken away to begin his sentence.

Eddy covered his mouth, stifling his choked down sobs as his tormentor was escorted from the courtroom. Tears fell freely from Eddy's eyes as a feeling of immense relief swept through him.

After a moment, Eddy stood and thanked his lawyer before he entered the gallery and was immediately swallowed into a storm of hugs from his companions.

When they finally broke apart, Eddy followed his friends and family back out of the courtroom, his parents leaving but not before revealing how proud they were and how much they loved him.

Ed excused himself not long after, stating that he had to get home to start packing for his next semester. Ed pulled Eddy into a crushing hug before he left, which the smaller teen gladly returned.

"I, too, must disperse. I will see you before I leave, Eddy." Double D said as he gently hugged Eddy to his slender frame.

"Thank you," Eddy said as he tightened his hold, "For everything, Sockhead."

Double gave him a watery smile before he exited, leaving Eddy standing alone with Kevin.

Said jock looked to him with a smirk on his face, "Well, I got nowhere to be. Wanna go drink to celebrate?"

Eddy couldn't help the thrill of excitement and nerves that raced through him as he gave Kevin a wide, toothy grin, "You buyin'?"

"I'll buy you the first drink," Kevin snorted in amusement as they both began to exit the courthouse.

"Three drinks," Eddy countered as they walked through the lobby, saying 'goodnight' to the security guard as they left the building.

"Two drinks and a shot," Kevin rebuffed as they climbed inside of the jock's sports car.

"Deal." Eddy said as he, too, climbed into the car, quickly fastening his seatbelt, his wide smile never leaving his face.

As the duo raced through town in Kevin's car, Eddy couldn't help the slight blush that spread across his cheeks as Kevin flashed him a charming smile.

'I could get used to this.' Eddy thought to himself as he made himself more comfortable in his seat, the silence between them pleasant, only disturbed by the music playing softly in the background.

As they drove off into the night, Eddy allowed himself to be filled with hope for new beginnings and the possibility of a love that was gentle and true.

---

LeavesofMyself: That was particularly dark, but I just had to get it out of my head. I promise the next chapter won't be anywhere near as dark.

Thanks for reading!