Eddward

'This is much too easy,' he thought to himself. 'My poor pumpkin is out here, all alone with me. Oh what should I do?' He grinned.

He gently took the pizza box out of the shaking ginger's hands so it wouldn't be dropped. "How about you invite me in and we share this pizza, Pumpkin?" He winked at Kevin and smiled a bit wider as he noticed the pink blush appearing on the smaller males face.

"I, I…" Kevin stuttered.

"Don't be shy, you know you love being in my presence. Don't you my little minnow?" He reached forward and gently took hold of Kevin's chin. Kevin's face turned beet red and his eyes seemed to shine behind his glasses. He continued to stutter, not knowing what to do in this situation.

"Stop your incessant mumbling, it doesn't do you justice." Eddward's voice snapped Kevin out of it and the smaller male snarled at him. "And watch that temper of yours; you know you cannot do anything to me if I do not wish it." He walked forward and looked straight down at the boy in front of him. The one who haunted his dreams and seemed to mock him during the day.

He placed the pizza box on the small table that resided on Kevin's porch and he reached up. He caressed Kevin's cheek and he sighed. "Do you think I enjoy harming you Kevin?" He gently pulled Kevin's face up so he could look deep into his green eyes.

"Yes." Kevin's eyes glazed over with remembered pain.

Eddward's eyes darkened and his face turned akin to that of a shark. "Well I do not." He removed his hands from Kevin's face and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You have no idea what you do to me. You have no idea about anything." He turned to walk away to storm off and get more nicotine into his system. And a shot of whiskey to calm his nerves. He was stopped in his motion by the feeling of Kevin's small hand holding the back of his jacket.

"Please do not go Eddward. I do not know what it is that I do to you. But if it will help ease your conscience then I am willing to talk it out. I no longer wish to be the object of your frustration."

Eddward hung his head and tried to not remember. To not remember all of the times he hit Kevin. All the times that Kevin was unable to do certain things in his day to day life due to fear of him. The way that Kevin's eyes would glaze over and avert from him. He breathed out of his nose and slowly turned. His heart clenched at the sight of Kevin's green eyes.

The way that they seemed to be pleading with him. Even after all the pain he had put him through, he wouldn't let him go. He stood in front of Kevin and let all of his emotions show in his eyes.

Kevin

I can't believe I'm about to do this, he thought. He held onto Eddward's coat with a shaky grip. With the other hand he fished out his keys from his pocket and he unlocked the door.

"You may come inside if you would like Eddward."

"Call me Double D," Eddward said as he grabbed the pizza that lay somewhat forgotten on the small table.

Kevin blushed once more; he knew that nobody other than his closest friends was allowed to call him that. If they did, they were immediately beaten to a pulp. He smiled up at Edd – no, Double D. He opened the door to his home to his bully. And the wall that surrounded his heart began to break.

Eddward

Kevin walked into his home, pulling Eddward gently by his sleeve. Eddward immediately stopped as soon as they were about to enter the living room and handed the pizza over to him. Kevin looked back and him with a quizzical expression. He quickly took off his shoes.

"I never wear shoes in the house. It was never allowed by Father."

Kevin's expression softened and he nodded. He knew that Eddward's parents were a very sore topic for him. He's being so open. I wonder what brought this on. He shrugged it off and walked further into his home.

He placed the pizza box on the living room table and he sat gingerly on the couch. He watched Eddward warily enter his home. He was alert and ready to protect himself at a moments notice. He noticed Edd's eyes wandering around the living room. Even as he sat he looked anywhere but at him.

Kevin had so many questions to ask but it felt as though he had eaten peanut butter and couldn't speak. His tongue was lead and his teeth hurt from being clenched so hard. He turned to try to speak to Edd but he was stopped by the taller male sighing.

Edd finally looked over at him, his eyes a darker blue than usual. He didn't say anything right away. Kevin was entranced by those eyes. The way that he was staring seemed like he was looking into his soul. He was always reminded of the ocean when he looked into Double D's eyes. A turbulent ocean, filled with dark creatures and so much depth. He wanted to dive into the waters that were his soul.

Eddward

He continued to look into Kevin's eyes; getting lost in the candy-esque brightness. He could see straight into the smaller male's soul, his eyes were crystal clear and shining with emotions that where unknown to him. He blinked slowly trying to capture Kevin's eyes within his mind so he could analyze them later. But as he opened his eyes he noticed Kevin slowly inching towards him. His own cold hand was touched by his warm fingertips. He felt the touch burn into his skin.

It happened so quickly. A touch of flesh upon flesh; two people united in one singular place and time. Eddward's eyes seemed to bulge out of their sockets and he looked down at Kevin. Kevin's eyelashes looked like fallen leaves upon his skin covered with freckles. At that moment his heart felt like it would explode. And yet, he didn't understand why.

He pushed Kevin away and watched the sadness creep onto his face. He quickly jumped up and ran out of the house. Pushing his shoes quickly onto his feet as he moved, not skipping a beat. He ran until he couldn't breathe, his heart hammering in his chest and his breathing irregular, "mon Dieu!"

He collapsed onto his hands and knees and dug his fingers into the soft earth and clenched his hands into fists. He felt like there was a vice around his throat. He played the images through his mind again and again. Kevin's eyes were so green, his touch hot, his lips-. He shook his head hard and banged his fist against the ground. His body began to shake and he felt his breath hitch.

His world went black as he fell to the earth. It began to rain.

Kevin

"What did I just do?" He pressed his fingertips to his lips. Double D's scent still lingered within his nostrils; smoke and leather. He could still feel the cold clamminess of his hand against his fingertips. His eyesight blurred as his eyes filled with tears. His clenched his shirt over his heart. His chest hurt and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He reached into his pocket and grasped his inhaler firmly.

He ripped the cap off and jammed the mouth piece into his mouth and pushed the metal canister down. He did this once more, pulling the medication deep into his lungs. He fell back onto the couch and breathed deeply. His eyes slid closed and he listened to the rain.

"What have I done?"

He kept asking himself this, running through everything that had happened only moments ago. He knew he kissed Double D. He knew what he had done, but he couldn't understand why. The sound of the rain against the windows lulled him into an uneasy sleep.

The days passed without pause. Nobody but Kevin knew that Eddward was back. A constant murmur could be heard through the cul-de-sac from the residents. Constant questions over who the motorcycle in Eddward's driveway belonged to. It began to get onto Kevin's already frazzled nerves so he shut himself up in his room.

He stayed up there for days only coming out only for nourishment, seeing as how his bathroom was connected to his bedroom. His pale skin grew even paler and his smooth skin was marred with dark circles under his eyes. His eyes seemed glazed over and he looked close to tears constantly. His parents couldn't get him out of his room, so they contacted Nazz.

Kevin was awoken by the sound of something hitting his window. He squinted his eyes and tried to focus his vision on his clock. The clock face read 8 a.m. He rubbed his eyes and he yawned. Something hit his window again, what could that be? He quickly pushed his glasses onto his nose and he rose out of bed. He shambled over to his window and opened the curtain slightly.

He saw nothing at first, just the road to the cul-de-sac and the sidewalk. A rock hit his window in front of his face. He jolted and looked down, noticing Nazz standing there with a smile on her face. He also noticed that her lips were moving but couldn't seem to hear her. He held up a finger for her to wait a moment for him.

He turned around and stumbled over to his closet to grab a shirt. He grabbed a green argyle sweater and he pulled it over his head. He didn't feel up to going outside to talk to her, but he certainly wasn't going to hang out of his window shirtless. In case He was there. He shook his head and tried to get rid of his sadness.

He knew he wouldn't be able to get rid of the cloak that hung around his person right away but he wouldn't let it keep him down for forever. He walked over to his window and pushed the curtains wide open. He blinked in the bright sunlight; which he hasn't seen in days. Once his eyes had gotten used to the light he opened up his window and leaned out slightly.

Nazz held a hand over her eyes as she looked up at him. "Hey buddy."

"Hey yourself, could you by perchance tell me why you were throwing rocks against my window Nazz?"
She smiled wide at him, "to get your attention, which worked out pretty well if I do say so myself." She laughed, which made him smile back down at her.

"I'm pretty sure that throwing rocks at a window would get anyone's attention," he laughed softly.

"Why haven't I seen you in a while, dude?"

"It's…complicated." His gaze averted from her inquisitive blue eyes and his eyes glazed over slightly.

"You can tell me buddy. No secrets remember?" She held her hand over her heart like they used to do as children when they made the pact to never lie or withhold information from each other.

His sad façade faded and he laughed so hard that he ended up coughing slightly. Then with teary eyes he held a hand over his own heart. "No secrets Nazz. Never. I'll be down in a moment, meet me at the door."

She smiled softly and nodded then walked to the door that has always been open to her since childhood.

Kevin rushed down the stairs and got to the door. He quickly opened the door and without even looking he rushed out and hugged Nazz. Nazz's eyes widened at the sight of Kevin and laughed as he hugged her. Kevin stepped back, his eyes watery, "why are you laughing at me?"

She held onto her stomach and with the other hand she pointed at his leg area. He looked down and blushed bright red how did I forget pants? He gasped and rushed back inside to run upstairs to get pants. He noticed the forgotten pizza on his living room table and stopped dead in his tracks. His heart clenched and his breath hitched in his throat.

Nazz walked into the house, closing the door with her foot and accidentally ran into his backside. "What the hell?" She noticed that his gaze was focused on something in his living room. She looked over and noticed the pizza box. But there was a slight layer of dust upon the surface of the box. Nazz knew that Kevin never let his home get dusty. Including all the sticky notes around the house, he dusted daily.

She knew then and there that something was wrong. She moved in front of him and she gently turned his face so he would look at her. Her eyes misted slightly as she noticed that his usual bright green eyes were lifeless. Whatever had happened to him was serious if it made him look this miserable. A single tear rolled down his cheek.

Nazz wiped the tear away and she held his face between her two hands. She then noticed that his face was thinner than usual and his skin was much paler compared to her tan complexion. "Tell me."

He stood in front of her without moving for a few moments and then his face crumpled. She could see the heartbreak within his eyes and through his facial expressions. Tears flowed down his face in an unbroken stream. He hiccupped over and his chest heaved slightly. "Eddward happened."

Her eyes that were welling with tears dried instantly. Her fingertips dug slightly into his skin, "what did he do?" she asked enunciating every word. The words seemed to be forced from her throat as she looked into his eyes. Fury rolled off her in waves. Her muscles were tensed as she awaited him to tell her what happened to make him this sad.

She knew about their so called relationship of a game of cat and mouse but she didn't think Eddward would do something so drastic that would make Kevin act this way.

"Can we go to my room? My legs feel like their going to give out."

Nazz nodded curtly and grabbed his hand to lead him to his room. She gently pulled him to his room; she was furious but she knew better than to rush him. His heart was somehow broken, which was unusual. Usually Eddward left visible bruises and cuts, not something physiological. She led him into his room and helped him sit down on his bed.

She walked over and closed the door to his bedroom, making sure to not slam it. She has learned over the years to control her strength. She turned around and leaned against the door. Kevin had created a nest out of blankets and pillows, creating a different visage from his usually tidy bed. "Are you ready to tell me Kevin?"

Kevin lifted his gaze from the floor to her face and he nodded. He calmly told her everything that had happened several days ago. Nazz closed her eyes and waited for him to finish with his story. She knew better than to interrupt him, he always hated being interrupted. Kevin gave a little hiccup once he was finished and he watched her closely with sad red eyes.

Nazz slowly opened her eyes and placed her gaze upon him. "When did he come home? Nobody has seen him since he left for swimming camp at the beginning of summer."

"You've seen the black motorcycle in his driveway correct?"

"Yea, everyone in the cul-de-sac has. Why?"

"It's his. I saw him come home, and by your reaction it seems as though I'm the only one who saw him come home. No one has seen him?"

"Not that I know of," Nazz crossed her arms over her chest and her eyebrows knitted together trying to figure out how no one has seen Eddward for the past 5 days if he was somehow home.

"He must have holed up at home or is out somewhere. He ran out quickly after we - " He coughed slightly and looked away embarrassed. He hadn't told her that he had kissed Eddward.

"After you did what?" Nazz's eyebrow rose quizzically.

He blushed more and mumbled. Nazz walked closer to him and stooped down to where he would be forced to look at her. "Look at me Kevin. No secrets."

Kevin looked directly into Nazz's blue eyes and sighed. "I kissed him Nazz."

Nazz's eyes bugged out and she practically screeched at him, "You did what?"

He closed his eyes shamefully and gulped. "I don't know what came over me Nazz. It happened all so fast. But once I touched him, which my lips barely grazed over his," his skin flushed as he remembered his lips against his own. "He bolted. I know that it was sudden and I highly doubt that he even likes me as a person let alone as a romantic interest."

Nazz blinked and she stayed quiet as her brain tried to comprehend what her best friend had just told her.

Kevin opened his eyes and smiled softly. "I'm sure this is hard for you to understand; especially after all these years of Eddward tormenting me. Do you know what he asked me?" She shook her head. "He asked me if I think he liked him hurting me. He said he didn't like doing it. I'm not completely sure if he was telling the truth but it sure sounded like it Nazz. I think he's just confused. Just like me."

He placed his hands over his eyes and sighed in a way that seemed to put his stress and sadness in the air itself. He looked tired and irritated with himself. His shoulders slumped and fell within himself making him look smaller than he already was. "I have no idea why I did what I did Nazz. I simply cannot wrap my brain around it."

Nazz sat down next to Kevin and wrapped her arms around him. Bringing him close so as to try to protect his torment. Kevin slumped into her, letting everything go. Tears began to flow again and his body shook with grief.

Eddward

He blinked his eyes open. He then sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Eddward looked around him into the silent void that was the construction site for Peach Creek Estates. Abandoned years ago and nearly forgotten by himself and the others of the cul-de-sac. His clothing stuck to his body and he felt lethargic. Slow to move he attempted to get up, his lithe legs wobbling from being without use for so long.

He stood on his own two legs for a few moments trying to get his bearings. He had a headache. He couldn't seem to remember how he had gotten there. Or how long he had been laying in the now dry cracked dirt. He rubbed dirt off his face and he looked down his body. His face contorted with disgust. He was covered with dirt and he felt as though he hadn't showered in days.

He stumbled out of the construction site and over to the street so as to walk home. He walked slowly and tried to not fall. His legs were slightly numb and he was dazed. His vision kept blurring and his head began to throb around his temples. Eddward simply wanted to get home so he could take a hot shower and sleep in his own bed.

It took him some time before he was in front of his home. He walked up to the door and pulled out a set of keys from his pocket. He unlocked the door and walked in. He sighed in relief and stretched his sore cramped muscles. As per usual no one was home, darkness was all around him. But he was used to it, he knew the location of everything within his home.

He peeled the clothing off his body, discarding the damp disgusting cloth against the floor. The articles of clothing slapped wetly against the carpeting. His shoes slammed against the wall as he kicked them off and his body shivered once he was fully unclothed. He shuddered and walked up the steps with his eyes closed.

Once he reached the top of the stairs he made a sharp right and led himself to the bathroom.

He fumbled with the door knob and opened the door after a few seconds. Eddward stepped into the bathroom and his toes curled as he touched the cold linoleum. He breathed in the disinfected air and smiled softly. He was home and he could finally be comfortable. He was finally in his own element, where he thrived. No one could watch him or force him to do anything here.

The world seemed to stand still in that bathroom. He gently closed the door behind him and went to turn on the shower. He stood stark naked before the shower as he watched the water pour out of the shower head. Waiting for the opportune time of when the water would be at the perfect temperature to help him cleanse his skin. He's always done this, even when he was a child.

He was glad to be home. He knew everything and knew nothing wrong could happen in his sanctuary. He slowly moved into the shower and let the water pelt his skin. His muscles unknotted and his breathing came easier. He watched the water glide down his skin. He washed his hair and then moved to his body. He let his mind wander as he went through the ritual that was his cleansing.

He failed to notice a stirring within his lower abdomen as he began to think about green forests and fallen autumn leaves. He noticed quickly while washing himself, looking down he blinked against the water.

"Merde."

Everything he had forgotten before he slept on top of the dank earth rushed back to him. He jolted and slammed himself up against the wall of his shower. He began to hyperventilate and he felt warmth erupt from him as he remembered. His body shuddered involuntarily and he slid down the wall to sit on the floor of the tub. He let the water rush over him and he looked lost.

He never expected this. To feel what he felt especially at such a small touch. And for that small touch to be from a member of the same sex even! His chest convulsed as he breathed in a shaky breath. He placed his hands over his face and he made a noise deep within his throat.

He sat in the same position until the water went cold. Without opening his eyes he turned the water off. He stayed there, going through the events in his mind on repeat. From every angle he tried to see the situation from. Over and over. He couldn't understand why the boy he bullied on a daily basis for so long would do that to him.

He had discovered long ago from accidental eavesdropping that Kevin is gay. Even if he tormented him daily he would never out him. Nor would he use it to his advantage. That wasn't how it worked. Especially since he had told Kevin that he did not enjoy tormenting him. That was a half-truth.

He always seemed to take his frustration out on him. It was easier, he was an easy target. Much easier than that Nat Goldberg. He scoffed as he thought of the antics of that stupid friend of Kevin's. What with his teal hair, gold earring and that annoyingly depressed boyfriend of his; Rave.

He puffed out of his nose and he forced himself to get up and out of the shower. He needed to get into proper attire so he could sleep. He toweled off and wrapped the fluffy towel around his slim hips. He opened the door to the darkness that was his home. He sighed and walked over to his room; all without turning a single light on.

He opened the door to his closet gingerly, as though the metal knob would shock him. He felt shaken deep into his core and his bones felt heavy. He lethargically grabbed a pair of boxers, sweats and a t-shirt to sleep in. He let the towel slip from his hips as with each step towards his bed he pulled the layers of clothes on him. His eyes drooped closed and he flumped himself onto the bed.

The coolness of the blankets soothed his seemingly too warm skin and drew him into a dreamless slumber.