Ed, Edd n Eddy 1. Chapter 1

**Hey guys! Omg I have been sick as a dog for the entire week. I hardly had the energy to get anything done so thankfully I had this little piece just sitting around on my desk top waiting to be edited. **_With Grace and Civility_** will be updated soon but for now I hope you guys enjoy this.**

**Summary: An unenthusiastic Kevin tags along with Nazz to a dance studio but when they run into the Double Dork he gets the shock of his life.**

**Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot of this story folks.**

* * *

Nazz walked through the doors of the dance hall with brilliant smile plastered on her face. Her blue eyes sparkled with a euphoric gleam as she skipped down the halls towards one of the dance rooms located near the back, hand in hand with certain red head who couldn't even spell euphoric if his life depended on it. She smiled up at him and he returned the lop sided smirk.

"I'm so happy you wanted to sit in and watch me practice today." She chuckled, pushing back some of her sunny yellow hair behind her ear.

Kevin shrugged indifferently. "Yeah I know. You've been saying that all day."

His voice was laced with a little irritation but Nazz passed it off as Kevin just being Kevin. Their fingers were laced together as they wandered the campus, though their bodies touched nowhere else. Kevin was sure to keep the right amount of distance from her with Nazz none the wiser. They came to a stop in front of a heavy blue door with a single faded window. Kevin was tall enough to peek through and saw a lone figure inside.

"Looks like someone got here before you."

Nazz raised a brow before pushing the door open. Sure enough there was someone inside. Nazz's face brightened when she recognized smooth white skin and feathery black hair hidden under a beanie.

"Oh Double D! I didn't realize you were coming in for practice today." She said cheerfully, placing her duffle bag on the ground beside the bench Kevin had perched himself on.

The second tallest of the Ed trio glanced back at the sound of a familiar voice and smiled, his predominant gap showing. "Oh Nazz. I did not think there would be others coming today. My apologies."

Naz chuckled and waved him off. "No need to apologize. I just hope I'm not interrupting."

Kevin's eyes danced in boredom from his girlfriend and onto Double D, his eyes scanning the younger teen head to toe. Double D had certainly grown up from their middle school years. He was a few inches taller, though he was still skinny as a twig. But rather than just flesh hanging on bone Kevin was surprised to see lean muscle where one would never guess was. The dweeb's sweat pants were hanging dangerously low on his hips with just a single not in the string keeping them in place. His pecks could honestly rival that of even Kevin's. Not that he was vain, but it wasn't often that he heard about anybody's body matching that of Adonis himself. He grimaced. Nazz probably spread that rumor.

The raven haired teen was smiling about something and Kevin forced his focus back on Nazz, not wanting to be caught for staring. It was then he realized that Double D, the only Ed in the world who fussed about modesty and hygiene, was in fact SHIRTLESS. Kevin bit the inside of his cheek to keep the warmth from reaching his face. He momentarily wondered if Edd realized how... provocative he looked right now.

The only explanation to it was that hell had frozen over. Yeah, that had to be it.

"Oh not at all. I just arrived five minutes prior to your arrival. If you wish to use the room I would be happy to-"

"Nonsense. Let's use the room together. I was meaning to ask you for some help with a few moves on Monday anyways."

Eddward shrugged, seemingly unaware of Kevin's presence at all as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. The pants nudged just a centimeter lower, a nudge Kevin noticed immediately.

"Oh well alright. Let's warm up shall we?" He smiled, turning back to the stereo system he had been meddling with when they had first arrived.

Something about Double D's posture was so... unlike Double D. Instead of clutching his hands to chest where his fingers would nervously fidget, his long arms hung at ease at his sides. His usual uptight manner was a million light years away it seemed, even as he openly cursed and stretched over the back of a speaker to retrieve a CD he had dropped. Double D NEVER cursed. Hell must have been a frozen tundra then.

Eddward lifted himself up a bit and bent over as far as he could to reach the fallen disk. His finger grazed the time as he lifted one foot partly off the ground to give him a little more length. He was completely unaware of the two pairs of eyes watching him. One pair watched on happily as Nazz waited patiently for Edd, and the other gazing appreciatively at his firm round bottom.

"Aha!" He snagged up cd just before losing his balance and quickly popped it into the stereo. "Do you have an musical preference?" Well at least his speech was the same.

Nazz shrugged. "Nah. What kind of music do you have? Nothing too fast I hope. I'm still working on technique. Instructor says I need to be extra prepared for the show if I want to get noticed by the talent agents."

Double D swung his arm above his and stretched the taught muscle of his bicep before doing the same with the other arm. His body arched forward just a tad as he did so, not surprising him when he felt a telltale pop in his spine. He groaned and rolled his shoulders. He stepped up beside Nazz facing giant mirrors that lined the wall in front of them. It took a second for the music to automatically turn on and Kevin recognized it as a popular pop song. This fascinated him. Double D only ever listened to that classical crap. He knew this because he had playfully taken Double D's iPod to tease him and found his playlist filled to the brim with Bach and Beethoven. Nazz was busy stretching out her own limbs, Kevin's interest now far replaced from her feminine physic and trained solely on the male walking anomaly. What was the definition of anomaly again?

"Well a few are slower but it's just a mix I procured some time the evening before." He dropped to the ground without much warning, hands catching his fall and lifting him into a set of pushups.

Nazz smiled as she watched her friend, settling herself to do some crunches. "Hey did you hear about Eddy?"

Eddward frowned. "Yes. I was there when it happened."

Mid-crunch Nazz stopped and laid back on the ground, her lips pouting as she looked over at the Ed. "Geeze I'm sorry to hear. I hope the principal went easy on him."

His soft boyish features made the pout on his face look a tad more adorable than Kevin wanted to admit.

"He was able to pull off a successful scheme regardless of the wages being made between us that he would fail. Unfortunately his cockiness was his downfall." Eddward began to do some running lunges, planting his hands firmly on the ground as he lifted one knee to his chest and then the other as quickly as he could, all the while maintaining his balance. "Hopefully he will listen to any and all future warnings I give him before he thinks pranking the campus security guard is a good idea."

The blond shook her head and slid her legs below her into a split. She rounded her back. "But I bet you guys had a lot of fun. I'm surprised you didn't get caught though. Only Eddy could be traced back to the crime. Did you tattle on him or something?"

Eddward's face snapped to her as he lifted himself up from the ground. "Of course not! Eddy is my friend. Though I am relieved to not have faced the same consequences as he, I cannot explain how I was not caught."

His bottom lip poked out innocently as he thought back on the day. There was plenty of evidence Eddy had left behind, damning evidence that directly linked all three of them to the scene of the crime. However because of Ed's naivety and football star status, minus the ladies of course, he had been let off the hook. But Edd had not been charged at all. In fact some details had been missing that had been a huge part of Eddy's scheme. He shrugged the thought away though and returned his focus back on his reflection in the mirror.

"Well no matter. What is done is done. I am to take Eddy out for dinner tonight though to make up for his solitary confinement in detention."

Nazz giggled. "Good ol' sweet Double D."

Double D's cheeks turned pink at the compliment. "Shall we?"

The song had started off slow but in no time at all flew into a rapid mix of beats. Eddward and Nazz preformed a warm up routine together, remaining a fair enough distance from each other as not to hit the other dancer. Kevin watched with fascination dancing in his green eyes. Eddward's coordination was incredible. Where the stumbling little nerd should have been now stood a completely new Double D. Every chance there was to lose his balance was gracefully caught as though he really never lost his balance to begin with. It was intriguing to watch as Edd's sweet facials features turned stern and focus. His eyes did not move themselves off the mirror in front of him, even when he did a quick spin here and jumped to a side there. Unlike his female counter part who was much more fluid with her movements, Double D's body jerked and locked, rolling into a smooth motion seamlessly. He made it look effortless and down-right easy.

Beads of perspiration dotted across his forehead and back, parts of his body now gleaming from the hearty work out. Kevin had to admit his baseball practices were just as demanding as say football or soccer, but dance was a whole other level of physical activity Kevin wouldn't dream of trying to achieve. He was healthy and fit but he was no miracle worker. And yet as he watched Double D slide across the polished dance floor he contemplated the difficulty of those moves. He just made it look so damn easy! Nazz was having a bit of trouble when it came to more of the core driven aspects of their routine and was out of breath half way through the song. She collapsed into a heap on the floor.

"I give up! I don't know how you do it Double D!"

The Ed grinned to himself but did not stop until the routine was finished. He was a stickler for finishing things he had started, hating the habit of leavings things half finished. Heart thumping excitedly, Double D leaned forward onto his knees to catch his breath. The red head had to give the teen credit. He could never pull off any of that.

Nazz's chest rose and fell as she forced her breathing to even out. She picked herself off the floor and rolled her head. "Gosh I'm rusty. Go two weeks without that and you pay for it."

"Nonsense. You were spectacular."

Nazz giggled like she always did. "Well I wouldn't say spectacular but I did my best." She turned to smile at her boyfriend. "Right babe?"

Suddenly green irises met bright blue. Warmth crept up the jock's neck but he refused to let the blush reach his cheeks. Eddward's eyes widened when he realized that someone else in the room had gone unnoticed. A blush did reach Edd's cheeks, his small hands jumping to the rim of his hat in a defensive gesture.

"K-Kevin?! Oh my I-I didn't realize you were...were here." He yanked the hat down over his eyes and the red head practically melted inside. How adorkable.

"Sup dweeb?" He smirked, leaning back against the wall.

Edd sheepishly peeked out from beneath the rim of his beanie and became very aware of his nakedness. He scurried over to his dance bag, which was set conveniently right underneath the spot Kevin was sitting. His lips twisted in a mental groan.

"Pardon me Kevin. Could you please move your leg?"

The red head raised a brow. "What are you up to?"

"Oh nothing. I just... my shirt. In bag." His blush was deepening and he rubbed his neck bashfully.

Kevin did not move his leg. "So?"

Double D bit the inside of his cheek. "I wish to retrieve my shirt."

"Why?" Kevin feigned naivety. He knew darn well that noticing the baseball player's presence turned Edd right back into his timid stuttering self and was now seeking to cover up. Kevin wasn't going to have any of that. He rather liked what he saw and wanted to see it in action some more.

Double D's brows furrowed.

"What's the matter double dork? Feeling naked?"

Perhaps teasing him wasn't such a good idea but he couldn't resist it as the raven haired teen lifted his arms across his chest and rested his arms on his biceps, as if to cover his nudity. If Edd wanted to be worried about something then his focus really should head further south, much where Kevin's eyes lingered just a little too long.

Eddward noticed Kevin's gaze lowering and he innocently followed before inwardly cursing. His pants were practically falling off! In a hurry Edd lifted his pants higher onto his hips and damn near strangled himself tying the knot of his sweats as tightly against his body as he could. By now the rest of his body was flushed pink in embarrassment. Nazz didn't seem to notice the little exchange and jogged over to Edd's side, her hand fall onto his shoulder. Kevin's stomach churned but he ignored the jealous feeling that rumbled in his gut as his girlfriend laid hands on the dork.

"Don't listen to Kevin. He's just teasing you. Come on let's dance!"

Without giving Edd a chance to argue she dragged him back to the middle of the floor. Another popular song started up and Nazz was immediately sucked right into it. Edd on the other hand stood there awkwardly, his eyes dancing between Nazz's and Kevin's reflection. His lips were twisted into a nervous frown. He couldn't dance with Kevin there! Nazz was one thing but his school bully?! He couldn't bring himself to bring one foot in front of the other and tumbled to the floor.

Nazz stopped to look at her partner. "Double D! Are you ok?"

Edd picked himself off the ground but did not get to his feet, opting to remain on his knees. "Oh yes um I uh tripped. Sorry."

Nazz propped her hands on her hips. "Don't be sorry. It happens." She held out her hand to Edd and helped him to his feet.

When he reached out to grab it another hand had gotten in the way. He was immediately yanked to his feet, the air whooshing from him as he stumbled back to catch his balance. In front of him stood nearly six feet of absolute male testosterone and fierce red hair. Kevin smirked.

"Be careful with yourself dork."

Double D's face lit up like the fourth of July. He could just faint right now and he'd welcome the sudden black out. His bully just watched him fall flat on his face just standing still. This day was just not turning out like he had planned at all.

Nazz smiled up at her boyfriend and planted a kiss on his cheek. Kevin pulled away and pushed back the need to wipe his cheek off. Double D was watching but quickly averted his gaze elsewhere as not to watch that little moment of intimacy. Kevin returned to his seat and purposely dropped his legs in front of Edd's dance bag. Just in case he had any second thoughts.

Kevin was such a sneaky bastard for a lack of better terms. He just had to go out of his way to make poor Doubld D more uncomfortable than he already was. No one but Nazz, his class, and instructor knew that the dork danced. He had methodically laid out his schedule accordingly so that none of the kids of the cul-de-sac would ever catch on. Oh but what a fool he had been. He had not taken into account that Nazz would tell her jock boyfriend. She was sweet and Edd couldn't bring himself to be outright mad at her. He doubted she knew much of Kevin's bullying tendencies other than the occasional open teasing and rather than let things get sticky he refused to mention any of it to her. He already had enough on his plate to worry about now that his bully knew he danced.

Edd rubbed his face and groaned.

Kevin licked his lips and briefly wondered what Double D was thinking. He shifted uncomfortably on the bench and decided that he had been sitting for too long. He stood and made his way to the far wall, leaning against the mirror so that he could get a better look at the dancers, Double D in particular. The switch from sitting to standing did little to ease Double D's nerves. If anything he was more nervous than before. At least when sitting all Kevin would be able to see would be bits of his reflection and mostly his back. But now his entire front was visible to the red head's scrutinizing gaze. He swallowed hard. _Oh dear_.

Nazz shuffled through the set of songs on the cd and landed on a fun little techno piece. She jogged back to her spot on the other side of Double D and Kevin was rather pleased to see that his new position would better able to see Double D without actually giving away that he wasn't paying any attention to Nazz. He noticed a twitch in one of Edd's fingers following the beat of the song.

"Think you could show me a few moves?"

At first Double D could have sworn he heard Kevin say it but it took him a full blown minute to realize it had been Nazz talking. He blinked back in her direction, hoping against hope that Kevin hadn't seen him tense like a scardey cat.

"Oh uh. Sure. What k-kind of moves?" He asked, mentally scolding himself for stuttering.

Kevin was just as curious.

"Well I'm having trouble with the fan kick. My hip just doesn't want to roll with it you know? Oh and I'm having trouble getting that back flip down."

Edd's jaw dropped. "Nazz! The instructor specifically warned you of the dangers of trying such an advanced-"

"Oh come on Double D. I have it choreographed into my routine for the big show and I need to get the mechanics of it so I can adjust it for floor work."

Kevin could barely follow the banter. Back flips? Since when did dancing incorporate back flips? And wouldn't they be done on the floor anyways?

Double D's face couldn't have been any redder. He gripped the edge of his beanie and yanked it over one eye, shaking his head.

"Must you?" His voice was strained. _Oh no please Nazz let that one go. Please_.

She pouted. "You are the best of both classes. I just need to find a simpler way to get it down. I have it all down in my head and I promise I'll be safe." She took the hand who's knuckled were white from holding onto the rim so tightly and peeled the fingers away. "Pretty please? I would be a huge favor to me."

Double D nibbled his lip and silently fumed. He couldn't say no to Nazz. Then again he could never say no. But with Kevin nearby...

He cleared his throat, rubbing his Adams apple as he did so. "Um, we would have to change rooms for that. Would Kevin be... you know..."

Nazz shrugged. "I don't know. What do you think babe? Wanna join us in the other room or camp out in here for a bit?"

To say Kevin was eager to see what had Double D so worked up about Nazz's request was an understatement. He shrugged nonchalantly. "Whatever." _Yes. Oh hell yes_.

"Ok then it's settled!"

Nazz led the way from their current setting to another room located in a totally different part of the dance hall. Kevin followed behind Edd whom he was sure was going to turn tail and run. The look on the poor teens face was priceless. His lip was quivering and the clutch he had on his dance bag could choke a horse. He could have sworn he heard a whimper when Nazz slid her dance card into the slot by the door. The red dot turned green on the panel the door dead bolt unlatched.

The room was just like the other room. Cream colored walls, polished wood floors and a row of mirrors lining one wall. The only difference, Kevin noted, were the two long metal poles standing situated towards the middle but spaced far apart. He raised a brow at Nazz who only winked back, sashaying up towards one of the poles. Her blond hair bounced against her neck as she spun back around and leaned against the pole, one hip cocked out as she cast him her sexiest smile. Then it dawned on him.

He snapped his head over to Double D whose face was officially hidden behind his beanie. _Oh good lord no._ He didn't. Edd wasn't... _was he?_ Oh he just had to see this for himself. Kevin's eyes lit with mischief.

"Do you want the stationary or the spinny?" Naz asked, reaching for the hem of her shirt.

Kevin's eye twitched. "Babe, what are you doing?"

Nazz tossed her shirt aside and grinned. "Gotta strip down if we're going to do this."

The red head hummed in disapproval. "Don't tell me you're going to get naked on me."

The blond chuckled and patted her boyfriend's shoulder. "No silly. We just have to strip down to the bare minimum of clothing. The more skin exposure," She licked her lips and nibbled her lip, eyes dancing over her man. "-the better."

Kevin swallowed hard. His eyes ever so slowly drifted over to where Double D was still standing like an idiot with his hands on his hat. Nazz sighed and stalked over to yank his hands down. He had somehow snuck the shirt back on when Kevin hadn't been looking. She grabbed at the edge of Edd's shirt and yanked on it.

"N-NAZZ! What are you doing?!" Edd squawked.

"Undressing you since you can't seem to do it yourself."

Edd's hands came down on hers and pushed her away at once. "I-I can do it just fine on my own!"

Nazz lifted her ups and crossed her arms. "Ok we're waiting."

_We're waiting_. _Ugh_. Did he have to be reminded of Kevin's presence?

Shaking fingers edged to the hem of his shirt which was now partially soaked from the sweat. Thankfully he had brought extra shirts with him in case the weather decided to change later that day. He supposed since Kevin had seen him dance without a shirt previously that perhaps it wasn't all that bad. Nazz had seen him shirtless plenty of times and she was girl. Nudity among other men wasn't considered taboo after all. With a final tug Eddward swallowed his pride and yanked the shirt over his head, mindful of the beanie that began to slip from its spot.

Watching Double D undressing had to be the sexiest thing Kevin had ever seen. And he knew sexy. The subtle and innocent way the raven haired teen wiggled himself out of the t-shirt, back arching and unknowingly flexing the muscles of his abdomen was enough to make the red head's heart begin to race. As the shirt lifted up off his head, the beanie had begun to slip. Long feathery black hair fell from the confines of the hat and fanned the back of Double D's neck. Edd quickly snagged the hat before it could fall off and carefully peeled the shirt off with the rest of his dignity intact. Kevin didn't think he could get ever get enough of Eddward's exposure. He looked so masculine and yet so vulnerable.

"So what's it going to be? Static or spinny?"

Edd dropped his dance bag on the floor in the corner and tucked the shirt he neatly folded right beside it. "S-static should be sufficient."

Edd inhaled deeply and counted backwards from ten. He had to get a grip on himself. It was just a short lesson. Who cares if Kevin was watching? He was helping the guy's girlfriend. Surely he would let Double D off the hook this once for her sake. With a final encouraging nod to himself, Edd forced himself up and marched over to the static pole. He swallowed the bile that rose in the back of his throat as his eyes scaled the impending piece of fitness equipment. One Fan kick and one back flip. Shouldn't be so hard. Rudimentary was all it was.

With a final helping of some self-encouragement Edd faced down that pole and was about to take hold of it when Nazz's voice broke his concentration and he nearly toppled forward. He grabbed the pole for balance and inwardly whimpered. _Oh how embarrassing_.

"I'm sorry Nazz. I didn't quite hear you."

"I said what about your sweats. Aren't you going to have trouble sticking to the pole?"

Edd cleared his throat. "Oh no. Not for what we are about to do."

Kevin inwardly pouted. _Damn_. Luckily for Kevin Karma was on his side. Edd did reach down and lowered his sweats down by a whole inch, exposing the curve of his pelvis and hips. _Oh sweet merciful_-

"Ohh Double D you skank."

_Nazz had absolutely no gauge for appropriateness_, Double D decided.

"It- it's not what you think!" He spun around and nearly cringed to find Kevin's heated gaze staring him down. "No, no, no! You mistake my intentions! Oh dear. It's for the move I am to show Nazz. It requires little skin contact and the only spot to touch- oh gracious! That wasn't what I meant either." Eddward threw his arms into the air frantically. "Naz oh please explain before he-"

Ooh did he think Kevin suspected foul play? He snickered.

"I get it. Stop babbling and get on with it."

Nazz laughed. "Don't be silly. We know what you meant." She walked over to the second pole and knelt down to secure something at the bottom. She twisted her wrist to be sure the pole was locked onto its stationary setting and looked over to Edd. "I'm ready."

Edd whimpered but nodded. "O-ok. What you need to do for a fan kick is to allow your hips to relax. The motion should be fluid but you need to be in control."

She nodded and went on to talk about what he specific issue was. Kevin couldn't bring himself to pay much attention to the mechanics of it and leaned back against the wall. He rolled his eyes.

"Bored?" Nazz winked over Edd's shoulder.

He shrugged when the Edd didn't turn to face him. "Yup. How about we stop with the talking and get to the part where it matters?"

Nazz's face turned pink for the first time that day and she chuckled sweetly into her hand. "Kevin! You are such a dog. I could give you a private showing later if you'd like." She twirled her finger in a lock of golden hair as the words left her lips, a bit sultrier than Kevin admitted to liking.

He forced a smirked. "That's all fine and well babe. Wouldn't miss it for the world. But-" His eyes jumped to Edd's back and the sexy curve of his narrow shoulders. "I want to see what double dork here can do."

His shoulders immediately tensed and Kevin decided he enjoyed the sight. Edd turned his head to cast a questioning look at the athlete and was met with his trademark smirk. He wanted to see Edd do what?! Naz's brows shot to the top of her head. "You're kidding. I know you're great at a lot of things but if you challenge Double D, he's going to make you eat those words." She cocked her hip out and dropped a hand to it.

"Uh, Nazz I don't think-"

"Tch," Kevin raised his hands behind his head and leaned back against the far back wall. "I'll see it when I believe it."

The raven haired teen struggled within himself not to openly gawk. Was Kevin challenging Edd? Oh dear.

"Alright babe it's on." Nazz threw an excited fist in the air and pushed Eddward back towards his pole. "Make him eat those words Double D!"

Before he could trip again, years of experience kicked right in. Taking the shift in weight Double D threw his legs up until he was in a one handed hand-stand, his other arm wrapped securely around the pole. He held the position for a fraction of a second before gracefully lowering himself down all the way. Inwardly he chastised Nazz for her abruptness but before the words would reach his mouth she was back at her pole. He sighed. _Impossible_.

Without the aid of music Eddward was forced to silently improvise. His first set of moves were rather basic in approach. He scaled the pole with ease and waited at the top when he realized Nazz had decidedly chosen to take a free spin on her own. With one hand gripping hte pole, and the soul of his foot pressed flat against it, Edd was able to balance himself out so he could lean back and watch. He secretly envied her ability to be so smooth in all that she did. Her dance was practically flawless were it not for her insistence of such advanced moved that she was clearly not ready for. Her muscles were not ready for such strength complexity. The only reason Edd was able to achieve and master it so quickly was because of his male build which made all strength related moves a breeze. He gasped when Nazz's foot slipped and had it not been for her grip she would have certainly fallen and her head.

Edd loosened his grip and his body slid down the pole towards the ground. "Naz are you alright?"

The blond looked up through her fallen bangs and threw a thumb up. "I'm all good!"

He tsked but there was just no getting through to her. Double D swung his leg around and released his hold. With a single fluid twist his small body rolled down and around the poll, turning into a tumble when his shoulders touched down on the ground. He rolled back up onto his knees and absently stared in the direction he was facing. Which just so happened to be in Kevin's direction.

Kevin's mouth was hanging wide open. His eyes were wide as though his mind had been blown. The raven haired teen would have asked what was wrong had it not been for what Nazz had said previously. He blinked when a warm feeling bubbled up in his chest and it nearly jolted him out of his thoughts. Now Eddward was never one to be smug like any of the jocks that picked on him and his friends but darn it if it didn't feel good finally rubbing it in his bully's face!

Pride turned to cockiness as the dancer rocked himself back into the pole. His hand shot up to take hold of the metal as he lifted his lower body from the ground. His long skinny legs swung up and around until his legs hung right next to his arms, his bottom pressed firmly into the pole. Before dismounting he inhaled a deep and steady breath. Using his core to direct his legs up, he was once again in a sort of hand stand with his stomach flush against the pole. A simple twist of his hips gave him just the right amount of momentum to swing back down and clasp the pole between his thighs. Where skin would have caught against the steel and stopped him using friction, his sweat pants simply glided off the surface. This did not deter him though. Using only his upper body strength he kept himself help up two feet above the ground. His feet splayed flat as though standing on the ground and Kevin watched all while entranced.

Forget any misconceptions he had about the dork being frail and weak. This guy was far from it. His execution of core strength and flexibility had been a metaphorical dick slap to the face. Kevin's heart thumped in his chest as he watched with baited breath. Oh god is he going to fall? Is he going to make it?

For kicks Eddward imitated the motion of walking. His forearm and bicep flexed in the process. From below he head Nazz cheering him on and it was enough to make him get creative. Twisting his hips, he pulled himself up into an invert. Mindful that he was in sweats with barely any stick, he shifted to his right and allowed one leg to cartwheel him around. Like an aerial acrobatic he found his balance in his grip and allowed his momentum to carry him the rest of the way to the floor. But he wasn't finished yet. Somehow in his frenzied play Eddward had found his courage and started going all out.

Nazz and Kevin admired Double D's talent with a hum of appreciation. His flow was damn near flawless. His spins were breath taking and when the dork made it back to the top after several advanced climbs that dropped his sweats a tiny bit lower on his hips, he effortlessly pressed himself into an iron-x, both hands latched securely to pole while spreading out his legs straight into an X-shape. Below he could hear Nazz's cheering. Form his angle he couldn't see or hear Kevin and opted for a drop out in one of the most literal senses.

Nazz's scream tore through Kevin as they both watched Double D curl himself around the pole only to suddenly drop from the ceiling. His heart slammed in his ribcage and he and Nazz went running to Edd's side. They came to screeching halt to his shaking figure but what caught their eye the most was that he was not on the floor writhing in what they would assume would be pain from a broken limb. In fact he was inches above the floor boards, his stomach muscles and arm flexed tightly around the pole which broke his fall at just in the nick of time.

Kevin's hands started to shake from the rush of adrenalin. He thought-

"YOU IDIOT!"

Nazz broke into a full blow laugh, tears and all as Eddward tumbled the last few inches to the ground. His laughter emanated from beneath the feathery black hair that stuck to his sweaty forehead. Kevin's face turned red.

"You scared the hell out of me! You really think that was funny?!"

Nazz snorted. "Oh it was hilarious. You should have seen your face!"

The athlete threw his arms into the air. Were they insane or something? He could have gotten hurt. Double D could have-

Kevin's one track mind halted at once as those lovely blue eyes of Eddwards met with his furious green ones. He quickly sobered up and leaned back against the pole to catch his breath. His fingers lifted up to his chest as he concentrated hard on them, finding sudden interest in them.

"M-my apologies Kevin. I was merely displaying my proud capacity of abilities. I hadn't meant to cause you such a fright."

Kevin's anger disintegrated in seconds. He pinched the bridge of his nose and made a frustrated growl, making Edd twitch nervously.

"Don't ever fucking do that again." _Because I swear if I ever see you falling from the sky like that my heart will explode._


	2. Chapter 2

**You guys liked this fic so much that I finally caved and wrote a second part to this. I don't know if I will be continuing it on in the future but it is open for it so if people still like this then I will consider a part III but for now I hope you guys enjoy this. Took me a while but I'm happy I got it done and even like how it came out. Hope you do to! Let me know what you think. Ciao!**

* * *

Eddy howled as his head collided with the thick cold metal of his locker door, his vision immediately starting to blur. The sight of green that had stalked him some down the school hall had thrown him back with as much force as it could muster, lifting the short scammer off his feet and holding him there. His pudgy fingers clawed and raked at the hand knotted in his front of his shirt but no amount of screaming could get his attacker to let go. Standing off to the side was loveable Ed, staring wide eyed and trembling in his worn out sneakers.

"What the hell is your problem now shovel chin?!" Eddy screamed, pointing an accusing finger at the jock. "You pissed because of that eraser joke? Come on, it was a classic!"

Kevin raised his fist and Eddy flinched.

"You fucking idiot! I nearly got thrown out of class because of you!"

"Me too!" Nazz cried from behind Kevin. Her eyes were blood shot and red, eyeliner streaming down her cheeks as the girl from her cheer squad held her back. Her boyfriend was out for revenge but she was out for blood. Had it not been for Stacy there was no telling what Nazz would have done to Eddy. "Were you even paying attention when he said those horrible things to me?" She cried. "Our teacher thinks I'm a no good tramp because of you and your stupid rumors!"

"Then what the heck were you doing on a stripper pole in the first place babe?"

Kevin growled and jerked back his arm, poised and ready to strike the bastard down. "You get me in trouble with the auto teacher and then spread lies about Nazz. You have the fucking gall to disrespect my girl in front of me."

Eddy shook his head frantically, his eyes dancing from side to side in search of a way out. "H-Hey Kev, let's talk about this. Be reasonable-"

"Reasonable is letting him wreck your face for what you did." Stacy sneered.

"Give him hell Kev!" Nazz spat venomously.

Eddy looked between the three angry teens; pleading in whimpers with Ed to save him but the loveable oaf wouldn't budge an inch. He was much too frightened to interfere even if he wanted to. In minutes Eddy was a crumpled mess of bruises on the floor. Kevin popped a few of his knuckles and threw his arm protectively around Nazz. The poor thing was in tears, rage seething past her usually cheery disposition. Awkwardly he patted her back, not quite sure what to say to console her.

"Hey it'll be ok." He said, earning a sob in response. "Hey uh you wanna get ice cream after school or something?"

"Don't think that's going to help." Stacy said off handedly and Kevin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. She was right to some degree. When Eddy was involved shit rolled downhill faster than he could say dork. The blond under his arm sniffled and used the arm of her sleeve to wipe away the mess on her face. Some traces were left behind, a smudge of black streaked over her nose and cheek. That hot angry glimmer in her eye had fizzled down to an ember.

"Kev," Her sharp stare flew back to him. "Can I ask you something?"

He stepped back, biting the inside of his cheek. "Sure. Shoot."

"Call Double D for me and send him to my house after school." Again she wiped her sleeve across her face, her white cotton blouse collecting a dirty black splotch on the wrist. "Eddy is just a jerk! He doesn't understand what it means to dance the way we do." She stomped her foot on the ground. "I hate the stigma that follows pole dancing. It's, like, totally unfair that people who work just as hard as ballerinas get called whores and sluts just because there's a stupid piece of metal is involved. It's what makes us unique not dirty."

Kevin nodded his head, his focus waning at the mention of a certain black haired beauty. Since finding him at the dance hall last week the jock couldn't get the guy out of his head. The image of sweet innocent Double D spinning round and around on a sleek silver pole with a tantalizing grin just wouldn't go away. No matter how many times he tried to think of Nazz somehow it always came back around to the sockhead. He hadn't seen him since Friday and here it was Monday. Briefly he wondered where Edd could be. He was always the punctual type and not seeing him in his usual spots was becoming a bit unnerving. Once again his eyes searched the hall, hoping to find any sign of the gap toothed genius but instead he was met with nothing but the sight of unhappy teens trudging back and forth between classes. Somehow it made school a bit… depressing. "Yeah. Depressing."

"Exactly! I mean, where does Eddy get off talking like that about me? I thought he liked me. And poor Double D."

Kevin's thoughts snapped back to attention, his furious green eyes landing on his girlfriend. "What did you say?"

Nazz sniffled and dropped her arm to her side. Kevin's grip tightened the slightest bit but it wasn't an embrace she didn't welcome. She turned fully into him and buried her face into his chest breathing in his thick masculine scent. "Double D, Kev. " He smelt of honey and grass, and it reminded her of that silly health kick he had started some time back. "You smell nice."

Kevin grit his teeth, barely able to hold himself back from pushing her off him like a dirty napkin. "What about him?" He really wanted to know.

She shrugged. "I was just thinking how upset he is about all this." When Kevin raised a brow she went on to explain. "After all that went down with the security guard prank and then having his best friend spread such horrible lies about pole dancers he was so distraught he just bolted out of class."

Kevin's eyes widened. He ran out in the middle of class? Impossible. Double D would never-

"The teacher told me to go after him and I did. I heard him crying in the boy's bathroom. He's so sweet and sensitive I just can't imagine why Eddy would do that."

Had it not been for Nazz holding onto him Kevin would have thrown her aside and ran across campus to find Edd. His insides stirred and he felt like heaving. Just knowing a few salty tears had touched those gorgeous blue eyes of his, for any reason, was enough to make his blood boil. He wasn't sure exactly what had been said when dork-o had started spreading that rumor and to whom it got around to but if one thing was certain it was that Eddy's head was about to roll. A few of his knuckles popped as he flexed his right hand. His fingers still throbbed from when he gave Eddy that beating but now he was in for a whole new world of hurt. Speaking of which- Kevin looked around and sneered- he was gone.

"Come on Nazz." Stacy said taking Nazz's arm. The trembling blond sniffled and nodded her head. "We'll catch up with you later Kev."

No sooner was Nazz out of sight was Kevin on a war path. His sneakers squeaked against the tile floor with purpose, his hands curled into fists as he sought out every boy's bathroom on campus. When he found the first two void of the sockhead he started to, quickening his pace. When he got a hold of Eddy- oh there was no telling what the furious red-head would do to him. All he knew was that it wasn't going to be good. His own mother wouldn't recognize him if Kevin got his way. If Nazz was this upset he could only imagine how distraught the ravenette had to be. He wasn't sure what to expect. Nazz had been a wreck when he caught her at lunch, tears running down her face and a look of pure hatred wrinkling her gorgeous face. If he were to see Edd this way… well there was no telling what he might do. Get angry? Perhaps. He knew this wouldn't sit well with him no matter how he found the dork. When Eddy got his it would be in full. He'd pound him so far into the ground he'd be pushing daisies by this time tomorrow. He'd make it so the scammer would never hurt Double D again. _And Nazz_, he added as an afterthought.

As he approached the fourth, and last, bathroom Edd could be in he was a bit relieved to find it was one of the singular rooms. He figured the guy wouldn't want to be caught crying like girl by some jock and hid in the most logical of places. No one came to this restroom. Inside was dirty and often smelt of mildew- among other things. Kevin took to leaning against the wall next to the door and listened in through the crack between the door and the jam. He heard a soft sniffle and immediately his heart began to ache. The dork was crying. It made him all the angrier. His fingers bit into the center of his palm, knuckles turning white as he tried to shut out the need to kick down the door and instead use his words. The jock was never one for verbal exchange but he supposed there was a first time for everything. Especially when it came to the dork.

"Yo open up."

He heard of pause in the sniffling followed by a soft shuffle. "Y-Yes?" It was the dork alright. His voice had cracked and Kevin bit angrily into his tongue.

"You got bugs in your ears or something? I said open up!"

Kevin stepped back when he heard the click of the latch and the door finally opened. A white faced dork with eyes bluer than any shade Kevin had ever laid eyes on stood before him, staring miserably down at the ground. He wouldn't meet Kevin's gaze and the jock didn't like that, not one bit.

"My apologies Kevin." His voice was under toned and soft. "Please excuse me."

Before the dork could get far Kevin threw his arm out stopping the nerd in his tracks. Edd's tear stained face looked up at him, confusion dancing in his blood shot eyes. Kevin merely shook his head and pushed the dork back inside. Once the door was shut and locked Kevin turned back to Edd, his eyes dancing over the sockhead with concern. In Edd's eyes he saw confusion, fear, and to his chagrin a lack of fight. He seemed to know what Kevin was here for and that bothered the red-head. Clearing his throat Kevin stepped forward beneath the ugly glow of the bathroom's light. His eyes trained hard on Edd's and never once moved as he spoke.

"Ok dork what's going on?"

Double D looked away, a lump lodging in his throat as he struggled within himself to say something. He wasn't one to lie but speaking the truth at the moment didn't seem possible. Not until he had time to process all the things his friend had said. Admittedly it hurt to hear such hurtful things coming forth from Eddy's big mouth, not that it shocked him Eddy would be so brazen, but that he lacked the ability to realize that enough was enough. No, Eddy had taken things too far this time. This time around he simply couldn't ignore Eddy's ignorance. He had hurt Nazz as well. The poor dear must have been in ruins and he was ashamed to not have stayed behind long enough to defend her against Eddy's accusations. The teacher had been horrendously cruel to her, calling her anything and everything vulgar under the sun. He couldn't imagine why Eddy felt compelled to reveal that photo of her and spread those terrible rumors. They weren't even true! Nazz was a fine athlete with incredible ability. Not some 'pampered tart working shifts on the corner' as Eddy had not so eloquently put it.

It was hard for him to look Kevin in the eye. All he could see was Nazz's face, pale and on the verge of tears. He was probably here to take him out and for all intents and purpose, he should. Though he had nothing to do with Eddy's deplorable behavior he would remain forever an accomplice by default. This thought sickened him. He was hurting too, if no more than Nazz was now. Then again a punch to the face would be heaven in comparison to this pain. At least his face would heal. This pain felt like a continuous punch to the gut. He wasn't quite sure when the agony would end.

"If you don't mind me asking-" Edd inhaled deeply, swallowed the thick humidity of the room. "Why are you here?" He might as well get this over with.

Kevin lifted a brow, flexing his fingers at his side. He wasn't sure what to say. "I think you know why I'm here." His voice was gruff and echoed throughout the small confines of the room. "Nazz is bawling and here you were hiding away in the bathroom." He took a brazen step forward. "You seriously think I'm going to let this fly?"

Edd squeezed his eyes shut, preparing to be hit. He stumbled back, his back hitting the grimy tile wall. He did his best not to flinch at the thought of dirt and whatever else coating the wall was now touching him and his clean clothes. He shook his head. Of course not, Kevin was going to get revenge for his girlfriend like a good boyfriend should, damn the consequences and damn whoever else is involved. Unable to help himself Edd turned into the wall, throwing his arms over his face. He hadn't meant to, it was just a defense mechanism, but at this point he was used to Kevin's beatings. He knew what to expect and where. It wasn't often Kevin tagged him in the face but when he did boy did it hurt. Kevin snagged Edd's shoulder and forced him back against the wall.

"I don't think so."

Edd gasped and his arms weren't quick enough to protect his face. The impact, however, was shockingly comfy. Instead of knuckles he felt tender flesh matching his own. His eye lids pried open spying the source of heat touching his face. A cheek; a round freckled cheek pressed to his own. Then he realized in that moment that he was no longer leaning back into the wall but into a much softer barrier. Instead of tile he touched muscle hidden beneath a thin layer of clothing. Instead of mildew and urinary extracts he smelt fresh grass with the slightest hint of honey. Two strong arms had found themselves at home around his shoulders. His eyes danced, beguiled and bewildered. Kevin was… Kevin Barr his bully was…

Hugging him.

An explosion of sudden heat pushed the sockhead past his breaking point. Like a fire it spread from his head to his toes, this new found comfort settling like hot coals at the pit of his stomach. He clearly didn't give a damn for the who's, the what's, or the why's when he in turn wrapped his arms around the jock and buried his face where it never should have been. He wept softly into Kevin's chest, pouring every ounce of fear and loathing into his sobs. His tears soaked through Kevin's shirt but he couldn't care less. He hugged the dork close, tightening his grip- anything to silence the heart wrenching sobs. His green eyes were trained on the wall behind Edd, his glare threatening to burn holes through the tile and dry wall. He wasn't sure just how many minutes he stood there holding Edd but he knew it hadn't been for very long. The dork was quick to collect himself, drying his tears on the sleeve of his cardigan before giving a sullen gap toothed smile. The jock admittedly crumbled inside. He made that smile happen. He continued to hold Edd close, rubbing his hand soothingly up and down the smaller boy's back. He tried desperately not to notice but he couldn't help it; he could feel by just the tips of his fingers alone the hard tones muscle hiding under the dork's clothing. Flashes of Friday came racing to the forefront of his mind and he swallowed. Hard.

"Kevin you are so kind."

Kind? That's a long lost word in his vocation. He smiled, albeit awkwardly, and pressed his chin to the dork's head. The dork's hat was soft and smelt of fresh scented detergent. "Uh yeah I guess."

Edd looked down to the ground and grimaced. The floor was dirty beyond comparison. How he managed to stay inside it for a complete hour and a half was beyond him. Already he started to feel itchy and clammy. His clothes were going to need a full blown steaming treatment to get the gunk of unseen germs off. He took to resting his head on Kevin's shoulder, willing away the butterflies that floated about in his stomach. Kevin Barr was never one for embraces and this moment in time had him awestruck. He had never seen the cul-de-sac king act so passionate for anything other than sports or his bike. This came as a complete surprise but Double D wasn't about to push the embrace away. He welcomed it literally with open arms. He needed some company. He couldn't go to Ed, he just wouldn't understand. Nazz needed consoling herself and Eddy was entirely out of the question. And then there was Kevin. His presence was strong, his countenance sturdy enough for Edd to depend upon. It made him feel safe regardless of the setting or circumstance that brought them to this moment. Edd found it easier to smile and sniffled softly into his arm. Briefly he wondered if anyone else had heard him weeping.

"I apologize for your shirt Kevin."

"Don't worry about it." The red-head felt the tension in his muscles ease the longer he held the other boy. Where Nazz felt rather angular and uncomfortable, Edd's body seem to fit right into place against his own. It was just unfortunate how it came about.

Kevin flexed his hands once more. "I swear when I get my hands on Eddy-"

"Oh no! Please don't." Edd had grabbed the front of Kevin's shirt, pulling the surprised red-head closer. His big blue eyes pleaded with Kevin's, never once looking away.

The jock raised an incredulous brow and deadpanned. "Why the heck shouldn't I?"

Edd then looked away, his round face scrunched as though he were in deep contemplation of his own words. Why shouldn't he let Kevin beat up Eddy? The boy deserved it and perhaps then some but… "Eddy is a fool." He eventually said, the words falling from his tongue in a hushed whisper. "A foolish fool, but… my friend." Even Kevin could hear the ugly undertone in that last word and Eddward didn't bother to correct himself. "Therefor I beg of you not to hurt him."

This feels like a bad soap opera, Kevin thought offhandedly and made a noise somewhere between annoyed and disgusted. "Friends, double dweeb, don't go running their mouths like he did." He hand fell over Edd's and he admired how soft they felt. He locked it to his chest, much to the dork's surprise. His cheeks were dusted with a light shade of pink as the sockhead peered up into the unmovable object that was Kevin. "I uh… I'm sorry he hurt like that man. It wasn't cool. I don't know what the dork said but I'm sure none of it was true."

Edd's jaw dropped by a fraction. The jock was trying to comfort him.

"Whatever he said about your, you know, dancing stuff I bet was a bunch of lies."

Edd shook his head. "No, he merely took it out of context."

"I don't care. The next time I see his dumb ass it'll be hanging from the flag pole out front."

The sockhead couldn't help himself. The mental image was just too perfect to ignore. He giggles. Kevin's heart throbbed with excitement. "After a good ol' fashion wedgie." The dork threw his hand over his mouth but the smile gleamed bright in his eyes. An incredible difference from just a few minutes before. "Maybe a swirly. Oh and wet willy for good measure."

"Eww!" Edd's hand dropped and the boy was in a full fit of chuckles.

Kevin tried to hold himself back but Edd's laughter was contagious. He felt a bubble of laughter fill his chest and before he knew it both of them were giggling into one another. Kevin was the first to collect himself and, reluctantly, stepped back. He didn't want the dork to be creeped out and took to standing with both his hands shoved into his pockets. Edd was smiling brilliantly with not a tear in sight. The red in his eyes was quickly fading and Kevin never felt more accomplished. Edd clasped his hands in front and glanced away, a tad embarrassed. It wasn't everyday one laughed along with his bully. It was strange not to feel the need to cower or beg for his wellbeing. He chalked it all up to Kevin being human. He knew all along the boy had a heart.

"You didn't have to come Kevin." Edd finnally said after a prolonged pause. "I am sure Nazz is in greater need of you."

Kevin shrugged his shoulders having almost completely forgotten about Nazz. "No big deal. She's with one of her cheerleader friends. Said you left in the middle of class."

Edd's mouth fell into a perfect 'o'. He looked pretty crestfallen at the mention of his departure from class and Kevin regretted mentioning it. "She wants you to come over to her house after school."

It was the sockhead's turn to lift an incredulous brow. "Why?"

Kevin shrugged. "I don't know. She was really upset and babbling on about your pole thing or something." As he suspect a light of recognition lit in the dork's eyes and Edd started to fidget. He loved how timid Edd could be and yet so perfectly confident in his… whatever that was last Friday.

"Thank you Kevin." Edd's fingers came up to his chest and twisted together. "I-if you'll excuse me I should be returning to class."

"Nah." Kevin pressed Edd back and smirked, his green eyes dancing mischievously. "How about we ditch."

"In here?" Edd sounded mortified. "I couldn't."

"No not here dork." Kevin scratched his chin before snapping his fingers. "How about I give you a ride to Nazz's?"

"The school day hasn't yet ended." Edd crossed his arms. The dork was being defiant and Kevin loved it.

"Come on she'll be cool with it. I always go to her house to ditch."

Edd frowned, shaking his head. "What about her parents? And how do I explain by attendance to one class but my absence in another?"

Kevin rolled his eyes. He snagged the dork by the upper arm and practically dragged Edd out of the bathroom. The dork squeaked and made a grab for Kevin's hand. The boy had shockingly strong hands but they were ultimately no match for the jock's grip. Edd stumbled down the hall as he watched Kevin drag him across campus and out of the building. Kevin's bike was conveniently chained to the bike rack out front and he was the lock picked in no time at all. "I always forget the combo," Kevin explained as he readied his bike. "Learn to pick locks when I was like ten."

Edd grinned, biting into the tip of his tongue as he contemplated actually getting on that thing. Kevin was an avid sports monster and though he was sure Kevin took every precaution to stay safe Edd simply couldn't bring himself to trust it. The bicycle would soon be replaced by an actual motorized bike, he was sure, but in the meantime his neighbor and bully had taken his hobby to a new found level. The bike had been redesigned recently by the looks of it. The wheels and chain looked well-polished and Edd couldn't' spot a single dent or ding in its frame. Located on the seat was a helmet chained into place. Kevin picked that lock as well and tossed the head gear to Edd.

"Here." Kevin stepped forward to place the helmet on the kid's head and clicked the safety latch into place. His fingers brushed Edd's chin and Kevin fought not to blush. He hopped right on and waved for the dork to follow. "Come dweeb. We gotta go before security catches us."

That was enough to get Edd right he needed to be. Once seated behind Kevin he leaned into the metal back piece, putting some distance between him and the jock. Kevin smiled over his shoulder and Edd felt his insides melt. "You ready?"

Edd nodded his head in affirmation though he couldn't actually say. He squeaked when the bike was lifted off its stand and wheeled forward. Kevin did his best not to laugh. Edd was… adorkable. He truly was. The first speed bump had Edd gripping the extended seat of the bike but not long after he felt himself relaxing. Once he was certain the bike wouldn't tip over because of him he started to become a bit bolder. He held out his hands and chuckled when the bike shook but held fast. Kevin really was an excellent rider.

"Ever been on the back of a bike before?"

Edd shook his head. "Mother and father did away with my bike when I out grew it and never had any intention of replacing it. They thought it much too dangerous."

"Lame." Kevin peddled a bit harder and the two zoomed out of sight of the school.

Edd lifted his face into the air feeling the wind whip gently as his face. The morning grey of the sky was quickly turning sunny and blue. The heat of the sun washed over his face and the sockhead felt elated. The harder Kevin peddled the higher Edd felt. Eventually Kevin slowed to a cruise and the two felt the speed was perfect. Edd watched the sunshiny horizon as they rode through town back to the cul-de-sac. Kevin kept his eyes on the bike path and felt the familiar tug of a smile on his face. Riding his bike always brought him a sense of gratification. It was his means of escaping everyday life, similar to when people took a walk or went fishing to clear their minds. The road was his haven and his bike acted as his wings, taking him closer to the clouds each and every time. When he got his hands on a motorcycle- man it was going to be sweet.

He looked over his shoulder and grinned. The dweeb looked happy. _Good._

Nazz's house was the first house on the lane, a nice corner lot with more grass on their lawn then anyone else's. Her house was simple and white with a shingled brown roof. When Kevin's father got a bit too rowdy while drinking this place had become a safe haven for him. It was a place to feel secure when the world just didn't seem safe anymore. It was there for him when he needed a bed to sleep in and when nights turned trees into horrible misshaped monsters. It was probably around then that Nazz mistook his affection for something more than just friends. He didn't have to heart to tell her no, feeling indebted to her for all the times she let him into her bed when he was too scared to sleep alone. For a while he had hoped her infatuation with him would steadily decline but it seemed to only grow as they got older. Recently she had been talking about marriage and college. Kevin wasn't ready for any of that. He wanted to travel, to see the world and experience new heights before settling down. He couldn't imagine himself ever being married to her. Nazz was a great gal and all but he just didn't love her as she wanted him to, and Kevin couldn't live with being married to someone he didn't love; but, as always, he was too much of a coward to tell her. He intended to let her run with the motion until he just… one day disappeared. He chuckled to himself. _If only things were that easy_.

Kevin parked the bike on the side of house, chaining it to the fence while Edd took to hiding behind one of the porch posts. He thought it was cute how un-inconspicuous he was being. It amused him that the dork never ditched before and like a pro Kevin strode right up to the front door. Under a potted plant was a spare key Nazz kept outside in case she got locked out. He helped himself inside and Double D followed after him, keeping close for whatever insane reason the dork might have. Kevin didn't mind though.

Edd looked about Nazz's house with a bit of indifference. The lay out was similar to his own with a dash of feminine charm touch to it. Above the fireplace mantle was a family photo. Edd hadn't realized there was more to her family that just herself and her parents, and he gazed admiringly into the photo. Beside her was an older blond boy. They looked very alike in his opinion. He turned his gaze away when he felt a presence at his back and he shifted, nearly bumping into Kevin in the process. The red-head looked morose as he spoke, his tone heavy.

"Yeah I didn't know Nazz had a brother either."

Edd nodded his head. "They look so alike it would be easy to mistaken them for twins."

Kevin shrugged, staring deeply into the photo. He remembered the night Nazz got the call from the hospital. Her brother had been in an accident and didn't survive. He remembered it all so clearly though he wished he couldn't. Two weeks after losing him Nazz and Kevin got together. He insisted upon himself that it wasn't out of pity that he accepted her offer to dinner but the longer he let himself think on it the less his reasoning made making sense. "Want a drink?"

Edd smiled up at his bully and nodded shyly. "Water please."

Kevin handed Edd a water bottle and peeked into the fridge, finding nothing easily accessible to much on.

"Kev?"

The red-head lifted his head from the fridge. Well speak of the devil. It was Nazz standing in nearly all her naked glory. Her running mascera had been washed away and now her skin was glowing pink. Her blond hair hung in wet tendrils over her cheeks as she rubbed the corner of her towel over his nose. He remembered Edd was in the other room and almost tripped over himself. He felt like a caught cheating husband. It was downright silly, he knew this, but his face turned a sinful shade of red regardless. "H-hey babe. I didn't expect you to be here."

The blond smiled and tucked her towel tightly around her body. "Stacy gave me a ride home." Stepping up to the jock she planted a kiss on his cheek. "I missed you."

"Yeah." Kevin cleared his throat, taking a cautionary step back. "Uh, how about you go put on some clothes?"

The sweetness on Nazz's face turned sultry and she licked her lips. "What for?"

Kevin flickered his gaze to the entrance of the living room. "Edd's here."

"Ed?!" She tightened her grip on her towel looking aghast.

"No, not doofus, double dork."

"Oh." Nazz sighed in relief. "You scared me there. You realize he's seen me in worse right?" Kevin tried not to roll his eyes. "Seeing me in a towel should be no shock to him."

_If not to him then to me_, he thought on the sly.

Sashaying from the kitchen Nazz made her way back to her bedroom, stopping halfway through the door to wink at her boyfriend. "Besides, he doesn't even swing that way."

Kevin blanched the moment she was out of sight. Seriously? _The double dork doesn't… you mean he likes… _He swallowed hard, feeling a blush creep up his neck and across his face. Well this was a bit of important information. Rubbing his chin to do away with the blush he peeked back out into the living room, spotting his dork wandering about the décor. His heart did a funny dance within the confines of his chest and no amount of willing was enough to make it stop. Maybe, just maybe, he had a chance after all. Nazz soon returned in some bicycle shorts and a tank top, moving from one room to the other. "Double D!"

The black haired beauty spun on his heels, shocked to hear his name but was immediately at ease when he saw who it was. "Nazz. I thought you were at school."

The blond giggled, sweeping him up into a hug. "Nah my friend took me home. I guess you got my message huh?"

Edd nodded. "Kevin did an excellent job delivering your message to me." He smiled knowingly at the jock whom spun around to hide his reddening face. To Kevin's relief he didn't speak a word of what happened in the bathroom and instead left it at that. "He was even kind enough to bring me here."

Nazz shifted her weight and cocked out her hip. "Well I had hoped you would continue the school day then come over so we could go to the studio for practice today. Oh well. I've got a lot of spare time as it is and an extra pole in other room if you want to get a head start."

"I-I suppose." Edd stuttered, "But I wouldn't want to impose."

"Not at all silly." Nazz led Edd to the spacious guest room where in the middle of the white painted walls was a single metal pole. He could tell it was titanium gold by just the looks of it. There was a unique shine to it that he found himself admiring and before he knew what he was doing Edd stepped up to touch it. The cool metal sent a shiver racing down his back and he grinned, feeling at home with hand wrapped firmly around it.

"Are you sure Nazz?"

She waved him off. "Go ahead. I've got some homework to catch up on anyways. When I'm done I'll come get you." Unwrapping the towel from around her head she shook out her wet hair. "Just make yourself at home. If you need anything ask Kev."

Nodding Edd left Nazz to do as she intended, turning to the pole and considering what he should do. His duffle bag with all his work out gear was stashed in his closet at home. He considered going home to fetch it but thought against it when he realized his parents might be home. They usually where when he wasn't. Convenient, he mentally huffed.

Once he was sure his fingers were locked on the pole Edd gave himself a quick spin around it. His feet lifted off the ground in no time and with the grace of a ballerina he made his trip around, toes pointed for added elegance. His sweater and khakis would make it difficult to do much but as he knew this wasn't his first rodeo. Opting not to strip out of sweater he instead twirled around as he was, lifting his feet and straightening his legs. He spun forward and backward, hooking his knee at just the right time. On a pivot he lifted himself up, fan kicking into a backwards showgirl. _I wish the names of these moves weren't so vulgar_, he inwardly grimaced. He did this again, three times, spinning faster and extending his legs as far back as they could go. His heart pounded against his chest and the dork no longer felt earth bound. With one hand he spun about, giving a majority of his body a chance to rest. He landed like a fairy would on a rose petal, steps soft and light as he stepped away from the pole. Grinning like an idiot he wiped the collection of sweat from his forehead and turned to do more but instead ran right into Kevin's chest. Edd stumbled back and blinked innocently at the jock. He could see the faintest tint of red on his cheeks but thought nothing more about. His own cheeks turned crimson when realized Kevin had been watching him the entire time. He had nearly forgotten the guy was there at all!

"H-hello Kevin." He stuttered bashfully.

Edd stood before him a fidgeting mess once more. It baffled him how strong willed he was on the pole and yet on ground he was nothing but a puddle of nerves. He snickered, waving his hand when Edd raised a brown of concern. The jock smirked, shoving his hand into jacket pocket. The sight had been incredible. With or without clothing Edd looked radiant. In a million years he never would have guessed that the sweet dorky kid he picked on could be so… amazing. Amazing? _Yeah. Amazing._


	3. Chapter 3

Looking from side to side Double D took a cautious step forward, his blue orbs never leaving the space over his shoulder. He could have sworn he felt eyes following him, a gaze hot as fire searing the very threads of his favorite orange shirt to oblivion as he walked up the steps of the school building. Math book in hand the dork sighed, pressing the tips of his fingers to his pink painted face. An hour before class he had done a rigorous routine of squats and pole lifts- his usual morning regimen to get his muscles stretched and the blood flowing- but in all reality it could not beat the adrenalin rush he now felt as fear pumped through his veins like solution through an IV; clouding his near infallible logic.

Swallowing the stone that formed in his throat the dork did his best to ignore the strange feeling of being watched, turning his attention back down the hall. He was sure to find his friend, Eddy, lounging about beside his locker in his pseudo teen angst facade but to his surprise he found gentle giant Ed instead.

"Ed?" He was baffled. "I thought you were served morning in house suspension."

The taller boy nodded, his goofy smile taking up over ninety percent of his face. "I did Double D. And I drew you a picture!"

The happy go-lucky teen rummaged about in his pockets looking for his gift, his smile widening as he extracted a wrinkled paper ball.

"The principle said I could draw myself into the ground but I instead drew you a butterfly."

"Oh." Edd hesitantly took it, silently praying there were no remnants of some stinky cheese that could have been left to mold in Ed's pocket. "Why Ed you shouldn't have."

Carefully he peeled the paper apart using the tips of his fingers. The larger teen's face turned pouty.

"Eddy was so mean Double D!y. " smile turning pusing the points of his fingers. The paperen left in Ed'eling, h him like An hour before " He was practically shouting, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes. "I wanted you to remember I am your friend. Like the peanut butter to your jelly."

Edd's brows scrunched together in slight confusion but the boys tangled words did little to deter the happy feeling seeing his smiling friend gave him. As he opened the parchment Edd's eyes widened, his blue orbs dancing in wonder. He bit softly into his lip, his fingers unintentionally gripping the paper tightly and winkling it even further.

"Oh Ed." His eyes softened. "You drew this? For me?"

The boy nodded. "You're so pretty when you dance Double D. Like a molten lizard-ant dancing the dance of peace in the Fires of Lorax." Ed giggled and held up two fingers. "Episode three."

Edd held the picture to his chest and smiled. "I love it. What a splendorous gift Ed- why, I must take this home and frame it."

He opened the picture once more to stare at it. It was the loveliest rendering he had ever seen. With chalk, pencil and bits of other stencil he couldn't place Edd found himself staring at it in complete admiration.

"Thank you my friend. I shall encase this in the best frame mother has at home and place it upon my bedroom wall." When Ed started clapping, he smiled. "Would you like that Ed?"

"Yay!" Ed bounced from foot to foot excitedly. "I do, I do!"

Edd chuckled from behind his hand and very carefully began straightening the paper along the wall. "A simple brown one shall do for now. I know of one mother keeps filed in her-"

"Hey guys!"

Eddward froze. His heart began to race, his knuckles turning white as he felt his nails scratch tiny marks into the peeling paint of the school's wall. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Ed, his broad shoulders slumped and eyes staring sadly at the ground. The source of that voice looked about, scratching his larger than life size head in confusion.

"What's got lumpy's panties in a bunch?"

_Eddy!_

"Uh hello? Double D I asked you a question."

The dark haired teen refused to look at the scammer even as said boy waltz up and slouched back against the locker beside him, trying to look as suave as can be. Edd turned his back on him, silently trying to quiet the rage rattling about in his head.

"I'm not speaking to you."

Eddy's eyes widened, his pocketed fists bunching at his sides. "Wha-wha-WHAT?!"

"You heard me." Edd spun back around only to march around his so-called friend, tucking the carefully folded drawing into his pocket. "Come along Ed. We mustn't be late to class."

The scammer gawked, hurt shining in his eyes. "What the heck?" He kicked off the locker behind him and chased after Double D.

Ed, while unsure, chased after them both; his large fingers knitting together as his gaze switched between them worriedly. "Guys! Wait for me!"

Eddy stormed up alongside Edd, surprise to find he had to hustle in order to keep up with his friend's quick pace.

"What the hell dude? What's with the cold shoulder?" He all but demanded an answer, huffing as he continued to openly glare at his friend.

Edd kept walking. He willed himself not to speak but Eddy had a knack for always pushing past his capacity for patience. With every word that came tumbling out of Eddy's obnoxious mouth poor Double D felt his control slipping, and words he'd rather not say inching that much closer to the tip of his tongue.

"Some friend you are." Eddy snarled, crossing his arms only to have them drop stubbornly back to his sides. "I had a great scam in mind and here you guys are leaving me in the dust and treating me like a carrot in winter."

"That makes no sense Eddy. I'm walking behind you." Ed piped but his lips clamped shut when Eddy glared at him over his shoulder.

"Cram it!" He turned a fussy eye back to Edd. "And you! This isn't how you treat your friends."

Double D knew he shouldn't have but he couldn't control his feet when they stopped, nearly skidding against the smudged tile floor before he whipped around to face his… he wasn't sure just what to call Eddy at the moment. Ally, partner, and friend were among the assortment of words he wasn't quite willing to call him at the moment. Instead he caught Eddy's eye with an icy gaze, his stare intensifying as the seconds seem to drag on. Neither were able to say a word more to the other. Double D's fingers curled until his knuckles turned white and this did not go by unnoticed by the scammer.

"Is that so?"

Loveable Ed wisely backed away, slipping quietly behind Edd, but Eddy didn't seem to be getting the silent message even as his friend burned the unspoken accusation right into the center of his thick greasy forehead.

"Yeah man you don't just turn your back on your best pals."

An indignant huff escaped him but Double D didn't seem to care, even as he turned his back once more on the shorter teen.

"I never would have known."

Edd's sneakers squeaked as he quickly pivoted back down the hall, his cheeks burning an impressive shade of red.

"See the friend I have is nothing more than an odious, crass, insensitive jerk that cares for no one but himself."

Eddy gaped. "You can't be serious." He started to laugh but all it did was grate even further on the dork's nerves. This of course he doesn't realize. "What's this really all about?"

Edd threw his arms into the air, his bag sliding off his shoulder in the process. "Are you that daft man?!"

The scammer fell silent. He quirked a brow and never in Double D's life had he wanted to smack the look off Eddy's face more than he did now. His hand tingled at just the thought of it. Briefly, ever so briefly, he wondered if this was how Kevin felt all those time he wanted to beat someone up. This over boil of frustration and hostility was churning his insides like a mixer in dough.

"Allow me to reiterate."

Edd tried desperately to keep a strong hold over his emotions. Yelling would do him no good but every word slipping past his lips was drenched in verbal venom.

"For once in your life Eddy please step down from the soap box you stand on to reach that ridiculously high horse of yours and-" Once more he threw his arms into the air, pacing back and forth between the towering wall that was Ed and the infuriating roadblock that was Eddy. "Why must I bother? Would you even recognize what you did let alone realize it was wrong?"

Eddy's doe eyed expression said it all.

Double D simply shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to will away an oncoming migraine.

"But of course. It would be too much to ask of the likes of you."

His striking blue eyes caught Eddy's softer brown orbs off guard; every feeling of rage, confusion and heart ache articulated in those hardened windows to the soul. Ah, there it was- the light of recognition. It burned in Eddy's eyes so perfectly clear one could practically hear the bell ringing in his head.

"Oh."

An entire minute passed before Edd found his ability to speak.

"Oh?" Edd's voice started to rise. "Oh? Is that all you have to say?!" Edd took a step forward, his hands clenching tight on the strap of his school bag.

The scammer snorted, raking his fingers through his hair. "Yeah what else would I say?"

Edd would have scoffed but took to leaning to his side instead, arms crossed and hip cocked as the expression on his face darkened.

"How about an apology?"

Eddy had the nerve to look befuddled. "Pft, for what?"

Turning on his heels Eddy made his way to the men's restroom and Edd reluctantly followed, grimacing in disgust as he stepped over a puddle of… something at the door.

Eddy fluffed the collar of his shirt and took to grinning at himself in the mirror, completely ignoring his friend's expression of disgust as he perched himself beside the electric dryer.

"Man you should have stuck around. It was funny." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a fine tooth comb. "Mr. Baggs totally mouthed off. Can you believe it?"

He smirked at Edd's reflection, noting how the skinny boy had taken to glaring off to the side. Beneath his smile Eddy knew this wasn't right. He had completely expected Double D to berate him for his childish behavior and blah blah blah this and blah blah that; but this, this was much harsher than any verbal bashing the sockhead could dish. He had turned a cold shoulder on his best friend. His best friend for fucks sake! But Eddy couldn't imagine what he had done wrong. That prank he pulled on the teacher had been trivial, practically harmless.

Ignoring the butterflies that suddenly ascended into his chest Eddy decided to wet his comb and brush back his bangs.

"I knew I could make that snooty teacher cuss."

Double D sneered. He couldn't think of a fitting word to define his revulsion. Eddy had hurt Nazz; humiliated the poor girl before her peers and in front of the teacher no less. The awful things the teacher had said to the girl when Eddy ousted their hobby had been downright cruel. He hadn't been able to stand it at all but Eddy had stayed behind in the class, had witnessed sweet Nazz's degradation, and most likely laughed at it. Edd knew he could not simply forgive this trespass. What if Eddy were to find out he pole danced? What would Eddy do, what would he say? Would the rumor mill suddenly flood itself with false and unwanted notoriety? He could only imagine the nasty things the teens would say- what they were saying about Nazz now. No, he couldn't forgive Eddy this time. He just couldn't.

"Eddy you hurt Nazz. You _hurt_ her."

The scammer sighed, as though he were absolutely put out, and spun around to face his brooding friend. "Double D," it was a harmless prank." He waved his hand, turning back towards the mirror. "Get over it already. Everyone else has."

Sighing, he turned to Double D, placing a hand on the taller boy's shoulder. "It was harmless dude."

"Harmless?!" Eddward felt his control snapping.

His glare threatened to burn a hole right through the scammer but the shorter Ed didn't seem to notice. Of if he did he chose not to acknowledge it.

"You deliberately humiliated Nazz, crossing the line of harmless far too long ago."

Having had enough Double D shoved Eddy's hand off his shoulder and plucked Eddy's comb out of his hand.

"Hey!" Eddy reached for his comb but Edd held out from him. "Give that back!"

"Hmph." Edd looked over Eddy's shoulder and took careful aim, flicking his wrist and minutely grinning when the comb landed with a satisfying PLOP in the toilet.

Eddy howled. "That was my lucky comb!"

"Oh was it?"

Had Eddward been fuming anymore, fire would have erupted all over him.

He stormed out of the bathroom, using the sleeve of his shirt to shove the door open. He may be angry but he would tarnish his person with the threat of bacteria. Just the thought of it made his skin crawl and with that in mind he had every intention of going straight to class. There he could find comfort in lectures and books, far from Eddy's asinine ventures.

The door swung open and Kevin barely had time to dodge it, wincing when the handle accidently grazed his hip. Kevin slapped his hand to the now throbbing spot and just about tore the door open; ready to pumble an idiot or two when he laid eyes on none other but Eddward.

He paused, stunned into silence with his mouth hanging open.

Fierceness had come over the little nerd, his blue eyes blazing a trail of destruction and fire ahead of him as he mindlessly strode onward, never once looking back to apologize. If possible the shadow around his eyes had darkened and Kevin felt his toes curl in response. Never had he seen Edd look so… so… not like Double D. This version of him was much angrier; an expression Kevin thought Edd incapable of exhibiting. Well he sure was proven wrong.

Kevin watched him go in silent praise. He pitied the moron stupid enough to get in his way. He wasn't quite sure what Edd was capable of but with that brilliant mind of his the possibilities were endless.

Remembering why he had come to the bathroom in the first place he opened the door a little more but paused once more, this time in disgust.

"Eddy."

Said Ed spun around, his face paling at the sight of the red-head. His look of shame had melted in an instant, turning to fear. "K-Kevin! What a nice surprise."

Kevin shot a look over his shoulder, eyes widening in sudden realization. Edd and Eddy had been in the bathroom arguing. He would have been an idiot to notice the red staining the whites of his double dork's eyes. His fist on the door tightened until his knuckles turning white; numbing the longer he held it.

"What the fuck did you do now?!"

Kevin let the door slam behind him, the sound echoing throughout the tile room. Eddy backed into one of the sinks, scrambling around it towards one of the stalls. Kevin had been waiting to get his hands on the dork and now was a perfect time as ever to get his revenge. He crackled his knuckles, smirking as he neared.

"Time to make you pay dork."

"B-but I didn't do anything!"

Eddy tried to get around the towering teen but Kevin easily caught him, dragging Eddy back against the wall by the scuff of his shirt. Eddy howled as his head collided with the tile. His arms and legs were now shaking as the red-head above him glared, his stare intensifying the longer he stared the short stubby Ed in the eye.

"Don't give me that shit." He hissed.

Using both hands Kevin lifted Eddy up off the ground, watching humorously as the shorter teen started to kick but to no avail. Kevin smacked him against the wall once more, his smirk widening as pain bloomed at the back of Eddy's head.

"The fuck is your problem?!" Eddy managed to shout, freezing a pair of students who opened the bathroom only back away as not to get involved.

Eddy continued to kick, throwing out his fists. "Put me down you jerk!"

"I have half a mind to give you a pounding so hard it'll make your head spin." Kevin snarled. "I heard what you did yesterday and that shit don't fly with me."

Eddy stopped his fussing and looked up at Kevin, realization dawning on him for the second time that morning.

"Are you serious?" Eddy growled, rubbing his hands across his face. "It was just a joke. Doesn't anybody get that?"

Kevin glared at him, his jaw clenching tight.

"Just a joke huh? How does my fist in your face sound for a joke huh?"

Eddy cringed as Kevin raised a fist. "I swear it was just a joke!"

"Well I aint laughing."

As Kevin beat the tar out of Eddy, it went unknown to either boy that loveable Ed had stayed behind. He sat in one of the stalls, ear planted to the stall wall as he listened in on the argument. He winced with every audible 'oof' Eddy gave but made no move to rescue him. Instead he sat on the toilet seat lid and counted his fingers and toes. He would wait until they were done before coming out. He wasn't sure how much time had passed until Kevin got sick of beating on Eddy but Ed's head snapped up, peeking through the space between the stall walls in time to watch Kevin spit loathsomely on Eddy's crumpled body. Ed's face fell into a saddened frowned as he watched Eddy cower further into the wall, his arms crowded over his head incase another onslaught of punches came his way. An impressive bruise was forming over his right left eye and his shirt looked wet and torn.

"Stay away from Nazz and stay away from Edd. You got that dork?" Kevin sneered, his fist raised as if to deliver another blow.

Eddy flinched but glared over his arm at the jock. "What the fuck for? Edd's my friend and Nazz-"

Kevin kicked him, and hard. Eddy gasped out in pain.

"Come near my girlfriend again and you'll regret it." Kevin's words dripped with venom. "I promise you that."

Kevin turned to rinse his hand in the sink, saying nothing further. His knuckles were burning and his fingers felt numb from how hard he had been clenching his fists. He hissed as the cool water stun the open cuts on his hand from where Eddy had scratched him and sighed as the pain eventually subsided. He took his time dabbing a paper towel over his wounds, his eyes never leaving the prone figure still cowering in the corner. Eddy struggled to sit up, wincing as he held his stomach. In just a few hours the dork would be covered in bruises. At this point Kevin didn't care if he was suspended for attacking another student. The bastard deserved every punch he got. _That's what you get for hurting him, _he silently fumed.

Kevin left the bathroom without uttering a single word, leaving Eddy to himself and the suffocating silence that followed. Ed eventually came out, collecting Eddy into his arms and helping him to the handicap stall. He sat Eddy on the toilet lid and sighed. He hated it when friends fought.

Eddy's left eye was swelling. His lip had already swollen with a nasty red gash marring the corner of his mouth.

"What is they're problem?"

Eddy yelped when Ed touched a wet napkin to his lip and immediately knocked it out of Ed's hand.

Ed sighed, staring down at the dirty napkin.

"Kevin was mean but-" He begun to say, biting into his bottom lip when Eddy looked up at him and interrupted him mid-sentence.

"No duh you idiot. He's a big fat stupid jerk who needs to get run over by a bus or something."

Eddy sniffed, refusing to cry. "What is their deal? So I played a prank on Nazz. It wasn't like it hurt anyone. The teacher got mad. So what? Not like I broke Nazz's arm." He glared even harder at the ground between his feet. "And Double D! Did you see that? What the hell!"

Eddy slammed his fist into the wall, immediately regretting it as he pulled his hand back in pain.

"I didn't do nothing to him and he acted like the biggest freakn' asshole." He looked up to the silent Ed and frowned, his brows furrowing deeply into the lines of his face.

When Ed spoke again it was much softer, his beady eyes glancing off in another direction. "Double D was sad and Kevin was mean." He looked up at Eddy then, his sad eyes catching Eddy's. "But you were meaner."

Eddy's mouth clamped shut. It wasn't often he heard out Ed but for some reason his head was screaming at him to just shut up and listen. It wasn't easy, Eddy was in pain and wanted to scream and cuss to his heart's delight, his arm throbbed like a son-of-a-bitch, but he kept his composure. He almost didn't catch what Ed said next.

"The teacher was mean too but you didn't say you're sorry."

Eddy's shoulders hunched defensively. "Well neither did Mr. Baggs. Why should I?"

Ed shook his head, sanding from his kneeling position in front of Eddy. "Double D is your friend and so was Nazz." His fingers fumbled with the dirty hem of his sleeve and he turned half way from his friend. "Friends don't hurt each other that way Eddy."

"But it was a joke! Honest."

Eddy grumbled beneath his breath, burying his face into his hands. He just wasn't getting it. Why was everyone suddenly out to get him?

"No one is laughing Eddy. No one is laughing."

Eddward ran as fast and as hard as he could, bounding around corners and gripping his school bag so tightly his fingers had begun to dig grooves into his palms. His eyes were red with tears threatening to fall. He picked up his pace, racing outside and gulping up as much fresh air as he could. He took to leaning against the wall opposite of the track field, his face pressed into the backs of his hands as he fought to catch his breath.

He would not cry. He refused to.

He slapped his open palm against the brick and bit into his cheek as a dull throb radiated through his arm. Never before had Edd experience such animosity towards someone he loved. Not since his venture with Eddy's older brother Sam had he been as enraged as he was now, struggling to balance on the tight rope of self-control. All he wanted to do was scream, scream and cry, but he wouldn't let himself do it. The day had hardly begun and already he was ready to pack his things and leave. He wouldn't on account of his nearly unblemished attendance record but he desperately wanted to walk out the double doors and go straight to his warm and welcoming bed. There he could cry his eyes out without having to worry about prying eyes.

Sniffling softly, Edd wiped the snot from beneath his nose and rubbed furiously at his eyes. It took a moment but a whole minute of willing himself not to shed a single tear eventually dried his eyes. Inhaling deeply he resolved not to let Eddy get to him. He knew he couldn't run from his friend all day. The stout teen would surely seek him out between classes and Edd just wasn't sure he was ready to face him yet.

He wasn't sure what he should say. It didn't seem fair that he had to be put in this position by someone he cared about. It wasn't his fault Eddy didn't understand the trouble his actions had caused for other people but… _but Eddy is my friend._ He sighed.

This just wasn't fair.

Turning on his heels Edd made his way back towards the school. To his surprise on the top step stood the only red-head Edd could ever imagine himself being happy to see. The jock was leaning against the railing, legs crossed at the ankles and arms crossed over his chest. He smirked down at Eddward as the dork made his way up, a smile gracing his face as if he hadn't been on the verge of bursting into tears.

"Greetings Kevin." He gripped the satchel of his bag and scratched the back of his leg with his foot. A light dust of pink colored his cheeks. "W-what are you doing out here?"

Kevin merely shrugged. "Ditching class. The gym coach is doing drills today. Boring."

Edd's eyes widened. "G-gym? You mean class has already begun?! Oh no!"

Edd was just about to burst through the doors when an outstretched arm stopped him. Edd looked from the arm to Kevin's face, his eyes wide and sparkling with curiosity. Kevin chuckled softly, maneuvering his body around so his arm came around Edd's shoulders.

"How about we skip algebra and go to my house instead."

Whoa. Ok, Kevin did not expect to say that.

Well actually the idea sounded good. Double D had never been his house before and the sudden prospect seemed much more exciting. Kevin felt his heart beat furiously against the confines of his chest and his smile widened. He bit the inside of his cheek in a bid not so show just how much it pleased him.

Eddward shook head, his face turning three shades pinker. _H-his house?! Oh my._ "B-but what about-"

"Forget them. Half the teachers don't even pay attention."

Say Double D was nervous about the thought of ditching yet again would have been an undersatement. His eyes danced between the school doors and Kevin, the burn of his blushing turning his entire face red. Should he? He nibbled on lip.

"Come on. You don't have to turn in any homework right?"

Eddward hummed softly. "Well no but-"

"Then it's settled."

Kevin steered Edd down the steps.

This felt right, he decided; his arm across Eddward's shoulders and pressing the dork close to his person. The warmth radiating off the smaller teen felt soothing, easing away the anger he previously felt. They walked perfectly in sync. He wasn't too short or too tall and fitted like a glove right under his arm. Kevin would never admit it but this was the way he knew it should be.

Kevin kept his arm over Edd's shoulders simply not willing to let him go until they made it to his bike. Hesitantly Kevin left Edd's side to pick the lock on his bike and hopped right on. He held out his hand to Edd who started to fidget on the spot.

"Are you sure we should be doing this again?"

Kevin shrugged. "Maybe not, but it'll be fun." He smiled, waving his offered hand. "Come on. I promise you won't regret it."

Double D took a step back, feeling his own lips curling up into a grin. "You are turning me into quite the delinquent Mr. Barr."

Kevin would have snapped back but he didn't. Instead he let himself hear the science nerd's melodious laughter, feeling his own laughter follow. Edd wiped the happy tears from his eyes and shook his head. Eddward really needed that laugh. As corny as the joke had been it was just what he needed to start feeling good about himself.

"I apologize Kevin but I really should be getting back to class."

He rubbed his arm softly and shyly glanced up at the jock through his thick black lashes. He really, really wanted to go. It would have given him a chance to put some distance between him and Eddy but missing out two school days would certainly put him behind in his studies. He didn't want to miss out should there be a pop quiz and his math test was just around the corner…

Kevin sighed. _Damn._

He shrugged. "Nah it's cool. I understand."

Edd's eyes widened. "Really?"

Kevin smirked, lowering his chin to his arms which rested on the handle bars of his bike. "Yeah man. I mean you could always, I don't know, come over later?"

Eddward chewed thoughtfully on his lip, a wet shine being left behind and Kevin couldn't help but stare at it. Briefly he wondered what those lips tasted like. Well he didn't exactly have anything planned for after school. Maybe…

"I'd love to! That is, if you'd have me." Edd quickly corrected himself, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He hadn't meant to sound that excited.

Kevin's smile reached his eyes. "How about four o'clock? We can hang out and, I don't know, do stuff?" _Way to go Kev, real smooth._

Eddward clasped his hands together, pressing them to his chest in a feminine manner. His heart beat wildly in his chest and his smile widened even further. Kevin had never seen a more radiant smile.

"Sounds like a date."

Kevin's face nearly turned red.

Not seeming to have noticed, Edd smiled, gripping his bag and running back up the steps to the school. Edd glanced once more over his shoulder, waving bashfully at the red-head before turning back and running inside.

"Until then Kevin."

Kevin gave a weak wave of his fingers, his voice suddenly leaving him as he worked to register Edd's words._ A date. _Heh, only in his dreams.


	4. Chapter 4

**Hey guys! I know it's been forever and a day since I posted the last chapter for this story but here it the next one. **

**I kind of hit a really bad writer's block with this one and while I would have liked to have added more to the chapter I felt about 5k words was good enough. I've been working on this chapter for a while so I hope you guys like it. Again, sorry for the long long long long... wait. I don't know when the next chapter will be available but I really wanted to post something. Eventually I'll finish this thing. Anyways-**

**Enjoy!**

* * *

Edd clasped his pole with an iron grip, fingers curling expertly around the glossy brass tool as he languidly lifted his feet off the ground. His stomach dug against the brass and the friction on his skin held him up, giving him a chance to dangle in the secure but awkward position he was in.

He had a lot on his mind.

Eddy hadn't tried to talk to him at all at school. In passing the scammer had ducked his head as though he were trying not to be noticed and slunk against the lockers to put as much distance between him and the sockhead as he possibly could. It was hard not to notice, what with goofy Ed shuffling after him rather noisily, but avoiding any kind of contact with him was made much easier this way.

For the rest of the day Eddward had done his best to avoid Eddy in every possible manner. He snuck out the back door of each of his classrooms in order to bypass walking the same halls he knew Eddy trekked, and even opted for the long way to the cafeteria. He was five minutes later than usual but he was still able to grab his food and escape without being spotted. It wouldn't have helped things if Ed caught him before he was able to make it out the back. He knew he couldn't deny sweet Ed but sitting at the same lunch table with Eddy would have been far too awkward for even him to stand.

Before leaving the cafeteria, however, he had heard a whistle and paused to glance over his shoulder.

It was Kevin. He had been sitting with his jock friends playing a game of cards and using the treats in their lunches as bargaining chips. The red-head was sitting on the table's surface, one leg bent beneath him and the other resting on the bench seat below. The jock had smiled, making Edd wave back shyly. He ignored the way his heart had pounded in his chest and turned abruptly, the paper bag in his hand clutched so tightly no amount of straightening would have gotten the wrinkles out of it again. After that he found he couldn't eat. The butterflies in his stomach just wouldn't stop their insistent fluttering and his untouched salad found its way into the nearest receptacle.

His last period class, AP Astronomy, had been cancelled and to his dismay he couldn't stick around for the remaining hour in the library. A workman had informed them they were remodeling a part of the building and was it would be closed for the rest of the week so he decided just to go home. It was a bit of a walk but at least the time alone was serene. The road was quiet for the most part, the sound of rustling leaves filling his ears with music of the earth. His inky hair danced in the wind as a gust flew by his face, kissing his reddening cheek with falling leaves and petals.

It was a nice walk. It gave him the quiet space he needed to collect his thoughts.

He knew for certain what Eddy did would require a hefty amount of time for healing. He was still hurt, and Nazz tremendously so, and neither of them were prepared to face the scammer until they were ready. As Eddy's best friends the sockhead knew he couldn't avoid him forever. Eventually the two would have to face each other but now was just not that time. While he hadn't been directly under fire from the teacher's cruel words or his so-called friend's antics it didn't erase that fact he was made a victim in this as well. He hated thinking that way but to ignore that part of him that was shocked and revolted by Eddy's attitude would have made him no better than Eddy himself.

He and Nazz had a good thing going on. They weren't friends' per-say, but they were on good terms. They related enough to one another in sharing a like passion. As they were involved, they were responsible for keeping one another's secret. Other people, unwilling to understand, just wouldn't get it. So as Eddy's friend he felt responsible. Should Eddy have found out about _his_ pole dancing Edd would have been put on blast as well and while he was thankful he hadn't been caught, it just didn't seem fair that Nazz had been the only one to be outed.

_Maybe I should have been discovered as well,_ he thought apathetically to himself; his reflection gleaming back at him through the gold surface of his titanium pole.

If that had happened Nazz wouldn't be alone to face the aftermath of all this. Again, it just wasn't fair. She was a sweet girl, head cheerleader and perfect female role model. Or at least she _was_. For all he knew her chances at being prom queen for senior year have been utterly destroyed. Would she even be taken seriously by her teachers or peers anymore? And what of her friends? It saddened him to think Eddy just didn't think things through before he went and did this.

With precise movement Edd flipped his legs so that his inverted body came to a full blown hand stand, his fingers gripping the pole tight and his side rubbed furiously against the pole to keep him elevated. With a deep breath he let his lower half angle back, his knees bending until very slowly his toes came to touch the ground. Carefully he let his weight settle back on his feet and used the pole to crawl his way back up to standing. The spot just below his ribs felt sore but it was a good kind of sore. The friction burn helped to alleviate his burdened mind and kept him perfectly distracted, putting his focus on treating the wounded skin rather than continually stewing over matters he had no control over.

The balm he had was cool but he hissed as the initial touch burned. It felt like being branded. Such was the price for his kind of entertainment. He didn't regret it for a second though. Every bruise was a prized mark, 'a blemish with purpose' as Nazz had called it.

He left the bathroom smiling, feeling his sour mood lifting.

He was extremely close to achieving a move called the funky monkey. If he was lucky he could probably ace it tonight. _I must be sure to capture it on film for later note taking._

After pouring himself a glass of water Edd made his way into the living room. His satchel lay beside the couch, his homework untouched. He was tempted to put it off until after dinner. After all he was a bit too hot to think about scholastics at the moment. He plopped down on the couch, feeling a bead of sweat make its way down the narrow column of his neck. He knew he needed a shower, lord knew how many germs were crawling over his skin now, but he was too exhausted to move.

Minutes later the house bell chimed, waking him from his sudden impromptu nap. Edd rubbed the sleep from his eyes, twisting his body around to catch sight of a shadow beyond his living room curtains. Cocking a brow the young boy hurried to the door. He couldn't imagine who it could be. _Perhaps I should have checked the window._

Edd opened the door and he was immediately greeted by a pair of bright emerald depths. At first the sockhead was shocked, his cheeks turning a bashful pink.

"Kevin?"

Said red-head was leaning against the nerd's door frame, chewing nervously into his thumb nail; a sight Edd was rather surprised to see. He never knew Kevin to be anything but confident, and in this brief moment he saw something perhaps no other than Kevin's parents had ever seen in him. Vulnerability. He found himself immediately enraptured.

Kevin wasn't sure why he had come all the way to the dork's house when Edd could have clearly come to him. It wasn't like he lived that far away or would forget their date right? Ok he had to stop calling it that. He shouldn't be getting his hopes up needlessly. It wasn't a _date_ date, just some hang out time. So of course he could have forgotten. _Maybe he did_.

Kevin couldn't help the thoughts that plagued him since walking the short way to Edd's house. He had been waiting since after school to see the blue eyed dancer again. He was excited, in some way. Nazz was busy with her friend, still recuperating from Eddy's stupid stunt, and his parents were out for the night; which meant he had the house all to himself.

The moment school let out he had everything planned, the paper he used to write his notes on during study hall tucked safely into his pocket. He checked the list profusely, counting the minutes away. First they'll play some game station, then eat dinner, then take a ride on his bike to the hell on the other side of town and then-

_Damn it, it's not a date you idiot. Just games and dinner. That's all._

Even so he couldn't wait. His heart was pumping and no amount of pushups could get rid of the energy surging through him. He never felt this excited before, not since making his first homerun. So he sat and waited, his game station left purposely idle for Edd to jump right in. Was he even into video games? He would have to wait and see.

To his dismay, however, Edd never showed. It was four hours after class had let out and Edd was nowhere to be seen. This unnerved him. It wasn't like Edd to not show up somewhere. He was prudent, striving to make it anywhere early. Kevin hadn't foreseen this however and had stalked his living room far longer than he would have liked. Finally he gave up on waiting. If the dork wasn't going to come to him then Kevin was going to go to him. _We had a date damn it and if the dork thinks he can cancel on me like this then he's got another thing coming._

His walk at first was quick, his feet stomping against the pavement as thoughts about Eddy and Kankers buzzed through his head. If either of them were the reason Edd was being refrained from visiting him he was going to lay a good old fashion can of whoop ass on- wait a minute how did he get to Edd's door so fast?

Apparently a man with purpose will have legs that would carry him far. It was something he heard his father say one time and now he understood why. He didn't expect to be here so soon. While Edd lived just up the street from him, and really it wasn't that far a walk, he didn't expect to be there standing, fist raised and ready to knock so soon.

He hesitated at first, his hand shaking just inches from the door. He thought to lower his fist and rung the bell instead. Then he thought to turn tail and run. What was he to be afraid of? It was just Double Dork. Just sweet devious little Double D.

_Devious? What the heck am I thinking?_

His finger had punched the button of the doorbell before he could even register what he was doing. Well there was no going back now. He decided to slump against the door frame, raking his fingers through his bangs. It was possible Edd wasn't even home yet but when the door opened what he saw was nothing Kevin ever expected to see: Edd standing _half naked_ right in front of him; wearing nothing but short black spandex fitted snuggly around his hips and looking every bit as flushed as a woman post orgasm.

Also, his hat was missing.

His fucking _hat._

Eyes open wide with curiosity and lean body standing perfectly erect, Edd looked like a whole other person. Other than the depths of blue staring back at him and the adorable gap between his top front teeth, Kevin would have completely mistake Edd for someone else. The miles of milky white skin and the absence of one black and white beanie had been what threw him off. He didn't think he'd ever seen Edd without his beloved hat. The kid wore it religiously. Without it…

"Wow."

The dork looked up at the athlete, cocking his head to the side. Silk black tendrils fell perfectly into place, framing his round face.

"Kevin?"

Edd stepped forward, opening the door further to reveal his long nimble legs- and they were fucking shaved.

_Oh sweet merciful_-

"Forgive my intrusion but um… what are you doing here?"

That sobered Kevin up real quick. "You forgot."

Eddward merely cocked a brow, turning sideways to lean into the door frame, inches away from Kevin.

"I apologize Kevin. I do not know what you are speaking of."

The athlete had to summon all his self-control in order not to stare. Even as bare as he was, Edd still found some way to be as confident as he was modest. It was intriguing but very distracting.

"Our plans today?" Kevin couldn't help but feel disappointed. "You were supposed to come over and we were going to hang out. Remember?"

Edd at first seemed confused, brows drawn and soft features cinched in concentration. _Plans…plans… I don't remember any- _4 o'clock_. _His eyes widened._ Oh my._ Edd's face fell, hand dropping from the door frame as he spun around to check the clock. Eight forty five. _Oh blast it!_

Edd whipped back around, distress written in his eyes. "Oh my goodness Kevin I am so sorry!"

The red-head sighed through his nose, glancing away. He was rightfully upset. He had been looking forward to spending some time with Edd all afternoon but when the sockhead hadn't shown up, well, he wondered if this was how Nzz felt when Kevin conveniently ditched date nights to spend time with the guys instead. Edd looked like he had been busy with something… or someone, a light sheen of sweat on his brow and looking close to naked.

A sudden burst of jealousy ran through the jock, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"So what was so important you had to go and ditch me like that?"

He didn't mean to sound so angry. Well, actually yes he did. He was ticked.

The dork stood awkwardly with one naked foot rubbing the other. "I um… got caught up… doing something."

Kevin grunted. "Something?"

Double D's face turned red.

"My uh. My dancing." He bashfully admitted.

Edd rubbed his cherry cheeks, shame glistening in his eyes. "Kevin I apologize from the deepest fathoms of my heart. I am a very punctual person. I never forget my appointments. Oh darn my untimeliness."

The corner of Kevin's mouth twitched. _Appointments, huh?_ The dork sure had a way of making things sound stale. _More like sterile_, he thoughtfully amended as Edd suddenly stepped further into the house, opening the door further.

"My apologies Mr. Barr. Please do feel free to come in."

Kevin almost declined but who was he kidding? Hell yeah he was coming inside. If not to cater his interest, then to get some damn answers. He didn't think in a million years he'd be stood up by a dork. Eddward of all people!

Kevin silently stepped inside, hands stuffed into his pocket. Edd followed after him into the living room, where he was not surprised to find a television and a few modern pieces of furniture. The room was circular in shape, drawing the eye around and back to its entrance and conveniently where Eddward was standing. The dork was standing alone, shirtless and hatless, with his fingers tangled in front of him. He was looking ten kind of pathetic and adorable.

Yeah, Kevin was ticked but staring long enough into those baby blues was starting to make him forget why he was so angry to begin with. It was to his shock he found Edd in possession such power and while the jock would have rather stuffed and mounted his resentment for what double dork did, he also found a much stronger will in wanting to forgive him. It was horribly confusing but watching the young boy fidgeting guiltily as he was, was beginning to work its charm on him. Any anger Kevin felt drained away in and instant and he was left standing in the middle of the room wanting to smile.

"Hey look. It's no big deal." Kevin lied, stepping across the plush white carpet to him. "Next time you got plans just… you know. Tell me."

God did he sound lame.

Eddward looked surprised. He hadn't expected to receive forgiveness. It was rather jarring if he were honest with himself. For his transgression he would have rather taken a punch to the gut than to have witnessed that look of utter disappointment in those grassy depths. He could have very well destroyed the start of a friendship between them. He dreaded the thought. They only just started to get along and to think he blew it on the first try was not only humiliating but inexcusable.

Never the less the dork felt partly relieved. Kevin didn't sound too upset and for that he was grateful. But still…

"Kevin."

Edd stepped towards him, reaching out to take the red-head's hand. The jock's eyes jumped from the blue eyed beauty's face to the hand grasping his own, a burning feeling creeping up from his core to settle around his neck. Any second now his cheeks would burn too but he couldn't stop staring. The dork was _holding his hand_.

"I really am sorry." Edd's gaze dropped. "If there is anything I can do to make up for it I shall gladly do it. Just say the word."

Kevin swallowed. "I-it's ok. Really, it is."

His fingers twitched, wanting to tighten his grip. Edd felt like liquid silk between his fingers. His grip was firm but incredibly gentle. His nails looked to be well taken care of and he couldn't spot a single blemish on that perfect white skin. With a little sun the dork would look as radiant as his smile, the very same smile Kevin wanted nothing more than to see at that very moment.

Edd shook his head. "No it's not. That was so incredibly rude and unacceptable. Please believe me when I say I never do that. _Never_."

Kevin's palm shifted in its grip, drawing Edd's soft digits into the cavern of his palm. This drew Edd closer to him, nearly chest to chest. Edd's eyes were wide with surprise but it didn't put the jock off one bit.

"Hey."

He drew Edd's gaze up to his own until their eyes were locked.

"If I say it's no big deal then it's no big deal. We're cool."

Edd's eyes fluttered in surprise yet again. "We are?"

Kevin chuckled. "Yeah. We are."

Figuring the kid would need a clue he drew Edd further into his comfort zone, wrapping his arm around the dork in a guy friendly hug. Despite his better judgment he patted Edd's back, smoothing his fingers across that amazing expansion of skin. Dear god did he feel divine. Miles of muscle lay beneath that porcelain skin and Kevin never felt an urge stronger than the one had now. He wanted badly to sink his teeth into that perfect skin, to get a taste of those muscle writhing beneath his every little ministration.

God he was terrible.

Edd blinked as he was pulled into the sudden embrace, his smaller silhouette falling perfectly into place against Kevin's. His cheeks lit up like a Christmas tree, his chest and chin sinking against the warm form holding him. Their clasping hands were still caught between them but Edd felt Kevin's arm guide its way blindly across his back, sending uncontrollable shivers throughout his body. The dork's breath hitched.

He wasn't exactly sure what to do. Should he hug Kevin back? Should he not? What was the protocol on this manly pseudo hug thing? He really wished he knew. He wasn't exactly hugged in such manners by his friends. He was more accustomed to the occasional slap on the back or the more persistent tackle when he wasn't expecting it. This… this felt far more intimate.

To his relief Kevin slid back faster than his mind could make a decision, slipping his arm from around his back and dropping his hand. Edd's hand now felt empty but it and his back still tingled from the touch. Kevin's smile drew him in even further. Edd felt entranced but the spell didn't last long as the jock turned to step back into the foyer.

"So um, you said you were dancing earlier?"

Snapping out of the cloud of his thoughts Edd followed after him. "O-oh yes." He blushed. "My astronomy class was cancelled and decided to make do with my free time by being physically productive. Again I am sorry."

Kevin shrugged. We supposed he could let that go just this once. "Water under the bridge."

Edd sighed, nodding his head. "Very well. And do forgive my manners. Would you like a beverage?"

Kevin shrugged again, now standing as awkwardly Edd moments ago in the threshold of the foyer. When he came here he had expected to throw a fit but now that that flame was extinguished he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself.

"Soda if you have any."

Eddward finally smiled. "Of course. Please make yourself at home."

Instead of getting cozy he followed Eddward into the kitchen. The kitchen and dining room had an open concept, the room seeming to expand on its own by the lovely stencil lining the crown molding just below the ceiling. There was a slider near the breakfast nook that looked out on a flower and fern filled garden, one he suspected belonged to either double dork or his mother.

The kitchen was very sleek and modern in design, just as he suspected the rest of the house to be. Eddward pulled open the stainless steel door to the refrigerator and glanced inside while Kevin made himself comfortable at the breakfast nook. The backyard was filled to the brim with blooming flowers. It was the loveliest sight of botanical anything he'd ever seen. No plant seemed untended.

"Are you alright with diet?"

Kevin snapped his head around, having completely missed Edd's approach. Edd was standing close, his navel practically at eye level and one of two sodas held out for him to take.

"Y-yeah."

Kevin cleared his throat and took the diet soda gratefully. Edd smiled and took a seat across from him.

"It seems my father had gotten into the remainder of the non-diet beverages."

"Dang. That sucks."

Kevin popped the top of his can and downed the first sudsy gulp. He resisted the urge to belch and cleared his throat into his hand. No need to look like a slob in front of him.

Eddward nodded quietly, taking a sip of his drink.

Edd was absolutely adorable. Of all things he had a yellow silly straw sticking out of his drink. The tab had had been bent back all the way whereas Kevin had ripped his own off. It was a testament to their striking personalities. His posture was upright, and for goodness sake the kid used a coaster. It was almost lady like though Kevin would never say it outright. Edd had always been a particular kind of person but using a silly straw was just the frosting on the cake. It warmed his heart to know Edd wasn't the kind of person to put little childlike things aside for the sake of face value. Not like him, and it warmed Kevin's heart.

The awkward meter had grown as the silence between them carried on. It made Kevin's tummy rumble uncomfortably but he pretended not to notice, taking to leaning forward in order to break the ice.

"So um." Kevin swirled his finger around the top of his can. "You said something about dancing right?"

Edd's eye lit up. "Oh yes. I was. I was learning a new trick just before you knocked on my door."

Kevin nodded. "Cool."

Edd giggled and nodded as well. "Cool."

He let the word fall past his lips as though trying it out for the first time. He wasn't accustomed to the kind of slang Kevin frequently used and admittedly it felt awkward on his tongue. Such language was looked down in his household but he also couldn't deny the thrill it gave him just giving it a go.

Kevin pursed his lips. Ok as cute as that was, this was obviously going nowhere. He wasn't sure just how much more awkward he could handle. Edd on the other hand seemed perfectly content, hardly looking hot under the collar. Then again he wasn't subjected to gazing at a naked

"So uh what was this trick called?"

Edd hummed quietly to himself, setting his soda down on a coaster. "A move called the Funky Monkey." He chuckled some, rubbing the thin column of his neck. "Such a silly title in my opinion however its name deceives its level of difficulty."

Kevin felt the corners of his lips tilt northward. He loved how bright Edd's blue hues could get. They sparkled like star dust in a night sky, bold and energetic when he spoke so passionately.

"Can I see?"

Edd's brows shot to the top of his head, his soft black tendrils sweeping across the cheeks as he lifted his sharp gaze to meet with Kevin's.

"Pardon?"

"I want to see." Kevin grinned, holding his diet soda to his lips.

Edd felt hot as a pink flush over took the pale spaces of his cheeks.

"You… you want to see me do the funky monkey?"

Kevin nodded, his fingers voluntarily squeezing the thin aluminum clutched in his hand. Of course he'd want to see. He'd never seen a guy so flexible in his life and Edd did it with such grace he made it look so damn easy. Since having seen him dance that one time with Nazz it was all that Kevin ever thought about. That torso swaying, legs clenching- oh his sex addled brain was terrible but tantalizingly so. He wondered if Edd did the kind of things Nazz did for him in private.

What was Edd like when he danced alone? Did he play coy or was he strictly athletic about it? What other tricks did the sockhead have up his sleeve?

"Yeah. Why not?" Kevin supplied after a pause. "I thought what you did the other day was pretty cool. You don't mind do you?" _Please say you don't._

Edd broke his gaze from Kevin's heavy stare, fingers tapping nervously against the table. Kevin thought what he did was _cool_? Impossible. Kevin practically invented cool. How did anything he do in the privacy of his home constitute as being cool?

Edd took a distracting sip of his drink, feeling the cool liquid slip past his lips through the silly straw's thick plastic. "W-well I don't usually perform with an audience."

"Awe come on." Kevin coaxed, using his softest voice.

A humorous smile slipped across the sockhead's face and Edd couldn't help but feel a giggle tickle the back of his throat. Kevin begging Edd for something was perhaps the last thing he thought he would ever happen. When Kevin wanted something he pretty much demanded it like a spoiled child. In a funny way Eddward felt honored for having been asked. It stroked his ego to know someone somewhere had an appreciation for his talent.

When Edd said nothing Kevin grew impatient. He leaned further across the table, hoping to catch the sockhead's eyes. He felt as though he could stare into them for an eternity.

"So can I?" Kevin asked hopefully.

Edd caught his bottom lip between his teeth and rolled it around. Kevin watched him, enraptured by the sight. It was… alluring. So very naughty. So very unlike Edd and he loved it. He caught a glimpse of a soft pink tongue past pasted pearly whites and the jock felt his mouth water- wondering what the inside of Edd's mouth tasted like. After a moment of thought the sockhead finally spoke.

"Well I don't see any harm in it."

Kevin could have jumped for joy but he played it cool instead, leaning back in his seat while a cocky grin slipped into place. Edd's own smile was small and bashful but it lit up his face the same way his eyes had lightened. Kevin felt like he'd just won the fucking world.


	5. Chapter 5

**Hey guys! **

**Yup I'm back and with a whole new chapter. I've been so busy working with With Grace &amp; Civility that I think it's frying my brain. So I took a mild break to work on this. I still love this story myself but at nearly 6k words a chapter it also works as a good stress reliever. I know you've guys have been waiting for this so I'm not gonna bother with much commentary. **

**Enjoy!**

* * *

While Kevin wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, let it never be said he didn't know how to put on a show. The man couldn't pass an algebra test to save his life but boy did he look good in surfer shorts and sandals. He worked out for more than just his health and with his high metabolism it was no wonder every ounce he gained was earned in fabulous miles of muscle. Beneath sun kissed flesh danced toned tendons, stretching and fluttering just under his skin like a butterfly in flight. If Edd were being honest with himself, it was hard for him to ignore the way Kevin's stomach rolled, muscles tensing in time with every powerful step in his stride.

The young man walked confidently, his nose tipped up at the world as if to say 'come at me bro' in that ever cocky countenance of his.

The sockhead's gaze faltered often, shifting from the road ahead of them to the soft rippled pecks that seemed to taunt him with their very presence. The jock's arms and legs were just as fit as his center, firm like marble when engaged yet incredibly pliable when lax. And he would know. Those had been the very arms that saved him from his fall just days before.

Not a bad fall but one that had the potential to be nasty. A miscalculation had nearly sent the sockhead plummeting to the ground from the ceiling. His foot had slipped out from under him, his grip much too at ease to catch him in time. He should have known better than to allow himself to be so distracted but with Kevin's eyes watching his every move the dork had found it difficult to perform even the simplest of tricks. Somewhere near the beginning he had forgotten just what he had been doing and in the end had paid for his convenient aberration.

Luckily Kevin had been there to catch him, feet moving before his brain could process the body falling like a stone in water. He had tucked the dork against his chest like a football and rolled across the floor out of the way of the pole just in time. They landed against the far wall with a loud and Edd could have sworn his heart was about to jack hammer right out of his chest cavity. If someone were to ask how it felt being held in Kevin's arms Edd would say it was like being wrapped in the arms of an angel. A red haired, strong armed angel with a smirk the size of Canada plastered to his face.

"Could you be any more troublesome dork?"

Edd never blushed so hard in his life. Rule one in any sport: PAY ATTENTION! He was utterly embarrassed and thanked Kevin profusely once more, making the red-head's grin widened. While he batted the sockhead's appreciation away Edd secretly wondered if Kevin adored the praise. It was hard not to notice how Kevin's chest rose with what he suspected to be pride.

"Don't sweat it dork." Kevin said as they came to a cross walk.

Kevin had opted to ride his bike with Edd to the convention, while said ebony beauty jogged beside him. Kevin of course was having his own troubles. It was becoming growingly difficult to resist the urge to glance to his left where Edd was running in perfect time. Because Kevin biked rather fast the double dork had to pick up the pace just to keep up, and frankly he was impressed. The very same kid who whimpered during dodgeball and avoided everything having to do with physical activity was skating over a mile's worth of foot traffic like it was nothing. His blue eyes were firm and focused, his brow slightly pinched at the center of his forehead in complete concentration. For reasons escaping logic it filled Kevin with the strong urge to bend down and steal a kiss.

The dork was cute as a bookworm but as an athlete? Oh don't even get him started. Popping a boner now only serve to embarrass him and riding a bike with a stiffy was horribly uncomfortable.

And yes. He would know.

They were a good block or so from their destination when Edd signaled Kevin to pull off to the side. To keep from running into a woman with a stroller Kevin hopped right off the curb and cruised right back onto to the side walk. Edd was leaning over a white picket fence, a hand at his chest and heaving for air. Kevin's red brows pinched together and he was immediately his side.

"Hey, Double D? You ok?"

The dark haired dancer nodded, his chest rising and falling rather quickly. "Yes." He said under his breath. "I'm fine."

The jock crossed his arms. He wasn't buying it. "I think you're lying to me."

Edd merely waved his hand, pushing himself up from the fence. "Don't be ridiculous."

He inhaled deeply, feeling heat flood his face. The truth was that he was exhausted but they didn't have that much further to go. The convention was just a stone's throw away and he was eager to get there on time. The other students in his dance class would be arriving within the hour and he had promised to be there early to help the instructor with her stand. As a self-proclaimed health nut Edd had been more than happy to offer his assistance in organizing pamphlets. She even promised to give him her VIP card to certain aspects of the convention typically off limits to standard guests as thanks for his help. He was excited. There had been rumors going around about a new pole being on the market and a handful of professionals in the 'pole athletics', as some called it, would be in attendance.

Kevin didn't hover over him but his eyes swept over the sockhead's face with a knowing look. The jock pursed his lips, kicking up away from the fence.

"You're fatigued dude."

Edd shook his head and Keing rolled his eyes.

"Oh come off it and sit down." He pointed to a bus stop bench. "Just take a breather. Your body is overheating."

Had he the breath to argue Edd would have stood there and done just that, but his heart was thumping a good million miles an hour and sitting down sounded so heavenly. He plopped with an unceremonious grunt, his head falling back over the back rest as he felt his legs turn to jelly and finally give out on him. Seems he was much more tired than expected.

Kevin's eyes strayed over the slender column of the nerd's neck, green orbs glistening in appreciation over the slight curve of his Adams apple. Hoping to distract himself the jock stepped over to his bike and unhooked his water bottle from the frame. He tested the water himself before handing it over.

"Wet your whistle with that. Oh and make sure to take small-"

The bottle was now half empty. Edd licked up the drops that had fallen past his lips, using his arm to wipe the rest off his chin. He grinned sheepishly, capping the bottle once more. Already he was feeling 50% better.

Kevin's brows hit the top of his head. "Damn dude. Didn't you drink some water before we left?"

Eddward glanced at the floor between his feet. "W-well I sort of forgot to. I didn't mean to. I just was far too ecstatic to remember. My apologies."

Kevin sighed, a smirk making its way across his freckled face. "Idiot."

Edd smiled, his gaze glancing away. It felt more like a pet name than an insult anymore. Though he had to wonder, when did Kevin turn out to be such a thoughtful, caring… oh he wasn't sure what to call him. A pale? A _friend_?

Perhaps.

Kevin had told them they were_ cool_ and he had wanted to ditch and _hang out_ after school hours. So did this really mean he wanted to extend his hand in companionship? The thought both frightened and enthralled him. A new friend. How joyous! But with someone like Kevin Barr? His bully from grade school? Again, the very idea was preposterous. Lunacy. And devilishly delightful. It filled his heart with something akin to fire, breathing to life a spark of something new. Something unsuspecting- terrifying, and yet so beautiful.

After all it had to mean something that Kevin was coming along with him to the convention. Right? Edd had invited him along to make up for missing their original plans and to his surprise the jock had been eager to accept, making Edd promise not to go back on his word.

_"__After all I did save your life."_ Kevin had teased, turning Edd's face beet red._ Oh yes. So humble_. Rather reminded him of a certain friend whom he chose not to think about at that moment. No, Kevin and Eddy were as different as night and day. Where Eddy was selfish… well ok Kevin could be a little selfish as well. He did steal their lunch money on more than one occasion as kids. But Eddy was entirely obnoxious. Always thinking about himself and… Er, ok, so Kevin could be so too but not to the extent of the scammer! Kevin would be confident where Eddy refused, facing his problems head on and owning up his mistakes when proven wrong. He even had a tender heart, consoling broken sockheads and moving past his prejudices against nerds just to make a dweeb like him feel cared for. Using his body as a wall to protect him from the slings and arrows of Eddy's cruel words. Pressing their chests together-

Edd's mouth quickly dried and before he could think to stop himself he downed the rest of Kevin's water. Edd's cheeks threatened to burn red once more. He was stumbling over his thoughts once again. _That's quite enough of that_.

Kevin smiled when he handed the now empty bottle back, both standing as Edd felt his energy returning to him in a snap.

"Feeling better?"

Edd nodded, stretching his arms above his head. "Much. Thank you."

Kevin grabbed the rim of his hat and adjusted it, a big smile stretched across his face. "Cool. But when you take off make sure not to over exert yourself. Find a steady pace and signal me if you're about to drop again."

Double D snorted, rubbing the bottom of his nose in indignation. "I can keep up just fine."

The jock smirked, hopping back up onto his bike. "You know I could always give you a ride there. It'd be much faster." He said, petting his handle bars.

Edd purposely turned his back on Kevin to hide the blush creeping up his neck. "N-no need. I'm perfectly capable of continuing."

Kevin nodded, not feeling snubbed in the least. He actually liked the idea of watching the dork run. Would it be crazy of him to admit it was actually soothing? Seeing the dweeb in such a new light was like seeing a whole new person. Sure the dork was still there under all that cool he was emitting but, damn, Kevin liked this. He liked it a lot.

The rest of the way there was spent is blissful silence. Edd jogged with the sound of Kevin's bike riding over branches and dirt and Kevin's ears will filled with the pound of the sockhead's footsteps. They both felt as peace in one another's presence. Edd had taken Kevin's advice and found a steady pace. While it was a little slower he knew at this rate he'd make it there with plenty of breath to spare. His heart nearly skipped a beat as the convention came into view, the parking lot and its parking structure filled to the brim with excited guests and vehicles. They stopped at one of the conveniently placed bike racks near the entrance, by passing parking entirely, and stood outside the dome shaped hall. Edd's blue eyes were wide, his hands clutched the front of his shirt as he bounced agerly from one foot to the other. Kevin watched him, his energy leaking into the jock and the two made their way inside.

A dozen tables were place side by side with men and women on the other side accepting and giving tickets to events. Kevin took the tickets out from his pockets and they slipped their lanyards on. They were able to bypass the check in station as well, Edd's helping with the instructor's stands having granted him early access. The guests wouldn't be flooding in until noon so he had a good half hour to help before the people came rushing in. Goodness you'd think it was an anime convention or something of that sort.

Taking Kevin's wrist Edd rushed them through the doors and into the convention hall where most of the other stands were already in place. He spotted his instructor nearby, a muscle bound female with short black hair and soft brown eyes. She was currently trying to organize her papers but was making more of a mess than she had anticipated. Chuckling softly Edd made his way over to her quickly, greeting in hi usual polite way, completely missing the look of shock that had overcome Kevin's face. He'd grabbed his wrist._ Just a few inches lower and he would have grabbed my hand._

"Greetings Ms. Garcia."

The caramel colored woman paused in her work, turning a beaming smile in her pupil's direction. "Eddward! I'm so happy you came. Would you mind?" She asked, papers slipping from her hands.

"Of course."

With quick speed and precision Edd was somehow able to organize all of the instructor's stand. He even commissioned Kevin to assist by making sure the top of the stand was sturdy enough to stand. By the single wobbly leg he nearly bumped into Kevin didn't think so and took it upon himself to fix it.

"Oh thank you boys so much!" She said, pulling Edd in for hug, her accent thick.

Kevin merely shook her hand, not quite up to hugging strangers. Especially in spandex shorts and sports bras.

"And who is this handsome man?" She asked winking in Edd's direction. "Aye, he's very strong. Good firm hand shake."

Kevin felt his cheeks lighten. "Thanks ma'am."

"And so polite too! Edd why didn't you ever tell me about this boy? Hm?"

Edd's face burned and this time Kevin was witness to it, smirking in some other direction to keep the dork from going off on a tangent.

"A-apologies Ms. Garcia. T-this is my…" Edd bit his lip, suddenly finding something about the carpet so enthralling that his mouth fell back shut.

Catching on Kevin threw his arm around Edd's shoulders, tucking him in close. The dork gave a tiny gasp, the warmth of the jock's body immediately captivating him and Kevin's hand came to rest gently on his shoulder.

"I'm Edd's friend. Kevin."

Edd's eyes widened. He didn't even use his nickname, but rather his full name.

Carol smiled. "Well it's always good to meet Edd's friend. The last two, oi, troublesome those two are."

Edd pouted. "Not entirely. They can be a bit rambunctious at times I admit but-"

"You talking about the two dweebs?" Kevin asked, all amusement draining from his face. "Ugh. Those two. I don't know who I'd rather listen to; a mute man giving a speech are those two."

Eddward gaped. "Kevin!"

Carol laughed out loud, her hands on her hips. "I like this kid. He's funny." She elbowed Edd in the gut and winked. "He's a keeper you know."

Edd bit so hard into his lip he thought he might have broken skin. "Ms. Garcia I apologize for that. So rude."

The jock snickered, following Carol's lead. "Oh come on lighten up. It was funny."

Double D crossed his arms. "Hardly Kevin Barr. Hardly."

Rolling his eyes Kevin took his arm back from over Edd's shoulders, the dork immediately mourning the loss of his touch.

"Come on kid. You said there was something you wanted to show me?"

Edd immediately perked up. "Oh yes. Ms. Garcia would you mind if we had the VIP ticket you promised?"

The older woman nodded, fishing through her purse and handing over two cards. "My husband couldn't come so here is an extra one for you darling." She said placing one into Kevin's hand. "You two have fun ok? Go to the best booths before everyone else. They open their doors soon you know."

Nodding his head Edd thanked Ms. Garcia for her tickets and they made their way into the fray. Some of the early entry gusts had been let in already, the rest waiting at the doors, so Kevin and Edd were able to visit plenty of the stands in time. Many of the stands were dietary and work out plans. Activities and demonstrations geared towards those with active life styles and Kevin found himself appealing to the convention more than he had anticipated. When Edd first invited Kevin along the jock had been hesitant. Pole dancing wasn't his thing but if Edd was going… well who was he to say no? Besides this was a chance to catch up on missed time together. It almost took him by surprise. So much so he had jumped the gun without really thinking about it. Even if it turned out he didn't like the convention at all he didn't think he was going to regret being there.

Edd smiled up at him and Kevin grinned back.

_No, not one bit._

Edd was handed a flyer with big yellow print on it when Kevin's elbow bumped into his back. Edd hadn't been expecting it and glanced up over his shoulder at the jock. His attention was elsewhere, green eyes sweeping over the many guests and stands. Edd's breath caught in his throat and for a split second the world had come to a stuttering halt. Kevin's face was shaven clean, his wife beater hanging over the waistband of his surfer shorts. His waist was small but thickened by muscle, much like the rest of his body. His neck, his shoulders, and his face, they all seemed chiseled from marble; every curve smooth. Every point on target.

The flyer in his hand slipped from out of his grasp, left forgotten on the display table. His belly rumbled but he was neither hurting nor hungry. His insides felt tickled, his heart stammering about as he continued to stare.

No wonder so many girls pined after him. He was like a god amongst them, an excellent athlete with popularity rocketing off the charts. His charisma was close to hypnotizing and now Edd understood what Nazz was talking about when she gushed on and on about her boyfriend. Kevin was incredibly handsome.

_Oh goodness._ Edd bit into the side of his cheek. I shouldn't be thinking such things. _He's…_ He sighed._ I'm completely out of his league._

Kevin turned his attention back to Edd upon hearing him breathe so heavily. There was a hazed look in his eyes. A foggy like substance dimming their natural shine and Kevin rose a brow out of curiosity.

"Ejoying the view?"

Edd's eyes widened. Whoops. Got caught staring.

"O-oh. Yes. Er, I mean no! Uh-" Edd held ah and up to his lips, hiding the crooked grin that split across his lips. "Apologies."

Kevin waved his hand. "Oh please. Stare all you want. With guns like these who wouldn't?"

Kevin made a display of flexing his arms and Edd couldn't help but chuckle. Kevin did so again, ooh and awing over his own body and Edd couldn't stop the stream of laughter that burst forth.

"Oh Kevin you are too much." Edd chuckled, wiping away a tear. "I can only imagine what Nazz thinks."

Kevin's smile tightened. "Heh. Yeah. She enjoys it."

He immediately turned around, not wanting to think long of his, he swallowed, _girlfriend_. Ugh, why did that word sound so wrong on his tongue? He didn't dislike girls. If the magazines he kept hidden in his room were any clue- he liked them a lot. And it had nothing to do with Nazz either. She was fun to hang around with so-

Looking at Edd he felt his stern smile ease.

_So_ it had everything to do with Edd.

"Are you hungry?" Edd asked, breaking Kevin's train of thought.

The jock hummed to himself, looking around. "Yeah sure. I could use a bite but I don't see any food stands around here."

Edd shrugged. "As a new rule in the hall they moved all their food court to the building next door. I do believe there is an open café there. Would you care to join me and sample their selections?"

Kevin grinned, snaking his arm back over Edd's shoulders. "What are we waiting for? Let's stuff our guts."

Edd bit into his lip and snickered, leading the way. "Onward then?"

The cafeteria in the next building over was a maze of food stands, ranging from the ethic variety to the traditional burger and fries. There were a lot of people in attendance and many of the lines had backed up into the sitting area. Not wanting to bother with the circus of people Kevin and Edd opted for the tiny café in the corner. They had a few patrons scattered about, most with coffee and pastries that simply looked divine.

Edd ordered a salad but Kevin was starving. Seriously didn't this kid ever eat? It was a big ol' burger for him with a heaping mound of fries. The calories he'd burn on a daily basis made up plenty for his poor diet. His coach had insisted he stick to proteins but eh, why not have all the trappings? Oh and a soda to go with that. The dork stuck to water. Lame.

"So," Eddward began after they spent five minutes hunting for an available seat. "How do you like the convention so far?"

Kevin shrugged. "I'll be honest. It wasn't what I was expecting."

Edd blinked up at him. "How so?"

"Well," Kevin rubbed the bridge of his nose. _How to say this without being too crass… _

"Where are the short skirts?"

Double D nearly spat his water out. "P-Pardon?"

Kevin snickered, handing him a napkin. "I mean I know you said it was a sport but wow. I was totally expecting a bunch of hot babes to be strutting around in bikinis or something like that."

_Or something like that_, Kevin's mind wandered. He so was NOT about to admit he'd been looking forward to the babes. Not even of the hot male variety; though, there were plenty enough of them there to make up for the missing panty shots he'd been digging to see. Crotch shots? No need to judge the spectator in this.

Eddward barked in laughter, the sound filling the jock's ears like music. "Oh my no. Not here." He said mixing his salad about.

Kevin pursed his lips, looking only slightly disappointed. "Why not?"

Edd took the first bite of his salad, humming appreciatively at the tang of the dressing that coated his tongue. Kevin couldn't deny that he liked the sound of it.

"Well if you must know we of this particular activity have a certain finesse we must adhere to."

"Finesse?" Kevin asked awkwardly. "What's that mean?"

"Well it means we hold ourselves to a certain criteria to out rank any insinuation that pole dancing is anything but a sport."

Realization dawned in Kevin's eyes. "Oh. Like, in clubs or music videos?"

"Don't even get me started." Edd huffed over the end of his straw. "What could those videos possibly suggest other than what is being presented?"

Kevin cocked his head, popping a french fry into his mouth. "Ok. So what's being presented?"

Edd shuddered. "Women and men gallivanting in their underwear. This is a sport, a personal recreation. Not an event for wolves to gather and howl."

Kevin hummed in contemplation.

"Furthermore, how are we as dancers going to achieve respect in the athletics world if others subject themselves to these tacky displays? I for one can't stand the thought of it."

Kevin hummed some more, leaning back in his seat. He chewed his food slowly, thoughtfully, watching the dork rant to his heart's content.

"I for one do not strip as they would. Yes we are required to relinquish certain garments for the purpose of the gripping the pole, purely for tactile reasons and not aesthetics, but never to dehumanize ourselves. They extort themselves and the people who watch them. Their vulgarity earns them praise in all the wrong senses and that propaganda is what I intend to stay as far away from as humanly possible."

"Have you ever thought," Kevin interjected. "That maybe you're being a little too harsh on the critics?"

Edd frowned. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."

"Well think about it." Kevin scratched at his hair line. "You dancers have to do all that flexibility training right? Well so do the girls in those vids you're complaining about. They had to learn it from somewhere."

Edd shook his head. "It isn't the same."

"Oh?" Kevin was curious. "How so?"

"Well for starters those videos depict a generation of under aged individuals who propagate an ill portrait of our sport. We're dancers, not sex mongers." Edd sounded genuinely offended, jutting his plastic fork into his salad as if it had somehow dishonored him. "The way people portray our sport as if it is some desperate cry for negative attention. It turns my stomach just to think about it."

Kevin rubbed his fingers over his chin, feeling baby smooth skin rather than his usual teenage stubble.

"But where do you think your sport originated?"

Edd had stuck his fork in his mouth when he paused. Well, he hadn't thought of that before.

Kevin continued. "I mean, yeah it's cool you can get fit doing that. I could run miles around you but ask me to do the splits in the air and you can just forget it. But to diss its history like pole dancing is something new doesn't make sense."

Edd set his fork down, eyes now dancing with intrigue.

"I understand why you'd be pissed at the ignorance surrounding it. Rumors suck hard core, especially when you've got the potential for something to be great only to be ridiculed at every turn. But nah. Don't diss it. Embrace it."

Kevin clicked his tongue against the roof of his moth, staring straight ahead into Eddward's eyes.

"Didn't you say dancing made you feel confident or free, or something like that? Can't your sport be, I don't know, sexy too? I mean sexy ain't bad. I like my fair share of showmanship in these cases."

Edd's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. It was surprising to say the least but Kevin had a point. Where his sport originated could be argued but the rep surrounding it currently was rather negative. Negative enough to drive the ones who enjoy it to discriminate its own history and others who took part in the less dressed aspects of it. Claiming what he had just a moment ago was the equivalent to the U.S. History books ignoring every battle that led to the nation's configuration. Asinine.

"The purpose of our elected activity _is_ to feel freedom." Edd went on to say after a thoughtful moment. "The freedom to be as open with our bodies and minds as we want. Whether that is to feel like one is receiving a decent work out or-" He smiled bashfully. "To feel quote on quote 'sexy'."

Kevin smiled. "No better way to do it right?"

Edd chuckled, shaking his head. "No I suppose not." He packaged up the remainder of his salad, his smile still breaming bright on his face. "You are quite the conversationalist Kevin Barr. I never would have thought to peg you for one."

The jock slapped his chest. "What can I say? I've got skills."

"Skills enough to cheat on your girlfriend?"

Kevin's face immediately drained of its color. Edd's gaze snapped up in an instant, recognition glossing over in his eyes.

"Nazz!"

"In the flesh." The blond giggled. "I see you boys have fun." Said girl walked up to Kevin's chair, leaning down to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Haha! Sure scared you didn't I?"

Kevin swore his heart stopped beating for just a second.

"I am surprise to see you here." Edd said, dragging open the closest available chair. "I wasn't expecting you to show up after… well, you know."

Nazz twirled her finger in her hair and scooted the chair closer to Kevin. Under the table her hand reached over for his, fingers grasping the jock's in a gentle hold.

"Yeah I know. I didn't think I'd show up either but the girls in my cheer squad told me I needed to get out of the house or something." At that she sighed, her lips twitching this way and that. "Besides Ms. Garcia called and wanted to know why I skipped out on practice the other day. I couldn't tell her about what happened at school or else she would have gone ballistic."

Edd nodded. "Yes of course. I was worried you wouldn't return. Practice just wouldn't be the same without you."

"Awe you were worried about me? That's sweet." Nazz giggled softly. "Well. You know. Shit happens and it just so happens to be named Eddy at this point. Not much can be done about that now."

Kevin huffed, stealing back his hand in order to cross them over his chest. Did she really, _really_ have to bring that dweeb up? He did not miss how the light in Edd's eyes dimmed, his happy smile floating downwards into a scowl. _Damnit. Thanks a lot Nazz._ They were JUST having a good time when she had to show up. _Of all the people in all the places!_

Eddward nodded, glaring down at the table top. "I couldn't agree with you more." His fingers clasped into a fist. "I couldn't agree with you more."

Nazz shrugged. "Live and let learn I guess. Hey. You going to finish your salad?"

He shook his head. "No. Here help yourself."

"Thanks buddy." She smiled, peeling back the lid. "You're a life saver."


	6. Chapter 6

**Wow, it's been a while since this story has had an update. Lol here's one now :) Gotta admit it's refreshing to write Edd and Kevin with different personalities from my other story. Writing young love can be exciting. There are so many moments in a teenager's life that could make for some great drama and comedy. Serious when I was a teen... uh, nah let's not go down that road. That's a story for when I'm 80 trying to skate board off the Eiffel tower or something. **

**For now, I can't say when the next update will be. Just that it's currently in progress. Hope you guys enjoy it and thank you for all the wonderful, inspiring comments you guys have been leaving. Now on with the story!  
**

* * *

For the remainder of the hour Eddward walked with his scowl planted firmly in place while Nazz happily carried on, chatting on about her friend who told another friend who knew a guy who said Eddy had been apprehended by the school counselor. This phased the sockhead very little but she didn't seem to notice how much deeper his scorn was driven the more she spoke so negatively about him. From what Kevin could tell Edd was still very sore over the entire ordeal and while he tried to change the conversation on more than one occasion there was just no stopping Nazz when she got her motor mouth running.

"After hearing about what happened it seemed the student advisory board took a stand and decided to get involved," She said, walking hand in hand with Kevin as they trekked down one of the many halls of the convention. "Had an over the phone interview and everything."

"With the board?" Eddward sounded perplexed, if not slightly exasperated. "That is not within their jurisdiction."

The blond shrugged. "I don't really care. I just don't want more people to get involved, you know? It was bad enough they got the principal to stick his nose into it." She ran her fingers through her hair, her other hand swinging Kevin's back and forth at their hips. "That jerk. Did you know he sent my mom a letter about all this?"

Kevin snorted, knowing full well what the principal was like.

"That's nothing new. He once called my dad's work just to tell him I got into a scuffle with some jackass on the football team."

Nazz rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well that was for a _fight_. This was for a prank."

"A prank indeed." Eddward muttered, his eyes casted to the side.

Stopping at the turn Nazz tugged Kevin along until they stood before a floor to ceiling window, outside a gentle breeze tugging at the tree tops and bushes as they watched from the comfort of being inside. They had several hours of day light left, plenty of time to explore the convention to their heart's desire but it seemed rather than move on Nazz wanted to remain where she was, reciting over and over how much of a prick Eddy was and furthering Eddward's dark mood. Kevin could feel it radiating off the sockhead in sonic waves and he could see it in his eyes just how much of a concern Eddy was to him.

Kevin never liked Eddy to begin with but Eddward had been his friend for years. The short stack was nothing but a two timing scammer with only his needs put first above all else. Never mind the needs of his friends who cared for Eddy in the most open and honest ways. Even in his anger Kevin could sense Edd's dislike for staying upset. While the red-head thought it utterly ridiculous, he could see in that in Eddward's heart there was no room for true anger. Truly he wanted to forgive him but probably didn't know how.

In his mind Eddy didn't deserve that sort of kindness. His actions alone spoke louder than any excuse he could have possibly given. Kevin couldn't let it go and he would have been understanding if Edd couldn't either; but this was the sockhead of all people he was thinking of. Stick figured, dorky little Eddward who had stood up to Eddy's brother like David had Goliath, who had a seemingly endless supply of patience and empathy. Kevin supposed it disturbed him most to know just how deeply this stunt of Eddy's had hurt the people around him. Ultimately he hoped that in the end Eddy got a taste of his own medicine. He was long over do for a pounding and what better way to delivery his head on a platter than to sit back and watch his petty empire crumble around him?

_Revenge best served cold_.

Of course, there was one other fact he couldn't deny. An important one that was finally sponging away the tension of their past. Had Eddy not done what he did, he and Eddward would probably never have had that moment in the bathroom. He never would have been there to comfort him, to hold him, to ever have opened up to the sockhead the way the he did in that particular moment. The wedge between them would still be just as great as it had when they were kids on the playground; and while there was still a sense of uncertainty in their current relationship Kevin could count himself lucky to be able to stand right beside him and get to know him on a deeper and much personal level. This was a transformation of sorts he was grateful to have though the way it had transpired was more than a little unnerving. Still, Kevin counted his blessings. Blessings in the shape Eddward's smile whenever he found the will to break through his brooding and just be.

Eddward looked so beautiful standing there, his lean figure resting on the wall with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the people two floors down gathering around a display. His frown had flipped some, the corners of his mouth tipping naturally up as the world beyond the window captured his attention, no doubt distracting him from his own thoughts. Without realizing he was staring Kevin's hand slipped out from Nazz's grasp. The blonde's blue eyes danced up towards Kevin's relaxed stare. Her own smile had dropped and confusion was written on her face as she tugged on Kevin's sleeve, speaking rather softly.

"Hey."

At first Kevin didn't respond.

"Kev."

Kevin's green eyes blinked and for a second he felt a surge of vertigo. He hadn't realized he had been staring, hearing Nazz talk but not listening to a single word she had said. Clearing his throat he looked down to his girlfriend, rubbing both palms nervously against his pants. "Uh yeah?"

"You ok?" She asked, keeping her voice low. "You seem a little… distracted."

Kevin felt his neck warm up but he refused to let a silly little flush give his thoughts away.

"Yeah I'm fine. Just… thinking."

"Oh." Nazz looked back out the window, his fingers clasping in front of her. She licked her lips, tasting the wax her lemon flavored-chap stick before speaking in a soft mutter. "Been doing that for a while now."

"Huh? Sorry I didn't quite catch that." Kevin's eyes had flashed over to Edd once more.

Nazz sighed. "Nothing. Forget it."

Kevin's brows immediately furrowed but before he could ask a large crowd of people suddenly flooded into the hall. A pair of double doors had opened at the end of the hall and the people that had been inside suddenly scurried out in a loud and obnoxious clatter. Eddward's attention was caught by the crowd and he moved away from the wall to fish through the sea of people, Kevin and Nazz following closely after him.

"Oh I think this is the room we were looking for." Kevin said, pointing to the sign above the door.

"I suppose their previous exhibit had run a tad longer than expected." Eddward grinned. "Shouldn't be too much of a problem. I have been looking forward to this exhibit for a while now."

"Really? How come?"

Eddward shrugged, his fingers reaching up to brush away the fallen strands of ebony that covered his ear. Kevin wanted the honors but he was content with just watching him brush the hair back, wondering offhandedly just how soft Eddward's ears felt in that moment.

"There is a minor competition being held today. It's designed to invite dancers to audition for a nationwide competition."

Kevin whistled. "Impressive."

Eddward fucking chuckled of all things and Kevin couldn't stop the smile that split across his face.

"N-not entirely." Eddward said, rubbing his hand against his reddening cheek. "It's open to persons of all experience. Of course those who have more experience will be held to higher forms of criticism. The most standard of procedures of course."

Kevin nodded in understanding. "Yeah. Sort of like junior baseball right?"

Edd's blue eyes danced in Kevin's direction and as he smiled he shook his head. "I suppose one could see it that way."

"Think of it as an athletics championship." Nazz chimed in. "First place, second place, etcetera for the top players and the same for the next level down."

"Oooh." Kevin snapped his fingers. "Gotcha."

Nazz shared a knowing look with Edd. "Sometimes you gotta explain things outright to him. He can be a bit of a block head."

"Uh. I'm standing right here you know."

Nazz chuckled and patted his chest. "Yes sweetie. You are standing. I'm so proud of you."

Kevin couldn't have glared any harder at her.

To his consolation however Eddward broke into full blown laughter, slapping his knee and trying desperately to hide the gap in his front teeth. Kevin found himself grinning a long, even when Nazz playfully elbowed his side.

"Should we go inside now or what?"

Eddward was quick to sober up, biting back more laughter as he said "Yes lets." And held open the double doors. As soon as Nazz walked inside Kevin held the door for Edd who didn't seem to notice the gesture but Kevin didn't seem to mind, not as his chest came to just within inches of Eddward's back. Together they took in the decor of the room, Nazz wandering towards the right and Edd steering towards the left where Kevin followed.

The exhibit was rather plain for what the sports player was expecting. The room looked similar to that of a reasonably priced hotel room, with large red drapes hanging from the ceiling to the ground and a massive amount of chairs stacked up long the back wall. Many were placed around a raised plat form that sat in the dead center of the room, a pale cream colored marble surrounded by a sea of floral maroon carpeting that looked a little more like color vomit than anything else. The platform secured on the marble had a thick black base with pointed metal rods that jutted out from the bottom, providing balance and locking it into place. A single silver pole sat in the center of it and Kevin felt his mouth go dry as realization slowly crept up on him.

Oh. He was going to watch Edd dance again.

Well, more like he was going to watch Edd dance on a pole for a third time!

He damn near had heart palpitations just thinking about the first time he saw Edd on a pole. _God who ever thought I'd be saying that?_ Clearing his throat and trying not to look nervous he flashed Edd a subtle grin and jabbed his thumb over his shoulder.

"Check this out. They've got high tech speakers up in the corners."

Edd's eyes glanced up from the assortment of chairs to the speakers and nodded. "Fascinating."

Kevin quirked a brow. "Fascinating? Really?"

Eddward frowned. "What? I don't understand. What is something wrong with the word?"

"Nah." Kevin said shrugging. "Just didn't take you for a Trekkie."

"T-Trekkie?!" Eddward's eyes blew up to the size of saucers and his cheeks immediately turned red. "H-how on earth did you know?"

Kevin laughed as Edd paced away, his cheeks flushed a brilliant shade of pink as his fingers clamored together in nervous habit.

"Dude it's kind of obvious. The way you talk and stuff, it's like that pointy eared alien. You know, the one who smacked his captain around or some shit like that."

"Like Spock?"

While Kevin wasn't that well adverse in the geek-dom of Star Trek he did not miss the way Edd's eyes sparkled when he said that. In a way the fictional character did remind him a lot of Edd who could be just as logical and sharp witted. The similarities were pretty uncanny and it was hilarious that Edd hadn't realized just how transparent he had been.

"Oh dear I didn't think my television preference was that discernable." Edd clapped his hand to his face, his eyes dancing away shyly. "Oh my you must think I'm an even bigger dork than ever."

Kevin blinked a few times before shaking his head, mindlessly throwing his arm around Edd's shoulders. Strategically he drew him in close, Edd's shoulder digging into his chest as he huddled over him a little closer. Briefly Kevin looked over his shoulder.

"Can you keep a secret?"

Edd's eyes danced. "Of course."

Nazz was off on her own checking out the platform as he steered Edd off to the side. While he was enjoying his alone time with Edd he couldn't ignore Nazz for long. He didn't want her to grow suspicious and cause a scene. He doubted she would take things that far but, as they said, hell hath no fury like a female scorned. Leaning closer Kevin lowered his voice to a whisper, his words dancing over Edd's ear in soft puff of warm air.

"Ok you gotta promise not to tell anyone. Got it?"

By the look in his eyes Kevin would say Edd was absolutely intrigued but had the decency to look humble about it. He crossed his finger over his chest.

"Cross my heart."

Kevin scratched the side of his head, his eyes dancing nervously about. He hadn't ever told anyone about this before. Not even his father knew but he had wanted to keep it that way. He was the trophy sports boy after all. If anyone found out his reputation at school would be tarnished and no doubt word would get around to his team mates and coach who would just hound him for being a prissy boy. It really was no big deal. He knew it would all be said in temporary jest but he'd rather avoid all that. Why he felt compelled to tell Edd this was beyond him. It shouldn't have mattered to either of them what Edd liked to watch on his down time but he seemed genuinely upset that Kevin knew. He figured it must have been a secret of his own that he tried hard to protect. He hadn't wanted to seem anymore dorky than he was already known for and knowing this tickled Kevin's heart.

Honestly, it was no big deal but he understood the implications just the same. Offering an encouraging grin Kevin pressed his lips dangerously close to Edd's ear, unintentionally catching a whiff of his natural male scent in the process. This caused his toes to curl.

"I'm a bit of a Star Wars fan myself."

Edd reeled back. As though having been told the answer to one of life's greatest riddles.

"Kevin Barr!" There was no wiping the shock from his face. "You are not."

Kevin darted his tongue to sweep across his bottom lip. "No joke."

"Honestly? Truly?" Edd's face lit up like the fourth of July, his hands cupping his mouth in astonishment as he struggled to keep his excitement from raising his voice. "That's impossible. I don't believe you."

Kevin crossed his arms, his signature smirk making its way across his face. "Well believe it dude. I've read all the books, seen all the movies and trust me when I say I refuse to weigh in on that whole bullshit situation about Gweedo. That is a can of worms I plan to stay faraway from."

Edd's jaw dropped. "You _are_ being truthful."

Kevin felt his cheeks warm. "Yeah well, uh, don't go tellin' everyone ok?"

"Oh goodness gracious no! I would never." Once more Edd crossed his chest, his eyes blown wide in earnest. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

"Stick a needle in your eye?"

Eddward grimaced. "Disturbing imagery. But I can assure you your secret is safe with me."

Kevin smiled, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Good. Yours too."

Edd shook his head. "T-that isn't necessary. Everyone already knows how much of an egg head I am. What is another factoid about myself to harm?"

Kevin quirked his mouth to the side. "I guess but it's not my secret to tell."

Edd nodded in understanding, coming to stand rather close to the sports player than he was used to. Their shoulders pressed together and the sockhead felt his heart flutter softly in his chest. He hadn't been expecting this sort of conversation with Kevin of all people. Edd had been told a great many secrets by a number of people who placed their trust in him however it caught him off guard how open Kevin was offering to be with him. Edd could only return the gesture in kind, however it didn't feel as though this sudden exchange of personal information had been done out of obligation. Rather Kevin had exposed a part of himself that perhaps no one else knew about. To him it like finding the Arc of the Covenant and discovering just what untold treasures had been hiding inside of it all along.

It made Edd wonder if this was how Kevin felt when he found out Edd danced. And not just danced but _pole_ danced. Surely this sort of shocking information could be used to anyone's advantage but Kevin had yet to prove himself an opposing force in Edd's existence. Sure there had been a time of discrepancy but it felt as though those years had long since fled. Just foggy little memories waiting to be replaced with happier moments. Between them something was budding and he could feel it in his gullet. Something warm. Inviting. It made him feel hopeful for the future in the face of such a twisted present.

"I suppose that makes us enemies."

Kevin smirked. "How about we be closet dorks instead? It'll be our little two man club."

Edd's lips quirked upward. "I suppose that will do. It is, as Spock would say, the most logical option."

His hair once more fell out of place but before he could reach up and tuck it back Kevin's hand swept in.

Edd's eyes widened in surprise as Kevin's fingers graced the side of his face, caressing the soft round expanse of his cheek before tucking the hair back behind his ear. Edd's heart flopped in an instant, his belly rumbling and rolling as the familiar feel of butterflies made themselves known. Kevin hadn't even realized what he had done until their eyes met, blue clashing with green in an unreadable meeting of gazes. Kevin lost his train of thought, his hand stilling in the air just beside Edd's face.

Whoops.

"Hey guys!"

Kevin dropped his hand as Nazz jogged over to them. "I think I found the entry table."

Edd was the first to speak, his tone and posture so natural looking one would never have guessed he could make a good liar. Kevin certainly didn't.

"Splendid. Have you signed up?"

Nazz nodded. "Yup But you better hurry if you want to get a spot. A line is starting to form."

Edd glanced over the blonde's shoulder and sure enough a crowd of people had begun to swarm around one of the tables towards the front.

"Oh my. Excuse me. I'll… I'll be right back."

Before he went however Edd's eyes danced from Kevin to Nazz, and then back to Kevin before turning on his heels. His mouth had been propped open as if he had something to say but instead held back and Kevin felt like kicking himself. Damn his luck today.

"Ok? That was weird." Nazz said. "Did something happen between you two?"

Kevin's eye snapped in Nazz's direction, his hand coming over his mouth as he sighed into it. "Sort of."

Nazz frowned. "Oh. I'm sorry. Should I have not interuppted or-"

"Nah its cool babe." He muttered. "I'll be right back."

Nazz pursed her lips before noding. "Sure thing. I'll just be over here. By the chairs. If you need me."

Kevin didn't even give her a chance to finish before he jogged after Edd who had successfully immersed himself into the growing crowd. It was easy to spot him however with those big baby blues and that silky head of hair. Somehow he had managed to make his way to the front, a pen and clipboard in his hand as the person on the other side of the table unenthusiastically read over the disclosure agreement. _Typical_, Kevin's mind hummed. _Always so thorough_.

Edd was so focused on writing his name neatly in the center signature line that he didn't even notice when Kevin came up upon him. He nearly jumped when he handed the clipboard back, his back accidently colliding with a solid wall of hardened muscle. Kevin was quick to catch him, his hands falling over Edd's shoulders.

"Hey dude I huh- Oh sorry."

Kevin awkwardly cleared his throat, dropping his hands instantaneously from Edd's shoulders. After what he did the sockhead probably didn't want to be touched.

Edd pressed the tips of his fingers to his ear, tugging on it gently as he took a comfortable step back. He'd almost forgotten how to breathe with how close their bodies were. Kevin had a presence that was thick and clung like molasses to the air. It was damn near suffocating but Edd wasn't about to admit that outright.

"It-It's ok." He stuttered.

Kevin had trouble looking the sockhead in the face but it seemed Edd was having the very same problem. He couldn't have made things any more awkward between them. For all he knew Edd hated to be touched without consent.

"Look I didn't mean to do that back there." He said with a tilt of his head, scrambling for some reasonable explanation. "It's a habit. I'm kind of a touchy person. Got no sense of space."

Kevin chuckled and Edd tilted his gaze further away.

_Nice going dorkatron._ Now he _really_ felt like kicking himself.

"So yeah. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make things weird or anything."

Edd cocked his head back up, stroking his fingers over the slender curve of his arm. "I understand. There is no need to apologize."

"Are you sure?" He asked. " 'Cause I didn't mean to get all into your space. I was just-"

Edd held his hand up, cutting the red-head off. "Oh no I promise. It's fine Kevin." A gentle smile spread across his lips. "I assure you if there had been a problem I would have confronted you."

This did little to reassure him however. "You sure?"

Eddward tucked one hand behind his back, raising the other to perform the signature Ta'al.

"Affirmative."

Kevin bit down hard on his lip. His nerd alert was going haywire but that had to be the cutest thing he had ever seen.

"I take it this isn't the problem I'm looking for?" Kevin raised two fingers swiped them slowly in the air.

Eddward's grin widened and he gave a hearty chuckle. To show there was no animosity between them Eddward reached his parted fingers for Kevin's and pressed their hands together, swiping the air with him. He wanted to prove to Kevin he truly was ok and that he had nothing to fear. Contrary to what Kevin had initially thought Edd loved to be touched. In a way he was like a kitten ready to purr at the drop of a hat at the first friendly hand to pat his back or stroke his arm. Sure, Kevin had startled him but he should have known better. With an outgoing personality the jock really had no sense of personal boundaries and that was fine with Edd.

Kevin's eyes danced over their hands, his cheeks dusting over in pink as he felt the soft silken pads of Edd's fingers press into his own.

Edd's hands felt firm yet amiable, long and slender digits hiding their strength behind a fragile façade. It made Kevin's heart leap in his chest and the jock collapsed his hand firmly around Edd's fist.

"So we good then?"

Edd slipped his fingers to grip Kevin's hand back. "Indeed. We good."

Nazz had perched herself in one of the many chairs located near the back. The room had steadily begun to fill with more people and with every new person that walked through the door it spiked her already fraying nerves. While she loved performing she wasn't quite used to doing so in front of such a large number of people. And it was safe to assume that after Eddy's stunt her nerves had been left perfectly frazzled. Nazz was a popular teenage girl. She loved to be loved by others but the potential for criticism was killing her.

She had hoped when she came back from signing up that Kevin would have offered her some comfort, but alas, he wasn't at her side. In fact he hadn't been at her side for quite a while. Usually this wouldn't have concerned her. Kevin had a short attention span and did things on his own, often without consulting her, but lately it seemed Kevin's attention was being misplaced. His mind focused on other things and not on the time they were sharing together. It bothered her that it seemed Kevin was no longer listening to her.

For a while she wondered if maybe she had done or said something wrong. Or maybe he was just having an off day and hadn't told her yet. She could get behind that and forgive him quite easily. They'd been together for a long time now and no relationship was without their snags, but somehow this felt different from all those other times. Like there was an actual disconnection between herself and her boyfriend and the solid ground they had been trekked for years suddenly began to crack and crumble.

The blonde's eyes flashed in Kevin's direction, the very smile she longed for in that moment casted in another direction.

Kevin and Edd were not quick to return but the cheerleader made no fuss about it, instead forcing herself to smile and scooting over to let them sit beside her. As she suspected Kevin chose not to sit beside her.

"So what number did you get?" She asked, forcing her tremulous thoughts to the back of her mind.

Edd peeled back the sticker the entry table had given him and smoothed it over the leg of his shorts.

"Thirty seven." He said, peeling the sticker back and smoothing out the wrinkles he had accidentally made. "Yours?"

"Twenty nine." She said, patting the sticker perched on the belly of her shirt as the room continued to fill with people, both competitors and spectators alike. "But I don't know. I'm kind of having second thoughts about this. I think I might have a little stage fright or something."

Edd's eyes jumped up from his perfectly placed sticker. "Oh no Nazz you shouldn't back out. You are a wonderful dancer."

Nazz merely shrugged, crossing one leg over the other as her nails dug into her seat.

"Thanks Double D but I'm not sure I'm competition material you know? I mean, I'm nowhere near as good as you."

"Talent is relative." Edd retorted. "One man's talent is another's frustration and vice versa. What you lack in strength you make up for beautifully in speed. Why, I don't think even our instructor can achieve the leg lines you perform so quickly. That takes impeccable training."

"Oh Double D that's sweet of you."

Edd patted her hand. "Never discredit your abilities Nazz. I've seen your work and I will happily vouch for you if necessary."

Nazz giggled. "I don't think that's how it works but thanks. I really needed to hear that."

Her eyes jumped briefly from Edd's to her boyfriend's but as she suspected the red-head wasn't paying much attention. So she bit back the urge to sigh. At least she had gotten some words of encouragement. Edd on the other hand smiled and turned his attention back to the front of the room where a woman in black flats and a crayon pink dress stepped forward. She didn't stand on the platform but in her hand was a microphone which she tapped obnoxiously on before speaking to the crowd.

The woman announced that the auditions slips had been turned in and were in the process of being filed. The doors were to be closed shortly and that anyone needing to use the restroom had better do it now. Nazz quickly excused herself, leaving Edd and Kevin to their own devices once more. Kevin was about to ask if maybe he should head out and grab them some water but Nazz had ran off much too quickly for him to get the words out. Shrugging it off Kevin turned to shower the sockhead in attention, resting his elbows on his knees as the seats around them quickly filled.

"So I guess you're going to dance on that thing?" He said pointing to the pole in the center.

Edd nodded. "Yes. I checked with the judges and I have confirmed that it is static."

Kevin pretended he understood what Edd had said and hummed. "Take it you got some back up choreography? Or watcha gonna do?"

Edd shrugged. "I do. I devise them in order to use them as warm ups, however, I have grown quite bored with them. I might just attempt to free style it."

"Oooh." Kevin crooned, poking his elbow into the dork's side. "A risk taker. I like that."

"Well I am rather adverse in the sport you know." Eddward snorted, batting his arm away. "Ach! An inkling of consent and already that inch has turned into a mile. Honestly at times you can be worse than Ed."

Teasingly Kevin reached his hand to lay it flat on Edd's face, his palm easily cupping the sockhead's tender flesh. "Oh now you don't like to be touched huh? Can't make up your mind?"

Edd squealed from the pit of his throat, grabbing Kevin's hand like it was some sticky five year old's and leaning as far from it as he could.

"Kevin Barr you are impossible!"

"Well which is it?" He shoved his hand further into Edd's face who craned his neck to escape. "Huh? Which is it? Come on out with it."

Edd couldn't hold back the urge to laugh as he pushed against Kevin's arm. Eventually the jock took back his hand but not before Edd reached out to gently smack his bicep.

"Honestly."

Kevin quickly sobered as Nazz made her way back through the rows of chairs, brushing back her hair from her face as she plopped down beside Edd.

"That was fast."

Nazz heaved a sigh and Kevin turned his head in her direction. "You ok?"

Nazz nodded but did not answer him right away, instead tucking her arms protectively around her middle as she slid back in her seat. "Have they announced anything yet?"

If Edd had noticed anything off about Nazz he made no show of having known. His smile was still firmly in place when he turned towards her and told her no. Nazz kept her eyes straight ahead, her tongue rolling about behind her teeth in a thoughtful way was the announcer once more stepped up towards the platform. The doors behind her had closed, the click of the lock and the flashing of lights overhead grabbing everyone's attention. The room quickly went silent and the announcer had no problems calming the crowd long enough to begin talking.

"Before we begin," the woman started. "I want to reiterate just how the rules here work. No one will be permitted to enter or leave the room except in cases of an emergency. This is to cut down on interruptions."

Nazz leaned over to Edd and whispered. "Well duh."

Edd snickered but Kevin just sat quietly, his arm swinging around the back of Edd's chair.

"There will only be one break half way through. We will announce when the break will be had. In the meantime there is a door leading to the south wing of the room. Those waiting to take their place on the stage can warm up in there. Only those who have signed up to participate can enter that room. Guests will have to remain in this room. If you wish to end your visit with our exhibit or have changed your mind about participating, for everyone's convenience, the doors will only be opened at the break. One of our volunteers will be at the judges table if you wish to no longer participate. Thank you for everyone that has shown interest in our exhibit. Please enjoy the show. Dancers you may now enter the south wing."

Nazz breathed through her nose softly. "Well looks like it's time to boogie."

Taking Edd's hand the blonde leaped to her feet and began dragging him towards the south wing. Edd stumbled after her but chuckled as he caught his footing and the two disappeared behind the open doors into the next room. Kevin watched them go, his mouth left hanging open from the words that nearly left his mouth but never had the chance. Well this was odd. Was Nazz avoiding him?

_Nah_._ She's probably just nervous. I should probably get them some water though._

Kevin stood when a woman with caramel skin suddenly crossed his path. Glancing up Kevin recognized Mrs. Garcia, Edd and Nazz's dance teacher. She had been sifting through her bag when she bumped into his leg, her dark eyes dancing apologetically in his direction.

"Ach **perdón- Oh, hello again.**" Her bright smile nearly encompassed half of her face as she looked around for another familiar face. "I didn't expect to run into you Mr. handsome. Where is Edd?"

Kevin jabbed his finger over his shoulder. "In the next room."

"He entered into the contest? How exciting!" The woman sat down beside Kevin, dropping her heavy bag between her feet. "Ooh I'm so proud of him. When he first started out he was so shy. Such a sweet little conejito."

Kevin lifted his brows and the woman waved her hand.

"It means bunny. He's just like them. Soft and sweet."

Kevin couldn't help but agree. "Yeah. But there's a lot more to him behind all that fluff ya know."

The instructor nodded. "Of course. There is always more than meets the eye when it comes to people." Her eyes danced knowingly, completely going unseen as Kevin mindlessly brushed his fingers over his wrist. "Especially our friends… and our loved ones."

The jock smiled absently.

"Well I'm sorry to cut this short Mr. Kevin but I have to get going. So much to do, so little time. I do hope we get to meet again soon."

Mrs. Garcia grabbed her bag, huffing slightly as she lifted the heavy haul over her muscled shoulder. Kevin stopped her however, standing with her in a failed attempt to help her lift it.

"Uh I hope you don't mind me asking but what's so heavy in the bag?"

The woman blinked at him before grinning. "Oh that's just some extra water I had left over. I figured the dancers could use it. This place has poor working AC. The entire room down stairs had a black out and they can't get the darn thing to turn back on. Aye aye aye."

"Oh ok." Kevin shook her hand and stepped to the side to allow her through. "Well you have a nice day ma'am. Since you're headed in Edd's direction can you make sure to give him two waters?"

"Sure thing. But why?"

Kevin rubbed the back of his neck. "Well he got a little over heated today so I just want to make sure he's ok."

"Ah." Mrs. Garcia's grin widened. "I see. Well you have a nice day."

The dance instructor took her time bouncing around from person to person in the room. From her earlier exhibit she had gotten to know some of the conventioneers, all of them fans and a few having become prospective students. She didn't linger long however as the lights overhead began to dim again, signifying the competition would start soon. She wouldn't have much time to doddle and while she would have enjoyed standing there and talking for hours she knew the students would probably appreciate the extra refreshments she had to offer.

When she entered into the south wing she found many dancers scattered about. Some on the ground stretching their mile long legs and others performing hand stands and acrobatic tricks she could only ever dream about. She caught sight of Edd resting on the ground beside yet another familiar face, their backs arched from the floor as they crawled their feet by the tips of their tops up the wall. Mrs. Garcia recognized the core exercise she had taught them and happily sauntered up to them.

"Well I'm glad to see you two are keeping up with your training outside of the studio."

Edd and Nazz's eyes flashed up mid flex.

"Oh Hi there Mrs. Garcia! I didn't expect to see you here."

The elder woman smiled. "Well I could say the same to you Nazz. Wow so both of my students are competing? I've never been more proud to call myself a teacher."

Where Nazz decided to topple onto her side Edd finished the rest of his flex before arching his back further and flipping over. Landing gracefully on his feet Edd turned towards his teacher and cocked his head to the side, his hat sliding off to the side to reveal a falling veil of black that tickled his ear.


End file.
