Once Upon A Time... (EddMatt)

Late At Night

Edd slowly opened his eyes, forcing himself awake.
Matt had an arm draped around him with a smile on his face. Edd carefully lifted up his arm, squeezing out of the bed and onto the floor.

He looked back at Matt, planting a small kiss on his forehead, and pulled on his clothes. He nearly tripped a few times trying to put on his pants. He hated the new schedule Tom had proposed.

Tom had moved their training to midnight, so Matt wouldn't get suspicious. Edd could just leave in the middle of the night and be back before Matt ever woke up.

The only problem now, was Edd not getting enough sleep. Everyday he'd have bags under his eyes, small cuts that he didn't bandage properly when he first got back, and would randomly fall asleep. He tried played it cool in front of Matt, but could tell that the prince was starting to worry about him.

Edd shook his head and exited the room, carefully closing the door behind him so he wouldn't wake Matt up. He continued down the hall, eventually exiting the palace and heading to the garden.

Edd pushed the vines aside and entered. He looked around, not seeing Tom anywhere.

"Surprise!" Tom yelled, bringing his sword down right where Edd was standing.

The knight barely had time to roll out of the way, the sword grazing his leg. Edd let out a hiss of pain and drew his sword.

Tom grinned at him. "Always be ready for surprise attacks."

Edd just growled and began to attack. Tom started out dodging his attacks, but eventually had to switch to blocking, Edd's swings becoming lightning fast.

"What?" Tom grabbed a tree branch and pull himself up into the tree. "No insults or witty banter?"

Edd stabbed his sword into the tree and began to climb, not responding. He had no patience for Tom's games.

"Do I have to force you to talk to me? Usually you're just dying to tell me stuff about your boyfriend and what you did yesterday." Tom sighed, a small smile on his face. "I guess you really don't want to tell me about the farm date you had with Matt..."

Edd let out a loud growl as his fist connected with Tom's face, sending him flying out of the tree and onto the ground. Tom quickly jumped up as Edd let himself fall back down, and pulled the sword back out of the tree.

Tom's face turned to one of worry. "Are you ok Edd? This isn't like you."

"I'm fine!" Edd yelled, raising his sword. "Why does everyone keep asking me that!?"

Tom took a defensive position. "Maybe it's because you aren't ok!"

"YES I AM!!" Edd screamed, tackling Tom.

Tom grabbed Edd's arms and turned them over, pinning the small knight to the ground. "Tell me what's going on. Now."

Edd started up at Tom, before tears began to run down his face. He broke, turning into a sobbing mess. Tom helped him up, rubbing his back.

"You want to tell me what's going on?" He asked calmly.

Edd pulled his knees to his chest. "I-I've just been keeping so many secrets from Matt. I don't want to tell him and upset him, b-but by not telling him I'm upsetting him even more. Wh-what do I do Tom?"

Tom appeared to think for a moment, before sighing. "I can't tell you what to do, but I can suggest a few things."

Edd nodded sadly.

Tom looked down at Edd. "If you have secrets, that you don't want Matt to know about, then just don't tell him."

"Wh-what?" Edd looked at Tom with a confused look.

"As much as I love Matt, it's not it any his business what you do with your free time. It's your personal business. You two don't have to share everything." Tom smiled down at Edd.

"B-but-"

Tom chuckled. "But what do I know, right? I'm just a sad man with no family or friends. What good is my advice, right?"

"No, no!" Edd said quickly. "You've got good advice! I-I just..."

"You're having a hard time accepting it, aren't you?"

Edd gave him a small nod, just wanting Tom to leave.

It was almost like Tom read his mind. "Well, I'll give you a bit of time to yourself to think things over."

Tom stood up and walked off, beginning to pick up the discarded swords and debris a good distance away from Edd.

Edd just stared down at the ground. What was he supposed to do? He didn't want to upset Matt or make him mad, but his opinions always canceled each other out. If he told Matt the truth, the prince would get angry with him and wouldn't love him anymore.

On the other hand, if he kept the secrets, Matt would stay happy. Unless Edd slipped up of course. But it wouldn't really be his fault if he did. If Matt was digging in his personal business, then it was his fault if he found out things he didn't want to know. It was Matt's fault.

Edd wiped his eyes and stood up. "Hey Tom."

Tom walked back over to Edd, holding out his sword which Edd grabbed. "You done thinking things over?"

"That's none of your business." Edd replied.

Tom chuckled. "That's the spirit. Shall we continue?"

Edd nodded, raising his sword.

"Good." Tom lunged, clashing swords with Edd.

He swung and Edd fell to his knees, rolling to the side. Edd hit him hard in the back of the leg, making Tom fall down with him. He quickly hopped back up and swung, nicking Tom's face with his sword before it was blocked by Tom's.

Tom jumped up and touched his hand to his face. He pulled it back, looking at the blood on his fingers.

"Nice. You're getting a lot better." Tom smiled.

Edd just smiled and charged. The two fought, their swords clashing. They were so caught up in the fight, that there was one small thing they didn't see.

The man that was watching them from the bushes.