Edd x Marie - A Heart's True Desire

Chapter 2: Something Was Always Missing

Just to let you all know, whenever I type in italics, it will signify the writing on a note/letter or when I use a character's name with dialogue following, that will be for a character's inner thoughts at that moment. Enjoy :)

     There was a moment of silence as they just stared back at each other, observing all facial aspects and what the world had done to them over the years. Double D was unable to think of anything to say, though to his surprise, Marie laying on top of him didn't create any pain as it used to. While this was his thought, Marie was hoping to confute any of Double D's negative thoughts of her. She came to a realization to the position they were in which made her lightly red to which she slowly got up and offered her hand to assist Double D.

     He thanked Marie as silence bloomed once more. After so much time had passed, only a few words could be conjured. Marie abruptly broke the silence by having a soft, apologetic tone. "Sorry, Double D. I hope you're alright."

     "Oh-uh, don't worry! I'm quite alright, didn't really hurt actually." Double D assured her while having a light laugh with her.

     Marie: "Hmm, maybe I can trouble him a bit."

     "To be honest, Double D, I ain't surprised. I mean, you got all that muscle now." She smirked while giving this remark to which printed a smile on Double D's face. "Sorry again, it's just... I didn't think that you'd remember me. I mean, you could've suppressed me so far in your mind that you wouldn't remember me anymore."

     "M-Marie, how could I forget you. You're quite unforgettable. Now that's one to concur with." Double D reassured her and he noticed that she was much more cleaned up than how she was years before.

     "Thanks, oven mitt," She gave him a wink before continuing, "and... well, if I had walked up to you, I thought you would've probably not recognise me immediately and if you did, you probably would've ran."

     "Oh, well as you can see, I didn't. And, there's no possibility that I'd not recognise you. Lovely features of someone you know makes them easily identifiable." Upon his last word, Double D came to the realisation of what he just said.

     Edd: "Wh-What did I just say...?"

     "Oh, so you think I'm lovely, Double D?" Marie said in a soft and slightly seductive manner causing Double D to become flustered.

     Marie: "Aww, so cute!"

     Double D stumbled over his words while trying to come up with some way to defend his actual meaning.

     "Don't worry, Double D, I knew what ya meant." Marie assured him while lightly fist bumping his shoulder playfully to which he didn't disapprove.

     "I've noticed that you've cleaned-up yourself! Your teeth can blind me." He joked.

     "Well uh-I may have had your 'Book of Cleanliness' over the years heh. Only one I could've got before I left. Looks like you didn't need it." Marie lightly complimented while laughing.

     "Ah, so that's where it was! Anyway, I certainly read the entire book before you took it so nothing to worry about." There was a brief pause before Double D could continue with his words, "M-Marie, no need to be rude but... how is it that... well... that you're not smothering me with kisses or anything in that behaviour?"

     "Well you can put some emphasis on 'used to'! You see, Double D, I-" She took a deep breath before continuing, "that wasn't who I truly was. I mean, in some ways, yes, but not anymore. When you come from a family like mines you can be messed up, I guess. A mother who wasn't home much, always working or looking for one. She had her good reasons but with that and my sisters, how they were...I mean we couldn't stop fighting for too long when it was just us. I adapted to that manner and without a dad there, well who could've stopped us? It's just- I just want you to know that I'm not like who you think I was back then, I promise. Oh, and I toned down that anger over the years and plus I hated seeing people I care about get hurt so I prefer to not give a beating to my oven mitt." She lightly giggled towards the end as Double D responded happily.

     "I-I'm...happy about that. Nonsensical actions are not needed to deal with problems, in most cases that is. I mean, an easier approach to manage one's problems can be in an amicable manner-" His words were halted as Marie placed her finger on his lips.

     "Never change, Double D." Marie completed her compliment with a heartfelt smile to the boy she had fallen for since she was on the brink of her teen years.

     "Um... Marie? I just want to say that this exchange of ours is quite... nice, to put it that way. It's drastically different from before, but it's obvious that I prefer it this way." With a little laugh, this gave Marie a slight courage to vaguely acknowledge something that has visited her mind ever since she was told that she was going back to Peach Creek.

     "So, tell me, how many girls have been barking up that tree for ya? It's gotta be AT LEAST every girl in the Cul-de-Sac." Marie asked playfully to avoid any hinting at her true feelings towards this possibility.

     Marie: "Who wouldn't want him? He's like that cold that all girls would wanna catch to escape school. I've had that cold since I first met him."

     "Well, not exactly," Double D brought a laugh towards Marie's question before he continued, "There's been an instance or two of something like that but eh... no one has really captured my eye when it comes to the forming of a romantic relationship. It's just the fact that I'd prefer to be with someone who'd want me for me and someone who'd treat me right. Honestly, I'm waiting for that right person, and I'd know who she is because I just know I will feel it. Whomever she is, I will meet her one day."

     Marie: "What if you already met her, and she's the one standing right in front of you?"

     "Well, looks like this place still lacks that eye for true quality, except for you. I mean, your eye was good enough to notice how lovely I look." Marie flipped her hair while giving that reminder to Double D, causing him to flash red as he tried to find words before accepting his mild defeat by hiding his face within his beanie. Marie giggled at his mannerisms. Marie lightly nudged his shoulder to help indicate her playfulness to the situation, just in case Double D didn't appreciate the troubling. To her amusement, she heard a low laughter coming from beneath the beanie, to which a smiling Double D was seen looking straight at her with a look of happiness. All this while in Marie Kanker's presence; how drastic of a contrast this reaction was opposed to running away or shouting.

     Marie: "This is a look I can get VERY used to! He's... happy being around me? I-I can't help but smile back, damn his eyes are beautiful."

     Edd: "Th-this is quite a pleasant moment... with Marie Kanker. Wow, I can't believe that I am actually thinking this. Heh, maybe she really has changed. I-I honestly can't prevent myself from smiling at her. Wh-Why am I feeling this way...? M-M-Maybe this is something I can get used to. I'm actually enjoying Marie's company."

     Both Edd and Marie just stood facing each other, just a few inches away as their smiles remained durable. No words needed to be conjured. The nature's breeze at calm with sounds of their heartbeats becoming prevalent turned to a moment suddenly broken as Marie came to a quick recall of her having to go back to the trailer to help her sisters, "Ah, shit! Sorry, but I gotta go back to help Lee and May unpack before they nag my ass to boredom."

     "Oh, it's perfectly fine. No problem in helping family! Plus, with more people there, it will be a much more efficient way to complete the task. Um... it was... pleasant to see and talk to you again, Marie. I'm glad. Um, would you mind if we talk again soon?"

     "Got no problem with that! It was really great to see and talk to you again, ESPECIALLY since it was much better than any time back then when we did!" Marie and Double D guffawed together before Marie continued, "Thanks for the past few minutes, it's made my day and it's still morning! Heh, I'll definitely see you soon, and I can't wait. Well, I gotta go. See ya later, Edd."

     "See you, Marie."

     Edd: "Huh... she actually called me by my name. Well, I better head home and look for Ed and Eddy. Even if Lee and May didn't change their ways, I'm sure they'd be fine, but I should go home and check if they're okay."

     Thoughts raced through his mind with every step he took on his return home and among all those thoughts, Marie was frequent. He was intrigued. He knew that whatever he felt at that moment, it was unfamiliar, but it wasn't one he disliked.

     From a change of perception, even if Edd had no surety of this, he was adamant in grasping the knowledge of who truly was Marie Kanker.