Sickness

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy or it's characters.

Chapter 4,

"Oh Kevin. Oh Double D." Jimmy cried as he entered Edd's room.

"What is it Jimmy?" Edd asked.

"Sarah called. She thinks that her fever is returning and she needs me to protect her from that oaf of an older brother." Jimmy said and Edd rose an eyebrow at him.

"Oh, don't pretend he isn't Double D." But I need to go, my Sarah needs me." Jimmy declared before running out of the house.

"Man that chick has got a hold on him." Kevin said and Edd looked at him.

"It is nice to support your friends, and help them when they are in need." Edd said and Kevin rolled his eyes.

"I get it Edd. It's nice to be nice to people." Kevin said and Edd smiled.

"Yes, exactly. Who told you that?" Edd asked and Kevin shruggedz

"I don't actually remember, but I think it sounds like something you would say." Kevin said, and though he was unsure of the origin, it did surprise Edd that Kevin would quote Edd.

"I guess that means that you were truly listening to me." Edd said and Kevin scoffed with a smile.

"Yeah, right, dorko. So with Jimmy gone, what do you want to do?" Kevin asked and Edd hesitated, on one hand, he understood the fact that he needed to stay in bed and rest so that he could get better. But then again, who knows how long it would take before he did get better. And once Edd was well again, Kevin would go back to being the stereotypical jock who bullied him and his friends. Edd didn't want to miss out on all this kindness that Kevin was displaying.

"Well, because of my current state, we probably should avoid excessive exercise." Edd said and Kevin smiled.

"I guessed that dork." Kevin said and Edd blushed.

"I'm sorry." Edd said and Kevin shrugged.

"Don't get mushy dork. Do you got any board games? We could play one of those, or maybe we could put on a movie?" Kevin suggested and Edd thought about that.

"Well, I do have checkers downstairs." Edd recalled and Kevin nodded.

"Do you want me to bring it up? Or do you want to try and walk downstairs?" Kevin asked. Edd wasn't sure if he was well enough to make it down the steps, but he would feel more comfortable spending time with Kevin downstairs.

"I think I would like to try going downstairs. Just to get my blood moving a bit." Edd said and Kevin nodded.

"Do you need my help?" Kevin asked when he saw Edd stand up on his weak legs.

"I might, truth be told." Edd said and Kevin nodded and he went ahead and stood beside Edd and gave him a welcoming smile.

"I know you're not big on tough, but it might be safer if I keep a hold of you. While you walk down. If you lose your balance I could catch you, or if you lose your balance, I could catch you. Or if you get a bit dizzy I could be your rock to lean on." Kevin suggested, and Edd blushed.

"O-oh, A-are you sure?" Edd said, feeling a tingle of heat that had nothing to do with his illness.

"Yeah, you know I could easily throw you over my shoulder. I swear you're as light as a feather." Kevin said and he took Edd's left arm and placed it on his shoulders.

"But I think I'll give you the chance to walk on your own." Kevin said and he took his arm and wrapped it around Edd's waist.

"O-ok." Edd said. The genius found Kevin's touch to be warm and intoxicating. The two walked out of Edd's room and stopped when they got to the stairs.

"Alright, now I don't want to rush you, so let's take this slow; and if you need to stop to rest, then just tell me." Kevin said and Edd took a deep breath. He was having trouble understanding how he was feeling around Kevin. It almost felt like he was talking to Nazz, but she was a pretty girl with an amazing personality. But Kevin wasn't Nazz. Far from it, he was normally... well, mean. And he is still a boy. And yet...

"Proceed, Kevin." Edd managed to say without stuttering. They walked down to the steps slowly and Edd was feeling so safe and protected. And he was starting to feel excited and lightheaded in Kevin's grasp.

"O-ok. I need a minute." Edd said when they were about halfway down the steps. Kevin stopped and looked at him.

"Take a deep breath. It will help you calm down." Kevin informed him and Edd obeyed.

"Hey, maybe it would help to talk?" Kevin suggested though he didn't really know what to talk about.

"Ok, well, when did you start playing football?" Edd asked and Kevin blinked.

"Oh, man, I've been playing football ever since I was little. Dad would sit me down and we would watch the game and he would tell me how the game worked." Kevin said and Edd nodded.

"So you enjoyed football because it's something you and your father do together." Edd said and Kevin nodded.

"Yeah, it's just... well, something I've always done." Kevin said, never really giving it much thought until now.

"Well that's nice." Edd said and Kevin blinked.

"Ok, uh, do you think you're ready to continue?" Kevin asked and Edd went ahead and nodded.

"I think so." Edd said and Kevin started walking again.

"So what about you?" Kevin asked, wanting to keep the conversation going.

"Pardon me?" Edd asked.

"Do you watch football with your dad?" Kevin asked and Edd paused.

"Sometimes. Normally just the Super Bowl though." Edd admitted and Kevin nodded.

"Ok, so if you don't always watch football, then how do you bond with your dad?" Kevin asked and Edd shrugged.

"Well on most days my folks are too busy or tired to spend time with." Edd said sadly be Kevin's face fell.

"Though there are some days they allow me to go to work with them. I must remain quiet so they and their associates can work, but I bring a book or two so that's fine. And at least I get to spend time with them." Edd said with a fake grin on his face. For some reason listening to Edd talk about his parents kinda broke Kevin's heart.

"I guess." Kevin finally answered and they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"You know Kevin, I'm starting to think that maybe we aren't as happy at home as we should be." Edd took the risk to say, and Kevin stared at him. Edd didn't know what Kevin was feeling or what he was about to do.

"Maybe you're right." Kevin said and Edd almost gasped. He thought Kevin would push him into the floor before ever admitting that Edd was right about this.

"Do you want to sit on the couch and talk about it?" Edd asked and Kevin shrugged.

"I don't know, maybe. Do you?" Kevin asked and Edd shrugged weakly.

"Perhaps, I'm not sure." Edd said and Kevin kinda smiled at how similar their answers were.

"Come on, let's just get you on the couch. I can get us both a glass of water and play a game of checkers or two." Kevin said and Edd suddenly got the urge to rest his head against Kevin, but he resisted.

"That sounds very nice." Edd said, secretly hoping that he is more sick then he originally thought.