Off The Clock - Edd x Eddy (x Ed)

Business as Usual -1-

Edd finished his last touches on his office, his chairs positioned. His objects labeled and itemized. Even a cactus sat in a pot, labeled 'Jim III' as this was the offshoot of a plant he had as a child. It was a shame he couldn't manage through college without a job, as Edd would prefer to work on his studies, but subsisting on ramen in a cardboard box was not ideal. So, now Edd was working for a company, which was prospering greatly but was still rather new. He sat down on his desk chair, logging into his computer, ready to start his first task as an office drone, and as he was typing his password, he heard a commotion in the break room.

"Hey, all you motherfuckers! What's good today? I can't wait to cook up some sweet ideas and make some great cash today! I know you all won't let me down." An abrasive and loud voice called, presumably to Eddward and his fellow coworkers. Who even was this jerk, thinking he could come in here and use such vulgar language in this professional setting?  Eddward stood up, ready to put this troublemaker in his place. He stomped gently out of his office towards the break room, a grumpy look on his features, and stopped with his mouth open as he looked at the person.

The person was wearing a personal marker stating they were the company CEO and head of the corporation. In other words, this was his business. Now, this had Eddward flustered and confused. He couldn't reprimand his boss. His boss wrote the rules for the workplace edicate here, and none said he couldn't speak like that. Much more, Eddward was speechless, because he recognized the boss. That short nose, strong forehead, and plump upper lip. It had him stumped. The boss hadn't even noticed his newest worker yet. He was busy making himself a coffee. Eddward gulped. He had been hired to work not only as part of the office crew but also as a personal secretary for the CEO. No wonder he got the job so easily. The company was called 'UP'. He should have caught on sooner.

"Excuse me, Eddy." Eddward spoke up, his voice an octave higher than normal and cracking slightly.

"Oh, you're here. I should've known you'd be early. Finish making me coffee and then step into my office. I'll be waiting for you." Eddy grinned in his charming and devilish manner, before walking by Edd and into his office.

Edd stuttered. He hadn't seen Eddy in nearly 4 years, and the greeting was so...strange. He didn't know how much Eddy had changed but he was already baffled. Not even a hello. No sense in dwelling on it. Eddward grabbed the cup Eddy left, which was still steaming with the hot coffee. His fingers working as if on their own as they recalled exactly how Eddy had his coffee in the morning during high school. 2 spoons of coffee creamer and a spoon of milk, unmixed. Eddward capped the lid, walking faster than he meant to towards Eddy's office.

The door's handle was the only sound when Eddward walked in. Eddy's office was well-kempt, with a disco ball on the ceiling, a girl modeling calendar on the wall, and some luscious red seats for his guest, along with office essentials, and knick-knacks of all sorts. Edd set the coffee down on the desk, standing nervously as Eddy watched him. Eddy said nothing as he reached to take a sip of the coffee, and upon tasting it, a smile reached his lips.

"Sit down, we have much to discuss. 'Specially if you're going to be my personal assistant."

"Of course, Sir. I'm gracious to have such a high position." Eddward sat down on the seat, his back still straight and hands clasped.

"Alright, good. Mind if I drop the formalities?" Eddy leaned forward, a slight glint in his eyes. Eddward only nodded. "Thanks Dee. Now, lean forward a bit."

Eddward obliged. "I really don't see the point of this though, sir. I already have my tasks, I will just have to see to your personal preferences now. I would appreciate it if you wou-".

Eddward gasped softly and his eyes fluttered closed as their lips met. For a moment, there was silence. The spell was broken. Eddward pushed Eddy away, covering his mouth, and pushing his chair backward.

"Excuse me! What was that? How could you?! Is this- what- I mean! The audacity!" Eddward struggled to be quiet, but couldn't help but raise his voice. This was unacceptable workplace edicate.

Eddy smirked. "You already signed the contract, so technically, nothing could stop me. You did notice the extra page attached, didn't you, D?" Eddy reclined in his chair. "But of course, it would be a scandal if anybody else were to know." Eddy pushed a piece of paper towards Eddward, a copy of the extra page Eddward signed.

"Eddy, you selfish jerk! What do you even want to prove with this? You don't love me. You're not gay. What is it?" Eddward's eyes were flying over the paper, cataloging the information he skipped over. Never again would he pass the terms and conditions.

"I...I just." Eddy frowned. This hadn't gone quite as expected. "I don't want to lose you again, Double-Dee. Ed and I, we just...we can't." Eddy turned away. He couldn't ever be this real with anyone else. He still trusted Edd. Ed was his only other friend, and he just didn't always get it. He tried to be friends with others, but they all shunned him for his attitude and behavior. Even after Eddward left, Eddy couldn't get him out of his mind. He hated how things happened.

Their last scam before college. Double-D hated the idea. They hadn't done a proper scam since their middle school days, and their previous one had ended with a wild trek across the country to find Eddy's brother. All was forgiven and resolved, and the trio had been even closer than ever, especially Edd and Eddy. Then, the last scam. After that, well...he cut off contact, focusing on his studies, then, despite his planning, money was getting low and he needed some funds for food and rent. He signed at the best part-time job he could find, the highest position he met the requirements of. The company, 'UP', named after a scheme they had run in their gold years, as pre-teens. Eddward should have known better, but running into Eddy here wasn't expected. 

There was no going back now. He'd signed on for 4 years, due to the benefits. If he backed out now, he'd be breaking the law. Eddward sighed.

"Double-Dee, you never let me explain what happened all those years ago, you know that, right?"

"I don't care. I know what happened, and it hurt. That's it." Eddward swung his head defiantly to the left and turned away.

"Why?"

"Because."

"Why?"

"Just because, Eddy."

"Why?"

"Will you silence yourself about this issue?"

"Why?"

"Just shut up Eddy, I'm sick of your mind games! May I please be excused so I can attend to my mindless cubicle work?"

"Why?"

Eddward didn't respond.

"Fine. Bring me another coffee in half an hour." Eddy dismissed Eddward, crossing his feet over the top of his desk, and messing with a spring toy.

Eddward stomped out, with his nose in the air.

"Fucking priss" Eddy groaned, resisting the urge to chase after Double-D. This was going to take a bit longer than expected.