Dearest Diary,

I've grown lax in my writing within you. It has been - what, three weeks since my last entry? It's absurd, really; you've done so much for me, and yet I treat you like a forgotten childhood toy. Probably cuz you've grown up a lot. I mean, you don't really need it anymore, Babe. ...Well, that's true, yes, but it brought us together oh-so long ago. You may not believe so, but writing in my Diary here brought me peace in times of great turbulence, organization when my mind was a flurry of abstract thoughts. You're such a Dork. Yes, well...I'm your Dork. Don't forget that, Mr. Barr. Heh, you won't be able to say that soon, Babe. Shush, let me write!

Now, as I was saying, it has been some time, but I simply must write in you! The events of today were...were... Come on, Babe, you can say it. I'm right here. I wanna hear it. Umm...gosh, Kevin, as much as I love using you as a headrest, I'd rather write without a backseat driver. Don't laugh at me! ...Hey, that tickles, don't! I'll start writing things down wrong and there'll be eraser dust all over! Tst, details.

He needs to write this, you know. I can see it in him. He gets this look in his eyes and has to "transcribe it to words," to quote his Dorkliness. I mean, it's kinda cute, but it sucks when I just wanna cuddle with him after-Kevin! Dear oh dear, I know this is the third one, but please refrain from taking up too much space, I have a lot to write. You're just being shy. I am, and I shall continue to do so.

Ahem.

To start off, I suppose I should give the setting, as, in the future, I know I'll not wish to read through every entry to recall the little details that led up to this point, not every time. No, I must state it here and now. So state it, Dork. Watch it, mister. Whatcha gonna do, bite me? Try it. No thank you, we both know what that incites.

Now, continuing from that lovely interruption, Kevin and I graduated high school last summer. I'd managed to get him to come along with me as I attended a nearby community college, on the hopes that my professors were right in recommending that for my first few years. I had high hopes for my future, but I knew I'd be one in a thousand at a large university, and truly desired the one-on-one between student and teacher that a community college could provide.

Kevin came along, having been accepted easily. Yeah, well, hard not to when I had a nerd like you helping me with my homework every night. So cheeky, Kevin. Anyhow, we decided to live off-campus, with my parents paying for our housing. Yes, Diary, we were living together at that point. Not in the same room at first... Not officially. No, definitely not that. Though I imagine you changed your tune a tad the first time I screamed when I woke to a stranger in my bed. Yeah, falling off and wedging myself between the wall and the bed, not what I had in mind. Was hoping for some morning- Ahem.

We've only recently begun sharing a bedroom, having "pushed" our beds together. I will admit, Diary, that I don't mind staring longingly at Kevin's features in the streams of the morning sun...oh, Kevin, don't groan! No one else will ever see this but you, and me. And I know you like when I say these sorts of things, I've seen the faces you've made when rereading my Diary when you thought I wasn't looking- Babe, you're such a sneak. Thank you, Kevin dear.

Now as I was saying, we've been sleeping "together" for a bit now. Perhaps only a few weeks, but I only wrote about it...last entry. I'd check the date, but...Kevin has so kindly stolen my hand, and is massaging my digits and knuckles with a tenderness I didn't much expect of him. I didn't say stop! Kevy...oh, I can't stay mad when you do that. Your kisses are- Either you write about today now or I'm gonna start doing things to you, take your pick.

Today started as the first day of Kevin and I's planned vacation. Pfft, course you'd pick writing. Hush! Kevin hadn't told me where he'd planned to take me on our "vacation," but I knew we were taking his notorious Firebrand. I've grown to like her, honestly. It gives me plenty of reason to hold Kevin as tight as possible, whilst also being in the public eye. Still shy, huh? Yes, well, not everyone is as accepting of us as the cul-de-sac. I'd protect you from anyone and anything. I know, Kevin...I know. I really do. God I love that smile... Y-yes, well- You said that already. Shhh!

The trip was a long one, two hours in all just to get there, with a stop at the gas station included. I was relieved to find that I recognized where we were going. The road signs grew familiar. I was, however, thrown off by the fact we turned away from the road leading to our small little neighborhood. I was also perplexed when I noticed the Lake in sight. It was different, seeing it during the day... Was it bad though? At...at first. Sorry. Don't be. Never be sorry for what you did. Please, my Prince...never regret it, I beg of you. ...You're so corny, Dork. You're so blushing, Kevy. It looks good on you, you know...

Anyways, umm...took me out to the Lake, but not to the same spot as before. Actually, the place he brought me out to was somewhere...I... It's ok, Dork, you don't have to say it. I asked Eddy and Ed to help me with it. I'm...wait...you did? You're on speaking terms with Eddy? How do you think I got the- Oh! I assumed it was Nazz!

Oh, Diary, sorry to leave you in the dust, I didn't mean to get ahead of myself! Kevin brought me to a spot from my childhood. That spot, to be specific. I was going to say I had no idea how he found it, but I suppose I know now...don't laugh at me, I was genuinely curious! Excusing all my deviations from the point, Kevin let me off there, and I noticed a grill set up. Needless to say, I froze, for a moment. Until Kevin hugged me from behind and I...well, I really, really tried to relax. It was just unnerving, Diary. Very, very unnerving. At least it had 4 legs. And a fifth that I believe Eddy made, now that I know it was him. Oh yeah, I didn't even notice. Perhaps you did, but other details were what concerned you. Yeah, probably...

I sat on the grass, and Kevin made us burgers. It was sweet having him cook for me, to be honest, since I was generally the one to do that sort of thing when we were home. Whilst eating, I kept seeing Kevin look at something, and eventually became curious as to what it was. I moved to get a better look, and noticed a stream of ants going back and forth between the grass in a thin line. I found it intriguing. I was kinda freaking out that they might get on me and shit. Fortunately for you, they tend to keep to their scent trails rather than straying.

I was leaning in to take a closer look, when I felt something cold touch my hand. I turned to see that Kevin had placed a magnifying glass; my magnifying glass, to be more specific; into my hand. I winced as my thoughts tried to pull at me, and it was only the kind look in Kevin's eyes that kept me from turned down that dark path. ...I'm sorry, Kevin, I have to write this. I love you, my Prince, you do know that, right? ...I knew you did. Your face is rather adorable, painted red like that. I...I need to continue, I keep getting side-tracked by your presence, my dear. I must persevere!

Shakily, I took the magnifying glass closer to my eye. I leaned down and examined the lovely little creatures, their tiny worn trail winding its way through blades of grass like a river through the Amazon. And when I felt Kevin's hand shove at me...I decided to follow. Carefully. Hesitantly. But he stayed right behind me, a hand hovering around my waist, the loose tether attaching me to reality and disconnecting my fear for a bit. I followed the stream of ants carefully, each step shaky, my subconscious trying to hold me still. I kept going, somehow...I just kept going...until it stopped.

The mound was small, but quite well taken care of. No footsteps had trodden their domain, and for that I was relieved. They were beautiful specimens, pristine, and...there was only one flaw. Loose dirt, a tiny ways from their hill. It didn't make much sense. Was it a collapsed hill? And what was that imprint, that depression? I tilted my head, leaving Kevin's arm behind as I knelt down to examine the dirt more closely. It wasn't natural...was it...man-made? No ants were anywhere near it. The sandy soil was loose. Was there something...

I let my fingertips graze over the top, shifting a bit of the dirt away. The depression remained visible. I did another quick sweep, and saw something glint. Curiosity taking over, I let my fingertips dip into the loose dirt, and gently, ever-so-gently, I lifted a shining silver object. My mind blanked for a moment, and I found myself wondering who would leave such an object behind, let alone cover it...and then...

I-I stood and turned around, and saw Kevin on one knee, looking up at me. His eyes went down to my hand, a-and...

You were beautiful, Edd... All the things you love to do bring that out in you. It's why I took you there, and planned this out. When you looked into my eyes, I almost... I almost lost my words, alright? I had to mentally slap myself to take your hand, and that helped me figure out what to do.

I was shaking as he took the ring from my fingers, all the remaining dust and sand falling to the ground. It shone brilliantly in the sun. But my eyes were locked on Kevin's, and my heart was beating too fast to catch.

I could barely breathe. I'd planned this out for months, I'd even fucking practiced it, but I could barely hold it together...

When he finally spoke, I realized how silent the world was around me.

"Edd...I...um," he cleared his throat, fingers twiddling against my hand before he started to force himself to speak again, "I-I've known you for a while, now...I mean, we've pretty much known each other our whole lives, right? Haha...I...I guess we've only really known each other a few years though, l-like this, I mean. And I...what I'm trying to say is, I really like you. No, fuck it, I love you. I fucking love that amazing brain of yours, the way your body curves when I see it in the middle of the night when I've stolen the blanket off you. I frickin' breathe to see you smile and hear you laugh, and I can't stand a day without you because it feels like I'm missing the damn Sun in my life!"

He squeezed my hand tight in his shaking fingers, his other hand crushing his knee as he stared desperately into my eyes, and said, "Edd, will you marry me?"

The look on your face was...wow, I wish I had a camera. I was so afraid for a second though, when you fell. I mean, I caught you...I'll always catch you, Edd. No matter what. But I was still scared. I'd...I'd lost you once, or at least thought I did, and I was seriously afraid I'd screwed things up again, no matter what all the others told me. When I heard you choke out those words...write them out for me, Babe, you're better at it than I am.

I...I s-said, "Never in my life have I ever wanted to say 'yes' more than now...a-and so...yes...I will...my Prince, I will...I will..."

The tears on your face stung me, I thought I'd done something wrong despite everything, but your words just...I had to pull back, see you smiling behind every sob. I doubt you remember when I measured your finger...it was a month ago. I tried to hide it as me just playing around, but- No, Kevin, I had no idea. I'm...glad. That I was able to manage hiding it. Cuz your reaction...I was so damn happy to make you smile like that, and when you said yes, Edd...there's no words for how amazing I felt. There's zilch, nada, I was so fucking happy.

H-he took my fingertips close to his lips, placing the softest of kisses on the joints, before slowly slipping the ring onto my finger. I immediately collapsed within his arms, and sobbed...and he was so warm...

Babe...I love you. More than anything. I'd give up anything just to see you happy, I'd throw away everything I am for your smile at this point. You do things to me, make me feel things I'd have never dreamt of. I love you, Edd, I love you and I'm never letting you go.

...While that's all fine and good, I can't breathe well at the moment. You don't have to let go! Just...a little less tight, my love. Aw...you're sweeter than you think. I know you try to be all macho, but you're truly a softie at heart. Your fault on that one, Dorkable. If it is, I've no regrets.

There's no set date yet, but...Kevin wants to have it at the Lake. And he's going to do everything in his power to make sure my parents are there. I'm so lucky...

Hey Babe...about the Lake. The memory...is it...? When I think of the lake now...it's...a tumult. I'd love to tell you it was all gone, but...it's not. Still, now, whenever I think of it...I have two precious memories of here. Three when it happens... Kevin, I still can't believe you thought of this yourself. I had help...I'm not proud of it. I wouldn't expect you to be, my Prince. Oh, that blush...I really should call you that more often. Hey, careful, I'm writing, that tickles! Ahem!

Well...my heart is still a-flutter, and my finger is...well, to be honest, it itches. You're not taking it off. Not tonight, but perhaps tomorrow...? Nope. Kevin, do you understand how much of an irritation this is to my skin? So was the hickey but you didn't take that off. That's hardly relevant, and also quite impossible. I'll just need to wash under it occasionally- No. What do you mean, no? I mean, I'll shower with you if it means keeping that ring on. K-K-Kevin! Please! Haha! You're so cute when you're mad, Babe. I'm glad it's amusing to you.

And thus was my day, Diary. Well, yesterday now. And whose fault is it that midnight was hit? Could it perhaps be the boy who keeps stealing the writing utensil from my hand? You love it.

...I do love it. I love the way your arms ensconce mine, your breath tickling my hair. I'm enamored by the scent of your clothes, the way your fingers fit just right in mine. I'm in love with your laughter, and that bewitching smile you've enslaved me with. And in the late of the night, I listen to your heart beat, and your breath grow deep, and I wonder if you're dreaming me me.

I'm always dreaming about you. Even when I wake up.

Then don't wake from this.

We gotta get to bed sometime, Double D.

Eventually...but not yet. I'd rather stay here in your arms while I can, and remember how it used to be...remember how it is now...

You've got your Diary right here to remember it with, you know.

I do. But in order to turn the page, I have to end this account...

Well, now's good a time as any.

But I don't want it to end.

It won't, Babe. I'm still here.

Never let me go...promise me that, Kevin.

I...I promise you, Edd. I'll never let you go, so long as I live.

Good night, Diary...and pleasant dreams.

Keep my memories treasured and clear.

Seeya.

With Love,

Yours Truly & Betrothedly,

Your Dualing Authors,

Kevin & Edd