AN: haha oh you guys...I feel bad for the last sentence of the last chapter? Kinda maybe? Lol a lil? Anywho good news for me is I have finally taken my desktop to the computer doctor and it's being fixed as I type :D bad news? Well I've been rather depressed lately for major reasons that I won't discuss here, but your reviews help so thank you so very much. Also I'm sorry!

So the walk to the center of town proved to be a bit taxing on ravenette's part. Thankfully there were several bus stop benches on the way that they took rests at.

Kevin kept watch over the smaller teen protectively as any boyfriend would their sick or injured partner. It made Edd feel warmth flood his chest and face, despite the bite of the cold wind against his skin he didn't feel the least bit cold.

By the time they had finally found the tree lot, all of them were a bit red faced from the cold air but nevertheless still excited about finding a good tree.

"Ooooh look, look Kev this one is big and fat and has lots of branches!" Nat spouted out pointing to a stout pudge of a pine tree thick with greenry.

Kevin snorted looking it over, "We'd never get that through the doorway Nat, it's too fat."

Pouting Nat glanced back at the poor insulted tree, "Now don't listen to Kevin, Dustin you'll find your home and you aren't the least bit fat! You just have big curves that's all."

Nazz snickered, "Did you just give the pine tree a name?"

Marie rolled her eyes but looked amused as she stood beside the blonde, "Should it really be a surprise to you anymore how weird Goldberg is?"

Laughing her cheek tinted more pink this time from embarrassment, "Oh geez I guess not." Nazz smiled at Marie shyly.

Edd took in the lot of Christmas trees around them. There were tons ranging in various shape, size, width, and length, "Perhaps one that's a little taller?"

"Hmm...good idea, but not seriously tall or we'll have to cut the top a bit." Kevin remarked as he looked around.

"You're just picky Kev." Nat sniffed in mock sorrow.

Shaking his head the ex-bully walked over to a less voluptuous pine tree. It stood about five seven in height, it was full yet not overly so in volume. It was perfect in every way for a Christmas tree, even the back of it wasn't torn and no branches were bent out of place.

"Oh my, this one is lovely don't you think?" Edd murmured as his gloved hand clung to Kevin's coat sleeve for balance as he marveled at the tree before them.

"I agree, this one is just right." Kevin nods smiling gently to Edd.

"I still say Dustin was better, but I suppose Brad has his charms." Nat pips in.

"Brad…? Seriously? Could you make the Christmas tree sound any more preppy without dressing it in Forever 21 clothing?" Snorted Marie.

Nazz pouts, "Hey, but I like Forever 21."

Marie gives Nazz a pitying look before a softer look takes over her expression and she pats the top of Nazz's head like a child, "I forgive you."

"Oiii!" the short blonde yells out in resounding laughter.

Kevin walks over to the owner of the lot, and begins talking over prices, not long after that he walks back, "The guy said he'll mark it down as sold, and drop it by the house later so we don't have to lug it all the way back by hand."

"That's good, I was wondering how we were going to get it back." Edd voiced sounding relieved but tired.

"You okay Edd?" The auburn teen looked to the smaller boy.

Trying to smile Edd ended up grimacing and wincing, "I think I've walked a bit too much in my leg's opinion today I'm afraid."

Frowning in concern Kevin leaned down, "Here, get on my back I'll carry you back."

Edd flustered, "O-Oh no I couldn't possibi-" he started out only to be cut off.

"Get on before I pick you up bridal style and show the whole town that you're mine."

Squeaking indignantly the raven sighed and handed his cane to Marie before climbing onto the jock's back. He looped his legs around to the front of Kevin's waist while wrapping his arms around his neck.

"Damn dork you weigh like nothing….you have tah eat more." Was Kevin's only input as the jock ignored the nerd's embarrassment.

His own cheeks were slightly flushed pink at the feel of the smaller's body being pressed up against his own.

Standing up straight Kevin shifted Edd's weight properly and nodded to the others, "Do you guys wanna get something to eat? Or head home? There's really nothing to do back home other than a Netflix or Hulu marathon."

"We should so go to the new diner that just opened up! It's not that far from here." Grinned Nazz, "I hear it's really good, I think Sara works there with Jimmy part time too!"

"I'm starved, what about you?" Kevin questions Edd, all the while trying to ignore the hot puff of breath hitting the back of his neck.

"Mmm I could eat something if I must." Edd answers.

"You will eat." Everyone but him answered in unison.

Pouting Edd shrugged, "I suppose you all out number me in opinion anyway, and it would be nice to perhaps see Sara and Jimmy. They did happen to send me the loveliest sunflower bouquet during my stay in the hospital."

"Come on then, it's this way!" Giggled Nazz as she took Marie's hand and pulled the bluenetted goth ahead much to her silent delight.

"I must say, they will make a very adorable couple." Edd said as he hid his smile into the crook of Kevin's neck.

"Ehh? No way in the seven layers of hell is Nazz dating….her!" Kevin harshly whispered back.

Nat barked out a laugh next to them as he ease dropped, "Oh poor Kevy-wevy how does it feel to have your girl bestie snatched away by your frienemy?"

"Frienemy? What the fuck is that?"

"Well duhhhh Friend+Enemy= Frienemy. It's not hard to figure out mush for brains." Nat quipped back.

"Ugh she's not my friend, she's Edd's."

"And there by association, and newly boyfriend bestowed status of Double Delicious Edd boy, you are now frienemies, you may now glare mutually."

Laughing softly Edd gigled nervously into Kevin's neck, "Well...are we um...b-boyfriends K-Kevin?"

Kevin stiffened at the question.

Paling some Edd hung his head, "I mean, we don't have to be anything bu-but friends I understand completely if you don't wish to to be anything furth-"

"You talk too much dork. Of course we're boyfriends now. You can't get rid of me that easily, you're like a fungus I can't shake."

"Oh yeah cause comparing the poor thing to fungus is totes romantic Kev." Nat said as he smacked his forehead in frustration.

Giggling again Edd smiled looking relieved, "I don't know, it sounds quite fitting too me. I happen to think fungus is a very apt description of our relationship thus far."

"You would Edd." Snorts Kevin looking equally as relieved that Edd wasn't upset at the analogy.

Marie turned her head back to them from ahead, "Hurry up slowpokes or I call dibs on half your food!"

"Damned harpy…." Kevin grunted as he hurried his pace, as did Nathan.

"I heard that Barr! I now own half your fries if you order any."

"You so do fucking not, I'm not giving you one french fry."

After being situated at a table that was suited to a larger group as opposed to a cramped booth they looked over their menus.

"Gods the Cali burger deluxe sounds heavenly…." Drooled Nat as he looked over his menu.

"Mmm I think I'm gonna get the buffalo chicken wrap." Grinned Nazz.

"Reuben for me, and half Kevin's fries." Marie smirks.

"Bitch if you even try….I'll hack off your hand."

"Sounds like a challenge, I like challenges."

"What about you Edd? What did you want to order?" Nazz inquires gently to the silent member of their group.

The raven fidgeted in his seat, "Um...yes well...I...I'm not really sure. I haven't ever been to a diner before..." He looked down at the table in shame.

"Oh dude really? Why didn't you say so?" Nazz says in surprise.

"We'll help you decide then!" Nat grins, "Do you like burgers? Or Sandwiches? Or breakfast foods? I hear they do awesome pancakes and waffles."

"Hmmmm…." He looked less nervous now having been given choices to pick from, "I think I'll have the chocolate chip pancakes" He flusters, "I was never allowed to have them when I was younger."

"Aww poor Edd." Nazz remarks, "Chocolate chip pancakes sound like a good choice then."

Edd offers her as smile before looking to Kevin, "What are you going to get Kevin?"

"Same as Nat I think." He replied, "Next time tell me if you need help with something, it's nothing to be ashamed of even if you haven't done it before."

"Ooooh sounds like an innuendo Kev!" Nat coos out.

Both Kevin and Edd turn crimson.

They certainly hadn't talked about that part of their future relationship yet that much was for sure.

I mean where had they had the time to lately?

"Leave them alone dude, not cool." Reprimanded Nazz as she shook her head.

"You dweebs ready to order yet?" Smirked Sara who had her orange mid back hair in a high ponytail. She was dressed in a long sleeved black v-neck shirt showing a bit of cleavage but not enough to get in trouble, as well as matching black jeans and shoes.

She popped her gum impatiently.

"Oi since when are we dweebs Sara?" Whined Nat.

Grinning she shook her head sassily with a shake of her ponytail, "Sorry force of habit, but you are hanging with a Kanker and Double D. Though it's good to see you out and about Double D." She winked.

Smiling back Edd nodded, "Thank you Sara."

"There's nothing wrong with who we're hanging with anyway." Nazz frowned, "But hey I thought you and Jimmy had a dance class this afternoon?"

Sara smirked, "Yeah that's what we told my Doofus of a brother so he won't squeal to mom that I have a part time job here for extra cash."

"Always the manipulator..." Edd mumbled quietly, "Somethings never change it would seem."

"So you ordering or what? Need more time?" Sara tapped her pencil against her pad of paper never one for having much patience even in her teen years it would seem.

Everyone gave their food orders along with their drink orders.

With a flip of her ponytail Sara flounced off to the kitchen to place the order.

"Well well if it isn't Kevin and his crew! Your entourage seems to have grown to include some surprising faces." Came a familiar and new voice.

Jimmy walked over a half smirk half smile on his lips, his blonde hair was slicked back on his head and he too wore black clothes like Sara. A uniform themed color it would seem.

"Why does everyone care so much who we hang with all of a sudden?" Groused Nazz unhappily.

"Well my dearest Nazz, it's just very, vert surprising considering our previous histories with their kind that's all." Jimmy waved a hand flippantly.

"Their kind?" Growled Marie.

"Oh don't be sore Kanker, you know very well you were out side our social norm circle." He giggled.

"Since when are you such a lil brat?" Nat frowned.

"He's always been a brat, we just ignored it because of Sara." Kevin frowned.

"My aren't we rude." Jimmy sniffs, "And here I was just inquiring about your groups curious additions, nothing much really. But I must say, I am really surprised that the rumors must be true."

"What rumors?" Bit out the red head angrily.

"Oh….nothing I couldn't have gathered on my own, but it is interesting to see it in person. Who'd have thought though? Kevin gay?" Jimmy giggled, "Now that is gossip worthy."

"Oi, Jimmy back off will you? I don't wanna get fired." Sara snaps at him as she expertly places down their orders.

"Yes, Sara dear." Jimmy simpers.

She eyes him angrily for a moment before turning her blue gaze to Edd and Kevin eyeing them briefly before plastering on a small smile that looks more like a crooked smirk, "Enjoy your food."

Turning she hooks her arm around Jimmy's and tugs him behind the counter near the register as they whisper amongst themselves.

"Ugh I forgot how much I didn't like them." Nazz frowns into her soda.

"You okay Kev? You're kinda quiet." Nat remarks concernedly.

Edd places a hand over one of Kevin's larger ones that was clamped tightly against his pant leg, "Don't let them upset you...it's something we'll have to deal with eventually but let us now just enjoy today." He smiled gently at him and leaned up to kiss the jock's cheek.

His muscles relax under Edd's touch, "I'm sorry sometimes my anger gets the better of me and I just…."

"Nothing to apologize for Kevin, we're all human hmm?" Smiled the ravenette his cyan blue eyes sparkling, "Besides, I think you're kinda cute when you get all huffy."

Kevin Blinked, "Huffy?"

Flustering some Edd looks down before looking into Kevin's eyes, "Yes huffy, it's rather adorable, you even get the cutest twitchy wrinkle to your nose when you do so."

"Oh I do not..." Laughs Kevin some.

"So do." Giggles Edd.

"Guys you're gonna make me barf and I haven't even eaten yet, also cough up those fries Barr." Marie snarks.

"Oh leave them be Marie, they are bantering it's positively shounen ai material!" Nazz gushed, "I wounder if they'd know if I put cameras in Kevin's room." She mused thoughtfully.

"If I catch even one hidden camera in my room Nazz…."

"Fufufufufu, who said you'd find them?"

Laughter echoed throughout the group as they bickered and ate happily.

The buzzing of a generic phone ring going off is heard.

Blinking some Edd pulls out said phone from his coat pocket and slides the screen open to answer, "Hello?"

He paled, "Yes this is he, yes...yes I understand."

Everyone quieted looking at Edd who had begun to shake.

"Edd?" Kevin spoke soothingly.

After a moment or so of silence Edd finally hung up the phone.

Blinking back tears he inhaled sharply trying to tamper down the oncoming panic attack that he felt, "M-My….my father...he was coming home earlier than expected….his taxi hit a patch of ice and ran off the road….he's in the ICU at the hospital." He hiccuped.

"My mother is coming."