-KevEdd- Life Saver [P2]

    Edd's heart thuds as he walks down the hospital corridor, following the nurse to Kevin's room. He hadn't seen or heard from Kevin since the accident earlier that day, so he didn't know the extent of his wounds yet. His mind kept moving to worst-case scenarios, no matter how hard he tried to keep his mind away from the negative. Kevin was strong, he'd be fine. After all, he had been well enough to talk to Edd right before he was taken away in the ambulance.

    Finally, after what seemed like hours to Edd, the nurse motioned to a door. Edd hesitantly opened the door, slowly taking a peek inside. All he could see from that were the lumps formed from Kevin's feet under the hospital blanket. Taking a deep breath, Edd forced himself to take a step into the room, closing the door behind him. Kevin was laying in the hospital bed, sleeping soundly. He had a clean bandage around his head, along with one on his arm. His body from his chest down was covered with the blanket, so Edd couldn't guess what other injuries Kevin had suffered. A pang of sadness and guilt stabbed into Edd's heart, knowing that he was the cause of Kevin's current condition. He quietly took a seat in the chair next to Kevin's bed, deciding to wait for Kevin to wake up, rather than waking him up.

    About ten minutes or so went by before Kevin started to stir, his eyes opening moments later. When he notices Edd sitting next to his bed, his body stiffens slightly in surprise before his body relaxes and a warm smile spreads across his face. "Hey, Double D."

    "Hello, Kevin..." Edd says softly. "I'm so sorry, Kevin. This is my fault. You wouldn't be here if I hadn't-" he was cut off as Kevin put one of his fingers to Edd's lips.

    "Shh. Save it, Edd. It wasn't anyone's fault." his finger stays on Edd's lips for a bit longer than necessary before he drops it back to his side.

    Edd decides not to argue, a weird and unfamiliar feeling starting in his stomach from the unnecessarily prolonged contact with Kevin. He quickly changes the subject, "S-So... Are you alright, Kevin?"

    Kevin sighs, "Yeah, I'm cool. A few scraps, cuts, bruises, a broken rib or two. Other than that I'm just fine."

    A slightly horrified expression crosses Edd's face, "Broken ribs? Oh, Kevin. Why did you do that? I should have broken ribs, not you. After all, I'm the fool that didn't look both ways. This is all my fault..."

    Kevin's expression hardens. "Edd, this is not your fault, and you are not a fool. If I could go back in time I wouldn't change what I did."

    Edd fells his face growing hotter, though he's not entirely sure why. He looks down at his feet, unexpectedly melancholy after knowing the hideous extent of Kevin's wounds. Wounds that he felt responsible for. "But why not? You must be in pain..."

    Kevin looks away, sighing. He remains silent for a while before saying, "It's complicated, Double D."

    Edd realizes he was hoping Kevin would give a real answer when his spirits fall. "Oh... Well, I'd very much like to know... But, if you'd rather not say, I won't press you..."

    "Okay... Thanks, Double Dork." Kevin replies, avoiding eye contact.

     A few moments later the nurse comes into the room, stating that visiting hours are closed for the day. Kevin and Edd say there farewells, and Edd makes his way home, disappointed that most of the questions buzzing in his mind were still left unanswered.

    ------

     When Kevin had said that he had 'broken a rib or two', he wasn't being entirely clear. The correct answer would have been he had broken six ribs. The doctor was making him stay in the hospital for three extra days, so the ribs would have time to heal before he was up and about again. Edd decided that he would visit Kevin on each one of those three days. Luckily, it was spring break, so Kevin wouldn't have to worry about missing any school. After the second day of visiting Kevin, Edd found that he was really, really looking forward to visiting him each day, and it always made him very sad when he had to leave. He tried to convince himself that it was just because they were turning out to be good friends, but deep down he knew it wasn't just that. It was starting to feel like something more. Edd wasn't entirely sure if he was imagining it or not, but every now and then he noticed Kevin looking at him in a weird... Almost affectionate way. It was hard to explain, but again, he could just be imagining it.

    It was the third day that Kevin had been in the hospital, and Edd had just arrived. "So, how's life outside the hospital?" Kevin asks nonchalantly, leaning back in the hospital bed.

    Edd shrugs. "Ordinary. Nothing special."

    "Aw, c'mon. There has to be something."

    "No, I assure you. Everything is normal."

    "I don't buy it. Are you keepin' somethin' from me?"

    "What would I possibly be..." Edd trails off as he catches that slightly affectionate look in Kevin's eyes again. All of the other times that Edd had thought he'd seen it, it had been just a split-second occurance, but this time it wasn't going away. The look slowly fades away as Kevin's eyebrow raises curiously.

    "Are you okay, Edd?" Edd snaps back to reality, realizing that he had been staring at Kevin for the past minute or so.

    "Oh, I'm sorry. I just..." Edd trails off again, not sure how to finish the sentence.

    Kevin's face becomes more serious, and he leans slightly towards Edd. "You just what, Double D? What's wrong?"

    Words seem to fail Edd as he's confused by the genuine concern in Kevin's voice. "Um...Nothing. Nothing..." 

    Kevin stares into Edd's eyes, concern taking up his face. Edd stiffens slightly in surprise when Kevin puts his hand on his. "You can tell me, if something's bothering you..." Kevin says quietly, Edd's face heating up.

    All Edd can do is nod, his heart pounding so hard he thought Kevin must be able to hear it. After a few more moments, Kevin slides his hand off of Edd's and he straightens back up in his bed. The two teens stay quiet for a while, Edd's heartbeat slowly returning back to normal. He wasn't quite sure why the physical contact with Kevin had affected him that way, but he decided he'd ponder it later.

    Kevin begins to say something, but is interrupted by the nurse, announcing that the visiting hours are over for that day. Edd quickly says goodbye and scurries out of the room, making his way home as fast as he can.

    As soon as he gets home, he locks himself in his room and throws himself onto his bed, burying his face in his pillow. Why had he frozen up like that? Isn't it obvious, Edd? No, it isn't obvious. You're developing romantic feelings for him. But, I'm not gay... Am I?