A/N: Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! Here's my gift to you! ...oh wait, that Christmas. Oh well. XD Ahh… sorry for the long wait on this chappie. Schoolwork was a little hectic, and I got stuck a few times on this chapter, but it got done eventually. XD So here it comes!

Chapter 12: At Last

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“…sniffle…”

“Geez, you done yet, Double D? Your snot’s getting all over my shirt.”

“Oh!” After their extended embrace, Edd pulled away from Eddy, flushing deeply as he wiped his nose. “I-I’m sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Eddy waved it off, grinning in amusement when a hanky appeared between their faces.

“Thank you, Ed.” Sniffing, Edd took it and blew his nose with a loud honk.

Ed beamed, turning to his other pal with another tissue. “And for you, Eddy.”

“What? …oh… oh, yeah.” He snatched it up and rubbed his eyes, desperately trying to erase any hint of his own share of tears. After all this, he still had a reputation to maintain. “…thanks, Ed.”

“Naw…” Ed grinned bashfully, putting Edd into one arm. “…thank you, Eddy.”

“…Yes,” Edd nodded in agreement, flashing their friend his own grateful smile. “Thank you, Eddy.”

“Okay, alright, you said thanks already,” Eddy rushed out, realizing the need to switch gears after he remembered something. “Look… now we got a serious problem here.”

Their faces fell simultaneously. “A… problem, Eddy?”

“Double D, I yelled at your mom!” Eddy frantically reminded, pulling him in by the shirt. “How do you think she’s gonna react, huh??”

Realization came gradually, and Edd’s gut plummeted into his shoes.

“…oh, shit.”

“Exactly!”

Edd began to lose his cool again, bringing a hand up to his sweating forehead. “Wh-what now? What’re we going to do?? What do we…?”

“What we’re gonna do…” Their third party suddenly interrupted, swiveling Edd around to face him and holding him by the arms firmly. “…is relax. Remember? Take a deep breath…”

Surprised by Ed’s soft order, Edd paused before his oddly stern partner made the breathing hand gestures, and he followed the demand and breathed in and out calmly.

Ed’s hard features softened with a small, relieved smile. “Good, Double D… Wanna go for a walk or something?”

Edd, puzzled by his behavior in general at the moment, hesitated.

Eddy, however, understood what Ed was doing. “…s’great day outside,” he muttered, trying to be helpful. “Not a cloud in the sky.”

Finally, Edd got the hint, silently impressed by both of their handling of the delicate situation at hand. Apparently they all shared a mutual need of a break from all this drama and tension.

“…a walk sounds…nice,” Edd ventured with a small, demure smile, and all the tightness gripping the air instantly loosened.

Ed’s grin grew. “Okay!” Aiming to lighten the mood, he playfully zipped to Edd’s side, taking his arm very properly. “Let us go, then, my dear!”

Edd couldn’t help but giggle at his antics as he was led to the entry hall, leaving his worries behind for the time being. The couple paused when Eddy dashed ahead of them, grabbing the front door’s knob and pulling it open.

“Ladies first,” he jokingly proclaimed, encouraging them with a classy wave of his arm.

Ed giggled at the tease, while Edd smirked as they passed him by. “Such the gentleman!”

“Yeah, don’t let it get around, though, I got a reputation to think of!”

Laughs were exchanged among the three best friends as they stepped outside, but their mirth ended the second they turned away from the house.

Not two steps away from the doorstep, the Eds halted in their tracks to face the other kids of the cul-de-sac, gathered together on the lawn, with all pairs of eyes glued on the new, unanticipated couple.

The Eds didn’t move. The other kids didn’t move. Time seemed to stand absolutely still.

The spell was broken when Ed straightened up, lacing an arm around Edd in a form of challenge to them, daring them to speak up. Edd threw him a quick glance, then took on the same resolution, taking a deep breath.

“If there’s anything you need to say…” he spoke up boldly, though his voice sounded rather cracked in nervousness. “…then let it out right now and be done with it.”

No one took his advice at first. If they hadn’t fidgeted or looked away, it would’ve been possible to believe they hadn’t even heard him.

Eddy stood behind them, out of sight. Cowardice was part of it, he couldn’t deny that, but this was already starting to look like a battle his two chums had a fighting chance at, so he wisely removed himself from the conflict. For now, at least.

Ed stood his ground, encouraging words from his friends and family playing back in his head and boosting his confidence. Any remaining insecurities were melted away by the warmth of his dear Double D at his side. Together, they would overcome, no matter what.

“…Well?” Edd had grown impatient, but cringed at his own harsh tone, based on habit.

The first to step up was Nazz. The blonde looked quite tentative for obvious reasons, fingering her locks as she thought of exactly the right words to say. “…um… well… I think I speak for everyone when I say…”

“…Say what?”

Slowly, Nazz lifted her gaze, her bright eyes shining with sincerity. “…We’re sorry.”

Neither of them were expecting an apology. Ed’s stern face faltered while Edd rightfully questioned, “Sorry? …Whatever for?”

“For you getting kicked out by your parents, duh!” Nazz elaborated, much to their surprise. Murmurs of agreement sounded off behind her. “And out into the rain, too! Way outta line, if you ask me.”

Ed and Double D were quite baffled, to say the least, glancing at each other before Nazz stepped closer and took them both by the hand, lovely and honest concern written on her face.

“I’m not gonna lie to you. It’s gonna be tough for you guys.” She then gave them each a thoughtful smile. “But I’ll always be behind you, at least.”

Edd, to be perfectly honest, was floored. “…Nazz… you really… truly…”

“Yes, I mean it, Double D.” She giggled. “Honestly, I think you two look kinda cute together.”

Ed mimicked her giggle as he held his beloved close.

Edd, however, was more shocked by such an accepting reaction to the news. He glanced at the other kids uncertainly. “…and… the rest of you…?”

“You already know how I feel,” Sarah pointed out.

“Th-that’s true…”

Looking down when a pair of hands rested on each of their shoulders, the two found Jimmy before them, beaming brilliantly.

“Love is a powerful emotion that knows no gender,” he articulated beautifully, bringing them into a warm embrace. “If your hearts are true, then I wish you nothing but happiness!”

“Aww…” Ed hummed, hugging back.

“Jimmy… that’s so poetic.”

Drawing away, the boy beamed at a deeply-touched Edd. “Love and happiness have inspired many a sonnet as well, Double D.”

Only Edd missed the true significance of that statement, but he smiled warmly nonetheless.

“Thank you, Jimmy, truly… Jonny? What about you?”

“Doesn’t matter to us!” Jonny delightfully replied. “Then again, not a lotta things do, right, Plank?”

Everyone but Edd missed that joke, and couldn’t understand why he had chuckled. “Of course.”

“Rolf fails to understand why the condition of homosexuality is such a taboo in this land,” the son of a shepherd spoke up, approaching with the characteristic grin he wore when reminiscing. “In Rolf’s country, matrimony between two males is, not an uncommon practice!”

This fact stood out amongst every other custom he had ever described from his homeland, and everyone turned to gaze at him unbelievingly.

“A-are you serious, Rolf?” Edd expressed their question, probably the most amazed of all of them.

“Rolf is most serious, out-of-closet Ed-boy!” He cheerfully stood behind them, pushing them close together by the shoulders. “Rolf is honored by your open affection and respect towards the custom! If this is the path you choose, do as you will! Rolf respects your decision either way!”

At this point, the ice around the couple’s hearts melted. “Oh, Rolf… thank you…” Edd replied softly. “…immensely.”

Ed only beamed and took his encouraging advice, taking Edd into his arms again.

Once Rolf had stepped aside, they looked forward to find that Kevin had stepped up next, with his hands in his pockets and gaze avoiding theirs. In too good of a mood, the couple faced him levelly, curious as to what the jock had to say.

“…Yes, Kevin?”

Edd’s question shot his gaze up, and he subtly bit his lip in hesitation, then straightened up, attempting to save face. He cleared his throat, threw a glance back at the others, and turned back Ed and Double D.

“…Okay, here’s the deal,” he began. “…I’m not gonna pick on you for being gay because… only a total loser would stoop that low.”

There was a pause for effect.

“…but you’re still dorks!” Kevin than hurriedly added.

But Edd only smiled sagely. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Kevin.”

“…psht,” Kevin scoffed, turning away quickly and melting back into the group of kids.

Edd gazed at each one of them, their faces, devoid of any hate or anger, making him emotional. “Everyone… I… you…”

Ed smiled sweetly. “Thank you for not hating us.”

They collectively nodded or waved it off, as Edd grinned up at his beloved for expressing their gratitude so perfectly.

Once he determined it to be safe, Eddy finally appeared from behind the two with a grin. “See? I told you guys!”

“Hiya, Eddy!” Jonny waved. “Way to tell off Double D’s mom!”

The Eds moved in a simultaneous double-take.

“You… you heard that?”

“Well, duh!” Sarah exclaimed. “Everyone in a four-block radius could hear you!”

Eddy flinched. He wasn’t too proud of that when he looked back on it; who knew how the rest of them would respond. “…ooh… uh… well… I was just…”

“Standing up for your friends?” Nazz stepped up with an accepting smile, taking his hand, which made him jump with a barely audible squeak. “Aside from your language, I think you’re pretty awesome for doing what you did.”

Now it was Eddy’s turned to be surprised. His jaw went slack. “Ruh… really?”

“Of course!” She subtly elbowed Kevin next to her for a second to that notion.

“Ow!” He paused, staring at his rival dumbly. “Uh… well… took guts, I guess, so… yeah. Good on ya, dorky.”

“Rolf is most impressed by sailor-mouth Ed-boy’s recent bout of bravery and compassion! Well done!”

“Yes!” Jimmy wholeheartedly agreed. “We also heard you’re the one that brought the two together!” He beamed once more. “They are so very lucky to have a friend like you.”

Wow. That was a new one. Caught in a very awkward position, Eddy threw a slightly panicked glance at his buddies. They only replied with concurring smiles.

“…heh… well, yeah,” he finally replied. Maybe this kind of reputation wasn’t so bad. “Th… thanks.”

“Only problem is now we don’t know what Double D’s parents’ll say.”

The spell was broken by that blunt statement. Eddy shot Kevin a glare. “We got that, shovelchin! Try keeping up with the rest of us, will ya?”

“I was just saying! OW!”

Nazz shoved past him with an angry pout, turning to Ed and Double D worriedly. “…What’re you guys gonna do?” she asked them levelly.

Edd sighed deeply as Ed wrapped an arm around him, just in case he needed it.

“…I don’t know, Nazz,” he answered softly, feeling briefly detached from himself. “We… wait for their reply, I suppose.”

Ring. Ring.

Everyone went absolutely quiet. The Eds swiveled back towards the front door, which had been forgotten and left open.

Ring. Ring.

It was a sound they had grown to dread at this point. As far as they were concerned, this phone could’ve actually been cursed.

Ring. Ring.

“…Ed…” Edd quickly whispered.

“Ah!” That was all that was needed to send Ed back into the house to answer it. Everyone else remained fixed to where they stood.

Ring. Ri-

“…H-hello?”

Everyone held their breath as he appeared in the doorway, holding it out towards Edd.

“It’s your mom again, Double D.”

Edd took a long, deep breath, maintained an air of determination, and took the phone into his hand.

“…Mother.”

There was a soft reply, to which he nodded.

“Before you say anything Mother, I just want you to know…” He paused, glancing at Eddy with an unreadable gaze. “…I’m sorry for my friend’s outburst and the crude language he used towards you…”

Eddy made a face, but it wavered as Edd continued.

“…but I am not sorry for what he said, because that’s exactly how I feel right now, and how I’ve been feeling for all these years.”

Eddy, and many of the others, would’ve applauded his confidence, but knew better not to.

“…Now I know you work hard to sustain our standard of living, and I’ve come to accept that as the reason why you’re never home. I do believe it has made me a more independent individual, which I’m sure was your intention all along.” He paused, rubbing his arm as if he were cold, and his voice grew softer and began to quiver. “But… But there have been times when I needed you… and you weren’t there. You have no idea how discouraging it is, no shoulder to cry on or voice of reassurance or…”

He caught himself before he could get too emotionally unstable, taking a deep breath. His body stopped shaking, but his deep heartache failed to fade away.

That is, until he looked up at his beloved.

“Ed… is always there. All day, every day. I’m not trying to disappoint or disrespect you, I… I just…” His gaze lowered, but he didn’t shed silent tears until warm arms wrapped firmly around him for support. “…I need somebody. Somebody who understands me… who won’t judge me…”

In a rare moment of security, the two lifted their gazes and looked into each other’s glittering eyes.

“…Somebody who loves me unconditionally.” Edd gave him a smile. “And that somebody is Ed.”

And he replied with his own loving grin.

“I love Ed with all my heart and soul, and I only wish you could understand…!”

A soft voice from the other side of the line interrupted him, and what it said made both of them stare at the phone in Edd’s hand unbelievingly.

“…You… you what?”

Edd’s breath got caught in his throat as his eyes widened. Ed beamed ear to ear. The other kids could easily tell what was happening, and some began to cheer.

“You do? You really, truly do?” Edd sobbed and smiled at the same time. “M-Mother… No, no, it’s okay, it’s alright! I-I’m fine… Ed took good care of me… and I’m sure he’ll keep doing so.”

“You bet, Mrs. Double D’s Mom!” Ed delightfully added. Edd chuckled, glancing back and marveling the gaiety behind them as the rest of the cul-de-sac kids laughed, cheered, and whooped in triumph.

“Haha… oh, don’t mind the ruckus, Mother, just a… small celebration.”

He waited for the noise to calm down before continuing.

“So Father feels the same? …I see…” He sighed deeply. “…Thank you… so much, Mother… Your acceptance was all I ever wanted… hmm? …oh, alright, of course… key under the mat, got it… oh, but I’ll be home later tonight.” He smiled lovingly at his partner. “…I promised Ed I’d stay and watch a movie with him.”

Ed grinned with a tiny squeal of happiness.

“…Alright then, I’ll let you get back to work. Thank you again, truly, I… yes, of course… I will… okay… tell Father I said thank you as well… alright… goodbye.”

He hung up the cordless phone with a beep and collapsed in Ed’s arms in a heap of immense relief. In all his happiness, Ed lifted and twirled him around while the other kids erupted in cheer.

At last. Unconditional acceptance, at last.

Like famous stars, the couple received wild reception when Ed swept Double D into his arms bridal style and turned to carry him back into the house. Whoops and whistles joined in when their faces met out of views, Edd’s arm lacing comfortably around his lover’s shoulders. The clamor continued well after Eddy, wearing the biggest grin, shut the door behind them.

At last. No more hate. No more fear. No more ignorance. Nothing but pure, unequivocal love and happiness. At last.

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A/N: Hooray! See? Double D’s parents turned around eventually. XD So quit trying to kill ‘em! (referring to a nameless reviewer XP) Well, we’ve got one more chappie coming up, the Epilogue, I suppose, so sit tight and wait for it, kay? Kay! Review, peeps!