A/N: Okay, guys, it's the key chapter! It's what all you yaoi fans have been looking forward to! All… two of you! XD Well, read on!

Chapter 6: The Broken Spell

"What do you mean you're not done yet?"

"Just a few more details to add to the summer coat, Eddy."

"Whatever, Versace. Just hurry up, time is money."

Edd sighed irritably, scribbling a little more. "…there! All done!" he proclaimed, handing Eddy his pad. "Go on, take a look."

He flipped through the pages, eyeing each design. "Why so many kinds of coats?"

"Different designs for different preferences, Eddy. Variety is key."

"And how do you expect to get these all done today?"

"Well, with the three of us working together, I'm sure we…"

"Nope. It's just you two."

Edd blinked. "…E-excuse me?"

"Yup. I just remembered I have some other things to attend to this afternoon," he explained nonchalantly, poking a finger each into a befuddled Edd's and a strangely excited Ed's chests. "So it'll be up to you guys to get this scam off the ground."

"…heh… you're joking, right? Eddy?" Edd laughed unsteadily, losing it when he simply shook his head no. "Eddy! In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little counterproductive at the moment!" he exclaimed, gesturing to his splinted arm.

"So work a way around it, Sockhead! Let Ed do most the work." He brought him closer with one arm. "Would it hurt ya to spend a little quality time with the lump?"

Edd glanced over at Ed, who looked up from the scissors and plastic he had already begun to work on, waving.

"…I can't confidently say 'no,' Eddy."

"Oh, loosen up, Romeo!" Eddy pushed him back, making his way out of the backyard. "I'll be back to check on you guys in a few hours." He then made a motion towards Ed that Edd failed to decipher before once again leaving the two alone in an awkward setting.

"…ooh… sometimes I wonder why I even bother…" Edd muttered to himself, vexed by the entire situation. Trying to distract himself with work, he grabbed his own pair of scissors and a strip of nylon, plopping down on a lawn bench and examining the material. At a small, distant rumble, Edd gazed up at the dreary rain clouds above wearily. Looked like the weather was planning to go out with a bang, lightening, thunder, and all.

"…hey, Double D."

Edd jumped once at his name and again when he turned to face Ed, sitting right next to him. "Gah! …oh… h-hello, Ed."

Ed smiled shyly, eyeing the nylon in his lap. "…you need help cutting that?"

"N-n-no, that's okay, I got it." Edd tried to take hold of his tools confidently, only to cry out as the hasty movement shot forgotten pain all throughout his arm. The scissors were carelessly dropped to the bench seat as his hand gripped his injured arm and he bent over, cringing deeply.

"D-Double D!" he heard Ed cry, and the next thing he knew, he was wrapped in another one of the big oaf's hugs, with both arms this time. Ed's hands met on the other side, resting on his own clenched hand, tense until fingers entwined comfortingly. Edd glanced up unsurely through the pain, finding Ed's goofy features soft with concern.

"Are you okay, Double D?"

To be honest, Edd was a little uncomfortable. That is, until one of Ed's hands gently rubbed his bare arm up and down, soothing most of the hurt away with his warm touch. Edd released a pained breath he didn't know he was holding, then suddenly found Ed's shield of warmth to be… quite pleasant. Sighing, he eased into the embrace, giving Ed a sideways, grateful smile.

"…Yes, I'm fine," he breathed. "Thank you, Ed."

"Lemme help you, Double D," Ed insisted, shifting behind him and lifting the nylon off his lap with both hands from behind. "I'll hold while you cut."

A little stuck, Edd couldn't refuse his help now. "…Very well." Picking up the scissors and gripping them tightly, he waited for Ed to pull it out, straight and flat, then placed the cutting tool in position and snipped. He easily cut a smooth line all the way through, splitting the fabric into two equal halves. Ed lifted the pieces of nylon triumphantly, and the two exchanged victorious grins, relishing the success their cooperation achieved.

It took them a minute to realize they were staring at each other calmly, turning away quickly in embarrassment.

"…ehem…" Edd coughed, slightly missing the warmth he had a second ago, as Ed pulled away. "…so…"

"Double D…?"

"Hmm?" Edd glanced up at his name. "Yes, Ed?"

"…I'm ready to tell you now."

"…oh, right, from the night in the hospital." Edd nodded, placing the scissors and material aside. "Go ahead."

Ed blinked. "But what about…?"

"Ed, you had to keep this to yourself for an entire week. It's certainly more important than Eddy's oh-so-brilliant scam." Before he could think twice, he took Ed's hand gently. "Please proceed. I'm all ears."

Ed smiled, comforted by the touch, Edd's soft smile, and the understanding reached between them. So far, so good. "Um… okay… well… Eddy and I really missed you while you were on your trip."

"So I gathered. I missed the both of you as well…" He grew retrospective. "You two were always in my thoughts, and I caught myself several times wishing you were there with me… I ate a delicious gravy pot pie dinner in Milwaukee that you would've loved, Ed."

Edd was surprised not the get a proper reaction from the gravy lover, looking up to find him gazing off aimlessly.

"…Ed?"

"…huh?" Ed snapped back to him.

Edd chuckled lightly. "Just what's gotten into you? Lately, your gaze has been nothing short of a million miles away, when you're not being addressed, of course."

"Oh… just thinking."

"Thinking?" The word itself was hard to tie to Ed, but Edd kept that thought to himself. "About what?"

Ed gave him a timid sideways glance, then uttered one little word that held a lot of meaning. "…You."

Edd was taken aback, to understate. "…M-me?"

Ed nodded. "…Have you ever seen the movie Wrath of the 40 Winks Wizards, Double D?"

Edd, still recovering from the other comment, was confused by the sudden change in subject. "…why, no, I haven't."

Ed went into a lengthy summary of the plot, which Edd listened to intently.

"…sounds interesting," he evaluated. "But tell me, Ed, what does this tale have to do with anything?"

Now came the hard part. Ed tried to steel his nerves as best he could. "…well, when you were in a coma… you reminded me of Princess Bianca."

"The princess?" Edd asked incredulously, wondering where the heck this conversation was going. "Why the princess?"

Ed visibly gulped. "'Cause… just like her, you were… you were in a deep slumber, waiting for the spell to be broken…"

Edd was beginning to see the connection. "…oh, right, I see…"

"…and you looked really beautiful too."

But that statement completely threw him off again. He began to lose his cool, stuttering in between breathless chuckles. "W-wh… m… m-m-me? B… beaut…?"

Ed only nodded. "You really did, Double D. But…" He sniffed subtly. "…it made me really sad to see you like that 'cause…" A dry sob escaped his throat and his voice began to crack. "… 'cause I really wanted to see your smile and your pictures and everything the moment you came home, but… they weren't there…"

Despite his building anxiety, Edd's heart softened when he realized Ed was growing upset. "…E-Ed…"

"A-and then I really started to think…" he murmured from within the tight ball he curled himself into. "And I thought about all the things I missed about you… and they were the same things Lloyd missed about Bianca, so… so I thought… maybe…"

At this point, Edd was sweating. "…maybe what?"

"…maybe… it could…" With half his face buried in his jacket collar, Ed threw him a glance with damp, frightened eyes. "I-I-I really wanted you to wake up, Double D, so I… I…"

Realization hit Edd like a ton of bricks, and the color drained from his face. "…Y… You ki…" his hand shot up to cover his mouth shakily in dread, and it seemed like forever before it slipped down to his chin. "You k… k-k-k-k-ki… kissed me?" he squeaked.

Ed flinched, and the floodgates opened. "I really wanted you to wake up, Double D!" he cried woefully, burying his face in his hands.

Edd sat there for one agonizing minute, hand holding his head in absolute and overwhelming shock. His sweating stung his eyes, but they remained wide in a fixed stare of horror off at nothing. He didn't know what to try and grasp first: the reason why Ed would kiss him, or the multitude of Ed germs crawling about his mouth.

After finally regaining some of his senses and seeing Ed sob next to him, his heartstrings twanged, and he decided to recognize the further and disregard the latter.

"W… w-well, Ed, uh…" he stammered, venturing a pat on his shoulder. "…th…the thought behind it was quite considerate, and…"

"D-Double D…" Ed moaned. "Y-you woke up right after I kissed you!"

"Oh! …w-w-well, I'm s-sure that was pure coincidence…!"

"It broke the spell, Double D!" Ed startled him with a damp, desperate gaze and the clenching of his unhurt arm. "You know what that means?"

Edd's heart was gripped with terror, racing in his chest like a jackrabbit's. "…Ed. I…!"

"True lover's kiss, Double D!" Ed howled in anguish, trembling madly. "True lover's kiss!"

"…I… I-I-I don't quite understand, Ed…"

"I love you, Double D!"

But that he completely understood. And by now, his astonishment took on a totally new level.

Before he could question anything, however, Ed's honk of a snort as he blew his nose in his shirt gained his attention, allowing him to gaze upon the most heart-breaking sight he had ever seen.

"It's just like the movie, Double D! The spell… the feelings… the kiss… We even defeated the warlock who put you to sleep! We defeated the warlock!" he sobbed hopelessly, burying his face again.

Edd's heart ached in sympathy, and he came close to tears himself. Then suddenly, his dreaded expression melted away as he came to another realization. No matter what the circumstance, he simply could not stand to see his best friend so broken, so helpless, so vulnerable…

And so, without hesitation, Edd wrapped his only arm around Ed's large form, gently leaning him on his shoulder to cry into. As Ed shifted closer, encircling his arms around his smaller and more fragile body, the delicate soothing process began.

There they sat, upon a lawn bench in Ed's backyard, in each other's arms, one sobbing and the other stroking his back up and down, slowly, but surely easing the pain built up over the past week. It would take Ed a while before he cycled everything out, but at this point, it made no difference. Edd couldn't care less if they stayed out here for hours, drenched in rain with the likely possibilities of becoming sick. No, it didn't matter in the slightest, just so long as Ed released every last tear he needed to shed.

With the dark clouds above blotting out the sun, it was hard to tell how much time had passed, but Edd knew they couldn't have sat there for less than half an hour.

Soon, Ed's sobs began to subside, but he was reluctant in pulling away, and Edd did not force him to.

"…Feeling any better, Ed?"

In response, he only hugged tighter, body trembling. "…no."

"No? Why not?"

"…I dunno what to do now…" he whimpered.

"About what?"

"I really like you, Double D… I wanna be with you all the time and make you happy…" He shook as the sobs reemerged. "B-but now I can't 'cause you don't like me back…"

"Ed… that's not entirely true."

Instantly, Ed's shaking stopped, and Edd silently congratulated himself on digging out just the right words.

Ed drew back, giving Edd a confused glance through red, damp eyes. "…h-huh?"

"…Oh, Ed, look at you…" Edd reached up and gently wiped those tears away with his thumb. "You're an emotional wreck. Distraught in new and unfamiliar feelings… you've been crying out a lot the past week, haven't you?"

Ed sniffed, nodding quietly.

"Of course… understandable in your predicament…" He chose his next words carefully, giving Ed a lopsided smile. "You know, Ed… I haven't been oblivious to the looks you've been giving me."

Now it was Ed's turn to be caught by surprise.

"That's right, nor the lovely gestures, the smiles… or the blushing."

Ed made a face. "…I was blushing?"

"Yep. Like a radish."

Ed bit his lip as his face became tinted again, only causing Edd to chuckle.

"But yes, I noticed it all… And I thought long and hard about it…" He tenderly took Ed's hand, flashing him a ravishing smile. And then I came to a conclusion. Ed… you are the most gentle soul I've ever had the pleasure of knowing… whenever I'm feeling down, your delightful demeanor always cheers me right up… and you're the most loyal friend anyone could want…"

Ed was in such a shocked, spellbound trance, he barely noticed when Edd caressed the side of his gawking face with lithe fingers.

"Ed… you may not be the brightest crayon in the box… but you still produce a beautiful color."

Ed gasped lightly, clutching his touched heart as he grinned brightly through his oncoming tears. "Y… you really mean that, Double D?"

Edd replied with a single nod. "I do."

Ed beamed ear to ear, so deeply his cheeks almost heart.

"I knew you had developed some kind of crush on me at the very least, Ed, but I had no idea your feelings were so strong," Edd continued. "And your outright admission of those feelings completely took me by surprise… I suppose I hadn't realized how much you've grown up since I first met you."

"D…Double D…"

"So, tell me, Ed, I'm curious," Edd changed his tone, cocking his head playfully. "What on earth could you possibly find attractive in me?"

"Oh, tons, Double D!" Ed sat up to explain, Edd wearing the most delighted smirk as he did so. "You're really, really smart… you're so nice to everybody… and you cheer me up too, and you listen to me when no one else will… and…"

Edd's grin grew slightly. "And?"

Ed giggled shyly, twisting this way and that in his adorable bashfulness. "And… I like your voice."

"My voice?"

"Yeah… it's pretty when you're not freaking out about something… I bet it would sound even nicer if you sang."

"Perhaps," Edd replied, pleased to no end by Ed's openness.

"And… and your smile…"

"Yes?"

Ed blushed several shades of red. "…n-no, I can't say it…"

"Oh, come now, Ed."

"But it's so corny!"

"Hey, I gave you that crayon line," Edd joked. "The least you could do is return the favor."

"O-okay… you… w-when you smile, you… you seem to glow, Double D. Like sunshine."

Edd's heart melted. "Oh, Ed… that's so sweet."

Sniffling, Ed couldn't be any happier, hugging him again. Once again, Edd was enveloped in that warmth he longed for, and at this revelation, full acceptance came instantly as he nuzzled in close and hugged back.

Then he noticed something else he was wrapped in, politely pulling away as he plugged his nose.

"Okay…" he began, taking a deep, fresh breath. "Ed, if we want this to work out, there has to be a few changes."

Ed blinked. "Changes?"

"Yes. In regards to your personal hygiene, I mean."

"Oh!" Ed sat up eagerly, nodding. "I-I'll do anything, Double D! I'll take showers, I'll wash my clothes, I'll clean my room, anything!"

Edd was floored by his voluntary submission. Then again, at this point, Ed would probably throw himself into an open fire if it appeased his wishes.

Guilt naturally latched onto his conscience. "…oh, Ed, I… you don't have to…"

"But I want to, Double D! For you!"

"I-I can't make you do…"

"Okay, then." Ed took charge to resolve this. "You can change too."

Edd blinked. "Me?"

"Yeah… you can… um… oh! You can learn how to relax!"

"Relax?"

"Yeah! You always look so uptight…We can do relaxing stuff… watching TV, walks…"

Edd thought this through. "Are you trying to reach a compromise, Ed?"

"…I guess…"

"Very well." He smiled softly, taking both his hands. "If you're willing to try… then so am I."

"Okay!" With another warm embrace, the deal was made and the bond was sealed.

A sudden, deep rumble made Ed jump, holding Edd close. "Whuzzat?"

"Nothing but a thunderstorm, Ed," Edd assured, patting his head. "Still far off, but getting closer." He frowned up at the skies. "Good heavens, look at those clouds. They look heavy."

"Heavy?" Ed shot him a terrified glance. "Are they gonna fall on us?"

Edd laughed, highly amused. "No, Ed! They're heavy with water. The darker they appear, the more water they hold. It's going to be quite a downpour later." He slid off the bench, Ed doing the same. "We should get inside before it starts."

"But what about the scam?"

Edd glanced over their scattered supplies. "Well, I'd hate for perfectly good material to get ruined by the rain… Shall we store them in your tool shed, Ed?"

"Okie-dokie, smoky!"

Edd chuckled as they began to pick up the yard. "As for the scam, it'll have to wait," he decided, flinging fabric over his slinged shoulder. "And Eddy will just have to deal with it, wherever he disappeared off to!"

A tiny giggle from Ed got his attention.

"…something you know, Ed?"

"Nothin,'" Ed snorted, but Edd's inward frown changed his mind, and he slumped. "Okay… I told Eddy first."

"What, your feelings?"

"Uh-huh. I thought he would laugh, but he didn't."

Edd straightened up. "He didn't?"

"Nope. He told me about heterosixacals and homosixacals…"

"Sexuals," Edd automatically corrected, wondering where Eddy had learned such words.

"…and how some people'll hate us but it won't matter 'cause we'll be happy and… yeah."

Edd was hardly believing this. "Eddy said that?"

"Yup. And he said I had to talk to you if I wanted to know if you would like me back. He even said he was okay with it."

"Okay with…" Edd froze when he realized something. "…so…so he left in order to give us a chance to…"

Ed nodded.

"…my goodness, how… selfless of him…"

"I know, huh?"

"…Seems like Eddy's grown up a bit too."

"Yeah…"

With everything put away, Edd closed the shed door, turning to face Ed's offering arm.

"Can I walk you home, Double D?"

"Oh… of course, Ed." Edd smiled, lacing his own arm in until they were locked at the elbows, and the new couple strolled out into the street. Much of their walk was quiet, as they simply enjoyed each other's company. Then one of them had a burning question to ask the other, and his wily told him to go for it.

"…Ed?"

"Hmm?" Ed looked at a smiling Edd. "What?"

"I have to ask… What did it feel like?" he asked casually, as if asking 'how are you.' "Kissing me, that is."

Ed giggled bashfully. "I felt all funny when I was kissing you… but it felt really good."

Edd laughed. "A typical physical reaction. Seems like your hormones are starting to kick in, Ed."

"Your lips were so soft…" Ed raptly continued. "And you tasted minty like toothpaste at first, but there was a sweet taste in there too… sweet like a jawbreaker!"

"Ha, I suppose those years of eating those succulent orbs left that taste in my mouth." He turned away very slowly, giving Ed a half-lidded sideways look to see if he would notice. "…Wish I was awake to feel it to."

"Yeah…"

Edd pouted. Nope, right over his head. Typical. Deviously, he slipped out of their arm lock, stepped in front of a confused Ed and pulled him closer, wearing a most coy smirk.

"Oh, Ed… You big, lovable dope."

"Huh? Wha…?"

His question was abruptly swallowed by a plush pair of lips pressing against his own, and his eyes flared up in surprise. But at the familiar softness and delectable taste of his perfect little Double D, they gently slid closed, and the wonderful sensation that was their first shared kiss began.

After a minute of simply pushing lips together, Ed knew he had to make the first move, having more experience than his meek little partner, if only slightly. Lacing his arms around Edd's slender form, he deepened the kiss, placidly massaging lips, and was simply overjoyed when his beloved replied by doing the same. They shared a mutual sense of absolute glee, fully enjoying the intoxicating experience their senses were being treated to. This was nothing like the kiss they had grown to dread, the Kanker kiss, one that was slobbery, lust-filled, and downright disgusting. No, this was completely different. This was pleasant, this was romantic, and this was just so goshdarn beautiful. The pair was nearly hovering above the sidewalk, their hearts were so light and fluttery.

At last, they parted, both of them opening their eyes as if awakening from their own deep sleeps. The spell between them had officially been broken.

Edd was left breathless. "Hah… hah…" he wheezed, cracking a feeble grin. "N…now I understand… why adults enjoy that so much."

Ed only beamed. "It feels better when you kiss back."

"W-wow…" Edd squeaked, thrown for a loop.

"What did I taste like, Double D?" Ed eagerly asked.

Edd licked his lips, contemplating. "…Gravy… butter… that jawbreaker sweetness… and other, um, things…"

"Oh, that'll be different when I brush my teeth. Then I'll be minty just like you!"

Edd chuckled, consulting his wristwatch. "You know, it is only 3 'o clock. Would you like to come in with me?"

"Would I ever!" In his happiness, he swept Edd off his feet and into his arms, gaining a squeal and a sweet laugh in return. In the same satisfying way a knight carries his princess into their bedroom chambers, Ed opened the front door, carrying his precious one inside and slamming it closed.

He was so very glad Edd liked him back.

A/N: Hooray! Everybody loves a happy ending! Problem is… this isn't the end. XD There's much more to this; we're not done yet! So, be back for the next chappie! And review in the meantime!