#drew writes

The grandfather clock in the corner of the room read roughly 11 am, as Drew and Edward sat on the couch and talked, which was about as early as Edward would come around during a weekend, but Drew didn’t mind too much. Not everyone was an early bird like him, and he DID ask Edward to come over, so it wasn’t a huge deal that it was later in the day.

However, it seemed Nevin also had plans this morning, as he and Chris were doing some experimenting with breakfast. While Edward’s and Nevin’s relationship had mellowed out, mostly to the point of playful jabs and some truthful insults, they weren’t fighting or being angry at each other, which Drew was thankful for. Despite Edward’s reputation as the School King, the Bully to End All Bullies, he was actually a pretty nice guy to talk to and seeing how his brain ticked as he talked fascinated Drew. The man seemed to have so many great ideas and conversations that poured out of him - alongside the dumb ones, of course, but there was always a caveat to great things.

Currently, they were discussing how they figured out the sexualities of themselves and/or their friends.

“I dunno about Geno, but I can see the puppy love coming from Reuben,” Edward mentions. “Geno doesn’t seem to like him that much, but Reuben’s going places.”

Drew gave a lighthearted chuckle. “My brother came out to me a few years ago. I don’t think I ever really paid attention to it that much though, so I didn’t see any of the so-called signs.”

Edward snorted. “I didn’t really pay attention much to your brother’s sexuality at first, but he’s definitely gay.”

“Maybe the rainbow wristband tipped you off? Or the fact he told you himself?” Drew joked.

“Definitely the former. We don't talk about the latter.”

There was a hush between the two as Nevin and Chris were making breakfast. They were apparently trying to see if Nevin’s protein pancake recipe he’d found lying around could be improved, because Nevin wanted to make them taste better than a box of chalk. Despite their differences and bad start to their platonic relationship, Nevin had a way of enjoying the simple things and had a knack for being blunt as hell, though the latter didn’t nearly bother Edward as much as he’d let on. Nevin and Drew also had an incredible knack for guessing his emotions, which was fun at times, useful at others, and plain annoying anytime else.

This was one of those days with Drew picking up his emotions.

“So… you’ve only had a few girlfriends in your past?” Drew asked, raising an eyebrow. “Nobody else? Not a boyfriend or a datemate?”

“Datemate?”

“Gender neutral term for boyfriend or girlfriend.”

Edward shook his head. “No, not really. I’ve only like girls.”

“I used to think that too, though it was mostly based on a single crush back in early middle school. I figured out I was pansexual during freshman year though, mainly because there were two kids I liked. One was a guy, and the other was… Nonbinary or agender, I can’t recall now. Point is, you never really know,” Drew hummed. It looked like he was clueing Error up on something, but Edward couldn’t pinpoint what Drew was trying to subtly tell him.

Edward shrugged, a little peeved that Drew wouldn’t just come out with it, but instead of being rash he just shrugged. “I’m straight as hell, but if I went gay, I’d go gay for Nevin.”

If only Edward knew what pandemonium that would unlock. He had said it at the exact worst time, when Chris and Nevin weren’t speaking, so the only person that was talking was Edward, and he was heard loud and clear.

“Excuse me?” The emo turned to Edward from his position in the kitchen. “Who’d say someone could even turn gay?”

Edward gave Nevin a deer-in-the-headlights look but it was quickly replaced by annoyance. “I’m just saying, if I hypothetically would go gay, I’d uh…” He trailed off.

Nevin crunched up his face as he flipped over pancake test number three. “Full offense, being gay isn’t a choice, just like being straight isn’t one.”

Error shook his head. “Stop pulling’ my arm, Emo, you know what I mean. I’m not saying people can change sexualities.”

Nevin snickered. “Should I feel honored that the so-called King of Foxfield would date me if he was gay?”

Despite the playful tone to it, and Chris’ muted laughter, Edward seemed to have an adverse reaction. “What - hell no, dude, I’m not interested in dating you,” he jumped the gun.

It made Drew facepalm and sigh. Here we go again.

You see, Drew had noted that Edward had taken a liking to Nevin. At first, it was probably nothing more than friendship, but over time Drew had noted the fuzzy feelings that had come from when Drew had talked about his brother, or when Edward wasn’t always directly talking to Nevin. But there was always a sense of spikiness to cover the fuzzy feeling when Edward was talking to Nevin, and it made Drew wish he could uncover it and see why it was there. Edward was so interesting, and this was one of the many ways he was interesting.

Chris snorted at Edward’s words. “You literally just said you would if you could. I’m calling bullshit,” he called Edward out, as he looked over at the pancake. “That looks really good.”

“That’s what you always say about my breakfast.”

“That’s because it’s true.”

Edward rubbed his temple at Chris’ words but didn’t say anything in response. It struck a chord within him.

A few silent moments passed between Drew and Edward, as Nevin and Chris continued their breakfastolism shenanigans. In a voice quiet enough for only Edward to hear, Drew voiced “Hey, nobody here’s judging you about that, alright?”

Edward frowned. “Did you even hear our interaction?”

Drew nodded. “Nevin’s gay, I’m pansexual, Chris is… Chris,” Drew gave a sharp exhale through his nose to indicate amusement at his own words, giving a smile to Edward. “I just… I know what it’s like to coquet, and I’m not too sure that your flirting would fit into the definition of that. I’ve noticed you have feelings for my brother.”

The spikiness that covered the feelings of love came up, and Edward frowned. “Drew, I’m not gay and I’m not gay for your brother!” he yelled at Drew but seemed to have regretted it immediately afterwards. He didn't like yelling at Drew - he didn't deserve that. “Sorry.”

Nevin looked over at Error and squinted at him. “You better not be harassing my brother like the first day you met him, Mr. Swagger,” The joke was there, but there was a warning underlying in his tone.

Edward glared at Nevin, then sighed. "I won't, don't worry."

The conversation moved on from there - Drew had realized talking to Edward about his feelings for his brother wouldn’t be worthwhile today, so they moved the conversation from there.

Chris had gotten a call from his dad and had to leave in a hurry, leaving just Drew, Nevin and Edward in the house. Edward felt uneasy after his outburst with Nevin, but neither Drew nor Nevin gave him shit for it, which was unusual for the latter.

As Drew and Nevin talked amongst themselves, Edward got to thinking. Do I have feelings for Nevin? Edward asked himself then shook his head. No, that’s ridiculous. 

Nevin raised an eyebrow at Edward’s head shake, but didn’t make a mention of it. From then, Drew got a call. “Oh, I got to take this,” Drew said with a blush and a small giggle, taking the call and walking into his room. “Hey Barry!” was the final thing Error and Nevin could hear before he closed the door.

“And then there were two,” Nevin remarked.

Now it was Nevin and Edward sitting in the living room, alone.

Awkward.

Not knowing what to reply, Edward stretched his arms until he felt a satisfying pop, giving a sigh.

“... So,” Nevin started. “About the thing you were saying earlier.”

Edward wrinkled his nose. “Oh, yeah, don’t worry about it.”

Nevin squinted at Edward, not fooled by his obvious attempts at trying to divert the conversation. “Who are you and what did you do with Edward?”

Edward suddenly snorted loudly. “Hey, c’mon, I thought everyone liked this new version of me.”

“I like that you’re not being an ass, I didn’t say I liked you acting like a completely different person. Now what the fuck is up?” Edward’s expression fell. “Dude, I wasn’t trying to get with you. You’re already boyfriends with Chris.”

“Chris? He’s dating Isaac, we’re just friends.”

“Huh?” Edward gawked.

“Dude, how did you not know this? You’re practically in Isaac’s business all the time.”

“Hey, for your information , I’m trying to be better at respecting people’s privacy!”

Nevin shook his head. “Were you serious about that?” “I mean, I’m getting better, aren’t I?” “Not that, Baron Browbeat. I’m meaning the going gay thing.”

Edward stayed silent for a moment. Nevin could sense how his emotions shifted and changed, and his gaydar had always pinged when it came to Edward. The tallest always seemed to repress things when it came to some emotions - smugness, anger, frustration had always been commonplace and was freely expressed, though more healthier nowadays, but other feelings cropped up when Edward didn’t know he was around. But when Edward talked to him, there was always a form of barrier, and it had puzzled Nevin for a while.

So, fuck everything, he’s going to get into the bottom of this.

“I made those same kinds of joke with one of my friends before I figured out as gay,” Nevin began. “I didn’t figure it out until I realized I was being serious that I was gay.”

Edward didn’t answer.

“Edward, is there something wrong with being gay?”

“No!” Error said almost instantly, but piped down just as fast. “No, I’m not bothered by people being gay. Or bi. Or stuff like that in general.”

“I see…” Nevin hummed. “Is it wrong if you are gay? Or bi, or pan?”

“Uh-” Edward paused as he thought.

Of course, Edward wasn’t bothered by others, but why was he uncomfortable with the idea of him being gay? A memory of his birth mother came into his mind, and he winced as he remembered how painful it was and shoved it away. He didn’t want to think about her. “It’s personal.”

Nevin gave a soft sigh but didn’t push. “So it’s personal,” he hummed. “You know, none of us would judge you if you’re bi or something.”

“But a number of people at the school probably would. I know Dez gets some harassment from time to time.”

“Aren’t you the so-called School King, though?”

“Why yes, I am, but there hasn’t been a School King that hasn’t been straight.”

“Are you inadvertently saying that you aren’t straight, then?”

Edward sighed and looked away for a moment. “That’s the best you’re gonna get. I’ve been having doubts for a while.”

Nevin nods. “I’m not going to out you. That’s shit’s not cool.” Edward looked back at Nevin, and this time smiled. “Thanks, Emo.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Nevin grinned as he gave a small shove to Edward.

“Loner Nerd,” Edward gave a shove back.

This ended up turning into a play-wrestling match between the two, and one Nevin wasn’t willing to lose at all costs. His eyes flashed cyan as he and Edward struggled to keep the other down on the couch. Edward whined about how unfair it was, but he ended up being the loser with Nevin over him, cuddling on the couch. Nevin’s face was against Edward’s shoulder, and one of his arms was around Edward while another one was held at Edward’s shoulder.

“Gay motherfucker,” Edward joked, looking at Nevin’s rainbow wristband. “You’re one to talk, I can tell how gay you are for me,” Nevin said as he leaned up and kissed Edward.

Edward had 404’d, unable to really reply at that, looking rather flustered and shellshocked at the kiss. At that moment, he noticed Drew was at the base of the stairs, looking at the two of them with a look of triumph. “Took you long enough!”

“How long were you there, Drew?”

“Long enough to see that kiss!”

Edward hid his face with his hands momentarily, blushing to all hell and back. Drew gave a soft giggle as he got himself a glass of ice water in the kitchen, happy to have finally gotten Nevin and Edward together. Nevin’s feelings for Edward had gotten so happily saccharine, Drew had to step in.

“I like this,” Edward sighed as he fully relaxed on the couch.

“Same,” Nevin said. “And I like you too.”

“That’s gay.”

“Yeup, and I’m gay for you.”

A pause.

“... Boyfriends?” Edward asked.

“... Boyfriends."