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Chapter Text

Eric fought the urge to adjust the dark green scarf that Casey had gotten them on their first date, but he knew that removing the scarf was a bad idea due to the fact that there was snow on the ground. Hyde, Jackie, Fez, and Donna all had on winter gear as well, and Eric knew that Donna kept sneaking glances at him but refused to look at her. He couldn't look at her and see the same girl he'd been in love with since he was a kid. When Kelso came up running, wearing shorts, Eric raised an eyebrow. Did Kelso really have on a jacket but also a pair of shorts? What was going on in his head?

"Hey, guys! It is literally a million degrees out! I'm wearing shorts in January!" Kelso exclaimed, showing off his legs for them to admire. "Have you ever seen prettier legs on a fella?"

Eric could have made a remark about how he could think of other people who had prettier legs, but he wouldn't say it out loud. He also bit his tongue when it came to Kelso's use of "literally" since they weren't all shedding their winter gear or rushing indoors for the air conditioning. Maybe it was some part of him that wanted to be a teacher? Who's to say?

"Michael, we'll admire your legs later," said Jackie. "Snow Prom is tomorrow. We need to keep up our campaign for Snow Queen and Snow King."

Shit, Snow Prom. Eric inwardly cursed, knowing full well that he couldn't take Casey with him. Even then, who's to say that Casey would have even wanted to go to a high school dance? There was also no way in hell Eric would be inviting anyone else since he was in a relationship. Eric brought his hands up closer to his forearms, clutching onto his sleeves, hoping that nobody would notice him doing this.

"Jackie, I did campaign. I wrote our names all over the place," said Kelso.

"Kelso, you peed in the snow," remarked Eric, wondering how the resident idiot was related to someone like Casey.

"In cursive! It was awesome," chuckled Kelso.

And this was coming from the guy who couldn't do cursive writing when he was in the first grade. Eric fought the urge to roll his eyes at the irony of Kelso's words.

"Okay, look, you may not take this seriously, but I do. I used to be a rich, popular girl, but now that my dad has cut me off, I'm not rich, so I have to be twice as popular," explained Jackie.

"Okay, maybe you should spend less time worrying about being popular and more time being thoughtful, friendly, considerate," said Donna.

"Okay, can I get a translation because that was gibberish," said Jackie, turning to face Donna. "Come on, Michael." Jackie and Kelso walked away from their friends, probably going to discuss their plans for if or when they were elected Snow Queen and Snow King.

"Hey, you know what?" Donna asked. "We should all go to Snow Prom together in one car, all of us hanging out, laughing, driving. Whoo-hoo! Good times."

Eric finally looked at Donna for the first time that whole day. "You need a ride, don't you?" he asked her.

"I so do," said Donna. "Pick me up at the radio station." She left, and Eric figured it was to go find a dress for the occasion.

"All right. We'll all go together," said Hyde.

Eric looked at Hyde. "Whoa, whoa, Hyde. You're going to a school dance? You're going to stink bomb the teachers' lounge, aren't you? I want in."

"No, man, kid stuff," replied Hyde. "See, during the dance, I'm going to throw a party in Coach Ferguson's office. I'm bringing my best stuff."

"Your best stuff?" Fez asked. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"You know it." Hyde smirked.

"Oh, boy, you have a piñata?" Fez asked, eager to hear the answer.

Eric knew that Hyde's best stuff definitely wasn't a piñata, but he didn't want to burst the guy's bubble.

Since the radio station was farther out than their homes, Eric and Hyde had worked out that Hyde would pick up Rhonda and Fez while Eric went to pick up Donna. While Eric liked the idea of how they arranged carpooling, he really didn't want to be alone with his thoughts while he went to go pick up Donna. On the drive to the radio station, Eric drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, having too much nervous energy about spending time with his ex-girlfriend. Oh, God, how was he going to explain this to Casey?

"Just get your mind off of explaining this to Casey. Listen to some music," whispered Eric, stopping at a stop sign. He turned on the radio, looking both ways before he continued driving. As he continued on his way to the radio station, he observed the sky. Sure, it was January, and clouds in the sky weren't anything to be alarmed about, but the clouds were large and thick, which worried him immensely.

"Just focus on the drive," Eric told himself, making it to the radio station after a bit. He parked the car, cut the ignition, and headed inside. The lights were still working, which was a good sign that maybe it was just a thunderstorm that would pass through. One thing that caused goosebumps to go up and down Eric's forearms had been how quiet the radio station was. Too quiet. There wasn't anyone here in the building. Panic began to rise in Eric's chest as he looked for Donna.

"Donna?" Eric called out.

"Back here!" Donna called back.

Eric sighed in relief, finding Donna filing records. "Hey. You ready to go?"

"I just need to finish filing records, and then I'll be ready to go," answered Donna. "Want to help me out so it'll be done quicker?"

If it made the job go by faster, then they'd be able to spend less time in the Vista Cruiser alone together, and then Eric would be able to explain this night to Casey. "Sure." Eric grabbed a stack of records and started to file them. When they finished filing the records, they went to get Donna's purse and jacket. It had been at that moment the lights went out, plunging the recording studio into complete darkness.

Fuck, thought Eric.

Chapter Text

Eric and Donna were sitting at the table, having lit candles for a source of light. Eric focused on how the flame flickered and cast shadows over the walls, highlighting how it was just them alone in the radio station. Oh, God, he was going to have a hell of a time explaining this mess to Casey.

"So, what to do?" Donna asked, leaning on her forearms on the table. "Let's see. There's you, there's me, candlelight. You know, back in the old days, we would have ..."

"We're not doing that," said Eric immediately, keeping his gaze on the candle's flame.

"Uh-huh, yeah, yeah," said Donna. She leaned back in her seat, kicking her feet forward to where they were close to Eric's. "So quick to dismiss the thing you once ached for."

"You mean cheese sticks?" Eric quipped, finally looking Donna in the eye. God, she was beautiful, and the way the candlelight highlighted her red hair, the makeup on her face, and her eyes just brought to mind how Donna was just too good for him and how he was afraid that he wasn't enough for her.

"If you want to call it that, sure," said Donna.

The silence that filled the room was deafening, and Donna drummed her fingers on her forearms, unsure of what they could talk about. Things were awkward between her and Eric now that their relationship was dead. Well, maybe it wasn't entirely dead.

"I think the station manager has some stuff in his office that we could dip into," suggested Donna.

Eric seemed hesitant, his eyes flicking back to the candle flame. She didn't know this, but he'd actually stopped being in the Circle when he got with Casey, and since he'd quit the Circle, he wasn't sure if he could handle smoking weed now. How could he even tell Hyde, Kelso, and Fez all of this? If he couldn't tell Hyde, who was his brother in all but blood, how the fuck was he going to tell Donna? "If you want to go get some of the station manager's stuff, you can," he said, standing up to take off his suit jacket. He wouldn't dare roll his sleeves up, making sure the cuffs were still buttoned up.

"Alright," said Donna, standing up to go to the station manager's office. Once she found what she was looking back, she went back to where she and Eric were sitting, finding that Eric had brought in the cardboard cutouts of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith fame, setting them up like they were part of the Circle. "Really?" she asked, chuckling.

"It isn't much of a Circle without there being at least one or two other people, right? Well, these are the closest things we have to people at the moment," answered Eric, forcing a smile onto his face. That smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

Donna knew Eric well, and she could tell that there was something weighing down on him. Maybe the Circle would help him relax and open up to her. Donna and Eric sat down, and Donna searched through her purse for a lighter. Eric pulled a lighter out of his pocket, handing it to her.

"You thought of everything," laughed Donna.

That got a more genuine smile and a small chuckle out of Eric, clearly remembering when he'd said that to her at his un-birthday party when she had the matches for the scented candle that she'd gotten for him as a gift. As Donna lit up the joint, she took a puff and passed it to Eric, who held the joint hesitantly.

"This is the best tornado ever!" Donna exclaimed as Eric took a puff of the joint.

"I know! And who better than to be stuck with than America's most beloved rock band, ladies and gentlemen, Aerosmith!" Eric said, motioning to the cardboard cutouts as if he were introducing the singers to an actual crowd. His breathing grew a bit heavy as the smoke hit his lungs, and he fought back the coughs.

"Hey, as rock legends, we've had some pretty good times, but it doesn't get any better than this. Hello, Wisconsin!" Eric said, doing his best voice imitation of Steven Tyler, moving the cutout as if it were moving and talking.

"Yeah, I dig this joint, too. Hello, Wisconsin," said Eric, also doing his best voice imitation of Joe Perry, moving the cutout as well. He kept fighting back a coughing fit, hunching over as if it'd do anything to help.

"That was your Aerosmith? God, you're bad at that. Steven Tyler is way cooler, and Joe Perry is so dreamy. God, you're bad at that!" Donna said.

"What? That was dead-on! Right, guys?" Eric asked, trying to cough as quietly as he could.

"I bought it," said Eric, imitating Steven Tyler again.

"You, uh, really think I'm dreamy?" Eric asked, imitating Joe Perry.

"Whoa," said Donna, "the station manager's stuff is way better than ours." She shook her head, looking at Eric, who couldn't hold back the coughing fit anymore. "Are-are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine!" Eric said, covering his mouth with the crook of his elbow as the coughing became more violent.

"Whoa! Okay, uh, shit, there's no way we can go outside to get you some fresh air," said Donna, helping Eric stand up, leading him away from the lit joint, not noticing how he tensed up when she'd put her hands on his upper arms. When they made their way to the station manager's office, they sat down, and Donna got Eric some water. As Eric drank the water, she noticed the dark purple of a bruise on his neck, frowning worriedly. "What happened in there?" she asked instead.

"I've picked up other hobbies," said Eric once he got a drink of water. "I've had a lot more free time now that I quit the Circle."

"You quit the Circle? What are you, high?" Donna asked, stunned at Eric's words.

"I don't need it anymore, Donna," said Eric simply, continuing to drink more water. "I'm doing better without it."

Donna just looked at Eric, mouth agape. What the fuck was happening with her best friend and first boyfriend?

When the tornado warning was lifted, Eric and Donna prepared to leave the radio station. They had cleaned up the remnants of the joint and put the cardboard cutouts back where they had been. Donna put her purse on her shoulder after she got her jacket.

"This was fun," said Donna. "We haven't just hung out in, like, forever. Plus, you're, like, my hero. Most guys would not risk a tornado for an ex-girlfriend."

"This was fun," admitted Eric. "I really miss spending time with you."

Donna approached Eric and kissed him gently, cupping his face with her hands. Eric tensed up as soon as Donna's lips crashed against his, his entire body growing tense, his face becoming pale. When Donna pulled away, she saw his reaction, growing concerned again. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," said Eric quickly. "Hey, you know what? Let me buy you a burger."

"Eric, are you okay?" Donna asked.

"I'm fine!" Eric said, forcing a laugh as he walked out of the radio station.

Donna followed Eric out, observing the way he walked. Was it just her imagination, or was he walking with a bit of a limp?

After Eric dropped Donna off at her house and made it back to his room, he started to get ready to go to sleep. He gazed at his reflection in the mirror, setting his scarf aside and walking towards the mirror. He got his shirt off and saw as all the bruises he'd been trying so desperately to hide made themselves known to him once again. He lightly touched one, sighing heavily. He could stick this out for a bit longer, right? Eric got on a long-sleeved pajama shirt, tying his scarf around his neck again, before he finished changing and crawled into bed, turning off the light. After a bit, he fell asleep, not hearing the window open and someone coming in.

Chapter Text

Donna couldn't sleep after Eric had dropped her off back at her house for the evening. During the drive back to the Hub to get burgers, Eric was tense, his knuckles having turned white from how tightly he had been gripping the steering wheel. His eyes remained fixed on the road, watching for any other drivers, keeping a lookout for signs that either said "stop" or "yield." Donna kept sneaking glances at him, but he refused to look at her at all. His reaction to her kissing him just terrified her to her core. Why would he react the way he did to her kissing him? It wasn't like he was dating anyone, right? There's no way he's already moved on from her!

Right?

Donna wanted nothing more than to just talk to Eric, but he really didn't seem to want to talk to her as much since their breakup. Every time she looked at him, he wouldn't even dare glance at her direction. It was like someone might have told him to back off from her. But who could have gotten into his head that much to where he didn't want to look at one of his best friends since childhood? Donna just couldn't fathom who would want to have that kind of control over Eric.

Wait.

Many instances where Eric was jumpy or flinched when someone mentioned Kelso's older brother, Casey.

"My stupid older brother is back in town!" Kelso griped as he entered the basement.

It hadn't escaped Donna's notice that Eric tensed up and flinched like someone had hit him as soon as Casey's name was brought up. Then again, Casey hadn't been the greatest babysitter for her, Eric, Hyde, and Kelso growing up. It had been why Midge refused to let Donna go over to the Kelso household if it was just Casey there and no adult was. It shouldn't have bothered Donna that Eric seemed far jumpier and paranoid now, given who his father was, but why did this bug her for some reason?

"And how do you know that?" Hyde asked Kelso.

"He locked me in the closet with a pillowcase full of dead fish until the stink made me cry," said Kelso, grabbing an orange popsicle from the deep freeze.

Donna really hadn't thought more about Eric's behavior and probably wouldn't have thought more about it if it weren't for the fact that Hyde had mentioned that Eric was more defensive, refused to take off that dark green scarf, and flinched every time someone raised their hand, regardless of whether or not the person was approaching him. Eric's behavior screamed that something was wrong, but he couldn't say what was happening. Either Donna could talk to Midge on the phone about it, Joanne, or Eric. She just needed to figure out what the best plan of action was here. Maybe she should try talking to Eric first.

Donna had slipped out of her bedroom window, making her way to the side of the house where she could see Eric's window clearly. She took a breath and started to climb, opening the window and slipping inside. She quietly approached the bed, seeing the way he seemed so peaceful as he slept. She shook his sleeping form, whispering, "Eric?"

Eric groaned lightly, turning over, opening his eyes. Donna couldn't fight back the small smile that spread across her face when she saw those green eyes that she'd fallen for.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Why are you in my room? You can't be here," muttered Eric, his eyes wide now and darting around as if he was half-expecting someone to pop out from the closet or burst in from the hallway.

"One of Red's rules?" Donna asked, trying to make Eric laugh.

"This isn't funny, Donna. You have to go," whispered Eric, his tone laced with urgency.

"I just wanted to talk," she said.

"We can talk tomorrow," said Eric. "Please, you have to go."

"Why? What's the big deal?" Donna asked.

"It doesn't matter," whispered Eric, getting out of bed, trying to get Donna out of his room. "You have to go, please! If he finds out that you were here-"

"Who?" Donna asked, whirling around to look at Eric.

"Nobody," said Eric quickly, his face flushing a bit. "Please, you have to go!"

"You've been acting weird," said Donna, not beating about the bush. "Ever since Kelso told us that Casey came back to town."

Eric flinched when Casey's name was brought up, like he'd flinched the last time Casey was brought up. That was when it clicked for her.

"Casey Kelso? You're going out with Casey Kelso?" Donna whisper shouted.

"Be quiet! If Red gets woken up, it'll be his foot in our asses," whispered Eric.

"Why the fuck is Casey going out with a high school kid?" Donna hissed.

"Look, Donna, whatever you've heard about Casey, he's changed now. He's mature," said Eric, but his defense sounded weak to himself.

You know that something's wrong, thought Donna. "Yeah, real mature," she scoffed.

"Well, I like him! We're together, and if you can't deal with it, then you can just-" said Eric.

"-go to Hell?" Donna cut in. "Or is it 'God, what did you have for breakfast this morning? Carnation Instant Bitch?' That was a good burn, I'm not going to lie."

Eric stayed quiet, pulling on his shirt sleeves, not making eye contact with her. Yeah, it was a good burn, but he really didn't feel right about it after he'd delivered it.

"Eric, if he's hurting you, you know you can tell me, right?" Donna asked.

"He isn't hurting me," mumbled Eric.

"Sure, he isn't," said Donna. "Is that why you wear that scarf all the time? Why you're constantly hiding your arms and neck from view? Why you walked with a limp when we left the radio station after the tornado warning was lifted? Why you flinch every time Casey's name is brought up? Eric, it seems like he's abusing you!"

"He isn't-" uttered Eric, but Donna shook her head furiously.

"Eric, if you're afraid of him, hiding bruises constantly, limping, and flinching every time someone says his name, you're caught in an abusive relationship," said Donna.

"It doesn't matter," whispered Eric.

"What was that?" Donna asked.

"Come on, Donna, it's just playing rough, you know? Like guys do. Remember you used to make me eat a clump of dirt whenever we wrestled?"

"That was different," said Donna. "We were just playing, and neither of us got hurt."

"Maybe not physical damage, but the emotional scars, I don't think I'll ever recover," said Eric, exaggerating a thousand-yard stare as he acted traumatized. Donna fought back a chuckle and rolled her eyes as Eric faked a shudder.

"You remember the times we went to the movies and just made out when the movie was playing?" Donna asked. "I don't always like thinking about the date we went on when Mr. Bonkers died."

"I'm sorry, Donna, for accidentally killing Mr. Bonkers and not telling you sooner. I'm sorry for everything I said and did that hurt you. I'm sorry that our relationship wasn't enough for you and that I'm not enough for you," whispered Eric, unshed tears starting to well up in his eyes.

Donna hugged Eric tightly, and he tensed up before he hugged her back.

"I forgave you a long time ago, you dumbass, and I love you," whispered Donna.

Donna had no idea of how badly Eric wanted to say "I love you" back, but he remembered that they were no longer a couple. There was no way that he couldn't keep this from Casey. He wanted to be honest with him, and keeping this a secret was a lie by omission. 

"I missed you," whispered Donna.

"Donna, you have no idea," whispered Eric, a few tears sliding down his face.

Chapter Text

As Eric picked up a copy of the school newspaper, he silently prayed that there wasn't another shitty story of Donna's on the front page above the fold. Yes, above the fold. He opened the newspaper, reading the headlines of the most recent stories, seeing some of the same topics. The field hockey team was going to state, the cafeteria food was still crap and needed to be better, and ... Eric was voted Point Place High's Most Eligible Viking? He stood there, not really believing the printed words in front of him. There was no way this was real! This had to be a dream! He knew that he wasn't like the jocks that walked around school, believing they were hot shit, but people always liked them for the way they looked. As Derrick Keller walked past him, shoving him into some of the lockers, pain radiated through his back on impact. That meant that the Most Eligible Viking vote was true. If he was dreaming, the shove wouldn't have hurt. Eric fought back a huge grin, closing the newspaper again, tucking it away in his backpack. He could wait until the end of the school day to show his friends.

As Eric strolled into the basement, he held the newspaper up in the air. Hyde, Kelso, and Fez were watching TV.

"Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" Eric exclaimed, sounding like a newsie from the mid-1800s.

"Skinny Dill-hole Talks Like an Idiot?" Hyde quipped. "Yeah, yeah. I read it."

"No. Guess who was voted Point Place High's Most Eligible Viking?" Eric asked.

"Tommy Larkin?" Fez asked. As Eric, Hyde, and Kelso stared at him, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well, he is dreamy."

Eric had to admit that Fez had a point about Tommy Larkin being dreamy, but he was dating Casey. "No. Me, thank you very much," he said.

"Congratulations, Eric. I guess this opens up a whole new world for you. One where you can actually date chicks," said Kelso.

What could Eric say to that? He was dating someone! There was no way he'd admit this to them, though. Donna put two and two together, so she was the only one in their friend group that knew about his and Casey's secret relationship. Eric could only hope that Donna would keep her mouth shut. If Jackie found out and blabbed to people at school about it, he'd be dead. Eric couldn't even come up with a fantasy where he saw himself with girls because he was with Casey. Apparently, Eric didn't need to do that since Kelso did it for him.

"Kelso, man, don't put Forman and me in your fantasies. I don't even like being in your real life," said Hyde.

"You can put me in your fantasies. I don't mind," said Fez. When Eric, Kelso, and Hyde looked at Fez, he said, "I don't have a lot going on."

As Donna and Jackie entered the basement, Eric stood up to greet them, showing Donna the school paper.

"Oh, hey, Donna. Hey, um, did you see the school paper?" Eric asked Donna.

"Oh, yeah. Field hockey team's going to state. Whoo-hoo!" Donna said, fake cheering. She went to sit down on the couch.

"Uh oh, looks like someone doesn't want to talk about ... the new Most Eligible Viking. Look, Donna, this whole, uh, 'Most Eligible' thing has really taught me something. Uh, I'm pretty. So, what do you say like we officially start dating other people?" Eric asked her.

Donna gave Eric a look that clearly read "are you serious?" "Oh, I've been waiting for your permission. And can I stay out past nine? Please, please," she snarked, putting her hands together in a begging motion.

Eric rolled her eyes at her remark. She wasn't okay with Eric dancing with Connie at the Price Mart ball, but she could flirt with four guys outside of the bathroom? He still couldn't bring up the idea of dating anyone else since he was with Casey. "As long as you're fine with me moving on," he said instead, being as diplomatic as possible. "After all, shouldn't a healthy relationship heal you rather than destroy you?"

"It's just like old times. Eric and Donna talking about meaningless crap that affects only them. I missed it so," said Hyde, his sarcasm being quite clear.

"I have missed it," said Fez. When his friends' eyes landed on him, he said, "I don't have a lot going on."

As Hyde, Fez, and Donna played Mouse Trap, Jackie entered the basement, sitting down in the lawn chair. Kelso was flipping through one of the magazines on the table. Eric had long since spaced out, staring at nothing, stuck inside his own head. He hadn't found a way to talk to Casey about him spending time alone with Donna at the radio station and then in his room, and he really wanted their relationship to be better than his relationship with Donna. He fiddled with the ends of his scarf absent-mindedly, his mind coming up with so many ways how Eric telling Casey about Donna could go horribly wrong. Eric didn't want to lie to Casey, but he wasn't sure if telling the truth was the best option either. Oh, the guilt would eat him alive if he didn't tell him. Eric had to tell Casey the truth, that much was certain.

"Hey, um, are you fine with me hanging out with Donna even though we're together? That doesn't make you uncomfortable?" Eric asked Casey, keeping his gaze on his shoes. Casey brought his head back up to meet his eyes, a soft smile forming on his face.

"Pinciotti is one of your friends, Forman. I'm fine with you hanging out with her. It doesn't bother me," he said, kissing Eric gently.

Eric kissed him back, cupping Casey's face, his heart swelling in his chest. Things with Casey were just so easy, a breath of fresh air even, that he couldn't help but fall for him more and more.

A car pulling up in the driveway snapped Eric back to attention as his entire body jerked up. How long had he thinking about this?

"Eric, man, you good?" Kelso asked Eric, seeing Eric's reaction to the car pulling up outside. He had recognized the car before he even saw it, swearing under his breath.

Hyde, Donna, Jackie, and Fez stopped what they were doing, looking at each other. Donna snuck a glance at Eric, seeing how he grew slightly pale.

Casey Kelso was parked in the Forman household's driveway.

"Why is he here? This is our Yavin IV!" Kelso exclaimed, throwing the magazine he was holding onto the table.

Hyde groaned. "Stop referencing Star Wars!" he shouted at Kelso.

Eric stood up, heading out. "I'll be back," he said quickly. Jackie stood up from her chair, following Eric.

"Why would Forman want to see Casey?" Hyde asked his friends as Jackie shut the basement door behind her and Eric.

Donna stayed quiet, wanting so badly to follow Eric and stop him from meeting up with Casey, but him trying to control her is what ran her off in the first place. She stopped her train of thought before it went down that track. Eric's apology ran through her mind again.

"I'm sorry, Donna, for accidentally killing Mr. Bonkers and not telling you sooner. I'm sorry for everything I said and did that hurt you. I'm sorry that our relationship wasn't enough for you and that I'm not enough for you," whispered Eric, unshed tears starting to well up in his eyes.

Not enough for her? He was everything to her. She just needed to find a way to show him that, so he'd believe her.

Eric went out to the driveway, seeing Casey waiting by the Trans Am, his face flushing when he saw his boyfriend again. That damn smile just made him grin, his face flushing. "Hey, Casey," he stammered, Jackie standing behind him, a frown on her face. Despite how Eric had moved on from Donna, him being with Casey just rubbed her the wrong way for some reason.

"Hey, Forman. You know, on other people, that haircut would look geeky, but it works on you."

Eric wasn't sure what to make of his compliment, but he set aside his internal conflict for now. He couldn't think about that right now. "And you ... your arms seem bigger," he said, mentally kicking himself for still being smitten by Casey's looks. Jackie raised an eyebrow at Casey's compliment, noticing how backhanded it was. She had too much experience with backhanded compliments, and she may have insulted Eric's fashion sense, but she wouldn't say something like that to him.

"So, you ready to roll?" Casey asked.

"Roll? I'm ready," said Eric. "We're gonna roll!" he said to Jackie before he walked to the Trans Am, getting into the front seat when Casey opened the front passenger door for him. Jackie stayed in her spot, biting her bottom lip worriedly.

For some reason, she really didn't have a good feeling seeing Eric with Casey.

"Are you fucking serious right now?" Hyde asked Donna, gaping at one of his oldest friends. "You're not joking with me?"

"Why would I joke about something like this, Hyde?" Donna asked in response, biting her cuticles.

"Stop that," said Hyde.

"Sorry," said Donna, pulling her hands away from her mouth.

"Forman and Casey," said Hyde. "He's a Kelso!" he exclaimed, trying his best to not yell.

"Eric was limping at the radio station, Hyde," said Donna. "His demeanor practically screams abuse, but he isn't saying a damn word about it!"

"You think he would?" Hyde asked. "You know how people are regarding abuse, right?"

Donna sighed.

"Even if Forman were being honest with himself about what Casey is doing to him, who would believe him? It's all 'what did you do to make him mad?' and 'look what you made me do,' which is such bullshit. Nothing justifies hitting someone you supposedly love," spat Hyde bitterly.

"I get the feeling we're not just talking about Casey abusing Eric anymore," said Donna quietly.

"It's nothing," said Hyde gruffly. "Look, the most we can do is just try to help Forman see it for himself."

"If Michael is anything like his brother, it doesn't matter what we say and do," interrupted Jackie, entering Hyde's room. She surveyed how gray it was, akin to a prison cell. Maybe that was why prisoners were so unhappy. "He'll see who Casey wants him to see. But what evidence do you have that Casey is abusing Eric? If Eric makes Casey mad, then it-"

"Don't you dare say that!" Donna and Hyde hissed.

"Okay! Jeez," scoffed Jackie.

"Look, you went outside with Eric when Casey came by," said Donna. "You cannot tell us that you didn't get a bad feeling about them being together."

"I didn't like Casey's back-handed compliment. I should know what those compliments are. Being popular, I'm the queen of them," said Jackie. "Seeing Eric take that compliment just bothered me," she admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Oh, man, I wish we hid in the trunk of Casey's car," said Hyde.

"I know Eric and I don't have the best relationship-" started Jackie.

"Like you hate him and he hates you?" Donna cut in.

"-but nobody deserves to be treated horribly in a relationship. Shouldn't a healthy relationship heal you rather than destroy you?" Jackie finished.

Casey had parked the Trans Am in a secluded spot in the woods, and he and Eric were leaning against the car.

"I still can't believe you're Kelso's brother," said Eric, trying to wrap his mind around how Kelso and Casey were related. "I mean, you're nothing like him. 'Cause he's all ... and you're all..."

"Hey, you want a cold one?" Casey asked, getting beers for them.

"Okay. Thanks. This is fun. I've spent too much time worrying about being friends with Donna and the gang while they don't know we're together," said Eric, accepting the beer Casey handed him.

"Hey, I learned something in the Army," said Casey. "When things get tough, turn up the music and crack open another beer."

"Yeah, you mean, like things will eventually get better?"

"I don't know about that, but if they don't, at least you have a beer," said Casey.

Eric nodded.

"Speaking of those teeny boppers, I don't like that you're still spending so much time with them, especially Pinciotti," said Casey, sipping his beer.

"They're my friends," said Eric.

"Oh, just friends. That's exactly what my ex said. Then she cheated on me. You gonna cheat on me too, Forman?"

"No! I'd never cheat on you! I've been friends with Hyde for years, and I never put the moves on him! Kelso and Fez are eh. Jackie reminds me too much of Laurie. Even if Donna ever made a move on me again, I'd never kiss her back! I'm with you!"

"You nag at me all the time to open up, but when I do, you get furious. Damn, Eric, all you Formans are the same."

Being lumped in as the same as his family only caused Eric's emotions to wither and his anger to die down. He wasn't his sister, he wasn't his mother, and he sure as hell wasn't his father. "I'm sorry for exploding like that. I shouldn't have reacted like that. You don't deserve that from me. You've been nothing but kind and patient with me ever since we got together."

"Promise me that you'll stop spending time with those teeny boppers, especially Pinciotti."

Eric's mouth had gone dry. How could he promise to just drop his friends like hot potatoes? "I ... I promise."

Casey smiled, and any trace of possible anger from him faded away as he pinched his cheek. "Good boy."

When Casey kissed Eric, setting their beers aside, Eric had to ignore the way Casey grabbing his scarf only made him feel like he was choking.

"You're mine, Forman," whispered Casey as they pulled away from each other.

"I'm yours," whispered Eric.

Casey gripped Eric's upper arms as he kissed him again, Eric feeling like he was suffocating when they kissed.

As Donna walked out of the basement and through the Formans' driveway, Eric and Casey were walking up to the Formans' house.

"Hey, Pinciotti, is that you?" said Casey when he saw the redhead. "How have you been doing at school? How's your reputation?"

Donna glowered at Casey, not appreciating the reminder that she'd been kicked off the school newspaper for what she'd published. The people who ran the newspaper were Shelly Bennet and Mitch Miller, and Donna really should have seen the fallout of her not only slut-shaming Shelly but also completly wrecking Eric's reputation coming. To this day, there were still people who avoided her in the school hallways. "Good to see you," she spat.

"Man, you haven't changed a bit," said Casey, smirking at her. "Still seem to have that better-than-you attitude, huh?"

"Casey, stop," hissed Eric.

"And you seem to still be an egotistical asshole. Some things never change," Donna spat at Casey.

Casey raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing.

"Please stop," said Eric, stepping between them.

"It's just a conversation, Forman," said Casey, pinching Eric's cheek again. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it." He wrapped his arm around Eric's torso, keeping a tight but subtle grip on him. "Hey, uh, Forman told me that you two used to go out, but then he broke up with you," he said to Donna.

"Well, yeah, but it was kind of complicated with the ring. And we talked, but he ..." said Donna.

"Yeah, it's a great story. It's one that I can't help but wonder this: Shouldn't a healthy relationship heal you rather than destroy you?" Casey asked, cutting her off. "Anyhow, I'll see you around, Forman."

"Okay," said Eric softly, trying his best to smile at him.

"You too, Pinciotti," said Casey before he walked back to the Trans Am.

"Yeah, okay," snapped Donna. She looked at Eric. "Ooh, Casey Kelso, huh?" she asked, pasting the biggest smile on her face. "Better luck next time," she said, sarcasm lacing her voice.

Eric looked at his feet, kicking at small stones.

"Eric, look at me," said Donna, her fake smile disappearing.

Eric's promise rang in his ears, and his upper body ached with how tightly Casey held onto him when they made out. He knew he'd have more bruises that he'd need to hide. He couldn't look at Donna and act like everything was okay. "Goodnight, Donna. I'm sorry," he said, walking past her, entering the house through the sliding door.

"Eric!" Donna called out after him. What was he sorry for? What the fuck did Casey do to him while they were on their date? Whatever it was, Donna would find out, and then Casey would pay the price for her best friend and first boyfriend to pull away from her- them! Them!

Chapter Text

Eric hesitated outside the door that led to the basement, his promise to Casey reverberating in his ears. His friends were downstairs, but he also wanted to be a better boyfriend to Casey. He owed him that much, right? He opened the door slightly, wanting to hear the conversation, even if he couldn't be around them. He took a deep breath, heading to the landing, not letting anyone spot him.

"Guys, look what I got for Big Rhonda!" Fez exclaimed happily, probably showing the gang something special for Rhonda. "Oh, it's so nice to have a girlfriend on Valentine's Day!"

Eric smiled softly. Rhonda was such a sweet girl. They'd had some conversations one on one, and they found they actually got along pretty well. Despite Rhonda feeling okay in her own body, she had her own insecurities about being accepted as herself in a relationship. Eric could definitely relate to that fear, and they developed a pretty good friendship.

"Yeah, it definitely increases the odds of your fun stuff getting touched," said Kelso.

Eric rolled his eyes. Of course, his mind would go to sex rather than a gift being a sweet gesture for the person you love. Then again, Kelso didn't call Jackie for a week after they had sex for the first time since he was thinking about breaking up with her. Then, to get back in her good graces, he bought her a stuffed unicorn. What did Jackie call that unicorn again? Fluffycakes?

"Well, sorry, fun stuff," quipped Donna, probably talking about her being single on Valentine's Day. "Looks like it's just you and me this year."

"Unless...?" Kelso asked.

"You have a girlfriend, and ew!" Donna groaned. "Fez also has a girlfriend, and Hyde is a brother to me. Sorry, fun stuff."

Eric had to figure that was because he wasn't down there. Then again, he and Casey hardly did anything that built up to sex. Well, anything that hadn't left him feeling uncomfortable as hell and terrified to talk. He touched his throat, which was still covered by his scarf, trying to block out the memories of what Casey had him do. Maybe it would have been easier if he'd been able to say "yes" without being pressured into saying it.

"Oh, Rhonda's going to love these. I just have to not eat them before Valentine's Day," said Fez, not fazed by Donna turning him down as an option for a guy to sleep with on Valentine's Day.

Eric could hear Hyde's white chair squeak as Hyde got up.

"But you love candy," said Hyde, most likely taking the box of candy away from Fez.

"Some would say it's an unnatural love," snarked Donna.

"Yes, I do love candy. But I love Rhonda more," said Fez to Hyde.

Hyde must have opened the box because he said, "Really? Because there's three pieces missing."

"Fine, I love her the same," said Fez, taking the box back. He started walking around Hyde when the basement door opened up and someone else walked in.

Eric tensed up, terrified that it'd be Casey. Considering Casey came by the house to pick him up, he'd probably have no problem coming to the basement just to make sure that Eric wasn't breaking his promise.

"How was work?" Kelso asked the newcomer.

"I am so exhausted," said Jackie.

Eric exhaled a silent sigh of relief. He can't believe he's admitting this, but he's glad that it's Jackie who entered the basement. If she didn't remind him of Laurie so much, they'd probably be closer.

"Yeah, the commute from Austria must be a real bitch," said Donna.

Jackie must have sat down because Eric heard the old lawn chair creak. They really needed to get a better chair before that one croaked. "A bus full of old people stopped by the Cheese Palace, and when they saw free samples, all hell broke loose. The good news is"-Jackie probably pulled something out of her purse-"I got paid!"

Kelso must have taken Jackie's paycheck from her since he exclaimed, "Oh, that's great! Because Valentine's Day is coming up, and I needed you to give me money to tell me whatever foo-foo crap gift you want me to get."

Eric shook her head, wondering how the fuck Kelso had ever ended up with someone like Jackie. As annoying as she was, she definitely deserved better than Kelso. She could do better than him. The sound of crumpling paper reached his ears soon after Kelso had spoken, making him curious about what was going on now.

"Michael, I am not doing that again! Last year, I gave you money, and you bought a bag of plastic dinosaurs," she said.

"For you!" Kelso tried, trying to defend his actions.

Eric rolled his eyes. Jackie is smart enough to see through his bullshit, yet she was still putting up with his dumbass. Wow, he sounded a bit like Red.

"You need to make some cash and buy me something nice. Because I worked way too hard for my money, and you're not getting any! Ugh, I smell like hickory!" Jackie said, leaving the basement.

"This bites!" Kelso complained.

Hyde must have approached Fez because he asked, "Hey, Fez, how's it going not eating the candy?"

Fez must have had his back turned since he faced Hyde and everyone else, saying, "Fine, thank you."

Eric headed out of the basement, shutting the door silently behind him. Would they even notice his absence if he stayed away from them? Would they even care if he stopped hanging out with them? Was Casey right in saying that he needed to stop hanging out with them? Eric had already cut out the Circle, for God's sake! Eric backed away from the door leading down to the basement, not wanting to be in the house anymore. Maybe he'd go to the Hub just to get some time alone. He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to keep his hands warm. Why was he suddenly growing colder now that he was alone?

Eric went to the Hub, sitting down at the gang's usual table. He put his head in his hands, inwardly groaning. Keeping his promise was going to be harder than he thought. He fiddled with the ends of his scarf, becoming lost in thought as he imagined a whole different scenario about Casey being okay with him spending time with his friends. Maybe Casey would want to hang out in the basement a bit, too.

Casey did his best to hold Eric's hand discreetly, kissing his cheek softly when the gang was distracted by some scene in a sitcom playing on the television. Eric blushed, grinning like an idiot. This was easy. He didn't have to balance out time with his friends and his boyfriend. He could have both. That was easy for him for handle rather than the anxiety-inducing conundrum of factoring out time with his friends and his boyfriend. Casey's kisses moved down to his neck, the former Private adjusting the scarf slightly to give himself a bit more room to work with.

Eric snapped back to attention, looking up at Casey. "Hey, Casey," he said, trying to calm himself down, his heart pounding in his chest.

Casey had sat down beside him, holding onto the ends of his scarf, his hand by the knot that was placed by his jugular notch. "Hey, Forman, how you been? Love the jeans," he said, leaning in close to his ear. He whispered, "They'd be better off you."

Eric's face flushed, and his ears burned. Casey's smirk grew, clearly enjoying the sight of seeing Eric so flustered.

"Um ... so what have you like ... you know ... been up to?" Eric stammered, trying to regain his composure.

"I'm working part time for the railroad. They leave a lot of stuff unlocked. You need any Cheerios or rebar?" Casey asked, scooting a bit closer to Eric.

Eric did his best to not tense up, wondering why he was reacting like this. This was his boyfriend, someone who made him feel like he was becoming a better partner! Hell, a better person! So, why was he so damn scared of Casey? "No, I'm good, thanks," he said, letting out a small laugh. While it sounded normal to anyone who might have been listening in, Casey heard the slight nervousness concealed underneath, narrowing his eyes slightly.

What had those teeny boppers said or done this time?

"Right on. Well, listen, I'll give you a call sometime, but right now I have to see a guy. He's got a leather steering wheel cover," he said, not wanting to get up yet from his seat.

"Oh, yeah, for the Trans Am," said Eric, remembering how much pride Casey had in his car. It was the same way Eric felt about the Vista Cruiser, guilt pooling in his stomach at how he'd hardly driven his car unless he had to. He and Red carpooled for work, Hyde had the El Camino, and Casey usually drove them around whenever they were together. What would have been the point in driving the Vista Cruiser? No matter how much freedom Eric had when he drove the Vista Cruiser, he wanted to show Casey that he was willing to do whatever it took to make their relationship work. Whatever it took. It was worth it.

"Yeah, I was going to use my G.I. Bill for college, but Trans Ams just kick so much ass," said Casey, standing up from his seat, not letting go of the scarf yet.

Eric felt the strain in his neck as he tried to keep eye contact with Casey, but he eventually stood up, too. "I love the Trans Am," he said, a small smile forming on his face.

"Everybody does," said Casey, pinching Eric's cheek.

"Okay, bye," said Eric as Casey finally let go of the scarf and walked out of the Hub. Eric sat back down, running his fingers over the scarf's tail.

He's going to call me! Did I give him my number? Of course, I ... didn't! Damn it! Eric slapped his forehead, criticizing himself for how stupid he'd been. What would Jackie say in response to this? Kelsos are like dogs: "They're cute, but they can't work a phone." As Eric sat at the table, lost in thought, Kelso rushed in, carrying a brown paper bag that was too big to be the usual stuff they smoked in the basement.

"Eric, hey, man, glad I found you!" Kelso exclaimed, clapping one of his oldest friends on the back, missing the silent wince and flinch from Eric. "I thought about what Jackie said in the basement about making money so I can get her a Valentine's Day gift, right? And then, I realized that'd mean a lot more if I gave her something that I crafted with my own loving hands." He opened the bag and pulled out a rock with the numbers 831 on it, putting it on the table.

"Oh, my God, it's horrible!" said Eric, rubbing his hand over his eyes, shaking his head.

"No, it's an address rock! You put it on your lawn! I'd accompany the gift with a 'Happy Valentine's Day, my love!'" Kelso continued, giving Eric a peck on the cheek as if Eric were Jackie in this situation.

"Michael Kelso, a rock is not a romantic gift, and that's not even her address!" Eric exclaimed, trying to fight the heat rushing to his face. Oh, God, was he starting to see how Jackie fell for Kelso? No, she got brought in by his good looks, and Eric really just wondered how someone as amazing as Jackie fell for someone like Kelso. Kelso wasn't even part of a sports team to complement Jackie being a cheerleader. "That's Mr. Pinciotti's address! That's Mr. Pinciotti's address rock!"

"No, it isn't!" Kelso cried, taking the rock and putting it back in the bag. "I can't believe Jackie wants me to get a job. I mean, my plan has always been to coast through life on my good looks! I mean, look at me! It's like I was chiseled out of marble!"

Eric fought the urge to roll his eyes, but he had to admit that the Kelsos had a lot of good-looking people. Casey was certainly one of them. "Hyde would suggest that you sell your blood for quick cash," he said, trying to think like Hyde.

"I am not selling blood! I mean, there's no way that anything inside of my body is coming out for cash!" Kelso said.

"Well, that's too bad, Kelso, because I hear there's this clinic in Madison that will pay you for your ... um ... 'manly donations,'" said Eric.

"Manly donations? No way! They'll pay you for that?! Well, I'll do that! I'm good at that!" Kelso said, a huge grin spreading across his face.

Eric nodded, tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear.

"I'll get Jackie a sweet gift by selling my underpants navy," said Kelso, thinking about the suggestion.

"Your 'battlepants Galactica'?" Eric said, smirking.

"Eric, man, that was awesome!" Kelso cheered, clapping Eric on the back, hitting a bruise, making Eric wince and flinch. This time, it was noticed by Kelso. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine! Derrick Keller just shoved me into the lockers again at school. You know I'm also clumsy," said Eric, faking a smile as best he could.

"Okay. If you need anything, just let me know," said Kelso, taking the address rock and leaving the Hub. When he walked outside, he came face to face with Casey. "Ugh, you!"

"Why did you kiss Forman's cheek?" Casey asked immediately.

"I was demonstrating how I'd give Jackie her Valentine's Day gift, God! Why do you even care so much about what Eric does?" Kelso asked Casey, narrowing his eyes at Casey's interest. It wasn't like his older brother to be so interested in someone.

"Did Forman go down to the basement today?" Casey asked.

"No, this is the first time I've seen him all day," answered Kelso. "He didn't come down to the basement today."

Casey seemed thoughtful for a few moments, nodding. "See you at home, headgear." He turned and walked away, heading back to the Trans Am.

"Jackoff," muttered Kelso, going to his van.

As Eric reentered the house, he had a newspaper in hand for Red. Thank God the paperboy came by in time so Eric could pay him. "Hey, Dad, you want this?" he asked Red, who was sitting in his usual spot in the living room. The pea soup-looking chair was a comfort to see in the living room. He handed Red the newspaper, beginning to walk away. He mentally prepared himself for going to the Kelso house to give Casey his phone number.

"Thanks, son. I love you," said Red, making Eric stop and look at him, the blood draining from his face.

"I'm sorry, what?" Eric asked.

"I love you. I really do," said Red, a smile on his face.

"Yeah," said Eric, laughing as if Red were telling a joke. When Red continued to smile, his laughter ceased, and Eric said, "Yeah." He rushed out of the house, running to the Kelso house, his mind flying into a whirlwind. He was slightly winded when he made it to the Kelso house, but he took a few minutes to catch his breath before he walked onto the porch, knocking on the door.

Kelso answered the door, raising an eyebrow at Eric's presence at the door. "Eric, what are you doing at my house?" he asked, leaning against the doorjamb, crossing his arms.

"Nothing. I just thought I'd come by and see what you were up to!" Eric said, forcing a smile on his face. This wasn't the Kelso sibling he wanted to see.

"Oh! You're here to see Casey, aren't you?" Kelso exclaimed, grinning. "Casey, your lover's here!" he called out as loudly as he could. "You love my brother! You're going to do it with-" sang Kelso before he got grabbed by Casey, who pulled him away from the door by his hair.

"Thank you," whispered Eric, relief flooding his veins.

"No problem," said Casey.

"SPAZFACE!" Kelso cried.

Casey gave Kelso a weird look, smiling at Eric when he looked back at him. "Hey there."

"Hey. Um, you were going to call me, and I remembered that I, like, never gave you my number. So, anyway, here's my number." Eric handed Casey a piece of paper.

Casey took the piece of paper and put it in his pocket. "You know, I was going to get that from you tomorrow night when we go out."

"We're going out?" Eric asked, a grin spreading on his face.

"I'll pick you up at the Hub after school. I'll be in the Trans Am," said Casey, tucking some hair behind Eric's ear.

"I love the Trans Am!"

"Everybody does," said Casey. "Later, Forman."

Eric waved and said "bye" in a low voice, and when Casey shut the door, the teenager grinned again. "Forman," he mumbled, walking away happily. Hyde calling him by his last name was one thing, but Casey doing it was different and made him smile more.

Kelso stared Casey down as Casey headed back to his room. Why was Casey taking Eric out? What the hell was doing on between them? Kelso calling Eric Casey's "lover" was a joke! Maybe "lover" meant more than he originally thought.

At the breakfast table the next morning, Eric picked at his breakfast, the smell just making him feel nauseated. "Mom, was Dad abducted by aliens or replaced by an identical creature programmed to love?" Eric asked Kitty quickly, not wanting to lose his nerve.

"Honey, this is breakfast. Don't ask me things," said Kitty.

"He told me he loved me," said Eric.

Kitty looked at him and stared motionlessly at Eric for a few seconds. "Your father?" she asked. "No!" she exclaimed in a low, deep voice.

"Yeah," said Eric.

Kitty waved her hands, not noticing how Eric tensed up. "I think I know what happened! I gave your father an early Valentine's Day card that said what a wonderful husband and father he is, and it rhymed, and maybe it touched him!" She shook her head. "It didn't look like it touched him. It's just he got up and got a beer, but maybe deep down ... deep, deep down ... something woke up! I am so glad he loves you!"

"Yeah, but, Mom, this is weird. He's never said that. Ever. I mean, one time, I saved him from getting hit by a lumber truck, and I think he was about to say it, but then he said, 'get in the car.'" Kitty looked like she was about to cry, which tugged at Eric's heartstrings. She really did just want him and Red to get along. "But how am I supposed to handle this? You think I should say it back?" Kitty closed her eyes and nodded, still looking like she was about to cry. "He's gonna hit me," whispered Eric, wrapping his arms around his torso, already imagining the worst-case scenario.

"Maybe not," said Kitty, looking like she was praying now.

She was so excited, but Eric couldn't share that same feeling.

As Eric waited at the Hub for Casey to pick him up, he tried to figure out the best way to tell Red that he loved him. Okay, here it goes. Dad, I love you! I love you, Pop! Poppy, Pappy, Daddy, no. He rubbed his eyes, wondering why this was so hard for him to do. He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, wondering what Red would say if he saw how long his hair had grown. He'd probably say that if my hair grew any longer, he'd buy me a pair of boobs. Well, Casey likes how long my hair is growing. If Casey likes it, then I'll let my hair grow out. The longer Eric waited for Casey, the more worried he became, tapping his foot on the floor to release his nervous energy. Eventually, Eric left the Hub when it grew clear that Casey wasn't coming, and as he walked back to his house, a memory replayed in his head that he really didn't want to remember.

"Oh, my God, Eric! I have so much to tell you! I actually met Ted Nugent, and I got an interview! And I know I said I'd be right back, but it was so exciting!"

"Oh, my night, too! I met the janitor! And then I got to see Kelso take his fucking pants off! Rock and roll!"

"Eric, you're mad at me for going backstage to meet Ted Nugent?"

"No, no, I'm mad at you because you ditched me."

"I didn't ditch you! This was Ted Nugent! This was a huge opportunity for me! So, come Monday, I don't have to just talk about the farm report! I could talk about the interview! Like an interviewer!"

"Well, you know what, Donna? All I can say is that my mom would never bail on my dad like that."

"Yeah, but they're married."

"Okay, okay, let's just forget it. You're sorry. Everything's fine."

"I never said I was sorry."

"But you are, right?"

"I shouldn't have to be."

Eric flinched at the memory. Why didn't he just break up with Donna right then and there? It had been clear that he wasn't in her future, so why should he still have seen her in his? When he made it back to his house, he approached Kelso, who was leaning against the patio.

"Alright, Kelso, where is your moron brother? He was supposed to meet me at the Hub, and he totally blew me off!" he snapped at Kelso, his nerves feeling like they were on fire.

Donna came up to Eric. "Whoa, a Kelso blew you off? Oh, my God, what a shock! Oh, hey, Colonel Mustard called - he said get a clue!" Donna said.

Eric looked at Donna, unsure of how he could look at her now and see the same girl with whom he'd fallen in love. He looked back at Kelso, glowering at him. "What is it with you Kelsos? Were you all dropped on your heads?" he asked.

"You know, if you're mad at Casey, why don't you go yell at him? I'm too tired from working all day to argue," said Kelso.

"Oh, to be a working stiff," said Fez, which prompted Hyde to laugh his head off.

Eric walked away, avoiding Donna as she tried to grab onto his arm.

"Eric, aren't you going to hang out with us a bit?" she asked him.

"Don't, Pinciotti, please," said Eric, walking inside his house, shutting the sliding door behind him.

When Eric finally convinced himself to just rip off the Band-Aid and get everything with his dad over with, he went down to the kitchen. He hesitated when he heard the conversation between Kitty and Red, though.

"Red, you big old softy!" Kitty exclaimed, laughing. "Did anything special happen yesterday?"

"Special? Oh, let's see. Well, the dentist called with a cancellation, so I went in, and the sadistic son of a bitch found a cavity. Next thing I know, I'm hopped up on drugs, and he's taking a jackhammer to my jaw. I spent the rest of the day in a fog," said Red.

"Oh, no. Oh, my God, you don't remember what you said to Eric?" Kitty asked him.

"Kitty, I don't even remember how I got home," said Red.

Eric's plan started to fall apart as soon as he heard that conversation. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears as he stayed frozen in his spot. He just couldn't say it now, could he? That would get him hit for sure. He shook his head, wanting nothing more than to run out the front door or back to the safety of his bedroom. No, no, follow through with this. Come on! he told himself, entering the kitchen. "Alright, Dad. Look, I've tried to figure out the right words, and then I realized I just got to say it," he said. "So ..."

Kitty stood up, dropping the Jell-O in her hands. "Wait, Eric-" she said. "He was drugged!"

"Mom, it's okay. Dad, I love you," said Eric, unknowingly taking a step back just in case.

Red seemed shocked and mad, raising an eyebrow at Eric taking a step back. "Go to your room," he said.

Eric turned around and walked out of the kitchen. When he made it back to his room, he climbed out the window, going to the Kelso house. He now needed to talk to Casey. When he got to the Kelso house, Casey was sitting on the porch, cleaning a car part, when Eric went up to the porch, turning off the radio. "Hey, Casey," he said, trying not to let his anger show.

"Hey, Forman!" Casey said, putting the car part down.

"What the hell happened to you? I was waiting at the Hub," said Eric.

"See, the thing is when I went to go pick up the steering wheel cover, the Trans Am was running a little rough, so I thought I'd rebuild the carburetor," said Casey.

"But I was waiting at the Hub," said Eric, his argument sounding weak.

"Well, you want a smooth ride, don't you?" Casey asked.

"I just think that if you say you're going to be someplace, then you should be there," said Eric, his gaze falling to his shoes.

Casey stood up, approaching Eric. "I guess I flaked. I just got this thing where, a lot of times, I don't show up. I don't know what to do about it," he said, holding onto Eric's scarf to bring his face back up by tugging on it slightly.

"How about showing up?"

"I guess I could give that a shot."

"So, this'll never happen again?"

"No, I'm pretty sure it'll happen again. But we'll light that firecracker when we come to it."

"Fair enough."

Casey pulled Eric in and kissed him, and Eric kissed him back.

"I can't believe this," said Eric, his cheeks flushed, grinning a bit. "When I got here, I was so mad at you, and I already totally forgave you."

"Everybody does," said Casey, which caused Eric to laugh a bit.

Little did Eric know that Kelso had been watching their interaction from the window, gaping at the sight of Casey kissing Eric. Is that what was going on between them? How did Eric get caught in Casey's web? Oh, God, he had to tell Donna!

When Eric got back to the house, he found Red in the den. "Dad."

Red jumped, almost dropping the shoe he was shining. "Oh, crap. I was hoping you wouldn't find me back here."

"Well, that's a good ice breaker," said Eric, sarcasm lacing his voice. "Look, um, about the love incident ..."

"Alright, stop right there," said Red. "There are only a few times in life where it's acceptable for a man to use that phrase: When he's drunk, when he's dying, or when he's in big trouble, and that's the only way out, which usually means he's drunk."

"Other than that?" Eric asked.

"Other than that, it's just a given," said Red.

"Hey, you just kind of told me-" said Eric, a playful smile forming on his face.

"No, I didn't," said Red quickly.

"Yes, you did," said Eric, laughing a bit.

"Well, I'm drunk. Clearly, I'm drunk," said Red.

Eric continued to laugh a bit. "Daddy, be my Valentine!" he quipped.

"Do I have to hit you? Go to your room!" Red exclaimed.

Eric tensed up a bit, heading upstairs. Eric tensing up didn't go unnoticed by Red. This was the second time today that he seemed more on edge, at least to Red's knowledge. Was there something going on that he didn't know about?