Edward sat across the library table from Russell Tringham, books piled all around them. Because Alphonse was restored, their research lacked the urgency it had once held, now assuming a more leisurely air. Even the snide remarks were down to an all time low. Fletcher and Alphonse were amazed, and the office had a pool about how long it would take until one or the other snapped and they killed each other. A different relationship, perhaps brought on by Fletcher and Al's friendship, had arisen. Something akin to friendship with something else lurking beneath the surface, an unnamed entity.
Edward glanced up from his book to see Russell concentrating intently on a particular passage. His hair had fallen slightly into his face, and his face switched from one of frustration to one of triumph as he mastered it, leaning over to jot down a few notes in the notebook on his right. Russell felt the elder's eyes on him, and smiled before returning his focus to his book. Edward felt a warmth in his stomach, but quickly pushed it back. He had no time nor interest in it.
Russell saw Edward frown, looked at him questioningly. The shorter boy ignored this and resumed his studies. Unable to help himself, he asked, "Edward? Is there something wrong?"
Edward shook his head no without even looking up. Russell grimaced at this, but let it go. A few minutes later, Edward growled in frustration as he slammed his book down. This made the younger boy jump, as he had been close to dozing off. He gathered by Edward's sudden attack on the book he was stuck on a certain part. He rose from his chair and crossed the table, leaning over Edward's shoulder to ask, "What part don't you understand?"
The Fullmetal Alchemist started to tell Russell to shove off, but then decided better of it. He would get more work done if he had some help deciphering this code. He showed Russell the glyphs and let the younger boy work it out.
After a few more minutes, Russell nodded and said, "Of course you're getting it wrong; you miswrote two of your symbols. And here you left one of them out." Edward looked down to where Russell was pointing only to see that he was correct. He started to pick up his pencil, only to drop it back. Russell still hadn't moved from his shoulder. Edward turned his head towards the younger male only to run smack into his lips. Russell had still been checking over Edward's work, and so hadn't returned to his seat.
Both boys' eyes were wide with shock and surprise. Edward was stunned and annoyed to find that he liked the feel of Russell's lips on his. They were warm and dry and oh so inviting, so Edward didn't protest when Russell took it upon himself to deepen the impromptu kiss.
His automail hand wound its way up to the front of Russell's shirt and pushed him back onto the table. Their lips came undone in this change and Russell lay breathless on the table, his chest rising and falling shallowly. The Fullmetal hovered over the subdued teen, his hands, one flesh, one metal, holding Russell's arms down. Edward stood between Russell's knees, his face scant inches from the other boy's face.
"Why? Why would you want this?" Edward questioned. "I could have you, everything, your body, mind, and soul and more. I could shred your heart like paper. You've laid everything out in front of me, bare and bleeding. Why?"
Russell blinked at the sudden change of conversation, then thought about his query. An answer came smoothly and calmly, having no right at all bringing the fire in Edward's eyes to a mere smolder.
"Because I'm human."
-Fin-
(A/N: Oh, God this sucks. I know it sucks. I'm sorry. If you hate it, please just pass on by. -sigh-)