The Promise He Kept
Chapter one
Simply by Chance
Rei: HELLO MY FAITHFUL READERS!!!! YES! That's right! Rei is back with an all-new fic!!! Murhurhurhurhur!!! YESH! Ph34r m3!!!!
Wolf: Why on earth would we ph34r you? (Is not amused)
Miko and KM: that would be, because she's God…
Serah: She's NOT God!
Rei: Miko dear, take care of my light work… (Looks casually at nails)
Miko: (nods and smirks) Grrr! (Pounces)
Serah: (IS OWNED)
Rei: Anyone else wanna challenge me??? (Crazy)
SAIRI ORI!!!!
Okay, this fic consists of many flashbacks, since half of it is devoted to EdWin, the other…well its actually more than half, is devoted to Envy. So yeah. BTW, Winry's dead for anyone who's interested.
Some notes: 1) yes, there will be a lemon. Would you expect anything less from me?
2) There will probably be some Ocness in this fic, but as I say for my AU's THINGS ARE DIFFERENT IN THIS WORLD THEN THE WORLD OF THE SHOW!!!! SO IN JUST THE CHARACTERS WILL BE DIFFERENT AS WELL!!! DON'T LIKE? TOUGH LUCK!!!
3) Okay, away from my loudness, this fic was inspired by a true story, this happened to my aunt's friend, its sad! It made me cry and I wrote it! Please don't hate me for what happens!
4) Okay, for those of you who have read Syn, I thank you, but that fic is on a long term pause, not discontinued, just paused, I WILL continue it eventually, when I get inspired again…but until then! ENJOY!!!
5) Her name is Caila, (kay-la) it's just my very messed up method of spelling it. XD
Rei: OKAY! So, I guess I'll start the fic now. Kay kay!!!!
…xxx…
(Flashback)
The baby was coming.
After nine months, his child was about to be born. Edward should have been happy, but he wasn't. Something had gone horribly wrong…
It was all just a blur to him, it happened so fast.
A car accident,
Ambulances,
Doctors,
Screaming,
All of it melted together, but one thing was painfully clear…
The promise he made to her…
"E-Edward, promise me you'll n-never love another woman after me…" Her pained blue eyes scanned every inch of hr husbands face, searching for reassurance.
"Winry…"
Another cough,
More blood,
"P-please…"
Tears,
"Yes Winry, I promise…"
Smile,
Cough,
The nurses came and shooed him away,
There was crying,
Shouting,
Sirens,
Then silence,
And his baby…
His daughter…
His life…
…xxx…
Ed could feel himself wake up; he didn't move, he didn't even open his eyes, but he knew he wouldn't go back to sleep. At least he would try…
That's when Caila decided to start crying.
"Daddy!" her voice echoed through the house. He could have left it to Al, but he had his own responsibilities, he couldn't be stuck with Ed's too.
He gave a sigh of defeat and rolled out of bed, heavily, his feet hit the ground.
"Daddy!" this time her voice held more urgency, Ed sighed again.
"I'm coming Caila, hold on!" he called back, only to get a "Daddy please hurry!" in return. He followed the sound of her cries and found his young daughter atop the toilet seat, staring wide-eyed at the tub.
"What are ya doing up there babe?" he asked, cocking his head. He found himself slightly put off by the fact that, from her location, his two year old was almost as tall as him.
"Daddy! There's a spider in the bathtub!" she pointed at it, eyes clamped shut and looking utterly helpless. Ed sweat dropped and peered into the tub; then he grinned.
Sure enough, there was a little black dot in the bottom of the tub.
"Hurry up and kill it Daddy or it'll grow up and eat us!" Ed chuckled at the sheer desperateness in his child's voice.
"Who told you that?"
"Maes."
Roy's son…
"It's not going to eat us baby, but if it'll make you feel better, I'll kill it." he said, grabbing a piece of toilet paper and wadding it up, he leaned over a squished the tiny insect. Tossing it into the trash, he turned back to his daughter.
She was crying.
"Aw, Caila baby, don't cry. I killed it, so it won't hurt you." he said reassuringly, smiling at her.
"O-okay…" she glanced back at the tub once more before returning her gaze to her father.
"Come on, let's go get some breakfast, but we have to be quiet cause Uncle Al is still asleep. Kay?" He scooped her up in his arms and she snuggled into his hair. She really was very affectionate, just like her Mom was…
Once in the kitchen, he popped her into the highchair and set to finding a meal for them.
"So what'd ya want? We could have eggs or something. That sound good?" he asked, rummaging through the refrigerator.
"No Daddy! I want pancakes!" she cried gleefully.
"Okay then, pancakes it is!"
"Yay!" she giggled and then started singing a song about said meal, which in turn caused her father to laugh as well, completely forgetting the whole 'quiet-Alphonse-is-sleeping' pact.
Ed started his task, lost in the joy of his child, until,
"What's going on?" came from the kitchen doorway. Ed turned to see his brother standing there, scratching his messy blondish hair.
"Oh Alphonse! We didn't mean to wake you, we were just-"
"Uncle Al, Daddy had to kill a spider and now he's making pancakes." Caila said cheerfully. Al smiled at her and then looked to his brother.
"Nii san, you know I don't like it when you cook on your birthday, it's the least I can do."
"Daddy, it's your birthday?" She asked, awestruck, Ed smiled.
"Yeah, I guess I must have forgotten, but seriously Al, it doesn't matter, it's just another day." Ed turned back to the counter and continued to stir the cream-colored mixture, hoping the conversation would be dropped.
No such luck…
"Brother it is Not just another day. You only turn twenty-four once." Al exclaimed, though, honestly, he had expected this from his brother, so…
"That's why you're going out tonight." he put simply, Ed blinked at him.
"What? Ya know Al, I really think that I should be the one who decides that and I'm not going."
Al moved over and took the bowl out of Ed's hands and started stirring.
"Ed." he began solemnly, not looking at the blonde and keeping his voice low so Caila couldn't hear. "It's been over two years and you haven't been out on a date or even out of the house for more than an hour. You need to move on…"
Ed's gaze hardened. It was true that he didn't do much, but he couldn't bring himself to. It just didn't feel right.
"Please Ed just do this for me, only a few hours…" he was pleading with his brother now; he hated seeing Ed like this.
Edward blinked at his brother a few times. This really is important to him, huh? He closed his eyes and sighed.
"Fine Al, I'll go for a few hours, but no dates!" he declared, setting boundaries. At least his younger brother had perked up.
"Thank you brother! You wont regret this. And the Mustangs are coming over later, as are Gracia and Elysia, and all the others too, I told them to be here around four and its half past eleven now. So as soon as we're done eating I'll start getting ready and then I ca-"
"Wait, I have to go out and have a party? Isn't that a little much?" Ed asked in disbelief, he had been planning on a quiet night with just the three of them, not all this.
"Of course Ed, it's your birthday after all."
"Yeah, Whippee…"
…xxx…
"Caila, come on, Uncle Al said they're gonna be here any minute! We need to get you dressed!" he called up the stairs. There was no response. Closing his eyes, he thought for a moment, then the idea hit him and he said, "Fine, I guess you don't wanna be all pretty for Roy then, huh?" he said, barley containing his smirk. He knew full well that the toddler had the biggest crush on Roy, and though he would never admit it, he found it quite cute.
He heard a muffled gasp from upstairs followed almost immediately by the patter of feet as his daughter bee-lined for the door.
"Come on Daddy, he'll be here soon." she exclaimed, ushering him into the living room. Her blue eyes shining with determination.
He sat on the couch, her hairbrush in hand and beckoned her over. She stood in front of him, her back to her father, and waited patiently for him to begin.
Smiling again, he began pulling the brush through his daughter's soft blonde hair.
She remained there for a while, lulled by the careful brushing of her hair. She was almost asleep by time her father finished putting it into pigtails. He turned her and swept some of her bangs away. She beamed at him.
"Well, looks like you're all done sweetie, let's go show uncle Al kay?"
"Okay!"
The two made their way to the kitchen, Caila tugging her father along behind her. Then she let go of his hand and bounced the remainder of the way, latching on to the leg of Al's pants.
"Uncle Al! Lookie!" Al looked up from whatever dish he was preparing and smiled down at his niece.
"Well aren't you pretty, I bet Roy will just love it." he said, patting her on the head and then he resumed cooking. Caila looked pleased and trotted off to the living room.
"Wow Al, you're really went all out, huh? " Ed asked, taken aback by the sheer amount of effort his brother must have put into this meal.
"Like I said Edward, it's your birthday. I want you to be happy."
"I would have been happy with just the three of us here." he pouted, taking a seat at the table.
"Well, now you can be happy with a party and going out." He said, matter-of-factly.
"Yeah thanks…"
They sat there in silence for a while until the doorbell rang.
"That must be them, I'll get it." Ed announced, standing up.
"Okay Ed, I'll be done soon, so just have everybody sit in the living room."
"Yeah."
When Ed opened the door, he was greeted by the stiff figures of Roy and Riza Mustang and their four-year-old son, Allen Maes, whom everyone called Maes.
"Mustang." Ed said coldly. The two never did get along, with their attitudes clashing and what not.
"Elric."
Riza's rose colored eyes darted from man to man.
The two had been friends forever, but they acted like worst enemies and they were always going at it. She just hoped that the behavior didn't rub off on her son, she couldn't handle that.
"Are you going to let us in, Edward?" she asked, breaking the staring war that was going on between the two. Ed blinked at her and then moved to the side, allowing them to pass.
Immediately, Caila was hooked onto Roy's leg. He grinned down at her. "Well, hello beautiful, how've ya been?"
She giggled and ran off into the other room, Maes close behind.
…xxx…
Everyone was there: Roy, Riza, Maes, Furey, Havoc, Shezcka, Fallmen, Ross, Zack, Armstrong, Gracia, and Elysia. Everybody from the old precinct.
That's twelve more people than he expected…and wanted…
He didn't socialize much since Winry's death. Even with people he knew before hand.
He just couldn't stand their' pity…
But at least Caila and Al were enjoying themselves, so he had no reason to complain. He would do anything for them.
Maybe it was time he moved on…
"Promise me Ed…"
No, that's not something you just move on from.
He would go out tonight, but just for Al, not himself.
"Daddy?" CAila's voice shattered his thoughts and he looked over at her. She was sitting n Elysia's lap, staring at him through glossy blue eyes. "Daddy, are you okay?"
He paused for a moment. "Yeah, I'm fine Cai. So did you enjoy the cake, Your Uncle Al's a good cook isn't he?"
"Mmm hmmm, it was really good!" she said, a smudge of icing on her left cheek.
"Oh brother, I'm not that good…" Al said, a slight blush kissing his cheeks.
"Alphonse, don't sell yourself short, I would give anything to be able to cook like this…" Shezcka pouted, sighing overdramatically. Furey patted her back consolingly.
Al's blush deepened and he looked down at his plate.
Ed watched silently as his friends and family spoke with each other and he couldn't help but think, this day would have been perfect…
If she had been here…
..xxx…
As Ed walked into the bar, he asked himself how the hell he got suckered into this one. Alphonse had taken control of the entire night.
Ed had not wanted to go out in the first place.
Al had made him.
Ed had only wanted to stay out until ten,
Al said midnight at the latest.
Ed had been perfectly content with wearing jeans and a baggy tee,
Al made him wear his good leather pants and a fitted red top.
And if Ed denied him any aspect of the night, Al would give him the perfected 'Brother-if-you-loved-me-you-would-do-this-for-me" look. Which, to Ed's dismay, was beginning to rub off on Caila.
The only thing that Ed had his way was how he wore his hair, which was up in a simple ponytail.
So all in all, the younger Elric deduced his brother to be snazzy, where as Ed found himself to look like a complete idiot and that's how he felt too.
"Oh brother, you look so good! Blah blah blah…" Ed repeated in a mock high pitched tone as he made his way to the counter through hordes of drunk college students. He found an empty seat and sat down, scanning the room with mild interest.
There wasn't an overly large amount of people there, but there was enough. Ed didn't like people.
Losing appeal quickly, Ed returned his gaze to search for the barkeep.
Just a few drinks and I can go home, then Al would be happy and I'll never have to do this again.
Ed concentrated on that thought in his head until a stout old man approached him; Ed assumed he was the tender.
"Hey kid, you got an I.D. or something' I don't know how you past Carl, but it wont work on Me." the man said in a stern voice.
Aggravation from the day itself added to the insult against his height mixed together and rage sprung forth. You'd think after twenty-four years of it, it wouldn't bother him so much, but this is Edward we're talking about…
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT THAT MY TWO YEAR OLD LOOKS LIKE A GIANT COMPARED TO ME!?!?!" Ed glared daggers at the old man, who, startled by the comment, stared dumbly at him. Ed held up his drivers' license with tightly clenched fingers.
"Um, okay, what it'll be sir?" he asked, a bit more respect in his tone.
Ed sighed, "I don't care, surprise me…" the old barkeep nodded and set off to retrieve whatever drink he decided for the blonde. Ed slumped into his seat and took on the perfect moping position. Pouting about his height.
I guess some things never change…
,,,xxx,,,,
Ed glanced at the wall clock hanging above the back counter.
11:32
Good, I'll be able to leave soon…and Al would have no reason to complain…
He'd been through a couple of whatever the keeper had given him and he was on his last one. He'd call a cab or something, since that's how he got here.
Hmm, Al had thought of everything…
Damn Al and his…thinking-ness.
He sighed.
He hadn't even enjoyed himself tonight. Hell he'd barely moved and that was only because he had to pee. He could have enjoyed himself, but he didn't…Stubborn, as usual.
The blonde laid his head on his arms and closed his eyes, trying to block all the light and noise from the room; that's when he heard a sly voice come from behind him.
"O'chibi, this probably isn't the best place to sleep."
…xxx…
(Flashback)
"Hey, it's not smart to sleep there ya know."
The voice came from somewhere beside him and he bleared up at the speaker.
"I wasn't sleeping." he groaned, clutching his ribs and pulling himself into a sitting position.
"Oh, then what happened?" she asked, pushing away some lose blonde hair and helping him to his feet.
"I made some new friends on my first day." he winced, accepting her help.
"I'm sorry. Do you want me to beat them up for you?"
"What?"
"Come on let's go!"
"Wait!"
"By the way, my name's Winry."
"Uh, Edward."
"Okay Edward, you're gonna be my new friend okay?"
They were only nine then, the day they first met.
…xxx…
Seeing as the comment was obviously directed at him, Ed looked up at the speaker.
At first glance, Ed thought it was a woman, but he soon saw otherwise.
The man had long green hair that cascaded down his back and shoulders in spiky locks. He was clad in something that resembled and skirt and sports bra, all made of leather.
He had piercing violet eyes that took in every inch of Ed's body and the corners of his mouth were pulled up in an all-too-knowing smirk.
He snorted, "What's it to you?" he said coolie, then returned to his drink. Though he still felt uncomfortable in the man's presence.
"No need to get pissy, just making conversation." he said, taking an unwanted seat next to the blonde and crossing his legs in a very feminine manner.
Ed huffed and paid him no other attention in an attempt to ignore the young man. Said young man though, wasn't going to be ignored
"I've been watching you, you know." his smirk turned even more mischievous. Ed's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't look at him.
"Is that supposed to be comforting? Cause it certainly isn't what I wanted to hear."
Why doesn't this guy just go away?
"Well, that depends on your idea of 'comfort'. You should be honored, not every guy catches my interests." he said, propping his chin on his palm and cocking his head.
Ed's eyes went wider this time. "Are you hitting on me?"
"Maybe."
"Ha, well you can just forget it, cause I'm not interested."
"Already got a boyfriend?"
"No, I'm not gay."
"Oh really, cause my gaydar went off and everything, when was the lest time you were with a woman?"
"You're pushy huh?"
"No, just curious."
"Well, curiosity killed the cat."
"Hmmm, then meeee-oooow…" he purred, making a scratching movement in the air. Ed blinked.
Wow, this guy is too much…
"Envy." he said, extending his hand to Ed, who didn't respond.
"That's an unusual name." he commented offhandedly, taking a sip.
"So I'm told…aren't you gonna tell me yours?"
"You're not giving up are you?" Ed sighed.
"No." Envy put simply.
"Edward." he said, taking the final gulp of his drink and standing. "Look, as much as I enjoyed talking to you, I've gotta be going. Later." HE went to fish a couple bills out of his pocket when a half gloved hand locked on to his arm.
Ed couldn't explain the chills that the contact sent up his spine, nor did he even wish to acknowledge them.
"What are you doing?" he asked, locking eyes with those beautiful golden orbs.
"Please, allow me." he grinned, showing off his perfect canines.
God could he get any more arrogant?
Ed glared at him, but then again.
"Go ahead, but it wont get you anywhere." he grumbled, jerking his hand away.
"Hmm, we'll see…"
"Suuuure."
Ed was halfway out the door when he heard,
"See ya soon Edo."
…xxx…
Edward was desperately trying to push the events of the night out of his head. That had to have been his first 'gay' moment and most guys would try to forget it, so why couldn't he?
Shaking it off, he climbed out of the cab and walked to his front door. The light was still on, Al must still be up. Hopefully though, he'd put Caila to bed. It wasn't good for a child to be up so late.
Opening the door he called out to his brother.
"Brother! Did you enjoy yourself?" he bounced into the hallway, beaming, but he kept his voice low, as not to disturb Caila.
"Yeah Al it was fine." he said, he wasn't going to mention Envy yet; he just wanted to go to bed.
"Oh okay." Al said, obviously not satisfied by the response.
"Yeah Al, but I'm tired, so I'm gonna turn in for the night…"
"Sure Ed, goodnight."
"Night."
…xxx…
He stretched harshly and yawned. Moving across the room, he went to the bathroom, then to get undressed.
That's when he heard the sound of crumpling paper come from his pocket. Reaching inside, he pulled out a wrinkled scrap of paper and read it, confused.
-Call me, 555-0320
-Envy-
…xxxx…
Rei: yay! My first chappie!!!! Wh00t!!!!
KM and Miko: (high fives) that was fun!
Rei: I know right? Well, that was just the first one, many more to come. That's is if I get reviews…(hint hint)
Serah and Wolf: How come we always get dragged into this? We don't even like yaoi…
Rei: that probably wasn't the best thing to say in this fandom girls…ah well, I'll save them some time. (Grabs them and tosses them into a crowd of ExE fan girls) here ya go guys!!!
Serah and Wolf: Ahhhhhh!!!!
KM and Miko: it makes me proud to be a fangirl.
Rei: uh huh.
So if you guys are proud to be fan girls! Leave me a review! Other wise this kitten (holds up kitten) will be neutered!
Courtesy of Bob Barker…
Bai!
Rei out