Wow…I take a REALLY long time to get anything done. Did anybody else notice? sighs heavily Anyway, I've decided to continue my last contribution (mainly because my friend helped me to think up another way to carry on, but also because I've had some complaints about it having finished in an…open (?) way). So, here it I; the first chapter at least.
Once again, I do NOT own the characters (unfortunately) and the story is told in, at this point, Ed's POV. Enjoy.
I curled up against him, reveling in the warmth between us. I felt him kiss the top of my head as his long fingers played with my mussed blond hair. We'd made love three times that evening, and yet I still didn't want to sleep. I didn't want to lose him to the morning light.
"Ed," he whispered, kissing my face, "I love you so much. God, do I have to leave?"
I kissed him back, adoringly. "I wish I could say no, I really do. But for your safety, and mine, you have to."
He sighed and held me tight. He didn't say anything, he just held me. I stared at his skin, at how beautiful it looked in the moonlight. He was so beautiful. Ever inch of his body was perfection. And he was mine. He'd pledged himself to me, and I to him. He was all that had been missing in my life. I finally felt complete.
Suddenly, he tensed and sat up, brilliant violet eyes fixed on the door. He'd clearly heard something I didn't, something that bothered him. I didn't dare move.
"It's your brother," he muttered, "But he's not alone."
I cursed under my breath. What was Al doing? He knew Envy and I were together during the evening. I looked at Envy pleadingly. He understood.
In one smooth motion, he was on his feet and fully dressed, the light from his shape shifting momentarily illuminating the room. He glanced back at me and gave a soft smile.
"I'll be back," he promised before opening the window, "Try not to miss me too much."
I smiled back and watched him go. It was only really the second time I'd seen him leave. Every other time, I'd simply awoken to find him gone. Envy had always managed to leave without waking me. Oddly, I wasn't sure which hurt more.
My thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock at the door and my brother's soft voice. "Nii-san, are you awake?"
I debated remaining silent, but Envy had already left. I figured I might as well find out who the new third party was.
"Yeah, come in," I called out, sitting up.
Al stepped in cautiously, the faint evening light glinting off his metal body. He looked around for a moment, no doubt searching for Envy. However, as he couldn't find any sign of the homunculus – it was too dark to see the mark Envy had left on my throat – Al nodded politely at me.
"What's up Al?" I asked sincerely.
"Oh!" My brother seemed startled, as if he'd forgotten why he was there. "Right! Winry just wanted to check up on you."
I frowned slightly. "Winry? Does she really have to right now? It's kinda late."
Winry squeaked past my brother and blushed as she realized I wasn't dressed. However, not wanting to be rude – and more than likely thankful for the covers across my waist – she smiled shyly and said, "I didn't plan on bothering you this late Ed. I'm sorry."
I felt bad almost instantly. Winry had that effect on me. "N…no! Don't apologize. It's not like I was sleeping." I laughed softly, reassuringly.
Her smile widened a bit. "I'm glad," she said, "Oh! Not that you're not sleeping! I'm glad I didn't wake you!"
I couldn't help but laugh. She was cute when she got confused. Cutting short the remainder of my laughter, I asked, "Alright, so what's bothering you?"
Suddenly, Winry seemed awkward, as if the topic made her uncomfortable. Fidgeting, she focused her large blue eyes on the floor. "While I was in Resembool, Colonel Mustang stopped by. He asked me if I would know why you were acting…strange. He said you seemed distracted, like your mind was focused solely on something else."
My good mood vanished and I instinctively became suspicious. "What did you say?" I asked warily.
"I told him I had no idea, and asked why he thought I'd know," she responded quietly.
"And he said?" Just what was that damned colonel doing, harassing people close to me? Who did he think he was?!
Winry looked pleadingly at me. "He said you looked…love struck."
I felt my face heat up as I blushed furiously and was suddenly extremely grateful for the darkness of the room. I had to say something. Both Al and Winry were staring at me expectantly; Al no doubt worrying about my response, and Winry looking…heartbroken? I couldn't quite tell. It was too dark. But she clearly wanted an answer.
Composing myself, I said with half false outrage, "Love struck?! Who does that bastard think I am?! Jeez!" I looked directly at Winry before continuing. "I mean, come on. You know me better than that, don't you?"
She seemed somewhat relieved at my reaction and brushed some of her blond hair over her shoulder. "So then," Winry started, "Why were you distracted?"
"I heard the homunculi were on the move again," I lied, "I was worried about you and granny."
Winry smiled and nodded. "That makes more sense. I had a hard time believing what Colonel Mustang said." She laughed softly. "I'm really sorry to have bothered you at this hour Ed but I was…worried." Then, before I could question her final statement, she smiled brightly and excused herself.
I stared at Al, confused, but glad Winry had believed.
"Are you alright nii-san?" Al asked tentatively, "We didn't….interrupt did we?"
Shrugging, I answered him softly, "Don't worry about it. Envy got out before you arrived." I then frowned slightly. "I hope he's not upset…"
To Be Continued…
