Another Run of Events
Chapter Two
In This Together
- mirage -
"What the hell is all this crap?" Roy asked when Fullmetal pushed papers to him chewing. They sat at the kitchen table in pajamas. Fullmetal now wore his black wife beater and boxers, and he wore his favorite pair of blue cotton pants.
"They gave me this. Stop touching, I am putting it in piles." Ed scold leaning over his dish to the mess between them. They had heaping mounds of pasta. Pasta that did not want to fit into their bowls. They packed it in, mashing the ones at the bottom, forcing down the ones on top and poured in the sauce. All the sauce they could fit. They filled their glasses with grape juice and added three packages of poptarts to the table per Ed's request. "Ok this is biology." Ed informed stabbing noodles fast, pushing them into his mouth, and climbing to his knees in his chair to reach everything easier. The boy separated papers into a little piles. "English. Math. History." Ed broke the papers down into easy group ignoring the complex classes he was taking. "Homeroom-crap, office-crap, crap-crap." Ed declared sinking back to his dish after swallowing everything. He stared at the papers in silence and with lack of development Ed pulled over a poptart and ate half watching him.
"This is ridiculous. Why would they send me outlines of your classes and what you're doing?" He asked making a face as he rummaged through the papers. "This is worse than work." Number five: Lots of useless papers.
"I guess they think you'd want to know. If you really were a parent and really had a kid you'd want to know." He glanced at Ed with the insight. It was a strong valid point, but Fullmetal was just swirling his pop tart in his sauce.
"You need a physical." He deadpan reading one of the office papers. Ed nod. "And they want you to take sports."
"I'll take one." Ed said casually. "What do they give me?"
"What do you want?" He asked looking at the list.
"Something where I can punch stuff."
"They're not going to let you box with that Fullmetal." He gave the boy a look when Ed made a fist with the automail.
"Then something I can kick."
"Soccer."
"Too cliche."
"Soccer."
"Fine." Ed sighed. The boy gave him a pen and he began sighing and initialing. Course outlines, emergency contact information, dates, and reviews.
"We'll get your physical tomorrow morning. They seem like they want you to have it badly." He said picking up the paper and moving to the phone. Ed grabbed another pop tart. "They said they want you to have it by the end of the week so we'll over achieve." He chuckled as he dialed Hawkeye. "Sign up for soccer tomorrow."
"Will do pops." Ed answered around his food before chugging his juice. He lift an eyebrow.
"Don't call me that." Hawkeye picked up. "Ever." He add as she greet him. "Again." He clarified.
"Breakfast foods!" Ed yelled locking the door behind him and racing to the car as he climbed in. "I am talking about having breakfast foods in the house so we can have breakfast." Ed growled climbing in wearing his uniform and he waited for the boy to buckle with his hand on the key. Ed looked recovered from the move, energetic and ready to go with the dress shirt only flattering him. He was pleased the transition into this mission had gone so well, before the absence of what they needed brought a frown to his face.
"Where's your bookbag?"
"Ah! Damnt." Ed growled shoving the door open and running back for the house.
"We're going to be late!"
"I know!" Ed answered unlocking the door and running in before emerging with the bag and locking it again. " Stupid bookbag." Ed threw it to the floor and buckled. "Go. Drive, go."
"Backseat driver." Ed sighed and slouched down. "Do you have gym today?" He asked and Ed mumbled confirmation. "Good. Make sure you don't slip up with Havoc. And make sure he doesn't slip up." He ordered and Ed grinned. "And you better be wearing your briefs cause they're going to notice."
"I am not, but I brought 'em." Ed sighed and he threw the boy a look. "I said I brought em! I am not going to the doctor in 'em, and get off my case about them Colonel! I don't pry into your personal life!" Ed yelled at him giving the dash board a kick looking more exhausted and miserable with the topic than angry.
"This isn't your personal life, this is-"
"Yes it is! So just let it go!" Ed snapped and he gave his head a shake and held his tongue. Patient. Friendly. Patient. Friendly. "How long is this gonna take? They seen automail before, or are they gonna try and dissect me on the table?" Ed grumbled climbing out before he completely stopped and he bit his tongue. Patient! Friendly! Patient! Friendly!
"Do I look like a doctor?" He couldn't keep his sarcasm hidden as he followed Ed to the clinics main doors. "Don't be so touchy." He suggest, but he could see Ed's stiff shoulders and tense back though his shirt. "It'll be fine Edward." He said gently laying his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"If they haven't seen it before they get weird. Pretending like they're trying to make sure I am healthy, but they're just curious." Ed muttered turning to him before brushing his hand off. "And don't lay your hands on me like I need support. I am the one who had these put on me." Ed raised the automail hand and made a fist. Showing him the metal, the strength, the coldness. "I paid for it. I endured it. And I'll pound these people's faces in with it if they touch it." Ed growled and he nod to appease the boy. The automail, he knew was a sensitive subject and Ed's words were dripping with emotion and frustration. The boy was animated and almost jumpy below him and rant all the way to the door before forcing himself to calm and allowing him to take the lead to keep up appearances.
"Elric." He smiled to the receptionist as they appeared. "For ten fifteen." He informed and the woman flipped through some files before letting them know someone would be right with them. They moved into the lobby and took a seat. "You're so nervous." He state the obvious when Ed sunk down next to him.
"It's weird being away from Aru like this." Ed mumbled giving him a weak smile, but the boy's knee was bouncing. "I bet they've never seen automail in their life." Ed finally growled shifting in his chair with eyes fixed on his bouncing knee.
"Edward." He said quietly but Ed didn't even glance at him, the boy was steadying himself for something. Preparing like a gladiator to take something big. The end could be coming, quickly.
"They going to be as thorough as the military?" Ed asked to his lap watching his knee. He sat studying the boy. "The military is thorough."
"Yes they're...pretty thorough." He sighed relating with experience. "But probably not here, this is a town, not a contract."
"Man I had nothing left to hide after that one." Ed turned to him with a shaky grin and he smiled as well.
"You're going to be fine." He reassured wishing Hawkeye were there. He was scanning his brain for directions she might have offered for Ed regarding nervousness, but she hadn't left anything more than patient and friendly. Somehow she thought these two words could get him through everything. "You'll go in and be fine, and then we'll go to school." Ed nod with a sound of acknowledgment, but the knee only bounced a little quicker. "And...It will be fine." He repeat himself trying to think of what other friendly phrases he could use before gently laying his hand on Ed's. "It's you're second day, still rough." He add quietly. "It will get better." He whispered
"Elric?" A nurse called.
"I'll be back." Ed was up and out of his chair before the boy could even respond and he watched him go. Ed was nervous as hell, but only he could see it in the boy's shoulders. Ed hid it well and greet the nurse briefly before following her down the hall and he felt concern for the boy. He'd never seen Ed so nervous in his life. There was a payphone before the lobby and the second the boy was out of sight he went to it and dialed Hawkeye. "Do you have Ed's personal file with you?" She was instantly confused.
"What's wrong?" She asked and he could hear papers moving as she looked for the boy's file.
"I need to know if he has any phobias he's not telling me about." He said and there was rustling before he heard a drawer.
"Where are you?"
"Town clinic for his physical."
"He sees Havoc today. Tell him to make sure he doesn't slip up, and Havoc doesn't slip up."
He grunt. "Already did."
"I don't have it. It's in Central." She report sounding disappointed and he nod.
"Ok. I have someone else I can call." He glanced to the lobby feeling like he shouldn't have left his chair. As if he left his post and deserted the boy. It was odd, this feeling of attachment, it shouldn't be because Ed was not really in his care, and yet because he assured the boy it would be fine and Ed left with the understanding he would be right there, he felt he shouldn't have left. He hung up with Hawkeye and dialed quickly down to Central hoping that the voice which picked up would be there.
"Hello?" Alphonse asked sounding surprised someone was calling.
"Alphonse it's Roy." He informed feeling even more out of sorts when he couldn't properly announce himself with the same umph and force as he normally did. "I need some information from you." He explained quickly.
"Information?" Alphonse sounded confused and slightly worried.
"Does your brother have any phobias I should know about?" He asked and the line was quiet and he felt Alphonse's turmoil over releasing personal information so freely. "You need to tell me this Alphonse we're in a mission and it's crucial." He remind the boy firmly.
"Did he have a nightmare?"
"What?" He made a face. "No. I need to know if he has any phobias, be quick about this please. I shouldn't be phoning you."
"Well, not any that are coming to mind. I am not sure what you're asking." Alphonse sounded confused and he was getting frustrated with the kid. He needed the boy to tell him why Ed was so nervous.
"He seemed worried to me, worried that a doctor might touch his automail."
"A doctor? Why would a doctor touch his automail? Why is he seeing a doctor? Is everything ok colonel? Can I talk to Ed?" Alphonse was spitting questions and fast. One right after the other like bullets. He brought his hand to his face before to the side of the phone and gripped it.
"For a physical, everything is fine. You don't know why that would bother him?" He asked before Alphonse gasp like he figured this out.
"Well ni-san never really liked doctors, but he's not scared of them. Although he is scared of needles. That's a phobia he has!" Alphonse announced cheerfully like he'd struck gold. He frowned at the ludicrously he was having to endure. Number Six: Lunacy.
"How scared?"
"Is he getting one?"
"I am not sure. How scared is he of them?" He asked and Alphonse became more reluctant now.
"Scared enough." Alphonse supplied. "If it becomes a problem colonel make sure he doesn't look at it. If he looks at it, you're done for. Tell him to turn away."
"What? Me? No, I am not telling him this. I just needed to know." He said firmly. He was not becoming involved He was not being drug into this lunacy.
"Alright then." Alphonse said sounding relieved. "I hope the mission is running smoothly Colonel." He felt frustrated. Frustrated and irritated by this boy who did not know, and could not know the stupid things he was having to put up with because of this boy's brother.
"It is. Thank you. Good day." He hung up fast, slightly harder than he should have and started stalking for his chair. He was going to sit down, wait for Ed and then belittle and make fun of the boy all the way down to the school he left him at. Yes. Yes that would be the plan and he was anxious to carry it out before spotting the young nurse searching lobby. She had apparently gone to his empty chair and while scanning for places he might have gone, spot him and seemed relieved.
"Sir, I am so sorry to bother you but the doctor has asked that I come and get you." She informed leaving him no choice but to follow her nice curvy form towards the back hall of many doors where the exam rooms were. It wasn't like he could refuse. What type of father refused to participate in their own child's health? "It's this door here sir." She said before knocking gently and cracking the door for him. She motioned he take it and he stepped in and closed it behind him.
The room was small, as were all exam rooms. Counter and desk at the back wall, exam table and two waiting chairs to his left, before one chair matching the exam table to his right. Ed looked up and sighed on sight of him peeled down to his boxers in this chair. "So they went and got you huh." Ed turned his face away shaking his head. "Having a fake parent is beginning to become a pain in the ass." Ed growled and he frowned where he stood looking the boy over. Ed's knee was bouncing in this chair now and the boy sat hunched forward breathing irregularly.
"Ed what's wrong with you? Straighten up." He scold moving to stand in front of the boy but his words made Ed sink down further. "For crying out loud you're a national state alchemist." He whispered before looking up when the door opened and the doctor reappeared. He was older than he would have guessed, but came complete with the trade mark white coat and stethoscope about his neck.
"You must be the father." The man gave his hand a shake with a polite smile. It was getting weirder and weirder for people to greet him like this. "It seems young Edward here has a fear of needles." The doctor informed cheerily.
"Small. A small fear." Ed snapped watching the man pass with his eyes. The old man moved to the counter and Ed perked up on sight of this becoming worse where he sat.
"I tried to give him this and he nearly jumped out of his skin." The man informed turning to him needle in hand and he saw Ed's eyes spark on sight of it. Alphonse was right. Ed got ten times worse seeing the needle and the boy was almost wiggling when the doctor came over and moved near the left flesh shoulder. Ed began leaning away with his top half. Struggling. The boy was holding his breath before releasing it in fast exhales uncomfortably. He was memorized by this. Ed appeared so much smaller inside this one-size-fits-all chair in nothing but cotton shorts trying to pull his eyes from the needle.
"Give me a second-give me a second!" Ed snapped pushing the doctor back when he rubbed the boy's shoulder with some alcohol. "Doc!" Ed snapped moving in his chair and jumping away from the old man. He was entranced by the boy's face. Ed looked worried out of his mind, the small nose was scrunched and those sly cocky eyes were cringing and pinched at the brow wide and scared. This was an expression he'd never seen before. He'd never seen Ed scared of anything, or worried about something. The boy was always a wise ass, always smart mouthed, always angry. He was never scared, or worried. Ed was an invincible boy due to the fact he didn't have emotions other than Angry and Mad. He loved to taunt this boy because Angry and Mad were fun emotions to play with, and frustrating Ed was often amusing for him. "Ok! Not Yet!" Ed yelled when the old man took his arm trying to reassure him. Ed was trembling where he sat as the man brought the needle to his arm and prepared to jab. "Aru, Aru!" Ed yelled trying to yank his arm away and he laid a hand on the doctor's shoulder stopping him. He didn't like hearing the cries for the younger brother. It disturbed him.
When the doctor moved Ed was revealed looking up at him with a mixture of wild embarrassment and desperate need. "Ok. Stand up." He ordered beckoning Ed forward and when Ed didn't move he pulled him up by his arm. "Just relax for a minute. Move a little bit, shake it off." He ordered but Ed was like stone where he stood, and no longer wanted to look at him so he shook the boy. "Alright now sit down." He pushed Ed to his butt, and Ed slumped down without his bouncing knee. "Now look at me, and only at me. You're not looking at the needle. He's going to give it to you, and it's going to be done." He ordered firmly. "This is stopping here Ed. How much time do you think we can spend at this clinic?" He scold and Ed was puffing heavy breaths through the lecture. Things weren't getting better. He could see it in Ed's face. He was making it worse, but this was the only way he knew to behave. This was the only course of action he knew. Lecture the boy to improvement. "It's one needle, now straighten up." He finished.
"Mr. Elric he needs four." The doctor informed, and the man took his plan. This plan that involved calming Ed and getting the needle in his arm, hung it up and beat it to death with a stick. The small amount he had distracted Ed was gone after the announcement of four shots and he gave the man a look.
"Can I have a moment with my son." He frowned and the doctor sat the needle down and left. He was impressed. All he needed to do was add the fact Ed was his child and people moved faster than when he said he was the boy's colonel. "Ed." He turned to the boy once they were alone.
"This is ridiculous I know, I can't-you don't understand see-I just." Ed was fumbling with his words running his hand over his face, and rubbing his automail into his hair. "I have this fear of needles it's-" He cut the boy off pulling him back up. "I can stand, stop pulling me." Ed made a face and tugged his arm away, but the boy was still trembling.
"Walk it off a bit, go on walk. Walk over there." He point to the corner of the room and Ed sighed taking those few steps over before coming back and standing. "Now sit down." He ordered and Ed sat as the old man knocked before entering. Taking note of his discrete nod to the needles he stood in front of Ed. Very close. Close enough he made the boy lean back away from him feeling invaded. "Alright look over there." He ordered pointing to the wall.
"Why? I want to know when he's going to give it to me." Ed argued getting jittery as he shook his head.
"Well you're not going to. Now do it or I'll Court-" He stopped dead gasping when he realized he couldn't threaten the boy and his mind ran racing to find out what he could do. What was normal!? How did parents threaten their children! If he threatened to smack Ed one would the doctor be upset? If he said he'd take off his belt? Or send the boy to his room? Or take away his very much beloved toy? What was it Ed loved he could take? Couldn't take Alphonse, he made the boy stay in Central. "Or so help me, you're not getting any dinner." He threatened firmly.
"What?!" Ed looked shocked. Perhaps this was the first time anyone had ever said that to the boy. Surely the boy's mother never would have deprived him of food. He got the impression she was a saint and probably nurtured each of her children with tender loving words never having to strongly discipline them. He did however. He pushed Ed's head to face the wall and took the boy's flesh hand and held it. "Now don't you dare move your head." He ordered nodding for the doctor to begin.
"Is he getting ready?" Ed asked unable to keep himself in check and wait for it. "Roy? Is he going to stick me with it?" Ed asked urgently before shuddering when he was stuck. Ed flinched appropriately, but then went rock hard squeezing the arm rest with his automail. "That was one? Was that just one!" Ed demand before jerking when the doctor stuck him again only an inch below the first spot. He was encouraging the doctor to hurry before startling with the strong cold that suddenly bit his left hand. Ed's automail had snatched out and grabbed it. He was surprised, and he knew it showed, but Ed never got to see it. The boy's eyes were jammed, bearing his clenched teeth doing all he could to sit still. Ed's spindly arm looked pitiful trembling and getting jabbed with needles until the forth was done and the doctor stood up
"There. Not so bad." The old man smiled and Ed opened his eyes slowly. Creeping back to life cautiously before slowly dropping his hand and bringing it to his arm. Ed now had four brightly colored band-aids running down his shoulder. Green. Orange. Blue. Purple. He watched the boy touch the band-aids gently before laying his metal hand over them and closing his eyes. The automail would serve as an ice pack, but he understood Ed was recovering now. "You did well son." The doctor encouraged and Ed reopened his eyes looking defeated. Patronized even. Belittled. "I am just going to have you open your mouth for me." The man direct picking up a tongue depressor.
"I'll be in the lobby." He turned and left. He felt his part was done, and so many parts of him wanted to leave it was crazy. His inner workings were for the time being a tall city building in the slums with no air conditioning. He had emotions frazzled and irritable hanging from every window trying to catch a breeze and relax but it was no use. He added an item to his list. Number Seven: Shots.
"Hawkeye said to tell you to watch Havoc and make sure he doesn't slip up, and to watch yourself and make sure you don't slip up." He said breaking the silence in the car. After he waited in the lobby for twenty additional minutes Ed emerged in front of him standing in his uniform. The boy was silent, and for the entire drive toward the school had not said a word. When it finally came into view he spoke and turned to the boy who had been continuously tugging at his shirt sleeve, trying to make it cover all the band-aids. "Understand?"
"Don't mess up. Got it." Ed mumbled grabbing his bookbag and hopping out when he pulled up. The boy didn't look at him nor say more. He was left watching with that same tugging sense of concern he'd felt when he'd left his lobby chair. Ed head for the school tugging the bookbag higher and looking down as he walked. He had a distinct feeling something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Point!" Havoc announced when the volleyball slammed into the left side of the gym and hit the ground before anyone on the blue team got to it. "White team rotate" Havoc yelled lounging on the bleachers in his gym clothes grinning. Being a gym teacher was apparently better than being in the military and he'd be enjoying his lazy job all day today if it wasn't for his mission. Infiltrating the teaching staff had been easy. He was social and fun loving, and flirtatious and it was easy to see that the culprit of course was not a woman. For a school the feminine teaching staff had proven to be...promising. "Blue team what are you doing!" Havoc yelled sitting up a bit and frowning at the small group of boys who had stepped up to the net and were talking through it directly to Ed and the player on his side. Havoc's yell had them stepping back throwing dirty looks at Fullmetal. All day Ed seemed to be attracting other students while in class like his automail was a magnet. After his yell Ed glanced at him, and Havoc could tell with just that quick view of the boy's face he was pissed.
Havoc taught gym class to the three students pestering the boy, and from his few classes with them prior had learned they were all very popular. They were well known about the school to both kids and faculty as families with lots of money. With the addition of Ed today they had become even worse to handle. Havoc's typical gym class encompassed at least twenty kids, all of them with black shorts and white t-shirts. The classes were not co-ed, and he loved the girls class most of all. Since the boys had come in, it had been constant noise. The ball was up in play for volleyball and they were actively competitive.
Slam the ball hit the court after a suspicious spike by Ed landed it a foot from Tommy Mahoonies body. Tommy was first in the gang of his snobby students, seconded by Jeffery and Sam who were always with him. "Point!" Havoc announced.
"He's cheating!" Tommy yelled pointing at Ed who stood there grinning. "Get off the team Elric!"
"Why don't you cross that net and say it to my face." Ed retort glaring back at the boy and he got to his feet watching this unfold.
"Cut it out guys!" Havoc yelled giving Ed a look when the boy turned to him and Havoc motioned for the game to continue. "Serve the ball! Play damnt." Havoc ordered and the ball was up and running. It was becoming tense and the teams were hitting hard. Seconds later Tommy spiked and almost took Ed out but the boy's automail slammed the ball back into the air.
"You freak." Tommy yelled and Ed backed up a step silently watching the ball before it slammed down a foot from Tommy again. "He's cheating!" Tommy protest when Havoc raised a hand to signal the point and sent a wave to the coach.
"I don't want to hear anything about cheating Tommy." Havoc frowned at the boy whom turned a dirty viscous look to Ed making the boy grinning wider if possible. "And Ed wipe that smile off your face." Havoc snapped and Ed turned to him in shock before catching the ball with his eyes and making a move for it. Havoc watched this, following the ball and watching the boys who were exchanging insults when they couldn't make an attempt to indirectly hit each other.
"Why don't we snap that car part off and see how good you are." Tommy chuckled.
"Why don't I put this car part through your teeth." Ed retort. Both boys spoke with eyes glued to the ball waiting for the first chance to slam it. They had hands balled to fists, arms tense. They were going to kill each other soon, insults didn't seem to be doing it.
"You freak. What happened to your real arm? Your mama sell 'em to pay her pimp?" Tommy laughed but Ed's head snapped off the ball frozen with rage.
Havoc started for the court the second he saw this happened.
"That's right." Tommy sounded pleased he'd found the nerve he was looking for. "Low class freak. You look like a freak and everyone here knows it I am just the only one saying it. You don't belong in this school." Ed twitched. Havoc was almost off the bleachers. " I can't even imagine how they let you in." Tommy spit. "I can't imagine how you could afford it. Or maybe that's where you real limbs went." Tommy laughed. "Or maybe that's why your mom has a pimp." Ed was charging forward.
"Alright!" Havoc snapped putting the game into time out and grabbing Ed by the arm when he raced past him. "Tommy I had enough of you. Get the hell off my court!" Havoc yelled flinging his arm to the shower as the coach came out of the office to survey the yelling.
"What sir!" Tommy yelled. "But he started it sir!" The boy argued.
"I don't even care Tommy. Get out of my sight." Havoc ordered pointing and Tommy threw a look at Ed, and Havoc could feel the boy heaving in his arms. Once Tommy started leaving Ed jerked his automail from Havoc's grasp watching the boy leave. "And Ed you hit the showers." Havoc ordered giving the boy a shove and Ed turned to him with wide eyes like he were a backstabbed.
"What!" The boy yelled.
"You heard me. Off the court." Havoc ordered. "We don't want unnecessary attention." Havoc add quietly.
"But you heard what he said! That asshole! That's bullshit! Why the hell should I have to!"
"Just go Ed."
"That's Stupid! I am not-"
"Elric!" The coach yelled from their office doorway. He was an older man with a strong voice, and it boomed over the court turning Ed to the man instantly. "Get over here!" The man yelled firmly pointing to the space at his feet. Havoc gave the boy lazy eyes when Ed glanced at him hesitating before crossing the gym. He watched Ed report to the man walking a little faster than usual, but still proving stubborn. This was exhausting, Ed's class was now at the bottom of Havoc's fun list and the man turned back to the waiting children all watching.
"Well? Serve the ball! Fill in for them!" Havoc ordered with a smile and the kids started up again allowing him to move his eyes to Ed who was standing in front of the couch getting the shit kicked out of his ears. It was a suitable scolding and Ed was making it worse by continuously arguing. At the school, things did not work like they did in the military. Havoc saw the coach's patients deteriorating as he shook a finger in Ed's talking face before hauling him into the hallway by his ear. The sound of the ball hitting the court brought him back to the game. "Point! Rotate!" Havoc yelled and the kids moved and served freely with less tension and began to enjoy the game. Havoc let this play for a bit before crossing the court to the coach and leaning into the wall next to the man who now sat with his clipboard.
"That Elric's gotta mouth on him." The man grumbled watching the kids play. "I am not taking that kind of lip, and neither are you. Don't let these kids walk on you James." The man direct pointing to the playing kids. "They think cause they're daddies got a lot of money they can do whatever they want. And sometimes that's true. But here in my court I make the rules." The man said before turning to him with a grunt. "Right?"
"Right." Havoc agreed smiling with the man's warm and deep laugh.
"You handled Tommy right. But Elric's gonna be running laps for me." The coach chuckled standing up and handing over the clipboard. "I have to run some errands can you cover?"
"No prob." Havoc salute taking the board.
"James you don't need to salute." The man laughed and Havoc ran his hand down his thigh embarrassed.
"Sorry. Odd habit."
"Make him run four, don't care if it takes him an hour." The coach direct turning to go with a yawn. "And he gets his demerits out in the hall there for the remainder of class. Good day today James. Good day." The man congratulate slapping his shoulder as he wiggled his eyebrows a bit watching the man go. Havoc let the kids finish playing before against his better judgment allowing them to dismiss fifteen minute early.
"Have a nice day guys! See you tomorrow!" Havoc yelled raising an arm and tossing it to the lockers and the boys filed out quickly disappearing into the locker room before after ten minutes reappearing in uniform in groups and singles filing out the door into the hall. When Tommy emerged the boy shot him a glance before hooting and making some rather loud shouts in the hall. "Damn kid." Havoc growled stomping out there and glaring at the boy who had Ed on his feet ready to attach again. "Tommy so help me."
"He got up on his own!" Tommy point to Ed raising his hands in mock surrender. "You oughtta punish him for that coach. He got up! It's only fair. He violated his demerit. I saw it. It's fair. I didn't do anything!" Tommy called through a wide smile as he backed down the hallway.
"I am gonna be punishing you in a second if you don't get out of my hall." Havoc growled and Tommy took off.
"Yes sir! Thanks for teaching class today Sir! See you!" Tommy called as his two buddies raced from him and seconds later they were laughing and looking back at Ed as they ran. He felt bad for the boy, and Ed stood glaring back quietly before simply dropping back to his knees where he'd been put. He was suffering his demerits facing the wall in the hall and had withstood every snide remark his passing classmates had delivered. "Get up Ed." Havoc said staring into the hall rather than looking at the boy. Ed took a minute before climbing to his feet and glaring at him. "Lets go." Havoc motioned for Ed to follow with his clipboard. "We're going outside." Havoc explained as they entered the large gym again. They crossed the court together, surrounded only by the high white walls, the shining floor, and expensive nets and ropes. Nothing but the sound of their sneakers. "You can't let yourself get so worked up Ed." Havoc advised. "This school is crazy, you're lucky the coach didn't bust your ass." Havoc warned turning to the boy, but Ed was ignoring him and staring off to the side. Ed's face was a frown but there was a mixture of defeat and abandonment poured in. There were more words Havoc wanted to offer, but he held his tongue unsure of how to offer them and they left through the backdoor. From there they crossed the short lawn to the beautifully maintained track. It was warm out, with a short breeze. "The coach has got you running laps for your stunt back there, but I am sure he told you." Havoc informed casually. Ed continued past him when he stopped.
"Prick." Ed hissed while passing. Ed simply moved to the second row and got ready to run.
"Whenever you're ready." Havoc sighed backing up and leaning against the fence which bordered the field. Ed ignored him, and the boy was still for a moment before taking off. Havoc watched the boy run. Ed was running hard, angry and mad. Charging into the track like he wanted to kill it. "This is so messed up." Havoc sighed tipping his head back and watching the clouds. He had been on the phone with Hawkeye going over blueprints last night and he hadn't been able to uncover anything. So far the staffing in the school was boring and anal with some lookers. The students snots or nerds, and then there were a few who were a mix of both and they were the scariest. This town was filled with spoiled rich kids who thought they were all somebody's and if he wasn't a teacher he'd be gagging. The school strictly prohibited any backtalk or swearing, most likely to save staffing like himself. Havoc had plenty of time to read the conduct booklets and have other teachers advise him of what to do and when. Frankly with the lack of entertainment and anything suspicious he was getting worried for Ed. If the boy kept up like this, he was going to be in a whole world of mess. Already he saw the kids ostracizing the boy because of the automail, and combined with Tommy's fat mouth... Havoc sighed looking back up as Ed came running to the line panting hard and doubling over to rest his hands on his knees.
"One more." Havoc raised a finger and Ed looked up at him puffing breaths.
"You're a backstabbing Bastard."
"Come on Ed, I didn't do this." Havoc argued. "I have to listen to the coach Ed, here he's the colonel. What happens if I get fired for not doing what I am supposed to?" Havoc scold as Ed caught his breath. "Don't put me in this position." Ed took off down the track shaking his head. "Damnt." Havoc sighed; he couldn't deny he felt responsible, like he'd stabbed Ed in the back a bit. Even though it was the coach that sentenced Ed when he threw them both to the respective showers, it still didn't feel right. Tommy had a fat mouth, and the kid was one little shit for saying what he did. Havoc didn't blame Ed for wanting to beat him up. If that had been him he would have wanted to as well. "Alright Ed. Hit the showers." Havoc ordered when the boy reached the line for the last time. Ed was begging for air where he stood before looking up with a glare. "You're pretty fast." Havoc offered the boy's hateful face a word of encouragement, but Ed just stood up and walked past him before disappearing into the building.
"All of which are very important. Especially when in reference to the periodic table." The professor spoke. A Science major, he was short and always wore the same gray sweater over daily rotating outfits. "Class pay attention up here." The man barked when he looked up and noticed some diversion. "Tommy, the front of the room please."
"Sorry sir." Tommy said and the teacher nod moving back to his chart before sending a wondering eye to the odd new boy who sat lazily watching his teachings with no one to sit with. The boy had not been participating, or even paying much attention since the beginning of his lectures. Instead the professor noticed his new student's eyes wondering to the window or engaging in less than desired student traits.
"I'll expect your homework all to be done thoroughly and I want you each to relate the topic to the periodic elements." The professor instruct watching the boys in his room. Tommy seemed preoccupied with the new student, and neither of them were paying any attention. They're eyes were always on each other making small gestures, it was out of line for classroom behavior. The professor stopped lecturing and simply watched them hiss an argument back and forth entirely unaware teaching had ceased. "If you two don't stop it this instant I'll have you both up here reciting each and every element!" The professor scold giving his desk a smack startling both pairs of eyes forward. "Can you do that Tommy?"
"No sir." The boy shook his head obediently.
"Or you Edward?"
"Yes."
"As I thought, I-" The professor stopped dead with the response and slowly the entirely class turned to face the small new boy who kept defying teachers and starting fights. "Excuse me?" The professor asked adjusting his glasses.
"I can recite them all." Ed repeat firmly and some snickers trickled out.
"Well then do it Edward, and stand up." The professor ordered and the boy stood up at his desk and inhaled before the elements started coming. One after the other.
"What's this. Do you know what this it?" Roy asked and Ed glanced at the box Roy held up before shaking his head. Hunger had driven them to the market, but so far the trip was not proving a success. "Ed pick stuff out and put it in the cart because I want to eat the stuff I am picking out myself." He grumbled and Ed gave a groan and head down the market aisle still in his school uniform. Roy had spent all day with Hawkeye going over information Havoc had provided. All of it research of the schools staff and possible targets, before picking Ed up and beginning the monotonously suicidal task of grocery shopping.
"Here I'll eat this." Ed appeared dumping an armful of goods into the cart.
"None of this is healthy."
"I'll bear the risk." Ed shrugged offering a grin.
"Hawkeye said you have to pick two healthy foods and she's right. If you get sick or die you're of no use to me." He spoke to the soup cans he was scanning before picking one and tossing it to the cart. Ed stood glaring at him and didn't move until he turned back to the boy and countered the look with one of his own.
"Fine." Ed seethed reaching to the side and knocking two cans of corn into the cart. "I'll eat corn."
"Ah, farm country food." He smiled. "Feeling nostalgic for simpler things Edward?" He asked selecting another soup and tossing it in but Ed didn't answer. The boy stared at him looking angry and hurt.
"Screw you Roy." Ed growled stomping from him and he was confused watching Ed push his way from the market to stand outside. Through the window he watched the boy with arms crossed over his chest frowning to the ground. Fuery watched this from the cashiers post as well before sending him an odd glance.
He disregard the glance.
"Excuse me."
He stepped aside for a middle aged woman with a small basket and pushed his cart forward wishing he could have brought Hawkeye. Most everything in this market included baking and he didn't have any experience baking. From the corner of his eyes he watched the woman who passed him shop. She seemed to know what she wanted, and when she didn't she would select an item and read the back. This seemed like a solid plan. He picked up a can of soup and read the back.
He had traveled up the aisle and discovered the cake mix by the time Ed came back inside shivering. It was too cold to stand outside this late and the boy looked sour as he came back before standing alongside the cart.
"How much longer Roy?" Ed asked impatiently and he frowned.
"If you wanted to help this would go quicker." He scold quietly looking to the woman who perked up with their conversation. Ed gave the side of the cart a kick with these words and she smiled.
"Well if it isn't the boy who knows complicated square roots right off the top of his head." She spoke to them and Ed whirled toward her voice startled. "Edward, nice to see you out of class." The woman greet, but Ed didn't respond. "You must be the father. My name is Mrs. Jingkle." She smiled extending a hand and he gave it a polite shake. "Your son is very gifted Mr. Elric. He's quite a wiz in my classroom." She informed sending a smile to Ed, but the boy avert his eyes.
"Thank you. That's flattering him I am sure." He said giving her a smile, but she shook her head.
"Oh no. He's quite good. In fact he seems to enjoy showing up some of the students." Mrs. Jingle said turning her words into part scolding and sending that to Ed as well. "But I am sure he's told you all about that."
"Yes well..." He trailed. Women and their mind games. He contemplated adding this to his list of things he hated and thus would never have kids for but he couldn't get the wording to work.
"In fact he's spent some time with demerits while in my classroom for just that. That and your son has quite a fast mouth on him." He turned to Ed with this news but Ed was ignoring their entire conversation. "But he does have an A. I do help he does well on his final." She said shifting her basket a bit higher and giving them a nod. "It was so nice to meet you. Edward, see you in class." She smiled and he gave her a departure and apologized for his son's behavior. He waited until she had made it an aisle away before turning to Ed.
"What was that?" He asked low and Ed glanced down the aisle as though the boy hadn't heard him.
"I'll be in the car." Ed muttered heading for the door and he became angry and moved to ring out. He didn't care what food they had he wanted to leave. He wanted to yell at Fullmetal the way he usually did. He wanted to put his foot down and say he was the colonel. To yell at subordinates as he saw fit to yell at subordinates. Not have people walking away from him! Not have people keeping secrets from him and blowing their cover and mission! He rang up irritable and Fuery signaled he would call Hawkeye later with any information.
In the end he only had five bags and managed to carry them all himself. He even managed to open the back of the car, and by this time he was really pissed. "If you don't get back here and help me." He snarled and his tone had Ed climbing out to help him. "You won't eat I swear it." He add and Ed pulled a bag from him and pushed it in. Together they packed the
car and drove in silence with Ed sitting half on his legs in the seat drawing on their fogging window. "Who was that lady? You're math teacher?" He finally asked breaking the silence.
"Math. Third period." Ed deadpan to the window.
"You got in trouble in her class?" He asked taking a soft right jostling Ed's arm for a moment.
"Wasn't any big deal."
"She said she gave you demerits. That you were in demerits. That mean it was big enough to do more than scold you." He said before moving his eyes back to the road when his voice started getting firm and scolding. Patient. Friendly. "What happened?" He asked kindly but Ed shrugged where he sat.
"Nothing."
He nod taking a moment to think back to his days in private school and how tough it was. He remembered demerits from his day and they weren't fun. Several small instances came to mind and he remembered what it was like to feel all alone in a big place. "Was it embarrassing?" He asked and Ed was silent. "Did she make you do something real obnoxious like..." He trailed trying to remember something that had happened to him.
"No, because nothing happened." Ed turned to him frowning. "Besides, I think I found a suspect."
"What do you have?" He became interested.
"His name is Tommy Mahon-whatever, and he's god damn obnoxious so I was thinking, we could just pin it all on him. Blackmail. We could do it." Ed gave him a grin and he chuckled. "What did you get to eat by the way I am starving."
"I don't even know." He admit turning into the driveway and Ed was out of the car before he stopped. "Ed one of these days I am going to run some, or all of you over." He scold getting out as Ed opened the back of the car and started pulling groceries out.
"Yea, you wish." Ed laughed grabbing two bags and starting for the door, and he grabbed the rest. "How's it going with me being allowed to call my brother. Good or not so good?" Ed asked depositing the bags on the counter before knocking them over to empty them.
"Not so good." He said simply. "Like off limits not good."
"Yeah." Ed sighed slowly thinking about his answer and he watched it register in Ed's face. It was a quick hard frown that then disappeared completely, like nothing had happened. "So." Ed turned to him as he unpacked some boxes into the lower cabinets. "I've been waiting for it but it just hasn't come yet. Why you holding back?" Ed asked leaning into the counter lazily.
"What do you mean."
"I mean you saw me with my pants down, quivering from a little needle and I haven't heard one comment yet." He laughed out loud and Ed let him. The boy stood there grinning and waiting for his answer.
"I just haven't thought of any good ones yet." He explained and Ed faked a laugh while giving him a look.
"That's good." Ed droned sarcastically. "Something to look forward for." Ed add pulling things from one of the shopping bags before unpacking the cake mix. For a moment Ed held the small box confused before holding it up. "Let's eat this." Ed smiled pulling out the rest of the boxes starting around the counter.
"Be my guest." He motioned to the oven while unpacking. "Cooking is not my strong suit."
"We need to do something about a washing machine too Roy." Ed add tearing open the box. "Cause underwear doesn't grow on trees."
"Neither does socks" He sighed bringing a box of cookies to the cabinet before just opening the package and eating. "Neither does socks."
Ok That was Chapter Two! Hope you liked it-Please-Let me know what you guys think!
Chapter 3: School Nurses will be up next Friday 03/07/08
Thank you to everyone who reviewed!
To all of you who sent little emails to me by signing up for chapter alerts, shame, shame on you for not saying anything. Lol Was it so hard to click the review and add to alert list button? Come on, if you want to read more you must have like it…or hated it…lol either way, please let me know what you think, it means a lot!
To those of you who reviewed:
EdwarsLover: I will continue to update every Friday :) 03/07/08 Hope that makes it easy! I hate reading and then waiting for so long I forget I was even reading the story or what was happening to get an update. I try to keep that from happening with my own fics.
disagd1: Thanks so much for your review! I am glad you're enjoying it, this fic may be one of my older ones, but I had a lot of fun writing it. Stay tuned for some action and drama. Hehe.
Horselvr4evr123: Thank you for the grammar comment. I am trying my best and still learning. Though I am embarrassed to say I am a college student and my stories are still produced with so many errors…writing APA papers and writing fanfics is really different. Any pointers you can throw me would be appreciated. I have done some more editing in attempt to appease you however.
jenelric: I am a huge fan of parentalRoy as well. I really loved how this fic turned out, and I am thrilled you're enjoying it. Please let me know what you think as the plot develops. It's hard because you want to make them all lovey dovey, but you know…you need to control yourself.
seasnake.756: Thanks. I really liked your comment. I can't rush stories; I never have and have never been able to. I think you lose a lot of readers with fanfics when you can't rush but, I like to read plot, and I like to write it. I am glad I could give you something that at least made you respond. The greatest feedback is any response at all. Thanks.
merichuel: Thanks so much!!! I love little Ed in this fic too. It's so easy to watch the anime and just get lost on the fact he was just a little baby when all that stuff was going on. Ed seems like he's got a lot in control, but stop and think of other 12 or 14 year old kids you know, and it puts things in perspectives. I had a blast putting him a setting where he was forced to be a kid. Please keep reviewing me, and I update every Friday so chapter 3 will be up soon. Thanks again!
foreverforgotten5: Thanks so much for your review! You sounded so excited I smiled when I read it. I am thrilled you're enjoying it and hopefully you liked this chapter as well, the plots starting to thicken, right? lol
Thanks again everyone! You took the time to write me, so I took the time to respond : )