Fandom: FMA
Title: Coming To Terms

Pairings: Elricest, OC/Al

Rating: NC 17
Warnings: Incest, yaoi, lemon

Author's Notes: AU, OC

Word Count: 8,257
Status: Incomplete

Disclaimer: Not mine, too bad. Not mine, so sad.

Summary: "Well, well, well." Al looked nervously at Ed, who still leaned in the door to the hallway, looking almost… predatory.

Coming To Terms

Chapter 3

Ed read with single-minded intent, only listening with half an ear as Sam helped Al cook. Suddenly, he felt uneasy, and looked over his book to find Jaxon sitting across the coffee table from him, watching closely.

"Hi," the boy almost chirped.

"Heh, hi," Ed said confounded. "Can I help you?" Why was the boy so fascinated with him?

"I've never met a real live State Alchemist before. And you're the Fullmetal Alchemist. You're famous!"

Ed flushed. "Don't believer everything you hear, kid. I'm simply a person, just like you."

"As if! You're the Hero of the People! You got certified at twelve! Al's teaching me alchemy. Maybe soon I can join the military too, and be a hero like you."

Ed was uncomfortable with this. "The stories about me are greatly exaggerated. Besides, you can be a hero without joining the military. "

"Do you really have a metal arm?" The boy was insatiably curious, but strangely enough, his blunt question did not offend Ed.

"Yes, I do." It felt good for someone to pay attention to him outside the office, even if it was just a little kid. "Do you want to see?" The boy's eagerness struck a warm chord with Ed.

"Do I? You bet!" Jaxon bounced over to stand by Ed's chair.

Ed smiled, and shrugged out of his black jacket, leaving him in his black tank top. "There you go."

"So cool!" Jaxon ran inquisitive fingers up the cool gleaming surface of Ed's arm. "So this is automail. Does it hurt?"

"Sometimes. Especially when it's cold. But it's better than nothing."

"Wow…" Jaxon turned Ed's hand over and began to manipulate the fingers, smiling at the soft clinking sounds.

"How old are you, Jaxon?" Ed asked, staring at the boy's elfin face.

"Thirteen…" He smiled sheepishly. "Well, I'll be thirteen in a month. Sam says he's gonna throw me a birthday party. Do you want to come? I'd love it if you came."

"If I can," Ed said noncommittally. "Would you like to call your parents and tell them you're having dinner here so they won't worry?"

"Oh, I don't have any. Sam took me in about a year ago. That's why this party is so important to me. It's my first. Al is coming. I'd love it if you did too, if you aren't busy that is." Jaxon was peering at the cables in the crook of his elbow now.

"Don't you go to school?"

"Oh, I can't now. I'm too old. I've missed too many years. But Sam's been teaching me, and now Al is too." Jaxon made a face. "I have two teachers!"

"I see. Your parents died a long time ago, didn't they? I'm sorry."

"Oh, its okay now. It was a long time ago. I don't even remember them. Besides, I have Sam and Al now. They make sure I eat right and brush my teeth and all that silly grown up stuff. Sometimes, though, they go a bit overboard. They only let me work with them in the lab for four hours a day. Only four hours! Is that fair, I ask you?" Jaxon sniffed. "That's patently unfair because Al's only two years older than me, and he works for hours and hours and hours."

"Three, actually, Jaxon. Al will be seventeen in 43 days." But who was counting? Ed blinked when Jaxon swarmed into his lap, pushing his arm up to inspect the dark inner workings of his armpit, fingers lightly tracing the flange of metal that covered his upper chest. Ed stifled a laugh. Jaxon's fingers tickled him whenever they slipped onto flesh. "And Al's been working pretty much since he was eleven, like me. But it's no life for you. Enjoy your childhood. It ends all too quickly."

"Jaxon!" Sam's voice shocked them both, making them jump. Jaxon almost tumbled from his lap, but Ed caught him and pressed him to his chest.

"Get off of Mr. Elric's lap right now and leave him alone!" Sam was standing dismayed in the door between the kitchen and living room.

Ed held up his metal hand. "He's fine. I don't mind." He wistfully patted Jaxon's luxurious chestnut hair. "We're getting acquainted here, and I've been invited to a birthday party. I'd like to accept if that's alright."

Jaxon grinned up at him happily, Sam smiled hesitatingly, and Al simply stared at his brother in surprise.

"Yeah, that would be fine," Sam said faintly. "I'll make sure you get an invitation." He turned, then looked back. "Are you sure he's not bothering you?"

"No, Really. We're both fine here. You two run back to the kitchen." Ed waved them away.

Sam went back into the kitchen, but Al hesitated a bit longer, unable to help but give Ed a soft smile. Then Sam was tugging him back into the kitchen. "C'mon, Al. You promised you would make me some more of your cream puffs."

Jaxon did not resume his inspection of Ed's automail, but did not leave his lap either. "Sam likes Al," the boy said with a wistful air.

"Naturally," Ed said absently. "Just like he does you, I'm sure."

Jaxon smothered a laugh. "No, I mean he really likes Al. He wants Al to be his boyfriend."

The coldness settled into Ed's gut again, and he looked closely at Jaxon. "Is that so?"

"The first time I saw him kiss Al, I was mad. I wanted to be Sam's boyfriend. But now, I can't decide who I want more; Sam or Al. I guess I'll just take them both when I'm old enough."

Ed stifled a smile, despite his heartache. Jaxon said the damndest things. "I see." He coughed. "If they're kissing, doesn't that mean Al's already Sam's boyfriend?" Ed knew he should feel shame for pumping the boy like he was for information, but he didn't.

"No, Al wont. Sam has asked several times, I've heard him. But Al says it wouldn't be fair. He's in love with someone else. Said he wont commit until he can with a free heart."

Ed made a mental note to never discuss private matters anywhere this boy might overhear. "You.. you don't tell just anyone about Sam and Al, do you?"

"Of course not!" Jaxon looked affronted. "I'm only telling you because you love Al. He's your brother. You would never use this information to hurt him."

"Yeah," Ed said faintly, overcome with irony. "I do love him. And he is my brother."

Dinner was an elaborate affair, because Sam couldn't decide what he wanted Al to make, so Al made a little bit of everything. Afterwards, Ed insisted on cleaning up, since Al and Sam cooked, and Jaxon volunteered to help him.

Al shrugged, smiled and went out onto the porch with Sam while the other two made entirely too much noise in the kitchen. Afterwards, Jaxon lay on the sofa while Ed set up a game of checkers. But they never played. Jaxon smiled dreamily at Ed.

"You're so beautiful. Maybe I'll make you my boyfriend instead, when I grow up." He gave a massive yawn, and closed his eyes.

Ed blushed fiercely, and quietly put the checkers away in the closet by the back yard window.

"God, Al, you taste so sweet…" Ed froze at the breathless quality of Sam's voice. "Kiss me again."

Ed turned his head slightly, glad he'd turned the living room lights out for Jaxon, otherwise, the two might have seen him. Then again, they might not. Al and Sam were on the padded bench on the back porch, and Sam had pushed Al down onto his back. Al was holding Sam tightly, leaning up into the older boy's hot kisses. In the bright moonlight, Ed saw Sam's hand moving down, pressing Al's legs apart and caressing him through his pants firmly.

"Wait… Wait, Sam…" Al gasped, reaching to grab Sam's wrist.

"Why…? I like touching you. You like it too, I can feel it." Sam must have squeezed, because Al moaned faintly.

"Because… because… I just cant. Oh, god, Sam… You know why… Holy GOD!" Al's back arched, then he jackknifed up, pushing Sam off his body as he slapped his hand over his own mouth, breathing harshly.

Sam didn't seem too put out. He pressed himself to Al's side, caressing his belly, and turning his head for more wet kisses. "You're so hard, Al. And damn, but you're responsive. Let me make love to you. You know I want you. I promise I'll make it good for you." His hand plunged into Al's pants, and Al stifled a low moan into his hand.

"Stop… can't… Sam please…" Even as he whispered his refusal, Al arched helplessly into Sam's moving hand. Finally he gave a soft growl, grabbed the older boy's hand and pulled free. "Jeez, Sam. Our brothers are just on the other side of that wall. Even if I was of a mind to, we can't make love here."

"Then let's go to your bedroom. Don't say no, Al. I love you…." And Sam stopped in dismay.

Al suddenly stood up. "Don't say that." His voice was strained. "I'm not… worth it."

"I am sick to death of hearing you say that, Al. What's wrong with someone loving you? Why are you so afraid of it? Why are you so afraid of my love?"

"You don't know, Sam. You have no idea. Just trust me when I say I'm not a very nice person, okay? Don't… don't love me. Not only can I not love you back, but I would never be good for you."

"Why? Why wont you tell me? Who hurt you so badly you wont take a chance with me?" Sam stood too, standing very close to Al, but not touching him. "Whoever they were, they were stupid."

That's an understatement. Ed's heart was aching. How could Al think he wasn't a nice person? And he was the one that had hurt him so badly.

"I should never have started anything with you." Al's voice was so sad.

"You didn't start anything, Al. I did. Hell, it took me a whole month just to get you to kiss me back."

"I… I shouldn't kiss you anymore. I should end this, before I hurt you too. Sam… I think I'd better find myself another job."

"No, god no, Al. Please. Please don't say that. I… I won't press you anymore. Just give me what you can. The kisses are enough. Please, don't leave. Don't quit. You're doing great work. We're doing great work because of you. Please Al, don't do this."

"Sam…"

"Look, do you want me to beg? Okay, I'll beg. Don't leave me, Al. Don't go away. Please." Sam dropped to his knees.

"Get up," Al hissed, and pulled Sam to his feet.

"Jaxon likes you. No, he loves you. If you leave him too, it will break his heart. So many people have left him, don't be one of them too."

Al gave a hissed indrawn breath. "That's dirty pool…"

"Hey, I'm desperate. I'll do anything, say anything, to keep you at my side." He pulled Al back into his arms, sensing victory.

"Oh, Sam. I don't want to hurt you. I'll only end up hurting you if I keep kissing you."

Sam pulled him even closer, one hand on the small of Al's back, pressing them flush together, the other tangling in his honey blond ponytail. "You'll hurt me more if you don't," he said huskily, and he kissed Al again, long and wet and messy, and Al responded helplessly.

When Sam pinned him to the wall, right next to the window, Al gasped and finally tore his mouth free. "Sam… we have to stop… Ed…"

"You're brother's a grown man, Al," Sam panted. "He knows how things go."

"You…" Another hot wet kiss. "Don't get it…" Al whimpered into yet another kiss.

Sam licked Al's lips, another mindbending whimper from the younger man. "What, is he a virgin? I've heard tales…"

"No!" Al gasped, pulling free. "He's no virgin, trust me." Al's voice became quiet and sad.

"Sam?" Jaxon's voice came from the sofa, sleepy and plaintive.

Ed almost swallowed his tongue, and slipped through the shadows to the bathroom, making it just in time as Sam and Al came in from the porch.

"Hey there, Jaxon," Sam said softly, reaching down to stroke the boy's tousled brown hair. "Have a nice nap?"

"Mmmm. Yeah, I did." He peeked over Sam's shoulder at Al. "You're brother is so nice. And so beautiful too. How do you stand it?"

Al spread his hands helplessly.

Sam laughed. "Oh, Jaxon. Come on, buddy, hop up, its time to go home." He leaned down and picked the boy up, snuggling him close in his arms.

"Hmmm… okay, Sam. Can we come back to visit again? Mr. Elric's so nice. I want to see him again. Okay?"

"Only if Mr. Elric doesn't mind, Jaxon," Sam said softly.

"I don't mind. Bring him back anytime you like," Ed said softly, standing in the entry of the hall, looking for all the world as if he'd just stepped out of the bathroom.

"There now, you see? Yes, we'll come back soon, Jaxon." Sam laid the sleepy boy on his shoulder, as Al picked up the folder and rolls. Before Al realized anything was afoot, Sam leaned forward and kissed Al's lips lingeringly. Al's eyes widened, but he didn't pull back. "See you Monday, Al?" He said softly.

"Yeah. Bright and early, like Jaxon said." Al's voice was faint.

"Good. I'll pick you up then. Eight o'clock?"

"That's fine." And Al followed Jaxon out to their car, watching him belt the sleeping boy into the passenger seat. Then Sam straightened and kissed Al again. "Monday. Be here, or I'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth. Hear me?"

"I hear you," Al couldn't help but laugh. "I'll be here."