Thank you so much for all your reviews! I'm really glad you like the fanfic since I wasn't sure about it at first, but I love it now ^^
Maria: You will find about it in the next chapters, I promise!
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"Prodigy Boys"
Roy stared at Al's car while the dark blonde got inside the vehicle and started the engine. A 16 year old boy's car was better than his?! Roy got in, too, and closed the door, admiring the detailed interior. It was just amazing. The younger Elric noticed his astonishment and smiled shyly.
"I didn't choose the car. Someone gave it to Brother as payment."
The man flinched, slightly embarrassed that the boy had noticed what he was thinking. "Still, it's an incredible car."
Al grinned. "I agree."
Roy couldn't help but smile as he watched how the boy drove extremely carefully, following all transit laws under the sun. He really couldn't believe that someone with car like Al's drove that well and politely, but at least it would mean that he could actually enjoy the time he spent on the road; he thought he would die every day he had to be in his previous client's vehicle. And it wasn't nearly as nice as this one.
At one stop, the dark blonde turned on the stereo of the car, selecting one of the songs on the CD that was already in. Roy was expecting something like rock or metal maybe, but what he heard – it was something he wasn't expecting, at all.
'Classical music? What were the chances…'
"So, Alphonse," he began when the light turned green, "your brother told me some stuff about you."
The boy sweat dropped. "I'm quite sure he overdid it."
"He did?" Roy was curious. "Aren't you the top student of your class?"
Alphonse jumped slightly and blushed furiously. "…Yes."
"Aren't you a member of the basketball team?" Roy was almost teasing him.
"…Yes."
"Then he didn't exaggerate about you."
The younger Elric sighed in resignation, "He just like to make a fuss about it."
"He's proud of you," the older man assured with a smile. "You shouldn't be ashamed of your achievements either."
"Of course I'm not."
Well, this was his opportunity and he would take it. "Your brother – what's his job about?"
Alphonse stopped at a red light and smiled at his bodyguard. "He rebuilds any kind of construction that's been damaged with his alchemy," he said proudly. "Like the building at Lior that was about to fall a few days ago."
Roy's obsidian eyes widened as he glanced back at the boy. "…That was a skyscraper." His eyes grew even larger when Al nodded. "Are you telling me that you brother could fix a huge skyscraper using his alchemy and just his alchemy?"
"Of course. He's just that powerful." Al's tone of voice showed he was very proud of his brother without a doubt.
As the light turned green and the car started off again, Roy stared at the road, his eyes still clearly expressing shock. How could a teenager manage to transmute something that immense and complex? How in Earth could he live only on that?
"He's gained a good reputation. Every day he has a new job," the teen informed Roy, figuring out what was bothering the older man.
Ahh, so that was how. It was really incredible. The elder Elric probably studied hard to achieve something so extraordinary. "I would like to see him in action someday." Roy smirked.
"He does some scientific research, too, every now and then," Alphonse added, his voice more serious. "Though he hasn't done any of it lately."
"Why?" Roy questioned, catching the teen's sudden change In tone.
"I don't know…he won't tell me," Al answered, turning the wheel to the right. "When I ask him he just says that he's busy with his job, but I'm sure there is another reason since he loves research."
Roy stared at the road, thinking over Alphonse's comment. He sounded worried for his brother's sudden loss of interest in research, and the elder Elric had just got him a bodyguard… He didn't regret taking the job. These brothers were amazing and he was dying to know more about them.
"That's the school," Alphonse suddenly announced, raising his hand to point at something in front in them.
Well, he wasn't expecting less. The Bellingham High School was a huge place with three buildings surrounded by beautiful gardens and an artificial lake. Quite impressive actually. Both got out of the car and walked amongst other chatting teenagers. Roy's attention was caught by the numerous bodyguards that were following other students; it was seemed impossible that someone would dare to attack them – or at school at least.
"I get now why you didn't want a bodyguard," the older man confessed to the teen, who smiled in embarrassment.
"I think ninety-seven percent of the students have one, including my friends," he stated.
"Well, now you don't have to feel any less special," the man said with a smirk.
Alphonse grinned, but then he heard someone yelling his name from behind, so both client and bodyguard turned to see a girl waving her hand cheerfully as she approached.
"Good morning, Al," she greeted cheerfully with a soft smile.
"Good morning, Winry," said boy murmured in turn. He then moved so he could introduce Roy. "This is Roy Mustang. Mr. Mustang, this is Winry Rockbell."
"Ahh, your brand new bodyguard," Winry said wickedly, shaking the man's hand.
"Please don't say that like it was something I bought," Alphonse complained, sweat dropping.
She just laughed. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Mustang," she uttered, finally looking at the man.
"Nice to meet you, too, miss."
Alphonse glanced around. "Have you seen Ling?"
Winry shook her head. "No, but he will be late as usual if he had breakfast."
The dark blonde chuckled and then both teens walked side by side, talking about something Roy couldn't hear since he was walking behind them…with the girl's bodyguard. He couldn't help but roll his eyes seeing how pathetic the man looked with his black suit and glasses. A truly good bodyguard didn't need that. However, he noticed that Al was looking at him as he had told him something.
"…Sorry?" Roy decided to ask.
"I said I don't want you to walk behind me," the boy repeated.
Roy stared at him, dumbfounded, not sure what that supposed to mean. "…But…"
"I don't care about bodyguard's protocol, I don't like it." Al smiled.
"…Right."
The man did as told and walked at the teen's side, taking in the conversation of the two, but also keeping his mind focused and alert. According to the elder Elric, his brother wasn't in danger, but Roy was sure that wasn't entirely true, so he would have to act like Alphonse was a target.
As they entered the building, Roy analyzed the group of students to determine who were the popular gang, the 'geeks', the intelligent, the sportive…it wasn't hard in a High School, anyway. Amazingly enough, he saw that almost everyone in the hallway stopped to greet Al. So that was what Edward meant with 'well known and liked.'
The two teens opened their lockers to grab some books while they continued chatting cheerfully. Roy focused on glancing around, getting used to the dynamics of the place. However, his eyes stopped when he saw a teen approaching them…an odd teen. He frowned readied himself to attack if necessary, but he sweat dropped when he saw how the boy fell in the floor, catching everyone's attention.
Al and Winry just sighed and approached the teen to help him to stand up while the bodyguard – a woman – grabbed the kid's backpack and gave him a muffin, which he took it with an embarrassed smile.
"Sorry, I couldn't breakfast since I woke up late," he said, scratching the back of his head. "I think I turned off the alarm, but I don't remember."
Winry shook his head. "One day you'll actually do something and hurt yourself. You should be more careful."
"I know, I know." The boy bowed his head, ashamed.
Alphonse then smiled. "Ling, I want you to meet Mr. Mustang. This is Ling Yao, an exchange student from Xing."
That explained the eyes. "Nice to meet you."
"He forgot to say that I'm the twelfth prince of Xing," Ling informed Roy, shaking his hand.
Roy eyes twitched, but he noticed Al waving his hand telling him to let it go, so he did.
"It's nice to know that Alphonse is now protected," the teen added as he opened his locker.
However, the younger Elric narrowed his eyes. "Protected from what?"
"…I don't know…crazy fangirls?" Ling added, shrugging.
"He's right, you know," Winry concurred, nodding.
Al just rolled his eyes, but then the alarm went off; time to start classes. "I'll see you at lunch, Mr. Mustang."
Roy nodded and watched the kids disappear through the hallway and turned around. However, he suddenly stopped. Ling's bodyguard was in front of him with his arms crossed and a glare on her eyes.
"Excuse me," he said as he walked away, feeling the glare of the woman still on his back. Who the hell she was anyway? Maybe a woman he had promised to call? No way, he would at least have the dignity to remember her face.
He went to the gardens and walked around, enjoying the peaceful quiet of the place, amazed by the detailed decorations and the animals living there. He would really like coming here every day. However, the fact that there were so many bodyguards waiting for their teens made him feel uneasy, he wasn't sure why though.
Finally, it was time for the break and Roy waited in the same hallway until he saw Al, Winry and Ling walking towards him. He joined them as they headed to the cafeteria.
"Did you get bored?" Alphonse inquired.
"Not quite," Roy replied, still looking around. "The place is amazing."
Al smiled, but he didn't say anything. The place was loud with all the teens talking and the sound of the dishes clanging. Roy waited over by a table while the three grabbed their lunch – and his coffee of course – and saw how Ling's and Winry's bodyguards leaned on the wall with their arms crossed. Maybe he should move there too.
However, the younger Elric appeared by his side handing him a cup with coffee and taking a seat at his side…well, maybe he shouldn't.
"I think I'm going to die if we have to learn all that formulas," Ling complained as he took a bite of his food.
Winry grabbed her soda. "I don't think they were that hard," she announced with a grin. "But I do love calculus."
Ling was about to throw her a glare, but then they heard the squeals of a bunch of girls and glanced over to see what was happening. Roy didn't get it, but the three teens looked back at their food again and began to talk.
"Who's that?" he risked asking since the girls were really noisy.
"He's the most popular boy in School," Winry answered; her voice held a hint of annoyance. "Russell Tringham."
Roy looked over the boy and immediately noticed why. Blond hair, blue eyes, athletic body and a charming smile – all in one package. There was always one of them in each school, wasn't there?
Suddenly, Alphonse flinched and covered his mouth with his hand. "Oh, no! I forgot that I had to go to the library."
He ate as fast as he could – and he was really fast – and stood up, almost choking. He made a sign with his hand to the other teens and hit his chest, trying to swallow the food.
"Take it easy, Al. See you in class." Ling snickered.
However, Winry sighed. "Mr. Mustang, please make sure he gets to class on time. When he goes the library, he always shows up late."
Al just ran away after he nodded and Roy smirked and followed him, quite amused. He loved the libraries and he always used to be at the one at his old school when he was a kid rather than playing soccer or whatever the other kids liked to call it. In short, he was a lot like Al. He found Al at his locker, grabbing four books and then running through the hallway down to the library. Roy caught up with him and took two books from his hands.
"Let me help you."
Alphonse nodded, grateful. "Thanks, I'm used to running with a pile of books," he muttered, slightly embarrassed.
"And I believe you," the man assured as he read the titles of the books he had taken. "I assume you're an alchemist, too."
"Yeah, not as great as my brother thought, but I do my best", he said with a soft smile. Was this kid always that…kind and gentle?
"Did you learn all by yourself?" Roy queried, slightly excited to hear the story.
Alphonse nodded with a grin. "We learned the basics alone, reading books and that stuff," he began, "but then we had a Teacher that taught us how to use that knowledge in right way."
"A Teacher?"
"Yes, maybe you will meet her someday." The teen didn't quite look happy about the suggestion, but the man couldn't ask further since they arrived at the library.
The place was huge. He couldn't believe a High School had such large library, but at least he found the place where he would spend the hours the kid was in class.
"Your classmates really use all this material?"
Alphonse laughed. "Of course, if they want to stay at this school, they should. Otherwise they wouldn't be able to pass the exams and write proper papers."
Roy blinked a few times before he nodded, surprised. "I see."
Alphonse got back in the classroom in time thanks to Roy. That meant that Roy had a few more hours to spend in his brand new spot. He wasn't sure if High School required such an amazing library, but hey, it was here and he would take advantage of it.
However, the hours went by quick as he read the book Quantum Mechanics Demystified and the alarm announced that the teens were in their way to the dressing rooms to change their clothes. For Al, it meant basketball time.
Roy sat down in the bleachers and watched his client's excellent performance as the shooting guard of the team, although he was sure Al was the youngest of the players. What were the Elrics made of anyway? The elder was an exceptional alchemist according to Al, and the younger sibling was a great student and a wonderful basketball player. Was there anything they couldn't do right?
He waited for the teen outside the dressing room. Al finished and both walked to the parking area, Al talking on his cell with Ling about a paper they had to do. When they got in the car, the boy hung up and got it, trying to get out of there before all the students tried to do the same.
"If we don't hurry at this hour, the exit becomes a mess," Al justified himself, turning on the stereo.
Roy nodded in agreement. "You did great at the practice, you know."
"We're training to get to the Nationals." Al smiled cheerfully. "We want to get that trophy this year."
The man was about to say something, but the boy's cell phone rang again. Al stopped in front of a red light and decided to take the call. "Brother?"
Roy just stared at Al while he talked to the elder Elric; apparently, there was a change in plans that afternoon that made the teen grin as he hung up.
"Did you say that you wanted to see my Brother in action?"
…………….
They arrived into a nice neighborhood with medium sized houses but lots of trees and green areas. The perfect place for a family to live. However, that was not what they had come to see. Roy noticed where they were heading to; a bunch of people and a fire truck were in front of a house that was consumed by flames.
Both got out of the car and approached the crowd, looking for Edward. They finally saw him talking to an inconsolable couple; the owners of the house, surely. Roy's brow lifted when he noticed the attire of the blonde. It was…peculiar to say the least. Black leather and a crimson coat wasn't what he would call the most comfortable clothes to wear considering the weather.
"There he goes," Al announced with pride. Roy made sure to watch the entire thing.
Edward stood in front of the house and observed it for a moment – he was calculating something. There was no wind, but still the couple's families brought wood in case it was necessary, so everything was set.
The blonde approached the destroyed building, clapped his hands, and a light blinded all the people present for almost half of minute until it faded out. Roy heard the shocked cheers of the people and the screams of joy from the couple and their family. His eyes widened when he saw the brand new house in front of the teen, perfectly reconstructed.
He then stared at the blonde, who was still checking if everything was perfect. H-How…? There was no transmutation circle in there! Not even on the kid's gloves, like he had on his! Al noticed Roy's astonishment and grinned.
"Pretty amazing, isn't it? He does this kind of thing for free. He just charges enterprises or businesses."
Roy just nodded since his jaw was too busy hitting the ground at the moment. He saw Edward approaching the couple and the woman hugged him – he backed up, blushing – and then he walked over the crowd. He heard Al's voice calling him, his brother waving happily at him.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" he demanded, not quite reproachfully as he was smiling.
"I decided to pay you a visit since I'm sure you walked here. Am I wrong?" the younger brother teased, a smile dancing on his lips.
"As always, you aren't."
It was then golden orbits met obsidians. Roy couldn't hide his amazement even if he had tried and both stared at each other for a moment as Al looked for the keys of the car in his backpack. Who was this boy? He had never met anyone that could perform alchemy without a transmutation circle, let alone transmute a whole house at once.
A slight breeze blew by and Edward had to flick back a golden lock away from his face. He was following Al to the car, but stopped to draw a self-satisfied smirk at Roy and then continued on. Roy just looked at him thoughtfully, and then followed the boys quietly.
This was certainly turning out to be more and more interesting every. And it was just the beginning.
………
