-1Give Guidance or Counsel
Cats
Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist
Beware of the Emo-Ed.
Chapter 4 - It Must be Nice
Friday the 8th of January
Russell was following them home. Okay, Ed may have been going too far by saying 'following' - Winry was chatting happily away to the blonde. Ed supposed she had to talk to someone, since she certainly wasn't talking to the Elric brothers. She called them both childish and was giving them the silent treatment, although they'd already made up, she planned to at least keep it up until the weekend. So now Russell was her best buddy and Al was walking next to Ed, glaring heatedly at the new addition to their group. Ed was glaring too, as he was still a little sore that Russell was effectively the cause of his bust up face. He would also inwardly admit that he was slightly self-pitying. He'd been expecting a worried call from Roy last night so he could tell everything about the fight and be consoled by the man; but no such call had come.
"So, can I ask you a question?" Ed heard Russell ask, and assuming he was talking to Winry, trained his eyes to the ground and kept quiet. When he heard no reply he shifted his gaze to look at them and found Russell looking directly at him.
"You just did, didn't you?" replied the shortest of the group. Russell gave an easy going laugh.
"True - But here's another one." he said, sending a wink at Winry, who giggled and made Al even more jealous then he already was. Ed sighed and nodded, glaring at the pavement again. "What's up with the whole counselling stuff?"
Ed, still sore at Roy's lack of worrying or any kind of interest at all, didn't particularly want to be reminded of his counsellor, and he growled at his shoes.
"That's none of your business." he snapped, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He heard Russell laugh again and was really getting pissed off with the sound.
"I keep pissing you off huh?" said the tall 14 year old. "I get why you wouldn't wanna talk about it."
"I'm not messed up." Ed grumbled, and mentally added, and no you don't. Al rested a hand on his brothers shoulder as Winry was engaged in conversation again.
"We've got a week of detentions starting Monday - How about we go out tonight? Just the two of us?" he asked, letting a frown slip on to his face as he watched Russell flirt with his girlfriend. "We could see that new movie - we've got a bit saved up for a treat right?"
Ed considered the offer. He was angry at the moment, and could probably with a pick-me-up. And they did have some spare money saved - and that new movie did look pretty good. Usually they'd wait until Winry got it on DVD and all watch it round hers - but it might be nice to have some quality time with his brother without Winry. He slowly nodded, beginning to look forward to the promise of some brother-time.
- X -
"So enjoy it?" asked Al as they exited the theatre later that evening. Ed shrugged his shoulders. It hadn't been as good as the trailer he'd seen way back when he'd gone out with Rose made it out to be. The posters around made it look like a really good tale as well. However, he'd soon found out that it was just a bunch of flashy effects with little plot line. He smiled at the thought of his 'date' with Rose - it seemed so long ago now, although it was only a matter of months. The utter failure the day had become had lead to much more interesting experiences with his counsellor. He grinned like a madman at the memory of watching the fireworks through their hotel window with Roy at new years.
Al was chatting away to his daydreaming brother as they walked down the road and into the park, which served as a good short-cut to their terraced house. He waved a hand in front of the shorter blondes face.
"You listening?" he asked, and at Ed's affirmative nod (although that was an instinct and Ed wasn't really listening) carried on his ramblings. "That Russell guys really annoying me - he seemed really nice in class, but have you seen how he's all over Winry?" ranted the teen, and Ed whole heartedly agreed. Something about Russell just put Ed on edge, which most certainly spelled out disaster. Of course, it was probably due to the fact that Russell was a good six inches taller then him, despite being a year younger. He gave a great big sigh as Al leant down to pet a small kitten that was shivering in the winter air. Al cooed at it and checked it for a collar or name tag, while Ed looked idly around the park. Knowing Al, he could be ages just looking at the thing.
His eyes rested on a spot a little way away from where they were stood. Near a bench under a weeping willow tree, stood a couple in their mid to late twenties. The setting was romantic and tranquil, and behind them stretched the lake that the park was famous for, setting an almost movie-like scene. Ed stared at the female as she listened to the man talk. She had a look of happiness and relief about her - as far as Ed would tell - it was dark after all. He didn't need to take another look at the male to know who he was. Roy Mustang was out, talking with Riza Hawkeye in the most romantic spot in this park. There had to be a logical reason for that, right? Ed's mind span, jumping to conclusions as it did, as he watched the two. Hawkeye turned her head towards the lake and Roy leaned in and whispered something into her ear - exactly like he would do to Ed to make the teen shiver.
It must be nice, Ed thought as he watched Mustang draw back and Hawkeye give him a small smile, to go out in public without the fear of being thrown in jail. Really, Ed could see why Roy would want someone like Riza. A strong, independent woman. She was smart and cute too. Roy could be with her whenever he wanted too. He could hold her hand in public, or hug her, or kiss her, or say he loved her - and it didn't matter that someone could see or hear it. Ed highly doubted that Riza came with the amount of baggage that he did either. Riza wouldn't shy away from Roy's touches, and Riza would have experience enough to be able to please Roy. Even then, staring at the couple, Ed blushed at the thought of 'pleasing' the elder man. Riza wouldn't blush -she'd be cool and calm about it. Riza would be able to keep up with Roy's fiery pace in conversation, and she would probably be a heck load more attractive to look at in the morning then Ed was.
Hell, who was he kidding? He thought, bringing his left hand up to rub at his right arm. Who would want a deformed lover with a suicidal past? Who would want to be with someone with so many problems? There was a reason he was in counselling right? Really, what a cruel twist of fate - but one that made sense. Ed doubted Riza had ever been in counselling.
Besides, Ed thought, Riza was Roy's friend from childhood - he remembered learning it from Hughes not long after he'd met Roy. It was impossible to try and compete with her, he could never win against a childhood friend - and not only that, but a female childhood friend. He didn't have a chance.
He felt tears prick in his eyes and quickly blinked them away as he continued to observe the couple. Heck, they looked good together - he could admit that - even though his stomach clenched painfully at the idea. They made an attractive couple - they complimented each other, and Riza was just about the right height to fit comfortable in his arms. Whereas whenever Roy hugged him, the height difference made it awkward.
He let out a hollow laugh; quiet and desperate, even to his own ears. If he was mentioning height, then he had it bad. He sniffed as his overload of emotions threatened to make the unshed tears fall. Holding them in was hurting his eyes, and was agony on his emotions, but he refused to cry again. Not for Mustang. Really, he would probably have been okay, if Roy had just broken up with him. Did Roy think he was being nice by 'entertaining the nutcases whims' or something? Was it too much to ask just to get Roy to be honest with him?
"Hey Ed?" Al's excited voice broke him from his thoughts as he looked down at his brother, trying to wipe the dazed and confused look from his face. Al's smile faltered slightly. "Can we keep her?" he asked, petting the kitten he was holding. Ed sighed - he'd been over this a thousand times, they didn't have the money. He really wasn't in the mood for thinking about cats.
"What's wrong?" asked Al, when he didn't get an instant 'no'. Not that he wasn't happy that Ed was considering it - but why? AL stood up fully and Ed caught his gaze. Al saw the unshed tears in his eyes and peered around the park for the cause of his brothers distress. His eyes fell on Roy and Hawkeye, who were walking away by this point, and he gasped - suddenly giving Ed a half pitying, half angry look. Ed guessed the angry part was meant for Mustang… and probably some of the pitying part is Al was starting to plan an attack against the dark haired man for upsetting his brother.
Ed reached for the stray kitten and cuddled her close.
"C'mon Al - We'll find a home for her in the morning."
*gasp-eth* What Will Ed ever do? I don't like this chapter, to Emo-y. ^^ I hope you enjoy it though, and look forward to the next chapter.
Please review! ~ Much Lovin'
