ABSENCE OF FEAR
Chapter 4
Ed was scared.
No.
That was an understatement.
Ed was terrified. He was terrified of all of this; all of these feelings. Never once had he felt this way about someone. Well, he has, but it was different. It's different with Roy...much different. He was scared on more levels then one, and about more things then just that. It was all too much to put into words. He was scared to like someone the way he liked the colonel. He was scared because the colonel seemed to well like him the same way. He didn't want to love Roy because he wanted to protect him...everyone he's ever loved has gotten hurt...
He had done a lot of thinking that night though while he laid in bed trying to let sleep overcome him, but with no avail. He had let Roy kiss him. Touch him. He touched him in places no one ever did. He made him feel things no one has ever made him feel. There was a problem with it though. He was letting him do this, and they weren't in a relationship or anything. Ed turned over on his other side, not being able to get comfortable. Well, at least he didn't think so. Roy would have...asked him if he wanted to be his boyfriend right? The word 'boyfriend' sounded so weird to Ed, but Roy would have said something. Or..maybe he wouldn't, maybe he just expected Ed to know? He was asking him to go on dates with him after-all. Ed sighed and turned again. For once he had no idea what he was going to do...
Roy heard when Ed got up from the bed and shuffled over to the small table. He didn't move his body but just listened, hoping to make out what the boy was doing from the sounds across the room. He heard Ed rustle through the papers on the desk, then the chair pulled out, making a small scratching sound across the wood floor. He wondered why he wasn't sleeping. Ed exhaled deeply and the sound of moving papers continued. Roy opened his eyes now. Ed was sitting at the table, pen in hand, and skimming over all the research they collected that day. Roy arched his eyebrow and slowly sat up. Ed sensed the movement and turned his head.
"What are you doing awake, Ed...?" Roy asked before the blonde could say anything. Ed shrugged lightly and scratched the back of his head with a smile.
"Oh you know, couldn't sleep." He answered nonchalantly. "Decided why not get some work done...good way to kill time." Or try to get my mind off of you. Roy gave him a weary look before sighing and running his hand through his black bangs.
"Well, there will be no swaying your thoughts on this will there...?" He said. "Come here for a minute..." Ed blinked and stood up.
"What is it?" He said and made his way over to the bed. As he got closer to the object of his affection he felt his cheeks get warmer. Roy gave a placid smile and reached out to grab Eds metal wrist.
"Just try not to stay up all night..." He whispered and pulled him close to catch his lips. Hesitation, but he still received a just as needy kiss back. Roys first intention was a quick kiss goodnight, but that changed the second he touched lips with the boy standing in front of him. With just one brush of contact was enough to intoxicate Roy with everything that was Ed. Roy reached up and rested his hand on Eds cheek. The second that contact was made and Roy deepened the passion of the kiss, Ed made that small noise that drove him insane with lust. Ed bent his knees causing him to kneel onto the bed. He brought his arms around Roys neck as an attempt to keep balance and deepen the kiss further. He knew that Roy liked kissing and touching him, and when he stopped it before the look on Roys face hurt Ed more then anything, so he decided it was okay to try. It wasn't like he didn't like kissing Roy back (because he very much so did) it was only that he was still scared of it all. For Roy, though, he would try.
The black haired man put his other free arm around Eds waist and the one that was on his cheek slid down to his neck. Ed did the only thing that seemed like a good idea, he pushed his body up against Roys. Judging by the noise that came from Roys throat, that had been a good idea after-all. Feeling it was safe to venture a little further, Roy maneuvered Ed to the right so his back was facing the wall. Without breaking the contact he pushed Ed down onto his back. Again they were in that position, but last time Ed had stopped it here. Roy tried to keep Eds mind occupied with kisses so he couldn't have any thoughts of stopping again.
The moment Ed felt the mattress on his back he got nervous. He slowed down in kissing Roy for a few seconds once he was on his back, feeling defenseless and scared, and he hated it. Yet, he loved it because of the fact that it was Roy who was on top of him, and that made him feel safer. He wanted to stop now, but he knew that if he did it might hurt Roy again. He had to continue because he wanted to make Roy happy. He quickly searched his brain for what it was that Roy seemed to like, then it came to him. He waited for that moment when Roys tongue swept across a part of his mouth that felt the best, then moaned. The effect that had was exactly how Ed wanted him to react. He gave a small moan in return then kissed him a little more forcefully. Ed did his own sweep of small hesitant touches with his tongue as well. His breathing picked up a good amount now, and he suddenly really wanted to touch Roy.
His arms tightened around Roys neck and he pulled him down closer, only moaning again into the kiss. He was shocked at the fact he didn't have to think about what to do now, he just did it. He squirmed a little. He needed...something. It didn't take long to realize what he needed, and without thinking he arched upwards in a way to get friction on his erection. They both moaned that time and Ed decided he liked that very much. He realized he didn't want to stop anymore, but it wasn't just because he wanted to make Roy happy, it was because it just felt so damn good. Good enough for him to do it again. He thrust against Roys lower stomach and that small noise got a little louder. Roy broke the kiss and hungrily kissed his neck. Ed thrust upwards again, the moan only getting louder now that it wasn't muffled. Roy let Ed continue for a few more seconds before he couldn't take it. He didn't want to make Ed stop, so he shifted his body up enough so that when Ed thrust against him again, he hit Roys erection at the same time. They both moaned in unison.
They moved against each other now, finally finding a certain rhythm and not breaking it for the life of them. Ed thrust up to meet Roys equally erotic thrusts, rubbing against each other like the world would end if they slowed for even a moment. Ed was moaning between every pant now, his eyes were closed as he clung to around Roys neck, both moaning with every thrust. They stayed at the steady rhythm for a little while until it all just started feeling was so good to keep it at that pace. Their movements became erratic as they rubbed against each other wildly to find completion. Eds arms tightened and he buried his face in Roys neck to muffle his scream. Roy came only seconds afterward, having to hold back his moan as much as possible. He panted heavily, trying to hold up his body weight so he didn't hurt Ed, then gathered a quick boost of strength and flipped over on the side of him. Ed whimpered slightly causing Roy to put his arm around him. Ed clung to his arm, almost as if he was frightened Roy would leave him. Roy felt the boy in his arms trembling from his release and leaned over and kissed his exposed neck lovingly. Ed still had his eyes closed as he tried to catch his breath, but the torture on his neck wasn't helping much. Roy sucked and bit roughly at that spot for a good minute before it was bright red. Once he seemed satisfied by it, he lightly kissed it again and smiled into his skin.
"Claimed..." He whispered with a small chuckle against Eds neck. The tired boy next to him gave a small smile and sighed into a throaty laugh.
"Yeah...sumbitch...." He mumbled.
"Damn...look what you did!" Eds voice sounded from the bathroom. Roy paused in the buttoning of his uniform for a moment and smirked.
"What are you whining about, Fullmetal?" He asked in his most even tone possible, trying to hide any hint of the amusement he was feeling. He heard an annoyed noise come from the other room.
"Don't 'what are you whining about, Fullmetal' me!" Ed yelled back as his head became visible from the side of the door. Roy looked at him, pausing in the buttoning of his shirt, and arched his eyebrow.
"What seems to be the problem then?" He asked and continued his task. An aggravated growl came from the boy as his head disappeared within the bathroom again.
"You're the damn problem." Ed stated as he pulled his black undershirt over his head, walking into the area were the colonel was. Roy continued his act of confusion and went to fetch his gloves.
"How so?" He asked boredly as he put his white gloves on. Ed scowled and yanked his jacket off the back of the chair. He was getting more and more annoyed by the second.
"If you hadn't kissed me, you pervert, then this wouldn't be here!" He was standing in front of the colonel now, and pointing to the side of his neck. Roy looked down at him, and had to admit he must have been the cutest thing Roy had ever seen. He had his jacket half hanging off of him, his hair in his face, and looking up at him pouting with one eye open and the other closed, head tilted to the side. He leaned to look at the spot Ed was pointing at.
"Hmm, would you look at that." He said as it it were no big deal. There was a very noticeable dark red mark, and Roys inner smirk only grew ten fold. Ed glared angrily.
"YEAH! Would you look at that!" He snapped. Roy snorted in delight.
"I did that?" He asked even though he knew the answer. He was smiling now. Ed grit his teeth.
"No shit you did that!" He howled. Roy nodded and he locked eyes with Ed.
"Well, I apologize..." He said and leaned in, "I guess I can't help it when there's a extremely stunning boy in bed with me and I have him all to myself..." He closed the space between them in a brief kiss. He backed away and moved in the direction of the mark on Eds neck. "Very...alluring..." He whispered huskily and pressed his lips to his skin. Ed shuddered and gulped.
"Y-yeah yeah..." Ed struggled to keep his voice steady and licked his lips. "Don't sweet talk me..." Roy gave a small kiss to his neck again and trailed up to his ear.
"I'm not sweet talking you, Ed. I'm simply complimenting on what a handsome young man you are." He said, his warm breath sending chills down Eds spine. "And that I can have such an admirable person to call all mine." He ran his finger in a line down Eds chest.
"Okay...I-I get it..." Ed stuttered and backed away from the older man. Roy lost his smile and straightened his posture. He thought Ed was going to stop doing that last night he was almost sure he had won Ed over completely. He had been so willing. Ed pulled his jacket on the rest of the way. "Uhh.." he started, looking off to the side. "I'll go...get something to eat...or something like that...can you get the reports off the table and meet me out there?" He pointed to the desk and Roy nodded. Ed went towards the door to leave the room and as he was leaving he stopped and turned around. "Oh and...Colonel?" Roy turned his head over his shoulder. "I kind of want to talk to you, about all this...is the offer still open for that...date...?" He tried not to sound hopeful but he failed. Roy resisted the smile he wanted to show and nodded.
"It always is, Fullmetal." He answered and went back to gathering the papers. "We'll go out tonight." Ed sighed with relief and turned back around to leave the room.
-----
Placing the tray of food on the table, Ed sat down with a content sigh. He reached up, very lightly rubbing the mark on his neck. He winced slightly at the contact. It was sore...and noticeable. He scowled. This was the exact reason they had to talk. He sighed again, touching it lightly enough so it didn't hurt. He wasn't going to lie, he was happy. He bit the inside of his cheek, his stomach knotting in a way that made him feel like a little squealing girl. He yawned and stretched then decided to begin eating. He can't think about Roy in public, he knew he had been smiling. The man at the front desk had given him a weird look. He briefly wondered why as he saw Roy walk into the eating area. He refrained from smiling at him as he sat down to join him, placing the folder neatly off to the side. Ed grabbed it and took some papers out. He continued to eat, careful not to mess up the papers, as he looked them over. Roy studied him silently with his onyx eyes.
Why are you doing this to me? His lips drew downward. Ed had seemed like he had gotten over this 'push-Roy-away' thing he had going; he had been wrong. He continued to watch Ed as his eyes scanned the papers back and forth. What am I doing wrong...? He was trying, he really was. He was trying so hard that he was having trouble concentrating on what they were here to do. He let his gaze fall away from Ed and he started picking at his food, moving it a little with his fork. Honestly, all he really wanted to do right now was take Ed back to his apartment in East City and just make love to him like there wasn't anyone else in the whole world that mattered. He shifted a little, the thought had been very arousing. He laced his fingers in front of him then rested his chin on the bridge of digits. He gazed at Ed, letting his expression fade into calm bliss. Now Ed looked up from the paper he was reading and at the colonel. He made a weird face, almost seeming displeased.
"What..." He asked the man. Roy gave a very slight chuckle and shook his head.
"Nothing, nothing at all." He lied and sat back in his chair. "So, Fullmetal, what do you suppose we do now?" He asked. Ed gave him another odd look but skimmed over the paper really quickly before looking back at Roy.
"Well, it seems in every case here the creature is after a certain type of honey that's made only..." He laid out the map of Amestris in front of Roy. "Here, here, here, here, and here." He said as he pointed to 5 separate towns, one of them being the town they were in at the moment. "It originated in Youswell, and where have the majority of these murders been? Here." He paused for a moment of thought. "There's something about this honey that it wants. It wont take any other kind, and somehow it's aiding it in the murders. I think we should buy some and send a sample back to central...see what they can come up with there. While that's taking place, we can find out how these murders are being committed. Do you think you can get in contact with anyone in Central by phone today?" He asked. Roy gave a small nod in response. "Okay good...we'll need to know the basics, that's all I'll really need, I'm sure I can put it together from there once we find out what the hell is in that honey..." He said and grabbed another piece of paper.
"Here." He said, turning it on the table to face Roy. "That's all the descriptions of what witnesses claim to have seen, I've already ruled out some that didn't fit, and put together similar ones. Basically it's pretty small, has a crap-load of spikes or some kind of sharp objects coming out of it, has grey eyes, and is overall pretty pale in color." Roy was skimming the paper now as Ed continued to talk. "I haven't figured out why it's only targeting military...but I'm sure the pieces of the puzzle will begin to fit together. Today we can send what we need to Central, you handle the phone calls...you're the king of bullshitting so you can get what we need to know...and I'll get the honey and arrange for it to be sent to headquarters...then I have to call Al." Roy gave another nod, ignoring the bullshitter comment, and put the paper down.
"Seems like a plan." He stated simply. "Then after we've finalized our business for the day, we'll go out for dinner together..." He said as a slow smirk made its way over his expression. Ed looked away.
"Yeah..." He stood up, not looking back at Roy. Roy gave a look of disdain and stood as well. There was no one in the area, it was much too early in the morning, which had allowed them to talk without being overheard. Roy scanned the area quickly and moved towards Ed. He grabbed his hand and pulled it up, intertwining their fingers. Ed looked at it, his face flushed with pink, then his eyes traveled up to Roys. There was a little fight of Ed wanting to move away from Roys grasp. Roy felt the resistance but didn't let go. He raised their hands up and turned them to the side, pressing his lips to the side of Eds hand. Ed swallowed and watched him unnervingly.
"What...the hell are you doing..." Ed managed to come out with. Roy moved closer to him, not letting go of his hand.
"...I don't get to see you for almost 12 hours from now...." He answered and ran his thumb up and down Eds. Ed swallowed again as his face got redder.
"Yeah? Who said I'll be missing you?" He answered cockily. Roy gave a small snort and leaned in. Ed still didn't lean up to meet Roy in the middle, he just waited until he felt Roys lips to kiss him back, only for a second though. Now he forced his hand out of Roys and backed away. Roy sighed.
"Meet me back here at 5:00." He said. "Agreed?" Ed waved him off and turned to exit the building.
"Yeah, whatever you say Colonel Bastard of all things bastard like." He answered in his typical you-annoy-me tone. Roy rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Fullmetal." He said quickly before the blonde left. Ed turned to look at him and Roy gave a stern look. "Don't be late..." Ed snorted and smiled arrogantly before leaving.
Ed took a deep breath of the cool early morning spring air. He smiled happily as he exhaled. He was determined to make today out to be a nice one. there was so much to do, and he wanted to get it all done as fast as possible. He missed Al a lot and was still feeling horribly guilty about leaving his little brother alone. He really wanted to talk to him about this all, but he knew there was no good way to tell his younger sibling about what was going on between him and the colonel. He really wished he could though, Al always knew what to say. He wished he could get his opinion, but he knew very well he had to figure this out on his own.
He continued to walk down the dirt and gravel covered street. Maybe that bastard comment was over doing it... It was kind of mean once Ed thought about it, but he had thrown worse at Roy before. Although, they weren't like this before. Before, he said at least half of it because he was hiding any hint that he secretly liked the man. The other half was because he really is Colonel bastard of all things bastard like. He growled inwardly and pushed the door to the shop open. Ugh, I need to stop thinking about him so much, it's getting weird. He advanced over to the counter where the lady who owned the small shop stood organizing a shelf next to her. Ed cleared his throat to get her attention. She was a petite woman with long blonde hair, half pulled into a small ponytail off to the side of her head. She turned and smiled, her bright blue eyes looking at him questioningly.
"Can I help you with anything?" She asked politely in a quiet voice that fit her appearance. Ed looked at the shelf in back of her for a moment and back to her face.
"Uhh yeah..." He started t answer then returned her smile. "Do you have any of that honey that comes in that orange jar? Best kind in town as I hear." He added with a light hearted laugh. Her face changed from happy to forlorn as she shook her head sadly.
"It seems to be that all our honey of that kind was taken from our warehouse, we've not had any in the past few two days, I'm awfully sorry." She said with a slight country accent. Ed gave her a curious look and tilted his head a little.
"Taken?" He asked. "What do you mean taken?" The young girl looked down solemnly.
"I'm afraid so. There was a horrible monster that tore right on through the metal door." She answered. "We haven't made more honey since then in fear of that creature was going to show again." She seemed frightened. "Plus, we don't have enough profit to rebuild that door or fix the inside that it had broke." Ed looked down in thought.
"I can fix it...if you show me the damage..." He said finally and looked up. Her face light up and she leaned over the counter a little.
"Oh that would be wonderful! Are you sure it's not all that much trouble?" She asked as she came around the counter.
"No, no trouble at all." Ed answered happily. She smiled brightly and put her arms around him.
"Thank you, you're such a doll." She said happily. "Daddy will be awfully happy to hear about this." Ed smiled and rubbed the back of his neck shyly.
"It's no problem, really." He said with a laugh. "Let's go take a look at it."
Roy sauntered down the hall of the motel, papers in hand. It was decently quiet, once and a while a little rustle of noise. He had taken his time eating the rest of his breakfast, knowing he had all day to get going on his job. Now he knew it was time to get started. His first call of the day would not be going out to Central, though. He picked up the pay phone that was located all the way on the east side of the motel, and dailed the number. He waited for it to ring, and after a few rings there was an answer.
"Hey there, Roy!" Came the overly cheery voice, especially seeing as how it was only 6 in the morning. Roy exhaled and smiled.
"And how did you know it was me, Hughes...?" He asked and adjusted the papers in his free arm so he didn't drop them.
"Who else would be calling right now?" The man on the other line answered, never breaking the happy-go-lucky tone in his voice. "Boy, are you missing a lot!" He continued. "Elysia drew this adorable picture of her and daddy just yesterday!" He cooed.
"That's...interesting." Roy said sighing. "Anything new around the office that I should know about?" He asked before Hughes could go on chatting about his love for his family. There was a laugh on the other line, but not a normal laugh, it was the signature something-happened-but-I'm-not-telling-you Hughes laugh.
"No no! Everything is dandy as usual over here! You're not missing a thing! Besides paperwork that is!" He answered quickly. Roy grumbled something under his breath.
"For once, I don't even want to begin to apprehend what you've done to my office...I'm sure, much to my dismay, I'll find out when I return." He answered. Another laugh.
"Oh no! No worries, Roy! We have this all under control!" He so obviously lied. There was a silence were nothing was said for a moment, then Hughes continued, "So...how is Ed?" He asked as nonchalant as possible.
"He's fine, why do you ask?" Roy answered plainly. Hughes coughed and cleared his throat, only causing Roy to give a sideways glare at the phone.
"I mean...how are you and Ed?" He hinted further. Now Roy audibly growled into the phone.
"Don't start with me about that!" He snapped angrily. Hughes gave a nervous laugh.
"I-I'm just saying, Roy! You obviously like him!" He said in defense. "It's not like I'm telling anyone! I just think it's cute!" There was a loud UGH and then a slamming of the phone on the receiver.
"Well...over here's were it got in." The girl pointed Ed in the direction of the large gap in the building. Ed had an uneasy feeling around this warehouse. It gave off a very bad vibe. As he approached the gaping hole he noticed just how dark it was inside. There were no lights on, but it shouldn't be pitch black like that, surely the building had windows, he'd seen them while walking up. There was an eerie feeling hanging in these trees around the concrete structure. He gulped and decided against going up to the void any closer then he already was. There was something there, and he knew that it was best if he came back with Roy to investigate further.
"Aren't you going to fix it?" The small voice behind him startled him, causing him to flinch. Ed gave her a sympathetic look.
"Is it okay if I come back? I'll fix it then..." He said hopefully. She gave him a funny look then smiled happily.
"Sure! Come back whenever you'd like, just don't take too long now." She giggled. Ed gave a toothy grin then turned to the path back to town. "Just be careful when you go in there!" She called after him. "It's an old building, I wouldn't want you getting hurt!" Ed nodded and gave her a thumbs up before running off. She watched him run into the distance before her smile slowly faded into a maniacal grin; her bright blue eyes narrowing in the direction Ed had run too.
"If you can even make it out alive...Edward Elric." Her voice hung as low as the eerie feeling in the trees as her cackle was carried in the cool morning breeze.
Ed bolted down the street, determined to find where the colonel had run off too. He had checked half of town and still no Roy Mustang. He picked up his pace and took a sharp turn. Without time to react to the large cart of ground meat that was conveniently rolling in front of him, he barreled into it. He gave an startled scream and jumped out of the cart.
"Dammit!" He yelled and attempted to get the pieces of beef off of him. That's when he noticed the old man standing behind the cart of his prized meat. "Ohh..heh..sorry about that..." Ed said and smiled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "It could have been worse..." As if on cue, there was a low snarl off to Eds right side. He slowly turned his head in the direction of the growl. The large German Shepard stood, eyeing him down like a wolf hunting sheep. "DAMMIT!" Ed cursed loudly and bolted down the alleyway, canine on his heels.
"Ahhhh!!!" Ed scrambled between the crowd of people, dodging the large dog by only centimeters. "Get away from me you mutt!" He screeched in a high hysterical sounding voice. "I'm not a damn chew toy!" If things couldn't get any worse, they just did. Ed halted mid step, face to face with two small dogs that just happened to be off their leash. "AHHH!!!!!!!"
Out of the yipping, barking, and screaming someone would have thought someone was being murdered. The famous Fullmetal Alchemist ran in circles around town being chased by dogs of every shape, size, and color; mothers covering their children's ears as he ran by; and one colonel who when he walked out of the motel didn't expect to see what he saw. Edward running like the devil was after him.
"Colonel!!!" Ed came into view first, then the stamped of his canine friends came next. Roys eyes grew twice their size as he took a step back. Too late.
"FULLMETAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!" '
"I hate you so much." Roy said twitching as the large German Shepard licked the taste of beef and pork off his face. Ed bit his lip to hold back laughter as the other dogs licked him all over the place, especially on his ticklish spots. He squirmed in Roys lap, only further aggravating the colonel who already wanted to put the boy to his death. The dog continued to lick Roys face until he lost it.
"Get off of me!" He yelled angrily, pushing Ed and the dogs away. Ed fell into the dirt and was again covered in dogs licking him, but he didn't notice now. His eyes were locked on the fuming figure in front of him who was picking up the papers off the ground.
"Ow my head..." He said as he sat up more rubbing the side of his face with a wince. "You could be a little more gentle you know." Roy cast him a sideways glance.
"Yes, and you could have been a little more civilized, but instead you had to cause commotion and disorder as usual. Looks as though we can't always get what we want, can we?" He snapped back smartly. Ed stood up and shooed the dogs away. He glowered and took a step towards Roy.
"Oh, well sorry!" Ed shot back. "God forbid the Colonel gets some dust on his nice clean uniform!" Roy cast a hateful look in the little blonde demons direction.
"That is very far from what I am trying to convey, Edward." Roy responded with the same nasty look planted on his expression. "It's not a very hard statement to comprehend, but I'll attempt to put it in even simpler terms for your small naive brain: You cause problems. Go away." Not at all swayed by Roys words, Ed gave him the same look back.
"Well if you were quicker on you're feet I would have never ran into you! Some Colonel you are!" Ed replied back at the insult that was thrown at him.
"You clung to me!" Roy shot at him, leaning forward a little as emphasis. Ed crossed his arms over his chest and stuck his nose in the air.
"You don't even know why I was looking for you in the first place! So shut your mouth!" Roy rolled his eyes.
"Then, please Ed, enlighten me!" He said dramatically throwing his hand in the air. Ed turned his body away from Roy.
"I'll explain on the way there, just follow me bastard." He added slight emphasis to the last word before beginning to talk away.
"So you're saying that you think that thing might be hiding in the warehouse?" Roy asked, now walking calmly beside Edward. The anger had ceased and they were back to business. Ed nodded, his expression set ahead of him.
"Well I guess that's what I mean." He answered and exhaled. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's giving off this vibe. I could feel that there's something alchemical in those walls..." He looked up at Roy as if for reassurance that he wasn't crazy. Roy nodded, acknowledging what was being said.
"Doesn't sound crazy." He said simply, tone even. "We're close, aren't we?" Ed blinked and looked ahead of him, then back at Roy.
"Yeah, how did you know?" He asked. Roy smiled and looked down at him.
"Because you're not crazy, regarding this matter at least." He declared playfully. Ed gave a toothy grin.
"You feel it to?! It's not just me then is it?" He gave a small jump of joy and began to run ahead. "come on, Colonel! We don't got all day here!" He called over his shoulder, spinning in mid-step and running backward for a few paces. Roy smiled at the energy the young boy possessed and quickened his pace only a little to catch up with the not-so-crazy-but-pretty-crazy maniac.
Ed had been right, the place just gave off the aura of death and misery. Weeping willows hung around the area along with the oak trees, only adding to the gloom of the eerie place. they both eyes the opening for a few moments in silence before Ed puffed out his chest and sighed.
"Well! No time but the present! Lets go take a look." He said, even though the feeling of the area was making him just about want to turn and book. Roy nodded but turned in the direction of the trees. Ed looked at him in askance.
"We need light now don't we?" Roy answered Eds look as his gathered the broken tree branches together, then grabbed the dried up dead grass (only adding to the death effect) and tying it around the thick branches. With a light snap of his finger the kindling was lit ablaze. "It's good enough as a light source for now." Roy said and walked back over to Ed. The blonde nodded and looked back at the vertical pit of darkness before walking into it.
It was dark, even with the torch. Such a supernatural darkness. Roy kept close to Ed, the feeling of the place setting into every nerve on both of their bodies. They looked around, investigating and taking in the scenes. Smashed honey jars laid across the floor, everywhere. Boxes had been torn apart by what looked like a rabid animal, but an animal couldn't have caused nearly this much damage. Ed shivered. He'd been in much more frightening places, but this was the only place that has ever given off this kind of feeling.
"Something isn't right..." Came his voice in the still air. "It doesn't feel right." He clapped his hands together, emitting a brief blue light as his automail arm transformed into his usual weapon of choice. "There's something in here..."
"I know..." Roy said next to him, keeping his voice low as well. Ed strayed off to the side more, never one to be hesitant to look danger in the face. There was a moment again of pure silence, not even a bird chirped outside.
"Hey...Colonel...." Eds voice was farther away now. "I think you should come here..." Roy obeyed and followed the direction the young voice had come from. Within a few seconds he saw Ed, kneeling on the ground in front of something he couldn't quite make out until he came closer. There was a puddle of odd colored liquid on the ground, it wasn't honey that was for sure, seeing as how it was purplish in color. Roy bent down and examined it. Ed reached down and touched it with his finger. "What is it..." He asked more to himself then to Roy, then with only a few seconds of looking at it he gave a small gasp and rubbed it off on his jacket. "Ow...what the fuck..." He mumbled angrily and looked at his finger. They both froze and stared at the digit that was used to pick up some of the substance. It wore a hole right through his glove. He blinked and looked at the area of his red jacket that he rubbed the offending liquid on. It ever-so-slowly dissolved the fabric to make a hole there too. Ed sat there eyeballing the hole for a second.
"MY JACKET!" He screeched and jumped up. "IT HAS A HOLE IN IT!" He flailed wildly. Roy's hand met his forehead. In a situation like this he was freaking out about the hole in his jacket and not the fact that some mysterious substance could have burned a hole through his flesh. Only groaned angrily and took it off, knowing he had to use alchemy for it to be fixed. Just as he was about to clap his hands to put it to the jacket the loud sound of glass breaking with a large CRASH startled both of them. Ed jumped and turned towards the sound, his arm held out in front of him. Roy turned as well, getting into the fighting position. Then the silence set it again. No rustling, no anything. Just dead silence.
"Who's there?" Roy called into the silence, moving forward. He was answered with an empty glass jar rolling to his feet. He watched it until it hit his boots then his gaze went back up, as another sound made its way to their ears. It was an undefined sound, almost sounding like a long held out exhaled groan, not of pain though. It sounded pissed off for lack of more effective term, since 'angry' just didn't seem to cut it. Roy stepped back more towards Ed, the sound slowly decreasing in volume until it went silent again. A noise to their left. They both spun around, fully expecting to be met with something horrifying, but there stood the young girl who Ed had met in the store earlier that day. She smiled up at them happily.
"G-Grace!" Ed shouted, completely thrown off to see her there. She looked at them in surprise, blinking rapidly.
"Oh..I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle y'all." She said innocently, her eyes begging for forgiveness. Ed and Roy both sighed in relief as to knowing she wasn't a threat.
"It's quite alright..." Roy said under his breath as he dared a glance over his shoulder where the other noises had come from only seconds ago. It now stood in still silence again, like before.
"I had just saw y'all coming up and I thought you might want something to eat or drink, so I whipped up something if you'd care to join me." She said politely bowing her head forward. "Code of hospitality, you two are guests 'round here." Ed smiled and looked at Roy her nodded.
"We'd be honored." He said just as politely back. Her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Oh no, the honor is all mine!" She said with a giggle. "I'll meet y'all at the house, I just need to go get something back in the shed." She said and moved off to the side and signaled for them to walk by. They both looked in back of them, as to make sure there was nothing there, before Ed picked up his jacket that he had dropped and followed the colonel out of the building. Grace smiled until they were gone, leaving her in the pitch black. She sighed and glared ahead of her.
"I just saved your ass." She said out loud then turned her head around to the place where Ed and Roy where looking before she dropped in. "You owe me one, Oliver." There was a shuffling in front of her, then an low angry growl followed it.
"That's not my name." It hissed, almost in monotone but with just enough emotion to be classified as anger. Its voice was very young in age. It shuffled around some more, as if not knowing the right way to approach her. It was too dark to see it, but the outline of the figure could be made. Small in stature, once in a while leaning down on all fours as it paced back and forth. It was a human shaped being none the less though.
"Apathy."
The figure responded to that name.
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hmm...getting some answeres yet? or just more questions? :] I'm trying to update as fast as I can, I hope you're enjoying it so far! Reviews are always greatly appreciated! (If you want to know around when I'll be updating again you can always follow my twitter account, link on my profile)
