For those who were curious about the strange schedule rotation, I wrote out class schedules for Ed, Roy, and Riza. The link can be found on my profile. It's all consistent. ;)
Chapter 4: Anything
They returned to their rooms in the early morning. After they returned Riza to her room and got back to theirs, Roy hopped in the shower. Ed listened to the water and let it lull him into a light sleep. He dreamed about his brother before he had lost his body, then it was back to that stormy night where they had tried to bring their mother back. A gruesome creature appeared where their mother should have been. Then the alchemy around them changed from blue to red. Blac tendrils creeped up his legs. More were surrounding his brother and dragging him away. "NO! NO STOP! PLEASE NO! Anything but that… give Al back! It's my fault take me!"
A hand shaking him brought him back to earth. He awoke in a cold sweat, tears streaming down his face. A concerned looking (and shirtless) Roy stood over him. "Are you okay kid? Who's Al?"
Ed hesitated. "My… my brother…" His breath quickened for a different reason as he watched drips of water from Roy's hair slide down his pale toned body.
Gruffly Roy said, "Well it was just a dream, everything is fine. Go take a shower, it'll help."
Getting up Edward grabbed a fresh set of clothes and did what he was told. He turned on the water and let it slide down his back as he set his forehead against the wall. He hated to be here when his brother needed him. But there was not much they could do for themselves on their own. Ed had tried to take the State Alchemist exam but they told him they would not allow him to take the test until he had finished his high school education. Sure it was only going to take him this one year. But every passing moment seemed too long. He decided he would double his efforts at studying, looking for any hints on how to help Al.
Satisfied with this decision Ed finished his shower and went back to bed.
Ed awoke to the sounds of Roy getting ready. He looked blearily at Roy and noticed he was wearing his PE uniform. He groaned. That was right. He had PE first today. Should he go? No he was going to skip.
"Dude, if you don't hurry up I'm going to leave without you."
"I'm not going."
"You know if you're late to school you'll get a detention."
"yeah I know, but I'd prefer the detention."
Roy looked at him sharply. "Mr. Duram didn't do anything to you did he?"
"What?!... No. Come off it."
"Well suit yourself. Check on Riza before you go to class. She's skipping today. The nurse says she should stay off the ankle. I'm sure she'd be glad to see you."
"Sure. I'll take good care of your girl."
Roy gave a snort. "That woman belongs to no man! See you later pipsqueak."
About ten minutes later Ed dressed in his uniform and headed outside. He picked some flowers and made a simple vase out of a broken flowerpot. Filling it with water he placed the flowers inside and went back to the dorms.
He knocked on Riza's door. He heard a shuffling and it took a little while before the door opened to reveal a curious Riza. "Oh. Hey, Ed. What's up?"
"I came to check on you." He said handing her the flowers.
"How sweet! Thank you." She walked inside leaving the door open behind her. Ed walked in and shut the door. She set the flowers on her desk then climbed into her bed, stretching out her foot. "What about class?"
"It's just gym." Ed sat on the floor and leaned against his back against the side of her bed. "So how's the ankle treating you?"
"It's fine so long as I don't put too much weight on it. I've had worse." She smiled. "So how's it going rooming with Roy?"
"It's been going fine." He said. "Luckily he seems to have no interest in beating me up."
She laughed, "Wanna know a secret?"
"Uh… sure."
"I was the one who beat up Roy's last roommate."
Ed looked up at her in surprise. "What?! Really? Why?"
"Don't tell Roy I told you this, he'd kill me. But back when he was a freshman he was a lot smaller and weaker. His roommate got the bright idea he could touch him without my permission. After I beat him he was embarrassed that a girl beat him up so badly so he claimed Roy did it and demanded to switch rooms."
"Without your permission? Have you staked a claim?"
"Haha, I just keep him out of trouble. I don't have time for boys in a romantic sense."
Ed raised an eyebrow. "Do you have time for girls in a romantic sense?"
"HEY! That's uncalled for!" She flushed, "I don't have time for anybody. I'm going into the military soon!"
"So does Roy actually get in fights?" he asked curiously, "He always seems to have bruises."
"On occasion he does. Most of his bruises come from morning practice with me though. Usually we fight together and when we do, we aren't the ones getting hurt. Would you like to join us in the mornings? You should probably know how to fight just in case something happens."
Thinking of the metal that lay under his layers Ed shook his head. "Sorry, no thanks… I'm not a morning person."
"Shame. Well if you ever change your mind just tag along with Roy."
"Sure."
"Hey Ed?"
"What?"
"Are you gay?"
"WHAT?!"
"I'm just wondering… I mean you wore leather pants last night and your ungodly adorable. You keep your hair long, wear your uniform right... It would just be believable. You have my permission to go after Roy, you seem like a good guy." Ed was blushing furiously.
"I'M NOT GAY! I'm going to class…" he mumbled the last part and stomped quickly out of the room.
Edward slipped into his second class of the day, handing the teacher a pink slip from the office. He looked down at the paper on top of his books. It was a detention slip with the room number 105 on it. It was worth it to have skipped he decided.
At lunch Ed got himself spaghetti and a roll and sat down where he sat yesterday. This time however Roy joined him, sitting across the table from him.
"How's Riza?" He asked conversationally.
Ed flushed thinking of their conversation, "She seems fine." He said suddenly very interested in his food.
"That's good… Thank you so much for saving her. I can't explain how grateful I am to you. She's my best friend… I don't know what I'd do without her." He looked meaningfully at Ed, who kept his eyes downcast. "If there's anything you need or want… ever… anything at all just say the word."
Ed looked up, face red. "Anything?"
"Anything." Roy confirmed with a serious look.
Ed grinned. "Take me on a date."
Roy raised an eyebrow and Ed looked back down. "Or you can go back on your promise."
"Fine. We'll go on Saturday." Ed looked up in time to catch a pale pink flush over Roy's cheeks before the boy got up and left. He realized Roy hadn't had anything to eat with him. What's up with that? He wondered. Ahh crap, I hope he doesn't tell Riza… She might shoot me for lying to her.
The rest of the day went smoothly, sailing by as Ed thought happily about the weekend. He was not prepared for what happened next.
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