Incident 7

Time for a little deviation from the actual plot line, hmmm? This incident is not Edward's fault so much as, well... someone else's. We'll just go with that for now. Actually, it was Edward's fault, but it wasn't him who didn't knock.

"Brother, Mr. Hughes wants us to come over for dinner."

Ed groaned. "Why? So he can regale us with tales of his adorable little daughter while we watch the tales unfold before us? The man is like a running commentary of his daughter's life, and I don't need to hear it!"

Al watched him amusedly. "But Mr. Hughes is our friend, brother. He says Miss Gracia has enough food for everyone. I think we should go."

Edward shook his head. "Nah. I'm too busy! We have to get through these books, and going over to Hughes' would only take up valuable time."

"Brother, he's on the phone. And he's asking for you."

With a grimace that turned frighteningly quickly into a mischievous grin that would make Loki jealous, Ed stretched out his hand, at the same time making a horrifying groan. As if he were sick.

"Ed?" The young alchemist could already hear Hughes' concerned voice over the line, and Ed almost smiled. "Ed, buddy? You okay?"

"Yeah Hughes," dramatic cough for effect. "I'm fine, I guess. I'm not really feelin' up to coming over tonight. Is some other night okay?"

Al glared at his older brother with soul-fire eyes, then shook his head. He hoped Edward wouldn't make a habit of lying to their friends simply because he felt like it.

"Aw, I'm sorry to here that. And Elicia was looking forward to having her big brothers over for dinner tonight." Silence for a moment, and Ed grew a little nervous. "Out of curiosity, Ed, do you know what made you so sick?"

Edward's eyes widened. Well, shit. He hadn't thought this far ahead. He struggled for a moment for something to say.

"Ed?"

Realizing his silence was far too long, Ed covered up his brain-fart with the fakest wracking cough you've ever heard, struggling to come up with a good excuse.

Finally, he came up with something simple. So simple, it really shouldn't have been that hard to think up.

"I made a sandwich out of the deli meats in the fridge and now I really don't feel good. I guess it's just-" another wracking cough and a pitiful groan for good measure- "food poisoning."

"Well, Ed, that really is too bad. I guess we'll just have to see you two another night." Something sounded off about Hughes's voice, but the young alchemist couldn't figure out what it was.

"Sorry, Hughes. I'll make it up to you guys another time."

"Bye, Ed."

Ed handed the phone back to Al, then lay back down and smirked up at the ceiling.

"Don't be so glad that worked, brother. And don't get in the habit of lying to our friends whenever you don't feel like seeing them."

Ed made a face at his younger brother. "I won't, I promise. But we've got too much to do tonight."

Al nodded. "Fine. I guess."

Only about an hour later, Ed was lying on his bed, munching on a deli meat sandwich and reading one of the alchemy books from the library. Al leaned against the bed, legs folded and also reading. The hotel room was completely silent except for the sound of Ed's chewing (which, I'll point out, was starting to get on Al's nerves).

Then, with an explosive bang, the door slammed open to reveal a certain family-obsessed military man, standing in the doorway with the most severe look on his face the Elric brothers had ever seen.

"Hey there, Elrics!" He said jovially, striding into the room. Hughes stared Ed hard in the eye, and Ed gulped.

"Food poisoning, huh?" Hughes's glance moved to the sandwich in Edward's hand, then back up to the alchemist's eyes. Ed guiltily tried to hide the food, but couldn't do much in his shock.

"You're coming with me, boys!" The soldier exclaimed, reaching forward to grab Ed's arm. "And you aren't getting out of it!"

Al laughed and stood. Ed glared at him, then at Hughes. "Hey! How'd you know I wasn't sick!"

"I'm in Investigations, remember?"

Ed huffed, but accepted the answer.

"Also." Hughes turned to look at him. "Why on earth would you be coughing when you have food poisoning?"

The alchemist gaped, but submitted himself to be dragged along behind the enthusiastic soldier.

Prompt: I made a casserole (sandwich, in the story)out of the deli meats in my fridge, and now I really don't feel good.

(Tiny A/N: I stole this prompt from a Superfruit video, called 101 Ways to Ditch Your Friends.)