Sorry it took so long, peeps. This one's a doozy.

Chimera Ed

Chapter 9

Russell's Hope

(Russell's POV)

So here we are, leaning over the railing of the bridge that overlooked a manmade lake.Less than a foot away from eachother. I could feel my whole body tingling at the mere thought of being close to him. What was I going to do? I had dragged him all the way out here, telling him that I had something I wanted to talk to him about. Yes, I did. No, I couldn't. It was too hard.

The truth is complicated. It all started during that incident when Ed and Al came to Xenotime and basically saved the people of the town from our red water expiriment. When I first saw Ed, I thought he was cute. I've been into guys for as long as I can remember. Of course, we started out as enemies, so it clearly wasn't going to work out. But after everything was cleared up in the end, I ended up really falling for him. Not just his looks. His insane personality. His subconcious charm. Those eyes...

But, all too soon, he had to leave. I had written him a love note, telling him how I felt about him, and was going to stash it in the basket of lemons we were giving the brothers as a parting gift. But at the last minute, I backed out, too afraid of what he might think, and replaced the love note with a simple friendly thank-you note. I even added a light joke to make fun of him (1).

Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I should have given him the love note! His reaction would have been easier to handle because he would be far away by the time he found out. Now I had to tell him to his face. I had actually come to Central just to do that. I had been fully prepared to face him and tell him that I...

But he had to make it ten times harder for me with those chimera parts. The way that beautiful tail swished around in the air so smoothly... how those ears turned this way and that is sudden motions... And the adorable twitch of those whiskers... It was killing me. Every part of him seemed to glow with beauty. His facial features seemed softer than the last time I saw him. He almost looked... feminine.

No matter the reason, he had captured me in that alluring attraction. I wanted so badly to hold him, kiss him, touch him, feel his warmth against my skin...

"Is there something on my face?" The question caught me off guard. I was immediatley jerked back into reality.

"Wha... no! I mean... what? I mean... no. There's no face... Nothing on your face!" This was my brilliant reply. I mentally cussed myeslf out.

He blinked, cutely. "Then why are you staring at me like i'm lunch?" (2)

Oh, shit.

(Back at the meat shop, general POV)

They had been thinking for a while. Both wondering what was going on with their brothers. They had considered everything. Finally, Al mentioned 'the change'. Fletcher listened as Alphonse told him all about Ed being a chimera. When he spoke of everyone's sudden attraction, Fletcher interrupted.

"So you think my brother is going after your brother for his chimera body?" Fletcher asked, concealing a disapproving thought.

"Well... I..." Al responded, meakly. He straightened up before continuing. "I don't mean that. It's just that somehow, his change has triggered a reaction from the least likely people."

Fletcher looked around for a moment and then looked back at Al. He leaned forward a bit and spoke in a light voice. "I have to tell you something and I want you to promise me you won't tell anyone else. It's Russell's biggest secret, but I think you, off all people, have to know this."

"What is it?" Al asked, a sudden wave of curiosity washing over him.

"It wouldn't matter if your brother had been fused with an animal or not, because ever since the incedent in Xenotime, Russell's been in love with Ed." Fletcher finished.

(Back to Ed and Russell, general POV)

"I... umm... I have to tell you something." Straighten up. Don't whimp out. Don't let his sexy appeal distract you. This is your one chance to tell him you love him. Don't screw it up! And don't sound too sappy either! He's not a girl.

"Well? What is it?" Ed questioned, sounding annoyed as he tapped his foot on the ground and crossed his arms.

"I am... not exactly sure how to tell you, so... I want to show you." He quickly leaned down until his face was inches away from Ed's. "Just so you know, this is not about your being a chimera. This is how I've felt ever since the beginning."

He pressed his lips against the Edward's. And it was like an explosion of fireworks lit up the night sky.

Ed's arms dropped out of their crossed position. He closed his eyes, taking in every breath from the other boy.

A few yards away, a dark figure stood in the shadow of a tree, appearing only as a light silhouette, a pair of binoculars to his eyes. "He's kissing back? I'm too late..." he whispered. He then turned and ran the other direction, disappearing as if never there.

His eyes suddenly snapped open. He pushed Russell away from him. "What do you think you're doing?" He demanded.

Russell could only let out a small, fearful sound. Does he hate me? He's straight, I knew it! He doesn't like me that way! All these thoughts began to rush into his mind.

"Down on your knees!" Ed exclaimed.

"Wha...?"

"I said, get down on your knees!" Ed repeated.

Russell realized this was exactly what Ed said during their first encounted. Russell had responded with a 'What, so we can see eye to eye?' as a joke. But this time, Russell realized, it would be smarter to listen to Ed. He quickly bent down and got on his knees.

"You do realize you broke the rules?" Ed accused.

"Uhh... rules?" Russell blinked twice. He couldn't understand what Ed was getting at.

"Yes. Rules! The older man is supposed to be dominant!" And with that, he placed his hands on Russell's shoulders and leaned in to capture his lips, once again.

And the fireworks started again, this time within both of them.

To Be Continued...

Author's note: So Ed has finally got someone to really love. How sweet... I had so much more to put into this chapter, but I've decided to save it for the next chapter.

FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER: Who is the mysterious person that stalks Edward Elric? How will the relationship between Ed and Russell go? Will Ed ever have to face Roy again after Roy's display of sexual harassment back in the second chapter? And what about that secret admirer? Stay tuned to find out the answer to these, and other questions on... CHIMERA ED!

(1) Remember? Russell is a year younger than Ed, yet he's way taller.

(2) BUSTED! Caught thinking perverted thoughts about Cat-boy! Naughty, naughty boy, Russell.