Now Fully Betaed. I got 180 hits in one day and not one review. So, I will say it the first of many times: REVIEW! PLEAAAASSSEEE! It will make me write faster!
Yeah, onto real notes. A couple of things. Firstly, I love Alphonse. Secondly, I was reading a story and the author has refused to write anymore until they get enough reviews. This brings up two thoughts: One, while I think this is a little immature, I kind of get where they are coming from. Reviews are soul food for authors. They are the very reason we write in the first place. So please, give me reviews. I can promise you that chapters will come out faster if I get a lot of encouragement/feedback/inspiration from you guys. It doesn't have to be long (though extensive reviews are greatly appreciated.) And tell your friends if you think that this story is worth the read. New fans are just as appreciated as old ones. On to thought number two: Obligatory advertising of that damn story so that the author will fucking update. If any of you are NaruSasu fans, (or if you aren't, but you just want to be nice to me) Comment on the last chapter of 'Smile' (found here: fanfiction (dot) net/s/3011644/20/Smile). For those that are interested, it's a great story and well worth reading from the beginning. ~Sigh~ Ok, enough ranting from me. I think that I will put the 'to my reviewers' section at the bottom again…maybe I will start putting it there all the time. Just seems like less hassle before the chapter starts (even though my author's notes seem to be very long anyway).
My beta pointed out that Roy's actions don't make sense sometimes...and she's right, there is no need for him to go through this much effort, but, he is obsessed with Ed and that makes him act stupid. I didn't think I had to say that, but maybe I do. *shrugs*
BTW…I have been thinking about writing a oneshot of pure smut to see if my skills in bedroom writing are up to par for things that will be happening later in this story. I know I gave you a little taste of what I can do in chapter 3…so, my question is a.) Do you think I should bother taking time out for that and letting this story slide a little for it and b.) will any of you bother to read and review it if I do? Please comment on this issue. I don't want to put off any of LTIS if I wont get any feedback regarding this (which means you wont get any smut. In short, if you like that idea, or you are a horndog, you need to tell me that in a review.)
~OxO~
I walked out of the library slowly, mulling over this new development.
I had always known that Fullmetal had had a brother, but I had never given it much thought, because I had never seen the two of them in school together. It didn't seem like they were all that close, but perhaps I was wrong.
'I wonder if there is anything I can do to help…'
~OxO~
On Wednesday I was completely disoriented, and trying not to let it show. My entire schedule had been switched around, thanks to one Edward Elric.
My Chem. II class was now at the end of the day. (I whimpered internally at the thought of having to go without Mr. Bunsen Burner for a few more hours everyday. Hughes was firmly convinced that I was madly in love with that little flame spout and kept asking if we were going to elope. Perhaps I would consider it if Mr. Bunsen Burner was blonde and wore leather pants.) This was to make room for the Teaching Aide time slot that had been moved to right after lunch, and somehow my Trig class had been moved to first thing in the morning (I was not going to pretend to know how scheduling worked.)
'This is for Edward. Having the worst possible schedule on Earth is all for his peace of mind. It's worth it. It's worth it. It's…worth it?'
I kept repeating this to myself as I was walking up the familiar hallway at an unfamiliar time, anything to keep me from strangling the first blonde that came into view.
Why did I care this much?
~After School on Tuesday~
"Please," I begged in a falsely distressed tone. "I want to continue in my Education of younger children, but doing so in the morning is making my performance lax. This isn't the same as a regular class, it is interaction with the future of this country, and that requires a whole new level of concentration and energy."
I shifted my mask some, letting the fat woman behind the desk see some helplessness and smolder in my gaze.
"Taking this into account, after lunch would be the best time for my Government Teaching Aide class. That way, a few freshman will be able to fully partake of anything I have to offer."
"I don't know, Mr. Mustang…such a big change at this time of the year…" she trailed off uncertainly.
I realized that I had already hammed it up so much that taking it a little further wouldn't hurt. This woman wasn't really strong willed anyway. All it would take would be a little push…
I lowered my head and glanced up at her through my eyelashes. "Please. Think of the children."
I was exceedingly proud that I was able to make it out the front doors of the school before bursting into hysterical laughter.
~Present~
I still couldn't quite believe that she had bought that.
I found the door to Room 214 and quietly stepped in. I half expected the room to look different at this odd time. But, it wasn't. Same old posters of the Bill of Rights, neon colored breakdowns of how Congress worked and whatnot. I took my spot at the long table in the back of the room, behind all the desks, and dumped all my crap onto it. Mr. Marcoh walked in and spotted me. He waved me over to his big teacher's desk that was supposed to be imposing to incoming freshman.
"Why the sudden change?" he asked.
"Well, I just felt that I should use my last year here to it's fullest potential. This new schedule is better for everyone involved." I lied.
"I see. Well, as long as you are ok with it, it's fine by me. The first period students will miss you."
"Yes. Be sure to tell them hi for me." Obnoxious little twerps. Wouldn't miss them any.
"I will. The atmosphere of this class is much different, so it may take some getting used to."
"Really? How so?" I said in a falsely curious tone.
"Well, this is an advanced class. Same subject material, but we go through it faster, and get more in depth. The students in the class have more…drive for learning."
'In other words, they aren't sleeping during class.' I silently supplied.
I nodded just as some other students began to file in. I stayed up by Marcoh's desk, waiting to be introduced once the room was full. I tramped down on the urge to leave that came with every time there were several people in one room. They were just freshman, after all.
I kept an eye out for anyone with blonde hair and golden eyes. I figured the brothers must look something alike. But, as more and more students came in, I wasn't able identify anyone like that in the quick glances that I snuck in. Perhaps he wasn't here today?
Obviously, someone new in the class had merited some attention from the normal students. An older class of sophomores or juniors I would have glanced at me once and then continued on with whatever they were doing. They knew who I was, and wouldn't question my presence too much.
But, seeing as these were freshman, they were not aware enough of manners or my title to keep from gawking and 'sneaking' obvious glances at me.
Finally, the last bell rang and the whole class was seated.
Mr. Marcoh motioned for me to move to the front and center of the room.
"Class, I would like to introduce you to someone. Some of you may already be aware that he is the student council president-" Some curious eyebrows raised at that. "-but for this class, he is going to act as teaching aide. He will be with us for the rest of the year, and will help me with class. I would like you all to show him your respect, and please do what he asks of you." He finished abruptly and looked expectantly at me.
"Thank you, Mr. Marcoh. My name is Roy Mustang. I hope we will get along, everyone." I said in a cheery voice. And with a stroke of brilliance I added, "Mr. Marcoh, if you'd like, I'll do roll call today, so I can get more familiar with the students' names."
He nodded kindly and handed me his clip-board of names. I calmly called each one, making sure to look up and take note of each person. It paid to know your surroundings. Finally, I got to a last name I recognized.
"Alphonse Elric?" I asked in the same conversational monotone that I had used for all the other names.
A boy towards the back raised his hand.
"Here."
My first thought was 'No way. They can't be related.' But then my time of socially acceptable staring was up and I had to move onto the next name.
When I was done, I nodded once to the class and once to Marcoh and made my way to my seat.
The younger Elric was seated near me, so I took the opportunity to observe him closer as the lesson started.
He had short, brown hair that would probably have highlights more akin to his brother's mane, if he were in the sunlight. He was a little rounder than his brother. Not that he was fat, or out of shape, he just wasn't as buff. He had an open, childlike face (the exact opposite of Edward's) but his eyes held a razor sharp intelligence. It must have been a family trait. His eyes were not the intoxicating gold of the sun, but a glowing blue-grey with faint specks of amber floating in them. They were fascinating in their own way. I decided that 'Elric' and 'inviting' were synonymous.
~OxO~
I learned a couple things over the next few days.
One: Hughes had somehow learned of Havoc's little 'incident' last week, and was holding it over his head, causing Jean to be exceedingly nervous, which lead to nervous habits being amplified, which ended in chewed tooth picks all over the Student Council Room floor. I finally got fed up with it and told both of them in very precise wording, that I would tell Hawkeye of Havoc's masturbation mishap and Hughes' malicious manipulation if they didn't stop fucking up my space. Needless to say, the toothpicks disappeared pretty quickly.
Two: Alphonse Elric was much nicer, and more gentle than his brother.
Three: Alphonse Elric was not highly intelligent, like his brother. He was a bloody genius. While Edward was quick thinking and openly brilliant both in his speech and actions, Alphonse was a quiet logic machine. He took every problem in, dissected it and put it back together in a way that worked for him. In Alphonse's case, slow and steady did not only win the race, it completely changed the rules of the race so that he would be the automatic winner without even having to cross the finish line and no one would be able to fault him for it.
He would make for a great politician.
My second day of helping out with the new class (I had settled into my new schedule rather quickly) had been highly interesting. The students were presenting persuasive arguments about what laws they thought should be passed and why.
Naturally, after two minutes, the young Elric boy had everyone convinced. I was busy admiring him and mourning the fact that he was not old enough to be on the Council (I would probably vote him in myself, if he were) when the bell signaling the end of class rang. Everyone began gathering their things and exiting the room, chattering about plans for the weekend, homework, and whatever else.
Alphonse was a little slower to leave than normal. I started on my way out when he called to me.
"Mr. Mustang?" rang out the small voice from behind me.
I turned around. "No need for prefixes. What can I do for you, Alphonse?"
"Um…Have I been doing something wrong?"
I was taken aback at that. I gave voice to my confusion.
"What? Why would you think that?" I asked, genuinely wondering where he had gotten that idea.
"Well…"he hesitated, then continued with his sentence. "It's just that you have been paying a lot of attention to me. Almost like staring. At first I thought you were just getting a feel for the class, but then I noticed that you didn't focus on anyone else like that, so I just assumed…" he trailed off, his earlier gusto now gone.
Well. I hadn't meant to make him uncomfortable, but perhaps I could use this situation to my advantage. This could be the opening that I had been searching for.
"No, Alphonse. You aren't doing anything wrong. I was admiring what were doing right, actually. Your work is absolutely brilliant." I commented, hoping to flatter my way into another topic.
"Oh." He colored a little. "Thanks, then. I'm glad that there isn't anything wrong."
"Well…" It was now or never.
"Actually, there is something wrong."
Something like mortification mixed with minor horror fell upon his features. Honestly, both Elrics were so expressive. It was fun to watch.
"But we don't have much time, or we'll both be late for our next class. This is an odd request, but will you meet me by the cafeteria entrance tomorrow so we can talk about it?" I said, feeling like a creepy old man.
"Uh…" He glanced to the side, uncomfortable with the offer.
"It will only take a couple minutes. Normally, I wouldn't bother, but it is important." I said the last part with conviction, stressing the word 'important'.
That convinced him. "Ok. See you tomorrow." He dashed out of the room without giving me time to respond.
I chuckled and glanced at the clock. Crap.
I followed in suit and ran out of the room, hoping my legs would carry me to my next class fast enough.
~OxO~
I waited by the cafeteria doors, resisting the urge to lean against the walls because it wouldn't look good.
Out of nowhere, a burst of sunshine with a crooked smile caught my eye.
"-sure, Jack." He must have spotted me, because he went on to say, "Hey, go on without me. I'll catch up in a minute."
Alphonse trotted over to me, looking very much like a puppy. I inwardly chuckled, trying (and failing) to imagine the older Elric acting in the same manner.
"Hi, Mr. Mustang!" came the cheery greeting.
I internally winced. Normally, I didn't mind formal titles, but coming from Alphonse, 'Mr. Mustang' made me feel older than I was.
"Hello, Alphonse."
"So…" he seemed to stop and think for a moment. He clasped his hands together behind his back and leaned forward a bit, looking very much like a child trying to get out of being in trouble.
"What did you want to talk about?" He finished with a blink of his big, innocent eyes.
Really. I was tempted to continue with the small talk, because this was absolutely adorable. I was fairly sure that he was trying to manipulate me into telling him everything without getting him into trouble. This attempt was pretty impressive, considering that it would have worked, if the subject had been solely about him, and not about his god-like brother.
"Well…how to say it?" I mused aloud.
"It actually has nothing to do with academics." I saw some confusion filter into his expression.
"I wanted to talk with you about your brother."
After that statement, there came a totally unexpected reaction. Initially, his eyes darkened to the color of a stormy sky. This was followed by a furrowing of his brow and the forming of a small frown. He straightened up, drawing himself up to his full height (The top of his head actually reached my eye level. I guess shortness was a 'blessing' of genetics that only the elder had received. ). He gazed straight into my eyes, a mixture of suspicion, sternness, and a much deeper emotion that I couldn't quite put a name to swirling within his own.
"What about him?" he asked. His voice came out flat, but it carried undertones of protectiveness so fierce that it would have made a lesser man cower.
Wow. My initial impression was very wrong, it seemed. The Elric brothers were close, almost scarily so.
"I…" I faltered a bit, knowing that phrasing my thoughts in the wrong way would result in a very upset Alphonse.
"I suppose you could say that he is an acquaintance of mine. He has recently expressed some…discontentment over interactions between the two of you." I said, hoping that my voice carried enough concern to let him know that I was sincere, but not so much as to make him feel that this was an invasion of privacy.
Alphonse's eyes narrowed, and he seemed to mull that over, searching for any hint of harmful intentions. Apparently, whatever he found within that statement was deemed satisfactory, and he deflated a little.
"Yes…well. I hardly see how that is a problem that merits your attention." He said humbly.
"Oh, it is, Alphonse. Firstly, I don't want the brightest freshman I have ever met distracted by private problems and secondly…" I thought it would be best to add in some frank humor here, "It's kind of creepy when your brother is depressed. There are certain emotions that fit on his face well, and dejection isn't one of them."
Alphonse gave a small smile at that, and followed that up with a sigh.
"I can see your point, I guess…but…why do you care? Not to sound rude, but Brother really isn't…" he trailed off, looking away.
"…Someone that I would spend time with?" I finished for him.
He looked at me, his eyes unreadable, and he nodded.
I took a deep breath, and glanced around, making sure no one would be able to hear what I said next.
I leaned toward him a little and lowered my voice, as if I was about to share a big secret (and in a way, I was).
"Be that as it may, I do care. It's clear to me now that you two are close…and even though your brother doesn't exactly…" I paused, looking for the right word, "Fit in, he doesn't deserve to be shunned for his personal obligations. It would be a real shame to let something come between the two of you."
"But-" he began.
"Alphonse." I cut him off. "While his way may not be the best way, he is trying very hard. Even if you don't agree with his choices, or their consequences, you should still support him. He isn't really accepted, and you are one of the only people he has to lean on. In my honest opinion, you shouldn't try to make things harder on him. You are the only one who cares enough to try to make things better for him, after all."
He openly stared for a few seconds, and slowly a smile formed on his face.
"In response to your concern, thank you, I think you are probably right. And in response to your last comment…somehow, I don't think that is as true as it used to be." He said, a knowing gleam in his eyes.
Of course. Leave it to an Elric to latch on to that…
I cleared my throat to cover my embarrassment.
"Yes, well…just don't go spreading that around. It'd be terrible for my reputation if people found out that I think about things other than my hair and politics." I joked.
He laughed light-heartedly.
"Thanks so much for your advice. I think I'll take it."
His stomach grumbled and he flushed a bit.
"Yeah… I'm going to go eat lunch now." He said abashedly.
I nodded with a smile and he turned to walk into the cafeteria. He gave me a grin and a wave over his shoulder.
"Bye, Mr. Mustang-"
"Roy." I said, having no idea why I wanted to be called by my first name by a freshman.
He stopped short for a moment, and then a genuine smile graced his soft features.
"Roy." He said. Then he walked out of my line of sight without giving me time to respond.
Hopefully, that would help ease the tension between the two brothers. And perhaps…I would come out of this with more than I had bargained for. I had a feeling that I had just gained an important ally in my quest to get closer to a certain short blonde.
'Hmm…maybe I should start talking to Alphonse more often…'
~OxO~
To My Reviewers
shadowX101: I like the new attitude that is forming too.
-HoPeLeSsRoMaNtIc-29-: I can't wait for the dating, either. Fluff is always so much fun to write. ^_^
ayaaaaaaa: I have written 'moar'. Pleased?
Rei Kiele: Holy, shit, I love you. Firstly, yeah. Ed+Piercings=Fangasam, which is why I wrote him that way. And one of my main priorities of this story is staying true to the characters that I initially fell in love with. And, on a side note, I love smut too. Initially, this story was going to be rated 'T', but…I just knew that I would eventually put something naughty in here, so I saved myself the trouble and just started off with an 'M' rating, even though there hasn't been too much smuttyness yet.
iStoleYourChips: Haha, 69. You rock. BTW, if you were wondering, I am all for Team Edward. Just not the Edward that sparkles and has freakish hair. I like the Edward with height issues much better. ;)
thestoryteller: I know you reviewed chapter one, but I think everyone deserves a response for taking the time to write, and you will get here eventually if you keep reading. Thanks!
