This chapter got a little long. By long, I mean it's about the length of a normal chapter
Lemon. Be warned.
Drama, also.
"I don't think Mustang was right." Al waited until Ed looked at him to continue. "They may be in uniforms, but I don't think it has anything to do with work. I don't think the uniforms even belong to them."
"Huh? Why do you think that?"
"The uniforms are too big. And I think he does this in pairs, because there is an even number of male and female." Al tapped a finger to his lip, thinking.
Ed was distracted from the statues, finding himself staring at his brother instead. He looked so much younger than he was, made old from the years of travels, stress, and near death experiences. He was so cute. His hopeful eyes were squinting at the statues, as if the secrets would all be revealed if he could just get the right angle. He would occasionally reach up to tug a strand of hair or bite his lip, then he'd open his mouth to say something, and let it fall shut again, the puzzled expression deepening.
Ed made a silent promise right then. The moment this turned dangerous, as it was sure to, Al was not to get involved.
"Brother?" Al moved closer to a statue. "Look, brother."
Ed crossed the grass, peering over Al's shoulder. "Is that…initials?" He leaned closer. "JL?" He sighed and crossed his arms. "He's sick enough to put his initials on his work, but won't even give us all three?" Ed kicked the ground, furious.
Al watched his brother, uncertain what to say. "There must be another clue."
"We'll just wait around. Eventually, he'll show himself." Ed dropped to the ground with a sigh.
"But, Brother." Al nudged the ground with the toe of his boot. "Mikah wanted me to come over today…"
"Oh." Ed smiled. "Have fun. I'll just wait around here."
Al smiled, but it slowly faded. "Brother, I reviewed the file before we handed it to you. The statues appear on Mondays."
"Yea, so?" Ed grumbled.
"You could come with me. See Jeb. You don't have to stay here if it'll be proven pointless."
"Oh." Ed stood quickly. "Of course." He laughed. "Let's go."
Al smiled at the change in Ed. "Race you!" He cheered, sprinting back towards the city.
"Not fair! You have a head start!" Ed yelped, hurrying to catch up to his brother.
"Hey, didn't expect to see you two today." Jeb greeted them at the door with an uneasy smile.
"I could leave." Ed offered, Al having already ducked into the house, Mikah's happy squeals reaching them on the porch.
"No, I want to see you." Jeb leaned down, his lips meeting Ed's.
"Not here." Ed whispered, breaking the kiss. He wasn't sure where the military was staying, and he wasn't about to explain his relationship to anyone.
Jeb led Ed into the house. "Drink?" He offered.
"I'd rather not. Work tomorrow." Ed replied. He was trying to stop drinking so often, especially when Al was around.
"Hey, Brother, we're going to the store." Al called out as he and Mikah made their way out the door. They didn't stop for a reply, but hurried out before they could be stopped.
"Poured you one anyway." Jeb handed Ed the glass.
"Thanks." Ed quickly shot down the contents and handed it back.
Jeb smiled. "Long day?"
Ed shrugged. "Could have been better." Something was bothering him, and it wasn't the fact that the military was still making him work. It had nothing to do with the statues or the lack of clues. It was something he couldn't quite name.
"You seem tense. Come relax." Jeb waved an arm down the hall. "Living room is that way." He waved vaguely.
Ed led himself there, glancing around the room. It was rather large and more so bare. He crossed the room to a painting, eyeing it. It showed a waterfall with rocks shoving out from the curtain of water, faces barely discernable on them.
"Do you like it?" Jeb asked with a smile, crossing the room to hand the refilled glass to Ed. "I finished it late last night." He smiled. "I like to consider myself an artist."
Ed nodded. "Do you ever sell your art?" He asked, not really interested in the topic. He accepted the glass, sipping it slowly. In the corner, he caught Jeb's signature, proving it was his art. Jeb La-something. He couldn't really read the writing.
"No, although I sometimes create art in public places." Jeb smiled at Ed over his glass.
Ed eyed the painting. Art. Faces. Public. JL. He froze. That was the initials on the statue.
"How long do you suppose the boys will be gone?" Jeb asked casually, ignorant of Ed's epiphany.
"Where did they say they were going?" Ed tried to maintain a steady voice, but heard it crack. He slowly turned to face Jeb, half expecting to get attacked.
"The store, although they didn't say which." Jeb smiled. "Mikah could spend hours at the fruit stands alone. If only I knew what went on inside him." Jeb reached out to Ed, who quickly jerked away. "What's wrong?"
Ed shook his head. Jeb's laugh sounded evil in his ears.
"You're looking at me like I did something wrong." Jeb smiled, reaching out to brush a strand of hair away from Ed's face. "Like I killed someone or something." Jeb said the words casually, watching Ed's eyes widen. He grinned. "Do you think I killed someone?" He asked, moving closer to Ed. He words sent a chill down the alchemist's back. His lips gently brushed Ed's ear. "You think I'm evil." It wasn't a question and Ed didn't object. It was easy enough to read his expression.
"If I'm so evil," He hissed, brushing his thigh against Ed's groin as their lips crushed together. "Why do I make you feel like this?" He grinned. "If I'm bad," His lips moved to Ed's neck, gently sucking until a moan escaped Ed. "Why does this make you feel good?"
Ed stumbled away from the boy, but Jeb back him against the wall. "What's wrong?" He grinned. "You obviously like it." He trailed his hands from Ed's shoulders to his wrists, capturing his wrists and pinning them over his head. "If you really think I'm evil, just tell me to stop." Jeb returned his focus to the boy's neck, while gently applying pressure to a well placed location beneath the waist.
"Just tell me it wasn't you." Ed ground out, tilting his face away from Jeb.
"Would you believe me so easily?" Jeb asked, releasing him and tugging off his shirt. He moved to tug off Ed's, who offered no objection.
"You assume I wouldn't trust you?" Ed replied, nervously licking his lips.
"I know you're scared." Jeb grinned. "What do you think I'll do, Ed? What worries you? You think I'll turn you to stone?" Jeb asked casually, his hands focused on removing the shorter male's pants.
Ed couldn't find the words to respond, a gasp escaping him as the cool air hit his erection. He hated himself for enjoying Jeb's warm, skilled motions, but, he told himself, he had no proof that it was Jeb.
Jeb wrapped one hand around the throbbing member, sliding his fingers slowly. "You sure have bad taste," He placed his free hand on Ed's waist. "Having sex with the bad guy." He shifted, easily spinning Ed to face the wall. In one quick motion, he sheathed himself in Ed.
Ed groaned in pain, glad the wall was there for support. "You sure are acting like the evil one." He grunted as Jeb began to slide out before slamming back in. He didn't wait for Ed to adjust, simply quickening his pace.
"You hurt me, Ed. Acting this way." Jeb didn't sound too hurt as a moan escaped his throat.
Ed leaned back against the boy, matching his thrusts. Part of him was worried, Jeb's reaction was odd, to say the least. But part of him wanted to hold the boy, swear he never thought such a thing, and receive the pleasure he was missing. He groaned, feeling his stomach tighten. His manhood felt neglected, but if he removed a hand from the wall, he would surely fall.
Jeb seemed to guess Ed's thoughts, because he wrapped an arm around the boy, slowly pumping him. "If I'm so evil," He grunted, releasing his seed in Ed. "Why do I care so much about you?" He whispered, his words drowned out by Ed's groan as he released.
Jeb pulled out of him. "I'm evil." He placed a kiss on Ed's shoulder. "Yet I can't even bring myself to hurt you."
