Disclaimer: Characters unfortunately © to all the wonderful makers of Fullmetal Alchemist. I only chose to play with the boys.
Author's Notes: I had a feeling this was going to happen. XD
Namida
- chapter 2 -
Disturbance
A week had passed in complete eventless boredom. Edward was not sure whether to curse or bless his luck. The days had been spent holed up in the State library, pouring over desks full of books, over pages and words he barely absorbed. It was easier to remain there, however, until nightfall than wander the streets or – god forbid – spend anytime at the Headquarters. The last thing he needed was the scrutiny of the Colonel on him at a time like this. It was bad enough that Alphonse had begun to question him. He had brushed all questions off with a few fake smiles and nonchalant looks, but knew that his brother was just playing along in leaving him alone.
He was surrounded by intuitive bastards. Ed sighed, hanging his head, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he wandered down the dimly lit streets back to the dormitories. Night had fallen hours ago and he was wide awake – having taken to slumbering upon library books once more. It was become more and more frequent, but he did not think that anyone really minded. At least he had not been scolded too badly about it just yet.
The tip of his boot caught on a loose pebble, and sent it bouncing down the road in front of him, only to be kicked once more once he reached it. His interest in kicking the victimized pebble was lost as he turned the corner. The moment he passed the bakery, his stomach lurched. It was ritual for him to stop there every night as he returned to the dormitories and pick up some goodies from the kitchen while they cleaned up. The ritual had been broken a week ago however, when upon stopping by the following night, he had been offered none other than a couple of still steaming cinnamon rolls to take back. He had taken the box with a smile, only to offer it to one of the neighborhood kids on his way home.
Cinnamon rolls had been effectively ruined for him. His favorite dessert turned into something that would only trigger the memories of that despicable afternoon. The taste that had lingered in his mouth; the feel of hot flesh against his own; the scent buried in those long silky strands of deep emerald black…
It was enough to make him want to scream, but instead Ed picked up his pace, storming down the street away from the bakery, which emitted such tempting scents. His stomach growled, protesting with hunger and for once in his life, he ignored it.
After five minutes of jumping at shadows along the way, Ed finally climbed his way to his room on the third floor.
"Welcome back, niisan!"
A weak smile tugged at his lips at his brother's ever-cheerful greeting. "Hey…" Edward closed the door behind him and immediately migrated toward his bed in the opposite corner of the room, upon which he flopped face first.
"Ano… Lieutenant Hawkeye dropped these off for you earlier."
"What is it?"
"A file folder and a dessert box," returned Al, as he walked both items across the room.
The file was normal, hardly out of the ordinary…but… Ed glimpsed up, pushing himself up slightly as he peered at the small white box in Alphonse's hands. Golden eyes widened ever slightly.
"What is it, niisan?"
"N-nothing…when did she bring this?" He fought the immensely large lump in his throat.
"Not an hour ago, why?"
Edward shook his head and took the file but however made no move to snatch the box. It was only moments later that he realized just how suspicious it would appear for him to openly refuse food like that. And thus, reluctantly took it into his lap, staring at the string that kept it shut with a frown.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Al prodded quietly as if expecting some sort of rebuke for the question.
"I'm fine, Al…just tired. I'll look at this tomorrow." And thus dismissing the case, Ed set both file and the damned box on the nightstand. He lay back down facing the wall and pretended to go to sleep until he heard the creaking of armor step away from the bed. His eyes slid open then, and he stared at the wall in front of him, watching the small imperfections without really seeing them. He felt hunted, watched – uncomfortable in his own skin. His small body curled up instinctively as if that alone would protect him from that persuasive devil.
Perhaps what was most unnerving of all was not that he had returned, but that he had done so in such a cheap tactic as to impersonate the Lieutenant. Fingers tightened around the edge of the covers as he seethed silently. But what was the point of all this? Why use a disguise and come knowing to find his brother? And why the hell bring him something in the first place?! Next thing he knew, he'd have a dozen roses waiting outside the door.
Edward flushed furiously at the thought and buried his head beneath the heavy stack of covers.
------
"I should've have just stayed in Rizenbool longer." Ed muttered later that morning. He'd avoided paying an official visit at Headquarters, wanting nothing to do with that office this early in the morning.
He dimly heard the tower bell across the city announce the noon hour and grinned sheepishly. It was still early according to his internal clock, which had not allowed him to catch proper sleep the previous night. Dreams he thought had finally disappeared returned to remind him of that which he longed fiercely to forget. But it was no use dwelling upon it now, Edward decided, stubbornly pushing all those thoughts forcefully out of his mind.
As he walked aimlessly down the streets, however, he could not shake the feeling of being watched, constantly surveyed. It was unnerving, and perhaps it was merely his recent paranoia acting up, but the sensation was not gone even after he wandered into his usual bookstore.
"Good afternoon, Edward!" the shop keeper greeted him cheerfully, which forced him to return the greeting with a smile.
"Looking for anything in particular, today?"
"Not really," in truth, it had been the first shop with an open door that he had been able to wander into. But while he was there, he figured that he could look into a couple of titles. Ed slipped down the narrow shelf-formed aisles toward the back, glimpsing over the various heavy bound books.
"G'morning, chibi-san"
Edward jumped, backing heavily into one of the wooden shelves. That voice, that greeting. Golden eyes, wide with shock, glimpsed up to see the devil perching upon the ledge of one of the shelves, just a couple of feet above him.
"Is everything alright back there?" called the shopkeeper.
"F-fine!" he returned, trying to keep the shakiness out of his voice as he watched Envy above him. Watched those violet eyes follow the voice of the shopkeeper, only to return to him moments later, much more interested. A small step was taken away from the shelf, distancing himself from the ever-predatory homunculus. Gradually, he was even able to summon a fitting glare, but much to his disappointment, Envy smiled with sincere mirth before hoping down to the floor.
Bare feet whispered against the floor as he landed gracefully and quietly approached.
"What are you doing here?"
"Is that any way to greet someone?" His head tilted, sending gravity-defying strands across his deep violet gaze. Ed could not help but notice the fresh black nail polish upon those long fingers that extended toward him to cup and caress his cheek. It took him a moment to come back to himself and shove that hand away with a glare.
"You're right. I should be killing you instead!" He hissed, finding the anger that would keep him out of trouble…for the most part.
A perfectly innocent look came across the other's face. He never thought it possible and blinked stupidly. "I've come in peace, chibi-san, no need to be so angry."
Fullmetal glared indignantly, pushing past him with all intentions of walking away without another word, before any damage was done. His plan did not go accordingly however as he felt hands push at his shoulders, press him against the bookshelf.
"Let go of me!" He managed to keep his tone down, not wanting to alert the shop keeper. The panic, however, had snuck into his voice. This was beginning to reminisce of the previous week. Before he could protest any further, his lips were claimed by a surprisingly light, though possessive kiss, which rendered him completely still. Protesting words were wiped from his mind; as did every other thought but the sensation of those lips against his own, the warmth that radiated from the half-bared body so close to his own.
Metal collided heavily with flesh. Envy stumbled back, a look of disbelief crossing his features as he touched the red mark upon his cheek. He had not thought of pinning his arms down.
Ed stood there, panting softly with a faintly crimson flush still upon his face. "Do not…touch me…" He gasped shakily.
"Tst!" The other's look of disbelief turned into something of a glare, complete with a scowl. A nice imprint of screws and metal digits glowed bright red against his pretty face.
Ed composed himself and backed away with all intentions of slipping out of the store. Quickly. To his surprise, he managed to step foot outside the door into the warming day, in the relative safety of the small crowd. What he had not expected was for Envy to actually stomp out after him and despite the questioning glimpses, follow him.
There was just enough time as sparks crackled, and the top layer of his automail extended into a point. Edward spun around, extending his arm so that the tip of the blade pressed to the homunculus' throat. "I told you to leave me the hell alone!"
Envy came to a quick halt, but not quick enough to save the nick that drew a droplet of blood from his neck. "You don't always get what you want, chibi-san." He returned lightly and leaned back, away from the sharp weapon. Edward had no time to react as he spun around, landing a perfectly elegant roundhouse kick on his jaw.
Ed's body spun with the unexpected blow, which floored him. Just as he was about to rise, however, his body was pinned at the waist by the extra weight of Envy's body. Knees had collapsed on the dirty ground on either side of his waist so that he was effectively straddled and pinned, at least momentarily. Golden eyes widened as he realized where they were and in what situation he had gotten himself into. A deep red flush spread over his cheeks, numbing out the pain of the kick to his jaw with the burning of embarrassment as he saw Envy lean closer. He felt before actually seeing his chin being grasped by long fingers and gasped.
"W-what are you…" he gasped, unable to get proper words out as those lips hovered so damn near.
"I thought you knew better than try to fight me here and now, chibi-san…" the homunculus whispered.
Edward barely registered those words as a high, innocent voice near by shook him out of his paralysis. He barely caught the scene out of the corner of his eye as a little girl insistently tugged at her mother's skirts, who tried with no avail to drag her away. "What are they doing, mommy??" The child kept questioning until finally being distracted by a toy store and running off in the opposite direction.
If he could have glowed any other tones of crimson, he would have.
The many shades of scarlet did indeed deepen as Envy laughed, low and sultry, obviously having overheard the little girl and enjoying the flustered effect it had on his prey.
"Get off me!" He squirmed desperately, trying to shake Envy off with little success.
"What's the matter, beany?"
"We're in the middle of the street, get off!!"
A dramatic gasp. "How inconsiderate of me! Yes, privacy is best, after all." He winked and before Ed could respond with flailing protests at the wild innuendo, he felt himself be yanked by his arm back onto his feet. Not soon enough had he planted his feet on the ground that he was airborne, flipped unbelievably easily over one shoulder and carried off the main street.
"Let me down!!" Edward flailed as best he could…pausing only momentarily to notice the incredibly pleasing view he had from his upside down position of that skirt covered rear-end. He instantly flushed at the observation and spazzed in that strong grasp.
::sheepish grin:: I had to leave it off there, it was too tempting not to. ; Please no thrown bricks!
