Each individual chapter will have a different rating, different pairings, different spoilers, and a different setting and timeline. Multiple people were involved in writing this fic, I do not claim to have written anything other than my own characters. I do however claim to have come up with the plot, story idea, and organizing it all. The others who write characters in this fic are well aware that I am posting it, and contribute willingly. This fic is an ongoing project with an unknown number of parts, with alternate storyline as of the fifth laboratory incident. Enjoy!
One Particularly Enlightening Train Ride
Rating: PG13-R (AKA sorry guys, no actual sex scene, but there is the leading up to and the after!)
Pairings: HavocxEd
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA.Havoc andIzumi were written bymy friend,plot written by me. It's like a collaboration fic.
Spoilers: None really, just semi-smut.
Setting: Dublith and the train from Dublith to Central.
Timeline: About a week after Al is restored.
A weary blond collapsed on the kitchen floor of a certain Izumi Curtis.
How was it possible for one woman to have SO MANY DISHES! And USE them all!
Ed was exhausted. WHY had he decided to come here? WHY did he have to come here? He REALLY hoped that idiot Roy would send somebody to fetch him home soon...
Izumi was out with Al somewhere, Ed noted, thankfully. And were it not for the fact that Izumi would no doubt catch him if he ran, Edward would've high-tailed it out of there without looking back.
Dull amber eyes gazed around at the kitchen...spotless...finally...
"Ugh..." Ed wasn't even coherent after all that.
Havoc walked through the streets, his eyes searching for the familar stomping of boot-clad feet, a blond braid, a somewhat funny looking antennae ... But nothing.
He sighed heavily and rummaged his pockets for a cigarette.
The Colonel will kill me if I don't find him ... Or, what's even worse, treat me like his pet again.
Havoc shuddered at the thought.
When, suddenly, he spotted a quite familiar looking house, he quickly walked over to the door, discovering that, indeed, the sign right next to the heavy wooden door read "Curtis." Relieved that he had finally found what he had been looking for, he knocked at the door, shouting.
"Fullmetal? It's me, I'll bring you back to Central!"
Edward vaguely registered the sound of a familiar voice aside from his teacher's and Al's...but it took a minute for him to fully register what the voice had said.
The braided boy jumped up off of the kitchen floor with a newfound energy that hadn't been there a second before and sped to the door, flinging it open and practically tackling the man outside, well, more like he did tackle the man...
What could he say? He was SAVED!
"Ow!" Surprised by the sudden attack, Havoc stumbled backwards and barely managed to keep himself from falling. It took him a few seconds to finally note that the small blond bundle clutching his back was Edward Elric.
Havoc blinked a few times.
"Glad to see me, huh?" Havoc asked, in a somewhat awkward tone. Surely people were already giving them odd looks. A teenager tackling a uniformed man of the military was surely something you didn't see every day.
After a moment of pure relief, Ed realized their current situation.
One extremely embarassed and apologetic blond leaped back as though repelled by an opposite magnetic force, back to the Lieutenant as he nervously rubbed the back of his head, trying to get his nerves to calm down.
"Aah...sorry, sorry-heheh! I wasn't thinking and just acted out completely! Pardon my complete lack of anything remotely resembling respect!" And so Ed rambled.
"It's alright," Havoc grinned and lit his cigarette.
He took a drag and was calm again in an instant. God save his daily dose of nicotine.
Around his cigarette, the older man grinned, "So, we better get going soon. The train back to Central will leave in about 10 minutes already."
Ed paused with a slight jerk in his movements from the sudden stopping. "Aaah! So soon!? Shit!!"
The blond alchemist spun around and grabbed the Lieutenant's jacket. "Why didn't you say something before!!!"
With that, Edward turned around and rushed back into the house, a trail of apologies following him as he hurriedly gathered his things.
"So sorry, do come in, have a seat I'll be done in a minute!"
Havoc stepped into the house carefully. The Elrics' teacher was a kind of scary person whom Havoc would rather not stumble across right now.
He noticed how clean the house was ... It also smelled pleasantly. It had probably been cleaned only a short while ago ...
"Hey, Fullmetal! You did a great job cleaning the house!" he called cheerfully. Ed had probably been forced to clean up by Izumi. Havoc snickered at the mental image that thought gave him.
There was the sound of something crashing in the other room, a muffled curse, and the irritated noises that came from Ed trying to close his overstuffed suitcase.
Suitcase closed, the blond dragged it out of his room. Or rather, he dragged it about as far as it would go, then was jerked back as it decided to get firmly lodged in the doorframe.
Ed growled and proceeded to tug as hard as he could, bracing his boot-clad feet against the doorframe.
Needless to say, the suitcase wouldn't budge. At least it didn't at first. Until it decided that it had sufficiently exhausted Ed to the point of wanting to shoot it, at which point in time the suitcase suddenly dislodged itself.
Needless to say, Ed had still been tugging overly hard on the piece of luggage, and the strength he had been putting into getting it loose was now transformed into momentum that sent him flying backwards.
Crashing.Right.Into.Havoc.
Havoc didn't even have the time to blink, as he was suddenly knocked over by Edward, who was crashing hard into him. The impact on the hard wooden floor knocked the air out of his lungs completely
A sharp pain spread from his back to his ripcage, where Ed was lying heavily.
Neither of them was able to move, Havoc from pain and Edward from shock. It was dead silent, except for the second lieutenant's rasping intakes of breath. Eventually, the pain started to fade and Havoc choked out a few words, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"Ed ... Get off ..."
The bewildered boy in question slowly rolled off to the side, groaning a bit woozily and muttering curses under his breath.
Edward sat there for a while, flopped back and propped up by his hands, trying to get his eyes to stop swirling.
"Aaagh...can somebody stop the room I'd like to get off..."
When Havoc regained his breath, he sat up. He felt something like vertigo spiking through him, but braced himself and faught it off.
"Uhhhh ..." he groaned, "seems like we can forget about our train ..."
Ed snapped back to reality and was frozen stiff for a split second.
"WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO TRAIN!"
The braided alchemist tackled the unsuspecting military officer once more into a prone position. "YOU HAVE TO GET ME OUT OF HERE!"
"Huh?"
Brilliant answer, Havoc. Just brilliant.
Ed whined and crawled over to his suitcase, beating on it as though that would make time go back so he could fucking LEAVE this place.
"When...is the next train...to Central..."
Havoc sat up again, picking bits of ash from his uniform. His dignity had just been squashed flat, along with his lungs. "In about an hour," he wheezed. "Trains run on an hour-fifteen schedule out in the boonies, instead of the forty-five schedule they have in Central."
"An hour...right..." Ed mused in a somewhat hazy way, slumping over the suitcase. Izumi would be back...when did she say again? God he hoped she wouldn't be back within the hour...they'd have to wait for the NEXT train and maybe even the one after THAT if she did show up...
Havoc lit up another cigarette, cursing the little shrimp under his breath for squishing the other one. "Do you just want to leave now and wait for the train on the platform? It'll be a little warm, but definitely doable."
He got to his feet, biting back a groan from squashed bits and pieces of his anatomy.
"Now?! DEAR GOD YES LET'S!"
With that Ed had proceeded to drag the overstuffed suitcase towards the front door in a hasty break for freedom.
"Oy, kid. You want me to carry your suitcase? It's a bit large for you."
Fume.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL HE CAN'T EVEN CARRY HIS OWN SUITCASE!"
Havoc held his hands up. "Woah, woah. Easy, Elric. I was just saying, that's a bit overstuffed, we're in a hurry, and I thought maybe I could carry it so you could run like hell, which you seem to want to do."
He popped his cigarette back into his mouth. Touchy little spud, isn't he?
"Right... Run like hell..." With that Edward dropped the suitcase and did just that. Run like hell, that is.
Havoc huffed a sigh. Scooping up the bag, he walked quickly away from the Den of the Ninja Housewife.
-------------------------------
At the station, Ed huffed and wheezed and otherwise displayed extreme exhaustion, collapsing onto a bench inside the depot and heaving a heavy sigh of relief at not getting caught along the way.
"Thank goodness..."
Some time later, Havoc loped up, the bag under his arm and his uniform jacket over his shoulder.
"For crying out loud," he panted. "It's hotter than blue blazes here."
He followed Ed's lead and collapsed onto a bench, the suitcase falling to the ground.
Ed grunted in response, throwing his red coat at the other bench and nailing Havoc right in the face with it.
Heat wasn't the problem, it was exhaustion, but this was nothing compared to Izumi.
Havoc clawed the thick red wool away from his face. "Hey, watch it, short stuff!"
Ed was up from the bench and tackling Havoc within the next two seconds, growling.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A FLEA SIZED ULTRA SHRIMP!"
"OOOF!" For the third time that day – hell, that very hour – Havoc had all the available air blasted out of his lungs.
"I... didn't... say... that..." he managed, trying to keep the rabid blond from his throat. "Dammit, Elric, are you trying to kill me?!"
"YES!"
The blond was still trying to claw furiously at Havoc's throat, failing miserably as he was kept just out of reach by arms that just so happened to be longer than his.
Desperate times call for very desperate measures. Havoc rolled over and pinned the boy to the ground. Unfortunately, passerby would see a grown man straddling a young boy with said young boy's hands pinned above his head. And both parties breathing heavily. But what the hell.
"Elric, what the hell are you thinking?! If I show up dead, then what do you think Colonel Mustang will do with you? It'd probably be a whole hell of a lot worse than what your Deranged Ninja Teacher would do!"
Ed swallowed hard, trying to regain his breath as shocked golden eyes stared up at the Lieutenant, his mouth gaping open due to a failure of coherent speech even remotely coming to mind. He was stock still.
"Thank you." Havoc's eyes alighted on Ed's red coat, and an idea popped into his brain. Returning the favor.
He grabbed the thick wool and stuffed a generous corner of it (maybe it was a sleeve?) into Ed's mouth. "That should keep you quiet!" he said gleefully.
Gold eyes widened even more as the braided alchemist suddenly let out a girlish scream, which was almost entirely muffled due to the fabric in his mouth, and began to wriggle beneath his captor, struggling to escape frantically.
"Oh, stop squirming kiddo. I'm not gonna do anything unless you want me to."
The Lieutenant pulled a cigarette out of his pack and lit it. Inhaling deeply, he remarked, "You're not as fast or as strong as you used to be."
Ed stared in disbelief and attempted to exclaim something, but the cloth still in his mouth made it entirely incoherent.
"MMDNHUNF!?"
Havoc removed the wool from Ed's mouth. "Beg pardon?" he said pleasantly. He inhaled deeply on his cigarette.
Ed stared dumbly up at Havoc, opening his mouth to say something and then snapping it shut again, only to open it once more just a second later, and close it again. This went on for about five minutes.
"Well, then. I suppose I can put the coat back in place, seeing as you don't really have anything to say." Havoc reached out for the wool again.
Ed's eyes widened again and he shook his head vigorously. "NONONONONONONONONONO!"
"Good. Because some things are rather difficult with a wad of wool shoved in your mouth." The older man grinned cryptically. "Yet, somehow, some things are much more fun when you're gagged."
Ed didn't even realize his jaw was hanging open again, as he stared blankly at the Lieutenant, completely at a loss for words.
Havoc scooted back, perching on Ed's knees. By necessity, this required that he let Ed's wrists go.
He kept most of his weight on his own knees. It was just common sense. But he did allow his left hand to... 'slip'.
The older man knew that he should be embarrased to touch Ed there. But he wasn't. He wasn't going to question why.
Could Ed's eyes widen any more? Probably not.
There was about thirty seconds of the gears turning, comprehending, slow and eventual realization. Put two and two together, Ed.
"WHATTHEFUCKYOUPERVERTWHATTHEHELLDOYOUTH INKYOU'REDOING!"
In one lightning quick movement, Ed pushed himself up further, tucked his left leg in, and shot his foot out HARD into Havoc's groin.
There was one of two things Havoc could do at this moment. One, to curl up in a tiny, mewling heap. Two, to messily disgorge the contents of his stomach on Ed.
"BLEARGH!" Well, looks like it was the latter.
Edward Elric couldn't do a thing but stare in horror at the putrid mess that now covered his stomach and half his pants.
At least, he couldn't do a thing for a few seconds.
"Tha...wha...y...ju...wa...EEEUUUUGGH!!" The bile-covered alchemist started scooting back frantically as if it would get him away from the horrid smelling mess. Seeing as that didn't work, he scrambled over, letting gravity take most of it off, as he slipped in the mess whilst trying to scramble away.
Having recovered at preturnatural speed (what do you think military training is for?), Havoc grabbed Ed's foot, yanking him back through the mess. Then he got to his feet and planted a firm foot in the small of the kid's back, squishing him in even further.
"YOU ROTTEN LITTLE MAGGOT!"
Ed suddenly felt sick, nose just inches away from the disgusting mess. He made a sound that would be described as a mixture of a wheeze and a yelp of pain as he felt a boot-clad foot pushed against his back.
"Guh..." The alchemist's eyes were already watering at the hot liquid that was starting to rise into his mouth. But Ed just bit his lip and swallowed hard.
A distant screech and whistle heralded the arrival of the train. Hastily, Havoc removed his foot from the kid's back.
"Elric, go get cleaned up. Now."
Having the foot removed from his back allowed Ed to flip over onto his back, catching the Lieutenant's ankle between his calves and, in turn, sending the older man to the ground. "Make me, Lieutenant." The blond boy sneered.
Havoc grabbed Ed's throat. For a few minutes he sat there and fumed. After he had gotten scary enough to make even Mustang run screaming from the room, he finally started to speak in a frighteningly calm voice.
"Don't you dare go pulling rank on me you snotnosed little upstart. If it wasn't for the fact that you were one of those wonderful little alchemists, you would still be a civilian or a lowly private. But no. You're one of those prodigies of a dead government, and you have a rank that you don't deserve now or ever. At least Colonel Mustang earned his rank a hundred times over."
Ed hissed through his teeth. "You know damn well how he got that rank...the only thing that makes him different than me is the fact that he killed people and 'won the war against Ishbar' and was a total suckup to his superiors after the war!"
"Do you think he LIKED it? Do you think he sat there laughing while people burned and died? Do you think he went back home and sat back and relaxed?
"Don't be an idiot, Major Elric. He wanted to try to bring all the dead people back. The only reason why he didn't was because Hughes, bless his soul, stopped him. The only reason why he didn't shoot himself in the head after assassinating the Rockbells is because Dr. Marcoh stopped him. He carries these deaths more heavily than you could ever imagine. Even now, he's slowing going crazy from it."
As Havoc ranted his grip got tighter and tighter around the kid's throat.
Ed simply closed his eyes and relaxed.
So this is how I'm going to die, is it? Heh...I sure deserve it...
But from the back of his mind there rose a flash of images. All of those dreams...
Golden eyes shot open again, one gloved hand reaching up to grasp a handful of Havoc's shirt slowly as Ed tried to swallow, squeezing in a few difficult breaths.
He should've been the one to be defending Mustang...why he didn't know...but he felt that he should have been the one...
Havoc let go of the kid's throat. "Ch. You're not worth killing. What would you care if the Colonel did anything like that? You're out for yourself and only for yourself."
He got up, peering out over the tracks.
Damn. The train was coming and he was a mess. Luckily, the railroad system was used to men in uniform looking like shit.
Ed too got to his feet, staggering a bit and regaining his balance as he rubbed his neck. His words were more rasped than spoken, as his throat muscles slowly regained their natural flow of blood. "You're wrong..."
Golden eyes gazed with a fierce intensity at Havoc.
Havoc kept his eyes on the train slowly trundling towards them. "Am I? Have you ever fought for something bigger than yourself? Have you ever dedicated your life to save innocent people from a madman? Have you sacrificed your morals and ideals for a single goal that will better the lives of millions of people?
"I applaud you for risking your life to save your brother. But to me, it makes no difference."
"I'm...not that strong..." It was hard to admit for Ed, but he knew it was true. Roy would always be the bigger man...Roy was always that much better than him...and he really fucking hated it, but that's how it was.
"But you're wrong in saying that I wouldn't care..." A tousled blond head of hair entered Havoc's peripheral vision as Ed stepped up next to him.
"Do you care?"
The train screeched to a halt. "Grab your coat, kiddo, and get onboard. I'll get your case and my jacket. We can clean up inside."
"I do care..." It was a half-hearted mumble, but it meant more than that. Even if nobody heard it, Edward did.
The blond alchemist grabbed his coat and climbed aboard, looking back over his shoulder at the older, yet lower ranked, officer.
And he'll never know how much I care...he can't know...
Havoc grabbed Ed's suitcase, grunting at the weight of it. Is there another Elric in here or something?
The man had heard Ed's half-hearted mumble, but chose to ignore it. His pride was still sore about the pipsqueak's jab at his authority, and he wasn't inclined to belive in any good side the little shit may have shown.
He hauled the luggage onboard, acknowledging the conducter's sardonic grin.
----------
The blond and foul smelling alchemist sat uncomfortably on the edge of one of the plush, comfortable seats in the private, military-exclusive escort car.
He wasn't uncomfortable necessarily because he was covered in drying, stinking spew, but rather because it was just the way the previous conversation with the Lieutenant sitting across from him (in an equally foul state of cleanliness, of course, Ed had made sure of it) in complete silence had gone.
If Havoc had been anyone else, he would have been sulking. Now... He was annoyed, certainly, but he realized that Fullmetal was still a little kid. Sure, he was a great alchemist, one of the best ever produced in the country, but he still knew squat about Real Life™.
He wrinkled his nose. "Y'know, something, kid? You smell awful."
Edward scowled in response, wrinkling his own nose. "So do you...and it's your fault too..."
Fullmetal shifted a little uneasily on the edge of the seat.
"Agreed. Now, your suitcase is on the overhead rack. I'm going a couple cars down to draw from Supplies. And bring back something stink-proof that we can put our clothes in."
Havoc got up to leave. He felt in his pocket. "DAMMIT!" he wailed.
There was a deviously cattish grin on Ed's face as he watched the way the Lieutenant became much like a child who'd lost his favorite toy.
"Heey, Lieutenant...looking for these...?"
The blond alchemist flashed an unopened pack of cigarettes that was quickly replaced in his pocket.
Havoc entertained detailed fantasies of beating Fullmetal into a stringy red smear on the upholstry. But then Colonel would have his hide, and that would be even worse.
"I hate you," he growled, stalking off like an offended cat. Plotting straightforward revenge against the blond pipsqueak.
"Goddamn gopher," he grunted before he exited the car.
Edward was actually rather surprised by the lack of retaliation. He'd really expected the Lieutenant to scramble for the prized addiction.
He didn't hit him that hard...did he?
A blond head peeked out of the car, golden eyes staring after Havoc.
A quick glance over his shoulder told Havoc that Fullmetal was watching him, and his eyebrows snapped together. Usually the pipsqueak would be off flaring insanely about any crack about his height. Now... there was just a dumbstruck look on his face.
That's certainly an improvement, he thought sardonically. Opening the Supply car, he searched for the Men's 22 B box.
The alchemist blinked, still astounded and somewhat in a state of shock, as he stepped out of the car and idly followed the path that Havoc had taken, not really realizing it at the moment.
Havoc found the crate, pried it open and pulled out a black shirt. Thank god for army issue. He stripped off his soiled shirt.
"Oh damn." He rooted around for a bag to hold the wad of messy black cloth.
By the time Ed had made it to the Supply car, he'd already chucked his boots over his shoulder, wadded up his coat and gloves, and was in the process of awkwardly trying to get off his jacket with just one hand.
The blond boy made a point of not looking at Havoc, and attempted to busy himself by digging through the available clothing in hopes of finding something that actually would fit him.
It wasn't because he was small. No. Not at all.
It was because everybody in the military was gigantic.
Somehow, Havoc managed to rustle up a canvas mail bag (empty, duh) and shoved his old shirt far back into the bag. He made his way to the M-22-B crate and saw something rather unexpected.
"What the hell are you doing here, gopher-boy?"
"Feh...trying to find clean clothes, what the hell does it look like..."
Ed still didn't look up at the Lieutenant, seeing as he was too busy yanking off his shirt to add to the growing pile of foul clothes that was atop his also foul coat, which he'd just so happened to decide to use as a bundle for the mess when he was done.
"Like you're going to find anything to fit you here," Havoc scoffed. "You're way too short. Like a goddamn head-sitting gopher that goes 'yap'. Now, can I have my cigarettes back?"
Havoc then promptly got a face full of putrid smelling jacket, followed almost instantly by a rabid, half-naked alchemist tackling him to the ground. Or rather, the floor, as well as whatever the Lieutenant happened to be standing in front of at the time.
"OUF!" For the FOURTH time in an hour and a half, Havoc got all the air blasted out of his lungs. But this time he had an icky jacket shoved in his face, so he was infinitely unhappier about it.
"WHY YOU LITTLE...!" He peeled Ed off and stood up, dangling the hissing and spitting little alchemist out at arm's length. "I ought to skin you alive and rub salt on you!"
Yup. It was going to be a long train ride.
"It's your fault!!!"
Ed proceeded to flail about miserably, trying to get a hold of something he could bite, scratch, claw, or otherwise maul.
The Lieutenant shook Ed. "Get a grip, you twerp!" he roared. "Do I have to knock you senseless?"
Havoc stood there, giving glare for glare until the kid backed down.
"Aagh!!" Edward Elric was not going to back down.
Instead, he clung despite being shaken.
"Take it back and maybe I'll let go!"
"Take a minute to think, kid. Are you really in any position to tell me what to do? I'm bigger, faster, stronger, and heavier than you are. If you really piss me off, I'll let you do a convincing bird impression out the back door. The good Colonel will just have to lump it."
There was a clapping sound and Ed's right hand hovered over his pocket. "Take it back or I'll transmute your damn smokes into a figurine of you kissing Mustang's ass!"
Havoc swung Ed gently. "Go ahead. It'll just make me madder than hell. Oh, by the way, Colonel Mustang gave me leave to tie you up in a nice, neat package." His eyes narrowed. "And one other thing."
Ed pouted indignantly and managed to wriggle out of the older man's grasp and get to his feet again, throwing the small, rectangular box at Havoc's face as he growled and started digging in the clothes again.
It was a rather spontaneous change of pace, but Ed didn't even say a word, giving no indication as to just what it was that made him give.
Havoc shrugged, not questioning his good fortune. He really didn't want to beat up the little twerp anyway, so he guessed it was all okay.
He opened the pack and pulled out a cigarette. Then he realized he still didn't have a shirt on. Following normal logic, he popped on one of the standard-issue black shirts then lit the cigarette. Ahhh... much better...
He tossed down the mailbag. "Put your dirty clothes in here."
Edward grunted in reply and shoved the jacket and coat into the bag, followed shortly by his shirt, gloves, and pants.
Ignoring the fact that he was all but naked in front of the man who's hand just so happened to slip earlier, the braided blond rummaged around, trying to find something that would at least not look like a dress on him.
"Check in the boxes marked 'M-5'," Havoc advised, making his way towards the door. "Those should fit you. And when you're done, bring the bag back into our car – I'll need to stow it with our luggage." He yawned around his cigarette. "For now, I'm going to go take a nap."
Ed grumbled something incoherent and raised a hand in a thanking but mostly dismissive gesture, finding said box and digging for the right articles of clothing.
Havoc made his way back to their car, sitting down on the seat with a grateful sigh. "What a day."
After extinguishing his cigarette, he dropped off into a snooze.
After finding the necessary clothing, and, conveniently, a pair of boots that actually fit him as well, the blond boy untied his braid, finding a tap and wetting his hair.
After sufficiently giving up on making the braid look good with his current state of dress, Ed simply tied his hair back into a ponytail, much like he'd done when he was younger, and alchemized himself dry.
Satisfied, Ed neglected to actually close the jacket, as he tended to do, and, picking up the bag (once it was sealed rather well of course) , he closed the door to the supply car behind him, making his way back to where Havoc was resting.
Once there, the boy stretched out himself across the opposite seat, yawning rather loudly and staring at the ceiling.
Hrm... pork chop sandwiches... yummy... Why can't they ever serve good food in the mess? Havoc's nose twitched a bit. Yeah... Pork chop sandwiches and good beer... and some of that northern chocolate too... M'mm... and stop issuing these crap cigarettes... m'mm... maybe something like the ribs Dad used to make when I was little... All we ever get is SOS and maybe some tinned fruit if we're lucky.
He was unaware of the unhappy little growl that he made.
Ed blinked and poked at Havoc's leg with the toe of his boot. Despite the fact that the little voice in the back of his head warned him that the man was probably dreaming about boiled shrimp.
Or... maybe chicken... Poke poke. Honeyed ham? Poke poke. Good barley beer... none of that watered-down shit they give us on holidays... Poke poke.
"Goddammit, man, what's your problem?" Havoc snarled, opening up an eye.
"Eheh...nothin'...just bored..." Ed sat up again, sighing heavily as golden eyes settled on the glint of automail.
"You know...there wasn't anybody there to stop us..."
Havoc woke all the way up in two nano-seconds flat. "Beg pardon?"
"We were too young to know any better...and everybody else was too oblivious to know what we were trying to do..." Ed flexed his automail fingers slowly. "It's a good theory...but just what is equivalent trade..."
A little warning buzzer in the back of Havoc's mind went off. This was one of those Bad Subjets that he tried his damnedest to stay away from. But the kid looked like he needed help, so he tried.
"Maybe... I dunno, maybe you were supposed to do what you did. Trading your innocence for a kind of wisdom. Trading your idealism for truth.
"Shit, man, this isn't my area of expertise. I like problems that I can fix by the mimimum application of philosophical thought. Isn't the theory of equivalent trade a crock of shit?"
"I don't know..." Ed let his hands rest on his legs and looked up from his brooding to look across at Havoc. "If you were in Mustang's place, would you have done it?"
Havoc sat back. Well, now. Seeking vindication, are we?
"If I knew what I knew now, no. But if I didn't... maybe. I don't know. How could I? I never had the power to do that. I never wanted it. I always thought it was more honest to kill someone face-to-face and to fix them the old-fashoned way. Alchemy's so... impersonal. It dehumanizes our instincts. Instead of relying on falible guns, you rely on an infinite source of whatever. You have a lesser chance of paying for your sins."
He felt his cheeks begin to warm. Dammit! BAD conversation!
"Alchemy for the people...it's a good coverup, but that's all it is really..." Ed moved to the other side of the compartment, settling himself on the seat next to Havoc.
"But when it comes time to fight..." He looked at his feet.
Cry, let slip loose the dogs of war...
Edward shuddered.
"When it comes time to fight you guys are the perfect fighting machines. Able to wipe out an entire city in seconds flat. You can protect yourselves better than the common footsoldier and kill faster. Perhaps kill them mercifully, I don't know. I don't really care.
"All I know is when I see the Colonel snap his fingers, I want to throw up because I can smell burning humans. And I know he can too."
Havoc stared moodily out the window at the landscape. "In that Ishbar war that you're always harping on, people like me and Riza became cannon fodder. Because you damned alchemists are too good at killing people." He smiled bitterly. "Bet you never thought of it that way."
"Most of us aren't like Gran and Kimbley you know..." Edward sighed again and turned to curl up in the seat, leaning back against Havoc.
"It's not like they wanted to do it...it was an order..."
"That's not my point. My point is that we were ordered to protect the alchemists, not ourselves. Our camp was attacked in the middle of the war. Fifty footsoldiers were killed outright. Twenty more were mortally maimed – not mortally wounded, but maimed. It was horrible. I was a walking wounded. Everyone who could still hold a gun was ordered to hold perimeter around the alchemists while medics came to patch them up. Not the footsoldiers. The alchemists."
The Lieutenant's voice was thick with loathing and bitterness, but he was beyond caring.
"Damn military pigs..." Ed himself felt almost the same way about the military, using the alchemists as the most deadly of weapons.
That's all they were to the Fuhrer...weapons...
"At least you're not just there to make the military look good like they really care about people...at least you're not just the military's cheap shot that they pull out to flatten the competition when it gets too bloody..."
"Of course. You wouldn't see it like that. You'd only see it from the alchemist's point of view, the Great Wrong that was forced on them by the Führer. I guess it's only natural." Havoc sighed and leaned his head back against the back of his seat. "But I'm probably boring you, so I'll shut up now."
"And of course you'd only see it from the point of view of a soldier who's purpose was destroyed when the Alchemists came to town..." Ed replied sullenly, with a slight hint of the same begrudging tone.
"Hell, yeah! I was almost killed by an alchemist! Stupid fuck went crazy and flared off on our squad. Killed three of my friends, so forgive me if I'm a little embittered." Havoc glared down at the short alchemist, hoping basely that the gopher would spontaneously combust.
"S'not my fault Bradley was crazy enough to send the Crimson Alchemist out there with a Philosopher's Stone, and besides, from what I've read your squad got it easy compared to HIS..."
Golden eyes closed with a sigh. "If I could make up for everything that happened back then I would...but there's nothing anybody can do about it now..." Ed felt strangely comfortable leaning against the older man. Maybe it was the smell of smoke lingering in his clothes that made the volatile little hellchild in his mind curl up in a ball and purr like a helpless kitten. "I'm sorry about your friends..." He added, remorsefully.
"There's a lot that didn't make it to the history books, kid. We weren't heroes like the Colonel. We constantly got trashed by both sides – point duty is hell on earth, all blood and no glory. Don't let anyone tell you different..." Havoc trailed off. And finally decided to give up.
"Don't worry about my friends. All nine of them were given proper burials. I made sure of that. It's the only thing I could do to make the war just a little bit better."
"There's no such thing as a war hero...and if there was...the title would never go to an alchemist...that would be like giving a promotion to a rocket launcher for hitting its target..."
Ed shifted again, blond head now resting against Havoc's leg, as his ponytail fell over into the older man's lap. "Fame and glory isn't all it's cut out to be...you're lucky..." Golden eyes looked up at him.
Havoc snorted slightly. "A promotion to a rocket launcher? I should throw that one out to Armstrong next time he gets uppity." He kept his head back against the rest, trying to keep a headache at bay. "Damn it, where are my cigarettes?"
Ed heaved a sigh and pulled the carton out of the breast pocket of the uniform he was wearing. "You left them in the Supply car..."
"Dammit, I knew my pockets were too light." The nicotine addicted Lieutenant looked down at the carton of cigarettes. "I only wish they gave us better ones," he said mournfully. "These are cheap, disgusting tobacco. Army Supply sucks." He felt around in his pockets. Pulling out his lighter, he lit the end and inhaled deeply. "Ahh... much better."
"Nn..." Ed closed his eyes, turning onto his side in the seat to nestle his face into the fabric at Havoc's hip, in attempt to filter the smoke that would soon drift through the car. The smell of it made him feel warm and fuzzy, but the smoke itself made him choke.
Almost out of instinct, Havoc laid his hand on Ed's head. "Sorry. You want me to stop?"
Ed turned his head slightly to look up at the older man with a small smile. "S'okay...I'll be fine...'sides...'s comfy..."
That said, the blond alchemist snuggled back in against Havoc's hip with a content sigh.
Havoc let his head fall back. At least he could take a nap without that horror from hell bothering him... but he didn't exactly trust where those dreams could lead.
He dragged deeply on the cigarette. What the hell. Fullmetal isn't complaining. He drifted off into a deep snooze.
Noticing the Lieutenant's breaths begin to slow and even out, Edward gathered that he was sleeping. Still catching the faint whiff of smoke in the air, Ed rolled over, lightly touching his hands together and reaching up to snuff out the smoldering tip of the cigarette.
Goddamn, I'm tired. And what the heck? Why is my mind playing back scenes from that book I read last week? Ow, ow OW!
"Fullmetal, goddammit, you're pointy! THAT HURTS!"
Ed winced and retreated to his former position, looking up at the Lieutenant with apologetic and slightly hurt golden eyes, that is, if Havoc would've looked.
"Sorry...but you shouldn't doze off with a lit cigarette..."
"Oh. Sorry." Havoc took the extinguished stump down. "I get so used to it that I fall asleep with a cigarette at least once a week." He grinned ruefully. "Bad habit?"
"Normally I'd just say smoking is a bad habit in itself...but I think with you it's just one of those little quirks that highlights your personality..." The blond boy smiled genuinely up at the man, snatching the cigarette and putting it to his own lips. "It just doesn't suit me like it does you, ne?"
Havoc gave a strangled little chuckle. "Good Lord, no. You'd kill yourself. I can see it now, getting beaten to a pulp by your little brother because you're very definately NOT a smoker." He snatched it back. "Besides, you look more than just slightly ridiculous."
"Yeah...Al'd never let me live that one down..."
Ed pushed himself into a sitting position and turned around, swinging his legs up onto the seat so that they went over Havoc's, feet resting on the other side of him. The blond leaned forward against his knees, staring out the window with a sigh before turning his head to rest on his knees, gold eyes looking now at Havoc. Ed was smiling.
Havoc cocked his head. "Entertaining visions of me getting mauled by your brother?" he asked pleasantly.
Ed chuckled lightly, grinning now. "You're worse than me thinking you were dreaming about boiled shrimp..."
Earth to Ed, what have you been sniffing?
Ed to Earth, military issue cigarette smoke, what else?
Earth to Ed, you are a moron.
Ed chose to ignore the little voice in his head after that, looking again out the window at the brilliant array of color that spread across the sky with the setting sun. So it wasn't raining...that's odd...
Havoc gave a snorted chuckle. "Boiled shrimp? Kid, I hate seafood. All kinds of seafood, shrimp included. Give me a good steak any day, and I'll be happy." He lit another cigarette. "What the heck got boiled shrimp in your head, anyway?"
This is one habit that I have GOT to break soon. Die by the time I'm forty, I will. He smiled to himself. Or at least start smoking better cigarettes..
Ed was, needless to say, a bit surprised when Havoc didn't catch the reference to his height and further it by calling him a gopher again...
"Naa...it's nothing..." Ed wrinkled his nose a bit, ducking his face into the smoke-free zone otherwise known as Havoc's open jacket.
Havoc's eyebrows shot up so far and so fast that he nearly gave himself a headache. "Oi, oi! What's wrong?" He wanted to peel the kid off, but got the distinct (not unpleasant) feeling that it would be rude. Sort of.
The blond boy mumbled something that resembled "Nuffin..."
Nuzzling his head up under Havoc's right arm and wriggling his flesh and blood arm behind Havoc's back, Ed discovered that this was surprisingly comfortable, an added plus to the whole warm and fuzzy feeling that the aroma of smoke seemed to give him. Just the smell, mind you, his head was buried for a reason, as the alchemist didn't want to gag on the smoke itself.
"...Okay..." Not really sure how to explain the phenomenon, Havoc decided to do the safe thing and just go with it. He gingerly put his right hand on the kid's back, idly twining his fingers through the loose ponytail.
He inhaled through the cigarette. Man, the Colonel's gonna be pissed if he finds out... Fraternization was right under insubordination on Mustang's List of Very Bad Things to Do.
Ed's voice was muffled, but still understandable, as he nuzzled his head in such a way to be able to peer up at Havoc, but still to have his mouth and nose filtering air through the fabric of his shirt.
"Hey...um...that whole...thing...earlier..."
There wasn't really any easy way to say it, as it wasn't long before Ed buried his face completely once more, due to the heat he felt rising to his cheeks.
"Eh?"
What thing? We've been arguing since before we got on the train... Oh. Havoc could feel the color rising to his own cheeks. If he's talking about what I think he's talking about... well, then FUCK. Okay. Not the best choice of words there, Havoc. SHIT.
"What do you mean?" he asked, striving for casual curiosity. And probably failing.
Ed's voice was less muffled now, but only because he was looking somewhat down, in order to hide his face still from the older man.
"I..er...um...I mean...uhh...erm..."
Damnit, since when did this get so hard!
"Look, kiddo, if you're mumbling about what I think you're mumbling about, we're both screwed as far as the military laws go. If not, just come out and say it."
All right, so maybe that was a little harsh.
Starting to get frustrated, Ed reached up with his automail hand, pinching off the lit end of Havoc's cigarette and plucking the cancer stick from his mouth, promptly tossing it over to the other side of the booth as he raised his head out from under the man's arm.
Gold eyes half glared at the Lieutenant as Edward's voice came out a bit more whiny than he'd meant for it to.
"This isn't about military laws it's about you and you touching me there and I just...!"
Halfway through Ed found that he couldn't finish his little rant due to a sudden and very extreme embarrassment. His face must've been so red...
Havoc bit his lip, whether to stop himself laughing or for chewing out the little runt for pinching his cigarette. "I don't exactly see you warding me off with a string of garlic, gopher-boy." He shook the kid off to go find the cigarette before it set the booth on fire. "And I don't think I'm going to apologize, as a simple 'I'm sorry, won't do it again' would just make you even madder than you already are," he said, bending over to pick up the cigarette.
"Damn it, that's half a pack in one day," he growled.
While Havoc was bent over, Ed grabbed hold of the other man's belt, yanking hard and quickly scooting over a bit so that the larger, heavier figure wouldn't smush him, as Havoc was pulled back into his seat once more, before being able to retrieve the already snuffed cigarette butt.
Sitting on the Lieutenant's lap, Ed made it quite clear that he wasn't just going to drop it, and that Havoc's answer was not the one he was looking for.
Havoc poked Ed hard. "Don't give me that look, kiddo. I meant what I said. If I apologized, you'd do something ungodly to me, and then I'd have to explain why I have tentacles growing out of my face. Admit it. Now get off, you're squashing me."
"I don't want an apology, Lieutenant...what I want is an explanation..." Ed tilted his head slightly, loosely draping his arms around Havoc's neck and waiting for an answer. "And no...I'm not going to get off..."
"Fine. The quick explanation is that I like you. Are you going to be happy with that, or are you going to run me through an entire interrogation?"
Ed blinked, tilting his head a bit more.
"But I thought...what about Mustang? You're always sticking up for him..." The alchemist frowned slightly. "And why are you such a jerk to me then!"
Despite his attempt to seem unphased, or at least not curious or embarrassed, the blood rising to his cheeks was betraying the uneasiness Ed was feeling.
"I'm always such a jerk to you because you're a screaming idiot! It's bloody obvious that you like Mustang more than you'd care to admit and it drives me nuts that you're always badmouthing him. If that's how you show how you like people, then I probably should rethink liking you. Now get off."
Ed was trying to think of a good retort to that...
The operative word being trying. And failing, only managing to make him blush more.
Finally, Edward blurted out:
"Then why do you like me if I'm a screaming idiot!"
Havoc shrugged. "Why do people like other people? All I know right now is that I'm seriously reconsidering any advances and the fact that you're cutting off the circulation to my right leg. Either get off or shift your weight."
Confused, angry, frustrated golden eyes brimmed with hot, unshed tears as the older Elric's bottom lip quivered just the slightest bit, and he was forced to bite it to keep it from continuing, as measured, but still unsteady breaths passed through his nostrils, and he kept his mouth shut.
It was the only thing Ed could do just then...there was so much to say but nothing could be said at all.
I hate you...why can't you just make sense...I hate him...he's such a jerk to me...I need to understand...I need you...I need him...you're both so warm so how can you be so cold...
Havoc puffed out a tight little sigh. He hated it when people got looks like that. "I'm sorry," he finally said. "That came out harsher than I intended it to. It's just... I'm antagonizing you, you're being a bratty kid." He pushed his finger against Ed's pert nose. "If we're going to continue this conversation, either scoot closer or sit on my knees. My legs are seriously asleep."
Ed took the former option, scooting closer and promptly burying his face in the cloth covering Havoc's shoulder, frustrated with himself, with the man who's lap he sat on, with another man who had sent this man to fetch him back...but mostly with himself...because he didn't understand any of it, and because he was weak.
The blond alchemist held back most of the sounds that came with crying, but his ragged breaths were a dead giveaway, even if he didn't let slip a pathetic whimper every so often.
Havoc sighed, hugging the kid tight. He wasn't really quite sure what he could say, so he didn't say anything.
He leaned his head against the kid's lending what comfort he could.
Edward sniffed slightly, trying to pick up any hint of that smoky musk that for reasons unknown just comforted him. He wiped his eyes on Havoc's jacket, trying to compose himself and leaning back slightly so he could look at the older man's face.
He opened his mouth to say something, but no sound came out, and he'd almost just forgotten what he was going to say, so he closed it again, though lips barely parted in case he were to try again.
He couldn't say it, but he could think...he knew...but he didn't know how to say it...
I...I want to know...need to know...to understand...
Havoc's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Don't cry Ed. Whatever's wrong, it isn't worth it. Trust me." He tugged gently at the long gold ponytail. "Is there something you want to ask me?"
Once Ed's breathing had returned to a speech coherent state, the blond boy leaned forward, so close that his lips brushed Havoc's lightly, and his whisper was just as light.
"Teach me…"
Havoc returned the 'kiss' with a light one of his own – more of a question than an answer. "Are you sure?" he murmured.
"Do you like me or not..." It was more of a rhetorical question, really.
"Just take the opportunity before I start thinking rationally again..." Ed shifted slightly on Havoc's lap. He wanted to know...but...he was...afraid, too...
The corner of Havoc's mouth quirked. "You might not like the way I taste," he joked. "All that smoke may have made me sour."
He decided that he wanted to see Ed's hair down, so he tugged the band out.
Ed shifted again, nervously, trying to keep eye contact but finding his eyes wandering and trying to avoid it. He swallowed compulsively, licking his lips lightly.
All of the slow, stalling gestures were starting to make him uppity, and the blond alchemist surprised himself when he heard a little whine slip loose.
Havoc chuckled at the adorable little noise. "Shy?" he purred.
Ed blushed slightly, pouting indignantly as he looked at Havoc, this time keeping eye contact.
Havoc chucked again, then threw all caution to the winds. He caught Ed in a fierce kiss, his arms tightening around the boy.
Ed's eyes widened in surprise, body going rigid at first. It was so sudden, he wasn't expecting it...
But after a few moments, his eyes closed, and he let his body move of its own volition, lips parting in a startled gasp as his grip too tightened, pulling himself as close as was possible.
Heaven. Paradise. This limp boy against him, their arms so tight that it was hard to breathe... The semi-sweet taste of his mouth, the feel of the boy's long hair brushing his face. Everything was so perfect.
Havoc broke the kiss. "Happy?" he panted. He rested his forehead in the curve of the boy's neck and shoulder. "Damn. Are you sure this is your first time?" Unable to resist, he nuzzled Ed's neck.
Ed sighed heavily after regaining his breath, nuzzling his face into the crook of Havoc's neck and smiling, wriggling just a bit at the feel of the other man's breath against his own neck, tickling.
"Ah...thanks, Jean..."
It was the first time the boy could recall that he'd used the Lieutenant's first name...
Havoc let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. All's well that ends well, he thought, amused and relived.
The moment was perhaps a bit spoiled when his stomach rumbled.
Ed moved his head back to look down at Havoc's stomach, as though it were some unexpected small furry creature that had jumped up in the middle of the bed during...well...things...
Havoc grinned lopsidedly. "Sorry about that. You have to be aware though, that I technically have nothing left in my stomach, owing to a rather embarrassing incident earlier? Let's grab something to eat and talk about what just happened."
Practicality, not romanticism.
Ed blushed furiously, looking back up at Havoc and pouting rather cutely.
"You don't have to remind me." The blond alchemist looked away pointedly and added as a mumbled afterthought, "I'm sorry…."
Havoc kissed the cute little nose. "Don't be. I'm used to it, trust me."
That comment warranted a quirked brow and a sarcastic look from one National Alchemist.
"I thought Roy was your problem, not the girls..."
Insert one very smug and very teasing look here from one Edward Elric.
Havoc quirked his own brow right back. "I'm sure you know all about that." He leaned in to steal a quick, hard kiss.
Ed hadn't been expecting that one at all, and for a moment he just sat there and blinked.
Trying to look as miffed as possible, and utterly failing when a grin broke through, the blond alchemist shook his head.
After a pointedly long moment of just letting the silence linger, Ed got up and moved to the other benchlike plush seat, stretching out to get comfortable. "Go get something to eat, if you're going to teach me I don't want you to be distracted by something like an empty stomach..." That Grin was still in place.
Havoc nodded agreeably, getting up and shrugging off his jacket. Leaving only the tight, black, revealing army-issue tee shirt. "Fair enough. You want anything?"
And somewhere between his previous statement and the Lieutenant removing his jacket, all coherent thought ceased to exist.
Ed stared blankly for a moment, before nodding dumbly and replying in an equally dumb way.
"Sex-ImeannothanksI'mfine! Youjustgogetfu-OOD, right, food, andI'lljustsithereandthinkaboutfuck-Imea nsex-Imeansleepingto- er...sleeping...just...yeah..."
Havoc blinked. Then, as the incoherent string of babble finally decoded itself, he grinned, slowly, evilly, and seductively. "Sure thing, Edward."
He turned around and left, heading to the supper car to grab a mug of water and a few sandwiches.
"I..you...food...you...me...fuck...HO LY SHIT!!"
The first words were mumbled, babbled if you will, in a barely audible tone, but as realization hit him, his voice rose tremendously. He scrambled out of the sectioned off booth, effectively crashing into the door on the OTHER side of the aisle, getting back to his feet in a half a daze, and just stumbling back into the booth and collapsing on the seat again.
Havoc, having grabbed enough food for him and Ed, made his way back to their compartment.
He paused in the doorway, slightly bewildered at the dazed look on Ed's face. "Yo. Fullmetal?"
Ed snapped out of his daze, only to blurt out the one thing he didn't mean to blurt.
"SEX! I mean...hi there..."
Havoc deposited his spoils on the empty bench and leaned over to kiss Ed, long and hard.
"Didn't know I had that effect on you," he murmured against the boy's lips.
Edward leaned forward as Havoc moved away to eat, whining in protest.
On another note, the blond alchemist had come to realize that just because the military issue pants looked like they were looser, didn't mean they actually were...
Havoc sat down, leaned back, and generally made himself as... er... available as possible. He bit into a cream cheese and watercress sandwich. "Care to join me?" he purred.
Ed swallowed hard, tugging off the uniform jacket he was wearing in favor of cooler, more comfortable openness. He hadn't even noticed until now how damn hot that jacket was...or...maybe it wasn't until now...
The boy attempted to occupy himself by pointedly observing the specks on the ceiling.
He's a cute kid when he's in denial, Havoc mused, starting another sandwich.
"What has sex so heavy on your mind?" he asked in a low voice. "I haven't actually done anything."
Pitched just right to drive the kid nuts.
Ed's cheeks reddened, especially considering the thoughts that Havoc's voice pulled him out of...
Or rather, the thoughts that Havoc's voice encouraged even more...
The alchemist squirmed slightly in his seat, fighting back with everything he had to keep from taking the man up on that 'join me' offer...with every intention of 'sharing' that half-eaten sandwich.
"I...er...it...isn't?" Right, Ed. Now look at yourself and tell me, could you even fool ALPHONSE with that? Didn't think so.
Havoc shrugged. "Suit yourself." He patted the seat beside him. "You sure you don't want to join me?"
I'm not going to do anything until you say what you want...
He was playing a dangerous game, but he didn't care.
Attempting to keep himself in check, Ed busied himself with taking off his boots, rather clumsily, and trying to get comfortable laying stretched out on the seat.
Of course, he was also trying to ignore the thoughts in the back of his mind that he really shouldn't be having...and the increasingly nagging feeling below his waist that was making it impossible to get comfortable.
Trying also to act at least somewhat composed, the blond alchemist finally decided to roll over on his back and once again focus gold eyes on the ceiling--With one arm draped in what he hoped would seem to be a casual way across his body, in an attempt to make his condition less obvious by hiding it at least a little.
Still more than just slightly uncomfortable, Edward shifted uneasily, trying in vain to keep his eyes on the ceiling, as he seemed to inadvertently keep shifting his gaze across the booth to Havoc.
When his tummy rumbled again, Havoc crammed the rest of his sandwich into his mouth. "You don't want this?" he asked (mumbling around the soft white bread and thick cheese), offering a corned beef and sauerkraut sandwich on hard, crusty bread.
"I wasn't the one who disgorged the contents of his stomach onto the man in front of him..."
It was fact, yes, but Ed was still a bit sour at his clothes being ruined like that...
Still...it had been his fault...
Ed continued to attempt to not look at Havoc, every few seconds failing to keep his resolve and darting golden eyes to the side for a quick glance, hoping that it went unnoticed.
"Was that an insult or your way of saying 'No thanks'?" Havoc remarked, crunching into the sandwich. "I have to say, you need to work on general etiquette."
He noticed the tiny flickers of amber that showed Ed's furtive glances at them, but he didn't remark. Ed obviously wanted to pretend that he wasn't interested. He kept his own blue eyes either politely on Ed's face or out the window, watching the scenery.
Frustrated, Ed let out a rather undignified grunt, sitting up again and shifting a bit restlessly.
"Nnnyergh! I can't take this anymore!!"
The blond alchemist squirmed for a few seconds before giving in, and in just a few fluid movements he had crossed the distance to the older man, knees sliding all the way to the back of the cushioned seat as the boy straddled Havoc's waist. Edward's hands gripped the Lieutenant's wrists and held them at an angle to his sides, and a mouth hungry for something other than the food that was offered swiftly descended to efficiently clean out what Havoc hadn't swallowed yet, though even after that he didn't stop.
What the hell?! Whatever Havoc had been expecting, it certainly wasn't this. He could feel Ed's heart rabbiting against his chest. So he wasn't alone in being completely shocked out of his wits.
Slowly, he placed his hands on Ed's hips, then caressing upwards, pulling the boy even closer.
A soft, mewling growl purred out of his throat.
Unexpected, but damn! He finally got around to it in spades!
Ed growled lightly, but in a rather feral way, as he soon pulled back just slightly, tongue trailing down from the corner of Havoc's mouth to catch a stray drip of sauerkraut, orbs of molten gold slowly opening to gaze at the older man through thick lashes.
Havoc huffed out a long breath. "I hope this will be continued?" he half-asked, half-teased. He kissed the boy, a light, sweet thing.
Ed grinned a bit cattishly, moving his arms around Havoc's neck.
"You'd have to tie me down if you planned on leaving it at that..." he purred, grin only widening as he shifted slightly in the other man's lap, tilting his head and leaning back slightly to gaze now with a more sultry look through half-closed eyes.
"But I wouldn't necessarily mind...the tying down part..."
Apparently, Ed had been brushing up already on his knowledge of...well...things...
Well...he'd run across a couple of...films...back when he was staying at Roy's house...that might explain it...Ed was fairly good at acting when under the right circumstances, after all...
With a quick twist and heave, Havoc put Ed flat on his back, pinning the boy's wrists on either side of his head. "I'm sure we can arrange something like that, if you really want it," he said pleasantly. "I'm sure there are more than enough belts in the Supply car to keep you put." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "And to... have fun in other ways?"
Ed gasped slightly at the swiftness, the power in the movement, blinking a few times up at the blue-eyed man above him before he struggled at the restraint of his arms slightly.
It didn't take but a moment for Ed to simply go with it, moving what he could move, like his legs to get more comfortable, and his eyes to try and gauge just what he was up against...or rather, down beneath for that matter.
Golden orbs wavered slightly, noticing a distinct outline against the older man's chest, and he tilted his head, puzzled, but, trying to ignore the nagging curiosity at what the object was, Ed tried to think of a way to find that out as well as getting an eyeful at the same time. "Hmm...like whaaaat, Teacher...?" The blond boy wriggled a bit, trying to lean up far enough to get even the slightest lingering taste of Havoc.
Havoc deftly avoided the boy, ducking his head down to nip at the tendon behind his ear. He released Ed, using his hands to gently tug his head up and to the side.
"Guess," he murmured in a low, pleasant rumble.
Edward groaned slightly, his head following the path Havoc had set by itself, exposing more of his neck, as maybe only half-consciously he found his hands, cold metal and hot flesh alike, sliding up under the Lieutenant's shirt.
Cold fingertips of metal grazed Havoc's back, and Ed gave a frustrated whimper when he found he couldn't get the annoying scrap of fabric off of the man, whether it be from the position or the fact that he'd started having lapses in coherent thought after every few inches of skin he revealed.
Havoc purred as he felt Ed's warm and cold hands slide up his body. After losing track of his own train of coherent thought, he finally hit on what Ed wanted to do. With a quick bucking of his body, he somehow got the shirt over his head and down around his elbows.
"That what you wanted?"
Ed shifted slightly again, pulling Havoc down a bit further so that he could snatch, between his teeth no less, the dangling metal that had been hiding, along with one very fucking edible upper body, Ed noted, beneath the pesky black shirt.
There was that grin again, though marred slightly by the metal tags, it was still there. Sultry look through thick lashes, tempting look, unusually seductive for a boy his age and experience, really...
Mustang shouldn't have just had those things lying around after all...really…
"Dammit, boy," Havoc groaned. "Get those things out of your mouth so I can kiss you again..."
Without waiting for an answer, or indeed, compliance, Havoc yanked out his dog-tags and kissed Ed long, hard, and thoroughly.
Shifting again, Ed groaned into the kiss, hands tracing down Havoc's sides, automail continuing down until a cool metal thumb hooked under the waistline of standard military-issue pants, the flesh and blood hand pausing a little higher as his fingertips ran across a different texture, but one he knew all too well.
The boy thought to ask, but then thought better. Havoc was a foot soldier after all...he'd been through more than Ed had, that was for sure, things like scars were to be expected, really. Gentle fingers traced the outline of the scar delicately, slowly.
Havoc felt Ed's fingers pause at his scar. A curiously shaped scar, if Ed ever bothered to put his mind back together enough to figure it out. But doubtlessly the kid wanted to know.
"A parting gift from that insane alchemist I mentioned earlier," he murmured, licking the pulse at Ed's throat.
The blond alchemist shivered at the wet touch, despite its heat, despite how hot he was in that damn uniform to begin with, it wasn't because of the cold.
Ed grunted a response to the words afterwards, fingers still tracing the edges of the scar lightly as he tilted his head to nip at Havoc's ear, barely catching the edge with the limited range of motion he had.
"Nnngh..." His tongue flicked out to lick at Havoc's ear then, as he shifted again, automail arm moving to support him up slightly, just enough that he could lean against the side of the booth, eyes taking in the expanse of skin before him as he tried to slow his breath down a bit. Ed winced just slightly at the movement, and cursed under his breath at how tight those pants were, god it was starting to get really really uncomfortable!
"Something wrong?" Havoc teased, a distinct edge in his voice. His sapphire eyes glittered brightly in the light.
He passed a finger lightly down Ed's chest, stopping at his waistband and tugging slightly. "This, for example?"
Edward swallowed hard, failing in his attempt to keep still as he squirmed slightly, whining pathetically.
Golden eyes followed the path that Havoc's finger took, breath catching almost in sync with the light tug at the fabric.
When finally he summoned enough willpower to form words, the alchemist was almost shocked at himself, at how quiet, breathy, desperate but still hesitant his voice sounded. "Jean...I...I've never..."
Havoc's eyes radiated understanding. Kissing the boy's hand, he said softly, "I understand. If you want..." he let the sentence hang. "Just ask, and I'll do whatever you want."
A soft sigh escaped past Ed's lips, and, not even for the first time that trip, he felt a bit overdressed.
Golden orbs gazed steadily into sapphire pools, though the blond boy couldn't think of what to say, he tried to show what he felt.
I...don't know what I want...I just know that I want you...I trust you...
Havoc bestowed a light, tender kiss on the boy. "Not until..."
He tried to finish the sentence, he really did. But those earnest, vunlerable eyes made his heart hurt.
Golden eyes narrowed slightly at the older man. "Well?! Are you just going to leave me like this!?"
Edward had tried to word it a bit more politely, less blunt, he really did...
It just didn't come out that way...because hell...his hand was right there and those damn pants were so fucking tight!
Havoc's eyes cleared, and he grinned wolfishly down at the boy. "Wouldn't dream of it," he purred, slowly unfastening the first button.
Still too hot, too damn hot!
Ed shifted a bit restlessly, quickly ridding himself of his own shirt and wriggling to get comfortable. His breath hitched suddenly as his movements caused Havoc's hand to shift just the slightest bit in the right direction, and for a moment his entire body went rigid, and then utterly limp as he stared dumbly at the older man, just one thing on his mind as he choked out a few words.
"That...wha..."
The corner of Havoc's mouth quirked into a small, slightly sad smile.
"Your wish, my command."
He began to touch and stroke Ed, lavishing kisses on bare skin.
Frowning slightly, and trying to ignore the throbbing ache between his legs, Ed scooted back into a fully upright position, pushing Havoc back a bit.
"What the hell...is wrong with you...why...why the sudden change, why the turn towards inferiority...why the..." Ed didn't even realize the look he had on his face, incredulous, worried, and at the same time angry. "It's not funny, Jean...it HURTS...!"
Havoc's head drooped. "I'm sorry Ed... it hurts for me, too, but not the way you mean." He covered his eyes with a shaking hand. "I feel... I hurt, Ed. Worse than you can ever imagine," he finally whispered, a tear squeezing out from a tightly shut sapphire eye. "I feel like my heart's been torn to shreds."
With a considerable effort, Edward coaxed the older man to roll over, and then pulled him back, hugging him as close as possible.
"I'm sorry..."
It was the only thing he could think to say to Havoc, even though it wasn't the best thing to be saying right then, as he buried his face in the crook of the man's neck, his own tears dripping onto and down the Lieutenant's chest.
"I'm so sorry...I..."
"It's not your fault," Havoc said softly, comfortingly. "I really should apologize to you – I should have known..." he trailed off, unwilling to go any further.
It might've been easier to think straight were Ed not so painfully aroused, that fact evident against the small of Havoc's back now.
Fullmetal bit back a whimper, fighting with everything he had not to move, because he knew that if he did...
Edward spoke finally with carefully controlled breaths, keeping his voice as steady as he could. "Is...that why...? You...don't have to apologize, Jean..."
He lifted his head slightly, hands tracing toned muscles slowly, his breath hot against Havoc's neck. "I wouldn't do this if I didn't want to..." Warm tongue trailed upwards, following the line of the vein. "Jean..." A tender nibble at the junction of neck and ear. "...please..."
Havoc's blue funk cleared off, and the mischevious sparkle glinted in his blue eyes. "Never mind me, I'm just an old, cranky soldier," he purred. "But I'd prefer to just stay here – much warmer and more comfortable." He reached up, his nails scratching lightly against the nape of Ed's neck. "Don't you agree?"
He wiggled back farther under the pretext of 'getting more comfortable', but nonetheless doing exactly what Ed had avoided doing not a minute beforehand.
Golden eyes rolled back slightly, a strangled groan slipping out of Ed's throat, followed by a whimper as he found himself, for the most part, unable to move, pinned back against the wall of the booth.
The feeling was pleasure just bordering on pain, and his left hand tensed, fingernails almost digging into the pale skin beneath them. He couldn't even utter a word.
The mischevious quirk broke into a fully-fledged evil grin. "Right then," Havoc said, slipping out from Ed's tightened grasp, patting his thigh. "I need to go put something away..." the rest of his sentence was muffled as he began to pull the shirt over his head.
Golden orbs widened profusely as, miraculously, Ed somehow managed to tackle Havoc before he could get the shirt on, landing the both of them on the floor between the seats, with Ed perched straddling the Lieutenant's waist as he promptly got rid of the offensive article of clothing that the man was trying to put back on for Ishbara's sake! Back ON!
The boy leaned down, hands on Havoc's shoulders. "No.Fucking.Way...am I letting you walk out on me!" Ed hissed, dropping to smother any type of retalliation that might've been waiting to voice itself, the kiss surprisingly gentle coming from the boy that had sounded as though he would slit the man's throat just a second before.
"A wee bit desperate, are we?" Havoc rolled over, until they were in a position strangely reminescent of the platform debacle, though he doubted that it would end the same way.
He leaned over, gently nibbling at the hollow of Ed's throat.
Nothing until he begs for it...
"Nnngh..." Ed shifted slightly, automatically turning his head and letting it fall back to expose more of his neck, whimpering as he tried to rub up against Havoc, trying for even the slightest little bit of friction, god he needed movement!
"Sorry, but no," Havoc whispered into the boy's ear, nibbling delicately on the lobe. "You'll have to say the magic word..." He leaned down on Ed's middle, keeping him flat on the floor.
There was a particular type of whine that Ed was good at, and that was what he was aiming for.
Edward struggled against his confines, letting out a frustrated, pleading, pitiful whine.
"Please...dear GOD, please stop torturing me like that, Jean please I want you, I NEED you, dammit, Jeannnnn!"
Try as he might, Ed still couldn't do anything more than squirm beneath the older man, tears of frustration leaking from the corners of tightly shut eyes.
Well...I suppose that counts... Havoc kissed him fiercely. "You want top or bottom?"
The blond alchemist managed to wrench his automail arm free, cold, lifeless steel trailing down Havoc's side. "Any more stalling and I'll fucking kill you..." Ed hissed through his teeth, slipping his other hand free to tug the Lieutenant down by his dogtags into another kiss. One that said 'does it look like I care right now who's on top!?'
Havoc hissed as he felt cold automail touch him. Unpleasant memories threatened to swamp him, but he felt the very real boy underneath and managed to keep himself in the present.
"All right then..."
------------------------
It wasn't until the train had already stopped, and a blond ponytailed head was lifted from a certain Lieutenant's lap, human and mechanical limbs stretched sufficiently, and sleep rubbed from golden eyes, that Edward Elric finally remembered that he had been fetched here to see the Colonel again.
But this time, the young alchemist had a few tricks up his sleeve that he would most definitely have to try...
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Back in Dublith...
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Izumi glared around the spotless kitchen that was missing a very important speck.
"DAMMIT!"
Izumi thundered out, yelling back over her shoulder, "Al, I'm going to Central, STAY HERE."
She ran down to the station, cursing the bean with every step and imagining horrible things to put him through.
Including reading Dante's Inferno.
Please review, constructive criticism and questions appreciated, flames will be deflected back at you by Roy. n.n;
