Disclaimer: ………………………………... Don't own……….. Fullmetal Alchemist!

A/N: Apparently I've been spelling Russel wrong… it's supposed to be spelled like this, Russell, with two L's… oh well, sorry to any of you who noticed.

To Argue

Russell's eyes land on me in apparent disapproval before turning to stare out the front window as he drives us towards our home. I know he's angry because his jaw is clenched shut and his fingers are turning a ghostly white from gripping the steering wheel so hard.

"Why?" His voice slices through the air scathingly, leaving in its wake a feeling of angered tension.

Jumping in my seat, I turn to glance at my agitated driver. "Huh? Why what?"

Without taking his eyes off the road he clarifies, "Why were you at his house? What were you doing?"

Running my fingers through my hair I reply, "Well, we were at the school and then lessons were over so I left. Then, when I got outside and was half way home it started raining so, I turned around to go back and give Mustang-san my umbrella. But just as I reached the school I caught sight of him…." I twist the ends of a lock of silky hair worriedly before continuing. "He was collapsed on the ground."

For the first time since we started driving Russell looks at me and his eyes are wide with surprise. "What? Why?"

"I… don't know." I chew my bottom lip absently as my thoughts rush to the image burned in my mind of Mustang's previously prone figure lying on the wet gravel. His face was drained of all color and the rain was sliding down that thin face, looking like tears. The anguish in my heart then couldn't be described in mere words now, for it was only present a moment before his confused eyes had somehow pulled themselves open. And when he said my name I thought that the clouds would part and angels would descend to sing for me… I'd never felt so relieved in my entire life.

"Where is it?" A rough voice interrupts my inner thoughts and rudely brings me back to Earth.

"eh?"

"Where's your umbrella?"

'Umbrella? Who cares where my umbrella is.' "Outside, on the ground at school… I guess. I dropped it when I ran to help Mustang-san. It never even crossed my mind again until just now… I was too busy taking him home."

"You were at his house for two hours! What the hell were you doing," he accuses angrily.

A bit irritated at Russell's snappy attitude I answer back with a bit more force in my voice than usual. "Well, I thought I'd make him tea, but it took me forever to find the damn stuff…" I frown out at the dark sky. "Then, I couldn't even read the instructions . So, I went and asked Mustang-san and he…" I trail off as I realize that that isn't exactly something I should share.

Seeming to since my frustration Russell presses on. "What? He what?"

Just then we pull into the parking lot, and I, sensing my chance, jump out of the car and race for the apartment. I don't want to tell Russell, but I know that if he catches me I'll have to. The reality that I can't run from him forever doesn't seem to enter my tumultuous mind for even a second as I run.

I launch myself up the stairs outside the apartment and when I reach the door I try desperately to unlock it as I hear swift footsteps behind me. Frantically, I try to slam the door shut, but Russell is too close and he's several inches taller and pounds heavier than me.

I fall to the floor in a tangle as he tackles me. Sitting on top of my stomach he reaches back and slams the door shut. Then, he grabs my wrists and pins my arms to my sides, at this lightning attacks my nerves and I flinch in pain. He frowns in confusion at my reaction and glances down to discover the source of my distress. "What the…" I try unsuccessfully to pull away as he grabs my arms and hastily unwraps the, slightly pink, bandages.

I hear him take in a sharp breath as my fresh wounds are revealed. His dark eyes snap upwards and try to catch my evading golden ones… 'I'll look anywhere, but at him right now. Don't look. Don't look.'

Grabbing my chin he forcefully turns my head back towards him and silently commands my attention. Finally surrendering, I look up into his face and wish I hadn't. His lips are turning a livid white and his eyes dance like black flame.

"Ed… did he do this?" His voice comes out in a hoarse whisper that sends shivers down my spine, and I hesitate before nodding so slightly it wouldn't have even been noticed if it wasn't being looked for.

I knew it was coming. I just knew it. I knew it, but my ears weren't prepared for the terrible onslaught that was thrown upon them by Russell's loud voice. As his torrent of questions, and accusations, and stream of taboo names for Mustang-san rang in my head I steadily became defensive of Sensei and angry with Russell.

Without thinking I shout above the cacophony of sounds emitting from Russell's furious lips, "Because I LOVE HIM!"

Instantaneously, all sounds die. Nothing is heard, except for the sound of Russell gasping for breath.

"You WHAT?" He didn't shout, but his voice held so much more weight than if he had. I was almost afraid of him.

Hesitantly, but calmly I reply, "I said, I love him." It feels good to finally admit it to someone, as well as myself.

"But… how can you? But… I …" he sputters.

Without another word Russell gets up off me and drunkenly stumbles his way into our bedroom. I watch in confusion through the doorway as he falls down onto his bed and curls himself into a ball.

"Russell? … Russell?" When he doesn't respond I get up and enter the bedroom as well. I think about talking to him, but he looks like he's had enough of me right now. So, I grab a clean pair of boxers and strip myself completely, dropping the wet clothes on the floor as I walk into the bathroom.

I turn on the hot water and wash away all the grime from the concrete outside. When I step out of the shower all of the chill that had previously set into my skin was replaced by the warmth from the steamy room. But when I walk into our bedroom again the warmth suddenly evaporates as I realize that Russell hasn't moved from his curled position.

"Russell, your clothes are wet. If you don't take 'em off you'll get sick."

"Like you care." It was whispered, but it stung as if he'd slapped me.

Growling I snap, "Fine, Russell, be that way. I'll undress you myself cause I do care."

Reaching down I collect Russell's cold form into my arms, and I pull off his drenched shirt and pants. As I stretch for his boxers his hand shoots out and grabs mine.

"Don't," he threatens.

I shake his hand away and look down at his huddled form. "Russell, if you don't, I will. Now get up and change those boxers," I command.

Russell slowly pulls away from me and sluggishly stumbles to his drawer, where he pulls out a fresh pair and changes while still shaking from the cold. I throw a towel at him and he dries the rest of his body.

After we climb into bed my thoughts continue to center around Russell's strange behavior, but they soon turn to Sensei as I slip off to dream.

As I slowly wake up I feel warmth on my skin from the sun leaking through a crack in the blinds beside my bed.

'Sunlight? … SHIT!'

My eyes fly open and a quick glance only proves that I'm late for my first basketball practice with my new team! Leaping down from my top bunk I reach to wake up Russell, but when my hand meets nothing except empty air and abandoned bed sheets, I scream in anger.

I grab my clothes off the dresser and race down the apartment hall, pulling on my shirt and pants as I go. By sprinting down the sidewalks I finally manage to make it to school just as the bell for second period rings. Spotting Russell's bleached hair bobbing in the crowd as it makes its way to the second class causes my stomach to burn and my insides to twist.

Being the irrational nit-wit that I am I speed towards him and clench my fists while yelling, "RUSSELL, YOU BASTARD!"

Without a moments pause I throw my hand forward and my fist collides with Russell's hard jaw, causing him to fly backwards and topple to the ground in a messy heap. The skin on my knuckles splits open and blood streams out just like its doing from the corner of Russell's mouth.

Jumping up, Russell tackles me to the cement and we trade blows. Between each fist that connects with my face and body I hear Russell screaming, "Why? Why him? Why him DAMN IT! WHY?"

I feel hands grab me from behind and I barely manage to make out other forms clutching at Russell's twisting body. They pull us apart, and though I don't try to get at Russell, the arms pull me back against a firm chest and hold me tightly in place.

Tilting my head backwards I see Sensei's jaw tantalizingly close to my lips, and completely forgetting about Russell, I subtly lean back into the restraining embrace.

I'm roughly jerked back to reality as Russell screams at Mustang-san, "Get off him! Get YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HIM!"

Sucking in my breath through grit teeth I screech back, "Shut Up, Russell. GOD, I HATE YOU!"

Russell's head jerks back as if I had physically slapped him. His reaction was so forceful that I even looked down at my hand to make sure it hadn't actually hit him on its own accord. His huge stone eyes stare at me in utter disbelief as silent tears race down his pale cheeks. Swiping at the offending droplets Russell jumps up and runs away from me, stumbling as he goes because he can't see where he's headed for the tears.

I reach out my hand towards his retreating form. "Russell, WAIT, Please! I didn't… I… RUSSELL!"

I try to run after him, but Mustang holds me back. "Wait, Ed, don't. Just leave him alone for a bit."

Confused I stammer, "What?… no.. NO! I WON'T! It's all my fault. He's mad at me because I'm in love with…" I slap a hand over my running mouth before the confession can slip. Sensei raises an eyebrow at my obvious evasion, but before he can ask anything I push myself away and run after Russell.

Going on pure instinct I race out of the school grounds and down numerous streets. Finally, I come to a complete stop. Closing my eyes, I sigh as the poignant memories rush through my mind and cause tears to well up and threaten to fall from my golden lashes. Refusing to release the little water demons, I roughly wipe them away with the back of my hand.

Taking notice of my surroundings, I see that I'm alone in an old town square. In the center is a huge water fountain where ribbons of water fall out of overhanging copper clouds. It then runs down two steel lovers causing their exposed metal skin to glimmer and sparkle. The stream of water makes the immortal figures seem to move in a never ending dance only experienced between two in love. Rounding the beautiful masterpiece, I'm shocked to find Russell sitting on the edge of the magnificent structure, staring down at his shaking hands.

A/N: Aaaannndddd that's it for today. Hope you liked it. Ah, Ed and Russell were fighting (tears up and starts pouting). Can't believe I did that. Bad lady, BAD! (bonks self on head) Well, what's new with me? I've got my license, YAY! But, my car's brakes are kinda shifty, but they work, and that's all that matters…. Right? I met a cute guy at a birthday party yesterday night… ahhh so cute! (blushes) Oh well, not much I can do about it since we live in two different towns… (sigh) Ok, next chappie will be called To Confess and Crash… it's up to your imagination what's gonna happen, just kidding. Actually it's up to MY imagination, but you're free to fantasize!

Reply to Reviews

Lol: Thanks, I thought the, "you can't get in my pants' thing was funny too. (grin) You've got a good sense of humor… keep that, it'll get ya just about anything!

Alchemist X: Was my chapter long enough this time? I'm sorry to say that it was the longest chapter that I'll ever have for this story… I'm so sorry. (weeps) I apologize, I never want to disappoint my readers, but the story's already written.

NarutosGirl52: They aren't speaking English. I don't know where I said they were, but they aren't. Maybe you got confused about Ed. See, he's from America, so that's why he speaks English and he's learning Japanese. Ed and Russell met in America, when Russell went there as an exchange student two years before this story…. So sorry if I confused you , that wasn't my intention. (bows)

FadingWind: I'm glad you liked Mustang falling off his chair and being called a pedophile… guess he probably is. But sorry that it isn't under humor, I could only choose two genres so I just went for Drama and Romance… my bad. Do you really live in Hong Kong? That's sooooo awesome… I'm from Texas, United States. (I read your profile so that's how I know where you live)

Abcabcs: Dude, trumpets are awesome! I hope you're having fun with marching band this year. We've already started and boy is it hot down here… like to kill us all in this heat. HP 6 was sooo awesome! Oh well, thanks for reading my story!

RejectedAndLoved: I read your email and I emailed you back… hope you got it. Thanks for reading me, and reviewing me, it was just as fun as always! (grin)

Shingo-sama: Thanks for the COOKIE! I LOVE COOKIES!

EVERYONE THANKS FOR READING!