Shingo-sama: As you wish. Hehe. Thanks for reviewing.
Teldra: Oh isn't Edo just so fun? Thanks!
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L'Arc-En-Ciel: Dies a second time. Lol. Reviewers are violent these days. Very sneaky of our Edo, yes. Gotta love him. Thanks for reviewing!
Inuyashabooklover5188: Hehe. I don't like cliff hangers all that much, either. I'm just evil. D I'll try to add more fluff, since there are many fans of it. ( Me being one! ) Thanks for reviewing!
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Sand3: Wow, I learned something new. Thanks for correcting me on that. ; Thanks for the review.
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Chocolate Coated Popcorn & Gelatinoussugar: So confused! Lol. I think anyone could just eat Roy up. ; And you know what is going to happen? How interesting. Maybe I will suprise you? Thanks for your review! And to CCP-kun...Hehe! Don't be too hard on GS-kun. XD
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Wow, Thanks to you all. So much. I love seeing so many wonderful and informative reviews. Now, onto the chapter. Surprises for all.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Hagane. I simply use the characters for my own evil plots. Tee hee. Speaking of plots, the plot to this story is mine. :D
Title: Only the Moon Will Know
Chapter: 4
A chill ran down his spine and he tensed up immensely. Had he...? No. He couldn't have. Turning around so slowly, and so cautiously, it made is fear level rise by each wrenching second it took. He now had turned completely and stood looking down upon what was supposed to be the sleeping form of Roy Mustang. His face paled, and a new fear washed into those golden hues.
He made a mental note.
'Next time I get the chance, I'm going to kill that son-of-a-bitch.'
Roy had, in his sleep, took a violent hold of the boy's shirt. Roy, in his dream, was fighting off many other alchemists. Resulting to hand to hand combat with a few of them, he thrashed about in his sleep. Edward was obviously one of his enemies. Coincidentally, Edward had been in the line of one of Roy's punches to the air. And at the opportunity given to him, Roy had tried to 'take out' the blonde, pulling him downwards by mistake. Now, the Flame and FullMetal were nose to nose. Something that had rarely, if it ever had, happened.
Using the couch to hold himself up from falling completely onto Mustang, Edward remained as still as possible. The last thing he needed was for the other to wake up while he was stuck in such a position. That and with any movement, Roy might lash out at him again. He sighed lightly and tried to pry Roy's hand from the front of his shirt. This was not such an easy thing. Not at all.
' Damn it, Mustang! Let go of me! ', Ed mused to himself.
He was not enjoying the moment, as many others would have. There Roy was, asleep and completely dead to the world. Who wouldn't want to take advantage of the man? A faint pink washed across Ed's cheeks, and that alone made him furious. At these thoughts, he was blushing. It was obvious he was sleep deprived. I mean, he was thinking about Roy in...ways that he could not mention!
When he nearly had himself free of Roy's grasp, he realized something. The mumbling had stopped, and the man's breathing had returned to normal. Something was strange about this -- too strange. Turning his head back to look to the Colonel, his eyes widened. Those coal black eyes, hardly noticeable in what seemed to be no light, were staring up at him. But the grip at his shirt did not change.
"...What're you doing, Edward?"
The voice was quiet, and oddly calm from what Ed was expecting.
No answer. And the silence continued. It was like a war, of the sorts. They were fighting to see who would give in and speak next.
"...I came out...to get my...uh, paper work."
" You owe me. "
Edward blinked, and a slender brow raised. What did he owe the arrogant man? Nothing, he told himself. Let his ego think what it wants.
" I'm going back to sleep. "
" It's not possible. "
" Yes, it is. My room is just over the--"
" Who said you'll be able to get free? "
This was different. So different from the way the Colonel usually acted. What was up with him? Though, even Ed himself was acting strangely. It was a good thing it was dark in the room. He did not want Roy seeing his blush.
" I've got the automail. I've got the advantage. "
" Oh, really now?"
At that moment, he felt very nervous. He didn't understand why he felt nervous, but he did. It was something he wasn't expecting. He had this churning and tossed feeling in his stomach, and his heart raced wildly. It was as if he had just been running. His thoughts were snapped apart, when Mustang moved, he winced and felt the room lurch wildly to one side. Falling to his knees, he fell forward into the couch and lay sprawled upon Mustang.
" Edward? Edward, can you hear me?"
The room grew dark, and his body felt so cold so suddenly. It was a horribly feeling. He wanted to answer the man, but found that his energy was gone. All he remembered was being picked up, and the concerned face of Roy. After that, everything faded to black.
From what the medical attendants told him, Edward was finally in a stable condition. Roy sat in a chair next to the hospital bed that the small blonde occupied. The boy had not proper sleep or nutrition, so his body had shut down to try and restore itself. It was the nightmares, he knew, that kept Edward from sleeping. And the boy seemed so busy always, perhaps that was why he hardly had time to eat. Even he, himself, knew that feeling.
Several days had passed and the Full Metal Alchemist had no awoken. They expected it to take a day or two for him to regain his strength. Even when he awoke, he was going to be weak. And from then on, Roy had sat next to the bed, waiting for the young alchemist to awaken. He felt that it was his responsibility -- that he was obligated to make sure of his well being.
The Medical Bay had been relatively empty. People often visited to make sure Ed and himself were doing fine. Occasionally people brought Ed flowers or some kind of gift that was sure to cheer him up.
He didn't understand exactly why he was so concerned for the young boy, but he followed his instinct. He had helped him through the nightmares which was strange enough, and now he was sitting here restlessly waiting for him to awake in the hospital rooms. He sighed and shook his head. That boy always found some way to keep him busy. He wasn't sure if he should've been happy about that or angry. Either way, he was definitely always on his toes.
Standing, Roy moved over to a window and peered out over the horizon. The sun had just risen, and it shined distastefully in his eyes. Though, it projected a soft amber and pink glow to him. That is what Edward first saw, when he awoke.
" Come here to bug me about some report?"
That voice was quiet, and very meek sounding. Roy looked over his shoulder to the blonde and rolled his eyes.
" Would you like me to say yes to that?"
Edward could only smile faintly at that. Peering around at all the balloons and flowers given to him, that smile brightened. He hadn't ever had something like this done for him before. Even when he was at Winry's or with his teacher. It just didn't happen. It was nice for a change.
" How long have I been like this? "
" In bed or ill?"
"...both. "
" You've been in here half a week maybe. And it seems your malnourished and have been straining your body. You see the consequences of not eating and sleeping right. " His voice became more concerned, than official.
Edward was only silent.
" You know why. "
That was all he said. Which, didn't surprise the Colonel one bit.
"...You're very sneaky, Edward. It's a dangerous trait. "
" You've not room to talk, Mustang. "
Mustang smirked at that. Even when Ed was sicker than a dog, he still had the strength to cause an old fashioned argument. That was always the usual between them both. It was how they allowed each other to understand one another. Or so Roy liked to think.
" True as that may be, you were the one to trick me first. And besides, you woke me up, then fainted on me. You call that fair?"
" Hmph. "
Roy rolled his eyes and walked back over to his chair. Plopping down he sighed and shook his head. Now that he was up close, Edward noticed that the man seemed paler, and that he seemed to not have sleep in a while. His uniform was untidy and his hair was unruly. It was all different for the Colonel. Had he been worried? That made him smile. And oddly, Roy found himself smiling back to the boy.
A silence fell upon them, now. It wasn't exactly awkward, nor was it comfortable either. It was just...there. Again they had their silent battles, daring one another to speak first and allow the other the chance of a witty comeback. It was how they worked. But before someone could make the first move, Medical Aids came in and checked Ed's statistics.. Seeing that his levels were back to the norm, they gave him permission to leave to his room. Though, he would be checked up on daily. Well, more or less several times a day.
" Make sure he gets plenty of fluids, and healthy meals. Those will help him keep his strength up. "
Roy nodded to the Aids and they scuttled out.
" Can you sit up? "
Ed shrugged and tried to sit up. His body was working and wrenching against him, but he did the best he could. Getting up to his elbows, he sighed and shook his head.
" I can't... "
This was understandable. But he had to ask before he helped, or Edward would've been stubborn and hurt himself. Mustang stood and moved over to the side of the bed and helped Edward sit up. He went silent and simply watched the boy now. He was figuring the best way to come about this.
" Off we go. "
He lifted the boy carefully into his arms and found once more, that his thin frame was exceptionally light. The expression that passed over the blonde's face told him that the small one wasn't happy. He'd get over it. Carrying the boy down the empty halls, he yawned. He was the one exhausted now.
"...Hnn. "
Edward didn't know what more to say. He was at Mustang's mercy, until he regained his health. He hadn't expected that he would've fallen, ill either. He had only been getting worn out just recently. Ah, the wonders of the human body. He rested his head against the Colonel's shoulder and yawned lightly.
" Are you still tired, Edward?", Roy was skeptical.
" Shut up. ", the blonde spat up to the one carrying him. Dangerous move, Edward. Dangerous.
" You're pretty daring for a sick chibi..."
" ...I...am not...a chibi. "
Mustang smirked and knew right away he won that war. Edward had no way of fighting back so he chuckled lightly. Once to their quarters, he opened the door and carried him off to his room. Laying the young alchemist down, and pulling the blankets up over him, he nodded.
" Get some rest. When you're better, there is a lot of work you need to make up."
" How comforting. "
" Isn't it, now? "
" Bite me. "
" Oh, don't tempt me, FullMetal."
" Lech. "
" Chibi. "
Roy found a pillow shoved up into his face. Even though the boy was weak, he still was able to do that much. It was ironic, really. The two, after the incident had occurred, appeared to have grown closer and playful banter came easier to both of him.
Once the pillow was removed Roy put that smirk on his face.
" Such a strong battle tactic. Choosing the pillow as your weapon was such a...wise choice. "
" Would you rather my fist, Mustang? "
" Not that it could do much, now. "
The blonde knew when he was defeated. Closing his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest, he snorted. He hated losing to anyone. Especially the Colonel. That man was just so arrogant and so...egotistic. There was this passion to make him look the fool. Every time though, he failed miserably. It was always backfired onto him. Perhaps it wasn't meant to be.
" I was concerned..."
Did he just hear those words? There was no way in hell that the Colonel Roy Mustang had said that. His cold hearted, conceited, emotionless superior just said that. But he kept his features the same -- eyes closed and angered expression.
" I don't care what you think. But it happens. People care for other people, no matter what their disposition. Just because someone seems to think otherwise, does not mean that they don't care. Do you understand?"
Edward decided to play the silent type now. He acted as though he was ignoring Mustang's words that were just too out of his character to believe. But, perhaps he was truly worried? They had known each other for a long while, yes. They were mutual friends, but he found it odd that Mustang would even care for a hair on his head. But even though it sounded like he cared, there was still that underlying official sound to him. He was confused. Why was he suddenly questioning what connection he and Mustang had?
" Forgive me, Edward. "
Whatever had allowed him to do so, was now hitting him full force. His thoughts were broken apart at a different sensation. The feel of lips upon his own, allowed him to open his eyes, letting them widen in shock. He froze, unsure of what to think about the current situation. A blush rose up in his cheeks, his stomach did a flip, and his heart fluttered wildly.
Within seconds, he closed his eyes and kissed the man back. He understood what those feelings were. He did care about the Colonel. And in the back of his mind, he knew there was a crush. As much as he hated to admit it, he had developed feelings for the other. Though, if asked, for pride's sake, he would laugh it all off. Wouldn't he?
As quickly as that kiss came, it left. Roy stared down at Edward, just as surprised, but quickly covered it. He placed a hand to Edward's hair and ruffled it.
" Go to sleep, Edward. "
A silent nod, and Roy left. Sleep was something Edward found easily. For once, he slept with the feeling of security. Something that was new to him. New, but not unwelcome.
T.B.C...
Wow. This is by far the longest chapter I think. I've been working at it for 2 or 3 hours. I hope you all liked it. But it's 5:00 AM and I need sleep. . I seem to write my best at these times. ( Even though I'm falling asleep at the keyboard! Lol. ) Well, thanks for reading. No cliffs this time. Just fluff. :D :3