Chapter Five
Winry didn't realize that she still had the punch glasses until she was outside. She thought about tossing them against the half wall of the long stone porch that encircled the front and side of the building. She could pretend the glasses were Ed's head. Instead she just set them on the half wall and looked out over the real snow that blanketed the city. Winry couldn't appreciate the natural beauty. She didn't even feel the cold. She wanted to cry but if she started now, she wouldn't stop and she would just be embarrassed later.
How could he? She was only gone for five minutes and he was kissing that hateful little monster. Did he really want to be here with Selena? Had Ed only asked her because she had embarrassed him in front of Mustang and the others? Had he tried to learn to dance for someone other than her? She didn't know she could hurt like this.
Her heart hammered. All the food sat in her stomach like lead weights. She felt like being sick and she entertained the thoughts of actually hating Edward. Al would be so disappointed if she told him what his brother had done. She wanted to hurt Edward just so he'd understand. He was the first boy she had ever liked and he had done this to her on their first real date.
Something heavy, wool and warm suddenly draped around her shoulders. Winry was so wrapped up in her misery she had missed the soft whine of Ed's automail. She tossed his dress coat off of her, refusing to look at him. "Go away."
Ed picked up his uniform coat and put it over her again. "You're cold."
She whipped around, barely stopping herself from decking him. "I'm furious."
"You should be and I'm sorry. Winry, I had no idea she'd…I'm just sorry." Ed's voice sounded so broken that she lost some of her ire. His amber eyes were filled with a deep hurt of their own.
She crossed her arms over her chest. "Why did you do it?"
"I didn't. She asked me to dance." Ed tugged nervously at his ponytail. "I didn't want to cause a scene, so I accepted. I was wrong."
"She said she would take you from me and damned if she didn't." Winry's fists clenched and she wanted to use them on Ed or Selena or even herself because she wanted to cry so badly.
"She didn't," Ed assured her, reaching for her.
"I saw you kissing her, Ed," Winry stormed, stepping out of reach.
"No, you saw her kissing me. I was trying to get away from her. She insulted you, even before I knew you were there, she insulted you and I was trying to escape without making a scene. Because if she said one more word about you, everyone would have known there was a problem," he said, grimly.
Winry managed a smile and lost control of a tear or two. "Thank you, Ed, but she'll be back. She has her sights set on you."
"Not any more." Ed flexed his metallic hand then dug out the glove from his pocket to cover it. "She didn't know. She thinks I'm a freak and who wouldn't? I don't imagine most girls want a half silver metal lover."
Winry took his metal hand. "I'm not most girls."
"No, you're not. You're special. And I'm sorry, Winry. I'm new to this. I don't know how to make it up to you," Ed said, sheepishly.
Winry's heart raced, thrilled that he felt like this about her. "That you were upset she was mean to me is a big step closer to making it up."
Ed smiled. "Let's go back inside. I don't want her thinking she's won. I didn't make the wrong choice in bringing my best friend and I told Selena that."
Winry sucked on the bottom of her lip, her eyes shining.
"Aw, what I do? I didn't mean to make you cry, Winry," Ed fretted.
Winry put her arms around his neck. "They're happy tears, Ed. That was so sweet."
"Oh, well good then." Ed hugged her, feeling her nipples brushing against him through the fabric of their clothing. "You're cold. Let's go in." Winry stepped back, losing his dress coat. Ed grabbed for it and managed to lose it but ended up with a handful of breast. He couldn't help himself as he brushed a thumb over her cold-erected nipples. Embarrassed, he jumped back and snatched his coat off the ground, pulling it over his snow-white shirt.
Winry dabbed at her eyes, pretending what had happened hadn't just happened. Ed looked too embarrassed. Maybe she should have told him it felt nice but this wasn't the right time. To cover the awkwardness, Winry picked up the punch glasses. "I got this for us."
Ed took his and sipped. "Fruity." He took a deeper drink. "This is good stuff."
Winry tested it, too, and smiled warmly. "It is. I have to check my make up now," she said as they went back inside. She hoped it hadn't run.
Ed held her drink while she did that, not willing to go back to the table without her. The table had been deserted when they arrived. Winry sat close to him as they sipped punch, not really talking at all. Winry didn't mind. Ed felt warm, well at least part of him. The arm he had slid around her waist radiated cold from being outside but she didn't mind.
"Want more punch?" he asked as both of them made short work of the sweet drink. "If they slow the music down again, I'll try not to maim you on the dance floor."
"I thought Hawkeye tried to train you on the fast waltz," Winry protested, wanting to give it a try.
"Tried is the operative word." He smiled, getting up.
"Okay. Think you can handle the revolving dance floor?" Winry cast a glance over at her handiwork.
Ed paled at the thought. "Uh, no."
"But I can," a deep voice said.
They both looked over and saw King Bradley standing there, Katryn next to him.
"Fullmetal, mind if I steal your lady for a dance?" Bradley asked, looking as if he were truly enjoying himself tonight. Katryn looked a little wistful and not quite ready to let go of her dance partner.
Winry's breath caught. She never dreamed she'd be dancing with the Fuhrer. Ed's smile was broad and almost feral, and she knew he was imagining the same thing as she was; the look on Selena's face when she saw Winry dancing with King Bradley.
"She'd appreciate someone who isn't hazardous to her well being on the dance floor, sir," Ed replied.
"If you'll excuse me, Kathryn." Bradley held out his hand. "My dear." Winry took his hand and let the Fuhrer lead her to the revolving dance floor.
Ed looked over at Katryn. "You don't want to dance, do you?"
Her green eyes danced, her lips quirking up. "With a little sprout like you?"
Ed made a face. "If I wasn't relieved, I'd tell you, you didn't know what you were missing with us little guys."
Katryn laughed, slapping his shoulder. "My brother's warned me about you, Edward Elric."
"Okay, now I'm just frightened. By the way, Havoc's heading your way," Edward warned her. The look on Havoc's face suggested he hadn't quite given up on wooing Kathryn.
She patted his cheek and sailed off before Havoc could make it to her. Ed scanned the crowd, catching Selena's eyes, noticing that she and her sister were watching the Fuhrer dance with Winry. He smirked at her coldly then went to get some more punch. He didn't have time to drink it. Riza snared him and dragged him toward the dance floor. Mustang was dancing with Gracia. Ed didn't see Hughes.
"Are you sure you trust me while you're wearing those heels?" Ed asked dubiously, looking at her amazing, sparkling shoes.
"No, but you know the penalty for missteps." Riza smiled at him as she swept him out onto the floor.
Ed eyed the red silk and the milky globes of flesh that peeked over the corset. "Is there room in there for a crop?"
"Who says I need one?" Riza's eyes twinkled wickedly.
Ed gulped and paid close attention to where his hapless feet were going. Unfortunately, this close to Riza, he was having trouble with where to put his face. He was getting a crick in his neck in his effort to not end up face down between two nice mounds of red silk.
"Watch you don't put out your eyes there, Fullmetal." Mustang laughed as he circled them with Gracia.
"If he wasn't with Gracia, I'd trip him," Ed grumbled, entertaining happy thoughts of what he'd do to Mustang later.
Riza laughed, patted his butt and swung out of his arms and into Roy's. Gracia caught hold of Ed and finished out the dance with him. Ed was too stunned by the feel of a feminine hand on his backside to worry about messing up. He and Gracia danced flawlessly. She and Ed went back to the table. Gracia snagged a handful of the nuts that had been put out on the tables.
"You wouldn't think I'd be hungry but I have such a weakness for spiced nuts," she said as Hughes came over.
He put a hand on his wife's shoulder. "I see Winry's having a good time." He favored Ed with a knowing smile.
Ed nodded, knowing who must have asked the Fuhrer to dance with Winry. "Thank you, sir."
Hughes just smiled more broadly then kissed the top of his wife's head. "I called home, Love. Al says things are fine and that Elicia went to sleep like an angel. It would have been more convincing if I couldn't hear her giggling in the background."
Gracia patted his hand. "That's fine. We'll all sleep in late tomorrow."
"Indeed. Shall we?" Hughes took her hand and led her back out on the floor.
Ed drank punch, his and Winry's, went back for more and helped himself to the nuts. Gracia was right, they were good. Winry came back, a happy expression on her face. She sat down next to him. Ed handed her the punch. "Having fun?"
"Yes," Winry said, a bit of a dreamy tone to her voice. Apparently Mustang was right about girls and dancing or maybe it was Bradley's broad shoulders. "I saw you out there, too."
"I was captured," Ed said, sipping his punch. "Riza touched my butt."
Winry raised her eyebrows. "Really now? Did you like it?"
"There's no safe answer to that," Ed replied, kicking himself for bringing it up. Still, it had felt kind of good.
"No, there's probably not." Winry said, draining her punch. "When I catch my breath, you want to dance some more?"
"I want more punch but yeah," Ed replied.
"This is good stuff," Winry agreed as Riza and Mustang came over to the table to fetch their wine.
"Having fun?" Mustang asked, his dress uniform looking a little disheveled at this point
"Yes," Winry replied brightly. "Ed's promised to not give up on dancing quite yet."
"Well, he hasn't maimed anyone yet." Mustang smirked, taking a sip of wine.
"The night's still young," Ed replied ominously, glaring at his commanding officer. Mustang just laughed. Ed scowled when the music changed to the very fast beat he was sure no one could really dance to. "This stuff again. You can't dance to this."
After shooting Ed a cocky look, Mustang held out a hand to Riza. "Shall we?"
Ed made a face, watching the two of them moving to the insane beat, legs kicking and bodies turning wildly. He had no idea anyone could move that energetically and precisely. "I guess you can dance to that music." He looked over at Winry. "I can't do that."
"I'd be doing emergency maintenance on you if you tried." She laughed, laying a hand on his arm. "Don't worry, I'm pretty sure I can't do that either but they make it look so easy."
Ed's eyes widened, watching Riza whipping in circles as Mustang twirled her. "Says you. I'm sweating just watching them."
"I think that's just because of Riza's dress." Winry grinned.
"Mustang doesn't need his static gloves. That dress is hot enough." Ed replied, his eyes still tracking the red silk.
"Maybe you ought to go get more punch," Winry said tartly, nudging him.
Ed wasn't sure what he had done wrong but he suspected looking at Riza's dress was a no-no. He consoled himself with punch and Winry appeared to have forgiven his wandering eye by the time he got back. They polished off the fresh glasses by the time another slow dance started. Ed obligingly took her out on the floor.
"Is it my imagination or is it getting hot in here? I'm all light headed and it feels…good." Winry smiled at him.
"Not your imagination. I feel the same. Must be the company." He smiled at her, almost tripping over his own two feet.
"I'll go along with that." Winry tucked herself into Ed as much as she could, willing to give up the elegant underarm sweeps she had done with King Bradley. She didn't want to take her nose off on Ed's armpit. It was nice enough just moving with him to the slow steady beat of the music. She didn't need anything fancy.
Ed got another of his 'I can barely see, why did she wear heels ' peeks at Mustang dancing with Riza. He wasn't sure why the Colonel cared but he appeared to be urging him to kiss Winry again. Ed didn't feel so shy this time. He certainly needed to make up for letting Selena put her lips on him and he had wanted to try this practically since he had dropped Al off at the Hugheses. Ed tentatively touched his lips to hers. When Winry tightened her grip on him, Ed grew bolder. He owed a little to Selena since he tried her tongue trick with Winry and she seemed to melt in his arms. In fact, she was pretty good at this. Who had she been practicing with? He had a sudden urge to kick some farm boy's backside.
Winry broke the kiss, and, leaning in close to his ear said, "Let's go sit down." Her lips closed over his earlobe for a moment, startling him.
Sitting down sounded like a good idea simply because he wasn't sure how long he could kiss and keep from crashing into other dancers. He saw Mustang smirking at him as he led Winry off the dance floor. He smirked right back. The Hughes's intercepted them as they got to the table.
"Have you two seen the solarium?" Gracia asked.
"I peeked in when I was working but I haven't had the chance to really look at it," Winry said, a look of longing on her face.
"You must treat yourself to a walk in there. It's like being in the forest. In a few sections, you can look right up at the stars, its such a clear night," Hughes said, wrapping his arms around his wife.
"And the decorators had at it as well. It's just beautiful," Gracia said, leaning back against him.
"Come on, we'll take some pictures of you two there. You won't regret it," Hughes said, grinning.
"Sure, that would be nice," Winry said and Ed nodded. He had time for kissing later, he reasoned. Besides, Winry looked so nice, there couldn't be enough pictures taken. For once, he was happy with Hughes' fetish.
They didn't go too far into the warm solarium. The solarium was a riot of color and scents with all the greenery, flowers, trees and decorations. Even Ed had to admit it was romantic. They allowed the Hugheses to pose them with various flowers and trees and returned the picture-taking favor for them.
Hughes pocketed his camera. "Thanks, kids. Gracia and I are going to call it an early night. Al could probably use rescuing right about now and no matter how much he tires her out, Elicia will still wake up with too much energy."
Ed gave them a worried look. He knew how hard Hughes worked. It was good he was out having fun and Ed didn't want him to think he had to run home. "Are you sure? I know Al really doesn't mind staying with her."
"Oh, we know, but we've had fun and I'm sure there's still a little fun to be had in private," Hughes said, smiling at his wife.
"Maes!" Blushing, she bopped his arm. "He's right though. Winry, dear, you have the key to the front door, right?"
"Yes ma'am, in my purse." Winry tried to hide her smile at Hughes' thinly veiled suggestion.
"Just let yourself in whenever you get home. Don't worry about waking us. We won't hear you," Gracia said, intertwining her fingers with her husband's.
"The Fuhrer's hired a fleet of cars to take everyone home if they want to go, for those not staying here at the hotel," Hughes said. "Just go out front and you'll find someone to bring you home when you're ready."
"Okay, thanks. Have a nice night," Winry said.
When the Hugheses were gone, Ed looked around the solarium and realized he wanted to spend some time alone with Winry here.
"Ed, I need to um, take a break. I'll be back in a few minutes. Why don't you get us some more punch and I'll meet you at the table," Winry said, heading back to fetch her purse.
"Okay." Ed watched her go and knew he had several minutes to kill until she returned. Hitting the rest room sounded like a good plan to him. Finishing fast, he still had no clue what took women so long. He got some more punch and waited at the table for her. He didn't mind waiting. There would be time for the solarium, for being alone. It excited him too much just thinking of it. Winry rejoined him eventually just as he was making his way to the bottom of another of Mustang's wine glasses.
"He's going to kill you if he catches you," Winry warned, wagging a finger.
"I'm not sure Mustang's even still here. I don't see him but in this crowd I guess that doesn't mean much." Ed shrugged. "Would you like to go back to the solarium? We probably didn't even see a third of it. I heard it's really big and pretty but I've never came to see it."
"Somehow I didn't think walking around a giant greenhouse looking at flowers would interest you much, Ed." Her blue eyes danced with excitement.
"With the right company, it does." Ed smiled and Winry returned it generously.
They strolled through the enclosed gardens slowly, not saying much, taking the time to stop and smell the blossoms. Winry was feeling extremely carefree and just a little hyper. Ed couldn't seem to stop smiling. It struck her as odd but she decided she liked it. Smiles looked good on his face. The amber of his eyes lit up. She looked around, hearing a sound. They were deep inside the labyrinthine solarium and she wasn't expecting anyone to be around. She spotted red amongst the tree trunks.
"There's Riza and Roy," she whispered to Ed, squinting between the trees. Riza had her arms around the trunk and Roy was behind her, doing something Winry couldn't quite see. His lips traveled the lieutenant's neck as she moaned softly.
"What is he…oh!" Ed clamped a hand over his mouth.
Winry swallowed a nervous giggle and dragged Ed out of the chamber. Automail had never sounded louder. Once they were at least two chambers away, they both started giggling. "I can't believe we walked in on that," she said, following the path behind a rose hedge.
Ed's face was alive with amusement. "I didn't know you could do that standing up!"
"Deiene said so but none of us believed her. Huh." Winry wondered if her face was as red as Riza's dress. It felt like it. Ed's definitely was.
"Surprise." Ed seemed so amazed, Winry wondered if he wanted to try it. Her heart raced a little at the thought but she knew she wasn't ready for that step.
"Ooo look." Winry pointed to a large flat grassy spot behind the roses. Above it was a wide expanse of glass ceiling with no trees blocking it. Hughes was right. The stars were spectacular there. Ed took off his uniform's jacket and laid it down. Winry sat on it and he sat beside her. "Isn't it pretty?" she asked.
"Very." Ed laid back, looking up. Winry tucked in alongside him. "Are you kinda dizzy too, Winry?"
"A little." She wanted to touch him, to run a finger over his chest but was it too soon? What if she changed her mind about stopping? What if he wouldn't want to stop when she did? "Maybe it's the excitement."
"Maybe it was seeing what we just saw. That's going to haunt me." Ed shuddered.
"Probably fun though," Winry said then giggled. "I can't believe I just said that."
Ed felt inexplicitly relieved. If Winry only thought it might be fun, it meant she didn't know any more than he did. That was less pressure. He turned his gaze away from the stars and kissed her softly. There were great pleasures to be found in the long, warm kisses she gave him. He got a little braver, letting his hands explore her body as hers smoothed their way over him. Ed found one small hitch to this otherwise wonderful experience. He pulled away from her, sitting up.
"Ed, is something wrong?" Winry asked worriedly. She felt electrified and she didn't want this to stop.
"No, this is great only…" He went pink to his roots. "It's just…I know this night isn't ending like it did for Mustang or probably Hughes and I don't expect it to but if we don't stop…"
"Huh? Oh." Winry's eyes flicked down to his tented crotch. "Deiene was right. Boys are easy to over-stimulate."
"Damn." Ed covered his face, shifting his hips uncomfortably.
Winry put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "It's okay."
"Glad you think so," he muttered, miserably.
"Maybe someday it'll be the right time and place," she whispered, tucking her head against his living shoulder.
Ed swallowed hard, trying not to think about it. They were both thinking of all the hurdles that would have to be jumped before he'd allow himself that much of a life. "Maybe we should go back to the ballroom. Who knew dancing would be less dangerous for me?" Ed laughed, then took a few deep breaths to insure his own self control.
Winry let him give her a hand up. "I wouldn't have put money on it."
They stopped to get more punch and sat down at their deserted table. Winry rested against his real shoulder. "I'm glad you asked me to come, Ed."
"I am, too." He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles. "But, really, Armstrong? Were you trying to make me nuts?"
"It worked." She gave him a satisfied look.
"But Armstrong?" Ed persisted as he drank more of the sweet fruity punch.
"Don't you want to know what else might be passed down the line for generations?" She smirked at him.
"No, that would be more disturbing than what we just saw in the solarium," Ed said emphatically. He didn't even want to think of it.
Winry made a wry face. "Probably. It's another slow song."
Ed held out a hand just hoping that when he had her close against him he wouldn't lose that self control.
Roy had waited several minutes for Riza to rejoin the party before he dragged himself out of the solarium, not that he thought they were really fooling anyone. It just didn't pay to be too blatant, something probably better thought of before going into the solarium. He spotted her talking to Havoc, Armstrong, Lowenna and Maria. Roy glanced around and didn't see Edward anywhere. "Anyone know where Edward and Winry are?"
"I just saw them a few minutes ago," Havoc replied, taking a drink of wine. "They're having fun. Edward was laughing his head off."
"Edward?" Riza asked, eyebrows raised.
"Laughing?" Mustang made a face. "Damn, did any of us tell those kids that the punch had three kinds of alcohol in it?"
Big eyes were all around and a lot of negative head shaking.
"Oops." Mustang headed for the table. Luckily Ed and Winry were there, sort of loose limbed and definitely laughing at something. Their eyes were totally glazed and Mustang figured another glass of punch and they'd both be under the table, unconscious.
"We'd better get them home, sir," Riza said, smothering a laugh that wanted to bubble up.
"I'll help," Armstrong added, his biceps twitching.
Mustang shook his head. "No, Fullmetal's my responsibility. I need to get them into a car."
"I'll take Winry home," Riza offered, figuring the girl would not like to be taken home by a man.
Mustang tapped Ed on the shoulder. "Let's go, Edward. It's time to go home."
"Already? I's having fun," he protested.
"You didn't even want to come. The party's almost over. Time to go," Mustang said, hoping he wouldn't have to drag the kid. Riza already had Winry on her feet, a task he didn't envy her when he considered all the high heels involved.
Ed got up and Mustang had to guide him around the table. The couple got the kids to the coat check and helped them into their overcoats. Winry was starting to sag against Riza and Ed was showing signs of a rowdy outburst just waiting to happen.
"I'll help you get her to the car," he said to Riza softly, putting an arm around Winry's waist while keeping a firm grip on Ed's arm just in case he decided to make a run for the ballroom.
"Thanks."
The cold night air appeared to revive the kids a little.
"Where we going?" Winry asked, trying to get down the marble stairs.
"Home," Riza said.
"Not ready to," Ed protested, almost sitting down before Mustang stopped him.
"Sure you are," Mustang told him.
Ed squinted at him. "Who are you?"
"Ed, you know the Flame Alchemist," Riza said, trying hard not to laugh at the drunken boy.
"Oh yeah, Colonel God Complex," Ed slurred, weaving in place.
"I see he's going to let it all hang out now," Mustang said then leaned closer to Riza. "If he pukes on me in the car…"
"You'll live. Winry and I are heading in the opposite direction of Fullmetal's barracks. I'll get her home and then you can meet me at my place. Maybe you'll learn what Hayate has, a stern mommy is a good mommy." She smiled licentiously.
Roy's eyes lit up. "Hurry up, Ed, down the steps with you. See that nice car right there? Walk."
"Stop rushing me," Ed said, pulling backwards like a stubborn mule.
"Move it, Fullmetal, or you get to sleep in the snow," Mustang said, pulling hard.
"You're so mean."
"We have women waiting for us, Edward, well I do at any rate. It never pays to keep a lady waiting so walk!"
"There you go, sweetie," Riza said, unfastening Winry's dress for her. The last thing she wanted was for the girl to get sick on it. She picked the nightgown up off the bed. "Can you get this on yourself?"
"Think so." Winry fought to get it over her head and nearly fell.
Riza sat her on the bed then took off Winry's jewelry and set it on the dresser. She picked up a small garbage can and stuck it by the bed, just in case. Winry was already collapsed on the covers. Riza wrestled her under them then tucked her in. "Did you have fun, Winry?"
"Lots," the girl murmured hazily. "We beat the Drakens."
Riza smiled. "Yes, we did."
"You won better…how didn't you snag your dress on that tree?" Winry shut her eyes.
Riza blushed. Maybe she didn't have to tell Roy they'd been seen. "I'll tell you when you're older. Good night, Winry."
She left the girl's room and wrote the Hugheses a note to let them know about Winry's condition. She headed for home to prepare for consoling Roy after he had to deal with a very drunken but uncharacteristically happy teenager.
"Come on, Ed. Get your feet on the stairs," Roy ordered, having one arm under Ed's trying to propel the kid forward. He was half tempted to just let him fall down and go get Al to carry his brother up the stairs to his bedroom. The alcohol had caught up to the boy on the car ride home. The young alchemist was well and truly pickled with punch.
"I'm walking," Ed protested.
"No, you're marching in place, get your feet on the treads already."
"You sure I know you?" Ed asked, dubiously, still marching in place.
"I kept telling you all the way here who I am," Mustang said, wearily. He let Ed go for a moment, trying to reposition him for better forward momentum.
Ed lurched into wall. "Oh right…do I like you?"
"No more than I like you at this point. Damn, you're heavy with this automail. How does a little fellow like you cart it around?" Roy grumbled, shoving Ed up a few steps.
Ed leaned against him, his cheek on Roy's arm. "Anyone ever tell you, you're mean?"
"Yes," Roy sighed, despairing of getting Ed to go any faster.
"But you look like your having so much fun when you do it. Why are you so mean to me?" Ed stumbled into him.
Mustang caught the boy before he fell. "It's good for you."
"It's cute when you hide from Hughes." Ed looked around as if he thought Hughes would materialize behind them then added in the loudest 'whisper' ever, "He's insane."
"Oh goodie, you're babbling. Who decided I get to take home the kid who's got so much alcohol in him that one spark and we'll all go up in flames?" Roy asked, getting Ed to the top of the stairs.
"You did." Ed slipped out of Roy's grasp. Mustang caught him by the braid before Ed could stagger off then got a better hold on him.
"Wise command choice there," Roy replied, muscling Ed down the hall. He rapped on the door hard. "Hurry up, Alphonse, before Edward decides what else is cute."
"Riza is cute. Naughty, too. How didn't you fall over in the sola…saler…the place with the trees?" Ed slumped against the door.
"Oh great, you saw that. Well, chances are you won't remember," Roy said hopefully as the door opened.
"Colonel, sir? Is Edward okay?" Al asked worried as he surveyed the way Ed was barely staying on his feet.
"Edward had a little too much punch," Roy said, scooting past Alphonse. He stripped Ed out of his over coat and dress coat before the boy could figure out what was happening.
"Punch?"
"Hey, it's a talking garbage can!" Ed patted Al's chest hard, laughing at the echo. "Where'd you get one of those?"
"Brother?" Al sounded very hurt.
"Alcoholic punch." Roy didn't envy Alphonse the rest of the night. "Come on, Edward, get undressed and into bed."
"You're drunk, Brother?" Al asked, astonished.
"I is not," Ed replied, bobbing in place. "Why am I talking to a garbage can, Flame?"
"I'm not a garbage can, Brother," Al said, highly offended.
"It even talks back." Ed pointed at his brother, wagging a finger.
Roy sat him on the bed. "Come on, Edward, forget the garbage can before Alphonse gets very offended. Take your boots off." He let Ed struggle for a few moments before helping him.
"How did this happen, sir?" Al watched his brother struggle with his clothes. Ed got his shirt half off, gave up and let it slide back down.
"We sort of forgot to warn him and Winry that the three fruit punch also had three kinds of alcohol," Roy replied sheepishly.
"Winry's drunk, too?" Al couldn't help but be surprised.
"Unfortunately, but on the other hand, they had a really good time." Roy smiled at the younger boy, which just felt odd given the state of Alphonse Elric.
Ed flopped backwards on the bed then screeched as he dug his fingers into the mattress. "It's spinning. Make it stop!"
"Oh damn, that's not good." Roy took several preventative steps backwards. He knew from experience what followed a wildly 'spinning' bed. "Alphonse, you might want to move that garbage can over to the bed. I think I'll be going now."
"Does the little can talk, too?" Ed asked, tightening his grip on the bed. "It's still spinning."
"No, Edward, the little can doesn't talk. Alphonse, hurry…" Roy urged, picking up another small can from near the table. "This one, too, on the other side of the bed."
Al put one can down by the nightstand between their beds and leaned over to put the other one down next to the wall. Ed sat up suddenly and grabbed Al's helmet's tail, nearly yanking his head off. He vomited all over Al. Only quick reflexes kept it from going inside the armor instead of all over the front.
"Couldn't get the lid off," Ed murmured then retched again. Al got the second can under his chin in time.
"That's going to go on for a while, I'm afraid, Alphonse and that's my cue to leave," Roy said, inching toward the door. He was helpless against alcohol-induced bed-spins and he didn't want to be here for the getting sick fest Ed was in for.
"You can't go, sir!" Alphonse said, stepping away from the bed, dripping with vomit. "This is horrible. What did you do to my brother?"
"He did this to himself," Mustang protested. "It could be worse, Alphonse."
"How?" the boy snapped.
"Ed could have pulled your head off and you'd have that dripping all over the hematocrit seal," Roy replied. "If you fit in the shower stalls, I'd suggest getting into one. If not, I guess I could hose you off before I go home."
Al gave the impression he was shaking with rage. "This is…this is unacceptable! I am not a talking garbage can. And now I'm covered with….this is disgusting."
"But on the bright side, you can lecture him about drinking tomorrow," Roy replied and he could have sworn Al's armor was scowling at him.
"I fit in the showers. I'm going." Stinking, Al lumbered past him as Ed vomited into the garbage can he was clutching to his chest.
"If you don't want him to choke on his own vomit, you might want to put him on his belly when you get back…but only if." Roy smirked and Alphonse simply stormed off towards the showers. Roy looked back at Edward who seemed to be asleep against the headboard still holding the can. "All that sugar in the punch…you are going to be so hung over tomorrow." Roy grinned and left Ed to his brother's tender care.