I stretched and woke up to the light peeking through my curtains, I rubbed my face and lifted the covers away from my body and put them back neatly on my bed. Grabbing my towel, I moved out of my room and heard that Edward and Alphonse were already up as I heard movement from the open room.
"Rea, I wouldn't!" Alphonse suddenly called as I opened the bathroom door and saw Edward was in there. I flushed bright red seeing him topless with a towel around his body as he looked at me and I couldn't help but stare at his chest,
"Wow- I- Sorry!" I said in quick succession and closed the door,
"Knock first!" Edward yelled,
"I'm sorry! I'm not used to having people in my place! I groaned and leaned against the wall, Alphonse chuckled as I looked at him, "shut up…" I glared at him as Alphonse moved away, "what are you doing Al?" I moved towards the kitchen and saw him cooking, "Al? I'll sort breakfast!" I spoke and walked over,
"It's okay. I've been able to learn a few things myself with not being able to sleep over the years." Alphonse spoke, I could tell he would be smiling at me as I put my hand on his arm,
"Thank you." I spoke,
"It's the least I can do for you letting us stay here as well." Alphonse spoke as I nodded,
"What are you making?" I tried to peer over,
"Omelettes!" Alphonse smiled as I nodded.
I heard Edward walk out of the bathroom as I moved back to the hallway and looked at him, he was still topless, but had his black trousers on as I flushed red seeing his abs.
"I'm sorry about not knocking…" I spoke as Edward looked at me, with a frown on his face, that soon turned into a small pout as he looked at me,
"Just… knock next time." Edward spoke as I nodded,
"Again, sorry." I spoke as Edward looked worried suddenly,
"Hey, it's not such a big deal okay!" Edward had glanced behind me as I saw Edward was looking guilty, I nodded and smiled at Edward,
"I'm going to get ready for our walk." I spoke as Edward nodded and I looked over him one more time before walking by and into the bathroom.
I felt my cheeks burn as I thought was Edward's body. I couldn't believe how toned he was as I looked at him… I took my long top off as I turned on the shower and stepped inside. I proceeded to wash my hair and my body, it took a while to clean and dry my hair though as it was waist length. Once I was done, I put my hair in a towel and wrapped my body. I wrapped it tightly as I moved to open the door.
When I opened it, I saw Edward was about to knock as I looked at him,
"Everything okay?" I asked as Edward jumped and looked at me,
"That was pretty good timing. Alphonse has got breakfast ready. If you wanted to eat before we left?" Edward asked as I nodded,
"Thanks, I'll just get dressed then I'll be there." I nodded and noticed Edward was avoiding looking at me as I smirked. I knew the towel was tight around my bust, waist, and hips as I held it close. "Go eat. I'll be there shortly." I spoke as Edward mumbled and walked away.
I went to my bedroom on the opposite side of the hall and pulled out a pink knee length skirt which had a tie around the waist and a long white sleeve, scope neck top. I pulled out some pink shoes as well to match the outfit. I put my hair back and up into a messy bun as I smiled and grabbed a cropped cardigan and left my room. I walked down the hallway and saw Edward eating his breakfast. There was an omelette ready for me as I moved to the table and Alphonse looked up at me,
"You look lovely Rea!" Alphonse spoke as I smiled,
"Thanks, Alphonse." I smiled and Edward looked up at me and froze for a moment as he looked over my skirt and top,
"Don't you think brother?" Alphonse asked as Edward choked and I sat down to eat, Edward didn't look at me as he spoke,
"Yeah, very nice…" Edward muttered as I smirked,
"Thanks." I smiled as I tucked into my breakfast.
Edward finished breakfast and tidied up his plate as he went to finish getting ready, the door was knocked and I was just finishing my breakfast,
"I'll get it." Edward spoke as he went to the door, I took my plate to the kitchen and Maria and Denny walked in behind Edward,
"Hello everyone," Maria smiled as I waved and put my plate down,
"Hey!" I grinned as Edward looked frustrated, "Edward and I will be going out shortly. Alphonse will be staying here." I spoke,
"It's a date!" Alphonse spoke,
"It's not a date!" Edward quickly yelled as Maria and Denny laughed,
"Okay, I'll stay with Alphonse then." Denny chuckled as Maria smiled,
"I'll keep my distance so you two can enjoy your date." Maria smirked and winked at Edward,
"As I said before it's not a date!" Edward yelled as I smiled.
I grabbed a small purse and put them in my pocket on my skirt as Maria noticed,
"You have pockets on that skirt?" Maria asked,
"Yeah, I sowed them in as I was fed up with not having pockets on skirts and dresses." I spoke as Maria looked at my skirt,
"It's genius!" Maria smiled as I laughed.
After some time, Edward was ready to go and I moved to the door,
"We will see you in a bit Alphonse." I smiled,
"Have fun!" Alphonse smiled as Edward smirked,
"Sure." Edward nodded and the three of us left. I walked outside of the building with Edward and Maria as I looked down the street.
The weather was great, sunny, blue skies with the odd cloud and a light breeze as I looked at Edward, he'd left his red coat back at the apartment as I started to walk down the street with him,
"How long have you owned that apartment?" Edward asked,
"Some time. I own the whole building to be honest." I chuckled,
"Huh?" Edward was surprised as I looked up at it,
"Yeah, I've been saving and investing my money into this building, and I have some money saved up, so I've been letting people stay in the apartments until they are able to afford their own property." I smiled as Edward listened to me,
"That's amazing. I never knew." Edward spoke,
"It took some time to set up, but I don't take just anyone. I get to know people before I let them stay because I don't want people taking the piss out of me." I chuckled as Edward nodded,
"But that's amazing, you've got some good work here." Edward spoke as I smiled,
"Thanks." I spoke as Edward looked back at the building.
"You do look nice today as well…" Edward muttered as I thought I misheard him,
"Sorry, what?" I asked,
"You look nice." Edward quickly spoke as we walked down the street, I blushed and smiled,
"Thanks." I nodded; we carried on walking for a bit as we made it to a park.
I smiled as I walked into the park with Edward and he followed behind me,
"I love walking through the parks." I smiled and Edward put his hands in his pockets, "I used to sit here and listen to the birds sing and watch the fish in the pond over there." I explained as Edward just listened,
"It's a nice place." Edward nodded as we walked through the park, I noticed Edward would look at me every now and again as we walked around the park.
"What do you plan do to when you get your bodies back?" I asked, Edward frowned in thought and looked down for a moment,
"I never really thought about it." Edward spoke,
"Will you stay a state alchemist?" I asked as Edward looked away,
"I don't know. It depends on what happens I guess." Edward spoke as I nodded,
"Makes sense." I nodded,
"What would you do? When you are finally mortal?" Edward asked as I smiled,
"Find someone to make a family and settle down with someone, but I'd probably want to help the government and military to be honest. Having so many years alive you learn a few things from the past." I chuckled and Edward nodded,
"A family, huh?" Edward questioned,
"Yeah," I nodded as Edward frowned,
"Have you been with anyone previously?" Edward asked,
"I have. I was in a long-term relationship with someone many years ago." I explained,
"Long term?" Edward questioned, he looked a little bit annoyed,
"Yeah… I broke it off because he got a bit too possessive, mainly because he was getting older, and I was still me. He got abusive and couldn't handle what was happening. So, for both of our sanities I left." I spoke, "I wasn't about to let someone abuse me because of something we couldn't control." I frowned as Edward looked over me,
"Sorry you went through that." Edward frowned, I just nodded, "I wouldn't let anyone treat you like that." Edward spoke and then stopped as I looked at him,
"I know." I smiled and Edward went quiet as I grabbed onto his arm and looped mine through it.
We walked out the park and I pulled Edward across the street, and we got to a small corner shop and cafe,
"Fancy a cake? This lady makes amazing cakes." I smiled as Edward looked in the window,
"Definitely!" Edward grinned and the door opened, and a little old lady walked out,
"Rea?" She smiled at me as I looked at her,
"Hello, Layla, how are you?" I walked over and she took my hands in hers,
"I'm great, shop here is doing well. How have you been?" Layla asked, her green eyes looked over my face and then noticed Edward behind me, "who is this young man?" Layla asked,
"Oh, this is Edward Elric." I smiled and moved to the side,
"Nice to meet you," Edward smiled,
"And you sweetie, I'm Layla." Layla smiled, "come in, have some cake." She added as we followed her inside, Layla walked around the back of the counter and into the back room as Edward looked around.
"How do you know her?" Edward asked and I pointed to a picture on the wall, it was a picture of myself and a younger Layla as she had black hair and green eyes,
"That was the day she opened the shop." I smiled and Edward looked at me,
"You helped her open up?" Edward asked as I nodded,
"Well, it was all her doing, I was just there for moral support and learned how to bake." I chuckled as Layla walked out and an old man followed her,
"Reaka!" The man smiled and walked around, he was a little bit taller, and his blue eyes shone as he saw me,
"Hey Graham, how have you been?" I asked as the old man walked over and hugged me,
"We have been great!" Graham asked,
"Good, that's great to hear." I smiled as I stepped back. I knew Layla when she met Graham through this shop and they got married years later, they are a lovely couple and I was happy to help Layla build her bakery up, Graham looked after the shop side of the business.
"Are you both here to have some cake?" Graham asked,
"Yes, please." I smiled,
"Are you going to have our lemon cake as normal?" Layla asked as I scratched my cheek,
"Yeah, you know I love lemon flavouring." I chuckled as Edward looked at me, "Can I have some milkshake as well?" I asked,
"Of course, my dear. What will you have, Edward?" Layla looked at Edward,
"I don't know. It all looks so good!" Edward looked back at the cakes on the side as people started coming in, "I'll have the same as Rea," Edward spoke as I smiled.
Graham sat us outside as I looked at Edward and we waited for our drinks and cake sliced,
"They seem like a lovely couple." Edward spoke,
"They are." I smiled and nodded, I looked around as Graham brought the cake slices and Layla put my milkshake on the table and a water with Edward,
"Enjoy!" Layla smiled as I nodded,
"Thank you." I smiled as Edward took a piece of his cake and ate it as I did the same.
The sponge was soft, and there was enough lemon flavouring to give a small tart taste and enough sugar to keep it sweet. Edward's face lit up as he ate the cake,
"Oh, wow!" Edward spoke as he continued eating the cake, I chuckled as I watched him,
"Nice, huh?" I smirked,
"Yeah." Edward nodded as he continued to eat.
I smiled as I watched Edward eat, he finished his cake slice quickly as I was only halfway through mine. I thought about what we were doing and how this probably looked to Layla and Graham as I stopped with the fork in my mouth for a moment,
"Rea? Are you okay?" Edward asked, I looked at him and nodded,
"Yeah." I nodded, Edward frowned as I closed my eyes with a smile,
"Are you sure?" Edward asked again as I blinked,
"What is this?" I asked and frowned, Edward froze as he looked at me, "I'd like to know… so I can understand what position we are in." I spoke as Edward looked over my face, "honesty is important here Edward, you know I won't hold anything against you." I smiled as Edward frowned and nodded, "I'd view this as a date… if I'm honest." I spoke as Edward's frown disappeared quickly, he seemed relieved and happy,
"If that's what you want it to be. I won't go against that." Edward spoke,
"But is it what you want?" I asked him seriously as I looked over his face. I saw Edward was searching my expression for something as I looked at him,
"Yes." Edward simply answered, I raised an eyebrow as he looked scared suddenly, "I mean… I do like you, and I think you look beau- I mean you look great today," Edward started to get flustered as I smiled and then started to laugh, Edward stopped and watched me as I covered my mouth from laughing,
"That's adorable!" I chuckled as Edward folded his arms, "I know what you mean." I added though, Edward wasn't good with words, but I knew his actions would speak for themselves. I smiled and picked up my drink and had a sip from the straw, "you don't have to say any more. But please, if I need clarity, please don't be afraid to answer." I smiled at Edward as he started to smile and then I felt his hand grab mine gently,
"Thanks." Edward spoke as I nodded,
"I do want to say though. You look fantastic, and by that, I mean how well you keep yourself physically fit. It's impressive." I spoke as Edward scratched his cheek,
"Teacher always told us to train our minds we also needed to train our bodies." Edward explained as I nodded,
"Makes sense." I smiled as I looked at Edward's hand holding mine.
I examined Edward's face, and he was looking in at the bakery as Layla walked out and around to us,
"How was it?" Layla smiled,
"It was fantastic, thanks." Edward beamed as he quickly let go of my hand and I smiled at Layla,
"I'll take these plates," Layla smiled and took the plates and empty drinks as I finished off the last little bit I had,
"We'll come in to pay in a moment, might take some to go." Edward beamed,
"Don't worry about it dearie," Layla smiled,
"But-" I started as Layla put her hand up,
"You've done a lot for us, let us at least repay you in small amounts of kindness." Layla smiled as I sat back and felt my cheeks burn, I felt bad that we weren't paying for what we ate but I didn't help Layla all those years ago to get free food. I did it to make a friend.
I looked at Edward as Layla walked away,
"You certainly make an impression on people." Edward smiled,
"I… I don't expect anything from people though. We should try and pay Layla." I spoke as Edward's smile seemed incredibly genuine as he leaned forward and took my hand in both of his, I looked over Edward's face as he was trying to reassure me.
"I'm going to get some more cake; do you want any?" Edward asked,
"I'm okay, at least try and pay them, okay?" I asked, Edward nodded as he stood up and put his hands in his pockets and walked around to the door.
I watched him walk inside and I leaned on the palm of my hand as I watched him talk with Graham and Layla as he bought another slice and gave them a tip. I watched Edward talk to the couple as I smiled to myself, his golden eyes shone brightly as I watched him talk. Edward looked back at me through the window, and I quickly looked away. I looked at the street and watched the people walk around with their lives, I looked at some young couples and smiled to myself, hopefully I'll be able to grow old soon…
"Hey, spacing out on me?" Edward spoke as I jumped and looked up at him,
"Sorry." I sat back and looked away,
"It's okay." Edward moved in front of me as I smiled gently,
"Come on, Rea. I can tell when something is bugging you." Edward mumbled and offered his hand to me, I gasped and looked up at him,
"You're more observant than I give you credit." I chuckled as Edward grinned; I took Edward's hand, and he lifted me from the seat and stepped to the side as I looked at him.
We started walking again and I glanced at another couple over the road and Edward noticed,
"I hope to be able to grow old soon." I muttered,
"What is it you've always wanted? Like me and Al, we want our bodies back." Edward spoke, I smiled,
"I'm sure I've told you. I want to be able to grow old, find love and have a family." I smiled as Edward thought for a moment and then nodded,
"I remember now." Edward spoke as I smiled, Edward suddenly took my hand in his as I looked down, it was his auto mail arm. I could feel the cool metal through his glove as I smiled, my free hand grabbed his arm as I leaned into Edward.
I felt Edward stiffen for a moment as I leaned into him and I smiled gently, we walked together like that for some time until I stopped at a clothing shop,
"Do you mind?" I asked,
"Sure…" Edward spoke as I moved to the shop door and walked inside, I moved around and looked at some dresses and skirts as Edward waited outside. I could see him glancing at me every now and again as I looked at some jewellery. I smiled as I picked up a necklace for a moment, it was a beautiful silver with a sapphire gem surrounded by a silver detailing, I then put it down seeing the price, I had some money, but the majority I put into helping people and barely kept any for myself.
I put the necklace back down and moved over to the clothes again and gently lifted a long purple skirt. I loved the purple and white pattern on the skirt and picked it up, I knew it would fit as I knew my size and I went to pay for it. As I got to the till Edward suddenly moved by my side and I jumped,
"Let me get it." Edward spoke as I looked at him,
"No, I'm okay." I spoke and pulled my purse out my pocket, "you could use your alchemy to add small pockets to it though if you wanted?" I smiled at Edward,
"I'll do that too. Here." Edward handed the assistant the money as I paused and looked at him,
"I… Ed… you didn't have too seriously." I looked at him,
"Ah, consider it a late birthday gift." Edward spoke as I smiled to myself, he walked away and stopped and looked around for a moment. I took the bag and smiled at the assistant,
"Thank you." I nodded and walked away, I looked at Edward as he was still looking around as I put my hand on his shoulder, "everything okay?" I asked, Edward nodded and looked at me,
"Yeah… let's go." Edward nodded and we left.
We started to walk back to the apartment building now as I carried my bag with a small smile on my face, it was a small gesture, but I appreciated it greatly. We got home and I opened the door to see Denny and Alphonse sitting on the chair with Maria?
"I thought you were following us?" I asked Maria as we walked in,
"I was, but as I noticed you were coming back here, I was already ahead of you guys." Maria admitted as I nodded,
"Oh… yeah, we were going back on ourselves." I nodded.
"How was the date?" Alphonse smiled,
"It wasn-!" Edward started but stopped as he looked at me, "nice… There's a place we need to go to when you get your body back. Sells the best cake! I bought some for after dinner." Edward grinned, he put the bag on the table as I smiled,
"What did you get Rea?" Alphonse asked,
"Edward bought me a skirt." I smiled as Edward frozen for a second,
"That's nice of you Ed." Alphonse teased his brother,
"What's that supposed to mean?" Edward glared at Alphonse as he chuckled.
I smiled and watched the brothers start to bicker again.
The rest of the day and night was great, we had dinner, Denny and Maria stayed to eat as I offered to get them dinner as well. We had some cake and then after Denny and Maria swapped with the night-time guard who stayed outside the apartment.
The third day of waiting for Sheska. I needed to go shopping and buy more food, I got ready early morning and put a knee length green dress on, its sleeves were long as well, and I left my skirt with Edward for him to try and make pockets on it as I gave him extra material for his alchemy. Alphonse and Denny riled Edward up about doing it for me but I then gave Alphonse some broken clothes to fix and said they could help repair items around the apartment to repay me for staying here. They both said they would be heading out after helping and would be back in time for dinner.
I headed out to shop and went out to the market like normal. The market was a quite a walk from the apartment, as I made my way, I noticed I was being followed. I saw it was two men as I glanced over my shoulder, I felt my heartbeat jump with nerves as I gripped my basket. I could fight, but I hadn't done so in a long time… I walked around the market and kept an eye over my shoulder, seeing the two men as I walked around. I couldn't help but panic slightly. I pulled my hair over my shoulder and pulled at it gently, I carried on as I tried to act normal. But I found it difficult, yes, I could fight… I knew how to fight… but I hadn't fought much in my life.
It had been just over an hour, and I bought all the food we needed, as I started to move back to go home, I noticed the two men had disappeared. I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked down the street, I moved through the street and wasn't too far from home.
As I looked down, I suddenly felt my arm get grabbed and a hand around my mouth as I squealed. I tried to thrash around as I was dragged down an alleyway, I moved my mouth and bit onto the man's hand as he cried out, I went to scream but the other man put a piece of cloth in my mouth and wrapped another around my face, it stopped me from crying out as I kicked my leg into the man and he fell, grabbing his crotch. The first man grabbed me again and then threw me into the wall, he grabbed my head and banged it against the wall. My vision spun as I slipped to the ground and the man laughed,
"Feisty one, eh? They are the most fun to break." The man smirked as he lifted me up over his shoulder, I was thrown into a car as the other man crawled into the car,
"Let's go, we need to get the others ready." The second man spoke,
"I know, I know." The first closed the door and I felt my vision blur in and out as I looked down the alleyway to the next street.
I saw Edward appear at the end of it with Alphonse and I tried to shout out,
"Rea?!" Edward called, "Rea!" Edward yelled and ran down the street,
"Shit! Floor it!" The second man spoke and the first one drove off as I went to grab the cloth around my mouth but the second man in the car with me grabbed my wrists and pulled me against him,
"Not so fast, darling." The man spoke as I ended up on his lap and his arms wrapped around my body as I tried to wiggle out,
"Tie her up!" The one in the front snapped,
"I'm on it. Shit! He's an alchemist!" The man holding me yelled as the car shook but didn't topple or anything as I screamed.
The car ended up driving quickly away and I looked back and saw Edward and Alphonse in the distance behind me,
"Ha! Let's get back!" The man laughed as he grabbed me and pushed me down on the ground and kicked his foot against my stomach as I groaned.
I then glanced as his foot hit my head and I blacked out.
