Downpour
By. Fanficer21
Chapter 3- Father
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Rated T: Father/sons fluff
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Disclaimer: So apparently I forgot to write a disclaimer for the previous chapters. Whoops! Well here it its. I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood.
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This chapter is more of a 'calm before the storm' piece. I thought you might like to see some bonding between our favorite trio, haha!
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Previously:
Edward's eyes widened at the statement. "Are you saying that this THING can stop our alchemy!?"
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"Stop it. Detect it. A better question would be why is it here? And who made it?" Roy said thoughtfully, looking up towards the door where the creature continued to scratch. That is until a large shiver ran up his body. Noticing this, Edward got off the bed and grabbed the wool blanket. A moment later, Alphonse grabbed the bandages after he was done drying himself off. Seeing this, the man sighed with a smile.
"I didn't realize you boy's cared for me so much." Roy smirked at Edward's red face. "I'm not doing this because I care, stupid Colonel! Hawkeye would skin me alive if I didn't bring you back in one piece." The boy fumed, his grip tightening on the blanket.
"She's going to shoot me when she sees this." Roy nodded, carefully moving his arm towards Alphonse while he left hand gripped his right bicep, preventing his arm from swaying. Said boy gently gripped the sleeve above his elbow. Ripping the fabric apart, he slowly pulled the black coat sleeve off before doing the same to the blue uniform sleeve. Peeling the material from the man's bloody arm, the boy couldn't help but flinch every time the Colonel gasped or flinched.
"I'm sorry!" Alphonse apologized repeatedly. "Don't worry about me kid! Just get it off!" Roy grit his teeth from the pain, tightening his hold on his arm. Edward just stood there, staring at the deep cuts that were being exposed.
"Almost done...there!" Alphonse said with relief, dropping the bloody cloth to the floor before grabbing one of the towels. Wiping the blood and water from the cuts as gently as he could, the boy then proceeded to wrap the man's arm tightly with the bandages. He would need to get to the hospital soon to have it properly cleaned, but they would have to escape first.
"Thank you Alphonse. Nice job with the bandages." Roy said, looking at the covered arm. "Mm" Alphonse muttered. "I've had a lot of practice" He said, looking at Edward. Said boy narrowed his eyes, huffing as he looked in the other direction.
Deciding it might be good to change the subject, Roy looked at Edward and the blanket. "Shall we attempt to get dry? I'd hate to be responsible for you getting sick." He said while attempting to shake his left arm out of his soaked coat . With the help of Alphonse he removed his right arm from the wet clothes, leaving him in his uniform top, trousers, and boots. He couldn't help the shiver that ran through his body as he held his hand out for the wool blanket.
Edward practically threw the blanket at the Colonel, then folded his arms across his chest. Roy knew the boy wasn't happy about their situation, and knew better than to rile him up more. So instead of engaging the boy, he proceeded to cover himself up with the warm material. Despite the material between his skin and the cement, the cold still penetrated his back. Edward, on the other hand, decided to sit on the opposite side of the bed, acting like he wasn't affected by the cold.
"You know Fullmetal, the blanket's big enough for two." Roy said calmly, arms folded across his chest beneath the wool to keep warm as he watched the boy shiver slightly. Edward, however, just growled. "There's no way I'm getting under there with you, Colonel bast-"
"Brother!" Alphonse cut the boy off sternly, pointing to the blanket. "You get under the blanket too. I don't want you to get sick!" Alphonse's order caused Edward to look like he was having a debate with himself. Finally, after a few minutes, the boy sighed dramatically with a "fine!" Then, "But I'm only doing this for Al!"
"Fine by me." Roy said calmly, hiding his smirk as he lifted the blanket up for the boy to crawl into. The boy took off his soaked red coat before getting beneath the blanket, his shoulder touching the Colonel's and leaned his head against the wall. To say he felt awkward sitting beside his superior under a blanket was an understatement, but at least it was warm.
"Get some sleep boys. We have a big day ahead of us." Roy murmured, resting his head in the corner of the cement wall. Even though Alphonse could not eat or sleep, he always did his best to treat the boy like a real child, knowing it cheered Alphonse up. The metal boy dimmed the lantern so the Colonel and his brother could fall asleep to the sound of the rain pounding against the door as it began rattling from the strong wind. The storm was getting worse, but they could no longer hear the growls or scratches of the creature outside, if it was still there.
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Alphonse sat beside the wall, staring at the floor of the shelter for several hours listening to the wind outside. It sounded like a train was passing by, the ground above them shaking while sending little pieces of the cracked ceiling to the floor. He couldn't help but be afraid. He continued to stare blankly before he was broken from his reverie when he heard a groan despite the noise outside. Looking up, he saw the Colonel pressing his forehead against the cold cement. His black hair clung to his face, sweat beading on his face and neck as they glistened in the dim light. His head would sway to the side or give a sudden jerk as if he were having a nightmare. Eyes moving rapidly beneath their lids. A few more minutes passed before the man awoke with a start, gasping as he looked around the shelter.
"Colonel" Alphonse's soft voice brought the man's attention to the young Elric. "How are you feeling?" The suit of armor asked. Looking up at the ceiling of
the shelter with a frown on his face, Roy replied. "Not so good. I think a fever is setting in." His glazed eyes starting to close, he looked exhausted.
Alphonse jumped to his feet as quietly as he could and placed his hand on the Colonel's forehead, making the man look at the metal boy again. Quickly realizing that he couldn't feel the man's temperature, he took it away slowly as he felt useless in helping the man. "Please Colonel, don't leave us. I need you. And even though brother won't admit to it, he needs you too. You're the closest thing we have to a father. So please Colonel..." The boy stared at the ground, shaking as if he was beginning to cry.
Roy's eyes widened at the boy's statement. "Whoa there Alphonse! No one said anything about dieing. It'll take more than a little fever to take me do-own" The man yawned at the last part, exhaustion hitting him again.
Somehow he could feel the boy smiling at his response. "Don't worry kid. We'll get out of here alive." Roy then looked down at the young alchemist beside him. The boy was sleeping peacefully, head resting against his shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to you boys." The man said, his eyes beginning to close again. A moment later, he was asleep. Alphonse smiled again, brushing the Colonel's hair out of his face. "I know." The boy said before he wiped the sweat from his 'father's' face and neck with the edge of one of the towels.
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Another hour or two passed before Edward woke up with a jolt. He looked around the shelter frantically. Suddenly noticing his proximity to the Colonel, he jumped back slightly. Grumbling to himself for falling asleep on the man's shoulder. Leaning back against the wall, he tried to go back to sleep, but his body seemed to be protesting. Opening his eyes again and looking at the Colonel, Edward noticed the man looked like he was in a fitful sleep as he head swayed slightly. A frown on his face. Giving into his sleepiness, the boy leaned his head back down on the man's shoulder. He was so tired he didn't realize that Alphonse silently watched. But at the moment he just didn't care. He just wanted to sleep without having another nightmare. Moments later he gave into the darkness again, a small smile on his face.
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You likey?
I'm having a bit of writer's block at the moment, and thought I might include your guys' (my dear readers) ideas for the next chapter. What would you guys like to see for an escape plan? Or would you rather I attempt to surprise you?