-1Give Guidance or Counsel
Cats
Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist
Chapter 18 - Just Life
Saturday the 13th of March
"Al?"
"What's up brother?"
Al was sat in one the armchairs of their lounge. His nose had been buried in the book he was reading, but when Ed had called his name his head had popped up to look at him. Ed shuffled awkwardly in the doorway.
"Can we just, talk. For a bit?" he asked, and smiled when Al instantly put away his book and pointed to the chair across from him. Ed sat down as instructed.
"What do you wanna talk about?" the younger Elric asked. Ed looked down at his lap.
"Just life, in general." he said. Al nodded.
"Sure."
They lapsed into an awkward silence.
"So…" said Ed. "How are you and Winry."
Al smiled, though Ed couldn't see it as he was still staring intently at his lap.
"I heard an interesting rumour that someone was going around threatening people 'in the way' of our relationship." Ed blushed slightly, but Al didn't comment on it. "Guess they knew we were going through a rough patch, but thanks to them we're being honest with each other again, and I'm being less jealous all the time. So we're fine… by the way, Winry wasn't sleeping with anyone."
Ed blushed.
"Who even suggested it?" he mumbled, but he smiled at his lap. He was glad that they were good again. "Actually Al… I wanted to talk about… about your memories."
Al was silent for a moment, then;
"Okay."
"Al, there's a study at Drachma university, and it looks really promising." he shrugged, still not looking up. "I know I dragged you to Central for the same reason, but… this time I plan on going on my own."
"Drachma's a long way away." Said Al evenly. Ed nodded his agreement.
"Even if I go there now, the way I am, they won't give me the information I need. So, I plan on going to university there."
"Right."
"But the earliest I can go to university is at age 19. If I want the right qualifications to be able to get in, and that's three years from now… can you wait that long?"
Al nodded,
"Of course I can." he said, "I'm in no rush. I've never been in any rush."
Ed nodded, a little sad that he had no closer, easier leads.
"I'm not going to give up on getting your memories back. Even if it takes forever and a day. Though… I wish it wasn't taking this long." he sighed, "But I wont give up. I'll keep looking for leads until then."
Al nodded again.
"I know you wont." he said, almost as if resigned to that fact. "What about you and Roy?"
Ed blushed.
"What about me and Roy?"
Al made a gesture with his hand.
"You guys still going okay?" he asked.
Ed used his right hand and fiddled with the fingers on his left. He watched what little sun that fell through their windows glint off the single diamond, embedded in the white-gold band. He never figured he'd be wearing something like it, yet here he was.
"Actually, we're going okay." he finally replied. "We got out of a rough patch too, and um… now we're engaged." he rushed, blushing at his lap. Al nodded, smiling lightly at his brother.
…
"Wait, WHAT?"
Ed held up his hand so Al could examine the ring. Al leant forward to see it properly. He seemed a little surprised, but happy all the same. He held Ed's hand in both of his own as he lightly fingered the ring.
"Wow." he eventually said. "Considering in October you hated him, this is a little sudden."
Ed nodded.
"I thought so too." he replied. "but after everything, all the roundabouts and rollercoaster rides, all the falling out and then making up, all the running away and then facing our fears… it just makes sense really."
Al went back to his seat and rose an eyebrow.
"You're going to marry him because it 'just makes sense'." he asked.
Ed blushed, and shook his head.
"I want to do this, because… well, ya know… I love him and all that." he mumbled the last part at his lap, ignoring Al grinned as best he could. After a moment of basking in Ed's confession, he frowned.
"How's Mr. Mustang going to feel about you going off to Drachma in three years time?"
Ed shrugged.
"That's three years from now. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose."
- X -
Ed found himself outside Roy's office once again, hand hovering over the door handle. He couldn't take his eyes away from the diamond glittering on his ring-finger. He was about to push down the handle when;
"Hey boss."
Ed instantly hid the ring behind his back.
"Mr. Havoc!" he yelled in surprise.
"You alright Ed?" said a voice from behind him, which made him pull his hand to his front again.
"Ms. Hawkeye." he greeted, as she came round to his front, she nodded politely.
"Are you looking for Mr. Mustang?" she asked, but Ed shook his head.
"Just happened to be in the area." he excused, flapping his hands about in a panic. He realised what a mistake that was when Riza grabbed his hand.
"What a beautiful ring." she said, making Ed blush. Havoc looked over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
"Getting married Ed?" he teased. Ed snatched his hand back and held it against his chest.
"Yes, actually."
Havoc's other eyebrow went up to meet it's twin, and his mouth fell open slightly.
"Really, to who?"
Ed blushed, opting to keep quiet.
"Yes Edward, to who?" asked a very recognisable, teasing voice. Ed whipped his head round to see Roy right behind him. Ed glared lightly at him.
"You don't know him." he insisted, Roy grinned.
"Well, if he won your affections he's probably a really attractive, clever, admirable man." Roy teased, Riza smiled.
"That's right. Someone whom Ed would marry would be very clever." she agreed, making Roy's ego swell so much Ed could actually see it. The young man groaned in exasperation.
"Actually, he's an arrogant, egotistical bastard with a Lolita complex." he complained, staring Roy straight in the eye." Roy smirked at him.
"Guess that makes you the Lolita." he said, and Ed nodded.
"I guess, but I'd rather be that then a perverted old man."
Ed swore he could see a vein pop in Roy's head.
"Who the hell are you calling a perverted old man you little brat?"
Ed faked surprise.
"Why, my fiancé of course." he grinned. "But you know, if you think something applies to you, then it probably does."
Roy hung his head in defeat. Ed had definitely won that round. He grinned at the floor. He may have won that battle, but he hadn't won the war. Roy had many more verbal battles just like that one to look forward to, since he planned on spending the rest of his life with Edward. It was all he could do not to declare his love from the roof-tops. Not that he ever would… much.
"Well, you'll have to introduce us someday." said Havoc, only slightly put out by this new revelation. He grinned. "Are we invited to the wedding?"
Ed exchanged a glance with Roy, who shook his head, barely noticeably, then pretended to gag when he knew Jean and Riza weren't looking. Ed grinned.
"Definitely. When we get around to setting a date, I'll send you an invite!"
Roy smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand. Another time Ed had got the best of him.
"You alright Roy?" asked Riza. Roy nodded.
"Just acquired a headache." he said, glaring at Ed. The young blonde grinned at him innocently.
"And you Ed? Getting married is a big deal." questioned the blonde woman, Ed grinned, watching Coco slide between Roy's legs and come to a stop in front of him, mewling, as if asking to be picked up. He swooped down and cradled her in his arms, standing up straight again. Roy poked at her stomach and she meowed happily at the attention. Ed couldn't help but give Roy an affectionate smile.
"I think everything's gunna be fine. We already bicker like an old married couple anyway."
Roy snorted, but didn't disagree.
"I trust you." He said in Ed's ear, and Ed smiled.
"I trust you too." He replied, and it was just as good as saying 'I love you'. It meant the same thing to them, and they could say it in public. "I trust you so much."
*snort* Coco only got a mention in this chapter because I'd completely forgotten about her and I felt guilty. Considering this story's name, there aren't that many references to cats… oh well. Cats still runs off the tongue better then Trust, which is what the story is really about. Oh well…
On that note: can anyone say 'Sequel'? *grin* 'Family' is the next one, and the last one, in the Give Guidance or Counsel Series. I hope everyone has enjoyed this story, and please keep a look out for Family once I finish it and start putting it up here.
~Od23