-1Vamp -- Chapter Four

Disclaimer: Don't own Full Metal Alchemist, but if I did, Ed would be making out with Roy, Al would have his body back… Hnn… Who would Al go.. Wi..th…O-M-G! JEAN! No! … A KITTY (a boy kitty)!!!! XD (I'm messed up!)

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The next day at work was so awkward, our desks next to each other. And when our hands touched, and we both flinched, I got an inquisition from Hughes. Oh Lord, did that suck.

"Aw! Did something happen over your off day?" Hughes smiled mischievously.

"No! What the hell, Maes?! Why do you think we'd even talk?!"

"Oh, so that flinch, and that blush as just coincidental with your hands just touching?" his right eyebrow perked up.

"Shut up!" I argued.

"Oh! Lovers! Lovers!" he yelled out, making disgusting smacking noises that were supposed to represent kisses and hugging himself, spinning in the chair. Everyone in the room stared at Hughes, laughing.

I looked over at Roy, who was smirking happily. I wondered what the hell was wrong with him. Wasn't he upset by this? Didn't he care? Then I thought about it more as I felt a blush burn at my face. He…

"Aw! Look at the blush on his face! I'm right! Aren't I? Little Ed loves Roy!"

I was deep in thought now as the memories from last night rushed through me. I didn't even react to the 'little Ed' comment. All I could think about was that kiss and I…

"Hey!" I heard a voice that jolted me away from the memories. Right then I knew even my boss' voice wouldn't have brought me out, but… but his did… Oh God… Could I really… Do I really…?

I felt his warm arms wrap around me, and his aroma overcome my senses.

"My Ed doesn't like that. Stop it Hughes." Roy said sternly, and what freaked me out more was not the fact that Roy had actually said that in front of all my other coworkers, creating a stunning silence, but what my eyes came upon was the aura around Maes.

He had black outlining his entire person (a deep secret), frayed with pink (love), and a now flared, bright purple… Purple… Purple is… jealousy! I saw that Roy had noticed this too and I felt him thinking of a way to show who he was jealous of. I didn't care really… But he got it. He knew how he was going to…

"Maes…" Roy said seriously. "Could I talk to you after work?"

"U-um… Sure…" Maes looked surprised, and looked over at the incoming boss. He sat quickly, and got back to work (everyone did).

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Roy told me to wait, and watch as he talked to Maes after work had finished. Everyone rushed home (even the boss) and the offices were empty. The boss had even handed us the keys so he could go home. Told us to lock up.

I hid behind a desk, my curiosity greater than my guilt for spying on them, and for letting Roy do this just to find out what- no who- that purple flare was about.

"So Maes…" Roy muttered, leaning on a desk.

"What is it you want, Roy?" he asked, looking away.

Roy smiled and stood off the desk, coming closer to Maes. He took his face in his hands.

"Wha-what are you doing?!" He stuttered out, and tried to back out, but a desk was right behind him. I wondered if Roy did that on purpose, or was it coincidental that he always seemed to trap someone?

"Hnn… So who do you like? What's that jealousy for?" Roy looked down at him, face parallel to face.

"W-what are you talking about?! Jealousy? Get off me Roy!" he squirmed beneath the other.

I watched so silently, watched Maes aura and I saw, beneath the pink, was a deep, deep red that was growing as Roy advanced more with the same question.

"Who do you love? Answer me!" his voice started to get louder.

"Roy! Leave me alone!" he cried.

And I snapped. I wasn't watching his aura anymore. I couldn't let Roy continue with this… I jumped out from behind the desk and pushed Roy away from Maes.

"Roy! Stop it! That's… enough…!" I said, loud at first, but getting soft in a matter of seconds, and I looked back at Maes, and that's when I saw it…

It was something that Roy said had been so rare. So rare that I'd probably never see it in my lifetime. But here I was, staring at my own name floating in the pink of Maes aura. I wondered how he could bring himself to love me that much. We're only friends, right? This is some kind of mistake, isn't it? This is…

I stopped thinking when Maes hugged me tightly, and I heard him whisper a sad 'thank you' in my ear. I stood there as the thoughts came back. Oh god… He really loves me doesn't he? How do I… No, how can I reject him? I mean… He's been my best friend… for years. And he loves me like that? But then again, did he expect me to love him back like that? Now that I think about it, he wasn't too shocked when I blushed over Roy… He laughed and made fun of me! What kind of friend would not say anything about my (maybe -Not that I think I am…-) being gay?! Oh God… It's so obvious now.

"Hey Ed! Merry Christmas!" he called happily and shoved a wrapped box towards me.

"Maes?! Jeez man…" I knew I was blushing now. "You didn't have to-"

"No, no! I wanted to Ed. Really."

"But should I get-"

"No, don't get me anything! I don't want anything."

At that time I thought he was just being friendly, in the spirit of giving and all that junk, but then… He got me more. He got me things for no reason and he constantly asked me over to dinner, to hang out in bars and such… How could I have not noticed those looks…? Jesus Christ… I've got to be the densest person alive.

"Ed…" came another whisper by him and I snapped out of the memories, the thoughts. The first thing I noticed was that Roy was gone.

"Yeah Maes?" I replied, still caught in his embrace.

"Ed… I…" he mumbled and I felt it. I felt the tears that slid down his cheeks that touched mine. I felt the love emanated from him, the pink of his aura glowing all around us. My name was floating around me. I felt… like I was going to cry too. Not for love… but for the rejection of such a strong love. How will I do it…?

"Ed I! I… I love you Ed… Oh god Ed… I love you so much!" He said as I felt more of his tears wet my face.

"Maes…" I mumbled in response. What am I supposed to say… but… "I'm sorry, I-"

He backed away and let go of me. "No… don't. I know you don't like me that way. I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"

"I knew already. Moments before you confessed Maes."

He looked at me like I was crazy. "What do you mean?"

My eyes widened, and I knew I shouldn't have said that. I can't say stuff like that! He'll think I'm insane if I say 'I'm a vampire and can see auras'! I turned around, and looked at the ground.

"I'm sorry Maes. I can only think of you as a friend… I really am sorry." I mumbled and ran out of the building.

"So. What happened?" he asked me and I flinched, not knowing he was there.

"Nothing. Go away Roy. I don't want to bother with you now…" I felt the tears streaming down my face now as I started to run down the dark street.

Maes… I'm so… I'm so sorry Maes… I do care… but, I just can't… I'm sorry… Because I think I love…