Alchemy Academy

AU FMA

Wooh! It's Dead week at school so not much else to do during the day with reviews and all so I wrote up the layout for this new chapter during Spanish. ^^ I had already gotten my work done anyways. So! Here is Alchemy Academy official chapter three part one. We'll see a bit more character development here and Kim's own realization of his new feelings throughout. Warnings include language of course ^^ along with mention of some sexual activity but no sex just yet, questioning and denial of sexuality and for now that's about it. My commissions are still open to the first five who want a story or a pairing done. Without further introduction, please enjoy. ~

Chapter Three Part One: Movie Night

The next few weeks after that seemed to fly by in a blur as the new school year got fully under way. Which of course meant that all the teachers and staff were done with the whole "welcome back kids, summer sure was fun golly gosh!" routine and in turn nearly doubled our workload with projects, quizzes over summer assignments and just overall dull as dust homework which caused many at the Academy to groan and whine as if in some sort of educational torture.

Personally of course, I didn't mind one bit. Aside from alchemy courses, the school curriculum is fairly simple and easy to master. At least for me it is. Besides with the considerable yet easily manageable homework, I had plenty of time to focus on the newest addition to our little group. Greed had indeed been true to his word and openly apologized to a very startled Dorochette when he suddenly joined our lunch table one afternoon. Heh poor dog looked like he was about to wet himself. Greed even went so far as to offer him space on the roof for his daily naps.

Everyone else at the table simply gaping openly at the peculiar, and perhaps slightly alarming at the time, teen sitting next to me as a deadly silence fell before Doro all but threw his arms around a now flustered Greed and enthusiastically declared he was forgiven. Giving me an unsure glance, Greed simply went along with it after I delivered a curt nod and patted Doro's head gently much like one would a dog. Doro's tail was wagging a mile a minute the whole time I swear.

After that as well as my personal reassurance to Miles and Olivier that he was a good guy, the group accepted him with open arms. Dorochette becoming a clear example of such, followed Greed everywhere and anywhere he went within reason and would leave him to his own devices if Greed made it clear he'd had enough. Almost like a loyal dog acknowledging and obediently following the commands of its master. The others seemed to enjoy Greed's company at least, Miles greatly won over when Greed inquired where he purchased his goggles one afternoon.

What sickened me to the point of gagging though was the snake. Even before he sat down at our table that first day, Martel had been following him with her eyes as he made his way over the entire time, eyes drinking in every bit of his form as he settled down in front of us. Bitch. It didn't help that Doro had taken such a liking to him either since of course whenever he'd mention doing anything pertaining to Greed, she'd shoot up like some sort of love struck cobra and tag along without question. Shame seeming to not exist in that raggedly blonde head of hers, anytime Greed would sit with us she would either stand close to him like some sort of comical excuse for a body guard or worst of all cuddle up to him, clinging to his arm obviously ignoring the holes I was glaring into her skull from across the table.

Don't get me wrong, Lizard Lips can swoon and fawn after any pathetic sort of man who would meet her fancy, poor sap whoever he is. But Greed was no poor sap. After that day, the two of us walking home together became a regular occurrence that I would hardly bat an eye lash at though blushing still seemed to be a popular thing due to certain thoughts! We would walk and usually talk whether it was about school, stuff at home or ourselves in general. The last one being my current favorite and I won't even reprimand myself for that…it's perfectly natural for friends to be curious of one another…just friends, nothing more.

In that time however, I learned many new and interesting things about Greed, the majority of which I found very pleasing to discuss. No matter how much I whined and pleaded though he would never show me that supposed defensive alchemy of his simply brushing it off as not important. Nevertheless I had grown fond of him and in no way at all wished for him to fall into the clutches of that snake. The thought of those two….together… was indeed enough to make me lose my lunch. And it has nothing to do with jealousy…I do NOT care who Greed dates, I'm just looking out for him as a friend.

It was a seemingly dull Friday in late September, October and Halloween just over the horizon. The entire group, Greed absent at the moment, had study hall in the school library and were taking the opportunity to lessen our workload so we were free for the oncoming weekend. "So X +3/π is equal to y²-¾GAAAAH! When are we actually gonna use any of this?" Doro pitifully whined as he was stuck on only the third of the twenty questions we'd been assigned. Chuckling softly I closed my own journal just having finished all of them in record time, Miles leaning down from the table and giving Doro a light pat from where he laid on the floor with a math book propped against several other text books.

"Hey C'mon Doro don't sweat the small stuff yeah? If you find a problem you can't solve just skip it for now then come back to it later" he kindly remarked to the now sniveling pup, Olivier too engulfed in her book on military maneuvers and strategies to really offer more than a soft grunt and nod in agreement. "B-But Miles! I don't know how to solve even more than half the stuff on this page!" Doro stammered out, nearly chewing the eraser off his pencil in anxiety. "Maybe Kim can help, he's really sharp at math".

Holding up a well manicured hand, I stopped Miles right there as I skimmed through an old volume about transmutation circles. "Ah Ah Ah Miles, I swore off tutoring Doro freshman year after I literally had to tell Mr. Yoki my dog ate my geology homework" Ignoring the painfully shining puppy dog eyes I was getting from the floor bound chimera, I simply returned to my reading without a second thought earning a defeated whimper from Doro as he turned back to the horrible book.

Quickly changing the subject, Miles smiled excitedly as he closed his creative writing folder and addressed us all. "Hey that reminds me you guys! My mom finally bought that new horror flick Insidious and as my friends, you're welcome to hop on over tomorrow and watch it with me!" The suggestion seemed to be heavenly music to all of our ears, all four heads snapping up in attention at the thought of a fun little get together.

"Ah Miles man you're a life saver! I hear that movie is epic!" I replied, actual emotion and excitement unrestrained for once at the lovely thought of just kicking back and watching a movie as well as getting away from the house and her. Shaking myself of any unwanted bad thoughts or memories, I gave a genuine smile as times of arrival and items to bring were discussed. As we all agreed to our own singular responsibilities, Doro chimed in cheerfully. "Hey! Why don't we get Greed to tag along? He's gotten along really well with the group and since he's new this'll be his first time to hang with us outside of school!"

All seemed to nod at the idea, me finding myself smiling softly a bit at the thought of him coming before I noticed four sets of eyes focused on me, gazing with some sort of obvious expectation. "W-What's the deal? What're you all staring at me for?" I retorted feeling myself grow slightly nervous under such close observation, Olivier seeming to be man enough or woman enough I suppose to speak up. "Nothing, we all just figured you'd be the one to ask him if he wants to come, you two being so close an friendly and all."

Feeling heat rushing to my face, I was about to make some snide comment that if she kept her lip in that constant pout of hers much longer it would freeze that way, I was cut off by none other than Miles as he looked at me sincerely from behind his goggles with what even seemed to be hints of concern. "She's got a good point Kim. You have to admit you two do spend a lot of time together and you stuck your neck out for the guy to us after only knowing him a couple of days." Embarrassed at how hard Mile's words really struck home without him probably even realizing it, I returned my gaze to my notes, hair hiding the blush as I muttered out a short "And…?" Dammit why do I always get so flustered whenever he comes up in the conversation…?

"And we just thought he couldn't refuse the offer with it coming from his personal little lapdog~" Martel smugly sneered before giving a loud squeak as she barely ducked away from the volume I had heaved directly for her head. Too bad, with her brain damage would probably be an improvement… "Marty! That wasn't very nice of you especially when we're asking Kim to do something for all of us…an what's wrong with bein a dog…?"Doro inquired sounding nearly heartbroken and if I hadn't been ready to shoot that snake I would've walked over and given the little guy a hug for staying in my corner like that.

Receiving multiple glares and disapproving looks, Martel frowned muttering a barely comprehensible "Guess I'm sorry…" before the bell rang signaling the school day was over as well as my prosecution much to my relief. Gathering my things, I looked up as I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw it was Miles, others already having scurried out. He gave his usual friendly smile but obviously noticed something was off.

"So will you mention it to Greed on you guy's walk back?" I gave a wry smile and nodded in short saying I would do so, trying to gather my things rather quickly before I noticed his hand had not left my shoulder. Looking back up, I was alarmed to see a rare frown on his face, silver eyebrows upturned in obvious confusion and worry. "Kim…is everything alright? You know with you an Greed? Martel was just being bitchy earlier but you know…it's okay for you to like him like that. I won't mind and I'm pretty sure the group won't either, we'll all support you."

Blinking in realization at what he was getting at, I shook my head so my hair would hide the deep crimson blush that had bloomed on my face as I swung my bag over my shoulder trying my best to seem completely turned off. "What? D-Don't be silly Miles, no. I'm not like that okay…? I'm not gay…and he and I are just friends, nothing more…" My own gaze at the floor up till then, looking up I saw that Miles was just as unconvinced with my statement as I was which only caused me to burn with embarrassment and some unknown hurtful shame even more at the fact he might be right before shaking my head vigorously and striding quickly over to the door. "But y-yeah I'll definitely ask Greed about tomorrow yeah? I'll text you the details tonight, promise." All I heard from Miles as the doors closed between us was a very sullen "Alright Kim…like I said. I'll be there if you wanna talk…"

And before I even let my mind process the lingering temptation, I was speeding off down the hallway pushing it as well as any other of those thoughts to the farthest corners of my mind as I took the shortcut through the cafeteria and finally out into the back alley way, stopping to catch my breath. Dammit…I'm so sorry Miles, I know you just want to help but all of this is just…it's just-"Oi! There ya are. I was starting to get worried about ya Kimmy!"

Jumping slightly at the familiar voice, I looked up somberly at the grinning face that usually caused me to smile and feel good for even just a little bit of my day but at the moment only gave me the direct opposite causing me to flinch and look back down as a heavy pit seemed to form in my stomach, leaning up to my full height. Greed had been waiting for me, of course…just like always…just like good friends should. Giving a small nod instead of my usual snappy retort at him calling me "Kimmy" I ignored the shocked expression he had at my sudden silence and began walking, Greed paused in thought before he sprinted after me and fell into my pace.

The tension was awful and the silence was even worse, my entire being simply wishing I could make it all go away and just chat with Greed like normal. Even when I do though, it always ends up the same with these weird feelings coming up…The fact that on numerous occasions his hand would get dangerously close to mine or he'd slip in another compliment about my hair didn't help. Too distracted in my own current inner turmoil, I caught my foot on a rock and by the time I realized what had happened it was already too late for me to catch myself as I shut my eyes tight.

Waiting for the unavoidable impact and possible scraped knee, I opened my eyes when I had realized a full minute had passed, concluding that either gravity had finally ceased to exist or Greed had caught me before I fell like one of those sappy romance movies Mom used to watch before she started hitting the booze. Desperately hoping for the dynamic loss of gravity, I hung my head slightly when I felt a warm and not at all unpleasant arm wrapped around my waist keeping me up.

Blushing furiously at the feeling of his skin so close to my own and very sensitive I might add stomach just under the thin layer of the school button up I was wearing, I quickly picked myself back up, Greed chuckling amusedly. "Watch your step Kim or I'll have to carry you home on my back, god forbid your parents sue me for putting ya in danger." I could almost hear him blink when I simply nodded in reply before I felt that damn warm touch again though this time his hand was resting right near the juncture between my neck and shoulder.

"Hey, what's wrong hmm? You're never this quiet even when you're pissed at me. Please tell me, I hate seeing ya like this." Hearing him worry about me and even say please in a smoother more concerned tone then I'd ever heard passing from his lips made me feel warm all over which only caused the feelings to come up more. Flushing out the thoughts from my head, I did my best to smile which seemed to relieve him a great deal.

"I'm fine alright Greed? Just got lost in thought over all the homework we got this weekend I guess." Seeing him finally grin again and give a short laugh relieved me of the worry I felt before as we both set off again. How is it that he can always make me feel terrified right to my gut then all warm like I've been out in the sun the next? Jolted from my thoughts, a new kind of nervousness formed as I tried to figure out how to ask him join the group for a movie night without seeming too desperately hopeful he'd say yes. Dammit, other people are gonna be there, man up! Not like you're askin him out on a date.

Giving a light cough to hide the new pink blush that had formed at that thought, the action seemed to grab his attention which made things much easier since I probably couldn't even say his name in the state I was in. "Uh hey…if you're not doing anything tomorrow, WannacomewithmetoMile'sandwatchamovie?" I felt like an idiot as soon as the jumbled speech left my mouth, sounding more like pig Latin then actual English. Greed merely blinked, shades comically sliding down his nose exposing deadly purple before he chuckled smiling slightly. "Sorry Kim, come again? Didn't quite catch that."

Cursing my own damn quick speech, I said it again, more slowly and much more understandable. "Well me and the gang are all gonna head over to Mile's house tomorrow to watch Insidious and have a scary movie night…and I was just wonderin…if you'd like to come with..?" I peeked up to catch his reaction and wasn't disappointed as he let out a short laugh before patting my back gently. "Sure, sounds like a real blast! I just need to ask Lust to babysit Wrath while I'm out and we should be all set. Want me to pick you up and then head over?"

Happy and relieved he said yes, I didn't even blush when he mentioned picking me up and nodded grinning as my house came into view. "All good with me, be here around noon kay? I like setting out a bit early" I more than happily replied before pushing my gate open, Greed smiling and waving before running the rest of the way up to Dublith street. Practically skipping to my front door, I ran upstairs before that drunk could pester me as to why I was late. Flopping on my bed I grabbed my phone, flipping it open to text Miles the good news, hardly able to wait for the following morning.