Alchemy Academy
AU FMA
Oh my goodness I'm so sorry this is so late! My dad recently had elective surgery so I've been staying with my mom who sadly has a dinosaur laptop that nearly fried my flash drive so I've been on a nonconsensual hiatus. Lol ^^ but hopefully this makes up for it. Warnings for this chapter include but are not limited to language, sexual themes and references, peer pressure wooo, mention of drug and alcohol abuse and poor parenting. I do not own these characters sadly Enjoy!
Chapter 6 Part Two: A New Day
I'd heard plenty of horror stories up to this point about people meeting their girlfriend/boyfriends parents or the 'in-laws' as some may say. Crazy overprotective dads who would rest in a rocking chair, shotgun in hand, on the porch with threats underlying every word as they'd shake the newcomer's hand just a bit too tightly. Manic mothers who would constantly check in on both the two whenever they were alone and surfed the internet madly going through background check after background check of the guy or girl. Looking at Greed's folks, I would've taken the shotgun dad and security mom in a heartbeat.
Breakfast never seemed like it could be used for interrogation until now, as I sat in the rather lavish dining room picking at a delicious looking omelet that on any other day I would've already scarfed down with the glass of milk that came with it. Due to the impressive amount of stares I was earning however, the combination of whites and yolks in front of me seemed no better than a dismal yellow puddle on my plate, the green onions and cheese simply bugs and oil stains floating around in said puddle.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a picky eater or anxious when it comes to meeting other families. The fact was that not only was Greed's family as different and special in each case as he was, but also the fact that more than just a few were sending me glares that made me want to crawl under the table. The reason why I could think of several reasons of course just off the top of my head; Greed's dad or Hohenheim as the tag on his jacket suggested was a talented and highly successful alchemist and philosopher in his field of work. Though he seemed rather old and withered for being his quoted age of forty seven, he seemed a very strong and serious individual. Or at least that's what I could tell from his brow furrowing with many wrinkles every time my eyes strayed too near to his presence.
Greed's mother was a different matter entirely, and from what I could tell by her shallow sickly sweet smile and the way her knife jammed into the eggs every time she was cutting another bite, she was just about as fond of me as her husband was. From what Greed had said, she was called Dante and even though Greedy would always gripe and mumble that she was a pitiful old hag, the woman couldn't have been a day over twenty five. She shared the same violet eyes that her seven children carried though hers were a deeper darker purple than Greed's. Dante was apparently an alchemist as well but her studies ranged more into medicine and studies of the body. From all the different herbs, plants and ferns I could see clearly growing through the windows out in the courtyard she was an exceptionally gardener as well.
All of that considered, I could very much understand how they could feel some hostility towards their son's newly acquired 'boyfriend', whom not to mention came to their home unannounced with a concussion to treat. Still though, I don't understand the burning anxiety and hate burning from each…
Greed had six siblings in all from what he'd told me and only three were actually present at the table that morning. Sloth being the first I noticed due to the fact she nearly tripped me as I walked in with Greed to sit down. That earning her the first Bitch of the Day award in my book, she seemed pretty harmless once we sat down to eat. Slightly disturbing how much water that chick can drink though Damn! I swear she downed too pitchers full to the brink and didn't even excuse herself once to use the restroom. After she'd satisfied her hydration she simply rested her head on her elbow regarding us both, eyelids drooping from time to time as if she was falling asleep.
Little Wrath was there of course and seemed well too eager to talk my ear off with questions and queries as to my own alchemic abilities as well as just random facts. "So can you really make things explode? How do ya do that? Does it hurt? Do your hands smell like sulfur after? Is there a reason the tattoos are black? Is that your favorite color! Mine's blue of course since blue's so manly!" On and on the ramblings went, it's a wonder the poor kid doesn't choke but fortunately after a quiet comment from Dante that he had homework to do after breakfast, he quickly set back to eating and gave me some much appreciated peace and quiet.
The last of the three and by far the most ravenous during the whole meal was Gluttony, Greed's second youngest brother. Though honestly maybe ball of blubber would be better suited for his er…essence of body. I'm not saying we're all super models or anything but this guy made obese seem like a compliment in comparison. Due to his rather large stomach protruding from his black overalls, Gluttony had to sit at least four feet away from the table so he wouldn't tip it over though it seemed to do nothing to deter his appetite. Long beefy arms swinging back and forth as he shoveled food from the serving dish to his own plate and finally his mouth; he seemed totally oblivious to the conversations going on around him. If not for Greed waving to get his attention and point me out, I doubt he would've even noticed I was there.
Trying once more to keep my gaze down, I actually caught myself preferring I was at home with my drunken delirious mother and eating dry sugary cereal with milk out of a coffee mug. There hadn't even been much morning conversation aside from the occasional snort from Sloth and a silent grunt from the father.
Greed however did not seem to notice any of this, finishing off his own eggs and milk in almost record time without hardly a few responses here and there to any questions. Jerking his chair back with a screech of the wood scraping against the floorboards, he shot out of his chair grabbing my shoulder as if hinting it was time to leave nearly making me jump in surprise before he went still as a statue, my eyes wandering over to Hohenheim whom had raised his hand an objection. Seeing Greed shake lightly before sitting down, I forced back the dry gulp that was working its way down in my throat as the ancient man who showcased total control and mastery over my lover as if he were some wild animal in a cage spoke up.
"So Kimblee was it? Or I'd prefer to call you Zolf honestly, much more presentable." All the while stirring the cup of tea he'd been drinking up to that point, everyone in the room seemed to sit at attention as he spoke, my own voice coming out slightly strained. "Uh yes sir. Zolf's fine. Thank you again for allowing me to rest here after last night." Raising his brow about a half inch, his stirring seemed to pause momentarily before beginning again counterclockwise. "But of course…it would've been tragically inconsiderate to send you away when your health was at risk..." his gaze traveling over to Greed and hardening at that, Greed merely returning the glare as his mother finally spoke up.
"That's a very unique name, Zolf. Xingese if I'm not mistaken, yet you have the defined features of an Amestrian quality. Did you travel here from the East?" Study of the human body, hit the nail on the head with that one. "Actually no, I'm an Amestrian born citizen but my mother has relations from Xing. My father was Amestrian however." I tried my best to smile at the woman while absentmindedly adjusting my ponytail. Giving my hands something to do usually relaxes me but at the moment I couldn't have been tenser especially with the odd gleam Dante's dull eyes took at my response.
"Oh how fascinating! You're such a lucky little boy to have such a rich cultural heritage. And I honestly can't thank you enough for being so nice to my son and showing him around. I just feel so bad for the kids whenever we have to move like this…" With that she shot a harsh look over at her husband who merely grunted in reply before smiling sweetly at Greed who looked about ready to burn a hole through the table with his glare, Hohenheim speaking up.
"Yes although his grades seem to have diminished a bit since you two met which I'll be honest has greatly disturbed me. No disrespect to you Mr. Zolf but I have high expectations for my son, VERY high expectations, which I expect to be met no matter what so he can have a successful future." Ignoring the way Greed seemed to twitch at that, I forgot my anxiousness in favor of confusion for a moment. "I understand plenty enough sir but I still don't get what that has to do with me. I promise I'll try not to distract him too much while he's studying if that's what you're getting at-!" My sentence got cut short as a sharp ping sounded from metal against china as his ministrations with his tea and spoon stopped all together.
"What I am GETTING AT, Mr. Zolf is that under this roof, my word is divine law never to be disobeyed. If my demands are taken lightly I can assure you the consequences will not be pleasant." He actually stood up in his address to what seemed to be specifically me though occasionally Greed. "I am a reasonable, understanding father. I love my son and know just how greedy he can be. I want him to earn everything through that greed though, use it justly, his own virtuous sin that gives him the drive to achieve anything. I want him to have power, prestige, success, money and respect." Every other head at the table seemed completely unperturbed even hopeful or insightful as if the talk of this 'sin' was a morning mantra or prayer.
"So now his desire and avarice have for some ungodly reason led to you, though I can't imagine why since my son has always been considerably skilled at attracting and conversing with women. Yet at the present he's taken great interest in you, a boy, though I'm sure my wife would agree with me that you do carry feminine features." I finally remembered to blink for the first time during his banter, biting my lip to hold back the retort over the feminine features part and Greed looked ready to burst at that. " In closing, I care not what you both decide to do in your spare time with each other but I will inform you young man of my family's impeccable reputation and prosperity and warn you there won't be any whatsoever for you if you sabotage my son's future."
Hearing a slamming of fists against the table, I dully noticed Greed's anger finally getting the better of him as I slouched back in my seat, Hohenheim's words sinking into my head. They didn't want me here either…No that wasn't really the case. They just didn't want me around Greed period…Greed had a future, a schedule to keep and for the last few months I'd done nothing but get him into trouble and drag him away to parties or worse. I'd even gotten him hit by a truck to save me for fuck's sake. Looking over, I saw there was indeed no gauze or wrappings around his back but there was probably a mark, a scar even. Something that would mar Greed's form for the rest of his life…All because of me…
"Well thanks a bunch for the stimulating breakfast talk Pops but I believe you've embarrassed both your own family and Kim quite enough. An embarrassment I sincerely apologize for Kim." Saying all this through gritted teeth to keep himself from yelling, only Wrath seemed to fully sympathize with his older brother looking over at me before back at his feet sadly, Sloth regarding the outburst with a raised brow, fully awake now. "I've told you countless times to address me as your father son, and I only do what I do out of love for my seven sins."
Sitting back down to finish his tea, Father now seemed completely bored of us both as Gluttony tilted his head in confusion with food still trapped in his vice-like jaws before continuing to eat. Scoffing with a pissed off 'Tch', Greed took my hand gently before walking out, expression considerably softening from the stone cold anger he'd shown before. "I really am sorry Kim, please believe me. I knew I should've just snuck you out and had breakfast at a café somewhere anywhere really…"
I had to smile at that though a weak smile at best, Greed probably did feel like an ass for walking me into a lecture and a complete stranger reading me the riot act but still maybe his dad was right. "Greed look it's no biggy okay? Really, he's just doing his job, dad stuff an all. He's supposed to be protective of you." As we finally got outside I realized just how huge their estate really was, the front yard nearly stretching out half a mile. "Protective? Try psychotic, obsessive or better yet controlling. I'm still an A to B student, he had no right accusing you like that." Greed practically pouted as he still kept hold of my hand walking off the estate grounds and down Dublith Street.
Sighing softly and catching up to his stride, I bumped my shoulder against his lightly and did my best to smile so he'd get out of his funk. "Hey, all parents can be bitches yeah? But we're a couple now, your dad didn't kill me and the sun is up so it's a new day. A good one definitely." Smiling happily now, I let out a breath as the all too familiar grin slowly returned to his face before he chuckled softly wrapping an arm around me which I'd never admit felt very nice after the morning we'd had.
"Hmmm I suppose you're right doll. No use getting my pants in a bunch over a stingy old man when I've got the hottest alchemist around as arm candy." Leaning down he kissed my cheek to make his point, only causing my cheeks to turn a light pink before I huffed in response ruffling his spiky hair. "That's right you do, but easy with the PDA for awhile yeah? Don't want people thinking I've got some sort of skin condition from turning so damn pink all the time." He seemed to like finally getting a rise out of me, a little too much as he wrapped his arms around my waist nuzzling my neck causing more than a few passersby to stop and stare. "Aw! My precious little alchemist can't take a compliment, how adorable. Wonder how red you'll turn if I do something liiiiike this!" "GREED!"
Aaaand with that I'm done. :3 I promise to get the next new chapter out by Thursday this time, maybe even a bit earlier since im doing well at school. To those who are curious, in this fic Dante is currently in her Lyra form from the original anime so she has short(purple-ish? oh anime…)hair and you know the rest. Hohenheim is the Brotherhood Father or the Dwarf in the flask version of Hohenheim and I hope I got that whole inferiority complex down right. Anywho hope you all enjoyed and my Supernatural fic will be out very soon as well. Its Calthazar so Castiel/Balthazar and I might work in a few other pairings but I don't know as of yet. Reviews are always appreciated
