Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Alchemist.
(Ik bezit de geen Volledige Alchimist van het Metaal.)
(Je ne possède pas le plein alchimiste en métal.)
(Ich besitze nicht vollen Metalalchemisten.)
(No poseo a alquimista lleno del metal)
(Δεν είμαι κύριος του πλήρους αλχημιστή μετάλλων.) (私は完全な金属の錬金術師を所有しない.)
(我沒擁有充分的金屬方士.)
…I think you get the point.
Jessie: Whoot! Now who here can say "longest chapter yet?"
Joh: Glomps Yay!
Jessie: Huggles back I've been planning this chappie since the moment the idea occurred to me. I read the reviews, and was pleased that so many people caught on! Hope you were looking forward to reading this chappie as much as I was to writing it! I had sooo much fun writing this!
Joh: So enjoy-- my sis has been working hard on this!
Jessie: Yup! Like my twiny said, enjoy, ya'll!
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Envy…"
"C'mon, 'O chibi-san, how can it hurt?"
"Envy, please, just--"
"Did I mention just how sexy you look pregnant?"
"…Come 'ere." Envy smirked to himself triumphantly as Ed abruptly relented to his complement, pulling the Sin along with him by his wrist as he made his way from their bed to the bathroom.
Once there, Envy leaned against the wall, where he watched Ed waiting for the water to warm to his desired temperature. Finally, when the warmth of the shower seemed to meet Ed's standards, he began stripping. He blushed heavily as he sensed Envy's keen eyes roaming all over his body intently, and tried to act as nonchalant as one possibly could with their obviously horny lover staring at them naked.
He reached up to unbraid his hair, but a different pair of hands caught his. He looked from the corner of his eye to see Envy staring at him.
"Allow me, Edo," Envy purred, gently sliding his fingers through the silky, slightly tousled strands of golden hair to take out Ed's braid. He didn't know it, but Ed's eyes were peacefully closed; he'd never, ever admit it, but he loved when Envy toyed with his hair-- best of all, Envy knew, and would stroke Ed's hair when the teen got too stressed.
"Mmm, thanks, Envy," Ed mumbled, feeling his hair tumble around his shoulders as Envy finished unweaving his braid. Placing his hand on the wall for support, Ed cautiously stepping into the stall, making sure not to slip.
The chibi closed his eyes and tilted his face up into the spray of warm water, sighing softly. He felt his Homunculus immediately slip in behind him before two hands fell to his hips, pulling him up against the androgynous body. Ed stayed still for a while, leaning his head against Envy's shoulder while the shape shifter slid his hands down Ed's water slicked body.
Eventually Ed pulled away from Envy's embrace and held his hand out expectantly.
"Hand me the shampoo." Envy grinned and grabbed the bottle from the shelf in the stall, shoving it into the blonde's outstretched hand.
"Turn around," Ed ordered while focusing on opening the bottle. Envy did as he was told, and not long after felt fingers sifting through his long, thick emerald strands of hair. Violet eyes closed and Envy made a soft, appreciative noise deep in his throat. He enjoyed many of the small rituals he and Ed had; showering together topped as one of his absolute favorites.
A good ten to fifteen minutes later, Ed stepped back with a sigh, finally finished with his wild-haired lover's hair.
"Honestly, Envy, don't you ever get sick of your long hair?" Ed wondered aloud. Envy raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.
"What; you don't think its sexy anymore?" he asked with a slight pout. These words brought a blush rushing to Ed's cheeks, and he looked away, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "I never said it wasn't sexy…"
"Your turn," Envy sang, picking up a different bottle of shampoo and pouring some into the palm of one hand before turning the teen around with the other. Ed's eyes closed halfway as Envy gave Ed's hair the same treatment Ed had given his.
It took Envy half the time it had taken Ed to finish washing Ed's hair. He stepped back from the blonde, but Ed turned around, quickly slipping his arms around his neck.
Envy blinked and smirked, snaking his arms around Ed's waist as best he could with the large bump on Ed's belly intervening. He leant down and captured Ed's lips with his own, nibbling gently on his bottom lip and immediately granted entry. Envy moved forward, forcing Ed back up against the wall and kissed him even more deeply, their kiss getting sloppier as they frantically tried to touch as much of the other as they possibly could. Envy's hands subconsciously began to lower and, alarmed, Ed immediately snapped back to reality.
"E-Em'vy…Em'vey, stmp," Ed murmured, discovering he was unable to speak clearly while battling the Sin's tongue with his own. Realizing he couldn't speak, he tried to shove Envy away as gently as he possibly could.
Envy subtly shook his head and crushed his lips against Ed's more forcefully, ending any and all coherent words coming from the blonde. His hands continued to lower, and the smothered noises from Ed's throat increased in their frequency and urgency. He shrugged them off, simply too engrossed in finally touching the small alchemist the way he hadn't been allowed for the past few months to care.
Violet eyes snapped open as Envy abruptly registered two hands on his chest, struggling to push him back. His eyes immediately met wide, panicked gold ones, and he hastily pulled away. The two stared at each other, and the smaller male gasped raggedly, a hand on his heaving chest. Envy grimaced and looked away biting his lip; he'd really gone overboard this time…
"E-En--Envy, w-wh…at the f-fuck was tha…t?" Ed whimpered between pants, his golden eyes focusing on Envy accusingly. Envy closed his eyes tightly, feeling the guilt quickly wracking him.
"Chibi, I didn't…" Envy trailed off hopelessly, before looking back at the frightened blonde with a pained expression.
"I didn't mean to do that… I didn't know what I was doing--"
"Oh, really? It seemed you pretty much knew what the fuck you were doing to me," Ed suddenly snapped, his mood changing for the worse.
"Are you honestly so fucking self-absorbed that you won't even pause for a fucking second and think about what you're doing? That you might hurt me or the baby?" Ed screamed. His last statement hit home, and the Homunculus flinched as though he'd been whacked over the head with Winry's infamous Amazon wrench. He opened his mouth to try and speak, but found he couldn't get any sound past the lump in his throat that had formed.
"Edward, I'm so sorry," Envy finally managed to say softly. Ed's heart skipped a beat when he heard the Homunculus use his full name; when was the last time he'd ever been called more than "Ed?" The boy didn't have to think about it for long; he knew for a fact that the Sin --no matter how serious things had gotten before today-- had never once addressed him by anything else then a nickname.
Immediately, Ed felt horrible for having sunk so low as to have hit such a sensitive spot for the Sin, and started toward his unnervingly quiet lover.
"Envy…?" Ed started warily, reaching out a hand to caress the face hidden behind wet locks of hair. 'Damn… he looks like he's in a near depression,' Ed thought guiltily.
Envy's eyes reluctantly rose to look at the blonde, and widened when the smaller boy placed a light, forgiving kiss on his lips before he began to wash his body thoroughly with the soap. Ed finished quickly and hopped out of the shower, grabbing a towel and leaving Envy alone in the bathroom. A small, weak smirk managed to form on Envy's lips.
'Damn… Ed can be so confusing sometimes,' he thought to himself as he reached for the bar of soap.
XxXxXxXxXx
Envy walked out of the bathroom some time later, busy towel drying his hair. He stopped a few feet away from the bathroom door, staring ahead blankly at the blonde standing by the bed, who it seemed had just finished pulling on his baggy sweatshirt.
Ed glanced to the side to see an utterly nude Homunculus standing by the doorway, dripping wet. He blushed despite himself.
"Envy… you can't just dry off in the bathroom?" He asked, his tone exasperated, but playful. Envy flashed Ed a grin, inwardly grateful that Ed was just brushing off the incident in the shower, apparently aiming for a normal day (whatever normal meant, anyway).
"Meh… but that would be too normal, 'O chibi-san."
Ed merely raised an eyebrow in response before and walking to the mirror hung on the closet door. He gazed at his reflection before his mouth fell open in horror.
"Ne, what's wrong, Chibi?" Envy asked, seeing Ed's reaction to his reflection. He shape shifted his usual attire on before walking up behind Ed. The Sin frowned, unable to see Ed's dilemma. But once he'd realized where Ed's gaze was focused and had lowered his own eyes, he immediately realized Ed's problem.
"…Oh," Envy mumbled lamely.
"Whaddya mean, 'oh?' This is fucking awful! It doesn't hide the baby anymore," the young alchemist snapped angrily. Envy flinched slightly; the chibi didn't seem to be taking the situation as well as he'd hoped he would. Well, maybe it wasn't that bad… It could be worse; at least Ed wasn't crying.
"What am I gonna do?" Ed wailed, turning on the waterworks. Envy mentally banged his head against a wall, but rubbed Ed's back sympathetically, remaining silent; he had long since decided not saying anything would be the best solution in this case. He reeeaaally didn't want to upset the temperamental chibi any further than he already had.
So no words at all was definitely the right move here, right?
"Well? You're not even gonna try to help?" Ed snapped irritably, turning around and glaring daggers at the Homunculus in question.
…Wrong. Dammit, when the fuck was he gonna start to get this right?
"Chibi, there's not much we can do about it anymore. Either you can go into work and hope that no one notices, or you can use that excuse Brian gave you," Envy replied with a helpless shrug. Ed's bit his cheek.
"I don't wanna use that, yet, though," Ed murmured, toying with a strand of Envy's hair. Envy rolled his eyes.
"Why the fuck not? You've been pushing the excuse back forever!" Envy said impatiently.
"I just hate being in the Colonel Bastard's debt, okay?" Ed immediately retorted. Envy raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Why would you be in his debt?"
"'Cause he'd be covering for my absence. When I can't come in, that's what happens-- I end up owning him a favor, and lemme tell you, that is not a good feeling," Ed growled. Envy frowned, trying to make sense out of the deal.
"I don't like that setup. Why can't he just cover for you and leave it at that?" Envy asked, moving closer to embrace his small lover.
"''Equivalent Exchange.'"
"…E'scuse me?"
"'Equivalent Exchange,'" Ed repeated slowly, "we're alchemists, so we base all of our knowledge on the term.
"Anyways, it looks like I'm gonna have to hope for the best at work, today," Ed moaned, apparently out of his temporary state of denial. Sighing heavily, he began moving away from the mirror.
Envy snaked his arms around Ed's waist, stopping the boy in his tracks. Ed sighed again, this time in complete exasperation.
"Envy, I gotta get to work…" Ed muttered, trying to pry himself out of Envy's grasp.
"But I miss you," Envy murmured huskily, brushing away Ed's damp hair from the back of his neck and pressing soft kisses against it. Ed shivered and melted into Envy's embrace; his neck's sensitivity was a secret he and Envy alone shared.
"Envy, honestly, I've gotta get going. Roy will have my ass if I'm late," Ed groaned, reluctantly trying to pull Envy's arms away. Envy let out a possessive growl.
"No, you're ass is already mine," Envy grumbled, pouting slightly. Ed flushed deeply at Envy's vulgar (yet true) remark, but continued to try to escape the fortress that was Envy's arms.
"Envy, let go-ohhh…" Ed's impatient whine trailed off into a soft moan when the Homunculus began wetly mouthing the back of his neck. Ed's eyes closed, and he tilted his head, letting the (triumphant) shape shifter have better access to his neck.
Ed abruptly pulled away from a totally unsuspecting Envy, who was left blinking in the middle of the room as Ed strode out the door, yelling something about being home at the usual time.
Ed was at the front door when arms (once again) caught him around the waist. He spun around angrily.
"Env-" His frustrated yell was suppressed by Envy's lips, who had pulled him into a gentle kiss. Soft gestures such as these were rare coming from the raunchy Homunculus, so Ed –very surprised– blinked, but kissed back. Again, he was taken aback when not he, but Envy broke the kiss, and didn't smirk, but smiled at him.
"I'm sorry about this morning," Envy said seriously. Ed smiled back and closed his eyes, leaning forward to rest his head against Envy's chest (1).
After a minute of comfortable silence, Ed pulled away. Glancing at his watch, he cursed softly.
"Shit, I'm gonna be late," he mumbled. He sighed, but before he could even reach for the doorknob the phone rang. Ed threw his hands up into the air, made a face, let out a loud, irritated noise and stomped his way toward the phone, muttering under his breath. Envy was on his heels, snickering softly.
Ed grabbed the phone, and greeted the unknown caller with a polite, "Who is this and what the hell d'ya want? I'm late for work, so make this qui--" Ed blinked, and cut off from his hasty rant.
"Hughes? Is that you?" Ed asked incredulously.
"Why are you calling me from work; don't you have work to do? Is everything okay? And if this is a call to tell me about Elysia, I swear…" Ed left the threat hanging, allowing the man's imagination to fill in the blank. Nevertheless, he listened intently to the man on the other side of the line.
"Whaa…? Why?" Ed asked with a frown, glancing over his shoulder at Envy. He paused, listening. He suddenly paled, and shook his head furiously, seemingly forgetting that the older male couldn't see him.
"No! Nonono, that's fine! That's just fine! I'll bring him along! …Huh-- no! Nooo, you know I don't have anything against babysitting Elysia… No, I'm not holding a grudge against her just because of the last time I came over to watch her…" here, Envy noticed with mild interest, Ed shuddered.
"Yeah… Yeah okay. Okay, fine." Ed slammed the phone back down on the receiver. "Blackmailing asshole," he hissed. He turned back to look at Envy who was still standing behind him, his arms crossed and head titled to the side in curiosity.
"Well, looks like you're comin' to work with me today, Envy," Ed sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. Envy's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"What? Why?" He asked, intently watching Ed twist his hair into a neat French braid. Ed flicked it back over his shoulder and looked toward Envy.
"Because if I don't, he's gonna blackmail me into babysitting for Elysia," Ed replied, starting toward the door.
"But I thought you liked the human brat," Envy said.
"Envy, liking and babysitting are two completely different things. One is simply an affection and the other involves me being forced to let her glitter-fy my hair," Ed deadpanned.
XxXxXxXxXx
"…Damn," Envy said, blinking, "It's totally empty." Ed could only nod; he was shocked to see the normally noisy hallway completely silent. The couple stood at the end of the corridor that led to the Colonel's office, warily gazing down.
"Is it safe?" Envy teased, nudging Ed. Ed gave a slight shrug and chuckled, walking toward the office door with Envy by his side. The blonde reached for the door, opening it and frowning into the dark room. 'What the hell…? Where is everyone?' Ed thought as he stepped inside--
"SURPRISE!" Ed jumped a foot into the air, and felt Envy twitch behind him. The lights flickered on (by a broadly smiling Fuery) to show the entire company. Ed's mouth dropped open as he took in the office…
The office was very, very different. So different, in fact, he was sure he was dreaming. The room was filled with blue and pink streamers and balloons. The middle of the floor was empty and served as a dance floor (or was put to that use, as Hughes was happily dancing with Gracia).
Most of the desks had been pushed to the back of the room. Three or four of them had been pushed together and covered with a large tablecloth, with all of the chairs surrounding the makes shift table. Said table was covered in food (courtesy of Gracia).
"What…the…" Ed was rendered speechless save for a few splutters of confusion. Hawkeye walked up to him with a small smile.
"We thought it'd be nice to have a formal celebration for you, Edward," she explained, gesturing about the room.
"…Why?" Ed finally managed to ask, staring at Hawkeye in complete bafflement.
"Well, what did you expect? We couldn't just let your pregnancy pass without throwing you a proper baby shower," Hawkeye replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
And then it hit him like a ton of bricks; the concept that his friends had actually had the nerve to throw him a baby shower –a fucking baby shower, for cryin' out loud- slowly sunk in. Ed bowed his head, his bangs obstructing his eyes from view. Envy warily wrapped an arm around the teen's shoulders, prepared to hold him close if the need came to be.
"…You guys…went through all the trouble…of planning a stupid party…for me?" Ed asked quietly, the emotion in his face unreadable. Hawkeye nodded, though she knew Ed couldn't see.
"Yes we did, Edward. We all care about you and your well being. If you ever need support, we're here. That's another thing this gathering represents-- these are the people who you can always count on," she said, her voice holding a rare warmth.
Envy noticed –and not with a little anxiety- that Ed's entire body had started shaking. Hawkeye seemed to have become aware of the motion as well, for she stepped toward him.
The next thing a bewildered Hawkeye knew, she was being hugged tightly by Ed, who was sobbing uncontrollably. She awkwardly patted Ed's back, his small frame racking with violent sobs.
"I can't believe you guys did all this for me," Ed wailed, thus bringing everyone's attention to the commotion that was the chibi.
"And… and… I hate hormoooones," he howled, positively hysterical at this point.
Gracia stepped forward from Hughes' embrace and gently pried the boy away from Hawkeye, hugging him gently and rubbing his back.
Whatever Graica whispered into Ed's ear must have been soothing, for whatever the more-experienced mother said immediately reduced him from streaming tears to quiet sniffles. Questioning golden eyes lifted to meet her gaze, and she smiled.
Suddenly, Ed was all smiles, and he moved away from Gracia's hold to Envy.
Now that the drama was over (for the moment), the entire company returned to whatever they had been doing before (i.e: Gracia was pulled into a dance by Hughes once more, Roy and Hawkeye continued whatever argument they had been holding before, and Falman, Fuery, Breda and Havoc resumed whatever game of cards they were playing).
"Can you believe this?" Ed grinned, looking up at Envy for his reaction. The Homunculus, it seemed, was still in shock before Ed's voice had torn him away from his reverie.
"…No," Envy replied honestly, blinking bemused, wide amethyst eyes.
"Me neither. God, I never expected them to do anything like this," Ed laughed, shaking his head and laughing softly. He looked up at Envy again, and his smiled when he realized Envy was slumped over.
"Envy, what's wrong?" Ed asked, seeing the slight frown that had taken residence on his features.
"Chibi, you know just as fucking well as I do that I don't like humans," Envy grumbled miserably.
"Envy, this is different. These are a bunch of humans who I care about, and who care about me," Ed explained matter-of-factly. Envy's eyes scanned the crowded office.
"Well… at least it can't get any worse than this," Envy sighed.
But we all know Murphy -and his damnable laws- for at that precise moment, a bundle of blue-eyed, blonde energy (also known as Ed's childhood friend, Winry Rockbell) came hurtling toward Ed, pulling him into a tight hug. Al calmly walked in after the overly excited girl, wearing a smile. Pinako followed after the boy with a disbelieving expression on her face.
Envy smacked himself squarely on the head.
"Congratulations, Ed!" Winry squealed happily. She sighed, clasping her hangs together.
"Just think; I'm gonna be an aunt in only three months!" She sighed happily. Ed felt a hand land on his shoulder and look up to see Al beaming at him.
"How've you been, Nii-san?" Al asked earnestly, his gaze flickering down to the undeniable swell. Ed smiled and reached up to ruffle Al's hair fondly.
"I've been fine, thanks," Ed replied with a reassuring grin. Al's smile broadened, and he glanced toward the sulking, cross-armed male behind Ed.
"Ah… Um… How are you, Envy?" Al asked hesitantly. Envy's eyes snapped open and narrowed toward the cat-obsessed teenager. He was about to retort with some sort of pissy comment, but he caught Ed's warning look, and, with a sigh, closed his eyes once more.
"I'm… I'm doin' all right," he muttered wearily. Al blinked; he too had obviously been expecting some kind of angry response. His amber eyes shone with concern; seeing the Homunculus so excruciatingly bothered worried him.
"…You really don't want to be here, do you...?" The Sin looked up at the younger Elric in surprise; the empathic boy was looking at him with sympathizing eyes. Was he that easy to read?
Ed chuckled softly, and brushed a few stray strands of emerald hair that managed to fall past the headband away.
"You'd better make the best out of this you can, Envy; I really dunno what else to say," the blonde said quietly. Envy managed a smirk.
"I… think I'll manage to survive a few hours with… them," Envy said dramatically. Ed snorted and rolled his eyes, mumbling a soft, "yeah, you'd better, bastard," before straying away from his lover as he started toward a shocked-looking Pinako, whose pipe had fallen from her lips (very much like Havoc's cigarette had a month ago).
Ed was deeply immersed in a conversation about the weight of his automail effecting his growth (he argued that when he'd visited Rush Valley, a master mechanic has spoken those words to him) when someone tapped his shoulder.
Frowning, Ed turned around; he had been ready to tell said person off for interrupting, but all vocal responses left him then and there, and all he could do was gape in horror.
Dreadlocks, a red tattoo by her left collar bone, piercing dark eyes… Yes, Ed could identify this new comer easily; just as well as his little brother could. After a moment of speechlessness, he managed to crack a nervous smile.
"W-why, Se-Sensei… Th-this is, um… quite a su-surprise," he gulped. Her eyes narrowed, and he could hear her foot tapping all too well; one of the signs of anger he remembered both he and his brother used to be all too wary for.
"And seeing you -for the first time in years- pregnant -which, might I add is not at all normal; just a few years back, wasn't your life goal to regain Al's body and your arm and leg so you could have a normal lifestyle?- with your previous enemy's child, who just so happens to be your lover as well isn't surprising, Edward?" Izumi continued sweetly, a smile plastered on her face. Ed flinched, but didn't respond, choosing to stare at the floor by her feet.
"W-well, about that…" Ed started nervously, fidgeting guiltily where he stood.
"Don't you say anything," Izumi snapped, her dark eyes narrowing. Ed's mouth snapped shut, and Envy watched with increasing interest. 'Hmm, maybe hanging around humans isn't so bad… they are, indeed, a great source of entertainment… Besides, I've never seen Ed shut up on command in response to anyone other than myself,' he mused, a smirk forming on his lips, continuing to watch the berating unfolding before him.
"I would teach you a lesson with my hands--" Ed's gaze snapped to Izumi at her threatening words, and he shook his head rapidly so that his bangs flapped against his face, his golden eyes wide with horror.
"--But due to your current condition, I won't," she finished. His eyes closed and his shoulders slumped in relief. There was a pause before the housewife smiled grimly.
"You may now begin apologizing profusely," she announced. Ed blinked stupidly for a moment, before apologizes began rapidly pouring from his lips. Izumi stood, arms crossed, staring the boy down, making sure he apologized as best and fluently as he knew how.
Finally, the flow of words stopped when he felt arms pull him into a warm hug. Once he'd registered it was Izumi his mouth fell slightly open, and he was rendered speechless.
"Congratulations, Edward," she murmured into his ear before moving away and smiling affectionately at him.
'Ah…what just happened?' he thought, bewildered by her sudden warmth toward him. 'Yeaaah… somethin's not right here.'
"Uh… Sensei?" Ed began hesitantly
"Yes, Edward?"
"…Aren't you letting me off a bit easily?" He asked suspiciously. Izumi stared at him before bursting out laughing. The blonde stared at her in confusion while a sinking feeling began to make itself known.
"Yes, well, I know my reaction is quite a bit less… ruthless than to be expected from me, but I think the pain of labor will make up for it by at least tenfold," she beamed.
Ed blushed slightly at her words before completely processing them and blanching. She smirked when she saw Ed's reaction, confirming her words had gotten through to him, and strode off to talk to a (nearly cowering) Alphonse.
Ed breathed in shakily, before turning to stare at the quietly sniggering Homunculus behind him.
Golden eyes narrowed.
All too late, Envy realized Ed had noticed him.
'Aw, shit.'
XxXxXxXxXx
Everyone looked up at the loud "FUCK!" that came out of seemingly nowhere, before their eyes landed on the blonde stalking off angrily from the wild-haired Sin in a heap on the floor, clutching his obviously aching groin (All of the men in the room winced for the poor, non-human's sake).
"God, I hope that wasn't Ed's automail leg…" Fuery whispered –his voice full of sympathy- to the person sitting next to him. Said person happened to be Havoc who nodded in turn, gazing at Envy with pity.
"He must go through God-knows-what, bein' in a relationship with the Chief, an' all, y'know?" Havoc muttered back, patting the raven-haired male on the back.
Fuery (who must have suddenly registered that this was Havoc he was talking to and who was touching him) nodded quickly and turned his head away, blushing deeply. The tall blonde didn't miss the blush this time, and cracked a small smile- 'Aw, he's blushin'… how cute.'
Deciding to see what more of a reaction he could get from the young Sergeant, Havoc slipped an arm, his smile turning into more of a smirk when he heard the nearly inaudible "eep!" that escaped the Fuery's lips.
"Hah, you're pretty cute, know that?" Havoc whispered into Fuery's ear. Fuery's knees nearly buckled, and he would have most likely fallen over if Havoc hadn't chosen that moment to pull the trembling male onto his lap. Fuery tensed, his breaths quickening.
Slowly, after a few moments of staring at the smiling-encouragingly blonde had passed, Fuery began to relax back against the study body, thanking his lucky stars that Jean Havoc was finally –finally– noticing him in the way he really –really– wanted to be noticed.
Meanwhile…
"Hey, Breda! Falman!" Roy called across the room. When the two said men looked up he beckoned them over, a smug smirk fixed on his lips.
"You both owe me thirty bucks and one week of doing my paperwork, each," he whispered gleefully, gesturing subtly over to the blonde, who at that moment was sneakily snaking his arms around a flushed co-worker settled in his embrace.
The two men smacked their heads, groaning.
"The Colonel never misses a beat," Breda sighed forlornly, Falman nodding his assent miserably
XxXxXxXxXx
Ed felt an urgent tap on his back, and he politely excused himself from a chattering Elysia to turn to see his brother.
"What's up, Al…" Ed trailed off when he realized the state Al was in. The teen was anxiously wringing his hands and biting the inside of his cheek; a habit he'd had when he was younger, and was put to use either when he was attempting an alchemical equation or was terribly worried.
"Nii-san, umm… I-isn't, that the "Lust-lady?" Al asked nervously, pointing to the office entrance.
Now, Ed knew better than anyone just how rare it was that the brunette stuttered. Immediately, Ed looked at Envy –who was back at his side by this point– and saw the incredulously written all over the shape shifter's face. With a deep breath, the chibi moved his gaze to the doorway.
True to Al's word, there stood the voluptuous female Homunculus by the door, staring with piercing violet eyes –identical to those of his lover's– right back at him.
While she was still unnoticed by the rest of the guests, the lady slinked over toward the trio, frozen in place.
"So this is where you've been hiding all this time, Envy?" Lust asked, breaking the tense silence. She arched an elegant eyebrow at the two Elrics standing together, still stunned speechless at her unanticipated appearance.
"…I see. So you've decided to live your life like this? Going directly against the wishes of 'That Person?'" Lust inquired. Envy's hands clenched tightly, forming two, shaking fists at his sides.
"Who are you to tell me what's right and what's not?" He hissed quietly as he raised a threatening fist. The last thing he wanted at the moment was to gather any attention to their little "reunion."
Lust blinked, seeming genuinely surprised.
"Why, Envy," she purred at last, "I don't recall saying any of the sort. Nor did I have any intention to, by the way."
Envy blinked, and his fist fell back to his side (though his fingers had yet to uncurl).
"You don't?" He asked suspiciously. Lust smiled in the slightest, shaking her head.
"Is it true that you're really gotten the Fullmetal boy pregnant?" Lust asked; she was obviously intrigued by the way she spoke. Envy's eyes widened slightly.
"How…?"
"That just confirmed my suspicions," Lust smirked at her brethren, who appeared to be mentally beating himself. Her smirk lightened into an amused smile.
"Not to mention I'd already gotten the general gist from the cards on the table," she continued, delicately holding up a card she must have picked up from the table piled with gifts and cards by the doorway.
"In any case, the true reason I came to find you is to know how you could have possibly had the nerve to keep a soon-to-be-aunt from finding out that she is going to have a niece or nephew," Lust chided, sounding utterly serious. All three mouths fell open.
"Wait… what?" Ed asked skeptically. Al merely tilted his head, blinking in confusion; he appeared to be just as speechless as Envy was at the moment (though the male Homunculus. Lust sighed (almost huffily) and frowned slightly.
"What; you don't think I want in on this child, too?" She asked dubiously. Her frown deepened when all three boys nodded dumbly.
"Well, I never," she sniffed, looking away dejectedly. Al –ever the one to hate seeing anyone upset– regained his voice first.
"Uh, Miss Lust? It's… not that we're excluding you, it's just… we're surprised that you seem to be so… interested," he said quietly. Lust's eyebrows raised in interest as her gaze fixed on the quiet brunette, openly surprised by his politeness.
"Oh, so that's the case, then, is it?" She pushed, waiting for Ed and Envy's answers. Ed lifted an arm and sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.
"I… think Al said it all, for me at least," he answered, shooting a look at Envy. Envy crossed his arms; looking away and mumbling a response that sounded remotely like an agreement. Lust clapped her hands eagerly.
"Oh, good!" Lust looked back over her shoulder, smiling.
"Did you hear that, Wrath? You're going to have a cousin!" She exclaimed. Envy's eyes narrowed.
"The brat's here?" He mumbled haughtily. Amethyst eyes –once again, Ed observed, so much like Envy's own– peered around Lust's curvy form to make a face at the green-haired Sin from where he was safe from harm.
"Gee; nice to see you, too, Envy," Wrath muttered angrily. Suddenly, the little Sin was all smiles, popping up in front of the bewildered blonde.
"I think it's really cool that you're havin' a baby, Ed," Wrath said sweetly, beaming at the teen.
"But what I don't understand is why you chose to have that bastard's kid," Wrath said, staring up innocently while pointing a finger at the Homunculus shaking with suppressed rage.
"Well, Wrath, to tell ya the truth, I honestly don't know. I just know that I love him dearly, and that he's not just any bastard; he's my bastard," Ed said (almost endearingly) as he glanced fondly –and not with a little amusement– at Envy's seething figure.
"Hello? I'm here, you know," Envy grumbled, shooting a death glare at the giggling Wrath who had embraced the chibi in a hug. 'Little bastard… suckin' up to my chibi cuz he knows he my weakness…' Envy thought hatefully. Lust had been listening intently to the conversation and sighed deeply, gaining Al's attention.
"What's wrong, Lust?" He asked. Lust looked at him with a tiny, sad smile.
"It's silly, I know, but… I guess you could say I'm, well, envious of Envy, if you know what I mean," Lust began. Al stared at the Homunculus, puzzled.
"How so?" He asked softly.
"Out of all the Homunculi, I suppose… No, I am the one most desperate to become human." Al looked at her in confusion.
"Why? Don't you like being immortal?" He asked. Lust laughed mirthlessly.
"What's the point in being able to live forever if you can't feel anything emotionally," she asked.
"I, for one, don't liking living without emotion; it basically takes the meaning out of life, wouldn't you agree? We Homunculi don't have the same kinds of feelings a human being would.
"But Envy has someone to love –despite that factor– and, more importantly, he someone who loves him back." Lust concluded.
"And that's why I want to be human most of all; so that I could have feelings, too, and have someone who loves me," she added wistfully.
Al stared at the forlorn woman, suddenly seeing her in a different light. He now found himself feeling compassionate toward her, because he found himself agreeing word for word with what she had said.
"Wrath, come along; we'd best be leaving, now, before we're noticed," Lust said after a minute of silence. Wrath spared her a brief glance.
"Oh. Okay," Wrath replied unhurriedly, before smiling brightly at the young alchemist he'd been amiably chatting with before.
"I'll see ya soon, Uncle Ed!" Wrath chirped waving before Lust grabbed his wrist to drag him away. Ed chuckled, and waved after the young Homunculus; apparently, the little boy had charmed his way to pushing the hatred Ed had previously held for him from the prodigy's mind.
"I don't know why you think he's so awful, Envy; he seemed alright to me," Ed said as he turned to face Envy with a slight shrug. Envy glowered after his little "brother;" apparently Ed had just conveniently missed the boy sticking his tongue out at Envy.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Open mine first!"
"No way! You should open mine first, Ed!"
"Hey, hey, hey come on! He's gonna open them all up in the end! (Whispered:) You should really open mine first!"
(Multiple voices:) "Havoc!"
Ed rolled his eyes playfully and laughed as present after present was shoved into his face, nearly every guest begging him to open theirs first.
"Well, Havoc did have a point--"
"So you'll open mine first?" (Hopeful)
"Ah, no," Ed chuckled at the pout that formed on Havoc's face and jokingly shoved the man (struggling to keep the pout on his face) away.
"Ah, lemme see here, uh--" the small blonde eyed all the excited faces, and finally smiled at…
"Fuery! You're being patient," he said, teasingly glancing around at the rest of the jumpy guests. Fuery smiled happily at being chosen first (for once) for something, and held out the neatly wrapped package to his friend.
Ed took his time opening the package; meaning he eagerly ripped away the wrapper paper, earning chuckles from the small crowd now seated around him. Earlier the group had formed a circle of chairs so that everyone could all sit and comfortably watch Ed open his presents; there were quite a lot. Well… Ed was an exception; he had his favorite seat that just so happened to be Envy.
Envy rested his chin on Ed's shoulder as the teen lifted the cover to the box that had been wrapped, and grinned as he maneuvered his arm around Ed and plucked a soft teddy bear from the wrapping paper. Ed's eyes shone happily as he thanked a happily flushed Fuery profusely, placing it back carefully in the box and setting it aside.
After another minute of commotion, Ed had selected the next person to hand him his present (which happened to be Winry) and he carefully tore off the bow, setting it in Envy's headband. Everyone chuckled at how ridiculous the Sin looked with a huge, shiny pink bow in his hair, and the Homunculus –to Ed's immense relief– took it in stride, smirking and replied saying they were all just jealous of how sexy he looked, gaining yet another laugh from the group.
"Tadaaa! Isn't it just the cutest little thing?" Winry exclaimed happily as Ed lifted and shook out a small, pink dress with little yellow ducks from the box it had been so carefully wrapped in. He sweatdropped but had himself a little (slightly nervous) laugh.
"You're really sure this is gonna be a girl, huh, Winry?" He asked. She nodded confidently, smirking at the now-pouting Al seated next to her. Ed grinned at the blue-eyed girl.
"Heh, thanks, Win," he said earnestly. Winry smiled back, pleased that Ed seemed to appreciate her gift seriously, unlike a certain brunette, cat-obsessed Elric…
Another hour found the blonde surrounded by opened presents, completely finished opening gifts and cards (the Hughes' presents had by far been the most considerate ones; having gone and bought the necessary furnishings for the baby's room; something Ed and Envy had planned on going about that coming week).
Everyone was reclining in small groups or pairs as they happily talked and joked while eating Gracia's delicious, homemade-cake she had kindly made for the party.
Ed had been explaining some alchemical theory to his younger brother, who was nodding and listening intently. Inevitably, though he had tried to pay attention (Ed had to give him credit for that) Envy had gotten bored very quickly and was staring into space, chin propped up on his fist, staring at the funny scene Fuery and Havoc were providing; the younger appeared to be trying to have some modest conversation while inconspicuously keeping the eager blonde's hands out of his pants.
"--It all comes back to 'Equivalent Exchange," Al, so I don't get where you're stuck," Ed said, sounding a little exasperated after having explained the theory no less that three and a half times.
"Yes, yes, I get all of that," Al waved a hand impatiently.
"But what I'm talking about, is the-- Nii-san? Nii-san, are you okay?" Al suddenly asked, seeing Ed's sudden pallor.
"What's wrong, Nii-san?" The unusual urgency in Al's voice got Envy's attention, and he craned his neck to see Ed's face.
"Ne, Chibi, what's wrong?" Envy asked, puzzled by Ed's strange expression; his eyes had widened considerably, and his mouth was open, but he couldn't seem to form any words.
"It-it's not that baby, is it?" Al suddenly asked, seeing one of Ed's hands go to his stomach. Ed seemed to be shaken out of his stunned silence when he heard the word "baby," and smiled nervously.
"No, Al, I'm fine, it's just…" Ed's gaze fell to his round belly.
"I've never… felt the baby move before… I mean, there've been times in the past when I thought I did –when I was sleeping and sometimes when I was awake– but I thought either a was dreaming or just imagining it… Guess not," he chuckled, a grin starting to form on his lips when he saw the awed look on Al's face.
"Really? What's it like?" Al asked, eyes wide.
"Dunno… it's really hard to explain," Ed replied honestly, shrugging helplessly.
Suddenly realizing Envy still had yet to react, Ed turned his head, only to burst out laughing at the mixed expression of disbelief and delight.
"…You're shitting me," Envy murmured at last, raising and eyebrow as Ed shook head, smiling broadly.
Ed took Envy by the wrist, placing his hand where his own had been resting, and waited expectantly in silence.
Envy stared at his hand, until out of nowhere he felt the slightest flutter of movement beneath his palm. Purple eyes, previously narrowed in concentration widened in shock, and Ed grinned.
After resting his hand on Ed's tummy for a few more minutes –trying to conceive that the motion was coming from his and Ed's child– Envy lifted his hand and placed it on Ed's cheek, turning the blonde's face further towards his and locking their lips in a gentle, grateful kiss.
"…Wow," was all Envy could mumble once they'd pulled apart.
"'Wow,'" Ed echoed with a laugh, nodding. His attention was turned to his fidgeting little brother; the boy was unable to hide his excitement for Ed and his partner.
"Uh, um… Can I?" Al asked rapidly, smiling happily when Ed nodded. Ed shook his head slightly in amusement when Al gasped softly; the baby, it seemed, had chosen to move just as Al rested his fingertips against Ed's belly.
"…That's amazing, Onii-chan," Al said breathlessly. Ed cracked a teasing grin.
"If you're so excited by kids, you should concentrate on gettin' it on with--" A hand was hastily slapped over Ed's lips; Al's panicked eyes narrowed at the smug expression Ed was wearing.
"Nii-san, please… just… just don't," Al said meekly, his eyes darting about the room nervously; a light pink color tingeing his cheeks.
Ed chuckled softly before saying something, however his words were muffled by Al's hand. Al stared at him in confusion before deeming it safe to remove his hand to let Ed talk.
"I said: Don't worry, your secret's safe with me 'til ya decide to tell your little crush how much ya love her," Ed repeated. Al let out a relieved sigh, and offered his brother a little smile.
XxXxXxXxXx
Ed let out an exhausted, strangled noise of relief as he plopped down on their bed. Envy sent the blonde a strange look from the doorway before sitting down beside him.
"That was... an eventful day, to say in the least, ne?" Envy teased, lifting a hand to run his fingers through Ed's long, golden bangs.
"You're tellin' me," Ed laughed wearily, stripping off his clothing and dropping everything onto the floor in a heap, too tired to get up to put said articles of clothing into the hamper.
Envy slipped under the covers, waiting until his chibi had finished undressing to move to turn off the bedside light. Ed slipped into the bed beside him, nestling up to his lover.
"'M gon' star usen docs 'scuse 'morrow," Ed mumbled sleepily. Envy stared down at the blonde blankly.
"I understood nothing just then…" Envy deadpanned. Ed glared up at Envy as best he could in his drowsy state.
"I'm. Gonna. Start. Using. The. Doc's. Excuse. Tomorrow," Ed enunciated clearly.
"Ah. That's good, I won't be lonely anymore," Envy smirked, sounding pleased.
"Mmm, horny bastard… geez you gettin' deaf or somethin'?" Ed trailed off groggily, his golden eyes slipping closed. His breaths gradually slowed and evened out, alerting Envy that his chibi was, as of now, quite dead to the world.
After wrapping his arms around the blonde protectively, a content smile rose to his lips and the Homunculus closed his vibrant violet eyes, quickly falling asleep listening to Ed's breathing.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
1: Starry eyed Kodak moment! Hahaha, sorry, I didn't want to ruin the moment in the fic, so now it's okay!
OOooOOoo
Jessie: (Megaphone:) FIRST OF ALL, ATTENTION, PLEASE!
Joh: Puts in ear plugs, wide eyed
Jessie: IF YOU DON'T USUALLY READ THESE, PLEASE READ THIS ONE: I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT EVERYONE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO: A BABY GIRL, BOY, WHATEVER. IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE INCLUDE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR REVIEW (THIS IS FOR MY OWN CURIOSITY AND CONSIDERATION; I'VE PRETTY MUCH GOTEEN EVERYTHING WORKED OUT, BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT PEOPLE THINK THE BABY'S GONNA BE.)
Joh: …That all?
Jessie: THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. (Puts microphone away)
Jessie: Another note… Wow. The end was all fluffaluffegus!
Joh: Takes out earplugs Ah, yeah. Okay.
Jessie: Laughs I know; me and those crazy words my friends and I share.
Joh: Grins That was a long chapter, Sis!
Jessie: I know! I'm actually quite pleased with how it turned out. And some people requested most HavocxFuery (yes! I officially helped to start spread the love for a more uncommon pairing!), and I was happy to put some in there! So yes. I worked long and hard on this chapter. Please, please, please review!
loathed wolf spirit: Yes, well Roy does cause lotsa fights, and he's always getting the upper hand in them sooo… Heh, I'm evil, and lovin' it! Blushy Edo is adorable, and possessive Envy ish shmexy! Joins you in waving EnvyxEdo flags Honestly, I could do this all day!
Strlight99: Glad ya thought it was kawaii! Tears You used my favie word: "Huggles." I'm so proud. The word it spreading! You rock! Huggles
Jaz the Wolf: Shrugs sheepishly Um… I personally like baby showers (from the, like, five I've gone to). I dunno, maybe they're boring to some people. Hopefully, the baby shower in this one wasn't'!
Kaoru Gal: I'm very proud of you for trying to cut back on the cursing. Like I told you, you really don't have to curse for me. Lol, I know the video is hysterical. I was laughing so hard. And yesh, I'm Alu! I love you, Sis! Glomps and kisses
Shimoariku: I know, mpreg's are da bomb; a.k.a funny, sweet and awesome. Hands invite You're smart, you get an invite.
darkangel36: Yes, the secret is out for Envy and Edo. Roy took it so calmly since he didn't want poor Edo even more hysterical than he was before. Hands Havoc and Fuery plushies HavocxFuery rocks. Nods seriously It really does. They are totally awesome for each other; so kawaii together Goes off into yaoi fangirl dreamland Thanks for the nice review; made my day!
Forever Yours Zana Glomps plushie Edo I've never gotten an Edo plushie before; I'm so loved! Loved your review, as usual; made me laugh so hard! XD OMG, I'm reading it again and cracking up! No, no, Roy doesn't have a crush on Edo; just protective… Don't worry! EnvyxEdo all the way (at least, in this one XD) baby!
Enviouse-Of-You-Kid: That was me who inspired you to write that awesome fic? Me? I… Oh, my God! I feel really special! Glad ya still think it's awesome! 3
kakashisninjadogs: I laughed really hard when I read your review. "Giggles like a 3-yr-old in a Barbie store." Now there's one I've never heard before!
HolyMistress: Thank you! You understand why Roy was so unusually gentle; didn't want more waterworks from the blonde! Hahaha, nope, but you're comment about you-know-what definitely got through to me. Shaw… I do love kids… Joh-chan hates them, though. Sighs It's a wonder we're sisters. Ah, and the shower scene: that as for you, honey! Thank you sooo much for the idea!
…And don't you go trying to hack into my account to get rid of my thanks to you this time!Thanks for the awesome review!
Kuroi Kitty: Glad you like it! Hope you continue to!
KnighthunterDark: I'm the sizzle… I like it! Glad you're lovin' the story, and I'm still planning the scenario for how the baby will be born (and havin' fun with it!)
NightPredator: Yup! Congrat's, you guessed right! Huggles back I enjoy writing it, and enjoy people lovin' it! Thank you!
FISHTaNK the Evil Fangirl: Are you related to "Fishtank the Stephs?" Giggles Yes, yes, Edo has quite the temper, and it was fun writing a protective Roy! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Solo Maxwell-Yamato: Yes, yes! A baby shower! Hawkeye and Hughes rock! And I felt bad for Roy, too, when I was writing it. But oh well, all is good in the world (for now)! Hands you homemade chocolate cake with ice cream Always enjoy hearing from you! Huggles
telynaayuri: Bingo: Baby shower! You ish very smart! You rock!
Shakespeare'sWorstNightmare: Envy and Ed saying things in unison is rare, yet adorable! I am honestly relieved I'm keeping everyone in character; I work very, very hard at that!
SoulfulZen: You get to keep your money (Lol)! Twas indeed a baby shower! And yes, Edo and Envy had to have been uncomfortable in the scenario, but oh well! Their relationship was accepted, and that's what matters!
yaoi chicka: (Love your pen-name!) I'm really glad you like it and think it's funny! Hope the update was fast enough for you; worked very hard on it, hope you like it and continue to!
7deadlysins-envy7: When I read you're review, it just cracked me up! I immediately thought of a scene like this:
Envy/Edo's baby: Tugs on Ed's pants, looking up with big, cute eyes Mommy-- (cue twitch on Edo's behalf) why does Daddy wear a skirt.
Edo: Smirk
Envy: It's not a skit, it's a skort!
Yep, laughed a lot at that little idea! I'm psyched this is your favie mpreg! Don't worry; I'm always thinking of ideas for/and or working on this fic! Your wait is not in vain! Thanks for the patience, though!
Illusionwolf: Yes. Yes I did update! Won't abandon this fic for the world! Hope you enjoyed this chappie!
MaiValentinefan: Yaaaaay! I'm so glad you liked it! Sorta, kinda surprised you actually read it, too XD Your review made me laugh, gal! N'ways, I love you! Can't wait to obsess over the FMA movie with you! Squeals
siverrain: Claps happily Yay! You guessed it: a baby shower! Honored to have one of my fics on your Story Alert! Glad you like it!
Me And My God Complex: Glad!
Master Fifer: Reads all 8 reviews in shock OMG, you reviewed ALL of my chappies even though you're starting to read it now? Tears How dedicated! Oh my gosh, you're sooo nice. You should've seen my face when I was scrolling down the window and show not 155, but 163 reviews for my fic! I read all of your reviews, and was so thankful! Thank you sooo much! Hands a chocolate chip cookie
(So, things are going pretty quickly for envy and Ed. Just a few more months, and they're parents! Thanks for reviewing and for your endless support! I can't wait to hear from you, and what you think! Bye for now, everyone!)