Two chapters in one day. I've tied my old record. Not much to say. The actual rough copy is still in progress, so I won't be able to post TOO fast, but I will try.
This chapter's in Envy's POV.
I walked among the shelves of the Central Public Library. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I was just wandering. Hell, I didn't even have a card. Lust had just wanted somewhere quiet to talk.
I'd taken a rather plain guise of short cropped brown hair, rather stylish glasses, a white sweatshirt, and jeans. Lust, on the other hand, had kept her large black heels and revealing dress, and had thrown a white trench coat over top of it. To say she attracted attention was a horrible understatement.
She made a point to stay near me as we browsed, simply making sure that all the slack-jawed men knew she was with me so they wouldn't bother us. At least it guaranteed we wouldn't be interrupted.
"Why were you back so early last night?" she asked, "Did you and Fullmetal have a fight?"
I snorted at the suggestion. "Hardly. We were bothered."
"Oh?" Suddenly, she seemed a lot more interested. "By whom?"
Shrugging indifferently, I answered, "His brother."
Lust tilted her head and stopped walking. We were somewhere in the parenting section. "His brother? I thought he knew. Why did you have to leave?"
I frowned and placed my hands indignantly on my hips. "Why do you care so much? Since when did you give a damn about anything I do?"
"Since you decided to involve me," she replied smugly. Then, with and almost mocking tap to my nose, she added, "And it's fun to watch you squirm."
Brushing her slender hand away like it was some kind of insect, I retorted, "I'm not squirming. You wanted to talk to me."
"Because you were squirming," Lust said with a tone of finality to her voice. No point arguing the matter further. "No, what's the real reason you had to leave?"
I absently pulled a book off the shelf, momentarily noting the cover. Babies were so ugly… "It wasn't just Al," I answered, opening the book.
Lust reached out and shut the book. "And you left because you were worried about who it was."
Staring tiredly at her and putting the book back, I replied, "Well yeah. We can't risk getting caught…by either side."
"You feel cheated don't you?"
I flinched. She'd nailed it. I wanted nothing more than to spend time with Ed; the more the better. But visiting him at the Central headquarters meant limited visiting hours and, often, even those were cut short. It bothered me. And I couldn't very well take him with me. That held at least ten times the risk.
"So get a hotel room," Lust interrupted smoothly. "No one will find you there."
I looked at her curiously. "How's Ed supposed to explain that one?"
Shrugging elegantly, she returned, "A late night of research."
As the idea gradually made more and more sense to me, I smiled broadly and kissed her fondly. "What would I do without you?" I asked brightly.
Lust sighed and returned my smile teasingly. "You'd suffer in the depths of your own stupidity."
"Thanks," I said with a shake of my head. "I'll go let Ed know."
Grabbing my hand as I turned to leave, Lust advised, "Just go earlier tonight. Run the idea past him, spend tonight there, get his answer, and make and necessary arrangements for tomorrow night."
I blinked stupidly at her for a moment before laughing softly. "Whatever you say, mom," I chuckled, gently pulling my hand away.
"Grow up Envy," she retorted, "Now let's go before Dante wonders where we are."
To Be Continued…
