Next Door
Disclaimer: Don't own it…
Joh: Okay…I guess there will be mostly plot in this chapter but you will get to see Envy be mean to Ed…
Jessie: As usual.
Joh: Yep. I figure this is mostly a plot story…heh. The reason why I decided to write a lot is cus' I'm angsting. –Broods-
Jessie: ….?
Joh: -sniffles- I had the worse day ever!!!
I had to get TWO shots instead of one
The doctor told me I'm NEARLY 5 feet…and I won't grow any more.
The teacher made me answer a question at the very top of the chalkboard and I couldn't reach and everyone asked if I needed help. I refused.
I'm failing math.
Jessie: -at a loss of words-
Warnings: Yaoi, language, plot
Note: This is gonna be a LONG chapter, so get comfy. Half of it is in Envy's POV so you get some background on him. Well…not really….just kidding…you get a tiny bit of info but not much. Sorry.
0o0o0o0
Ed's POVI doodled in the margin of my notes, only half listening to Mustang (excuse me, I meant to say Mr. Mustang) drawl on about the book that we were analyzing this week. A sigh escaped my lips. I could still clearly taste Envy upon my tongue and was disgusted yet (I'm afraid to admit it) curious. I couldn't very well remember what he had tasted like the first time he kissed me since I was in a state of shock…but today…
I closed my eyes, disgusted with myself. Why the hell was I contemplating what Envy tasted like? He's a guy for fuck's sake. Not only that but he's also insane. It's best to not make eye contact with those kind of people, let alone lip contact.
My shoulders slumped as I remembered the fury etched into his face when I had bitten him. Well…he had it coming…the bastard. Still, I should have realized by now how unstable Envy's moods really were. True, I literally only just met him but it was obvious to anyone how bipolar he was.
I could only imagine what he might do to get back at me for that little incident. Sigh. I really shouldn't have to be worrying about these kinds of things. I should be anxious about a few tests, maybe a sport team I want to get on…NOT about some freak hippie guy who molests me.
Al always did say I was a magnet for trouble.
I laid my head down on my desk, pressing my cheek against the cool surface. Why me?
A sharp bang made me jolt upright. Mustang stood over me, smirking. "Sleeping in class Elric? You know I don't appreciate it when you waste my time like this." He paused, waiting for my response.
"Well maybe your time wouldn't be wasted if you went on teaching class like your supposed to instead of stopping to scold me," I glared at him and gestured about the room. "Look around you, more than half the class is asleep and you stop teaching just because I put my head down for a brief moment?" I bristled. Okay, so mouthing off like this wasn't exactly the smartest move, but hell was I stressed and he just happened to pick the wrong day for this.
His black eyes narrowed once I finished my little rant. "Detention for the rest of the week, Elric." He sneered, drumming his gloved fingers against my desk. Who the hell where's gloves inside?
"You're off for today since I have a meeting to go to…but I expect to see you tomorrow and Friday." He looked at me sharply, expecting a retort of some sort. When none came he smiled and made his way back to the front of the classroom.
I glared at him, imagining creative ways to kill him. The most satisfying was one in which I drenched him in gasoline and set him on fire. You see, Mustang is sort of kind of a pyromaniac. Yep, I know I have interesting teachers.
A finger prodded me hard in the back and a crumpled up paper landed neatly on my desk. I eyed it warily for a moment before smoothing it out to read it.
'Nice one. Let's hope he doesn't rape you. –Mark' I sighed when I finished reading the scrawled note, casting an annoyed glance over my shoulder. Mark grinned from behind me, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. His long brown bangs fell into his face with a casual kind of elegance while his narrow eyes made him look way older (and far more mature) than he actually was. When you got to know him you realized that he was like every other 15 year old boy. Sloppy, crude, and a pervert. Sometimes I wondered why I was friends with him….
I crumpled up the paper and flicked it away from me, glancing at the clock at the same time. Class would end in 5 minutes, thank the gods. I frowned. How could I avoid Envy when he lived right next door to me?
I stuffed my books and pencils in my bag just as the bell rang, pondering up ways on evading the green-haired demon.
I shouldered my bag and got up, zipping over to the door. I distantly heard Mustang remind me about my two detentions but I pretended I didn't hear him. The halls were packed with people and it was nearly impossible to find one specific person in the middle of the crowd but I scanned the heads for a splotch of green anyway.
As I walked to the main entrance a plan formed in my mind. I couldn't walk home like I usually did since Envy would no doubt catch me on the way…I couldn't hide in the school since that was just plain pathetic not to mention stupid. I could, however, make my way to Central's public library. It was the perfect excuse to avoid Envy.
I highly doubted that the drug addled boy would go anywhere near a library, and I had a research paper in English due in a few weeks…it couldn't hurt to start a bit early.
I was outside now, walking with quick deliberate steps across the sidewalk. So far so good, no sign of Envy.
I glanced about myself as I crossed a street. A few cars zipped past me. I cast another wary look about then mentally cursed myself. I can't believe that…I was becoming this paranoid over something so incredibly stupid.
With that thought in my mind I relaxed the tension in my shoulders and shoved my hands in my pocket, slowing my pace. As I turned another corner a familiar black Mercedes drove up beside me. I ignored it but increased my pace now, looking determinedly ahead of me.
The tinted window rolled down to reveal a pale, handsome face. "Hey…shooorty." He cackled. I twitched and clenched my fists into tight balls by my side. His voice…so grating. I was tempted to reach over and strangle him, but somehow I resisted.
"Come over here." He smirked, dangling a bare arm out the window.
I took a step to my left, farther from him and closer to the fence facing my left side. Only a few more blacks before I reached the library…I could hold out until then. I took in a deep breath as I repeated this thought in my mind. I would NOT let Envy get the better of me this time.
"I said get over here." His tone had lost the playfulness it had previously held. I could easily imagine the scowl that had no doubt formed across his lips. Maybe if he got annoyed enough he would leave me alone.
"Either get over here right now or I stop the car and come get you."
I paused at that. I no longer understimated Envy's strength and was reluctant to have it demonstrated to me once again. My stomach still ached from the blow it had taken. Unconsciously I touched the bruise and winced. I glanced at him warily and he grinned, knowing that he had now caught my attention.
"Well, come on." He encouraged me; grin widening to reveal a set of very white, very sharp teeth.
I took a tentative step towards his car. He looked relaxed but I kept up my defenses all the same.
Envy rolled his violet eyes, rummaging in his pocket for a joint. It dangled at his lips as he lit it, eyeing me over the small flame from the lighter. It shut with a snap and he exhaled a breath of smoke. "Hurry up before the car runs out of gas." He was growing impatient.
I took another step towards him, close enough for it to look like we were having a conversation but far back enough so that he couldn't reach out to grab me.
"Scared?" he sniggered.
I glared at him, feeling my temper spike to new heights. "No." I answered hotly, taking another daring step towards him. I was close enough to smell the lazy scent of smoke coming from him. He chuckled, shaking his head.
He ran his eyes across my face, not lustfully (at least I don't think so) but thoughtfully. Suddenly his previously lax hand shot out to grab me by the collar of my shirt, tugging me forward so that I was a mere inch from his face. He blew a cloud of smoke into my face, smiling in satisfaction when I coughed.
"I didn't have time to finish what you started." He purred silkily, yanking me hard again so that I was forced to use my hands to balance myself awkwardly against his car.
"Let go." I snarled, wrestling to pull my head back. But his grip was firm, and I realized (with horror) that he was rolling the window up. The blunt edge of the window stopped once it just touched my neck. I shivered, suddenly ridged. Was he planning on suffocating me or something like that?
The window rolled ever higher up, forcing me to raise my head with it until my neck was sandwiched between the window and the ridge. I gasped and pounded my fists against the glass. "Roll it down!" I hissed, glaring at him through narrow eyes.
He just stared at me, a smirk twisting the corners of his mouth. "Don't you feel bad about biting me? It still hurts you know." He asked pleasantly.
I drew in quick breaths. This guy was insane. Not only was he insane, but also sadistic. And lucky me just happened to be his target. Yay.
"You….f-fucking…freak…" I grunted, clawing at the edges of the window as if that would make it loosen.
"Not the right response." He said in a bored tone, arching a dark eyebrow.
"I…I'm….s…" I broke off, my pride having interrupted me. There was no way I would apologize for defending myself against his violations. "Fuck you." I spat.
He sighed and pressed his foot down lightly on the gas pedal, causing the car to jerk forward in inch. I stumbled forward, moving with the car so that I wouldn't be dragged with it. He looked up at me with an apologetic smile, as if he was saying 'whoops'.
"Try again babe." He chortled. The bastard was having fun.
"I'm…. I'm…sorry." I grumbled, lowering my eyes.
For a moment I thought he wouldn't release me but then the window rolled down, freeing me. I stumbled away from the sleek car, rubbing my stinging, red neck. I looked up when I heard him laughing.
I straightened, trying to regain my composure. "Did you follow me just for that?" I growled.
He shook his head, still grinning. "I was actually on my way somewhere but then I saw you and remembered that I owed you for the tongue thing." He winked and rolled the window that had nearly killed me up and drove away smoothly.
Damn him.
0o0
Envy's POVI stepped out of Lust's car and slammed the door shut behind me. The house before me was dark, small. All in all a crappy half broken down shack. I snorted and moved up the weed-choked walk, stopping at the cracked steps. I eyed the door, deliberating.
To be honest, I didn't want to be here. Lust had insisted that I drop by for her sake if not for my own. She didn't understand though. I cracked my knuckles as I stared down the old, worn door. It was a dark red, but the paint seemed faint and chipped at places. I'm not sure why Lust thought it was such a good idea for me to visit him. In fact, the proposal seemed down right ridiculous to me. What good would it do? The bastard didn't deserve to be in my presence! And no, I'm not conceited, just aware of my perfection.
But then again, Lust was all about 'facing your demons'. I guess that for the most part I respected Lust (to a certain degree) because she never tried to act like a parent. She never tried to be the mother figure that I never had. That deserved some respect.
But still…
I reached out and knocked loudly on the door several times, wondering if that would break the door down. Surprisingly the door held, although a few chips of paint fell loose. As I waited for someone to answer the door my mind wandered.
Edward had certainly raised my spirits. I couldn't help but tease the kid; his reactions were so…amusing. Not to mention that he was pretty. Very pretty.
I snapped back to reality when the door opened. Then suddenly my content mood vanished along with the relaxed buzz that had settled about me the moment I inhaled that joint. There goes another day.
0o0
I pushed my bedroom door shut and pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it to the floor. I had just returned him and thank god Lust wasn't back from work yet. Wrath had been sitting in the living room reading manga but we had ignored each other. Good thing to. I probably would have strangled the little freak if he decided to bother me today. I wasn't in the mood to deal with his shit.
I cursed as I stood in front of my full-length mirror, eyeing the bruises running down my arms and shoulders. The one on my wrist might prove to be a bit hard to hide but…perhaps I could pull it off if I wore gloves.
I stared myself straight in the eye, trying to make sense of the image in the mirror. I hastily pulled my hair out of its ponytail and shook my head about so that the wild tangles of green fell into my face.
Rage and hatred coursed through me, setting my veins on fire. My fists trembled as I restrained myself from lashing out and shattering the mirror before me. Everything around me is so fucking fragile. I hate it.
I breathed out heavily, turning my attention away from the mirror. I walked over to my bedside table, opening the drawer to rummage for my stash. I cursed when I found the drawer to be empty. I kicked the small nightstand to the side, listening with satisfaction at the crash it made. I stared at the white wall in front of me. White. God, I hate that color.
I stomped to the other side of my room where my dresser stood. I yanked open all the drawers, tossing clothes out in my desperate search for what I needed. Then I found it, hidden under a pile of rolled up shirts. I pulled the small bag free. I dumped the contents out across my floor and smiled. Another small bag fell with a thump to the ground and I reached for it.
Only moments later was I sprawled across the bed, my eyes shut tightly as my mind spun pleasantly. I was sinking, yet floating. What a funny contraadicting feeling. I giggled and opened my eyes. It was silly…silly, silly, silly.
I sat up, slipping off my bed to crawl to the window. I wondered if Eddy was home yet. Eddy. Edward. Ed. Edwardooo. I let out another pleased giggle. He had a lot of nicknames. I wish I had a lot of nicknames. I only have one. But I guess mine is cooler. No it is! I'm cooler! Cus' I'm Envy. And he's Ed.…he's below me...
A lazy grin made its way across my face as I pushed myself to my feet and leaned against the window for support. I wondered if he was home yet. That would be cool if he was…. right? Yeah.
I pushed open my window, struck by how close our rooms were. How simple it would be to just…
0o0
Ed's POVI dumped my bag on the floor, debating on whether I should call Al or not. He wasn't home…but that didn't mean he wasn't safe. He was probably hanging out with his friends or something. I really need to stop worrying about him so much.
Putting down the phone I sighed. Oh well….my research hadn't gone at all well, not with the stinging in my neck constantly reminding me of the freak next door.
I thumped upstairs, prepared to sleep in the rest of the day. Screw homework.
The door to my room opened and I paused. More like, I froze.
You know how…when you see something out of place you sometimes have to stop and think about it. Like where it should be, and why it doesn't fit in with its surroundings? Yeah? Well that's what I was doing. I took a good long look, just to make sure I was seeing correctly.
There must have been something wrong with my head because for some reason I was hallucinating that Envy was in my room lying on my bed! Strange, huh?
But….shit…this hallucination looked pretty real. What's that say about me? My eyes trailed across the shirtless mirage on my bed, slightly disturbed by the fact that my enemy didn't look half bad without a shirt on.
He sat up, staring at me with a strange look on his face. I walked carefully towards him, wondering when my imagination would stop screwing around and he would disappear.
He glared at me with unfocused eyes before suddenly breaking off into a grin. "Edward." He drawled out my full name, nodding his head up and down.
I stared at him unsurely, wondering if I should reply to my hallucination or not. Are hallucinations supposed to speak to you?
Envy stood and moved towards me, grabbing the tops of my arms. "You're bed is comfy." He informed me, chuckling.
His hands were cold against my skin and now that he was closer I could tell he was real, very real. I pressed a hand against his chest, testing his solidness. Yep…he was real. And in my room. Shirtless. I snapped out of my daze and pushed him away from me. "How the hell did you break into my house?" I demanded, eyes narrowing.
"I didn't break in. I came in through the window."
"That's breaking in. I could have you arrested for that, you know." I crossed my arms over my chest as I scowled at him.
He rolled his eyes like I was being overdramatic. He flopped down on my bed again, crossing his legs. "Stop talking so loud." He stretched his arms over his head, arching his back as if he was perfectly at ease in my room. Over confident asshole.
As I stared at him I suddenly became aware of the bruises spotting his arms and collarbone. "What happened to you?" I asked.
He peered up at me and smirked. "Worried about me, shorty?"
"No, just curious." I looked at him impatiently. "Well? Get out of my house already."
"It's not your house it's your dad's house."
"Yeah? Well my dad isn't home and he won't be for a while so it's mine." I bristled when he dared bring up my dad.
Envy raised his eyebrows. "Your dad's home? How about your brother? He's pretty cute you know."
I sent him a venomous look. "Haven't we been through this before? Stay the fuck away from my brother." I snarled. My fist was itching to be planted in the side of his face but I refrained from striking out. People have told me that I'm impulsive but I think that I actually have a great deal of self-control.
"Is he home?" Envy repeated himself, eyes burning suddenly.
"Not yet." Why was he so interested? If he went anywhere near Al….
Envy nodded, pleased about something.
"Why? Do you know where he is?" I asked carefully, trying not to sound too worried. It was rare that Al got home late, and whenever he did he called me so I wouldn't flip. Envy already knew how much my brother meant to me….but still…
"Brotherly love. How sweet." Envy sneered. "So what does your brother think of you now that he's seen you sprawled across the floor with another guy on top of you? Does he still look up to you?"
"I told him what happened and that it was all an accident." I replied coldly. I repressed a sigh. Of course Al hadn't believed me but I didn't want Envy to know that. No doubt he would tease me about it. Wait…why am I having a conversation with the rapist hippie freak in my room?
He stood and walked over to the window. "Are you sure it was an accident?" he turned slightly to stare at me through a glazed over eye. "You seem to enjoy my advances."
"You think too highly of yourself." Was my stiff reply. I just wanted him out of my room.
He laughed gleefully at that, grabbing the window ledge for support as he crowed with laughter. "Think too highly of myself? Why shouldn't I?"
I raised an eyebrow like the answer was obvious. "First, you're insane. Second, you're a druggie and you're most likely gonna die at a young age. Third…." I broke off trying to think of another fault of his. I don't think I could honestly call him ugly, cus'…truth be told he wasn't. "Third…you have no future ahead of you." I finished somewhat lamely.
He stared at me blankly for a moment and I briefly wondered if I had actually succeeded in offending him. But then he grinned widely. "You're a funny kid." He said before lurching towards me, grabbing me heavily by the shoulders. I yelped as he pushed me down so that we toppled together onto my bed. He pressed his face into my shoulder, breathing in deep breathes. He seemed to be murmuring something but I could only catch bits of what he was saying and none of it made sense.
"Lucky…..asshole…" his voice grew so soft that I gave up on trying to make out what he was saying and instead focused on trying to get him off me.
"Envy…get off of me!" I grunted, pushing at his shoulders. He dug his fingers into my shoulder, not even trying to keep all his weight off of me. I struggled to try and even move but he was too heavy. A lot heavier than he looked.
I winced as he murmured something against my throat, his hot breath playing across my skin. "You fat ass…get off…you're crushing me." I hissed at him, wiggling. "What, are you high or something? Get off!" I thrashed about but he remained over me like stone.
I turned my head slightly to glare at him but he had his eyes shut. His muttering had ceased too and for some reason he seemed heavier…oh….wait…he couldn't be…
"Are you asleep?" I asked, incredulous. What was wrong with this guy? First, he breaks into my house. Then he proceeds to mock me. As if that's not bad enough he then falls asleep on me! I can't believe this. "Wake up." I urged him, trying to shake him awake.
He grunted and his nails dug in harder making me bite my lip. Even in his sleep he was causing me trouble. I gave up on trying to wake him and contented myself with staring at him, trying to figure him out. People had always told me that when you see someone sleeping they look small, more innocent. But I couldn't say the same about Envy. Even in his sleep the green-haired boy managed to hold a threatening air about himself.
And that was saying something considering that half of Envy's charisma came from the intensity in his eyes. With the lilac orbs shut his face did seem a bit more relaxed but the dark green hair and slight frown unbalanced what could have been a serene expression. I wondered if he had ever looked peaceful.
I meant the kind of peaceful that I sometimes felt when I spent moments with my brother and no troubling thoughts plagued me. True, Envy did look at ease nearly all the time…but his eyes were always so calculating…so busy.
I kind of…wanted to know…why he was like that. I guess I'm just naturally curious like that. Whenever there's something I don't understand I won't stop at anything to figure it out. And I definitely didn't understand Envy. His moods were unpredictable and the smallest thing could set him off, which of course could be due to bipolar disease.
The bruises that I'd seen on him caused me to wonder as well. Maybe he often got in a fight, that was a possibility. I couldn't exactly see his aunt as the abusive type and it fit his personality to be one who got in fights often.
But for some reason I felt like that wasn't the case here.
Someday…I would figure him out…I would understand everything there was to know about Envy. Not because I liked him or anything…just because he was a mystery that needed to be solved. Sure, I didn't really want anything to do with him but I can't handle having so many unanswered questions hovering around me.
I sighed, hoping that he would wake up soon.
0o0
A sudden chill woke me, forcing to bolt upright. I was confused and disoriented, not sure exactly where I was and what had happened. As I cast a panicked look around I realized that I was in my room lying across my bed. It was dark, nearly pitch black. The window facing Envy's room was thrown wide open, inviting in the cold night air.
I slipped to my feet, shivering as I crossed the room to shut the window. Had I really fallen asleep? How long had I been sleeping? And where the hell was Envy? As I locked my window tightly and pulled the blinds (not after checking to see if Envy was in his room, which he wasn't.) I guessed that he had woken up and excused himself from my room.
Good.
I ran a hand through my hair. I paused. Wasn't my hair…in a braid? Well…I thought it had been…yes…I distinctly remembered braiding it this morning when I woke up. I frowned as I felt my loose blonde hair. Strange.
I shrugged, not really concerned about my hair. I stumbled over to the door, flicking on the lights. The sudden brightness made me wince and squeeze my eyes shut as I tried to adjust.
I trudged out into the hallway, still feeling a bit out of it. I peeked into Al's room to make sure that he had come home. As I cracked open the door a sliver of light fell across my brother's bed, illuminating him curled up under his covers. I breathed out a sigh of relief as I soundlessly shut the door, turning to head into the bathroom.
Moving over to stand over the sink I turned the water on, letting it run a minute before I splashed some of the water onto my face. I checked my watch and frowned at how late it was. School would be starting in three hours. With a groan I looked up at myself in the mirror, scowling at the sight I made.
My long blonde hair was rumpled and my eyes circled. I leaned closer to the mirror as I noticed something a bit off about my appearance. I focused my attention on my neck, inspecting the pale skin there.
A strange red mark decorated the side of neck. With growing panic I pulled the collar of my shirt down and bit back a scream. Several more 'love bites' trailed down my neck to my collarbone.
I stood there, trembling in anger for a moment. I couldn't hold it back any longer.
"FUCKING ASSHOLE!"
0o0o0o0o0
Joh: That…wasn't as long as I had been planning it to be…but still…12 pages is a decent amount, right?
Jessie: Yep. You did a good job!
Joh: Yay! And I'm not feeling pathetic anymore now that I've made Ed suffer.
Jessie: ….
Joh: -refreshing smile-