Four Suits
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor ever will, Fullmetal Alchemist or the characters within.
Chapter 3: Players In
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Edward opened one eye and stared at the steel beam in front of him. That's unusual, he thought and he blinked. My head hurts, did I fall asleep reading again? It's a bit dark in here. He went to lift his hand up to rub his eyes and blinked again when he couldn't move his left arm. He tried again but it was trapped. He tried to turn over and was stopped as something groaned. He tried to think straight but his mind seemed to be half asleep still. Come on, Ed wake up. Something's not right here and you're still dreaming? Maybe I am dreaming? And why is there a beam in front of my face?
Ed sneezed and dust rose in front of his face. He coughed and his ribs hurt. Pain seeped into his daze and he gradually became aware that he was lying on his side, his left arm trapped under him and his right arm locked against the beam he was starting to frown at. Something was holding his legs down and there was a sharp point poking into his back. He shifted and the groan echoed around him. He tried to focus but for some reason he could only see out of one eye. It was another moment before he realised that he was the source of the groans.
He was beginning to feel the pain as he woke up further, his eye adjusting to the darkness. He took a cautious breath testing his ribs. Cracked, not broken I think. He moved his head to look down to his legs and could only see his thighs. The rest of his legs were under the rubble. He flexed slightly and was almost positive he could feel his toes moving. He just hoped the automail was not damaged. He didn't want to even imagine the lectures he would receive if anything had happened to it. He looked again at his right arm. It appeared undamaged and he let go of the beam. The beam slipped and the rubble behind it shifted. Ed quickly put his arm back in place, pushing at the beam carefully.
"Fuck." He coughed and felt his ribs twinge again. This was not good. He was trapped and with one hand caught under him and the other having to hold that beam, he was unable to use his alchemy. He studied the debris and rubble. Shattered concrete interlaced with steel, wiring stretched and torn, timber and bricks.
What's the bet the bastard Colonel's going to blame me for this one?
Havoc stopped for a moment and stretched upward, his back aching harder than his eyes. Ed was under all of this mess, somewhere. He had to be. And the little shit had better be alive as well or I'm going to kill him, Havoc thought furiously as he scanned the broken dorms.
Soldiers worked tirelessly, hauling bricks and steel, concrete and timber. Like ants they scurried over the debris, moving and searching for any survivors. Havoc had already pulled out two dead soldiers and an extremely lucky third. A makeshift triage tent had been set up for initial treatment before the injured were moved. Either to the infirmary or the nearby hospital, depending on how severely injured they were.
He looked around and spotted the Colonel scrambling over the rubble. Havoc had been rather surprised that the man had joined in, but he knew Mustang's main concern would be for Ed. That was the reason they were all here. Breda, Falman, Fuery, even Hawkeye was here. They had to find Edward, because none of them wanted to ring Al to tell him Ed was gone. Because they weren't going to lose one of their own.
"Hey, Havoc." The voice was tired and Havoc looked up to meet the equally tired looking eyes of Maes Hughes.
"Lieutenant-Colonel." Havoc replied, knowing there was exhaustion in his voice as well.
"He'll be fine." Hughes's long legs stepped over the uneven rubble and stood beside the blond.
"I know. It'll take more than this to kill that little shit." Jean turned away slightly as he heard the wobble in his voice.
"He's come through worse." Hughes replied. "Besides, Roy'll kill him if he doesn't make it out."
"Not if I find him first." Jean muttered, his hands clenching.
"Jean?" Hughes queried and Jean looked up, hoping the dirt and grime hid his guilty expression. He looked down again, before he spoke.
"It's my fault."
"Don't be stupid…"
"I'm not being stupid here. I know what it is and it's my fault Ed's under this somewhere. If I hadn't cancelled, if only we'd gone for that drink as I promised; he'd be safe and alive and clapping himself silly to help everyone else right now!" Jean shook slightly as the words fell out of him. He had been trying to keep these thoughts at bay, trying hard not to give into them. But it was getting harder as the night wore on.
"You didn't know this was going to happen, Jean." Hughes' voice was stern in Havoc's ears. "Don't blame yourself for something you had no control over."
"I know that! Shit, Hughes, I know that! But I was being selfish and now Ed's caught up in this. It's my fault he's in there!"
Jean felt distressed and Maes' hands at his shoulders calmed him slightly. "Ed will be fine. And it's not your fault. There was no way you could have known this was going to happen. Ed will be the first one to tell you that."
Jean dropped his head and spoke to the ground rather than face the man in front of him. "I hope so, Hughes. I really hope so."
His right arm shook slightly and the beam inched toward him. Ed blinked and pushed his hand back again. He was getting tired. Automail might be able to hold the beam in place, but the shoulder it was connected to was aching and the muscles cramping from having to stay positioned like this for so long. He had lost feeling in his arm and his leg. All he could move was his head.
The air was musty and the dust filtered down in small falls that made him cough occasionally. He was aching all over and it was becoming harder to concentrate. His head felt fuzzy and he found himself thinking in circles that made no sense.
Just want "…to get out of here." He mumbled as his thoughts became audible. He blinked and felt grit in his eye. It began to water and he blinked harder to clear it. He wanted to know what had happened to his other eye. It felt caked shut but he couldn't move his hand to touch it and find out.
My head"…hurts. Wish they'd hurry..." up and find me. So useless "…stuck here. Has to be a way…" to get out of here. They will "…be looking for me. Won't…" they? I really "…hate this. So fucking useless." Wish I had gone out now. "I'm a stupid idiot. I should've…" gone out. Tired, so fucking "…tired."
His eye closed and his hand trembled. He took a breath that made him cough and his ribs burnt as he locked his arm again.
They are coming. Someone will come.
Havoc kept moving across the rubble. The guilt was keeping him moving. It wasn't going to leave him until he could see Ed and know he was okay. He was a first class idiot. Like his consuming and one-sided desire for Fuery, now he was rolling himself into another emotional ball over Ed. Havoc wondered if there was any insanity in his heritage, because he was certainly feeling certifiable at the moment.
Shouts had his head whipping around, along with everyone else and they all paused as a limp form was pulled free and placed on a stretcher. Relieved sighs went across the site like a breeze as the blanket was pulled up to the chest and no further. A survivor. It renewed hope, it gave them all a much-needed boost and they started working again.
Havoc watched and waited as the word spread around, waiting for it to reach him. The survivor was a stranger, some Corporal he'd never heard of. He took a deep breath and began lifting debris again.
It was nearly dawn.
We'll find you, Ed. We'll find you.
Ed sneezed again and groaned softly. This was wearing very thin. Why was it taking so long? He knew they'd have to be careful, he did know a bit – a lot – about collapsed buildings, but he had never been trapped in one before. Not able to use alchemy, not able to move. It was frustrating and it was starting to get to him. He wasn't designed to stay still and remain in one place. He needed to get out.
He looked at the circle he was trying to scratch on the beam. He just didn't have the control over his fingers at the moment. He gritted his teeth and started again. A small mark appeared and he had to turn his wrist to try and make it longer. His shoulder protested and his hand slipped from its hold on the beam. With a muffled curse, he propped the beam up again and trembled as his body throbbed.
Fucking"… hurts." He glared as best he could at the circle. Even alchemy was useless. I really, really hate this. I really, really "…hate …"
"Hello?"
Ed froze. He listened. Had he just heard something? Is someone "…there?" His voice broke slightly. He listened again and something rumbled close by. Dust fell around him and he coughed. Be care "…ful, idiots."
"Is someone in there?" It was a voice, it was someone's voice. Someone was out there. He began to chew on his tongue to create some saliva to ease his dry mouth.
"…Yes," he croaked and hoped whoever it was could hear him.
"Hold on and don't move! We'll get you out in a moment."
Like I was planning to "…go anywhere, stupid moron."
The shifting noises halted for a moment.
"Ed?" The voice was startled. "Is that you?"
"No, I'm at the fucking Library, you idiot." Ed snapped back weakly. He didn't recognise the voice, but it was someone, someone who knew him. They had been looking for him. He closed his eye and let his breath out and tried to concentrate on the noises around him. No loud shouts, just a steady shifting of the rubble. His arm was twitching again but he kept still. He couldn't let it go just yet. Not now someone was finally here. Not now he knew he was going to get out. Something shifted and fresh air wafted into his nose. He took a deep breath and coughed, hissing as his ribs ached.
"Ed?"
He opened his eye and turned his head slightly, looking upwards and finding a gap in his prison. There was a dark silhouetted head against the pale light and he had to blink as his eye adjusted and he saw dark eyes staring down at him.
"Mustang." Relief went through him and he sagged slightly. For once, seeing the Colonel was the best thing he could imagine. The beam shifted as his arm relaxed and he straightened his arm again, finding it harder now.
"Ed, how bad is it?"
"My legs are stuck and there's a beam that wants to squash me, other than that it's fine." He kept his voice light. Not for anything was he going to admit to feeling close to breaking down now that it was over.
"I'll get some of the others and we'll get you out as soon as we can." The dark head began to move away and Ed twitched.
"Mustang!" he called and heard how weak his voice sounded. The bastard probably wouldn't hear him. But the dark eyes reappeared.
"What?"
"Don't let it be too long." What little colour he still had seemed to flare in his face as he heard the unintended plea for reassurance in his voice and he turned his head away. He was startled at a light touch against his forehead and turned back to see Mustang drawing back his hand.
"It won't be long. I promise." He disappeared from Ed's view and Ed swallowed hard. He hadn't meant to sound that needy.
"Better keep that promise, bastard." Ed whispered softly and heard Mustang shout to someone. Much as he hated to admit it, that brief touch and those few words were just what he needed and he blinked hard as his eye burnt. Relief and reassurance. Who knew the bastard could give him that?
"Ed?" Another voice broke into his thoughts
"Hughes?"
"Thank God you're okay. Listen, we're going to move some of this away. You have to tell me if it starts to fall on you."
"Gee thanks Hughes. I can see this is a first class operation." A bubble of hysteria threatened at the back of his throat and he swallowed hard. He wasn't going to lose it now.
Ed could hear voices above him and he could feel the rubble shifting. Maes stayed with him and as the time went on, Ed began to imagine he could feel the weight on his legs getting lighter. Directions went back and forth and although it felt like a long time to an increasingly impatient Ed, it probably wasn't that long before they could finally lift the beam out of the way. Ed dropped his arm down with a sigh of relief, which quickly became a grimace as his shoulder began to cramp at the sudden lack of pressure.
"Ed?" Maes looked at him in concern.
"Cramp." Ed grunted and twitched harder as he was suddenly able to roll over. Long arms reached down and he was pulled upwards. He briefly caught a glimpse of Falman's face before he arched with a curse as something sharp sliced down his back. "Fuck!" Hughes caught him before he slipped back.
"Damn. Sorry Ed." Maes held him still for a moment. "Havoc, there's something in the way. Can you get it?"
Ed waited as he felt hands at his back, half his body numb and the other half twitching into a cramp. His ribs were beginning to burn as they waited.
"Got it." Havoc suddenly announced and Maes hauled Ed up in a smooth motion. He felt himself being placed on a stretcher and was half sliding off it before Hughes lifted his legs on to it. A blanket was placed on him and grimy hands pulled it up to his chest. He looked up and met Havoc's equally grimy face.
"Hey Havoc," he said lightly over a wince as his left arm began to tingle.
"Hey Boss." Havoc's voice was subdued and Ed stared at him. Everyone else looked pleased, but Havoc had a strange look in his eyes and he seemed down.
"I'm off to let Roy know you're out, Ed." Maes said as he straightened up. "Havoc can make sure you get to the medics."
"Okay. Thanks Hughes." Ed lifted a blanket covered hand as the thin man left. Havoc straightened the blanket and took one end of the stretcher as Falman picked up the other end.
"Let's get you out of here, Boss."
"Sounds good to me." Ed turned his head and looked around at the devastation as they picked their way through debris. "Where's the bastard anyway?" He asked. He had expected Mustang to return with everyone else. After finding him, surely the bastard hadn't ignored him and gone to do something else?
"There was some clown walking around in a fancy suit. The Chief went to set him straight, I think." Havoc remarked and Ed frowned at the obvious effort Havoc was making to sound normal.
"I saw him earlier. Some one said it was Kimblee." Falman said over his shoulder as he led the way.
"Kimblee? Are you sure?" Havoc's hands gripped so hard the stretcher shifted and Ed looked from one to the other, startled at the shock in Havoc's voice.
"That's what they said." Falman replied calmly.
"Who's Kimblee?" Ed asked. His head was aching and it was becoming harder to remain still as nerves in his arm and leg began to lose their numbness.
"Kimblee? He was called the Crimson Alchemist." Falman began.
"He's a murdering son of a bitch! I thought he was locked up somewhere. Who'd be so stupid as to let him out?"
"It's a logical assumption, Havoc. Given the nature of this evening and the methods the terrorists are using, Kimblee would be classed as an expert in this field."
"That logic stinks. I don't care how logical it is, that guy went through how many of his own men just to get the chance to blow up the rebels back then? It was because of him, that we were so hated back then. Ishbal wouldn't have been half the trouble it was if he hadn't been there." Havoc frowned darkly and Ed twitched as he heard the suppressed anger.
Ed twitched again and bit his lip as his right leg spasmed. He arched slightly, his hands shifting to grip at the sides of the stretcher.
"How much…longer to the infirmary?" He asked around another twitch and Havoc looked down at him.
"We're going to triage first Ed, it's closer and we're nearly there."
"Good." Ed twitched again and felt his leg kick.
"Boss?" Havoc queried as he and Falman had to hold the stretcher tight as it threatened to tip.
"My nerves are…shit! ... I'm getting the feeling back in my leg and it's rather…" painful "…it's aching a bit." He replied and then had his left arm spasm as well.
Several deep breaths later had him on a bed and gritting his teeth as his arm and leg spasmed almost continually. Sharp pain shot through him with every spasm and he couldn't stop the way his body arched and twisted in convulsing waves.
Havoc stayed beside him and watched, unable to help but unwilling to leave. Sweat dripped from the younger man's face, tracking through the dirt and blood. Havoc pushed the long bangs back and used the cloth the medic had left them to swipe across his forehead. Ed was so pale under the grime. There was a long cut disappearing into his hair above his eye and a swollen bruise had formed around it, forcing his eye closed. The blood had run down the side of his face and had soaked into his hair.
Ed arched up again without a sound and Havoc waited until he had slumped down before dragging the damp cloth across his face again. Ed's breathing was rough and Havoc could see the twitches and tremors that didn't seem to want to stop.
"This really… sucks." Ed gasped between tremors.
"I can see that," was all Havoc could say, not meeting the single eye.
"What's…up with… you?"
"I…it's nothing. It can wait." Havoc replied, keeping his face averted as he swiped a bit harder than necessary down Ed's face, making him hiss. "Sorry." Havoc gritted out.
"What... the hell?" Ed made to reach for Havoc's hand but another spasm had him twisting away. His right hand gripped at the rail and it bent slightly as he arched, his leg kicking into the air. It seemed a long moment before he slumped back to the bed.
"Ed?"
"Fuck… I'm going to break… a rib if this... doesn't stop soon." Ed panted.
"Your ribs hurt?" Havoc asked.
"Yeah…just a bit cracked, I think." Ed kept his breathing shallow for a moment before taking a deeper breath, ignoring his painful ribs. "At least my automail is ok." He added as he lifted his arm up to inspect it.
"Elric?"
They both turned to see a harassed looking man approaching the bed. His white coat was more grey than white. A folder in his hand and an exhausted look on his face, he came closer.
"That's me." Ed said and eyed the doctor warily.
"I'm Cimon. I just need to get you checked over before we send you to the infirmary."
"I don't need to go there. I'm fine." Ed protested and then grunted as another spasm went through him. "Just strap my ribs and let me go," he said breathlessly after he had managed to get himself under control again.
"Your ribs?" Cimon stared at the blond. The cut above his eye needed stitching, he was twitching constantly and there was no telling what other injuries he had.
"Yeah, they're a bit cracked and all this thrashing about…" shallow breath "…is going to break one soon."
"You've done this before?"
"Once or twice." Ed grinned slightly, his easy pose destroyed as his body twitched hard again. "And another hour or so should see this pass." He said as casually as he could. He tapped his right arm. "I do know my own nerves."
Cimon looked at the automail and realised that was probably true but the young blond had another thought coming if he thought he was going to get out of here so easily.
"I'll grant you that one, but I need to examine your head wound and also to make sure you haven't done any other damage. So let's start at the top shall we?"
Ed watched the man as he began looking at his head, hands shifting through his matted hair. He winced several times and had to struggle to remain still as his nerves kept twitching.
"We'll need to cut your hair to get at it, it's rather deep but it doesn't look like you've actually managed to crack your skull. I'll have to stitch that closed."
Havoc found something to smile at as Ed stared in horror at the doctor.
"No fucking way!"
"So much for friendship." Ed sulked on the bed and glared, one eyed up at the tall blond sitting on his thighs.
"It's this or being strapped down, Boss. Which do you want?"
Ed crossed his arms and frowned. "Neither. This is all so unnecessary." He ignored the disbelieving look that Havoc and the doctor shared.
"Major Elric, if you don't stay still, I'm not going to be able to do this properly." Cimon told him in a firm voice. "Given the way you react to needles, you've left me little choice. Either you remain still now or I will have you sedated as well as strapped down."
"Come on Ed. It won't take long." Havoc tried to be reassuring as he looked down at the younger man. The moment the doctor had brought the needles out Ed had started protesting. Loudly and trying to twist away despite his ribs. Finally Havoc had climbed onto the bed, sat himself on Ed's legs and threatened him with being strapped down.
"I hate you." Ed grumbled as he tried to move his legs and couldn't.
The last time Havoc had been in a position like this he had wanted the man beneath him to move. The last time he had been like this it had not been with a stubborn blond. He looked down at Ed and blinked. Where had that thought come from? Ed wasn't his type. Small yes, but Jean wanted short dark hair, not long golden hair, to run his fingers through. He wanted soft brown eyes, not bright golden ones, to be looking up at him. He wanted Fuery not Elric.
He watched the doctor cut away the hair above Ed's left eye, working to expose the long trailing cut beneath. Cleaning the blood and dirt away had Ed shaking again and Havoc kept his weight firmly in place until it was done. The doctor kept the needle out of sight as he threaded it and then began to suture the wound.
He could feel Ed's legs shaking beneath him and he pressed his weight down more. He could see Ed's jaw working as the spasms hit him again and he leant forward, putting his hands on Ed's wrists as the blond reached out to grip at the sides of the bed again.
"You can't move now, Ed." Havoc pressed Ed's arms into the mattress.
"I know," Ed said harshly. He could feel the throbbing in his head increasing, small tugs telling him exactly what was happening. He gritted his teeth again. His nerves were settling, they didn't twitch as strongly and they weren't so continual anymore. But with their easing he was becoming aware of all the other aches and pains. His head and his ribs were making themselves known and there was a wet patch on his back that he was now aware of as Havoc kept him in place.
It was a long five minutes before the doctor sat back and Havoc straightened up. He looked around as he stretched slightly. Orderlies were removing the only other patient and Havoc wondered just how many they had managed to save.
"Done. We'll cover that loosely for now. After you've cleaned up, we'll put a proper dressing on it." Cimon said as he studied his work. "I'll get it now along with some strapping for your ribs." He stood up and left the bed.
"You ok, Ed?" Havoc asked almost hesitantly as he began to lift his weight from Ed's legs.
"Yeah, my head hurts a bit." Ed reached up to poke at the raised line of stitches.
"I'm sorry." Havoc bit his lip and paused, taking a quick look around and seeing the tent empty for the moment, slowly sinking down onto the bed again. He looked down and he absently twisted his fingers in the filthy t-shirt Ed was wearing.
"What for?" Ed stared at him puzzled. Havoc hadn't hurt him. Al had sat on him before now in doctor's surgeries and that armour had been a damn sight heavier that Havoc was.
"If I hadn't cancelled, you wouldn't have been stuck in there." The words rushed out and he felt Ed tense up beneath him. "You wouldn't have been hurt."
Edward blinked up at the older man. "You didn't know this was going to happen." Ed felt confused. Why would Havoc think it was his fault?
"I know that. But even so, it's my fault."
Guilt and blame. Ed knew them well and he could hear them in Havoc now.
"Havoc, it's not your fault." Ed paused. "I…I nearly went out anyway after you said you couldn't make it. If I had… if I had done that, I could still have been back here and still gotten caught in it."
"I shouldn't have cancelled. I was just being selfish."
"Hav…Jean, look at me." Ed ordered and guilty blue eyes met his golden one. "It's not your fault. I'll say it as often as I have to. It's not your fault. I'm not even really hurt."
"But you could have been." Havoc felt something ease inside him but still felt he had to protest.
"You're an idiot, Jean. Like a building's going to stop me." Ed scoffed lightly, watching closely as the lines around those red rimmed eyes eased.
"Well, well, this looks cosy. Is it a private party or can anyone join in?"
Ed felt Havoc go rigid and looked beyond him to the uniformed man who had just appeared. The smooth voice belonged to him. Everyone else was coated in dust but this man appeared clean. As if the dust had ignored him, as if he was already too unclean. Ed twitched. There was something wrong with him. The long neat hair, the palpable air of politeness seemed too good, too composed and too deliberate. Ed saw the mask, he couldn't see what it was hiding.
"Definitely private." Havoc said in a low tone without turning around. His hands fisted in Ed's t-shirt and he closed his eyes for a moment. He fought the urge to go and pound the guy into the ground, knowing he had no chance of actually surviving if he did.
"A pity. I've always been partial to blonds." Footsteps approached and Ed saw Mustang approaching. He saw the dark eyes widen just before the stranger spoke again. "Although the occasional brunette is always worth playing with."
"Lieutenant-Colonel." Mustang spoke and the stranger turned to face him.
Ed watched them stare at each other and felt Havoc begin to shift on the bed. Blue eyes met gold briefly as Havoc swung down from the bed. Ed's legs twitched and he shifted, trying to sit up. Havoc slid an arm behind to help support him as he straightened up.
"Two blonds Roy, haven't you even been tempted once? The younger one looks rather tasty."
The arm at his back tensed and he looked up startled as Havoc stopped breathing. The sudden rush of movement had Ed staring as Mustang gripped the stranger by the collar of his shirt and almost dragged him from the tent.
"Havoc?" Ed looked back at the blond. "Jean?"
Havoc moved slowly and pulled his hand out from behind Ed. "You're bleeding, Ed." His voice was distant.
"I know, don't worry about it. Jean, what's wrong?" Ed reached up as Havoc started to move away. He grabbed at the blond's jacket and pulled him back. "Who was that guy?"
"That was… Kimblee." The answer came reluctantly.
"The Crimson Alchemist you mentioned earlier?"
"Yes."
"What did he do to you, Jean?" Ed asked without thinking and blazing blue eyes glared at him. Ed met it without flinching. "What did he do?"
"He killed someone I loved." Havoc spat out and felt himself shaking. Ed's grip tightened as he recognised the pain in Havoc's voice. Ed didn't know what to do. He'd always been the one feeling that sort of pain. He didn't know what to do when someone shared theirs with him. He tried to think what others had done to him when he had been hurting and he came up rather blank. He didn't share it. He hadn't shared it, except with Al. Winry and others had asked but he had never really opened to them. He had only talked to Al. Talked and hugged. That was all they had needed to get them through.
But this was Havoc and while hugging his brother was acceptable, he wasn't sure if hugging Jean was.
He looked at the strained face and shrugged. Oh what the hell he thought, and he pulled Jean down further, placing his arms around him in a loose hug. It felt strange, but he could feel the taller man shaking so he tightened his arms, trying to convey support.
"Ed?" Jean's whisper was surprised.
"Don't... just don't." Ed said, feeling his face flush. Jean trembled slightly and then his arms went around Ed and his head rested on the younger blond's shoulder.
"Thanks."
The doctor and Hughes found them like that a few moments later and they separated, Ed seeing the tension had eased slightly in Jean's face. Ed saw Hughes look from him to Havoc and the tired green eyes sharpened.
"What happened?"
"Nothing," Havoc replied tersely.
"Just an asshole," Ed answered.
"Which one?" Hughes queried.
"Kimblee," Ed said. "But the bastard took him out."
"Roy did?" Maes frowned and turned on his heel and left. Ed looked at Havoc.
"Everyone knows Kimblee's dangerous. The Lieutenant-Colonel'll make sure it's okay." Havoc ran a hand through his dusty hair, his mouth turned down. "The mongrel deserves to be put down." He added viciously.
"Fascinating as all this is," the doctor suddenly said. "I need to strap your ribs now, Major. I don't need to have you restrained, do I?"
"There's blood on his back too, Doc. The brat probably ripped his spine out while he was trying to escape the needles." Havoc added and Ed glared at them both.
"That's right, make fun of the injured why don't you. Bastards."
Edward stared at the white ceiling and sighed. Infirmary rooms were so bland. He hated being in hospitals at the best of times. He stretched slightly and felt the strapping hold him in place. Three cracked ribs, that doctor had said. More stitches in his back as they had found a gash down his back. Probably from whatever he had caught on as they were dragging him out. And he had bruises everywhere. He had scrubbed at several when they had finally let him have a shower before he had realised that it wasn't dirt on his skin, but yet another bruise.
The only good thing was that his automail was undamaged. It was dirty and scratched but still sound. Havoc had offered to ring up Al, and Ed had begrudgingly accepted. He knew he had to tell them, before they read about it in the papers, or heard it on the radio. And Havoc knew exactly how badly he was not hurt and could reassure them that Ed really was fine and that there was no need for them to come here. Ed had told Havoc exactly what he could say to Al, along with several things not to say.
He yawned slowly and turned his head into the pillows. He was tired and the medication they had given him was starting to kick in. His headache was a dulled throbbing now and it was nice to be between clean sheets and there really wasn't anything else he needed right now. He let his eye close. The doctor had said that he should be able to open his eye tomorrow. The swelling should start to subside overnight. He certainly hoped so.
He had seen himself in the bathroom mirror and had not been impressed. He wondered how long it would take for his hair to grow back and whether he ought to get the other side removed to make it even. The new dressing covered the long almost shaved stripe on his head, but half his bangs were gone and he looked stupid and unbalanced. Maybe he'd ask Havoc when he returned.
He yawned again and slipped deeper into the pillows. He'd ask later…Jean'll know.
Jean Havoc leant against the wall, the phone tucked between shoulder and ear and lit his cigarette as he waited for someone to answer.
"Rockbell Automail."
"Al. It's Havoc calling."
"Lieutenant Havoc! It's good to hear from you." Al's voice echoed in his ear.
"Al, Ed asked me to ring."
"Is Ed alright? What's he done now?" Al asked and Havoc frowned. He would have expected Al to have been more concerned and not to sound almost long-suffering about it. He recalled Ed's attitude yesterday on the car and wondered just how much of a rift there was between the two.
"There's been a terrorist incident here. At Headquarters."
"…Ed? He's alright? Isn't he? Havoc? He's not…" Al's voice rose.
"No, Al. Ed's fine. Listen to me. Ed's in the infirmary but it's nothing serious."
"How bad is it?" Havoc could Al taking several deep breaths and kept his voice relaxed.
"A couple of cracked ribs, lots of bruises and a couple of cuts that needed stitching." Havoc waited as he heard voices in the background and he listened as Al told the others there. One question rose above the rest and Havoc grinned. Ed had prophesised that one. Havoc spoke before Al could repeat it.
"And his automail is fine, scratched a bit but it's not damaged. Everything is fine. The doctor checked him over thoroughly."
Al sighed deeply. "What sort of incident was it?"
"It'll be on the radio later probably. An explosion at the dorms. We lost several men and a lot of people are hurt."
"Then Brother… he could have…"
"Yes, he could have, but he didn't. No building is going to get the better of him, you know that. Even Ed said that. He told me to tell you not to worry. As soon as he can, he'll ring you, okay. Then you'll be able to hear it for yourself."
"We'll be on the next train."
"Al..." Havoc paused. "Ed said he didn't want you to do that."
"What? Why not? Of course I'm coming!"
"Al, he said he didn't want you here, that he was fine and that you had to let him do this one on his own."
"What does that mean? 'On his own'? What's he talking about?"
"I don't know. I'm just passing the message along. You need to wait for him to ring you and then you can talk about it." Havoc spoke firmly. He wasn't going to get caught in the middle of two squabbling Elrics.
"But Havoc... I have to come there. Where will he stay? Who's going to make sure he's okay?"
"Look Al, we're all here for him. We'll find somewhere for him to stay and the doc knows how to treat him. Ed's not getting away with anything this time. We'll let you know the minute there's a problem." Havoc took a deep breath. "I'll wheel him to the phone myself later, so you can talk to him."
"Why not now?"
"Because he's sleeping now. I'll make sure he rings you tonight. He should be awake by then."
"Okay." Al sounded resigned.
"Don't worry Al. I'll look after him."
First things first, Havoc thought as he hung up. A shower and a change of clothes, and then back to see Ed. He stretched and maybe some sleep as well. The less time he had free to think, the better he'd be.
It was dark. He couldn't move. He could smell blood, he could hear it dripping somewhere behind him but he couldn't turn to see it. There was something lying across his chest and it hurt to breathe. He tried to push it away but his hands weren't there. He lifted his arms and saw only blackness. His heart thumped and he had tried to speak, but nothing happened. It was getting darker and he shivered as something wet began to appear beneath him, spreading slowly across the floor. He tried to move again and couldn't. Trapped, trapped someone whispered and it echoed. Trapped, trapped.
Trapped, trapped. "Got to get out…out of here, get me out of here." Something brushed against his forehead and his heart thumped again before he could open his eyes.
Ed shifted and blinked hazily. His breath puffed out and he suddenly went still, his heart pounding in his ears. He looked around, the room was empty. He tugged at his twisted blankets and managed to get his arm free and lifted a shaky hand to his head. He could have sworn someone had touched him. He shook his head carefully. Maybe it had just been part of the nightmare. It had seemed so real. He breathed as deep as the strapping would let him and settled into his pillows. Maybe Havoc had been here and he hadn't imagined the touch. But if it had been him, why wasn't he still here?
The door opened slowly and Ed's eye went wide as he saw the Fuhrer enter.
"Sir." Ed struggled to sit up but Bradley waved a hand at him and he let himself slip back.
"Don't move, Fullmetal. I can see you're hurt." The man held up a pink string bag with a melon in it and Ed smiled slightly. "I brought you a gift."
"Thank you Sir." Ed watched as the Fuhrer set the melon on the bedside table and then sat on the chair close by. They stared at each other for a long moment.
'It's been a while, Edward. You look better than I expected." The Fuhrer said evenly.
"Yes Sir. I was…lucky."
"Luck is always a good thing to have." He paused for a moment. "And has your brother has been notified yet?
"Yes Sir. First-Lieutenant Havoc was going to ring him for me."
"And he's doing well?"
"Yes Sir, Al's fine. He prefers our old home."
"I might send him a gift too." The Fuhrer mused and Ed shook his head slowly.
"No Sir." Ed met the single dark eye. "Al…I haven't told him. Attention from you would start him asking questions again."
"Do you intend to tell him?"
"I'd like to say never but, I know that I will have to tell him one day." Ed looked at his right hand and the fingers closed slowly. "He doesn't need to know yet."
"You did nothing to be ashamed of, Edward." The Fuhrer spoke softly.
"I know, but a promise was made and I have to keep that promise."
"If you want to be released from our agreement…"
"No!" Ed winced as his head throbbed. "Sorry, Sir. It's not that. It's just we…I said I'd never say anything about it."
"Very well, but if you reconsider the matter, you know where I am."
"I know Sir. Thank you."
Ed stared at the wall, curling up under the blankets as much as he could, after the Fuhrer left. Memories he kept tightly controlled threatened to break forth. Every time he saw the one-eyed man he was reminded of it.
Walls of swirling red surrounded him and thick black lines were painted over every surface. He saw it above him and below him. The red water shimmered behind the arrays.
There were two of them, both blond, both alchemists, both dying. Facing each other. One kneeling, one standing.
"You must end this." The older man looked at the kneeling figure.
"I can't." The reply was tormented.
"You must. Without this, you will never get what you want."
"Why does it have to be like this?"
"It's the price required."
"And if I don't pay it?"
"You already know the answer, Edward."
"I can't." Ed repeated, looking down at the swirling floor.
"You'd rather die here and leave him condemned to the armour?"
"His life has always been worth more than mine!"
"Then save him, you fool!"
"Why don't you do it?"
"Because it's not my place, Edward. I can't leave here anymore. Only you can, if you act now."
"I…"
"You have hated me for so long. Why do you hesitate?"
"Because…because you're his father too."
"Al won't blame you, my son." The room shivered around them. "Edward, you must do it now."
Edward got up from his knees, his arms hanging limply at his sides. Golden eyes met as they took a step closer to each other. Simultaneous claps echoed and Edward's hands met those of Hohenheim. Unheeded tears ran down Edward's face as the reaction flared about him, and his father smiled at him just before the reaction took him into it. The concussive wave had Edward falling to his knees and feeling the array beneath him flare again. He pressed his hands to it and began to weave the flow through the pathways laid out on the walls.
"Ed?"
The voice startled him and he looked up to see Havoc frowning at him.
"Are you ok? You're shaking." Havoc laid his fingers at Ed's forehead for a moment. "You're not feverish."
"I'm okay." Ed said abruptly and began to try and sit up. Havoc reached around him and began to help pull him up, settling the pillows behind him.
"There you go." Then he paused and pointed. "What is that?"
"It's a gift from the Fuhrer." Ed grinned slightly at Havoc's wide eyes.
"Remind me never to get hurt. What the hell do you do with it?"
"You eat it, you idiot."
"I'll leave that up to you, Boss." Havoc sat down in the chair and surveyed the younger blond. "You're looking better."
"I feel fine."
"Liar. You've slept most of the day away and you still look tired. Your face is turning all interesting colours and you can't move very well. Yes, I can see how fine you are."
"Shut up, Havoc." Ed groused at him and Havoc grinned.
"Okay, first you have to ring your brother." Havoc saw Ed grimace. "If you really don't want him on the next train, then you will speak to him. You got me to tell him about all of this, the least you can do is speak to him."
"I know." Ed sighed and looked at his hands.
"Ed, whatever is going on between you, he is still your brother." Havoc leant back in the chair and saw Ed sigh again. "I have a wheelchair with your name on it just outside the door." He smiled as he stood up and went to get it.
"You're a sneaky bastard." Ed complained as Havoc wheeled it to the bedside and then had to help Ed get into it. "Damn," he muttered as his legs wouldn't support him and he almost slipped. Havoc wrapped his arms around him and lowered him into the chair without saying anything and Ed was grateful for that.
Ed was relieved to be out of the room and he wondered if he could persuade Havoc to push him around a bit more, anything to delay going back to that room.
"Brother! You're alright?"
"Yes, Al, I'm fine. A bit battered but everything is fine." Ed soothed his brother as best he could.
"We started hearing about it on the radio this afternoon. I'm glad we knew you were alright. It sounds like it was a mess there."
"Yeah, I haven't seen it either. They've had me sleeping all day."
"How long will you be in hospital for?"
"It's not the hospital. They've got me in the infirmary here. And they say a couple of days for observation. You know they always want to do that."
"You're really okay, Brother?"
"Yes Al, I really am."
"I want to be there with you. But I was thinking earlier about what you said, about doing it on your own." Al paused. "You always let me do what I wanted, even when it all went wrong, you never really meant all those complaints. I should learn to do the same, to let you go a little bit, but I …I worry about you Brother."
"I worry about you too. I will always tell you if anything happens, or get word to you somehow. You'll always be my brother."
"And you mine. But I'm still going to worry."
"I know. I wouldn't expect otherwise."
Ed leant back against his pillows and let his breath out.
"See, it wasn't so bad." Havoc said lightly as he put the wheelchair against the wall and came back to the bedside.
"No, it wasn't. Except now he's worried about what will happen to me when I leave here." Ed grinned. "A few quick claps and circles and we could have rebuilt them in no time at all."
"I don't think so, Ed. As far as we know, everyone's accounted for now but they still need to go through it for evidence and start working on catching whoever did this."
"I never thought of that, but they'll find somewhere to billet us all, I guess. I'm not too worried about it."
"You can stay with me if you want."
Ed looked at Havoc and they both blinked at the same time.
"Well, it's not like you've got much stuff to bring with you." Havoc added, wondering what had made him offer to help Ed out.
Ed blinked again. Everything he owned was buried under the rubble. He didn't even have the clothes on his back anymore. They had been removed and destroyed and he was wearing infirmary issue plain light blue pyjamas. All his notes and books, uniforms and clothes were all gone.
"Shit." He'd never been this homeless before.
"My place isn't much, but it has a couch and it's close to Headquarters. It'll do until we know what's going on."
"Are you sure, Havoc?"
"Wouldn't have offered if I wasn't," he drawled in reply. "Let's face it Ed. If you don't have somewhere to go, they'll move you from pillar to post and take their own sweet time about it. Trust me, I know how it works."
"If you're sure," Ed replied cautiously, not wanting to impose. He had heard from Al more than enough times about how difficult he was to live with.
"I'm sure, so don't worry about it."
"I'm not worried." Ed grinned as he settled down in the bed. "You're the one who should be worried."
"As long as you wash the dishes I'll have no complaints."
"Are you fucking joking?" Ed stared at him. "I never wash dishes." Havoc stared back and was beginning to frown when Ed added. "I only dry them."
"If you weren't already hurt, I think I'd hit you for that one." Havoc said in a firm voice.
"Even when I'm like this, you don't stand a chance against me."
"Don't be too sure of that, shorty." Havoc grinned at him.
Ed sat up straight and then fell back as his ribs and back pulled hard. "Ouch, that was unfair you bastard."
Havoc laughed. It felt good to tease the blond and Ed was comfortable to be around. Seeing Kimblee this morning had rattled him more than he wanted to admit. The last time he had seen him had been in Ishbal, before they had arrested him. Havoc had been one of many who had come running as the rumour had spread of another alchemist defying Kimblee.
In the middle of a devastated street he had seen Kimblee and a smaller, slender dark haired man facing off. The stranger had had a gloved hand raised and Havoc had seen the circle on it. Flame Alchemist. Everyone had heard of him. Said to be as ruthless as Kimblee when it came to battles, but unlike Kimblee he almost vanished when not fighting. Havoc had seen fallen soldiers and Ishballans around them and his eyes had fixed on one of the fallen soldiers and he had forgotten all about the Flame Alchemist.
Whatever they were saying vanished beneath the roaring in his ears. He was barely cognizant of Kimblee being arrested. As the crowd had begun to disperse, he began to move, his feet carrying him blindly past everyone to the one, the only one he had thought he would ever love. He had sat there beside him for over an hour until they came to collect the bodies.
"A friend of yours, soldier?" A cool female voice asked.
"Yes." Havoc replied absently, without looking at her as he stretched his hand out brushing the hair from Owen's forehead. "My best friend."
"We'll take good care of him."
"Thanks." Havoc looked up briefly to see red-brown eyes looking at him sympathetically.
"Do you know if he has any family?"
"No, no family." Havoc looked back at the becalmed face.
"I'll get his tags sent to you then."
"Yeah…he always said that…" Havoc bent his head further as his voice broke and her hand rested on his shoulder as he shook with silent tears.
"The bastard's going to rot in jail for this." Her voice was mellow but he heard the suppressed anger.
"They should just shoot him." Havoc snarled out. "Jail's too good for him."
"Who's unit you in?" She asked after a few minutes.
"Grand's." He answered absently as he began to regain his self control. "I've got to get back there, but I'll give you a hand with Owen first." Havoc began to stand up, wiping his face clear as he did so.
"You don't have to…"
"Yes I do." He stared at her for a moment until she nodded.
"Okay. I'm Hawkeye."
"Havoc."
"Havoc? Jean?" Havoc blinked. "You spaced out for a bit. You ok?"
Ed was staring at him and Havoc shook his head.
"No, I'm fine, just tired."
"Did you get any sleep today?"
"Not yet. It's next on my list of things to do."
"You look like you need it." Ed didn't comment on the shadows that were still lingering in the tired blue eyes. He didn't think Havoc would tell him, even if he did ask. Some things you just didn't share. He was very tempted to reach out and give him another hug. That brief hug this morning had helped Havoc, it had also helped him. After spending all that time trapped, that contact had helped reaffirm the fact that he really had survived.
"Hey Ed!" The door opened and Maes Hughes entered. Ed saw the tiredness on him as well.
"Lieutenant-Colonel." Havoc nodded as he spoke, slightly grateful for the interruption.
"Havoc. You look tired." He said it bluntly and Havoc smiled.
"So do you, Lieutenant-Colonel."
"It's been a long day." He looked from one to the other and Havoc stood up.
"I'll just go and get some coffee. Ed? Sir?"
"Yeah, thanks Havoc."
"Not for me, thank you. I'm only here for a few minutes." Hughes said and Ed watched as he waited for the door to close before walking closer and sitting down in the chair Havoc had just vacated. "So exactly how are you, Ed?"
"You know exactly how I am, you nosy bastard. You read my charts on the way in."
"Now Edward, how can you say that?"
"Because that's what you do, Hughes." Ed grinned at him and if he thought the grin he got in return was weak he didn't mention it.
"Ed, I came to ask if you wanted to stay at my place when they release you from here."
Ed stared at the man, his mouth slightly open. "You… want me to stay?"
"Yes." Maes moved his head and his glasses went opaque. Ed couldn't see the expression in his eyes. "It will be a while before they rebuild the dorms and I have plenty of room."
"Uh…" Ed didn't know quite what to say. There was a sadness to Hughes' voice, it wasn't all tiredness he was hearing. "I… I already agreed to stay with Havoc."
"Ah, I see."
"I'm sorry, Hughes, but…"
"It's ok, Ed. It's your decision. I'm not asking you to change it."
Ed frowned slightly. There was something in the expression and tone of voice that confused him. It had changed the moment he had said he was going to be with Havoc. He was startled when Maes stood up.
"Well, I'll be going. I only came to check up on you."
"You don't have to go yet."
"I still have a lot to do." Ed saw him frown slightly as he turned away. "I'll come and visit properly tomorrow."
"Maes!" Ed called as the man reached the door. Hughes paused. "Get some sleep."
Green eyes flashed brightly over a blue shoulder as Maes turned his head to look back at Ed.
"I will. You just get yourself better. I'll be fine," he said just before he left the room.
Ed fell back on his pillows, mumbling. "You lie like I do, Hughes."
The man was tired, so why didn't he just let it show? You couldn't be strong all the time. Ed nearly laughed. He was worse than Maes for hiding any kind of pain and hurt. Maybe it wasn't so much staying strong all the time, it was who you chose to break down in front of. Maybe I just wasn't the one he could feel comfortable with. That made sense to Ed. No matter how friendly you were with someone, there weren't many you'd want to have at your side when you broke down. Ed had only ever trusted Al, no matter how close he had come to the others.
But Havoc was becoming someone to trust, he suddenly thought. Ever since the wedding he had been around Havoc more than usual. Every time he turned around lately, the tall blond was there. That talk in the car yesterday. And today he had been with him all the time he had been in the triage tent and was now offering him a place to live.
There were secrets. They both had them, and Ed knew there were some he'd never share, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to at times. If he stayed with Havoc, he'd have that. Ed wasn't stupid, he knew it wouldn't be easy. He never shared easily. Not with secrets and not with his personal space either. But Havoc had been encroaching on both. Could he really live with Havoc?
The door opened and Havoc entered, the aromas of coffee and cigarettes combined. Ed nodded to himself. He could do this. He got on well with Havoc, he was a friend. It didn't seem that hard really, once he managed to get past his innate talent for making things complicated.
"The Lieutenant-Colonel left already?"
"Yeah." Ed took the coffee Havoc offered. "He said I could stay at his place."
"Really?" Havoc stared at him.
"Yeah. I told him you'd already invited me to your place. You know, he was looking really tired too."
"Everyone is tired today, Ed. And tomorrow's going to be just as bad."
"I know, it just seemed more than just being tired after a long day with him though. Anyway at least you'll be out there doing things tomorrow." Ed pointed out. "I'm going to be stuck in here with nothing to do."
"I'll bring some of your… ah." Havoc stopped.
"Exactly."
"The Chief has some books in his office. I'll grab some of them for you. Or I can get Hawkeye to give me some paperwork for you." He grinned at Ed's expression.
"The books, Havoc. Just the books."
"Okay." Havoc leant back in the chair and sipped at his coffee. A restful silence fell between them and neither felt the need to say anything.
Havoc took a deep breath and sank in the chair a bit further, his legs stretching out in front of him. He was tired and he wanted to go back to his flat and sleep, but he felt compelled to remain here for just a bit longer. Going home would have him thinking of things he was tired of thinking about. Those thoughts weren't so demanding while he was sitting here. He stifled a yawn and looked over at Ed.
Ed's eye was closed and he wondered if he had fallen asleep. He put his cup on the bedside table and stood up, bending over the bed to ease the cup from Ed's loose hands. Havoc placed it on the table and then leant over Ed, sliding an arm behind him to ease the pillows out so he could lay the young man down. Ed turned towards him slightly and Havoc smiled.
"Sleepyhead," he murmured as pulled another pillow out.
"Havoc?"
Havoc looked up and saw Fuery standing in the doorway. The brown eyes were wide and he was staring at Havoc, looking slightly disconcerted.
"Shh, Kain, he's asleep."
"Is he ok?" Fuery took a few steps into the room. "Do you need a hand?"
"He's fine." Havoc replied, pausing with a pillow in one hand and his arm around Ed. "No, I can manage."
Havoc nearly frowned. Normally he would have jumped at the chance to have Kain Fuery that close. Why had he said no? He looked at Ed and then back at Fuery.
"The others wanted to come, but they said only one visitor at a time."
"Get them to come around tomorrow. Ed's going to get very bored otherwise."
"We managed to get some clothes for him. And Breda says he knows a place he can stay."
"It's ok, he'll be staying with me."
"With you?" Fuery stared at him. "You and Ed in that small flat?"
"Better with me than with the Chief." Havoc said easily and Fuery nodded.
"Are you staying here for a while?" Fuery asked and Havoc set the pillows straight before sliding his arm out and watching Ed settle into them.
"Yeah, I don't feel like going home yet. You're welcome to stay and talk." He said casually and felt the disappointment when Fuery shook his head.
"I, uhh, I have things already planned for tonight, but I'll come and visit tomorrow."
Havoc nodded. "Okay. Enjoy your night."
"Yes, you too." Fuery left without looking back and Havoc sat in the chair, leaning forward to rest his folded arms on the bed beside Ed.
"And another strike out," he muttered.
"Jean?" Ed's voice sounded as blurry as the golden eye was.
"Go back to sleep Ed, you need it."
"So do you." The eye was half-closed and Jean wondered if Ed was really awake at all. His words slurred and there was a hazy film over his eye.
"I can spend the night with a lovely young blond, why would I go home?" He said lightly and gently and Ed tilted his head towards him.
"Asshole."
Havoc chuckled. "And you know how to talk so politely too."
"Even I …know that you'd need …to actually be in …the same bed to …spend the night," Ed managed to say as his eye lost focus and with his words disappearing into a series of yawns.
"Is that an invitation, Ed?" Jean smirked at him and Ed's eyelid dropped further, too close to sleep to react. Jean smiled and moved to brush the hair from Ed's face. "You're just so much fun to tease."
"…an asshole." Ed mumbled as his eye closed completely and he sank into sleep. Jean shook his head and settled his head on his arms. He was too tired to move. Fuery's plans were probably a date with that private. He grumbled low in his throat. He didn't want to think of that. If only Kain had stayed here with him. He should go home. But being alone was the last thing he wanted right now.
"To hell with it,' he muttered and crawled up onto the bed, pushing Ed over carefully. He stretched out on top of the covers and stared at the ceiling before his eyes drifted closed.
The whimpering noises brought Ed out of a deep sleep and he opened his eye to see Jean Havoc turning his head from side to side as he made those incoherent sounds.
Ed blinked. What was Havoc still doing here? The room was dimmed, it must be gone midnight. And why was Havoc lying on his bed? He moved carefully and watched as Havoc tried to turn over and began to mutter.
"Havoc?" No response. The mutterings kept on without a pause. Ed couldn't make out a single word. He tried again and still nothing. He shifted awkwardly on the bed, feeling the covers pulled tight across him as Havoc twisted again.
"Jean!" He almost hissed the word and reached a hand out, placing it against Havoc's side and trying to push him away so he could release the blanket that was too tight. Havoc moved, rolling to face him and Ed was startled as a hand ran across his hair. A whisper of breath brushed his face just before Jean Havoc kissed him.
Ed froze and Havoc shifted closer, his hand at the side of Ed's face. It was gentle, it was the mere pressure of lips against lips, but it held Ed in one place. He'd never felt this before. It was asking for nothing, wanting nothing. And he didn't know what to do. He tried to move back and that was the moment it changed. Jean pressed harder against him, tilting his head to slide his lips across Ed's as the hand at his face slid around to the back of his head to pull him closer.
The parting of Jean's lips and the first wet feel of Jean's tongue made him jump. His lips began to tingle and he felt his head start to pound as his heartbeat suddenly throbbed into his ears. Jean outlined his lips with his tongue and he dragged his teeth across the young man's mouth. Ed opened his lips and felt Jean's tongue enter his mouth.
"Jean…"
The kiss stopped and Ed waited, hearing Jean's breathing suddenly catch. Blue eyes hazed with sleep opened and stared at him.
"Ed?" He queried sleepily. "What're you doing here?"
"Jean, you…you're in my bed." Ed blinked as Jean yawned slightly.
"'s ok then," Jean murmured and shifted closer to the shorter blond. He placed his chin against Ed's head and Ed felt an arm wrap around him, securing him against the taller man. Soft, even breathing wafted down the side of his face and Ed swallowed, feeling his face heat.
It took Ed a long time to fall asleep.
Author's Note: So here is the next chapter, all done and dusted. You have to go to Spirix's half to fill in all the gaps of Roy and Kimblee and Hughes and whoever else she found to play with… grins… you have no idea what she was doing to poor Roy... fanservice indeed...lol
The Rixy-demon has a thing for the Fuhrer's melons… how could I refuse to have him carry one…lol…
She won't let me tweak anymore, so please enjoy. (Now can I release the dragon, demon?... lol)
silken :)