Summary: Ward found the world acceptable these days, if still full of surprises. Courtship was so confusing.
Author Notes: Sequel to State of Mind. This chapter was accidentally overwritten and I had to re-write it again. Which meant I had to sit, blush and feel profoundly awkward twice. This type of scene is hard to write…with that, I'm kind of pleased with how it turned out for my ~*~first time~*~. Not sure if I'll write anything else like this though. It's weird.
Our Environment
A Fullmetal Alchemist Zoofic by Elric 'Hunter' Ward
Copyright:
The Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi) and all its respective work and ideas are copyrighted by Hiromu Arakawa and her distributors.
Comments and critique welcome.
Chapter Four
Hushed chatters and a giggle registered faintly in his hearing but it was the sharp jab into his ribs that brought Ward out of his peaceful sleep. What was it now? Reluctantly, he unrolled himself to look tiredly over Fons' stiff – too stiff – body and at their den's entryway.
Tiny little humans with big eyes were watching them.
Ward blinked at them while Fons kept his body tensely between the interlopers and the Elric. The Heiderich's sharp teeth were bared at the humans and his ears down flat, but remained silent while the Edward blinked off the sluggishness of sleep – his body slowly becoming more alert.
There were small humans near their den, watching them – and after the stress of the day before Ward was not at all inclined to think fondly of humans. Even small kit-humans.
Ward twisted his body around and shoved himself on top of Fons, forcing the Heiderich to flatten down into a safer position. The Edward hissed as fiercely as he could at the humans, whipped his tail around in the air.
'Go away!' He snarled. 'This is our territory now, leave us alone. Stupid humans!'
The humans didn't appear to get the message, chattering and shoving each other in the entry while Ward raised his warning his as loud as he could, Fons joining him with a growl. There was still no affect as the kit-humans fumbled a bit more and one of them started to edge into the den. That pushed him too much. Ward lunged forward and swiped his hand, narrowly missing the startled human's head. The stupid humans seemed to understand then; one of them gave a wail and ran to the giant human den while the other fussed around and made squawking noises outside their new wooden den.
Satisfied that the threats were gone, Ward became aware of Fons' aggravated mewls from beneath him.
'You're heavy!' Fons complained at him. 'Get off!'
The Elric hastily crawled off his companion-mate, awkwardly giving soothing apologies and licking at the Heiderich's forehead.
'I'm sorry, it was entering our den!' He rubbed his face against Fons' shoulder. 'I wanted to make it go away as fast as possible.'
'Well, at least it means you're courting properly.' The Alfons muttered as he reluctantly allowed hurt feelings to be soothed away. 'Acting like a real Edward.'
Ward was pleased and tried not to puff up too much at the compliment.
Fons rolled around and shoved against Ward in the small den as he reached around for their prey. When he got to the protection box he gave Ward an expectant look. The Edward hastily clapped his hands and brought the small walls down to let his companion-mate have access to the weird animal.
More shuffling and awkward moving had their breakfast between them, Ward clapping his hands and heating the prey. He considered the result, sniffing at the singed body. It wasn't nearly as good as what the Mustang-bastard could do but it warmed the body up enough to be tasty again. Fons didn't seem to mind, gnawing eagerly at a long leg.
'It's funny tasting, very chewy.' The Heiderich told him around crunches. With confirmation that it was edible, Ward quickly tucked into his own leg and made quick work of it all.
Once his hunger was sated, Ward contentedly allowed Fons to continue his grooming obsession but kept a wary eye on the entry. The squawking human-kit had finally left for its own den. Ward could see the entryway for it from their den. It was both reassuring to be able to keep such a close eye on the potential enemy and distressing that their own den had to be so close. Human dens were everywhere.
'You're being a good Edward.' Fons spoke up as he massaged behind an ear. Ward barely paid any attention, enjoying the soothing motions too much. He could understand why such a wonderful action was for courting. 'You should start getting books soon.'
The Elric flicked his free ear in his Alfons' direction. 'Boooo-ck?' His mouth felt weird around the unfamiliar word.
'Yes.' Fons started in on his other ear. 'It's paper between two pieces of bark. Sometimes there are pictures.'
'Why booooo-ks?' Ward drawled out. 'Why not food?'
'Books are only found on the courting journey.' His Alfons explained. 'Humans make them – but we use them. They're good for bedding and decorating a den.' A sly look travelled across the Heiderich's face as he pressed against Ward's back. 'An Edward who gets lots of books is a good Edward. Courting finishes much quicker with lots of books and we get to finish it with mating.'
The Edward felt his face go hot, recalling Sting's demonstration of mating with the other two gunbu. Such odd behaviour had both confused him and perked his interest; his instincts in the back of his head screamed that this was something he really wanted.
Ward coughed awkwardly. 'Books you say?'
Fons nodded happily and slowly braided his hair while the Elric sucked on his bottom lip. He wanted to court his Alfons properly. He probably wanted this mating – Sting seemed to really like it and he liked things the Mustang liked, such as food and fighting. Both things required him to finds books, give them to Fons and decorate the den with them.
'I'm going to go…hunting.' He said absently, mind still on the subject of mating. 'For food. So I need to hunt. To get food.' Ward pulled himself upright.
Fons looked up at him, eyes glinting with amusement. 'Good hunt then. I'll see what I can forage.'
Ward nodded quickly and crawled his way out of the den. A quick glance around confirmed no immediate dangers around the den – those pesky humans either gone or in their den; he could trust his Heiderich to defend himself for the period of time Ward was away.
One last furtive glance, and the Edward quickly scurried off.
Keen eyes watched intently as the human twisted the ball on the door, pushed it open and entered the lair. Ward had been patiently observing this particular den for a while now, as humans entered and left – each carrying a package of interest.
The Edward had been peering into every den he had come across in search of books. Humans had fussed and stared back at him, but Ward had ignored them as he continued his search. Eventually he had found this den – it was amazing and sent all his instincts haywire. There were bark-bound blocks of paper on all the walls and piled up on flat wood. It was perfect.
Ward rubbed his hands gleefully and scooted his way over to the door. A furtive glanced ensured no humans were around to get in his way, but the Elric didn't want to risk being chased off again. He decided not to clap and to try his new trick. It took a couple of tries of holding and twisting the ball before he could get the door open. When it tried to swing back he shoved his shoulders and head forward and peeked into the den.
A human had noticed his entry and was chattering it's nonsense at Ward as the Elric looked around and sniffed curiously. This den smelt amazing. It was a delicious, intoxicating smell as Ward shrugged the rest of the way in and drifted over to a wall of books. There were so many and in so many different shapes and sizes. Throwing a wary glance at the human – it paced around in its corner – he grabbed a book and opened it up.
More of that delectable smell wafted up at him, a musky mixture of dust and something else. Ward shoved his nose and inhaled deeply, memorizing the scent. It was just so good. He snuffled a couple of more times then placed it in one of his pelt-pouches. The human gave a squawk and approached him quickly, halting only when the Edward bared his teeth and hissed in warning. Ward narrowed his eyes and gave it the one-fingered salute his gut so approved of, similar in a way to his gunbu pack-mate's yet so instinctively Edward. The human gave more horrible noises and cries as it renewed its advance. It stopped in its tracks when Ward cuffed at it, no longer willing to give warnings.
-'Go away, you stupid human! I'm courting!' Ward hissed in aggravation. 'I have no time for you.'
The Elric watched with great satisfaction as the human retreated to a corner, leaving him to peruse the books at his pleasure. Ward worked out quickly that some books smelt much, much better than others. He decided to collect those and followed his nose in a delighted daze between walls. Ward placed them in all the pelt-pouches he could and piled the rest in the middle of the den, creating a tower of gifts to present to Fons.
Ward ended his search with one last treasure – a huge, heavy book filled with the strange metal monsters. The Edward eyed it with distaste, but figured Fons with his bizarre fascination with them would like it. He sauntered over to his tower, dropped it on top and admired his collection. It was very near half his size and smelt heavenly, Ward was sure his Heiderich would love it.
One last glance at the human in the corner, and Ward hauled his collection between his arms and slowly staggered his way over to the exit. When he reached the door he stared, glanced at his book-holding hands then frowned ferociously at the door. He couldn't clap or use his new trick.
Ward shifted his possessions and kicked it twice, hard. The human started up with its fuss behind him again as Ward happily nudged his way out and tottered back to his den.
The Edward shoved his way into their square forest territory and trotted over to the den. He was quite satisfied that he hadn't dropped a single book during his return trip.
'Fons!' He called out at the den entry.
He cocked his head when there was no reply. His Alfons wasn't back yet? A sniff and a quick glance inside the den revealed no Heiderichs as the Elric shuffled his way in with his prizes.
The Edward quickly got over his initial disappointment. With Fons still absent Ward could decorate the den in preparation. He grinned and set about making nest that smelled so delightfully alluring – careful to place some of the bigger books around the nest. With the decorating done the Edward succumbed to the heady smell floating all through the den and flopped into the nest to wiggle around in delight. The textures of the open books tickled against his skin as he shaped out an area for him to rest. Confident in his nest preparation, the Elric settled down to wait for his Alfons to return.
He didn't have to wait long. Soon the quiet steps of the Heiderich perked his ears, the Alfons calling out softly. 'Ward? You in there?'
'Fons.' Ward purred back. 'I'm here. Come inside!'
He puffed out his chest as the Heiderich slowly entered with his foraging success.
'Well? What do you think? I brought them all here myself.' Ward boasted and preened in the nest while the Alfons sniffed curiously at the air.
'It's great!' Fons dropped the food to the side and scrambled the rest of the way in, his nose working furiously.
'It was great!' Ward chattered, 'I found a den filled with books, but a huge and ferocious human wouldn't let me in.'
Fons hummed in absentminded acknowledgment as he lowered his larger body next to the Edward, eyes glazed over and face blissful as he sniffed the nest of books. The heady mixture of musk, dust and his Edward made the Heiderich's head swim with dizzying pleasure.
'I threatened it off!' The Edward continued with frantic arm gestures. 'It tried to attack me but I scared it so bad it spent the rest of the time hiding in the corner!'
Fons continued to murmur encouragement in the right places while he leaned against his Edward. His lovely Edward who brought so many books with the amazing and enchanting smell that made him feel so light and good.
'Then I got all the books I could carry and brought them back here!' Ward finished and looked at him expectantly.
'That's great.' Fons pressed his head into his Elric's shoulder and rubbed his cheek against the pelts. 'You forgot to go hunting though.' He pointed out absently.
Ward's cheek tinted red while one of his ears twitched frantically. 'I was hunting, I found great prey!' He stammered. 'But then I found the books?'
'I thought you might.' Fons replied.
His hardworking Edward was so predictable.
'How'd you know?' Ward turned wide eyes to him. Fons shrugged and returned to burying his face into Ward's shoulder, inhaling deeply while the Edward eyed him with befuddlement. The combination of the book smell and his Edward's scent enthralled all his senses, Fons wanted more. The Heiderich hummed, pressed up closer to Ward and slowly licked at his neck.
The Elric tilted his head, giving Fons more flesh to lick at. Yellow eyes grew dark as they curiously watched the Heiderich lick and nibble his way up until he nuzzled against the Elric's chin.
'This is strange.' Ward breathed out softly; face flushed. 'A-are we mating?'
Fons chuckled against the skin, that delicious soft skin against his lips. 'No,' He replied softly. 'Not yet.' He pressed his body closer to Ward's and kneaded the belly across from his. 'No mating yet. This is…' He trailed off; distracted by Ward's tentative sniffs and licks. The Edward's head twisted to bring their cheeks against each other and hesitantly licks at his mouth.
Fons brought his mind back into focus, breathing in another of that deep, heady scent. 'This is grooming. For before mating.' He returned a lick to his Edward. 'No mating until our journey is done.' He untangled his arms and wrapped them around the smaller. Pulls his Edward in closer and presses a mouth against the other, delighted that he tastes as good as the smells.
Ward utters a small whine from the back of his throat and his body squirms against Fons' arms. Legs slowly entangle each other as hands explore their ways under pelts. Shoulders nudged against each other as the Alfons pinned his companion beneath his larger body. The Elric imitates his actions with increased interest.
The rest of the day was experienced with cautious nips and licks that changed into something slower, something careful; ended with the daylight with them pressed up against each other.
Fons sighed, rolled on top of his Edward.
'How does it get so tangled so easily?' The Heiderich's hands moved nimbly as he groomed Ward's hair for the second time that day, carefully smoothing down the strands and braiding them together.
'I don't know…' Was the Elric's idle reply.
Fons rolled his eyes and finished the braid. The brass hair was smooth and clean, completely unlike the tangled mass he had first spied. He hummed happily at the improvement.
'Hey Fons?'
The Heiderich gazed questioningly at the Elric under him. 'Yes?'
'Why are you always on top?'
Fons blinked. An Edward on top? 'I-I don't know. It just is, I suppose.' It would be so weird.
Ward hemmed underneath him.
'Does it bother you?' Fons asked anxiously. An Edward on top sometimes might not be so bad.
Ward didn't answer, the Elric suddenly sitting up and leaving Fons flat on his back with a vague feeling of bewilderment.
'Ward? What's going on?' He asked cautiously from his new position.
'I smell food!' Ward chirped back excitedly, previous mood thrown off. 'Not prey either! Food like what the masters used to give me!' Ward scrambled for the exit.
'Ward!' Fons barked. 'Be careful! It might be a trap!' He hastily pulled himself up and shouldered himself into place as they looked out of their den cautiously. 'We need to keep an eye on the humans. They're crazy and can't be trusted, remember?'
Ward nodded, rebuked. 'I'll start then.'
The Edward crept out slowly, eyes wide in the darkness. He darted forward and froze, his body alert for any danger while Fons darted out. He kept his stiff position until the Alfons took up his own sentry, and then darted forward towards the smell.
It was Fons' turn to cover ground when Ward gave a warning cry. He froze.
'Humans! Watching us!' The Edward was staring intently at the see-through part of the human's den. They stared back at them, the two human-kits and their sires.
'I'll guard, you check out the food.' Fons whispered as he drew himself up into sentry and stared at them. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Ward scamper his way over to the food, the Edward's keener eyes better for searching out traps.
'Clear!' Ward called back to him.
He relaxed fractionally, his eyes still watching the strange humans.
'Argggh!' The distressed cry had the Heiderich sprinting over to the Edward before he had fully registered what he was hearing.
'What? What is it?' Fons fussed around Ward, looking for any wounds.
'It's that.' Ward hissed with contempt, his back arched and tail stiff.
Fons looked where he was pointing. There was a bowl of square meat pieces and a flatter bowl with some kind of white liquid. He sniffed at them in confusion.
'What?' He repeated in confusion.
Fons watched with concern as Ward stomped up to the flat bowl, picked it up and stalked over to the see-through wall. The Edward stood there until all human eyes were on him then flung the bowl and liquid across the yard.
'No milk, dumbass!' The Elric hissed at the humans and gave them the one-fingered salute he was becoming so fond of. The humans had wide eyes and gaping mouths, confirming Fons' suspiscouns that they were not the smartest of beasts.
Fons watched with bemusement as his Edward stomped back over to the bowl of meat and started stuffing his face.
'An Edward feeling then?' He queried.
Ward nodded vigorously in reply, mangled explanations falling out of his bulging mouth. 'N-no milk. Baa-ad.' He swallowed his mouthful. 'Milk is disgusting.'
Fons huffed to himself in amusement and joined Ward in eating the strange, square meats. Everything around humans were squares – square forests, square dens and even square ponds. It was confusing.
He shook his head and quickly grabbed more of the meat before his Edward ate it.
He felt the courting journey was going well.