"Busy vacations"
He suddenly began to hear voices…known voices. He tried to open his eyes but they were as heavy as a huge rock for some reason. Not like he had tried to lift one of course, but still. The blonde decided to hear what they were talking about since he couldn't do anything else.
"I'm not sure…he told me that he could use that kind of alchemy just when he felt his life was in danger", he heard Roy say with a serious voice.
"I don't know how he managed to run away like that", Hughes added with a apologetic voice, "I should have been more careful"
"It wasn't your fault and you know that"
Hughes just nodded silently and glanced at the boy, but a sound caught their attention. The little fox had yawned and now was moving his tail and looked everywhere confused.
"Hey little guy", Hughes told him, "Are you hungry?"
Roy then raised a brow, "…What on Earth are we going to give him for food?"
"Well…I think meat or chicken would be fine", the L. Colonel said lifting his glasses.
"…I should have bought him a dog or something more domestic"
"But you were weak", Maes mocked him, "You're weak when something it's about Edward"
"Shut up"
Hughes tried to pet the fox, but the animal moved and raised his tail making clear he didn't like to be touched, "Or maybe you're right. He doesn't seem domesticated"
"Great"
"Maybe he just doesn't like adults"
Both men turned around and saw Edward incorporated fixing his hair as fast as he could before he drew a big smile.
"Maybe he is possessed like the cat I had", Roy said watching how the fox walked around the house.
Edward shook his head and got up walking towards the little animal. He kneeled in front of him and the fox raised his tail warningly, "Hi there", he said softly staring at the fox's eyes. The animal lowered his tail then, so Ed took this as a sign to grab him. "See, he likes me"
However, the fox suddenly scratched the boy in the face and Edward jumped in pain letting him fall on the floor. Roy tried hard not to laugh, but Hughes slightly failed since he chocked.
"Ok, maybe he is possessed", the blonde said rubbing the injury.
"Then you have a lot of work to do with him", Roy told him smirking as his way to mock the boy.
Edward rolled his eyes and watched how the fox was sniffing everything in the house, he didn't look that happy.
"We took you out of that cage, ungrateful little fox", the kid said when he noticed the scratch on his face was bleeding a little.
"Well, I'll go then", Hughes announced suddenly standing up, "It's already late and Gracia won't appreciate if I arrive even more late"
Roy nodded and the L. Colonel patted Edward's head before he left the house. The kid watched the fox for a moment as Roy got up and opened a drawer where he kept his first aid box. He approached the blonde and put some disinfectant to protect the injury with a cure band.
"Well, I think there's something we should talk about", the man said closing the box.
Ed sighed in resignation and approached the man taking a seat on the couch where he was laid down before, "About?"
Roy shot him a glare, so the kid smiled nervous and moved his hand telling him he was joking. "You have to tell me what the hell happened"
The boy lowered his head and averted his gaze, "I don't really know…I had never felt something like that before"
"It wasn't like…", Roy began, but didn't complete the phrase when the blonde shook his head.
"No. It's like I had lost control of the transmutation and…", he swallowed remembering how bad it had felt," It was like the transmutation was taking control over me".
The man stared at him with big surprised eyes, but then placed a hand on his jaw thoughtfully, "Have you ever tried to transmute something that big before?"
"…I was locked in the lab, what do you think?", he said with a bitter voice and narrowing his eyes.
"Just making sure", the man answered ignoring the kid, "So, I think we have a big problem"
Edward's eyes opened even bigger and scratched the back of his neck, "You…really think so?"
Roy nodded, but drew a smile, "Yes, this is serious, but I'm sure it's nothing we can't solve".
The kid stared at him for a moment, but then smiled and nodded. Yeah, he trusted him.
"For now, you have to take care of that", he warned the blonde pointing at the fox which was bumping some books from the book shelf.
Edward sweat dropped and grabbed the animal trying to immobilize his legs, "Take it easy, I'm not going to hurt you"
"You should choose a name for him by the way"
The kid placed a finger on his jaw thinking for a few seconds on a good name, "What about Fuch?"
Roy raised a brow, "…Fuch?...Does that mean something at least?"
Edward ignored the man and patted the fox's head, "Do you like it?". The animal moved his tail, so the kid took this as he was OK with the name.
Roy sighed and stood up walking towards the kitchen, "Let's dinner something, we must go sleep or tomorrow we won't be able to get up"
"Do you have something for Fuch?"
"…Right"
………….
The next day, Edward was in the Headquarter's gardens staring at the Fuch who was staring his back moving his tail. The kid narrowed his eyes and aimed a finger towards the fox.
"You're just playing the dumb, aren't you? You look at me as you understand every word I'm saying"
Fuch moved his head and yawned, so the blonde approached at him carefully holding a collar, but the fox raised his tail warningly and he stopped.
"Come on, if you're like that they could take you to the forest and you won't survive", the kid told him as he was begging him. He could swear the fox smirked mocking him. "Alright, it's going to be the hard way"
Edward jumped trying to grab the little animal, but he moved skillfully and evaded the blonde. Fuch began to run and Ed chased him, but of course the fox was too fast for him. However, he began to run even faster when he noticed Black Hayate saw Fuch and began to chase him too.
"No! Black Hayate! Stop!"
Roy smiled amused watching how Ed was running following the two animals through the gardens. That was by far better than signing the pile of paperwork he had on the desk waiting for him, even thought he knew Riza would be really mad if she found out…which she did.
"You've changed"
The Colonel almost fell of the chair, but did his best to remain serene and glanced at the woman who was looking at Edward through the window like he was a second ago. "I beg your pardon?"
"You've changed since the day you left to go to the laboratory"
Roy lifted a brow, but smiled and glanced at the kid again crossing his arms, "Maybe"
In that moment, the door burst open and Hughes entered the office with a big smile on his faces approaching the desk, "I got great news!"
Both Roy and Riza turned around to see the man expectantly, but they sweat dropped when Hughes placed some pictures of Elysia on the desk.
"She finally told me Daddy!",the man said with his voice filled in excitement, but he smiled nervously at the dangerous glance of Riza and took away the pictures, "Partypoopers…
The Colonel turned around and saw how Edward was trying to hold Fuch on his arms, but the little animal was reluctant to stay there. Nice pet they got there… Suddenly, he noticed that Maes at his side with a big smile watching Edward carefully.
"You have something in your mind, don't you?"
Roy didn't say anything but kept staring at the boy, but Riza glanced at Hughes slightly confused by the man comment. After a few seconds, the Colonel nodded.
"I'm thinking on taking Edward with me to the little cabin in the middle of the forest at the East where I stayed a few weeks after the Ishbal war…"
Hughes flinched not really expecting that kind and answer and looked back at Riza whose eyes appeared bigger suddenly. "And would you do that?"
"He can't learn how to control his alchemy just reading books and training near the city could be dangerous if something goes out of control…also I don't want anyone to know about him, it would be too risky", Roy said quietly as that was the thing to do in this situation, "I want him to be safe"
"I understand sir", Riza began glancing at Hughes and back to the Colonel, "But if something happens, we won't be able to communicate with you two, that would be dangerous"
Roy just grabbed his jaw thoughtfully staring at the blonde who apparently had achieved placing the collar in the fox's neck, but then turned around in his chair and stood up, "That's the only choice we have, I'm going to ask for a few weeks permission"
"Hold back just a second", Hughes hurried to say before Roy could think on running out of the office, "I agree with Riza, what will happen if something goes bad?"
The Colonel just grabbed some papers not really paying attention to Hughes and Riza's concerns, "I'll communicate with you every two days, if I don't, you have permission to go to look for us"
"Come on Roy, cut the crap"
Obsidian eyes meet Hughes' not too happy eyes, but he remained emotionless, "What's the big deal?"
"Even though I want to help Edward too, I just think is not right to take all the responsibility, let us help you with that", his friend told him with a hint of resentment on his voice, "You're getting away too involve with Ed and you even have decided what will happen next with you two"
"I'm not 'getting involved', I just want to help him. Don't be such a melodramatic"
Hughes just sighed and glanced at the boy who was being attacked by Fuch or something, "Just be careful"
Roy drew a smirk still staring at Ed and nodded, "I'm always careful"
……….
Edward picked up the cage with Fuch inside who was sleeping oblivious to the fact that they were on their way to a long travel. Roy smiled at him and grabbed the luggage and helped the boy to put his backpack on his back.
"I hope that place is as beautiful as you say or I'll be on a train back Central in a second", the kid warned half kidding, so Roy smirked.
"You know that's not the main reason where're heading there. I just hope the cabin is still abandoned and we'll have to use trees to transmute one"
"So", Edward said narrowing his eyes, "…are you going to cook? Do you know how to cook at least?"
Roy rolled his eyes and put some rebel locks of golden hair away from Ed's face, "Yes, I know how to cook, I promise"
"I wouldn't eat anything Roy cooked anyway"
The Colonel glared at Hughes who had a big smile on his face mocking his best friend. Edward mumbled something about being prepared for that since he brought a food recipe book.
"Take care of Roy, Edward-Kun, alright?". The kid laughed and nodded happily watching how Roy stared at his friend slightly hurt by his words, "And try to find a way to be in touch"
"I'll try", Roy said, not really meaning it, so Hughes just sighed, "Hawkeye, please make sure the crew don't hang around while I'm gone, they have work to do"
Riza smiled and nodded, "Of course, sir"
Roy smiled at her back, "Take care, see you in a few weeks"
"The train is about to leave, you two should go now"
Both waved their hands and hurried inside the train looking for an empty seat, which they did quickly. Roy placed the luggage above them while Edward put Fuch's cage carefully in the seat trying not to wake the animal.
"I don't understand why Fuch needs to be in the cage", he said glaring at Roy.
"You haven't trained him yet, consider yourself lucky that I manage to convince them to let you have him here"
Ed growled, so Roy just relaxed on the seat since it was 6 in the morning and he was feeling rather sleeping; the night before, Fuch had messed up with the washing machine and all the room was flooded with dissolved detergent. Of course both had sleep like 3 hours.
"I'm going to take a nap", Edward said suddenly laying down in the seat, "Wake me up when breakfast is ready"
Roy chuckled, but the blonde didn't notice as he was falling sleep quite fast. The man leaned on the window and closed his eyes feeling how the drowsiness was taking over him and the landscabe became blurred and blurred…
Some hours later, Roy woke up with a start since he didn't notice when he had fallen sleep and got up scared when he didn't see Edward on his seat. He looked around and sighed when he saw the blonde walking towards their seat with a cupcake on his hand.
"Don't do that again"
The kid glanced at the man confused and sat down, "I just went to the next car", Ed said before he took a bite of the bread, "And I grabbed some money from your wallet"
"…Little thief"
Ed grinned and focused on eating the snack happily, he was indeed starving. He had brought a piece of fried chicken for Fuch and handed Roy another cupcake. Roy grabbed it and nodded thanking the kid who was already eating his bread.
"How long did I sleep?", Roy asked himself glancing at the window to check on the sun. It should be like 10 on the morning at least.
He heard how Ed was talking to Fuch giving him the fried chicken which the fox accepted hungrily. Yeah, maybe both had slept more that he expected.
"Mustang-San, where are we going?"
The dark-haired man flinched at the sudden question and looked down at the boy who was caressing the fox, "I told you already, to a cabin in the middle of the forest at the East"
Edward stared at him for moment before moving his eyes towards the window, "Why?"
Roy raised a brow and swallowed the piece of bread he had on his mouth, "I thought it was obvious", he said moving closer the boy as he didn't want anyone else to hear their conversation, "You cannot use your alchemy on the city, it would be dangerous"
The kid narrowed his eyes, but not accusatorily. It was like he was analyzing the possible scenario, "But…your job…your life"
The Colonel's eyes grew bigger surprised by the boy's comment, but he smiled, "Don't worry about that. They already owed me some vacations anyway"
Edward smiled happily and glanced at the fox who was eating his food, "You just wanted to get out of that office"
"…It's that obvious?"
The blonde grinned and yawned, but grabbed his backpack and took out a bunch of cards placing them on the table, "Let's play poker"
"Nah, you're a cheater"
"…Cheater?", Ed repeated almost hurt, but he smirked amused, "You're just mad because you suck at it"
Roy flinched uncrossing his arms and frowned, "Let's play you damn midget"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO STEP ON HIM?!"
The man smirked amused when the kid noticed how loud he had screamed and had blushed in embarrassment, but he just waited until he decided to deal the cards.
Edward snorted giving the man 5 of the cards, "Bastard"
"Just play"
An hour ago, Roy's head was in the table with his hands on his hair while the blonde laughed. He had lost all the games, and there was no explanation for such thing to happen. The damn brat must be cheating, he was sure of that.
"I'm bored, you suck at this"
The man looked up at the smirking boy with his eyes narrowed, "Whatever"
In that moment, a little girl approached the table and stared at Edward for a moment while both turned at her confused.
"Can we help you, sweetheart?", Roy asked her, but the girl was staring at the boy so intensely that the kid blushed.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
Edward almost fell of the seat while Roy did his best effort to hold back a laugh, but the girl stood there waiting for an answer which the man assumed the boy wouldn't give her.
"No, he doesn't have a girlfriend, darling. Do you like him?"
The blonde's jaw dropped and gave him a disbelieving look, but the girl nodded and he blushed furiously unable to put together an answer for that.
"My big sister told me that she likes you, by the way", she added pointing at a beautiful woman who was looking at Roy with a soft smile.
"I see…I'll be back. You can stay with him", the man said standing up at the time the girl took his seat and squealed at the blushed face of the boy.
"Can you tell me your name?"
Ed could feel how his body temperature was going up and up at the point that he was sure his face was totally crimson in that moment, "…E-Edward"
"So cute!", she said excited placing his elbows on the table and holding his face with his hands cutely, "I can't understand how is that you don't have a girlfriend. You're so handsome!"
The boy was so nervous about the all situation that if he could faint, he would be so happy. That damn bastard had left him alone… "…I…I"
"My name is Madison"
"…N-nice to meet you"
Roy then came back to the seat and patted the girl's head, "You should be back with your site, you're about to reach your destination"
Madison did a disappointed sound and nodded jumping from the seat, "I hope I see you again, Edward"
Ed just waved his hand nervously at her and sighed in relief when the train began to stop. He didn't know exactly why, but he had felt so scared.
"You're such a chicken"
"….Leave me alone, I'm 10 years old!"
"So?"
"So I'm not interested in girls for now", he growled crossing his arms, "Why did you come back so soon anyway?". Roy averted his gaze immediately and mumbled something the kid didn't understand, "Did she dump you that fast?"
"…Of course not", he said raising and brow, "…I…I had already dated her once and I didn't remember…"
Edward rolled his eyes and glanced at Fuch who was already staring at the kid, "Just hold on a bit more, we'll arrive soon"
Well, not that soon. Three hours later, they were finally walking through the forest heading towards Roy was sure the cabin was.
"I'm sure we're lost", Ed said trying to annoy the man and achieving at it.
"Oh shut up"
Edward stopped suddenly and Roy approached him curious, but he saw quickly what had amazed the blonde; in front of them, there was a waterfall and a small lake surrounded by rocks and plants, a beautiful view, and a view he already knew.
"Look, the cabin is over there. I knew it"
Ed chuckled, but raised both brows when he saw what would be their house for a few weeks…and old and cracked cabin. "Are you that is? It looks quite dangerous"
Roy didn't answer, but the boy noticed he was drawing something. He understood then what he was doing when he placed the piece of paper on the cabin and activated the transmutation circle leaving the place as new as it could be.
"I could have done it, you know?", the boy said following Roy inside the cabin.
"You shouldn't use your alchemy yet, please remember that"
"….Al right"
The kid finally took Fuch out of the cage and the little animal explored the place, he was sure he wouldn't go away, not when he knew he could get food and being taken care of.
"We'll unpack later, for now, let's go outside to begin with the training"
Ed nodded and both walked outside followed by Fuch, who just sat down near them as he was watching what they were doing.
"You have to put in practice all what you have read", the man said stopping in front of a huge rock, "Try to transmute something as slow as you can but it has to be big, really big"
The blonde analyzed the rock for a few seconds before he approached it, "Alright, here I come"
"Slowly, Edward, slowly", the man repeated warningly. He really hoped Edward could do it as he said.
And he began. Ed clapped his hands and the transmutation began, Roy watching carefully his face next to him; any hint of pain, and he would have to stop Edward by the force if he needed to.
And it happened. The kid's face twisted in pain for a second when a huge rock horse was being transmutated, so Roy grabbed the boy's arm and stopped him abruptly.
"Are you alright?", the man asked him kneeling in front of him. Edward was sweating and panting with big wide eyes as he was scared, "Edward, are you alright?"
"…I…I felt that again", he said with a dull voice, but decided to explain himself when he noticed Roy was staring at him expectantly, "That feeling…of something taking over me…trying to control me"
The Colonel opened his mouth to say something, but immediately closed it again, "Take it easy, we must research about that then. We will find out what's happening to you, OK?"
Edward merely nodded, so the man stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder leading him into the cabin. Roy was expecting Ed would be able to practice more, but they would have to go slower that he though. Fuch followed them inside the cabin moving his tail graciously and Roy closed the door behind him.
………….
Exam's week is finally over, so here's a update after that long XD I'm so sorry that now I'm going even slower…