Ch.5

Edward pulled away from the chimera and wiped away the tears that were now drying against its face. "There… See? You're okay…" He spoke with a smile and he pat the creature's shoulder.

Roy looked up at Edward and smiled softly. He had so many things he wanted to say to him! Oh, so many things to talk about… But he couldn't. He literally couldn't. He started to stand up but he almost fell. Edward was now helping steady him on his feet and could feel himself flush slightly.

Oh, this is embarrassing… I'm his commanding officer… And now I'm nothing more than an off balanced animal. Ed's probably just helping me out of pity… Not that I can blame the kid, I'm sure I look absolutely pathetic right now…

Edward rested his hand on his hips and looked his boss up and down. He cocked his head slightly to the right as he studied him. He took a step back and now turned his head down to the left. He smirked.

"Well, you're not exactly the 'shortest of your rank' now, huh, Mustang?" Roy raised a brow. What he going on about now? Edward laughed awkwardly at the lack of a response. He coughed into his hand and tried something different.

"So, uh, how long exactly have you… Been… Ya know…?" he motioned to Roy's whole body and he bit his lip as he realized it came out a tad heartless. "Uh! W-what I mean is… Uh…" He slapped his face and sat down on the bed. "Sorry… I just don't know how to ask you…"

Roy tilted his head and he made a sort of chirping sound. He leaned in toward Ed's face and chirped again. The boy looked up and stared at the chimera's face. It smiled and pulled back and moved its head in a strange motion that Ed understood.

'Go ahead, ask again. I'm listening.'

Edward sighed and he asked again, but with different words.

"How… How long have you been a chimera?"

Roy twitched and looked down at the floor. Oh, that's what he's asking… He looked back up at the boy and shook his head. Sorry, I'd tell you if I could talk, but I can't… "What's wrong, Colonel?" Edward leaned on his thighs and raised a brow. "Do you not want to talk about it? Which you know is perfectly fine! I understand! You know that I get nervous if asked about my automail, so if you don't wanna-" he was cut off though by Roy. Edward sat up quickly as a loud crackled sort of bark came from the chimera's mouth.

There, see? I can't talk. Now ask me something I can answer with a nod or frown, pipsqueak.

Edward blinked slowly before it sank in. "What… Can you not…?" Roy shook his head and heaved his breath. Edward almost raised a hand to his mouth but he stopped before he did. He had to be sure…

"Say my name."

Roy squeaked in surprise. He coughed quietly. Well, this was certainly going to be interesting…

"SRAAAAAAAKERCOOOOOOOOOKAAWAWK." Roy closed his mouth. The two stared at each other in silence… A very long, awkward silence. Roy's head harshly fell as he groaned.

That was embarrassing.

He looked up at Edward who was quite literally at a loss for words. Roy would've laughed if it were a less depressing matter. Edward leaned back and pulled his bangs over the top of his head as he tried to find the words to say. "Well… I… Don't know what to say…" He scoffed, and his eyes were wide.

Roy chuckled but just barely. The boy looked upon the man and his brows met as he grew concerned. "Were you being for real with that? Or were you just screwing around?" Roy shook his head and gave a cooing sound that resembled a gargling pigeon. Edward wrapped his hand around Roy's chin and he pulled his face closer.

"Can you really not talk at all?" Roy shook his head. Okay, a little close for comfort there, Ed! He got squirmy and he pulled away from the boy's grip. He rubbed his chin with the top of his wing as he looked at the teen. Ed scratched the back of his neck and closed his eyes. They sat in silence for a few clicks of the clock in the room.

"Sorry."

"Maaroo?" Roy cocked his head. What are you saying sorry for?

Edward looked at the floor and his face became shadowed by his bangs. "If I had known I wouldn't have asked you to do that. I know it bothered you…" Roy chirped and shook his head. Hey! Don't get all depressed on me now, Fullmetal. That's MY job. He leaned forward and nudged Ed's hand with his forehead. He smiled to try and cheer Ed up.

Ed rested a hand on the chimera's head, scruffing up the hair atop his head. Roy protested but stayed under Ed's hand. "Sorry, Mustang." Ed smiled sadly and he flopped down on his back. "So, you can't talk, so that's one thing… Oh!" He looked over his chest at the chimera who was now standing in front of him. "Do you know what kinds of foods you can eat? So we know whether or not something might… Ya know… Disagree?"

Roy felt a little bead of sweat form on his forehead. He shook his head and looked away quickly. Edward raised a brow. "How do you not know? How can you NOT know?" Roy fluffed his neck's feathers and his face got more hidden from the teen as he tried to avoid the question.

Edward stared at him with very clear confusion. But then his eyes widened and he scooted off of the bed and stood next to the tall chimera. He pushed his hand into the messy feathers that coated Roy's body and it was at least two inches from the feathers until he met skin. Roy jumped at the contact and pulled away from the unexpected action with a yelp.

What are doing?! Warn me first, jeez!

Edward looked at Roy's face and he frowned. "Have you not eaten anything since you went 'missing'?" Roy frowned as well and he shook his head. Edward gasped and he pulled Roy's hair down to be eye level.

OW! Fullmetal, let go! That hurts! That's my hair, damnit! Ow!

Ed loosened his grip at the whimpering that was coming from the colonel, but he kept him eye level. He got up close to Roy's face and stared into his eyes. Roy blinked in confusion.

"Show me your teeth."

Roy's eyes shot open and jaw tightened in shock. He tried to pull away, but Ed's grip was firm on his hair. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. I DON'T LIKE YOU LIKE THAT. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO.

"Colonel, quite being a baby and just show me your teeth! We need to know what you can eat!" Edward almost yelled, but it was loud enough for them to not hear the sounds of footfalls outside.

…Oh. Oh, THAT'S what you meant… Right… God, I'm dumb.

Roy quit fighting against Ed's Armstrong grip and he opened his mouth. Ed let go of his hair and he poked his automail fingers into Roy's mouth, using his left hand to pull back his cheek.

"MMMMERF ACKOOOOOOOOORAAAAAEEEEECHAAH!" Roy squawked in surprise. He tried to avoid saliva falling from his cheek to his best ability, but a small drizzle still fell. Damn it.

Ed opened his mouth wider and he looked all over the inside. He poked the back teeth which still seemed very human, if only sharper. He looked down and saw Roy's tongue and he stared. He grabbed the muscle with his hand and pulled it outward. Just then Hawkeye opened the door quickly.

"Edward! Are you all right!? We heard a roar and… What… What are you doing?"

She gawked at the sight before her.

Edward and Roy were facing her. Ed's face was blank but Roy looked completely embarrassed. He tried to pull away to close his mouth, but Ed's automail fingers were like a vice and he couldn't budge. Hawkeye raised a brow.

"… Oh! I'm trying to see what Mustang can eat. But look at his tongue! It's freaking FORKED! Is that not AWESOME!?" Roy turned back to Ed and gave him a confused look of surprise.

"EEEEEEEEH?" he voiced, his drool dripping from the motion of his jaw.

Edward grinned madly. "Yeah! You're like a… A snake! Or a really badass dragon! It's awesome!" Ed grabbed Roy's tongue with both hands and moved the points toward and away from each other. "This is just awesome! How could I not see this before? Do you have a heightened sense of smell or taste from this? Do you smell with your tongue like a lizard, since you know, you don't have a nose? Or is it the same as your old tongue where nothing is really different? Do you even smell? What's it feel li-"

"EDWARD!" Hawkeye's voice echoed in the room. Edward whipped his head back to her and saw she was rather annoyed. "What?" She hung her head slightly with a frown and pointed to the colonel. He looked at Roy and saw he was getting a very harsh glare. "W… What's wrong, Mustang?" Roy gave an 'ahem' and looked down to his tongue.

Edward's fingers were squashing the muscle flat and the slightly grey tongue was reddened in the area of pressure. He stared at it for a moment before it registered. "OH CRAP!" He let go of it as though it were toxic and it fell down against Roy's chin.

...Thank you. God, it took you long enough. Man, that hurt. Ugh… It's numb? That's weird.

Roy pulled his tongue back, but left it out slightly to let it try and cool off from the blood that was now flushed there. Edward wiped his hands on his pants. "Sorry! I guess I wasn't paying attention! Heh, sorry, Mustang!" he chuckled nervously. He really sucks at apologizing… Maybe that's why he never does…

Roy gave a "hmph" and turned away, moving his tongue to assure there was no damage done. "So, as I was asking before… THAT… What was with the roaring earlier?" Hawkeye asked, her arms crossing. Edward looked back to Roy who now had a solemn expression. "Oh, uh, nothing, just a little spooked waking up. It's fine though, really! Don't worry about it…"

Roy glanced over at Ed and started a tiny squint.

But I almost attacked you… And you're okay with that? Have you no sense?!

Edward looked at Mustang who flinched when their eyes met. The teen smiled and looked back to the lieutenant. "By the way, what all do we have to eat here? We need to get Mustang fattened up!"

WHAT!? DON'T PHRASE IT LIKE THAT—IT SOUNDS LIKE I'M A CHICKEN!

Edward ignored the angry barking. "We don't wanna give him too much at once, but he definitely needs some meat and greens, and maybe some calcium too… We got anything here we could scrounge up for him?" Hawkeye brought her finger up to her chin and thought for a moment.

"Well, there is the garden in the back, and the kitchen's meat locker… Oh! And the green house past the garden. I'm sure we already have some things in the kitchen but I'm not sure. I'll go check for you." Edward smiled. "Thanks, lieutenant." She turned back around and smirked.

"But you know… Colonel Mustang's going to need a bath before he comes downstairs. The medics cleaned him up medically, but not physically. That can be your job." She quickly left the room as the two alchemists chimed a shocked exclamation at her statement. She smiled sneakily as she went down the stairs.

Edward and Roy stared at the empty doorway in silence. Edward slowly looked back to Roy and he realized that the chimera did indeed look very rough and in need of a wash. He grinned nervously and scoffed out of the awkward silence. Roy locked his eyes on Ed and his feathers slowly rose from being uncomfortable. He swallowed and Ed knitted his brows.

There is no way in hell you are giving me a bath.

"Well, I suppose she has a point." NO. "I mean… You don't want to look like a mess, right?" OH, NO YOU DON'T. "So… I guess I'll go get some stuff and we can get you cleaned up, okay?" NO. NOT OKAY. NO, DON'T DO THIS TO ME, EDWARD. I CAN BATHE MYSELF (well not really with these talons…) BUT PLEASE NO.

"You stay here while I get some soap from one of the guys, all right?" Edward started out the door waving behind him. He left a very bewildered Roy behind in the room as he shut the door. Roy stared at the door until it hit him.

No! Edward! Open the door! I can't! Edward! Fullmetal, open this door!

He clawed at the handle, but only scratched it up with his claws. He hissed at his talons and looked around for an escape. There was only a window, but it was partially blocked by a vanity and he quickly deduced that he couldn't move it without someone coming up to check on him. He decided to flutter up to the top of the cabinet-closet and wait for Edward to come back and then he would escape.

He knew he was being stupid. It was just a bath! Hell, he knew he should WANT one considering his life in the last week. Being treated like an animal for over a week was not good for one's sanity or state of being. But that meant instincts from the other animals inside him grew with every passing hour. Now that he was suddenly back in the human environment, the world was very different and a bath seemed like the most terrifying thing in the world.

And besides...

It's not like his feathers were clothes over him.

He was literally in the nude.

And just the thought of Fullmetal giving him a bath was embarrassing in itself without even counting that he was basically an unwilling nudist. He blushed. He hadn't thought of that till just then. His feathers poofed up as the blood met his face, and he tried to shake the thoughts away.

But oh, having a human mind in an animal's body was so awkward!

He heard footsteps coming up the stairs and he shook his feathers back down and he prepared himself. He heard metal click against the handle. It was Fullmetal, and Roy could smell it… Yeah, Ed was right about the smelling with his tongue thing. But as the knob turned, it froze in place. Roy's body tensed even more as he waited for the pipsqueak to enter the room and offer an open door.

He heard a crackling sound that sent literal shivers down his spine.

Edward was transmuting something.

Normally, this wouldn't have bothered Roy, but now, as a chimera, that sound was the sound of the reaper's laugh. He trembled and backed away into the wall and ceiling as the door started to open. Edward walked in and quickly shut the door. "I know you were trying to get out, Mustang… Mustang? Hey, where are you!?"

Edward looked over the room and his pulse quickened. He set the soap and towels down on the floor as he looked for his boss. "Colonel?" He heard a soft scraping sound and he looked behind him. When he saw nothing he looks up and saw Roy staying on top of the closet.

"What on Earth are you doing?" He walked up to the closet and rested his hands on his hips. Roy was still trembling if only barely. He cowered a little and pushed himself farther away. "Mustang. Just get down and let's get this over with! You're being way too dramatic about this." Roy frowned and slowly slid himself off of the closet. He looked pitifully back up at Edward.

"Yeah, no, puppy dog eyes don't work on me, colonel." Edward grabbed the soap and towels and headed to the bathroom to draw the bath. Roy looked to the door nervously. What was it Ed had transmuted? He looked all over the door but the only thing he saw was the scratched knob. He heard water splash into the tub and heard Edward set the room up.

Why is it that the world has to hate me so?

Edward walked back into the room and he took off his top shirt, leaving only his tank top. "Okay, colonel, let's get this over with, okay?" He laid the shirt on the bed and he headed to the bathroom doorway. He extended his hand to motion for the chimera to enter.

Roy growled and he slumped his shoulders. I'm not going in there. Edward frowned and whirled his arm in a circle to motion Roy to enter again. I'm NOT going in there. Edward's fists clenched and he jabbed his pointer finger inside and felt his face get red from frustration.

I'm not going in there—you can't make me.

Edward bared his teeth and pulled at his hair before he ran and grabbed Roy's shoulders. He dragged a very loud, squawking Roy into the bathroom and he shut the door before he could escape. "There! Nowhere for you to go besides there!" Edward stared down the chimera while nodding to the drawn bath. I hate you so much, Edward. "Go on, get in. The sooner you work with me on this, the sooner we're done with this and you don't have to deal with this again for a while."

I freaking hate you so much, Edward.

"Go on! Hurry up or else you'll be sitting in cold water, which isn't exactly pleasant as you know." Edward turned to the mirror and rolled his eyes before checking his teeth for whatever reason.

Ugh… This is so humiliating… If you ever—EVER—mention this to anyone else, you are a dead man.

Roy leaned in close to the water and looked back and forth between Ed and the bath. Edward raised his eyebrows with a smug smile and waved for him to enter. Roy turned away and sneered. He looked at the water and swallowed loudly and he shut his eyes tight before stepping in.

Edward quickly reached down to help steady the chimera as its sharp talons slipped and splashed water in the tub. He just barely saved Roy a painful lump on the head as he caught him before he hit the rim of the tub. "I guess those feet are better for trees or rough ground, huh? Wish you told me that…" Edward helped Roy ease down into the water. Trust me, kid, if I knew that I would've… Well… Would've tried to… Good GOD this is awkward!

Roy's feathers fluffed as he tried to sit in a comfortable yet shielded position. This, as it turned out, was no easy feat. He finally ended up sitting cross-legged with his tail in his lap after he got a long rant from Edward who used his ever colorful vocabulary to show his annoyance with the fidgeting. Roy squeaked in shock as water from a bucket was poured over his head and ran down his back and chest. He looked to Edward who was holding back a laugh.

"I'm sorry! But… I can't say I've ever seen you with your hair wet… It just sticks to your face…! You look like hippie in the rain! Ha ha ha ha ha!" Roy scowled as water dripped from his bangs. He knew his hair was longer, and all of his feathers made for a rather shaggy appearance, but a hippie? Could the kid not find any other term? He felt water creep uncomfortably down his ear and he tried to shake it off. He stopped as Ed yelped in surprise.

Payback's a jerk, ain't it, Ed?

Edward sighed and filled another bucket before dumping it on Roy again. "Lean back." Roy glanced back with a raised eyebrow. Edward growled and cupped his hands around Roy's forehead and he pulled the man's head back to the point where their eyes met. What the hell, Ed!? Edward's eyes widened. "Does this hurt you?" Roy shook his head. It didn't, but why would it? His neck was at least twice the length now, so it could swivel and bend more than the human neck was capable. Ed nodded and he moved his hands away. "Okay, well, stay like that. Don't move forward."

He grabbed the soap and began scrubbing it into Roy's scalp. He ignored the childish groans and whimpers coming from Roy as he worked. He looked into Roy's eyes and he scoffed. "Are you crying again, or is it the water?" Roy growled, showing his teeth more. Edward laughed and went back to washing the chimera's hair. He rinsed it out and he pushed Roy's head forward as he could avoid the beast's eyes more easily now. He scrubbed at the back of his neck, carefully scrubbing around the area where he had been in a noose. He rinsed the soap away and he stopped for a moment to grab a small wash cloth.

He dabbed it with water and gently cleaned the injured area. Roy blinked in surprise. Where he had been roped didn't necessarily hurt, but Ed sure was being sensitive and caring about it. This startled Roy as the boy had, in recent memory, been very normal (aside from when Roy had scared the living hell out of him). But right now it was like he was being a totally different person. Roy looked to his right and saw that Ed's automail was actually not the arm he was using.

He felt Ed run his fingers carefully over Roy's skin, wiping away any soap that may have gotten close to the flesh. Roy decided that since Edward was being so careful and focused, he should ruin the moment. He didn't know why. Maybe it was just instinct for the mutt to want to shake away the contact.

Edward hissed through his clenched teeth as Roy shook his head and neck, and he pulled away quickly so that his hand wouldn't hit his neck. "Are you nuts!? What are you doing!?" Roy turned his head around and he grinned evilly. His grin faded to a nervous smile. Then to a frown.

Fullmetal is definitely unimpressed…

Edward folded his arms and glared at the chimera. He shrugged. "Well, fine, since we're stopped right now, why don't you turn around for me? We need to wash the front of you anyway."

Roy whipped his head back and stared wide-eyed at the tiles. Oh God, no, no, no, no, oh I can't… Edward tapped him on the shoulder, causing the creature to jump and his feathers flare from surprise. "Yo, turn around." Roy put his best pouting face on and he slowly turned back to the teen. His eyes were open wide and his jaw quivered like a lip.

Edward remained unfazed.

Roy growled and he shuffled to face the boy. Does nothing work on this kid!? He fwipped his tail in front of his pelvis and he stared awkwardly to the faucet next to him. Edward raised a brow and reached for the soap. "Why are you so jumpy and nervous, Mustang?" He pointed to Roy's tail while keeping his gaze on the man's face.

"Is it because you're naked?"

Roy's face almost instantly turned red, and despite the weight of the water on them, his feathers flared up like a spring. Ed stifled a giggle but he couldn't contain himself as he broke out into full-fledged cackling. He fell onto his back and he gripped at his middle as he laughed himself to tears. Roy's feathers flattened with anger at the boy's reaction to his discomfort. He leaned his head over the edge of the bathtub and glared at the laughing boy.

You really are a jerky brat, you know?

Edward sat back up and he wiped away the tears with his flesh arm. "Oh… Oh, I wish you could've seen your face just then! You were absolutely hilarious! Blood red! Oh ho ho hoooo…" He gripped his side with pain from the strong laughter. He sat up and pat Roy's head as though he were a dog in the bath. "You're a riot, Colonel!"

Yeah, well, next time you're taking a bath I'm just gonna embarrass the hell out of YOU. How does that sound, blondie?

Edward smiled and began cleaning Roy's display feathers. "These are really weird, Colonel, what are they for exactly? I mean, their just like really long feathers but… Is this actually hair?" Ed held up the mass. Roy shrugged in a motion that translated to a universal 'I dunno.' Ed continued washing it and he held it up to wash the chimera's chest.

Roy couldn't even bring himself to look at the teen. "What's wrong? You embarrassed?" Ed smirked. Mustang glared at the ceiling and snarled. Yeah, I'm totally not embarrassed, I just naturally look like a tomato.

Edward scrubbed in silence and Roy avoided looking in Ed's general direction. Edward finished after rinsing him off and he sat with his hands on his knees as the two sat in deafening silence. "So uh… You need me to uh… Wash your tail?"

Roy snapped at the boy and growled.

"Okay! Okay! Sheesh… Well, then we're done." Edward stood up and pulled the plug. He turned around and grabbed the pile of towels and set one in front of the tub. "Okay, pretty boy, out you go." He grabbed Roy by the unders of his wings and helped him out of the slippery tub. Of course, the chimera's face showed the slightest hint of anger as the teen helped him out.

Ed sat him down on the towel and he threw another one on his head. "Okay, stay still." He began scrubbing Roy's head with the towel. Roy squirmed under Ed's hands as his hair and feathers became messy and dried. I am not a little child, you don't need to dry my hair like I am one! Edward pulled the towel away from his face and began drying the hair around his face.

"Hey… Are these your ears?" Edward pulled on the two tiny flaps of skin behind Roy's face and laughed as the chimera winced. "They're so tiny! They're like little mousey ears!" Edward giggled as the chimera snarled and pulled away, shaking water everywhere as it tried to get rid of the feeling of tugged-on ears.

Edward continued drying the colonel's feathers and he continued using new towels as they kept getting soaked. Roy sighed. He closed his eyes as he let Edward dry him off.

I'm just glad it's Ed doing this and not someone else. Otherwise, I'd never be able to take myself seriously again…