Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A.W.O.L. ❯ A.W.O.L.: Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Warnings: OOC-ness! Yaoi! Bad Grammar! Misspellings! And first FMA Fic!



A.W.O.L.


Okay, maybe Ed thought the whole kill thing was a little overboard. He had to admit the outfit was pretty damn good. He wore a billowy, black long sleeved silk shirt that had frilly cuffs around his wrist which came down to his mid-palm. His white pants were tight around his ass and thighs showing off the 'good stuff' as Gabriella said. They then are tucked down into his black boots. Ed's hair was pulled into a braid like he used to do, but this time it reached just above his lower back. (You know when your hair is pulled back it tends to be higher than the normal length) Ed wore a white ribbon around his neck which hung down to his chest. He also wore white gloves.

"Whoa..." Havoc murmured. Hughes and Al whistled as Riza clapped. They were impressed by his outfit and that someone could get him into one.

Roy stared at Ed. His thoughts were running along the lines of 'God he's gorgeous..' and 'I wonder if he wore anything under those pants.' Yes, Roy Mustang was indeed into guys. Though he only talks about women at the office most of the time. He watched as Gabriella circled the young man with an approving look.

"I see the ladies and I did a good job." She grinned as everyone whistled and cheered. "Now, Ed get off my stage."

Ed rolled his eyes and jumped off the stage as the music started. "Whatever...." He said as he headed toward the table. Al greeted his brother with a hug and smile.

"I see you were ambushed..." Al said.

Ed sat down between Hughes and Roy and leaned on his automail hand. "Unfortunately," He sighed. "At least the clothes were decent this time." Ed said as he waved his hand a bit watching the sleeve rock. Al laughed slightly.

"Edward, I've been meaning to ask you something." Riza said. Ed turned his golden eyes to her red ones and raised an eyebrow. "Why come to a town so close to Central after you went AWOL?"

Ed was silent as he stared at her. Riza's hand twitched. That stare unnerved her and scared her. How did his eyes get so blank? She use to tell what Ed was feeling through his eyes, but not now. Riza watched as Ed sat up straight and closed his eyes.

"Tell me Hawkeye, did anyone report books of alchemy disappearing from the library at Central?" He asked. Riza blinked.

"What does that have to do with it Ed?" She asked.

Hughes pushed up his glasses as his eyes turned to Ed. "You stole them didn't you?"

"Stole is such a harsh word..." Ed said. "I would like to say that I'm extending my right to know what books the military hides."

"Cute excuse," Havoc said as he chewed on his cigarette slightly. Ed shrugged.

"So what do you gain by taking military books?" Roy asked.

"I'm looking for something." Ed replied as he leaned back and crossed his arms. "And no it has nothing to do with the Philosopher's stone." He said answering the unasked question.

"Then what are you looking for?" Hughes asked. Ed glanced at Hughes and shook his head.

"Even I can't say. When I try to investigate further, I end up at a dead end."

"So why investigate it?" Havoc asked.

"Because it is important to nii-san." Al said. Ed nodded slightly and rubbed his left wrist. "Now, shall we drop the subject and get some drinks?" Al asked.

Roy didn't like this. Ed and Al were leaving them with questions about what's been going on for the last three years. He wanted to know the secrets that the brothers were hiding. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the table.

Ed lifted his hand into the air and waved over a waitress.

"Hey Edward!" The girl said as she smiled. She was about sixteen with brown hair and green eyes. She wore a knee high skirt with a nice blouse. She had a pen and pad in hand to take orders. "What would you folks like?"

"Hey Candi," Al said with a wave. "I'll have a beer." The waitress nodded.

"Make that two, please." Hughes said with a smile.

"So polite..." Candi said smiling back.

"I'll have one too." Havoc said.

Candi nodded and wrote it down. "How about you Miss?" She asked looking at Hawkeye.

"Shirley Temple, if you will." Riza said.

"Alright, and how about you two?" Candi looked at Roy and Ed.

"I'll have the usual Candi..." Ed said.

Candi nodded and looked at Roy. "And you sir?"

"I'll get what he's getting." Roy said.

"Are you sure sir?" Candi asked.

"It's alright Candi. I'm sure he can hold it." Ed said with a grin. Roy raised an eyebrow as Candi nodded and left.

"Uh...Ed? What is your usual drink?" Hughes asked. Ed just smiled and didn't say anything.

"Should I be afraid that I might get alcohol poisoning?" Roy asked. Ed shrugged.

Gabriella bounced over to them as people started to get up and dance. "So how's it going guys?" She asked happily.

"Okay, what about you Gabby? Tired yet?" Al asked.

"Hell no! This is fun!" She twirled around. "I haven't had this much fun since...last year...." That made Ed laugh.

"Then enjoy it why are you over here?" He asked.

"Because...." She smirked.

"Uh oh...."

"Uh oh what?" Hughes asked blinking. Gabriella stalked around the table picking out her prey. She smirked and slapped her hand on Ed's left shoulder.

"What the hell? Is it pick on Ed day?" He asked as he stood up.

"You mean that's not every day?" She asked as she pulled him onto the dance floor.

"She likes him doesn't she?" Hughes asked Al.

Alphonse smiled. "Gabby likes to tease Ed. Ed is way out of her league to like her."
"How so?" Havoc asked.

"For one...nii-san sees her as a sister."

"The other?" Riza asked.

"You'll find out...." Al repled. "Now watch, they dance pretty good when they aren't fighting."

Roy watched as Gabriella began to lead Ed into a pretty fast dance. It was like salsa, or something close to it. Ed would take a step forward as Gabriella took one back. Then it would switch. They soon were going side to side with a combo of the stepping forward and back. Everyone soon stopped to watch the duo dance. Before Roy knew it, it was over and Ed was walking back the same time the drinks were arriving.

"Ah! My Caesar!" Ed said happily as he plopped down a bit sweaty and picked up his drink. He took a sip and smiled. "Thanks Candi!"

"Anytime darling..." She winked and walked away.

"So Mustang, you gonna try it?" Ed asked with a grin. Roy stared at the drink. He wasn't sure if he should.

Riza rolled her eyes. "Just try it Roy."

"Fine..." Roy replied and grabbed the drink. He brought it to his lips and took a sip of the drink. He raised an eyebrow as he let it go down his throat. He took another sip and put the glass. "Not too bad..."

Ed and Al laughed. Ed extended his hand to his brother and smirked. "I told you, now fork it over."

"You made a bet on that?" Hughes asked.

Al nodded. "Nii-san said that no one cannot like his drink, so I asked him to get Mustang to get the same drink. If he was right I'd owe him thirty bucks."

"That's a cheap bet..." Havoc said.

"I got Mustang to drink it didn't I?" Ed said with a smirk. Al shook his head and looked back at the party.

"So Ed, do they celebrate like this every year?" Riza asked.

Ed took another sip of his drink before responding. "Once a year...they celebrate for the good harvest they have. This were due to Gabriella's help they have more food than before and can feed everyone to their fill."
"More food than before..." Hughes murmured. "Do you mean people starve in this town?"

"This city is known Kansou, which means dry land." Ed said as he looked out at all the people. "They barely knew how to cultivate anything for food. The idiots that came to this town and took things from them gave them enough to fight over. After I came, I got Gabriella to come and help. I figured if anyone knew about farming, it would be someone who has one of her own."

"So you save the town from starvation and from thugs. Anything else?" Roy asked.

"You are such an ass, you know that?" Ed said.

"Edward!" Everyone at the table turned to see children running up to Ed with smiling faces. Ed stood and smiled at the kids. They grabbed his hands and tugged him toward the stage. "Dance with us!"

"Okay, okay...." Ed said. He threw a smile over his shoulder as the kids dragged him off to the dance floor.

"Popular isn't he?" Hughes chuckled.

"Hey its a party isn't? Why don't we dance?" Havoc asked. Al agreed and told them to dance and he'd watch the drinks. Hughes agreed to stay with Al and chat.

Riza, Havoc, and Roy got up and headed to the dance floor. Riza and Havoc were dancing with each other as Roy walked over to Ed. He saw Gabriella there dancing with the kids. Ed was smiling and clapping, seemingly having a good time. Roy stared at the young man's smile. It wasn't real...it couldn't have been. The smile was fake, it held sadness and guilt in it. Roy wanted to find Ed for the last three years. He wanted to have FullMetal back in his life, because without him things are dull.

Ed turned his to Roy and grinned. A slow song started to play and Gabriella pushed Ed toward Roy. Some of the children somehow got behind Roy and pushed him toward Ed.

"Edward will teach newcomer how to dance!" They said as Roy got to Ed. Gabriella giggled and whispered something into Ed's ear then kissed his cheek before running off. Roy smirked as Ed blushed a pretty red and glared at Gabriella. The kids giggled too and ran off to where Gabriella was by Hughes and Al.

"Shall we?" Roy asked.

"I'm sure if we don't Gabriella will probably attack us." Ed said. He hesitantly grabbed Roy's hand with his automail one and put his other on Roy's waist. He began to lead, swaying with the music. Roy followed Ed's lead with precision and grace. "I see you've done this before."

"I am skill in other areas that just bossing people around FullMetal." Roy smirked.

"Does that include being annoyingly persistant in trying to find me?" Ed asked. Roy's smirk thinned out as he became serious.

"You know that if anyone but us found out about you being here that you will be arrested?" He said. "Archer is just itching to find a reason to get you arrested, now you gave him one."

Ed glared at Roy. "What I do with my life is my business Mustang. I won't let myself get caught easily."

"Oh really?" The Flame Alchemist pulled the younger alchemist closer to his body and wrapped an arm around his small waist. "Then how come I was able to catch you?" He asked.

At the table, Gabriella giggled as she sat with Hughes and Al. "They make sure a cute couple."

"As long as nii-san is happy," Al said as he took a sip of his drink.

"I wondered when Roy was going to make a move." Hughes said. "To bad we have to go back to Central the day after to tomorrow."

"There is a lot to do before then." Gabriella said. "Who wants to plan the rest of their lives with me?" She grinned. Al shook his head as Hughes began to talk 'business' with her. He turned and watched his brother.

Ed stared at Roy as they danced around. He was pressed against his former superior officer as though they were lovers. Not that Ed didn't mind, but he preferred if it wasn't in front of this town. He felt safe in Roy's arms though. Shaking off his thoughts he grinned at Roy. "Maybe I let you catch me, you bastard." He answered.

"For what reason would you allow that to happen?" Roy asked.

"To lower the guard of my opponent?" Ed smirked and pulled away from Roy as the song ended. "End of the dance Mr. Brigadier General."

"So it is...." Roy smiled. "Shall I escort the gentleman to his seat?"

"Whatever..." Ed said as he turned and walked toward the table. Roy followed with a small smile. As they got to the table Ed slowed and grabbed his stomach. Alphonse immediately stood up as Ed's knees buckled. Roy reached out to grab Ed but blinked as Scar was suddenly there holding him. Roy frowned as Scar helped Ed back to the table.

"Nii-san...." Al knelt beside Ed as the blonde was put in a chair. Everyone watched as he bent over so his head was between his legs.

"Breath Ed...Breath." Gabriella's voice drifted.

"What happened to him?" Havoc asked as Riza and he got to the table.

"He over exhausted himself." Scar replied as he stood beside Ed.

Roy frowned. "If I had known..."

"Don't worry about it Roy, it comes randomly." She looked at sick boy. "Ed...are you feeling alright now? Al, go get him some water."
"Right..." Al got up and ran off.

"Sit down and don't draw attention." Gabriella commanded. Everyone sat down obediently. They watched as Ed slowly sat up and take a deep breath. He was pale and his eyes were darken. He looked like he hadn't gotten to sleep in ages.

"Ed, maybe we should take you back home." Hughes suggested.

"No..." Ed replied. Scar stayed beside Ed looking down at him with a frown. "I won't let this control me..."

"You said that before too Ed," Gabriella said. "I don't think you should overexert yourself just for a town that showers you in gratitude. You know more than that. I know what you want, but I refuse to let you push yourself and get hurt just for it."

"You are not my mother Gabriella, don't tell me what the fuck to do!" Ed glared at the woman as Al came back with a cup of water.

"Ed, she is just trying to help." Riza said as Al handed the water to Ed. Ed nodded to his brother and took the water, sipping it carefully. Gabriella watched with a contempletive eye. Ed's eyes were dark with pain and the lack of sleep. He needed to go home. Stubborn brat never listened though.

"Happy?" Ed asked as he finished the water.

"Imensely," Gabriella replied looking at Scar briefly. "Take him home."
"What!" The young man across from her yelled glaring at her. Thankfully the music was blaring and no one other than them heard.

"You are in pain and you refuse to admit it, I will not stand you hurting your own body for your stupid pride." Gabriella said glaring back at Ed.

"She's right boss, I can see it in your eyes..." Havoc said his cigarette bouncing between his lips.

Roy walked over to Ed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be so ingrateful." Ed scowled at Roy.

"Nii-san please, this once..." Al murmured beside him.

"No..."

"But Ed..." Hughes said.

"I said no and that's final." Ed claimed as he abruptly stood.

Bad mistake.

Pain seared through his chest and stomach. His knees buckled beneath him sending him into a fall. Beside him, Roy reached out and caught him before he hit the ground. His hands went to his chest as Ed felt himself being picked up. Voices....there were voices around him talking, but he couldn't concentrate. The pain from his chest flared out to every part of his body. Oh god help me...it hurts...

---

Roy was quickly speed walking back to Ed's home after he collapsed. Gabriella and Al said that Roy should stay with Ed for the night, giving Ed an excuse on why he left the party early. The rest of them would go to Gabriella's hotel room later and rest there giving Ed some quiet time. Ed had given them all a scare when he didn't respond to their voices. Roy had picked him up and said he was taking the young man home and here he was.

He wondered how he got into this mess, but his thoughts were cut off when Ed's left hand gripped his shirt. He looked down at him and raised an eyebrow. "...it hurts..." Ed groaned out trying to get closer to Roy. "Stop it..." Roy looked at how pale Ed had become and held him tightly. He leaned his head in to his shoulder, where Ed's head was resting.

"Shh...it's okay. You're safe." Roy whispered to the young man. It seemed to calm Ed enough for Roy to get to the door of his home. He somehow got the door open without dropping Ed. As Roy closed the door Ed jerked awake. Looking down at Ed, Roy raised an eyebrow. "FullMetal?" Ed quickly stepped down and ran upstairs. Roy's eyes widened as he heard Ed heaving. He raced upstairs to the bathroom and peered it.

Ed's hair was hanging off to one side. His clothes were rumpled and looked at though he just woke up out of bed. Blood was dripping from Ed's mouth. His eyes watered slightly as his throat moved. He threw up bile and blood. Roy moved behind Ed and pulled back his bangs.

"It's okay FullMetal..." Roy placed a hand on Ed's forehead. Ed leaned into his cool hand as he breathed harshly. His whole body shook from it.

"I didn't want...to be seen like this..." He whispered as tears poured out of his eyes. Ed leaned over the toilet again and threw up again. Roy frowned. It was as if Ed was severly ill...but he was fine all day. (1)

"I know...I know...just try to calm down..." Roy whispered soothingly. He rubbed Ed's back with his free hand as the blonde finished spewing his insides out into the bowl. Ed nodded slightly, signaling that it was finished. Roy helped Ed sit back against the tub as he got some towels. He frowned when he walked back to Ed.

"I must looked pathetic..." Ed murmured as weakly took the towel that was offered to him. He began to wiped the blood from his mouth slowly.

"Don't worry about it FullMetal." Roy said.

"Don't call me that...I'm not in the military anymore." Ed replied.

"So you aren't, doesn't mean I'll stop calling you that." Roy smiled. Ed gave a half smile before finishing cleaning himself off. Roy watched Ed put the towel down. "Are you going to tell me what happened between then and now?"

Ed frowned and flexed his automail hand. "The Philosopher's Stone....it started after I used the Philosopher's stone to help Al..."

----


End of Chapter!

I KNOW! I cut it. But yea more excitement for later! WOO!

(1) You know how when you are a kid, you get so sick that you sit in front of the toilet when you feel like you need to throw up but can't. And you sit there and start crying because you feel if you move you'll hurl. You don't? I do....I sat that once when I was younger and cried for my mom who came up behind me and held my head when I did throw up.