Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ The Pact ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

Full Metal Alchemist Fanfiction

 

Full Metal Alchemist © HIROMU ARAKAWA/SQUARE ENIX, MBS, ANX, BONES, Dentsu, CARTOON NETWORK (A Time Warner Company), ADULT SWIM, FUNimation Productions, Ltd.

 

All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.

 

† ∞ †

 

Summary:Life is a series of disappointments, followed by death…and interspersed with laughably ridiculous events leading to increasingly impossible situations. Then again, there ISsomething worse than death, isn't there? Just ask Ed.Envy x Ed

 

Chapter Summary:“I'm still a heartless bastard.” Shoving the state alchemist away from himself, he threw his head back and planted one fist against his hip while running the fingers of the other through his hair. “As long as you remember that, Edward, you have nothing to worry about.”

 

This chapter rated: PG for slight sexual innuendo

 

† ∞ †

 

WARNINGS:

 

See Chapter 1 for the detailed warnings.

 

Constructive Criticism is welcome, Flames are not.

 

 

Thank you for reading.

 

Chiruken

 

† ∞ †

 

 

-- The Pact --

 

By: Chiruken

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Chapter:

 

“All I want is the chance to relax and enjoy your company.” He continued as if Ed had never spoken. “Well, maybe a bit more than that…but that can come later, hmm?” He could sense that the smaller man's resolve was swaying in his favour. He'd been correct in his assumption that patience and seeming understanding would convince the undersized state alchemist in the end. Of course, Edward hadn't agreed to anything yet, but that was a minor detail in Envy's mind. It was all a matter of time, of which he had plenty. After all, he wasn't exactly limited by human concepts of time, now was he?

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

Ed sighed inwardly. There was no way he was going to believe the load of bull Envy was trying to deliver to him. He wasn't stupid. He knew the homunculus had more on his mind than merely spending so-called quality time together. However, he wasn't about to argue the point either. If it guaranteed the safety of those he cared about, he was willing to agree to almost anything the other man proposed. What had him worried, though, was his ability to act convincingly willing like Envy wanted. He could admit, in the privacy of his own mind, that Envy's touch was far from repulsive. In fact, if he were to be completely honest with himself…and he believed whole-heartedly in never lying to himself…he found it to be almost enjoyable. The main problem, however, was that he couldn't quite get over the fact that he knew who happened to be attached to the hands currently moving over his body in slow caresses. No matter what, Ed couldn't forget that Envy was his enemy and could kill him at any given moment…would, in fact, probably enjoy doing so.

 

There was one detail that was bothering Ed more than anything else that had occurred during the course of what was proving to be a rather long night. Gritting his teeth, he forced his body to lean back against the homunculus' solid form behind him. “Why me?” He asked softly, closing his eyes and concentrating on not cringing when he felt Envy's lips moving against the side of his neck in teasingly light kisses. Though the homunculus' touch was far from revolting, the entire idea that he was experiencing pleasure from someone who was, by his own admission on more than one occasion, his sworn enemy was more than a little disturbing and embarrassing. “Why do this when we both know you hate me?” His eyes narrowed as his muscles tensed. “Is that why you're doing this?”

 

Envy paused and tilted his head to the side to regard the smaller man from narrowed amethyst eyes. “Don't ask stupid questions, Chibi-san.” He didn't like the direction the conversation was now going. He wasn't ready to admit to Edward that he didn't truly hate him, but rather the man he eerily resembled. Of course, that really wasn't why he was going to so much trouble to persuade the young alchemist to agree to his propositions. If he were to be honest, he'd have to admit that he truly didn't know why. There was just something about the state alchemist that drew him, enticed him, made him crave more to their relationship than what already existed. “It doesn't really matter…does it?” He turned his back and stared at the crumbling wall across from him and, through the gaps, at the lightening sky beyond. His eyes traced the streaks of early pre-dawn light spreading across the dark sky, the tiny pinpricks of starlight slowly winking out one by one as they lost the battle for dominance. Slowly he pulled his knees tight against his chest. “You should go.” Turning his head, he rested his cheek against his upraised knees and stared sightlessly off to the side.

 

Ed had the strangest feeling that somehow he'd hurt the homunculus' feelings, though he wasn't entirely certain how he'd managed to do it. It gave him an odd feeling. Thinking over his options, he shook his head slowly. Taking into consideration the events that had transpired over the course of the night, he decided that this was an opportune moment to make the effort to keep up with his end of the bargain. He couldn't quite shake the disturbing thought that he'd managed to somehow get into something that was way over his head. Shifting around until he was kneeling behind the other man he hesitated only a moment, face screwing up into a grimace of distaste before with a heavy sigh he wrapped his left arm around him, feeling his body tense briefly before relaxing back against him. Slowly he lowered his head to rest against Envy's shoulder. “How are we going to do this?”

 

Envy closed his eyes and tilted his head back against the smaller man's chest. “Hmm?” He murmured noncommittally, releasing his knees to reach back with one arm. Though it was an awkward angle, he still managed to draw Edward a little closer. He was feeling rather melancholy now that the negotiations had been completed. He couldn't help but feel that something in their arrangement was off, though he couldn't quite say what it was that gave him that sensation.

 

The thought of his younger brother learning about the proposed change to his relationship with Envy left him feeling cold inside. He really didn't want Alphonse to know how far and fast he was sinking in order to protect him. “I don't want Al to know.” Ed stated simply, allowing his body to relax a bit more. He decided that as long as Envy was being like this, the situation wouldn't be too bad. Actually, he had to admit that he could almost enjoy holding the homunculus like this. There was something that could almost be described as comforting in the reaction he was experiencing while holding the older man. It was an odd feeling, considering just who it was he was currently cuddling with.

 

Tilting his head back, Envy slowly opened his eyes to stare at the younger man steadily. Several rejoinders ran through his mind, only to be discarded almost immediately. As much as he took pleasure in provoking the undersized state alchemist into anger, he really was enjoying his current position. Probably more than he was willing to admit to at the moment. His lips twitched as he fought to hold in the teasing remarks he was just itching to voice. Finally, he allowed a slight smirk to grace his lips. “I can see up your nose, Chibi-san.” Almost as soon as the words left his lips he wanted to take them back. Ed's reaction was, of course, predictable and Envy found himself sprawled on the floor, his head bouncing painfully off the uneven stones. Wincing, he rolled to his side, clutching his skull with a low moan. “Ow.”

 

Ed stood over the homunculus' curled form, shaking with his growing anger. “Can't you, just for once, be serious?” He resisted the urge to lash out and kick him. It was a monumental effort, but he did manage to refrain from repeating his earlier mistake. Envy wasn't one to take physical abuse without retaliating like for like, as had happened just a short time earlier. Ed knew that he'd been lucky thus far, that Envy had been holding back and not attacking with his full strength. If he had been…Ed didn't like the odds that were set against his survival if the homunculus were to be angered beyond his dubious control.

 

“Fine, fine…” Envy's voice was muffled by his arms currently covering his face as he continued to hold his head, though the pain had already receded thanks, in large part, to his body's natural healing abilities. Rolling to his knees, he finally released his head to plant his hands flat against the floor. Shaking his head slightly, he slowly looked up, peering through the fall of his hair at the bristling alchemist standing over him. “You want serious.” He muttered before standing in one fluid motion. Slowly he began advancing on the smaller man, smirking at the way his golden eyes widened in growing alarm. “Here's the deal, Chibi-san.” His hand darted out and fisted in the front of Ed's coat, yanking him forward and off balance. He lowered his head until their noses were nearly touching. “You keep your mouth shut…” He reached up with his free hand and traced his fingers against the younger man's lips gently, a gesture completely at odds with the hardness reflected in his narrowed amethyst eyes and the steel edge to his voice. “And I'll do the same.”

 

Ed couldn't help but think he'd definitely gotten into something that was way over his head. Envy's unpredictable mood swings aside, he was still extremely dangerous. And yet… Ed tilted his head back a little, breaking the light contact between the homunculus' strangely tender touch against his lips. Drawing in a shuddering breath, he reached up and tried to pry Envy's grip from his coat without much success. There was something in the other man's expression that suggested that maybe…just maybe…he had just as much to lose as Ed did from exposure. “All right.” He began slowly. Taking the initiative, he abandoned his attempts to gain release and instead placed his palm flat against Envy's chest, ignoring the way his hand shook a little. “I can do that.” He was rather surprised to discover that contrary to what he'd previously believed, Envy was actually warm. Lowering his gaze, he stared at the other man's chest for a moment before moving his hand up to the left side, over where, if he were human, his heart would be. This time, he couldn't hide his shock. His gaze flew back to the amethyst eyes still staring down at him. He couldn't quite form the words to express his surprise.

 

One eyebrow rose as he stared down into Ed's wide, golden eyes. “What”?” When the smaller man continued to stare at him, lips parted but no sound emerging, Envy became impatient. Scowling, he reached down and wrapped his fingers around Ed's wrist, pulling his hand away while stepping back. “What's that look for?” He demanded irritably.

 

Ed tore his eyes away from the homunculus' mesmerizing gaze and shook his head slightly. “You…” He began slowly, eyes focusing on Envy's long fingers curved around his wrist for a moment. “You have a heartbeat.” He finally finished in a rush, debating on whether he should pull his arm from the other mans' grasp or stay as still as he could.

 

It was Envy's turn to be surprised. “Well, yeah…of course I do.” Slowly loosening his grip on the slender wrist he still held, he trailed his fingers lightly over the warm flesh until placing his palm flat against Ed's. He studied the way their hands fit together for a moment, noting the difference in size and shape. Ed's hand was broader across, his fingers strong and blunt. Envy's, on the other hand, was slender and almost delicate, the fingers long and tapered. Tearing his gaze away from their hands he met Ed's stare directly again. “What did you expect?” When the smaller alchemist merely shook his head, a faint blush rising into his cheeks as he looked away Envy sighed. “You thought that `cause I'm a homunculus I wouldn't have a heart?” The increasing colour rising into his cheeks was answer enough. Chuckling under his breath Envy wrapped his free arm around the younger man and hugged him. “Well, now you know. I do have a physical heart.” Rubbing his cheek against the top of the messy crown of blonde hair he closed his eyes with a grin. “But make no mistake, Chibi-san…it makes no difference.”

 

Ed rested his cheek against the taller man's chest, listening to the sound of his heart beating beneath his ear. “What doesn't?” He finally asked when the pause lasted long enough to signify that Envy was clearly waiting for a response from him before continuing.

 

“I'm still a heartless bastard.” Shoving the state alchemist away from himself, he threw his head back and planted one fist against his hip while running the fingers of the other through his hair. “As long as you remember that, Edward, you have nothing to worry about.” When the smaller man merely stared at him incomprehensively, he sighed and rested his fingertips against his temple while shaking his head slowly with an expression of affected disappointment. “I'm not the only homunculus, Chibi-san.” He began with exaggerated patience, as if he were speaking to a child. “There are six others like me.” His fingers stilled against his temple as he leveled a direct and intent look at the alchemist currently watching him with an almost comical mixture of irritation, surprise, and confusion. “We all have physical hearts…” He dropped his hand and folded his arms across his chest. “But don't believe for a second that there are any merciful feelings in any of us.” He nodded slowly as dawning understanding spread across Ed's features. “As long as you remember this…you should be able to manage to stay alive.”

 

 

† ∞ †

 

To Be Continued…

 

† ∞ †

 

Author's Notes:

 

Please see my Profile page for details regarding Responses to Reviewers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1