Chimera

It's bit short, but it popped into my head while I was finishing up the last chapters, so I included it. Thanks for the reviews, I'm glad you liked the last few chapters. Enjoy this one!

Hate you

The phone was ringing. Why was the damn phone ringing? It’s Saturday, the phone should NOT ring until after noon. Roy dragged himself up and crawled to the phone, picking it up and snarling into the receiver. “This better be good.”

“Um, hello? I’m sorry, I know it’s early but I need to tell Brother something.” Oh, it’s Al.

Dark hair stood out in all directions and he tried to tame it a little. “He’s sleeping now. Can you leave a message?” Ed had shown up and passed out practically on his doorstep the night before.

“Well, um, I kinda needed to talk to him.” A voice in the background inquired as to what was wrong and Al assured it everything was fine. “Can you wake him up, please? It’s pretty important.”

“Al, why don’t you come over? I’ll get him up and fed, then you can talk to him.” Little hums indicated his hesitation. “He was really tired last night, let him sleep a little. Be here in half an hour, he’ll be up.” ‘Come on, Al, just let me go back to bed.’

“Alright, we’ll be there in half an hour. Thank you, sir.” The phone was hung up and Roy made his way back to bed. It looked so warm and welcoming, he just fell down and was engulfed by gold arms. He tried to think of what he was supposed to do, something about Ed, but it was so nice and comfortable that sleep snuck up on him.

Solid banging on the door woke him again and he managed to remember that pants would be good to answer the door in. Leaning in the door, he ran a hand through his hair as he opened the door and stared blankly at Al. “Why didn’t you let yourself in?” The armor shifted and he saw a blond head behind him. At first, he cringed thinking Riza had finally come for him but then realized it was much further down than his Lieutenant.

Ed shuffled down the hall in a pair of Roy’s pants, too long and rolled a bit at the leg. “What’s going on? It’s so loud today, I need to sleep you know.” He stopped when he saw the door was open. “Who’s here? You should let them in, Roy, it’s not nice to make people stand outside.” A faint smirk played over his face until Roy moved over and he saw who was there. Gold eyes blinked in shock and confusion. “Winry? What are you doing here?”

Blue eyes rose from where they had been planted on the ground. “I came to visit, you idiot! What are you doing here? And dressed like that?” Ed’s face turned red and it traveled down his neck and chest.

The oldest interfered, “Come in, the step is not the place.” As uncomfortable as the girl made him, he wouldn’t make Ed do this in public. He led the way to the kitchen and left Al to start tea while he got some clothes for himself and Ed. A shirt was tossed at the boy and hastily buttoned before Roy realized he’d grabbed his own things. Oh well, it didn’t get much worse than this.

He was wrong. Winry was crying at the table and Ed was trying to explain that it wasn’t about her. Al stood by helplessly, patting the girl gently and staring at Roy. “It’s not fair! I waited and waited and you never told me anything and I waited for you to give it up and come home to me and here you are, fooling around with this asshole.” Ed drew back, shocked by the venom and swearing.

“Don’t say that, it’s not like that.”

“What is it like then? He’s got information for you? He’s using you again and you can’t even see it! He’s just a murderer, a dog who follows all orders. He doesn’t care about anything other than moving up in rank.” Her hands slammed to the table and she shoved herself up to point a finger at Roy’s chest. “He killed my parents! How can you let him be anywhere near you?”

“It wasn’t his fault, he made a mistake.” Roy started, he’d never told Ed that. “You think it doesn’t bother him, that he doesn’t hurt everyday?” The boy was standing too, glaring at his friend. “Leave him alone, he suffers too. Why do you think he’s moving up the ladder? So he can stop things like that form happening again.”

“You knew?” The blond girl whipped around to stare at him, hurt clear on her face.

“Yeah. I knew.” The gold eyes shifted down and feet shuffled in embarrassment. “I didn’t want to say anything, I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“And you thought I wouldn’t be hurt that you’re sleeping with my parents’ murderer?” Her hand balled in a fist and swung towards Ed’s head. He stopped it easily, pushing gently to move it aside. His face betrayed his hurt but he didn’t say anything. “I can’t believe you, you’re as bad as he is. Just a useless dog.”

“Hey, I’m doing this so I can get Al’s and my bodies back, you know that. Roy is, well, he’s helping and we’re, ah.” His embarrassment over emotional things cut in and stopped him.

“So, you’re sleeping with him because he helps you? How many others have you been whoring yourself out to?” Ed’s mouth worked in shock; this couldn’t be his friend, the only person who’d believed in them for years. “Well?” Her hand swept towards his cheek and Roy moved to grab it. “Don’t you touch me! I hate you!” A scream of rage burst free and a fist swung toward Roy. He flinched back but made no move to defend himself.

Ed grabbed it with his metal hand. “Don’t. That’s enough. I’m sorry you thought I would just give up and come home but this is unnecessary. It wasn’t his fault and it’s not mine either. He pays for his mistakes daily, just like I do. Leave him alone or just leave if you can’t do that.” Al caught her when she started to fall. He’d been silent but cradled her closely.

“Winry? Please, I’m sorry, I thought they’d be up and it would be alright. I know you’re upset but you need to calm down. You shouldn’t have found out this way.”

“You too Al? You forgive him too?” Tears ran down the full cheeks and she clutched at his shoulders. He sat on the floor to hold her close.

“There is nothing to forgive. He made a mistake six years ago and has paid for it, is still paying. I didn’t think it was a godo idea at first, but he loves Brother, they’re happy.” Choked sobs drowned him out. Ed knelt beside them and tentatively wrapped his arms around her too.

“Winry. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you or upset you. I just” Helpless words caught in his throat. She clung to them both, sobbing raggedly. “I’m sorry.” Roy moved to retreat to the bedroom but Ed waved for him to stop. He took a step closer and the blond boy reached up and pulled himself to his feet. He stood looking down, guilt and pain clear. “I’m sorry.” He took Roy’s hand and started to lead him out of the room.

“Ed, wait.” A delicate hand reached out. “Wait, don’t go.”

“I can’t stay without him, Winry. He belongs with me and if you can’t handle it, then we’ll go.” She stared at him, finally realizing nothing would bring him back without his lover. A sad smile graced his face and made her chest hurt before he turned to go again.

“No! Don’t go, please.” Her eyes were clouded and red from crying. “Please. Don’t leave me! I’ll try, I swear.”

“Can you? Can you really accept him?” Blue eyes shifted down but her blond head nodded. “Alright, we’ll stay.” He started moving around the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday.” A change of topic and Roy started helping while Al held the blond girl in his lap and they both watched the team move smoothly together.

Al was always interested in watching them work and Winry was amazed by their dynamic. Arguments broke out frequently, over everything from Roy reaching over Ed for plates to how hot the stove should be for eggs. Still, everything moved quickly and a matter of minutes was all it took for food to appear. Not great food, but edible.

They settled around the table, Winry avoiding looking at Roy and Ed and Al chatting to fill the silence. It was awkward and a bit unpleasant but there were no outbursts and Roy was grateful for that. The accusations hurt, more so for being true, but he was glad Ed didn’t hate him too.

After eating, the boys got ready ad went out shopping with their friend. Roy tapped Ed on the nose and got an impressive flail for his efforts. The girl laughed and they ran off, the boys waving over their shoulders. By the tie they were back, they had fixed things, at least as much as they could. The three laughed together and Ed was threatened with a familiar wrench for not taking care of his auto-mail. Roy stayed it the background and smiled, pleased he hadn’t destroyed this girl’s life again. She ignored him, and that was fine; her love for Ed was stronger than her hate of him and he'd just stay away as much as possible.