The Alchemists Guide to Relationships Part 1: Lust

Title: The Alchemists Guide to Relationships Part One: Lust
Author: Missb
Archived: At my Livejournal, any further archiving of my fiction is strictly prohibited unless cleared by me.
Summary: Join Edward Elric as he attempts to navigate the winding roads of adult relationships, with mixed results.
Part One Summary: Ed meets up with an old friend and develops a physical relationship that could eventually lead to more, that is, if other factors don\'t get in the way first.
Rating: NC-17 for sex scenes.
Pairings: M/F, hidden
Feedback: Greatly appreciated, constructive or otherwise.
Characters: Edward Elric
Beta’s: None this chapter.
Author Notes: romance, drama, angst. AU and slight OOC (since it takes place three years after the series ended, we have to assume that Ed\'s changed a bit.) Spoilers up to episode 48. Ed-centric. Don\'t get too used to updates this quick! :) Oh, and anyone who stopped by my livejournal has probably read this already!
Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist does not belong to me and I make no profit from any of these tales.

The Alchemist’s Guide to Relationships: Lust
Chapter 2
It Had to Be You

The blinding morning sun woke him from a dead sleep. Cursing as he rolled away from the window, he remembered that in his exhaustion, he had forgotten to close the blinds. The cool air caused goose bumps to form and he looked down to see that in the night he had kicked off most of his blankets.

Tiredly, he reached down and pulled the mass up over his shoulders and debated on whether he should sleep some more or just get up. Technically, he was on a short leave. It was general protocol to take at least a week off after a mission as long as his last one. He had given his report last night so really he had no reason to go into the base for at least a week. Still there were other things to do, and he could tell that he wasn’t going to get any more sleep with the way his muscles were aching.

Rolling back over, he clumsily fell out of bed. Grabbing a screwdriver from the toolbox in his closet, he sat down on the couch and decided to do something about his auto-mail. He wasn’t a mechanic, but living with auto-mail as long as he had, he managed to pick up a few of the basics. At least he could loosen the screws that were bothering him and stop the pinching.

Propping his left leg up on the coffee table, he found the screw that was causing all the trouble. It was one of the ones on the side that connected the port to the bone.

‘Great. This is going to hurt.’

Preparing himself, he twisted the screw to the left a quarter of a turn. Biting his tongue as the pain shot up his leg, he slowly let out a breath through his nose. It receded quickly and he moved on to his shoulder, repeating the process.

Afterwards, he slumped back into the sofa. The pinching had stopped but his shoulder and leg throbbed. He sat like that for a few seconds more before getting up and heading to the bathroom.

Filling the pedestal tub with warm water, he stripped off his boxers and stepped in, right leg first. Keeping his left propped up, he carefully lowered his body into the hot bath, careful to submerge as little of his auto-mail as possible. Going through his normal routine, made easier through the years, he washed his long hair, face, and body. Afterwards, he relaxed, letting the hot water sooth his aching muscles.

When he noticed his hand becoming pruned, he pulled the plug and stepped out. Drying himself off and wrapping a towel around his waist, he headed back to the bedroom to find something to wear. Settling on a red sweater that Pinako had given him for his birthday over a white button up shirt and his normal black pants, he braided his still wet hair and made his way to the kitchen to find breakfast.

Forgetting that he had gotten rid of all his perishable goods before he left, he open the refrigerator to see that all he had was a bottle of ketchup, mustard, two packs of raisins, and half a stick of butter next to a box of baking soda. With a sigh, he closed the door. He’d have to go shopping.

***

Sawyer’s corner was a small grocery store located just a few blocks from his apartment building and was the only place he shopped. It was owned by a nice elderly couple who knew who he was and were always nice to him. Plus he ran little risk of bumping into anyone he knew.

Turning the corner of an aisle, he checked the contents of his basket, making sure he wasn’t forgetting anything. Looking up just in time, he still managed to smash head on into another customer, sending them both to the floor.

Not looking up, he quickly gathered the contents of the other person’s basket and put them back in. “Hey! I’m sorry. Are you all ri…” The words died on his tongue as he finally registered who he had run into. Blond hair pulled back into a twist and amused green eyes staring at the shocked look on his face. He almost didn’t recognizer her out of costume.

“Clara?”

Standing up, the woman in question just smiled, “Well, well, if it isn’t Edward Elric. I always knew we’d meet again, I just didn’t think it would be in the frozen foods section.”

“Please don’t tell me you want to fight.” Still on his knees, he surveyed the weapons he had at his disposal. If need be, he could always transmute the bag of frozen peas into a rope.

Clara just laughed, “Of course not.”

“Oh,” feeling silly, Ed stood and handed her the basket she had dropped.

“My, you’ve grown.” She observed and Ed noticed too that he was standing at eye level with her.

“Yeah, I guess so.” He stated proudly.

“I knew you would.” She smiled at him and he smiled back at her.

Embarrassed, Ed scratched the back of his head. The feeling passed quickly, however, once he realized that he was standing next to the notorious Thief Psiren of Aquroya, “What are you doing here?”

“Shopping. What else? A girl’s gotta eat.” Clara smiled at him and Ed knew that she had purposely misunderstood the question.

“That’s not what I meant. What are you doing in Central?” At the accusing tone of his voice, Clara’s face fell. Ed momentarily felt a stab of guilt but shrugged it off, remembering that she was good at playing people. Besides, she was a criminal; he had every right to be suspicious.

“I live here. It’s been nearly six months now.”

“Time well spent scoping out your next mark?” Really it was more of a statement than a question.

“No! Honestly, I’ve left all that behind me.” Clara shook her head dramatically and clutched a hand to her bosom. Ed resisted rolling his eyes at her theatrics, “I just want to live a normal life. Besides, when was the last time you heard anything in the papers about Psiren?”

Dropping his guard, Ed realized she was right. The last time he had heard anything about her was when Mustang told him she escaped custody three or four years ago. “So, you expect me to believe that you’ve completely reformed?”

Wiping a phony tear from the corner of her eye, Clara seemed to collect herself, “Well, I wouldn’t say completely.” She smiled slyly at him, “But, yes, I’m not a thief anymore. If that’s what you’re worried about.”

“You’re still a fugitive.” Ed clenched his fists. Around the two, the store’s few customers went about their own business, unaware of the standoff taking place in aisle five.

“Yes.” Clara stared him down, and Ed watched her hands carefully to make sure she didn’t expose the transmutation circle on her chest and attack. “Are you going to turn me in?”

The two continued to stare at one another as Ed came to a decision. He tried to think of Al and what he would do. Maybe she really had turned over a new leaf.

“No.” He surrendered with a sigh. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he tried to appear aloof, “Besides, it’s a police matter. Capturing you would only mean more paperwork for me, and I’m on vacation.”

“Thank you. I always knew you’d be a great man someday.”

Silence reached out and took hold as he ignored her last comment. “I better go. I’m meeting someone soon so…”

“A date?” she asked cheerily.

“No, just a friend.” He quickly corrected her, shocked at the quick change of atmosphere.

“That’s good.”

“Huh?” He blinked, confused.

“I’d hate to invite you out to coffee only to learn that you had a girlfriend.”

“Huh?!” his eyebrows rose in shock. Again she smiled at him, coyly, and he felt his checks burn with embarrassment. Damn, he had forgotten how she could make him blush.

“Then it’s settled. Meet me tonight. Say about eight o’clock at the Java Inn on the corner of Thirty-first and Chaley Street. Ta ta!”

She blew him a kiss and walked away, leaving him dumbstruck in the middle of the aisle, groceries still spilled on the floor around his feet. “Huh.”

***

As was his tradition after a mission, Ed arrived at the Hughes house at precisely one o’clock in the afternoon. Almost immediately after entering the house, Edward found himself wrapped in Gracia’s arms.

“Edward. I’m glad your back.”

Ed hugged her back limply. Over the years he had grown used to Gracia’s motherly affection, but it still made him a little uncomfortable when she hugged him.

“It’s good to see you too.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she pulled back and held him at arms length, “Come in out of the cold.”

Stepping aside, she guided him further into the room, pulling the door closed behind him. Hearing his mother’s voice in his head, he wiped his feet on the rug before wandering in. Sitting on a bench in the hallway, he removed his wet boots. The heat from the fireplace in the living room warmed his toes and made the tip of his nose tingle pleasantly. When he stood, Gracia took his long black jacket and hung it on the coat rack.

“Are you hungry?”

His stomach growled at the though of food, remembering the lousy cup of coffee that had passed for breakfast. “Starving.”

“Good, I’ll make us some lunch.” With that she wandered into kitchen. “I hope you are planning on staying longer this time.” Ed wandered down the hall, eyeing the photographs that hung on the walls. Most of them were taken after Maes’s death and they all had an air of bittersweet happiness about them. In every one the mother and daughter posed happily for birthdays and Elysia’s first day of school. It was almost easy to pretend that Maes was the one behind the camera.

“Well, I have the week off, and if Mustang doesn’t have any mission’s for me, I was planning on taking a trip out east.”

“Are you going back to Resembool?” Gracia appeared in the hallway, apron wrapped around her waist and a butter knife in hand.

“Yeah, for a little while at least. I also was hoping that Al and I could take a trip out to Ishbal. It’s been a while, and I know he’s been worried.”

Gracia smile warmed him all over, “What?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking about how proud I was of you two.”

Embarrassed, he stuck his hands in his pockets and Gracia went back in the kitchen. He followed and leaned against the doorframe to watch her cook. It was something he had always done with his mother. Watching her cook had always been soothing. She always hummed as she peeled and stirred. She never needed to use a recipe; she always seemed to know what would taste good. Sometimes, she allowed him to help, until he got impatient and ended up eating most of the ingredients before they could cook and she had to chase him out of the kitchen.

Gracia was a lot like that. She didn’t hum, and he had long outgrown the habit of eating raw potatoes, but still, it was soothing. Crossing his real leg over the machine one, he decided to enlist Gracia’s help on a matter that had been bothering him ever since he ran into Clara.

“Gracia. Have you heard any news about any new art exhibits coming to town?”

“No, not that I can think of. Why do you ask?”

‘Oh no reason. I just ran into this thief I used to know and was wondering if she was planning on stealing anything.’ Ed uncrossed his legs and pulled away from the door frame. “I just through it would be nice if I could take Elysia.”

“That’s very sweet of you, Ed. I have the paper in the living room if you want to see for yourself.”

***

Three hours and two and a half hot roast beef sandwiches later, Ed had combed the Central City Times from front to back and found no notices from Psiren nor were there any references to anything of significant value arriving in town. Throwing the paper to the side, he sat up from the couch he had been resting on, legs crossed out on the coffee table in front of him. Uncrossing his legs, he leaned forward and held his head in his hands, elbows resting on his knees. He’d even gone as far as to check for any encoded messages in the personals section with little success. Although, Gracia did give him a funny look when she noticed how much attention he had been paying to the personal ads.

Looking to his right, he watched as Elysia sat on the floor and did her homework on the coffee table, legs crossed under the wooden surface. Arriving home from school, she had jumped into his arms and told him that he had to help her with her math homework. Every once and a while, he would lean over and check her work, correcting her if need be and trying to explain himself as simply as possible.

“Ed?” Elysia’s pencil stopped mid-strike and Ed turned to her, letting his right hand fall across his lap and propping his head up on his left.

“Hmmm?”

“Mommy says that you’re lonely. Is that true?”

His head shot up, “What?! Where did that come from?”

“It’s just…, you looked sad and I thought that had something to do with it.” Elysia looked down and Ed let her continue. “Is it that you miss your brother?”

Ed stared at the little girl. It was true, he did miss Al, but as he had told himself thousands of times, their separation was for the best. He wasn’t a suit of armor anymore, and Ed was still going out on dangerous missions. He didn’t want to risk Al getting hurt, not when they had already sacrificed so much to make him whole again. Plus, Mustang had convinced him that there would be too many questions caused by Al’s sudden change of appearance. Not that all of that made it any easier.

“Of course I miss him,” he gently told her, “but that doesn’t mean I’m lonely. I’ve got you and your mom, remember?”

“Yeah, but still, Mom’s always saying how close the two of you are, and that you should be with him.”

“Well,” Ed let his body slip down to the floor lazily, the action caused Elysia to smile and he smiled as well, glad that the conversation was taking a lighter turn. “It’s not like I can never see him. I go visit all the time. And in a little while, I’ll even be able to see him everyday.”

“Why’s that?”

Ed allowed Elysia to crawl in his lap as he regaled her with a grand tale of the evil Roy Mustang and his devious contracts.


***

The Java Inn was a fairly nice shop in one of the more rural areas of Central. Here, store fronts were decked out to match the weather. Some windows were decorated with little white lights and others had cut-outs of snowflakes taped to the glass. Displays were filled with merchandise positioned on beds of white cotton and the lampposts were wrapped in pine garland. The inn was no different, it’s window advising passersby to come in out of the cold and have a hot cup of coffee.

Stepping inside, Ed nostrils flared as the sweet and pungent aroma of pastries and coffee beans overwhelmed his senses. The interior looked almost identical to every other coffee house in the city; little metal tables surrounded by chairs, an area right in the center with two sofas facing each other, and a low table in the middle. The walls were painted a deep red, making it seem warmer than it really was.

Behind the counter, the baristas worked at a steady pace grinding coffee beans and steaming milk with a large stainless steel machine. Hardly any of them were much older than he was, and he wondered if, perhaps in another life, that could have been him, working for minimum wage to afford tuition and books. Or maybe, instead of being behind the counter, he’d be on the couch, surrounded by friends, eager and cocky in his newly acquired knowledge.

Walking through the café, Ed search out his “date,” finally spotting her in the back corner. The table she had chosen was dimly lit and no other customers occupied the neighboring tables. She wore a black skirt and white blouse, her mid-length blond hair pulled up in a twist. A lit votive candle in the center of the table cast a warm glow on her face as she read a book. So engrossed was she, that she didn’t look up until he had pulled out the chair next to her.

“I’m glad you came.” She shut her book as he sat facing the door. Picking up the pale yellow tea cup and saucer in front of her, she eyed him curiously as he took in his surroundings. “Don’t worry. No one’s going to see us together.”

Edward stopped cautiously scanning the crowd and stiffly managed to at least look like he was relaxing. Still keeping an eye on the entrance, he tried to make small talk, “So, what are you reading?”

“This?” She gestured to the cobalt hardcover, “This is a classic. Have you ever read it?”

Ed glanced at the title and author, “No. I’m not really into fiction.”

“Really, you should try it.” Putting down the cup, she lovingly laid a hand on the cover, her countenance far off and dreamy, “you see, in this story there are two people, lovers actually, who come from completely different backgrounds yet seem to completely compliment one another. They are together for a long time, happily, or so they think. One of them has an extremely dark past, so full of pain and misery and trauma that in the end, they can’t help but betray the other.”

“Huh,” Ed blinked before his face contorted cynically, “sounds like quite the depressing tale, full of melodrama and cheap clichés.”

“Even so, I like it.”

‘You would.’ Ed didn’t say it out loud, choosing instead to try being pleasant. It’s what Al would want him to do.

“Have you read the newspaper lately?” She asked him coyly.

“Yes.” Ed knew what she was getting at but chose to act oblivious.

“Anything…interesting?” Apparently, she wasn’t buying his ruse.

With a sigh, he gave in, “…no.”

Clara perked up, “Great! You see, you shouldn’t be so suspicious.”

“What!” Ed flared with righteous indignation, “Yes I should. I turn you into the police and then the next time I see you, you ask me out on a date. What’s that about?”

“Who said anything about a date?”

Ed deflated. All this time he’d been assuming this was a date. The possibility that it wasn’t made him feel…disappointed. This surprised him on a level that he just wasn’t prepared for.

At his slightly stricken expression, Clara just giggled. “Relax Ed, of course this is a date. I was just kidding. But I am glad, now that I know you wanted it to be a date too.”

Crossing is arms; Ed was slightly perturbed that he had been so transparent. “Yeah, some date: a state alchemist and a wanted thief out for a night on the town. How did you know that I wouldn’t turn you in?”

“Let’s just call it a woman’s intuition.”

“That’s bull!” Ed stood and stabbed a finger at the table, “I could still transmute this table into a pair of handcuffs, you know.”

“Let’s save the bondage for later.” Clara didn’t miss a beat, just smirked as Ed’s jaw nearly hit the table at her interpretation of his threat.

Ed sputtered and blushed, “That’s not what I meant! I meant-“

“I know what you meant.” She rolled her eyes, “Gee, I didn’t think you’d be such a prude.”

“I’m not a prude!” A few tables over, a couple took notice at Ed’s outburst. He had the decency to look embarrassed and sat back down.

An awkward silence stretched out between them as Ed searched for something to say or even another accusation to throw at her. What did normal people talk about on dates? “So, what are you dong in Central? Do you have a job here or something?”

After taking a sip of her tea, Clara sat up proudly, “Actually, yes. I’m working as a secretary in a-“

“No. Wait. Let me guess.” Ed interrupted her, placing a finger to his temple and closing his eyes, “’in an office building about to be demolished.’ Right?”

Opening his eyes, Ed was taken aback by the annoyed, almost sad look on her face. He expected her to yell, or even cry out, calling his accusations unjust. Instead, she just covered the auto-mail hand resting on the table with her own.

“Ed,” her voice was calm and soft, but at the same time, steady and strong, “Why don’t you just relax and have a good time tonight, comfortable in the knowledge that I have no intention of getting in trouble with the law?” She paused, letting what she said so far sink in, “I forgave you for capturing me. Why can’t you forgive me for being a thief?”

Ed was silent as he wrestled with what to do. His strong belief in justice kept flaring up, poking him in the side and reminding him of what she’s done. On the other hand, she had been trying to save Aquroya. Even though she lied and tricked him, her intentions were good. Besides, he’d seen worse crimes go unpunished.

Begrudgingly, Ed gave in, “…but still. If people found out that I saw you and didn’t turn you in or even report it, I would be in serious trouble.”

“Don’t worry,” She assured him, “No one’s going to know who I am. I’ve been on the lamb for years now and not a single person has ever come after me.”

***

When Clara had brought up alchemy, Ed finally dropped his guard. They talked for hours on the subject, munching on pastries and sipping coffee and tea. Ed was surprised to learn that she was more adept at it that he originally thought and relieved when he learned that she knew very little about human transmutation and its consequences. They talked about their theories and areas that they held a specific interest in. It wasn’t until Ed went off on a tangent that she couldn’t follow that she changed the subject.

She regaled him with stories of her most interesting and comical heists and Ed took in all with a grain of salt. Most of Ed’s stories were only humorous at his own expense so instead he talked about the Philosopher’s Stone when she asked him if he ever found it. At her interest in the stone, he sternly warned her of how it was made, effectively extinguishing her desire for it.

She sat engrossed and teary eyed as he told her about Al and his missing body. Leaving out that it was lost attempting human alchemy; he instead made up a story of a botched alchemy experiment, which was mostly true anyway. He clarified the rumor about Lior and Scar and how the stone was created, skipping over the homunculi’s involvement.

The most difficult was when he told her how he restored Al. The truth about the gate was hard to swallow. He didn’t tell her that Al had been the Philosopher’s Stone, just that it was offered to the gate, along with all the lives contained within it, in exchange for Al’s body and reaffixing his soul to it.

When he finished, she had a lot of questions. He did his best to answer them without giving too much away. It was difficult, but she finally noticed how uncomfortable the subject made him and stopped asking.

***

Most of the store fronts were dark by the time they exited the coffee house. The boulevard was devoid of its occupants and the streetlights provided most of the light. A light snow had dusted the sidewalk and as the two walked side by side, they left fresh tracks in the moonlight.

She had taken his auto-mail arm as he walked her home, keeping to the street side – a gesture that she called chivalrous – and he liked that she didn’t pull away from the cold that no doubt was seeping though the fabric.

***

Following Clara into the apartment, Ed quickly took in his surroundings. He was standing in a short hallway that opened into a large living room. There were two crimson love seats placed opposite one another with a matching sofa in between facing a full bookshelf on the wall. A table was pushed up behind the couch with a few candles decorating the center. It seemed warm and homey and he immediately felt relaxed. The floors were all hardwood and the furniture looked brand new. She was apparently living well for a fugitive.

Taking his coat, Clara hung it in a nearby closet in the hallway and he strolled in. Following closely behind him, Clara snapped on a few lamps, lighting the room in a soft glow. “Would you like a glass of wine?”

“Sure.” He watched as she walked further down to another hallway and made a left to what was probably the kitchen. Following her for a few steps, he peaked down the hall and could see two more doors. Wandering around the room, the bookshelf caught his eye and he scanned the titles. Most of the books were on alchemy.

“Have you read any of those?”

He turned to see Clara standing behind the couch, two glasses clutched in one hand a bottle in the other. “All of them. This one twice.” He pointed to the book in question.

“Of course you have. Silly question.” Walking to the table behind the couch, she set the glasses and bottle down. Opening a drawer, she removed a box of matches and lit the three pillar candles in the center.

Ed began to feel apprehensive and shoved his hands into the pockets of his black pants. First coffee, now this. Just what did she expect of him? Walking around to stand next to her, he eyed her as she uncorked the bottle and poured the red liquid into the glasses.

“Clara. What are you doing?”

“Well, Edward, I’m about to have a drink with my most worthy captor and former adversary.” She handed him a glass and he accepted it with his real hand.

“I can see that, but why?”

“Why not? I like you and you obviously like me or else you wouldn’t be here.” She raised her glass in a mock toast and took a sip.

“Huh?! You like me?” Ed felt the beginning of a blush coming on.

Clara smiled at his reaction and set her wine glass on the table. Closing the distance between them with a few deliberate steps, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled her body as close to his without really touching. “Isn’t it obvious?”

She leaned in slowly for a kiss and Ed took a step back. “Wait.” Her arms fell to her sides but her come-hither posture remained. Cheeks feeling as if they were on fire, Ed shakily set his glass next to hers and took a breath to calm himself. “What do you want with me?”

“If I have to spell it out for you, then maybe you’re not the grown up I thought you had become.”

Ed took the bait, and hackles rising, forgot any embarrassment he had, “I don’t believe in casual sex.”

One of the many things he hated about Mustang was how he always bragged to him about the girls he was sleeping with. To Ed, people weren’t toys.

“My, you are the chivalrous one aren’t you?” Clara again closed the distance he put between them and gently took his human hand in her own. “Of course I expected as much. Just like I expected you to be a virgin.”

Staring her in the eye, Ed was mildly irritated at her correct assumption, and felt himself begin to blush again.

Clara chucked, it seemed like she couldn’t get enough of embarrassing him, “Its okay. A lot of men your age are. And leading the life you do, it’s only natural.”

“What do you know about my life?” he spat at her.

She was not put off and instead held his auto-mail hand in her free one. “Rumors mostly, and some truths based on my own observations. You lead a hard, dangerous life. It’s only natural that you keep people at a distance. Plus, you have these,” Lifting up their joined hands, Clara gently peeled off his gloves, exposing his auto-mail. She let go of his human hand and he let it fall to his side, captivated as she gently stroked the lines of the metal. “As common as it is, you are still ashamed of them.”

“I’m not ashamed.” He defended himself.

“No? Then why do you wear gloves and long sleeves all the time? It’s not because of the cold because you wore them in Aquroya in the summer as well.”

She was right, he was ashamed, but not of his auto-mail. It was the reason he had to have it in the first place that shamed him, but of course, he’d never tell her that. Hanging his head, Ed watched as she continued to stroke his hand. “I can’t feel that you know.”

“I know.”

Her smile was small and melancholy as she leaned in and kissed him. It was short and gentle, barely more than a whisper. When he didn’t pull away, she leaned in again. Slowly, she captured his bottom lip with her own. Their bodies were now touching and Ed felt her sigh against his mouth. Closing his eyes and breathing though his nose, he deepened the kiss.

Clara placed the hand she had been holding on her waist and as the two pulled apart again, Ed slowly opened his eyes. She was looking at him, studying his face with the most open expression he had ever seen on her face. It was honest and real and any resolve or left over suspicion he had been holding on to vanished.

Boldly, he kissed her again, this time bringing up his real hand to run through her hair. Pulling her closer, he felt his blood begin to rush away from his head as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She led the kiss as it deepened, placing a hand on the back of his head and guiding him as she moved her mouth against his.

Moaning lightly, he moved them so they turned and Clara’s back leaned against the table. She answered him with a pleased hum and he tried to remove her hair clip. His fingers fumbled with the unfamiliar device and he felt Clara chuckle into the kiss before pulling away.

“Here.” Expertly she undid the clasp and threw it on the table. Turning away, she grabbed his auto-mail hand and began leading him down the hallway past the kitchen to the last door on the right. He stopped in the doorway, nervousness returned with what he saw there.

The room was average size. A wardrobe closet sat to his left and to his right was a vanity dresser with a mirror. In the middle of the room, was a queen sized bed with a simple light blue bedspread, a night stand on either side, each decorated with a lamp. Clara walked into the room and causally began unbuttoning her white blouse.

She didn’t seem to notice his apprehension as she walked to the vanity, grabbed a box of matches and began lighting the candles that were spread through the room. When she was done, the room was lit mostly by their light with a few rays from the moon shining in through the window. Walking back to where he was standing, she again took him by the hand and led him to the foot of the bed.

Without a word, she slipped her hands under his red sweater and pulled it over his head. Ed assisted her, tossing it to the floor. Slowly, she began unbuttoning his shirt. Dumbly, Ed just stared at the exposed transmutation circle on her chest, not knowing what else to do.

In no time she had reached the final button and ran her hands up his chest to his shoulders and gently pushed the shirt to the floor, leaving him in only his black pants, minus belt, and boots. He did the same with her shirt, taking in the sight of her clad in only a white lacey bra, black skirt and heels.

Like she did with his hand, she gently ran her fingers up his auto-mail arm. He shivered when her fingers brushed along the areas where flesh met steel. “So many scars…” looking into his eyes, Clara placed one hand on his chest and used the other to place his auto-mail hand on her back.

“It’s cold.” Ed stopped her before his hand met her flesh.

“I don’t mind.” She smiled, “Some people like to use ice cubes in the bedroom. They find the change of temperature highly erotic.”

All Ed could respond with was a dumb, “Oh.”

Choosing a different tactic, Clara guided his metal hand slowly up her side, gasping as the fingers brushed against her covered breast. Reaching her shoulder, Ed gently ran his fingers down her arm, watching intently as goose bumps formed along the skin and her nipples hardened.

Confidence building, he wrapped his left arm around her waist and kissed her, running his right hand slowly up and down her spine. Clara moaned and shivered a bit. Arms around his shoulders, she pressed her body close to Ed’s taking comfort in the warm human flesh and receiving pleasure from the places the cool metal touched her.

Heart beating fast, Ed felt his pants begin to become tight as his growing erection strained against the material. Clara seemed to notice and ground her hips into his groin. Gasping, he broke the kiss but Clara didn’t relent, just continued kissing his neck. Ed felt his knees get weak as she found a particularly sensitive place by his ear.

Suddenly, her hands were at the waist of his pants, undoing the top button and pulling down the zipper. With a push they fell to the floor and Ed struggled to toe off his boots. Succeeding in his task, he felt around for the zipper on her skirt and pulled it down. She repeated his movements, toeing off her heels and stepping out of the skirt.

Standing in their underwear in the dimly lit room, their mouths met once more. Tugging with one of her arms that were around his neck, Ed took her hint and lowered them to the bed. Pushing him away, Clara scooted to the head of the bed, Ed crawling after her. Expertly, she removed her bra and lay back, waiting for him.

After staring at her for a few moments, Ed joined her, lying on her left side; half his body covering her own, kissing her neck in the same place she had on his. Experimentally, he began to explore her body with his warm hand. Almost shyly, he cupped her exposed breast. She gasped as his thumb accidentally grazed the hard nipple. Ed did it again, pleased to hear her gasp, knowing that it was because of him.

Her hands, which up until this point had been at his side, began to roam the expanse of his back. One hand came to the waistband of his white boxers and a finger slipped under the elastic.

Ed’s head shot up and he gasped as Clara held his erection in her hand, gently stroking the shaft. Moaning, he thrust himself into her waiting hands. Clara moaned, and Ed bit his lip at the pleasure that came from her ministrations.

As the initial surprise and shock wore off leaving only the pleasure, Ed struggled to find the right way to make her feel what he was feeling. Propping his upper body up on his auto-mail arm, he used his left to pull off her matching white panties. Clara lifted her lower body to help him and he tossed the clothing to the floor.

Running his hand along her thigh, he stopped when he reached her groin, unsure of what he should do. Sure, studying human composition, he knew where everything was, but this was a completely different matter.

Sensing his anxiety, Clara removed her hand from his genitals and guided his hand to her folds, showing him how to touch her. She gasped and closed her eyes as she ran his fingers along the outer edges of her vagina. Slowly, she pulled her hand away, allowing him to explore on his own.

Watching her face, he continued to stroke her. As her wetness built, he slowly inserted a finger, pleased when she began to writhe with pleasure. Thrusting into her, he watched her face as he changed the pace and strength of his strokes to fit her need.

“Oh, Ed,” She moaned and Ed felt his crotch throb at the mention of his name. Her hand found its way back to his member and began to firmly stroke it.

He moaned her name and nearly whimpered as she once again pulled away. She pushed at his shoulders and obediently, he lay on his back. Her hands tugged at the waistband and he lifted his bottom to help her remove his boxers. Once off, she flung a leg over his waist and straddled him.

“Are you ready?”

Grabbing her hips and breathing heavily, he eagerly nodded his head. Taking him into her hands, she positioned him at her opening. Holding on to his shoulders, she slowly sank onto him.

Ed choked on a gasp and his eyes rolled back in his head. It was so warm and soft. He was cradled deeply within her tightness and at last he understood why men were so eager to be there.

Opening his eyes, he saw her staring at him, panting lightly, cheeks rosy and eyes shining with excitement and mischief. She smiled at him, as if she knew exactly what she was doing to him. Rolling her hips forward slowly, Ed groaned and tried to keep his eyes from closing again.

She pulled back just as slowly and again rotated her hips forward, bringing him deeper inside her and holding him there before pulling back. Each stroke built in speed, and the time they held their bodies firmly together decreased until they had reached a steady tempo. This was the pace she set, and Ed struggled to keep some semblance of composure.

Instead, he locked eyes with the woman above him and for a while they seemed to partake in a battle of wills. Loser loses control first. Psiren was right; it was more fun as man and woman.

Sweat began to coat their bodies at the slow, strenuous pace of their love making. Desperately, Ed dug his fingers into her flesh, thrusting up to meet her and holding himself there for a moment before she ebbed away.

Clara gasped and wavered, almost breaking eye contact. Ed smirked. Refusing to loose, she returned his smirk with one of her own before abruptly changing pace, slamming their bodies together.

Ed couldn’t help it; he arched his head back, eyes staring up into the distance. As Clara continued to ride him hard and fast, he forgot all about losing, it had never felt so sweet anyway. With all pretenses gone, Clara let loose, thrusting down hard on top of him, moaning and calling out his name.

Beneath her, Ed bit his lip and held on tight to her hips, trying to match the rapid pace and keep himself from coming. It was too soon, but the tempting way her breasts swayed back and forth and how she threw her head back in fervor were almost his undoing.

“Clare…” He choked out, trying to warn her, but he couldn’t get the words out, afraid that just saying them would make it happen.

Eyes closed and head thrown back, Ed wasn’t sure she even heard him. Letting out a small high-pitched keen, Clara continued to thrust down, her movements becoming erratic and jagged. “Oh Ed, I’m gonna…”

Her body began to shake and she cried out his name again. That was all it took for him to slip over the precipice. He came hard: back arched and eyes closed so tight that spots formed behind them. He was aware that he called out her name, maybe some other stuff too, but his voice seemed so far away. All he knew was the pleasure as it pulsed throughout his body.

Their thrusts became slow, riding out the aftershocks as they both came back to themselves. Breathing heavily, Clara slumped on to Ed’s chest. They sat that way for a while, both catching their breath and not speaking. Eventually, Clara rolled to his auto-mail side and Ed cradled her as gently as he could.

“Is that uncomfortable?” He asked her. His voice was soft, afraid that if he spoke too loud the moment would be ruined.

“No, it feels good. Nice and cool.” Her pants gradually became less intense, and before he knew it, she was asleep in his arms.

Notes on Chapter 2

The date scene was pretty tough to write because it was difficult for me to make Ed stop slinging accusations. I’m still only 75% satisfied with his reasoning to begin to trust her, but that’s okay because the character probably feels the same.

I don’t know if the book Clara was reading actually exists; I just came up with the plot in order to have Ed say the line after. Yeah, I know its lame but I enjoy it.

Obviously, this story splits in to AU after about episode 48. I tried to give a general idea of what happened. How it happened exactly is not important to the story.

Little Known Fact: This chapter started up a b-storyline involving Roy/Riza. I scrapped it when I realized that the reason I had behind the conflict was dumb and wouldn’t play out in a satisfying way.

B on Clara/Psiren: I always thought that Clara was an interesting character and held out hope to see her again. I never really saw her as a villain, just a woman who had her reasons. I liked her because she seemed so strong and confident in her sensuality, yet carried with her a deep sadness.

Coming Up:
The morning after. Will people find out about Ed’s new lover?


Final note: I\'ll probably be changing my author name sometime soon. Aff.net is the only place I could just get the name missb so to match up with LJ and ff.net I\'m going to try to change it to lil_missb or something along those lines.