Chimera

Yay, another one done! Yeah, I know it's almost sickly sweet, but I can't help myself. They're just so cute! And Ed is adorable, if a brat. Thank you for the kind words, they mean a lot.

Bathtime

Three hours later, he blinked awake, surprised he’d managed to fall asleep on the tiny, hard cot. A flash of reflected silver caught his eye and he turned his head to see Ed bolting out the door. "Ed! Wait, it’s ok. You can come in, I’m up." The gold head peeked around the door. "Come in, please, come sit with me." He swung himself up and shuffled over to leave most of the bed for the blond. Said blond slid in and moved slowly forward to sit, careful to stay on the far side of the bed. "What were you doing? Bored?"

The young man nodded, "Play?" Roy finally noticed the deck of cards clutched in the slim hand.

"Of course. Would you like to deal?" A head tilt showed he didn’t know how. "Alright, here, I’ll teach you." He took the cards, shuffled them lightly, letting Ed see his hands, and slowly dealt a matching game. "Here, just choose two cards. If they match, you get to go again. If not, it’s my turn." He had to smile; Ed would choose a card with each hand and flip them quickly, then whip his head around to see if they matched. As always, he pulled one of each card before he managed to get a pair. Roy let him, pretending to miss pairs to allow him to get used to the game. They ended up even. "Again?" Bright yellow eyes laughed at him and shoved the cards over. "No, your turn. I dealt last time, so you go now." Slim brows met in concentration as he shuffled awkwardly but the older man was patient and waited it out, even when the cards were tossed down in frustration. Finally, they were mixed and dealt. Better luck this time, Ed managed three pairs without help, so Roy went all out, beating him badly. "Why are you growling? Because you lost? You can’t win all the time and I won’t just let you, that’s not fair to either of us. If you don’t want to play anymore, just say so. Would you like to play something else? Or just talk a little? We didn’t have much time to chat today, did we?" The growling stopped and the blond looked at his hands.

"Hard. Play. Talk."

"I know it’s hard, Ed. I know it’s hard for you to focus sometimes and you get frustrated. I know you have a hard time with the others and you have to fight it, even if they don’t realize it. You’ve done very well controlling yourself. Even if it doesn’t mean anything to you now, I’m proud of you. We’re going to change things here, the rules will be different and I think you’ll like them. You’ll have more freedom and hopefully you won’t feel as helpless, but you need to be responsible with your behavior. We’ll all sit down in the morning and talk about it. Will that be alright?" The blond nodded, still looking down. "Would you like to play something else? I can teach you some new games. Or, we can just talk, I can tell you about some of your past, mine, or ours if you like."

He crawled forward to lean against the firm side and duck under a pale arm. "Talk. You." Metal fingers played with the buttons on Roy’s shirt and fiddled with the hem.

"Of course. I met you just after you had an accident with alchemy, the one where you lost your arm and leg. You know about that?" Nod. "Well, I had gotten a letter addressed to your father, you were looking for him, and came to see you. A year later, you came to Central City to take the State Alchemist Exam. I was a Lieutenant Colonel and sponsored you. You were put under my command and reported to me and I tried to help you find the Stone. I found out about your cat part when you were fifteen and we started going out soon after." He continued, talking about every adventure and mission he could remember until Ed poked him in the side. "What?"

"You." He went back to tracing alchemy circles on Roy’s stomach.

"Oh, you want to know about me?" He grinned, that was a very good sign. "Well, not very interesting I’m afraid. I’m a single child and my parents died when I was eighteen. I joined the military shortly after and fought in Ishbal when I was 23. I’m a State Alchemist, my specialty is fire and my rank is General. I lost my eye the same time you disappeared, fighting the homunculi. I’m based in Central with my subordinates, Colonel Riza Hawkeye, First Lieutenants Heymans Breda and Jean Havoc, and Second Lieutenant Cain Fuery. Vato Falman retired last year and moved back to East City. You used to know them, they missed you and helped me look." Another poke in his side brought him back on topic. "There isn’t much to tell. I like lemon pies and blue shirts. I like to dance and walk. I run to stay in shape and I hate paperwork, which is my entire job. I love you and am very glad to have found you again."

Ed was purring and cuddled closer. "Love me." Roy grinned, the same thing he’d said the first time.

"Yes, Ed, I love you very much. I missed you everyday." He ran his hand through the silky hair and accidentally brushed an ear. "Sorry." He moved his hand to a solid shoulder and rubbed firmly instead. The boy had tensed but relaxed slowly when the hand kept moving steadily, shifting sides. "Ready to sleep now?" A tired nod and he was gone, his head pillowed on Roy’s shoulder. The older alchemist shifted and laid them both down, Ed partially on top. "Good night, sweetheart. See you in the morning."

Morning brought a flurry of frantic activity and yelling. Roy sat up to see what was going on, nudging Ed over to sleep by himself. "Where is he?" "I don’t know, the door is open, he must have left." "Damn it all, why did we let him tell us what to do?" "Just calm down, he can’t have gone far." "We don’t even know when he left, he could be anywhere." Uh oh, they thought Ed was missing. He stood and stretched, preparing to go out and let them know where he was. He reached for the door and had it banged open into his hand. Al stood panting in the opening, a bag over his shoulder. "We can’t find Brother, we’re going out to look for him."

"He’s here, he came out last night to visit. He probably forgot to close the door behind him." He waved his hand to take the sting out and Al’s eyes turned to the small lump of blanket. "He’s fine, he was bored and wanted to play and talk."

"He just, came out here? By himself?" The blond moved forward to peer under the blanket. "And wasn’t a problem?"

"No, not a problem at all. Why, has he been a problem before?" He rifled his bag for a change of clothes and set them out.

"Well, not really, he just, wandered, a little, scared some people. He didn’t mean to, he just gets bored sometimes at night, he sleeps a lot during the day and sometimes wakes up. That was before we started sealing the windows and doors at night." The younger Elric watched his brother sleep. "Would you like breakfast now? I’ll go make something."

"No, thank you. We will come in later and make something for ourselves, if you don’t mind. He needs a bath today too." Al cringed. "No baths either, huh? Well, he’s having one today. I’ll handle him, don’t worry about it."

"No." Ed spoke clearly, he’d obviously been listening. "No bath. Wet."

"Edward, you need a bath, you smell funny." Blond hair shook. "You certainly do. A bath and clean clothes will make you feel good. Then you can help me make supper again."

The blanket was flung on the floor, "No! No bath, no help." He wrapped his arms around himself and huddled on the bed, glaring.

"Edward, you need a bath. You don’t have to help cook unless you want to, but you do need to be clean. You can come with me or do it by yourself. You’re plenty old enough to do it yourself, but I will do it if you can’t behave. Would you like to name a reward? We can trade something." Bargaining seemed like a good plan, maybe it would encourage him to make choices instead of just acting on instinct.

"Book. Read. Help."

"No, I’m not bargaining for you to help in the kitchen. You can or not, as you please. We’re bargaining for you to have a bath." Hands on his hips, Roy stood over the boy on the bed. "Now, do you want to or should I just wash you up and be done with it?"

Yellow eyes glared at him, narrowing dangerously. "No bath."

"Alright, we’ll have a bath after breakfast. Once I’m done eating, we’ll have a shower." He grabbed his clothes and turned to go to the house, ignoring the outraged screams following him. Crashes showed Ed was starting his tantrum and he waved Al in front of him, chasing him away from the carnage of the workshop. "You’ll have to fix it later, let him wear himself out a bit."

"Are you sure this is a good idea? He really, really hates water. He might hurt you." Al fussed over his shoulder.

Roy kept pushing him, "Yes, he needs a bath and a tantrum now will make him feel better. You should tell Russell and Fletcher you found him." Al’s eyes widened and he ran forward to find his partners. A quiet chuckle slipped out as Roy found his way in to change and make breakfast. He dragged his feet to give Ed time to calm down. The bathroom was checked for towels and to make sure there weren’t too many things to throw.

He stripped to his undershirt and stretched. This was not going to be fun. The place was silent when he approached, the other blonds having fled for town. "Ed? Are you calm now?" Silence. He opened the door slowly, prepared to duck or dodge. Nothing, no sign of the boy. "Ed? Where are you?" He was gone. ‘Well, let’s see. He didn’t go with the others and knows he can’t leave the property.’ "Hey, runt, get out here. You know you’re too tiny to see unless you are in the open." A faint scream came from the tree to his left and branches shook with the young blond’s rage. Excellent. "Haha, you’re stuck aren’t you? So itsy bitsy he can’t even get out of a tree." He snuck closer to watch the fireworks. Ed was leaning out on a branch, looking for him, a pinecone in his hand.

Roy grabbed the lowest branch and swung himself carefully up, keeping as quiet as he could. Ed’s furious muttering and shifting gave him some cover and he inched his way almost into grabbing range. "I hope you aren’t going to throw that at me." A startled yelp, a slip, and the boy was dangling by one hand. Roy jumped down to stand under him. "Let go, I’ll catch you." Frantic head shaking and whining. "Come on, promise. I won’t let you get hurt." The hand was slipping and he reached with his other but couldn’t catch it in time. He fell gracelessly, flailing wildly; a stray arm caught his savior above the eye. Roy caught him around the waist and fell to the ground, cushioning him with his body. "Are you ok?" The blond head pressed into his shoulder, the anger forgotten in his fear. "Come on, let’s go in." The older alchemist took the younger’s hand and led him in, settling him on the couch for cuddling.

He snuck the shirt off and got the pants loosened. Socks disappeared as he rubbed trembling feet and ankles. He let out a breath of relief, half-done. Ok, next step. "Come on, Ed, let’s go." The trembling had stopped but he still wanted cuddling and Roy let him follow him to the bathroom. The door was locked and sealed quickly with an array he’d drawn earlier. Ed’s eyes widened in alarm and he banged on the door frantically, crying for his brother. "He’s not here, Ed. It’s just us and we’re going have a shower. Finish undressing. Would you like it hot or cold?" he turned the water on, running it until he was happy with the temperature, then finished stripping to his boxers. Ed hadn’t moved, pressed against the door. "Take them off or I will. Now." He took a step forward and tanned hands fell to the waist, shaking lightly. "Ed, I’m not going to hurt you. We’re just going to have a quick shower, get you cleaned off, and you can go. I swear." He’d thought he’d have a fight on his hands, but Ed was more afraid than angry.

The blond whined and fiddled with his pants, before sliding them down slowly. Roy kept his eye on the boy’s face, resisting the urge to peek, even just once. Trust was more important. He stood back to let the younger man step in and held out a hand when he didn’t. A shaking hand was placed in his and he tugged gently, pulling him under the spray. A soft squeak and the blond was pressed into the corner, as far away from the water as he could get. Roy handed him a cloth with soap and let him wash himself quickly. A fast rinse and the cloth was back for another wash. "Once more, please. Do a really good job and, if you stay clean, you don’t have to have one tomorrow. Want me to wash your hair?"

The blond head bowed to give him better access and he washed quickly avoiding the ears. He wanted to linger so badly, but Ed was still whining faintly and wanted out badly, so he hurried. By the time he was done, Ed had cleaned himself again, another quick rinse, and he let him hop out. "There you go, dry off and I’ll be right there." He washed himself quickly and stepped out. Ed had wrapped a towel around himself and removed his wet boxers. The older man did the same, aware of Ed watching him. He unsealed the door and let the boy go, racing off for his room. The door slammed and Roy closed the bathroom door to change. He checked his eye, already swelling slightly.

While he was reading in the living room, he could hear Ed moving around the house and bangs from the kitchen indicated he was looking for something. He almost got up to help him but decided to let him try. "Roy. Food." The demanding tone was enough to make him refuse.

The dark head turned, "Hungry? I’ll help you, if you ask nicely. Be polite." The pert nose turned up and arms folded, loose, fluffy hair bouncing around him. Without the attitude, he’d have looked like an angel.

"Please." The tone hadn’t improved but it was a step. Roy stood and walked down the hall behind the blond.

"What would you like? There is leftover pasta or apples or we can make sandwiches." He stood in the door, watching the boy wander and poke things.

"Peach."

"You don’t need me to get you one, you can do that yourself. Didn’t we have those for supper yesterday?" The basket from the night before had only apples left. "Yep, all gone. What else would you like?"

"Orange."

"No, there aren’t any. If you won’t pick one of your choices, I’m going back to read." He turned to go and was held up by a hand on his sleeve.

The lower lip trembled, "Hungry. Roy."

"What would you like? Apples, pasta, or sandwiches?" Had to be firm, no matter how much he wanted to just hug him and give him anything he wanted.

A faint sniff and he wandered off again to poke things. The General watched and waited. "Sandwich. Apple."

Roy pushed himself off the door frame, "Alright, get out the bread, butter, and whatever you want in them. I’ll cut them for you. Do you want warm ones?" Ed just stared. "Well? Change your mind?" The boy waved at him. "I’ll help you, but you have to help yourself too. You can do it, you know how." More staring and when he didn’t make any move to help, the boy moved to the fridge to get the ingredients. Peanut butter, jam, butter and a loaf of bread appeared. Roy got out a knife and cut an apple carefully, coring it quickly. A piece immediately made its way to Ed’s mouth and hung there, being sucked on while he played with the jam. Roy tapped him on the hand when he stuck his fingers in the jar. "That’s gross, don’t please. Use a knife, and don’t lick it. Here, put some butter on these. How many do you want?"

"Four."

"Alright. Will you make me one too, please?" It looked like it would be no, but long hair bobbed once. "Thank you.” He wrapped the bread again and put the lid on the butter. They were put away and he returned to sit and watch Ed struggle with the peanut butter and jam; they were thick and difficult to spread. Five messy sandwiches were finally completed and arranged on a plate. "Put the fillings away please." He bounced up to put them back, then scrambled over to inhale his food. Roy grinned and watched him enjoy his snack. "Fun, isn’t it? Better than making someone assist you, don’t you think?"

Yellow eyes looked up at the ceiling while the boy thought about it. "Yes."

"Are you still mad at me?"

"No. Dry."

"Would you like me to read to you? I have an interesting book with me, a mystery novel." Gold ears flicked with interest. "I’d like you to come sit with me, do you want to?" A disinterested shrug and Roy bit his lip to hide his smile. Still young. "Well, I’ll be reading, if you want to come visit." He returned to the living room and lay on the couch and started to read quietly.

Ed peered around the corner of the door and wiggled in on his stomach when Roy ignored him. Closer, closer, until he was pressed against the base of the couch. His head popped up at the end, by Roy’s feet, and surveyed the terrain. Roy put down his book to watch him. A boneless crawl brought him up to the arm, then he flowed down to lay on top of the older man, his chin propped on Roy’s chest. He blinked and nudged the book with his nose. It was picked up and Roy started reading, just loud enough for Ed to hear. Soft purring started against his stomach and lulled them both to sleep.