Chimera

So, I'm back. Finally. Though, I suppose it's only been about two weeks, feels like a lifetime. Hopefully I can pick this up and finish it off properly. Thank you to everyoen who checks occasionally adn to everyone who comments. Enjoy.

Home again

Al pitched a fit, remarkably similar to the old ones Ed would pitch over slights to his height. Russell stood back with arms folded, glowering, and Fletcher clung to Al’s waist, holding him back from going after Roy.

“Are you out of your mind? You can’t just take off to go be with some stranger! We don’t even really know anything about him. So what if he knew us before, he doesn’t know us now. Have you even thought about this at all? Or did you just agree to whatever he said?”

Roy tried to intervene before it got too bad. “Al, please calm”

The tall blond turned on him, stabbing a finger almost into his chest. “And YOU! You just show up, claim you were his boyfriend and try to take him. We don’t even know if you’re telling the truth, we don’t know you. You could be anyone, trying to take him back to the military. He’d be a great experiment wouldn’t he?”

The brunette’s chin went up and his eye narrowed. “Watch your mouth, boy. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I love him, before and now. He enjoys my company; there is no reason for him not to come with me. Don’t try to tell me there are no advantages. Access to major libraries, more opportunities for research, better quality labs. Ed used to enjoy the city and may find he still does.” His focus turned to Ed. “If you are unhappy, you can always leave, you are not my prisoner. I will not force you into anything.” Short hair bobbed and a quick smile flashed.

The tall blond leapt forward to grab the front of Roy’s shirt, yanking him onto his toes. “And what does he have to provide for these great advantages? Warming your bed?” hot breath fluttered dark bangs before his hand was knocked aside. Roy dropped back to his toes; Ed was between them, glaring at his brother, his hand still up from slapping the fist away.

“Enough. You have no right to say these things to him. He has been gentle and perfectly proper in all ways since you brought him here. I chose on my own to leave. Or am I a prisoner here?” Gold eyes were cold, staring his partners down.

“Why? Why do you want to leave? Aren’t you happy here, with us? I thought we were all happy, a family. Did we do something to make you angry with us?” The youngest sounded on the verge of tears and Ed scrambled to reassure him.

“No! No, Al, of course not. You guys are my family and I am happy here. I just, this isn’t the place for me. You know I’ve been restless and the changes are getting out of hand. I want to try a different life for a while. Like Roy said, if I’m not happy there, I can always come back.” Fletcher fussed with Al’s shirt and tears started to fall from green eyes; the young blond bolted, taking his friend with him. Ed sighed and his shoulders fell. “That went well. Are you gonna spaz too?” Russell was still watching, still silent.

He unfolded his arms. “No. It’s up to you. I’d prefer if you stayed but you are free to leave anytime. But, if you go, I expect copies of everything you read. There is no way I’m letting you get ahead of me, got that?” They grinned at each other and Russell headed out to collect his brother.

Ed gave them half an hour and went after his own little brother. The lake of course, water was Al’s favorite way to calm down. He met the Tringham brothers on the way and waved. Al was sitting by the edge of the water, tear tracks drying on his face. He didn't look up but started talking. “Brother, do you hate it here so much? I know you haven’t been as happy as I am, but it’s not so bad, is it?”

“Al. I like it here, I really do, but I don’t belong here like you do. You know it. I truly think I’ll be happier in the city and I want to at least try it.” He sat beside him and bumped shoulders. “I’ll still talk to you often and you guys can visit; Roy says he has a big house and that you are all welcome anytime.” No response. “I’ll miss you lots. It’ll be weird to have to make my own breakfast.” He laughed and Al joined him.

“Yeah, you’ll starve unless the General can cook anything other than cheese melts and pasta.” The blond stretched out, dragging his brother down beside him and pillowed his head on the metal shoulder. “I’ll miss you. We’ve never been apart. What if something happens?”

Metal fingers combed soft hair. “Nothing will happen that wouldn’t happen here. Don’t worry, I’ll be safe. Roy won’t let anything happen to me.”

“You really trust him, huh. Are you positive this is ok?”

A soft smile turned full lips up. “Yeah. I trust him completely. Everything will be ok. I promise.” He ruffled the hair some more. “Shall we go back? I need to pack; we only have a week left, less with travel time. Want to help?” Al nodded and they stood. A race was started, Al’s long legs against Ed’s sheer speed. They tied, collapsing panting on the step. Roy stood over them and grinned; he knew they’d work it out.

Packing was an affair. Ed wanted to take all his books, research, notes, and anything else he’d ever touched. Roy pointed out they only had the car and Russell was determined to keep the books and copies of the research and notes. Which meant nothing could be packed until it was copied, which took time. Screaming fights over books and notes took place while Roy tried to encourage the blond to pack clothes too.

The last day, Roy stood his ground, forbidding any changes or further hold-ups. Both older blonds yelled at him and were ignored as he packed, directing Fletcher as to which boxes went and which stayed. Al quietly packed clothing and personal effects in a bag and put it in the trunk. Ed was hustled into the car after getting hugs from everyone. Roy shook hands with the three before taking over the wheel. He smiled and drove slowly while Ed waved to the others. When they were out of sight, the blond turned to face the front.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah. Can’t look back, move forward at all costs.” Roy swallowed; that was something the old Ed would have said. Sometimes it was eerie how similar but different they were. “Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing. I’m very glad you decided to come with me. Is there anything you want to do when we get home? Or shall we just settle in, get you moved in? There are several rooms so of course you’ll have your choice. I thought we’d use an extra room as an office or research studio for you.” Blond hair nodded and they drove in silence. The trip was short; the time spent chatting and making plans.

“This is nice.” They had just pulled up in front of Roy’s house and Ed hopped out to look up at it. They grabbed a few bags and Roy showed him in, showing him which keys opened the door from his key ring. A bit of a shame really; they might never find out what all the keys were for. Only Ed had ever known.

“Go ahead, pick a room. Mine is just down the hall and there’s one beside it and two on the other side of the house. The kitchen is on the left and the living room on the right. Bath room is across from my room and the backyard is straight through.” The blond took off, exploring each room and the layout of the house. The basement was examined and he jogged around the fence in the back. Roy carried bags and boxes in to place them in the hall until somewhere was chosen for them.

“Hey, Roy. Can I have this one?” The older man followed the yell to the room beside his. “This looks like I used to live here, these clothes look like the ones I was wearing when I woke up and these notes are in my hand.” Ah, of course. Roy never had been able to clean out the room.

“Certainly, but you can choose another if you like. We’ll just move these things there.” The blond shrugged and started carrying things in. “Alright, as you wish. Did you pick an office?”

“Well, there’s nothing in the basement, right?”

“Just the wine cellar, but it’s small. Did you want to finish it up?”

“Yeah, I was thinking a lab and an office would be nice. Do you mind?”

Roy licked his lips. “Well, not an office, certainly. Maybe we should hold off on the lab part, ok? It’s been awhile since I did any experimentation and it’ll take some time for me to get used to the idea again.” The blond shrugged. “We’ll go get supplies tomorrow and get started. Do you want to go to the office tomorrow?” Another shrug. “Ed, talk to me. It would be nice if you went in, but you don’t have to. You have to tell me what you want to do.”

A quick smile was directed at him. “I don’t mind going in, really. I’m just thinking. This is the first time I’ve been anywhere other than Farigain or the train to Rush Valley. I mean, we stopped sometimes for changeovers, but never long. This is a really big city and it’s a little overwhelming.” Roy shook his head and grinned. He put his box down and moved over to hug his blond.

“Don’t worry, it’ll work out.” He wrapped an arm around him and squeezed quickly before letting go. Ed moved closer and hugged him back, blushing faintly. Blond hair bounced in agreement and they continued unpacking in silence.