Chimera

So, I'm back. Finally. Yes, school sucks and is keeping me insanely busy, plus I got sidetracked. However, I am now finished. I will post the rest of the chapters and I sincerely hope you like them. Thank you for everyone who stuck it out and was patient.

Riza

The kitchen was empty and the back door open when Roy wandered down. He was up early because Ed was a morning person and liked to have breakfast together before his housemate went to work. A broken plate was on the floor and he eyed it, moving carefully around it. “Ed? Where are you?”

He pushed the door open further and spied a gold tail flicking between leaves. ‘Ed.’ Rustling and the gold head popped out, yellow eyes widening in pleasure. “Roy!” A piece of bread made it into his mouth and small hands reached for the older man. A deep sigh and Roy walked over to stand under the branch.

His hands landed on his hips. “I hope you’re not stuck.” A faint snort and the young man swung down and dropped onto him, knocking him off his feet and sitting on his stomach, laughing down at him.

“Not stuck.” The pert nose touched his lightly. “Hi.”

“Hi yourself. It’s good you’re not stuck, I’d hate to have to come after you this early in the morning.” He was patted on the cheek and soft lips claimed his. His eye closed and he just enjoyed it.

“Love me?”

“Of course I do. How could I not? You’re so adorable. And small.” He laughed and held tight, restraining the boy with effort. “Sorry, sorry, you’re not small. You’re perfect. But, let’s get you something to eat and I’ll leave lunch, ok? I have to go to work today.” Yellow flared. “No, you have to stay here. Promise you won’t leave the yard and don’t answer the door or phone.” The full bottom lip pouted and he jostled him a bit. “Promise.”

Bright ears twitched and turned away. Solid shoulders slumped. “Promise. Good.”

“Thank you, I know you’ll be good. Come on, let’s eat.” The smaller body was shunted to the side and Roy stood, brushing his pants off and inspecting for grass stains.

Breakfast and lunch were prepared and Roy took off. Ed thought it was an excellent idea to explore the cupboards, dragging a stool around behind him to climb on. Old pictures were found and scattered, old coats that still smelled faintly of Roy were hauled into the living room to make a nest, and a slightly tattered cat was found, tucked in the back of a closet with a box of games and cards. Those had promise and he carried them to the living room to play in his nest. The cat sat in his lap while he played with the cards until he was bored, then a puzzle was shuffled around. He finally fell asleep after eating his lunch and Roy found him like that, curled in the middle of a huge mess.

“Edward! What are you doing?” The house was in shambles, toys scattered around, a stool had been blocking the door, and pictures were spread out on the floor in the hall. Not to mention his uniforms on the couch, and was that? His best dress shirt! Sleepy yawning was his only answer and yellow eyes examined him from under said shirt.

“Roy.” Such a sweet voice from the little hellion. Auto-mail reached out for him and he took it, letting the boy draw him in. “Home.” With a greeting like that, who could possibly be angry?

He sighed and ruffled the long hair. “Yes, I’m home. You made a pretty big mess.” A little shrug and he was hugged and climbed on. “You have to clean it up, eventually. But, I have a surprise.” Gold ears flicked and the blond head tilted curiously. “I have extra sick days stored and can have five days a month off, as long as I finish my work. Pretty good, huh?” He grinned, proud of himself.

A brilliant grin greeted his announcement. “Play?” Soft ears twitched and he licked his lips, fingers twitching in response.

“Of course, but, let’s clean up and eat first, ok?” A quick nod the blond was flying, darting around the house putting things in random places, laughing when Roy followed him to put them away properly. The clothes were hung up again, photos out away, the box of games repacked and set by the couch. Supper was simple and fast, Ed sitting in his lap and eating anything placed in his mouth. Except the milk; Roy tried to trick him by kissing him with a mouthful, but the blond just kept his mouth shut and let it run down his chin. The older man braced for a fit but was pleasantly surprised when it was just wiped off on his shirt. A nice shirt, but relatively undamaged in the end. It took three glasses of juice to wash the taste out, and he was consigned to washing dishes without company.

Cards were spread out in a complex pattern when he wandered in and Ed explained a game he’d been playing by himself. It was mostly nonsense but it seemed to make sense to him, so Roy tried it. Failed miserably but Ed smiled and laughed with him before setting a memory game out. He’d gotten better at shuffling and dealing, moving smoothly and quickly. The evening passed quickly with soft laughter and delighted hugs. The blond finally fell asleep on the couch, cuddled in an old coat he refused to give up.

Roy tried to pick him up and gave it up almost immediately; he’d been too heavy before and was even heavier now. A gentle shake and the younger man was following him dutifully to the bedroom. He clung when Roy went to leave and was petted until he fell asleep again.

Black hair shuffled on the pillow and he turned his head a little; extra weight was pulling the mattress down in a strange position. Blond could be seen just at the corner of his eye. “Ed?” A faint whisper, in case he was asleep.

“Roy.” The younger man immediately snuggled in close, leeching heat.

Long hair was brushed aside gently. “What are you doing here? Get lonely?” A quick nod and he was crawled on. “No, Ed, you’re too heavy. Sleep beside me.” Loud purring went on for almost half an hour before fading to soft snores.

Morning was early and he could hear Riza’s voice in the hall. Wait, the hall? That meant she was inside and where was Ed? He bolted out and stood panting, in his sleeping pants, his chest bare, facing his Colonel, her gun drawn. He almost tripped over the box of reports on the floor and flailed his arms for balance. “What’s going on?”

She tilted her head to the living room, both hands on her weapon. He waved her back and poked his head into the room, looking for blond. Ed was curled on the couch, snuggling his cat and chatting with it. “Edward. What did I tell you about opening the door?”

“Bad.” He didn’t look up. “Nice Riza.”

A pale hand rubbed his forehead; everything was so simple for him sometimes. “Edward, I know you like her, but you aren’t supposed to let people see you. Even if they can be trusted.” Yellow finally looked up.

“Mad?” Dark hair shook. “Sorry. Bad.” He hopped up and scooted over to hug his boyfriend.

“You aren’t bad, Ed, you just have to be careful.” Gold nodded quickly. “Promise you will never open the door again unless I tell you it’s alright.”

“Promise.” A gentle hand rubbed his head, stroking the soft hair.

“Thank you. Let’s go out and see Riza, now that you’ve let her in.” The young man suddenly turned shy and hid his face, clutching his toy. “Come on, she’s right out there. Do you not want to?”

White teeth nibbled his lip while he considered. “See. Nice Riza.”

“Colonel? Will you come in here please?” She stepped around the door, her gun holstered but unsnapped for easy access. Ed hid behind Roy, peeking around his side.

“General, what is going on here? Who opened the door?” Blue eyes fastened on the blond head behind him. “Edward? What are you doing?”

Wide ears were almost flat against his head but he stepped out and stood for inspection, his tail flicking from side to side. “Hi.”

She blinked, looked at Roy, blinked again, examined Ed some more. A few steps and she was within touching distance and reached out to finger a soft ear-tip. Ed jerked back at the touch, whining, and Roy settled him behind him. “Ah, no touching the ears. He really doesn’t like it.”

“What happened? When did it happen, he was fine yesterday.” Roy waved her into a seat and her legs collapsed. Ed peeked at her some more, his arms around Roy’s stomach.

“Remember how I told you once Ed needed me to stay home a few days a month? And I just got five booked each month yesterday?” Blond nodded. “Well, he’s always been like this. He used to call in sick when he was younger, four days a month. The ones he didn’t, he was on a mission and delayed returning until he was back. Once a month, or if he’s badly injured, he’ll change; ears, tail, and he needs a little extra care.” A faint huff from his back at that. “Just a bit, he pretty much looks after himself.”

“But, but how?” The blond woman continued to stare. “You’ve just been hiding this? His entire life?”

“Well, I just found out when he was fifteen, but yes, he and Al have been hiding it since they were children. His father..” A growl made him look down and he stopped. “Of course, forgive me, Ed.” He turned his attention back to his Colonel. “I know we can trust you not to tell anyone. Obviously, it needs to be a secret.” She nodded, thinking, turning it over in her head.

Ed pulled away from Roy’s back and inched closer. He held out his cat for petting and she took it, running her fingers over the chewed ears and soft fur. The young man grinned and bounced off to get his cards. “Play?” She took them in a daze and played a quick hand, losing badly in her distraction. Roy just sat on the couch and watched, letting Ed enjoy someone else.

Finally, she seemed to pull herself together. “Edward, I have to go.” He looked up from his place at her feet. “Even if the General doesn’t have to go to the office, I still do.” A soft sigh of disappointment but he backed away to give her room. “General, sir, I am not pleased that you chose to keep this from me.”

A sad little smile; no gun meant she was truly upset. “I know. I hope you will forgive me, I thought it as for the best.” A sharp nod and she stood, patting the smaller blond on the shoulder before she left. The older man sat and thought about it for a bit; while he was sorry she was upset, he still believed he’d done the right thing. Ed curled in his lap and purred, offering comfort.