Chimera

Not much happens in this chapter I'm afraid, Roy and Al sort it out. Thank you so much for your support, I'm always grateful when people review. Especially nice reviews! I'm working a triple shift, there will be no update until Sunday. Sorry about that.

Objections

Roy dragged himself out of bed early to finish off the reports, leaving Ed snuggled under a mountain of blankets. Al made him breakfast when he heard him moving around and stood by the table, shuffling as he ate. “Is something wrong, Al?”

“I don't think we should stay here anymore. I'm going to take Brother home.” The large hands clenched into fists and Roy put down his fork to give the boy his full attention.

“What's going on Al? Tell me what's wrong and maybe we can fix it. I'd like for you to stay, I enjoy having you here.”

“Yeah, I heard that.” Oh. Roy cringed a little to himself, 'Didn't realize we were that loud.' Al shifted some more. “I think we should go, I don't think it's a good idea for you two to be doing that.”

“Al, I understand that you don't think it's a good idea. It's because I'm older and his commander, and I've thought about it, we both have. I really like him, he's very special, and he likes me too. We'd like to give it a try, a relationship. I was hoping you would be supportive of our efforts. I'll do the best I can to make him happy and continue to support him in your quest, even if we don't work out.”

“I want him to be happy too, more than anything, but, I don't want him to be hurt chasing it either. He's been hurt enough, I just want him to be happy.” The metal shoulders slumped, “And I'm selfish, what if he forgets about me while he's chasing you? I want to be happy too, I want to be back to normal.” Roy stood and patted the armor before wrapping his arms around him.

“He would never forget about you, for anything. You are the most important thing in his life, his drive and reason for living. He would never give up, you know that.” The armor nodded. “As for me, I would like to give him something else for after. When you have your body back, I hope that he will want to come back to me. I'm sorry we upset you, but I hope you will stay anyways. If you prefer, Ed can sleep with you from now on, alright?”

Al nodded and patted the Colonel's back. “Thank you, sir. I know I'm being selfish, I”

Roy cut him off quickly, “You are not being selfish, you are concerned. There is a difference. Even if you were being selfish, it's not necessarily a bad thing; you give too much Al, you need to keep something for yourself. I'm glad you'll stay. I have something I'd like you to do today.” The man waved for Al to follow him and led the way to the back door. “I'd like for you to put up a fence around the yard, at least as tall as you.”

Al surveyed the yard, “Why? You have a pretty fence, why do you want a big one?”

“I'd like for Ed to be able to come outside a little and we can't let the neighbors see him. I'm also going to try and find him something to play with, he needs to able to amuse himself. What do you think he would like?” Roy figured if he was going to share their relationship, he might as well let Al help with little things.

“Oh, maybe something that makes noise? He usually likes to listen to me read. Or a ball, something that moves. Something soft might be nice, he's always flopping over and going to sleep anywhere, a pillow for him to carry around would be alright.” Al had all kinds of suggestions and rambled a bit while he drew arrays in the dirt.

“Ok, I'm going out to shop for a little, Ed's still sleeping, hasn't had his pills yet. Be here when I get back?” Al nodded absently, absorbed in his doodles. Roy shook his head and headed back in to change.

The blond brother was up when he got back inside and clung when he tried to leave but the promise of a treat made him let go long enough for Roy to bolt outside before he changed his mind. The door slammed, barely missing the pert nose, and it was pressed against the window to watch his commander leave.

An hour at a pet shop gave him nothing, everything was too small or cutesy. He didn't want to embarrass the boy, or upset him, he just wanted him to be amused without constant supervision. 'Some thing that makes noise. A radio maybe.' He picked up a small radio for the boy to listen to and continued looking for something to play with. A children's store provided a squeeze toy, a little yellow cat that made a chirping sound when you squeezed it hard enough. It seemed strange to Roy that a cat would chirp, but it was the right size and not too odd looking, kinda cute. He tried to pick a noise that wouldn't drive him crazy, if Ed liked it, it would be playing all the time.

He also stopped and got lunch, Al mostly made things for Ed with Roy as a bonus, and he found he was missing the more refined meals. He grabbed a quiche, some macaroni salad, and a lemon pie; hopefully Ed would eat them without a fuss. He opened the door cautiously, waiting to be attacked. Nothing happened, so he put the food away and went to look. They weren't in the house and he had the nasty thought that maybe Al HAD taken his brother and they were gone. Then he heard thrilled shout from the backyard. He wandered through to see Al chasing Ed around the now enclosed yard. Ed was jumping and kicking, sparring lightly with his brother, moving more slowly than usual, but he didn't seem to be in any pain. Suddenly he saw Roy and hit for him, jumping high and knocking him over onto the porch.

“Hello Edward. Are you having fun?” The enthusiastic bounces were answer enough before the boy pushed off and raced towards his brother again. The older man dusted himself off and sat in one of his porch chairs to watch the two boys. It really was impressive, Ed's speed and strength against Al's size and grace. It was a rare occasion, to be able to watch them spar with nothing other than enjoying themselves on their minds. After a bit, his stomach assured him it was lunch time and he called the boys in.

Al refused to let Ed sit in Roy's lap, holding him firmly to his own chair. The older brother was confused and refused to eat unless Roy fed him, wiggling around the entire time. “No, Brother, hold still. You can sit by yourself.”

“Al, maybe you should just let him do as he likes, it won't hurt anything. He can sit with me, I don't mind.” As much as Roy hated to interfere between them, the situation was getting out of hand. Ed was starting to truly fight the restraining hands and Al would have his feelings hurt if his brother damaged him trying to get to Roy.

“No, he can sit by himself, he's not a child or a pet. Brother, you have to start trying to look after yourself, I know you can. You're being spoiled and a pest. I'm not always going to be able to babysit you.” Edward froze, his flesh hand reaching for Roy while the metal one pushed against his brother. His ears twitched and he turned to look up. He stood, shoving his brother off of him, and stalked off, glaring when Al called after him. The bedroom door slammed shut behind him and silence fell on the kitchen.

Roy broke it. “Al, sit down.” The suit of armor looked like it might ignore him and go after Ed but finally sat, looking at the table. “You're partially right, he is not a child or a pet. He is also not helpless. However, he wants to spend time with me and be close. I realize that it's hard, to share him after all these years alone, but he needs to be free too sometimes. I promise not to be intimate with him until he's better, because it obviously bothers you, but Ed isn't good with emotions, you now that better than anyone. Physical closeness is the easiest way for him to show affection, especially right now because it's obviously an effort for him to speak. Once he's healed and back to normal, I think you two should talk about it, about him and I. Right now, maybe you should go and talk to him about what just happened. He was pretty hurt when you said he was a pest.” Al's head came up quickly, “I know you didn't mean it, but you need to tell him that.”

The helmet nodded, “Yes, I didn't mean it, I was just upset, I think I'm jealous. He likes you so much and wants to spend all his time with you, he bites me and kicks but he doesn't to you, even when I take care of him. I know he loves me and looks after me too, it's just so hard when he acts like that. And you make it look so easy, he just comes when you call and eats when you feed him and takes his medicine and is quiet when you pet him and sleeps so well and” His voice stopped, “It's hard. Why do I feel like this? I'm mean and selfish, I don't want to act like this.”

“Al.” The dark haired man stopped, he had no idea what to say. “You are not mean or selfish, you are the most generous and sweet person I've ever met. Even if you use that innocent voice to fool young officers into doing what you want.” He smiled at him, teasing lightly as the metal shoulders hunched a bit. “I'm sorry I make it look easy, I know it's hard. Edward is a very difficult person to care about, and I can't imagine looking after him all the time the way you do. Right now, he's just infatuated with me, something new. Once we are more stable, spend some time on our relationship, he'll be just as awful to me as to you. I promise.” Roy stood, not in the mood to eat anymore, and started putting the food away for supper. “Why don't you go talk to him? Tell him what's wrong, why you're worried. He'll understand and it will let him think about it while he gets better.” Al stood and walked to the door heavily. He stopped and turned as if to say something, but didn't, turning back and walking down the hall to knock on the bedroom door.

“Brother? Edward, can I come in?” There was silence on the other side of the door so he opened it and peered in. Ed was curled on the bed, wrapped in Roy's blanket. Al went in and closed the door behind him. “Brother, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said you were a pest, you're not. I'm just tired and frustrated, Roy makes it look so easy and. No, it's not his fault, it's mine. I'm a little jealous of him, it seems like you want to be with him more than me and I don't like it, even though I know it's not true.” He was interrupted, “Al.” but waved it off. “I know you like him, he says he likes you too and wants to try a relationship. I just don't want you to get hurt, he's so much older, more experienced. I want you to be happy most, so if you say you want this, then I won't interfere. I talked to him about it and he says we should talk about it too, when you're better. Please think really hard before you start anything, ok Brother?” Ed had crawled out of the blanket and was sitting on the edge of the bed, waving at him. Al settled on the floor beside the bed and patted him.

“Al, love you. Not mad?” It was still odd, after all these years, to hear the stilted conversation Ed held when he had changed. He was usually such a talkative person, words for all occasions.

“I know, and I love you too. I'm not mad, you haven't done anything. Do you like the Colonel enough to risk everything? You know they'll kick you out if they catch you, maybe more. What about him? He could get in a lot of trouble.” The blond was nodding, agreeing fully with his brother.

“I like him, he makes me happy, as happy as you do.” The boy struggled to speak clearly, telling Al more than his words how important this was for him. He crawled into Al's lap and curled against the breastplate. “Fix you, promise.”

“I know you will, we'll find a way.” Ed could always read his mind. “It will be ok, the three of us will be fine. Are you still hungry? You can sit with Roy if you want.” One last cuddle and Ed was off for the kitchen, Al trailing behind him. Roy smiled at them both and grabbed the plates from the fridge before siting down and letting Ed climb on him. Al sat beside them and Ed patted him between bites, splitting his time between his two caretakers.

All afternoon, Ed carefully split his time between them, napping on Al while Roy worked, playing with Roy while Al made supper. He was excited about the radio and played with it all evening, changing stations, fiddling with the knobs. He amused himself for over an hour while the other two played chess and Roy taught Al how to play poker. He wandered over as they were finishing and was given the cards. He sat in Roy's lap and played a matching game while Al read to them from his latest novel. When he started getting restless and grumpy, Al made him drink his sleeping medicine and put him to bed. Roy sat with him until he was sure he was asleep and returned to the living room to read and listen to his phonograph.

“Sir?” Al was standing in the door. Roy raised an eyebrow and invited him in with a wave of this hand. “I wanted to thank you, for understanding. And for helping me with him; he really wanted to stay with you tonight.”

“That's fine, Al. I want you to be comfortable too, you're big a part of our lives. How is his wound? It was closing quickly when I checked yesterday. How bad was it, really? The doctor said it was a miracle he survived, but he didn't see it right away.”

“It's doing well, almost closed already. It was pretty bad, if the knife didn't nick his heart, it at least clipped a main artery. If he were completely human, he'd have died there. It was already closing by the time he got to the hospital so they thought it missed, but the way he was bleeding, it definitely hit something. I think he changed because his body would have died without the extra healing. It's never happened before, but I guess it was never that bad either.” Roy closed his eyes and fought to keep his breathing under control. He could have lost him, just like that. “What do you think is making him change? He used to be sweet all the time when he changed, quiet and playful. Now, he's aggressive and can be really dangerous. Do you think it's because he's getting older? Maybe hormones are causing the changes.” Al thought a bit, “Do you think it'll stop when he stops growing?”

Roy pushed out a breath, “I don't know. Teenagers tend to be more aggressive in general, especially males, so it might be as simple as that. Maybe you should look into cat behaviors, particularly maturing males. If he has two organisms in him, maybe he has twice the hormones. That would almost certainly make him more aggressive during his changes. As to when or if it will stop, I have no idea whatsoever. Some people never grow out of it, but I hope he will. It's not good thing to allow your body to command you, especially because your brother can be extremely dangerous. We'll just have to wait, Al.” The younger boy 'hmmd' and wandered to the couch to sit and read, considering what had been said.

In the morning, Roy was awakened by firm shaking. “Sir, get up. The Lieutenant is here, I don't think she's very happy.” Roy just grunted and tried to roll over but was stopped by a warm weight beside him. He opened his eyes blearily and took in the blond head beside his. “He was fussing, so I let him in. I hope that was alright.”

“Al, I. Thank you.” Roy rolled to sit. “You said Hawkeye was here? What time is it?” He reached for his shirt from the night before and found a clean one handed to him.

“It's late, but you said you had the day off, so I didn't wake you up. Almost 8:30.” Late? How was that late, he never got up before 9:30.

“Tell her it's too early and to come back in two hours.” He tried to lay back down but Al grabbed his sleeve and dragged him out of bed.

“I didn't answer the door, she's still standing out there. I didn't want her to know we were here, Brother is still missing, you know.” Right. Damn it. Roy pulled on a pair of pants and finger combed his hair, hoping he didn't look as exhausted as he felt.

“Alright, can you get the box in the living room please? It's what she's here for. And Ed is not missing, he's injured and healing. But, you're right, we shouldn't flaunt your whereabouts.” He jogged down the hall and opened the door once Al had set the box beside him and disappeared back into the living room. “Well, good morning, you're up early.”

He was treated to a withering glare. “Colonel, I have been here for ten minutes, ringing the doorbell. It is not early, you are supposed to be at the office in half an hour. Sir. I've come to get you to escort you in.”

“But, you said I could stay home if I did the work you sent me. Here it is, all done.” She stared at the box, then knelt and opened it, rifling through the papers, checking at random. “Did you bring the reports for today?” The blond head shook slowly. “Oh, that's too bad. I'm going out later, but please, have them dropped off whenever is convenient.” He couldn't help but gloat a little; it was a rare thing to get one up on Riza Hawkeye.

“I will, sir. When will you be back at the office?” The papers were packed again and she lifted the box as if it were empty.

Roy stared for a minute, he'd barely gotten that damn thing to the car and back. “I'm not sure, I'll let you know as soon as I do.” Never if he had any say in it, but he was pretty sure he didn't.

“Of course, sir. Have you heard from Edward?” She was looking at his forehead and Roy fought the urge to run his fingers through his bangs. The box shifted to her hip, leaving her gun hand free. He swallowed.

“Yes, he and Al are fine. He's healing nicely. Is there anything else?” He had the feeling he should escape as soon as possible, her scrutiny was more unsettling than usual.

“No, sir. Just that,” she stepped closer and reached up to pluck something from his bangs, “You should be more careful when you answer the door.” She handed him a long blond hair and carried the box to the car before taking off.

Roy stood on the step in shock until Al tugged him inside, the neighbors were staring.