Bad Blood

TITLE: Bad Blood
DATE: September 4, 2007
RATING: Mature; NC-17 (possibly)
WARNINGS: Sexual content, yaoi, AU, completely deviates from the anime, modern, OOC!Ed
PAIRINGS: RoyEd, HughesAl, slight HyuRoi, others to be announced
SUMMARY: [AU] Al’s had nightmares since he could remember, and now, the very reasons for them begin to haunt his waking moments, as the fight for a human begins. [x-over w/ Blood+]
COMMENTS: I was offline for a week, since Comcast fucked up, and I was sitting there, with all my other plots online, no way to access them (I now curse myself for leaving them in document managers online) and had nothing to do. So I was watching Blood+ and thought Saya reminded me so much of Al, that I couldn’t resist.

At first, I was going to make it a Royal, then I thought, no, Haji reminds me of Riza a bit to Roy, but I couldn’t put Roy in Saya’s place, so I was wondering if a AlRiza would work. Then I thought, maybe Kimal, I don’t see a whole lot of them, and then I came up for a different role for Kimbley.

Eventually I just up and asked Greed, my wonderful muse, and she asked if Hughes was anywhere in there. I love her, I swear, the best ideas come from my role play buddies and my Greedy. A lightbulb clicked and I had it. It was great. I did have a huge time writing /Al/ instead of /Aru/. People don’t seem to like it, while I find it easier to use to avoid typos, so if there are any, I’m sorry. I tried.

Any thoughts on how to improve would be great! I know, it’s boring, but it’s only starting out!

~*~

Blood splashed everywhere, clouding vision, turning the world behind blockaded eyes red. Screams, gunfire, bombs all floated like a heavenly voice across the terrain, trees doing what they could to muffle the sounds to oncoming soldiers, the wind howling ominously to those in the clearing. It seemed hopeless to escape, the villagers huddling in small huts and hovels, praying, whimpering, searching for some sort of survival as more of the soldiers that came to ‘liberate’ them were slaughtered, delusions of grandeur being their downfall as they approached their own warrior, berserked and desiring the blood of man, woman, child, friend or foe…

Another fountain of blood emerged from the nearby man, a screech of pain emitted from the stout soldier that had tried to stop him. Splash on the cool grass, the dark green of the trees and blades of healthy grass turned a bitter brown with drying blood, the moon overhead almost reflecting the scene and encouraging it from the crimson hue it emitted. Another cry, this one from a frightened child who called out for her mother, said mother falling to the ground uselessly as yet another strike from the blade in hand tore into her flesh, sliced through her heart and left her corpse on the ground uselessly.

A dark-haired man seemed to be standing on the edge of the clearing, a smirk in place, finding pleasure in the scene it seemed, but to him, it was still an enemy and he was in the way. The red in front of him blurred for a moment, blade held high and charged the man who remained still, not moving a single muscle, same smug smirk in place while he brought the blade down to remove yet another miserable obstacle in his path.

There was a faint cry, but nothing that he recalled before, feeling something from behind plunge through his own flesh, but paid no heed, bringing his sword down for another quick strike, another satisfying splash of blood connecting with the ground.

His gaze lifted, and the crimson vision through blood seemed to melt away, color fading to a gray-scale, heart stopping at the blonde youth that had fallen against the dark-haired man who had been the original target. His right arm and leg had been snatched away, lying uselessly on the ground in pools of their own blood, the last of the electric signals fading, the muscles where each limb was originally attached twitching painfully, the sword slipping from his grasp. Yet more bullets ripped through flesh, again forcing him to jolt forward a bit, almost a glare on those threatening his very existence. However, the form before him caused him to stop, relax, and wonder…

~*~

“Brother!”

“Eh…?” A blond head popped out of the blankets next to him, blinking over at the other with a confused daze, trying to figure out what was so important that he had to be disturbed from his rather happy dream. It wasn’t far off, really, he usually did that sort of thing, but still, why now of all times? Seriously, the world was not going anywhere, and he didn’t have to, or really, plan to be anywhere that day, except for a meeting right when school got out with a very interesting man. He grinned at the image, only to stop and glance at his brother who seemed to be in tears. “That dream again?”

The other nodded, arms wrapping around himself to steel his worries for a later time. His brother had no need to worry about his dreams, and waking him up was cruel. He should have let him sleep, not forced his nightmares on the other boy without provocation. Edward refused to share his, though he often said that they were ‘just so good that he couldn’t help screaming out with pleasure each time it occurred’. It was bothersome, hearing his brother think that way, but it still didn’t mean he could push his own off on him. “Don’t worry about it… it’s okay…”

Edward sat up, long hair that was once pooled around his head falling down his shoulders in silky sheets, golden eyes fixed on his brother with a bit of concern. “Al, go ahead. If it bothers you, just say it. If not, I’m hungry.”

Al curled tighter, clinging to his legs. “It was that dream again… your arm and leg.”

Ed yawned, shaking his head. “But they’re here, aren’t they? So no worries, right? Come on, I think Mama’s making breakfast.” He crawled over his younger brother, pecking him on the forehead lazily and came into contact with the hard floor, giving a groan at the cold his feet touched, a grand difference between the cozy warmth of the blankets and lying beside his brother and the evil hardwood floors. Dressed in only his boxer’s, the shorter blonde made his way over towards the wardrobe, dragging out his leather pants (it just didn’t seem Edward-ish if he wasn’t wearing them) and his black tank-top for the wear that day, covering up that odd mark on his back. His brother had always told him to drop the tattoo or brand on his back, that Mama wouldn’t understand. Al was always very faithful to his brother, so he did as he was asked, though he brought his own questions up about it.

“Come on, Al!” groaned the other, who was busy tugging socks on, hopping about the room, a look towards the door at the footsteps coming up the stairs telling him that Mama was coming up to check on them. “I want to get to school early today. I promised Mr. Lindichtston that I would be there to set up the going away party.”

The other golden-eyed boy tilted his head. Ed was never enthused about school, so it came as a surprise that he was going to be rushing him to get out of bed when it was usually Al dragging Ed out of bed by his hair (not that he ever took pleasure in it). Al smiled, nodding and following after his brother, though choosing a more comfortable denim ensemble compared to the leather his brother undoubtedly wore to tease his new, unhealthy friend. Ever since he met that man… well, Ed had changed. He grew distant from the family, as if that was the man’s purpose all along.

As a brunette woman stuck her head in, green eyes flickering between the two boys with a gentle smile in place, they both stopped what they were doing, Ed working on braiding his hair, and Al, straightening the jacket he was trying to check in the mirror. The world revolved around her, the younger blonde thought, as so he couldn’t bear to lose either of them. This was all that remained of their family, since their father had left quite some years ago to do research, or whatever it was. It didn’t really matter to him, as long as he had someone to look after… “Well, it’s good to see you boys ready. Come on, eat breakfast before you go.”

The boys nodded, going back to what they were doing, Ed flaring the bangs that framed his face for further effect, Al finally confident with his jacket and running a comb through his short locks. It wasn’t long before the stampede down the stairs began, limbs flying everywhere as the daily trip down the stairs ended in a crash against the opposite wall, Ed scrambling up with a victorious smirk. “I always win.”

That was, until Al returned the smirk with an innocent little smile of his own, tripping his elder brother and making his way quickly over the toppled body into the kitchen, taking the plate extended to him by his mother. Ed toddled not far behind, glowering after the younger one. “Cheater.”

“Now boys, no running down the stairs. One of you is going to get hurt! Here, Edward. Alphonse, Your lunch is in the refrigerator.” Trisha Elric turned back to the stove, flipping over some eggs and turning some bacon. She was dressed in a simple ruby dress with a white apron covering her front, elegant slippers for her dainty feet as she walked about the house to care for the chores and her boys in the wee hours of the morn.

Al nodded, diving deep into the plate he had been given, eyes constantly straying to watch her take care of them. He loved watching her work, learning her recipes, and then aid her when he was confident with them. Ed preferred to do things that were far less ‘girly’, as he liked to call it, setting himself up for failure. Long ago it was proven that they both had high IQs, and Ed was literally a genius, but that had been before, before they arrived in High School and his desires became darker and darker, sometimes cruel to many people. The ‘in-crowd’ had spoiled him, and Al feared every time that he watched his brother go out with some shady character, that he would not return.

He, though, maintained his social life and his school. He liked having top grades, helping people, and most of all, making his mother smile. That used to be the goal that he and Ed shared when their father left, but no longer did that desire appear in his eyes. He shrugged it off with their mother told him that she got a call from school, or that his grades and absences were unacceptable. Ed didn’t care that Mama worried needlessly about him, and Al could do nothing but sit behind and watch, hope he did the right thing, and console their remaining parent with his own grades and achievements.

“I’ll be out late tonight,” came Edward’s sudden notice, gathering his bags and jacket for outside. He always waited until it was so close to the time to leave that there was no time to question where he was going, who he was going to be with, and disputing it was wasteful because a fight ensuing right before school wouldn’t get them there, and Ed would merely disassociate himself and still go where he was told not to.

“Where are you going?” Trisha asked, raising the spatula and staring at her elder boy with obvious concern. Al hated that look in her eyes, but there was nothing he or anyone else could to do to detain it, not any longer. Everyone was worried about the once kind and though stubborn, helpful, protective boy.

“Just out. Roy said that there was this really cool place on the outskirts of town, a party going on in an abandoned warehouse. He had some things he was going to tell me about Dad.”

“More bombs to fill that hole he left, Edward? This man… I don’t trust him. He’s manipulating you… if you get hurt, what will I do? He’s not helping you – “

“At least he can spare some truth, tell me what that bastard is really up to! He’s not researching anything – “

“Watch your mouth!”

“What, you don’t want Al to know what he’s really up to?”

Trisha was obviously shaken, and while he loved them both dearly, Al wouldn’t stand for the disrespect that Ed was giving their mother. “Stop! Brother, please! This is enough! Let’s just go to school…” The chair he had been seated in toppled over, a fierce but repressed fear showing in his golden eyes. Twins, almost, except for the fact that Al was taller and his hair was cut. If it weren’t for their opposite personalities, back in kindergarten, he was sure that none of the teachers would be able to distinguish them. Now it was like looking at a foreign young man who claimed to be his brother… This was beyond unreasonable.

“Whatever, I was just saying…” He muttered, kicking the floor as he slipped on yet another gift from Roy on his feet, checking to make sure they were on properly before tying the laces to ensure they remained in place. “I’m just not making her proud because I’ve found a better guy than she did. Makes her jealous.”

Trisha turned back to the burning, blocking out Edward’s taunts and shameful words, shaking her head when Al moved to open his mouth to challenge his brother. “Dear, I expect you to come home with your brother, or I’ll go out to find you. Have a good day at school, boys.” Her words were light, her expression cheery, though with the tension in the room and Edward’s scoff, it betrayed the true mood of the three Elrics.

Before more could be said on the matter, both Ed and Al had been out the door, Trisha‘s eyes on the food in the pans. “It can’t be…”

~*~

“Why did you say those things to Mama?!” Alphonse demanded the moment they were out of the house, hands gripping the bag in front of him tightly, focused more on the ground than his brother. It just wasn’t right. How could they expect him to sit back and watch them feud? What had happened to his wonderful brother?!

“Because, Al, she’s not our mother, and I’m not going to sit back and listen to the lies anymore.”

How to respond to that? She was their mother! What was this Roy telling him that made him react this way? Al liked to believe there was a shred of decency in everyone, but this Roy was an older man, who shouldn’t have been hanging around a seventeen year old kid, who had rich tastes, and rode one of those heathenistic motorcycles and always wore a condescending smirk; not someone fit to be with his brother. He was, of course, quite handsome, and he loved picking Ed up where there was an assembly of girls who couldn’t resist swooning at his ‘beauty’, but that was all beside the point! “You don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Roy says I’m better, and its time I proved it. If all goes well tonight, I won’t be coming back.” Ed seemed to be so focused on whatever this man told him… wasn’t there a shred of intelligence left in that head? He was supposed to be a genius, but this man was planting ideas into his head, and he seemed to be absorbing them all in. Wasn’t there something in him telling him that there wasn’t something right about it? “I know what you think of him, but he promised to protect me, and he’s the only one that will listen to my dreams. He seems to understand everything, and he makes me feel like I belong. I hate the word love, but that’s what everything points to. At least you, Al, should be happy for me.”

“I want to listen to! And I am happy for you, Brother! You deserve it, but what you’re saying… what he’s telling you, none of it makes sense! Did he ever explain – “ Al’s words were halted by the rumble of a bike ahead, both boys looking up as the black helmet was stripped away, revealing a young, pale face with a full head of black hair. The way it laid on its head, even after wearing that stuffy helmet, made it look like he’d just combed it through. The bike appeared to be nothing but black and chrome, he himself clothed in a pair of leather trousers to match Ed and deep blue, practically navy t-shirt. It was clear he liked dark colors, though they fit his complexion very well, and to top it all off, there were those deep eyes that didn’t seem to have an end.

Yes, there was the breath-taking man, coming to whisk his brother away on his bike like an angel of death and despair, only to tear the family apart further.

Alphonse gave a quick glance to his brother, who almost smiled, shouldering his pack as he jogged towards the vehicle and its owner, the sudden display of affection from the two making the younger brother feel as if he neglected his brother somehow, and he needed to find solace elsewhere. He didn’t know what to say, but he certainly didn’t want to explain why, yet again, Edward had missed class. He was running out of excuses, and there weren’t many chances someone was going to buy it any longer. “Ed!”

“Don’t worry about it, I don’t care anymore. Remember? I won’t need any of it any longer. Bye!”

“Wait, Ed!”

“I’ll take good care of him kid.” Roy’s muffled voice floated through the helmet that had been replaces, visor up so a mischievous glint could be seen. Ed’s arms had wrapped around his waist, begrudgingly, though Al was grateful that Roy made him wear it, wearing a helmet, its visor up as well. Before he could say another word on the subject, Roy was already turning around the corner and heading up the street, Ed giving a final wave in their wake to reassure that he would be all right.

Regardless of Ed’s attempts, he still didn’t feel better about letting him go, and to be honest… he really didn’t want to sit there and watch him ride out of sight. There wasn’t much he could do about it, but he decided early on that it didn’t matter…

“Hey, Al!”

A small smile lifted his lips at the display of the young woman ahead. Her hair was cut incredibly short, green eyes dangerous, almost vicious. She wore a simple pair of baggy jeans with a t-shirt, tucked in, no bag in sight. She never did come prepared, but Martel was one that got Physical Education down to the letter, but anything that wasn’t physical or hands on was a complete loss. “Martel…”

“You look out of it today, that bad, huh?”

“Yeah… and I don’t know what to do.”

“I don’t see what’s so great about that guy anyway. Your brother’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, I hope so…”

~*~

“Dammit, Roy… we went over this.” Citrus eyes watched young Alphonse Elric take the short distance to school, a pure look of concentration on his face. He was clearly unhappy with the events, dagger in hand, watching the scene below far longer than he had liked. It wasn’t time for these charades… if this was going to go right; they needed cooperation from both the Seven and his own little group. This wasn’t going to end in heartbreak this time, this was going to end in bloodshed, bloodshed he couldn’t bear to sit by and witness again…