FMA fic: Nothing But The Sun, 3/?
Nothing But The Sun
evil_little_dog
Rating: Teen
Summary: "Look, I know your type. You’re the kind of guy who doesn’t mind getting the crap beat out of him but totally loses his cool when your brother or someone gets hurt. Your stereotypical stoic hero." - Greed, Fullmetal Alchemist
A.N.: Thanks to cornerofmadness for the edits.
This chapter is dedicated to nebroadwe, who prods me every once in a while for more on 'the Fuhrer's Tea Party' story and also to artemisrae, who in a recent prompt to me, asked for Ed and Winry and a drive in theater. It's not a drive in, but it's...uh....
Part One
Part Two
X X X
Dr. Knox opened the back door to his house, somehow unsurprised to see Alphonse Elric there. “I suppose you want to see the girls.” He pushed the door farther open, waving Al inside, trusting the boy to close the door behind him. “You know where they are. Make sure they don’t fight.” His mouth turned down. “If you have to, smack them on the head.”
“But sir, that can’t be good for them,” Alphonse protested, raising his hands as Knox gave him a sharp look.
“Better a couple of lumps on the head than a dead body.” He ushered Alphonse deeper into the house, watching as the young man went in to see Ran Fan first. She seemed surprised and more than a little pleased to see him and Knox wondered if there was something there. Well, not like it was any of his business. Once the girl was healed up enough, she’d be out of his house. The other girl, Mei, with her strange cat, could possibly leave even before Ran Fan but her wounds weren’t nearly as serious. From what Knox had gleaned from listening to Alphonse and Edward, Mei had been injured in that same battle, just at a different time and place. He figured it really wasn’t his business to ask about that, either. Curiosity, after all, killed the cat and Knox figured that satisfaction wasn’t nearly enough to bring him back to life. Not like he was worth anything to anyone, either, but he knew too much just to be cut loose.
“Where’s your brother?” he asked when Alphonse took his leave of Ran Fan, promising her he’d return to check on her again.
“Oh, eh,” Alphonse rubbed the back of his helmet, the very picture of an embarrassed boy. “One of our friends is in town.”
Knox clenched a cigarette between his teeth, lighting it. “Girlfriend?”
“No, no, nothing like that!” Waving his hands in front of him, Alphonse’s impression of embarrassment grew. “She’s our childhood friend.” Those words had a sobering effect on him and Alphonse straightened, his shoulders seeming to slump though in that suit of armor, that wasn’t really possible.
“Grew up together, huh?” Knox took a drag on the cigarette, letting the smoke fill his lungs. “Well, tell your brother to be careful. Make sure he has plenty of protection.”
“Dr. Knox!” If it was possible for armor to blush, Alphonse would’ve been doing it.
“I know all about childhood friends, Al.” Knox smirked around the cigarette. “Especially of the boy-girl kind.” He lowered his voice, as if imparting great wisdom, making Alphonse lean in closer. “Your brother better be pretty careful, he might find himself with a girlfriend or worse, a baby on the way.”
“Edward wouldn’t.” There was a fatalistic solemnity to Alphonse’s words and the way he straightened himself made Knox realize maybe he’d overstepped, at least until the boy went on. “I mean, he and Winry, they’re…gah!” Throwing his arms in the air, Alphonse spun on his heel. “I’m going to see Mei now.”
Knox’s snicker followed in his wake.
X X X
The Great Train Robbery wasn’t playing at the theater any longer, despite Alphonse’s assurances that it was. Instead, Edward wound up taking Winry to see Parted by the Sword, which, by the movie poster, made him believe it was going to be some sort of action packed movie with lots of fight scenes. While there was a couple of really cool fights with swords and alchemy, the main point of the movie was the woman who’d been stolen by a Xerxes prince and their obvious attraction to each other. There were scenes played between them that made Edward very uncomfortable. He knew he’d seen the woman’s nipple through a thin swatch of veiling and worried the movie would end suddenly, leaving him unable to walk out of the theater.
As it was, by the time the credits rolled past, he felt like he’d gotten an education he wasn’t quite sure he’d wanted - and Winry’d shared the experience with him. From the way she’d been shifting in her seat, Edward guessed she was just as embarrassed about the film’s content as he was. “Um,” his voice cracked and squeaked, even on that single syllable and Edward hunched his shoulders in response, thinking he heard someone snickering behind them. “Ready to go?”
Winry gathered up her purse, nodding. She wouldn’t even look at him - that was a bad sign, Ed just knew it. Clearing her throat, she got up. “Yeah. Let’s go meet Al.”
Edward couldn’t help but notice all the couples leaving the theater; their arms wound around each other, holding hands or linking arms. He and Winry barely looked like they’d come to the movie together. Hell, she jumped when his elbow brushed her arm. He wished he knew why that made him feel like someone stabbed him in the gut. Turning his head so she didn’t see his expression, Edward mumbled, “Sorry. I didn’t know it was that kind of movie.”
“It’s not your fault, Ed. We could’ve asked.” Winry’s voice sounded strange; tight, maybe. “Or walked out.”
He hadn’t thought of that - then again, walking out wouldn’t have really…happened too easily. Bad enough Ed had been worried with her reaching for her share of the popcorn, when the box was sitting in his lap. “Yeah.” Not that he was going to tell Winry. “Next time, we know better, huh?” Ed risked a glance her way, surprised that she turned toward him at the same time. Was Winry blushing?
“Next time, Ed?”
“Well, I mean,” he showed a lot of his teeth, scrubbing his hand through his hair in embarrassment, “if we ever decide to do something this stupid again.”
The smile that had been starting on Winry’s face froze, melting away faster than snow on a spring day. “Oh.” She glanced away and Ed felt like kicking himself. The only time he said the right thing to Winry was…well, when she was crying or about to cry or just stopped crying. And he really didn’t want her to be crying now. Al would probably kill him if he made her cry.
“That didn’t come out how I wanted it to.” Edward hoped that’d at least get her attention. “It wasn’t the right movie for us.” Hell, he hadn’t even kissed a girl, besides Mom on the cheek. He might be a social retard but Ed knew that didn’t count at all. “We’re not like…that.” A wave of color hit his face but he waved a hand at the couples walking along the streets. “Besides,” he said the first thing that came to mind, “whoever thought alchemy worked that way didn’t know anything.”
Wide eyes stared at him for a few seconds then closed slowly. Winry’s sigh let Edward know he still wasn’t anywhere close to saying the right thing. Okay, so he really was a social retard. “Come on, Winry.” He spoke brusquely. “It’s just a movie. It doesn’t mean anything.”
That got a smile, though it was a funny, weird one. “Yeah.” Winry nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Ed. And Al’s probably waiting for us. We’d better go if we’re going to meet him for supper.” Turning in place, she looked down the street in either direction, her brow furrowing. “You’re going to have to lead. I’m all turned around now.”
Edward didn’t know for sure if Winry was angry at him but maybe she wasn’t. It was so hard to tell. “It’s not too far, just down this street and over a couple of blocks.” He hoped she wasn’t mad. It just seemed that he couldn’t do anything right around her. Couldn’t tell her about Brigadier General Hughes; shouted out that Scar killed her parents to try to rattle him. The only thing Ed was pretty sure he’d gotten right was promising the next time she cried, it would be because Al and he got their bodies back.
Why was it so hard to talk to her? He could argue with her all day long but to actually say something and have it mean anything, was impossible to figure out. Edward wondered if it was because of all the secrets Al and he had kept over the years - that when it was time to actually say something, he couldn’t do it. And Winry deserved better; Ed knew that. He hadn’t even thought about her getting involved in all this. The idea had never really crossed his mind. She was back home; she was safe. Even in Rush Valley, Winry was okay; there were people looking out for her. And then the Fuhrer had to mention her, had to let Ed know that he was watching over her, too, but in a totally different way.
“What’s wrong, Ed?”
Her innocent question broke right through his thoughts and Edward blinked a few times, his mouth stretching in a smile. “Oh. Just…thinking about work.”
That was a suspicious frown, all right. “You never think about work.” Winry folded her arms in emphasis.
“Hey! I do, too.” Ed glared. “That tea party thing tomorrow, that’s work, you know.”
“I kind of figured.” Off of his surprised glance, Winry rolled her eyes. “What? I guessed it was some sort of political move or something.” She went on, slow and patient, as if trying to explain something to an idiot. “C’mon, Ed. Why in the world would I get an invitation to Central City, by the Fuhrer, no less, unless he wanted to make points with you?”
Ed shot her a look. He wished he dared tell her the whole truth. How could he tell her without…implicating himself? If Bradley knew he’d spoke up, Ed was sure Winry would be in even more danger. “Heh…yeah, that must be it.” He tucked his hands into his pockets, a wicked little grin brightening his face. “He obviously doesn’t know us very well, if he’s thinking that.”
Winry glowered. “You’re a jerk. Who’d want to come to your birthday party anyway? I’m just here to spend your money.” Tossing her head, she made her ponytail sway.
Ed snorted in response, catching sight of the tilted corner of Winry’s mouth. She thought it was funny, too. “C’mon. I bet Al’s wondering where we are.” He laid his hand on her shoulder blade briefly, guiding her toward the restaurant where his brother was waiting.
X X X
It was rather like being in a well, Ling thought. He could hear things going on around him; could sometimes see them if Greed lost control for a few seconds. And Greed didn’t seem to understand anger - Ling gained ground when he was furious, though Greed was strong enough to shove him back down the well afterward. That was all right, though, Ling could deal with that. He was just biding his time, anyway, at least for now. He had plans that involved returning home and making sure his family survived the blood bath that threatened upon his father’s death.
He hadn’t really counted on Greed remaining in Central. The homunculus mostly ignored him, which was also fine. Ling needed time to marshal his own strengths and figure out what he could and couldn’t do with Greed occupying his body. It irritated him that Greed wouldn’t let him take any longer looks around, not to mention let Ed know he was all right. At least he’d gotten through to Ran Fan. Ling wished he knew how she was doing but he couldn’t persuade the homunculus to go to her.
He also didn’t like what he’d seen in the homunculus’ thoughts regarding Winry. Ling had been too busy thinking of things he would like to do to Wrath to get revenge for Ran Fan to realize that the leader of Amestris had been talking about Edward, Alphonse and their friend when he’d explained about this little gathering. By the time Ling had understood, his chance of finding anything out had passed. He couldn’t really ask Greed - well, he could, but the homunculus wasn’t likely to respond. It considered him a pest rather than a host.
As a prince of Xing, Ling understood exactly what Wrath was doing - reminding the brothers that he held their friend’s life in his hands. Ling hated that. Winry was a human being; she wasn’t something to be played with that way. Her life should not be considered part of the stakes of the game. It was the coward’s way to take hostages. If one wanted to play, one’s own life should be the stake, not the lives of family and friends. There were always other players, those that backed their leaders. They understood the risks, though; they were players themselves. But to take someone who wasn’t in the game and make that person a piece, a pawn, showed no initiative on Wrath’s part.
Oh, it was effective, Ling knew just how good it would be. Ed was amazingly protective of Winry and oh so naïve for thinking that someone wouldn’t notice. Ling was only surprised it had taken so long.
He only wished he was in a better position to be able to help Ed protect her.
X X X
A.N. Final Note: Parted by the Sword is the title of a real period movie - but I couldn't find any information on it. The title alone sparked a few ideas, though. *snicker*
evil_little_dog
Rating: Teen
Summary: "Look, I know your type. You’re the kind of guy who doesn’t mind getting the crap beat out of him but totally loses his cool when your brother or someone gets hurt. Your stereotypical stoic hero." - Greed, Fullmetal Alchemist
A.N.: Thanks to cornerofmadness for the edits.
This chapter is dedicated to nebroadwe, who prods me every once in a while for more on 'the Fuhrer's Tea Party' story and also to artemisrae, who in a recent prompt to me, asked for Ed and Winry and a drive in theater. It's not a drive in, but it's...uh....
Part One
Part Two
X X X
Dr. Knox opened the back door to his house, somehow unsurprised to see Alphonse Elric there. “I suppose you want to see the girls.” He pushed the door farther open, waving Al inside, trusting the boy to close the door behind him. “You know where they are. Make sure they don’t fight.” His mouth turned down. “If you have to, smack them on the head.”
“But sir, that can’t be good for them,” Alphonse protested, raising his hands as Knox gave him a sharp look.
“Better a couple of lumps on the head than a dead body.” He ushered Alphonse deeper into the house, watching as the young man went in to see Ran Fan first. She seemed surprised and more than a little pleased to see him and Knox wondered if there was something there. Well, not like it was any of his business. Once the girl was healed up enough, she’d be out of his house. The other girl, Mei, with her strange cat, could possibly leave even before Ran Fan but her wounds weren’t nearly as serious. From what Knox had gleaned from listening to Alphonse and Edward, Mei had been injured in that same battle, just at a different time and place. He figured it really wasn’t his business to ask about that, either. Curiosity, after all, killed the cat and Knox figured that satisfaction wasn’t nearly enough to bring him back to life. Not like he was worth anything to anyone, either, but he knew too much just to be cut loose.
“Where’s your brother?” he asked when Alphonse took his leave of Ran Fan, promising her he’d return to check on her again.
“Oh, eh,” Alphonse rubbed the back of his helmet, the very picture of an embarrassed boy. “One of our friends is in town.”
Knox clenched a cigarette between his teeth, lighting it. “Girlfriend?”
“No, no, nothing like that!” Waving his hands in front of him, Alphonse’s impression of embarrassment grew. “She’s our childhood friend.” Those words had a sobering effect on him and Alphonse straightened, his shoulders seeming to slump though in that suit of armor, that wasn’t really possible.
“Grew up together, huh?” Knox took a drag on the cigarette, letting the smoke fill his lungs. “Well, tell your brother to be careful. Make sure he has plenty of protection.”
“Dr. Knox!” If it was possible for armor to blush, Alphonse would’ve been doing it.
“I know all about childhood friends, Al.” Knox smirked around the cigarette. “Especially of the boy-girl kind.” He lowered his voice, as if imparting great wisdom, making Alphonse lean in closer. “Your brother better be pretty careful, he might find himself with a girlfriend or worse, a baby on the way.”
“Edward wouldn’t.” There was a fatalistic solemnity to Alphonse’s words and the way he straightened himself made Knox realize maybe he’d overstepped, at least until the boy went on. “I mean, he and Winry, they’re…gah!” Throwing his arms in the air, Alphonse spun on his heel. “I’m going to see Mei now.”
Knox’s snicker followed in his wake.
X X X
The Great Train Robbery wasn’t playing at the theater any longer, despite Alphonse’s assurances that it was. Instead, Edward wound up taking Winry to see Parted by the Sword, which, by the movie poster, made him believe it was going to be some sort of action packed movie with lots of fight scenes. While there was a couple of really cool fights with swords and alchemy, the main point of the movie was the woman who’d been stolen by a Xerxes prince and their obvious attraction to each other. There were scenes played between them that made Edward very uncomfortable. He knew he’d seen the woman’s nipple through a thin swatch of veiling and worried the movie would end suddenly, leaving him unable to walk out of the theater.
As it was, by the time the credits rolled past, he felt like he’d gotten an education he wasn’t quite sure he’d wanted - and Winry’d shared the experience with him. From the way she’d been shifting in her seat, Edward guessed she was just as embarrassed about the film’s content as he was. “Um,” his voice cracked and squeaked, even on that single syllable and Edward hunched his shoulders in response, thinking he heard someone snickering behind them. “Ready to go?”
Winry gathered up her purse, nodding. She wouldn’t even look at him - that was a bad sign, Ed just knew it. Clearing her throat, she got up. “Yeah. Let’s go meet Al.”
Edward couldn’t help but notice all the couples leaving the theater; their arms wound around each other, holding hands or linking arms. He and Winry barely looked like they’d come to the movie together. Hell, she jumped when his elbow brushed her arm. He wished he knew why that made him feel like someone stabbed him in the gut. Turning his head so she didn’t see his expression, Edward mumbled, “Sorry. I didn’t know it was that kind of movie.”
“It’s not your fault, Ed. We could’ve asked.” Winry’s voice sounded strange; tight, maybe. “Or walked out.”
He hadn’t thought of that - then again, walking out wouldn’t have really…happened too easily. Bad enough Ed had been worried with her reaching for her share of the popcorn, when the box was sitting in his lap. “Yeah.” Not that he was going to tell Winry. “Next time, we know better, huh?” Ed risked a glance her way, surprised that she turned toward him at the same time. Was Winry blushing?
“Next time, Ed?”
“Well, I mean,” he showed a lot of his teeth, scrubbing his hand through his hair in embarrassment, “if we ever decide to do something this stupid again.”
The smile that had been starting on Winry’s face froze, melting away faster than snow on a spring day. “Oh.” She glanced away and Ed felt like kicking himself. The only time he said the right thing to Winry was…well, when she was crying or about to cry or just stopped crying. And he really didn’t want her to be crying now. Al would probably kill him if he made her cry.
“That didn’t come out how I wanted it to.” Edward hoped that’d at least get her attention. “It wasn’t the right movie for us.” Hell, he hadn’t even kissed a girl, besides Mom on the cheek. He might be a social retard but Ed knew that didn’t count at all. “We’re not like…that.” A wave of color hit his face but he waved a hand at the couples walking along the streets. “Besides,” he said the first thing that came to mind, “whoever thought alchemy worked that way didn’t know anything.”
Wide eyes stared at him for a few seconds then closed slowly. Winry’s sigh let Edward know he still wasn’t anywhere close to saying the right thing. Okay, so he really was a social retard. “Come on, Winry.” He spoke brusquely. “It’s just a movie. It doesn’t mean anything.”
That got a smile, though it was a funny, weird one. “Yeah.” Winry nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Ed. And Al’s probably waiting for us. We’d better go if we’re going to meet him for supper.” Turning in place, she looked down the street in either direction, her brow furrowing. “You’re going to have to lead. I’m all turned around now.”
Edward didn’t know for sure if Winry was angry at him but maybe she wasn’t. It was so hard to tell. “It’s not too far, just down this street and over a couple of blocks.” He hoped she wasn’t mad. It just seemed that he couldn’t do anything right around her. Couldn’t tell her about Brigadier General Hughes; shouted out that Scar killed her parents to try to rattle him. The only thing Ed was pretty sure he’d gotten right was promising the next time she cried, it would be because Al and he got their bodies back.
Why was it so hard to talk to her? He could argue with her all day long but to actually say something and have it mean anything, was impossible to figure out. Edward wondered if it was because of all the secrets Al and he had kept over the years - that when it was time to actually say something, he couldn’t do it. And Winry deserved better; Ed knew that. He hadn’t even thought about her getting involved in all this. The idea had never really crossed his mind. She was back home; she was safe. Even in Rush Valley, Winry was okay; there were people looking out for her. And then the Fuhrer had to mention her, had to let Ed know that he was watching over her, too, but in a totally different way.
“What’s wrong, Ed?”
Her innocent question broke right through his thoughts and Edward blinked a few times, his mouth stretching in a smile. “Oh. Just…thinking about work.”
That was a suspicious frown, all right. “You never think about work.” Winry folded her arms in emphasis.
“Hey! I do, too.” Ed glared. “That tea party thing tomorrow, that’s work, you know.”
“I kind of figured.” Off of his surprised glance, Winry rolled her eyes. “What? I guessed it was some sort of political move or something.” She went on, slow and patient, as if trying to explain something to an idiot. “C’mon, Ed. Why in the world would I get an invitation to Central City, by the Fuhrer, no less, unless he wanted to make points with you?”
Ed shot her a look. He wished he dared tell her the whole truth. How could he tell her without…implicating himself? If Bradley knew he’d spoke up, Ed was sure Winry would be in even more danger. “Heh…yeah, that must be it.” He tucked his hands into his pockets, a wicked little grin brightening his face. “He obviously doesn’t know us very well, if he’s thinking that.”
Winry glowered. “You’re a jerk. Who’d want to come to your birthday party anyway? I’m just here to spend your money.” Tossing her head, she made her ponytail sway.
Ed snorted in response, catching sight of the tilted corner of Winry’s mouth. She thought it was funny, too. “C’mon. I bet Al’s wondering where we are.” He laid his hand on her shoulder blade briefly, guiding her toward the restaurant where his brother was waiting.
X X X
It was rather like being in a well, Ling thought. He could hear things going on around him; could sometimes see them if Greed lost control for a few seconds. And Greed didn’t seem to understand anger - Ling gained ground when he was furious, though Greed was strong enough to shove him back down the well afterward. That was all right, though, Ling could deal with that. He was just biding his time, anyway, at least for now. He had plans that involved returning home and making sure his family survived the blood bath that threatened upon his father’s death.
He hadn’t really counted on Greed remaining in Central. The homunculus mostly ignored him, which was also fine. Ling needed time to marshal his own strengths and figure out what he could and couldn’t do with Greed occupying his body. It irritated him that Greed wouldn’t let him take any longer looks around, not to mention let Ed know he was all right. At least he’d gotten through to Ran Fan. Ling wished he knew how she was doing but he couldn’t persuade the homunculus to go to her.
He also didn’t like what he’d seen in the homunculus’ thoughts regarding Winry. Ling had been too busy thinking of things he would like to do to Wrath to get revenge for Ran Fan to realize that the leader of Amestris had been talking about Edward, Alphonse and their friend when he’d explained about this little gathering. By the time Ling had understood, his chance of finding anything out had passed. He couldn’t really ask Greed - well, he could, but the homunculus wasn’t likely to respond. It considered him a pest rather than a host.
As a prince of Xing, Ling understood exactly what Wrath was doing - reminding the brothers that he held their friend’s life in his hands. Ling hated that. Winry was a human being; she wasn’t something to be played with that way. Her life should not be considered part of the stakes of the game. It was the coward’s way to take hostages. If one wanted to play, one’s own life should be the stake, not the lives of family and friends. There were always other players, those that backed their leaders. They understood the risks, though; they were players themselves. But to take someone who wasn’t in the game and make that person a piece, a pawn, showed no initiative on Wrath’s part.
Oh, it was effective, Ling knew just how good it would be. Ed was amazingly protective of Winry and oh so naïve for thinking that someone wouldn’t notice. Ling was only surprised it had taken so long.
He only wished he was in a better position to be able to help Ed protect her.
X X X
A.N. Final Note: Parted by the Sword is the title of a real period movie - but I couldn't find any information on it. The title alone sparked a few ideas, though. *snicker*