Birthday Fic part two

[cornerofmadness]

since it was so darn long, here's chapter three



Chapter Three

“Paninya? Ed nearly spat his drink.

Al glanced hurriedly around the outdoor café as if his date might have manifested just in time to hear Ed’s tantrum. “Yes, Paninya.”

“The thief?”

Al’s hazel eyes narrowed. Trust Edward to make too big of a deal about this. Al hadn’t told Ed yesterday because he got back home so late from Mr. Garfiel’s and he and Winry were sniping at each other. Al hadn’t thought it wise to get into it then. “She doesn’t do that any more.”

“She robbed me!” Ed grumbled, his lips sealing over his straw.

“You made it easy with your pants off.” Al retorted, wondering if Ed was going to ruin this for him. If Ed was hellbent on doing so, what would Al do about it? He rarely crossed his brother but he needed to step out from Ed’s considerable shadow.

“Not my idea. That damn Winry kept pulling them down to show off my automail.” Ed’s lips twisted. “Her taking my pants down wasn’t as much fun as it probably should have been,” he lamented. It was Al’s turn to nearly spit his drink as Ed’s cheeks pinked up. “Did I just say that?”

“Yes!” Al laughed and Ed gave him a furtive look. Al sighed, feeling ashamed that Ed felt guilty for liking Winry. “It’s okay, Brother. I’ve known how you feel about Winry for a long time.” Ed looked away, curling his lip as an automail mechanic homed in on him, all but salivating. “It’s okay.”

“You like Winry, too,” Ed said softly. He didn’t meet his brother’s eyes.

“And it’s you she likes and I’m fine with that, Ed. Besides, I like Paninya. I really do,” Al assured him earnestly. “I might not know her as well as I do Winry but that’s pretty exciting, too.”

Ed gave Al a critical look. “You do like her, don’t you?”

Al rubbed the back of his sweaty neck as he thought how best to convince Ed. “I wouldn’t have asked her to the dance if I didn’t.” Al wiped his hand on his pants. Maybe he should just cut his hair but he liked his pony tail.

“I guess not.” Ed sipped his drink. “She is cute...but she’s half automail.”

“Look who’s talking? What does that matter?” Al snapped, very close to doing something he rarely did; lose his temper. Why was Ed being so bad about this?

Ed shook his head, wiping the sweat off his brow. “I didn’t mean it like that. Al...you don’t know how hard it is having automail in a place like this. Well, you hear me bitching.” The young alchemist touched his automail hand. “Either I swelter under a coat to keep the sun off it, or I heat up like a grill.” Ed’s eyes held that wounded puppy look that killed Al every time. “I just wonder why anyone with automail would hang out here and not go somewhere more hospitable.” His nose wrinkled. “Guess Paninya didn’t have the means to move. We’re lucky that way.”

“And I think Dominic is like a dad to her,” Al said, mollified by his brother’s explanation. He laid a hand on Ed’s automail, felt the intense heat of the metal like a branding iron and jerked back. It was hotter than he expected. He couldn't imagine what Ed felt like where the metal joined his skin. Al shot Ed an apologetic look for his transgression then cooled his hand on his glass.

“Didn’t Winry and Paninya take Granny to see Dominic?” Ed asked.

Al chased another runnel of sweat twisting down his neck. “Yes, why?”

“Because they’re heading our way with no sign of Dominic.” Ed pointed over Al’s shoulder.

Al twisted, smiling at the ladies. “Good afternoon. Did you cut your trip short?”

“It was...too funny.” Paninya grinned as the ladies ringed around the boys’ table, smelling slightly of the donkey Pinako had ridden into the mountainous mechanic’s encampment. “You thought he looked scared when Winry mentioned she was Dr. Rockbell’s granddaughter? It was nothing compared to today. I thought he was going to chew his way through stone to get away.”

Pinako looked very pleased with herself over this. Al and Ed just regarded her with wide wondering eyes.

“Stop saying that. I want him to teach me some day and he won’t if I laugh at him,” Winry giggled.

Pinako just cracked her knuckles and sat with the boys. “It was good to see I made a lasting impression on him.”

“How do you know him, Granny?” Al asked, holding out his drink to Paninya but she waved him off. He remembered all too well how the tough automail mechanic reacted to Winry’s heritage.

“And what is all the Pantheress of Resembol stuff about?” Ed smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Pinako just smiled broadly. “You boys are too young to know.” The teens all exchanged nervous glances while Pinako surveyed Ed critically. “You’ve had a little too much sun, Edward. You looked flushed. You should go home for a little while.”

He touched his feverish cheek. “Riza and Mustang don't work today. The bastard drives me nuts when he has time off."

“I think it goes both ways, Brother. Besides, everyone’s out,” Al replied, wanting out of the sun. He hadn’t realized how disgustingly hot Rush Valley could be since he had been armor the last time, or he might have been less insistent on settling here. “Teacher and Mr. Curtis went out to look for something to wear to the festival. Mrs. Hughes is watching the kids and I think Riza is with her. I’m not sure where Roy went. We’d have the house to ourselves.”

“I could use a little rest,” Pinako said, getting back up. “It’s too hot out here.”

“It is.” Winry put a hand on her grandmother’s shoulder. “Speaking of shopping for outfits, how’s it going, Edward?”

“Terrifying, thanks for asking,” he replied wryly, standing up.

“Riza is supposed to take me with her to get a dress. Paninya, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you came along,” Winry said brightly.

“Thanks.” Paninya beamed, looking very pleased to be included like an old friend. “I appreciate it. I’ve never really owned a dress in...well years.”

“If you’d like to come to the house and just relax with us, Paninya, that would be great, unless you have to get back to work,” Al said, hope lighting up his hazel eyes.

She shook her head. “I’m free. Thanks, Al.” Paninya curled her hand in his. Alphonse smiled through his blush.

Ed caught his bottom lip between his teeth as he observed his brother then tentatively held out a hand to Winry. She stared at it like she’d never seen a hand before then took it with a huge smile on her face. Pinako trailed behind the youngsters, giving them their space, happy to see them all finally doing things kids their age should be doing. Now to arrange for someone to have the ‘big talk’ with the boys since they had left her control long before they were of an age to know. Pinako didn't want to run any risks of a great grandchild in the near future.

X X X

“Finally, a house all to ourselves. No teens, no kids, no women.” Roy made a face as he pulled Maes into the living room. “Okay, that last part isn’t’ so great but I’m sure we can find ways to entertain ourselves.”

Maes snagged a finger in Roy’s belt loops, dragging him closer. “I’m sure we can.” He drew Roy forward, fanning his hand over Roy’s crotch. It had been far too long since he had been with this man. The long months of isolation while he was ‘dead’ seemed like decades to Maes. He felt like a starving man presented with a buffet and he devoured Roy’s mouth with appropriate hunger.

They moved together until he accidentally backed Roy against the arm of the couch. Roy tugged and they went over the arm, flopping onto the cushions in a happy, chuckling pile. Roy plucked off Maes’ glasses, clutching the stems as his arms went around Hughes back.

Tongues and lips waged war against each other, neither side willing to retreat. Maes thought the Flame Alchemist would burn him from within as hot as his temperature soared with each thrust of their tongues.

There were far too many clothes between them. Maes needed to touch skin. Rock hard, he rubbed against Roy’s thigh. He felt Roy’s erection poking into him. Maes moved his lips to Roy’s neck, sucking because he wanted to hear his lover. There was something amazingly erotic about the noises Roy made, especially with his deep, melodic voice.

He wasn’t disappointed. Why hadn’t they thought of preparations for sex ahead of time? Stupid spur of the moment lust. Well, mouths and hands could be just as much fun. Roy’s talented mouth rarely disappointed and a chance to taste his lover wasn’t something he’d turn down.

As he sneaked a hand under Roy’s shirt to toy with the man’s nipple, Maes sealed his mouth back over Roy’s. Roy arched under him, their hips clashing, thrusting, wanting to find places to get relief. Roy moaned into Maes’ mouth as Maes flexed against him.

“Oh hell!” The sound of Ed’s voice nearly catapulted Maes through the ceiling. “I sit there! What the hell are you doing?”

Roy’s convulsing fingers nearly snapped Maes’ glasses. He looked over at the intruders, frantic. “What are they doing back? Why did they bring an audience?”

Maes didn’t want to get up off of Roy, exposing the raging hard on’s they both had, not with the young girls looking on. “I don’t know.”

“My metal heated up too much and Granny needs a nap!” Ed said, stomping closer. “You two have a perfectly good bedroom upstairs. Why do you have to do this where I sit?” His arms flailed wildly. “Poor Al, you’ve probably scared Paninya so badly she’s never going to come back.”

“We were supposed to have the house to ourselves,” Roy snarled, giving Maes back his glasses. “You could give a guy warning, you know.”

“If I knew you were doing this, don’t worry, I’d have stayed out until I got heat stroke.” Ed shuddered. “Will you two just...I don’t know, get off each other at least. Going upstairs would be better.”

Maes sighed, sitting back against the arm of the couch. His body and Roy’s refused to come back under control. He flushed. “Sorry, ladies.”

Ed shot them a scathing look. “You’re a mess.”

“No, we’re past the point of no return,” Roy shot back, trying to shift enough to hide his all-too-obvious arousal. “Something you’re probably unfamiliar with, you prude.”

“Roy!” Maes snapped, getting up clumsily.

“Bet you didn’t expect this when you agreed to stay here, Dr. Rockbell,” Roy said, also finding his feet. He at least looked a little contrite at talking to the old woman.

“Nothing I haven’t seen before.” Granny sailed past them, heading for the downstairs guest bedroom. “It would be a shame to waste such fine specimens.” She grinned wickedly. “Well, I’m going for that nap. Do try to peel yourself off the ceiling, Edward.”

“Granny!” Ed, Al and Winry said in one voice. They were a study in cherries in various stages of ripeness. Winry looked horrified to be related to Pinako.

“She’s right. It might be tacky but damn it, it’s my day off and it’s not my fault someone can’t stay out all day like he’s supposed to.” Roy grabbed Maes’ wrist and shuffled toward the stair case.

Maes laughed, listening to Ed sputtering behind the and Al assuring Paninya things weren’t normally this weird in the household on a daily basis. They climbed to the second floor awkwardly and Roy pulled Maes into the nearest available bedroom.

“Damn, this is Riza’s room. Mine’s at the other end of the hall...for appearance sake,” Roy grumbled, locking the door behind him.

“Let me guess, lube’s in your room.” Maes drew the curtains down over the open windows.

Roy shrugged, then tore out of his clothing. “Not like we were planning on doing that anyhow. We might want to be quieter anyhow. We have guests...who already know we’re up here to have sex. It’s already awkward.”

“Yes, let’s not run off poor Al’s new girlfriend.” Maes watched Roy settle on the bed. The smaller man licked his lips with deliberation. “I’m pretty sure I know how to quiet you down.”

Roy grinned wickedly. “I just bet you do.”

X X X

“I can’t believe them,” Ed grumbled, pacing around the living room.

“I can’t believe my grandmother,” Winry shot back, her cheeks pink.

“Honestly, Paninya, it’s usually not so weird here,” Al fretted, glaring at the ceiling where the two men had retreated upstairs.

Paninya patted Al’s arm. “It’s okay, Al. I’ve walked in on Mr. Garfiel and his man canoodling when I’ve made deliveries for Ridel and Dominic. At least your friends are handsome. Mr. Garfiel is...just scary.”

“Tell me about it.” Ed huffed, his hands fluttering as they tried to communicate his jumble of emotions. “And Winry sent me off with him to get clothing for the dance.”

“Why didn’t you just ask Roy or Maes? I’m going with them,” Al said, indicating for Paninya to sit in one of the chairs.

“Roy offered. Ed snarled at him so I put my foot down,” Winry replied, flopping onto a chair opposite Paninya. “Maybe Ed will be less stubborn in the future.”

“She has high hopes for you, Brother,” Al said smugly. “I’ve never found anything to make you less stubborn.”

“You don’t have the same kind of motivators Winry does, Al.” Paninya grinned.

Ed eyed her sourly. “If I had known my options...what I don’t understand is why no one thinks I can shop for myself.”

“They’ve seen you,” Winry replied, rolling her eyes at him.

Ed groaned. “I’m getting something to drink. I think we have lemonade and ice tea. Anyone want some?”

“I’ll give you a hand, brother,” Al said, following Ed into the kitchen.

Paninya leaned over to Winry once the boys were gone. “You always know where you stand with Ed, don’t you?”

“Oh, there’s never any guessing on that front. Ed is very...outspoken,” Winry said diplomatically then studied Paninya for a moment before adding, “It’s Al that sometimes keeps things bottled up. I warn you of that now.”

Paninya mulled that over. “That’s all right. I’m used to men like that. He seems so kind.”

“Al is the sweetest person I have ever known, Paninya. He’s usually so calm and peaceful, just being around him relaxes you.” Winry sighed a little, trying to find the words to sum up her life long friends. “He and Ed are total opposites. I guess they balance each other out.”

“I’m glad you came back out here to the valley.” Paninya’s chocolate eyes melted a little. “I’ve always wondered if I’d ever be able to find a boy who could see past the automail and not be an automail mechanic himself. No offense, but I’m never sure if they see me or my legs.”

Winry smiled. “They’re boys. All they see is legs and boobs but I know what you mean.” Casting an anxious glance towards the kitchen, she said, “Sometimes I worry that’s what Ed thinks, that I only see his automail.”

“My suggestion is that you make sure he knows there’s more to it than his automail,” Paninya said earnestly. “I know he knows it but...it helps to hear it.”

Winry nodded, thinking that was sound advice. Had she ever really told Ed how she felt? She supposed it was no mystery but mostly they talked about his automail. That wasn’t good. She’d have to change that. “Thanks. I will. Oh, there they are.”

“One lemonade for you,” Ed said giving her a glass while Al gave Paninya some iced tea. Ed pushed the throw rug to one side and laid down on the cool clay flooring. He sighed happily. “Feels much better and this limeade is fantastic.”

“Limeade? You mean the quart of the stuff that Roy chased all over town to find?” Winry arched an eyebrow at Ed as she leaned over to put a pillow under his head. She could only imagine the battle that was likely to erupt over this.

“He freaked me out, I drink his juice.” Ed looked extremely self-satisfied until Hayate came in from somewhere in the house and promptly sat on Ed’s belly. “Where did you come from?” Ed reached up and scratched the dog behind his pricked ears. Hayate leaned into his fingers.

“I’ll take him out in a minute,” Winry said, sipping her lemonade. “And Mustang is going to set you on fire for stealing his limeade.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Ed canted his eyes over to her. “Winry, Mr. Garfiel wanted to know what color your dress is going to be so we don’t clash.”

“Yes, Roy mentioned something along those lines,” Al said, thankful his brother reminded him of that.

“Ooo, I don’t know yet,” Winry said. “Riza, Paninya and I haven’t been shopping yet.”

“You just invited me to go tomorrow,” Paninya reminded her and Winry nodded.

“Well, until you do, I have reasons to not hang around after work with Mr. Garfiel,” Ed said as the front door opened. Hayate launched himself off Ed’s belly, leaving the young alchemist rubbing the squashed, clawed skin.

Riza and Gracia came in with Selim and Elicia in tow. Riza glanced down at Edward. “Did he melt?”

“I feel like it,” Ed said, squirming on the stone to find a spot his body hadn’t heated up.

“Winry, looked at what I got.” Elicia jumped over Ed to present Winry with her newest book. “Read it to me!”

“Elicia, what’s the magic word,” Gracia said a little crossly, looking hot and tired.

“Please!” Elicia bounced the book on Winry’s knee.

“How about I read it tonight when you go to bed?” Wiry asked, ruffling the girl’s sweat-dampened hair.

Considering that, Elicia smiled. “Okay.”

Selim looked down at Ed. “I told my new mom that I wanted to learn alchemy so I could be like you and she laughed and made me promise I wouldn’t be as bad.”

Ed snorted. “I was a good student.”

“Just a bad boy,” Al put in, beaming. He knew he had been little better, all too often led into mischief by his brother.

Ed pulled the pillow out from under his head and winged it at Al. Al caught it and fired it back. Selim laughed at them until Elicia tugged him away so they could play. She eyed Edward jealously. “What was that about?”

“She thinks Selim is her private play toy,” Gracia said, sagging onto the couch like the day had been far too much for her. “We need to have a long talk about sharing.”

“Where is Roy?” Riza glanced around then scowled. “He’s not down at the bar, is he?”

“No, he’s upstairs while Hughes proves he has lousy taste in men,” Ed replied. He glanced at the ceiling. “They’ve been up there a while but the bastard’s being quiet for a change so who knows if they’re done.”

“Hard to make noise with your mouth full,” Al said then turned ruby red as all eyes found him. He clamped a hand over his mouth. “I can’t believe I said that!”

“You can’t?” Ed sat up. “Alphonse! You’ve been hanging around Mustang too much.”

“But he’s probably not wrong,” Winry giggled and Ed gaped at her.

“Yes, well, I’m sure he’s not wrong,” Riza said, rolling her eyes.

“Ah, there’re our boys. Should have know it was too hot for them to lounge around together all day,” Gracia said as Roy and Maes came into the room, both looking hot and sweaty. Water for showers were scarce so a quick sponge bath was the best they could do.

“You’ve got that right,” Maes said as Roy and Ed exchanged glares.

“What did I do now?” Roy asked of Ed as Maes plopped down next to his wife.

“You perverted Al,” Riza said with a smile. “And you two just couldn’t wait for Gracia and me.”

“Sorry,” Roy said insincerely with a wicked grin. “Maes attacked me. I had no choice.”
Maes snorted at Roy’s description of events.

“We still have guests and no one wants to hear this,” Ed snarled.

“You are an amazing prude, do you know that?” Roy sighed, waving him off.

“I’m not! It’s you I don’t want to know about. I wouldn’t care so much about the others,” Ed replied.

Roy made a disgusted sound while Winry questioned exactly who Ed thought he wanted to hear about as the general disappeared into the kitchen.

Maes looked over at Paninya. “Sorry, if we made your first visit uncomfortable, Paninya.”

“Oh, you didn’t. Besides, it’s kind of fun to watch Ed’s histrionics. He should be on stage.” Paninya grinned. Al and Winry laughed while Ed gave her a lemony look.

Maes laughed, too. “Him and Roy. They could go on stage as a comedy act.”

“Oh, you’re funny!” Ed moaned, lying back against the stone flooring again.

“My limeade!” Roy roared from the kitchen. “Damn it! Fullmetal!” He tore back into the living room just as someone knocked on the door.

“I’ll get that,” Gracia said, levering off the couch.

“You drank my limeade on purpose didn’t you, Edward?” Roy growled.

“And it was tasty,” Ed said, rubbing his belly, then did what most any teenaged boy would in that situation, burped loudly.

“Oh, that’s it.” Roy lunged for Edward who shaped a dummy of himself out of the floor as he rolled away.

His depth perception shot to hell, Roy crashed into the dummy. Ed laughed loudly, ignoring his brother’s shout of ‘No!’ as his hands readied to slap together. Ed yelped, finding himself lifted off his feet by two huge arms. He kicked madly as Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong embraced him.

“It is good to see you well, Edward Elric!”

“Armstrong!” Ed whined as Maes helped Roy up.

“Hi, Major Armstrong,” Winry said brightly and Al echoed her.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Miss Rockbell, and you as well, Alphonse,” Armstrong said, not dropping the thrashing Edward.

“Edward, haven’t we made a rule against alchemy in the house? Do I need to get my gun?” Riza jabbed a finger his way.

Ed went limp. “No.”

“Wow, you got him to behave,” Winry said in wonder.

“So do I want to know why you’re dangling my former student?” Izumi came into the room with Sig, both of them on the heels of Havoc.

“Just saying hello, ma’am,” Armstrong set Ed down as Al hurriedly try to erase the evidence of alchemic pranks from the flooring.

“Too late, Al. I saw it.” Izumi narrowed her eyes at Edward.

“Mustang provoked me,” Ed said, straightening his clothing.

“He always does,” Al said, shooting his brother an annoyed look.

“Armstrong, since you brought Havoc, I’m going to assume this isn’t a social call,” Roy interrupted.

“No, sir. We need to speak,” Armstrong said, his face very grim.

“Follow me. Hawkeye, Edward, you, too.” Roy shot Maes an apologetic look. While he knew Armstrong was aware of Maes’ cover as Luc Gibson, he wasn’t sure his fellow alchemist was prepared to break cover in front of Havoc.

Roy led them out to the courtyard. It looked wilted in the hot afternoon sun. Even the catci looked like they wanted transplanted somewhere cooler. Roy indicated for everyone to sit and as a group they tried to pull their chairs into the weak shade of a desert pine. “Nice to see you again, Armstrong, Havoc. How’s Central?”

“Good, Boss,” Havoc said, lighting up. “Damn sight better than here. It’s you we’re worried about.”

“All right.” Roy glanced over at Armstrong.

Armstrong ran a big hand over his bald, sweating head. “We’ve received a tip that the Crimson and Green Branch Alchemists are heading this way.”

“Green Branch? I’ve never heard of him,” Ed said, picking his braid up off his neck, hoping for a cooling breeze.

“Her, Lieutenant Colonel Marretta Lehmann,” Roy corrected him. “She’s from the north, using plant life is her speciality.”

“She likes to....impale the enemy on branches,” Armstrong said distastefully.

Ed made a face, wide-eyed. “And didn’t Kimbley die in Lior?”

“He survived the attack,” Armstrong replied. “We had heard rumors to that end but now they’re confirmed.”

“He tried to kill my brother,” Edward said in a low, tight voice, his automail creaking with the force with which he made a fist.

Riza patted his shoulder. “Alphonse can take care of himself, Edward, and we’re all here to look after him.”

Ed swallowed hard, grateful that there were people willing to help keep him and his brother safe. It was hard to find words to say thank you. “I know. I should worry more about you. You’re not an alchemist or Winry and Paninya...though I suppose none of you ladies go unarmed. Just in case we failed to mention it, Paninya has a carbine in one leg and a hell of a blade in the other.”

“She does?” Roy looked shocked.

“Paninya?” Havoc asked, his eyes like robin eggs.

“Al’s new girlfriend,” Riza offered.

“For what that’s worth,” Ed said miserably. “You’re here to tell us we have to move again, aren’t you?”

“Not yet, young Edward,” Armstrong said. “The plan is to try to capture them both here.”

“Oh, perfect, with a household of innocent people around like Mrs. Hughes and Elicia, not to mention Granny and my teacher,” Ed snapped, hating this idea instantly. It put everyone he cared about in danger.

Armstrong’s gaze slipped over to Mustang who nodded. “We may have to send some of them home prematurely,” Roy replied, regret heavy in his voice. “And keep a close watch over Winry and Paninya since it’s unlikely they’ll go anywhere.”

“And your teacher is a most accomplished alchemist, Edward,” Armstrong said soothingly. “Though your desire to keep her safe is admirable.”

Ed just made an unhappy noise. Roy sighed then locked gazes with Armstrong. “Lay out the plan,” he invited, knowing everyone’s hopes for one good, fun night at the festival had just taken the usual dark turn into gloom.