Ed's First Love, Ch. 15

Chapter 15

The Train

Ed did as he was instructed and purchased some t-shirts, jeans, underwear and socks for his younger brother.  He’d only been trusted to get a few items; Al was excited to finally be wearing normal clothes again and wanted to get out to the stores himself.  The smaller boy was rushing to get back, when he’d left his brother was gorging himself on every bit of food Melissa had in her apartment.

Ed came through the apartment door and found his brother sitting on her couch with his hands on his stomach, obviously sick from eating too much.  “Hey, Al, here’s some clothes.  Hope they fit, you ate so much you probably put on about a hundred pounds, you pig!” he laughed as he threw the bags at his brother.  It was so good to have him back to normal.  He just had to get used to how much he’d grown.

Al sluggishly stood up and groaned as he took the bag of clothes and went into Melissa’s bedroom to change.  He couldn’t wait to get out of her robe, it was pink after all and his brother had been relentless taunting him.  But that was OK; at least he had a body to put it on!  After placing the clothes over his new body, he came back out and plopped himself back down on the couch.  He was really full, but the food had tasted so good.

He noticed Ed sitting on a chair opposite him; he had a serious look on his face.  Apparently, Ed had bought himself some new clothes as well, his usual black outfit was gone and he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with some dragon design on it.  Al wondered if his brother had thrown his old black clothes away because of all the blood they’d had on them from the transmutation.

“Al, we need to talk about something,” Ed interrupted his brother’s train of thought.

“What is it, brother?” Al asked.

“Well, I need to know what you want to do now.  I mean, I’ve made a commitment to Melissa and I’m going to go with her to Drachma.  I’m going to help her keep the philosophers stone hidden and well, I guess it’s up to you if you want to come with me.  Or, I guess you could head back to Winry in Rosembool.  Whatever you want, it’s up to you.  Either way, you can’t stay here.  If they see you’ve got your body back, then they’ll ask questions…” He stated plainly.

“Hmmm… I think I’d like to stay with you and Melissa.  It wouldn’t hurt you to have another person around to help guard the stone and besides, I feel like I owe that to her.” he replied.  He looked over at his brother and saw a smile spread across his lips and knew it was the choice Ed had been hoping he’d pick.

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With the plan fully in place, Ed burst into Roy Mustang’s office.  He looked around as he realized it was probably the last time he’d be in here.  The boy had his state issued pocket watch in hand and he flung it on the desk in front of Mustang.  He’d put his red robe over his new clothes so he could hide the fact that his metal arm and leg were no longer a part of him.

Roy looked up from his newspaper and said, “What’s this shorty?  You finally giving up?”

Ed cringed at the nickname, but he knew he wouldn’t have to hear it anymore. “That’s the last time you call me that, Mustang.  Go ahead; say it again for all I care - shorty, shorty, shorty.  I quit!” he smugly spat out as he turned for the door.  He certainly didn’t feel he owed the dark haired man any explanation.

“Wait, Fullmetal, what do you mean you quit?  Are you finally giving up on the philosophers stone?” he mocked.  Roy became alarmed as he saw the boy was not going to stop and explain himself.  He yelled after him again, “Ed, don’t tell me your giving up on your dream for… for a woman!  Ed!” but the blond boy just kept walking.

Ed felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders as he sauntered out of Mustangs office for the last time.  He was even humming to himself as he entered the dormitory he’d shared with his brother.  The boy was looking forward to a new life; hell, he could finally have a life!  He entered his room and packed all of his and Al’s belongings.  He couldn’t get out of there fast enough, but he did pause at the door.  A nostalgic memory surfaced as he remembered the first time he and Al came there, he’d been here to study for the state alchemy exam.  Just as quickly as the memory came, he buried it again and ran down the stairs, eager to get back to Melissa’s apartment.

Ed came back to an empty residence.  He found a note scrawled out almost illegibly on the kitchen table.  He could make out that it was from his brother; he’d gone out for more clothes and food.  Ed was full of nervous energy, he just wanted to get out of town and be done with it, but the days events had wore heavily on him and his body was tired.  He decided to lie down for a little while on Melissa’s bed and wait for everyone to return.

Ed rolled over, and focused his eyes on the door to Melissa’s bedroom, he didn’t remember closing it.  He heard muffled voices and laughter coming from beyond the doorway.  Then he turned his head and shifted his gaze to the window, it was already dusk outside! ‘Damn-it, I fell asleep… how long have I been out?’ he wondered.  His body still felt heavy with sleep as he forced himself to sit upright on the edge of the bed.  He heard the laughter again and was able to discern Melissa and Al’s voice.  ‘Well, they sure are enjoying themselves,’ he thought.  He got up, opened the door and walked out into the living area.  He was still a bit groggy and wiped at his eyes as he tried to focus on his companions.  

Al and Melissa’s lively conversation stopped when they saw the sleepy boy standing just outside of the hallway.  Then they turned to face each other and with a deliberate glance started to laugh hysterically.

It was apparent to Ed that the two found his situation comical somehow and he wasn’t sure he liked it.  The pair was seated at the kitchen table, dinner half eaten on their plates.  “So, what’s so funny you two?” he asked.  

“Ed, come and join us, there’s some more pasta on the stove if you’re hungry.” Melissa motioned in the direction of the kitchen as she spoke and then pulled the chair out next to her.  As Ed walked in the direction of the food, she continued, “Your brother here was just telling me some funny stories about the two of you when you were young.”

“Great” he mumbled, piling the rest of the pasta onto a dish and walking slowly toward the table and the chair she’d pulled out for him.  “So, which story were you telling her this time Al, the one about when I got a peanut stuck up my nose or the one where I pounded you for telling stupid stories about me!” he said as he gave a fierce look to his brother.”

Al just smiled smugly back as Melissa spoke, “Oh come on Ed, the peanut story is really very funny.   I’m going to like having your brother around.”

“Wonderful, now you two are probably going to gang up on me…”he muttered as he started shoving food in his mouth.

Melissa hadn’t been this happy since she was a child, before her brother was killed and before she’d had any knowledge of the philosophers stone.  She almost felt like she had some sort of family again.  She wasn’t alone, at last.

After dinner, the boys cleaned up the dishes while Melissa packed her things for the long trip they’d be taking on the train the next day.  Ed and Al’s metal parts were still in her apartment; neither was ready to dispose of the things that had been a part of them for so long.   They’d moved them to a corner of her living room, so they were out of the way.

After everyone had finished their responsibilities, the trio relaxed on her balcony.  Al had brought an extra chair from her kitchen so he could join them.   He noticed how calm and happy his brother was as he sat close to Melissa and held her hand under the patio table.  They reflected on the day’s events and contemplated what tomorrow would bring.

At some point, Melissa yawned; she was worn out and needed to get some rest.  “Sorry guys, but I need to go to bed.  Ed, can you get a blanket and pillow for your brother?  I’ll see you shortly” she put the emphasis on ‘you’ as she ran her finger across the top of his shoulder before leaving to wash up.

As the woman left the two boys, Al turned and stared at his brother with wide eyes as he whispered, “Are you sleeping with her Ed?”  For some reason he sort of knew that they must be sleeping together, but being confronted with it shocked him.

“What do you think, Al.” the older brother replied, “Of course…”

“No, I mean, are you SLEEPING with her?” he interrupted.

Ed looked at his brother proudly, “Yeah, Al, I am.  I mean, we are…you know…I love her Al, what else do you do when you love someone?  Wipe that smirk off your face!”

Al thought for a minute then asked, “Ed?”

“What now, Al?” the older brother asked back.

“Don’t be too loud, OK?” the younger brother said.

The older Elric turned and focused his eyes directly on his brother, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You know, sometimes when people have sex they can be really loud.  I don’t want to hear you and Melissa going at it, that’s just sick!” the younger brother exclaimed as he made a barfing noise.

“You may be bigger than me, but you still act like a 2-year-old, Al” Ed replied, disgusted as he got up to get the pillow and blanket for his brother.  ‘It’s going to be a long train ride tomorrow’, he thought.
The older boy left his sibling on the couch in the living area, undressed and got into Melissa’s bed.  ‘Damn she’s taking forever in there’, he thought.  Finally, the door opened and he saw her silhouette in the light from the bathroom.  She had some sheer billowy thing on.  As she got closer, he noticed he could see all of her right through it.  He was insanely aroused when he realized she’d put on a negligee for him.  He also noticed the faint scent of jasmine.

Melissa wanted this first night as a whole person to be special for him. So, she’d put on her sexiest negligee with the intent of pleasuring him without inhibition.   As she slid into the sheets, he immediately climbed on top of her and kissed her passionately.  She felt both his hands groping up and down her body and his hardness pressing against her.

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In the other room, Al waited for sleep to overtake him.  Just as he was about to drift off, the sound of a boy, yelling out as if in pain, brought him back to his wits.  He listened to see if maybe something was wrong, ‘what was that noise?’ he wondered.  Then he heard it again and knew instantly what it was, “Yuck, brother!” he said out loud as he drew the pillow up over his head.

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The next morning, Melissa woke up shortly before the alarm clock would have sounded.  She reached up and turned it off being careful not to disturb Edward.  She looked over at her lover lying peacefully beside her, his blonde hair was splayed across his pillow and his arm was still resting across her midsection.  When she turned slightly to get a better view of him, his arm tightened around her and his body shifted closer.   The wild romp they’d had last night was still fresh in her mind.  She smiled as she thought back to the intensity of his climax.  He’d gripped her so tightly she almost couldn’t breath as his desire made him cry out.  She loved watching him do that.

Ed felt Melissa shift in the bed as he came out of his slumber.  He instinctively drew himself closer to her; he didn’t want her to leave their bed yet.  As he opened his eyes, he found her watching him and it fueled his curiosity.  “Morning…” he said sleepily, “What are you smiling about?”  

“I was just remembering what a wild man you were last night,” she answered giggling softly.  

“Yeah?” he started to position his body over hers as he spoke, “well, we could do it again.”  His mouth found hers and he started kissing her passionately.  

She pushed him away playfully, “Ed, we don’t have time for that, we have to leave for the train in an hour, remember?”  She pulled her body out from under him and moved to the edge of the bed so she could get out of it.  As she was reaching for the edge, she felt his hand on her other arm as he pulled her back towards him.

“Just lay with me for a few more minutes, OK?  I just want to feel you close…” he pleaded softly as she returned to him.  Ed rested his head on her chest as she brought herself in close beside him.  He loved having her arms around him and listening to her heartbeat.  

Just then, a knock sounded on the bedroom door, followed by the voice of Ed’s younger brother from the other side, “Uh, guys, are you up?  I mean, shouldn’t we get going?”

Getting frustrated, Ed sighed and told him, “Yes Al, we should get going.”

“Well, what are you doing in there?  I need to take a shower!” the younger brother shouted back, growing annoyed.

“Come on in Al, you can get in the shower first,” Melissa told him.

As Alphonse opened the door, he saw his brother and Melissa in the bed together.  They didn’t look like they had any clothes on and the whole scene embarrassed the younger boy.  His face turned beet red as he quickly shifted his gaze from them and focused on the bathroom door.  He called out, “geeze you guys, don’t you ever get enough?” as he slammed the door.

The couple looked at each other, astonished at the outburst, and then started to laugh.

The trio all eventually got showered and ate some breakfast before a car arrived to take them to the train station.  The driver was only expecting Melissa, but after being convinced with a monetary donation, he decided it would be all right to take them all.  At the station, Edward purchased tickets for him and his brother and they all sat back and waited for the call to board their train.  The boys were fidgeting and teasing each other while Melissa read from a report she had taken from the lab yesterday.  She’d decided to get a head start on her work while they waited.

…iiilll{}llliii…

Back at Central, Roy Mustang sat at his desk gazing out his window.  He’d had an uneasy feeling ever since Fullmetal had come in and quit.  He couldn’t believe the boy would give up on his search for the philosophers stone prematurely and he was sure he was up to something.   He decided to check out a few things to calm his nerves.

Colonel Mustang made his way over to the dormitory and had the administrator of the building open the door to the room where Ed and Al had been staying.  He was in luck; the room hadn’t yet been cleaned and readied for the next inhabitants.  He searched the wastebaskets and looked in all the drawers.   All their possessions had been taken and there was nothing here to suggest anything abnormal.

Roy remembered that he still had a copy of Melissa’s apartment key from when they were a couple.  He quickly left the dormitory and ordered his car.  When he approached her door, he knocked first to see if anyone was inside.  After hearing only silence, he put the key in the lock and turned it.  The door opened with a clicking sound and he stepped inside her residence.  The smell of breakfast food hung on the air as he surveyed the premises. He walked into the bedroom and was unable to see anything out of the ordinary.  He found a towel soaked in blood in the washing machine located in her closet.  This was his first clue as to what had transpired here the day before.

Next, Roy walked slowly out to the main living area, his eyes searched all four corners of the room before a light flashed in his face.  He walked closer to the source of the illumination and saw sunlight shining brightly on the sheen of metal behind Melissa’s chair.  ‘Why hadn’t he noticed that until now?’ he thought.  It should have been pretty hard to miss, Al’s enormous suit of armor and Ed’s auto-mail arm and leg were sitting right there in the living room.  Roy approached the objects and kicked at them, the boys were no longer attached.  As Colonel Mustang realized the full meaning behind what he saw, a smile spread across his face as he shifted his eyes to the window.  As he looked outside across the city, he heard the distant sound of a train whistle blowing.