AN: This one took much longer than anticipated so I apologize... The words weren't coming to me easily for this one :l Hope everyone likes this one though, and thanks for all the reviews and faves, you're all awesome~

IronClaw Alchemist -36- A Date?

Relax and get some rest- that's what everyone's been telling me, yet I couldn't manage to sit still. The first day or so wasn't so bad. I just slept for however long I could and when I was awake, Ed and Al would come visit. Occasionally Hawkeye would visit as well to see how things were, then head back to work or visit Mustang and Havoc. Then, of course, Winry had stopped by on several occasions, mostly for my automail dilemma, and then when Pinako arrived, they fixed the connection for my limb. I was extremely grateful that she came to Central on such short notice, but I'm sure the pay was more than enough of a 'thank you'.

After that, I just had to wait at least a few more days until I decided that I had spent enough time 'relaxing'. I'd hardly call it that, seeing as I was constantly uneasy- none of my senses were on good terms with the hospital, or any hospital for that matter. Not only was there a constant smell of disinfectant chemicals, but the food they served was almost at par with the food back at the lab. I did, however, enjoy drinking chocolate milk in front of Ed. That was about all the entertainment I was going to get while I was there.

"It's only been a week, Riku," Ed sighed.

I tried to hide the smirk on my lips as his brow twitched ever so slightly. After the first few times, he tried to hide his discomfort, seeing as it only encouraged me, but I knew if I kept going, he'd eventually crack.

"So?" I questioned, licking my lips briefly after taking a sip. "If I remember correctly- which I know I do- you said 'however long we can keep you here'."

Of course I had put the milk down for a second to imitate Ed's voice, and of course it wasn't accurate at all.

"I don't sound like that..." He mumbled, unimpressed.

I just shrugged and drank more of the milk. "So, can I just go? Before I have to take unnecessary measures."

He sighed in defeat and stood up. "Let me ask Winry... And stop drinking that stuff."

I grinned and put it down on the side table as he walked out of the room. When he returned, Winry walked in with him. Unfortunately, she didn't seem happy.

"You want to leave the hospital? After a week?" She questioned sceptically.

I nodded.

"No."

My jaw dropped. "'No'? You're kidding, right?"

"You just got your automail fixed and I won't let you damage it again before it heals."

My shocked look turned into a glare. There was no way I was going to stay here any longer. No way in hell.

"Winry, maybe you two can make some sort of deal..." Ed chimed in, instantly retreating slightly as Winry's glare settled on him.

"A deal where she won't break her automail again?" she questioned doubtfully. "Never worked for you, Ed."

I snorted. "What'd I say about comparing us?"

Ed sent a glare my way, but I ignored it. There weren't many ways that I could break my automail now though, seeing as things had cooled down since Mustang killed Lust.

"How 'bout I use a crutch and if I leave my room I'll make sure Ed's with me?" I offered.

I didn't like the idea of using a crutch- I felt fragile with one- but there was a lot I was willing to do to get out of this place.

Winry didn't say anything at first, most likely in thought. "Ed, do you agree to that?"

I received an odd look from the Elric, so I returned it with the puppy dog pout. It seemed to win him over within a second.

"Yeah, that's fine."

Winry's sigh of defeat brought a grin to my face. "Alright, you can leave."

It didn't take me long to get ready and get out of the hospital. To be honest, there wasn't much else to do once I had gotten out, but anything was better than being in there. I'd even settle for laying in bed for the rest of the day. I couldn't let Ed or Winry know that though. Not only would I get stuck back at the hospital, but it'd probably piss them off as well.

"Are you happy now?" Ed asked as we neared his room.

I nodded and gave him a grin. It only widened when Lan Fan and Ling's scent caught my attention. I didn't tell Ed though, content with watching his reaction as he opened the door.

"What the- You two again? Stop mooching off me!"

He ran into the room and grabbed each of them by the back of their shirts before tossing them out the door. I didn't expect Ed to be dragged out as well though. With a sigh, I flopped down onto his bed. They were only out there for a short while, but when Ed came back in he looked a little flustered. It was then that I wished I had listened in.

"Something up?" I asked curiously.

"Wha? N-no, well, I mean, kind of. Uh..." His cheeks flushed and he looked away nervously. "Do you, uhm, want to go on a date...?"

I watched him curiously, which only seemed to make him more nervous. I wasn't rejecting him or anything, but truth be told, I wasn't exactly sure what he was referring to.

"A date...?"

The word only seemed to darken his cheeks as he fumbled with his words. "Y-yeah, you know, uh, we could go somewhere... together. Like, uh... a restaurant or something- but if you don't want to that's fine-"

I opened my mouth to help him out, but in all honesty I found his modest and shy side rather endearing.

"He means to say that he wants to take you on a romantic excursion," Ling cut in, poking his head through the slightly opened door. "Which usually lead to-"

Ed roughly shoved Ling out the door and slammed it shut in a panic. My brow just raised mischievously.

"D-don't listen to him... I just figured since we haven't been on one..." He looked over at me, his cheeks still flushed, but I knew he was being sincere. "It doesn't commit you to do anything you don't want to..."

I smiled and nodded. "And if I wanted to?"

A panicked look washed over his features before he looked away quickly.

"I'm just teasing," I chuckled.

I gave him a moment or two to relax before I got up, crutch in tow. I didn't like the device, but if it meant that I was allowed to get up and walk around, I'd deal with it.

On the way to the door, I took Ed's hand with my free one and gave him a reassuring tug. "So, where are you going to take me?"

He smiled and started walking into the hallway with me in tow. "Well, you never eat so-"

"I eat," I cut in, but he just gave me an unimpressed look. "Sometimes."

His stomach growled on cue, putting a grin on my lips.

"Fine, let's get food."

The walk took longer than I had anticipated, due to the crutch, but it was comfortable and I felt at ease. I had to release his hand as we walked though, I only had my left hand free and it didn't feel the same holding onto his automail hand. I missed the feeling to say the least.

We took a seat at one of the patio tables and waited for a server. The place seemed fairly busy, so it was likely we'd be waiting for a while.

"So, what made you decide on a date?" I asked curiously.

His gaze shifted nervously before he directed it towards the menu. "Just thought it'd be nice to spend time with you."

I smiled and nodded, looking over the menu quickly. When I looked back up, we had a third person at the table- Ling. I wasn't sure why he was here- well, other than for food- or know how to go about telling Ed.

I cleared my throat, which seemed to get the blond's attention and his eyes landed on me as I nudged my head to the side. His look was confused at first, then anger took over.

"Ling? What the hell!"

The guy in question chuckled lightly and lifted his hand in a friendly manner. "Just thought I'd come say 'hi'."

I noticeably saw Ed twitch and he stood up from his chair. "So now you've said 'hi', so get the hell out of here!"

"Aww, but what about all the food?"

"We haven't even ordered yet!"

"But the menus make it sound so good," Ling whined.

"Then go buy your own food!"

"But Eddddd."

As I was watching in amusement, a waiter came up behind me, clearly not finding the situation as humorous.

"Excuse me, boys, there's been quite a few complaints about the noise so I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"WHO'RE YOU CALLING SO SHORT HE BASKS IN THE SHADE OF A SINGLE BLADE OF GRASS?"

I had to cover my mouth to keep myself from bursting out into laughter. How he had come up with that one, I'd never know.

"Come one Ed, let's just go," I managed to get out calmly.

The waiter had backed up a few steps and was watching Ed rather cautiously. I didn't blame him at all. Reluctantly, Ed finally agreed to leave and we managed to get rid of Ling. Once food was out of the picture, it wasn't that difficult.

"So, do you practice those rants?" I questioned, trying to keep from laughing.

He blink at first, until he realized what I was talking about, then he scowled, his cheeks flushed.

"Ha, ha, funny," he mumbled.

I chuckled and gave him a playful grin. After wandering for a while, we decided to head back to HQ and get some food there. I'd never understand how he could eat so much, seeing as he was rather... Short. I laughed to myself at how cautious I had become of the word. By just hanging around him for so long, any word with a similar meaning had become forbidden in a sense, in fear of Ed's tantrums.

"You know, the first time I met you, I would have never thought I'd see you laugh like that," he informed softly.

I raised a brow as he met my gaze. "What brought this up?"

His gaze didn't linger on me for long, moving anywhere but me. "I just... I'm glad I met you..."

I sat up on the bed beside him, a small smile on my lips. "Same here..."

When he turned to me, I caught his lips with my own and gently pulled him down onto the bed with me. He had said that I didn't have to do anything I didn't want to, and I knew that he wouldn't initiate anything, but what if I wanted something?

I felt his body tense against me and his lips parted from mine, his cheeks warm. He didn't say anything at first and he didn't move, so I claimed his lips once more, not wanting to be separated from him any longer.

It wasn't something we were familiar with, our previous kisses not nearly as intimate, but I didn't want to stop. His taste only encouraged me to continue, my fingers trailing along his well toned chest. I remembered several occasions where I wondered about him- his body- and each time it had sent an odd feeling down my gut, as it did now. Only this time, I chose to act on it.

It was only a few more moments before he parted once more, his warm breath brushing against my face.

"You're still injured, Riku..." He mumbled softly.

I shook my head slowly and leaned back towards him, but he kept me from continuing.

"Let your wounds heal first... Alright...?"

It took a minute before I nodded reluctantly. I wasn't sure what it was about him that made me like that, but I wanted nothing more at that moment than to be with him. It was a feeling that would be worth the wait.

FN: Whoaa, crazy hormonal teenagers lol I guess I was just being a tease there, hehe. Hmm, I guess its not really a spoiler to say that they're going to Dublith next, so with that said... anyone have any suggestions or ideas for what could happen there? It'll help me get the next one out faster ^^;