-1Give Guidance or Counsel

Door Handles

Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist

Rating of Chapter: T

Thursday the 21st of October

Ed got home the next day just as the light was peeking over the horizon. He climbed through his bedroom window and landed on the bed that was bellow it with surprising grace. He looked up to see Al standing in the doorway; eyebrow raised, arms crossed, and right foot tapping as he waited to an explanation to Ed's ninja entrance and where he had been all night. Ed gave a cute little laugh in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Edward." warned his brother, leaning against the doorframe. Ed winced at the authoritative tone in his voice.

"Yes?" he questioned, testing his waters.

"Don't you 'yes' me!" shouted Al, oops, thought Ed, I just drowned. "I've been worried sick all night! You take off without so much as a goodbye from the dance, in the freezing cold - and no jacket! You didn't even think about taking some way to contact Winry or I! you could have been kidnapped, or died, and I'd be none the wiser! Take some responsibility, you're 16 years old now!" screamed the younger of the two brothers.

"You'd think at 16 years old I'd be able to chose where I spend the night alone." mumbled Ed. Al just gave him a livid look. Ed sighed, then apologised.

"Whatever brother, where did you go?" Al asked. He thought he could probably guess by who he had left with, and the way Ed's face flared up, but he wanted to hear Ed admit it.

"Well… Um… We went for a walk, and then…" he stopped, blushed and coughed, and carried on. "I got pretty drenched with snow, it was only natural and kind that… well… you know…" he trailed off, shuffling his feet and looking at them. Al smirked. Now he was over his fit of anger, he was going to enjoy this.

"What was natural and kind?" he asked, still standing in the doorway so Ed had no way of escape. Ed, still studying the floor, passed his hands over himself.

"That they give me some different clothes…" he explained, and Al took in what his brother was wearing. It certainly wasn't what he was wearing the night before. White T-shirt and Hawaiian surfer shorts, he was barefoot, but his shoes were next to his bed where they had been dropped when Ed made his entrance this morning. His hair had been left down.

"Ahuh…" replied Al, "And how did you get wet?" he asked, he watched his brother blush and stammer, remembering the events of the night before.

"Uh… I got in a fight." he said, not really lying, as he was physically attacking someone at the time. "They floored me, after I landed a couple of hits to that smug face of his, we both got a little damp."

Somehow, Al found his explanation believable.

"Jeez brother, and where was Mustang during all of this?" he questioned, Ed just stammered even more.

"I- huh? Who mentioned M-Mustang?"

Al just rolled his eyes and gave Ed an expectant look. Ed sighed, seeing he'd been caught out.

"Mustang was the one whom I was fighting." he admitted, Al brightened up.

"Oh, so this 'fight' was actually just a rough make out session you guys were having in the middle of a deserted street." he said quickly, making Ed's eyes widen and his cheeks colour. He shook his head feverishly.

"No, no, no!" he protested, "It really was a fight!" Al gave him a sceptic look. Ed glared. Al decided he was probably telling the truth, since he wouldn't put it past Ed to show his emotions with the use of violence, and he wouldn't put it past anyone to tackle Ed in an attempt to stop the attacks.

""Okay, so you got to Mustang's place, he gave you a change of clothes, cuz you got wet" he stopped and watched his brothers blush at his choice of words, "And… what happened then?"

"Why are questioning me?" he asked. "I don't actually have to answer you." Al rolled his eyes.

"I'm not trying to step on your toes Ed, just wondering what you were doing while I was worrying." he guilt tripped. Ed winced.

"Sorry Brother." he apologised, "I guess, I was just sleeping - I really tired."

Al's eyes widened, and he gasped.

"Oh my God! You did!" he gushed, Ed blinked; confused.

"I did what?"

"You slept with him!"

Ed just kept on blinking, innocent and naïve to the less obvious terms of love and sexual encounters.

"Well yeah, would have been a long night otherwise."

Al, trying to keep the laughter out of his voice, picked up the mobile they shared.

"I need to call Winry." he said, leaving Ed alone in his room. Ed pouted getting the feeling he and Al had been talking about two separate things again.

"Oi! Al, she's just next door! Don't waste out credit!"

Two minutes later he heard the front door slam.

-

Once Ed had showered and dressed in his own clothes, a black tank top and jeans, he hurried downstairs to grab some breakfast before school. He was met in the kitchen by Al and Winry, who were both already in their shoes and coats and were whispering excitedly about something. Winry gave him a look as he passed which made him think that that 'something' was actually him. His suspicions were confirmed on their usual early morning walk to school.

"So Ed, tired?" asked Winry as the boy yawned. Ed nodded, although he'd spent practically all of his time at Roy's asleep, he felt like he'd been awake all night. Winry giggled.

"Don't worry, that'll get better with practise." she laughed, Al was smirked beside her, and Ed got the impression he was missing the joke. "Anything hurt at all?" asked the only girl, making Al make a face and Ed look around; confused.

"No…" he eventually answered. "Why would it?"

Al and Winry exchanged a glance, by this time they were nearing the school, yet the two did not relent on their questioning.

"So, where did it happen?" Asked Al, quietly and deliberately as other students passed them. Ed just gave him another confused look.

"Where did you guys sleep together!?" Winry re-asked bluntly, once they were the only people around again. Ed felt the heat rise a little, but answered anyway.

"On the sofa."

Winry giggled again.

"You guys couldn't wait to get to the bedroom?"

"It just didn't happen that way… is it really that important?" replied Ed, wondering what the third degree was for when he'd simply fallen asleep round Roy's. He fell asleep round Winry's all the time.

"Ahuh. What position?" she asked. Al made another face, as if some questions were okay to ask, but other's weren't.

"Uh… laying down." stressed Ed. "How else would you? He asked.

Both Winry and AL swept their friend into a group hug, effected by his sweet naivety.

"You're so cute!" cooed Winry.

-

Ed strolled into the room, letting the door slam closed behind him, frown plastered firmly on his face. He slammed his hands on the desk, and the occupant behind, who had managed not to jump, looked up, adjusting his glasses.

"Yes?" asked the surprised man. Ed brought his hands up, and slammed the back down. "Want to stop taking this out on my desk and tell me what's wrong?"

"Sure!" exclaimed Ed, "I'll stop when you explain this!" he added, letting the slip of paper fall onto the desk. Roy picked up the paper and looked over the rim of his glasses at the young boy.

"It's your counselling slip, you've had a few, I thought you would recognise them by now." he replied, Ed flushed at the teasing.

"Don't screw with me! I realise that you bastard!"

Roy blinked.

"Then… uh… what's the problem?"

Ed slammed his hands on the table again, earning him a glare from his elder.

"You told me last night that I didn't need it anymore!" he protested, "And when did you get glasses?"

Ed, although angry, did not miss the very light tint of colour that graced Roy's cheeks as he pulled off the offending items and studied them.

"I only need them for reading small text." he explained, "And I said nothing of the sort!" he got himself back to the original subject.

"You said you'd cracked me when I said…" he trailed off and blushed. Roy smirked leaning forwards and resting his chin in his hands.

"What did you say that I supposedly replied to? I'm afraid my memory fails me." his smirk grew, "help me recollect the scene?"

He revelled in the growing blush on the blonde teen's face. Ed glanced at the door, as if weighing his chances of escape. It was lunchtime, but he was in Mustang's office, the ever deserted psychology block. It did not stop the embarrassment at Roy's teasing. He stepped backwards and crossed his arms protectively over his stomach. He averted his gaze to the blank walls of his office.

"C'mon, you're changing the subject." he whined.

"I believe I said something…" he smirked, "but I'm getting old Fullmetal, I'll need your help to remember."

"Dammit Mustang!" he yelled, blushing and clenching his hands into fists. "Fine… I said I -"

Mustang rose an eyebrow. Ed stepped forward and slammed his hands on Mustangs desk one last time.

"I said I … I l-love you dammit!"

Mustang smirked.

"Now I remember." he grinned, "I said I cracked you with your 'love thing', but you're not in therapy simply for that reason are you?"

"You could keep me here forever with shit like that!"

"Right." agreed Mustang, a cheeky grin spreading over his features. "Because you're so fucked up."

"Admit it bastard!" said Ed, suddenly smug, "You're just being selfish again; trying to keep me with you!" he accused.

Mustang stood up and walked around his desk. He caught Ed's hands and forced him backwards, until his back hit the door. Then he let go of the boy's hands and brought his hands up to tangle in the boys hair.

"So what if I am?" he whispered. Ed blushed and felt backwards with his hand, he grabbed the door handle and pulled, falling out of the door just as Roy was leaning in for the kiss.

"Dammit Edward! You and your bloody door handles!

The end, finally. *gasp* That seemed like it took forever! Heh, Keep an eye out for the sequel, which has yet to be named, but it may take me awhile to get it up.

I hope you all enjoyed this story, despite my complaining, I enjoyed writing it.

I'm not adverse to reviews, in fact, I revel in them, even if they're telling me how much it sucks. Though I would prefer if you are telling me it sucks, you have a legitimate reason, not just 'OMGZ THERE GAY LOLZ TATZ STUPID' because that's annoying, and I won't take advice from someone who can't use proper grammar.