Freelancer New York (freelancer_york) wrote in elsewhere_rpg, @ 2017-10-30 11:58:00 |
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Ed had slept nearly a full twenty four hours after the first time he woke up back in Elsewhere. All the gate traveling was exhausting on his body, not that he remembered traveling it a second time but he must have. Unless one of those portals showed up. Whatever happened, he was drained. He ate a bit of bread when he got up and then decided to go out into the sun. He felt better when the rays of light touched his body, like he could actually function a little now that it didn’t just feel artificial. He had been gone a long time however, he’d only made it a good ten feet before he was forced to sit on a bench and stop where he was. He had a hard time walking on the small cobblestone path in the town with that thinner leg, and he felt old. Ed looked down at it, debating whether or not a cane might help but he was too stubborn for that and refused. He could easily have made one out of the granite in front of his face, but no. That would be like giving up. Standing again he grimaced as the world in front of him felt like it was on fire. Was it this painful the first time? He remembered Pinako saying it took a normal person a year to rehabilitate-but Ed had done it in six months before. Why couldn’t he do it in less now? That was when he was approached by a face he didn’t recognize, a stranger that wanted money. Ed explained he didn’t have any worth anything, but the man persisted and tried to knock him back away but Ed dug in his fleshy foot in spite of the sudden burning sensation it brought to the rest of his body, and cursed again in German as he easily ducked away from his grip, seeming to use a new form of martial arts entirely that knocked the man off his balance hardly having to touch him at all and sent him spiraling into the bench instead. “You can keep doing that all you want, but it doesn’t change I still don’t have money.” Ed began to walk away with his hands in his leather coat pocket, the man looked embarrassed he couldn’t even rob a handicapped person. Clearly his priorities were straight. Robbing people in daylight. Oh yeah, that was going over well for him. --- Ed wouldn’t get very far. He’d have the brief warning of footsteps behind him, but that was it-- and then there was a hand falling to his shoulder and gripping on. The grip was steady and strong, it was almost familiar, but surely the blonde boy might well assume it was the (entirely inept) robber coming after him. If he took a second to look back first, he’d find not the robber, but York. Of course, if he didn’t take a second to look back first, and simply reacted, he’d find the man to be a lot heavier than he’d been just a moment ago.. York, after all, was a solid three hundred pounds (though he’d lost nearly ten over the last week, he still looked sick, too-- paler skin, with that one blue eye dim and a bit cloudy, he just looked exhausted, but he was up and moving!). --- Ed ducked away from that hand based on pure reaction. He was limber, it was an easy movement before York could even clearly get a good grip on him. He hadn’t actually wanted to hurt that guy, he only had to get away. The blonde frowned as he whirled on York and stared at him with a dead panned exasperation as he noticed who it was. Ed was quite a bit more practiced in his self restraint then he had been all of seven days ago. As though he’d been practicing often. “Christ York. How a giant manages a sneak attack is beyond me.” He grumbled a little still annoyed by the previous real attacker. He didn’t need York doing it too. “You look like shit.” He commented plainly as the sunlight lit his features he could see just how ill he looked. Ed really didn’t like it. Sure he was out of bed, but should he have been? “What are you doing up?” --- When Ed twisted away, York’s hands both came up into an ‘I surrender’ position, though a smile settled on his face. “Hey, it’s just me. Easy.” His arms slowly dropped down once Ed recognized him and seemed to relax. His voice, like the day previous, was raspy, but able to be understood. Of course, when Ed called him a giant, it caused him to laugh softly-- which immediately resulted in him beginning to cough. A hand came up to press over his mouth and the Spartan turned his body away somewhat and bent a little at the waist when the coughing took over. It sounded wet, it sounded harsh, like his lungs were trying to cough up bits of themselves. It passed after a moment, though, and he waved his free hand some as if to say ‘I’m fine’, before straightening up and turning tired eyes (more tired now, thanks to the exhausting fit of hacking) back onto his friend. “I needed fresh air.” Georgia would kill him if she found out he’d gone outside. He and North had only been out long enough to move from the Inn to the house, and that was it. They were under strict house arrest. --- That didn’t sound like a person who was fine. Ed just frowned a bit as he watched York practically cough up his lung just because he laughed. He tried to help York stand a little at least as he watched him, it looked like York was ready to fall over. “Maybe we should get back. We can sit outside, but if we both get stranded here I can’t lift you.” He could barely lift his own weight just then. Ed reached a hand up to touch York’s face gently to feel if he was hot or not, but then decided they were leaving anyway and reached for his hand. “Plenty of air by the house.” He urged as he tugged him along. Previously Ed might have caved in, but not this time. This time York needed help and he could try standing for the both of them. What a pair they made. “Don’t strain yourself so much, take care of you once in a while.” Ed scolded as he tugged him along. York wasn’t as much of a giant on him as he was as a kid, but Ed would still always call him that. --- “You couldn’t lift me even on your best day, Ed. I weigh twice what you do.” Maybe more than twice. He wasn’t sure Ed was a buck fifty soaking wet! But he was smiling anyway and turned his face slightly into that hand as it felt for heat on his cheek. Sure, he was running a small fever, but it wasn’t that bad anymore. Then that hand was taking up his own and he let out a rush of breath as the younger man tugged him along. He followed easily, though, hand tightening some around Ed’s. “I was taking care of me. I needed fresh air.” Joked back as he allowed the shorter man (but goodness, he wasn’t that short anymore, the top of his head was very nearly to York’s chin-- look at that!) to drag him towards the house. There was a bench near the monument at the crossroad, not too far from the house, and that was where the pair of them ended up sitting, with York gingerly lowering himself down first, and keeping Ed’s hand for himself even as the Alchemist sat with him. “I missed you.” He said once they were side by side, the Spartan spreading his knees open so that he could deliberately press his knee into Ed’s and hold the connection there. The touch. --- That was bad enough, Ed frowned at the warmth and didn’t fall for his protests this time. He had changed since he was gone. Grown up a bit. He could tell York still felt awful, so he wasn’t going to push him much; but they couldn’t stay that far away. If York collapsed Ed would be in trouble. He still couldn’t lift him closer to the house, but if he needed to there were more options. Al and his wind if North was still feeling bad, or he could try his own alchemy. Ed wasn’t even aware it still worked, but if he needed to try it-he would. Ed was exhausted by the time they got to that bench, and he felt old as he sat down next to York with a faint smile. “Same here..I was learning about Rockets and planes...I kept wanting to show you, even though you’d probably have gotten bored with outdated technology...but I never stopped thinking about you.” He didn’t seem to mind York keeping hold of his hand, if that’s what he needed then that’s what Ed would provide. He hadn’t really told him how he got so far in the future for him, but he didn’t plan on it. Talking about the gate was still hard. “I forgot how much reconnecting everything burns man.” --- The Spartan just listened as Ed spoke, that blue eye focused on him and his attention intent, a little smile lingering on his lips. Man, he’d missed this kid. A lot. He tugged that hand, urging Ed closer, even to lean some against him there on the bench. “I wouldn’t have gotten bored.” He promised. Nothing Ed ever talked about would be boring to York. “How long has it been for you?” He could tell it’d been a little while, but he couldn’t be sure how long, the Alchemist hadn’t told him yet.. And sure, maybe he didn’t want to talk about it, but he could at least give the tall blonde the basics. “And where did you end up? You didn’t have rockets and planes back in your world.. Did you?” He was pretty sure they hadn’t, he knew the technology there was very limited. They’d gone the way of Alchemy instead of Technology. --- “You have a super computer in your brain. Ancient technology wouldn’t bore you?” He looked over at him skeptically, leaning on him just a little. “Two, maybe three years I think? I don’t know. Time is kind of strange idea again.” It took some getting used to, sleeping and even eating on time were hard to remember. He too had lost weight thanks to where he’d been. Nazi Germany hadn’t been easy on anyone. Food had been hard to get ahold of and when they did, it was military rations. Ed hadn’t wanted to eat them-they tasted awful but he did because he wanted to stay alive. “Germany, 1933 “ He responded simply, letting himself lean a little on York, even if all he wanted to do was make York go back inside, but he wasn’t sure he could. If York needed to be outside, Ed would let him-for a little while, but then they were going in. “ We didn’t, but in this place they did and I got to help build them.” Ed hadn’t realized what those rockets and planes were actually going to be used for, but he was excited for science again. “I’m twenty now.” Ed said with a shrug, he hadn’t really wanted his birthday celebrated even in the other world but he had remembered the marking points. “I got to see part of the World’s Fair” Not a whole lot of it thanks to Noah reminding him about Alphonse, but some at least. --- “Yeah, well, you’re more entertaining than Delta.” York assured him, turning his head some and resting his cheek there on Ed’s crown. It was nice that he could do it now, without having to crane his neck painfully. “And infinitely better looking. You’ve grown up a lot, Ed. I’m sorry I missed it.” Two years, maybe three? York would have easily been twenty five or twenty six, then. He doubted he’d make it to twenty-six, if he was being honest. So he was thankful to see this. “Germany, huh? I heard it’s beautiful there.” They didn’t need to talk about any of the bad things if Ed didn’t want to, York would keep the conversation light. “And D’s told me all about the World’s Fair, what was it like? Exciting? Did you get to do stuff with your rockets there?” He hoped Ed had found a little bit of happiness, wherever he’d ended up. Was that too much to ask? Turning his face a bit, York straightened and turned enough so that he could cough once or twice off to the side, a hand rubbing at his chest. It hurt. Man. And the cough just sounded so wet, but the Spartan was doing his best to control it. He knew it worried North. --- Ed had worried about what would happen the longer he stayed beyond the Gate to York and others he cared about, but a lot about York. He’d remembered what he said about not having that much time. Some days even, Ed hadn’t wanted to get out of bed at all thanks to it. He was depressed over losing them. Sick over losing his brother. A lot of his time beyond the Gate had been miserable, but Ed didn’t want to talk about that part. Maybe it was a habit he picked up from York finally, talk about the good things and hide the bad. Nobody wanted to deal with the bad, not even him-so it was the better option. “We built one that contained fireworks and entered it in the show. We got sponsors from it, even though I accidentally fired it off too early…” He admitted a little sheepishly and frowned at that cough, it reminded him of Alfons, and that had dulled a little of the excitement he felt about talking. He stood again. “I have an idea.” And encouraged York to get up with him. This time it would be York taking a shower and Ed watching over. “Steam. It’ll help that cough. Alfons had one too. He felt better in the shower.” The hot water still worked at that run down looking house didn’t it? “It probably hurts..it’ll help with that too.” Golden colored eyes were concerned, his own pain forgotten as he had someone else to worry about. -- They’d built one with fireworks? That sounded exciting. It made York break into another smile and he tugged just a little on that ponytail. Ed’s hair had gotten longer, too. “I always knew you were a genius. Way smarter than me.” A nudge followed, playful and adoring. He’d missed Ed-- so much. More than he’d ever admit to the smaller blonde. That blue eye tracked the Alchemist as he stood. “Yeah?” An idea, huh? Steam? “You’re probably right.. Sounds like a good idea.” He’d lean forward and set his hands to the bench so he could push himself to his feet, before falling into step with Ed as they made their way back to the house. “Your brother was there, too?” He sounded surprised by that and perhaps a bit excited. Good. Ed deserved to have something wonderful in his life. Once inside, York would indicate Ed should be quiet, though, as they passed through the living room and to the bedroom North was sleeping in. The golden soldier took a second to check on him, covered him up carefully, then closed the door behind him as he came back out to join Ed. “Are you hungry? We’ve got soup.” Of course he’d heat something up for Ed first-- at least he wasn’t offering to cook. Thankfully, he didn’t have the energy to cook. --- Clearly Ed had missed him too, to the point where he was actually rambling a little. Which was different for him. Ed wasn’t typically the talkative sort, but when it came to science and the world’s fair he could talk all day. “I actually kind of wished I’d gotten to see more of it.” He responded with a bit of a scoff. “Various things happened though” He shrugged a little and raised an eyebrow. “Doubtful, you’re attached to a super computer.” He smirked a bit, giving his hand a bit of a smack as it came to fuss with his hair but lightly so as not to hurt him in his fragile looking state. Which was odd, to say a Spartan giant looked fragile but it felt as if he just barely nudged him that Ed might actually succeed in pushing him over like this. “He wasn’t my brother an we weren’t related.” He said with an odd tone of defensiveness to it, but didn’t add anything else except “He just had a similar name.” Before helping York gingerly toward the shower. “It’ll make you cough more, but after you’ll feel better.” If it worked on York they’d try it on North too if he had a cough. Ed wasn’t letting York distract from his task at hand. “Nope. Stop deflecting.” He said sternly, as he nudged him more and more toward the shower. He knew York’s tactics now. Focus on other people, but Ed wasn’t having it. Ed would help him get over this. He kicked open the bathroom door with his foot gently after they passed North, and helped him sit on a closed toilet seat “You don’t actually have to get in if you don’t want to, but just breathe in when the steam forms.” He was focused on making sure York was at least a little comfortable. --- Ed didn’t have to be so concerned, but it was sweet that he was. When a tank was broken, it didn’t turn into a tricycle. It was still a tank, just.. Slower. But he’d allow himself to be directed and sat down on the closed toilet, his eye softening as he watched Ed fuss around and get the water going. “I need a shower anyway.” There was no point in wasting the hot water, right? Might as well put it to good use! “You met someone with your brother’s name, but it wasn’t your brother? I guess it’s not that strange, it was sort of a common German name.” Those bulky shoulders rolled up. Ah, everything hurt. The hot water would help with that, too. He did smile a bit more when Ed called him out on his distraction techniques, though. He really had grown up. That’d make things a little more difficult for York, especially when it came to trying to do what was best for Ed-- but he’d manage, somehow. “Thank you, Ed.” For taking care of him, that was. He’d remain sitting, though, until the younger man determined the water was at the right temperature and that the Spartan was allowed to climb in beneath the hot water and enjoy the steam. York didn’t imagine the Alchemist would stick around, it wasn't as if he needed to be held up. --- He was a lot less distracted then he had been only a week ago for York, but it had been years for Ed. He’d learned a lesson or two in patience and wasn’t as quick to anger as he had been when they first met. He would always be hot headed, but he’d learned what was important to him, and that was the people around him. North had once told him if he didn’t stand for anything he’d fall for everything, and Ed had taken it to heart even after death. He believed in the people he cared about. “They were similar, but they weren’t...it was...confusing. I was angry with him most of the time for looking like that.” Ed admitted, his own brother’s death made someone with :Alfons’s face hard to look at. He imagined that’s how he would have grown up to be like if he’d had a chance-but that Alfons had no brothers. “My dad was there for a while.” He shifted his eyes toward his automail hand. “...Made this, then vanished.” He flexed his hand a bit thoughtfully, not really watching York undress but intending to stick around in case something happened. No, he may not need help staying up but he might need help standing. Ed could do that now. The blonde shrugged off the thank you, he didn’t need thanks for taking care of his friend. He wanted to. He wanted him to feel better. Ed only stopped turning the dial once the steam filled the room. “Don’t stay in too long, you’ll get dizzy. Five minutes.” He responded and tapped at the pocket watch he still carried, setting it to time. “Should be fine now.” --- The Spartan undressed at a slow pace, unable to rush it, lest he get dizzy from all the movement. Eventually, though, he was able to set his clothes aside and step into the shower, letting out a soft groan when the hot water hit his body. Oh. It felt amazing. He just stood under the spray for a moment, head tilted back so the water hit him directly in the face. Showers were still a new thing for both he and North, they’d always been in very short supply and were a godsend whenever they got them. And, hot water. Also a novelty. Eventually, he turned his face away from the water and let it pound against his neck and shoulder instead, so he could speak to the young man trapped in the bathroom with him. “You can’t be hard on someone for looking like someone you miss.. It’s not fair.” But there wasn’t anything that could be done to change it now. “And I’d really like to take a closer look at that arm sometime, it’s really different from your other one. Is the leg that different, too?” He passed his face under the water again, he couldn’t help it. It felt so wonderful. He just wanted to stand there forever. --- Ed had looked up just as York dropped his clothes off, and then briefly looked down. A faint pinkish hue touching his face, if he was asked about it he’d blame it on the heat of the room but fortunately for him York was facing away from him. He probably wouldn’t even notice. Ed had his eyes on the pocket watch, as much as York wanted to stay in there forever, he didn’t want him getting dizzy and collapsing. So yes, he was looking after him and closely at that. He let York enjoy his shower, not really talking much unless he was asked questions. That much had’t changed. Ed was never really the most talkative sort. He would chat if he was asked things, but mostly he just wanted York to feel better, so he was quiet and watched his decorative pocket watch. That wasn’t exactly why Ed had gotten defensive about Alfons and him not being related, but he decided now was neither the time or place for him to explain it further. York might think he was weird and not want to talk to him again. That would only stress him out more while he was sick and that was the last thing Ed had wanted. “It is. Its fleshy now, but Al had to make it..it broke. I can’t walk long distances right now.” He shook his head a little and tightened up his hair tie as it threatened to loosen under the steamy shower. “Two minutes.” He responded, giving York a bit of a warning at least before the hot shower would be taken from him. Ed looked in cabinets for soft towels until he found one for him. --- Two minutes wasn’t long enough! The warning earned another groan from the soaking wet blonde. “You know,” he spoke back to the drier of the two, “If you need a shower too, now’s the time. This feels amazing.” And York didn’t want to give it up. “I can make sure you don’t fall, if your leg’s feeling weak.” Since he was already wet and in the shower, it wouldn’t be any big deal to just turn around and lend a hand to steady Ed if he needed it. And, you know, it’d give him more time with the hot water. And he wanted that desperately. It felt so good. “Come on.” Urged before Ed could even answer. --- The blond gave a roll of his golden eyes at the complaint. “Suck it up buttercup.” As he tried to earn more water time. Ed shook his head. “You’re sick, if you spend too much time in it you’ll just pass out and I can’t carry you.” York was still too heavy for him even if they were in the house, and if North was sick well that counted him out for heavy lifting. “One minute. Better start enjoying it.” Ed responded with a shit eating smirk and a shake of his head at that. York might be able to help him up, but he didn’t want him to have to. “I’ll take one later.” He’d become a bit of a drill sergeant especially when he had to help Alfons out. Once or twice the man had fainted in the shower, and he wasn’t about to do that to York. He didn’t want to put any strain on him or make him stand more than necessary when his body was ill. Tank or not he needed to relax. “You already broke the rule by going outside today I’m sure of it.” Ed gave him a look. --- “You know, if I pass out, you could always just leave me in here. I’m sure someone would find me eventually and drag my sorry ass out.” He leaned back enough to peek at Ed around the half-closed curtain, flashing him a grin. “Come on. I’m not going to pass out. I promise. And it feels good.” That was the understatement of the year. “They’re not your rules I’m breaking, so what does it matter? Live a little.” If Ed wasn’t quick, (well, he didn’t have to be that fast, the giant wasn't moving as swiftly as he usually did) he’d find himself with a hand curled around his bicep, tugging him towards the shower. A very soggy hand and a grinning York. What? He was still allowed to have fun, even if he was sick. Poor Ed looked like he needed to be reminded that his Spartan companion wasn’t about to keel over dead. Even if maybe he looked like he was. At least in the shower, he wasn’t so pale, the heat and steam had done wonders to pinken him up. It made his chest itch, though-- really, it made his lungs itch. Was that normal? --- “I won’t just leave you, dumbass.” He’d done enough of that. He didn’t want to leave York again as a matter of fact if he had any say in it. Ed was caught off guard as he was grabbed at by a very naked York and pulled toward the shower. He’d been paying attention to the pocket watch so he hadn’t even heard him come until it was too late and suddenly he was standing there clothed in a shower and looking very unamused up at York. Some things never changed, even as a little kid when put under water he looked like a drowned rat, this was exactly the same effect. His blonde bangs clung to his face and he gave York a heated glare that melted slightly when he was pulled in and could see how much Better York looked already. “How do you feel? I feel ridiculous thanks to you.” He said with an irritated scoff as he peeled off his white shirt that had also begun to cling to him in the heated water. It was tossed aside in a wet pile and he bent over to take off his shoes. His skin was all fleshy in color, even where the fake limbs now lie which was probably odd to see on him. It was still strange for Ed, he didn’t quite feel like himself without the metal, but it was more delicate. He wasn’t nearly as heavy as he used to be though he still had at least a hundred pounds on a regular kid, not three hundred. His body was much more even though, the scars he had before still remained. Ed’s fake arms were a bit more pale than the rest of him, but it was still closer than metal automail. He hadn’t done this in a long time, he was oddly shy about removing his pants now. Even if it was uncomfortable getting wet in them. --- How did he feel? Great now, thanks! Of course, the sudden laughter at Ed’s drown-rat look and his flat statement of feeling ridiculous set him coughing again and he had to plant a hand to the wall and steady himself as he planted his opposite hand over his mouth and did his best not to lose a lung. Thanks to the steam, this coughing fit lasted a little longer, but he grinned over at Ed in a tired way when it was over, his teeth gritting slightly. Oh, that hurt. Man. This being sick thing was awful. “You don’t just feel ridiculous, Ed.” He rasped, rubbing at his chest. It implied, of course, that he looked ridiculous, too. “Come on, take them off.” Declared about the pants, even as the Spartan reached out and pulled the tie free from Ed’s hair. “I’ll wash your hair.” None of this, of course, was odd to the taller blonde. Spartans did it all the time. “Then we can both go to bed clean and relaxed tonight.” And that, for some reason, was important to York, who wanted Ed to start sleeping well in this place, like he had once upon a time in Knowhere, in York’s bed. --- Ed frowned at that cough, why did the people he love end up getting such terrible illnesses? Alfons, his mom, now York...He was good with sick people for a reason but it scared him. Alfons was going to die, Ed knew that, and now York..Golden eyes watched in concern as he keeled over like that, forced to balance himself against a wall. Oh yeah, this was going so well. Why did everyone he loved die young? Why did he suddenly feel his chest tighten under that water and tears threaten to fall just watching York suffer like that? He was trying to be the rock this time damnit. This wasn’t what he’d wanted. This wasn’t helping the whole relaxing idea. No matter who he left behind, someone was going to die. Did York really feel better or was he just humoring him? Ed was just stuck there, staring like a very wet deer caught in headlights. --- The Spartan stared for a moment at Ed, blinking. What.. was he okay? But then the scarred and disfigured face of the older man relaxed slightly and York reached out with soaking wet arms to grasp onto the Alchemist and tug him in carefully, until Ed’s wet body was pressed in against York’s-- so he could rest his chin on that now-damp blonde head. It was probably a good thing Ed had never gotten to take his pants off. “You’re okay.” York promised him quietly. “So am I. It’s just a cough. I’m getting better, it just takes time. I’m fine. We’re both fine.” His arms tightened some around the eldest Elric, just holding the smaller man against him there in the shower. He didn’t think of it as strange or awkward.. It just.. Was. Ed clearly needed this and York was glad to give it to him. --- Ed was the opposite of okay. It just hit him that he probably wouldn’t be seeing Alfons again, mostly because the other boy would be gone if he ever got back to the place he was before. He wasn’t sure if it was death anymore-because people still died. He wasn’t sure of anything really and that was scary enough. The blonde might not have let him get that close had he managed to take his pants off yet, but he hadn’t. He was too busy staring at York and worrying over him to notice. Whatever this was, he didn’t enjoy it. He seemed to snap out of his daze as York pulled him in and skin touched skin. He didn’t have time to feel embarrassed or scared he was feeling too many things all at once to pick one out. His hand came to York’s arm, resting there for a moment and touching the wet skin. “Sorry.” He managed in a soft tone, barely audible in spite of the closeness. He didn’t elaborate. He felt awkward about freezing up on him, and after a moment shook his head some as if to rid it of the dust that’d slowed it his movement down. --- “You don’t have anything to be sorry about, Ed, it’s alright.” It had to be painfully obvious, especially in these tight quarters, and with them both shirtless (well, York was far more than just shirtless), and mostly with Ed’s hand on York’s bicek, that the Spartan was far larger than the Alchemist. Even with both hands, the smaller blonde wouldn’t have been able to wrap York’s bicep and touch fingers. The Spartan was a tank. Thick in all the right places with a surprisingly trim waistline that made him look all the more bulky up top. His fingers gently stroked through the now-damp, long hair, just holding a moment longer before he pulled back just enough to look down at the shorter man. “I’ll wash your hair.” His repeated sentiment from earlier, as he backed up a little and pulled Ed into the spray, to soak him thoroughly, causing York to grin. “Welcome home, Ed.” It was his only warning before the soldier was pouring shampoo onto that long, golden mop, and he began running his hands through it to work the soap up properly, tilting Ed’s head back some as he did, and angling his body forward so the water would hit the back of his neck instead of pelting Ed in the face. “You’re gonna hafta show me what that new arm can do.” A playful suggestion that came with a smile. Maybe they needed to arm wrestle or something. --- Ed hadn’t really been looking at him until they were that close. When he said he was a tank he wasn’t lying, Ed looked at his small hand in comparison against York’s arm he wasn’t sure whether or not to be intimidated or impressed. Part of him wondered what he looked like before the Spartan project too though. If he was this ripped now, he couldn’t have always been could he? It was a distraction from his sudden downward spiral of thoughts that was for sure. A pinkish hue rising to his cheeks again as York held up the shampoo to get started in on his hair. Ed still wasn’t fantastic at taking care of it. He took about as much care as a he might have with a rock. Next to none. Actually with him the rock would have gotten more attention. He squinted a bit as York started in on him whether he was ready or not and he made a face. “Oi. A little warning would be great.” He snapped as his long hair was taken care of whether or not he was ready for it. It went down just past his shoulder blades, and probably needed a trim but it was last on his list of priorities really. --- “I warned you, stop whining about it.” That had York grinning wider and he brought down a soapy hand to smear some bubbles on Ed’s nose, before he went back to washing. Once he was sure he got everything, he was stepping back and tugging Ed under the spray of the water again, taking care to wash out all of the shampoo. Another push and York was blocking the spray once more, so he could add some of Al’s conditioner (why it’d been such a big deal that he find some, York would never understand, but Alphonse had been adament that he have it) to Ed’s hair and ensure it was properly worked through, before he rinsed it out again. Poor, soaked Elric. Oh well. At least York seemed to be having a good time! “There we go.” He declared once the younger man was all done, nudging him a little. “Now get out and get those wet pants off, dry off and grab me another towel.” It was all just that simple. Shoo, go on. --- Ed made a low growling sound that really sounded like an irritated cat as York pulled him in again and Ed cursed once more in German. Yeah, he’d picked up a few things but mostly swear words. German swears were funny sounding. Ed too had filled out quite a bit compared to the kid York was used to. He wasn’t nearly as much of a tank as the slightly older Spartan was, but he had gotten some nice definition in his chest and lost quite a bit of weight due to circumstance that made him seem a little bigger all around muscle wise. Ed made up for what he didn’t have in weight in that. He still had visible scars where automail met flesh on his chest that looked fairly painfully issued, but mostly his skin was pale as it had always been, Ed still didn’t see much of the sun with his face in a book more than half of the time he was awake. Making an annoyed face at the Spartan, Ed looked down at his silver pocket watch. They were way over time on this ridiculous shower attempt. But he hoped York’s lungs would feel better for it, even if it made him cough more initially it ought to relieve some of the stress on them. He looked back in slight concern, some of that rosey color still remaining. Then he reached for the place he’d found the first towel, throwing it at York’s head once the shower was off and going about drying himself off. He wrapped the towel around his waist before pulling off his pants, still a bit shy about nudity in spite of the Spartan’s lack of shyness. When he pulled his pants down though, both of his legs were flesh color, though one was slightly mismatched to his natural flesh it was still different. Still the most normal York had likely ever seen him. “Get out already before you pass out.” He said with a roll of his eyes as he rubbed another towel on his hair hoping it would dry off quickly. --- There wasn’t a single shy bone in York’s body. He’d never been afforded the luxury. No privacy. No expectation of anything being kept private. His entire life had belonged to someone else. Every inch of him had belonged to the government. And they’d done what they’d pleased with him, and he’d let them. There were few human bits left to York-- he didn’t even have a name. Just a letter and some numbers. York was little more than a callsign, like North. Like Texas. Nothing had ever been York’s. So he had absolutely no shame. And why should he? He was perfect. Every inch. “Careful, don’t slip.” Warned to Ed as the younger man got out of the shower, but he laughed some (creating a coughing fit again) when the towel was tossed at his head. Still, he used it to towel off his hair first, then began to dry his body off. Once he was sure he was relatively dry, he wrapped it lazily around his waist and climbed from the shower as well. “Here, give me that.” He’d snag the towel from Ed’s hands and begin drying that long hair for him, because Ed clearly wasn’t doing a good enough job. “Feel better?” He asked to the younger blonde. He knew that he felt better-- his head felt a little more clear and though his chest hurt from the coughing, he didn’t feel as weighed down. It was strange. --- He really was annoyingly perfect some might say, but Ed still loved him, even after so many years he was still comfortable enough with him to stay with him like that in the bathroom. True he might not have gotten entirely naked, but it was more than he’d done with most people. He hardly let anyone get this close to him in spite of Harry once telling him he deserved to, Ed just wasn’t comfortable with himself to do that. He looked over at York as he got out and made a face “I’m not a little kid anymore. I’m not gonna slip.” He said with a scoff as he glared over at the larger man. York still saw him as a teenager. He was pretty sure of it. “Ah, what the hell! I can do it myself.” He scowled as York took over the task and Ed only folded his arms, probably not helping in his younger appearance. “Do you?” A little softer of a gaze, nothing as annoyed as it he’d been a moment ago. He worried about him. --- York just smiled as Ed scoffed and insisted he could dry his hair himself. Oh well, so could York, and he was gonna! But when the younger man paused and asked that softer question, the Spartan also paused, his hands on that towel rubbing through Ed’s hair. His expression softened. “I do.” He promised in nearly a whisper, pushing back the towel enough so he could see the Alchemist’s face. Then he smiled and leaned in to press a kiss to his forehead, lingering there for a few seconds before he slowly pulled back and looked him square in those golden eyes again. “Thank you, Ed.” The gaze was held for a heartbeat, two, three-- and then he dropped the towel over that twenty year-old face again with a grin and went back to drying. He pulled the towel away an instant later, though, and turned to hang it up. “Grab Al’s brush.” Neither of the Spartan’s had a brush, they didn’t really need one, their hair was far shorter. “Come on.” --- Ed made an annoyed sound of protest as York only continued his drying. Ed rolled his eyes a bit and just gave up. York was what, five hundred pounds of human? Even if he wanted to shove him off, shoving wasn’t in his favor. Much like a cat, making eye contact with Ed was difficult for some reason. The kid felt awkward about it, but managed to hold York’s for those few seconds before glancing off for the brush when a towel came to hit him in the face and he stared at York with a dead paned unamused look as it as pulled away. “You’re actually five aren’t you?” He asked as he looked behind him for the brush once it was taken off and he located it fairly easily. “Maybe I should just cut my hair.” Ed said idly as he picked it up. He liked some of these routines, but others were still hard. He didn’t take care of his hair either unlike his brother who apparently did fairly meticulously. Ed didn’t respond to the thanks, he didn’t need any. He loved York and wanted him to feel better so that was all he needed. He headed for the door when his leg locked up on him again and he was forced to lean against the spartan for a moment. “Fucking leg.” That had hurt, all the little nerves pinched at him and he grimaced under it. --- And that had been his mistake. He should never have leaned on York. “Yep.” Yes. He was actually five. And when Ed leaned on him, he bent just enough to sweep the smaller man up in his arms like a bride and nudge the door open with his shoulder, carrying his friend out with a grin. “I got you.” He promised in a playful tone as he carried the Alchemist out. In fact, he’d carry him right over to the room he was sharing with North and carefully nudge the door open, then take Ed in and deposit him gently on the edge of the bed-- North was on the floor. “I’ll grab you some clothes.” He announced with a smile, they’d be too big, but they’d do for now. But first, he’d stop to check on North, feeling for his temperature and letting Delta look him over, then he’d grab himself a pair of pants and change without hesitation. Another pair was found for Ed, along with a shirt, and he brought them back and extended them out simply-- as if he expected him to change right then. Of course he did. “I’ll brush your hair when you’re dressed.” As if it were some sort of reward. --- “You’re ridiculous.” Ed sighed as he was lifted up, leaning a hand against York’s chest as he was held a little bit awkwardly. His body was much lighter then it had been before. He didn’t seem to weigh down like an iron brick anymore thanks to the new automai, but he was still heavier than a normal kid. Ed liked it that way. He didn’t want to forget or feel normal, because he wasn’t. Oh, right. He was going to need clothing. He wasn’t sure if any of his old stuff would even fit now. Some shirts might, but he really didn’t mind wearing York’s clothes either. They were comfortable enough, but he was going to have to pick up a few essential things later. Like underwear and the like. There had to be a shop around town. Maybe he’d be able to get some money in a proper way this time. He remembered the last time, and North’s disapproval. He didn’t want to disappoint either of them. As they carefully stepped around North, Ed frowned.”He’s still sick too?” And wondered if he should try the steam thing for him, if he had the same symptoms that was. As he was placed on the bed he looked over at York with an incredulous look and sighed also a little resigned as he took the clothes that were a few sizes too big. He stared up at the spartan awkwardly for a moment, but then began to pull the pants on. They were so large they felt like pajamas.That would work. He could fit another one of him inside there, but that would work for the time being. He pulled on York’s shirt too, and looked him over quietly wondering how things were going to go from now on. Was he an adult, or some weird kid to York still? Was it important? North still slept with him, and Ed had found someone beyond the gate. Someone that was probably dead now and Ed didn’t get to see him or touch him again. He lowered his eyes a bit down to the strange fleshy hand thoughtfully. --- “Yeah.. he’s still sick.” York admitted after a few seconds of silence, the smile leaving his face for the first time as he looked over North again. It was his fault the other Spartan was sick-- it was York who’d gotten him ill. The worry was written clearly on his face as he considered it, but soon he turned his eyes back to Ed and smiled again. “There, they fit well enough for now.” After all, they were just going to sleep soon, anyway. It was late, the sun had gone down while York was getting some steam, and he honestly didn’t have a lot of energy left in him. “I’ll get your hair brushed out and make you something to eat-- we’ve got stuff, I just need to heat it.” In case Ed remembered that York simply couldn’t cook. Still shirtless, the Spartan would sit down next to the Alchemist slowly, so as not to break the bed or make too much noise, and he’d take up the brush and rest it in his lap, clearly waiting for Ed to give him the signal that it was okay to start brushing. “You feeling okay, Ed?” However, it seemed like Ed was more interested in his hand than his hair, and the brush was abandoned for a moment as York reached out to curl his fingers around the false flesh. “Ed?” --- “Did I take your only shirt or something?” He asked with another exasperated expression as York didn’t bother getting himself one, but at least he got pants. It was a start. “If you really are getting better, then so will he. No use blaming yourself for him being sick. I doubt North does.” North didn’t seem like the type to blame York for it, he seemed to let thing happen as they did and Ed appreciated that about him. He was easy going like that. It’d made Ed accept him into their circle a bit easier when he discovered what sort of personality he was. North didn’t expect him to do anything he wasn’t comfortable with, where as sometimes York wanted him to experience everything. There was nothing wrong with either view, but Ed struggled with that sometimes when he was such an introvert. Ed had zoned out a bit until York reached out for him and he spooked slightly. “What?...Oh. Yeah, sorry.” He responded not really knowing what the question had been or even if there was one. “I can do it.” His voice was soft, but they were close. He didn’t really need to be loud. Plus there was North to consider. Ed had never been a very hyper person, so at least they didn’t have to worry about him being the one who woke North. --- “I don’t sleep with a shirt on unless you or Al are sleeping with me.” And he didn’t think Ed would be sleeping with them tonight. He figured he’d curl up with his brother, honestly. “I’ll grab one, though.” It seemed to dawn on him that the reason Ed brought it up at all was because he wanted York to put one on. Pushing up to his feet, he made his way back over to the pile of clothes quietly and fished around until he found one. It was North’s, but that was fine. Tugging it on over his head, he quietly went back to rejoin the younger man, settling down and stretching his legs out. “You sure? I’d be happy to.” Brush his hair, that was. Still, the brush was offered over. If Ed would rather do it, who was York to deny him? --- Ed seemed to fill in a bit more of York’s shirt than he used to, it didn’t hang on him like a dress anymore but it was still large enough to be considered pajamas. “I don’t think any of my stuff still fits.” If York’s was this size, his had to be quite a bit smaller now. His jaw was a nice deep shade of purple from where Alphonse had punched him only a day or so ago now, it still hurt but Ed didn’t really complain. It just looked bad mostly. He was considering staying there with York, he felt a little out of place still with others. He hadn’t even seen Riza or Roy yet. He didn’t quite know what to say to them. He worried they’d be disappointed in him for various reasons. He held up a hand to the comment of doing it himself and looked over at York. “...If you want to.” Not like he cared about his hair much. He wasn’t very protective of it. He wanted to tell York about Alfons, but still resisted. Most people would probably find that relationship disturbing or strange. --- Ed hadn’t seen Roy or Riza, but they’d been over to see him while he’d been sleeping. Of course they’d wanted to check on their charge. But once reassured York was taking good care of him, the two had left him in the Spartan’s capable hands. They were just waiting for word that he was awake. They’d have to wait a little longer. “Yeah, I’d like to, if you don’t mind.” Taking up the brush, he’d smile at the younger man again. “And don’t worry about the clothes, we’ll find you something that fits. North and I haven’t even found our size yet.” Which explained why the shirt York was wearing was so.. Very tight. But man did it look good on him. The jeans the two had found were the same way. At least the sleep pants fit nice and baggy. His fingers combed through the long wet strands first, just straightening it all out and detangling gently. Apparently, he knew what he was doing. How? Alphonse had asked North to brush his hair before. York had learned by watching the two of them. And once he was sure most of the tangles were out, he began to comb through it gently, stroking the brush through in careful motions, from scalp to tip, every time. “I’ve always loved your hair, Ed.” He remarked as he brushed, breaking the silence with that quiet statement. --- Ed hadn’t really been back on that network yet since his arrival. Everything was just a little overwhelming so he was taking his time. When he looked over at York and his tight shirt, Ed tilted his head a little. This time when he looked at him, it was almost like he had with different eyes. He was attractive, but it was a different feeling than what he’d felt with Alfons. That was an electricity. Like all he’d wanted to do was touch him, with York he wanted to be close but he wasn’t so sure he wanted to touch him like he did with the other boy he’d met beyond the gate. This was something soft, something safe. Something maybe he didn’t want to change after all. This feeling of affection without expectation. That was okay wasn’t it? He was quiet as York had begun to fork his fingers through Ed’s damp hair. “Do you remember when I told you I loved you?” For him it was long ago, but for York it was still probably fresh. “I think you were right. I do love you. But I’m not sure I knew what that meant then...” He was a little distracted by the thoughts, he couldn’t stop them from spilling out of his mouth like an idiot, but he wanted them off his chest. He wanted to finally be around him without being unable to breathe with ridiculous uncertainty. --- York’s brushing paused only for a moment as Ed spoke, but it soon continued, the Spartan smiling a little. “Of course I remember.” He allowed the brush to pass through that long hair a few more times before speaking again. “Do you know what it means now?” Since he hadn’t back then, it was an obvious follow up now. Once he was sure all the tangles were out and that blonde hair was smooth and ready to dry, he set the brush aside and a hand came out to push some of those shorter strands from Ed’s bangs away from his face and eyes, leaning some to smile at him. “Do you want to talk about it?” It seemed to him like there was something Ed wanted to say but was having trouble finding a way to say it. “Come on.” An arm looped around him and York shifted to lay down on that bed, dragging the shorter blonde along with him, Ed’s back tucked up against the broad chest of the Spartan. --- “I don’t know.” The blonde responded with an earnest shrug. “I’m still not really sure. Is that weird?” He was older now, but he wasn’t sure what being in love meant. “I think it means wanting to be with that person all the time, but you’re attracted to them. Like some kind of fire or electricity. Right?” It was on his mind, ever since he laid eyes on York again. The thing he felt with York was different. Warm and safe. He let York brush out the remaining tangles with only a few grimaces of pain. Ed really needed to brush his hair more often, maybe then it would hurt less when this happened. But he was also no stranger to physical pain, so whatever. His hair was the last thing often on his mind. Ed blinked and let York lead him toward the bed, he didn’t even seem phased at this conversation. “..You aren’t disappointed by what I said?” Not that he didn’t want to sleep with York, but maybe he was right in what he’d said after all. The love for the Spartan was a different kind. -- “No, it’s not weird. It’s complicated.. It takes a while to figure out.” Lying there on the bed, York lazily wrapped his arms around the younger man. “Yeah, something like that. Something that tells you that.. You want to be as close as possible with that person, in all ways. Emotionally, mentally, physically.. If it’s just one or two, it changes the meaning. I really think it takes all three to make it that deep, intense love. Physical attraction is a big factor in being in love. It’s what makes loving a parent different from loving a spouse.” You loved them both equally, but one was physical. Disappointed? “Disappointed that you don’t know all the ins and outs of being in love? No, Ed. Of course not.” Why would he be? No one knew it all. *** “..Physical. That’s what Riza said.” When they’d discussed York all that time ago, Riza asked Ed if he knew what came with a real loving relationship, and he remembered. He really hadn’t then, and he still didn’t really know now but he was pretty sure he experienced a part of it beyond the Gate. He rested against York as he thought about it and considered his response. “You just see me as a sibling..don’t you?” It was a blunt question, no real room for errors since both of them seemed to be confusing each other. Ed was getting a little lost in circular thought and wanted out of the whirlwind. He wanted things to not be so confusing in his head when he looked at York. Talking through them might help, he hoped. He let his head rest on one of York’s arms as he laid there like an idle cat, long hair spilling a bit over his shoulder and the rest of it pooling behind him on the bed. He didn’t like it out of it’s ponytail, but he did admit it felt a little better laying like this. --- That wasn’t really the question Ed wanted to ask, was it? A little smile touched at York’s lips as it clicked. “You’re asking me if I find you physically attractive?” Turning his head a bit, the Spartan settled his chin there atop Ed’s damp head, that blue eye focusing somewhere far off. “I think you’ve grown up to be a very handsome man. You’ve filled out nicely and yes, I think you’re very attractive.” It was so matter-of-fact, and even came with a touch of pride in his tone. He was proud that his Ed had grown up to be so.. Well.. hot. “And, speaking as a soldier, I have to say, the arm and leg lend a very special brand of sexy to the whole package.” The smile was evident in his voice. “Trust me on that.” Well, Ed wanted to know! --- Ed might have been flattered, if he wasn’t so irritated. That wasn’t really what he asked. He turned to face York at a better angle in his arms to look at him. “But you don’t…” What was the word! How the hell was he supposed to phrase it when York went around sweet talking like that and making him just want to give up and curl up in his arms forever like this? It was unfair. “Nevermind.” He just gave him a faint smile as he rested his forehead against York’s chest in a slightly defeated tone. Whatever this was, it was okay for him. He was tired, and hot from the bath and just wanted to curl up with York now. Soak in the presence he never thought he’d see again. At the mention of his arms and legs though, that pinkness touched his cheeks again, and he squirmed slightly to hide his face against his chest instead. -- “Nevermind what? If you have something you want to know, ask. What is it?” The taller blonde liked to think he was an open book. And, if Ed really wanted to know what was going on, York would explain it. He just needed it explained to him. Did he think Ed was attractive? Yes, he did. Did he think of Ed as a brother? Yes, he did. Would he sleep with Ed, if things happened and stars aligned and the masses wouldn’t murder him? Yes, he would. Did he love Ed? Yes, he did. What more did the young man need to know? The Spartan was at a loss. Things were so much more simple in his world. Pointed questions, pointed answers. --- Ed was frustrated by words now. He didn’t want to say anymore of them, he just wanted silence but it seemed York had more plans to talk. “I mean...if things were different would we have all three of those things? “ He knew people didn’t approve of him liking York as a teenager, Riza had plainly stated it wasn’t good. Her feelings on the subject were clearly noted but he wasn’t a teenager anymore. He was twenty now. Considered an adult by most standards, but he wondered if York would see him that way. He wasn’t sure why he even brought this up. Maybe being in York’s arms again had sparked the memory, who knew. All Ed knew was he’d missed it and he didn’t want to complicate thing anymore. “I missed this. I missed you.” He said in a bit of a softer tone as he lie back down to lay against York’s arm, trapping it like a cat might an owner that wanted to use it for other things. --- “Well, you like me emotionally, and I like you emotionally. We get along on a mental level, even if you’re way too smart for me, I have Delta to balance it out, so we’re good.” He grinned down at the younger man. “And I think you’re damn handsome. So, yeah, I think if things were a little different,” like if either one of them had a sex drive, “We’d have all three of those things.” But it was pretty clear to him that Ed just wasn’t sure. And that made York unsure-- which caused all sorts of issues further down the line. But it had nothing to do with seeing Ed as an adult. The Spartan always had. He was just.. Well, he looked so very young. He sounded young. He was an adult and York knew it, but he didn’t have the life experience that the taller blonde did. And that made things difficult. It was different now, though. Somehow. --- There was something bittersweet about hearing that they would have had all three of those things if the situation was different, and yet he still smiled. It was something real and genuine. Something almost warm. “That’s all I wanted to know.” He was satisfied for now, and nestled his head just under York’s chin, a hand reaching for his. He was suddenly calmer again, not nearly so flustered or irritated. Having some kind of straight answer, helped. He still didn’t get to tell him about Alfons, but maybe some things could wait. He would tell him if he needed to, but for now all he wanted to do was be where he was. He still loved York, all that time beyond the gate hadn’t changed that. Not even Alfons had. There were days he couldn’t even get out of bed because of the people he’d lost. York, Al. He loved them. No amount of dying or undying or whatever the Gate had been had changed it. “Sorry...I made it so complicated for you then.” He’d known it was hard for york for him to act like that. --- “You’re worth it.” York told him with a smile, one of his hands rubbing down over the younger man’s back a few times, encouraging him to settle in. Well, that was, until he heard a noise from the ground and the blonde man shifted to look at North. “..You wanna sleep here with us tonight, or do you wanna stay with Al?” Al, who had actually been sleeping elsewhere for a bit since the Spartans got sick, but since they moved into the house, had slept in the bed. They weren’t contagious, after all. --- That comment made him take a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding for so long and he gripped at York gently, as if to be sure that he really was there and this was all real. Sometimes it was hard to tell when you probably died what was real and what wasn’t. The simple reassurance was nice. “I want to stay here, but Al doesn’t do well alone and I missed him too.” He sat up, glancing down at North and then back toward York. “..If he can’t breathe, try the steam.” He leaned in this time to press that strange flesh prosthetic to York’s cheek, letting that gentle touch linger for just a little while before he braced himself to stand, the leg still hurt and probably would for a while yet. Automail wasn’t an easy thing to walk on when it was reattached. He grit his teeth and hissed slightly as he put weight on it and headed to find his brother. That took real love, to sleep with someone who punched you. |