Chapter 6
The Way Home
It was late afternoon and I lay across Lust's lap on a couch in the main room of our tiny house, my fingers playing with the folds of her dress. We'd lain around in bed all morning before having breakfast and getting cleaned up. I was content for the moment, content in the knowledge that she was finally mine. I knew I'd changed. The experience of what I'd been through broke me. But it led me to her.
"Ed, we need to talk." Lust appeared pained while she looked down at me.
"Why?" I knew she wanted to take care of our "situation". I knew there were phone calls to be made. But I just wanted to remain here for a while, as if our convoluted worlds outside this house didn't exist.
"If Greed finds out what's happened, well, I'm afraid of what he'd do to both of us."
"He won't find out." I buried my face in her lap. I didn't want to hear anymore about Greed.
"You have to get back to Central. It's the only way for you to be safe. That phone could ring any second with him asking for an update. I don't honestly know if I can lie to him. I knows me too well, I think." She stared at the far wall, at the black phone sitting atop a small table. "I have to get you home, somehow."
"No . . . " My voice muffled in the fabric of her dress
"Ed, it's time. I want you to call someone, Al, or maybe Colonel Mustang." Her voice was firm.
I sat up and opened my mouth to protest.
She placed her palm over my lips. "I won't listen to anything you have to say. We can't just stay here forever. Remember, Greed knows where we are. It's not safe here."
My indignation turned to surrender. My shoulders slumped and I quit struggling against her hand.
She freed my mouth.
Suddenly, I lunged forward, my lips crushing hers, forcing her backwards for a moment. It felt so good to kiss her. I wanted it to last forever. I had to make her come with me. It was the only way. "Lust, I'll only make that call if you promise to come with me. I'll tell them they have to give you protection, you can stay with us now, with me." I searched her face for a response.
"Okay, I'll come with you, if you can get them to promise me protection, of course." She sounded sad.
"Don't you think they'd do it?"
She shook her head slowly. "No, I don't."
"Just watch." I climbed off the couch and strode across the wood floor to the phone. The chain around my neck hung loosely between my lover and me. After picking up the receiver, I looked at it for a moment, not sure who to call first. I dialed the dorm I shared with my brother at headquarters. I heard the phone ringing, but no one picked up. Next, I dialed Colonel Mustang's private line. There was a click after only one ring.
"Colonel Mustang here."
"Uh, Mustang? This, this is Fullmetal." I managed to stumble through my name, but I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to explain the situation so the Colonel would understand.
"Shit, Ed, is that really you?"
"Ah—"
"Are you okay?"
"Ah—"
"Where are you?"
"Um—
"What happened to—"
"Shut up and I'll tell you!" Finally, there was silence on the other end. "Listen, Mustang, it's a bit complicated, but the bottom line is, I'm at a house on the Eastern side, with Lust and—"
"With Lust? Are you okay?"
"I told you, shut up and let me speak." I grew more agitated by the second with him. I wished I'd gotten a hold of my brother. "I'm fine. I'm going to tell you my location so you can find me, but on one condition, you have to agree to give protection to Lust. She is coming back with me and she is no longer a threat." I glanced at Lust.
"Are you insane?" Mustang yelled.
"Damn-it, Mustang, listen to me—"
"Okay, okay, Fullmetal, no problem. We'll give her protection, I promise. Now tell me where you are so we can get you."
Something in his voice sounded strange. I held the handset out from my ear and looked at it briefly, confused, not believing the Colonel would be so accommodating so fast. I placed it next to my ear again. "I'm in a farm house on, uh." I looked at Lust and watched her mouth the address to me again. "1230 Jasmine Way. Can you find it?"
"Yes, we can find it. Who do you think I am? Wait, don't answer that."
I frowned at the receiver, ready to give Mustang another piece of my mind. "Remember, Lust is no longer a threat and she'll be coming back with me. I'll explain more when I see you."
"Yeah, sure. It'll take us, uh, maybe a day or so to get there. So we should be there by tomorrow night. Okay, Fullmetal?"
"Yes." I began to twist the phone cord in my fingers. Hearing the phone click, I hung it up and strode back to Lust. I leaned over in front of her, putting my face close to hers. Smiling, I placed my flesh hand on her cheek, watching her eyes grow wide with the understanding of what my words meant. "That's it, they're coming and you can go with me. We can be together." I gave her a playful kiss, lightly pushing my tongue into her mouth.
Her response was hungry. Reaching her hands up to my free falling hair, she gripped it and pulled me down to straddle her.
My senses were humming again with the feel of her body pressed snug against mine. I hardened in an instant and pushed myself into her stomach. I could get used to this.
Her mouth devoured my lips, biting and sucking at them. Her hands trailed across my back, scratching through my black shirt all the way down to position themselves at my belt. Within seconds it was removed and discarded on the floor. Just as quickly, she opened my black pants and licked her hand, making it slick. She lowered the cloth of my boxers down and stroked me, circling the top of my erection with her thumb every now and then
Each time she circled, I felt delicious shivers and pleasure wash over me. Moans escaped my lips. It was if she wanted go give me everything she'd withheld from me over the last few days.
Suddenly, I felt myself being shoved backwards onto the floor, the chain clinking behind me. My fall slowed when Lust gently lowered me down onto the wooden planks. The action reminded me of how strong she really was. Having a homunculus for a lover had its advantages.
She straddled me, her dress up around her hips, twisting and grinding her panty-covered sex into my exposed erection for a moment, and was gone.
I looked up to see her sitting between my legs, rushing to pull my pants off, her hair hung wildly around her bare shoulders and an animalistic look in her eye. I decided to let myself be taken by her fierce caresses and enjoy the ride.
She tore my pants off and pushed her face into the creases at the top of my thighs, sucking and licking at the sensitive skin. Gasping, I thrust and twisted my hips into her mouth while my hands held tight to her shoulders, trying to position her over my pulsing erection. I had to feel her mouth on me this time. Her fingers danced on me, teasing my length and sac. The sensations drove me wild, made me groan in pleasure. I'd never experienced anything like this before. Suddenly, I felt her slick hot tongue lick my length, sending a rush of pleasure into me. When she reached the tip, her tongue flicked with skill just under the lip, intensifying my need.
She teased me, only giving a little bit at a time as if wanting to see my craving for her steadily increase. She seemed to relish in this kind of torture, moaning and writhing above me while she toyed with me.
My need became more urgent with each flick of her tongue. "Lust, please . . . " I half moaned, half whispered, my whole body sizzling with her touch.
She halted her actions and gazed up at me, still positioned between my legs. "Are you begging me, Edward?" A smile spread across her lips.
I sat up on my elbows. The chain between us fell off to the side of my body, glimmering in the evening shadows. "You better not stop this time, or I'll, I'll—"
"You'll what?" She wound the chain tight between us, pulling my torso forward while she sat up, crushing her lips on mine.
I wrapped my arms around her and drew her close. While I placed impatient kisses on her mouth, jaw, and neck, she resumed her previous fondling of my erection, stroking and caressing, changing the rhythm with my reaction.
I couldn't wait any longer. Running my hands over her back I tried to unzip her dress, fumbling with it.
She pulled completely away form me, stood up, and watched me, while she removed all her clothing to stand bare in front of me.
I saw her beautiful curves uncovered in the lingering light, knowing it was my personal wonderland. I wanted to explore every inch of it, if she'd only let me. I got up on my knees and grabbed her hands, dragging her back down to me to lie on the floor. When she rested safely back in my arms, I brought her near and stroked the back of her head, drawing her ear to my mouth. "I love you, so much," I whispered. I felt tears stinging the corners of my eyes. Was it happiness or did it still hurt? I buried my face into her neck, not wanting her to see the onset of emotion. I sniffled.
Her arms embraced me tighter, as if she knew I needed a moment to regain control of my emotions.
I began to kiss her neck, softly at first, then with more urgency. I needed to finish what we'd started. My breath quickened.
She rolled me over on the floor and lowered her head over my hips again. Her mouth devoured me in one unyielding drop of her head.
I gasped and gripped tight to her arms.
She drove me in and out of her mouth in time with the thrusting of my hips. Her tongue licked and sucked me in all the right places.
All my focus was on the luscious feel of her mouth on me. My body hummed and within a few seconds, the persistent tingling of release came dangerously close. In haste, I pushed her mouth off me, panting. "Lust, I'm, I'm . . . come here." I seized her hips and positioned them over my erection. It seemed She knew exactly what I wanted.
I felt her wet sex envelope me for the second time that day. Our hips rocked and thrust together, driving me in and out of her, forcing waves of pleasure through me. Urgent gasps and moans filled the room from both of us. I barely held out while she hovered over me on straightened arms. I looked into her eyes as best I could. I wanted to see the passion on her face while she ground into me.
She bit her lip and tensed her brow in pleasure, writhing above me.
My climax came, strong and intense. I felt her tighten over me, falling down to my chest while the sweet waves of release consumed us both. I held on tight while her contractions heightened mine and poured my seed into her.
xxx
I lay in bed that night with my arms wrapped tight around the woman I loved. My body fit snug against hers. Her back pressed against my chest and our legs entwined. I pushed my face into her hair and breathed in deep. How I loved the scent of her. How I loved feeling the deep breaths of sleep escaping her lips.
I wondered what she dreamt about. Was it me or did her dreams bring her back to a former life? As I relived the moments of the day, my insecurities started to come forward. I started to wonder just how deep her feelings were for me. After all, I'd told her I loved her several times and although she'd appeared deeply touched, I had yet to hear the words expressed from her. Of course she must love me. Why else would she agree to go with me back to Central? Why else would she make love to me?
But, a painful thought rushed to the surface. What if she was still using me for something? But why would she set me free? What if she was true to her name and only wanted sex from me? I became distressed. Maybe I should wake her and force her to tell me if she loved me. No, I couldn't do that. I had to wait. I increased my hold on her, trying to push myself closer to her. She was with me, for whatever reason, and that was good enough.
xxx
I slowly opened my eyes. It was morning again. The troubling thoughts I'd had the night before kept me awake much longer than they should have. While my mind woke fully, I realized Lust wasn't in the bed with me. Fear suddenly gripped my heart. I sat up and let out a loud gasp, sweeping the bedroom for any sign of her. I abruptly brought my hands to my neck to feel for the chain. It was still there. I looked at the bedpost. Did she chain me to it again? As I searched the room, I saw the other end pooled loosely on the floor next to me. It made me nervous to see that I was free from her.
I heard humming and what sounded like pans clanking from somewhere down below me. Then the delicious aroma of bacon wafted up to my nose. I let out a long sigh. She hadn't left me. She was still here. I rose to shower and dress as quickly as I could.
I came downstairs, chain in hand, just as Lust was putting bacon and toast on plates in the kitchen. I walked up behind her and nuzzled her neck, kissing it lightly.
"Mmm, I see you're awake, sleepy head." Her head tilted toward mine.
I thrust my hand forward with the end of the chain in it.
"Ah, okay, I see. You just can't live without this thing on, huh." Sighing, she took it from me and fastened it to her wrist and turned around.
I instantly snuggled up to her chest, putting my face in her neck and wrapping my arms around her slender waste.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, as long as you're bound to me." My voice was soft and dreamy.
"Someday you'll see you don't need the chain to keep me bound to you, Edward," she whispered in my ear while caressing my back. She carefully pushed me away. "Come on, let's eat."
xxx
Lust was washing dishes while I sat watching her in the glow of the early morning light when I heard the sudden shatter of glass in the front room. The hair on my neck stood on end. "Greed . . . " I'd just realized the expected phone call never came last night and maybe they'd suspected something.
Lust jumped with a determined look on her face, glaring in the direction of the offending noise.
In a heartbeat, I snatched her hand and ran with her to the back door of the house and flung it open, hoping to escape without facing our aggressor.
Suddenly, cold steel arms embraced me, pinning my body, making me gasp.
"Brother! It's me!" Al shouted. "Don't worry, we saw the chain. We know she's holding you hostage!"
"Al, let me go, you don't know what you're doing," I screamed at him, thrashing my limbs in a frantic attempt to escape.
Al turned me in the direction of Colonel Mustang and the others, further out in the yard, who'd very successfully captured Lust. Horror spread through every nerve in my body when my eyes took in the scene in front of me. "Damn-it, Mustang, let her go! Don't you dare do that! I'll kill you if you touch her, you understand? I'll kill you, you fucking bastard! Let her go!"
"Brother." Al sounded surprised and afraid.
"Let me go, Al. You don't know what you're doing. Let me go!" I thrashed and fought Al relentlessly. Mustang, Havoc, and Armstrong held Lust about ten feet away from me, standing inside a transmutation circle, a locket pressed against her chest. I knew what that locket meant. It was from her former life and it had the power to destroy her. "Leave her alone! Let her go. She's not a threat! She's not a threat!"
I could see the chain that bound us, dangling, but almost tight between us. I seized it and tugged, gasping and groaning, trying to pull her away from them and close to me. I could see her arm raise and her body jerk from my efforts. "You fucking bastards, God damn-it, don't you touch her. Don't you dare lay a finger on her."
"Damn-it Al, restrain your brother!" Mustang shouted.
Al tightened his grip on me, but slowly walked toward Lust and the Colonel, as if he wanted to slacken the chain so I couldn't pull her out of the circle. "Ed, stop it, what's the matter with you? Ed!"
Gasping and horrified, I watched Lust fall to the ground, on her hands and knees, appearing dazed by the presence of the locket.
She seemed adrift in a sea of chaos. Blue uniforms swirled in dizzying patterns around her, shouting and cursing. She slowly raised her head and appeared to force herself to a position on her knees.
I watched in disbelief while she looked directly at me, lifted her arm, and unfastened the chain around her wrist. The loose end fell to the ground and snaked it's way over the grass, close to me. "No! Don't! Oh, God." Didn't she know I would've gotten to her?
When I saw her give up on me, on us, tears came in a violent torrent. My loud sorrowful wails silenced the crowd. I wanted to keep yelling to her, I wanted to say something so she wouldn't sacrifice what we had, but words wouldn't form through my grief. My body went limp when I saw Colonel Mustang push the locket into her chest and step away. I vaguely heard him say something about it being the right thing.
"Ed? Ed? What did she do to you? Ed!" Al shouted.
I heard him, but I couldn't respond. My shoulders heaved while I wept in my brother's arms.
Al lowered me to the ground just when Colonel Mustang slapped his hands on the edge of the transmutation circle.
Without thinking, I leapt away from Al and raced to Colonel Mustang, throwing him aside and jumped into the circle to pick up my dying lover. I held her in my arms, crouched down where she lay. My tears beaded on her chest while I watched her succumb to the alchemic energy surrounding us. Just before she closed her eyes, she reached wearily up, drew my head down, and whispered into my ear. "I love you, Edward Elric."
xxx
I sat at a small table in my rented room, by the golden glow of a single candle, finding sleep challenging once again. I sipped at a glass of red wine, the alcohol burning a line between my mouth and my gut. I thought back to that day and shuddered. A few years had aged me, but I still felt the same. I'd lost so much that day, but I'd also gained.
I wondered whatever happened to the Colonel, did he ever get promoted? And what of my brother? Was he now a dog for the military? I gazed with weary eyes down at the glitter of a chain shining in the candlelight over dirty wooden planks.
I remembered that day. I'd finally heard the words I'd longed to hear and wasn't about to let them take her away from me. I'd pulled the locket from her body and stuffed it in my pants pocket. I'd left her there without it in the circle so no further damage would come to her body. That precious body, it wasn't human, but it was mine.
A faint smile spread on my lips when I remembered the puzzled look on everyone's face. She didn't disintegrate, but as far as they could tell, she was dead. I had to pretend I'd been under some sort of spell that had broken as soon as she'd passed. Then they wouldn't suspect what I'd done and how much I really loved her.
I remembered the cold, dark night I snuck into Lab 5, where they'd been keeping her body for observation. I knew she'd come back to me. I was certain she'd find a way. She just had to recuperate for a bit.
I snuck her out of the lab and disappeared with her to this small town where no one knew me. A place where we could be free to live as we pleased, where no one would bother us and tell me it wasn't right, a place where she could pretend to be human. And she would be some day. I vowed to make that happen. When I succeeded, I'd return to my brother and give him back his body. Someday, everything would right itself again . . .
"Edward?" A sweet voice called out in the dark, interrupting the pledges lodging in my mind.
My eyes followed the glitter of the chain hanging around my neck, guiding me to my love, my Lust. Smiling, my eyes captured her beauty. Dark tresses hung over the side of our small bed.
I got up and went to her. I watched her, engrossed in her essence, while she lifted the covers so I could slide in next to her. I snuggled up, close as I could, and felt her arms surrounding my tired muscles. "Say it, please. I need to hear it again."
"I love you, Edward Elric," she said, sleepily.
The End