Identity Crisis
by Aimless
“Al come on just open the door.” Ed stood on the other side of the stout, reinforced wooden barricade.
Of course two days ago it was an ordinary apartment door. Now it would take an immense feat of strength or an act of alchemy to unseal it. Considering it had been an act of alchemy that had sealed it in the first place.
“Go away!” A petulant voice replied. Somewhat muffled by the thick wood.
“Al if you don’t open that door I’ll be forced to break it down. DO you have any idea what that will do to our security deposit?” Ed grit his teeth and really tried to keep from losing his temper. After all Al was alive wasn’t he?
“I’m not coming out! Not ever!” The whine from behind the door intensified.
“It’s been two days! You have to come out! I promise to fix it! Somehow…” Ed rolled his eyes as he swore he heard sniffles.
Truly he felt bad about what had happened. It’s not like he had a lot of choices. Besides those Xingian Alchemy scrolls mentioned nothing about this little side effect. Al’s armor had been damaged...beyond repair and if Ed had not done a bit of miraculous fly by night alchemy Al would not be here to argue with him at all.
“Awww Al don’t cry. I’ll fix it. We’ll fix it! After all you can still do alchemy right? This is just a little set back. That’s all.” Ed pled as he got ready to force the door open. After all he was worried. A person could only go so long without food.
Just as Ed was about to apply hands to doorframe the object in question was flung open.
“Little Setback?!! Does this look like a ‘Little setback’ to you?!” The tear filled voice climbed in octaves with every word. Al’s finger stabbed into Ed’s chest as the Fullmetal alchemist hastily backed up.
Grimacing at the screechy voice Ed winced and took a long look at his sibling. Yup…it was just as bad as the last time he’d stared.
The person standing in front of Ed looked similar to Al but with some glaring differences. Honey colored waves of hair framed a familiar face that was somehow softer around the edges. A full pouting mouth was turned down in a frown. Also golden brown eyes framed with thick lashes glared daggers at Fullmetal. Slim and willowy described Al now with a rather decidedly prominent chest. Arms crossed under said attributes only accented their existence. A small waist and curvy hips blended into long shapely legs. Basically every young man’s wet dream.
“I said I was sorry ok? What would you have had me do? Let you die again? So what if the container is a little different. You’re alive aren’t you?” Despite having said that Ed had a hard time looking up and meeting Al’s eyes.
Yes damn it! Al was STILL taller!
“You will find a way to fix this Niisan! How will I ever show my face to Winry?” Al’s eyes pooled with tears. Damn hormones!
“Oh come on Al you think this will matter to Winry? She’ll still be your friend.” Ed tried his best to console his broth…er his sister? He placed a hand on Al’s arm and led her back into the apartment. No need to attract an audience Ed thought as he closed the door.
“But Ed Winry doesn’t like girls…not that way!” Al fretted as he sat down on the edge of the bed.
Ed sat down beside his sibling and patted one robe covered knee.
“That’s ok Al neither do I.” Ed said without thinking.
“Well that’s comforting! How do you…wait what? You’re GAY?” Al screeched.
Oh way to come out of the closet Ed…the blond thought as he tried to cover his little faux pas. If this made Al yell there was NO way he was gonna admit he was doing the horizontal mambo with a certain flame alchemist.
“Why you gotta problem with that Al?” Ed scowled.
“No…no I mean it was just a surprise that’s all. I never even guessed. You always seemed so focused and not even interested in girls at all…or guys even.” Al stammered.
“I promise Al…no matter what that I’ll fix what I did. Even if I have to go all the way to Xing to do it. After all I’m not without connections there. We could go together. It’ll be like old times.” It might be nice to get away…travel the rails, see the countryside. Kill anyone who dared to touch his…er sister.
“Connections? You mean Lin Yao? Do you really want to see me in that pervert’s harem? I’m not getting within 50 miles of him.” Al stubbornly declared.
“It’s ok Al. Lin won’t be a problem. I mean as many times as he tried to get a hand down my pants… But wait what if he liked girls too? Oh now that could be a problem…we’d both end up in his harem. Oh hell did I say that out loud?” Ed peeked a glance at his now red faced sibling.
“I’ll kill him! I’m sure there’s an alchemic equivalent to neutering…I just need to find it.” Al growled…in a rather cute ladylike way. Not that Ed would ever admit that…not even under torture.
“Well well what have we here? Both Elrics sitting side by side. And might I say how enticing the both of you look?”
They both looked across the room in surprise. Neither one had even heard the door open. Colonel Roy Mustang had entered the apartment and was strolling up to the bed. Ed groaned…that was all he needed. Of course Roy had been told what happened. He’d comforted Ed when the young man realized how his radical, desperate alchemy almost backfired. But this is the first time the flame alchemist had gotten a good look at Al.
Both Ed and Al got to their feet.
“What are you doing here?” Ed glared at his lover.
“Well now I wanted to see if I could help. Plus I wanted to make sure Al was doing ok. By the way dear these are for you.” Roy handed a stunned Al a large bouquet of mixed flowers.
“Er…ah…thank you Colonel.” Al, polite still despite all that happened, replied haltingly.
“Ok you saw Al. Now get out. We have some planning to do!” Ed’s scowl deepened.
“Well then I guess you really don’t want to hear about the collection of obscure Xinginan scrolls that were discovered recently. There was some renovating done at the library and a small storage room was uncovered. Medical texts Ed…I thought you’d want to know.” Roy casually mentioned as he buffed the fingernails of his right hand against his jacket.
Al’s eyes rounded and shone with hope.
“Really? Truly? We can look at them? Today? Oh Colonel thank you! I am so grateful!” Al gushed.
Roy stepped closer and smiled…although a leer would be a closer description.
“How Grateful?” Roy could not help himself. His height allowed him to look right down Al’s rather ample cleavage.
Roy didn’t have a death wish…he really didn’t. It’s just that seeing a female version of an Elric some what short circuited his brain.
“YOU BASTARD!”
The last thing Roy saw was an automail fist heading right for his face.
~ end ~