damned_institute | DAY 23: BREAKFAST

Entry tags:

DAY 23: BREAKFAST

That hadn't felt like an entire night.

And his goddamn head hurt. Pounded, even. Enough that he wondered if he was going to end up playing another round of "Christen the nurse" this morning.

Maybe it was because he'd spent so much time and energy trying to find Nowe. That could be the reason behind both those problems. Just the thought of it made his stomach turn, made him want to fucking choke something.

Still, there was shit to do. He forced himself out of bed to put away his pens and the other leftovers from the adventures that didn't happen last night. He'd have to try to talk to Sora today, to see if they could just do tonight what they were going to do last night... and to see if the kid was doing alright.

...he just wished his head would stop hurting. That was probably the result of just how badly he'd overreached himself the previous morning.

The nurse that showed up to get him was cheerful. He grunted at her, listening to her with only half an ear until she mentioned all the excitement, about someone pretending to be a patient, all that crap that Landel had mentioned.

Renji gave her a narrow-eyed look. "Dr. Landel is a goddamn lying coward, and he's lying about that, too," he said. Whether it was true or not, there was only so much good cheer he could take on a shitty morning. "I hope he chokes on a cock." No matter how much venom he put in that statement, it wasn't enough.

Then he had to listen to a lecture about language and gratitude for the rest of the walk to the cafeteria, so maybe it wasn't worth it after all. She dragged him through the breakfast line, and he ended up with granola and toast and tea and a cinnamon roll, because not even a shitty fucking night could ruin his sweet tooth. Though that thing was looking a little too sweet.

The cafeteria was pretty much empty; he had his run of the place. He sat himself about as far from the doors as he could get, and proceeded to stare at his breakfast.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...Boyfriend?!? Wait... what?!? When had that happened?!

"He's not my boyfriend!" Ed said indignantly, only just remembering to keep his voice down. "We just kissed. That's all!" Tamaki wasn't his boyfriend. Girls had boyfriends. Tamaki was... he was... he was Ed's friend who he'd just happened to kiss. That was all.

He grinned and nodded. "Deal. And if they do anything wrong, then I'll make them regret it." Nobody hurt his family and got away with it. He wouldn't allow it to happen again. Not ever.

"I'll make sure you get the first batch."

"Oh for the love of... I don't care if you have a boyfriend." Hughes shook his head. "It's fine to like other guys. Who cares about what gender someone is, if you like them?" That was how he saw it, anyway. "And you obviously like the guy. I mean, you two were together last night and you kissed and all... it's fine." There really wasn't any reason for Ed to feel embarrassed about liking another guy.

"Of course, you realize this cunning plan could scare away any and all of Elysia's potential boyfriends... you know, I like that idea!" He took a swig of juice.

"Thanks, I appreciate it. You know what else you'd do well with making and trading? Cigarettes."

Ed blinked in confusion. Obviously Hughes had taken what he said the wrong way. @Of course it's alright to like other guys," he said indignantly. "But he's still not my boyfriend. Boyfriends are what girls have." He wanted to be very clear on that point. Kissing did not mean anything other than... well... kissing.

"Then she'll have to date someone very brave," he replied with a wide grin, finishing off the last of his food. He glanced over at where the food was, wondering if he should go and get more.

Cigarettes? "That's a bit more difficult," he said musingly. "I don't know what I could use to make them." He doubted that there was a stash of tobacco plants anywhere in the Hospital.

Hughes just snorted. "Ed, I hate to break it to you, but boys can have boyfriends, too." But he did know - or thought he knew, anyway - where Ed was coming from. "But I know, the terminology sucks and it sounds stupid." Hadn't he and Roy spent a whole damn shift trying to figure out the right term for what their own relationship was like?

"He better be brave. Only the bravest and the strongest for my Elysia." The conversation, as light hearted as it was, was making Hughes long for home. He wanted to see his daughter, hold her....

Soon enough, he promised himself. Soon enough.

"I don't know, but if you figure it out, you'd do good business."

Ed made a face. "It sounds like something out of a crappy romance novel," he replied petulantly. "With swooning women and... stuff." At least, that's what he assumed happened in those books. He didn't know what people saw in them, really.

"People really want weird stuff," he muttered. Personally, Ed wanted a weapon, possibly keys; anything useful for getting out of here and for keeping the monsters from getting their claws into him. Cigarettes and alcohol were low on the priority list. But if it meant he could use it to get more metal, information... that would be good.

"Oh no." Hughes shook his head. "No, in romance novels it's all... 'eternal beloved' and 'dearest of my heart' and stuff like that. They don't use plain terms like boyfriend." At least not in of the ones he'd flipped through.

"People want their vices and addictions," he pointed out. "And you know, you're here long enough, and you need... things." It was hard to explain. "You need the things that make you you, so you don't lose yourself."

Today... today, Alfons was certain that he'd get things settled with Edward Elric, one way or another. He needed to hear it straight from the other boy, as to what their relationship was going to be, and whether it had been all a big misunderstanding, or... something else.

So, armed with a healthy breakfast and plenty of juice, he slid into a chair and was relieved that Maes was also there. That would make things easier, he thought; the older man was reliable, and Alfons hadn't forgotten how Maes had worked so hard to make sure everything was all right.

The problem with his cunning planning to sit down and lay it all out and then demand an explanation from Edward? The fact that as soon as he gazed into those golden eyes, all of his objections and plans went right out the window. It was pathetic, but he never could stay upset at the blond for long.

In the end, all of his anger dissipated, and he simply breathed, "Good morning, Edward."

Ed raised one eyebrow at the lines Hughes spouted, not quite believing what he was hearing. "Please tell me you're making those up." How could anyone possibly write stuff like that?!

His eyes widened when he saw Alfons approaching, and for a moment, he really felt like making a run for it. He regretted what he'd said, but it was still difficult looking at someone who was so much like Al, even though he knew Al was here. He shifted uncomfortably on his seat, concentrating fiercely on his drink.

Ed tensed when the other boy sat down opposite him, forcing himself to stay still and not fidget.

He gave Alfons a slightly guilty look before staring back down at the table. "Morning, Alfons."

"I swear to you Ed, I'm not making that up." Hughes held up a hand in a promise of sincerity. "Those things are crazy. Gracia always got them as gifts and we'd read'em out loud to each other and just laugh at them." They really were laughable.

When Alfons joined them, Hughes looked up and smiled. "Hey, Alfons! How'd last night go?" He didn't change his demeanor any. While the soldier noted Ed's reaction, he kept his mouth shut. He'd just watch and see how the two felt each other out.

"It, ah, went all right. I found someone who was willing to protect me, and I lent him your knife... and we found a toolbox, and some other things too. And I met some people, as well. So all in all it was all right."

Then he took a deep breath, turning to look at Edward. This was awkward, and he averted his eyes, not quite able to look at his friend, but... he did speak again. "I, um... were you all right, Edward? With your arm in that state... and, um... with the tools Fox and I found, I could try to repair that, or at least make it easier to move..."

He ran his hand through his blond hair, feeling like he was losing momentum. "And I'd kind of like that. Your arm being fixed, I mean. I didn't really meet any monsters this time, but if they're out there, then..."

Alfons felt like a terrible coward, skating around the issue like that. But what more could he do? Maes was there, and it was so public, and Edward looked so guilty...

Ed nodded, still keeping his eyes on his empty plate rather than looking up at the other boy. "I was fine, thanks," he said quietly and then blinked up at him at the mention of the familiar name. "Fox? You know Fox?

Well, he supposed it wasn't exactly so surprising. The hospital wasn't that big. It was inevitable that people would run into each other. And wait... Alfons was offering to help him? Fix his arm?

He swallowed, forcing a tiny smile onto his lips. "I... thanks. I'd like that." He needed to have his arm fixed, and he'd missed Roy last night. It was heavy and awkward and got in the way. Just dead weight.

"I could... make a weapon or something for you, if you'd like," he offered hesitantly.

"So...where's the knife now?" Hughes asked, out of curiosity. He wanted to know who was handling his weapons. It wasn't that he didn't trust Alfons's judgement, it was just his natural suspicion.

All in all, the two teens seemed to be doing alright. Unsteady footing, obviously, but they weren't doing too badly. That was good. Or better, anyway.

Alfons answered Maes's question first, of course; it was easier that way. "I left it with Mr. Vergil; I want to go exploring with him again tonight, so I thought it would be fine to let him keep it. At least until I can get a katana for him."

Then... then he turned to Edward, and he nodded. "Yes, Fox and I met up with each other last night, upstairs. He seemed to know you, and while he wants to keep the toolkit, he agreed to let me borrow it so I could fix your arm."

A pause. He needed to get a weapon for Vergil, he knew that. And he knew that he needed to get Vergil as powerful as possible, because he himself wasn't going to be able to protect himself, not even with Maes's training. But at the same time... it was Ed. Alfons's heart ached when he thought of Edward unable to move his arm, he knew how frustrating it had to be and how upset his friend would otherwise feel.

So he couldn't possibly put a price on relieving all of that. A smile on his face, he simply said, "You don't have to give me anything. I'll be happy just having you feeling better."

Ed nodded, more enthusiastic now that they seemed to have some common ground. "Yeah. I made him a sword last night," he said. "He was fighting the Soul Bond armour the other night when we arrived." Maybe they'd have more of a chance if they went up against it with proper weapons the next time.

He glanced down at his broken arm and then back at Alfons hopefully. "You don't mind? I have metal and stuff, and I could break open the radio to get wires from it." It would be nice to be able to use it again, to be able to fight properly, instead of spending half the night in his room.

"I'd feel better if you had a weapon or something though," he added.

"Okay just... you know. Make sure you get it back." He'd given the knife to Alfons, after all. He wanted the boy to have it. He understood handing it over to someone better equipped to use it, but...

"Do you need any more metal, Ed?" he asked, turning to the other teen. "I can bring you some back, if I find any." Roy only used metal people brought to him, which worked well. But Ed had friends, and they needed weapons. Hughes would be happy to help in that department.

"I will; as soon as he gets something better, I'll ask for it back." Alfons smiled at the older man; he knew it was a gift, and he wasn't going to squander it. The moment that Vergil didn't need the knife, then Alfons was going to keep it. It was, after all, the first real present that he'd gotten in the Institute; how could he not treasure it?

"And no, I wouldn't mind at all, Edward. I'm not sure if the radio's wires will be what we need, but I'll do what I can to make it work out all right. ...but please try to be careful in the future? The rest of you isn't made out of metal, after all." He couldn't help it; Alfons felt so worried about Edward, so filled with concern, that he had to scold the other boy and fuss over him.

But as for that last part? Alfons sheepishly ran his hand through his hair. Maes had already given him the best weapon he could use, and he really didn't want Ed to think that it had to be an exchange or anything like that. Alfons really would be happy just to have Edward back to his full self. "Well... if you had to make me something, a katana for Vergil might work- I have some metal pipes that you could use for that. Or maybe some lockpicking tools for me." He chuckled a little as he ran his hand over his bruised shoulder, flushing a light shade of pink. "I'm afraid that those doors are a lot harder to break open than I had first thought."

Ed nodded in response to Hughes, mentally running over what he had left from his raid of the kitchen with Zack. "I'd appreciate it," he said after a moment. "I have enough left for one more weapon, 'long as it isn't too big. And a knife too possibly." But there were so many people who needed weapons.

He gave Alfons a tentative smile. "I'll be careful," he said guiltily, feeling much the same as he did when Al berated him for something. "No promises if it attacks me first though." There was no way he could completely avoid taking damage, not without locking himself in his room every night.

"I can make a katana," he said, smile widening slightly. "And lockpicking tools too, but you'd need to draw them for me." He;d never bothered with picking locks. Usually alchemy was enough to get him through any door he cared to use.

"...I know." And he did, too; Alfons knew that Edward couldn't just stand by and let other people suffer, or for that matter, letting something go when he had been attacked or slighted. It was just how Edward was; but Alfons still hoped that the other blond would stay safe. Or as safe as possible, anyway. "I just don't want you taking too many risks; there are enough as it is, right?"

As for the other part? Alfons nodded, glad to hear that. "Would it be all right if I stopped by your room tonight, and you can make those after I've taken care of your arm? Though... I must admit, I'm a bit surprised to hear that. You must have learned lockpicking later on."

The German smiled softly, gazing into those golden eyes and wondering at the circle he found himself in. His Edward had been the one to teach lockpicking to him; as it was, he would have been happy to teach Edward all of that information. And, of course, he would have been more than pleased to spend more time with the other blond, as well.

With nearly everyone else, Ed would have felt indignant or annoyed about that statement. He could take care of himself! He'd been doing it for so long. But Alfons reminded him so much of Al and it had never been easy for him to get annoyed at his brother. "I'll be careful," he promised.

He nodded in reply to Alfons' question. "M28. That's my room." He blinked a little in confusion at the talk of lockpicking. "I don't normally need to pick locks," he said. "If it's locked, I just use alchemy to open it." Or blow up a wall. That worked too. "There might be some other people there too. I don't know what the plans are for tonight." If he got his arm fixed though, he could finally do something!! Exploring and fighting would be good. He was starting to feel restless after so much inactivity.

The taller blond just nodded at that; so long as Edward was careful, that was the best that could be hoped for. Alfons knew that if anyone could protect themselves in the Institute, it would be Edward. No one else had ever been quite as strong or as determined, in the German's humble opinion. And once he had his automail fixed, he'd be better than ever.

As for the lockpicking? A gentle laugh escaped Alfons's lips as he smiled again. "I know. But... the other you, the Edward Elric that I knew, he was the one who taught me how to pick locks. In my world alchemy didn't work the way he had been used to, so he learned a more mundane way of doing it. It... sounded like it was quite frustrating to him, though." That was an understatement. Edward had grumbled mightily every time the subject of alchemy, and his inability to do it, had been broached.

"And, er... Fox might be coming along as well, but... we may want to try another room first, or something. Unless you want all of them to be there." He wasn't sure how to put it delicately, but even though the automail leg was fine, Alfons didn't want to have everyone see Edward with his shirt off. That would just be embarrassing, and more than a little awkward. "...I work better when there isn't an audience asking questions, you see..." A lame attempt to offer Edward an excuse, needless to say.

Ed couldn't help but make a face at that. He'd been the one to teach someone else lockpicking? But it was a waste of time when you could use alchemy. But he supposed that the loss of alchemy in this other world made sense of it. "People keep talking about stuff I haven't lived yet," he said, slightly petulantly. "Not being able to use alchemy properly here is enough of a pain. Not being able to use it at all though..." It was something he could barely conceive of! He'd been able to use alchemy practically since he could walk. It was a part of him.

He shrugged dismissively at Alfons' suggestion. He had no issues with his body. He wasn't shy (although the thought of Adel or Tamaki seeing him half naked was a little... odd, considering last night's events. "If it's easier for you, then we could go into a different room. All the bedrooms are usually empty during the night."

Renji didn't look back to see what Rukia was doing. He couldn't deal with it right now. He walked over to the kid, blonde hair in a braid, Adel had looked at, his face going back to its normal taciturn expression.

Later. He'd deal with the rest of the stuff... later.

He cleared his throat, feeling awkward, but it was better than listening to Rukia more right now. "Mind if I bug you for a minute?" he said.

"You haven't lived it yet, but... it's still true for me. Edward- the Edward I knew- did a lot for me. And I think you're a lot like him, or could be, anyway. I already know that there's a lot of similarities, and that's a very good thing. And..." He couldn't help it, Alfons chuckled softly, grinning widely. "...he didn't like not being able to do alchemy, either. I know it has to be really frustrating for you."

Before he could speak any further, though, a red-haired man walked up to them, looking like he was forcing something down. Instantly Alfons pulled out the chair next to himself, concern filling his eyes. "I don't mind at all."

It was odd hearing about this person who was him, but not him, not yet anyway. It was nice to know that he hadn't died permanently (and he really wanted to have words with Al about how he'd managed that), but still very odd. He certainly didn't feel like the person Alfons described. How was he supposed to live up to something like that? "I... I can't be him," he said quietly. "I can only be me so I won't act the same as your Ed. I can only do what I think is right." It was about as close to an apology, an admission of guilt as he thought he could get. He'd treated Alfons' badly.

He looked up in surprise when the tall red-haired man approached them, eyeing him warily. It wasn't someone he knew personally, but he'd been one of the people Adel had been talking to. "I suppose," he said, scrutinising him and assessing if he was a threat or not.

Renji was a little surprised at just how friendly the other blond kid was being. "Thanks." He sat, resting his elbows on his knees.

So, he was here. He knew he ought to say something, but he really hadn't gotten further than his need to get the hell away from Rukia.

Well, introductions. That would work. Reasonably polite people did shit like that all the time. "Abarai Renji," he said. He looked at the kid who had pulled the chair out for him, then at the other one. And he couldn't think of any kind of polite non-conversation - he was still too off-balanced for that kind of shit - so he figured he might as well just cut to the chase. "I think we've talked on the bulletin board."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject