Feral Truth - Chapter 2

Inside the Central keeping cellars, The night shift officer yawned loudly as he unlocked the cell door which was holding the feral child and shoved it open, Dear God he didn't get paid enough to sit up all night to watch some random child..
"Hey brat! Breakfast! " He called in before sliding the bowl in...but his brown eyes didn't see anything of the feral boy..he blinked glancing around unnervingly, Where the hell...? he didn't escape did he!? Aw man!

His thoughts were interrupted when he cried out, Ed had hid himself behind the door when it opened and used that to his advantage, He lunged at the guard sinking his teeth into the man's shoulder ripping through the fabric and piecing the man's unsuspecting skin forcefully, his clawed nails grabbing onto his chest and ripped into his uniform, the force of the pounce sent the man back, landing on his back painfully as he cried out, shooting pain going through him.
"AH! AAH!! "

Mustang heard an outcry of pain only seconds after reaching the cell block. Dammit! Some idiot must have angered and upset him. Quickening his pace, Roy slipped on one of his ignition gloves. Of course, he never use the flames on Ed directly, but a fire-show might help contain him until Roy could calm the boy.

Grabbing at his neck, The guard tried to yank him off but his fangs seemed hooked into his skin! causing his flesh to tear even further with each tug, He could feel the blood ooze out and stain a bigger red stain onto his uniform.

"AAH! SOMEONE! HELP! "

When Roy finally reached the scene, he only took a second to absorb the situation before acting. He snapped, and a controlled explosion only large enough to startle the child erupted over their heads.

Edward's eyes widened at the sudden blast of fire, making the boy yelp and jump back, running back inside the cell..

"Argh! " He winced sitting himself up, holding his bite wound. "Freaken kid...God damn it! It hurts! "

"Go straight to the infirmary to get that looked at," the Colonel commanded, passing the soldier by. "I'll handle the boy."
"Yes Colonel..." He winced pushing himself to his feet and quickly sprinted off, Who knows what that kid could give him! What if he had rabies!?

For extra measure, Roy grabbed the cell keys that had been dropped to the floor after the attack and stuffed them in his pocket. Slipping off his ignition glove and pocketing that as well, Mustang entered the cell and shut the door behind him. "I'm sorry about that, Ed, but you can't just run around attacking people."

Ed had been pressing himself into the wall at the back, his golden eyes glaring at the door..Blood was all around his mouth and on his fingers, he gave a growl turning his gaze away from Roy and to the floor..

The fear in those glowing golden eyes was unmistakable, a sight which filled Mustang's gut with guilt. "Argh! What I wouldn't give for telepathy right now," Roy groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I wish I could know what's going on in that little head of yours, Ed. I want to help you, but I can't if you won't let me."

His golden eyes shifted back over to the Colonel still holding his signature scowl...

Yet, seeming to sense his frustration..Ed turned himself around facing the man, sitting down in front of him like how a obedient dog would with his master, He snorted softly..

Humph...this human, He intrigued him..

"I just can't figure you out," sighed Roy, crouching down and gently petting the child's head. "If the higher-ups would let me, I'd take you home. Maybe then I'd be able to show you that you're a human, and teach you how to be human."

Ed let a small pink tint come to his cheeks as Roy petted his head softly, blinking his large gold hues.

Something flickered in Ed's eyes at Roy's truth, he was...human? No! That..that couldn't be possible! he was..a fox..wasn't he?

The Colonel barely caught that flicker, and it gave him hope. Hope that Ed could understand him, and simply didn't know how to make that communication two-way.
"That's right," he found himself saying, "You're human. Look." He lifted one of the calloused hands and pressed the small palm against his own. "They're the same."

Ed stared at their hands..watching how their palms touched..He had..five fingers just like him..his hand was much smaller but..it was like his..

The dullness in his eyes flickered again, as if waking up from a trance..I-it couldn't be..no..he couldn't be human! He couldn't be..H-his hands hurt outstretching his fingers, They've been scrunched up like paws for so long that they've gotten so stiff!

"You see it, don't you?" Getting more excited, Roy slipped his strong hands under the scrawny boy's shoulders and lifted Ed until the grimy feet touched the stone floor normally. He didn't dare let go, knowing that Ed wouldn't be able to balance his own weight standing thus.

Edward blinked as he was gently picked up, his feet touching the ground, But he slouched, his hands clenching onto Roy's uniform, If he let go He would fall! He walks on four legs! Four!

He winced softly as it began crashing down on him, his expression turning into somewhat sorrow..

He was...Human..it..it made no sense!

Ed's pained and sorrowful expression brought another wave of compassion rushing through Roy. He was destroying this child's previous life; even for the best of intentions, it must be an agonizing transition.
"Hey..." the Colonel said softly as the boy trembled with grief. "C'mere. I've got you." He hoisted Ed into his arms, carrying him the way a parent would with a young child.

Edward felt the pressure on his aching feet leave as he was picked up, the achy pain of being forced on his feet gone now making him release a somewhat soft sigh..

His arms shifted to wrapping around Roy's neck, his hands clenching onto the uniform.. his legs hooking themselves on his waist as he held him, Ed rested his chin on Roy's shoulder..

"There, that's better," Roy said soothingly, rubbing a hand over the taught, toned back. He could feel the boy's spine through the thin shirt. "You're really a tiny thing, you know that, Ed? How can they expect your condition to improve if they keep you locked up? Administrative idiots..."

Edward made a somewhat purr in response as he smoothed his hand over his back, his head resting against Roy's neck..

True, He hated it in here so much..It was so cold and dark, Plus the other humans were so mean to him! He just wanted to leave here...even if it meant being with this man.

"How about this? Just hang on to me, and I'll see what we can do about this whole mess. I've got room at my apartment, especially since you don't take up all that much space..." Roy hoisted Ed up a little higher on his hip so that the boy wouldn't slip. Once stable again, he opened the cell door and proceeded down the empty hallway. "If someone comes, don't be frightened. I won't let them hurt you."

His arms tightened around his neck as he was secured against him, his legs somewhat wrapping around his waist as he exited the cell room..

"Eh? Hey Colonel, What are you doing? " Hughes came to a halt from putting his jacket on the hook and then saw The commanding officer holding the feral Kid..Hm, He seems a lot more calmer than he was when they brought him in.

"Don't get too close, Hughes. He may be calm now, but we've both seen that he can be volatile. As for what I'm doing, it's exactly what it looks like: I'm taking Ed out of that cell. What were you thinking, caging him up like an animal? If that wasn't a counter-productive decision, then I don't know what is."

"I know, I didn't like it as much as you did....Just look at him! " He said gazing his specked eyes down at the feral kid, gazing at his greasy blonde hair.

"Poor kid don't need all this stress after what he's been through..."

Hearing the sincerity in Hughes's voice, Roy calmed down a little. "Well, then, maybe you can help me out. I'm going to take him to my place; smooth things over for me, would you?"
With that, Mustang gave a little wave and carried Ed toward the door outside.

"Sure thing Roy~ I'll pull a few strings " He grinned watching him go and gave a salute, He would do anything for his best friend~

Edward's eyes widened when he felt the breeze of outside hit him, the smell of fresh air hitting his nostrils..He was...outside? He lifted his head to gaze around him..

"Careful now," Roy advised. "Don't squirm too much. If you bolt, I have no way of guaranteeing your safety, what with how big the city is and all. It's better if you just stick with me."

Edward wrinkled his nose softly taking in the fresh air, sniffing as if looking for a certain smell and lowered his head back down onto Roy's shoulder obediently, his golden orbs flickering around to gaze at anything new or strange to him..

They roamed through the streets for several minutes before arriving at the apartment building where Roy lived., Roy had to take a lot of caution when he would cross the streets, when a car would past, Ed's hands would clench and he would stiffen suddenly and squirm painfully, The worst part was when a man's dog which was tied up out of a shop began barking suddenly causing Ed to whimper and his figure tremble in his arms, Not to mention the stares he got from a few of the locals.., It was a long Several minutes walk back home..

"Well now, Mr. Mustang," greeted the friendly landlady when she noticed the young Colonel walk through the front door., "What have you got there? Such an adorable little boy; not yours, is he?" she added playfully.
Roy chuckled. "No. I'm taking care of him for a little while; that's all. Well, have a good day." Hefting Ed more securely, Roy climbed to the second floor and found his room. Once the door was safely shut, Roy moved over to the simple couch and set Ed down on it. "You can let go now."

Edward had shut his eyes halfway through the whole thing, everything was just so big and strange! And the scents were so overpowering that it made him feel ill.

The soft sound of Roy's footsteps as he walked up the flight of stairs to his apartment made him re-open them and gave a nervous squirm as he opened his front door, he gratefully let go and shook his head, So many things..

He blinked his golden orbs up at Roy's onyx ones..

"I'm sure that was more than a little disorienting," Roy said with a little laugh. "Central is a busy place." He ran a thumb along his jawline as he thought, What to do now? Then... "Oh, you didn't actually eat your breakfast, since you were so busy biting that unfortunate guard. How about I cook something? I have some sausages."

The mentioning of the guard made Ed lick away at the dried blood around his mouth, a light blush on his face in embarrassment.

...That human started it..

Noticing the child's actions, Roy tilted his head to the side slightly. "I'd tell you to go wash up, but that wouldn't have much meaning for you, would it? So, then..." After setting the sausages cooking at a low heat on the stove, Roy brought a damp washcloth over to the couch and wiped the remnants of blood from Ed's face and hands. "There," he smiled as he stood. "Now you look almost presentable."

Ed tilted his head at him, presentable? he was a fox (Though he was doubting it now) They were pretty creatures! His nose wrinkles at the smell of cooking sausages and leaned to the side slightly to glance in the kitchen, It smelt good.

"E..Ed.." He noised.

"Is something wrong?" Roy asked, looking back over his shoulder at the small blonde. "Or, are you just practicing?"

"Ed! " He barked again and pursed his lips into a pout, Well..it was the only word he can remember, He had a faint memory though, It was blurry..a brunette women saying 'Ed' to him. Ed seemed to sigh softly and lifted his right hand and began licking the back of his hand, starting to groom himself softly.

Not sure what to make of the child repeating his name, Roy brought over the tantalizing warm sausages. "There you go. Dig in."

Edward blinked ceasing his actions down at the warm plate and reached down to take the steaming food but squeaked snapping his fingers back, It was well hot!

He licked his stung fingers.

"Careful." Suddenly, the situation gave Roy an idea. He picked up the fork he'd brought over with the plate and sliced off a small section of the meat. "Let's try this way. If you blow on this piece, it'll cool off, and then it'll be easier to eat."

Ed watched in fascination as he cut the food and held the steaming food off on the fork close to his mouth, with the steam hot on his nose, his lips parted leaning forward taking the meat into his mouth.

"Don't burn yourself now," reminded the Colonel, holding the fork steady.

Pulling back and taking the cut food off the form the Feral child chewed on the warm meat..

I..it tasted good, he was used to raw meat usually.

Even though Roy didn't want to encourage the boy's wrongful perception that he was canine, the Colonel still found himself rubbing the top of Ed's head and saying, "Good boy. You like it?"

Edward felt his cheeks warm up with a light pink blush as Roy hand his hand rubbed into his greasy blonde hair as he watched The Colonel with brighter eyes.
"Mm.."

Figuring that Ed would want another piece, he went ahead with his idea. "Here. Let me see your hand again." Tenderly unfolding the clenched fingers, Roy slipped the handle of the fork into the boy's grasp and guided the hand and utensil to the plate.There, he helped Ed slice off another chunk of meat, stab it with the fork, and raise it into the waiting mouth.

Edward blinked watching as Roy took his hands for once not snatching his hand back like usual, his fingers touching the cold shiny metal object, his keen eyes watching every movement as if taking notes in his mind watching the motioning with his hands.

Seeing more food be offered, he opened his mouth again eagerly, with his mouth wider it revealed his poor teeth, many were chipped and a few were missing, many stained with blood and other gunk.

"Once you've finished, I think we should try to clean you up some more." Another plan was forming in Roy's head: in order to better clean the boy, he'd have to take him into the bathroom, and no doubt Ed would catch his reflection in the mirror. Most animals were easily startled by the sight of themselves, but how would this child respond? Would it be another way Roy could show that he and Ed were the same kind of being?

Ed had began trying to work the knife and fork himself, having difficulty from his fingers being scrunched up for so long, they were quite stiff as well and almost refused to moved!

His fingers clenching onto the items, he narrowed his eyes trying to work it out on his own but growled on frustrations and dropped eating items and reached down picking up the food and beginning to eat with his hands.

"Not like that," Roy sighed, working to keep annoyance from leaking into his voice. "Everyone takes a while to learn how to use silverware; it's just that you're learning it later in life than most." He disposed of the pieces of sausage that had fallen onto the floor and came alongside Ed to help him again. "Don't get frustrated that it doesn't come right away; these things take time."

Licking at his juiced up fingers he gave a soft lick in cleaning and to get every last of the taste, He seemed to bob his head in a nodding fashion having heard the man as he licked at his greasy palms. Roy came in with a napkin and wiped off the boy's hands before helping him with a few more chunks of meat, Edward blinked watching as the strange material wiped against his hands and over his mouth, nipped at the material playfully giving it a tug.

Roy laughed softly when Ed pulled at the cloth, and he cleared the dishes quickly as soon as the boy had finished. Having long since taken off his military jacket and rolled up his sleeves, Roy pulled some towels out of the linen closet and tucked them under one arm.
"All right, then. Into the bathroom we go." He managed to lift Ed with his other arm with no difficulty (the boy was so thin, it was almost alarming) and carry him into the tile-floored room. And, just as he had predicted, the first thing Ed noticed was the mirror.

Edward's body jolted as he was suddenly face with...a stranger again, his muscle's tensing and eyes widened as he stared at his reflection...He blinked...and it blinked, He squirmed uncomfortable his hands clenching onto Roy's shirt as he turned away from it making a puppy like whimper when its placed near something it hated and hid his face into his chest.

"You don't have to be afraid of it," Roy whispered soothingly. He pivoted so that Ed saw his face reflected back at him again. "That's you; that's what you look like." Mustang stayed still now, letting the boy absorb the image.

Ed stared at his reflection again, staring at it uncomfortably with a afraid look...That was..him? No way..he looked NOTHING like the animal he'd been with! Where..was his bushy tail? Where was his ears? Nose?..His gaze lifted to the waiting Roy's reflection then back at his own..they looked alike, He was human and HE looked human. Edward then looked down lifting up his supposed to be paws, his golden eyes scanned over the rough skin on his palms and fingers..

Ed's stared at hands,a growl escaping his throat..he was...human..

"Shh..." Roy stroked the boy's head in an effort to calm him. "It's okay. There's nothing wrong about it; you've been confused for a while, but that's why I'm here to help you."

Feeling his hand sooth over his dirty blonde locks and cowlick, he lowered his narrowed eyes to the ground, He didn't want to see..

"Oh, hey, it's not all that bad. Trust me; once you're scrubbed off some more, and you're in some fresh clothes, it'll help."With that, Mustang set the towels down beside the large porcelain basin and turned on the tap so that pleasantly warm water began to fill the bathtub. "I guess the only obstacle now is determining whether you don't like water or not."

After being placed on the Bathroom mat, he shifted himself onto his knees and placed his hands on the side of the bath tub's smooth surface looking inside watching the warm water fill it, blinking curiously as the steam hit his face gently caressing his greasy skin..

"Okay, time for you to get out of those shredded clothes." Roy slipped the remains of fabric off the boy, which only revealed how truly thin Ed was, you could see his ribs poking out! But from the food he's been giving recently, It had done him good, despite it only being two days. By this time, the bath was sufficiently full, and Mustang halted the flow of water from the tap.
"I'm going to lift you in there now. Ready?"

Edward had seemed to crossed his legs over himself as if to cover himself, a shy blush on his face..all though he's been pretty much naked his whole life, when he felt clothes on him..it sort of felt normal and more..covered up, Without them he felt so much more exposed..

Again, his head gave a small bob in a nod "E..ed.."

Roy scooped up the boy and slowly lowered him into the water, checking for any sign of protest.

His hands did clench up at first digging them into his uniform as he was lowered in, his eyes watching the steam rise and his hold gradually loosened as he was placed inside the tub of warm water.

Once Ed appeared settled in the tub, Roy lathered up a washcloth and went to work, rubbing in small circles over the roughened skin. He then took a strong comb and conquered the mass of matted tangles, and the ordeal ended with a few cupfuls of water over Ed's head to rinse away the suds. At last, the boy was back on the bath rug, wrapped in a towel as Roy dried him off. During the bath Ed would sometimes squirm when his face was washed, As Roy rubbed in the shampoo into his hair Ed did begin to purr softly at the sweet feeling of his head being rubbed and scratched and when Roy poured the water over his head to wash out the suds from Shampoo and conditioner, He shook his head in a way animals would do if their wet and when he was placed out, he did the same again.

Edward somewhat giggled when Roy began rubbing the towel on him in order to dry him and squirmed at the weird tickling sensation "Hah..he~ "

Roy laughed too, saying teasingly, "Hey now, don't tempt me to tickle you, little one." He finished towel-drying the boy before fetching some old comfy clothes for Ed to wear. "I'm sure you're a bit cold right now, but these should warm you up."

Edward sat himself up, his hands holding the fluffy towel letting his fingers caress the material curiously, It was so soft and fuzzy! Reminded him of a Fox kit.

He glanced up seeing the fresh set of clothes and tilted his head..Hm..a new layer of furs? Hopefully these would be more comfortable than the last ones..

With coaxing, Roy was able to slip Ed into underwear, sweatpants (with the bottom rolled up to account for the height difference), and a sweatshirt. The Colonel even considered trying to put socks on the boy, but that would be pushing his luck. Once Ed was clothed, Roy fingered the long blonde hair, still damp from the bath. "Let's keep this out of your way," he said tenderly. He sat cross-legged and lifted Ed into his lap before separating the hair into three sections and weaving them together in a simple braid, tied off with a thin strap of leather. "There you go."

Edward blinked when he was placed on Roy's lap, glancing his orbs up feeling the man fiddle with his now shining golden hair which would give off a treasured glitter just as his eyes do, As if they were forbidden treasure.

He lifted his hand curiously reaching behind his head, feeling the braid between his fingers, his sharp nails carefully tracing the cross-crossing pattern...It felt nice having it up~

Feeling so fresh and comfortable, It made Ed smile..for the first time.

Touched by the boy's precious smile, Roy held him close. For a moment, he wondered if this was what being a father felt like.

Edward blushed lightly as Roy pulled him closer to his chest, feeling his nose in his strawberry smelling golden bangs, he butted his nose onto Roy's chest making a affectionate purr, He liked Roy..he was so nice to him!. Reassured that Ed felt relaxed in his company, Roy cradled the boy in his arms as he stood and moved out of the bathroom to the couch, where he sat and placed Ed next to him, keeping a comforting hand on the child's shoulder. "I don't know about you, but I feel liable to take a nap again."

When Roy cradled the boy in his strong arms, He He could almost see his height, Due to his lack of nutrition and no doubt unable to rest properly, His height was 4'5-6, pretty small for his age.

He gave a more confident in response as he seemed to spread himself out almost how a cat would when they stretch their stiff limbs, Rolling onto his back he smiled up at him "..oy..? "

Mustang smiled at the boy. "Right, then." He, too, stretched before reclining on the couch, after which he patted his torso welcoming-ly. "C'mere."

Edward pushed himself up and crawled over to Roy listening to his beckoning and placed himself next to him but stretched his top half out onto his lap, crossing his arms under his head to shut his eyes releasing a sigh..
"Mm.."

With both settled snugly on the couch, Roy placed a protective hand on Ed's back, closed his eyes, and let the peaceful mid-day light warm them.

Ed yawned softly before slumping his head down again, falling asleep soundly onto his lap, his head tilted into his stomach able to pick up the faint sound of his heartbeat..

End of Chapter 2