Chapter Text
About five hours away from midnight at the Bradley estate, there is a knock on the front door. A butler opens the door, and behind it is a young man dressed in blue soldier attire standing outside the doorway.
“May I help you, sir?” asked the butler.
“Yes. I’ve been sent here by the Führer himself to check on his family,” the young soldier answered in a nerdily soft voice, his shoulder-length blond hair swayed by a passing wind. His big, round, light green eyes spotted a middle-aged woman in a fancy gown climbing down the stairs ahead.
“Ah,” the woman called, “you must be Robert, the soldier my husband summoned.”
Robert nodded, “Indeed I am. And you must be Mrs. Bradley.” He slams his fist over his own chest, golden sparkles floating around him shining as brightly as his beaming, hairless smile, “Private Robert Jeremiah Howry, at your service!”
~S4S~
Robert and Mrs. Bradley sat across from each other in the sitting room adjacent to a blazing fireplace, between the table with two steaming cups of tea and saucers sitting on top of it.
Mrs. Bradley lightly chuckled, “I thought we could have tea and have a little chat.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” said Robert with a polite smile.
“I insist, Private Howry, really. I hope you like jasmine tea.”
Robert’s smile shined as bright as the full moon outside, “I love jasmine tea! Well, if you insist, thank you, ma’am!” He lifts up the saucer and cup, gives the steaming cup a testing whiff, then lifts it by the handle and takes a cautionary sip. The floral notes pleasantly haunted his tastebuds with its overall elegant flavor. Exhaling in satisfaction, he set the tea back on the table. “Delicious! Thank you, madam.”
Mrs. Bradley had just set her own tea back on the table after having drank it, “You’re welcome, Private. Now then, about the reason you’re here.”
Robert nods, “Yes. I’m here on orders of His Excellency to check on the Bradley estate due to growing rumors of threats around Central City.”
“Yes, that’s right,” nodded Mrs. Bradley. “Apparently, there are these dreadful, humanoid creatures called Homunculi that had been rumored to be running amok, terrorizing our citizens. With my husband so busy handling the crises, it’s getting awfully scary without him here at home, even with our best guards around.”
“I understand the concern, ma’am, and I’m sure the Führer does, too. That’s why he sent me here after all.”
“And I thank you for that, Private. By the way, if I recall, you’re a researcher, correct?”
“That I am, ma’am. I research quite a few things, both on duty and on my own time, including ancient ruins and, on occasion, even the Homunculi.”
“My, that’s intriguing. So, you’re an aspiring archeologist, as well?”
“Pretty much. I like studying ruins. The reason I joined the military is because it pays very well. I’m actually planning on moving out of Amestris to search out some ruins once the Homunculi are dealt with.”
Mrs. Bradley tilts her head, “Is that right? Well, then, I wish you luck on your goals, Private,” she chuckles.
Robert chuckles back, “Thank you, Mrs. Bradley.”
“You’re very welcome.” The two picked up their teacups and sipped their hot, floral beverages before setting them back on the table. “Say, Private– Can I just call you Robert?”
“Sure, ma’am.”
“Robert, since I still have you here, I’d like to ask you some personal questions, just to get to know you. I’m curious. Do you mind?”
Robert hesitated at first, but maybe she’ll permit him to not answer every question. “Can I choose to not answer some of them?”
“Sure.”
That brought him some comfort, “Then no, I don’t mind. Ask away.”
“You look quite young. How old are you?”
“I just turned 20 a month ago.”
“How long have you worked for the State Military?”
“Not that long; about three months, I think.”
“OK. I have one last question.”
“Yes?”
Mrs. Bradley hangs the back of her left hand under her chin, “You’ll forgive me if I sound a bit forward, but I can’t help acknowledging how handsome you are. You have a girlfriend?”
Robert sweatdropped in response. “Er, well, no, I don’t.”
“Oh? Have you not asked anyone out? Has no girl asked you out?”
“Um,” Robert scratched his finger on his cheek, “well, it wouldn't make a difference if girls did, because, um… I’m gay.”
Mrs. Bradley blinked, “Oh.”
“Uhh, yeah. Do you find that weird?”
She giggled, “Oh, no, not at all. I’m just surprised, is all. Though, I don’t believe there are many gay soldiers in the State Military. In that case, do you have a boyfriend?”
“I don’t, I’m single. I might find someone when I move out of Amestris. Hm?”
The door opened and a young boy came bursting in. “Daddy, are you here?” he called, his big, round, black eyes wandering the room, but they found no trace of who he was looking for. Disappointed, the child groaned, “Aww…”
Mrs. Bradley’s eyebrows curved, “I’m sorry, dear. Your father has to work at night again.”
The boy whipped his eyes towards the woman before they shifted to Robert. Those curious peepers blinked in curiosity at the blond soldier, whose own green eyes shyly wandered away.
Mrs. Bradley took note and commenced introductions, “Son, this is Mr. Robert Howry, a Private who came by to look out for us.” Her eyes shot at the blond, “Robert, this is my son, Selim.”
Selim’s attention remained still at Robert. He waddled up to the blond and displayed an ear-to-ear smile, “Hi! Nice to meet you, Mr. Howry. I’m Selim Bradley, the Führer’s son.”
Robert cleared his throat, tugging at the collar of his coat, before giving the little one an awkward side glance, “U-uh, hi, Selim. Y-you can just call me Robert.”
“Sure thing, Robert,” chirped Selim. He closed his eyes, tilted his head to the side and showed off a smile brighter than the moon that hangs outside with a cute giggle muffled behind his crescent-shaped lips.
Robert’s face glowed pink and his heart fluttered to the rhythm of a butterfly’s wings, seeing that round face of incorruptible purity.
~S4S~
Mrs. Bradley met with Robert back at the front door. Selim had been sent back to his room for bedtime after hurling a flurry of questions at the blond soldier for almost five minutes.
Mrs. Bradley softly laughed, “I’m sorry about that, Robert. My son is quite a handful, isn’t he?”
“It’s OK, and he certainly was, ma’am, hehe,” Robert’s laugh was more stiff, hinting at awkwardness.
“I couldn’t help but notice you were blushing when you spoke with Selim. Do you like children, Robert?”
The question jumped down Robert’s throat like a fly. He wrapped a hand round the back of his head, “U-uh, y-yeah, I do, but I obviously can’t have any of my own, biologically speaking, being gay and all.”
Mrs. Bradley quietly chuckled, “I can relate.”
Robert blinked, “What do you mean?”
A breathy chuckle flew past her teeth, “Sorry, I neglected to tell you this, but the thing is… Selim is adopted. He’s a relative of my husband’s, but I don’t share his blood. I never actually had children of my own.”
“He’s… Selim’s not related to you at all?”
“No, he’s not.”
A wave of horror flooded Robert’s blood. He’s done research on the Homunculi for a reason. Robert, too, neglected to tell everything. The reason for him researching them is not only whispers of their existence, but experience; experience that could have him vouch for the authenticity of those rumors; experience so intense that he could never forget a terrifying chill he felt if he tried. Thinking about it now, while his blood warmed when Selim came up to him, the same amount of that chill dripped into his blood, creating a balance. Still, while he’s terrified on the inside, he showed off a calm, seemingly ignorant exterior. If his hunch is right about something, he’d best play it cool and ask no more questions. He puts on a lying smile, “Well, I’m glad to hear he has such a caring, considerate lady to call his mother.”
She rests her palm against her cheek, “Why, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Well, I’d best get going now. Got a lot of work ahead tomorrow.”
“I truly enjoyed our time together.” She bowed, “Thank you, Robert. You were a wonderful guest.”
“Of course, madam. Happy to be of service to you,” he saluted with unauthentic equanimity. “Rest easy, Mrs. Bradley.”
“Good night to you, too, Robert.”
The moment the front mansion door closed, Robert turned and walked. As he treks along the moonlit pillars, his mind is plagued by dreadful ideas. Selim and Mrs. Bradley aren’t related at all?! Why is it that she and King Bradley can’t conceive a child? Is the Führer not capable of– Wait. Now that I think about it, whenever I get close to the Führer, during assemblies and orientations, I get a sliver of that chill, and this morning, when he personally asked me to come here to check on his family, the closest I’ve ever been to him, I got the exact same feeling from then as I am right now, after meeting Selim, and of course, that one night, when I was attacked by that strange woman. The woman, Führer Bradley, Selim, they all gave off that same inhuman aura. Could those three be–
“Figured it out, have you?”
A chilling, distorted voice stopped Robert in his tracks. Frozen like a statue, his feet took root to the marble floor. His young, hairless face broke into a sweatstorm; he could almost taste the salty fluids on the account of his open, quivering mouth.
He suddenly whipped his head over his shoulder without fear telling him to think. Standing behind one of the pillars is a small figure shrouded by the shade of moonlight. He could already determine the familiarity of the figure’s shape. “S-Selim?” He attempts at ignorance, “U-uh, hi there! What’cha doin’ out here so late? Y-you really should get to bed.”
That same unholy voice vibrates from behind Selim’s unsettling smile, “Hmhmhm. Nice try, Private Howry, but I know what you know.”
Robert’s sweat further flooded his face as he broke into a stiff laugh, “Th-that’s a cool trick you’re doing with your voice, Selim, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. I really should get going now. Goodnight.” He redirects his eyes ahead of him and tries to pace away, only to stop when what feels like ribbons crawling up around his ankles, forcing his boots to stay grounded as they tighten around his legs. As the ribbons climbed up to his knees like vines on a tree, two more of these strange ribbons each wrapped itself around an arm, further constricting his movement. “Ah-ah-ahh,” panicked grunts barely escaped his throat as a fifth ribbon ensnared his throat, tightening around his neck, but not enough to shut his airway completely.
The predicament Robert’s in: he can’t move, he can barely make sounds, and he’s being threatened with strangulation.
“Aww,” cooed Selim. “Can’t move, Mr. Howry? That’s too bad.”
Robert’s innocent facade fell off in seconds, “S-Selim… are you--”
“Yes… I am a Homunculus. The first, in fact, and you had just figured it out. I am called Pride.”
“P-Pride?”
“Yes. How very unfortunate for you. You were clearly trying to mind your own business, but my foolish ‘stepmother’ just HAD to open her big mouth.” Pride almost sounded sympathetic. “Still, I’m sure you would’ve figured it out even if she didn’t say anything, and I would’ve sensed it, regardless where you were.” He bursted into wicked laughter, sending chills in Robert’s pores. Speaking of whom, the blond soldier trembled under Pride’s tendrils, fearing for his life. “I’m also aware that you were once attacked by one of my fellow Homunculi.”
“Y-yes,” choked Robert. “Not long ago, a woman in black tried to seduce sensitive information out of me. When I rejected her, her fingers grew freakishly long and sharp and she tried to kill me. I was miraculously able to get away, but since then, I get this intense chill in my blood whenever my body thinks I’m near a Homunculus, just like right now.”
“Lust.”
“W-what?!”
“Her name was Lust. She was my younger sister. She was killed by your superior, Colonel Roy Mustang, a while back. Tell me something, did you happen to have that same feeling whenever you’re around my so-called “father”, Führer King Bradley?”
Robert felt as if his entire body had spiked. “Y-yes! You know about that, too? …Oh, God, don’t tell me--”
“Afraid so. The Führer is also a Homunculus: my younger brother, Wrath. By the way, are you familiar with the Fifth Laboratory?”
“Y-yeah?”
“Heh, of course you do. Well, the reason Lust came after you was because we suspected that you somehow stumbled upon sensitive information on the Philosopher’s Stone, and other classifications. When she reported that you were able to escape, Wrath had the idea of having you ‘check’ on us.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me. I heard that everyone who was researching the Philosopher’s Stone had gone missing a few days before that lab collapsed. Wait, is that why he asked me to come here? So you could find out how much I know?”
Pride giggled evilly, “Right on the money. To get rid of evidence, Envy, another one of my fellow Homunculi, and Lust had to destroy the Fifth Laboratory.”
“...W-why are you telling me all this? You’re giving me way too much information!”
“Oh, am I? Oops,” he feigned chagrin. “Well, I suppose I REALLY can’t let you off the hook, now that you know too much.”
“Th-that wasn’t even my fault!” complained the fearful blond. “You spilled it to me! That’s not fair!”
“Too bad. Such is life.”
Robert felt as though he’s about to vomit out his heart. “W-w-what are you gonna do to me?” his voice shook like an earthquake.
As Pride’s smile grew, one of his tendrils slithered up Robert’s neck, “Hmm, nothing… yet, so long as you keep your own lips sealed.”
“F-fine! I won’t tell anyone, just please let me go!”
The response had Pride surprised, but not so much as he’s amused, “My, my. Going against the military and the people you swore to serve just like that? Have you no pride as a soldier?”
“Heh, not really,” Robert’s dry laugh oozed honesty. “I think my life is more valuable to me than a little secret.”
Pride’s eyes narrowed, “Mmm, so scandalous. Does that mean we have a deal, Private Howry? I spare your life in exchange for your silent cooperation?”
Robert has always been selfish. If he had a pet dog, he’d sell it to a mad scientist to fulfill his ambitions. He’s no issue potentially screwing over the military he works for, after all the tortuous training and nightmarish chores he’d had to do. He’s never been much of a fighter; he’d prefer to avoid life-threatening situations at all costs, even though he had to learn some combat. Not to mention, he’s due to leave the soldier life behind for another country in a few months anyway.
“D-deal.”
“Mmhmm~...”
The tendril around his neck spiraled up to his chin; its tiny, handlike edge slithered towards his right cheek and cut across it, a teardrop of blood dripping out of the slit. The “hand” scooped off the drawn blood and unfurled itself from his head and neck. The rest of the four tendrils withdrew from his limbs, setting him free.
“Just remember, Private Howry…”
The blond doesn’t look back again, just quivering where he stood still like an animated statue.
“...We have a deal, and no matter where you are, or when, I’ll be watching… from the shadows…”
Swallowing his terror, Robert spun, only to find that Pride had vanished. His cautious eyes searched the pillars, the coast seems to be clear. The vanishing chill he had felt tells him he’s alone, but he’s still on edge, his face is still drowning in his sweat and there’s a haunting void in his stomach. It almost felt like a nightmare he just escaped from, but he knows what he’d just experience was brutally real. He clutched his fingers over his wounded cheek and found the collected blood smeared on his fingertips, telling him just how neckdeep in trouble he’s in.
“Oh, fuck...”
He wants to throw up. He wants to throw up so badly, but he’ll likely be punished by security if he makes a mess here. The best thing he can do now is leave, go home, and reflect on all this.
Literally quaking in his black boots, he turned heel and paced his way towards the gate, trying his hardest to contain his shaking.
Pride reappears from behind one of the pillars. As he watches Robert leave, one of his hand-edged tendrils, the one that scratched Robert’s face, rose up to his lips. He ran his tongue on the tiny hand and lapped up Robert’s sampled blood. After savoring the iron taste and swallowing, he slowly licked his lips. “Mmm~. Things could get interesting~,” he giggled as a shadowy wall decorated with giant crescents of red eyes and sharp teeth materialized behind him.
~S4S~
Robert approached the entrance to his house. He struggled to steady his hand, putting his key in the hole in the knob before turning it, opening the door. He rushed inside his unlit lobby and slammed the door behind him, pressing his back flat against it. Sliding down until his ass hits the wooden foyer floor, he curled into a quaking ball, quietly hyperventilating into his knees.
It took him almost a quarter of an hour before he finally calmed down. He’s hungry, but he’s certain the terror kept him well fed. Standing back up, he walked his way to his bedroom and turned on the light. He looked around his small room. Nothing extravagant about it; just a common bed on the wall ahead and a wooden trash bin next to a large writing desk with drawers against the left wall with a wooden chair sitting under it.
He approached his desk and pulled out the top drawer. Reaching in, he pulls out a stack of white sheets of paper. The top sheet contains a sketch art of a Philosopher’s Stone.
Robert is also a sketch artist. When he’s off from his duties, one of his hobbies is sketching, and whenever he has a rough day, he looks through all his prior artworks to ease his mind. He laid the Philosopher’s Stone sketch on the desk and looked at a sketch of Ishvalan ruins he saw from newspapers. Many of the things he likes to draw are the fruits of his extensive research. He may not have done any travelling, but the money he earns for his military services will certainly help him achieve that goal. That’s the reason he became a soldier to begin with. Once he earns enough money and the Homunculi are dealt with, he’s out of here, and he’ll likely never come back.
Except there’s this one problem.
Pride.
Even if he keeps his mouth shut about tonight, there’s no guarantee that wicked little evildoer will let him leave Amestris. He’ll probably fear that once Robert leaves the nation, he’ll inform the rest of the world about the Homunculi. But certainly he won’t try to leave with the Homunculi still around. He hopes all the Homunculi will be rid of before he finally leaves, especially Pride, that wicked little Homunculus, that wicked, evil, little Homunculus, that wicked, evil, adorable, beautiful, little Homunculus.
He sighed as he looked through his sketches, looking at his sketch of a transmutation circle while thinking about Pride.
From the moment the boy revealed himself, it was far more terrifying than even his encounter with Lust, despite never having been attacked by him. Still, the sweet, cute face of that boy, his heart still fluttered at the sight. If not for Pride having the appearance of such a cute young boy, he’d want nothing to do with him.
Alas, he can’t bring himself to have any disdain for Pride, because…
When Robert takes a sketch of the Ouroboros mark off the top of the stack in his hand, the next sketch seen is that of a naked young boy, bending over, spreading his buttcheeks to unveil his “Y”-shaped butthole while sporting a lusty smile at the viewer. Robert’s heart skipped a beat at first sight of that glorious piece of erotica he drew, and a throbbing heat stirred in his blue pants.
…Robert is also a hardcore shotacon.
For years, he fiended over prepubescent boys. The reason he has no boyfriend is because his preferences in males are under the age of 13. He’s never actually been with young boys, but he’s very familiar with their youthful anatomies. That’s how he was able to get the details down perfectly when he drew them, despite never having one to model for him. Thus, the many lewd shota sketches of his creations.
Each time he drops a sheet, he looks at his other erotic works: A boy laying on a couch masturbating, a long-haired boy on all fours on a bed fingering his own butthole, two boys 69-ing, and three boys daisy chaining on a floor. It just goes on and on.
Robert can never get used to seeing his masterpieces. His mouth nearly watered and a raging hardon stretched hid blue No matter how bad his day would get, these sexy pieces of art would wash all the negativity away. At least, that would be the case, usually, but considering tonight, even his tent is loosening from just the terrifying memory of his encounter with Pride. The fact that Homunculus knows everything he’s done and can see all… If he really can watch him no matter where he is as he claims, then it’s best to remove all proof of his sinful hobby. He doesn’t want anyone else but him to know about this. These catches are for his eyes, and his eyes only.
With a heavy heart, he looked through his art one last time before gathering the stack and dumping them in the trash bin in hopes of them never being discovered. He picks up the bin. He was contemplating taking it to his dumpster in the kitchen, but how could he? They’re his life’s work… Instead, he slides the bin under the chair, it just barely fits.
He plops his ass on his bed, his forehead perching against his interlocked fingers as he goes into pensive mode. He wonders what he’s going to do with Pride now watching his every move like a hawk. He, of course, doesn’t want to die, he has too much to live for; places to travel, research to conduct, shotas to lust over. And on top of that, now he’s Pride’s hostage, and he must commit secrecy against the State Military. If any of his fellowmen find out what he’s been hiding, he’ll be considered a traitor, for certain.
~S4S~
In Central Command’s mess hall, Robert, with dark spots under his eyes and a small bandage taped on his right cheek, sits alone on a table as he slowly eats a bowl of soup. A fellow soldier came up and sat next to him, setting down a plate of his own grub. Seeing the despondent blond, the soldier’s face morphed into concern, “Hey, buddy, you alright?"
Robert’s head hung low like an apple off a branch before he snapped out of it and turned to the man to his right, “Huh?”
“Are you OK, sir?” enunciated the other soldier. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Oh, it wasn’t a ghost, it was someone even scarier. Robert wishes it was a ghost. He forced a tired smile, “Oh, yeah. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Why’s that?”
Robert plants his left elbow flat on the cafeteria table and props his face on his palm, “Well, the thing is--” The second he realized he’s getting careless, that chill suddenly gripped his soul, immediately reminding him of the hush-hush, and he could sense those tendrils that ensnared him coming. “U-uh, I’ve been doing extensive research on, uh, possible Xingese ruins,” he frantically lied and forced out a shaky chuckle. The chill evaporated, rewarding him for good behavior.
If he’s ever going to survive, Robert will have to reduce any and all suspicion from him, including those dark spots under his eyes. Can one blame him? With the horror he experienced last night, how could he possibly sleep?
~S4S~
Robert, still not in the highest spirits, walks through a hallway. It has been a fortnight since that night, and things hadn't been so great for him since then. He had been falling behind on his duties, and Roy Mustang and his fellow men were starting to catch on. And boy, did the Colonel chew him out. He had just got out of grueling kitchen duty as punishment for “slacking off”.
These last two weeks abhorrently sucked. Everytime he so much as chats up fellow soldiers, he feels as though Pride has taken the form of an actual ghost and breathed down his neck, telling him to watch what he says. Exhausted, low-spirited, and scared senseless for his life, he isn’t sure how he’s ever gonna get of this–
As he turns on a corner, he bumps into something. Something large, and metallically hard. He stumbled back, almost losing his balance as he clutched his sore. Frustrated, he growled, “Hey! Watch where you’re going, you--” He shut up real quick when he found himself standing in front of a large suit of spike-garnished armor.
Metallic sounds jangled when the suit of armor turned around and faced Robert, red, glowing eyes piercing the blond’s soul. He trembled before the moving armor, he’s never seen a walking piece of metal so menacing. The armor raised both its hands, and the second it did, Robert hovered his arms over slumped head with a whimper. If it isn't Pride who murders him, this demonic armor will certainly do the Homunculus a favor. Just what sort of hellish beatdown will monster–
“S-sorry, sir! Are you OK?”
The fear made Robert hallucinate, he’s sure, but did he just hear… a child’s voice???
He dropped his arms and found the suit of armor frantically juggling its hands in the fair, exaggerated sweatbeads popping off its metal head.
“Uh, I didn’t hurt you did I? I’m really sorry!”
The childlike voice came from the suit of armor’s helmet, much to Robert’s astonishment. “Huh?” is all he could say, but after he calmed down a bit, he gasped, “Oh, wait a minute! You’re the famed Fullmetal Alchemist, aren’t you? Edward Elric?”
The armor quickly put up his hands, “Oh, no, no, no, I’m his younger brother, Alphonse Elric.”
Robert sweatdropped, “What?”
“Hey, Al!”
Footsteps reached the duo’s hearing. They turned to see a boy with a golden braid walk up to them, his equally golden eyes waved between Robert and Alphonse before they stopped at the other blond, “What’s up?”
Alphonse points a leather finger at the short boy, “That is Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist.”
As Robert’s green eyes bounced between the Elric brothers, he studied their sizes before falling back on Edward, “This little guy?”
The taboo has been said.
In a quick, escalated moment, a frightened Robert stepped away while Alphonse was forced to hold his little-big brother by the waist as Edward made propellers out of his arms as he hurled towards Robert, “WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING LITTLE, YOU JACKASS!! COME SAY THAT TO MY FACE! I’LL GIVE YOU A BIG WALLOP AND SHOW YOU JUST HOW LITTLE I AM!!!”
“Brother! Please calm down!” begged Alphonse, struggling to hold back his rabid cartoon of a brother.
Robert sweatdropped as the cartoony Fullmetal Alchemist tried to jump at him like a pissed dog on a leash. I thought the brother in the armor was the scary one. This guy’s crazy, he thought. Sighing tiredly, he held his hand up, “Hey, hey, look, I’m sorry, OK?” his voice barely cut through the screaming blond’s. “I’m sorry!!”
Edward abruptly calmed himself. As relieved as Alphonse that his brother stopped fidgeting, both he and Edward looked blankly at the depressed 20-year-old, notably, the dark spots hanging below his eyes.
“Oh, wait a sec,” Edward recognizes, “You’re Private Howry, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yeah, he is,” said Alphonse.
Robert blinked in surprise, “You guys know me?”
“Yeah,” responded Edward. “Colonel Mustang told us about a really low-spirited soldier around here.”
“There were rumors about a Private lagging behind on work,” confirmed Alphonse before letting Edward go.
“What?!” Robert‘s forehead dropped, aimed at the floor, “There’s even been rumors about me?” he groaned.
“We’re afraid so,” said Alphonse. “Can you tell us what’s wrong, sir?”
Robert looks away, “I… can’t really talk about it.”
“Why not?” demanded Edward.
“I’ve been through a lot these past couple weeks and I don’t wanna talk or even think about it.”
“But if you don’t address your problems, how do you expect to get better?” asked Alphonse.
“I dunno, I–” Robert scoffed, the Elric brothers looked on. “You know, maybe bad things are happening to me because I’m not such a great person. I-I don't know if what I’m doing is right.”
“Do you believe you did something wrong?” asked Alphonse.
“...Yeah,” croaked Robert. “Something pretty bad. Taboo, even”
Edward put on a grin, “Well, it can’t be as bad as what we did. When it comes to taboo, Al and I committed the worst of them all as alchemists.”
Robert finally looks back at the brothers, “Human transmutation.”
“Yes,” admitted Alphonse, “Years ago, we tried to resurrect our deceased mother, but it didn’t work out. It literally cost my brother an arm and a leg and me my human body.”
“I use an automail to replace the arm and leg I had to pay for for my arrogance, hence why I’m called the Fullmetal Alchemist. I had to create a seal with my own blood to bind Al’s soul to that hollow suit of armor,” Edward points a thumb at his brother. “But that’s why we joined the State Military: to find a way to get our bodies back.”
Robert nods, “I see. You two had a huge fuckup, but are on a mission to set things right. That aspiration of yours is rather admirable…” His usually vibrant green eyes lowered to the floor with spiritless guilt, “unlike mine.. I only joined for the benefits, and I plan to leave Amestris to fulfill my own goals.”
Edward and Alphonse traded glances before the elder aimed a gentle smile at the 20-year-old, “Why don’t I offer you a piece of advice. We all make mistakes. At the end of the day, we’re only human. No matter your circumstances, if you’re gonna correct your mistakes, you should always aim for doing the right thing. That should make you feel better, knowing you’d be doing yourself and all of mankind a favor.”
The advice hit Robert like a train, he admitted so in his mind.
“Think about it,” continued Edward. “C’mon, Al, we got work to do.” He walks past Robert, patting the older blond’s shoulder on his way.
Alphonse headed up to Robert and laid a hard yet gentle hand on his shoulder, “I hope things get better for you soon, Private Howry, and good luck on your journey.” He pulls a thumbs up before pacing behind Edward, “Wait up, Brother!”
Robert watched the Elric brothers go from his shoulder, before aiming his eyes on the floor, “The right thing…”
~S4S~
Night fell completely as Robert made his way home. He spent the remaining hours of his shift contemplating what the Fullmetal Alchemist said to him today.
Do the right thing…
It stuck to him like glue.
At the end of the day, we’re only human.
Why won’t that kid’s words go away?
You should always aim for doing the right thing.
These memories can’t be shaken off.
That should make you feel better, knowing you’d be doing yourself and all of mankind a favor.
…These damn words seared into Robert’s brain like burnt cheese on a skillet.
He’s kept his mouth shut about the Homunculi’s existence while acting as their hostage these last two weeks. Of course, if he didn’t, Pride would kill him for sure. Still, if he keeps this secret up, it could jeopardize humanity’s future.
He finally sees his house.
Ever since the Elrics, he had been thinking long and hard about what the older brother said. The Homunculi had wreaked havoc for long enough. Perhaps it’s best that he makes like a noble hero and makes the ultimate sacrifice by writing a letter about the first Homunculi to the Colonel, and if Pride kills him in the process, that’s probably best, too. If he does die, who would miss him? His parents died in a car accident years ago, and he has no relatives left in the world. So, not only he doesn’t have a family, but he’s a fucking shotacon, a pedophile! He makes sketches of little boys performing sexual acts, and dreams of one day fucking them. In major societies, people with such attraction for young boys are considered the lowest of the low, even making the most dangerous criminals look like saints in the public eye, and if anyone finds out about his dirty little secret, then he’s better off dead either way.
He stops in front of his front house door.
He’s concerned for the future, truly, but his aspirations… He wants to leave Amestris to do research and has dreams of travelling the world. But, can he really live with himself if he lets his selfishness rob others of their future in order to fulfill his own?
There’s no debate, the Homunculi must be stopped. When he writes that letter maybe then he can make up for his deplorable lust, and if he dies, so be it.
He unlocks the door and enters his home. Closing the door behind him and relocking it, he makes his way to his room.
As much as he hated to admit it, even to himself, Edward’s advice did actually make him feel a little better, despite the risks he’s about to take…
Wait. Now that Robert’s thinking about it, even if he tries to write a letter, wouldn’t Pride catch onto that? He’d almost forgotten about that. Maybe he should just scratch that. No, wait! He could try writing an anagram. Yeah, that might work! Then it’s settled! He’ll go into his room, grab his trusty pencil and sheet of paper and get to work!
He opens the door to his bedroom.
Now he’ll grab something to write with and something to write on and–
His body tensed up into a petrified state.
“Welcome home.”
Pride sits on top of Robert’s bed in his bedroom.
What the fuck!?
How did he get in here? When did he get in here? WHY did he get in here?
Robert wants nothing more than to ask the Homunculus those questions, but that’s actually not his biggest concern right now. That concern would be the fact that the trash bin he had hidden under his chair is tipped over next to his desk, his sketches are scattered around the floor and Pride is looking at some of them with two sheets in each hand, and some of the sheets are held up by some of his shadow tendrils.
Robert gaped his mouth like a fish. How the hell did he not get that chill when Pride was in his house? Up until now, his blood would freeze when he got within a foot within that boy, so why didn’t that happen this time? “W-what,” he stammers, “what are you doing here?!”
“I’m proud of you for keeping my true identity a secret as promised, Private Howry,” he dismissed the man’s question, not taking his eyes off the sketches.
“H-how did you get here?!” demanded Robert.
“How else? I can get in anywhere with these tendrils,” he answered as two of said tendrils floated in front of him.
Dread begins to clog up Robert’s throat as addresses the elephant in the room, “A-are you looking at my research?”
“Your drawings of the Philosopher’s Stone, transmutation circles, the Ouroboros, and some ruins are indeed interesting…” he finally aimed his eyes at the nervous blond, “...but not quite as interesting as these ones.”
All at once, Pride threw the sheets in his hands and the ones his tendrils held on the piled-up floor, and Robert’s heart sank like a rock in the ocean as it was his shotacon art.
“I, I, I,” Robert searches the words, “tho-those are a, uh, a special form of research. I– Sometimes I get paid to make art commissions for--”
“Save it, don’t bother. You’re a full-on shotacon.”
Yep, it’s over.
Robert’s whole body is tinted pale and he falls to the floor on his hands and knees. He really didn’t want anyone to know. Those works of art are for his eyes and only his eyes. But now he’s finally been exposed for the disgusting piece of garbage that he is.
“Were you going to throw these away, along with your other sketches?”
Robert dropped his head towards the floor, “I… thought about it.” He despaired, “I know, I’m gross. I’m sexually attracted to young boys. I’m the absolute worst kind of human being to any human society. I’m even scummier than you Homunculi,” he finished admitting his sin.
Pride just sat on the man’s bed with a leg over his knee, not speaking for a moment before saying, “I see. Tell me something, Howry. Were you going to inform someone about our existence, despite knowing full well of the consequences?”
Robert somehow found the courage to start getting back on his feet, “I was. My whole life I’ve been selfish, striving to achieve my desires regardless of morals.” He stood tall and proud, head held high, and glaring at Pride with unwavering dignity. “Which is why it’s time I start doing the right thing and look out for others, even if I die an attempted hero. If I do die, what of it? The world would be better off without people like me. Who would be sad over a fucking pedophile?” He turned heel back at his door, glaring at the Homunculus from his shoulder, “If you’re gonna kill me, Pride, you’d better do it now; I’m sure you’re capable of ending me without effort. Otherwise, I’m heading back to headquarters to report to Colonel Mustang immediately.”
He looked back at his only exit and tried to head out, only to gag as a handy tendril grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him back. Another tendril shot forward and slammed the door shut, before more of them formed a pitch-black wall and blanketed the door, sealing the exit, before red eyes and giant teeth grinned at him. When the tendril pulling him let go, he held his neck and coughed.
“You make good points, Private Howry.”
Robert’s coughing eased and he whipped back at the boy.
“I COULD just simply use my shadows to slit your throat before I eat you whole,” a smile spread across Pride’s face; a foreign smile, but no hint of wickedness hanging behind it, much to Robert’s confusion, “but, I also could give you a better incentive to keep your mouth shut.” He lifted his top leg and used his bottom foot to kick and flick the black shoe off his top foot. He then switched his feet and repeated with his other shoe.
Robert looked down at the second shoe landing near the first sitting between his feet before looking up to see Pride using each of his big toes to peel both his socks off his feet until they both landed on the floor. He next fiddled with his necktie.
Heart pounding intensely, Robert stammers, “W-w-w-what are you doing?”
Pride pulls out his loosened necktie from under his shirt collar wrapped around his neck. Holding it, he giggled at Robert, “Well, if you continue to hush up about us, not only will I permit you to live, continue your research, and keep up with your… drawings,” he dropped his necktie and started unbuttoning his shirt, continuously smiling, “I’ll gladly take you as my plaything~.” He opened his shirt, exposing his bare chest, his tiny, light pink nipples in clear view.
Robert took in a quivering gasp, the crotch of his pants commencing swelling, “W-w-what are you saying?”
The shirtless Homunculus threw his shirt on the floor, “There’s no need to be so coy. You know exactly what I mean,” he chuckled playfully before laying himself flat on the bed.
Robert could not believe what’s happening. To ensure his eyes and ears aren’t bullshitting him, he asks the ultimate question, “Y-you mean… I-I-I have sex… w-with you?”
Pride raised his legs at a 90 degree angle, he hooked his thumbs under his black shorts, and chuckled again as he peeked from behind his thighs to see the look on Robert’s face, “Correct.” With almost no effort, he slid his bottomwear up to his knees, slid them down his angling legs and slipped them off his feet; they landed on the clothing pile. Now rendered fully naked, he sat up, using his arms behind him to prop himself up, and with a lustful smirk, he spread his legs, unveiling his hard, 4” dick, proudly twitching.
Robert froze like an ice sculptor with his mouth hanging open, not bothering to conceal his raging hardon jumping in his blue military pants.
Pride wetted his lips looking at that throbbing tent before his eyes rose back up to the stunned blond, “Like what you see? Then you’ll LOVE this…~” He laid his back on the bed again. He wrapped his hand around his small, circular scrotum and juggled the tiny orbs inside just to show off to the 20-year-old. He then readjusted himself to where he’s laying on his side, sliding his hand up his nude hip to evoke a cute, sexy pose. He’s actually loving the reception he’s getting from the flushed expressions Robert’s displaying, but he’s not quite satisfied yet.
He turned himself over again and got on his hands and knees, pointing his cute, boyish buttocks at Robert. He heard a loud gasp and smiled wider. He looked over his shoulder to see the blond soldier visibly hyperventilating.
Oh, yeah, this is definitely the best part for him. But why stop there?
Pride began slowly swinging his little booty side-to-side, instantly mesmerising Robert as those green eyes closely followed the movement like that sexy rear is a pendulum. Pride chuckled, not wanting to overexcite the shotacon… yet. “So, then, Private Howry,” he begins in a low, seductive tone as he continues slowly shaking his little ass, “do we still have a deal~?”
“Yes!”
Pride softly giggled, “Without even a second to think? Wow. Alright, then.” He ceased his ass-shaking and climbed off the bed before turning around and approaching the disgracing soldier. With only a foot of space between them, he calls forth his shadows and they begin taking off Robert’s soldier attire one-by-one. When they unbuttoned the man’s jacket and slid it off his shoulders, they lifted his shirt off. Once he’s shirtless, some of the ribbon-like tendrils push him down, causing him to squat, until his face is level to Pride’s. The Homunculus takes the blond by his chin and pulls his face close. “Come here~.” He attaches his lips to the blond’s.
Robert’s whole world went into stasis. He’s convinced he’s having a dream, a dream too beautiful to come true. But it isn’t a dream. For the first time in his 20 years of living on this Earth, he’s experiencing pure, unadulterated rapture, pressing his lips over the cushiness of Pride’s.
They pull their lips away, and their eyes are attracted to the other.
“Tell me, Howry,” Pride crooned, “I’ve always been curious. When my sister, Lust, tried to seduce information out of you, did you tell her you were gay?”
“I did. When I told her that after I rejected her, she got pissed and attacked me.”
“Heh, I thought so. You never seemed to be interested in women. You have your own… preferences. Well, I may not be Lust, but when it comes to sex, I can even make her look like an amateur."
“You told me that Colonel Mustang killed her not long ago. Don’t you miss her?”
Pride shrugged nonchalantly, “We might be siblings, but we don’t have any affectionate attachments like you humans. We are a collective.” He smiled, “Now, why don’t we end discussion on the past and focus on the present. Could you stand up straight for me, please?”
Robert nodded and did as Pride asked. When he stood up straight, four of Pride’s tendrils gripped his pants. Pride personally grabbed the soldier’s belt with his own hands and undid the buckle. The moment he rips out the silver strip, his tendrils pull down Robert’s pants, finally releasing his wildly thumping, 8” rod that’s introducing itself to the cute Homunculus before it.
Pride immediately spots a dew of prejizz hanging off of Robert’s urethra in the middle of his light pink head. He raised a finger and scooped up the clear goo from the source and sucked his lips around the digit. When he pulled it out of his mouth, he smacked his tongue, the tangy sweetness of the precum overpowering his tastebuds. A horny smile curved upon his otherwise seemingly innocent face, he ran his tongue across his lips in seductive hunger.
Robert could jump in his still-worn boots as Pride wrapped his small hand around his veiny shaft without warning. He moaned as the Homunculus began rolling his smooth palm around his hardness. With half-lidded eyes, Pride looks at the soldier with that lusty, ear-to-ear smile, “ I might not eat you today, but I WOULD like a sample. Hope you don’t mind if I help myself~.”
Pride’s attention returns to Robert’s penis. He dropped his head and ran his tongue up the sensitive cocktip, sending waves of electric pleasure up the moaning blond’s spine. Pride made his tongue dance around the light pink head, bathing the wettening bulb in his hot breath. He then moved the tip to his right cheek and licked up the cock’s right side several times, sometimes letting the veins underneath to guide his tongue’s direction. He then moved to the left side of the big organ and repeated the process from there with near-perfect replication.
“Oh, God,” Robert closed his eyes, his breathing growing ragged from the overwhelming euphoria. Almost every night, he would have dreams of having his tongue tasted by a beautiful little boy, but what he’s experiencing right now goes even far beyond his comprehension.
Pride withdrew his tongue, his nose now pointing at the cocktip flowing with more of that delicious, clear fluid. He closed his eyes, then closed his mouth around the soldier’s tip.
A sharp inhale is sucked down Robert’s throat as his cock is coccooned in the boy’s wet, steaming mouth.
Pride put in the work. He bobbed his mouth up and down on Robert’s hot rod, his hands both gripping the base and shaft and squeezing around them. He moaned at the pleasure of more of Robert’s tasty man syrup flooding his tongue; just tasting that lewd-flavored fluid is making the little Homunculus even hornier.
Those same moans vibrated Robert's sensitive member, causing the blond soldier to tilt his head up a little as he threw a moaning fit.
Pride sucked harder and moaned louder, producing loud slurping that echoed through the bedroom. He even twisted his mouth to evoke more pleasure. If he’s gonna make this human suffer, he’ll make him suffer in lust.
Roberrt’s moaning amplified, he feared he might faint as excessive pleasure flared his ticklish junk.
With an ear-piercing pop, Pride took that big willy out of his mouth and took one of his hands off it. He opened his eyes and smiled at his progress: Robert’s pulsing dick is smothered in his saliva. He then finally noticed the blond’s balls hanging under the base; big, plump, round, and chock-full of babymakers. He looks back up at Robert, who’s too busy quieting his moans to look back at him. He smirked, “Overwhelmed already? Too bad, because I’m going to take it to the next level~.”
The Homunculus licked around the tip again before swallowing the whole package once more. This time, he cupped his free hand up Robert’s heavy testicles, giving them a firm, squeezing massage all while fapping his other hand from base to shaft as he bobs his mouth around from tip to shaft with increased tempo. He drinks down any and all extra preseminal fluid that washes over his tongue.
“Ahh~!” Robert’s face shot at the ceiling as he moaned at the top of his lungs. He feels as though Pride had killed him anyway but he ended up in shotacon heaven. His cock had never felt better, this is so much better than when he masturbates to his art, even when he uses his own spit.
As Pride fondles Robert’s fat, tightening nuts, he sucks his cock harder, moans even stronger vibrations onto his tip, and strokes up and down the shaft faster, he adds one more thing that he’d almost forgotten: he whirls his slippery tongue around the leaking tip every time his lips aligns with the crown.
“F-FUCK!” Robert can barely hear himself breathe through Pride’s loud slurping and sucking. With the intensity surrounding his overwhelmed penis, there’s no way he’ll last long. He could feel his cum draining straight out of his squeezed balls and his cock submitting to Pride’s monstrously talented mouth. “P-Pride… I’m… I’m not gonna last much–” Pride suddenly popped his enraged dick out of his mouth, held it still by the shaft, and stopped massaging his balls. Collecting himself and having had time to calm himself, he looked back down at Pride, wires of saliva connecting his dick to the boy’s gaping mouth, he can feel his hot shota breath warming his wet tip as he pants. Half-upset, he asks, “Why– *pants* why’d you stop?”
Wiping off his spit with his wrist, Pride looks up at Robert’s flushed face, with dark pink hearts hidden in his dark, hazy eyes. A silly smile spread across his own flushed cheek as he stiffly laughed, “You wouldn’t wanna cum in my mouth on your first time, would you? Why don’t we move on to the best part,” his eyes squinted lustfully, “in your bed~?”
~S4S~
Robert is laid flat on his bed, naked as the day he was born, and Pride is on top of him, crawling up to his face like a cat. He also purred like a cat, “As I said before, why finish in my mouth when you could finish somewhere even better~?”
Robert doesn’t need that expensive education he took as a kid to understand what Pride meant. The sweaty blond swallowed his nervousness, “I-I understand. I’m ready when you are, Pride.”
Pride bobbed his head and gave Robert a peck on the cheek, “Don’t disappoint~.” He rolls onto his feet and moves himself to where he’s standing right above Robert’s stiff cock. He drops down to a crouch, his dangling hand locating the tip. He placed his other hand on his own butt and spread a cheek, exposing his anus to the steamed bedroom air. Using his hands as guides, he positions Robert’s tip directly against his entrance. He squats lower, allowing the member to explore his boy cavern.
Robert and Pride both moaned as the penetration goes deeper the lower the latter goes.
“Howry, hold my hips,” commanded Pride.
“Alright,” obeyed Robert. He holds Pride by his slender hips by the time the Homunculus is entered scrotum-deep. As an aspiring archeologist, his ambitions are to explore ruins. As a hardcore shotacon, his ambitions have always been to explore young boys’ buttholes. The joy it brings to Robert knowing that one of those explorations is finally happening.
“Now,” Pride stands his hands below Robert’s nipples, “let’s ride.”
“Yeah~.”
Pride slowly bounces on Robert’s dick, his anal walls squeezing around the hardness like a boa constrictor. Robert helps him by bucking his pelvis into the boy as he tightens his grip onto his hips.
Robert grunted through his teeth. Pride’s ass is unbelievably tight, like a vise wrapping itself around his strangled cock.
Pride can feel his prostate being bumped by Robert’s dick as the penetration quickens, his own 4” erection flopping with every bounce. His small member has never been touched the entire time, but his prostate is already encouraging a strong, quick orgasm.
Robert won’t be far behind. His own orgasm is fast approaching, courtesy of Pride’s heavenly blowjob/handjob from earlier.
Their moans loudened and mingled with each other, their flushed, panting expressions mirrored.
“Are you -- hah~ – going to cum soon, Howry?”
“Y– *pant* yeah…”
An arrogant grin replaced Pride’s wheezing mouth, “Can’t say I’m surprised. My pleasuring technique was far too great for your pathetic human cock to endure.”
“Heh,” Robert displays a mirroring grin. This kid is really emphasizing his pride while downplaying his dick? His arrogance truly knows no bounds. “Really? Well, that pathetic human cock is not only about to pump its contents into your ass, but I can tell it’s hitting your G-spot. You’ll be cumming soon, too, you little slut~.”
“Mmm~,” purred Pride. “You show confidence. Feeling brave, aren’t we? I’ll have to punish you for that~.”
The shadowy tendrils gripped Robert’s wrists. “Huh?” Robert blinked as his arms were forced onto his bed above his head. More tendrils latched onto his ankles so he can’t kick in protest. “W-what is this?”
Pride glided his tongue between his lips, “I’ll teach you to talk smack to a Homunculus~.” Without any help, he raised his ass up and slammed down onto Robert’s cock. After repeating this process several times to understand the rhythm, he goes so much faster that Robert nearly orgasmed.
“Holy shit!” bellowed Robert as Pride slammed his butt hard on his crotch again and again and again. The constricting heat of Pride’s anal walls choking his cock threatens to extract his cum, and possibly his soul, if Pride isn’t careful.
As Robert’s bellows of ecstasy fills the steam in the air, Pride takes pleasure in letting his cock turn his insides into mush. For every time he rides Robert’s like a wild bull, his stomach is bulged by the tip of the large organ, and his little buttcheeks actually jiggles a bit as they’re slammed down against the soldier’s big scrotum, which also jiggles upon frequent contact. His own constant breathing is raspy, filled with erotic exhaustion and dwindling arrogance. Key word: dwindling; because Pride still tries to live up to his name by maintaining his dominant facade, feigning rapture. “Are you going to cum, Private Howry?” he asked slowly between shaky breaths behind a veneering mask of pride.
Robert almost grinned at Pride’s blatant attempt at total assertiveness, “I am, soon, but don’t try and pretend you’re not about to blow either.
Damn human! He dares besmirch Pride’s pride?! Although it is true: his prostate is burning his bouncing boyhood into a looming climax.
Robert actually grinned this time, “I thought so. What do you say? Wanna finish together?”
Pride scoffed. He’d rather not admit it, but taking control is tiring him already. “Fine, but only because I pity your submission.” His shadows released their grip on Robert’s wrists and ankles, setting his limbs free.
Robert knew Pride was merely putting on a show to salvage his ego. Rather than confront him about it, he just wants to impregnate this kid already. He grips the boy’s hips again and reenacts the beginning of the ride, only at full speed. He thrusts up Pride’s ass at roughly 50 slams per minute. He grunts as his long-awaited climax draws dangerously near. These past two hellish weeks, he hasn’t even jerked off once due to his fear of Pride watching him, but to think that he’s pumping his cock up that Homunculus's tight ass and is even ready to creampie him.
Pride stopped moving and let Robert do all the work, secretly grateful for the break. He blissfully shut his eyes and he moaned like a slut as his body continued to explore the pleasure of Robert’s cock drilling into his tight bussy, the tip stretching his flat belly, his prostate getting shoved, and those big, heavy balls slapping his tender butt.
“Pride! I’m gonna–!”
“Me, too! R-Robert!”
Their roars echoed in the house as their reward kicked in at last.
Robert stopped and held Pride in place before flooding that Homunculussy with two weeks worth of that pent-up sperm. The thick, white essence flooded his guts before more of it travelled down on the man’s cock and gushed out of the boy’s rim, covering Robert’s pelvis in his own cum. Pride’s immature penis twitched and surged small ropes of shota jizz around Robert’s abdomen until it stopped after the fifth, tiniest rope.
The two proudly moaned without a care in the world, nearly competing for the loudest moan until their orgasms slowly calmed down.
~S4S~
Later, Pride buried his cute face in Robert’s chest as the soldier held the Homunculus in his warm, gentle arms, both half-asleep under the thick blanket.
Robert is undeniably happy about tonight, but he sighed as he remembered the deal he made with this cute, little devil, “As happy as I am, it’s awfully selfish of me to endanger the lives of others in exchange for some ass…”
“Hm,” crooned Pride, “you’re right about that. But rest assured that right now, I have no intention to harm any humans. However, I can't promise that my brethren won’t harm anyone, even you.”
“I guess that’s some good news. Still, I can’t help but worry about the future.”
Pride chuckles, “I think you need to worry about dealing with me for now,” his shadow tendrils slithered around one of Robert’s wrists and forced it to glide down the boy’s lower back, “because I’ll be stopping by your house every night, and if you’re a good boy,” the tendrils dragged Robert’s arm down until his hand crested the smooth and silky curve of Pride’s booty, sending jolts in the blond’s spine, “I’ll let you have another piece of this~. Well? What do you say… Robert?”
The way Pride called Robert by his first name made his face catch fire, almost in a way a housewife addresses her husband. Seeing those lustful hearts in Pride’s eyes planted anticipatable ideas in his head, of what the two of them would be doing. Alone. Together. In this house. Behind closed doors. Every. Single. Night.
Oh, he’s already such a degenerate human being for selling himself out to the Homunculi, and the deal is just too sweet to pass up. How could he possibly refuse? He smiled and nodded, “I accept. You have no idea how much I look forward to doing this again… with you, Pride.”
Pride’s slutty expression softened into a beaming lovingness, “Looks like we got a deal. Pleasure doing business with you, Robert~.”
“Likewise.” Then Robert tilted his head, “Wait, what about your home? If you’re gonna come by here every night, what if Mrs. Bradley or someone else checks in on you and they find you’re not in your room?”
“Oh, that? Don’t worry, I have a double set up just in case that happens.”
Robert blinked stupidly, “A… ‘double’?”
~S4S~
Mrs. Bradley opens the door to Selim’s bedroom, illuminating part of the dark chambers in the elongated shape of the doorframe. She gazed at the back of her sleeping “son’s” head and smiled, “Mmm, such a sweet angel. Sleep well, my child.” She closes the door.
Alone in the dark room, “Selim” opens his eyes and groans, “This is ridiculous. What could Pride have to do that I’d have to act as his double while he’s away?” Red sparks enveloped the laying form, instantly changing from an adorable Selim to a very disgruntled Envy. “Whatever this ‘business’ Pride has to take care of had better be worth this stupid favor. I’m getting ready to kill myself if I have to hear more of that damn woman’s boring life story,” he whined.