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Ed pulled away his plate from Ling, who tried to steal his food. He was sure it was Ling this time, Greed wouldn't dare to do such a thing, even if he loved teasing him.
"You could spare some, my love. "
Ed clutched his dinner close to his chest.
"No way! And you're doing it again! What does that Xingese phrase mean? Why does nobody want to tell me?" Ed whined, his irritation rising.
Ling's smile widened, which only confirmed that he annoyed Ed purposely.
"Come on, Lan Fan! At least you could tell me?"
She shook her head with a serene expression. "I promised I wouldn't tell."
While Ed was busy glaring daggers at her, even Hohenheim found a place to sit around the fire with his dinner.
"I bet it's the sh-word and that's why you wouldn't tell me."
Ling laughed out loud hearing that theory.
"I'm not calling you short, I swear, my love. "
As soon as that phrase left his lips, Hohenheim choked on his food, and everyone looked at him.
"I'm sorry, it was just… unexpected to hear that," he said after he finished coughing, his face still an alarmingly deep shade of red.
His bastard father did speak Xingese, right? He didn't want to ask him, but at this point he was desperate. Not Ling, Lan Fan, Mr. Fu nor Mei would tell him the secret phrase.
"Hohenheim! What does that word mean? They wouldn't tell me!"
Hohenheim looked at Ling for permission, but he didn't complain, so he took that as a good sign.
"It's a term of endearment. It could be best translated to my love. It surprised me, because I didn't know you were dating. This phrase is usually used by married couples, or long-term lovers. It's something… intimate."
It took a moment for Ed to process the new information, then it was his turn to be embarrassed.
"That-that's what you called me for the past few months???"
Ling's smile turned into a grin, but his expression was gentle as he looked at Ed.
Ed didn't know whether he wanted to punch him in the face, or kiss him on the mouth.