Give Guidance or Counsel

Cats

Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist

People have been waiting for this for awhile, but I've certainly taken my time getting it all finished. It's all written and finished now, and I'm beginning to type it up and get it all posted.

But before I get on with the story, I'd just like to say that this is dedicated to my friend Diana, who appears doomed to be life's bitch, but is my great friend and advisor, and has really inspired me to keep going with this story. I am really proud of everything you've overcome this year, and how you've handled it. Keep up the amazing work sweetheart, even when you accidentally delete four chapters of Running Out of Lies and don't have backups. You're amazing! ^^

Chapter 1 - Are You Kidnapping Me?

Tuesday the 29th of December

Ed was, for lack of a better word, fuzzy. Fuzzy in that warm, cuddle on the sofa and share a cup of Hot Chocolate with me, kind of way. He was also certain Winry and Al had picked up on his happiness, if the sly glances and small giggle were anything to go by. He was ignoring the fact that their giggling was probably due to his wearing a butterfly hair band. See, this particular hair band had been given as a joke Christmas present; the message was 'you look like a girl, get a haircut,' but Ed had ended up wearing it, as it had been given to hi, by Roy, and was therefore awesome. Of course, he'd never tell 'the bastard' that, or let him catch him wearing it.

Speaking of Roy, he was supposed to be picking the eldest Elric boy up at any moment, thus, awesome butterfly hair band had to go. He looked himself over in the mirror again, ignoring the fresh bout of laughter erupting from the sofa where Al and Winry sat, and pulled out the band, replacing it with a plain blue one.

Today was his first real 'date' with Roy, a real, planned date; where Roy had phoned him up a whole 24 hours before and Ed still ended up rushing about at the last minute asking people if his butt looked big in this. Not that Ed would be asking anyone if his butt looked big in anything.

"You look fine Brother." reassured Al, coming up behind him and stopping Ed from changing his shirt - again. The eldest Elric studied himself in the mirror, then looked at the boy standing behind him through the mirror, letting a small blush grace his cheeks.

"I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard." he mumbled, disregarding the fact that by doing so, he'd ended up trying harder. He looked down at his attire; A red, long sleeved top with a black shirt, plus black skinny jeans. He looked decidedly teenager-ish. Al was opening his mouth to say so, when the doorbell chose it an opportune moment to go. "Oh crap! He's here!" Whined Ed, grabbing the phone he and Al shared and shoving it in the back pocket of his jeans.

"Call us if you're not coming back tonight!" Winked Winry, shoving him towards the door and grinning at the bright blush she received. Ed wasn't so innocent anymore, now he'd gotten himself a boyfriend.

"It'll be fine." assured Al, "He knows what he's doing."

"Yeah, but I don't." Replied Ed as Winry swung the door open. Outside stood Roy Mustang, a picture of laid-back beauty as he stood just back from the doorstep, one hand in his cargo-trousers pocket, and studying the mail box with polite interest. He turned his head to greet Ed, but faltered when he saw Al and Winry. Ed stepped out, grabbing the man's hand. "Don't worry, they know." he assured the dark haired man, remembering that he had not yet told Roy that Al and Winry knew of their secret relationship. Roy allowed himself to be dragged back to his Vectra by the teen, and when seated inside, he turned to the blonde.

"I might have preferred it if you'd told me your brother and Winry knew about this."

"About what?" replied Ed, keeping his eyes ahead as Roy started the engine. Roy shot him an annoyed look.

"Don't play dumb, you know what." he said. "Us."

Ed glanced across at the man in green cargo trousers and a black jumper. His hair was perfectly styled and his skin was completely unblemished. Yet, unlike Ed, who had to stand for hours in front of a mirror, the blonde got the idea that Mustang just got up and walked out looking so cool and relaxed. The man was just so fucking perfect. He swallowed, and looked ahead again.

"So where are we going?" he asked.

"You're changing the subject." countered Mustang, turning a corner and not looking at the blonde sat beside him. Ed glared at the road ahead.

"Does it matter? It's impossible for them not to know."

"… And they won't tell anyone?" asked Roy.

"Of course not! They're trustworthy!" Exclaimed Ed, giving the elder man an annoyed look. "They've been trying to set me up with you ever since I first met you. How could they not know?"

Mustang grinned.

"Aww, love at first sight?" he teased. Ed blushed.

"Hell no! I hate you." He replied, but let a smile slip on to his face as Mustang glanced at him with a large, fake frown.

"We're going somewhere you'll enjoy." replied Mustang to Ed's earlier question. Ed pouted.

"That's so elusive!" he exclaimed, making Roy smirk.

"Big words Edward."

"Yes. I've been practising." Joked Ed. "Now tell me where we're going - or are you kidnapping me?"

Mustang gave a thoughtful pause.

"Does it count as kidnapping if I tell someone exactly where we'll be, and you actually agree to come?"

"Who have you told?… and I can't agree to go somewhere if I don't know where it is."

Roy smirked.

"Hughes." He replied, the only adult other then Roy that knew of their forbidden relationship. "And you agreed to go out with me today, that includes agreeing to go wherever I decide to take you."

Ed sighed.

"Yeah, you're right - I guess. But there aren't many places we can go without the risk of being caught."

"Yes. I realise that."

The two lapsed into a content silence as Roy drove. They seemed to drive for ages, and it was nearing afternoon when they first stopped - at a petrol station. Roy went in to pay for the fuel and came back out with a bag of shopping. He placed it in the back seat and threw a packet of fruit pastels as Ed. The boy caught them and gave Roy a sceptical look.

"If you hadn't noticed, it's a long journey." explained Roy, "You look like you need a pick-me-up."

Ed blushed, somewhat indignantly as he felt as if he was being treated as a child, and Roy took his time starting up the engine. The man was surveying the boy sat next to him, and had been sitting next to him for hours before now.

"You look nice." was his eventual consensus. Ed bit his lip nervously, glancing shyly at the older man through his eyelashes. Roy looked away, starting the engine and pulling out of the station. Ed unwrapped the sweets and popped one into his mouth, sucking on its sugary goodness. As they began the drive again, Roy turned on the radio. They droved for longer then before, and Ed found himself falling asleep. He woke up to Roy's hand shaking him.

"Give me a hand?" he asked, as Ed took in his surroundings and realised that it was now dark outside. How far had they travelled? He un-strapped and got out of the car. They were parked in a car park next to a tall, kind of shabby looking building. Roy opened his boot and ushered Ed over. "Here, take this." He said, handing Ed a backpack. The teen took it, and Roy took out another rucksack and the small shopping bag he had attained earlier.

Ed followed Roy into the building where they were met at reception by a tall man.

"Ah Mr. Mustang!" he greeted warmly, coming round the desk and patting him on the back. He was tall and thin and he hunched slightly, making him look weedy. Ed instantly disliked him. Roy greeted the man with a small, obviously strained smile. "And who's this?" Mr. Weedy said, staring intently at Ed. Ed shrunk back slightly under the gaze.

"My nephew." Replied Roy before Ed could even open his mouth. Ed pouted slightly, shooting Mustang a short, confused glare. Surely they'd travelled far enough that they didn't need to be as secretive. He just got the impression that he'd just been brushed off. Mr. Weedy nodded understandably, handing Mustang a key and waving them off up the stairs. As they got to the third floor, Ed finally opened his mouth to speak for the first time since waking up.

"What are we doing here?" he asked, lugging his backpack up the stairs.

"Sleeping." was the reply that made Ed blush at it's obviousness. They were in a hotel after all. But what was Mustang getting at, taking him to a hotel a whole days car journey away without even telling him? Mustang found their room and opened the door. The room was large and held two twin beds with a small table separating them. The elder dumped his bag on his bed and turned to properly explained his plans to his date.

"We obviously can't stay in central, let we get caught. We're just outside of Central, there's a fair here tomorrow that we can enjoy, and I was thinking we could spend New Years here before heading back on the 1st."

Ed inwardly admitted the idea of a couple of days away with Roy was a very attractive one; but there was one flaw.

"I don't have any clothes." he stated.

"All taken care of." Said Roy. "I think Hughes had fun shopping for you - So blame him if you don't like what he picked." He added, motioning to the backpack he'd given the blonde. Ed looked inside to see it packed with enough clothes (and underwear…) to last a week, and was glad Hughes had organised it. He didn't want to know what would happen if Roy was presented with the task of choosing his outfits. He wasn't too fond of the idea of Roy buying him underwear either. The again, he wasn't too happy with the idea of Hughes doing that either…

"This is all planned out, huh?" he asked. Roy nodded.

"Since about, the beginning of December." he admitted shyly.

"What would have happened if I hadn't said yes?"

"I would have kidnapped you." Roy said, in all seriousness. It was as if he'd imagined Ed would ask that question. He grabbed the younger's hand and pulled him forward so he was hugging him lightly. He sat down on the bed, pulling Ed onto his lap and making the 'innocent' boy blush heavily. "Will you stop picking holes? Most people would be delighted with a surprised hotel break." He said, nuzzling the blondes neck. Ed shied away from the contact and pulled out his phone.

"Hey Al." he said when his brother picked up Winry's mobile. "I won't be coming back tonight."

So, the first chapter of Cats, the long-awaited sequel to Door Handles. I hope you all enjoy this as much as Door Handles. Now, I have my CBT tomorrow, so I really must go study. J

I hope you enjoyed it, so please review to tell me if you did or didn't.