AN: This will be updated fortnightly. Half the story is written and the rest is planned out.

Survival Training From Hell

Recently promoted General Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist have just barely survived the militaries newest training exercise with their team and their lives. The new intensive training initiative put in place by Fuhrer Hakuro was aimed at raising the bar of expectations of soldiers and officers during peace time.

"Too many of our soldiers and officers are under skilled," Fuhrer Hakuro explained. "In times of war we need as many brave men and women as we can get, but in times of peace? We need those who are dedicated to the cause of our great nation, not those looking for an easy pay check."

The program was meant to help with selecting soldiers and officers who did not meet military standards. Before General Mustang and Lieutenant Colonel Elric's team had their turn, six other teams had gone through the gruelling training. At least half of those participants had been given their marching orders to collect their final pay checks and others had been given warnings that they might soon follow if their performance did not improve. General Mustang and Lieutenant Colonel Elric's team were the only team not to receive anything of the sort.

The reason for this is less about their performance and more about the treasonous behaviour of former General Lambert, who hi-jacked the training for other purposes. It has been revealed that Lambert was working with Drachman and Cretan individuals to assassinate General Mustang. This revelation has sparked rumours of war between the two other countries. Could Fuhrer Hakuro have been too hasty in looking to thin out the weak when war might now be lurking over the horizon? An investigation has been launched into this and all future training has been postponed for the foreseeable future.

It's too soon to tell, however the hunt for Lambert has been the focus of the military for recent weeks. But he is not the only one in their sights. During the training exercise gone wrong a Drachman officer was captured and is being held for questioning. Not much is known to the public about the individual yet; however Drachma has made it clear they want their man back. Could this be the final straw before we go to war in the North?

With a possible war looming we will need to look to our state alchemists for protection and power. General Mustang has only recently been released from hospital after receiving a gunshot wound from the training, however he has a few months of physio and recovery before we can expect to see him ready for action. It might be even longer for Lieutenant Colonel Elric who was shot in the stomach and has only recently come out of a coma. It will be a few weeks before he is released from hospital, never mind going through his own physio and recovery.

It has been revealed that the stress of working for General Mustang might be proving too much for the young state alchemist, as we receive word from an inside source, that Lieutenant Colonel Elric had requested a transfer of command the day he woke up. Lieutenant Colonel Elric has been with the military for nine years and will soon be going on ten if he chooses to continue his contract when it is up later on this year. Though there can't be that much bad blood between Lieutenant Colonel Elric and his soon to be ex-commanding officer since they have been spotted together frequently since the young state alchemist woke up. Perhaps there is something about trauma that brings people together or could it be something more?

MATT GILBERTSON

XXXXXXXXX

Ed leaned back in his wheelchair that the orderly was pushing and sighed heavily. He couldn't wait for Winry to arrive with his automail. Even, if it meant receiving a concussion for it. Two armed guards walked on either side of his wheelchair and seemed to be with him no matter how much he tried to bribe the orderly to try and lose them.

They didn't seem like bad guys, they were just annoying. Plus it made things kind of awkward when Roy came to visit. Then there were four of them since Roy had two tailing him at all times as well. Privacy was a thing of the past with these guys. Like Lambert was hiding in the bathroom or something stupid.

The only thing that seemed to lift his mood was the fact that his friendship with Roy was going well despite their constant observers. He was learning more and more about the man every day and he found himself feeling happier than he had felt in years for it. Which did nothing to stop Al from teasing him.

"And what could you be thinking of with a pouty face like that?" Came a smooth voice.

A small smile crept across Ed's face when he looked up to see Roy waiting for him by his hospital room door.

"My traitorous brother," Ed told him honestly.

"And what has he done now?" Roy laughed quietly as he used his crutches to move aside so the orderly could push Ed through the door.

"He's been taking advantage of my lack of limbs," Ed sighed when the orderly stopped next to the bed.

"And what could you have possibly done to provoke him?" Roy mused.

"Brotherly stuff," Ed shrugged.

Probably had a little something to do with the teasing Ed used to give about May who had a massive crush on his brother. Or something like that. Ed was helped onto the bed by the orderly and noticed Roy was no longer relying as heavily on his crutches. Instead, he was walking while using them as slight support.

"You've moved on with your recovery?" Ed asked.

"Yeah," Roy smiled. "They said I might be able to move onto a cane soon. I have to try putting weight on my leg, but let the crutches take any weight that my leg can't yet."

"Lucky bastard," Ed wrinkled his nose.

"When is Miss Rockabell due to arrive?" Roy asked as he took a seat.

"In a few days," Ed sighed. "I'm not sure if she's built a new arm already or will built it here. We'll have to wait and see."

"Well until then," Roy said as he reached for his game. "Would you like to play a game of chess?"

"I've never played before," Ed admitted. "I'm more of a cards person."

"Then next time I'll bring cards," Roy promised. "But would you like to learn?"

"Guess there's no harm in trying," Ed admitted as he reached for his moveable table. "Can't be that hard, right?"

"Hard to play?" Roy smiled a mischievous smile. "Certainly not. However, winning might be another matter."

"Challenge accepted," Ed said confidently.

XXXXXXXXX

Meeting again with Hawkeye was awkward at best. She came to visit him one morning when Al had gone to a deli to get him a second breakfast because the first barely counted as a breakfast. Who did the hospital staff think they were kidding with that shit?

Hawkeye knocked gently on his door.

"May I come in?" She asked quietly.

Ed felt his heart sink a little, but he signalled for her to enter.

"Sorry to pop by unexpectedly," Hawkeye came into the room and revealed that she had brought him some flowers. "I felt it was time we talked."

Ed nodded, not really feeling very sure of what he could say. Their recent past was not exactly helping.

"I'm glad you got out okay," he said, hoping it might help. "Roy said that you guys found us and were okay, but I can't really remember."

"I'm not surprised considering the state we found you in," Hawkeye nodded as she put the flowers down on his table with the others. "Though, I was relieved to hear you woke up."

"Thanks," Ed said as the awkwardness of all this really started to settle in.

They sat there for a few moments in silence. It was a very uncomfortable silence. What the hell could Ed say? I'm sorry, but Roy chose me? We fought so stupidly when Roy could make his own decisions about who he would like to try a relationship with? Are you going to stay as part of the team?

"I'm guessing Roy told you about the discussion we had," Hawkeye eventually said.

"Yeah," Ed nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Me too," Hawkeye smiled sadly. "I'm also sorry for how I treated you. It wasn't very mature of me."

"I'm confused," Ed admitted. "You were so… different when we on the training exercise. You didn't seem like yourself."

"Jealousy is a terrible thing," Hawkeye looked at Ed's rose by his bedside. "A very terrible thing. It will make you do some stupid and silly things. Like hurting the people you care about. Just like love makes you do stupid and silly things."

Ed looked at the rose. Roy had brought him another one the other day. He promised it was the last one. He just wanted Ed to be awake to enjoy it. When he had first come round he spent most of the following days sleeping. Like he hadn't been doing enough of that recently.

"What will you do now?" Ed asked. "You must have heard I'm leaving the team. Will you stay?"

"I'm not really sure," Hawkeye admitted. "Everyone has been granted leave for an extended time due to the concern about our mental welfare after the ordeal. I think they're just to make sure everything is sorted before we go back."

Hawkeye seemed sceptical about the large amount of time they had off.

"Get what sorted?" Ed asked. "Bazin and Lambert? The investigation?"

"Roy's murder?" She suggested. "Something doesn't seem right. Roy might have decided whose heart he was more willing to accept, but that doesn't mean I want to see a bullet through his. I need to watch his back."

"I won't be there to do it anymore," Ed said quietly. "I couldn't stay in the same office as him, regardless of who he chose. You're a stronger person then I am."

"Hughes is taking precautions," Hawkeye said. "But we still need to be on guard. Don't be his weakness and don't make me shoot you."

"I will try not to," Ed promised.

"Good," Hawkeye smiled slightly.

XXXXXXXXX

Learning how to play chess turned out to be a little harder than Ed had envisioned. Roy promised he would get a set of cards, but for now he just brought the chess board with him every time. Understanding how all the pieces moved was easy. Beating Roy however was not. Though, it was an excellent insight to how Roy thought.

Ed had suggested that every time someone lost a piece, their opponent would get to ask them a question. This seemed to make the game a lot more interesting. Especially, as Roy seemed to be allowing him to win more pieces then.

Ed moved his knight to take Roy's bishop.

"What kind of things make you laugh?" Ed asked. "Check."

"For a long time you did," Roy answered honestly as he moved his king away. "When you were younger it was the way you would come in ranting and raving, especially at any slight about your height was very amusing. Definitely helped with a lot of the dull paperwork I had to deal with."

"That was a long time ago," Ed sighed as he analysed the board. "Tell me about the things that make you laugh recently."

"That's two questions," Roy teased him.

"Your answer wasn't complete," Ed argued as he moved forward to attack Roy again but with his rook this time. "Check."

"It was still an answer," Roy reminded him as he took Ed's rook. "What is your favourite way to spend your Saturday?"

"Fucking bastard," Ed growled as he looked down at the board.

"That is not really an answer," Roy smirked. "Though, it could be in the future."

It took a moment for what Roy said to really sink in.

"No!" Ed groaned and could feel his cheeks starting to turn pink. "That's not what I meant."

"Well it's the only answer you've given me," Roy teased him.

"I like to go for a run," Ed sighed as he leaned back again his pillow. "Or spar with Al. At least, I did when he was living a hell of a lot closer. I like to read by the fire and have really crappy take out ordered in for dinner so I don't have to cook or leave the house. Especially in winter."

"Now that sounds like a good way to spend a Saturday as well," Roy smiled at him as he moved his knight. "Checkmate."

It would seem that Ed was not only losing the game of chess, but himself completely to the charm of Roy Mustang. As if he wasn't already a goner.

XXXXXXXXX

Winry's arrival was met most predictably with a wretch to the head and Ed was in no condition to avoid.

"Fucking hell!" Ed clutched his head. "Are you trying to make my hospital stay longer?"

"You're the moron who not only lost his arm," Winry yelled at him. "But decided that jumping in front of a bullet was a good idea."

"Well at least the leg came back with me," Ed replied with a glare.

"If it hadn't then you would be in even more trouble," Winry growled as she approached the bed.

They stared at one another for a moment before Winry pulled him into a tight hug.

"You're an idiot," she muttered into his shoulder. "A really big one."

"I'm sorry, Win." Ed sighed. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Seems you really can't help it though," she pulled away slight. "Now let's have a look at you. I've already spoken to your doctor and we've agreed that for the first part of your recovery, you're only going to be allowed the lighter, northern automail. Otherwise it might pull at your stitches too much. I know it sucks, but we're only doing your leg today."

Ed groaned loudly at the thought of two separate connections and the fact that if he wanted his regular automail, it would require another connection later down the track.

"The fact you seem to be able to sit up by yourself," Winry continued. "Is the only reason I'm even considering the attachment today. I've read the report on your surgery. You're really lucky there wasn't more damaged caused."

Ed automatically placed a hand gently over his bandaged stomach. He had been really lucky. It hadn't been anywhere near as bad as when he had been impaled. There was still some pain, but that was only because they had him on some really good pain killers and he normally only felt the pain when he was doing something stupid like trying to get out of bed.

"Al," Winry turned to his brother. "Help the idiot out of his clothes. I'm going to need to have a good look at him before we do anything."

Winry went to close the door for privacy while Al came over and helped Ed get his shirt off before helping him get the hospital pants off. In the end, only his boxer shorts remained.

"Lay down flat," Winry told him. "I'm going to move your legs a little and I need you to tell me what you feel."

Al took away the pillows and Ed slowly eased himself down carefully onto his back while using his only arm as support. His stomach protested the movement a little, but only because it was so unfamiliar. Winry slowly worked his leg and stump while getting feedback from him about how his stomach muscles were reacting. She got him to sit up and lie back down a few times, but stopped when he started to show signs of pain.

In the end, she attached the leg and left. She'd gone to speak to the doctor about the exercises she had given him and wanted to talk to whoever was going to do his physio with him in the near future. Al stayed with him for a while, placing a damp rage on his forehead and closed the curtains.

"She's right you know," Al whispered. "You're a big idiot, but you're our idiot."

Ed made a confirmation noise through the haze and fever brought on by the attachment. The last thing he noted before he slipped off to sleep was Al stroking his hair gently and in a calming manner.

XXXXXXXXX

It really figured that despite the fact Ed had told Roy not to come in today that he came anyway. Earlier Winry had attached his leg which resulted in Ed sleeping throughout most of the day. By dinner time he was more awake, but still groggy as hell. Winry had been back in and with the help of two orderlies, she got Ed moving around so she could see the attachment had gone well and there were no complications. Two crutches had been brought to his room which made him laugh. What the hell was he meant to do with the second crutch if he only had one arm? Though, the laughing quickly came to an end when it started to cause him some pain in his stomach.

Ed had easily finished the cardboard tasting meal the nurse had brought him and was still hungry when Roy rocked up. It took a moment for Ed to register who was knocking on his door. They'd given him a little more painkillers for the day then Ed would like. His thought process was slow.

"I thought I said-" Ed pouted before Roy interrupted.

"And I thought you might enjoy an extra dinner," Roy waved a carrier bag that smelt strangely of Xingese food. "You like Xingese?"

"Anything is better than the crap they serve here," Ed smiled. "Thank you."

"No problem," Roy said as he put the bag on Ed's moveable table before wheeling it over. "I know you said not to come, but I wanted to be sure you were okay."

"It's not like it was surgery," Ed shrugged as he slowly sat up.

"No," Roy admitted. "But I guess I just had to see for myself. Especially as I don't know as much as I would like about automail."

"Just don't ask Winry," Ed groaned. "You'll never get her to shut up."

Ed wouldn't admit how secretly happy he was that Roy had not only shown up just to check on him, but he also brought dinner for the both of them.

XXXXXXXXX

Fuery had come to visit while Ed was carefully making his way around the room on his crutch. Now that his leg was back there was no way he was staying in that bed any longer then he had to. The nurses got annoyed with him, the orderlies tried to get him back in bed and the doctors scolded him for this. Thankfully, his guard just raised an eyebrow and got on with their watch.

Ed didn't even hear Fuery come in. One moment he was hobbling round the room and the next moment, his metal foot slipped out of his slipper. Instantly, Fuery grabbed him to stop him from falling over and that was when Ed noticed he was even in the room.

"You can't stay out of trouble for one moment?" Fuery smiled at him.

"Would I be me if I did?" Ed smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem," Fuery said as he helped Ed back towards the bed. "And no. You wouldn't be you. Though, it might make some of our lives easier if you could."

"Well my life doesn't have an easy setting," Ed snorted as he reluctantly got back into bed. "How have you been?"

"I've been good," Fuery said honestly. "I've been enjoying the time off. Doing some reading that I've been meaning to do. A few friends recommended a crime novel series. It's pretty good. I could bring it over if you like."

"Thanks," Ed said. "But between Roy and my brother, I'm pretty well stocked for books. Company is always better anyway."

"Always?" Fuery raised an eyebrow.

"Okay," Ed sighed. "Company is always better when you're stuck in a stupid hospital."

"That sounds better," Fuery smiled. "I've heard about you and reading though. You seem to get really absorbed."

"That's research," Ed shrugged. "You either take it seriously or you don't. What else have you been doing?"

"A bit of tinkering," Fuery beamed proudly. "I'm working on a way of making a wireless bug that is small enough to be hidden much more easily than the devices we have now."

"How small?" Ed frowned.

"I'm aiming for button size," Fuery said. "But for now it's only a little smaller than a hand radio."

"I'm sure you'll work it out," Ed said with confidence. "You've got a better head for this then me, Fuery."

"Kain," Fuery corrected him. "After being stuck together in hell I think we can use first names."

"Kain," Ed smiled. "Sorry. Old habits."

XXXXXXXXX

To say the nurse was not impressed when she came in to discover Roy and Ed were having a crutch fight was an understatement. Ed was in bed, like he was supposed to be. So he didn't understand why she was so upset. Okay, swinging his crutch around like a sword while Roy tried to bravely battle him with his own crutch wasn't exactly a part of bedrest, but it wasn't like they weren't trained or something.

This was how Ed ended up with his crutches confiscated for the day while Roy tried, and failed, at not laughing at him the entire time before he was forced to leave.

XXXXXXXXX

Havoc stared Ed in the eye from his seat. His hands here on his knees as he leaned forward. A serious look was on his face as he rolled the unlit smoke from one side of his mouth to the other. The air wasn't tense like Ed thought it might be, instead it was almost comical watching the gears turn in Havoc's head.

"So you like," Havoc paused as he took the unlit smoke from his mouth. "Guys?"

Ed crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"And you like girls," Ed said slowly as he nodded.

"You don't like boobs," Havoc rolled the smoke between his fingers.

"And you do," Ed smiled.

"And you might be taking the Chief off the market?" Havoc continued. "The Chief likes guys?"

"So it seems," Ed confirmed.

"Thank you!" Havoc suddenly said loudly as he did an air punch. "Things had been going really well with my new girl and I was just waiting for him to swoop in and steal her."

"He better not," Ed smiled.

"You know I got nothing against you liking guys, right Boss?" Havoc grinned.

"It's all good, Havoc." Ed assured him.

"It's totally cool," Havoc continued. "I mean. I don't get it, but it just means more for me, right?"

"Right, Havoc." Ed laughed.

It was in this visit that Havoc started talking about Ed joining him on drinking nights as a wingman. It was interesting to say the least.

XXXXXXXXX

They moved carefully around the hospital to avoid attracting the nurses' attention. Ed had been itching to do something, anything since he had gotten his automail arm back the other day, but the nurses insisted he still needed bedrest. It was just a hole in his stomach. It wasn't like it was something he hadn't had before. He barely even used his crutches for support anymore. Not that he could really test himself since he wasn't allowed out of his room if he didn't have to see his physio. Roy had been able to abandon the crutches and instead just had a can for support now. Then again, he was getting far more exercise coming to see Ed every day, plus seeing his own physio.

They were followed along by their guards, who they have been yet to lose. However, their guards just seemed amused as they snuck through the corridors and out to the hospital gardens. The garden itself was simple, but it was still ten times better than the inside of Ed's room. He still had at least another week stuck in the hospital. By then he'd get the last of his stitches out, have enough muscle built back up that the doctors will stop freaking out every time he walked to the bathroom, and Hughes wouldn't be pressuring the hospital to keep him longer.

"Over here," Roy pointed over to a spot where a rug was laid out. "I thought you might enjoy a picnic lunch."

"You had this all planned out?" Ed raised an eyebrow.

"I have my moments," Roy replied. "Plus you're always complaining about the hospital food. The least I can do if my best friend insists on forcing you to stay is feed you every once and a while."

"You're always bringing me food though," Ed commented, feeling like he wasn't really offering anything back.

After all, what could he offer at the moment?

"Because I want to," Roy assured him, obviously sensing Ed's train of thought. "You spent nearly three weeks giving me, and our group, everything you had. Let me do this for you."

Ed was silent for a moment. He wasn't sure what to say. Roy put his hand gently in the crook of Ed's arm.

"Come and sit," Roy told him. "Have a look at what I've brought you today. I want to enjoy this time out here in the sun with you before the nurses find out you've gone missing."

Ed gave in with a smile. The lunch was excellent. Obviously Gracia's cooking, which Ed could never say no to. The nurses found them an hour later and Ed was dragged back to his room. Roy laughed as Ed was forced into a wheelchair by an orderly. Ed gave Roy the finger as he was wheeled back into the building, but Roy's laughter only grew at that.

XXXXXXXXX

Breda's visit was met his smiles, growling stomachs and the smell of what had to be the best steak Ed had had the pleasure of eating in months.

"Where did you get this?" Ed mumbled around his food.

"The Slaughter House on tenth," Breda grinned. "Best steaks in town."

"The Slaughter House?" Ed almost choked on the meat. "But that's fucking expensive!"

Breda just shrugged at him.

"Breda-" Ed started.

"Heymans," Breda corrected him. "Look. You did a lot of shit and I was a pretty big shit for some really god damn petty reasons on the trip. The least I can do is make sure you get a chance to enjoy one of the best steaks in town."

Ed looked down at the steak he had nearly finished.

"You weren't that bad," Ed said quietly. "We were all stressed as fuck. It just meant that we got really shitty with one another really easily."

"Don't lie," Breda looked him in the eye. "I know we're already cool and shit with what happened, but this is just something I wanted to do for you."

"Thank you, Heymans." Ed sighed. "It is pretty damn good."

Breda grinned at the comment and went back to filling Ed in on the gossip while he finished his meal.

XXXXXXXXX

As Ed got better at chess, Roy upped his own game to still stay one level above Ed. Ed was still yet to win a game, but they continued their usual side game of asking questions when winning pieces. Sometimes Ed felt like was winning with the side game. Before their trip together, Ed had often felt Roy knew so much about him, but he knew nothing about Roy. That was quickly changing.

"Tell me about your family," Ed said as he took a pawn with his own pawn.

"I lost my mum and dad when I was young," Roy said as he moved his knight. "I don't remember them, but my Aunt took me in and raised me. Aside from her, I don't really have much in terms of a traditional family."

"And in terms of non-traditional family?" Ed pressed as he moved his rook.

"Are you trying to get in a sneaky question?" Roy smirked as he moved his queen.

"Maybe," Ed admitted and frowned at the board.

He was so screwed. No matter what piece he moved, the chances were another piece would be taken. He settled for moving his queen out of danger.

"Did you ever want to be anything besides an alchemist?" Roy asked as he took Ed's knight with his bishop.

"I've never really thought about it," Ed shrugged. "I know at one stage Al wanted to be a vet or a doctor. He could never make up his mind. I said he should be both."

"As interesting as that is," Roy waited for Ed to make his move. "I was asking about you."

"We were never really shown a lot of different options in Risembool," Ed sighed. "We're mostly farmers out there. If it wasn't for my father, despite him being a bit of a bastard, I wouldn't have even probably considered alchemy at all. I did think it would be cool to drive the trains though. Get to see different places and get money for it."

"I will never understand how you can stand long train rides," Roy shook his head as Ed finally made his move. "You can't move there. That lets me have check."

"Fuck!" Ed growled as he moved the piece back and tried to figure out his next move.

XXXXXXXXX

Falman came to visit bringing him the gift of playing cards.

"I've heard that the General has been taking advantage of you in chess," Falman said innocently as he played the deck of cards on the bedside table. "Considering how new you are to the game I thought I might supply something to even the odds."

"Thanks," Ed grinned as he picked up the cards. "The Bastard keeps saying he'll bring a deck, but always seems to conveniently forget every times he comes to visit."

"That might have something to do with the last few times you cleaned up when you faced Havoc at our poker nights," Falman smiled. "He would always complain at work the next day. The General might have gotten the idea that he would rather face you at a game he can win then one you might."

"He does like to control everything," Ed sighed. "Have you got any chess tips? Roy wipes the floor with me every time."

"I have also heard about your current tally of losses," Falman reached into his bag and pulled out a book. "I thought this might help. The advice in this book ranges from beginners to masters. I think you will find it useful as you progress rather than needing to look into other resources."

"Really?" Ed reached forward to take the book. "Thanks, man. You're the best."

"Beating the General is never easy," Falman leaned back in the chair and folded his arms. "But I doubt he would fit in the office upon his return if you didn't take him down a peg or two."

Ed laughed with his new ally. Roy had better watch out.

XXXXXXXXX

There was a gentle breeze and the sun was shining down on them. Ed smile couldn't get any bigger. It had taken a little work, but they had done it. They had finally managed to lose their guards. Ed had transmuted a door to the next room in his bathroom. After surprising Ed neighbour they had carefully snuck out of the room and taken off running through the hospital.

Roy had led him to the roof where hospital sheets were on the line drying. Aside from that, really they had the whole place to themselves. It was nice. They talked about many things. Ed finally found out what Roy meant by a non-traditional family. It included his crew, but also apparently many ladies he considered to be his sisters that worked at a brothel that his Aunt owned. It surprised Ed in a lot of ways, but it also explained so much about the man.

They had been up there for hours before they were finally found. Hughes had come with the guards, apparently going nuts over their disappearance. Roy tried to explain they just wanted some time alone, but that excuse didn't seem to work with Hughes. Ed was forced back into a wheelchair and threatened with restraining him to the hospital bed if he ever tried anything like that again.

Needless to say Ed was happy he only had a week left in hospital by his doctor's estimations or he would be ready to start climbing up the walls.

XXXXXXXXX

Hughes visit started like every time Ed saw him, with pictures of Elicia being shoved into his face.

"And this one was taken just the other morning when my little princess was helping my beautiful angel make pancakes!" Hughes grinned happily.

"Hughes," Ed groaned loudly. "You couldn't have just dropped by the to show me your latest batch of photos."

"No," Hughes admitted. "But you have to admit it's a great highlight of my visit."

Ed didn't say anything and just gave him a blank stare.

"The real reason for my visit," Hughes continued. "Aside from to remind you to visit once you've discharged so you can give my darling Elicia back her teddy bear was to talk to you about Roy. Or more importantly, about you and Roy."

"What about us?" Ed frowned.

"Don't get me wrong, Ed." Hughes started. "You know I'm happy that you and Roy are starting to get to know one another better. I just want to make sure we have an understanding of the sort of thing you should expect and how your actions might impact Roy."

Ed crossed his arms and frowned.

"I'm very aware at this stage there isn't actually a relationship," Hughes continued. "Or at least not one outside of a friendship. However, now Roy is a General, his personal life will be looked at critically by the brass, media and public. If you two were to start going out, I just wanted to make sure you were aware of how that would impact you as well."

"What business is it of anyone's what he does in his private life?" Ed asked.

"As a General," Hughes explained. "He is responsible for the safety, security and wellbeing of the country. Not on the same level as the Fuhrer, but he's only one step away now. He's in the running to be the next Fuhrer if he can hold his ground long enough for Hakuro to stand down or something to happen to him. Generals are constantly being put up and torn down. I'm just looking to make sure it's not because of his personal life that he loses his chance at his goal is all."

"I wouldn't do anything to threaten that," Ed insisted.

"Not on purpose," Hughes agreed. "But you are a trouble magnet. Then there is also our current threat. This could make you a new type of target for them if your friendship became something more."

"I am not a trouble magnet," Ed argued. "Shit just happens."

"Trouble magnet," Hughes repeats. "Already the newspapers have noticed that you two have been spending a lot of time together. They have put it down to recovery and bonding over your trauma."

Ed snorted at that.

"But," Hughes continued. "They have still noticed none the less. I want you both to be happy, but I don't want you going into this unprepared."

"So explain then," Ed sighed. "What sort of things would fuck things up for Roy?"

"You publically acting against him or something he's working towards," Hughes explained. "You're the Fullmetal Alchemist. That means a lot. You have a lot of power in your own right and the support of the people. If you're not supporting Roy in everything he does, it will create problems for his politically and give the press a lot of ammunition for turning the public against him."

Ed nodded quietly as he listened.

"We've already taken care of the fact that you are no longer under his command," Hughes continued. "So fraternisation is no longer a concern, but there are going to be some people who will want to look deeper into when this all started. They might accuse Roy of abusing his power over you or for you. They might say that this actually started when you first joined the military."

"That's fucking sick," Ed said in disgust. "Who the fuck would say that?"

"Anyone who might want to bring Roy down," Hughes sighed. "Anyway they know how. They also might suggest that is how you got your position, through sexual favours."

"What the fuck?!" Ed growled.

"It's not a new rumour, Ed." Hughes said calmly. "It's just the whispers of the jealous. It's never had any ground and never been taken seriously by anyone. I just thought I should warn you in case you hear some of the whispers yourself. The last thing we need is you attacking someone over a rumour."

Ed crossed his arms again as he seethed. Who the fuck would think something like that? He never followed Roy's commands when he was younger and went out of his way to make more paperwork for the man. No one who knew them would ever think that Ed would have done that for Roy at the time.

"If you and Roy decide that you want a more romantic relationship," Hughes continued when he realised he wasn't going to get a response. "It would be advisable that we make it public knowledge before it gets turned around on us. Obviously not in a press conference, but just having the two of you going out somewhere public together as a couple without it looking like you're trying to hide it. There are a few events coming up soon that would do the trick."

"If we decide to take it that far," Ed said quietly.

Ed had really enjoyed his time with Roy. Especially, since he was really getting to know Roy better. But did Roy still want more or was he continent with just a friendship?

"Regardless," Hughes said gently. "Just think about Roy before you act. Even as a friend you can influence how people think of Roy. Remember that."

As if Ed wasn't nervous enough about fucking things up with Roy, he had this to think about too now?

XXXXXXXXX

Roy had been about to set up the chess set again when Ed revealed the cards that Falman had brought him. There was a nervous flicker in Roy's eyes for a moment before he put the chess set back in the bag.

"Shall we continue our current side game with this one too?" Ed asked curiously.

"Sure," Roy agreed as Ed shuffled the cards. "Poker?"

"To start with," Ed nodded.

While he didn't have long sleeves to give him his usual advantages, he was still an excellent poker player. Roy never saw it coming. Good thing they weren't playing for cash because Roy would have had to sell his house the way he played that day.

XXXXXXXXX

Al walked slowly with Ed down the corridor of the hospital. For most of the week, Ed had been able to make small trips around the hospital without the aid of his crutches. However, he was still quick to tire and grow out of breath. The crutches were abandoned now as Ed walked on his own two legs. Ed was already thinking his training regimen through to help increase his stamina even if it was against his physio's wishes. What makes that idiot think he would listen to him over Winry when he never listened to her either?

His guards were on either side of him and Al. An orderly wasn't far behind with a wheelchair. It was normally hospital policy that Ed had to be in wheelchair, but he wasn't having any of that. How was he meant to build up his strength again if they continued to insist he take the easy way out? Al had been listening intently to the doctor about what Ed was meant to be doing as an outpatient now. This included what meds to take and when, organising follow up appoints with the doctor and physio appointment to continue his recover, signs of complications, possible side effects of the meds and the rest of it. Honestly, they treated him like this wasn't his first time as an outpatient.

Al had moved himself into Ed's apartment since he had arrived in Central and waited for Ed to wake up. Since Ed had woken up, Al had continued to stay there upon Ed's insistence since it would be silly for him to stay anywhere else. Al had then said it would only be fair then if he stayed long enough to help with Ed's recovery and to help him look into the control alchemy.

Ed had explained the alchemy to Al and they both agree that it needed to be destroyed as soon as possible. Al had taken to look into as much of the public library about this as possible while Ed had been in hospital. It didn't really help that Ed hadn't managed to get a great look at the array at the time. A rash decision that would continue to make this more difficult than it should have been.

The drive back to Ed's apartment was silent for the most part. The walk to the car had been draining on Ed's part. He would have to start taking daily walks to build up his stamina. The only benefit Ed seemed to notice from his guards was the fact that they were able to drive them around, and seemed to do so without complaint. Saved waiting for a taxi.

XXXXXXXXX

It was a few days after Ed was released from hospital when Roy turned up at Ed's door. It would seem Al had invited Roy over for dinner without telling Ed. The sneaky brat.

The only thing that made hanging out with Roy more awkward then being constantly watched by his guards was being constantly watched by Al instead.

It was only when Roy left that Al allowed a grin to creep across his face. He looked like the cat that got the canary.

"So," Al said slowly. "When are you actually going to ask him out?"