Here I am with the first part of my story for the RoyEd Gift Exchange! :D

Written for jacktsuki on tumblr :)

Originally, this was going to be a one-shot, but it started growing and growing until I realized there was no way I could write the entire thing by the deadline, not even with an extension. So I took some parts of the story, all of them following a certain theme, and turned them into a series of short one-shots of around 600 words each. There are five in total, and I intend to post one each day, from December 28th to January 1st.

The story starts two years after the Promised Day, when Ed is set to leave for his trip. The only difference from canon up to this point is that Ed and Winry are best friends, so there's been no marriage proposal or romance.

Part I

It has been a little over three years since Ed last set foot on Eastern Headquarters. The building looks the same, and there are many familiar faces around. Ed greets and nods at those he knows as he walks through the hallways, until he finally reaches his destination.

Hawkeye is the only one in the outer office, and Ed owes her for kicking everyone else out like he asked. She smiles at him and Ed grins back.

He marches over to the opposite end of the office and pushes the door open. It's not the same office he used to barge into, and a flesh arm doesn't pack the same strength as his old automail one did, but the act is reminiscent of old times all the same.

Brigadier General Roy Mustang looks up, an impressive indifferent expression on his face until he catches sight of Ed. He raises an eyebrow.

"I was wondering when you'd drop by," Mustang says, and he leans back on his chair. "Alphonse had the courtesy to knock."

"Al inherited all the manners," Ed replies flippantly. He walks in and closes the door far more gently than how he opened it.

"I won't argue that point. So? Where are you going?"

"The West. No exact destination in mind yet." Ed shrugs and reminds himself that he's fought homunculi and demented alchemists. This is nothing in comparison. "I wanted to tell you something before I see your team."

Mustang gestures for him to sit. Ed doesn't, because he needs to pace.

"When I was like thirteen, I got a giant crush on you." He starts pacing. Best not to look at Mustang. "I was angry and ignored it because you were an asshole, but then that whole mess with the homunculi happened and I saw you actually were a decent person. And smarter than you acted. And, well… The crush kinda grew. But Al came first, you know, and…"

He's wearing a hole on the carpet, he knows it. Taking a breath, Ed stops and finally turns to look at Mustang, who hasn't interrupted even once and has an odd expression on his face.

Get to the point, Elric.

"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I really like you and want to try a relationship with you, and before you speak know I have a counterargument for any bullshit you come up with. You don't wanna date me? That's fine, but only if you don't want to. No other reason."

There is silence after Ed's rambling tirade. Mustang is looking at him with one of those intense gazes he gets some times, but Ed has too much practice to even squirm. He refuses to feel awkward now.

"You have thought about this," Mustang finally speaks. It's not an outright rejection. Good. "I have to say I never thought of you in such a way before, not back then. However, you are a fascinating man, and I'm not blind."

Mustang stands up and moves around his desk, closer to Ed.

"Is that a yes?" Ed blurts out, his attempt at appearing calm all but defunct.

Mustang's lips twitch.

"It is."

Ed sags in relief and his face splits into a wide grin. He's reluctant to admit it, but he's been terrified of this moment for weeks, and the main reason he's left it for the end was so he could flee to the West if things didn't go well. He's still going, of course, but there will be no fleeing involved.

"Great."

He takes a step forward, then another, and leans up to brush his lips against Mustang's —Roy's— own. Ed has never kissed anyone before, but he's fantasized about this often enough.

Roy doesn't hesitate to respond.