One Last Dinner

Chartre

They were having dinner, apparently, together. In an expensive restaurant, no less.

It was past 8PM, after Fullmetal finished his usual activities for the day, and like how he stopped by every after work over at the colonel's office for final report, then he'd immediately leave with a sole cold salute; he had his moments to think about, and yes, regret.

Not when he was receiving some comeback from his higher-up, mind you.

It was the same every late afternoon, then he'd miss out on military duties after dark until the next morning—everything would just be the same thing over again. That was, until one night when he finished—let's just say—a little less early. Yet still he passed by the office like always and handed his work over. The habitual routine still; the colonel browsed through the papers lazily, obviously not even reading it, paying no attention all the more. Roy placed them under his paperweight and signaled the boy for his permission to leave.

Edward refused to leave that early evening.

For a first, he asked if he was staying longer for work. Of course, it was a yes. A colonel had his status and work to endure; as he, only an alchemist alone just did his usual here and there, and then some.

Then he offered some tea. Tea.

Tea.

Though it seemed like such a wrong question, he somewhat ignored that sentence off, waving his free hand and adding a simple "no."

Alright, he obviously was not going anywhere. Busy with work; no leisure and break; no, this was not the colonel he knew. But it was good to see him work hard. Strange, but good. Edward remembered to thank the Captain for that…

Dinner?

Now Edward was losing it. He definitely did not want to leave his office.

For a second, Roy Mustang lifted his eyes at him and leveled. Yes, dinner. Now that was something… interesting. Now he was trying to consider it, tapping his pen on his chin. Dinner, he repeated, giving some full thought. Maybe Edward should be taking about it more in front of him while he held his work.

Roy quickly stood up with a satisfied smile, leading himself to the door to grab his coat. He'd love to have dinner.

Well, what of it—maybe for free food; to splurge Fullmetal's money; something to get out from work without being obvious; whatever he had on his mind, Edward knew he wasn't leaving the office alone, that is.

They sat together adjacent the glass window of the restaurant. There was a faint aura around them, Edward could feel, like everyone was watching them, wondering about why some dogs of the military bothered to stop by and eat supper in an inadequate place for them, when they should be—in fact—purifying the population, improving the state, or whatever they've wondered about their daily doing.

Edward saw Roy was having fun, sipping from his wine then rounding the glass with the stem to heighten up the flavor. He took one bite.

Roy pressed his knuckles on his cheek and watched the boy eat. Edward raised his eyebrows. Now he was intimidated by his haughty-looking smile.

Edward never understood why he bothered with dinner, when he could have just gone home and left the colonel to work and stifle his yawns until the next morning. He never knew why it felt so important just to be with the colonel tonight. It was strange and bazaar, yet surprisingly fulfilling.

He figured there wouldn't be a next time. After this, it would be the same everyday; going to work, doing work, and then going home as soon as he finished passing his work. No more stops, no more hangovers, much to the idea of even just chatting with him. No, everything would have to be the same.

He would have to keep his lips sealed.

They barely spoke. They did not even speak. Not even about work did they trouble themselves to open their mouths. It was going to be their last dinner.

"Colonel,"

"Yes?"

"Nothing…" he stifled himself.

"No, what is it?"

Edward could not bare the fact he wouldn't say anything to him. Nevertheless, in the same aura, he couldn't, with unseen eyes lurking around their space as they sat together.

"Sorry…"

He really couldn't say anything. Not one word that could give out the slightest hint of things; he was cowardly at that point, maybe the first time he's ever been that way. The colonel did not bother to speak then. There was silence, until Edward called out for the bill as they left, yet again without a single word.

His first dinner was his last. Unable to speak of what he wanted to, it was his one last dinner.

"Thank you for the meal, Fullmetal, I really enjoyed it." He smiled standing beside the lit lamppost standing about.

Edward nodded.

"I have to go back to Central Command, I'm afraid I'm not yet done with my work," he laughed. Now Ed wondered what would happen if the colonel were finished before he invited him to dinner. Would he walk home with him?

"Sorry if I troubled you all this way. I'll go ahead then… thank you." He took one final bow and headed off to the other direction.

"Colonel, wait!" Edward lifted an arm out in the air. He thought for a moment—it was now or never, Fullmetal. Make or break it.

"What is it?"

Edward bit his lip, and thought back again to the times he wanted to say something to the colonel, but never did they come out right, or the way he wanted them to. However, for sure, he was acting differently tonight than any other.

For once, he'd taken Roy out to dinner. Paying all expenses didn't bother him with sens, but the fact that they spent the night wasted; what a regret it must have been.

Edward opened his mouth, and closed again. He didn't want to say it—but he wanted to—but he was afraid. He was losing his mind, so was the colonel losing is patience.

"Fullmetal, time's running."

Time was always running. He never had the chance to spend that much time with the colonel. Sure, he worked with him in the same place, near the same offices, but with the further ado in Command, there was no time. It was always running.

Roy was growing impatient, looking at his wristwatch, watching time tick and tock. He sighed.

"Fullmetal, I still have work to do. If there's anything you want to tell me, can't it wait tomorrow morning? We have all the time, but not right now."

There was no time, mind you.

Edward sighed and looked at his feet. Alright, alright, tomorrow. He promised himself he'd tell him tomorrow morning. No turning back, especially after the night's been wasted.

"See you tomorrow. Again, thank you for dinner," he bowed. Still Ed had his head low. He would never have noticed if the man left already.

"If it makes you any happier, I love you too. Now goodbye," with that, he turned his back and left, with a couple of sighs and mumbles under his breath. Edward lifted his head, and an interesting bright shade appeared on his face.

Now the Fullmetal knew someone was going to sleep with a smile on his face…

One last dinner—the best for the last.

Fin.