Pondering-turned-fanfic. Written a long ago. Actually, I think this was one of the first Roy/Ed fics I ever wrote. Hm. No spoilers. PG-rating.
Freedom
by Maaya
"Does it work out?" was the first thing Alphonse asked when Edward, a little red-faced but very determined, told him about his relationship with Mustang. The first thing going through his mind had been that Edward had said Roy. Not Mustang, not Colonel, but Roy. However, it was the second thought he voiced. "I mean, you...we travel a lot and..." He had stopped, unsure of how to put his concerns into words.
Edward had just looked startled, then thoughtful, and finally shrugged wordlessly. Maybe he had believed that Alphonse would've been more surprised - possibly disgusted - at the news.
It wasn't as if it hadn't surprised him - he just didn't see why it couldn't be accepted. It was kind of his duty as a brother to accept it, in Alphonse's mind. He wasn't forced to, but he did it anyway, because he wanted Edward to be happy.
It was still somewhat surreal though, to see the two of them interact. They did (of course) not show any signs of that kind of affection in public, but something was there. Something new and old, something Alphonse hadn't noticed before. A glint in their eyes that spoke of challenge (which was old) and an underlying hind of humor (which was new). But what pleased him the most was the trust in both their eyes.
It was well-hidden. Alphonse doubted anyone else than he and Hawkeye knew (nothing escaped that woman) about the depth in Edward's and Mustang's relationship.
It was depth, more than anything else. Depth rather than love.
However, when Alphonse had first been told about it, he had questioned if it was going to work out.
Now he realized it had been stupid.
Edward traveled a lot, but Mustang wasn't the type to wait for him at the train station and greet him every time they came. It just wasn't their way of doing it. In a moment of insecurity, Alphonse had been stupid to believe they would long for each other or that Edward might want to stay with his boyfriend. It was ridiculous, really.
Edward liked to travel and he had something he wanted to do. Mustang understood because, he too, had a goal. In a way, they needed freedom to accomplish these goals more than they needed each other.
It was because they could both offer that freedom, that they were going to be okay together.
end
I…I used the l-word. Horror.