Upon arriving at the train station in Central, Edward found himself in no better a mood than when he left Resembool. In fact, he was certain he felt worst. Betrayal, anger, sadness…each filled him more and more with every step. But the worst part was how weak Ed felt. He had given Winry his heart, only to have it shoved back at him, in front of the person responsible for making her change her mind.

Scowling, Edward tried to rid himself of these thoughts for long enough to find a place to stay. Where was a decently priced hotel? Previously Ed had not worried about expense, having a steady and hefty income as a State Alchemist, but now he was more cautious with his funds.

It was in the midst of this contemplation that he heard someone calling his name. Or rather, his erstwhile title.


Roy was walking past the train station, lost in thought at his revelation, when he noticed a familiar shock of golden-blonde hair. Performing a rather comical double take, the General took in the hair (pulled back as always), the eyes, and the irritation on his face.

He couldn't help a slight grin, and, unthinkingly, he shouted, "Fullmetal!"


Of course it was the General. It couldn't be someone who would improve Edward's mood, oh no. It had to be this bastard.

But, Ed thought wryly, if anyone knows where to find a cheap hotel around here it's Mustang.

Said man was walking over to him. As he approached, Edward remarked. "You know that I no longer posses that title, General."

Mustang waved him off. "Oh, come on. Fuhrer Grumman expressly forbid the title from being reused; it's yours and only yours. Besides, just because we haven't been in touch for years doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to drop the formalities, especially when they irritate you so much."

Indeed, Edward was fairly sure his eye was twitching. He definitely didn't need this crap right now. "What do you want, anyway?"

Sighing, the General replied. "You're not my subordinate anymore, Fullmetal. It's not my job to make your life completely miserable anymore. Can't we be civil?"

"Look, all I want right now is a cheap hotel and someone to sneak me a drink."

Mustang was rather taken aback. "There's a place simply called 'The Motel' just around the corner," he said immediately, gesturing in the right direction, "but why a drink?"

Ed's frown deepened. He hadn't meant to say that out loud. "Shit happens. Don't worry about it. Thanks for the info."

He began to turn away, but the General caught his arm. "Hey, really, even you usually aren't this irritated. Or if you are, you're screaming at me by now, not putting up this shifty bullshit. What's up?"

"You know, I could probably convince someone here that you are assaulting me."

Mustang, not letting go of the younger man, thought for a moment. "If I get you a drink, will you tell me?"

Edward considered this proposition. He wasn't keen on the idea of spilling his guts to Mustang of all people, but he could actually be the best candidate for the job. It wasn't as though he would try to make him feel better, and besides, telling him all about his woes was probably the only thing that would get the General off of Ed's back.

Plus he really needed a drink, dammit.

"Fine."

"Excellent."


A half hour or so later, Edward found himself sitting in his shabby (though admittedly cheap) hotel room, accepting a very gratifying drink from Mustang and trying not to think about what had probably happened the last time the bastard was in one of these rooms. Ugh.

Said man plopped down in the seat across from Ed, already raising his own beverage to his mouth. "So, talk."

"It's Winry."

Rolling his eyes, Mustang gestured for Edward to take a sip before speaking. "Care to elaborate?"

Scowling for the umpteenth time that day, Ed took a gulp. Satisfying. "I…proposed to her a couple years ago."

"And then began to travel and discovered you would not be satisfied with just her and now you need to break it off?"

"Fuck off! Sick bastard. I'm not you, okay? That's not the issue."

Mustang looked smug, and Edward fought the urge to get violent. He continued. "While I was gone, she found someone else. He's living with her now, they are planning on getting married, and I was just kicked out of my own home. I mean, it's always been Winry's house, but up until now it was my home as well…" Edward trailed off, surprised that he had been so open with the General. Maybe the drink hadn't been such a good idea. It certainly wasn't making him feel any better about his present situation.

Shit.


Though the once-alchemist had seemed perturbed at the train station, Roy had not realized he was so deeply wounded; he had assumed the boy—more of a man now—had just been characteristically touchy.

And it wasn't as though he knew what to say to him; Roy had never proposed to anyone, never felt like settling down. The General had hardly ever even been turned down by a woman, and even when the rarity did occur, it wasn't as though he was attached enough to be upset about it.

Roy thought for a moment before responding. "Looking at it objectively, I have to say I'm sorry for your pain, Fullmetal. But it's probably for the best that this happened now, rather than you having to go through difficulties while married to her. I hear that is a much more difficult thing to deal with."

"Wow," he groaned. "That's really the best you can do to cheer me up? I guess considering your limited knowledge of serious relationships it could be worse, but damn."

Roy plowed on, not fully knowing where his words were coming from. "The more pressing issue, really, is where you intend to stay. If you wish, you could come back to the east with me. I have to stay here for two more days, to report to Fuhrer Grumman, then it's back in action."

Where had that come from? He must be getting nostalgic. Regardless, Roy found himself actually hoping Fullmetal would accept the offer. He could always put him to work.


Edward was astonished. While the two of them didn't actually hate each other, he and the General definitely didn't get along. Yet this seemed to be a sincere offer.

"Alright…" he said slowly. "I'll come along."

If for no other reason than the fact that Ed had nowhere else to go.