A/N: an update! XD not much to say other than it's gonna be little action between Roy and Ed in the future chapters, not counting possible dreams and phone calls that is...-cough- you never know. and yes I'm bad at writing funny things, but I tried this time X3 ...be nice? -puppy eyes-


Prove Yourself

Chapter 2: War

"I need you to go to Central," Roy said, face straight and his business-like voice firm. "A former State Alchemist named Benjamin Ackerley has been causing some trouble after escaping from prison. He's not such a talent, compared to the rest of us, but apparently he's pretty good in hand-to-hand fighting. Shouldn't be a problem for you, Full Metal, even though he's a good few feet taller."

A normal person should've regretted pulling a short-joke on a barely awake, caffeine-craving Edward Elric this early in the morning, but one Flame Alchemist never did. In fact, he mentally gave himself a pat on the back as an angry shriek met his ears followed by many colourful words he would never utter in the presence of children. Not that Full Metal was much of a child, with the exception of certain things (Roy shifted uncomfortably at this, staring at the fuming boy in front of him as he waited for silence), but for heaven's sake; Alphonse was here. Standing behind his older brother, he held back that violent, spazzing midget as best as he could; keeping him from scratching the pale face of their Colonel. For which said Colonel was forever grateful, since he didn't want that blade to cut him into shreds just yet.

"Ah, please stop that high pitched screaming Full Metal," Roy finally got out, a grimace painted across his face and hands ready to cover his ears.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO LITTLE HIS VOICE IS LIKE A GIRL'S?!" Edward screamed, going from his normal high screaming tone to one of the highest tones Roy had ever had the unfortunate to hear. As the panting younger Alchemist calmed down in his ranting, Roy blinked and scratched his ear.

"Whenever you're around I hear such strange whines. They sound strangely like tinnitus should," he suddenly said, as if the thought just crossed his mind, before leaning forward and placing his chin in laced fingers. Before Edward was able to go into another exhausting rant (really, he was surprised the boy hadn't collapsed yet) Roy cut him off, returning to his serious expression.

"However amusing this is, I need to get back to work. So let's get this over with," he begun, noticing that Ed had chosen to say silent and just pout. Which made a dark brow twitch, because he remembered too well how soft those lips were, and how delicious they tasted. Yes, he remembered it way too well. Good thing Hughes had called this morning to tell him about this Ackerley, because he really needed the boy out of here. He had a feeling Edward wouldn't give up, even though Roy had explained to him why they should forget what had happened between them. He could only wish Edward didn't remember things like he did, but the boy's intense stares these past few days told a different story.

"You are to seek up Lt. Colonel Hughes and request any remaining information of the Ackerley case. I have arranged so that you'll be working under the supervision of the Lt. Colonel, and you are to follow his orders while you're there," he continued after a short pause, where he'd regarded the pouting teen closely. "Although you'll be following his orders, I am allowing you some liberties regarding the investigation. You'll find all the information concerning your mission in these papers, along with your train tickets. The train leaves in an hour or so. You are dismissed."

Edward snatched the little bunch of papers the Colonel held out for him and snorted, swiftly turning around and motioning for Alphonse to open the door. He was glad he'd be working with Hughes, but did the Colonel have to crush any hope of starting the day with a remotely good mood? One hour to catch the train? Geez.

"Ah, and Full Metal," a voice laced with mockery called. Edward turned, twitching in annoyance. "Please try to not destroy any building this time; no matter how insignificant they may seem."

Edward blushed, but met the cool silvery stare with an even glare. An image of those smirking lips against his own ran through his mind, and he suddenly remembered why he'd woken up with a strong determination to succeed.

"Of course sir," he said, stealing his Commander's smirk. "I'll be back collecting my reward within less than a few weeks."

Leaving a puzzled Colonel behind, Edward ignored the questioning looks his brother shot him and patted his back mentally. This Ackerley sounded like a piece of cake, and with Hughes the job would be done in a cunning manner; which meant no explosions or dangerous situations (since the man, unlike Ed, seemed to stay far away from such violence). So, what was left was to collect some experience. Blushing, Edward hoped he only had to learn about what couples did and why, because he didn't fancy hooking up with a random person just to be able to say he'd been with more than one. And the idea of kissing someone else than Roy didn't apply to him somehow; he guessed it was because he didn't believe anyone could kiss as well as that man.

Edward grinned and wondered if he could steal one of those kisses when he got back. His grand exit replayed itself in his mind, and his grin turned into one of Mustang's smirks once again. Considering the fun fights he'd be missing, the reward was good enough.

Exiting the military building, Edward and his brother headed for the nearest restaurant. Ed was starving, and he needed to laugh and congratulate himself for leaving Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, speechless. He had a feeling things were going his way for once.

Back in the office, Roy stared at the closed door on the other side of the room. He hadn't moved since the Elrics had left, and was only now able to shake off the strange shock he'd been stuck in. Full Metal's words had sent him straight down into the gutter, and he'd been unable to comment before he'd slammed the door shut and left. Frowning at his dirty mind, he said with a growl; "Who said anything about a reward?"


"Brother, you should at least read through the papers the Colonel gave you," Alphonse said, poking a half-asleep blonde in his ribs. Said blonde jumped and fell off the seat he'd been occupying with a yelp. Lying in a heap on the train's floor, Edward growled.

"I can't stand reading his bullshit," the teen said grumbling, still at his place on the shaking floor. Alphonse sighed and crossed his heavy arms over a steel chest.

"But you'll have to know what he's allowing you to do," the younger brother continued. "He did say you could do some things even though you're under Hughes command this time."

"Yeah, allowing me some liberties regarding the investigation. Like what?! 'You are allowed to go to the bathroom without me knowing'??" Edward snapped, sitting up straight and pulling at his hair slightly. "I can just see him now, sitting by the phone and arranging everything so that we'll be escorted by some well-trained military lapdogs 24-7! 'Oh, and don't forget to report if he decides to take a nap; I want to know how much I can pull off his research funds for slacking hahahahaha!' GAAHHH!! THAT BASTARD!! I want my coffee…he owes me coffee."

Alphonse watched with his usual interest as his brother imitated the Colonel, doing a poor job of hiding his amusement as Edward collapsed because of the lack of caffeine. It was always amusing to be around Ed after his meetings with the Colonel, if a bit tiring. The older boy seemed to obsess over the Colonel, but Alphonse didn't mind as long as he didn't spend more than an hour complaining about 'that bastard'. One could only take that much swearing at his age.

"….you should really check though," Al stated. "Before Hughes finds out you don't know what he can and can't do."

Edward force and made a grimace before standing and sitting down on the hard seat again.

"Yeah, yeah I'll read," he muttered, more than a little scared of what might happen if Hughes guessed he hadn't read Mustang's report.

Starting with the first paper, something that looked like a letter, Edward read:

"Full Metal,

During your mission you will follow the orders of Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes and work with the Investigations Division to find and capture one Benjamin Ackerley; suspected for murder and assault of military personnel.

You may use any method of your choosing to collect information, and you have my permission to question any military employee you deem necessary in order to complete your task.

However, you are to report to the Lt. Colonel whenever you make a decision, and you are to contact me if any higher ranked officer orders you to stay put.

And Full Metal; do not wander off on your own, or destroy the city. Unless an army of armed chimeras happens to spot you and decides to chase you and make you their dinner. No matter how amusing, it would cost me more than a civil war.

And please, try not to kill yourself, Full Metal. The hospital fees are higher than you think. You have soon emptied more bank accounts than the Führer.

Signed,

Colonel Roy Mustang, Flame Alchemist

Eastern HQ"

"WHY THE FUCK DID HE EVEN BOTHER TO WRITE THIS SHIT?!" Edward screamed, throwing all the papers into the air while ripping apart the letter he'd been reading; ignoring his little brother's protest.

Alphonse sighed. He had wanted to read that letter, but it was now in tiny bits floating in the air. His brother's reactions told him he would've enjoyed reading it, which only made him sigh heavier.

The rest of the trip was spent with mutters of bastard, and I'll introduce him to some chimeras, whatever that meant. Edward didn't notice the crumbled bits of papers his little brother clutched in his hands, which was just as well. No matter how promising the coming days would be, today was one of the worst this week in Ed's opinion.

It seemed as if the Colonel had figured out he wouldn't give up, and he was giving him a frightening loose leash after only days before informing him he needed a shorter. If Edward wasn't one with a will of steel, he would've blown up more than one building on his search for information this time. After all, he could. He was allowed to. Because the Colonel had given him permission to use any method he wanted, and everyone knew Edward chose the most blunt and fastest ways. Which led to explosions, most of the time. He didn't really know why, but that didn't matter. The thing was that Mustang had given him a tempting freedom. But if he wanted to succeed, Edward had to tighten his own leash and turn Central into ruins.

Suddenly, his reward became a little less worth it all. Perhaps he should demand something more, while he was at it. Chances were the Colonel would refuse him, but he hoped that wouldn't be the case. After all, the man had his honour, right? So when proven wrong, he just had to own up to his loss.

If he didn't, then, well…

Alphonse had to look away to spare himself the speculations of what his brother might be plotting. He didn't really want to know what he was going to do to the Colonel, but somehow he felt sorry for the older man. Such a wicket grin on the young blonde's lips only meant one thing; war.


A/N: who do you think is gonna win? Ed or Roy? Oo and omg Al you're evil there's a reason as to why Ed destroyed that letter! XD

REVIEW! please?