A/N: Hi there everybody! waves I'm back. Thank you guys SOOO much for the reviews!!! see, guys, reviews are, like, the elixir of life for me when it comes to fanfics. And when it comes to other things there's sweet tea. P anyway, I'd like to introduce my new editor for this story, Shelby! Yay! She sadly is not here at the moment and I can't get in contact with her before I post but she will add a word in next chapter. Also, just as a warning it will switch back and forth between POVs I will put it in there though. Don't worry.;;; Anyway, I'll stop wasting your time. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

I'll be fine

(Normal POV)

The black car pulled into the drive-way briskly. As two men slid out of the car the one on the passenger's side whistled lowly. "Jeez, Roy," he said, kicking an empty can lying on the ground. "Don't you think you can afford a nicer place than this with your salary?"

The dark haired man who had crawled from the driver's seat, Roy, glared half-heartedly at his friend. "Hughes, you remember why I moved out here, right?"

Hughes scratched his head. "Yeah, yeah, to investigate the area from the inside undercover, I know." Hughes mumbled, "But why didn't you just drive out here for a quick look-see then be done with it? It's not like you to not slack off, Roy. And besides, I keep telling you to find a wife, but what woman in her right mind would marry a guy who chooses to live out here when he has a choice?"

"Hughes! Stop bringing that up! I'll find a wife when I feel like it!"

"Hush, hush!" Hughes hissed, "You're going to wake the whole neighborhood up. It's Friday morning, Roy, kids have to get up for school in a few hours."

—000—

Around seven a.m., as the sun rose into the sky, Roy and Hughes were dragging the last few boxes into Roy's new house. "Well, that's everything. We're done!" Hughes cheered.

"Yeah, now even though they're out of the car you still promised to help me unpack a little." Roy chuckled when his friend let out a disappointed groan. "Come on, I really do appreciate the help."

As the two made their way towards the door they heard muffled yells coming from the house next door. Out of curiosity, Roy slowed his pace, listening intently to the argument going on behind the door. But when he veered over towards the fence he felt Hughes arm grab him, holding him back. Roy looked at his friend, to see Hughes shake his head. "Don't get involved, Roy."

Roy jumped in surprise, however, when the door slammed open and a yelling blonde teen stomped into the front yard. "Leave me alone! I have to go to school! Come on, Al."the boy called as he trudged angrily towards the little fence gate at the end of the walkway.

Roy's attention only turned from the boy when he heard a worried call of "Brother!" as a second, slightly taller teen joined the first at the gate. The second boy stopped his little half jog once he seemed to notice Roy's starring eyes. The taller teen smiled so nicely at him. It was almost scary.

"Oh, hello." the boy chirped, "Are you going to be our new neighbor?"Roy just nodded numbly, gaze still fixed on the shorter boy at the gate. "Awesome." he said, offer Roy his hand, "I'm Alphonse Elric, what's your name?"

Roy shook his head vigorously before giving the boy's hand a shake. "Oh! Um, I'm Roy Mustang." He said, then gestured towards Hughes. "And that's my friend, Maes Hughes, he's helping me move in."

"Ah, I see."Al pointed at the short teen next to him. "This is my older brother, Edward."

"Older brother?"

"Yeah."

"But you're so much talle-"

Al did some sort of frantic flail, spouting off gibberish, before clapping his hands over his brother's ears as Edward growled. Roy raises a brow quizzically at the two. "Brother likes to think he's not short. He calls himself vertically challenged and gets very angry is someone mentions our height difference." Al hissed before removing his hands from his brother's head.

Roy was about to respond when a yell from the doorway of the brothers's house cut him off. "Edward! Don't forget!" the man in the doorway shouted as Edward clenched his fists, his whole body tensing with him at the sound of the man's voice. This did not go unnoticed by Roy.

Ed turned around swiftly, glaring daggers at the man in the doorway. "I won't forget, okay!"Ed screamed in a frustrated manor.

"Good! Because I'm sure your brother doesn't want another sprained wrist or worse. You need to be more careful about your actions."

Roy glanced at Al who looked pretty pissed off himself. 'Well,' Roy thought, 'There must be something going on here. I guess I really did choose the right house.'

With a final glare the two brothers set off down the sidewalk, Al waving waving good-bye to Roy as they passed. Roy managed to catch the beginning of their conversation before they were out of earshot.

"Do you want me to buy you something to eat, Brother?" Al asked sympathetically.

"No." Ed answered, "I don't want that bastard hurting you again. I'll be fine. Don't worry."

Hughes walked over to stand beside his friend. "Roy?" He asked in a worried tone.

Roy let a smirk creep onto his face. "Well, it looks like I have my work cut out for me." he mumbled before heading inside.

—000—

Around noon the two men took a break form unpacking. Hughes stretched tiredly, glancing at Roy who was starring at the clock they had puled from one of the boxes. Hughes was about to speak, but his friend cut him off with a question of his own.

"What time do the schools get out around here?" Roy asked quietly.

Hughes smiled. "Oh! And why would you want to know about that?" he asked suggestively, "You want to see those boys again?"

Roy glared. "Well, yes. I'm sure you saw that there was something suspicious going on, Hughes. I plan to find out what it is. So, maybe I'll talk to the younger one, the older seems to know more but he didn't seem like the talkative type."

Hughes yawned and headed for the door. "I have to leave now, but be careful Roy, don't get yourself killed all right?"Hughes said, earning a weak smile from Roy.

Hughes opened the door before calling "Two o'clock." back to Roy. The raven-haired man tilted his head at his friend. Hughes chuckled, "The school gets out at two o'clock."

—000—

Ed's POV

I tapped my pen irritably against my desk. Why the Hell did my school have to require an arts class for graduation? (A/N: Yeah, my school does that. is sitting in art class while writing rough draft) This is the most boring class video I have EVER had to sit through in my entire school career. (A/N: I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ED! is not really paying attention to most boring I've video ever had to sit through in my entire school career yeah, I'll leave you guys alone now.) And I'm hungry!

Ugh. If only there was a way to eat without Al getting hurt. But that bastard has eyes everywhere. Yes, even at school. The stupid Vice Principal is a frequent 'customer' and the guy watches me like a hawk. And if I eat anything he tells my dad. That's what happened last time. I snuck a burger and some fries using Al's account and the Vice Principal saw me and went squealing to my father, 'Hohenhiem! Hohenhiem! You're son was eating without your permission!' UGH! He's such a tattle-tail to my dad like an obedient dog.

When I got home that day with Al my father grabbed him and told me that if I ever pulled such a stunt again my brother would be as good as dead. And after making such a statement he proceeded to twist Al's wrist until I swore to never do it ever again. Once Al was released I rushed to his side and began checking his arm only to find it slightly sprained.

I looked up at the clock hopefully. Yes! Only one more hour! Wait, why the Hell am I happy? I'm just going to have to go home after this. Hmmmm... Maybe I can convince the old bastard to just let me sleep when I get home. I really don't feel like being fucked today. Well, I mean, you know, I don't feel like being fucked any day. Well, I mean, of course I want to be fuck sometimes. I'm only human. But, you know- AGH! Damn it! Big picture, please! I don't feel like it TODAY! Period!

I huffed at my desk, gathering my binders and stuffing them in my bag as the bell rang. At least my favorite class was next and the last one for the day. All I can say is, Thank god for science class. Man, I could use an Advil.

—000—

The final bell rang, releasing the students from the confines of school. While everyone else rushed home I waited for Al then walked home slowly. The farther from school I got, the closer I came to our Hell hole of a home.

Al's attention turned to my stomach as it growled loudly. His frown only deepened as I grew tired shortly into our walk home. We stopped where we always did and allowed me to rest. "Brother..." Al began, "I don't want you to suffer because of me."

"Don't be silly, Al. I'm fine." I said, a strained smile on my face.

"No, you aren't!" Al yelled, "Look at you! You can't even make the short walk home from school. Brother, please! You have to eat something! I don't care if I'm hurt, but if you don't eat something soon you'll die! You claim you're fine but you and I both know otherwise. Please eat, and get better."

I starred at the ground solemnly before shoving myself off the bench and offering my boney hand to my brother. "Come on, Al...let's go home."

—000—

Normal POV

"Son of a bitch!" Roy yelled, leaping backwards to avoid the pile of boxes that had toppled over. "T-That was close. I think I may be more afraid of the boxes than the neighborhood criminals." Roy glanced at the clock sitting on another pile of boxes in the corner. "So, it's two o'clock already. Fantastic!" That said, Roy trotted to the yard to wait for the two brothers.

Just as expected, around two-thirty, the two boys came walking up to the houses. They appeared to be having a debate of some kind as they entered the yard. As much as Roy respected other people's privacy, he couldn't help but eavesdrop.

"Brother, I'm serious." Al said, "I'm worried about your health."

Ed growled threateningly. "Just drop it Al! Now stay here. I'm going to go check it out, okay?" Ed bounded off towards the house, swinging the door open and creeping slowly inside.

Only then did Al seem to notice Roy's presence. "Oh!...Mr. Mustang, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Al spoke quietly.

Roy raised a hand in understanding. "That's quite all right, Alphonse. And please, call me Roy."

"Oh! Okay!"

"So, where's your brother off to that you can't go to?" Roy asked.

—000—

Ed's POV

I slipped inside silently, looking around for sings of my father in the living room. Nothing. I froze, however, when a call came from the kitchen. "Edward that had better be you!" I heard the bastard yell. As I slid into the kitchen, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Vice Principal sitting at the kitchen table.

I turned my gaze fully on him for a moment before looking back at my father mumbling, "I didn't eat anything today."

"I know." Was that bastard smirking?! "Mr. Harrison here just dropped by for his weekly fuck. Don't you pay attention to the days you bitch?!"

I winced at being called a bitch. "Oh." I murmured, "I guess I just...forgot." My wince turned into a scowl when Vice Principal Harrison walked over and grabbed my ass. A shiver raced up and down my spine. I hate when this sicko touches me! It feels like slimy little snakes slithering all over me. When the "Snake Man" pulled me towards my bedroom I glared hotly over my shoulder ast my father.

"Don't give me that look." He demanded, "Now go fetch Alphonse on your way past. Since you'll be busy he can make me a late lunch."

As Harrison and I passed the front door I stuck my head out and called Al in. It looked like he was in deep conversation with that guy from this morning. Roy, uhhhh...I don't remember his last name. Some kind of horse. Our new neighbor gave Vice Principal Harrison a quizzical look before I was dragged from the doorway towards my bedroom.

—000—

Well, so much for the go home and rest without being fucked plan.

I looked away with a blush as my shirt was tossed onto the floor. No matter how many times I did this I was still a little self-conscious. "Uh, um, w-we have a new neighbor." I blurted out randomly as Vice Principal Harrison dragged his lips down my neck.

I leaned forward a bit, trying to get more comfortable. Harrison shoved me back down with a grunt. "I don't care." He breathed, nibbling on my ear before reaching down to undo my pants. "All I care about is you and that hot body."

I sighed inwardly. This was going to be a long night. Wait, afternoon! Oh, I don't give a damn.

—000—

Normal POV

Roy stayed in the yard after the two brothers went inside, just waiting for the strange man with Edward to appear again. Okay, so he went in search of a coffee place at first, but upon returning home half an hour later and seeing the strange man's truck still in the drive-way Roy decided to wait.

Around four o'clock Roy was about to head inside until the man finally emerged from the house. Roy assumed by the man's disheveled there had been some kind of rough housing. It was the question of what kind of rough housing that concerned Roy.

Roy didn't go unnoticed by the man. As the man slicked his light brown hair back he looked at Roy. "Good fuck, that one." the man said, still fixing his hair. "You should check that bitch out sometime." That said, the man climbed in his truck and drove off.

Roy gawked at the vanishing truck. 'Is Edward and Alphonse's mom a hooker?!' Roy asked himself, 'Well, in this part of town that wouldn't exactly be unheard of.' He reasoned, 'Maybe I'll ask them about it tomorrow.' His mind set, Roy headed inside for a nice dinner.

—000—

Roy rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he dragged himself into his room. He glanced out his window and noticed a window of the Elric household was right across from his own. 'Well..' Roy thought, 'I wonder whose room that is? I guess I'll find out later.'

He looked up at the clock he'd set up in his room. 'Crap! It's 12:30! And I still have to finish that paperwork. Aww, man!' With a final pout Roy plopped onto the floor with a clipboard of papers in tow.

—000—

Ed rolled around on his bed furiously. Somehow, no matter what he did, he couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep. (A/N: I hate when that happens. TT) So he glared angrily at the dark ceiling. Ed looked around the room, noticing a small patch of light coming from the house next door.

He rolled on his side and looked at his alarm clock to see '12:47' shining on its face. 'What the Hell is that guy still doing up?!' Ed crawled over to the window and looked through, seeing Roy signing away at something. He glared. 'It's probably his damn light that's keeping me up.'(A/N: He sounds like my mom. XD) He reasoned, forcing all the blame on Roy.

Ed thrust open the window, took a deep breath and called out semi-loudly, not wanting to wake the whole neighborhood, or worse his father. "Hey!" no response. "HEY!" Still nothing. The boy looked around his room until he noticed a stray baseball on the floor Al had been tossing while Ed helped him study for a test earlier.'Perfect.' he thought, picking up the ball.

Ed drew his arm back, aiming carefully for the wall just the right of Roy's window. Heaving his arm forward he released the ball from his grasp. Only after Ed heard the crash and saw the broken window, hands clasped tightly over his mouth in shock, did he remember he had terrible aim.

—000—

Roy heard the crash and glanced down at the baseball rolling towards his feet and, due to his tired state of mind, it took him a moment to put two and two together. His eyes grew wide at the realization and he suddenly was no longer tired. Roy threw his head up just in time to see a golden coated head duck under the windowsill of the opposite house.

Roy was able to differentiate between the two shades of blonde easily. Instantly knowing the culprit wad none other than Edward Elric. Roy pushed the window(or what was left of it) up and stuck his out, clearing his throat to notify Edward of his presence.

As expected, a pair of golden eyes peeked over the edge of the windowsill cautiously. Roy eyed the boy expectantly, tapping his finger tips on his own windowsill. "Well..." Roy said, "Mind explaining why you just threw a baseball through my window?"

The blonde's head ducked a bit lower, accompanied by a hesitant, "I'd rather not."

"Well, are you going to pay for the damage you caused?" Roy asked with a tint of anger in his voice.

Edward seemed to be having an inner battle before looking back to Roy and shaking his head back and forth. "I don't have money to pay for that." Ed said.

Roy raised a brow. "Don't your parents have money? Have them pay for it and work it off, Edward."

Ed's head jerked upward, starring Roy in the eye. "Please don't call me that."

Roy tilted his head. "And why not? That's your name."

Ed shook his head. "Just call me Ed. Edward is what my father calls me."

Roy shook his head fiercely, trying to remain focused on the real reason for their conversation. "So, like I said. Work it off for your parents." Roy's mind seemed to track off to his earlier thoughts. 'I'm sure your mother has enough money to pay for a little window.' He thought cruely.

Ed seemed to be contemplating this for a moment. 'Let's see...either A: Make up some story to get out of it/find a better solution, B: take his suggestion and ask Dad(no thank you), or C:tell him the truth about why you can't take his suggestion...What is A, please.' "Ummm...No. I think I have a better idea."

"That being?"

"You pay for the window-"

"Hey now! You broke it!"

"Let me finish you bastard! You pay for the window and I'll make it up to you, you follow?"

Roy raised a brow in curiosity. He could use some help. "Go on."

"Well, I could help you finish getting moved in! Or, I could finish that stuff you were working on before the window incident. Or I could clean your yard or your office, wherever your work. Or, if you really want to, I'll sleep with you. Or, you know, I could suck-"

Roy waved his arms around quickly, sputtering random words. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Time out! Okay, uhh..." 'Calm down, Roy! He's just a horny teen begging for sex. Probably thinks he's missing out since his mother is always bringing people over, I'm sure. Oh, Shit! I haven't said anything! Say something!' Roy coughed. "As appealing as the second part sounds- I mean, Wait! Fuck! I would very much appreciate the help moving in and cleaning but as far as everything else goes, I'm good, thanks."

Ed looked at his hands, a small smile finding it's way onto his face. "I see." He mumbled, "Then, since tomorrow is Saturday I'll come over and clean your yard and unpack some things if you'd like."

"That would be nice, thank you."

"You're welcome. But I have to be home by two-thirty because I have to...do my chores! Yeah, my dad gets really upset if I don't get home on time." Roy starred oddly as Edward released a nervous laugh.

—000—

Two a.m. came before they knew it. They had gotten to talking and got so into their conversation they lost track of time. Ed's eyes grew wide when he looked at the clock. "Holy Shit!"

Roy gave him a concerned look. "What? What's wrong?" He asked.

"It's two a.m!"

"Really? Wow. Then I guess we should probably hit the hay, shouldn't we?"

"Yeah. Oh! Um..." Ed stammered, "Do...Do you think we could, you know...do this again sometime?"

Roy smiled. "Of course. Anytime. How about we meet again tomorrow? Same time."

Ed nodded happily before pulling back closing his window and rolling back into bed. Roy smiled. 'He's a sweet kid, very smart.' Roy thought, 'Kinda skinny...but sweet.'

-TBC-

A/N: flops back in seat OMG! I thought I'd never finished typing! Since I've been typing the last few hours I'm going to keep this short. Also, my Editor has given me a message for you guys so here she is, Shelby.

E/N: Okay, hi, people. I'm the editor she was talking about in the prologue. I feel so honored. I really didn't know why she chose me. OO I don't know what else to say, Rikku made me forget. XD