I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of it's characters.

Falling Away With Me

By: DudeGetATree

Chapter 2: Cold Out

~.~

Roy opened the passenger side door for the blonde man who walked closely behind him.

"Thanks," Ed muttered as he got in the car. He immediately turned his head to look out the window once Roy got into the car. 'This is going to be fantastic,' The blonde thought sarcastically.

"Ed?" Roy broke his train of thought. Ed side glanced at him. "I asked if you've gotten taller?"

"Hmph. I'm surprised you noticed."

Roy smirked, "That's not the only difference I've noticed. But, it is hard to overlook the fact that I was able to look straight over your head and now," he paused and chuckled, "Well, I can still look over your head."

"Shut up, bastard!" Ed growled under his breath as the man continued to laugh. "You always have something to say, don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Asshole."

"Midget."

"You're a real dick, you know that?"

"And you're little brat, but, I'm sure you were already aware." Ed turned to glare at Roy, but his eyes widened slightly when he saw the man smiling softly. The blonde's gaze softened. "Just like old times." Roy murmured to himself, unsure if Ed heard or not. He wouldn't know, because Ed didn't answer either way.

"So are you going to explain this situation to me or is this just a waste of my time," Ed asked without looking away from the window.

"Right." Roy turned the car onto a familiar street. "I have all of the paperwork in my office, but I guess I could quickly brief you on the matter. There's been conflict between South City and Aerugo."

"Aerugo? We've never had problems with them before."

"That's why we aren't so sure on how to approach the situation. As you know, Aerugo is a major travel spot for Amestrians as well as there being a source of trade between our country and theirs. However, lately there have been uprisings at the border, trying to keep Aerugo citizens from coming into Amestris. The country is to the point of cutting off all ties with us. Many of their citizens have been killed along with some of ours."

"What the hell is the South Command doing about this?!"

"They're trying their best, Ed. However, you and I both know that South Command doesn't have the most military stationed there. So, now it's time for us at Central to get involved."

Ed sighed and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Roy was right. The Southern and Western Command Centers weren't the most equipped with military. Amestris' biggest focus was Northern Command due to Drachma always trying to start a war and Eastern Command due to the rebuilding of Ishval.

"So, where do I come in during all of this? Am I supposed to go in and cause a scene? Scare these people with my almighty auto mail and make them cut their shit out?"

Roy's eyebrows knitted together at the sarcasm that dripped out of Edward's mouth. "No, however you will be acting as our negotiator. The Aerugo military is willing to work things out. However, their negotiator requests to speak to you and you alone. Of course, we will enter the country with you, however it's you that the woman would like to communicate."

Ed's eyebrows rose in confusion. "Me? Why me?"

"I guess she knows you from your travels throughout the country. They wouldn't give us her name, they only said that she requested you."

"Hmph, and if it wasn't for her wanting to speak with me, I wouldn't even have gotten this mission," Ed stated bitterly. 'I wouldn't even have heard from you, prick.'

"Actually, that's not true." Ed side glanced at the man once again. Roy turned his head slightly and smirked at the younger man. "You're the only one I know who has been to Aerugo and speaks their language. I would have called you, just in case we needed a translator."

Ed felt the anger inside him rise as he snapped his head away from the older man. "You're a fucking prick, you know that?"

"And yet you still came...I wonder why that is," Roy smiled at the blonde's flushed face.

"Not for you, that's for sure," Ed spat.

"You don't have to be so hostile, Edward."

"Shut up, Roy."

"Are you hungry?" Ed looked at Roy. Well, that was a sudden change. "There's a new Xingese place that opened up not to far from my place."

Ed was skeptical, but his stomach growled and earned a laugh from the raven haired man.

"Xingese sound good?"

"I guess. But don't try anything stupid, Mustang."

~.~

Ed smiled as he followed Roy up to the doorstep of the man's house. As much as the Elric brother hated to admit it, and he sure as hell wouldn't admit to it out loud, he enjoyed dinner with Roy. It had brought back old memories. Memories that Edward had tried so hard to forget. Memories that always stayed with him. Memories that would surely get him into trouble if he kept thinking that way. Ed looked to the left and realized there was another car parked in the driveway.

"You have company?" Ed asked without thinking. Roy paused, his hand still on the doorknob.

"I – uh," Roy was cut off when a Riza opened the door, gun in her hand.

"God, you two scared me. I thought someone was trying to break in," She put her gun down and looked at the now dumbfounded Edward.

Roy glanced over at Ed just as realization hit him.

"Edward, it's so good to see you again! And you've gotten taller. Come in you two! It must be cold out."

"That it is, Lieutenant," Ed stated grimly as he glanced once more at Roy and walked in past him.

~.~

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