I think yesterdays chapter brought in more reviews than I'd ever seen before. Only the end chapter of Return to Amestris brough in an equal amount. And I thank everyone who showed their support and thanked me at the very end. 11 reviews in total... I about had a happy heart attack. Now to answer JC's question...

JC: Yes, he is, but we get to see that in this chapter.

Everyone else, I am so glad you were having a heap of laughs yesterday. And I love that Daphne has her own fan club. I love her too, I can't put my finger on why, but she's just loveable. I'll try to get back to answering more reviews later.

It was so nice to see so many familiar faces come back! I had hoped you would. And even some new faces from around the time I was ending Return to Amestris. The support the first chapter was given made me so happy, it truly did. Apparently I've in the process converted a few people to liking yaoi. Woohoo! And apparently I am funny. Yay! I shall try not to disappoint! I am not sure the username of the person, or if they have an account here, but I want to again thank the person who drew me that wonderful piece of fanart. You are not at all a terrible artist, you even colored it! I can only imagine the time you spent on it and I am very grateful. I love the picture, and I wish I could share it with everyone else.

All righty, I know the first chapter had people nearly dying in laughter. I'm so pleased! This chapter has it's funny moments too, but it has some other moments too, because I still have to develop up a relationship here. But I know you all liked the cute stuff too, so, without further ado...


Chapter Two

Edward flopped down into a chair and grabbed up the phone to dial the flat he shared with Alphonse. He waited three rings before Al picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, well, sort of." Ed laughed into the mouthpiece and tipped his head back to stare up at the ceiling.

"Sort of? What's going on?"

"I am going to kind of be gone for a week. I have to stay at Mustang's place."

"What? Why? Are you sure you won't kill each other? I mean, I know you've been getting along better over the years but still…"

"It'll be fine," Ed said, or, at least he hoped it would be. "Misunderstandings are what they are and Mustang's mother, Daphne, such a delightful woman, believes I am her son's fiancé."

At those words Breda, Hawkeye, and Fuery all chuckled to themselves and started cracking identical smirks. None of them envied Ed for his situation right now.

"You're marrying Mustang? Good going."

Ed glared at the phone, "I told you! It's a misunderstanding! I'm not actually marrying that womanizer. I rather lack the body parts he desires."

"That's a crude way to put it."

"Well, oh well." Ed sighed. "So I'm staying over at his place to help him keep this stupid act up. She believes I live over there and probably thinks we have a very healthy sex life."

Breda nearly snorted his coffee.

"Nice."

"Yes, that's what I'm thinking." Ed groaned to himself, putting his free hand to his forehead to massage his temples. "The bastard is sure going to owe me for this."

"You're not going to blackmail him, are you?"

Ed grinned and kicked back more in the chair he was occupying. "Relax, Al, would I do something like that?"

"When Mustang is involved? Yes!"

Edward laughed, sometimes he felt his brother knew him too well. "So you'll be able to manage without me for a week?"

"I'll make sure the week long party is over and cleaned up when you get back."

"Splendid!"

"He's not going to kill you or anything, is he?"

"He better not, I'm apparently saving his ass here." Ed drawled and suddenly said, "I've gotta go now. Sorry, I'll call you later though, okay?"

"Have fun, don't do anything I wouldn't!"

Ed rolled his eyes, "yeah, yeah, bye." He said and hung up the phone. Just what did Al think he was going to do? Really his whole interaction with Mustang was the exact opposite of Al's meek obedience to the man. Don't do anything Al wouldn't… pfft. What a thing to tell him.

"Come on, we're leaving." Mustang said as he approached Edward.

"Where to? It's not even close to six. Can't we be fashionably late or something?" Ed asked him.

"No, now." Mustang insisted. "You need to go get your clothes and such don't you? Or do you plan to run around dressed like a punk in my house?"

"I am capable of transmuting things you know." Ed growled, "unless of course you forgot that little tidbit. And since when have you ever thought I dressed like a punk? Or cared how I dressed?"

"If you'd just wear the uniform…"

"I don't think so." Edward shuddered. "Those things are too hard to move in for what I do. And unless you want me shipped back here one day in pieces, you'll not ever try and force me into one of those things." He said as he got up with a languid stretch. "Let's go then, sweetheart. I want you to meet your future brother in law whilst I pack to move in with you, love of my life."

His words caused those in the office to snort with amusement.

"Goody," Roy said sarcastically, "I can't wait. Do you think I'll get "the talk" as well?"

"More like a threat." Ed corrected amid the laughter floating through the office right now.

The two of them walked out of the office to whistles and cheers from the men, and an amused shake of the head from Hawkeye's direction.

Apartment of the "Future Brother in Law"

"Wow, break up already?" Al asked as Ed suddenly walked through the door of the flat they shared near the center of the city.

"I'm here to collect my things." Ed sighed dramatically, "he," Ed jerked a thumb back over his shoulder to where Roy was following him in, "won't take me shopping for all new things."

"You're going to eat all my food anyway!" Mustang shot back as Ed vanished with a theatrical wave into his bedroom. "Hey, Alphonse."

"Hello sir." Al said with a smile from where he sat on the couch. "Could I get you something to drink?"

"Something strong. Even coffee would do."

"Coffee it is." Al agreed and rose to his feet to walk the short distance to the kitchen. "I'd offer you some rum or a scotch or something, but somehow I don't think your mother would like you coming home drunk." He said, busying himself with the coffee machine.

Roy snorted and he took the spot on the couch Al had vacated. "It'd just give her something else to gripe about."

"You're lucky to have a mother who cares about what happens to you." Al told him frankly.

"I love her, don't get me wrong. She is my only mother after all." Roy sighed and kneaded his forehead with one gloved hand, "but sometimes I wish she'd let me live my life as I choose."

"She just doesn't want to see you end up alone or something is what it sounds like." Al admitted as he finished setting the machine up and dark liquid began to flow into the pot with a hiss of steam. "At least from what I've gathered from brother."

"Maybe I'm supposed to end up alone." Mustang voiced dully, feeling slightly put out just by saying those words. But really, he'd been with easily over one hundred women, and none of them he'd ever considered second date material. It seemed there was no one out there for him, and he supposed he would have to accept that fact one day. Now, getting his mother to accept that fact? That was a whole different battle.

Al cast him a reproachful look as he filled a dark coffee mug and brought it over to the down looking general. "Now don't say stuff like that. Of course you're not."

Roy accepted the mug with muttered thanks and took a long sip of the scalding liquid. "Well, for sanities sake I should hope you're right."

"Okay, I'm ready!" Ed announced grandly as he strode out, suitcase in hand.

"What is that?" Mustang asked, casting the suitcase a wary look.

"A suitcase, genius."

"You can't bring in a suitcase, she'll see!"

Edward gave him a rebuking look and raised both his eyebrows in disbelief, "I can't believe you don't remember I'm an alchemist. Being in an office all the time is turning your brain to mush."

"Prove me wrong!"

Edward shrugged and set the suitcase down before clapping his hands and placing them on the object. "There, all better." He said, and picked up the black top hat that now sat on the floor. With a flourish he placed it at a jaunty angle atop his head.

"You look ridiculous." Al laughed with a wide smile.

"Thank you." Ed flashed him a smile.

Ridiculous… somehow that didn't seem to suit. Roy couldn't place his finger on just what Edward wearing a top hat was, but it was not ridiculous. "Great, now I'm engaged to a gentlemen pimp dressed like a punk."

"I'm so glad you accept me for who I am." Edward smirked and walked over to flop down next to him on the couch, effectively pinning in the man between he and Al. He reached up to whip the top hat off and settled it on Roy's sleek black hair. He then pursed his lips, leaning back to observe his handiwork.

Al too was examining the effect, before nodding slowly. "Not bad, but he doesn't have the body structure to pull it off."

"I agree." Ed said and whipped the top hat off as Roy fumed a light shade of crimson. "I'm sorry, am I embarrassing you?" He asked with a wide grin.

"Oh shut up." Roy growled and ripped the hat from Ed's slender fingers and perched it back upon the blonde's head as he stood.

"I guess that's my cue to go." Edward said and turned to Al as the two exchanged identical grins. "See you in a week."

"Congratulations, don't forget to invite me to the spur of the moment wedding!" Al grinned after them.

Mustang groaned and set his now empty coffee mug on a kitchen counter and strode towards the door. "Thanks for the coffee, Al."

"Sure."

"Bye Al, I'll call you tomorrow." Ed waved, exiting the door and closing it with a sweeping bow, top hat in one hand. He closed and locked the door, placing the hat back on his head jauntily. "Shall we?"

"You're getting too much enjoyment out of this." Mustang grumbled as he began walking down the stairwell.

"Would you rather I be an obnoxious pest?" Ed asked, "you know I can be. Just say the word."

"No thanks, I've gotten used to us being able to get along for the most part."

"Yes, oddly enough you're less of a bastard when you act humane."

This thread of conversation kept both alchemists dually entertained on the walk back to Mustang's house. A place both of them were dreading reaching. Tonight would prove to be a major hurdle to leap over with success. Both of them had no doubt about that.

When Mustang's rather accommodating house loomed in front of them, both men stopped at the same time to consider it.

"Ready for this, Fullmetal?"

"Only if you are, Flame." Edward replied firmly and readjusted his top hat to make sure it was still set perfectly. "Nice house by the way."

"Thanks." Mustang replied, taking a deep breath to try and loosen up. "It's bought and paid for. Took me a while, but I did it. I wanted to buy it without relying on family money. I wanted to be independent of them entirely."

"I've never heard you talk about your family before. I mean, I knew you must have had one… but meeting your mom? That was a surprise, you look a lot like her."

"The rest is all my dad." Roy filled in, "mom's the only one I have left. My sister was killed in the war, along with my father. I guess I have a reason sort of like yours not to want to talk too much about certain members of my family."

Edward looked over at him thoughtfully, before suddenly grabbing the top hat off his head and perching it on Roy's again. "Well, those of us with the strange and sad family histories must stick together. I'll help you through this one… you helped me through mine for years with Al. I've never really thanked you for that."

"You don't need to." Mustang shook his head, somehow the top hat didn't fall in the process. "It was symbiotic."

"Great thanks, which one of us is the parasite and which is the host?" Ed cracked a grin.

"You, parasite." Roy said, pointing at Ed before walking a few steps forward and turning to face the blonde while spreading his arms wide to frame the large mansion-like house behind him. "Me? Host."

"Maybe one of these days the host will learn to speak in complete sentences." Edward rolled his eyes and stepped forward to seize his hat again.

"Maybe one of these days the pest will learn to be obedient." Mustang mocked as he followed after Ed, rolling his eyes as the blonde fussed over the top hat he'd settled on his head again. Though really, he had to admit, the hat didn't detract very much at all from the younger man. Wait… reverse that thought train back up this minute. Did he just think what he thought he had? Ugh, screw this, Edward just didn't look like an ugly buffoon in a black top hat. That was the end of that.

Edward cast a strange look back at the flustered looking Mustang. What had gotten under his collar all of a sudden? Deciding that perhaps Mustang was just still feeling stressed by the situation he now found himself in, Ed passed it off as nothing to be concerned about. Yet that didn't stop him from giving Mustang a reassuring smile, an odd gesture for him. "Just think of it like a mission."

"You consider my mother a mission?" Roy asked, startled from his thoughts as he pulled out a large brass key to fit into the lock on the front door.

Ed chuckled at the likeness and shrugged, "if that's what helps you get through this."

"I expect a detailed report then upon completion." Mustang smirked at him and let them in.

"You may expect all you want, but you shall not get."

"Why not? Your last one was actually quite passable."

"I had Al edit it." Edward filled him in with a smug twinkle in his golden eyes.

"A-and that would be why."

"Bastard." Edward said, and didn't appear to notice that the word lacked a great deal of malice as it slipped from his lips.

Any further conversation between the two was cut short as Mrs. Mustang suddenly appeared in the foyer. "You two are just in time, and Ed, what a charming hat. Where did you get it?" She asked as she walked over to them.

"I bought it for him." Roy provided with a genteel smile. "It does rather suit him."

"I agree." Daphne said, still examining the effect.

Edward managed to maintain his composure and not break out in a wide grin. But he did give Roy a caressing look with his eyes, "he's really so sweet."

Roy tried to ignore the unsettling feeling that settled in his stomach at that look Ed had given him. Where the hell had Edward learned to act like this? He knew that Ed hadn't exactly had time for romance in his hectic life. The only woman who got closest to him only saw the automail as anything delightful. Yet this blonde just might be able to give Roy himself a run for his money. He suddenly believed Ed capable of luring any woman who happened to stare too long into those eyes. So what was he doing staring at them for so long?

"Roy, pay attention, I asked you a question."

Mustang jumped and wrenched his gaze back to his mother. "Sorry?"

"I asked if you'd gotten all your work done." She repeated, fixing him with an odd look.

"Yes, I did."

"Let's have dinner then, I've cooked something wonderful." Daphne said, heading down one brightly lit and polished hallway.

Edward nodded and bent down to pull off his boots, stashing them nearby Roy's before padding sock-footed after the black haired alchemist. After all, he had no clue where anything was in this house. As he walked he watched the back of Roy's head thoughtfully, how long had Roy been looking straight into his eyes like that? It had made him feel strange, and it had seemed all too long and all too short at the same time. He'd been torn between decking the man, and just seeing what transpired.

After a slightly long feeling walk down several beautifully decorated hallways, they entered the dining room that was already set for three. The table was long, and made of mahogany wood, and easily able to accommodate a good twenty people of so, Ed thought. The dishes and food had been set at one of the corners, and Edward took the seat at the head of the table by Daphne's request. As he did so, he tried not to gawk and stare around.

The dining room had a large fireplace on one end which was crackling merrily. The ceiling was vaulted and hung with three elaborate crystal chandeliers. The sheer size of the room might have overwhelmed, but oddly enough it still maintained a cozy atmosphere.

"How was work, Roy?" Daphne asked as they began to pile food onto their plates.

"As usual." Roy replied, trying not to kick at Ed under the table as the younger man began piling heaps of food onto his plate with a delighted grin.

"You're so close mouthed." His mother sighed, but turned her sights on Edward. "What a healthy appetite you must have, Ed, dear. You surely must have worked hard at the library today. Lots of research?"

Roy managed to turn a snort into a sneeze.

"Say something, Roy?" Ed asked with a cock of one eyebrow.

"No."

Edward smirked at him before turning back to Roy's mother, "I'm afraid I overwork myself sometimes helping Roy. He has so much to do as it is in the office, I try to help him get what research he needs from the library."

"That's very kind of you, but don't kill yourself for him." She cautioned him.

"Are you saying I'm not worth it?" Roy asked waspishly.

"I'm saying that your life partner is not worth some mere overworking for research." Daphne told him firmly.

Ed turned to Roy and lowered his voice so that sound barely slipped from his mouth, but he knew from experience that Roy could lip read. An unfortunate realization for him that had turned out to be. "Hear that? I'm worth more than you give me credit for."

Roy gave him a mocking look. "Maybe he isn't." He gritted out in a halfway pleasant way as Ed winked at him. He then decided it was time to give Edward a taste of his own medicine. The brat had said earlier he could handle it… it was time to put that to the test. "No, he definitely isn't. Edward is worth more than anything to me."

"I'm glad you finally agree." Edward grinned and popped a piece of steak into his mouth to keep himself from laughing.

"Let me hear something about why you love him so much. I also want to get to know him as you see him." Daphne said, thoroughly delighted to be pestering the happy couple.

Roy couldn't help thinking, you want to see him as the stubborn, short tempered, loud mouthed, trouble causing, money draining insufferable brat he is? Even though he and Edward got along, it still didn't mean that those opinions had changed. But for some strange reason in his mind, those qualities didn't sound all that bad.

Edward watched Mustang curiously as he cut another piece of steak into a neat square. What would the bastard think of to say for that? How Roy sees him… well about eighty percent of the time, Mustang saw him as a nuisance. The other twenty percent? They were able to get along, and apparently well enough to have pulled this stunt off so far.

"Why I love him?" Roy echoed slowly.

"Yes, why you love him." Daphne nodded, meanwhile wondering what was so hard about answering the questions she'd been asking. It's not like they required that high of an IQ.

Mustang stole a look at Ed, to see that the blonde was watching him intensely. "He's different from anyone else I know." He began, knowing it was time to make like he was trying to impress, or bed, a girl. "He's so spirited and full of life. He knows what he wants, and works for his goals. He doesn't let anyone push him around, and most of all, he cares a lot about everyone he knows. Even his friends. He wouldn't admit it, but he does." Roy smiled over at Edward, not realizing the smile was easy in coming, and not forced at all. "He knows who he is, and I love that about him. I love that he'll always be such a strong person. Even still… I like trying to protect him."

Edward quickly looked away from Mustang, not at all hearing what Daphne said to that. His thoughts and blood were racing. That had started out as just trying to find the proper answer to the question so his mother wouldn't become suspicious. But why had it ended with such truth and heartfelt meaning? Not even Al might have said such a thing. He hadn't even realized that Mustang knew him so well. When had that happened? And why had he looked at him that way? Surely he wasn't that good of an actor… he'd just have to keep his mind on this "mission." Quickly he tried to shake off the unnerved and oddly warm feelings he'd gotten by Mustang's statement and make his mind think reasonably. Stabbing his fork into a stick of asparagus he grabbed his knife to begin cutting it into more acceptably sized pieces.

"Ed, dear, are you feeling fine? You look a bit pale." Daphne suddenly said, reaching over to place her hand on Ed's forehead gently. "Well, you're not running a fever."

"I'm fine, sorry." Edward apologized and gave her a reassuring smile. "I was just thinking about something."

"Well after dinner why don't we play a game of poker? I believe Roy slaughtered me last time, I'd like to return the favor." Daphne decided, sipping on her wine.

"I slaughtered you because you are a failure at card games." Mustang retorted.

"We'll just see about that, won't we?" She smiled back at him, eyes challenging.

Edward couldn't help but see one of the reasons where Mustang got his smug attitude from. Obviously this sort of exchange was common between them. That and he was sure Roy definitely would rather she not be here, even if he did love his mother.

Dinner was finished, and Daphne went to go set up for the game in the sitting room while Ed and Roy tended to the cleanup of the dinner table. The kitchen was located through a swinging side door off of the dining room.

"Flip you for who does the dishes?" Roy asked, glancing over at Ed.

Edward smirked and set his stack of used dinnerware next to the sink. "You're on, got a coin I hope?"

"What, you don't?" Mustang gave him a strange look as he set down his handful as well and dug in one of his military coat pockets.

"I rarely carry money around on me, if I ever needed something I just had them take it from my account directly." Edward explained, leaning back against the counter and folding his arms over his chest.

Mustang grunted inaudibly and pulled a singular coin out of the pocket. "Call it." He said, flipping it up into the air.

"Tails."

Roy caught it and looked, before showing it to Ed. "Your turn." He said with a grin.

Edward groaned and turned around to set his top hat down on the counter where it would be out of the way, and started the dishwater running.

"I can't believe you haven't transmuted that thing back yet." Roy said, walking over to one drawer to pull out a few towels to dry with.

"And put it where?" Edward reminded him reasonably and started washing the plates in the sudsy water.

"Ah, right." He said and began to rinse and dry as Ed finished with each plate.

"You're doing better, acting more of yourself now." Edward observed, rubbing the sponge over a fork.

"I'm over my initial shock."

"Took you that long? I certainly hope you aren't like that all the time when something catches you off guard."

"Just when it comes to a situation like this suddenly landing in my lap this morning." Roy sighed and set the dried forks aside.

"You're not so bad at acting." Edward suddenly said, knowing full well why he did. Roy's description of him earlier that evening… he hadn't expected it. Truthfully he was still a bit unsettled.

Mustang glanced at him, seeing Ed boring holes into the knife he'd now been polishing to a gleam with that sponge for at least a minute. "Oh, that." He said, and suddenly held out his hand to prompt Ed into giving him the knife so they could continue. "It wasn't acting." He admitted as Ed passed him the knife.

"But, you and I didn't get along for years. I despised the sight of you, I hated coming back to give you those stupid reports. How is it that you figured me out like that when so far it's only been Al who knows me that well? Sure, most of that stuff is common knowledge, but the friends thing? I've always given every appearance that I don't need anyone."

"It's just…" Roy bit his lip in thought, "I just see through all that I guess."

"Do you see through everything?" Ed asked grudgingly.

"No." Mustang admitted, "I am only human after all. But I like to be a step ahead of everyone else."

"I've noticed." Ed said, a ghost of a smile flickering on his lips for the briefest of moments.

The two of them finished up in the kitchen, and Edward finished drying off his automail hand, and grabbed his top hat again before following Roy out.

"When she goes to sleep I think you need to give me a tour." Edward suggested as he walked with the other man down one of the cool bright hallways.

"I'll do that. If you get lost though, just keep going to the right down the hallways, eventually you'll end up at the front door. I discovered that when I used to get lost in here after I first moved in."

"Seriously?" Ed laughed, "I hope I don't get lost then if it took you a month. I'm supposed to know where everything is already. That'll look awkward if I'm caught being lost by her."

"I'm sure you'd think of something to say." Mustang shrugged and led them into the sitting room.

It was a cozy place despite its size. There were at least four armchairs, three couches, and one loveseat. At the far end there was a bar, behind it an extensive liquor cabinet. Six barstools were placed along the outer edge of the glistening high countertop. A large antique radio gleaming with polish stood beside a very wide bookshelf that was stuffed with thick volumes. The hardwood floor gleamed so brightly Ed was almost unsure if it had been over polished. He didn't precisely fancy ending up in an ungraceful heap because he slipped.

Daphne was sitting on the floor nearby the empty fireplace, legs folded and out to one side. She looked up as the two men entered and smiled welcomingly. "I was just about to go looking for you." She said and picked up the deck of cards that had been before her as she stared at the empty fireplace.

"Sorry, my fault." Roy smiled at her, "there's just something about that top hat… I can't keep my hands off him."

"Oh, you don't have to explain." She beamed at them.

Edward wanted to roll his eyes, but he settled for shooting Roy a bashful look. "Stop, you'll embarrass me."

"Unlikely." Roy retorted, sitting down on the floor as well, nearby his mother.

Ed had to agree there, but he settled for giving Roy a rather rough shove on his shoulder as he too sat down. And while Roy wobbled dangerously, Ed knew the man wouldn't actually fall over. Pride would prevent him from it.

Roy glared over at him, knowing the smug smirk Edward was hiding behind this façade. The blonde was a good actor, he had to admit, he wasn't sure Hawkeye could have pulled things off so well. For this alone he was willing to give Ed a break and not shove him back.

"Roy, would you mind?" Daphne asked, motioning with her hand towards the fireplace.

He shook his head, and snapped his fingers sharply. Instantaneously flames were roaring beyond the grate, and a soft glow of heat began to ebb out towards the trio on the floor.

Edward had taken charge of the deck, and had finished shuffling the cards before beginning to deal out the first hand so they could begin the game. "Stakes?"

"Winner gets to plan what we do Saturday?" Daphne suggested.

Roy shrugged, "fine by me." He was certain he'd win anyway.

"Sure." Ed agreed and glanced down at his hand before his face went entirely blank.

Daphne inwardly smiled after glancing down at her dealt hand. She knew exactly what she wanted to do come Saturday. Shame she'd actually have to win first.

They were halfway through the game when Ed glared over at Mustang. "You're cheating somehow." He accused.

"Am not. You both are just terrible." Roy shot back, but made sure that only Ed saw the coy wink he gave the fuming alchemist.

"I knew it! You are!"

"We can still beat him, Ed." Daphne assured him.

Roy glanced between his mother and supposed fiancé. He did not like the evil look they'd both shared just then. Somehow it made him feel like he should start making a run for his room and lock all doors and windows.

After two hours of play, round after round, hand after hand, Roy was still the victorious winner of the night. Despite what unspoken plans might have been moving against him. By that point in time Daphne was ready for bed, and Edward was dually annoyed at the other alchemist.

"So, what are we doing Saturday?" Ed asked as the cards were put back away.

"Not sure yet." Mustang smirked.

"I'm going up to bed now, goodnight you two. Keep it down!" Daphne said as she exited the sitting room with a rather large grin.

Edward snorted and looked at Mustang. "What does she think we-…oh."

Roy grinned at him. "So… Ed… what do you say I take you upstairs and make you my pretty litt-"

Edward glared a superior look down at Roy who knelt, clutching an already swelling jaw. "Be glad it wasn't my automail fist." He told the man frankly.

"I thought we agreed punching would be a last resort!" Roy flared up through the ache of pain in his jaw.

"When you make cracks like that, I make exceptions." Edward told him and offered a hand down. "Now come on, it's time I have a tour."

Mustang grunted and accepted the help up and glowered at Ed who merely smiled at him innocently. "I'll show you where the basement is, and lock you in."

"Again, forgetting I'm an alchemist." Ed sighed with a shake of his head and took the top hat off his head only to put it on top of Roy's head. "Maybe that will help remind you."

"May I ask why a top hat of all things?" Roy asked, beginning to lead the way out of the sitting room while rubbing at his mistreated jaw.

"It's what popped into my head first." Ed shrugged.

"So you basically just create whatever, if you can, based on your own imagination?"

"Not always. It's a rare occurrence for me anymore." Ed replied, and cast a sidelong glance at the man beside him. "Since we're on this subject, why fire?"

"Why not?" Mustang replied evasively and motioned towards a closed door off the hallway they were on. "Behind that door is the library, you can go in there if you like, but if you destroy anything I am skinning you alive. Currently we're on the main ha-"

"You're ignoring the question, aren't you." Ed stated.

"Yes, I am." Roy agreed and continued on with the tour.

It took them nearly a half an hour to finish touring the bottom floor. Once Edward felt confident he could find his way around if left to his own devices the two of them then made their way upstairs to where the bedrooms were.

One by one Roy indicated which rooms were the guest bedrooms, all of which apparently had their own joining bathroom suites. And then lastly he showed Edward where his own room was.

"Oh good, now I know where to find you when I finally decide to kick your ass."

"While I'm sleeping? That's cheating."

"Don't fall asleep then, I can't help it if you're a lazy bastard." Edward looked around, "any clue which one she's in?"

"Same one as always." He replied, pointing towards one of the doors further down the hallway. "That one's always been hers when she's visited. You're safe in any of the others. I'd wake up around… five if I were you."

"Great, thanks." Edward said and reached up to snatch his top hat back and place it back on his own head. "See you tomorrow." He said with a parting wave over one shoulder as he sauntered off down the carpeted hallway of the upstairs floor.

Edward had made it only a few yards down the hallway when the bedroom door Mustang had indicated suddenly opened, revealing a robed Daphne complete with baby blue pajamas and bedroom slippers.

"Oh, Daphne, I thought you were asleep already. Is everything okay?" Edward asked quickly, knowing he couldn't just suddenly panic.

"Everything's fine." She smiled at him, "I just heard talking and thought I'd make sure everything was okay. Are you not going to bed yet?"

Edward inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't seem to have heard what he and Mustang had been talking about. That could have been awkward. Though he probably could have just blamed it all on Mustang and been fine. "No. I just decided I needed some water to drink before I slept."

"I'll come with you then." She said and stepped out, closing the bedroom door behind her. "I'm a bit thirsty myself now that you mention it."

"Shall we then?" Ed asked, offering her his arm politely. Evidently there was to be a slight change in plans. He could at least handle it with poise and good manners.

Daphne smiled at him, and took the proffered arm. "Maybe you could teach some manners to my son in between marrying him." She laughed lightly.

"Roy, have manners?" Ed asked with a grin. "I'll try."

"They're buried somewhere." She smiled and glanced over his way. "He was raised as quite the gentlemen."

"I can believe that, after all, I'm sure it just wasn't his good looks that caused all those women to chase after him."

"That's a problem though, when you've turned good manners into a way to help pick up a fling for the night." Daphne sighed.

"I can see your point."

"I'm glad he has you." She continued after a moment, "you're just what he's been needing."

Edward cast a smile at her, but said nothing else. Really, he didn't know what to say to that. However a thoughtful silence seemed to be the answer Daphne was looking for, as she did not interrupt into Ed's thoughts about her words. Really, he wasn't even sure why he was thinking them over so carefully. He wasn't reaching any epiphanies.

Together the two of them entered the kitchen, and Edward was grateful he'd helped clean up in here just hours earlier. He didn't fumble once in finding the glasses, and soon had two tall crystal glasses filled with water, one he handed to Daphne. "Could I ask you something, Daphne? I'm not sure how to phrase it precisely so it doesn't sound rude… but I assure you I do not mean to be."

"Certainly." She smiled at him, "you may ask me whatever you like, Ed." She replied, and took a sip from her glass, her green eyes steady on him.

Ed nodded, and leaned back against one of the counters. "Why'd you come to visit Roy? He didn't mention to me that you were coming."

"I gave him purposely late notice." She said with a grin. "But I came to meet you. I wanted to meet the person who Roy told me months ago he'd decided to marry. I was going to set him up with one of the young ladies I know from my neighborhood, but she's a rather flighty creature. Now that I've met you, and have seen how steady and confident you are, I'm content to know he's found someone. Someone who can handle him, and keep him."

Edward slowly nodded. "Thank you." Though what specifically, he was thanking her for, he couldn't put his finger on.

She nodded, "come on, it's late. I'm sure Roy's wondering where you are."

"I'll bet he is." Edward replied, barely managing to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

Together they walked back upstairs, and Ed stopped with Daphne at her door. "Goodnight, Daphne."

"Goodnight, Ed. I'll see you tomorrow morning, sleep well."

Ed nodded, and then slowly started walking towards Roy's door, using the crystal glass to reflect the scene back behind him. Daphne was watching him from the doorway. Ed couldn't help but feel admiration for that woman, he was really starting to like her. Unknowingly forcing him into the danger zone, so to speak.

He let himself into the room and closed the door behind him.

"What are you doing?" Roy asked from where he already lounged on his bed, bare-chested and covers pulled up around his waist as he sat reading a rather thick book in the soft glow of light from the lamp on his bedside table.

"Your mom kind of caught me." Ed sighed and walked over to slump down into a dark blue plush armchair in one corner of Roy's rather large room.

In fact, Mustang's room was mostly dark blues and silvers. The only things of other colors were the dark mahogany woods of the furniture. There was a fireplace several yards away from the foot of the bed, but tonight it was empty of crackling flames. The room was warm enough already. A door past where the dark blue sheeted bed stood was most likely the bathroom. A sliding door was still partway open, and Edward suspected that Mustang had a walk-in closet back in there.

"She wouldn't if you didn't clomp down the halls." Roy muttered, turning back to his book.

"I do not clomp, and you know it." Ed growled as he turned from his inspections and took another swig of his water, nearly downing the rest of the glass.

Mustang grinned and flipped another page in his book. "Just stay in here for a while longer, then the coast should be clear."

Edward grumbled under his breath and finished his water, cradling the glass in his hands as he leaned back into the comfort of the chair.

Roy finally looked up after twenty minutes had passed, and saw that Ed's eyes were closed. "Ed." He called over.

No response.

"Edward." He tried again, more insistently.

No response.

"Fullmetal shrimp."

No response.

"Bother." Roy sighed, and set his book aside as he got out of bed dressed in nothing but charcoal black pajama pants. Walking over he bent down to inspect the younger man. Yep, he really was asleep. With a sigh, but a sigh that was far from annoyed, Roy walked over to grab one of the blankets from his bed.

Bringing it back over he peeled the glass out of Ed's hands and set it aside before covering the sleeping alchemist with the blanket. Taking extra care not to wake him he made sure that it looked like Ed wouldn't get chilled before heading back to his bed. Sure, he could have woken Edward up, but the thought hadn't sat well with him. Better just to let him sleep there for now. If he woke up later tonight he could leave, but Roy didn't have the heart to wake him. It was a notion he would have to ponder later, right now he was tired.

Climbing back into his bed he turned out the lamp throwing the room into darkness as he settled back between the covers. After nearly ten minutes of tossing and turning, Roy finally fell asleep, turned on his side still from when he'd been watching Edward sleep.