Wow, this is a quick update for me, usually it takes me months to update again lmfao
I had a review earlier that said apparently my style of writing had "extraneous words" that apparently confused the sentence and that I needed a beta reader. Um, I want to clarify that here;
I will not be getting a beta reader, I am my own beta reader and my readers, if they have a problem, are free to point out any mistakes or typos that they spot in this chapter.
The style of writing also will not change, it is like this because this is how, apparently, people wrote in the 1920s, they did use extraneous words to describe what was happening, they had to, it was the world war era and most in the 1920s actually wrote poetry, so as you can imagine, they didn't just point it out, they gave out long descriptions.
Remember, if anything confuses you, then you are free to ask, but I am not going to change my style of writing just to make it easier for you to understand, sorry dudes.
There isn't much else to say but that I'm currently obsessed with the game Prototype right now. ANY PLAYERS OF IT HERE? ANYBODY? You're missing out ;D
Warnings: homophobic descriptions though minimal, sexual tension, horny Ed (so says Lanny-Sama rofl) and sexy Roy. Maybe a bit of arseholishness. British and German words.
FIND A TYPO YOU GET A BRITISH BISCUIT.
Diagnosis
"Hey, Alphonse?"
"Yes, brother?" Alphonse was sceptical. His brother, strangely enough having ranted and raved for hours upon hours in their last phone call about being sent to the loonie bin, seemed quite… what was the right word? Alphonse wasn't sure, but Edward had something clearly that was keeping him… not as rant-y, he supposed.
The room they currently occupied wasn't a bad one, a private room just for the two of them without some guards hanging over their head like they were in prison. It drove Ed to the point of bursting a vein in his forehead; silently of course, it would be rather worrying for those guards should it have become obvious, but he never burst and it never burst. The private room wasn't bad, more like what used to be an office, kept reasonably clean, though a few cobwebs surrounded the upper corners.
His brother was now currently smirking, his mischievous kind of smirk and not the evil one. He knew that whatever his brother was going to say next was probably not as pleasant on his head as he hoped.
"Guess who I saw yesterday." Alphonse blinked. That was not what he expected. He blinked, but Ed's smirk of naughty thoughts was still there, so obvious he hasn't said what he really wants to say. He hoped it wouldn't take most of the time they had, unfortunately, they had to be shortened on the time they were allowed to spend together, they didn't explain why.
Alphonse anticipated the answer. "Who did you see, brother?"
That's when Edward's smirk widened tenfold. "Remember the famous state alchemist I went on about?"
Alphonse thought for a moment. "The Iron Blood?"
Edward scowled. "Fuck no."
"Crimson?"
Ed scowled even more. "Got him as my superior, right prat he is."
Alphonse chuckled. "Only with you, brother." Then a thought came to him. "The Flame Alchemist?"
If anything, Ed positively grinned, a signal of trouble to come. "Yep. He's here, right here in the loony bin."
Alphonse grew excited at this, they had both heard the great stories about the Flame Alchemist, how he could blow up an entire building block with the simple snap of his fingers. His techniques were unrivalled. Then Alphonse frowned, Ed had told him that Colonel Roy Mustang was here, that meant something was wrong with him.
"I can introduce you; did you want to meet him, Al?" Ed smiled at his brother. "You always said you wanted to see him, maybe he can help you with the state alchemy exam too, if you ask."
That brought a smile back on Alphonse's face. "Yeah, sure, that'd be nice. Can we…?" He didn't want to trouble his brother to go looking for the man now, but he really did want to meet the person that had gained such a frightening reputation within the military.
"Sure! We can visit him now if you want. I've just gotta ask the guards, nosey buggers they are and all." Ed was truly grinning now. Alphonse really had to wonder what was on his brothers' mind. He paid no mind as Edward went up to knock on the door and a guard to open the door to see the problem. "Hey, my little brother wants to see that Roy Mustang guy, know where he's at?"
The guard opened the door wider, having just stuck his head out at first, but seeing he needed to give Ed more attention. "I'm sorry sir, he's currently being given a tour but you can see him in another hour, I can ask Dr Yealland to bring him here, if you want?"
Edward turned to his brother for an answer. "Oh, yes please, I'd really like to meet him and maybe ask for some help for my state alchemy exam." The guard seemed pleased with that and closed the door. Edward, with a slight huff, walked back over to his chair and sat down. Then he hunched down slightly. Coughing slightly, he took the glove off his left hand and covered his mouth. He looked almost like he was about to vomit, but instead he gagged heavily, chocked slightly and removed his hand, which came back with a bit of blood. Grumbling, he grabbed a tissue he kept in his military jacket, which much to his annoyance and rage, he was forced to keep on, and cleaned up the blood. Satisfied, he replaced the glove back on his hand before it felt naked.
Alphonse sighed. "Brother, have you been taking care of yourself?"
Edward knew what Al meant. "Yes, Al, I have. It just happens sometimes, that's all!" he sighed; he knew his brother meant well, but it got on his nerves. Changing the subject, he began again, "Ya know, Mustang seems like just a bit of a jerk."
Alphonse blinked, he knew his brother was dodging the subject, but he didn't feel like going on about it, so he played along. "Is it because-"
"Alphonse! Don't go there." Calling Edward short was signing for your death wish, even if you weren't ready.
Al chuckled. "Ok brother, what were you meant to say?"
Ed got ready, him being gay was no secret to his brother, and just like he hoped, his brother accepted it. Alphonse often made a fuss about when Ed went to talk about it, but he didn't mind really, most of the time anyway. Edward wasn't a virgin, by any means, his old partner, Russell Tringham, had taught him quite a bit into surviving into a homophobic world. Russell was the only one so far to be able to survive the wrath of Edward (dubbed as such by Alphonse) and in getting such a reaction meant rougher times at night. Despite Ed's rough nature, he found himself mostly a bottomer, there was no reason, he just preferred it. He had topped once and instantly preferred being bottom. (1)
"The Mustang guy looks pretty hot." Ed smirked as he watched his brother squirm slightly, clearly uncomfortable. As if to divert his attention from where Edward was headed, Alphonse turned to read his book and write notes. Luckily, the guards allowed him a pen, but Edward wasn't allowed to touch it. "I might just move on him, what do you think, Al?"
Al looked at his older brother. "Are you sure you should be asking your younger brother about your sex life?"
"Aren't brothers meant to help each other like this?" Ed whined, really, he just had to get it off his chest, otherwise he'd implode.
"But I'm not really into all the things you are, brother, I can't really help because I don't really understand." When Edward blinked, Alphonse felt the need to elaborate. "I don't really want to know what you do in your sex life." Al felt the need to wave a hand about, as if it helped Edward get the point. It did.
"I suppose, but Al, military and doctors here are homophobes, how can I bang him when we're being watched by vultures everywhere?"
"Ed, please." Al covered his head, his poor innocent mind not wanting to comprehend the meaning of those words.
"But Al," Ed whined. "I haven't had sex since I got this automail, that's over two years ago! I'm starving!" Of more then one thing, Al added in his mind.
"Brother, I thought you didn't care what they thought, you always said, 'when an Elric wants something, the Elric gets something'." Alphonse quoted the time when Ed first decided to join the military as a state alchemist, oblivious almost to how hard the test really would be. It wasn't until he found a 'teacher' of sorts that he realised just how hard his goal was. Izumi really didn't approve of State Alchemists at all, but it was Ed's dream to quench the hatred of alchemy, having known that alchemy was now used as weapons for war, though it was always told that it was to defend their country and nothing more. It was true now, using alchemy against the terrorists residing in Ishbal, but Amestris had been a victim of many battles and wars over the years, it probably didn't help that it was rumoured to other countries that Amestris was preparing itself to engage in taking over lands, which has never been proven, and it stood stuck between many countries, ganged up. (2)
"Well," Edward started, thinking over his words carefully. "Yeah, usually, but if I get caught, this is worse than that time I stole wurst (3) from teacher when her back was turned." Alphonse chuckled slightly at the memory, Ed had just about pissed his pants when Izumi Curtis caught him stealing some wurst when he was meant to skip dinner as a punishment for doing so badly in that particular class. He never did it again. "Seriously though, he seems interested, I saw him checking me out," Ed smirked as he continued. "Besides, no strings makes it easier. Less messy."
Before Alphonse could reply, the radio crackled, then came to life. "Good afternoon Amestris from Volksempfänger (4). Today, the Fuhrer sends a speech of encouragement to his people and country and to the whole of the military keeping the country herself and her people safe and those fighting to gain Ishbal back and recover her from the hands of criminals. A week today, it would mark the third year of the battle for Ishbal, three years of fighting against the criminals and three years the county has suffered from the hands of these criminals and of seeing our military friends fall."
"Now here to give his praises live to the military and for his people, Fuhrer Bradley."
There was slight static, then silence before finally, the speech began.
"Today marks a special day for us all, to the whole of Amestris, a day of remembrance. For three years, Ishbal has been taken hostage, and three years it has been since the military, with all their courage and love for their people, took arms to fight back against the monstrosity and save the people of Ishbal. Times have been grim, taxes rising, a civil war and many other bumps in the road our country has been tasked of driving over, but still we stand today. Tall, proud, strong."
"Our country has been through so much, with Drachma residing to the north, Xing towards the east and Aerugo to the west, we face attacks on all sides and in those times of war, we always stood proud. We fought against them and we protect our country, by any means necessary. Never before, have we faced a civil war as grave as this one, but we are Amestrians. We have fought back against the Drachmans and kept the Xingese back from spying, and we will save our country from being ruled by criminals. For my country and for my people, I solemnly swear to keep this country standing and I will do everything in my power to keep this country safe and remain a happy place to live."
"Today marks a really special day to those working in the military, who for three years did this country justice. Fighting against the enemy takes skill, precision and courage, and I am deeply grateful for their services. And I raise applause for the State Alchemists, who without them, the damage made by the criminals in the war could've been far worse, the deaths far greater and our hope be quenched further into despair."
"But, the toll has been heavy and the war still fights on further. Many lives have been lost, and we mourn for their losses. Families have been broken and sons have been killed. Today, we mark this a special day to mourn for the losses of those who fought in the war, three years now, and give good luck to those who are still continuing to fight now."
Fuhrer Bradley then made it his duty to list off the names of the victims to the Ishbal war, when Edward got up to turn the radio off. He couldn't bear to hear any of the names of his friends in that list, he'd rather not know. As he sat back down, he caught the sad look from his brother, not quite pity, but sad for him nonetheless.
Edward smiled back reassuringly. "I'm fine, don't worry, brother."
Alphonse wasn't so convinced. "If you were fine, you wouldn't be here, would you?" It was no secret that some soldiers failed to get better because they didn't want to get better, getting better meant they'd be sent right back to the pits.
Edward wasn't like that, his pride wouldn't have allowed him to fake sickness (though he had tried in the days where office work was daily), but he knew whatever he had wasn't fake, wasn't normal. Even now, Edward had to struggle not to take notice of his peripheral vision.
"Of course not, Al! You know me, I mean it gets me out of fighting and the war, yeah but I'd be letting everyone else down, like right now, stuck here when I should be out there helping them, helping people!" It was a secret in the military that the Ishbals weren't actually in trouble at all, but helping the criminals, whether it was because of a direct threat or bargains, the State didn't know, but because of that, they had to kill them, their own people. Edward couldn't help but glance to the side, spotting the white figure of no gender, no species, just a white figure that talks and thinks for itself. Truth, he called himself, and Truth, he was.
"Edward?" Alphonse brought him back to looking at him and away from... that. He already knew it wasn't really there; Truth wouldn't have left the Gate unprotected, would it? Then again, what was there to protect it from? Other stupid alchemists like himself?
"I'm fine for the moment, Al, really." Ed didn't have the heart to tell Alphonse about Truth on the dry days, it was bad enough he knew about the rainy days.
"And I'll be waiting, Mr Al-che-mist." It chanted in the corner, it was so difficult to not react.
Alphonse caught the visible flinch. "Brother, are you sure?"
Edward nodded and put on a fake smile, he knew it wasn't real, that's what mattered the most.
...
The morning for Mustang had been interesting, to say the least. Luckily for him, the young blonde he'd met the night he was brought in seemed subtly kind, but put on a hard and rebelling outer aura, pride, Roy mused. He wasn't surprised, with a state name like Fullmetal, you would take the person down as a prideful, stubborn man. That's what Edward was, only he was a lot shorter then Roy thought he would be and he made a point to be noting that very fact often around Edward.
Breakfast was decent, it was much better then what they had in the trenches, or pits as they called them, but he would only refer to it as canteen food, he'd had better. He took to taking cereal for once, hoping maybe the milk would help his throat somewhat, it could've easily just dried out and need water, though he didn't feel like he needed any, and some coffee to wake him up properly. He was surprised when Edward Elric sat directly opposite to talk to him, and that he was having a full English breakfast of sorts.
Ed had to chuckle at the Colonel's reaction. "Hey, I'm only twenty, I'm still technically growing." Roy also took note that Ed had black coffee. Roy raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Sighing, he knew that being mute would be more trouble than it's worth; Roy nodded towards Edward's coffee. "Oh, it being black?" Roy nodded; glad it didn't take long for the blond to understand what he was asking. Fullmetal shrugged. "I hate milk." Well, that was a surprise. Then again, that explained the lack- "And no it's not why I'm so short, bastard."
Roy blinked, was he that easy to read now? Ed shook his head. "You were smirking like you were plotting to rape the princess or something, creepy pervert." Ah, now that explained it. Roy hadn't realised he was smirking, but he soon did as soon as Ed pointed that out. "So, know what doctor you got to help your obvious problem?" Despite him being blunt, Roy didn't take too much offense. Indeed, he knew which doctor he got, and he was uncomfortable because of the stares he got from some other doctors.
Despite that, Roy nodded and tried spelling it out on the table, letter by letter. Ed paid attention, not wanting to miss one detail out that might throw him off what Roy was spelling invisibly on the table.
"Y-E-A-L-L-A-N-D. Oh shit, really? Doctor Yealland?" At Mustang's nod, Ed felt a new pang of pity for the man. But he was a Colonel, of course he would get sent to the doctors who treated it the fastest. It worked short term, but it never lasted long for those soldiers, he had heard some had died in the treatment. "I'd be careful, that doctor has a harsh way of treating this... whatever it is." When Roy mouthed 'shell-shock' Ed just brushed it off with a wave of his hand. "Yeah, shell-shock, whatever. He has a harsh way of treating it, I'm not sure if it's true, but I heard he was using alchemy to do it."
When Roy's eyes widened, Edward shrugged. "Fuhrer Bradley just ordered the doctors to use any means necessary to find a cure for this damn thing that is stopping his soldiers fighting, or at least fighting right and at the right people." Friendly fire wasn't uncommon when it came to State Alchemists like Roy Mustang, using an area effecting alchemy, if you got in the way it was only your fault. Shell-shock only upped the chances of being caught in the crossfire.
The Colonel tilted his head and raised an eyebrow, obviously wanting to know more. Ed tried thinking hard; trying to figure out what would be safe to tell the unfortunate soldier without causing a panic attack of some kind. He'd even overheard some of the soldiers saying that the doctors were getting desperate, thinking about trying human transmutation, which was illegal. Ed hadn't believed those rumours, after all, the doctors wouldn't get away with it should they have tried.
Ed decided to just let Roy figure it out for himself. "I can't tell you, it's better if you find out for yourself." Then he took to ignoring the Colonel, at least the words, well actions, should he say, and turned to eat his breakfast. Though he did notice how the Flame Alchemist was watching his every move, studying, curious. He pretended not to notice though, a feeling of self-pride coming over him, oh so the guy was interested after all! He kept it to himself though, homos were considered heresy, so Christianity, Ishbal and even the brief Othellism stated. But Alchemy was its own religion, they followed their own laws. No creating gold, live by equivalent exchange and no human transmutation, it was simple to follow. It didn't matter who you liked, if you followed those laws you were an alchemist. Though scientists and alchemists clashed often, because their ideas just clashed together to show each other wrong, and some doctors worked in the same way. Alchemists even had their own worshipper, though not many mentioned it aloud, considering it was just too powerful for those to want to mention. That being that visited Ed in his mind at night, mostly when it rained, because it rained the day they met.
Whilst Roy Mustang himself hadn't gone as long without sex as Ed had, he wasn't oblivious to his aura. The way his hair hung, a golden shine and even those eyes were golden. Mustang never believed that being gay should be classed heresy to the outer world, though he considered himself bi liking both genders and willing to pass his time with both genders. He didn't care what others thought, though he acted like a dog, he was freer then he let on, like the mustang he should be.
Edward looked up, seeing that Mustang was still staring at him. Swallowing before asking, he opened his mouth, "What? Like what you see?" he had to grin a little when he caught the look of shock, then the face of a child with his hand caught in the biscuit (5) jar pretending to look cute, that he hadn't done it after all. "Wow, never took you as a queer."
That's when Roy frowned, waiting until Elric finished a bite of his bacon before drawing on the table with his finger to ask the question, who said that?
At first, Fullmetal was confused, until he got what he meant. He had frowned at the use of the word, after all. "Zolf Kimblee apparently told me it's not normal, being a queer, so that's one of the reasons I was sent here." Ed snorted, "Like you can cure a guy for liking other guys."
After that, they were pretty much subtly flirting, both knowing it was daring, but neither caring.
That was until Roy was pulled away by his doctor, Yealland. He didn't seem too bad, the average doctor with age and glasses, clearly appearing experienced. It would've fooled Roy hadn't he known that shell-shock was, so far, incurable to the majority of people. Yealland wasn't that bad a talker either; his voice keeping even quite deranged men calm. But Mustang wasn't fooled, even if he was listed as insane, he wasn't stupid. He was a very smart man indeed, he knew there were truths behind Ed's words, how the doctor acted as it was business as usual, his speeches seemed to be memorized and he was acting too casual. That's what made Flame nervous.
"My, you seem awfully uptight, my friend." Yealland had commented when they were nearing the end of the tour, Roy hadn't taken much in from it, he'd explore himself later.
Roy couldn't answer without a voice, so merely shrugged. Yealland didn't seem satisfied with this answer. "Now, Flame Alchemist, you are my patient and it is my job to make sure that you get back into the field, if there is something troubling you, you can take it up with me. Understand?" Mustang wasn't sure whether he was meaning that to be reassuring or as a warning, but he nodded anyway. Yealland smiled. "Good, well since you don't have a voice, and we can't risk you with a pen, now can we?" That felt like a punch to the chest and Roy only just managed to hold back a snarl. "Now, what we can have is you holding a pad of paper and you can use crayons. It's not comfortable, I realise that, but it's impossible to draw an acceptable transmutation circle with crayons, just to be on the safe side." As if being in the stocks during the nights were bad enough, outside was a condescending world. Never before had Roy Mustang felt so insulted. He might've been ill, but that didn't mean he couldn't understand what they were saying, or implying. It was luck that day that Yealland had left with a straight face.
That wasn't even the worst, as Roy was about to go looking for Edward, Yealland had informed him, before he disappeared, that he had a visitor. He failed to say who but directed him to the entrance to greet his visitor. He really wished he hadn't bothered turning up.
"Hey, Roy boy!" Of course it had to be Maes Hughes, stalking at camp just wasn't enough for the love drunk soldier. Roy almost audibly groaned and would've, had it been without the loss of his voice. "These docs treating you right?" he came up to Roy, putting an arm around his shoulders. Startled, Mustang wriggled out, uncomfortable to be near his best friend, heck even could be considered his ex-best friend, he really wouldn't have blamed Maes for it.
Maes was a little confused, but he figured his friend was probably suffering from self-hatred, knowing that Roy did that a lot. "Roy, really it's ok. I don't blame you for what happened." Roy just nodded, looking away, not really taking notice. Maes sighed, but knew the best way to getting a reaction out of the Mustang. Bringing out a new picture of his girlfriend, soon-to-be fiancée, Maes got right next to Roy. "Look Roy!" Shoving the picture in his face, Maes went on to explain. "Isn't she just gorgeous? You know it's a good thing I got to take you; I got to see her last night for the first time in a year! Oh you should've seen it Roy, why we made love like there was no-" Not wanting more damage to his brain then already done so, Roy pushed his friend playfully away, a slight grimace on his face, though easily fake, he was really smiling. He was glad some things stayed the same.
Roy took the time to write something on his pad. Maes noticed it was a crayon, but didn't comment. What Roy wrote was simple, but about as far a gratitude as you could get with Mustang. 'Thank you.' Maes' smile grew twice the size seeing this. "Hey, what kind of friend would I be if I can't fit a smile on that frown?" Roy, still smiling, nodded. "So… I know that look in your eye," Mustang tried to look startled, but a smirk was fighting its way to the surface. "I know you, Roy Mustang, you found your next 'target', per say?"
Flame frowned slightly at the description but shook his head, turning the page on his pad and writing on a clean one in red crayon. 'So-so, but I met the Fullmetal Alchemist.' Maes whistled lowly. "Wow, the Fullmetal guy? I didn't know he was gay." Mustang nodded, a smirk appearing on his face now. "Well, good luck, heard the guy was really stubborn." The Colonel chuckled; oh he was much more than that.
"Hey, Roy." Surprise appeared in Roy's eyes for a moment, before it disappeared and remained vacant. Maes nodded his head for Roy to follow, which Roy did so. Rules were that patients were allowed to go anywhere they wanted, so long they returned for curfew, which was 11pm, and so long they were escorted or kept within the publics' eyes at all times. They also had to wear their uniform and the badge that they were all provided, screaming out that they were abnormal. This wasn't an issue for now, as Maes had parked his car only just down the pathway from Lab 5, through the gates. Opening the door, Maes brought out what looked like a picnic basket. Confused, Mustang blinked several times before tapping his friend's shoulder twice. Maes turned around, handing the basket to Mustang.
"Here, Gracia made this for you, from both of us. Consider it a get well soon present." Roy wasn't sure what to make of it; he wasn't used to such luxuries from his friends, what little he could consider friends. He felt like he didn't deserve it, but it would be rude to hand it back simply because you didn't think you deserved it. Mustang allowed himself to smile slightly, grateful, for his best friend and his girlfriend. He nodded his thanks to his best friend, grateful he had someone on the outside he could really count on.
"Oh! Before I forget, guess who's just been made head of the Investigations Department." By the way he pointed it out, Maes was really bragging to everyone about this. "Yep! Head of Investigations and I am now a Lieutenant Colonel, just one step under you now." Roy wasn't completely sure why his friend seemed so happy with that result. "Roy boy! Do I have to spell it out? It means I get pulled out of the war, I have to stay in Central now, so Gracia proposed that I go live with her, isn't that just fantastic!" Oh yeah, brilliant. Really, Roy was happy for his friend, but the constant being told of things would get on his nerves very quickly.
"Oh, one last thing." Maes then leaned towards Roy's ear. "I'm thinking of proposing sometime soon, you don't think it's too soon, do you?" Mustang had to grimace; the thought of marriage just didn't suit right to him. Alchemists didn't have a law against it, but most never did; alchemy was their first love so Roy never saw a point in trying to settle down if he would always choose alchemy over their partner. Maes sighed "Now, I know your opinion, but I'm not an alchemist and I really love her, I know she's the one! Please Roy?" Roy really would've groaned and called the man a sap for this, maybe blown up his car for dragging him into this total love driven objective. But he couldn't do either, so he just settled on agreeing, he had nothing better to do but recover after all.
If Maes could giggle and run through a field of daisies, he really would, as he hugged Roy quickly and tightly. Uncomfortable, the Colonel wriggled out of Hughes' grip, he still felt that deep feeling of guilt for what he did to his best friend, fuck how can he still be touching me, even coming here when I almost burned him alive?
Hughes was quick to apologise, "Oh, sorry Roy boy! I just got this big tingling feeling in my chest I forgot." He coughed, not wanting to elaborate further and possibly send the already distressed man into a further depression cycle. "So I'll meet you here again tomorrow? Then we can get an engagement ring! It has to be perfect for my dear little Gracie." Oh give me a break, if Roy could puke without feeling completely deplorable afterwards, he would, but it wasn't worth it.
"Hey, Mustang!" Hearing another voice, Roy turned hearing his name. He was more than surprised to see Edward Elric heading his way, along with who looked like his big brother. Ed wasted no time in standing to the side of Mustang and gesturing to his brother. "Hey Colonel, meet my little brother, Alphonse Elric." Now Roy really blinked. Little brother?
Mustang wrote this to ask if he was joking, but he got the response he wasn't, but should've, expected. Ed fumed. "Yes little brother! You don't judge by appearances! I'm the bigger brother!"
Alphonse sighed. "Brother, really, I thought you'd be used to it by now."
Edward looked disbelievingly at his younger brother. "You're supposed to be on my side, Al!" Roy snickered; he had to have some sort of entertainment without losing his marbles. Well, losing even more than he already had, at least.
Maes felt it was his time to take leave. "I'll leave you with your new friends, Roy boy. They seem… interesting," Alphonse grabbed Ed's mouth to prevent him shouting some sort of insult or demand of what he meant by that, "I'll see you tomorrow, don't bail out on me!" With a final pat on the shoulder, Maes turned, got into the car and left.
Of course, Ed would've taken the time to snicker, but something didn't sit well with him about that Maes character. He was awfully free going for a soldier, his uniform told him all he needed to know, and the fact he seemed awfully close to Roy. Edward was all up for competition, but seeing he was classed as insane, which brought the many thoughts of killing stupid people he came into contact with and getting away with it almost, he wasn't so sure he had the advantage. It brought questions, he knew Roy swung both ways, hadn't settled like most alchemists and he seemed to like Maes a lot too. Really, did they, or didn't they?
Ever the blunt one, Ed didn't pass this time to ask. "He one of your play toys?"
Roy thanked the Gate he wasn't drinking anything, otherwise he might've choked on it and had it coming out of his nose, near suffocating him like the words that came out should've done. Him… and Maes! Hughes was as far from being a gay man as could be possible. Almost desperately, Roy wrote; Of course not, he's my best friend asking for my help to buy him an engagement ring, midget.
Ed read it for a moment, before bursting. "Who're you calling a miniature house pest!"
Roy shook his head; I don't even need to try, you do a good job yourself with it.
Fullmetal looked about ready to punch the guy in the face, when Alphonse intervened quickly.
"Excuse me, Mr Flame Alchemist, sir!" Hearing Alphonse talk directly to him for the first time, Mustang faced Al. "Um, I read about you whilst studying for the State Alchemy exam. I was just wondering… if you could show me a bit of your flame alchemy, or at least the mechanism of it."
The Colonel seemed slightly surprised by the question, so he wanted to join the military as well, it seemed. Roy didn't seem any harm in showing the younger brother his alchemy, though he couldn't give a live demonstration without being probably pinned down by paranoid doctors and soldiers. So he nodded, with a slight smile that he could manage.
"Oh, thank you Mr Flame Alchemist sir!" Alphonse looked like a child on Christmas day.
Roy began writing on the pad; Just call me Roy Mustang, or just Roy for that matter.
Alphonse read before he nodded with a bright smile. "Right, thank you Roy Mustang, sir!" turning to give his brother a short hug, he picked up his bag. "Thanks for the help again, brother. I can't believe I get to study with the real Flame Alchemist!" he was silently high fiving the sky, but then smirked slightly, turning back to Mustang. "Oh yeah, by the way, brother thought you were a great alchemist too, he wouldn't shut up about you being able to blow buildings with just a click of your fingers."
"ALPHONSE!" It wasn't often that Al went out of his way to embarrass his brother like this, so it was no surprise that Edward was blushing quite visibly.
Alphonse chuckled at his brother's reaction, whilst Roy took those words in. So, he saw me as an idol, did he? Well, maybe I can give him something else to remember me by. He didn't even bother hiding his sly smirk, why bother to hide it? Alphonse took his leave with a final farewell, walking home as he had to luxury to be staying somewhere close to the lab.
Edward didn't like Roy's smirk at all. "What're you smirking at, pervert?"
Roy's smirk didn't let down at all, if anything, it grew. So, I was "awesome", was I?
Ed spluttered before crossing his arms in a childish manner. "Of course, until I met you in person, then I realised you were a complete jerk." He jumped slightly feeling a slight slap on his backside. He retaliated by turning to face Roy and pointing a glove covered metal finger at the raven haired (6) Colonel "A perverted jerk at that!"
Roy shrugged, writing again; you stated kindly that we were both "queers", so you really didn't and wouldn't mind at all, now would you?
The young Major wasn't going to just settle on that. "That doesn't mean I'll tolerate your perverted ways!" Mustang's answer was to look down, then back at Elric's face. Confused, Ed looked down, only to be slightly mortified to see his penis trying to gain attention. He was quick to recover. "That's just a natural reaction! I haven't had sex in two years, so of course I'm gonna get horny when a hot guy is just standing there looking completely sexy and slap my arse! That just further proves my theory of you being a creepy pervert!"
The only thing Roy really took notice of was the most useful, to him of course. He stood taller, a hand to his hip and flicked his hair as if to just ask "so, you think I'm sexy?" If his smirk could grow any bigger, he'd probably rip his face slightly, which sounded too painful to really think about.
Edward spluttered once again, his face bright red having caught his mistake. "Stop twisting my words, wanker (7)!" Although he did actually want to ride the Mustang, he wanted the Colonel to work for it. He wasn't desperate enough yet to beg or just go along so easily. He was Edward Elric and he wasn't going to be the one to back down without a fight. Let Mustang work on getting some sex, it would be all the more enjoyable for him in the end. Of course, Ed wasn't interested in just the slow and safe, he wanted hard, he wanted rough, danger and just to feel the excitement again. Being left in a trench for a few months did that to him, he had to move, but he was forced to remain still, driving him to insanity. He only hoped Mustang didn't wait, because he was dying for at least some excitement.
Lucky for him, the Colonel seemed to catch on as he wrote clearly, before turning to leave with a sway of his hips, furthering Ed's frustration; Just wait, Elric, I can tell you want me and I'm not going to go down until you give in. And I don't lose.
…
As it was nearing evening, Roy decided to grab some dinner before considering reading a book. He mightn't seem the type, but Roy did love to read books, especially the erotic ones. He wasn't so sure this place would have any of the sorts, but anything beat being bored or listening to the screams at night, sometimes it got to the point of being unbearable.
But luck really wasn't on his side as he caught sight of Yealland heading towards him. Instantly he grew tense and on the defensive. His previous meeting with Yealland was one he wanted to forget, the doctor just treated him like a machine, a car per say, just fix the damn thing, get it out into the fight and move on. Roy didn't appreciate being treated like that, he might've acted a dog to some extent, but he wouldn't bow down to those that really didn't matter.
"Flame Alchemist." Yealland, ever the professional, called out with a bite of authority in his voice. Now Roy wanted to just dig his grave and be buried already. Every State Alchemist in the canteen halted their talking and walking and stared at the scene, at Roy specifically. Everyone knew the Flame Alchemist, these were all State Alchemists who had studied in the alchemists around now, plus Roy had rather a reputation to being dangerous, incredibly intelligent for his age and to being the youngest Colonel in a long time in the military. Because of that, he was known far and wide.
To be called out like that, in a place like this, by that particular doctor infuriated Roy beyond belief. In his rage he became defiant, rebelling against the doctors' orders. How dare he call him out like he was above him, how dare he have the nerve to embarrass him in front of his comrades, even if he didn't know them, they all fought in the same battle for the same reasons.
"Flame Alchemist, come." Just like a master calling for his dog. Roy sneered but didn't turn to look at Yealland, how dare he think this dog will take orders from the likes of him! "Flame Alchemist, don't make me tell you again." This time, Roy turned to look at Yealland, his black eyes growing hard into a glare of utter repulsion and defiance. It was clear to Yealland that the Flame Alchemist valued his pride a lot higher than most and what he was doing right now was making the alchemist livid.
Ever bold, or insane, depending on ones' interpretation, Roy shook his head slowly, before turning to face away. This angered Yealland, never before had he had such a troublesome patient. Yealland liked to have power, like most in the military, but he loved to see those that fought in war having to depend on him, it gave him the sense of power, something only God could do, to cure such conditions like Roy had himself. He was not going to let Roy Mustang ruin what he had achieved so far in agreeing to help the soldiers.
"Roy Mustang, you will come with me, or I will be forced to ask for security." Yealland smirked internally as he saw Roy's back tense, with discomfort or fury, the doctor couldn't tell. When Roy turned his head, he got his answer. Mustang was absolutely livid, teeth clearly gritting into a snarl. It was a sight to behold and to be wary of. Clearly, he wasn't going to move a muscle. Sighing, the doctor turned to leave.
Roy thought he had gotten away with it and mentally gave himself a pat on the back, until his head was pushed forward onto the table, just missing his dinner. He felt a stabbing pain in his scalp of someone holding the hairs too close to the scalp and he gritted his teeth in pain.
"I warned you, Flame Alchemist. Now please, carefully gentlemen, can you escort Roy Mustang to my room, if you please?" Mustang really wanted to kick this guy where the sun never shines, but he felt helpless without his gloves, he never needed hand to hand combat, so he was rusty in the arts. Still, he tried fighting anyway. Determined not to leave, Roy twisted and pulled, trying to not hurt his scalp further, to get out of the soldiers' grip. Another soldier came to aid, having spotted the patient struggling and wasted no time in trying to push him down.
Getting agitated, one of the soldiers lifted a knee to Roy's chest, winding him and rendering him useless to fight back. Quickly, the soldiers hoisted Roy to his feet, he had fallen to his knees as he struggled to gain his breath back, and dragged him towards the room Yealland had been curing his patients. Mustang continued to glare at the doctor, oh one of these days he would get his revenge in some way and form, he noted to himself and promised the doctor in his head. Oh, how he will pay for trying to tame the Mustang.
Yealland sounds like a right arsehole, doesn't he? Well, not all doctors are kind and neither are they all bastards either. Yealland is really protrayed like this in Regeneration, honest! xD
Feel for Mustang, he needs your love.
Why do some authors insist on having themselves have a conversation with Roy or Ed or some character from some show in here and make them totally OOC? *shrugs* I don't see the point, really xD
Review please! Thank you! Or in Wales, Diolch yn fawr iawn! ;3
~Blackie
Footnotes~ (there are a lot of them)
(1) For those curious, I have asked a German friend of mine and he said it was legal to have sex there when you are fourteen, FOURTEEN. Reason why it seems like Edward has had sex more then your average kid.
(2) This is the reason A.J.P Taylor, an historian studying the Second World War, gave for Hitler attacking and calling for War against England and France. I think Amestris would do the same, surrounded as it is just like Germany, surrounded on all sides.
(3) Wurst - German for "sausage", I just prefer the German word as aposed to the English British word. Is American English even the same word used for sausages? Because I hear you have something called a chili dog? *blink*
(4) Full credit to my German friend, he informed me that this was the Nazi term for the radio, so used it to be the radio station name.
(5) Biscuit - British English for "cookie", I find it more believable for them to learn British English during this time then American English, since America wasn't really around Europe all that much, I don't think anyway. At least they weren't in the Second World War, plus they were fighting against the British more then the Americans, to my knowledge.
(6) He will remain raven haired, I saw some people call him brunette, HE IS NOT BRUNETTE, brunette is BROWN. Please, get your colours right.
(7) Wanker - UM LOL British word for a person who masterbates a lot, also used as an insult to a person to point out that they cannot get a girlfriend and therefore are pathetic, in a way.
