Hi! Sorry for the long wait, but here is Chapter 4! Thanks again to all those who reviewed. It really made my day. ^^

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Previously:

"That rogue alchemist of yours is the man ranked the most dangerous person in the entire history of the world – the one who the Truth wants me to bring back."

"His name is Adonai Negrescu. He's the man trying to kill me."

The Confessions

Ed had fallen asleep not soon after his first encounter with Adonai. Technically, he had passed out, but neither Mustang nor Hughes wanted to worsen the situation, especially with an overbearing little brother who was unbecoming of himself with the worry and guilt that he didn't hear the battle until it was too late. However, he wasn't the only one drowning in shame.

Mustang sat in his living room, staring at the chaos that lay in front of him with his elbows resting on his knees and his fisted hands clasped together were pressed to his pursed lips. His eyes closed for a moment, remembering back to the time when he heard something that woke him from his restless sleep. He had thought that it sounded like the Fullmetal, feeling the familiar clenching feeling in his heart, but once he remembered that Ed had returned to his side, he sprang out of bed. Having being Ed's superior officer reading all the open expressions upon the youth's face, Mustang knew Ed wouldn't act recklessly and start shouting and swearing unless he had a good reason to. Roy had arrived at the scene to hear Ed roar at the unseen opponent to leave him, the Flame Alchemist, alone, but that wasn't what caught his undivided attention. It was the blood that was pooling at Ed's side.

Roy had tumbled down the stairs in alarm, and as he did, he managed to catch a glimpse of a silver-haired man who moved like a ghost. Somewhere, his survival instincts kicked in, and Mustang knew that man was a threat, but he didn't care. Ed was hurt. Ed was bleeding, and most unnerving of all, Ed, the bold and unwavering bundle of energy, was afraid. Roy could see him trembling, not from the exertion from the fight, but from the chilling fear that was caused by the man who had whispered into his ear before disappearing without a trace. Even Roy could feel the beginning sensations of dread fill his gut, though he suspected most of it came from the shock when Ed suddenly collapsed to the ground, hissing in pain.

Swiftly, Roy had disinfected Ed's wound, relieved for a moment that the blonde still had the energy to curse and insult him. Unfortunately, Roy couldn't do anything about Ed's useless right hand. He was no automail expert, but he could tell that something had happened to the nerves so Ed could even move a finger. Hughes and Al came down shortly after, their extreme concern matching Roy's.

"His name is Adonai Negrescu. He's the man trying to kill me."

Roy's eyes snapped open at the memory of the haunted whisper from his subordinate. In that one phrase, Mustang could decipher a few emotions that didn't manage to trickle through on Ed's face. There was intrigue, curiosity, fear – though Mustang still had to learn why – and disgust. Mustang could understand the last emotion, however. He did read Negrescu's file after all. It was a small wonder that someone like Ed who valued life above anything else viewed the rogue alchemist with immense repugnance.

Still, there were so many questions left unanswered, and Ed had fainted five minutes later after being treated by Roy. The Gate's hold on him was unrelenting, even now when Edward was supposed to be free of anymore obligations.

"Roy," came Hughes's quiet voice.

Mustang glanced up at the call of his name. Hughes approached him, settling down next to him on the broken couch with a heavy sigh.

"You're tearing yourself up over this, aren't you?" asked Hughes, staring up into the ceiling.

"It was a hard fought battle, Maes, and I didn't even hear it?" answered Roy, his voice hollow. "I didn't even stir!"

"Roy, it wasn't your fault. No one woke up. I'm guessing Ed realized who it was and he kept it on down so we wouldn't be involved. Have you seen how much stronger Ed has become since he's returned? He's…" Hughes let out a low whistle, "It's unimaginable. I can't even think of what he did during the past five years," he paused, "but I'm sure Elysia has grown so much beautiful, huh, Roy?"

"Do you have a point to what you're saying, Maes?" growled Mustang, twitching with slight amusement at his friend's old habits and irritation.

"Look, what I'm trying to say is Ed has gotten so strong, probably even stronger than you, and if he couldn't beat the intruder – this Adonai guy, I highly doubt any of us had a chance against him."

"If we worked together, we could've!"

"You don't know that and neither do I, but I do know that Ed isn't the kind of reckless man he once was. He was protecting us, and as aggravating as this will sound, we would've been dead if he didn't do what he did to save us."

"So you're saying that I should be grateful that Ed almost lost his life trying to save me? I have no need for such heroics. I'd rather die than see him disappear from my sights again."

A moment of silence, "You really care for Ed, don't you? And not in the parenting sense most people think of…"

"I…" Roy's voice faded away.

"You can tell me whatever you want, Roy. I won't judge you, even if Ed is like my son."

"I'm afraid…"

"Of what?"

"I think I'm in love with him, Maes, and it scares me more than anything else in this world to even think that he's going to disappear again. It scares me that he'll leave me because no one will even consider a same-sex relationship!"

"Well, you are well known as the number one skirt chaser in Central," chuckled Hughes. "But I'm sure if you just talk with Ed, things will work out for you two."

"How am I supposed to face him after what happened? I let him down in the most miserable way possible, and from what I've seen, Ed hesitates to even tell me the truth of anything! Why would talking solve anything?"

"That's what I've been trying to get to, Roy! Listen to me! I will completely support you, but you're still missing my point."

"Then what's your point, Maes?! Tell me, because I can't figure it out!"

"My point is that, as of now, we're all liabilities. Ed won't completely open up to you unless you prove that you stand on equal grounds with him. You know him. We're all a part of his 'family', and he'll do anything to save us. He'll keep things from us because he feels like he will be protecting us, and you know as well as I that that always backfires on him. If we ever want to protect him, we can't be stuck on what we didn't do, but on what we can do. Do you understand me, Roy?"

"What are you trying to say, Maes?"

Hughes sighed, "You're so dense, Roy. Do I really have to spell it out for you?"

Roy glared at him.

"You need to become stronger, Roy. You need to show Ed that you will always be there for him and that he doesn't have to bear everything on his own. Prove to him that he needs you, now more than ever. Stop being stuck on what you weren't able to do for Ed and start thinking about what you will do for him, what you can do. Roy, you have more potential than both Al and I to help him out. You have always been Ed's supporting pillar from the shadows. It's time you came out. Make it known to Edward that you are at his side and you're not moving, whether he likes it or not."

Hughes's words sunk in, but as much as Roy yearned to make Ed his, there were so many barriers they both had to cross. For one, Amestris deeply disapproved of same-sex relationships. Mustang had a dream that he had lived for all these years and was willing to give it up if he could be with Ed, but he wasn't sure if Ed could do the same thing. After all, Ed was the "Hero of the People". He wouldn't be able to last underneath the scorn and ridicule. Now that Al had returned to his body, Ed had nothing else to live for, and knowing his personality, he needed a purpose, and what better but to live up to his title?

"Maes, I can't. Ed is fourteen years younger than me, not to mention my subordinate! I'll stay by his side and protect him from all that I can, but that's pretty much all I am capable of. As long as he doesn't just disappear again – as long as I can see him smile, that's enough for me."

"Screw the rules, Roy! Screw your logic! This is your happiness you're talking about! Are you really willing to give it all up just because the number one bachelor in Central actually fell in love and is running around and circles because of it?"

"Stop it, Maes. It's my life, and I'll decide what I want to do with it, alright?" Roy said, his hard tone ending the conversation right there. He was definitely not in the mood for his best friend to lecture him on what was the right thing to do. He knew what the right thing to do was – it was just that his heart didn't want to follow his brain and follow Maes's words.

"General? Hughes-san?" came Al's timid voice. Both Roy and Maes snapped their heads up to see Al straying by the door, looking like he was unsure whether or not he should enter the room.

"Al, how long have you been there?" asked Roy, his voice slightly breathless.

He hesitated, "Long enough…"

Mustang felt as though someone had doused him with a huge bucket of icy water.

"But don't get me wrong, General! I won't condemn your feelings for Brother and I won't tell him either, unless you want me to."

Roy sighed in relief. Al was literally the first hurdle he needed to get over. Knowing both Al's and Ed's personalities, they were overprotective of each other, though Roy guessed that was how the both of them survived for so long with a body of armor and half a body of automail.

"I think you should talk to Brother, General, like how Hughes-san said. Who knows, maybe you'll like the outcome." There was something in that nonchalant way Al said it that made Mustang wonder if Al knew more than he was supposed to, but one thing for sure, Mustang did not like that mischievous look on his face. It was almost identical to Ed's when he was ready to wreak havoc and meddle into someone else's business.

"How's Ed?" asked Hughes, no one missing his wide-spread grin.

"He's still asleep, but I think he'll be fine. He's had worse wounds that he didn't even get treated."

Roy shot him a glance.

"He hates hospitals," explained Al, shrugging, "And in the past, I couldn't get him to go, so I treated him myself. With the amount of books we've both read, we both picked up some medical alchemy and figured out how to heal simple cuts and wounds like that, though I was better at it than Brother. I had more practice, since I never got hurt and Brother was constantly injured. This time around, I think he'll be more annoyed at the fact that the nerves in his automail were completely shattered. He'll have to get maintenance and a new arm."

"We'll call Miss Rockbell to come down and visit," assured Hughes, glancing at Roy's surprised face. Of course Al had learned medical alchemy! He needed it because of his brother's recklessness. No wonder Fullmetal had managed to survive all these years…

Al shook his head, "Not yet. I think Brother would want to return Hughes-san back to his family first, so General, you need to get the paperwork done and reinstate my brother and Hughes back home. Then we can call Winry."

"I already have Hawkeye doing that. It should be ready in a day or two. She's pretty good at coming up with cover stories. Fullmetal's should be easy to work out, it's Hughes we have to worry about. We have to meticulous, or else both you and Ed will become lab rats."

Mustang smiled at his friend, not like his usual smirk, but one of his rare and gentle smiles that could make Ed's heart flutter like it was only made up of air, "Gracia is waiting for you, Maes. She hasn't moved on and neither has Elysia. Make sure you don't screw it up this time around, Maes."

Maes grinned, "Thanks, Roy. I guess you're not the only one who hadn't moved on, eh?"

Hughes received a glare from his friend, and just chuckled at him, "So, putting the issue of Ed aside, I have a question for you, Roy," he said, suddenly becoming more sober.

"What is it?"

"I've looked all over you house, and I can't find any pictures of Elysia!"

The next second, the only thing Al could hear was the dull thud of Mustang smacking Hughes in the head, knocking him clear off the couch and onto the floor, and Al doubled over with laughter. He knew that Roy didn't hit Maes hard enough to do any damage, but it was amusing, nonetheless. Maes spluttered indignantly and jumped right back up, reprimanding Mustang who bantered back, both of them caught in their heated debate.

Al could tell that this "argument" was something that the two needed to do, annoying each other to death while conveying that they had missed each other through the meaning behind their words. Men were men, after all, but Mustang was one of the most prideful that Al knew, and this was the only way that Mustang could show his true emotions. It had been a while since he saw the General so unmasked – something that hadn't happened in the last five years.

He smiled warmly. The matter concerning Adonai could wait for another hour or two. For now, it was enough to enjoy the General regaining his formal smug self.

There was an uncomfortable weight on Ed's chest when he tried to rouse himself from his slumber. Slowly, he opened his eyes to see his vision covered by a dark blue fabric of some sort. His numb hands reached up to push whatever it was off him, and he realized it wasn't something simple as a piece of cloth. It was a body. Frantically, Ed shoved the prone body off him and scrambled away. Tears filled his eyes as he recognized the dark-haired man.

"Roy?" he whimpered, reaching out to the man he had loved. There was no response. Mustang lay on his back, blood dripping out of the side of his mouth. There were huge crimson stains covering his entire body – standing out even against his uniform. There were so many wounds – so much blood – Ed couldn't even fathom what Roy had gone through before he…

"No, this can't be happening," Ed furiously muttered, covering his eyes and shaking his head vigorously. "No, this is just a typical nightmare. I just have to wake up. That's all…"

"Brother…" came a weak voice to his right.

Ed's hands slowly fell in horror as he recognized the voice. Against his better judgment, Ed turned his head in the direction where the sound came from. Al was sprawled on his stomach, his trembling hand reaching towards his brother. There was blood oozing out of the side of his head. His deep eyes had lost its color and were slowly dulling over. It didn't take a genius to realize that Al would soon end up like Mustang.

"Al…" he whispered, his terror clear in his voice.

The hand dropped, and Al's body grew limp in front of his eyes.

"Al!" Ed yelled springing to his feet, only to stop in his tracks as he took in what surrounded him. Bodies and bodies covered the blood-covered floor. Roy, Al, Hughes, Riza, Winry, Havoc, Fuery, Falman, Breda…It was as if a massacre had left everyone dead, leaving Ed as the only survivor.

"No…this can't be happening…" murmured Ed, "NO!" he screamed, covering his eyes as he bawled his heart out.

'Edward Elric, time is running out…' the dead voice of the Truth echoed around him. 'This is what will happen if you do not capture Adonai Negrescu.'

Ed flinched at the sound of that man's name. The man scared him – not only because he defied all the principles that he had remembered and lived by, but because nothing fazed him. The man was dead, yet alive, and took great pleasure in people's pain, even his own. He was a monster.

Ed dropped his hands to his side where they curled up into fists, but he kept his eyes shut. He didn't want to see the chaos that lay in front of him, imaginary or not. He had enough nightmares as it was. 'So this was all your doing, Truth?' he said quietly.

'You need to understand the urgency, Edward Elric.'

'Stop fucking around with my mind, Truth!' yelled Ed, 'You've screwed around with my life enough already! Leave me my sanity!'

'You do not understand. My power grows weaker with each moment Adonai Negrescu runs loose in Amestris. Soon, I will no longer have the strength to prevent Amestris from being poisoned through its lands.'

'What are you talking about?'

'Adonai's alchemy is ancient. The principles from his time have changed. Equivalent exchange does not affect him and his power is slowly poisoning the lands of Amestris.'

'What do you mean it does not affect him? What principles is he using then?' demanded Ed. No wonder Adonai could change his flesh arm into a steel weapon…

'He uses the power of the earth to supply his strength. By converting the energies of Amestris – the energy of the people, the earth, or anything he deems necessary – he can perform alchemy in its truest form. However, because it does not follow alchemy conditions today, his energies do not pass through the Gate to be reused. Instead, it stays within the land and slowly begins breaking the molecules down and destroys whatever it touches. It is especially lethal towards humans. I have used my powers to keep his energies at bay and from relentlessly entering any human beings, but I am near my limit. At this rate, even the people around you will be in danger.'

'You gave me your word that you will not harm Roy or Al!'

'I have, but it is no longer under my power to keep them safe, unless you are willing to pay the price.'

'What price? Why does everything have a goddamn price?!'

'If you wish to save your precious people, you have to become the Gate for Adonai's energies. Only you shall be affected.'

'Don't you want me to finish your fucking mission? If I die, I can't do it!'

'That is why I chose you. You have passed through the Gate numerous of times, changing your body slightly on a molecular level. Unlike others who will die within a matter of days, your body has enough tolerance to act as a Gate for a much longer time – enough time for you to capture Adonai. Once he is safely within me again, your body will no longer be affected by the toxic energies and you will be able to recover from it, similarly to an illness.'

A moment of silence as Ed mulled over the Truth's words. He was at a disadvantage once again. Stupid Truth. Couldn't it just leave him alone for once? But then he thought of all those that would have suffered if he didn't do this. Al, Winry…Roy…Perhaps this was for the better. Ed knew he had grown stronger and that Mustang wouldn't be able to hold out against Adonai. He had lost everything once, and he wouldn't – no, couldn't – let it happen again. It didn't matter what happened to him….

Ed knew the Truth had leverage over him. If it put it that way, there was no way that he would turn the offer down – not if it kept Roy and Al safe. 'What affects will there be on my body if I agree to this?'

'It will act like tuberculosis, for the energies have a tendency to strike the lungs more so than other vital organs because you breathe in the toxins from the poisonous air caused by Adonai's power.'

Ed didn't hesitate. Anything to keep his important people safe. They needn't suffer if he could do it for them. 'Fine, I'll do it, but if you haven't noticed, I have a huge gash in my side. I won't be able to move for a while, much less chase after Adonai,' huffed Ed, still trying to pick a fight. There were too many things that he was agreeing to, and it was making him feel like the Truth was manipulating him.

The Truth paused, contemplating his words, 'I will heal your wounds until you capture Adonai, but there is a limit to how much I will be able to heal. Do not think yourself as immortal.'

At this, Ed frowned, 'Why are you agreeing to this? Aren't you supposed to be making my life miserable?'

'Equivalent exchange. Even the Truth must abide by such laws.'

'Fuck that! You abiding by laws? Bullshit.'

'You do not have the time to debate about such a small matter, Edward Elric. Open your eyes and wake up. You have people waiting for you.'

'If I see their bloody bodies in front me when I do, I'm going to fucking kill you, if it's the last thing I do!'

'Bring Adonai to me, Edward Elric, and you can return to your normal life…'

The Truth's dead voice faded away.

Ed fought with himself, trying to open his eyes, but he was terrified of what he would see. Still, he had reached an agreement with the Truth, or so it seemed. The Truth wouldn't be so stupid to break him before he was able to finish his mission. Ed was sure of that.

So, slowly and hesitantly, Ed cracked open his golden eyes…

The first thing Ed was aware of was bright sunlight shining onto his face. Instinctively, he flinched away, his mind still weary from sleep and his dream. Suddenly, he felt a hand preventing him from rolling onto his injured side.

"You don't want to do that," came Mustang's voice.

His voice roused unbidden emotions and instantly, Ed was completely awake and he sprang upwards in bed, flinging himself onto Mustang. After his dream – after seeing Roy's blood-covered body – he just wanted to reassure himself that Roy was real and alive.

"Ed?" Roy's voice was extremely surprised and confused.

"I'm sorry, just let me do this for a few moments…" Ed's voice was muffled against Roy's shirt.

Hesitantly, Roy wrapped his arms around Ed's back. Quiet shock filled him. Ed was trembling. Reflexively, Roy tightened his grip on Ed. It felt so right to be holding the blonde and comforting him. If only he had every right to do that. Right now, it was probably because Roy had been the lucky one to be on watch when Ed woke up.

"What's wrong, Ed? Does anything hurt?"

"Just a dream, that's all," mumbled Ed, unwilling to pull away though he knew he should, but Roy's warm body and beating heart was just too enticing.

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Mustang, Al's words coming back.

"Not really."

"You're currently burying yourself into my chest, and you don't want to talk about it? Are you sure?"

"You're just going be the smug bastard you are if I tell you."

"If you're so insecure about this, how about I talk, and you listen? Maybe afterwards, you talk, alright? Equivalent exchange."

Ed cringed at those two words.

"Ed?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Roy took a huge breath and began rambling. Through his past experiences, it was the only way for Ed to feel comfortable saying anything. "Hawkeye just called me and said that both you and Maes can return to society. Al and Maes are downstairs celebrating, but it's become more of Al trying to prevent Maes from running home to his wife. We need to ease him back into Gracia's life, or else she might get a heart attack which will end up killing Maes again. We were all worried about you, and I was getting annoyed at Maes, so I came up to check on you. You've been asleep for a while now. It's almost noon."

Mustang didn't mention Adonai – he figured that Ed's dream had been connected to him somehow – but he was running out of things to say.

"I'm sorry," Ed quietly said, his hold on Mustang still unrelenting.

"It's alright, Ed. There's nothing to be sorry for."

"This is probably awkward for you – to have a man in your arms instead of a woman."

Roy's heart skipped a thud. Maybe this was his chance! "Actually, it's fine. I'm bisexual."

Roy could feel Ed freeze under his arms.

"It's true. Only Riza and Maes know this, so don't tell anyone."

"Then why are you telling me this?"

"I trust you," he responded, "And I…like you."

Ed pulled away at his words, his features hidden by his blonde bangs. At that moment, Mustang would've given anything to know what Ed was thinking.

"I'm sorry," Mustang quickly mumbled, feeling his heart fall to his stomach and started to move away, "You're probably disgusted."

Ed's hand shot out and grabbed his shirt, preventing him from moving away. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to stare at Mustang. His golden eyes were hopeful, but doubtful at the same time. "Is that true? This isn't another dream, is it? It isn't the fucking Truth messing with my head again, is it?"

Suddenly, Mustang realized that his feelings were shared by the man in front of him and his heart soared so high that he spontaneously bent forward and lightly pressed his lips onto Ed's.

It was sweet and short, but it left a tingly feeling on Mustang's lips, and he loved it.

"You tell me, Ed."

Roy loved how Ed's face became an open book to him. First, uncertainty, and then hope showed upon Ed's features. And then immense joy. A bright grin spread across Ed's face and he pulled Roy down again, kissing him passionately.

By the time they broke apart, both were gasping for breath.

"I've waited for years for this, General Bastard. Way to confess so late."

"I still don't have your response, Fullmetal Shorty."

Ed laughed for the first time since he had returned to Amestris.

"You're just going to have to wait, General Bastard."

Roy spluttered in fake anger, "What?"

"Equivalent exchange," grinned Ed, but once he said those words, his smile faded. His eyes filled with fear and anger.

"Ed? What's bothering you? Is it that Adonai guy?"

"He's more of a danger than any of us realized," Ed admitted softly, "He's much more powerful than I had ever thought. How does the fucking Truth expect me to capture him?"

Mustang felt his mouth go dry. The Fullmetal Alchemist was uncertain in his abilities? What had the world come to?

"Was that what your dream was about?"

Ed nodded, "The Truth showed me what would happen if I didn't bring Adonai back to it. You were dead, and not just you, Al, Hughes, Winry…everyone was dead. It was…" Ed shuddered and Mustang pulled him into another hug.

"It's alright, Ed. That won't happen. We'll make sure it won't."

"How do you know that?" Ed's voice sounded so pleading that it almost broke Mustang's heart.

"Please. Who can't defeat the Fullmetal and Flame Alchemist if they team up? In more ways than one," smiled Roy, though he knew that Ed couldn't see it.

Ed just hugged Roy harder with his one good arm.

"Don't worry, Ed. I won't leave your side again. Never again…"

"You better not, General Bastard, or else I'm going to drag you back from Hell and kick your ass all over again."

Roy chuckled, "Whoever said I was going to Hell? If I do, it's going to be difficult to even see you, considering how far away I'll be."

There was a moment's pause, but Roy could feel Ed tensing with the anger.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL THAT YOU CAN'T SEE OVER A PEBBLE?"

Roy laughed. Some things had definitely changed – for one, they were in love with each other and they both knew it now – but some things certainly don't.

For that, Roy was grateful. Ed would be Ed, for now and forever. Despite all the dangers, they were together and it seemed as though nothing could hold them back, not even Adonai.

That was until Ed started coughing…

Okay, I just realized I'm pretty crappy at writing love/romantic (ish) scenes, so I would really appreciate some feedback on how I could make that last scene better. Anyone?

Anyway, I'm going to be really busy with college stuff and SAT II's for the next few weeks, if not months, so this might get updated pretty slowly, though I will try to update it as soon as possible, so please bear with me.

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed chapter 4, and hopefully, chapter 5 will be up soon too!

Read and review, please!

~ Kanae Yuna ~