Roy took advantage of everyone's attention being directed towards the bride and groom and slipped away. He wanted to a moment to be by himself, where he could assuage his conscience to think clearly and give some thought to finally letting Edward go or telling him the truth, and hope by some miracle Edward doesn't punch him in the face or ask him to leave. He hoped that whatever he said to Edward would be enough of a probable cause to dissuade the notion of having him run for the hills or straight back to Central.

He didn't think it was impolite to just slip away unnoticed, considering the guests had already eaten dinner and was just mingling. Mrs. Curtis sure did pull off an exceptional feast for the couple. Two roasted whole pigs, roast beef with a wild mushroom sauce, Peking duck with a reduction of plum sauce and several cuts of steaks grilled to perfection. The sides were appetizing, as well as the eclectic selection of dishes from Xing, Creta and Ishval.

Roy engaged in conversation with the party guests he knew and the ones he never met before. The Elric's had surely touched the lives of countless souls and it seemed like all the people who crossed paths with both brothers were in attendance. They were deeply loved and respected by the ones here celebrating tonight and for many who they have never met in person. Even Xing's Emperor was in attendance, along with several Ishvalans, Sheska, General Olivier Armstrong and Dr. Knox, to name a few.

Gracia and Elicia, had made the trip out and Roy had spend a great amount of time catching up with two ladies. Elicia was now six-years old and just started her second year of school. She was going to be a flower girl in the wedding and articulated with pride the duties in which she was responsible. She was most excited for throwing the flowers, and for some odd reason candies. Gracia had taken command of making the wedding cake, which apparently was top secret. Being familiar with Gracia's cooking and her expert knowledge of baking, Roy had no doubt the results would be fit for a king, or a Former State Alchemist who could rival any ruler by the greatness he expelled.

'Funny' Roy thought. When had he begun to see Edward as being larger than life itself, a man not following the same rules governed by ordinary men? Had he deluded himself with the respect he held for Edward? With all the conspiring truths of his heart, was he so confused and that he unconsciously put him on a pedestal? Did he create a perfect image of Edward in his mind?

Roy declared to himself, that is wasn't the truth, he wasn't confused or deluded. He was never so sane when he thought about Edward. Sure, in the past he could have called it insanity for the fact that the blonde always knew how to rile Roy up or say the right words to get a response from him. Arguing with his young subordinate could be heard from miles away and people tended to stay clear of them when they were not seeing eye-to-eye. Edward blatant disregard to follow rules or people issuing those rules could be factored in right at the top of those reasons, but Roy consciously knew why he felt the need to think Edward was anything but a golden beacon for the world, 'his world'. It could be that he single handily took on Father and won, how he was the youngest ever State Alchemist, he's also a prodigy or that he did the impossible, he beat the Truth and brought back his brother. Roy could very well record his reasons at a great length, but the truth (it's always the truth) is that his love for Edward outweighed any intellect on matter on which he just questioned himself.

His love for Edward had come on strong; it was a like a storm rolling in one afternoon, filled with a fervent passion, desires and uncharted emotions. He wasn't prepared for when the clouds opened and poured down tumultuous amounts of that extreme ecstasy. Sure, before he would have said, that he was merely infatuated with Edward's beauty, his brilliance, the way he could block out the world around him when he was reading or the way he blindly jump into a situation before thinking of a predicted outcome.

To say that his love was an accident, some premeditated attachment, would be blasphemous, because he only saw Edward in love, no other way but than in a pure, honest and undiluted love.

"Hey, bastard, where you are going?"

Roy stopped. His voice left him. He was sure that everyone's attention was fixed on the couple. The party had already taken on a rowdy atmosphere, everyone soaked with alcohol, good food and thrumming music. Armstrong had already shed his upper clothing and Havoc and Breda were cheering on Fuery as they attempted to get him to consume a rather large pint of beer. Even Olivier had dropped some of the her authoritative mask and was letting her hair down; figuratively. Dr. Knox was in a heated debate with Marcoh and his abrasive tendencies were probably locked away because Roy saw the man smiling, and that was a first. Everyone was too caught up in the fever of the party that he thought he could sneak away, but he should have known that Edward or even Riza would have missed his presence. Edward was always acutely aware of his surroundings and never missed in any details pertinent to whatever he was unraveling. He would have made a fine intelligence asset on the Investigative Department of the Military.

Roy turned to face Edward. Him, Edward, he was a magnet and Roy was being pulled. He tried to center himself to what little gravity was holding him in place. He wanted so much to pull the blonde into his arms, reach out and touch, just one time, but he knew that it wouldn't be enough. He was damned again, because he wanted him. He wanted Edward. Could Roy fall insanely in love every time he looked upon Edward? Yes, he could, he did. This was something that he was fully aware of and yet when it happened each time, it brought about new feelings that were overwhelmingly beautiful.

He was looking at Roy and his eyes... they were knowing and this was madness. He should escape now. He couldn't do this. He had to do this. He was going to do this. Even if every rational part of his mind was screaming 'run now, Roy, you can still salvage you dignity, if you don't say anything. Look at the bright side, he's your friend and if you dare do this now, it could change the dynamics of the relationship you both have establish. Do you want that? Do you want him to despise you?' Roy shuddered at that rationalization.

He didn't want Edward to be repulsed by him, not now or ever, but what he desperately wanted is to be over this. He took one tiny step, one slightly step forward.

"I was going to get some fresh-," Roy caught himself saying before he realized that all the fresh air he needed was surrounding him. "I was going to take a walk and stretch my legs. I must say that I've never eaten that much food in one seating."

"It was really something, right." Edward said, smiling, as he close the distance between him and Roy. "I'm actually full."

"You, full? Now that something you don't hear everyday." Roy said slowly, he eyes now directly looking into Edward's.

He smiled. Edward was smiling at him. How can the kindest acts known to man, filled him up? He was overflowing, busting at the seams. His heart felt that smile. It was something that it wanted, that he wanted-needed. Only Edward could give his this feeling.

He loves him.

"And for some odd reason, he knows that Roy care for him, too." A different voice nagged in his mind.

"There's no reason why you shouldn't tell him. No,'why or when? I'll wait until tomorrow,' or 'I'll hold on to this forever.' You just know that you have to do this because love, your love does not have an expiration date, it's not something that you can patent." Hughes stated.

Roy agreed; It's an insatiable, wonderful sensation. It's exhilarating, a free spirit waiting to be tamed by another.

"What are you thinking about?" Edward asked, his eyes daring, challenging as he looked at Roy.

"I need to speak with you privately?" Roy answered. "Would you mind taking a walk with me?"

"Are you going to tell me your secret?" Edward leaned in and whispered.

"Something, like that." Roy murmured.

"Okay, but first we need to help clean up. Winry is going to retire for the night. Something about the bride and groom not seeing each other before the wedding and beauty sleep. I'm going to say goodnight to her, so take you lazy ass over there and help." The blonde ordered.

Roy nodded and went to assist with the clean up.

The clean up was an easy enough task that was amounted to everyone lending a hand. Most of the guests had left and some was lingering, toasted beyond recognition. Roy had asked Riza to give him few minutes to say his goodbyes to Edward. If she thought something about the request, she opted not to say anything but suggested that he could drive back to town by himself because Rebecca had ask if she'd accompany her and Havoc back. Fuery had already left with Breda, so that just left Roy. He coolly told Riza that he'd be sure to arrive back at the Inn in one piece and not to wait up. He didn't want her loosing any sleep, worrying about him, because in all honestly, he really didn't know how long it would take to talk to Edward.

XXX

"Hey! Are you ready?" Edward asked.

"Yes, I am." Roy smiled nervously; his intentions for what he was about to tell Edward bleeding were through his reply.

"Good," he grinned.

It was a cool night, the last days of summer heat fading into memory as the refreshing air of autumn ushers in. The night sky is an inky canopy, the darkness freckled by the constellations of stars and the moon full and bright. The air calmly still and the only sounds that can be heard include an owl screeching in the background, the chirps of birds in the distant trees and the rustling of bushes as they walked past them.

They walked along in silence, their eyes met a few times in the darkness, daring each other to say something. It was Roy after-all who asked Edward to join him, but he wanted to enjoy the moment, even it meant more to him than it did for Edward. Crickets chirped all around them as each step they took was a part of a their symphonic masterpiece. It was harmonious and Roy smiled.

Edward caught the action and looked into his eyes and the way he was looking at Roy—

It took his breath away.

"You can't marry Ms. Rockbell." He blurted out.

Edward eyes widened. "What do you mean, bastard?"

"You can't marry her, Ed." Roy replied. "Trust me on this. I thought I was okay with you getting married, but I'm not."

Edward watched him curiously. "Don't bullshit me and answer the question. And you don't have to be okay with me getting married. This is not your fucking choice. Fuck, what do you mean that you're not okay with me getting married?"

"Edward, you can't marry her." Roy stated. "It's a disaster waiting to happen. You don't... I will not... I—"

"Why are you telling me this?" Edward glared at him.

He looked at Roy like he didn't recognize him, like he was seeing him for the first time, but much more important questions came to mind: like why was he taking this so well? He should have already been nursing a black eye, or something equally worse.

'Because you're mines and no can have you, unless it's me.' The possessive part of his mind screeched.

"Why don't you just tell him? He's waiting for answer, Roy. Does he know how much he means to you? And you're just manipulating him again? Do you think he will just leave her at the altar? You know him, he stands by a virtuous code to protect and always seeing the best in people. He made freaking promises with you. Just tell him and get it over with." The inner, unrelenting, voice of Hughes scolded him.

"Because…shit, Edward. I know you've been friends with her since childhood, and she's your mechanic, your family, and I'm trying to understand the proposal. It seems sudden. It's just like you to jump in and not think things straight."

"Why do you care bastard?" Edward snapped, his voice hollow and low.

"Why do I care? Ed, you're a wild spirit not bounded to stay in one place—" 'Unless you are bound to me' "—you need freedom and do you think she'll understand everything that you've been through? Will you be really happy here in Resembool, like you said? I want you to be happy Ed. I'm sure she'll make a fine wife, but..."

"Spit it out Roy." He hissed and Roy saw him clenched his fists.

"It's now or never Roy." The Hughes-like voice protested.

He loved him. He wanted him so badly. What is air? Edward was air, he was food and water. Roy knew he could survive on just Edward.

"I love you, Brat. I love you. Satisfied." Roy let out the breath he was holding unto forever.

Edward staggered back slightly as if the words punched him in the gut. He tensed and his face went pale. His eyes narrowed and he stared at Roy. Roy was waiting for a dramatic reaction, but nothing. Silence. They glared at each other for seconds, maybe a few minutes until in a hushed voice, barely above a whisper—

"You love me?" Ed breathed.

"I do. I think about you every day and every night. You're so beautiful, Edward. So beautiful! No matter how hard I try to convince myself, no matter what I say. In my heart you're always there. You've carved you're way in inside, found yourself a little corner, a freaking big, gigantic corner and you never left. I'm crazy, madly, deeply and truly in love with you. I've been in love with you for sometime." Roy said feeling the manacles around his heart break free, relieved and gleefully smiling.

"You love me?! You bastard!" Edward snapped. "I can't believe that you're in love with me. How can you tell me you love me? Is this the secret? Is this what you've been holding back? What do you want from me? I'm getting married Mustang. Fucking married in a couple of hours. You wait until now to tell me this?! What do you want me to do with that confession? Exactly how long and please don't say before I was barely legal."

"It didn't happen overnight. It gradually snuck up on me overtime and don't give me that look. I assure you, I'm not some perverted old man. Edward, I just didn't fall in love with you. You swept into my life like a fucking whirlwind. Sure that was all possible that fated year when I give you the choice to join the military, but I walked into love with you completely and wide eyed. You are brilliant, insufferable, pig-headed, humble, the way you touched people, the way you want to save the world from itself and everyone it. If this my destiny to be fated to you, then I happily surrender right now because Edward Elric, I love you." Roy took a breath, "I love you"

Edward took a deep breath. "If you had told me after The Promised Day, then...I..I would…"

"What, Edward? You would have what?" Roy questioned, nervously.

"You can't fucking say something like that just before someone's about to get hitched, you idiot." Edward replied quickly.

"Do you love her?" Roy asked.

"I do. You know I do. I've known her forever and I do love her." He cried.

"Are you in love with her?" Roy asked, smiling faintly.

"I love her, I have since...I just love her. Okay!" Ed snapped.

Roy nodded, "Fair enough Edward, but I ask one thing of you, and if you say no I'll walk away now."

"I'm not sure, if there's anything left for you to say Mustang." The blonde sighed.

"Edward, I love you and—just this once—please allow me to kiss you." Roy asked.

This moment here, Roy was going to stop thinking and let his heart guide him. He was going to reach for his own happiness, even for just a little while.

XXX

Somehow, Roy had stepped closer and he wasn't moving. Edward's heart was hammering inside his chest. What the fuck? He was breathless. Why? He almost closed his eyes, expecting something to happen, when Roy look at his lips asking him to kiss him. He was so close, and Ed could smell his masculinity, spice, sandalwood and an intoxicating musky smoke scent. He could feel the warmth of his skin, the pulsing of his heart.

"I want to kiss right now, Edward. I can't stop thinking about it. What your lips would feel like, when I run my tongue across them. Please grant me one kiss, Edward? Just one kiss." Roy asked, warm eyes regarding him.

Edward eyes widened again that night. "Roy, I can't...I don't..I can't… I want…"

Roy step forward again, closing the distance between them. Edward couldn't move, he couldn't turn away. His lips parted. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why was he reacting? He could hear the small intake of his breath and he wanted to say, 'Yes'. His mind completely acting on its own will and the fuck, his body also humming. The fucking Colonel, bastard.

"Mustang," He pleaded, lowing his gaze.

"Look at me. Look at me, Edward. I love you." Roy said, his words igniting a fire in Ed's body.

So fucking traitorous!

Edward turned away from him and was about to step away but Roy pulled him even closer and his lips found Ed's. He wasn't gentle. He was kissing like man starved and Edward was the first meal he happened upon. It was fierce, desperate, and a drug of passion and desire and—Edward should pull away…but he wanted this. He really wanted Mustang to kiss him. Not only was his body a fucking traitor, now his mind was conspiring against him.

"He loves you, Edward. Roy fucking Mustang loves you and he's making you feel like a king." A voice whispered in his mind, he couldn't bother placing it now, though.

A shudder passed through Edwards body, warming it from the inside out and he felt his heart racing against his chest trying to match his ragged breathing. Every sound, movement, smell around him exploded; Edward knees buckled, his brain lit on fire and spread it's molten liquid through his body. Inside him was a blazing inferno. If he wanted to escape from the kiss, he couldn't because it was slowly drawing him under. To where, he didn't want know. All he could comprehend was that this spellbinding kiss, wouldn't let go, not until it was filled with satisfied pleasure. Who the fuck, what the fuck, kind of kiss was this?

They kissed for what seemed like eternity, outside under the stars, moon fucking bright that it lit up everything. Kissing him was so familiar. Fuck, again Ed, where did that thought come from? It was perfect. Edward stole a glance at Mustang and he saw happiness and love expelling from dark ocean blue eyes, glittering in the light of the moon. They were captivating, bewitching and Edward felt like he was under a yet another spell swimming in the abyss of Roy Mustang's eyes. They were twinkling and in that moment Edward's body is fucking singing. His heart pounded harder, and his body greedily betrays him. Seriously, his body needed to be reprimanded. How dare it? Ed pressed into Roy and when he shifted slightly, rubbing against his body, he groaned. Ed felt the reaction through his pants.

"Kiss me." Roy murmured peppering kisses along Ed's jaw, his cheeks, eyes, forehead and then back to his lips.

"I am kissing you, bastard." Ed swallowed and his voice squeaked lightly.

"Roy, it's Roy. My name is Roy. Edward, you have no idea how much I've dreamed about this moment." Roy said, voice huskily and grinning.

Roy tightened his grip around Ed's shoulder and he's hugging him and repeating over and over how much he loves him. Edward stiffened slightly.

"What the fuck I'm doing?" His voice of reason demanded.

Ed drew back slightly from the warm feeling, the kiss still spread through his body, his bones, twisting and crushing until it's reached the very center of his being, his heart. Edward feels a chill, and it's not from the cool breeze. He's frightened and terrified. What is this feeling? Not passion. Not desire. No it can't be love-an uncompromising love?

Edward wrenches away from his embrace. Roy raised his eyes brows and he's looking at Ed and all he sees is his love. Its like halo surrounding him, bright casting a beautiful and ethereal glow towards Edward. It's waiting, waiting for something. Not something, but someone…him!

"Edward, I…that was...did you feel that..." Roy asked, catching Ed's hand in his and tugged him back into his arms. "I'm not going to apologize for kissing you."

"You don't have to Mustang. I'm going to marry Winry," Ed said, trying not to sound disappointed.

He turned to leave and then he was running, because if he dared to look back, he'd never have the courage (or will power) to leave.

XXX

Edward lay in bed that night and he couldn't help but feel guilty. When he returned to the house after running away from Roy, Winry had asked him from the outside of his bedroom door what Mustang wanted. Ed told her that he wanted to give his congratulations on their upcoming nuptials and wish him luck, etc. He never really lied to her before, apart from the time he spent in the Military and the search of the Philosophers Stone, but that was all convenient when she was in Resembool and they were out there risking their lives, up against the Homunculi, Scar and Father. She didn't need to know the stuff that Edward had seen, he wouldn't wish that upon anyone. Sure, she came along at some point during the time up North and she was there when she learned the truth about her parents, but for many years they were apart.

Roy had asked him if he was in love with Winry and he'd never really thought about it until now. She was always around from since they were kids, she had built his auto-mail, she was family and loving her came natural. But now the question lingered in his mind: was he in love with her? What was the difference of being in love and actually loving someone?

All this bullshit was all because of that bastard…Roy 'fucking' Mustang who was fucking manipulative, charming and attractive and he was in love with him, who said over and over he loved him. Who kissed him hard, deeply and with all his strength? It was intoxicating and filled with passion. Edward had never been kissed like that before. And the few kisses he shared with Winry they never felt like that. They did't turn his insides to fire, shooting sparks out, making him weak to the very core of his soul. Edward never actually kissed Winry like that before himself and he thought he was a fairly good kisser.

The first time he kissed Winry didn't leave him gasping for breath or holding him captive. It's actually strange because the first time he kissed her was only about a month ago after his return from out West. His trip was shorten due to the upcoming wedding. Through a series of letters, Winry had suggested a date and he'd agreed. He still couldn't believe that it was happening to fast. It seems like he'd just ask her to share fifty percent of his life with her.

Fuck Roy and his lips and his love. He waited all this time to confess after all those years Ed spent in the Military. He and his fucked up timing. Edward, who could admit now that he pined for the bastard from since he first laid eyes on him and he too had gotten a really big crush on him-then later learned it was love. He had long since realize that he never stood a chance since Roy would have chosen Hawkeye. But the fucker was in love with him, Edward. That was just fucking fantastic. What the fuck did he expect Edward to do now, run off with him on a white horse?

'I'm fucking engaged!' Edward told himself.

He can't leave Winry. He would not make her cry again. Never again!

He was simply going to close his eyes and sleep and tomorrow he was going to wait at the end the aisle and smile and pretend that what he always wanted, what he dreamed about was not being offered on a perfect gleaming platter. Roy Mustang with that fucking smirk that was always plastered across his flawless smug face. The man was too perfect with blue eyes that fucking mesmerize Edward, that he always thought they looked straight to his soul and he found himself lost in. Every time he looked at the man's eyes, he saw fire and ice, a battle of warmth and coldness trying to comprehend if they were dangerous or kind. He still remembered that day when Roy pulled him up from the wheelchair and looked into his eyes and ask 'What did you do?'. Where Roy saw fire his Ed eyes, what he saw in Roy's, an unleashed power crashing and churning trapped and waiting.

He tried closing his eyes hoping that sleep would be only moments away, but his mind kept reminding him of lips that were so soft and enchanting that kissed him like they'd never been kissed before and what it would be like to kiss them for an eternity. What the hell kind of kiss was that anyway?

Shit! This was going to be a long night.