Disclaimer: No, I still don't own FMA. sad, isn't it? :(

Warnings: Language...nothing that explicit though.

AN: Hey guys, it has been long since actually wrote anything. Reason: writer's block. But thankfully, it's gone now and I am again back on track! Now, I'd like to take this moment to all those who've reviewed. It's really encouraging to see people enjoying what you write. It motivates me greatly. :D
Now, about this chapter. This one deals with Kim/Roy interaction- this is where the story gets interesting! With chapters to come, the characters and their relationships will be clearer.

Eccentricity

Chapter 6

By the time Kimble had joined Roy for dinner, the atmosphere at the table wasn't probably as grim as the one who sat across it. Kimble could sense it- in every muscle of his body- the tenseness that surrounded Roy. So much, that it seemed to be oozing out from him.

Getting a sigh out of himself, finally Kimble had the mentality he needed to cope with all the weirdness of the situation. A quick nod, a mere 'hi' and before he knew it, he found himself cowering away behind his food to avoid further awkwardness.

Normally, a dinner scene would have a couple sharing stories and moments while they enjoyed the food. However, the only thing shared between the two men was the occasional glances- as if both had something to say to each other, but didn't quite know how to put it together.

After a few moments, it was Roy who finally spoke up.

"She went home."

"Who did?" Kimblee's ears perked up at Roy's voice.

"You know, your daughter. She went back while you were at work."

Good riddance, thought Kimblee. One less headache to deal with.

Though, that didn't balance out the fact that it was still pretty awkward having to be Roy's darling and still damn frustrating to be trying to start small talk with this impossibly obnoxious man whom he couldn't wait to have his hands on the other day.

And for all the wrong reasons, too!

Feeling Roy's expectant stare at him, he swallowed his food and tried contributing to the already stale conversation, "Yeah...miss her already."

It wasn't heartfelt. Roy knew and hence the sceptical look he threw at Kimblee.

"I mean, I really didn't get the chance to spend time with her. It's been a really bad week at the err...at work."

The bluff Kimblee called was almost successful. It would've been perfect if Kimblee was prepared for what was to follow.

"Wanna...talk about it?" Roy asked-

No!

-"If you want to."

"Well..." Thank goodness for the food. If he hadn't taken his time to chew and swallow, Kimblee wouldn't know how else to buy him time at the interrogations fired at him.

And he played the 'your own will' card! Damn son of a bitch!

Almost everyone knew that there was no escaping a 'discussion' once those four words were spoken. Even for someone as non-committal as Kimblee.

Roy was getting agitated. It wasn't easy to poke the answers out of his lover at times but to see him dodging and stalling was just as much tiresome as having to deal with ten of his blonde personal assistant.

He didn't know what was wrong with the man but ever since he woke up that day, Kimblee wasn't really behaving like himself. It wasn't that apparent, given their present situation but it was tangible.

When it seemed that the words were stuck in Kimblee's throat yet again, Roy decided to give a quick nudge.

"Zolf, I'm waiting."

"Yes, well...it's really hard to explain." Roy visibly saw Kimblee struggling. He chose his words very carefully and to top it all off, whatever came out of his mouth seemed very very restrained.

Not even looking at the other man, Kimblee went on, "Everything's so messed up. Eh, y-you won't understand."

That last bit should never have been spoken. Though intended to pacify the discussion, all it did was spark a flame in Roy's eyes as he glared suddenly and harshly rebuked the former alchemist. "And Maes will?"

It caught Kimblee off guard to say the least, but at that point, he could do nothing. He felt totally helpless, clueless, mindless as he literally shrunk before Roy.

"Tell me Zolf, why wouldn't I understand? Am I too dumb for your hospital stuff? Is it there something that you don't want to tell me? Then why can't you be damn clear about that?"

"Wait, what? Where exactly are you taking this?" Kimblee retorted back. Mustang would always be Mustang. Psycho in Amestris and psycho still in this godforsaken universe!

"It's not like I really care whatever goes on inside that cosy little office of yours- no I don't!" Roy sharply cut Kimblee off. "I don't even care about your past life or-or present influences. Hell, I could give a damn about your ex-wife or colleagues at work even if they came knocking at our door. I am not interested in any of those."

He paused slightly, trying to bring his temper down. However, weeks of distance between them and all that pent up frustration now really found a way to manifest itself. And Roy could do little to bottle it up again.

"What I am interested in," when he spoke again, his voice was lower but laced with tension that cracked up every now and then through his frown, "is us. And lately, it hasn't been smooth between us Zolf."

"Smooth? You expect it to be Smooth? Well, I wonder why!" This time, Kimblee found himself getting worked up. He had his own reasons to be upset about! Getting zapped into another world with your mortal enemy was one of them!

"Let's see...", He dramatically tapped his chin, as if to contemplate before widening his eyes with fake excitement, "Oh I know! Maybe because one of us really doesn't know the meaning of the word 'space'. Heard of it, darlin'? It means not constantly trailing me and bitching to me about this and that and that and this and whatnot! Honest to GOD Mustang, you tell me. How many times today did you actually not nag about something? How many times a day are you not so smug and bossy? You think you run the whole world? This whole GODDAMNED prison?"

Roy's eyes widened upon hearing his last name. Zolf had never- EVER- addressed him like that! Never!

Was this a reminder of their shaken foundation?

Of course, whatever came out of Kimblee's mouth had greater level of significance than any of them could ever imagine. However, the jab it gave Roy was on a similar level as well.

"I NAG about things because OTHERWISE sweetheart you wouldn't even so much as make a 'toot' sound with that cake hole of yours! Do you think I enjoy having to pull out words from you? You mess up and I get left in the dark. It's been weeks and I am tired of you struggling with all the wrong choices you've made!"

"WELL SO AM I!" Kimblee stood up from his chair pushing it back loudly- a notion that surprised Roy to no less. "SO AM I, DAMN IT! You think I plan on making these plunders? Well, then babe I wouldn't wait for so long to start LIVING with you under the same roof! You wanna know what's it like to be me? Then be in my shoes. I'm tired of all these questions and answers. These games!"

Having said that, he took off without sparing the other a second glance.

Roy sat still- shaken, upset and angered- clenching his fists and closing his eyes shut at the sound of the loud yet familiar bedroom door slam.

He was left behind yet again.

Next morning proved to be slower than the night preceding it. Waking up with no Roy beside him was dangerously weird, the stagnating silence encounter before leaving to work was suffocating and now that Zolf was in his 'cosy office', looking down through the window to nothing in particular proved to be a very unsettling pass time.

Ironically, that was what he longed to do when he was put away in those dark cellars. Now that he actually got the chance to do it (plus the bonus of rubbing it in Mustang's face), he didn't feel like it anymore.

He cursed softly as a knock was placed against his door.

Of all the times he wanted to be alone...

Paying no need, Kimblee looked on, trying hard to come up with any solution for this sticky situation. He wanted things to go back to normal.

He wanted to go home.

He was lightly pulled away from his thoughts as he heard his door open and as soon as it did, a rich yet unforgettably familiar musk invaded his senses.

"Not now," Kimblee said, without looking at the bespectacled man.

Maes pretended not to hear and closed the door, locking gently- an action not gone unnoticed by the other. However seeing the company as it was, he decided to let it pass.

"Not now." He said again, sternly this time, as he turned to face the taller man. Gold eyes automatically squinted as he saw Maes coming up to him solemnly and sure-footed with the same resolution he had the day before.

"Not now, damn it!"

Maes finally stopped- inches away from the other- eyes solid and smouldering.

"Then when?"

AN: That's it for this one. The next chapter will be up soon. But before that, please let me know what you think about this one! Like it? Think it needs something more? Feel free to tell me! Your suggestions are always welcomed! :D