A/N: I am so so so sorry this chapter took absolutely forever! But it's finally here!

I just hope there are still people who want to read it, haha.

(I also decided to read over and edit the previous chapters a bit, fixing a few mistakes and adding little details. There aren't any major changes though, and nothing change plot-wise)

Hope you all enjoy! Reviews are greatly appreciated!

Chapter Seven: Revelation

4:43.

The clock ticked away the minutes, the hands proudly displaying the time to all who wished to see it. At the moment only one pair of eyes gazed upon its face, staring with an intensity and nervousness that was almost palpable in the air.

Edward tapped his fingers idly on the arm of the couch he was currently sitting on. He'd finished getting dressed and ready only a few minutes ago, but his reaction to the ensuing ones made it seem as if he'd been waiting for hours. The seconds seemed to take forever to pass, which irritating him to a great extent.

He hated how he appeared to be looking forward to going out to dinner with the Brigadier-General, when he really, really wasn't. He was just naturally impatient, which was true. That was all.

4:49.

Unable to sit still any longer, he got to his feet and walked our of the living room and into the hallway. He slowed when his eyes latched onto a glimpse of gold and black. Pausing, Ed turned and stared into his reflection in the mirror that hung on one wall.

He took in the young man that stood before him. He was of average height – a little shorter, most would say, but he definitely wouldn't – and his young face was free of blemishes of any kind. Blonde hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, the long locks falling passed his shoulders in a straight column. He wore a black turtleneck, the soft fabric hugging his frame in a flattering and still comfortable way.

It still took some getting used to, even for himself. It wasn't just the physical differences either, because it was the mental and emotional ones that stood out more. He could still remember the days where he had been younger, more reckless and dangerous and angry. Half of his mind still lingering in the past even as he crashed forward into the future. He was still all of those things, but they had smoothed out over the years, his emotions calmer thanks to having gotten Alphonse's body back to it's original and natural state. He could still, on any good day, beat almost anyone to a bloody pulp or burn their ears off with his loud and biting comments.

He'd matured. But some things just didn't change.

Returning to the living room, Ed's eyes flicked up to the clock again.

4:57.

This was getting ridiculous. He felt like one of those young girls getting courted, waiting eagerly for the man who would sweep them off their feet. This wasn't a date, not in that sense! He was simply going out with a comrade, a friend he would say since he was in a good mood, and that was it. This wasn't romantic in the slightest, though he was sure Roy would make it seem like it in order to irritate him. He breathed out sharply through his nose. The man wasn't even there yet and he was already making him annoyed and flustered.

5:01.

"Great! He's late!" Edward exclaimed angrily, in an unnecessary act of pettiness. "Just because he thinks he's so important and that I should be honoured to have dinner with him doesn't mean he can–"

His tirade was cut off when there was a knock at the door. He nearly jumped, even though he'd been waiting for that knock for the passed many minutes. Heading over to it, he hesitated with his hand on the doorknob after he'd unlocked it. What was he doing, seriously? Going out to dinner with Roy Mustang after everything that had happened in the last week?

"Go on, brother, he's waiting."

He looked up sharply at the sound of Al's voice and saw that the other had been sitting on the steps of their staircase. He was smiling in amusement and Ed felt a flash of embarrassment. His brother had probably heard his rant moments ago.

"Right. I'm off then. Be back... later," he replied, nodding shortly with a small smiled before he swung open the door and stepped outside, greeting his date-who-wasn't-a-real-date as he shut it closed behind him.

"Nice of you to finally show up. You take forever, Brigadier-General."

"Nice of you to finally come outside. Didn't think you were looking forward to this so much, State Alchemist."

Ed shot him an unamused look before scoffing and setting off down the sidewalk. Roy followed quickly, hands shoved into the pockets of his long black coat. When they reached an intersection he motioned with his head toward the direction they would be going, letting the other believe he was the one leading the way. Roy shook his head, laughing silently to himself. The other had way too much pride sometimes.

Tonight would be the night where he would get Edward to tell him everything. He was resolved to that, needing answers to his questions. It wasn't just that, however. He also honestly wanted to know what was going on so he could help in any way possible. It was rare to see the older Elric brother in turmoil these days, and he didn't like it at all. The male deserved the peace he'd had since getting Alphonse's body back.

As they stepped out of the shadow of a building, Ed's hair shone in the light of the sun, the glowing light making it look like spun gold as the strands blew in the breeze. When his gaze raised to meet his, Roy had to swallow tightly, for his eyes were just the same, if even more beautiful. He was stunning. That fact hit him hard, and he had to wonder how he'd never noticed it before.

The younger of the two quirked an eyebrow, mouth twitching slightly in amusement even though his voice sounded annoyed. "What, is there something on my face?" Roy was quick to smirk in response to cover up the fact that he'd just been admiring him, making the other shake his head. "If there was you wouldn't tell me anyway, would you? Bastard."

They arrived at the restaurant a few minutes later, Edward shuffling inside without the civility to hold the door open for his older superior. Roy didn't say anything about it, but the edges of his lips lifted slightly.

"Ah, Mr. Mustang, it's good to see you again."

He turned and a smile automatically appeared on his lips at the sight of a very familiar waitress. She in turn smiled, greeting him with a small bow of her head, long brown hair falling forward around her face. "Maria, hello. It's good to see you as well." She was a woman he'd casually dated a year or so ago, and though they were no longer together they still maintained a friendly relationship.

Maria's big eyes moved on to focus on Edward, who seemed to be shifting uncomfortably as his own gaze wandered around the interior of the restaurant. Roy and Maria shared a knowing look. It was obvious that the young alchemist hadn't been in such a high-class place to eat before, not that he could blame him considering how much he ate on a regular basis.

"A table for two I take it?" At his nod, Maria directed them to the left side of the restaurant. "Right this way then."

As she led them around other tables toward their own, Roy nodded at familiar faces, but didn't stray from his subordinate's side. Edward wasn't like most of his usual company, and so he was given a few curious looks from other waiters and waitresses who knew him well from his many visits. He found this oddly amusing, but didn't mention it to the other.

Once they were seated, Roy glanced over the menu. It was only after a few minutes that he glanced up at the person across from him, raising a questioning eyebrow, who was staring right back at him. When their gazes met, Ed flushed and looked to the side. A scowl formed and he opened his mouth in and almost unsure manner to ask, "Why?"

"Why what? You'll have to be more specific than that." He smirked back at the glare that comment received, folding his menu shut. He already knew what he was going to order anyway, so all that was left was for the other to and then they could order.

"You know what I'm talking about! Why did you ask me to, you know," he began, gesturing wildly with one arm at their surroundings. "come here with you?"

Roy tapped his chin as if deep in thought before replying honestly. "Well, our conversation the last time, at the bar, was cut short right when it started getting interesting. I think I deserve some answers or an explanation of some sort. Since I did witness your little... tryst. I thought we could clear things up while on one of our own per se, though I think this is a whole lot more classy than what you were doing that other time."

Edward's cheeks burned a bright red as he tried to splutter out an indignant reply, however he was stopped when Maria walked up to their table with a bright smile.

"Now, are you two ready to order?" She asked cheerily, oblivious to what had been going on in their conversation.

"Yes, I believe we are," Roy paused to smirk at Ed before telling her his order. His 'date' did the same, doing his best to sound nonchalant but failing appearance wise since his hands were clenched tightly. He would have to be more careful it seemed, otherwise a repeat of their encounter at the bar would most likely occur. "Could we have some wine as well, Maria?"

"Of course! I'll be back with your orders and drinks in no time."

They lapsed into a silence that was neither comfortable or the opposite, and like their waitress had said, she was back rather quickly with their meals. After thanking her, they dug in, Roy watching in amusement as Ed tried his best to not start shovelling the food into his mouth as what his usual way of eating. 'At least he was trying,' he mused. It was more than he'd expected.

"So, Fullmetal, are you going to start talking, or shall I start asking questions?"

Ed's hand halted on it's way to bringing up a forkful of food to his mouth. He pressed his lips together in a tight line for a moment, looking as if he was deciding on something, before he continue eating. Roy let him do so without complaint for a while, knowing that he wouldn't completely ignore him. If he had been planning to do that, then there was no reason for him to even accept his offer to join him for dinner in the first place.

It took a few minutes, but finally, when they were both close to finishing eating, he started to talk.

"I've been having these... dreams. They only started a few months ago, and in the beginning they weren't really a problem to deal with. But then they started happening more often. I can only get them to stop by going out and... meeting people."

Of course, 'meeting' had more meaning to it, but Roy didn't interject to say so. Edward already looked uncomfortable enough as it was, rushing through an explanation gruffly to get it over with, he guessed. When he stopped and gave him a look, he took it as him giving a chance to speak, and he decided to try to clear it up. "By dreams I take it you mean ones of the... mature nature, right? And not the kind that are nightmares."

Ed nodded, fidgeting with the pretty white tablecloth. He worried his lip, and Roy's dark gaze couldn't help but drop down to look at the action before it was drawn back up to meet it's golder counterpart. "That's it, really. I mean I thought the dressing up bit was self-explanatory. I don't want to get recognized."

Roy nodded, letting this new information settle in his mind. He'd been thinking along the right lines, assuming that the younger man was probably looking for a way to relieve pent of emotions. While he wasn't given much detail, Ed had significantly made a difference by telling him the main reason behind what he was doing, and he hoped that would quell his mind of it's tumultuous musings. Perhaps now he would be able to go about his day without thinking about the Fullmetal Alchemist every half an hour.

The other's nervousness and reluctance to continue on made it clear to Roy that it would probably be best to change the subject. Or at least make light of it. Avoiding the topic was something he didn't want to do, and so he settled on one of his usual courses of action when it came to conversing with Edward.

He made sarcastic and teasing remarks, making fun of him.

"Finally you're becoming a man. Giving into hormones was going to happen, it was only a matter of time. If you're not careful, you'll end up becoming like the Second Lieutenant."

"You mean Havoc?" There was a snort of laughter before Ed stabbed his empty fork in his direction as a means for pointing. "I could say the same about you, you know."

He looked scandalized for a moment as he picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth gently. "Me? Where would you even get that idea from?"

"Oh, I don't know, somewhere between all your talk of getting the female personnel to wear mini-skirts as part of their uniform and the hundreds of dates you have every year?"

"You better stop there or you're going to start sounding like you're jealous."

"Jealous? Why the hell would I be jealous? Who says I haven't done anything like that before now? With women?"

Roy simply laughed and shook his head, looking disbelieving. "I highly doubt it, but if it's true, do enlighten me, dear Edward."

He flushed and muttered something under his breath that was probably an insult, taking a large gulp of his wine. His nose scrunched up at the taste, but he continued to drink from it nonetheless. Roy watched this, all the while hiding a smile behind one of his gloved hands. Calling the other by his first name instead of his rank or title felt a lot different, more personal, and if he said he didn't like it then he would be lying.

'... For now I'll leave it be even if I'm still curious, but we'll talk about this again some time soon, I'm certain. I need to make sure things don't stay like this, get better. It's just as they say; you'll do a lot for the ones you care about. Lucky you, Fullmetal, I think the great Flame Alchemist might be falling for you,' he thought, smiling to himself.

The sky was a mess of warm colours when they left the building. It was pretty close to dusk, the sun readying itself to set and give way to the luminescent beauty of the moon. They walked weirdly close beside one another for two people who usually weren't on the best of terms, and their conversation was almost civil and companionable. No one would probably believe it unless they saw it with their own two eyes.

However, the moderately peaceful walk was interrupted, the moment shattered, when a man travelling the opposite direction rammed his shoulder hard against Ed's. The man staggered but didn't apologize, and the younger of the three spun around angrily to let loose a string of what were probably going to be profanities.

He stopped with his mouth gaping open when the man grinned lecherously at him, and then suddenly Edward was grabbed and pushed backwards. The obviously drunken man was surprisingly strong and able, even while intoxicated, and pinned the much smaller body against a wall of an alley with ease.

"My, aren't ya a pretty little thing?"

Ed stiffened in fury. "Who are you calling a pipsqu–?"

His curse-filled sentence was instantly forgotten when the other man reached around and grabbed his behind. Edward's treacherous mind gave out and went blank, disabling his ability to react and get away. It felt like, for a moment, his body and mind were not one, and he looked at the man closely, examining him instead of trying to fight him off.

His appearance was so much like the man who had first made a move on him, that brief flare of memory triggered probably because of his recent conversation about the encounter with said man. His brain, sensing something strange, continued to show him flashes of the other people he'd picked up at bars, all of their appearances lining up in his mind's eye. All the while this was happening, Ed was getting groped in the alleyway.

The pressure of another body pressed against his own is abruptly removed, and Ed's gaze blurred back into focus, coming back to reality. He looked up and caught sight of Roy shoving the man off of him, posing a mere second later with a hand raised, ready to snap and unleash the fury of his flames.

"I believe you've been mistaken into thinking that you can lay your hands all over my subordinate," he said in a voice so calm it was like ice, his tone hard and threatening even though he spoke so softly. With his other hand he reached into his pocket and flashed his silver watch, a sign that he wasn't someone to cross without care.

The drunken man, having probably realized how much danger he was in currently, fled in a hurry.

Ed was still frozen to the spot, looking like he'd just seen a ghost or something else completely unbelievable. Noticing this odd behaviour, Roy called his name gently, but he received no answer. The taller man bent down to look eye to eye with him.

"Edward, are you alright? Answer me, Ed."

His eyes focused and he looked at him in astonishment as if he'd forgotten he wasn't alone. However, he still didn't reply, instead letting his gaze flit over his commanding officer's face and physical characteristics. 'He looks so concerned... It's not like I'm bleeding or anything... His eyes are so dark, mysterious... Dammit, and he has to bend down to see me properly. I hate being smaller than everyone. But... with him leaning over me like this, so close, it doesn't feel strange at all, it feels familiar. I can feel his hair against my forehead. He never would make sure it was neat; it's as messy as ever. And he...'

Edward's mind continued on his endless tirade of observations. It was trying to tell him something, something very important, but every time he came close to figuring it out it slipped through his mental grasp.

Tired of being ignored, Roy reached out to touch his face, the fabric of his gloves brushing the edge of his jaw to try to get his attention. Ed finally snapped out of it, the physical contact making a shock run through his body, and he shoved away from Roy. He gave the one last look of utter disbelief and confusion before he spun around and was running down the street towards his house.

Everything had finally clicked together. Now it all made sense. Now his brain had pieced everything together and shown him a fact that he hadn't been able to see before, something about the men he'd been picking up at bars that should have been so glaringly obvious but had escaped his notice.

All of them. Every single one of them.

But how could this be possible? Why did they all...

... so closely resemble the one and only Roy Mustang?