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A/N I really am trying to update as frequently as possible, but I do have other stories to write and my laptop is out of commission for a while. I don't know when I am getting my new one, but I am trying.

Dedicated to: Payton-Chan, aka Payton Pride. Love you!

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA!

Chapter Nine:

All Breaking Apart

Edward made sure to stay away from Roy after breakfast. He couldn't have Roy finding out about his plan...

No. That would ruin everything.

Ed couldn't let Roy find out. But now the blonde knew what he had to do.

He had to execute his plan faster. No lingering. No hesitating. Nothing. Just. Do. It.

The Fullmetal Alchemist couldn't afford to have his colonel 'save' him again.

The teen went through his plan again. Run away... Find somewhere secluded, where Roy might find him, but when Roy found him, it would be too late... And then... This was Edward's favorite part here... Then end his life.

He planned on cutting his wrist, the main vein. So he could admire his beautiful blood as his life slipped away.

But that plan would have to wait.

He couldn't do it now... Roy was just waiting for him to make a move like that. The colonel was too prepared.

But he would do it.

That, he swore to himself.


Roy had to admit, he was worried. Edward had been avoiding him all day long. Not even a 'hello' or a 'hey, bastard'. Nothing.

When Ed saw Roy, he would avert his golden eyes and walk the opposite direction, or go back to his room.

Now, the colonel was positive that Ed was planning something.

Something he wouldn't like.

So, the raven haired man was being extra careful not to upset Edward, or be a bastard to him. Anything that would push the teen over the edge. He was doing his best to make Ed happy.

'Happy like he deserves to be...' Roy thought to himself as he walked into the kitchen.

Roy was planning on making stew for dinner. Stew was Ed's favorite, Al had told him so.

The colonel was coming across some unfamiliar feelings. Roy wanted to be the one who made Ed happy. Roy wanted to be the one who Ed went to when he was hurting. Roy wanted to be the shoulder Ed could cry on. Roy wanted to be the one to hold Edward, and whisper sweet nothings and comforting words.

He wanted to be Edward's. And he wanted Edward to be his.

But why did he want this?

He wasn't falling for Edward... Was he?

No. That... Wasn't possible. Ed was fourteen years his junior, his subordinate. His male subordinate.

This wasn't possible...

The Flame Mustang; Hero of Ishval; Central's womanizer... Was falling for... The Fullmetal Alchemist; Hero of the People. The people's alchemist.

But... Fullmetal's golden blonde hair. Those eyes that sparkled like the fiery sun. Those pink, soft lips. The glistening tan skin. Oh. My. God. Roy really was turning gay for Ed, wasn't he?

But Roy couldn't muster up any emotion that minded.

Whoever said they couldn't be together? Oh, that's right. Society. They would be shunned.

And yet again, Roy couldn't muster up any emotion that minded.

Yes, Roy Mustang was in love with Edward Elric.

The colonel knew he loved Ed, but how did Ed feel about him? Roy wanted to know, desperately so.


Edward sighed as he dropped his head onto his pillow. Roy had broken his promise. The colonel had promised he wouldn't hurt Ed, but he did. Emotionally. And that always hurt more than any physical wound.

He didn't know what to do.

Should he kill himself? He had no reason not to.

Should he tell Roy that he thinks he loves him? He had every reason not to.

Should he stay here? He didn't know.

Should he trust Roy? He didn't know.

What should he do?

As Edward laid there, he decided something. He would try to trust Roy. He wouldn't jump and scream when the colonel came into contact with him. He wouldn't scream for mercy. He wouldn't plead for 'master' to stop.

Now, he needed to talk to Roy.


Roy was reclining in his favorite comfortable chair when he heard the uneven footsteps clanking down the stairs. Edward stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked around, checking for Roy.

Upon spotting the raven haired man, the blonde walked over to the chair Roy was sitting in and stood in front of him.

"I've decided that I will try to trust you." Edward said, getting straight to the point.

Obsidian eyes widened. Was Ed really saying this? After what had happened? After what Roy had said?

"Thank you." Roy said simply, but the tone he used made it genuine.

Edward gave a small smile. "So, how about we do something?"

"Like what?" The colonel asked.

The major thought for a second. "Hmm, I've heard that you are quite good at chess..."

"Yes, I am." Roy said, taking his chance to brag.

The smile on Ed's face turned to a smirk. "Well, it so happens that I am too."

"We'll just have to see who's better." Roy challenged the teen.

Both smirks grew. "Fine, let's do that." Edward agreed.


The older man had left to go find his chess board, and Ed took this as his chance to take a breath.

He sat next to the fireplace, now lit, seeing as Roy had snapped to bring the flames to light before he left in search of the game.

In all honesty, this was almost a bit too much for him. He had thought it would be simple... Trust Roy, hang out with Roy. Then it would all be fine.

But it wasn't that simple.

Ed's emotions were conflicting. He was in love with this man, but yet... He was also afraid of him.

He knew he shouldn't be afraid. He knew it was Envy in that alley, and not the Flame Alchemist.

But... He was still so terrified. It had been Roy's face he had seen when Envy was pounding mercilessly into him.

He was so afraid.

Edward would try. He would try to overcome this fear.


Roy had finished looking for the chess set, and was currently walking back to the living room, where Edward was waiting, with the board settled in the crook of his arm.

As he walked back into the living room, he spoke to alert Edward of his arrival. "Hey, Edw-" Roy stopped dead when he saw the glow of the flames from the fireplace lighting up Edward's golden face.

His hair, turned a shade lighter by the light from the flames.

His eyes, with the firelight dancing in the golden orbs.

His skin, glowing by the light of the fire.

He looked beautiful. Roy knew that Ed was always beautiful... But this was a true sight to behold for Roy. It made the colonel wonder what the young alchemist looked like in the moonlight.

Ed turned his head sideways, so he could see the person who had entered.

"Roy, did you find it?" The teen asked.

The man in question released a breath, trying not to concentrate solely on how beautiful Edward was.

"Y-yeah I did." Roy cursed himself silently for sounding so shaky.

Edward smiled, his teeth sparkling in the firelight. Roy took another shaky breath. It was taking all the colonel had not to just jump the blonde now.

And with that thought, they set up their game.


Hours later, the last round of the game had come to an end.

The first round, Roy had won, and Ed had refused to admit defeat and demanded they play a new round. From there on it went a win for Flame, and then a win for Fullmetal.

Thus, the game ended, far past 'curfew', in a tie.

"Good game, shorty." Roy called mockingly.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT THEY COULD DROWN IN A RAINDROP!" Ed yelled in the face of his colonel. There was a pause before the teen added "Yeah, you too, bastard."


Fullmetal and Flame had called it a night and Roy was guiding Ed back to the guestroom. Ed walked into the room that was now his, and laid in bed as Roy tucked him in, simply because he wanted to.

Things had certainly changed between them, and they both knew it. Almost all the fear Edward held for Roy was gone, replaced by something sweeter. Love. Roy's love for Edward had grown immensely, but neither of them knew the feelings the other harbored for each other.

As Roy turned to leave, Ed called out his name.

"What is it, Ed?" Roy asked, curious as to what the teen wanted.

A light layer of pink covered the blonde's cheeks. "Um... Could you get me a glass of water? My throats a little dry..."

Roy smiled. "Sure, it's no problem."

"Thank you."

"Anytime, Edward. Really, anytime." Roy replied.

Both of them knew they weren't talking about the water.


Edward sighed in happiness as he laid in bed, waiting for the older man to return with his water.

He knew he could trust Roy. The colonel had done nothing wrong. In fact, Roy had done nothing but support and comfort him this entire journey. He trusted Roy.

He loved Roy.

And nothing could change that.


Roy was making his way down the stairs, about to get the blonde alchemist's glass of water.

He knew he loved Edward.

And nothing could change that.

It didn't matter to him that Edward was fourteen years younger, that he was his subordinate, and a male at that.

None of that mattered.

Roy smiled to himself. Ed was so amazing. And now the Fullmetal Alchemist never had to be afraid of the Flame Alchemist again.

The smile grew.

And just as it did, Roy heard a crash and a scream of a terrified teenager.

The scream of a terrified Edward.

And just when Edward had finally trusted Roy...

...It was all breaking apart.

TO BE CONTINUED!

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