Demons and Redemption

Chapter 10

It was a sudden chill that woke Ed. Like stinging chards of ice being driven into his spine. He shuddered hard before pulling his knees further into his chest, curling into a tighter ball. The blankets that were tucked around him seemed to offer little warmth and even less protection. He clenched his jaw more tightly with each breath, trying in vain to stop the rattling of his teeth. The cold had permeated his dreams as easily as it had the soft blankets over him, and soon the boy found himself bolted upright, staring into an unsettling darkness. He blinked his golden eyes a few times trying to adjust, trying to place just where he was.

Then he remembered.

The snow. The cold. The fire.

And Roy.

The boy swallowed a few times before rubbing his eyes with his flesh hand. When he refocused on the gray shadows, he realized that two of those things were now gone: the fire and the man who had created it with a single snap.

Ed sighed. He was alone again.

Alone and naked.

The boy strained his neck, peering around the dark room in an attempt to find his clothes. The scattered moonlight betrayed their hiding place in the far corner. Another sigh. Ed didn't feel like walking across the cold floor to retrieve them. He didn't know how long he sat there staring at them before a quiet rustling from behind the closed bedroom door invaded his thoughts. His eyebrows furrowed a little as he pulled the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around his shivering frame. Then he softly padded across the room and cracked open the door.

"Roy…."

The older alchemist was clad in the deep blue pants of his uniform and a crisp white dress shirt, sitting at the desk at the far end of the den. Ed could see from the sheen of the fading moonlight that the dark hair was wet from a recent shower, and he quietly cursed himself for not waking up in time to join him. It was obvious to the younger one that Roy had not heard him, that his attention was absorbed by something on the desk that Ed couldn't quite see. The boy lifted a little onto the balls of his feet, flesh and metal grinding against the hardwood floor, to try and catch a glimpse of what it was. But then the raven locks shook back and forth, as if Roy were answering some question deep in his soul, and that object was slipped back into the top drawer and locked away. Golden eyes narrowed as they watched Roy slide a piece of paper from another drawer before grabbing a pen. The quiet skating of the metal tip against the smoothness of the paper and the oak underneath was the only sound that filled the room as Ed watched every movement of the man's hand. Ed tilted his head to the side, the tousled strands of blond hair slipping into his eyes, watching as the pen was carefully set on the edge of the desk. He studied the curve of the older one's neck as Roy leaned down and gently blew on the paper, drying the thin trail of ink. Then the man very precisely folded the piece of paper and rose to his feet. Ed instantly ducked back into the room and curled under the blankets, closing his eyes to feign that he was still stirring in his dreams.

The boy fought to even out his breaths as quiet footsteps came closer and closer to the room. The soft creak of the door caused a slight hitch in his throat, but the footsteps went decisively around the bed and over to the closet. Ed curled his fingers around the edge of the pillow, listening as Roy slipped on the blue military jacket before buttoning his gray coat over it. Then the black boots moved again, this time tentatively.

This time to the bed.

Ed swallowed, feeling the onyx eyes on his back. The younger alchemist wasn't sure just how much time passed, but he did know that each minute seemed to torture him in its slowness. Finally, the rustling of wool filled the unbearable silence, and Ed felt the blanket being tucked more securely over his automail shoulder. It took every ounce of self-restraint the boy had not to smirk at the gesture of Roy trying to keep his metal arm warm. But then he felt fingertips tenderly tuck the loose strands of hair back behind his ear before a gentle kiss was placed on its soft, exposed lobe. Then it took all the boy had for that smirk not to turn into a smile. Ed suddenly heard Roy slip something under his automail hand, and after that, the boy was alone. When the golden eyes finally opened, he realized just what it was.

The letter Roy had been writing.

A sudden chill caught Ed's heart. A sudden fear. The last time he had found a note from the man, things didn't exactly end the way either of them had wanted. Guesses at what the words were hidden within the folded paper began to race through the boy's mind, and none of them were reassuring. Did Roy want him to leave? Did the words lament the man's regret for the night before? Would they tell Ed that he was too young, that everything had been a mistake, that Roy had only allowed him into his bed because he had felt sorry for him? The cruel thoughts began to lap over one another, circling in the young alchemist's mind, entangling themselves tighter and tighter until they wound themselves into an endless pit of doubt.

Ed finally sighed and struggled to find his way out of his cocoon of soft cotton. He pulled his knees up and rested his chin on them, staring at the paper for a while. He ran his fingertips over the edge of the crisp folds, drawing in slow breaths. Then he finally straightened his legs and unfolded the note.

Don't go anywhere until I come home tonight. We can figure out what to do about finding Alphonse then.

You need to trust me.

—Roy

Ed didn't realize the loud sigh of relief that escaped. The sigh or the wide grin. He stared at the meticulous handwriting for a while before he refolded the paper and slid it onto the nightstand. A quick glance at the small window revealed the waning of the night sky. It was almost dawn. Ed's grin grew.

He had plenty of time.

He could sneak back to the prison, hunt for any clues as to his younger brother's whereabouts, and be back before Roy ever knew he was gone. Roy may have needed his trust, but Al needed him. A gaping yawn suddenly contorted the boy's face. Ed reached up and ran his hands through his hair, tugging a little on his bangs. The chill shuddered through him once again. Golden eyes drew to the corner of the room, where they fell on his clothes still wadded up in the corner, waiting for him to retrieve them. Then they shifted to the bathroom door, which was even further away. The boy grumbled as he finally threw off his blanket, letting the cold air hit his skin. It was the best way he knew to wake himself up. He knew he needed to leave soon if he was to slip back into the tiny apartment before its owner came home. The boy was confident, though. Ed knew he could investigate any information about where they were keeping Al and return to Roy's apartment without a hitch.

After all, he was the Fullmetal Alchemist.

XXXXX

"Colonel?"

Roy was sitting at his desk, staring at another purposeless document that needed his approval. Even though he had been mindlessly adding his signature to paper after paper that morning, the stack which sat precariously on the far corner of his polished desk never seemed to dwindle. It was as if the papers had melded together into some mythical creature, and for every one he signed, two more would spring in its place. His mind was far from the rationing of army supplies within the region at the moment. As each hour passed, it drifted more and more towards a certain blond-haired alchemist he had left asleep in his bed that morning. One by one, images from the night before began to float back from his memories, slipping into the forefront of his mind. The way the boy looked as he writhed beneath him. The low groans that would escape from deep in his throat when Roy reached that spot deep inside him. The wisps of blond hair that became trapped against a sweat-soaked forehead. With each thought of Ed, Roy's stomach began to twist into a knot, trying to tell the man that something wasn't right. Roy was worried. They would be looking for the renegade alchemist now that he hadn't shown up in Central on the early train. But he had left a note telling the boy to stay put for the time being.

Ed would do what Roy told him, the older one kept telling himself.

Wouldn't he?

"Colonel?"

The dark eyes drew towards the figure standing in the wooden doorframe.

"Yes?"

"There's a phone call from the Central Command Center for you."

Roy's body tensed for a moment before he recovered and gave the lower-ranking officer a slight nod. He motioned with his hand for the man to leave and then reached over for the receiver.

"Colonel Mustang."

The Flame Alchemist was more than hoping that the voice on the other end was a familiar one, one that would have the information he had requested about the prison transfers the day before.

He would get half of his wish.

"Mustang, you sound tired. Is everything alright there?"

The dark eyes widened. "Fuhrer, sir…..what can I do for you?"

"Well, it seems Fullmetal wasn't able to make his train on time." The cool voice answered. "As he's needed here in Central, I'm calling to make sure he boards the one tomorrow morning."

"Needed in Central, sir?" Roy asked, trying to keep the concern from slipping into his voice. "I thought you were simply asking him to return to keep an eye on him."

"There are a few things I need to discuss with him, Mustang. Things you shouldn't concern yourself with." Fuhrer Bradley firmly replied. "I take it that if you have seen Fullmetal today, you'd tell me?"

"Of course, sir." Roy made sure to answer without hesitation. "But I have neither seen nor had any contact with the Elrics since we last spoke, sir."

"I figured as much." The Fuhrer's tone indicated otherwise. "I knew I had placed my trust in you for a reason, Mustang."

Roy tapped his fingers against the side of his desk. "I take it you will be assigning me the task of finding Fullmetal, sir."

A quiet chuckle preceded the Fuhrer's answer. "I'm afraid you'll be too busy for such a simple assignment."

Roy drew back, his jaw dropping a little in shock. "Busy, sir?"

"Yes. I want to make sure that Youswell's prisoners make it up north without any problems. I know you're the perfect one to handle the situation. You'll be leaving with them in the morning."

The young man shook his head. "And Fullmetal?"

"I've already spoken to your subordinates about it." Bradley answered shortly. "They'll be handling things while you're away—including finding the boy. No need for you to be occupied with that while there are more important things that require your attention. Remember, Mustang, I'm putting my full trust in you."

"Yes, sir. I appreciate that, sir."

A dial tone was his response. The Fuhrer's was the stack of unsigned papers being dumped into the trash. Roy sighed as he turned his chair and stared into the dreary winter sky. The knot in his stomach began to burn, pulling a few more internal organs along with it. He closed his eyes and hoped that his fugitive alchemist had read his note.

You need to trust me, Ed.

XXXXX

Ed was impressed with himself.

After a long day of walking against the harsh winds and through the desolate land outside the town, he had returned just before sunset. But his neglected stomach hadn't been as impressed. Ever since the boy had reached town, it had grumbled its grievance with an increasing loudness, drawing the attention of a few people walking close to him. By the time he finally reached Roy's apartment, the young alchemist was convinced that starvation was a real possibility. He tossed his slush-covered jacket on the couch and headed into the kitchen to pilfer whatever awaited him.

Which wasn't much.

"Guess you eat out a lot." Ed mumbled, staring at a nearly bare pantry.

After a few minutes of scavenging, the blond finally found a few ingredients that when mixed together, might actually resemble a meal. He searched the cabinets for a pot and walked over to the small stove, ready to whip together an actual dinner.

Ed leaned over the pot of boiling water, peering in at the noodles as the bubbles spun furiously around them. He reached over for the nearly empty container of salt and gave it a few shakes over the fragrant pot, a grin overtaking his face. The boy shook his head as he glanced back at the now set table. Even though the plates and silverware were mismatched, even though there was only one set of chopsticks and a large jagged chip in one of the bowls, he had managed to make it look very presentable.

This was all so very…domestic.

Ed grinned again as he reached over to turn off the stove.

He was very impressed with himself.

"Well?"

Roy had walked in the door a few minutes later, his head lowered, melting snow glistening within his saturated locks. He had been very quiet, keeping his onyx eyes distinctly off of the younger alchemist as he ran his fingers through his hair. Neither noticed the fine spray of melting snow that spattered around him, covering the gold stars on his shoulders. Without a word, Roy had walked into the kitchen and settled at the table, staring down at the bowl of fragrant food. Now he sat very quietly picking over the noodles with the prongs of his fork. He had yet to take a bite.

The older alchemist finally cleared his throat. "It's good."

Ed scoffed. "You don't have to lie to me if you don't like it."

That finally earned him a glimpse of the stormy onyx eyes. Roy stared at the younger one with an uncomfortable scrutiny before returning his attention to the stiffening noodles.

"Did you get my note?"

The boy sighed. "Yeah."

"You must have been bored sitting here all day."

"Well, I spent a lot of time making this." Ed ventured, trying to bury the hurt that was threatening to betray itself in his voice. This was not the reaction he was expecting from the man whose bed he had shared twice now. Roy simple shrugged and continued to feign inspection of the meal.

Ed had taken about all that he could.

The boy drew back and flung his chopsticks onto the table. They slid against the wood with an unsettling clatter before coming to a rest against Roy's glass of water. Flesh and metal arms crossed over a heaving chest and golden eyes flared.

"That's the last time I try to do something nice for you, bastard."

The dark eyes lowered again and focused on the slender noodles.

"I didn't think I had enough food left to make anything."

Ed said nothing, the fire overtaking his golden irises more and more with each passing moment. Roy finally set his fork down and leaned back in his chair.

"Which is why I came back around noon to bring you some lunch." He quietly continued, his eyes raising once again. The implication of that fact immediately registered on the younger one's face. "I guess you feel like you have to lie to me."

Ed's arms loosened and slid down his chest. "Roy….."

The older one suddenly stood and headed towards the den. "I'm not really hungry."

The sound of Ed's chair scraping against the floor as the boy jumped to his feet echoed behind him. Roy walked over to closet and took out the snow-drenched coat he had hung there just moments before.

"You don't understand."

The older one lowered his head. "The problem is that I do, Ed." He quietly contradicted. The boy watched helplessly as he slid his arm through the heavy sleeve. "You'll never trust me."

"Where are you going?"

"Out."

The blond lowered his head. "I guess you want me gone then."

But Ed was surprised by a quick shake of the dark locks. "What I want doesn't seem to matter to you, Edward." Roy truthfully answered, a hint of sorrow buried deep within his voice. The boy found it soon enough. "But I understand. We both have goals. You have to do what you have to do to achieve them. Sometimes the cost can't matter."

Ed stood there silently for a while just staring at the now empty den.

The rest of the meal was left uneaten.

XXXXX

Roy didn't know how long he just stood in the doorway to his bedroom, staring at the smaller figure at the window, framed by the moon's opalescent light. It was well after midnight by the time the man had finally slipped off the stool in the back alley bar. Surprisingly, even to the man himself, Roy had barely finished one glass all night. The rest of the time, he had stared at the melting ice sliding around the bottom of his drink, listening to the muted chatter around him. Men lamenting their wives. A waitress bickering with a patron over a meager tip. The bartender commenting on how business was slowly waning away just as the mine was. The words filtered into Roy's ears, but they went unacknowledged. There was only one thought that permeated his drowning mind as he stared at his empty glass, and as he walked through the stinging snow to his isolated apartment.

I didn't protect Hughes, and I can't protect Ed.

Besides…..I have my own goal.

By the time he reached his front door and his fingers groped blindly in his coat pocket for his key, he almost believed it.

Almost.

Then he had seen Ed.

Roy finally gained the courage to walk into the shadowed room and touch the boy. He stood behind the blond then reached up and very lightly ran the back of his fingers against Ed's stiff neck.

"I didn't think you'd still be here."

The boy shrugged.

"You'd do anything for him, wouldn't you?"

Ed closed his eyes and very quietly sighed. "He's my brother, Roy." He softly replied. "We've been to Hell and back, and I'm the one who dragged us there."

The older one simply dropped his hand and wrapped his arms loosely around the slim waist, pulling the boy against his chest. Ed shivered as the snow-drenched wool of Roy's coat brushed against his skin.

"What did you find out?"

Of course, Roy already knew.

"The prison is almost empty." Ed quietly replied. "They're moving the prisoners somewhere else. Where ever that is, Al has got to be there."

"You should let me—"

"You can't stop me, Roy." The younger one quietly declared. "I'll do everything it takes to make sure that Al is safe. He means too much to me to just sit back and wait for something to happen."

"So you know how it feels." Roy whispered as he dropped his arms and pulled back.

The younger one swung around, his golden eyes wide, his lips parted in shock. It was the closest the man had come to actually admitting he cared for Ed, that his need to protect him went beyond that of a concerned commander for his protégé.

Automail fingers suddenly grabbed Roy's collar, yanking him down so that he was closer to the fiery-eyed blond. Before the Flame Alchemist could react, lips crushed against him, forcing them open. Ed knew the man could feel his grin as he shifted them around, turning them towards the bed. The shocked gasp against his lips as the boy suddenly shoved Roy down onto the mattress and straddled the straight hips caused that grin to absolutely beam.

Ed leaned over his lover, chest heaving, blond bangs falling down into his face. Roy's dark eyes blazed brightly with a hint of their true deep blue color as they studied the face hovering above him. Roy smiled, reaching up to cup to that face, trying to lean forward enough to feel the needy touch of those lips. But Ed was faster. He slapped the hand away and shook his head, his eyes shining to match the intensity of his grin. Then he reached down and unfastened the heavy blue pants, yanking them down just far enough to expose what he had been seeking.

The first feel of lips gliding along his hardening shaft caused Roy's back to arch off the bed, and a low moan to escape his lips. He felt flesh and metal fingertips digging into his hips, and his own fingers sought the softness of the blond strands hanging down against his skin.

Roy shuddered hard as a warm, daring tongue began to explore the base of his hardening shaft. It was obvious that this was one thing that the younger alchemist did not have very much experience. But that mattered little to Roy. Just raising his eyes enough to see the blond hair splayed across his stomach and the edges of his starched shirt, to see the head move up and down in a tentative, probing rhythm, just feeling the warmth of the boy's breath between his legs and the heat of his tongue massaging his growing hardness was enough to push him towards the edge. His breaths became more ragged, and his head became too heavy to keep tilted, dropping back against the soft pillow. As his fingers fell from Ed's hair and grasped at the sheets below, Roy's mind began to drift. He realized he could not tell Ed that he knew where the prisoners were going. That he would be the one to accompany them. If the boy followed him to the north to find Al, the Fuhrer would most certainly find out.

Then Roy truly wouldn't be able to protect the boy.

The older alchemist knew that he couldn't tell Ed everything just yet. If he could just keep the younger one in the dark for a little while longer, he might be able to come up with some sort of plan to find Al and smooth things over with Bradley. As each frenzied stroke of that tongue urged him to his rapidly approaching peak, the bittersweet irony of what he was doing began to seep into the ecstasy that was flooding his senses.

He was doing the very thing he had chastised Ed for just a few hours before.

He was lying to him because he didn't trust him.

He was lying to him because he needed to protect him.

He was lying to him…..

Because he loved him.

TBC….

A/N: Roy, Roy….thinks he can control everything. ;) Thanks again to all the awesome reviewers—it's so nice to get feedback for the story and know people are interested in it!