Wootness! Another chapter! I actually like this one. I find it to be a lot better than the other two of this sequel. The only problem is that it's kinda a lot happening at once, but whatever! And in the beginning of this, just go with it. Don't contradict me with your FMA knowledge of how Roy learned alchemy!! (Did I word that right?...Hmm...Oh well!) Haha! Anyways, please read and review! :)

"Whoa, I must say that I am absolutely impressed. Where did you learn to do that?" Ed asked. He reached out his hand to capture the smoke that drifted up in the sky from the extinguished flame. There was a blackened spot in the grass now from the where the flame had ignited. Roy had learned a lot in only four days.

"Gotta thank the internet for that one. I did some research after you left yesterday and found out about the different arrays. Did you know that alchemy is still practiced far east of Amestris? Anyways, I stayed up for hours trying to bring it to what I've got now," Roy said, grinning at his achievement of flame alchemy.

They were sitting in the grass in a secluded part of the park. It was late in the evening, but neither of them cared.

"So you're going to be a flame alchemist, eh?"

"I guess I am. I actually like it as opposed to the stuff we've been doing," Roy said slowly.

"Well, I think it suits you. I find it kinda sexy too," Ed said as he kissed Roy's neck. Roy pulled the small blond on top of him and they both fell back in the grass. Their lips connected passionately and every problem in the their lives seemed to melt away for the moment. When they broke away, they simply gazed into one another's eyes. Ed preferred what he saw in those black eyes he loved so much; he saw love and pride, not the confusion or fear as from before.

"Are you happy now?" Ed asked softly.

"Very," Roy replied and reached up to kiss Ed once more. "I don't have to worry anymore 'cause now I can protect you . "

Ed actually felt himself blush. To think that someone would go through the pain of learning alchemy just to ensure the protection of another was endearing to Ed.

"We have three days left, Roy," Ed said. Roy shifted their positions so that they were both on their sides, facing each other.

"I know, but let's only think of now, not later. I want these remaining days to be something I'll remember always. Even though I have alchemy now, I still don't know what's down the road and if...Well, nevermind. But no matter what happens, know that I will always love you," Roy said softly. He reached out his hand to cup Ed's cheek. Ed tilted his head into the warmth and closed his eyes.

He hated when Roy talked like this. He talked as if it was their last day together and they'd never see each other again, as if he was going to die right then and there. Ed couldn't bring himself to think like that, to think that death is what awaited them in their futures. Well, of course death was in their futures, he couldn't deny that at all, but he couldn't think that he might die soon. In that moment, he vowed to himself that he wouldn't let that happen. He vowed that he wouldn't let Roy's fear come true. He vowed to himself that he was going to do all in his power to protect Roy from that grim fate as well as himself.

In three days on February 15, they would be sent off to the training camp on the southern outskirts of the city for two weeks. Those three days went by at an unbearable pace. It felt like a dream how fast things went whizzing by, but the time that was spent with each other was exactly how Roy wanted it to be, unforgettable. There was no way Ed would be able to forget those three days, not even in death, and the same went for Roy too.

They were notified to be at the steps of Central Headquarters on Monday the 15 at 05:00. After a tearful farewell to the Rockbell's, Ed left. He met up with Roy and they went where instructed.

It was still dark outside. The sun was barely up and pale-pink and gold shades were barely streaking the horizon to the east. It was cold too. Ed shivered and crossed his arms over his chest. He hated the cold. Roy noticed this and wrapped his arm around Ed's shoulder to pull him close, sharing body warmth, as they waited with the others for the buses to arrive.

Once the buses arrived, they had to sign a list as their names were called in reverse alphabetical order. Roy kissed Ed's forehead before walking off as his name was called. Ed stood alone staring absently in front of him when everything came tumbling down.

"Edward?"

Ed tensed from the all too familiar voice that spoke from behind them. He knew that voice. He felt all of his blood freeze in his veins as images and memories came flooding back to him.

"Edward," the man said again, this time not a question and this time demanding. Ed didn't move. He was too much in shock. That didn't matter though. He was grabbed from behind by his shoulder and forced to face the man.

"Still as dumb as always, but I must say, you have grown up since the last time I saw you," the man said, licking his lips. He reached out with an icy hand to stroke Ed's cheek. Ed still couldn't bring himself to move. He couldn't believe that this bastard was all of a sudden back in his life.

As the man touched his cheek, his thumb trailed inward to rub Ed's bottom lip. From there, his hand went under Ed's chin to tilt his head and examine the youthful face.

"I've missed you, Ed," the man said in a lusty whisper as he stepped closer to the blond.

As Roy turned around from signing his name on the list, he saw Ed with some other man. He'd never seen this man before, but he didn't like how close they were to each other. He didn't like how this man was touching Ed, his hands kept moving down from Ed's cheek to his neck and back up again and the look in his eyes...Roy didn't like it. He couldn't see Ed's face though, so he wasn't sure what all of this meant. He wasn't sure if the touches were being forced or allowed. Roy took slow steps toward the two, but then he saw something happen to Ed, something that only he was allowed to do to him.

"I've missed you so much, Ed," the man said again as he grabbed Ed's forearm and jerked him forward. He pressed his lips against the blond's with a bruising force.

Ed didn't know what to do. Instinct told him to strike back and break free, but he didn't feel he had to right to do so. In a way, he belonged to this man. This was the man who stole his innocence. This was the man who claimed the small body by doing vile things.

As the man tried to push his tongue into Ed's mouth, all of his reasoning and logic came back to him. He didn't belong to this man. He belonged to Roy Mustang. He shoved the man back with his left hand and sent his automail fist into the man's jaw just as Roy came up. It was funny how much could happen in only a few seconds.

"You bastard, don't you ever touch me again," Ed seethed through gritted teeth. Ed turned around and stalked off with his fist clenched tightly.

Roy looked back at Ed and then back at the man rubbing his jaw. Their eyes locked in a deadly challenge. They dared each other to do something. Now Roy knew who this man was. It was the same man who had mercilessly beaten and raped Ed over and over before ditching him at a hospital. He hated this man, and he had to fight to keep himself from beating the bastard to a bloody pulp.

With a smug smile, the other man walked past Roy. Roy clenched his fist. He wanted to punch the bastard, but that would be stupid around this many armed men. No one but Roy had seen Ed punch him, but with his luck, everyone would see Roy attack him.

He turned around and went off to join Ed on the bus. He spotted Ed at the very back of the bus, so he that's where he went. Roy couldn't tell if the small blond was angry or scared. It almost seemed like a mix. With a mental sigh, he wrapped his arm around Ed and pulled him close, placing a chaste kiss on his forehead. Screw whoever saw.

As he held Ed, Zolf Kimblee's words popped in his head: "Oh, and Roy, I'd keep a close eye on that toy you've got following you around." He realized just how sought after Ed was. It reminded him of hungry wolves to an injured sheep. With that bastard now in the picture, Roy knew he had to be on his toes, but he couldn't help but wonder if he really had to keep a constant eye on Ed now that Ed knew he had to ability to fight back and be effective. He shook the thought off as he sighed into Ed's hair, his hand draped over Ed's shoulder.

The sun had slowly made its way in the sky by the time they got to the training camp. They were each assigned dorm rooms, two people per room. For this first day, they had free run. Tomorrow would start the training. Today was just orientation, uniform fitting, and whatever they wanted to do.

They were appointed to their rooms. Roy's room was a few doors down from Ed's. Roy's roommate was someone new, but Ed's roommate wasn't known to him yet.

He threw his duffel bag on top of the bed nearest the window. He walked over to it and looked up at the sky. It was beautiful out here away from the city. The window faced east and he could clearly see the sun in all its glory.

"Ugh, you're my roommate? So insulted."

Ed turned around to see who was speaking and his heart dropped. Zolf Kimblee. Just his luck! Well, it could always be worse. He was thankful that it Kimblee instead of that bastard.

Trying to start off on the right foot, Ed walked over to him and stuck out his hand. Surprisingly, Kimblee took it. Once the handshake was over, Kimblee went over to his bed and plopped down on it. The silence that formed was awkward, to say the least. After a few minutes of the unbearable silence, it was broken.

"Alright, so let's set some rules," Kimblee said as he sat up in his bed and swumg his feet over the edge. "This is my bed. Keep off it unless you have something in mind, if you get my drift." He winked. "Don't complain to me about anything. I don't wanna hear you bitch at all. As far as I'm concerned, you're not even here. Just stick to your side of the room."

"Bastard," Ed muttered under his breath as he rolled his eyes.

"Ed, you're eighteen, right?" he asked a minute later, standing from the bed and slowly making his way towards the blond.

"Y-yes."

As Kimblee stepped forward, Ed stepped back until he couldn't anymore. His hands rested on the window sill. Kimblee reached out his hand.

"Don't touch me!" Ed yelled, squeezing his eyes shut and preparing himself for what he thought was about to happen. He felt the barest touch of Kimblee's fingertips on his cheek.

"Relax, kid, you had fuzz on your cheek. It was bothering me," Kimblee said and stepped away, flicking the fuzz on his finger to float in the air. He walked back over to his bed. "I'm not that bad of a person, well, so long as you don't tempt me."

Not wanting to get into any further discussion with Kimblee, Ed went down the hall to find Roy. He knocked on the door frame and caught the attention of the two men inside.

"Oh, Ed," Roy said, walking over to him. He bent down slightly to kiss Ed's lips for a brief second. Ed noticed that Roy's roommate went red-faced. He was rather dorky looking with big glasses, and Ed wondered why the military would recruit someone with such bad eyesight.

"Fuery, this is Ed," Roy said.

"Nice to meet you," Ed said trying to be polite as possible and once again he stuck out his hand. Fuery took it, and they smiled at each other.

"Good! Friends already! I'll be back in a minute, 'kay?" Roy said. Ed nodded and Roy left the room.

"Um...excuse me if I'm stepping over a line, but are you and Roy...um...a couple?" Fuery asked.

"Yep, we sure are," Ed replied in a proud voice.

"Oh, well that's great. He seems like a nice guy," he said.

"Yeah." That was all Ed could really say. He wasn't the greatest at making conversation, so things got awkward quick.

"How long have you two been together?" he asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Three years in May," Ed replied.

"Wow," Fuery said. "How did you meet him?"

Apparently, this Fuery guy was either a very nosy person or just a sucker for romantic stuff. Trying to be nice, Ed went through the story of their meeting, of how to help his friend get a date with Roy, he'd be Roy's slave for a week. He told him how it just sorta happened, their love. Ed left out some of the details though like the really heated moments. Ed never noticed Roy propped up against the door frame, listening.

Fuery looked at Ed with clear interest. The way he was drawn into the story made Ed think he was just a romantic, not necessarily nosy.

Ed jumped with surprise as Roy came up behind him and grabbed him by the waist.

"I love that story," he whispered in his ear while pulling him close. Fuery turned quickly away from the affectionate couple. Realizing the embarrassment they placed on the newcomer, Roy let go and they backed away from each other.

"Oh, sorry about that, Fuery," Roy said with a weird smirk. "Well, we better get going. Orientation's going to start in a few minutes, and I don't want to find out what they do to late arrivals."

With that said, the three them went off to find to auditorium. They had to sit in the back, but they didn't really mind any.

It was strange how everyone was acting today. It was as if no one was taking this seriously. Maybe the gravity of it just hadn't hit everyone yet or maybe everyone was just enjoying their last day before the pain of training tomorrow. Today seemed like a dream almost. It was so surreal. Even Roy, who had been upset days prior, seemed lighthearted. Ed just shrugged.

The orientation was boring like orientations usually were. The uniformed man on the stage said basically the same thing over in different ways about how they should be proud to fight for their country.

After the orientation, they were sent to a room to be fitted for uniforms. They got the classic blue uniform that the military wore, and they got their training uniform of a plain grey tee-shirt and camouflage pants, complete with black combat boots. Their sizes were written down, and they were told that their uniforms would be brought up to their rooms later.

After that, it was time to indulge themselves in a lovely meal of cafeteria food. Oh, joy...It didn't matter where you went in the world, cafeteria food sucked. Period. End of story. But food was food, so they all just shrugged and dug in.

As Ed ate, he got a terrible feeling. He felt like he was being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He looked up from his plate, and his gaze locked with the man a few tables away. Roy, sitting across from Ed and at an off-angle, looked back to see what he was looking at and shifted so that he was cutting off their connection. That did not make the man happy at all.

Ed smiled uneasily at Roy before returning his gaze down to his tray of food. He couldn't help but wonder why he was here. His foster father was above the maximum conscription age, so why was he here? Ed had a terrible feeling that he joined just to claim his property again. He shuddered as images of what could very well happen ran through his mind.

He felt something shoving against his right leg, and he looked up to meet Roy's gaze. Roy gave him a small smile and jerked his head for Ed to follow him as he stood up. Fuery figured that they wanted privacy, so he didn't follow along.

Roy led Ed outside of the cafeteria into the long, empty hallway.

"Ed, are you okay?" he asked concernedly.

"He just...wasn't supposed to be here. I was never supposed to see him again," Ed said in a whisper, eyes downcast. Roy reached out to lift Ed's head.

"Ed, I swear that so long as I'm standing, I won't let him touch you. I'll kill him if he lays a hand on you," Roy said. As Ed looked in his eyes, he saw that Roy was very serious. "And Ed, promise you'll tell me if Kimblee does anything. He told me earlier that you two are sharing a room. The same goes for him too; if he touches you, I'll kill him."

After that discussion, they moved on with the day. The rest of the day went as normally as expected in these new living arrangements. Ed was relieved that night when he went to bed; he was relieved that Kimblee kept to his side of the room.

But anyways...

Tomorrow would be the day. They were instructed to be out on the training field for 05:00. They were warned that late arrivals would be punished.

The buzzing of alarm clocks went off too quickly. Eight hours of sleep felt like only eight minutes. Reluctantly, Ed got out of bed and stumbled around the room in a groggy daze to get ready. Kimblee was in the same foggy mood too. It was just too early. At least they weren't the only ones yawning their way to the dewy field. The only person who seemed to be in high spirits was none other than Kain Fuery.

Kain Fuery. He was a very perculiar person. Roy and Ed found out last night that he was only sixteen. The State had to beg him to join. He wasn't to go on the field like everyone else though, he was going to work behind the scenes. It turned out that the little twerp was a genius when it came to technology. He could even disarm bombs! And when he told the couple this, he laughed at their disbelief. "You didn't think they'd let someone as blind as me shoot a gun, did you? I'd probably end up taking out half of our own people!" He had laughed. It didn't take long at all for a firm friendship to form with the kid.

As they walked down the hallway, Fuery broke off to go where he was supposed to go. No training field for him. His training was in the technology department of the camp where others like him were sharing their knowledge.

Along with the many others, Ed and Roy stepped on the training field. The torture began with a yelling drill sergeant and sharp whistle cutting in the air.

Sprinting, jogging, jumping jacks, pull-ups, push-ups, an obstacle course, more push-ups, more jogging. It was hell. Hours of hell. Ed had it a bit easier than the others though. It's not like automail tired out or got sore, but that didn't mean he didn't plop on his bed sore and exhausted elsewhere on his body that night.

'Two weeks of this!? Ugh, I'm never gonna make it,' Ed thought as he laid in his bed that night. He wanted to roll over so badly, but his body wouldn't let him. Automail or not, he was in pain. These next few days were going to suck.

Hope you enjoyed reading! Please review!