Once Again We Repeat
Authors Note: Chapter 9 is now on the loose!
This story has already exceeded my standards by far. With this chapter it will be above 30,000 words. My longest story on here before this one was 6,000 some odd words. This leads to my next statement. Some of you may have noticed I seem to be bringing the big battle next. This is true. It does not mean its ending. It simply means that this sub-plot is over. Sub-plot? Yes, sub-plot. This is a General/Romance story, so it has to do with romance, therefore any plots in here are not the main plot. I'm going to try to get to 50,000. Which means, I need at least 10 more chapters. Please review and wish me luck.
I've also tried to keep the F-word out of this as much as possible, but I keep putting it in and deleting it. I'm not one for much swearing, but, the characters do it, so I'll probably start using it occasionally.
Chapter 9: Frontlines
On the Frontlines
Throughout the next few days, Edward didn't get much sleep, but paced anxiously or tossed and turned at night. Mid-afternoon on the third day, Roy grew irritable with Ed.
"Stop pacing, Fullmetal!"
Edward dared to glare at his lover and superior from the opposite side of the tent.
"It's so boring," he sighed. "I wish I had some books to read."
"You can come do your paperwork then if you're so bored."
Mustang held up a folder and waved it around in the air. "It's about time you started taking on your responsibilities as a colonel, you know."
"I already have," Edward grumbled.
Mustang waved the folder again and Ed decided doing the work was better than sitting around doing nothing.
A few hours of silence was bliss until Edward asked if he'd heard anything else from Fuery.
"I wouldn't hear first. Your brother would. And besides, they won't know anything unless he passes through a town and someone sees him. He could even be in disguise."
Mustang's logic penetrated Edward's mind. He heaved another sigh. "I'll have to be the one to take him down, right?"
"If you want," Mustang agreed without really paying attention.
"Do I have to kill him?" Edward asked softly.
This time Roy was paying attention and turned to face Ed, "Maybe. If it's to save your life, don't hesitate. But if you have the choice of not killing – take it. It'll save you hardship in the end."
He stared at Ed's abnormally pale face and the dark circles that ringed his eyes. His golden hair hung limply, unable to be washed thoroughly because of little time and hot water. Even Fullmetal's eyes were slightly glazed and foreign to Roy. Something he'd almost never seen on the shorter alchemist.
"Are you not getting enough sleep?" Mustang inquired.
"I sleep one or two hours a night," Ed drawled. "But I've been thinking a lot lately. About the future and about what I want."
"Oh?" Roy didn't delve any further, preferring to wait and see what his subordinate told him.
"I'll stay in the military of course, under your command if possible, I'll also be living with you, and hopefully we'll have an intimate relationship." Edward paused and looked up at Mustang through lowered lashes. "I'm going to give up my rank of Colonel. So far, it's only hindering. It's not something I really care about. I'll also have more freedom of movement if I'm a major." He explained.
Roy gazed at Edward thoughtfully. The young man was thoughtful, that was for sure, and as the youngest State Alchemist and Colonel in history, it was causing complications with the other members of the military. Edward was choosing to back out of something that could potentially harm him or anyone associated with him, even if he didn't say it.
"You're sure?" Roy wanted confirmation from the boy's mouth.
"Yes. After this at least." Edward's answer was sure and firm. Excited even. "I don't think you understand how I'm feeling. I'm so used to being free…I feel shackled here, and I want to go somewhere else…travel. Return to Risembool for a while maybe, go study Xing alchemy…" he trailed off.
Mustang felt as if his heart was tearing to pieces. "You want to leave." His statement became a question.
"No…not necessarily. Don't get me wrong, I love being with you, every moment of it, but, I'm anxious to get moving, not be a sitting goose."
Mustang couldn't help but laugh. "Edward. You just think you want to wander because you're going crazy. Or you want to tell stories."
Edward's lazy grin and amused sigh told Roy everything before Ed spoke, "You got me, General. Though, I do want to see Al and Winry as well as get books to study Xing alchemy. Maybe if I call Havoc he'll bring me back some texts…"
Roy patted Edward's shoulder. "Don't worry, this desire to travel, to leave will fade with time. But at the moment I'm going to go check on the other Colonels and see how they're doing. Do you want to come? You can stretch your legs a bit."
Ed eagerly jumped up and followed Roy from the tent. He stopped by Hawkeye's long enough to check in with her, smiling and giving a set of instructions to her.
There were four colonels in total: Edward, Hunt, Shaw, and Kagan.
Mustang reached the other three Colonel's with Ed at his side, and the other three Colonel's stood and saluted him saying, "Sir!"
Edward elbowed him in the ribs grinning before tucking his arm around his commanding officer's waist.
"Colonel Elric!" Shaw gasped in horror. "What are you doing?!"
Ed looked up at Mustang confused and then intentionally used his first name, "Roy, do they actually…not know?" his voice was the epitome of innocence.
If Roy didn't know him so well, he would have missed the sparkle in the golden eyes and the slight curve of lips.
"Elric!" Shaw nearly shouted, panic rising in his voice. "You do know who he is? Right?"
Roy decided to have some fun too. "He should. I'm the one who warms his bed after all."
The colonel's choked silently, shock on their faces. The General tangled a head in Ed's hair, pulling the braid loose and bending to kiss him. Even though it was short and close-lipped, it was still passionate and loving, gentle even.
Ed's mouth truly curved up into a smile now as he glanced at the three Colonels, all older than him, and probably older than the General himself. He was guessing but it seemed as if they didn't like the fact that their comrades and commanding officer were older than them.
Mustang decided to get down to business. "You three are the most useless people in the world," he began, and didn't notice Hawkeye creeping up behind them, but was quite aware of Ed still hanging onto him. "I have not seen you once interact with your men, they are scared and tired. Give them some moral. Or they'll die without a fight."
"Forgive my insubordination sir, but you're useless in the rain," Hawkeye told him and Roy twitched.
Hunt finally snapped, "Are you such a bad General that you can't control your own subordinates?"
Hawkeye raised her gun and Edward snarled, "Are you so stupid that you don't see our respect for him? The fact that he doesn't waste lives and protects every single one of his subordinates isn't enough? That's one of the reasons I..." Edward seemed to struggle with the words for a moment. "love him." He finished.
Hawkeye was silent and stood behind them. Roy shifted his grip so he could pull his lover closer to him.
Kagan gave a brief salute. "Sir, I'll go start rising moral."
Shaw, nervous gave a small salute, but Hunt stood his ground. "As soon as we leave, you're going to fuck him, aren't you?"
"No." Roy's voice was firm. "I'm not. And besides," he sneered, "it's none of your business. Hmm? You're being a little insubordinate, aren't you? What should I do, Hawkeye?"
"Court martial him sir," she replied promptly, the gun still leveled at Hunt's face.
Hunt's glared leveled at Edward. "Does he only keep you because you're a whore, one he has easy access to? Has it been going on since you were twelve? Not even legal age. In fact, it's illegal at the moment, right?"
"Br careful who you level your insults and accusations at," another voice joined the conversation. "for you may find that it's more deadly than it seems. This person is next in line for Fuhrership."
Hughes smiled broadly as the Colonel scuttled away. "Hey, Roy!"
"Maes! What are you doing here?" Mustang had a very annoyed look on his face.
Hughes stilled. "I'm needed here more than in Central. Fuery and my second in command are working very well together."
He heaved a sigh. "I really needed to be here because I need to protect you. The intelligence officer I sent isn't nearly good enough. You and Ed are in constant danger."
He looked at Edward who closely resembled a barnacle clinging to a clam. Edward yawned to show that he was bored with this conversation and blinked sleepily, unlatching himself from Roy before heading back to their tent.
Roy followed him with his eyes. "Be quick, Hughes. Tell me what I need to know."
"Weston's out for Ed's blood. Keeping him close is keeping him safe."
Accepting the information, Roy followed Edward into the tent where he was already undressed and on the bed, stretched out.
Roy's breath hitched as he stared at the beautiful body in front of him. "Edward," his voice was low and husky as he discarded his own clothes, "you're so beautiful."
Molten golden eyes watched from underneath thick lashes. Roy's hand cupped Edward's cheek and kissed him, tongue, teeth and lips, he completely dominated Edward in every aspect. All Edward could do was moan his lover's name, or give a command or plea for more. Ed's soft pants and Mustang's low groans tangled in the air as Mustang proved to Edward without words how much he loved him.
When Edward lay trembling in the circle of his arms, Roy told him, "I do love you, I may not say it, but I hope I show it." He placed a soft kiss on Ed's collar bone and neck, sucking softly on the soft flesh and then nibbling with his teeth. When he bit too hard, he soothed it with a stroke of his tongue.
Ed pressed himself closer to the warm body beneath the covers and shivered slightly.
"Mmmm." He breath ghosted out softly in delight at his lover's caresses.
Wiggling his body he settled into a comfortable position, Mustang's arm wrapped around his shoulders and his head pillowed on the man's shoulder. His one arm was pressed in-between them, his other looped around the other's waist. Mustang's other arm was resting across Edward's hips, pinning him close. Contentment seeped through their bodies as sweat dried.
They didn't notice when the tent flap was pushed aside by a slightly blushing Hawkeye who could hear everything, and a devilishly smirking Hughes.
"If you two are quite relaxed, you can get up now." Hughes informed them. "There's work to do."
Ed just rewarded him with a yawn and snuggled down into Roy's embrace.
Roy however opened one eye a crack and spoke in a still husky voice, "Get out Hughes, before I set you on fire."
Hughes held his hands up in mock surrender and followed Hawkeye back out of the tent.
"So, whose going to win that little bet? Us or them?" he chuckled loudly before shoving pictures of Elicia under Hawkeye's nose, chattering endlessly about his adorable baby girl.
Kagan was currently on the phone with Major Havoc, "Major, are you saying that Xing has decided to stay neutral?"
"Yes, sir. Sounds about right. They don't want anything to do with our skirmishes. Could you relate that to Mustang?"
"I can. Thank you for informing me." He disconnected the line as a call came in from Breda.
"The Ishvalan's are still recovering, and are unable to help. I've got to go, sir. Good luck." Click.
The last to call in was Falman who related the following,
"It's freezing here, Drachma seems to be fairly quiet, the General Armstrong thinks they're planning with the men commanding this rebellion. It's far too quiet to mean anything good. It's also much colder than usual. We're going to have a harsh winter."
"So, in other words, it's bad?"
"Very. You might want to relay that there's no help coming from our end."
Kagan nodded and disconnected before stretching.
He headed to the General's tent and pushed the flap open, clearing his throat in effort to wake the "sleeping General".
"Hughes," his voice grumbled from the bed, "I thought I said I was going to set you on fire the next time you came in here."
"Excuse me sir, but its urgent news."
Kagan was shocked when both Mustang and Edward shot up from the bed. Ed leaped out hunting for his clothes.
"Roy, have you seen my pants?"
"These them?" he held up the leather. Ed snatched them and tugged them on as Mustang finished buttoning his own pants. For the next few minutes it was a rush to get dressed.
When the other Colonel's and Lieutenant Colonel's joined them, the tent still smelt of sex.
Both the Fullmetal and Flame alchemist's faces were flushed and kept sending sidelong glances at each other, which the subordinates decided to ignore.
When Kagan relayed the information gained, Mustang pondered as Ed spoke.
"So, we're hemmed in on all sides?"
"Not so much the East. They're no threats. I asked for Major Havoc to return to the West with Breda. All the more defense on that side."
Mustang nodded in approval. "That's good. We're more evenly defended now."
Silence reigned until a lieutenant colonel decided to speak up. "I don't mean any offense sirs, but, I think we should clear something up." She was more timid than Hawkeye, but a good soldier none the less. "You, General Mustang, and you, Colonel Elric, have an intimate relationship, correct? You two have intercourse and perhaps have feelings for each other?"
Nods to all the questions. She turned her gaze to the rest of the men. "No one has to keep silent about it, however, be respectful, if you do not agree, keep quiet and hold your tongue. Is that clear? Do not become insubordinate or mocking because you disagree with a relationship, deal with it."
There were many murmurs of agreement from those assembled, quite a few wolf whistles as well, and cat calls.
"And sirs?"
They looked at her. "Try to be a bit more discrete. We could all hear you."
Here many of the soldiers turned red with embarrassment. Edward himself was the color of a cherry.
Hughes couldn't help but laugh. "Roy, you are my best friend, I'm sorry, but this is too good. I can't wait to tell the unit when we get back…spread a couple rumors…" he trailed off as Roy raised his fingers ready to snap.
"Run."
Hughes dashed out the tent with Mustang hot on his heals – quite literally.
"He's not going to kill him is he?" the lieutenant colonel, spoke up.
Both Edward and Hawkeye laughed. "No. They're good friends. They're probably goofing off," Edward informed her.
"What's your name?" Hawkeye inquired politely.
"Erica Annan, ma'am."
"Lieutenant Annan, your help was much appreciated." Edward told her and saluted. "Thank you."
Mustang and Hughes came back with their arms around each other grinning.
"Well, as nice as that break was, it's time we stopped lounging and got things done." Roy's face was serious. "We're going to the frontlines tomorrow, Fullmetal. Supposedly Weston is there already."
Edward nodded and went off to pack.
The next morning dawned far too early for Edward. He would've liked to spend more time at the base with Hawkeye and Hughes who wished them luck before they left with a unit of thirty-men.
It was a long, silent ride to the frontlines. It took half a day to finally reach their destination. It was a mess. Doctors rushed back and forth, helping patients with missing limbs or severe injuries, the survivors were silent and morose. The people perked up when they saw who had arrived with them.
"Sirs!" a man called out. "We're having trouble pushing back the ranks on the left side."
Mustang left to deal with that as Edward headed to the center of the camp. There was a large bonfire and a food storage for the preserves. It was here in the center of the camp, where the General's tent would be.
And as per usual, Edward going in, caused a ruckus.
"A colonel went into a Generals tent without permission!" was all Roy heard on his way back.
Without a single wound on him, he entered the tent to find Ed curled up in a sleeping bag. He rolled over to face Roy. "How'd it go?"
"As well as it could have. I'm not injured."
Edward rolled back over. "I almost miss the base camp already. This is too depressing, even for me."
"I know," Roy remarked softly. "It's even hard for me, when I've been in a war before."
A soft sigh and Ed's goodnight were the last thing Roy heard before he too drifted into a light sleep. They were woken by calls of alarm, and when they went to see, Weston was standing at the camps edge demanding to see the Fullmetal Alchemist.
Edward rolled his eyes and walked forward.
"You're interrupting my sleep. It better be important." Edwards tone conveyed no sense of fear or urgency, just annoyance at being woken up early.
"It's barely dawn," he continued, "and I didn't get to sleep until late, and no," he stressed the no, "I wasn't in the General's bed last night, I was in my own. Now that's cleared up, what'd you need?"
The whole nonchalance aspect seemed to work wonders, for Weston seemed at a loss.
"Edward Elric! I demand for you to repent for your sins!"
"Which ones?" Ed asked dryly. "I have a whole bunch."
"The sin!"
"Which one?" Ed was getting annoyed now.
"You know the one. Your darkest, deepest one. The one, not even your brother knows. Not even that lover of yours. The one where you barely survived. The one against nature."
Edward's teeth ground together. "That was no fault of mine," he hissed. "So don't you dare blame it on me!"
"I can, because of you, my brother was shamed and shunned!"
A dagger was pointed at him. "Let me take some of your blood as payment. As payment for what happened."
Ed spread his arms wide open, waiting for the slash, and when it came, he flinched slightly as the dagger bit into his side, ripping flesh apart. The dagger slid deeper. "You should have died," Weston hissed in his ear. "This won't kill you. In fact, it has done nothing but give you a small wound. When we meet again though, you will die."
The dagger was yanked out and Edward clamped a hand over the wound. From behind him he felt another pair of hands adding pressure.
It hadn't even really hurt, it was a little deeper than a flesh wound, so it would heal fairly quickly as long as he didn't do too much strenuous work.
"I'll be fine," he told Mustang behind him. "It just needs to be stitched and bandaged."
A doctor hurried over with a nurse and brought him to the infirmary.
Three hours later, Edward returned to the tent all patched up and looking as healthy as ever.
"Hey," he greeted his commanding officer. "I know, I know, what I did was beyond stupid. I won't do –" he was cut off as Roy wrapped his arms around him tightly.
"Don't scare me again. I should ship you back to Central or to your brother, even your Teacher perhaps."
"No!" he whined and locked his arms around Roy's neck and his legs around Roy's waist. "I don't want to go." He pouted as cutely as he could, trying to convince his officer.
Mustang placed him in the sleeping bag. "Sleep. Tomorrow the real battle starts. Weston will be back, and you need rest, so please sleep and heal for the moment."
And true to his word, the next morning Weston was there yet again, calling for a duel against Edward. And as Edward stepped up, he felt himself flying, felt his alchemy boiling in his body, flowing outwards, engulfing the other man, impaling him on the stake, seeing his life blood leak out, and drip, finding that killing wasn't easy.
It was then he cried out in front of everyone, it was then Roy once again took him into his arms and held him as the tears came and the pain grew. The only word Edward seemed to be able to say was "why?" "why?" over and over as Roy rocked him.
As each breath he took came out as a gasp, the more worried Roy became. It was then Mustang realized Edward was losing a lot of blood. More than he should. Then there was the gaping hole in his lovers side. The hole that was leaking the life's blood from the man he loved.
A huge, huge cliffy. The next chapter: Chapter 10: Blood; The Life's Blood.