A/N: There! ALMOST on time! :)
I just want to say a few things before you proceed to the chapter. I received some complaints about the previous chapter (not because it sucked, these ones I'm perfectly aware of and once my japanese final is over I'll take the time to edit it) but on the presence of the police.
I know most people haven't, but I have served in the military for two years, so I'm basing the Amestris military on what I've experienced, in the aspects that don't appear in the series. We had a special military police whose job was to catch soldiers who weren't dressed properly or skipped their guarding duty, things like that, which is why I added Brigadier General McKinley. I'm not going to change that, and I don't think it doesn't make sense, because that IS the way things work. I don't mind anyone who thinks that I'm wrong - you can go ahead, it's your right... and I'm not mad or anything, I do appreciate feedback even when I'm doing something wrong (like, I know Ed's actions the previous chapter weren't making a lot of sense, but I was really hurrying it up), but I just wanted everyone to know where it came from.
That's it!
Now, this chapter is... uh, a little bit different. You'll see. The most important part - now this fanfiction is officially M rated, so if that bothers anyone, my apologies, but it'd only get worse from here;)
Also, from now on I'm going to stay on the updating rate of once every two weeks, until I say otherwise. Too many tests to study to, along with work and, like, life doesn't leave me with enough time to manage a chapter in only one week - also, they're getting longer now than they were before. Sorry about that, but if it helps, I'm constantly updating my little drabbles collection, if anyone's interested.
Last, but not least, I have now a COVER! I know it's barely visible but I'll get photoshop and try to make it bolder soon. All the credit goes to my friend, who drew this for me for my birthday despite her not being much into crossdressing and forcing men into corsets.
Next chapter will be up on Friday, July 6th.
That's it. Enough bullshit.
ENJOY THIS CHAPTER! XOXO
Ninth Chapter
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"So, Colonel Mustang, from everything you've said so far I understand that while you realize the play you've chosen is of somewhat… disturbing, nature, you still claim that no rule had been broken?"
Roy let out a tired sigh. He'd been sitting here, in this interrogation room, for almost an hour now, and he'd been asked the same annoying, repetitive questions over and over again. He just wished they'd be done with it and let him go already; wasn't it bad enough that they cancelled his play, buried his chance of winning the promised vacation, made him look like a fool in front of all his soldiers and caused a very probable delay in his rank promotion? Did they have to keep him in this tiny, suffocating room and make him repeat everything a million times? It was way too early in the morning for this; he didn't even have his morning coffee in his office but here – and it was bitter and cold and generally disgusting.
"Yes, Brigadier General, that's my exact claim." His tone was doleful, yet respectful. Even though this man was an idiot, he still outranked him, and belonged to the one branch of the military that could do pretty much whatever it wanted. For him, as a man aiming for the top of the military and as a soldier who saw himself as a first rate soldier, he did everything he could not to be summoned by them. That didn't mean he knew them too well, having to bail Fullmetal countless of times for a foul word he said to the wrong personnel, incidents of damage to military property, being late until even they got tired of his endless delays, and, of course, talking them into letting him walk around the headquarters, and in general while on duty, in civilian clothes. He used the excuse that he's simply too small to be able to wear uniforms, and he knew that if Edward knew the reason he was being allowed to keep wearing his hideously flattering leather pants and terrible red coat, he'd probably beg him to let him wear the blue and gold outfit of the military, and then punch him in the face, if not kill him.
The thought amused him, as well as the idea of Ed begging for anything, and he had to catch himself at the last moment before he accidently smirked. He noticed the officer was saying something, and forced himself to listen instead.
Thankfully, he was saved from that by a knock on the door that made McKinley stop talking, and therefore saved Roy the embarrassment and dishonor of being caught not listening while his position was on the line.
"Come in," called the fat man towards the door, obviously annoyed at the disturbance. Roy turned towards the door, curious to see who his saver was. Maybe it was someone important – the Brigadier General's commander, for example – coming in to stop this waste of time. He couldn't help the surprised look on his face when he saw Jean Havoc at the door, looking presentable than ever and holding a few papers in his hand.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, sir. Second Lieutenant Havoc, a soldier under Colonel Mustang's commanding. Sorry to interrupt. I have some evidence that would prove the colonel innocent. May I present them?"
Roy stared at his subordinate. It had been so long since Jean joined his unit, and so much time has passed since they became in good enough terms so he won't be required of all this formality – even though Roy was never the kind of commanding officer who forced everyone to treat him like he was some kind of God – that he forgot the blonde even had it in him.
He was too surprised by that to be able to wonder about this 'evidence' the lieutenant was talking about. He was quickly reminded of it by Jean's outstretched arm, a thin folder held in his hand. He watched, curious as to the content of this file contained, as McKinley gestured for Havoc to step closer and give him the folder. He took it and opened it, and Roy could see his eyes gliding over whatever was written there before he could see a vein standing out on his temple, showing his anger. Roy's curiosity considering what his subordinate brought only grew, and he was starting to struggle keeping his stoic expression on.
"What is this, colonel?" the brigadier finally looked up from the paper in his hand to stare at Roy, his fury blazing in his eyes. "What exactly do you think you're playing with, Mustang?"
Roy blinked, finally able to get over his surprise by the direct question of the officer. "I honestly have no idea, sir," he said genuinely.
Behind him, at his respectful distance regained after handing in the folder, Jean cleared his throat. "Uh, this is a petition, sir," he said, and Roy's eyes shot towards him. A petition? He hadn't heard anything of such a thing.
"That much I can see, lieutenant," the frustration and rage were audible in McKinley's voice. "Care to explain it?"
"With pleasure. This is a petition, sir, created by Major Elric who works with me under colonel Mustang's command, as a proof that we are all participating in this musical because we want to, and not because we're being forced to. The major had brought it to our knowledge that the main problem of the play was the… eh… inappropriate content and the issue of consent. You're currently holding the evidence that we are all fully aware of the play's themes and want to participate. The colonel did not force any of us to do it, and so we all feel that the accusations against the colonel are erroneous. We voted the subject before we started, and everyone were for this play. Second Lieutenant Breda had taken the time to look through the rules - except for explicit violence or other adult themes, there was nothing against such a subject. Therefore, and considering this petition that had nothing to do with colonel Mustang's orders and that is signed by every single soldier working under him, I believe there is no case against the colonel, or our musical."
Roy was impressed. He knew his men were smart, and he knew they'd do a lot for him, but while he didn't think of his men as a bunch of idiots and he knew they were smart he never expected anything quite like this to happen. This well thought out plan to figure out every detail to contradict anything the police might say. He owed them, and, apparently, he owed Edward the most – which only confused him more. It was one thing having Jean supporting him on this, and Havoc was a very charismatic man so it won't surprise him if he could carry the rest of the team with him, but it was a whole different story to know that it was Ed who initiated the whole thing. He knew he was against the play from the beginning, knew that if there was anyone who could blame him for taking advantage of his rank that would be Fullmetal. If there was anyone who could blame him for inappropriate behavior that would be Edward, and yet, Havoc was standing there, saying that the boy was not gloating over the whole situation like he'd expect, but coming up with plans to save it.
After what happened during the last rehearsal, that knowledge didn't help to this situation. The last thing he needed to think about now was Ed and the way he discovered he felt about him.
He blinked, forcing his mind to get rid of the thoughts about the young blonde boy and focus on the matter at hand.
In front of him, he could see the Brigadier General reading through the file Jean handed him and through some papers he already had lying on his desk, looking like he was looking for some reason not to let them go. As he could see the frustration growing on the man's face, so did Roy's smugness, but he did his best not to show it other than a small smirk he couldn't help from spreading on his lips. "My men are well trained to do their job properly, Brigadier General," he said after a moment of watching the man slowly losing it. He tried to keep his amusement to himself. "You won't find any flaw there. What the lieutenant said is probably true; I had no knowledge of such a petition, and we did vote this play back in day one," that was a lie, but his subordinates seemed to stand behind it, so he figured he'd stick to it.
McKinley took his eyes off the papers after another moment of searching probably giving up. "You're dismissed, but don't think I'm not going to keep looking into it, because I will, and I will find something and bring down this thing. No matter what your subordinates say, I don't trust you, and I don't like this play. You can go ahead and enjoy your little sicknesses on your free time, but not on the military expenses. Watch your back, Mustang," he said, glaring at Roy with a determined blaze in his blue eyes.
Roy chose to ignore it, simply offering one of his smug smirks as he stood up. He suddenly noticed that Havoc wasn't in the room anymore – he was probably dismissed earlier, after his little speech and while Roy was too busy with his own thoughts. Oh well, it was probably better that way. He doubted McKinley cared about Roy's image among his soldiers, and it was better to avoid letting his men hear anyone threaten him like that. Usually, he would've replied to that, but there was too much to risk here. He was walking on too thin a line to allow himself to venture there.
He left the room, and only once he was outside the now closed door he allowed himself to somewhat drop the mask and show how relieved he was. He was genuinely concerned that this was the end of his enterprise, and the end of his aspiration to get his rank promoted within the next two years; that was, until Havoc stepped in with this genius speech of his and saved the day.
"Hey, boss, you're okay?" Jean's voice, familiarly muffled by the unlit cigarette held between his teeth, cut into his thoughts, and he looked up to see the blonde man leaning against the wall, looking at him.
He smiled tiredly at his subordinate. "Yes, Havoc. Thanks to you, and, apparently, Fullmetal?" he answered, gesturing for the man to follow him. There was no need for them to stay in this area any longer; he'd been delayed in the military police office for long enough to make the documents on his desk pile up enough to keep him here until long after the work day had ended. Since he really didn't want to spend the night at the headquarters, signing papers, and the hope that Hawkeye would be kind enough to let him do it tomorrow was too scarce, he realized that the sooner he's back in the office the better.
Jean pushed himself off the wall, matching Roy's steps. "Mostly the tiny boss, it was all his idea. He didn't say much, but he seemed to know we were in trouble, so he gathered us while you were out of the office and made sure everything is ready. Sorry it took me so long to get, but it took Breda a while to make sure he wasn't missing anything with the laws. I wonder how they got onto us anyway," Havoc mused, taking out a lighter and lightening his cigarette. Roy despised the smell, but years of working with Jean made him get used to it.
He let out a tired sigh. He knew this man, McKinley. He was a lazy ass military police officer who tended to slack even more than Roy, and was generally disliked by most of the officers of the regular military forces. However, there was one person who seemed to get along with him, another colonel who viewed Roy's constant attempt to get on the good side of the brass badly. If he somehow managed to find out what Roy's department had been doing, then that would explain why the Brigadier General was so keen on working until he found a way to screw Roy over.
He shrugged. "I've got an idea, but I'm not going to blame anyone until I have proofs. I'm off the hook for now, anyway, so we can continue until they say otherwise. But we're going to take today off; I don't think it would be a good idea to annoy the brass by doing another rehearsal on the day they almost shut us down," he smiled. "Besides, I doubt Riza would let me out of the office before finishing my work, so that'd probably mean I'll have to stay here long after all of you."
"Aye, boss," confirmed Jean. "I'll let everyone know, you do your job so you'll get home before the birds wake up again," he grinned, and saluted him the moment they reached their department hall. "Good luck," he wished him, and then went on to his work.
Roy let out a dragged sigh, knowing that the moment he enters his office he won't have a rest; but Jean had a point. It would be better if he got to work as soon as possible so maybe he won't stay in the headquarters after the night creatures will go to sleep.
As it appeared, he was right. Apologizing and professional as always, Riza let him know that even though she admits that this time it was not his fault, he still can't leave the office before all papers needed signing are signed. And so, he found himself still hovering over his desk with the pen held in his hand at five, when his men dropped by his half open door to bid their goodbye as they left. He was only barely paying attention, and so when his door was yet again opened he didn't bother looking up from his desk, barely seeing the lines anymore out of the boredom of the monotonic task. He didn't look up when he heard his name, too tired to notice who it was that was speaking, only waving a hand in the air in a farewell gesture.
He only looked up when he registered the fact that he didn't hear the sound of steps walking away, or the usual wishing for him to finish his work soon. He didn't expect to see Edward standing there, looking at him with a weird expression on his face, somewhere between curiosity and fear. That was unsettling, and he put his pen down.
"Yes, Fullmetal?"
The young alchemist looked away from him, looking for a short moment as if he was re-considering his options. Then he looked up again, determined. "I wanted to talk to you about the play," he said, and Roy wasn't sure what to make of his voice; there was too much there to allow him to settle on one thing and decided on a tone.
He raised one eyebrow in question. "What about it?" he asked, and then his mind was finally able to leaving the paperwork and returning to the actual reality. "Thank you for reminding me. I wanted to thank you for what you did, I must say, I didn't expect it from you," he added before the blonde had any chance of saying something more, like, for example, actually answering his question.
"That was messed up, and it's not even why I'm here," Ed answered, and he seemed to be at loss at Roy's expression of gratitude, moving a little bit uncomfortably in his place before stepping forward, allowing himself into the office and closing the door behind him. "I did it because this play is the only way you'd let me and Al go to the west and investigate."
Roy's eyebrow arched even farther. While he knew it wasn't a complete lie, the look on the boy's face told him that he wasn't being sincere. He had a certain gleam in his eyes, some kind of spark that awoke Roy despite the boring work he'd been doing for hours now, setting fire in his guts that slowly spread through his nerves and settled at the pit of his stomach with a clear aim. He wondered if he was right; but it didn't make sense. It wasn't like Ed to come so blatantly and render himself open and vulnerable. Roy wasn't even sure this was what he wanted yet; sure, he wanted Ed, that rehearsal when he took off his shirt had proved Roy that much; but was he willing to take the risk with him?
"Why are you here now, then?" he asked, not sure he wanted the answer. He watched as Ed approached, casually taking off his red coat and throwing it carelessly on the sofa; but nothing the teen did now was casual in Roy's eyes, and he couldn't help but follow the motions, his eyes fixed on the muscles that flexed and tensed in order to create that movement. He looked up to see Ed just in front of his table, holding out a package of few pages. Roy's initial respond was to look at them with disgust; way too many documents to sign on for one day were giving him that feeling, that he just hated everything single paper sheet in the word.
However, a closer look told him this wasn't some kind of report, or anything work related, but the script that he gave Ed a couple of weeks back. Several pages were missing, and he had to read the first few lines before realized which scene it was. He gulped, and looked up at Ed, who still stood very near him, just on the other side of the table with a half a smirk daubed on his lips, matching the glint in his eyes.
"I wanted your help with a scene I was having some troubles with before we continue with the rehearsals," Ed mused. If he noticed any change in Roy, he completely ignored it. "Since this whole thing is your idea, I figured you wouldn't mind."
Roy stared, dumbfounded, at the young alchemist for a few seconds. That was the very last thing he expected. Even though lately Ed didn't put much struggle against participating in the play, and even thought Roy knew – no longer just from Alphonse, but now also from just watching the boy's reactions to him – how Ed felt about him, it still didn't prepare him to this. Not to the petition and efforts he put into getting him out of trouble, and definitely not to him waiting until the building was empty just to sneak in on Roy and practically offer to strip dance for him. When he and Jean wrote down this scene, choosing to leave it, it was out of sheer amusement; they both wanted to see him struggling with it, both wanted flaring up in rage only to be told he had no choice. At that point in time, Roy haven't even noticed how attractive the boy had become.
Now, however, things were different.
Roy almost blushed at the idea, the soft humming in his stomach growing into a loud buzz, heat gathering between his legs and making him incredibly uncomfortable. Did Ed actually understand what he was offering here? Did he understand the meaning of it?
Not that it mattered. He'd played this game already for so long, had already made too many hidden promises, and had put this play in too high place in his list of priorities.
"Of course," he said, and couldn't help but wonder what exactly Ed had in mind. Considering the theme of that scene, he wasn't just 'having troubles' with the scene, as he put it. Roy didn't miss the smirk on Ed's lips at the answer, and he watched with curiosity as Ed seemed to hesitate for a short moment, before he took a step backwards and started reciting the lines.
"Oh, Brad! Oh, how could you!" Roy stared at Ed. He really was serious about it, barely bothering with the beginning of the scene before getting to where he intended. There was supposed to be a long, pained monologue before that line that Ed simply skipped. He watched him as he remained silent for a short moment before he straightened up, as if hearing a sound. He looked directly at Roy, and walked towards him. He reached out, looking a little bit hesitant but the determined sparkle still shone in his golden eyes. Roy was impressed; he was performing perfectly, barely shivering as skin touched the glove. A sudden thickness formed in his throat, making him gulp, as Ed gently pulled his glove off, looking at his now naked hand with a concerned look. "Oh, you're hurt." He paused, and then looked up at Roy with a frown. "Did they do this to you?" he didn't bother waiting for any kind of response from Roy before taking his hand back and glancing around the room, as if thinking for a second. But somehow, Roy had a feeling he didn't need to plan his next step; he assumed Ed had it all prepared before he dared coming here to see him.
Roy audibly gasped when Ed promptly placed his hand on the silver clip that held his vest in place and undid it. He shrugged it off, and wrapped Roy's hand with it. "I'll dress your wounds," he said, keeping his stare at what he was doing and therefore probably not seeing the shocked stare on Roy's face. He was starting to think if this was a good idea; maybe it would've been better to drop the acting and find an excuse to get Edward out of there. This wasn't good; wasn't good at all, especially not since Ed's caring touch on his hand was sending sparks of pleasure down his spine. This isn't meant to happen! His mind screamed at him, but it was too late to stop Ed now without admitting the way he felt without even having to word it and hurting Ed enough so he thought he'd really drop the whole thing, and possibly leave his department. The thought of such an occurrence terrified Roy to his bones, and so he kept silent and let Ed continue with whatever he was doing. "There," he said, leaving the vest only partly covering Roy's hand and therefore very unstable. His flesh hand lingered on it and Roy could feel Ed's thumb slightly still touching his skin. He looked up at Ed, and saw his lips twisting in yet another smirk.
The young alchemist looked away, his hand lingering on Roy's. He moved his thumb over his skin as he cited the lines again.
"I was feeling done in," he started, not singing, like the original would have, but adding it his own tone. He stared at Roy's eyes for a short moment and then down at the desk that lay between them, and that Roy was now very thankful it hid certain parts of his body from view. Seeing Ed like this, being touched by him – especially since he knew what was to follow – had made the light discomfort in his pants into something more demanding, and he struggled to keep himself under control. "I couldn't win. I only ever kissed before," Ed said that line in a way that made Roy believe him… and want to save him from it, to show him other lands, to - he forced himself to stop this train of thought there.
"I thought there was no use getting into heavy petting, it only leads to trouble," Ed's smirk broadened, gaining a somewhat devilish hue to it as he grabbed Roy's hand and pulled it towards him, almost making Roy stand up so he could reach but leaning in instead. The vest fell from his hand when the blonde brought Roy's hand almost close enough to touch his chest, before pushing him away as if electrified. Every nerve in Roy's body protested the loss of touch, but he was forced to keep silent. "And… seat wetting," he even managed to look embarrassed, a second before he pushed the documents on Roy's desk and making some empty room for himself to jump on it and sit, leaning closer to Roy. The Flame Alchemist was too focused on what the teen was doing to even care that all his files were now in a mess on the floor, the way his body moved and the lines he was saying that were setting Roy on fire even though he only voiced the words Roy himself wrote for his character.
"Now all I want to know is how to go," he leaned even closer, now almost laying on the desk and close enough for Roy to almost kiss his lips – which he was very tempted to. "I've tasted blood, now I want more," he straightened up and turned, his feet hanging from the desk on each side of Roy, and all he could do was stare at what was happening with eager, hungry eyes. He might still be able to hold himself enough not to stand up and take Edward right there, but his expressions were already beyond his control, and he could see the smugness spread on Ed's face as his plan was working; or at least so he assumed.
"I'll put up no resistance, I want to stay the distance," Ed reached and grabbed Roy's hand again, now placing it on his thigh. It took all of Roy's concentration not to fight the grip that was keeping him there and venture just a little bit higher on Ed's body. "I've got an itch to scratch, I need assistance," the hold on his hand tightened, and Ed lifted it from his thigh (much to Roy's displeasure) in order to put it on his waist instead. "Toucha toucha toucha touch me, I wanna be dirty. Thrill me, chill me, fulfill me, creature of the night."
While Ed was saying the lines, Roy's hand moved on its own – free from the restraint of Ed's grip, he couldn't but feel him up, the very suggestive, inviting lines of that song only tempting him more. He started to get on his feet, no longer able to keep the distance away from the boy in front of him, but Ed pushed him back. The chair rolled a few inches back from the momentum, and the only thing that kept Roy from standing up again was the fact that Ed slid off the desk, making some more documents and some pens and other office supplies drop to the floor. They both ignored it.
"Then if anything grows," Ed's stare was now directed at Roy's crotch pointedly, "while you pose," he walked towards him, and sat on his lap. Roy knew that even if that look was accidental and somehow Ed didn't notice the bulge in his pants, now he could definitely feel it. He was only comforted by the knowledge that Ed was equally aroused; those leather pants weren't hiding a thing. He moved his flesh hand up and down Roy's chest, almost reaching the unclothed area of his neck but retreating just before he touched there. "I'll oil you up and rub you down," Roy gasped when Ed's hand accidently – or not? – brushed against his pants, and he felt it very well on his erection despite the layers of fabric on it. However, the touch didn't last long enough for anything, as Ed immediately pulled away, now both his hands holding on Roy's shoulders.
"And that's just one small fraction of the main attraction," he cited, and then Roy felt the younger alchemist's weight on his shoulders as he lifted himself… just so he could turn to face Roy, his legs now resting on either side of him as he practically sat on his lap. "You need a friendly hand," his flesh hand slid down Roy's body, slowing and stopping only when he reached the line of his pants, almost touching the button that kept it closed. Roy wanted to growl in frustration, and he leaned forward, no longer resisting the urge to kiss him – but Ed's automail hand stopped him. "And I need action…" he brushed his hand over the button, almost playing with it before grabbing Roy's hands and placing them on his chest.
"Toucha toucha toucha touch me, I wanna be dirty. Thrill me, chill me, fulfill me, creature of the night," the lines said, and Roy was only happy to oblige, moving his hands over Ed's body. Any doubts that lingered in his mind about this thing he discovered disappeared, fading into the pure lust he was feeling now. He arched up as Ed was citing the lines, his voice now low and growly and sexy and he didn't care about the scene anymore, only about those fleshy lips just a few inched over him and he reached up with one of his hands to hold the back of Ed's head so he could pull him close enough to kiss him.
Ed didn't fight against it, the words dying on his lips as he also leaned closer. Roy could already smell him, the delicious smell of summer and oil for his automail, and he longed to taste him. Their lips barely brushed against each other when a horrible, high-pitched noise of a ringing phone filled the now rather quiet office, snapping them both out of the moment.
They both panted, Ed now lowering his gaze and allowing his hair to drop on his face as he swore in frustration, and Roy could relate to him. He was very tempted to just let the phone ring and kiss his subordinate anyway, but he knew that he couldn't do that without whoever was on the other side of the line to become suspicious of why he wasn't picking up.
"Fuck," he muttered, his hand lingering on Ed's nape, lightly playing with the hairs there. "I have to answer that," the words came out of him mouth in a grim tone, like it was the last thing he wanted to say – and it really was. Ed nodded once, and slid off him.
"It's okay, think I got the scene right now," he said, his voice still husky and he still panted lightly. He glanced around, finding his vest and picking it up while Roy stared at him. "See you tomorrow, Mustang," he said, and Roy wanted to forget about the goddamned phone and grab the blonde and bring him back, but it was impossible. Besides, the moment was over. Despite the throbbing hardness in his pants, bringing Ed back now wouldn't be the same. He forced himself to look away as Ed walked towards the sofa to grab his coat and leave the room.
"Tomorrow, Fullmetal," he said, a heavy feeling of loss weighing on his chest as he pushed himself back towards the table and picked up the phone.
"Sir! What took you so long to pick up?" it was Riza's voice, concerned and scolding. Roy felt the tightness in his pants being reduced to practically nothing, and he glanced at the door just in time to see the last wave of red disappearing before the door was shut close. He let out a sigh and cleared his throat. The last thing he wanted was Hawkeye to suspect that anything happened.
"I was reading one of those documents you gave me, I just wanted to finish the paragraph," he lied.
"Do you have many left? I called to make sure you're doing your work. I don't want you to show up in the office tomorrow with left over work from today, as I assume there will be more of it tomorrow, sir," she sounded frustrated, but not suspecting.
"No, lieutenant, not too much. I believe I can wrap this up in no time," he said, glancing at the mess on his desk and on the floor, the only thing remaining from Ed's presence there moments earlier besides the warmth in Roy's body. He really didn't feel like going back to his paperwork right now, wanting to take a cold shower more than anything.
"Very good, sir. Please d finish fast and go to your home, we're going to continue with the rehearsals tomorrow, right?"
"What?" Roy snapped, the only thing the world 'rehearsal' bringing to his head was the image of Ed, so close and willing and almost his. It took him a second to get a grip. "Oh, yes, lieutenant, if everything goes well, tomorrow we'll continue. I'll finish fast here and head straight home. Thank you for your concern," he said, and then they both bid their goodbyes.
He stared at the desk for another moment before he gathered enough strength to get up and pick the things Ed dropped to the floor and rearrange his desk. He appreciated his personal assistant very much, but right now he felt like he could burn her to crisp for ruining the moment he had with Edward. He picked his glove from the floor, staring at it for a moment before placing it on the side of the table. He took a deep breath, and made up his mind. He'll finish his paperwork and then head home for a nice, long, cold shower, and then go to sleep and try to figure out what he was going to do with what almost happened between himself and Fullmetal.
Somehow, he had the feeling that he won't be able to sleep too well tonight.