Edward marveled at the difference six weeks could make. It was only a few weeks ago, that he was traversing with his brother, Ai and Magnus throughout Creta and other neighboring countries. Regularly they'd visit Central to see their father, get updates from the counsel and to keep afloat of the activities regarding the Rogue group.
To say that his life was made up of routines, boring was anything but — in the years that he'd spent outside Amestris and within her walls he'd manage to gain an abundance of knowledge and intellect about the diversities in cultures, traditions, history, political beliefs, ideas of what would make for a good society and master various forms of alchemy. As the next successor to the title Fuhrer he had been thoroughly instituted with all aspects about running a country. A scary thought, but he was being prepped for many years to take over.
He understood people, their motives and expressions, what makes them tick. He was good at coming up with solutions, gathering and analyzing information. He look beyond the obvious and doesn't stop until the answers are staring up at him. He experimented and nothing was ever a challenge for him. He was sharp, capable, and agile. He seldom gives up and steadfastly pursues everything with a driven energy that was only matched to his brother Alphonse.
That was until he'd met General Roy Mustang and had become intimately acquainted with him.
Edward's experience with people he'd met on his journeys was enlightening, but none compare to Roy. His namesake 'Flame Alchemist' he had acquired was without fault. He displayed skill and prowess whenever he snapped his fingers that was equally awe inspiring and frightening. He'd constantly and consistently thwarted the attempts of Ai and Magnus to tame him; defying their expectations that he is without a doubt the prophesied man forged with flames, destined to protect the golden one.
To Edward's surprise it would seem that he was the only person that was capable of taming the fire within Roy. He'd taken the responsibility of protecting Edward with an integrity of respect and personal commitment. When you look upon his face it echoed words of 'I won't let anyone or anything hurt you'. In the manner of weeks General Roy Mustang had inserted himself neatly into Edward's life like he'd been apart if it from the beginning. It was a natural feeling; instinct; to be with him, to desire him, to love him.
He gazed upon a ring on his finger that was gifted to him during his eighteenth birthday and smiled softly as he twirled the band. Roy had said that it belonged to his mother.
He'd taken Edward's hand and slipped the ring on his finger and kissed him. It was tender and sweet, but all too soon they were both consumed with an eager need.
Lust. Passion. Desire. Love.
They were all mingled with each other desperately fighting for control. But as Roy's tongue had swept into his mouth, one truth beamed brightly; their minds touched in a balance of harmony. A euphoric bliss had been poured over them. It had felt wondrous and amazing.
"Edward, are you even listening to me?" Al cried out.
Since announcing the marriage of Roy and himself, Al had remained in Central and had enrolled at Central University about three weeks ago. They've always been together, but lately he had been spending so much time with Roy. With Al at school he'd hardly seen his brother even though they lived in the same house. But Edward had new obligations to be fulfilled. Al understood of course, but in a way he felt guilty nonetheless.
Today they were sparring on the parade grounds of Head Quarters. A perk of having the Fuhrer as his father.
His guard was here, lurking in the shadows and Roy he assumed was in his office.
"Al, I'm sorry! What did you just asked me?" He said, making a halfhearted attempt at apologizing for being lost in his thoughts.
"I was explaining to you that I thought your General Mustang had taken a liking to Alchemagos more so than Alkahestry?" He replied.
"Really!" Edward sighed as he back flipped away from Al as to avoid one of his leaning back front kicks. "I thought he was fairing pretty well in both. He's already tapped into the Dragon Pulse and can sense Qi."
"That is impressive." Al speedily advanced on Edward, looping his ankle around Ed's foot, but the attacked failed when Edward jumped out of the way causing Al to stumbled forward. "So have he tried using Qi on you?"
Edward faintly blushed and counterattack Al by defensively landing an axe kick on his shoulder disabling any of Al's further attempts at striking. "He has…"
Al bowed to Edward and him in return, "Interesting!" He conveyed, in a pondering way and added, "Did he like use it to…?"
Edward flinched inside but kept his face straight. His brother was always a bit too perceptive. "Alphonse, what are you getting at?"
"Just what I said. You're blushing brother," he insisted and grinned at Edward. "You also have this light around whenever the General name in mentioned. Ai said with Qi you can read a persons…" Al paused and looked away shyly, "…desires. See your face is turning red again, brother."
Edward gathered up his gym bag and took an offered towel from one of his guards. He proceeded towards the HQ main building and then onwards to the showers, Al in tow.
"Alphonse, I don't understand your preoccupation with my affairs concerning Roy, and I'm not going to kiss and tell." He said dryly.
"Interesting!"
"Alphonse! What?" Edward spat.
"It's just that you told me everything I need to know just now." He said in resignation.
"My brother needs to get himself a girlfriend." Edward said to no one in particular.
"As a matter of fact, brother I met someone." Al said in a singsong tone, dashing past Edward and walking swiftly towards the locker rooms.
"Now that interesting!" Edward called after him.
"Sir," Edward looked backed at Magnus. "The Fuhrer asked that you stop by his office after you've completed the sparring session"
"Golden or Fuhrer?" Edward asked the burly man in a hushed tone.
Magnus looked around briefly and replied aguishly, "Golden."
"Huh, that serious?"
The man nodded.
