Beta/Co-Author: Ca11iope ^^Once again, thank you for the awesome work ^^

A/N: ^_^ I have something to brag about XD For all of you, who want to enjoy a fanart of poor, tortured Havoc: Bazooka-Banzai was kind enough to draw one ^-^ The link can be found in my profile. (Which will now be updated more often, to keep you on track about the progress ^^) If you enjoy the art as much as I did, please take some time and leave a review for the artist.

Notice:

"Speaking"

'Thinking'

"Letters, reports etc...and…"

Memories & Flashbacks

Inky-Shadow: XD The answer to this question is down here in this chapter ^^ enjoy.

Mochiusagi: Yes, it could ^^ Doesn´t mean it will. We´ll see about that ^.~ I´m sorry I didn´t update soon ._.

Tmmdeathwishraven: Oh yes, he is XD He has a reputation, after all ^.~ I´m curious about what exactly 'made a you cring' XD As for your confusion: sorry ._. I thought it was clear who is on the bet and who´s not, but obviously, it´s not. Officially, it´s a bet between Roy and the three H´s (Hughes, Havoc, Hawkeye). Inofficially, a lot more people are betting and some are just curious about the outcome. Among the people who are betting, some try to 'cheat' – like Breda with his 'encouragement'- but most are just watching and awaiting Mustangs defeat (or win) XD Now, Fuery is just unfortunate enough to share the office with two of the three H's and one of the people who are inofficially betting, like Breda. Therefore, he stays informed, but he doesn´t participate in the bet ^^ If I didn´t explain it right or there are still questions left, please just send me a message. Just to save other readers from scrolling through my attempts to explain things properly ^^°

As for your language: Your really don´t need to apologize for that XD There are more 'fucks' and similar colorful words in this fic, I really don´t mind you using a few ^^°

Ilreies: XDD I don´t think Roy wants to find out how Ed would react ^^ But I would say, it would at least be interesting. XD That much is sure ^^ I know it´s mean, but leaving questions open at least makes the story interesting, so I hope you can forgive me ^.~

Black-klepton: XD Poor(?) guy ^^ I hope some of the doujins can be found in the net ;-P (I´m just glad you found some sleep -.- even if I wished it was more. Hopefully by now you managed to catch up ^^)

Roy is and always will be a pervert ^^ And we can all admit it: we love him for that XD Even if his team doesn´t ^^° (I'd like see that list being done as well XD) As for Ed being used to make Roy lose the bet…^_^ You´ll see how that will work out soon ^.^ I wondered no one guessed yet what will happen XD But your guess about Ed making things more complicated is definitely true ^^

Catalog Cats: XDD Happy you enjoy Roy´s team and the additions being tortured (Although I doubt Maria would call it torture ^.~) At least the most of them totally deserved it ^-^ I think you did mention that you love Al, but really, it can´t be said often enough, so feel free to repeat yourself XD

The Curse of Forever: ^_^ If you have a part for every option you consider, than part of you might be right… just don´t ask me which one XD

SachielAngelo: Awww *pat* there will be more on Ed´s lover ^^ In a later chapter XD Sorry for tormenting you u.u But spilling all secrets at once might be just boring for the reader ^^ No fun in that XD

ILoveFrenchFries: So far, Ed has not been participating in the bet actively and doesn´t know about it. However, since Roy wants to sleep with him, Hughes plans to use this for his advance to make Roy lose the bet ^^ Everything else will be answered in later chapters ^^

AlistairAmor: Yay for Al ^^ I couldn´t wait to get him in, even if I have to admit that he´s probably difficult to keep IC ^^° But I like Al. This story couldn´t do without Al :D Your feeling about things becoming interesting if Ed finds out about the bet is probably right ^^ If he doesn´t find out about the speech XD

Now, about Havoc: He´s developing into yet another character I love to torture XD So of course, his romantic life will have to suffer even more :D

As for calling you crazy: I certainly won´t do that ;-D

o-Jeff-o: ^^ I´m happy you enjoyed the last one so much :D But no dying please, that would be a shame ^^ As for what Roy´s crew is going to do: Hughes announced it already and he even started on his plan already ^.~ Without Roy knowing about it :P Sorry for the little misguiding about Al and Ed ^^ That was just too tempting ^^ But it´s nice to read Al is so warmly welcomed ^^

SlystherinGurl: XD Although I´m happy the chapters are worth the wait for you, I´m sorry it´s taking so long u.u Even more so with all the cliffhangers u.u But they are just too tempting ^^°

XxKat-OF-ShadowsxX: XD Oh yes, he does. Very deep ^^ Sorry, I gave you more time to sigh that intended u.u The good thing about Ed being stuck with Roy: At least he will take care of Roy's ego and prevent it from getting even bigger ._.

ShadowsofRegret: thank you very much ^^ I´m excited you enjoy the story so much ^_^

Redchicken888: you´re welcome ^^ Hope you´ve been happy with this mail as well xD Hopefully, you didn´t drop anything that´s breakable ;-P And please, no worries about me stopping to write. As long as I have my beta, I will update ^^ It was indeed a close call ^^ And you´ve got a point about the perverts in the office XD I guess they consider it "investigations" that are purely professional ^^

Kurohika: Sorry for the little misguiding ^^ I couldn´t resist XD But yes, Al is here ^.^

Fnick's Witness: XD Nice description. Yes, that part with the banging the dude might cause some problems. But we´ll see about that ^.~ and the offer to drive the car is appreciated XD It´s not pathetic *patpat* I assure you, you just wrote what the most where thinking ^.~ About Havoc: it´s getting funny torturing him XD Which means there will be more of it :D

Kawaii-Chibi666: Ah, yes…. *cough* the ring XD Uhm… ^^° At least I answer the questions about Al this chapter ^^ And there will be more information as well as more tormenting the charas in the future :D

Proser132: ^^ Yes, you can bet XD Feel free to make a guess ^^ I asked for some at the beginning of the story and what the readers didn´t know: after the fics ends, there will be a price ;-P I´m not sure if it would be fair to include a guess after more than half of the bet is over, but I always love to hear a guess ^.~ I´m happy you like Al finally becoming part of the story ^^ And thank you for those delightful reactions toward the Roy and Maes XD They both deserved what they got ^^ (The line about Roy made me laugh XD That's so true :D )

Hawkpath13: Uhm… about the writing soon… sorry u.u Long wait again ._. I know it´s mean, but I´m happy some people fell for the Al/Ed-confusion XD I just like plans working out and playing around XD

Raigingstorm: Yes, it´s been time Roy get´s a win ^^ So far, only Havoc suffered through revenge, but with last chapter it´s a bit more even XD And of course, both sites won´t stop here ^-^ So yes, there is a lot more of pain coming for Roy, you´re right about that ^^

Alilicious53: Oh dear god o.O Uhm…. thank you ^^ *blush* You are too kind, there are a lot of awesome stories out there, but I´m really happy you enjoy this one so much :D

Cynder81: XD Don´t worry, Roy is aware of the spy on his heels ;-P After all, our dear Colonel is a strategist as well ^.~ One intended to get his own share of fun XD

Deceitfullystairless: Uhm… sorry for the long wait ^^ I´m impressed you read through all of them at one go XD Didn´t think people would still be able to do that ^^ The chapters may be short but by now they are twenty of it :D I´m happy you liked the story enough to do that XD Thank you for the kind words ^^ I will try my best to keep the work up as fast as I can ^- ^

Le Petit Usagi: Oh yes, I love writing ^^ And I´m happy you enjoy the reading. At least, after your review it didn´t take long to update, so I´ve got hopes you didn´t have to wait long ^^

The Bet of the Year

Chapter 20: Investigations and desires

"I´m really sorry for the inconvenience," Al said, shuffling his feet as he stood by the fireplace.

The younger man was obviously tired, but Roy practically had to force him to consider spending the night on his couch. The younger Elric had always been reluctant to impose, generally uncomfortable with asking for or accepting help. In fact, Roy suspected that Alphonse had only taken the support that Roy and his team had offered in his search for Edward because his desperation to find his brother had overridden his natural inclination to avoid being burdensome.

"It´s not an inconvenience," the Colonel assured him, and despite the fact that finding Alphonse on his doorstep had really surprised him, Roy wasn´t lying when he said, "You´re always welcome here."

It wasn´t the first time Roy had told the youngster that. That simple statement was met, as always, with a shy smile of gratitude.

Al's sudden appearance had thrown Roy off balance. It worried him, wondering what could have moved the younger Elric to travel all the way to Central. Not that the Colonel would allow his unease to show. He didn´t manage to completely hide his chagrined blush when Al voiced his confusion about the fact that Roy had not received the letter he had mailed earlier that week, letting the Colonel know that he was coming. Roy busied himself preparing the couch, and was sure Alphonse had not noticed his embarrassment. Sadly, Roy couldn´t remember exactly when he had last sorted through his personal mail. Between the bet and Edward, he had been far too preoccupied for such mundane routines, but that was no excuse. As an ambitious Colonel, it was simply unacceptable to leave his personal paperwork unattended for so long.

While the Colonel planned to look through the stack of unopened mail in his study as soon as he was alone, the young man filled him in on why he was currently standing in Roy's living room. The woman who had been found with Alphonse the day Edward had disappeared, and who Alex Armstrong had talked to on Roy's behalf, had promptly called the younger Elric and Winry in Resembool to inform them that someone was trying to get information about what had happened all those years ago. Roy glumly noted that Al wasn't even sure if his brother was currently in Central or not, and it soon became obvious that the blond alchemist was actually here to see Roy himself. Desperate enough to grasp at straws, Alphonse' reluctance to ask for help had finally crumbled, and he was once again turning to his brother's former superior. Al knew that through Alex Armstrong, Roy was looking for information about Edward, and the young man clearly hoped that Roy would be willing to share anything that he might have discovered.

With the couch finally made up, the young blond huddled into the blankets and pillows, his fingers wrapped around a cup of hot chocolate, looking as miserable as the wet kittens he had once hidden in his armor to save them from the pouring rain. But despite his state, emotionally worn down and desperate to an extent that probably would shock Ed if he knew about it, the young alchemist's mind still as sharp as ever.

"You don´t seem very surprised to discover that my brother has refused to tell me anything about what happened to us, or to him, Sir." Alphonse stated as he lifted the cup to his lips. But instead of drinking, he sighed.

Roy took a moment to collect his thoughts, and find his balance, before answering. This was a very delicate situation, and the older man had to handle it as tactfully as he could, otherwise he would be damaging his relationship with at least one Elric tonight, if not both.

"Ed has visited with me a few times," he finally said.

"And he talked to you. About us. And what happened." Al watched Roy's slow nod and frowned. "No offense, Colonel, but I don´t understand how he can talk to you but not to me. He's my brother."

Roy kept his grimace internal. No offence? Unfortunately, there was plenty, but not on Roy's part. It was obvious the young alchemist seated on his couch was more than just a little offended, and would be no matter who Ed chose to talk to, as long as it was not Alphonse. And Alphonse was looking at Roy in disbelief, obviously wondering how Edward could open up to his former commanding officer, when it was a well know fact that the two irritated each other to the point that simply being in the same room together for any length of time could lead to bloodshed and destruction. For a moment Roy felt like banging his head against the wall. He couldn't even blame Ed for the situation he was in right now. Well okay, he could. But Ed was not here, and that left Roy to ease Alphonse's distress. That meant Roy would have to fill Al in on his brother's current relationship with his former commander.

"Your brother and I-" Roy stared into wide eyes filled with hope and innocence... "-are…" Al looked years younger than his brother. Too young. "-researching fire alchemy together."

It would probably be better to take this one small step at a time. One tiny bit of information followed by another. Just to soften the blow. Roy had no problem speaking bluntly, elaborately, and at length in front of his staff, but this? He couldn´t just blurt out to sweet, innocent Alphonse that he wanted to shove his hard dick up his brother's ass and fuck the man in every position they could manage, on every piece of furniture that could stand the strain, and in every possible place even at the risk of being arrested for public indecency.

Considering the disbelieving look he earned for just that tiny snip of information, small steps were definitely a good idea.

"We´ve manage to…" What? Work out their problems? Actually, there haven´t even been any problems, they had just excelled at getting on each other's nerves. "-get past our differences." Whatever those 'differences' had been.

Al's single raised eyebrow expressed his remaining skepticism. Roy poured on the sincerity.

"And we are working very well together." Which was also one hell of an understatement considering what had happened that morning. "In fact, I think it safe to say that we have developed a mutual respect for each other's talents." And he wasn't just talking about alchemy.

"Oh, Colonel! That´s wonderful!" Bouncing gleefully just like child in front of his birthday cake, Al looked more than just pleased. "Thank you, I know brother is too stubborn to have made the first step, so it had to be you who was mature enough to do so."

Of course Al could only know about Roy and Edward's mutual dislike from stories he had heard, his memory of those days lost, but obviously Ed had been just as hard-headed as a child. Then Roy recalled exactly how mature he had been acting lately, and in what way, and tried not to wince. Or feel like a jerk.

"You really don´t need to thank me," Roy told the boy, and honestly, he really, really didn´t. After all, it had been Roy's intention to use Al's brother for his own purposes, first as a substitute date to make the bet easier for him – ironic, how that had worked out – and now to get into Ed´s pants. No, Al really shouldn`t be thanking him for anything. "Your brother is taking time out of his busy schedule to assist me with my research, and he's been a great help."

Now Al was pouting again. He tried to hide it, but he failed miserably. Great. It appeared that Ed wasn't the only one with attitude problems. Alphonse had some serious jealousy issues when it came to anybody spending quality time with his brother. He obviously envied Roy because Roy had what Al wanted – his brother's company, and memories of the older brother's past, however incomplete. Maybe the Colonel should resign his commission, hang out a shingle, and start charging people to lie on his couch and talk out their problems. As soon as that sarcastic thought entered his mind however, Roy felt a twinge of shame. Both Al and Ed were people he cared for greatly, and he should have taken interest in what had happened to them far sooner.

"Sir-"

"Roy." The Colonel interrupted and Al blinked, but started anew.

"Colonel Musta-" The boy was just too polite for words. Roy was not, and he quickly interrupted.

"Al, we've known each other for a long time." The young man winced. Damn, from Al´s point of view, they hadn't, but in reality, they had. "Just call me Roy, it´s fine."

This time it took longer for the blond to find his voice again. "I know you were brother's superior when he was in the military."

It couldn´t be that difficult to call Roy by his first name, could it? The boy just needed to get used to the fact that Roy was not a stranger, not really. Al had come to him for help. Not just now, but in his search for his brother. Roy had proven he could be trusted. That he was a friend. Surely Al wasn't intimidated by Roy's ties to the military, or his rank.

Sighing deeply, the Colonel saw trouble heading his way. He was someone Alphonse had not known before the failed human transmutation. So despite the help he'd given, Roy was still a stranger. And suddenly the Colonel caught a glimpse of what Edward had been dealing with in his relationship with his little brother. If the younger boy struggled over such a minor informality as calling Roy by his first name, how would he react to finding the brother he remembered changed by experiences that the younger boy did not recall? When Edward had shown up at the Rockbell's, had Al recognized him? Had he expressed disbelief? Disappointment? Anger? Certainly the boys' reunion had to have been a disturbing mix of joy and pain.

Al's only refuge after he had been freed from the armor had been the Rockbells, and though both Winry and Pinako had changed as well in the years the brothers had been traveling, they had obviously done their best to make things as easy for Al as they could. It must have been difficult for the boy, meeting people who had known him as the Fullmetal's younger brother. They would have known him as seven feet of imposing armor, now suddenly reduced to an average sized ten year old boy. Roy guessed that Alphonse was used to people treating him gently, changing their behavior around him, perhaps to avoid making the youngster uncomfortable by being too forward or familiar. However, Roy was sure that Ed would not have changed his behavior, treating his little brother the same as he always had, and Roy had every intention of doing so as well. Alphonse had to get used to the fact that there were people who knew him, and cared about him, and that the world had not stood still for five years until the day he had suddenly found himself in Central, minus his big brother.

"Yes, but I was never yours," Roy told him. "And you have been always welcome in my office regardless. Next time you stop by and I´m not at home, come to Headquarters and I will give you my keys."

Al´s eyes went wide at the casual way the Colonel offered him free access to his home whether Roy was in it or not. It might be a risk, since this young Al was actually just as much a stranger to Roy as Roy was to him, but the risk was minimal. The older man doubted that there were drastic differences between this young man and the one he had known. Flesh and blood or hollow steel, Al's fundamental Al-ness shone through.

"Uhm… thank you, Sir."

"Roy." The Colonel insisted.

The way Al took a huge gulp out of the liquid chocolate made Roy wonder how easy it would be to turn both Elrics into alcoholics. Hmmm, a tipsy Ed might be fun.

"Roy." Al finally obliged. It was hesitant, but it was an improvement. The boy looked distinctly uncomfortable, and it took a few moments before he could continue. "I´m not sure how much you know, but… uhm…"

As Alphonse trailed of, biting his lower lip much the same way Ed did when thinking. Seeing the familiar gesture, it finally dawned to Roy that Al was not just trying to be polite. He was thinking very hard, trying to come to some decision, and the youngster's reluctance spoke of more than just hesitation about imposing on someone.

Roy felt like a truck hit him. As much as he was trying to hide it, the young man seated on his couch did not trust him enough to say what he was thinking. What a miserable track record – two Elrics, and neither trusted him enough to say what was on their minds. So much for his fallback career as a therapist.

But fine, Roy was a grown man, his ego could deal with it. And if he thought about it, the whole situation might not be as bad as he had thought it was. Trust could be earned. Roy hoped that he was not wrong in thinking that he had gained some ground in that area with Edward. And to keep that hard earned trust, Roy had to draw some clear lines in his relationship with Alphonse.

"If you are hoping I might tell you what your brother and I have talked about regarding your travels together, and his time away, I will have to disappoint you." And damn, Al looked really disappointed.

"I just thought you might know," the young man muttered into the mug.

"I do. But I won´t tell you." The betrayed look Roy received made him feel worse than if he had drowned a litter of kittens, kicked a puppy across a busy road, and stolen a child's favorite lollipop on his birthday.

"Why?" Oh damn, and Roy thought he was a master at manipulating people. He felt so sorry for the young man who appeared close to bursting into tears that he almost surrendered. Almost.

"Because it´s not my story to tell."

And the truth of that kept Roy's lips sealed. And they would stay sealed. No matter how miserable Al looked. No matter how bad Roy himself felt, looking into Al's crestfallen grey eyes.

"But that doesn't mean I can't help you," Roy added with a grin.

Day 18

Although he had bid Alphonse good night a few hours ago, Roy was unable to sleep.

And he needed the rest. He and Al had plans. Plans to find out more about Ed and Al's shared past, or in Roy's case, fill in a few blanks he knew Ed had left deliberately. Alphonse had objected, wanting to get started right away, but the Colonel had insisted that the both of them should rest before they set their plans into motion.

As tired as he was however, Roy's mind did not want to settle down. Or his dick for the matter.

The moment he closed his eyes, his thoughts took a trip down memory lane.

Before the bet, Roy had had no idea that memory lane had a red light district. Complete with erotic sights and sensations, as well as sounds.

Like the sound Ed had made when he'd ground himself against Roy's erection. God, he wanted to hear that moan again. He wanted to feel Ed's weight on his legs, and the pressure when Ed moved against him. He couldn't even distract himself with the plan he and Al had mapped out. He knew what to do, there was no further need to plan anything. Except perhaps where and in which position he wanted to screw Edward aferward. And his mind offered him a huge range of options.

All of them much appreciated by the general.

A twitching, needy, and hard general, a general that begged for attention by tenting out the covers, sending waves of hot arousal through Roy's body whenever thoughts slipped back to what had happened on Ed´s couch.

The Colonel tried to calm his dick down. Thanks to Maes little photo shoot and the resulting confrontation in Roy's office, Roy had gained some freedom. As it now stood, he could do just about anything he wanted, as long as he didn´t ejaculate. And that did not help the matter. Knowing he could allow himself to do more, to react to his desires if he just prevented himself from coming, was a curse in disguise. Knowing he could do more, made him want to do more. And the more he did, the more likely it would be that he went too far.

He had to kill this erection. Slow, shallow breathing didn't work. Neither did thoughts of dead animals, warzones, or mathematic equations. His mind turned everything he thought of to sex. It didn´t want to dwell on science, or the gruesome details of Hughes' solved and unsolved cases, or cute little animals with tire tracks matted into their fur.

After two hours of staring at the ceiling, Roy was frustrated beyond belief. And still aroused.

And the damn list he had so casually assembled in the office was now coming back to bite him in the ass. What he wouldn't give to have his former subordinate in bed with him, bound by either handcuffs or soft ribbon to the head of his bed. The blond would not be able to move his arms, to touch himself, and god, Roy would tease him, nip him, lick him, do everything but fuck him, until the man was just as frustrated and needy as Roy was right now. Unable to do anything about it other than try to get Roy to take care of it, to fuck him and give him what he needed.

What a delightful thought. Maybe Ed would curse him, maybe beg him, maybe thrust his hips up, trying to grind his hot erection against the man on top of him.

He wondered how Ed would react blindfolded; not knowing what awaited him from one moment to the next. And Roy would make sure he got a lot of surprises. He wanted to hear him gasp for breath when he bit his neck, his hard nipples, his thighs. He wanted to feel Ed shudder when Roy sucked on his skin, licked it, and left marks all over his lean body.

Roy almost moaned at the pleasurable sensation when his hand rubbed over the bulge in his pajamas and gave the hard length beneath the cotton a good squeeze. Then his eyes went wide and he froze. Just when had his hand slipped beneath the covers?

Whenever it had happened, it felt damn good. Roy decided he should remove his fingers, before it felt too good. And he did, but his hand seemed to have a will of its own. Instead of getting out from beneath the covers, it slipped under the waistband of his pajamas. Okay, maybe not exactly of its own will, this was just what Roy wanted, but shouldn't, do.

But Roy had been horny for hours, and his mind wouldn´t stop tormenting him. His hips jerked upwards the moment his hand moved over the sensitive flesh and his mind went back to Ed, seeing him do the same when Roy groped him. At some point, the thought of touching another man's dick had stopped feeling weird. Before, it was only about how his own hard length would get satisfaction, and really, an ass was an ass, male or female. The same went for a mouth. There was no big difference. Roy could slam his erection into either and get what he wanted.

Women didn´t have dicks of course, and the thought of boners, or touching erected men, had never aroused Roy up until now. Come to think of it though, it had never actually grossed him out either. It was just a dick after all. Nothing new. He owned one himself and he saw them on a regular basis, whenever he went to the men's facilities.

What did send a wave of tingling excitement and anticipation through his body was the thought of what it would do to Edward to pay a bit of attention to the blond´s erection. Being a man himself, Roy knew exactly how good it would feel. And oh, it did, he could feel the heat in his own lap, the pleasure when his fingers wrapped around his hard member. How much would it take to reduce the stubborn blond to a needy body, desperate to come with no coherent thought in his mind, just an all consuming need to fuck? Ed might be the most stubborn and defiant person Roy had ever met, but through his body, there was so much Roy could do to him. He could quite literally take him, claim him, own him, and damn, the thought of that alone -

This time Roy didn´t manage to completely suppress the moan when his hand moved up his length and down again. Then his fingers went further down, to his balls. So good, so perfect. Nothing else mattered anymore. Just the pleasure, the feel of his need finally being satisfied.

But it was not enough, he needed more.

Once again, his fingers wrapped around the hot shaft. Some tiny little part of his brain screamed for him to stop, but he didn´t want to, he wanted his hand to move.

And he wanted Ed to feel just the same way when he did this to him. He wanted the man to be just as desperate for Roy's hand to jerk him off as he himself felt right now. So close to losing his mind. So close to not caring about anything but orgasm. So close.

Fuck it. He wanted to come, he needed it.

But if he did, then his hand would stay his only companion until he dated all the damn females on Hughes dreaded list at least long enough to know them. Damn it, he didn´t want to know them. He wanted to fuck. And sure, they would be smart, they would be sweet, maybe even good in bed, but Roy didn´t want some sweet little housewife. He wanted a challenge, someone that was worth the effort. He wanted Ed underneath him, wanted to pounce on that hot body, and plunge into that tight ass, and have the man for once not resisting, but willing. Willing to offer himself to Roy, to let the Colonel do as he pleased while Edward begged for more.

Roy wanted that to happen.

And it would happen.

He just needed to get rid of his arousal. He needed to control himself. And he would control himself.

He just needed to come. Just once, then it would be better, he would be able to think again. Just once. One time, and he would be the same man he had been at the bet's beginning. All it would take was to move, to stroke his dick. His hand moved up again, his fingers tightening their grip, just beneath the head of his erection. His hips went up, the hard length sliding easily through his fingers. Just the same as always, but so much better after all this time. He shuddered, gasping for breath at the overwhelming sensation.

Down again and he loosed his grip, his palm brushing over the head of his erected member before he jerked up again, the shaft rubbing his palm and his fingers once again wrapping themselves around the sensitive flesh as his hips went down.

Again.

He needed to do this again. He wanted to do this again.

Again and again and he would come and it would be just once, then he would stop. Then he would be able to fight it again. A nice, steady rhythm, a fast pace, and it wouldn´t take long. He would thrust his hips up. Just like he would thrust into Ed. Smooth movements, fast and deep.

But he was alone in the bed, and if he wanted Edward here with him, he would have to control himself. And he could – afterwards, after he came.

'Think man, think!' Some part of his mind screamed and Roy knew there was something wrong with his reasoning. Try as he might, Roy couldn´t do what the screaming part of him wanted him to do, couldn´t figure out where his logic didn´t fit reality. And who needed thinking anyways, when they could have pleasure and relief and feel so fucking good coming.

Just once. And he would be able to control himself, control his need. Roy Mustang was no slave to his body, he could do this, could still win the bet. He just needed it once. And after the rest of these hated thirty days, he could fuck to his heart's – or his dick's- delight. Twelve more days, that´s nothing. Not even two weeks, he could manage that… if he just came this once. If he could just ease the tension in his lap, the hot ache in his groan. It wasn´t worth mentioning, just a quick jerk off. And then he would be fine again. He would be fine and in control if he just moved his hand, if he just stroked his dick, fucked his hand, spilled his cum and –

'And that´s masturbation, you idiot!' His mind screamed. His fingers stopped on their way up his member. There was absolutely no sense in masturbating to win a bet that included no masturbation.

Still, the sensation was there, the pressure of his grip around the swollen member. He needed to stop. He wanted to move. Move away! Away! Not up and down, away. Just once – would be too much. He needed to move his fingers away. But his hand refused to obey. He wasn't stroking himself anymore, but he couldn´t loosen the grip on his member. His mind was torn, indecisive, and his hand was frozen between the general's command and the Colonel's.

The general was insistent in its pleas for relief. So what if he couldn't move his hand? Roy could thrust his hips, fuck his hand and be done with it. Roy's mind launched its counter attack. If he did that, yes, he would have relief for a short time, but then he would be handing his balls over to Hughes to raffle off to his pool of greedy wannabe housewives. The general conceded that point, but continued its offensive. Granted, being a slave to Hughes' matchmaking mania sounded like a fate worse than death, but if Roy had to face that, he should at least make it worthwhile. Don't lose this bet for masturbating to the thought of banging Ed. He should go find Ed and bang him for real. Hard. And forceful. And loud enough that Hughes would not need a spy to photograph them doing it, he would be able to hear the slapping of Roy's balls against his former subordinates ass from across town, along with Ed´s screams and those delightful moans, and whatever noises Ed made when he came, repeatedly, and let´s see how the nice young ladies Maes set him up with would like to deal with a boyfriend who screwed men like that.

But if he did, it would be for the last time. That's what losing this bet now meant.

After taking a few deep breaths, fighting the desire to jerk himself off, Roy finally loosed his grip on his erection. His fingers brushed over the hard length when his hand finally found its way out of his pajamas and it felt so amazingly good, he still wanted to just screw the bet – no pun intended - and get his hand back into the trousers of his sleepwear. Instead, Roy forced it away from the throbbing ache between his legs and god damn it, he wanted to come. He could feel the relief, the orgasm, building on the edge of his consciousness and oh god, how he wanted to come. It wouldn't take much, two, maybe three quick pumps, but he couldn't. Tossing himself around in his bed, Roy's hardness brushed against the cotton of his pajama and he almost sobbed at the friction, the welcomed sensation that brought him one step closer to where his entire body wanted to be.

Roy thought himself frustrated before. Now he needed to invent a new, stronger adjective for what he was feeling. He clenched his fists, mentally begging the general not to blow his load. His dick's only reply was a painful wave of lust and pure need.

He had never understood why hyperactive brats slammed doors and stomped around when they were frustrated. Now he did. Fists hammering his pillow, the alchemist buried his face in the softness of the padding. Bad move. The change of position left him lying on his stomach, with the mattress pressing against the aching erection. Roy's hips jerked forward instinctively, reacting to the friction against his member.

Shuddering, the Colonel bit his lips, not knowing if he would moan or sob if he didn´t suppress the sound. He hadn't ordered hips to move. It was not intended, but his midsection moved again, rubbing the hardness in his pajamas against soft cotton. He had no idea how he managed not to repeat the movement, to prevent it from turning it into a steady, frantic humping. He didn't manage to prevent his hips from shifting to apply more pressure to his member however, pressing the hard length further against the mattress. It appeared that his body was desperate to get what it needed, regardless of what Roy wanted. His conscious mind was losing its grip, thoughts and rationalizations drowning in the sensations coming from his groin.

And he needed to breathe. Panting, the Colonel lifted his face from the pillow, groaning as his back arched and his dick pressed harder against the bed, trapped between the mattress and Roy's lower stomach. For one moment, he just wanted to grind against his bed, and his body was just about to do that, but then he once again tossed himself over. Lying on his back, the erection was bereft of any resistance it could rub against. And Roy once again found himself fighting the approaching orgasm, hitting his mattress with his fist because honestly, he couldn´t take this anymore.

He wanted to cry, scream his frustration out, but managed to limit himself to a groan instead. Once again, his body jerked up, but there was nothing to grind his dick against. Nothing to rub against. Nothing to help him ease this tension he felt. Nothing to fuck. He was so hard, it hurt. It hurt to feel the pajamas press against his trapped erection. To feel the weight of the bedcovers. But it was an ache that promised so much pleasure if he just went ahead and did something, anything, about it.

It was too much to bear.

With one smooth movement, he tossed the bedcovers aside. The weight on his dick disappeared and it was better. The warmth of the covers vanished and he shivered at the cool breeze coming from the open window. It helped the tiniest bit against the arousal, but his pajamas, now sporting a very impressive bulge, still trapped his aching erection.

Roy lifted his hips to shove the trousers down, and for one moment he enjoyed the sensation of the waistband rubbing along his length. The next moment the general realized that the fresh air was cold. The Colonel let out a sob, shivered, and pressed his warm palm over his dick.

Oh fuck. The general was so sensitive even that light touch was painful. In a very pleasurable way. It was just mindfuckingly good. Roy threw his head back as his fingers stroked his erection.

Oh yes.

Oh no.

His hips jerked up, as if to follow the hand he snatched away from his twitching cock. Oh god, he was so painfully hard.

Could somebody just shoot him and end this?

The Colonel couldn´t lay still any longer. He needed to move, to do anything but just lie here and bear this tension, this ache, this need. His legs kicked the pajamas down to his ankles, but it didn´t help. His mind was no longer in control and his body shifted, tossed around and before he even realized what he was doing, his face was again buried in the soft pillow. A pillow that drowned his cry, as his hips moved forcefully. This time, there were no pajamas to damp the friction of his member against the mattress and Roy threw back his head, bent his back and moaned out the name of his former subordinate.

He couldn´t do this. He was Roy Mustang. He couldn´t lose this bet. Not like this. He shouldn´t be forced to masturbate like this, he should fuck. And fuck good. Fuck a man, a woman, in a group, but not his mattress for god´s sake.

But his dick didn´t give a damn who he was and what he should or shouldn´t do. Twitching, his cock happily tortured him with both pleasure and pain as it slid against the sheets.

Roy pushed himself forcefully up. His legs were shaking, but he stayed on his hand and knees and managed to not fall into the cushions again. And more importantly, to keep his throbbing, aching, oh fuck, hurting, member away from the mattress, the pillows, and everything else.

Panting, eyes closed, he waited, listening to the sound of his sweat dropping onto the sheets. Trying to keep his shaking legs and arms from giving up. Trying to not give up himself and let his dick control his body, no matter what it wanted to do.

The cold helped, he could feel it on his sweaty skin. On his hot dick.

Dead animals. Dead animals… that had cute owners who needed to be comforted now that poor kitty had been run over by a truck.

Mathematics. His position surely had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that sixty-nine was the only number his brain could come up with.

War. Ishbal. Soldiers fucking in their tents. They where human, after all, they needed some form of esxape. Some were too scared to get it up. And some just fucked their brains out to avoid thinking about what they had done. And to avoid sleep, knowing their actions would haunt them in their dreams. Of course they would think about it, of course they would simply fall asleep when exhaustion finally took its toll. But damn, from the sound of it, some had tried to set new records every night by staying awake, screwing the nurses. And comrades. No one really kept count, but Roy was one of four males that were rumored to hold the record.

And with good reason.

Fuck. Another topic. Another topic.

Sex.

This was not helping at all.

Ed.

Grinding movements, an offered throat, and those moans. Golden eyes, filled with lust.

Wincing, the Colonel tried to think of something that would not remind him of fucking.

His brain came up with – 'fucking'.

He needed to take more drastic action.

Ice cubes.

The memory of what had happened the last time he had used ice cubes flashed through Roy's mind. His hands shook from the thought alone, and his arms gave out. The moment he hit the mattress, his dick was happy again.

Until Roy managed to push himself back to his hands and knees.

He had promised the general that he would never resort to ice cubes again, and that was a promise he intended to keep. Besides, with this boner, he wouldn´t even make it to the kitchen. Especially not with Al lying on the couch in his living room.

Al.

Dear god, what guarantee did he have that the boy was really asleep? Maybe he was lying there, thinking about his brother, about the situation. Maybe he was awake.

Then the Colonel wondered just how loud he had been for the past few … minutes? Hours? Years? It felt like he'd been tossing around in his bed for an eternity, but it couldn´t be. Still, did Al hear him? It wouldn't be hard to figure out what Roy had been doing. Had the young man heard him panting and moaning? Had he heard Roy moan his brother's name?

Ed would kill him. Slowly.

But first he would kill the general. Slowly.

Despite the fact that he was thinking about Ed, it actually helped.

At least enough for Roy to make it to the shower.

He was going to regret this. He knew it. But he had no choice. He had a boner to get rid of.

Roy had let the water run for quite a few minutes, just so it would be as cold as possible, and the entire bathroom had become uncomfortably cold and clammy. His arm almost froze when he reached into the shower to turn the water off, and he knew there was no way he would not run out of the shower, maybe even out of the bathroom – without caring about his state of undress - once the cold hit the general. This, and his last reaction to his dick meeting cool air, was what had given him the idea. And it was a really stupid idea, born of desperation. It was probably one of the most idiotic ideas he'd had in years.

It came right after the idea to agree to this bet.

Okay, after the idea to pour ice water over his lap.

Or hump his furniture.

Or masturbate in the library.

It wasn`t something he would admit out loud, but he'd really had a lot of stupid ideas lately.

Which did nothing to discourage him from his latest one. He had agreed to this bet. He was willing to go for the win at all costs. He would do this. No matter how suicidal and self harming it might be.

The sense of doom spread in his guts. The cold seeped up from his feet and into his legs as he stepped into the frigid pool of water on the shower floor. Whatever remained of his rational mind screamed that this was a bad idea. A really bad idea. Still, he gripped the two items he held in his hands and prepared to use them.

One was hooked behind the height-adjustable shower nozzle. The other he took between his teeth.

No way did he want Alphonse forcing his way into the bathroom because of the screaming. He'd likely never be able to face the young man again, after being caught handcuffed to the shower-head's pipe. Leaving his hands just enough freedom to turn the water tap, Roy locked the cuffs around his wrists to prevent his body from jerking away from the freezing cold water.

Biting down on the leather belt, he turned the water on.

Al had been dead to the world, too exhausted to even notice when the Colonel entered the living room to wake him.

But he had sent a strange look towards his host once he came out of the shower. Roy was sure he had gotten rid of most of the evidence of his battle against the general. He needed to call a plumber to look at the shower pipe however. His body had jerked away from the icy water so forcefully that the pipe had bent under the strain, though thankfully it had not given away.

And he needed to replace his belt, since it would be weird to wear one that had noticeable teeth marks on it, inviting questions Roy would rather not answer.

Despite all that, the Colonel was marking this down as a victory against his dick, which was frozen into submission again, uncomfortable, cold, and slack in his underwear. And fine, he had no problem with his cock being offended with him, as long as it stayed down until the bet was won. No longer, of course. But considering that even ice-water had not been enough to put the general off for long, Roy didn´t hold high hopes that his cold shower attack would calm his member down for any great length of time.

And in fact, it didn´t keep his member still for even a single hour. All it took was Roy witnessing Al inhaling the food much the same way Ed did. Which made him think about Ed…

Fuck, no. Roy did not want another shower, thank you very much.

But Alphonse had more in common with his brother than the Colonel would have believed possible, even for brothers. He had not shown his surprise, but Roy had noticed the shocked reaction at the fact that the Flame Alchemist had managed to make breakfast without burning it.

What was so unbelievable about the thought of him being able to cook? Did Roy come off as so incompetent that something as simple as eggs, bacon and toast were considered beyond his capabilities? And Al had yet to see a dinner prepared by Roy.

Alphonse was too polite to accuse his host of trying to poison him, but he did wait till the darkhaired man took the first bite. And once Al did so himself… maybe it was because of all the time spent in the armor being unable to eat, remembered or not. Or maybe it was an Elric thing. But Al began shoveling the food into his mouth with a speed matched by one other person: his brother.

But unlike Ed, the younger Elric blushed embarrassed and apologized for his lack of manners.

Roy didn´t have the nerve to tell him that his manners were not the reason why the older man avoided looking at him as he shoved his food inside. It reminded him of Edward, and whenever he thought about the former Fullmetal…

Roy had to make himself think of anything else, or risk startling Al when a very long and hard sausage burst through the table from underneath.

The simmering arousal burning inside him was not about Al however. It was all about Edward, which Roy was extremely relieved to discover. The younger Elric had absolutely no effect on him or his dick Roy was overjoyed to know. Because that would have been just too much.

Both alchemists would have killed him, if he didn´t do it himself. Al was bordering on the fine edge of maturity, and would without a doubt be a very handsome man in a few years, but right now he was still a child. And though Al was technically older than his body was, Roy couldn´t help but feel like a pedophile pervert for even worrying about the possibility that he could have gotten just the slightest bit of arousal from thoughts of touching Alphonse.

He definitely preferred the older and definitely not so innocent Elric for this kind of activity.

Thoughts of how Ed had lost his innocence brought Roy back to the topic at hand, and the reason why both he and Al had not slept until dawn. They had decide that it would be better to do this at night, and since they would need extra lightning anyway, it didn´t matter when they started, though Roy preferred not to be seen.

They left the house fifteen minutes later.

Roy was driving, but Al led the way.

Tbc.

I knew it was a long wait, but at least the chapter is a longer one ^^ I know it appears as if not much happened, but there is some progress if you squeeze for it XD