I almost feel evil for taking my time this way... almost.
Chapter Twenty-Five
At exactly half an hour before Edward had arranged with Hawkeye to release the General from his office prison, the blonde alchemist was finishing securing a military car for the evenings ventures. Keys in hand, Ed took it a few laps around the block just to refresh his memory. He'd learned to drive, and he'd done quite a bit of it at one point in Berlin, but he wanted to be sure he wasn't rusty at it.
Ten minutes before Roy was to be released by his Lieutenant, Ed pulled back through the gates of the military facilities. He parked the car next to Havoc who waved him over on his way to the parking lot to fetch his own rental. "Hey." Ed said as he rolled down the window, putting the car in park.
"Hey Ed, just wanted to make sure I wished you good luck." Jean said, placing one hand on the top of the car so he could lean down and speak to Edward.
Edward smirked up at him and rested his near arm onto the space the rolled down window had left. "Thanks, but seriously, what is it you all are betting on now?"
Jean winked at him. "Now if I told you, it wouldn't make it fair betting."
"Uh-huh."
"Though if I happened to let slip that-"
Edward watched in amusement as Havoc was tackled to the ground by Breda. Poking his head out of the window he watched as the two began to wrestle on the ground while arguing about whether or not Jean was attempting to cheat. "This is the funniest thing I've seen all day." Edward remarked, still grinning.
The ground under the two suddenly exploded in a ball of flame, and Edward had to jerk his head back through the window quickly to avoid getting his blonde bangs singed off. He glared through the windshield at Mustang who was sauntering up with Hawkeye looking rather annoyed.
"Quit brawling in public you two." Mustang sighed as he walked over to the car, he then looked over at Ed who was still glaring. "What?"
"Think you could have toned it down a bit? I nearly lost my hair there." Edward said, fingering a lock of bangs.
"I'll keep that in mind." Roy said apologetically.
"Get in." Ed said, jerking his head towards the passenger side door. "I'll drive you home so you can get changed and then I'll be back to pick you up as soon as I'm ready."
"Bye Ed!" Hawkeye, Breda, and Havoc echoed as Mustang got in the car and Edward pulled out of the drive.
"Sure, they didn't say bye to me…" Roy grouched.
Edward smiled, "they love me better. I'm not a pyro bastard."
"No, just a headache." Roy replied, "a very small headache. But still a headache."
Ed shot him the briefest of looks as he told himself it wasn't worth it to give the man a black eye. "Well let's hope your headache doesn't prevent you from enjoying yourself tonight."
"It'd take a lot more than that." Roy said and suddenly ventured into previously unfruitful territory. "Can I see your watch, please?"
Edward cast him an amused glance, "you do have manners after all. Good. Make sure you put them to good use tonight."
"So? May I?"
"Tell me why, it's not like you have any reason to lie to me. Either way if I don't like it when I find out, I'll still kick your ass." Edward pointed out reasonably.
Roy sighed, "I know it still works, but I just want to make sure it hasn't lost power after being dragged through the Gate so many times. I don't want it to be lacking any amplification strength on Monday."
Edward couldn't find any signs that he was lying, so he took it out with one hand and passed it over before taking the steering wheel back in both hands again. "Well?" He asked.
Roy flipped it over as he eyed it critically. "Think you've beaten it up enough?" He said and breathed hot air on it before rubbing the cuff of his sleeve over the metal surface.
"I'm not a perfectionist about my appearance like you are." Edward said and cast him a sideways look, "how can you tell, anyway?"
"I've been around them longer than you, studied them for a while actually."
"Just don't open it." Edward told him sternly.
"Why not?"
"Because if you do, I'll be pissed off." Was the honest reply.
Roy couldn't find it in himself to tempt those waters tonight. Perhaps some other time. "It seems fine."
Edward took the watch back and pocketed it once again. "Thank you."
"So are you going to tell me yet where we're going tonight that is so secretive?"
"If I did, it wouldn't be a secret." Edward replied and pulled up the drive to Mustang's house to let him out. "I should be back in twenty minutes."
"Not going to get my door for me?" Roy grinned wickedly.
"If I did, you'd try and hit me. I know you too well."
"Good point." Roy observed and got out of the car with his own strength. Edward did know him too well to even think about getting a car door. He probably would have tried to hit him for such a gesture, as well meaning as it was.
"See you soon." Edward called out the open window and backed out of the driveway to head home himself.
This time when he entered the house, he barely even noticed how empty it felt. Instead he rushed straight to his room to get changed. He'd spent some time with Falman at a previous time at a men's clothing store being fitted for a suit. While he could go to that restaurant tonight in his normal clothes when they technically weren't open, he'd be kicked out if he entered without a suit on. At least he'd decided to bypass the tie… darn things were impossible even for a man of his brain caliber to figure out.
Whoever that man had been who'd cut this suit… he knew how to do a nice job.
Even Ed, who could care less about his looks, found himself admiring the way he looked in the bathroom mirror. Giving himself a mental kick he got to work brushing his hair out and tying it back into the sleek ponytail that he'd favored for some time back in Berlin. It somehow looked more distinguished than a braid. When he was finally ready he rushed out the door again and back to the car.
After some time Edward finally made it back to Roy's house. He courted the idea of blaring the horn, but despite the humor it brought him, Ed decided against it. Shutting off the car and putting it in park Edward got out to walk to the door and knock.
Roy heard the knock, and fastidiously straightened his collar before heading over to open the door. His own nerves were suddenly gone as shock replaced them. He'd remembered that Edward had been wearing something of a suit when he'd come through the Gate the first time from Berlin. But the thing had been brown and old fashioned looking, and really hadn't suited him well at all. But in black, and with no ruffles to be seen anywhere, Edward looked downright amazing! If his jaw had dropped Roy didn't care, and he had to battle the urge to grab Edward and drag him inside to thoroughly wrinkle the perfection he saw before him.
Edward smirked as he let Roy stare him up and down, years ago he might have decked the man while screaming "pervert," but now he was quite willing to letting Mustang ogle. Besides, he had to admit that Roy looked very stare worthy in a suit as well. Personally he'd love to remove at least one article of clothing from the man, but he didn't want to be late. Besides, he would have plenty of time to explore such avenues at a later time. "You're drooling." Ed observed with an evil smile playing on his lips.
"I'm not surprised." Roy retorted, "you look better in black suits than you did in that brown one you used to run around in."
"It was the fashion over there. I didn't really have much of a choice for a while." Edward protested and seized Roy firmly by one arm. "Let's go."
Soon they were both on their way, and Edward was trying not to just start plain out laughing as he realized Roy was seeming contented just to stare at him the whole drive. "You're such a pervert." Ed remarked as he turned down onto another road.
"Only when I like what I see." Roy replied honestly and continued to stare at Edward.
"Perhaps I should wear a suit more often again." Edward suggested, though not seriously. He preferred the clothes he was more familiar with. Suits could be stiff and restrict movement, not a good thing for him.
"Or nothing." Was Roy's quick suggestion.
Edward did laugh now, "there's an idea, but unfortunately that conflicts with prior plans."
"You and your prior plans, you always were a terror about them." Roy sighed, "even when you first passed the state alchemist exam you had a one minded focus about the Philosophers Stone. Getting you to go on missions always required forceful bribing."
"After this one you'll encounter the same sort of one mindedness." Edward forewarned him. "However it won't be because I want to go after the Stone."
"Don't tell me you actually want to stay in Central." Roy teased.
Ed laughed again and smiled contentedly, "don't get me wrong, it you're moved to another military facility I'll follow you there."
"I have no plans on being relocated." Mustang said frankly and for the first time, glanced away from Edward to stare out the windshield.
"You want to become Fuhrer again." Edward recalled. "How are you going to pull that one off?"
"I'm not entirely sure yet. But that's not going to stop me."
"I hope not, I'd like to see you finally get your dream."
"Mmm, no." Roy corrected with a shake of his head, "I have my dream already, he's sitting beside me. Becoming Fuhrer is what I need to do to make sure nothing ever tries to disrupt my dream."
"That was very corny." Edward remarked with a pleased smile nonetheless.
"It was very corny," Roy agreed, "however every bit of it was true."
The rest of the ride was silent, Roy was staring again, and finally he reached the parking lot of the expensive restaurant. "Now mind your manners, you're a respected General here." Ed teased the older man as they began to walk towards the entrance along with the others who were here for the same exclusive event.
"Mind your own manners, so called hero of the people." Roy shot back with a smirk.
Edward rolled the eyes at the use of his nickname. He really wasn't sure whether it was a good one, or one he should gag at. But at least it was better than being called the hero of the Ishbal rebellion. A name he knew the man beside him did his best to forget about.
Perhaps, once he became Fuhrer, he would be able to garner a better title for himself.