Me again : )
Thank you for all your reviews last chapter! I never expected so many!
Enjoy the chapter
There was knocking, the irritating sound of a fist pounding on the hollow wood. Edward groaned, pulling the sheets tighter around his body like a cocoon. Closing his eyes tightly he tried to ignore the sound grinding through his ear drums. Unfortunately for him, Roy Mustang was a persistent man.
"Go away" he muttered, stretching out his aching joints and peeling himself from the soft mattress. Grimacing from the icy wooden floor, Ed dragged his way to the door, dressed only in shorts, an oversized shirt, and loose hair mussed from sleep.
Roy smirked as he heard the thud of metal grow louder. Glancing at his pocket watch made his smile grow further. Seven am, wonderful. The door swung open, an irritated looking blonde slouched against the door frame, shivering from the cool wind and clinging on half asleep.
"Hurry up" he glared, "Your letting the cold air in... asshole..."
"What was that?" Roy smirked, hanging his jacket in the doorway.
"I said it's such a beautiful day!" Ed yawned, trying his best to be enthusiastic. He collapsed into the leather armchair, fidgeting from the cold material against the back of his legs.
"Well I must say, you're looking very extravagant this morning" the Colonel gave the scowling blonde a peck on the cheek before sitting himself opposite.
"For your sake, you better not be joking"
Roy's black orbs scanned the room; he'd never been in Edward's apartment before. A few months ago, he wouldn't have dreamed to be sitting here. The walls were a clean white, from what he could see, so was the entire hallway leading into the kitchen and upstairs. There was no clutter, everything in its place, and the shelves decorated with a few framed photographs of the Elric's. Lastly the floor, simple wooden floor boards, with a few occasional marks presumable from the blondes automail.
Ed looked as if he were close to drifting back to sleep, his eyes closed, sinking lower into the chair. Eyeing the teen's night wear Roy sighed.
"Are you going to get changed any time soon?"
There was a yawn. "No"
"Honestly, young folks like you should be brimming with energy"
"You make me sound like a kid"
"That's because you are"
"Your just jealous" the blonde smiled, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Why the hell so early?"
"I was worried you know..." Roy trailed off, wincing at the sight of Ed's bandaged leg and torso. The teen stretched, and pulled himself from the comfort of his armchair. Walking over to Roy, he made himself comfortable in the man's lap, burying his head in the warm shirt. The Colonel wrapped his arms around the teen's waist, smiling at the sudden show of affection. It was unusual for the blonde to be so open.
"I'm fine, you should stop worrying"
"Can't help it" he muttered softly, threading a hand through the wild locks of gold hair. "It's always my fault when you get hurt, and you don't deserve any of it"
"Stop lying to yourself, it's just a scratch"
"That's not the point"
Ed sighed; he sat up and ruffled the Colonels raven strands, laughing at the man's expression. Roy held the blondes wrist, glaring.
"Do you know how long it took to tame my hair this morning?"
"No, but I'd say an hour or two"
"Dam right it did you little- stop laughing! I said stop!"
Ed laughed like a naughty child, holding his sides as he shook.
"Awww I'm sorry, did I hurt your feelings?" the Colonel glared in response.
"Oh I get it! You wanted to look all pretty for me didn't you! Don't worry, I think you look handsome anyway!" he grimaced. Looking at both his hands he realised they were both saturated with gel. Roy grinned smugly.
"I'll teach you to laugh at me!"
Before Ed could wipe his hands on the man's cheeks, Roy held his wrists tightly. After minutes of struggling, he collapsed on the arm rest exhaustedly. Clenching his metal fingers, he winced at the sound.
"Don't spose you carry oil do you?" "I didn't think so"
Clambering off Roy's lap, he motioned for the man to follow him. The Colonel was greeted with the largest room of the house; he couldn't help but feel it was much too big for a single person. He wondered how often the Elric had sat in the room by himself in the evenings. Roy knew how it felt to be lonely. He'd spent many nights in his own company, knowing full well how degrading it could be. He made a promise to himself that Ed would never have to feel that way again. Never.
"Can you pass me a towel?" their fingers touched briefly, Roy glared at the blonde for soaking his fingers. Reaching for the towel, he found his hand caught by the teens.
"Let me" he said smugly. Glancing at the clock, Ed excused himself, disappearing upstairs to change. When he finally emerged, the Colonel was thankful he had such a fine looking member on his team. The blonde's hair had been brushed neatly into a parting, hanging limply over his shoulders. A white shirt was buttoned to the chest, revealing a small proportion of bandages. Roy wondered how long it would be until Ed could free himself from the ugly material, and his leg was still in need of a skin graft.
Edward threw a black coat over his shoulder. Opening the door, the teen looked to the Colonel, groaning at the empty spot outside the apartment, were the car should be.
"Please don't say were walking"
"Dam right we are"
There was a groan, "Fine, but I'm not gunna forget this", the door clicked behind them.
It was half an hour later Roy Mustang and Edward Elric appeared through the main gate, hand in hand. They both smiled at the odd reactions around them. Other than the excited whispers around them, and the occasional twitch of a blind, it was a normal day at work. Walking down the familiar corridor Ed laughed mockingly at the gutted receptionists.
"Suckers"
"Remind me why were doing this again?"
"Because my dear Colonel, it saves a lot of explanation" he laughed, "And it's highly amusing"
"Somehow why am I not surprised?" As the two wondered down the never ending corridor to the office, Ed's gold orbs scanned the hundreds of name plates nailed to the doors, each looking dully the same.
"I want an office"
The Colonel looked to the teen beside him, laughing.
"I could've sworn you just said-"
"Office, can I have one?"
"Why in the world would you want such a thing?" Roy couldn't understand. After all, he'd spent most of his time behind a desk, dealing with that dreaded paperwork.
"Well everyone else has one"
"Ed, where's this coming from? You were never bothered before"
"Before, I never needed one; I was always out on" he shuddered, "missions" "You think paper works evil? You need to get out more"
"Sometimes, I'd kill for a day out of the office; I wouldn't want you to be cooped inside all day, your young, full of energy-"
"Good looking...." Ed interrupted. "Sure, the worlds a big place, but it's not that cool when you get out there, I can't even go out without coming back with a scar"
"But-"
"Roy, I'm nineteen, I've spent half of my life in the military, seen more than anyone twice my age has ever witnessed, I have two false limbs, more scars than fingers-" he breathed, "I feel like I've lived my life all ready, it would be nice to settle down for while, you know?"
The Colonel squeezed his hand reassuringly. Admittedly, the blonde had been through hell, and given up his childhood for the military. He couldn't blame Edward for wanting a change.
The office lights were on. It appeared someone had already arrived before them.
"An office, desk, piece of wood, whatever, something would be nice"
"I'll see what I can do" he smiled, "But... you'll have to wear a uniform of course"
"Oh really?" the blonde purred, "Or is that just one of your messed up fantasies?"
"I'll make sure you get one by the end of the day" he smirked, "Now if you'd excuse me, I have a month's worth of paperwork to be doing"
Opening the door, the alchemists were greeted by Havoc and Hawkeye. The stern looking woman extinguished the cigarette hanging limply from the man's mouth.
"How long?"
How evil of me to stop there : D
It's not amazing, but I hope you liked it; Ed's finally getting back on his feet again.
What will happen? Who knows!
See you next chapter.