Author's Note: I've always wondered why Envy wouldn't change into Ed so that he could catch Mustang off guard like this. And I've wondered how well Envy really knows the people he turns into, and how much attention he pays to their physical appearance, even after the mistake with Ross's mole. Anyway, I decided to write this short little continuation of the whole Envy-Ed-Mustang scenario.
Timeline: Several weeks after "Antipyretic"
Theme 53: Outcome (of fighting)
For feathersnow, who insisted
Roy was sure that nothing good had come of the battle against Envy. After all, it had left Edward with a severe burn down his side, and had left him feeling distinctly foolish and guilty. They'd been set back several weeks, unable to make any progress while nursing Edward back to health. Not that he begrudged Edward any of that time – after all, everything was his own fault.
The only good outcome of fighting Envy became apparent one night when Roy walked back home after a long day in the office. Edward had been back in his customary hotel room for two weeks, and life had resumed some of its normalcy, but the paperwork had backed up while Edward recuperated at Roy's house, and he was still trying to catch up.
Yawning, Roy passed the alleyway next to his house, then stopped and did a double-take. "Full Metal?"
"Good, you're finally here," Edward said, hands in pockets, leaning against the wall. "I've been waiting for you for like an hour already, what gives?"
Roy grunted wearily and ran a hand over his face. "Overtime. Why were you waiting for me?"
Edward glanced in all directions, then said conspiratorially, "I've got something to tell you – something about the Homunculi."
Instantly wide awake, Roy took a step closer. "What is it?"
Edward nodded towards the shadows. "Further in."
The boy turned to step into the further privacy of the shadowy alleyway. Roy took another step to follow, but then stopped short. "Wait," he said warily. "How do I know you're not Envy?"
Edward rolled his eyes. "Come on, Colonel, do we really have to do this again? I don't think he'd be stupid enough to disguise himself as me twice in a row."
Roy narrowed his eyes. "Take off your shirt."
Edward's face turned red, even in the dim light of the alleyway. "No way am I taking off my clothes for you, you pervert."
Roy slipped his hand into his glove and poised his fingers to snap. "Now."
With an irritable huff, Edward yanked off his coat and jacket, throwing them to the side. "Look, if you wanted to assault me in a dark alley..." He began to pull his black undershirt off.
Snap.
Edward slammed into the brick wall at the end of the alleyway with a scream as a blast of fire ate away at his flesh. He rolled to put them out, then looked up with streaming eyes. "Wh-What...the hell...? How could you...m-make the same mistake twice?"
Roy strode towards him confidently. "I made no mistake." He snapped again, sending Envy into another frenzy of screaming and writhing. This time, he regenerated, restoring his body to its usual bizarre form. Roy smirked.
After all, Edward Elric now had a very distinctive burn scar all down his left side. And though Envy had been very attentive to the twisted scars streaking out in all directions from his automail port on his shoulder, he hadn't taken into account this latest addition. The man who had put that scar there in the first place, who had spent long hours tending to damaged flesh and fretting over his own guilt, would never forget this distinguishing mark. It was a sign of a relationship that was often strained but always loyal.
"And now, Envy," Roy announced, preparing to snap once more, "you will die."
He let loose another burst of flames, but Envy transformed into a small lizard and scuttled out of the way just in time. Roy frantically snapped again and again, but Envy slipped through a crack in the wall and was soon gone. With a curse, Roy turned and left the alleyway. Oh well. At least now they were even.
He stopped for a moment and looked in the direction Envy had disappeared, heart still racing with adrenaline. Maybe he would just call Edward and make sure he was all right. Maybe he would pretend that he'd known Envy was a fake because he was too tall. Or maybe he would just enjoy hearing that voice so strong and healthy, and know that his mistake wasn't holding the boy back at all.
