Dress Up

Chapter 4

Colonel Roy Mustang sat at his desk, looking at, but not really listening to, Hughes rant about the bet incident. He had come back to the office a few minutes after he realized no one was chasing him and it wasn't necessary to run for dear life. Seeing that everyone had gone back to work, he went into Roy's office and immediately started talking as if nothing had happened.

And now here Roy sat, eyes narrowed and twitching and a pissed off look on his face. But Hughes didn't seem to notice any of this as he continued his tirade. He was now saying something about the looks on their faces when they lost, but Roy didn't hear. Hughes' voice was nothing but background noise as Roy thought of different ways to get out of the deal.

'I could say that my girlfriend wouldn't like it. Hughes wouldn't put my relationship on the line for a stupid bet, would he?'

"I just can't wait to see Edward tomorrow! I wonder what he'll wear. Maybe a frilly pink dress. And he could put his hair…"

'No that won't work! Hughes knows that I don't have a girlfriend right now. Damn it! What I'm I gonna do?

"….don't think Ed would get in trouble for cross dressing. It doesn't say anything in the military dress policy about that…"

'I GOT IT! I could send Ed out on a mission! Yes, that's brilliant! That way he wouldn't have to dress like a girl, and I wouldn't have to pretend to be his "boyfriend" in front of everyone! Perfect!

"…good thing I was able to get people to cover for Ed if a mission comes through. That way, he won't have to leave and mess up the bet. And the two of you can live happily ever after!"

'I'll have to make sure to assign him a really long…wait a minute. What did Hughes just say?"

Roy blinked and shook his head to clear his mind. "What was that you just said?" he questioned, interrupting Hughes mid sentence.

Hughes blinked also, arching an eyebrow in momentary confusion. "I've said a lot of things, Roy. I don't know what you're talking about."

"About the missions. What did you say?"

"Oh, I said that I was able to get some people to cover for Ed if anything came up. I mean, if it were something serious, then of course he would have to go. But the amateur stuff he gets all the time can be taken care of by somebody else. That way, you guys can fulfill your end of the deal without interruption." Hughes finished his sentence with an overly cheerful smile and a wink.

"Oh" was all Roy said, all of his formerly made plans going out the window.

"Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes…

'Shit, now what? There is nothing, absolutely nothing to do, but to just….do it.'

Roy sat and thought about this for a while. Everything seemed like it would be easy enough, for himself at least, until his mind conjured up a picture of him and a frilly pink dressed, hair in pigtails Edward, sitting in a park having a picnic and feeding each other food. This picture of his continued on to where it was of them running and laughing through a field of flowers, until Ed trips and comes tumbling down on top of Roy, his lips accidentally landing and Roy's

It took all of Roy's control to not start screaming and pounding his head on the desk. Because surely that would attract attention, and it would be difficult to try and explain his way out of that one. So instead he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

When he opened his eyes, he was looking at Hughes, who was, still, totally oblivious to everything around him, perfectly content sitting on the couch and rambling. That was when the idea struck him. It was cruel, yes, but desperate times called for desperate measures. So slowly, ever so slowly, Roy opened up his desk drawer and, slowly still, pulled out his ignition gloves. He had them half way pulled on his hands when Riza opened the door and stepped into the office. Roy quickly through the gloves back into the drawer and slammed it shut. Riza saluted and walked over to Roy's desk handing him a stack of papers. "More paperwork, sir." Was all she said, then turned and walked out, shutting the door behind her.

Hughes took this time to look up at the clock, surprised at the time. "Wow, time really does fly when you're having fun." He stood up and walked toward the door saying, "I'm gonna head home now, seeing as there's nothing for me to do. Now that you have work to do, I don't wanna stay and distract you. See ya later, Roy. Say hi to the Mrs. for me." Hughes waved as he walked out the door.

Roy growled and snapped his fingers. But only when he didn't see flames shooting toward the now closed door realize that he hadn't put his gloves on. His arm fell to his side as he let his head fall onto the desk and sighed. This was going to be one really long month.

A/N: Nothin to really say about this chapter. I hoped you liked it, because I actually just make all of this up on the spot. I just sit down at the computer and start typing and I'm never sure where it will lead or how it will turn out. But I think its coming along okay so far, right? Anyways, my family and me are gonna be moving, so please don't get mad if I don't update in a long time. I'll try my best to update soon though! Jaa ne!