Trust
Chapter 2

Fullmetal's feet were resting on Roy's brand new and expensive coffee-table, his pose one of relaxation and informality. It was typical of the boy. He had entered his office with barely a knock and immediately settled in as if he owned the damn place. Roy was surprised Edward even took the time to attempt a half-salute before he sat down and began chatting.

Strangely, Roy was more... comforted, than angered. He really wouldn't want the younger alchemist any other way. The mere thought of the Fullmetal Alchemist briskly saluting, or bowing, or-- oh god, in a uniform!-- was just wrong. Not him at all.

"Are you even listening, Colonel?" Edward sounded annoyed. He gave Roy a look, the heel of his boot sliding ever so slightly across the varnished table top, making a small but definite scuff mark. "Geez. I take the time to come visit you for once, and you don't even pay attention. I could just leave, you know. Havok was saying something about lunch--"

That got a reaction out of the dark-haired man. "No!" At Fullmetal's curious and surprised look, he shook his head slightly, lowering his voice. "I mean, I was paying attention. I'm just... tired. You are welcome to stay."

"You just want an excuse to not be working. Ha! I know you!" There was a quick, strange burst of laughter and, feeling slightly alarmed, Roy shot the blond a quick studying look. There was something slightly off there... something different.

"Aah, I assure you, Fullmetal. I have been very busy." The words were out of his mouth before he had a chance to think better of it.

The forced-sounding laughter died off as Edward 'hmmed', flopping back a bit more to stare upwards. "Oh?" Gold eyes flicked towards Roy, briefly, then back to the paneled ceiling. "Something been up, then?"

Expression carefully nonchalant, Roy picked up a pen and made as if to fill out another form. "Nothing really. A few minor issues... small ones..." Seeing an opportunity present itself and the suspicious look on the youth's face, the older man grinned and went for the kill. "I suppose they would have been right up your alley then, Fullmetal."

Edward's disgusted snort and subsequent high-volume rant were expected-- another familiarity he had missed. Honestly, he thought fondly as he signed his name to a few more papers (listening to Fullmetal shout all the while), if the boy didn't make it so damn easy, he wouldn't tease him half as much.

It was far too fun.

The blow-up lasted only about half as long as Roy expected, and unlike what had been usual before, the younger alchemist made no move to storm out of the room. Instead, he continued to sit there, suddenly looking awkward. Like an actor had who lost their script right before the climactic scene. As Edward looked silently around the office, mouth still half open, Roy felt his unease increase.

"So..." Fullmetal seemed to snap back to himself. "How have things been otherwise? I haven't gotten much of a chance to talk to everyone else yet, so you can tell me all the dirt first!" As he spoke, he slowly became more animated.

Roy blinked, feeling more than a bit confused. Was Edward really trying to start up polite small-talk! "Ah... hmm... really, I don't keep up with that sort of thing much myself." He sighed and gestured to the top of his desk. "I have other, more important, things on my plate."

There was a quick bark of laughter. "Ah, bullshit. It's just that you are the source of most of the office gossip, Mustang. Don't deny it!" As Roy started to do just that, Ed made a face, then waved his hand as if to shush him. "It doesn't matter. I'll ask around."

"Be my guest." Roy's expression softened. "But I could ask you the same thing. How are things progressing with your brother? I can only hope he's doing well, since neither of you have deemed it fit to write or call."

"Ah, sorry about that!" Edward flushed slightly, straightening up on the couch. He beamed, widely, then continued. "It's been going great, actually! The doctors figure a few more weeks and he'll be pretty much back to normal. His body will be prone to weakness and tiredness for quite a while, but other than that..." He shrugged then.

Looking at Edward's cheerful face, Roy found a bit of worry he didn't even know existed dissipating. There was still the matter of Fullmetal's strange behavior and facial expressions earlier, but over all... He could read the boy well enough to tell if he was lying. Obviously, Alphonse was all right, and Roy personally was very glad to hear that.

His efforts-- everyone's efforts-- had not been for nothing. The calculated risks they had taken were worth it in the end. The boys were fine.

What a relief.

"Say..." Again the younger man's voice broke him out of his musings. Roy noticed that once more the boy sounded awkward... almost shy. Edward nervously adjusted his coat, looking at nothing in particular, and Roy felt his curiosity rise. "Well. So there isn't actually much to... do... anymore. I kinda was... well..."

Then just as quickly as he began, Edward quickly stood up-- practically jumped out of the couch, really-- and cut himself off. "Ah, never mind! And I'm hungry. It's about time, so..." And before Roy could get a word in edgewise, the other alchemist was at the door, his hand on the handle. Fullmetal paused then, and turned around.

Flashing a startled Roy a quick smile, Edward added. "I sorta missed you by the way, Colonel. So it was almost nice seeing you again. I'll have to drop by more often..." Then, just as quickly as he had entered his quiet office, the boy was gone.

The older man was still blinking in surprise when Hawkeye entered a few minutes later, her expression no-nonsense. "How is the paperwork going, Sir?"

Roy paled.

Still feeling slightly panicked, Ed tried to calmly walk down the hall to the fountain where he said he'd meet his old co-workers. He couldn't even begin to guess what Mustang was thinking right now, after that little display.

What the hell had he been thinking...?

He sighed, and paused to lean against the wall and close his eyes. He really was starting to go crazy or something... all for lack of anything to do. It had to be bad when he started acting like some doltish teenager in front of the Colonel, of all people!

He would get past this. He had to. Ed opened his eyes, pasted a smile back on his face and continued on. For good measure, he started muttering nonsensical things about 'assholes' under his breath.

If he was lucky, maybe the others would treat him to a nice lunch for once, and not over at the commissary again. That was a pleasant thought. Ed grinned wider, then quickened his pace, his mind on one of his more favorite subjects.

He didn't even notice the man who had been watching him since he had hurriedly left Roy's office.