o.O.o.O

Exception

Roy Mustang X Edward Elric bias. (This would be my first attempt at a shonen-ai story. Please let me know how it is. Also, this is my first time trying and posting something other than Inuyasha stuff.)

darkenedmoonlightflame

He was the flame; wild, obsessive, jealous, and undyingly flawless. He was the metal; cold, detached, solid, and strong. Together they clashed, fire heating metal, fire melting metal away to just another ordinary male. There was an exception. How he despised it, but it existed. He never could melt away the unyielding pain of death and sorrow. One by one, the people forgot the legendary FullMetal—all but he, the Flame. Roy X Edward bias.

Disclaimer: I do not own FullMetal Alchemist, and do not claim to. However, everything else, AKA: the plot, writing, et cetera, IS MINE.

(A/N: Okay, so here is the second part of 'Exception'! This is where you stop if you want the bittersweet ending. Originally I'd just wanted to end it here… So that's why the next installment will be so short. Maybe a sentence or two (laughs). Oh, well.

(I won't bother with making a recap because it doesn't seem fitting. Sorry, just go back and look… (shrugs)

(So, presenting, Exceptions. Part II.)

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Exception

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It sometimes seemed like no one remembered the FullMetal Alchemist, Hero of the People. He was the only to go and visit the statue. It was another cruel thing—they had simply frozen him in place, and left him there.

'How dare they.'

"How dare they."

That was another thing they agreed upon.

So he visited him, like now.

Edward's gray face was serene, as if at peace with something, although it could have passed for fierce and content too. His mid-back length braid lashed out though, and his flaring bangs indicated his motion. He was stepping forward wildly, in the process of beginning to transmute his Auto-Mail arm into a blade. His gloves had long been removed, revealing his right arm to be metallic. Despite the frozen motion, his crimson overcoat looked fine except for a few singe marks.

Flame alchemy—his eyes narrowed in sheer rage.

He'd have to make sure a demotion here or there was brought out. Perhaps a good old-fashioned duel to the death would satisfy him.

Edward's entire wardrobe beneath it was either black or white. It reminded him of Edward—he either loved you or hated you.

"I wish I knew which it was, Edward."

The alchemist had had a spurt of growth—miraculous, exclaimed everyone after finding out—over the span of four years. He was almost as tall as he, and that was saying a lot. His black pants seemed to sparkle, even now, and were a bit short because of his sudden height increase. His black tank top lay concealed under his shorter than ever vest, the white trim pressed nicely, the belt far below it resting on his hips, and the metal fastener rust-free.

It seemed like FullMetal always wore the same things.

Not that he minded, exactly. Sometimes it just made him tired.

'Liar, you loved black on him. It brought our his eyes, didn't it?'

He nods, and sighs. He can't escape the voice. It is inside him, it is he, and it appeared not long after the incident. Perhaps as a retribution for his mistake, or for not confessing, maybe...

'Just shut up and listen to me already. Either do it or leave, okay? You're supposed to meet Riza at the café later about Edward.'

"Right."

It's been roughly two years since Edward's 'death', and he still isn't over it. The thirty-five-year-old is having issues with getting past it. Riza thought a nice long chat would help. Who was he to argue?

'Just Brigadier General Roy Mustang, that's all.'

"You are shameless."

'And so are you. Hurry up and do it, now.'

"It's not that easy!" He protests, hands up in defense.

'Which is why it's called stealing. Come on. You've always wanted to.'

"Fine!" He snaps, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Go away for a minute. This is personal."

'Like I'm not you or something.'

The voice departs, and he is left there for a moment, isolated and alone completely.

…

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…

Roy Mustang stands there in silence, eyeing the likeliness of Edward Elric. "You know, FullMetal…?"

More silence, and he sighs deeply, running a hand through his hair.

"Ever since I was a kid, I had a knack for stealing things. It drove everyone crazy, how I'd just waltz in casually and nab things. Sleek of me, wasn't it?"

No reply—feeling a bit more confident, he continues his speech.

"I've always wanted to steal something from you, Edward."

The statue seemed surprised at the smooth sound of his name in the air. "Edward… Edward Elric." Roy says the name again, smiling. "That's right. No more FullMetal and no more lying and no more damn titles. Just Edward and Roy, Roy and Edward…"

The words hang in the air, before Roy steps forward again. His lips move softly, chapped by the cold winter air of January. Another season gone by without the blonde boy, another deep pang in his heart. His breath is fog in the air as he moistens his lip briefly before sighing again.

"I've wanted to steal something from you since the day we met. That something's just changed over the years, I guess." His dark eyes search the statue's orbs. "Edward Elric… I'm going to steal it from you, even if you could care less about feeling it. And you can't stop me. Even if you were alive, you wouldn't be able to. I'm going to steal it from you, and then I won't come back."

'At least for a while, right? You could never stay away.'

"So here goes nothing."

Roy paused, observing Edward one last time.

'Come on. Just do it, already. Just shut up and kiss him.'

Roy nods, and without much hesitation, leans down and crashes his lips over the statue's. The kiss is passionate but chaste, and he pulls away soon. "Edward… I'm sorry." With that said and done, Roy smiles sadly at him, eyes swimming in tears, before he attacks and wipes them away.

He puts the small almost-smile of the statue and the thin crack above its left eyebrow off as his blurry eyes in the cold air.

"Sorry," He murmurs again, before turning away and checking that all tearstains are gone. He walks away from his likely unrequited love, snapping his fingers a final time. The red spark flashes, and an explosion is started around the statue.

"Edward…? I want you to know. I should have told you before, but…"

It's a circle, the flames flaring up around Edward.

He stops, and begins to look back.

Then he forces himself not to, and is on his way to the café, a wry smile in place.

"You know what? Never mind. I'll tell you sooner or later. See you soon, Edward."

If only he'd looked back, he would have seen something very unexpected.

Unexpected, and exceptional.

…

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…

Roy and Riza sit down quietly, after small polite banter. Their uniforms are identical, minus the rank insignia. Her hair isn't in its usual bindings, instead pulled back into a low ponytail. It reminds him of Edward's in a way.

"Down to business." She orders him to sit. "I'll buy you coffee. Just sit still for a minute." Her hand is on her gun, as she demands coffee and herbal tea from a nervous waiter before turning back to him. "Oh, thank you." She tips the shaking boy and hands Roy his caffeine dosage.

"Sorry, Riza. I've given up my coffee for today." He grins sheepishly, apologetic. "I can't take both the caffeine and the story."

"Okay." She switches their places, giving him the tea. She sips at the warm liquid, before setting it down with a slam, and leaning forward. "I brought you here today to talk to you about Edward."

"I never figured you for the coffee type." Roy tries to lighten the dark mood. He fails miserably.

"This is not some type of joke, Roy." He slumps, eyes averted to the pavement. His gloves are smoking from the ignition of the explosion. Her eyes widen. "Did you try to burn the statue again, Roy?" Her head makes its may into her pale hands. She sighs deeply. "Get rid of them. I don't want you snapping by accident and killing anyone."

He obeys.

"Alright, shall I begin?"

Roy watches, detached. "Yes?"

"I should have told you sooner, exactly how he… you know, died." She sighs, sliding her chair in more and sitting properly. She sips from her drink and inhales the aroma deeply. "I guess I just thought you weren't ready for it I wasn't sure how you'd react to what I am about to tell you." She pauses again, hesitating.

"Go on, please."

"Very well." She begins to speak.

…

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…

"Hey, First Lieutenant Hawkeye?"

"Yes?" Riza glances up from her guard duty at the door, a bit surprised to hear Edward Elric's voice. "What is it that you need?"

"I was wondering if the Colonel… if Roy was here. I have something to discuss with him. Something important." She is surprised at his use of the Flame Alchemist's first name.

"The Colonel has gone away on a business related expedition. I'm sorry. Please stay—it's too quiet now. Besides, he wanted to see you when he came back."

"Really?" The blonde's golden eyes light up, the color of honey now. She hides a smile.

"Yes. What were you going to discuss?"

"O-Oh…" He trails off, sporting an enormous blush. "W-Well, you see…" He scratches the back of his head before laughing nervously. All of a sudden, he changes the subject and exclaims, "SO, what do you think of that new promotion coming your way next week?"

Riza beams. "I hope it'll be all it's worked up to be!"

"Congratulations. You deserved it." Edward smiles at her, comfortable again with the new subject. "Anyhow, I wanted to say—"

He is interrupted as the fire exit door slams open, the frame shattering. Rows of military officers pour in, surrounding Edward. "What the—?" He shouts, confused as they all train their eyes on him evilly. Hands are tensely held near rifles.

"Edward Elric, I am pleased to announce that you are under arrest." He grabs Edward's arm firmly, squeezing harder than necessary.

"WHAT?" Edward shakes him off. Five men take his place.

"You have been proclaimed a distraction to the war, a source of extreme expense, and a traitor." The man continues, unfazed. Riza looks on in extreme confusion. "We have been informed to bring you back to Central Station for deport to the capitol… then execution."

"WHAT?" Edward yells again, shrugging off all the men. "For once, I didn't do anything!"

"Too bad." The man smirks, and Edward freezes, seeing something no one else can in him.

He whispers a word, and his eyes are wide. Riza can't catch the word.

She does notice that most of the men are eager officers, and a few are quiet shady alchemist friends of Edward's. She doesn't understand. "Edward?" He is as bewildered as she is.

"Riza, I didn't do anything! I swear!" They start leading him away.

Riza sees, in the corner of her eye, something that the officers don't.

"No worries Edward, dearest. I'll see to it that you won't make it there alive. Just like that armored brother of yours. He was a fun kill, indeed." For a second she glimpses a man with gravity-defying green hair, violet eyes, and a wicked smile speaking lowly into Edward's ear, almost seductively. She blinks, and the commander is there again, and Edward is shaking uncontrollably. "Come on, slackers. Let's hurry up and haul him back."

She couldn't have imagined that, could she have?

Edward suddenly breaks free, with a choked cry of, "Al!"

Then he is gone.

…

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…

Roy's fist clenches. "Envy!" He roars, eyes narrowed. He earns them stares as he slams his fist down on the table, snapping angrily in a frenzied state. The gloves have already been removed.

Riza was one step ahead.

She nods, "I figured as much, especially after Edward told me, but none of those rookie officers would listen to anyone but their 'leader'."

"The Führer said he'd sent a patrol out to retrieve Edward for questioning, when I asked about it a few days afterward. I'm sure he didn't mean for them to kill Edward…" Riza raises a brow at Roy's casual use of Edward's name, but doesn't mention it. "The real guy is probably lying dead somewhere… Damn that Envy!"

Riza bites her lip. "Should I go on, or is this too upsetting?"

"Upsetting? Upsetting!" Roy growls, "Do I look upset to you?" His face is flushed, and he draws in uncontrolled breaths, the corner of his mouth twitches violently. He is the image of fury.

"Yes, sir, but I'll keep talking anyhow."

…

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…

Riza stands there, spellbound in horror, leaning against the doorframe as the men shouted at one another, passing the blame. "Chase him, you fools! Continue pursuit!" The leading man shouts, his short brown locks plastered to his tan face. "Stop him… by all means necessary." A disturbing looks touches his face before it leaves and he's normal again.

"Go!"

And they are gone, too.

At last her legs untangle and she limps into Roy's office in a mad dash. She reaches for the phone, but trips and stumbles into the window. It was there that she saw it. The waves of blue chasing a red speck through the crowds of people.

She felt unrestrained worry come over her as she saw them gaining ground because of the boy's concerned state. Then the duels and combat began. The shady alchemists stand by as Edward slams through man after man with his Auto-Mail. His punches and kicks ring loudly with the sound of dull metal colliding with flesh. He never kills any of them, just injures them badly enough so they won't come back. He fights battle after battle, never transmuting anything until he sees the reinforcements.

Then he transmutes, wall after wall, block after block, to contain and climb. Soon he is darting over the square, dodging stray bullets and bits of steel. His footsteps are hassled, and soon the walls begin to crumble from his mental pressure. "Al!" He went down, still pushing through the crowd, heading towards what she suspected was his apartment.

And there was that leader again, speaking to the head of the other military patrol. "Oh, yes, we have a fugitive deserter here."

He yelps as one of them catches up to him, and twists a knife in and out of his shoulder. He quickly darts away, making it to the local river and lake reserve. Then he stops, realizing he can't win, clutching his shoulder.

It was all she could watch.

She grit her teeth, and worked her way through the paperwork piled on the desk to the phone. She lifts it from the receiver, and then halts, her limbs numb.

They had caught up to him, and the strange leader had drawn out his pistol. It was flush against his jugular, the cold steel giving him a chill.

She can see his mouth moving. "So, you put up a quite a fight, despite your stature and the overwhelming odds." Edward doesn't comment on the snide joke, eyes burning into the grass. The man looks content, before he smirks darkly.

"Any last requests, FullMetal?"

…

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…

"That manipulative palm tree." Roy ground his teeth together, cursing, as the tea he drank was too hot for his numb mouth. He rubs his sore throat, before waving for her to continue. "What else of Edward?"

Riza sighs. 'Sometimes I think he will never change.'

…

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…

"What have you done with Al?"

That was what Riza heard first as she flew out through the escape door, sprinting and jumping down the flights of stairs alternately.

"To be honest…" The man leans down, and whispers, "I did nothing. I just wanted you to run. And you did as predicted. So now I have a reason to kill you. Fleeing from military escort, and violence against officers." Edward frowns, and knows it's true. He was so caught up in Envy and his brother that he forgot. And Envy had witnesses. "No matter. Is that all?"

"Edward!" Riza has parted the crowd with threats from her sharp-shooting gun. "Edward, are you alright?"

"Yeah. I guess." He turns back to Envy. "I want to talk to Riza. Alone, ten minutes..." He glares angrily, and Envy backs off a bit, before rolling his eyes.

"Such stupid sentimentality. But whatever—I'll slay you soon enough, and I'll make it nice and long, too!" Even the stubborn officers must have heard that. They pay no mind, instead nursing their wounded prides and metallic bruises.

…

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…

"Edward…?"

"I really wanted to tell Roy something. But he's gone. I guess I'll tell you then." He sighs wistfully, running an ungloved hand through his locks. "Do you see that stupid, fat, ugly little man up there with the gun? That's Envy."

Riza's eyes widen. "A h-homunculi?"

Edward nods. "Anyway, what I really had to tell Roy was this…"

He inhaled deeply, shakily, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "I, EDWARD ELRIC, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, AM IN LOVE WITH THAT STUPID IDIOT, ROY MUSTANG, FLAME ALCHEMIST! And I always will be." He just smiles enigmatically at Riza's shocked, scandalized look. "Yeah, weird, I know." He laughs, and shrugs it off.

"Refreshing to get that off me." He rolls his eyes as Envy taps his foot. "Anyhow, Riza. I… I'll miss you guys. Tell everyone at the office that I'm sorry. Tell them I'll miss them from hell. I'm sure going to end up there anyway."

"Edward, you'll live. That knife wound isn't bad." Then she saw that maniac glint in his eye. "No, Edward, NO! What about Alphonse?"

"I'm set, Riza. I said what I wanted, done what I could. Tell Al that… Tell him I'll remember him. And tell him I've been snooping in Roy's files. Tell him to look around Liore, and give him this." He slipped a pinkish glob into her hand. "It's a prototype for… you know."

Riza's eyes softened, and filled with tears. She wasn't an emotional woman, but this was too much. "Edward, don't!" She threw her arms around him, shoulders shaking. He pats her back for a moment, before hugging her back too.

"Y-You'll tell him, right?" He inquires slowly, softly.

"Yes, yes I will."

"Thank you. Now get lost. Get out of here. It won't be a pretty sight, me gutting Envy. Scram." He pushes her off gently. "Go. Don't forget!"

"I… I won't, Edward! I won't forget you, either."

"Good." He pauses, before smiling seriously and mischievously at her. "Damn straight."

Then he stands, and begins to fight the scramble for his life.

After four hours of constant battle with Envy, he succeeds in slicing away the head of the homunculi, decapitating him. Panting, Edward rests for a moment. Then he stands, back in battle stance as Envy heals, image still in place. Edward is peaceful, and determined, despite having taken a beating for the worse.

He coughs blood, but speaks steel.

"You'll pay for that dirty trick, you loser, Envy. You shouldn't have dragged Al into this. I'm not tired, and I'm not giving up." His eyes were so fierce, and his energy so strong and indescribable that even the onlookers and other officers froze.

He whipped his arm up towards his face…

And one of the alchemists raises his arms, and chants under his breath. And in an instant, Edward Elric is gone. He exists no longer as a human. He is just metal now. Riza's vision swam with unshed tears, muffled sobs dying in her horrified throat as she screamed in anguish and stumbled blindly back to the silent Central Headquarters to grieve.

FullMetal was nothing but steel—how sadly ironic, to the world of Amestris.

…

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…

"He didn't have much of a chance, did he?" Roy asks quietly as Riza finishes her story, sipping her tea.

He's always suspected King Bradley knew of his feelings towards Edward. After all, the leader had kept apologizing, and had that forlorn look in his eyes, hadn't he?

Roy has always suspected he was the real reason the Führer sent out that patrol was because of him. To keep them apart...

"Yes, but he understood that. I doubt it would have made much of a difference if you were there or not." Riza replies. She is a bit confused by Roy's lack of reaction to Edward's declaration of love. "Roy, sir?"

"What is it?"

"…" She looks up at him through her lashes, drinking coffee. She lowers her eyes. "I'm sorry for not telling you. I guess I should have told you sooner, because he asked me to."

"Maybe."

"Edward Elric loves you, Roy." Riza says it plainly, reminding him.

He freezes, unable to hide his reaction a second time. "I…" His mind is racing.

'You can't deny it a second time. You've heard it twice now. He loves you—!'

"I wanted to thank you. He would be proud of you, Hawkeye. See you in the office." He nods, standing, and salutes before abruptly leaving. "Goodbye."

Riza watches his retreating back. "I knew it." She smiles. "He took it remarkably well, Edward. He… He loves you, too." She spoke to the heavens, staring up at the fluffy white clouds with her doe-like eyes.

She shook her head sadly, and went back to stirring her coffee around. "Such a shame."

…

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…

Roy stands there in the cold, having forgotten his jacket with Riza at the café.

'Where are you going?'

"I'm not sure." He responds, his feet hovering over the pavement with each step, quiet slaps echoing in the frigid air. "I guess back home." But that isn't where his feet take him. They take him back to Edward.

The new revelation made him wonder.

'If only you had been there…

'Would it have ended this way?

'Would you two be in love, alive together?

'Would he have lived, survived, if you had been there to fight with him?

'Or would you have been against him?'

When he arrives, his breath in the air once again, he finds something strange. There is no statue. Just ashes, and bits of twisted metal. He gasps, and can't find the energy to draw in oxygen and breathe.

"Ed… Edward…" He manages to choke out, face extremely fearful.

'You did this. Remember that casual little snap? So it's your own fault.'

His eyes close, and he wilts. "I'm sorry, again, Edward. I shouldn't have been so impulsive. It's too late to tell you, once more."

He sighs, and runs a hand through his hair. He is beginning to recover, with the help of his harsh inner voice. He is beginning to look like a true military man, like himself. He is beginning to act properly again. He does it for Edward.

He promises to move on, for their sakes.

He's not sure he can.

Brigadier General Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist of the Ishbal Massacre, closes his eyes and lets the pure white snow fall around them, dousing Edward's ashes. A slow but steady coating of white stifles the steaming metal, and his dark indigo orbs open again, staring at the drifting heavens.

"So, Edward. I heard you love… loved me."

Silence hangs in the balance between him and the ashes.

"Well, guess what? It might not matter any more, but for what it's worth… I love you, too."

He doesn't know why he's talking. There is no one to listen to him, just the fragments of Edward, whom he loved, whom he killed.

…

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…

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(A/N: I'm not sure what to say. Those of you still reading, thanks for sticking with me! Those of you not… Well, I guess that's okay too. Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed the second part of 'Exception'. In actuality, I think I only mentioned an exception once or twice…

Well, the final piece of this three-shot will be very short! Much will be implied, and blah, blah, blah. So use your imagination with it and read the accompanying 'Story Notes'.

That's all for the second ending, the bittersweet one. I hope you keep going!)

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Japanese Vocabulary Index;

I'm so happy! There are no words! I omitted them all, because the FullMetal Alchemist series didn't strike me as one with too much Japanese mentioned. (Hence why all first names are first, and not second.)

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Story Notes;

—I feel sorry for whoever burnt Edward… Face the wrath of an angry Roy and die!

—YES! Back into my favorite adjective phase. I didn't go crazy with too much of an overdose here. Just enough for a chewy mouthful...

—So Roy was a thief as a little kid. (laughs faintly) Figures.

—YOU GO, VOICE! Since when do people make speeches and rant before they kiss? Okay, so sometimes… But to a statue? Obviously not much description on the kiss because EDWARD IS A PIECE OF STEEL there, but no reason otherwise.

—Roy was dumb again, and didn't confess. (twitches) Roy, you IDIOT! That'll only come right back at you… (I should know, I wrote it.) He gave up his coffee buzz, too.

—Most of this part if flashbacks… At least Edward had a long, dramatic death for a figurine.

—Good thing Riza made him take off his gloves.

—I actually kind of like Envy and his weird hair. He's a strange character, very interesting. So I gave him a part because he fits into the plot well.

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I can hardly believe it. I'm DONE? (I feel like I'm forgetting something.)

Nonetheless, I'm posting this immediately so I can go back to crazy and hectic updating! YES!

Ja ne,

o.O.o.O darkenedmoonlightflame O.o.O.o

And company. My adorably annoying muses. 'Kotsu and the Sess-sen.

(P.S. Hope you enjoyed this, and will show some self-restraint when poking fun at us… If not… (evil smile) Anyhow, thanks for reading the second part of Exception! (faint laugh) NOW KEEP GOING!)

Chapter Finished: 6.26.06.

Post: 6.29.06. Consider this an early Fourth of July present!

Spell Check: Yep.

Brain Check: Hnn. That's not funny 'Kotsu. But then again, it is. (glares) Too… tired (and busy)… to… strangle!