moonstone: Funny you should mention Elysia.
GreedxEd: Yes, give him a big hug. He needs it.
Twisted Vixen: Yeah, Roy was really lackluster with that one. Ed just needs to take Roy over his knee and correct his free nature.
Saltyeyes: Thank you, Ed really did deserve some revenge for having his chair taken.
Cheru-chan: I'm with you there on the skeptic feelings. If he is unconsciously jealous... well, let the fun begin.
Sailor Silver Rose: I felt like it needed a touch of some bittersweetness there, and what better way... it is very sweet of Ed to do.
amlf: I was wondering where you went... thought a ghosty had gotten you. And thank you! For the cookies also!
ICan'tRewrite: Of course the voices in the head count. They're the most important and influential.
Akira: Maybe he can hit Roy on the head with some of those toys...
The Lone Eagle: Yeah, pooping out chess pieces, it's lots of fun I hear. They give you squirrel morphine.
kazuko: Duck in a lake... like one of those plastic swan things that you pedal around the water? As for Maes, I can say that he will. I haven't the heart to kill him off, Kedder? Sure, he's dead. But not Maes XD. And no I've never had a mixer do that to me, but I imagine I'd shriek quite loudly and have to hear about it for the next month. And lasagna! Yay! -elopes with it-
amiegirl17: Thank you!
neena: I'm glad to hear that the interactions are good, there's so many ways they can interact... I love hearing that I'm succeeding on some of those avenues. Thanks.
blackrose5130: Thanks, I always love it when I can capture the perv that is Roy... preferrable on camera... but can't have everything XD. And I swear Roy's middle name in this story is 'denial', poor man.
Koolneko22: Thank you!
Robin009: I will definitely do so, and thanks!
Rei-chan: Yeah, Roy is lovable... it's why Ed's lonely without him.
Eli: I do love it when either of them are flustered. Never fear, they shall be flustered more often. And fluff shall be had! I need fluff... you know I live off of it.
Mary: Shirtless Roy is always a plus XD. And as for the turning point for Ed... my lips are sealed.
haganeno: Nope, Roy is incapable of doing anything like keeping legs together. Ed was bad? XDD, poor Ed.
MandaxPanda: Roy doesn't let an opportunity pass him by, that's for sure.
Sakura821: Well I'm glad you weren't too lazy to send in a review, who needs logging on? XD And Roy is contagious... contagiously sexy and perverted. After being relatively secluded for seven years Ed is ripe for conditioning. I think you have the right of it telling him to run. But then again... yeah, let them rub off on each other -snicker-
mutantpenguins: I saw that you did, yes, no more lurking for you.
2-10-11: Heh, thank you. I'm always glad to hear he is being a proper manwhore.
FuriousDeragonmaji: Indeed, I just wanted to give him a hug at the end of that chapter.
xwhitexspiritx: You're abducting Hazel?! Nuuuu~! And that sounds yummy, belgian waffles, I love those. And I bet they're even better straight from Belgium. And no, I don't live in Ireland... however, I've been researching the hell out of the landscape, I have another huge oneshot I'm writing and it's based in Ireland. So no, don't live there, and I am very far away, yes. I live in Arizona... desert land XD.
Well, first week of school down. Now I'm all good. But I do wish my brother and mother's cars would start working again soon so I can stop carpooling everyone. I spend most of my time driving lately, I'm even eating lunch while driving and I absolutely hate doing that. But if I don't I'll starve, so it's kind of a crapshoot of damned if I do and damned if I don't. Oh well.
I have a feeling this chapter will make more questions arise. Some of you have already started thinking about what's coming later in the chapter. I can only say to keep wondering, because everything in this story can go many different ways. So keep having your questions, and as some of you know, some of them I will answer. But there are obviously those I can't. Yet I enjoy hearing what your wondering about certain things in the story, it's absolutely fascinating so please don't ever stop.
And with that out of the way...
I really need to get my Scar/Al stuff up -sigh- ...tired.
...Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Ten
Staring up at the ceiling of the unfamiliar bedroom, Roy continued to listen to the breathing of his partner. Waiting for it to even out into a true sleep. He wouldn't make his escape until then. It prevented any awkward moments, or ones where he was forced to employ his alchemy to melt kitchen knives from the more persistent ones. And as he lay there feeling not quite sated enough yet he let his thoughts drift. Not very surprised when they ended up on Edward. He hoped that the ghost had gotten back home without any trouble.
Not like he needed to worry about the ghost. It wasn't as if Edward could get hurt by anyone or anything. He was a ghost.
But on some levels he couldn't deny or begin to lie to himself that he didn't think of Edward as he might anyone else. Any living friend. There were just some things that apparently were universal regarding friends. Whether they were an apparition or not.
Eventually he tore his thoughts away from Edward. The breathing of the man beside him had finally evened out into a true sleep. So he slipped free of the bed and walked over to snatch his clothes from where they'd been scattered on the floor.
As he pulled on his pants and began on his belt he looked at the red digital numbers of the alarm clock on the bedside table. 10:46. He had time to go back to another bar and find someone else, he hadn't expected to get lucky so quickly. Normally he stayed out past midnight.
And as Brad had finally fallen asleep, it was time to make his getaway, and find some more fun.
Leaving the apartment he began to retrace his steps towards where the majority of the bars were located. For being only a little after ten, things were as rowdy as if it were still around happy hour. Which definitely boded well for him and his untapped stamina. This time however, he chose a different bar in which to find someone.
Walking through the door of one of the more crowded looking establishments he walked over to the bar counter to request his glass of scotch, and then request it actually be topped off. He was not up for a night of light drinking and light rendezvous with willing virgins. He had come back for more after all. So sipping on his scotch he meandered his way through the crowds to find himself a strategic seat.
Plopping down into one such seat, he continued to sip on his scotch as he waited out the inevitable.
As it turned out, it took a good hour this time before he finished his third scotch in a second flat in order to accompany a rather eager woman back to her place.
It was creeping on two in the morning when he finally tired her out enough that she fell asleep. And he quickly dressed as soon as she had, looking at the clock as he did so. It was one of his later nights tonight, it was fortunate that it was a Sunday and he could sleep until noon if he pleased.
Because according to his scotch-hazy vision, he'd be needing that extra sleep. And that last scotch hadn't yet made its decision of whether or not he'd be receiving a hangover.
Ruffling his hair that he supposed had that 'just been thoroughly shagged' look that Edward had commented on. And while he had been… he didn't feel like blatantly broadcasting it at this ungodly hour. So he fixed it before he left the small house of his last conquest for the night.
He was fighting back yawns, and distantly realized his gait was rather choppy and sluggish due to his inebriation. But he kept on walking home. He needed a shower and then bed. Yes… bed sounded nice right about now.
He knew it must have been pushing past two in the morning when he finally turned the corner to home. And what he expected when he got to the path leading up to his house was not what he found.
Edward was sitting on the stoop, leaning back against the front door as he stared up at the stars. Apparently completely mesmerized.
It actually made him pause.
Roy smiled softly, and a bit sadly. This was the second night in seven years the ghost had seen the night sky. He imagined it was an indescribable feeling. Both happy and sad. And as he closed the gate behind him and walked up the path as stably as he could, he watched the ghost.
Edward still hadn't seemed to notice him.
It was in this darkness at this time, that Roy actually noticed how brightly Edward glowed. He'd always noticed that the ghost had some sort of silvery ethereal light emitting from him. Last night he hadn't really taken the time to notice. But now? The alcohol had induced a relaxation that let him pick up on the details. Plural, for he'd also noticed for himself something the ghost had said. Edward was eighteen, and strangely, until tonight, he hadn't noticed that Edward actually was an adult.
Perhaps it had been the ghost's childish enthusiasm to finally having a larger world to belong to. And now that he thought about it, that was probably it.
But seeing Edward sitting there, glowing in ghostly light, and staring up at the fathomless ocean of stars, it hit him suddenly that this ghost was a man. Or would have been, were he still alive.
He had the oddest revelations when he was inebriated.
Sighing at himself he smiled as he walked over, still unnoticed somehow, and as he reached the stoop he turned stiffly and eased himself carefully down beside the ghost. "Have you been out here long?" He asked quietly, as if saying it louder would have been a sin.
Edward visibly jumped, his head jerking around to stare at Roy with wide silver eyes. "Roy!"
Roy smiled at him. Or, he believed he smiled. He wasn't too sure of his facial functions right now.
"I lost track of time, I guess." Edward muttered, and scratched at his head. "Good thing I can't be mugged."
"How long have you been out here?" Roy questioned again. Silently appreciating Edward's un-mugability as well.
"Since I came home from the bar." Edward admitted without hesitation, though he didn't wait for Roy's surprised look to start feeling hesitant. "I didn't feel… it's hard to explain."
Roy studied Edward as if he'd never seen the ghost before. Edward had been sitting out here for nearly nine hours? Sure, he wouldn't have gotten sore from sitting on the stoop so long, or gotten chilled. But even so. "Were you waiting for me?" He asked, though he was half-afraid to know the answer.
Edward shifted a bit, before nodding. "Don't take this the wrong way, I know you need space and all. I know how much I might impose on your life. But right now I want to be out in the open unless you're there inside with me. I guess in a way…" he trailed off with a discomfited look, "I'm afraid I'll get stuck again. Though I know so far it would seem impossible."
"I see." Roy looked away with a small smile, feeling diminished with a bit of guilt that Edward had been waiting on him, even if they both understood it had been time for just Roy. "It's okay, I understand." And he turned back to Edward suddenly, with a thoughtful and almost cheerful light in his dark eyes. "It was nice to see you waiting for me. I suppose you shouldn't take this the wrong way either… but it's nice to feel wanted unconditionally. Be waited for. No one really does that for me anymore." And with a wry look he chuckled before adding, "and the alcohol makes my tongue loose as hell around people like you, so don't ever expect me to admit to any of that after I get some sleep."
"People like me?" Edward queried with a raised eyebrow, even as he basked in the strange but present happiness he had felt at Roy's words. He could understand the desire to feel wanted or needed, he understood feeling alone. That Roy didn't mind, and actually liked the attachment he had towards the man because of his reliance on Roy made him feel… content.
Roy nodded sloppily. "Friends, people I trust. And you," he tilted his head as he considered the silvery apparition, "you I trust unconditionally."
Edward smiled at him, "because I am incapable of betraying you for the very reason I need you for companionship among other things?"
"Yeah." Roy agreed, and shifted where he sat with a small groan. His body was not up for sitting on cold, hard places for extended periods of time after the route his evening activities had taken.
"Even if I weren't a ghost, I doubt I would betray you. You're a good person. Even if you have clear moral issues." Edward chuckled and floated upwards. "Come on, you look terrible. You should get to bed."
Roy yawned widely in agreement and staggered to his feet again. "I only had a beer and three scotches… or was it four?"
Edward floated through the front door to unlock and haul it open for the man. "Come on." He urged from where he held the door to where Roy still stood on the stoop. "No doubt it was your exertions tonight coupled with the alcohol. I'm sure you're very capable normally of holding copious amounts of liquor in your system."
"I am." Roy agreed automatically and stepped inside, enough so that Edward could shut the door before leaning against the wall and studying the ghost. "So what did you determine?"
Edward placed his hands on his hips, and gave the man a stern look. "You, Roy Mustang, are a manwhore. No arguments. You are. You picked that Brad man up like it was a business deal! I didn't even see any real flirting. I'm surprised virgins who are probably wishing for a happily ever after would give themselves to you when all you do is eye and treat them like a piece of meat."
"Those ones are easy to trick." Roy yawned another wide yawn. "But seriously, manwhoring? That's a bit extreme, don't you think?"
"Not at all." Edward jabbed one finger towards the staircase. "There's a difference between having a healthy sexual appetite, as you put it, and just plain having something wrong with you. Now get upstairs and shower. Then it's to bed for you."
Roy straightened up from the wall and meekly walked towards the staircase, not having the heart to argue with Edward about his accusations when the ghost had just spent nearly nine hours on a porch stoop waiting for him to come back home. "Believe me I need a shower."
"I believe it." Edward smirked, and floated after the man.
He followed Roy all the way up to the bedroom where he made sure the man didn't cheat and fall in bed first. Once the shower water started, and he could hear the staccato pattern of it being broken by a body, he dove down through the floor and made his way through the walls into the kitchen.
It took him some searching before he found what he wanted, and he set the ingredients on the counter before finding a pan. Setting the pan on one of the burners of the stove he set it to heating as he measured out the cream and milk into the pan along with the chunks of chocolate. As it heated and the chunks of chocolate melted he began to mix the cocoa and sugar together. Once the liquid in the pan had heated and the chocolate had all melted he added some of it to the cocoa and sugar before scraping the whole thing back into the pan and mixing it until it was steaming nicely.
It was around the time he was filling a rather large mug with the hot chocolate that he noticed he was sporting a rather large smile. He hadn't done anything in a kitchen for years, and even though he wouldn't be able to taste it, and was incapable of eating or drinking, it was nice to be in a kitchen again.
Turning off the heat on the pan he moved it from the burner to cool before floating his way back upstairs. This time taking a normal route and not passing through anything. Even when he reached the bedroom door he opened it as normal, floating in just as Roy finished tying the drawstring on his pajama pants.
"What is that? More alcohol?" Roy asked with hope that was tainted by uncertainty at having more alcohol to add to his hangover come when he woke up.
Edward shook his head. "Get in bed. You look terrible, and you'll need this, trust me. It'll help."
"Normally the 'get in bed' lines are mine." Roy winked at him but walked over to the bed anyway, ignoring putting on a shirt. Even though it was a bit chilly, under the covers it would be warm. And he drew them back so he could climb in, pulling them about his waist as he sat there and held out a hand.
Edward rolled his eyes. "And this is why I'm not giving you more alcohol." He said and floated over to sit on the edge of the bed, just across from Roy's thighs and passed the steaming cup into the man's waiting hand. "Should be hot, be careful."
Roy took it in surprise. "You made me hot chocolate?" He asked in fascination as he stared into the cup.
"Yeah." Edward admitted, and shifted self-consciously. "I may not like milk, but my mom used to give that to Alphonse when he'd had a rough night. It made him sleep, and he always felt better in the morning."
Roy looked back up at Edward with a gentle smile. He didn't even have it in him to say there was a difference between the two situations, and that he'd most likely still have a hangover come morning and look, as Edward put it, terrible. "Thank you, Ed." And he raised it to his lips to take a tentative drink, being aware of the steam rising.
Edward watched him anxiously, hoping it tasted all right. He was quite out of practice after all, and lacked the ability to test things on his own.
Roy's eyes widened in surprise as he went from a tentative sip to drinking with curiosity, and then enjoyment. He drank at least half of the cup before he lowered it and looked at Edward in amazement. "This is wonderful. You didn't use the premade mix stuff, did you?"
Edward shook his head with a bright smile. "I made it all myself. No mix."
"And you've not cooked at all for seven years?"
"No."
Roy chuckled and took another sip before turning a thoughtful gaze on the ghost. "Do you enjoy it?"
Edward turned so he could rest his feet up on the bedspread and pull his knees up against his chest. "I suppose. I used to help my mom a lot. Especially near… the end." His silver eyes darkened momentarily.
"Well," Roy began in an attempt to lighten the mood, "you make a very good hot chocolate. If I don't sleep well tonight I'll be very surprised."
Edward smiled at him cheerfully then. "Good, I can't imagine you like looking terrible."
Roy smiled back before working on drinking the rest under Edward's watchful gaze. All the while feeling a sense of contentment at Edward wanting to look after him. And it was strange for sure, but nothing about Edward's demeanor was hovering or accusing right now. Not like Maes or Riza, or even his mother would be right now. Although granted, his mother would probably be tending to him laughing her ass off and come upstairs in the morning with pots and pans.
When Roy lowered the finished cup from his lips, Edward reached out to take it and set it on the bedside table. "Go to sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up."
Roy doubted that, but it was a nice thought to court and act as if it were true. And he scooted down while pulling the covers up around him. "Goodnight, Ed." He called after the ghost who had half-vanished through the floor.
Edward turned with a smile. "Night." And he floated through the rest of the way.
It didn't take Roy long at all to fall into the sleep of the dead, buried under warm covers, and feeling better for the hot chocolate.
Floating back into the kitchen, Edward put away the remainder of the hot chocolate and slid it into the fridge for Roy to find later. He was glad that Roy was back, and resting, and would feel better come morning. It wasn't the thought of taking care of Roy that was on his mind, the man could take care of himself. But it was merely that he wanted to do nice things here and there for the man. After all, he'd completely turned Roy's life upside down. It was the least he could do.
Once he was done downstairs he floated back into the sitting room where Hazel was sitting on the back of the couch cleaning himself. The squirrel perked up though as he floated over to sit beside him. "Slept through giving him a talking to?" Edward asked, knowing he'd not get an answer. But he asked anyway. "Come on, I still have a few more books to put away."
Edward floated over to find where he'd stashed one of Hazel's toys on a bookshelf – much to Roy's ignorance. And as he finished with the last box of books he let Hazel chase after the pom-pom.
When he had finished with the books, and Hazel had run off to eat, Edward put the toy away where it belonged before floating back up to Roy's bedroom. The man was still asleep, buried under covers and curled around a pillow.
"I wonder if you're fooling yourself." Edward murmured as he took a seat on the edge of Roy's bed, facing the man. "You might say you don't want commitment… but I can't see what's better about this."
He stayed there at Roy's side, just staring out the window as the hours drug on. Not really thinking of much. Not even noticing when the grandfather clock downstairs began to strike noon. He'd watched the sunrise from where he was, looking out the window. He'd watch it outside again another day. But from that point on he hadn't noticed the passage of time. It was something he was used to.
The first thing Roy noticed when he stirred awake, was that the smashing headache he was expecting didn't come. He had a twinge behind the eyes, and his head did hurt. But it wasn't a hangover like he would have expected. The second thing he noticed was that he wasn't alone.
Edward was sitting on the edge of the bed, seemingly staring off into space.
Now normally, Roy would have found this creepy. But there was nothing at all normal about Edward or his relationship with the ghost. So he turned over onto his back, tucking one arm behind his head as he watched the distracted ghost. "You okay?"
Edward jumped and swore, ignoring Roy's hearty chuckle. Whirling in the air to face the man he scowled at him. "That's twice you've scared me. Twice! I'm the ghost!"
Roy grinned as he laughed, though the pain in his head told him that laughing might not be a good idea. "You're too harmless to be scary." And was amused to see the ghost actually pout.
"Well… it's not my fault!" Edward settled back down onto the bed. "I've never had a reason to be scary or mean. Seven years of being alone rather conditions you."
Roy slowly eased himself up so that he was sitting. "You turned out okay."
Edward shot him a mocking look, but smiled as he looked Roy over. The man looked a bit sleepy yet, and just a little dull, but it was a great improvement to how Roy had come to the office looking after a night spent with alcohol and one night stands. "So did you." He decided. "You don't look that bad this morning."
"Sure it's not one of my 'just been thoroughly shagged' looks that you find to be appealing?" Roy flashed him a coy smile as he ran his fingers back through his tousled hair.
Rolling his eyes, Edward drifted up off the bed. "I'm sure. And I never said they were appealing."
"But you hinted it."
Edward promptly yanked the covers off of Roy, delighting in the man's indignant yelp as what must have been cool air assaulted him. "Time to get up!" He announced jovially.
Roy grumbled as he swung out of bed, adjusting his rumpled pajama pants about himself so they were straight again. "You're lucky I was still wearing pants."
"Nothing much to interest me then? Is that why you only choose virgins? Because they won't notice any better?" Edward queried evilly.
Roy threw his pillow at the ghost, though he knew it'd do no good. And as he watched Edward dive down through the floor to both make his escape and dodge the pillow, he smirked. Apparently Edward was going to give back as good as he got whenever the opportunity arose. He was looking forward to this.
But for right now, he was looking forward to a hot shower to warm himself back up. And he trudged into the bathroom to look for a shower and something for the remainder of his headache.
Edward meanwhile was downstairs at the large window that shone light into the sitting room. Yet his eyes weren't for how it refracted against the glass sculptures, making them dance with color. He was watching three children in a yard of the house directly across from Roy's. He could see them playing beyond the fences. He remembered that jump roping game. Winry had always purposefully tripped him with the rope to make him fall. These children seemed to be far nicer with each other.
He was still watching them when Roy found him.
"You know, if you were visible to anyone else that would be rather creepy of you. People would call you a pedophile." Roy smirked as he walked over to see what had Edward's attention.
"Then it's a good thing they can't see me." Edward replied with a melancholic smile. "I used to play that jump rope thing. With my brother and Winry. We'd use old bailing rope that she'd swipe from the hay fields when the farmers went on lunch break."
"Ah, Edward Elric, former hooligan."
Edward chuckled, "we always returned it." And he turned to look at Roy questioningly. "You look even better now. See, a good night of sleep and that hot chocolate did you well. Do you have much of a headache?"
"Not one that will bother me like a true hangover headache would." Roy was relieved for that. "But even so, I think I'll spend tonight in. Sunday nights are always a tough crowd."
Edward smirked at him, "even for you? Well, for future reference, the next time you give someone my chair I'm not just spilling something in their lap. I'm kicking your chair out from under you."
"I've always wanted to learn how to fly." Roy flashed him a saucy grin. "Come on, I think I want to buy some lunch out. It is a Sunday after all, and I think I know just the place you might love to go. Though I mean no offense to your age."
The look the ghost gave him was rightfully suspicious. "You're not taking me to a nursing home or something, are you?"
Roy shook his head.
"Nursery?" Edward tried.
"Just come with me. You'll see." Roy smiled and retreated into the hallway to grab his coat. He transferred his ignition cloth gloves from his jeans to the coat pockets just as Edward appeared through the wall to join him.
"No one will be able to see your muscles that you can't find a proper shirt to fit if you wear a coat." Edward pointed out.
Roy turned the lock in the door. "You knowing I have the muscles is enough for me today." He replied with a grin.
"I'm honored." Edward grumbled, and followed Roy out the door. And he drifted down to the sidewalk to wait while the man locked up the house. Once Roy joined him he quickly followed beside him. "Can we play more chess tonight? Since you aren't going to be running off anywhere without me?"
Roy shoved his hands in his coat pockets to keep them warm since he wasn't wearing his gloves. It was a chilly day. It was barely autumn but it was colder than what he'd been used to in East Central, which was lower in altitude and nearer the desert. "Sure, if you like." He said behind his hand that had come up as if to cover a yawn. Which it then had to do anyway as he yawned widely.
"I would like." Edward agreed readily.
Roy was beginning to believe that by the time of his death, he'd be the greatest chess player to ever live. Because as far as he could see, he'd be playing chess every night for the rest of his life with this ghost. And for the life of him, he couldn't mind.
Their walk was a silent one, but it was the companionable silence they were used to. But it was a short walk even so, Roy's intended destination wasn't far, and as he turned the corner, Edward was finally able to see their destination as it appeared out of the whiteness.
"Are you ever too old for this?" Edward asked with a growing smile.
Roy merely chuckled and walked a bit faster in order to keep up with Edward who had begun to float faster. He knew he didn't really need to keep pace with the ghost, but he wanted to. And besides, the faster pace was warming him up.
Were you ever too old to go to the park?
He doubted it.
There was just something about the open space. The grass, the trees, patterned shade, and kamikaze birds that called to every person's soul – dead or alive.
And he had a feeling that going to a place like this would do Edward some good. It got him out in the open, but it wasn't as much of a culture shock because there was plenty of space. Even if there were quite a few children and their parents there at the time, along with the family dog. There was space enough that Edward could interact if he wished, but avoid as well.
As soon as they hit the actual grass of the park though, he could do little more than look around and then watch with a laugh as Edward bolted off through the air with a happy sort of noise that sounded charmingly like a squeal.
"Apparently you only act like an adult when you're waiting for me." Roy chuckled softly as he watched Edward practically dive onto a swing and begin to sway back and forth as he plopped down into it. "Or is this some sort of overdone 'embrace your inner child'?" But he walked after the ghost.
Edward was swinging back and forth happily, with absolutely no sense of dignity. He'd thrown it to the wind. After spending seven years in seclusion, nothing at all to entertain him but an office and whatever happened to wander into it, he couldn't abide by having dignity. Besides, only Roy could see him. What did he have to lose?
Laughingly, Roy realized that although Edward couldn't be seen by anyone else, the children nearby the swings were staring at the one Edward was in with a mixture of fascination and confusion. As far as they could tell, a singular swing was moving on its own, with no breeze, and no rider. He was still chuckling to himself as he walked over to the sandy surface the swings were mounted in, and crossed through it to sit on the empty once next to Edward with a bit more dignity.
"I haven't sat in one of these in years." Roy admitted softly as he kicked off the sand to get some momentum going.
Edward had looped his arms around the chains and smiled over at Roy as he swung back and forth. "You look good in one, you should do this more often."
Roy started snickering again and looped his arms similarly as he started to gain altitude now. "I don't know about that. You seem more suited to this type of thing." And it was true, Edward looked absolutely perfect swinging back and forth, silver hair floating after him. Perfect, and childishly carefree.
"I'm just not worrying about my dignity or who may see me." Edward replied casually.
"Well, no one but me may be able to see you, but," Roy looked around, smiling when he saw that the swing beside him containing the ghost was still being stared at by children every so often, "everyone else just sees the swing moving on its own. It's quite funny to watch their faces."
Edward looked around as well to where there were some kids staring his way looking utterly perplexed. "Just tell them you have an invisible friend. They're at the age they might still believe you. Though then again, they may just think you're insane."
Roy chuckled and bowed his head as he kicked off from the sand again. "Wouldn't be the harshest of things ever to be said about me." He admitted quietly, darkly.
Edward leaned back until he was nearly horizontal, gripping the chains with his hands to keep his balance. "For what it's worth, I think you're a good person. Even if you do have your flaws. And perhaps I'm biased because of my situation with you, but I still think you're a good person. If you weren't, I still like to think I'd call you on it."
"So you calling me an idiot when we first met and now calling me a manwhore-"
"Moral flaw and..." Edward thought, "and as for you being an idiot, I have the rest of your life to cure you of any remaining idiocy you have. But I think you're a good person. I can't honestly say I'd rather anyone else to be tied to like I am to you."
Roy looked back at him with a small smile. Edward truly saw no bad in him, and yet, he still feared those times that the ghost looked at him as if he could see into his soul. There were things there he didn't want Edward to ever see, to know. And while he knew the reason why… he didn't want to admit to it. To being afraid Edward might leave. For he had meant it when he asked if Edward would come with him…
…and he'd meant it when he'd asked if Edward would stay.
"We've all done bad things with alchemy before, remember." Edward smiled at him almost fondly. "But they made you who you are. And I wouldn't change you."
"Except the manwhoring?" Roy asked lightly, with a more successful smile.
"Mmm…" Edward hummed to himself and straightened up to kick off the sand again and regain his momentum and some altitude. "Yeah… except that."
Roy chuckled and looked up at the powder blue sky absently. "Thanks. It's… nice, hearing it from someone other than Maes or my mother."
"You're welcome." Was the soft reply.
They swung back and forth in silence. Every now and then watching the children who would run over to give the swing that was moving on its own a befuddled look before racing off yelling for mommy or daddy. But really, for the most part, they were left alone. The swings were a good distance away from the rest of the play equipment.
Roy was leaning partially to one side, up against one of the chains, staring at the sand as it rushed back and forth beneath him. Every now and then he'd drag the toe of a boot through it, watch the divot form in the sand. And for the first time since meeting Edward, he was actively restraining himself from making a comment as to the ghost being, well, a ghost. He wasn't sure how it would be received, if he were to say the one flaw he saw in Edward.
That he was dead.
It was difficult to be friends with a ghost.
Finally Roy stopped swinging and got up. "I'm going to go buy myself something to eat from one of the stands. Do you want to come?"
Edward glanced over to where several food vendors had set up shop nearer the play area, catering to parents and children. "Sure." And he turned to pass through the swing and join Roy as the man trudged through the sand. "When can I have a bike? Or do I need to sneak around on yours while you're asleep?"
Roy startled at the out-of-the-blue question, but groaned at the thought of Edward learning to ride a bike by first starting with his motorcycle. He'd definitely rather Edward know how to keep his balance on something that you pedal before he let the ghost near the motorcycle. "Stay away from my motorcycle until I say otherwise. I'll get you a bike sometime this week. I'll probably need the laugh of watching you trying to ride it."
And oh did he plan to laugh.
"I'll be good at it!" Edward protested.
Roy merely grunted, whether in agreement or not, the ghost would never know. But he was smirking as he approached one of the carts and bought himself a cheap hamburger. It probably wasn't even real beef. Some hospital food cardboard crap made out of cat meat for all he knew. But it would feed him, and it didn't taste half bad smothered in ketchup.
Edward eyed the burger in disgust as Roy began to eat while they just began to meander around through the park, further away from the many children who the ghost had had to keep dodging so they didn't run through him. "That looks gross."
Roy licked a fleck of ketchup off his lips. "Tastes pretty gross, but it's actually better than what the mess hall in East Central served."
"Well the food in the one here isn't any better so I've heard and seen. It really will back you up for a month. And when it comes… well, let's just say you're glad the old furniture is gone."
"Ugh!" Roy's face twisted in horror, and he began to think twice about finishing his hamburger.
Edward smirked, "don't 'ugh' me. You weren't there for the actual event."
"Might need a bit more ketchup." Roy murmured as he considered the hamburger, and hesitantly took another bite.
The ghost rolled his eyes, but smiled. "Do these virgins ever see you like this when you take them out on those dinner dates? Where you cement your chance at nightly activities by guessing their favorite things to eat and drink?"
Roy chuckled through his mouthful and quickly swallowed. "Nope, can't say they do. You're the only virgin on this planet lucky enough to be seeing this."
Edward eyed the wayward spot of ketchup along the corner of Roy's mouth dryly."Lucky me."
"I need to fill up for dinner dates though." Roy continued, took another bite, swallowed, and then kept going. "Bars are good for a while, but very left to chance. I need some solid scheduling."
"For right now I'm going to pretend that you aren't actually narrating your manwhore activity planning in front of me." Edward deadpanned.
Roy took another bite of his hamburger as he tried not to laugh.
They continued walking along the grass and through the shade as Roy ate, and Edward tried not to smack the hamburger away for the birds who kept dive bombing the thing as it was trying to get some. The feathered creatures were fortunate that Roy's gloves were still securely in his pocket, and that a certain ghost was glaring at him whenever Roy mentioned he might have roast pigeon for a snack.
It was around the time of another attempted hamburger swiping by a bird, that a throwing knife soared clean through Edward.
"AH!" The ghost yelped in shock as he ended up nearly six feet off the ground and shuddering.
Roy tried not to laugh as he looked from Edward, to the knife now buried in the tree, and then over to his left where it had come from. "Your aim sucks as much as ever."
Maes grinned cheerfully as he strode over, a young girl trotting beside him as she laughed. "Just showing her how to keep away pedophiles."
"Pedophile?!" Edward glared at Roy.
"Pedophile?" Roy glared at Maes. "I am no such thing." And he turned his gaze down to Elysia. "Your dad is insane, don't listen to him."
Elysia giggled and ran over to launch herself at Roy for a hug, and was quickly swept up into his arms so she could do so. "Uncle Roy!"
"That's right." Roy grinned at her, bouncing the young girl in his arms. "And what is your dad?"
"Insane!" Elysia declared obediently.
Maes rolled his eyes but laughed as he walked over to wrench the throwing knife out of the tree and slip it away. This wasn't the first time he'd done such a thing to Roy, just to show off. "I may never see the money changing hands, but I know you two have got a deal going on."
Edward hid a smile, though it wasn't necessary, as Roy slipped a coin into Elysia's palm where it disappeared. "So this is Elysia." He said aloud and floated over to peer at her from beside Roy. "And please do something to Maes for throwing a knife through me."
Roy promptly stepped on Maes's foot as the man came over, and as Maes danced around swearing, and Elysia giggled, he grinned. "That's for throwing a knife at me."
"Thank you." Edward smirked, and folded his arms. "So you're not a pedophile? That isn't where some of the virgins come from."
Roy turned his head to look at Edward and gave him a minute shake of his head with a smile before looking around at Elysia. "And how are you today?"
Elysia grinned as she patted at Roy's hair. "Daddy's playing with me today."
"He's a good daddy, even if he is insane." Roy smirked.
"Thanks for the glowing endorsement." Maes commented wryly and rolled his eyes. "And why are you out here, Roy? I'd have thought you'd be doing… other things." He finished meaningfully.
Edward snorted. "The virgins can wait until I'm done with him."
Roy chuckled at them both. "Thought it would do me some good to get outside."
"You should come over for dinner later then." Maes suggested. "You know we don't see you as often as we'd like. And Elysia would like that, wouldn't you hunny?"
Elysia squealed as she nodded enthusiastically. "Please come, Uncle Roy. Please?! Please?!"
"Oh…" Roy paused dramatically, even as he looked over at the ghost who had floated over to stand beside Maes.
Edward smiled at him and nodded. "I'd like to come." And he would, he liked Maes. And his daughter seemed sweet enough. He wanted to see a bit more of Roy. A part of the man he would only see when he was surrounded by friends. Friends he could actually touch.
"All right." Roy gave in, sounding defeated but pleased.
"YAY!" Elysia squealed, and nearly tumbled from Roy's arms in her excitement. "Can Uncle Roy's friend come to?"
All the men frowned, for different reasons.
"You mean Riza?" Maes suggested, and glanced up at Roy who shrugged.
"No." Elysia giggled.
Roy turned his gaze to Edward, even as he answered. "We'll see."
Edward, feeling slightly stunned and more than a little uncertain floated around so that he would be in Elysia's line of sight again. But no matter how he waved a hand at her, he got no response. And finally he gave it up and shrugged. It was pointless, no one could see him but Roy. Elysia was most likely thinking of someone but didn't recall a name. Perhaps Hazel?
"She can't see me." Edward said as he came back around. "No response at all. Perhaps she means Hazel?"
Roy gave a small shrug, at least, it was a shrug to Edward. To anyone else, he was just adjusting his hold on Elysia. "So what time tonight?"
"Seven." Maes replied with a smile, and then turned to Elysia. "Come on hunny, let's go play and leave Uncle Roy to his walk."
Elysia groaned, but obeyed as she gave Roy a quick kiss on the cheek before scrambling down from his hold even as he went to deposit her on the ground. "Bye-bye, Uncle Roy!"
"I'll see you tonight." He smiled down at her, ruffling her hair before smiling up at Maes. "See you, and no more knife throwing!"
Maes winked at him and took Elysia by the hand. "Come on, let's go show everyone how cute you've gotten!"
And as Maes and Elysia walked off towards the play equipment, Edward stared after them shaking his head. "That girl is going to grow up with an ego bigger than yours."
Roy laughed appreciatively. "That's where her mom comes in. To ground her." And he looked over at Edward. "So she didn't notice you at all?"
Edward shook his head. "No. And I'm sure she would have said something, like her dad throwing a knife through someone. That would have been an accusatory conversation."
Roy smiled, and turned away with a "come on", ignoring his hamburger that had fallen to the ground when he'd been surprised. And he kept his eyes trained firmly on the ground as he walked, trying not to feel guilty that he was happy.
…happy no one else could see Edward.
For when Elysia had said something that could have implied she could see the ghost, Roy had felt a strong flash of jealousy.
For that he felt guilty.
And he'd never tell Edward, ever, that he was happy only he could see the ghost. It felt wrong… it felt right… and he didn't know why he felt those things at all.
Edward merely floated along beside the man, aware something was bothering him. But all the same, letting it be for now. He got the sense that now was not the time to try and discuss whatever it was. So he tried to content himself with looking at the scenery he'd been kept from for so many years.