Eli: Roy is doomed in so many ways where Ed is concerned. Who can resist him when he's just so adorable without even trying? ...imagine him actually trying to be cute XD
moonstone: They are very dense, which only makes it more sweet and fun I think. They've heads like cheese right now. Swiss cheese.
Tyra Kaelar: Thank you, and yes, their situation really does allow for some good cluelessness, and the chance for a solid relationship beyond sex or anything like that to build before romance enters the picture. And they're going to need that foundation with what I have planned for them.
secret25: I think I like doing the details of the stages up to the "fun stuff" just because I find the journey so much fun. Though don't get me wrong, the "end result" is fun too XD.
anmb: ooo cookies! I'll have to share pizza and fried chicken with you. Goodness knows I could stand sharing the greasy stuff before I get fat.
kazuko: Chinese food works! You're the second person so far to think Ed was more possessive than protective in the pizzeria... I wonder if that means something...
luna moon girl: Hell, I'd like to go to the beach. Let's all go.
UP2L8: Aaah, bike riding and the trip. Both two things I can't wait to get to. Oh the impending lovely laughter.
Soaha: It really doesn't take much to make Ed happy when he's a ghost. Which is rather sweet of him. Roy couldn't ask for someone better.
Zexion's Somebody: Heh, this one wasn't so fast given holiday things, but oh well. I win and lose some XD. It does seem like a lot has yet to happen until that trip, doesn't it. But hey, more fun before even more fun! Can't go wrong there.
Cheru-chan: I'm already planning to write one such dream scene later on, if not more. Me and my evil self can't wait. And I'll bet my suspicion on the weekend trip is better than yours... you in? -P
Mistress Sayu: Roy would love him for haunting Grand during the day, and it'd keep Ed "out of trouble"... -snicker- But Grand really does deserve it.
Miss Sammi Potter: Thank you! And I wish I knew what possessed me (bad pun) to make Ed a ghost, I think it was a combination of some of my other stories themes pointing me in this direction. But it's a fun challenge to myself, to create a romance that doesn't heed the concepts of life and death.
Rei-chan: Ed turning from silver to green would certainly be interesting to watch, especially for Roy.
gali-o-: Which fics on my LJ are you wondering about updates for? And that's an awesome name for a pony!
reinfalle: Thank you!
B.D.: What's going to happen? I thought I'd start by taking Roy to that cliff from BIM and seeing if he's learned how to fly, and then .... -runs from the readers-
Kimba: Yes, I do have a plan for the romantic stage and their inability to touch. Never fear!
accident prone: I think that Ed wants to save all shelves and stuff for braining Grand, not children. Even if they are climbing on his Roy.
blackrose5130: Triple fudge... brownies?! -rolls around with them- Yayhoo! You can have lots of delicious protective Ed and Ed on a motorcycle for that!
GreedxEd: Take pictures of the cake diagrams? I think not... I'll just set up the video camera next time I make it.
Kaze wolf: Yes, I believe apple pie has been asked. But I know what you mean, it's a lovely dessert. Especially with ice cream on top. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and the pacing.
haganeno: Yes, the duct tape! I will use it! And don't worry, Ed is a resourceful ghost.
camiimary: Yes, Roy has found that someone... so I think adoption is next on the table.
MandaxPanda: Undying love... that was the most awesome line ever XD.
pretend to be a mortician: Thank you! That really makes me happy to hear. As for how bad the flirting will get when he's in love... it can go one of two ways. Terrible, or wonderful... so far my evil side that loves amusement is leaning toward the former. But we'll see what happens.
Lamia: I'm not sure even I want children after that. And I have written cute kids before.
Sailor Silver Rose: The cake is gone, yes... I mailed it to your house.
SammerX3: Thank you! And oh? What was your experience? XD
Agatsuma: Yes, fear for the motorcycle. But don't worry, I've got all the "inability to touch" stuff figured out.
itachigurl: Thank you!
Riku-Rocks: You and Roy would get along well then with the whole children issue. Ooo calamity! I do love calamity! ...unfortunately not quite yet.
Uurp: Thank you, and I shall!
Well, one holiday later...
To those of you who read my LJ, Ransom was updated to chapter seventeen, Fallen to chapter nineteen, and I put up some random Greed and Ed in a cornfield thing... considering it's on my LJ you can guess.
For those of you who read my Scar and Al story, it was update to chapter three not too long ago.
As for everyone else, I hope this finds you all doing well! And we're joining some of our favorite janitors again this chapter, they know all... janitors are like maids.
I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Seventeen
Roy was smiling as he cooked his eggs, the sizzling in the pan background music to Edward's chattering. The ghost had been so pleased this morning, the minute that he had showed signs of being awake Edward's voice had been in his ear, telling him all about the book he'd read.
He gathered it had been good, but for the life of him, he could barely manage to follow all the technical stuff this early in the morning. Give him a few more hours and three cups of coffee and it would be no problem, but at this hour? Well, he wasn't displaying too many outward signs of being as intelligent as he was regarding alchemy. And he was, he couldn't be where he was with his alchemy if he wasn't.
So he just smiled and cooked, adding his input in when there was a pause that demanded his opinion, or when his tired mind was actually comprehending.
At the table, however, Edward seemed to have finally run out of things to say about the book. "Tomorrow can you change the color of the paint on my bike? Since you're going out and all tonight."
Roy stabbed a piece of egg as he nodded. "And then you can fall off the bike to your heart's content."
"You're so generous." Edward rolled his eyes and settled down cross-legged onto the table while he watched Roy eat. "Don't you have any faith in me at all?"
"You, and gravity." Roy grinned.
Edward huffed haughtily, and renewed his vow to show Roy that he could master riding a bike. He would do it, and do it soon, for the motorcycle awaited. And that was an incentive that he couldn't ignore. "I'm a ghost, I'm not affected by gravity."
"But the bike will be." Roy smirked, "so you'll learn to ride it without cheating. Promise?"
The silver eyes widened in incredulousness, "cheat?" Edward echoed in his shock, "I would never cheat. I've got a sense of honor you know."
Roy smiled at the ghost's indignation at the implication. "That I do know."
"I'm going to succeed on my own, no ghostly aids involved." Edward declared firmly, "and you can just watch in awe."
Roy chuckled through a mouthful of egg, yes, he would certainly be watching. And most likely laughing a great deal. "I'd rather be doing nothing else."
"And no trying to sabotage me." Edward rolled his eyes.
Roy looked up from pushing his eggs about his plate, a frown beginning to shadow his brow. "I wouldn't have thought of it. Besides, I'm not brave enough to make you mad at me."
Edward smiled at him cheerfully, "unlike Grand, I want you around."
"And speaking of my notable colleague," Roy took note of Edward's snicker, "what do you plan to do to him next?"
"I've not decided yet." Edward admitted, "these things rather come to me in the moment, not as a product of careful study. If only he could have an alchemy accident. That would be convenient of him to get rid of himself for us."
Roy's lips drew into a thin line, "very unlikely. I doubt that his alchemy has ever misfired on him. It would probably have been catastrophic."
Edward mulled over what he wanted to ask for several moments before deciding that he may as well. "Has yours ever gone wrong against you?"
"When I was first learning, yes." Roy never would have admitted it to anyone else, not even Maes knew, but with Edward? With Edward he seemed to have no qualms about sharing anything and everything. "It takes a great deal of willpower and focus to do alchemy as I do. And one day when I was seventeen, I think, my focus slipped. I'd not slept in several days… and I lost control of the flames."
"What happened?"
"I found out how fast my mom is with a garden hose." A wry smile cracked across Roy's face. "I thought she'd be mad about it, that I endangered myself like that…" and then his expression softened, "but she just held me until we were both wet from the soaking she gave me. I realized she wasn't mad at all, I'd really scared her. I'm all she has left since my father died. And ever since then I've never allowed myself to lose focus on controlling my alchemy. Even if it is a more passive effort now. I don't want to ever scare her like that again."
Edward remained silent for some time, watching Roy even as the man became lost in memories. "I'm sure she knows just how much you do for her sake."
Roy snapped out of his thoughts and looked up into silver eyes. "I'd like to think so. Not much escapes that woman's notice."
"Our mothers have something in common then." Edward smiled nostalgically.
Roy said nothing to that, letting Edward have this moment just for him. And he finished his eggs before he said anything more as he walked his plate to the sink. "Just remember to be careful when your next bright idea about Grand comes to you." He glanced over his shoulder towards the ghost. "I would be surprised if after the next injury he doesn't begin to grow suspicious."
Edward nodded absently, "I know what I'm doing. You just work faster at getting what you need to slide into his position. I can take care of myself."
"Still," Roy turned to him, dark eyes serious, "be careful."
Edward didn't respond at first, but finally he slipped down to stand on the floor in the middle of the table. "I promise I will be."
Roy nodded in acceptance, "we should be going. I've a perfect record going now, I'd hate to mess it up by showing up late."
"It's thanks to me you've become more responsible." Edward reminded him, floating after the man who was heading for the front door.
"Partly." Roy agreed as he grabbed his keys and wallet. "But I'd been planning showing up on time every day before we met. When I was transferred to Central it was time to abandon some acts I'd been putting on. My completing work early though is purely all you."
Edward smiled cheerfully, knowing why Roy did. And the man didn't even have to. Roy didn't have to be and do a lot of things that he was now, just for the sake of a ghost. Yet, he was, and he did. "Maybe the others should have requested chess games with you daily as well." He teased, chuckling at Roy's face.
"I think it wouldn't have worked so well." Roy gave a quiet laugh and opened the front door. "They don't have the enthusiasm you do about it."
Edward followed him out the door thoughtfully. "I better not lose my enthusiasm about chess then until you've retired from being Fuhrer. Otherwise the country is screwed."
"Yes, Ed," Roy chuckled as he locked the house up and turned to make his way down the stoop stairs. "The entire future of Amestris depends on you." Rather ironic, really, the jesting thought that thousands of lives might depend on someone who was already dead.
"I knew you'd admit it one day." Edward bantered back with a grin.
Roy could only grin and shake his head, not able to actually speak to the ghost at the moment. Not when he could be easily seen by the other people who were out and about in various places on the cool morning. So he continued to walk to work, flanked by one cheerful ghost.
Once they got to Headquarters it was clear that a great amount of people on the floor where Roy worked were in a tizzy. And as Roy glared his way through their ranks with an iciness that seemed in great conflict for one heralded as the Flame Alchemist, it became clear why.
General Grand was coming back to work today, and by the snippets Edward was catching in the corridors, wasn't in a good mood.
"How do they know this before he's even here?" Edward frowned as he tagged along after Roy, relying on the man's parting of the crowd to get through without having to pass through anyone.
Roy waited until they'd turn down a corridor that was less central to where Grand's office area was. Thus, it was empty and much quieter. "Because his maids call ahead and forewarn those who are in a position of 'need to know'."
"So why were those people all frantic?" Edward frowned, "and how do you know about the maids?"
"I know because it pays to know ones enemies." Roy explained, "as for why they're frantic… Grand in a bad mood isn't a good thing for anyone working directly under him. He'll take it out on them, and hard. They're rushing around trying to catch up on work, or anything else that might set him off."
Edward wasn't sure he liked the sound of that. But he didn't feel guilty for doing what he'd done to the man even so. If he had to pick between Roy and people he'd never met, and never would meet, he'd choose Roy to keep Grand away from. "You don't do that do you? Take things out on the others?"
Roy's eyes were wide in surprise as he looked over at the ghost. "Why would you even think that? Even if I could get away with it considering one of them is my best friend."
"I was just checking." Edward pacified with a smile. "So are you safe then from Grand today? Or do I need to take inventory of potential projectiles that are in your office."
Roy rolled his eyes, wondering how in the world he'd ever begin to explain things being thrown at the general from out of nowhere. "I don't report to him. I report directly to the Fuhrer, part of the package deal of being considered a hero." His lips drew into a thin line as he shook off his thoughts about that. "Even if I'm not a general, I still get privileges."
"So why did Grand stop by that one day then?" Edward frowned as he floated up into the air to keep up, momentarily tired of walking.
"To incur your ghostly wrath." Roy smirked just a bit. "Because I used him to help get me transferred here. Unfortunately any privileges I have do not apply to location of placement. Naturally he must now think he holds some sort of power over me in the principles of equivalent exchange… but the only show of gratitude he'll be receiving from me is an ousting."
Edward thought that over for a moment before asking, "he wouldn't suspect this of you? After everything you've told me about people wanting to spy on you because you're dangerous." And as an afterthought added, "apparently."
Roy chuckled to himself at the correction to the ghost's statement. He wasn't in a hurry though to prove to Edward that he was dangerous, they'd be together for the rest of his earthly life. He knew there would be more than plenty opportunities for such demonstrations. "If he's half as intelligent as he was when I first knew him, then he does. But it doesn't matter. He won't win against me."
Edward nodded slowly, but made a silent vow to keep doing what he could to get Grand out of the way. He couldn't just be idle when that monster was still in a position to harm Roy.
They reached Roy's office areas, and found it empty as per usual aside from themselves.
"I know I've been showing up a few minutes early and all because of you," Roy said as he let them into his personal office, "but I'm starting to wonder if they weren't showing up on time before either."
"You could always mess with their heads for a few days and show up late again, just to see what would happen." Edward suggested with a grin.
"You mean stake the place out?" Roy laughed.
Edward smirked at him, "don't tell me you've never wanted to do a stake out on your own team?"
"We'll see how bored I get come winter when the weather is crap." Roy walked over to flop into his desk chair with a bit of a sigh, and turned it at a tilt so he could look out over the courtyard.
Edward floated over to look out the windows as well, now that he could finally see past them and the world beyond was no longer white and shapeless. He still wasn't entirely used to it, the experience still gave him a little thrill inside. "Does bad weather affect your alchemy? Rain and such?"
Roy smiled a bit, giving a little laugh deep in his chest. "If my gloves get wet, yes. But that's the only time. Which is something very few know, I can count the number even including you on one hand. Even Riza believes I'm washed out if it rains, even if my gloves aren't wet. It's one of my trump cards I don't care to reveal until it's absolutely necessary to my mortality."
Edward thought about it for a moment or two, the confusion of how fire could still overcome water enough to be worthy of a trump eventually giving way to a startled understanding when he considered what water was made out of. "I'll bet that's something to see…" he whispered in an awed voice, "is it even controllable though?"
Roy's smile was wryly amused as he briefly looked over to the silvery ghost before glancing back out the window. "Impressed already even though you've not seen?" But he did not pause there, he wasn't fishing for compliments. "I wouldn't call what happens control… not like my usual control. If I attack into the rain, I have to put everything I am into focusing on directing it. Control isn't truly possible, all I can hope is to give it some semblance of direction when I snap my fingers."
Edward could imagine what would happen… all that extra hydrogen in the air? And the way rain formed as it fell? It was a recipe for an explosive chain reaction. He could see how it would be something Roy would want to keep to himself as a trump card. "When did you first realize what it would do?"
"In Ishbal, actually." Roy's masked expression would have betrayed nothing to most who saw it, but Edward wasn't fooled. "There was one night it was raining, yet we still had to launch an offensive attack on this town. Homes really…"
Edward knew he was thinking of the innocent people that must have been inside of them, but he kept quiet, letting Roy speak.
"I was directed to attack despite the inclement weather… we'd been transported there in a covered vehicle so my gloves were still dry. And so I did as I was ordered." Roy fell silent for a moment, but Edward didn't interrupt. "The vehicle protected me from the explosion, but none of the others who'd been sent with me survived. They'd all been making their way towards the town to prevent escapees while I stayed dry for demolition. The town was leveled into ash, as was most of the surrounding desert. In my report I had to make up a credible story to protect myself, and ended up claiming that the town had been housing gunpowder for armaments production."
"You were safe though." Edward pointed out, "say what you will, I know how you still feel about that part of your past… but I'm glad you were okay."
Roy's face broke slowly into a smile as he looked up at the ghost floating at his side. But anything he might have said was forgotten when the door to his office opened, announcing Hawkeye's presence, as well as that of the day's work.
"I see you made it through the crowd," Roy greeted amicably, "what's the status of the 'wounded in the line of duty' list now?"
Riza smiled angelically as she dropped a stack of paperwork onto Roy's desk with a satisfying thump. "I'm sure I have no idea what you're referring to, sir."
"I'll just bet you don't." Roy gave a deep chuckle as he faced his chair forward again. "But I wager if I asked you to hand over your weapon and checked the chamber, you'd be emptied of bullets."
"Then it's fortunate you know better than to relieve me of my gun, just in case." Riza nodded at him as she moved to take her leave.
Roy however hadn't quite had enough fun yet. "What, no salute? What if someone were to walk in here and see that on a day like today?"
"I'd have faith in you to come out on top." Riza smirked at him, but offered a salute anyway, which caused Roy to laugh as she made her way from the office.
As soon as the door closed Roy's laughter abruptly died down into a groan, and he leaned forward to let his head connect with the stack of paperwork.
Edward eyed him in bemusement, one of his eyebrows quirking just a bit. "You okay? You're not having a mental breakdown, are you? Those eggs not sitting right?"
Roy let his head fall to the side, jostling the papers in the process, to look at the ghost. "The eggs are fine. Don't mind me; I'll just be happier when the majority of the forms I have to look at aren't in regards to minor damage claims."
"I'm going to go read a book." Edward decided suddenly with a grin, and fairly zoomed through the air to do so.
"Rub it in." Roy grumbled and lifted his head off the stack with a sigh before grabbing his pen and getting to work.
The hours drug on for them both. For Roy it was because of minor damage claims, for Edward it was because it soon was passed eight o'clock and beyond, and he knew Grand was present in the building. It was difficult to resist leaving to do something to the man, but he knew that he must. Another accident so soon would begin to look suspicious. He'd done things to the occupants of this office before Roy, so he knew when it was time to retreat for a time. Even if he didn't like it for many reasons.
So he sat quietly on one of the black couches and read his book.
On Grand's end, however, things weren't so peaceful as minor damage claims and alchemy texts…
General Grand was standing stiffly in the center of his office, a small ice chest containing baggies of ice for his various injuries was set at his feet. One such baggie was hanging limply from one of his hands, as he was unwilling to show a sign of weakness when facing anyone. And currently there was someone else in his office.
The General's secretary had just finished reading to him the list she'd created of repairs to the office that would be needed, including a replacement chair and shelf, and the estimated cost of it all. "Is there anything else you would like put on it?"
"I'll be needing new picture frames, obviously. As for my personal effects that were broken, add an amount to the cost needed to repair the wall and skim it off the top when it comes in. Place it in my personal account." Grand instructed, and when he saw her taking notes, "you're not writing that last down are you?!"
She looked up and fixed him with a withering look. "I'm not stupid, sir."
Grand returned the look with equal intensity. "That'll be all for the list. And Beth," he called after her when she turned to leave, "send a few janitors up to clean up this mess." He waved a hand back at the disaster that still cluttered the floor behind his desk.
"Yes, sir." Beth gave him a quick nod and strode purposefully from the office to do so.
Grand sighed, and then groaned as he lifted the ice pack up to apply it to his shoulder. He'd been having to rotate where he put the ice packs, now that he really only had one good arm with which to move his hand about. "I almost think I prefer that prank Kimblee played on me to this."
Back before the Ishbal war, at one of his birthday parties, Kimblee had been the one to pass him his slice of cake.
…never again did he trust Kimblee with his food. Not that now it mattered. But he learned that day just how dangerous exploding cake was. And that candle atop his slice had just been a bonus.
Eventually he was roused from his thoughts when a knock sounded on his office door and Beth poked her head around it.
"Sir? There are two janitors here to clean up."
Grand nodded, and hobbled stiffly over to one of the stiff-backed chairs set in front of his desk and lowered himself into it. "Send them in." He said, dropping the baggie of ice to his desk.
"Yes, sir." Beth withdrew, and some moments later the door opened again to admit the two janitors.
Michael and Gil filed into the room, a bucket and a broom with dustpan between them. They were trying not to show their displeasure about being called to do this, their shift had been nearly up, and now they'd be going home late. But the moment that a call for some janitors to attend to cleaning Grand's office had been received, suddenly all their esteemed colleagues had become missing.
"Get it all cleaned up," Grand snapped at them as he pulled some of his files of paperwork across his desk to begin looking through them, "and be quick about it. Some of us actually have important jobs to do and this mess isn't conducive to it."
Though he was hoping they'd give him reason to snatch them up for more of his lab rats. There were plenty of people in the world to fill menial positions like theirs. But there were only so many people from the sects of life that could go missing before it began to attract unneeded attention. And he had yet to go after the janitorial sect.
"Yes, sir." Gil nodded, and Michael followed him over to where the mess lay.
Grand glared after them until they'd gotten down on the floor to begin cleaning, only then did he turn to his paperwork and begin to flip through it. At the first hint of noise barking at them sharply to keep it down, while inwardly smiling to himself.
Down on the floor meanwhile the janitors had switched to barely a whisper as the continued to clean up the mess. And they were exchanging uncertain looks in between.
"This doesn't make sense." Gil murmured as they worked.
Michael was in agreement. "It looks like something that ghost would have done." He looked up at the wall where the shelf had fallen from. "But this isn't the right office."
Gil nodded subtly. "You don't think that the ghost is haunting the rest of Headquarters too now, do you?"
"Seems that way. But I guess we'll be finding out." Michael knew that the signs were certainly there that whatever ghost had been haunting the office Roy Mustang now was in seemed to be active again.
First the cleaning supplies incident, and now this? Years ago all the janitors had learned the commonalities of the paranormal happenings, and what was before them now didn't seem to suit anything but those commonalities.
The only thing that didn't seem entirely right was the fact that there had been an injury on Grand's behalf. Never before had anything that whatever had haunted Mustang's office, and now apparently more, harmed someone to the extent the general had been.
"Let's just hope that we do not attract its attentions." Gil muttered as they finished tidying everything up again.
The two worked fast, both in case the paranormal being that seemed to be active again was present, and the fact that no one liked to stay in Grand's presence for long when he was in a mood like he was currently. They'd been on the receiving end already of quite a few scathing remarks about how slow they were working.
And when they were done they grabbed up everything that needed to be disposed of, even if it was a load that should have been carried in two trips, and quickly beat a retreat.
Grand sneered after them, the wheels in his mind turning for a reason other than what his paperwork entailed.
Michael and Gil meanwhile disposed of the ruined items into the trash dumpsters at the loading docks around back of the mess hall. But they didn't immediately head for home afterwards, as they could have, they headed for the small lounge that was set aside for the janitors' use.
"In one piece I see." The head janitor smirked from the small sofa, over the top of his magazine, as he saw the two enter.
"No thanks to you." Gil scowled, and walked over to put away the bucket of cleaning supplies.
Michael however was less keen on being offended straight off. "You remember what we told you guys about the office being haunted again? The one Colonel Mustang's in now?" He asked as he flopped onto one of the other sofas, looking about at the small group of other janitors that were present.
For a big place like Headquarters, many were needed to take proper care of all the grounds and buildings.
"What about it?" Asked one of the other janitors now, a woman named Kim. And she was not the only one in the room looking wary.
"The shelf didn't fall on its own, and the chair wouldn't have collapsed like that either. It all looks like things that have happened before to the occupants of that office before Mustang." Michael divulged.
The head janitor frowned at that, but not in disbelief. No, they all here believed that something not of this world was in that office… but to have finally ventured into another one after so long? It was even more unnerving than it had been the first time they began to realize there was something unnatural in the office that was now Colonel Mustang's domain. "But the general was injured…"
"No one else has ever been." One of their fellows mused aloud.
"No." Michael shook his head from where he stood. "It's never harmed anyone before. It makes you wonder though, why it finally chooses to haunt other offices now, of all times. And why it's harmed the general."
Kim looked down at her clasped hands worriedly, "it must be unhappy about something… it's a gentle spirit. Whatever it is. Something the general has done, or is doing, must have upset it greatly to make it set something up to cause harm."
"But what?" Michael mused from his place on a sofa.
The head janitor looked at them all sternly then, "it's not a question of what. Not for us. I don't want to see any of you become the general's plaything just because he gets suspicious that you may know something about what happened. As far as anyone outside this room is concerned," he let his eyes drift towards the door, "we don't even believe in ghost stories. Don't let them think otherwise."
"You're right," Gil agreed as he slumped against one wall, "whatever made the spirit angry, it must be something big. It's safer if we just keep cleaning up the messes, and not incur its anger by trying to interfere."
And with that, it was decided. They would act as if they knew nothing. For their own safety.
Meanwhile up in Roy's office, Edward was grinning in amusement as he watched Roy and Maes.
"Come on, Roy!" Maes wheedled, half lying on Roy's desk as he brandished a large wallet album of pictures all centered on one subject – Elysia. "Do it for her sake! She's so cute! How can you resist those doe eyes?"
Roy stared at the pictures with a deadpan expression. "The same way I resist them when women and even some men try to convince me to stay longer than the night."
"You just lie and leave them anyway." Maes frowned, "are you telling me you'd lie to me? To my daughter's eyes?" He waggled the photos pointedly. "And since when do you associate my daughter in such a way, with that riffraff you pick up? You better not be waiting to settle down until Elysia is eighteen, because I'd hate to ruin our friendship by killing you. And I would."
Roy rolled his eyes, "that's just gross. My morals may be warped, but they're not that warped."
Maes snorted, but didn't argue it. "Do it for Elysia?" He returned to his original plea that had been going on almost four entire minutes now.
"No." Roy adhered to his earlier answer quite calmly.
Edward was snickering softly from the couch arm where he had perched himself when Maes came in.
"Even just a hint?" Maes's expression was steadily turning bewildered. He'd never had such trouble extracting something from his friend before when he truly wanted to know the answer. "You can give me the first letter of the place you're running off to this weekend, and I can do the rest myself and get a map!"
"Absolutely not." Roy smirked a bit. "And don't let me catch you trying to follow me or any such nonsense. You're allowed to pull passenger records on Sunday, but that's it. I'm not telling you myself, and I don't want you stalking me."
Maes was not to be so easily dissuaded though, he still had to at least make one last attempt. "Gracia told me I couldn't come home tonight if I didn't find out."
Roy chuckled at the feeble effort, "you and I both know Gracia better than that. But on the very, very slim chance you're telling the truth, you can come out drinking with me tonight. I'll find you a nice girl for the night, and then I'll go find myself a nice guy for the night. I've had too many girls lately."
Maes's expression was as unsympathetic as Jean's had been when Roy had said something similar to him just the other day. "Find yourself someone nice to spend many nights with. At the point you begin to think you've had one too many of something, it's time to just find one."
Roy shuddered at the mere thought. "Don't say such things. Marriage and I don't see eye to eye."
"I'm not saying you have to get married, though it'd be nice to finally return the favor of being a best man at a wedding." Maes straightened up a bit and began to fold up the many pictures in their plastic sleeves draping from his wallet.
"Maybe Havoc will get hitched soon." Roy mused thoughtfully.
Maes rolled his eyes, "Havoc isn't like you. He wants to find someone, one someone. You might consider thinking one of these days that committing to one person is hardly the most frightening thing you've faced in your life." And he stood up, placing a picture he'd pulled from its plastic sleeve onto Roy's desk. "That's for you."
Roy picked up the picture, smiling in defeat as he saw Elysia beaming up at him from it and waving. "Oh fine, I'll keep one."
"That's better." Maes smirked and tucked his wallet back into the inside pocket of his uniform jacket. "Just know that one day I'm going to say 'I told you so' about the commitment thing."
Roy snorted softly, "fatherhood has made you delusional."
"Some delusions are worth making reality." Maes retorted with a smile and gave his customary half-wave and half-salute gesture as he turned to leave. "I'll be getting back to spying now. And reaffirming why I'm so happy you know how to control your temper with us."
Roy chuckled and smiled as he watched his best friend leave through the door, shutting it behind him.
Edward floated over to peer at the picture Roy held clasped between a thumb and forefinger, smiling as he saw who it was of. "Has he tried giving you pictures before?"
"Too many to count." Roy nodded, and tucked the photograph away for safe keeping. "He thinks that up until now I've just thrown them out."
"And you've not?"
"No." Roy looked up at the ghost, "I'm actually quite the sap about such things. I guess it's because I'm glad my mother took so many pictures of us as a family, before my dad passed away. All I have now are pictures of him… but I'm really glad I have them. So I keep pictures."
A flicker of sadness passed through the silver eyes, and Edward turned to look out the window. "I don't have any pictures. Well," he forced a lighthearted laugh, "obviously."
Roy's lips drew together in a line as he debated what was on his mind, before finally deciding that he'd let Edward choose. "If you'd like, I have an old photograph from years ago. I told you the day we met that I knew your father a long time ago. I know you don't think much of him… and in my own way through knowing you I have some similar sentiments, but if you'd like I still have that photograph. You can have it. The way I see it, you should have things of your own."
Edward stared at Roy long and hard for some time, until Roy began to fidget under the piercing silver stare.
"I think I'd like that." Edward said at last. "I may be angry with him even now for abandoning us, but…"
Roy shook his head, "you don't have to explain. I'll find it for you and let you have it."
Edward smiled faintly, "thanks." And he hesitated for a moment before going back to something Maes had said. "So you're really that against commitment? Though Maes is right, you know, you don't have to get married to whoever it is."
"I'm happy with the way my home life is now." Roy waved it off, but didn't add that he didn't want to bring anyone else into his life now that he had Edward as his constant companion. They'd rarely ever get to talk or just spend time as the two of them if someone else was in the picture.
He didn't say it, because he knew that the ghost would feel guilty, or try and devise a way to allow both things.
"Do you have any pictures of your parents at home?" Edward asked, he'd been thinking about everything, and realized that Roy's home life didn't seem to include family photographs on the walls.
"Not a one." Roy leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. "Safer that way. I like people to be under the forgetful impression that I don't have a family. Certainly not a dad anymore, but I've still got mom. And just in case my place were ever broken into, I don't want her to be compromised."
"I bet she's careful anyway though." Edward floated up back into Roy's eyesight, hovering in the air now above the man and positioned so he appeared to be laying face down. Sweeping his silver hair over to one side he made as if he were propping the side of his head up on his hand.
Roy chuckled knowingly. "Careful and dangerous. It's not just her personality that makes her strong. Kind-hearted though she is. Apparently my grandfather taught her to shoot a gun. I've never tried testing her… but I do know there are guns in the house."
"Are there guns in your house?" Edward asked, suddenly curious.
Roy took one look at the curiosity on that face and immediately his eyes widened in alarm. "I'm not letting you near any guns. That's all I need, a ghost with a trigger finger."
"Oh like I'd shoot you." Edward scoffed.
"Don't default Hazel like that!" He hissed, cracking a smile as Edward began to laugh.
"Not for him!" Edward denied between laughs. "Just for the sake of knowing!"
Roy wasn't too sure he believed that. "There's one. And don't you be tearing apart my house to find it. Goodness knows you know where the kitchen knives are, not that you'd ever need something like that."
Edward smirked and suddenly floated off to the couch, still horizontal to the floor. "Just provide me with plenty of cast iron coat racks." And he sank into his seat, right side up, and picked up the alchemy text once more. "Now quit slacking off, I have a new strategy I want to try against you at chess."
Roy straightened in his chair and glowered at the ghost even as he picked up his pen once more. "I'm not slacking off, I was accosted by a relentless best friend."
Edward glowered back at him mockingly. "And what am I?"
"I'd say a waste of space, but you're incorporeal and quite small as it is." Roy grinned, and promptly ducked as the thick tome came flying at his head.
It bounced off the window, somehow not shattering, and fell to the floor with a thump and angry rustling of pages.
"Now, Ed," Roy pacified through his grin as he tried not to laugh under the silvery glare he was receiving, "that isn't how we should treat books." And he bent over to pick it back up and dust off the covers.
"Oh, shut up!" Edward scowled and flounced over to snatch the book from Roy's hands.
Roy was silently shaking in laughter as Edward went back over to the couch to resume reading. It was a good thing that his hands were so steady though, else his signatures never would have come out as anything legible.
Meanwhile Edward was pretending to read as he smiled while watching Roy covertly out of the corner of his eye from behind a curtain of silver hair that had fallen forward when he'd bowed his head over the book once more. He was glad to see Roy so happy…
…not that it would last long once he faced off against the man in a game of chess.