I would like to point out that my tablet loves loves LOVES to change Mustang to Mustard and Edward to Eggshell. So if that ever pops up, you know the story.

Maybe I'll create a crack-fic titled, The Adventures of Roy Mustard and Eggshell Elric.

They entered the apartment and Roy put the boy down who had insisted on being carried everywhere despite the two perfectly fine legs attached to his body. Mustang noted that the boys clothes were torn and dirty, and he really wanted to get that hair cut and untangled.

He could already see a fight trying to get a brush through his hair.

"Edward," He said calmly watching in satisfaction as the boy looked to him intentevly. "Let's get you cleaned up okay?"

He led the small child to the bathroom and turned on the water in the bath. When it was ready, he noted Ed's constant fidgeting and worried look.

Taking a deep breath of courage, Roy lifted the shirt to reveal a rather crafty yet grousome sight.

Cuts and bruises conveniently placed along the boys upper body that wouldn't be noticed with a shirt on. Roy stared in shock at his condition. It looked like he hadn't eaten much and that he was constantly abused.

Edward noticed the look on Roy's face and angrily took his shirt back, covering his body with angry tears in his eyes. He didn't like being gawked at...

"Who did this to you?" Mustang asked trying to hide the shock.

Ed still remained silent and wanted to keep it that way. The second he'd start talking, he would be expected to give information, and he'd rather play dumb and mute than be subjected to harsh questioning. Besides, he didn't want to hurt anyone by showing them where his masters lived...

Roy didn't know what to do. The child was clearly upset and scared though he probably wouldn't admit that. Instinct took over and Roy reached out and gently hugged the boy.

This surprised Ed and he felt the tears slide down his cheeks. He didn't want this man's pity...

When Roy sat back he smiled softly. "I promise. We'll sort this out and you won't have to be scared anymore."

The bath was awkward for Mustang seeing as he never did this with anyone and wasn't sure exactly what was okay and what wasn't okay, but everytime he did try to leave, Edward would express his discomfort with a small whine. He didn't want to be alone.

He had gotten the boy dressed again and had grabbed the scissors. Once Ed realized what was about to happen, he clutched his hair and glared.

"Come now. We have to get that tangled mess off your head."

"NO!"

Ah. So he can speak. And the first word he said to Roy was the word that most, if not all, adults hated hearing from kids.

"Why." Mustang asked crossing his arms.

Ed remained silent still protecting his hair. He didn't want to cut it. In fact, he never wanted to cut it.

"Well we have to do something."

The boy stayed there, holding his head full of knotted blond hair. It was obvious if he tried cutting it, he might end up losing a limb. Cutting hair wasn't worth loosing an arm and a leg.

"Then let's try brushing it." Roy chuckled when Ed nodded. "You'll be begging me to cut it."


Much to his surprise, Edward sat still and allowed Mustang to brush and brush until his hair was soft and shined like gold. But it was still long, it reached a little past the boys shoulders but Edward didn't seem to mind.

So Roy called Hawkeye for some hair tips and she had to explain how to properly make a ponytail and after quite a few tries and some choice words, it was finally put up.

The sun started going down and Edward had been looking through the many books Roy had after dinner. He came across one that Roy bushed at the sight of.

"This was one that I was read as a kid. It's full of fairy tales."

Ed grabbed it and gave it to Roy wanting to hear a story and the man smiled softly as memories came flooding back. The only reason he kept this silly book was because it always reminded him of the good old days when there was no paperwork or war and there were no monsters haunting people in the night.

He began to read Edward the tale of Cinderella. Roy favored this one because of the message that all work pays off eventually.

The young child sat on the floor staring at Roy with a smile. This was fun. He liked this book. He didn't know what it was about Roy, but Ed felt rather safe which was odd considering he had only known Roy for two days.

Roy understood though what was happening.

Edward had been neglected for so long he was willing to accept ant sort of love or attention and he was craving it. It was why he opened up so quickly and easily to Roy, he wanted Roy's attention.

Mustang felt rather bad for the kid. It must've been rough since his kidnapping and this had to be the only company he had since then. When the chapter was finished, he set the couch up for Ed and left him to sleep.

Around midnight was when Roy woke to find Edward sleeping on the floor next to the bed. He was curled in the blanket seeming content to sleep on the floor. Roy contemplated for a minute or two wehether to put Ed back on the couch or not, and after a little thought he decided to let Ed stay on the floor for a little.


A week had passed and they developed a schedule. The two would wake up at 5:30 sharp and eat breakfast then head to the office. Ed usually took his bear and the story book and he was allowed to color on some papers while Roy worked. Lunch time was around 11:15 and consisted of sandwiches or soup. Ed would then lay down and take a nap while Roy continued to work. Much to Hawkeye's liking, Roy was often out of the office at decent hours and was even taking at least one day off... All reporting it was work related because of the kid.

It wasn't like he was avoiding his duties, Roy had made attempts to talk to Edward about the people he worked for and if he remembered Resembool, but everytime something was mentioned along those lines, Ed would lock up and it would take house for Roy to coax him out of his bitter state.

Ed seemed content around Mustang and had started sneaking in bed with him just the to cuddle.

Hawkeye had showed Roy how to successfully braid Edwards hair which the boy thought was cool and rather stylish.

And then came the letter for Führer King Bradly.

Colonel Roy Mustang.

I understand you are in possession of a young child who is linked to the crimes against the military. You are ordered to report to my office at 1800 hours.

That's when Roy knew, this could get rather nasty...

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