Chapter Nine

A New Years Tradition

He kissed me.

Holy shit.

HE kissed ME.

By the time Roy had gotten over his shock and rushed home, Edward was deep asleep. Figuring that they could talk tomorrow, Roy left Ed to his rest, and went to bed.

But they didn't talk tomorrow.

Or the next day.

They hadn't talked for the past FOUR DAYS, and it was driving poor Roy up the wall.

Every time Roy asked Edward a question, he received either a nod, headshake, or a shrug for an answer. Every time he tried to start a conversation, Ed would give short, noncommittal responses until Roy gave up and started sketching faces of random people he had seen that day.

He was getting quite good at using those markers…

But Edward was avoiding him. As much as he could, anyway, as they shared the same house and workplace. But he only came out of his room for food, and he only talked to Roy when he absolutely had to.

It was infuriating.

You'd think that it was ROY that had kissed EDWARD or something.

Even on their Sunday run, Edward hadn't spoken or competed with him at all.

But it was going to be okay, 'cause Roy had a plan, and it had everything to do with the New Year's party the next day…

Ignore the great Roy Mustang, would he?

Well, we'll just see about that.

I kissed him.

Holy shit.

I kissed HIM.

What had he been thinking?!

He should not have done that.

He should NOT have done that! (Is anyone else reminded of Hagrid in the first movie?)

Now he felt awkward and embarrassed whenever he was around Roy.

Kissing him had been the worst idea ever.

What had he been thinking?!

Roy was way older than Raegan, and Raegan was too old for him, too!

But that hadn't really stopped him before…

Shit! He was NOT allowed to think that way! That had been different, Raegan had taken him in, saved him…

And how was he different, again?

Raegan was closer to his age…

Barely.

He protected him, he was a good guy, he…

He was dead.

Shit.

Edward buried his face in his pillow and tried to sleep, pushing away the memories he didn't want.

It had been two years; he was over it, already. He was. Really.

Maybe writing the story of his past was a bad idea. It was bringing back memories he didn't want to think of outside of his writing.

Edward eventually drifted off into a fitful sleep, unaware of what would be called upon him the next day.

After another morning of awkward silence, Roy finally spoke up when they were settled at the office.

"We're going to the new years party," He said matter-of-factly. "It's mandatory."

"Alright." Edward looked up from his journal for a moment, then went right back to writing.

Roy smiled at how fast he was running through it—the book was about a quarter done, and it had only been a week—no, less than a week. He must really need to get his story down on paper.

"We'll be working the fireworks."

"Oh?" Edward looked up at Roy, his eyebrows raised.

"Yeah. So be at the bell tower about ten minutes before midnight, alright?"

"Alright, Roy."

And just like that, the trap was set. And Edward, blissfully unaware, continued his writing. Roy, completely aware, smiled and got to work.

The New Year's party was much like the Christmas one, only with wine instead of eggnog and HAPPY NEW-YEAR banners instead of Christmas lights and mistletoe.

Everybody was talking, talking, talking about absolutely nothing.

For the twelfth time that night, Edward found himself looking for the colonel.

But the colonel wasn't there; he was in the bell tower, with the fireworks…what was the time? The clock over the mantelpiece says it's about fifteen till midnight…

Edward sighed in relief and headed over to the bell tower.

When Edward reached the top of the tower, where the fireworks were going to be lit, Roy was setting up the rockets on the floor towards the sky.

"There you are, Edward," Roy said briskly, cutting the fuse on a bright blue rocket. "Come over here and check my directory; you have better depth perception than I do."

Edward walked over to where Roy was kneeling on the floor and knelt down beside him.

"Where do you want them to go?"

"About five feet above the main office." Roy pointed in the general direction of the lit windows across the lawn. "The rockets have enough power in them to get them about three feet short of the party room windows."

"This'll sure give them a show, won't it?" Edward smiled as he slightly adjusted the rocket, then went on to fix the rest.

"If it doesn't scare them half to death, they'll love seeing the fireworks up close." Roy smirked evilly. "Though, perhaps if they knew that I was the one that prepared the fireworks, they'd all be terrified."

Edward snorted. "Good thing you didn't tell them, eh?"

"Yeah. Good thing."

Edward finished his work, and straightened up. "Are you done with me, then?"

"What time is it, Edward?" Edward shrugged, so Roy handed him his pocket watch.

"If you had a watch, then why—"

"What time is it, Edward?" If Roy's voice was a bit husky, Edward didn't notice.

Ed sighed and looked down at the watch. "It's about fifteen seconds till midnight."

"Perfect."

Roy's voice was undeniably husky this time, and Ed raised a brow at him, handing his watch back. "I think I'll go now." He turned towards the stairs and started to walk away.

Ten

Roy grabbed Edward's right arm with his left, holding him still.

Nine

"What are you doing?" Edward didn't sound alarmed, or annoyed, just confused.

Six

Roy snapped his fingers, lighting all the fireworks at once.

Five

"You're not allowed to run away this time, you understand?"

Two

Edward's eyes widened as Roy's face lowered to his own.

One

They kissed, and a hundred fireworks went off at once, welcoming the New Year with open arms and bright hopes.

Yes, yes, I know, I'm a sap. -.-;;