Chapter 7: How to Save a Life

Comments: Okay, this story of mine has taken a dramatic curveball, particularly in my writing style. What started out as an angst-ridden drabble turned into a comedic romance. If you're anything like me then you're going to be sitting there going wtf? The thing is when I get started on something I can't turn back from it, especially the way I word my sentences. So I'm just going to let it flow the way it comes and temporarily push the angst into the closet. Unless you like this new method of writing.

Mood Song: Sooner or Later by Breaking Benjamin

Disclaimer: Do not own so do not sue.

Ed is there at the foot of the bed, a bowl in his hands. Setting it down, he crosses the room to the window. Opening the blinds, he unlocks the glass and pushes it open.

A cool breeze ruffles his hair and soars towards me, causing goosebumps to rise on the nape of my neck. Edward looks really beautiful standing there, the wind playing in his hair and his amber eyes catching rays of sunlight.

Ack! Bad thoughts.

I turn my head. With my pale complexion, I'm sure the blush is clearly visible on my cheekbones. I cannot think that way of him. Not only is he 14 years younger than myself but he is the State Alchemist.

Another dog of the military like me, just tied on a different leash. And with my skirt-chasing rep, I'm sure it'd shock the hell out of some people if I up and announced I fell for another man.

But, in all honesty, I have fallen for another man. I fell for him.

Yet, I never pursued it because of simple fear. Let's just say I don't take rejection very well.

As far as I knew, Edward could very well be asexual with his total lack of interest in women and men alike. At first I thought he might have liked Winry, the loud, petite, blonde girl that came around Central every now and then. But I was proved wrong when her and young Alphonse became something of an item.

"You need to eat this, your body is still weak."

His beautiful voice snaps me out of my thoughts long enough to realize that Edward has moved around the side of the bed, the bowl he had brought in cupped in his hands.

I stare at the contents inside. "What is it?" I ask, eyeing the grey matter suspiciously.

"Hot cereal. I found it in your cabinet. Now eat," he replied, shoving a spoonful at my mouth.

I pull back slightly. "Edward, that was there when I moved in. I'm pretty sure it came with the house."

"Shut up and eat."

His fingers prod my lips, trying to get them open far enough to shovel some of that disgusting gruel down my esophagus. Oh dear god.

His fingers are at my mouth, sending jolts of electricity through my body and I have to suppress the urge to suckle on them.

That would not go over well.

I sit up and throw back the covers which force Edward and his spoon of doom to recede as well.

"What are you doing? You're still to weak to be moving about," he cries.

"I am going to go fix me some eggs and coffee, you know real food."

He looks almost hurt but I remember this is Edward Elric. You couldn't squash him or bring him down. He was like a cockroach.

Now don't forget that I am Colonel Roy Mustang. A man who could hold his own and remain standing in the face of death, explosion of shrapnel inches from my face.

So why, of all times, did my legs decide to go out on me?

I wanted to chalk up the main reason to be more…gratifying instead of the simple fact that my still-weakened legs could not support my own body weight.

Whatever the reason I was pitched forward to the ground. Hi face, meet floor! Nice to meet you floor! My, my, you need to be swept, don't you?

Pain shoots through my jaw, my teeth rattling in my skull.

It was then I realized there was a very still, very warm body pressing very close to mine. I glanced down and gasped audibly.

Oh.

Dear.

God.

During my moment of idiocy and total lack of balance, I had managed to trip Edward and trap him underneath.

And not only was I probably crushing his slight frame with my own, that had seen much better days, but my body was beginning to react most evilly.

And the urge to press my lips over his so blatantly exposed collarbone was growing higher.

Added to the fact that I was simultaneously scolding my hand from traveling to his hair and , "Down, erection, down".

I was majorly screwed.

Nevertheless, my mouth, of its own stupid will, began to lower itself.

You could say I wasn't entirely surprised when a quite hard metal object kneed me.

I'll leave 'where' to your imagination. I'm sure you have one.

Author's Note: I want to apologize for just throwing in Roy's feelings so suddenly but I didn't want to go into elaborate details. This is more of a 'Roy pining with Edward, at first scared shitless and then gradually accepting' kind of story. I realize his feelings seem rushed but that's a story for a different time.

Mask of Mirage