Title: Even If It Kills Me

Track: This Is For Real

Author: risveglio

Summary: "I've got emotion dripping out my pores, Edward. I thought I would let you know."

Pairings: RoyEd

Category: Romance

Words: 1,079

Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or Motion City Soundtrack's "Even If It Kills Me."

Warnings: OOC-ish… I suppose.

Status: In Progress.

—xx—

Roy eyed the phone on the table next to him. On a night like this, Edward would usually be at his house, and they'd be curled up on the couch, talking about Ed's discoveries, his studies, his alchemy, etc. However, on this night, Edward was at his dorm, staying the night with Alphonse. It was his brother's birthday, and Roy didn't even ask Ed to stay the night—not that he would allow him to come over.

He really wanted to call him, though. It wasn't so he could wish Alphonse happy birthday, or to tell Edward not to forget to come down to headquarters tomorrow. No, Roy Mustang had made an exceptionally important discovery.

He picked up the phone in haste and pressed it to his ear. Speaking to no one in particular, he said, "I've got emotion dripping out my pores, Edward. I thought I would let you know. You are the night light ripping through my wicked world—you make it sparkle—no…" Placing the phone back on the receiver, he collapsed back into his chair with a heavy sigh.

How do you tell someone you love them? He wondered. Although they had been involved for several months now, Roy was having an exceedingly difficult time letting Edward know of his recent discovery of feelings. The colonel knew now that he loved the blonde. It was an overwhelming feeling that was making it hard to control himself.

He yanked the phone up again. "I've had nightmares, Edward—you know that better than anyone. They clawed at my skin and bones, and I felt like I would explode. However, there you were, smoking the demons and giving me back my feelings. There's just one thing you should—nah…" he put the phone back again, heaving yet another sigh.

Roy Mustang was stuck. How would the boy react? Would he respond with a typical, "Mustang, you stupid bastard, you must have gone crazy?" Would he remain silent, not knowing what to say to such a declaration? Or would… would he agree? Would he reciprocate the feeling?

Without being sure, Roy could not tell him.

He had been with so many women. He knew that this was the real thing. After being with so many people, trying to fall in love so many times, he knew that he was very much in love with Edward.

But, how to tell him? Not over the phone, obviously, he decided. So, standing up, he left his home and began walking down the street to the military dorm. On the way to what may possibly be his doom, he contemplating on how he would deliver his message. He felt like pulling out his hair, mouthing words that didn't seem to belong in his mouth. He had told many girls that he had loved them, but that was only to crawl into bed with them. This was different.

Before he could understand what he was doing or where he was, he was knocking on Edward's door, and soon, the blonde appeared at the door. He was adorned in jeans and a t-shirt, and, the typical, cone-shaped, colorful party hat.

"What the hell are you doing here, bastard?"

The words pulled the colonel out of his daze of not knowing what he was doing, and he responded with a, "nice to see you, too, Edward."

"I thought we agreed that we weren't going to see each other tonight," Edward frowned, and glanced back into his room, where quite a ruckus was occurring.

"Look, Ed, I need to talk to you about something."

"…what?" Edward stepped out and closed the door gently behind him. He placed a hand on my shoulder and asked in a strangely compassionate voice, "is there something wrong, Roy?"

He wasn't sure how to begin, so he just sort of jumped in out of nowhere. "Look, every time it's the same routine. When I break up with a chick, its out with the bad, in with the clean." He gauged Ed's confused reaction, and continued. "Before I lose my motor skills," he laughed, "there's something you should know." He reached out and took Edward into his arms, "This is for real—this time I mean it. Every girl I've ever had put together doesn't compare to this. I'm coming clean, Edward. I told you from the beginning, Edward, that this goes two ways. If you don't want me, you can keep it our leave it. Of course, I'd prefer if you keep it." Roy smiled softly, "because this is the best thing that I've ever had."

"…are you saying what I think you are?" Edward asked from the loose embrace.

Roy bit his lip and let the blonde go, taking his hands. "I… I'm in love with you, Edward Elric."

The two remained joined at the hands for a couple minutes. For Roy, it felt like several hours—and the entire time, he was thinking just one thing over and over again in his head: Don't let go. Don't let go. Don't let go.

"I…" Edward contemplated his words. "I… never thought you'd be the first to say it."

Roy's eyes shot open, so wide that he could feel his eyebrows nearly touch his hairline. "…what?"

"I've always sort of felt… that… for you, Mustang." He blushed, "I just wasn't sure how to put it into words." He laughed, "I never imagined you'd say it first."

"So… you…" Roy tested the waters, "You feel the same?"

Edward raised his head to give the older a smile, "Of course, Roy. I mean, I wouldn't hang around this long if I didn't…" he flushed, "…uh… love you… too…"

Roy laughed—both out of relief and at the tomato-colored blonde in front of him. "Well, thank you, Edward." He tilted the blonde's chin upward and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "But, you better get back to that party. It sounds like a riot."

"You can come in if you want," he managed, the pink color leaving his cheeks.

"Nah," Roy said, shoving his hands in his pockets, "You go have a good time. We'll continue this tomorrow."

The blonde obliged, nodding slowly before backing up and opening the door to the party. As Roy walked away, he heard the other shout after him from where he stood. "Hey, old man!"

Mustang's eyebrows furrowed, but he turned tentatively. "…yes?"

"We, of course, don't mention this meeting to anyone, right?"

Roy Mustang could only laugh.

—xx—

A/N: eee. This is fun! However, listening to "This Is For Real" 980249856034986 times is not. Fortunately, I get to change it now.

The lack of ending is killing me, but I had to finish it… sorry about the weak finish.

.maria