Chapter 24

The Truth

Ed slowly walked to Roy's front door and turned the knob. He hesitated, could he really go through with this, he wondered? He listened for any sound, any protest from his lover who still lay emotionally wounded on the floor. But there was none, not even any sounds of grief. He briefly looked over at his small brown suitcase; he'd almost forgotten it. If he left it, he might have a reason to come back, he thought quickly. Would that be good or bad? He hastily reached over and grasped it by the handle then returned his attentions to the door. His hand rested on the knob again and he hesitated once more. He could feel sobs beginning to build in his chest again as he mentally prepared to walk out on Roy. It would be for good, forever, he told himself. A pain shot through him, almost too unbearable to endure, his heart was completely broken. His hand seemed to move by itself, twisting slowly. He heard the door creak as it started to open. Oh God, could he really do this, he asked himself? Was he really doing the right thing? Then the door abruptly slammed into him and he was knocked backwards, onto his rear end. His suitcase was flung against the far wall with the impact.

"Brother!" Al shouted. "I'm sorry, I-I didn't know you were standing there!" he continued as he ran in and bent over to pick Edward up off the floor.

Riza walked in just behind Al and stopped. She placed her hands on her hips and quickly surveyed the situation. Roy was now sitting with his legs drawn partially up. His elbows rested on top of his knees, as he wiped frantically at his eyes. Edward had a terribly bewildered look on his face as Al helped him get up from the wooden floor and brushed him off. "Wow, this looks bad," she said anxiously.

"What's going on Al?" Ed asked irritatingly. Then he glared at Hawkeye, "Why is SHE here!" he screamed. He darted toward Riza and slapped his hands together to transmute his automail arm into a weapon when Al grabbed him and held him back.

Riza flinched and immediately placed her hand over her gun as she saw Ed start towards her.

"Ed! Stop it! Lieutenant Hawkeye has something she wants to say to you," Al informed his brother quickly. Then he turned his attentions towards the blonde assistant, "Don't you."

Riza bowed her head uncharacteristically and shrugged. "Yes, I do actually, please, just take a seat…you too Roy," she told them as she motioned for them to sit on the couch again.

Ed's chest was heaving as he panted. He glared at Riza from under his long bangs and looked as if he could very well kill her if his brother let him go. "I prefer to stand, thank you," he hissed. Then he grudgingly transmuted his automail back into its normal configuration.

Roy reluctantly got up from his position on the floor. He looked thoroughly defeated as he slowly made his way back to the couch and sat down. He sat forward with his elbows resting on his thighs. Then he gazed wretchedly back up at Riza; his eyes were still red and a bit swollen from the rare outburst of emotion.

"Okay then, well, I have a confession to make. Roy, I wanted you to know that we definitely did not sleep together the other night," she admitted uneasily.

Roy gasped and shot a glance at Edward. He saw Ed's expression soften with her words and his stance relaxed.

"I know I made it seem like we probably did, I'm sorry for that. I should have just come out and told you. Seems a bit silly now, I guess," she divulged as her face reddened with embarrassment. Then she turned to Ed, took a few steps toward him, and spoke directly, "Listen Edward, I don't know exactly what you were about to do, but judging by the key on the table and the pathetic way Roy looks, I'd say you were leaving him. Am I right?"

Ed slowly nodded a response. He was suddenly very interested in everything she had to say.

"Don't do it. He loves you more than you can imagine and he didn't do anything wrong the other night. Quite the contrary, you are all he thinks about. No matter how hard I tried to provoke him, and he was very drunk mind you, he pushed me away. I even heard him whispering your name when I tried to…well, you know. I'm sorry Ed, I never should have taken advantage of the situation the way I did," she said compassionately. As she spoke, she saw Ed's eyes well up with tears and his lower lip start to tremble. She realized she really had done a horrible thing, to try to come between them the way she had. "You should be grateful for what Roy did for the two of you. If it weren't for him acting so quickly and decisively, you'd both be facing an investigation right now. Roy's career would be on the line. Where would you be then?" she added staunchly as she once again placed her hands on her hips.

Ed's heart was beating so fast he felt a bit faint. He shifted his gaze to Roy who was now sitting back on the couch, hunched over, still looking pathetic. Suddenly, Ed broke free from his brother's grasp, jerked forward and leapt over the coffee table to get at Roy. He landed with his knees squarely straddling Roy's hips. To everyone else in the room he was only a blur. He hastily wrapped his arms around Roy's shoulders and forcefully pulled his lover in close to him. At the moment, he didn't care if Riza and Al were standing right there, he had to show Roy how much he loved him right now. He pressed his lips against Roy's cheek and kissed him passionately over and over again while tears left wet traces down his face. "Roy…oh Roy…" he said softly in-between each kiss.

Roy felt what was happening, but it took a moment for it to register before he hugged Edward tightly and began to return his lover's increasingly heated kisses.

Al immediately turned around to keep from watching them and shuddered, "Eeesh!" he exclaimed rather loudly.

Riza stood her ground and watched, stunned and strangely intrigued, for a moment. "Oh my," she said softly. Then she felt Al's hand grab her arm and start to drag her toward the front door. She couldn't help but continue to glance behind her as often as possible at the spectacle of the two men kissing on the couch. Then she smiled smugly as she was towed out the front door.

Once outside, Al walked side by side with Riza to her waiting car. "I'm glad that's over," he said as he sighed.

"Yes, it was a really good thing you came to get me, Al. I was being so selfish; I guess I just didn't understand how much they really do love each other. I did learn a lot through all of this though. Roy may be a great guy, but he's not really my type after all. He and Edward do make a really cute couple, don't they?" she stated with a wicked grin.

"I, uh, would rather not think about that," Al replied somewhat fearfully. He slid into the front seat of Riza's car, waited for her to start the engine, and settled in as they drove down Roy's street.

-O-

Ed vaguely heard the door close and the instant it did, he lifted up slightly and pressed his hips into Roy's stomach. He was on fire and hard already. He moaned urgently into Roy's mouth as he drove his tongue between his lover's teeth. His hands began to frantically roam down under Roy's military jacket and practically tore the elder man's dress shirt as he pulled it out of his pants. Ed's flesh palm found skin and he rubbed persistently on Roy's lean body. He thrust himself into Roy over and over as he ached to feel pressure on his throbbing erection. "Roy…" he moaned softly. He couldn't believe a few minutes ago he'd been ready to completely break off their ties. The thought only increased the intensity of his desire now.

Roy tasted his lover and felt his hands roaming deliciously all over his chest. It was sweeter than words could convey to have him now; after everything that had happened, after almost loosing him forever. He pulled Ed into him as the blonde thrust his hips. His own firmness ached for attention as Ed ground down repeatedly on him and ravaged him. "Ed…slow…down," Roy said as he kissed his lover hungrily on his neck. He pulled away and did his best to slow Ed's movement; he wanted to take him into the bedroom. Ed only slowed a little. Roy sat as far forward as he could until he had them both at the edge of the couch, then he grunted as he strained to lean forward in order to stand. He held Edward the way a mother would hold a child, with Ed's legs wrapped around his waist. He could feel Ed clinging to him while the blonde maintained the heated kisses and sucked deliciously on his neck. Even while Roy walked a little precariously into the bedroom, Edward continued to rock his hips into Roy's abdomen. Roy turned his head to catch a glimpse of Edward's face, "Maybe we should break up more often," he teased.

"Mmm," was all Ed could reply; his mouth was full of his lover's soft white skin and he wasn't about to give that up for such a stupid comment.

Roy carried Edward to the foot of the bed and hesitated while he tried to figure out how to get them both on the bed. "Ed, let go for a minute," he requested gently.

"No," Ed replied hastily.

"Come on, don't you want to get in the bed?" Roy asked, a little confused.

Ed lifted his head finally and gazed directly into Roy's eyes, "No. I am never letting you go again," he stated very seriously.

"Well, good then, I guess, but you're really kind of heavy, for being so small," Roy replied with a smug grin.

Ed gasped and dropped his legs to the ground but kept his arms around Roy's neck. The action made Roy bend over slightly. "You bastard! Who are you saying is so small they…" Ed's angry outburst was stifled as Roy's mouth pressed down hard on his lips. Then Ed felt himself being pushed slowly but firmly backward and landed on the soft covers of Roy's bed. Roy came down gently on top of him. He surrendered his anger as he hungrily returned his lover's urgent kisses.

"I love it when you're angry," Roy said huskily as he broke away for a moment. Then he returned to Ed's insistent kisses as he allowed his hands to roam down to his lover's belt. He quickly unbuckled it and slid it open. After rapidly licking his palm, his hand shoved its way in between cotton and skin to rest on Ed's length. He moved his hand up and down, stroking the engorgement with a firm and steady pace. He felt Ed wriggle beneath him and push into his hand movements. Ed's sharp moans vibrated softly against his lips.

Ed felt his member grow sensitive quickly, it wouldn't take much for him to reach his climax today, not that it ever did. But after all they'd been through together; he craved the reconnection this act had to offer. "Roy…uh, get undressed…hurry," he requested urgently. He didn't want Roy to make him loose control already. He needed a complete consummation of their relationship. He felt the familiar tension build dangerously as Roy disregarded his request and continued to stroke him. "Roy!" he whined, but his lover continued the assault on his body. Roy's lips were sucking at the nape of his neck and sent chills through his spine to mingle with the growing desire in his groin. Then the sensation almost overwhelmed him, he jerked his hips back and forcefully shoved Roy away.

"What?" Roy asked, irritated, as he looked down at his panting lover.

"Damn you, I almost came," he said through heavy breathing. His expression held the craving from the climax that almost was.

"Shit Ed, already?" Roy asked.

Ed felt a little embarrassed, "Well, it's been…43 and a half hours, which is way too long!" he explained.

Roy grinned wickedly, "I'm not so sure it has anything to do with how long it's been, I think maybe I'm just too sexy for you," he teased.

Ed rolled his eyes and let out a sharp gasp of disgust. "Just get your damn clothes off already!" he demanded.

Roy smiled wryly as he obliged Edward's demands. He climbed up on his knees next to Edward on the bed, unfastened and removed his jacket. All the while, he kept his gaze locked on to Eds. He watched his lover seductively lick his lips as he purposely unbuttoned and removed his dress shirt. Edward's eyes roamed Roy's pale toned chest as Roy began to unfasten his trousers. Roy suddenly stopped what he was doing and glanced back at Edward again. His lover was obviously enjoying the show. "Like what you see?" Roy asked seductively. He watched Ed reach between his own legs and press down onto himself before he answered.

Ed's eyes closed briefly as the pressure from his hand shot a pulse of intense pleasure through his body. He moaned softly before he replied, "What do you think?" His voice was almost gravelly with arousal.

Roy grinned and bent down over Ed on outstretched arms, his hands on either side of Ed's face. "Better watch it, I wouldn't want you to go off without me," he teased.

Ed's brow tensed with craving for the man perched half naked above him, "You better hurry up then," he answered softly as he ran his palm down his hardness over his pants. His eyes closed again and he bit his lower lip sensually; then released it.

"Damn Ed, maybe you're too sexy for me," Roy teased as he bent his elbows to bring his lips to his lovers. He gave Ed a brief but very wet kiss before he sat back up and quickly removed his remaining clothing.

Edward started to undress himself and got to the point of removing his pants when he felt Roy's hands cover his own at his zipper. Roy looked at Ed with pure lust as he pulled down the black leather pants with his boxers and removed them. He threw the clothing onto the floor with the rest of their garments and immediately climbed on top of Edward. There bodies began to dance in a slow rhythm as they rocked their hips and kissed each other hungrily.

Roy brought his hand up to Edward's face and lightly brushed the back of it across his lover's cheek. He was suddenly very aware of the fact he'd almost never been able to do this again. He broke their kiss and lifted his head slightly to look directly into Ed's eyes. He saw Ed peering back at him with a confused expression lacing his features. "Ed, I can't believe I almost lost you," he admitted as his eyes darted between Ed's amber orbs. The emotion of that moment came rushing back to him. His vision started to blur as tears welled in his eyes.

Ed watched in fascination as his lover began to relive those awful moments when they'd been at such odds. "Don't Roy, it's over. I'm not going anywhere, ever, I promise," he told the elder man tenderly. Ed put his flesh hand to Roy's face and rested it against his cheek. "Truthfully, I don't know if I really could have walked out your door, I'm just so…in love with you," he confessed.

"Well, thank God for that," Roy stated as he regained control over his emotions. Roy leaned down again and gave his lover a tender, lingering kiss. The moment was intimate in a way beyond the physical. Each man gazed lovingly into the other's eyes as they kissed, refusing to shut the other one out. Roy lifted his head up again and just looked at his beautiful lover below him. He lost himself in the amber irises that had always revealed Ed's feelings. He saw everything he ever wanted. He saw total forgiveness wrapped in adoration for him, Roy Mustang. No one had ever loved him so completely, he thought, and he reveled in it.

Ed watched the changing expressions on Roy's face, as his lover seemed to study him. He wanted to get inside his head for a moment, to see what lay behind the dark exotic eyes. And as he continued to allow Roy to see inside him, he felt himself fade into his lover. Then he was able to see it, the total love Hawkeye, of all people, had told him about. He saw the man who was captivated by him, the one who belonged only to him. He was drawn in, unable to look away. His understanding of his lover grew tremendously in that brief moment. It was almost too much to bear. "Roy…y-your going to make me cry," he confessed suddenly. His eyes filled with tears even as he struggled to hold them back.

Roy smiled, "kind of like a movie again, huh?" he teased gently.

Ed blushed and chuckled faintly, "Yeah, like that," he admitted. "Just kiss me…kiss me and make love to me," he requested softly. He watched as Roy's face came down toward him. Their lips connected and the spark re-ignited. Edward pushed his still aroused member upwards and moaned softly as the motion sent a shockwave of pleasure through him. His breathing quickly became ragged and urgent.

Roy's desire took on a life of it's own as the sweet sensation of friction and skin contacting skin pulsed through him. He was suddenly very aware of an intense urgency building in his groin. He moaned sharply as he ran a hand up Edward's chest to toy with an erect nipple.

Edward arched his back and gasped sharply with the stimulation to his chest. He felt Roy's mouth move to his ear and shuddered as the delicious sensation of Roy's breath and wet tongue contacted his sensitive earlobe. Roy was driving him crazy, he'd already been so close and his climax was building again rapidly. "Roy, come on," he whimpered. He wanted to feel Roy inside him, he yearned to unleash the pent up frustration.

Roy smiled smugly. He knew exactly what he was doing to his young lover. This time, he thought, he was going to hear Ed scream, and not from cockroaches under a bed. He slowly reached over and grabbed the massage oil, then returned to Ed. He slathered the slick fluid over his fingertips and tilted his body to the side. He watched Edward as he dipped his fingers down into the crevice between Ed's legs. As he circled Ed's entrance he watched Ed's eyes close and his brow tense. Ed's mouth opened, but no sound came out at first, then a sharp moan escaped him. Roy covered his mouth on Edward's and thrust his tongue inside his lover. He flicked at Edwards tongue, gently teasing it, while he pushed his fingers into him. Ed pulled away from him when he found the sweet spot inside. Ed's eyes were shut tightly and he bit his lower lip.

"Roy…it feels…so good," he stammered between heavy breaths. "Put…put it in, please," he implored.

Watching Ed's reaction fueled Roy's own desire and sent him over the edge. He couldn't hold out now even if he wanted to. He climbed on top of Edward and quickly pressed his erection to his lover's entrance. Ed's legs spread out around him and then lifted to wrap around Roy's behind. He felt Ed try to shimmy lower, try to force Roy to comply. Roy pushed his forehead into the pillow above Ed's shoulder and slowly drove into him. He gasped sharply as hot slick pressure enveloped his member. He pulled out and drove back in, faster this time, as his body started to shake. Roy clenched his teeth suddenly and remembered Ed's comment about doing just that. Damn, he thought, maybe he'd be the one to scream this time.

Ed positioned his hips so Roy hit the sensitive spot inside him. Pulses of pure raw pleasure shot through him each time Roy withdrew and then thrust back inside him. It was all Ed could do to hold on to his lover. He knew he was digging his fingers into Roy's back, but he couldn't stop himself. Then he felt Roy's hand plunge down between them as he arched upward and stroked Edward's throbbing erection. After the first stroke, Ed felt the tension swell. A few more strokes and thrusts from Roy and Ed's climax came rushing forth. He spilled hot fluid onto Roy's hand and his own chest as the spasms pulsed relentlessly through him. His teeth clenched tightly. As his moans grew with each wave of his release, he was unable to hold back. He became vaguely aware of his voice filling the room with loud animalistic screams.

Roy would have smiled in satisfaction if he weren't also at the brink. Instead, his toes curled and he twisted his fingers around loose strands of Ed's hair. His body became rigid as he joined his lover and surrendered to delicious contractions. He felt his seed pour into Edward as intense surges dashed through every nerve ending in his body. He gasped sharply and joined his lover in a chorus of a climax-induced melody.

"Oh God, Roy, that was incredible," Edward said as he lay panting and spent under his lover.

"I made you scream," Roy replied in a daze with a faint smile.

Ed chuckled once, "Yeah, hope the neighbors didn't hear." He'd been lying with his arms and legs sprawled out, but he suddenly wrapped himself around Roy.

Roy felt Edwards urgent hold on him and he pulled his arms in around his lover to return it. "Ed, are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

"I just…I just don't want to let you go," Ed admitted softly.

"I don't want you to, believe me," Roy replied with conviction.