REJOICE! For the evil A2 exams are finally over (And i've probably bombed the lot)! Now i have nothing to do all summer but write fics. Hooray!! i can finally finish off this and start on one of the others i have planned (see my profile). I can't wait!

Invitation

Roy awoke the next morning to the sound of rummaging and clanking coming from his kitchen. His sleepy mind was only just able to conjure the image of a large suit of talking armour and a tiny blond haired child as he rolled over in his bed to stare blearily at the alarm clock. It's 6am…he moaned in his head. I don't even get up this early for work!

Figuring that any chance of getting back to sleep was effectively ruined by the loud sounds from downstairs, Roy slid himself out of bed and stumbled towards the kitchen. He was halfway down the stairs when his nose caught a delicious aroma. "Is that bacon?" He mumbled.

Walking quicker now, Roy leant into his kitchen to see Alphonse cheerily poking some frying bacon with a spatula, his metal frame literally humming with delight. Roy made a quiet entrance and walked up to the younger boy. "You're up bright and early, Alphonse." He said, trying in vain to sound slightly more awake.

"Oh! Sorry if we woke you Colonel. I'll put some more bacon on for you." Alphonse said happily, piling more rashers of pink into the sizzling frying pan.

"Thank you Al." Roy turned to the table and was surprised to see a comatose Edward sprawled across the wood.

He joined the boy at the table; staring silently at the three plates, his eyes travelling slowly back to his young subordinate. Did they really prepare a meal for two every morning? Golden half-lidded eyes opened and glared at him as if reading his mind before Ed shifted and allowed his chin to rest on the tabletop, eyes staring vacantly at Al's back. Roy sighed and silently wished he could be bothered enough to get himself a cup of coffee.

It seemed that some greater power answered his wish as Alphonse interrupted his thoughts by placing a steaming mug in front of him. "Here you go." The armour beamed. He then placed a second cup in front of Ed's nose before turning back to Roy. "An apology for waking you up so early."

Roy smiled in thanks as Al gently prodded his brother. "Coffee's there, and breakfast's almost done." Ed mumbled something and groaned as he reached a flesh hand out to grasp the mug. He slid it closer and inhaled the steam, then promptly swallowed half the contents. "Hot!" Ed yelled as he recoiled, automail hand instantly on his lips.

"Honestly brother, I thought you would've noticed." Al chuckled, returning to the frying pan. Ed grumbled a reply as he sat back and took a second, more cautious sip. "Mmm…thanks, Al." Alphonse looked back at his brother and shook his head in mock exasperation. Roy smiled at their antics before taking a small sip himself.

As soon as the first drop hit his tongue, the Colonel had to call upon years of practiced indifference as he calmly set the cup back down. He couldn't stop the blood draining from his face though. "You okay, Colonel?" Ed's voice was laced with amusement as Al busied himself with the food.

"Edward."

"Yes?"

"You…drink this?"

"Yep. Why, something wrong?" Ed's tone betrayed the innocent look on his face. The boy knew exactly what was wrong.

"Wrong? Fullmetal, this stuff could strip paint."

"Strong, isn't it?" Ed beamed and Roy glared at the boy. He was used to strong coffee, needed a cup each morning to function, but this stuff? He could swear his tongue was melting. I'll never taste again!

"I'm surprised you haven't been melted into a small puddle yet."

"WHO'RE YOU CALLING - "

"Food's ready!" Al yelled, expertly staving off his older brother's rant. Roy smirked at the blond as Ed rose from his seat with the plates to help Al. Roy was about to offer his help when he realised he wasn't needed. He was almost surprised at the independence of the boys, but remembered that the two of them had almost always been alone since their mother died.

Sometimes, Roy thought, it's sad how grown up they are.

It was then Roy remembered what had happened last night, with Ed's slight fever. "Hey, Ed." He called. The blond boy turned and levelled a flat gaze on his superior officer. Even Al stopped to turn slightly.

Taking that as a go ahead, Roy pointed to Ed's automail shoulder with a sleepy nod. "Is it…better? Or do you need more pills?" There was a surprised expression around his eyes, but Ed kept his face straight. Roy wondered if the boy was surprised he'd asked, or that he'd remembered. "It's fine now. My temperature's been down since dawn." Ed stood there awkwardly for a second, and then turned back to the food. "Finally! I can eat. I need something to wake me up." The boy sighed.

"That coffee didn't wake you up?!" Roy said incredulously, impressed he'd kept his voice from cracking. He was wide-awake from that one sip of the horrendously strong brew, but Ed still needed more?

"Ed stayed up to keep me company last night." Al said, beaming down at his brother.

"Al! Don't tell him that!" Ed's face was slightly flushed with embarrassment as he dropped his plate onto the table. Al made a purr of unhappiness at his brother, putting a plate in front of Roy then sitting down with his own.

Those who were able to eat did so with surprising gusto, and breakfast was over within minutes (Ed again being coerced by Al to eat the second plate). Once again, Al beat Roy to clearing the table, and Roy was delegated to washing the dishes as Ed grabbed his brother and the two boys disappeared outside.

Roy stared vacantly at the two boys as they began to spar, his hands going through the motions of washing. It was interesting that the boy's personalities showed through in their fighting, and he watched with a practiced eye.

Ed, brash and loud, hurled himself at his larger opponent while Alphonse calmly backed away until he found an opening and struck back. It was fun to watch, Roy mused. The Elric brothers were defiantly trained fighters and their moves showed a certain grace that neither boy held in ordinary life. It was a wondrous sight to behold.

He was just finishing up the last plate when the phone began to ring. Roy grumbled as he glanced at the clock. It's only eight! Who else in their right mind is up this early on a Sunday? Quickly drying his hands, Roy ran to pick up the phone. "Colonel Mustang's residence. If this is a call trying to sell me something, be prepared to face a court order for disturbing the peace."

"Roy! You'll never guess!" A distinct voice gushed from the other end. Roy groaned into his hand. It's Hughes…

"Maes, if this is about your daughter, I will hang up."

"You sound jealous." The doting father said seriously. Then the voice perked up. "And you should be! She did the most adorable thing last night-"

"Maes!"

"Oh right, I wanted to see if the boys wanted to join us at the festival today."

"Huh?" Roy said intelligently. Hughes was always a bit confusing in the morning. "You want to take the boys to a carnival?"

"Of course! It's the perfect time for them to act their age for once. They'll enjoy themselves, and they can keep my sweet little Elysia company! You should see her Roy! She's been talking non stop-"

"MAES!"

"Right, right, sorry. Anyway, could you ask them? I guess you could come too if you wanted…"

"Thanks Hughes." Roy deadpanned. A second passed in silence as the slow turning cogs in Roy's head mulled the suggestion over. It would probably do the boys good to do something childish, and he didn't want to pass up the opportunity to compete against Ed in some of the games. "Actually, I think I will. We'll all go."

"Excellent! We'll wait for you at the games then. Don't forget to bring the boys!"

"Yeah yeah, don't worry."

"Oh, and Roy?"

"What?" He sighed. There was still one plate left in the sink and Roy wanted to finish that so he could brew some coffee fit for human consumption.

"The lovely Miss Hawkeye might be there…"

"MAES!!" Roy slammed the phone down and glared daggers at it. The poor thing had scratches all over it from the amount of times he'd hung up on Hughes. Running a hand through his hair, he grunted and turned back to the kitchen to finish up.

The boys were still sparring, Al's moves coming faster than they had been and Ed looked like he was working overtime to block them. The boy's face was almost completely red, though there was a fixed grin on his face as another of Alphonse's punches was successfully parried away.

Roy's attention wandered off the boy's for only a second, his eyes darting to the dish in his hand as it tried to slip through his fingers when the sound of a thud and a yell caught his attention. He glanced up.

Ed was sat on the ground; hands covering his face as a string of thankfully muffled expletives poured from his mouth. Alphonse cowered over his brother, hands shaking as they tried to pry his brother's hands away from his face as Ed twisted away. Roy sighed. He'd better sort the boys out now before the neighbours decided to complain about Ed's loud swearing.

Heh, an ultra long chapter to make up for the month-ish of not updating. I'm taking this off hiatus cause now i can write again! I have direction! I HAVE POST IT NOTES WITH THE PLOT ON THEM! Yay! ALL HAIL THE POST ITS!

Anyways, don't fret readers, Ed's automail problems aren't going to be forgotten...hehehe....MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!

And sorry for any timeline wierdness. I haven't written for this fic in ages and i've kinda forgotten what day they're on. I'm sure its a Sunday for them though...

PS Review! I love hearing from you guys, even if i don't reply (I get scared). So help keep the writing ego going by giving me a review! You know you want to.

Loves, Inuchron