Take It All Away

Chapter 15: Celebrations

Alright, before I begin this chapter I'd like to clear up a few issues. The first order of business is mentioned in the last chapter, concerning Ed and Roy's debate over alchemy. I understand that Ed's knowledge on the subject far exceeds that of most alchemists, but I chose to play into the idea that Roy knows far more than he lets on. Ed spent most of his childhood trying to figure out how to bring his mother back, and then the majority of his teens trying to regain his and Al's bodies. By doing so their main area of focus was on human transmutations and the Philosopher's Stone. While the brothers know plenty concerning basic alchemy, it is my belief that Roy would know more about more common alchemy. Roy also studied up on human transmutation following his days in the Ishbal war, and he would know much more about the effects of the stone than either brother, seeing as he used an unfinished stone during the Rebellion. If this still does not make sense to you, then I'll simply ask you to recall my warnings in earlier chapters: Facts in this fiction may not coincide with that found in the anime, that is simply how they are in this story.

This brings us to the second order of business, the celebration of Christmas. I was unaware that they did not celebrate the holiday when I wrote the chapter, but that doesn't change anything, for this story's purpose, they do now!

Now that all of this is taken care of, let's begin the next chapter, ne?

R-2-F

"It's about time, Fullmetal!" Lieutenant Hawkeye snapped as a whirlwind with blonde hair and a red jacket passed her desk. She made no move to lift her eyes from the papers before her, she already knew who had been racing past her desk. "You're exactly nineteen minutes late."

Ed felt a wave of triumph pass through him at the news. He'd beat Roy's prediction, if only by a minute. At least the raven haired General couldn't gloat about Ed's predictability, at least not for today. The weight of an arm on his shoulder brought Ed from his thoughts of victory.

"Roy-boy keep you up all night?" Havoc inquired cheekily, using the blonde's shoulder as an arm rest. His trademark cigarette dangled from between his lips, though it remained unlit so not to invoke the wrath of the gun-toting First Lieutenant. He watched in clear amusement as the blonde turned an intriguing color that was somewhere between red and purple.

"Havoc-!"

"Lieutenant." Riza warned, using her best scolding tone. She had yet to look up from her paperwork.

Havoc deflated following the First Lieutenant's warning, looking quite put out. Riza always knew how to silence the man with a single word. It was a skill Ed admired in times like this.

"Thanks, Hawkeye."

"Not a problem, Fullmetal."

Ed shrugged the older man' s arm off as he turned to his desk-yes, Fullmetal now owned a desk- to eye the pile of paperwork on his desk. His gold eyes narrowed when he noticed how meager the stack was compared to the tower that he'd been given the day before. He turned to Hawkeye to give her a quizzical look. "Lieutenant Hawkeye, is this it?" He inquired carefully, gesturing to the small stack on the corner of his desk.

For the first time since Ed had arrived at the office, Riza glanced up from her paperwork. "I believe so." She replied absentmindedly before returning to filing the paperwork before her.

"You sure?" Ed pressed, looking doubtfully at the meager pile. "There's barely enough here to take up an hour."

Riza sighed irritably and slammed a folder on her desk, giving the blonde an annoyed glare. "I would have thought you would have appreciated the break, Fullmetal, given how hard you have been working as of late. However, if you continue to complain I will be more than happy to add to your work."

"You can have some of mine, if ya'd like, Eddie." Havoc added cheekily. He was rewarded with a glare from both of his superiors. "What?" He inquired innocently. "I was only offerin'."

"If you would be as busy working as you are being generous, then that pile of paperwork would already be finished." Hawkeye retorted. Havoc chose not to reply.

Ed shook his head and sat down in the chair behind his desk, leaning back and propping his feet on the desk. Once he deemed himself comfortable enough he began to scan through the paperwork, signing the necessary documents and proofing reports. He heard Havoc sit down to do the same and within a few minutes silence fell over the office, broken only by the occasional rustle of paper or creak of a chair.

After about thirty minutes the phone rang. Havoc was the first to answer it, much to Hawkeye's dismay. The other two occupants of the office listened with half an ear to Havoc's end of the conversation.

"Hell-lo, Second Lieutenant Havoc." Havoc greeted lazily, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet on his desk, mirroring Edward's position. "Of course. What do you need?" A pause. "Not a problem….will do. See ya in five." Havoc hung up the phone and stood, pulling his uniform jacket on but not bothering to button it up. "I'm taking my lunch." He informed the other two as he snuffed out his cigarette, only to realize after doing so that it was never lit to begin with.

Ed arched an eyebrow. "At ten in the morning?" He inquired skeptically. He glanced over at Riza to see the Lieutenant wearing a similar look of suspicion.

"I missed breakfast." Jean offered half heartedly before giving Riza a secretive wink. Riza studied the blonde for a moment before nodding her consent, surprising the on looking alchemist. Havoc leaned across Hawkeye's desk to give her a quick peck on the lips. "Thanks babe." He grinned before hurrying out the door to avoid any consequential gunshots from the blonde woman.

Ed shook his head, not even flinching when the remaining Lieutenant fired off two rounds at Havoc's retreating back. The sound of Jean's laughter echoed throughout the halls until he was well out of hearing, and aiming distance. It looked like today was going to be another typical day at the office.

R-2-F

Havoc returned to the office around two that afternoon, earning a scolding from Hawkeye and another date with her gun. By the time he'd returned Ed had already completed both men's share of paperwork and helped Riza finish the filing. Havoc had the grace to look apologetic when he realized this, but he still refused to give any explanation for his absence.

Hawkeye seemed uncharacteristically excepting of Jean playing hooky for the better part of the day. Even when she drew her gun, she only used half of a clip on the blonde instead of her usual two or three. Edward was beginning to grow worried. Maybe the couple had a fight or something…?

"Oi, Eddie. You still with us?" Havoc inquired teasingly, waving a hand in front of Ed's face. His hand was swatted away by the blonde alchemist, but at least he'd successfully gained Ed's attention. "Riza and I are gonna go to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat before headin' home. You with us?"

Ed nodded, standing and shrugging on his jacket. "Sure, why not?"

"Excellent." Havoc grinned.

Ed raised an eyebrow at that. "I'm just eating with you guys, no need to get all excited."

Havoc winked. "Of course, Eddie-boy."

R-2-F

"Surprise!"

Ed paused as he entered the cafeteria, blinking in shock at the chaos that surrounded him. Streamers were draped about the cafeteria in every array of colors imaginable and the cafeteria suddenly seemed too small to house the crowd of people that greeted Ed. Judging by the looks of things nearly half of central was crammed into the cafeteria, most of which Ed knew or at least had seen on occasion. Ed's brow furrowed slightly in confusion as his mind went reeling. "What is all of this?" He asked finally.

A sigh from the alchemist's right reminded him of Havoc's presence. Havoc shook his head, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache. "Honestly Eddie, you were too busy to remember your own 18th birthday?"

Edward blinked as realization began to settle in. He'd been so busy with work and Roy that he'd completely lost track of time, but once given the time to think about it, today really was his eighteenth birthday. "Whoa, I can't believe I actually forgot." He muttered, the words directed more at himself than anyone else.

"I told you he had forgotten." A slightly muffled voice piped up. Ed looked up to see Al standing in front of him, his arms crossed and eyes full of mirth. "Honestly brother, you're so predictable."

Ed didn't have time to think about Al's words before he was assaulted by a hurricane of blonde hair. "Happy birthday, Ed!" Winry exclaimed, nearly overbalancing the braided man and sending them both to the floor to kiss the stones. "I can't believe you're already eighteen!"

Ed laughed and hugged the girl back. "Yeah, time's sure flown by, hasn't it?" He agreed, pulling back to scan the crowd. He was shocked to see so many people there. "Are all of these people really here for my birthday?" He questioned, awestruck.

"Yes, Fullmetal." Hawkeye affirmed from her place next to Havoc. "Actually, it was Jean's idea." Hawkeye paused to give the blonde Lieutenant's hand a light squeeze in a rare display of affection.

Ed's smile widened. "Is that why you were gone so long this morning?"

Havoc nodded, draping his arm around Hawkeye's shoulders. "Caught me red handed, Eddie." He admitted, pulling Riza closer to him and placing a kiss on top of her head, earning a reprimanding glare for the public display of affection. "Riza helped out too, though."

Hawkeye managed to turn her answering blush into what she hoped was a intimidating scowl. "Such matters are irrelevant, Second Lieutenant Havoc. Now if you'd so kindly turn your attention back to the matter at hand, I believe we have a birthday to celebrate, isn't that right, Fullmetal?"

Ed laughed, rubbing the back of his neck to fight down a blush of his own at all of the attention. "Whatever you say, Hawkeye--but how many times do I have to tell you, It's Ed, at least outside of the office."

Hawkeye's glower lessened ever so slightly. "Of course, Ed. But in return I'd rather you call me Riza--outside of the office of course." She added as an afterthought. This earned the braided alchemist's laughter.

"Sure thing, Riza." He agreed, flashing a genuine smile at the two. "But seriously, you guys…" He paused to look meaningfully at Riza and Jean. "Thanks."

Alphonse chose that moment to clear his throat.

Ed turned, his grin widening when he saw what his brother was holding in his hands. "Is that what I think it is?" He questioned excitedly. When Al handed him the leather bound book, Ed was literally jumping up and down. "Holy shit, Al! How'd you find this?" He demanded, flipping through the pages of the thick book with wonder. "I've been looking for this everywhere!"

Al blushed, rubbing the back of his helmet in a gesture similar to what his brother had done just moments before. "I-I thought you might like it, brother."

"Like it, I love it!" Ed exclaimed, jumping up to hook an arm around Al's helmet in an one armed hug. "Thanks, Al!"

"C'mon Eddie, you're making the poor boy blush!" Havoc interjected, laughing good naturedly.

Edward joined in the Lieutenant's laughter and released his brother, chucking Havoc good naturedly on the arm. "And what did you get me, old man?" Ed joked, elbowing Havoc.

Jean grinned. "Well, now that you mention it…I do have a little something for you." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a box, handing it to Ed. His grin was so wide it threatened to split his face in half.

Ed turned the white box over in his hands, his eyes widening. "Y-You're giving me--"

"You're giving him cigarettes!" Riza growled, grabbing Jean's left ear and pulling him down to her level. "Tell me, Jean…do you ever use that grey mass between your ears, or does it merely gather dust!"

"Riza, baby, cut me some slack! It's his official inauguration into manhood!"

"And that involves getting the boy addicted to those cancer sticks, like you?"

"Baby it's not a big deal--"

"It's cool, Riza." Ed cut in, deciding to stop the battle before it became to heated. "It's not like I'm going to use them, anyways." He muttered before giving Jean one of his brightest smiles. "Thanks for the thought, Havoc."

"C'mon Eddie boy, you can call Riza by her given name, but not me?" Jean put on one of his best pouts. "I'm hurt, Eddie."

Ed laughed easily, slumping into a chair that he'd only just noticed. "Alright, thanks Jean." He mended.

Riza stepped forward and held out a box. "For you." She said simply, before stepping back and watching Ed open the box while trying to appear nonchalant. She missed the secretive wink that Jean sent towards Ed.

Ed opened the box, blinking at the sight of the small revolver that was nestled in the tissue paper. "You got me a gun?" He breathed, his eyes lifting to meet Riza's.

Riza blushed, her attempt at nonchalance completely failing. "Every member of the state should carry some form of a firearm. Seeing as you are now 18, I thought it was time that you own a firearm of your own." She paused to gage Ed's reaction. Her blush returned full blown when she saw the blonde's awestruck expression. "It's a Smith & Wesson, very base line. I didn't think you would appreciate a fancy gun to start off with, so I chose the S&W. It's very easy to handle and-"

"Thanks, Riza." Ed broke in, cutting the woman's explanation short. He pulled her into a one armed hug, the gun still clutched in his other hand. The blonde woman hesitated a moment before returning the hug.

"Happy Birthday, Ed."

Ed smiled and released his hold on the Lieutenant, watching fondly as she disappeared into the crowd to find Havoc, who seemed to have disappeared during the exchange. Probably to escape Riza's wrath, Ed thought. The idea caused him to laugh.

"Are you having fun, Ed?" Winry asked, sitting on the arm of Ed's chair. Her cheeks were flushed from the excitement of the party and she looked like she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Yeah." Ed agreed, though he seemed less enthused than he would have liked. The truth of the matter was that he was having fun, he really was. He appreciated all of the effort that went into the party and he couldn't thank everyone enough for all of their work. It was just-

"You wish the General was here, don't you, brother." Al said softly, effectively cutting the blonde's tormented thoughts short. There was no question in his words, it was simply a statement.

Ed huffed, bringing his legs up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. "Feh, who'd miss that bastard?" He muttered, though his words held none of his usual venom.

"Someone mention me?" A voice chimed in, drawing everyone's attention to the entrance.

Roy was dressed in a pair of kaki pants that were slightly too big on him due to his time spent in the hospital and the resulting weight loss, the material hanging low on his hips and giving everyone a view of perfectly sculpted hip bones. He wore one of Jean's black muscle shirts that was slightly too big, along with an unbuttoned dark blue, short sleeved over shirt. His hair was slightly mussed and he looked tired, but it wasn't his fatigue that had everyone shell shocked. Roy was standing.

"My God-" Riza gasped, beginning to push through the crowd to reach her friend. She could see Roy beginning to sway and felt a knot of fear in the pit of her stomach. Before she could reach Roy, however, someone else was already at his side.

Ed caught Roy just as his legs buckled, the General's weight nearly overbalancing them both. "What the hell were you thinking, Roy?" Ed demanded as he carefully helped Mustang to his recently vacated chair. He knelt in front of Roy, instinctively feeling Roy's leg for any swelling. "Did you walk all the way here?"

Roy laughed softly, though his exhaustion was evident. "Couldn't miss your big party, now could I?"

Ed froze, his eyes slowly raising to meet the General's. "You did all of this so you could come to my party?" Ed repeated slowly, his eyes conveying his shock. He was rewarded with one of Roy's trademark smirks, though the General's fatigue only served to make the expression all the more alluring.

"It's your eighteenth birthday, right?" He reached out and ruffled Ed's hair. "I'd really would be a bastard if I missed it."

"But still, you're leg--"

"Will be fine." Roy cut in smoothly. "I'm just a bit tired, is all. No need to worry." He added with a wink.

"You bastard, who said I was worrying?" Ed demanded, his eyes narrowing playfully.

"You're so adorable when you worry, Edward."

"You're gonna think adorable when I--"

"Don't you two start that again!" Riza cut in, giving them both warning looks. "At least pretend to act your age!"

"Yes ma'am." They chorused, both giving the Lieutenant their best 'kicked puppy' looks. "We're sorry."

Riza rolled her eyes and left to go find Havoc again.

Ed and Roy waited until they were sure Riza was out of hearing range before dissolving into fits of laughter. The blonde Lieutenant really was too fun to annoy at times. "I hope Jean can handle her." Ed gasped, still clutching his sides from

Roy nodded his agreement. "It takes guts to date Riza, I'll give him that."

"And even more to marry her." Ed added.

"W-what?"

Ed blinked. "You didn't know?" Another blink. "Oh, of course you don't." Ed amended, blushing slightly when he noticed the General's quirked eyebrow. "Don't look at me like that! It's not my fault you went off and got amnesia and forgot that Jean and Riza are engaged!" He snapped.

"Engaged?" Roy repeated, completely floored. "As in they're going to be married?"

Ed rolled his eyes. "Can you think of any other meaning of the phrase 'they're engaged?'" Ed paused. "Wait, don't answer that."

"Wow…who'd have thought?" Roy breathed, having tuned Ed out. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Took you two long enough." He murmured.

The next hour and a half flew by. Jean insisted that they all play some sort of game and they had ended up spending the better part of an hour being subjected to Jean's insanity. After Riza had managed to cease her fiancé's antics they ate cake and ice cream and Ed opened more gifts from the others. He received some oil for his automail from Winry, a mirror from Armstrong, and a wide range of books from various other people. It was nearing six and the hall was finally cleared out, save for the member's of Mustang's regiment and Ed's close friends.

Roy was up and walking again, though the others refused to allow him to help pick up. Ed's help was also rejected due to the fact that it was his birthday, and so the two men were sitting on one of the benches and watching the others clean up the cafeteria.

"Hey Edward?" Roy asked suddenly, turning his eyes to the blonde that sat in front of him. They were seated next to each other on the bench, but both men straddled the bench in order to be able to talk to each other.

"Yeah?"

"I want you to have this." Roy spoke softly. He removed a necklace from around his neck and held it out to Ed.

Ed reached out and cradled the pendant in his hand, admiring the simple workmanship. The necklace had a silver beaded chain, much like that of military dog tags, and on it hung a simple Celtic cross. His eyes met Roy's questioningly.

"I want you to have it." Roy repeated, this time leaning forward and fastening the chain around the blonde's neck. He leaned back and nodded approvingly. "It suits you."

Ed reached down and took the pendant in his hands, staring at it in fascination. "It's beautiful." He breathed, lightly running a thumb over the small cross. He looked up, a slight frown marring his features. "I didn't know you were religious."

Roy smiled. "I'm not. It's what you might call a good luck charm."

"And you're giving it to me?" Ed clarified, his amazement evident.

"Is it really that unbelievable?" Roy chuckled, before closing Ed's hand over the pendant with one of his own. He leaned close enough that their lips were only a hair's width apart. "Happy Birthday, Edward." He whispered, before gently covering Ed's lips with his own.

R-2-F

Author's Note: Wow, their first kiss! Finally! It took a while in coming, but I like how it turned out. What did you guys think of it?

Wow, the turnout on the last two chapters was amazing! I actually received a review that was well over 500 words long too…I was so excited! I love to hear your feedback, so please leave a review!

I'd like to bring it to everyone's attention that this story is slightly AU, because things are finally beginning to move in the story. Some situations may have actually happened in the anime/manga, others are just my own creations. But don't worry, nothing will be too far fetched (I think?).

And for all of you Saiyuki fans that may have noticed, the gun that Riza gave Edward was Sanzo's gun. I'd ask anyone who likes Saiyuki (the Hakkai x Gojyo pairing) to check out my newest one-shot, Past and Present.

Until next time!

R2F