Take It All Away

Chapter 18: Stormy Nights

Little did Alphonse know that his wish would be granted. No less than an hour after the trio had finished their dinner, the heavens seemed to open up and release their wrath on the land of Ametris. The rain flooded the streets in only a matter of minutes, making traveling impossible. It hailed on and off and the lightening was relentless. Thunder shook the mansion at regular intervals while the wind howled continuously outside of the windows.

Needless to say, the Elrics were stranded at the General's house until the storm let up.

When ten o'clock rolled around and the storm still showed no signs of calming, Roy had insisted that the brothers stay the night. Alphonse hadn't been surprised when his brother readily agreed.

Al was now standing inside one of the many guest rooms in the Mustang manor. The room was far larger than any Al had previously been given the pleasure of staying, yet the haunting familiarity of the room pained the youngest Elric more than he'd like to admit. The room's decorations reminded Al of his own room back home.

The walls were covered in a warm brown paint, the color closely resembling that of freshly cut hay, with pine furnishings and accents spread throughout the room. A border roughly five inches wide stretched across the middle of each wall, the border depicting wild horses roaming freely across grassy plains. A twin sized western bed was the placed against the far wall with a hand sewn quilt stretched across the mattress.

The room reminded Al of the source of the Mustang family's wealth; horse breeding.

The Mustangs had always been known for their ability to breed the finest horses in Ametris. Generations of the family had spent their lives working on their many ranches, but the family's tradition had been broken by the only son of Reginald Mustang.

From the time the boy could walk, the heir of the Mustang legacy had shown little interest in his family's business. Instead the boy was fascinated with the military and had decided to join their ranks at the age of 16.

The Mustangs had been outraged by their son's disregard for his responsibility as the sole heir to the Mustang fortune and had refused to support his decision. To Reginald Mustang and his wife, their son was nothing more than an ignorant child with his head in the clouds. Despite their attempts to reason with the boy, he refused to be swayed and remained a member of the military.

By the time the Mustang heir was 18 his achievements both as an alchemist and as a soldier were recognized by all of Ametris. He was promoted to the position of a State Alchemist at the age of 19, rising to a Colonel at 22 years old. Yet despite all of the boy's outstanding achievements, his family refused to recognize him as their son.

Reginald Mustang fell ill during the winter of 1909 and passed away the following summer. His wife, Johanna, disappeared shortly after her husband's death, and the Mustang fortune fell to the only known survivor of the once great family- General Roy Mustang, The Flame Alchemist.

Alphonse had learned of the General's past during the days he had spent most of his time in the library, prior to Roy's awakening. Although Al had only stumbled across the information by chance, he could not suppress the feeling that he was invading the General's privacy. He was dying to ask the General if what he had read was really true, but Al lacked the courage to bring up such a delicate subject around the General.

Al was startled from his thoughts when a soft knock sounded on the still-open bedroom door. He looked up to see the very man in question standing in the doorway, holding Ed's sleeping form in his arms bridle-style.

"Is everything alright, Alphonse?" Roy questioned softly, remaining in the doorway.

Al forced his voice to sound carefree and he found that for once he was glad for his lack of ability to show expression. "Of course, General Mustang. The room's great!"

A sour looked briefly crossed Roy's features, reminding Al of his previous thoughts, but the look was gone as quickly as it had come. "I have no doubt of that, but it's not the room I'm concerned about."

Al would have smiled ruefully had he been able to. "I'm fine, General Mustang. Honestly."

"Roy."

Alphonse blinked. "N-nani?"

"If I'm going to be...er..." Roy faltered as he appeared to search for the right word. "...seeing your brother," Al inwardly grinned at the General's blush. "-then I would ask you to call me Roy."

Al nodded, none too ignorant to the raven haired man's unease. "I think I'd like that."

Ed chose that moment to make his presence known by shifting in Roy's hold and tightening his arms around his General's neck. He sighed happily when he found a position he deemed comfortable, muttering "sexy bastard" as he buried his face in Roy's neck, loud enough for even Al to hear.

Roy's face flushed bright red at the sleeping teen's words. He valiantly fought to keep his face void of expression, but he failed miserably when the blonde continued to nuzzle his neck. His blush turned into an indignant scowl when the youngest Elric broke into peals of laughter.

Roy made a show of ignoring Alphonse as he moved across the room and carefully deposited the blonde on a couch on the wall opposite the bed. It took a fair bit of maneuvering, but Roy managed to successfully detach the blonde alchemist from his neck and free himself. He straightened as the blonde rolled away from him, his body now facing the wall, and continued to slumber peacefully. Roy shook his head and fought back a grin.

Roy sat on the edge of Alphonse's bed and motioned for the boy to do the same. It did not go unnoticed to Alphonse that the General had gone into "Fuhrer Mode", judging by the way his eyes had narrowed and his jaw had a determined set to it. Al felt dread pool in the pit of his stomach as he hesitantly obeyed.

"It has come to my attention, Alphonse, that amidst all that has recently occurred, you and I have never been given a chance to truly talk."

Al tilted his head in confusion. "About what, Gen-" Al paused at the look he received from the older man. "Er...I mean...Roy?"

Roy's lips turned upwards slightly in clear amusement. "Concerning my intentions with your brother."

Al promptly blushed.

"I know that a relationship between two men is still frowned on by most people, but I am serious about your brother. Edward has become an important, no an essential part of my life and I don't want to lose that. I have never had anyone I could truly call family before, but I think I've finally found that with you and your brother, Alphonse." Roy gave a small smile. "Edward...he accepts me for who I am, faults and all, without question." A self conscious laugh escaped the General's mouth. "I sound like such a sap." He ran a shaky hand through his hair, and for the first time Alphonse realized just how much it must be costing the General to spill his heart out to him.

"Roy." Al cut in gently, reaching out and putting a hand on the General's shoulder. Anxious onyx eyes raised to meet his, and Alphonse fought to keep any embarrassment from his voice and simply speak from his heart. "After your battle with Scar, I wasn't sure if Edward would ever be the same. He seemed so...broken." The General flinched at Al's words. "I thought Ed would never be the same, and I would be lying if I said a part of me didn't resent you for hurting my brother like that. Our life has been anything but easy since the day in Resembool when we lost everything. Brother always tries to appear strong so not to make anyone worry, but I know there are times when the burden he bears becomes too much for him. I just wish he would let me help..." Al's voice trailed sadly, but he shook his head and continued.

"I was forced to watch a change slowly come over my brother. His eyes become distant and sincere smiles became a long forgotten memory." Al finally raised his eyes to meet those of the General. "But when you woke up and began to spend more and more time with Edward, there were slowly evident changes in both of you. Ed began to smile again and you slowly began to open up. I would be a fool not to realize how good for each other you two are." Alphonse rose to his feet and turned to face the General, bending at the waist in a deep bow. "Thank you for giving me my brother back, General Mustang."

Roy silently rose from the bed and closed the distance between himself and the suit of armor. Al's eyes widened slightly in fear of having said too much. He needn't have worried though, because only a moment later he felt strong arms embracing him as tightly as possible in his current form. His voice trembled as he returned the hug, careful not to hurt the man that was becoming so dear to both Elric brothers. "Thank you, Roy."

On the couch at the side of the room and unseen by the other two occupants, golden eyes slid shut once more as a lone tear slid down to rest on the velvet surface. Slowly the blonde young man truly succumbed to the call of oblivion, resting deeply and completely for the first time in as long as he could remember.

R-2-F

The next day dawned without a cloud in the sky. The fury of the night before was evidenced only by the skeletal branches which littered the ground and the still puddles rimmed with frost in the cold morning air. The violence of the night seemed as if nothing but a distant dream as the sky slowly lightened..

Inside the manor only a single soul was awake to witness the sun as it rose in the eastern sky, and he was currently slaving away in the kitchen. The seven foot suit of armor had risen with the sun and had decided to make breakfast for his host and brother. His mood was better today than it had been for longer than he cared to recall, and Alphonse Elric felt the need to put all of his energy into something productive, so he had helped himself to the General's kitchen and begun fixing breakfast for the still sleeping couple.

With breakfast preparations done, all that was left was to wake said couple.

Alphonse made his way to the General's bedroom with relative ease. He'd only gotten lost once on his journey thanks to the map Roy had supplied him with. It seemed that it wasn't an uncommon occurrence for someone to become lost in the great manor, despite it's single story. Alphonse was greatful that the manor was only one story though; he couldn't imagine how lost he would be if he had to contend with stairs , and frankly, he didn't want to.

He knocked on the door for decency's sake and waited a moment before poking his head into the room. "Anyone awake?" He called softly in a final attempt to save anyone any embarrassment. When there was no answer he opened the door fully and surveyed the dimly lit room.

The room was exactly as Al had imagined it; huge.

The room was twice the size of the room Alphonse had stayed in, with a large bay window on the east wall. The room was done in a deep blue paint and wood flooring. The walls were for the most part sparse, with only the occasional photo or medal serving as decoration. On the wall opposite the door was a simple king sized bed. Curled in the middle of the bed were the very two men Al was seeking, and he inwardly smiled at the sight.

Roy was laying on his back with an arm draped across his eyes to shut out any stray beams of light while his other arm held Edward tightly against his side. Ed's arm was thrown lazily across Roy's hips and his head was tucked securely underneath the raven haired alchemist's chin. The couple's feet were peeking out from beneath the covers enough for Al to see that they were tangled together, leaving virtually no part of the pair's bodies separated. As Al watched, Roy's arm fell away from his eyes, instead dropping to the side and his hand tangling itself in Edward's loose hair.

Al grinned impishly as he snuck closer, making sure to keep the clanking of his armor to a minimum. He stopped at the foot of the bed and eyed the couple a moment longer before raising his hands and bringing them together with a loud clang.

Both of the men in the bed jumped at the loud noise. Ed accidentally head-butted Roy's chin, eliciting a pained groan from the older alchemist as they both struggled to sit up. Roy rubbed his abused chin as he turned accusing eyes to Alphonse. Ed broke in before Roy could even say a word.

"What the hell was that for, Al?" Ed demanded, glaring daggers at his younger brother.

Had Al been able to, both men would have swore the boy smirked.

"It's nearly time for work and you both are still in bed cuddling." Al chided, though there was no missing the mirth in his voice. "You need to get washed up and ready for work. Breakfast is ready in the kitchen."

Roy arched an eyebrow, not use to Al's mother henning. "You made breakfast?"

Al nodded proudly. "Yep! And if you two don't hurry up, it'll get cold." He turned on his heel and practically skipped back out the door. He'd only been gone a moment before he returned, giving them a sheepish look and closing the door he had forgotten to shut on his way out.

Roy was still staring at the spot Al had been standing in with an utterly baffled expression.

Ed took one look at Roy and laughed. "He's usually like this in the mornings." He explained, watching with unmasked appreciation as Roy made his way across the room in only a pair of pajama pants.

"Unlike like his older brother?" Roy shot the blonde a smirk over his shoulder. He effortlessly caught the shirt that was aimed at his head and arched his eyebrow. "I'll take that as a yes."

Ed kicked back the covers and stalked over to the General to retrieve his shirt, eyes narrowed dangerously. He yanked it from the raven haired man's grasp, glaring for all he was worth at the other man. "Bastard."

Roy pouted. "I've been demoted from 'sexy bastard'?" He delighted in the blonde's answering blush.

Any retort the blonde might have had was muffled by Roy's lips claiming his in a lazy kiss. Ed moaned into Roy's mouth and slid his arms around the General's neck, threading his fingers in raven locks of hair. He felt Roy's tongue sweep across his lower lip and gasped into the kiss, his knees nearly buckling as the General's tongue began exploring his mouth. He whimpered in protest when Roy pulled back, going on his tip toes and trying to recapture that sinfully talented mouth with his own.

After a few more shared kisses the two broke apart, both pleasantly flushed and short of breath.

"Good morning, Edward." Roy whispered, his lips still close enough to brush against Ed's as he spoke.

Ed pulled back and grinned at Roy. "Yeah...it is."

R-2-F

By some miracle Ed and Roy managed to arrive to work on time. The pair had been stopped countless times in the hallways by Roy's numerous subordinates. Ed realized with a start just how high ranking Roy really was. While Ed knew full well that Roy was now the Brigadier General, seeing just a glimpse of how many people reported to the raven haired alchemist had been a surprise awakening. The man really had climbed his way through the ranks. The only role that was left for him to conquer was Fuhrer itself.

The pair entered the office to find it's only occupant was Riza. Roy looked around in confusion. "Where's Havoc?"

Riza glanced up from her stack of papers, which appeared to be twice as large as usual, before returning to her work. "He mentioned something about new orders from the Fuhrer."

Roy nodded and discreetly brushed his hand against the small of Ed's back before he disappeared into his office.

Ed blushed and moved to his own desk, sitting down in his chair with a heavy 'thud'. He hadn't even reached for the files on his desk when a very disheveled Feury entered the room, a folder tucked securely beneath his arm.

"Urgent news for Brigadier General Mustang."

Riza nodded and rose from her seat. "Follow me." She glanced at Edward before she led the officer to Roy's office door, pausing to knock once on the door before pushing it open. She closed the behind Feury and returned to her place at her desk.

R-2-F

Roy looked up from the piles of papers on his desk, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the Sergeant. He rose from his chair and answered Feury's salute with one of his own. "At ease, Sergeant."

"Thank you sir." Feury replied, crossing the room and offering Roy a folder. "The report from Lior."

Roy's eyes hardened as he took the offered folder. "The findings?"

"I think it would be best for you to read them yourself, General."

Roy eyed Feury warily for a moment before opening the folder with a flick of his thumb. His dark eyes scanned the page with practiced speed before narrowing dangerously. He dropped the folder to his desk, his eyes never leaving the evidence before him.

"Is there any indication what happened to the town?"

Feury shook his head sadly. "There were signs of alchemical activity, but nothing more." He raised his eyes and met those of the General. "There's nothing left in that city to indicate that Lior ever housed any form of life. Everything...there's nothing left."

Roy's eyes hardened and he turned to gaze out the window behind his desk. "You're telling me there are no leads? No witnesses, no suspicious people seen traveling to the city before the disappearances?"

Feury shook his head. "No, sir. Not that we have found."

Roy turned to the Sergeant, his eyes determined. "Then I suggest you find a lead, Sergeant."

Feury took a step back at the look he received from the General. "O-of course sir. I'll do my best."

Roy turned back to the window, his hands fisting at his sides. "We'll just hope your best is good enough, Sergeant."

R-2-F

Bradley was on the phone with the Major stationed in Xing when his assistant appeared at his office door.

"Yes, Ms. Douglass, what is it?" He inquired gruffly, his hand covering the receiver of the phone.

"He's here."

Bradley nodded in understanding. "Send him in. I was just finishing here."

"Very well, Sir." Juliet responded, turning and leaving as quietly as she had appeared.

Bradley had only just gotten off of the phone with the Major when his office door was opened yet again, only this time it was not Ms. Douglass that entered his room.

"Late as always."

The newcomer grinned. "Am I ever not?"

Bradley chose to ignore the man's comment. "Is everything in order?"

The visitor sat casually in the seat in front of the Fuhrer's desk, the epitome of nonchallance. "Everything's been taken care of on my end. Just give me the word."

Bradley allowed a small smirk. "Very good. We'll be starting things a bit earlier than I had planned, but it cannot be helped. The General is proving to be more of a nuisance than I had originally expected. I want him out of the picture as soon as possible."

The other man nodded. "Understood. So we begin, do we?"

Bradley nodded once again. "Inform the others of the change in plan."

For the first time since he'd entered the room, the visitor showed a flicker of doubt. "Are you sure they'll be okay with that?"

Bradley propped his elbows on the desk and laced his fingers together in order to hide his sneer. "What does it matter? They are only pawns, after all."

The visitor had nothing to say to that and chose that as his cue to leave. "I'll inform them of the changes."

Bradley watched the man's retreating back, doing nothing to hide his sneer.

R-2-F

Author's Note: Wow, another chapter in less than a week! I thought I would spoil you guys for Easter and what not, so here it is!

I appologize for any typos. I'm on my sister's laptop and her system has a very out of date spellcheck. It doesn't even recognize contractions...but I appologize for any errors!

My beta insisted that I add something in this author's note about my brainstorming habits. Apparently I'm very scary when I brainstorm...I'm was over at her house and I started pacing the kitchen and talking (quite animatedly) with myself. At first she thought I was on the phone, but then she realized I was having a one sided conversation and put two and two together... But I'd like to announce that I have ironed out most of the kinks in this story. If all goes according to plan, you guys are going to be in for one hell of a ride!

Until next time!

R2F