A/N: Oh.My.God. I just read through the end of the fifth HP book again to see how I was doing on events in the HP world, and realized just how much I had forgotten about. So here I sit, trying to think of how to incorporate it into the story. I've already made some small changes (and some larger ones) in previous chapters. So if it's been a while since you read the previous chapters I would suggest doing so again to catch up and see where the changes were. Oh lord, I have no idea what I'm doing… ::grips head in a vice grip:: Not to mention this chapter was written under stress, so I ask you to be kind, please.
I should also note that if you haven't yet done so, it would be wise to go back and read the new bolded A/N posted at the beginning of chapter 1 and the end of chapter 2.
IMPORTANT POLL QUESTION!! Do you think Snape should be a good guy or a bad guy? And what kind? (ex. 'evil bad guy' 'look out for myself bad guy' 'sexually harassing bad guy' 'mentor good guy' 'generic good guy' 'protective good guy' etc…) Just because a majority rules towards one kind or the other doesn't mean it will be used. I'm just looking for advice and inspiration. If you have any detailed ideas, you can pm them to me.
This chapter is dedicated to my 100th reviewer, ATC. It made my day to learn this story had passed into the three digits mark and I'm thrilled to know that you and several others consider my story worth reading, even though it's different from your usual selection. Hopefully I'll continue to earn your readership.
P.s. I don't own FMA or HP. Please don't sue. It's hard enough to pay for college as it is.
Chapter 7: Confrontations
"Hey Roy, take a look at this."
Roy walked over from the bookshelf he stood in front of to look over Ed's shoulder, inspecting the document in Ed's hands. He leaned over where Ed was bent over the desk, placing his hands on either side of the blonde, bringing himself in close. Ed realized just how close when he felt a whisper of Roy's exhaled breath tickle the back of his neck. Immediately he froze as various parts of his brain seemed to shut down and other parts of his body came to life. This seemed also to bring back those feelings of confusion from the other night, which in turn served to piss him off.
"Hey bastard, ever hear of the term 'personal space'?"
Roy blinked and looked down, seeing just how close he had subconsciously brought himself to Edward. He was glad Ed continued to look forward as he felt the temperature rise in his cheeks. He was just about to pull away when a thought crossed his little perverted mind, leaving behind a predatory grin.
He leaned in closer and brought himself right up behind Edward, bringing his mouth right next to the haughty blonde's ear. "Well you know Edward, we left so quickly I never had a chance to run back to the office for my reading glasses. And we've spent so many hours together I thought we'd be at least a little more comfortable with each other. Like you said, we're sooo close…"
Roy stopped to watch the reaction to his words. He was not disappointed. A rosy blush rose in Ed's cheeks and he stammered while trying to form a comeback. Roy smirked and allowed himself a chuckle before he pulled himself back and replaced his hands on the back of Ed's chair instead. "So what have you found?"
Ed scowled and muttered something about 'perverted bastards' before he thrust the book back into Roy's hands. "Read it yourself, asshole."
Roy smirked again before turning to the book in hand.
It appeared to be a historical document. He didn't know what it was about until 2/3 through the first paragraph.
The Philosopher's Stone.
His face took on a thoughtful look as the playfulness of before was pushed aside. He was in alchemist mode now. Apparently a man named Flamel had created a Philosopher's Stone on this side of the gate as well (though it was also referred to as a 'Sorcerer's Stone'. Roy snickered at this.).
"Harry mentioned a man named Flamel to me before," said Ed. "Apparently the homunculus trap array's cross and serpent design is an alchemic symbol over here as well. Not only that, but it's this Flamel guy's own personal symbol. Coincidence?"
"Not damn likely," said Roy as he continued to rove his eyes over the parchment. "You say Potter knew of him? How?"
"He didn't say exactly. Just said it was in some research he did in his first year. The others know about it as well, because he also told me that Hermione was getting suspicious after seeing the symbol on my jacket."
"Always manage to draw attention to yourself, don't you Fullmetal?"
"Oh fuck you! How was I supposed to know two separate worlds shared the same symbol?"
"Or maybe not so separate," mumbled Roy as he continued reading. The book didn't spell out how the stone was made, but as far as he could gather human lives hadn't been involved. Not only that, but the purposes of the stone were completely different. Where as in the alchemical world the stone served as an amplifier and an exchange for the Gate, this stone was apparently used only to change common metal to gold and to extract an elixir that would supposedly give the drinker eternal life.
'The three falls of man- money, life, and power,' thought Roy with a sigh.
"Well, I'd say you need to have a talk with Potter then," said Roy, setting the book back down onto the table. "And try not to draw suspicion to yourself. It was your idea to bring them into this so it'll be your mess to clean up."
"You don't trust them, do you?" asked Ed. "Why?"
"Why should I? They're just a bunch of kids trying to put their noses where they don't belong. If they aren't careful they're going to end up burnt."
'If you get too close to the sun, you'll only get burnt…'
"So is that all I am to you? A kid who put his nose where it didn't belong?" asked Ed quietly, not lifting his head, his golden bangs obscuring his face.
Roy felt his heart wrench, 'Oops.'
"I didn't say that Edward. Don't put words in my mouth."
"But that's what you meant, right? Stupid kids, trying to do something to help make things better and they're going to get slapped back. Just like me. Just like Al. Right? Never mind we probably wouldn't have found half the books and documents we have without their help—"
"Fine, yes, the kids have helped. But what are you going to do when they begin to ask what their help is going towards? What then Edward? Are you willing to trust them with our story? As I understand you barely even wanted to tell Dumbledore. The man had to pry it out of you, and even then it was only half the truth…"
"I'm not sure what I'm going to do. But your standoffishness isn't helping our image. When you talk to them it's only in clipped sentences and most of the time you ignore them completely—"
"I don't see any reason to become attached. And I would suggest the same to you."
"Well not all of us have an on/off switch for things like that, you bastard! Not all of us have hearts of ice! And not all of us can treat others like pawns in a war game!"
"Full Metal…" growled Mustang.
"See! That's just it Mustang! Five seconds ago I was Edward and now I'm 'Full Metal'. You won't even call Harry by his first name. To you we're just children, and we're only children as long as it suits you. As soon as it doesn't we're back to being your pawns! Well I'm telling you now Mustang that it's all or nothing! And I suggest that you choose wisely while this 'child' goes to collect information from another 'child,' both of which have been through more shit than any real child should! It's time you wake up and realize something, but you need to figure it out for yourself or else it's pointless! I'll be in my room in three hours and you better damn well be there!" yelled Ed as he stomped out of the library, leaving a shocked General to deal with Madame Pince's fury at the loud disturbance.
Ed continued to storm down the hall, students from all years flinging themselves out of the way of the irate blonde.
'Damn it, Roy! Why do you always do this? Why do you always close yourself off and push me away? I don't understand why you can't just see me, recognize me…'
"Don't put words in my mouth."
'And it's not words I'm wanting to put there Bastard…'
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
"What are you reading there, Harry?" asked Ron.
Harry jumped at the intrusion into his thoughts, "What?"
"I asked, 'What are you reading?'" said Ron, plunking down into a chair across from his friend.
They both glanced down to the book where the title proclaimed Portals and Gates—Are We Really Alone? Vol. 1 in large gold lettering.
"What's it about?" asked Ron.
"Portals and inter-dimensional traveling. It's pretty interesting actually…"
"Why are you studying alternate dimensions?" asked Hermione, coming around from behind his chair, "We never touched on the subject in our classes."
"It's actually the portals I'm researching. You know, for the research we're doing with Ed and Mr. Mustang on travel methods." It wasn't exactly a lie, he was researching travel methods. But he still felt bad for deceiving his friends so much lately.
"Oh," said Hermione. But by her slightly pursed lips Harry could tell there was more on her mind.
"Spit it out, 'Mione," said Harry with a grin.
Ron snorted. They really did know each other too well.
"It's just… don't you find the two of them a little… odd?" asked Hermione, choosing her words carefully.
Harry's face fell. What new suspicions did his friend have? How much more would he have to lie and obscure to keep Ed's secrets?
"What do you mean?"
"Well, they seem really close. Do you believe that their 'co-workers' like they said?" she asked, looking at Harry as if she thought he was crazy if he said yes.
"So what if they're more than co-workers? Maybe he's a family friend or something…"
"Then why hide it? And as far as them being co-workers, look at the age difference. Ed can't be much older than us! And speaking of odd things, what about that time in the Great Hall when Ed slammed his fist on the table. There was a dent left there Harry. Flesh doesn't do that. No, there's more going on…" she said, her face set in a solemn frown.
"Drop it Hermione," said Harry quietly.
Both Ron and Hermione turned questioning looks on Harry. Did they just hear him right? Did Harry Potter, Mr. Suspicious-of-Everyone himself, just tell them, the Investigation Squad, to essentially keep their noses out of it?
"But Harry, we know next to nothing of these two, and any efforts we've made to get information from them has been either skillfully avoided or redirected. Isn't that just a little suspicious to you?"
"Dumbledore trusts them," said Harry.
"Yeah, and we know he can make mistakes!" said Hermione.
Harry's expression turned stony as Hermione covered her mouth, realizing what she had just said. Yes, Dumbledore made mistakes. No one knew this better than Harry who had just recently learned this all too well.
"I'm sorry, Harry."
"It's alright, 'Mione," said Harry with a sigh. "Just drop it…"
"But Harry-"
"I said drop it!" yelled Harry standing up and storming out the portrait. He sighed, aggravated. He knew they meant well, but he wished they would just let it be. But soon he knew that Edward would just have to trust Harry's friends, because Hermione was getting ever closer to the truth.
Harry continued walking until he reached the familiar corridor of the Room of Requirement. But strangely the door was already there. With a furrowed brow he opened the door and peaked inside. And in there…
"Edward?" asked Harry, though it was a stupid question. No one in the school looked anything like the strange otherworlder.
Ed spun around on a ledge he was sitting on, staring out a window. To Harry he looked either in deep contemplation, or like he was about to cry.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were in here. I was just going for a walk and saw the room and wondered who it was. I can leave-"
"Nah, it's alright. I just came in here to think. I was about to go looking for you anyway," said Ed, getting up off the sill.
"Really? Why?"
"I need to ask you about something, about that research you mentioned from your first year. What exactly were you researching?"
"Why do you want to know?" asked Harry suspiciously. In his experience, anyone searching out the Sorcerer's Stone was bad business.
"Mustang and I came across some documents that mentioned a substance that we're intimately familiar with. It may prove to be a connection between our two worlds. So what were you researching?"
"Nicholas Flamel," said Harry vaguely.
Edward glared, "No shit, but why? Was it for class or what?"
Harry pursed his lips, Hermione's suspicions ringing in his ears. He knew it was a little unreasonable, but right then he was just so tired of Edward's cryptic questions, answers, and half-truths, so he was being obstinate.
"Why don't you tell me what you're looking for and I'll get back to you on that, Elric."
Edward blanched. "Elric? Since when have you called me Elric? What's wrong?"
"What's wrong is I keep researching and covering up your story, having to lie and mislead my friends and I have yet to get a satisfactory explanation as to who exactly I'm covering up for. Just who areyou and Mustang? And now you're inquiring into a very dangerous topic that's been bad news in the past. So you tell me—why do you want to know?" demanded Harry.
Ed sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. Suddenly he felt really, really tired. First there was all this business with Mustang (both the fight and Ed's own conflicting emotions) and now this. He had known it was going to come up some time, but now?
Harry could see the weariness on Ed's face and felt a little bad for his outburst. But on the other hand it had needed to be said, and Harry was not going to back down.
"I'm sorry, but enough is enough. Eventually you'll need to come clean with them. Because like it or not their hitting closer to the truth with every passing day. Some day soon, you're just going to have to trust in my friends, and in me," said Harry.
"You don't understand what you're asking for," said Ed with his head bowed.
"What? You think you're the only person that's had their trust betrayed before?" asked Harry with a skeptical laugh. "I've had two teachers try to assassinate me, another try to erase my memory and leave me for dead, and another torture me. I've had the whole school turn against me four out of the last five years as well as my own best friend once. And just recently I learned that the man I trusted above all has been keeping secrets from me for years. You may have been through hell before, but don't try and act as if you're the only martyr of the world. Try being the savior."
"That's a little arrogant don't you think?" sniped Ed.
"It's only arrogant if you're proud of it," said Harry. "I'm not proud of it, but it's a fact whether I like it or not. No one asked me when they labeled it to me, but I'm the one who has to deal with it, both the praise and the crucifix. So you might be a couple years older, but don't try and lecture me on trust."
Ed just stood in shock. That was the most that he had heard Harry reveal about himself since the night he had come to Ed about his godfather. Sure he had learned quite a bit about his new friend from books and idle student talk, but never anything from Harry himself. And having just been lectured, he realized that Mustang hadn't been the only one to treat Harry like a kid, and Ed really was only a couple years older than him. But it had been so easy to fall into; he had just acted towards him as we would have his little brother. The two of them were so alike, both so intuitive and perceptive, but with such an obvious naïve streak.
But really, how did Harry expect Ed to explain himself? How could anyone understand Ed's story that had yet to face the Darkness…who had yet to see the Gate?
But by the look in Harry's eyes, he knew he would have to try.
"Why are you so afraid to tell them anyways?" asked Harry. "We're used to strange stuff happening. And I can promise that they won't go telling the school. Secrets are one thing we know well. Besides, it can't be that bad…"
"Have you ever heard of looking into the abyss and having it stare right back at you?" asked Ed quietly. Harry stood silent, the look on Ed's face finally causing him to rethink whether he really wanted to know the answers to his questions or not. But mutely he nodded to Ed's question.
"Well let me tell you, it doesn't just stare—it bites. It rips you piece by piece, nerve by nerve. You're right Harry, I have been through Hell before. Four times in fact. And each time I've lost either someone or something important to me. You want to know why I don't tell the others? This is why," said Ed, pulling up the right sleeve of his shirt and his left pants leg. And though both had an illusion over them, Harry thought he could see a glimmer of metal through it. Then it struck him—Ed's leg was automail as well. "I'm a Sinner and this is the cost of my Sin. I've spent the better part of five years trying to redeem myself just a little and return what my brother lost because of my stupidity. So yes, my story is a touchy subject, one I don't divulge to just anyone. And frankly Harry, no one here has earned the right to hear it, not yet. Besides, the less you all know, the less you'd have to try and lie about if someone questioned you about us. But if you need to know who we are and why I'm asking you about Flamel, then I'll tell you.
"My name is Edward Elric the Full Metal Alchemist and I am—or was—a Major in my country's military. I joined the military as a State Alchemist when I was twelve in order to have access to their research funds and the military library where classified research and documents are kept. I did this, as I've said, to return what my younger brother lost because of the mistake that cost me my own limbs. During our research, we came across mentions of a legendary material that could make it possible. We knew it as the Philosopher's Stone, but you may be more familiar with the term 'Sorcerer's Stone.'
"Roy Mustang was my commanding officer and a Colonel for most of my stint in the military before his promotion to General shortly before our trip here. He's a State Alchemist as well and his title is the Flame Alchemist. He is also the one who gave my brother Al and I most of our tips on our search for the stone. Sometimes they were useful, most of the time they weren't. And almost always there was some alternative motive for sending us in that direction- aka his dirty work. But he also looked out for us as best he could, seeing as between my brother and I, we always seemed to attract any available trouble in the general area.
"For five years my brother and I searched for that stone. Consequently, we're the closest thing to experts as you can get on the substance. And when we finally found it, the thing was more a damnation than a blessing. But you know what—the damn thing existed. And it worked.
"Our worlds were meant to be separate. Otherwise why would such a brutal thing as the Gate exist to keep them apart? But somehow these things—the Flamel symbol, alchemy, and the Philosopher's Stone—exist in both worlds. Like I said before, I don't believe in coincidence. There has to be a connection between them all, and just maybe if we can find the connection, find how such things traveled from one world to the other, then Mustang and I can find a way home.
Do you understand now?"
Slowly, Harry nodded. It explained a lot about the two; they were so close because they had indeed worked together, and to some degree apparently watched over each other; Ed and Roy's fighting experience came from serving in the military ('No wonder for the 'them or us' mentality' back at the Ministry.'); and most important, at least for now, was why with all the secrecy and his interest in the stone. He was a little shameful now that he had his explanation. Because really, how many times had he wished that his own story was a closely kept secret rather than the gossip of the wizarding world?
Harry sighed, "Look, I'm sorry—"
"Don't be. I understand why you'd be paranoid," said Ed scratching the back of his head absently. "But can we drop it? I know I'll need to tell them something eventually, I'm just… not ready yet, ok?"
"Alright," said Harry. Then he took a seat in a chair at a nearby table. "But in the meantime, what do you want to know about the Sorcerer's Stone? I know a little bit, but I don't know if I can tell you anything more than you probably already know. Dumbledore would be better to ask since he helped work on it, but it may draw a little more attention than you want right now…"
"The thing is that though they sound similar enough to be linked, they also have fundamental differences in their uses. So anything you can give me would be great."
"Alright, I guess I'll just go ahead and tell you the whole story. You'll need to know some of it if you're going to be around for a while anyway.
"How much do you know about Voldemort?"
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
Roy leaned into the cool stone of the wall as he stared out across the vast grounds of Hogwarts School. It still floored him that he was really here in this place of castles and magic. But right then that was the last thing on his mind. He cocked his head back onto the wall, closing his eyes, trying his damnedest to not think of anything at all.
Funny enough, he kept seeing these flashes of gold and it never failed to draw his mind back out and toward the subject of his discontent.
"So is that all I am to you? A kid who put his nose where it didn't belong?"
"Damn it," cursed Roy under his breath as he knocked his head against the wall behind him.
"I've been told that doing that isn't good for your health," said a voice behind him.
Roy jumped and turned to find Dumbledore a few feet away leaning up against another nearby wall, looking at him in an amused manner. He must have snuck in at some point without Roy noticing.
'How does he do that…' Roy thought.
But aloud he asked, "What are you doing here headmaster?"
"Oh please, call me Albus. You're not exactly a student here, so no need for the formalities. As for why I'm here… why are you here?"
Roy sighed as he turned back towards the battlements and the grounds beyond them.
"It's time you wake up and realize something, but you need to figure it out for yourself or else it's pointless!"
"Trying to find out… what I did wrong," said Roy.
"Ahhh… yes, man's eternal struggle… a struggle usually initiated by the women in his life," said Dumbledore with a smile.
Roy snorted. Not only was it so true (as proven by his rather frequent relationship changes), but the man had also inadvertently called Edward a woman. He'd have to remember that for later…
"Yeah, but not this time…" said Roy.
"Care to talk about it?" asked Albus.
Roy was quiet for a moment. He wasn't used to talking about personal things with other people. In fact he never did, not since Maes had died.
'Ah, what the hell…'
"Fullmetal and I were researching in the library—"
"Fullmetal?" asked Albus.
"Edward. Full Metal is his second name, given to him after he became a State Alchemist.
Mine is Flame. Typically it's in reference to a characteristic of either the alchemist or his brand of alchemy."
"I see, do continue."
"As I said, we were researching when we got into a… misunderstanding."
"How so?" asked Albus, watching Roy carefully.
Roy felt a slight tingle in his conscious but shook it off as his imagination.
"I'm not sure if you know, but Mr. Potter and his friends have been helping us with our research. Of course, only Potter knows what they're really researching all this for, and I was against the idea from the beginning. Don't want to get anymore people involved than necessary…"
"And you don't want to become attached either," Albus said, a knowing twinkle in his eye.
Roy narrowed his eyes at the older man. Had he heard their fight in the library or was he just that good? He figured this must be how Ed felt when he had to come in and give his reports.
"Yes, that too. I expressed as much, how I didn't think it was smart to trust kids to get involved in matters, and he took it the wrong way. Thought I was talking about he and his little brother as well."
"Were you?"
"No! Well, not really…" said Roy, trailing off.
"Hmm… I think I see…" said Albus with a smile.
"What? See what?" asked Roy.
"Do you remember what the hardest thing was about growing up? About making that leap from child to adolescent to adult?" asked Dumbledore.
"What wasn't hard," said Roy with an annoyed sigh. "Having to get a job, which in my case ended up meaning joining the military; having to learn to take responsibility for my own actions and their consequences, something I battled for a long time, especially during the war, and still do occasionally. Having to try so hard to prove myself and earn trust, equality and recognition—" Roy stopped.
Albus smiled his enigmatic smile and turned to leave, clasping Roy on the shoulder as he passed. "I believe you have found your answer. What you do with it from here is up to you," he said as left Roy to his thoughts.
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
"So the stone was destroyed? Are you sure?" asked Ed.
"I didn't actually see it done, I can only trust that Dumbledore told me the truth," said Harry.
"And you have no idea what was used to make it?"
"Like I said, I just know what happened to it during my first year and some of what it can be used for. They didn't exactly have much information on it in the library, at least in the non-restricted section…"
"You mean there's a restricted section in the library?" asked Ed, his interest piqued.
"Yes, but I can't help you out there. Students aren't allowed books from there without a teacher's written permission, and then it's only on a specific title, no browsing."
"Well, I'm not exactly a student now am I?" said Edward with a grin.
"You'll still have to get passed Madame Pince," pointed out Harry.
"But she'll be looking for people to get by her with magic. And there are other ways around obstacles besides magic," said Ed, his grin taking on a most mischievous tint.
Harry's eyebrow quirked, but he grinned as well. He glanced down at his watch and blanched. "Wow, we've been talking for about three hours, it's almost dinner—"
"Three hours?" asked Ed jumping. "Shit! I told that bastard I'd be back at our rooms in three hours! Damnit! He'll never let me hear the end of it!"
"Hey Ed! About all that stuff I said, I'm sorry—"
"Nah, don't worry about it," said Ed with a wave of his hand. "Actually, I should probably be apologizing to you. I'm sorry if I've been treating you like a kid or anything. It's just… I'm used to my little brother, you know? I guess I just…" he trailed off, not sure how to put it.
"You were treating me like a little brother…?" asked Harry quietly.
"Like I said, I'm sorry—"
"No, it's alright," said Harry in a dazed state. He'd never had someone like a big brother before. Sure he had the Weasleys, but he rarely saw the older boys and even when he did he wasn't particularly involved with them. And the twins were more like friends than brothers to him. Again, like so many times in the past, he wondered what it would it would be like…
Ed noticed the wistful look on Harry's face and it dawned on him just how alone Harry was. Even after his mother had died he had had Al, but Harry had no one growing up. And from what he had heard about his relatives, he would count them as Harry's family as much as he considered that bastard Hohenheim his father. He hadn't taken Al's existence for granted since the transmutation, but he'd also almost never had to go a day without him there to lean on. At least, not until now…
No one should have to face their burdens alone. Harry had been such a help to he and Roy's search, even taking on his friends doubt and questions on their behalf. Perhaps, just maybe, they could help each other… Equivalent Exchange.
"Listen," said Ed, coming to stand next to Harry. "I realize we may not know each other that well, at least not yet. But if you ever need something or just someone, let me know, ok? I may not be that much older, but I've seen a lot. More than most have, in fact. And for that matter, so has Roy. And bastard though he may be, he's also damn smart and has faced his own fair share of demons. So even if you're not comfortable talking to your friends yet, there's no reason you should have to go it alone."
Harry nodded, not trusting himself to speak. If this was what it was like to have an older brother, it was… nice. Sure, there were things they didn't know about each other, secrets that each just wasn't quite ready to talk about. But maybe with time…
"I gotta go. The bastard's going to give me hell as it is…" said Ed, walking towards the door.
"Hey Ed," called Harry.
Ed turned. "Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Edward smiled, "That's what a big brother's for." Then he walked on out.
"I wouldn't say big brother…" muttered Harry.
"I HEARD THAT!"
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
Roy sat in an armchair in front of the fireplace where the flames crackled merrily, his mind wandering around through the conversation between Dumbledore and himself up on the battlements. Really, that man was just too… knowing for his own good. Idly, he wondered what it would have been like to put Dumbledore and Hughes in the same room together. He soon abandoned that train of thought for fear of psychological scarring.
Speaking of Hughes… Roy looked down at the photograph in his hand. It was something that he always kept on him, at least since Hughes' funeral. It was a picture from when they had just joined he military, still full of hope and ideals about the army they had joined. All too quickly, those ideals had been squashed by corrupt officials and brutal commanders. But by the time they had realized it, it was all too late. All they could do was climb the corporate ladder to try and improve not only their own lot but that of as many as possible of those who followed under them. It had been a hard road, but they had moved upward, earning respect and recognition along the way. Just as Edward was trying to do now.
He sighed nervously. He'd spent the better part of two hours pacing this room, trying to figure out how best to approach the situation. Finally he had settled on a plain, direct approach. Edward wanted to be treated like an adult, then so be it…
But Ed was 20 minutes late.
Roy rolled his eyes. Typical… bitch him out and leave an ultimatum, then show up late. But really, he hadn't expected anything less. That was just… Ed.
Unfortunately, Roy's bladder wasn't quite so understanding. So he rose and moved off towards the bathroom to relieve himself, setting the picture down on the mantle as he passed.
It was then that Ed came into the rooms, his mouth open to deliver a scathing remark. But he quickly took note of the room—no Roy.
Ed blinked. Then he started to get pissed—how dare that bastard stand him up! Wait… he did not just think that… But then from the direction of the restroom he heard a door close.
'Ahh… I'll just wait out here then…' thought Ed, waking over towards the fire burning in the hearth. Sujmmer though it may be, it was still considerably cooler here than it was in Amestris at this time of year, and both he and Roy were having to adapt to the strange new climate that seemed to consist of two states—sunny and cool or rainy and cold. Coming from a country that was half desert, it was quite a shock to their natural stasis.
He was just about to turn his back towards the flames when something on the mantle caught his eye. He took a step closer and picked the small object up. When he saw what it was he felt a knot come up in his throat. It was an old picture, its sides long since scuffed and torn, but the two faces were unmistakable, despite the changes brought with age. Grinning up at him were a much younger Maes Hughes and Roy Mustang. His eyes glanced over his old friend Hughes in sadness and regret, but his gaze lingered most over Roy. Though age had been kind to Roy and he was just as if not more handsome now as he was then (not that he was that old anyway, Ed allowed, though he would never say it to the bastard's face), there were definitely more scars and worry lines than there were back in his enlisted days.
Enlisted—it had shocked Ed to no end to learn that the Colonel hadn't always been a State Alchemist. That he in fact had to apply twice because the first time he hadn't passed the written exam. Roy had told him about it once. How he had gone in cock-sure and ready to take the world on and had it slammed right back at him. Much humbled, he had been sure to take the suggestion to branch out and study to heart the next time around. So though his genius was centred around one branch of alchemy and one rarely saw the man use anything other than his trademark flames, Ed happened to now for a fact Roy was well read in just about every area of alchemy—thus why he was chosen as one of the alchemists to oversee the exams.
Roy knew what it took to pass those exams. The dedication, work, and drive to improve and break one's own limits in order to outstrip the considerable competition. He knew what it was to have degradation and underestimation dog your heels while you try and earn respect and a place in the fold. To live with stigma and a reputation that tends to inhibit more than help.
'If only you could just see…'
"Edward," said a soft voice from behind him.
Ed would have spun around had he not suddenly realized just how close behind him Roy was standing for the second time that day. So instead he settled for turning to look over his shoulder.
Roy's breath caught in his chest. As Ed turned his head the fire light glinted off his gold-spun hair and his similarly golden cat-like eyes sparkled as shadows danced across his face, highlighting high cheekbones and slightly delicate features. All thought of short jokes, reprimands or the 'adult speech' he had been preparing for the last hour died on his lips. In fact, all thoughts seemed to fade other than one he had been wrestling with for the better part of the last three hours. And as he stared into eyes that had seen much more than they should have, and saw hands clutching a photo that had done more in seven years than many men do in a lifetime, as he saw in an instant both the childlike face he remembered from the past and the striking features that in the near future would turn Ed from fair child to a ravishing adult, he knew his answer.
At sometime when he hadn't been watching, Edward Elric had grown up. With that acceptance he felt something he had been trying so vehemently to deny slowly stir as more of his inner walls began to melt. Ed had been doing that for some time, Roy realized. One by one tearing down his walls until Roy hardly recognized himself.
Somehow, he couldn't bring himself to be upset.
Roy reach out and turned Edward around, cupping his face in his hand as he gazed at the face of the one who so easily tore down walls and boundaries meant to keep him strong and focused. The one who had stomped defiantly into Roy's life, questioned him on principle, warped his priorities, upset the balance of power time and time again, forced him to alter her goals, and raised the stakes higher than any had ever dared…
The one who had forced himself into Roy's life, and at some point, his heart.
He glanced down and saw Hughes' face grinning up knowingly from the photo Ed held. 'You probably saw all this coming, didn't you, asshole?' he thought affectionately before he looked back up at Ed.
Ed stood still, his breathing becoming labored. What was Roy doing? Why was he staring at him like that? Why was he touching his cheek so softly?
"Edward… you were right."
Ed blinked. What was that?
"What?" asked Ed uncertainly.
"I said you were right. You're not a child anymore. But you were also wrong, because I can honestly say without a doubt that you haven't been a mere pawn for a long time, if ever. For pawns are controllable, something you have never allowed yourself to be. You've always been much more than a pawn…"
"Roy…" said Ed quietly. This was all so strange… but not unpleasant, he found.
For a moment all they could do was stare at each other, unsure of what to say. But eventually Roy lowered his hand, much to Ed's disappointment. But as he did, Roy smiled. And not the Bastard Smirk, a true smile… and Ed found himself staring at the face of before, thought to belong only to memory and pictures.
Then Roy put out his left hand.
Ed looked at it confused.
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot when we first met, perhaps we can try it again. This time not as superior and subordinate…
But as equals."
While on the inside Ed rejoiced, on the outside he smiled as he took Roy hand with his own and they shook, each lingering on the contact.
It was a start.
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
RING!
RING!
RIIII—!
"Hello?" asked a very groggy Lieutenant Hawkeye into the telephone, glancing at the clock as she did. It was two a.m.
"Hawkeye, you awake?"
"Jean Havoc you better have a very damn good reason to be calling me at this hour or I swear to god I'll get out the 30/30 gauge…"
"Umm… no need for that. It's important. It's about the General…"
Immediately Hawkeye sat up, wide awake. "Has he been found?"
"No, and he won't be…"
"What?" Hawkeye asked, confused.
"That's what I called about. It's about Clockwork and the search for the General."
"Wait, is this line secure?" asked Hawkeye.
"Yeah, that's why we had to wait until so late. Feury had to jack the phone lines in this part of the building, so we waiting until everything was clear."
"Alright, continue."
"You know how earlier I had to go in to play translator for the Chief's sister, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, I might not be an Intel officer, but that was the most thinly coded conversation I've ever heard."
"How do you mean?"
"At first they started out with the usual pleasantries and condolences and general bullshit talk. But eventually they came around to the topic of the search for the bosses. He started out saying how relieved he was that she was willing to help and that her 'services' may be required. I still want to know exactly what he meant by that…"
"Continue, Havoc," said Hawkeye, annoyed. Trust Havoc to take something the worst way possible…
"Anyway, she asked what he would like her to do to help, and whether he wanted her to help Alphonse in his searches. He said to just 'keep an ear open and your eyes closed.'"
Hawkeye stopped mid-movement. That sounded as if…
"And when she asked when a rescue search would be sent out, he said, 'What rescue search?'"
"He's not trying to find them," she said, her voice cold. But it made no sense. If he wasn't really looking for them, then why pay for Alphonse to go out and search?
'Keep your ears open and your eyes closed…'
Not looking…
Listening…
Searching…
Not finding…
Listening… listening within the ranks… black ops…
Assassins…
Assassinations…
Treason…
"Oh my god," said Riza.
"What?" asked worried Havoc.
"They plan to scapegoat Roy, despite the evidence against the ex-Fuhrer. They plan to charge him with treason… or something worse…"
"And that's why he's not looking…" said an awed Havoc. He hadn't thought of that… "He did say that 'capturing them is not our highest priority,' I didn't even think of his wording at the time, I just thought he was being an ass to Roy's sister…"
"So he's searching for who is trying to find Roy, for whatever reason, but not find him himself. I'm guessing he's sending Al out as a decoy to keep attention out there on an outward search instead of closer to home… but that would mean that he's not expecting Al to really find them… but how would he know whether or not they're still out there or not…?" said Riza
"…a wizard from another world."
"Well, perhaps we should give the man the benefit of the doubt… he saw a gate…get him to describe his world, and take close notes…"
…never given Clockwork her interrogation report…
…how did he know Black had mentioned a gate…?
And how did Clockwork know the significance…?
Magic…
"I think we need to have another discussion with Mr. Black. Time to find out about this otherworld and 'magic'…"
But what did Clockwork know? And how…?
A/N::cackles evilly:: My, my, what a cliffie I left you… I originally was going to stop after Ed and Roy's 'talk' but the temptation to end with that little creature above was just too tempting. So what is Clockwork up to? And HA! You thought Roy and Ed were gonna kiss, didn't ya? Tut, tut… relationships aren't built over night, they still have a ways to go. Lord I'm tired, but I think I'm happy with how this turned out. It took some detours and made some points that I wasn't expecting, (and that cliffie was a bitch to write) but I think it turned out pretty good. What do you all think? I know, definitely not worth the months between posts, but I'm in college now and I'm not exactly doing the best, so give me a break. Hopefully it was up to standard at least. Ended up 19 pages long if it's any consolation. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, now tell me what you think!
NEWS FLASH!!! I now have a myspace! If anyone wants to look me up on there, feel free to. It has all my info and I will probably write stuff up on my blog as well as keep an update on the progress of my stories. So if you want to try and harass me directly to update, try and catch sneak peaks, or just wanna chat up a fellow writer, come and check me out. Also, I have a playlist up on my profile where you can listen to the songs that either a) relate to Arches and Gates, b) fma in general (I have some of the songs from the anime up), or c) songs I've found from other fics or vids that I think relate well to fma in one way or another. And if anyone is a fan of Nike Femme's fic 'Full Circle' (If you like beautifully written RoyEd you will love it. It's better written than some published books.) you can find the songs that she used in her fic there as well as a pic with a quote from her story in my pictures. Again, feel free to stop by any time just to message me, add on a friend, ask me questions, enjoy my playlist (which will probably continue to grow), or whatever. You can find the URL in my profile.