Ed put down the receiver wincing, of course Sergeant Lee had been more than happy that he had changed his mind. He seemed enthralled with Ed, but the feeling wasn't entirely mutual. Fullmetal sat down on his dorm bed with a sigh, thinking about the Colonel bringing his date to the ball. He remembered how pretty she had been, but hadn't he kicked her out when Ed had shown up at his door?

He pushed those thoughts away. So much to do before attending the stupid ball. Main priority being getting the tuxedo, which he did not relish the thought of. The last thing he needed was for some grouchy tailor to make snide comments on the need to 'hem the pants' to 'better suit his height'. Ed could barely contain the instinctive snarl which escaped at the memory of being fitted in some stuffy outfit.

When the phone rang again, Ed practically barked "What?!" into the receiver.

"Uhh, brother?"

"Oh hey, Al." Ed's anger immediately dissippated at his brother's soft and soothing voice.

"I guess you aren't having a very good day?" Practically seeing his brother's frown through the phone.

"No, I guess you could say that. I kinda got..talked into..going to this military ball."

"What?! No way...you?! No one talks you into anything. Why are you going?"

"I was invited." Ed decided to stick to some of the more basic facts, because even he wasn't entirely sure what had possessed him to go.

"Really... By who, do I know her? Do you like her?!" Al's voice increased in pitch and speed as his excitement grew.

Yeah, Al didn't really know about Ed's...preferences. Quite yet. But this was as good a time as any, as the news would certainly be spreading over Central fast if Ed was having contact with the supposedly notorious Lee.

"Oh erhm actually, it's a guy. But we're not together or anything." Ed found himself nervously scratching at his bedroom table.

"OH MY GOD IT'S MUSTANG ISN'T IT!" Al gave what was a squeal to Ed's ears, so high-pitched he had to yank the phone away to stop himself from going deaf.

"WHAT? AL NO! Like I would be caught dead with that arrogant son of a bitch, are you crazy?!" Despite his words, Ed's blush was deep red and he began to pull his shirt away from his chest as the room got a little bit warmer.

As he continued to fan himself with his shirt, he sensed disappointment from the other side of the line. "Oh, well that's a shame I always thought you had feelings for him. But you know brother I don't care as long as you're happy."

Damn Al, always knew him way too well. Probably knew he was in love with Mustang before even he knew it.

"Yeah I'm allright, it really is a relief for you to know though. It wasn't like I was hiding it...it's just that it's..."

"It's personal, and you're a private person, I understand."

Ed breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Thanks Al. I can't wait for you to get back in town, I have a suitcase of documents I got back in Creta to go over with you. I think some of these old things will help a lot in learning about the foundations of Alkhestry."

"Yes, I have a lot of things for us to go over as well, but I'll definitely be sad to leave Xing, it's beautiful. And I'll miss Mei a lot." Al said with a slight sigh.

"Well bring her with you when you come back then." Ed smiled, if Al knew more about Ed's feelings than he did, well it looked like it worked both ways.

"Maybe, but it's near dinner here, they eat a bit later. I'll get back to you soon! And hopefully be back in Amestris in a month?"

"Take your time, just let me know when you decide." And at that the brothers bid farewell and hung up the phone.

Fullmetal collapsed back on the bed, missing his brother but at the same time feeling more at ease just from their short conversation. Al had known about Mustang then this whole time? It was probably only obvious to his brother, he hoped.

Lily, though still upset from what had happened earlier in the week, jumped at the chance to attend such a high profile event with one of the most high-profile people in attendance. It was the best form of apology there was for a girl like her, Mustang thought to himself. It was a few hours before the ball, and everything was already complete. Booked limo, haircut, tuxedo, now all that was left was the actual miserable event itself.

He frowned, holding a glass of whiskey as his thoughts turned to Ed as they so often did these days. His tremendous urge to call up the alchemist and just have lunch was strong and he wasn't sure why. He just wanted to spend more time and talk. The thought of Ed attending the ball with that Sergeant Lee however stopped him from doing so. Maybe Ed was only interested in a good time, because surely Lee could offer him nothing more.

Mustang shrugged his shoulders as he put on his tuxedo, crisp and black, and went to pick up Lily for the event. Senior military members were also required to come earlier, a nuisance they thought they were disguising as 'VIP'.

He smiled a dazzling smile as he helped Lily into the limo, she was wearing an obscenely low cut deep purple dress. As he listened to her babble, thoughts unable to concentrate, as he knew he would be seeing Ed ina few hours.

"Ugh damn!" Ed screeched as he was viciously stabbed by the tailor's needle.

"My apologies, sir." The tailor remarked, with little to no 'apology' coloring his voice.

"Look it's good enough." Ed knew that a year ago he would've blown up at the tailor's condescension, but the years had brought him a little more patience when dealing with people.

With those words he inquired over the cost of the tailoring, his mouth dropping open in disdain. Only more regrets over this stupid ball. He strode out and hailed a cab to take him back to his dorm where Cam was going to pick him up.

"I'll be damned if I walk around town looking ridiculous like this." Ed muttered as he hopped in the cab. And in truth, he had stolen a glance at the mirror in the tailor's and thought his reflection looked ridiculous. Maybe he'd look better to other people, but he was so used to a long red cape and loosely braided hair, he now felt uncomfortable and out of his element in the snug tuxedo.

Much to his surprise, Cam was already waiting near the entrance to the dorms when he got back. He looked very sharp in his tuxedo, which had a military flair to it denoting his rank. "Wow Ed...you look great. I'm so glad you changed your mind." Lee smiled and motioned for Ed to follow him toward the car. An involuntary blush at the compliment colored Ed's cheeks. He was used to being complimented on his intelligence or formerly his alchemy, but not so much his looks.

"Thanks, you look good too." Ed looked up to meet his eyes, to see Lee already sitting a bit too close to him on the seat. Cameron slid a hand on top of Ed's leg as they talked and Ed hoped that was as far as it would go that night.

Roy glanced around him, still unable to get over how amazing the venue they were at was. The Central Centennial was being held in the Museum of History, one of Central's largest and most beautiful buildings. It had been decorated and set up gorgeously for the ball, it must have have been countless hours of work for those that had decorated. Roy noted the banquet hall which was formally a large room showcasing paintings by some of Amestris' best, held a long table adorned in black and gold. He also noted clear work of alchemists as he glance up at the ceiling, which had been made transparent and had somehow enhanced the clarity of the stars outside.

Nothing could compare however to Edward Elric as he made his grand entrance.

Roy's mouth nearly dropped open at the sight, he looked so much older and more mature. With his hair and shoulders pulled back, in a tight-fitting black tuxedo however still accompanied by golden eyes and a signature Elric glare.

Roy felt his feet involuntarily carrying him toward Ed who had noted his presence and who clearly took him in as well as he walked closer.

"Good evening Ed, I'm glad you decided to make it out." Roy said, his eyes never breaking contact with Ed's despite an uncomfortable looking Lee standing close next to him. What, was he glued to Ed's shoulder or something?

"Yeah it's really cool in here actually." His eyes gazed down one of the halls where he saw the large skeleton of a dinosaur that people were passing by. "Mustang this is Sergeant Cameron Lee in case you haven't met, by the way."

It was doubtful that Lee missed the immediate glare he received from Mustang, who didn't mean to let his emotion slip that easily. Well it was no doubt the Sergeant was attractive. And young, he thought bitterly.

"How do you do?" Mustang's greeting was terse and he turned away from Lee too quick to allow him even time for a response. "I hope you both enjoy the evening, I need to get back to my date." He said the last part gauging Ed's reaction, who barely flinched.

"Of, course, we'll see you around." Ed smiled, raising his champagne glass to Mustang.

Ed and Cameron had been sitting at a different table than him or his crew, they were laughing and joking and seemed to be having a good time Mustang noted. Certainly the complete opposite of his evening. His eyes flicked back to Ed's table more times than he could count, and thankfully his vapid date was too self-obsessed to have any idea as to the reason why. He was unsure how she could be so oblivious to his fury when Ed and Cameron got up to playfully dance later in the evening, clearly after a few drinks, Ed laughing the whole time.

As Ed, still laughing made his way to the refreshment table Roy made sure to run into him again.

He came upon a confused Fullmetal looking for water, lemonade, or something.

"Can you believe they don't have anything but booze out here?" Ed said with a small giggle accompanied by a hiccup as Mustang approached.

"I saw some earlier, during dinner." Mustang frowned. "I think they have some in the kitchen area, want me to go check?"

Ed flashed him a smile that nearly made Roy melt. "Yeah! Sure, I'll come with." Ed seemed to be tipsy, but nowhere near the same state he was in that night of the party.

They began their search of the set up kitchen area, walking down the winding halls, finally coming upon a small kitchen area which seemed to be unused at the moment, it had been set up with a few counters and coolers, maybe to hold hor d'oeurves.

"Maybe they already took everything out?" Ed said, frowning at the lack of anything in the kitchen. Opening up the coolers to find nothing but melted ice.

"Why are you really with that Cameron guy, Ed." Roy's voice was soft but serious, asking the question he had wanted to all night.

Ed looked shocked and caught off guard as he wheeled around to face Roy. "What do you mean? He really likes me, he's fun and I don't see why not. Or why it's any of your business. I thought we already discussed this Mustang." Ed's golden eyes flashed, which somehow just made him even more attractive.

"What if someone else really likes you though." Roy took a step closer and before he could second guess himself he kissed Ed's slightly parted mouth.

Instinctively Ed sunk into the kiss, allowing it to happen. As their tongues teased each other he chose a more active role, pulling Roy's head closer roughly and eagerly. It was more than lust this time, it was compassionate and both soft and firm all at once.

Soon enough both men were jacket-less, Ed's hands ran up and down Mustang's broad chest and over his shoulders. He hopped up on the counter as Roy laid him down gently and climbed on top. Sucking and licking, Roy didn't want it to stop. He didn't care anymore about where they were, or his rank, he just wanted Ed like this. Rough on top of this kitchen counter, ready and waiting for him. Wanting him. As Roy's mouth began to trail down Ed's chest, unbuttoning his shirt on the way down, he felt Ed's body become much more stiff all of the sudden.

"No we should stop." He heard a rushed breath coming from Ed as he struggled to sit up.

Roy didn't help his efforts, preferring to move to kiss the soft, slightly bruised lips of his former subordinate.

"Roy, stop. I need to go, we can't do this." Ed's voice was firmer as he placed both hands on Mustang's chest and pushing him off with some force.

"But...Ed." Roy for once was speechless as Ed roughly picked up his jacket, and he couldn't help but to feel disappointment.

"No, this isn't fair." Ed's words were firm but his eyes were sad, and it haunted Roy as he left.

A/N: Hey guys! Thank you so much for reading! and reviewing is always appreciated! ^_^