Alright… before anyone panics, just know that I was SilverBell kitten. I figure I used this name in the past so I probably shouldn't abandon it. My 'When you Dream' fic… Well I honestly don't have the drive to continue it. If any of you recognize that fic name. But yes… I am begging you people! Please review!

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"No."

"Why?"

"Just no."

"You need it".

A moment of silence.

"You're a very sick man, sir."

"I believe I should take that as a yes, Alphonse."

Al was having a miserable time at Central Headquarters that morning. That same general, whom he believed the night before to be a well respected man, had just proved that he could still be shamelessly flirtatious. It appeared that every woman had lost his interest for the time being, and his current target was Alphonse.

"No, you shouldn't take that as a yes, because I never agreed to anything", he snapped irritably.

General Mustang was one to never take no for an answer to anything. He didn't think of himself as shallow, only helpful and rather handsome. He admitted to his ego being somewhat oversized, but there was personally nothing wrong with that in his eyes.

"Of course not; but I don't think it's a crime to take someone out for hot cocoa. Especially when that person has become a hermit and stays indoors until I call on him. Do you agree?" He arched a curious brow at the one in front of his desk and waited.

Alphonse was in no way stupid or reckless. His only downfall came at being somewhat naive and vulnerable for the time being. The boy adored hot cocoa, and Roy was well aware of that. Al just found it cruel that the man would even think of dating him at such a time. He told himself that if he could just think of this as nothing more then a simple outing for that hot cocoa, then he would do well under the sharp eye of the general.

"It's not a crime, but I just really have other things to-"

"Oh? Other things you have to do? And what might those be, Al? Cleaning? Cooking?"Roy interrupted smoothly.

"With all due respect sir, I don't think you have the right to even ask me those kinds of things. What I do is my business", Al mumbled lightly, his head turning slightly to the side to allow him view of the nearby window.

"I believe it is my business. With your brother gone, you have become clearly distant towards me and others." Roy folded his arms over his chest and leaned back into his chair, frowning at the young boy before him.

Al, who was blessed with that wonderful sense of patience found himself slowly losing it, due to the man's words. He kept his eyes focused on the window, not really caring to see neither what was outside nor what was inside. He had been in this office plenty of times for multiple reasons, past and present, and was certain there would be many more future visits forced upon him. There was just no good reason to observe his surroundings. But those words had stung him. Being reminded that Edward was gone had caused him to lose whatever patience he had that morning, and he found himself quick to correct Roy.

"Well I think that speaks for itself, general! It's only been a few months and you insist on putting me on your list of things to have in bed for the week. It's obvious enough that I'm not interested at the moment..."Alphonse had tried to stop himself before he completed that sentence. He even emphasized this by placing two hands over his mouth and taking a few flimsy steps back.

"What's that? You just aren't ready then? Well I believe I can wait then for a little while longer if you need more time."

"I didn't mean that!"

"If that's what you would like to believe."

"I didn't!" The young boy extended his arms out and shouted at the smirking one.

"We'll make it a week then?"

"General!"

"Two..?"

"You're a jerk!"

"Two weeks it is then. I'm so glad we can communicate properly."

Alphonse stared blankly at the other, his jaw hanging wide open in mid sentence of what was meant to be a protest. He couldn't believe how he had just been sucked into something like this! He had never even agreed to this date. The boy had come in here to complain at the general. He had come in here to shout at him, call him shallow, and maybe even give him a meaningful kick in-between his legs. But he certainly hadn't come here to get himself pulled into a date with him!

"I'm assuming your silence means you have nothing against the time limit I have given you?" Roy flicked his dark pen back and fourth between his fingers, letting his eyes travel over to the young Elric, keeping that same sparkle and shine in his tone and posture.

"I…today I-"

"Hmm? Oh, I see… You want to go today then, Al? I think I can arrange that with you", Roy interrupted with clear amusement.

"No! I have to go out-"

"With me? I know you do", he calmly finished with a playful smirk.

"…General?"

"Yes Alphonse…?"

"I hate you."

"I'll see you in an hour then?"

General Mustang did not get an answer to his question. Instead, he was met with a very loud slam of the door from his office. It didn't seem to offend him in the least either. Once the boy was out of sight, Roy calmly flipped that 'blank' sheet of paper over and placed a small checkmark next to Al's name with the words 'date' printed next to it. Only then did he lean back to hum a favorite tune of his while putting on his happiest smile.

The day had progressed as though nothing all that important had happened. Alphonse was ill with worry over the stranger from the night before and Roy was busy 'working' until the time neared with the fateful date. Though the boy was not actually planning on going until ten minutes to the actual hour he was expected to meet Roy. The problem with the young Elric was his constant need of looking presentable to the public. The general would no doubt take it a as another ego booster for his plans and infamous check list of the activities he planned for the day.

The café they both subconsciously agreed to meet at was not exactly expensive or stylish. Roy wouldn't go that far yet. Maybe for the planned second date list he had stored away in his desk at the office.

The general tapped his foot impatiently by the front doors, occasionally checking the wristwatch he had put on. It had already been five minutes past and the boy was not showing. Perhaps he had let his confidence run away with him? Or maybe not… Roy slowly lifted his head up to watch the expected Elric cross the street, books cradled in his arms, looking rather shy but adorable. Edward was never like that at all. That feisty blonde would have appeared with a scowl on his face and a paper load of complaints and insults.

"Ah there you are. I was starting to think you wouldn't show. You surprise me everyday", Roy casually called out while stepping in front of the kid to block any sudden 'escaped' he planned on making for the last minute. Alphonse just looked uncomfortable with those books, and swayed to the side, grumbling and mumbling softly.

"I'm...I'm not showing. I was just passing by here to go to the library, sir. Now if you would let me pass."

"A nice excuse if the library were in that direction you're headed, Al."

"…….."

Roy could only chuckle and close his eyes to submerge himself in the glory of seeing through each Elric with ease. It only lasted a moment though, because the kid was trying to get away from him again. Well he wasn't going to let that happen. His arms reached out to pull the young closer to him, shaking his head while he quietly went on to lead Alphonse through the café doors.

"Ah ah ah… We have a date today, kid. I didn't come all the way here for nothing", Roy whispered smoothly.

"I never said yes!" Al cried out in a whiny tone, tugging and squirming noticeably.

"But you came right here, now didn't you? Now stop complaining and get in."

"You're going to make people think you're kidnapping me with the way you're speaking to me, sir", Alphonse mumbled unhappily.

"Forcing you into a café? I think I can handle that then. It's not a crime", Roy replied with a chuckle.

"It's a crime to date a teenager at my age."

"Edward never minded all that much. Why should you, Alphonse?"

"………….."

"Good boy. Now get in so we can have some of that hot cocoa you like so much", the general pushed the squirming alchemist inside merrily, already beginning to make conversation with the attractive ladies inside. From a distance across the street, two golden orbs had watched them from the safety of trees and shrubs.

'A homunculus can never love a human.' That's what Envy always said…

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Okay! I am kind of winging it… But let's hope it turns out alright. If anyone has anything they want thrown in there. Any parts they would like to see, just ask, ne? Thanks very much!