Author's note: Hey guys! I am so sorry this took ages to finally get out here to you all! I have been so busy with life lately! But here it is! The final chapter of Recovery! I want to thank you all so much for putting your own time into this and leaving comments and reviews, or simply just reading my story. I appreciate it so much, and I hope you all enjoyed my first efforts at writing! Enjoy the final chapter everyone!
Ed woke up in an unfamiliar place. The walls were a solid dull white, and the room smelt…too clean. The hazy fog of sleep still gripped him before he slowly remembered where he was.
He was safe in the hospital. Looking at the clock, he noted that he hadn't even been here for a day. Edward recollected the events that allowed him to be here. Roy and the rest of his command had saved his life. They had actually found him. He was now ashamed that he had been brought so low and had lost faith in his friends. He had truly believed that he was going to die in that godforsaken building alone with Pride; not ever being able to see his loved ones ever again. But he has been absolutely wrong, they had come to his rescue; he came to his rescue. It was still hard for the blonde alchemist to comprehend that Roy had survived that fatal gunshot. He had watched the colonel fall to the ground. Watched as blood poured from his body. He would definitely be demanding an explanation from the older man to see how he had miraculously survived.
Edward sighed to himself; he didn't like how he continued to question how the colonel was still alive. All that mattered was that he was still alive; and that he loved him. Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, loved him Edward Elric. Now this knowledge was unreal. What right did he have to Roy's love? He never thought anyone would ever love him like the dark-haired man seemed to, and it filled Ed with happy feelings and little butterflies. Thinking of the butterflies that occurred at the mere thought of the older man reminded him of the first kiss they had shared just the day before. The kiss was the most passionate and heartfelt one he had ever received. In that moment, when Roy's lips were against his, he knew how much that he loved him. It was like Mustang couldn't even hide or contain his love, and Ed was able to taste the truth in that kiss. The blonde hoped that the dark-haired man was also able to tell how much he loved him in return. Now longing to recapture that intimate moment, Ed wondered where Roy was. And, as if the colonel could read Ed's thoughts, he walked into Ed's room.
"How you feeling sleepy head?" Roy asked in an adorable tone.
"Still pretty sore. But, I actually feel quite a bit better after sleeping." He stopped, and watched the older man open the blinds, letting the sun into the room, "How long was I out anyway?"
Roy's black eyes glanced upwards, pondering the answer, "Uhh, I'm not sure," he chuckled, "I mean, the second we laid you down on that bed, you were out like a light. And you've been asleep ever since. But if I really had to guess, you probably have been asleep for at least 13 hours."
"Ah, so that's why you weren't at my bedside when I woke up!" he joked; flashing the huge smile that rarely appeared on his face.
Roy walked over to Ed, and sat on the edge of the bed, "That, and I had some stuff to clear up with my superiors. And I took a nap in between." He smiled.
Ed's smile faded a little, replaced with a more questioning and concerned one, "Roy," he stopped briefly, looking directly into the man's eyes, "how did you survive that gunshot?" he asked in an almost childlike voice.
Mustang sighed, "I don't even know I survived it initially. I really thought it was the end of the line for me. Luckily though, Hughes got there just in time. Any later than he had already arrived, I most definitely would have died." Ed's stiffened reaction to the word 'die' caused Roy to pause ad reach out his hand, placing It reassuringly on Ed's own, "But by some miracle, or maybe my will to live, kept me here." He finished in a comforting tone.
The blonde took a moment to process the information; eyes cast downwards at the hand on his. Roy was rubbing his thumb gently, and soothingly, across the side of his; it calmed Ed, and he was able to ask another question, "But. If you were hurt so badly, how are you okay now? It has only been a few days since you got hurt."
A smirk appeared on the colonel's usually serious face. "Ahh. Well, I had a little help with that one. You see, after being told by Hawkeye that they had most likely discovered your location, I had to give them their orders. I of course, had to stay behind in my condition, and I wasn't happy about it. But while I was lying in my bed, restless and still severely injured, I saw someone."
Edward titled his head, now even more curious oh how Roy came to be healed.
"I saw Mei. And the second I did, my body reacted before my mind could, and I yelled out her name. She of course, came into the room to see who was calling for her. I instantly asked her to heal me, so I could help the team rescue you. And of course, she obliged." He smirked, black eyes shining bright, "And that, Fullmetal, is how I am miraculously healed. I'm still sore, but much better than before obviously."
"I'm glad she was here and you saw her, otherwise I really think that Pride would have killed all of us." Ed said quietly.
Glancing back up, the young alchemist saw that Roy had slowly moved closer to him; his face leaning towards his own. And just as Ed began to lean nearer as well, he saw a familiar face in the doorway.
Alphonse.
"Al?!" Ed said enthusiastically, as he simultaneously noticed Roy pull his face and hands away.
"Hey brother." Al smiled warmly as he quickly walked to the side opposite of Mustang and hugged the blonde.
"I've missed you so much!" Edward told his younger brother with a muffled voice; due to his face being buried in his shirt.
"I've missed you too. I was so worried about you Ed." He hugged him tighter.
"I'm just happy you look like you're doing fine."
"I was only dehydrated and hungry." He chuckled, and then looked at both of the men in the room with him, "Thank you both. Ed, for saving my life, and risking your own. And to you colonel, you almost died trying to save us both, and yet you still were brave enough to try again and save my brother. Thank you so much. I owe you two more than I could ever repay."
Edward grinned, "Aw Al, we're both just doing our job. I'm being a good big brother, and Mustang, he's saving my ass cause he has to." He joked.
"There is no need to ever repay me Alphonse, you both are worth the risk." Mustang added in as he stood up. He looked around the room with slight awkwardness, and spoke again, "Well, I should probably let you two catch up."
"No colonel, stay. Please. I can catch up with brother later. Besides, I'm sure you two have some official military business to attend to still. I believe I interrupted you two at a very important moment." He said, with a knowing tone in his voice.
Ed's face turned a light shade of pink at his brother's words. He knew that tone. That was the tone Al used when he knew something about him that he hadn't actually divulged yet. Alphonse already knew about him and Mustang. Were they really that obvious? Or was his little brother honestly just that attentive to detail and how people acted? Either way, he knew, and the blonde was thankful for the time alone with Roy. He had so many more questions to ask him; and a kiss or two didn't sound bad either.
"See ya Al." Edward said.
The younger Elric nodded, smirking, and promptly departed.
After watching his brother leave, Ed looked back at Roy; the older man already staring at the blonde.
"Does he know?" Roy asked in an almost frantic whisper.
Ed nodded, "I think so." He chuckled.
"Why is that funny? We can't let word get out about us. I mean. I didn't realize we were so obvious…"
"It's fine Roy," he paused, "that still is odd for me to call you," he smirked, "Al won't tell anyone. He is just unnaturally observant and all-knowing about these things." He assured him.
A noticeable sigh of relief escaped Mustang's chest as his shoulders eased their way back into a comfortable position.
Edward reached out and placed a hand atop of Roy's this time, "Are you okay with trying to make this work? I wouldn't want you to lose your job for me…"
"Edward" he began, taking Edward's hand into his own, "You are most definitely worth the risk and more he said as he leaned in and kissed the blonde.
After a few moments of the simple sweet kiss, Roy deepened their kiss. A small moan escaped Ed's throat, and Mustang pulled away. Ed gave him a playful glare, not wanting Roy to have pulled away so soon.
"You know, you kiss very well." Ed told him.
"You aren't so bad yourself Fullmetal." Roy returned the compliment. "And, there really was no need to inform me of my kissing abilities Edward, because I could figure out that much on my own from the noise you made." He teased.
"Are you challenging me colonel?" the golden-eyed teen teased right back. He then leaned in closer to Roy until his breath was hot on his ear, "'Cause if it is, I accept." He whispered seductively.
Ed could feel the conflict in Roy's body at the tempting words. Conflict of giving in right here; or restraining himself. To the blonde's distaste, the colonel chose the latter.
The man cleared his throat before speaking, "Sorry Ed. Now probably isn't the best time to get comfortable with one another. I only say this because you're still healing, and our current location isn't the smartest place to start something like that." He stated in a husky voice, before stopping, getting a mischievous look in his eye, and spoke again, "Otherwise," his gloved hand slid down Ed's arm, "I would have you right now." He finished tugging the blonde closer to himself.
"Damn you colonel." Ed growled playfully, "you're such a tease."
"Only for you."
"Shut-up!" he ordered; gently shoving him away.
Mustang sighed annoyed, "Not that I don't want to keep this playful banter up, but I probably need to ask you some questions now that you're awake. Otherwise, my superiors will come to question you if I don't do it myself."
"Well lay it on my Mustang."
Roy smirked at the response, and took a deep breath, trying to remember all the questions he had to ask Edward.
After a long discussion of all the recent events, the two alchemists began to go over and sort out all the details and information they had just gone over.
"So the unknown people who were terrorizing the city were Pride's henchmen?"
"Yes," the dark-haired man clarified, "Hawkeye and the rest of the group simply stunned the men when they went in to rescue you. They only shot to wound and immobilize, not to kill. And now they're all being held in jail for their crimes."
"Well I'm glad that that is sorted out for us. I don't think I would have been much help." He chuckled.
"You know, we could always have Mei heal you." Roy suggested, stroking Ed's hair.
"I would actually like that. I really don't want to be in this hospital any longer than necessary. It stinks." He crinkled his nose.
"You're so cute Ed."
"You really should stop being so nice to me." He joked.
"Make me." Roy tempted.
Leaning in for another kiss, they were once again interrupted; this time by Hughes.
"Hey there lovebirds!" he greeted loudly.
"Could you be any louder Hughes?!" Roy hissed.
"Are you worried that someone will hear me? Because there is no need for me to 'blow your cover', because you're doing a fine job of that yourself. You two have been in here alone for nearly three hours!" he informed his friend light-heartedly, "And to answer your question, yes, I could be much louder." He laughed.
Edward could see Roy blush in embarrassment at the truth of his friend's words; and all he could do was restrain laughter.
"Anyway Roy, I came in here to tell you that I believe everything has been taken care of with the Furher and our other superiors. So there is no need for you to continue questioning Ed here."
"Thanks for letting me know."
"No problem," he answered as he began to leave the room that he had just entered.
"Hey Hughes!" Ed stopped him.
He turned back around, and looked at Ed. "Hm?'
"How do you know?"
A smile crept onto Maes' face before he answered the blonde's question, "Are you kissing? Everyone know you two liked, no loved, each other except you two!" he exclaimed excitedly, as if he had been waiting to get that off of his chest for ages.
It was the blonde's turn to blush, and he saw Roy admiring him from the corner of his eye.
"Is that all Elric?" Hughes asked smirking.
"That's all." Ed replied, with a slight playful eye roll.
Hughes finally departed, leaving the pair alone once more, and Edward looked to Roy expectantly.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Kiss me?" the golden-eyed teen requested.
And the colonel obliged to his request. Ed was in heaven, and bursting with absolute passion at the perfect moment he was sharing with the man he loved.
Pulling reluctantly away, and slowly, Ed stopped the kiss and said to Roy, "I probably should see Al again. Considering how long Hughes said we've been in here. Not that I want to go." He reassured.
"I understand Ed. It's okay." He smiled, "but just know, when you're feeling better, you're coming to my place."
Ed's heart skipped a beat as he managed a nod.
"Good, I'll go get Alphonse for you." He smiled before giving Edward a quick kiss on the forehead and leaving.
Edward couldn't believe that that man was all his, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with him.
Epilogue: Three Years Later
Edward awoke from deep peaceful sleep. He was lying next to his lover; limbs intertwined. The blonde gazed at the beautiful dark hair that fell onto Roy's pale face. He would never be able to tire of the older man's beauty; it was impossible. Thinking of that, he thought himself naïve to have once believed that he would never be able to love a single person this much; and to be loved the same in return. Edward thought he would never get used to the idea of Roy loving him; and he was right. Even after their three years of being together, he still got nervous and awkward around him sometimes; but they were also best friends as well as lovers, and that's how he knew this was real.
Tiring of waiting for the man to wake up, Ed gently nudged Roy's nose with is own. This only caused Roy to wrinkle his nose and twitch, so the blonde tried a different approach. He untangled his arms from Roy's, and gently brushed his flesh hand up and down Roy's bare side. After a few moments the older man stirred, making a happy noise.
"Mhmm. Ed. Good morning." He said sleepily.
"Morning sleepyhead." Ed returned, placing a soft kiss on Roy's lips.
"Come back." Was what the dark-haired man said when Edward didn't kiss him again.
"We have to get up." He reminded.
Roy opened his eyes for the first time this morning, looked into Ed's golden ones, and said, "Come on. We have a little time to fool around still." He tried convincing Ed as he pressed his body closer to Ed's.
Ed groaned, conflicted, "We have to get ready or we'll be late."
Roy rolled onto his back, defeated, and the blonde smiled at his triumph.
"Since when did you become, the older, more mature one Fullmetal?"
"Since now!" he exclaimed as he threw the covers off of them both, "now get out of bed! Or we are going to be late for the wedding!"
The blonde alchemist watched as his lover reluctantly dragged himself out of bed.
"You know, I don't think Al will mind if we're a tad late." Roy tried convincing once more.
Edward rolled his eyes, "Really Roy? This is the one time I'm sure he would kill me for being late!" he said getting out of bed and heading over to the bathroom to get ready; but he was stopped by Mustang.
Roy started at Ed directly in the eyes, with such a loving look, that Ed had to ask, "What?"
"I love you Edward Elric."
Ed blushed, "I love you too Roy." He glanced around, "Okay, now let me go so I can shower, or I know I am going to end up throwing you back on that bed."
"Alright, you win, hurry up so I can shower too."
Ed smiled, how did he ever get to lucky to end up with Roy.
Author's note: Thanks again for reading! Please, stay tuned for future stories! And if any of you have any suggestions or ideas for a story, please let me know! I would love to hear from you guys! =)