-Hey Lovies ^_^ Thanks so much for all the lovely reviews! I'm glad that you are liking the story so far! More reviews are always nice, it gives me incentive to keep writing!-

RECAP OF LAST CHAPTER~

Ed looked up at his principal, pulling away from his embrace slightly. "I don't know how you knew to be here…but I don't care. Thank you."

Roy smiled, "You're welcome...are you okay?" He was still concerned.

"For now," Ed assured him.

Roy looked into Ed's amber eyes and emotion overwhelmed him. He couldn't help it, this kid was beautiful, amazing, witty, and so...

Next thing he knew, Roy was pressing his lips against Ed's in a soft kiss...

Edward's eyes widened and his heart started beating rapidly. It only took a moment for Roy to realize what he was doing, and he pulled away, looking just as shocked at the boy in his arms. "What the hell was that?!" Edward exclaimed, jumping away from his principal, eyes still wide and confusion and fear written on his face.

Roy was taken aback by Ed's outburst, but couldn't really blame him, "Ed-"

"What, did you find out what I've been doing for money? Huh? Is that why you came here?" Edward has been through a lot of trauma in the past few weeks, and he had never been kissed for any other reason than what he's been doing, so he was scared that Roy's intentions were the same as all the others. Tears started falling down Edward's cheeks, but he didn't care, "I'm not just some slut you know!"

Edward's words stung slightly, but Roy knew that the boy had been through some shit, and it was only natural for him to react this way. "Edward, no," Roy said, getting up from the ground. He had sympathy in his eyes, "No, Ed, I would never ask that of you...no one should." Roy stepped closer to Edward slowly, so that he didn't scare him again. "I do know what you've been doing...last night, I saw you get into someone's car, but Ed, I'm not like that guy, or any guy that's treated you like that. You're right, Edward, you're not just some slut, and it truly infuriates me that anyone could ever think so lowly of you."

Edward looked into the older man's eyes, and could see that he was being sincere. He hadn't stopped crying though, and his sobs had actually increased after hearing what Roy had to say. He had seen him, he really knew what he had done; Roy knew that he was dirty, impure, and used. "I-I don't know why I let them do it to me..." he choked out, "W-We needed m-money, I could live on the streets b-but Alphonse-" Edward let out a heartbreaking cry at that, remembering that his efforts had been for nothing, and that Al, the only thing he even lived for anymore, was leaving him to live with a man who, just a day ago, didn't seem to give a shit about them in the slightest.

Roy couldn't hold himself back anymore; he closed the small gap between them and wrapped the smaller male in his arms, with one arm securely around his waist and the other around his upper back, with one hand petting the back of his head soothingly. "Edward, please, calm down," he pleaded; he hated seeing Edward this way. "What happened? Did you and Alphonse have a fight?"

Edward sobbed pitifully in Roy's chest, clinging on to his only source of comfort. "My father came back last night, the fucking bastard!" Ed's words were muffled a bit, since his face was buried in Roy's chest, but his anger caused his voice to be louder, so Roy could still understand him. "He said we could go live with him, and Alphonse decided that it would be better for him to live with that asshole," Edward sobbed a bit more before going on, "He said I was being selfish...I know I fucked up, but it's been so hard since Mom died, and I tried so hard...I'm disgusting and I have nothing to show for it."

Roy's heart broke at Ed's words. "Edward, I'm sure Alphonse would have never said such harsh words if he knew what you've been doing...and maybe it is for the best to live with your father, at least until you graduate and can get an actual job."

"NO," Edward pulled away from Roy's embrace, glaring, "I'm not living with that bastard! I'd rather die on the streets!" Edward said firmly. He was completely serious about it, too, and if Al wasn't going to be with him anymore...he might as well die. What did he have if he didn't have his brother?

"I'm not going to let that happen."

Edward looked back to Roy, who was frowning slightly. Roy Mustang was a damn good principal, and he cared about his students, and he cared about Edward especially. He couldn't let this kid be alone in this dingy apartment; Edward looked like he had completely given up on everything, and those were the kids that usually ended up killing themselves or dying in the street, and Roy wasn't going to let that happen. He would feel responsible if anything happened to Edward when he could have done something about it, and he damn well wasn't going to let Edward degrade himself for money ever again.

"I'm going to get you out of here, Ed. You can't stay here alone. It isn't healthy. I'm not going to let you just give up, you're better than that," Roy said, putting a hand on Ed's shoulder. "You're coming to live with me. No ifs, ands, or buts, I'm serious."

All was silent but for the rumble of the Mustang's engine and Ed's thoughts. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on, or if any of this was real. He was trying to sum up everything in his head, to get a grip on reality. Alphonse had left, not just their shitty apartment, but also a hole in Ed's heart. He had broken down; Roy came and calmed him down, then kissed him. Principal Mustang had kissed him. Then he insisted on Ed living with him, and they packed his things (which all fit into two big duffle bags) and now they were heading to Roy's house.

Roy had said that he lived alone, if you didn't count his dog. Roy had a black and white Shiba Inu named Hayate. He said that before, the dog belonged to Ms. Hawkeye, so he was well trained, but she couldn't keep him anymore, so Roy volunteered to take him.

They soon reached the house, which wasn't very big, but not too small either. From the outside it looked pretty nice, but nothing special. Edward got out of the car, and was about to get his stuff, but Roy got to it before he did. "I'm not helpless, you know," Ed grumbled, following the dark haired male up the cobblestone walkway to his house.

Roy chuckled a bit, "No, but I'm helpful, so deal with it." Roy unlocked the door to his home and walked in, setting the bags on the floor in the living room. Edward entered behind him and looked around. to his immediate right was the living room, which consisted of a couch, a few chairs, a coffee table, and a television. To his left was the dining room, which had a small, rectangular table that could only sit four people at the most. Behind the dining room was the kitchen. It was decent sized, with a big fridge, stovetop oven, dishwasher, and plenty of counter space, considering the only things on the counter were a microwave, a toaster, and a wooden block filled with an assortment of knives. There was a hallway with three doors, one on the left side, one on the right side, and one at the very end of the hallway. Roy had hardwood floors. The house was nice, and clean, very simple. It wasn't really decorated much, but that's what happens when a man lives on his own. There were a few pictures on the wall, but that was about it.

"Nice place..." Edward said.

"Thanks you," Roy replied, smiling. "Make yourself at home."

At the sound of people coming into the house, Hayate came from the very back room-which Edward assumed was Roy's room- to greet his owner and the newcomer. The dog sat down in front of Edward, his head cocked to the side, and his tongue sticking out. He had one ear up, and one slightly bent, and his tail was wagging. To put it simply, the dog was stinking cute. "Hey there, little guy! What's up?" Ed said cheerfully, bending down to pet the dog. Hayate accepted the affection with gratitude, and licked Ed's face.

"He likes you," Roy said, smiling down at the two. "Hayate, this is Edward, he will be staying with us for a while." Just how long, he didn't know, but he wasn't going to worry about that at the moment. Right now, all that seemed important was the smile on Ed's face, and that was enough for Roy right now. Right now, Roy didn't want to worry about the consequences of having a student living with him, he didn't want to think about the strange feelings he had for this boy, he just wanted to relax, and enjoy the moment of peace that he had for now.