Chapter four
His No Good Reason
Ed should have expected that. For the completely out of it person Roy seemed to be, his apartment was unusually…normal.
"Here" Roy said, handing the blond a can of soda and sitting on the couch with a loud thud. His hair was dripping wet, as he had showered less than five minutes ago. "So? What do ya think?"
"Pretty fancy—"
"Well, I wouldn't know about that, I didn't furnish it." Roy cut in, actually answering his own question. "Hell, I didn't even pick any of this stuff."
"Who did?" Ed asked, ignoring the disturbance and drying his hair with a towel. He took a shower as well—he took a shower first, before Roy. Not like they showered together or anything. He showered c o m p l e t e l y alone—what the hell was he thinking anyway?
"Hughes." Roy said. Looking at the table he spotted a package of cigarettes. Leaning forward, he grabbed them and took one from the pack.
"I didn't know you smoke." Ed said, arching his eyebrow and waving his hand in front of his face to get rid of the smoke.
"I don't." Roy answered. Titling his head back he closed his eyes. God was he tired… he sure was getting old.
"Geez, you're like the hardest person to talk to I've met in my entire life." Ed said, lifting his non metal leg and putting it on Roy's lap. "Massage?"
Roy choked on the cigarette and started to laugh, his head still titled back. Ed couldn't help but laugh as well. He honestly wanted a massage though.
"Ah what the hell." Roy said, putting the cigarette back in his mouth and grabbing Ed's foot with his hands. "At least you showered."
"Hello?" Both Roy and Ed looked in the door direction. They were opened and somebody peeked inside. "Anyone here?"
Roy sighed, still massaging the blonds' feet though.
"You asked me who Hughes was." Roy said to Edward, who nodded in return. "Well, that's Hughes."
Ed looked at the man who just entered Roy's apartment. He was tall and around Roy's age – maybe slightly older. He had short black hair, glasses and the biggest, brightest grin Ed had ever seen.
"Roy, you came back!" Hughes said, closing the door behind him and entering the living room.
"I didn't." Roy said, putting his cigarette in the ashtray. "I just dropped by."
"Oh I can see that…" Hughes said, smiling slyly. "Having fun?"
Roy rolled his eyes. Sure they were both in bathrobes and sure, he was massaging some boy's foot but… Looking at Ed with scowl on his face Roy pushed blonds' leg off his lap.
"Hey!" Ed whined. "I enjoyed that you know! Oh, I'm Ed by the way." The blond said, getting up and shaking Hughes' hand. "Edward Elric."
"Maes Hughes." The brunette said and sat on the couch in front of the two. "So how is it been going lately, Roy?"
"Why are you here again?" Roy asked, his brows furrowed together.
"Because Roy! You're not answering my calls!" Hughes said. "And ever since Riza called and said she was talking to you and you had that obsessive voice of yours—"
"Okay Hughes I get it, thank you!" Roy said cutting in.
"Oh I see." Hughes said, glancing at Ed. "He's the one you're obsessing about!" Hughes said loudly, Roy closed his eyes in resignation and Ed looked curiously at both of them.
"I'm going to get dressed…" Roy said, massaging his temples all the way to the bedroom.
"Fair enough." Hughes said, grinning at his friend. Then he turned to Ed. "Do you wanna see my daughter's pictures?"
Ed blinked. "Sure…" He said and watched as Hughes took out what seemed like a hundred pictures from his pocket. How did he fit all those in there? Around 50th photo, Roy re-entered the room, Ed's clothes washed and dried in his hand.
"Here" He said, handling clothes to the blond and sitting back on the couch. "And for the love of god, Hughes, put those photos away!"
"But she's so cute-!" Hughes said, taking one of the pictures and holding it right in front Roy's face.
"Yeah I get it." Roy said before grabbing the picture and hiding in his pocket. "I'm gonna hold on to that, I lost mine…"
Hughes chuckled, Roy chuckled and Ed wondered where the hell previous atmosphere went. Deciding to get up and go change, Ed left two still chuckling friends in the living room.
As soon as he was gone, Hughes and Roy went silent.
"Okay, here's the deal." Roy started, leaning into Hughes' direction and lowering his voice. "I'm currently living with him in his house because for some reason he interests me so much I just have to get to know him and write a book about it." Roy said as Hughes listened carefully to every word. "And even though he's still reluctant to tell me about some things about his life, I'm sure we will get there eventually. SO now – here's the pinch line – why can't I do the same?" Roy finished, spreading his hands questioningly.
Hughes thought for a moment.
"Are you interested in him sexually?" He asked watching his friend carefully.
"Of course." Roy answered straight away.
"Are you interested in him in terms of a relationship?" Hughes asked. Roy was silent for a moment.
"Honest to God, can't tell." Roy answered.
"Why?"
"Because!" Roy said, his voice slightly rising. "Because it's been so long, because he's practically a kid, because his life is screwed up enough as it is and as a matter of fact, so is mine." He said and fell silent before adding: "And because I'd hate to screw it up even more..."
Hughes sighed, looking at his friend with sympathetic green eyes. Only he knew what Roy had to put up with every day. Mainly because he had to do exactly the same.
"Look." Hughes started and Roy looked at him, his eyes revealing weariness he managed to hide so well each day. "We all know what happened back then, we've been there too and we have to put up with it every single day ever since…but that's not the point !"
"Don't you think I know that?" Roy asked, frustrated. "But Maes I can't just ignore it!"
"Nobody tells you to!" Hughes countered and took a deep breath. "Look, if his life is so screwed up and so is yours … when you put them together and help each other then maybe – maybe – you'll make it to at least one legitimate relationship."
"You know what…" Roy started, looking at his friend with a mixture of disbelief and surprise. "I think that's both the most idiotic and accurate thing you've ever said."
"I know, I'm surprised myself…" Hughes said and Roy smiled lightly. "Anyway, if you want to be with him – or anyone else –you just have to…" The family man trailed off, trying to find the right words to say.
"What, I have to what?" Roy asked, encouraging his friend.
"…How the hell should I know?" Hughes finally said and Roy fell back in the couch. "Just…don't screw it up Roy."
"That's so helpful." Roy said, glaring at the ceiling. Hughes looked at his friend. He wished he could say something that could be of any relief to him. It wouldn't matter though. Because in the end… it either worked out or didn't.
Back in the bedroom Ed wondered if it was safe to enter the room again. Because, truth be told, he changed around 30 minutes ago. He heard the two friends talking very heatedly though, and the last thing he wanted to do was to disturb them.
He didn't hear what they were talking about – not that he wanted to eavesdrop or anything, but Roy's bedroom didn't hold too many attractions. It was nice, sure, even very nice and Ed wouldn't hesitate to trade it for his own any given moment but the only thing that actually distinguished it from a very fancy hotel room was one lone picture.
Getting up from what was an extremely comfortable bed, Ed once again looked at the photo situated right in front of the window – which, by the way, had an awesome view of the city.
Without a doubt the picture portrayed soldiers and most importantly Roy himself – no matter how many times Roy denied being in the army. And Ed really got that, all kinds of things could have happened in the military, war was no playground after all. He also didn't expect Roy to talk about it, especially with him of all people. He would be a one big hypocrite if he did. After all, he also had some experiences in the past he did not wish to share with not only Roy, but anyone for that matter.
Roy could however, at least admit that something – anything happened. All this time Ed was the only one who did the talking. Why couldn't Roy join the conversation as well, just a little? All in all Ed wanted to believe that they were doing something more than a plain interview…
Looking back at the picture Ed wondered about people presented in it. There were six more beside Roy and Maes and only one woman – probably the one they mentioned before, Riza or something.
"Oi shrimpy." Roy said, opening the door to the bedroom. "You've been here for quite a while, everything alright?"
"Yeah." Ed turned around smiling at the brunette. "I, um, fell asleep." He said sheepishly. He didn't want to say that he waited for them to finish talking. "You have a really comfortable bed you know that?"
"Yeah, believe it or not I happen to sleep on it from time to time..." Roy said and smirked at the glare the blond shot at him, then promptly left the room.
"Okay!" Hughes said, getting up as Roy and Ed approached him. "Since you're alive and well I'm going back to my lovely wife and daughter!"
"Yeah yeah." Roy said, his voice sarcastic but friendly. "See ya around you old geezer…"
"Bye Roy, bye Ed!" Hughes said, waving at the two and headed towards the door.
"So." Ed said, dropping on the couch. "What are we gonna do next?"
"Behind you, he's behind you!" Ed screamed, a single bead of sweat streaming down his face.
"I know!" Roy said with his eyes concentrated on something. "Take care of the one that's going your way!"
"But Roy!" Ed said his eyes wide. "They will get you!"
"I can handle it!" Roy said concentrating even more. Ed concentrated as well…
"Aha! In your face SPACE GOBLIN!" They both screamed at the same time. Then they looked at each other.
"That never happened." Roy said pointing his finger at Ed and he nodded eagerly. Then he put the controller away and lay back on the bed. "How many levels until we invade their fortress?"
"Hmm…" Ed looked at the TV screen. "Five." Then he looked at Roy. "Let's turn in for the day; I'm kinda fed up with seeing their ugly faces…"
"Tell me about it." Roy said, putting both of his hands on his face and heaving a loud yawn. "They kind of became predictable anyway…" Ed beamed at the brunette.
"You're fun!" The blond said and Roy just looked at him, slightly surprised at the statement.
"I know!" Roy said at last; like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Come on, let's order something to eat."
With that they both went to the kitchen. Ed sat on the chair and observed Roy searching for his phone and then dialing a number.
It sure was fun, hanging around like this with his – dare he say it – friend. Not only was it pretty entertaining – even though Roy had never struck him as a type that could have any type of fun – but Ed hadn't felt so at ease around anyone in years.
Maybe because they didn't bother to be nice towards each other at all. After all this time the jabs they made seemed to become like a rough form of affection. Maybe being rude to people was the answer… ?
"You're wrong." Roy said sitting on the chair right in front of the blond. Ed's mouth fell open.
"What? What the hell, are you a psychic or something?" Ed screamed thoroughly shocked. "Have they conducted some kinds of forbidden experiments in the military?" He asked, his voice low and suspicious.
Roy couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"You just looked like you were thinking something very idiotic." He said, face smug. "So I answered it for you." He added and grabbed a cigarette from the table.
"Jerk!" Ed barked. "Just because it's idiotic doesn't mean it's wrong!" Even if Roy was actually right, Ed added as an afterthought.
"It actually means just that." Roy said, lighting the cigarette. "And it's Colonel Jerk."
"How can you know—Really?" Ed asked, stopping in mid-rant. "Colonel?"
Roy nodded, putting the cigarette in his mouth taking a big breath and then letting the air out through his nose.
"Wow…" Ed said, still looking at the novelist slightly shocked.
"There's nothing impressive about it..." Roy said his voice quiet and face blank, all the while watching his burning cigarette.
"So…what were you exactly?" Ed asked, observing Roy's pale face carefully. The older man observed his smoke some more.
"I was a sniper; At least for the most part." Roy answered, not meeting Ed's gaze.
"That explains a lot…" Ed said, thinking about their dart game. His aim seemed to be flawless. Roy finally looked at the blond, small smile on his lips.
"Don't mention it to Envy…" Roy said and Ed laughed briefly. "He may want to play with us some more…"
"But what are we gonna take from him when we have all his money…" Ed added, laughing harder and Roy chuckled while taking a drag of his cigarette.
The doorbell rang, so Roy got up and went to claim their dinner. Paying the delivery man he took the bag and went back to sit in front of Ed.
About 5 minutes later Ed was already done while Roy wasn't even half way through his meal. Looking around in attempt to kill some time, the boy's gold eyes stopped on the pile of money they brought home last night.
"So what are we going to do about that?" Ed asked, and Roy looked up from his table.
"About what?" The brunette asked not knowing what Edward was talking about. Lifting his hand Ed grabbed Roy's face gently and turned it to the left. "Oh that. I told you, you can have it."
"I'm not going to hold on to fifteen thousand dollars just like that!" Ed said, looking at Roy. "It's you who won them anyway. I couldn't even sit straight let alone aim a dart."
Roy snickered shortly at the memory. That was very true…
"I'm giving it to you then." Roy said, taking another bite of his salmon. Ed shot him a look. "Fine! We can share then, half for you half for me." He said and Ed pondered on the matter.
"Fine…" Ed said, not exactly satisfied with the solution.
"Actually you should take mine half as well." Roy added. "To cover my living expenses, you know."
Ed opened his mouth but nothing came out. Roy did have a point.
"…Fine!" Ed finally said and Roy couldn't help but snicker lightly.
"Why do you insist on working so hard anyway?" The Roy asked, chewing on his meal slowly. "With all I'm paying you, you could resign from at least one of those jobs you have."
"Yeah I know." Ed said, looking into Roy's eyes. "That's why I told Al to give up his job and concentrate on studying."
Roy swallowed the last piece and placed the fork down on the plate. Looking at the blond closely he realized just how important his little brother was to him. But even if Al was Ed's last family member and he treasured him above all else, Roy still didn't get…
"What about you?" The brunet asked, finishing his thought out loud.
"What about me?" Ed asked observing how Roy took out another cigarette. "And stop smoking all the time! It's gross!" He said with distain, taking the cigarette from Roy's hand and placing it in the ashtray.
"You, what do you do for yourself." Roy said, taking the cigarette from the ashtray slyly.
"What do you mean what I'm doing for myself?" Ed asked, taking it from Roy's hand once again and throwing away. "I don't have to do anything for myself. I manage as it is."
"I'm not saying you aren't, but is just getting by good enough for someone like you?" Roy asked, giving up on the smoke.
Ed sat silent for a few minutes just looking out of the window, his face somehow… sad. Then he turned to look at Roy, smiling softly.
"Yeah. Yeah it is." He said firmly before getting up. "So are we going to invade space goblins' fortress or what?"
End of Chapter 4
To answer a question whether Roy is going to write the Fullmetal alchemist as a book or just write something just to piss Ed of…well it's for me to know and for you my dear readers to find out ! XDD Although actually I'm not yet sure myself… XD
And to answer a question whether an alchemy is available in my fic… no, it's not. It's a regular world, just like the one we live in… XD