∞∾Edward∾∞

A cool summer nights breeze blew subtly form the north as I leisurely walked down the sidewalk towards my destination. My hair was pulled back tightly in a long pony-tail swaying downwards in the light winds with a few loosened strands catching on the breeze as I walked, hands in pockets towards the park where I was meeting Roy for our…

This wasn't a date. I reminded myself sternly. Not a date…

I'd worn my thick red coat; the night breeze had a bite of cold to it. The weather was always strange this time of year, it was constantly changing. One minute it would hotter than hell. Then the next, you were freezing your balls off. Make your mind up, would'ya… I thought idly pushing my hands deeper in my pockets.

"Mother Nature, the biggest bitch of them all…" I whisper absentmindedly towards the darkening sky high above me. Pulling one of my gloved hands out of my pockets, I drew my thick red coat tightly around me. The ports of my auto-mail limbs were aching from the chill hanging on the air. I was walking slowly and with a visible limp to my steps.

Why had I agreed to come out…? The same question I've asked myself a thousand times since agreeing to this 'meeting' with the bastard. No, I thought while shaking my head lost in thought. This wasn't a business meeting… no… it was— I had no clue as to what to call this… this… Hangout…?

"Fuck." I blurted abruptly, startling the lady walking slightly behind me on the sidewalk.

"It's not a date."I said again to no one; just to reassure it to myself mostly. I knew the lady walking near me was thinking I was crazy because I was talking to myself.

I couldn't care less. It wouldn't be the first time, nor will it be the last time someone thought I was an insane person.

That would be ridiculous… I continued to think while walking a few paces, just absurd… I shook my head feeling lost amongst my own thoughts. Stray hairs that escaped their binding slapped at my cheeks in the motion. I halted my steps on the sidewalk; my gloved hand ran nervously through my bangs, sweeping them backwards and out of my face. What am I doing…? I really shouldn't have come.

I could see the park down the street that I was supposedly meeting Mustang at… I couldn't make my feet take another step. I ran the flat of my palm over my face and dragged it back over my bangs again.

A car drove by at that very moment, windows rolled down with the music blaring. I caught the tail end of the song before the car sped off down the street.

*"You're so gay and you don't even like boys…"

I was frozen where I stood watching the red car speeding off over the rolling hills from the direction I'd just come from.

I felt unexplained heat rise to my face, this isn't a date… I thought rubbing my hand back over my face and down into my pocket. Just two acquainted people, meeting to hang out? I had been trying to rationalize this… this... Fuck I don't even know what to call it… the situation? Yes, the situation. I'd been trying to rationalize this situation into some kind of proof that it was, not in fact, a date between two men.

It wasn't a date… it couldn't be… I am not gay. End of story.

With a sigh I pulled my *silver pocket watch out of my pants pocket, clicking the button on top with my thumb, the front panel opened and I glanced down at the time.

7:15

I was already fifteen minutes late for this... It's not a date. Taking my sudden anger out of the watch, I snapped it closed while roughly shoving it back into my pocket.

"Fuck." I ran my hands over my face once again, why, oh why did I agree to this shit…?

In all reality I knew there was only one person to blame. The bastard who had slyly asked me out on a fucking date…

I internally cringed at the words I was thinking… but like a dumb-ass, I had agreed...

"Oh, god…" I grumbled wishing I had just stayed in my bed… where it was warm and safe, and there was no talk about gays and if I was going to date one…

But in my defense, I hadn't known Mustang was gay…

A door to one of the businesses behind me open, the happy-go-lucky music filtered out onto the sidewalk where I stood.

*"So you say it's not okay to be gay…"

I felt my teeth clench at the words to the song…

"Well, I think you're just evil…"

I let out a sigh of relief as the door closed to the store, ending the terribly ironic music.

"Excuse me, Sir." I felt my jaw tense as I turn to the pestering male's voice trying to get my attention.

"Sir…" A clerk from one of the clothing stores was standing in behind me. The man was wearing a white polo shirt with neatly pressed khaki pants. He was the type of guy you'd look at and wonder, was he gay? I felt myself snicker bitterly, I was losing my sanity.

"Sir, I'm going have to ask you to please move on. You're scaring the customers away." His hair was neatly comb to the side in waves of sandy blonde. He probably was only in his early twenties. His blonde brow was furrowed as he looked down his nose at me. This guy is sizing me up… I thought briefly, with a scowl melding on to my face. This guy had really caught me on a bad day…

"Well Mr…" I paused looking towards the plastic name tag, pinned on the man's shirt. "*Gay-dan…" I barked out a laugh, (Seriously?) I couldn't help it. What were the fucking odds…?

The man didn't seem too keen to see me laughing at him, though.

"Sir, please leave." Gaydan said crossing his arms over his chest, trying to intimidate me with his size. This man stood at least five inches taller than me but he was hardly anything to be frightened of.

Reeling in my laughter, I stood to my full height. I squared shoulders and with a hard glare, looked up towards the kid. I was used to being the smaller man. It was always hard trying to appear tough when having to look up to see into someone eyes. But I've been short all my life and, you know what they say. Practice makes perfect.

"I see no loitering sign." I stated, reaching inside the inner pocket of my coat. Knowingly letting Gaydan catch a glimpse at my black gun holster hugging my chest, before the edges of my coat swung back into place. I drew my leather bound badge with identification card out. Like I've said before, I never leave the house without my guns or my badge. I smirked at the thought.

I flashed my insignia at him while speaking. "Loitering on public property isn't illegal; I'll have you know… If there's no sign stating otherwise."

I saw the taller man eyes go wide with understanding of the serious situation he found himself in. The young man took another step, backing away from me.

"Officer…I'm… My apologies…Sir" Gaydan stumbled over his words. "I didn't think…"

I snorted while interrupting the man before me… Typical. "And that's the problem with youth today, you don't think…" I knew I was taking my irritation at my own life, out on this innocent bystander… but he shouldn't have crossed my path, especially today of all days…

"I… just didn't think you… were a cop… in all honesty." Gaydan said backing further away with his hand rubbing the length of his neck. "Your just so…"

I felt my jaw tense and I glared at the retreating man…

"I'm so what…?" I said with a bite to my words, I could feel the steam escaping from my ears.

Don't say it, buddy… I thought acrimoniously, I knew where his statement was going. I got it all the time in my line of work…

"…Short…"

I swear you could hear my teeth grinding in agitation from a mile away. My face went red in anger…

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT, HE COULD BE CONSIDER A GIRL."

The man looked so confused at my outbreak…"I… I… never said anything like that… Officer…" Gaydan was nearly back towards the store he first came out of.

I was scaring the kid… Good, I thought. Let him be scared… I glared towards him. Then I abruptly remembered what *Lieutenant Marco, my acting commanding officer had said to me before benching me from working out in the field.

'You're a liability, Edward. You have an anger problem, and until you prove otherwise, you are being removed from all active cases until we find you a replacement partner.'

It was all fucking bullshit in my eyes; I didn't need a babysitter watching over my every move… glancing over towards the scared kid… or maybe I did…

Shaking my head at my ridiculous thoughts, this wasn't worth it… I turned my back on the clerk. "Get out of here, before I change my mind…"

Gaydan wasted no time heeding my words, scampering off inside his store, towards safety.

"You're so gay and you don't even like boys…"

The door shut, and I was left with only the sounds of the busy street and my anger flowing around me…

"What is up with that fucking song…?" I grumbled under my breath kicking at a pebble next to my boot. I shoved my badge back into the front pocket of my coat roughly. "Fucking song…" Fucking life… fuck everything…"

The sky was dark now; a few stars shone through the city lights. Meaning I was late for my date… I felt my throat drop into my stomach. Fuck you thoughts.

"It's not a date…" I said closing my eyes with a sigh… but it was a date. I knew this, myself conscious knew this… but why couldn't my ego just admit it. I had agreed to go on a date with a gay guy. And I only had myself to blame for not reading in between the lines.

Some detective I was turning out to be…

"You're a coward…" My pride slithered as I gazed up the street towards the looming park. Just get it over with… I said mentally talking myself into crossing the street towards the park.

But if I crossed the line, there would really be no turning back...

I snorted at my corniness. That was real deep.

At that thought, I crossed the street. Hands in my pockets, I was going through with this, I wasn't a pussy.

"Who knows? Maybe this wasn't a date…"I mused with hopefulness. Maybe this was just two newly obtain friends meeting for a drink…

A straight guy could hope, couldn't he?

I rounded the corner into the park and almost instantly spotted Mustang sitting on one of the metal benches off in the distance. I was lucky; he was facing away from the entrance of the park, making him unaware of my entry. Which was a good thing, I wasn't ready to be seen just yet. I knew I had to set things straight between us… Roy needed to understand, I wasn't gay… and this wasn't a date…but the feeling of warmth making its way through my body at seeing this man made me realize there was something off about this situation between us. And not only on Roy's part, my own as well…

I observe Roy sitting form causally on one of the gray metal benches. His tall broad form was wearing a black over coat to fend off the nights biting cold.

He stuck out like a sore thumb against the greens of the trees and grass surrounding him. His long arms draped along the back of the bench, a cigarette flickering between his elegant fingers. Roy was looking up towards the skies, the winds playing with the black hairs at the curvature of his neck.

I felt a fluttering feeling making its way through my stomach. It couldn't be explained away rationally.

I should have never come… this is stupid…

The coward in me wanted to turn away and walk out the park like I'd never entered but my fear left me grounded. I couldn't take my eyes off the bastard as the feeling of heat raised into my chest.

So stupid…

I burrowed further into my red jacket, this feeling was illogical…I wasn't attracted to men. I couldn't be. It was irrational, idiotic at best. No, I opened my eyes that I hadn't realized I closed. No, I am not gay.

For fuck sake, I'm into women. With their long creamy legs wrapped around my waist, the weight of their breasts in the palm of my hand, beautiful pouty mouths for kissing, their sweet fragrance and long flowing hair lingering on my pillow.— This is what got me going into the sexual department, not thoughts of a man.—

"Fuck…" I sighed; it was pathetic that I had to even remind myself of such things.

It wasn't that Roy was bad looking per se. I actually could admit, maybe not out loud, but I could admit at least to myself; slightly— maybe; he was a good-looking man. I could see why women or (even) other men would find him attractive.

But I'm not gay…

And Roy, as far as I know, is a homosexual...

He wanted to date me…

But maybe he didn't want to date.

Maybe all this was about just fucking… It was a typical guy move… A move apparently even 'gay men' would do to get into someone's pants…

I groan at the demented thoughts rapidly circling in my head. They were simultaneously causing a burning blush reddening my cheeks and my stomach to churning in denial.

I couldn't be sure what this was about, or better yet, I wouldn't be sure until I confront the Bastard. I should just march over there and demand some answer. It wasn't like me to be timid… but that's what this man was making me feel. Apprehensive.

Was this a date, or was this something more causal?

I honestly couldn't imagine myself swinging that way on the sexuality spectrum. Sure I've hug other dudes— Platonic brotherly hugs. I've even kissed Alphonse from time to time on the cheek in farewells. He was my brother for god sake. That didn't make me gay… Did it?

Did it...?

It was an odd thought. Not an uncomfortable, but a foreign concept. Something I have never in my life imagined before, being with another man. I honestly wanted to be disgusted with myself. I wanted to adamantly deny this forbidden notion. Standing up and be a real man.

But I couldn't.—

Where did this leave me? Did I want this to be an actual date?

I shuddered at thought. I don't know if it was from abhorrence of knowing I could be considering I was attracted to a man, or if the cold winds were picking up around me. Both left me quaking in my boots.

Movement from the gray bench drew my attention. I watched Roy throw his spent cigarette to the ground. He stood in a fluent motion, snubbing the smoking embers beneath his boot.

I felt my heart beginning to accelerate as I continued to watch Roy's broad shoulders lift heavily into what appeared to be a sigh. The illuminating light of the moon bathed the man's face in a pale blue as he wistfully gazed up towards the skies.

He looks sad…

His hands found their way into his pockets of his dark trench coat.

He probably thinks I stood him up...

I felt the flood gate of guilt rushing through my chest.

I should have been here on time...

Roy turns then, his coat flapping open in the winds as he walked away from the bench.

He didn't look disappointed, or anything of the sorts. So maybe I was over thinking this...

Then his black orbs caught sight of me standing under the metal archway of the entrance of the park. My face was hot, but I could blame it on the chilled winds whipping at my cheeks.

I felt like I wanted to run, but couldn't because his obsidian gazed held me, locked in place.

He was walking towards me now with a subtle smile playing on his face.

I couldn't remember how to breathe... my heart felt like it could explode.

"I didn't think you were going to make it." His deep voice glided goose bumps down my spine as it caught on the winds. It was rich with a low rumble to it, leading me to believe the bastard was intentionally doing it.

He was standing in front of me, and I could smell the spice of his cologne as he brought his hand up to be shaken in a greetings.

"I ran into trouble up the street, the downfalls of the job..." I grumbled out nonchalantly shrugging my shoulder. I drew my white gloved hand out of my coat pocket, hesitating only slightly before I griped his hand firmly in a shake. It was the truth. That clerk had caused me trouble.

Roy made a 'hn' sound before answering, "I can understand that... you're a police officer?" his dark brow furrowed somewhat with his question as he pulled out of my grip.

"Yeah, how did you know that?"

Roy was looking down at me through his dark bangs. The same slender smile lingering on his mouth.

"Riza said something about it at the wedding, is it true?" His voice held an underline of humor to it.

I nodded my head, my pony-tail slightly swaying with the motion. "Yeah, but I'm a detective. Not just an officer. So get it straight. I graduated out of the blue suit long ago..." I corrected him sternly.

I was letting my nerves get the best of me. I knew I sounded harsh, if not downright rude. But I was nervous; I always got touchy when backed into a proverbial corner.

"Beg my pardon…Detective." Roy said smiling, paying no notice to my harsh tone.

Wanting to change the topic, I was happy when Roy asked me if I was ready to go, "We're already late for our reservation." He said.

Reservation? So this was a fucking date…

"Oh, yeah. What reservation are we talking about? Where are we going?" I asked waiting patiently for an answer while my stomach churned from uncertainty.

I wasn't going to come right out and ask. Was this a date?

I don't know what would have been the worse-case-scenario; dying of embarrassment from finding out this wasn't a date, when I had been freaking out about it this whole time. Or finding out this was a date, and dying of heart failure because this was in fact, a date! Both scenarios, I die. Both scenarios, I disliked immensely.

This both was ironic and deeply depressing, I would gain no reprieve from either out come. And the worst thing imaginable, I was already dead from the anticipation of knowing the answers to my notorious question.

Was this a date? Or was I simply going insane?

∞∾Roy∾∞

My eyes were open before the first ray of the morning sun could come dancing through the hotel curtains. I blamed my internal clock, and of course the military. They were the reason why I never could sleep in, even on my vacation I found myself staring up towards the white ceiling before the sun had even awakened

Some habits never die, and this one I seem to never have dropped after graduating from boot-camp all those years ago...

A repeating practice I needed and never wanted to let go…

I guess you can't teach old dogs to do new tricks, I thought with a sigh. Flinging the covers off my body, I rolled off the bed and onto the floor. Positioning my hands, I pressed down into a push-up, my dog tags swinging down from my neck as the metal clanked together with my fluid motions. A reminder: I was a dog of the military. With a deep breath in, I let that thought slither away with the motion of my body.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Down.

The laborious breathing of my morning workout added to the sound of my clinking tags.

Down. Clink

Exhale.

Up. Clink.

Inhale.

Down. Clink.

Exhale

Up. Clink.

Inhale.

Over; and over, I pushed and pulled my body until I was left without a thought of my own. Ankles crossed, hands pressed firmly into the floor supporting my body.

Down. Clink

Exhale.

Up. Clink.

Inhale.

Down. Clink.

Exhale

Up. Clink.

Inhale.

When I could feel the rushing of blood pumping through my veins and muscles, I stood with a sigh. Taking off the white undershirt I'd worn to bed the night before, I wiped at the sweat dripping off my face before throwing the soiled shirt off into the corner of the room.

The maids would clean it up later. I thought absentmindedly, digging through my suit case for my gray sweat pants and a fresh white shirt.

Putting them on, I set out looking for my running shoes, which I remembered that I'd placed in the closet after I had gotten back from my jog yesterday.

Once they were on, I was out the door with my room-key safely placed in my sweats pocket.

I always loved running at this time of morning. With the first rays of the morning sun peeking over the horizon; the shades of rich oranges and amber's fighting back the depths of the lonely night sky.

Deep shades of reds and pinks, colliding with colors of the coldest blue and blacks, leaving a beautiful display of purples and violets bursting through the heavens above. The lingering stars were twinkling dimly but fading fast with the sun rising brighter in the sky.

You could still hear the grass hoppers chirping their sorrowful tune as the night faded into twilight with the morning fog hugging everything it could reach.

Too say the least it was peaceful. No one was really out this early.

Well, there were the occasional people on the street. People who had to be up and then there were the people who are like me. People crazy enough to up before the sun even had a chance to yawn and stretch.

I smirk, quickening my pace to a brisk run. Jaunting across the street, I enter the park.

I remember the hotel receptionist mentioning there was a jogging trail running through it. I was going to take full advantage of it while I could. When being away at sea, my morning exercise usually consisted of a jog on the treadmill in the workout room of the ship. Breathing in the crisp morning air, was a lot different than working out in a cramped room.

I realized while jogging through the wet grass of the open field that my vacation was moving at a profound speed. Two of the seven days had already passed. Leaving me five days left before having to return to the stuffy frigate and to my acting role as: Captain Roy Mustang, commander in chief of the war ship Jarrett.

Exhaling heavily out my mouth, a large white cloud followed in the wake of my breath. I quickened my pace, pushing myself hard to quite my thoughts. I didn't even want to start thinking about work.—

I found the dirt trail the receptionist had mentioned. It was honestly hard to miss; it weaved in and out of the tall green trees lining the park. Apparently, the path went around the entire field. "—A jogger's paradise." The lady had said. And it truly was.

I ran the paths until the dark skies of the early morning had faded into a brightly blue shades, and the birds were whistling their sweet tune in the trees telling everyone it was time to get up, that the day had began.

By the time I was crossing the street back to the hotel, I was drenched in sweat, my white shirt sticking wetly to my body. My hairs flattened to my forehead in a perspiring mess.

Entering the eloquent building, the door man grabbed in a bright red coat opened the door for me. I smiled when our eyes met. Not waiting for a response I headed for the stairs case, not wanting have to wait for the elevator. I'm a sweaty mess, in need of a shower.

My legs burnt from the use but I took the stairs two at a time to my floor.

Sliding the card key into the slot, I entered my room. Pulling on the bottom of my white shirt, I pulled it over my head and off. My metal dog-tags snagged in the cloth before I pulled them free. The cool metal clanked to my sternum mutely.

Finding a dry spot on the shirt, I dragged the material over my forehead and hair. I wiped away the excess sweat still lingering from my extraneous workout.

That's when the phone rang.

Draping the white shirt across my shoulder, I walked over to the maroon desk where the ringing was coming from.

The phone was one of those old classic telephones. The kind that actually rang from a bell when someone called.

I picked up on the third ring.

"Hello."

"Mr. Mustang, there is a phone call from Riza Hawkeye. Would you like me to patch the call through sir?" The operator on the phone spoke in a monotone voice.

My insides ran cold, why was she calling? The woman was supposed to be on her honey moon.

I sat down on the desk chair.

"Sir, would you like me to patch the call?" The operator said again into my ear when I hadn't responded.

I cleared my throat, "Yes, sorry… I'll take the call."

This couldn't be good. There was silence on the line, before the phone started to ring. It rang two times, before the other line sounded like it picked up.

"Hello..." I said into the receiver. "Hello..." I echoed when there was only silence and a light crackling sound.

"-Roy..." It sounded like it was Riza, but there was a lot of static on her side.

"-Roy... Can you hear me?" Her voice suddenly became clearer.

"Yes, I can understand everything alright?" I spoke leaning forward on the chair I was sitting upon.

The static through the line hissed angrily into my ears again.

"Hawkeye?"

I caught her reply in bits, "-Yes..." static."Alright..." There was more static. "-I know..." crackle-crackle-pop "leave Ed...lone" static...

It sounded like she was speaking in Morse code, but I caught the last bit, about Edward. She knew I was up to something. Even with an ocean between us, she still knew what I was planning. I could never really sneak anything by dear ol' Hawkeye...

"Riza, your breaking up, I can't understand you." I smirked knowingly. She didn't have to know I could decipher the warning through the broken phone line.

Riza went on to say something but the static was overcoming her words.I really couldn't understand her; I didn't even have to make an excuse to get off the phone.

"Riza, I really can't understand ... I hope your having a lovely honeymoon... Don't do anything I wouldn't do to Alphonse." The static hissed into my ears as an answer, before the line went dead.

I set the receiver back down onto the cradle. Staring down at the cream colored telephone, curiosity was getting the better of me.

Snagging the remote off the bed, I switched the wall-mounted television on. Scanning through the lower channels, I stop on the news and turn the volume up, so I could hear it in the bathroom, I headed that way.

"… A tropical storm has hit off the *Yock Islands. The popular tourist destination, known for its vast and luxurious wedding bungalows, is being assaulted as the Island has found itself amidst the storm. Heavy rain and winds are expected to last for the next six days. No deaths have been reported for. All flights in and out have been postponed until further notice…"

I started the shower with the female news broadcaster voice filtering into the bathroom from the bedroom. Tropical storm hmm… I thought calmly, letting my hand test the water temperature of the cascading water. Well, this will buy me more time before Riza returns to destroy all my fun…

Amused by my trail of thoughts, I toed off my shoes and socks while slipping out of my sweaty clothes. I stepped into the warm flowing of the water. My moans of gratitude reverberated off the porcelain walls surrounding me. The water pressure beating along my well worked muscles felt glorious.

Washing and rinsing quickly, I exit the shower in less than ten minutes. Another trait I can blame on the military, quick showers.

Reaching over to the white towel hanging on the wall. I dry off just as swiftly. I glanced to the mirror above the sink, examining the black morning scruff running along my jaw line. I need to shave, I thought, rubbing a finger down my cheek.

Later, for now, I had a reservation to set up. With one last glance towards the mirror, I exited the bathroom. The towel firmly fastened around my waist.

"… In other news. The military officials have announced they are planning to deploy troops into the Far East by the end of the month…" Reaching for the remote on the bed, I flicked the television off.

I didn't need to be reminded of the war our country has found itself in. I lived in that world on a daily basis.

I knew the in-&-outs of the ongoing war. Details of which were gruesome and nothing heroic like the News had set it out to be. The journalist always found a way to twist and form horrid details of the war into something made of gold and honor. All the while, putting the foot soldiers sent off to fight the military battles, on some kind of pedestal, in the hopes they could draw the young adults into the fight for honor; for glory; for our country.

I rubbed at my face with both hands; you are becoming some kind of cynic, Roy.

This was exactly why I didn't want to think of work.—

Dropping the remote down on the bed again, I set out to get dressed. I pulled out a plain black shirt with faded comfortable jeans from my suitcase. I left my feet bare, seeing that I wasn't leaving the room just yet.

Taking a seat at the desk, I picked the telephone up calling to set a reservation at a local restaurant for two.

The rest of the day consisted of me lounging around the hotel room, allowing myself for once to actually relax.

6:00 pm- I started to get ready for my outing with Edward.

6:45 pm – I was striding across the street entering the park, freshly shaven and smelling like my aftershave.

7:05 pm - I had already smoked three cigarettes, and I felt my confidence waning.

7:15 pm –I was doubtful Edward was even going to show.

I sighed looking down at my watch for the umpteenth time since sitting down on this cold uncomfortable bench.

7:30 pm.

With another sigh, I pulled a cigarette out of the package I was holding in my hand. Bringing the white stick to my lips, I lit it with a quick flick from my lighter. I drew the smoke into my lungs before breathing it out to watch it dance away on the cold breeze.

I let my arms drop back down to rest on the length of the bench while watching a fallen leaves dance intimately on the winds.

I blew another bout of smoke into the night sky. A small smile catching the corner of my mouth. You win some, and you lose some, I thought somberly, tilting my head back to watch the white clouds lingering in the skies as they blew across the darkening horizon.

It looked like it could rain… I observed. It would be suiting, the skies matching my mood. Another great sigh blew through me. I threw my cigarette to the ground irritated with the fact I had been stood up but even angrier that I felt so let down about it.

Never assume you have something until you actual have it in your grasp.

I felt my shoulders lift in a deep sigh, my heavy coat weighing me down. I stepped on the still burning cigarette beneath my boot.

This was my fault, I thought vaguely looking up towards the pale moon. I must have come on too strong, a hazard of chasing straight tail.

I shoved my cigarettes and lighter into my coat pockets. The chilled winds biting along the edges of my black woolen trench coat as I walked towards my hotel.

I was disappointed; this situation was like sticking a piece of gum into your mouth and trying not to chew it. The taste of the gum would linger on your tongue tempting you bite down, but you knew you weren't supposed to.

I wasn't comparing Edward to a piece a gum, just the temptation the boy exudes in mass quantity.

He was the forbidden fruit at the top of a tree; you could strive for the juicy apple, reaching out, standing on the tips of your toes, stretching as far as your body could go, only to have your straining fingers grasp the bottom of the fruit, and for it to slip out of your starving hands.

With disappointed smirk, I turn my head towards the entrance of the park. And there stood Edward Elric staring at me with a blush lining his young handsome face.

I couldn't help but feel a burst of relief wash over me at the sight of him standing there. He was rocking from foot to foot, as if he was embarrassed. My smirk widened as I walked towards him.

"I didn't think you were going to make it." I said reaching where he stood, extending my hand out to be shook in greeting, and as he took it I realized he was still wearing those damn white gloves. I wanted to feel his skin, but maybe he's cold….

"I ran into trouble up the street, the downfalls of the job..." Edward spoke with a shrug to his shoulders. I could see the hesitance to take my hand in Ed's eyes, but quickly he got over whatever motion that had snagged him up.

I remember Riza saying something about Edward being a cop…

I made an unintentional 'hn' sound in my chest, "I can understand that… You're a police officer?"

Edward already wide eyes, narrowed in suspicion. "Yeah, how did you know that?"

A little birdie told me at the wedding, when she had been warning me about staying away from you. I couldn't technically say this to Edward, so I opted out and said, "Riza told me something about it at the wedding, is it true?" I couldn't hide the humor lining my voice, nor the subtle smile curling my lips.

Edwards's blonde pony-tail bobbed as he nodded his head in agreement. As I watched, I couldn't help but think just how attractive he looked with his hair pulled up and out of his face.

"Yeah, but I'm a detective. Not just an officer. So get it straight. I graduated out of the blue suit long ago."

I could tell Edward was nervous by the pitch of his rising voice, didhe already know I was planning this on being a date? The boy kept rocking back and forth on the heels of his feet. I don't think he even realized he was doing it.

"Beg my pardon…Detective." I replied, intentionally trying to lighten the mood around us. "Are you ready to go?" I asked with my smile still lingering on my face. "…We're already late for our reservation."

If I hadn't been watching for it, I might have missed Edwards's minor but noticeable moment of shock fleeting across his features. He did know… and was trying to play it cool…

"Oh, yeah. What reservation are we talking about? Where are we going?" The blonde asked trying to mask his uncertainty.

Play it cool Roy, don't scare the boy off… I thought quickly as I started walking out of the park. "Well, I thought we'd just get something to eat and then maybe go see a movie." I answered as nonchalantly as I could. Looking over my shoulder when I didn't hear Edward's foot falling in line with my own, I found the blonde man with a knitted brow, and he was staring at me like I had sprouted another head.

"That, uh, sounds a lot like a date…" Ed said, eyes peering curiously at me as I stood in front of him. Turning to around to face the blonde once more, I made sure to have a subtle smile on my face.

"It is…" I said easily, meeting his amber eyes. I shoved my hands into my pockets waiting for Edward's reply.

He wanted to know…so there it was…not like I normally do, but when did I ever think chasing Edward would be normal.

∞∾Edward∾∞

"That, uh, sounds a lot like a date…" I couldn't believe what I was hearing…

Roy turns his body away from the exit to face me again, a small smirk playing on his mouth.

"It is…"

This is when I finally noticed how Mustang was dressed, I felt my eyes widen slightly as I heard Roy's answer. The dark haired man stood before me, dark dress pants on his long legs, a white dress shirt on underneath his dark over coat. Several of the glossy buttons of the shirt were left unbuttoned, milky skin peering out at me from the opening.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't think….I didn't know you meant meet like in a date. I-I just thought…" I started, a blush reddening my cheeks. I shook my head as I began to walk past the older man, avoiding looking at him.

I knew it…I knew it… I knew it… Kept repeating in my head.

A warm hand on my bicep stopped me in my tracks, my attention turning to look up at towards Roy's face.

The man had a pleading look to his obsidian eyes, "Can't you just give it a try?" His black brow raising as he asked me this unfair question. He was staring expectantly towards me with his coal black eyes that seemed to be able to penetrate my soul the longer we stood amidst the silence.

No, no, no, no…. Was the mantra being chanted in my head…. You're not gay, no, no, no, no….

But there was a part of me… a very strange part of me saying, Say yes, yes, yes, yes…

I debated these two voices in my mind, whether I should try this out or not… I was thinking of the consequences of either answer.

Finally with a sigh, I slowly turned my eyes back to Roy, unsure of when I had looked away…

"I…fine. I'll try it. But don't you try anything or I'm leaving the moment you do!" I said, I can't believe I'm doing this…

I watched a smile split across Roy's fair face. He drew his hand away from my arm, as he nodded quickly and began walking again.

What am I doing…? I thought watching Roy take a few steps ahead of me. When I hadn't followed after him, the dark hair man looked over his shoulder again. "Are you coming Edward…?"

I felt a blush spread throughout my whole body… This was going to be a long night, I could tell…

I just hope I'm not making the wrong choice… Because at the end of the day, I was not gay. And that was the end of the fucking story. I was doing this to simply appease a curiosity I was experiencing and nothing else. Or so I liked to believe.

But you know what they say about curiosity: It did kill the cat…

"Yeah, yeah, Im'acomin'…" I grumbled, quickening my steps to catch up with the long strides of Roy legs.

Up Next: Part two of the date.

1. Katy Perry- Ur so gay (I'm not into Katy Perry, but this song fit so well for this chapter… or well at least that line from the song.)

2. I know the pocket watches are a symbol of being a state Alchemist, but in my AU story, it's just a throwback to the manga/anime.

3. Lily Allen song, F*ck you. I love this song very much. It makes me giggle a little every time I hear it. Do yourself a favorite and go listen to it.

4. Gaydan- A non-repeating OC. I thought the name was funny. Oh, the Irony on Edwards part. Hah

5. Lieutenant Marco- Ed ranking officer- in charge of giving Edward his cases. But since Ed doesn't have an active partner, he's been bench to do paper work.

6. Yock Island- I know it was the Island in the middle of Kauroy lake. The same place Izumi Curtis sent the Elric brother to test their abilities in preparation forapprenticeship under her. In my story, it's a throwback to the anime. :D∞∾Edward∾∞