A/N: Morning and Happy New Year (a very late wish, but a wish nonetheless, right?). Here is a new chapter to this story, I am really sorry for the wait. I hope you will enjoy and please be kind and leave a review/follow/favourite. Thank you very much!

As always, I own nothing but the plot and the original characters, but that's about all (I have to mention that since I apparently forgotten to say it in the previous chapters.)

That being said, on with the show...

Chapter 24 – The power of doubt

He prayed and he prayed, but it seemed that no gods were listening to Roy that day.

"Why, hello there, bastard," Edward said as he stomped into the office, his hands in his pockets and a tell-tale frown on his face. He looked at Roy as if he wanted to kill him, then turned to salute the rest of the team. Hawkeye eyed him funnily. "Hello, Edward," she greeted and went rummaging through the many envelopes that had the blond's name on them.

"Hey, Lieutenant," he replied and took a seat on the couch. "Do you have anything interesting for me today?"

Hawkeye lifted her head from the cupboard she was looking into. She took a tray out and put it on the coffee table. "Let me see, please wait a moment."

Edward nodded and put his feet on the table. Riza kept looking through the envelopes, trying to decide which of the many assignments the alchemist should do that day. He had postponed so much work, it was impossible to choose from that wide variety.

She finally decided on three heavy looking dossiers. "Look over these and then hand them back to me after you compile the reports."

"Alright," he agreed and reclined on the cushions.

From his desk, Roy stopped signing the papers. He ducked his head behind some sheets, more often than not stealing a gaze at the surprisingly peaceful blond. He put the papers down and looked over the desk. He shifted a few more times, closed and reopened his pen some more, then coughed a few times.

Breda nudged Falman and they both looked at their commanding officer. "What do you think is wrong with the boss?" Falman whispered. Breda only shrugged, but they continued eyeing him.

Roy cleared his throat, thinking of how to talk to Ed. He would better keep his mouth shut, but he had to remind his subordinate about the reports he had forgotten to write. How to do that without getting himself beaten to death...

He shuffled on his chair, crossed his legs and uncrossed them. He decided a relaxed attitude might be the best approach. It was not as if he had been shifting from a place to another, but at least he could pretend he was a little in control of himself.

He noticed Edward was making his retreat, so he deemed it appropriate to act. He coughed some more for good measure, then raised his voice, "Don't forget the reports, Fullmetal!" he said, sounding less convincing than he sought and more like a man who didn't want to be hit by his wife with a pan.

"Fuck off, Mustang," Ed said and waved his hand. "You'll have them later," he added and closed the door behind him.

Roy smiled, satisfied with the outcome. Seemed his boy wasn't mad on him! He might solve it all with a night out in the city, maybe go to a nice restaurant and a little walk before retreating to their humble home.

Falman elbowed Breda. "Do you think there's a problem between the boss and the chief?" he asked as quietly as he could. The red haired officer looked up from his dossier and measured their boss, the little wheels in his head visibly turning. The General's face held a combination of surprise, delight and utter mortification, all converging to the question of what he ought to do next.

Breda nodded pensively. He scratched his beard. "I say they've had some sort of fight," he whispered sagely.

"Looks like that... but it seems they're better now," Fuery intervened from his place across them.

"Yeah," Falman agreed. "What do you think it was?"

Breda leaned on the back of his chair. "I think the boss is getting too old for the chief," he pondered.

"But he seems to hear you just fine," Roy said from his desk, curving another signature with the pen he received from Hughes. "Should I remind you this old man is younger than most of you, lads?" he added and raised his eyes to look at his subordinates. "No? Then back to work, gentlemen, we are overflowing in papers."

"Aye, boss," they all agreed and turned back to work.

The rest of the day went just the same, paper after paper after paper. Reports, charts and logs, tons of paperwork came and went back and forth between the officers. Hawkeye kept adding more and more documents to each of their trays.

The lunch break came as a blessing, until the moment the female Lieutenant came in the office with five take-away portions of food. She gave them to the working soldiers and took one for herself. They've all eaten while doing paperwork, mounts and mounts of it. Even Edward came back to do his pile of bureaucracy assignments with them, a little worn out after he had to climb the shelves in the archives to find some documentation. For all the limited credit they usually gave him, the alchemist complained surprisingly little, even though he felt as if his feet were going to give up on him. His back already had, given the stretch it took the previous night.

The evening finally came, but everyone was still working. On the other side of the room, the General halted his autograph session. His wrist was going to collapse from overwork, he noted as he flexed it. It cracked and blocked when he rotated it. He frowned. "How am I going to sign these bloody papers if you die on me?" he asked his hand and clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

Breda waved for Hawkeye, who came over to him. "Are you sure the boss is okay?"

"I am fine, Breda, don't worry," Roy said and poked at his right wrist with the other hand. "My wrist isn't, though," he stated. "Lieutenant, how much more is there to do?"

Hawkeye looked over at the trays. She went to count the files they had to check next when she noticed the hour her watch read. She swallowed hard, realising it was really late. "Not much... tomorrow is Saturday, but if you all came to the office, we might finish what we have to do this week and have a more relaxed start for the next," she said, her voice a tad too urgent for her liking. She abruptly left the office with some papers in her hands.

"Then it's settled, let's retire for the evening, I guess you're all tired," Roy said and closed his pen.

Breda threw his hands in the air. "Finally!" he exclaimed. He flexed and stretched, his body slack after sitting down for hours.

"Couldn't agree more," Edward said from the couch. His hips hurt worse than in the morning, he realised when he bended to restore the proper circulation to his feet. "Remind me why I had to do paperwork, too?"

"Because you never do it and it keeps pilling up?" Mustang replied smiling and rose from his chair. His spine hurt from the lack of movement.

"Whatever," he was brushed off. "As if you ever do it on time."

"I have to disagree, I have the best assistant to make sure I do it."

Hawkeye returned just in time to hear that. "I would not need to make sure you did it if you actually worked on it when you are supposed to, Sir."

"My point still stands, I would be drowning in these paper mountains if it were not for you, Lieutenant."

"I am glad, Sir, it would be a pity to die that way," she replied and hurried to gather her things in the large bag she carried.

The three other soldiers were ready to go as well. They waved their goodbyes and left the office, all happy to go home after that long day. Riza seemed impatient to leave, too, and she excused herself after the rest departed.

Roy turned to look at Edward, who had also noticed the Lieutenant's swiftness. The General opened his mouth, but he was hit by a paperclip thrown at his head.

"Do not even think of it, Roy," Ed threatened him.

"Come on, it is too much of an opportunity!"

"No, Roy," Fullmetal raised his voice. "We are not following the Lieutenant to see why she is in a hurry."

"Why not?"

"Privacy, idiot, or do you have no idea what that is?"

Roy shook his head and grinned. "Not in my vocabulary. But alright, we are not following her."

Edward gave the General an approving nod. He took his coat from the hamper and slipped it on, then took the longer one that belonged to the older alchemist. He turned to see what it was taking Roy so long to join him when he saw the other sheathing his uniform. "You have to be kidding me, Roy, we are so not doing that in the office! What is wrong with you?"

Roy crooked an eyebrow and pulled a pair of black pants from one of the lockers next to his office. "And they were actually saying I am getting old. Seems like it is the case with my little sweetheart, not me," he chuckled, recalling the banter from his colleagues. "As tempting as it might be, sunshine, I have another idea," he said and tugged his white shirt inside the dress pants.

"As long as it does not involve stalking or your hands on me or anywhere that has to do with my body, presence or person, I will grudgingly agree," Ed made and sighed as he helped Roy into his coat. He patted the collar and put the silk scarf over his lover's shoulders.

Roy smiled. "Thank you, Edward," he whispered and kissed his blond locks. Ed looked up at him and grabbed the collar on his shirt. "No funny business, Mustang, you hear me?" he averted.

The Flame snorted. "When did I ever trick you?"

"Where should I start from? Maybe from why you've left this morning like a thief? Because you've busted the door? Oh, or should I tell you about last night, when you've molested me so I couldn't see what happened upstairs? Need I say more, hm?"

Roy rolled his eyes. "Sorry for the door, we will go tomorrow evening and change it with one that you like. Is that fine with you?" he asked and locked the office's door.

"No, I want some fancy ass dinner to forget the way I have planned to hang you after you have destroyed the wall, again."

"Deal," Roy agreed. "But it was you who ruined it last time, when you have banged your head through it."

"Who's fault was that? It's because of you I've hit my head in it," Ed defended himself. He blushed immediately, realising he admitted that he was deep in the throes of passion when he'd hit the wall. His head practically smashed a hole in it, resulting in them having to fix it quite hastily.

"I'm not going to comment on that. I don't know how fancy the dinner is going to be, I don't know any place in that category we might find at this hour without reservation, but I can do decent."

"As long as you're paying, all is good."

"Okay. But let's take a detour," he said and grabbed Ed by the forearm. He dragged him down a few halls to a window and opened it. "Come on, jump," he encouraged him.

Edward looked at him quizzically. "We are on the ground floor, why should I get out through the window?"

"Just do it."

"Okay...?" Ed said and climbed out of the building. Roy followed him and closed the window after him.

"How did it feel?"

The blond smirked. "You know something, Mustang? It's actually cooler this way."

"Told you," he said and grasped his gloved hand. He entwined their fingers. Edward looked down at their joined hands. "Are you sure it is safe to hold hands here?"

Roy nodded. "I like this part of the building because it's always dark. No one will see us, don't worry," he assured him and they started walking out of the Central Headquarters gardens.

They've stopped at a restaurant that had its outer section still opened. It was getting colder at night, but nowhere could they see the stars as bright as outside. They've ordered dinner and ate it together, talking about the little research Ed had made the other day and some other nothings. They simply enjoyed each other's company, without feeling the pressure they had experienced the past month pressing down heavily on their shoulders.

If they hadn't been together for all that time, they could have passed it as a first date. They have nudged each other over the table and touched their feet under it, stole glances and shyly looked each other in the eye. They were craving for that sort of peace they missed in the last few weeks.

When they were finished and Roy paid the bill, their minds clouded and euphoric, they took a turn to walk in one of the parks that crossed their paths. It was the very same they have declared their love for each other on New Year's Eve and both their hearts clenched at the beautiful memory.

They walked together, hand in hand. Whenever they approached a light, they let go of each other's warmth, a pang of hurt twisting in their bellies. It was too dangerous to be seen together, they never knew who would be watching and how it would blow up in their faces. But they were happy with the little they could do, even if it was never enough.

They exited the park and took a turn for the better lit part of the city. They decided to have a drink somewhere and then retire for the night. They were both exhausted, it was a wonder how they could still walk straight.

The night was calm and the wind was gently caressing the faces of the passers. The breeze blew from the front, pulling Roy's black hair up from his forehead, dark strands barely standing down. He straightened his ever messy locks and crossed his arms over his chest. "Is it getting cold or am I just tired?"

"Both, I think," the other replied. "It has been a long day."

"It sure has," Roy hummed. He turned his eyes at his lover's form, his golden hair shining bright. It was so beautiful, how the light ghosted over his cheeks and got caught in those pale eyelashes. He continued to look at him with the corner of his eye, conscious of his inappropriate gaze. Yet he could not tear his eyes from his little sunray.

His stares were not overlooked. Ed blushed lightly, the intense feeling of adulation towards him making him heat up. In a way, he was honoured of the attention, but there was a thorn that was twisting around his heart. He was uncertain of what was going to happen to them when Roy finally became the Fuhrer. He wanted that for the man, more than anything he had ever wanted for him, but their relationship would never be the same.

Such sad thoughts on such pleasant night, he thought. It was not the time to be down, he still had his happiness near. "You are lucky I took a liking to you," Edward lied to himself, absent in everything but presence, looking at the stars on the sky. It was getting harder to see them in the dim electric light on the streets, but he knew they were there.

"Mhm, lucky me," Roy agreed and patted his shoulder. "But I do not blame you, no! I know I am charming, no wonder you fell for me," he said with a huge grin.

"Right, right, you are the Prince Charming," Ed said and rolled his eyes. "Keep dreaming, old man, I merely took pity on you. You were pathetic."

"I might be a pathetic old man, but I am charming. Admit it!"

"No."

"I am!"

"You are not, stop making a fool of yourself."

"Come on, I am! I am charming, I say! Haven't I charmed you with my charms? It is definitely the charm!"

Ed snorted. The man had no end to his pride. He remembered the previous president of the state and his artificial son. How similar they were to them sometimes, when their real characters were surfacing. He had an unreasonable anger in him and Roy's ego often knew no boundaries, but they realised when they were going too far. Maybe that was what made them human, having all the ugliest sins at once and fighting against them. That made them beautiful, beautiful like his raven lover.

"You are awfully quiet, Fullmetal. Did I finally render you speechless?"

Edward's blood rushed to his ears. "Shut up, Mustang."

Roy smirked. He longed to hear his boy telling him to stop talking. He loved his fire and how he tried to contain it. "Why, am I too much for you? And what is with you calling me old every time something does not go your way? You make me sound ancient, I am not that old, you know."

"Whatever, you are much older than me. You are ancient, like you say."

The raven haired alchemist pouted. "Wait till you have my age, you will not hear the end of it."

"When I will be your age, you will be antique."

Roy chuckled. There was no way out of that logic. He patted Ed on the shoulder, wishing he could hold his hand and kiss him whenever he wanted. The blond looked at him with a little understanding smile, he would have liked the same. They walked in silence through the bright street, watching people go around them.

Boisterous teenagers were singing along, some of them chanting ahead of the others, the horrid sounds they produced roaring in the low humming of the night. Lovers embraced, some others walked hand in hand or a girl made out with her lover on the sidewalk, thinking they were being subtle. The two alchemists looked at them all, observed the fretting of that luminous alley. Roy was by no means bothered by the open displays, he had been their age once, he did all of that and more. He loved his boy very much, but he could wait until they got home for such things.

Edward, however, looked with foreign eyes. He was not by any means disgusted or embarrassed by the acts, he had seen far more in his short existence, but something made him see everything in a strange light. It was something unexplainable, something that pushed him to have a closer look at the pairs. He could not comprehend what emotions he was experiencing.

The next alley was far more reserved, the bright lights of the pubs were changed to pleasant warm colours, coming from the restaurants. People dinned in the gardens, probably for the last time that year. It was getting colder by the day and it was hard to keep the verandas clean of falling leaves.

Despite that, many citizens were outside, enjoying a glass of wine. Some more quaint places had families, all gathered around full tables. Roy looked at them longingly, almost appreciative. He liked seeing friends and siblings together, laughing and sharing their mirth with each other. He always wanted to feel that kind of joy he saw on their faces, to have his own family around him and go out with them. He never got to experience it with his parents, it made him a little jealous on the children whom he saw at the tables, running around their exasperated progenitors. It was late, but there were still many boys and girls annoying the fat cats of the locals or playing hide and seek under the long table clothes. Some other children were asleep on their parents' laps or shoulders while the adults continued to talk to each other.

They walked on the long street and left it when they reached the first junction. Ed insisted they took a left and went to a bar on the next alley and Roy agreed. He would have wanted to pass by more of those outdoor tables, but he was not in the mood for an argument. He enjoyed going anywhere, as long as he had his partner with him.

The blond breathed lowly, feeling ashamed of himself. He could not stand another moment hearing that low hum coming from the various restaurants, seeing those large smiles and loving stares. He saw how Roy looked at the people, even though he only let his gaze wander. He saw him and his heart started to clench inside his chest. He could barely breath, knowing he was the primary reason to his lover's long looks.

He wondered if Roy would be contemplating starting a family, given his age and status. He could provide for a family, alright, he was of a good age to have a child or maybe two. He would have looked good next to some mannered woman with solid background, not a volcanic co-worker, ten years younger than him and lacking two limbs. He never wanted to hold anyone down, but he constantly found himself in that position. First his brother, whom he had left in an armour for years, and now his partner.

Roy sensed his chagrin and stopped walking. "What is the matter?" he asked.

Ed hid his face behind his bangs and stared forward. "Nothing."

"Mhm, and I am a princess. Be honest with me, sunshine."

The blond felt a vein popping from that nickname. He hated being called anything besides his name or at most his military rank or appellative. Whatever did not fit in those categories was out of the question. "Are you a princess, now?" he made, not letting the opportunity slip. "True that, you would look great with a tiara and some pink dress."

"You think so? How did you know I've always wanted to wear that?" Roy said and started laughing. "That is some disturbing image you put in my head. But you did not answer my question, Edward. I am all ears."

"It's nothing."

"Edward, you are not fooling me."

He kicked a pebble with the tip of his shoe. He had to talk to him. "Nothing, I was just thinking... I sort of wanted to ask you something," he started. He inhaled sharply, gathering his courage to tell Roy about his incertitude, when he noticed he wasn't paying any attention to him.

"Are you kidding me, Mustang?" he grunted. Roy's eyes were focused in front of him, his face twisted from trying to see farther than humanely possible. He looked very intensely at something, but when Ed shifted his gaze in that direction, he was pulled after a bush. "What are you-"

Roy put his finger over his lips. "Look there," he whispered and pointed forward. Ed looked over the leaves, trying to understand why he had to hide behind a bush on a peaceful alley. "I cannot see shit, Roy," he retorted, getting angry.

"Not there," Roy shifted his head and made him look in another direction.

"Huh? Oh! No way," the blond gasped. "Is that the Lieutenant?"

"Mhm, definitely her."

"What is she doing here at this ho-" Edward stopped and turned to frown at his lover. "What the fuck are you doing, you said you were not going to follow her!"

"I was not following her, stupid, I've just seen her!"

"Then why are we hiding?"

"Because I am curious, now. I want to see who she is with without alerting her," Roy explained. He watched intently how his assistant looked at one of the restaurants, visibly waiting for someone to come out. He saw her smile and she extended her hand to hug someone's forearm and walk along them.

"Hey, dumbass, is that Havoc?" Ed elbowed him in the stomach, having a hard time looking when the taller man was shadowing him. The other did not register the blow and continued to tower over him.

"Seems so... What the hell are they doing?"

"Um, having a date, maybe? You know, they seemed pretty close at the New Year's Eve party, but you were too obsessed with pissing Armstrong off and too drunk to notice. Maybe they want to try going out?"

"Yes, but why?" Roy asked, suddenly quizzical. Edward kicked his shins and pulled him down.

"Why did you start dating me?" he demanded. Roy seemed not to understand the question. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"Just answer me, you moron!"

"Because I was lonely and I liked you?" he said mildly, still not figuring what the boy was going at. "Why are you asking me? You know that already, right?"

"Because, you thick skulled idiot, maybe that's why she went out with him! Hello, you are not alone on this planet, believe it or not, there are many persons who are single! She might want to find someone, or maybe she just felt like hanging out? You know, like normal people do, not like us staying behind a fucking bush?" Ed exploded and got up to his feet, making sure to kick Roy in the shoulder. "Get the fuck up, this instant. Now, Mustang, before I make a scene we will both regret later!"

Roy hurried to comply, dusting his coat. His assistant and his former subordinate were out of sight, they must have turned around the corner. He looked around them, making sure no one was watching them. Fortunately, the bush he decided to hide behind was remote and no one noticed them disappearing.

He started after Ed, seeing him going ahead of him. He fell in besides him. "Hey, I was just asking! She didn't mention going out with Jean..."

Ed rolled his eyes. "Why do you think she didn't? Because she knew you could not possibly help nosing in her business! Leave the poor woman alone to do what she wishes, you said we were going to drink something and not stalk her!"

"Yeah, sure," Roy agreed and put his hands in his pockets. He narrowed his eyes, not sparing a moment from wondering why Hawkeye forgot to mention him about her date. Alright, he was reluctant to tell her about his little escapade with Ed, but he would have told her eventually, if she did not find them humping over his office desk, naturally.

That was a way of telling her, he decided, so she should have told him, too.

They walked to a random bar and ordered some ale. Ed might have preferred wine, but Roy forgot to ask him what he wanted. He stepped over his shoe.

That drew the man's attention, alright.

"What was that for?"

"Stop thinking about the Lieutenant," Edward commanded, his golden eyes impossibly narrow. Their order arrived and they clanked their mugs before drinking.

He swallowed hard, not particularly enjoying the bitterness on his tongue. He was not a great lover for beer or anything that shared its strong taste, but he could drink it if he had to. His partner was in another dimension, it appeared, so even if he complained, he wouldn't be heard.

He absently chewed on a peanut, looking at Roy's black eyes. "Mustang?"

"Yes?" the man replied and looked up at him. He smiled, the corner of his eyes wrinkling gently. "What is it?" he asked, sounding so innocent it was irritating.

"Why are you looking so lost? You are absolutely annoying."

Roy licked his lips and replied, his voice hoarse, "Sorry, I was just thinking about Riza, I don't get her."

Ed sighed, fighting hard not to punch that smile off his face. He leaned forward, minding that they were in a public place and hardly refrained from smacking him in the head. "If I hear about this just one more time, I swear I am making you eat that fucking glass you are holding," he threatened and took another sip of his beer to calm his aching throat. "Now, because I am this close to killing you because you ruined a perfectly good door, let's make a plan where to go and find a new one."

Roy touched his neck, feeling a ghosting pain at the threat. He wanted to talk about how left out he felt, but he was sure Ed would make his words true if he started with that again. He liked being alive better than satisfying his curiosity urges, so he started pointing out places where they could go.

XXXXX

The following week passed so uneventful it hurt. It was once again Friday and it felt like no time passed at all since the previous one. Roy reclined on his favourite armchair, putting his feet on the table. He hummed something off tune and rolled a tumbler between his fingers, looking at the amber liquid spinning lazily. He took the book from the armrest, where it stood opened where he left it the previous evening. He opened it and started reading, but realised after some time he didn't pass from the second paragraph on the current page.

He raised his eyes to look forward, not really at anything in particular. He was too tired to read, he should have noticed the moment he laid down, but he was too agitated to go to sleep. He couldn't possibly shut his brain, he was too restless.

He finally gave up on the book and closed it. It didn't matter where the story was left, it was not that interesting anyway. He drowned the rest of the glass and put it on the low table at his feet, deciding he didn't need anything more to drink.

Sighing, he rubbed at his temples. He was alone at the moment, Edward was still out. He said he wanted to go at some book convention at the Central Library and Roy couldn't but send him as a package there, he was in no mood to listen to authors talking about their extraordinaire writings or whatever happened there.

He put his head on the armrest, suddenly feeling heavy. Not only he didn't find out anything about Hawkeye's little date, but for some reason, after last Friday's outing, Edward felt somewhat distant. Sure, they shared the same bedroom, currently having a magnificent new door, and they worked together and ate their meals at the same table, but something was rather off. He dreaded what might have passed through Ed's head, one never knew what that might be. He could only hope he didn't get bored of him, because he had no idea how he would survive that.

He heard heavy knocking at the front door and wondered if Ed had forgotten his keys. He never knocked, he always opened the locks and let himself in without any previous announcement. Nonetheless, Roy was glad for the change, he had a few moments to put up a moderately cheery face that wouldn't give his thoughts away.

He looked through the viewfinder and his face fell. Frowning, he opened the door.

"Oh, dearie, why the long face? I thought you might be glad to see me," Crendell made with a huge smile.

Roy pressed his lips together, but stepped aside to allow the man in. "What a cheery surprise to have you at my doorstep," he made drily.

"Oh, Mustang, you should thank me for going all the way to bleeding Aerugo and do your work, not sulk and look offended."

Roy rolled his eyes and started walking back to the living room. "Remember you are working for me, Crendell, not with me. Don't pull the floor from under your feet."

"I see no reason for your hostility, Roy. Let me guess, the shining prodigy is not at home? Ran off somewhere?" Albert made uninterested and took an uninvited seat on the couch. Roy shot him a look, but asked him if he wanted to drink anything, anyway.

Crendell waved his hand pleasantly. "Don't bother yourself for me, whatever you want to give me is good for me."

"Well then, I was actually thinking of making some tea, so if you would wait here for a moment," Roy said and went to the kitchen and returned with two mugs. He knew he was supposed to bring teacups when he had guests, but Crendell was no guest at all. He had filled the mugs with water and he casually snapped his fingers at the liquid, making it boil instantly. Turning to the other man, he motioned for a bowl of different flavoured teas he had on the table. Impressed by the little alchemy display, Crendell took a bag and dipped it in the hot water.

"Useful little trick you have there, Roy. Is this what you have been researching all this time? Mastering the fine art of boiling water?"

"It has proven its value from time to time, you see," the other commented as he stirred his tea. "But please, let us put pleasantries aside and tell me about your presence here. I believe we have agreed to talk on Monday."

"Oh, of course," Crendell made and took a sip of his tea, "but I thought it might be better to talk in a more, let's say... private environment, don't you agree?"

"Dully," Roy hummed in approval. "So, do start."

"Well, first things first, I have no idea why I ever thought those Aerugo coward to be cunning. They have gave in to my and the Major's inquires in no time. As a matter of fact, I definitely like your Armstrong, he knows how to scare someone off, all right!" Crendell laughed. "I say we made a great team."

"And I say you continue with your report," Roy said coolly.

"Impatient, aren't we? They have nearly begged to do us more favours by the end, so no worries. You have full support from Aerugo, I made sure your friends there sang the proper words to their Government. They have agreed for an official meeting to sign a treaty. There will be negotiations, but they will only exist to give a reason to the press to talk and make more lobby for the great offer of friendship between our states, nothing more."

"Ah, good then. When did they say that will happen?"

"I was told the Fuhrer will be offered to analyse a proposition from our side at the start of the following week, we have such fast chaps. Of course, your name will be mentioned for making such allegiance be possible, I believe songs will be soon written to your name!" Crendell exclaimed, smiling greatly. "I believe you didn't mind me smoking in here last time, did you?" he asked, taking out a cigarette package from his pocket.

Roy smirked. It was good news, indeed. "Of course, let me just open the window so we can see each other over the smoke."

"Quite careful, aren't you?" the other said and rummaged his pockets for his lighter. Roy took notice of his search and extended his hand under the man's cigarette. He snapped his fingers lightly, igniting the stick that started hissing as its owner took a drag.

"Thank you. I must say, you have some damn good skills there!" Albert said ecstatically. He never saw such a fine use of alchemy before, he had almost forgotten it was first used to suit everyday needs and not to fight in wars. Nearly overlooking his manners, he silently took the ashtray he was given and turned to ask, "Can I offer you a cigarette?"

Roy raised an eyebrow. It was such a foreign question to his ears, it has been so many years since he was last asked that. He used to smoke with Hughes at the back of their barracks back in their training days, and during the war he didn't even realise when or if he dragged the fumes in all his daze to feel anything but blood and numbness. He wondered how it came that Crendell even remembered seeing his smoking, since the only time he did, it was impossible to have recognised him.

Crendell seemed uncomfortable at the question, like he didn't mean to ask such a thing to someone who would deny a positive answer. Looking at the half empty pack, Roy clicked his tongue, realising the man didn't have a clue. "Why not, thank you," he made idly. He sometimes smoked when he was absolutely raging, but now it seemed as good a time as any.

He snapped his fingers and took a drag, pondering what else he wanted to talk about. "It is a good development you made there, Crendell," he complimented. Good indeed, he though smugly, praising himself for his planning. "I believe we will be talking in no time about some new mission for you and, why not, the Major, if you agree to work again with him."

Crendell smiled and blew the remaining smoke in his mouth. He liked how he was given the choice. "Actually yes, we seemed to make a darn good team. As long as you keep your end of the deal, I can very well keep mine. Just call me and we'll find a way."

"That's amiable, then," Roy said and extended his hand to shake Crendell's.

"Well then," Albert said as he extinguished his cigarette, "now I can get to the second part of our little nice meeting. I've looked into what you've told me, and I can proudly say that I've found what you've wanted, and rather faster than I would have thought."

Roy stopped moving, his eyes darting up to stare at the other General. "Now, really?" he asked, taking a final drag from his cigarette and butting it next to the other one in the ashtray. He took another sip of his tea, this time more agitated.

"Mhm, really. I've tracked him down."

"So you say he is real?"

"As you and me, yes. Very much real. I haven't approached the kid, actually he is no child at all, he is a veritable teenager or whatever they call themselves these days. I even got to find more about him. Here, you should read what I've managed to learn, I made contact with him, too. Didn't let down of my cover, but he seemed too much of a kind boy, too kind maybe. You should be careful, though. It might get fishy," Crendell said and took some folded papers from his pocket and handed them to Roy.

Slightly shaken, Roy took the papers and unfolded them, staring at a little photograph and a general biography. He gently traced the contour of the young boy's face, looking at his smiling face, so familiar and yet so strange. He didn't know that person, but it was so startlingly alike someone he didn't care to remember. He bit his lower lip thinking.

"Seems your hunch was right, Roy," Crendell said as he took another cigarette. "Can you please light it again? I cannot find the lighter for the life of me."

"Certainly," Roy said absently and snapped his fingers again. Crendell murmured appreciatively and looked at him. "So, what do you think? I must say I was really surprised when you asked me to follow your uncle's trail for the past few years. I never suspected you would make me look into your personal affairs, but you know I cannot leave anything regarding you to just get past through me. I'm your biggest fan, am I not?" he said with a great grin.

Mustang shook his head. Creepy man, he wondered why he even bothered to talk to him about his family and ask him to track his late uncle's little mistake, but he had no idea who else could have helped him. He couldn't go so randomly to Aerugo, he couldn't have popped up and started asking questions without seeming suspicious. There was no one he could have talked to without having to explain himself. Not even his aunt, because he wasn't sure about his supposition. He knew his secret was safe with Crendell, whose obsession with him proved him safe from slipping any unwanted information to the wrong ears.

Just as he wanted to find more about that boy from the picture, he heard the front door close and some keys hitting the glass bowl at the entrance. Heavy boots tapped fast to the living room, startling both men.

"What the hell smells like bur- What on Earth are you doing here?!" Edward exclaimed, looking furious. "Did you seriously pretend to be tired so you could sip tea with this arse and fume the walls? And I actually went to buy your books for your shitty research!" he shouted and threw Roy a bag of books. He turned on his heels and went back to the entrance hall to drop his boots.

Roy hid the papers in his pants' pocket and made a move to follow the unnecessarily angry man. He was prevented by a loud yell. "Good that you at least opened the damned window!"

Crendell snorted. "Excellent manners, I say!"

Roy shot him a look and resumed drinking his tea, deeming it safe to continue. He looked up at Ed, who methodically jumped over the coffee table and landed on the couch, next to Crendell. "What's with you here?"

"Good evening to you too, Fullmetal," Albert made amused. "I simply came over to present my report, nothing more," he replied and finished his tea with a little smirk.

Roy took his cue to ask his lover if he needed anything. "Do you want me to bring you anything on my way to the study? Thanks for the books, by the way."

Edward shook his head and snatched the mug from his hands. He sniffed it cautiously and then took a big gulp. "Neah, I'm fine!" he said, beaming.

Roy rolled his eyes and took the book package. "If you'll excuse me," he said and left them alone on the couch.

Crendell looked at the blond, taking in his appearance. For once, since the first time they have met, he looked rather pale, no matter how nicely he smiled. He seemed to have his mind elsewhere and he was slightly less vibrant than what he got to see of him before he went to Aerugo.

Well, it was none of his business.

"I take your mission went well?" Ed asked casually, crossing his legs and turning to look at him. Albert nodded, always glad to make small talk.

"Yes, it did. Mustang will definitely tell you more about it, but it sounds to me like you will have a lot of work to do in the future."

"Oh, joy."

They fell into silence once again. Crendell felt somewhat uneasy, as he had expected to have all sort of inquires about what happened. However, the young man he knew for certain would always jump in for more knowledge proved to be thinking of something else. It was somewhat sad to see someone so young and cheerful in such a sorry state.

He started talking about the sights he had seen in Aerugo, uncomfortable with the sudden silence. He wondered what Roy was doing that he hadn't showed up in such a long time, but it seemed that he had finally hooked Ed into something resembling polite conversation. They exchanged some short travel stories, until he took it was high time he spoke his mind.

"It is very interesting, your place in the bigger picture," he started. Ed turned at him, cocking an eyebrow. "I have no idea what is going in your mind or what your intentions are, Fullmetal," Crendell continued, "but I advise you to be careful. Even more so now."

"And why is that your sudden interest in my well-fare?"

"Oh, no, don't get me wrong. I have little to no interest in it, but it would be a shame for you to mess anything, knowing how prone you are to it. Listen to me, Elric, and listen well – the time you will have to set your priorities straight will come soon. You might not realise it, but you are in a position of great power."

"Power? How so?" Ed asked interested. "I don't remember ever having it, I don't understand what you are saying."

"But you do. You live with a man who managed to scare off an entire government just by mentioning his name. I told you, I don't know your motives, but have it in mind on whose side of the bed you are."

"Why you-"

"Please, I don't mean to insult you. Now that I have to play with the good guys, I'd hate to see anything happening that might ruin the mood. I mean to tell you to be careful and to mind the consequences of your relationship. You may see Mustang as a royal idiot, but he is a public figure. People can take certain aspects of his life badly and he needs to look presentable and vertical. He has to provide an image people would like, so then he can do what needs to be done. I'm not judging you, but you should be reminded that there will come a moment when you will no longer be able to be so straight forward with him."

Edward cleaned his throat uneasily. "I don't see what your problem is and why it suddenly became your business what I did or how I behaved. Have no worries, your golden boy will look good for the masses."

"I'm not saying this to make you doubt your place, no. But you a little over twenty and have little experience with the crowd, if at all. He is thirty and has way too much of that. That man has been promoted like mad, Fullmetal, do you realise he actually jumped three ranks and made it into a General? A fully fledged General? Because of some lousy research you two did? Do you see the abuse of his own position he had made? Grumman is his perfect puppet, he was made president when his rank shouldn't have permitted it. But Mustang went and chanted the right words and that was that. He had his people in the right place yet again."

"I don't see where this is going, and I'm in no mood-"

"Don't you see it? If anything goes wrong and it comes to questioning, you will find yourself asked too because of your shared past, before even getting to your relationship. Hell, I did enough shit as it is and I'm no better than you lot in more ways than one, but it is easier to wiggle out one person who didn't demand any attention! But you, you have made it clear that you wanted to shine in all this, even if you don't know it yet or didn't want that. You, your great Mustang and your friends, everyone, you are all criminals who just squeezed themselves in the position of winners because he, that man you are throwing books at, had the power to do so. But you may be found guilty if something pops over your heads and you have no idea how bad you two might fall if something like that happens."

Ed turned red. "You dare? Criminal? I have busted my ass off-"

"Yeah, you sure did, but remember that State Alchemists still exist and have been changed their use only because it had been beneficial for Mustang. Because he had to accuse people of the crimes that had been committed in the wars, and he needed to make himself the victim, the weapon that was used against its will. You were protected by his need to be innocent. I don't know how you landed yourself in this position that you are, but power, kid, power is something that passes past your head every day and you don't fucking realise it and know shit about what to do with it. You can be dangerous and you are in danger."

Rather brusquely, Roy entered the living room with a forced smile. Crendell looked up at him, regretting he didn't make himself clearer to the blond alchemist, in whom he might have planted the wrong idea. But it wasn't the moment to make himself clear, not when it was obvious he wasn't trusted by him. He might have proven useful and Mustang might have trusted him for his own reasons, but he didn't have such passing from Edward. "Thank you for the tea," he said abruptly and made to stand. "I will take my leave now. Keep in touch, in the meantime, I will start looking into the next possible targets. I expect to be working in the same formation."

"I shall demand your further collaboration rather sooner than later, Crendell. I will see you on Monday," Roy replied and showed the man to the door.

Edward stared down at his hands, deeply shaken. He knew Roy was an influential figure, he knew that very well, he knew what he had to do in order to fulfil his goal. But how could he be dangerous in that?

He knew it very well how. He remembered vividly the madness in Mustang's black eyes when he burnt his uncle. He remembered just as well how he nearly murdered Envy when he realised he was the one who killed Hughes, and only the Truth knew how many times he had been in such situations and reacted just as badly or worse.

It has always been the personal attachments that made Roy slip. That time with Envy, there had been Hawkeye to stop him, but it had been such a lucky slip. But when it came to Telford Mustang's death, the glass was already too full not to spill.

He, Edward Elric, he had become Roy's new attachment. If anything would happen to him, and it could very easily if they were not careful enough, it would all collapse because Roy had no control over himself when it came to losing.

He suddenly felt scared.

These thoughts had been eating at him for a while, but he never really focused on them. They had never been as present as then. He had been terrible for taking so many things away from Roy, whom he loved with all his heart, but he didn't really think of the real harm he could actually do to more than one person.

He was such a selfish person, in the end. Because it never really mattered about anyone else but those he cared about intimately. He took care of his brother and his few friends in his quest for restoring Al's body, but he rarely really minded those around him. He protected them to some extent, yes, but he didn't think about their wellness on the long term.

But that ugly head of realisation couldn't leave alone that one singular thought that he had for such a long time.

When Roy would be Fuhrer, what would become of them?

What would become of him?

A/N:That's it for now, I hope I will have the next chapter soon, and in quite a few chapters this story will finally be at its end. I am currently trying to edit the previous chapters, as I've realised there is so much improvement to be made, but I will definitely prioritise writing. Nonetheless, I hope you will stick with me and continue to enjoy my intrusion into the FmA universe.

So, thank you for reading and please leave some feedback!

Until next time, ta-ta!