"You smell nice."

Ed huffed a laugh, his hot breath burning Roy's neck. His nose was pressed against his blond head, his scent consuming him whole. "There you go again."

It was past 2AM, and they weren't sleeping. Work hadn't even crossed his mind. Naked and satiated, he couldn't think of anywhere else he'd rather be than tucked in bed with Ed. He didn't want tomorrow to come, to have to restart his countdown.

Roy didn't reply, content to simply hold Ed's warm body against his own. His finger was tracing idle circles on his back, his shoulder. But Ed said, "I've been using your shower stuff."

Roy smiled despite himself. He'd known, and hadn't said anything. "Of course you have."

Ed gave a little snort. "Of course you like your own scent, bastard."

Ed's hand was trailing down his chest and it was making his brain stutter. He was curled up on Roy's left side, having finally relinquished Roy's side of the bed.

"I was complimenting your unique scent," Roy mumbled patiently.

Ed squirmed to catch his gaze in the dark, moonlit room, and gave him a sceptical look. "You're saying I smell."

Roy huffed in amusement and slight incredulity. "Edward, I am merely complimenting you."

Ed rolled his eyes, but that embarrassed awkwardness he felt whenever Roy complimented him flowed through the bond. He tucked his face back into Roy's neck. "Sex makes you sappy, I think."

Roy tightened his grip on him in slight admonishment. "You make me sappy, I'd say."

Ed groaned softly, and Roy smirked into the darkness.

"You're a bastard."

"I'm starting to think that's your way of saying you like me."

"It's really not."

Roy chuckled, his fingers trailing down Ed's back, his touch featherlight. Ed shuddered, nails softly digging in to his chest. His touch turned teasing, and he brought his other hand to cup Ed's ass, squeezing softly.

Ed growled against his neck, his teeth scraping against the sensitive skin, and the anticipation of that bite had arousal sparking inside him. "Teasing bastard."

"You like it," Roy dared.

Ed huffed, and Roy felt his grin against his skin as he shifted their weight, until he was lying almost fully on top of Roy. Their naked bodies flush against each other under the duvet, he could feel his body responding. Ed was almost fully hard, his length pressing against his hip.

He was insatiable.

Ed's grinning face was illuminated by the moonlight slipping through the blinds. "I'd rather your teasing ass than you wearing your stupid uniform around the house and being a dick."

He felt the familiar heat creep up his neck. Had he really been that ridiculous? Wearing his uniform around the house as though it could protect him from…from what exactly? This?

Ed must've sensed the embarrassment, because he chuckled and leaned forward to deliver that bite. Even though he'd been anticipating it, its intensity still made him softly gasp. He felt Ed's grin against his neck as his lips travelled to the other side of his throat and bit down again. His cock twitched.

"You like to bite me," Roy remarked, a bit breathlessly.

Ed hummed. "What of it?"

"Nothing."

A pause. "Do you want me to stop?"

Roy took a second to swallow. "No."

Ed pulled back to look at his face, his eyes narrowed and searching. "You hesitated."

He stared into his golden eyes, and suddenly felt more vulnerable than he ever had. "I hesitated to admit that I like it when you bite me, Edward."

His cock was throbbing between his legs, hard and ready once again for the magnificent blond on top of him. His hands were already cupping his ass, squeezing eagerly. He could feel the slickness from their previous activities—the slickness of lube, of him, as he'd spilled inside him mere hours ago. He could just slide in…

Ed licked his lips slowly, as though preparing for a feast. His eyes were piercing. And then he crushed their lips together, roughly and demandingly, and it took Roy's breath away.

He bit down his lip, and Roy groaned, their tongues clashing with a reciprocated desperation. Ed fisted his hair, tilting his head as he broke the kiss and dove to his neck, biting hard, harder than he had previously, and Roy gasped despite himself, the spark of pain going straight to his cock.

Ed didn't stop at his neck. He bit his shoulder, and then threw the duvet back, revealing Roy's naked body as he dove back in, biting his chest, his unmarred side, his stomach, his hip, his inner thigh.

His heart was beating wildly in his chest—he was so turned on his whole body pounded to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Ed paused, face hovering over the scar on his left side curiously. His eyes flicked up to his. "Sensitive?" he mumbled.

Roy shook his head. "Nerves are mostly dead."

Ed hummed, giving it a little bite that Roy barely felt, and then continued downward, biting the other side of his hip, his other thigh. His tongue traced the join between his leg and hip, slowly moving to his balls, and Roy thought he was going to combust. His fingers curled into the sheets.

His cock was in Ed's mouth in a second, his lips sucking, his tongue swirling, and a chocked, surprised whimper escaped him. His hand found its way to his hair, holding it out of his face, fisting it just slightly too hard.

Breathing was becoming more and more of a challenge as Ed bobbed his head, taking his cock until it hit the back of throat—again and again, until Roy was panting, until his grip on the dregs of his control was slipping and sounds were starting to come out of his mouth.

But then Ed pulled back, his lips and his cock glistening with saliva.

"Ed," he breathed. Begged, almost.

Ed's eyes flicked up to him, and he maintained eye contact as he ran the tip of his tongue along his inner thigh, his hand wrapping around his cock and stroking, slowly, so painstakingly slowly…

Ed bit down on his thigh, hard, and Roy flinched in surprise, his eyes widening, a small sound of breathless shock filling the silence. Then he sucked on the spot unforgivingly, nipping and licking to ease the sting. His cock was throbbing in Ed's hand.

He wanted to be inside him again. He wanted to take his time, for this moment to last forever. He didn't want tonight to end.

Ed crawled back up his body, his thighs on either side of Roy's hips, his own cock hard, the tip glistening with precum. He leaned forward until their lips were an inch away, his hot breath warming his skin.

"Tell me what you want," Ed husked, his nails digging into his shoulders, his eyes shining in the moonlight. His pupils were so dilated his eyes were almost wholly black. "And I'll do it."

Roy gulped, his palms moving to grip Ed's thighs and softly caress his skin.

Ed licked his lips. "Tell me." His thighs clenched around Roy's hips, and he moved his hips just enough to get friction on his cock against Roy's stomach. "I wanna make you feel good. Tell me what you want."

"I want to be inside you," Roy mumbled, his cock throbbing in anticipation, his heart pounding.

Ed straightened his spine, rising up to look down at him, and Roy could only stare; at his cock, hard and perfect; at his strong thighs, pressed on either side of him and trapping Roy in the middle; at his sculpted torso, the moonlight casting shadows so perfectly, as though it, too, was worshiping Edward Elric.

Wordlessly, he raised his hips and grasped Roy's cock, lining himself up—

He slid right in, Ed's body tight and slick and warm. He couldn't have stopped the groan even if he tried.

Panting, he watched Ed grit his teeth and lower himself down, grunting at the deep penetration. With every inch that Ed's body took, another layer of his sanity was stripped away.

With his entire cock buried into Ed, he tried to catch his breath, to stop another thin layer of sweat from coating his body. But Ed's chest was gleaming with it, his brows furrowed as he adjusted to Roy's girth, and Roy thought he looked like a God.

The golden thread between them shone in the dim lighting of the room. The bond. The bond that had brought them together like this. The bond that had taken that hint of attraction—that acknowledgement of attractiveness—and turned it from want, to need, to fucking worship.

Roy grabbed his hips just as Ed's palms rested on his chest, and he started rising, Roy's hands helping, and then slowly descending again. His lips parted as he shivered and gasped, clenching around Roy so beautifully his nails dug into Ed's hips, his asscheeks.

He watched as his cock disappeared into Ed again and again, softly running a finger along the delicate skin where their bodies joined, feeling the way Ed's body stretched to accommodate Roy's. Ed shuddered at the featherlight touch. The automail gleamed in the moonlight as he shifted to a more stable position, planting his feet firmly on the bed and gripping Roy's shoulders.

Roy was left breathless by the sight before him, of Ed riding him, the muscles in his thighs contracting, his cock bobbing with every movement, his golden hair clinging to his sweaty cheeks and shoulders.

No, there was nothing feminine about Ed. He didn't even know how he'd ever thought any different. This…this was pure male, and it was the hottest thing Roy had ever seen.

Ed whimpered as he picked up the pace, impaling himself faster. Roy rolled his hips, meeting Ed's ass in a brutal thrust that left them both gasping.

No one else could have him, have this. The girl at the library couldn't have him, the Rockbell girl couldn't have him, no man could do this to him. Just the thought had his fingers possessively digging into Ed's thighs to the point of pain, driving him onto his cock harder, faster.

Ed was his. He would selfishly keep him for himself.

"You're mine, Edward." It was out before he could stop it, before it had even registered.

He watched Ed ride him with glazed eyes, his hips thrusting upwards and making delicious sounds escape Ed's mouth. His cock was so close, and he fisted it in one hand, pumping, careful to keep his other on Ed's asscheek, steadying him.

Ed threw his head back and moaned, grinding against him, Roy's entire length deep inside him. Roy kept thrusting upwards, fucking him as deep as he could and relishing every whimper, every gasp that Ed made.

"Roy," Ed gasped breathlessly, hoarsely, and it was the best thing he'd ever heard. He pumped his cock harder, faster, flicking his thumb over the tip, and Ed kept riding him, his lips parted, his brows furrowed, his eyes squeezed shut.

"Come for me, Ed," he rasped, the tightness in his lower abdomen coiling tighter with every second, with every involuntary clench of Ed's body around him.

Ed's nails dug into his chest as he shuddered, a gasp escaping him as the orgasm rocked through him. Roy kept stroking his cock, hot cum spurting onto his hand and chest.

Ed's muscles tightened as he moaned, and the pressure around his cock took Roy's breath away. He was so close.

He met hazy golden eyes, still clouded with desire, and he was suddenly ravenous, his mouth dry at the sheer perfection of the sight before him.

Ed licked his lips and, holding his gaze, resumed his steady pace, clenching around Roy on purpose—

"Ed," Roy growled, gritting his teeth and fisting Ed's asscheeks as the sparks of pleasure tingled through him. His face burned as the orgasm neared.

Ed kept his eyes on him, watching, each breath a gasp through his parted lips. One hand went from his shoulder to his throat, nails digging into the sensitive skin, the sparks of pain creating tingles in his body—and Roy clenched his jaw as the orgasm built and built—

He must be so overly sensitive right now, but he was doing this for Roy's sake, when he—

Roy groaned as the fire spread, burning him from the inside as the orgasm took over. His cock throbbed as he released into Ed, his eyes fluttering closed at the sheer ecstasy Ed brought him.

Ed didn't stop, nails digging into his throat and riding him until Roy was moaning like he never had, until his whole body was tingling and it turned into torture.

"Ed," he gasped, his eyes squeezed shut. "I can't—"

Ed stopped, breathing heavily for a second. He leaned forward, his cock slipping out of him as he plastered his sweaty chest against Roy's. Ed's lips ghosted over his cheek almost affectionately, his nose nuzzling the overheated skin. Thankfully he couldn't see how obviously flushed Roy's face was; his cheeks were burning—

The tip of his tongue trailed over the hot skin of his cheek, moving closer to his mouth, and then they were kissing, deeply, passionately, but the way their tongues brushed against each other was with a languid pace that matched their exhaustion.

Roy wrapped his trembling arms around Ed's almost boneless body, one hand tangling in his hair. Ed broke the kiss, easing his weight down onto Roy's chest with a small grunt of exhaustion and tucking his face into his neck. Their gasping breaths were the only sounds in the room, and sleep finally hovered over them like a blanket.

Ed. It was the only thing he could think, the only word that echoed in his mind as his body finally relaxed. Ed was a perfect weight over him, his hair tickling his skin, his warmth and scent and sweat engulfing him whole. He wouldn't have it any other way.

As his eyes fluttered shut and he held Ed tightly, possessively, he wondered how long he'd have this for. How long would Ed allow him access to such perfection, such peace, such happiness? For he wasn't naive enough to think it would last forever.

But he'd take it. For as long as Ed was willing to give it, he'd take it.

For now, Ed was his.

He had never been more glad Amestrian military uniforms had high collars.

He'd never thought about it before, had never had any reason to. But one look at himself in the bathroom mirror that morning and he'd blanched.

Two bruises—bite marks—on either side of his neck, courtesy of Ed. They weren't fully developed yet, but they would be soon.

His thigh on the other hand…That one was—evident. Thank the heavens there was no such thing as military shorts.

He didn't think his neck had ever been in that state before. Dear God, they were acting like teenagers. Well, technically, Ed was—

He was not going to think that thought.

Ed hadn't even noticed when Roy had hauled himself out of bed to claim the shower. He'd stayed in bed, bundled up in the mess they'd left the duvet in, and seemed content with ignoring the tug in his chest as Roy got in the shower. Roy endured.

And now, a few hours and three coffees later, he had been brutally reminded of why he didn't go to bed at 3AM on a workday anymore.

He yawned, putting a hand over his mouth as he blinked bleary eyes at the papers in front of him.

He had been unable to hide his tiredness from Hawkeye. Hell, his whole team probably noticed, Havoc and all. He was that obviously tired. Riza had shot him a knowing, disapproving look he'd easily dismissed, and he'd inwardly promised he would definitely be productive today.

He supposed that was one of those lies Ed had said he liked to tell himself.

Ed seemed fine. Fine meaning as usual, which meant tired and grumpy in the morning. Roy couldn't tell if their late night had even affected him, since he always acted like he'd only had four hours of sleep.

Roy put his pen down to rub at his eyes. Roughly. He was one coffee away from slapping his cheeks in desperation. He supposed the positive side of this situation was that they hadn't slept long enough to dream last night. He'd take it.

As he pulled his hands back from his face he noticed a long strand of blond hair hanging from his uniform sleeve. He stared at it blankly for a second, before carefully pulling it off him and holding it up between two fingers.

Ed must've caught the unusual movement from the corner of his eye, because he looked up, frowning. As though he always kept half an eye on him.

Roy stared blankly at him, holding up the strand of hair as though it had caused him personal offence. "I'm finding your hair on me now."

Ed snorted, returning to his book. "You're welcome."

He gazed at the strand thoughtfully. "Is this something I should be thanking you for?"

"Considering you're obsessed with my hair I thought it'd be a good thing for you."

Roy paused. Blinked. Lowered his hand. "I'm not obsessed with your hair." When Ed raised a brow at him, he added, "The notion is ridiculous."

"The notion that you'd deny it is ridiculous."

Roy didn't reply, and for a few seconds they were locked in a staring contest, Ed's casual defiance against Roy's infamous blank mask.

To his surprise it was Ed that broke the eye contact, scoffing a little. He shut his book with a thud and stood. "I need to call Al."

Roy tensed despite himself.

Alphonse had been in Central last week, had been to see Shan Young. But surely it was enough time since then that he would've gone back to Resembool. Right?

"May I ask why?"

Ed had just picked up the phone receiver on his desk when Roy's question made him pause. Perhaps he shouldn't have asked.

"Nosey," he drawled, but then shrugged. "I wanna see if he's got any updates on the array. And since we've got that stupid ball this weekend he'd hand me my ass on a platter if I don't tell him and he wanted to go."

Roy kept his face carefully blank and gestured nonchalantly to the phone, as though giving him permission to use it. Not that Ed was waiting for permission.

But despite himself, his heart rate was higher than normal, a faint lump in his throat. He was apprehensive, and he hoped Ed didn't notice.

As Ed punched in the number, Roy pretended to be reading the document in front of him.

"Hey Win," Ed said, twirling the cord around his finger. "Is Al there?"

With each second that Ed didn't speak Roy's gut twisted more and more. He tried to reign it in, but while his face was the perfect blank mask, he was inwardly sweating.

He felt Ed's eyes on him as Winry's muffled voice sounded in his ear. "Is he now."

Shit.

Roy flicked through the pages of the document as though it was the most interesting thing to ever grace his desk.

Ed slamming the phone receiver down made him flinch. Like the coward that he was, he didn't immediately look up at his face.

"So Al's in Central apparently." His tone was too casual, too…cold. Tense.

Still? He was still in Central? How long had he been planning on staying? Roy had assumed he'd only go to visit Shan Young and then return to Resembool. He hadn't been anticipating he'd still be here a week later.

And worse thing was, he hadn't stopped by the office, which meant that he hadn't wanted Ed to know. He'd probably been hoping Roy would keep quiet about it, which he had. But did Alphonse seriously think Ed wouldn't try to call for over a week?

"And he hasn't graced us with a visit?" Roy kept his tone calm, but his heart was beating so wildly he could feel it in his throat.

"No," Ed said in a tone that promised a slow death. "He hasn't."

Roy pursed his lips as though in disappointment, flicking his eyes in Ed's direction just for a second. "What a shame."

"Cut the shit."

Roy tensed.

"Is that why you've been shitting bricks this entire time? You knew?"

Roy would not cower. Not to Ed. He raised his head, facing Ed's furious golden eyes head on. There was no point hiding, not when Ed could feel his panic, his shame, his guilt. "I knew, yes."

Ed's fist banged on his desk so loudly Roy instinctively winced. "What the fuck?"

Deep breaths, Roy reminded himself. He was used to Ed being angry with him, he was used to handling this. "I don't have to explain myself to you."

Ed let out a harsh laugh. It was loud enough for the outer office to have heard. "Yes, you fucking do."

Roy felt a spark of anger in his chest, and he grit his teeth. "No, I don't. I made a work decision as a General. I don't need to ask permission from my subordinates for anything."

Ed's palms slammed over the document he'd been reading, and then Ed's glare was in his face. "This is Al."

The accusation, the betrayal, in his voice had something squeezing inside him until guilt slammed into him full force.

Roy gulped, staring into those glaring golden eyes, wondering what he could say to make this better.

"How do you know." Roy opened his mouth and Ed added, "If you fucking lie to me, so help me God—"

"I received a call," Roy said, sounding surprisingly calm. "Asking for permission for Alphonse to visit Shan Young."

Silence. Then a slow, quiet, "I was right there."

Roy swallowed and wet his dry lips. "Yes, you were."

"And you approved it."

Roy nodded. "Yes, I did."

Ed banged his hand on the desk again, swearing loudly, but Roy didn't wince this time. "You just let him go alone near that fucking crazy woman who did this to us?" He was yelling. Loud enough for the whole office to know. To hear.

Did he realise they could hear?

Roy placed his palms on the desk, a calming gesture more for himself than Ed. "Alphonse is perfectly capable of taking care—"

"I don't give a shit," Ed snarled. "You should've told me!"

Roy glared at him as he leaned back in his chair. "The woman is harmless in that cell and you know it."

Ed let out another tense laugh, his hands rubbing at his face. He shook his head. "I can't fucking believe you."

Roy pursed his lips, his stomach a tight knot. He hadn't wanted to get in between the Elrics—he'd sworn to himself not to ever get between them. How had he ended up here?

But despite himself he started feeling defensive, angry. Because this, really, was Alphonse's fault. It was Alphonse who hadn't said anything, Roy was just a middleman caught in the crossfire. Why was Ed angry with him, when Alphonse had been here a week and had made no move to inform his brother?

It was none of Roy's business to tell Ed, especially not when he had made a decision based on rank, in his work.

"I made a work decision and didn't inform you," he said through gritted teeth. "It was Alphonse's call to tell you and he didn't."

Ed whirled to him from where he'd started pacing by the desk. He was so angry that for a second Roy thought hate flashed on his face. "I don't give a fuck about your military bullshit! You hid it from me, you hid it on purpose. You knew I would've told you not to approve it and that's why you didn't tell me!" By the time he was done yelling he was panting, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

Roy sprung to his feet, palms planted on the desk, glaring as he snapped, "I didn't tell you because you have proven time and time again that you are unable to separate your own feelings from what needs to be done!" He was yelling. He never yelled. "Alphonse speaking to her could help us, and you would've jeopardised that over some overprotective bullshit!"

Ed was seething. His eyes were wide with rage, his jaw clenched so hard as though he was barely restraining himself from hurling something lethal at Roy. It looked like hate. It looked too much like hate that Roy paused.

He took a deep breath, trying to regain control over himself. He shouldn't have yelled. He shouldn't have snapped at him.

Ed turned on his heel and strode out the room, the door banging against the wall. Roy was on the threshold in a heartbeat. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I don't wanna fucking be around you right now!"

Roy crossed his arms, scowling. He did his best to ignore the rest of his team watching them like hawks. "Tough, you can't go very far."

Ed growled in frustration and strode for the spare desk next to Hawkeye. "Then you go back to your super important paperwork bullshit and I'll sit right here." He plopped down harshly in the chair and crossed his arms, glaring so hard at Roy it was like he wished he'd just drop dead.

Roy glared right back, suddenly becoming aware his thumb and middle finger of his right hand had started rubbing against each other. He wasn't wearing his gloves at least.

"Suit yourself."

With that, he walked back into his office and banged the door shut behind him.

As he strode back to his desk, adrenaline coursing through his veins, the tug in his chest got worse and worse until it turned into a stab. Roy ignored it; Ed seemed more than content to ignore it too.

He threw himself in his chair, positively seething, his heart a wild thudding in his ears. He rubbed at his face, taking deep breaths to calm the adrenaline, the pounding of his heart.

Was this really happening right now? Had last night even happened? It was like…It was like they'd gone back to this weird relationship they'd had for so many years, barely tolerating each other's presence. The marks on his neck felt like a glaringly obvious imprint on his skin now, a reminder of what had taken place just hours ago.

After he had calmed down a fraction he tried to go back to work, he really did, but the stabbing in his chest was awful, and so distracting. It was urging him towards Ed.

Closer, closer, it seemed to whisper, making his body itching to move. He couldn't work like this.

But he made no move to go back to the outer office to retrieve Ed. He sat still in his chair, staring at the door in apprehension.

Ed couldn't hate him, could he? Not over this.

But he had looked at him with such hate, with disgust almost, as though this one thing had shattered everything. But surely not, right? Roy had done worse things and Ed hadn't hated him over it.

But none of those things had anything to do with Alphonse.

Alphonse was probably the only person that could get Ed to truly hate him. If something had happened to him in that cell with Shan Young, Roy knew he would be dead to Ed. Hell, if anything had happened to Alphonse Roy would be dead to himself.

In a twisted turn of events, he found himself eternally grateful he was soul bonded to Ed. Because, had they not been soul bonded, Roy would've been convinced Ed hated him.

But as he pried into the bond, frantically, desperately, he found that he didn't. And Roy clung to that thread between them like a lifeline.

What was flowing through the body was hurt, worry, anger, betrayal. Of course he was worried about Alphonse. His overprotective instincts had been triggered at the realisation that he hadn't known where his brother was. But Roy had hurt him, betrayed his trust. And it made him feel like shit.

His eyes went to the phone on his desk. Maes. He usually would've called his friend for advice. What would he do in a situation like this? What would he advise Roy to do? Apologise, probably. And Roy would, once Ed decided he could stand being in the same room as him again.

But for now…

He picked up the phone, and dialled Ed's dorm room.

Alphonse might not answer, especially if he was keeping it secret that he was living there for a the week. Or maybe he was out.

But after three rings, he picked up. "Hello?"

Roy scowled in annoyance. This was Alphonse's fault. And he was, really, the only person who could fix it. "Hello, Alphonse."

"General, sir! Hi!"

He sounded nervous. As he should be. Because if Roy was calling then Ed was close, and the fact that it wasn't Ed that was calling instead…

The little shit. Elrics—they were all the same. Roy had fallen in this trap Alphonse had set up, thinking him the more levelheaded of the two, the one with the common sense. Lesson learned.

Roy took a deep breath. "Please may you pass by the office at some point today, your brother is being the bane of my existence."

A pause. "Ah."

"Ah, indeed." Roy rubbed his temple, where a headache was slowly but surely forming.

"He knows I'm here then?"

Roy leaned back in his chair, not bothering to cover his sigh. "He rang the Rockbells to speak to you."

"I'll come now."

With that, he hung up, and Roy wasn't even mad he'd been hung up on.

Roy found out Alphonse had arrived when Ed screeched "You little shit!" so loudly he could've sworn the Fuhrer heard it in his office.

At least now perhaps his anger would be redirected to what Roy thought was the correct target.

Wishful thinking. Ed had enough anger to be mad at him and Alphonse simultaneously.

Roy leaned his cheek against his fist as he stared at the outer office door, listening to the commotion behind it. His chest hurt from the stabbing the bond was punishing him with.

Sighing, he stood and walked over to the door, steeling himself before opening it and facing the state his office was in.

Ed was yelling, hands on his hips in the epitome of his newly revealed mother hen mode, Alphonse defensively rolling his eyes and crossing his arms.

He caught Hawkeye's eye, who seemed both entrained and exasperated. So that was why she wasn't stopping this.

"I need to be doing something, Brother!" Al was saying. "I'm bored."

"Sane people don't go visiting a crazy woman when they're bored, Al!" Ed seemed seconds away from pulling his hair out. "Are you asking for danger!?"

Al snorted, loudly and dramatically, and it became so painfully obvious that they were related. "Says you!" He pointed at Ed for emphasis. "Besides, she wasn't even dangerous! She was lovely!"

Ed gave him a look that told Al he thought he was insane better than any words could.

"That's enough." Roy's voice was loud and commanding, and it had the desired affect. Everyone paused, looking at him, silence following.

Ed's glare faltered for a second, but it came back full force. He pointed at Roy. "Oh, don't get me fucking started on you! I'm not done—"

"Leave the General alone, he's done nothing wrong!" Al chided, narrowing his eyes at his brother.

"Thank you, Alphonse," Roy mumbled. It's the least you can do, you little Elric shit.

But the show of support seemed to make Ed even madder. His glare went from him to Al then back again. "You two ganged up on me!"

Al rolled his eyes to the heavens just as Roy deadpanned, "Hardly."

Ed's furious stare zeroed in on his brother once again. "What have you been doing here for a week anyway?"

Al shrugged, not at all fazed by being the object of Ed's murderous glare. "I caught wind of the ball this weekend and thought I'd rather stay than get more trains." He glared at Ed. "Which, by the way, were you gonna tell me about it?"

Ed looked incredulous. "How the fuck do you just catch wind of things?" Then as an angry afterthought he added, "And I was going to tell you, I rang Granny's to ask you about alkahestry and mention the stupid ball but you weren't there!"

Al blinked eagerly, all traces of annoyance evaporating into thin air. "Oh, how's the array going?"

Ed sighed, deflating like a balloon and leaning against the spare desk. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm pretty much done with the alchemy part, but the alkahestry's fucking with my brain."

Al hummed, cocking his head. "How can you be done with the alchemy part when you don't know how the alkahestry works with it?"

Roy blinked at the Elrics as they launched into the most civil conversation about alchemy out of the fucking blue. Even he couldn't hide the full extent of his incredulity from his face.

He heard Havoc snickering from his left.

Roy needed a drink. He was too tired for this.

"I'm working on it," Ed groaned, rubbing at his face. "It'll fit like puzzle, won't it?"

"Will it?" Al urged.

Ed glared at him. "You seem to know so why don't you just say it?" he snapped.

Roy loudly cleared his throat. All eyes on him again. "Perhaps you two would like to join me in my office to finish your discussion, and let my team get on with their work?"

Al's eyes widened and he looked around at the rest of the team, who had been staring at them this entire time. "Oh, gosh! We're so sorry!"

Ed snorted.

Al glared at him. "Brother, how rude of you to make a scene in front of everyone trying to work!"

Ed gaped at him. "Me? You're the one who's been in Central for a week and didn't fucking tell me—" He narrowed his eyes. "Where have you been staying?"

Al rolled his eyes again. "The dorms, duh."

Ed scrunched his face up in a way Roy found rather comical, and he had to stifle a smile. He pushed the door to his inner office further open pointedly, and Ed and Al started walking towards it.

"Speaking of the dorms," Al said casually, "The room was disgusting, Brother."

Ed blushed, scowling. "I would've cleaned it if I'd known you were coming!"

Al scoffed. "As if." He raised a brow. "And what, made the General help?"

Roy would've done no such thing.

He shut the door behind the three of them and sat in his chair once again, Ed and Al on the two couches opposite each other, half bickering, half catching up, half alchemy theorising.

There was no chance Roy could work like this.

He was positive Ed was pretending he didn't exist.

He had battled with the idea that the conclusion was probably an overreaction, a product of his overthinking. Ed had spent the last few hours chatting to his brother, after all. There had been no reason to speak to Roy, who'd been desperately trying to focus on work and ignore the pang of guilt in his chest that threatened to eat him alive.

But Alphonse had addressed him. Briefly, of course, but Ed hadn't even raised his head. Hadn't even looked at him. Avoided looking at him.

So the moment there was a lull in Ed and Al's conversation, Roy seized the opportunity.

"Ed." A quick glance at Al. "—ward." He winced. Maybe he should've gone with Fullmetal, but he'd gotten so used to calling him Ed it had just slipped out.

Alphonse didn't even blink, eyes still on the book in front of him.

Ed looked at him. Dragged his eyes up to him as though it were a chore was perhaps more accurate. Roy detected the anger swirling in his eyes; it was as clear as the lovely day outside. He was still angry with him. Expected. But it didn't sting any less.

Ed could've said You're dead to me and it would've had the exact same effect; it was what his eyes conveyed anyway.

Roy kept his face blank. "Bathroom."

Ed rolled his eyes and stood, hands in his pockets as he followed Roy out the room. His team didn't bother looking up as they exited into the hallway and made their way to the nearest toilets.

Roy let Ed walk in first, and the moment the door shut behind him he clapped, blue light flashing as he locked the door.

Ed went still as death. "Locking me in now, bastard?"

Roy frowned. "Preventing others from entering. You are free to leave if you so wish."

Ed slowly turned, hands still in his pockets as he glared at Roy. "So I'm guessing you don't need to piss then."

Deep breaths, Roy reminded himself. "I would like to apologise."

"Don't wanna hear it."

Roy grit his teeth. Deep. Breaths. "Ed—"

"Don't talk to me."

"Are you fucking serious right now?" Roy snapped. Instant regret.

Ed's eyes flashed dangerously, and Roy hoped, prayed, this wasn't the start of another fight. This had not been what he'd locked them in the military toilets for.

"You really wanna talk about this in the fucking toilets?"

No, he didn't. But every minute that Ed spent ignoring him was shredding Roy apart. So toilets it was.

"I'm aware it's not ideal—"

"I don't wanna talk to you."

Roy could hear his heart again, pounding in his ears as the adrenaline flowed through him. He was getting agitated, in the way only Ed could agitate him. He needed to reign it in, be the levelheaded one in this situation.

Ed walked closer to him, but it was only because Roy was right in front of the door. "Move."

Roy swallowed. "Is that it then, you'll just ignore me from now on?"

Ed growled, rubbing at his face in exasperation. Roy thought maybe he was stopping himself from punching him. "I'm too fucking mad at you right now."

"Evidently." Not the time to be a smart ass, Roy.

Ed's eyes narrowed. "Are you going to move or will I have to make you?"

Roy crossed his arms. "I will let you leave, but I would appreciate it if you hear me out first."

"No."

Scratch that, Roy was going to punch him.

His heart was going haywire in his chest. Panic; it was starting to curl in his gut and labor his breathing. Panic that Ed truly didn't want to even look at him after this, that they'd go back to something Roy didn't think he could handle. Not anymore.

Ed moved, too fast for Roy to even attempt to intercept. He had his collar in his fist in a flash, teeth bared in an angry snarl. His eyes flashed to his neck for a split second before he threw him to the side and went to kick the door in with his automail.

"Wait—" Roy gasped, wincing in anticipation for the loud noise the door breaking would make. But Ed paused. Roy took a breath. "I'll open it. Don't make a scene. There's no need."

Ed lowered his leg, watching him like a hawk as Roy clapped and unlocked the door.

Ed threw it open and was striding down the hallway in a second, and Roy took a moment—to breathe, to calm his heart, to try to prevent the way his stomach dropped pathetically as his brain took Ed leaving the bathroom as Ed leaving his life. He'd known he wouldn't have him forever, but he hadn't thought this would be it either.

He'd been expecting things, despite all the warnings he'd placed in his mind to remind him not to. He'd expected regardless, anticipated things that he had no right anticipating.

And now he was paying the price, because Ed left, wanted nothing to do with him, and Roy thought he was going to be sick.

He took a deep breath as the bond stabbed him in the chest again, and he could do nothing but follow after Ed and pretend everything was fine.