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akainagiKataomoi Ch 12: In which Roy does a little thieving
Author: AkaiNagi
Genre: Romance/Angst/Humor (little for everyone)
Pairing: RoyEd
Rating: R
Previous chapters can be found HERE
For once, Mustang really was trying to concentrate on the mounds of paperwork Lieutenant Hawkeye kept bringing him.
But his mind kept drifting back to the previous night. That was the first time in a long time he had spent that amount of money on a date without getting so much as a trip to second base. But when Edward Elric was the prize, one had to tread lightly and slowly and watch out for land mines.
He had no doubt that the investment would be worth the payoff.
The more time he spent with the young alchemist, the more enticing the prospect of a conquest became. The conversations they had shared last night had showed him a new side of his subordinate, something beyond the stubborn single-mindedness and the occasional chibi-rant. The teenager possessed a sharp, dry wit, a keen intellect, and a passion for alchemy which went beyond his mission to find the philosophers stone.
Mustang found himself keenly attracted to the duality that existed in the elder Elric. He was masculine, to be sure. Hard and stubborn and determined as all hell. But he was also innocent in the ways of people, of relationships. He was a stranger to his own sexuality. That innocence, that newness was like an aphrodisiac.
He found himself not only attracted to the body of Edward Elric, but the person of Edward Elric. That hadn’t happened to him in a long time. He usually deliberately avoided romantic attachments that went beyond basic physical attraction. To put it lewdly, he usually liked them hot and dumb. It kept things uncomplicated.
While Edward Elric was hot, he most certainly wasn’t dumb.
~*~*~*~
Edward stifled the fifth yawn in as many minutes. Sleep had been hard to come by last night. After getting over the initial shock that his first date had been stolen by Roy Mustang, he then had to process the disquieting fact that he had liked it. What had started out as a one-sided crush seemed to be on its way to becoming an affair, and for the life of him Ed could not figure out how the hell this had happened.
At first he considered the fact that the colonel was toying with him. That was the possibility which most fit the image he had of the man. It was either that or he had to consider the unthinkable; that Colonel Roy Mustang, Central’s most notorious womanizer, had wined and dined him last night simply because he had wanted to.
Was it possible that Roy Mustang was attracted to him?
The prospect of the Colonel harboring an attraction for him was almost as world-shattering as the realization he had a hard-on for the Colonel. And also unlikely. Roy Mustang wasn’t gay. The entire female population of central knew that. That left only one possibility: that he swung both ways. Possible.
Damn. And to think that a matter of days ago he had been safe and secure in his confirmed dislike for the man. Now he was sitting there contemplating the very real possibility that they might be mutually attracted to each other. And he was pretty sure they had gone on a date together. And had enjoyed it. And he was sitting here thinking about these things when he was supposed to be working.
He shook his head in a physical attempt to get his brain back on track. He had a job to do. A job that, once completed, meant that he and Al were free to go on the road again, hopefully. Far away from dates and sleepless nights and attractive Colonels.
He looked over at his brother, who was engrossed in his work, several volumes spread out in front of him. His visage was a clear reminder of where his priorities lay. Al came first, before everything. Their mission came first. Always.
~*~*~*~
Mustang was reading a particularly boring report from a particularly boring alchemist, waiting for the appointed hour. Any minute now Ed would come walking through the door, releasing him from the tedious and unbearably dull task at hand. Hawkeye had driven him like a slave all day and he was rapidly reaching his saturation point.
The sharp rap of automail against his office door told Roy Mustang his wait was over.
Usually Ed strode into his office like he owned the place; all confidence and swagger. This time he still walked in like he owned the place, but to the practiced eye (and Roy had a lot of practice watching Edward Elric) there was a clear undercurrent of uncertainty. But in typical Ed fashion, he was doing his best to bluff his way through it.
The young alchemist carried a grease stained bag from which came an enticing mix of sweet and spicy smells.
“Xingian?” Roy asked.
“Yup,” Ed answered. “Equivalent exchange. This time dinner’s on me. Hope you like spicy fried noodles and eggrolls.”
Roy grinned. Damn but Ed could be so cute when he wanted to be. “Love them,” he answered honestly.
They moved to the two office couches. Roy brought them each a glass of water, which they would undoubtedly need for the spicy food. Taking seat on opposite couches, they proceeded to supper and conversation.
They discussed Ed’s progress on the Kellig case, or lack thereof. They were still stuck on the second encryption. But Ed was confident it was just a matter of time. Unfortunately, the further along they got, the more likely it appeared that Kellig had indeed been dabbling in the forbidden science of human transmutation.
Roy took this opportunity to study Ed in his natural habitat. He had been on his best behavior in the restaurant last night. Now he was sprawled on the office couch, booted feet on the coffee table, slurping up fried noodles like a starving man.
He must have been staring, because Ed took notice and umbrage. “What’re you looking at?” Ed asked warily.
Honesty was always the best policy. “You,” Mustang replied.
Ed blushed and shoved another forkful of noodles in his mouth.
Definitely cute. Roy couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
They made short work of the food. The conversation was not flowing as freely as it had last night. Ed was clearly preoccupied.
It was Roy who spoke up first. “It’s getting on. Do you plan on working late again tonight?”
“Yeah,” Ed answered. “Al’s waiting for me at Kellig’s place.”
“In that case, let me give you a ride there on my way home,” Mustang offered.
Ed had no reason to say no, despite the fact that he was wary of being in that close proximity to the man for that length of time. The Colonel put on his coat and locked his office for the night and they both walked out to the car. Ed had hoped they could spend the ride in silence, but it was not to be.
“Do you two work late every night?” Mustang inquired.
“Yeah. What of it,” Ed replied defensively.
Mustang frowned. “I know I said this mission was a high priority, but there’s no reason for you to work yourself to the bone over it. I don’t suppose it would do me any good to tell you to take it easier?”
“Nope. This is how we work. Get the job done fast so we can move on to the next one. Or have you forgotten that Al and I have a purpose. Have you forgotten I’m in this army for a reason?” Ed’s eyes narrowed.
“The Philosopher’s Stone.”
“We will find it,” Ed said vehemently. “We’ll get your Kellig job done, then we’ll get back on the road. This is just a detour.”
Of course, Mustang thought. How could he have forgotten? Ed lived and breathed to get his brother’s body back. He felt the sharp twinge of shame when he realized he was slightly jealous of the younger Elric. It was stupid. If anything he should feel sympathy for the hapless kid, a disembodied soul in a suit of armor.
But what must it be like to be the most important thing in the life of the young man sitting next to him? To have his total, unconditional devotion and love?
They pulled up in front of Joshua Kellig’s house. The lights were on, a sign that Al was still in there, chipping away at the coded documents.
“Well, Fullmetal. Thank you for dinner.”
Ed shrugged. “It was payback for the other night.”
Mustang smiled. “Of course. Equivalent exchange, right?”
Ed nodded. He placed his hand on the door handle to step out. He stalled.
“Colonel?”
“Yes?”
“About the other night,” Ed asked cautiously, “What exactly was that?”
Mustang played dumb. “Dinner, I think.”
Ed glared at him. “Don’t play ignorant. It doesn’t suit you. I mean why. Why take me out to dinner?”
“Is it so strange to treat one of my subordinates to a meal?” Mustang asked.
Ed answered the question with his usual brutal honesty. “Yes. Quite frankly, Colonel, your reputation as a skirt chaser is second only to your reputation as a cheapskate.”
Mustang chuckled. “Not all reputations are deserved. I would think you would know that by now, Fullmetal.”
“And anyway,” Ed continued. “When you treat a subordinate you buy him a sandwich and a cup of coffee. You don’t take him –“ Ed stopped abruptly.
Now Roy was curious. “Don’t take him where?”
Ed muttered something unintelligible.
“What was that?” Roy pressed.
“You don’t take him on a date,” the younger man growled.
Mustang smiled slyly. “Ah, is that what that was?”
Ed’s face was red. Suddenly he looked uncertain. “Was it? A date I mean?”
Mustang leaned towards Edward, backing him against the passenger door. “It was if you want it to be, Fullmetal. Do you?”
“Of course not!” Ed protested loudly, his face positively scarlet.
“Your actions say otherwise. You provided the second date tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” He brought his face within inches of Ed’s own.
“You better back off,” the red-faced teen growled, “Unless you want to get belted with automail, Colonel or no.”
Mustang smiled. “You won’t do that. You’re attracted to me. It’s obvious. You’re terrible at hiding it, by the way.”
“You willing to bet I won’t smack you one?” Ed threatened.
“I’ll take my chances. It won’t be the first time I’ve been slapped after giving my beautiful date a goodnight kiss.”
Before Ed could process what Mustang had said, he took the initiative. He spanned the few inches left between them and pressed his lips to the teen’s own.
The kiss started innocent enough. Almost chaste. But when Ed put up no resistance, Roy deepened the kiss, lips parting. The first time Roy’s tongue lightly brushed his own, Ed started, like he had received an electrical shock. To steady the young man, Roy brought a hand up to rest against the back of Ed’s neck.
Roy surprised himself. His heart was beating like a drum with the exhilaration of the moment. He was no fresh faced teen getting his first kiss, but for some reason this one made his heart race like it hadn’t done in years. And when Ed’s arms came up and encircled his neck, he felt a rush of yearning. He wanted more than a kiss. He wanted to run his hands over every inch of Ed’s body. He wanted to find out what spots made him scream, which spots made him whimper, which parts made him cry out in pleasure.
He wanted Edward Elric in the worst way.
Reluctantly he ended the kiss. They were both breathing heavily. Ed’s expression was glassy eyed for a moment, until he got his bearings back. Then he did something Roy didn’t expect.
Ed slapped him. Hard. Then calmly let himself out of the car and disappeared into the Kellig house.
Roy sat there in shock for a moment. His hand covering his smarting cheek. At least Ed had used the flesh and blood hand to do the dirty work. Roy chuckled, not in the least discouraged. The kiss had shown Roy his willingness; the slap had shown Roy his innocence. A reaction born from embarrassment. Roy’s chuckle grew into a full blown laugh. He laughed until tears threatened to run down his face.
It had been a long time since he laughed like that. From sheer happiness.
He had stolen Edward Elric’s first kiss. A smarting cheek was a small price to pay for the honor.
Author: AkaiNagi
Genre: Romance/Angst/Humor (little for everyone)
Pairing: RoyEd
Rating: R
Previous chapters can be found HERE
For once, Mustang really was trying to concentrate on the mounds of paperwork Lieutenant Hawkeye kept bringing him.
But his mind kept drifting back to the previous night. That was the first time in a long time he had spent that amount of money on a date without getting so much as a trip to second base. But when Edward Elric was the prize, one had to tread lightly and slowly and watch out for land mines.
He had no doubt that the investment would be worth the payoff.
The more time he spent with the young alchemist, the more enticing the prospect of a conquest became. The conversations they had shared last night had showed him a new side of his subordinate, something beyond the stubborn single-mindedness and the occasional chibi-rant. The teenager possessed a sharp, dry wit, a keen intellect, and a passion for alchemy which went beyond his mission to find the philosophers stone.
Mustang found himself keenly attracted to the duality that existed in the elder Elric. He was masculine, to be sure. Hard and stubborn and determined as all hell. But he was also innocent in the ways of people, of relationships. He was a stranger to his own sexuality. That innocence, that newness was like an aphrodisiac.
He found himself not only attracted to the body of Edward Elric, but the person of Edward Elric. That hadn’t happened to him in a long time. He usually deliberately avoided romantic attachments that went beyond basic physical attraction. To put it lewdly, he usually liked them hot and dumb. It kept things uncomplicated.
While Edward Elric was hot, he most certainly wasn’t dumb.
~*~*~*~
Edward stifled the fifth yawn in as many minutes. Sleep had been hard to come by last night. After getting over the initial shock that his first date had been stolen by Roy Mustang, he then had to process the disquieting fact that he had liked it. What had started out as a one-sided crush seemed to be on its way to becoming an affair, and for the life of him Ed could not figure out how the hell this had happened.
At first he considered the fact that the colonel was toying with him. That was the possibility which most fit the image he had of the man. It was either that or he had to consider the unthinkable; that Colonel Roy Mustang, Central’s most notorious womanizer, had wined and dined him last night simply because he had wanted to.
Was it possible that Roy Mustang was attracted to him?
The prospect of the Colonel harboring an attraction for him was almost as world-shattering as the realization he had a hard-on for the Colonel. And also unlikely. Roy Mustang wasn’t gay. The entire female population of central knew that. That left only one possibility: that he swung both ways. Possible.
Damn. And to think that a matter of days ago he had been safe and secure in his confirmed dislike for the man. Now he was sitting there contemplating the very real possibility that they might be mutually attracted to each other. And he was pretty sure they had gone on a date together. And had enjoyed it. And he was sitting here thinking about these things when he was supposed to be working.
He shook his head in a physical attempt to get his brain back on track. He had a job to do. A job that, once completed, meant that he and Al were free to go on the road again, hopefully. Far away from dates and sleepless nights and attractive Colonels.
He looked over at his brother, who was engrossed in his work, several volumes spread out in front of him. His visage was a clear reminder of where his priorities lay. Al came first, before everything. Their mission came first. Always.
~*~*~*~
Mustang was reading a particularly boring report from a particularly boring alchemist, waiting for the appointed hour. Any minute now Ed would come walking through the door, releasing him from the tedious and unbearably dull task at hand. Hawkeye had driven him like a slave all day and he was rapidly reaching his saturation point.
The sharp rap of automail against his office door told Roy Mustang his wait was over.
Usually Ed strode into his office like he owned the place; all confidence and swagger. This time he still walked in like he owned the place, but to the practiced eye (and Roy had a lot of practice watching Edward Elric) there was a clear undercurrent of uncertainty. But in typical Ed fashion, he was doing his best to bluff his way through it.
The young alchemist carried a grease stained bag from which came an enticing mix of sweet and spicy smells.
“Xingian?” Roy asked.
“Yup,” Ed answered. “Equivalent exchange. This time dinner’s on me. Hope you like spicy fried noodles and eggrolls.”
Roy grinned. Damn but Ed could be so cute when he wanted to be. “Love them,” he answered honestly.
They moved to the two office couches. Roy brought them each a glass of water, which they would undoubtedly need for the spicy food. Taking seat on opposite couches, they proceeded to supper and conversation.
They discussed Ed’s progress on the Kellig case, or lack thereof. They were still stuck on the second encryption. But Ed was confident it was just a matter of time. Unfortunately, the further along they got, the more likely it appeared that Kellig had indeed been dabbling in the forbidden science of human transmutation.
Roy took this opportunity to study Ed in his natural habitat. He had been on his best behavior in the restaurant last night. Now he was sprawled on the office couch, booted feet on the coffee table, slurping up fried noodles like a starving man.
He must have been staring, because Ed took notice and umbrage. “What’re you looking at?” Ed asked warily.
Honesty was always the best policy. “You,” Mustang replied.
Ed blushed and shoved another forkful of noodles in his mouth.
Definitely cute. Roy couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
They made short work of the food. The conversation was not flowing as freely as it had last night. Ed was clearly preoccupied.
It was Roy who spoke up first. “It’s getting on. Do you plan on working late again tonight?”
“Yeah,” Ed answered. “Al’s waiting for me at Kellig’s place.”
“In that case, let me give you a ride there on my way home,” Mustang offered.
Ed had no reason to say no, despite the fact that he was wary of being in that close proximity to the man for that length of time. The Colonel put on his coat and locked his office for the night and they both walked out to the car. Ed had hoped they could spend the ride in silence, but it was not to be.
“Do you two work late every night?” Mustang inquired.
“Yeah. What of it,” Ed replied defensively.
Mustang frowned. “I know I said this mission was a high priority, but there’s no reason for you to work yourself to the bone over it. I don’t suppose it would do me any good to tell you to take it easier?”
“Nope. This is how we work. Get the job done fast so we can move on to the next one. Or have you forgotten that Al and I have a purpose. Have you forgotten I’m in this army for a reason?” Ed’s eyes narrowed.
“The Philosopher’s Stone.”
“We will find it,” Ed said vehemently. “We’ll get your Kellig job done, then we’ll get back on the road. This is just a detour.”
Of course, Mustang thought. How could he have forgotten? Ed lived and breathed to get his brother’s body back. He felt the sharp twinge of shame when he realized he was slightly jealous of the younger Elric. It was stupid. If anything he should feel sympathy for the hapless kid, a disembodied soul in a suit of armor.
But what must it be like to be the most important thing in the life of the young man sitting next to him? To have his total, unconditional devotion and love?
They pulled up in front of Joshua Kellig’s house. The lights were on, a sign that Al was still in there, chipping away at the coded documents.
“Well, Fullmetal. Thank you for dinner.”
Ed shrugged. “It was payback for the other night.”
Mustang smiled. “Of course. Equivalent exchange, right?”
Ed nodded. He placed his hand on the door handle to step out. He stalled.
“Colonel?”
“Yes?”
“About the other night,” Ed asked cautiously, “What exactly was that?”
Mustang played dumb. “Dinner, I think.”
Ed glared at him. “Don’t play ignorant. It doesn’t suit you. I mean why. Why take me out to dinner?”
“Is it so strange to treat one of my subordinates to a meal?” Mustang asked.
Ed answered the question with his usual brutal honesty. “Yes. Quite frankly, Colonel, your reputation as a skirt chaser is second only to your reputation as a cheapskate.”
Mustang chuckled. “Not all reputations are deserved. I would think you would know that by now, Fullmetal.”
“And anyway,” Ed continued. “When you treat a subordinate you buy him a sandwich and a cup of coffee. You don’t take him –“ Ed stopped abruptly.
Now Roy was curious. “Don’t take him where?”
Ed muttered something unintelligible.
“What was that?” Roy pressed.
“You don’t take him on a date,” the younger man growled.
Mustang smiled slyly. “Ah, is that what that was?”
Ed’s face was red. Suddenly he looked uncertain. “Was it? A date I mean?”
Mustang leaned towards Edward, backing him against the passenger door. “It was if you want it to be, Fullmetal. Do you?”
“Of course not!” Ed protested loudly, his face positively scarlet.
“Your actions say otherwise. You provided the second date tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” He brought his face within inches of Ed’s own.
“You better back off,” the red-faced teen growled, “Unless you want to get belted with automail, Colonel or no.”
Mustang smiled. “You won’t do that. You’re attracted to me. It’s obvious. You’re terrible at hiding it, by the way.”
“You willing to bet I won’t smack you one?” Ed threatened.
“I’ll take my chances. It won’t be the first time I’ve been slapped after giving my beautiful date a goodnight kiss.”
Before Ed could process what Mustang had said, he took the initiative. He spanned the few inches left between them and pressed his lips to the teen’s own.
The kiss started innocent enough. Almost chaste. But when Ed put up no resistance, Roy deepened the kiss, lips parting. The first time Roy’s tongue lightly brushed his own, Ed started, like he had received an electrical shock. To steady the young man, Roy brought a hand up to rest against the back of Ed’s neck.
Roy surprised himself. His heart was beating like a drum with the exhilaration of the moment. He was no fresh faced teen getting his first kiss, but for some reason this one made his heart race like it hadn’t done in years. And when Ed’s arms came up and encircled his neck, he felt a rush of yearning. He wanted more than a kiss. He wanted to run his hands over every inch of Ed’s body. He wanted to find out what spots made him scream, which spots made him whimper, which parts made him cry out in pleasure.
He wanted Edward Elric in the worst way.
Reluctantly he ended the kiss. They were both breathing heavily. Ed’s expression was glassy eyed for a moment, until he got his bearings back. Then he did something Roy didn’t expect.
Ed slapped him. Hard. Then calmly let himself out of the car and disappeared into the Kellig house.
Roy sat there in shock for a moment. His hand covering his smarting cheek. At least Ed had used the flesh and blood hand to do the dirty work. Roy chuckled, not in the least discouraged. The kiss had shown Roy his willingness; the slap had shown Roy his innocence. A reaction born from embarrassment. Roy’s chuckle grew into a full blown laugh. He laughed until tears threatened to run down his face.
It had been a long time since he laughed like that. From sheer happiness.
He had stolen Edward Elric’s first kiss. A smarting cheek was a small price to pay for the honor.
