Housework sides

An offshoot to my main story, Housework. Ed brings home a girl at 17. Fun but a bit angsty, mostly on Roy's end.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, as much as I would love to own hot men like this.
Warnings: Um, shonen ai I suppose, oh, and Karen's 'past' is explained a bit in Housework, but basically she was raped about two years before this happens and she's been back in school for a year

Karen

“Roy!! Are you home?” A door slammed, closing out the cold wind, and footsteps pounded in time with Roy's head.

“Don't shout, Edward. What can I do for you?” Roy was laying on the couch, nursing his headache; there had been a lot of paperwork and extra boring reports.

“Can I bring a friend home for supper tomorrow?” The blond stood over him, staring down. “Please?”

“Of course you can. May I ask who it is?” Roy sat up and leaned back, watching the blush cross his boy's face.

“It's Karen. Can we have lasagna? She likes that.” His body was almost vibrating with excitement; they didn't often have guests and this would be HIS first guest.

“Certainly, but have you asked her? Do you think she would be comfortable in a house with three men?” Karen had a past and Roy was concerned this might not be the best idea. “Would you like to go out for supper instead?”

“No, I want to make it. I'll ask her tomorrow.” He thought for a second, “I don't know if she would be uncomfortable or not. Should I ask?” Gold eyes looked up at Roy for guidance.

“Yes, go ahead and ask. Why don't we invite her parents too? I'm sure she'd like that better. Friday is a good day, don't you think?” Three days should be enough notice, he'd call and make plans with them directly. This should be interesting, Edward had yet to show an interest in anyone, male or female.

Three days later

“Roy!! Are you home?” The door slammed shut and Roy could hear the closet opening and closing. Well, at least he hasn't forgotten all of his manners.

“Yes, Edward, don't yell please. How are you today, Karen? And these are your parents? I'm Roy Mustang and this is Al, pleased to meet you.” The girl had light brown hair tied in a ponytail and didn't look up. Her parents were more friendly and moved forward to shake hands and introduce themselves.

“I'm Tony and this is Martha. Thank you for inviting us, we're so glad Karen is making friends.” Karen's mother took in the scene; Al and Roy were busy making supper (Ed had forgotten he wanted to make it) and Edward had started setting the table, handing some dishes to Karen to help too.

“Would you like me to do that?” She motioned to the bread rising on the counter.

“Oh, no. You're a guest, please sit down. We're fine.” Al defended his position as house cook pleasantly.

“Edward, why don't you show our guests to the living room? Al and I will join you in a minute.” Roy decided to remove the threat, vague though it may be. This was going to go well if it killed him.

They chatted for a bit before supper and when the timer went off, sat down to eat. Martha was obviously not expecting much from a meal made by men, and was clearly shocked. Tony just ate, assuming that the way Ed was eating was an indication of taste. Al tempered Ed's intake, as usual, until everyone else was finished, then let him go.

“Colonel? May we be excused?”Al was eager to be off, he had a new array he wanted to play with and his brother had said Karen was interested.

“Of course, Al. Just put the dishes in the sink, I'll clean them up.” Roy waved the three young people off.

“Thank you, sir.” Al cleaned his place, Karen's, and Edward's, who had grabbed Karen and bolted.

Roy made small talk, basking in the glow of compliments about how well behaved his boys were, especially Al. Half an hour later, he started to get concerned, there had been no noise since they left the table and that was unusual, to say the least. He excused himself and headed for Edward's room. The door was closed, but he could hear soft voices from inside.

“See? Neat huh? Wanna try?”

“I don't think I should.”

“Why not? It's easy, I'll show you how.”

“O..ok. I don't think I can though.”

“So? If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. It's not a big deal, I'll just do it myself. Ok, put your hands here and here. I'll help, don't worry.”

Roy knocked, he was almost certain there was no cause for concern, but just in case. The door opened immediately to show Ed and Karen sitting on the floor beside a simple array. Al held the door and watched him. “Yes, sir?”

“Ah, I was just checking, you have been unusually quiet tonight. What are you doing?”

“I'm showing Karen how to make a chick, it's one of the first things Al and I did. She doesn't think she can though, so I'm helping.” The blond sounded most pleased with himself.

“Alright, that's fine. Just be careful and leave the door open, please.” Roy turned to go back, then stopped. “Edward, don't forget not everyone can, alright?”

“Right, I remember. We'll be ok.” A grin flashed at Roy, who waved and left.

A couple of hours later, the guests left, waving cheerfully. Roy started dishes while the boys played chess. He could hear them squabbling, then the familiar shuffling of papers indicating Al had decided to study instead of fight. Footsteps behind him announced Edward's arrival. “Well? Did you have fun?”

“Yeah, it was nice. Can we do it again?” He picked up a towel and started drying, stacking the plates beside him. He could just barely reach the shelves and preferred if someone else put things away. Truthfully, Roy did too, he had to replace fewer dishes that way.

“Certainly.” They worked for a few minutes in silence.

“Roy?”

“Yes, Edward?”

“When you kissed someone for the first ime, did you like it?” Roy turned to look at him.

“Well, yes, I suppose I did.” He watched the blond whoshuffled a bit.

“Is it weird not to? Cause I didn't and neither did she.” Ah. So, Karen was that kind of friend, was she?

“No, it's not weird, it just takes practice. Are you going out with her?”

“N..no, no, we just wanted to try, you know? Because, well, we didn't know if we would like it and” His voice trailed off. “I don't think I like girls.”

Roy smiled and ruffled his hair, “That's ok. A little bit of practice and you'll get better, whether it's with women or men.” The little twinge of relief was carefully hidden and he felt guilty for even having it.

The blond finally looked up at him. “Roy? Can I, I mean, would you, um” His face heated and his voice faded to a whisper and Roy had to lean in to hear, “kiss me?”

'Oh god, how was he supposed to resist that?' “Edward, Ed, I”

“Please?” He was cut off and gold eyes gazed at him, begging.

“Alright, but just one.” That sounded so weak, even to himself, especially to himself. He slid his hand under the blond's chin and tilted it up before leaning down and brushing his lips gently over the boy's soft ones. They were so close, he could almost feel the butterfly soft fringe around those amazing eyes as they closed. A gentle kiss, over quickly, but it shook Roy badly. He couldn't move, frozen with his nose touching Edward's, their lips hovering close enough to feel the heat of the other's. They touched again, Edward moving up on his toes to press them together again. Longer, deeper, the soft lips parted under Roy's, inviting him in. 'Stop, have to stop.' He yanked himself back, breathing heavily. The pale fringe fluttered open again.

“Why? Why don't you want me?” He sounded so hurt, so alone, Roy couldn't help himself. He wrapped his arms around the boy and pulled him close.

“You're too young, Edward, too young for someone like me. You'll find someone special, someone closer to your own age. There is someone who'll love you, just as you are, and you'll love them back. I promise.”

“I'm not, I'm seventeen, I'm old enough.” protesting, the short young man pushed back enough to look up at the dark-haired man holding him.

“You're only seventeen, you have the rest of your life to find someone. Don't be so impatient.” He grinned, hiding the tears that threatened to fall. A long finger tapped the boy on the nose. “Lots of time, and until then, you get to date and test new things. Get lots of practice.” He started to step away and was grabbed tightly.

“Just a bit longer. Just, just a bit.” Strong arms wrapped around his waist and hugged him fiercely.

'Yes, just a bit longer, let me hold you just a bit longer, don't make me let go.' The only thing that passed his lips was, “Alright.”