Orphaned

Huh..nothing to rant about *ignores people as they cheer*. Yeah, yeah. Anyway, enjoy!

Asha Crone: *sighs* I suppose people just have no faith in me...I'm getting to it, ok? That's pretty much all I'm going to say. Simply because I don't put the events in chronological order doesn't mean they won't be there. I'm going to explain everything in flashbacks; how they got together, why they got together, how each feels about being with the other...all of it. Alright? Honestly, it would be a disappointing fic if I didn't. It's just easier that way because I can keep the plot moving and have the whole thing with them as sort of an underlying story. It'll work...trust me. Also, I don't really think Roy would be guilty, per say, for being with Ed. I don't see how you reached that conclusion; why would he feel guilty about it if he really loves him? Either way, thanks for reviewing!

Juna: Yes, Ed does get picked on quite a bit, but that's just a given, lol. Of course, I'll give you more flashbacks than you know what to do with! Thanks for reviewing!

Luca: Hooked are you? Just be careful you don't overdose, lol. Thanks for reviewing!

Kai: Well, we all know Ed's an ass...like I've said before, I'll put all that good stuff in. Just be patient, k? Thanks for reviewing!
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After Roy left, Ed joined his brother back inside, "Al?" he called, not finding the younger one in his room or the living room, "Where'd he go?" Ed wondered, but soon gave up the search, figuring he was in the bathroom or something. He flopped down on the couch and flipped the tv on, "Boring, boring, more boring, ew..." He grimaced as he flipped to a cooking show where the supposed chef was frying up something that resembled a fish in something that resembled milk. He nearly gagged and quickly turned the tv off, "Stuff melts your brain, anyway." he decided, then closed his eyes for a well-deserved nap. He smiled faintly (something he'd become accustomed to over the years) as he remembered food being the thing that had finally driven Ed over the edge from admiring Roy to thinking of him as more than just a guardian. Roy had never really been a father figure, more like an older, protective brother. Besides, fathers couldn't cook the way the dark-haired man could.

Flashback

"You really eat that stuff?" Roy asked, setting the plate full of 'food' in front of Ed.

Bright, golden eyes peered up at him, "Of course! How can you NOT eat takoyaki?" he questioned, seriously wanting an answer.

Roy grimaced at the objects before him, "To each his own." he muttered.

"You're just weird." Ed commented, shoving the first octopus snack in his mouth and chewing. His eyes widened as the rich flavor filled his mouth, making it water.

Roy hesitated, wondering if that was a good thing or not. He'd never made takoyaki before, never having the need for it, and he wasn't exactly a professional chef. He watched as Ed slowly chewed, and raised an eyebrow at the younger one, "Well?" he asked.

Ed continued chewing not wanting to open his mouth for anything. Still, the genius chef deserved to be complimented for his amazing feat, "IT'S AMAZING!!!!!" Ed yelled, spewing pieces of intestine everywhere, including Roy's face. Ed frowned at the loss of flavor, but soon forgot it as he popped another one in his mouth, deciding better than to speak again for fear of losing more.

"Thanks..." Roy said, closing his eyes as he flicked off the piece that had landed on his cheek, "Gald you like it." He then turned to begin cleaning up, but hesitated, "Are you going to want more?" he asked. He didn't necessarily want to cook more, but knew that he'd get a mouth full from the pint-sized boy if he just went ahead and started cleaning up without offering. Especially if Ed's answer was yes.

Ed was about to answer something along the lines of 'of course, are you an idiot?' but saw the look on Roy's face, silently pleading him to say no. Ed really didn't know what the older one's problem was with the food, but he had been nice enough to cook this much for him. Ed grinned as he shoved some more takoyaki in his mouth, "Nah, I think I'm good." he replied, munching happily. Roy nodded and began cleaning up, an audible sigh of relief escaping his mouth. Ed continued to eat while watching Roy, finding his thoughts drifting to the dark-haired man. Roy really wasn't a bad guy, in Ed's opinion. He was nice, considerate, always putting the brothers' needs before his. He was everything Ed had never imagined anyone could be. He was the most selfless man he'd ever met while still maintaining respect. All in all, Roy was the perfect role model for Ed, even if he did drink milk.

Ed frowned, that's all it was, right? Just admiration...It's not like he liked Roy or anything. He wasn't attracted to the older one; besides, he liked girls! Didn't he? Ed had no idea anymore and his head was starting to hurt from thinking about it so much. He shook his head and slipped some more food inside his mouth. He was just thinking on the subject too much; looking too much into it. Besides, as nice as Roy was, no one was perfect. Ed knew Roy had to have some secret that he hid, and he, personally, didn't want to find out what it was the hard way. Ed plopped the last bit of takoyaki in his mouth, 'He's still a hell of a cook, though.' he thought.

End Flashback

Of course, back then Ed had been so insecure he didn't want to admit his feelings to anyone, even himself. Scratch that, he didn't want to admit his feeling to especially himself. Once he had, he found that it wasn't so bad, though he was still a little on guard around Roy. There was still that deep, dark, burried secret that he knew Roy had to have. Though, he was a little more interested to find out what it was than scared now. Giving how wonderful and perfect Roy seemed on the outside, though, he knew the secret was horrible. That was how it always worked. The more carefree and friendly a person seemed, the more terrible their secrets and burdens were. Ed sighed, either way he was sure he'd find out some day. Why not enjoy what time he had left with perfect, unflawed Roy? He wasn't saying the man was a god or anything, he certainly did have his faults (like being a major sarcastic ass), but that was also a part of his attraction.

"Damn." Roy whispered, gritting his teeth in pain. He had been right about where his suspect was, but he had sorely underestimated him. The guy was a lot bigger in person, and a lot smarter than Roy had given him credit for. He thought he had this all in the bag, and did what he always did when he got overconfident and cocky; he played with his enemy. Of course, that tactic only worked if the other one was down for the count, which this big bastard hadn't been. He had caught Roy off guard and planted a fist into Roy's stomach, sending the smaller man flying back to hit the wall of the large warehouse they were fighting in.

The other alchemist laughed, "Come on, now. You're not giving up aready, are you?"

Roy growled at the cocky tone he detected; that was supposed to be his in-your-face attitude. Instead, he was the one sitting on the ground, wiping blood away from his mouth, glaring at the approaching man. The ones that taunted him were better, though. That meant they were either inexperienced or they would let their guard down easier. The silent ones...those were the ones you had to watch out for. Roy shook these thoughts from his head as he turned his attention back to the matter at hand, which was him attempting not to get his ass kicked. He rolled out of the way as a foot came down at his head, and was up in an instant, ready for more. He grinned at the giant that was his opponent. He always liked to save a few tricks up his sleeve, and the fact that he was one of the toughest alchemists on the force was a major one that he had yet to share. He quickly slipped on a glove with his alchemic symol embroided on it in a bright red; very fitting giving that his talent was fire.

The big oaf's eyes flickered to the glove briefly, "So, you're an alchemist as well, huh?" he laughed, "Not that it'll save you. No one can match my power!"

Roy sighed, if there was one thing he didn't like about the loud ones was that their lines were horrible. The conversations he held with some of them while in battle was enough to make him keel over then and there. He just had to laugh at it like he did everything else, which was what he did, "Really?" he asked. He was definitely one of the cocky ones that talked, but unlike the large majority of them, he didn't let his guard down. Well, not usually anyway. He just smirked at the guy, "Looks to me like no one can match your weight, either." Oh yeah, that was perfectly horrible. One of his worst comebacks, but it got the desired effect of the enemy charging at him.

Roy dodged the barrling body and turned to watch as the big guy lost his balance for a second. This was as good an opportunity as ever, he supposed, and raised his hand. A second later he snapped his fingers, igniting a spark and setting the room ablaze. He heard the pained screams of his unworthy opponent as the giant man roasted in the searing heat. Roy shielded his eyes and gazed into the flames, squinting to see the still, life-less form of the other alchemist. He grinned, it was always easier with alchemy.

Limping slightly, Roy got into his car and drove the short distance back to his office. Once inside, he plopped down on the couch and grabbed the papers off his desk, pressing a button on the underside of said furniture. Soon after, a small girl with glasses and long black hair came running in, "Yes, sir, how can I..." she trailed off as she got a good look at Roy, blood and bruises covering his face as well as a ripped shirt, revealing bloody claw marks on his chest and shoulder; the alchemist had apparently perferred brute force over his own powers. Gina, Roy's personal secretary, gasped, "I'll be right back, sir."

Roy nodded as he started sifting through the papers for his next case. Each of the Underground's alchemists had their own personal secretary that was assigned to them. They were there for the pure purpose of tending to their alchemist's wounds after a hard battle. Roy's assistant was fairly new, but she seemed to know what she was doing, which he was thankful for. His last one, whom he had grown quite attatched to, was killed by one of the Renegades that Roy was tracking. Roy smirked, he had never heard someone scream so loud as when he finally caught the bastard. He then sighed as he realized the hardest part of his job was yet to be completed; paperwork. Roy loved fighting, he couldn't find a bad thing about it. He loved the rush he got when the odds were against him, and he loved the feeling of complete control over the other alchemist when he was winning. The best, though, was the feeling of satisfaction he got when he finally caught someone after days or even weeks of searching for them. Paperwork, however, was one of his greatest hatreds. He simply despised the thought of sitting down at a desk and filling out papers for hours on end when he could be out doing actually useful things.

Gina reappeared a few minutes later, arms filled with bandages, disinfectants, and who knows what else. Roy chuckled to himself, she might know what she was doing, but she certainly did overdo it. He supposed, though, that was better than doing a half-assed job. She quickly shed him of his jacket and shirt and began pouring rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. She started at his chest and worked upwards, cleaning each scrape and scratch. He hissed as the liquid hit a gash on his cheek, and Gina had to force herself not to pull away, "Sorry, sir." she said, quickly, but kept cleaning his wounds.

Roy smiled softly, "No problem." he said, sighing as she finally put the vile stuff away and taking out some bandages.

"How do you explain these marks to your wife?" she wondered. It was company policy that no one ever spoke of their occupation to their family or friends, for securtiy reasons. Roy had never had a problem with it before Ed and Al arrived since he kept pretty much to himself, but it really had been hell keeping it a secret from them.

He grinned, "Well, I'm just so good that I never have to worry about her seeing any marks." he said, cockily. It was Roy's own policy that he kept everyone at work oblivious to his home life. It was just easier and safer if he kept those two worlds seperate.

Gina giggled a little, "It's true, you hardly ever come in here looking like this." A few moments passed of the two saying nothing until she finally finished his last bandage, "All done!" she stated, smiling at him, "Anything else you need?"

Roy just shook his head, "Not unless you'd like to fill out my paperwork." he said.

This earned him a laugh from the young girl, "Sorry, sir, I don't believe I'm qualified."

Roy sighed, "Lucky." he muttered.

She smiled, a little sympathetically, and stood, "Well, if that's all, then I'll see you tomorrow, sir."

"Bye, Gina." Roy said, closing his eyes for a second as she exited the room. He laid back on the couch, stretching out and wincing, 'I'm gonna be sore in the morning.' he thought, not looking foward to waking up. First, though, he had to get home and past Ed's inevitable questions. After a moment, he found the energy to stand up and put his tattered clothes back on. Still limping, Roy made his way to the elevator, endlessly greatful for the invention right now; it would have been hell if he had to walk down who knows how many flights of stairs to get to the lobby. He nodded to the secretary in the main lobby on his way out and got back in his car once again. He kind of wished the company provided a driver because he would have liked to have passed out right about then, but it was to no avail. Of course, his own driver wasn't allowed on the premise, so he was left with only the option of driving himself.

Fortunately for him, Roy's work wasn't dreadfully far away and he was home in 20 minutes. Now, he only had one other obstacle before making it to the sweet release of sleep; that obstacle being Ed. With any luck, the younger one would already be asleep and Roy could easily make it to his room, undetected. Ed still slept upstairs with Al, so most of the time Roy could get in under the blonde's radar since his own bedroom was downstairs. However, some nights Ed waited up for him and was found sitting at the island in the kitchen, which you had to pass through to make it to Roy's bedroom. Silently entering his home, Roy was greatful he had decided against buying a dog; that would have proved to be a fatal error in sneaking in late at night. He passed by the living room, giving it only a glance to see that Ed was asleep on the couch, a book spread out across his chest, mouth open, snoring. Roy smirked and went over to turn the light out of his face and place a small kiss on the younger one's forehead. He knew these actions wouldn't wake the sleeping boy. If there was one constant truth about Ed, it was that he was a heavy sleeper. Covering the light-haired one up with a throw that he kept on the back of the couch, Roy stood from his kneeling position and made his way to his own bedroom.
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Aww, how sweet. Jeez, this chappy took a while to type up. Huh...well, hope you enjoyed it!