Flame and Fullmetal 300 km/h

A/N: Sorry it took such a long time to update! In 3 days I have been on 6 birthday parties, getting drunk and dancing and partying and….well, I sat down and wrote this chapter.
To my reviewers, wow so many reviews! Thank you, all of you!
Alien, blame Roy for the late update, he didn’t buy me those shoes I wanted and we had a fight and then Ed was angry at him and they started fighting and I was angry that they started fighting and Ed was angry I got involved and…well, we all have been at war with each other. Tonight I got revenge, and after this chapter, you can guess where I have them, hehe. Again, love your reviews!
Everyone else, thanks and glad you liked the verbal sparring/file name.
Enjoy!


Chapter 11; It’s Your Birthday


On Friday morning, Ed looked up to the sound of incessant knocking on his bedroom door.

"Wake up sleepyhead!" he heard his brother’s voice ring out from the other side. He groggily trudged out of his bed, grabbing his pants and throwing them on. He opened the door, revealing Al, ready for the day and more cheery than anyone had the right to be so early in the morning.

”Happy birthday, brother!” Al exclaimed.

”What time is it?” Ed yawned, combing his fingers through his messy hair, trying to tame it enough to be able to tie it up into a pony tail.

"Almost eleven. There’s just enough time left for you to take a shower. Hurry up, I don’t… I mean, we don’t want to be late for the barbeque."

Ed smiled at his brother’s eagerness. Hughes had invited the crew to his daughter Elysia’s birthday party that Friday. He had heard that Ed’s brother had moved in with him and told Ed to bring Al along with him. Al of course had been overjoyed, not wanting to miss the chance to get to know Ed’s friends.

”Besides, you forbid me to throw you a birthday party of your own, so we might as well celebrate both your birthdays at the same time,” Al insisted but Ed didn’t agree.

"Whoopie," Ed said sarcastically, spinning his index finger in the air. "Can you tell me again, why we have to celebrate birthdays? It’s just another way to remind us that we’re getting older. Just remember this: you’re not telling anybody that it’s my birthday. It’s Elysia’s special day, and we wouldn’t want her to have to share the attention with me.” It was a sly lie of course. Ed just didn’t want too much attention.

Al sighed, but nodded understandingly. ”Fine, I won’t. Now stop stalling and get ready!"

"Alright, alright. Get out."
Al took a step backwards and Ed slammed the door shut, crawling back into his bed and closing his eyes.

”Brother!”

”Fine! I’m up! I’ll shower!” Ed moaned frustrated. ’Does he have x-ray vision or something?’ Ed thought. His cell-phone started ringing and Ed flipped it open.

”Hello?” he didn’t hold back the annoyed tone in his voice. ”Oh, it’s you. Thanks. Shut up. Yeah thanks. I mean it, shut up! Shut up or I’ll kick….Nothing, well, this one party. Yeah, a job-related thing. You?”
Ed thought back, actually remembering that when Hughes invited him and his brother the man told him to feel free and bring a date with him. Ed smirked.

”I’ll pick you up in two hours. You’re going to be my date.”

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About four hours later, Ed pulled up in front of Hughes’ place, knowing that they were probably one of the last ones there. Not that they left late or anything, but Ed had to stop and find last minute gifts.

Scar almost laughed at the irritated look on his ’date’s’ face. "You know, it is your fault that we’re late right?" the detective informed, opening the car door. "You won’t get anywhere in life by getting late presents."

Ed rolled his eyes as the three of them crossed the street, approaching a two story with a mailbox that read "Hughes’".

"It’s not my fault that the kid was born the same date as I was." Ed grumbled. "Now I have to do double the time with double the money."

"Not like money’s ever been a problem for you two," Scar said, making Ed roll his eyes and Al look down embarrassed.

As they stepped onto the neatly trimmed lawn, they could smell the barbeque in the air and hear the faint sound of music in the backyard. Ed unlatched the gate on the side of the house and stepped through, letting his nose lead the way.

As they walked to the backyard, the music became louder. At a large outdoors table, Breda, Hughes, and Armstrong sat, playing a game of cards. Winry sat on Havoc’s lap, occasionally peeking to look at the other guys’ hands and no doubt telling Havoc.

In the background, Falman sat against a tree with his eyes closed while Fuery played catch with a black dog. Hughes was standing by the grill. He looked up and waved at them before trying to get a fire started. The glass door to the house slid open, and Gracia and Riza stepped out with a small girl right behind them.

"We were wondering when you guys would decide to get here," Gracia said walking up to Ed and hugging him. ”And this must be your brother we all have been eager to meet.” She said turning to Al.

”Oh, yeah, this is my brother Alphonse. Al, this is Gracia Hughes and that’s Riza Hawkeye.” Ed introduced both women to his young brother. Al gave a curt bow.

”Nice to meet you Mrs. Hughes and Ms. Hawkeye.”

”What a well mannered young man,” Gracia commented, Riza nodding, both smiling.

”They may look like brothers but they are as different as a lime and a banana.” Scar teased the boys, Ed rewarding him for the public humiliation by elbowing him in the ribs. A small girl giggled at the men from behind her mother. Ed recognized her from all the photos Hughes had shown him on more than one occasion. He bowed down, his hands on his knees, their eyes almost levelling with one another.

”Hey Elysia, I guess you were hiding from that mean old man.” Ed said, gesturing at Scar. ”Let’s just ignore him and maybe he will go away. I came to wish you a happy birthday.” Ed was good with kids and Elysia immediately thought it was safe enough to step forth from under her mother’s protective wing.

”Yeah, happy birthday Elysia," Al repeated. "Mrs. Hughes, where do we put these things?" he asked, referring to the presents.

Gracia smiled. "Here, I’ll show you." She took his hand, leading the way into the house. Riza handed Scar a cold beer which he accepted with a nod.

”So we meet again,” she said. ”I didn’t think you would be the kind of guy to visit a kid’s birthday party.”

”I’m on a date,” he responded, looking down at Ed, the young man’s face turning slightly red. From anger or embarrassment, Scar didn’t know.

"So where’s everyone else?" Ed asked Riza curiously, not wanting Scar to say any more.

"Ross and Bloch are on a vacation and will be away for the next few weeks," she answered as they walked to the grill. "Jenny is picking up Rose and should be here any time soon. As for the Colonel, he’s inside changing. I guess he was to the garage earlier and decided to freshen up."

"The garage, huh?" Scar asked, storing it for later information. There must have been something important for Mustang to be doing to miss part of the little party that was taking place.

"By the way, how’s Roy taking the fact that everyone skipped work to come here?" Ed asked as they came to the grill, Riza giving Hughes the raw steaks.

Hughes rolled his eyes and wiped the sweat off his forehead. "The usual. Groaning and moaning. But what can he do about it? Fire us all? So he decided that if he couldn’t beat us, he might as well join us."

"When are we eating?!" Breda inquired loudly, eyes still on his cards. "I’m getting hungry here!"

"Do not worry," Armstrong said, patting him on the back, making Breda almost double over. "The food is not going anywhere.”

”If you wanted fast-food you could have stayed at the restaurant and made it yourself." Havoc said, lighting a cigarette but had to put it out the moment Gracia walked to the table with an enormous bowl filled with salad, Al helping out by bringing the plates.

”Everyone, the food’s ready!”

Within five minutes everybody had taken a seat at the table. After Al was introduced to all the guests, the barbeque was set out onto the table. Ed noticed a few mouths (which shall remain nameless) salivating over the food. Even Breda who was a chef had to admit Hughes had done well, the steaks looking delicious.

"Alright," Roy said. "Let’s eat." Falman reached for the ribs in front of him. Roy shot him a glare. Falman quickly pulled his hand back as if the food were poison. "No, go ahead Falman," Roy said, feigning nice. "And since you were the first to reach for the food, you can say grace."

Falman held back a groan as the others closed their eyes trying not to laugh. He coughed lightly as they waited for him to speak.

"Dear….uh…heavenly….uh.."

"Spirit," Fuery offered.

"Thank you. Dear heavenly spirit. For…uh…providing us with direct port nitrous…uh… injection." Ed opened one eye and exchanged looks with Winry. "Thanks for four core intercoolers and ball bearing turbos, and, um, titanium valve springs. Thank you."

"Amen," Roy said, pleased with Falman’s attempt at grace.

"He was praying to the car gods, man," Havoc chuckled.

"We can eat now?" Breda asked, hopefully.

"Yeah, dig in." Hughes said, as conversation started up around them.

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After the steaks and the birthday cake, only the worst was left. The dishes. They had all agreed to draw straws and the six with the longest ones would do the dishes and clean up. Havoc, Breda, Ed, Jenny and Maes Hughes were the unlucky ones and spent the following hour setting dishes in the sink. Meanwhile the rest the guys sat in the couch watching a game on TV, the Sixers playing against the Lakers.

"Next time you should buy Gracia paper plates, Hughes," Havoc said, not wanting to wash dishes.

"There she goes again with her laziness," Breda said jokingly, already rolling up his sleeves.

"Ha, ha," Havoc laughed sarcastically, as they all went back to get more dishes. Ed grunted, having thought he had escaped the curse of chores when he moved out from home. Havoc opened the kitchen window and lit a cigarette, sitting down on the kitchen table with the ’I’m-not-doing-a-woman’s-work’ kind of attitude. The res of them went back to get more dishes.

"Hey, Jenny, do you think you could go gather the empty beer bottles?" Hughes asked.

Jenny almost scowled. "By myself? Why don’t you get Ed to do it? He seems to be multitalented nowadays," she said angrily.

Hughes sighed. "Please, Jenny? It Hughes who cleaned up after your party when you turned 18, remember?"

”I knew you would use that against me like you always do.” Jenny grumbled. "Fine. But you have used up that card for good. This is the last favour it will buy you, Maes. Otherwise I’d be a bitch and say no."

Hughes thanked her and walked in with Breda and Ed.

"Hughes," Ed started. "We could’ve helped her."

"Yes, but I wanted to ask you a few questions." Hughes said, setting down the plates. Ed raised his eyebrows, wondering what was brewing in the man’s head. "So, Ed. I heard about your little sex-fest with Roy."

At this, Breda’s head whipped up. "Sex fest? Where the hell have I been?"

Havoc nodded. "Yeah, Fullmetal, what’s the deal with that?"

Ed shook his head, vowing to kick Winry’s ass. "There is no deal," he said. "And there definitely wasn’t any sex. Just some…stuff that got out of control."

"Stuff huh?" Breda asked. "What kind of stuff?"

"He’s just hard-headed, so I made him pay."

"I bet he is hard." Havoc said, making the other two men laugh uncontrollably.

"Yeah, Havoc, you’re real funny. Look, you guys can finish up inhere. I smell like some heavy barbeque so I’m gonna go to the bathroom." He turned and headed up the stairs.

"Hey!" he heard Hughes call out after him. "Don’t close the bathroom door all the way. It can only be opened from the outside."

Ed nodded, continuing his ascension up the steps.

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Scar was on a mission. Get in, inform, and get out. He spotted Roy across the crowded room and made his way towards him.

"Mustang, we need to talk," Scar said in his most serious voice. Roy pulled at his ear, indicating that he couldn’t hear over the loud people watching the game. Scar rolled his eyes, waving Roy over into a secluded corner.

"What do you want, Scar?" Roy demanded, cutting to the chase.

"I just wanted to tell you to stay the hell away from Edward Elric."

Roy sighed, tired of everyone in the world telling him the same. "Thanks for the advice Scar. But what makes you think I’d give a damn what you say?"

"We were friends. You owe it to me."

"We were never friends. Just fell into the same crowd. Don’t get it twisted. And even if we were, I bet that all changed after I got your ass iced from that cop job you were so fond of." Roy smirked, proud to be the reason Scar had been fired from the precinct. From what he knew, Scar would be lucky if anyone even thought about hiring him for another cop job.

"I guess it’s true what your brother said, Scar. The ones who get in trouble are calling to you. You feel like you have to save every damn fool you meet. Has to be the only reason you’re here and around Fullmetal."

Scar tried to keep his anger in check. He knew Roy was only bitter from what had happened that long ago and that Scar tried to help him, failing and betraying his friend. "Look, Roy. I just want to warn you. Stay away from him," Scar demanded, his words precise. "You’ll never change. And I can’t have Edward associating with a guy like you."

"Then leave. No one’s forcing anyone. And he’s a big boy anyway. I’m sure he can handle himself big brother."

"Just do me this favour, Roy," Scar pleaded, before turning and walking away. But before he could get far, Roy turned him around, forcefully shoving a wad of 100’s into his chest.

"You know what this is for, Scar. Consider it a thanks."

"Oh, c’mon Roy. You know I don’t want your money."

"Take it. Before I change my mind."
Scar sighed, resignedly grabbing the money and shoving it into his pocket, knowing that Roy wouldn’t take the money back. ‘You better enjoy it while you can Scar,’ Roy thought as he watched the retreating figure of his once friend. ‘Because, soon enough, running with the wrong crowd will have me taking you down.’

Roy took a swing of his beer and returned to the howling party guests watching the game, sitting down between Winry and Al.
"Ooooh! Swish!" Rose yelled jumping up from the couch. "In Iverson’s face!"
The keeper of The Siler Rose mostly gave the impression o being shy and calm, but when it came to the Lakers, she was their loud number one fan.

Winry rolled her eyes. "Sit down, rosebud. I think you’re forgetting who’s winning and who’s scored more points."

"Yeah," Fuery joined in. "Iverson could take Kobe to the hole any day."

"Pffft," Falman sounded. "When’s the last time you’ve seen Iverson dunk?"

"When’s the last time you’ve seen the Lakers win a game?" Al put in.

"True, true," everyone agreed, nodding their heads.

"But I bet Iverson could kick Kobe’s ass," Riza stated, starting up a new wave of argument. Roy shook his head, setting his beer down on the table. Personally, he couldn’t stand that Kobe Bryant guy. Too conceited. In Roy’s opinion, there was a limit to how arrogant a person could be.

He got up from the seat when he saw Jenny coming. "Where you goin’? Winry asked.

"Take a leak."

"Oh, well, if you’re using the one upstairs, don’t close it all the way. It doesn’t open from the inside.” Gracia called after him.

Roy nodded absently, taking to the steps.

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Ed splashed the water on his face, needing to feel something other than heat. No matter what he did, his face was still flushed. No way in hell was he going to admit it was from the conversation with the guys in the kitchen, blaming it on the heat and anticipation for the race that night. He had opened his braid that was messed up after all the playfully wrestling and basketball with the guys. He brushed his fingers through the wavy curls before tying it up into a simple pony tail. Ed jumped when he heard the door swoosh open.

"What part of knocking do you not understand?!" Ed yelled as Roy walked in. "Do you mind?" he asked. "I’m kinda in here."

Roy brushed passed him, walking to the toilet.

"Hello! Am I invisible over here?"

Ed heard the sound of a zipper being pulled down and the sound of liquid hitting liquid following. "Roy!" he yelled, mortified. Ed turned his back to him. After an excruciating few moments, the sound of the toilet lid clanking against the rim and the zipper coming up prompted Ed to turn around.

"Okay, Colonel-Bastard. Now that you’ve just humiliated the fuck out of me, you can leave!"

Roy gave Ed a smirk and sat on the top of the lidded toilet. "Nah, that’s alright. Go ahead and do what you were doing. It’s fine with me."

Ed marched over to him and grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him up. "Roy, I’m serious. Get out!"

He kept the smirk on his face. "What? And miss all the action? I’m sure there’s only one reason you came up here if you know what I mean." he said, with a generous amount of innuendo.

Ed cornered Roy until the older man was up against the bathroom door, pushing it closed. "Get out," Ed demanded angrily.

"You can’t fool me, Fullmetal. I’ve noticed you staring at me all day. It’s not my fault you come up here to get a little release."

Ed’s eyes widened with shock. "Get over yourself Colonel-Bastard. I’m sorry to say, but the whole world doesn’t revolve around you."

Roy raised his eyebrows in a "doesn’t it?" gesture.

Ed shook his head, giving up. "Fine, whatever. I’ll leave." He reached around the older man and grabbed the handle. When he twisted it, it refused to budge. His amber eyes grew wider.

"Mustang….you didn’t…you didn’t shut this door did you?"

"No that would be your doing. I thought you were leaving."

Ed began to tug harder on the knob. "Roy…it won’t open!" He panicked with each pull.

"What do you mean it won’t open!?" Roy demanded, starting to panic. He moved Ed’s hands out of the way and pulled as hard as he could. "Fuck!" he yelled pounding forcefully on the door. Ed stood back as Roy rammed his shoulders into the door.

"If your objective is to get yourself some bruised shoulders, you’re doing a mighty fine job of it," Ed said sarcastically despite the situation.

”Oh yeah?" Roy asked out of breath. "Then why don’t you tell me what you suggest we do?"
Ed looked at him for a moment before resorting to what a normal person would do in this kind of situation: ran to the door, pounding and screaming.

"Help!! Can anyone hear me?!? Open the door!!"

Roy looked at the screaming young man and shrugged, deciding to join Ed. A last resort is a last resort, right?

Their pounding and cries of help were left unheard by the people downstairs. When Ed realized that no one could hear them, he slid down to the ground, blank-faced. Roy’s pounding echoed in his ears, but he could tell that they were getting significantly weaker. When Roy came to the same conclusion as Ed did, he slid down to the floor hopelessly.

Ed looked straight ahead blankly. "And the verdict is?"

Roy’s eyes closed as he uttered the hardest three words he’d ever said in his life.

“We’re locked in.”

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