The Phoenix and His Demons

Confusion Reigns


“Now then Edward…” Edward gulped.

“Yes, sir?”

“Have you any plans currently for this Saturday evening?” That was the very last thing that Edward Elric ever expected to hear coming out of Roy Mustang’s mouth directed at him.

“Ex-excuse me, sir? What did you just say?” Utter confusion and shock were plastered all over the young man’s face.

“I asked if you had anything planned for this Saturday. There’s a social event involving all the polished brass and I’ve been asked to bring my returned prodigy.” The General was certainly enjoy the mental torment he was putting Ed through, and while he’d brought up a perfectly logical and innocent proposition; he’d intentionally made it sound like something he never should’ve been asking a subordinate.

A mixture of relief and disappointment replaced the confusion and Edward wasn’t sure what to make of this new revelation. It was much like that kiss; difficult to explain. He knew he hadn’t been upset by it, hadn’t even bothered to yell at Roy about it, but had he enjoyed it? Long hours on a train had given him ample time to ponder it and he’d decided he had. Maybe that explained the disappointment he felt right now. He’d wanted it to be a date, not some military function, but then again; maybe, just maybe it was. An officer of Mustang’s rank couldn’t just go around asking one of his men out on a date openly, it’d get them all in trouble, so he’d have to do it carefully.

Said General merely sat quietly as he watched the myriad of emotions play over Edward’s face. He was so easy to read and yet that didn’t make it any easier to understand him. He had even given a soft chuckle as the confusion had turned to disappointment and then his stoic expression had almost snapped when the slow smile had crept over the blonde’s lips. Mustang was not disappointed that his prodigy had picked up on the ploy so quickly and despite the betrayal he’d disclosed at dinner, he still held a look of
innocence about him, even if it was exaggerated. Finally tired of the silence he cleared his throat to get Fullmetal’s attention.

“Huh? Oh…sorry was just er…trying to remember if I do or not. I don’t think I’m doing anything that night.”

“Splendid. This is a military function, so it will be full dress uniform. Think you can handle it?”

“Sure, though you know none of my uniforms are regulation.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem. I will have my car pick you up at six p.m. sharp, understood? Oh yes, one more thing. You are allowed, but not required to bring a date if you wish, or if you want to bring Alphonse. It’s your choice.” Roy had to stifle a laugh as Edward’s face fell for a moment then regained. It was just fascinating watching his mind work.

“Sure thing, I’ll ask Al but he’ll probably chicken out or something.” He could hear his brother snickering now and refusing to join him so they could spend time together. Ugh, he loved Al but one of these days he was certain he was going to throttle him for all the teasing and manipulation. At least he could say Al meant well, though, most didn’t.

“I see. Well then unless you’ve any other questions, you’re dismissed.”

“Just one. Who else from the office is going to be there?”

“I’m not sure. I know Major Hawkeye was issued an invitation, but I don’t know if she plans on attending. Other than that, I don’t think anyone from this office will be there.”

“All right then, until Saturday.” He just hoped he didn’t get lost in the library again and completely forget about it. He didn’t salute as he left; he never did and Mustang never bothered to complain about it, yet he knew that he’d have to at least put on a good show for the rest of the brass at the party.

The office was unusually quiet as Edward left the General’s office that afternoon. There’d been no yelling, no screaming and no insults; thus, they were stumped as to what could’ve possibly occurred in there Al had been snickering as he left and as Edward departed he just looked relieved with an odd look that could’ve almost been hope. The betting pools hadn’t started yet, mostly because no one knew what to make of the incident yet.

By the time he’d met up with Al in the library, that vague look of hope had turned into a full blown grin. He didn’t care about some stuffy military party it was afterwards that he was looking forward to. The drive back, another kiss maybe; the possibilities were endless and damned if Al hadn’t read his mind because the moment he laid eyes on his besotted brother he burst out laughing, earning them a few glares from the patrons nearby trying to study.

“Shut up, it’s not that funny.” Just because he sounded pouty didn’t mean he was pouting, that grin was still in place.

“I’m sure it’s funnier, but really…what’d he ask you?”

“Well, for a date…sort of, not quite…I’m not really sure.”

“What do you mean you’re not really sure? Either he asked you out or he didn’t.”

“Well, he asked me to come with him to some military function on Saturday but said I could bring you or a date if I wanted. I’m not sure if that means he’s asking me on a date or just letting me know he wants to show off that he’s got the Fullmetal Alchemist back under his thumb, you know?”

“Well, is he going to bring a date?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t have the guts to ask.”

“Well, considering what you told me about dinner, I’d say it’s a date that’s not a date because he couldn’t do it officially or he’d be in serious trouble.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was hoping. Anyway, enough about that before someone overhears…you find anything good?”

“Are you kidding? I just got here.”

“Oh. Well then let’s get started. We only have two days in which I’m probably going to lose my damned mind.”

“Damn Ed, you act like you’ve never done this before. Heck, even I’ve been asked out before.”

“It’s not that, I mean of course I have but….wait a minute! Who asked you out?”

“You don’t know her; she works at the flower store on the corner. But really, if you’ve done this before why are you so nervous?” Al seriously had to refrain from laughing at the look of relief on Ed’s face; older brothers were so silly. Really, who had he been worried was hitting on his not-so-little brother?

“It’s not because it’s someone asking me out, it’s because it’s him. He’s completely different, not just anyone, you know?”

“In other words you’ve had a crush on him since before you left.”

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re too damn smart for your own good?”

“Yes Ed, you do. Many many times even.” Edward gave up with a huff; he never won an argument with Al and probably never would either. A book was picked up and he idly leafed through it to change the subject.

Come noon on Friday, Al was in hysterics and Edward was officially labeled insane. He’d been snapping at people randomly and breaking out with sudden outbursts of concerns that were usually half sentences strung together so loosely that the term nonsense was being kind. Al knew what had his brother acting a nutcase and even he was at a loss to decipher half of the rants that left people amused but rather seriously worried for his sanity. The only person that seemed truly unconcerned and unaffected by the happenings was Mustang himself. This didn’t surprise Al; rather it confirmed to him that there was something more to his invitation than business. The General seemed to be enjoying Edward’s near breakdowns and fits; likely it was stroking his ego to no end knowing that not only could he bring any female he wanted to the point of swooning passion but the mere possibility of his interest in the spastic blonde had the Fullmetal Alchemist acting like he was possessed.

However, being a good brother, Al could not just let this go without being certain Ed wasn’t making a mistake. That’s how he ended up in the General’s office, alone and during lunch when everyone else was gone. It wasn’t a happy Mustang who’d been cornered in his office but they’d proved a long time ago that it was impossible to say no to Al.

“Alphonse, what brings you here today? Have you two made any headway on your assignments?”

Somehow, he just knew that’s not what this conversation was going to be about and it was his turn to gulp when Al locked the door; albeit, he was much more subtle about it than Edward had been.

“Not really sir, it’s been rather difficult for my brother to concentrate, as you well know. That’s what I came here to talk to you about.”

“Me? And just what answers do you think I might have for you?”

“Respectfully, all of them sir.” Roy was in trouble. Roy was in serious trouble and he knew it. Idly he wondered if he should be making out his Will right about now.

“I see. I should’ve known you’d be privy to such information.”

“Yes sir, you should have, but I really only want to make sure of one thing.”

“And what is that?”

“That you’re serious.”

“And what gives you the idea that I wouldn’t be?” That had been a bad idea. Al crossed his arms and gave Mustang the dirtiest look and Roy flinched.

“Where shall I start General? The motor pool? The secretarial pool? How about half the waitresses in Central and East City not to mention the nurses?” Edward would be both proud and envious; Al had managed something he couldn’t, he had the General unhinged, off-guard and flustered beyond belief.

“I don’t think that will be necessary. Your…your point is well taken. So what do you want me to say?” Give it a minute too and he’ll realize that Al had rattled off points of gossip that he wasn’t supposed to remember.

“I told you what I wanted. He’s going nuts because of Saturday and you’re enjoying it; so am I, but then I’m not the one he’s had a crush on since he was fifteen. I don’t want to see him hurt. He’s his own person and to be blunt if you’re just looking for sex, fine…but make sure he knows it. Don’t delude him into hoping for something more than he’ll get.” The General nodded slowly, digesting everything that’d been said. There was more information conveyed in those words than the words themselves, such as the unspoken threat that if he ignored Al’s warning, the younger alchemist would very likely find a way to forget that he was a nice, polite, boy that respected his superior officers.

“I see. I knew you were insightful and observant Alphonse, but I had no idea you were this knowledgeable in romantic situations. Very well then, I have no intentions of causing your brother more heartache than he’s already experienced. That would be cruel and while I may be a manipulative bastard as he likes to put it, I’m not cruel.”

“Good to know, sir.” The frighteningly serious Al disappeared as his usual grin replaced it. He gave a sharp salute and turned to leave. “Enjoy your lunch.”

As sincere as the sentiment was, Roy Mustang didn’t find himself very hungry anymore.

“Hey Al, where were you?” asked a very distracted Ed who was apparently trying to read, though likely he was finding it fairly difficult with the book upside down. No wonder they weren’t getting anywhere and with a sigh, Al seriously hoped that Saturday came quickly and ended well.

“Oh, nowhere…just having a little chat with the General.” That smirk said he was up to no good and Ed paled.

“A ..a chat? Wha-what kind of chat?” Oh, nothing too serious. Don’t worry about it Ed, we have work to do after all. Somehow, that just made Edward worry more and yet

“If I tell you, will you promise to stop trying to rip your hair out, give yourself an ulcer and reading books upside-down?” Ed looked at the book in his hands, flushed and quickly righted it.

“Yes.” He sounded so meek for someone that was supposed to be twenty-one.

“Well, you can stop worrying so much; I think he’s just as interested in you as you are him.”

“You’re sure?”

With the threat he’d handed down, he was positive. “I’m sure.”

The whole library heard the sigh of relief and looked up and over to the beaming blonde that had the decency to blush and bury his head in his book. Al just rolled his eyes. Great, so he had to room with a slob-ish brother who outranked him and was acting like a lovesick teenager. Though on the bright side of things, at least his brother was around to act like a lovesick slob; somehow, that alone made all the headaches worth it.