Housework

Well, here we go, another chapter finished, a few actually. The story is finally starting to move towards the end, it was never really intended to be this long, it just happened. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, I appreciate your comments and just knowing that you are reading is a wonderful thing. There were flashbacks written, but I decided I hated them, so I condensed them. Sorry, but I just couldn't make them work.

Curiosity and Sex

Roy stood, drink in hand, and watched the group play. He was lost in thought about the changes they had brought to him. He remembered the first flash of red and gold, the strength in that tiny frame. Not so tiny anymore, Edward had bulked up considerably and grown nearly 2 inches. He shook his head over the little signs of male in his girl; the flat hips and chest, the shape of the face, attitude in general. How had he missed those? His only defense was he hadn't looked.

A grin skated over his lips when he thought of people's reactions. Havoc had choked and half swallowed his cigarette. Once recovered, he laughed himself right off his chair and on to the floor, knocking Fuery over too. Fuery had turned an interesting shade of red, then green and run for the bathroom. Roy found out later he had been admiring how cute 'Tammy' was. Hawkeye had fondled her gun and demanded to know if this was some kind of joke. When assured it wasn't, she had threatened to shoot him for being a pervert. It took some fast talking to get out of that one. Falman just looked at him like he was the biggest idiot in the world and Breda pointed and yelled about being the subordinate of a pervert was the worst thing that had ever happened and he was transferring.

A few threats and well placed snaps quieted them all down and they had been informed of what had happened, where the two boys came from, and what kind of things were not allowed, ie teasing about cross-dressing and touching. The gossip, of course, could not be stopped, but he managed to keep it quiet when he was in the room. He had only singed the one private's bangs before they all got the hint.

Maes had been a bigger problem. Just because he was his ex and best friend, he felt it was alright to call him a pervert constantly and remind him daily of his error. When it was pointed out that HE didn't notice either, he just shrugged and said that he didn't take her home with him or parade her around town, now did he? 'Well, really, it's not like I stripped him to check.' Roy was still mildly put out about the entire thing.

“Well, well, Roy Mustang, proud papa. Never thought I'd see it.” A hand clapped him on the shoulder, Havoc's laughing voice in his ear.

“Ah, there you are. Meet anyone nice lately?” He smirked while the blond growled.

“After the last one, I wouldn't think you'd be interested, Colonel.” Damn, he was getting better, have to be sharp. He still wasn't sure how that had gotten out, probably that ditz blabbed.

Roy decided to change the topic. “Thanks for the kittens, they were a great idea.” He turned away to watch Fuery join the group on the blanket, petting both kittens and holding Elysia in his lap. He noticed Havoc watching as well and took advantage of a teasing opportunity. “You know, he's still single.” His tease brought a bright blush and mumbling. 'Aha, ammunition.' He filed it away for future use when Falman and Hawkeye joined them.

The blond woman nodded at the group, “They look good, sir, happy.”

Roy's chest puffed up with pride. 'They do, don't they?' “Thank you.”

A few months later

A soft knock heralded the arrival of one of his teens. 'Has to be Edward, Al went to babysit Elysia this evening. Won't be back for a few hours, at least.' Roy set his pen down and pushed the reports to the side. “Come in.” The door opened and a blond head poked around the corner.

“Are you busy?”

“No, come in.” Roy waved to a chair and Edward perched himself on the edge. They sat in silence, Edward fidgeting and not looking at Roy. “What's wrong?” It had to be fairly serious for it not to be able to wait for Al's return. Even though the older brother was talking now, he still didn't like to if it wasn't necessary.

The sixteen year old shuffled a bit, blushing brightly. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, ask anything. I'll try to answer.”

“Well, some of the guys were talking today, about, well, you know.” His face turned more red. Ah, sex and girls. Roy well remembered sitting in the back of the classroom and snickering over them with his friends. “I, I just wondered. Does it feel good?”

Well, THAT wasn't the question he'd anticipated and Roy floundered. 'Have to be careful with that one.' “Well, usually it does, when both people want it to. With the right person, it can be pretty amazing.” The blond's face was on fire and his hands were clasped so tightly, the knuckles were white. “It's alright for virgins to be nervous, there's no rush.” Edward was mumbling. “What was that?”

“I'm not a virgin.” Roy pushed his chair back and held out his hands.

“Come here.” The young man stood and walked around the desk, allowing Roy to place his hands on his waist and draw him in so that the outside of his knees touched the inside of Roy's. The smaller hands rested on Roy's wrists and gold eyes stared intently at the floor. “Edward, those three years were neither your choice nor your fault. As far as I'm concerned, you are a virgin.” Roy leaned forward and tilted his head to look at Edward's face.

“I can't be, I'm dirty.” There was a distinct sniffle at the end of that phrase.

Roy's voice went cold. “Who told you that?” As soon as he caught them, they were going to find out exactly what dirty was.

“No one, but they say she's dirty, so I must be too.”

“She? Who's oh. The girl from last year, what was her name? Karen?” Edward nodded. “She's back is she? Well, she's very strong. Do you think she's dirty? That she teased those men and got what she deserved?”

Edward shook his head quickly, “No, they made her.”

“Then why would you believe it about yourself?” The boy shrugged. “Edward, you are not dirty. You are beautiful, strong, smart, brilliant really when it comes to alchemy, considerate, gentle, loyal, and compassionate. You will make someone an excellent partner. One of these days, you'll meet someone who makes your heart pound and your stomach flutter; that's lust. When you meet someone who makes you smile even when you want to scream, that's love. Or, you could just become an addled idiot like Maes.” They grinned at each other. Roy patted the boy's sides gently. “Anything else?”

“How do you know if you like men or women?” Great, another hard one.

“Well, it just depends on which you find attractive I suppose. It's less common for men to like other men, but it's alright if you find that you do. Nothing is wrong if both people want it.” He smiled, encouraging Edward to ask more questions. Might as well get them all out of the way now.

“Do you only like women?”

“There have been a few men that I've liked well enough to have relationships with, but mostly women.” This could get into shaky ground, he didn't want to deny Edward answers, but if he asked who... Roy refused to cause damage to his past lovers, they had all moved on, just as he had, and some had families now.

“Did you ever meet someone you loved?” The bangs were mostly hiding his face, but Roy could just make out Edward's eyes watching him.

“I..Yes, I did.” Roy couldn't meet the intense stare any longer and looked down.

“Was it Lieutenant Hawkeye?” Roy had to smile at that. No, Riza would not appreciate that.

“No, it isn't. They can't accept me right now, but I hope they'll be able to in the future.” He smiled a little sadly, not much hope of that really.

“Me, too. I, I hope they like you back too.” Edward was still blushing, but not as badly. He looked sincere and Roy appreciated his effort.

“Thank you Edward. Now, if you have no more impertinent questions,” He squeezed gently and got an answering squeeze to his wrists, “I have to work.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you sir.” The blond pulled away and headed for the door.

“You're most welcome, see you at supper.” Roy gave a little wave and returned to his work. Really, he was growing up so fast, it hadn't quite been a year since they came to live with him, and he was already curious about sex again. 'Oh damn. I told him the truth, I did meet someone to love. Him.'

Two days later

The door slid open and Maes stood framed in the light. “What are you doing here? It's late, Roy.” Roy wrapped his arms around his friend and leaned on him.

“I'm sick. I think..” A little bundle of pink pounced from the open door.

“Uncle Roy! Why are you hugging daddy?”

“Well, your daddy gives the second best hugs in the world.” He swung her up into his arms, “And do you know who gives the best hugs? My little princess of course. Give your Uncle Roy a hug?” She squealed in delight and grabbed him hard. After a minute, Maes took her, cuddled her for a minute, and handed her back to Gracia.

He grabbed Roy's hand and dragged him out the door. “I think you need a drink. Come on.” They walked to a bar down the street and settled in a back booth. “So? What's wrong? Where are the boys anyways?”

“They're at home, they got a new book this morning from one of the other libraries, I can't keep track anymore. I think...” His voice lowered to a whisper, “I think I might be a pedophile.”

“This is about Ed, isn't it? Roy. You are not a pedophile.” Hughes sighed, “For one thing, he's sixteen, young, but not a child. Secondly, he offered and you refused. Thirdly, we both know that you like adults just fine. Personal experience you know.” He winked good-naturedly. “Even when you were sixteen, you were chasing older women.”

“But, but, I love him! I want everything, to live with him and be his lover and.” His voice trailed off and he looked lost.

“If he crawled into your lap and said take me, would you?” The taller man looked intently at his friend.

“NO! He's too young and” He stopped. “I just said no, didn't I?” He grinned. “I said no.” He waved for another drink.

“See? You'll be fine. You, my friend, have finally fallen. And about damn time too, do you know how many times I have had to listen to whining about you from all your past lovers? They all want to know why you don't call you know. And of course, they should all ask me.” He shook his head. Roy laughed and ordered another drink.

Hughes dragged his friend home, more carried than anything. Ed met them at the door, opening it as they came up the walk. “Hey, Ed! Whatcha doin'? Gimme a hand here.” They got Roy into the hall and Hughes waved, leaving the blond staring after him, the dark-haired man leaning heavily on him.

Suddenly, Roy started to pull away, “I'm touching you, I shouldn't be doing that.” He stumbled a few steps and grabbed the wall to hold himself up. “Maybe I should, can I? Please?” Ed stepped under his arm and the two stumbled down the hall.

The older man tumbled onto the bed and nestled in the pillows. Ed undid his shoes and removed them, then started working on his shirt. Roy started humming a song, waving his arms lightly to the tune. Ed crawled up onto him, straddling his waist to hold him still while he dragged the shirt off. “You're pretty.” The blond blushed brightly and scooted down Roy's body to work on his pants. “I don't think you should do that.” Even as drunk as he was, Roy knew Ed undressing him would be bad, he was already hard from Ed sitting on him and this was going to be embarrassing at the least. Ed's hands brushed the older man's erection and stilled. Then they moved again, rubbing gently in little circles.

Roy groaned and his hips rose to meet the pressure. “Please, Edward, please...” His voice came in harsh pants and the rubbing grew more firm. “No...Stop, Ed, please stop.” The hands stilled again.

Gold eyes looked up at him in confusion, “But you want to. I know you do.” Damn, Roy knew he'd said he wouldn't, but he hadn't thought he'd have to prove it so soon. He tried to lift his arms to grab the teen but they wouldn't move.

“Edward. Take your hands off me.” He shoved as much authority as he could into the words. Ed pulled his hands back and rolled off the bed.

“Is it, is it because I'm ... dirty? Is that why you don't want to do it with me?” Roy lifted his head to stare at the blond, who was looking at he floor, tears tremoring in his voice.

“No! You are not dirty! You are young, Edward. Too young.” Roy couldn't think of the words. “I'm drunk. I can't think. You're beautiful and pure, Edward, the most pure person I've ever met, except maybe Al. You're just too young. I can't help my body, but I don't have to follow through with it. Just, go to bed now. Please. Thank you for waiting up for me. I'll see you in the morning. We're not going running.”

They both pretended nothing had happened in the morning and Al called in sick for Roy, who proceeded to sleep off the worst hangover of his life.