Flame and Fullmetal 300 km/h

A/N: The last chapter was a fill-in so that the story could go on and I thought it would be better if there was one (not so good) short chapter and this rather than one veeeeery long chapter. Plus, I got to make a cliffhanger. Anyway, to you who had the chance to review (the bad thing with fast updates daily is that not many get the chance to review): ZexyBard, glad you enjoyed the crew making Roy’s love-life their business. Roy might not agree, but the three only want what is best for him. And no, Greed isn’t related to Ed, but the leaders of the Ouroboros form a tight circle. (oh, btw, Sex&theCity, awesome series!) Alien, Roy’s right. Don’t bite me. It hurts! I have a sore leg, remember?! Pauline, thank you. Pip, yeah, Roy’s fun when he is jealous, until a certain point that is. And I’m glad you like the pairings.

*sighs* Daily updates, wow, I didn’t know I had it in me. Maybe I’ll take a small (well deserved in my opinion) break and have you sweating for a few days. So be sure to enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 22; Walk

"Who’s there," Ed asked, trying to sound brave even though he was almost trembling with fear.

"I said you shouldn’t be out here," the voice spoke again.

Ed’s temporary blindness vanished finally and he saw Roy’s shadowed form leaning against the building. For some odd reason, his heart began to thump in his chest and it wasn’t because he was scared. The smell of cigarettes floated into his nostrils.

"I guess you do smoke then," Ed observed.

"I don’t," Roy replied, throwing the offending stick onto the ground and grinding it out with the toe of his shoe. "Why the hell are you out here alone?" he asked rudely. "Next time the Alchemists show up, I’m not saving your ass."

"No one asked you to. I can handle myself."

Roy shrugged indifferently. "I’m just saying. Next time, someone like your friend Speed will have to come for you.”

Ed’s face scrunched up with confusion. ‘What’s his problem anyway?’ He thought. It wasn’t like they were going steady or anything.

Roy shook his head. "Forget it."

Ed sighed, frustrated even more that he and Roy couldn’t even have a decent conversation. So much for fresh air.

"Look, Roy. When you’re done speaking in your fun little codes, then maybe we can talk. As for now, I’m going for a walk."

Roy watched, showing little interest in the blond’s departure, but soon realized his dilemma. He could either: A) keep his pride and let Ed go, or B) catch up to the blond and make sure he’d be kept safe.

And after what had happened to Riza...

‘Fuck,’ Roy thought, opting for the latter and running after Ed.

"What do you want, Roy?" Ed demanded, keeping his gaze ahead.

"That’s an open ended question," Roy muttered, almost to himself. ‘There’s a lot of things I want to do to you. And strangling you is number one on my list right now!’ "Look, I don’t know if you want to be attacked and raped tonight by some stranger, or what. If you do, then be my guest."

"That would never happen," Ed said, surely.

"And, why not?"

"‘Cause you’d never let that happen to me."
Roy was about to say something to contradict Ed’s statement, but why? Why lie? Ed was right. As sad and painful as it was for Roy to admit, he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to Ed if he could help it.

"Why are you blushing," he inquired at the blond’s uncharacteristic embarrassment.

"What I just said..." Ed turned even redder. "Like you were...like you were my boyfriend or something."

Roy chuckled. "Never knew you would blush over something like that."

"What do you mean?"

"I always thought you were the kind of guy that didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought of what he did or said."

"In a good way, right?" Ed asked him, mock-hopeful.

Roy rolled his eyes. "Yeah. In a good way."

"Well!" Ed exclaimed, his voice full of sarcastic surprise. "That’s about as many compliments as I can take from you in one night."

"Good, because that’s about as many as I care to give."

Ed laughed. Roy loved the sound of Ed’s laughter. Wait, there was that word again. ‘Love’. He didn’t ‘love’ the blond’s laugh. He ‘liked’ it. He liked it very, very, very much. Especially when he was the source of it. In fact, he came to realize as they continued to walk, talk and argue about silly things, that he wanted to be the source of all Ed’s emotions. Anger, happiness, sadness, jealousy.
‘Where the hell did that come from?’ he wondered, thinking that maybe his mind had a mind of its own.

********************************************************************************

"Where’d the punk go?" Jenny asked Speed, her arms folded and tapping her high heel against the floor, waiting for an answer while the blue haired racer finished the game by himself.

"He went out back for some air," he said after making the annoying woman wait.

She scowled. "I truly hope something bad happens to him."

"Hey, didn’t Roy head that way a few minutes earlier?" Speed said with a mocking smile.

Jenny’s eyes grew wide. "I knew that bitch was up to something! What a home wrecker!"

Speed laughed. He didn’t like Jean’s sister to begin with. Her brother was cool and a good friend but she was a real harpy. It was the classical little sister has a huge crush on her older brother’s friend. He knew that she and Roy had dated back in high-school but after he came into the picture, Jenny was no more than an occasional fuck. She however never got over him and thought it was love. Please… "You were never even with Roy in the first place."

"That wasn’t until blondy came into the picture. That’s okay though," she added confidently. "Soon, things won’t be going so pleasant in Pleasantville. Anyway it could never last. Interactions between that kid and Roy have never been so ‘pleasant’ to begin with."

Speed rolled his eyes, hoping she would just walk away and leave him the hell alone. "I don’t know which show you’ve been watching, but that’s just the surface." She glared at him and he shook his head. "I don’t know why you love toying with people, jenny Havoc."

She shrugged. "It’s a god given talent. And you’re in it with me so quit all the bitchin’."

‘The only one bitching is you,’ Speed thought and continued the game even though she decided to sit her mini-skirt clothed ass on the pool table. "And why should I help you again?" he wanted her to remind him.

"Besides the fact that you detest Roy?"

“Just revenge?”

“And a piece of that blond’s ass.”

Speed shook his head. "You think we men are that simple. That all we need is food, television, an ego boost and a usual fuck to keep us happy. Well, guess what, that’s not me. Now fuck off."

Jenny snorted and walked away much to Speed’s delight.

********************************************************************************

"I quit," Ed said suddenly after a long silence, lighting his cigarette and blowing a cloud of smoke into the chilly night air.

Roy looked at him. "What do you mean, you quit?"

"Smoking. What the hell do you think I’m talking about?"

"If you are standing there with a cigarette in your hand and telling me you have quit smoking, then your definition of the word is truly warped."

Ed rolled his eyes. "No, Colonel-bastard. I’m quitting."
They continued in silence for a few moments.

"Why?" Roy wanted to know.

"Why what?"

"Why are you quitting?" I mean, there has to be some reason you’ve decided to stop."
There was a long pause in which they continued to walk.

"Al has asthma," Ed explained as if that was the only explanation Roy needed to hear. The truth was, it was all about family. Ed remembered how his mother had found his lighter in one of the pockets when she was washing his clothes. She had asked hi about it, looking hopefully that he could explain it. But Ed couldn’t lie to her even if he knew the truth hurt more. The disappointed expression, the hurt in her eyes, it was like somebody had twisted a knife in his heart. He quit smoking for nearly a year but soon he started spending more time on the streets than he did at home and started the bad habit again. But from then on he was more careful not to get caught. That was probably when he started keeping secrets from his mother. Just like the black letter sent to their house. The lie why he had to move to Central.

Ed still wasn’t sure if it was the biggest mistake of his life. ‘Or the best,’ Ed thought glancing at Roy.

The blond didn’t notice how Roy nodded. “Asthma can be a real bitch. Thankfully mine ‘faded away’. But back when I was in college I couldn’t stand being around Havoc. The guy had been smoking two packs a day ever since high-school.”

"College?" Ed punched Roy in the shoulder. "You never told me you went to collage!" he exclaimed, angry that Roy never told him. Honestly, he had thought Winry to be the only one at the garage who had gone to college. It was almost embarrassing, since Ed himself had dropped out. Little did he know, so had Roy.

Roy resisted the urge to soothe his shoulder. Didn’t want to look like a wimp in front of the blond.
"It really is none of your business."

"You surprise me Roy. I thought we were best friends."

Roy chuckled. "Don’t count on it. I don’t need friends."

Ed rolled his eyes. "Why do you feel like you have to put on this whole tough guy act? I seriously don’t get you."

"It’s no act. I am what I am."

"Whatever. We both know that somewhere deep down, there’s a softie in there," Ed teased, tapping Roy’s chest.

"Yeah right."
They continued walking in silence.

"Roy."

"What?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"No."

"Seriously Roy. I want to ask you a question. And don’t laugh." Roy raised his eyebrows, waiting for Ed’s question. "I...I just wanted to know," Ed started hesitantly. "What do you see in those girls at the drags that are always hanging around you? Just for knowledge’s sake," he added quickly, convincing himself that he only wanted the information so he could use it against Roy if they had another verbal fight.

Roy smirked. "Why the curiosity? Jealous?"

Ed scoffed. "Are you shitting me? Do you really think I would be even remotely jealous of those girls who love to slobber all over you? The only reason I’d be jealous is because you treat the way better than you do me."

Thunder struck the air, followed by the steady falling of rain.

Roy’s smirk fell. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what I said," Ed replied. Roy sighed in frustration and grabbed Ed’s shoulder, turning the blond to face him.

"Listen Ed. If you had any idea how much more respect I had for you than any of those women, then you would give me an apology. But since you don’t know, and I’m not going to tell you, then you’re forgiven."

Ed smiled shyly, surprised by Roy’s admission. "Do you really think that?"

"I said more respect; not a lot of it." Roy turned away and they continued to walk, slightly embarrassed by his admission.

Ed didn’t know why Roy’s opinion of him meant so much. A couple of weeks ago, he wouldn’t have given to squirts of piss what the guy thought. But now...Ed looked up at the sky, allowing raindrops to fall on his face. “We better head back now." He turned back the other way but was stopped when Roy caught his hand and pulled Ed back to him.

"Is the non-fearing Fullmetal afraid of a little rain?" Roy teased.

"No," Ed answered. "But he’s afraid of a little electric lightning."

Roy chuckled, pulling Ed under an overhang and pushing the blond up against the wall, trapping Ed with his body. "You shouldn’t be scared. That’s the whole reason I’m out here, right? To protect you?"

Before Ed could protest, Roy’s lips were on his. Ed easily surrendered to him, inviting his tongue inside of his mouth. Ed couldn’t remember his heart ever beating so wildly at just a kiss. He only now realized how much he’d been missing his touch for the past few days. Roy braced his hand on the wall above Ed’s head. With his other, he cupped the blond’s ass and grinder Ed’s groin into his.

"Roy," Ed moaned, breaking the kiss.

"What?"

Ed was panting. "Why do I always get wet when I’m around you?"

Roy smirked. "I have no idea," he said before going back to kissing his fiery blond.

****************************************************************************

"Roy, do you think you could take some time out of your devastatingly busy schedule and drop me off at my house?" Ed asked as the two approached the Silver Rose.

"You have two legs. You can walk."

Ed rolled his eyes, deciding to take Roy’s answer as a yes.

When they got to the club, a lot of their crew was already gone.

"Looks like our people bounced," Ed said, stating the obvious. "Wait for me will you? I want to go to the bathroom before we leave."

Roy sighed. "Hurry up. And don’t expect me to be here when you get back."

Ed rolled his eyes once again, disregarding the older man’s statement, and headed towards the bathrooms. When he got there, he washed off his face and did whatever else he had to do. Not too long later, there was a knock at the door. Ed rolled his eyes for the third time at Roy’s lack of patience. He opened the door, ready to give Roy an earful when he came face to face with Speed.

"Hey Ed. Ready to go?"

Ed shook his head as if he didn’t hear Speed right. "What?"

"I said are you ready to go home? We are the last ones left and Rose wants to close the place for the night. And since you don’t have a car I thought I might as well give you a ride to your place."

Ed shook his head again in confusion. "Where’s Roy?"

"Oh, he left a few minutes ago with Jean Havoc’s sister. They probably went back to his place by the looks of it. Man, those two never could keep their hands off each other, especially on a cold night like this."

Ed felt something drop in his stomach. But why was he so surprised? It’s not like it wasn’t Roy’s style. On the other hand, maybe there was some kind of emergency. No need to jump to conclusions, right? And it wasn’t like the guy and he were going steady or anything.

"Let’s go," Ed said walking out the door. Speed put a hand on Ed’s shoulder, obviously understanding that something about Roy leaving bothered the blond.

"Yeah, let’s go. The back way is closest." He said, leading Ed out and to his car.

*******************************************************************************

"Hey Roy," Jenny cooed as she reached his side.

"What do you want?" Roy answered absently looking in the direction Ed had gone a few minutes ago. ‘What is taking him so long!?’

"Oh, nothing," she replied innocently. ”I just need to get home."

"Then go."

"No, I need a ride."

"Go find one."

"Why are you being so rude to me Roy?" she pouted. "We used to get along. Hell, even the new kid Ed and Speed are getting along nicely."

Roy turned to her. "What do you mean by that?"

"Noting at all. I just saw the two head out the back way. Don’t they make the cutest couple? Little blondy could learn a thing or two from good old Speed. I’m sure Speed is taking good care of Ed right now, giving him a drive home and all."

Roy’s eyes narrowed skeptically. "When was this?"

"About a few minutes ago. Why? Are you keeping tabs on the kid?"
Roy tried not to let his anger show. Or his hurt. But it was only a tiny bit of hurt. Not like he could feel something dropping into the pit of his belly or anything. No, nothing like that.

"Let’s go," he growled, turning his back and walking out the door.

"Gladly," Jenny said, skipping out the exit. If he would have turned around, he would have seen the look of victory on Jenny’s face.

********************************************************************************

"Get out."

"Come on now Roy. Don’t you want to see me to the door?"

"Not so much."

Jenny pouted. "But Jean went off with some girl and I’m all alone at home tonight. And what if someone’s in my house? I’m scared."

Roy sighed in defeat. As much as he disliked the chick sometimes, she didn’t deserve to get attacked in her own house. And he knew that she wouldn’t stop pestering him until he did what she wanted. He got out of the car and reluctantly walked her to the door. She opened it and stepped inside, switching the lights on.

"Roy," she started, sounding vulnerable. "I don’t feel safe by myself. Especially in this thunderstorm. Could you just check around and make sure no one’s here?"
The sound of thunder rang out into the air.

Roy looked up at the ceiling, annoyed. "Fine," he muttered. "The faster I leave this place, the better."

After checking the kitchen, living room, and downstairs bathroom and coming up empty handed, Roy was gratefully ready to leave. As he made his way out the door, Jenny grabbed his arm.

"You haven’t checked upstairs yet, Roy," she reminded him, fluttering her eyelashes. Roy knew that look. It was the one where she had something under her sleeve. And that something was pretty obvious.

He allowed her to drag him upstairs to her bedroom and to look for whatever she was so paranoid about. "There’s nothing here," Roy stated irately after a couple of minutes.

"Thank you so much Roy," she said as if he’d saved her from death. "I don’t know what I’d ever do without you." He humphed and began to leave before he felt her hand on his shoulder. "Maybe I can thank you in a more...appropriate way..." she whispered into his ear.

Now, Roy was never one to turn down sex...especially to a beautiful, willing woman. But right now, he had other things on his mind. He shrugged her hand off.

"Lay off Jenny. I thought we already had this discussion. This...thing that you think is going on between you and me? It’s not. Let it go."

He reached for the doorknob right before she slid between him and the door. "Come on Roy," she cooed. "You’ve always liked what I do to you. And I bet someone like...oh, say, Ed wouldn’t think twice if Speed offered him a roll in the sack. We both know Speed Archer. I bet they are getting really friendly by now…"

Roy tensed at the mention of Ed’s name. Jenny took his hesitation as encouragement, sliding her hands under his shirt. She leaned into him and kissed him softly on the lips.

"See, Roy. That wasn’t so hard. Just like old times."
Roy couldn’t hear her words. He could only feel jealousy coursing through him. Jealous of the fact that at this moment, Ed and Speed were probably out somewhere having a good time. Roy’s mind came to this conclusion without even thinking about how late it was or how passionately Ed responded to his kisses.

He finally noticed Jenny’s quick hands unbuckling his belt and unzipping his fly.
‘Fuck,’ Roy thought. This chick was offering to fuck him silly, and here he was thinking about some other blond!

He got his wits together and led the willing female to the bed that was all but beckoning to him.

**********************************************************************

"Speed, this is not the way to my place."

"I know, I just need to get my wallet and suit from Havoc’s place real quick. It’ll only take a sec and I really need both by early tomorrow."

"But didn’t Havoc leave with some girl and isn’t his sister at Roy’s though?" Ed asked with a tinge of anger.

"She should be. If she is, I got keys from Jean."

Ed nodded, but found it a little suspicious that Speed needed his wallet and a suit at this hour.

When they got there, Ed opted to stay in the car. He was so angry (though reluctant to admit it) that he failed to see a familiar black Lex parked in front of the house.

"No, come on," Speed urged. "I’m not sure where my wallet is. It’ll be quicker if we both look."
Ed reluctantly complied and followed him into the house.

"Strange. The door’s already open," Speed noted with a frown. "Maybe Jean came by and forgot to lock up after himself."

"Why are the lights on?" Ed asked, something bugging him about this whole situation.

Speed shrugged. "Knowing Jean Havoc, he was probably in a hurry, grabbing a few rubbers and cigarettes before heading to the girl’s place." Ed nodded, but despite Speed’s answer, pulled his hands out of his pockets. Something didn’t feel right. "How ‘bout I check in this floor and you check upstairs?" Speed suggested. “It’s black and leather. The wallet I mean. The suit is in the bathroom and is simply black. No leather.”

Ed nodded with a small chuckle. "Whatever. As long as we leave soon," he muttered, taking the steps. He walked through the lit hallway, checking the bathroom and closets but coming up with nothing. "Nothing," he said to himself thinking his search was done until he noticed a door at the end of the hall. He walked to it and twisted the knob.

Ed wasn’t prepared for the scene before him.

There Roy was, fully clothed, on top of a nearly naked Jenny. His pants were undone and there was no doubt what the two were ready to do.

Ed felt the wind knock out of him. Roy looked up when he heard the door swing open.
He wasn’t prepared for the shocked look on Ed’s face. He was even less prepared for the look of hurt.

"Ed," Roy started, trying to get out of his position on the bed.

Ed shook his head. "Oh, don’t mind me, Colonel-bastard. Go back to whatever you were doing.”
The blond spun around and headed back downstairs.

"Shit!" Roy yelled, jumping off the bed and going after Ed, simultaneously re-doing his pants.

Jenny smiled, getting more comfortable on her bed, a grin on her face. "Phase 1: accomplished."

Ed whizzed passed Speed who was holding a bag thrown over his shoulder and a wallet in his hand. "Hey Ed, I found the damn thing in the kitchen."

"I’ll be in the car." Ed growled and slammed the door open, storming out.

Speed heard frantic footsteps racing down the steps.

"Where the hell is he?!" Roy demanded.

Speed looked at Roy, guessing what had happened and feigned a sad smile. "Ed’s in the car. But I don’t think he wants to see you. It’s pretty fucked up what you did to him."

Roy glared at Speed. "I know you had something to do with this."

Speed took offence. "What would make you think that? I’m only an innocent bystander."

Roy growled in rage. "Fuck!"

"Where you going, Roy?"

"Fuck you Speed."

Speed grinned in triumph as Roy left the house and presumably to his own car. ‘If I know Roy Mustang, his massive pride is not going to let him chase that far after a blond.’ Speed shook his head and was about to walk out.

"Lock the door!" Jenny called from upstairs. Speed sighed and did just that.

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A/N: *hides under the bed* I’m so sure you hate me right now. Alien, don’t bite me, and nastyscarythingunderthebed, don’t you sneak up on me from under my bed and choke me with my pillow.