Housework

New Lives

Roy sat and watched Ed prowl around the bathroom, searching for his shaving stuff. He liked to shower and shave at the same time, so it was a rare pleasure to be able to watch him. The pale foam contrasting tanned cheeks, smooth, fast strokes, clear skin left behind, the way he leaned forward over the sink, the gleam of naked shoulders and the way his pants stretched tightly. All most worthy of watching, in Roy's opinion. He could feel himself stirring again; he just couldn't seem to get enough. A faint splash almost gave him away as he stood, but the blond was absorbed in his task. Slid up behind him, pressing close, and nuzzled under a delicate ear. The smell of shaving cream and Ed made his head whirl before a sharp elbow caught him under his ribs.

“Ow! What was that for?” The offended area was rubbed gently and he glared into he mirror.

Edward didn't look away from his shaving. “Keep your hands to yourself. All we've done for the past three days is fuck, now we're going out. Go get dressed or something.” Roy spun him around and kissed him firmly.

“After, we'll go out after. Right now, we can have more sex. And I thought I told you to stop swearing?” He continued kissing his squirming armful, nuzzling down the smooth neck.

“Huh, I'll swear if I want to. And sto-p” His voice caught, the wet tongue on his neck hit just the right spot. “Alright, but then we go out. And you better take me somewhere nice.” He squeaked when his lover swung him up into his arms.

“No problem.” Roy carted his prize off to the bedroom.

A few hours later

The door slammed in the hall and Ed sat up, disoriented. “Who's here? What time is it?” He checked the clock and slapped his lover on the butt. “You jerk, we didn't go out!” Indistinct mumbling followed him out the door. He walked in on Al, who was petting and feeding the cats. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself. You look better. About time. Didn't you guys feed these two? They're starving.” He looked up at his brother, gold hair everywhere and wearing only a pair of loose pants.

“I thought you left them food. I gave them water a few times.” Ed was not about to admit he'd forgotten all about them. They were pretty quiet and spent most of their time in Al's room sleeping and playing. The few times Tea had slept with his owner, he'd been rolled on and had moved in with Zip, who had his own bed.

Al sighed, he should have known better. “I left them SOME food, not enough for the entire week and a half. At least they didn't starve. What have you two been up to?”

“Uh, nothing. Just, sitting around, hanging out. That bastard won't let me leave though, I wanted to go out but he just wants to sit around and. Just sit around.” The tan almost faded under the bright blush.

“Uh huh. Well, while I'm pretending not to hear anything, should I make supper?” A white brow arched and he smiled when his brother nodded eagerly. “What are you two going to do without me? Who will cook and clean once you move?”

The darker blond's head tilted. “Aren't you coming with us? We found a nice place, four rooms, big back yard, and it's up North, so there'll be snow in the winter. It's been a long time since we've seen snow, it'll be great.” Roy and Ed had started looking for a new place, away from Central, for their 'retirement' home. Ed just wanted to start over, somewhere they weren't the ex-Fuhror and his lover, but Edward Elric and Roy Mustang. Roy wanted somewhere quiet to spend time with his lover. All in all, this new house seemed perfect, located in a medium sized city, small enough to be unknown and large enough to have nice restaurants and theaters.

“No, Ed, I'm staying here. I'm going to keep running the State Alchemists, parliament wants to distribute them amongst the cities, to help keep the peace. They'll work with the local police and regiments, to bring people closer to them.” Al turned his back on his brother's disappointed sigh and was surprised when he was hugged.

“We'll miss you. Will you come visit lots?” The older man pressed his face into his younger brother's shoulder.

Al couldn't help looking over his shoulder and smiling down, “Of course I will. I'll miss you guys too, but you'll be fine. You'll be happy, Edward.” Ed just nodded, rubbing his hair against his brother's shirt. “Come on, let's make supper. I'll show you how to make that bread you like again.”

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

“Roy!! Where are those books? I just had them.”

“They're packed, like the rest. Come on, let's just get this stuff out of here, then we can check again.” Moving day had arrived and they were sorting and packing last minute things. Al had commandeered a military truck for the expedition, as well as a driver. The younger blond would be staying and keep the house as well as some of the things the older two weren't taking. “Here, Al, take these while I get that brother of yours. Edward, get out here!”

The older man stalked through the house, searching for his slow-moving lover. He found him sitting in his old room, leafing through a few books and surrounded by old clothes. He leaned against the door and watched him for a minute. “Ed. It's time to go.”

“I know. I just wanted to have a last look a these things.” The blond smiled sadly. “This was the first place I felt safe after mom died, like I belonged. I'll miss it.” He stood and replaced the books, then reached out and took Roy's hand. “Shall we? It's a long way and I guess we should get going.”

“Ed, I love you, you know that, right?” At his nod, Roy continued. “We'll make a new home, not the same as this one, but different and we'll both belong there. I promise. Okay?” His concern faded under the bright grin he got. They turned and left; it was a long way and they should get going.

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

The first thing Roy did upon their arrival was swing Ed into his arms and carry him inside, amidst plenty of kicking and accusations of treating him like a girl. Which was alright, because then he got to kiss him and prove he was not a girl at all. The second was to instruct the embarrassed driver where to put everything. They spent the first week unpacking and breaking in the new place as well as reacquainting themselves with familiar things, like their old bed and the couch Roy had kept.

Their first major fight was over where and what kind of fence they should put up. Roy wanted a big one all around the back yard while Ed wanted a smaller (shorter) one. Ed's solution was to have a contest over who could draw a faster array, which Roy vetoed immediately. His solution was a game of chess, which Ed refused to play with him anymore. They finally decided to let Al choose, who told them to solve their own domestic issues and not call him at work. Ed finally hit on using Roy's stomach against him while Roy refused sex until the issue was cleared. The result was a lot of loud fighting and no fence. Eventually, they both wore down and compromised, a medium fence, just higher than Ed's nose, lots of food and plenty of sex.

The evenings were often filled with walks to explore their new home and movies, which Ed was endlessly fascinated with, even ones he'd seen already. He was curious about how they worked and tried for hours to duplicate them using alchemy, with nothing usable formed. Roy just laughed and told him they were one of the mysteries of technology and he shouldn't worry about it. Which made him try harder.

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

“Roy? Do you trust me?” Ed rolled over and stared upside down from the couch. Roy raised an eyebrow.

“Absolutely. Why? Are you planning to do something odd?” He smirked and Ed frowned at him.

“No, I just wanted you to do something for me. But, if you're going to be like that.” He huffed and returned to his upright position, ignoring his house mate.

“Now, Edward, I'll do anything for you. What would you like?” The dark haired man stood and moved to the couch to pet the blond hair. Gold eyes peeked at him from behind the book.

“I want you to give me an array. Right here.” He pointed at his wrist. “I'll draw it and you make it permanent. Neat, huh?”

“What? You want me to... burn it on? That'll hurt, a lot. I don't think..”

Ed interrupted him, “Don't think, do! Don't worry, I can take it. I really, really want you to. Please?”

As always, Roy's defenses crumbled and he found himself agreeing, “Alright, I'll try. I have no doubts about your tolerance for pain, just my own. But, I'll try.” The smile that flashed his way almost made up for it.

Ten minutes later, a simple array was drawn and Roy had dug out his gloves. Ed clenched his fist in Roy's shirt and nodded. The older alchemist took a deep breath and snapped, carefully guiding the little flame over the drawn circles, blocking out Ed's whimpers. As soon as it was finished, he hugged his lover tightly before going to get the first aid kit and wrapping the marks up. “There. Why did you want that?”

“I wanted you to have proof that I trust you, that I care.” That was the closest Ed had gotten to admitting he loved him and Roy wasn't sure what to say.

Except, “Thank you, Ed. I know you trust me, but thank you.”

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

“Roy, I'm going for groceries. Do you want something?” Ed shifted his jacket on, the same one he'd gotten for his birthday, plus some minor modifications. He'd grown, of course, and filled out and had let it out gradually as the years passed. Roy appeared in the kitchen door, smirking evilly. “And don't you ask for any of that gross stuff. I won't buy it.”

“Aww, but I so wanted some milk.” At Ed's disgusted look, he chuckled. “Have fun, and don't be too long, supper will be ready soon.” A quick kiss and he was off, walking briskly down the street. It hadn't snowed yet, but it would soon and was getting chilly at night.

On the way back, the blond noticed some kids playing in the street. He went around them, careful not to step on one and noticed they were drawing arrays. “What are you guys up to? Alchemy?”

They stared up at him and one wiped out the circles quickly. “Don't tell Mom, please. She doesn't like it.”

“Why not? Alchemy is fun and pretty useful sometimes.” Ed squatted down beside them, doodling a little array himself with is free hand. He powered it lightly and made a little chick. “See?” The youngest picked it up and held it carefully.

“She says it's dangerous. Only the State Alchemist is allowed to do it. Are you a State Alchemist?” The pair looked at his intently.

“Well, I, uh, used to be. But I quit, and now I just live here. What about you guys? Where do you live?” They pointed to a small house down the street. “Can I come and meet your mom? I'd like to talk to her.” They nodded and led him to the house, a single story building with a small fence in front. The door opened and a thin woman with red hair stood framed by the light. She reached out and grabbed the children, shooing them inside quickly. “Good evening. I wanted to talk to you about your children. They're interested in alchemy and might have some talent.”

“Alchemy is dangerous. They should just forget about it.” She went to close the door but Ed stopped her.

“If they have talent, they should go to one of the schools and be trained. It's a lot safer to learn there than to experiment by themselves.” He knew that all too well.

“I can't afford to send them to get proper training. Now please,if they hear you, you'll only encourage them. Good night.” She moved to close the door again.

Somehow, the words just came out. “I can teach them, I used to be a state Alchemist. I'll teach them, if you'll let me. Please, at least think about it. I live in the blue house three blocks over.” She nodded and closed the door completely. Ed stared at it for a few minutes before turning and continuing home. 'What did I just do?'

“Where were you? I've been waiting.” Roy stopped when he saw Ed's face. “What happened, are you alright?”

“I think, I think I just volunteered to teach some kids alchemy.” He was still in shock. “They were just there and they can't afford proper training and I don't know how it happened.”

“But you don't like kids. And when? I suppose we have lots of time, but still. Well, if you did, you did. If they show up, we'll deal with it then, alright?” As usual, Roy handled it with good grace and patience.

Two days later, a timid knock sounded at the door and Roy opened it to find two little boys looking at him with green eyes. They were followed by a blond girl and a pair of redheads. “Ed! I think it's for you.” Ed wandered around the corner, rubbing sleep out of his eyes and stopped, staring at the five, five!, children.

“Um, hello. I'm Ed. Are you all here to learn?” They nodded eagerly. “Ok, um, let's go to the living room.” He dug out his old chalk and a few notebooks and pens. And started his own little school of alchemy, three times a week. Roy sat in often, as much to watch Ed as to help, but got dragged in to discuss philosophy and help steady little hands.

A month later, snow still hadn't fallen. The two men were on their nightly walk, holding hands and wandering through the park. Roy stopped suddenly and pulled his house mate in for a hug. “I love you, you're beautiful.” Ed hummed at him and snuggled into his warmth. They kissed and rubbed noses.

“You now, I love you too.” It just slipped out, without any thought. Roy froze, his nose touching Ed's, their lips hovering millimeters apart, then grabbed his lover and swung him high, yelling and laughing. The blond laughed and cried and clung tightly. They kissed and hugged for what seemed like hours, before a cold drop stung Ed's cheek, making him pull away quickly. “What was that?”

“It's snow, Ed, it's snow.” They looked up and watched the soft snow fall on their new lives.




Here we are, last chapter. I suppose this is how I would have always seen Ed and ROy ending up, quietly teaching together, somewhere where no one knows them. Anyways, Thank you to everyone who read or reviewed, I'm so glad you liked it. Thank you for the suggestions as well. It's come a long way, from the two or three chapters I thought it would be, just enough to work my way up to the original idea. But, I suppose, like Roy and Ed, nothing really works out the way you plan. Thank you again, TrulyWished