Closing the Distance Between Us

Haylo everyone here's chapter 3. I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I unfortunately do not own Fullmetal Alchemist sniff sniff

Please Review!


I was lying on the bed when Mustang came through the door, "Ed are you awake?"
"Yeah, what do you want?" I asked aggravated.

"I am so sorry Ed, but the General wouldn’t let me leave until we had drinks and talked about what was going on in various lands."

"It’s okay Colonel Bastard you don’t have to apologize to me."

Mustang came near the bed and looked at me worriedly. I just gave him a half hearted glare and turned on my side, not really wanting to talk about anything with the bastard.

"Ed how about we go to dinner?" Mustang came around the bed so he could look at me. The mention of dinner peeked my interest immediately.

"Your paying." Is all I said as I jumped off the bed and I grabbed my coat. I was already at the door when I said, "Well are you coming Colonel Bastard." I turned around and looked at Mustang with a goofy grin.

"Yeah, where do you want to go?" Mustang gives me a side long glance.

"Oh, I don’t know, wait when we were walking to the hotel I noticed this little restaurant that looked like it might be a good place to try out." We walked out of the hotel when the sun was starting to set.

Mustang and I didn’t talk much while walking to the restaurant. He said that he would explain everything that General Jay told him earlier today. We walked side by side, but not very close unfortunately. Mustang just following me to where we are going. I feel a little excited at the idea of actually having time to spend together with him. All the other time has been interrupted or we have been sleeping. Sheesh, we’ve been alone this whole time and I still don’t know much about him.

"Ed, is this the place?" He gently touches my shoulder I didn’t even notice that we were about to pass it.

"Yes it is. I was just seeing if you could figure out where we were going."

"You weren’t even paying attention were you." Mustang smirks that infernal smirk. God dammit he’s got me. But instead of answering I march in without saying anything.

I walk in with Mustang following close behind me. I notice that the place looks really comfortable. The designs that are adorning the tables and walls are simple and clean. Just like the restaurant itself. I immediately like this place. I didn’t even catch the name that was in the front of the building. The hostess sits us quickly. She takes us to the back part of the restaurant thankfully not by the toilets yuck! I can see out of the corner of my eye that she’s checking out Mustang. I internally growl not liking the way she seemed to be undressing him with her eyes. Mustang takes note of my jealousy and just smirks without making any comment. The only thing that made me feel better was the fact that he really didn’t acknowledge her presence other than the fact that she took our drink order and he told her thank you. But he was by no means rude to her.

I finally decide to break the silence that had befallen out table, "So what did General Jay say about our mission." I have no idea when I declared it our mission, but I guess I am slowly coming to terms with it. Mustang looked up from the menu. I already had what I wanted the moment I looked at the menu.

"He said that they already caught the thieves last night. That’s why he could not see us, but he wants us to stay for a few days just to make sure that nothing else happens."

"What was the point in coming if they didn’t need our help at all?" I question. "And why were you insistent that you come with me?" Mustang looked me straight in the eye and it looked like he was about to say something when I hear a familiar female voice.

"Fullmetal, Colonel Mustang wow I never thought that I would see you at my favorite place to eat." Ms. Sanders says with her beaming smile.

"It’s so nice to see you again so soon Ms. Sanders," Mustang says with a smile gracing his face.

"Nice to see you again Colonel." A man a little taller than Mustang steps beside Ms. Sanders. He has a broad frame and his eyes shine blue in the light.

"It’s nice to see you again Tim," Mustang smiles at the new guy. I am just sitting here confused as hell.

"Oh, how rude of me honey this is The Fullmetal Alchemist." Tim’s eyes widen with recognition to my name.

"You mean ‘The’ Fullmetal Alchemist. It’s an honor to meet you." Tim extends his hand and I put mine out there too. We shake hands and Tim shakes his head afterward. "I just never imagined that you would be so short."

I snap that’s the word that always gets me. I get up from my seat and stand right in front of Tim glaring at him or glaring up at him to be more precise. "Who are you calling so short that..."

"Ed it’s okay." Mustang grabs me by the shoulders and steers me in to my seat.

"I am sorry I didn’t mean to insult you Fullmetal. Please except my apology." Tim bows slightly in an apologetic manner.

I grumpily reply, "Fine I accept just don’t let it happen again." I frown even more when something suddenly hits me. I turn to look at Mustang who is talking with Tim and Ms. Sanders. "Hey Colonel Bastard didn’t you go on a date with Ms. Sanders last night?"

They all look at me like I grew an extra head, "No Fullmetal I am sorry you got the wrong impression, but Colonel Mustang ate out with me and Tim. I could never date the Colonel." They all start laughing and I can feel my temperature start to rise. I am so furious at the Bastard at this point. He knew what was going on and he didn’t bother to mention any of this to me. I can feel my face flush with anger. Mustang looks at me and stops laughing and instead he... you got it again he smirks. I knew he knew what he was doing. Was he intentionally trying to make me jealous though? Well if he was or not it worked anyway.

I sat there in my seat and simmered for a while trying to figure a way to kill the Bastard without it looking suspicious, when the waiter came by to take our orders. "Ms. Sanders, Tim how are you doing this evening. I trust that your meal was satisfactory?"

"Yes it was thank you Francois. Well I hope you two have a great meal and I’ll see you guys later." Ms. Sanders and Tim waved and headed toward the door.

"What can I get you to eat gentlemen?" Francois asked.

"I’ll take the 12 ounce steak with the salad and ranch dressing please." Mustang and Francois look expectantly at me. I sigh while counting backwards to ten like Al told me to when I feel like I am going explode or implode in this case since I am keeping everything to myself. Well not for long if I have anything to say about it.

"I’ll have the spaghetti with meatballs and no salad for me please I’ll have the soup." I close my menu and hand it to Francois. He tucks our menus under his arm and takes off.

Now it’s just me and the Bastard great. He looks me straight in the eye and surprisingly he doesn’t smirk. "Listen Ed I am sorry I really thought you knew about Ms. Sanders."

"..."

He waits to see if I am going to say anything and when I don’t he continues, "She’s just an old friend that’s all."

"..."

"Ed please say something."

"Fine why were you so determined to come on this mission or I guess now trip with me?" I cross my arms when I finally notice that my drink is in front of me when did that get there? Not the point I wait patiently or least as patiently as I can. Which is not very patient I start tapping my foot. The sound of my boots are being muffled by the carpet that is under foot.

Mustang is taking a while to answer. I can see that he starting to show some of his emotions which is what I’ve wanting to happen. Maybe I’ll actually get some answers tonight.

"You really want to know?"

I nod my head in response not breaking the eye contact that we just established.

"I came because I’ve..."

"Here you are gentlemen your soup and salad. Enjoy!" Mustang thanks Francois while my mind is reeling from all the interruptions.

And to my surprise Mustang continues without any encouragement. "As I was saying I came because Fullmetal... I am mean Ed I’ve been worrying about you and all the risks you take to obtain your goal. I wanted to make sure that you didn’t try anything stupid on this mission especially since Al could not accompany you this time."

I am a little baffled by his reply. So he does care and worry about me. Now it’s my turn to smirk.

"You Bastard!" Mustang just looks at me with round eyes. I guess he was expecting a tantrum.

"But Mustang you can’t come with me on every mission to make sure that I follow the rules."

"I know, but I’ll do what I can on this one. Even though it may seem like we are not going to be doing anything while we are here you never know what might happen. You have to be prepared for the unexpected." Mustang starts eating his salad. I mull over his comment and I smile sadly.

"Don’t worry about me not being ready for the unexpected look who your talking to." Mustang nods his head in understanding.

We sit in silence for a while, but it’s not one of those awkward silences where you look at each other and have no idea what to say. And when you just sit fiddling with your napkin to make it seem like it’s more interesting than the person your with. It’s actually comfortable considering what we’ve been through this trip. I eat my soup with much enthusiasm. Wait! I didn’t even ask what kind of soup it was. Well no matter it’s good what ever it is. I look up through my bangs to see Mustang is looking at me with a soft smile forming on his delectable lips. He doesn’t seem to notice that I know he’s looking at me because I am positive that he would have put that wall and mask over his emotions. Or maybe he’s starting to let down his guard. I guess I’ll have to test that out soon.

I don’t make a comment I continue with my eating until every last drop is gone. I look up to see that Mustang is no longer looking at me, but at his unfinished salad. He seems to be lost in thought before I can ask anything Francois brings our food. He puts our food in front of us and I let all my thoughts go except for the thought of food and I dig in as gracefully as I can with eating spaghetti which is not very graceful at all at least with me it’s not. The sauce is splattered all over my face. I can feel a few pairs of eyes on me. I look to see that Mustang, Francois, and a few other people are looking at me. I give a sheepish grin in return I get laughter. I feel relieved for not offending anybody with my eating habits.

Mustang starts eating his steak after laughing to the point of tears. I couldn’t help but join in with every one. I don’t even remember why I was angry earlier. The sense of peace and not worry about anything was overwhelming. I can’t remember feeling this relaxed. It’s usually go, go, go! I hope Al is having the same sense of peace and calm. I should give him and Winry a call tomorrow. I finish eating before Mustang does. I take the opportunity to admire him. Hopefully with him not noticing what I am doing.

I love the way his hair spills over his eyes when his leaning over something. It reminds me of how mine does that which means that he can look through his hair to see me looking at him. Oh, shit!

"Like what you see Ed?" Mustang looks up from cutting his steak with a smile playing on his lips.

"What the hell are talking about Bastard? I am just looking at the painting that’s behind you." I look down to hide the inevitable blush that comes from being caught in the act. Wow that sounds weird in my head.

"Yeah, sure you were." Mustang comments and goes back to eating his steak with out a care in the world.

"Of course I was looking at the painting. Why on earth would I be looking at you?" I wait for some smart ass comment, but it never comes. Mustang continues eating while giving me a knowing look. He doesn’t need to say anything that stupid, dumb ass smirk says it all. Okay must stay calm.

"Okay what if I was looking at you what of it?" I challenge him. Lets see where this is going to lead.

"Oh, so now your finally admitting that you were looking at me?"

"I didn’t say that I said what if?"

"Well then if it’s ‘what if’ then I would have to say that you are definitely attracted to me."

"What? I don’t find you attractive in the least I was just looking at you because of your steak looked really good." Oh crap I just admitted that I was looking at him. But Mustang looks way more appetizing than the steak. Or any other food to be honest.

"See I knew you were lying and you were not looking at my steak either." Mustang said with a little glint in his eyes. I wonder what that signifies? Hmm I guess that’s going to have to wait on the back burner for now.

"I was looking at your steak and don’t getting funny ideas." Because I’ve already have some of my own. I add in silently. Okay I guess that I can’t really play the card I am not attracted to Mustang. But I am sure as hell going to deny it until he owns up to feeling the same way about me.

Mustang pays for the bill and we thanked Francois for the excellent service. Although I think I might have scared him with the way I dug into my food. He was a good waiter. The silence has fallen upon us again, but it’s still the comfortable kind.

We walk into the hotel and head to our room. Mustang opens the door and holds it open for me. I give him a funny look but I walk through none the less.

"Ed!" Mustang calls from the door. I turn around to find him right in front of me. "You have some spaghetti sauce on your face let me get it for you." Before I can react Mustang leans down to kiss me. I am so high from the feeling of his lips on mine and from our bodies being so close I feel my knees go weak. Mustang wraps his strong arms around me to hold me up. The kiss is long and slow. His tongue gently presses against my lips silently asking for permission to enter my mouth. I immediately let him in and I moan in the kiss. I can feel my lungs begging to have oxygen. Mustang and I part rather reluctantly on both sides.

"I got the sauce! And man did it taste good." Mustang licks his lips and I feel cheeks burn with a blush giving my face the tinge of candy apple red.

I let my bangs fall in front of my face to hide from what I don’t know. That was amazing! Mustang softly puts his hand on my cheek and slowly raises my head to look in his eyes. "Ed are you alright?" His fingers all gently rubbing my cheek I lean more in to the caress.

"Yes I am better than fine, but I thought you didn’t want to do this?" Okay it’s finally out in the open. I wait for the wall and for the pulling back of his hand so he can tell that it was just a fluke, but to my genuine surprise and overwhelming relief Mustang does none of those things. Instead he pulls me into a hug. He wraps his around me tightly and I immediately respond by doing the same thing.

"I thought that I could fight my feelings and attraction to you, but it’s to much to take especially now that I am alone with you. I can’t seem to keep the distance between us. Before I could send people with you and make sure that you were okay, but now here I am. I just can’t fight it right now and I am not sure that I can keep up the fight when we go back to Central." Mustang says in my hair.

I pull away slightly so I can look Mustang in the eye. "Then don’t fight it. I know that I don’t want to. Roy could we give us a shot?" Mustang looks at me a little surprised, but his mouth forms into a dazzling smile.

"Lets see where this leads us then." I feel my chest expand with an emotion I can’t identify yet, but I am sure it will let itself be known soon.