A Valentine\'s Day to Remember

Chapter 4:

Ed and Al walked through the sanctuary gates, each holding a beautiful combination of roses and lilies, their mother's favorite flowers. The walked across the grounds in silence before reaching an area near the back, overlooking lake Itsumo. A large cross made of white marble with green ivy twining up its base, enhancing its beauty sat overlooking the water.

Casting a look to his brother, Edward walked up to the cross and placed all but two flowers at its base. He removed his gloves and ran his fingers across the elegantly engraved name, Trisha Elric.

He moved to his knees on the soft grass, his head bowed as he began to speak. "I've tried to live up to be the man the you've wanted…and I hope that I'm making you proud." He whispered as his brother stood at a respectful distance. He took the white rose and placed it into the group of roses. "This is from a friend…His name is Roy Mustang and he wanted to pay his respect…and says thank you. I owe him a lot…though he drives me crazy sometimes." He said with a smile.

He placed the second rose at the base. "I love you mother…and hopefully one day I'll be able to grant you your wish for me…" He said and stood.

Edward kissed his fingertips and touched the cross before stepping back near Al.

Al gave a soft smile to his brother before he stepped up to their mother's grave. The beautiful lilies were set next to the roses, a single lily held between his fingers as he knelt. His other hand ran across the name, a sad smile tracing his lips as tears formed within his eyes. "...Mother... I... I am trying to make you proud... I.. I'm trying to do what you did..." he whimpered out, tears blurry his vision.

"...I.. I love you so much mom... I wish you were here..." he cried out, tears dropping onto his pants. "I miss you so much..." The lily was clutched between his fingers as hot tears continued to spill down his cheeks. Shoulders were shaking slightly as he tried to hold in the sobs.

Edward felt his own tears trace down his cheeks but no emotion showed on his face. He moved forward and knelt next to his brother, wrapping is arm around the younger blondes' shaking shoulders.

"Its okay Al…remember what I use to tell you? She's always watching over us…she won't leave us as long as we remember her." He said, rubbing his back.

"Al, she's proud of you…I'm proud of you too. You're a excellent brother and son and I'll always be here for you, little brother…" He whispered.

Nodding, Al hugged his brother tightly before letting go. A smile was put onto his lips as he looked to his brother, eyes still teary. "She's proud of you too Ed... I know she is," he whispered out, his free hand wiping away the tears from his cheeks.


A gentle kiss was placed on the lily before he placed it against the grave. He ran his fingers across the marble once more before standing up, helping his brother stand. "I love you mom," he whispered out, staring down at the grave his hand grasping his brothers tightly. Al knew this was hard on Ed just as much as it was for himself.

*-*

After they had retuned to Al's quarters for a while to remember their mother before helping him with the maintenance that he needed help with. All of the work too a few hours to do, but he was happy to help seeing as the Sanctuary allowed them to put their mother's memorial on their grounds.

As the sun began to set, Edward turned to his brother and his girlfriend, Keika, with a smile. "You two have a nice night!" He said before moving in close to Alphonse's ear. "Don't get nervous Al, she'll love it!"

Al nodded before bidding his brother goodbye. Slowly, Edward began the walk back to his apartment, to spend another Valentine's day alone.


When they were both little, he remember how his mother use to love Valentine's Day. She told them of the time that she had spent with their father, Hoenheim, and all of the wonderful memories. It had always been her wish that once they were old enough, they would spend the special with someone they loved and cared about. She didn't want her boys to miss out on what it was to love and to be loved.

With a sigh, Edward walked into their apartment building, but didn't go to his home. He walked up the stairwell and opened the door leading to the roof.

The golden-eyed man walked to the gate at the edge and looked out over the city. "Well, maybe next year…" He said quietly and closed his eyes, allowing the gentle breeze to kiss his cheeks as he thought about the man who was probably watching TV in their apartment.

*-*-*

Roy had made quick work of cleaning up the apartment. It was actually pretty clean since it was just the two of them. Once the apartment had become spotless, the general set about decorating the kitchen just slightly. A deep red silk cloth was placed over the table followed by a white candle in the middle. Several other white candles were spread out in the kitchen, each being lit after being set down.

"That should be enough," he murmured to himself, shutting off the kitchen light. Limbs were stretched out before he made his way into his room, wanting to take a quick shower. Clothes were tossed into the hamper before he slinked into the bathroom, turning on the hot water and standing under its spray. A large smile couldn't help but stay on his lips as he washed himself clean, hoping that his newfound lover would like what he did.

Shower over with, Roy dried himself off and slipped into a pair black pants that hung slightly off his narrow hips. A deep blue button up shirt was slipped over his shoulders for the time being staying unbuttoned. He then rummaged through his night stand, taking out a small heart tin that held chocolates. The general was originally going to eat them for himself but decided to give them to Edward instead.

"Still have an hour and a half. Should be enough time to finish dinner," he muttered to himself before slipping out of his room. A shiver ran up his spine feeling the cold floor beneath his bare feet as he walked back into the kitchen. Several items were taken out of the cabinet and placed on the counter while he took out two pots and a pan. Noodles were put into one pot while the other was used to make up the spaghetti sauce. Garlic bread was placed on the pan and stuck into the oven, the timer being set. Salad was washed and left in a strainer to drain.

While the noodles and sauce were being heated up, he leaned heavily against the counter top. Hands held onto the wood, back resting against the edge of it, head tilted forward with ebony locks covering his face, and his shirt exposed his bare, toned chest. 'God I hope this works,' he thought to himself while he waited for the food.

*-*-*

A sigh escaped Ed's lips as he turned away from the landscape. The air was beginning to chill his body and he didn't wish to continue staring over the city, wondering how many people were celebrating with their loved ones.

He walked over to the door and walked slowly down the stairs to his apartment. The blonde reached into his pocket, only to find his keys missing. "Great, just great." He murmured as he remembered that he lad left his keys on the end table in Al's quarters.

With a sigh, he reached up and with his metallic hand, knocked on the door, hoping that Roy was still in the apartment and didn't decide to go out.

*-*-*

Brows knitted together at hearing the knock on the door. He turned from the counter and checked upon the noodles and sauce, seeing that it was almost done. Food being checked, he walked out of the kitchen and went to the door.

Slowly he opened the door but stopped, dark eyes looking down at the blonde. "Ed... what are you doing home so early?" he asked softly, heart thudding hard in his chest. The general didn't even realize that his shirt was still unbuttoned showing his bare chest or that the fact his pants hung off his hips.

Ed felt his throat go dry as he looked to the raven-haired man. His golden eyes trailed over the smooth sculpted expanse of his abdomen and chest before meeting the General's eyes, blushing heavily. The scent of the food that he was preparing reached his nose, causing his stomach to grumble.

Suddenly a thought that had came to the fore made his chest ache painfully. 'I wonder who he's expecting…'

A sigh escaped his lips as the pain continued to grow. "Don't worry about me, I'll stay out of the way." Ed gave a weary smile, not bothering to look and see who was in the living room that he could be going through all the trouble for. He gave Roy's arm a gentle pat before retreating to his bedroom and flopping onto his bed. Never once did he think that it had been for him, though somewhere deep in his heart, he wished it was.

Slowly he shut the door and locked it behind him, slightly confused as to why Ed had disappeared into his room. He stood there for a moment before it occurred to him. 'He thinks this is for someone else.' Chuckling softly to himself, he made his way into the kitchen to check on the food once more. Seeing that it was all done, he set up the table. Noodles and sauce were poured into two different bowls while the garlic bread was placed on a plate. The salad, now mixed with dressing and croutons was also placed on the table.

The food was set on the table and a bottle of wine was taken out of the frig, being set next to the white candle. Giving a smile to himself, he ventured down the hallway and knocked softly on Ed's door. Hearing a faint 'come in' he pushed open the door. Dark eyes looked to the small frame that was lying on the bed, Ed's back turned to him.

A frown formed on his lips, not wanting to see his blonde this way. Slowly he walked over to the bed and slid onto it behind Edward, arms wrapping around the smaller man's waist. "Edward if you think this is for someone else you are wrong. I was doing this for you," he whispered out softly, nuzzling the blonde's neck with his nose.

Ed's heart immediately began pounding in his chest at the older man's words. Shivers ran down his spine as the gentle nuzzles turned to light kisses and nips at his flesh. Edward turned within Roy's arms and stared into his dark irises with his own wet golden eyes.

"All of that was for me?" He asked at just above a whisper.

He received a nod and a smile from the brigadier General. A stubborn tear traced down his cheek as he moved forward. Shyly, he pressed his lips to the raven-haired mans. Blood began to pool in his groin and as he went to shift his hips away, strong hands held his waist firmly.

"I didn't think that it was even possible for someone to want to do something like this for me..." He said, averting his gaze. "Thank you..." He trailed off, unsure of what to say.

Roy smiled and pushed a few stray golden locks from the younger man's face. "No need to thank me Ed," he murmured back softly. Bare fingers grabbed onto Ed's chin and tilted it back to him, getting the younger man to look at him. "I care for you Edward and I wanted to do something special for you. I know this is not the best of day's for you and for once I wanted you to have a happy Valentine's."

Lips brushed against Ed's, feeling him shudder beneath the touch. "Happy Valentine's Day Edward Elric." Eyes locked with another before he pushed deep into the kiss. Hands wandered down to pull the blonde close against his body, fighting the moan that wanted to slip out at Ed's body melding against his own. 'What you do to me...'

Edward moaned against the other man's lips, cursing himself for the tears that still managed to sneak from his closed eyes. He tongue ran across the Roy's lower lip as his eyes opened.

He pulled back and captured the taller man's hand before bringing it to his lips. "Thank you Roy. You've made what is normally a painful day from me, bearable.

"You're one of very few people who know me...not only as Full Metal, but as Edward Elric, the kid who lost his mother...who was abandoned by his father...and who cares about his little brother...and you." He said quietly.

"I know that probably sounds a bit corny, but the fact remains that I do care about you...deeply."

'No, this isn't some childish crush...I know...I know that I love him. I just can't say it...I want to, but I just can't.' He admitted to himself.

Roy chuckled and sat up in the bed, pulling the blonde with him. "I know Ed, I know. I must admit I am pretty irresistible." Seeing the smile and roll of Ed's eyes warmed his heart, not liking to see him crying. The tearstains were still there but the tears had disappeared just as they had come. 'No more tears around me Edward,' he thought to himself, not realizing he had moved his hand to brush away the streaks. His hand moved to ruffle the blonde locks, a lopsided grin on his lips.

"Let's go eat Ed," he said softly, the feeling he now cherished bubbling within his chest. Standing up from the bed, he wrapped his arms around Edward and pulled him up from the bed, snickering while doing so. When he let go of the struggling blonde, he quickly backed up and headed out of the door not wanting to get hit. He strolled down the hallway and slipped into the kitchen, plopping down in the chair opposite of Edwards and waited for the blonde man.

Edward narrowed his eyes at the retreating man though a smile remained on his lips. "Gorgeous, self-righteous jerk..." He mumbled and walked out after the raven-haired man.


o-o-Authors Note-o-o

I'll probably post the last chapter in a few days. Please review!

(edited 2/13/07)