Better Living Through Alchemy

“Gee, Professor. You’re really flighty today,” Gavin said mildly when Ed handed the boy someone else’s graded paper again.

“That is some way to address your Professor,” Ed said, rifling through the stack in his hand for the correct paper. “There are too many ‘G’ names in this class.”

“There’s just me and Greg,” Gavin said helpfully.

“I have the wrong paper too,” Tom said timidly and held it up.

Edward threw his arms into the air and waved the stack around.

“Seth, save me,” he said and the boy promptly jumped up, went over and took the stack for distribution.

“What’s your problem?” Daniel laughed as Ed trudged back to his desk.

The Professor sat, pushed at his glasses and sniffed.

“I’m a very busy man,” he said. “I don’t think you appreciate all the work that goes into getting your vacuous little minds to absorb knowledge. There is some staff meeting today as well; Alphonse’s birthday is next week and a very large party is being planned. I have a lot on my plate.”

“Are we going to get to meet him?” Boyd asked from the back of the room.

“Who?” the Professor asked.

“Alphonse,” Richard helped. “The Armored Alchemist!”

“He’s the Theorem Alchemist,” Ed said, “you really want to meet him?”

“Will he bring his armor?” Duffy asked excitedly.

“No, no,” Ed said and shook his head. “He doesn’t do that anymore.”

Or have to live it anymore, thank… someone.

“What’s a theorem?” Daniel asked.

“It’s a theory,” the Professor said. “My little brother is a genius,” the Professor puffed up, “his theories are being published in alchemic texts.”

“He uses alchemy to write theories?” Bernard said and scratched his head. “Can you use alchemy to write book reports?”

“No,” the Professor said. “He writes theories about alchemy. He writes about the speculative process or turning one thing into a another.”

“But you can do that without having to read about it,” Daniel said.

“I have to understand how something works, that’s why we go over ingredients and formulas,” the Professor said. “For instance, I don’t know how a car engine works, so I wouldn’t make a very good engine were I to transmute one.”

“A car engine has pistons,” Duffy said.

“It has a transmission too,” Seth added.

“But how does a piston work, what does a transmission do?” the Professor said.

The boys chewed their lips in silence, glancing at each other.

“If I know a bird can fly because it has hollow bones and wings, then can I transmute wings on myself?” Gavin asked.

“While possible, it is not something you would want to do, and human transmutation is illegal,” the Professor said seriously.

Hypocrite… you always swore you’d never say ‘don’t do what I do, do what I tell you to.’

The bell rang, cutting short all further musings, and Edward sent them off with a curt wave and a ‘no homework tonight’, which put smiles on their faces as they all went out the door.

***

“Professor Elric,” Miss Bloom called cheerfully and raised her hand to him, “I saved a seat for you,” she indicated the empty chair beside her.

Ed put on a forced smile and went over to sit beside the young woman, laying his notebook on the table and nodding to some of the others who nodded to him in acknowledgement. Miss Bloom was a ‘floating’ teacher’s aide and had come into his classroom on a few occasions to help him with some of the more mundane chores of teaching. He had been very relieved to turn over all ditto machine wrangling to her and credited her with his savings on white gloves. She was however, next to himself, the youngest person on staff. He supposed she considered them steadfast comrades because of this and she followed him around at any staff gathering like a duckling follows the mother duck. It was a bit embarrassing. Some of the older teachers would hide smiles behind their hands and Edward was always mortified.

He wanted to fling out that he was unavailable, that he had his life long partner in the form of a very upstanding General and was quite happy, thank you very much, but discretion had been every other word out of Roy’s mouth when Ed had taken the position. They had agreed that discretion was the key and really, it wasn’t anyone’s business for that matter. Only, he sometimes wanted people to know, especially on occasions like this, when it might save him from having to deal with the social awkwardness of a crush.

Not that he was crush worthy; he wasn’t sure what the young woman’s motives were, to be exact. He tried to stop her when she jumped up to get him a glass of water and sighed when Mrs. Hall across the table smiled at him. Thankfully, the Dean appeared then and parked his considerable girth at the end of the boardroom table. He fished out his pocket watch and nodded before tucking it back in the watch pocket on his vest.

“Thank everyone for being on time,” and he nodded directly at Ed, who scowled. Forget three lousy meetings and they never let you live it down. He was still new to this teaching thing; they should cut him some slack.

“Alright then,” the Dean said. He opened the folder that his secretary placed in front of him and pulled his glasses from his inner jacket pocket, forcing them down over the broad bridge of his nose. “Let’s see here, first order of business will be the school football team’s need for new pads,” the Dean looked up at Professor Taylor. Professor Taylor stood, immaculate in his sweats and perfect hair, and flashed his most winning smile.

“We have a good team this year,” he said and looked at the others like how could they expect any less. “I’m very confident we’ll do well in the pre and post season, so I expect to see everyone in the stands,” he gave a little laugh and shook his head like he was immensely amused with himself.

Ed just despised the man. He could feel his teeth grinding together the longer the man spoke about his coaching skills, his achievements and his own concerns about the safety of the boys. Oh well, he finally mentioned the boys at least. Ed looked sidelong as Miss Bloom who was looking at Professor Taylor in pretty much the same way she looked at him and that irked him just a little, but it had been a mistake, because she caught him looking, batted her eyelashes and smiled at him, scooting a little closer.

“Football pads are expensive,” the Dean said at the end of Taylor’s speech. “Appropriating the funds for you means cutting something else.”

“Well what is there that could be cut,” Taylor asked.

The Dean fingered his chins for a moment and finally offered up.

“There is the annual exhibition,” the Dean said. “We didn’t get a lot of parental participation last year…”

“But that’s when I showcase the more promising band talent outside the stadium,” Dr. Thaxton interjected.

“Oh, what do they need it for,” Taylor said. “They can just play fight songs at the games. There’s plenty of parental participation there, and Jimmy and Sally can show off for mommy and daddy marching down the football field.”

“The garden club always has their tea social to raise money for the botanical trip each year at the exhibition,” Mrs. Wilton said. “Without that money, it might not be possible for everyone to go.”

“Can’t they go over to the woods behind the soccer field and look at plants there?” Taylor asked, giving her a condescending smile. “Really Katherine, boys going to look at flowers?”

“I think we should have a big alchemy exhibition at this year’s event,” a new voice said down the table, “that would be a big draw. The FullMetal Alchemist would be willing to perform.”

All eyes turned to him. Taylor sneered, but Thaxton and Wilton looked hopeful.

“I know a few other alchemists who might be willing to do it for the benefit of the school,” Ed said, elbows on table, fingers laced. “I know this is the first year of alchemy class at this Academy and I’m a brand new recruit, but I’d love to do what I can to help.” He gave Taylor a rather sharp smile, then glanced down at the Dean.

The Dean’s job was to make sure everyone had sufficient funding to feed the eager young minds of tomorrow. Already, he was calculating what sort of draw could be taken from the possibility of an alchemy demonstration held on school grounds.

“Some of the clubs could set up booths. With that kind of draw, everyone stands to earn a little class spending money,” Professor Sutton, the head of the geography department said.

“This could work to your advantage as well, Taylor. You could get your boys to do something as well and earn some money, or ask for donations,” the Dean laced his fingers over his belly and smiled. “I’ll send out the usual alumni requests, but if luck is with you, we could also parlay the money into other new sporting equipment. I think Professor Elric has a grand idea.”

The table started to chatter and Ed felt a slow smile. Taylor sank back down into his chair and nodded to the Dean but cut Edward a look. It didn’t matter, many of the others were now discussing their plans, nodding at Ed and smiling. He rather liked the feeling; it was almost like being in the big office again with Breda slapping him on the back, Fuery sharing his muffins, Havoc making jokes and Falman offering advice. He was becoming part of a group again and… it was nice.

“I think I’ll put Professor Elric in charge of the organization,” the Dean said from his end of the table. “Everyone arrange meetings with him with your suggestions and ideas. He’ll be able to present me with a list of expected expenditures and things needed to make this happen. We’ll also need a date and literature. Professor Elric, I trust you to handle all of this for us.”

Edward despised being part of a group, he worked much better on his own. Why had he opened his fucking big mouth?

***

Edward jogged up the stairs to the administration floor, grumbling to himself and making a mental checklist of the things he was going to need to be an event coordinator. As he headed down the hall, he saw a lone figure standing and looking up at a large wall map that detailed the territories of Amestris. As he got closer, he noticed the strange clothes the woman wore. She had long, straight, black hair to the middle of her back, caught up at the sides and pinned at the back of her head with an elaborate silver serpent pin. She was wearing a long, black robe that was belted in a wide, red, satin sash. Peeking from beneath the high collared robe, was shiny black pants that gathered at the ankle and black slippers. Edward noted that they were Xingian in design and wondered what a lone woman would be doing standing in the hallway of the military administration floor.

He walked directly behind her and slowed. He thought maybe he should question her credentials, ask to see her visitors badge, find out who she was looking for. After all, Roy worked on this floor and where the hell were the guards that usually manned the upper hallway? So he stopped and cleared his throat rather loudly.

When she turned, his eyebrows rose, for she was not a she at all. The two young men regarded each other quizzically for long moments and then the Xingian man broke into a large grin.

“It’s so nice to see a non-uniformed face, it’s rather refreshing,” he said and advanced on Ed. “Are you lost as well, we could wander the complex together.”

“I’m not lost,” Ed said, taking a step back. “I’m known around here, but I’ve never seen you before. What are you doing here? Where did you come from?”

“I’m looking at a map,” the man said unhelpfully, “and I’m from Xing. You must be very cloistered not to recognize this, as my appearance is very charming and very helpful.”

Ed sputtered and scowled.

“I know you’re a Xingian, I meant where did you come from in here? You said you were lost? Were you on a tour or something? Where you at a meeting? You don’t have a visitors pass,” Ed tapped the breast of his own vest. “That’s a little suspicious.”

“Oh, I am not a suspicious person,” the man grinned merrily. “I came from a large meeting room, many people were there, but it was very boring. I decided to take a tour of the building. Since you are known here, why don’t you show me the more interesting rooms?”

“Some of the rooms are off limits,” Ed said. “You shouldn’t be just wandering around, what kind of meeting where you in? You might as well follow me to the General’s office, maybe he can sort out this mess.”

“I would be happy to follow you, a General’s office sounds like an interesting place to tour,” the man said, falling into step beside Ed. Ed ignored the fact his head barely cleared the man’s shoulder.

“It’s not a tour,” Ed said. “It’s a fact finding mission. To find out who the hell you are and why the hell you’re wandering around the halls.”

“Oh, I’m Ling,” the man said. “I was wandering the halls because I got lost.”

“You’re about as helpful as a nosebleed,” Ed groused.

“I’ve never known those to be helpful, just messy,” Ling said cheerfully as Edward led him down the hall.

***

The General wasn’t in his office. As a matter of fact, no one was in his office.

“This is rather odd,” Ed said. “I wonder where they’ve all gotten off too.”

“There is a large meeting in a large room somewhere in this building,” Ling said, “maybe he is there.”

“This is the same meeting you were at?” Ed asked.

“I don’t know, perhaps,” Ling said. “I do not know what the General’s like, could you describe him?”

“He’s about your height,” Ed said, “and he’s wearing a blue uniform.”

“We are back at the nosebleed part of this conversation,” Ling said. “Everyone here has on a blue uniform.”

“I know that,” Ed snapped, “let me finish a thought! He’s got black hair and dark eyes…”

“So do I,” Ling chirped.

“He’s got a lot of yellow stripes and stars on his shoulders,” Ed growled.

Ling turned his head back and forth and looked at his shoulders.

“I have failed you,” he sighed, “I am not the General.”

“I know that!” Ed yelled.

He pushed past Ling and back out into the hall. He heard voices at the far end and sighed in relief to see Roy and Havoc heading his way. They seemed to be discussing something urgently and peering into each doorway as they headed in the direction of the office.

Ling was suddenly at his shoulder.

“Those are men from the meeting,” Ling said. “They are both in blue uniforms with yellow stripes and stars. One of them has black hair and dark eyes,” he added.

Ed turned and scowled at him, and Roy suddenly called out.

“Your Highness, we’ve been searching everywhere for you. Your retainers are very worried,” he said.

Ed turned and furrowed his brow at Roy.

“Oh, hello,” Ling said. “Fancy seeing you again. We are touring a General’s office,” he stated. “This is my new friend, but I don’t know his name even though I have given him mine. He’s rather rude and short, but I like him anyway. How are you?”

“This is Edward Elric,” Roy said, rushing up and snatching Ed back as the blonde’s face had started to turn dark. “He’s an instructor at the military academy,” Roy said a bit strained as he struggled to hold Ed in place by his shoulders.

“Your Highness, why did you wander off?” Havoc asked. “That whole meeting was for your benefit, to welcome you as the representative for the Xingian embassy.”

“It was rather stuffy in the room and I got bored,” Ling said simply. “This building is very spacious. I have no doubt I could have wandered quite a while if I hadn’t run into Edward Elric. He was showing me this office.”

“Lieutenant Colonel, why don’t you escort Prince Ling back to the meeting, I need to have a word with Ed,” the General gritted out, dragging Ed into his office.

“Aw, I wanted to get to know him better,” the Prince said as Havoc half bowed and gestured for the man to lead him. “Well if the meeting was arranged for me, I suppose I should attend.”

“That would be the idea,” Havoc coaxed, “right this way.”

The General smiled and planted a hand on Ed’s face, shoving him back and closing the door of his office.


“Breathe,” Roy said, smiling. “It’s alright. The Prince is pretty blunt, as we’ve all found out,” Roy grinned.

“It’s just the perfect topper to my splendid day,” Ed said sourly and started to scowl, but Roy’s mouth found his and covered it. Ed found he couldn’t argue with that and kissed him back.

“You know,” Ed purred when Roy pulled back, “I had fantasies about you and this office and that desk.”

“As very inviting as that is,” Roy whispered, “I’m afraid I have to get back to that meeting. You can languish on the couch and pine for me though.”

Ed laughed and Roy put an arm around his shoulders, drawing him deeper into the office.

“I want to hear all about your splendid day when I get back,” Roy said.

“Try to keep it short,” Ed wheedled, “I really want to get home.”

They stopped in front of the big desk and Roy released Ed with a sigh.

“Have you talked to Gracia about Al’s party today?” Ed asked. “I really want this to come off without a hitch. I also need to tell you about the exhibition,” Ed sighed.

“A party sounds splendid, who is Al? I also enjoy exhibitions,” a voice said behind them.

Roy and Edward both jumped and whirled, and the Prince grinned at them with a raised hand.

“Hello,” he said cheerfully, “I would like to attend your party and exhibition,” he nodded.

“How the hell did you get in here?” Ed screeched.

“Through the door,” Ling said guilelessly.

Roy grabbed Ed around the waist, grunting and forcing a smile over the struggling blonde’s head.

“Weren’t you heading back to the meeting, your Highness?” he asked.

“I was, but your office seemed more interesting, especially with Edward Elric in it,” Ling said and nodded pleasantly.

“Where is Lieutenant Colonel Havoc?” Roy asked and physically put himself between lover and Prince.

“That tall blonde fellow thinks I am in the bathroom, but there was a window there with a ledge. It wasn’t very wide, but simple enough to walk along. I went in a window at the far end of the hall,” the Prince pointed. “then I came back here.”

“You walked on a ledge on the outside of the building?” Roy gaped. “We’re three floors up!”

“I’m not afraid of heights,” the Prince said and clasped his hands behind his back.

“You’re a nutcase,” Ed said and stilled, so Roy released him. He brushed himself down and snorted. “All the Xingian royalty must be inbred.”

Roy winced but the Prince just smiled and tilted his head.

“When is the party so I may inform my secretary to remind me of the date,” Ling prompted.

“Who says you are invited?” Ed challenged.

“Of course you are invited,” Roy said loudly and gave Ed a look when he whirled to glare at him.

“I am very eager to learn all about Amestris custom and culture, it will better further relations between our countries, don’t you think General?” the Prince never changed from his pleasantly smiling expression.

“Very astute, your Highness, just the sort of attitude a good ambassador should have,” the General said.

“But it’s a birthday party for my brother, he may not want you to attend,” Ed said haughtily. “He doesn’t even know you.”

“Of course he would want me to attend,” Ling said. “I’m a Prince; he will be honored to have royalty among his guests. I will graciously lend him my presence so later he may brag to his friends.”

Ed would have liked to tell Ling just where he could stuff his royal presence, but Roy’s hand fell heavily on his shoulder and Roy himself moved over to the Xingian man.

“Alphonse will be very honored, your Highness,” Roy said. “Now let me escort you back to our meeting.”

“I’m thinking an academy instructor would be an excellent cultural liaison,” the Prince said. “I would consider it your very much pleasure to assign him to escort me about the city.”

Ed’s jaw slammed into the floor with enough force to make the furniture jump.

“We’ll talk about that in the meeting,” Roy insisted with a smile on his face.

“Very well,” the Prince said. “This meeting seems very important to you and as a gentleman and royalty, I should be gracious of my host’s intentions. I will allow you to escort me back,” Ling said magnanimously.

Just then, the door flew open and Havoc stood framed in it, panting. He closed his eyes in relief and hung his head.

“We’re heading back now, Lieutenant Colonel,” the General said placatingly.

“It was a pleasure to meet you,” the Prince said to the Professor, who stood back scowling like a blonde wolverine, “and how pleasant for me to allow you to be my personal escort around the city.” Ling turned and walked past Roy, and Havoc moved out of his way to allow him into the hall.

Only a hard look from Roy stilled Ed’s vocal chords, then a sympathetic smile and wink was offered. Ed let himself be mollified and flopped onto the couch to await his lover’s release from the infernal meeting so they could go home.

***

They stopped at the deli and Ed ran in to get dinner for both of them. Roy had resigned himself to eating noodles with meat sauce every other day for the rest of his life or fighting Ed off his plate.

Ed climbed back in the car, carefully setting the box between them.

“Okay so, I was in this board meeting,” Ed said, starting up where he’d left off when they arrived at the deli, “and that bastard Taylor decides that nobody but the sports department rates.”

“The horror,” the General said.

Ed gave him a flat look for a moment and the General grinned.

“Okay, haha,” Ed said, “There was talk of the school not having its annual exhibition so the money could be given to Taylor for football pads, but the other clubs depend on the exhibition to raise money for their club outings, and that fucker Taylor wants to take that away. I spoke up and said we could make the exhibition a better event this year, I suggested that we could hold an alchemy demonstration,” he continued. “I mean, I can whip up a couple of large sculptures for them to ooh and aah over and you can roast something. Maybe I can talk Al into doing something as well, but that’s when the bastard Dean decided I should be in charge of the whole damn event.” Ed snorted.

“I’m afraid I have to decline,” the General said softly, eye straight ahead as usual when he drove.

“What?” Ed yelped. “But I need you! Besides, your popularity is slipping. Most of the kids in my class hadn’t even heard of The Flame Alchemist and the other half only know you as their Dad’s boss.”

“My control isn’t what it used to be,” Roy said a little tightly.

“So you’ve gotten rusty, that’s not a problem,” Ed said smoothly. “We can practice in the back yard.”

The General’s hands worked the steering wheel a moment, squeezing and rubbing with his thumbs.

“Practice in the back yard isn’t going to help, Ed,” he said finally.

“Roy, I need you, you’re one of the flashiest alchemists around,“ Ed cajoled. “The kids will be very impressed and their parents will remember you as being The Flame Alchemist, and they are the ones with the money. You used to light Havoc’s cigarettes while they were hanging out of his mouth.” Ed leaned toward him. “I’ll help, I’ll make it worth your while,” he purred.

Roy took a couple of deep breaths and never looked toward Ed once, keeping his eyes on the road.

“I lit Havoc’s cigarettes when I had depth perception,” the General finally said. “That only comes with two eyes.”

Ed blinked in surprise and leaned back. He wasn’t quite sure what to say in that moment. Only now was it occurring to him that since his time back, he’d never seen Roy practice any alchemy. Surely that was a mistake, but his memory was known to be pretty accurate. He shifted in embarrassed silence, now. He, of all people, should have realized this.

“I’m sorry,” Ed said after a few moments, “I didn’t think, Roy. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s alright, Ed,” Roy said and smiled. “I’m flattered you thought of me when planning your exhibition. I’m sorry to have to disappoint you; I’ll make a donation in lieu of my participation, if that’s acceptable.”

Ed nodded and pulled his bottom lip in, looking out the passenger side window. Although there had been some initial argument over the eye patch in bed with them, Ed just accepted it now. It was a part of Roy, he was particular about it. Ed had given up, for the most part, asking for the right to see his whole face without the black oval covering most of his cheek. A couple of times when Ed had woken first and it had been skewed in the night as the General slept, he’d tried to ease it over and see what lay beneath it, but the General was sensitive to touch in that area, probably from the practice of making sure the patch stayed in place. Ed was always thwarted when he either rolled over or woke up. It reminded Ed that the General has said that one day Ed would be allowed to take the patch, but it was not an issue to press right now, with Roy forcing a smile and staring straight ahead.

“Your driving is fine,” Ed ventured, “that requires depth perception.”

“It’s a little different,” Roy said. “I just keep a good distance between myself and the person in front of me.”

Ed nodded and reached over to tangle his fingers in a uniform sleeve, which that provoked a genuine smile.

“I really wanted to see you dance again,” Ed said and laid his head back on the seat.

“Dance?” Roy said, risking a quick sidelong look at his lover.

“You were always such a showman,” Ed said. “You’d spin and throw your arms out, your butt skirt would flair, it was great,” he finished with a little embarrassed grin. “I always thought you were cool.”

Roy laughed and relaxed, his grin fluid and easy.

“The Flame was cool? Isn’t that a contradiction?” Roy teased.

“What did I know,” Ed returned, “I was thirteen and you were cool. When you’re thirteen, everything is cool.”

“Those kids are rubbing off on you,” the General laughed.

***
When they got home, Ed carried dinner to the kitchen while Roy took R.D. out.

When the General came in with his little black and white shadow, Ed had dinner unpacked, the table set and the tea pitcher in his hand.

“You never told me what you said to that Prince about me being his personal escort,” Ed said. “You told him to stick his head up his ass, right?”

The General went over and wrapped an arm around Ed’s waist, kissing him soundly.

“Dinner smells great,” he said, unbuttoning his uniform jacket, shrugging it off and hanging it over the back of his chair.

“Roy,” Ed said, “you told him where to stick it, right?” A golden eyebrow rose.

“I’m exhausted, let’s discuss it later,” the General smiled. “Don’t worry, you don’t think I’d order you to do something like that.”

Ed smiled, set the pitcher down on the table and slid into his chair.

“Good,” Ed said. “I’m not military anymore at any rate, and I’d hate to have to kick your ass from here to Xing, along with his.”

The General just gave him another smile.

***

Ed had been predatory since dinner when he'd leaned across the table, offering noodles on the end of his fork and then just watched Roy take them. His gaze hovered right at the smoldering point, intense and thoughtful. It had followed Roy to the living room, where he took up position on the couch like a big cat, with his chin propped on the armrest. He slowly scratched at a throw pillow with one of his steel fingers, making a sound that was low and lingering in the stillness of the room while Roy tried to read his paper. It was just a hint of annoying, enough to keep Roy glancing in his direction, which is of course what he wanted. The General began to feel that feeling in the pit of his stomach. Edward stretched then and rolled onto his back, laying there where Roy couldn't see his expression. Edward had become very savvy at luring his prey close enough to strike.

So when he finally stood, stretched and made a production of shaking out his hair before stalking toward the hallway, Roy tried his best to resist, knowing this for what it was: a coy dominance struggle in the making. He wondered what he'd have to do to be allowed to rest tonight and tried to put off his fate until after the political section, but by then, Edward had been gone for a good five minutes and when he was left alone at times when he felt like this, the conquering could be excruciatingly slow. He would feel the need for vengeance, because his mate was denying him. So, in surrender, the General abandoned his paper and stood, telling himself to face this fate head on, because nothing would deter Edward now that he'd made his decision. In this, his determination was a damning thing to Roy.

He padded slowly down the hallway and his hand hovered briefly on the doorknob, but he knew it was inevitable. He'd best put in an appearance. An Edward scorned was a Roy sleeping on the couch later, and he surely didn't want that. When he pushed open the door, the room was dark and there was a brief rustle on the bed. Moonlight dabbled in the window, cast crooked shadows across the floor and hovered nervously at the edges of the sheets.

"Took your goddamn time," a voice growled, low and husky from the darkness, "I guess I'm losing my appeal now that you can have it whenever you want."

"Such nonsense," the General whispered, moving into the room proper, "I'm here and ready for my penance, I know I should have followed you sooner."

"Not good enough," the voice said, dropping from growl to mere menace, "if you want to lie beside me, there are things you'll have to do now."

The General licked his lips, every nerve beginning to tingle.

"You know I am your creature, I don't know why you think I'll object. Tell me what you want, if it's in my power, it’s yours," he said lowly.

"I hate your clothes," the voice offered.

The General began to remove them, not in hurried, jerking motions of eagerness, but with a slow slide born of age and grace. He let them pool, piece by piece, on the floor at his feet until he stood bare, with only the shadow to clothe him. He lifted his eye and took in the silhouette on the bed that was sitting up now. When he heard the slide of sheets on bare skin, his cock stirred and he willed it to be calm yet. This predator took great glee in signs of weakness, and a quick hard-on was like baring his throat.

"That's better," the voice conceded, "but still not good enough. I need more than just your naked body, as much as I appreciate it. You may come and sit on the bed beside me now, but only sitting up, and if I touch you, you have to be still. Can you do that?" the voice murmured.

"I can do whatever you wish of me," Roy murmured. "You know you hold my soul as well as my heart," he moved slowly toward the bed.

Golden eyes flashed then, picking up the moonlight as they traveled his body, causing him undesirable goose bumps, but what was he to do? He was a helpless thing before this man and he sat slowly on the edge of the bed beside Ed's knees, waiting to see how accountable Edward was going to hold him for his actions, for not immediately following the offering made so blatant in the living room.

"Very good," Edward said. Roy felt him shift and then there was a cool slide down his back, a metallic finger tracing the edge of his spine. He couldn't move, he was forbidden to move, so he bit down hard on his lower lip and willed his mind to focus on that, as the finger stopped at the crest of his ass and drew a lazy circle.

"You're being so compliant this evening, so obedient. I wonder what I've done to warrant your very good behavior," Edward's voice was both punishing and promising. Roy swallowed hard and wondered if he was allowed to speak. Speech was movement and movement was forbidden, if he did forbidden things, Edward would get angry and perhaps stop this delightful torture. He didn't want it to end before it even began.

"Scoot back some and lie down on the bed," Edward's voice urged him, "get as comfortable as you like, my General," he purred.

Roy scooted back and then slowly lowered himself cross wise on the bed. Edward had moved his feet helpfully and was now sitting on his knees, watching hungrily. He reached out when Roy was prone and his flesh hand hovered above Roy's now obvious erection, but he curled his fingers suddenly and pulled his hand away.

"No," he said, "no, I'll not touch you yet, at least not there, or with this hand," and so he slid his metal finger from Roy's navel to the divot in his throat. Roy fought hard to keep from swallowing and pressing his body upward to this wanted, hard touch. Edward leaned over him then, his lips brushing the nub of Roy's nipple. His tongue came out slowly to make a friend of it and then to make a lover of it. He made his noises that worked their way through every vein in Roy's body, setting him ablaze, as he could not set anything ablaze with fire or alchemy. It was sheer hell, lying silent and unmoving while this man, his lover, his life, touched him and tasted him and groaned, reveling in his mastery and control. Roy allowed himself a grit of his teeth at least, he could do it with his lips closed, and he felt the first trickle of sweat on the back of his neck. He longed to rub it in the sheets and be rid of it. Finally, Edward took mercy on him, lifting his treacherous, hot mouth and cold, metal hand, to reach up and push back his heavy, golden bangs and give a little pant.

Evil child, evil man, as cruel a master as any Roy had known and the only one allowed to be so close to his very essence.

"I want you to touch yourself," the shadow above him hissed, "and I want you to make it nice and slow. I want you to show me how much you like it when I tell you to do these things, I want to hear my name on your lips as you grip your cock and I want to hear what you want to do to me while you stroke it," the voice in the velvet blackness instructed. "Can you do that for me, General?" it questioned.

"I am your creature," he barely got out of his throat, "if you wanted me to pull my heart out of my chest and give it to you, then it would be yours..."

Roy reached down, only to have his hand stopped before he actually touched his turgid cock. The voice returned, haunting and seeking.

"And yet, you hold from me that damn eye patch," it challenged, "give it to me now, right now, I want it. If you give it to me, I will touch you and cry your name and do as you ask of me. Let me have it, General," the demon bargained.

He drew several heavy breaths and closed his remaining eye tight. Damn him, damn him to heaven, damn him to hell. He knew better than to ask this! Why was he always like this?! Why did he always make these childish, irrational demands just when Roy was at his weakest to resist him? Fucking brilliant, manipulative little shit is what he was, and he learned so at Roy's own feet. Damn him for this and damn him for making Roy even think of being free of the patch and being pleasured beyond endurance for doing so. Damn him and love him. He would eventually have to let him win, but not tonight and maybe not even while he lived. Edward could have his eye patch at his funeral.

"No," the General grated out. "I refuse," he gasped.

"Have it your way then," the voice was heavy with disappointment and he knew the golden eyes had watched him intensely, "but you better make this damn good, General. It better be a show I remember the rest of my days," Edward growled.

"Let go of my hand," the General said and Edward released him, but moved up closer, until his knees touched he General's side.

"Bend your knees and put you feet flat on the bed," Edward commanded and helpless to him, the General obeyed. He ran his palm down the length of his cock and curled his fingers over his balls.

Edward's flesh hand rested on his knee and his metal hand rested on his shoulder. The points of contact they made on his skin burned and froze, sending agonizing prickles along his nerves. The General pressed his own balls a moment, before moving his hand back up, trailing his fingertips up his hardness, to the head and curling them around it, stroking the pad of his thumb over his slit. He heard Edward take a deep breath and could feel the heat and intent of Edward's gaze on his hand and his cock as he pressed the slit, stroking it and swallowing hard. Edward might be his master, his predator and his conqueror, but he would not just go quietly; he would pull the man down with him.

He slowly began to slide his curled fingers downward, splaying his hand at the base, with fingertips over his balls. Then, with slowness agonizing to himself, he curled his fingers around his cock again and dragged them upwards. His eye fought hard to make out Edward's features in the gloom, and he saw the tongue that snaked out to wet Edward's lips as he felt the increasing press of his fingers. He began the slow torture again: down and back up, his own breath catching in his throat, an unwanted moan escaping him. Edward was restless now, shifting on his knees, fighting for his own control, and the General smiled a wicked smile as he stroked again, down and up. He let his moan come easily this time, watching it rack raw over Edward's body. The younger man cringed from it and pressed Roy's knee further to the side.

Roy's free hand was flattened on his stomach and it too moved downward slowly, fingers dragging though dense, black curls that lay tight and rough above his cock. He tilted his knees even further apart without the pressure of Ed’s hand, and his second hand passed his first, sliding beneath his balls to lift them. He raised his head to watch his own handy work and Edward better, but Edward had no glance to spare for his face. His lips were parted now, he was riveted and so the General began to move faster and moan louder.

Up and down, both hands pulled and squeezed. He lifted his hips, tilted back his head and he opened his mouth, "Edward, ah god, Ed, sweet god..." he closed his eye, "ah Edward, so good like this..."

Edward's fingers tightened almost painfully on his shoulder, the hand on his knee began to move its palm in a circular motion on his kneecap and his breathing was becoming erratic.

"Do you know what I want to do to you?" the General husked, "You should know, I always want to do it to you. I love to hear you scream, I love to see you claw the sheets. You're so fucking beautiful when I'm fucking you," the General growled. "I know you want me on you this instant, this second. Tell me I lie," he hissed.

Edward swallowed and Roy felt a definite tremble though his fingers.

"Not a lie," Ed whispered raggedly.

Roy tightened his grip and picked up his pace.

"If you don't release me, I can't do that," the General crooned, "if you leave me like this, imagining you and jerking myself raw, I can't fuck you. You want me to fuck you, don't you?" he coaxed.

"Damn you, stop it, I want... I want… this... not you..." Edward fought him, he always fought him.

"No, you want me, you want me inside you. Release me, Edward," the General persisted, "or I'm going to come before I get to satisfy you," he growled.

Ed threw his head back and Roy looked at Ed's own cock at attention. Edward struggled with himself, grimacing as he pushed and pulled on Roy's knee hard. Roy never let up his pace, in fact he increased it, and no longer tried to school his pants or groans.

"AH! God, I'm close," he managed to get out, "and I'm imagining you now. It's good like this. Better inside you, but I can do it like this to your image..." the General gasped.

Edward's hands left his shoulder and knee, grabbed Roy's hands on his cock and balls, and pulled them, "Let GO," he commanded in a snarl. Roy obeyed immediately, chest heaving, swallowing hard.

"Get the fuck on ME," Edward commanded, unfolding himself and falling to his back, spreading his legs wide, "Do it NOW," he howled.

Roy chuckled low and wicked, heaved himself up right and crawled between Ed's legs. He stretched over him for the oil on the bedside table.

"NOW," Ed's hands gripped his hips hard, but Roy would never be tempted to harm him, even at his insistence, so Edward was forced to buck and writhe to three fingers for a few moments while he was prepared.

Then the General sat up on is knees and slid his hands behind Edward's. He lifted, folded and hooked them over his shoulders, then his own trembling hands guided himself against Edward's cleft. He dragged out the moment, sliding the swollen head of his cock down the slope; Edward screamed and railed at him, but the power struggle had been lost.

Roy wasn't a General for nothing.

He gained entrance and then pushed slowly, feeling his lover relax all around him, accepting him. It was as it always was: bliss beyond knowing and he began to pump. One hand raised and gripped Edward's knee, the other hand lowered and gripped Edward's cock, and Ed threw his arms out to his sides (it was just his habit to do this; he did it ever time Roy rode him) as he slammed his head over and over into the pillow.

"YOU FUCKIN' BASTARD, WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THIS?! WHY CAN'T I WIN?!" he howled and writhed and sobbed.

"Simple," Roy snarled, "Age before beauty, you know the rules," the General growled.

He rode Ed with an ever increasing pace and the blonde howled insults, sobbed endearments and came all over his own stomach, dragging the General over with him. When they both lay panting in the aftermath, Edward shoved at him, then clung to him, and Roy grinned before soon falling asleep.

***

Roy sprung it on him the next morning when they were on the thoroughfare and Ed couldn’t get away.

“I think it’s a very good idea for you to show the Prince around the city,“ the General said. “Take him to lunch, you’d be doing me a great favor.”

“WHAT?!” Ed exploded. “I hardly think so, if you like him so much, YOU do it,” he snarled.

“He was quite adamant that he wanted you to escort him,” the General continued calmly. “I did offer him Havoc, and Havoc will back me up on that, but he insisted on you.”

“You can’t order me to do it,” Ed hissed. “So I have to decline.”

“No, I can’t and I wouldn’t…” the General said and gave Ed a sidelong glance.

“But…” Ed inserted for him.

“The Dean will,” the General said solemnly.

“YOU FUCKIN’ BASTARD,” Ed shrieked. “You set me up! Your own lover! You offered me to that Xingian bastard like offering a crying baby a rattle! I can’t believe this! OH you are so not getting any for a LONG, LONG time!” Ed shook his fist in Roy’s direction. “I hope you enjoyed last night, and you just… you fuckin’ did that to me knowing you were going to do THIS to me,” Ed slammed himself back against the seat. “I hate you,” he spat.

They pulled up in front of the academy. Ed snatched his briefcase up off the floorboard, unbuckled his seat belt and the General gripped his arm, yanking him close.

“You bastard,” his lover growled.

“But a bastard you’ll still give tongue to,” the General said and kissed him, then let him escape through the open car door.

***

The Professor glanced up from his desk to see the class looking toward the door, so he looked too. His face darkened with a scowl.

“Hello,” the Prince said. “I’ve come to see your credentials as an instructor.”

The Professor jumped up from his desk and opened his mouth, but managed to rein himself in at the last possible second. Instead, he stalked toward the grinning man in the Xingian robes and pushed him out the door.

“Daniel,” the Professor said. “I need to speak to this gentleman in the hall. I expect everyone to be quiet and continue their studying while I do so.”

Then the Professor went out the door and pulled it shut with a little slam.

“Great,” Daniel sighed. “Make me the snitch.”

***

“You can’t just come walking into my class,” Ed said low and heatedly in the hall. “I’m working and my students do not need to be disturbed.”

“I wasn’t disturbing them,” the Prince smiled. “I was merely observing. It was several moments before any of them saw me. Tell me what you teach.” He grinned merrily and clasped his hands behind his back.

“I teach alchemy,” Ed started. “Wait a minute. How did you even get in here and where is your visitor’s badge? You can’t just wander the halls as you like, we have rules! Don’t they have rules where you come from?”

“Well they do,” Ling said. “But I make them. I rarely follow them, rules are so constricting, don’t you think?”

Ed started to open his mouth, but that is when he noticed the woman. Slight and lovely, her black hair was pulled behind her head in a tight ponytail. Her ornate robes were black like the prince’s, but embroidered heavily in black thread with whirling pattern of dragons. Ed gaped at her; he’d neither heard her approach nor even realized she was there to begin with.

“This is one of my retainers,” the Prince said. “Her name is Ran Fan. This is Edward Elric,” he said, turning slightly to the woman.

She gave Edward a formal, half bow, then looked up at the Prince.

“Your Highness,” she said softly. “You shouldn’t be wandering away on your own. I ask you humbly to return with me to our rooms.”

“Edward Elric is taking me to lunch,” the Prince announced. “You may come too.”

“Very well then,” she said. “I will be most glad to escort you and the Professor.”

“Wait a minute,” Ed said waving his hands back and forth. “I didn’t say anything about taking anyone to lunch! I’m a busy man; I have an event to coordinate!” He liked the word ‘coordinate’, it sounded more important than ‘plan’.

“You can do that after lunch,” the Prince said. “It is your very much pleasure to take us to lunch,” Ed was informed. “We were informed it would be so.”

Ran Fan nodded agreement to her Prince’s words.

Roy Mustang was going to pay for this, yes he was. He was going to pay and pay and pay. When he was through paying? He’d pay some more.

“Fine,” Ed hissed. “I’ll meet you on the front steps at noon. Now excuse me, I have a class to teach,” he emphasized.

“I’ll help you,” the Prince said, moving to follow him in the door. “Your students could benefit greatly from the tutorage of a Prince.”

“No,” Ed said. “You can’t help me. I mean, I don’t need your help. Just go with…” but Ed stopped because the woman was gone.

Ed turned a complete circle, but it was almost as if she had never been there. He looked at the Prince with his mouth hanging open.

“There are many things we can teach each other,” the Prince said. “I will allow you to introduce me to your students; I will even allow them to speak with me.”

Ed scowled and yanked the classroom door open, stomping in. The Prince followed behind and pulled the door shut.

***

Alphonse cleaned out his desk slowly. He lingered over the task far longer than necessary and for the briefest of moments he considered, just considered, asking the Colonel to extend his contract another year.

The military was, in many respects, like his family. They were always there for him and they had provided for him in his time of need. They had made his life neat and orderly and efficient.

The thought of being truly on his own was rather alien to Al. He had been part of a unit, whether it was he and his brother, or he and his fellow officers, for all his life. He considered himself a bit of a hypocrite, alternately wanting to be on his own, but still wanting to be watched over in some aspect. Well he had Ed for the ‘watch over’ part. His elder brother did it with zealous glee and wouldn’t deprive him of that.

At the end of next week, he would be on a train for Central. He was being accompanied by the Colonel, who was attending the birthday party his brother and the General were throwing, so he was at least glad for that. Getting to ride on the train with the Colonel was a wonderful bonus. It was probably the best birthday present he could have, inadvertently delivered into his lap by said Pirate and brother.

Ed had sounded frazzled on the phone last night. He had spilled out all his extra duties at school and his sudden cultural attaché assignment. He apologized repeatedly that the ‘Xingian mooching bastard’ would be at his party, but Al had assured him it was quite alright and that he even looked forward to meeting an actual Prince. Ed had just groaned and said that was playing right into that ‘insufferable sneaky Xingian bastard’s’ hands. From the way Ed complained about him, it sounded a lot like Ed complaining about the Pirate. Ed must like the man and be in complete denial about it. He never surrendered gracefully to friendships; the person wishing to be his friend had to beat him into it.

Despite the fact that he would be a free man in a week and a half’s time, Alphonse still had a lot of projects on the table. He and the Colonel had already decided which of the projects he would be hired on to finish and which he would turn over to Parkerson in the labs department. They were really all his pets and he didn’t like the fact he had to give some of them up, but that was a sacrifice to his freedom. Freedom never came cheaply.

Nothing had ever come cheaply, to be honest. It was just as well. He stood up and carried the file folder box out of his tiny office and down the hall to the big office, bringing it over to Pharr who was sitting at the big table. He lingered in front of the mail cabinet.

“We’re going to miss you around here,” Pharr said. “It won’t be the same.”

“Don’t say that,” Al said. “I’ll still be working here, it’s not like I’ll be gone for good.”

“It’s only a matter of time,” Pharr said. “You’re too smart to cool your heels around this old office. There are plenty of opportunities and new ventures waiting out there for the likes of you. You’ll be eighteen, sir, that’s a big time in your life.”

Al smiled at the man and sat down across from him.

“But there is one good thing about it,” Pharr said, grinning.

“What’s that?” Al asked.

“I can call you ‘Al’,” Pharr laughed.

***


Ling handed Edward the bill, leaned down and kissed him soundly on his right cheek. Ed’s hand flew up to cover the area, then he scrubbed it hard with his glove, scowling.

“What the hell was that for!?” he snapped.

“That is a custom in my country, when someone provides you with a meal,” the Prince smiled pleasantly and inclined his head.

“Well that’s not how we do things here,” Ed groused. “Keep your foreign lips to yourself… she’s not going to kiss me too, is she?” Ed looked warily at Ran Fan.

“Oh, she can if she likes, I don’t mind,” the Prince said.

“I do!” Ed exclaimed. “Look, you want to know about Amestris culture, here’s the first clue: don’t go around kissing everyone!”

“Really? That’s a pity, what an unfriendly culture,” the Prince turned and frowned at Ran Fan. She bowed her head a bit.

“I’m supposed to pay for it all?” Ed asked, waving the check. “You’re a Prince, aren’t you rich or something?”

“That may be, but our currency is not accepted here,” Ling said. “You don’t mind, do you?” He tilted his head.

Ed grumbled and fished out his wallet, leaving cens with ample tip on the table.

“What I mind is filling out a requisition form, because the state is paying for your mooching ass, not me,” he snorted.

They both stood staring at him, the Prince grinning like a loon and the woman unreadable.

“Well okay then,” Ed said. “I’ll be going.”

“Tomorrow we’d like to try a different restaurant,” the Prince said. “Perhaps a moving picture show. We’ve heard many good things about them, haven’t we?” he looked again to Ran Fan.

She just nodded solemnly.

“What? What? No, I took you to lunch, “ Ed said. “So that’s it. I’ve got a class to teach and an event…”

“To coordinate, yes I know,” Ling said. “What moving picture show do you recommend?”

“I’m not the one to ask,” Ed said. “Ask Havoc, he goes all the time now that he’s got a girlfriend,” Ed waved them off. “I’m going now,” he reminded them.

They stood and watched him walk off.

“To what clan do you attribute this custom of a kiss in thanks for a meal?” Ran Fan said, the corner of her mouth tilting up slightly.

“To the clan of his irresistible charm. You know how I am with temptation,” the Prince returned.

“No, it’s how temptation is with you, Highness,” Ran Fan said smoothly. “You are its veritable slave; it’s such a disgrace for royalty.”

The Prince shrugged easily and tilted his head toward her.

“What will you do with me?” he asked.

“The same thing I always do with you,” she returned. “Follow you and make sure you don’t get killed. As for the other, who am I to question.”

“Just think,” the Prince said, starting off, Ran Fan falling into step slightly behind and to his left, “all the other consorts would be jealous, and they are women.”

“You have this disturbing habit to be led by things you shouldn’t,” Ran Fan sighed.

“Do I make your life hard?” the Prince asked.

“No Highness, you make it interesting.”

Ling smirked and hailed them a cab.