Ishval: 1918

Ed slowly walked around Mustang's office and looked at the books on the shelves and pictures of the old team on the wall. It was hard to not miss those days and hard to not be pissed at himself for enjoying what he had. In those days, all he wanted to do was keep moving and now he wished he just stayed still a little longer. To enjoy the people who wouldn't be there when his journey was over.

He pried his eyes away from the photo and walked over to Mustang's desk and contemplated sitting down. He had been waiting on the General for over two hours and he was beyond bored. Now he needed something to read or write, writing in his journal had only kept him occupied for so long. He looked at the picture of Mustang and Hughes as cadets, they looked so young and he couldn't help but wonder what Mustang looked like now. He looked up as boots echoed down the hall and finally the floor creaked and the door opened.

"Fullmetal."

It was said with a twinge of excitement and a damned smile! He still looked the same, he still looked good. Ed smiled back. "I'm not a State Alchemist anymore, you have to stop calling me that."

Roy closed the door and walked over to his desk. "So what brings you all the way out here to Ishval? Did you find something in your travels that will help you get your alchemy back or are you here to invite me to your wedding?"

Ed grimaced and Mustang saw it before he could realize he reacted. "Nah, we...haven't made plans for the wedding yet."

"What's that look for?" Roy asked and sat down.

"Nothing." Ed said and walked over to the couch and sat down next to his bags. "I brought you some books I came across in my travels and thought they might be of interest to you."

Roy sat back in his chair and studied Ed. Since the Promised Day they had moved past their old ways of arguing and irritating each other and settled into a more professional relationship. Ed would send him letters about alchemy and he would respond in turn with his own answers and left the politics and personal items out of correspondence. It was odd though, having Ed here. He had grown up. "You traveled all this way to Ishval to give me books?"

"I have more friends than just you here, you're just my first stop."

"We're friends?" Roy countered with a smirk and that got a look from Ed. One of annoyance, a warning to not try to push the issue of their truce.

Ed stood up and picked up the books and walked over to Roy's desk and dropped them on it. "Fuck you too."

"Still dramatic without the alchemy and red coat I see." Roy said and grabbed the top book and his eyebrows raised. "Where did you find this one?"

"Out west." Ed answered and watched Mustang's head tilt forward a bit and his bangs cover his face while he looked at the book. It gave him a chance to study him a little without being observed, to feel that pulse of arousal and make him wonder when his fixation with his old boss had happened. There was no denying it anymore, he had a thing for Mustang. Well that answered his question and he knew he should just leave now. "Like I said I have other people to see so..."

"Right now?" Roy asked. "You were on the last train here it's not like you have a schedule you have to meet. Look, the least I can do is give you something to eat for these books? Maybe talk about what else you've found in your attempts to get back your alchemy?"

"I've found nothing." Ed said too sharply and Roy looked up at him with the most beautiful look he had ever seen and he had to close his eyes to avoid getting flushed. Fuck. He was attracted to Roy Goddamned Mustang. This was more than just fodder for evening masturbation, this was something a hell of a lot more. "You don't need to feed me..."

"I'd appreciate the company and someone to talk to." Roy said and stood up and grabbed his new books. "Help remind me there is more to this world than just fucking sand and red tape."

He couldn't help but ask, he didn't know why he needed to know. "Are you telling me the Lieutenant isn't waiting at home for you? You're not going to make me walk in your house and see a bunch of kids you've been keeping secret from the world are you?"

"We're just old friends." Roy said and sighed. "She doesn't live with me, we don't and will not have kids and we're not dating."

"I saw you two during the promised day..."

"Just old friends." Roy said and picked up his new books. "You keep this up I'm going to keep asking about your wedding."

"Fair enough." Ed said and went to open the door for Roy. It bothered him though, why did Mustang never get married? Hughes was pushy about it, but he had a point: it made him look better as a candidate for Fuhrer. A family man image went a long way. Mustang had a reputation as a playboy so he wondered if that had something to do with it, but this was Ishval and he couldn't imagine there being a pool of ladies lined up for date night with him.

"Ed?" Roy asked as he saw Ed stare at the handle instead of opening the door. He wasn't sure how to approach this, he wasn't the kind of guy who you came to to talk about relationships.

"Sorry!" Ed said and opened the door and smiled. He caught Mustang's look of concern and added. "Long trip. Guess I shouldn't have sat down for so long, caught up with me."

"Sorry I made you wait." Roy replied and nodded to the door as his hands were full. "Make sure you lock it and let's get home. I'm sure you want to get a shower and relax."

"I can just find a barracks, be like old times..."

"Stop being a pain in the ass, Fullmetal." Roy grumbled. "Just let me be hospitable for once without having to fight you over it."