A/N: Oh my Gosh! I'm back and less immature! Would you look at that? Anyway, I've reread my story and found it completely….trashy! Grammar's off, it seems I skipped words, and all that other crap. So here's what I'll do. Take one more crack at it, if I'm still dissatisfied…well…. That means I'll delete this story from the site, my computer, and my memory. So, there. Review if you want, if not, whatever. Reviews fuel my muse, but imagination is more than enough to get me to the end of a chapter. So, on with the story!

The Steel Truth

Edward's POV

It's been weeks since Roy and I talked. At first, I thought it was just a busy thing, work and all that stuff. Now, it seems like he's purposely avoiding me. Which, is really weird, right? I mean, we just had a deep connection not too long ago in his bed, when he said he loved me. So, what's this sudden need to steer clear of me?

"Ed, how's Al doing?" Riza asked, slapping me on the back as she neared me; her way of making a greeting. The force of her impact was a bit strong and I accidentally spit my coffee out. Sheesh, she was pretty strong for a woman. But this is Hawkeye we are talking about she's stronger than half the men I know.

"Good," I forced a smile, wiping the coffee from my mouth and chin, feeling a bit self-conscious at Riza's laughter at my slipup. Damnit, Ed! Where'd your self-confidence go? "I'm glad that you found that hilarious." I deadpanned, causing her to cease her laughter and give me a quizzical look. I don't know where the sudden attitude change came from, myself.

"Hey, Ed? I wasn't trying to upset you or anything. You know that, right?" She seemed genuinely worried and that made me even more agitated. She was giving me the same look Winry gave me when I came home three days after my encounter with Roy and did nothing but mope all day. I didn't need sympathy and I sure as hell didn't need pity. Which, is what she would show me if I told her a vague description of my problem.

I just forced a smile instead, "Sorry, Hawkeye! I'm just a bit moody from fighting with Winry all night!" It wasn't a complete lie. I had argued with Winry the previous night, but only for a bit over something senile. "Hey, Hawkeye, have you seen Roy around here?" I asked. I knew it was stupid to say it so hopefully, but when she gave me an answer I didn't care how hopeful I had sounded previously.

"I think he's in his office. I told him he couldn't leave until he did all of his paperwork, for the night." Just as soon as she answered, I headed off, shouting back a thanks. I could hear her mutter something else about Roy, it sounded something along the lines of , 'slacker'.

Running past others who worked in the building, bumping into a few people, I came to a sudden halt in front of Roy's office door. Okay Ed, how to go about this? Bust in and demand him to explain….or calmly and subtly approach the matter. Eh, the latter sounded more logical. Though, the former sounded much more appealing.

Taking a deep breath, I rasped quietly on the door and entered the room.; not bothering to await a reply for admittance. I closed the door behind me and made my way to the sofa that resided within his office, then sat with my legs crossed. I stayed seated in that position, quietly thinking, for about half an hour or so, before Roy finally spoke up.

"Edward, what are you doing in my office?" He demanded, his voice a bit strained. So, he was calling me by my first name…his first slipup leading to our confrontation! I hid my predatory grin and took on a nonchalant stature. "Nothing, just sitting. Hawkeye wanted me to make sure you actually finished your work." I finished off my explanation with a overdramatic stretch and sprawled out across the couch. I could feel the irritation radiate off of him.

"Let me get this correct, you had nothing better to do than watch me, for Hawkeye? I find that hard to believe, Elric." Roy's voice was getting a bit rougher, I could now clearly hear the strain in it. We've moved on to last names, I see. It would only take a bit more for him to crack and bring up the issue first. It was just a matter of whether or not I could continue acting so oblivious and infuriating. Which, was pretty easy as it was kind of my natural nature. A grin tugged at my lips and I allowed it to show this time, but toned it down to seem more playful than anything.

"Correct!" I leaned my head back, over the armrest, in order to show the man my toothy grin. I could just picture myself in his shoes and how comical and annoying this would seem. The annoyance and anger seemed to really radiate from him now. "So, are you done yet?" I peeked open one eye and stared up at him. The corner of his lips were twitching and a vein in his forehead seemed to be following suit. I continued my charades.

"Ya know, when I use to go to Alchemy lessons, Teacher use to make us do tons of homework….but she just threw it away after she saw that we took the time to put effort into it. She said, it was her way of making sure we put full effort into everything, as to not become lazy. I guess you can tell that didn't work out to well. For Al, maybe. For me….nah!" I let a small chuckle escape my lips and suddenly the room seemed stuffy and crowded. All at once, Roy erupted.

"WHAT IS THE REASON OF YOU COMING HERE, ED?" His voice boomed and I immediately switched from nonchalant to angry. The drastic change in demeanor surprised him and a bit of his fury dwindled.

"Shut up, you bastard! You know damn well why I'm here, otherwise you wouldn't have commented on it! And don't you dare call me that, again!" My eyes were on fire now, and I was trying to make him burst into flames with a menacing glare. "You tell a guy you love him, then purposely avoid him for three straight weeks. Way to establish a relationship, bastard!" Angrily, I wipe away the tears that slipped past my eyes and down my cheeks. I was never really good at hiding my emotions, I'm like an open book.

"Listen here, Ed." The bastard was talking now, not nearly as loud as his eruption but with just as much harshness and anger. "What I said to you, was a mistake. I never meant to say those words to you and I thought they would mean as much to you as me. I guess I was wrong, there. So, whatever anger you have, take it elsewhere. Hell, if you need to, let it build up and quietly resent me. But, you will not stand in my office, a rank nowhere near mine's, and judge me! Got it?" He looked at me waiting for me to show my understanding and I swallowed back a nice lengthy rant and nodded. So, this is how he wanted it. He didn't really want a relationship, just a quick fling or whatever. No matter, I was done with him as well, then. He seemed to sober pretty quickly, "Goodbye, State Alchemist. If Hawkeye really wants to know whether I've finished my work or not, she can come check for herself. That is all."

"Yeah, good riddance." I mumbled, exiting the room breathlessly.

Even though I hate him for this, I still can't help but cry.

A/N: Yay! Whattya think? Is it any good, or just as bad as the rest? I mean, I liked the overall go with the flow idea of my plot, but I mean is the grammar decent? Hopefully it is, because I liked it! Now I have to delete this story, from this computer anyway. It's my older sister's computer and I can't have her knowing I'm into yaoi. Her and my Mom already found my Drarry lime, which they call Potter porn, and have already informed the entire family of it, including the old folks! Darn, I better not write anymore…just type. It's a lot easier to get rid of the evidence out of the documents than finding a secluded area to throw away my stories…which would then go to waste. So, yeah….Tell me how I did! Should I continue or what?