I shouldn't be writing this... I shouldn't be posting this... but I'm going to anyway.

This is my first Fullmetal Alchemist fanfiction, so I'm sorry if anyone is out of character! I tried my best, but you know how it is...

Disclaimer: I do not own.

~oOo~

Illuminated

Black.

That was his world.

Dark.

Nothing.

Not a sliver of light broke through.

It was just him and the darkness.

It did not used to be like this. For a fleeting moment when he was young he saw the light. He saw the world.

Then it was taken away in a flash.

A crash.

A bang.

A lick of flame.

And now everything was black.

He had once seen the world.

His dark eyes had gazed upon his wonders.

He wished that he had appreciated it more.

He wished he had taken in the simple yet beautiful details of the world before it had been taken away.

But he did not, for he was young and naïve and thought that he would see forever until his dying day.

How wrong he was.

It was all black now.

He knew his face was scarred, oh yes. He knew from every tell-tale gasp, every whisper when they thought he couldn't hear them. He knew, although he could not see, that he got stared at, got given looks of pity.

He acted indifferent.

After all, why pretend that you are something that you're not? He knew he was scarred. He knew he was blind.

So why pretend he wasn't?

Roy Mustang's world was black.

And he never let any light in.

~oOo~

The day had been perfectly fine, perfectly normal.

He had acted out his normal routine.

Nothing was different to what it usually was.

So why did everything go to pot?

Why did everything change?

It took only a sentence for his normal world to come crashing down around him.

"Class, I would like you to meet Edward Elric."

A new student.

Oh yippee.

"He's going to be joining our class from now on, so make him feel welcome." The teacher droned. Roy was barely concentrating, instead clicking his fingers slightly. He was snapped into reality when a smooth yet slightly high pitched voice interrupted the teacher.

"Hi."

He imagined the voice would go with a small, shy wave from this Edward Elric. From the voice, the guy sounded handsome, so he imagined that there would be girls blushing and looking away.

"Now, Edward," Mrs Whats-Her-Face said without any enthusiasm, "the only available seat is next to Roy."

Oh.

Oh.

Fuck.

The class sniggered and booed.

"Ha, good luck newbie!" One of the dicks called from the back of the class.

"He's gonna need it if he's sitting next to flame-o over there!"

He feigned indifference, as usual. He'd heard it all before, nothing affected him any more.

"Settle down children!" The teacher yelled, some emotion actually entering her voice for a second.

There was a clattering sound. He felt a presence next to him.

"Hi." The same smooth voice from before spoke again. "I'm Edward."

"I know."

"Don't be a smart ass." Edward retorted. "What's your name?"

"Roy Mustang." He muttered.

"Well it's nice to meet you Roy Mustang." Suddenly his hand was being grasped in a tight grip and shaken. He resisted the urge to cry out in shock, knowing full well that if he did the dicks at the back of the class would never let him hear the end of it.

And it was just Edward shaking his hand.

They sat in silence whilst the teacher scribbled on the board. When they were told to work and the chatter started up again, Edward spoke.

"What do you get up to then?"

Roy was sick of it. He was sick of Edward sitting next to him. He was sick of his incessant questions. He was sick of Edward Elric not playing by the rules.

"Why aren't you asking me why I'm blind?" He asked. It probably came out a bit louder than expected but the constant talking didn't stop.

The question shocked Edward into silence, yet still he continued.

"Most people are. They say 'how did you get those scars?' or 'how come you're blind then? Was it some accident or were you born that way?' I don't mind, ask away." A hint of sarcasm crept into his voice, lacing the words with venom.

It took Edward a while to respond.

"Between you and me," Edward whispered, "I know what its like to get those questions."

"That's a bullshit answer and you know it. You're just too scared. You're scared of me and the answer you'll get. Well if you don't want to know, I'm not going to tell you."

"That's fine by me." The teen retorted. "I don't even know why I tried to be civil in the first place if you're just going to be like that. I won't talk to you again."

His neighbour huffed and there was a whooshing sound that was probably Edward turning away. They fell into another silence.

'Way to go Roy. You just pushed away the only person to treat you as an equal in years. Well done, congrats, here, have a medal.'

The day was off to a brilliant start.

Only six more hours to go.

~oOo~

'How does a blind person do work?' One may ask. 'How can they write and do school work when they can't see the paper or pen, and they can't see the notes the teacher made?'

Well Roy Mustang used a Braille typewriter. He made notes with the typewriter at school. These notes were used for revision or help when he needed it. He did the homework that was set on a computer with a Braille keyboard, that could print in Braille or actual words that people with sight could read.

That's all that I'm going to say about the matter, because if I went into any more detail half the chapter would be exposition about typewriters.

He didn't get as much homework as other, normal people. Apparently, they didn't want to overload him with work to make things easier for him at home or something.

What a load of bullshit that was.

He spent most of the night doing the aforementioned homework. After that was done he didn't attempt to go downstairs and socialise. He just stayed in his room.

He was fine with that. The walls were sound proof, and no one could hear what he was saying.

He quickly made sure that the door was closed and barred. He wasn't allowed a lock on his door in case 'he injured himself and needed assistance' which again was a load of bull. He was perfectly fine on his own, thank you very much.

He made his way to his bed and sat down. Roy listened for a few minutes to make sure that no one was going to bother him before he started.

"Hi Maes." He whispered. "Are you there? I suppose I better tell you how my day went, before you force it out of me.

Today was... different. There was a new kid, absolute douchebag if you ask me..." He could imagine his friend giving him a 'really' look. "Oh okay, he was actually pretty decent. I mean, he didn't treat me any different. But you know me, always screwing things up. I messed up, I pushed him away. I shouldn't have done that. I could have had an actual friend for once. I mean, not that you're not my friend, just... a school friend. One that could stand up for me, you know?

Those dicks pushed me again. I only got a scrape this time, thank God. Last time I ended up with a black eye, and they almost got reported before I said it was because I tripped and fell. This time they only took my cane for a bit, nothing new.

God Maes... I miss you. I sometimes think about what life would be like with you here. Probably much more bearable. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't done that... if I'd have listened to you... oh well, its all in the past. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me Maes."

He could imagine his friend's response, clear as day in his mind.

'It's fine Roy-boy. You just keep your head up, and don't let people keep you down! I'll be here, even if no one else is! Now, go get 'em!'

He chuckled slightly. "Thanks Maes. I knew I could count on you. Goodnight."

The black haired teen curled up under the covers. He tried to sleep, but he could not. Images and voices kept flashing through his mind.

'You shouldn't do that Roy... its a bad idea.'

'It'll be fine! I know what I'm doing!'

The worried face of his friend, glasses almost falling down his face.

'We could get seriously hurt! Your house could be damaged! What if-'

'Maes. We'll be fine.'

'If you insist...'

Flames.

Fire.

Screams.

Smoke.

His friend's face, contorted in pain, mouth open wide, screaming his name.

'Roy! Roy, help me!'

Then he was engulfed by the fire.

His parents cries for help.

The fire taking everything.

Reaching towards him.

Licking his body.

Touching his face.

Then darkness.

'It's all your fault!'

'I don't know why I tried to be civil with you.'

'I know what it's like to get asked those questions.'

'What do you get up to?'

'Don't be a smart ass.'

'What's your name?'

'I'm Edward.'

'Hi.'

~oOo~

Wow. I should really not be writing another fic. But the plot bunnies... oh Jegus they just wouldn't leave me alone!

I have two other fics on the go right now, and they'll take priority over this one so updates might be few and far between. I don't know when one will be finished, but the other only has a few more chapter left I think! Even thought it's the holidays for me, I've been pretty busy, so I haven't been able to update for a while.

Also, with the ending... the end part of the ending is his and Edward's conversation played in reverse.

This is eventual RoyEd, so if you don't like that then please don't read! And definitely don't send hate through the reviews!

Speaking of reviews... I would really like some constructive criticism! Tell me what you think! Good, bad, bloody awful... whatever you think, I'd like to know!

It might be a while until the next update, but I'll try my best! See you soonish!