The Bet of the Year - Chapter 8

[jarnsaxa]

 

A/N: A bit earlier than announced, but I don´t think anyone will complain :D After all, it´s better to promise nothing and deliver something than the opposite.

 

Beta: Ca11iope, you did once again a wonderful job. ^.^ thank you!

 

Warnings:  Same as last chapter + (insert chapter title here XD)

 

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The Bet of the Year

 

Chapter 8: Denial

 

 

In the end, Ed didn´t perform any castrations that evening.  But Roy suspected it was more because Edward knew that cutting his host’s dick off would reduce the chance of his seeing Roy’s research again than the fact that Roy answered the damn question the very same second it was repeated.  Regardless, the General was saved from the guillotine in the form of an automail-blade.

 

And after the initial threat to Roy’s manhood, the rest of the evening saw the pair working very effectively.  Surprising, considering who was working with whom. No more insults.  Well, very few, and no more threats of bodily harm.

 

 

 

As the night progressed, Roy caught himself observing Ed quite often, although, thankfully, Ed didn´t notice.  And the Colonel repeatedly found himself being the object of a very intense gaze as well. He was usually the focus of that intense amber regard when he went out of his way to explain some of the more obscure runes and their bonds with other symbols.  Fullmetal was a walking encyclopedia when it came to alchemy, and in any other alchemic discipline their roles would have been reversed. But in this particular branch of the science, Roy was the expert, and some of the symbols and combinations Ed simply couldn´t know because they were not recorded in any book or journal.  The majority of these hermetic symbols were developed by the man who had taught Roy himself, and it had taken the Flame Alchemist’s teacher many years of careful study, dangerous experimentation, and patience to perfect them. 

 

Over time, Roy had made his own contributions to the collection.  He had based his own research on the work of his teacher, modifying, extending, and refining the theories, then experimenting with his findings until his results were solid and functional.  Over the years Roy had built a firm theoretical structure for his particular brand of alchemy on the solid foundation of his master’s work.  Thinking about it brought back the memories of an idealistic young man, eager to study, and proud to develop his own, individual contribution to this amazing science.

 

It also brought the shameful realization of what has become of this young man.

 

No longer a scientist, but a soldier.

 

Roy didn´t regret the path he had chosen, not even after all the things he experienced in Ishbal. Alchemy, a power that could literally change the world’s very components, had been not enough to change a country.  It had not been enough to end a massacre disguised as a war.  In fact, it had made things worse.  But despite the way the military had violated his beliefs and forced him to burn his ideals with his own alchemy, the science had remained his passion.

 

And now he regretted having abandoned this passion in favor of frivolous, mundane pursuits, things like whoring himself out to sluts like Julia. Of course he was a man and needed to get laid from time to time, but the amount of effort he put into dating had grown way out of sensible proportion, and it had taken this crazy bet for Roy to realize it.

His career had bloomed, but his private life had wasted away along with the ideals he’d once had. It left a bitter taste.

 

“Roy?”

 

Ed´s voice startled him back to reality. Looking up, his eyes met the young man’s beside him. The expression was so open Ed might as well have been screaming his thoughts.  Concern.  For Roy, of all people.  The older man wondered at the hesitant question written in the blond´s eyes, and the lack of insults and threats.  And Ed calling him by his first name.  Had he ever done that before?

 

“Yes?”

 

Roy’s voice didn´t sound like it should.  Far too quiet, as if it didn´t want to disturb the sudden, strange atmosphere that had appeared the moment he´d been brought back from his thoughts. Too heavy.  Too intimate.  For a moment Roy wondered what he looked like, what Fullmetal had seen in his face that brought out the sad understanding in the other alchemists expression. For a brief moment, it changed into an encouraging smile. Small, almost unrecognizable, but there.

 

Ed didn´t question him further, but once again pointed at the research, shifting his attention back to the alchemy in front of him.  And Roy took his time, once again observing the short alchemist. He knew Ed must have been aware of it, but this time he did nothing to stop him. The Colonel wondered what had happened to the curious and bold brat who needed to know everything, stridently demanding the information he was denied.

 

 

The answer to that didn´t take long to hit the older man.  After all, even though he had never participated in a war, Ed was well aware of how little even the most powerful alchemy could accomplish, and how much damage it could do.  Alphonse.  Nina. Liore.

 

But unlike Roy, the former Fullmetal Alchemist had not abandoned alchemy. Had not drowned his brain in alcohol and let his dick do the thinking for him.

 

 

And Roy was reluctant to allow himself that dubious luxury any longer. After all, he was the one who had lectured Ed time and time again on the virtues of acting like an adult.   How often had he counseled his young subordinate to think before he acted, to consider the consequences of his actions, to take responsibility for his mistakes, and then to move on?  Perhaps it was time for the Flame Alchemist to take his own advice.   

 

Once again, Roy turned his attention to the work before him.

 

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

 

When Ed’s head hit his shoulder, Roy finally took notice of the time.  It amazed him that Edward was tired.  Didn’t the kid have a reputation for pulling multiple all-nighters in the name of research?  Perhaps he had done so already, in order to fit Roy into his busy schedule.  The small peak of guilt over that possibility was replaced by a bit of a shock when Roy looked at the clock.

 

Two a.m.

 

Carefully shaking Ed´s shoulder, Roy tried to wake the young man. Or rather, the young grumbler, since all Ed did was to continue using the officer’s shoulder as a pillow, muttering some incoherent words that didn´t sound nice at all.

 

 

“Ed, wake up.”

 

No luck. But at least this time he recognized the words as “Fuck off an lemme sleep.”

 

 

Lifting one eyebrow, the Colonel stared disbelieving at the blond. How he could even sleep in such a position was beyond Roy’s understanding, but if the Fullmetal wanted him to fuck off, then he would do just that. Not literary of course.  The Colonel dutifully obeyed the dismissal in the young man’s words as he stood up.

 

A loud crash later, Ed was definitely awake and swearing to the best of his abilities.

 

 

“You evil, manipulating son of a bitch!  You-“

 

“I thought you might want to exchange my shoulder for a pillow.” Roy drawled, smirk firmly in place.

 

That shut Ed up in a hurry.

 

While blinking confused, the short alchemist looked at the table, then at Roy.  The other man watched amused as the growing realization turned his former subordinate’s cheeks slightly pink.

A sleepy Edward was definitely something he could take advance of.

 

 

“It´s quite late. I suggest you take my couch for the night.” After all, sending Ed home like this held the distinct possibility that the young man could just doze off while walking.

 

Day 11

Chapterlist

Comments

[lazylamia.livejournal.com]

It's amazing how contemplative man can be when thinks using brain instead of dick - this evening remained Roy about the joy of studying alchemist - quite refreshing thought, I must say.

[cr-jarnsaxa.livejournal.com]

yes, men have some brain cells in their heads (the upper ones XD), even if they do their best to deny the fact XD Roy got a tiny break. The calm before the storm >:D

[havemy-heart.livejournal.com]

All caught up now :) I really loved all of the insights in this chapter in terms of how far from his alchemy Roy has really strayed. At least he realizes it now.

Also loved how he's apparently obsessed with staring at Ed now xD

[cr-jarnsaxa.livejournal.com]

welcome back XD

._. yes, it killed me that he took this long. He´s a stubborn ass, but now I can finally get some revenge XD

[haruka-fanatic.livejournal.com]

Nice work on this. I enjoyed reading it. :)

Ed dozing off while walking home. I guess if you're tired enough it's possible, right?

[cr-jarnsaxa.livejournal.com]

I´m sorry for taking so long to answer ._.
But thank you very much for taking your time and reviewing on all the chapters ^^ I appreciate it (I really do, even though I took so long to anwer u.u )
And I´m happy you liked the chapter ^^

Dozing off while walking home is indeed possible XD I´ve unfortunately tried it ^^° not on purpose, though ^^°°°°

[haruka-fanatic.livejournal.com]

It's alright. :) Sometimes life keeps us really busy from doing other projects.

You are most welcome. I enjoy reading your work. :D

Interesting. I hope you made it home safely.