Gearworks
Legacy Name: Gearworks

Roy had never found the little metal rings interesting. At least, he had no reason to pay them any attention, not until now. At the present, Roy found himself sitting in his over-sized office chair, his boots propped up on his desk, in a manner that was oddly similar to that of his favorite alchemist. His desk was hardly visible through the mountain of books that he had borrowed from Central Library and the stacks of unsigned papers that he had neglected for the book in his white gloved hands.

The book was titled "Gearworks", and Roy figured it probably wasn't the best book to start with. He should have started with "Automail for Dummies", but the Colonel turned Fuhrer was too stubborn to admit to himself that he couldn't understand the printed text. The complexity of attaching an automail limb was significantly harder than Roy had thought. He had known it was painful, he had even witnessed that first hand, but he hadn't realized how precise you had to be, matching each flesh nerve to the right metal sockets.

The diagrams were the only things that made any sense at all; the colored wires, metal muscles, joints and casings - these were what he knew. The exterior was familiar but it was the inside he was seeking to learn about. Frankly he knew nothing about the inner working of the prosthetic, but Roy prided in himself because could identify a lug-nut when he saw one.

Roy planned to work through the night so that he could learn all he could and he thought had done so until he woke at first light with his face plastered to an open page. He peeled his face away from the offending page and scrubbed his eyes with his fists. With a yawn he got to his feet and headed towards the washroom. He couldn't help but grin at his reflection, it reminded him of Ed. His hair was messy, his eyes blood shot and he had the words from page 96 plastered across his reddened cheek.

Splashing cool water on his face, he scrubbed the dirt and tiredness from his face. He glanced longingly at the shower but settled for a washcloth and clean soapy water. There was no reason for him to check his watch. He already knew that he had overslept and would not have time for his shower, but there was always time for coffee.

Once cleaned up, he headed towards the kitchen and turned on the coffee maker, smiling to himself as the sweet aroma filled the air. Frying up some eggs he retrieved a cup of freshly brewed java and took a seat at the table. It was quieter than usual and Roy wasn't accustomed to it. Ed wasn't here to complain about the eggs or to throw a pillow at him because he was too damn lazy to go to work. The blonde had moved in with him almost two years ago when Ed's brother, Al, got married to Ed's automail mechanic, Winry. Ed was not a morning person, or an afternoon person or even an evening person, but Roy missed his presence, the house seemed empty without him.

Roy wasn't sure how he ever managed without the blonde by his side. Without him the nightmares plagued him and sleep evaded him; he had the dark circles under his eyes to prove it. Wars and battles of his past haunted him in his slumber and the only cure seemed to be Edward sleeping by his side.

Even at the beginning it had been that way. Roy could never forget that first night that they slept side by side. They were on a mission staying in a small cottage in the north, both men too stubborn to sleep on the couch so they both came to the silent agreement that they would stick to one side of the bed. However the nights up north were cold and in the morning they woke, backs pressed together, feeding of each other's warmth. It was only then, in the light hues of the morning sun that Roy realized he had not been haunted in his dreams.

It wasn't too long after that, that Ed moved in with him. The military dorms were under renovation and Ed had no place to stay, so the Colonel had generously offered his home.

Roy smirked to himself remembering the account. Slowly, very slowly, the two men had warmed up to each other, though, if provoked Ed would rant and rave like he had as a teen. Ed had been so weary at first, but when Roy had needed him most, Ed was there to help him back on his own two feet. With his promotion to fuhrer, their relationship was temporarily distanced and Roy learned just how much he needed the blonde.

Thoughts of wires and lug nuts had brought up many painful memories as well. Ed's metal arm and leg had been destroyed more than once during a mission, leaving him helpless in the arms of the enemy. Roy had lost countless nights of sleep hovering over a hospital bed and praying that he hadn't been too late. As a result he had vowed that he would learn to fix Ed's metal limbs so Ed wouldn't have to go to Risenbul to see his mechanic. Though a break from the city and work would do them both well.

Ed was currently on a mission, no doubt being reckless and getting himself in some sort of trouble. Out of all the alchemists in the army Ed had the highest damage rate, but that was to be expected since he could do alchemy without a transmutation circle since he was 12.

Roy donned on his uniform jacket, his thoughts still swirling about like a tempest. These mornings were always the worst. Whenever Ed was gone he couldn't sleep, he was agitated, worried and unable to concentrate on his work. Things tend to go badly when the country's Fuhrer struggles to get his work done, paperwork being the necessary evil. So, unless given another choice, Edward stayed by his side, but there were times were Ed's talents were best suited for the job.

Sighing, Roy moved to the door, slipping on his boots and tediously tying up the long sets of laces. A knock on the door made the Fuhrer frown. Since his promotion his men insisted that he have an escort to work when Ed wasn't around. He had insisted he didn't need their protection, after all he was the Flame Alchemist, conquer of Shambola, but without fail someone was there to pick him up. He had insisted on walking the first time, not wanting to be babysat, but eventually he gave in. Straightening up he opened the door to reveal Colonel Armstrong. The burly man had a big grin on his face and as usual, sparkles seemed to glitter in his wake.

“Good morning, Fuhrer!” Armstrong pulled Roy into a big hug before releasing him. “It's a jolly fine morning, this morning. It reminds me of a time when...”

Roy tuned the man out as he often did. The Colonel was a good guy, no doubt, but he talked far too much. He finished off his shoes and grabbed his keys from the pedestal beside the door. He led the way out of the house, receiving a big, painful pat on the back from Armstrong. Glumly, he moved to the car and opened the back door for himself before sliding in. Armstrong got into the driver's seat and they were off for Central Headquarters.

He was on autopilot as he nodded to his staff as he made his way towards his office. His mind was still processing all the information from “Gearworks” and straying often to the absent blonde. His office was finely furnished, which was a nice change from his office as a Colonel, but it was a little taste of indulgence that he allowed himself since his paperwork had also increased. Like a drone, he deposited his jacket on the coat rack and slipped into his giant leather chair.

The moment he placed his hands on the desk there was a the sound of a clap, a flash of light, the smell of alchemy and his pencils had been transformed into manacles. He first thought was to panic, but he didn't know anyone else who clapped their hands to do alchemy other than Ed. Grinning he smiled up as his lover who sat at the opposite side of the room. “You're home early.”

“Arrogant basta-!” Ed began but cut himself short. Roy usually looked un-kept when he returned, but this time to looked a little worse than usual. “What happened to you?” The question wasn't soft or concerned, but that was Ed, he almost always sounded pissed, then again so did Roy.

Roy was the sappy one in the relationship, he always was, so Ed would probably find it amusing. “You'd laugh if I told you.” He snarled.

Roy was determined to be the first one home. He wasn't expecting Ed back so soon, so he had left his automail books scattered about the house. He didn't want Ed to know what he'd been studying, it was far too embarrassing.

They were both due to be off at the same time and leaving his office, Roy could see that Ed was already headed out. Weaving in between staff he was almost caught-up when Hawkeye stopped him. She proceeded to ask him twenty questions, most relating to his paperwork and scolding him for slacking off and leaving on time. Glancing out the window he could see Ed walking off in the direction of home, at least he wouldn't be driving.

After about five minutes he managed to ditch Hawkeye and make a break for the door. He could still make it in time. Driving like a maniac he scanned the roads in search of Ed, hoping that he was taking his time. He wasn't.

The front door was unlocked when he arrived and he momentarily thought of going for a drink before coming back, but decided against it. He hated drinking alone. Gathering his courage he opened the door to find Ed at the kitchen table with tears in his eyes, his gaze fixed on the book in his hands.

“I was hoping to have that put away before you got back.” Roy attempted to explain, but Ed shook his head and looked to the elder man.

“You were reading this because of me.” Roy nodded. “Gearworks” Ed scoffed. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?” The blonde smiled and Roy went to him, nothing could be better than being together.

Fan Pet - Fullmetal Alchemist

adopted from User not found: emochu

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