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Edward never saw Mustang’s mark. The man kept it hidden under his gloves most days, and it was like any time Edward was around, it was one of those days Mustang had it covered. Edward knew it wasn’t intentional. At least, that’s what he suspected. Mustang didn’t know what Edward’s mark had been, so he couldn’t have any reason to believe Ed was his soulmate. He never knew Ed before his arm was taken.
But then again, maybe Mustang suspected just as Edward did. Maybe he didn’t want a soulmate like Ed? It made sense. Mustang hated Edward, right? Even if sometimes he acted so soft towards Ed.
That’s when Ed had thought that maybe he could have been stupid Colonel Roy Mustang’s soulmate. He already knew his soulmate was platonic. He had studied a lot about soulmates when they were bringing their mother back. He had to know everything. They had no idea what information they would need to know for the transmutation to work. It turned out that it didn’t matter because no matter what, it wasn’t possible to bring someone back from the dead.
But all the same, the research had shed light on what the marks meant and how one was to read and interpret their mark.
Edward sighed. But, again, Mustang didn’t want a brat like Ed as his soulmate, and it’s not like Ed could prove he was Mustang’s soulmate he had no mark to show. Mustang would just tell him to get out of his office. It would be so convenient… Even if Ed were Mustang’s soulmate, that didn’t mean Mustang had to like him. Mustang would hate him, and that was fine… Ed didn’t need a soulmate anyway. It would be a waste of time when he was supposed to be putting all of his efforts into getting Alphonse his body back.
Ed turned his attention back on his work before Lieutenant Hawkeye noticed him slacking off. He saw what she could do and what she was willing to do to Mustang. He had been put on desk duty by Mustang after a mission didn’t go well and he almost was killed in action by an alchemist that had been attempting to make some sort of stone like the Philosopher’s Stone. It didn’t work… And the rebound was bad. Ed shook the thought from his head. He didn’t want to think about it. It was an unsettling memory.
“Edward?” The Lieutenant’s voice cut into his thoughts.
“Huh?” Edward lifted his head. He grimaced inwardly. He hadn’t been quick enough to avoid the reprimanding.
“The Colonel called you into his office twice now. I think it would be best if you went in now, Edward,” the lieutenant answered, nodding to the inner office’s door.
“Oh.” Edward jumped up. So he wasn’t in trouble… Well, not with Lieutenant Hawkeye, at the very least. Mustang was a whole lot less scary.
He pushed out against his chair, making his way toward Mustang’s office. He didn’t risk a glance at Hawkeye. He kept moving. He couldn’t think of any reason Mustang would have to be mad at him, unless he was planning on chewing Edward out about the mission again.
Edward pushed open Mustang’s door, too distracted to kick it open as usual.
“Close the door, Edward.” Mustang sat at his chair, hands folded and propped up like a pyramid with his chin resting where his mark would be…
Edward paused. Mustang’s hands were gloveless. The mark was covered, but all Mustang had to do was move, and Ed would finally know. His stomach churned with anxiety or excitement or worry. He wasn’t sure what exactly it was. It was just a burbling in his stomach. Maybe it was all and more. He felt sick and elated for sure.
“Fullmetal, I wanted to talk about the mission.”
Yeah, the colonel was ready to chew him out again. Delightful. He didn’t specify which mission, so he knew Ed knew, and he probably thought Edward would spill something if Mustang wasn’t specific. Well, Ed’s lips were sealed. He wasn’t going to say a thing. “What about it?” Well, his lips were sort of sealed. He had to look like he was being open… That way, Mustang had nothing to suspect.
“You almost were killed.” Edward was very aware of that. He hoped that wasn’t going to be Mustang’s only comment because they had been through this already—a few times, actually. Mustang really was pissed about Ed nearly dying. It was probably the paperwork—maybe the fact that he would be losing his promotion project.
Edward didn’t say anything. He just stood there silently. What could he say? “Yeah, that was bad.”? That would be stupid.
“Edward, please…” Mustang looked pained…? Which was so weird. His expressions were weird… Not always what Edward expected. He wasn’t steady. One day, he was decent and the next a bastard.
Edward paused, head finally processing what Mustang said. He locked eyes with the Colonel. Mustang never called him Edward. He never called him anything lovingly… Not even when he was acting ‘soft’ toward Edward. He just didn’t. It didn't fit with their… vibe? Edward swallowed hard. This was different. Edward was in trouble—real trouble.
“Edward, you aren’t in trouble,” Mustang said, voice soft and… distant or regretful? Ed wondered how he was so easy to read. Mustang always seemed to know what he was thinking. He always seemed to know when Ed wanted to cause trouble. He just knew. He was Ed’s soulmate. He had to be… That didn't explain it, but it almost did
“Then, what do you want, Mustang?” Edward watched Mustang’s hand as he spoke. Any movement would answer every one of Edward’s questions. He held his breath.
“I want you to be safe. I told you that when I gave you the temporary desk job. I’m sick of watching you get hurt. Your reckless behaviour hurts us all. Your brother is worried about you. I’m worried about you.” Mustang’s voice rang with genuine concern and emotion. He reached forward, hand on Edward’s. There it was. A small mark that looked just like one that used to be on Edward’s hand before the transmutation that night.
Edward’s eyes went wide. His mouth dropped open. He had suspected, but this was it. This was the proof. This was it… He closed his mouth, trying to gather himself. How could he? He opened his mouth to say something, letting his lip quiver with indecision. He was sure a gaping fish would have more dignity than him in that moment. He couldn’t find the words. He could barely breathe. “I— I— uh?”
“Edward, please… Don’t say anything…” The colonel looked down at the mark on his hand. “I’ve known since we left that day in Resembool. I saw a picture of you on the wall in the Rockbell’s home all that time ago. I should have said something,” Mustang admitted, sighing. “I know it was probably wrong of me, but I was scared. But now I’m more scared of losing you without telling you the truth.”
All Edward could do was stare with open-mouthed shock.
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It wasn’t fair that Edward could scare him that much.
He hated it… For the longest time, Roy had this hard lump of dread in his stomach. He knew Edward was his soulmate. He couldn’t help the worry that maybe he only felt the way he did because he knew Edward was connected to his soul. Would he worry as much if Edward weren’t his soulmate?
Now he knew that wasn’t the case. He knew this feeling was real. The boy was like a son and friend. Roy did love him.
He watched the kid’s eyes stay locked on his hand. He looked pale… Somewhat relieved but shocked.
Edward didn’t hate him. Roy knew that. But… He didn't seem pleased. He doesn't seem all that upset either… Roy just had to count his blessings.
It would be better later. The boy needed time. Roy had been lying to him… No, keeping the truth from him. Same difference. It was lying… He was just looking for an out.
Maybe Roy really was the bastard Edward always claimed he was… No, no, maybe. He most certainly was. There was no denying it.
“How…” Edward seemed… Nothing… And everything… Roy couldn't read him whatsoever right then… His voice was tight. That was his only hint. Edward's face was too shocked for any other emotion.
“Edward… I'm sorry. I really am.”
“Wh—what does this mean?” Edward asked, breathless. Roy understood. He could feel his heart racing out of his chest. It was vibrating with distress and nerves. And apparently, that caused the stomach to churn. Roy's whole body wanted to shut off.
“I don't know what you—what do you mean, Edward?” Did he dare listen for the answer? Soulmates were bound by soul, but it meant nothing of they didn't want to be soulmates… especially a platonic soulmate… Roy felt empathetically closer to Edward and they were easier to understand each other… But it wasn't necessary. There was a slight ache for your soulmate… But that was avoidable if you buried it deep enough.
“Do you…” Whatever it was, it was too hard to say. The words fell apart in Edward's mouth. “Do you love me?”
That was it… That was the scary question. Did he dare say it? He did love Ed. Ed was like a son. He was a friend that… That he couldn't explain…
“Yes, I do. I love you. I care for you…” It broke Roy's heart to say it—to add the words he was about to, “That doesn't mean you have to live me or say it back… It wouldn't be fair to you.” No, it would not be okay… Roy would move forward… He wouldn't be fine… But he'd be relatively… Okay…
“Good… Because despite what a bastard you are… I still love you.” Edward was wearing a fake pout, trying to mask what looked like relief. “In a platonic way… So don’t get all creepy, or I'll turn you in for being a pervert.”
“Edward!” Roy coughed indignantly. The boy was something.
“Just trying to be sure…” Edward’s lip quivered, and his chin kept wrinkling. He looked on the verge of tears.
“Are you all right?” Roy asked, Roy asked, knowing the answer. He didn't need to be Edward's soulmate to see it.
“I just… I found you…” The soft, quiet tears started to flow. “I thought… cause of Al—” Edward clamped his mouth shut. “No, I don't mean that. I don't blame Al.”
“I know,” Roy comforted. “I know what you mean. You'd never blame Alphonse.”
“I just—I need to protect him. I need to be sure he gets his body back.” Edward was looking at him expectantly. He looked like he expected Roy to argue against the idea.
“I'm never going to get in the way of you getting Alphonse’s body back.” Roy couldn't. Alphonse wasn't his soulmate also, but he loved the kid just as much. He was family. They both were. Family was the most important thing Roy had. He would never sabotage that in any way.
“Thank you, Mustang.” Edward's eyelashes were heavy with big wet drops. His cheeks were wetted and soggy from tears. “Thank you,” he croaked.
“Of course.” Roy didn't know what hit him. He'd never seen Edward move so quickly in his life. The boy was up on his feet and around the desk in a flash. He barreled into Roy’s chest with the force of a rhinoceros. Roy was surprised his ribs didn't crack on impact. “Ooff,”he grunted as arms closed tightly around him.
“I'm glad you're my soulmate…” Edward buried his face into Roy's chest. “It's exactly who I was hoping it would be.” Roy could feel Edward’s heart beating too fast just like his… The same as his heart.
“And I'm glad you’re mine. You are exactly the soulmate I needed. You're you.”
Roy put his own arms around Edward. He hated that he knew Edward was surely going to use this against him when the time came. Edward, being his soulmate was surely going to be terrifying… He hated it, but he sure loved the boy.