The Right Thing

The wisdom of ages still held true- while the answer was not to be found in the bottom of a bottle, the process of getting to said bottom was in fact rather therapeutic, even if only because it provided something to do. Roy was a little disappointed though. All that drinking, and still no easy way of dealing with one Edward Elric.

Irritable, endearing, Edward Elric.

Roy cast a bleary eye to either side, deciding that drinking alone was not near as productive as having someone there to complain and proclaim with. One would think there would be more people in the bar. It was past lunch, and before dinner, a time when anyone who was capable of slipping a few drinks in before slipping home to see the wife should be out.

Then again, there were few who were willing to relax in close proximity to the infamous, inebriated, Flame Alchemist. Liquor was highly flammable after all.

“Damn, you look like shit.”

Ah, only one voice would sound that disgusted with him. Roy rolled his head to the side with a dismal imitation of his usual smirk. “Care for a drink?”

“Like hell. Hawkeye is up in arms back at the office. Do us all a favor and drag your ass back there and do something about it.”

Ed look positively revolted. Served him right really. He had gone over the kids head and done something he knew would not be taken kindly to. Roy cracked a smile, hoping it wasn’t as self-deprecating as it felt. Wouldn’t do to let anyone know how truly upset he was. Just drinking, just drinking. Nothing here but us career drinkers.

“Roy, you smell like shit.”

“You used my name.”

“Shut up.” Ed steeled himself, and then reached out to pull Roy to his only moderately unsteady feet.

If only his stomach were as settled. “Hmm, I don’t think I want to move too much right now.”

“That’s a shame. Hawkeye wants you back. Now. You’re not leaving poor Fury to pick up your slack.”

“Sick.”

“Your own fault.”

“Maes would take me home…”

“I’m not Maes, am I?” Ed snapped.

“No.” Roy sighed. He wondered if he could get away with learning on Ed…just a little…

Ed felt the shift in Roy’s weight, felt the man lean into him minutely, and clenched his teeth. It was hard to stay mad at someone who looked like they had been run over by a small army and then backed over just for good measure.

That didn’t mean he had to be happy about it.

Roy felt Ed’s disgruntled sigh, and closed his eyes.

“Idiot. You can’t walk with your eyes shut.”

“I’m sorry.”

Ed frowned, not at all sure Roy was referring entirely to the fact his eyes had slipped shut. “Ah, hell.”

Roy stumbled a bit as he tried to adjust to Ed’s sudden increase in speed. He kept his eyes closed, depending on Ed to keep him from careening into anything and anyone, knowing his stomach would not take kindly to seeing the world moving by right now. Hell, it was having a hard enough time coping with the necessity of movement at all. It was some sort of blessing when Ed came to a halt. Roy blinked blurry eyes open, preparing to pull some sort of façade with which to face his subordinates, and was confused.

“Edward…”

“Hm?”

“This is my home.”

“No shit.”

“Why aren’t I at the office?”

“You’re sick, right?”

“Well…”

“Did you want to go sit in the office?”

“Not…really….”

“Then get your ass in the house and drink some damn tea or something.” Ed looked uncomfortable, pulling away and shoving hands into his pockets.

“You’re…being rather…”

“Someone has to be the adult. You sure as hell are doing a shitty job of it.”

Ed grimaced, and Roy tried to retract the crestfallen look he was sure had spread across an already alcohol devastated face. Turning away, Roy fumbled for his keys, wincing at the grating noise missing the keyhole produced. Finally getting the door open he stumbled his way inside.

“Hey, Roy…”

He turned, wondering why the tone of Ed’s voice inspired butterflies to twitch to demented life amidst the alcohol and acid churning in his stomach. “Yes?”

“I…are you going to be ok?”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve had too much to drink.”

“Well, yeah I know that. I…just wanted….since I won’t be around for a bit…ah, fuck it. Drink some tea. Go to bed.” Ed turned on heel and practically marched off, a very stubborn set to his back.

Roy blinked, watching the blond form retreat, trying to piece together the source of the feeling of foreboding that was hovering over him like some sort of personal storm cloud.

‘…wont be around for a bit...’

An odd, choked sort of sound worked its way out of Roy’s suddenly tight throat as he felt the blood drain from his face. The little bastard had wriggled his way into the mission Roy had gone through so much effort to keep him out of. No no no. that wasn’t right. Not right at all. not safe, even for someone of Ed’s skill. This couldn’t be happening. If Ed went…their whole fight would be for nothing, Ed would be angry, and Roy still would not have managed to take care of him. That wasn’t any sort of fucking equivalent exchange…

A mild case of alcohol poisoning seemed the least important thing in the world. His roiling stomach and screaming head be damned. Roy lurched into his apartment, clambering towards the phone. Maybe…if he called the office…talked to Riza…Riza would fix it. She always did.