Taken In Hand

Part 2: Answer Me Back

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Ten minutes later the boy was wrapped in a soft towel, kneeling on the floor beside the bed as Mustang ran the comb through his damp hair very slowly, very carefully. When he had first sat down he had taken the comb handed to him and battled the knots in his own hair, wincing violently at each tangle, trying to push it out by sheer force of will. Mustang had quickly sighed, ad put out his hand to take the comb back. Edward had been steered to the floor at the man's feet then, kneeling up between his legs and surrendering his hair. He had braced himself for the sharp tugs on his scalp that usually came from the comb, but they never came. Mustang slowly worked the comb through the tangles, holding each one carefully as he worked the comb through it until the hair rested smooth in his hands. He liked the feel of it, softening as it dried, and the man continued running the comb through it long after all the tangles had been pulled free. Finally though, he did weave a plait into the boy's hair and tie it with a band form around his wrist.

??Mustang sat forward then, and admired how the boy's bangs fell from the plait and around his face, not thick enough to hide the bright features from view even now, as the boy's eyes were shut, head resting on the colonel's knee, face calm and smooth. He looked so much better this way, peaceful and clean and still so close to Mustang. He sighed, shifting, rousing the boy in the process. The blonde sat up quickly then, a guilty look on his face, eyes darting up to his master's face, appraising possible damage. All he was met with, however, was an affectionate smile. The man stood then, reaching for the boy on the floor, pulling him up to a standing position before walking to the dresser and pulling out a white t-shirt that was baggy on Mustang himself.

??"Here ... uh, what's your name, by the way. I really can't keep calling you 'you' all the time." The boy looked up, blushing slightly.

??"They - You - You can pick a name for me, call me whatever you want to call me. I am yours after all." Mustang shook his head, chuckling softly, and laid one hand on the boy's cheek, running his thumb over the soft lips.

??"But you already have a perfectly good name Im sure. Why add another one?" Edward blushed a deeper red then.

??"Its Edward, my name is ... Edward." He flitted his eyes to the man's face briefly, then down to his feet, clutching his hands together behind his back nervously, "but, you know, you don't have to call me that if you don't want, im sure you can come up with something better. You're so ... smart ..." the boy finished weakly. But Mustang just smiled.

??"Edward is a beautiful name, really. I'll stick with calling you Edward I think." He strode over to the boy and steered his face up with a hand on his cheek again. Ed flinched slightly, uncomfortable in the man's hands suddenly but he forced himself to still. Mustang leaned close then, and Ed could feel his breath warm and damp on his cheek. "you have ... beautiful eyes ..."

??There was a sharp intake of breath from the boy, before Mustang closed the waning distance between them, and his mouth was warm and sweet. The boy gasped slightly and Mustang took this as open invitation to enter, breaking the spell holding the boy still. Suddenly he was pressed against the man, dropping the white shirt he had held tightly to fist his hand in the man's shirt, pulling himself forward into the kiss.

??A clearing of the throat from the doorway caused Mustang to pull back from the boy, glancing up to see Hughes standing at the door, grinning like a maniac. Roy scowled a bit, blushing lightly at being caught like that, but made sure to hold Edward close to him still, not letting the boy be pushed away by this.

??"Well Roy, its nice to see you're enjoying the gift already. I was worried there for a minute, like maybe you'd found something wrong with it. I was going to suggest trading it in, but now..." The man just shrugged, still smirking something awful.

??"Maes, downstairs, I'll be there to talk to you in a minute." Roy barked, and stared intently until the man turned and left, before looking back at the blonde boy again with a sigh. "Why don't you brush your teeth, and get into the bed and I'll be back in a minute. You're going to have to sleep in with me for awhile, I don't really have another bed in here right now." The boy felt like smiling then, standing in the doorway to the bathroom. "But don't worry." Roy added quickly, "We can get you you're own room when me move, probably sometime next week."

??The boy tried his hardest not to let the disappointment show in his face.

??X

??The first words out of the man's mouth when Roy appeared downstairs were "I told you so" which left Mustang grumbling under his breath. Maes did not need another reason to be right, or another reason to gloat about it. "Tell me then Roy, do you like the boy? I mean really, because we can still take him back if its not what you wanted, we can get something softer, maybe something a little older, hm?" Roy just shook his head.

??"No. First of all, his name is Edward, I rather like that name, and secondly I rather like the boy. He may not be perfect yet, but he seems eager enough to learn, and smart enough to pick things up quickly." He put a hand over his eyes then, "Besides, he will come in a whole lot of handy come the moving day. We have to set all that up, too. I was hoping I could get you to secure me a small apartment in Central when you get back. Just until we find a house of course, but I don't want to be rushed at it. This should be started by what? Sometime next week?" This time it was his companion's turn to sigh.

??"All business all of a sudden. I can take the hint I guess. Yeah, but mid next week they'll announce you're promotion and transfer, so you could be in central by, oh, lets say thursday? I'll see what I can do when I get home tomorrow."

??"Thanks Maes, I owe you one for this." Maes got up and stretched, smirking at Mustang over his shoulder.

??"Yeah, thats not all you owe me for. I hope you enjoy the boy by the way. You don't take enough time for your own pleasure nowadays. Relax a little, you've definitely earned it."

??"Yeah, but Maes." Roy added to the man's retreating back, "His name is Edward, not 'the boy,' and I'd appreciate if you could call him that, at least to his face, okay?"

??X

??The next morning was a bit awkward for Mustang, who woke up with the boy clutched tightly to his side with a rather uncomfortable crick in his spine and a rather inopportune visitor between his legs. He tried to shift out of the boy's grasp without waking him, but only succeeded in wiggling his hips slightly, rubbing his hardness against the silk of his sheets. This drew a low moan from him before he could bite it back, and he silently swore when he felt the boy stir to life beside him, stretching languidly with half closed eyes in a way that did not help alleviate his problem and had indeed possibly made it worse.

??Roy pressed his eyes closed, but opened them again when he felt the boy jar the blankets remarkably near to his erection, the shock of pleasure unexpected. "Edward, good morning." He managed to say cheerfully. The boy smiled sweetly at him.

??"Good morning Master." His voice was slightly gravelly form sleep still, and it was quiet but clear. Mustang reached down and stroked the side of the boy's face, more out of habit than anything else. He was contemplating the boy's lips when Edward rose and gave him a chaste peck on the mouth. It surprised him slightly, and he jumped, pulling back a little. This made the boy cringe, turning his head away.

??"Im sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I just - well - Im not sure what I was thinking really..." He trailed off, taking his arm respectfully off of its former resting place on Mustang's chest. The man, however, reached out and pulled the hand back by its wrist, turning the boy back towards him.

??"Edward, look at me. Its alright, you just startled me a bit." The boy's face turned back towards him once more, and the man cupped his cheek gently in warning before planting a kiss of his own on the boy's mouth. It started as chaste and kind as its predecessor, but then the boy made a small noise of pleasure into it and it was suddenly a bit harder, a bit deeper, something different entirely from where it had started. Edward had one hand firmly planted on the bed beside Mustang, the other tracing restless circles on the pale, now somewhat exposed flesh of the man's stomach.

??Then the curious hand brushed against something warm and hard and it was the colonel's turn to moan softly into the kiss, Edward swallowing the moan before hesitantly seeking the treasure he had accidently stumbled upon with more purpose and conviction. He pulled back a bit, touching tentatively and searching for permission in deep black eyes. Roy gave a slight nod, and the grasp around his hardness became firmer, more precise. The movement was surprisingly practiced and easy for the boy, but Mustang barely had time to think on this before the first wave of pleasure crashed over him, the boy's hand working him slowly but surely and he was drowning, caught suddenly in the undertow and it was going to be such a beautiful death. Then the boy's motions quickened slightly and there wasn't time, the wave was swelling beneath him, and there was a splash of liquid heat pooling on his stomach. The hand held him lightly then, for a few more seconds, and Mustang watched through half closed eyes as the boy brought two damp fingers to his own mouth, tasting his new master tentatively.

??He rose without being bidden then, and Mustang was confused for a second before the boy emerged from the adjoining bathroom with a warm damp cloth and wiped him off delicately. Mustang yawned and stretched then, thinking that this was a wonderful way to start the day, and he turned to watch the blonde boy with half closed eyes. The boy had seated himself on the edge of the bed and was coming his fingers through his now loose braid. I really will have to thank Hughes more thoroughly next time I see him. I never would have thought to want this of my own volition, but it really is quite pleasant. The man smiled, watching the boy begin to plait his hair behind him, moving slowly to make sure and get it right. I wonder if there's a way to let him know how perfect this was without him saying 'I told you so' again...

??X

??The morning itself had been quick and easy compared to convincing himself that he really did need to get out of that warm bed and go to work. He had told the boy to find something to do around the house, possibly start crating the books that lined the shelves in the living room. He had made sure both of them had eaten something before he left, and had told the boy he could make himself a sandwich at lunch time, showing him where the necessary ingredients lived in his kitchen.

??When he had gotten to the actual office, he was tired, and a bit more distant than usual, pondering the boy who he had woken up with that morning. Hawkeye had commented when he had arrived that he was sighing more than usual, but he pulled himself together in time for the afternoon visit from the General in charge of Eastern Command. The man had arrived with the envelope he had been told to expect at the auction, informing him of the official promotion and transfer back to central headquarters. It hadn't taken long for Maes to show up to congratulate him, and offer to take him out for drinks. Hawkeye had shaken her head slightly when he had announced that he was leaving early, but the smile on her lips told him she thought he deserved it really. The men chatted amicably all the way down to the bar.

??"So really, how're you doing with the boy? Is he giving you any trouble? 'Cause the guy at the auction said..."

??"No, Maes." Roy cut in, one hand massaging his temples in exasperation, "He's fine, and his name is Edward, not 'the boy,' okay?" Maes just smiled a little bit.

??"The guy at the auction said he'd send me all his papers and records and such in about a week. The boy, Im sorry, Edward, got all his shots, and passed most of the training requirements with flying colors." The man raised the glass the bartender had just set down in front of him, then turned with a smirk, "And he tested highly in all sort of ... important skills." Mustang almost chocked on the rum and coke he was drinking.

??"Jesus Maes, a little more tact would be nice. He's what, sixteen?"

??"Close, he's 17 actually. Been through a whole lot of training, the papers say he's experienced with his hands and mouth, but everywhere else..." Mustang shot the man another glare.

??"Shut up already, I don't need to know this right now, and everyone else in the bar really doesn't need to know this." Maes just chuckled to himself.

??"Getting some pleasure from the boy isn't a sin, Roy, lord knows it'll be good for you. Now stop bitching and start drinking, General."

??Mustang just closed his eyes and sighed, it was easier to give up at this point.

??X

??The rest of the week was ridiculously busy for Mustang, getting ready for the move. He spent impossibly long days at the office, trying to tie up all the loose ends before he left, setting things up for the colonel that would be taking over the position in his absence. He would get up in the morning, leave for work, come home at night and go to bed. During the day, Edward tried his best to be helpful, getting up early and making breakfast for Roy before he left, packing things up during the day, organizing and cleaning the apartment, and making something warm for dinner when the man got home, always too exhausted to do much of anything but eat and go off to sleep.

??Edward pouted around a little over this, but never in view of his Master. He missed the man when he was gone, and he wanted to make him proud still, so he threw himself into the little tasks he was given, eventually finding more things he could do around even when not asked beforehand. It still depressed him though, when Mustang came home and almost ignored him, going right about the rituals of eating, showering, sleeping. The man would always wait for Edward to crawl into the bed before turning out the light, but the sleeping together was more a function of necessity than intimacy, and since that first morning there had been no sexual contact between the two.

??The last day the new general went to work at east headquarters saw him return an entirely different level of tired. Ed was pained by the exhaustion written in the curve of his shoulders, in the dark bags under his eyes, in the way he sighed before dropping his coat on the stack of boxes sitting directly inside the front door. Edward had spent a good deal of time that day finishing the packing, as the truck that would move their things from east city to central was due by in the morning. He had been quite tired himself when Mustang had gotten home, but still managed to piece together a good warm meal.

??The man had flopped bonelessly down onto the couch that evening as soon as he'd kicked off his boots and hung up his uniform jacket. His hands loosened the shirt a bit, untucking it and undoing the first couple buttons. Edward scurried over then, with a bowl of the stew he'd made and a nice hunk of warm bread, hoping the man would be happy with it.

??He set the bowl down on the coffee table in front of the couch, next to where the man had propped his feet. The soft clunk caused him to take his hand from where it had been covering him eyes. Mustang smiled, and the expression wasn't as weak and tired as everything else the man had done since he had come home. Ed stood nervously by the table, hoping the man would enjoy it, hoping he didn't want to just go to sleep. He watched as the man sat forwards, and took the spoon to his mouth.

??"Edward, this is very good. Thank you." The apprehension in the boy's body melted away then, and he allowed himself to smile. The General looked up, returning the smile. "Come here Edward, sit next to me. Tell me about what you did today while I eat, okay?" The boy colored a little, but still crossed behind the couch to sit next to Roy, perching himself on the couch like it was made of glass, ready to jump back up on a moments notice if commanded. But Mustang just smiled, and turned back to the soup.

??"W-well" He started, his voice a little hesitant, "I almost finished the packing today, everything is in boxes but the things that might be needed in the next two days. The truck, for the move, called today, and they're going to be here around 2 to pack everything up and take it to Central, to the apartment you're friend secured there. I haven't gotten the tickets for the train over yet as I wasn't sure weather you would want me to travel with you or with the truck, but i did call the station office and he said that the train will likely be almost empty this time of year, so that shouldn't be any sort of a problem. The people from the auction house came by today to look at the furniture you marked as salable, and they have accepted all of it, they will come come by to pick it up the day after we leave. Everything else is waiting for your approval as to what can go to the truck tomorrow and what you don't want to keep. I also made the reservation for the hotel you will be staying at tomorrow night, after the apartment here is cleared." Golden eyes darted up to Mustang's face hesitantly, "Is there anything I have forgotten, sir?"

??Roy smiled and shook his head. "Firstly, yes, that was everything I asked you to do, and more. Thank you for that, that was wonderful. Secondly, of course you'll be traveling with me on the train. Its a very tedious ride and it will be nice to have some company." He shifted, sitting back then, his bowl almost empty in front of him, as he tore off small chunks of bread, dipping them in the remaining stew before eating them. "I think that as soon as I finish this I'll turn in. Thank you Edward, that was splendid." The boy felt a swelling in his chest then. Those kind words were more than he really felt that he could hope for this soon.

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