[identity profile] mjules.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] whiskeycoffee
Title: Some Other Beginning
Author: m.jules
Rating: Hard R for the whole thing
Summary: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Alphonse Elric helps Roy Mustang face life after more tragedy than one man should endure and finds something for himself in the process.
Pairing: mainly Roy/Al, with hints of and references to others. (Including, but not limited to, Ed/Winry, Al/Paninya, Gracia/Maes/Roy/Riza, and Al/Elicia.)
Disclaimer: Arakawa would KILL me. I bow low in supplication.
Author's Notes: This was meant to be "The Story That Proves In-Character Roy/Al Is Possible." Don't know if it worked. For my [livejournal.com profile] 7stages claim, prompt "New every morning."

THANK YOU to the Usual Suspects... my lovely indulgent betas, and everyone who comments every week... you have no idea how much love I have for you actually making the effort to hit that "Post a Comment" button.

This is manga-verse, with every chapter yet released and scanlated as fair game for spoilers and many liberties taken as far as speculation about the future. If you want to know how Al got his body back, Yet Gentle and The Frost of Awakening can be considered my default answer to that question for now at least.

I am posting one chapter every Monday. Previous chapters can be found here.






Al waited until just before he left to pack an overnight bag to take to Resembool and Roy watched with amusement as the boy neatly folded every article of clothing before tucking it inside. Al caught Roy smiling from his perch on the edge of the bed and arched an eyebrow at him.

“What?” Al asked, suspicious.

“Just noticing,” Roy said, nodding toward the bag. “You don’t like wrinkles, do you?”

Only a few days before, Al had moved his clothing out of the guest room he’d been sleeping in for nearly a year and into the bedroom he now shared with Roy. He had repeated the same ritual then, neatly folding his garments – even his underwear, Roy had noticed – and patting them flat and smooth before putting them in the dresser drawer.

“Unnecessary imperfections should be avoided whenever possible,” Al said carefully, latching the bag shut. “Especially in alchemy, they can be… dangerous.” There was a certain haunted quality to his voice and Roy wondered if he was remembering the failed human transmutation that had imprisoned him in armor for a few years or the alchemic explosion that had taken Ed’s newly-restored arm in the northern war. Roy sometimes forgot how many nightmares of his own the kid had a right to.

“There’s nothing wrong with being careful,” Roy agreed, thinking of the fine control necessary with fire alchemy. He had a sudden thought that Alphonse would probably be very good at that particular science but he’d made a promise to Riza there would never be another flame alchemist and he wasn’t about to break that.

Al smiled, banishing the shadows to the corners of his expression, and noted slyly, “But then, that’s why Winry wants me to come to Resembool in the first place – Brother is too impatient and has a tendency to use unnecessary embellishments.”

“He’s certainly flashy and hotheaded,” Mustang agreed with a wise nod and Al snorted as he bent over to pick up one of Roy’s socks off the floor.

“Not like anyone else I know,” he teased, glancing up at Roy through his eyelashes. He held up the sock. “Hamper,” he instructed, tossing the garment toward said container.

Roy pouted. “And how do you expect me to bend over to pick it up?”

Al looked nonplussed. “Your tibia is injured, not your spine. You can bend over.” Roy’s eyebrow arched meaningfully and Al blushed but ignored it. “And even if you can’t, you can sit on the edge of the bed and lean over.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Roy laughed, then sat back at the hot look Al turned on him.

“I do your laundry, Roy; the least you could do is put it in the hamper for me.”

Roy tilted his head, knowing that this was not about laundry; Al’s temper wasn’t that short. “Are you all right, Alphonse?” he asked quietly. “Are you upset about something?” Roy wondered if the young man was still out of sorts about Roy’s hesitance when it came to physical displays of affection or if this was something else.

“Kind of,” Al answered, fidgeting with the handle of his overnight bag. “I think I’m just worried about leaving you.” He didn’t look at Roy as he said it, but Roy noticed the color creeping over Al’s skin.

“Don’t be,” Roy assured him, using his cane to push himself to his feet. “I’ll be all right. It’s only one night.” Al’s golden eyes still held some uneasy emotion as did the tense line of his mouth, and Roy leveled him with a serious expression. “Is there something else?”

“Yeah, but it’s silly,” Al said, turning away from him. Roy knew enough about the boy by now to know that Al was hedging to give Roy an out in case Mustang wasn’t ready to deal with Al’s emotions. The admission of something not right, however, was an invitation to ask.

“Tell me anyway,” Roy said, relieved when Al shifted to look him in the eye.

“I’m embarrassed to even admit it,” Al said, “but I’m sort of confused that you seem so happy that I’m leaving.”

Roy’s stomach twisted and he shook his head quickly. “No, Al.” He swallowed, nervous about opening up this much but knowing the boy needed it. “I’m not happy you’re leaving. In fact, I’m dreading tonight, knowing you won’t be here.” Al’s forehead creased in confusion and Roy reached out hesitantly, touching Al’s shoulder. “I just want you to enjoy your time with your brother and Winry without worrying about me too much. I don’t want you to feel guilty for going. And…” he faltered for a moment, “if you want to stay with them in Resembool, I want you to feel free to do that.”

“I’m coming back.” There wasn't a hint of doubt in his voice.

Al’s fingers curled around Roy’s and Roy felt the need in the younger man’s touch. It was then that Mustang realized what had been bothering Al for the past few days; Al needed Roy to need him and Roy had been trying to keep himself from leaning too heavily on the boy. Roy wasn’t used to exposing his weaknesses, especially where his subordinates – or former ones – were concerned. Men needed a strong leader and he had been one for many years. Admitting need for something was giving the universe a weapon to use against him. Hadn’t he lost Maes and Riza already?

“Thank you,” he said simply, his thumb rubbing against Al’s shoulder. Al’s eyes darkened subtly, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

"Roy, I know I said I wouldn't ask you for anything and I really feel awkward asking for this, but..." Al fidgeted and Roy wondered just what on earth the boy was so upset about. Al's hand came up to catch Roy's jaw softly and he leaned in a little, pausing to ask, "Do you mind?"

Oh, Roy thought with a smile as revelation dawned. "I don't mind at all," he murmured and Al closed the distance between them, plying Roy's mouth with a sweet kiss. Roy felt it all the way to the soles of his feet and slid his hand into Al's hair, returning the kiss.

Al drew back reluctantly, breath slightly shallow and eyes half-closed, and Roy stroked his knuckles over the young man’s cheek.

“I should get going,” Al murmured, not moving an inch.

“Yes,” Roy agreed, tracing the shell of Al’s ear with a fingertip. “You’ll miss your train.”

Al groaned in frustration and kissed Roy again briefly before he picked up his bag and hefted it over his shoulder. “Maria said she and Jean would be by to check on you in about an hour,” he told Roy. “I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”

“I’ll be here,” Roy said with a wry smile, breathing a little quickly himself. Al turned to leave then paused, turning back.

“You can call me if you need to, Roy,” he said solemnly. “Even if it is the middle of the night.”

Roy laughed softly. “And risk death by short, blond alchemist or his wrench-wielding fiancee?”

“I’ll protect you,” Al grinned, eyes sparkling. "From Ed, at least." Roy snorted and took a step forward, close enough to kiss the young man again. Al whimpered softly as he returned the kiss until Roy broke away.

“Go before you miss your train,” Roy rasped and Al nodded, licking his lips once before he turned and walked out the door. Roy sat back down on the mattress, listening to Al’s footsteps down the stairs and out the front door. He waited, almost expecting to hear the door opening again, Al returning for one last goodbye, but instead there was the muffled sound of a car door closing and the taxi leaving.

He sighed and headed down to the living room, wondering briefly what he was going to do to amuse himself until his friends arrived to distract him.




Al had intentionally brought books to keep him occupied on the train ride to and from Resembool but he found that he wasn’t able to concentrate on them. His mind wouldn’t focus on anything, flitting between thoughts of Ed and Winry’s upcoming wedding, ideas for the house he was going to help build and, of course, Roy. Al licked his lips and sucked in a deep, shuddering breath, staring blindly down at the pages in his book.

Six months ago, he never would have imagined that he would kiss Roy the way he had that morning, but he had and now he couldn’t stop thinking about it. He was almost resentful about the timing of this trip to Resembool. That it should come just when Roy was beginning to be more open about exploring the physical aspects of their relationship seemed horrible. But then, Al mused, it might be a good thing after all. He knew that it strained Roy every time they took a step in their relationship; maybe this time apart would give Roy time to adjust to the idea without feeling like he was being unfair to Al.

Al tried to disguise his hunger as much as he could, not wanting Roy to feel pressured by Al's growing feelings for him. The more Roy gave him the more Al wanted, but Al didn’t want to appear needy or demanding. He hadn’t even been sure about asking Roy for a goodbye kiss that morning but that had turned out all right. Color and heat rose to his face and he ducked his head to hide a smile. Maybe a little more than all right, actually.

Al knew he was infatuated with Roy; knew also that he cared about the man deeply. He wondered for a moment if the two of those together were what constituted being in love. Could he say that he was in love with Roy? He chewed on his lower lip as he considered the question, giving up his pretense of reading and looking out the train window at the passing countryside.

By the time his train pulled into Resembool, Al had come to the conclusion that he didn’t think he was in love but he was certainly falling. The idea terrified him on a certain level and thrilled him on another but he shook it off, knowing that he would have other things to occupy his mind for a day or so. Gathering up his suitcase and coat, Al stepped off the train and onto the platform only to be tackled by a flying mass of tanned skin and blonde hair.

“Al!” Winry squealed into his ear, squeezing him so hard he almost couldn’t breathe. He hugged her back just as tightly, savoring the feel of her in his arms, the fact that he could feel her. He’d been out of armor almost as long as he’d been in it but hugging Winry always managed to remind him of what he’d gone through to get here, probably because he remembered how she used to put her arms around the metal of his armor and promise him that she’d hug him for real once he was restored.

He put her back down and held her far enough away to get a good look at her. “You look great,” he told her, grinning, then made a grab for her left hand. “Tell me my romantically retarded brother got you a nice ring or I’ll have to kick his ass.”

“He did.” Winry grinned triumphantly, holding up her hand to display the diamond set in gold the shape of a rose.

“He transmuted this, didn’t he?” Al asked, noticing how the rose held a certain roughness around the edges that suggested it had very nearly been a dragon instead. Winry nodded and Al chuckled. “At least he restrained himself from actually giving it thorns.”

Winry snorted but anything she’d been about to say was cut off by a shout from the other side of the platform and Winry and Al turned to see Paninya running toward them, waving.

Though Al was glad to see her, he panicked almost instantly, hanging back a bit as Winry and Paninya hugged. Please don’t ask me about Roy, he pleaded silently. Not in front of Winry.

“Hi, Al,” Paninya said with a wry grin as she disentangled from Winry’s arms. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Not as surprised as I am to see you,” Al answered with a grin of his own. “I at least have a standing reason.”

“So do I!” Paninya chirped, gesturing at Winry. “One of my best friends is getting married soon.”

“I thought you were coming next week,” Winry observed, turning to Paninya who shrugged.

“This week was better.” Al recognized the particular gleam in Paninya’s eye and gave her a sidelong look. That look meant that Paninya had a secret she was waiting to tell. Several possibilities ran through Al’s mind – she and Martin were getting married, she was pregnant, she and Martin had opened their new shop – and he was so occupied with trying to guess which it might be that she completely caught him off-guard when she elbowed him and said, “So how are things going with you, Al?”

Her voice held a hint of teasing and Al couldn’t help a reflexive blush. “Fine,” he responded, trying to sound normal. Winry gave him an odd look and he covered quickly with, “Where’s Ed?”

“Oh, he’s at home, getting all the wood and stuff together,” Winry answered. “Come on, we’d better get back before he decides to ‘surprise’ me and do it without you, Al.”

Al snorted and picked up his suitcase, adjusting his coat over his other arm as they walked. Winry caught sight of the bandage on his hand and caught his wrist before he could dodge her.

“What have you done to your hand, Al?” she demanded and Al felt himself cower on reflex, ducking to the side as if to avoid a wrench she didn’t have and had rarely thrown at him anyway.

“Broke a plate washing dishes,” Al grumbled, avoiding Paninya’s curious look. “But it’s fine. Maria told me which herbs to put on it.”

“You wash the dishes and cook the meals?” Paninya put in, looking amused. He could practically hear the ‘housewife’ joke on the tip of her tongue and glowered at her half-heartedly.

“Talk to Ed when we get home,” Winry joked. “He could use some lessons.”

Al snorted. “If I thought it would do any good, I would,” he assured her. “But he’d just alchemize them and who knows what china patterns you’d end up with.”

Winry wrinkled her nose and released Al’s wrist as they got into the horse cart waiting for them in front of the station. “You have a point,” she conceded, lying back in the hay. Al and Paninya mimicked her motions and they spent the ride home laughing and talking and pointing out cloud shapes. Al saw one he thought reminded him of flames in the wind but he kept that one to himself and smiled.


Date: 2007-03-05 07:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sbanchs.livejournal.com
Al makes me wibble. He's so damn sweet...if I were in Roy's shoes I'd have caved ages ago even with the angsty past. ^^

Love this fic - and yay for Winry!!

Date: 2007-03-05 11:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] grass-angel.livejournal.com
I blame you for the big grin plastered over my face tommorrow.

For, despite the non-fluffy (well, not too much) connotations, this was a really sweet and heart warming chapter.
With no food mentioned. (Huzzah!)

Date: 2007-03-05 03:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cornerofmadness.livejournal.com
really i want to listen in when Al gives Ed the lessons in domestications that Winry wants him to

Date: 2007-03-05 06:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] evil-little-dog.livejournal.com
Now there's a good point, Megs. I agree with Dana. *laugh*

Love it, as always.

Date: 2007-03-07 02:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] evil-little-dog.livejournal.com
Pffft. "Learn by example."

Pfffft.

Date: 2007-03-06 03:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cornerofmadness.livejournal.com
this is also true

Date: 2007-03-05 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ipitydaf00l.livejournal.com
Actually, I read this last night right after it was posted, but couldn't think of anything to say outside of going:

Paninya: "What you still haven't gotten any?" *points and laughs at Al*


This morning wasn't even better, and now that I'm in the office 'supposedly' working, I still can't come up with anything better.

Except that I'm amused over their discussion about trying to domesticate Ed, and attempt to dissuade him from going overboard on his type of decorations.

At least it's a comment saying I read it? Even if it sucks.

Date: 2007-03-05 07:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] secretfreaky.livejournal.com
Wonderful chapter despite Roy being left alone (if only for a day)! Thank you posting it.

Date: 2007-03-05 09:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] inuyashanohime.livejournal.com
*sighs dreamily*

Awww...that was just so sweet. Seriously...I think I'm floating in the cute that was this chapter.

Though the mental image of Ed doing housework using alchemy amused me much more than I think it should have. *blinks*

Date: 2007-03-06 07:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lyricnonsense.livejournal.com
Whew, Roy isn't backsliding yet. Very glad for that! The way you talk, I expect him to limp for the hills at any moment, and I'm glad he's not just yet.

And wheeeeeeeeeee for Winry. The idea that Ed almost made her engagement ring a diamond carrying dragon? Had me grinning. Great stuff, and I'm just sorry I haven't had time to get to this until now. I'll be waiting for next week's!

Date: 2007-03-09 09:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orion117.livejournal.com
"Kiss me and smile for me,
Tell me that you'll wait for me,
Hold me like you'll never let me go."

What a perfect song for this chapter (up until the jet plane part, anyway). I love it, anyway (the chapter as well as the song).

Oh, Roy, so used to being the one in command, and hiding everything. You're your own worst enemy at this point. Maybe one lonely night will loosen you up a little.

I hope Al isn't forced to explain that he's sleeping with Roy but not really sleeping with Roy. When he gets home, he should throw several pairs of socks around the bedroom and make Roy pick them up.

Looking forward to next Sunday/Monday, as always!

Date: 2007-03-09 09:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orion117.livejournal.com
The bit at the end, where Al sees flames in the clouds in the sky, is really sweet.

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