Topazia: Roxanne…it’s a title that came from the ‘El Tango de Roxanne’ song from Moulin Rouge. It got stuck in my head one morning and the fanfic just came along with it. If you didn’t pay attention to the summary this is a RoyEd fic and I’m a big fan of yaoi. If you don’t like it, don’t read it because I can guarantee that there’ll be some type of yaoi in every chapter to satisfy the fangirl in all, including this first one. Yup, that’s right, starting off with a bang.

Ed::twitch: You made me a whore…

Topazia: Oh Ed, you are a whore! An Alchemy whore….and Roy’s.

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Chapter 1: The whore

The bond shared between two brothers is unlike any on earth. The two souls almost seem connected by indestructible chains that bind. A solid strand of gold... In a relationship like this the two almost seem to coexist in a symbolic relationship of ying and yang.

This was the case when I just so happened to stumble across the Elric brothers, well one of them anyway. (I met the other later on…) The type of bond the two shared could often be compared to the relationship I had with my war buddies. They were a pair that could easily bring about jealousy because of their closeness; especially in these times. After all, true brotherly love is so hard to find, but then again when found it was also hard to kill. The Brother’s loyalty to each other was immeasurable, which leads me to the start of my story…

The Ishbal war came to a bloody end late one foggy night in July. A hazy fog had settled amongst the sleepy town of Ishbal, casting gloomy shadows over the battlefield. Gunfire echoed in the distance and the sound carried itself on the soft winds. As the last body of the uprising fell to meet the dust, cheers erupted from Central’s army at their so-called victory. We had won…it was over…we were heroes, well at home we were. If this was true and the fight was for a good cause, why did I feel like I helped create a holocaust?

No mercy. Bodies of whole families lay littered on the ground like blood red decorations of death, their faces twisted into horror as they stared blankly at an otherwise beautiful night sky. So many people had died and most of them for simply stepping from the comforts of their own homes at the wrong time. Of course this wouldn’t have mattered much anyway, those who took refuge in their homes were slaughtered just as those fighting in the streets.

I’ve seen the soldiers do it. They’d quicky surround a house, weapons raised and ready before kicking the door down. Screams from the family within would waft from inside, leaking out into the city streets. A mad struggle follows when the soldier’s prey try to run and soon after the anticipated shot rang out into the air followed by a eerie stillness that seemed to send chills down the spine that penetrated down to the bone. Pieces of Ishbal seemed to glow as fires spread across the once peaceful city. The insides of people’s houses slowly became engulfed in flames, often times with inhabitants still in them. Childlike handprints were forever encased on smoky window glass, their owner long since passed. In an instant, just like that the very homes that had brought them so much comfort over the years had became their graves. Gunshots, explosions, and screams slowly became constant haunting music that tortured the minds of all present. I’ve heard enough of it to last me the rest of my life I suppose.

Supplies were packed up and prisoners were taken in for execution, which simply didn’t make much sense, why not kill the poor souls now? Everything they could have possibly know lay in ruins back in Ishbal. But perhaps a quick execution would have been more merciful, after all, what else was there? We were given direct orders to return to Central immediately and we did, like obedient dogs returning home with master from the hunt, our souls soaked with blood…

“Ah…nothing like home, eh Roy?” Maes grinned at me, taking a whiff of the night air as we unloaded the trains at Central station a day later. It felt as if I hadn’t been back in ages, it was like having a silent friend to come home to. Ironically enough I hadn’t really expected to come back to the old station…

“If that’s the case we left home back on the battlefield. Before the stench of death, fire, and gun smoke their air smelled just like ours.” I replied smugly with a shrug. Which was true, I had only been to Ishbal once before the battle had started. There was something pure about the place. Sweet smoke emitted from chimneys, signaling children to come in for dinner, the smell of wild flowers tickled the senses as the breeze carried the silk petals by… Life for them seemed to be frozen in a simpler time; a time period that we at one point or another seemed to have lost with industrialization and steadily growing popularity of alchemy.

Hughes chuckled at the remark and sighed, draping an arm over my shoulders in a friendly gesture. Of course he paid me no mind, I had been making rude comments similar to this ever since we boarded the train for home. The war had left a lot of us scarred emotionally, at least those with souls. Not everyone found it hard to pull triggers during the war…

We waved to those we knew and left, starting a journey down the quiet streets. Before long the tricky bastard lured me into conversation and had offered to buy me a drink. “There’s a new place a lot of the boys had wanted to hit once we had returned home. It’s called Angelic Perfection. It’s supposed to have the best looking entertainers on this side of the country.” He stated, a big grin on his face.

Even I had to grin at that one. Shapely females prancing around in tightly clad miniskirts catering to your every need. Hell, the place sounded like heaven. There was just one problem with the equation. “So you’re taking me to a whore house?” I asked. It wasn’t exactly something I approved of. True, natural male instinct and my own pure personality couldn’t resist women. But all my female associates had decent occupations. Selling yourself for money was despicable.

“Come on, live a little!” Hughes chirped, slapping me on the back. “Take the stick out for just this time! Go because I’m asking you to go. You don’t have to buy a lady if you don’t want to.” Eventually I nodded. Of course I wasn’t going to buy a lady. Women were to be respected, not treated like novelty items on a shelf.

The small disagreement continued until we reached the edge of town. A large Victorian house loomed ahead and we stared in awe at the architecture. It was painted a delicate white with light blue shutters. Warm light peaked out at us from behind heavily curtained windows and the sweet smell of burning candles and incense seemed to tease our senses as the wind carried it by.

With a shrug I ascended the stairs first with Hughes close behind. The steps lead up to a large porch, fenced in by professionally carved ironwork. If it looked this nice from the outside who knows what to expect once we entered. The large oak doors were suddenly opened and two lovely ladies ushered us in, both wearing what appeared to be a mock form of business suits. The outfit consisted of form fitting shorts, a white undershirt, the suit’s jacket and a tie.

“Welcome To Angelic Perfection.” They chirped, leading us both into what could be considered the living room I guess. “Contact will not be made in this room. Free roam of the house is given to all guests and workers but play is to be preferably taken into the back rooms.” The one on the left instructed handing us a magazine.

“Orders will be taken at the counter.” The one on the right directed us to a small desk were a young woman sat, tending to a few guests. “Enjoy your stay.” With a soft bow, both woman left us alone.

“How creative…” I muttered flipping through the magazines; of course it contained the pictures of the ‘workers’. With a sigh I tossed the booklet on the table and leaned back into the chair while Maes flipped through his. My eyes scanned the place out of plain curiosity. Despite it being what it was, the place had been made to look like a normal house. There were pictures on the walls, flowers and decorations that gave the place a homey feel to it. Women walked around in various outfits accompanied by men and perhaps other employees, engrossed in casual conversation.

In the room where we were a few other men sat thumbing over the books deep in thought. With a sigh I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. How pathetic…oh well, can’t say that nothing in particular caught my eye in the time that I had been sitting there. Yes, the women were very beautiful, gorgeous even, but my eyes traveled elsewhere, finally settling on a lone figure at the bar. To my surprise it was a young boy. For some reason he seemed to stand out more than the rest of the building’s inhabitants that wandered by.

The young man was a blond, his hair had been braided back into a thick plait that rested peacefully on his back and his pale face was covered by long graceful bangs that fell about his face like a veil. The only thing of his face that could be seen was his mouth. His lips were slightly parted, moving slowly as if speaking in a dreamy haze, although no sound escaped them.

His body was curved and hunched over the bar table and the only movement that came from this still form was the occasional gentle stroking of the glass drink he held within slender fingers. Occasionally his head would lift to partake in small conversation, causing the wistful bangs to fall backwards to frame his face, revealing a set of dull golden eyes. They were the eyes of a person that had seen better days just like mines… Clad in only leather pants and a black undershirt the boy practically screamed perfection. His only flaw came from one of his arms. “Automail…”

“You said something?” Hughes asked pushing his glasses further up on his nose. He never once looked up at me but kept his face buried in the magazine instead. At least he seemed to be enjoying himself. But then there was no situation that Hughes couldn’t make comfortable. It was like his natural talent to be able to hold off the apocalypse with a reassuring smile.

“No…nothing.” Came my reply.

“I think I’ll pick this one if she’s available.” He grinned tapping the paper with his finger. “The name’s Gracia.” I leaned in carefully, my eyes falling upon the figure he pointed to. She was a pretty woman with a soft smile and warm eyes. Her light brown hair shaped her face in a short bob that gave her a gentle and almost serene look.

“She doesn’t look like the type to work here.” I muttered, “So I wonder why…” She had the look of a gentle teacher or something similar, a soft spoken nurse perhaps.

“Don’t know, don’t care.” Maes said jumping to his feet and tossing me a little cash. “I’m going to the front desk, that’s for your drinks.” With a mock salute and a grin he turned and left me by myself. I couldn’t help but watch with a stupid grin on my face as he paid for his lady and was escorted away by his chosen woman. What an idiot… Oh well, he was a happy idiot.

Of course after I had gotten my drinks I’d most likely leave and Hughes knew that. Whorehouses were uncomfortable places for me, as you must know by now I don’t exactly like them. After he had disappeared my attention slowly moved back to the bar where the boy still sat. Guess if wouldn’t hurt to sit by him. Besides, some of the drinks the bartender was giving looked pretty interesting.

He seemed like the quiet type so it wasn’t too surprising when he said nothing as I sat down besides him so naturally I spoke first, curiosity nipping at me. “What’s a kid doing in a place like this? Shouldn’t you be at home?” There were so many kids that had been displayed because of this war, kids that would grow old to hate everything that our military stood for and I didn’t blame them. So why was this one here of all places instead of with the family that cared for him? There was an uncomfortable silence for a while in which the possibility that the kid had ignored me slipped my mind.

The boy’s grip tightened around his glass and he slowly raised his head to meet my gaze, with a blank stare. Those golden orbs of his seemed so cloudy and cold for a boy his age, it wasn’t natural. “I’m no kid.” He snapped. “I’m 17 and just as capable of functioning like you so-called adults.”

My eyes rolled towards the ceiling and I sighed. If I had 5 dollars for every kid that I’ve met that thought they were adults I’d be richer than the fuhrer by now. “You’re still a minor kid. You have no business in a place like this and you know it.” Places like this no matter how sleazy they were generally didn’t tend to hire teenagers. I think there was a law against it or perhaps the owners of these places still had some type of decency. Besides, no parent in their right mind would let their own kid come to a place like this. Watching others sell their body had to be the most degrading thing in the world. To let complete strangers defile your body with their eyes for a profit just seemed plain wrong to me.

“You have no right to tell me what to do, stay out of my business.” He muttered, returning his gaze once again towards his cup. “So if you’re not going to make a purchase, I’m going to ask you to leave.” I stared at him for a moment…so he did worked here. But for why and what reason? It didn’t add up at all…

I’m not sure what made me do it but slowly my hand dug into my pockets to retrieve the money Hughes gave me and a bit of my own. There was something that seemed to draw me to this kid. Perhaps it was curiosity, or pity, or maybe I saw a bit of myself in him, maybe that’s what made me do it.

Without looking the blonde snatched the money and pocketed it before downing the last bit of his drink. Stretching like a cat fresh out of sleep he rose from his seat and grabbed me by the hand, leading me through the house. He took me through thickly furnished hallways and crowded rooms towards the back of the house were there rooms were. Occasionally he’d knock on a door to make sure it was empty until he found one at the end of the hall.

It was a small room and yet well furnished with a cozy bed and a attractive cherry wood nightstand. A small lamp on the stand illuminated the room in warm light accompanied by small white candles that cast delicate shadows across the room as the flames danced. Pictures of landscapes and other knickknacks decorated the forest green walls and to top it off, the same dark red curtains from when we first entered were tightly closed, blocking the view of the outside world.

He closed and locked the door, leaning against the dark oak with his hands in his pockets. “We’re here so how do you want me?” he stated dully with a shrug. “On my back, or perhaps my hands and knees.” The boy stared at me with hungry eyes as he walked past, turning slightly to fall on his back on the bed.

“You’re serious?” I asked, eyebrows raised. As inviting as the invitation was, I preferred to sleep with someone on their own accord, not because I slipped them a wad of money. It was the one thing that seemed to make the whole situation just wrong. Well, that and the fact that this was indeed a child.

“Well, you did pay me, so why not get your money’s worth?” he replied evenly, his head tilted with curiosity. “After all, I work here just like everybody else.” Just like everyone else…

“True but why…?”

His movements were fluid as he slid off the bed and sauntered back over to me a slight sway in his hips. His taunting moves caused me to back into the door where he forced his small frame against mines, sneaking a hand under my shirt to caress the war weary skin beneath. “I work here for the same reason you went Ishbal.” He whispered, tilting his head up to nibble at my collarbone.

How…how’d you know that?” My voice came out as a soft hiss that seemed foreign to my ears. His soft touches and uncomfortable closeness was beginning to become painfully clear as the blood began to rush to intimate areas. He had the hands of a professional, a person who had been in this line of work for years. The very thought caused a soft pain of pity to form in my chest. I felt sorry for this kid. No one his age should have to be here…

“I guess you don’t notice, but your hands shook when I led you here, like you’ve seen something horrible.” He muttered onto my skin. “There is a noticeable amount of calluses too. From handling equipment I take it. The skin under your clothes is covered with fresh scars.” He traced a finger along one, resulting in a small shudder from me. “That and you still smell like gun smoke, just a little…”

My breath caught within my throat and my vision blurred. This kid was like a drug, an addictive drug that would slowly consume me whole and each touch he made to my body sent wave after wave of sinful pleasure throughout my very being.

I couldn’t stay here any longer. Each second wasted in his arms prompted me to action I seriously didn’t want to take. It was a soft loving touch that seemed to draw me into a magnificent web of peaceful bliss and I was slowly becoming lost in it. Oh god, when was the last time someone touched me like this?

“No…”

“Yes…”

“I don’t want to…”

The boy tugged me off the wall and gently pushed me onto the soft mattress of the bed. It was the last place I had wanted to go, but it seemed that all rationality in my brain had shut down. “Please…” he purred softly, resting his head on my chest like a content cat. “Stay with me…?” His pale and slender fingers gently stroked at my skin, carefully finding their way down to my waistline where they seemed to linger.

On a normal day hearing this from a complete stranger would have made me very uneasy, but this kid was different. As I said a few paragraphs earlier I felt for him. He seemed like the type who was easy to pity and desperately needed it. Maybe that’s what attracted me to the kid like a moth to a flame.

“I can’t…” I responded after a moment of uncomfortable silence. “I just can’t.”

“Won’t isn’t the same as can’t. You have them backwards.” He stated softly. “You can stay with me but you won’t.” His eyes slowly traveled over to one of the pictures on the wall and remained there for quite sometime as if transfixed by it. The only movement that came from him was a soft clawing as he hands clenched and unclenched around my shirt.

“Why should I?”

“Because,” he whispered his head tilted slightly, causing the silky blonde locks to veil his face again. “You’re the first one to treat me like a person.” It took a while for his words to sink in but when they did, they hit home. Working in a place like this you never really were considered a person but merchandise that was quickly sold off to the highest bidder. He stared up at me with those deadpan eyes and for the longest of time I thought that I’d lose my very soul to them.

“I’m leaving.” I said finally, gently pushing him to the side and sitting up. Child or not he was still a whore and one of the things I despised the most. “You can keep the money, I don’t need it.” It is said that curiosity killed the cat. I followed this vixen out of curiosity and look where it landed me.

His head lowered again and he nodded slowly, his lips shut and his eyes never raising to me mines. Another eerie pause settled between us and I stood their, watching him. “Thank you…” he muttered after a while.

My mind was elsewhere. I had to leave this place now. After all, there was no reason for me to remain here any longer. My feet carried me to the door, stopping in movement only after a faint sound teased at my ears. “My name…I never mentioned it to you did I? Ed, Edward Elric.” Taking a final glance back at the still figure on the bed I left, the name repeating like a broken record in my head…

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Topazia: Alrighty, before people start sending flames and calling this a smut fic, it’s not…it actually has a plot. That and the reason why Ed is working in his particular profession shall be revealed in the third chapter for all the curious peoples, guaranteed to satisfy the curious hunger. Wanna talk to me or ask me questions about the fic? I have a gaia account under Topazia and random Pms are appericated.