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Edward had told Ling stories about his dad, even way before they started dating. His dad was ex-military, serving in the army way before he was put under his care. He was less than powerful when it came to his partner, Ms. Riza; under her gaze, she managed to make even the most valued hero of Amestris into a sorry man. And most of all, he heard how he never showed much interest as to what Ed did when he was outside. Which extended to Ed's love life.
Ling had a hunch that, when his boyfriend asked if he wanted to meet his dad, he was going meet a rather chill guy. So, of course, he said yes without missing a beat. He'd already met Ms. Riza out of the blue, so seeing her at his boyfriend's house wouldn't start an awkward meeting. And now that he was actually going to meet the man in person, his heart was racing with worries that he figured he shouldn't be having in the first place.
"Should I have dressed more formal?" Ling worried, glancing down at his t-shirt with his favorite band on it. The rest of his outfit was less than classy. His hair had been messed up since lunch, and he hadn't bothered to slick parts of it back like he usually did. He was wearing his dirtiest sneakers; Ed would swear up and down that a single speck of dirt on shoes doesn't count as dirty, but Ling thought otherwise. His jeans were okay, but he definitely had better in his closet.
"What, like in a suit?" The blonde next to him scoffed, like Ling wasn't about to humiliate himself. "Trust me, I doubt he'd care if the dunce I like dresses up for a first meeting." Ling wanted to retort, but any comment quickly withered away when Ed's left hand came to clutch onto Ling's right. It was a silent gesture of comfort. He didn't need to poke a stick at Ed to get him to admit that he was telling Ling it would all turn out okay—the look in his eyes told him everything he wanted to know.
In turn, Ling exhaled slowly. If Ed was telling him it was going to be fine, then that's how it was going to go. After all, he was damn sure Ed knew his own parents than Ling did.
Despite being comforted by a callous thumb rubbing against the back of his hand, it did little to drown out his nerves once he and Ed eventually found themselves at the top of the porch's stairs. A classic deep blue car was parked right outside of the home. Ed fished out his keys, fumbling with the lock with a curse or two slipped out of him as his automail arm looked to be shaking. He doesn't show it, Ling thought to himself, but he's nervous, too.
A click came from the door, but Ed didn't have his key in the lock yet.
Before he knew it, a panic itched underneath Ling's skin. The curiosity of who was on the other side was cut short when the door was pushed open. The two teens were met with a tall frame of a man no older than 30, with dark hair falling over his eyes in a way that made it a little uncomfortable to look him in the eye, but what drew Ling's attention the most was the pair of pristine white gloves with an odd design that he wore.
"Fullmetal." The older man spoke to Ed, referring to him with a presumably-affectionate nickname, he reached a hand to lightly ruffle the top of his hair. Ed looked like he wanted to bite at the hand. "Should've known it was you." He hummed, pulling his hand away before Ed had the chance to shout profanities at him for blatantly being treated like a kid.
Ling's biggest mistake was chuckling at their interaction.
The man's dark eyes traveled over to him, any resemblance of warmth was washed away by an icy cold wind. "And I assume this is your… boyfriend." That left Ling wondering if this man had anything against their same-gender relationship. His grip on Ed's hand grew tighter, his palms began to uncomfortably sweat. Ed squeezed his hand in return.
"It is." He spoke for the two of them.
The man cast a glare to Ed. "Let him speak."
The atmosphere was getting tense. Far too tense for Ling's liking. So far into this interaction, Ed's father was looking to be anything but "chill" with Ed's love life—Ling thought to himself, maybe they should meet another day, maybe his dad was just in a not-so-great mood today. But what if it's a test? A separate voice whispered with curiosity, he's trying to scare me! That's it!
Ling sucked in a breath, he'd seen plenty of sitcoms, romcoms,—you name it. It was like he was prepared for this very moment. "Yes, Mr…?"
The man's face doesn't give anything away, only keeping a stern, thin-lipped expression, and it's like looking at an older Ed's face. If he didn't know that Ed was adopted, he for sure would've been convinced that they were related by blood. Then, the corners of his eyes relaxed just enough for Ling to exhale.
"Mustang. It's nice to meet you." A hand is suddenly shoved in Ling's direction with the clear expectancy that it's to be shook. Ling doesn't miss a beat. He takes the hand, and the second his palm touches the man's, a crushing sensation crawls into his nerves. Ling pursed his lips at the sudden pain, and the man took notice immediately, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but your name is Ling, right? Ling Yao?"
Ling nodded stiffly in response. He's given a blank look by the man, and is quick to realize he was expecting a verbal response. "I mean, yes, sir." He has the urge to pull his hand away, but the man didn't budge. He didn't think he would, at least until Ed suddenly decided he had enough of the sheer growing tension.
"Seriously- would you quit that?!" He yelled, Ling caught the way his automail fist curled up like it always did when he was getting upset. Ling frowned. "C'mon, we just got here! At least try to treat him okay, for a minute at least!" And just like that, his hand is reluctantly freed. With a quick flex of the muscles, his hand eases up as blood circulates back to it. With Ed here, he was surely the only manner of escaping these situations with the boy's father.
A dragged out sigh escaped the man, then adjusting his gloves, "Whatever you say, Fullmetal." There the nickname was again. In the back of his mind, he planned to ask Ed about it when they were hopefully far, far away from his dad.
Finally, he stepped to the side, letting the two teens enter. As they make their way inside, their hands slip away from each other. Ling had seen the inside of the house before, but that was always when Ed's parents weren't home, mainly due to Ed's request to keep their relationship hidden for the time being. And with his newfound impression of his father, he was sure the man wouldn't exactly be pleased to find out that Ling had essentially trespassed onto his property without his knowledge. Logically, he kept quiet.
"This is a nice place you have," he spoke to Ed, making sure to speak loud enough to reach the man's ears. The incredulous look that was slapped across Ed's face was enough to make his performance falter.
"What are you talk-"
"I can see it's really loved!" Ling interrupted as fast as he could, taking a seat at the kitchen table with Ed in tow. Ed doesn't take the hint, instead opting to stare at him like he'd gone crazy in seconds. He mouthed a sentence to Ling out of confusion, but the latter doesn't have a chance to understand what he said before Ed's dad takes a seat as well.
The three exchange stares for an uncomfortably long time, but in reality, it was only three seconds.
"Ling." He drawled, his eyes eventually sticking to him. Ling figured it would. But hearing his name all of a sudden, especially when it's coming from someone as intimidating as this man who he couldn't put a name on, made his heart plummet to his stomach. No wonder this man was apart of the military at some point; his gaze held more firepower than any pool of bubbling lava ever could. "Before we talk, I'd like to make one thing clear."
Ling's acutely aware of a piece of lettuce stuck between his teeth from a burger he was eating just earlier, "Of course." He wondered what was his goal, did he want to intimidate him to the point he second-guessed his relationship with Ed? If so, he wasn't going to back down so easily.
He was given a look, like a warning of some sorts, but Ling stood his ground. "As I'm sure you're aware, I am Edward's adoptive father." Ling nodded. The man took that as a sign to continue, "We may not be related by blood, but that doesn't make me any less of an authority figure in his life. And whatever my final verdict is, then that's that."
Nearby, Ed glowered at the man, "You're exaggerating, old man." He propped his head up with his hand, leaning against the kitchen table with a scowl.
He was promptly ignored in favor of glaring Ling down to size. His hands folded, and the man rested his elbows in a similar fashion as his son. "Got it, Yao?"
"Yes, sir." Even with his fear, Ling didn't want to make a fool of himself. He fumbled with the hem of his shirt. Ling was tempted to ask what he wanted to talk about, but kept his trap shut; he'd figure out eventually, he supposed.
"Second," the man's demeanor hardly changed, "my name is Roy. You may address me as such, or not at all. Being referred to formally is uncomfortable for both parties." Ed grumbled out a retort of Roy not being the boss of this house, but he doesn't seem to care for his son's somewhat disrespect. "Now, onto bigger matters." Without warning, he stood up from his chair and slammed his hands into the table. The suddenness shocked Ling, and he shot back, almost falling out of his chair. Roy's expression didn't get any lighter, his eyes appear as sharp as Ling's own dao at home; any light that reflects off of it only serve to make the man all more intimidating.
"Dad." Ed warned cautiously, agitation clear in his voice. No doubt he was sick of his father making a scene.
Ling was entirely compelled to keep a wary eye on Roy with how much danger the man naturally exudes. He swallowed some nerves, but an ocean's worth of nerves washed right back into his mouth, preventing him from trying to say anything. Once more, Roy ignored his son in favor of being a looming, overbearing threat to their relationship, "How much of alchemy do you know?"
The question, while sudden, struck Ling as odd.
He and Ed had never gone much in depth about the topic. He knew Ed was skilled in it, anything he did with the skill automatically impressed Ling to no end. The teen could make just about anything with his, what Ling assumed, versatile alchemic skills. When he gawked at him, Ed would always explain it with a simple "it's just equivalent exchange". Ling never had the heart to tell him that that did little to explain it.
And while he knew very little of Amestrian politics, he knew very well it was banned after the extermination of the Ishvalans. It was easy to tell what alchemy was used for—slaughter of an entire nation, and it took the lives of hundreds if not thousands to ban the use of alchemy. Admittedly, Ling had an embarrassing ignorance to avoid the topic, so what truly happened in the war was lost on him. Now his ignorance was coming back to bite him.
"I know it's banned," He started carefully while tiptoeing around the glaring issue that was Ishval, he caught the way Roy's gaze narrowed at the mere implication of the Ishvalan extermination. It was enough to make Ling hesitate responding any further, but he persisted, knowing his relationship with Ed was on the line, "and I know Ed is pretty good at it."
At the sudden mention, Ed perked up, even moreso when Roy turned his head to his son. Roy responded, "So you know. That's good."
The golden-haired teen raised his hands up defensively, "Hey, I made sure he was okay with it before I told him I practiced alchemy! I didn't just blindly tell him, okay?!" Ed looked irritated at the silent accusation of incompetence, "Plus, he already knows, it's not like you can make him forget everything! And he was going to find out eventually! I-" He's shut up with a single finger raised by Roy.
Roy looked at Ling again, "Am I correct to assume you don't practice it yourself?" With a clamped up throat, Ling nodded to confirm the suspicion, unsure of where this was headed. He's even more confused when Roy lifted a hand up, looking like he was about to-
"Hey, bastard, don't-!" Ed is reaching for something—from the looks of it, he tried to grab at Roy's gloves— but Ling doesn't have a chance to react.
A flame somehow ignites at the tip of his fingers with sparks that come from seemingly nowhere. It's spontaneous, a surprise, and nothing could've anticipated Ling for it. He pushed his head back when the heat of the small yet dangerous fire reached his nose. Ed hardly flinches, he looked to be more bothered by the fact Roy even pulled this kind of stunt in the first place. Ling recognized the way Ed was holding back a string of insults by clenching his teeth together, his cheeks were even painted red; Ling put two-and-two together, figuring out Ed was embarrassed by the show of power.
When the flame is pushed closer to Ling, he's forced to focus his attention back to Roy, who was still watching him like he was scum. "As I said before, I am this boy's father. I deeply cherish him and will always do whatever I can to care for him." Past this fiery declaration of familial love, Ling could've swore he saw something soften in the depths of Roy's eyes. Of course, it wasn't directed to him, but to Ed. "I have nothing against this relationship of yours. I couldn't care less if you're both boys, but if I ever find that you've hurt him in any way…"
Ling had to swallow his built-up saliva in order to breathe. Sweat began to collect on his forehead, making some of his bangs stick to his head in a way that was more than uncomfortable. He knew for a fact he'd never think of hurting Ed, not physically nor emotionally, but Roy's threats were beginning to prevent him from ever entertaining the idea.
"…then I'll find you and make sure you regret it." In one swift motion, the fire is clutched into Roy's palm and extinguished. Yet somehow, it still felt like the fire was still there, ready to burn Ling to ash if he moved a muscle. Ling winced. "Did you get that, Ling Yao?"
"Y-yes, Roy."
"Hey, I have an idea, can we just relax? Like normal people?!" Ed quipped, crossing his arms with a deep frown and crease between his eyebrows. "Seriously, I just brought you here to meet my boyfriend! You didn't need to do all that!"
Ling watched as Roy opened his mouth to say something—then the front door opened. "We're home." "We're home!"
Ling recognized both voices. The three of them turned their heads, greeted with the sight of Riza and Alphonse carrying what looked to be groceries. Al peeked his head from around the bags he was carrying, his eyes lit up with recognition, "Oh, Ling! Hi!" Ling awkwardly waved back in response. When Riza noticed him, she gave him a nod.
"Didn't know you would be here." Riza hummed, closing the door with her foot. She, alongside Al, walked to the table and placed their bags down. Al immediately began to put their things away. Riza didn't show it, but Ling could tell she was at the very least curious about what was happening between the three of them.
"He was meeting Dad." Ed explained, keeping his annoyance on full display.
Riza was quick to notice, the corners of her lips twitched downwards just enough to be noticeable. "Are you okay?"
Ed scoffed, glaring at Roy with no filter, "Bastard was threatening Ling, even when I told him not to." He looked over at Riza, "You heard me tell him not to do that shit, too!" Ling nervously glanced over at Roy, who—for the first time since he's met the man—started to look awkward when Ed mentioned his threats. He didn't have to wait to find out why.
Riza immediately turned her head over to Roy, "Is that so?" Her own expression rivaled Roy's previous bravado, it even managed to stomp out his confidence, leaving the man into a cowering mess.
"He even used his alchemy!" Ed barked out, pointing to the man's hands which still wore the incriminating evidence. Roy shoved his hands behind his back.
"I- Riza, I just had to make sure-"
"Make sure what?"
Al slipped away from the group once he finished putting away everything he needed to. Ling began to drown out the couple's bickering—more like Riza's strong disapproval combined with Roy's stuttering defense—once he felt Ed tug at his t-shirt. He looked over and noticed the way Ed looked pleased at the fact Riza was putting Roy in his place, proudly grinning. "Let's go." His thumb pointed to the direction Al had disappeared off to, up the stairs and presumably into his own room. No way in hell was Ling going to say "no", he didn't want to stick around and see what kind of fire Riza could rain down on the figurative embodiment of flame.
Ling got up from his chair silently, as did Ed. The two of them lightly walked away and up the stairs, bee-lining their way to Ed's room.
"That bastard doesn't have a clue on what to do when it comes to Riza." Ed snickered, twisting the doorknob to make the door close as softly as possible. It closed with a soft click, and it did its best to muffle out the noise downstairs.
"It looks like it." Ling mused, feeling like he was finally able to relax. He walked to Ed's bed, and slumped against it, sliding down to sit on the floor. Ed made his way over to him, sitting down right next to him. Ling gave him a shaky smile, "I'm sorry that happened."
Ed's eyebrows scrunched with confusion, "I should be saying sorry. I tried to make sure he didn't do…" He waved his hand in the air, "all that. But he's a stubborn fuck. I'll steal his gloves and threaten him back once you leave." And then, the teen leaned close to Ling and planted a quick peck to his cheek. Ling's heart skipped a beat.
He looked over to Ed, who was pretending like he hadn't just done the cutest thing in the world. This time, Ling smiled like a doofus.
"Maybe I should get into trouble with your dad more so you'll kiss me more!"
"Don't be an idiot, Ling."