Chapter Text
Soulmates. Everyone knew that somewhere in the world there was supposed to be someone just for you. The soulmate tattoos varied in shape, size, placement and colour, but it was a known fact that there were only 2 tattoos that were exactly the same and those tattoos belonged to soulmates.
There had been debates about whether or not the shape, size or placement indicated about the strength of the bond and so on, though none of these claims were ever proven true. The soulmate tattoos just appeared on your body in whatever spot the universe saw fit.
Edward Elric ever since he was born was always interested in the soulmate tattoos. He found it odd how his little brother's tattoo matched the one on Winry's calf but no one in their village had one matching his on their right arm. Ed saw the grass green design that looked kind of like a cat with an automail leg on both Al and Winry, he also saw the matching medical tattoos on the Rockbells. And though he hadn't seen the tattoo on his father, his mother had always told stories about their matching red stone shaped tattoos on their chests'. Ed saw how granny Pinako's tattoo had changed into white and scar like even though an old picture showed it as a dark purple one.
However what Ed didn't see was another person with a golden tattoo shaped like an intricate array on their right wrist. But his mother had told him to be patient and wait, someday he would meet the person whose tattoo matched his.
Ed didn't understand how his father could leave them, leave his soulmate and not even come back when his tattoo also changed to white scar like mark, thus marking the passing of Trisha Elric.
After they committed the taboo Ed thought about soulmate tattoos even more. How his actions had taken Al's away and how it had taken his away. At least Al already knew who his soulmate was, all Ed had to do was get Al's body back so he could actually have a life with his soulmate. As for Ed, maybe it was a good thing he didn't have a soulmate tattoo anymore, maybe it would be better if he never got it back, he thought who would want a screw up like Ed as a soulmate? Who would want someone who had committed the greatest taboo in alchemy, who was half person, half metal? Who would even believe Ed was their soulmate when he had no proof of it?
During his years in the military Edward had seen a lot and learned a lot. Apparently people could fall in love and live happily even with someone who wasn't their soulmate. Maes Hughes had been born with a white soulmate mark, meaning that his soulmate had died before he was even born, yet he lived happily and in love with his wife Gracia even though their marks didn't match.
That had Edward thinking that maybe he could love someone someday who wasn't his match. Then happened puberty and hormones. Ed couldn't believe that he found the annoying colonel bastard attractive, he tried to ignore it but as faith would have it Roy Mustang was the only thing Ed could think about.
Years went by as Edward tried to bury his feelings for the colonel, knowing it wouldn't lead to anything. Though he hadn't seen Mustang's tattoo he was quite sure it wouldn't have matched the one he once had had. At first Ed had thought that Hawkeye and Mustang were soulmates but that thought disappeared when he heard about Mustangs womanizing ways and when he walked in on Hawkeye making out with major Miles in the supply closet.
When they finally managed to restore Alphonse's body to normal the weird green cat tattoo and all, Ed felt like he would break down though he wouldn't do it in front of his brother. So when Al had gone to see Winry, Ed finally broke down. It was never the plan for him to get his limbs back but the weight of the final realization that he would never have his soulmate that he used to dream of and the stories that his mother used to tell him about soulmates would never happen to him. He would be alone the rest of his life because no one would love a man half made out of metal if they had a choice. And maybe his soulmate had died, it's not like he had a scar to tell him of their fate. But Ed decided that he was going to be strong, fir Al and keep going.
It was a year after Alphonse had gotten his body back and they were all in central for Elysia's birthday party. Edward loved how happy everyone seemed even though his thoughts were still a bit depressed. He slipped out of the party and went to sit under the big three that stood in the Hughes' backyard. He hadn't been there long before he felt someone sit next to him.
"Well fullmetal, not up for a party?"
"I do love them but there is so much you can take of Hughes' photo attacks while he squeals about his adorable daughter", Ed deadpanned and turned to stare at Mustang. Which turned out to be a bad idea as he still hadn't gotten over his childhood crush on the newly appointed general. The look on Mustang's dark eyes was breath taking and Ed found himself frozen.
"Screw it", he heard Mustang mutter before he felt the bastard's lips on his own. It felt intoxicating and he couldn't help but to melt and kiss back. When they separated to take a breath Ed's thought process finally started flowing again.
"You can't believe how long I have wanted to do that Edward", Mustang, no ROY confessed and leaned to another kiss.
After minutes of making out they separated long enough to discuss about this, both learning about how long the other had wanted them. Roy explained about his informants/dates when Ed asked.
"But what about..um.. What about your soulmate? If you're with me what about them? Are you just going to leave me when you find them? And..", Ed was bringing himself to panic when Roy reacted. "Edward, Ed god no. I wouldn't do that to you. Never!", Roy shushed him and held him close.
The stayed close talking quietly in the shadow of the tree until Maes decided they were the perfect thing to photograph, which lead to a pissed of Roy, a melted camera, a forlorn Maes and very amused party guests.
Edward and Roy stared dating and even though he thought about their soulmates less and less, the thought about whether this was fair to them wormed its' way to Ed's head every now and then. That changed on their date a month after they started dating.
They were in a fancy restaurant talking about alchemic theory and Ed was enthusiastically explaining with his hands that though the theory could have some merit if you changed few things but the alchemist who wrote it was a complete idiot, when he accidentally hit a waiter who was carrying a tray of glasses full of red wine, causing the waiter to drop the tray and drenching Roy's right shirt sleeve in the red liquid. Both Ed and the waiter were mortified but Roy just laughed it off.
Edward was still mumbling apologies when Roy rolled up his sleeve. Roy looked up at Ed wondering about why he stopped speaking in the middle of a sentence and noticed that Ed was staring at his wrist mouth gaping.
"You.. Your.. Yo.. Your soulmate mark!", Edward finally managed to splutter out.
Roy sighed and started to once again explain to Ed that even if his soulmate would appear from somewhere he wouldn't just leave Ed, that he cared about him way more than that.
"It's not that you bloody idiot!", Ed yelled and caught off whatever Roy was going to say. "All this time I have been worried and it was for nothing!"
At Roy's confused look Edward took pity on him and blurted: "Omg, you idiot, it's you, you are the one I waited for. You are my soulmate!"
It was Roy's turn to gape and when he turned his eyes to his right wrist where the golden array was branded to his skin he belatedly realized that the tattoo was the exact same shade of gold that Edwards eyes were.
Long story short, they payed for the food they never ate and practically ran from the restaurant all the way to Roy's house.
The end.