Ken leant against the wall outside registration, waiting for the teacher to turn up. He avoided everyone’s eyes as they waited around him for the same thing, hands in his pockets and staring at his feet.

The last few days had been very difficult for him. Since his family had thoroughly washed their hands of him, and Mustang had allowed him to stay with him, it had not been easy, and it took a long while to adjust to this new life. He still had not yet adjusted.

What am I going to do? He worried to himself, not for the first time. I can’t stay with Mustang forever…even if he says… he bowed his head with regret. I have to look after myself…

‘Hey Ken.’

He was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by the voice of his friend who had shuffled closer to him to talk.

‘Hey Bill’ Ken replied meekly.

‘Are you living with Mustang?’

‘W-what?’ Ken stammered, caught off guard by the bluntness of the question, whole body suddenly tense. ‘W-why would you say that?’

‘I've noticed you take a different route to college now’ Bill answered, tilting his head as he spoke to him. ‘You come to college almost always with Mustang now. Don’t you live with your family anymore?’

‘Well…’ Ken began reluctantly. ‘You see…the truth is…’

Mustang suddenly materialized right on queue beside Ken, leaning into him and placing an arm around Ken’s shoulders.

‘The truth is’ Mustang finished for him, ‘we’re living together…and we’re going out.’

Ken suddenly choked, suddenly lost for breath and going bright red, mostly in fury.

‘WHAT!?’

‘Come on darling’ Mustang teased, tickling Ken under the chin. ‘You know it’s true.’

Ken shoved him away then, doing so violently and causing Mustang to almost topple over.

‘That is not true!’ Ken snapped furiously, balling his fists.

Mustang waved his arms like a windmill as he tipped precariously backwards on his heels, regaining balance before straightening again. ‘Oh come on’ Mustang spoke, utterly serious. ‘What about all the things you said last night about how much you loved me?’

If it was possible for Ken to go any redder, he did now.

He gasped for several moments in utter shock, painfully aware that everyone around them was listening now.

‘That-that…did not happen! That never happened! I swear that never happened!’

‘The more you try to deny it the guiltier you are’ Mustang sneered seductively, threatening to move closer.

I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you…!

‘You made me feel as giddy as a school girl last night’ Mustang continued, adopting a shy pose, putting a finger to his lips, looking timid and resting a toe on the floor, swinging his heel back and forth. ‘I've never seen such an animal-side before…you were savage…you wouldn’t stop even when I said no…and the size…I thought you would tear me apart…’

Ken could take no more. He strode up to Mustang and grabbed him by the shoulder, gripping has hard as he could, wishing nothing more than to shut him up, but not knowing how…

Mustang only stared at him with a calm expression. But even so, Ken could see a smile play about his lips, tweaking the corners of his mouth.

‘I. Will. Kill. You. For. This…’ Ken spoke through gritted teeth. ‘I. Swear…’

‘What is going on here?’

Ken tensed then, recognising the voice of the teacher who stood right behind him.

He let go of Mustang swiftly, and darted away down the corridor, heading as far from the teacher and the others who had heard the conversation as possible.

He came to be outside, stepping out into the bight day. Ken kept jogging, slowing only when he had run out of breath. He leant forward now, doubled over with his hands on his knees as he huffed, cheeks burning.

It took several minutes to get his breath back. When he did at last, he straightened up, letting out a deep sigh.

‘Found ya!’

Ken instantly ground his teeth, recognising the voice of Mustang.

He turned glowering as Mustang came his way, sliding down the bank of a steep slope near him with his arms out and stumbling ungracefully his way.

‘Hey. Wacha doing here?’ Mustang sang happily when he had reached him.

‘Trying to get away from you!’

‘Well you didn’t do a very good job of it’ Mustang replied flatly.

‘How could you do that?!’ Ken yelled at him. ‘How could you do that in front of everyone?!’

‘Keep your voice down’ Mustang waved at him as if placating a panicked animal. ‘And anyway, why do you care so much what other people think?’

‘Because I live in this world with other people.’

‘Yep’ Mustang said casually, staring off into the distance and speaking in a bored tone, scratching at the back of his head. ‘Other people are a hassle sometimes.’

‘You're one to talk’ Ken huffed. ‘You should know better than anyone.’

Mustang froze then, staring intently at Ken. He lowered his hand then, moving closer to him.

Ken backed against the wall; staring back at Mustang hard as he trapped him there, arms either side of Ken as he leant forwards against the wall.

Mustang smirked at him, tilting his head forwards, leaning closer to Ken.

‘I’ve come to realise’ he spoke in a purr, ‘how handsome you are.’

‘Stop it’ Ken ordered, speaking shortly. ‘You keep telling me that.’

‘Why?’ Mustang whispered, lips hovering over Ken’s. ‘You look so cute when you're vulnerable like this.’

Mustang pulled back slightly, gazing into Ken’s eyes.

‘Ken…’ he breathed, ‘…I love you…’

Ken’s heart tightened in his chest and his eyes widened. He clenched his jaw, palms beginning to sweat.

‘How…’ Ken whispered, ‘how can you say that?’

‘Because it’s true’ Mustang replied without a seconds pause.

‘You don’t know what you're talking about.’

Mustang turned his head away suddenly, hearing his name being called.

Ken’s attention slid past Mustang, and to a figure in the distant, standing and waving there.

Not another one Ken thought in his head.

‘Roy!’ Mustang cried, straightening and moving away from Ken, completely distracted now.

Ken let out the breath he had been holding, body suddenly relaxed as his shoulders slumped.

He pushed himself off the wall, watching as Mustang darted away and into the arms of the man that had called out to him. Mustang kissed the man deeply, the two each holding the other tightly to them.

Ken watched the two break apart, holding hands and running off to whatever business they would get up to.

‘Tch’ Ken grimaced. ‘So much for loving me.’ He caught himself then, heart skipping as he realised something.

Am I feeling jealous?

He shook his head.

‘No. Of course not. That’s just stupid.’

He pondered then, wondering what he should do.

…….should I go to class? He wondered. Could I face it?

*

In the end he decided he needed to be alone. His mind was a scrambled mess, and he felt so conflicted.

I must really be changing Ken realised, staring at his own reflection in the pond beside him. I've never skipped class before.

He had come to a quiet place now. After his encounter with Mustang that morning, Ken’s wandering feet had taken him out of the college grounds, and out of the town altogether.

Now he was in the open and peaceful land just beyond the town. There were a few main roads leading to and from the town, but in between, were quieter patches, where trees grew, and little streams ran.

Ken let out a sigh, leaning forwards and hugging his knees. He stared with eyes unfocused at the tall grass that grew at his feet, swaying in the light and cool breeze. He felt the tall grass tickle the back of his hands, and listened to the little birds calling to one another as they flitted through the air and danced back and forth from the bushes that grew nearby, to the branches in the trees and back again.

Ken leant back, resting on his back and gazing up at the slow clouds drifting lazily above him.

Ken let out a slow breath, and closed his eyes.

He lay there for hours, in blissful peace and serenity, the day around him beautiful and bright.