#dunno how many people actually need him but it is my sacred duty to make refs of all official sonic outfits. for the People.

[hydrossity-zone]

Detective Vector from SFSB turnarounds and reference sheet!

(as usual, click for better quality)

full-res image: Detective Vector (alt link)

[asphodellic]

It’s a rare quiet moment in the usually bustling office. Ryan is off fetching paperwork that needs to be filled out, and the others are who knows where. Ed’s curled up on the couch with a book that he’s definitely not supposed to have seeing as he’s neither military nor Amestrian, but being married to the right hand man of the guy who’s poised to take over the country has its perks. 

It’s just him and Mustang in the office now, speaking of the future Fuhrer, and Ed watches him write for a second before he speaks up. 

“I saw Ryan’s back.” 

Heavy topic of conversation for fucking sure, but it’s been weighing on Ed’s mind since he saw it. 

Roy’s pen stops writing, but he doesn’t look up. 

Ed just waits. 

“And what did you think?” Mustang finally asks. 

“Messy.” 

“The alchemy or the...erasure of it?” 

That’s a handy bit of word play, but if there’s one thing Ed’s learned since coming to this country, it’s that Roy Mustang knows how to turn a fucking phrase.

“Both, actually,” he says, and now Roy does look at him. Ed shrugs a shoulder. “Amestrians always take the longest way around to get to the same place,” he says. “Could’ve gotten the same effect with like two thirds as many symbols. The rest...well, you know what it looks like.” 

Roy dips his head. “I do, indeed,” he says, tone carefully neutral. “Does it bother you?” 

“Are you asking if I think it’s ugly or something?” 

There’s just a hint of a smirk. “Perhaps. Or if you take issue with the destruction of a moment in alchemical history. I know your people value it even more than we do.” 

It’s a fair question, all things considered. “Nah,” Ed replies. “I mean Ryan explained why you did it. I definitely get that. Something so destructive shouldn’t be in the hands of someone who doesn’t get how fucking...massive it is, you know? How it’s like you’re channeling the natural flow of shit into yourself and how...I dunno. Sacred that is? Maybe that’s a dumb word.” 

“No, I understand completely,” Roy says. “I’ve often felt burdened with it, especially since the war, but there’s a certain blessing to it as well. It’s pure, in a way, and shouldn’t be used as a weapon of mass destruction.” 

“You’re definitely one of the first Amestrians I’ve met who thinks like that.” He looks back down at his book. “And for the record, no. I don’t think it’s ugly. There’s nothing ugly about Ryan.” 

Roy steeples his fingers and looks at Ed over them. “You know, Ryan is one of the very few people in this world that I trust completely. One of the few who I call my friend and mean it. I know that he agreed to your marriage mostly out of duty, but I’d hate to see him inconvenienced by it more than is strictly necessary.” 

And if that isn’t the fanciest threat Ed’s ever heard. “I’m not gonna hurt him or whatever. Not on purpose anyway. He’s...he’s a good guy. A really good guy. Who got saddled with me because of politics. I think...” Ugh, he can’t believe he’s getting mushy about his husband with Roy Mustang. “I think he’s gonna be real important to me. I’m glad they picked him.”

Those dark eyes study him for a moment, and then the serious expression clears, replaced by a smile. “That’s very good to hear. It’s not often that political machinations make people’s lives better, not yet anyway, but I think you’re good for him.”

High praise from Ryan’s self appointed protector, but Ed appreciates it. And immediately tries not to show how much. “Who even uses words like ‘machinations’?” 

“People who think too much of themselves,” Ryan says as he comes in with a hefty file. “For you, sir.” He thumps it down on Mustang’s desk. “Are you avoiding your work by teaching my husband about the evils of politics? Because I think he already knows.” 

Roy groans, but Ed gives Ryan a quick smile. “It’s not always so bad.”