The morning after (dun duun duuun)--

It was actually afternoon by that point. They were both standing in Ed's kitchen, silently.

Roy, for one, was severely confused. Understandable, to a degree, since he was basically ordered to sleep in his subordinate's bed. Which wasn't something he had on his lists of things to do that day (or any other day, for that matter).

Not that he was exactly complaining, okay? He was just a little lost on what to do now.

On the other hand, Ed was smacking himself in the cerebellum for actually telling Roy to climb into his bed. Yeah, that was great. Absolutely wonderful. He wanted to blame it on some kind of fever, but that would mean that he went to work sick, which would send him off in a bad direction anyways. He hated this situation.

And yet, he couldn't say that he didn't like sleeping next to his CO.

Said officer was leaning against the counter top near the sink, looking almost at ease, but obviously not. Ed was puttering around the coffee pot; well, he wanted to be puttering around, in truth he was just kind of standing there.

"Ed."

The blonde jumped, asking sharply, "Yes?"

Roy tried not to chuckle, and almost managed it.

"Well, what?" Ed grumbled, the back of his neck feeling hot suddenly.

To which Roy replied soberly, "Ed, are we okay?"

"...What do you mean?" The other asked, confused.

Running a hand through his hand, Roy explained slowly, "I know that, regardless of what you said, I shouldn't have listened. I mean, besides the fact that I shouldn't have even been here, you were half asleep, so I can't say that you were actually listening to yourself."

Ed averted his eyes for a moment, trying not to show his thoughts about the matter.

"But that's not what I want to say, I guess." Roy continued. "I-- I'm not sorry that I listened to you, and I don't wish I hadn't. But I need to know why you said it."

It drew pause from the younger. Why did I say it? He stared at Roy for a moment, then returned his gaze to the coffee pot. It was almost full.

After a few seconds, he answered, "Roy, I..."

That was as far as the train of thought went, and the other could see that. He sighed softly, pushing away from the wall.

"Get back to me on that, alright, Fullmetal?" He added nonchalantly.

At first taken aback, it came to Ed that Roy was trying to establish a sense of normality.

"Yeah, yeah." Ed returned, accepting it.

"Good. Now how about that coffee?"

Ed humphed, his already poured, with a slight smirk. "Make it yourself."

--

Roy left first, as he needed to stop at home for the standard shower-business. Ed waited a bit, before setting off for different domestic tasks. Grocery shopping and the like.

Working his way down the street, Ed tried to put things in order in his mind, which wasn't exactly easy. The only thing that came to mind was Roy. Just Roy, nothing that actually had to do with Roy, which was really irritating, because that wasn't helping, dammit.

He didn't need to have those eyes swimming around in his head. Didn't want to be thinking about him every minute he wasn't around. Hated not being able to think at all when he was around.

Suddenly he stopped, staring ahead with a striking clarity in his eyes. Then he turned and slammed his head against the wall.

"Damn."

--

As Roy stepped into his office, he changed his mind and stepped back out.

"Not feeling well, sir?"

Riza gave him a lightly skeptical look as he stood near her.

To which Roy replied with a slight nod. "I'm just a little lightheaded."

"Then perhaps you should go home." She suggested. "I'll drive you."

With a slight scowl, the other remark, "I don't need to be driven home."

"If you're lightheaded," She presented gently, and yet with danger laced at the edges, "You shouldn't be driving."

Pleadingly, "But--"

"I'll drive him."

Both heads turned to see Ed walking through the door with a lightness to his step that didn't seem to fit.

Riza glanced between them for a moment, then decided, "Good. This means less work to catch up for me."

"And it means I can get back at Mustang for driving me home." Ed added with a smug grin.

Sighing in defeat, Roy muttered, "It appears I have no choice in the matter."

--

"So I'm guessing you feel fine."

Roy nodded.

Which made Ed glance at him in almost aggravation. "You know, you'll really fall behind at this rate."

"Are you my secretary?" Roy asked softly.

Ed huffed, returning, "No, but I'll be the one you blame when you need to sit at your desk for three days."

The elder rolled his eyes, a gesture Ed missed because (being the responsible driver that he was) he was watching the road.

When they reached Roy's apartment, he was surprised slightly when Ed stepped out of the car as well.

"I need to talk to you real quick." Ed answered the questioning look.

With an acknowledging nod, Roy lead the way to his apartment without a word.

--

Once inside, for what seemed like the millionth time in the last few days, they lapsed into silence.

Roy didn't push the younger alchemist, knowing it would just end with his cheek bruised and Ed stomping back to his car.

Meanwhile, Ed found himself drawing blanks in the back of his mind. They were very nice blanks, mind you, but they weren't very helpful.

Again the elder could tell Ed was having trouble putting thoughts to words, so he offered gently, "Have a seat."

Ed swallowed harshly and sat without a word. Mind now buzzing, slapping itself madly to come up with... ANYTHING!

Ignoring the obvious thoughts, Roy set himself to making coffee, which seemed to be something the two of them did when all was quiet.

Moments later he set a mug in front of the blonde, before sitting himself opposite with ease.

Then Ed asked softly, "Why did you listen?"

"...Maybe I like you, Edward." Roy replied softly.

In a similar tone, the other asked, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"No." Roy returned honestly. "But that's why I want to know where you stand in all this."

Ed considered this, adding, "So do I..."

"I was worried this would happen." Roy sighed a moment later.

Giving his a confused look, Ed asked, "What?"

"When I asked if we were okay," The elder explained, "I wanted to keep this from happening. I don't want to confuse you, I just..."

His voice trailed off, and Ed nodded empathetically. He just, too. Just what, neither knew, but it made sense in their minds.

For a moment or two, they sat in their familiar silence, both trying to figure something to add; both failing, miserably.

Ed stood, startling the both of them, but mostly Roy.

Before he could back out, the blonde walked directly over to the other side of the table, standing over Roy for a split-second.

Then he moved forward, setting a bent knee on one side of Roy's seat, resting his forehead on the elder's shoulder.

"This is where I stand." Ed murmured, his voice uncharacteristically low. "This is where I've wanted to stand for a while."

Roy was completely bewildered, his thoughts merely humming around warmly in his ears.

His wits swiftly returned, and he hesitantly rested a hand against Ed's pulse.

The younger rolled his head over, looking up in what almost looked like regret, but Roy knew that wasn't quite it.

He tighten his fingers, guiding Ed upright, watching the golden eyes intently. It was almost aching, this look of want. Pure want.

"What do you want, Ed?" Roy asked softly.

The eyes turned away slightly. "I want you."

Roy leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together. "And now I'm confused."

"Why?" Ed asked in an almost incredulous tone.

To which Roy remarked with a smirk, "If we both want this, why are we both acting so damn heartbroken?"

A single heartbeat elapsed, and suddenly Ed was fully seated on Roy and they were kissing as though there was no tomorrow, no yesterday.

--

"The coffee's cold."

The elder chuckled, looking to Ed. "Somehow it's funny how you point that out."

"Well, damn." Ed growled almost sullenly. "I'll remember that when you drink it next time."

Roy smiled, adding, "You know, you're adorable when you're annoyed."

"You know," Ed returned, a smile also tugging at his lips, "When you act like the ass you are, you end up being very kissable."

Thusly noted, Roy kissed him hotly before asking, "So would you like hot coffee?"

"Caffeine stunts your growth." Ed muttered dryly, amending, "Or so Havoc tells me."

Which only served to make Roy chuckle again.

--

So yeah. I basically forced myself to write this at quarter-ta two in the morning. And I am pleasantly pleased with the result...

I should force myself to do so more often o.o SUCCESS!!

By the way, this is not the end... I think. If it is, it had a good run at least. Lasted longer than I expected it to.

...I should stop bad mouthing my story now.

good-night