Let me show you love

Roy sat at his desk, staring at the paperwork. Why did he have to sign so many god-damned papers. Riza was out for her coffee break, so he didn't have to worry about her constant reminders to get it done.

He could always burn the papers. Roy smiled at the idea. Sighing, he sits back in his chair. Edward was due back from his mission today, which would mean that he would have to read Edwards reports. Terrific. Riza returned a mere 7 minutes later and persuaded him to finish his work -as if he didn't have to. He left to turn in his papers to the Furher and when he came back, wouldn't you know it, that short little blonde was standing in his office talking to Riza.

"Afternoon, Fullmetal." Ed looked up, seeing Roy. Instead of the usual sarcastic comment or loathing on his face, Ed smiled at him.

"Afternoon, Colonel." Roy blinked, looking at the boy.

"I trust you-"

"Have my reports? As a matter of fact, yes! Is that all you need?" Roy stared at the shorter man in amazement.

"You have your reports done? Already?"

"Yes. I said that. Were you listening?" There was a hint of the annoyance Roy was so accustomed to. "I did them on the train ride back. Al was sitting right beside me!" Roy stared at the 18 year old boy incredulously before accepting the papers from him and glancing them over. Riza smiled, looking at Roy.

"Alright, Fullmetal. You've got your paperwork done."

"Is that all I need to do?" Roy smirked staring at him.

"I'm sorry. Am I making you late for a certain date with a certain someone?" Jain. Edward and Jain had been dating for about 11 or 12 months now. Riza thought it was cute. Roy didn't. He didn't like Jain. She was just like every other girl all over Ed; after the publicity and the money the state gave Ed. Ed was a celebrity and he was 'for the people'. Made Roy a little sick. But Ed was only 18, so it's not like he could screw up too much.

"Yes you are you bastard!" Ed was blushing. So cute. That's the Ed Roy knew.

"Hm… I think we need to discuss this report, Fullmetal. Your handwriting's not the best. I think it's as challenged as your height-"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING TOO SMALL TO HOLD A PENCIL PROPERLY AND WRITE PROPERLY ON A TRAIN?"

Riza smirked. "He didn't say that Ed. Roy, stop pestering the boy. If he wants to go on his date, let him go." Roy sighed, looking down at the boy.

"Go on. Try not to be so much of an idiot." Ed ran out the door, not bothering to drop a sarcastic come-back. Roy sighed, looking over at Riza. "Have you met Jain?"

"Yes I have. She seems very nice. Does she bother you, sir?" Roy shook his head. It's just a girlfriend. Roy's had plenty of them. So long as Ed didn't do anything stupid…

Roy rolled his eyes thinking of all the stupid things Ed could do, one of the worst being get her pregnant. If she got pregnant, her parents would demand money to take care of the child. And, it'd be all over the news. That wouldn't do any good whatsoever for Ed's reputation. At least Roy was smarter than that, but Ed's judgment wasn't always the best.

The work day went by and Riza left a little early to go home and finish some housework she'd been meaning to do. Roy let her leave without a single complaint, spinning around in his chair to look out the window. The sun was setting, and he should probably leave too. Something kept him there, sitting in his office. He couldn't explain it. It was pointless to try anyway. Roy did weird stuff, sometimes.

Sighing, Roy stood up and left. Walking through town, Roy saw Ed and Jain walking across the square. He was walking her home. They looked so sweet together. Roy felt himself scowl inwardly. She looked as if she was asking for something and with Ed nodding, he was going to give it to her. Roy sighed, going back to his house. Walking in, he dropped his coat on the floor, took his shoes off at the door, and went upstairs.

Laying down in his bed, he found sleeping harder than usual. But eventually sleep found him and carried him away. Problem being that his dreams left him in a frazzled state the next day. (Read "Just a Dream" written by me to understand the dream)

Roy sat up in his bed, looking at the clock. 4:00 am. Not again... Damn it. Roy sighed, laying back in his bed. This isn't right. Edward's 18... There's something wrong with me. Problem was, this wasn't the first night he'd had that dream. Or at least, a very similar dream. And it always left him in a confused state; his mind saying no and his entire body saying yes.

Roy stood up and began getting ready for his day. He went into work early and sat down at his desk slightly sleep deprived. He mostly went through his day on auto pilot. Didn't need to be reminded to do his paperwork for once.

At about 1:00 pm, Edward walked into the office. Riza smiled at him, obviously wanting to ask how his date went. She was nicer than that, though.

Roy wasn't! "So how did it go yesterday?" Edward took off his jacket, dropping it on the ground before falling onto the couch in the office.

"Shut up. It went just fine."

"I'm sure it did. No doubts when it comes to you."

"I just came to see if I had any missions." Roy shook his head, looking at the boy. He looked a little tired. A good bit tired, actually.

"How late were you up, Fullmetal?"

"Not late." Roy perked his eyebrows, but dropped the subject as he went back to doing his paperwork.

"Is there a specific reason you're still here, Fullmetal?" Edward looked up at Roy, who was looking at him again. Edward opened his mouth, but shut it almost a second after.

"No. I'm going now." Edward walked out, and Roy received a glance from Riza.

"Sir, I think he wanted to talk to you."

"Edward? Want to talk to me about something other than work?" Roy rolled his eyes. "If it was important, he'll be back. Besides," Roy walks over to the middle of the office, picking up Ed's red coat. "He'll be back for this." Roy walked over, hanging the coat on a coat rack.

Riza sighs, looking at the clock. "Sir. May I have the rest of the day off?" Roy looks over at her.

"Riza, it's barely past one o'clock. Why do you want off so early?" Roy takes his seat back behind his desk.

"It's Christmas Eve. I want to go spend it with my family and do some last minute Christmas shopping." Roy nodded, looking at the calendar. He'd forgotten it was Christmas Eve. That meant tomorrow was Christmas, and he had off.

Riza stands up, going over to Roy's desk and placing a card on it. "Merry Christmas, Sir. Have a good one." With that, Riza walked out of the office.

Roy looked down on the card, smiling. Thoughtful idea. He left put the card in his pocket so he could open it tomorrow. Sitting back in his chair, Roy spins around and stares out the window at all the snow and the people leaving Central early. He could see Riza through the crowds of people as she made her way to her car. "Merry Christmas."

Ed and Jain were no where in sight from Roy's window. Before long, Roy nodded off. It was a dreamless sleep for once, but it wasn't very deep. It lasted hours, though, and when Roy woke up the sun had set. Spinning around in his chair, he hears a knock at the door. He must not have been sleeping very deeply because it was probably that person who woke Roy up.

"It's open." Edward pokes his head in the door.

"I came to get my coat and saw the light on under the door. I figured I'd knock." The boy still had snow flakes in his hair and on his shoulders -especially his right shoulder where the metal wouldn't melt the snow as quickly.

Seeing Roy nod, Edward stepped into the office. Roy looked over at the clock. Midnight. "Fullmetal… what are you doing here at this hour?"

"I told you. I came to get my coat." Roy nodded.

"But you could have come and gotten it in two days. I doubt this is the only coat you own, Fullmetal." Edward shook his head pulling his coat on.

"I just didn't want to risk forgetting it. That's all." Edward gave Roy a smile.

Roy sighs, looking at the young alchemist as Edward walked out the door. He pulls the card out of his pocket, seeing that it was technically Christmas. It was a typical Christmas card purchased at a story that said Merry Christmas. Nothing written on the card. Instead, in the card was a small post it note with writing on it from Riza.

Dear Roy,

I hope you have the merriest Christmas yet to come. Don't do anything stupid.

Lots of Love,

Riza Hawkeye.

Roy blinked, staring at the card. 'Don't do anything stupid'. Roy sighs, standing up and going out the office leaving the card on his desk and the post it note fluttering to the floor. "Fullmetal!" Roy wasn't yelling because he didn't want to wake anyone up, but he did need to speak loud enough to be heard.

Thankfully, Edward hadn't gotten far. He stopped and turned around to look at Roy. "Yeah, Colonel?" Roy stopped, catching up to Ed.

"Why did you stick around in the office earlier today? Riza thought you had something to say to me…" Edward looks up into Roy's raven black eyes before looking up the hall and out a window.

"I did. I had a question, but I think I figured it out."

Roy looks at him for a moment before deciding not to pursue. At least, for the moment. "Edward," Edward looks up, hearing Roy say his real name instead of his military name.

"Yeah, Colonel…" Roy starts fishing around for his keys in his pocket.

"Let me lock down my office and then why don't you come with me back to my house? We can have some tea or something." Roy had no idea why he was inviting the boy to his house to talk about something Ed very clearly said he figured out on his own. It just seemed right.

"A-alright. Sure." Ed followed Roy back up the hall as Roy locked the office down for Christmas. Then, the two of them went out into the snow and began walking to Roy's house. It wasn't too far away and of course Roy had picked today to walk to work when he happened to have an hour of extra time this morning.

The walk was in silence for the first half as Roy was in his own world thinking about what to say. Edward didn't mind the silence, but 4 blocks away from Roy's house Roy finally broke the silence.

"So how are things between you and Jain?…" Edward looked up at Roy as they walked. Roy was focused on where they were walking, so Ed directed his attention back to the pure white sidewalks.

"I thought you didn't like us…" Roy stopped momentarily, looking at Ed.

"You think I don't like you?…" Ed stopped walking as he realized Roy stopped. He turned his head to face Roy.

"Not so much me all the time… just us and her mostly… I don't know, you just act that way." Roy shook his head slightly, continuing to walk. Ed had a point, but Roy wouldn't tell Ed. It wasn't his place to judge Ed's relationship. Hopefully, Ed would realize on his own.

Hopefully, Ed wouldn't get worked up over it. He was a teenager, though, so he might get worked up over a break up and Roy would have to hear about it. Roy looked down at the boy. Ed didn't seem like the type of person who would do that.

So Roy shrugged Ed's comment off for now. "Eh… Doesn't much matter I suppose." They arrived at Roy's house and Roy unlocked the door, stepping in and taking off his shoes. Ed did the same and hung his jacket on the coat rack near the door. He watched as Roy took off his military jacket, hung it up, and promptly pulled his white shirt out of his pants and made himself comfortable.

Edward looked around the mansion awe-struck. Roy had it good. Military salary did mean one could live extremely comfortably. Ed just chose not to, having grown up in Resembool. He didn't like big and fancy things, but he wouldn't turn down living in a house like this occasionally.

Roy went into the kitchen and put a pot of water on the stove to start boiling. Edward followed Roy into the kitchen, sitting down at the table. Roy made the tea and placed Ed's cup down in front of Ed, sitting on the opposite side of the small table from Ed.

"So what do you think of me and Jain?…" Edward was mixing his tea with his finger absent mindedly. Roy looked up at Ed.

"Like I said… it doesn't matter. Why?"

"I dunno. Just a little curious, I guess." Roy smirked, drinking his tea. He wasn't going to answer Ed, and Ed could tell when after a couple minutes he said nothing. "I promise I wont get mad at all. I just want to know."

Roy looked up at Ed. "You're just a little curious… I find that hard to believe." Edward shrugged it off and Roy sighed, looking away from Ed. "I don't know, Ed. I'd like a reason to tell you before I share my opinion."

Ed looked up at Roy. "Your opinion matters to me, Roy… I just want to know." Roy looked at Ed, their eyes meeting for a split moment before Ed looked down into his tea. "I'm planning on marrying her, Roy. I wanted to know what you thought." Roy felt his stomach drop as his stare didn't leave Edward's face.

"You want to marry her? Already?… Ed. Do you know what that means?…" Ed began to nod as Roy cut him off. "No, Ed. Do you really know what it means to be married? It means you've fallen in love with someone. It means you want to spend the rest of your lives together… it's a two way thing, Ed. Do you understand what you'd be getting yourself into-"

"Damn it, Roy! I know what getting married is about!"

"Edward… You're only 18! For Christ's sake, wait a while longer!" Roy felt his stomach turning as he said that. Wait longer. Did he just give his permission for Edward to marry Jain? Edward would be throwing his life away if he did that. "What makes you want to be married so quickly? You've hardly dated many people yet. Edward, you're still young!"

"It's her idea, and I want her to be happy. You know what, I shouldn't have asked." Edward stood up to go to the door and Roy felt his chest throb.

"Edward, wait. What about you? Are you going to be happy? Ed, let me talk to you for a bit."

"No. I'm going back to my apartment-"

"Edward, please. I want to help, Edward. I want you to understand what you're getting yourself into."

"Roy, I know what I'm getting myself into." Roy got to the door before Ed, blocking Ed from leaving. He had no idea what he was doing. He was simply acting without putting any forethought into it.

"Edward, please don't do it." Roy felt that he himself was shocked by what he was saying. It wasn't his place to interfere, but Roy didn't want Edward marrying her. Not Jain. If it was some other girl who actually loved Ed, Roy might be able to make himself stand aside. It might even stop the weird dreams Roy had been having, but not Jain. "Edward, give me a chance to prove to you otherwise. You wanted my opinion on Jain? Well here it is. I don't like Jain. I've dealt with girls like her before. Edward, you're a celebrity! She likes the publicity and the money! She doesn't love you, Ed!"

"Shut up, Roy! That's a lie!" Edward was mad at Roy's opinion. Roy could have handled things a little better, but he wasn't about to let Ed throw his life away. Not like that. Edward tried pushing past Roy, but Roy blocked him again.

"Edward, hear me out. She doesn't love you. You're only 18, you don't know what love is yet! Edward, give me a chance to prove you otherwise!" Roy felt how weak his knees were and he had no idea what he was getting himself into. Wrong. He actually did. He wanted to help Ed, and he knew that doing what he was thinking about might cost him his job.

"Edward, let me help you! Give me some time to show you what's actually going on! Let me open your eyes to some options! You can't just throw you life away! Not yet. You're still so young, Edward."

"Damn it, Roy! Get out of my way!"

"Edward, I can show you love! Just give me a chance! You shouldn't have to give anything for it! Edward, I can show you. I'll be perfect for you if you give me a chance…" Roy could feel the knot in his stomach growing with each word. "Just give me a year, Edward. That's all I ask. Just one year. I can show you what it's like to actually love someone. I can show you what it's like to actually be loved."

Edward looked up at Roy as if Roy were crazy, but he seemed to be actually considering it. Roy took advantage of the moment of silence. "I know there'd be some problems. There's lots of things wrong with it, but I can work around them! I wont leave when it's tough! I wont get mad at you at the drop of a hat, Edward! Let me show you the game she's playing, Edward. Please don't make this mistake. Let me show you what it feels like to be in love…" Edward was staring Roy in the eyes and Roy could feel that the suspense wasn't helping his stomach or his chest.

Heck, the knowledge of what others might think wasn't helping either. But he'd see it through. He didn't want Edward to decide just like that to get married to a lime-light girl. "And, if at the end of the year, I haven't convinced you otherwise, you can marry her. Just give me a chance, Edward."

Edward looked up into Roy's raven black eyes, getting lost for a moment trying to figure out what he should do. An entire minute of silence passed before Edward gave his consent. It was just a small nod, but it was all Roy needed. He wrapped his arms around Edward pulling him into a hug and Edward hugged him back. After a few minutes, Roy put his hands on Ed's face, pulling Edward away from him. He bent down and brought their lips together. Roy kissed Ed passionately and when the kiss finally broke, both of them were catching their breath.

"Would you like me to drive you home?" Edward looked at Roy and shook his head.

"There's too much snow on the roads."

"Alright then. I have a guest room upstairs, and you can spend Christmas morning here."

Edward nodded. "Before I go to Jain's house…" Roy gave a small nod. Edward wouldn't break up with Jain for the next year, and Roy would have to deal with it. At least he was postponing a marriage. This gave them a year to figure out how they felt and if they were comfortable together. Not only together, but in front of others. At least while Ed was still dating Jain, no one would know the two of them were together in secret.

It did leave a sort of dirty feeling in Roy's chest at causing Ed to cheat on Jain, but it disappeared as Edward kissed him again. A quick kiss, since Edward still wasn't entirely sure. It didn't matter, though. Roy would help Ed.

He led Edward up to the guest room and Ed went inside, thanking Roy and closed the door. Roy went back to his room. No point bothering to try to share beds or anything yet, Roy had an entire year. Roy would give it a month or two before he tried anything like that. He wanted to make sure Ed was truly comfortable with it first.

As soon as Roy got to his room, he closed the door and got ready for bed. For the first time, he wasn't afraid of what dreams might haunt him. No. For the first time, he was looking forward to a sweet dream or two.

Please Please Please Please Please Please Comment, Rate, Review, whatever! I love hearing your input! I don't care if you don't like it! Just tell me! I have random fluff in my head that I'm debating typing as a sequel to this, but I want to hear what you think of this first.