"Here are the last of my reports Colonel," Ed said as he walked into the Flame Alchemist's office. But to Ed's surprise, the Colonel was asleep at his desk. "Damn it, he's always slacking off that lazy bastard . . ." Ed walked around the desk to where Roy Mustang was slouched over his, almost late, paper work. "Jeez, the least he could've done was finish his paper work early for once. I mean there's gonna be a vacation for gosh sake."

Central and all military officers were given a whole month off, due to remodeling in the building and such. All they had to do was finish up whatever paper work and reports they had left. Everyone else had finished early, starting vacation early. The only two people left in the building were Ed and Colonel Mustang. Even Alphonse had finished early.

"Ugh, well this is annoying," Ed said as he walked closer to Mustang. He was about to start shaking the crap out of him, when he stopped. This was the first time in a while that Ed was actually able to take a good look at Mustang. The cocky smirk that the Colonel normally wore was gone. With his eyes closed, his face looked . . . peaceful. And . . . kinda cute, Ed thought. When he realized what he had just thought, he turned a slight shade of red. "No no no, how could I be thinking of HIM like that!" Ed exclaimed, immediately covering him mouth afterwards. The Colonel was still. Phew, that was a close one, Ed thought. But still . . . he continued, What in the world possessed me to think something like that?

Ending his monologue, Ed resumed waking the Colonel up.

"Hey Colonel, wake up," Ed said as he shook him.

"Nng, no . . . ten more minutes . . ." he murmured.

Ed sighed, and tried again, but louder this time. "Hey Colonel! Wake up!"

"Yeesh Fullmetal, all of HQ probably heard you," Mustang said sleepily as he lifted his head. "It's only us two left, idiot," Ed said, annoyed. He started eying the unfinished paper work the Mustang had returned to. "Honestly Colonel, I thought that even you would get you paper work done on time for once to start this rare vacation early. Guess I overestimated you," he said with a crooked grin.

Mustang looked up to fire off a response, one that preferably had a short joke in it somewhere, but stopped before he could even get one word out. He saw Ed's sly grin and couldn't help but think, That's kind of . . . but he didn't finish the thought. Why would he think of Ed in that way anyways . . .

"Look who's talking. You're still here Fullmetal," he recovered quickly. He couldn't let Ed know what he was thinking.

"Ha! I came here to give you my remaining reports."

"That doesn't change the fact that you're still one of the last two people here," Mustang said bluntly.

"Hmph, well at least I'm done."

"Hm," Roy smirked. "Who knew a little kid could get his work done earlier than an adult."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO LITTLE AN ADULT COULDN'T SEE HIM OVER HIS WORK!"

[A/N lame rant, I know ^^; ]

Roy laughed at Ed's reaction. Of course, Roy didn't really think that. Not anymore at least. Ed was done being a kid years ago. After he got his brother's body back, he was actually able to focus on work, and not the Philosopher's Stone. Ed has grown some in the past three years, but is still considered a little small for his age. Now 18, instead of his signature braid, he wore his blonde hair in a single ponytail. He would occasionally wear the military uniform that no one ever really made him wear. But he'd only wear it on important missions. (Or when he didn't want to mess up his own clothes, haha.) Today, he happened to be wearing it.

Mustang had to agree with almost everyone, Ed did look older when he wore his uniform. Hell, he looked sexy. But Roy would never admit that out loud. He knew the teenager wouldn't return his feelings.

"Anyways, here's my report. I'd like you to approve it so I can get out of here."

"Going somewhere during our vacation?" Mustang asked as he grabbed the report.

"Mm, not really. Al and Winry are taking a trip to the beach. Haha, it'll be the first time he gets to see the ocean. And with the person he likes…" Ed trailed off. Al had discovered his feelings for Winry not too long after regaining his body. Ed still remembers the conversation he and his brother had not too long before Al had left Central for an early vacation.

"Brother, I really want to tell her how I feel!" Al had exclaimed before boarding the train. Ed wasn't surprised. Al was as dense as he was innocent. The only person who didn't see his feelings besides him was Winry.

"Why don't you take her somewhere? I'm sure she wouldn't mind a little break, and you can confess to her and make it all romantic!" Ed said, partially teasing his younger brother. Al blushed a bit, but showed signs of worry.

"Brother, are you sure you're ok with this? I mean, you won't really have anything to do and…. about the Colonel…"

"Al…don't worry about it. It's not like he has to know. He'd probably laugh anyways…"

"Brother…"

"Don't worry about me!" Ed said, suddenly cheerful. "Go get her!" he said, pushing Al towards the station entrance.

Ed pushed that memory to the back of his mind, as he did with so many. After years of practice, Ed knew how to put on a happy face for everyone. He could even fool Al.

Ed had grown quiet. Roy looked up from the report and saw what no one else ever really saw behind all the smiles Ed put on. He could see sadness in the depths of his golden eyes. Why would he be… Now Roy was worried, Ed seemed fine a second ago before they started talking. Was it something he said?

"So uh…. Al finally found someone huh? You must be happy for him," Roy said, trying to slowly transition the subject away from his brother. That's normally a touchy subject.

"Yeah, I am. After all those years being stuck in that body, he finally gets to experience life. I'm glad I was able to fix him. I don't even care that I still don't have my arm and leg. Hell, it certainly keeps Winry busy! I just wish… mm never mind! I'm ranting now, sorry…" Ed turned away, embarrassed.

Roy just looked at him. He knew that when Ed starts ranting, it meant something was on his mind. It was a habit that Ed acquired over the past few years. "You know…. Fullmetal, if there's ever anything you need to talk about, you know that any of us wouldn't mind listening." Ed was surprised. Mustang wasn't normally this….well this. He never really gave him anything more than criticism. This was entirely new for him.

"Nah, you'd call me a child," Ed said, turning away to hide his face. The truth was he wanted nothing more than to go running to Roy every time his guilt got the better of him. He wanted to run into his arms and allow himself to cry out his worries. He wanted to spill his guts over what's been brewing in his mind. He wanted to. But couldn't. And that only made matters worse.

"Ed, I know you're not a child anymore," Mustang said, breaking Ed's thoughts. Ed hadn't noticed Mustang get up, or even heard his footsteps. He was only a few feet away from Ed, but he felt his presence.

"It's nothing…" Ed muttered, still not turning around.

"C'mon Fullmetal, how bad could it be to talk to me. Please turn around."

Please? Mustang never said please. He only demanded. But… his kindness…it…it makes me nervous… Ed thought, turning redder with each passing minute. He was very aware of it too, which made the redness appear faster.

"Fullmetal, please."

Now Roy had his hand on Ed's shoulder. Slowly, he turned Ed around. He didn't see the angry or annoyed face he had been expecting. He saw a sad, crying face. Tears were slowly trickling down Ed's cheek.

"Edward…." Roy didn't know what to do. Ed has never shown this side of him. Not to him at least. Ed just continued to stay silent, staring at the floor, letting the tears run. Roy couldn't stand it, seeing him cry. It wasn't right. He reached out, and gently wiped away a rolling tear. Ed looked up. It looked as if he didn't even realize he was crying.

"Please don't cry Ed…" Roy said, almost sadly.

Ed couldn't help himself. He couldn't control himself. The barrier he had created broke, and the tears started streaming rapidly. He started sobbing uncontrollably, his body collapsing to the floor.

"E-ed! What's wrong?"

Ed just continued sobbing, he couldn't talk. Roy kneeled, bringing himself eyelevel to Ed. Ed looked up, still cry, still sobbing. Roy just stood still, as if inviting him to be comforted. Ed couldn't resist, and leaned into Roy's body, sobs still escaping his lips. Roy put his arms around him, and comforted him, the best that he could.

"It-it's all m-m-my f-fault! A-Al c-c-couldn't b-b-be normal!"