Title: Touch
Pairing: Al/Mei (WTF WHY doesn't this paring have more crazy fans? I adore them so much)
Rating: T-M (mentions of sex. Srs bzns mentions of sex)
To be honest, Mei didn't even notice until Winry teased her about it one night.
"Al can't seem to keep his hands off you, huh, Mei?" she smiled mischievously at her. Mei started, and turned from where she was kneeling on the ground, playing with Den.
It was nighttime, and she and Al had dropped in for a visit to Resembool on their way to Central. Coincidentally, Winry was also there, visiting her grandmother from Rush Valley. The four of them had had a long dinner together, filled with conversation and good food.
Evidently, Winry had enjoyed more than the food and company, evidenced by the way she was smiling deviously at Mei. She was grinning at her, hands on her hips cocked to one side. Mei lifted herself off of her knees and stared at Winry.
"Um… What?"
Winry's grin grows even wider as she steps forward to clap Mei on the shoulder. "You know, all the hand-holding. And he's alwayshugging you, or is playing with your hair, or something."
Mei laughed a little. "Winry, that's just how Al is. He's a hugger."
Winry looked at her with a quirked eyebrow, still grinning. "Come on Mei, I've known Alphonse since he was born. Al isn't like that to just anyone. No one except you."
Mei laughed it off, but the thought stayed with her for a long time afterwards.
…
For the next couple of weeks, Mei paid particular attention to Alphonse, his hands in particular. And she realized that Winry's observation was right on the mark.
Alphonse is always touching her. When they sat together reading in the evenings, he'd thread his hands through her hair, and press kisses to her cheek and temple, unconsciously. When they were at dinner (formal or otherwise), his hands were always on her. His fingers were either laced through hers, or his arm was around her waist: close enough to satisfy him, and far enough to satisfy the laws of propriety. He was fond of running his hands through her hair while she worked at her alkahestry notes, and when they showered together, he found great pleasure when she allowed him to shampoo and dry it for her.
And oh, the sex. His hands, gripping her hips tightly, thumbs tracing circles into her skin, and his mouth pressing at every inch of skin he could reach. Al is Al when they're intimate: no two ways about it. So loving, soft, gentle, warm, and he never moves his eyes from her face.
Mei quickly learned, on night, that Alphonse had this habit, where he never lets go of her hand during. When she was above him, head thrown back, and one hand splayed on his chest, and nearing completion, she noticed the slight squeezing of her other hand and brush of lips against her knuckles when she came. He ran his hands up and down her back in a soothing motion for a few minutes; after which she rolled off of him, and into his welcoming embrace.
They laid quietly for a few moments, waiting for their breathing to even out. Alphonse's hand eventually goes to her side and he rubs his palm there, creating a beautiful, relaxing warmth.
Her hands went to his short hair, and she ran her fingers through it, as he leaned forward to kiss her deeply. He smiled blissfully at her, and whispered "I love you", before exhaustion got the better of him, and he falls asleep with his forehead against her shoulder.
Mei stroked his hair thoughtfully, and realizes that Al's penchant for holding her continuously was something that she could live with after all.
She closed her eyes, pressed a kiss to the top of his head, and fell asleep.
AN: I am so, so sorry.