Sorry, it took so long to update.

I've been writing this story like crazy, I'm already on Chapter 6. But, somewhere along the way I forgot that it would be nice if I uploaded those chapters, huh?

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of it's characters.

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A Gradual Progression

By: DudeGetATree

Chapter 2

White Walls

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"You look happy, Sir. Going out tonight?" Riza asked as Roy walked out of his office at seven.

"I look no happier than usual, Lieutenant. And you'll be pleased to know, I'm staying in today. Edward Elric is staying awhile, so I figure I'll be a proper host."

The blonde woman raised an eyebrow at the man as the two walked down the corridors together. "Ed is staying with you?"

"Yes. Is that surprising?"

"Uh- No, Sir. Just wondering if you offered or if he invited himself."

Roy laughed as they turned a corner. "I offered. Figured we could catch up." Roy looked over at Riza who was eyeing him suspiciously. "Is that a problem?"

"No. Just wondering." They walked down the hall in silence. Roy opened the main door to Central, letting Hawkeye out first. "Thank you," she murmured.

Ed stood on the steps of Central, watching the lights of the town start to flicker on. Roy stopped and stared at him for a moment, wondering what was going on through his mind. Riza looked up at her superior and then looked over in the direction he was looking, catching sight of the blonde man.

"Ed," she called, breaking his trance, thus breaking the stare upon him that Roy was giving. "Waiting for Colonel?"

"Ya, he's letting me stay at his place."

"So I've heard. Well, I better get going. Goodnight you two," she said, smiling softly.

"Goodnight, Lieutenant."

"Goodnight, Hawkeye." She waved as she turned to leave towards her car.

Roy walked up closer to the man and the two descended down the steps in front of Central. "Finish your paperwork?"

"Nope."

"Lazy ass."

Roy chuckled in response, smirking. "You know me too well, Ed." They continued down the streets of the city, Roy asking the obvious. How was the West? Did you learn anything new? Did you miss home? How was Alphonse? Where was Winry? Roy was shocked to learn about how close Al and Winry had become. "I was so sure you two would end up together."

"Ya, well, things didn't end up that way."

"I heard she didn't want to marry anyone shorter than her. Maybe that had something to do with it."

Ed shot Roy a dirty glance.

"Shut up, old man!"

"Who are you calling old?!" Roy snapped at the blonde.

"The same man who just called me short!" Ed snapped back. The two glared at each other before Roy's eyes softened.

"So, is that why you haven't gone back to Resembool? Because of Al and Winry becoming close?"

"Well, ya. I don't want to interrupt whatever they have going on."

"How generous of you."

"I try," he scuffed, rolling his eyes. "Are you really going to shave that mustache," Ed asked, changing the subject.

"If that's what you want, Edward."

Ed blushed at the sound of Roy's voice saying his full name. "Good. That shit makes you look pervy."

Roy looked down at him, a glint of wickedness crossed his eyes. "Maybe I am a perv," he winked, causing the Ed to blush again.

"Where the hell is this new house of yours at," Ed asked, changing the topic yet again. "I feel like I've been walking for hours!"

"It's been twenty five minutes! Oh, I get it! Your short legs get tired easily. You would think they would be used to-"

"DON'T CALL ME SHORT, ASSHOLE!" Roy laughed wholeheartedly as he led the younger man into a yard.

"Well, no need to get angry, Fullmetal. We're here." Ed looked up and saw a one story house, painted a brick red color. There was a three panel window sticking out from where Ed assumed was the living room. The lawn was freshly cut and a few bushes were planted along the front side of the house. The front porch had a chess table set up and a chair on either side for whoever was going to play.

"So this is the Colonel's house, huh?" Ed smiled softly. "Must be nice to live a few blocks away from work, lazy ass."

"Weren't you the one just complaining about how long it took to get here?"

"Ya, ya. Are you going to keep me out here all night? Or are you going to show me the inside of the house?" Roy rolled his eyes at Ed and began walking up the pathway to front door.

He unlocked the door and stepped in, placing his keys on the end table that was placed directly to his right. Ed followed in as Roy turned on the light. The living area was to their right, an off white color covering the walls. There were was a matching set of a love seat and a couch perpendicular to each other, both gray. A dark brown coffee table sat in the middle of the living room, placed on top of a green rug. The two couches and the coffee table sat in front of a fire place. The panel window was closed off to the world outside the house by dark blue curtains.

"Nothing in this fuckin' living room matches," Ed pointed out. Roy shrugged.

"I haven't really had time to make this place 'homey.' I just got what I could and stuck it all together." Edward knitted his eyebrows together, taking in the mess that accompanied the mismatch living room. There was paperwork everywhere. Under the coffee table, on top of the couches. Wherever there wasn't a piece of paper, there was a plate or a coffee mug. "I haven't had much time to clean either." Roy murmured as he turned towards the kitchen. Ed turned as well, making a mental note to figure out how to fix the living room situation later. How the hell was he supposed to read in that clutter?

The kitchen wasn't a separate room. In the space between the living room and the kitchen's breakfast bar was a dining room table. It was a small glass square with white wood legs that stood the table up. The chairs were brown and matched the stools that were tucked neatly under the breakfast bar. The counters in the kitchen and on the bar were a grainy light brown color. The stove was against the farthest wall with an empty counter to the left of it and a sink to the right. There were cupboards above all of the counter spaces. Ed noted that the sink was piled with dishes and rolled his eyes. Maybe he would clean the house for the bastard, as a thanks for letting him stay here.

"I know, I know. It's a mess. I promise the guest room isn't nearly as bad." Ed followed Roy down the hallway. It was plain, no artwork, no pictures. The first door to the left led to the bathroom, just as messy as everything else in his house.

Ed scowled. "You really have plain taste, Colonel. This is your house, isn't it? Why haven't you painted it? Or do you like staring at the same white walls everywhere you go?"

"Shut up! I told you, I haven't had time," Roy snapped back.

"How long have you been here?"

"I moved a few months after you left, so I'd say about nine months or so."

"Hmph," was all Ed could say as Roy opened the second door on the left.

"This is my library. Small, I know, but you're welcomed to use it." Ed peered in the room to see three tall dark wood bookshelves lined up against the right wall. There was a matching desk with a small lamp and a stack of books under the window and a couch against the left wall.

"Interesting. I didn't know you were the type to read, Colonel." Ed laughed as Roy narrowed his eyes and walked across the hallway.

"This is the guest room." He opened the door. The room was simple as well. It had a queen sized bed that was placed against the corner under the window. There was a desk on the wall next to the door and a small closest next on the right. Next to the table was a small end table with a lamp on it. "Make yourself at home. You're probably hungry. I can run out and get us something if you want."

"How hospitable of you, Mustang."

"I can recant that statement if you want, shorty."

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING SHORT?!"

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"WOW! That food was great!" Ed smiled as he slouched further into the couch.

"I figured you'd like it." Roy grabbed the plates in front of himself and the blonde man. He walked into the kitchen and threw them in the already cluttered sink. Roy looked over and watched as Ed took out his braid and left his hair in a ponytail. The blonde man yawned before looking up at the colonel.

"Thanks again for letting me stay, Roy. I appreciate it."

"I guess a year of traveling taught you some manners, Ed. You're welcome."

Ed bit his lip, trying to refrain from making a smart ass remark. Instead he got up and began walking down the hallway with Roy following suit.

"You're letting your hair grow out?" Roy asked, noticing that his ponytail brushed the middle of his back now.

"No, I just haven't had a chance to cut it," Ed stated, nonchalantly. He turned towards the raven haired man who was looking at Ed.

"Don't cut it, it's nice." Ed raised his eyebrows at the comment before smirking.

"Fine, I won't cut my hair anytime soon, only if you shave that mustache soon."

"Deal." They shook hands, a sign of their little agreement. Roy pulled his hand away, letting his finger tips lightly graze the palm of Ed's hand. Even in the dark hallway, Roy could see the light blush creep upon Edward's face.

"By the way," Ed paused at the door of the guest room, "Why didn't you show me your room?"

Roy sighed, "My room is worse than the rest of this house combined. I'm sure you'd rather avoid that. Why?" Roy's voice dropped to a seductive whisper. "Would you like to see it?"

Ed knitted his eyebrows together, blushing a deeper red. "Shut up!" He opened the door to the guest room and slammed it shut behind him.

Roy smiled to himself. This was going to be fun.

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Please review. :)

Also, if you haven't already done so, you might want to check out my other Roy and Ed stories. I've been really obsessed with them as of lately, so there are a few on my page you may or may not have seen.

Thanks. Until next time.