Edward jerked awake, startled from his sleep by the loud clap of thunder above him, tearing through the ink of nighttime outside. The dream he had been having still resonated in his mind, making him flush as he remembered.

He had dreamt of the colonel. He dreamt that he had finally given into those three little words, to the look in those obsidian eyes, instead of running and hiding like a child. He dreamt he had faced what he had been afraid to admit to himself, been afraid to do at that moment. Of the way he felt wrapped in Roy's arms, of the way he tasted. He shook his head, chasing away a small smile as he looked at his automail hand.

"Love…huh?" he whispered to himself. The truth was that he hadn't stopped thinking about the colonel since then. "Is that what this is…? This feeling…I can't explain?" He couldn't possibly think of another name for it. "But…that's wrong!! He's two times older than me and a guy no less!" He thought of how much trouble he'd get in if somebody found out. Then again, he'd always been good at keeping secrets. Perhaps he should go see the colonel tomorrow. Just casually drop by. He shrugged the suggestion away; that wasn't a good idea. Everyone knew Ed would only go in Mustang's office if he absolutely had to. But maybe after work…

Before Edward could finish his present thought, sleep came again, claiming his unfaithful body once more.

"Augh! Is this rain ever going to stop?" Ed complained loudly as he stared out the dorm window above his desk. Being kept in the military living quarters like this was driving him absolutely crazy, especially when what he really needed to do was get out and think up some sort of plan. He couldn't very well just march his way straight to headquarters and Mustang's office for that might arouse a certain degree of suspicion and a few unvoiced questions amongst the man's subordinates. Then again, he was the Fullmetal Alchemist so perhaps he could devise a plan if not an excuse to find and meet him.

He stared out the window, watching the rain calm down a little from the loud downpour of before. Then the clank of armor behind him began to give him an idea. A nefarious smirk crept upon the blonde's lips as he reached over for a pen and a scrap of paper without notes scrawled all over it.

Meet me in the courtyard, bastard colonel. I need to speak with you about something…important.

Ed Elric

He ceremoniously folded the sheet and glanced out the window again. It was just a drizzle by now, but he had to hurry before it started up again.

"Nee, little brother?" Ed turned back in the chair and put on his most convincing puppy eyes, blinking innocently up at Al. "Could you come with me to H.Q. and deliver a message to the colonel for me while I look something up in the library?" He waved the note slightly between his first two fingers.

"Um…sure, but why do you need me to do it? Can't you talk to Mustang yourself?"

Ed sighed, as if to launch an unnecessary explanation. "Because I asked you nicely. I have better thinks to do than talk to that bastard. The rain's stopped for now, so let's get going." He stood up, handing the note to his brother while silently hoping to himself that he wasn't nosy enough to read it. He didn't believe his brother would really do that but then, why not be concerned? Even he wasn't sure how this might turn out, whether it be in a fight or…he gulped and tried to stop the impending heat that threatened his face. He just didn't want anyone eavesdropping on what he was about to do. He shrugged out of his thoughts and grabbed his coat, trailing out of the door with Al in tow.

As Edward walked into the familiar courtyard, he heard his own heartbeat in his ears, as though his heart was in his throat. Seeing the area mostly deserted aside from a few men on the far side a few yards away, and he wondered if he had been right to ask him to show up. The bastard was probably sitting at his desk now, reading over it and laughing to himself. The mere thought of it made him so angry he could not hear the quiet approach behind him until somebody wrapped their arms around his shoulders and pressed against his back.

"You asked to see me?" A familiar voice whispered in his ear, warm breath coursing down his neck and making him shiver.

Ed broke from Mustang's arms with a gasp, whirling around to face the man. He had no shame, none at all! And there were people not thirty yards away from them, too! "Don't ever scare me like that again!" He hissed, burning his golden eyes at the man.

The colonel just stared back, smirking in that trademark way of his that made Edward's blood boil over.

"AUGH! AND DON'T GIVE ME THAT SMUG-ASS LOOK EITHER, YOU DAMN BASTARD OLD MAN!" Ed shouted. The men across the yard looked up at him and began to move slowly from the premises. They knew all too well how dangerous a fight between the Flame and Fullmetal could get, and they definitely didn't want to get caught in it. Seeing them hurry away out of the corner of his eye, Ed forced himself to calm down before crossing his arms over his chest. This was neither the time nor the place to get worked up, he reminded himself, and you have something to say to this man, so say it. Slowly he regained his composure and stood up straighter, meeting the colonel's onyx eyes again.

"Alright, let's cut to the chase…" He began, his arms dropping to his sides again. "I…I'm not sure why you say…that you…l-love me." Just saying the word in Mustang's presence made the boy drop his gaze, not wanting to look him in the eyes anymore. "And I'm not even sure…that I care right now, but…I…I think I…"

A slow, genuine smile spread over Roy's lips and he stepped closer again. He had hardly dreamt something like this could happen to him, ever. People said he could get any girl he wanted. But a boy? This hot-headed teenager who appeared to want nothing more than to wring his neck half of the time they were near each other? This had been what he had truly wanted. And something within him stirred something he could never have expected to be awakened. He reached his hand up to tilt Ed's chin upwards.

Edward silenced his stuttering at the feel of a gloved hand raising his chin, and his heart lurched as he found himself locked into those liquid obsidian eyes. Roy pulled closer still, his lips curled in a true smile. Could this really be happening? Was it even physically possible for the same bastard colonel to really smile? He swallowed and wet his lips, letting the man step closer until they were centimeters away. His heart was racing, but time around him seemed to slow to a crawl as he watched through half-lidded eyes as the colonel gently met his mouth, kissing him gently. Reaching up, he embraced Roy's neck, leaning into the man's chest, but then something in him clicked, and he realized just where they were. Reluctantly pulling from Roy's mouth, he took a moment to catch his breath before looking up into his dark eyes.

"We…can't do this here…We'll get caught." He whispered, tugging Roy's sleeve. "We need to go somewhere else…if you…w-want to…that is…"

Roy nodded, gripping Ed's wrist and turning to leave. Ed hesitated a moment, thinking of Al. What would he do if he tried looking for him, only to find him missing?

As if reading the boy's thoughts, Roy looked down at Edward. "We'll leave Al a message in case he comes looking for you. Just for him to know you're safe and that he doesn't have to come hunt you down." He laughed. Ed nodded, a smile playing over his mouth as the two hurriedly left the courtyard together.