Roy sat there, blank before him for a heartbeat before asking the obvious. "Why not?"

Edward bit his lip, looking down. That image, that fucking image of Roy and that guy underneath him flashed into his mind for the millionth time. "When you touch me, all I can think of is you touching him. I don't like it."

The man looked like he was torn between sadness and exasperation. "Ed," he said finally, "how are we supposed to fix us if I can't touch you? It's not a relationship otherwise."

Edward's expression hardened. "Right, because it's all about getting to touch me with you, isn't it? If you really cared, you wouldn't press me like that!"

In the back of his mind, Ed had the vague idea that he was being ridiculous. But honestly, why else would Roy be so insistent that their relationship remain physical? Shouldn't he be able to see that the emotional aspect was more important?

Taking several deep breaths before beginning again, Roy tried to explain. "You're misunderstanding me. It's not that touching you is more important than how you feel to me. Trust me, it's not, which is why I'm not going to force myself on you. I'm just saying that if we are emotionally close, but not physically intimate—if I can't even kiss you—then we might as well be best friends, or even family. Me getting to hold you, kiss you, touch you…that in addition to our emotional ties make it a romantic relationship."

As Roy finished up, Ed felt himself deflating. The man was right, of course, and he couldn't lie and say that he didn't crave Roy's arms around him. He was just…scared. "I know. You're right, okay? But when you lean in, all I see is you leaning towards him…"

"Ed," Roy murmured gently, leaning forward once more, "you said it yourself, you have to face your fears instead of running from them."

"But what if you kiss me and it doesn't feel like anything?" Edward worried. "What if it just feels dirty?"

"I promise it won't." The man leaned in further, his hand just so close to Ed's thigh, his mouth not even an inch away… "It'll feel right. Let me show you."

Slightly dazed, Edward nodded, the movement barely noticeable. But Roy caught it, and closed the minimal gap between them.

He was warm. Roy was always warm, but Ed had been missing this, and the sensation was all the more intense for that fact. At first, he hesitated, just feeling it out…but the man was right, this kiss was more than he had worried about it being. He could feel the emotion behind it.

The kiss made him feel loved.

Happier now with this revelation, Edward returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around Roy's neck and pulling the man closer. No, this wasn't dirty, not at all. Just as Roy promised, this was right, this was where he belonged…

The man pulled back, allowing Ed room to breathe. He panted slightly, smiling.

"See? It was good, right?"

"Yeah."

Roy grinned, but the expression faltered momentarily. "Ed…can I show you something? It might upset you at first, but I think in the long run it will help."

Immediately cautious, Edward nodded. "Okay…"

"I'm going to kiss you like I kissed that man." And before Ed could argue, Roy's lips were on his again, only this time it was different. Less magical. He could feel a certain degree of lust there, but most acute was the complete lack of attachment. No. No, he didn't like this.

Apparently Roy didn't either, for he pulled back much more quickly. "Do you feel the difference?"

Ed made a face. "I liked the first one better."

The man before him chuckled half heartedly. "That's because the difference is I really do care about you. I didn't, don't give a shit about that guy—hell, I don't even remember his name. It's different, it feels better because I love you. That's the best proof I can think of to give you that I'd never want to make the mistake of cheating on you again."

Edward was, at this point, feeling oddly forgiving. "Prove it to me one more time?"

Roy's short response of "Gladly," was barely out of his mouth before he was pressing himself against Ed again. And it was good once more, full of warmth and love and passion…Edward found himself clinging to the man—how could he have been afraid of this? Roy was right, this was the best proof. Because the kiss before, the kiss he had given that man was nothing compared to this.

It was said that actions spoke louder than words, and in this case Edward found the idiom to be more than accurate. He really couldn't find an argument to doubt Roy's loyalty and affection anymore.

Roy moved slowly, pushing him backwards onto the bed, hovering over him. Ed found himself making small noises, not particularly caring that they escaped. After an eternity, the man removed himself from Edward's mouth, his breath ghosting along his jaw as he murmured, "I can't make you forget what you saw, but I can make some new, better memories with you…"

Back to his lips. Ed was fairly certain he was going to go insane if Roy didn't continue, but…"Stop" he mumbled. "Please."

The man pulled away, just barely, resting above Edward, though he held himself in such a way that it was by no means an uncomfortable position. Ed found himself smiling softly. "I'm not upset. And yeah, I'll admit, your kisses are very convincing. I just…don't want to go further, you know? Eventually…" Edward blushed, but forged on. "Yeah, I want to, but I don't believe in makeup sex."

Roy chuckled. "And why's that?"

"Because that's just passion, not reason."

"Fair enough," he murmured, rolling off of Ed. Roy didn't let go, however, curling his arm around Edward's waist, holding him close. And despite his earlier misgivings, Ed felt quite comfortable.

They were silent for a few minutes. Edward was just listening to Roy breathe, realizing he was more content and hopeful now than he had been since the incident. A deeper, shuddering breathe signaled a quiet, "I really am sorry, you know. I've just been so scared lately…scared to have you, scared to not be enough, scared to lose you…but I never wanted to hurt you."

Edward closed his eyes, an epiphany hitting him. Yes, he had been hurt, but Roy had been struggling with a lot. After all, Ed had always wanted a committed, serious relationship, so he had been ready and prepared, but that wasn't at all something the man was practiced at. "It's alright," he breathed. "I mean, it hurt, and I know there's going to be times when I get particularly upset about it again, but…I know you didn't mean it. We've both been a little too scared lately, but…I feel better now. It's going to take some work to smooth out all the wrinkles, but we're going to be okay."

Roy kissed the top of his head, and Ed could feel his smile as he rested there. "I love you."

"I love you too."


And that's the end.

For real this time XD Hope you guys liked it~