I want to start off by saying thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I'm glad that everyone liked it so far! Wolfwood and Grandova do not make an appearance in this chapter. They were at first, but then I decided against it. They may come back in the future for brief appearances though. -shrugs shoulders- Who knows, the future is still undecided. This chapter in fact only has two characters in it- Roy and Edward, the characters that brought this fic into being! They're both dealing with confusion at the moment. Sadly the relationship isn't full-blown yet (Even I want them to hurry it up being the author...but Ed is a stubborn little guy...)

And again, do not leave nasty comments about the pairing because you have had multiple warnings about it. I think comments should be used to congratulate a reader for their good work or give pointers about what the writer could improve on. NOT diss the story due to the pairing in it. So childish...that's worse than how Edward acts at times...

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or its characters. Everything belongs to Hiromu Arakawa. I wish I could have come up with such a great storyline and characters... but of course then Ed and Roy would just have to end up together so they could... ahem... All in all I do not own anything that appeared in the manga and or anime...

And now... onto chapter 2!

Chapter 2-

"Two days…" Edward mumbled distastefully as he lay in his bed, feeling very much as if he were in a cocoon made of tightly wrapped immaculate blankets. "It's been two damn days…granted I was unconscious for one of them…" He rolled his head over to the side, cheek now lightly resting upon the recently fluffed pillow. He fidgeted for a moment while he pulled his mechanical arm out from under the layers of blankets, which indeed proved to be difficult for it was Armstrong, only in Central for a short visit to due to military orders, who put the boy in the uncomfortable position he now rested in. The Major always did have a knack for immeasurable strength when it came to his bone crushing hugs, why would tucking someone under blankets be any different?

With an aggravated and overly exaggerated sigh, Edward lifted his head and dropped it again on his pillow. "Rrrrrggg…I can't take this anymore!" It wasn't unusual for the Fullmetal Alchemist to become a bit excessive with his actions and boredom wherefrom they came. Being idle meant several outside forces could be moving without his knowing. The Philosopher's Stone's true meaning could very well move or be found by another, depending on what it truly was or where it currently resided. Even if the precious stone did not change its location or form of being, there still was the fact that staying in a place like this only lengthened the time he needed to spend on his journey; his valuable time- the time that he could have used to find a way to restore his brother's body and his own two limbs.

His eyes traveled to the only window in the room. The blinds were open about halfway, allowing some sunlight to penetrate the room, shining dully on all objects within. Dark cumulonimbus clouds scattered themselves across the sky, every so often moving before the sun and blocking out all rays and traces of light. Edward vaguely wondered if it was going to snow again once more this coming night. The hospital room itself seemed to have dropped in temperature despite the constant efforts from the doctors and nurses within the building to assure all patients were well treated and comfortable. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that he was trapped under the hundreds, or so it felt, of blankets.

The door to the small infirmary room clicked and opened, taking the blonde's attention away from the window for a brief moment away before it returned to gaze angrily at it once more. "What do you want…?" he grunted, not caring to give any more respect than he felt he had or wanted to. Out of all places that he had to be incapacitated it just had to be a military structure and not just any structure. It was a military building…with him there.

"Then I suppose you don't want dinner…" Mustang responded as he closed the door behind him, a tray with a plate of food balanced in his free hand. He watched the boy cringe, most likely due to his anger and stubbornness. "I never thought I'd see the day you would turn down food. I heard that for a little guy you do eat a lot."

"Little…?" Edward asked quietly, gritting his teeth as he did so. He turned his head to look at the man, eyes fixed upon his shape and glaring before he without warning, although very predictably by now, ripped the blankets off himself and shouted, "I AM NOT A LITTLE MICROSCOPIC CHIBI THAT CAN EASILY BE UNSEEN BY EVEN THE USE OF A MAGNIFYING GLASS!" After his shout of defense his body slouched, shoulders drooping and hands resting on the bed. He took a few deep breaths, but never let his angry gaze leave the Colonel.

Mustang mentally coaxed himself into holding back his tempting laughter. Edward always seemed to have a grudge about his height even if he did try to act taller and of 'great stature' as he put it. Anything that was called small or short within his range of hearing would always somehow, by the work of the teen's mind, be directed towards him. If only the boy realized the position he put himself in and the ammo that he gave to others when he shouted out random ramblings of him not being so short that 'he could be smashed by the smallest of insects or a speck of dust.' Every shout may have been irrelevant in the conversation at first, but soon surely enough the topic would shift to be about either his actions or height, the very thing he tried to defend. Not that it quite bothered the Colonel though. He felt that the little bouts of anger and tantrums only made a long workday seem a bit more tolerable. Besides, it was a way of free entertainment. There was always a way that Edward's episodes made him feel, but for the man it was difficult to quite put into words. Was it happiness? No, that wasn't the best way to describe it. Whatever it was it seemed…odd. That must be it. It was something he least expected to experience from the constantly fuming miniature state alchemist and at times it puzzled him.

"What!" Edward shouted after an eerie silence followed his previous shouting. Mustang was still standing near the door, tray in his hand, and looking at Edward. "What the hell are you doing? You're freaking me out!" His shouting was not quite as load as it was earlier since he did have a loss of energy, but it still seemed to echo off the empty spaces of the white room. The silence in itself seemed to linger on as Mustang only smirked in response to the shouts, preparing himself for a comeback.

"Just as I suspected…" came his response in the usual sardonic tone, completely ignoring the fact that he was 'freaking out' the boy. It was just another way that the Fullmetal Alchemist tried to grab attention, though he had the Colonel's long before that. "You're weaker than you've been telling us. If you want to stop being treated like a child, then make an attempt at responsibility and act like an adult…" He paused before softly sighing. "Now eat, you're no use to us when you tire yourself out. Isn't there a certain stone that you are still after?"

"Damn it already! I'm not hungry!" The blonde shouted as he crossed his arms and mulishly looked away from the Flame Alchemist. It was true that a meal, no matter what size, might help the boy regain some of the strength he lost due to the injuries, and he was very hungry, having not eaten anything since the day before his fall; but there was no way he would accept food from Mustang. He continued to tell himself Roy's help was unneeded and unwanted. It took a bit of persuasion to continue to believe this, but so far he had prevailed.

Mustang rolled his eyes up towards the ceiling. "I am dealing with a child…" he mumbled before returning his gaze to the pouting boy on the bed. "If that's the way you're going to act each time you have an accident then I see no reason why I shouldn't treat you as one. Perhaps I have been too lenient with your actions. I shouldn't have let you out of my sight…"

Edward turned his head and gazed at the colonel. "Your comments are beginning to get old pretty quickly…" His voice seemed to become more tedious with every word. Dealing with Mustang's visits, which by the way became more frequent as time went on, dawned on him, making his usual anger dwindle to just an aggravation. The boy would never willingly give up a fight, but…there was always that slight chance that his elder would become bored and leave, never to come back. Too bad that would only be in those far distant dreams…

The Flame Alchemist ogled Edward after the unexpected reaction. There were only rare times that his comments would have such an effect. Either the other alchemist had enough of his words, wasn't feeling the greatest, or agreed with him but would rather not say so. All seemed possible, except for the latter of course, leaving the man not completely fazed by it. "Lieutenant Ross will be glad to know you're doing well…" he said almost thoughtfully, trying to rid the room of the reoccurring silence. "Although I am sure once she sees you she'll be put off about another hospital visit. I see you have already had a visit by the Major. Judging by how your legs look as they don't have mobility from being wrapped in blankets, it would be safe to assume the visit was recent."

Edward looked away before returning his gaze to the Flame Alchemist, golden optics blinking with each word the older man said. "Why are you spouting out all of this all of a sudden?

Mustang silently chuckled. "Well Fullmetal, despite you not caring about the military, it appears as more than a few of the recruits have grown to worry about you. See the effects a child can have on others?"

'Grown to worry about you…' Yeah…I suppose so although I don't see why…but then there was also… Edward unfolded his arms and allowed his hands to drop to his front where they held onto the blanket. He submissively looked away from the man standing before him, remembering the actions that happened only a night ago. I still don't know if I should be furious about that or… He felt too exhausted and weak, although he would never admit it, to think about the hundreds of questions that darted through his mind ever since nearly being kissed. Mustang always seemed to pull pranks and make the boy seethe, but the jokes were always done only to see the boy's reaction, usually a very loud and uncalled for outburst. If that was the case when the two were alone together, then why would it happen when Edward was supposedly passed out? He was mentally aware of what was happening at the time, only blacking out and falling for a brief moment. His body was limp in Roy's arms but his mental awareness was still present enough to hear every word the Colonel said and feel every motion of the man's body.

Why was it that he passed out in the first place? That was the easiest question on his mind; he overexerted himself. Why did he awake mentally enough to realize what happened, or rather, what could have happened? If he had a choice, he would have gladly stayed in an unconscious state, never having to know what thoughts went on through the perverted mind of his fellow military officer. But the best, and by far most confusing question on the boy's mind was one that questioned himself as a whole. Why did, deep down past the angst and stubbornness of being a teenage boy, did he not particularly mind the position he was in the night before, subconsciously wanting more? There were too many questions, many of which made the Fullmetal Alchemist ponder his own sexuality. A small blush began to spread across his face, heating up his cheeks, giving his pale skin a dash of rosy coloring.

Roy bemusedly observed the child, taking note of the slight discoloration of his face. He placed the tray of food on the small bedside table, having to move some paperwork and a glass of milk, that appeared to be untouched, to the side, before unexpectedly reaching out a hand to rest against Edward's cheek and chin, holding it delicately in his fingers as he looked into golden optics, a stern look upon his face.

Edward's eyes widened, heart increasing in rate at the gentle touch. He mentally cursed himself for the feeling, still unsure as to what all of it could mean. "M-Mustang…" he silently choked, feeling awkward. He couldn't bring himself to shout his usual protests as he looked into Roy's eyes.

Roy quirked a brow as he sat upon the edge of the Fullmetal Alchemist's bed and moved his hand to caress the blonde's cheek. "Fullmetal…" he began quietly, not noticing the darkening of Edward's blush. "You have a fever…" He paused for a moment before slyly smirking. "I believe I told you yesterday that overexertion could be dangerous…"

Golden eyes narrowed as Edward's mind, and heart, stopped racing. He lifted his automail arm and slapped away Mustang's hand angrily, not caring that the metal contacting with the other man's flesh would hurt much more than if he were to use his own human hand. "What the hell Mustang!" He shouted, once again becoming very loud. The boy took a deep breath as a last resort to calm his emotional body. Luckily he was able to remove the traces of a blush and replace it all with tense body signals and anger. "You can't just go around touching anyone as you damn please! Go do that to one of your girlfriends!" He shouted the last sentence before he was mentally aware of the words spewing out of his mouth. Hearing it aloud all pieced together sounded much worse than the whirlwind of thoughts and words to say that buzzed around in his mind. In order to hide his own confusion and embarrassment he growled and bared his teeth.

Colonel Mustang gently rubbed his hand, seeing the red mark left upon it due to the impact of the hit. He rose and turned his back, waving over his shoulder. "If you have this much energy then you'll obviously survive another night. Be sure to finish your meal, milk included." He listened for the usual moan at the mentioning of the white liquid before continuing. "Nurses should make visits sporadically to your room. If you need anything else, there are offices down the hallway of other military officials including mine." He opened the door.

Wait…why is he…leaving…? It wasn't that hard of a hit…I mean… Edward shuddered at his own thoughts and scowled. Finally he's leaving!

"Fullmetal…one more thing…"

"Yeah…what?" the blonde disrespectfully blurted out.

"Your last comment…it may be true. But the way that you have your hair now, the way it isn't pulled back…" He chuckled lightly. "You do look very much like a girl…"

The door closed before the pillow Edward threw with all his might could reach the Flame Alchemist, hitting the door with a great force instead. He crossed his arms a second time and leaned back against the head of the bed. "Stupid Mustang…always pulling pranks…he can't call himself an adult either…" The boy sighed and closed his eyes as he tilted his head back, deeply inhaling. The room was finally silent and felt calm once more, almost like the gentle weather outside. Was this the calm before the storm?

Edward opened his eyes and turned his head to look out the window. There seemed to be no improvement weather wise, the opposite of the day in the infirmary room. A few white flakes of snow began to fall from the clouds, become caught in a gust of wind, and eventually fall to the ground where it melted at the touch, becoming a cool trickle of water wetting the piles of previously fallen snow. It seemed tranquil, the way that nature calmly sprinkled her glittery white across the city. Even the buildings glistened, coated with the shimmering abundance of white. The small flakes seemed to compliment the light from the sun, the two working as one to create a scenery no man could ever recreate.

"I doubt even alchemy could create something like this…" Edward said silently aloud as he looked towards his still tightly tucked legs. "The light and the snow…they work together…but it sucks how it makes winter this cold…" He tugged on the blankets to remove them from his legs and feet, shivering when he felt the difference in temperature. Being in a hospital gown, even if it was much too large for him, added to the feeling, creating a draft at the ties on his back and his legs. His metallic limbs could not feel anything, but they added to the feeling of chilliness, the place where the metal attached to his flesh feeling especially cold.

The boy rubbed his arm and leg, attempting to warm them up. He stopped and gazed at his body, noticing how injured he truly was. His forearm was wrapped in bandages to the wrist, leg being no better off. Edward didn't see his chest, but he knew he was tightly wrapped in bandages there as well, feeling it difficult to move and breathe because of them. How the heck did I get so beat up so badly…? I don't remember anything… He made a fist with his automail and looked at it. But I still hurt like hell…I think the medicine they had me on has worn off…oh well…I can deal with this…

Edward slowly turned his torso towards the window, gently swinging his legs to follow. As he moved, he closed his eyes, feeling the pain of moving stiff injured body parts. His legs now dangled off the side of the bed; if he were taller they would have touched the floor. With a heave, the alchemist slipped off the bed and stood flimsily on his feet, stumbling a few steps forward, needing to grab onto the bed with his hand for balance. "Damn it…" Edward silently cursed to himself, feeling another rush of pain and dizziness. "How much blood did I lose…" He made a fist with his hand, releasing the bed only to hit it very hard, not realizing what he had done until he found himself hitting the flood with his knees, creating a loud thud. He bit his lower lip to hold back any shouts of pain he would rather not have anyone hear. "How the hell…why the hell…" He gritted his teeth. "Al…"

Pulling himself together, the blonde began to lift his body until he was once again standing weakly. He moved his metallic foot forward; flesh one following in step with the other. He gave a small sigh of relief once he reached the window, slightly panting from working his body. A metal hand grabbed the window ledge as the rest of his body leaned forward against it and began to drop. "You said you didn't earlier when I asked you…but…how could you possibly not hate me…it's been more than three years and we're still not closer to restoring your body…" His chin was now resting against the window ledge, melancholy look upon his face. "I can't leave today…even I'm not that reckless…I can barely stand…"

Edward closed his eyes as he tried to remember everything that happened. A few days ago they were still in Resembool. He had broken his automail again and needed repairs, receiving a few new bumps courtesy of a wrench to his head. At that time he could have sworn he didn't do anything unusual to his artificial limb, but for some reason it stopped working…and Winry seemed to swing back and forth from being overly kind to her usual angry state she was in when her precious work was broken. Alphonse stayed quiet as usual; most likely snickering unnoticeably due to the armor his soul was attached to. Once the automail was repaired and short comments were thrown at him, the two Elrics left to head to another town that supposedly had another lead for the precious stone; rumors had it that human sacrifices were unneeded.

The train ride was recalled to memory. It was long and cold, if there were more people on board their body heat may have warmed the place up a bit. Most of the scenery they passed was trees and forests, which would make sense why when he was unconscious he was found in the forest in the first place. For some reason the train broke down, the conductor blamed the weather, but it seemed as if it could have been the doing of another party as well. A certain person or group of people who watched the Fullmetal Alchemist, knowing that he would be on that precise train at that precise time.

The rest seemed blurry. Edward didn't remember Alphonse being in his company after that. The next memory was pain, when he tried to drag his battered body forward through the snow, vision foggy and dimming. After that…he ended up in Central…with…him…

Edward rubbed his eyes, slightly angered in the fact he was having memory lapses, but one image in his mind could not be erased. Mustang's face seemed to be there, looking sympathetically at him, a sight he never saw before. Others worry about me here in the military…huh? Are dogs just loyal to each other…or did you have another meaning to that…? He slipped his chin off the window ledge and allowed his body to fall the rest of the short distance to the ground where he then sat. He painfully bent a knee and placed his chin upon it as he sat still, thinking.

I hate you…I've always hated you ever since I met you…despite that I joined the military and became a state alchemist on my own accord…I needed to have a way to gather as much information as I could on the Philosopher's Stone so I could return Al to his rightful body. Then there you were…always mocking…always making jokes. Then whenever I didn't follow your orders you threatened to court-martial me and share the secret about the real reason why Al has no body and I have limbs made of metal. You knew what would happen if you did that. Al would be shipped off to some lab and I don't know what would happen to me. Either I would be severely punished for the forbidden act of human transmutation or I would be ordered to help the military's shady schemes, doing all work they were unable to do…

Edward turned his head to gaze at the door. Mustang was gone for a while now, perhaps caught up in his office doing paperwork at Riza's gunpoint. He is a lazy man…always ordering me to do his work for him so he could sit and slack off, sleep on the job, or whatever. Al and I are just pawns to him… His brows furrowed angrily at the thought. And he acts as if everything was a coincidence when I have to deal with fugitives or end dirty military schemes…he doesn't fool me for a second…I'm not a damn child! He felt himself become furious. And now that I was traveling on my own he ordered lower offices to come and find me…most likely so I could do more of his work!

The boy irritably growled. And now you won't get out of my damn head! Ever since I came here all I have been doing is thinking about that stupid smug look on your face and your deep voice speaking to me. He punched the ground with his automail, all traces of anger disappearing. "But…this is different…" He silently whispered. "And I can't tell myself that it is right either…this feeling…it can't be my injuries alone…I've felt it before once in a while even when I'm not near you… I've just told myself that it was a new level of hatred that someone like you deserves…but now…I'm really not sure…" Everything is confusing…damn you Roy Mustang! "All you see me as is a child!"

The questions began to swarm through his brain again, clouding all his logical thinking. He closed his eyes and yelled angrily, "Damn it, I don't love you! I hate you!" He opened his golden optics and widened them. No time before that shout had he even thought of the word love. It didn't seem possible. Roy was much older than he and a male…how could love be feasible? Not to mention that the blonde hated the other man with a passion, or so he made himself believe. Edward tilted his head to the side, now resting his cheek upon his leg. But…I've read almost all of the books in the library here…everything that has to do with the Philosopher's Stone that I know of…and Hughes is gone…so…why am I still here when I have gathered just about as much information as I can retrieve from the military…? I still come to Central when told to…and when I come here I see Mustang first thing…I don't exactly…want to leave him…

Edward growled again. What the hell am I thinking! This is Roy Mustang! Lazy, sarcastic, egotistical Flame Alchemist! He lifted his body in order to stand, swaying as he began to move towards the door. He opened it just a crack to make sure no one was around, although the whole military building could probably hear his shouts. Luckily the boy was in the infirmary. There were always ways to pass off the random shouting as being delusional or a side effect of the medicine he was taking. His golden eyes shifted left and right before he opened the door wider and stuck his head out it. When he didn't see anyone around, he gave a sigh of relief.

"So now you're up and walking around…"

Edward froze, recognizing the voice.

Mustang didn't bother to turn his head to look at the boy, remaining in his position against the wall. His arms were crossed before his chest as he leaned against the wall, a single heel pressed against it. "Did you eat your meal or did you spend the last hour or so yelling at yourself? With injuries like that it wouldn't be wise…"

"I'm not yelling at myself!" The boy defensively shouted, catching the attention of a nurse who just entered the hallway. His eyes narrowed as he fixed them upon Mustang. "And why are you here? I thought you had piles of paperwork to finish, or do you have someone doing that job for you too?"

"There isn't very much paperwork at this time and very little of what is there is of importance at the moment. I came to retrieve your empty plates and tray, but it appears as if you still haven't eaten." He pushed himself off the wall and walked to stand before the young alchemist. "You shouldn't stress your body…you have a fever…"

"A fever won't kill me," Edward said as he looked away embarrassingly. That certainly would explain why he felt weaker than he had earlier even though his injuries remained the same. "It's a change for you o worry so much. So much for my image of Colonel Mustang, the man who only thinks of himself and miniskirts…"

Roy's look hardened as he glared at Edward. "Go lay down and eat your meal."

The young boy was a little taken aback by the change in attitude. Just as he never saw Mustang look at him sympathetically, he never saw him look this angry…or scary… "Mustang…" he began in a more quiet tone, suddenly realizing that submission was the very thing Roy was seeking. Probably. "I told you I'm not a child! I know my limits!"

"Then that would explain why you became this injured in the first place. You picked a fight with someone that you knew you could handle and collapsed, almost bleeding to death because you knew it was no big deal and that you weren't at your limits yet. You were unconscious for the entire day you were first brought here due to exhaustion? Am I right? You just felt that a short twenty-four hour nap would be suitable after traveling here. And you haven't been eating not because you don't feel you can stomach it but because you simply are not hungry?" Roy's voice dripped in anger as he tightened a fist at his side. Edward couldn't tell if the entire conversation was a stab at just sarcasm or a lecture as well. "Your childish antics are not needed and not wanted here. When you joined the military and became a state alchemist at the age of twelve you threw your childhood away and entered adulthood. You need to pay closer attention to your surroundings and deal with any obstacles properly and not charge head first into them. This episode could have turned out much worse than it has. Even if you did survive it if you had not been found, there is always the chance that you could have become crippled from then on. Getting your brother's body and your own limbs back would prove to be much more difficult."

Edward stared at the Flame Alchemist, wearing the same angered expression though he remained very confused. "That's a lot coming from you. You don't know anything about me or us! I'm not a child, I've been telling you that for as long as I have known you! But you continue to place Al and I in situations where at times it's better to think more creatively than an old fart… I bet I've accomplished much more this way than you could ever say you did yourself!"

Mustang turned his back to Edward. "Eat your dinner. Then go to bed. You won't heal as quickly if you continue with this nonsense. As I have stated earlier, I will be in my office. If you need anything you may visit, but only after you have done what I said and if you can make it there by walking." He began to walk away.

"Hey…hey Mustang!" Edward shouted. "We're not through! You can't just walk away once you're started something!" He coughed, finally feeling the toll on his body from all the activity. The boy swung the door open the rest of the way and began to stomp forward after Roy. Each stomp became lighter almost to the point of a tiptoe as he felt more exhausted. He fell to his knees and watched Roy's retreating figure, passing out as he did so.

Roy heard the sound of metal hitting the ground so he turned. Seeing that there were no nurse's around, the loud shouting between the alchemists must have frightened the one that entered the hallway, he walked to Edward's motionless form. "Now this is the third time that you have collapsed in the last two days…" He knelt on the ground and lifted the boy, holding him much in the way a groom would hold his bride. Hmmm…you're lighted that I thought…even with those metallic limbs…and you're thing…I know you haven't been eating since you've been here, but how often do you get a meal when you're traveling? I understand Alphonse can't eat…but you should at least…you still have a stomach…

The man stepped through the already opened door of Edward's room and looked around. There was a small dent in the floor and the blankets were scattered every which way. That would explain what that large bang was that I heard…it looks like a mark from a knuckle… The Flame Alchemist's eyes shifted to look down at the sleeping boy's face. He smiled kindly for a moment. Maybe it isn't a bad thing I stood watch outside your door ever since I left the room in the first place…if you're feeling this bad… Roy gently placed Edward on his bed and covered him in a few blankets. Once the boy was situated, he opened a cabinet and pulled out a rag that he soon wet, placing it on Edward's forehead after assuring himself that it was of a good temperature. "You still have a fever…"

Roy sat on the edge of the younger alchemist's bed and ran his fingers through his hair, moving any strands of it that had fallen near Edward's eyes or face. His face seemed to be at comfort at last, being unconscious ended any sort of physical pain. That knowledge alone put Roy in a better mood. He hated to see his younger comrade in discomfort…when it happened as a result of his pranks didn't count.

"Fullmetal…" Roy began and shook his head knowing very well no one could hear him, including the blonde. "Edward…I know you weren't fully asleep the last time we were in this position…" His hand continued to move through the blonde locks, gently tugging at any of the knots. "Although now…" he watched as the alchemist's chest rose and lowered. "Now it seems as if you are becoming worse…so I shouldn't…" He paused, unsure as to what he was trying to say. It was funny how someone who was so set on becoming the head of the military and had a fetish for miniskirts could have so much trouble speaking to an unconscious boy.

"You should be fine now until you awake again…" He finally decided to say, standing as he did so. "I'll see how you are later tonight." Just as long as I avoid Hawkeye's eyes… He took the tray of food in his hand and exited the room, knowing it would probably be worse for Edward to eat spoiled food than no food at all. After discarding the food to the proper place, he returned to his office and sat at his desk, leaning back in his chair. His eyes became fixed upon the large pile of papers that needed to be signed and sorted. For some reason, they seemed of even less importance than they usually did. He lifted his hand to see something dangling from it. With closer inspection he saw it was a single strand of blonde hair- Edward's hair.

The man stared at it, lost in his own thoughts as he twiddled it around his fingers. Finally he sighed, placing the hair on his desk, still staring at it. This is the worst off he's ever been… Roy set his elbow on the desk avoiding the hair, resting his forehead against his fingers. I should have been more thorough on watching out for him…and he seems to have worsened since yesterday…I don't… He moved his eyes to look at a distant table and a picture that sat upon it. It was of himself and another man with glasses. Really, it was not one of the best pictures he had been in; he didn't even smile in it. Instead he had an annoyed look upon his face caused by the man standing next to him laughing, the glasses on his face reflecting light from the flash.

Maes… The thought passed through his mind momentarily before he returned to looking at Edward's hair. Edward…I don't want the same thing to happen to you…you're different…you're… He covered his eyes with his hand and silently chuckled in spite of himself. What am I thinking? You're fine now…and this won't happen again…

The snow outside his window began to fall more heavily, seeming to add to the mood. Roy walked to it and gazed at the buildings in the distance. He wiped off some of the condensation from the glass. I can't afford to lose someone else I care about…

End of Chapter 2

This one was a bit longer than the first one... I think it was at least by about two pages! In the future chapter lengths may increase and decrease depending on how long I feel it needs to be in order to cover everything and to make sense. For instance, this one was only going to be six pages long but then I added a bunch of things...and then I had the crazy idea to make it longer than it is now...

Thank you for reading and supporting me. The next chapter again should come out in one to two weeks. Please review! -smiles goofily-