:D Still no sign of continuing the 'Morning' chapter. Sorry. I'm thinking about making it something to do with coffee. Anywho, I wrote this after watching 'The Night of the Chemira's Cry'. Again. It was so depressing.

Mmm, this chapter isn't really Roy x Ed as a true pairing. It's more… I dunno. Father/son kind of stuff. It's not a true Roy x Ed. But if you're so inclined. :3

(Start)

Roy looked over the papers that Edward had handed him. The report. Not that he needed it. He knew what happened. Knew that Alphonse had almost been lost. Knew that Edward had lost his arm. Again. And that he was at his breaking point.

"My report, sir." Edward mumbled and bit his lip hard. He had almost lost Al. Right now, Al was just a useless pile of metal. Until Ed could get his arm fixed, Al would be vulnerable. Ed's head lowered and his shoulders shook gently as he fought against the tears that threatened to spill.

Roy sighed. Edward was still a child. No matter how adult he acted. He was still a child. Thirteen years old and the weight of the world was on his shoulders, it seemed. Laying the report down on his desk, Roy stood and came around the desk to Edward.

To see one of his men so distraught really didn't bode well for him. Leaning down, Roy awkwardly wrapped his arms around Edward's shoulders and pulled him close. "It's ok. You two are safe now." It was more of a fatherly gesture than anything. Roy knew that Edward had lost his parents when he was young. And that's why he was so scared. Scared of losing Al, not having any more family to go to. Scared of being blamed and hated for everything that had happened. This is when Al would not be able to give him what he needed. Roy winced when Edward sobbed and buried his face into Roy's stomach and uniform. Edward made no move to return the hug, but he did press against the older man. He might as well have been screaming 'Don't let go! Don't leave me alone!'.

It was awkward, but maybe, this is what Ed needed every now and then. Something to assure him that he was still alive. And, that he could relax and not have to play the part of the 'collected big brother' all the time. Roy reached up with one hand and stroked Edward's head, making 'shh' noises as he tried to calm the boy down.

Soon Edward had stopped crying and pushed away, scrubbing his eyes violently. Roy stood up and smiled. "Feel better."

The blonde stared at Roy before nodding curtly. "Yes. Thanks…" The last part was said quietly. And he exited the room. But before Roy could move back to his chair, Ed's head popped back in through the door. "If you tell anybody, even Hawkeye about this. I'll kick your ass so hard, you won't sit down for weeks." And the door slammed again.

(End)

xD Uhm. I couldn't see Ed just leaving without being snarky to Mustang afterwards. Because it wouldn't be Ed if he didn't.

Oh, somebody reviewed my chapter and seemed afraid of me. You make me sad. Is it because I like spicy food?