The famous Elric brothers were walking the streets of Central, just looking around.

Well, more like procrastinating.

Edward had finished his last mission and arrived back in Central a few hours ago. He also finished his report that was needed to arrive Colonel Mustang's eyes.

And this is where our story begins.

"Come on Brother!" Alphonse yelled to a certain blonde headed boy.

The same blonde headed boy who would fight to the end of the earth saying that he was no longer a child.

The same blonde headed boy who let out a whine and said, "I don't wanna."

If Al wasn't a bodiless seven foot tall armor, he would have rolled his eyes. "Sometimes I feel like iI'm/i the older brother."

"WHAT WAS THAT?"

"Nothing loving brother of mine," Al replied.

Edward looked up at his little brother and sighed. He could see him smile, and it killed him that no one else could.

But he would fix that.

He had to.

Shaking his head to try and focus at the topic at hand, he got an idea. "Why don't you hand the report in for me?"

"You know I can't do that Brother. You've put it off long enough, do you really hate the Colonel that much?"

"Yes! All he does is pick on me." Edward crossed his arms and huffed.

"Oh don't pout Brother, you know what they say about being teased. It means they have a crush on you." Alphonse laughed.

Ed blushed, but quickly tried to hide it with another one of his tantrums. "THAT'S SICK!"

Al just laughed more. "Come on Brother, lets just get this over with."

Edward grumbled but followed.

----

"Ah, Fullmetal, you've finally decided to show up. Your report done?"

It was just Edward and Roy in his office, Al was heading back to the dorms.

"Here you go Colonel Bastard." Edward shoved a file towards him.

The man just smirked and took the file.

Ed hated it when he smirked.

He hated it more than the Colonel himself.

Why? Because it made him feel childish...and it gave him a weird feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Edward growled. "Can I go now?"

A pair of black eyes met a pair of golden ones.

The golden ones immediately found something interesting on the wall to look at.

"No."

"Why not? I gave you your stupid report."

"Ah, but I haven't had the privilege of telling you your next mission."

Edward groaned loudly. "I've been going on missions left and right, can't you give me a break?"

Roy looked at him sternly. "I ihave/i been giving you breaks. I've been giving you breaks ever since I convinced the Fuhrer to let you take the exam."

Ed opened his mouth to retort, but a very annoyed Colonel slammed his hand on his desk and stood up, causing the young alchemist to take a step back.

"You have no idea how much of a long leash I give you," Roy continued, "I let you go off on you silly little goose chase and count those as missions. Then I give you all the leads I have on The Stone. You should be thanking me!"

Edward had no idea what to say to this and stared at the Colonel for a moment.

Roy sighed and sat back down.

"Forgive him Sir, but the Colonel has had a hectic day," Riza explained, letting Roy and Edward know she was in the doorway.

Edward just glared at Roy. "Just give me the damn mission."

Riza sat a stack of papers on Roy's desk then left.

Roy groaned and rubbed his head.

"You're doing paper work?" Ed asked. "I thought you always made one of you lackeys do it."

"Not today," Roy grumbled and glanced at his watch, realizing that the day was pretty much over.

"Whatever, my mission?"

"Ah yes, it's uh..." Roy looked through the stack of papers. "Uh, it's right..."

Ed groaned. "I'm leaving."

"No, wait I'll find it."

And Roy was right, he did find it.

Three hours later after he finished all his paperwork that is.

Edward had fallen asleep on the couch a couple hours ago, and Roy sighed.

No more yelling.

He had honestly never seen a sleeping Edward before and it was kind of nice.

Roy stood up and walked over to the slumbering boy, figuring he had better take him back to his dorm room. He carefully slid an arm under Edward's knees, and the his other arm under Edward's back, then picked him up.

Ed's bang fell to the side of his face and mumbled something in his sleep.

Roy smiled softly.

Ed looked so peaceful while sleeping. Those golden eyes, full of fear, regret, knowledge, and determination, were finally put to rest for the day and his breathing was soft.

Edward mumbled something again then moved around and ended laying his head on Roy's shoulder.

Roy chuckled and began walking out of his office.

Roy cared about Edward and Alphonse, even if Ed would never accept it. But it was true. Very true. He looked out for them, and worried about them when he sent them on dangerous missions. And he hoped that one day, Edward would find a way to get his little brother's body back. Even if it seemed impossible.
But Edward was one to defy logic and accomplish the impossible.

Roy was astounded by that. A mere child, doing more than he ever could.

Roy looked down at Edward, and found himself smiling once again. After realizing this, Roy quickly looked up and quickened his pace.

---

Alphonse opened the door to the dorm room. "Colonel?" Al looked at the sight before him in complete confusion.

Roy nodded. "Edward fell asleep in my office."

Alphonse stepped back, and Roy walked in.

He laid Edward on one of the beds, then left.

"Thank you Sir," Alphonse said quickly, and Roy just raised a hand, showing that he had heard him and it was nothing.

----

Edward awoke the next morning, groggy and hungry.

"Allll, what time is it?" he groaned.

"Time for you to see the Colonel," Alphonse replied.

"Why would I want to see that bastard?" Edward sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"To get the next mission."

"But..." Edward rewound the previous night over in his mind.

He must have fallen asleep.

Edward groaned loudly again. "I don't wanna."

Alphonse grabbed his younger brother by his ankles and pulled him off the bed.

"What was that for!" Edward yelled.

Al just helped Ed get dressed. "Really, what would you do without me"

Ed sighed but smiled softly. "I have no idea."