A/N: This chapter contains spoilers for the movie Casablanca. I know there is airplane travel in the movie and planes were never invented in the FMA world, just go with it. It's also a bit of an experiment; hopefully I didn't get too carried away :)

Chapter 17

The Perfect Date

Ed was left to take another cab the short distance to Central headquarters after showering and making Roy a quick breakfast of eggs and toast. Although his male ego had revolted slightly at being the one to cook for the two of them, he'd secretly enjoyed it. And now, he was looking forward to actually getting some research done in the library today. An unusual feeling of content overwhelmed him as he gazed out the window at the perfectly glorious day. The sun was shining behind wispy clouds and if he was outside, he was sure he'd hear the birds singing only for him. He tapped his hand on his thigh in time with a melody that kept buzzing through his head.

xxx

Abruptly, the blonde alchemist slammed his book back together and decided to pay the object of his numerous memories a visit. He'd spent at least two hours at his usual spot in the musty library, at the middle of a long wooden table, and now it was time for a break. He almost pranced as he walked out the doors and through the hallways to Roy's office.

He turned a corner and immediately saw Lieutenant Hawkeye sitting behind her desk, reviewing paperwork. As he walked closer, she looked up at him. Clearly, she was still perturbed by his mere presence, but today it didn't matter. He was the one with the key in his pocket; he was the one who'd get six stars. "Good morning, Hawkeye," Ed said a little too happily.

Riza's anger rose instantly, it was bad enough the little brat had taken her man, for the moment, but he didn't have to be so smug about it. "Good morning Fullmetal, Roy is ah, busy at the moment," she stated calmly as a wicked grin spread across her face. She'd loaded the Colonel up with paperwork this morning and had made sure he understood it had to be completed today. It was Friday after all, and it had been easy to tell him it couldn't linger over the weekend. If she had to endure this silly fling between Roy and Edward, she'd keep Roy as busy as possible. The more time he spent in the office, the less time he'd have to spend doing unmentionable things with Edward.

Ed stopped briefly at her words and frowned; he was confused. If Roy was so busy, then why was his door still open? Usually he closed it when he didn't want to be disturbed. As he paused, Hawkeye raised herself from her desk and walked around it to position herself between him and the entrance. "What are you doing?" he asked as he tried to sidestep her.

Riza acted quickly, she kept herself directly in front of the male blonde. "I told you, he's busy," she reiterated coolly.

Ed looked at her sideways and then it occurred to him, she's probably just trying to keep him from Roy out of spite. An evil grin spread across his face as he reached into his pocket and pulled Roy's house key out of it. He held the shiny object up in front of her face and whispered, "look Riza, Roy gave me a key to his house, isn't that great?" he taunted sarcastically. He felt vindicated when her smug expression temporarily changed to longing and then returned to its previous smugness.

"Whatever Fullmetal, he's still busy," she said blankly.

Ed pushed the key back into its permanent resting place in his front pocket and glared at the female assistant. "He's not too busy for me!" he practically shouted.

Fuery peeked his head up from his desk, obviously interested in the reason for the hostility unfolding in front of him. He'd hoped to have a rematch of yesterday's antics. He and Havoc had both bet twenty bucks on Hawkeye if a rematch occurred. Since yesterday, the office had been buzzing with rumors surrounding the shooting incident in Mustang's office. He silently whispered, "come on…come on…"

Ed heard murmuring from the desk against the far wall, "What was that Fuery?" he yelled angrily. He kept his eyes locked on Riza, waiting for her to make a move toward the gun at her waist. He was prepared today, he'd quickly transform his automail arm and pin her in heartbeat, he thought. Suddenly, a blue form with jet-black hair appeared in Ed's periphery vision.

"Fullmetal! Hawkeye! That's quite enough!" Roy snapped loudly. Ed and Riza slumped visually and Roy swore under his breath. Then he glared at Fuery, "Get busy, will you?" he commanded harshly. Roy watched as Fuery jumped slightly in his chair, his hands shook with the force of the order, and he turned his gaze back to the papers on his desk. "Get in here, Fullmetal" he demanded angrily before he turned and headed back into his office.

Ed shot a last glance at Riza and childishly stuck his tongue out at her. He saw her eyes widen in surprise before he sidestepped her and strutted in triumph into Roy's office.

"Close the door!" Roy shouted decisively as he stopped halfway in and turned around. He glared at the blonde alchemist.

Ed innocently did as he was told; he hadn't meant to make Roy angry with him, quite the contrary. As soon as the door was closed, he saw Roy's gloved hands reach out from behind him and turn the brass tumbler to lock the door. Ed smiled wickedly as he felt Roy's arms surround him from behind and his lover's lips press against the back of his neck seductively. Ed's head tilted back into the sensation; he brought his flesh hand up to Roy's cheek and softly caressed it. He could feel heat start to work it's magic in his groin as he started to swell. "Roy, I missed you," he said softly through deep breaths.

Roy turned his lover around quickly and hungrily kissed his mouth, "I missed you too," he responded as he lowered his mouth to nip and suck at Ed's neck. A hand cupped one side of Ed's face while the other roamed downward to his behind. Then quite unexpectedly, the elder man's eyes rested on the mound of paperwork on his desk. He halted his progression on the blonde's body and pulled away with a heavy groan.

"Why are you stopping?" Ed asked in a slight daze.

"I'm sorry, I never should have started that. I have a ton of work to do today and if I don't finish I'm afraid I'll have to delay our date tonight. Hawkeye is cracking the whip on everyone particularly hard today," he relented as he raked a gloved hand through his black bangs.

Ed looked down at the floor in clear disappointment. "Oh," he stated glumly. "About that, what time did you think we could leave?" Ed asked as he gained back some of his previous good cheer and returned his gaze to his lover's dark eyes.

Roy took Ed's hands in his and spoke directly at him, "We'll leave at six tonight. I'll bring the car by the dorm, that is as long you can leave me alone long enough to finish my paperwork," he smiled weakly.

Ed understood; he'd have to forgo any office trysts today in order to get what he wanted tonight. "Okay, I'll leave you alone then," he stated as he turned for the door. "But not by choice," he shot back as he gave Roy a charming smile and unlocked the door to leave.

xxx

It was four in the afternoon, and Ed had been counting down the minutes in the library to his date with Roy. He decided it was time to go pick up his outfit and he rose from the table to retrieve it. He hastily made his way to the store where he purchased the items, paid for them, and then confidently made his way back to his dorm room. He wanted to shower again and make himself extra presentable before Roy came to pick him up.

xxx

Ed's hands were starting to shake as he put his new clothing on; he was starting to get anxious as the minutes ticked by. He felt slightly nauseous and wasn't sure why his antiperspirant didn't seem to be working. "Hey Al, did you switch antiperspirants on me, or something?" he called out from the bathroom as he thrust a leg into the greenish tan flat front trousers.

"No Ed, you're just nervous," his brother called out with annoyance.

Then he slipped into the cream, tan and greenish, striped shirt. He looked at it in the mirror before buttoning it up. He still wasn't quite sure about it, but both Al and the saleslady had assured him it was the latest fashion, plus he was told the vertical stripes would make him appear, ahem, taller. He buttoned it up, but not all the way, again, the lady at the store had stated it would look better if he left the top two buttons open. He just didn't want to look 'easy' he told himself fleetingly. Then he walked out into the main room, "Al, what should I do with my hair?" he asked, obviously flustered.

"I think you should leave it down for once," Al responded. He didn't really care; he just wanted his brother to quit asking him such asinine questions. He wasn't some expert on gay etiquette after all.

"But wouldn't I look like a girl then?" Ed whined as he slumped forward slightly.

Al sat forward on his bed; he'd been sitting comfortably against the wall trying to rest. "And you think a braid is any better?" he huffed.

Ed glared angrily at his brother, "Al, this is important," he stated flatly.

"Leave your hair down," Al reiterated firmly.

"Fine," Ed said shortly as he returned himself to the bathroom.

Al sat back on his bed and shook his head slowly. His brother was hopeless and the changes he saw in him were baffling to say the least. As his brother apparently worked on his hair, Al heard groaning, scowling, and finally swearing. He eventually got up off the bed and went in to take a look for himself, what retarded thing his brother had done to himself. He rounded the corner to see Ed furiously trying to pry a tangled brush from the long locks in the back of his head. The armored boy couldn't take anymore; he started to laugh uncontrollably. "Brother, I think you've finally turned into the sister I never had," he stated as soon as his chuckles allowed.

Ed stopped his futile battle with the brush and turned to glare at Al, the brush handle stuck out at an awkward angle on his head. "You are not helpful," he hissed.

"Here, let me," Al offered, as he gently pried the offending object from Ed's golden strands. He stood behind his brother and tenderly ran the brush though his hair. The two brothers gazed at each other in the mirror as the metal arm moved slowly up and down.

Ed felt his nerves begin to calm as Al stroked his head with the brush. His eyes softened and he let the gentle strokes clear his mind of all his fears about what the night might offer. Then suddenly Ed heard rapping at the door, his eyes shot back up to the mirror, "He's here Al!" Ed exclaimed loudly. Ed ran out of the bathroom and rushed to put on the matching sport jacket over the striped shirt and sat on the floor to slide on some black dress shoes, at least he'd won the battle for black shoes, he thought hastily.

At the second knock, Al lumbered to the door and opened it. Roy looked up at him, and smiled charmingly. "Is Ed ready to go?" he asked easily. Just then, Ed stumbled forward from behind his brother. Roy's eyes drank in his striking beauty. The long straight blonde hair hung perfectly around his shoulders and the smartly pressed jacket fit squarely over the shoulders that were slightly broad for his small frame. Roy nodded approvingly at the striped shirt, very fashionable, he thought. Then his eyes ran down to the small waist and flat front pants, he licked his lips at the enticing way they showed off Ed's slightly larger than expected package. Roy wondered briefly what the back of those pants would look like if they hugged him so well in the front. He resisted the temptation to ask him to turn around and lift his jacket, however. "Ed, you look…absolutely stunning," Roy said approvingly.

Al groaned and stepped backward, "I didn't need to hear that," he said fretfully.

Ed smiled a wide grin as he stepped forward and impulsively wrapped his arms around Roy's neck. He pulled his lover inside the doorway and kissed him hastily. He felt Roy's arms wrap around his waist and his lover's mouth return the kiss.

Al turned around and covered the orbs in his helmeted head with his hands, "Would you please go!" he pleaded.

The two straightened themselves and promptly left.

xxx

Ed sat in the seat next to Roy and beamed. They were finally on their first date and Ed's excitement was almost uncontainable. He steadfastly held onto Roy's hand in the seat beside him as Roy's driver efficiently took them away across town where no one would care either way if they touched each other somewhat inappropriately for two males. The car ride had been mostly silent as both men simply smiled at the other occasionally in admiration. They were either too awestruck or too nervous or both to say much of anything important.

"Right here," Roy directed the driver as they pulled up next to the curb.

Ed looked through his window at the elegant appearing restaurant outside. He waited as the driver opened Roy's door and then was surprised as Roy opened his door for him. His ego took a little beating, but he held the short burst of humility at bay as he told himself Roy was only trying to be a gentleman and probably didn't know any better.

The two entered the restaurant and Roy told the maitre'd of their reservations. They were led to a table with a wonderful view overlooking the bustling street. A piano played romantically in the background and the dim lights were giving off a golden glow. The restaurant was filled with rich deep dark woods and antique furnishings. They each sat down, Ed noted Roy resisted the urge to pull his chair out for him and he was indeed grateful for that. Ed watched captivated as Roy conversed with the sommelier and ordered a bottle of expensive wine for them to share. Then his lover turned his attention to him. Ed reveled in the way Roy's eyes seemed to sparkle as they focused on him.

"So Ed, what do you think of our date so far?" Roy asked confidently. They were sitting at a four-top square table, but sat next to each other, initially to enjoy the view. But realistically, they sat beside each other just to be close. Roy reached under the table and tenderly placed a hand on Ed's thigh. He saw Ed's eyes daze momentarily with the contact and the elder man felt his heart thump in is chest.

Ed looked hopelessly love-struck up at his lover, "It's perfect," he said dreamily.

Roy chuckled, his dates had always been incredibly enamored with him, but Ed took it to a new level. He leaned over to whisper in Ed's ear, "Ed, you're scaring me, you can try to be yourself a little more," he teased lightly.

Ed snapped out of his apparent daze and shot Roy a flash of anger before he stifled it and responded, "I'm just happy, is that okay with you?" He covered the hand on his thigh with his own and squeezed. He wouldn't let anything ruin this night, not even Roy's teasing.

Before too long, the sommelier brought the wine, showed it to Roy before he poured a small amount of the crimson elixir into a delicate wine glass to taste, and then filled both their glasses. They both picked up their glasses somewhat hurriedly and took an ample sip to calm their nerves as soon as it was poured. The waitress soon followed and took their orders. As usual she seemed to pay extra attention to Roy, much to Ed's dismay.

When she left the table, Roy looked nervously over at Ed; the last thing he wanted was for the waitress to spark Ed's jealousy. However, Ed seemed to be miraculously maintaining himself. Roy gave Ed's hand a quick squeeze under the table; it was as if the two couldn't bear to break their lifeline to each other. Their legs had also started to subconsciously entwine under cover of the long white tablecloth.

As their dinner arrived, they finally started to have an effortless conversation with each other, helped along by the alcohol flowing in their veins. They laughed easily, reminisced about their fellow coworkers, and exchanged stories about things that happened on missions.

However, Ed did notice for the third time that evening that the waitress asked Roy if his dinner was all right. She could have cared less about Ed's dinner. Ed feigned a cough into his metal palm and spoke up, "Uh, my dinner is delicious too," he offered a little too loudly. Ed could feel Roy stare at him.

"Oh, what a cute son you have sir," she said offhandedly to Roy.

"Uh, that's not my…" Roy started to state as he felt Ed's hand disconnect from his under the table and was interrupted.

"I am not his son, I am his date!" Ed hissed as he slapped his hand on the table in anger.

The waitress backed up in surprise and confusion. Then an expression of apparent disgust fell across her face, "Oh…I see," she said slowly as her eyes darted between the two of them. She finally backed up and sped away.

Roy sighed, "Well Ed, you certainly told her. Guess I can't show my face back here again," he stated with resignation.

"Why would you say that? I thought it was okay for us to be ourselves on this side of town," he shot back. He did feel a little ashamed at his outburst, but he was so tired of pretending. And so what if one stupid girl knew about them, he thought. They'd probably never see her again anyway, even if they did come back to this restaurant.

Roy thought for a second, he tried to put himself in Ed's place. It was clearly difficult for Ed to be in constant vigilance as woman after woman made themselves available to him. He shot Ed a sympathetic glance and then grasped Ed's hand as it rested on top of the table. It was a bold show of affection in a public place.

Ed gasped and he looked at Roy in confusion as he felt his lover's warmth cover his exposed hand. Roy's eyes held conviction as he met Ed's gaze and the world, with all it's judgments and rules, could go to hell as long as they had each other.

xxx

After their meal, Roy had paid the check and they strolled out of the restaurant. They'd decided to walk the short distance to the movie theater in order to enjoy the slightly warm and quiet evening.

As Ed meandered beside his lover, he noticed the theater come into view just ahead. He shifted his gaze up to the banner on the marquee, "Casablanca?" he questioned hesitantly. "But isn't that a movie for girls?" he continued as he frowned.

"No Ed, it's a movie about romance, and sacrifice, and war," Roy replied with a knowing glance upward at the marquee. "And it just so happens to be one of my favorite movies," he replied casually.

Ed's heart warmed as he realized this was special to his lover. Roy had wanted to share it with him on their first date. Ed suddenly felt Roy's hand on the small of his back as they approached the ticket office. He watched Roy pay for their tickets before Roy's hand returned to wrap gently around his elbow, he allowed his lover to guide him closely in through the theater doors and into the fancy lobby. Ed's gaze scanned the inside of the theater, he'd rarely entered such places; he never really had time for movies.

Roy tenderly towed Ed into the heavily curtained expansive viewing room and they took a seat towards the back. Roy had wanted to be free to touch Ed as the movie played without too much fear of prying eyes. Although he did feel that having Ed's hair down would provide a bit of cover, as most patrons would assume he was with a woman. He smiled faintly at the last thought.

They'd gotten there just in time as the lights dimmed shortly after they took their seats. Roy immediately put an arm around Ed and he felt the blonde snuggle into his side.

As Ed watched the flicker of the movie on the large screen, he was immediately taken by how similar the main character, Rick, was to his own lover.

One the screen, a handsome dark haired, dapper man in a white sport coat, black pants and a black bow tie confidently strolls across the floor of his exotic café. As the story unfolds, it is obvious he is well respected, well connected, and easily holds the attention of many of the ladies.

Ed leaned closer to Roy and whispered, "Now I know why you like this movie so much, you're just like Rick," he teased. Then he felt Roy reach around him and grab his flesh hand in response.

A beautiful woman with wavy brunette hair and full lips enters the café; it is obvious she has a dark secret. Her name is Ilsa, after she asks about Rick, she asks the piano player, Sam, who she obviously knows well, to play a song for her. Sam is reluctant to do as she wishes. When he plays the song Rick runs up and says, "I thought I told you never to play…" As the woman is confronted with Rick, it's obvious they already know each other. There are tears welling up in the woman's eyes.

Ed sat forward slightly in his seat as the woman on the screen's tears intrigued him when she saw Rick. Ed whispered to Roy, "What's gong on, what's between those two?"

Roy smiled at Ed's insatiable curiosity. He whispered back, "You'll just have to wait and see," he teased.

Scenes change; there is talk about war, invading armies, and visa's for passage to a safer country. It becomes clear Rick and Ilsa were lovers once and he still cares deeply for her even though she is with another man, Victor, a well known rebel leader. Then the screen flashes to Rick sitting at his bar alone. It's dark and he's drinking some sort of liquor out of a shot glass. He's thinking about Ilsa and remembering what they had as Sam plays the piano. Rick is drunk and distraught, he speaks, "of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine."

Ed heard the line Roy used on him after he'd found him in the alleyway, broken and in agony over the boy he'd killed in the Ishbalan war. He suddenly became acutely aware of the similarities, the drunken suffering, the deep love Rick had for Ilsa, and the deep love Roy had for him. Ed gasped softly and felt tears sting his eyes as the words took on new meaning.

Ilsa enters the bar alone and confronts Rick; she tries to explain why she left him alone at a train station so long ago. She tells him about a girl who was in love and wanted nothing else but to save the man she loved. But Rick won't hear it; all he can do is wallow in self-pity. He says hurtful nasty things to her, making her leave distressed and crying.

Ed was suddenly struck by how similarly Roy behaved in Drachma, when Envy's deceit threatened to destroy their fragile burgeoning relationship. His memory of the terrible things Roy said to him rushed to the surface. Ed identified with Ilsa, her pain became his and a tear rolled down his cheek and landed squarely on Roy's hand.

Roy suddenly felt wetness hit the top of his hand and he leaned forward. He could faintly see the trace left on Ed's cheek where the tear had been and Ed's eyes glistened in the glow from the screen. He was immediately amazed by how close to the surface Ed's feeling always were. "Are you okay?" he asked softly as he pulled him closer.

Ed felt self-conscious; he didn't think Roy could see his emotion. He briefly looked down as he gained control of himself and wiped quickly at his eyes, "This is all you're fault, I never used to act like this," he complained quietly.

Roy just smiled and returned his attention to the movie, but he maintained the increased hold on his lover.

After Ilsa leaves; Rick makes Sam play the earlier song, their song, "You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh, the fundamental things apply as time goes by…" The scene shifts to a flashback of Rick and Ilsa's love affair in a far away country. Rick asks Ilsa in a tender moment during their love affair, "I was wondering... Why I'm so lucky. Why I should find you waiting for me to come along."

As Ed watched amazed at the love the couple had for each other, he became suddenly aware of Roy's lips grazing his ear.

"Ed, why am I so lucky to find you waiting for me to come along?" Roy whispered tenderly in Ed's ear.

Ed flushed and realized Roy was trying to get his emotions going now. Unfortunately, it was working, Ed thought, as he felt tears just under the surface again. "Stop it!" Ed shot back a little louder than a whisper. Suddenly, Ed heard a person sitting in front of them hiss their disapproval at his outburst. Ed shrank in his seat and returned his focus to the movie, which now held him enraptured.

Still in flashback, the invading army is in the streets of what was Rick and Ilsa's paradise. The lover's have their last drink and make plans to leave before they become imprisoned by the invading army. Rick casually asks Ilsa to marry him. Instead of answering, Ilsa asks Rick to kiss her as if it were the last time. The next scene shows Rick waiting at the train station for Ilsa. He can't find her, instead he is handed a note from her. The note tells him she loves him, but he must leave without her.

As Ed watched the obvious pain on Rick's face and empathized with the agony of suddenly loosing the one he loved so dearly, his tears pushed to the surface again. He struggled to keep them hidden, but a soft sob escaped him. He wondered briefly why he felt so connected to these characters, was it the familiarity of war? Was it the similarity Rick had to Roy? Or was it just the familiarity of loss he'd experienced in his own life? He felt Roy draw him in close once more, and his lover's face pushed against this cheek. "I'd never do that to you," Ed whispered sadly.

"Ed there are lots of reasons people do what they do, just watch," Roy whispered back comfortingly.

The scene shifts back to the present and Ilsa tells Rick she's leaving and they'll never see each other again. He tells her to come see him and she responds by admitting Victor is her husband. It becomes clear Casablanca is no longer safe for Victor. It also becomes apparent they must escape and the only one who can help them is Rick. As the story plays out, Rick's character is shown to indeed care about and help the people around him even though he won't admit it. When Victor asks Rick to help him and Ilsa however, Rick refuses. In a desperate attempt to save her husband, Ilsa goes to Rick, she pulls a gun on him when he refuses once again to help them. However, Rick calls her bluff and she eventually surrenders to him. The lovers spend an intimate evening together in which Ilsa admits to Rick how she still loves him and how difficult it was for her to leave him at the train station. She tells Rick she believed her husband was dead when they were together, but then found out he was indeed alive just before the fateful day at the train station. She sacrificed her happiness with Rick for her husband's welfare and his cause. Ilsa tearfully tells Rick she can't leave him again.

Ed sighed; his own tears were close again as he realized what she'd done. Not so unlike the way he'd sacrificed his childhood in order to get his and Al's bodies back. He wondered briefly if Roy did this to him on purpose, took him to the most heart-wrenching movie ever made just to see his emotions have a field day with him. Then he pushed the thought out of his mind; of course Roy wouldn't do something like that. Ed leaned in closer to his lover and rested his head on his shoulder. He felt Roy's hand give his a tight squeeze.

Victor realizes Ilsa is in love with Rick although she won't admit it. He selflessly asks Rick to take Ilsa and leave with her using Rick's passes. Rick agrees.

Ed gasped, he couldn't believe Victor would allow such and thing and Rick would agree to it. Could he ever give up Roy to Riza, he pondered? But what had Riza done for them? She continued to support Roy through his relationship with Ed even though she loved Roy. So didn't that mean Riza actually made a similar sacrifice? Ed's eyes widened as a new respect for his adversary shoved its way into his heart.

On the screen, Rick sells his café in preparation for his departure. It then becomes apparent Rick is actually setting up Victor's capture to occur just as he escapes with Ilsa. When all parties involved arrive at the airport, Rick suddenly tells Ilsa she is to leave with her husband and he will stay behind to make sure they escape successfully. He tells her, with tears in his eyes, she'll regret leaving her husband behind and they'll always have their time together so many years ago. Rick then turns to Victor and makes an excuse, causing Victor to believe it is really Victor whom she loves. As Ilsa realizes the sacrifice Rick has made for her and her husband and the fact he has given up everything for them, she begins to cry and escapes with her husband after all.

The turn of events and the heart-wrenching scene in front of him renewed Ed's inner turmoil. He surrendered to the emotion welling within him and turned fully into Roy. He wrapped his arms around Roy's neck and began to weep silently into Roy's shoulder. He wasn't even able to watch the final scenes of the movie. He didn't understand what was causing him to react so passionately to the movie, maybe the build up for their date? Maybe everything he'd been through with Roy? Maybe just everything he'd been through his whole life, his father abandoning him, his mother dying, his brother loosing his body, it went on and on. Something about seeing these things play out across the screen made him see his own life story played out from a new perspective.

Roy had an idea the movie would make Ed cry, hell it made him cry the first time he saw it. But the intensity of Ed's reaction was a little unexpected. He held Ed closely and whispered in his ear and he caressed his back, "Sh, it's all right…" He was tempted to give Ed the classic line 'it's only a move', but he knew somehow that would not be something Ed wanted to hear right now.

Ed collected himself as quickly as he could and sniffled as he sat up to gaze into Roy's eyes. The credits were still scrolling on the screen as Roy wiped the remaining wetness from Ed's face. Then Ed glared at him, "You bastard, you did this to me on purpose! You knew this movie would make me cry!" he hissed quietly. He sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest as he fumed.

Roy smiled, there he was; the Ed he so adored and cherished: his lover who always blamed everyone else for his perceived frailties and weaknesses. Roy chuckled and stood up, "So I take it you liked the movie," he spoke gently. Then he held his hand out for Ed to take. Roy watched as Ed reluctantly took his hand and the lifeline was reconnected.