Chapter 19

Ed woke up the next morning to the delicious smell of bacon and the sound of pots and pans making clanking noises from Roy's kitchen. He smiled and turned over onto his back. He gradually let his eyes take in the tiny cracks in Roy's ceiling, there weren't many of them, but they spun a transparent web over him. He turned his head to snuggle briefly into the pillow underneath and breathed in the scent still lingering there, Roy's scent mixed with a little sweat and the musty remnants of lovemaking. His gaze shifted to the window surrounded by the heavy striped curtains, the sun was shining brightly already and the way it sapped the greenery from the foliage in the yard, it foretold of a warm day to come.

Ed stretched out his limbs and yawned. Content, that was how he felt, it was the kind of contentedness you acquire when you are at home, when you feel secure and comfortable with whom you are. He rolled over and peered out the doorway, he hoped to catch a glimpse of his lover, the one who was responsible for all the bliss filling his heart. He was in love and at the moment, it seemed to know no bounds. He was still smiling, or maybe beaming even, as he slid to the side of the bed and climbed out. He stretched again, letting out a small groan as he made his way to Roy's dark wood wardrobe. He opened the heavy doors and let his fingers run lightly over the various garments perched on the wire hangers. Then he stopped at the familiar black dress shirt. Roy liked to tease him when he wore it, but he really enjoyed feeling it on his skin. It was like a melding of himself and Roy, the black color and the open buttoned dress shirt. When he wore it, he felt like he was wearing his lover, like Roy was always surrounding him. It had become comfortable, just as he had become in this room, in this house, with this man.

Ed pushed his arms into the soft cotton fabric and easily buttoned the front. The sleeves were still rolled up from the last time he wore it. He liked the fact that it was big on him, because his lover was big, at least bigger than him. Ed would never admit it openly, but Roy's size was a definite attraction for him, it made him feel secure and protected. He'd spent so much time having to protect Al; it was nice to finally be the one who was looked after.

He ambled out into the hallway and then into Roy's kitchen. His eyes drank in Roy's silky black hair hovering over a cream terrycloth bathrobe as he bent over the white stove. There were bowls and utensils strewn haphazardly over the normally pristine white counter top. His lover seemed engrossed in his task, in making a special morning for the two of them. Ed's heart filled suddenly with the heaviness of his love and adoration for the man working in front of him. He silently padded up to Roy, wrapped his arms around his lover's waist and rested his cheek on Roy's back. He felt Roy momentarily jump from the touch, but then he seemed to settle into it as one of Roy's arms found his and rested upon it. "Roy…I love you so much," Ed said softly. He almost felt tears as he said the words, if he did they'd be from simple joy.

Roy felt Ed's arms surround him and heard the easy words of devotion; he smiled and turned slowly in Ed's arms. He wrapped himself around Edward, an oven mit covering one hand, and drew him in close. "Love you too, sleepy head," he said softly as his cheek rested on Ed's golden strands. Then he tilted his head back and kissed his lover softly on the forehead.

"Roy…don't burn the eggs," Ed said dreamily as he glanced at the stove.

Roy let go of Edward and turned back to the stove, "Ed my boy, if there is one thing I can do, its work with fire," he said smugly as he softly chuckled. "Now, go have a seat at the table and the finest breakfast you've ever had will be served."

Ed turned and made his way back to the round kitchen table. A newspaper was strewn across the middle of it and two plates along with silverware and napkins were positioned next to each other along the edge. There were glasses of orange juice and steaming hot coffee toward the top of each plate. Ed picked up the newspaper and started to read a few fairly uninteresting stories. He glanced every few minutes up at Roy, oh how he loved to watch that man, he thought.

Roy piled serving plates high with food, bacon, eggs, pancakes, and hash browns. He brought them over to the table and set them down on the empty side of the table. "Well, what do you think?" he asked obviously pleased with himself.

Ed looked it all over and then the tears did come for real. Roy made everything Ed had ordered that first morning they'd had breakfast together at the 'cockroach' hotel, everything. It was probably the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for him; well, besides ask him out on a date. He had no idea Roy would remember something like that. He tried to hide his emotions initially, a little embarrassed by it. As he peered down into his lap he spoke softly, "Roy, that was really nice for you to remember."

Roy tried not to look too smug, but now he was really impressed with himself. There was a reason he was so popular with the ladies, after all. He saw Ed's head lift and his lover's eyes brimming with tears. "Of course, Ed, maybe this time you can refrain from throwing your eggs on my head," he teased as he started to chuckle. Ed suddenly spat out a laugh and Roy joined him.

They ate, looked over the newspaper, and then Ed cleared the table and started on the clean up. It was fair; Roy did the cooking. As Ed was washing dishes and putting things away with a white kitchen towel slung over his shoulder, he saw Roy appear in his periphery vision. Ed stopped what he was doing and turned around. Roy had an object held up in each hand and looked at him self-righteously. Ed focused on the objects, his toothbrush and razor. He smiled sheepishly.

"So, moving in, are we?" Roy mocked as he grinned.

"Well, I thought…um, it would just be easier if…I had…" he stumbled out his explanation. He'd actually wanted to bring more things over, like extra underwear and a set of clothes, but he just forgot to.

Roy walked over to him and surrounded him in a quick embrace. "It's okay, Ed, I was just teasing. It's actually sort of nice having a few of your things in my house," he said lovingly. "But don't get any ideas about moving in," he stated quickly, then he saw Ed's expression change to disappointment and he added with emphasis, "Yet." Much to his surprise and delight, he watched a wide smile grow on Ed's lips.

"Really Roy?" Ed replied quickly and then realized the confusion the statement might have caused, as Roy looked a bit flustered. "I mean, you don't mind if I bring a few things over…not that I'd be moving in…because that would just be way too much, right?" he asked timidly. His heart did skip a beat at the thought of even discussing such a thing. But he knew deep inside he longed to have that discussion.

"Uh, yeah…" Roy stated as he turned back around and headed back to the bedroom. He wasn't sure what to think, as always, Ed seemed eager to blindly push forward with their relationship. But Roy knew moving in was a huge step and he didn't know how he'd be able to explain something like that to his coworkers and subordinates. Plus, it scared him a little to be getting so tied down already. Although he loved Edward immensely, he was a creature of habit, and his habits included having some space, some time to himself. He decided to just leave the conversation where it had ended and hope Ed wouldn't push it.

Roy showered and Ed soon followed after he'd cleaned the dishes. Ed remained in Roy's shirt throughout the day; he just didn't want to take it off. They spent the remainder of the day relaxing, something almost foreign to Edward. They read on the couch, always next to each other, always touching in some way. Ed had found some interesting book on alchemy on Roy's shelf and Roy had a murder-mystery he was catching up on. Roy turned on his radio at some point to hear a detective show he never missed and Ed listened with him, marveling at this side of his lover. The windows had been opened in Roy's house and a gentle warm breeze blew in. It wisped a fresh scent throughout everything and complimented the lazy mood of the day.

xxx

As they finished their late dinner, Ed heard thunder off in the distance. Storm clouds had worked their way into the sky during the day and now the scent of rain permeated through the house. "I'll go close the windows," Ed offered as Roy started to pick up the dinner dishes. Roy nodded a reply and Ed stood to complete the task.

He walked quickly into each room of Roy's house and pulled window panels down with a thump as he went. As he pulled the panel down in Roy's bedroom, he felt strong arms surround him and Roy's body pressed up behind him. Ed wrapped his arms up around his lovers. Roy swayed their bodies back and forth slightly as they both gazed out the window at the pending storm, a few drops pattered against the window. Ed felt Roy's lips grazing the sensitive skin on his neck and he tilted his head into it and closed his eyes. Oh how he loved this man, he thought. He could just stay here forever and never go back to headquarters, or the dorm for that matter. He hadn't even thought about Al all day, he'd been so wrapped up in being with Roy. He felt a slight twinge of guilt about it, but someday Al would have to find his own friends and his own things to do, he reasoned. Roy's kisses had turned to passionate sucks and soft bits at his neck and he felt his arousal hardening under the thin material of Roy's dress shirt. He'd deviously not worn any underwear all day, preferring to go 'au natural' for a change. Roy's shirt was all he'd needed.

The lazy day and the sight of Ed in his shirt had been slowly driving Roy crazy all day, now that dinner was over he figured it was time to act on his urges and then enjoy another fitful sleep with his lover in his bed. He roamed his hands up and down Ed's sides, exploring the solid body underneath the thin cotton. He slid his hand under the bottom of the shirt, crouched down a bit, and brought it up as his hand caressed Ed's bare skin underneath. He ran his tongue down to Ed's shoulder as he went and felt his lover shudder with the touch. Then he stopped suddenly as he realized Ed had nothing on under the shirt, "Ed, have you been like this all day?" he asked incredulously as his hand roamed Ed's hip and back toward his behind.

"Uh-huh," Ed replied in a slight daze, he'd been thoroughly enjoying the feel of his lover's hand and lips on him.

"Damn, if I'd have known that, I'd have attacked you a lot sooner," he admitted jokingly. Then he took Ed's hand and towed him to the bed. He stopped for moment at the edge, put both hands up to Ed's face, and kissed his mouth passionately. He gently pushed his tongue into Ed's mouth and lightly probed. He felt Ed's hands surround his waist and draw their bodies together. Then he pulled away and directed his attention to unbuttoning the shirt. "Ed, although I love seeing you in my shirt, I have a new idea I'd like to try out," he said seductively.

Ed smiled and peered into Roy's face, "does it involve something sexual?" he asked coyly. He then began to unbutton Roy's white shirt and unfasten his tan trousers.

"Think it wouldn't?" Roy teased. He let Ed remove his clothing and then watched as Ed took the black shirt off and tossed it to the floor. Ed climbed into bed and waited for him. Roy smiled as he slid in next to his lover, how many times had they done this now, he wondered briefly? Whatever the number he decided it wasn't enough and he'd make sure it would happen many, many more times. Roy turned to Ed and heard his already heavy breathing as he began to kiss the blonde's delicious lips and explore the hardness under the sheets. The rain came down intensely all of a sudden and beat a steady rhythm on the roof of Roy's house as they began to once again surrender to their impulses.

Ed felt Roy pushing into the side of his hips as his lover brushed a palm along his length. He moaned softly and let himself thrust into the sensation. He ran his flesh hand along Roy's side and down to his rear end and squeezed. "Roy…you feel so good," he said softly. Then he felt Roy's mouth dip down to his chest and cover one of his nipples. Roy gently bit and licked at the tender flesh and Ed arched his back and moaned. The sensation sent a shiver straight to his groin. Roy's hand played roughly with the erect nub of the other nipple and Ed thrust urgently into his lover as he tried desperately to gain some pressure and friction on his throbbing member. He clenched his teeth as all three areas on his body sizzled in tandem, his fingers dug into Roy's flesh.

Roy lifted his head, 'Ow, watch it, Ed," he complained teasingly.

Ed was almost panting, "What did you expect, doing stuff like that to me?" he replied helplessly.

"Hmmm, how about this then," he offered coyly as he ducked down under the covers and took Ed's length into his mouth. He heard Ed cry out sharply as he pumped on him. He ran his tongue firmly along the underside of Ed's erection and flicked the top as he came up. Ed's hips thrust in time with his movements and he knew Ed wouldn't last long like this. Roy stopped briefly and turned his body around so Ed had access to his own throbbing member. He glanced over at Ed to see if he understood what he'd intended.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Ed asked, a little unsure of himself. He immediately wanted to grab a hold of his lover and pleasure him, but he didn't know if that was what Roy wanted him to do.

"Its called sixty-nine, Ed, go ahead, don't be shy," Roy snickered faintly as he dove face first back onto the blonde. He suddenly felt Ed's slick hot mouth cover his own erection and a delicious sensation of pleasure instantly surged through his body. He thrust in time with Ed's movement and returned the act on Ed's length. He could feel Ed's body quickly begin to shake and he slowed the bobbing of his mouth over him. Ed was still moaning loudly even with Roy in his mouth. Roy pulled away from the blonde; he obviously liked this position, Roy thought as he smiled deviously. "Ed, go faster," Roy requested, he wanted to catch up. He closed his eyes momentarily and tensed his brow as he felt the pressure and frequency of Ed's mouth increase sumptuously. Then he retuned to Ed and lightly licked along his length to draw out his lover's release.

Roy felt the familiar tingle of his climax start in his abdomen as Ed continued to hungrily devour him. He eagerly resumed sucking on Ed; he pumped relentlessly on him and felt his lover's body instantly grow rigid in anticipation of his release.

Ed was so caught up in the moment the persistent sucking and licking he performed on his lover hardly registered; it simply became instinct. When Roy stopped teasing and finally gave him something real to thrust into, his climax had rushed to the surface. He bucked hard into his lover's mouth and although he tried not to, he knew he was digging his fingers into Roy's flesh again. He had to pull off Roy as the contractions washed a dizzying pleasure through him, made his teeth clench, and forced him to moan sharply. He surged powerfully into his lover's mouth and finally found the sense to resume his motions on Roy as they slowed.

Roy gasped as Ed released him; he'd almost lost control just as his lover had pulled away. But thankfully, he held on long enough to spill urgently into Ed's mouth when he'd returned. The sensation overwhelmed Roy and he closed his eyes to let the full effect of his climax pulse through him. He'd swallowed Ed's seed and now watched as Ed did the same for him. As he lay there next to Ed waiting for his senses to return, a silly thought occurred to him. "Hey Ed, this is a great thing to do because there's no mess," he blurted out.

"I'll remember that the next time we're alone in your office," Ed replied as he started to chuckle faintly.

Roy lifted himself up on his elbows and grinned down at his lover, still apparently in a daze. "But next time, don't stop when you're coming, okay? I almost didn't get mine, you know?" he complained teasingly.

Ed suddenly sat up to face him, "Would you rather I bite you then?" he replied mockingly.

"What? Why the hell would you bite me?" Roy asked, rather confused.

"Because, you make me come so hard I clench my teeth half the time." Ed retorted.

Roy visibly shuddered at the thought of teeth clamping down on his fragile body part. "Uh…th-that's okay then, w-we'll just have to work around it," he said fearfully. Roy turned himself around and positioned himself next to Ed. He immediately felt his lover cuddle in beside him and rest his head on Roy's chest. Roy hugged him close and lowered his head to give the blonde hair a chaste kiss. "Ah...this is so nice, love you," he whispered.

"Not as much as I love you," Ed whispered back as he made sure there were no gaps between their bodies. It was then he registered the rain still pounding on the roof.

xxx

After resting for a bit in each other's arms, the two had cleaned up for bed and lay fast asleep. Outside, the storm surged like an enraged beast. The wind began to howl and sent high-pitched whispers creeping through the house. Lighting flashed violently, sending bursts of light into the bedroom they shared. Then the thunder came, pounding and crackling like gunfire.

Ed's eyes shot open with a particularly loud boom. It wasn't just the storm that had woken him; it was his lover. Roy was thrashing wildly in his sleep, his body drenched in sweat. He was in obvious distress, crying out loud but incoherent words. Ed had a feeling it might have to with his lover's war memories and the storm outside. He'd heard from some of the other military men he worked with how sometimes a storm or other loud noises could bring on a rush of flashbacks. He'd yet to witness this phenomenon in Roy, however.

Ed leaned over his lover and tried to console him. He shook him gently, "Roy, it's okay, it's just a storm," he said softly. A fist unexpectedly shot up and brutally punched him in the jaw. The blow knocked him backward and he immediately placed his flesh hand on the throbbing area. He felt tears invade his eyes even as he tried to explain to himself how Roy was asleep and had no idea what he was doing. Ed cautiously went back to his lover and tried to hold him down, "Roy! Stop it! It's just a dream!" he shouted.

"Get the fuck away from me!" Roy screamed clearly as he shoved the blonde so hard he was thrown completely off the bed and landed painfully on his side, a crumpled heap on the floor.

Ed lay there for a minute, his tears spilled down his cheeks. Even if he knew Roy hadn't meant it, it still hurt. He heard Roy cry out in what sounded like pain. Ed jumped back to his feet and lunged at Roy, this time he straddled him and pinned him with his automail as best he could. Hot tears poured down his face and sobs mingled with the raging sounds of the storm.

Roy slowly opened his eyes, for a second he saw an old adversary standing above him, he gasped in fear. Then the vision blurred into the sight of Edward perched above his chest. As the lightening poured a flash of light into the room, he saw the wetness on Ed's cheeks. It was then he realized what he'd probably done. "Ed? Oh God, I'm so sorry, what did I do?" he questioned as emotion filled his voice.

Ed released his hold on Roy's arms and let himself fall into his lover's embrace. He cried quietly as he tried to toss the too recent memory of what had happened out of his mind. "It's nothing, really, nothing," he managed to say softly. He just wanted to bury the whole incident.

Roy held him tightly and stroked the back of his head as the blonde quieted. "I'm so sorry, I guess I should have warned you about that when the rain started. I'm obviously not immune to post-war night terrors, although it doesn't happen much anymore," he explained softly. Then he added, in an attempt to make Ed feel better, "Next time you can just hit me back, okay?" he told him gently.

"Next time maybe I'll transmute you to the bed," he replied with a sniffle.

Roy smiled sadly, at least Ed sounded better. "You okay now?" he asked as he positioned himself for sleep once again.

"No…actually, I-I'm a little…scared," he admitted. The storm was creeping him out now that he'd endured a pounding from his lover. He knew it wasn't possible, but it was like the storm had turned Roy into some sort of monster for a few minutes and it left a lingering fear in his heart. It wasn't usual for him to be frightened of storms, he actually liked them normally, but tonight's storm just felt different somehow.

Roy was a little surprised by Ed's fear, but he also found it strangely attractive. He did like to protect his lover, even if it was from something as childish as this. He turned Ed around in the bed so his back was facing him and then he easily wrapped his body all around the younger man, essentially making a shield. Then he pushed his face close to Ed's and kissed him tenderly. "There, hows that?" he asked softly as a faint smile passed across his lips.

A loud crack of thunder beat on the small house shortly after the room lit up again. Ed shuddered and snuggled closer into Roy's body. "Better…just don't let go, okay?" Ed implored softly.

"Never," Roy answered sleepily.