The fail returned despite best efforts (sobs).

I don't know what it is with this fic, but i just can't seem to do a chapter in one straight run. This was another chapter that had about 3 major re-writes before i was happy. Damn, i think i need to do a few oneshots or something...

Goodnight

Roy stomped wearily up the stairs. It had been a long day at the office, and trying to feed the ravenous bottomless pit Ed called a stomach had taken what little energy he'd had left. And then he'd had to do the dishes. By himself. He muttered to himself and began to slowly unbutton his shirt. He desperately needed sleep now.

At the top of the stairs, what would normally have been a dark corridor leading to his bedroom was bathed in the soft light coming from the open guest bedroom door. Roy's footsteps slowed as he stepped onto the landing and he could hear the soft, echoing voice of Alphonse drift from the room. It seemed the conversation had been going on for a while.

"Come on brother, let me have a look. I can see it's hurting."

"It's nothing Al, drop it okay?"

"Please brother?"

"Drop it, Al!" Ed snapped. Roy heard the tense silence from the room before there was a nervous sounding shuffle and the clunk of Ed's metal foot on the floorboards. "Sorry Al, I didn't mean it. You can check if you want." The elder boy muttered. Roy had to smile. Al sure knew how to manipulate Ed.

Amid the shuffles and clanks of the brothers shifting around, Roy crept past quietly to the safety of his room, wondering just what was causing Ed's shoulder to hurt.

The gentle patter of rain on his windows had long since drifted off into a dim drizzle during the course of the evening, and Roy found himself staring into space as his thoughts drifted to the next day. He studiously ignored the slightly raised voices of the boys down the hall as he thought, even as he rolled his eyes. Tomorrow was a Sunday. His day off.

What was he going to do on that blessed day if the boys were around?

They'd surely want to be entertained, and he knew for a fact that all the libraries in Central were currently closed due to the celebrations happening in town so they didn't even have research to distract them. His brow furrowed.

He jumped at the polite knock on his door, and shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Oh, Alphonse." He said as he opened his bedroom door wide. "Is there something you want?"

"Umm…do you have any aspirin to spare?" The armour asked, ducking its head in a polite bow. Roy smiled up at the expressionless helm. He'd always thought it odd that Alphonse could be so polite when his brother was nothing more than unrestrained emotion, but didn't voice his thoughts as he led the way to a bathroom.

"What does Ed need it for?" He asked, trying to start a conversation and satisfy his curiosity.

"None of your business!" Shouted Ed from his room, slouching out of the doorway with his golden eyes narrowed at Roy. The boy's normal attire had been shed and replaced with a black tank top and shorts that gave Roy a glimpse of the vivid redness that was creeping from the scars at the shoulder port.

Even as Roy pulled his small medicine chest from the cupboard above the sink, his eyes stayed on the form of the boy slouched at the doorway. "That looks bad Ed." He stated, pointing at the boy's shoulder. Ed gave a quick glance at it then kept staring defiantly at Roy. "Yeah, your point?"

"Nothing." Roy sighed as his hand found the packet he was looking for. "Here." He handed it to Alphonse. "Two should be enough." The younger boy took the small pills from his hand as Ed came closer.

He leaned into the bathroom, and in the brighter light, Roy was worried to see a small brush of red on the boy's face.

"It looks like you have a temperature." Roy said. Edward huffed and crossed his arms, hand rubbing at his sore shoulder. "And stop rubbing it. You'll make it worse."

"Shut up. I've had it before. It's just the rain playing havoc with my nerves." Roy's eyes widened slightly. The boy had just offered information without his prodding. Maybe he really was ill?

"What the hell are you doing!" Shouted Ed as he back peddled. Roy's hand had shot out to his forehead before the older boy could react. Roy hummed. The temperature didn't seem that high, and the aspirin would probably bring it down but...

"You should get a flannel as well, keep it on your forehead."

"Ed! I thought you said you were fine!" Al whined.

"I am! The Colonel was just being weird." Ed growled at Roy, and then swiped the aspirin from his brother's hand. Roy sighed as he watched the brothers' retreat from the bathroom and winced when Ed slammed the bedroom door.

Ungrateful little…Roy berated in his head, then decided he was too tired. He retreated back to his room for much needed sleep and collapsed onto his bed, grateful for the warm coverings. He allowed himself to relax and he soon drifted off, listening to the drizzle on his window and the soft voices of the boys down the hall.

Gah! What is it with me and run on sentances?!?!?!

Heh, i know some people want these to be longer, but sometimes it comes to a natural stop (and the fail becomes too much to keep at bay, lol).

Also, i've realised that since i haven't replied to reviews, you readers out there don't know just how much i love you guys and love getting your reviews. I LOVE ALL YOU REVIEWERS SO SO MUCH!!!

Plus, this story now has over 1000 hits!! WOOOO!!!! I'm very happy now.

Next chapter out....i don't know when. I've decided not to say anything in case i fail as badly as last time (this is 2 weeks late from when i said i'd put it up), so just keep an eye out! And don't forget to keep reviewing!

Lots of love,

Inuchron (PS - sometimes i realise just how much like a LOLcat i speak. It's getting quite bad now)