Whatever Roy was expecting, it wasn't that. Perplexed, he answered immediately with the truth. "I mean, I guess I wondered a little, but—" he winced, knowing what he had to say next wasn't going to gain any points with Edward. "—I wasn't really thinking about it then…and since that night I've been more worried about what I did to you and how much you were hurting than why you were okay with it…" he trailed off, wondering how he could have managed to avoid thinking about something so obvious.

Edward just stared at him—no, around him. Was he…nervous? The blonde wasn't meeting his gaze, was shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.

Almost cautiously, Roy asked the question. "Ed? Why did you let me do that? Why were you so open to it?"

The boy before him took a deep breath, closing his eyes, and let out the words in a rush. "Because I wanted it."

Roy had known this. Edward had begged for more, of course he had wanted it. Still, something in the way he spoke shocked Roy, let him know that wasn't the only meaning. And Ed wasn't done.

The words were flying out of him now, though the blonde continued to stare at the floor. "I—I've had a thing for you for a while now. I always wanted you, but I knew better, 'cause you liked girls…but then you asked me to see you and go to your house and I was so excited, and then you—you started kissing me—" here the boy's face flushed, but he continued. "—and I thought I had been wrong. I…as cheesy as it sounds, I thought my dreams were coming true, you know? So I didn't question it, and I was so happy, and then I woke up and you weren't there…" Ed sniffed, and wiped at his eyes.

Roy was…what, exactly? Surprised? Yes, incredibly so. Who would have thought that Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, would have a crush on him? It seemed so outside of the realm of possibility that Roy briefly considered whether this might be Ed's way of getting back at him. But no—the blonde was crying softly now, trying to stifle the oncoming tears.

How could he have done this?

Finally, Edward continued, his voice shaky. "That's why it hurts so fucking bad. Because I should have known it was a one night stand, but I was so hopeful that I refused to believe that. And then to find out you weren't really into guys, into me, that it was just for a bet…that you used me like that and that I had no hope at all of really being with you…and the stupid thing is, I know you don't like me like that, but I can't stop liking you. I think back to that night and I hate it, and it hurts, but part of me cherishes the memory, and then you come in here and fucking hug me…"

Ed looked up at Roy, meeting his stricken gaze. "And I know you don't mean it romantically or anything," he whispered, "but I can't help but hope. I can't stop wanting that. I don't trust you, but…I still think I love you."

Roy felt like breaking down and crying himself. He had known that the boy was hurt, but this…this added a whole new level of horrible to what he had done.

"Edward," he choked out, placing his hands on the blonde's shoulders and crouching down to look him in the eye. Fucking hell, his eyes, gold and red rimmed and swimming in tears. "Edward, I know I've said I'm sorry. But now…I'm past that. I don't even know what word to use to tell you how much I regret hurting you. I…I didn't know. I understand that it was bad enough of me to take advantage of you like that even if it was just physical, like I thought it was. But trust me, if I had known how you felt…I never would have done that to you."

Ed nodded, but didn't speak. As Roy watched him, he considered something else; mixed in with the guilt and shame he felt, there was something else. Excitement. Curiosity. Joy.

With a start, Roy realized something: he liked that Edward liked him. As terrible as it was that the affection had caused him to hurt the boy more than he had realized, Roy was…okay with it being there.

Roy slid his hands down Edward's arms, watching his face carefully. The younger alchemist's eyebrows drew together in confusion as Roy reached his hands, holding them in his own. Roy's legs ached from the awkward position, but he held it, refusing to break his stare.

"Ed?"

"Yeah?" The blonde asked, voice rasping slightly. He coughed. "Yeah?" he murmured again, clearer this time.

"Would you like to go out to dinner with me?"

Edward jerked away, eyes flashing in anger. "Don't fuck with me!" he shouted. "Seriously? You come over, apologize over and over, and then try to play the same trick again? What is it this time? 'See how many times you can fuck Edward before he finally gets it?'" The boy was breathing heavy, eyes watering yet again. "You're horrible!"

Roy held up his hands. "You misunderstand me. I'm serious. You just told me you like me…love me. And oddly enough, I'm…happy about that. I want to take you out for real this time."

Ed continued to glare at him, suspicion sharp in his eyes. "How can I trust you?" he asked quietly.

"You can't," Roy responded. "I know that. I have to earn your trust back. But I do want to try going out with you. Just dinner," he promised, seeing the doubt lingering on Ed's face.

"Just dinner?" Edward confirmed.

Roy nodded. "That's it, I promise. In a restaurant, nowhere near my house. We won't go back to my place after dinner, I won't try anything funny, and I'll do my best to make sure you have a really good time."

At this point, the blonde was blushing. "A…date?" he asked shyly. Funny, how Ed could be so open and eager for sex but the prospect of an actual date had him nervous.

"Exactly," Roy smiled. "A real date. Not for a bet, not for anyone or anything but you and me."

"I'm scared," Edward admitted. It might have been the first time Roy had ever heard the boy utter those words.

"Don't worry," he assured. "It'll be the best night of your life. I'll make sure of it."

Even though Roy had resisted the urge to wink, Ed blushed again. Roy held out his hand.

"Shall we?"

Hesitant, staring up at him as though his gaze could force any lies out of Roy (though there were none to find), Edward nodded and took his hand.