AN: A short update, Im drowning in work here! -.-

Wall, shit didn't get more weird that this. Ed decided, as he was forcefully confined to bed once again. He could kind of understand the doctor forcing him down, since blacking out and spasming on the floor was probably never a good sign. Screaming didn't help either…

Still, he looked around glumly, eyeing his scattered books still on the floor, it was entirely useless, keeping him here. He was fine, it wasn't anything life threatening and now that the fit was over he felt fine, though a bit tired. He looked over to Roy, because he decidedly refused to be allotted to a single room, and sighed. Roy was fast asleep, and Ed enjoyed looking over his features ignited by the setting sun that blazed in through the window as it readied to set over central. The deep orange lit the ivory skin, giving him a tanned glow that lit up his face and made his hellishly handsome features look younger than he'd ever seen them. Ed chuckled, imagining the gloating Roy would raise at being considered young, which he was for the most part anyways. Ed turned on his side and let his eyes roam the sharp edges and full lips that shouldn't have been allowed to look so tempting.

He flushed just thinking about running his tongue over them. Who would stop him really, he noted that there was no one watching them anyways, and if he just slid out of bed and touched…

And Roy, as if on cue, stirred and cracked his eye open, regarding him sleepily. Ed was frozen with relief. If he had slipped out and done that.. well, clearly Roy was not as deeply asleep as Ed would have liked and it would have been one fucked up situation.

The eye was still regarding him, so he smirked and asked Roy if there was anything he needed.

"I don't think they pulled in a bed in here just to make you comfortable, am I right Ed? Roy smirked, or got as close as he could to a smirk without provoking his pounding head.

"You need a change of staff Mustang, your doctors are shit." Ed sighed. "They forced me into bedrest because of a faint."

Roy looked alert all of a sudden, even trying to sit up. He pulled himself a bit up and hissed in pain as Ed groaned and rolled his eyes in exasperation before he slid out of bed and sauntered pointedly up to him. He placed one metal finger on Roy's forehead and pushed (albeit gently) successfully stopping Roy in his attempts to rile up. "Stop fucking around Colonel. Im fine and dandy and they freaked for no reason." He sat on the edge of Roy's bed.

"So why didn't they ship your ass off to Al?" Roy shot back, pissed as hell that he was so weak as to not be able to fight that small pressure.

Ed flushed scarlet beautifully, and Roy appreciated the tint of skin and eyes that were suddenly a bit too bright. Ed didn't meet his gaze, but the tiny stutter and chuckle in his voice told him plenty. "Al's still sleeping, the shithead, and that's hardly pleasant company when you're forced to lay around like a fucking idiot."

"So I'm now considered pleasant company. Well, well, we have evolved." Roy laughed quietly. And a bit louder till, as Ed flashed him a killing stare. "I'm honoured Ed, that you think me fitting."

"Oh stop the jokes." Ed growled, still flushed.

Roy looked up to him, Ed looked embarrassed. "You've been here from the very start, and I am not joking when I say I'm honoured. More than honoured Ed…" He lifted his hand, palm up, beckoning for Ed to hold him. The blonde turned a deeper shade of red Roy had ever seen or though the blonde capable of, but he placed his flesh hand tentatively on top of his, eyeing him warily.

Roy raised it slowly to his face, nudging it open with his nose and burying his cheek in the cupped hand, finally placing a chaste kiss on the inside. He heard Ed's breath hitch in his throat and the hand shuddered under his lips. "More than honoured, I am grateful."

Ed turned his palm and squeezed Roy's hand in his, leaning closer. He opened his mouth and was about to say something when three smart raps on the door resounded in their quiet and were followed by Lieutenant Hawkeye, who stopped right in her tracks. Roy's hand was still in Ed's and he noted with a pleasant sensation in his chest that Ed did nothing to break away as the door opened. He regarded Riza with polite attention, as if daring her to comment. Hawkeye had more sense than that though, and after roving her eyes over them both, declared that Al had just woken up and the hall was clear if Ed would wish to sneak in and see his brother quickly. "Before the doctor skins me for even telling you." She huffed at him and Ed bolted for the door, but not before stopping in the doorframe and looking back at Roy. His eyes held a strange cocktail of apology, happiness and if Roy read the blonde correctly, desire. And that was something he would get to explore after he was out of here. Then Ed was gone and Roy was grinning stupidly at his friend, bodyguard and Lieutenant, who crossed looked to him as if he was not quite all up there.

xXx

Ed ran into his brother's room grinning like a madman and threw himself into a very surprised and human Al. "Brother!" The blonde huffed as he dropped the juicebox that he was sipping on, embracing his older brother as tightly as his weak state allowed.

"God… Al, we fucking did it!" Ed had tears in his eyes as he looked at the eyes that were just a shade darker than his own, at the hair that was more tan, caramel coloured in contrast with his vivid gold. He burrowed his face into Al's chest and inhaled the human scent of his brother for the first time in years. "I never though this day would come… not really… though I hoped, and I could never say it out loud until now and it feels…good." He shuddered as he inhaled a shaky breath.

Al stroked the long hair and smiled broadly. "Well, we're here now, you and me and whole Ed. No more regrets dumbass, it's done." He felt Ed nod eagerly before he sat up and rubbed at his eyes. "Feel like a fucking idiot, going all soft like that." He laughed. "How you feeling?"

"Well," Al nodded to the crumpled juicebox on the floor. "I'd feel better if the first thing I got wasn't that." He looked mildly repulsed. "I hate apple juice and they don't think I should eat anything just yet. My stomach isn't used to it."

Ed nodded in agreement. "I'll try sneaking about and bringing you something better later."

"So…" Al looked around the room. "Where's your shit? I know you brother, if you're not bedbound by straps then you're hoarding books somewhere." Ed coughed insistently and Al raised an eyebrow at the slight blush that dusted the tanned cheeks.

"Well, I've been hoarding them in Mustang's room, since that's where I'm staying…" He waved off Al's sly chuckle. "You were sleeping and if Mustang isn't my beloved little bro, he's company I could talk to, at least until now." He clapped his hands together. "Ill move in immediately until you're better." He made to stand and was caught off guard by Al's feeble grasp. "Don't Ed, stay with him." Ed was about to protest but Al cut him off with a sharp glance. "Don't even argue. I'm gonna be here for a while, until I'm strong enough to walk, and that will take some time. For now, I'm mostly sleepy and I'm sure you don't want to be holed up with me without really talking."

"Don't be stupid Al, like fuck Im leaving you alone in here."

"Ed, Im going to be fine. Besides, you've got duties, remember? I don't think Mustang, with all the serious injuries he's got will be here longer than I nonetheless, so at least you can do paperwork together or something… I'm across the goddamn hall Ed, not across the country." Al yawned, waving Ed off. "Tell Mustang that when he can walk again to peek in. I need to thank him."

Ed's bafflement missed Al, he was asleep that fast.

xXx

"Well that was fast." Roy smiled as Ed stumbled in. His expression a cocktail of joy and wonder. Just to see that face on Edward, Roy decided was worth all the trouble. "I thought you weren't going to leave Al's side, now that he's back."

Ed shrugged and heaved himself onto the bed beside Roy's. he shrugged. "He's sleeping again… thought I'd puke with happiness when I saw him smiling at me." He chuckled. "Its so surreal, you know. I never really thought this time would come."

"But it did, Ed." Roy smiled warmly, shivering under the look Ed threw him. Warm and pleased – truly happy. He wished he'd look like that at him not because of Al, but that was too much hope indeed. Ed was just as obsessed about his brother now as he was before. "You can put it all behind you now and concentrate on your assignments, perhaps even writing up a decent report once in a while, though Im not getting my hopes up."

Ed snorted. "Don't, that's not likely to happen."

Roy's stomach was killing him. A sharp pain somewhere above his hip bone and deep. But he couldn't bring himself to ruin the moment with a call for nurse. He just took in the beauty of Ed when not scowling or overthinking. This was a rare sight, but Ed was looking at the ceiling and smiling like a cat that just devoured a bowl of cream. He looked…content.

"So I assume that you want to grab all your stuff and haul it across the hall? Roy ventured. "Now that Al is awake I'm sure you'll find me inadequate company."

Ed turned to him, head propped on his hand and looked. Looked hard. And it was difficult for Roy to keep his eye contact as steady as he did, though he broke a sweat from the sharpness and brilliance that only Ed possessed. He kept his face composed. A perfect mask indeed, looking mildly curious and as uncaring as he could make it.

"I don't think I need to actually, it's just across the hall, like you said and besides, Al is so weak that he's mostly just resting up, though he did manage to whine about the food or rather, lack thereof." Ed grinned. "Naw, I'm staying right here bastard."

Roy was surprised and pleased but tried not to show it. "As you please Ed, I should thank you for your company actually, everyone is busy running my errands for me… Though Hawkeye did promise to bring in some paperwork as soon as she deems me appropriately ready for the job.

"Let me know in advance, so I can clear out." Ed laughed. "Wouldn't want to disturb ya. Oh, and also, Al said that when you feel like walking again, that he needs to see you. To thank you."

Roy tried t=not to twitch, telling himself that bolting out of the bed might not be a hint he'd like to give Ed. How much did Al remember? And How much did he let slip? His voice sounded nonchalant as he asked, "And what did he want to thank me for, did he say?"

"Nah, he was gone too quick. I suspect for all those years you looked out for us, like just now… You helped us so damn much Mustang, I don't know how I'll ever repay you." He looked over once again, eyes burning with something Roy couldn't place. "Thank you."