"Have you got everything?" Winry asked, wrapping a couple slices of apple pie in foil.

Ed grunted, rubbing at his eyes with one hand and holding his suitcase with the other. He definitely wasn't a morning person.

Winry huffed, thrust the apple pie at Ed's chest and opened the door.

"Don't leave it too long to visit, pipsqueak," Pinako said, pipe in mouth.

Ed rolled his eyes and walked out the door. Roy followed, his mind already in Central, going through everything they needed to do this upcoming week.

He had to write another update report for Grumman, but he was at a bit of a loss as to what to write. Perhaps he'd consult Ed, as he was the one doing the bulk of the research now. He'd be nice and write the report for him.

When they were just outside the Rockbell house, they paused for goodbyes.

Winry cupped Ed's cheeks with her hands, leaning in close. "Be careful, okay?"

Ed's fingers wrapped around her wrists, lowering her hands. "I'm fine, Win."

Roy watched the exchange, a strange feeling in his chest. This was what it should be. They made a nice pair. He was sure that everyone was expecting them to get together. The childhood friends turned lovers. It was sweet.

And Roy hated it.

He'd never really thought about it before; he'd teased Ed about women, and Winry specifically, multiple times, but it had always been with a weird sense of safety. Like he thought it wasn't actually true — it was just teasing. But looking at them now, watching Winry look at him so fondly, it hit him that this was a genuine possibility. And it didn't feel safe anymore.

He didn't want her touching Ed so intimately, and the feeling rattled him. It was none of his business.

Did Winry have feelings for him? He shouldn't wonder, but he did. Ed had said she was like his sister, but was he like a brother to her?

It didn't matter. Ed and Winry was a pairing that made sense. Ed and Roy didn't make sense.

The most improbable pairing in the world, Ed had said. Those had been his exact words.

And Roy agreed.

"I'll have a proper look at the array and get back to you. Mei's coming next weekend so I'll have her take a look then."

Ed nodded at Al, but he looked a bit distracted. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, just don't exert yourself, okay? It's our mess to fix, not yours."

Al rolled his eyes, bringing Ed in for a hug. A strong feeling of love flowed through the bond; Ed's feelings for Al. "I won't skip food and sleep to research, brother, I'm not you."

"Good," Ed grumbled.

Al turned to Roy and smiled at him, but the gleam in his eye put Roy on edge. "Remember what I said, sir."

From the corner of his eye he saw Ed frown and look between them suspiciously.

Dammit Alphonse. He'd done that on purpose. It was like he wanted Ed to grill Roy later.

Roy nodded tensely, keeping his eyes on Al. "Take care of yourself, Alphonse."

Al grinned and saluted. "Yes, sir!"

Roy didn't think Ed had ever saluted him or called him sir. Ever. He sighed and turned to Ed. "Why can't you be more like Alphonse?"

Al laughed, but Ed stared at him straight in the eyes and Roy couldn't look away. He smirked. "You really don't want me to be more like Al."

And Roy surprised himself by saying, "No, I don't."

Ed's smirk faded at his serious tone, and they stared at each other for a heartbeat that felt like an eternity.

"You better get going or you'll miss your train." Al halfheartedly pushed Ed away, and he grunted, picking his suitcase back up off the grass.

Roy glanced at his pocket watch; they had fifteen minutes. "We do need to get going."

After another quick set of goodbyes, they were on their way to the station. Ed yawned next to him, stretching, but he remained silent.

Roy himself was feeling quite rejuvenated, finally having had a full night's sleep after Truth knew how long, but just watching Ed drag himself to the station was making him feel tired.

The train was already at the station when they arrived, waiting, so they hopped on. When they were settled in their seats, Ed looked at him.

"So," he started, trying to appear nonchalant. Roy paused, his gaze slowly moving from the window to Ed. "What did you and Al talk about?"

Of course he would ask. Nosey little shit. There was no doubt in his mind that Alphonse had planned this entire thing.

"That's none of your business," he replied evenly, turning back to the window. He crossed his arms over his chest and settled further into his seat. There was absolutely no chance he was retelling any of what Alphonse had told him. It was just too embarrassing that Al even thought he needed to be told any of that. What would Ed think if he knew? Would he be embarrassed?

"I think it is, considering it was about me."

Roy turned his head to face Ed head on. He was sitting in the seat opposite him, arms crossed and looking way more determined than he'd like. Determined Ed meant headache for Roy more times than not.

"And how do you know it was about you?" Roy kept his face blank and crossed his legs at the ankles, stretching them out in front of him. He'd let Ed sweat; he wasn't about to give away any shred of information about what that chat had been about.

Ed scowled. "What else would you and Al talk about?"

Roy raised an eyebrow. "You think Alphonse and I aren't capable of conversation unless it's about you?" He smirked. "Someone thinks he's important."

Ed glared at him, clearly not appreciating having his words thrown back at him. "Bastard," he all but spat, slumping in his seat.

Perhaps that would be that. Maybe Ed had guessed this was a battle he had no chance of winning. But Roy was feeling particularly bastard-y today.

He fake-sighed. "And here I was, starting to think you liked me."

Ed blushed. Hard. He went from golden tan to cherry red in seconds, it was actually quite concerning. And amusing.

He truly was a bastard for that one, but Ed had been catching him off guard a bit too often lately and Roy didn't appreciate it. He liked having the upper hand and being in control, even if it meant being an asshole.

He really was a horrible person, but at least he was self-aware.

Ed didn't reply, he just glared out the window, his face crimson.

And Roy felt particularly proud of himself.

When Roy unlocked his front door, he sighed.

Finally, home. His house. His space.

He set his suitcase by the door as he took his jacket and boots off. Ed was next to him, doing the same. The only difference was that Ed stripped right to his boxers.

Unbelievable.

"Ah, home!" he sighed, flopping on the couch.

Roy frowned, standing by the doorway and somehow feeling out of place in his own damn house. "This is my home."

Ed snorted, waving a hand. "You know what I mean."

No, actually, he didn't.

Roy ignored him and made his way to the kitchen. He needed coffee.

His mind was already running through everything they needed to do. It had started before they left the Rockbell house, and with Ed being embarrassed to complete silence on the train, Roy had no entertainment but his mind. Even the walk from the station was spent in silence.

He'd caught himself wondering what Ed was thinking about, and he quickly changed course, thinking about the week ahead instead. He needed some sort of plan. It was Monday today, which meant that everyone was at the office. Maybe if he finished his second report they could hand it in today. If not, they could hand it in tomorrow. He also needed to touch base with Ed about the research. Even though they spent all day together, their conversations had surprisingly not been strictly about the bond.

Basically, Roy needed Ed to give him something to write in this report.

He couldn't exactly write about their experimental kiss. Or their not-so-experimental kiss, which happened by accident. Even though the bond might be having an embarrassing effect on them—he couldn't. He couldn't include it in his report.

He sat at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee as he leafed through the paperwork stack he'd signed. He'd finished it, so he needed to return that to Hawkeye as well.

Grabbing a blank piece of paper, he started preparing for the report. Ed was still on the couch in the living room, and the tug in his chest was only slightly annoying. He needed Ed here for this.

Sighing, he walked back to the living room, standing over Ed's face as he lay on the couch. His eyes were closed but of course he wasn't sleeping, as Roy was wide awake. His arms were folded behind his head, his legs sprawled on the couch and his boxers were dangerously low on his hips.

"We need to write a report for Grumman."

Ed cracked his eyes open, staring up at Roy's face. "You mean you need to write a report for Grumman."

Roy pursed his lips. "I would like your input for the contents of said report."

Ed blinked, then smiled. Evilly. "You mean you need my help for the report?"

Roy narrowed his eyes. Brat. "You have been doing the majority of the research, Fullmetal. I want a thorough report—"

"Whoa, whoa—" He sprang up into a seated position, twisting around to look at Roy as though he was ready for battle. "I ain't writing shit!"

"Oral report," Roy corrected. "Do you really think I'd embarrass myself by handing in one of your reports to the Fuhrer?"

Ed glared at him. "You're not being very successful at making me want to help you."

"It wasn't a request, it was an order. Come to the kitchen." With that, he walked back into the kitchen and took a seat. And waited.

Ed emerged through the archway a moment later, absently scratching his stomach with a scowl on his face. "All you know how to do is order people around."

Roy picked up his pen, not even sparing Ed a glance as he sat opposite him. "I am evidently good at my job."

The next few hours were spent talking about alchemy. Ed had inadvertently insulted Roy's intelligence a total of four times, but Roy wasn't even mad. He was used to Ed being a genius by now. And it was only slightly amusing that he genuinely didn't seem to realise he was doing it.

It was actually, in a very weird way, quite cute—

No.

He was not going to ever think of the hellion that was Ed as cute.

Ever.

"Yeah but maybe mention why I think alkahestry is involved."

Roy pinched the bridge of his nose. He scribbled over what he'd written and started again. He'd accepted at this point that what he was currently writing was a first draft.

"So you think the array detects soul energies through chi," Roy said slowly, eyebrows raised. He waited for confirmation before he wrote that down.

Ed rolled his eyes. "Yes, but the reason I think that is because the array was technically activated when we got to that alley, not when you stepped on it. You felt it too, right?"

Roy nodded, remembering how the energy had shifted in the air when they'd gotten there. The array was able to somehow detect them, and Ed seemed to think alkahestry was the reason for it.

He'd been gathering his thoughts on a page when Ed came up behind him, looking over his shoulder. It made Roy feel incredibly awkward and on the spot.

Ed suddenly leaned forward, and his finger was on the page, pointing. "That's wrong."

Roy took a deep breath. And exhaled. He made a point of scribbling it out, a bit more violently than necessary.

Ed noticed and huffed a laugh, before starting to explain why it was wrong.

His ponytail was tickling Roy's neck, his bangs slightly touching his cheek. That's how close he was. His chest was pressed against his shoulder. His bare chest. Ed's body was an inferno, his warmth somehow reaching Roy's skin even through his shirt, along with the rumble of his voice.

He could smell him. Ed's unique scent mixed with sun and shower gel and faint hints of sweat.

Roy licked his lips and adamantly stared at the paper in front of him, but he'd stopped writing.

He realised Ed had stopped talking.

A couple seconds of silence passed and Roy scrambled to figure out what Ed had been saying. Had he stopped talking and was now waiting for Roy to reply? Or did he cut himself off because he realised Roy wasn't listening?

Shit.

His heart was pounding, faint hints of arousal stirring in his lower abdomen.

Ed could feel this.

Shit.

He felt Ed shift next to him, and he slightly turned his head, trying to see him without catching his gaze, when all of a sudden Ed's lips were on his own.

He gasped, pushing back in his chair, and stared at Ed's face in shock. Pure electricity ran through the bond, making Ed's arousal obvious to him. Roy could feel the tightness in his pants, and desperately hoped Ed hadn't noticed.

Why was his body betraying him like this when it came to Ed?

"I'm sorry," Ed whispered, eyes wide and face turning redder by the second.

Impulsive, impulsive, impulsive.

"We can't," Roy blurted out.

His voice surprised him. It came out raspier than intended. Hell, he had spoken without his brain even registering it. He was too shaken right now. By what Ed had done, by what he felt, by what he wanted. He shouldn't want this. He shouldn't want to kiss Ed like this.

But he did.

Ed seemed to recover, just slightly. He was still leaning over Roy, his bare chest was still touching Roy's shoulder and his smooth, soft hair was still tickling him.

"Why?" he asked, and seemed genuinely curious. As if it wasn't obvious. As if the list wasn't as long as all the paperwork Roy had ever had to sign combined.

He refused to look at Ed, staring at the tan hand keeping his weight up on the table instead. His other hand came to rest on Roy's neck, fingers teasing the collar of his shirt.

It was too much.

Abruptly, he stood, Ed having to move back a step. He was going to tell him. If Ed needed every single reason this was wrong Roy would give them to him. He'd make him understand that this, whatever the fuck this was, could never happen.

But as Roy turned and faced Ed, every word that had been at the tip of his tongue left him.

Ed was flushed, his cheeks and chest a shade of pink that complemented his golden tan skin. His lips looked more kissable than ever, and when his tongue licked his bottom lip, Roy gulped.

His eyes trailed down, to his abs, to the hem of his boxers…He was hard. And it was so, so obvious, that Roy couldn't help but stare at his length. It was barely hidden by his light-coloured boxers, and Roy felt his own body responding, eagerly, until he was sure Ed could tell even through his uniform pants.

His breathing turned heavier, and he couldn't stop it. He just stared at Ed, hopelessly, desperately, so aroused that all he wanted to do was taste him. Everywhere.

But he couldn't move.

Ed came closer and Roy's eyes widened. He was paralysed as he watched Ed come to stand right in front of him, their chests almost touching.

"You want me," Ed said, his wide eyes showing the surprise he felt over the fact.

Because it was a fact. Roy wanted him right now. Desperately.

"Edward," Roy breathed, almost pleadingly. His hand came to rest on Ed's waist as though it had a mind of its own. His skin was so smooth, so warm. "We can't."

"Says who?" Ed demanded, the determination in his voice making Roy let out a shuddering breath. Determined Ed was so dangerous.

Everyone, he wanted to say. But he didn't.

It's just the bond, he wanted to say. But he didn't.

In fact, he said nothing at all as Ed pressed himself against him, until Roy could feel his erection against his own. His hands came up to rest on his chest, teasing the buttons of his shirt.

"No one has to know anyway. It's none of their business."

His eyes had turned into a darker, molten gold, and Roy wanted to kiss him so much he didn't think he had much fight left in him. Ed was right. No one would know. No one would see if he indulged a little, if he selfishly took what he wanted in the privacy of his own house.

He was kissing Ed before his brain had caught up with what he was doing, holding him flush against him, as close as he could get him. Ed's warmth seeped into him, and he tried to get even closer, causing Ed to take a step back. And another. Until his back hit the wall.

They tongues clashed, Ed letting out a moan that had his erection throbbing with need. Roy's fingers undid his ponytail in seconds, grabbing a fistful of his golden blond hair and tipping his head back. His other hand came to gently wrap around Ed's throat.

He broke the kiss, wanting to look at Ed. Wanting to see what he looked like. Like this. With his hair down, in Roy's fist, his throat bared and surrendered to him, his lips red from being kissed.

He leaned in, his tongue licking Ed's neck, just under his jaw. He could feel his pulse under his tongue, pounding. Ed let out a shaky breath as Roy caressed down his chest with one hand, his other still tangled in his hair as he sucked gently on the spot, and then slowly moved lower, savouring, tasting. Ed's breathy moans were driving him insane.

He moved to his right shoulder, his lips brushing against the scar.

"Bite it," Ed panted. Roy turned his head just slightly to catch Ed's gaze. The way Ed was looking at him right now would forever be committed to his memory. Even when Ed was gone, when he never wanted to see or think of Roy again, when he started a family of his own one day, Roy would never forget the wanton, needy look Ed was giving him right now.

Roy obeyed, sucking the scarred flesh between his teeth and biting down, not too hard but not softly either, and Ed shuddered, his head hitting the wall with a soft thud as he let out a moan.

"Is it sensitive?" Roy asked against his scarred skin, his voice sounding breathless. He'd wanted to know. For months now, he'd wanted to know.

"Very." Ed swallowed, his hands coming to grasp Roy's shirt again, attempting to undo the buttons.

Roy sucked on the spot, taking the skin between his teeth and biting. He moved back up his neck to his lips just as Ed managed to undo all the buttons of his shirt.

Ed shrugged the shirt off his shoulders, and their lips brushed as Roy breathed, "No one can know about this. No one."

Ed licked his lips, his eyes glazed. "Yeah," he whispered absently, arms wrapping around his back. Ed's touch on his bare skin felt like fire, searing his flesh as Ed's palms roamed over his torso. And then he pulled him closer and kissed him with such need that Roy could do nothing but hold him, touch him. Kiss him back with the same amount of need.

He ground against him, pushing him further against the wall. A zap of pleasure raced through him, and he grunted, desperately needing release. His hand found its way back to Ed's hair, grabbing and tilting his head up, kissing him deeper, his other hand going lower and lower, until he was so close to Ed's arousal, and all he wanted to do was make Ed feel so good he'd never forget him.

He pushed his boxers down, Ed's cock springing free. His hand moved lower—

The loud knock on the door made him jump, pure instinct making him push away from Ed so fast his lower back hit the kitchen table. The pain didn't even register.

Ed blinked, staring at Roy wide-eyed. His hair was a mess, his skin flushed, his dick hard and partially free from his boxers, and there was someone at the door—

"Get dressed," Roy ordered, quickly reaching down to grab his shirt from the floor. He shrugged it on, doing the buttons up on autopilot as his mind scrambled to get itself back in order.

He left the kitchen without another word, and as he neared the front door, he heard Ed's mismatched steps hurrying up the stairs. He ignored the pain in his chest when Ed got too far; the panic he felt in that moment felt far more overwhelming.

As he reached for the front door handle he noticed the heap of Ed's clothes from when they'd walked in that morning.

For fuck's sake.

He quickly grabbed the pile and stuffed it under the couch. He made sure everything — including himself — appeared normal, before opening the door.

Hawkeye stood in front of him, fist raised to knock again. She saluted instead. "Sir! Apologies for turning up unannounced."

Roy exhaled, a bit too harshly, opening the door fully for her. "Come in, Lieutenant."

Just then, Ed hurried down the stairs, dressed in a tank top and Roy's sweatpants. He froze halfway down the stairs when he realised Roy and Riza were staring at him, and he looked like a deer caught in headlights.

In that moment, Roy realised he had miscalculated. Colossally.

It was easy to say no one would know. It was easy to convince himself he and Ed could hide the effect the bond was having on them while indulging it. But what he had failed to truly realise was that while he could hide it, relatively easily, Ed couldn't. It would be all over his face, like it was right now. If Hawkeye wasn't suspicious already he'd be lucky.

"Hello, Edward," she greeted with a smile.

Ed gave a hesitant smile back and looked away, and Roy thought he was avoiding his gaze. Good for him, because Roy was glaring at him so hard he could kill.

He would never fuck up like this again.

Hawkeye turned to him, and Roy schooled his expression into casual nonchalance just in time. "I just wasn't sure when you were planning on visiting the office again, sir," she started, and Roy cut her off.

"Apologies, I should've updated you." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "My mind's been…scrambled." What an understatement.

Riza nodded. "I understand you're overwhelmed, sir. I'm just here to pick up the paperwork, and give you some more."

In that moment, Roy knew what he had to do. He couldn't be locked in with Ed all day like this any longer. It was just too dangerous.

"No need, Lieutenant," he said, looking her in the eye. "For I am coming back to the office."