Thunder
by Granate, 2005 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It was the low rumbling of thunder that woke Ed. He grunted sleepily, unhappy to be woken in the middle of the night. He hated being such a light sleeper. The clock on the wall said it was 2:16am. At least he could go back to sleep for a few hours. He sighed softly and curled up again facing Roy, who was still asleep on his side facing away. All Ed could make out of him was his dark hair on the pillow and a bare, hunched shoulder, signifying an unrestful sleep. It thundered again, louder and closer this time, and Ed moved a little nearer to his sleeping lover. Past Roy, he watched the rain and lightening through the unshuttered window, drowsy mind wandering. Al used to be afraid of thunderstorms when they were little. He would take all his blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals into the closet in their room and hide out. As the big brother, Ed would pretend like he wasn't one bit scared but they would both end up in their mother's bed. Now, provided he was somewhere safe and warm, he liked thunderstorms. Roy's bed was a place that was both safe and warm. If someone had told him back when he was fifteen that he would eventually end up in Mustang's bed, the unlucky sap would likely have gotten a swift, unapologetic automail fist to the face. But Ed had learned that time changes people, experiences change people, and sometimes, people don't even have to change at all, you just see another side of them. A very sudden, very loud crack of thunder made Ed jump and nearly tumble off the bed. Roy bolted upright, fighting blankets and making a choked sound from his throat, then stilled immediately when he became aware that he was in his own bed, in his own room. A short strobe of lightening brought everything to extreme contrast for a split second, the black hair of Roy's hair and the white of his skin. Ed scooted over and wrapped his two flesh and bone arms around the man's waist. "'S just thunder," he murmured. He gave whatever body part was closest to his lips a kiss - a hipbone from the feel of it - and hugged tighter. He could hear Roy release the breath he'd been holding and then a hand ruffled through his unbraided hair. Roy lie back down, and Ed threw an arm over him and rested his head on his chest. Roy's heart was beating triple time. It was not thunderstorms that frightened the Flame Alchemist or gave him nightmares. There was so much that Roy did not tell Ed, even now, things he never talked about because he was too damned used to not talking about them. It was all the things that polite society tried to ameliorate with terms like war hero, State Alchemist, and officer. Ed would never push because he knew there were things he himself couldn't hope to explain. Roy knew about his first attempt at human transmutation because he had witnessed the grim effects, but the Gate, what lie beyond the Gate, and restoring Al… There were no words to make someone who did not know by experience understand. Roy snaked an arm under him and abruptly rolled them both over. It annoyed him to be moved around so easily, and Roy was well aware of it, but Ed let the man pull his back against his chest so they were both facing the window. Roy kissed that spot right under his ear and exhaled softly, blowing his hair to tickle his cheek. The storm was continuing full force outside. Rain pelted against the roof and the window, lightening lit the sky over the city rooftops, and thunder boomed from what seemed like right over their heads. Ed rested his head on Roy's arm and interlaced his fingers with the hand that had settled on his chest. He had decided long ago that it was ok that they leave questions unasked. All this time, Roy Mustang had been looking for a lover who would be comfortable with silence; who would not demand to know every painful little detail and not be hurt when it became clear that certain issues would always remain locked. As for Ed's part, he had committed one of the greatest sins known to mankind, and not once but twice. Roy was a scientist and an alchemist, he understood the gravity and the magnitude of what had been done in a way no else could, save Alphonse who knew first hand. So, two secretive people found solace and comfort in each other. When one looked at it that way, it was really no surprise. Between them they shared a trust and acceptance neither had experienced before, and from there, maybe someday, there could be honesty. Until then, Ed would be perfectly satisfied here and now, held safe and warm in these arms.
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