Unexpected Affection

"I'm bored..." Ed muttered as he glanced over at Roy. "When me and Al travel, we play cards or something."

"I'm not Al," Roy grunted. He was looking out the window and Ed thought the man looked as bored as he felt. Either that or Roy was just ignoring him. Ed didn't like that thought at all...

Ed glanced to his other side to stare at the people in some of the other seats for a moment, then turned his attention back to his commanding officer. It wasn't that he was displeased about going on this trip with Roy. On the contrary, Ed was thrilled to have some alone time with the man.

They were 'kind of' seeing each other, but 'kind of' not. Sometimes Roy asked him to go out and do things like get dinner or maybe go to a movie, and they'd have the best discussions... It was like they were close friends or something, though when they were alone, maybe in Roy's car or in a dark movie theater, Roy might hold his hand or something like that, and it never ceased to make Ed tingle warmly inside.

The touches were nothing major and never anything in public. He and Roy were close, but... well, not. Ed wished he knew what to expect; wished he knew what he was to Roy. He felt like they were closer than friends, but nothing really happened between them except those small touches when they were alone. Roy was always so cautious never to show those tiny displays of affection in public. Maybe Roy was just not the touchy type... It was possible, though Ed still couldn't help but feel insecure with where he stood in Roy's eyes.

"I have cards in my bag," Ed suggested. He wanted Roy to talk to him. He didn't really have anything to say, but he wanted to be reassured that he wasn't being ignored. Ed didn't think he was, but then he often did things that made Roy mad at him. It was possible that he'd done something like that and he didn't know it.

"No thanks," Roy murmured, still staring fixedly out the window.

Ed looked down and twiddled his thumbs for a minute. He fidgeted a little, not sure if he should suggest another activity. Maybe he should just ask if Roy was mad...

He sighed and began tapping his foot on the floor. He didn't like just sitting... "I have this alchemy book we could..." he began, but trailed off when Roy lifted his arm to wrap it around Ed's shoulders.

"Ed," Roy said, still staring out the window with that same bored gaze. "I'm always doing things. I'm always working; always on the move. Right now I just want to sit here and enjoy being with you, okay?"

He felt his cheeks heat both at the words and at the gesture. Roy was showing that he cared... in public no less. He sat there staring at Roy out of the corner of his eyes for a long time. He didn't want to move because he was afraid that if he did, Roy would move his arm away. But his eyes were getting heavy and when he yawned, Roy pulled Ed toward him and murmured softly, "If you need a nap, you can use me for a pillow."

Ed smiled softly at that and moved to lay his head on Roy's lap. Sighing contentedly, Ed closed his eyes and moments later Roy began petting his head and hair. It felt so good that Ed didn't have much time to think about it before he had fallen asleep.