Author's Note: Two in one day? It's the end of the world. O.o
ANYWAYS, this is a friendship/parental!RoyEd oneshot. You know me: no yaoi. If you want to see it that way, then you can. Whatever floats your boat. But, it'll always be parental for me. :)

Important!! Yes, I know the FMA world has no holidays like Labor Day (or so we know of) but I thought it was a nice subject to use for this one. Enjoy! And happy Labor Day to those celebrating!

Labor Day

Edward Elric sat in the stuffy National Library in Central, his back aching, eyes half-closed, and grumbling.

It was three in the morning, and the humid air was somehow finding its way through cracks and holes, making the complex nearly unbearable to be in until the air was turned on at eight, which was five hours away. And to make matters worse, it was Monday. Monday. Ed hated Mondays.

The blond alchemist sat up straight for a moment, gratefully cracking his back, before slouching down over his book again, eyes straining to stay in focus. But the aching soon returned, the low growl coming from his stomach, and the pounding headache he had made it nearly impossible to do his research.

Ed had been in there since noon yesterday, scanning the pages of multiple books, while his armored brother searched high and low for titles they had yet to discover in the large library. It wasn’t long before Ed sent Al off to help prepare for the Summer Festival that would be happening the next day--now today--that the younger Elric had took interest in. Of course, Al had tried to stay, saying he should stay here, or Ed should come with him. Ed had declined both, and it took a lot more persuading to get Al out to have fun. He knew Al was back at the dorms by now, probably worrying.

Ed sighed. It would be nice, he though, to just go back to the dorms and sleep…

He growled and shook his head. No, he couldn’t quit. He had to try and find something on the Stone. It was, after all, his fault that his younger brother was stuck in that armor.

Ed groaned as a wave of guilt washed over him for the twelve time since he’d been in the library since yesterday.

“Well, I could consider this a punishment.” It didn’t do much, but it made him feel a bit better. He looked down at his book again, flipping back to the index for the hundredth time.

Ed nearly fell out of his chair when a hand came to rest on his flesh shoulder.

“Well, Fullmetal, working overtime?” Came Roy Mustang’s voice.

“You bastard, don’t scare me!” Ed growled, swatting the older alchemist’s hand away.

“Why, Edward, I couldn’t scare a little kid,” Roy replied, smirking.

“Don’t you dare start that,” Ed growled, narrowing his eyes. The pain in his head was starting to make his vision tunnel.

“What? No crazy yelling today?” Roy asked.

“We’re in a library,” Ed covered for himself.

“When has that stopped you?” Roy asked.

Ed growled but didn’t reply, instead he closed his eyes against a wave nausea.

“Ed? You okay?” Roy asked, concerned. The black haired man sat down in the chair beside Ed.

“… Fine,” Ed muttered a moment later, turning slowly back to his book in an attempt to keep the room from spinning and ignore the colonel.

“You sure?” Roy asked, genuine concern lacing his voice.

“Yeah,” Ed replied.

“In any case,” Roy said slowly, breaking the pregnant silence that had followed, “you should be in bed by now.”

“I should say the same to you,” Ed retorted, keeping his eyes to the floor.

“Well, I’m not sick, unlike someone I know,” Roy shot back, narrowing his eyes at Ed.

“I’m not sick, and you have work tomorrow,” Ed said quietly. When had his throat start hurting?

“Today is a holiday, so I get the day off. It‘s nearing four in the morning,” Roy informed him.

“A holiday?” Ed asked, glancing at him.

“Yes. Labor Day. You know, when most working men and women get the day off,” Roy said.

“I know what Labor Day is, you ass. I just forgot about it. ‘Sides, I don’t have a job, other than being a State Alchemist. And that doesn’t make much of a difference from my daily routine.”

“You have your search.”

Ed tensed. “… That’s not a job.”

“You treat it like one,” Roy pointed out.

“So? My research isn’t about money, you know. It’s about my brother.”

“And your brother is worried about you. How do you think I knew you were here? I met Al back at the dorms,” Roy said.

“… He shouldn’t be worried.”

“Why shouldn’t he? You sent him to have fun, while you slave away in here. And you obviously don’t feel well,” Roy said.

“I feel fine! And he should have fun while I stay here, since I’m the one that did that to him!” Ed yelled. But he regretted it as he became dizzy and started to sway. Roy reached out and steadied him.

“C’mon, you’re going back to the dorms.”

“No, I have to stay here and find more…” he trailed off as another wave of nausea hit him.

“No, you’re not,” Roy replied firmly, helping the younger alchemist up.

“But…”

“No buts.”

“ But I really have to find… it….” Ed tried to pull away, but his vision was tunneling at an alarming speed, and he slumped in Roy’s arms.

Roy sighed and gently picked the boy up bridal style, then made his way to the front of the library, shutting off the lights and locking the double doors.

--

“Ed… Brother, can you hear me?” A worried Alphonse fussed over him. Ed could barely hear him.

“Alphonse? Could you go get some more cool water?” an unknown voice echoed through Ed’s throbbing head.

Where am I?

“Of course,” Al responded, his voice sounding hesitant.

Ed could hear the clanging of Al’s footsteps, and fought down the urge to roll over and hide his head under the covers.

“Well, Colonel Mustang, it seems he suffering from a severe cold, most likely from the constant traveling, researching, and stress you say he’s prone to. But it’s nothing to worry about. He should stay in bed for a few days,” the unknown voice said.

“That’s good. Thank you, doctor,” came Roy’s relieved reply.

Oh great, first Colonel Bastard’s lecturing me, now I’m too sick to get up? Fuck that.

“You’re welcome, Colonel. Make sure he stays in bed. Happy Labor Day.” The doctor left, closing the door quietly.

“I’m not staying in bed,” Ed muttered a once.

“Yes, you are. I’m making it an order.”

Ed sighed. “Then can you at least get me some books to search throu-”

“No, Edward. I want you to get some rest for once. You push yourself too hard.”

“And since when do you care?” Ed growled.

“You may not notice, but I do watch out for my friends,” Roy replied, a serious expression on his face.

“So you consider me a friend?”

“Would you rather useless subordinate?”

“… No.”

“Then, yes, I consider you a friend. And I will court martial you if you get out of bed without my permission.”

Ed let out a sigh and smile. “Okay, okay. But what about Labor Day? You're not supposed to work, remember?”

"I don't really consider this work. More like a game." Roy laughed at Ed's expression looked at his pocket watch. “It’s five in the morning. If you’re feeling better, the others and I might take you down to the festival.”

“Really?” Ed asked. He had intended to stay in the library, but if he could study, then maybe the festival wouldn’t be that bad.

“Really,” Roy replied, ruffling his hair. “Now, try and get some sleep.”

Ed nodded and yawned. “… Thanks.”

“No problem,” Roy replied, giving the boy a smirk-free smile.

When he opened the door, he found Al standing outside.

“Colonel?” The armor shifted the bowl of water in his large hands.

“Hm?”

“Thanks.”

Roy smiled again. “Don’t mention it. ‘Sides, I gotta watch out for my favorite hot-tempered shorty, right?"