Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A.W.O.L. ❯ A.W.O.L.: Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: HeavenlyAnimeAngel-Amaterasu 
The gang from Central finds out more than they bargain for. Ed's ill and they didn't even know it.
Anime/Manga: Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Drama / Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 09.04.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 3.6K | Visits: 566 | Status: Completed
The gang from Central finds out more than they bargain for. Ed's ill and they didn't even know it.
Anime/Manga: Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Drama / Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 09.04.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 3.6K | Visits: 566 | Status: Completed
Warnings: OOC-ness! Yaoi! Bad Grammar! Misspellings! And first FMA Fic!
Thanks for the reviews! I will still be updating, just very slow since school starts Tuesday.
Al will say nii-san just because I think it is better that way.
A.W.O.L.
"A homunculi..." Hughes said. "But the philosopher's stone was suppose to give you back your human body."
"It wouldn't so Ed did the next best thing. Though I am much more human than a normal homunculi..." Al said. "Nii-san...he felt it was his fault he couldn't make me human. He said that he was glad the stone couldn't fix his body...that he deserved to suffer for his mistakes."
"You mean what happened when you guys was younger?" Riza asked.
"That...and for not returning my true body." Al replied.
"So Al...do you know how he created you?" Roy asked.
Al raised his right arm and pulled his sleeve back. They watched as he revealed a silver beaded bracelet.
"Elysia has a bracelet just like that...." Hughes said. Al smiled as he took the bracelet off to reveal a small array.
"That looks like....the serpent cross combined with the tattoo to create the philosopher's stone." Roy said.
"It is...this is what makes me as human as a homunculi can get." Al explained.
"That looks like a blood array..." Hughes said. Al nodded.
"After the array was drawn onto my arm, nii-san had to put some blood on it to seal it. When he did, the array absorbed the blood and stayed this way."
"Hey Al...will Ed be okay?" Havoc asked. Al looked down at Ed.
"I don't know...this doesn't happen when we give him a new arm." Al said. "It seems to be getting worse though."
"The pain or the nightmares?" Roy asked.
"Both..." Al reached out and pushed some of Ed's hair away from his face. Ed's auto-mail arm suddenly snapped up and wrapped itself around Alphonse's wrist. He let out a groan of pain as he turned onto his side. "Nii-san...you awake?"
"Al?" Ed asked huskily. His voice was quiet as he looked up at his younger brother.
"Nii-san...do you remember where you are and what happened?" Al asked. When Ed shook his head, he saw the sad look on Al's face.
"Alphonse?" Ed asked pushing himself into a sitting position. He looked over to see everyone with concerned looks on their faces. "What's going on?"
"Here nii-san...." Al grabbed Ed's left arm and took off the silver bracelet that was around it. Ed blinked as Al turned his hand so his palm was up.
"Another tattoo..." Hughes whispered. Roy watched intently as Alphonse placed his wrist over his brother's. It glowed for a moment before Ed's eyes widened.
"Shit..." Ed stood up abruptly and went to his closet. He pulled off his shirt and jacket and pulled on a simple white button up shirt.
"Ed?" Riza asked as the boy quickly walked out of the room. "Al?"
"Ed has a momentary lapse in his memories. This cause him to forget where and when he is or what happened. It happens every time we do this...it is one of the consequences Ed suffer's from using the philosopher's stone." Al said as he stood up.
"Wait, Al what to you mean consequences?" Roy asked stepping forward. Al sighed and walked to the window.
"I don't think it would be right for me to tell you guys without his consent."
"He won't tell us Al, you know this." Hughes said.
"I know...but this is his choice..." Al replied turning to them. "Riza, Havoc, Hughes...I show you to the guest rooms. Roy can stay in Ed's room."
"Where will Ed rest?" Havoc asked.
"Ed and I will take the couch downstairs." Al said. "Now come on...let's get you guys settled in." Al led everyone out of the room but Roy. He slowly walked over to the window and looked out of it. He saw Ed standing in the yard looking at the moon. Roy's thoughts rewinded and contemplated on what Al told them. If it was true...Ed is suffering more than he thought.
-----
Ed stared blankly at the moon thinking about what just happened. 'Damn...I didn't want them to know...' A soft footstep came from behind Ed. He turned to see Alphonse there looking at Ed sadly.
"Nii-san...you should tell them." Al said. Ed smiled at Al.
"They wouldn't understand Al." Silence. Ed stared at his brother as Al looked at the ground. "I am not safe here Al."
"Don't leave nii-san....let them help you!" Al said. Ed took his hands from his pockets and looked at Al calmly.
"Let's do what we always do Al. Like when we were younger." The Elrics looked at each other before nodding. Soon enough they were both sparring against each other light-heartedly. Their minds on previous conversations they've had.
"Nii-san...why don't you let them help?"
"They'll only get in the way Al, you know how the bastard is."
"But with the military, you'll be protected. These episodes you keep having are getting worse. You won't even let me live with you to help you!"
"I can take care of myself Al and as for my episodes...this is what I get for trying to play god. This is my punishment and my way to atone for my mistakes."
"But nii-san...your mistakes are my mistakes as well, why do you suffer alone?"
"Because Al...it is my job as the older brother. I'm protecting you..."
Ed did a cartwheel away from Alphonse before dropping to his knees. He was out of breath and energy. Al was the same, but at least he could stand.
"Do you feel better Ed?" Alphonse asked.
"Much, thanks for the spar Al." Ed stood slowly and walked over to Al. Putting a hand on Al's shoulder. "Let's go inside and get some sleep."
"Alright..." Al smiled as Ed glanced at the moon once more before going into the house. He followed and watched as Ed went down the hall. He soon came back with pillows and blankets. Al helped Ed and began to fix the couches for themselves.
Scar came back after they were done and looked at them. "Will you be okay down here FullMetal?" He asked looking sternly at the young man.
"I'll be fine..." Ed said. He laid down on the couch and sighed.
"He's just worried nii-san..." Al responed as he stood by Ed. Scar looked at Al then back at Ed.
"Just take it easy FullMetal..." Scar said as he went upstairs. Al looked down at Ed.
"Goodnight nii-san..." Al said as Ed pulled the blanket up to his chest.
"Night Al...." Ed murmured as he closed his eyes.
-------
Roy felt himself behind jerked awake by murmuring down the hall. Getting up, he walked to the door and looked down the hallway. His subordinates were huddled around a door peeking in. He walked to them and raised an eyebrow. Hughes turned to Roy and pointed to the crack telling him to take a look. Roy leaned in and looked into the room.
It was a bathroom, but what who was in there surprised him. Ed was spitting into the toilet while Al stood behind him holding his hair back. Scar was in there also going through the medicine cabinet.
"Take it easy Ed..." Al said. "Slow breathes..." Ed weakly lifted a towel to his mouth and wiped off the blood from his mouth. Ed crawled away from the toilet and leaned back against the tub. Al went to Ed and held him as Ed took deep breathes.
"Here you go Alphonse...." Scar handed the young man two pills. "See if you can get him to swallow that." Al nodded and looked at his pale brother.
"Ed...I need you to swallow these. Think you can do it?" Al asked. Ed shook his head.
"Come on FullMetal, you have to try..." Scar said as he knelt down beside to the two brothers.
"What was going on?" Roy whispered.
"Roy...I think that the Philosopher's stone did something Ed." Riza said.
"What do you mean?" Roy asked.
"Roy...Ed was throwing up blood." Hughes said. Roy's eyes widened slightly as he looked into the bathroom again.
Ed took the pills and swallowed them. Scar handed him a cup of water, which he then drank slowly. Ed pushed the glass back into Scar's hands and started to stand up. Scar moved out of the way to allow Ed his space. Havoc and Riza backed away from the door as Ed headed toward it.
"Nii-san...do you want me to let you sleep in today?" Alphonse asked. Riza shooed everyone back to their rooms before silently rushing back to hers. They watched from the safety of their rooms as Ed walked into the hallway.
"FullMetal, perhaps Tringham was right...maybe you should go to the hospital." Scar said as he followed Ed. Al flushed the toilet and cleaned up the bathroom before joining them.
"They can't help me...you guys both know this." Ed said. He rubbed his eyes. "Just wake me up if someone comes to the door later okay?"
"I'll walk village tomorrow until you wake up." Scar said as he headed to his room.
"Thanks Scar..." Ed said. The man nodded before walking into his room and closing the door.
"Come on Nii-san...let's go back downstairs." Al said as he followed Ed. He watched Ed walk down the stairs before turning toward Ed's bedroom. He stared through the open crack of the door. "Well, now you've seen the other consequence, Mustang. I'll see you in the morning." Al whispered before going downstairs also.
Roy leaned against the wall beside the door thinking. He tried to save Ed from this suffering only to have him fall head first into it. Scar seems to be taking pity on the young man and helping him through this. But what of him? Roy was his commanding officer. Ed is his responsibility. Was...his mind told him. Ed left his circle of protection when he went Awol.
Looking up, Roy took a good look at Ed's room. In the left corner of the room beside a window there was a desk. It was messy with books, papers, a lamp, and a few pens here and there. There was a picture of Al and Winry in one corner of the desk and a picture of everyone from Central right next to it. The king-sized bed was in the middle of the wall right from the door. On either side of it there were side tables then bookcases full of books. Beside the door to the left there was a closet and to the right there was a small glass table with seven items on it. Roy looked closer to see that they were small statues of what seemed like the seven sins.
Roy walked to Ed's bed and sat down on it. He laid down and turned to he was facing the two windows Ed's room possessed. 'Three years....he's suffered for three years and I didn't noticed.' Roy thought as he buried his face into Ed's pillow taking in Ed's scent. It lulled him to sleep as he thought about the young man and his secret suffering.
----
The next morning Alphonse was cooking breakfast while Scar left saying he had to do some things. Riza helped Al set up the table and cook. She glanced at the couch through the arch of the adjoining rooms to see Hayate by the couch Ed was currently sleeping on.
"Hayate...come." The dog immediately walked to Riza and sat down at her feet. Soon enough Hughes and Havoc came down.
"Hey Al," Hughes said with a smile.
Not turning around Al spoke. "I know you guys saw what happened last night. We'll talk about it when the Brigadier General comes down." Hughes's face became grim and nodded.
"So Al, how is he?" Havoc asked.
"Better, he hasn't spoken out in his dreams since last night." Al replied as he put the food on the plates.
"Does this happen every night?" Hughes asked. Al shook his head.
"No...as far as I know, only when nii-san experience pain that makes bad memories come back."
"Like his arm being reattached reminds him of the night you guys tried to bring back your mother?" Riza asked sitting down beside Al. Al nodded as he sat down at the table.
"Nii-san says he is fine, but don't believe him. I'm just glad Scar appeared when he did. Apparently nii-san saved an Ishbalan and Scar wanted to pay him back." Al poured himself some hot tea before sipping it. "When he saw how bad my nii-san gets...I don't know what happened but he decided to help."
"Strange..." Hughes said as he too sat down. Havoc shrugged and sat down and began eating.
They all looked up when they heard footsteps on the stairs. Roy stepped into view as he walked closer to Edward. He stared down at the sleeping young man. Al stood up watching Roy. Hughes watched Al get ready to stop Roy. He reached out a hand to Al and grabbed the young man's arm. Al looked at Hughes and sat down again.
Roy watched Ed for a moment. He was relieved to see the younger alchemist's chest moving to and fro. Ed was on his side curled up toward the back of couch. Roy turned and went to the kitchen satisfied that Ed was okay. He sat down beside Hughes and looked at Al.
"Equivalant Exchange huh?" Roy asked. Al sipped his tea again and looked at Roy.
"Basically...from what nii-san told me. He gave up his endurance and mental stability for my body." Al replied. "I don't know if he had a choice...but that's the way Ed told it."
"I see..." Roy glanced at Ed again. "Did it take anything else?"
"Like I said, Ed might have not told me something." Al said.
"So he could be in more pain than he let's on?" Havoc asked. "Geez...that's not right." Riza smacked Havoc in the back of the head.
"Take into fact that Ed feel responsible for all of this from the begin moron!" Riza glared.
"Yea Havoc...we know Ed. He would want to protect us from the truth." Hughes said. "I can understand why too. With all of us worry about Ed's well-being we wouldn't be able to perform our duties as military personnel."
"Even so Hughes, we could have done something..." Riza said.
"Do you think the shrimp would actually have allowed us Hawkeye?" Roy asked raising an eyebrow. A second later his head was tilted to the side against his shoulder as a couch pillow landed on the ground.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A MICROSCOPIC AMEBA!?" Ed yelled from the couch glaring at Roy.
"I didn't say that..." Roy replied as he lifted his head to look at Ed.
"Nii-san!" Al said happily. "You're up!" Ed yawned and stood stretching.
"Yea, yea...with all the depressing talk I couldn't sleep. Let me go get dressed." He disappeared up the stares.
Roy rubbed the side of his head as he looked at Al. "It seems he's back to normal." Riza smirked as Hughes and Havoc chuckled.
"I suggest you all get eating before the kids come over." Al said.
"What kids?" Hughes asked.
"The village kids like to tease Ed each morning by chasing him with a bottle of milk." The blonde chuckled. "It starts soon so...."
"So we'll be seeing Ed run scared from them." Havoc grinned. "Dang I wish I had a camera..."
"Think about taking a picture of it and die Havoc." Ed said as he walked into the kitchen.
"Really Ed is that a way to talk to someone older than.....you..." Roy stared at Ed.
Ed blinked as he put his white jacket on the counter. He wore a pair of white leather pants similar to his black ones. His shirt was a black silk button up shirt and his boots were black too. His blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail which hung to his mid-back. "Find something interesting Roy?" He poured himself some tea as he glanced at everyone at the table. "What?"
"You just look so different." Riza said as she looked at Ed.
Hughes grinned and put his hand to his chin. "I think it is the new clothes."
"No, it might be the growth spurt." Havoc said chewing on a piece of bacon.
"Did you say something about my height?" Ed asked waving a pan dangerous in his hand.
"Not a thing boss..." Havoc gulped.
"Good..." Ed put the pan back in the sink and stayed by the counter sipping his tea. His back was to everyone as he looked out the window. Roy snapped out of his daze and looked at Ed.
"FullMetal, I want to know what happened three years ago. On the day that you created Al's new body."
A cup shattered and dropped into the metal sink. "Shit..." Ed whispered as he grabbed a towel to wipe the hot liquid off of his hand. "There's nothing to talk about, I reported everything in my last report."
"Roy back off the kid..." Hughes said looking as Ed's shoulders tensed up.
"No! I demand to know in full detail what the fuck happened on that day!" Roy said standing up glaring at Ed's back. Al also stood up glaring back at the Brigadier General. He was about to speak when Edward interrupted.
"No Alphonse, he has a right to be pissed as hell. I did leave that report pretty vague." Ed turned to look at Roy, but it was a blank expression. One that no one in the room but Al has seen before. "Excuse me if I am wrong Mustang...but I left the military after that report. I have no more obligations to you or anyone in this room from Central." Ed walked around the table to Roy and held out his arms, wrists side by side with a mocking smile. "So if you are here on business Brigadier General Mustang...then you would have to arrest me."
"Ed what are you doing?" Riza asked. Ed just stared at Roy.
"Come on now, if guys back at Central found out you saw me and didn't try to arrest me...well let's say you all won't be coming to visit me anymore."
"Stop being stupid Ed..." Hughes said. "He just wants to know the truth." Ed lowered his wrists and shook his head.
"You are not my superior officers anymore. You can't come into my home and demand something that needs to stay buried in the past!" Roy stared passively at the young man.
"Are you finished?" Roy asked.
"Not nearly, but I'm not about to waste my time." Ed walked over to the counter grabbed his coat. He leaned on it temporarily.
"Nii-san?" Al turned to Ed and walked to him. He put a hand on Ed's shoulder only to have it shrugged off.
"I'm fine..." The older Elric growled out. "I'm going into the village...if you need me find me there." Ed stood straight and put his jacket over his shoulder as he swiftly left the house. The door slammed leaving the occupants inside to hear the kids running up to the house to Edward.
-----
Song: Ready Steady Go by L'arc~En~Ciel
Thanks for the reviews! I will still be updating, just very slow since school starts Tuesday.
Al will say nii-san just because I think it is better that way.
A.W.O.L.
"A homunculi..." Hughes said. "But the philosopher's stone was suppose to give you back your human body."
"It wouldn't so Ed did the next best thing. Though I am much more human than a normal homunculi..." Al said. "Nii-san...he felt it was his fault he couldn't make me human. He said that he was glad the stone couldn't fix his body...that he deserved to suffer for his mistakes."
"You mean what happened when you guys was younger?" Riza asked.
"That...and for not returning my true body." Al replied.
"So Al...do you know how he created you?" Roy asked.
Al raised his right arm and pulled his sleeve back. They watched as he revealed a silver beaded bracelet.
"Elysia has a bracelet just like that...." Hughes said. Al smiled as he took the bracelet off to reveal a small array.
"That looks like....the serpent cross combined with the tattoo to create the philosopher's stone." Roy said.
"It is...this is what makes me as human as a homunculi can get." Al explained.
"That looks like a blood array..." Hughes said. Al nodded.
"After the array was drawn onto my arm, nii-san had to put some blood on it to seal it. When he did, the array absorbed the blood and stayed this way."
"Hey Al...will Ed be okay?" Havoc asked. Al looked down at Ed.
"I don't know...this doesn't happen when we give him a new arm." Al said. "It seems to be getting worse though."
"The pain or the nightmares?" Roy asked.
"Both..." Al reached out and pushed some of Ed's hair away from his face. Ed's auto-mail arm suddenly snapped up and wrapped itself around Alphonse's wrist. He let out a groan of pain as he turned onto his side. "Nii-san...you awake?"
"Al?" Ed asked huskily. His voice was quiet as he looked up at his younger brother.
"Nii-san...do you remember where you are and what happened?" Al asked. When Ed shook his head, he saw the sad look on Al's face.
"Alphonse?" Ed asked pushing himself into a sitting position. He looked over to see everyone with concerned looks on their faces. "What's going on?"
"Here nii-san...." Al grabbed Ed's left arm and took off the silver bracelet that was around it. Ed blinked as Al turned his hand so his palm was up.
"Another tattoo..." Hughes whispered. Roy watched intently as Alphonse placed his wrist over his brother's. It glowed for a moment before Ed's eyes widened.
"Shit..." Ed stood up abruptly and went to his closet. He pulled off his shirt and jacket and pulled on a simple white button up shirt.
"Ed?" Riza asked as the boy quickly walked out of the room. "Al?"
"Ed has a momentary lapse in his memories. This cause him to forget where and when he is or what happened. It happens every time we do this...it is one of the consequences Ed suffer's from using the philosopher's stone." Al said as he stood up.
"Wait, Al what to you mean consequences?" Roy asked stepping forward. Al sighed and walked to the window.
"I don't think it would be right for me to tell you guys without his consent."
"He won't tell us Al, you know this." Hughes said.
"I know...but this is his choice..." Al replied turning to them. "Riza, Havoc, Hughes...I show you to the guest rooms. Roy can stay in Ed's room."
"Where will Ed rest?" Havoc asked.
"Ed and I will take the couch downstairs." Al said. "Now come on...let's get you guys settled in." Al led everyone out of the room but Roy. He slowly walked over to the window and looked out of it. He saw Ed standing in the yard looking at the moon. Roy's thoughts rewinded and contemplated on what Al told them. If it was true...Ed is suffering more than he thought.
-----
Ed stared blankly at the moon thinking about what just happened. 'Damn...I didn't want them to know...' A soft footstep came from behind Ed. He turned to see Alphonse there looking at Ed sadly.
"Nii-san...you should tell them." Al said. Ed smiled at Al.
"They wouldn't understand Al." Silence. Ed stared at his brother as Al looked at the ground. "I am not safe here Al."
"Don't leave nii-san....let them help you!" Al said. Ed took his hands from his pockets and looked at Al calmly.
"Let's do what we always do Al. Like when we were younger." The Elrics looked at each other before nodding. Soon enough they were both sparring against each other light-heartedly. Their minds on previous conversations they've had.
"Nii-san...why don't you let them help?"
"They'll only get in the way Al, you know how the bastard is."
"But with the military, you'll be protected. These episodes you keep having are getting worse. You won't even let me live with you to help you!"
"I can take care of myself Al and as for my episodes...this is what I get for trying to play god. This is my punishment and my way to atone for my mistakes."
"But nii-san...your mistakes are my mistakes as well, why do you suffer alone?"
"Because Al...it is my job as the older brother. I'm protecting you..."
Ed did a cartwheel away from Alphonse before dropping to his knees. He was out of breath and energy. Al was the same, but at least he could stand.
"Do you feel better Ed?" Alphonse asked.
"Much, thanks for the spar Al." Ed stood slowly and walked over to Al. Putting a hand on Al's shoulder. "Let's go inside and get some sleep."
"Alright..." Al smiled as Ed glanced at the moon once more before going into the house. He followed and watched as Ed went down the hall. He soon came back with pillows and blankets. Al helped Ed and began to fix the couches for themselves.
Scar came back after they were done and looked at them. "Will you be okay down here FullMetal?" He asked looking sternly at the young man.
"I'll be fine..." Ed said. He laid down on the couch and sighed.
"He's just worried nii-san..." Al responed as he stood by Ed. Scar looked at Al then back at Ed.
"Just take it easy FullMetal..." Scar said as he went upstairs. Al looked down at Ed.
"Goodnight nii-san..." Al said as Ed pulled the blanket up to his chest.
"Night Al...." Ed murmured as he closed his eyes.
-------
Roy felt himself behind jerked awake by murmuring down the hall. Getting up, he walked to the door and looked down the hallway. His subordinates were huddled around a door peeking in. He walked to them and raised an eyebrow. Hughes turned to Roy and pointed to the crack telling him to take a look. Roy leaned in and looked into the room.
It was a bathroom, but what who was in there surprised him. Ed was spitting into the toilet while Al stood behind him holding his hair back. Scar was in there also going through the medicine cabinet.
"Take it easy Ed..." Al said. "Slow breathes..." Ed weakly lifted a towel to his mouth and wiped off the blood from his mouth. Ed crawled away from the toilet and leaned back against the tub. Al went to Ed and held him as Ed took deep breathes.
"Here you go Alphonse...." Scar handed the young man two pills. "See if you can get him to swallow that." Al nodded and looked at his pale brother.
"Ed...I need you to swallow these. Think you can do it?" Al asked. Ed shook his head.
"Come on FullMetal, you have to try..." Scar said as he knelt down beside to the two brothers.
"What was going on?" Roy whispered.
"Roy...I think that the Philosopher's stone did something Ed." Riza said.
"What do you mean?" Roy asked.
"Roy...Ed was throwing up blood." Hughes said. Roy's eyes widened slightly as he looked into the bathroom again.
Ed took the pills and swallowed them. Scar handed him a cup of water, which he then drank slowly. Ed pushed the glass back into Scar's hands and started to stand up. Scar moved out of the way to allow Ed his space. Havoc and Riza backed away from the door as Ed headed toward it.
"Nii-san...do you want me to let you sleep in today?" Alphonse asked. Riza shooed everyone back to their rooms before silently rushing back to hers. They watched from the safety of their rooms as Ed walked into the hallway.
"FullMetal, perhaps Tringham was right...maybe you should go to the hospital." Scar said as he followed Ed. Al flushed the toilet and cleaned up the bathroom before joining them.
"They can't help me...you guys both know this." Ed said. He rubbed his eyes. "Just wake me up if someone comes to the door later okay?"
"I'll walk village tomorrow until you wake up." Scar said as he headed to his room.
"Thanks Scar..." Ed said. The man nodded before walking into his room and closing the door.
"Come on Nii-san...let's go back downstairs." Al said as he followed Ed. He watched Ed walk down the stairs before turning toward Ed's bedroom. He stared through the open crack of the door. "Well, now you've seen the other consequence, Mustang. I'll see you in the morning." Al whispered before going downstairs also.
Roy leaned against the wall beside the door thinking. He tried to save Ed from this suffering only to have him fall head first into it. Scar seems to be taking pity on the young man and helping him through this. But what of him? Roy was his commanding officer. Ed is his responsibility. Was...his mind told him. Ed left his circle of protection when he went Awol.
Looking up, Roy took a good look at Ed's room. In the left corner of the room beside a window there was a desk. It was messy with books, papers, a lamp, and a few pens here and there. There was a picture of Al and Winry in one corner of the desk and a picture of everyone from Central right next to it. The king-sized bed was in the middle of the wall right from the door. On either side of it there were side tables then bookcases full of books. Beside the door to the left there was a closet and to the right there was a small glass table with seven items on it. Roy looked closer to see that they were small statues of what seemed like the seven sins.
Roy walked to Ed's bed and sat down on it. He laid down and turned to he was facing the two windows Ed's room possessed. 'Three years....he's suffered for three years and I didn't noticed.' Roy thought as he buried his face into Ed's pillow taking in Ed's scent. It lulled him to sleep as he thought about the young man and his secret suffering.
----
The next morning Alphonse was cooking breakfast while Scar left saying he had to do some things. Riza helped Al set up the table and cook. She glanced at the couch through the arch of the adjoining rooms to see Hayate by the couch Ed was currently sleeping on.
"Hayate...come." The dog immediately walked to Riza and sat down at her feet. Soon enough Hughes and Havoc came down.
"Hey Al," Hughes said with a smile.
Not turning around Al spoke. "I know you guys saw what happened last night. We'll talk about it when the Brigadier General comes down." Hughes's face became grim and nodded.
"So Al, how is he?" Havoc asked.
"Better, he hasn't spoken out in his dreams since last night." Al replied as he put the food on the plates.
"Does this happen every night?" Hughes asked. Al shook his head.
"No...as far as I know, only when nii-san experience pain that makes bad memories come back."
"Like his arm being reattached reminds him of the night you guys tried to bring back your mother?" Riza asked sitting down beside Al. Al nodded as he sat down at the table.
"Nii-san says he is fine, but don't believe him. I'm just glad Scar appeared when he did. Apparently nii-san saved an Ishbalan and Scar wanted to pay him back." Al poured himself some hot tea before sipping it. "When he saw how bad my nii-san gets...I don't know what happened but he decided to help."
"Strange..." Hughes said as he too sat down. Havoc shrugged and sat down and began eating.
They all looked up when they heard footsteps on the stairs. Roy stepped into view as he walked closer to Edward. He stared down at the sleeping young man. Al stood up watching Roy. Hughes watched Al get ready to stop Roy. He reached out a hand to Al and grabbed the young man's arm. Al looked at Hughes and sat down again.
Roy watched Ed for a moment. He was relieved to see the younger alchemist's chest moving to and fro. Ed was on his side curled up toward the back of couch. Roy turned and went to the kitchen satisfied that Ed was okay. He sat down beside Hughes and looked at Al.
"Equivalant Exchange huh?" Roy asked. Al sipped his tea again and looked at Roy.
"Basically...from what nii-san told me. He gave up his endurance and mental stability for my body." Al replied. "I don't know if he had a choice...but that's the way Ed told it."
"I see..." Roy glanced at Ed again. "Did it take anything else?"
"Like I said, Ed might have not told me something." Al said.
"So he could be in more pain than he let's on?" Havoc asked. "Geez...that's not right." Riza smacked Havoc in the back of the head.
"Take into fact that Ed feel responsible for all of this from the begin moron!" Riza glared.
"Yea Havoc...we know Ed. He would want to protect us from the truth." Hughes said. "I can understand why too. With all of us worry about Ed's well-being we wouldn't be able to perform our duties as military personnel."
"Even so Hughes, we could have done something..." Riza said.
"Do you think the shrimp would actually have allowed us Hawkeye?" Roy asked raising an eyebrow. A second later his head was tilted to the side against his shoulder as a couch pillow landed on the ground.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A MICROSCOPIC AMEBA!?" Ed yelled from the couch glaring at Roy.
"I didn't say that..." Roy replied as he lifted his head to look at Ed.
"Nii-san!" Al said happily. "You're up!" Ed yawned and stood stretching.
"Yea, yea...with all the depressing talk I couldn't sleep. Let me go get dressed." He disappeared up the stares.
Roy rubbed the side of his head as he looked at Al. "It seems he's back to normal." Riza smirked as Hughes and Havoc chuckled.
"I suggest you all get eating before the kids come over." Al said.
"What kids?" Hughes asked.
"The village kids like to tease Ed each morning by chasing him with a bottle of milk." The blonde chuckled. "It starts soon so...."
"So we'll be seeing Ed run scared from them." Havoc grinned. "Dang I wish I had a camera..."
"Think about taking a picture of it and die Havoc." Ed said as he walked into the kitchen.
"Really Ed is that a way to talk to someone older than.....you..." Roy stared at Ed.
Ed blinked as he put his white jacket on the counter. He wore a pair of white leather pants similar to his black ones. His shirt was a black silk button up shirt and his boots were black too. His blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail which hung to his mid-back. "Find something interesting Roy?" He poured himself some tea as he glanced at everyone at the table. "What?"
"You just look so different." Riza said as she looked at Ed.
Hughes grinned and put his hand to his chin. "I think it is the new clothes."
"No, it might be the growth spurt." Havoc said chewing on a piece of bacon.
"Did you say something about my height?" Ed asked waving a pan dangerous in his hand.
"Not a thing boss..." Havoc gulped.
"Good..." Ed put the pan back in the sink and stayed by the counter sipping his tea. His back was to everyone as he looked out the window. Roy snapped out of his daze and looked at Ed.
"FullMetal, I want to know what happened three years ago. On the day that you created Al's new body."
A cup shattered and dropped into the metal sink. "Shit..." Ed whispered as he grabbed a towel to wipe the hot liquid off of his hand. "There's nothing to talk about, I reported everything in my last report."
"Roy back off the kid..." Hughes said looking as Ed's shoulders tensed up.
"No! I demand to know in full detail what the fuck happened on that day!" Roy said standing up glaring at Ed's back. Al also stood up glaring back at the Brigadier General. He was about to speak when Edward interrupted.
"No Alphonse, he has a right to be pissed as hell. I did leave that report pretty vague." Ed turned to look at Roy, but it was a blank expression. One that no one in the room but Al has seen before. "Excuse me if I am wrong Mustang...but I left the military after that report. I have no more obligations to you or anyone in this room from Central." Ed walked around the table to Roy and held out his arms, wrists side by side with a mocking smile. "So if you are here on business Brigadier General Mustang...then you would have to arrest me."
"Ed what are you doing?" Riza asked. Ed just stared at Roy.
"Come on now, if guys back at Central found out you saw me and didn't try to arrest me...well let's say you all won't be coming to visit me anymore."
"Stop being stupid Ed..." Hughes said. "He just wants to know the truth." Ed lowered his wrists and shook his head.
"You are not my superior officers anymore. You can't come into my home and demand something that needs to stay buried in the past!" Roy stared passively at the young man.
"Are you finished?" Roy asked.
"Not nearly, but I'm not about to waste my time." Ed walked over to the counter grabbed his coat. He leaned on it temporarily.
"Nii-san?" Al turned to Ed and walked to him. He put a hand on Ed's shoulder only to have it shrugged off.
"I'm fine..." The older Elric growled out. "I'm going into the village...if you need me find me there." Ed stood straight and put his jacket over his shoulder as he swiftly left the house. The door slammed leaving the occupants inside to hear the kids running up to the house to Edward.
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Song: Ready Steady Go by L'arc~En~Ciel