A/N: Helloooo everybody! I'll cut right to the chase here. As some of you know, I've already posted this chapter. Due to the keen insight of an amazing reader, DrummerDancer (thank you!), I realized I had gone about this idea all wrong. Armed with a new (and better) idea and a greater purpose and plan, here you go: my first Fanfiction for Fullmetal Alchemist (2003 anime). This is my low violence, no swearing, and clean relationship version of what should have happened at and after the ended of the series. Hope you enjoy, and for all those who read the first version and liked it, it may make a reappearance after this one…
Disclaimer: I do not own FMA or associated names, places, etc. I'm just a fan spouting nonsense and putting people through the pain of reading it.
Chapter One
"Remind me again why Colonel," Winry cleared her throat loudly and Edward corrected himself with annoyed emphasis. "Brigadier General Mustang has to come?" The blond mechanic rolled her eyes, glad that Ed couldn't see her. Even without his sight, Ed could annoy (and worry) her faster than anyone else. The fact that Alphonse couldn't speak didn't help either; it had always been Al's gentle reprimands that stopped Ed when he went too far. But now… Shaking her head she answered the question in a tone that suggested her much-tried patience.
"He needs a report on your last mission, and besides, he wants to check up on you two." At his place by Ed's side, Al smiled softly, squeezing Ed's hand, although whether it was in excitement or as a gentle chastisement to his brother they couldn't tell. Despite his anger, Ed's face softened at the reminder of his younger brother's presence. A scowl followed on its heels as Ed replied.
"Yeah, right. Like General Idiot actually cares about us. If he cares so freaking much, why hasn't he called us in the month since we arrived?" Winry sighed explosively; they'd been over this several times as well.
"He's been recuperating; being shot in the eye and stabbed repeatedly is no walk in the park, you of all people should know." She cut in as Ed drew breath to retort. "And before you even go there, yes, he's bringing Ms. Riza and Lieutenant Havoc along. He'll be taking Al's testimony along with yours and will stay for a few days. Now, can I get back to work or do you have any more stupid questions?"
Ed's silent scowl and Al's smiling nod sent her stomping back to her workshop, frustration and gratitude overcoming her in equal parts and turning her face red. For, in spite of her annoyance at the childish conduct of her childhood friend, she was just glad he was here to argue at all. A shiver of fear coursed down her spine as she sat at her workbench as an image of her life without the two boys flashed across her mind's eye. A life like that was barely worth living for. She shivered again. Work would erase the image, so she set to work on a small metal hand, magnifier clasped in one hand, tweezers in the other and her tongue stuck between her lips in concentration.
Two days later, at the sound of a familiar knock, Alphonse gently tapped his brother's wrist to tell him he'd be back and answered the door. A single black eye met the small pair of brown ones and both of their owners smiled.
"Hello Alphonse." A deep voice said. "How are you?" Al grinned, gave him a thumbs up and beckoned for the three, blue clothed figures to enter. They did and cordial hellos were exchanged with the Rockbells. Ed sat silently on the couch, his face an impassive mask, empty eye sockets covered by a strip of material, and head leaned back against the couch. Except for his concerned brother, who retook his constant place besides Ed, no one seemed to notice or remember the blond teen.
Finally though, the keen eyes of the Hawk spied the person they had come most to see. Nudging her black-haired superior, she stepped to the couch, her boots clacking on the hardwood floor. At the sound, Ed's hand tightened on the pillow in his lap. Riza noticed, with a bit of shock, that Ed's right hand was flesh again. Bending over, she tapped the pale skin of the new limb gently.
"Hey Edward. How are you?" He flinched away, scowling. When he spoke, his teeth were clenched.
"Fine. Now take my report and get the heck out of here! And take your precious general with you!" Riza only smiled. He was just fine. Before she could reply, the blond soldier still by the door interrupted.
"Yo, chief! The boys all send their hellos. I'll tell them you're doing just fine and they should stop worrying like old ladies. I told them you'd be ok, but did they listen to me? No!" Ed half-smiled at the voice of Jean Havoc and at the mention of the rest of Mustang's team. Despite his apparent hatred of their leader, he and "the boys" got along just fine.
"And what gave them the idea I wouldn't be? When have I not bounced back? They really are a bunch of worried old women if their worrying about Edward Elric!" He smirked haughtily. Havoc winked at the younger brother, and Al saluted and grinned in reply.
Then Roy stepped forward and all the light-hearted banter in the room ceased. All watching eye traveled from the Flame Alchemist to his subordinate and back. The tension in the air became so thick, everyone struggled to breathe.
"Hello Fullmetal." He was using his cold, calculated business voice and Ed didn't miss the tone. Putting on his impassive mask again, he answered just as frostily.
"General." Sarcasm dripped from each syllable. Roy seemed to want to say something more and drew breath to speak it. At the last moment though, the non-expression on the bond alchemist's face made him snap his mouth closed and set his jaw. After several more tension-charged moments, Winry broke the uncomfortable silence.
"Well, let me show you to your rooms. Mr. Mustang, Mr. Havoc, you two get the guest room. Ms. Riza will stay in Granny's room…" Roy and Riza interrupted at the same time, stopped in surprise and blushed slightly as they looked at each other. Roy tilted his head slightly and Riza spoke.
"We can't take your room Mrs. Rockbell! And where will the boys sleep?" Havoc and Mustang nodded in agreement. Pinako put up her hand to silence them, chewing her pipe with a no-nonsense look on her face.
"I'll stay in Winry's room and the boy's have been staying together in the recovery room anyway. It's no trouble at all. Besides, your coming and my moving in with Winry means she actually cleaned her room, so I should be thanking you." Everyone laughed softly, except for Ed (who got away with a small smirk), Al (who couldn't speak), and Winry (who blushed furiously). To cover her embarrassment, she hefted one of the men's suitcases and started down the hall. Pinako lifted Riza's and started carrying it upstairs. In a moment's time, the room went quiet and the boy's were left alone.
Al scooted closer to his brother, slipping his small hand into the slightly larger one. Slowly, he spelled out a message on the back of his hand.
What's wrong brother? Ed shook his head, but Al's patience soon won out and a reply drew itself out of the blind teen's reluctant mouth.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to face them again, or at least, not for a long time. I'm not ready for this. What if they're disappointed in me? What if they ask me a question I can't answer?" As Al listened, he silently substituted 'him' for 'them'. He knew his brother wasn't worried about Riza or Havoc. But Roy? Well, let's just say that despite his overly shown anger and hatred of the black-haired man, he looked up to him much more than he had looked up to his own father.
Al waited for more to come, but Ed remained silent, lost deep in thought. The mute boy didn't press him, instead pulling up his feet and leaning against his brother's shoulder. They were still weak and thin from their ordeal in the Gate and soon, they were asleep.
When Winry returned, Ed was snoring with his head against the back of the couch, one arm laid protectively over his brother and the other settled on the arm of the couch. Al was slumbering peacefully with his head on Ed's lap and his knees curled against his chest. Shooing everyone outside to chat, she left them to rest in peace.
While the others settled at the small table, the mechanic descended the steps to stand beneath the tree, hair blowing gently in the wind. Where her fear for her childhood friends had been burbling uncomfortably in her stomach, a relaxation and hope calmed the ache. A small smile played across her lips. They've got each other and they've got me and Granny. She thought with a gentle laugh. They'll be fine. They always are.
A/N: Well? Better? Worse? Do you hate it? Am I bad on writing these guys? Let me know please and I'll try to get another one up tomorrow or next week. Sorry I had to totally start this over. Please review and join me next time! Love you all, have a great week and stay safe!