Cold. He was just… cold. Nothing more, nothing less, yet he shook violently even though he was bathed in numerous soft, warm blankets. He could distantly hear someone calling his name, and he wanted to answer, he tried to answer, but his body would not listen and every small movement, every breath, filled him with unbearable pain that caused tears to form in his eyes.
Then it stopped and he found himself in a strange place, surrounded by darkness. His head felt fuzzy and he felt as though he would pass out at any moment. He closed his eyes and tried to make this new world stop spinning.
He was falling and he braced himself for the crash against the hard, unforgiving floor, but it never came. Instead he was wrapped in a pair of warm, familiar arms. His obsidian hair had fallen in his eyes; although he usually did his best to keep his hair off his face, this time he didn't move to brush it back, lest his eyes give away the pain he desperately tried to hide day after day.
"Roy, you know you can't hide anything from me. It's the way best friends are." Roy didn't move.
"Why?"
"Hmm? Why what?"
"Why did you leave me? Leave Gracia and Elicia?"
"Buddy, I didn't want to, but I'm sure you know that. I guess it was just my time."
"It's not fair," Roy whispered, tears silently slipping out of his eyes.
"I know. Neither is death. But we can't change anything from the past. You have to keep living for me, ok?" Roy only nodded. He didn't trust his voice. "You need to go back Roy."
"How?"
"Listen. There will be someone to guide you. Just follow his voice. And know that I'll always watch over you." The arms that had been wrapped his torso were gone and Roy was alone again.
He stood in the dark silence until he heard a soft voice calling him. Roy opened his eyes and met his lover's worried gaze.
"I thought I lost you," Ed said quietly, giving Roy's hand a short squeeze.
"I'm back," was all that Roy could say before he fell into a peaceful sleep, knowing that his best friend was still there with him.
