Winter Rest
Afternoon
Ed
Ed shuffled around their small hotel room, lifting every book, sheets and anything that was littered on the floor.
"Damn it!" Cursing under his breath
"What's wrong nii-san?"
"I left a book at the library!"
He had been walking off crutches, which Al had to force him to use over the two months, for a week. It had been three months since the mission and he still had two more months off. Though of course, he was still visiting the library, against Roy's orders, to continue written research.
He was beyond pissed off when 'Colonel Bastard' had told him that 'Fullmetal, you are to take five months off or until further notice. Doctor's orders.'
The teens rant lasting longer than even he expected. But no one could fight against not being able to stand, or use an arm.
Central was associated with rain - and a lot at that - during winter. This year not being an exception. And rain meant low air pressure.
Which meant aching ports.
Which meant slightly aggravated frostbite.
Which meant lying, Ed.
He never admitted to Al when his ports ached - to a certain extent - .
He had had episodes of unbearable pain, where Al took him to the hospital. But that was when he first got back from the mountains and tender nerves became exposed to the harsh weather of Central.
Al always was the mothering type people - especially Winry - commenting on the question of who was older. Al always being the more mature and level headed one of the two. The armour made better choices for him than he did himself. Though Ed wasn't one to listen to orders from anyone.
"Just go back for it tomorrow." Al insisted
"No, It's okay. I'll just run down there and-"
"-You know what the doctors have ALL said, no running or excessive movement on your ports. We'll pick it up when this storm lets up."
The sky was letting out like Noah's ark.
If Al were to step out there his seal would be washed off in mere seconds.
The sky a violent black, white flashes and loud crashes every few moments that passed.
The streets empty, cars slow and a negative emotion running down everyone's windows.
"That could be hours! I'll just go now." Ed raced out the door, Al unable to follow in the downpour. "I won't be long! Stay put!" He yelled over his shoulder as he trotted - following at least one of Al's orders - as he made it for the library barring a small umbrella.
Early night
Roy
He hated the rain, it was cold, miserable and that feeling of... uselessness... that lingered everywhere he went.
The rain fell down his window of his - decent sized - home. He just sighed as he piled more wood into his fireplace.
His office had been very quiet without Fullmetal's abrupt entrances and loud performances, that he displaced in his presence.
Two loud knocks at the door made him jump.
"Who would be out in a storm like this? Only an idiot..." He muttered under his breath as he answered the call at his door.
He slid his door open to see a child mop of a dripping mess, leaning heavily on his door frame, looking like he was about to fall over if he stood alone.
"What the hell have you done?" A stern tone stuck to his tone.
"C-can... Can I... come in...?" The teen sounding pained and drained to no end.
"What have you done this time?" Worry licking his lips
"Went into... rain..." He paused and closed his eyes as thunder hit the ground not far away. "... stupid idea... please ... Can't stand..." Ed only just holding his words
"Right! Sit down. Come in." Moving out of the doorway, understanding the situation, leading the worn, messed teen to the not far couch. Letting out a breath rubbing his temple. "How much trouble do you get yourself into to?"
The small alchemist falling into the couch as Roy pointed at it. "Sit. I'll get you something to warm you up and dry clothes. Don't go anywhere."
"Hhm..." The teen already sunk deep into the couch, eyes closed. At least acknowledging his comment.
He quickly returned with clothes and a towel for his - uninvited - 'guest'.
To find the kid asleep.
He questioned whether to leave him to sleep yet or not. But decided against it.
His clothes were wet and he needed to warm up.
He gently grabbed his - flesh - shoulder and gave him a slightly rough shake. "Wake up, Fullmetal."
His brown eyes met tired golden ones. "Wha' you... Right, sorry." The teen looking slightly embarrassed.
"Here."
He handed the teen bundle of clothes he found, which he know would be too big, but were better than nothing.
"Bathroom is that door." Pointing the way.
Ed muttered his thanks as he shuffled off the couch and limped off to the bathroom.
When Ed exited the bathroom, Roy had made warm soup for the two of them and made a makeshift bed for Ed to 'set up camp' on for the night on the couch.
Which wasn't too bad. He'd fallen asleep on it many times before.
The blonde eyed up the makeshift bed and relaxed instantly.
"I assumed you would stay the night. You are more trouble than your worth."
"So why do you keep me around?..."
"Amusement." Before giving the teen time to process his comment he changed the subject. "I made soup, would you like some?"
"Yeah..." The 15-year old still mumbling his speech.
Due to the size of Roy's home, the living space, kitchen and door to every other room, led to the living space, that they currently sat in eating their - cheap, crappy and canned - meal.
He took their dishes as his subordinary happily took refuge under the sheets.
"Do you want something warm for your port?"
"No..." He relayed flatly
"Painkillers?"
"No..."
"Anything?"
"No..."
Roy was slightly stunned at the kid not wanting anything for the pain. "All right then..."
"Wait, damn it..." Ed cursing under his breath, slowly sitting up - with slight trouble - .
"What's wrong now?"
"I need to call Al..."
"I'll do it. Go to sleep."
"Thanks..." Roy knew the kid was tired now, he let 'thanks' slip. Ed was never polite on a day to day basis.
But he let it slip and as soon as the small alchemist laid back down and closed his eyes, he fell asleep in an instant. Light snores coming from the teen seconds after.
He glanced up at the clock. Only six a clock and the kid was out like a light.
He sighed and headed to the phone to inform the younger counterpart of the brothers about his - practically - passed out brother, lying on his couch.
He really didn't want another lecture from someone half his age, not even directed at him but he was gonna have to - due to the lack of consciousness from Ed. Or he would end up with a frantic armour running around like a chicken without a head.
He picked up the receiver and reluctantly dialled their dorm room number.
"Alphonse speaking." The teens metallic voice, even eerier through more metallic lines connecting their call.
"Good evening Alphonse."
"Oh, Colonel. I wasn't expecting a call from you. Nii-san isn't here-"
"-That's what I am calling about. Your brother has stumbled into my home and practically passed out on my couch."
"I told him not to go out! As soon as the rain clears up enough, I'll head over. If you don't mind? He needs pain medication and someone to take him home."
"I leave a key under the mat. So just let yourself in."
"Thank you, Colonel. I hope to see you soon. As soon as the rain clears up."
"Of course, Alphonse. Have a nice evening." Placing the receiver down as he let out a sigh. "That went well." He said happily. "No lecture," he muttered as he hovered back to Ed, who was currently sprawled out on his couch.
The teen kept mumbling and shifting his weight, subconsciously trying to ease the pain.
He frowned and remembered what helped when they were in the mountains.
Hot towels.
Heating up water to boiling point, pouring the water into two cloths, leaving them five minutes, then he needed to place them on Ed's ports.
He moved back to his snoring subordinary, slowly shifting the blankets so his shoulder port was better accessible. The kid groaning at the new coldness on his aching port. He slowly and smoothly placed the cloth on Ed's port, receiving a happy toned mumble from Ed. Repeating the same on his other port.
He knows he would get it in the morning when Ed woke up, but the teen wasn't shuffling around on the couch anymore, so his job was done.
He moved to his study for the next few hours, only to look up at the clock at 10pm and decided to follow Ed's lead and get some sleep.
He peered over to the still teen on his couch, still breathing, still asleep. Happy with the site, he let it be and headed to bed himself, knowing Ed would be fine until Alphonse came in who knows how long.
That morning
Roy
Not much to his surprise, Ed had gotten a full 12 hours sleep and was still fast asleep.
There was no sight of Al, which meant no sight of slowing rain.
He sighed and grabbed his umbrella and headed to the car that Riza was sitting in on the kerb. Glancing down at Ed as he passed, dead to the world. He just wondered how much automail takes out of a person, if someone with such vast amounts of energy like Ed is out for the count for 12 hours.
The weight alone would be horrendous to carry around let alone the pains that he deals with. A child of his age shouldn't have such a burden, a child of his age should have all four limbs really.
Ed doesn't deserve what weighs him down. Ed carries both of the brothers burdens and he shouldn't have to do it alone, but he shuts everyone else out, he's a stubborn child.
He whipped out of the house leaving the key in its place for Alphonse if the rain ever lets up.
Later That Morning
Ed
The familiar clanking of metal brought his mind from its rest and into awareness.
He slowly opened his eyes, but closed them again as his ports surged in pain and he let out a groan of discomfort.
"Are you awake, brother?" His metallic voice echoing in his armour as Al entered the room.
"Yeah..." Still feeling spent, even with who knows how many hours of sleep he just got.
"Painkillers?"
"Why not..."
Al returned and he had found his way to a sitting position.
"Here."
Ed took them and swallowed with the water his brother provided. "We should get out of the Bastard's house-" He cut himself off with a yarn. "Which ones did you give me?"
"The prescribed ones."
He was about to open his mouth and argue, but Al beat him to it
"Yes, I know they make you drowsy. I already called Colonel, he said it was fine if he finds us still here when he gets home. Just go back to sleep, you need to catch up."
"I hate you..." He said without much effort, as Al pushed him back down.
"I love you too, Brother."
"N' what I s'd..." Words beginning to slur
"Hypocrite."
"Sh't up..."
"Good night, Brother."
The last words uttered from the two before he was swept into sleep.
Al
Ed, over the past week or so, hadn't gotten much sleep. The low-pressure system had lasted all week and Ed rejected the painkillers he offered every time. The rain that the pressure system brought was always a sign and it hadn't stopped fully raining all week, the largest storm in thirty years.
The fact that Al lets him even take books from the library didn't help his insomnia.
Roy was very kind to let Ed sleep on his couch for the night and today. He rung and asked if Ed was in pain he could take his painkillers that make him drowsy, which was answered with an 'I don't see any harm. Just as long as I have a house when I get home.' Which was a very logical response, in accords to Ed and his behaviour.
It was around noon when he heard Ed groan as he woke up and sent him back to sleep with his painkillers, much to his hatred. But Al didn't care, he was pain-free and getting the rest he needed and that's all that mattered.
That evening
Roy
He had known that the Elric Brothers would be in his home when he arrived home, but he wasn't expecting his home to be in the shape it was.
Cleaned.
Alphonse cleaned his house.
"Welcome home, Colonel." The child said happily as he walked from the kitchenette.
"You... Cleaned..."
"Oh, yes. I hope I didn't move anything important. But I thought that in turn for letting Ed stay the night, I cleaned for you. Your house was a dreadful mess."
"Thank you." Sheepishly replying. Not knowing if he was just insulted or not
"Yeah. Your house was a useless mess. Suits you." Ed piped up from the couch "We can leave now."
"Brother, don't be rude. We still can't leave, the painkillers are still in your system."
"And whose fault is that?!" Ed yelled across to his brother.
"I see you are feeling better, Fullmetal." Cutting into their argument.
"Sure... Depends on how you define better." Rolling his eyes.
Ed went to stand up, Alphonse not too far from him now. As he stood he was close to falling on the table at his feet.
"I told you not to stand yet, Brother. Your balance is still affected."
"I don't care, I want to leave. Now!" Dragging out the 'N' followed by a longer drag of the 'o' and 'w'.
"I could always drive you both home. It's pouring down outside anyway."
"Thank you, Colonel. That would be wonderful." Alphonse being polite like always, as Ed just stood there, leaning his head on Al's arm.
"I... I feel sick..."
"Sit back down, Brother."
"No... We're leaving... anyway..."
"Sit back down, Fullmetal." He commanded, "I'll get you when I get the car going."
Ed just huffed air as his ass collided with the cushions, as he melted into the couch. "I'm not useless."
He moved off into the kitchen with the armour.
"Fullmetal sure still looks tired, for such a small body, he sure needs a lot of sleep." Peering back to see Ed raising his hand with a finger raised, it flopping back down after a few seconds, not much effort in the insult.
Al just sighed. One could only tell someone off so many times in a day.
Ed
As soon as he stood, he regretted it. He was lucky Al was right there to catch him. His arm in the perfect spot to 'flop' onto. Graceful. Really graceful.
He was really anything but on a good day anyway.
"I told you not to stand yet, Brother. Your balance is still affected." Damn his brother-mother.
"I don't care, I want to leave. Now!" Pulling out every letter of the 'now', creating a whine
He couldn't hear the next few exchanges as his head spun and his heart beat in his ears. Stupid pain medication. Stupid rain. Stupid Colonel. Stupid automail.
"I... I feel sick..." his head now leaning on his brother's arm.
"Sit back down, Brother."
"No... We're leaving... anyway..." Trying everything he had to get away from the nightmare called Roy Mustang's home, with Colonel Bastard himself home in at the current moment with him fully aware of his actions.
"Sit back down, Fullmetal. I'll get you when I get the car going."
Flopping on the couch "I'm not useless." If he was gonna be in a car with him, he may as well stab at his bastardliness.
"Fullmetal sure still looks tired, for such a small body, he sure needs a lot of sleep." Hearing from the side.
His energy slowly seeping into the couch he could only raise his favourite finger and emit it towards Roy.
The couch was so comfortable and with the drugs still running in his system he was still reasonably drowsy. His eyelids drooping and his impatiens gone.
He decided on a nap. Naps were nice. Al would wake him up. A nap sounded like a good idea. Just a little one.
He was out like a light.
Al
There was his brother. Asleep. Again.
He was told to get his brother so they could leave. But he was asleep. He was deciding between leaving him asleep and carrying him, the risk being a beating and an argument. The other option waking him and definitely get an argument and a beating from his brother.
He took the risk when Roy ushered him to hurry.
As he entered the garage Roy gave him a concerned look.
"Is he alright?"
"Oh, Ed. Yeah, he fell asleep on the couch and I decided on letting him sleep." whispering to not disturb the beast that laid in his arms.
He ducked down to the opened door of the passenger seat in the front. Carefully placing Ed in the seat so he wouldn't fall. Just as carefully closing the door. Jumping in the back.
"You're really good with him. How would he live without you?"
"Without a head." He giggled at his joke, the Colonel smiling back at him. With a 'Truth said by the gods' face on.
Roy turned on the engine both holding their breaths - if Al were able that is - Ed not stirring.
Letting out a sigh "He's one deep sleeper. He could sleep through a war." Roy commenting to himself just loud enough for the whole car to hear.
Roy
The poor kids.
He drove off from the barracks. The two children of the army with him. One still fast asleep.
He hated how young they were sometimes, how much they had seen, how much they cold handle.
He was worried if they lost each other. What would happen them? The other would be completely lost. It sent shivers down his spine to think about something like that.
He always forgot how old they bother were. Al with his towering armour and Ed with his hundred-year-old eyes.
The poor kids.
Kids don't belong in the military. What if Ed was called off to war? What if one of them died on a mission? What if...
He knew a lot could happen to them. But that was the risk they took.
It was noble
It was brave
It was idiotic
But that was the Elric's for you. Well, Ed. But Al could inherit some of Ed's 'nature'.
The poor kids.
With too much to hold
Too much weighing them down
Too many nightmares for a single night
Too many memories
Too many orders
Too many heart ships
Too much of everything a teenager of their age shouldn't have.
They should be children playing with toys.
Not toy soldiers.