Around the time I wrote 'Awakening', I also wrote this. It's three parts, and while this is the shortest of the three, it's not exactly small. Really, it could have been a lot longer. However, as part one enters as Ed and Roy are children, I mostly focused on the things a child would remember most. Or at least what I remember most about being a kid. How fast you made friends with the strangest people, and just being with them. I'd like to say my childhood was only years ago, but as I cannot (darn it), if a part of being a kid isn't entirely accurate, please mourn with me about my lack of youth.
Especially come Saturday... it's my birthday.
Paradox - Part One
Monday
"This is your ticket for the train, and money for your lunch. Do you remember which class you're in?"
The blond haired boy of six years old gave the woman standing across from him a sour look, and his hands clutched harder to the rough fabric straps of his backpack. "Yeah."
Maggie sighed inwardly, and thrust the ticket and money at him. "I know you don't want to go, Ed. But school is important for young men."
Ed's sour expression did not fade, and he reached out with one hand to jerk the items away and stuff them into a pocket. "My parents never made me go to school." He muttered darkly, giving the other commuters around them a glowering look.
"Hun," Maggie said with a small smile as she squatted down to be on eye-level with the child, "you came from a rural community. There was no school. Here things are different, and I'm your parent now."
"You're NOT!" Ed shouted at her angrily, causing several bystanders in the train station to eye them curiously.
Maggie glanced around, and lowered her head for a moment as she dug for patience. It had been like this for the entire week Ed had been sent to live with her. She was already running out of ways to try and bond with the boy. "I know, Ed. I know." She said tiredly. "Now it's time you go to school, go on now. You'll miss your train."
Ed glared at her before he bolted across the platform to get onto the train that would take him to a stop near the school.
"Be good." Maggie rolled her eyes, and shook her head as she turned to walk away.
On the train Ed sat alone on one red leather bench and scowled out the window. More than anything he wanted to ride this train far away, and never return on it. Never return to that house, to that woman who tried too hard to be someone she could never be to him. But he had nowhere else to go. So he sat, awaiting his stop, and watching the light reflect colorfully off the windows of buildings as the train hurtled along.
When the train puffed in for a jerking stop at the next platform, Ed got up and stomped his way off the train much like the sulking child he currently was.
He had been shown the way to the school several times, and he began to retrace the route. Down shaded streets with parked cars, the air clogged with the sweet scent of the cherry blossoms that clung to the trees. Down the incline and sharp corner that preceded a train crossing. Down the short stretch of sidewalk along a bakery. He crossed over the train tracks just before the bar lowered to block pedestrian traffic. He hurried on over to the other side, and looked back in time to see the train speed by in a shining beam of blue and yellow.
He watched it go until he could no longer see it. Only then did he turn and continue on his way. His hands found their place back at the straps of his backpack, clutching at them as if they gave him strength. He kept his eyes on the ground, not bothering to conceal the loneliness from his face.
He arrived at the school just as the bell began to clang.
Ed joined the crowd of other students who laughed and shoved each other playfully. He made his way past them without a second glance. He didn't want to make friends. He didn't want to be here. None of these people could take his place. Not a one.
He found his classroom, 3A, and quickly found himself the subject of all the other children's attention. He shuffled uncomfortably, and in default defense, glared at them all as he stood awkwardly in the doorway.
The teacher, a nice looking older woman with her graying hair pinned in a tight bun, walked over to him with a gentle smile. "It's good to see you again, Ed. Are you ready to join the class?"
Ed frowned at her. "No ma'am." He said honestly. He had never been keen on lying, his mother had always seen through it anyway, so there really hadn't been any reason to lie. Lying had only earned him a one way ticket to a sore bottom. He saw no benefit to it now.
The teacher's smile did not falter. She knew the situation Ed had come from, and she sympathized with the child. It would have been worrying to see him cheerful. "Why don't we see how you feel at the end of the day? Is that acceptable?"
He shuffled where he stood, mulling it over, before he gave a short nod of acceptance. "Yes ma'am."
She clapped her hands together with an enthusiastic look towards the rest of the class who were eyeing the newest student to the room with blatant curiosity. "Class, this is Ed Elric. He'll be joining us for the rest of the year. Please make him feel welcome."
They all began to murmur among themselves, still looking at Ed.
The teacher turned to a scowling Ed, and tried her best not to chuckle at his lack of enthusiasm. "Would you like to introduce yourself, Ed?"
Ed gave her a confused look, and then shrugged. "You already did."
"Tell us a bit about yourself?" She prompted gently as she walked back towards her podium.
"I'm six and a half." Ed said with a hint of pride. "I've never been to a school before. I don't think I'll like it much."
A round of laughter circulated the room, and even the teacher cracked a small smile.
Ed scuffed the toe of one of his shoes, not exactly happy that they were laughing at him. Bitterly, he regretted that people could be happy. He saw no more reason to be happy himself. Casting his eyes around the room, the defensive scowl never left his face, even as he was directed to sit at a table with two other boys.
Walking over he set his backpack down and slid into his given seat. He heard the teacher begin to speak, and in an attempt to try and find an escape he so desperately needed, he listened as if his life were dependent upon it. Soon, without even realizing it, he was participating in the class as if he'd been there all along.
As things were… good things were never meant to last long on this first day back into the world.
"So why did your parents never send you to school? Were you poor?" Asked the sandy haired youth across the table from Ed.
The next thing anyone knew, including Ed himself, was that the sandy haired kid was suddenly on the ground with a swelling jaw. Ed was on the table, panting heavily with a clenched fist, the feeling of rage still tingling his nerves.
"Ed!" The teacher admonished in shock.
The look Ed gave her was without a trace of guilt. "He insulted my parents."
She hurried over to help the injured child up. "I'll speak to your guardian after school. For now you will be staying in during lunch. Who will help Jean to the nurse?" She looked around, and frowned at the boy who sat beside Jean who was currently snickering. "Roy, you'll be staying in at lunch as well."
Ed looked over at the black haired boy, and his riled golden eyes met the amused black ones. Slowly, his fist unclenched, and he crawled off the table never taking his eyes away. "Whatever." He muttered as he sat there staring back at the other boy.
By the time lunch had rolled around, Ed had calmed down to his customary scowl that he seemed to sport as of late. And his attention had never drifted for long from the boy… Roy. He was somewhat impressed that Roy never once seemed unnerved, and in fact continued to look back at him with an interest Ed couldn't place.
He'd never exactly had anything remotely like a friend before. So Ed was intrigued, and stumped by Roy's curious looks.
Whether or not the teacher said a word to them as she left with the rest of class for lunch, Ed never noticed.
Roy glanced towards the door as it slid shut, before looking back at Ed with a smile. "So… that was a nice punch."
Ed continued to scowl, and looked at the table darkly. "He had it coming to him."
"You know…" Roy said as he propped one elbow up on the table and smirked over at the blond, "Jean's my friend. I should have hit you."
Ed's eyes narrowed as he looked back up. "What's stoppin' you? Scared? I can take you and your friend on!" He exclaimed, standing up so fast his chair toppled over.
Roy didn't flinch, but he did stand as well. "I like you. You're… different." He said and shot Ed a winning smile as he walked around the table. "Wanna be my friend too?"
"No." Ed spat and reached to fix his chair. "I don't want to be anyone's friend. I don't need them, and I don't need you."
"If I change your mind?" Roy grinned, hardly phased by the linger of a challenge in the air. He liked this Ed kid. He was different… and Roy felt an unexplainable draw.
Ed scoffed and flopped back in his chair. "You won't."
"You'll see." Roy smiled and looked towards the door. "I'll go swipe us some lunch."
"But-!"
Roy smirked at him as he began walking backwards towards the door. "You're not supposed to care. We're not friends." He said with an amused glitter in his eyes before he turned and bolted out the door.
Ed was left standing mouth agape, and one hand stretched out after the already vanished Roy. "That idiot is gonna get us in trouble." He groaned, and sat back down. His head clunked to the table.
This was why he didn't need friends.
He was able to remain still for no less than two minutes before he bolted from his chair and hurried out the classroom door.
Out in the hall, Ed felt very much like a rabbit being stalked. His nerves were on edge, anticipating being caught and yelled at for disobeying the teacher. But he had to find that idiot Roy and drag him back or they'd be in even more trouble! He hurried down the hallway where he vaguely remembered there being a cafeteria.
Ed had gone down a few more halls when he froze. He could hear the teacher's voice.
If he hadn't had been frozen, he would have yelled out when a hand suddenly fastened over his mouth and dragged him into an empty classroom. As his instincts kicked in, he swung his elbow back to wind his attacker.
Roy doubled over gasping for breath. "I just saved you! Now who's the idiot?" He panted out, glaring at an amused looking Ed. "Oh shut up."
Ed smirked at him. "Well I wouldn't have been down here if I wasn't worried you'd get us caught!"
"Me?!" Roy eyed him in shock. "Can anyone say no to this face?" He asked, and then reconsidered. "Well, 'cept maybe you." He amended.
Ed frowned at him, crossing his arms. "What's your face's plan to get us back to the room now?"
Roy smirked. "I'm far too innocent looking. I'll just blame it on you!"
Ed gaped at him. "How does that help me?! You're a terrible friend!"
"I thought we weren't friends?" Roy grinned back.
Ed's mouth moved soundlessly, before he tackled Roy down. "We're not!" He snapped and punched at Roy's ribs.
Roy yelped and kicked out, catching Ed on the shin hard enough to give him room to flip Ed over. He forced Ed's hands above his head, pinning them there with one hand. "You're such a pain!"
Thus began their first scuffle in the middle of an empty classroom.
The fight ended when they were both exhausted, and Ed collapsed down next to Roy panting hard. His arms flopped limply to his sides, and his eyes closed with a sigh.
"I needed that." Ed said softly.
Roy cocked his non-swollen and bruised eye open and turned his head towards Ed. "Eh?"
"Nothing." Ed replied, and turned his head towards Roy while opening his eyes. "Now what?"
"We sneak back to class." Roy said and gave a small smile as he gazed at Ed. "You have pretty eyes."
Ed blushed and quickly sat up. "You're loony." Was his adamant reply as he averted his eyes fully away from the other boy.
Roy chuckled and sat up as well. "Did I embarrass you?" He teased mercilessly.
Ed shoved him as he got up. "I can just blame it all on you if we get caught."
Roy hurried to his feet, and ducked out into the hallway with Ed. "I don't think so. If we do, just follow my lead."
"What about food?"
"No time now. We'll get some after school."
Ed was about to protest that he had to go home straight after, but ate his words quickly. It wasn't like he cared about that woman anyway. So he hurried after Roy. As the bell chimed, they both exchanged glances before breaking into a run together towards the room.
Ed hesitated at the door to the classroom as the teacher's voice floated down the hall.
Roy looked back, and rolled his good eye in exasperation. "Get in!" He ordered, and grabbed Ed's elbow, dragging him inside.
Ed hurried over to his seat as the other student's laughed. But he had a feeling they weren't laughing at him. Roy hadn't run back to the table yet. So he looked around for the other boy.
Roy was currently loosening all the screws on the chair the teacher used. He was humming cheerfully to himself, and had a wide grin on his face.
It was clear to Ed that Roy seemed to have the top of the classroom hierarchy of kids. None of them looked to be protesting what he was doing.
Roy finished just in time to bolt to his seat before the teacher opened the door. "Just play along." He whispered to Ed, and winked with his good eye.
Ed looked away with a scowl, and ignored Roy's soft laugh, except to kick at him under the table.
"Ed, I called your guardian. She'll be here after school, you're to wait for her." The teacher said, and walked over to her chair. "Roy, what happened to your eye?"
Roy flashed her his most winning smile. "I got up to look at one of the books and I tripped. My eye hit a corner of the table." He said in a perfectly embarrassed tone.
She smiled at him, "you should be more careful. But I'm glad you're reading on your own." And then she sat on her chair.
What followed was a crash that resounded throughout not only their room, but several adjoining ones. Within an hour the teacher had gone home on the nurse's orders, and the class was left teacher-less.
Roy turned to Ed with a grin. "Let's go, school may as well be over now."
Ed blinked at him uncertainly. "But…"
"No buts." Roy said, standing up and holding out a hand. "Come on, let's go get something to eat. Unless you're scared, of course."
Ed looked at the hand even as he stood indignantly. "I am not scared of anything!" He protested, and grabbed his backpack.
Roy grinned. "Good." And he grabbed Ed's hand and hauled him from the room as the other children laughed and wondered if Roy would get caught this time.
Ed ran hand-in-hand with Roy down the hallway. He didn't know why, but he didn't see any reason why not to. It wasn't as if he cared about anything but himself right now. He was all he had left. Himself. And right now he was hungry.
As they dashed out of the school gates, Roy slowed down, swinging their still clasped hands back and forth enthusiastically. "You're a good runner."
"Did a lot of it at home." Edward explained, and jerked his hand free before Roy yanked his arm out of his shoulder. "You?"
"Do a lot of running from the teachers before they figure out it was me." Roy related cheerfully, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "If I have time of course. Otherwise I just play the victim."
"Because of your face?" Ed asked with a smirk.
"No one but you says no to this face." Roy reiterated.
"You're loony." Ed muttered again under his breath and crossed his arms as they walked down the sidewalk together. "So food?"
Roy waved for him to follow, and he turned down a surprisingly tidy alley. "You like crêpes?"
Ed's face screwed up. "What's a cray-crah-"
"Crêpe." Roy repeated. "I dunno, but they're good."
"Better be."
Roy flashed him a grin and said nothing as he led them out of the alley. Only a street away was a large park that glowed green in the middle of the drab grays of the sidewalks and streets. He waited for the last of the cars to pass before he grabbed Ed's hand and promptly dragged the blond youth across to the other side.
Once they were there Ed jerked his hand away, scowling at Roy. "Don't touch me so much. I don't know where you've been."
Roy, instead of being offended, merely snickered and poked Ed with a finger. "Touch!" He sing-songed cheerfully.
"Don't!" Ed swatted at him.
"Touch! Touch! Touch!"
Thud!
Ed walked away, dusting off his hands and leaving Roy lying on the sidewalk with his hands over his stomach as he rolled back and forth in pain. While he waited for the troublesome boy to pull himself together, he went over to one of the swings and sat down in it with a sigh. Idly he began to swing back and forth, dragging the toes of his shoes through the sand underneath.
Roy finally got up off the sidewalk, his dramatics having failed to make Ed come back over. But he was more amused than disappointed by it. Watching Ed out of the corner of his eye he smiled and made his way over to the cart where the man who sold him crêpes every day after school always set up his sidewalk business.
"Hello young Roy, bit early isn't it?" The portly man asked with a smile as the boy came over exuding charm.
Roy beamed up at him innocently. "School was a half-day today. And well," he looked down as if utterly shy and tapped the toe of his shoe against the sidewalk, "I was hoping you'd be here. It's my friend you see."
The man looked over towards the swings where he could see an unfamiliar boy swinging by himself. "What about your friend, my boy?"
"Well you see," Roy began, looking up at him with big doe eyes, "it's his birthday. I thought maybe you could make us a really big, like huge elephant sized crêpe! I want to split it with him."
There it was, the smile. "Strawberry, chocolate, or banana?" The vendor asked, having a soft spot for his most regular customer.
Roy gasped happily up at him? "Really?! You will?"
"Yes, now gimme a flavor." The man laughed.
Hmm… Roy put on his best innocent look again. "All three?" He asked tentatively.
The man frowned, then nodded. "It is his birthday. So tell you what, I'll make you your huge multi-flavor crêpe and you can have it for free."
"Oh thank you!" Roy exclaimed and nearly bounced from glee. "I'll go tell him now! And give him his money back." And with that he turned and ran to where Ed was swinging.
Ed eyed the panting boy wryly, "you finally got up?"
"Shut up." Roy grouched, then grinned at him widely. "You're getting us a huge free crêpe. And by the way, happy birthday."
Ed gave him a look that quite clearly implied he thought the other boy was not quite right in the mind. And thus far, he was beginning to think that was an accurate assumption. "It's not my birthday."
"What he won't know won't hurt him." Roy shrugged, and dumped his backpack in the sand.
"You told him it was my birthday to get a free meal?" Ed realized in shock.
Roy winked at him cunningly. "To get a bigger meal to split with you. The price was not negotiated."
"Who says I'm sharing food?!" Ed exclaimed loudly.
"Shh!" Roy hissed at him, jerking his head towards the vendor. "You'll ruin my plan."
Ed smirked at him, his eyes glittering in challenge. "You mean your face couldn't repair it?"
"Doesn't mean I wanna just because you've got a loud mouth." Roy rolled his eyes and shrugged, "I'll be back."
Ed huffed and watched as Roy ran back over to get their crêpe thing. "Weird kid." He mumbled under his breath. And soon enough Roy was running back over, holding the large crêpe in his hands gleefully.
"Here."
Ed took the half offered to him warily, and licked at the filling. Almost instantly he smiled and licked at it some more along with nibbling on the thin pancake.
Roy sat on another swing to eat and watch Ed with curiosity. "Do you like it?" He asked with a smile, and took another bite of his own half.
Ed glared sideways at him, causing Roy to laugh, and they finished eating in silence. And while their company couldn't quite be considered companionable, it wasn't hostile. Ed finished first, and resumed his swinging as he stared down at the sand as it blurred by, paused, and blurred again with the motion of the swing.
"So where are you from?" Roy asked as he finished, and turned to watch Ed as he hooked his arms around the chains holding the swing up.
Ed didn't look at him, but his eyes darkened. "Don't matter."
Roy tilted his head, "why not?"
"'Cause I'm not ever going back." Was the sad but resolute reply.
"Why are you here then?"
"No choice." Ed sighed, and finally looked over at Roy. "Believe me, I'd rather be anywhere but here."
"Hey now, that's just rude. I save you and get you free food and you want to be somewhere else?" Roy scoffed and turned away.
"I never asked for you to try and be my friend!" Edward snapped at him. "Why can't people just leave me alone?! You can't replace him! And she can't replace my mom! I don't need anyone!"
Roy stared at him with wide eyes as the blond spilled out the things he believed Ed had been wanting to spill for some time. "I'm not trying to replace anyone." He said after a moment. "And you didn't have to ask me to do anything. I like you. Dunno why, you're so frustrating, but I like you. So I'm gonna keep trying to be your friend."
"But I don't need friends!"
Roy smiled at that. "Sure you do. I'll always be your friend, and I won't leave you alone. You're stuck with me."
"Am not!" Ed growled indignantly.
"Are too." Roy grinned back. "I always get what I want. And I want to be your friend. Now what're you so mad about anyway?"
"EDWARD!"
Both boys jumped, the swings rocking spastically under them as they looked away from each other and towards the angry looking woman who had yelled. She was now striding towards them through the sand, in her heels, looking absolutely beside herself.
"I gotta go." Ed said quietly and slipped off the swing, grabbing his backpack from where he'd dumped it next to Roy's in the sand.
"Ed-"
"Bye." Ed looked back at him before hurrying towards the woman. Not wanting Maggie to be angry with Roy as well. Even if Roy's face could get him out of whatever trouble was about to rain down upon him.
"Edward Elric, what do you think you're doing?! Running away from the school! I can't believe you! Do you have any idea what trouble you've caused?!" Maggie half-yelled as the boy hurried over looking annoyed.
"I didn't run away." He scowled. "The teacher went home, so I thought I could leave too."
Maggie groaned, putting a hand to her forehead. "And how do you explain punching that boy?"
"He insulted my parents!"
"People do that sometimes," Maggie sighed, "but the way to solve it is not to punch people!"
Ed snorted mirthlessly, and crossed his arms defensively over his chest. "Sure seemed to work."
Maggie mentally tried counting to ten again. "You're to stay in at lunch again tomorrow. And your privileges at home will be taken away until you earn them back."
"Good, that means no more playing mahjong with that stupid crone." Ed said in reference to the elderly lady who lived with them. He had no idea what the relation was. He didn't care.
"Your mother would be disappointed in you."
"Don't talk about her! My mom loved me!" He said, tears welling at the corners of his eyes. "You do nothing but yell at me! I hate you!"
"What?" Maggie gasped as she stared down at him.
"I said I hate you!" Ed practically screamed at her.
Maggie looked around, and then back to Ed. "Quit this, you're causing a scene."
"I don't care! They should know how mean you are too. Lay off my mom!"
"Enough!" Maggie snapped at him, and grabbed his arm. "We're going home. You should be grateful you were given to a family instead of sent to a group home for orphans."
From the swings, Roy watched mutely as Ed was dragged off. Biting his lip, his brow furrowed in thought. So that's what Ed was so mad about. And that lady… she didn't seem to be helping matters any. Only when Ed and the woman had vanished from view did he get up and grab his backpack. He should be getting home as well, he just hoped Ed came back to school tomorrow.
That night Ed lay curled up on his mattress, the blanket pulled over his head. He was biting down on his hand to try and stifle the sound of his crying. He hated this place, he hated everyone here. All he wanted was his family back. All he wanted was someone who loved him. But he wouldn't find that here, not in this house. He was trapped, and no one wanted to listen. No one really cared.
Tuesday
The next morning he was dressed and out the door before Maggie could even ask him if he wanted breakfast. He ran out the front door with his backpack and turned down the sidewalk so he could run to the train station. He reached it early, out of breath, but he was free of that woman.
At least at school he might find a small measure of peace.
Sitting down in a cold plastic chair that was bolted to the cement platform, he settled in to wait, his arms hugging his backpack to him. He watched as the people hustled by. The trains sped by in flashes of light and hums of noise. The conversations being carried on hammered in on him, and he only shrank more into his seat. If only he could escape this place. This city. But he still had nowhere to go.
When at last the train he needed screeched to a halt at the platform, he stood up and waited his turn in line before boarding and finding himself somewhere to sit. And he leaned his head against the window to watch blankly as the buildings flashed by.
At the stop he needed, he got off and began walking.
And promptly shrieked in surprise as Roy popped out in front of him, seemingly out of nowhere. "Roy!" He glared at the laughing boy.
Roy grinned at him, and then it softened into a faint smile. "Are you okay? That woman… did she hurt you?"
Ed brushed past him. "She didn't hurt me. What's it to you?"
"You're going to be my friend." Roy hurried after him. "Friends look after each other."
"Why are you here?" Ed asked with a frown, glancing over at him.
Roy smiled cheerfully. "I was worried, so I wanted to wait for you. And besides, I want to know if what that woman said was true."
Ed stiffened, and walked faster. "I'm an orphan? Yeah."
"How long?" Roy asked, also walking faster.
"Why? I'm sure you have a big happy home. Why do I matter to you?" Ed asked him, stopping in his tracks to face the other boy.
Roy smiled softly, "is it wrong for me to care about you?"
Ed blinked, and considered Roy carefully. He wanted someone to care about him… but was Roy really the best option the world could offer him? This troublemaker who lied to get free food and used his face to get out of trouble? "It's just… why me? Why not care about that friend of yours I hit?"
"You're interesting." Roy grinned, and then his face softened to a more somber expression. "So you're mad at everything because your parents died?"
"And my brother." Ed added quietly, rubbing hard at his eyes with the back of one hand. "I dun want to talk about it."
Roy smiled at him gently, and put his arm around Ed's shoulders to begin leading the way towards the school. "Better to talk to me than that mean lady." He pointed out. "Adults don't realize how much we understand. And she probably don't understand much." And he had a feeling that deep down Ed wanted to talk about it, to have someone listen to him. Yesterday at the swings had proved as much.
Ed stiffened and pulled away from him. "Don't touch me!" He reiterated.
Roy flashed him a winning smile, and quickly stepped after the blond to put his arm around Ed's shoulders again. "Touch!" He declared proudly.
"Roy!" Ed berated, "you're a bad friend." He declared and quickly jerked away before his eyes widened and he began to run for it down the shaded street past all the cars. Just in time to avoid another of Roy's lunges after him.
"I thought we weren't friends?" Roy laughed as he ran after Ed with a grin, ducking floating cherry blossoms as the wind dislodged them from the trees along the sidewalk. "Ed! Wait up!"
Ed glanced back, and only sped up, just in time to make it around the corner and across the train tracks before the bar lowered and the bell signaling the train began to ring. Turning around he smirked at Roy and stuck his tongue out to make a face. "We're not friends."
Roy stopped, panting, and grinned back at him before the train sped by obstructing his vision of the blond. When it had passed by he smiled as he saw Ed had vanished. "I won't give up." He said and resumed his walk to school.
When Ed made it to class only a few minutes ahead of Roy, he saw that they had a different teacher today. Frowning, he settled into his seat while he waited to see if anything would happen to this one. Or would Roy have pity on the new lady?
He didn't even look up when Roy came to the table, or when the boy he'd punched, Havoc, sat down as well. He could feel the glare of the sandy-haired boy, but he didn't flinch. He didn't even look at him. Instead he once again poured himself into listening intently to every word the substitute teacher was saying. And he was left alone.
When it was time for lunch he remained in his seat quietly, remembering what Maggie had said about him staying in at lunch again. And he didn't look up as Roy quietly said goodbye to him. Instead he began to doodle aimlessly on a piece of construction paper.
Roy frowned, but quietly left with the other students instead of trying to get Ed to speak to him. And he grabbed Havoc around the arm to drag the other boy off as well.
"Just one punch…" Havoc growled as he glared back at Ed.
Roy shook his head firmly. "No. He's my friend too."
Ed had heard what Roy and Havoc had said, and while he didn't smile, it was the closest to one he'd been in a long time. Something inside him began to crack and melt away, and he tried not to notice as he continued to draw.
Not too long later the teacher came back into the room, and he looked up curiously as she walked over to him. She was a lot younger than the normal teacher, and she had one of those warm motherly smiles. He couldn't help but wish he could smile back.
"What are you drawing?" She asked as she sat down in the seat next to him.
Ed looked back down at his paper, to the blobby shapes that were humans. "Nothing." He said quietly, and looked away as he furiously began to scribble over them. Trying to block them from his mind.
The teacher smiled sadly, knowingly. She hadn't been told of the special circumstances facing the boy, but she could guess. Reaching over she grabbed another piece of construction paper and began to fold and crease it methodically. "Why don't you make something then?" She proposed, and showed him the finished origami swan she'd created.
Ed looked at it wondrously, never having seen such a thing actually be made before his eyes. Picking it up delicately he examined it in awe. "Can you teach me?"
She smiled at him, and nodded, grabbing two more sheets of the heavy paper. "This isn't the best paper, but it'll work. Now what would you like to make?"
Ed thought about it for a moment, "a cat?"
"Sure." The teacher smiled at him. "Let's make a cat."
And to Ed, he didn't even notice the time passing as he sat there with the teacher who introduced herself as Miss Kaede, and by the time lunch was supposed to be over, he had a rough version of an origami cat sitting in his hands.
"That was very good." She praised him and stood up. "I'm going to go get the other children now."
Ed looked up at her in confusion. "What should I do with it?" He asked as he held out his origami cat.
Miss Kaede had already pocketed her two creations, and smiled at him. "Whenever I make origami, I give them to people who mean a lot to me. My family, my friends."
"I don't think I have anyone like that…" Ed frowned, feeling a bit downcast.
"Then hold onto it, until you can find someone to give it to who will always keep it and think of you whenever they look at it." She suggested and turned around to walk from the room.
Ed looked down at the cat, and then put it carefully inside his pocket so he wouldn't smash it. When Roy came back in, giving him a curious look, he merely looked away. Yet Roy smiled, he could see that there was a bit more light in those strangely golden eyes. It almost made Ed look happy.
As soon as the bell rang, Ed was grabbing his backpack and dashing for the door. He was eager to go get something to eat now that he could. He could get something at the train station before he took it back to that poor excuse for a new home. It lacked all the feel of a home, and embodied all the feel of a prison.
He made it just out the school gates when a hand reached out to grab his backpack and yank him to a stop.
Inside the classroom, Roy had finished cleaning up the pencil shavings he'd spilled all over the table, and suddenly looked around. Havoc had said he'd wait for him, hadn't he? So where… "Ed," Roy suddenly said, and grabbed his backpack quickly before bolting from the room.
"What do you want?" Ed scowled at Havoc, jerking himself away from the other boy.
Havoc glared, pointing to the large lump and bruise on his face. "You're going to pay for what you did."
"Oh am I?" Ed growled as he clenched his hands into fists. "I'd like to see you make me. You're just a girl."
Havoc could only splutter a response before he lunged at Ed furiously. And Ed was ready for him.
And then Roy was there, shoving between them and pushing Havoc back roughly. "Stop it!" He snapped at his sandy-haired friend.
"I don't need your help!" Ed hissed at Roy, trying and failing to knock away the outstretched hand placed against his chest.
"No, but he does." Roy said over his shoulder.
Havoc gasped, and lunged at Roy now. All verbal skills seemingly gone at this point.
Roy quickly did the one thing he knew would work. And he swung at Havoc's stomach. As his fist connected with flesh, Havoc collapsed to his knees choking and grimacing in pain. "I told you to leave Ed alone!" He glared angrily at his friend.
Ed gaped at the other boy, and suddenly grabbed Roy's arm. "Come on!" He urged, "the teachers are coming!"
Roy shot Havoc one last dirty look before he allowed Ed to drag him off as they began to run down the sidewalk, their backpacks slapping heavily against them. As they rounded the corner that would lead up to that shady, cherry blossom scented road, Roy pulled Ed to a stop.
Ed looked back at him curiously.
Roy's look was just as curious, if not a bit miffed. "I wouldn't have gotten in trouble you know. It's my-"
"I know, there's something about your face." Ed filled in with a roll of his eyes, and then studied Roy openly. "It's just… thanks. I guess. I mean, I could have handled it! But…"
Roy smiled at him cheerfully. "It's what friends do. Take care of each other."
"But he's your friend too!" Ed protested.
Roy sniffed disdainfully at the protest. "Not if he tries to hurt my other friends. I won't be a friend to a bully."
Ed tilted his head as he mulled over the answer, and then nodded in acceptance. And once again, he felt closer to a smile than he had even earlier today. "You're a good friend."
Roy was halfway through a nod before he paused, only to gape at Ed. "I am? Did you just call me a friend?"
Ed stuck his tongue out at him. "Don't let it go to your head."
"Hah!" Roy declared gleefully. "You can no longer resist my face!"
At that, Ed pointedly began walking again. "Look, I'm resisting."
Roy grinned after him, and then skipped after the other boy. "Yesterday there was no way you'd be my friend, and now you can't resist the face!"
"You're loony." Edward stated for what felt like the hundredth time.
Falling in step with him, he smiled at Ed. "And you have pretty eyes."
Ed blushed and glared sideways at Roy. "Don't say such silly things. They sound weird."
"But true." Roy protested, as if determined that Ed believe him. He walked with Ed to the station before he had to turn around and leave, needing to make his own way home. And he tried not to feel too pleased when Ed waved at him even for those short few seconds.
Ed shook his head as he tried to figure out what was wrong with his lack of determination not to have a friend. Especially one so troublesome as Roy. Sighing, he went to find a food vendor to buy something from before he took the train home.
Wednesday
Ed tried not to look too pleased when Roy sat beside him the next morning, effectively secluding Havoc to the other side of the table. However his pleasure at his first friend's proximity was soon to be tested as Roy decided to randomly try and tap their feet together. Finally he was forced to stomp on one of Roy's feet, causing the other boy to glare at him in between trying not to make a scene.
Their normal teacher was back, recovered from her fall. And Ed hoped Roy wouldn't do what he did again… but he wasn't counting on it.
Yet when they were allowed free time, and the opportunity to mill about the room, he discovered what Roy was wanting to get up to today. It began with Havoc tripping and falling, his shoelaces somehow having been tied together. Now, Ed had never seen Roy do this, but he wasn't too sure if that meant Roy hadn't. Especially when that pleased look crossed his face.
Next thing Ed knew, he found Roy over by the games, mixing up all the pieces and directions and putting the wrong lids on boxes before putting them back away. Then the marbles somehow spilled all over the floor, causing many students to slip and fall on their rears rather hard. The teacher's things went missing, only to later be found out the window in the bushes beyond it.
Ed learned from the other students that it was commonly believed that the room had a ghost. And he could believe it. He barely saw Roy do half the things, the boy was quick.
Yes, he had a troublemaker as a friend.
He'd thought the strange things were over when they returned to their seats to color. Only to find out with the rest of the students that the crayons had all been sorted by color… in separate boxes. He glowered over at Roy who looked completely nonchalant about the whole crayon affair, and then turned to the other table to swap one of his reds for a blue.
When school was over, they left together as if they'd been doing this for years now. And Ed followed Roy blindly as his new friend began to show him around town. He didn't care about getting home on time. He was enjoying being with Roy.
So when an hour later of exploring had been completed, they forewent Roy's customary daily crêpe in order to let Ed try some of the other food around the city. So Roy led the way to a teriyaki shop where he assured Ed not to worry about the money. Ed merely shrugged it off and sat at a table with Roy. He also didn't seem to notice that Roy ignored the 'Please Wait to be Seated' signs, and took a seat at one of the few tables with a view.
"Master Roy," the waitress said with an easy smile as she came over to the table, "and you brought a friend. How are you both today?"
Roy beamed up at her with one of his most charming signature smiles of pure innocence. "Hello Katty Kat." He grinned and looked over at Ed. "This is Ed."
E d looked at her with a frown. "Katty Kat?"
She grinned at him, and winked. "My name is Kate, but Master Roy thought it was too grown up a name for me."
The frown Ed wore was now directed at Roy. "Master Roy?"
Roy gave him a slight shake of the head, and turned to Katty Kat. "New kid." He said with a smile.
She chuckled, "and what will you two be having today?"
"Swordfish!" Roy declared enthusiastically. "With the teriyaki sauce! Lots of it!"
Ed blinked.
Roy winked at him, "he'll have some too. And cokes! I wanna coke!"
Kate gave him a reproachful look. "You may, but your mother will have my head if I give you one. I'll bring back some tea."
"Blech." Roy made a face, and Katty Kat walked away laughing.
Ed leveled a pointed look at Roy. "Why does she call you Master Roy?"
Roy shrugged, "can't get her to stop. My mom owns this place, mom tells me it's because I'm her son. Something like that."
"Maybe 'cause you call her Katty Kat?" Ed guessed.
"Maybe." Roy agreed thoughtfully. "But Kate is such a… she's a better Katty Kat."
Ed was silent for a while, before he looked over at Roy again. His new friend had been gazing out the window. "Is your mom nice?"
Roy looked back over at him with a smile. "Yes. But she's not home very much lately. When dad died she had to go on the road more for business. That's what she said to me."
"Is she home now?"
"Dunno." Roy shrugged, "I'll find out when I go home. I love her though, even though she's gone a lot. She's my mom."
Ed nodded slowly, and fiddled with the cloth napkin in front of him. "My mom was nice too… I miss her… sometimes I wake up thinking she'll be there. But she never is."
Roy studied the saddened expression on his friend's face for a moment before sitting up a bit straighter. "My mom told me when dad died that as long as I love him, he'll still be there with me. I just can't see him. If you love your mom, she'll still be with you too."
Ed sat to think on that while the tea was brought to them and Roy finally gave in and began to drink some while making a face. But by the time the food was brought to them, he felt a lot better because of what Roy had said. And he picked up his fork with more enthusiasm than he'd had since coming into this restaurant. He wasn't too sure at first by the look of this swordfish thing, but all it took was a taste for him to fall in love.
Roy cracked a grin as he saw Ed enjoying it. "The face no one can say no to should always be trusted with food choices."
Ed promptly flicked a piece of rice at him, and resumed eating.
The meal was relatively silent between them, and Katty Kat left them alone for the most part while they ate. Only when they got up to leave did they say goodbye to her, and she waved them off with a smile.
It was dusk out as they walked together to the train station. And Ed was actually finding himself reluctant to leave Roy's company to go to that place that oppressed him. But he knew he couldn't not go back there. That would really make Maggie go crazy.
"I'll meet you here again tomorrow?" Roy offered as they stood on the platform, awaiting Ed's train.
Ed nodded with a happy smile. "Yeah." He agreed easily, knowing he'd be all too glad to see his friend again. As tonight he'd surely be getting a telling off.
Roy's smile faltered as happiness morphed into amazement. "You're smiling." He realized in delight. "I've never seen you smile before!"
Feeling the blush, Ed looked away almost in embarrassment. "Yeah." He muttered again under his breath.
Roy cracked a grin, and turned Ed's head back towards him so he could see the smile that was still there, albeit a bit shyly. "You should smile more often now." Roy told him thoughtfully. "We're friends… and you have a pretty smile. It's like your eyes."
Blushing even more, Ed backed away as Roy laughed. "You're loony." He repeated faintly, but smiled at him.
Roy grinned back. "Maybe." And he turned to hurry away with a wave behind him. "See you at school!"
Ed waved after him, and turned to wait for the train alone. Had he known what was waiting for him at home, he would have gone after Roy.
It was well after dark when he let himself in through the door of the house he'd been living in for barely a week. And to his relief, it was very quiet. At least he wouldn't be yelled at right away. But he braced himself for it even so. Walking into the living room he stood as he waited for Maggie who had looked up from her book at his entrance, to say something.
"Do you have any idea how late it is?" Maggie asked in a carefully controlled voice.
"And how worried you were?" Ed guessed bitterly.
Maggie's hands tightened against her book. "Or what I went through because of it?"
"I don't care about you." Ed informed her rather coolly. "You're not my mother. I had fun."
"I sincerely hope so." She snapped irritably, quite at her breaking point with the child. "From now on, you come straight home after school."
"Or what?" Ed challenged, eyes flashing.
Maggie snapped her book shut. "Do you think it'd be any better with anyone else? Your parents-"
"You lay off my parents!" Ed lashed out. "My parents loved me! It's not their fault they died!"
"Of course it isn't."
"And it is better with other people. I've seen it!" Ed continued unaffected.
"Go to your room." She merely replied. "I refuse to argue about this anymore."
Ed glared at her angrily and stormed away.
Thursday
Roy waited all day at the train station. Ed never showed.
He went home to think of an excuse to tell his mother, who was home, why he'd skipped school.
Friday
Roy brought a book to read while he waited for Ed.
He'd read it enough to memorize it before his mom came to get him for dinner.
Monday
Ed got off the train that ran an hour later than what would have gotten him to school on time. And the first thing he saw, was Roy sitting on one of the plastic chairs waiting for him. He stood as if frozen, until Roy spotted him, and then he was walking forward towards the other boy as Roy quickly got up to hurry over to him.
"Where've you been?" Roy demanded as soon as he reached his friend.
"Why are you here?" Ed asked instead.
Roy gaped at him. "I've been waiting for you. Last week too. I waited… what happened?"
Ed blinked in surprise, "you've been… oh." He shook his head sadly. "I wasn't allowed to go to school. I snuck out this morning. She's gonna be really mad at me."
"What?" Roy frowned, "why are you not allowed to come to school?"
"Dunno." Ed muttered under his breath. "But I don't care. I wanted to go, and I wanted to see you."
Roy grinned, and linked their arms together. "I'm here now. So let's get to school!"
Ed nodded eagerly. "Just don't tie my shoelaces together."
"No promises."
Two Months Later
In just two short months his tentative friendship with Roy had grown to a fully fledged friendship in which they were near impossible to separate. Every time Maggie tried to make Ed stay home from school, Ed would sneak out. And though he'd be late, Roy was always waiting for him. Roy was the one constant in his life.
For most children, time seemed to pass much too slowly… but for Ed's part, it had gone by in the blink of an eye. And he wished he could have the power to view the world in the lazy way other children did. If only to make those two months seem a lifetime, before they were gone.
Ed took a deep breath as he stood up to get off the train. He could already see Roy standing there waiting for him like always. Normally, it brought a smile to his face. And Roy was the only one who could make him smile even nearly three months since the death of his family. But now, he only felt an ache inside. Getting off the train he attempted a smile as he walked over to Roy who was smiling at him in that most charming way of his.
"Hey, where's your stuff?" Roy asked with a frown, noticing Ed's lack of a backpack.
Ed sighed, trying not to let himself deflate. Not again. "I'm not staying long. I only have a few hours." He explained as he blinked hard against the tears threatening to fall.
Roy frowned in concern, and he touched Ed's shoulder lightly. "What? What's wrong?"
"The social workers… they're putting me in a new foster home. Some rotating thing, I don't get it. I only found out last night! I don't… I can't leave you! You're the only friend I've got!" Ed sniffed and rubbed at his eyes.
Roy stared at the blond in shock. "You're leaving?" He asked softly.
Ed nodded numbly. "I have no choice. Even being here for a few hours… I snuck away from the social worker. But I had to see you. I know you would have waited for me here until you gave up on me."
"I never!" Roy protested in indignation, and suddenly seized Ed's arm. "Come on."
Ed followed Roy blindly, as always, back to the familiar park they'd spent so much time in. And he sat on his usual swing with a sigh as Roy sat beside him. "I don't want to leave you…"
Roy suddenly dumped his backpack to the sand and walked in front of the blond to kneel down in the sand, placing a hand on Ed's knee as he looked up into the sad eyes. "Ed… remember I told you once you'd always be stuck with me?"
Ed nodded mutely.
"That's 'cause you are." Roy tilted his head with a small, sad smile. "You can move to the end of the world and I'll still find you."
"That's silly." Ed groused, trying not to act weak in front of his friend.
Roy shook his head. "No. I would. You're the bestest friend I've ever had."
Ed gave him a clearly disbelieving look.
Smiling at him, Roy stood up. "Now come on, play with me! One last time."
Ed looked up at him, a faltering smile on his face. "Okay." He finally gave in, and took the hand Roy held out to him before running with the other boy to the slides. He could at least have this one last moment. Last few hours.
Yet when they were tired, and laying on the grass together side by side under the shade of a large ash, Ed rolled over on his side to look down at Roy who almost appeared to be napping. "What if you forget about me?"
Roy opened his eyes, "I couldn't ever forget about you. I gave you my address that one time, do you still have it?"
Ed nodded.
"Then when you are in your new home, send me a letter. I'll come and see you all the time!"
"Really?"
"Really."
Ed smiled at him, feeling a bit better about the promise. "You're a good friend." He finally said, and almost tackled Roy in a tight hug.
Roy, fighting back surprise, gently hugged Ed back as he smiled softly. "So'r you."
When Ed pulled away he smiled at Roy. "I'll write you, I promise. Every day."
"I know you will. And I'll see you soon." Roy said assuredly. "We're friends. Nothing can keep us apart."
Ed nodded in agreement, and after a moment, reached into his pocket to pull out the crumpled origami cat he'd been saving. And he pressed it into Roy's hand firmly, fixing the other boy with an almost stern look. "I want it back one day. Keep it safe?"
Roy looked down at it, then back up at Ed, and nodded. "I'll keep it forever and ever, until you want it back."
Ed smiled at him, and then he slowly stood up with a sigh. "I have to go now, before I get into even more trouble."
Roy stood as well, pulling his friend into another hug. "I promise we'll see each other again. I'll find you."
"I know you will." Ed clung to Roy for a few more seconds, before pulling away. Fighting down the tears he gave the dark-haired boy a tentative, almost watery looking smile. "Walk me to the train one last time?"
Roy nodded, and ran off to grab his backpack before rejoining Ed. They walked quietly together back to the train station, and stood in silence as they waited for the next one Ed could take to pull into the station. Only when it did, did Roy turn to Ed insistently.
"Don't forget." He whispered.
Ed shook his head slowly. "Bye, Roy" And he gave his friend one last smile before turning and hurrying onto the train to make it just before the doors swished shut. Climbing onto a seat by the window he waved at Roy as the boy vanished from sight as the train began to move. Only when he could see Roy no longer did he sit down, the tears finally slipping down his cheeks.
"Don't forget about me." He whispered, pulling his legs up against his chest and hugging them tightly.