Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any characters. This fic is for entertainment purposes only.
Content warning: Character death (non-explicit), M/m.
For All Your Crimes
1.
Edward pushed to the front of the crowd, the thundering roar of the people deafening all around him. The alchemist of the people, and he felt like he was drowning in them.
As he locked eyes with the man on the stage, his soon-to-be-deceased lover, his mind reeled in an attempt to register the reality of the situation. In thirty seconds, the Colonel would be gone. The man accused of crimes against Amestris would pay, with the only thing he had left to lose – his life. The kind expression, the gentle demeanour, the loving soul that Edward had fallen hard for – all would be severed from this mortal plane, within a matter of mere moments. And the man he had grown to love would be replaced by a cold, motionless lookalike.
The rope was already tight around the man's throat. Twenty seconds.
Upon spotting his partner in the crowd, Mustang's brow furrowed reflexively. He was afraid, as are most upon their imminent end, but imagining the pain that Edward would have to endure twisted his gut with guilt and shame. He could only hope that his death would spark change for the future. Nobody could say he hadn't tried. Dear God, he had tried.
The final words were said. The executioner, a hulking boar of a man, stepped up to the plate, twisted his neck, and curled his meaty hands around the lever. Ten seconds.
Mustang saw the words "I love you" dance across Edward's lips, but the sound of the phrase was lost to the furious crowd.
There was no more time for the two of them.
You bastard, Edward thought. You've killed us both.
The floor gave way beneath Mustang's feet, and he fell.