Title: But Not Found
Author: vanillavinegar
Rating: K
Summary: Ed's not really sure how he got here.
Warnings: SPOILERS for the end of the first anime and the movie.
Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist and all associated characters, settings, etc., belong to Hiromu Arakawa-san. The only profit I make from this work of fiction is my own satisfaction and, possibly, the enjoyment of others.
Author's Notes: Probably the only thing I will ever write for the first anime – takes place during Conqueror of Shamballa. Originally written for Prompt 91 at fma_fic_contest on livejournal. The prompt was to fill in a specific scene from the manga or either anime. Inexplicably, I won second place.
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The sky in Risembool has always been the most beautiful shade of blue, and nowhere has he ever seen grass quite so green. Ed's not really sure how he got here – but where else would he be?
He's home.
Granny Pinako scolds Al for giving Den too many table scraps, her voice slightly muffled around her pipe. Al blinks innocently and tries to sneak the dog more ham behind her back. When she catches him, her scolding sends the pair of them outside, Den barking excitedly.
Ed feels lazy and content. Winry's fingers comb through his hair, only occasionally catching on a snag. "Winry, listen," he murmurs, "about Al…"
She giggles when he, almost asleep, trails off. "What about him?"
"Gotta make sure he's eating enough. Don't let him give Den all his dinner."
She taps his nose. "Stop fretting, Ed. Al's fine."
"Is he, really?" he asks, not quite desperate. He tries to smother the tendrils of fear coiling in his stomach.
"Silly. Just look at him."
They both watch Al play with Den, first chasing and then being chased himself. Even from across the wide lawn they can hear his laughter, pure and joyful, and Ed doesn't want to sleep. He doesn't want to miss this.
But Winry's ministrations are gentle and soothing, her voice even more so. "Sweet dreams, Ed." His eyes drift closed.
When he opens them, Ed sees not open sky and fields but the dingy ceiling of his apartment in Munich.
He is alone.
THE END