Hello again readers! Here is the next chapter of this story, sorry about the shortness of that first chapter; it's kind of an introductory thing. Hope you enjoy this next chapter. Fair announcement: ALL CHARACTERS WILL BE SLIGHTLY OOC! Just putting that out there.
Warning: There is foul language, nothing too unusual for the characters though.
~HEY LOOK HERE~
PLEASE READ! I didn't directly address this in the last chapter, so I edited it slightly, but this has been going on for two years already, we're just jumping in on the last year here. Sorry for that discrepancy.
~Okay! Thanks for your attention~
Fullmetal Alchemist belongs to Hiromu Arakawa, not me!
When Ed 'woke up' he was overwhelmed with sounds, voices and flashing images. Confusion spread through him as the volume increased. He cried out and covered his ears, when one voice rang out clearer than everything else.
Are you sure about this Brother?
His eyes widened a certain memory overtook his vision.
~Flashback~
'Honestly, Al... not really.'
Alphonse looked at his brother nervously, 'What do you mean?'
Ed smiled weakly at the suit of armor that was his little brother, 'The last time you asked me that question we were trying to bring back mom and look what happened then. I'm just being honest with you this time.' He looked back at the transmutation circle before them. It was kind of a last ditch effort on his part, they had researched for years about how to get their bodies back without using a philosopher's stone but there was just no known way.
But having no hope or any kind had never stopped the Elric brothers before and it wasn't about to stop them now. The method they were going to try wasn't too far fetched in what may happen but Ed was not getting his hopes up now. He had managed to get his hands on two dead prisoner's bodies, figuring it was about the equivalent weight of their bodies. Mentally he had his doubts but he was running out of strings to draw from.
Taking a deep breath he looked over to his brother, 'Ready Al?'
The suit of armor let out a sigh and nodded hesitantly.
Ed clapped his hands and slammed them to the ground. White enveloped his vision and when he blinked he was met with the sight of Truth smiling at him.
Well hello Edward, I didn't think I'd see you again so soon!
He grit his teeth and glared, 'I'm just here to get our bodies back, that's all and I already gave you the toll!'
The white figure's smile turned evil. Now Edward do you honestly expect me to take two dead bodies for your your two living bodies? It shook it's head at him, You must still not know just who you are dealing with. I'll let your brother go for the two bodies but what do I get from you to make sure I let him go?
Ed glared harder at the figure. No matter what he did, Truth always played a game with him. He was glad he was letting Al go but, what was he to give? After thinking about it he answered, 'Alright, you can keep my arm and leg, I'll manage without them.'
A smirk came from Truth, Is that all I get Edward? I think I need a little more.
It was in that moment he realized what the being was hinting at. Ed was resolute however, he was not leaving unless he was positive Alphonse would get out unscathed. 'Fine,' he said, 'take it.'
The pure white being nodded and smiled, A pleasure doing business with you Edward Elric...
With a final glare, Ed turned and headed back to the land of the living.
~End Flashback~
Ed let out a gasp as the memory faded. Pain made itself known in his chest and it knocked his breath away. He clutched at his chest as he struggled to breathe, what the hell was going on?
"Ed!"
The blonde looked up and was met with the sight of Mustang rushing to his side. He tried to say something but all that came out was a painful cough. His hand flew to his mouth as a coughing fit overtook him. When it finally subsided he pulled his hand away to be greeted by the familiar sigh of blood covering his palm. He groaned and stumbled out of the bed towards the bathroom, feeling the next onslaught of coughs coming.
As he reached the bathroom he went straight to the toilet, violently throwing up.
"Jesus Ed," Mustang exclaimed from the doorway.
Ed looked at him wearily and went to say something again but was interrupted by another coughing fit.
His dark haired companion winced at the sound and readied a wet cloth for the coughing blonde, knowing full well he'd want to clean up as soon as he could. As his momentary thoughts ended, he realized the room had gone quiet. His dark eyes flew to the younger man but softened upon the sight of the other. Wringing out the cloth he knelt down in front of Ed and wiped his face, ridding of the blood on his lips. He also grabbed Ed's flesh hand and wiped the blood from there too. "Jeez Ed," he commented quietly, "A seizure, two coughing fits and vomiting all in one day? What next?"
Ed chuckled dryly, absently rubbing at his chest, "It's not like I ask for it Roy..." He looked up at the older man in confusion, "Wait, a seizure?"
Roy's face turned grim, "Yes, not long after we left... The good news is that you didn't hit your head on anything, you might be in a coma had that happened." He involuntarily shuddered at the thought. He stood up and went to flush the toilet of its contents when he froze.
Noting the movement, the blonde alchemist sighed, "What now Führer Bastard?"
The older man's voice was sharp, "How long have you been throwing up blood..?"
It was Ed's turn to freeze up, he suddenly found the floor very interesting, "Not too long..." Mentally he scolded himself, how could he have let Mustang of all people see it?
Roy glared hard at the younger man, "And how long is 'not too long' Fullmetal?"
Ed flinched and brought his knees to his chest, trying to become as small as possible. He couldn't answer, he would never tell just how long it had been. He was surprised when the dark haired Führer let out a long sigh and patted his head gently.
Throwing the dirtied cloth into the sink and flushing the toilet, Roy slid down the wall to sit beside Ed. He looked over at him and placed a hand on the younger's shoulder, "You know I worry about you Ed... you have to tell me these things so I can try and help you."
Edward gave a small nod in acknowledgment and briefly met eyes with the man beside him, "Sorry..."
It was so quiet that Roy almost missed it. Giving a small smile he patted the boy's shoulder to kind of brush it off.
The two sat there in silence for awhile more before Roy insisted that Edward get back into bed. As Ed tried to stand however, it became evident that Roy would have to carry him there. Without a moment's hesitation he hoisted Ed up into his arms and carried him to his bedroom. Ed, for once, gave no complaints and simply let the older man carry him; feeling too weak to fight him.
Roy gently lowered the younger man onto the bed, making sure not to jostle him in fear of starting another coughing fit. After making sure he was situated he asked, "You need anything before Alphonse and Winry get here?"
Ed's eyes narrowed, "Al and Winry are coming over?" He didn't want them here, he was well aware of how terrible he looked; they shouldn't see him like this.
Roy's eyes narrowed too, "Yes, Ed; they should be over within the hour..." He looked away then, eyes sad, "They're worried about you too..."
Guilt settled into Ed's molten gold eyes and he too looked away, ashamed of making people worry about him. Maybe if I tell him about what's going on more, he'll ease up, Ed thought. "I had a weird dream," he said suddenly.
The Flame Alchemist turned back to the man on the bed and gave him a bewildered look, "...What?"
Ed stared at the bed sheepishly, clearly embarrassed, "I had a weird dream... well it wasn't really a dream it was more like a memory but it was still weird because it just came out of nowhere and it got me thinking about when I got Al's body back and that entire day basi-" A hand over his mouth quieted him.
Roy smirked slightly, "Just tell me what you dreamed about." With that he removed his hand and sat down in a nearby chair, waiting for the other to speak.
Letting go of his pride momentarily, Ed sighed, "I dreamt about that day... two years ago when I got Al's body back."
Roy's eyebrows rose in mild surprise, "Oh?"
Knowing he could leave it at that, Ed delved deeper. He nodded and continued, "Yeah.. it was weird.. I don't even know why it came up all of a sudden. I haven't thought back to that day in awhile." Truth be told, he hadn't told anyone about what had happened in the Gate, not even Alphonse.
Leaning forward, Roy spoke, "Do I finally get to learn of what happened to you in the Gate, Edward?" The only thing he had managed to learn, on that day, was that Alphonse had been the first back and had panicked when Ed had remained unconscious for awhile longer. Ed had eventually woken up himself but Al had made mention that he appeared extremely exhausted when he did. Ed had remained tight lipped about the whole ordeal, only telling the necessary parts; much to the annoyance of.. well everyone really.
Roy shook his head clear and waited to see if Edward would open up and tell him or not.
"...There's really not much else to tell," Ed finally said quietly, "You know basically everything.. I just had a small talk with Truth, that's all." When Roy didn't speak he looked at him and sighed, "I'm not telling you about the conversation, so forget it."
Well, Roy relented, he had gotten a smidgen of information from the younger man, might as well leave it at baby steps. "Fine," he said, standing, "I'll be out in the living room, if you need me. Al and Winry should be here in about 45 minutes at least." With that he exited the bedroom.
Ed watched the doorway for awhile longer before settling into the pillows, planning on taking a nap before the others got there. I can't tell him yet, Ed told himself, not yet.
There we are! Another chapter down! R&R if you want! Thanks for reading!
~Ghosties
