I'm Here Now

A/N: I know there's got to be a bazillion of these kinds of fics where one of them is plagued by nightmares and the other is instantly there to comfort them. Just bear with me, okay? Please? And forgive me if it's not very good; I was pretty tired when I wrote this.

Disclaimer: (#$+ #)#) $!# $ $# (I hope you're happy; all these disclaimers make me angry. But not as angry as parents who challenge dictionaries.)

------

They were staring at him. Mocking him. You'll never amount to anything, they said. You're a good-for-nothing child who thinks he's better than everyone else.

Edward stared helplessly at the homunculi before him. No. I'm not a good-for-nothing. I'm a good person, I am, I am. I'm only trying to look out for Al and me.

You're selfish, Edward, sneered the one called Envy. We gave you the chance to make a Stone, you remember that? We handed you everything you needed on a golden platter and you spat in our faces.

No! I just… I was only trying to do what I thought was best for me. It didn't feel right, using those prisoners just for my sake.

It wasn't just for your sake, Lust drawled. It was for the sake of your brother as well… or did you forget about him?

Edward couldn't stop the tears as they flowed. They burned paths down his cheek that felt all too real, even in this hellish nightmare he was trapped in. No. I'd never forget about Al. I just thought that--

That what? Envy asked. That everything would go as you wanted it to? The world isn't like that. Life's a bitch. Get used to it.

Edward. The voice of his mother cut through the homunculi's taunts. My son, my darling boy… why couldn't you fix me? Did you not love me enough? Why did you abandon me?

No! Mom! Mom, of course I loved you! I still do! The Gate--

That's no excuse, Edward. Hohenheim of Light's voice joined with Trisha's. You and I both know that the Gate can be conquered.

Edward sank to his knees, clutching his head in his hands miserably. Shut up. Shut up! Go away!

Brother? Al's voice was uncharacteristically harsh and angry. We've been searching for years and we still haven't any closer to finding a way to restore ourselves. You're not trying hard enough.

Do you know why I left you, Edward? his father asked. You weren't good enough. You weren't the perfect son.

Edward. Edward's breath hitched in his throat when he heard this voice. He lifted his head enough to see the one person outside his family that he had ever loved, and would keep on loving until the day he died.

Roy.

Do you know why Nina died, Ed? he asked, cold as ice that no fire could melt. You weren't doing enough for her. You were lazy and careless.

No. No! That's not true! I tried, I promise I tried… But Edward knew that no matter what he said, the truth was still the same. It was still there.

He failed.

Roy became dimly aware of a slight shaking coming from behind him. Still half-asleep, he rolled over to find Edward curled up into a tight ball, shaking feverishly. He could see his lips fluttering, saying over and over, "No, no, I tried, I did…"

Flame's eyes shot open as he reached over his golden lover and pulled him close. "Sh, Edward, you're okay. It's all okay. It's only a dream. Just a dream."

Edward's eyes opened and his body relaxed enough to allow him to cling to Roy. "No. No, it's not okay," he said, his voice still thick with tears unshed. He still shook. "I failed."

"Edward, listen to me," Roy said gently, running his fingers through Ed's aureate locks. "You're doing just fine. Nobody blames you for anything. It was only a dream." He knew that his words could do nothing to calm Edward down. Roy himself had experienced many a dream like this. He knew full well that nothing anyone could say would have any effect on him. In the end it was always him that had to say it was only a dream to make it just that.

The Fullmetal's breathing rate slowed slightly as he listened to the deep, soothing voice that was Roy's. His heart didn't beat quite so painfully now. "I-it was only a dream… just a dream…" he repeated, still not quite believing it. He could still hear their voices as clear as they would be if they were standing next to him.

Roy wrapped his arms around Ed and drew him closer, resting his chin on the younger one's head. "You're all right now, Edward," he murmured, "because I'm here now."