Roy/Ed 45 Themes (Parental Version)

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State Alchemist

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An amazing spring day was fast ending in Central, and everywhere you looked you could find people out and about trying to capture those last few minutes. People wanting to seize every last breeze that blew against their warm skin.

Kids played in the park sand boxes, woman weeded their flower gardens, and men chatted with each other about the wonderful weather they were having.

Everyone was happy and content. Everyone was acting so carefree as if the world was one big ball of peace, and that nothing bad roamed its surface. Almost everyone that is.

There was one person who was not happy and definitely not content. One person who knew of all the bad things lurking about and was not about to forget it. That person was angry, troubled, and even though he would not admit it, he felt desolate.

That person was Edward Elric. The one and only Fullmetal Alchemist.

After everyone in the office had begun filing out for the day, Ed had made his way to the rooftop where he now stood watching those who were happy and content.

Several things ran through Ed's mind. One thing though stood out first and foremost.

His brother Al.

Al had left that very morning, restored, whole and enormously happy. Why wasn't Ed with him? Why hadn't he boarded that train with his brother? Why didn't he return home?

The arrival of someone else on the rooftop went unnoticed as these thoughts cluttered Ed's mind.

"Edward," a voice questioned from behind startling him.

"Roy," Ed said as he spun around to face the Alchemist. "I thought you had left?"

"I did," Roy answered. "But I saw you standing up here, and decided to check and make sure you weren't doing something stupid."

"I am not stupid," Ed protested.

"I never said you were. I only meant that I wanted to make sure that you didn't fall over the edge or something equally as stupid."

Ed merely huffed at Roy's explanation. He turned his attention back to the people down below. Watching and sinking deeper into an emotional spiral.

"Ed," Roy asked again, as he came to stand beside the teen. "Why are you up here?"

Ed stood silent for several minutes before finally turning to Roy. Instead of answering his questioned, Ed posed one of his own. "Why?"

"Why what," Roy asked with confusion.

"Why am I still here?" As Ed asked he looked to Roy with eyes shining. Roy could see the unshed tears fighting not to spill out of golden eyes.

The question hung thick in the air. It wavered in front of Roy demanding to be answered honestly and truthfully.

"Why do you think you are still here," Roy finally answered. "What kept you from getting on that train with your brother? Why do you feel like you have to be right here?"

Ed stood silent for a moment letting all of Roy's questions engulf him. He let the words sink deep in his heart as he searched hard for their answers.

Roy could see Ed struggling and knew that this was what he needed. Knew that he needed to face this head on in order to continue.

Roy could see the exact moment it all came crashing down.

"AHH," Ed yelled, as the tears finally escaped and fell unchecked. "It's everything! It's you! It's them! It's just everything!"

Roy pulled Ed into a strong hug as the tears turned into sobs. Ed wrapped his arms around Roy and held tight.

"It's because I am a State Alchemist," Ed cried into Roy's chest.

Ed cried for several more minutes before managing to collect himself some. Pulling away from Roy he looked into the older man's eyes.

"This is my home now," Ed began. "Not this place, but being a State Alchemist. It who I am. Not because I want to be. I don't need to be a State Alchemist anymore. I just am."

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