We are approaching the end of this story. Next chapters will come more slowly though, I have classes to teach and papers to deliver.
A very big "Thank you" to everyone who gave this story a chance.
I dont own Fullmetal Alchemist...
Understanding.
A week and a few days passed before we decided to get down from the mountain; it wasn't only the beauty of the place that kept us there, it was also the peace of the shelter (for some reason there was only one group of three people besides us) and the fresh air that prove to be really good for Edwards health. The "getting down" from the mountain walking was much more easy for the two of us and at the end of the trail a mix felling strike me, I was going to miss that place more that I would like to confess.
We remained in the district for a couple more weeks enjoying the many forests it had for walking and the city in general, the people were genuinely kind and welcoming, it was a pleasure to go out every day to find a new place where you could just be, for hours, and not feel the weight of time and responsibility over your shoulders. One day, however, made the difference in my mind.
We went to the Lilith park, it was a little far away from the centre of the city but it was worth the train ride, Edward was particularly excited to go because that day the authorities of the place had organized a book fair (or something like that, to be complete honest I'm not a hundred percent sure); I walked by his side for a few minutes and then I sat on a bench, nothing out of the ordinary.
-How much time does he have? – By my side there was a young woman, in her mid twenties if I were to guess, she wasn't looking at me but to the people walking around, like she didn't want to be notice.
-I'm sorry…?
-Your blonde… friend, How much time does he have left? – The hold situation was very strange, it still is now that I remember, my own intuition told me that these women knew too much for a regular civilian, after all I've trained for most of my life to see shifty attitudes in everybody.
-I don't know what type of information you are managing but it's non of your concern… - She just laugh, which did nothing but irritate me even further.
-Don't be so paranoic, look…- And she pointed to a younger girl walking in the fair – That's my little sister, that's the reason "why" I'm here, we lost our mother to cancer last year, liver and stomach, and your friend over there looks just like her in the better days that she had, before she knew, so I'm asking you… How much time does he have left? – Well… sometimes my intuition is terrible… just sometimes, never the less I still didn't trust her.
-Well… I'm not exactly sure…
-How come?
-I know what type of cancer he has but he has not been treated just yet… He decided to go in a little adventure before starting the hold thing and… I'm coming along – This time she remained silent, smiling in a very endearing manner.
-That's very good, it's just what my mother would have done… - Her eyes now were focus on Edward – A word of advice… Try to enjoy your time with him right now, because after the therapy set's in nothing is ever the same… And don't leave anything unsaid, the regret will kill you if you do; there are some many things I wish I told to my mother, some very simple others more profound, but now… now I can only talk to a very cold tomb stone – And then at me – He looks like a nice man, I hope everything turns out right, but in case it doesn't… I wish you strength because the toughest road ahead is the life after the flat line – Then she gave me a very sad smile, stud up and walk towards her sister. I looked at Ed, peacefully walking across the many stands, holding a couple of books on his arms and for a minute a knot form in the bottom of my stomach, is horrid to realise that because of your many fears you've been losing very time.
The rest of the afternoon Edward talk and talk about the books that he found, how inexpensive they were, how rare it was to find them here, and like that he went on and on while I pretended to listen carefully when I was actually thinking on how to face the one question on my mind. This is very odd to admit, considering what happened after, but I was really nerves about it.
-You are very silent… Is there something bothering you? – We were entering the almost empty train station when Edward face me.
-Yes… You could say that… To be honest there is something I would like to ask you.
-Please, go ahead.
-I want you to answer truthfully, no matter what, OK?
-I always do that Mustang but, OK… - Breath Roy, keep it together, you got this.
-I think is quite obvious by now that I have some feelings for you and, well, I was wondering if you shared… them… for me… - And then he just stared, no expression, only silence.
-You are not joking, right? – Nope – Yes, of course I do you blind bastard, I never expected you to be this naive… But yes, the truthful answer is yes – This reply is the definition of mixed feelings, but I was prepared for it, I mean... this is Edward Elric we are talking about.
-Perfect, so all of this, the travelling I mean, has a—
-An alternative motive? Yes it does, but I can't tell you about it no-... – I had to cut his words before he finished; the train announced itself far away but the time didn't move a second. I had him between my arms, his lips against mine, his hands on my hair and a world around to which we paid no fucking mind.
