Trust Within Itself: Chapter 7: Two Halves Make a Whole
Anime/Manga: Fullmetal Alchemist
Pairing: Either Parental!RoyEd or Yaoi!RoyEd, depending on how you wish to view it
Warnings: Rated PG-13 for violence and language
Beta: I have no beta, therefore this is not beta'd. Nor am I looking for a beta, so please don;t ask.
Disclaimer: I do not own FMA. If I did, I would be super rich and I wouldn't be writing this stuff for free!
REMEMBER TO READ MY COMMENTS SECTION, TOO!

This is a chapter from a multi-chapter story. Read it from the beginning .com/art/Trust-Within-Itself-Prologue-176509902

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Edward took a sip from the bottle of water he had snatched before leaving Central City. The wind was cold as it blew against his uncovered face. He had long changed back into his regular clothes, as it was too cold for anything else. Thank goodness he always wore three top layers.

He stared up at the bright white stars, twinkling high above in the sky. When was the last time he saw stars? It had to be a few years ago, when he and Alphonse had wandered around Central's outskirts. How long had it been since he and Al stopped to enjoy the stars? Was it when they lived with their mother? That long ago? Perhaps.

The boy sighed and wiped his lips with his arm as he stared up into the moon glow. According to Roy's information, Alphonse was supposedly near here. The homunculi's hideout was clearly labeled to be about 200 yards east of Central's eastern gate, north 20 yards, then east 100 more yards. Supposedly, it was supposed to be hidden within a dark cave that used to be excavated for coal and jewels alike. However, none had gone in since it was closed up due to mysterious disappearances 100 years ago. None had been brave enough to venture back in.

Edward took one last good look at the moon and decided to get going. His best bet was to invade at night, since most slept at night and since Envy had been out at night. Invading at any other time of the day would be futile. He needed to get Alphonse back, and getting ambushed by the enemy, possibly killed, would not do anything to help his brother.

The boy stood up and brushed himself off. He took one last glance into the sky and made the long trek towards the old cave. Ed had a feeling that this would be a long night.

-

The Colonel stared grimly into the glowing moon of the countryside. He never realized how much the city lights drowned out the sky's natural light at night. The team had been traveling for hours now, leaving Central far behind them in the distance. He could sense that something bad was going to happen. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. He needed to get there in time. He needed to get there before Ed did something stupid. At this rate, he was certain that the boy would be capable of blowing his head off.

"Sir? Is everything okay?" Riza looked into his eyes, worry cascading over the shining blue.

"I'm just a bit worried, that's all. It's Edward, after all," Roy offered, "But I'm fine, really." Best not to worry his best gunman.

"If you're sure," Riza paused and studied his face, "You know you can always tell me anything, right?"

"Yeah, I know," Roy sighed and scratched the back of his head.

"Just don't let your emotions get ahold of you, Taisa. Don't do anything stupid. You won't be helping Edward if you get your own self killed."

"I know, I know."

The car suddenly stopped, ducking into the woods.

"Taisa! We've arrived about 20 yards west of the location. Howver, we've spotted a figure resembling Elric about 50 yards north!" Havoc was at Roy's door now, shoving an extra pair of gloves into his pocket. "Always keep a spare. We don't know what we're dealing with."

Roy simply nodded and jumped out. "Everyone, go with Plan D. I'll be following Edward."

"Taisa, Plan D was created in the case that you are killed or badly injured!" Havoc exclaimed, worried.

"No, Plan D was created in the case that I am unable to command my team. I'm going to trail Elric, so all of you must be able to carry on without fail. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Havoc sighed.

"Remember what I said to you, Roy. Don't kill yourself," Riza stared him directly in his eye, making him shift uncomfortably. Her icy glare struck enough warning into his body. Knowing Riza, if he died, she would go find his soul and kill him once again for allowing himself to death in the first place. Yes, he'd be wary.

-

Ed was determined. Simply determined. He couldn't stop now. He just could not. All signals were telling him to stop, that this was a bad idea, that he get himself in a lot of trouble, but he couldn't stop. He could feel his brother's presence, his aura, so close, but so out of reach. He was so close... but so far. But this was for Al... His sweet darling brother, probably locked up and energy drained, all because of him. It was all his fault. What type of older brother was he? A terrible one, he thought. A terrible older brother who couldn't even keep his last promise to his father to protect his family. He had failed to protect his mother and his brother. The promise was already far beyond broken. What was the point? He was a wimp, a failure in life, a shame to his family's name. He was supposed to be one of the most skilled and powerful alchemists in history! And he couldn't even protect his family. He was a monster. That's what he was, a monster.

He wiped a lone tear off of his cheek. No time for weakness. Only the brave and the strong survived. He wasn't Winry, he didn't cry. He would not... He could... He cried.

Crying was self-pity in his book. Self-pity was not good. He had to be strong, he had to learn to live. He had to learn to live life strong with tough skin. But... shouldn't he already be tough? The life he had had. The memories embedded into his mind. Those couldn't be forgotten, no, they could only be relived over and over again in his nightmares. Shouldn't all those bad things already made him tough? Shouldn't he be immune to emotion? Or does it make him more vulnerable to the grasp of his emotions?

He let his face fall into his palms. Slowly, quietly, he double over, falling to his knees. Why? Why did this happen? Why was he so cursed? Why couldn't he be able to live life like a normal child. Like a normal teenager. Why couldn't he have a father in his life to play catch with? A mother to tuck him in at night and read him stories when he was young? A brother who he could tease and fight over toys with? Why was he chosen to be given a life of hurt and no comfort? Why couldn't he go out every night on a date? Go to a normal school? Have a group of friends? Why was he not allowed to be a normal person? Why did he have to learn alchemy in order to survive, sacrificing his childhood for the good of his family? Why? Why? Why?

"Edward." His deep baritone was monotonous. There was no comfort in it, no anger, no worry. No emotion whatsoever. The boy sat up and turned around in a mixture of surprise and worry.

He sprang, up bursting into tears. He ran to him, hugging him tight. Startled at first, Roy embraced him and stroked his head.

"Shhhhh. It's alright. Shhhhh. I'm here now... I'm here," Roy whispered into his ear. As the boy sobbed into his chest, he rubbed his back gently while massaging the stress knots out of his neck. Roy rested his face in Edward's hair. He smelled different now, rugged, musky, sweaty; he smelled of hurt and neglect. His poor baby... With all the guilt eating away at his soul, he mustered up as much sorriness as he could and placed a light kiss on the top of Edward's head.

"Roy," Ed sniffled, "Don't leave me ever again!" The older man chuckled and ruffled up the blond's hair.

"Oh, I beg to differ, my love. If I do recount correctly, you're the one who left me! But it was my fault, really. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so inconsiderate. I didn't mean it that way, you know. I really didn't. I just love seeing your smiling face everyday. I want you to be with me at all times. You're my everything. My world, my life, my reason to live. Those last twenty-something hours without you, my sunshine, were dark and lonely. Sad and hurting. Now that you have entered my life, I can't take you out. I need you, Ed, I need you. And by the looks of it, you need me, too."

The shorty smirked a little and placed his hands on his hips, cocking his head to the side. He nodded slowly then hugged the elder man again.

"Hehe, you're right. It's true. I do need you. Obviously. And the answer is yes."

Roy furrowed his brow and looked at him quizzically, "Answer to what?"

"Yes, I'll be your state alchemist. I'm not too sure about Al, but I will, yeah. It's true, I miss you, ya know? You've been gone from sunrise to one in the morning. I never get to see you any more! So yes, yes, yes! I'll be your state alchemist!"

"Hehe, I love you, Ed," Roy drew his handkerchief and dabbed his eyes dry, "But for now, let's go on a rescue mission!"

Ed smiled and the two walked side by side towards the cave.

To be continued...