Once Again We Repeat
Authors Note: Chapter 10 is now available.
Last chapter we saw Roy's and Ed's relationship developing, the lines they have in place. Somewhere between trusting and being unsure of each other. It seems they just use each other for pleasure at times. This chapter isn't the final of this sub-plot, there'll probably be at least one more. Maybe. Then it's time for peace, and relaxation for a couple chapters. (humor hopefully and love) I.e. character development.
I'm actually going to finish this – and write another alternate ending to the anime – it'll be the parental! Royxed one though. It's a much better idea, now that I've watched it, the anime seems a more parental! Than the manga does.
Chapter 10: Blood
The Life's Blood
In the Last Chapter….
Weston growled out his call again, asking for Edward to come to him, asking him to defeat him in the name of the Gods. In the name of the Gate. As he and Weston fainted, as his alchemy bubbled and fizzed, as it's currents swamped him, he couldn't think of anything but Weston, about the desire to find the truth. As one of his spikes caught Weston, he felt Weston punch something into his wounded side, punctured him, caused him to muffle a scream. In retaliation he impaled Weston with the spike that had missed him not minutes before; and as Weston's blood dried on his face, his hair, his body, he cried. He cried for the deaths he had caused, he cried for the release he needed, he cried for every sin he had ever committed.
End Last Chapter
No one had seen Weston impale Edward, no one knew how badly injured Edward was. He didn't say anything either. He didn't say anything but "why" when Roy cradled him in his arms, gently rocking, attempting to soothe. And when Ed was finally drifting into peace, Roy felt the blood on his hands. A gruesome, sticky crimson color it was. It scared him. When he looked at Edward's side, he realized how much blood had been lost. There was the gaping hole in his lovers side. The hole that was leaking the life's blood from the man he loved.
Roy jerked up to his feet sharply calling for the medics. Fear strained his face, made him wary, and overly truthful. He hovered, waiting for what the medics would say, waiting for what was to come. Both Lieutenant Hawkeye and Annan stood with him, as Hughes attempted to contact Central with the news that Weston was dead by the Fullmetal alchemists hand; but said alchemist was severely injured.
The doctor walked out of the medical tent wiping bloodied hands on a rag. His look was grim. "General Mustang?"
"How is he?" Mustang asked.
"Not good." The doctor sighed. "He's still unconscious. He probably won't wake up, and it's better if he doesn't. He's in a lot of pain right now. If he does wake up, he'll have days at most to live. He won't live past a month. That would is too severe to stitch, too deep, it passes through too many vital points. If he wakes up, it's possible he'll cough blood."
Mustang had paled considerably and stood shaking.
Hawkeye asked, "He has no chance then?"
"No; unless he becomes a medical miracle, or something happens or we were wrong…" the doctor slowly trailed off.
"You're giving up on him?" Annan snapped.
"There's nothing we can do lieutenant colonel, nothing at all. I'm sorry." The doctor walked away to his next patient.
Mustang and the two women entered the tent to see a nurse hovering over Ed, checking bandages and his forehead for a fever.
"You can stay with him if you want," the nurse told them. "He most likely won't wake up, but if he does, call me. He's got a nasty fever but the wound is clean."
"It sounds like you have hope for him." Roy said dejectedly.
"Of course. Isn't it a nurse and a doctor's job to nurse those injured or ill back to health?" Not even waiting for their nods she continued, "I intend to do that until the moment his last breath leaves his body, be it tomorrow or fifty-years from now."
She pulled the covers up around Ed's body firmly and smiled. "I think if his wound can heal, he'll survive. He seems strong."
"He's one of the strongest people I know," Hawkeye agreed. "He won't give up."
"Damn right," the words were slurred and raspy, but clear as day. "I feel like hell. What happened?" Ed looked groggy and slightly annoyed.
"Edward," Roy's sigh of relief alerted him to the fact that something was wrong.
"What's wrong, I'm not hurt…"
The nurse looked at him sympathetically. "You are, you can't feel it due to the drugs we gave you. I'm surprised you're even up at all."
Ed buried his face into the pillow and sighed as Mustang asked, "What sin was Weston talking about?"
"It's a long story, so Hughes might want to be here, as I don't relish telling it twice." As Hughes came in, he added, "And don't speak of it to Alphonse, please."
When everyone was gathered around his bed, he began, "It was probably half a year – perhaps more – before we completed our mission. In a small town just north of East City is where I met Del Weston, Weston's younger brother, older than me by four years.
Incidentally, I was fifteen at the time, and naïve, as I think I've said more than once. He wasn't in the state military, no, nor was he a State Alchemist like his brother. He was visiting this town when he met me. He didn't know who I was; I'd like to think we hit it off right away. In the few days I was there I got to know him fairly well; I never told him anything of my quest, and we talked of alchemy. He mentioned having and older brother, I shrugged it off until he mentioned he was a State Alchemist. I wasn't intrigued or interested, so he dropped the subject.
However, when I left I assumed I wouldn't see him again. I wasn't out to make friends, I was on a quest. Not even a month later, I bumped into him again in a market where we were buying food. He was genuinely surprised to see me, and greeted me like an old friend. I remember getting mad and telling him 'I don't need friends!' and I think Al had to drag me away so I didn't cause any damage. It was embarrassing to say the least. When I saw him later that day, I apologized profusely for my behavior, that I was just worried that he could get killed if he hung out around me.
Del claimed he lived for adventure, and that he could use weapons. No kidding he could. He was really good. Every moment we spent with him Al and I enjoyed. I think he did too, we had the best conversations.
Then, two months before I turned sixteen, he confessed love to me, and tried to have me. I punched him. It was very effective. He backed off and questioned why I lead him on. I was confused, I didn't understand what he meant, and when I asked, he grew annoyed.
He thought I was a paid whore. It probably had to do with the fact that I had been talking with the hostess of one of the houses, I swear, I was just gathering information. I'm surprised that he didn't guess I was a state alchemist, but when I showed him my watch, he backed off even more.
This time it was him who was apologizing to me. I accepted it and told him that I didn't think I could return his feelings at the moment, that I was still underage. When I mentioned I was fifteen, he freaked. He thought I needed a body guard, someone to protect me, to keep me safe.
I showed him my automail and it didn't faze him a little bit, he said it looked good on me, and that I shouldn't worry about little things like that.
The ultimatum I set up was that I pay him, and if he died I wasn't responsible. He agreed way too quickly. I took him in like the stray cats all put inside his armor.
Nothing is as bad as seeing someone you could have protected die in front of you. It was horrifying and it shocked me to no end. I was just past sixteen I think, I had reported in to you, and left again. He greeted me as normal and we began our travels again.
It was hard traveling, we were pressed for time. I had caught a lead on the stone and was following it dedicatedly. I didn't think it was a trap.
If I had known…if I had…I don't think I would have gone. I really don't like getting into danger or skirmishes, you know. I did what I had to do to get to where I wanted to be.
I try to convince myself today that it was that then. It wasn't though. I didn't kill him by my hand, but I let him die. I let him sink into the arms of death. And I left him there, with no help as Al and I ran.
You're probably wondering what happened. How he died and such? Right, Mustang? Well, I can tell you that easily enough. In some obscure town there was a warehouse, his hometown apparently. He knew it like the back of his hand, in other words, he knew it intimately.
I let him lead us to the warehouse where the rumors were originating about. We walked in. It was quiet…too quiet almost. But I was excited. There was a red glow shining. 'This was it!' that's what I was thinking. I can remember the bleak gray walls, the large echo of our footsteps, Al's clanging armor, our breaths as we struggled to keep quiet.
The moment we had walked into that town, the trap had been laid, we would not be escaping it whole.
Del tried turning on the light, but it didn't work, so he lit his lighter so we could see. From beneath the door in the back, the red glow seeped out, enticing us to the back rooms, to see if it was true.
We walked in, and nothing happened. But it was a maze, and the light was just rubies refracting in the lighted candles.
No hope…no hope whatsoever. We walked into that maze. The three of us stuck closely together, however Del and I went one way and Al went another.
I thought we were drawing closer when the light grew. But when we got there, there was nothing. It was heartbreaking. So we went to leave. I don't think I would have been able to stop him. Envy appeared from behind us, dressed as Al. I didn't think of anything else. He followed behind me for a little bit, not saying anything. Why, I don't know. But when he spoke, I knew something was wrong. He always calls me brother except when he's annoyed. He called me 'Ed' when he was scared. I didn't mention that though, for fear of giving away our advantage. I just hoped we wouldn't run into the new Al.
Somehow, we managed to get lost in the maze, the fake Al constantly behind us. I didn't know how to get out of this one, so I said to Del, 'You know, my brother loves taking off his armor sometimes. He looks almost like me. Long blond hair, brown eyes, wide shoulders, taller than me by a half a foot…' The fake Al reacted, he pretended to shed his armor and turn into the 'real human Al'. But you know what, that's how I knew he was a fake. Al didn't have his body back, but Envy didn't. He was too intent on getting us. For whatever he wanted…remember, this was just after Liore, so, we don't know much about the Homunculi yet either. But I knew enough to know that this was Envy, and he had to die. So, I turned around and punched my automail blade through him. This didn't kill him…of course it didn't. He threw me backwards and was about to slit my throat when Del got in the way.
He tried to fight him, he really did. He tried to stop the death that would surely come to me if he left me alone. He was strong, but not strong enough to defeat Envy. Envy killed him so quickly that it must have been painless. He went after me, but I ran until I found the real Al.
Al asked me where Del was; I told him Del decided to leave, to go his own way. Al was sad, he liked Del, but accepted that Del was scared of the dangers we faced. Nothing more was said on that subject."
Edward bowed his head, there were no tears, "He loved me, but I didn't love him, so this next part makes no sense to me, why would he even bother? I was practically worthless. But by doing it, we were able to achieve my goals."
Annan interrupted. "But didn't he die?"
"He did," Edward agreed. "But alchemy is still not understood, and that's perhaps why even I still can't quite grasp the concepts of the Gate…of equivalent exchange."
"So, what happened?" Hawkeye asked.
"Well, skip months and stuff. But, at Dante's mansion, Envy and I fought.
Al was in the transmutation circle, being the philosopher's stone. Envy showed me that he was really my older brother, and then stabbed his transmuted arm through me – the same spot this wound is. Maybe I kept it, I don't know. I ended up at the gate, and Envy, Wrath and Al were there. I remember that. Wrath sacrificed himself and Envy for Al, and it tossed Al out the gate. However, there was nothing left for me.
I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to return here. I went to step towards the gate, and Del was there. He told me that 'love is something that can't be ended. Or forgotten. Go back to Amestris, Edward, and live. I'm giving my soul, my body, to the Gate for you. Don't forget.' And the next thing I know is I'm back in Dante's mansion, Al's alright and so is Rose." He sighed. "I think Weston was there – with me, I mean. In the mansion because there's no other way for him to have known about that unless Dante or Gluttony lived."
Ed's breath caught. "That's not possible! Is it? Is that what my father meant?"
Edward jerked up, and felt a tearing pain before he (once again) fainted.
His friends and lover hovered around him, worrying that he had once again done damage to himself.
"He said his wound is in the same place Envy left his wound…is he dying again?" Hawkeye asked.
"Don't you dare say that!" Mustang yelled. "He's strong, he should make it."
But contrary to what he was saying, blood was seeping through the bandages at a quick rate. Too much to be good.
"I think it's time to call Alphonse," Hughes remarked and Mustang turned to face him.
"Don't go in specifics. Tell him it's urgent though. Tell him we're bringing Edward to Risembool."
Hawkeye left the room to call Al, and Hughes followed. Annan stood still for a moment before speaking. "Sir, are you going to return to the frontlines?"
"No. Tell Shaw to get his ass out there and command the men. Tell him to bring Hunt as well. We'll be leaving for Risembool tonight. You're coming with us." Annan saluted and found Shaw and Hunt.
"They're returning?" Shaw asked.
"Yes, sir. Colonel Elric is seriously injured and needs medical help."
"Who'll be the command?" Hunt looked Annan up and down with disgust.
"Shaw will be heading to the frontlines with you, you're to command the men in his absence."
Hunt glared and stalked away, Shaw following and trying to placate him.
When Annan returned, Al knew Ed was on his way with the escorts.
The train ride was mercifully short, and when they got to Risembool, they hurried to the Elric's reformed home.
Annan thumped on the door. It was opened by Hohenheim who stared at the men blocking his view from Mustang and Edward.
"Please let us in, sir," Hawkeye asked. "Edward's injured."
Hohenheim stepped back as they entered. Al and Winry stood in a back room expecting to hear Edward swearing, but there was nothing. As Mustang laid Ed down on the bed, Al had to stop the scream that was dying to come out.
Edward was in horrible shape, he didn't even look alive anymore. Al frowned. "How'd this happen?"
"Weston did it," Annan informed him.
"Is he…dead?"
"Ed killed him," Hughes added.
Al smoothed Edward's hair back from his forehead. "My brother's always been strong, but this…" Al shook his head. "This is strange." His hand found the other bandage around his side. "What did Weston do?"
"It's not worth it. He won."
Mustang drew Hohenheim aside and into another room.
"Edward isn't exactly happy with you still. However, he asked us not to tell Alphonse something. However, if you tell Alphonse, it's not 'us' telling him. It's a bad trick, but Alphonse needs to know."
Hohenheim nodded and looked at Mustang as he related Edward's story.
"So. What did Ed mean when he said 'Is that what my father meant?' Tell me Hohenheim, what are you hiding?"
Hohenheim smiled sadly. "Dante didn't die, nor did Gluttony. I'm afraid that she will eventually try to use Amestris as a way to create another Philosopher's stone."
"If that happens take my sons and leave from Xing. Don't come back until its safe. My sons are – very – important to the future."
Roy's eyes narrowed slightly. "What's that mean? The future?"
Van Hohenheim sighed, his body drooping. "I've got no will to live much longer. However, the genes of my sons are important. It's the reason I'm so against your relationship – I could care less if you're good friends, but lovers will never create a child."
Mustang's eyebrow rose. "Children?" he asked.
Hohenheim nodded. "Yes. Children. I can't tell you why – but I can tell you that Alphonse's gene's are not nearly as good as Edward's."
The hiss that left Roy's mouth was the only warning before Roy punched him.
Wryly Hohenheim told him that he deserved that. "Perhaps science or alchemy will one day be able to create." He shrugged and wandered away. "But, none of what we want is possible if Edward dies, and it seems he's very close to doing so."
Alphonse sat by his brother's bed as he had always done before. Worry lines creased his brow, fear clouding his normally gentle features. His hand rested gently over his brother's wound; perhaps hoping alchemy might save him. His other hand clasped his brother's. Al sat like that for five days, and so he startled when his brother drew in a shaky breath and opened his eyes.
"Al?" he groggily asked his brother. "What are you doing here?"
Alphonse handed him a glass of water that he gulped down. "We're in Risembool brother, Mustang brought you here. He was really worried."
Ed nodded and tried to sit up, but found that it jostled his body. He began to cough and not only spit, but blood came up.
Alphonse was anxiously calling for help, as he tried to lay his brother back down. "Brother! Don't get up! You're injured!"
Hughes came into the room and looked at Ed. "You did a number on yourself there. Feeling better."
"No. What do you think?"
"You've been asleep five days, Edward," Hawkeye informed him from the doorway.
"Five days? What's going on with the war?"
"Nothing's really changed. But if it does, we'll find out," Annan told him.
"Ah." Edward glared up at the ceiling. "Where's Roy?"
"Right here." Roy looked down into Edward's open eyes.
Yawning, Edward smiled. "Mhmm. Well, I'm a bit tired, really tired actually and sore. I don't feel so well. I'm going to take a nap." He turned over before mumbling, "love ya Al, Roy," and falling asleep, his golden eyes closing.
More days began to pass, and it was November when things finally began to come to a close. Edward still hadn't woken up for almost two months. The doctors who came and went didn't know what to say. The wounds weren't healing, and he wasn't waking. He might never. There wasn't much left to do, and the military knew that.
Mustang had returned to the frontlines and was pushing Aeruga back further and further. Havoc and Breda were also having luck. And Drachma had relented to the peace treaty set up, so Falman had returned to Central. Hughes traveled from the frontlines to Risembool and back over the weeks.
Hohenheim also came and went, often helping at the frontlines. Al had figured he could put part of his soul into inanimate objects and move them. Except it took a lot of energy and didn't last long. Alphonse also worried over Winry and their to-be child, fawning and delighting in spoiling his girlfriend.
Despite their minimal happiness, Edward was always in the back of their minds, creeping up on them when they least expected it. It was approaching mid-November when the news came.
Another cliffy for you guys. There'll be one more chapter of this plot, and if you can't tell, a bigger one is brewing. Edward's still in trouble as well. Let's see what happens.