Thanks to all who reviewed my last chapter! I enjoy writing Ed getting hurt somehow…morbid but true… Well, now I give you the long-awaited (?) chapter 12! I apologize, it's going to be pretty short…but I'll make it short and sweet. Because everybody loves sweetness, or at least almost everyone. Ha. Well, I also have some bad news, too. I won't be able to write a long FMA fic for a while. Sorry! I have a great idea for a new AU Zelda fic, which the AU thing is becoming pretty popular there. Oh, but don't think it doesn't mean that means I won't write FMA oneshots during the next month or so. In fact, I'll take requests from anyone, because I'll run out of juice if nobody gives me a prompt! Yep. Wow, this note is like really long! Maybe I should shut up and get on to the story then…hmmm…yeah, okay, let's go with that! Enjoy!
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Roy knew he had to trust his instincts, but this one got him in a lot of trouble.
He knew by the way the stubborn kid was sitting on the hospital bed, his arms crossed, and his golden eyes staring pointedly downward at the clean white floor tiles. Roy sighed and pulled a chair up next to the bed.
"Listen, Ed, I understand how you must be feeling…" he began awkwardly.
"Bastard. You treat me like a child," Ed hissed. "You think you could've told me all these things, but no. You're afraid I'll have nightmares." He lowered his head. Sure, he seemed angry, but he also seemed a little stressed out and sad, too.
When Al had stopped by, doctors and nurses discovered that Ed had recovered most of his memory from just that one sentence. It was becoming more and more advised that Roy or someone responsible for Ed should have told him that live human sacrifices were used, instead of a vicious homunculous that was trying to kill his brother.
Apparently just a few words could trigger Ed's whole memory of journeying around, looking for a lead on the Philosopher's Stone. Of course, there had been plenty of pain in it, for something as small as partings with individuals, or big as finding the city of Liore, which Ed thought he had left in peace, in a total uproar, people dying constantly from the new civil war that he had apparently caused.
"Well, no, Ed, it's not just the nightmares," said Roy, feeling guiltier by the second. "It's just…"
"No, I think it was my reaction that stopped you! You were afraid one of your dogs would be too unstable to fight. You just kept me alive for your sake," said Ed furiously, practically foaming at the mouth at the very thought.
Roy was horrified that Ed could think such things. "Edward…" he began, trying as best as he could to explain to the impossible child in front of him.
"No, thank you, Mustang. I don't need an in-depth explanation. I think this one had fit just enough," said Ed, and he seemed rather dejected now, almost as if he had failed Roy somehow. He lowered his head so his long, blonde bangs could cover his expansive eyes.
"Now wait just a second, Edward!" Roy started, beginning to get a little frustrated himself. "For your information, Ed, why do you think I sent you out in the first place?!"
Ed froze, as if Roy had gotten a lead. "Right," said Roy. "So you could get a lead to get your bodies back. Not for any of my benefit. And we sent a search party out, making sure you were okay even though you weren't on duty. And, we moved into the dorms near the Central Library, just so you could regain your memories slowly. As you might have figured out, having a vicious homunculous come and force the memories back in wasn't really our original plan!" he snapped to finish.
Ed sighed, his eyes even more depressed now. Roy sighed again, thinking he might have gone overboard. He placed a hand on the golden head and ruffled the hair gently.
"Look, Ed, all I'm trying to say is that we care about you," said Roy in a softer tone. "We just wanted what was best for you. So don't freak out on us, okay?" He got up and began to leave, but a super-quick hand grabbed his arm all the sudden. Roy turned, confused. "Ed?" he asked.
Before he could say anything else, Ed leapt from the bed and practically jumped on Roy, making stumble a few steps backward. Ed's shoulders began shaking, and Roy was surprised. What was going on?
"Edward," he murmured, stroking the blonde ponytail.
"I'm sorry, okay!" Ed said loudly, before burying his face in Roy's shoulder. "I'm sorry! I didn't want it to come out this way…"
Roy relaxed and put his arms around the boy, pulling him even closer. "No, Ed, that was a little harsh. Just don't get yourself hurt again," he said kindly.
Ed nodded, finally letting his tears break free. Roy gently placed an arm under the boy's knees, and lifted him lifted him on to the bed, letting him sleep peacefully for the first time in a long time.
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Oh, that was a really crappy way to end a story, but that was about the only thing I could do to make it not seem rushed. I hope you enjoyed! Thank you for reading this fic and reviewing! Remember, if you ever get bored, just leave a request for me and I'll try and write it in my spare time!
