Mustang had insisted that he could walk, with the help of Hawkeye or someone else. But Ed wasn't going to have any of that. Falman and Havoc both openly agreed with Ed on this matter. Especially when Mustang couldn't put any weight on his leg. Mustang was stubborn though, and managed to stumble a few steps with Hawkeye's help before he was sent down to his knee in pain.
"Come on," Ed told Mustang before kneeling in front of him. "You're not going anywhere on that leg."
"I've... got… this..," Mustang panted as he insisted, looking paler from the pain then what was considered healthy.
"You've got a bullet in your leg," Ed reminded him. "I lugged your heavy ass around yesterday just fine. So did everyone else. We don't mind."
"But-" Mustang started.
"Either hop on or you're going over my shoulder," Ed threatened.
"You… wouldn't," Mustang rasped and frowned as he tried to get to his feet with Hawkeye's help.
"Do you want to test me?" Ed started to stand back up.
"Maybe not… today," Mustang sighed as he put a hand on Ed's shoulder to keep him steady. "Remind me to… never get shot again. This is a… pain in the ass."
"Then may I suggest not skipping out on paperwork when we get back," Hawkeye mentioned quietly.
"Noted," Mustang said, his breathing hitched as Ed secured him on his back.
XXXXXXXXX
They walked for most the day, taking a break here or there, swapping around who was carrying Roy. During the time Ed had carried Roy, they had talked about pretty much anything that came to mind. Ed didn't even notice the exact point when Roy started being 'Roy' in his head instead of 'Mustang'.
"Do you know any Cretan women?" Ed asked curiously. "Any you may have pissed off?"
Or sent into a murderous rage?
"A few," Roy sighed. "Though they weren't the best company."
"Had husbands?" Ed guessed.
"More like knives," Roy corrected. "They were assassins. Sent by a client of theirs a few times in the past."
"Any of it recent?" Ed probed.
"You mean like the one you faced?" Roy countered probed.
"Yeah," Ed admitted.
"One other one from this current threat," Roy admitted. "Back when the threats started. Others came at different times in my life not long after the Ishval War. Why?"
"She called you a monster," Ed revealed. "Just wondered what her beef was. Thought you might have forgotten to call her back after the first date."
"Do you really think so poorly of me?" Roy smirked.
"Just of your dating values," Ed said quietly.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
They had been walking for hours before they stop for the night. A cave was located nearby for shelter. It was a little obvious, but Ed hadn't seen any sign of being followed yet. Even when he climbed the highest tree in the area, he still couldn't see any sign of the enemy.
Hunting was slightly more plentiful then it had been the day before. Ed had managed to get hold of a small boar. The relief of a decent meal was overwhelming. He took the time to prepare the animal away from the camp, burying the remains so it wouldn't attract predators. On his way back, he found some leaves he had been keeping any eye out for. They would be good for Roy's leg to help prevent infection. So far it was doing okay, the burn from the bullet entering the skin had sealed it against easy infection, but Ed wanted to make sure he was doing everything to avoid that. Plus it would help with the pain slightly.
Breda's frown was immediately turned around by the sight of the meat. The only thing Ed was unsure about now was cooking it. There was no longer enough light, which meant a fire would give away their location. So would uncovered alchemy. Ed sighed at this. Using alchemy would probably be the better option as it wouldn't create smoke and they could cover the light with a few jackets. Though his first mission was to create something to cook the boar on and a pot to boil the leaves.
Havoc went to fill the pot Ed transmuted with water from the river they had been following while Ed remained behind to start cutting the boar into strips of meat. When Havoc returned, Ed clapped his hands and forced the water to boil. He added the leaves for Roy's leg and left it to cool for a moment while he finished preparing the boar.
There was little discussion, leaving the cave quiet. Breda was keeping watch at the mouth of the cave, but he was often very quick to glance and check on Ed's progress. It was starting to get on Ed's nerves. When the leaves were done, Ed collected them with his right hand and tested them with his left. They were still hot to touch, but not too hot that they might burn.
"Roy," Ed looked over at the man. "I need you to remove your pants for a moment. These leaves will make for good bandages and help fight off any danger of infection."
Roy just nodded. He was tired and in a lot of pain. It was no surprise really. Being in pain was a draining experience, let alone being on the run while in pain. Hawkeye assisted Roy in lowering his pants to his knees.
"That should be sufficient," she deemed.
"Yes," Ed confirmed. "Thank you. These will be hot and when I'm done it will feel tight, but it will be okay. It might hurt a lot too, but I can't do a lot about that sorry."
Roy nodded again, closing his eyes as he prepared for what was to come. Ed removed the bandages and put the leaves on the wound. With a clap of his hands and placing his right hand on them, the leaves merged together and wrapped themselves around Roy's leg. Roy went stiff, clenched his teeth to muffle his cry of pain. Steam could be seen coming from the leaves, but due to his hand being automail, it didn't hurt him.
Hawkeye moved in straight away to comforting Roy. She gripped his hand, giving it a small squeeze. Roy gave her a small, pained smile of thanks. It was a truly touching moment, but it was making Ed feel like a third wheel and a little envious. How nice would it be to be in her position right now?
Sighing, Ed went back to the pot. He to emptied the water and refill their pot before re-boiled the water so he could start to stew the boar. He added the meat and continued to clap to keep it at boiling temperate. Havoc, Fuery and Falman used their jackets to stop the light being so easily noticed as night descended on them.
It was over two hours later before the meat was ready. Bowls were transmuted with spoons and soon they were all enjoying their first decent meal since leaving their camp.
"If possible," Falman said quietly. "We should get some vegetables to go with this. Perhaps we could be more proactive in securing them while Edward is hunting?"
Ed was glad that someone was willing to help him secure more food. Some vegetables would have really added to their broth too.
"Sounds like a plan," Havoc nods. "Plus it saves the Boss trying to do everything."
Ed nods. He was feeling tired. They all are, but he had been the one going out and expending more energy by hunting and performing all the alchemy. Hopefully in the next few days they can find their way towards a town, village or even just a house. He wasn't sure how long he could keep this up. Alchemy energy wasn't endless after all.
"That's a good point," Roy says. "The last thing we want is to burn out a member of the group by making him do everything."
Breda looks a little sheepish at that, but he covers it up by slurping up the last of his bowl. There was enough boar that everyone got a few bowls full, but it was all gone now.
"We're going to need to get some rest," Ed tells them. "Heading out at first light. I'll take the first shift."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ed had woken Roy up for the next shift. They had argued long and hard about if Roy should have a shift. In the end Roy won the argument with it meaning that everyone would get more rest. Roy had transmuted himself a crutch so he would be able to make it back to the group without having to call for help or put any weight on his bad leg.
It was not long after that, or at least it didn't seem long to Ed, that Roy had returned from his shift and curled up next to Ed. The curling of arms around him forced Ed into a wakeful moment as he prepared for an attack. It was only when Roy's hushed voice was in his ear, assuring him that everything was okay that he relaxed again.
"What are you doing?" Ed mumbled sleepily.
"Making sure you stay warm," Roy sighed tiredly. "Everyone else is all curled up together and you're left out at the end."
"Really?" Ed blinks a few times before settling. "Didn't notice."
"Well someone has to make sure you're looked after," Roy told him gently.
"Not some little kid," Ed reminded him.
"I know," Roy closes his eyes. "But I don't want something bad to happen to you."
Ed just lay there for a moment, stunned by the words. What could he say?
"Go to sleep, Ed." Roy ordered him.
"Yes, Sir." Ed smiled a little as he settled into Roy's arms.
It didn't take long before Ed was dragged back to sleep feeling much warmer than when he had gone to sleep in the first place.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It came as no surprise that Roy was insistent once again that he walk in the morning. His pride didn't take well to be knocked back down by the whole group. Especially when Falman and Hawkeye pointed out that walking might force the bullet to move and cause more damage. It led to Roy accepting his fate, but not without sulking.
"Cheer up," Ed told as he helped Roy onto his back. "It could be worse."
"I'm not useless," Roy pouted.
"We never said you were," Ed assured him. "We're just thinking of you."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ed had been pretty quiet as they walked. His mind was straying as the day went on. He was finding it hard to focus. Walking on throughout the morning with very little conversation happening with the group meant there was very little to distract Ed from his own thoughts. Images of the dead Cretan woman invaded his mind no matter how hard he tried to focus one something else, anything else.
What really made it worse though was the fact he didn't even know her name. How that would make him feel any better was beyond him, but just the idea that she would never be found and he couldn't even hint to her family that she wouldn't be coming back. If it was Al that had gone missing, Ed would probably be looking until the end of time just hoping to find some clue of where his brother was and then beat the shit out of whoever dared to hurt his brother.
Did she have any family? What led her to becoming an assassin for hire? Had one of the assassins Roy had mentioned been her family? Was this was revenge or finish the mission on her behalf? Could it be both? Two birds with one stone? Would Ed go that far for Al? He probably would. To be lost in grief, loss and anger Ed would probably do a lot of things he'd regret later. It wouldn't be the first time he'd made a mistake because of his grief. The loss of his mother hadn't been easy to accept, so he hadn't. Instead he had figured he could just reverse it and everything would be fine. It was only after the failed transmutation that Ed had started to grief. Though he didn't cry on the outside, because Al couldn't either. Roy had helped him out of his grief and got him moving forward.
"Ed?" Came a voice by his ear.
That startled Ed right out his train of thought, causing him to jump slightly. This in turn jarred Roy's leg slightly, causing him to hiss in pain and tighten his grip on Ed.
"Sorry," Ed sighed. "Lost in thought."
"Didn't seem like good ones," Roy muttered through gritted teeth.
"Should I stop?" Ed asked. "Did you need some water?"
"No," Roy replied. "Just give me a second."
Ed felt bad. He was supposed to be helping Roy and making sure he avoided as much of the pain as possible. Not purposefully hurting him.
"Stop that," Roy said suddenly.
"Stop what?" Ed frowned.
"You've got a guilty look on your face," Roy told him. "It didn't hurt that much. It's okay."
"You can't even see my face," Ed turned his head slightly to try and see Roy behind him.
"But I know you," Roy smirked. "You're predictable."
"Don't let the enemy know," Ed tried to lighten the mood.
"Your secret is safe here," Roy assured him. "But seriously, it was an accident. I'm sorry I startled you. It just looked like you were stuck in a really bad thought."
Maybe did know him. Almost too well. Or was his face still too obvious? Everyone always said he had an honest face. Especially when he was younger. The only lie that came easy and everyone seemed to believe with ease was about where his automail came from and why Al was in a suit of armour. Or perhaps the lie just hit people too close to home? His limbs lost due to an attack by members of the Ishvalan rebellion at Risembool. The incident then scaring his little brother so much that he now trained himself in a suit of armour. After feeding them that line, no one was after brave enough to question further or bring it up again. Even the military brass.
"It's nothing," Ed responded. "Just silly little thoughts."
"Silly little thoughts that look like they're going to carve a permeant frown on your forehead?" Roy asked. "You know you can talk to me right?"
"I know," Ed sighed. "Just thinking about the shit we're in. This group sent a Cretan assassin after you, they have Drachmen military forces and potentially Amestris military as well. We're going to need an industrial size fan for all the shit that's being flung our way."
"Can't disagree with you there," Roy sighed with him. "But they're going to regret it. We'll make it through this."
"How can you be so sure?" Ed raised an eyebrow.
"We've got you on our side," Roy chuckled. "Hell have no fury like a Fullmetal feeling threatened. I'm just glad there are no building for you to blow up here."
"Oh come on!" Ed complained. "I haven't done that in years."
"You damaged a building just two months ago," Roy reminded him. "When you were dealing with that string of robberies in Lisberth out West."
"That was one wall," Ed reminded him. "It wasn't even a supporting one. And I fixed it afterwards so you better not have gotten an invoice for it."
"No invoice," Roy assured him. "But the locals still like their walls as they were originally constructed."
"None of them complained about it while I was there," Ed told him.
"None of them were brave enough to ask you to remove the dragon carving," Roy told him. "Though from the picture they sent your art taste has improved slightly. It looked more oriental and less tacky. There is still room for improvement, but you're getting there."
"What would you have had me put on it?" Ed asked curiously.
"An inspiring quote perhaps," Roy mused. "Though I would have to say it is much better then what Armstrong would have done."
"Definitely," Ed agreed. "Could you image having little Armstrong head's all along the wall?"
"I would have paid the invoice myself to have it removed," Roy confessed. "But that's why I send you instead of him."
"Not to get me out of the office?" Ed asked ventured.
"Never," Roy smiled. "You're merely the best man for the job. The office is a duller place without you."
Ed felt his heart rise and warm a little at the comment.
"Thanks," he said. "I like being at the office. It's nice to hang out with your guys every once and a while. Plus it's not often I get to see you anywhere else."
"We'll have to do something about that," Roy mused.
"I'd like that," Ed felt hopeful. "I'd really like that."