Chapter 25

"I brought you breakfast," Alphonse said waking the eldest brother. "I know I've been a bad brother about your problem and French toast won't forgive that, but hopefully I can change."

Ed groaned a little bit and looked at the tray of food that was brought. A part of him was touched that Al had done this for him, but the voice was always there.

He didn't let you go on your mission. Don't eat. You don't need food.

"I'm not really hungry, Al; but thanks," Ed said. "It's really a nice gesture."

"You're not hungry?" the armor asked. "Do you have a fever?" Out of habit, the younger brother placed a cool hand on the blonde's forehead, though received no indication of whether or not he had a fever.

"No, I don't have a fever, Al," Ed said. "I'm just not hungry. I'm gonna head to the library to do some research."

"I'll come with you, brother," Alphonse said. Edward wanted to tell him to stay, but allowed the boy to come along.

Together the pair walked to the library where they began to do research about the Philosophers stone. Ed continually drifted off, wishing he was on that mission right now.

"Are you hungry, brother?" Al asked when the clock chimed noon. Edward shrugged. He was starving after not eating breakfast, but didn't allow his brother to see that.

"We can go get lunch if you want," Alphonse said.

Ed shook his head. "I just want to research. Besides, I'm not really hungry."

"Whatever you say, brother."

Edward felt his hunger eating away at him.

"Alphonse called me," Mustang said in the library to the younger blonde. The armored boy had left hours ago, and Edward assumed that was when he had called the colonel.

"Oh yeah?" Ed asked. "What did he say?"

"He told me you hadn't eaten all day, and asked me to talk to you about it," the colonel said. "Is this about Hughes?" Silence. "Is it an act of defiance against me because of you not going on that mission?" A glance. A glance! This is what it was. "Why?" Mustang asked.

"Because you and everyone else around here seem to think you can control me! I want to control something, and I found what I can," Ed explained.

"You and I are going to eat something. If you don't eat, you will suffer the consequences," the colonel said. He practically dragged the blonde alchemist out of the library and took him to a restaurant. Edward recognized this restaurant – he had gone here with Alphonse after a few missions when they were young.

"Ah, look who's here!" a waiter exclaimed with a grin. Ed recognized this man as well. "What'll it be? Everything on the menu with a side of hash-browns?" the man joked. He placed menus on the table.

"Choose," Mustang said when Edward spent a bit too long looking at the menu. "He'll take the bacon cheeseburger and I'll have the prime rib," Mustang ordered for them when Ed continued to look at the menu. Their food arrived and the blonde continued to refuse. "Edward," the colonel said sternly. The teen glared at him and finally took a bite of the greasy mess, eating every last bit.

No! Ed screamed to himself. Get rid of it or you starved for nothing!

"Thank you," Mustang said, more relaxed now that the kid had eaten something. "Let's go."

"Actually, Mustang, I gotta head to the bathroom before we head out," Edward said.

"Sure," Mustang said, going through his wallet to pay the bill.

Ed reached the bathroom stall.

You know what to do.

With two fingers down his throat, Edward Elric discovered a new kind of control.

ATTENTION:

Due to recent events, this story will be discontinued. I apologize, but I just can't keep this up, and so, I will tell everyone what happens in the end.

Ed gets better.

The end.