AN: This chapter might be a little... hmm, whats the right word... uneventful? It's rather... fluffy too... but I think it's better than nothing, right? . I was having a tough time finishing it, so hopefully after this one, writing will get easier again .

As always, thank you to everyone who reviewed and faved, it's very much appreciated ^^ Any ideas for the next few chaps would also be very appreciated, maybe a random crack chapter or something? lol

IronClaw Alchemist -35- Repercussion

I wouldn't have thought that I'd be the one who felt sorry, but the pain in his eyes from seeing how beat up I had gotten made me realize how much he cared- and I had doubted it.

"My dad was at the lab..." I mumbled, catching his attention. He didn't say anything though, just let me continue. "I found him and Elliot, the one from New Optain."

He froze for a moment and put his hand over mine. "Are you okay...?"

I nodded slowly and turned my hand over to tangle my fingers with his. "I'll be fine... But they... They won't be..."

I felt him squeeze my hand but nothing would make admitting what I did much easier.

"Ed, I- Please don't hate me... I... I killed them..."

He didn't say anything and it only made me that much more nervous. My heart stopped as his hand released mine. Had I finally crossed the line? Was that too much for him? I couldn't lose him- I needed him.

"Riku-"

"I'm sorry, I didn't intend to- it just happened. I was scared- I'm sor-"

In the next instant, I found myself in his arms, my head resting against his shoulder.

"I should have been there for you..." He informed, holding me tight.

"Y-you're not mad at me...?

He shook his head, his hair brushing against my cheek. "To be honest, I hate the idea of someone taking another's life, but I think I understand why you did what you did."

I kept quiet, tears starting to soak into his shirt. Everything that I had been holding in, the emotions I was too stubborn to let others see, were let out all at once. It wasn't just relief because Ed understood, but now that he did, the rest of the emotions and memories I pushed back made themselves known. A lot had happened at the third lab and it was difficult to manage all the emotions and memories that came with it. Not only had my father's presence brought about a strong feeling of fear, one that I could barely function in, but the memories that had been attached to that fear had resurfaced and hit me hard.

Even though I was in that state, Ed stayed with me, his arms providing the comfort that I searched for- that I desperately needed.

We both sat in silence until the phone at the bedside started to ring. With a curious look, Ed reached over and picked it up.

"Hello?"

I took the time to wipe my eyes as the person on the other line replied.

"Yeah, she's here." He moved his gaze towards me. "She seems fine. Why don't you just- Don't be stupid."

I gaze him a puzzled look as he handed me the phone, but he didn't explain.

"Hello...?"

"Oh, uh, hey Riku..."

The voice on the other line was a pleasant surprise, yet I didn't know how to talk to my brother. After what Envy said to him I wasn't sure what to say.

"Hey, Nii-san," I started. I was glad to hear his voice though, it meant that Lust's threat was empty. "You're okay, right?"

There was a small silence as he fumbled with his words. "Am I okay? Yeah, I'm fine, but I should be the one asking. Mustang called and said you were in the hospital."

I blinked and clenched my fist. "That bastard knew where you were? I'll kill him."

Dai chuckled, "I called him the other day to see how things were."

I stayed quiet, trying to keep back the redirected anger, but it didn't last long. "You know you had everyone worried, right? Why would you just leave like that? Even if I said that to you, it was such a stupid thing to do!"

"Wh-what do you mean...? You did say-"

I groaned, ignoring Ed's cautious look. "It wasn't me damnit. It was a doppelganger- or shape shifter- or whatever that freak is. Did he even call you Nii-san? I can't believe you thought I'd say that to you!"

The other line was quiet, but his soft chuckling soon followed. "I'll believe your crazy little story... But can you really blame me? I thought you hated me. It... It hurt, Riku..."

I swallowed hard. If I thought he- or even Ed- said something like that to me, I probably would have done something similar.

"I'm sorry, Nii-san... It was my fault..."

"Damnit, Riku," he mumbled, "now I feel like an ass..."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, you should."

"That wasn't nice..." He sighed, "Typical Riku. Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you're okay."

I smiled. "So where in Dublith are you? Do we have a house or something?"

"Err... Not quite... Apparently it burned down a little while back. I'm staying with the Curtis'- working for them with an old friend from way back when."

I knew he couldn't see my smile, but I couldn't help it. I was glad that he could at least fit into a normal life. If he could, then that was enough for me.

"Well,I have to get going before I get in trouble for slacking off," he sighed. "You're going to come visit, right?"

"Obviously, I have to see what kind of people can handle living with you."

I heard him groan, but he ignored my comment for the most part. "I'll see you later then, don't get yourself anymore hurt than you already are."

"No guarantees," I teased. "Love you, Nii-san."

He fell silent for a moment, most likely surprised. I was even slightly taken back about it too, but not having him around made me realise that I had taken him for granted. I just wanted to make sure he knew that I did care for him, especially since he thought otherwise.

"Love you too."

I smiled and gave the phone to Ed for him to hang up. I was glad, to say the least, that Dai and I were on good terms, and that I had actually gotten to talk to him after being separated for so long. Then again, I'd still have to tell him about our father... And then ask about mom.

I sighed and flopped back onto the bed, "so what's my sentence looking like?"

He chuckled. "However long we can keep you here, I guess."

I grinned, approving of his answer. He knew it wouldn't be long until I got too restless and would demand leaving.

"Does Winry know that my automail's broken...?"

I gulped at the thought, but he just shrugged. I was kind of hoping she did, so I wouldn't have to be the one to tell her. A homunculus, I would stand up to and fight... But the thought of Winry and her wrench sent fear through every fibre of my being.

"Told you she's scary."

I groaned. "If she comes running in here with a wrench, I'm using you as a shield."

"What the hell? No way! You're the one who broke it!"

"Yeah, but I'm injured."

"Hasn't stopped you before."

I proceeded to retort as Al poked his head into the room.

"Looks like she's doing better," he told Winry with a laugh.

As soon as I caught onto Winry's scent, my entire body tensed and I pulled Ed in front of me.

"Riku, you traitor! Let me go!"

I kept him where he was and closed my eyes in anticipation as Winry approached, but the infamous wrench didn't make itself present. Instead, I felt her wrap her arms loosely around me.

"I'm glad you're okay, Riku," she informed quietly.

My eyes widened at the gesture. I didn't think she cared that much about me- whether that assumption was because of my past or not. I had figured that because I had pretty much stolen Ed from her- in a sense- she would hold that against me. I felt like an idiot for assuming that.

"Thanks, Winry," I mumbled as she released me. "But, uh... I banged up my automail pretty badl-"

My sentence was cut off as her wrench made contact with my head.

"W-Winry, she's still hurt!" Al protested quickly.

I waved off Al's concern and rubbed my head with my good hand. I guess I deserved it anyways.

"You're both the same," she muttered. "Doing stupid things without thinking before hand. You haven't even had your automail for half a year yet and you've been running around as if it were fully healed."

"At least compare me to good qualities..." I muttered stubbornly, not disagreeing with her.

My statement seemed to put a grin on Ed's face though. "So you admit that I have good qualities?"

I scoffed, "no."

The face I earned in return would have been very amusing in any other situation, but having Winry's wrench still present, I returned to the current issue. I'd have to make it up to Ed later for the cruel answer.

"Well, let's take a look at least," Winry sighed.

I nodded and lifted the hospital outfit's pant leg. The nurse must have wrapped it earlier so Winry carefully removed it. It only made me that much more tense though, seeing as it needed to be wrapped in the first place. I didn't quite know what I had done to the automail, but I knew it didn't look good once she had the bandage off.

"It's disconnected," she grunted.

"Is that... Bad...?"

I openly winced as she lifted her wrench again, but Ed and Al quickly grabbed her to hold her back.

"Of course it's bad! You tore the connection!"

I shrunk back into the bed, not knowing what to do or say. I almost felt like a little kid getting scolded. It sucked.

"I'll have to call Granny," Winry said to herself before looking back at me. "It won't be cheap this time either- seeing as it will be a rush service call."

"Fair enough..." I murmured.

I was getting relatively close to paying off the Colonel and now I was handed another setback. Of course it had been my fault- in a sense- but it didn't make it any easier to swallow. Continuing to be in Mustang's debt left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Thinking about Mustang?" Ed teased.

I looked up at him and blinked. "Eh...?"

"That look on your face."

I scoffed and crossed my arms, wincing at my sore wounds. "I still haven't paid him back."

Ed chuckled. "After all that happened, you're worried about paying Mustang back?"

I turned away from him stubbornly. "How is he anyways? And Havoc?"

Now that I had the time to think about it, I was concerned about them.

"Mustang seems fine, arrogance is back in full swing," Ed sneered. "And Havoc... I wasn't told much about him. He's alive, but there might be some complications."

My brows furrowed. "Complications...?"

"Lust must have hit his spinal cord... He has no feeling in his legs."

My eyes widened. Havoc had the least to do with the whole homunculus ordeal, yet he was the one who got it the worst. If his spinal cord was truly injured, then he wouldn't be able to work for the military... Or walk.

"It's not fair..." I muttered, my fist clenching. "Why Havoc... Why not me?"

Ed didn't say anything in response, just put his hand over mine and eased my grip. "Get some rest, your injuries need to heal."

I sighed and nodded. "Right... 'kay."

It wouldn't be easy, but for the next while I was going to have to relax and stop stressing over things. Once all my injuries heal, that's when I could put the weight back on my shoulders. Well, if I looked at it that way, maybe it wouldn't be so hard to relax.

FN: Was it as bad as I made it out to be? ^^; Anyways... if you have any ideas, I repeat ANY, ideas, let me know 'cause it would be very helpful ^^