This chapter details some anxiety/panic attacks and PTSD, because I'm a sadist. Enjoy!
Ed dug into his sandwich like a starving man, tearing into it with his usual fervor.
Roy tried to hide his own amused smirk behind a bite of his Reuben.
"So- you figured out what you're going to tell Al yet?"
"Nope." Ed admitted around a mouthful of sandwich. He swallowed and paused for a moment, looking over at Roy. "What am I supposed to tell the guys at the office?"
"Nothing. You don't have to explain anything, Fullmetal. All they know is you've been in active combat and you were injured. Nobody really asks about such things. You've never heard anyone ask me or Hawkeye about Ishval, after all."
Ed nodded, setting down his sandwich and taking a brief sip from his glass of water, before he was going right back to destroying his sandwich. Roy was a bit relieved to see that somethings never changed.
Roy had finished his sandwich and Ed was halfway through his second when the train hit a bump and swayed- it sent a waiter stumbling off balance, and they went crashing to the ground with an almighty crash of shattering glass and a shout.
Ed dropped his sandwich and was on his feet, his casted arm raised in front of him- Roy realized the boy was trying to clap, but he only had one hand.
The rest of the room slowly came back to life as the waiter stood, starting to sweep up the mess, and conversations slowly resumed in the dining car.
Roy looked over to see Ed blink, but none of the tension had dropped from his stance, and he was breathing fast, pupils dilated. The kid's hand was shaking.
Roy frowned, throwing some cash onto the table and standing, placing a hand on Ed's shoulder.
"Let's go, Fullmetal."
He quietly guided Ed back to their train compartment, and Ed let him- it was clear the kid wasn't all there, by the way his fingers twitched and his body shook.
Ed didn't sit down when they got back to their compartment, instead electing to stay in constant motion- he managed to get three steps in, and he was jostling and pacing, clenching and unclenching his fist.
"Fullmetal. Do you want to talk?"
Ed grit his teeth and shook his head. "Can't right now."
"Alright. Try and take a few deep breaths, then- focus on your breathing."
Ed nodded absently, and Roy saw the kid try to take deeper breaths, though he was still pacing and fidgeting.
It took Ed ten minutes to stop pacing. Finally, he sat down on his bench across from Roy, though he was bouncing his left leg to give him an outlet for his nervous energy.
"Doing okay, Fullmetal?"
"Yeah. Things stopped, for awhile." Ed said, eyes still roving around the compartment nervously.
"What happened? Where did you go?"
Ed gave a brief half-shrug. "Don't know. Inside myself, I guess. Do we have to fight?"
"No. Nothing to fight. There was just a loud noise, Ed. I know it scared you."
"Not scared." Ed looked offended. "Just... startled." The kid slouched over slightly- his trembling was getting worse, he let out a wavering breathing. The kid was shaking like a leaf.
"You okay?" Roy tried again gently.
"Yes." Ed snapped, looking frustrated. He dragged his hand through his hair.
"You're shaking." Roy pointed out unhelpfully.
"It's cold in here." Ed said defensively. He squeezed his eyes shut and bit his lip, and Roy was positive the kid was stifling the urge to whimper.
If Ed didn't want to talk about what he was experiencing, that was fine. Roy would indulge him- besides- the kid looked so miserable...
Roy peeled off his blue military jacket, standing and draping it around Ed, who was still shaking.
Ed opened his eyes and gave him a questioning look.
"You said you were cold." Roy said simply.
"Thanks." Ed nodded, grabbing the large blue garment and surprising Roy- he burrowed under it like a child hiding beneath their bed covers, covering himself- even his head- completely.
Roy blinked at the lump hidden beneath the coat, slightly surprised.
Ed had stopped fidgeting as much- there was just a still blue lump under his military coat- and Roy hoped that was a good thing.
Roy gave the kid a few minutes before he stood, sitting beside the lump under his coat on the bench. Ed felt his weight on the bench and shifted slightly, and Roy wordlessly reached over, peeling back part of his blanket to reveal Ed's face.
Ed blinked in surprise at the sudden light invading his burrow, looking up at Roy.
"Warm enough yet?"
Ed nodded. The shaking was nearly completely gone, though Ed was left looking tired and spent.
"Feeling alright, Fullmetal?"
Ed gave a tired sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yeah. Just a headache." the kid's eyes were half-lidded, he looked like he could drop off to sleep at any moment.
"...will you stay?"
"Stay here?" Roy clarified.
Ed nodded. "Watch my back while I sleep." he confirmed.
Roy nodded back. "Okay." there wasn't much danger to watch for, but Ed was anxious, and he'd do whatever he could to help the kid relax.
Ed's expression twitched back into a frown at the insult. "Thanks." he muttered quietly.
"Not a problem, flea."
Ed didn't manage a reply this time. Roy realized the kid had already dropped off- and he was still wrapped in his coat. He gently reached over, trailing a hand through the kid's messy locks.
Ed didn't know it, but he was definitely dealing with PTSD. Ed might need help dealing with it all- but Roy wasn't too worried about it. After all- Ed had dragged himself up by his bootstraps before. And this time, it would be easier- because he had Roy and the team to look out for him.
Any and all reviews welcome! I love to know people are still reading this! :)