Welcome back to The Water Alchemist. I don't own any of the intellectual property of Fullmetal Alchemist.
Chapter Forty-One
After
The halls of Central Command were oddly quiet for it being mid-day, or at least, that was what I assumed it was by the way the sunlight filtered through the hall as we walked. We followed Envy, though where to, I wasn't sure. We were lucky enough that he hadn't noticed when Al had allowed us to peek into his armor back in the locker room. If he had, things probably wouldn't be looking so good for the small girl in pink robes laid panting at the bottom of Al's armor. The little panda that had accompanied us rested in there with her, protectively hovering over her. Ed had asked me if I knew her— if we could trust her. I didn't really remember her, but she didn't seem threatening. He wasn't exactly assured by that. He went back and forth with Al a bit for always picking up strays before we left the confines of the locker room— though, this was certainly the largest stray he had taken in. Envy stopped suddenly, turning and pointing to a set of doors.
"Wrath will take over babysitting you now," he said, grabbing the handle.
"Wrath?" I whispered, my limbs going stiff. Ed glanced at me.
"Right this way," Envy said, opening the door. I swallowed hard. I could feel the panic swell in my chest, and I tried to breathe through it as we entered the room. Ed suddenly stopped, his eye meeting Wraths, though he knew him better as Fuhrer Bradley.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed, striding across the room with purpose. He seemed like he was about to lunge at Wrath, who barely regarded him as Al caught Ed before he could. "What did you do to Marina!"
"Only what was necessary," Wrath said, his gaze trailing over me. I shrunk under it, and Ed gnashed his teeth at him.
"You bastard!"
"I suggest you restrain yourself," he said, his palm resting against the hilt of his sword. He addressed Ed, but his gaze was focused on me, cold and indifferent as he tapped the hilt of the blade. Ed seemed to notice, looking back at me before taking a breath. Al released Ed, who had settled down. His eyes never left Wrath as he straightened his clothes out.
"Colonel," Ed said, addressing the man who sat a little too calmly in one of the chairs across from Wrath. "What's going on here anyway?"
"Where should I begin? Fuery's been shipped South, Falman's been sent up North, Breda's been re-assigned to the West, and Havoc the East," he said, listing off the names of his trusted subordinates. The door to the room creaked closed behind us as Envy left, and the air was suddenly even thinner than before. "Lieutenant Hawkeye is now a personal assistant to the Fuhrer." He finished with a pointed glare in Wrath's direction. We all glanced at him in disbelief, and he simply took a sip of his tea, unfazed by the Colonel's demeanor.
"Go ahead and take a seat," Wrath instructed.
I sat in one of the chairs provided, situated between Ed and the Colonel. Teacups sat before each of us, but none of us felt compelled to participate in the paltry show of hospitality. We engaged in a charged silence as we all seemed to be analyzing each other, trying to understand our situation and what to make of it. There was a sudden cough that echoed around in Al's armor, but it wasn't him who it came from. He quickly let out a string of coughs to cover for the girl in his armor, and Ed slammed his hand against the table, trying to muffle the sound further.
"Fuhrer," he said, composing himself. "So, what was that in the hospital that day? When you came to visit me. You really had us going, didn't you?"
"I don't recall lying. I instructed you to suspect everyone. And not to meddle any further," Wrath replied, lifting his cup to his lips and taking a small sip before setting the cup to the saucer. "The only thing that you need to know is that you're important to us, and there is no need for you to dig any deeper. Accept the importance of your role and keep your heads down. You do that, and no harm will come to you."
"Well, that's great for us, but what happens to all the people who aren't lucky enough to be considered sacrifices?" Ed asked.
"There's nothing that you need to know that I haven't already told you. Is that clear, Fullmetal Alchemist?" Wrath asked, his voice taking a more commanding tone. Ed chuckled incredulously, pulling his pocket watch from his pocket, clenching it tightly.
"You chose that as my title. I only joined the military because I thought it might help us get our bodies back. But now— now I know what the State Alchemist program really is. You're using it as a way to recruit your sacrifices. Well, I'm not gonna let you use me to accomplish your sick goals," he said, flinging his watch over the desk. It tinkled to a stop at Wrath's elbow. "I resign my title as a State Alchemist!"
"The symbol of a dog," Wrath commented. "Fittingly crusted with blood."
"Your plans are gonna fail. I swear on my own grave that I'm gonna stop you. I'll warn the other State Alchemists. I'll tell them—"
"What was that lovely young girl's name again?" Wrath asked, knocking the wind from Ed's sails nearly instantly, and he physically deflated. The satisfied look on Wrath's face made me want to clear the table like Ed almost had. I dug my nails into my palm, reminding myself of what acting on rashness had got me in the past. Ed grit his teeth into dust as Wrath prattled off. "Ah yes, it's Winry Rockbell. Your automail engineer. And you grew up with her in Resembool as well, if I'm not mistaken. She's practically a family member, isn't she? I've heard she's made a name for herself with her customers in Rush Valley. Such a sweet and trusting girl." Ed slammed his fist against the table, standing and rattling the teacup at his hand.
"You stay away from her! Just leave her out of this!" Ed yelled, barely containing his rage. Wrath tapped the watch with his finger before sliding it back to Ed.
"Well, that's up to you. If you'd rather not take it, I'll simply have to cut her down," Wrath said, edging out the last words as the watch stopped before Ed. Ed's shoulders were shaking, and he let out a grunt before snatching the watch, replacing it in his pocket. "How thoughtful."
"Bastard," Ed whispered under his breath before settling back into the seat. Wrath's eye darted to me, and I flinched under his gaze.
"Ah, I almost forgot," he said, taking up his cup. He looked at me over the porcelain. "Mrs. Isabelle Bagher was quite accommodating to you, was she not?"
"No," I breathed. Wrath replaced his cup to his saucer.
"If I correctly recall, she's the one who took you in after your… peculiar appearance. I'm sure she'd be delighted to know that you've since become a citizen. I'd hate to have to revoke your legal status. It would be difficult to see her – or anyone, for that matter – from a cell," he said, looking to the boys, who both stiffened. I noticed Ed's eyebrow was twitching with frustration. "So, I suggest you all be on your best behavior until we need you."
"What do you people even want from her?" Ed asked, jerking his thumb to me. Wrath sighed.
"As I stated before, I've told you all you need to know," Wrath said, engaging Ed in a heated glaring match.
"What about my father?" I asked, gripping the edge of my chair. He seemed to think a moment.
"The Water Alchemist," he said, turning the words over his tongue. "I was the one who gave him his title. Fitting, no?" I narrowed my eyes at him.
"What does he have to do with all of this? Why did he work with you to create a Philosopher's Stone? Why—"
"That's quite enough," he said, and I recoiled into my seat. "Do not ask again."
"Uh, Sir," Al cut in a bit nervously. "You don't have to worry about us, but I have to ask— if we're going to continue to serve under your watch, will you please allow us to keep searching for a way to get our original bodies back? Please, sir."
"I don't see why not. As long as you don't interfere with our plans," Wrath said, finishing a sip of his cup. Ed and Al both sighed, a bit of relief to be had in the whole of the conversation. Wrath turned to Mustang. "And what do you have in mind, Colonel? You wouldn't do something so petty as to quit the military." Mustang brought a thoughtful hand to his chin.
"Good question. I'm on a short leash here, but I still find that preferable to giving up. And I still have my ambitions. Your plans don't change that. So, I'll hang onto this," Mustang said, brandishing his pocket watch, much cleaner and more pristine than Ed's. "And I'll retain my rank, too."
"That's fine by me. We have nothing more to discuss," Wrath said dismissively. We all rose at once, itching to get out of there.
"I would like to ask you one question, Sir," Mustang said, his back to Wrath.
"Would you now? Go ahead."
"Were you the one who attempted to murder General Hughes?" he asked. The boys gasped, and we all turned to Wrath with bated breath, awaiting his answer.
"No, that was not me."
"Who administered the drugs to him?"
"Colonel," Wrath said warningly. "I agreed to one question." Mustang exhaled sharply through his nose.
"We'll be leaving now," he said, moving to the door.
"Ah, just one moment Alphonse," Wrath called.
That splintery feeling I had felt before I had entered Father's underground lair rose in my stomach as we turned, and Wrath drew his sword. He had moved as quickly and as seamlessly as he had when he had run me through, thrusting his blade through the side of Al's armor. My body seized suddenly, and I let out an involuntary gasp. My heart was slamming in my ears as I remembered that moment. I was right back in that abandoned building with a sword in my side. Wrath extracted the blade, and, luckily, it came out clean. He examined it curiously.
"Is that all?" Al asked.
"That's all. You're now dismissed," Wrath said, sheathing his blade.
He glanced at me as he did it. My hand absently traced where a scar should have been – where it wasn't – and I felt suddenly woozy. I couldn't catch my breath as the room began to spin. There was a light pressure at the small of my back that grounded me, urging me forward. I turned to see Ed, his face rigid but his touch gentle as he guided me from the office and into the safety of the hall. As soon as the door closed, we all took a collective breath, and I shuddered, grasping my shoulders.
"That was too close," Al breathed out.
"Yeah, no kidding," I exhaled, taking a deep breath. My heart was still racing in my chest, but the world was stable again. Ed looked at me.
"You alright?" he asked. I nodded, and he nodded to affirm it before he turned to the Colonel as if remembering something. He took a moment to shake Mustang down for loose change and then took off racing down the hall.
"Hey, wait up!" I called after him.
Al and I followed suit, promising to explain to the Colonel later. We eventually made it out of the labyrinth and outside, with Ed stopping with a huff at a phone booth. I rested a hand against the outside of the glass frame as Ed and Al both squeezed into the booth. Ed plopped the coins into the machine and dialed the operator. He tapped his foot impatiently, waiting to be connected.
"C'mon, c'mon…" he groaned, urging whoever was on the other end to pick up. There was an audible click. "Winry?"
He heaved a relieved sigh, and I could hear what sounded like her voice, but I couldn't make out what she was saying. I should have known that this was what we were doing. He was worried about her, rightfully so. I was too. I was glad she picked up, and from the sound of things, nothing out of the ordinary had been going on. But with a threat like that from Wrath, who could blame us for worrying? My breath hitched as I remembered Isabelle; I didn't have her number to check on her. I'd have to write to her right away. I stood upright, having finally caught my breath as Ed finished up. It wasn't right that they could use the people closest to us against us. It wasn't lost on me how Wrath had addressed the boys when he threatened to revoke my citizenship and have me jailed. He was warning us that he'd gladly separate us to keep us all in line. And who knows what kind of thing that would do to Mustang's credibility as a commanding officer, granting me citizenship to only have the Fuhrer override his efforts. He was already new in Central; I couldn't begin to imagine what that would do to what little relations he had here without his team behind him. It was underhanded in every way, and I still didn't understand a thing about what they wanted from me. It was infuriating. I felt that weird sensation in the bottom of my stomach. I turned suddenly to see Ling casually approaching.
"Yo," he said, waving. I paled as I remembered Ling wasn't exactly Ling, and Ed and Al trailed out of the booth.
"I think she's still safe for now," Ed sighed, not yet realizing we had a guest.
"You know, it's that kind of desperate worry they're going to manipulate you with," Ling – or wait, Greed – said, startling the boys.
"Ling!" Ed exclaimed.
"No, it's Greed— still," Greed said. Ed grabbed my arm and pulled me from our friend-turned-Homunculus, shoving me behind him.
"What do you want?" Ed asked. Greed stretched out his hand to us, and in his palm rested a white cloth.
"Your pal asked me to bring this to you," he said simply.
"Ling did?" Ed asked, snatching the parchment. Al and I looked over his shoulder to read it. The cloth was covered in messy splotches of black ink, in shapes I had never seen before. It seemed neither Ed nor Al recognized it either. He looked up at Greed expectantly. "What does it say? It's in some other language."
"Yeah, it is. But he just wants you to deliver it to some girl," Greed said, examining his nails nonchalantly.
"Lan Fan?" Ed realized aloud. His eyes narrowed. "Is this some kind of trick? Cause if you follow us and try to kill her—"
"I've got more class than that, alright? And, as a rule of thumb, I don't fight women," he said, giving me a pointed look. I frowned at him. "And another rule of mine is to never tell a lie— but hey, it's your call." He began walking off in the direction he came, waving his hand dismissively before shoving them in his pockets. Ed looked at the cloth in his hand and then back to his former friend.
"Hey, wait, Ling!"
"It's still Greed, kid," he corrected.
After Greed departed, we decided to convene briefly, detailing the events that happened in each other's absence. I explained what had happened after the swallowing— about how Elias lost his arm, how he had told me he couldn't send me home. Ed looked solemn as Al took over describing the details I had missed, but Ed didn't seem present in the moment. He frowned at the ground, flexing his automail, and I felt suddenly aware of his body, or rather, what was missing. It was easy to forget sometimes that parts of Ed were automail— he moved so naturally, so humanly, any regular person wouldn't be able to tell the difference without looking. But he knew. He could tell. I could only imagine what kind of difficult emotions talking about Elias losing his arm had dredged up within him. I nudged his shoulder with mine, breaking the trance he seemed to be in and mouthed a question of if he were alright. He nodded dully, but from the pained look in his eyes, I could tell otherwise. I brushed my hand against his, startling him a bit, and waited for his response before pushing forward. He wrapped his index finger around mine, and my hand slipped easily into his, resting comfortably there. He squeezed it as Al finished.
"So, what's our next move?" Ed asked, seeming a bit more himself.
"I think it would be best to get this girl to Dr. Knox," Al said, tapping his chest plate lightly. "We can give Lan Fan the message too."
"Actually, if it's alright, I'd like to go and check on Elias," I said, noticing the slight twitch of Ed's hand in mine as he looked at me.
"Then I'll go with you, and Al can head to Knox," Ed said.
"You don't have to do that, Ed," I assured him.
"It's alright, I want to go," he said, his hand tightening around mine, and I managed a small smile. I didn't want to burden him with my mistakes, but the idea of not being alone right now was nice. "It'd probably look suspicious if too many of us showed up at Knox's anyway." There was another coughed that echoed within Al's armor, and he nervously patted his chest plate.
"I'd better go," he said, turning on his heel. "I'll see you guys back at the hotel!"
He waved at us as he departed, taking the message from Ling to Dr. Knox with the new patient still settled in his armor. Ed and I headed out, quiet as we walked along the cobblestones. I realized about halfway that our hands were still intertwined, and my cheeks grew a bit warm. I chanced a look at Ed, but he didn't seem phased by it. He actually seemed kind of focused. I wanted to know what was going on in that head of his, but we reached our destination. We parted without a word about it as we walked up to the door, and I knocked softly. No answer. I knocked again, a little louder, and we waited, but it didn't sound like anyone was home. It was possible that they were still at the camp from the night before. I looked at Ed, and he shrugged. We almost turned to leave, but there was a shuffling, and then the door opened a crack revealing Ivey. She rose her eyebrow at me disdainfully.
"Uh, I wanted to see how Elias is doing," I said timidly.
She didn't say anything as she opened the door a crack further, allowing Ed and I to slip through. She closed it behind us and walked down the hall. We followed her, the tense air getting denser with each step until she stopped at a room at the end of the hall. She knocked once before opening and entering. We approached the door, and I peeked in, noting Ivey as she perched along the wall, and I scanned the rest of the room, taking note of Nessa at Elias's bedside. She turned to us as we entered with a frown.
"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly. It was clear she had been crying, even from my standpoint. Her face was puffy and red, and I could hear it in her voice.
"How is he?" I asked nervously, looking at him. He was resting, unconscious, and bandages poked through the blanket over him at his shoulder.
"He's doing well," Ivey said, scuffing her shoe against the dirt floor. "The surgery went smoothly; he's been in and out of consciousness, but these next few days will be crucial in the recovery process." Nessa huffed through her nose, swiveling to face us.
"Ivey told me what happened," she said, staring me down. I swallowed hard as she stood and approached. "He lost his arm thanks to you. His arm." She stopped a breath away, looking down at me, but I couldn't meet her eyes.
"Ness," Ivey said, almost warningly. I could feel the anger radiating from her.
"I know. I'm really sorry," I whispered, my voice not cooperating with me. All the guilt I had pushed aside bubbled to the surface, standing in her shadow. I gasped at the swift slap across the face, momentarily stunned. My cheek stung instantaneously.
"It's not enough!"
"Nessa!" Ivey cried out, seemingly surprised.
"What the hell!" Ed yelled, moving to my defense, but I caught his shoulder, gripping down on it. Ivey had moved to intervene too but halted as I restrained Ed. He turned to me sharply, giving me a confused look. I shook my head.
"It's fine," I admonished as I glanced at her eyes, wet and sorrowful. Tears ran down her cheeks in thick waterfalls. I felt every bit of her anger, her frustration, in that one slap— and her deep, deep love and subsequent sorrow over Elias. "It was my fault. I accept whatever consequences come from it."
"Marina—"
I gave Ed a knowing look, one I knew he didn't find much reassurance in by the way his brow creased, but he backed down. I turned back to Nessa, watching as her shoulders rocked with shuddered breaths. When she raised her hand again, I could feel Ed tense beside me, and I closed my eyes, preparing for the blow. I felt the push of air, the adrenaline rush when you knew you were about to get hit – and hard – and I had to actively fight my natural response to dodge or retaliate. But, when the impact didn't come, I opened them again, taking her in. Her hand was shaking, a hair away from my face. She exhaled harshly, dropping her hand before pulling at her hair.
"He's my little brother, and he almost died," she hiccupped, wiping her face. I bit my lips together, my gaze trained to the floor. I'd have to be an idiot not to expect her to react harshly, even more so than Ivey. She was closest to Elias and had looked out for him for most of their lives— and I was the reason he didn't have an arm anymore. Nessa balled her fist, her shoulders shaking as she seemed to bite back tears as she spoke softly. "But you didn't give up on him. For that, I'm grateful."
She spun around and staggered to his bedside, plopping back down onto the stool set there. I exchanged a look with Ivey, who nodded in affirmation. I exhaled sharply, releasing the tension that had built in my chest. As Nessa composed herself, Elias stirred and groaned a moment before blinking his eye open. She was quick to grab the cup of water at his bedside, letting him take a sip before he sat up, glancing at Ed and me. His gaze was a bit unfocused as he ran his hand over his face.
"What are you doing here?" he asked tepidly.
"She wanted to check on you," Nessa said, glancing over her shoulder at me. Her face was a little softer than it had been before. I hoped that was a good sign. He frowned.
"Why?"
"Why?" I repeated back, confused. "I was worried. I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Worried or guilty?" he asked, brushing his hands over his bandages. I fidgeted, my stomach dropping a bit.
"Both," I admitted softly but honestly. I couldn't deny my guilt over the situation – not when it was plain to see – but it didn't mean I wasn't also genuinely worried. He exhaled roughly.
"I'm fine," he said, waving me off.
"Elias, you are not 'fine'," Nessa corrected him. "You just underwent major surgery. You're not fine." He scoffed.
"I'll manage," he huffed, throwing the covers from himself and setting his legs over the side of the bed.
He suddenly hunched over, gripping at his bandages, groaning. Nessa latched onto him, and we waited anxiously for the contraction of pain to subside. I noticed Ed had turned away, grasping his shoulder. Eventually, the episode was over, and he was able to breathe evenly again.
"It's going to be a long road to recovery," Ivey said, ever the realist. "It's going to be a while for you to get used to not having an arm."
"What about automail?" Ed asked.
"Can't afford it," she sighed. "The stuff doesn't exactly come cheap, and Nessa and I work pro-bono, relying on the community for housing and food and resources. Elias can't work now. There's the arm itself which is hefty in price on its own. Then there's the port, and the actual cost of the surgery, not to mention the recovery, and—"
"I'll pay for it," Ed said, surprising us all. I turned to him, blinking.
"Ed?" I asked, wondering if I had heard him right. Elias seemed to wonder the same thing.
"What did you say?" Elias asked.
"I'll pay for it," Ed repeated. My brows shot up in surprise as I realized he was dead serious. From what I could tell from what little interaction I had observed of them, Ed and Elias didn't get along, and I knew all too well of Ed's misgivings about Elias, though they weren't unfounded. For him to offer something like that wasn't something I could have anticipated when he had offered to accompany me.
"That's… you don't understand how expensive it is," Nessa said shakily at the very prospect.
"Trust me, I do," Ed said under his breath. Elias narrowed his eye at Ed.
"Why would you do that?" Elias asked incredulously. Ed's eyes never broke from Elias's as he carefully shrugged the sleeve of his tunic up, revealing the metal limb that was his right arm. Elias stared a moment, blinking.
"I told you, that girl was my automail engineer," Ed said. I shot him a quick look, not exactly following what was expressed between them, but Ed didn't regard it. Elias let out a humorless chortle.
"No wonder your first punch was so damn hard," he said, running his hand over his bruised cheek. I wondered where the bruising had come from, and I guess I had my answer as Ed suppressed a keen grin.
"I've got the best engineer in the business," Ed said proudly, opening and closing the steel appendage.
"Even so, it doesn't explain why you'd help me after all that's happened," Elias said, looking up at Ed through his eyebrows. Ed's features hardened as his hand fell to his side. He gripped his arm with his flesh hand.
"I've been where you are. I know what it's like," Ed admitted quietly. He glanced over to me with a forlorn look, and I was speechless. Even in someone that had once been his enemy, he could find it in him to empathize, to understand, and go beyond that to help them move forward. Ed was just— remarkable. I admired that in him in a way I couldn't express. Elias stared, seeming unconvinced. Ed sighed, crossing his arms. "Look, automail surgery isn't for the weak-hearted. If you don't think you can handle it, just back out now."
"You think I wouldn't be able to handle it?"
"No, not really," Ed shrugged, poking Elias's buttons. "It's brutal. But if you do manage to survive it, you'll owe me. And one day, I'll get to cash in on a favor— a big one."
"A favor?" Elias asked.
"Yeah. Besides, I've got more money than I know what to do with," Ed grinned. He rubbed his nose in that prideful way of his when he was bragging. He looked a little goofy, but I loved that side of him. It was nice to see it after such a difficult last few days. He turned back to Elias. "So?"
"We accept," Ivey said. Elias gave her a look but didn't say anything in retaliation.
"Alright then," Ed said, writing out something in the little notebook he kept on him. He finished and tore a page from it, handing it off to Ivey. "Take this to the bank, and I'll authorize the transfer." Ivey nodded, pocketing the note. I noticed Elias staring at me.
"What?" I asked.
"I told you, right? I hadn't just dreamt that I had?" he asked, though it took me a moment to realize he meant having told me about not returning to the other side. I bit my lips together, nodding.
"You did," I affirmed. Elias nodded dully.
"Good," he said quietly. His gaze traveled to the little desk by his bed, and he stood, with Nessa standing and hovering about him. He hunched over, opening the drawer, and pulling something out before shutting it. Elias walked to me and motioned for me to open my hands. He placed the small note I had folded the necklace up into before I left it in his care, along with the photograph of me with my parents that had triggered my memories to return. My breath caught in my throat. "It's tempting— but I can't use it. I won't. So, take it." I looked up at him. The idea had crossed my mind, but I hadn't realized it had crossed his. I grasped it tightly.
"Thank you," I said as Ed sauntered back to my side. He put his hand on my shoulder.
"We should probably get going," he said, looking down at what was in my hands. I shoved them into my pockets.
"I'll see you out," Ivey said, pushing from the wall and headed to the door.
"Marina," Nessa called, and I stopped, turning to her. "Ice your cheek. And don't make me do that ever again." She gave me a glimpse of a smile before it faded.
"Right," I said and left the room as Nessa helped Elias back into bed. Ivey opened the front door and waved us through. The sunlight was harsh overhead as we stepped out, and I took a deep breath, grateful for the ease of fresh air inflating my lungs.
"Alright, see ya," Ivey said, about to close the door.
"Can I come back tomorrow?" I asked suddenly, and Ivey halted, giving me a strange look. Ed also furrowed his brow at me. I fidgeted. "You said it would be a long recovery; I can't imagine it won't be hard with both of you working. I can help. I know my way around a kitchen, and I can clean." Ivey seemed to consider my offer before she nodded with a shrug.
"Knock yourself out, kid," she said, her mouth quirking into a slight smile at the corners.
"See you," I said, and with a short wave, Ivey disappeared into the house. I turned to Ed, who seemed a little taken aback. "Sorry, is that okay? I should have asked first."
"No, it's alright," he said. We began walking from the camp, back out onto the streets of Central.
"I'll pay you back," I said.
"For what?" he asked, focused somewhere ahead of us.
"Elias's surgery," I said simply. He threw his arms behind his head, taking a moment to reply.
"You don't even have a job," he pointed out.
"I'll find one, and I'll pay you back," I said. "Every cen."
"You know I don't need you to do that," he clarified.
"And you didn't have to offer to pay for his surgery, but you did," I countered. "And while I appreciate that, you wouldn't have had to if I hadn't acted as I did. So, please let me repay you."
He looked at me a moment, seeming to mull my offer over. I think we both knew I wasn't taking no for an answer on this, even though we also knew money didn't matter to Ed. But it mattered to Elias. It was the difference between moving forward or standing still. And I wanted him to move forward.
"Fine," he agreed eventually.
"Thank you, Ed. Really," I said, shooting him a smile. He stared at me strangely a moment, and I tilted my head at him questioningly. "What?" He scratched his face, looking a little flustered.
"It's nothing, forget it," he mumbled.
"Ah, come on, tell me," I urged, walking a little bit in his way, trying to make eye contact. He avoided meeting my gaze and walked around me. I sped up to match his step, and I nudged his shoulder, throwing him off balance.
"Hey!" he half-yelled, half-chuckled. "Watch it!"
"Tell me!" I laughed, tugging on his sleeve.
"You're just— bright, alright?" he exclaimed, and I stopped short. He huffed, scuffing his feet against the sidewalk, now obviously flustered. He thought I was… bright? He looked at me expectantly, but I was speechless. Did he really think that?
"I am?" I asked as we slowly began walking again.
"Yeah," he grumbled. "When you... when you smile. It's nice." I did my best to stop the corners of my mouth from upturning. He thought I was bright.
"You mean it?" I asked. He gave me a quick side glance followed by an even quicker nod. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling a little warm myself. "Well, uh, thank you. I— I think you're bright too, Ed." He hummed in response, and we walked side by side, teeming with the meaning of the word.
As we walked closer to the hotel in comfortable silence, my hands found themselves fumbling through my pockets, thumbing their contents. I hadn't anticipated getting my necklace back so soon, but I was at least glad that the Homunculi hadn't taken hold of it. Hopefully, my possession of it would continue to fly under the radar. I didn't realize that Wrath was so familiar with my strange appearance, but it didn't seem like he had tied it to my possession of the stone. I still wasn't sure what they wanted from me, or whatever the key they mentioned was, or what role my father played in all of this. He was apparently much more deeply embedded in their scheme than I had originally thought.
I tugged at the corner of the photo in my pocket, and I drew it out, staring at it a moment. My father's smile was perhaps ironically the biggest, followed by my mother's, and then my toothless grin. It was always fascinating to me how a singular moment could be preserved like this. We looked so happy. I wondered a moment if it was genuine. I ran my hand along the side, over my mother's smile, and I realized suddenly that I wouldn't see her ever again. I slowed to a stop, my legs failing to receive the necessary signals from my brain to urge movement. The last interaction we had was an argument. I didn't even say goodbye. A picture was the last thing I had of her, capturing a moment in time when I was sure she loved me. I couldn't even remember the last time either of us had said we loved one another.
Suddenly I wanted to tell her how awful she had been, and I wanted her to apologize, and I wanted to forgive her and remind her that I loved her. I had often dreamed of a reality of a magical 'some time' down the road, where I was successful and accomplished, and we'd have settled our differences, and she'd tell me she was proud of me. With all that I had done, she had never once said that she was proud of me. But now, I'd never have that. It was strange, but even with all that had happened between us, I wanted that opportunity. I hadn't even known who my dad was, who this smiling man had been before I knew what terrible things he'd done. I hadn't realized I was crying until droplets of water splashed against the film. I blinked, my vision blurry, and felt a warm hand clasp around my wrist.
"Marina, what's wrong?" Ed asked, his eyes searching mine for the answer. I shook my head, wiping away my tears.
"Sorry, sorry," I said quickly, sniffling. I tried to shove the picture away into my pocket, but Ed stopped me from doing so. He examined the picture before examining me.
"Is this…?" he asked without asking.
"It's all I have left… of either of them," I said, the words falling from my mouth as if they tasted repulsive. My lip trembled and I just barely managed to speak through the lump forming in my throat. I kept wiping at my eyes, but the tears didn't stop. Ed looked around at the crowded street we occupied and suddenly pulled me away, quickly shuffling us into an alleyway that was a few degrees cooler thanks to the shade of the building above. I stowed the picture away as we settled behind a dumpster, trying to stop the tears that were flowing from my eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry—"
Ed shuffled to unfurl his coat, wrapping it around my shoulders. He pulled the edges of the jacket to him, pulling me in before encircling his arms around me. The scent of clean laundry invaded my nose, but after a moment, that familiar and comforting smell of oil and metal shone through.
"Don't apologize," he said, his voice gentle. I laughed, but it wasn't humorous; more like a nervous tic.
"I don't even know why I'm crying! I mean, they weren't – aren't –good people!" I exclaimed through a sob. I was quiet a moment before I spoke softly. "But they're my parents. And this is all I have left. A picture of a time I don't remember, in a life I can't return to." I hiccupped, trying to compose myself, but Ed just shook his head.
"It's alright. Cry all you need," he said as he rested his hand to the back of my head, pressing my forehead to his chest. It was warm, pleasantly so. Ed was always just so warm. The offer was simple and sweet, and the permission I needed as I cried into him, balling my fists against him, wondering why the hell I was such a crybaby.
A day late, but here we are! (Does uploading late count as an April fool's joke? No? Alright.) The aftermath of a mess. I do enjoy writing action-y chapters, but something about chapters that establish character interactions and allow for sweet moments just hit different. That Nessa slap hurt to write, and just a quick reminder that I do not in any way, shape, or form condone physical violence. I wouldn't say it's justified, but I felt it was a choice her character would have made, so I hope it came across as such. Also, just— can we take a moment for the sweet moments of Ed and Marina in this chapter? Ugh, my author's brain is happy. I've also been watching/reading some more romance anime to get a better idea of the genre (and, also for my own entertainment), and boy, oh boy, do I have ~ideas~. I'm finding joy in this again, and I'm super glad about that, but I have decided that I'll be taking a break from uploading next week. The last two chapters I wasn't on time with, and I really don't want to get into that habit and end up burning out, so a break it is. Especially with what I have planned moving forward, it would be nice to really play it through in my head so I can kick off this next part on the right foot. It's gonna be something, lemme tell ya. Thanks for reading, and as always, have a great two weeks!