Chapter 2

Edward Elric hated the ceiling, he hated the fan, and most of all he hated fluorescent lights that blinked and gave him a headache. He had been flat on his back looking up into that stupid ceiling for two weeks ever since The Promised Day. And the bloody coup d'etat that had liberated their country. Or so the papers were insisting ever since the Amestris State Restoration Council as Grumman, Armstrong, Mustang and the rest of the victorious putschists had styled themselves. He was also one of those putschists he supposed but despite his involvement, he was only a major, and so was saved from the monumental task of rebuilding the country. That suited him just fine all Edward wanted was to get back Resembool and to Winry. He'd left things on a little bit of a cliff hanger with her and had been overjoyed to receive a letter from her a few days after the fighting had ended in which she spelled out her feelings, having feared he would be too dense to realize she loved him despite how unsubtle she had been. And even as he lay counting the panels in the ceiling for the thousandth time, he thought over what he would say to her. Just then he heard the sound of the guards at the door snapping to attention. Edward hated that he needed guards outside his door like he was some kind of prisoner. In his mind, he knew that they were guarding him against any potential assassins, loyalists to the Bradley regime, or members of one of the numerous radical groups that had sprung up like weeds after a rainstorm, in the wake of the coup. Monarchists, Fascists, Republicans of all stripes, Religious Fanatics, and Ishvalan Revanchists. All of whom either believed that the putschists had gone too far or not far enough.

The door to the hospital room opened with a squeak of old hinges, Ed wondered why nobody had bothered to oil them, supposing that the hospital staff was busy with other things. Looking to see who had interred he was greeted by the imposing figure of General Mustang the newly minted Provisional Minister for State Affairs a broad tidal that nobody had quite figured out the responsibilities of yet. He was dressed in his full formal uniform, with his signature leather trench coat, and the new addition of a matching black eyepatch. The surgeons had been able to save one eye by some miracle, the other however was unsavable and had been removed. The eyepatch covered what was left of his empty socket. Absently the young bedridden alchemist thought that it made his CO look like even more of a tough bastard. "Well, Fullmetal enjoying your vacation. On the military's money no less." The young officer smiled as he knew full well how much Edward hated being stuck in that damn bed. "Screw you, Colonel, you know I hate this stupid hospital!" Ignoring the intentional misranking Mustang walked over to the bed smiling as he sat next to Edward, his long black coat over one arm. "Don't let the doctors see I brought you this" Mustang placed a box on the bed making a big deal of looking from side to side as if searching for spying medics. Opening the box Edward was met the delicious smell of roast beef, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Mouthwatering he looked thankfully at the general and mouthed his thanks. "You've earned the thanks of the Amestrian people, and the world Fullmetal. As it is nobody'd believe all we did, and you'll have to settle for the thanks of the Fuhrer's personal chef." Standing as he stretched his arms over his head. "Besides I know how bad hospital food is. After all, I was in here until a couple of days ago." With a final smile goodbye, Mustang strode out of the room a slight limp visible in his stride. Watching him go Edward wondered just how badly hurt the man had been, thinking back to the chaos of The Promised Day he couldn't remember specifics of what happened. It was a crazy exciting, terrible day. And a part of him wished he could forget all of it.

Edward Elric squinted against the setting sun as he stood on the platform in front of the Fuhrer's official residence in front of him was a small crowd of military officers, mostly state alchemists, and an even smaller crowd of reporters from the handful of approved newspapers. Behind him on the raised dais stood several dignitaries, as well as friends and family. Including Winry who had been brought out by a special train for the occasion. Amestris was transitioning to freedom slowly, but the decision to keep a tight leash on the reporters until the country had stabilized had been made early on after the overthrowal of the Bradley regime.

Fuhrer Grumman stood erect behind a small podium giving a speech about bravery, or duty, or something along those lines in truth Ed wasn't paying attention he was more focused on keeping his lunch down as he thought over what he was about to do reaching into his pocket he fingered the small piece of metal, originally taken from where his arm had reappeared around what was left of his automail prosthetic. The surgery to remove the remaining fragments of metal had been the devil's idea of fun, as one doctor had put it.

Suddenly he was pulled from his thoughts as Grumman turned to face him "For your service to Amestris, and her people it is my great honor to present you with the Knights Circle for Bravery, the highest award, and honor in the Amestris State Alchemical Service!, and the wound ribbon for injuries taken in the line of duty." As the older man spoke he placed the ribbon of the Knight Circle around Edward's neck. And moved on to begin attaching the Wound Ribbon. As the fuhrer fiddled with the ribbon on his chest Ed Looked around making one final check of the surrounding making sure that his target was still in position. "My boy! Is there any honor you would request, name it! And if it is within my power to grant, I shall."

Face set like stone Edward opened his mouth for the first time during the ceremony broke from the skirt they had rehearsed the day before saying "Well, Sir! There is another honor. But I am afraid you are not able to grant it." The fuhrer looked puzzled but still kind as he said "Name it." Ed closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before turning to face Winry at rigid attention." No turning back now he thought his mind racing a mile a minute, as he dropped to one knee. "Winry Rockbell, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" And as he asked the question he pulled the ring he had made from his pocket. A simple steel band, it had been transmuted from the remnants of his shattered automail arm.

He had faced cultists, freaks, and literal hellspawn yet somehow this was by far the most frightening thing he'd ever done.

…

"Yes!" He was almost bowled over onto his back as Winry tackled him into a gigantic hug. He felt an incredible surge of relief as the words sunk in. Followed moments later by the sharp, and all too familiar pain of a wrench colliding with his thick skull as Winry shouted "BUT THIS IS NEITHER THE TIME NOR THE PLACE ED!" Bursting out laughing he pulled her into an even tighter hug, as distantly he heard the sound of a crowd of people clapping, and cheering. "We gotta work on that short temper of yours Win," Ed said with a smile. "Not as short as you." came the mumbled response spoke into his chest where she had smashed her face. And for the first time in his life, ed was called short without feeling an ounce of anger. All he felt then, and for some time after was happiness.

Much later he would look back and think, If only it had lasted...

Well I do hope you guys liked this chapter It is a wee bit shorter than the last one, but good news! With any luck, I can get another up, either later today, or perhaps tomorrow. If it's not up by tomorrow then it will be about a week before I can work on it again.

Have a great week, and God bless yinz.