CHAPTER 10

Roy drove as fast as he could to the hospital. Weaving in and out of the bustling Central traffic. He saw military officers on the move around the entire city. Hawkeye worked fast, she always did. She was a damn good soldier. Once Roy reached the hospital he threw his car into park and practically ran inside the hospital. He made sure to call ahead of time for the hospital to be on high alert. Roy felt a little ease knowing that Alphonse was with Edward. He hurried through the halls and didn't bother to look at anyone in his path. He flung open the door to see Ed sleeping peacefully. Al was sitting beside him with a book open, reading aloud.

"Colonel?" Al asked. Obviously not briefed on the situation.

"Good. You two are okay." Roy heaved. Al nodded slowly.

"Brother fell asleep not too long ago. I've just been reading this book to him." Alphonse said gently, not wanting to awaken his brother. Roy nodded and took a seat on one of the small chairs. He winced from his injuries. "Did something happen?" Al asked.

"Lust, that bitch. Came into my house and tried to take me." Roy said, suddenly feeling very tired.

"Oh no! Are you okay?" Al asked, sympathy oozing from his small voice.

"Just a few scratches, would have been worse if Hawkeye wasn't there." Roy smiled, feeling his cheeks get hot.

"Thank goodness for that." Al said. "Do you think she will come after brother?"

"Not sure, that's why I'm here. All Central officers are on the hunt for her currently." Roy said.

"Then I'll go look too!" Al said, standing. Roy motioned for him to sit.

"No, no. You need to stay here with Ed, make sure he's okay." Roy smiled. Al shifted on his feet and sat once again.

"So Lust did all this to him?" Al quivered. Roy never saw the kid angry, but he knew he had it in him, especially when it came to Ed.

"Yes. But don't worry, we'll catch her." Roy frowned.

"You guys are too loud." A small voice erupted from the bed. Roy and Al looked over to see Ed, his yellow eyes piercing into Roys.

"Sorry, brother." Al said. Ed tried to prop himself on his one elbow, wincing at his shoulder pain. Al quickly adjusted the pillows so Ed was sitting in an upright position.

"Thanks." Ed said dully, his cheeks growing red.

"Of course, brother." Al Said gleefully.

"You can sit up now?" Roy smirked. Ed pursed his lips

"Shut up, Colonel bastard." Ed heaved. "You mentioned Lust…" He trailed off. Roy didn't want Ed to have to worry about any of this, but suppose it is his own fault for talking about it so openly when he was right there. Ed had been known to feign sleep.

"Yeah." Roy said. Ed tilted his head back so it was resting on the abundance of pillows behind him.

"I'm sorry…" Ed finally said quietly. Roy could see a small shimmer in his eyes.

"What are you sorry for?" Roy asked.

"You got hurt because of me." Ed said. Roy felt his mouth gape open. He didn't know exactly how to respond. Why was Ed apologizing?! Roy was the one who sent him out on this mission in the first place, Roy was the one who thrusted a child into danger without a second thought. Now Ed was laid up in the hospital due to Roy's lack of planning and carefulness. He should be the one apologizing, he should be the one begging for forgiveness.

"This isn't your fault…" Roy struggled to get the words out, his pride encompassing his body. He fought against the barriers of vulnerability, until they broke. "It's mine. I sent you on a dangerous mission without even thinking about it… You're part of the military but you're also just a kid. You got this badly hurt because of me." Roy felt himself pouring all of his pent up emotion out onto the floor below. Ed was a bit taken aback by the sudden softness from his usually stoic boss.

"Y-you think you are to blame for all of this?" Ed asked, trying to seem more lighthearted than he felt. "God, you're hopeless! I was the one that got reckless and fought even when you told me not to." Ed laughed a bit.

"Edward." Roy said, a slight smile curling on his lips.

"I'm serious! None of this is your fault. So stop whining about it." Ed clapped back.

"Fine. Guess we can call it even then." Roy laughed shallowly, even though he knew Ed still felt like shit, it helped hearing his forgiveness, whether it was genuine or not.

"Perfect. Now we can focus on what the hell to do next." Ed said, beaming a smile. Roy felt sheepish for letting a child comfort him, while Ed was laid up in a hospital bed, he was the one still smiling at Roy happily and making him feel better. What a joke. Roy smiled back at the boy, his mind racing. The Elric boys were really like sons to him, whether he liked it or not. In this moment, everything seemed peaceful, like nothing bad had ever happened in the first place.

That was until Hawkeye slammed the door open to the hospital room.

"Colonel!" She yelled, saluting. Everyone jumped and turned towards her.

"What is it?" Roy asked.

"Ms. Rockbell has been taken from her lodging, sir." She said, trying to remain her composure.

The perfect moment was thrusted back into darkness in an instant.