I do not own the Fullmetal Alchemist

Ed was staring at the book in his lap without seeing a single word. The memory of his encounter with Ling replayed in his mind. His teeth gritted in frustration and worry at what Ling would do now that he knew that Ed...

Ed exhaled through his teeth and closed the book he had been trying to read for hours. In front of him, children threw breadcrumbs at ducks that swam in the lake. It was around twelve in the morning, the sun shining on everything, making the scene in front of him look as peaceful as paradise.

Except for the tap on his shoulder that broke the picture.

'Hello, Edward Elric.' A female's voice said from behind him.

Ed jumped and span around. Lan Fan didn't flinch at his glare. She stared straight ahead at the children happily feeding the ducks.

'They remind me of my childhood,' she said. 'When I was younger, I used to feed rice to the koi that lived by my old house with my mother and father. We were so happy then.' Her tone turned wistful. 'Then one day, they passed away. And my grandfather brought me up. If not for him, I would not be by Master Ling's side fighting with him, as I would have been commanded to guard another Prince. I do miss my parents greatly, but yet I don't regret what life has given me.' Ed wasn't looking at her, but he could feel her eyes move to him. 'What are your current opinions on life so far?'

Ed closed his eyes with annoyance and leaned back on the bench. 'Ling told you to say that to me, didn't he?' he muttered.

'Yes, Master Ling told us after sneaking out-' Her voice had a hint of exasperation like Hawkeye when Mustang was denying putting off paperwork- 'That he discovered a certain sensitive topic of yours. He didn't tell my grandfather and I what exactly, if it makes you feel better,' she added.

Ed opened his eyes, staring at the children laughing innocently. They looked so much like Nina. 'Where is Ling, anyway?'

'Do I hear you asking for me?'

Ed didn't move as Ling suddenly appeared behind him with Lan Fan's grandfather. He scowled and turned around, glaring at Ling. 'You told them?' he demanded.

'I didn't.' Ling was lacking his usual carefree smile and voice. 'I only said you were dealing with something and I needed to find you. You did say you'll see me tomorrow, which counts as today, remember?'

Ed scowled at the weak attempt at humor and turned back around, not saying anything.

Ling hopped onto the bench next to him. 'Listen, Ed. And I know you don't want to but just listen.'

Ed opened his book and stared at the words. 'Go away, idiot, I'm reading.'

Though he didn't show it, the hairs on his neck prickled with alertness as Lan Fan's knife appeared under his chin in a flash.

Ling waved it off. 'It's fine, Lan Fan.'

Ed raised an eyebrow sideways at Ling as Lan Fan retracted her deadly weapons. 'Is this the moment where you tell me "it's okay to talk about how you feel" and that "you're there for me" and all that stuff?'

'Well, kind of. Yeah,' Ling admitted.

Ed rolled his eyes and turned back to his book. 'Save it.'

Ling sighed. 'Alright. So why do you do it?'

Ed looked up from the book and gave Ling an annoyed look that said "shut up".

'You said Al doesn't know. How many other people don't know about this?' Ling pushed further.

No reply.

'How long do you plan to keep this secret? Until you bleed out or something?'

Ed could tell Ling was serious about helping his situation and wasn't going to give up. But it didn't mean he had to answer his questions. Ed growled and snapped his book shut. 'I'm not in the mood for a therapy session, alright! Just leave me alone.' With that, he stormed off.

Thanks for reading!