Hello y'all!
This one is short, but it fits the theme well! It's "coercition" = "coercion", that means force people to obey under constraint. It fits perfectly Ed's situation in Briggs when Kimblee exposes the "job" he'll have to do.
Characters: Winry Rockbell, Edward and Alphonse Elric
Rating: K+
Genre: Light angst (I guess?), hope
Enjoy!
"Winry, you're being held hostage."
Ed's words had hit Winry more than she had expected. She realized only now the bond she shared with both brothers was what the military used to force Ed into action, to obey the orders. And what orders!
Becoming a human weapon and kill people. When they'd decided to never kill anyone despite Ed being part of the military.
She sat abruptly on the bunk of the cell, her head in her hands, her throat dry and her heart clenched. She reassured Ed. She wasn't crying. She was angry because of her own uselessness.
That was coercion. Edward was forced to obey iniquitous orders because she was there, because he couldn't do other way. She was his weakness. And the military had easily understood that.
Edward stepped outside of the cell, and she couldn't help but wince when he mentioned his willingness to track down Scar.
She didn't want to see him fight against him again. This man – her parent's killer – had threatened her childhood friends, and she refused to see them put themselves in danger because of her.
But Alphonse's explanation brought light on his brother's decision. It gave her some courage. They hadn't given up the hope they would get their bodies back and were still looking for new solutions. Scar was only an excuse.
Winry straightened, her hands on her hips, then leaned against the cell where Alphonse was still locked in.
"Well then… I need to make up a believable motive too?"