For some reason, the pharagraphs from my word-documents doesn't translate properly when inserted, so some of the pharagraphing might seem a bit off... I'll get around to fix that and a couple of errors in the next couple of days!
All they could do was wait. Roy sat with his elbows on his knees, grasping at the hair on his head. Hawkeye sat next to him and Hughes next to her. Havoc had stepped outside for a cigarette break. They sat in silence and had been, ever since Edward was rushed in for treatment.
Roy rode in the ambulance to the hospital. Ed was unconscious the whole way. The medical personnel had checked his vitals, removed the kid's wet clothing and covered him in a forced air blanket and made sure he could breathe properly.
Roy had zoned out. He couldn't watch the small, helpless and lifeless body that was strapped to the gurney, afraid that Ed wouldn't pull through. What if he had already given up on life? A person could only take that much hardship without gaining anything. It just wasn't right, and once again he was, or wasn't, fighting for his unforgiving life.
"He's a tough kid," Havoc mumbled as he returned to the waiting room and sat down with a great sigh on Roy's left side. Roy shook his head in reply.
"Yeah, definitely. It's just... I don't understand how he could disappear in the middle of the night like that. His state was already so reduced. For God's sake, he can't even walk!"
Hawkeye left out a sad chuckle. The three men turned to look at her.
At the realization of her being the center of attention, she clarified, "Edward has been on his own since he was four years old. It doesn't matter to him if he's sick and injured. Surviving is something he is used to doing on his own."
"Surviving?" Roy spat angrily. "Surviving would have been to stay put in bed!"
"I thought you said he grew up in an orphanage," Maes asked, ignoring Roy's outburst.
"The Drachman orphanage he grew up in is mostly inhabited by delinquents and should be called a correction facility, not an orphanage. It's infamous for being a brutal place."
Riza took a small break to gather her thoughts and continued, "He's like a wounded animal. His instincts are to run away. I don't think Edward knows how to lean on other people. He has grown up in an environment where help isn't free. He, being unable to contribute or give anything in return, he simply doesn't believe he deserves it. Think of it as kind of an... equivalent exchange."
"So, instead he decided to remove himself from the situation," Hughes pieced together. "That makes sense," Roy sighed. "He's been so freaking compliant ever since he got that cast on his leg. He lost all of his spunk. I just figured it was because he wasn't feeling well."
Riza placed a comforting hand on Roy's shoulder. She knew better than anyone how much Roy was blaming himself for not understanding this sooner. In fact, she knew the reasons by Roy's every single move better than anyone.
The silence that had haunted the waiting room before, resumed for several minutes. Surprisingly, it was the raven-haired colonel, who seemingly tried to pull the hair out of his skull, that broke it.
"So, Mrs. Rockbell returned your call?" he asked, looking at Riza.
"Not exactly. She called the office this morning and left a message saying that they're coming to Central, expecting to arrive early tomorrow. If she calls back before I'm back at the office, they'll ask her to call for me here," she explained. Roy gave a slight nod, eyeing Hawkeye's delicate hands absentmindedly.
"Cigarette break," Havoc declared and got up from the plastic chair he was seated on, pointing at Hughes and signaling him to come with.
"You just had a cigarette break ten minutes ago!" Maes objected, scowling at the younger lieutenant.
"Read the room," Havoc sneered and rolled his eyes, dragging the dumbfounded lieutenant colonel with him out of the room.
Riza looked at the two bewildered but soon shifted her attention to Roy. She studied her superior officer's weary face and realized he wasn't doing too good.
"What's on your mind, Roy?" she asked softly. Roy chuckled in response.
"Please stay here," he mumbled eventually, still looking at her hands. Riza looked at him in confusion.
"I... need you here right now," he added, feeling a bit embarrassed at his own vulnerability. Riza gave a faint smile but didn't say anything. She leaned forward, grabbing Roy's hand in silent agreement.
About twenty minutes later, the receptionist from the front desk entered the room and approached them.
"Are any of you Second Lieutenant Hawkeye?" she asked. Riza stood up.
"Yes," she replied with a severe look on her face.
"There's a phone call for you." The receptionist smiled, guiding the second lieutenant towards her desk, while the men left waiting looked at them leaving.
"That receptionist is hot," Havoc grinned. Roy rolled his eyes and contemplated to remind him of his own words about 'reading the room'. Maes studied the receptionist as she walked away, nodding at Havoc.
"Yes. She has broad hips. That's excellent for reproduction."
The answer made Havoc choke on his coffee, spitting out the hot liquid in a coughing fit that made Roy smile for the first time that day.
After a short while, Hawkeye returned. The three men watched her expectantly.
"It was Dr. Rockbell, she confirmed that they're leaving Risembool this afternoon."
"Did you explain the situation?"
"Yes, in short terms. She seemed genuinely concerned. Alphonse is in a bit of shock, but very excited to see his brother."
"That's good."
They got interrupted by a woman with mousy gray hair, blue-rimmed glasses, and a long white coat.
"Roy Mustang?" she asked, reading from a clipboard.
"Yes," Roy answered and stood up to approach her.
"I'm Dr. Lucy, Elric's doctor. I understand that you are temporarily responsible for him?"
Roy hesitated for a second, but nodded in confirmation, "Yeah, I guess I am."
She was acting professional, not revealing too much emotion as she again started to read off the clipboard.
"Edward is currently in surgery for his leg injury," she explained. "His previous injury has been complicated by the stress he has put on his foot. We need to reposition the bone fragments into their normal alignment, and stabilize the broken pieces with metal plates and screws." She got a deep furrow between her eyes, reading what was written next.
"What?" Roy looked worriedly at the doctor, as her frown deepened.
"The frostbite has left his left leg-stump with some severe permanent nerve damage," she said as the air between them intensified. "We need to amputate a part of it, to stop the gangrene from spreading."
Roy almost laughed out loud. This had to be a joke. There was no way that the boy, who already was a double amputee, had to go through that a second time.
"Is there no way around it?" Roy asked, knowing fully from his days in Ishval that there was not. He just had a hard time accepting it.
"I'm afraid not." Letting that linger in the air for a moment, she continued.
"He's also being treated for hypothermia and frostbite to his hand and right leg, as well as his left stump. Lucky it's not as severe," she reassured."Unfortunately he has also developed pneumonia. He will be given antibiotics, and fluids intravenously. It's going to be a long way to recovery for the poor boy, but he is currently stable. He obviously needs to be here for observation and treatment for quite some time."
She eventually looked up to the tall man in front of her.
"Do you have any questions?"
"When will he be out of surgery?" Riza asked as Roy was currently unable to speak.
"It will be a couple of hours. It's too early to say. I'll let you know when he's out of surgery and gets out of recovery. Okay?"
Riza thanked the doctor warmly and Roy nodded almost unnoticeably. He made his way back to his seat, returning to his previous position with his elbows rested on his knees, hiding his face while trying to regain some composure.
Hours later the doctor returned and allowed Roy to see Edward. It was a long walk through the corridors. He looked at the grey linoleum floor and followed the lights one by one as it reflected in the clear floor while Dr. Lucy gave an update on the boy's condition. He had woken up a little while ago but had been in the recovery room for some time after the surgery.
They stopped outside a white door with the number 215 on it.
"He's quite weak still and probably in some amount of pain, but he's okay to see you. It'll be good for him to see a familiar face."
She tried to smile.
Roy didn't reply but held his breath as he stepped inside the small room.
Ed's skin was almost transparent, as he laid limp on the cot. It was too big for his small frame, and the oversized hospital gown made him look even smaller. Helpless.
He had breathing tubes up his nose and an IV in the creak of his elbow. His hand was re-dressed in clean bandages, leaving his index finger out for the pulse oximeter to monitor his oxygen levels. His chest rose and sank, as a squeaking noise followed his breaths. As the door opened, so did Ed's eyes.
Roy carefully pulled out a chair and seated himself next to the bed as the boy's half-lidded eyes followed his movements.
"How are you feeling?" he asked and tried to sound soothing.
"They put a needle in my chest," the boy sulked in a whisper, pointing weakly to somewhere on his ribcage. Roy chuckled.
"Yeah, they probably needed a fluid sample."
"I don't care. It hurt."
"It would probably hurt a hell of a lot more if they left you untreated. What were you thinking, leaving like that?"
Ed sighed, looking at his lap. "I just... didn't want to be a burden."
"You weren't a burden, just... an unexpected addition," Roy said with a crooked smile. "We were doing all right, weren't we?"
"I guess," Ed muttered weakly. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Just make sure to get healthy. You should probably not speak that much either."
"Roy?" Ed started to say but hesitated.
"What?"
Ed shook his head sadly. "It's stupid."
"I'm sure it's not."
"T's just... I thought I heard Riza say something before I drifted off... about my brother being alive. Was that a dream?"
Roy went silent for a moment, wondering how to break the news, then gave Ed a small smile.
"No, it wasn't a dream. Alphonse is really alive. He's on his way to see you right now."
A raspy breath caught in Edwards' throat, and he let out a couple of guttural coughs. Roy leaned over to carefully pat his back.
"Take it easy."
"How?" Ed stuttered between coughs. "Why would they tell me he was dead?"
"I don't know. We need to look into it. A mistake like that won't be taken lightly, I can assure you of that," Roy grimaced, gently stroking Ed's bandaged hand.
"What happened to him? After the... fire." Ed whispered the last word, hardly being able to stomach the taste of it.
"He was adopted by what seems to be a nice family. The Rockbells. They were your nabors."
A sad smile appeared on Ed's face.
"Yeah, I remember them. They're really nice. Yuriy and Sarah Rockbell used to babysit us. They died a long time ago, but Granny Pinako took good care of Winry, their daughter," Ed explained. "I'm glad they're the ones who took him in. Then I know he's been safe."
Something inside of Roy broke as the words were leaving Edwards mouth. That could have been him. Didn't he realize that? Instead of being neglected in some hell hole in Drachma, he could have had a safe and good upbringing back in Risembool. Despite their terrible tragedy.
He didn't want to put the thought in Edwards' head though. He was probably already worked up at the moment as it was.
"How are you feeling about it?" Roy asked, deciding that no matter what, Edwards' feelings deserved to be heard. He seemed too composed considering circumstances.
"About what?" Ed croacked, looking up from his lap. His cheeks were stained red and eyes clouded from the fever.
"About your brother being alive, and everything. A lot has happened for you the last week."
"Yeah." He thought for a second.
"I'm just relieved, happy. And a bit scared," he added.
"Of what?"
"What if he doesn't like me? What if he..." Ed looked towards his missing arm and winced as pain shot through his left stump as he tried to move it.
"What if he feels ashamed or disappointed. Nobody wants a crippled older brother."
That enraged Roy and he felt a furrow appear between his eyebrows.
"Don't you ever think that!"
Unintentionally, Roy raised his voice, clutching his fists. Ed startled, and looked up at him.
"Don't you ever feel ashamed of yourself. You need to wear your battle wounds with pride! It's proof of your strength and everything you've overcome!"
Roy let out an aggravated breath, running his hand down his face and calming himself slightly. He couldn't read the expression on Ed's face at his time, but he didn't care. He knew too many good men, scarred in battle. Psychologically and physically. This was Ed's own, personal war, and he needed him to understand how strong he was.
"Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are damaged, Edward. You are so far from it. You hold yourself better on your one fucking broken leg than most people do on two," he left out a slight scoff. "Including me," he added softly.
The silence that followed was painful, as Ed was unable to utter a single word. He couldn't. It would make the gates open, so he bit his bottom lip hard, to concentrate the pain elsewhere. Not that he really needed. Roy took the hint, and sat back in the chair, crossing his arms, giving the boy the time and space to collect himself.
They sat like that for a long while, until Edward could no longer keep his eyes open. Dispite tha pain, he fell asleep to Roy's reassuring presence, feeling safe for the first time in the last twelve years.
The morning came, and a train arrived in Central at 07:00 AM as scheduled. A short elderly lady in a green coat, followed by two blonde teenagers exit the train with three suitcases divided between them. Two of them being carried by a blond, tall and healthy looking young man, wearing a beige woolen trench coat. The young girl walking slightly behind him was wearing a light blue jacket and a scarf in a darker shade of blue.
The young man scanned the large station-building with a curious gaze, looking for someone that stood out as a military officer. They had been told they would be picked up at their arrival.
It didn't take long before he noticed a blue-cloaked man, towering over the people passing by. He had a light blonde mustache and wore his fringe in a single curl down his forehead. It didn't hurt that he held up a sign saying "Welcome Rockbells!" either, in impeccable cursive writing.
"Excuse me, sir," Alphonse greeted politely, reaching his hand towards the strange man. "My name is Alphonse Rockbell. This is my sister, Winry, and Grandmother, Pinako. I believe you are waiting for us?"
The man dropped his sign on the ground and scooped the boy up in a bone-crunching hug. "Oh, young Alphonse!" the man cried. "I've heard so much about you and your brothers' heartwarming history. I am so touched and blessed by the honor of escorting you and your family to see your poor brother!"
Winry and Pinako stood back with shocked looks on their faces, avoiding the overbearing welcome given by this seemingly oversized toddler. Alphonse gasped for air and the large man finally released him.
"Where are my manners? I am Major Alexander Louis of the glorious Armstrong family," de declared ceremoniously. Alphonse cleared his voice and tried to loosen the collar of his shirt with his index finger. The three Rockbells looked at the man with somewhat mortified faces, as he flexed his enormous muscles, gloating at his own fabulousness.
Pinako finally scoffed and stomped past him.
"Get your head outta your ass," she sneered, effectively bringing Armstrong back to earth. "I am so sorry, Mrs. Rockbell," he deflated on the spot.
"Doctor," she corrected him.
"Of course. Dr. Rockbell. I will show you to your vehicle," he said, bowing his head submissively, and gestured them to follow him.
"Major Armstrong, sir?" Alphonse asked as he got in the backseat of the awaiting car next to Winry. She had uncharacteristically remained silent after getting off the train, clearly feeling the tension of the situation. Armstrong got in the driver's seat, bearly fitting his burly body in the car.
"Yes, Mr. Rockbell?"
"Have- have you met him? My brother?" he asked hesitantly, making eye contact with the major through the rearview mirror.
Armstrong smiled warmly and shook his head.
"I'm afraid I have not had the pleasure yet. But I've heard a lot about him. He seems like quite the remarkable young man."
Alphonse smiled and sat back in, feeling reassured by the kind words of his older brother.
When he had heard that his brother was still alive, he had been so relieved. It had proven that he hadn't been imagining it all. He thought back to that day at the hospital after they had been rescued from the fire.
He was very young when it happened, but it had made a lot of impact on him which he recond was the reason he remembers parts of it so clearly. Other parts were more fuzzy or erased entirely. He remembered his arm being bandaged, and he cried as he was handed off to a social worker.
She was an elderly woman with a stern look on her face. Her hair was tied back in a tight bun like she was trying to smooth out the wrinkles of her forehead. He remembered that she smelled heavily of perfume and that she half-heartedly tried to comfort him while explaining that they were going to the Risembool Orphanage.
His crying had only intensified when the past an open door in the hospital hallway. Inside he was sure that he saw his brother's small frame, looking bandaged up all over with tubes sticking out from, what seemed to be, everywhere. He cried out after his brother but was quickly hushed by the stiff woman.
"He is gone," she had said. 'Gone?', Al thought. "But he's right there!"That was the last time Al had seen anyone of his own flesh and blood. Pinako had come for him already the following day after learning what had happened. He would be forever grateful for what their family had done for him, but no one could ever replace his own biological family. Pinako was now his legal guardian. Even if she technically was his adoptive mom, she was still, and would always be Granny.
Alphonse realized that he was lost in thought as the car stopped in front of a large concrete building. A sign read 'Central Military Hospital', and his breath was caught in his throat.
"Are you okay?" Winry asked softly, gently stroking her hand on his shoulder, shaking him back from his memories. Her hand was shaking subtly, and he could relate to her nervous energy.
"I'm a bit scared too," she admitted.
"I'm okay," he said hoarsely, opening the door and stepping out.
This was really it. After twelve years, he was going to see his brother again.
I finally managed to finnish another chapter! I was hit with a major writers-block, and could for the love of God not finnish as much as a paragraph. I know this chapter is a bit "chatty", but there still was a lot of stuff to resolve, now closing in to the end.
Thank you so much for reading!