A/N: Yesh, people: Fletcher Tringham is dead. I am so evil. XD It made me sad doing that though. I don't like having Alphonse dead but, that was the event that made the story. And just so all of you know: I will NEVER kill Maes off. So don't think he's next. I just watched episode 25 actually and let's just say I've never cried so much in my whole life.

TO MY REVIEWERS:

Sonic16: Hehe, yesh I am evil! XD Heh, I should do all-nighters more often, ne?

Xueyan: Um … Al is neither steel nor flesh. He was killed, remember? XD Uh, I don't think I'm going to make it a threesome. Lmao, interesting thought though.

Urbanfae: Gomen-nasai, but Fletcher is truly dead. It was hard for me to kill him off. I don't like the thought of first Alphonse, and now Fletcher dead; but it's true. Hmn, hook Russell up with Winry? I was thinking about that; though I can't stand Winry. -twitches-

VampireChildofDarkness: YESH! You got it! Both of the younger brothers have been murdered. I was wondering if someone was going to get that! -huggles you- Awh, I'm sorry you have writer's block. I get those all the time. TT.TT Aren't they annoying? You think Russell should be paired up? But with who?

Br14nn4: Lol, wow. I suck at fight scenes so those will be here in every few quantities. -blinks- Yeah, I guess miracles really do happen. But yesh, POOR FLETCHER! -cries- Russell can go screw himself, no pity for him!

GoTrinba: Hmn, yeah. I sort of think Russell should be killed off too. -blinks- I sound like a heartless bastard. XD

AngylLayDying: I know what you mean! I get attached to so many characters so it's hard for me to kill one off.

xEnvious Envyx: XD So I take it you liked the lime scene, ne? I tried. -looks at puppy and pets him, smiling- HI FLUFFY!

Alchemist X: Hmn, Scar? I haven't really thought about him. -grins evilly- You're giving me ideas! -runs off typing-

SoulSister: -Closes your mouth- Hehe, yeah I'm evil. The fluffy mood was just getting good too! XD

Taylor: NO! -waves hands- I would NEVER kill Maes!

Ebony Colmen: -Blinks- Wow, colorful words there. XD I hope you weren't calling me those things. -sweat drops- x.x;;;

Shinigami Akumu: I know, I give all the hard jobs to Roy, don't I? XD -chews on cookie-

Sarah: -Blinks- I'm glad you like it, but you didn't have to force yourself to read it. XD Hehe, I'm proud of myself, I made you like Ed/Roy!

Chapter fifteen / Explanations

Roy hung up the receiver, then punched the wall. 'Damn it! So now the Fuhrer's after Ed. He wants him dead … and killed Fletcher Tringham instead. DAMN IT!'

"Roy …?" came Ed's worried voice.

Turning around, he faced the concerned looks of Russell and Edward. This isn't going to be easy.

"Roy …?" Ed's voice came again.

Shaking out of his thoughts, the older man looked back at forth between the two blondes. Edward looked confused and scared while Russell was trembling like a leaf with denial shining in his eyes.

'I have to tell him …'

"Russell," Mustang started, closing his eyes. "That was Maes … with a report."

"They got him, didn't they?" Russell asked. "The military got Fletcher."

The raven-haired man sighed. "King Bradley sent some soldiers to where your brother was--"

"He sent the soldiers over there and killed him, didn't they!" the younger blonde screamed. "They thought he was Ed because he looked like him so thought Fletcher was the famous Fullmetal Alchemist."

"Russell …" Ed whispered. "I--"

"Save it, Edward," he snapped. Looking up, he glared into Ed's golden orbs with hatred. "It's your fault my brother is dead. You went and got your little brother killed, but you just had to get mine killed too!"

"NO!" Ed cried. "It wasn't supposed to happen this way!"

Russell let out a bitter laugh. "Oh sure. Of course you didn't mean it to happen this way. You thought I would just blame the military and move on!"

"NO! THAT'S NOT IT RUSSELL!" Edward screamed, tears welling up in his eyes. "You KNOW I respect Fletcher! I would never do anything to put him in--"

"To put him in danger?" the other blonde interrupted. "You sent my little brother out on one of your missions and you expect me to believe you thought it was safe!"

Failing to keep back the water, a sob wracked from the state alchemist's petite form. "We … we thought he would get on the first train back home! We d-didn't know he was going to be followed!"

Russell looked ready to crack. "STOP WITH THE BULLSHIT ED!" he shrieked, covering his ears.

Tears ran down the Fullmetal Alchemist's cheeks, falling down to the floor. He looked more damaged than Russell.

"N-no …" Roy barely heard his love gasp.

Russell couldn't stop glaring at him. "I can't believe I agreed to help you," he muttered as he clenched his fists.

With each quaver of Edward's shoulders, more of his long, blonde locks fell to hide his face. "R-Russell … please … I-I didn't want--"

"JUST SHUT UP!" the now-only Tringham screeched as his fist flew to the other blonde's face; hitting him square in the jaw.

"RUSSELL!" Roy shouted as he pulled him back. "Hurting Ed won't bring your brother back. And you know it's not his fault; you're just looking for someone to blame … and since you dislike Ed because I'm with him you thought he would be the perfect person."

Russell ripped out of Mustang's grasp. "He shouldn't be with you!" he yelled hysterically. "He doesn't deserve to be with someone like you!"

Wiping some tears away, Ed blinked, confused. "You … hate me because I'm with Roy …?"

"YES! You have NO right to be with him, Elric! You took away the man that I loved, and then you got my brother murdered!"

Walking over, Edward raised his flesh hand, and calmly slapped the blonde. Wide-eyed Russell just stared in shock. "Russell, I understand your hatred and rage right now. I know how it feels … with Al. But you didn't even know who Roy was till you came to help me. You have no right to hate me for being with him." Ed sighed. "I would blame myself if I were you as well … but you have to know that I didn't do anything. Fletcher did this willingly, knowing all the risks. But you know what? I will always be grateful to him. If you two didn't come, I would have left on that mission with no back-up plan. I would be dead right now, if it weren't for him. I know that will only make you hate me more … but that's okay. Hell, I hate myself … and now I will be in debt with someone I will never be able to repay," Edward said quietly as another tear fell from his cheek.

Stepping forward, Mustang decided it was time to end this feud. "Russell, I think it's be best if you went home. I'll even pay for the ticket."

Nodding slightly, the taller blonde went to his room to gather his things; leaving Ed and Roy alone in the hallway.

"Ed?" Roy murmured to his lover. The young man was just standing there staring at the place Russell once stood but now held only thin air. Walking to his front, Roy gently laid a hand on his shoulder. "Ed? Are you alright?"

His only answer was a single tear falling. But then suddenly, Roy was tackled by the blonde. Edward had latched his arms around the man's waist while he wept into his chest.

"Ed …" Roy cooed. "It's alright." Leaning against the wall he was thrown onto, he wrapped one arm around Ed; while he ran his free hand through the gorgeous golden stands.

"I-it's all my f-fault. I-it's my f-fault he's d-dead," Ed blubbered into Roy's chest.

Said Roy looked puzzled. "What do you mean?" he asked softly.

Ed tightened his grip on the colonel's waist. "H-he's right. I-it's my f-fault F-Fletcher's d-dead."

"Don't talk like that Ed! There was nothing you could do. Besides, like you said, I'm grateful of Fletcher."

Picking up his head, Ed stared straight into Roy's deep pools. "Yes, I'm grateful. But only because he took my place in death! If I didn't call them over here, he would still be alive with Russell!" he almost yelled, losing all weakness he had a moment ago. "I caused Fletcher's death, Roy!"

And with that, Edward tore away from Roy's embrace; racing for the bedroom and slammed the door.

Sighing heavily, Roy rubbed his temples with his eyes closed till Russell came back out with his belongings.

"I'm ready, Roy," Russell whispered.

Looking up, the older man held back a gasp. Russell's face was stained with countless tears. No doubt he broke down crying once he entered his room. It was surprising he didn't cry in the hallway. It was odd enough that Ed did.

Nodding, Roy pushed away from the wall and started down the stairs.

'Ed, please be alright for a few minutes. Please don't do anything reckless.'

Opening the door, Roy and Russell left the house and walked to the car.

Russell got into the front passenger seat silently, holding his and Fletcher's bag in his lap. Once Roy got in, they were on their way.

----------------

Sobbing into the pillow, Ed let out all his emotion.

"I'm so stupid!" he screamed at himself. "First I get Al killed and then I get Fletcher dead too!"

Sitting up, the blonde was still for a few moments; then stared down at his right arm.

"… It's the easiest thing to get to … and it's got to be sharper than anything else … maybe it won't hurt and I can just end it …"

With more staring at his auto-mail arm, one thought came to his mind.

'… Roy …'

----------------

The entire drive was silent; except for the occasional 'ping' sound when a tear would hit Russell's bags. He didn't bother hide his face, even though his visible eye was in Roy's view.

"I'm sorry about your brother, Russell," Roy said quietly, still looking straight ahead.

Russell shook his head; to get rid of the tears or to his statement, Roy didn't know.

"Thanks," he whispered. "Home … isn't going to be the same without him. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Look, I know this isn't exactly a good time to bring it up but, when we find the body … what do you want us to do …?"

The blonde seemed to be in deep thought for a minute, then gazed out the window. "Contact me, I guess. So I can bury him next to Mom." ((A/N: I don't know about his mom but she's dead, right?))

Roy nodded. "Well, we're here," he commented as he reached for his wallet.

"It's okay, I have money," Russell retaliated as he started to get out.

"Are you sure?" Roy asked.

"Yeah, but thanks. Um, thanks for the ride and …"

Roy waited for him to continue.

"… tell Ed I'm sorry," he finished then closed the door.

"I will …" Roy mused to himself. He watched Russell for a moment as he walked to the ticket booth and into the train.

Sighing, Roy re-started the car. "Ed … you better be alright when I get home."

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Sitting in an empty seat, Russell leaned his head against the cool window.

"… Fletcher …" he whimpered as countless tears streamed down his face. "… F-Fletcher …"

----------------

Bringing his auto-mail dagger up for close inspection, Ed lightly ran one of his flesh fingers across the blade. Flinched slightly when it cut through the skin.

Pulling back, he watched as a single drop of blood rolled down to his palm. "Damn, why do small wounds hurt more than bigger ones? Like paper cuts … they hurt like a bitch and are less than a centimeter long. Go fuckin' figure."

Placing the dagger against his wrist, Ed shivered from the cold sensation. Keeping both arms still, he just stared; wondering.

'… Should I …?'