second little snippet, since people asked nicely...we shall see how many little bits of this AU i can get going.anyoneelse interested in writing their take on this concept?-fireun

It came as a surprise when Ed asked about Roy's eye patch. One minute he was staring out the window, as had become his daily ritual, and the next instant he had focused on Roy, brow creased and eyes so sharp Roy's breath caught. That look, that intensity…it was so close to the Ed they all thought lost.

"Colonel…what happened to your eye?" Ed reached out, brushing fingers inquisitively across the patch's fabric.

"Brigadier General, Edward. I really haven't been a Colonel in quite some time." Roy tried to keep his voice quiet, to keep the intensity of emotions quelled…He let a crooked smile grace his solemn face. "Anyway, I am told the patch is rather dashing."

Disgruntled disdain flashed across Ed's face as he struggled his way into a more upright position. "That's not an answer, bastard."

"Feeling better?" Roy wished, instantly, that he had not let the anxious question be uttered. Ed stared at him for a minute, and then slumped back.

"Sorry. Shouldn't have asked about the eye like that. Not my business." He muttered, turned to look back outside.

"After you left me, back then in Central, I went to confront the Fuhrer…I lost it then."

"Ah."

There were a few events in his life that Roy wished had never happened, words he had wished never said. This really took the cake though. As the monotone reasserted itself into Ed's speech, as his eyes slipped back into their glazed sort of distance, Roy sank back into his chair, feeling adrenaline seep back, leaving a disgruntled stomach and twitchy nerves in its wake.

And a damn headache.

His head sank down to rest, face first, into his hand, into the familiar, smoky smell that always lingered around his gloves. He almost jumped out of his skin when he felt a tentative touch on his shoulder. He jerked his head up to stare at Ed, more than a little confused.

"I'm sorry." Ed whispered.

"The eye? I'm used to it."

"No…it's…" Ed gestured weakly at himself. "I…it's just…I miss him. I can't do this." Ed's features scrunched up, and he stared at Roy from those wide, horrified eyes. "I fucked it up, and I can't do this without him. I can't do it on my own."

Image be damned, Roy reached and pulled Ed into an embrace. "Then don't do it on your own, Ed." It was a reflection of his mental state that Ed didn't struggle, didn't pull away. Roy held the younger man as great shuddering sobs tore through his small frame, trying to offer what reassurance he could. And when Ed had been still and silent for a few moments, Roy pulled away, and pretended to be busy rearranging cups and books on the nightstand, allowing Ed a moment or three of pseudo privacy to try and pull himself together.

"If the eye patch is considered dashing I am sure Havoc is thinking of ways to get you a glass eye." Ed managed in a voice that was, to his credit, only slightly rough.

"Why ever for?"

"Anyway he can lower your advantage helps his prospects with the women." Ed attempted a chuckle, gave it up as a bad idea, and sighed.

"Ed, if you are feeling up to it…would you like to take a walk? I am sure you have noticed it is a rather pleasant day out…"

"Yeah, it's getting kinda stuffy in here." Ed stretched, paused, and then stared. "You're not in uniform."

Roy crossed his arms defensively. "It happens."

The upper hand achieved, Ed glanced around the rather small room. "Hey, Mustang, where are my clothes? This hospital gown is ridiculous."

Roy smirked. "How would I know?"

"Damn…at least turn around or something while I look for them."

"Are you suggesting I would be interested in looking at a shrimp like you?" Roy intoned, almost ritualistically.

A vein ticked in Ed's forehead the instant before he opened his mouth and howled in rage. Roy smiled in satisfaction as nurses rushed in to see what ailed their patient. It might be merely an interlude, but it was good to have at least one Elric back.