By: Minuiko
Greed!Ling (in manga chapter 56) is so cool! ; hahaha. Um, sorry for the long-time-no-update (right, I say that for all of my six unfinished stories, ugh)…
Just wanted to make this clear: in my story, Alchemy does not exist. Which explains why Ed didn't act like the real Ed would and just say "No deal!" the way he did in the Hagaren anime/manga and try to kick everyone's ass.
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Chapter Ten&
"Is this an elevator?"
Six-year-old Edward was struggling to keep his eyes open; it was close to midnight. Trisha smiled and explained to him that no, it was not an elevator, it was their new home. Edward was too tired to make a big deal about it, only commenting that it looked too small to live in. She laughed, saying that they would manage, and tucked him into his new bed with Alphonse, who was already asleep.
"Is Dad gonna live here, too?"
"No, Edward. Daddy isn't living here."
"Why not?"
"I'll explain when you're older."
Edward pouted, but let the evasion slide. "Will he visit us a lot?"
"Not often, Edward."
"Why not? Doesn't he rule the country? Can't he take breaks whenever he wants?"
"Daddy is busy at his work. He can't visit us too often or else he'll get in trouble. Even rulers can get into trouble."
"But he's never here. You always look sad when he's gone. I don't want you to be sad, Mom."
Trisha smiled and kissed his forehead. "Don't think about it too much. Go to sleep, you've had a long day."
"Can you sleep with us, Mom?"
She laughed. "You're growing up so fast, both you and Alphonse. but… just this once, okay?"
"'kay."
He was asleep before she had even gotten her apron off. She smiled and kissed both of her sons' cheeks before closing the light.
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She never did tell them, and gradually he began not to care. All that mattered was that Hohenheim wasn't there and his mother was forced to be strong all the time, crying only when she thought Edward couldn't see. And he had thought that he had to bring his father back, no matter how much he began to despise the man, just so he could see his mother really smile, and it stung. Weren't he and Alphonse enough to make her happy? They did their best, but it was always, always her working her best for them, and them not giving enough in return. It was frustrating, but what she really wanted was Hohenheim…
Then their supply of money ran out and he was just old enough to get work at the city to make up for what Hohenheim didn't give them. His two reasons for working in the military were to get closer to the Fuhrer, his father, and the decent pay in higher ranks. The man showed him no favoritism and he'd started out at a low-paying desk job and had been forced to juggle a second, part-time job as well just to pay for a shabby apartment in the city while sending the bulk of his salary back home.
Roy Mustang could have been called his savior, though Edward would never admit to it, as he was the one who first took an interest in the boy, for his "hard-working nature, optimistic personality, and obvious talent," though Ed really suspected he just wanted someone he could have fun teasing, someone with little experience and credit who could be easily used as a scapegoat while he slacked off and picked up military girls. Edward wouldn't let him, however. Their age difference really didn't matter when it came to a contest of words; Edward could attack just as viciously. When it came to experience… Edward grudgingly conceded that the older man was indeed more experienced, and that was why Roy usually won their verbal spars.
But anyhow, it boosted his salary enough that he didn't need to scrounge for extra lunch money, and could send more back home. He, of course, didn't like being an assistant, and had so worked his way somehow to the level of second-lieutenant, making him less dependent on Roy for his money, though he still had to obey him to some degree, the man being a Colonel and a full three ranks above him.
When he tried confronting Hohenheim, the man had been so cold and professional in saying that there was no way he could help Trisha or her sons without seeming prejudiced that Ed could hardly believe he was a father. This was the man his mother was upset over? Pined for? Talked about so exuberantly? This man had nothing that could possibly attract as kind a woman as his mother to him.
Simply said, his father was a bastard.
Not long after, Alphonse had been kidnapped (for God knew what reason) and Edward went on leave to chase after him. Then he'd arrived in the distant land of Xing… and met Envy.
And now he was back.
"It's so… so…"
"Civilized? Sanitary?" Edward said, grinning at Envy's expression.
"Different," Envy said, glaring at Edward. "Full of yourself, aren't you?"
He held up a hand defensively. "Hey, you have to admit that the scenery beats the hell out of those one-tree-a-mile-with-garbage-dumps-in-everyone's-back-yard places in Xing, wouldn't you agree?"
"Xing happens to be very culturally rich and very popular for tourists, and more prosperous districts than the one you visited happen to have beautiful gardens. The classical Xingese arts and buildings were state-of-the-art for their time, making the national gallery worth visiting as well. And the shops sold everything so cheap. I wish we could've bought more… Those beautiful metal tools, and nails and screws and bolts and…"
Winry proceeded to rant with an enraptured look on her face, and both Edward and Envy sighed and shook their heads, walking on. And she was the one who was furious at me for abandoning Al? She's enjoying herself more than I am! How strange people were, to be able to have fun even in times of distress, and to find everything repulsive while at complete peace.
"Where are we going?"
"Well," Ed said, "I thought maybe we could first stop by my apartment— it's big enough for the three of us if I move a few things— then head out for lunch, and Winry could take you sightseeing while I visit the Colonel and get back to work. As long as I'm in the military, I might as well make use of military resources."
Envy admitted, "It is pretty nice. The change of scenery, I mean. There's nothing here to remind me of… well, you know."
"Yeah." Edward looked longingly at the library they'd just passed, but now wasn't the time for that. And as much as he needed to save Alphonse… they had to deal with Envy. What could they do about him? Edward didn't know. But for now, they could relax for a day or two. Besides, even if he found the information he needed, it still wouldn't do with Greed as powerful as he was. And with the plan he was possibly forming… "I can't believe a man like that is king," he finally said.
"There are a lot of things in this world that aren't perfect," Envy commented. "For example, your stature, or lack of thereof."
The reaction was expectedly explosive. "WHO'S SO SHORT HE NEEDS A STOOL TO SEE OVER THE KITCHEN COUNTER?"
"Who ever mentioned a kitchen, Ed?" Winry said.
"I'm hungry, it was the first thing I thought of! And tell this guy," finger pointed in fervent accusation at Envy, "to quit commenting on my height!"
"Envy, stop commenting on his height," Winry said airily, and said, "After we drop off a few particulars in your apartment, we can go to that nice little diner near Schieska's home— you can probably ask her to find whatever research materials you need at the Amestris Library, too. Much faster than a library catalogue. And while you're at it, I can go take Envy shopping!"
"You just want someone to hold your stuff, huh."
"Why would you think that? Maybe he'll take an interest in automail, unlike you. I don't get why you don't, it's fascinating, and gives you a feeling of accomplishment, especially since you save lives. One of the few worthwhile professions in the world."
"Actually, I'd rather go with Ed," Envy said quietly, causing Winry to stare at him with an eyebrow raised and Ed turning his face away, blushing at the implications. Wait, he wants to go with me to search for something confidential and boring instead of going with Winry to get to know the city, what could that mean, does he prefer my company more or is he just trying to get out of shopping? God, what am I thinking, I'm reading too much into it, if it were me, I'd want to go with me too. But it's research! Boring research! He doesn't even like research, does he? Well, I guess I wouldn't know… but wait, can he even read?
"Well, it's up to you, I guess," Winry said in a neutral tone.
Envy nodded briefly, and they continued their walk.
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No… Nii-san…Ed's gold eyes flashed in impatience as he rejected the younger boy again and again. "You're getting annoying."
"Nii-san, don't leave me behind! Don't… leave me…"
"Shut up! A stupid brat like you has no right to say that to me. After everything I did for Mom and you, the least you could do is let me do what I want!"
"Nii-san!"
"Need help, o-chibi-san?" a husky voice said, and his brother shook his head, smiling. After Envy's form had consolidated from the darkness, he and Ed looked down at Alphonse contemptuously. His violet eyes never leaving the Alphonse's, Envy grabbed Edward's hand possessively and jerked.
"Come on, let's go," Envy urged.
"Yes."
Both of them were walking away into darkness, and Alphonse lay there, sobbing, "Nii-san! Nii-san, don't leave me… not for him…"
Alphonse woke up again in the dark room that was quickly becoming familiar. It was night and both Lust and Wrath were sleeping. Despite the fact that the room was heated, he shook as though with cold, and couldn't stop. Why had he dreamed about something like that? His brother would never leave him, his own flesh and blood, and especially not for a slave boy he had barely met. But even as he thought that, he remembered a disturbing fact that the dream had brought up. While Ed had worked his heart out trying to get enough money to pay for all their bills, he had done nothing worth noting since he had left his mother's lap. It wasn't equivalent trade… they weren't even that far apart in age. He should have gotten a job too… been more useful…
God, he was so damned useless. And all he could do now was hope for his brother to come again. He bit back tears of frustration and told himself to deal with it. The dream hadn't meant anything more than a bit of doubt in his subconscious, which was not to be trusted. His brother would come for him. He couldn't not believe otherwise.
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.:Tsuzuku:.
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Bah. School starts in three days and I need to study for a test on the first day. :O So sorry if I don't update again. Besides, how many of you other than me think that this chapter was utter crap? If you did, I'm not surprised. If you didn't, then don't mind me right now, it's twelve something and my eyes are tired and I feel irritated. I do think that I could have written it much better though… constructive crit please? Not enough to hurt my feelings :D.
And I hatehateHATE how Edward is so passive and OOC. And how he's notbeing a bitch about leaving Alphonse behind. Al'sthe most important person to Edward in the world! But then again, considering that they don't get much time to bondin this story (about 10 years togetherbut only as kids), the OOCness is sort of acceptable. But I stilldon't like thisEd.I can't write him IC at all. God. But I'll try harder next time, I promise!