Winry sat in the sand for what could've been hours, looking to the horizon as the first specks of sunlight began to appear. Gold, just like him.
The second he had turned from her she had dropped all facades, granting herself the opportunity to properly freak out. She surely couldn't have been dreaming, or dead, because she was sure no mythical figment of her imagination would have spoken to her like that.
On first appearances, he was everything she had imagined from her parents' storybooks. Brilliant gold eyes and long flowing hair of the same shade, with a tail that gleamed like jewels. Save the missing arm, he was the picturesque image of the merpeople she often fantasized about as a child.
And then he had opened his mouth.
She wasn't sure what she should've expected; perhaps for him to wax poetic with an aura of grace about him. Instead, he had yelled at her before she had even gotten a word out.
Somehow, that was far better than the alternative. Something about him had seemed so painfully human, despite not being one himself. He was brash and annoying and real, and she already wanted to know more.
What kind of place did he live? Did he have any family? Friends? She had no idea how the merpeople— merfolk , as he had said— lived, but now that she knew they existed, they were as fascinating to her as automail. Almost.
Winry pushed herself up from the sand and swayed on her feet, suddenly hit with the realization that she had almost died. If it hadn't been for Ed, she would have drowned and nobody would've known.
She had been reckless and stupid, leaving herself entirely helpless. Since she was young she had dedicated her life to helping others, providing second chances to those that needed them. She didn't want to feel useless like she had after her parents had died.
If she had followed their path, submitting to the ocean's merciless pull, her bright and gleaming dreams for the future wouldn't have mattered. It would've all been for nothing.
She'd been incredibly lucky, and despite having given herself time to catch her breath, she still felt like she was living a dream.
She really needed to pay back Ed.
Winry stumbled her way back to her beachfront home slash automail shop and slowly felt the adrenaline from earlier wear off. Her throat burned with the taste of salt water, and once again her mind was pulled to thoughts of Ed. How he lived his life breathing that stuff, she'd never understand.
Her body moved on its own as she pulled off her swimsuit and rinsed herself in the shower, sand falling to the ground in clumps. With a few blinks she realized she'd been staring off into space as the warm water of the shower slowly turned cold. Get a grip.
She dried herself off the best she could and changed into something more comfortable, shuffling into her bedroom. It was a complete and utter mess, with screws and spare parts littering every spare surface, but she was far too tired to even think of cleaning it. That could wait for tomorrow, when she'd hopefully be more coherent.
Winry gracelessly collapsed into bed, letting thoughts of merpeople and metal drift her to sleep.
Ed had expected Al to be shocked at his story, chastising him for his decisions and reckless behavior. He had swam in circles all night thinking of how he was going to tell him, hoping he wouldn't be too upset.
Instead, his brother had only raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. Ed supposed the way he pulled Al into their secret cavern was enough of an indicator for him to know something was up, but the lack of reaction had honestly gotten him a bit disappointed. Was he really that predictable?
"It was bound to happen at some point, brother. You sneak out almost every night. I'm just glad you're okay." Al's voice was calming; his mermish serving as a nice relief from the harsh sounds of human speech Ed had heard the night before.
"You mean you're not mad?"
"How could I be? I would've done the same thing. You saved her life, that was pretty noble of you." There was something in Al's expression that Ed didn't like. He couldn't be insinuating that… could he?
"What's with that look?"
"You like her, don't you?" Al grinned, doing that face he always did when he was being an asshole. All at once, Ed regretted ever telling him about Winry.
"I do not!"
"There's no point in denying it. You've always been a terrible liar, brother."
First Winry, now Al? Was he really that awful? "What is it with everyone telling me I'm a terrible liar lately?"
"Did she say that too? I've got to meet her now."
He knew Al was teasing, but the phrase stuck with him. The entire reason he was hesitant to see Winry again was because of Al. If Ed could convince him to leave, though…
He settled on the sea floor, sand swirling around him as he landed. He stared up at the walls of the cavern, indented with rows upon rows of human artifacts the brothers had collected throughout their lives. Some were new and shiny metal, and others were rusted beyond years. They'd been enough to study for the last few years, but now, he wanted more.
"I have an idea," Ed said, voice laced with hesitation.
Al raised an eyebrow, swimming to sit beside his brother. "What kind of idea?"
"Do you remember that story we heard? About the human form?"
Al's expression shifted, eyes darkening. "Ed…"
"Just hear me out! What if it's real, and we could actually use it? Now that I know someone on the surface who could help us, we wouldn't be completely alone."
It was a reach, but he was willing to try it. If it meant he could escape the life he'd been shackled to, he'd give up his tail for legs in a heartbeat. Beyond that, though, he wanted nothing more than for Al to live the life he wanted. One where he wouldn't be treated as if he were too fragile to move.
After their mother, the queen, had died, things had been hard on everyone. Their father—as if he even counted as one—had made strict rules regarding the kingdom, setting boundaries to ensure no one could enter, and no one could leave. It was even harder on Al, considering his frail body and susceptibility to getting ill. He was hardly allowed to leave the palace, let alone go any further.
Ed couldn't remember the last time he had spoken one-on-one with his father. He was always too "busy" tending to the kingdom— the bastard. With his coronation rapidly approaching, Ed would soon be the new king, despite wanting nothing less. If it meant he would turn out anything like his father, he didn't want it. He'd turn down any power in the sea if it meant he wouldn't be there for his brother. He didn't know how to run a kingdom, and he sure as hell didn't want to stay long enough to find out.
If he could leave before his coronation, with Al, they could start a new life. It wouldn't be like last time. Ed had grown enough to know that not all humans could be trusted. At least, he hoped he had.
Winry wasn't like the man who had shot a harpoon at him with cold, empty eyes. Hers were bright and full of life; something he had never seen from a human before.
The revelation hit him like a heavy current, and he realized he was absolutely certain about his view of the girl. He trusted her.
Al scrunched up his face, crossing his arms, and Ed was drawn back to the present. "Won't someone come after us? It'd be pretty obvious if the two princes went missing out of nowhere."
"Sure, but they'll almost definitely search the seas before the land. Just think of all the merfolk who've gone missing. Don't you think it could be because they transformed on the surface and never came back?"
"I suppose so, but in the chances it doesn't work, how do you think they'll respond to us when we return? They'll lock us up!"
"It's simple. I leave at daybreak, and if I don't return by nightfall, you sneak out to join me. You can cover for me during the day, and if it doesn't work, I can return like nothing happened!" Ed said, not even trying to hide the confidence in his voice. He knew it would work. It had to.
"I just don't want you to get hurt again. I trust you brother, I always will, but it's not worth it if something like last time happens again."
He felt his stomach clench at how easily Al declared his trust. Ed had nearly gotten them both killed the last time Al had trusted him, and he still never held a grudge. Al had always been too kind and forgiving to him, but for once, Ed was grateful for his trust. He wouldn't let him down this time, no matter what.
"It'll work, Al. I promise"
Al didn't hesitate as he met his brother's fiery gaze, eyes of molten gold shining with determination. "Okay. Let's do it."
The palace was as grand as ever, shimmering like gold among the reefs it was constructed around. There was no privacy, only open entryways and halls that allowed merfolk to swim in and out as they pleased.
Ed hated it.
As open as it was, it had always felt stifling and controlling; no pearl out of place. It was why he had his cavern in the first place. He trusted no one around his and Al's collection of human artifacts, and he was lucky his father was too negligent to ever find it.
He felt even worse when he was expected to act like a prince. There were always expectations to be upheld, and Al was far better at acting refined than he was. He wanted to explore and learn, but more often than not he was bound to boring meetings and public appearances. At least Ed had had the freedom to design his own crown, (though everyone regarded it as gaudy, despite its badass black shells and chains).
After forming his plan with Alphonse, his crown felt heavier than it ever had. How could he justify running away from his responsibilities when all of his reasonings were selfish? Though Hohenheim would continue to be king in Ed's absence, who would take the throne after him?
Disregarding royal concerns, Ed knew he wouldn't regret leaving his father behind. As a prince, he had never had the chance to form ordinary relationships with others. His loyalties lied with his brother and his brother alone. He doubted Hohenheim would even miss their presence.
The guilt pooling in his gut was unwanted and unwarranted, because Ed knew he was making the right decision. He hoped that once he began a new life with Al on the surface, all his hesitations would wash away like sea foam. Dwelling on his pointless thoughts would do nothing but worry Al, which was not going to happen.
Ed would be leaving the next morning, and he could hardly stay focused. He and Al were attending their final royal banquet, and Ed was practically buzzing with anticipation. (Not for the banquet itself, of course, because those were horribly boring and dull.)
It took everything within him to not leave early, and Ed found himself lost in thought as he sat on his throne, chin resting on his fist. The hall was filled with important figures and merfolk he could hardly remember the names of. Hohenheim was absent, as usual.
Despite not having many friends, there were a handful of merfolk Ed knew he would miss upon leaving. The steward, Izumi, had practically raised him and Al since they were young. She had taught them how to navigate the sea and catch their own food, going as far as to leave them in open waters to survive on their own for an entire month. She seldom talked to the brothers anymore—not after their close encounter with humans—so Ed hoped she wouldn't be too torn up after their disappearance.
There was also Sheska, his attendant. She knew more about humans than any merperson in the kingdom, and could remember the most minuscule of details. She'd often pass on stories and tales she'd heard, and identified many of the items he and Al collected. Granted, some of the names she gave the items seemed a bit… odd … but Ed didn't know nearly enough about the surface to challenge her. If he ever returned to the sea, she'd be the first one he'd tell about everything he'd discovered.
The courtier, Kimblee, Ed would not be missing. Disregarding his close relationship with Hohenheim, the man seemed determined to make his life absolutely miserable at any chance. He'd often catch Ed right before sneaking out, reporting him to his father as if that would change anything. His ideas for the kingdom and its citizens were downright abhorrent, and Ed wondered what his father could possibly see in the merman to want to keep him around.
Ed was quickly drawn from his thoughts as he realized he was being spoken to. Speak of the devil.
"You look distracted, Your Highness. Is everything alright?" Kimblee's voice harshly contrasted with the melodic tones of mermish, and he had to force himself to not flinch away.
"I'm fine, just tired," he drawled, not bothering to maintain appearances.
Kimblee's lips curled up in amusement. "I suppose these banquets do get tiresome after awhile, yes? It's a shame your father couldn't make it, I'm sure he could've made things more exciting with that trident of his."
Ah yes, the trident. Kimblee was downright fascinated by the thing, hardly making an effort to mask his enticement. It was customary for the king to wield it, though Hohenheim seemed to only use it for trivial things like keeping ships from passing over their kingdom. It allowed its user to control the seas, and if someone like Kimblee were to get their hands on that sort of power, Ed had no idea what would occur. He tried not to shiver at the thought.
"I doubt it." Ed met Al's sympathetic gaze from across the hall, and decided he was tired of playing prince. "I think I'm going to head to sleep now. Tell Sheska she needn't bother preparing my chamber, would you?"
"Of course, Your Highness." Kimblee gave a short bow and swam away, milky white tail trailing behind him. Creepy.
Ed was quick to grab Al's arm and yank him from the room, pulling him into their shared chamber.
"You remember the plan, right?"
Al rolled his eyes. "Of course. You leave at daybreak to meet your human girlfriend, I tell everyone you're out on one of your scavenging trips, and then I meet you when everyone's asleep."
"She's not my girlfriend!" Ed swung down his arm, a trail of bubbles following behind it.
"Sure, and I'm not Alphonse Elric. Anyways, you need to stop stressing about this, brother. You said it would be fine, so it will be. We need to trust each other on this."
Al was right, as usual.
"Yeah yeah, I'm just tired of waiting. You sure you'll be alright swimming there on your own?"
"I'll be fine, brother. Just get a good night's sleep… and enjoy your tail while you still have it," he grinned, swimming away to his side of the room.
Shit. He'd have legs soon. Real human legs. The fact that it could even be possible seemed like a dream, but Sheska had been so certain with her story.
Ed let himself fall onto his clam bed and lifted his tail in front of his face, letting his eyes trail over all the markings and scars it bore.
Soon it would be transformed and he would start fresh, living a brand new life with Al that surpassed his wildest dreams. He'd live among humans, something his mother had fantasized about for years.
He let his eyes flutter shut, images of blue eyes consuming his every thought.
Daybreak couldn't come soon enough.
this chapter might seem a bit dull compared to the last, but i really needed to get exposition stuff out of the way ;-; i hope the obvious little mermaid refs and undersea kingdom lore was interesting enough, though! next chapter should be really fun! i'm planning on updating every wednesday, but none of this is pre-written, so i can't make any promises.
thanks for reading! :)