Yay! A new chapter has appeared!
This chapter kinda gets a little dark, but this is probably the last super serious/dark chapter. The story is a little over half way done, I'm going to guesstimate that there will be between 3-5 more merged chapters. If I had decided not to merge the chapters that would be quite a lot, so I'm super glad I did that lol.
Anyway I hope you enjoy the chapter! This one was fun to write, as morbid as that sounds.
Thank you all for all the favorites, follows, and reviews! I really appreciate you guys taking the time out of your day to not only read this story but to do any of those things. You guys are awesome and I want you to know that I love you all.
Keep being awesome guys and I'll see you in the next chapter!
:3
Chapter 12
"Please…You have to…You promised…" Ed let out a pained gasp as his eyes tried to focus on the colonel. His breath rattled in his chest, the boy could barely get any air into his lungs before he began to cough violently.
"No Ed, I can't…Everything will be okay…" Mustang choked out, the world around him blurring as tears streamed down his face. This couldn't be the end, he thought, Edward couldn't die before him.
"Roy…Please…You have to…Al needs you…" Ed's voice was growing more desperate as he began to struggle against him. Mustang could hear an alarm sound on the heart monitor as the boy's heartbeat began to weaken.
"O-Okay…I'll keep him safe Ed…" The colonel closed his eyes and clutched Edward close as he began to sob. He could hear the boy take in a quick, ragged breath as his body began to go limp.
"I love you…" Ed breathed out. The heart monitor began to let out a long, continuous, beep. Edward's heart had stopped. He was dead. Mustang screamed his anguish, holding onto him as the world around him began to fade away…
With a start the colonel awoke, gasping, beside Ed. He looked down at the boy lying against him, noticing with a small pang of guilt that he had almost thrown Edward off of him and onto the other side of the bed.
Ed let out a small moan as he unconsciously curled back up against the colonel, who was now sitting up in his cot. The boy draped his right arm across Mustang's lap and buried his head against his stomach. The washcloth fell from his forehead and onto the colonel's lap.
For a few moments Mustang was frozen, his dream still playing back in his mind. He was so shocked and happy that the boy was still alive that he wanted nothing more than to drag him into a tight embrace. Instead he placed the fallen washcloth back on Edward's head, his hand resting against his cheek as Ed let out a flurry of coughs.
"Bad dream?" The colonel almost jumped when he heard Al's voice. He looked across the bed and saw the armored boy gazing at him, soulful eyes seeming to glow with sympathy.
"Yeah, it must just be from the stress." Mustang sighed and ran his free hand through his messy hair. He didn't want the younger brother to worry about him when he should be more concerned about his brother.
"I thought so." Alphonse closed the book he had been reading and stared at the colonel. "You were moaning and twitching in your sleep."
"I didn't wake Ed, did I?" Instantly he thought back to the sick boy leaning against him, worried that he may have accidently roused him.
"No," Al shook his head, his voice low and gentle. "Brother only woke up once in the night, long before you woke up."
"Good, I'd hate to have done anything to distress him. What he needs most right now is rest." The colonel leaned back against his own pillow, the hand that had previously been held against Ed's cheek was now gently combing through the boy's tangled hair. Edward began to cough again, his body shaking with the force.
"D-Do you want to talk about the dream?" Alphonse asked hesitantly as Ed's coughs ended with a ragged gasp. "Sometimes brother will tell me about his nightmares and it seems to calm him down…"
"I'm fine Al," Mustang said in a warm voice. "I've had my fair share of bad dreams, this one is no different." Though, he did silently admit to himself that he had never had such a vivid dream about Edward before.
"Just thought I'd ask…" Al lowered his head slightly, as though he were embarrassed. The colonel just let out a small laugh before he spoke again.
"I'm genuinely touched by the offer. Really the only people who hear about my dreams are Hughes and Hawkeye. Even though I'm not sure if they pay too much attention to them." Alphonse let out a small laugh, raising his head to look back at the colonel.
"How are the two of them doing? Do they know about…About what happened with Ed?" Al's voice shook slightly.
"Hughes is busy in Central at the moment," Mustang let out a small sigh. "I'll try to call him when Ed's doing better. Hawkeye on the other hand is looking into your brother's case."
"How is that going?" Alphonse perked up at that, he sounded so eager for good news that the colonel almost didn't have the heart to tell him the truth.
"Not as well as we'd hoped, we have no real leads or a good description of the man." Mustang felt his heart crack as Al sagged back in his chair, seeming forlorn. "Do you remember what he looked like? All we have to work with is that he's tall and appeared to be in his early to mid-twenties."
Alphonse was silent for a moment; his concentration wavered slightly when Ed let out another bout of coughs. "He was wearing a hood so I couldn't see his face…I was also more focused on the girl he robbed to get a good look…" The armored boy shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry Mustang, but I have nothing to contribute…"
"He…Had dark hair and blue eyes…" Both of them jumped when they heard Ed's raspy voice. The boy's eyes were open, though they were hazy and the colonel wasn't too sure if he was fully conscious.
"Brother, are you feeling okay?" Al looked at his brother, worry glowing in his soul fire eyes as the boy let out a few weak coughs.
"He also had a large scar on-" Ed was cut off by another coughing fit. After a few moments he was able to take in a jagged breath and continued. "He had a large scar on his lip…It looked almost like an old knife wound…"
"Are you sure about that Ed?" Mustang felt his heart hammering in his chest. This was just the information they so desperately needed.
"I'm sure…" Edward's eyes began to close and his voice began to slur with sleep. "I see that face…Every night in my dreams…" Ed went limp against the colonel's lap, his ragged breathing slowing as he lost consciousness.
"Al?" Mustang looked up at the armored boy, barely able to keep the excitement out of his voice. "Could you keep an eye on Ed for me? I need to relay this information to Hawkeye as soon as I can."
"Sure," Alphonse said quickly, his eyes seemed to be glowing brighter than they had earlier. He was clearly just as excited as the colonel.
"I'll be right back." Mustang said as he carefully rearranged Edward so that he wouldn't fall down into the empty cot. The boy only let out a quiet moan as he felt cold air replace the warm body that he was used to having at his side.
The colonel gently held his hand against Ed's cheek, looking down at the boy as a gentle warmth filled him. "I'll be right back." He repeated in a whisper as he broke the contact and left the room. As Mustang rushed towards the phones a few doors down his heart seemed to lift with hope, like a flower opening its petals to the sun after a dreary day.
Maybe there would be justice for Edward after all.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
As the sun began to set and the streetlights outside began to illuminate the small world around them, Mustang thought back on his conversation with Hawkeye a few hours ago. He had quickly told the lieutenant the description Edward had given him. Dark hair, blue eyes, and a large telltale scar that marred the man's lip. Hawkeye had been very grateful for the lead, she had sounded almost excited as she relayed the information to the rest of the team.
From what the lieutenant had told him, none of the suspects so far matched that appearance, though their suspect list was sparse and many of the people interviewed hadn't even seen the original conflict. She had worried that the case would be closed by the police since there had been little to no progress. This lead though would hopefully be enough to keep the investigation afloat, though Hawkeye had told him, in a grim tone that Edward might have to come face to face with his assailant once more.
"The police will most likely want him to tell them, himself, that he was the man who did it. From what you told me of Edward's emotional condition will he be able to handle that so soon?" The lieutenant's voice was full of sympathy and concern. He could tell that she wanted Ed to get well enough to face this challenge like he would have before the accident.
"I'm not sure…He hasn't been doing all that well physically lately. He's come down with pneumonia and can barely stay conscious. I think questioning him anytime too soon would only make things worse." Mustang's voice became a whisper as he continued. "He's already convinced that he's going to die. Last night he even made me promise to take care of Alphonse when it happens. I'm very worried about him."
"That worries me as well." Hawkeye said after she had taken in a quiet gasp. "I think I'll be able to hold off on the questioning at least until his sight has returned."
"That would be much appreciated." The colonel had let out a sigh, knowing that they could buy some time for the poor boy to heal had eased a little of his stress.
"I have to go and relay this to the police before the chief leaves for the night." The lieutenant spoke in a brisk tone. "You just focus on those two boys for now and let us handle the rest."
Mustang had smiled slightly at the thought of Hawkeye giving him orders. "I will, and remember to thank the crew for me. You all have been doing a great job."
The colonel was brought out of his memories as Edward let out a bout of horrible, hacking, coughs from beside him. He looked down to see the boy thrashing in his bed, shrugging off the washcloth and seeming to struggle for air between coughs. Before either he or Alphonse could even think to get a nurse, the fit had ended as quickly as it had begun. Ed took in a few quick, ragged breaths before he sagged back against the colonel.
Mustang cast a worried look towards Al, seeing the same mix of fear and concern glittering in his gaze. In the past few hours Edward's coughs had taken on a watery tone, his breathing sounded gurgled and strained. Through all of this Ed hadn't awoken in the slightest, which both relieved and worried him at the same time. Mustang was glad the boy was asleep and couldn't feel any discomfort or pain. But he worried that because he was unconscious he wouldn't be able to tell them if he was feeling any worse than before.
"Mustang?" He looked back up at Al, seeing that the armored boy was looking at him. "Do…Do you think brother will…" He paused, his body shaking as badly as his voice as he tried to remain calm. "Will he…Die?" The colonel avoided the younger brother's fearful gaze, instead focusing on Ed.
Edward looked awful, his skin was pale and dark shadows rested under his sunken eyes. His face seemed almost hollow; the boy's body looking just as thin and fragile. Any spare fat the boy had seemed to be eaten away by his illness, leaving him as nothing more than stringy muscle and bone. It looked like there was no strength or fight left in him; the poor boy looked like he already had a foot in the grave. The only thing that hadn't changed was his hair, still as vibrant as ever, but even that was messy and tangled. He reminded the colonel nothing of the Edward he had known a week ago. It was no wonder that his own brother thought he would die, he already looked it.
But Mustang looked up at Alphonse, trying to put on a brave face even though he doubted his own answer. "Edward's tough, he won't die on us."
Suddenly Edward tensed beside him, letting out a violent cough that almost made him double over. He began to wheeze, his breath rattling in his chest as he tried to breathe. Before he could get in a full breath he began to cough again, each one seemed to take more air than the boy had in him. Ed's eyes snapped open, horror glowing in his gaze as he struggled to take in even a single breath.
The colonel sat up, bringing Edward up with him as he held the boy in a sitting position. He saw Ed's eyes widen as he looked toward Mustang, the pure terror in his gaze horrified him to the very core of his being. The coughing suddenly stopped long enough to let him take in a few haggard breaths.
"I-I-I…" Edward tried to speak once he had gotten enough air, but each word seemed to be a struggle. "Can't-Can't…Breathe!" Before he could say more he began to cough violently again, his body shaking from the strain.
"Alphonse!" Mustang looked over at the younger brother, who seemed frozen in fear. "You need to get a doctor!" His voice was almost a shriek and it seemed to snap Al out of his trance. As the armored boy raced from the room a horrible choking sound brought his focus back to the elder brother.
The colonel watched, his breath hitching in his throat, as Edward hacked up a mouthful of blood. The crimson liquid splattered over the white hospital sheets and Mustang's quilt, looking almost black in the dim light of the room. As soon as the blood left his body Ed seemed to be able to breath. He took in a few deep breaths, letting his stiff body slump against the colonel.
"Edward, can you hear me?" The boy nodded, his gaze drifting in the direction of his voice. His eyes were glazed over with fear and exhaustion.
"C-C-Colonel…" Ed rasped once he had gotten enough air to speak. "Re-Remember…Our…" Before he could finish he began to cough again, managing to let out miserable moan as he shook.
Before Mustang could do anything two nurses burst into the room, flicking on the lights as they entered. One of them darted instantly to the bed, looking over Edward before putting a stethoscope to his heaving chest. The other nurse looked at the various machines that were connected to him. Alphonse slid into the room as the first nurse suddenly noticed the blood splattered over the blankets, her eyes widening.
"Quick!" She looked at the second nurse, her voice alerting him as he looked away from the machines. "He needs to be intubated. Bring me the equipment and something to knock him out!"
As the second nurse rushed from the room Edward had stopped coughing and began to gasp for air. Alphonse walked farther into the room, his eyes focused on his brother. But Ed didn't seem aware of anyone other than Mustang, his blind gaze had remained on him during the whole fit.
"P-P-Promise…" Edward gasped out, startling both the colonel and the nurse. "O-Our…Promise…"
"What's he talking about?" Alphonse looked from his brother to fix his terrified gaze on Mustang. "What promise?"
But the colonel was focused on Ed, his heart hammering in his chest as pure terror coursed through his veins. Flashbacks of his earlier nightmare played back in his mind, only adding to the growing dread he felt inside.
"A-Al…" Ed was able to gasp out as he turned towards his brother's voice. "I…L-Love you…" The boy coughed a few more times, and to Mustang's horror, the coughing seemed weaker than before. "K-Keep him s-s-safe…Roy…" As Edward looked back towards the colonel his lips parted in a small, sad smile. "A-Always…Loved y-you…Like a…F-Father…"
"Edward, you need to hold on…" Mustang's voice shook as he spoke. As he held the boy in his arms, cradled against his chest, he watched Ed's eyes roll back in his head. As his eyes closed he took in one last ragged gasp of air before going limp and silent in the colonel's arms.
"Brother!" Alphonse screamed as he ran to his brother's bedside, hovering just behind the nurse. "Big brother! Ed! Wake up! Please!" The female nurse across from him pulled out her stethoscope once more and placed it to the boy's chest. For a moment she listened intently then drew back to look up at the heart monitor, which still seemed to show a weakly beating heart. She looked from Al to the colonel.
"He's alive but barely breathing," She said quickly. "But if we don't intubate him soon he's going to die."
As if the female nurse's words had summoned him, the male nurse rushed into the room, dragging a machine and cart full of equipment behind him. The female nurse looked over at Mustang, her gaze gentle as she spoke to him like he was made of glass. "Sir, could you please lay him back onto his bed? I need him to be lying down flat so I can do the procedure."
Reluctantly the colonel carefully moved Ed so he was back in his own bed. The boy didn't react as he pulled away, getting out of his cot and crossing the room so he could stand by Alphonse's side. Al stood still, seemingly frozen, his eyes never leaving his brother as the female nurse grabbed something from the male nurse's cart and began to work.
They watched the procedure in silence as the nurse inserted a tube into Edward's throat, expertly guiding it down his airway. Once the tube was securely in place she attached the other end to the nearby machine. As the colonel and younger brother watched on, silently, they saw Ed's chest rise and fall as the machine started to breathe for him.
Mustang let out a relieved sigh as the nurse taped the tube down so it would stay safely in place. She then put a needle into the IV socket on Ed's hand and injected the contents. When she was done she looked back up at the colonel and Alphonse, a small relieved smile on her face.
"He should be fine for now. We'll keep him dosed with medication to keep him unconscious so he doesn't wake up and feel the tube in his throat. Hopefully his lungs will strengthen after a few days and we can remove the ventilator." The female nurse nodded to the male nurse, who left the room.
"Will he live through this?" Mustang looked up as Alphonse spoke; his voice was quiet and full of fear. The nurse let out a small sigh and closed her eyes briefly.
"His prognosis is guarded right now. There could be a chance that he'll never be able to breathe on his own. That is the worst case scenario though and will most likely happen if he is left on it for too long." She looked sympathetically at Al. "I wish I could guarantee that he'll live but I don't want to lie to you."
Alphonse looked down at his brother, shoulders shaking and fists clenched as he tried to remain calm. The nurse stood and walked towards the door, stopping suddenly as though she had just remembered something.
"I almost forgot, but this should bring you some comfort. We've had many patients that were taken off the ventilator and they remembered being able to hear their loved ones talking to them. Talk to him as if he was awake, it might help him." The nurse nodded to them and finally left the room.
Mustang looked down at Edward, feeling sadness course through him as he took in the sight of the poor boy. If he had looked near death before he now looked worse. The colonel returned to his cot, placing his hand to Ed's feverish forehead as he placed the washcloth back on his head. He almost cried out when the boy didn't react like he would have before. The nurse had said to treat him as though he were awake, but how could he when it seemed Ed was already gone from this world?
"Mustang…Brother said you made a promise…" Al shook as he looked towards the colonel. "What did he mean?"
Mustang let out a sad and exhausted sigh. He knew that if Edward was aware of their voices and able to talk he would be furious if he told his brother about it. "Alphonse, we can talk about that later, right now I need to rest."
"Oh, of course," Al let out a small squeak as though he had forgotten the colonel needed to sleep. The younger brother looked down at the bed his brother occupied, freezing as his gaze fell on the blood splattered sheets.
"Alphonse, it's okay. He's safe now." Mustang said in a calm voice, "I think that's why he sounded so bad earlier. He seemed to feel better after coughing it up." He hoped the younger brother would remain calm at the sight. Al let out a sad sigh of acceptance as he gathered the stained blankets. He hesitated when his hand reached for the quilt, but Mustang grabbed it before he could. "I'll keep this for when he wakes up."
Al nodded, seeming a little calmer when the colonel had referred to Edward as though he was just simply sleeping. "I'll get him some new blankets then, do you need anything Mustang?"
"No, I'm fine. I'm just going to try to get some sleep." Mustang said, lying back down in his cot. Instinctively he leaned towards Ed, thinking that the boy would want to be near the warmth of his body. The colonel felt a pang of sadness when Edward didn't react. As Alphonse left the room with the bloodstained blankets in hand, Mustang very gently and carefully moved closer to Ed. He was able to position the boy so his head rested on his chest like it had been before, though the angle was a little awkward from the ventilator tube in his throat.
"Edward, I don't know if you can hear me but-" The colonel's voice broke as he held back the sob that lurked at the back of his throat. "But I want you to know I'm here, I'll keep you safe." His voice broke once again as he buried his face into the boy's tangled hair, feeling tears threaten to overwhelm him. "I've always loved you like a son."
Mustang closed his eyes, hoping to hold back the onslaught of tears. He didn't know if he was successful or not as he gratefully gave way to the dark abyss of sleep.
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Mustang slowly awoke to the sounds of machines. He could hear the steady beep of a heart monitor and the strange, new sound of rushing air. Over the unnatural sounds he could hear gentle murmuring, a quiet voice whispering to someone.
The colonel slowly opened his eyes, his vision almost taken over by the color of gold gleaming in the sunlight. He then remembered that he had fallen asleep with his head resting against Edward's. The events of last night flooded through his mind and he almost sat straight up when he remembered all that had happened. The only thing keeping him from moving was the thought of accidently disturbing Ed and, in turn, messing with the tube that was currently deep in his throat.
Instead Mustang slowly and very gently sat up and separated himself from Edward. As he sat up fully he took in the sight before him, almost letting out a sad sigh.
He had seen many horrible and disturbing things in the course of his life, but this was so much different. Seeing the young boy that normally radiated a mix of overconfidence and stubbornness reduced to a still and silent shadow of his former glory nearly tore his heart in two.
If Ed had looked close to death before, the tube attaching him to a nearby machine didn't help in the slightest. The only sign that he was still among the living was the rise and fall of his chest. Even though he knew the ventilator was keeping Edward alive it just looked too unnatural. A vague thought of embalmed corpses and morgues flashed through his mind, but he quickly shook the thought away. That would never happen to Ed, not as long as the colonel still drew breath. He would never allow him to die.
"Mustang?" He looked across the bed to see Alphonse looking at him. The colonel then realized that the calming voice he had awoken to had belonged to the younger brother. Al was gently holding his brother's automail hand, his thumb slowly rubbing circles against the metal. Though Mustang knew neither boy could physically feel the contact he got the sense that it was still soothing to both of them.
"Has anything changed?" The colonel asked as he gazed down at Edward. Despite the ventilator he looked the same as he had the night before. While Mustang was thankful for that, he knew that was not as comforting a thought as it should have been. The boy still looked like he was bordering the fine line between life and death.
"No, though a few nurses have come by to give him medicine to keep him asleep." Alphonse looked down at his brother, eyes shining with sadness. "They said he could still hear us, so I've been talking to him all night," The armor's shoulders shook as he lowered his head. "It's just so hard to see any positive in this. I know he needs to stay sleeping to heal…But it hurts to think I might not be able to speak with him again."
"Edward will pull through this." Mustang said, stopping Al from continuing that train of thought. "The Edward I know would never let something like this take him down." Though as he spoke the colonel was reminded of one of the last conversations he had had with the boy. He remembered how Ed had told him, in a broken and tired voice, that he was ready to let go and give up this fight. The promise he had made now seemed to weigh heavy on his shoulders, like it was waiting for him to accept that he'd have to follow through on it.
"Mustang…About last night, what was brother talking about?" As if Alphonse could read his mind the colonel looked over to see the younger brother watching him with a curious glow in his gaze. "You said you would tell me about it in the morning."
While Mustang did remember saying that he mentally kicked himself for even agreeing to tell him. He knew Ed would never want his brother to know about their promise, but he would have to learn about it if Ed did, in fact, die. He was interrupted from this train of thought by the sound of a nurse gently knocking on the door.
Both himself and Al looked towards the doorway to see that the gentle nurse from before was looking back at them. Her light brown hair was tied back in a neat braid; her soft blue eyes seemed to light up with recognition when she saw the colonel resting in the cot she had found for him.
"Hello," She spoke quietly as though she feared waking Ed. "My name is Julia, I realize now that I never introduced myself." Julia walked calmly to the bed, withdrawing a syringe as she crossed the room. "I'm here to give Mr. Elric another dose of sedatives."
Alphonse moved out of the way as Julia reached out to grab Ed's left hand, which rested limply across his chest. As she injected the medicine she looked up at the many machines the boy was connected to. Her smile slowly deepened into a frown as she looked carefully at one of the monitors. As her eyes widened with concern Mustang could tell something wasn't right.
"That's not good…" Julia spoke before he could, the growing fear in her eyes only worrying the colonel more. Suddenly a beeping arose from one of the machines just as the steady beep of Edward's heart monitor picked up in speed. The nurse let out a gasp, backing away from the bed as she screamed for a doctor. Before either Mustang or Al could ask what was wrong Julia had rushed from the room, calling out words that seemed to make no sense to either of them.
As soon as the nurse had left Edward began to struggle in his sleep, thrashing around and throwing the washcloth from his head. It was if he were fighting an invisible enemy. His eyes flickered open for a second, darting around the room in a blind panic.
"What's happening?!" Alphonse let out a terrified wail as Ed's eyes closed. The boy was still thrashing and Mustang suddenly remembered the ventilator. He quickly held Edward down, placing his hands on the boy's shoulders in hopes of keeping the tube from damaging his throat.
Before the colonel could even think of an answer for Al, two doctors burst into the room with Julia behind them. Mustang didn't know who either doctor was but he knew it didn't matter as long as they were able to help.
Just as the colonel felt relief that help was there it was instantly dashed to pieces when he heard the one sound he had been dreading since day one.
The heart monitor now let out one long, unbroken beep that sounded like a shriek in his ears. Below him Edward had stopped thrashing, instead going completely limp. His eyes remained closed, but Mustang knew the boy wasn't sleeping. Edward's heart had stopped, the rise and fall of his chest was only from the machine breathing for him.
Edward was dead.
The colonel felt totally numb, like he had been dunked in ice water and had frozen solid. He couldn't move, he couldn't take his eyes from the horribly still face of the boy he had considered his son.
He felt himself being shoved back into his cot as the two doctors quickly descended on Ed. One of them leapt onto the bed and began to rhythmically push his hands against Ed's chest, looking back to the doorway where Julia still stood.
"Bring everything we need for a pericardial drain! We need to get the fluid out of his lungs as soon as possible or he won't make it!" The doctor performing CPR yelled, snapping both Julia and the colonel from their horrified stupor. The nurse ran from the room at the same time Mustang remembered that he wasn't the only one who felt as lost and scared as he did.
Alphonse stood still, his eyes locked onto his brother as the doctors tried desperately to bring him back to life. The colonel got up from his cot, mindful of the doctors and machines, and walked over to the younger brother. He stood at his side, placing an arm around Al's shoulders in the hopes of giving the boy some comfort.
"He-He's really…" Alphonse's voice broke, unable to finish as he let out a heartbreaking wail. The bulky armor leaned so heavily against the colonel that he stumbled slightly. He was able to keep his arm around Al and his other hand was placed on the armor's chest, keeping both of them from falling to the floor.
Mustang wanted to say something reassuring to the younger brother, but all words seemed to die on his tongue. He was shaking as well, barely able to hold back his own hopeless cries. But he knew that he had to stay strong, not for his sake but for Alphonse's.
He instead focused on the doctors, watching as the second doctor, the one not performing CPR, began to cut away Ed's hospital shirt. After the doctor had worked the shirt free, somehow managing to not interrupt his colleague, he stiffened slightly as he looked at the boy's automail.
"No one said he had a full automail arm!" The doctor said in shock, letting out a string of curses as he examined it. The other doctor looked toward him with a confused expression, never stopping in his compressions.
"I routinely work on patients with automail." The doctor explained, briefly glancing over his shoulder towards Mustang and Al. "The limb is powered through a mix of mechanical and biological energy. When you have someone this ill with a full automail replacement they go downhill fast. His arm is putting too much strain on his body; we'll need to remove it as soon as we revive him."
The colonel felt hope soar briefly in his heart, the doctor seemed so sure that they could bring Ed back. He was drawn back to the hectic world around him as Julia returned with a cart full of supplies and a small, box shaped machine.
The second doctor immediately focused on the cart, blocking Mustang's view of Edward. He was about to panic when he could no longer see the boy but Julia put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He looked at her to see that her eyes were bloodshot and that she seemed to be holding back tears. Before the colonel could say anything to her the nurse turned and left to stand by the doorway, silently giving him and Al some space. He felt a small sliver of dread pierce his heart when he realized she wanted them to come to terms with the fact that Edward might not make it.
"B-Brother promised me…" Alphonse's voice was full of anguish as he sobbed against Mustang. The younger brother wrapped his arms around the colonel, his touch so gentle that he almost forgot the boy couldn't physically feel anything. "He-He said he'd never leave me! He said I would n-never be left alone! What do I do now?!"
The colonel was silent as he listened to Al's frantic sobs. He felt tears welling in his eyes and he let them fall, leaning into the armored boy's embrace. Even though Alphonse couldn't feel him he knew the support helped. The boy leaned against him like the colonel was the only thing keeping him from drowning in his sorrow. Still Mustang's thoughts wandered, Edward was really dead. What would Al and him do if they couldn't manage to bring him back?
Mustang stood as still as his shaking body would allow, letting Alphonse cling to him as his own tears streamed down his cheeks. Whatever happened next he knew he had to stay strong, no matter how hard that was at the moment, for both his sake and the younger brother's.
The second doctor pulled away from Ed, standing back so the colonel could see Edward. He remained still, the only movement coming from the other doctor's chest compressions. He could see a long tube sticking out of the right side of Ed's bare chest and as the doctor connected the other end of the tube to the machine he felt a slight chill run down his spine.
A mixture of clear fluid and blood began to run down the tube and into the new machine. The thought of anything leaving Edward's body so fast made him nauseous and he saw the second doctor turn towards him, sympathy glittering in his gaze.
"The tube is taking that fluid out of his lung," The doctor said in a gentle voice. "His right lung was full of that fluid and he couldn't get enough oxygen into his body. Hopefully we caught it in time and we can revive him."
Mustang felt Al raise his head to follow the colonel's gaze, the both of them watching anxiously as less and less fluid left Ed's lung. The first doctor continued compressions but quickly leaned back off the bed as the heart monitor ceased in its unending beep. The sound of the weak, yet steady beating of a living heart made the colonel fall to his knees in relief, sliding out of Al's grasp and onto the floor.
Edward had almost literally risen from the dead. He was alive.
He was vaguely aware of the doctors sighing in relief and Julia's small, happy cry from behind him. Mustang could feel Alphonse's hands on his shoulders, gently getting him to stand. He leaned against the armored boy, all of his energy seeming to leave his body as it recovered from the stress it had been through.
The colonel was soon guided across the room, back to his cot by Al. He was silently grateful for the younger brother's support. His legs seemed to be shaking so hard that he was amazed he hadn't collapsed once during the short walk.
As Alphonse settled him in his cot he could hear Julia's voice saying she would get something for the colonel to eat in hopes of easing his shock. Mustang couldn't remember the last time he had eaten anything, and now he could feel his body paying the price. He still felt too stressed to even think about food, so he turned his attention to Ed instead.
Edward was lying near him and the colonel was relieved to see some color had returned to the boy's face. He was aware of Alphonse leaving his side to help the doctors remove Ed's automail arm as Mustang slowly eased himself onto the bed until he was lying beside Edward.
He instinctively wrapped his arm around the boy, holding him close as he leaned against Ed. The colonel was vaguely aware of the doctors reassuring Al that he could stay with Edward in the bed, that Mustang needed to rest after such a stressful situation. He felt a blanket being draped over him as he buried his head into Ed's hair, feeling the boy's head limply lean against his chest. The voices around him began to slow and grow quiet as the colonel sunk gratefully into the dark pit of sleep.
I rarely leave notes at the end of chapters, but I feel that I should for this one.
I'm someone that will never ever kill a character. Ed may have technically died but I would never actually kill him. I love these characters and would never do something so mean.
I also want you to know that the chapters after this one will be much lighter. Ed has gone through the worst of his injuries and everything is starting to look up for him story wise.
I also want to address people leaving death threats thinking I would kill Ed off. While I know you guys are joking they make me uncomfortable, so please refrain from doing that in the future.
Anyway, I'll see you all in the next chapter and I hope you liked this one!
:3