Finally, the newest chapter is finished! That month long break really helped and now I'm back into the swing of things.

I actually have almost completed Chapter 15 as well, all it needs is some finishing touches and proof reading. I'll most likely upload it towards mid October (going to aim for around the 15th) though, since I haven't even started the final chapter yet.

So yeah, there are two more combined chapters left and then an epilogue that will probably be out a week or two after the final chapter. After that will be a small oneshot that will tie up any loose ends, but that won't be started for a while.

Anyway I really hope you like this chapter. As of writing this author's note it's around 11pm here. I usually write the author's note the day of uploading, but decided to write it down a day earlier.

I want to thank you all for the favorites, follows, and reviews. They really make my day and I really love hearing from you guys. I pride myself in reading every email FanFiction sends me about who follows or favorites the story! You guys are awesome and I want you to know that.

Enjoy the chapter and I'll see you in the next one!

:3

Chapter 14

"Are you sure about this?" Mustang whispered to Edward as the doctor in front of them began to prepare for the procedure. "They said it would be fine to keep it in for a day or two longer."

"I'm sure," Ed looked into the colonel's eyes, fear and determination warring in his gaze. "I really don't want to keep this thing in my chest. It creeps me out just to think about it."

In the few hours that had passed since Edward had woken up, the boy had complained nonstop about the tube in his chest. While both Mustang and Al agreed that they too would be uncomfortable if they were in his situation, they knew that it would probably help in the long run if the boy would leave it in just a few days longer. But this was Edward they were talking about, and Ed had decided that the good far outweighed the bad.

The colonel remembered the glow in the boy's eyes when his brother had returned with a glass of water in hand, and told him that the doctors had said they could remove the chest tube. Though they had warned that Ed would need to be on oxygen for a few days after the removal, just to play it safe, he had been thrilled. He had said he'd take the annoying oxygen cannula over the tube any day, and Mustang couldn't help but sympathize.

But now, as the doctor prepared for the procedure, he could tell the boy was nervous. Ed looked at the colonel, desperately seeking reassurance from him. Mustang kept his gaze locked on the boy, gripping his hand a little tighter, as Edward leaned against him and buried his face in his shoulder.

The colonel hadn't left Ed's side since he had awoken, and after he had voiced his doubts and fears to the boy, Edward didn't seem to want him to leave either. Even now Mustang sat next to him in the bed, letting the boy take comfort in the fact that he was there for him. Still he could feel Ed's warm breath against his neck, a quick and fluttering sensation that reminded him that, behind the stubborn and impatient mask he wore, the boy was still fearful of what was to come.

"Okay, everything is ready now." The doctor said as he looked sympathetically towards Edward. "It should only hurt a little and for just a moment."

"I-I'm ready," Ed clenched his teeth, trying to keep his voice from shaking. Alphonse, who was standing by Mustang's side, gently patted his brother on the back.

"You can do this brother." Al spoke in a reassuring tone as he slowly ran his hand down Ed's back. "I know you hate needles but just think about how happy you'll be when it's out." The boy still shivered at the thought as the doctor drew closer.

"Okay Edward, I'm going to count to three, after that I want you to take in a deep breath." Ed was trembling against the colonel, managing to let out a small moan as he buried his head deeper into Mustang's neck. He gently squeezed the boy's right shoulder, just above the automail port in response. Al just continued to carefully rub circles across his brother's back, avoiding Mustang's arm that was draped over Ed's shoulders.

"One…Two…" The doctor placed his hands against Edward's chest, one hand gripping the tube just below where it jutted out from the skin. Mustang felt a small pang of sadness when he realized he could see every one of Ed's ribs from beneath his pale skin. The boy looked like hell; he had been through so much already.

"Three," Edward took in a deep and shaking breath the same moment the doctor, swiftly and professionally, pulled the tube from the boy's chest. A small spurt of blood was quickly covered by a piece of gauze as Ed slowly began to calm.

"See, that wasn't so bad now, was it?" The doctor said in a soothing voice, keeping the gauze pressed tightly against the wound. "You did very well."

Ed let out a moan in response as his stiff muscles began to relax. He still kept his head buried against Mustang's neck, though now he could feel his breathing even out. The colonel gently buried his face into the boy's hair, letting him lean deeper into his embrace.

"Good job, Edward. Just take a few deep breaths, it's all over now." He whispered softly, his voice muffled slightly by Ed's hair. As the boy slowly began to breathe in a little deeper, the colonel watched as the doctor swiftly bandaged the wound. With his task complete the doctor sat back, his hands shuffling over the tray of medical supplies next to him.

"Did the procedure go okay?" Another doctor leaned into the room, nearly startling both Mustang and the nearby doctor. The colonel recognized the other doctor immediately as the one who specialized in automail patients. The man was darker skinned and his eyes had a friendly glow to them.

"Of course, I can handle automail patients just as well as you can." The doctor let out an amused huff. "I just need to get the boy a new shirt and get him hooked up to the oxygen machine."

"I can help with that." The other doctor entered the room, rummaging through a nearby cabinet while to the one closest to them put a gentle hand to Edward's shoulder, placing it just below the colonel's.

"Edward," The doctor spoke in a soft and reassuring voice. "I know you're still a little shaken from the procedure, but if you could face me so I can properly attach the oxygen cannula, I'd be very grateful."

Mustang felt Ed tense slightly, almost as though he doubted the doctor for a moment, then slowly pulled his face from out of the crook of the colonel's neck. The doctor smiled gently as he placed the cannula against the boy's face, brushing a length of tubing behind his ears as the other doctor walked over with a pale hospital shirt in hand.

"When can I get my arm back?" Edward's voice was quiet as he slowly pulled away from the colonel. Mustang sat back slightly, feeling Al withdraw his hand as Ed leaned closer to the doctors.

"Not for a while longer." The doctor holding the shirt said as he helped the boy pull the thin fabric over his head, and remaining arm, careful of the cannula. "You need to put some meat on your bones first."

As Edward blushed slightly and opened his mouth, most likely ready to argue, the doctor continued. "Your automail arm uses too much of your body's energy to keep itself running. In your current state you could relapse, you could get even sicker, or your heart could just decide to stop working. I know no one in this room wants to see that happen, so just be patient for a little while longer, at least until your body is able to properly handle the strain."

Ed seemed to go pale, whether it was from the thought of dying or not being able to get his arm back, possibly both, Mustang wasn't sure. As the boy hung his head in sad resignation the colonel gently put his hand back over Edward's shoulders, drawing him in closer in an almost protective gesture. Ed leaned against him gratefully as both doctors exchanged a quick glance at each other before taking their leave.

"So this is how it has to be then…" Edward's voice was quiet and full of sadness. "Me, being useless with one arm."

"Edward." Mustang pulled away from the boy, holding him an arm's length away as he gazed deep into his golden eyes. "Don't think that way. The most important thing is that you're alive right now."

"He's right, brother." Alphonse spoke up from beside the colonel. "You're alive, never take that for granted. No one cares that you're missing an arm, all that matters is that you're here with us."

Mustang cast a grateful glance towards Al, feeling a mixture of warmth and pride at the wisdom in his words. The armored boy lowered his head slightly as though embarrassed as the colonel returned his attention back to Ed. The injured boy seemed to be holding back tears as he gazed at the two of them.

"Thanks," Edward raised his remaining hand to his face, wiping away a stray tear from the corner of his eye. "You're both right."

"When aren't I?" The colonel said in a gently teasing tone, getting a small, amused huff in return.

"For now, brother, you just need to focus on getting better." Alphonse said, his gaze flicking between his brother and Mustang. "Both of you need to regain your strength."

"Of course," Edward said as he leaned back against the colonel, resting his head on the man's shoulder. The boy suddenly stiffened, his gaze locked on something on the other side of the room. Mustang followed his line of sight and saw that he was looking at the bloodstained quilt that was currently draped across the colonel's military jacket.

"I almost forgot about that quilt…" Ed said, he sounded almost embarrassed as he continued. "I know it was important to you…And now I've ruined it…"

"Don't worry about it." The colonel said, hugging the boy tighter as he looked at the quilt. Most of it was covered in the dark stain of blood. He had forgotten about the quilt too in all honesty, Mustang had been too focused on Edward's wellbeing to notice or care. "The quilt can be washed, I'm just happy that you're back here with us."

"Al?" Ed looked over to his brother with a small smile on his face. "Could you bring the quilt over here?"

"I'm only bringing the quilt." Alphonse's voice was warm but still stern as he crossed his arms. "You aren't getting a pen and paper; I can see that look in your eyes. The last thing you should be doing right now is alchemy. I'm not going to let you make yourself ill over something I can easily do."

Edward let out a sad sigh, casting a weak glare at his brother. Mustang was about to try and comfort the boy, worried that he would work himself up over this, but stopped when Ed started to laugh. "You know me too well, Al."

The armored boy's eyes glowed a little brighter and the colonel couldn't help but smile. At least Edward seemed to be in better spirits now that he could see again. Alphonse still went over to the quilt, picking it up gently as though he feared it would crumble. He handed it to his brother who put it on his lap, smoothing out the wrinkles.

"I remember wondering what this looked like." Ed said as he examined the bloodied fabric. Mustang could still make out some of the pictures depicted on the various squares, but a few were much harder to see through the long dried blood.

Edward's hand hovered over the small bit of fabric that housed the sheep, Eugene. The sheep's once fluffy and brilliant white wool was now dark and matted with blood. The boy still ran his fingers through the crusted wool, stroking it as though the sheep could feel his touch.

"Sorry about Eugene." Ed said in a small voice, looking up at the colonel with wide eyes. "That was his name, right?"

Mustang nodded, watching as the boy returned to looking over the quilt. It was like he was in a trance and neither he or Al had the heart to say anything, as though fearing that if they broke the silence it would cause Ed to stress over the state of the quilt again.

Now Edward's eyes were focused on another square, the one with the baby bird and butterfly. The wings of the butterfly, once a bright and brilliant shade of yellow, were now completely red. The bird had faired a little better, with just a few small dots of blood covering its eye and chest.

"Look at this square," Mustang was drawn back to Ed, slightly confused as to why the boy had a smile on his face. When he followed the boy's gaze he let out a small, quiet laugh.

The only quilt square that had escaped, totally unscathed by the blood, was a small sapling. There was a larger tree towering above it, branches seeming to shield the budding leaves of the sapling.

"A very fitting picture," Mustang said in a soft voice as Alphonse leaned in closer to see what they were looking at. Edward was looking at the colonel; his eyes were gentler than he had ever seen.

"Welcome back, Ed," He said as he felt the boy nuzzle his face against his collarbone. As Mustang buried his head in Ed's hair he felt at peace. He just hoped that this peace would last, because they all needed a break from the harsh world that surrounded them. Though the colonel felt he could now weather any storm, so long as the boys were safely at his side.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The room around the colonel was dark and silent. He could make out certain things in the gloom, the only sources of light emanating from the hall and the glow of streetlights through the window. The only sound that echoed in the room was the sound of rustling bedsheets.

Edward lay beside him, his tossing and turning making it nearly impossible for Mustang to sleep. He knew the boy was tired, a nurse had come in earlier that evening to give him his various medications and both the colonel and Alphonse knew they made him drowsy. But now it seemed as though the boy was wide awake, shifting around as though he were lying on a bed of hot coals.

The only thing that seemed to keep Ed remotely calm, aside from lying beside Mustang, was the recently cleaned quilt. Al had been kind enough to clean it with alchemy, and now it was more pristine than it had ever been. He remembered the grateful glow in Edward's eyes as the blood had slowly oozed away, though the colonel could tell it was killing the boy to not be able to perform the transmutation himself.

As Ed, once again, turned on his side in his bed the man heard Alphonse let out a quiet sigh. He could see the armor's soulful eyes glowing in the dim light from where he sat to the right of his brother's bed.

"Brother, you've been tossing and turning for hours now. Are your medications wearing off, are you in pain? Should I go find a nurse?" Edward tensed up at the bombardment of questions, once again switching sides as he avoided his brother's gaze. His eyes were looking straight at Mustang as though the man could help him.

"Edward," The colonel said as he gently brushed the boy's bangs from out of his face. "If you're hurting you need to let us know."

"I'm fine," Ed said, his eyes now closed as though he could block them out if he couldn't see them. "Of course I'm still in a little pain, but it's nothing to worry about."

"I can go get a nurse then." Alphonse said as he began to get to his feet. A quiet groan from his brother stopped him in his tracks.

"No, Al, really it's fine." Edward sighed, he sounded tired and almost defeated.

"Then tell us why you can't sleep," Mustang said in a gently blunt voice. He watched as the boy flinched, clutching the quilt tighter as he curled into himself. Edward squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth, a low moan forcing its way from him.

"Brother, please, if you're in pain I can go and get a nurse." Al's gaze seemed to glow with concern as he looked down at Ed. The boy just shook his head miserably in response.

"Edward," Mustang placed his arm around the trembling body before him, drawing him in closer. "Is there anything we can do to help you?"

Ed's eyes remained closed for a few moments before he let out a sad sigh. As golden orbs locked onto the onyx gaze before him the colonel knew that what was causing this restlessness, this malaise, was not from physical pain.

"There's nothing either of you could do." The boy said in a low and pained voice. "It's stupid and I doubt you'd believe it anyway."

"I feel you've probably told me plenty of stupid and unbelievable things before." Mustang said, lips parting in a small smile. "You both have seen things that others wouldn't believe and yet they still exist."

"He's right, brother." Al spoke up, his voice low and gentle. "You know you can tell either of us, you know we would never think it was stupid."

Edward was silent for a moment, his gaze never leaving Mustang's as he let out a sigh. "It…It's about when…When I died…"

The colonel tensed, his body flinching as though someone had stabbed him in the chest. He heard Alphonse let out a horrified gasp as his brother flinched. Ed closed his eyes, drawing himself away from Mustang's embrace, to curl into himself even more.

"I-I knew you guys wouldn't believe me…" The boy's voice sounded so broken and miserable. "You probably think I'm being stupid."

"No, Edward." Mustang once again reached out towards Ed, but the boy drew back as he let out a panicked breath. "We were just caught off guard, it's not everyday someone says something like that."

"I'm sorry brother." Al's voice was full of anguish as he hesitantly placed a hand to his brother's automail shoulder. "I was more upset by you remembering something that terrifying. I understand now why you can't sleep."

"N-No, that's not the worse part…" Edward's eyes opened, locking onto the colonel's anxious gaze. The boy clutched the quilt so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "I-I was in this weird place...It was pure white and-and there was this w-weird voice talking to me…"

Ed stopped talking as he took in a few deep breaths. Mustang reached out to him and the boy didn't flinch away from the touch. Once Edward had gathered himself he went on.

"Then…Then I was in this room…I could see you two a-and…I could see myself in the bed…" The colonel felt a chill run up his spine and he could hear the sound of hollow metal shaking from the other side of the boy's bed.

"There was this…Figure…I can't describe it…But it told me to stay c-calm…And then my chest began to hurt…And I-I heard my heart flat line…" Edward closed his eyes again and Mustang could see tears slowly streaming down the boy's face.

"The…The figure said t-that I had a choice…To live or die…A-And…" Ed buried his face in the quilt as he started to sob. The colonel wrapped an arm around the trembling body while to the other gently ran its fingers through the golden hair. The boy leaned heavily against him, pressing himself as closely as he could against the man as he continued on in a shaking voice.

"I-I saw you two…I s-saw how upset you were…A-And I k-knew I…I couldn't leave you…" Edward said through his sobs, causing Mustang to hold onto the boy as tightly as he could. He could tell Ed was through with his story as he continued to cry and bury his face against the colonel's neck.

"It's okay now, Edward." Mustang said as he ran his hand down Ed's back in hopes of soothing him. "Everything is going to be okay."

Edward continued to cry, his frail body trembling with each violent sob. The colonel soon became aware of Alphonse's own hand softly rubbing circles against his brother's back alongside him.

"Oh, brother, I'm so sorry that something like that happened to you." Al's voice was full of sadness as he leaned over his brother.

Ed's sobbing began to slow and the colonel could tell that the boy had worn himself out. He was still trembling but was soon able to speak through his weakening sobs.

"I-I'm just s-scared I'll end up back in the p-place…" Edward's voice shook as he continued to tremble in Mustang's arms. "What…What if I fall a-asleep and I'm back t-there…?"

"Edward, calm down. You're safe now; you won't be going back to that place anytime soon." The colonel's voice was quiet as he held the boy as tightly as he could.

"How can you know?" Ed's voice sounded a little stronger now, though it still trembled and seemed brittle.

"Because I won't ever allow you to die again on my watch," Mustang put all of his heart, all his desperation and determination, into his voice. "As long as I'm still breathing I will always do my best to keep you safe, both of you."

The colonel saw a gentle warmth flood Alphonse's soul fire gaze, his grip tightening ever so carefully on his brother's automail shoulder. "I won't let anything bad happen to you either, brother. You know I'll always be by your side."

Edward seemed to calm, his trembling slowly easing as he leaned back from the colonel's embrace. He gazed at the two of them, a fond glow to his golden gaze. "Thank you, both of you."

As Ed let out a long yawn Mustang pulled him into a strong hug, feeling the boy lean into him. "Get some rest, Edward." The colonel spoke in a soft voice as he rested his head against the boy's hair. "And promise me one thing."

"What is it?" Edward's voice was quiet and distant, as though he had already entered the realm of unconsciousness.

"Don't ever scare me like that again."

Mustang felt Ed's breath dance across his neck as the boy let out a raspy laugh. Then his breathing evened out as sleep finally overtook him.

The colonel let out a small yawn and held Edward tighter against his chest as, he too, was claimed by the gentle embrace of sleep.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Mustang smiled to himself from his cot, watching as Al began to braid Ed's drying hair. The younger brother had convinced a nurse earlier that morning into letting him wash his brother's hair. Now that the golden locks had been thoroughly cleaned and brushed, Alphonse had started the braiding process.

Edward was leaning against his brother's chest, a pillow between them so the boy would be more comfortable and warm. His eyes were slightly closed, a small smile on his face as Al ran his hands ever so gently through his hair. The younger brother was also softly humming to himself, a low and soft tune that seemed to put both of them at ease.

The colonel watched, happily, from where he sat taking in the peaceful sight before him. He was glad that things seemed to slowly be getting back to normal. Though Ed was still on oxygen and would be missing his automail arm for some time, at least the boy had come to accept this.

It was refreshing to see the brothers so carefree after all that had happened. And now that Edward's vision had returned, things seemed to be looking up. The boy had been less anxious, though his mind still appeared to be mending. Any mention of the incident that had landed him in the hospital or the strange, blank, white place would cause him to panic. Both Mustang and Alphonse had agreed to not speak about either of these topics around Ed, still fearful that his mind might shatter. Neither of them wanted the healing boy to stress himself out unnecessarily.

A gentle knock at the door broke the colonel from his thoughts. He saw Al look up from his task and Edward snapped open his eyes and shot a fearful look towards the doorway. The boy seemed to calm as a familiar face looked in and smiled at them.

"Hello boys," Julia said in a cheerful voice, her eyes glowing happily as she walked fully into the room. "I came to see how you were doing, Edward."

"I'm fine," Ed said dismissively, though the small wince of pain that escaped him as he sat up didn't go unnoticed.

"Brother," Al began as he gently tugged on his brother's hair, causing the boy to sit back against him. "Remember, you need to tell us if you're in any pain."

Edward let out a small sigh, looking helplessly towards Mustang. "Okay, fine. Yeah, I'm in a bit of pain."

Julia sighed as she left the room for a moment, coming back with two trays of food which she set on a table at the end of the bed. She then turned her gaze towards Ed, giving him a teasing look.

"Well, how about we make a deal?" Julia said as she set one of the trays in front of the boy. "I'll give you something for the pain if you eat everything on this tray."

Edward seemed to hesitate, looking towards the soup and small hunk of bread before him with a small scowl. Mustang had noticed that the boy rarely seemed to want to eat since he had woken from his brief coma, which both worried and confused him. He knew Ed was stubborn but he couldn't remember a time before this incident that the boy had ever turned down food.

Alphonse seemed to be thinking the same thing as he let out a small sigh. "Brother, you need to eat to get your strength back, remember what the doctor said about your automail arm? The sooner you eat the sooner you can handle having it reattached."

Ed sighed and seemed about to protest when an idea suddenly seemed to strike him. The boy leaned back against Al, crossing his remaining arm across his chest as he looked toward Mustang. "And I want to make a deal too. I'll eat only if the colonel does as well."

"Well that is who the second tray is for." Julia let out a small laugh as she turned towards Mustang. "You need to eat something too you know. You don't want to be in your own hospital room do you?"

Mustang sighed, shaking his head as he felt the gazes of everyone in the room focus on him. He hadn't been eating because he'd been so worried about Edward, and even though the boy seemed to be getting better he still worried about a relapse. The colonel had seen, with his own eyes, how fast Ed could go downhill and he never wanted to see the boy that sick ever again. But if he had to eat in order for Edward to get better then he knew he'd have to do it.

"Fine, you stubborn brat," Mustang said teasingly as he looked up to see the satisfied gleam in Ed's eyes. Julia let out a small, almost triumphant huff as she placed the second tray in front of the colonel.

"You both are as stubborn as mules." She said in mock frustration, looking towards Alphonse. "How have you been able to put up with these two for so long?"

"It's a hard job, but someone has to make sure they do as they're told." Al laughed as he looked fondly at them. Edward just let out a small grunt as he looked towards the colonel, watching him like a hawk.

Mustang let out his own sigh, blocking out Al and Julia's playful banter as he looked unenthusiastically at his own tray. He had also been presented with his own bowl of soup along with a sandwich. As he grabbed his spoon and prepared to eat he saw Ed nod approvingly. With a small, amused grunt he put a spoonful of soup in his mouth. The colonel looked up to see that Ed had already started eating, seeming to suddenly realize how hungry he really was.

They both ate in silence, conscious that both Al and Julia were watching them closely. When they both were done Mustang stacked the trays on top of each other and slid them down the bed towards Julia. The nurse gave them both a satisfied look as she pulled a syringe from her scrubs.

"And now I'll honor my side of the deal." She said as she gazed fondly at Ed. "Hold out your hand and I'll give you your pain medication."

Edward hesitantly held out his hand, which was still connected to a nearby IV, as the nurse placed the needle into a small socket. Mustang saw the boy close his eyes, turning his head slightly as the medicine entered his veins. He winced slightly as Julia drew back with the now empty syringe.

"There you go, you did such a good job, Edward." Julia said as she put the empty syringe back into her pocket. "You'll be feeling much better in a minute or two. Now I have to go see to other patients, I'll see you three later."

"Goodbye, and thanks Julia." Al said as the nurse gathered the trays Mustang had stacked near the foot of the bed. She smiled at the armored boy before nodding her head and exiting the room. Once Julia was gone Al resumed in his task of braiding his brother's hair.

"Brother you moved too much and now I'll have to start over again." Alphonse said with a small, annoyed huff. Edward leaned back against his brother, a faraway look now glittering in his eyes.

"Thanks Al," Ed said in a slightly slurred tone. "You're always looking out for me. I love you." Mustang smiled, knowing that the pain medicine had finally kicked in.

Alphonse let out a small laugh, not stopping in his task as he responded. "I love you too brother. Now sit still so I can finish braiding your hair."

"Okay," Ed chirped, turning his head so he was now gazing at the colonel. He seemed to perk up, as though he had forgotten the man was in the room with him. "Mustang, I love you too."

Mustang laughed as the boy looked at him, his eyes now completely glazed over as the drug took hold. "I love you too, Edward."

That seemed to please the boy as he leaned happily back against his brother, glancing fondly between him and the colonel. "You guys are the best; I'm so glad you two stayed here with me."

"Of course we'd stay here with you." Al said as he finished the braid, quickly tying the hair back before it could be undone again. "There, all done now brother."

"That was fast," Edward said as he looked back towards the armored boy, his eyes rounding in awe. As Alphonse laughed at the look in the boy's eyes his brother leaned forward, away from him. Ed seemed to have put more strength into the movement than he needed as he fell, face first, onto the bed a few inches from where Mustang sat.

"Try to be a little more careful, Edward." The colonel gently shook his head as he tried to help the boy back into a sitting position. Almost as soon as he put his hands on Ed's shoulders, propping him up slightly in the process, the boy flopped into his open arms.

"You're warm," The boy said in a muffled tone as he buried his face against Mustang's chest. He tried not to laugh as Ed curled closer to him until he was practically sitting in the man's lap. "And I'm tired."

The colonel held the boy's left hand gently while he adjusted himself so Edward was in a more comfortable position. Ed sagged against him, his body going limp as sleep slowly overtook him. "Thanks for staying with me, I feel so safe next to you." Edward mumbled softly into the colonel's collarbone.

"You're safe now; I won't let anything hurt you." Mustang responded in a quiet voice, feeling Ed go completely limp in his arms.

"I hope it stays safe and peaceful," Edward mumbled, his voice fading as sleep finally overtook him. "I want everything to just stay like this. I'm tired of all the stress…"

"Me too, Ed," The colonel thought to himself as he held the sleeping boy tighter. He looked up to see Alphonse looking at him, his soul fire eyes glowing in contentment as he picked up an alchemy book that he had left at the side of the bed. The two began to softly discuss the book as Edward lay oblivious to the world around him.

"Me too, I think all of us deserve some peace after all this…"