All you've forgotten
Rating: T
Summary: Al and Ed have been surviving on the street that is until they are picked up by the police and placed in a foster home, Al adapts quickly but can Ed forgive all those in the past who hurt him and move on?
Author Note: Major AU! No Alchemy but Ed does have automail. Also I do not own FMA, I wish I did but sadly… I don't.
Chapter five
Hawkeye
The boys are being examined by Doctor Marco, the elder brother insisted that the younger go first, so that he can keep a strict eye on Alex and myself. I sit across from the oldest, his human hand wrapped around the steaming cup of tea I just refilled. Although still pale, a hint of red is crossing his cheekbones, alerting me to a fever but I sit and watch the child. His eyes shift slightly, taking in very foreign sounds and chasing shadows on the walls. I feel my heart ache for the boy, having to live his life like this, always weary, always on edge. Leaning back in my chair I find the golden eyes on me, their depths almost looking through me as he gazes at me.
"If you have a question, ask it." He says voice hoarse and tired. I can see the slight tremble of his body as he asks, shifting nervously. I lick my lips and smile reassuringly, but Edward wouldn't have any of it and cocked an eyebrow in question.
"Alright, tell me a little about how you and Alphonse came to live on the streets." I watch the boy closely as he sips at the tea, emotions I can't quite make out chasing each other around in his eyes as he works to come up with a suitable answer. I can see he's about to respond after a few long moments when the door opens and out comes Alphonse, a happy look on his face as he toys with a small candy Marco had given him. Alphonse goes and sits beside his older brother and whispers to him, things that Edward only nods too and affirms with a soft smile. Marco looks at Edward
"Your turn young man." He says and advances slightly but stops when Edward's shoulders tense and his eyes turn hard. He raises his hands in a gesture of peace and I rise,
"Please, give us a moment will you Marco?" I ask and the older man nods, returning to the room he's using as an examination area. I turn to Edward, who's eyes seem to have softened and shoulders relax.
"Edward, whatever happened to you out there I want you to know you're safe here. No one's going to harm you." I tell him, softly, watching as the emotions begin their race once more and he heaves a wheezing sigh.
"Alright." He says and stands, swaying slightly before entering the room Alphonse had just exited. Either the boy's too weary to fight me, or he's scared of the consequences of his actions. Smiling at Alphonse I pour him a cup of watered down tea, not wanting the strong brew to give him a stomach ache. Settling down in my chair I watch this boy like I had his older brother
"So, Alphonse…"
Marco
In all my years of medical practice I don't think I've ever seen a boy like Edward. After threatening the child with calling Alex in to undress him I finally got a good look at the body beneath the thin clothes. Stripped down to his shorts I can count every rib, vertebrae and the hip bone and collar bones, usually covered with flesh. The areas where Auto mail and skin meet are cold to the touch, alerting me to a problem with the boy's ability to keep his body warm, in theory the auto mail would suck the warmth right out of the body, perhaps that's why he always seems to cold? His body is covered in old wounds, some a bit fresher, if I had to guess inflicted by the arresting officers and some old, old enough to be nothing but faded scars. Taking the stethoscope I listen to the child's air and frown, he has fluid in his lungs and a really bad wheeze. I go through the motions and actions of one trained to help a sick person but I keep coming back to why. Why do the children have to suffer because of the selfishness of the government? Why?
Ah, got a question asking if Armstrong and Hawkeye are married… ya know I was playing with that Idea but then scratched that, even though I think those two would make a really good couple… they are just partners in the foster home in this story. Also Mustang will be coming in soon, maybe in a way you all can see him.. maybe not. Please do review, I really appreciate it.