She wouldn't let go, and it killed him.
His little angel, 13 year old Eliza, clung to his arm and sobbed. He wanted to throw himself off a bridge for it. They along with James and Winry stood at the sending off ceremony, next stop was the train station and that's why she was crying. His bags were off to the side, he didn't pack much so one duffel bag and a small suitcase was all he had with him. Inside was various uniforms, knife sharpeners, pistol and rifle cleaners he borrowed from Riza, at least 17 pictures of wife and children, a small notebook, and a single item that made him feel nauseous. It was a box, about the size of his forearm that was plainly designed and has his initials burned into the side. He wasn't naive, coming out of his journey without taking a life was hard enough, but this was war. He had a sinking feeling he wouldn't be able to uphold his promise to himself and thus brought along a box. The box was for dog tags, he hoped to have enough time to take one from each person he hurt. Stop kidding yourself Ed you're not gonna just hurt them. It made him want to throw up but he knew it'd help in the long run, at least he thinks it will. He looks down at her, both their shoulders are hunched and he has a stone in his heart and his eyes sting, his little girl squeezed tighter and hiccuped, shaking like a leaf. He tried to sound strong but all this did was make his voice crack.
"Liz, you need to let me go if we're gonna get in the car." She sobbed louder and he had the urge to punch himself for making her cry even more. She looked up at him, gold staring into gold and managed to choke out,
"I don't wanna let go, i don't want you to go!" He bit the inside of his cheek and looked up desperately at Winry, being court marshaled was sounding better and better the more she clung to him. Winry was near tears herself but took Lizzy's arm and gently pulled her off him, the young girl just clinging to her instead. She let out a heart wrenching sound and Edward had to close him eyes and look away, at this rate all of them were going to be in tears and then nothing would get done. He just opened the car door and ushered them in, Lizzy being transferred to James, who was doing a very good impression of his father at his age. He was silent and his jaw and fists were clenched tight, if his dad didn't know better, he'd thought James was angry with him. Edward clenched the steering wheel.
"'m sorry." He mumbled, trying to ignore the sounds of sorrow he kept hearing from both his wife and daughter. If James wasn't so stubborn like his father, he'd be sobbing as well. Winry put her hand on his arm, wiping away tears and trying to stop. She'd learned over the years how her crying over him did nothing but make him feel like garbage.
"It's not your fault, Ed. The kids are just going to miss you to death and I'm worried about what this will do to you." Edward turned the corner and arched a brow.
"Do to me?" Winry nodded and wiped a few more tears, wrapping her arms around herself.
"If you end up having to...you know, it'd gonna destroy you! The likelihood of you having to do that is so high..." Edward put on a brave face and laughed, parking the car.
"I'll be fine, you'll see. In a few months i'll be right back here with Mustang in tow and then Liz and you will tackle me to the floor, James will try to act tough-" An indignant "Hey!" Came from behind them- "and then we'll all go to some huge party for mustang's return! I bet the jerk will even make fireworks with his alchemy or something!" His smile dropped the moment he looked up to find them at his destination. He looked at the clock; 2 minutes. Edward glanced at Liz, who was still crying onto James' shoulder. He whispered in Winry's ear, who nodded and he then took off his wedding ring. "Liz, sweetheart." Liz turned from her brother's shoulder and sniffled. "I want you to take good car of this okay? I don't want to lose it or get it scratched or something." He gently placed it in her hand and closed said hand around it tightly. "Don't you lose it okay? Cause i'm gonna want it back real soon." Liz looked at her hand, taking a deep breath before her face hardened.
"Yeah! You better, cause it'd gonna be in perfect condition when you get back! Imma shine it and everything." Everyone involved jumped when the train behind them whistled and blew out smoke. Everyones heart's sank and Ed quickly sunk own to hug Lizzy.
"I'll be back soon." When Liz finally let go James walked up and punched him in the arm.
"YOU BETTER COME BACK YOU GOT THAT?!" James held his breath to stop his tears and Ed shook his head.
"Promise, be good to your mom alright?" James nodded and hugged him as tight as he could and Ed felt wetness on his neck. Standing up Edward opened his arms and Winry all but threw herself at him. "I'll be okay." Winry pulled back.
"Promise me you'll come home to me Edward." Shes a crying mess but her eyes show shes dead serious. He smiles and kisses her briefly.
"I promise." The train whistles again and he grabs his bags. With a heavy heart he steps onto the train and makes it down the line to his seat. He waves to them, half hanging out the window as the train begins to roll, and doesn't stop until central is no longer in sight.