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Gunslinger Alchemist: A Crossover Fanfiction
"The boy has a mechanical body, but he is still an adolescent child…"
Chapter 4: A Broken Heart in my Hands, The Truth Revealed
4. Moment of Bliss
Small bursts of wind lashed on Edward Elric's face. He leaned his head on his mechanical hand, staring out the open front seat car -sleeved shirt, the alchemist had seen better moods contrasting with the sunny afternoon weather.
Roy Mustang drew a short breath from behind the whwindow at the surrounding town passing by. Again adorning his "outside clothes", the same black pants and open black longeel, trying to both focus on the road ahead and his distraught student. "What's with the foul mood, Fullmetal? You're quieter than usual. It's almost like your plotting something."
"It's your damn fault anyway for dragging me into this," Edward scoffed shifting farther toward the window away from his handler. If glares could kill, the Colonel would have surely been stabbed in the head, dismembered, and burned to a crisp. "I'd rather be back at the Society."
"That's you're problem. You're always off by yourself, pushing others away," replied Mustang sternly. "Interacting with people just isn't your strongest suit. It'll be a good experience."
"So what if I like being by myself, big deal." Edward laughed. "It's for experience, huh? Is that why I'm coming?" He tightened the metal joints into a fist. "To give me a good look of how normal people function who don't have to be guarded or injected with controllers?" The teenager yelled out his words, gritting his teeth in pure anger targeted at the Colonel.
A sudden shock ran down Mustang's spine. He slammed on the brakes with a screech on the tires causing Edward to jerk forward from his seat. "Is that why you're so worked up about this? You think it's all just some way of toying with you?!" His tone of voice was desperately trying to stay as calm as possible.
Edward shot him a cool stare before going back to the window, folding his arms. "Those are your words, not mine," he said.
The Colonel didn't know what to say and apparently neither did Edward. Both of them stayed quiet as Mustang started the car back up, driving little less than a kilometer before he finally broke the silence. "That's not the reason."
"Excuse me?" Edward asked.
"Hughes invited you because he didn't want you to feel the way you are now," Mustang replied. He never moved his gaze from the steering wheel.
Edward widened his eyes. "H-How did you-"
"He told me afterwards on that day in the library he never saw you look so lonely." He paused. "He said that maybe being part of family might help."
Before Edward could question farther, the Colonel stopped the car again. "We're here," he said.
Edward, although still a bit confused, opened and stepped out of the car. Turning towards the house in front of which the car was parked, he saw the front door swing open as Hughes waved outside. Around the Lt. Colonel's legs were what seemed like an endless sea of five-year-olds staring at the teenager. Edward gulped, giving his handler a quick double take.
"So, I'll pick you up around three o' clock, okay?" Mustang grinned.
"I fucking hate you, you know that?" Ed leered.
The Colonel waved him off. "Have fun."
…
The Lt. Colonel ushered Edward to the interior of the house which he saw was heavily decorated with colorful balloons and streamers. Plates of food and bowls of fruit punch covered the long dinning room table. Five-year-old children fluttered around the room laughing and playing games like hide and seek or tag. Edward took a quick headcount of the kids. Much to his discomfort, there were at least seven. Their parents had gathered in the back chatting and exchanging quips.
"You're right on time," Hughes grinned warmly patting Edward's shoulder. "Make yourself at home." He then motioned toward a pretty slight built woman with short pale blonde hair carrying a tray of appetizers coming over to them. "Ed, this is my lovely wife Gracia," he introduced giving her a peck on the cheek. "Sweetie, this is Edward Elric. He helps me out at work."
The woman smiled brightly. "Hello, Edward. It's nice to finally meet you. My husband has told me so much about you."
Ed cringed at the thought of the Lt. Colonel talking about him. "Um, nice to meet you too, Mrs. Hughes." He politely gave a slight bow. "Thank you for inviting me."
"Oh, it's no trouble, dear. Welcome to the family," Gracia replied.
Hughes nodded in agreement just as one of the children from the party grabbed a hold of his leg. "Papa! I caught you, you're it!" she squealed. The girl looked even younger then her true age with strawberry blonde hair tied back in two pigtails. She wore a pretty pink dress, the same as the one in the photos Hughes had shown him, Ed noticed.
"Ah, Elicia! What an honor to be chosen by my own beautiful daughter!" The father picked her up snuggling her as she giggled along. He was suddenly reminded of Edward standing in front of him, forgotten. "Elicia, I'd like you to meet my friend, Edward. You want to say 'hello' to him?" He set her back down on the floor.
"Hi, Big Brother!!" she smiled waved her arms, reaching out to the teenager.
He must have seemed like a giant compared to the small girl. Edward knelt down on one knee to her eye-level. "Hey Elicia, happy birthday! How old are you today?"
"I'm five-years-old!" Elicia proclaimed, proudly thrusting a hand in the air, fingers outstretched to show her age.
Edward blushed a little at this. "The Lt. Colonel wasn't kidding," he thought. "Wow, so you're a big girl now?"
"Yep!" she nodded. "I can help Papa and Mama at work now!"
"That's my girl!" Hughes swooned.
Gracia chuckled. "Since we're all here we can start serving the food. You must be hungry." She turned to the dining table and left.
"Can I play with Big Brother after lunch?" Elicia asked her father, grabbing a surprisingly strong grip on Edward's arm.
"Huh?! Um, but I-" Edward stammered. Things were happening too fast.
Hughes grinned. "Sure, if that's okay with you, Ed." He glanced at him waiting for an inevitable approval.
"Uh, o-okay yeah," Edward gave the blonde girl a small smile.
"Yay!!" Without warning Elicia jumped on top of Edward in a hug, knocking him on his back onto the carpeting. Ed groaned slightly before sitting up and noticing that a few other children had joined around him.
"Who's this guy?" a boy pointed.
"This is my Big Brother. He's gonna play with me later," Elicia informed him.
"I wanna play, too!"
"No, with me!"
"Not fair, I'm next!"
Elicia giggled and smiled brightly, something she inherited from her mother. "Let's all play together, 'kay Big Brother?"
Edward, hopeless entangled and over his head, responded, "Uh, right." He patted the girl's head fondly, though on the inside all he wanted to do was run.
…
The next half-hour or so was a blur to Ed. Everyone had gathered around the table to sing "Happy Birthday" to Elicia before she blew out her candles. Food and drinks were served to guests and a radio in the background softly played an uplifting version of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". Random chatter and jokes had been exchanged with little conflict interfering. The house was once again filled with warmth and laughter.
Presents were then opened by the birthday girl, a shriek of happiness ensured after each one such as a tricycle from her parents, a new jump rope, and coloring book. Ed had seemingly forgotten to bring one, much to Hughes's high expectations though he didn't say anything.
Edward barely participated in the conversations. The Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Hughes, the only people he felt comfortable around, were talking with friends and he didn't feel like joining in child's play. Taking the last sip of his punch, he leaned against the wall in boredom. The jiggling of the empty glass provoked the ice cubes inside, knocking together with a slight clink.
In truth, he hadn't eaten or drank much. He had lost his appetite the moment he set foot in the house. Ed couldn't quite place it, but just being in the presence of a home made him uneasy and out of place. His current feelings were unstable, a mix of apathy or regret. He had lost his sense of belonging a long time ago due to the conditioning. But maybe he still had some humanity left in him. "Hey, Elicia," he called.
The girl turned from what she doing and ran over to Ed, followed by a few of her friends. "Big Brother! Are you finally gonna play with us now?" she asked excitedly.
Edward nodded a calming smile across his lips. "Watch this." He knelt down to the floor, tracing a medium sized circle with a piece of black chalk.
Elicia followed suit getting on her knees in front of the complicated runes being transcribed. "What's that?" another girl piped up, staring at the circle.
"You'll see." In a swift motion, the alchemist brought his hands together forcing the power from his body to the floor boards. The alchemical waves radiated traveling in jerky bright sparks.
As the lightning parted, the children gasped as a beautiful looking doll in a white lace dress was solidified and created. The craftsmanship was flawless with intricate details. Edward held them up presenting it to Elicia. "Happy fifth birthday, Elicia," he smiled.
She, along with the other children, clapped her hands in joy. "Amazing, amazing!! How'd you do that?"
"This is called a transmutation circle. It helps me perform alchemy. I can create almost anything," Edward explained.
"So you're like a magician?" a boy asked.
Edward chuckled. "No, well, yeah I guess something close to it," he smirked. "I rule."
"Thank you, Big Brother!" the birthday girl accepted the doll, proudly showing it off to her friends.
"What have you got there, Elicia?" Hughes appeared from over his daughter's shoulder.
"Big Brother made it for me! Isn't she pretty?" she handed it off for her father to see.
The Lt. Colonel looked it over, grinning. "Great job!" he praised Ed, giving Elicia back the doll. "You've really been improving!"
"Thanks, I've practiced a lot," Edward said.
"It's nice to have such good friends, isn't it?" Hughes turned to his daughter. "Did you thank him for your present?"
"Uh huh!" Elicia embraced Ed in a close hug, which for him was painfully familiar. "You're my friend!"
"…you're my friend, right?"
"Look, Brother! I'm been getting a lot better!"
"Y'know you look amazingly like my friend…"
"Brother, are you sure we should be doing this?"
"…I didn't even get to tell him how I really feel."
"No…wait…"
"…The day that I can see him again will be the day I can fully let it go."
"ED!! BROTHER PLEASE HELP ME!!!"
"Ed, wh-what are you doing? This isn't true, is it?"
"STOP!!!"
"Ed!! Snap out of it!!"
Edward slowly loosed the grip of his hands on his head as the throbbing migraine quitted down. He had doubled over forwards, still kneeling on the ground as Hughes had grabbed a hold of his shoulder shaking him, bringing him back from cruel forgotten memories. Sweat beaded from his face as tremors silently stopped wracking through his body. His screams had left the party-goers silent, unsure of how to respond. All anybody could do was stare wide-eyed and curious of what got this boy so upset. Ed staggered to pull himself upwards to sit, but proved weak and instead ended up needing Hughes's help.
Mrs. Hughes gave him a glass of water. "Are you alright, Edward? Do you want to lie down for a bit?" she asked him, very concerned.
Ed took a gulp of the water and then shook his head wearily without saying a word. He held his stomach tightly, breathing heavily, almost as if he was going to be sick.
The Lt. Colonel frowned. "Should I call the Colonel to pick you up early?"
"No, please," Ed desperately grabbed Hughes's jacket sleeve. "I'm fine. Thank you for worrying about me."
Elisia, with traces of tears, in her eyes bit her lip. Edward had pushed her away from her hug before doubling over, sending her falling to the ground. "Big Brother, why were you crying? Was it something I did?" she approached him cautiously.
Ed gave her a tiny smile. "It's complicated," he said simply. "I'm sorry I scared you. Do you still want to play with me?"
The girl perked up instantly, gripping his gloved right hand. "Yes!"
…
At three o' clock sharp, Mustang arrived at Hughes's driveway. He saw Edward coming down the porch steps, downcast. Ed thanked the Lt. Colonel one last time at the door then ran to the car, now choosing to sit in the back seat rather than the usual front. "How'd it turn out?" Mustang asked his student as he drove back to the Society. "Better than you thought?"
Edward didn't answer him in more than a glance. His facial expression wasn't angered like before but still bore the pain for another reason entirely. He didn't say a word until the Colonel stopped in front of the corporation building he knew and made his home. Getting out quickly, he walked briskly ahead of his handler, dodging several employees.
Mustang followed him, keeping a close eye on him as he led him to the door to his room. Ed thrust open the door, shutting and locking it in Mustang's face which left him uneasy about getting the cold shoulder. Just before the Colonel could sigh and leave with the rest of his dignity attached, Ed opened the door a jar, peaking out through the slit and answered his question with a sad smile. "It was nice."
Awww! The cuteness! It burns!! Before I wrote this, I took the liberty of watching the anime episodes and manga chapters with Elicia in them. Kawaii!! Ed isn't very good with children, but he tries his best. XD Ed finally gets to do something fun and he has to be reminded of Winry and Al on top of that. Wow, that really sucks. Oh, by the way, you know those Ishbalan kids whom I said I wasn't supposed to get attached to? I did anyway. XD I might write it up later, if you're curious. My freshman year at high school is winding down finally so I have more time to write/type. Algebra final is on Thursday. Wish me luck! XD
Please excuse me if the ending is a little dry. When I finished it I was looking up Death Note AMVs and came across a HUGE spoiler I shouldn't have seen, a death of one of my favorite male leads. I got kind of depressed, I almost cried. And so the quality might have suffered, just a bit. Avatar: The Last Airbender fans might notice the similarity of Edward's quote at the end to Zuko's after Zuko went on that date with Jin. So cute!! Love this couple!! AangxToph is love, too!!