Thank you so much to all the people who reviewed, favourited, and followed! :D

I had a snow day yesterday, and so I pretty much spent all day writing. :3

Anywhos, I hope you like it!

I have edited and revised the ending of this chapter, over and over. XD

Ed had been situated into a hospital room.

The Lieutenant had returned to Central Command, which left me to talk to the doctors.

The severity of Ed's injuries from Scar – a deep cut to the head, as well as a total of 7 broken ribs, were the main cause of concern, not to mention his automail arm was just about useless.

His wrist had gone unnoticed by the medical team, so far.

But I knew it was only a matter of time before they discovered his bandaged wrist.

Currently, Ed's head was bandaged, and now the doctors needed to deal with his ribs.

He had 4 broken on one side, and then 3 on the other. It was decided that they would not only give Ed some pain killers, but also give him an epidural located in the middle of the breaks, so as to evenly spread the medicine.

I was told to sit in the waiting room until further notice.

As the doctors had led Ed through the emergency room doors, he looked back at me briefly, and the look in his eyes was indescribable… He looked hollow, pained, lonely…

I wanted to be there for him, but there were currently two large white doors in the way of that.

I wanted to know he was okay.

How did he last so long, without mentioning the pain in his ribs?

At the same time, Ed seemed like an open book yet also completely unreadable. How was that even possible?

I couldn't sit still in the chair anymore. I took to pacing the waiting room floor.

Just then, the giant suit of armour that was Alphonse Elric came barrelling into the waiting room.

As he noticed me, he frantically asked,

"Where's my brother?!"

"It's okay, Alphonse. He's currently being taken care of. You don't need to worry so much. The doctors know what they're doing."

If only I could take my own advice…

"What happened?"

"There…there was a conflict with Scar."

"WHAT?"

"Relax, Al. We should be allowed in to see him soon enough."

Funny how level headed I must seem, when in reality I wanted to know the situation just as bad as Edward's brother does.

After what seemed an eternity, a doctor finally came into the waiting room.

"Colonel Mustang?"

"That would be me."

I approached the man, as did Al. The look on the doctors face did not seem too comforting.

"He's still awake, you're welcome to go see him now. However there are some concerns I would like to address with you about Edward…"

Al had already taken off to go see his brother once he was given the welcome.

I said nothing and waited for the doctor to continue on.

"The boys wrist… I'm assuming you know about it, seeing as it was bandaged prior to his being here?"

"…Yes."

"Who are his parents?"

"His mom passed away when he and his brother were very young. As for their Dad, he left them before that…"

"Does he have a legal guardian, then?"

"Um… I guess if needed, that would be me…"

"I think Edward should be taking anti-depressants. His mood, and the marks on his wrist… These are not positive signs, Colonel. How long have you known?"

"I found out only today… But, anti-depressants? Do you really think that's necessary? He's only 16."

"We are well aware of Mr. Elric's age. That doesn't change the circumstances, I'm afraid… As for his head wound, it needs to be kept bandaged, and he should be taking some of these for the pain in his ribs." As he said this, he handed me a bottle of pills.

He then reached into his white coat, and withdrew another pill bottle.

"These are the anti-depressants we think he should be on. However, I think keeping Edward here for a few days of observation would prove helpful. But we can't force you to keep him here. We are keeping him overnight though."

More like I can't force Edward to stay here…

"Thank you."

The doctor handed me the other bottle of pills, before allowing me to pass on through to Ed's room.

As I opened the door, I saw Al, frozen in shock, right in front of the door.

"Brother, tell me what's going on!"

I carefully shut the door behind me, and stepped out from behind the giant armour. Ed's wrist had been unwrapped, in order to stick an IV in. This meant that his cuts had been exposed, open to the public-eye, and more importantly – his brother.

Ed was silent for a few moments, before he quietly murmured,

"Al, I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"

More teardrops fell from the blonde haired boy's eyes for the second time today.

"That doesn't explain anything! Why would you do this to yourself? You already lost one arm, and now you go around messing up your other one? Do you realize you could end up losing that one too? You should be thankful you even have a body, that you can feel things. I can't! Do you know what it's like, to have no feelings? To be like a machine? It's like not being alive. I wish I could feel, but I can't. And you, you can, and you go around messing with your own life! What right do you have to do that?"

I was shocked. I had never heard the younger Elric sound so… angry before. No, angry wasn't the right word… Hurt? Conflicted? No… it was disappointment.

Ed stared down at the bed.

"You're right."

Those two words held so much emotion in them. Pain, regret, fear, anger, full of self-hatred.

It was those words that broke me. I felt the tears stinging in my eyes.

These brothers were so close… Al… how could he say that to his brother? I understood that he was hurt, and confused, but still… Seeing them like this, it upset me. I wanted to be able to help, but it was quite clear that this was between the two of them. I couldn't do anything, nor was it my place to. This was between them.

Al slowly backed up out of the room, leaving his brother.

I remembered how worried Al had been… And now, he wasn't even staying with his brother.

Who am I to judge that, though?

If I had been in his place, I probably would've reacted the same. I might have even been harsher…

I blinked away the tears.

"Colonel?"

I turned at the sound of the boy's voice.

"What is it?"

"He's right. Al is right. He can't feel anything at all, and here I am, abusing that privilege… I don't have any right to do this to myself, but that doesn't mean I won't…"

Ed's face was full of concern, and his body seemed so small compared to the giant white canvas of the hospital bed he was sitting on.

"Ed. Al is your brother. He reacted the way he did because he cares about you, and he doesn't want to lose you. He doesn't want you to ruin your life at your own hands. He has every right to be upset. And so do you."

Ed's golden eyes locked with mine. Looking into those eyes, so full of pain yet lifeless and empty at the same time… It gave me chills.

"The doctors would like to keep you here for a couple of days, under observation. They won't force you to stay, but it could be good for you, to just get away from it all for a little while."

The look on Ed's face clearly stated that he would by no means be staying here any longer than he has to.

"I figured as much. But they are going to keep you overnight. Protocol."

Ed gave a slight nod.

A silence fell over the room.

"Ed… I hope you know you can trust me. I don't want to always be prying, I just want you to know that if you ever need to talk about anything, I will listen. Especially if it means avoiding situations like the current one."

Ed remained silent, staring at the sheets.

"Also, the doctor gave me the painkillers you're supposed to be on for the next little while. He also… he thinks you should go on anti-depressants."

"WHAT?"

Ed winced a little, clutching at his rib cage, as he sat bolt upright and turned towards me.

"No one has a say in this. It's either anti-depressants or hospitalization for who knows how long. It's your choice."

"…Whatever."

Ed grudgingly looked at me, and then returned to staring at the sheets.

All that could be heard was the heart monitor's rhythmic beep, informing the room of Ed's heartbeat.

It seemed slower than normal.

I had seated myself next to Ed's bed, and we both sat in silence for a few minutes.

I wanted to say something, anything.

But I was unable to think of anything.

My brain was numb. It had been a long day, not to mention stressful.

Just then, a nurse entered the room.

"I'm sorry, Colonel, but visiting hours are over. I'm afraid you need to go home now."

I got up to leave when I heard Ed's protest.

"Wait! Why can't he stay?"

Ed stared at the nurse, which seemed to make her uncomfortable.

"Um… That isn't exactly regulation… "

"Come on. I'm a state alchemist, not to mention he's a Colonel. We're both military. Is there no exception when it comes to situation like these?"

"I… I don't think so, sir."

"It gets awful lonely and boring in here though. And who knows what I might try and do, if I begin to feel depressed again…"

Was Edward blackmailing this poor nurse?

I had to hand it to him, he knew exactly what to say to hit it home.

"I suppose something can be arranged. Sorry for the inconvenience, sir."

"That's alright."

The nurse exited the room, visibly flustered.

"That was abuse of your position, Edward."

"Oh please, like you never abuse your position to get what you want."

His tone was biting, yet somewhat back to his regular self. Which was good.

"So why did you want me to stay?"

"Like I said, it gets lonely in a disgustingly white hospital room all night."

I looked at Edward.

Did he really just say that?

Normally he can't wait to leave my presence, but now he was asking me to stay with him?

Edward sighed.

"I'm just afraid to be alone with myself… In a lot of ways, I guess you could say that I'm my own worst enemy…"

He definitely isn't alright.

Ed's mood had shifted right back into his previous desolate one. He looked tired.

I had sat back down in the chair next to him, after turning out the lights. The moon was illuminating the room with its pale, ghostly light.

"You should probably try and get some sleep, Fullmetal."

Ed nodded, and slowly reached up to untie his braided hair with one arm. As he did so, he winced slightly. His golden hair fell to his shoulders, and he lay down on the bed.

His legs were nowhere near the end of the bed. If the expression on his face hadn't have been so solemn, he would have looked like a small child. In fact, he still did.

He closed his eyes, and let out a shaky sigh.

A single tear escaped from underneath his eyelids.

It was one of the saddest sights I've seen. And that's saying something, considering everything that happened in Ishval.

I hesitantly reached out my hand, and gently dried the smaller boy's tears.

I then gently laid my hand on top of his left one, and just as I was about to pull away I felt his hand grab onto mine. I looked to his face, and saw that he was staring at me, his eyes swirling with undistinguishable emotions. I gave him a comforting smile, and gave his hand a small squeeze.

"Night, Colonel."

"Goodnight, Fullmetal."

Edward closed his eyes again, and I listened as his breathing began to even out.

I glanced over at him again, to see that silent tears had made a damp pool on his pillow.

I wanted nothing more than to make this boy's pain disappear, but he seemed unreachable.

He continued to clasp my hand as he slept.

I slowly brushed the hair off of his face, and gave him a small kiss on his forehead.

He seemed so incredibly small and innocent. How could this have happened? He was only 16.

Ed had been so strong over the years… But now it was clear he was breaking.

He was already broken.

And my heart went out to him, I had almost taken to him as if he were my own son.

He didn't have anyone to take care of him. He was so used to being the one to take care of everyone else, being the strong one.

But what happens when he can't be the strong one anymore, no matter how hard he tries?

Today clearly answered that question.

Ed needed someone that would be there for him, when he couldn't be there for himself.

This story is definitely not going to ever ever ever end up with Roy and Ed being together, just so you guys know. It says parental in the description, and parental it shall remain!

I don't like Roy and Ed together together... it just... doesn't sit well with me.

And I know there are probably some people who read this who might want it...more than parental...and if that's how you want it, then feel free the picture it that way in your head. But I will not write it that way. :P

I would like to thank Shadow, for you review, because I couldn't message you about it, I feel the need to thank you here. Your feedback was awesome, thank you so so so much! :D I'm so shocked (and happy) that you said my story touched your heart, c':

Thanks again to everyone who read, reviewed, favourited, etc.! You guys make me so happy :3

Let me know what you think! Review! c:

- HazelEyes8D