AN: Welcome back, everyone, I apologize for the delay in the update. I woke up extremely ill this morning and ended up having to take a ride to the hospital, where I was trapped for EIGHT HOURS. Jesus freaking... So I'm very sorry! I was so bummed that I didn't have it up in time. As soon as I got back home I latched myself onto my laptop and began typing like a madwoman. I'm so lucky I already knew exactly what I was going to write about. So please forgive me in advance if the quality of this is a little wonky, as I pumped all of this out in about four hours while exhausted from spending so long in a hospital room, and took another hour just to edit. You'd think that would make it better, but in my delirious state I could have fudged something up big time on accident.

WALL OF HONOR: I hearby honor the following amazing people who took the time out of their lives to review my baby- LuvversLuvvie, InuEdbabe, justaislinn, Regina lunaris, and The Warriorpony. I swear, soon I'm not even going to have to try and remember your guys' names since I've seen them so much! You're awesome! And incredibly inspiring. Thank you so much!

WARNINGS: Violence, gore, distress, and suspense are all present in this chapter. Read ahead at your own discretion. Thank you.

Chapter Ten

Sweat collected like a clammy illness over straining, heated flesh as Ed again ripped his automail hand downward. An explosive sigh gusted past his lips and he tilted his head back to stare at the pale gray ceiling, eyes fixating on the spider-webbing cracks that fission through the stone like blooming vines. He wondered how those were caused. The mocking darkness of those splinters made the stone appear weak, but no matter how hard he assaulted his own restraints, the stone surrounding the rods of his cuffs didn't even vibrate with his efforts.

He couldn't tell how long Artabanus had been gone. Stress and his overall struggles with time recently made him completely clueless. It could have been minutes or hours. Based on how freaking exhausted he was, he wouldn't be surprised if it had been over an hour. But then again he had been kept practically bed-ridden for the past weak so his strength could have been weakened in that time.

Regardless, he was taking a moment to rest. His body was shivering and the muscles of his flesh arm were had gone icily numb after the intense burning gave out. At that point he figured he would focus on getting his automail arm free only- he would be able to transmute the manacle from his left hand and he would be free from there. But even his automail hadn't made any headway at all, and he had found himself once again in awe and frustrated with the workmanship of these damned restraints. Trying to slip his feet out of the tangle of ropes proved just as fruitless, and he had actually managed to cause pain to the port of his automail leg, something that hadn't happened since he'd first started using the damn thing.

Filling his chest to the brim with sweet, stale oxygen, he focused on calming himself with some of the breathing exercises Teacher had taught him and Al years ago. They'd never really been useful to him, and usually just managed to piss him off further when he realized they weren't working, but one more try didn't hurt.

As he breathed slow and deep, his thoughts whirled- going around Artabanus' story in his head, projecting the man's obvious hurt through that thick mask that the older alchemist always kept in firm place. Ed thought that's what got him the most- the fact that the man had left himself completely vulnerable before the blonde's eyes. That look of deep pain when he recounted his past was like a slap to Ed's face.

So the crazy fucker does have feelings after all.

And then the kiss popped unbidden into Ed's mind, so abruptly and with such detail that he almost felt he was reliving it, causing the cold sweat to begin to rise to his skin once again, making him shiver violently. A cold, tight hand curled its fingers around his stomach and he swallowed tightly.

I have to get out of here. Get free, get the kids, get out.

Then he snorted to himself and pulled weakly with his right arm. Well, easier said than done. But damn it, this should be easy for god's sake! He was the Fullmetal Alchemist, Hero of the People, Victor of the Promised Day! This should be nothing for him.

And yet it was, and that now-familiar breed of shame crept up on him when he remembered all of the great things he'd accomplished those years travelling with his brother. Now he couldn't break his hands free of a few inches of metal. Maybe it really was Al that had been the strong one, after all... Ed's little brother was the only thing missing from this equation.

Dark lashes slid closed over damp golden eyes.

Of course. He never should have let Al go alone. They had been, and would always be, stronger together. Something like this could never have happened if Ed had gone to Xing with Al or Al had stayed by his big brother's side here in Amestris.

He needed to get out of here before Al found out what happened. The youngest Elric would come after his big brother despite any danger, there wasn't doubt about that. And if Artabanus got his hands on Alphonse... Ed couldn't even let that thought process without feeling horribly sick all of a suddenly.

I can deal with this. I'm strong. Al... I won't let him get anywhere near this place, not when he's supposed to be enjoying the rest of his life however he wants.

Not that his brother was weak. But Ed was damned if he was going to let his little brother trip into danger because of him again.

I just have to get out, he cast a distasteful frown at the metal wrapped around his left wrist, which was now covered in cold, sticky blood that still continued to drag its way down to his elbow to splash against the swathes of red cloth covering the bed, but maybe not this way...

Reluctantly conceding defeat, the blonde let his head fall back against the wall and returned to examining the hairline fractures in the ceiling. His mind seemed to ebb and flow with random thoughts and images; there was no clear order to the disarray, but for some reason Hues kept coming to the forefront. He couldn't figure out why the man was sticking out so much in his mind, which just made him picture the green-eyed soldier even more. Ed wondered what Hughes would do in this situation. The guy would probably go along with his captor.

Maes Hughes had been one of the smartest people Ed knew, and the alchemist's lips twitched upward in a feeble smile. He could imagine Hughes sitting beside him on the bed with crossed arms and expectancy in his sharp eyes.

'So why haven't you gotten out yet, shorty? I thought you were an impregnable force that couldn't be stopped?'

Ed winced at the taunting tone to those words. Somehow he didn't expect his mind to make Hughes sound like an asshole, I don't know, Hughes... I'm trying...

The brush of a ghostly sigh against his cheek had Ed whipping his head around, but of course nothing was there.

'Come on, Ed, you're smarter than this. Concentrate. What do you know about this Artabanus character?'

The blonde stifled his paranoia and closed his eyes once again, running everything that had happened with Artabanus through his mind. His mouth crinkled with distaste at some of the more recent memories.

He's delusional. And random. I have no idea how to figure him out...

'Think about how he acts towards you, Ed.'

He said he loves me. He cares for me as if I'm some kind of God... or pet. But he talks to me like we're equals and wasn't hesitant to reveal his entire life's story to me-

'Things that would be incredibly incriminating if they ever came to light?'

Right. Exactly. So that means he really doesn't expect me to ever leave here. The thought was ridiculous to Ed. Was Artabanus truly that disillusioned to believe that they would remain living down here, together, for the rest of their lives? What the hell?

'But even more than that?'

He wants me to be his lover. Just thinking the words made Ed's chest constrict anxiously. And he's going to get exactly what he wants. My body is already completely under his control every time he touches me. It'll be like I don't even dislike it.

'Calm down, Ed. Go back a second. He loves you- focus on that. Love is a weakness. I know you understand that, after everything you've gone through with Alphonse. So how can you use that against Artabanus?'

Gold eyes rolled exasperatedly, Well he might love me or whatever but he sure isn't afraid to hit me and completely ignore my wishes. It's not like he's going about this the traditional way.

Hughes' voice was silent in Ed's mind, but for some reason the blonde could tell he was just waiting. That's the hard thing about having conversations with yourself- once you reach the ultimate impasse, so does the other end. Still, Ed felt a swell of disappointment. After what felt like a millennium of only Artabanus as a conversation partner, this had been nice. It was almost too hard to let go of, so Ed clung to his vision of the deceased soldier one final time.

What would you do, Hughes?

The quiet of the room spanned on and after many long minutes Ed's mind began to wander again. He vaguely centered himself around half-assed plans and tactics that just made him shake his head each time. He was smart, sure, but he'd never been a really good tactician when it came to shit like this. Just about the only planning he was good for was in the middle of a battle, when his whip-like intelligence reacted instinctively. It was like his golden moments came only when impending death was near- when there was either success or failure and no medium between.

'Go along with it.'

The deep, familiar voice had Ed jumping out of his skin. His heart pounded painfully against his rib cage as his chin jerked up and he looked wildly around the room.

'Don't make what you're doing obvious, but make him believe you're starting to return his feelings. Get him to trust you. That's the only way you're going to really be able to manipulate him.'

Swallowing thickly, Ed considered the words and shook his head just the slightest bit. He was bad at pretending. That was a horrible idea.

'You can do it, Fullmetal. Or do you want to be trapped down there forever?'

Fuck off, Mustang, the blonde thought miserably, beginning to wonder at his own sanity and why the fuck the General's voice was coming to him now, it's not that easy.

'I'm sorry, Fullmetal, I thought you were willing to do anything to get back what you want. It was true then and I thought it was true now. And don't you want freedom? Or are you that hopeless that you can just give up without trying every option?'

Ed gritted his teeth and turned his burning eyes downward. Fucking bastard always got to him.

'So you're scared- so what? That never stopped you before.'

That was true, but this was different. And why was the General scolding him anyway? It's not like he'd given up...

But even as he thought it, the weakness of his body and the violent fluctuations of his emotions had his spirits diving lower. All that resolve before, it hadn't been all that strong, had it? He finally realized it. His temper might have risen, but his heart had stayed heavy. A week of captivity had weakened his will, and he hadn't even noticed it creeping up on him.

Now it was all too evident to him as he searched himself. His heart was sunken and was smothering itself in the darkest shadows of his being.

What he'd done to James... maybe he didn't deserve to be free. Maybe he had already turned into a monster. An hour ago he had wanted nothing more than to strike Artabanus down and feel the man's blood on his skin- maybe to erase the phantom touches that followed the blonde everywhere- and though the man was sick and had probably committed evils Ed couldn't even imagine, no one man should be the judge if a person deserved to die or not.

The truth of it all had a part of Ed rising up defensively. Usually that side of him would be screaming his convictions and laughing at the very thought of breaking, but now it was dishearteningly quiet. It wavered uncertainly, not the proud and solid force it had been not even two weeks ago.

Maybe he had already given up.

'You have.'

No I haven't...

'Prove it.'

I can't.

'You're weak, Fullmetal.'

That tone was thick with disappointment and Ed could imagine precisely the expression that would accompany those words; Mustang's lips would be pulled back in just the smallest of scowls, his dark eyes cold and heavy with a look that would convey exactly how low he thought the blonde. It was a look Ed had seen once or twice, back when he first started in the military as a headstrong little brat. It had shot straight through his core every time, and just like all those years ago he felt his very being shrink away from that disappointment.

I'm not weak.

'So show me you're not. You can lie and get away with it, Ed- it's easy.'

Maybe for you, you manipulative jerk. It's not that simple for someone that doesn't have years of experience.

'Anyone can lie you stubborn idiot. You don't want to try, because you're scared of failure. Well get over it. If humanity always raised the white flag when things looked a little scary we'd all be dead right now. This is no different, Fullmetal. You just have to have the will to move forward.'

I know that, bastard.

'No you don't, because you're not listening to me right now. And do you know why that is, Fullmetal?'

Ed could feel his temper rising and tried with all his might to choke it down, but at the same time he was relieved by the embers being stirred in the depths of his heart. He suddenly understand why his psyche had chosen Mustang as its vessel.

'Because you're weak.'

'I'm not WEAK!' he snapped out loud.

A sound outside the door had his argument with his subconscious evaporating like a giant hand had swept a thick smoke from the room. He returned to the present, dazed and confused before remembering that Artabanus was due back any moment now.

And indeed, the metallic clinging of the padlock outside the door indicated such. Except... that wasn't a key turning in a lock. There was a muffled curse and Ed's hackles raised at the unfamiliar voice. Had the military found the hideout? He hadn't heard the chaos such an event would have ensued, so it was unlikely.

Just as he was about to call out to whoever was on the other side, the loud squeal of metal snapping sounded and the door swung inward.

The blonde's body stiffened as three men filed into the room. He distantly recognized one as someone Artabanus occasionally spoke with at dinner, but other than that these were strangers. Who had apparently broken in, evidenced by the heavy pair of bolt cutters held in one of the men's hand. The last one in pulled the door shut behind him and they all regarded Ed.

'So this is the famous Fullmetal Alchemist,' the somewhat familiar one- apparently the leader by the way his stance was held tall and assertive- smiled, but everything about the statement seeped with sarcasm, 'I'll be honest with you, kid. You're not quite what I expected.'

Ed schooled his features into something he hoped didn't make his alarm visible, 'Yeah, I get that a lot. What the hell do you guys want?'

The leader's smile steadily drooped into a glower and his light green eyes glinted wickedly. With a start, Ed registered that those emotions didn't seem directed at him, 'We want to end whatever Art's little fascination with you is. He was a good leader- a good soldier- before you came along, and now he's just useless. You Amestrians ruined him with your witchcraft and you're going to pay for it.'

Shit. Steely dread climbed up Ed's throat, 'Why me? He abducted me, in case you didn't know. Fuck, he ties me up half the time and the other times I can't help what he makes me do!'

'You can't fool us, Amestrian! You cast a spell on him! He was never like this before he saw you!' The second man- tall with coal-black hair and fiery blue eyes- stalked toward the bed to hover over Ed. The man's fists trembled with poorly concealed rage.

Against his better judgment, Ed snarled at him, pulling forward as far as possible to get in his face, 'A spell? Do you believe in magic or something you fucking idiot? Besides, I thought you dumb shits worshiped us or something! Or is that all a pretty lie so that you can feel better about selling off people like fucking cattle?'

Hands knotted themselves in the collar of Ed's shirt and slammed him back against the wall, his skull connecting solidly with the stone. Ink blots danced across his vision as the pain throbbed through his head and wet warmth crawled through his hair.

Fuck that hurt. But that was alright. Pain distracted him from the fear and the panic that was threatening to choke him. Fuck he was sick of being so goddamn helpless.

'Artabanus and our people back home might still be disillusioned by you devils, but we aren't!' The man still held Ed's shirt between two tight fists as he shouted, 'Once Art sees your body spread all over this room, he'll see that you're human just like us- not some fucking pet to be worshiped. Your spell will be broken and then he'll go back to normal.'

'You're just as crazy as he is,' Ed whispered through the pulsating nausea at the top of his spine. His thoughts were already scattered and he couldn't collect himself enough to make a plan, but it also stifled the fear in a way. This was something familiar. The taunting, the arguing, minus the fanatical undertones and the fact that he was totally unable to reciprocate the physical torment, this was practically like his fights a few years ago.

The man's building anger pleased the blonde to no end, and for the second time that day Ed began to question his own sanity.

'Jack, hold on,' the leader moved to the other side of the bed and stared down emotionless at the blonde. After several tense seconds, the black-haired Ukreytan stepped back obediently, 'Edward Elric. You are called the Hero of the People here, right?'

Ed didn't answer, but he didn't need to. The man didn't even pause before going on.

'Then it should be appropriate that you're the one we slaughter. You are the pure representation of your country. Your foolish ambition, your steadfast resolve in beating down anything you see as a threat, your ignorance. Your eyes and your hair... and of course I've heard the stories about your magic. How yours is one of the most powerful- this alchemy of yours. They say you can even cast it without drawing a sigil or pentagram. That makes you extremely dangerous. You have to be disposed of.'

Ed was totally shocked and floundered about for an answer, for some kind of way to explain how wrong these people were, but he couldn't come up with anything. Even if he did, he probably wouldn't have wasted his breath anyway- these assholes were resolute in their decision.

And so the alchemist said the only thing that he knew would get a reaction out of them.

'Artabanus is going to kill you if you hurt me. You know that, don't you?'

Jack growled and the leader just stared at him. The third man- the one holding the bolt cutters- finally approached the bed and cocked his scarred face as he regarded Ed, 'Once you are dead, the spell over him will be broken. He won't kill us.'

Ed's heart sank at the complete conviction in the man's words.

Well, at least I tried, he thought, a moment before the bolt cutters were swung downward.

His flesh leg erupted in agony and the loud crack of bone breaking shattered the air. The blonde's body wrenched in a violent spasm and blood filled his mouth from biting his tongue, but still the muffled scream apparently thrilled the foreigners surrounding him like sharks.

Fucking animals!

Tears burned his eyes and he tilted his head back to drag in a shuddering breath.

Fuck. Now would be a good time to get your ass back here, Artabanus, you fucking bastard!

'Who's the tough guy now?' Jack taunted, then turned to the man near Ed's feet, 'Good hit, Braden. Let me have a try.'

The heavy tool traded hands and Ed snapped his eyes shut, knowing that the anticipation of the blow would be worse than the actual attack. Except it wasn't, and when a bone-crushing force smashed against his abdomen he heaved and choked and couldn't get in a full breath of air to save his life.

The terror finally broke through and into his gasping, pained sobs. He tried to ignore the laughter and leering of the men but those voices just made the heart-thundering hysteria rise. Grinding his teeth and trying to focus on anything but his leg and ribs, he made a final attempt at breathing. Thankfully, oxygen trickled in past the sharp, stinging torment in his chest.

'Fuck... fuck...' he panted, now completely uncaring if his distress leaked through.

'Come on, devil, stop being so theatrical. We haven't even gotten started yet.'

Ed flinched at the statement and opened his eyes. He was faced with the ceiling, and his vision traced those cracks in the stone, now blurry with the glaze of pain cast over his sight.

'How about we cut up his face?' One of the men- Jack, Ed dimly recognized- asked eagerly, 'Art will see how ugly he really is then.'

'Hmmm... maybe we'll get around to that here in a little bit,' the leader contemplated while taking the bolt cutters from his goon, 'for now let's just have some fun.'

The blows rained down at a near-constant pace after that, one grueling crash of heavy metal against weak flesh and tender bone after another. Ed had no time to recover after each strike and was pushed further and further into some strange, distant state as the torment built into a blinding crescendo of pain. Thoughts were a thing of the past. All that was was the hurt- all over, every muscle and every bone- that drilled through him with vicious claws, twisting and cracking and rending through his tenuous body.

And then the hurt morphed into a very real struggle to keep breathing. Every dragging, draining gasp had to be fought for and it was all Ed could center on.

Abruptly the assault ceased but Ed was beyond trying to figure out why, unable to muster even the tiniest dredge of hope that it would be over for good.

Through roaring ears, shouts and thuds reached Ed and he slowly, so slowly, came back to himself. Even after he opened his eyes, it took nearly a minute for his vision to clear and focus. His body ached so tremendously that he hadn't even realized he'd been released from his restraints at some point and was now sprawled face-down over the cold stone floor. The ground burned against his bare chest and he made a feeble attempt to raise himself onto his arms, but a flare of white-hot pain in his left shoulder had his arms buckling.

He stayed immobile for a minute or two before swallowing back all the twinges and invisible knives that dug into him. Levering himself up on his automail arm, he finally found the strength to lift his head, though it was a strain.

The first sight that greeted him was a very familiar redhead closing the mouth of the bolt cutters around one of Wade's fingers. The poor bastard must have been backed against the mirror and apparently shot in the legs based on the bloody holes covering the knees of his trousers. The menacing tool snapped closed and Ed quickly moved his eyes, but not before he saw the man's digit come clear of his hand.

Remorse for the man and, ultimately, confusion were the only things that Ed really felt at the moment. Everything else was still kind of a blur. Even the attack was a blur for him now, and he had no idea how long it had lasted.

Gazing blankly around, the young alchemist saw that the other two men were in no better state, and finally the ringing in his ears was fading enough that he could hear their pleas, their shouts. The leader of the little trio was unconscious, with his legs bent in the oddest angles where he lay in the shattered remains of the nightstand- appearing in all accounts like a doll flung from the uncaring, moody hands of a toddler. Blood covered the room like some kind of paint accident had occurred with crimson spattering the walls and the floor in surprisingly copious amounts, making Ed aware of the same drying liquid that was covering him nearly head to toe. Jack was quiet and pale-faced on the bed, where he'd been strapped in to Ed's usual restraints.

How long ago did Artabanus get here...?

Unwillingly, eyes of liquid gold moved back to the older alchemist, who had moved on to the screaming and crying man's other hand. The left hand was now completely devoid of fingers.

Nausea climbed up Ed's esophagus at the gruesome sight, and finally some clarity was reaching through the dark fogs of his mind.

He's going to kill all of them if I don't stop this.

'Art... Artabanus... stop,' the blonde forced out, cringing at the shattered sound of his own voice.

Whatever else he was going to say froze on his tongue when Artabanus' head swiveled towards him slowly. Feral eyes made of burning sapphire seemed to peer through him, completely vacant except for a murderous, animal rage. Ed's mouth went dry as those eyes lingered on him, and wanted to breathe a sigh of relief when the tiniest flicker of stability returned to them.

'Edward, love. I'm so glad you're alive,' but just as soon as it was built up, Ed's optimism took a nose-dive at the mechanical tone and distance in Artabanus' words, 'just stay right there, my dear. I'll be with you in a moment.'

The ex-soldier then continued his ministrations, and the blonde closed his eyes tiredly as the screams ratcheted up a notch.

Fuck, this has gotten so out of control. Okay, focus Ed.

Closing himself off mentally from the carnage igniting around his broken body, he wearily attempted to take inventory of his own injuries. There was no doubt he had the strength or health to get up and help the men, and Artabanus had obviously checked out, so he had to figure out how bad off he was.

Broken leg for sure. Fuck, that hurt like a bitch. Maybe a few bruised ribs, one possibly broken. That Jack guy has a weak arm... Broken collarbone. Some cuts and bruises, but I think that's it. No organs ruptured- at least I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I'm in the clear.

He breathed a tiny sigh but couldn't help the moan that was immediately expelled from the dagger-like pressure it caused in his lungs. At least he would live. The wounds felt a lot worse than they were, he was sure. And based on Artabanus' reaction, they probably looked fairly awful, too.

Now that he was free from the constant battery, the pricks of hot and cold all over his skin were beginning to taper off and he felt confident enough to try and move his legs around so he could sit up and lean against the foot of the bed, which was right beside his automail foot. Snagging his teeth around his bottom lip and preparing himself for the inevitable agony, he put all his weight on his fake limbs and steadily began maneuvering his least-battered muscles into action.

Lightning ripped through him mercilessly but after several eternity-long seconds he was upright and panting shallowly, spine pressed against one of the bed's gritty wooden legs and his right hand clamped tightly on his thigh, where shooting pains were travelling up from his broken shin. He slowly let his surroundings bleed back into his reality and noticed that Artabanus had now moved on to Jack. By the man's shrieks, Ed was guiltily happy that he couldn't see what was going on.

Instead, his eyes fixed on the corpse of Wade, who Artabanus had finished off with a gory slice to the jugular. Beady gray eyes stared back at Ed, sightless.

Shouts and bangs drew the blonde's attention to the door, which was now just splinters and lumps of wood that covered the ground in front of where the doorway had been. Now there stood a flat span of stone that still let off just the tiniest wisps of steam. Under the remnants of the door Ed could see the grainy white outlines of a transmutation circle, and Ed finally recognized the metallic taint to the air that had been scraping against his throat with every breath.

So Artabanus does know a little Amestrian alchemy after all.

A whole group of men must be on the other side of that wall, trying to get to their shrieking friend. Ed could transmute the wall back open, but that would use energy he just didn't have at the moment. The dawning realization that this would be a perfect chance to escape just filled him with a weary, swelling exasperation.

Of course his chance would come when he was too fucking weak and beaten down to do a damn thing.

He watched the shadows that danced across the floor from the orange light of the candle and listened to the tortured screams of a man approaching death with every second. It was like he had been transported into Hell- those shadows twisted and curled around one another like limbs, and Ed could almost see demonic faces in their movement. Faces that grinned and leered and laughed raucously at him where he sat, useless.

They were like the body of a monster, lit by alchemic light and revealed among a blood-stained floor and scrawled chalk lines. Glowing red eyes staring back at him, jaw moving in a gasp for life.

Anguish burned in the young alchemist and he brought his left knee up, ignoring the splitting protest of his ribs as he wrapped his right arm around his leg and set his forehead upon the bare, hard metal. He couldn't even feel the contact those two limbs made, and that just made everything worse, but he had no more will to move. He was so tired...

Finally, a silence fell, rousing Ed from the drifting daze the blonde had been lost in.

He knew without looking up that all the men were now dead or dying. He could still hear the final gurgling inhales of either Jack or the leader as they drowned in their own blood. Another minute or so passed before he could hear footsteps approaching and stopping in front of him. There was a swish of fabric and a whisper of breath rustled a few strands of his hair. He didn't even have the energy to tense up, like he usually would have, when a gentle hand ran through his hair almost cautiously.

But he didn't feel the tug of alchemy that meant he was being controlled, and he used his last vestiges of strength to lift his head. Artabanus was kneeling in front of him, carefully positioned so that Ed's injured leg was nowhere close to contact. Manic blue eyes had changed to warm ones full of pain and regret and something else so deep that the blonde really didn't want to try and investigate it.

It was strikingly difficult to meet those eyes, knowing exactly what the man had just done. Artabanus really was sick, Ed was irrevocably sure of it with every fiber of his being now. Not that there had been any doubt before, but this just settled that fact firmly within the concrete of Ed's mind. But that illness didn't excuse the fact that the older alchemist was still a wretched fiend.

Looking into that concerned stare, though, "Mustang"'s words from earlier came back to him. Maybe he had been right. Maybe Ed just needed to try out a different way of thinking to get out of this, instead of his cut and slash method. The only issue was that the manipulative plan he'd come up with earlier was going to take time to enact successfully, and Edward Elric had never claimed to be a patient person.

'Edward... are you alright? God I am so sorry, I should never have left you alone for so long. This is all my fault. Those monsters... how bad did they hurt you?'

Ed just stared back at him. And a flare of something lit inside his chest.

He wasn't patient... but he had to try.

The blonde slowly let his automail leg sink back to the ground, causing Artabanus to shift closer. Ed choked on a breath but recovered quickly, masking the apprehension thrumming through his veins and playing it off as a sob. Worried, Artabanus reached a gloved hand up to Ed's cheek, and with mounting trepidation Ed leaned into the touch. Hopefully this wasn't too much too fast; the blonde couldn't decipher the look on the redhead's face in response to his action.

Oh well. It's either all-in or fold at this point.

An automail arm came up and draped itself across the older man's shoulder, and Ed let the tentative arms wrap around him in return. The hesitance of the action surprised the blonde but he made himself take it as a good sign. Pessimism in these circumstances would only hurt him. All he had to do was be an actor. It was easy. Just pretend. Like when he and Al were younger and would act like they were princes and race each other to Granny Pinako's house to "rescue" princess Winry. He'd always been the one to convince their female friend to play the game with them. He was great at persuasion when he really wanted to be. He could put on a plausible performance, no problem.

Giving into the embrace fully and leaving no doubt of his actions, Edward Elric folded himself against Artabanus' chest. And with that, he felt the last of his strength flee him, leaving his bones hollow and his body like a lead weight that the man he clung to easily supported.

'Thank you for saving me,' Ed said it softly, trying to keep his tone grateful and relieved even as everything began to dim around him, his peripheral turning black in anticipation.

The press of lips against the top of his head was the last thing that Ed felt before the dark, swirling tides of unconsciousness pulled him under at long last.

The last thing he heard was a small, joyful yet sad sigh, 'Oh, Edward...'

Mustang... you better be right about this.

AN: End of Chapter Ten. Whoo. Over 35,000 words in less than a week and a half. I honestly think I've impressed the hell out of myself. Hot damn. But thank you again for all the wonderful reviews for last chapter- they were very insightful and a few of you mentioned how the dialogue did seem a bit pressed and overly revealing to Artabanus' character. I understand and am sorry about that, but am glad you guys don't seem to be too stuck on it. I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but there's a reason for all that information coming out at once. Just don't think too much about it or you'll ruin the surprise later on. :p

Since ten chapters is a bit of a milestone- sort of- I want to share a little something that has become a ritual for me with this story. After I'm finished with a chapter, and right before I begin to edit, I always listen to the song 'Brothers' by Vic Mignogna- the voice actor of Edward- the English version, of course. I don't know why it started, but it happened the very first chapter of this story and has continued through. You'd think I'd get sick of that song but I never do. It's so heartbreaking...

I hope you all enjoyed! Leave me a review and let me know what you think? Especially about the "torture" scene, since I haven't ever really done anything like that before? Please? xD

Important note: I'm seriously running off of fumes here, guys, so I may just take tomorrow off and rest for a bit. So if the story isn't updated tomorrow, don't panic, I'll have the next chapter up the day after for sure.

I love you guys! Mwuah~ see you at Chapter Eleven!