Edward was sitting in the hospital with a not so pleased look on his face,
"Looks like you can sit up now, huh?" Maria spoke,
"What happened with the fifth laboratory?" Edward asked,
"Well, it, um…" Denny started,
"Somebody blew up the building and now there's nothing left of it now but rubble," Maria explained,
"Dammit! You mean they wiped out everything!" Edward yelled then cringed and held his stomach, "that didn't feel good… this isn't fair… do you know how close I was to finding out the truth? This is no time for me to be laying around in a hospital," Edward complained, the frustration of being so close again and to have it ripped away was getting to him.
"Fullmetal Alchemist, sir! We do apologise in advance for this!" Maria and Denny yelled together as Maria slapped Edward across the face, the slap seemed to echo through the room as Denny cringed and Maria glared at him, "You acted like a selfish child! You only escaped with your life because you were lucky! You don't have to do everything all on your own you know, you can lean on other people… like us… not all adults are the enemy, you can trust us," Maria explained. Edward realised their point as he stared at them. "That's all! Please forgive our abusive words and conduct sir! It will not happen again!" Maria and Denny yelled again,
"No, you're right… I should be apologising," Edward sighed,
"My punishment, for slapping you?" Maria asked sheepishly as she stood scared,
"Nothing, I had it coming," Edward quickly said and sighed as he frowned.
Maria and Denny sighed with relief,
"What's got you two so scared of me?" Edward asked,
"State certified alchemists carry a military rank equivalent to that of a major," Maria smiled,
"Don't worry about it, I didn't get my certification so people would kiss up to me, you don't have to talk to me like I'm a high-ranking officer," I explained,
"Really, oh?" Maria smiled,
"Ahh, I guess we were scared of the brat for nothing," Denny smiled. Edward glared at Denny and Maria.
"Where's Al? I haven't seen him… and…" Edward had an image of what happened to Reaka come into his head, "Rea! Where's Rea?!" Edward asked quickly,
"Reaka's fine Edward, she's in a coma at the moment, she's been like that since she got here," Denny looked confused, they didn't know about her immortality, so without seeing the fatal attacks she suffered they both had no clue as to why she would have injuries,
"Wait… you mean she didn't have any injuries?" Edward asked,
"None at all… and Alphonse got his lecture earlier, but I was the one who did the slapping," Denny shown his throbbing hand, Edward laughed for a moment and then cringed in pain, "I just remembered I've got another less pleasant lecture in store for me today," Edward spoke as he thought about his automail arm breaking during the fight.
Denny and Maria left Edward to make the phone call to his mechanic Winry.
Denny and Maria walked to Reaka's room to still find she was asleep.
"She's been out for a few days now… I wonder when she'll wake up…" Denny looked concerned,
"She will… Reaka might have taken a hard blow to the head or something…" Maria was worried. They both heard her stir a little as they rushed over to the bed, "Rea?" Maria asked, no reply from Reaka,
"Rea?" Denny spoke, still no reply.
The brown-haired girl frowned and groaned as Edward walked by the room and stopped seeing Denny and Maria looking over someone.
"Hey, what are you-?" Edward spoke as he walked to the partly open door. It wasn't until he pushed the door open further, he saw Reaka's face. "Rea!" Edward quickly walked to her bedside. "Rea… has the doctors said anything about her?" Edward asked as he looked between Maria and Denny,
"No, they just said she was in some sort of coma…" Maria explained, Edward looked over her almost lifeless body.
Edward took Reaka's hand and squeezed it a little, he felt her squeeze back,
"Rea…" Edward spoke. Reaka pulled her hand away from his and turned on her side with her back to him, "She's sleeping… she's not in a coma…" Edward smiled calmly.
"Shouldn't you try to wake her at least if she's sleeping?" Maria asked, Edward walked around the bed and put his hand on Reaka's shoulder and shook her gently.
"Rea?" Edward spoke, no reply, just a small stir.
"Rea…" Edward shook Reaka a little more, annoyance showing in the tone of his voice.
"Rea!"
I shot up out of bed with a scream and my arms flew forward pushing someone in shock. I looked to the wall and saw Edward on the floor as I gasped,
"Oh my god! Edward! I'm so sorry!" I jumped out of bed and knelt in front of Edward, as he was holding his nose, "Let me see," Reaka said,
"No…" Edward snapped,
"Edward… let me see if I've hurt you…" I glared, pushing his hand out of the way, "Maria… we'll need a few tissues… I've made Edward's nosebleed…" I smiled up at them guiltily. I looked back at Edward as he was frowning but he seemed to calm down after a few moments.
We got Edward some tissues and I ended up going with the three to his room as I was perfectly fine after a quick check. I sat on the end of Edward's bed as I put my hand on his leg which was back under the covers,
"How are you feeling?" I looked at Edward as he nodded,
"Could be better." Edward sighed as I frowned.
"Rea." Maria stood in front of me; I blinked twice in confusion then a sharp sting hit my right cheek as my head turned left. "How could you of all people agree to what Edward and Alphonse did the other night… it was selfish and reckless, you of all people… every now and again you can lean on someone else…" Maria explained, I looked down, "Sorry about that Rea… it's just we were worried about you and-" Maria continued,
"As an adult it is your job to protect me… thanks… and I'm sorry… I just want to help Edward and Alphonse as much as I can… I'd do anything for them…" I bowed my head, I looked at Edward and saw a slight pink on his cheek which I imagined where Maria slapped him before me. I put my hand to my face and sighed, "Thank you." I spoke as Maria didn't know how to respond.
"Winry is coming to fix my automail." Edward spoke as I looked at him,
"When will she get here?" I asked as Edward pouted and looked out the window,
"Tomorrow." Edward answered as I smiled,
"Cool, I'll stay here with you tonight." I spoke as Edward looked at me,
"You don't have to do that." Edward looked worried and happy at the same time,
"I know, I want to be here, with you." I smiled as Maria and Denny looked at Edward, who suddenly looked uncomfortable as I looked between the group, "what did I say?" I asked,
"Nothing! Thank you for staying with me." Edward quickly spoke and I saw his face brighten as I grinned.
Over the rest of the day and night I stayed with Edward, making sure he had enough to drink and was resting properly, though I noticed Alphonse hadn't come by for some time which concerned me.
The next morning, I had woken up with my head on the bottom of Edward's bed as I was sat on the chair, I sat back on the chair and stretched as I heard Edward chuckle. I looked at him as he smiled,
"Morning." Edward spoke,
"Hey, how are you this morning?" I asked as I rubbed my shoulder,
"Should be asking you. That looked uncomfortable." Edward smirked as I stood up and stretched,
"I'll live." I reached my arms to the ceiling and stood on my top toes as I stretched, "I'll just do a few stretches." I smiled and leaned side to side as Edward nodded.
I collected Edward's breakfast from the kitchen with Maria and as we came back Denny was sat in the room with him,
"Breakfast." I grinned and walked over to the bed and rested the mini table over Edward as he looked at the food,
"You're like his personal servant at the moment." Denny chuckled,
"I'm only looking after him until he's better." I laughed awkwardly, "it was a rough fight." I frowned as I looked over Edward's bandaged body, Denny stood up and I put my hand on Edward's shoulder gently.
"We'll leave you to eat," Maria smiled, they moved and sat outside as I stayed holding onto Edward's shoulder.
"Rea?" Edward looked up at me as I felt tears sting my eyes,
"Why didn't you let me help?" I asked, Edward looked over my face as I furrowed my brow and took a deep breath, "you got seriously injured because you didn't let me help." I explained,
"I- Rea…" Edward sighed as I felt him pull me to sit beside him on the bed, I picked up his drink and handed it to him,
"Drink." I spoke as I used my free hand to wipe the other side of my face, Edward took the glass from me and his free hand grabbed mine gently,
"I didn't want you getting hurt…" Edward frowned as I looked at him,
"But I heal quickly." I stated as Edward just frowned, "why wouldn't you use that advantage?" I asked,
"I don't want you getting hurt because of me, whether you can heal or not." Edward spoke quietly, "after…" Edward looked away, he didn't say anything for a moment as I squeezed his hand,
"After what?" I asked,
"When you were taken," Edward mumbled as I took a breath and sighed, "I was so worried, after you got taken." Edward spoke as I smiled gently,
"I'm okay though." I smiled and Edward looked at me, "I've had a lot happen to me over the years, as you know. And I've dealt with everything because I've had people around me to support me." I explained as Edward listened, "those people helped me become stronger and taught me that relying and helping others builds a community and can in turn, help others to grow." I explained as Edward nodded, "so let me help." I added, I then leaned up and kissed Edward's forehead gently and moved to hug him as we heard the door open.
I moved back after hugging Edward and we saw Winry at the door being escorted by Alex, she saw Edward and gasped, dropping her case. Maria and Denny walked in the room as I stood up so she could come to Edward's side,
"What happened?!" Winry asked,
"Well, that didn't take long, you're going to charge me an express service fee now, aren't you?" Edward looked nervous,
"No, I won't charge you for this I didn't do a good enough job on your automail the last time, and now your badly injured," Winry bowed her head down, we all looked at Edward as he panicked looking around,
"It's not your fault you can't blame yourself for this, I broke it because I was being reckless. Your repairs were as flawless as ever, this was all my fault…" Edward explained in a state of panic. "Besides if my arm hadn't broken when it did, I would have kept fighting and then I would have been hurt even worse! So don't worry about it ok!" Edward explained,
"Well then, let's go ahead and get right down to business shall we, I'll have to charge you the usual rush order fee of course," Winry smiled and ran over like she just won something.
"You didn't drink your milk," Winry quickly noted,
"Why should I? I hate it," Edward snapped,
"You're going to be small and stubby forever if you keep using that stupid excuse," Winry yelled,
"Shut up! I don't have to drink it if I don't wanna!" Edward yelled back.
"You sound like a spoiled little brat Edward Elric," Alex ripped off his shirt and pulsed his abs as I stood in the background feeling tired and achy,
"Every going boy needs his milk," Maria spoke,
"You want the girls to like you, don't you?" Denny asked. We all stopped as we heard the door close,
"Was that Al?" Edward asked.
"I'll leave you in Winry's capable hands," I grinned at Edward as he looked at me and nodded, he suddenly turned red and looked away as we all looked confused for a moment, "be nice to him Winry." I chuckled and left the room.
I walked around the hospital, taking a small breath of fresh air in the garden as I sat on a bench for some time. I thought about Alphonse and where he had been the last day, I hadn't seen him since I woke up and it worried me… I walked back to the building and started looking for Alphonse, I went everywhere I could and ended up finding him sitting on a bench in a corridor off to the side, somewhere most people wouldn't go.
"Alphonse… are you ok?" I asked, Alphonse looked up and over at my face as I just looked at him in concern, had something happened while we were in the laboratory?
"I'm fine, maybe you should go see Edward, I'll be up in a bit," Alphonse sounded upset,
"Oh… ok, you know if anything is up you can always talk to me," I smiled sweetly,
"Yea…" Alphonse sighed, I frowned sadly and looked down at the floor,
"Okay, I'll see you later." I spoke quietly and walked away from Alphonse; he's got something on his mind that is bugging him… I know it.
I stopped hearing Winry squealing as I saw her getting dragged in the opposite direction by Hughes, I grinned as she waved helplessly at me.
I opened the door chuckling and saw Edward's arm was all in working order again as he was moving it around, I grinned and moved to his bedside,
"All fixed?" I asked,
"Yeah, Winry did a great job!" Edward smiled, Maria and Denny both looked between Edward and me as he suddenly looked away,
"How are you feeling?" Edward asked,
"I'm fine, had some fresh air as I waited for this to come back." I smirked as I moved around the bed and opened the window slightly. I took a deep breath as Edward squirmed and I looked back seeing Maria and Denny acting weird with Edward,
"What's going on?" I asked in confusion as Edward went bright red and looked away,
"Nothing." Maria smiled gently,
"Nothing at all." Denny grinned as I saw Edward glaring at the two of them. I looked away for a moment and then moved onto the chair next to Edward's bed,
"I'll stay here again tonight." I spoke and leaned my head against the wall,
"Are you sure? It might do you good to sleep in your own bed." Edward spoke as he looked at me,
"I'm sure. I'm not going to leave you." I grinned as I tilted my head back and rested it against the wall.
I was enjoying this bit of downtime; it was nice to be around people as well. People I cared about… I glanced at Edward to my left and then looked away as I noticed he had looked at me for a moment. I lifted my head forward and looked out the window quickly as I thought about Edward, he'd been treating me very kindly recently and was looking after me more than any normal person would. I felt my heart jump as I turned and saw Edward was smiling at me as Maria and Denny moved to leave the room,
"Where are you both off too?" I asked,
"Just to get something to eat. It is lunchtime." Maria smiled as I looked at the clock on the wall,
"Wow, that went fast. Could you bring-?" I started,
"We'll get something for you both." Denny nodded as I smiled,
"Thanks guys." Edward responded as I moved to sit on the chair.
"Rea?" Edward looked at me as I stopped,
"What's up?" I asked, Edward moved the bed cover as I offered my hand to help him out, "need help?" I asked, Edward smiled gently and shook his head,
"I'm okay. I just want to move about a bit." Edward spoke,
"Want a walk?" I suggested, Edward pondered for a moment but nodded, "I could take you to the roof?" I suggested as Edward smiled,
"Sure." Edward answered and I moved to the door to open it for him.
We walked down the corridor; I led Edward up the stairs, and we weren't far away from the roof. Pushing the door open I felt Edward grab the back of my jacket as I looked back at him,
"You okay?" I asked him,
"Yeah," Edward lied, I could tell something was bothering him as we left the stairwell and went onto the roof.
I took a deep breath as the wind blew by and my hair was pushed over my shoulder, it was a light breeze, but it was enough to mess with my hair. I walked to the edge of the building and sat on a ledge a bit further back from it. Edward soon joined me, and we were both looking over the rooftops of Central.
"I like it up here." I smiled and leaned forward with my elbows on my knees,
"Oh yeah, why's that?" Edward asked,
"It's peaceful. To overlook everything and see how far you could explore, or where you've explored. Puts it into perspective." I smiled gently, Edward didn't reply as I sat back, I closed my eyes for a moment and listened to the wind blow. It was relaxing to just sit and have a moment to listen to the world, to relax and not worry about anything.
I opened my eyes and looked at Edward and saw he was doing the same thing that I was, I smiled and looked over his face. It was nice to see him trying to relax, I sat back up and closed my eyes again and took a breath.
"It is a beautiful view." Edward spoke after another minute, I smiled and opened my eyes again to look over the rooftops,
"It is, sometimes I wish I could run across all the roofs to explore a new way." I chuckled and looked at Edward to notice he was looking at me. I felt my cheeks warm and my stomach jump as he looked at me.
"Rea?" Edward started as I glanced at him,
"Hm?" I hummed in response,
"Would you… want to go around central again soon?" Edward asked as I looked at him,
"On a date?" I questioned as Edward looked away,
"I don't know… Yes." Edward spoke as he looked back at me and I nodded,
"Sure. I enjoyed our last day out." I nodded as Edward grinned.
"Do you want to stay up here a bit longer or head back to the room now?" I asked, Edward looked back over the rooftops and smiled,
"Back to the room." Edward nodded as I stood up and offered my hand to help him stand, he stood up and held his stomach for a moment as I put my arm around him for support, "I'm okay, it's just bruising on my ribs." Edward spoke as I rolled my eyes,
"Just don't rush, okay?" I asked as Edward moved his arm around my shoulder and grinned,
"Sure thing." Edward nodded, "besides, it wasn't as bad as what happened to you." Edward gripped me tightly with his hand, he looked worried as I frowned,
"It's okay, I mean… I'm still alive and doing better than you." I smiled and Edward nodded slowly as he looked disappointed,
"It shouldn't have happened though." Edward mumbled as we got to the door,
"You can't control the actions of others." I explained and pushed the door to the side and held it open for Edward as he moved inside.
Edward looked at me as I smiled gently, I felt Edward's hands gently move to my waist and pull me in as I blinked, and he pulled me in for a hug. It took me by surprise as I moved my arms up and around his neck. I felt Edward's arms wrap around my waist securely as I smiled to myself, I could feel the warmth of his skin and the coolness of his automail against my back as I sighed into the hug.
Edward pulled back and I felt his hands stop at my waist as I smiled at him,
"Shall we see if we have food waiting back at the room?" I asked, Edward nodded slowly as I went to move back but Edward gripped me, "Edward… what's up?" I asked as I put my hand on his,
"I-" Edward went to say something but stopped as I looked over his face, I moved my hands to his shoulders and smiled,
"You can tell me anything. You know that right?" I asked, Edward nodded and looked downstairs and then back at me.
"I… just wanted to thank you. For everything you've done for me and Al recently." Edward quickly spoke as I didn't know what I was expecting but I felt disappointed,
"Oh… we'll, you know if help you boys with anything." I smiled and put my hand on Edward's cheek gently, I felt his face warm up as I removed my hand. I started to walk down the stairs and Edward hadn't moved as I looked back and smiled at him, "come on, I bet Maria and Denny have lunch waiting for us." I grinned as Edward nodded,
"Hopefully, I'm starving." Edward grinned as I chuckled and walked away.
The rest of the day was pretty relaxing, I stayed with Edward and kept thinking about what he was going to say to me on the stairs. I knew he wasn't telling the whole truth there… it played on my mind as we had lunch and dinner.
I did care about Edward; I was beginning to realise that much. But it also broke my heart because we didn't know if I was going to become mortal again… Edward would grow up and I would once again be left alone. I thought about what others had said previously about being happy and just going for what makes you happy.
Throughout the evening and night, I would check on Edward, make sure he was okay. Maria and Denny were being weird with me whenever I was in the room with Edward. I didn't understand why… I know Edward wouldn't have told them about my immortality. That was my truth to tell.
But I ended up sleeping on the chair again next to Edward, even though I did have my own bed, it felt nice to be with him to make sure everything was okay.
I didn't sleep very well though… I was thinking about my feelings and trying to work out what was best to do.
The next morning was uneventful, I woke up and breakfast was delivered to the room, I had sat on the side while Winry was on her way.
Edward was glaring at the bottle of milk on his tray as I rolled my eyes playfully,
"So, we meet again you little bastard, I'm not going to drink you," Edward snapped, I smirked knowing that he was talking to the milk,
"Brother, you have a living body that needs nourishment, you have to drink it," Alphonse spoke,
"Plus, you want to grow a few inches, right?" I smirked, Edward shot me a glare as I chuckled,
"I don't have to if I don't want to, it may not look like it, but I have grown some. But everyone still calls me a pipsqueak. I wish I was like you Al, you've got such a big body now," Edward spoke,
"It's not like I asked for this body brother!" Alphonse yelled standing up in the process knocking the chair over. Edward and I were in shock as Winry just walked into the room.
"Sorry, you're right, it's my fault that it happened, but I'll make it right, I'll get you back into your real body Al, you'll see-" Edward started,
"That's what you always say, but you don't know that for sure!" Alphonse yelled,
"Look I promised I'm going to get you back, believe me Al, I'll do it," Edward looked at Alphonse,
"Believe you? How am I supposed to believe anything when I'm stuck in this body? What should I believe in my memories? Memories are just scraps of information that can be made up as easily as anything else!" Alphonse yelled.
"Al? What are you talking about?" Edward was scared, I stood up and moved to the bedside as I looked at Alphonse,
"Do you remember when you said there was something you were afraid to tell me? I think I might know what it was. Maybe you wanted to say that my soul and memories are really artificial constructions that you created… you, Winry, and Granny… you've been lying to me all along, haven't you? What do you have to say for yourself brother?" Alphonse yelled, Edward smashed his fists on the table, it made me jump as I was so focused on Alphonse. I put my hands to my chest as I did jump and looked at Edward as his head stayed down.
"Is that what you really think? Have you believed that all this time?" Edward asked, the room remained silent for a moment as we all looked at him, hie head down, I could see he was hurting by Alphonse's words, "So, you've finished, or is there more you wanted to say?" Edward asked, he waited another moment for Alphonse to respond, "Ok…" Edward moved his table, getting up from the bed I watched him go, I felt my heart break seeing them fight. Edward walked out of the room,
"Don't go… Ed!" Winry called.
I glared at Alphonse as I walked around the bed, Winry stood next to me as we both faced Alphonse.
"Al… you moron!" I yelled; Winry whacked him on the head.
"Where did that come from?!" Alphonse yelled, Winry had tears at the corner of her eyes, "Winry?" Alphonse spoke,
"You idiot!" Winry hit Alphonse on the head again, "You have no idea how Ed feels! Do you know what he was so afraid to talk to you about? He wants to know if you blame him for what happened to your body Al?" Winry yelled, she told him about what happened when they first lost their bodies, how he kept panicking about how Alphonse might feel, that he hated Edward for what happened. Edward had always been scared that Alphonse blamed him for what happened.
Winry fell on her knees and started beating Alphonse with her wrench slowly,
"And then, you idiot… you said that… who would ever do something like that… who would risk his own life to create a fake brother? Don't you get it, all the two of you have left… is each other… now… Go get your brother!" Winry pointed at the door as Alphonse stood up, "Start running!" Winry spoke,
"Right!" Alphonse ran down the corridor as I put my hand on Winry's shoulder.
I smiled at her, "Come on," Winry nodded and followed me to the roof with Hughes.
I smiled as we watched the brothers fight and make friends again. I left Winry and Hughes in the doorway as Edward was starting to limp over to us,
"Come on, let's get you back to bed Edward." I smiled as Edward nodded and I moved his arm around my neck and my own arm went around his waist.
I helped Edward into the hospital and back to his room, the atmosphere had settled, and things felt relatively normal once again…