A/N: Hello!

Thank you so much to everyone who has given this story a chance, reading it, commenting or giving fav or follow! :)

Here I bring you chapter 2. It's a quiet one where we will basically witness some conversation between Ed and Rose as Ed has to catch up on some of the things that have happened in his absence. But don't worry, we'll have someone else around soon.

I hope you enjoy it and thank you so much for reading!

Golden.

While Ed seemed to take in the fact that he was back in Amestris, Rose remained by his side silently and without letting go of his hand at any time, reveling in the simple fact of having him next to her. Ed's expression, despite being semi-hidden with his own hair, had relaxed considerably and, trying not to be indiscreet, from her position Rose could tell that a couple of silent tears had slipped down his cheeks somewhere in the mutual silence.

Feeling Ed's hand begin to lose the pressure it had initially exerted, Rose remembered that, although it was already a breakthrough that the young man had woken up, he still needed to regain his strength with proper care.

"Ed." She said in a soft voice. "It's best that you get some rest, your body is still very weak."

Ed sighed. "Maybe." Slowly he stood up taking care to run his hand over his face to wipe away any traces of tears. After doing so, he smiled before speaking again. "I just hope this is all really happening and that it's not just a dream."

"You're not dreaming, Ed." Rose told him with a broad smile. "What's more, just to convince you, I'll go fix you something to eat. Dreams can't replicate the taste of food, can they?"

Ed laughed lightly. "I think I'll take you up on that offer. I'll figure out a way to pay you back later."

"None of that. I'm happy to help you, and most of all, I'm incredibly happy you're back." She said with a slight blush on her cheeks.

Ed smiled at her. "Thank you, Rose."

"Okay, lie down a little more and in a few minutes I'll be back okay?"

Ed nodded and took her at her word as he was starting to feel his eyelids getting heavy.

Rose left the room and stood for a few moments watching Ed through the small space she left by not closing the door all the way. The last few weeks of fever and unconsciousness hadn't helped but Rose had noticed from day one that Ed was visibly thin and, according to the tests the doctor had done, the young man was going through a severe stage of malnutrition. The medications and supplements the doctor had prescribed were apparently helping his body to recover but the state in which Ed had appeared back in Amestris worried her greatly. What lifestyle was he leading in the place where he was before?

After a sigh Rose smiled and closed the door completely. What matters is that he is alive and back with us. So now the important thing will be to help him make a full recovery.

With that resolution in mind she headed to the kitchen and began to prepare a quick chicken broth with vegetables. As her son was at a friend's house she had no distractions so the process was quick and, after cleaning the kitchen and living room a bit while the broth was boiling, a while later she poured a portion on a plate and filled a glass with water and then headed to the room where her guest was.

Taking great care not to spill anything, Rose pushed open the door she had left slightly ajar, with her body to enter the room but, before fully entering, she stopped when she realized that Ed was sound asleep. She knew the young man needed to get a good feed now that he was reacting but it was the first time since she had found him that Ed had slept with such a peaceful face that she didn't have the heart to wake him.

After all, rest would do him good.

With a smile on her face, Rose carefully and with a couple of maneuvers so as not to knock anything over, picked up the tray and the medication she had dropped on her previous visit and, along with the food she had brought, left the room to let Ed sleep peacefully.

Ed again began to become aware of the world around him when he felt something soft and wet run over his face and upper body. The sensation was pleasant but, not knowing its source, was at the same time strange so he began to open his eyes as he tried to utter words but, because of the extreme dryness of his throat, that simple action brought on a coughing fit that made him sit up in bed.

"Shhh easy, Ed." The young man continued to cough as a delicate hand was placed on his back and the rim of a glass was brought to his lips. "Drink a little. It will help, just try to drink slowly."

Ed complied with the directions and a couple of minutes later the coughing fit had subsided so the young man dared to open his eyes again. Realizing who was with him, he asked in an unsure and still somewhat raspy voice. "Rose?"

"Yes, Ed?"

Ed sighed in relief. "I can't believe it. This is really happening." He said with a smile as he leaned back against the headboard.

"Are you ready to get something to eat?" Rose asked with a smile.

"I think so but first I want to check on everyone, how is everyone? Al? Winry? Granny Pinako?"

"Relax, there will be time to talk. You need to eat something first okay? The nutrients have been helping you but you need to start eating to help your body." Rose said as she placed a hand over Ed's.

"But-"

"Let me get you something and while you eat we can talk." Without waiting for a response, Rose flashed him a smile and left the room, returning a few minutes later with a steaming plate of chicken broth and a small wooden table which she placed over Ed's legs.

Once she set the plate on the small table, Rose quickly took a spoonful of the broth and blew on it a couple of times and then brought it up to Ed's mouth causing the blond to blush slightly.

"I-I can do it myself."

Rose smiled. "Sorry, I just want to help you." With that said she returned the spoon to the plate.

Ed took the spoon and filled it with broth but as he lifted it a few inches above the plate, his arm made noticeable the trembling that had started as he began to move his arm causing the liquid to spill almost completely. Snorting he repeated the process a couple more times obtaining the same results.

Realizing the weakness in his arm, Rose took his hand and carefully pulled it away. "Let me help you, okay?"

Ed frowned slightly, frustrated with himself. "I'm not some little kid who's not capable of feeding himself."

"Don't be like that Ed, it's normal for your body to be weakened considering the state you've been in these past few weeks." With that said she again brought a spoonful of broth over to Ed who, after a grimace of disgust, sighed and opened his mouth.

Once he had swallowed, he spoke. "Weeks? Rose, how long have I been here?"

Rose took another spoonful into Ed's mouth as she answered. "Three weeks now. I'm not entirely sure if you'd been in Amestris longer than that but, from the state you were in, you probably arrived the same day I found you. I don't think you could have traveled with the injuries you had, did you?" She concluded in a worried tone as she remembered how bad Ed had been.

"Where did you find me?"

"In the middle of the park."

"I didn't remember that there was a park in Lior."

"There's currently one under construction but we're in Central now."

"Central? You're living in Central?"

With a smile, Rose replied. "Yes, almost two years ago, thanks to the recommendation of Mr. Armstrong and Miss Riza, I was given the opportunity to take up a teaching position at a school in the elementary section. I am actually working at the same school my son is attending."

"Gosh... time has passed. I had forgotten that your son is old enough to go to school now."

After giving him another spoonful, Rose bit her lower lip before asking. "Hey, Ed, how did you happen to get to the park? You were hurt pretty bad, and apparently you spent the whole night in that place."

Ed smiled a little. "Would you believe me if I told you I have no idea?" Rose looked at him with a confused expression. "I was certainly in Hungary looking for a way to get back but... it all got complicated." He sighed heavily. "I don't know if you remember, but the homunculus Gluttony ended up crossing the Portal and I ran into him just as I was carrying out my plan. Because of his intervention I thought everything had failed but I guess his red stones ended up being enough to destroy it and, in the process, bring me back here."

"Portal?" Rose asked in confusion. Despite the time she had spent at Dante's side, her mind hadn't been in the best of states so she hadn't really learned much about her plan or alchemical concepts as such. She shook her head slightly before continuing. "Forget it, the important thing is that you're here." She gave him another spoonful. "Although... you've been very careless with yourself, Ed. The doctor says your malnutrition is a problem that's probably been dragging on for a few months at least."

Ed's gaze shadowed a little. "Things happened..."

Rose regretted bringing up the subject as she noticed the dejection that was now beginning to fill Ed but before she could change the subject, the blond beat her to it.

"How's Al?"

Rose brought another spoonful up to him and inwardly sighed in relief at the change in the conversation. "Al's fine. He's grown up a lot and he's still as kind as always." She said with a smile.

Ed smiled hugely. "That's good to know, where is he?"

"In Xing." Ed's mouth dropped open, an occasion Rose took the opportunity to give him some more food. "Al's been fine but obviously he still misses you like you have no idea. After the invasion, he stayed here at Central for a while to help repair the damage and to access as much alchemy information as possible since Miss Hawkeye managed to give him the necessary permissions to consult the national library. About two years ago he met a Xingese girl who had been in the country for a while trying to learn Amestris alchemy because apparently a different alchemy is practiced in Xing. She and Al became friends and soon after Al decided to return with her to Xing because he is hopeful that the alchemy of that country will provide a way to bring you back. Well... that's no longer necessary." She concluded with a smile.

Ed sighed and a fond smile appeared on his face. "That Al... he should have forgotten about me and focused on living his own life."

"You're his brother, it's obvious he'd go to great lengths to see you again."

Ed's smile lightened as he ducked his head slightly. "And Winry?"

Rose was puzzled by the subtle change in Ed's expression but decided not to comment on it and better answer his question. "Full of work." She said with a small laugh. "In the last few years she was working part-time at one of Rush Valley's most recognizable stores. She became so well known that she moved to East City and now services her own customers in her apartment in addition to working part time at a store in town. I understand she's saving up to buy her own place and, with how good she is, I'm sure it won't take her long to gather the necessary money."

Ed was quiet for a few seconds until his smile became more natural and his shoulders seemed to release some tension. "I see... it's great that she's doing well. I knew she'd go far."

"No doubt about it. Nowadays almost everyone in East City has heard of the Rockbell name."

Ed's look turned nostalgic though his smile remained as he sighed and leaned back against the headboard. "I suppose she won't have time to lend me a hand with my automail."

"Surely she'll find time for you. You're her friend after all."

Friend...

"I wouldn't want to disturb her."

"Nothing of the sort, she'll surely be glad to know you're back. In fact..." Rose ducked her gaze slightly. "Forgive me for not letting her or Al know you were with me." She bit her lower lip for a few seconds before continuing. "You were so delicate that I was afraid you... wouldn't survive." She confessed in a whisper.

Ed let out a brief whistle. "That close, huh."

Dismayed by his nonchalant tone, Rose lifted her face to stare into his eyes. "How can you be so calm? You could have died!"

"But I didn't, did I?" A smile peeked across the blond's lips. "Maybe my body isn't at 100% but I'll do my best to recover. Now that I have the chance to be in Amestris again I have to take advantage of it."

The sincere joy reflected in Ed's golden eyes made Rose stop focusing on how delicate the blond had been until recently and smile, infected by the young man's smile. "You're right about that."

"Although that doesn't mean I'm going to forget about what you did for me, Rose." He said turning serious. "I'll pay you back for everything you've spent on me. The meds, the doctor, your care, everything. My state account is probably no longer active but I'll find a job soon and I won't rest until I pay you back every last cent."

Rose shook her head as she gave Ed another spoonful. "Don't worry about that. I'm not charging you."

Once he had swallowed, Ed replied. "But it's only fair. Equivalent exchange."

"If we applied equivalent exchange between you and me, I'd never finish paying you for all you've done for me."

"But, Rose-"

"Shhh." Rose interrupted him with a smile as she gave him the last spoonful of the broth. As Ed finished eating, she picked up the small table and placed it on a chest of drawers that stood by the door. That done she returned to her place beside Ed.

"Rose, I'm serious. I can't take advantage of you like this."

"You're not taking advantage of me."

"But I've been taking a lot of time from you. I've even probably interfered with your work at school."

"Don't worry about that. You even got here in good time because it's summer vacation now." She said with a slight laugh at the end trying to downplay the matter.

"At least..." Ed said, a little relieved. "But you've still been taking care of me and it's been taking up your time."

"I did and will gladly continue to do so." She said with a smile. "Besides, it wasn't a complicated thing. I'm not going to tell you I'm very good but I have some experience as a nurse, so your care was nothing new to me."

"Was that what you were doing in Lior?" The blond asked curiously.

"Actually it was here at Central. I volunteered to care for the wounded after the invasion."

"Oh." Let out Ed, feeling some guilt.

"If you, Al and Mr. Mustang hadn't stepped in, none of the people we tended to would have been saved." Rose said with a reassuring smile realizing that Ed was blaming himself for what happened.

Ed let out a sigh and spoke again when he remembered something. "By the way, did I have a fever when you gave me the water earlier?"

"No, fortunately since this morning you haven't had one. You're finally recovering." She said with a smile.

"Then why did I feel something wet?" Ed asked as he touched his forehead and lowered his gaze at the same time Rose blushed.

Just as he realized that, under the sheets, he had only his boxers on, Rose responded.

"Uh... I was giving you a sponge bath." She confessed, embarrassed.

Ed blushed and instinctively pulled the sheets up to his chest trying to cover himself as best he could. "I think I'll take care of that now."

"But you're still weak." Realizing that her tone could be misinterpreted as still wanting to bathe him, she added. "Y-you don't have to be embarrassed." She blushed even more at her own stuttering. "It's just something I got used to when I was volunteering."

"Rose, I really appreciate it but I'd better do it now. After all, I have to start moving and exercising to start getting my strength back." He said as he averted his gaze to the side, still flushed by the recent discovery.

"Okay." Rose said, ducking her face hoping the blush would pass soon.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Ed cleared his throat and resumed the conversation, returning his gaze to Rose, who had managed to control her blush almost completely. "Rose, is there any way to contact Al?"

"Communication to Xing is still a bit tricky but, even if it takes a while, Winry can contact him."

Ed nodded. "So, can you call Winry and ask her to come see me when she gets a chance? If it's going to take a few days, I think I'd better ask her myself in person to contact Al."

"Sure, Ed. Then you can have new automails soon." She said with a smile. "But wouldn't it be better if we let at least a week go by and call Winry? I know she'll be very happy to see you but... it's a bit of a shock to see the state you're in." She confessed. "We can make an effort this week to get your skin to get some color and gain back a couple of pounds. I think your body will appreciate it."

Ed was quiet for a few seconds as he looked down at his hand while opening and closing it a couple of times with some effort. Then he sighed and replied. "You may be right. I guess with Al I'll have some time to finish healing but with Winry... I wouldn't want her to see me like this."

Rose took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "We'll give it our best this week and you'll be good as new soon. You'll see." She told him with a smile.

Ed returned her squeeze and smile. "Thank you, Rose. Really thank you so much."

After a few seconds, Rose pulled her hand away and stood up. "Well, then we'd better get to work. We need to start with a good night's rest and tomorrow we'll feed your body properly and, depending on how you wake up, we might consider starting with a series of exercises to restore strength to your limbs."

"I'm more than ready to start those exercises. We'll start on them first thing tomorrow morning."

"Surely." She conceded, maintaining her smile. She reached over to the dresser to grab the tray with the dishes and, before leaving the room, turned to look at the young man again. "Good night, Ed. Get some rest."

"Thank you, Rose. You too." Ed replied with a grateful smile.

Rose left the room and gently leaned her back against the door as she let out a sigh. Ed needs time to recover so what I asked is not bad right? It's only a week... She bit her lower lip. One more week here alone with me... there's nothing wrong with that, is there?

She let out another sigh as she started to head in the direction of the kitchen with a smile on her face. It seems like a miracle that Ed is back. Good thing I found him that morning! With that thought in mind she went to the kitchen to wash the dishes and then went to give her sleeping son another kiss on the forehead before retiring to her room to sleep.