Happy 3 October Day!
Have a chapter of Devotion to celebrate!
Title: Devotion
Author:evil_little_dog
Summary: When Alphonse dies, Edward spirals out of control, and into the arms of a dangerous woman.
Characters/Pairings: Edward, Winry, Roy, Riza, Gracia, OC's. Ed/OFC, Past!Winry/Al, Ed+/Winry
Disclaimer: I am not Hiromu Arakawa. I just play her on TV.
Rating: Adult.
A.N.:Alternate Reality. Everything Mangaverseis fair game, but might be seen at a different angle.
A.N. 2: Much thanks to cornerofmadness for the attaboys and edits and suggestions and also to lyrangalia for loving this story and wanting more, ‘way back when I first started writing it.
All previous chapters found here (with the caveat the chapter numbers are different).
Chapter 26 - Injury
Trude folded her arms, a mouth a thin line. Pitt’s explanation of why he’d asked the Martins to look after Len for the night made sense. Still, “I’d like to have been consulted about this.”
Pitt sighed, running a hand up the back of his neck. “I understand, dear. I do. But I didn’t know what was going on when I picked Ed and Winry up at the cemetery. It seemed like the best thing for Len.”
Taking a deep breath, Trude inhaled the scents of the herb garden, the ripening tomatoes, and the sheep down the road. When she’d accepted Pitt’s proposal, she knew it would be a challenging life. As a healer, he kept unusual hours, and sometimes had unusual patients. She’d never expected a State Alchemist in drug withdrawal in her home. Pitt had been right to keep Len away. Trude wasn’t sure she needed to leave, too. If something happened to Pitt and she wasn’t there…
“Trude, I know you’re a strong woman. I’m not saying you aren’t.” Pitt cupped her shoulders, giving them a squeeze. “I’d feel better if I knew you were somewhere…else.” He sighed, going on before she could form a response. “Ed’s a good man. But he’s hurting. Winry has experience with that. She’s taken care of him half their lives, maybe more. She knows how to keep him focused. I’m just going to be here to give her a break when she needs and make sure they both eat and drink.”
Narrowing her eyes, Trude studied Pitt closely. She could tell he was worried. If she stayed she might be in the way, and she hated that feeling. Still, leaving felt like running away from him when he might need her the most. Turning toward their home, the grey stone building with the green shutters, she sighed. “I really don’t like this.”
Leaning in to give her a peck on the cheek, Pitt lingered there. “I know you don’t,” he whispered in her ear. “But I can’t help Ed and be worried about you at the same time.” He pulled back, and Trude could feel him searching her face. “You understand, don’t you?”
His concern made him all the more adorable. Trude gave him her attention. “So, I’ll leave here and be worried about you?”
A smile broke out across his face. “No, dear. You leave here and know I’m in good hands.” He turned her toward the road where she could see a massive man and a slip of a woman walking toward them. “They’ll be here, too. Another alchemist to help if we need it.” Releasing her shoulders, Pitt walked down to the road, waving his hand in greeting. The huge man waved back. “Izumi and Sig Curtis,” Pitt said over his shoulder in explanation. “The people who helped raise Ed and Al after their mother died.”
Trude wanted to argue more but Pitt had effectively cut off all her protests with the arrival of another alchemist. As Pitt brought the couple into the yard, Trude pasted on a smile and offered her hand when Pitt introduced them. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, her hand swallowed up in Sig’s monstrous paw.
“Likewise.” Mrs. Curtis had a sturdy feel to her, despite how small she seemed next to her husband. “And don’t worry, Mrs. Renbak. We can control Ed. He won’t do any damage to your home or your husband.”
The comment startled a laugh out of her. “Really?”
“Really. Believe me, Ed’s under control. Right, honey?”
Sig grunted his agreement. “Between Izumi and Winry, Ed’s pretty well-behaved.”
Pitt didn’t actually come out and say something but Trude could tell he wanted to. She offered a wry grin. “If my husband is in good hands, that’s all I need to know.” Not really but Pitt seemed to be willing to trust this pair and the woman already inside the house with the alchemist. It had to be something, she thought, even if she hadn’t met any of them before. “All right. I guess I can leave my home and husband in your care.” Trude pointed at Pitt. “But if there’re any problems, you’d better let me know immediately.”
“Mrs. Renbak, I’ll make sure he does,” Sig said.
His comment sounded like a promise. Trude relented, knowing she wasn’t going to change anyone’s minds. “All right. I’ll be at the Martins’.” She took Pitt’s hand, giving it a squeeze. When he turned to her, she kissed him. “Be careful,” she whispered against his mouth.
“I will,” he said. “Don’t worry, Trude. Things will be all right.”
Tipping the corner of her mouth up, she said, “They’d better be.” She punched him lightly in the chest. “Be good, Pitt.”
He grunted at the thump and rubbed his chest. “I will, Trude. And I’ll call you just as soon as I can.” She let him guide her toward the road as he said, “You be good.”
Trude’s answer was a snort, but she turned toward the Martins’ house and Len.
X XX
Josie paced Lieutenant Storch’s apartment. It smelled like lemon oil, clean and bright, rather than of cigarettes and mold. The smell made her shoulders hunch. She wanted to do something, make it smell familiar. The ice box had food in it - not empty, like the box back at the old apartment. There were books on the shelves; that, at least, was familiar and reminded her of Ed.
Ed. Why didn’t she know where he was? Why hadn’t the First Lieutenant found him yet? She needed him back. She needed to know she had his heart, or at the very least, his loyalty. He needed her, she’d made sure of that.
The thing about waiting was it was so hard. She’d been waiting since she found out Ed survived the hospital. Waiting for him to come back to her, to leave the Rockbell bitch. But the bitch had come into her own home and taken Ed’s things. Said Ed wasn’t ever coming back. Josie fisted her hands, wanting to punch something. She’d have to show the bitch Josie Wagner wasn’t one to just roll over. To do that, she needed to talk to Ed. Remind him of how much he needed her. How much she’d given him to help him with the pain of his brother’s death.
“Why hasn’t he found Ed yet?” Josie asked the walls of the apartment.
They had no answer.
X X X
Everything passed as a haze. Edward remembered periods of pain where it seemed like someone touched live wires to his automail ports, the jolts shooting lightning bolts of agony through every joint in his body. Sometimes he vomited until nothing came up but strands of bile. Those bouts left him wasted and panting until his stomach heaved again. His head pounded and the bright light from somewhere, he wasn’t quite sure where, made his eyes ache enough he wanted to dig them out of his skull.
In the few times lucidity reigned, he wished he could die. No visions appeared during those times, at least, none he recognized. It seemed like Alphonse had left him for good. He thought he saw Hohenheim once, standing in the corner of the room, but when he managed to focus his eyes, Edward recognized a blob of sunlight instead of the old man’s disappointed face. Envy never returned, something which gave Edward a hint of relief.
During his lucid points, he wished he didn’t see Winry. The concern in her eyes made him cringe, inwardly and out. He wanted to turn away from her but he also wanted to crawl to her, bury his face against her. He realized he searched the room for her every time his eyes opened.
This time, the darkness in the room told him it was night. Whoever babysat him snored somewhere in the darkness. Edward guessed the snorer to be Sig. Izumi and Winry both slept quietly. Taking a deep breath, he sat up. His head spun, hard enough to nearly knock him back into the mattress, but Edward rode it out. He grabbed hold of the headboard to keep his balance. His broken arm ached from the abuse his grasping put it through but he ignored the pain. He let his eyes adjust to dim light in the room, blinking through the blurriness.
For a while, the sound of Sig’s snoring filled Ed’s ears. The rhythmic noise lulled him, almost convinced him to lie back down, but he felt like he’d done enough of that. How many days had it been since they’d arrived in Risembool? He couldn’t remember but it had to have been at least two. How much hell had he gone through since he’d fought the chimera? Even racking his brain didn’t turn up all the information. Patches of time had gone missing. Analytically, Ed understood why. He didn’t know if he wanted to think about it. The past few days - since the fight with the chimera, if he admitted it to himself - had been a hell of a lot of pain. Three people had stuck with him through it, the same three people here in Risembool with him.
He didn’t want to think about that, either.
Edward shifted his weight, the bed springs creaking under him. Sig’s snores ceased for a second, long enough for Ed’s heart to stop beating. When the next snort came, Edward let out a sigh. A tremor rolled through his body, not as intense as some of them in the past. A shiver followed it and he dragged at the blanket, his fingers catching in the fabric. He didn’t pull it over himself.
He wondered just how far down he’d gone since their arrival in Risembool. A quick check let Edward know no one had slipped a catheter inside his penis. Under the sheet, he detected the crackle of a waterproof cover on the mattress. Pitt must’ve had other difficult people in the past. Winry had taken his loaner leg at some point. Edward didn’t mind. The thing threw him off balance and seemed to weigh as much as his automail did. It only moved with great effort on his part. The storm in Rush Valley hadn’t helped the wooden leg any. Without the leg, he was helpless. If he knew the house, Edward could hop around using the wall and furniture for balance but in the middle of the night his jumping around would wake everyone up. And he could crash to the ground - and he didn’t want that, either.
Still, the urge to leave the room nearly overwhelmed him. Edward needed to go. He slid off the bed, his flesh foot hitting the floor. The jolt travelled up through his leg and to the top of his skull. Gritting his teeth, Edward did his best to ignore it. Faint light showed through the parted curtains of the windows, giving him a vague impression of the room. The big lump covering the other bed had to be Sig. Edward spent a few seconds wondering where Izumi might be sleeping, then decided Sig must have sent her off to rest where Edward’s moans wouldn’t bother her.
The first hop he took, he slewed sideways, almost landing on the bed again. Edward windmilled his arms, one hand dropping to the mattress to stay upright. Once he was steady, he took another hop, then another. He glanced sideways at the other bed. Sig didn’t react, didn’t even move. He let out another tremendous snore. For a second, memory took the place of the present - Donkey Kong had snored almost as loud when they were traveling through the countryside. Edward had wondered how no one found them from the noise the huge man made.
The door seemed tantalizingly close, yet too far away. Edward fought to keep his balance as he hopped twice more, finally managing to grasp the door handle. He pulled and it opened with a faint squeal. Sig snorted again and Edward hopped through, tugging the door after him.
He leaned against the wall, taking the time to catch his breath. If he was going to get anywhere, he needed help. When they were little, Winry used to haul him around with her, her arm around his waist, holding him up like they were in a three-legged race. Edward ground his teeth, trying to push the memory out of his mind. He needed something other than her help. He had to do this on his own.
His slow process through the house didn’t go unnoticed. The cats peered at him from around corners and dashed away as Edward drew nearer. He followed them, hoping he wasn’t making enough noise to wake anyone. At least cats didn’t bark like dogs. A chair beckoned and Edward caught hold of the back of it, using it for leverage to let himself down onto the seat. His pulse pounded and drummed an angry tempo in his skull. His leg ached from the hopping, the pain beating in time with the drum in his head. Edward closed his eyes, taking slow breaths. Eventually, when his heart beat didn’t bang in his skull any more, Edward cautiously stood up again. His balance off, he wavered and grabbed for the back of the chair. His automail fingers clacked against the wood.
Wood. Edward focused on chair then glanced around. He leaned against the wall and pressed his hands together, dropping them to the chair. The lightning flash and accompanying chime made him grin. Edward grabbed the crutches, tucking them under his arms and hobbled for the door.
X X X
Winry walked into her bedroom, wondering when Alphonse had gotten home. He sat on the floor next to the bed. “Figured you’d like something bigger,” he said, and swiped his damp bangs off his forehead. He used the foot board to help pull to his feet. “What do you think?”
The room looked familiar, with her worktable on one wall and a chest of drawers on another. An open suitcase sat on the dresser, a red coat dangling out of it. Winry frowned, turning back to Alphonse. He was back in armor and walking out the door. “Hey,” Winry said, trotting after him. When she ran through the door, she was outside. “Al! Al, where are you?” she shouted.
“He’s gone,” Pinako said. She patted Winry’s back. “You need to find Ed, Winry.”
“Winry!”
She blinked, shaking her head. “‘m awake, Granny,” she mumbled as she sat up. The scent of lavender made her sneeze. Where was she? Not home, she realized. Risembool, but not her house.
“Winry!” Izumi came through the door. “Ed’s missing.”
“Damn it!” Winry scrambled out of bed, searching for her clothes.
“Pitt’s already called the train station and Ed’s not there,” Izumi said. “He must’ve slipped out sometime last night.”
Winry yanked her clothes on, finding her shoes and stepping into them. She stuffed her hair up into a hasty ponytail. “Coming!” She scrubbed the sleep from her eyes as she hurried out of the room, a flash of her dream coming back to her. Winry hesitated, glancing back into the bedroom. It looked the same and different from her dream. With a shake of her head, she followed Izumi.
Pitt stood outside, his hands on his hips. The color of the sky in the east foretold the dawn but it was still some time away. Winry scowled, looking in either direction along the road. She didn’t not see anyone, not even a shepherd moving a flock.
“We should split up,” Sig said, his voice deep and rough from sleep. Winry wondered if he knew his hair stood on end.
Izumi squatted next to the road, her elbows resting on her thighs. “Or we could track him. Look, someone was using crutches…” She pointed to a trail in the dirt.
Pitt sighed. “That explains what happened to my chair. He used alchemy to make crutches.”
Winry joined Izumi at the road, staring down the length of it. It dipped and rose again in the distance, finally curving away on another hill. The road led to the train tracks but not the station, crossing over them and heading northeast, all the way into Corrida, the next town over. Ed wouldn’t be able to hop a train, Winry knew. She didn’t think he’d try. The crossroads led to other houses, to farms, eventually to the town square and the train station. If Edward turned right, it would take him to the farmlands. If he turned left…
“I know where he is.” Winry sucked her lower lip between her teeth. “Izumi…stay here, please. I know how to find him.”
Rising up, Izumi shifted her weight from one foot to the other, as if debating Winry’s request. “You’re sure.”
“Mm.” Winry smiled at Izumi, including Sig and Pitt in her grin. “It’ll be all right. Wait here and…I’ll bring him back.”
Pitt laid his hand on Winry’s shoulder. He searched her eyes. “You’re sure, Winry?”
She tried to keep her smile from going lopsided. “We’ll be back soon.” Reaching up, she squeezed Pitt’s hand and gently pulled it down. “I’m going.” For a second her heart ached. Winry ignored it. “I’ll be back soon,” she repeated knowing if she stayed, if she waited - no, she couldn’t wait. Spinning on the ball of her foot, she took off, running down the road. As soon as she could, she turned left, hopping a ditch and climbing over the stone fence. This was one of the sheep pastures, nothing dangerous in it, like some of fields with bulls they used to tease when they were stupid little kids. A stream cut through the lush green grass and Winry slowed down enough to clamber across it. A stitch knitted into her side, letting her know she wasn’t breathing deeply enough. Winry dropped her stride down to a fast walk, wishing she’d kept up her wind. Working metal kept her strong but didn’t do much for building her wind. Once she’d caught her breath, she picked up her speed.
The sun painted the hillsides in gold and orange, the sky exploding in pinks and violets. Winry climbed over another fence and stopped for a few seconds to rest. The birds chirped territorial warnings and somewhere overhead, a hawk screeched. After trying to work up some moisture in her mouth, Winry gave up. She’d get a drink at the well on the Culbertson farm when she swung through their pasture. Pushing off the fence, she hurried on. Concern pulled her along, made her want to run, but the well beckoned and she needed something to drink before she finished her journey.
The sweet, cold water cleared her head. Winry drank from the ladle attached to the bucket, dipping it three times. Her stomach protested the chilly water but she ignored it. She needed to keep moving. Pouring the water back into the well, Winry upended the bucket on the stone wall and started walking again.
Winry sloshed along, not able to run just yet with a belly full of water. Her goal nearly in sight, she slogged on. Roosters crowed in the farmyards, saluting the new day. Dogs barked, readying the sheep to move to the pastures. She heard some halloes and waved, not taking time to stop and talk, not when she was so close.
Once upon a time, a white house sat on a hill. A tree grew to its left with a swing hanging out of its branches. Two little boys lived there with their mother. But their mother died of an illness, leaving the boys all alone. They missed their mother so much they tried to do something they shouldn’t have - to bring her back from the dead. If they’d thought their lives were horrible before, after the attempt their lives were considerably worse. In reaction and to make sure they had nowhere to return to, no place they could call home, the brothers burned down their home.
Panting, trying to catch her breath, Winry staggered on toward the remains of the Elric house. The blackened trunk of a tree caught her eye, the uneven ground with grass stubbornly trying to smooth it out reminded her where the house used to stand. Winry started climbing.
As she crested the hill, she spotted Edward. She wouldn’t have seen him from the road. He leaned against the tree, a pair of crutches in the grass nearby. “Hi.”
He barely turned his head to acknowledge her, his lips skinned back from his teeth. Dew soaked his clothes and sweat plastered his hair to his face. Tremors rattled the shoulder plates of his automail. “Kn-new y-you’d c-come.”
Winry squatted next to him, stroking the hair out of his eyes. “You’re freezing. Are you trying to make yourself sicker?”
“Nn.” Edward shivered. “N-needed to c-come here.”
“Couldn’t you have come during the day? I would’ve brought you.”
Edward shrugged. “Wanted to go home,” he mumbled. “‘Member the swing? We used to…I jumped out an’ broke my arm…”
“I remember.” Winry smoothed his bangs. “There are a lot of memories here.” Too many, she thought but didn’t say out loud. “You’re cold and wet, Ed. We need to get you out of here. Back to Pitt’s.”
He rolled his head to meet her eyes. “I wanted to come home, Winry.” He raised his hand, fingers still clumsy from the cast to touch her cheek. “I want to come home.”
Winry covered his hand with hers. “We don’t have a home any more, Ed.”
She barely heard his whisper of, “I do,” and wondered where he meant. Back with Josie? Or somewhere else? Risembool, even though both their houses were gone? Maybe it wasn’t time to ask but Winry knew she’d be thinking about it, trying to solve the riddle. “All right. But now, you need to get dried off and warmed up. Do you think you can walk with my help?”
Edward dropped his hand. “Yeah. If you get me my crutches, it’ll help.”
The walk back wouldn’t be as fast, Winry knew, but they’d make it. She wasn’t going to fail Edward this time.
X X X
Title: Devotion
Author:evil_little_dog
Summary: When Alphonse dies, Edward spirals out of control, and into the arms of a dangerous woman.
Characters/Pairings: Edward, Winry, Roy, Riza, Gracia, OC's. Ed/OFC, Past!Winry/Al, Ed+/Winry
Disclaimer: I am not Hiromu Arakawa. I just play her on TV.
Rating: Adult.
A.N.:Alternate Reality. Everything Mangaverseis fair game, but might be seen at a different angle.
A.N. 2: Much thanks to cornerofmadness for the attaboys and edits and suggestions and also to lyrangalia for loving this story and wanting more, ‘way back when I first started writing it.
All previous chapters found here (with the caveat the chapter numbers are different).
Chapter 26 - Injury
Trude folded her arms, a mouth a thin line. Pitt’s explanation of why he’d asked the Martins to look after Len for the night made sense. Still, “I’d like to have been consulted about this.”
Pitt sighed, running a hand up the back of his neck. “I understand, dear. I do. But I didn’t know what was going on when I picked Ed and Winry up at the cemetery. It seemed like the best thing for Len.”
Taking a deep breath, Trude inhaled the scents of the herb garden, the ripening tomatoes, and the sheep down the road. When she’d accepted Pitt’s proposal, she knew it would be a challenging life. As a healer, he kept unusual hours, and sometimes had unusual patients. She’d never expected a State Alchemist in drug withdrawal in her home. Pitt had been right to keep Len away. Trude wasn’t sure she needed to leave, too. If something happened to Pitt and she wasn’t there…
“Trude, I know you’re a strong woman. I’m not saying you aren’t.” Pitt cupped her shoulders, giving them a squeeze. “I’d feel better if I knew you were somewhere…else.” He sighed, going on before she could form a response. “Ed’s a good man. But he’s hurting. Winry has experience with that. She’s taken care of him half their lives, maybe more. She knows how to keep him focused. I’m just going to be here to give her a break when she needs and make sure they both eat and drink.”
Narrowing her eyes, Trude studied Pitt closely. She could tell he was worried. If she stayed she might be in the way, and she hated that feeling. Still, leaving felt like running away from him when he might need her the most. Turning toward their home, the grey stone building with the green shutters, she sighed. “I really don’t like this.”
Leaning in to give her a peck on the cheek, Pitt lingered there. “I know you don’t,” he whispered in her ear. “But I can’t help Ed and be worried about you at the same time.” He pulled back, and Trude could feel him searching her face. “You understand, don’t you?”
His concern made him all the more adorable. Trude gave him her attention. “So, I’ll leave here and be worried about you?”
A smile broke out across his face. “No, dear. You leave here and know I’m in good hands.” He turned her toward the road where she could see a massive man and a slip of a woman walking toward them. “They’ll be here, too. Another alchemist to help if we need it.” Releasing her shoulders, Pitt walked down to the road, waving his hand in greeting. The huge man waved back. “Izumi and Sig Curtis,” Pitt said over his shoulder in explanation. “The people who helped raise Ed and Al after their mother died.”
Trude wanted to argue more but Pitt had effectively cut off all her protests with the arrival of another alchemist. As Pitt brought the couple into the yard, Trude pasted on a smile and offered her hand when Pitt introduced them. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, her hand swallowed up in Sig’s monstrous paw.
“Likewise.” Mrs. Curtis had a sturdy feel to her, despite how small she seemed next to her husband. “And don’t worry, Mrs. Renbak. We can control Ed. He won’t do any damage to your home or your husband.”
The comment startled a laugh out of her. “Really?”
“Really. Believe me, Ed’s under control. Right, honey?”
Sig grunted his agreement. “Between Izumi and Winry, Ed’s pretty well-behaved.”
Pitt didn’t actually come out and say something but Trude could tell he wanted to. She offered a wry grin. “If my husband is in good hands, that’s all I need to know.” Not really but Pitt seemed to be willing to trust this pair and the woman already inside the house with the alchemist. It had to be something, she thought, even if she hadn’t met any of them before. “All right. I guess I can leave my home and husband in your care.” Trude pointed at Pitt. “But if there’re any problems, you’d better let me know immediately.”
“Mrs. Renbak, I’ll make sure he does,” Sig said.
His comment sounded like a promise. Trude relented, knowing she wasn’t going to change anyone’s minds. “All right. I’ll be at the Martins’.” She took Pitt’s hand, giving it a squeeze. When he turned to her, she kissed him. “Be careful,” she whispered against his mouth.
“I will,” he said. “Don’t worry, Trude. Things will be all right.”
Tipping the corner of her mouth up, she said, “They’d better be.” She punched him lightly in the chest. “Be good, Pitt.”
He grunted at the thump and rubbed his chest. “I will, Trude. And I’ll call you just as soon as I can.” She let him guide her toward the road as he said, “You be good.”
Trude’s answer was a snort, but she turned toward the Martins’ house and Len.
X XX
Josie paced Lieutenant Storch’s apartment. It smelled like lemon oil, clean and bright, rather than of cigarettes and mold. The smell made her shoulders hunch. She wanted to do something, make it smell familiar. The ice box had food in it - not empty, like the box back at the old apartment. There were books on the shelves; that, at least, was familiar and reminded her of Ed.
Ed. Why didn’t she know where he was? Why hadn’t the First Lieutenant found him yet? She needed him back. She needed to know she had his heart, or at the very least, his loyalty. He needed her, she’d made sure of that.
The thing about waiting was it was so hard. She’d been waiting since she found out Ed survived the hospital. Waiting for him to come back to her, to leave the Rockbell bitch. But the bitch had come into her own home and taken Ed’s things. Said Ed wasn’t ever coming back. Josie fisted her hands, wanting to punch something. She’d have to show the bitch Josie Wagner wasn’t one to just roll over. To do that, she needed to talk to Ed. Remind him of how much he needed her. How much she’d given him to help him with the pain of his brother’s death.
“Why hasn’t he found Ed yet?” Josie asked the walls of the apartment.
They had no answer.
X X X
Everything passed as a haze. Edward remembered periods of pain where it seemed like someone touched live wires to his automail ports, the jolts shooting lightning bolts of agony through every joint in his body. Sometimes he vomited until nothing came up but strands of bile. Those bouts left him wasted and panting until his stomach heaved again. His head pounded and the bright light from somewhere, he wasn’t quite sure where, made his eyes ache enough he wanted to dig them out of his skull.
In the few times lucidity reigned, he wished he could die. No visions appeared during those times, at least, none he recognized. It seemed like Alphonse had left him for good. He thought he saw Hohenheim once, standing in the corner of the room, but when he managed to focus his eyes, Edward recognized a blob of sunlight instead of the old man’s disappointed face. Envy never returned, something which gave Edward a hint of relief.
During his lucid points, he wished he didn’t see Winry. The concern in her eyes made him cringe, inwardly and out. He wanted to turn away from her but he also wanted to crawl to her, bury his face against her. He realized he searched the room for her every time his eyes opened.
This time, the darkness in the room told him it was night. Whoever babysat him snored somewhere in the darkness. Edward guessed the snorer to be Sig. Izumi and Winry both slept quietly. Taking a deep breath, he sat up. His head spun, hard enough to nearly knock him back into the mattress, but Edward rode it out. He grabbed hold of the headboard to keep his balance. His broken arm ached from the abuse his grasping put it through but he ignored the pain. He let his eyes adjust to dim light in the room, blinking through the blurriness.
For a while, the sound of Sig’s snoring filled Ed’s ears. The rhythmic noise lulled him, almost convinced him to lie back down, but he felt like he’d done enough of that. How many days had it been since they’d arrived in Risembool? He couldn’t remember but it had to have been at least two. How much hell had he gone through since he’d fought the chimera? Even racking his brain didn’t turn up all the information. Patches of time had gone missing. Analytically, Ed understood why. He didn’t know if he wanted to think about it. The past few days - since the fight with the chimera, if he admitted it to himself - had been a hell of a lot of pain. Three people had stuck with him through it, the same three people here in Risembool with him.
He didn’t want to think about that, either.
Edward shifted his weight, the bed springs creaking under him. Sig’s snores ceased for a second, long enough for Ed’s heart to stop beating. When the next snort came, Edward let out a sigh. A tremor rolled through his body, not as intense as some of them in the past. A shiver followed it and he dragged at the blanket, his fingers catching in the fabric. He didn’t pull it over himself.
He wondered just how far down he’d gone since their arrival in Risembool. A quick check let Edward know no one had slipped a catheter inside his penis. Under the sheet, he detected the crackle of a waterproof cover on the mattress. Pitt must’ve had other difficult people in the past. Winry had taken his loaner leg at some point. Edward didn’t mind. The thing threw him off balance and seemed to weigh as much as his automail did. It only moved with great effort on his part. The storm in Rush Valley hadn’t helped the wooden leg any. Without the leg, he was helpless. If he knew the house, Edward could hop around using the wall and furniture for balance but in the middle of the night his jumping around would wake everyone up. And he could crash to the ground - and he didn’t want that, either.
Still, the urge to leave the room nearly overwhelmed him. Edward needed to go. He slid off the bed, his flesh foot hitting the floor. The jolt travelled up through his leg and to the top of his skull. Gritting his teeth, Edward did his best to ignore it. Faint light showed through the parted curtains of the windows, giving him a vague impression of the room. The big lump covering the other bed had to be Sig. Edward spent a few seconds wondering where Izumi might be sleeping, then decided Sig must have sent her off to rest where Edward’s moans wouldn’t bother her.
The first hop he took, he slewed sideways, almost landing on the bed again. Edward windmilled his arms, one hand dropping to the mattress to stay upright. Once he was steady, he took another hop, then another. He glanced sideways at the other bed. Sig didn’t react, didn’t even move. He let out another tremendous snore. For a second, memory took the place of the present - Donkey Kong had snored almost as loud when they were traveling through the countryside. Edward had wondered how no one found them from the noise the huge man made.
The door seemed tantalizingly close, yet too far away. Edward fought to keep his balance as he hopped twice more, finally managing to grasp the door handle. He pulled and it opened with a faint squeal. Sig snorted again and Edward hopped through, tugging the door after him.
He leaned against the wall, taking the time to catch his breath. If he was going to get anywhere, he needed help. When they were little, Winry used to haul him around with her, her arm around his waist, holding him up like they were in a three-legged race. Edward ground his teeth, trying to push the memory out of his mind. He needed something other than her help. He had to do this on his own.
His slow process through the house didn’t go unnoticed. The cats peered at him from around corners and dashed away as Edward drew nearer. He followed them, hoping he wasn’t making enough noise to wake anyone. At least cats didn’t bark like dogs. A chair beckoned and Edward caught hold of the back of it, using it for leverage to let himself down onto the seat. His pulse pounded and drummed an angry tempo in his skull. His leg ached from the hopping, the pain beating in time with the drum in his head. Edward closed his eyes, taking slow breaths. Eventually, when his heart beat didn’t bang in his skull any more, Edward cautiously stood up again. His balance off, he wavered and grabbed for the back of the chair. His automail fingers clacked against the wood.
Wood. Edward focused on chair then glanced around. He leaned against the wall and pressed his hands together, dropping them to the chair. The lightning flash and accompanying chime made him grin. Edward grabbed the crutches, tucking them under his arms and hobbled for the door.
X X X
Winry walked into her bedroom, wondering when Alphonse had gotten home. He sat on the floor next to the bed. “Figured you’d like something bigger,” he said, and swiped his damp bangs off his forehead. He used the foot board to help pull to his feet. “What do you think?”
The room looked familiar, with her worktable on one wall and a chest of drawers on another. An open suitcase sat on the dresser, a red coat dangling out of it. Winry frowned, turning back to Alphonse. He was back in armor and walking out the door. “Hey,” Winry said, trotting after him. When she ran through the door, she was outside. “Al! Al, where are you?” she shouted.
“He’s gone,” Pinako said. She patted Winry’s back. “You need to find Ed, Winry.”
“Winry!”
She blinked, shaking her head. “‘m awake, Granny,” she mumbled as she sat up. The scent of lavender made her sneeze. Where was she? Not home, she realized. Risembool, but not her house.
“Winry!” Izumi came through the door. “Ed’s missing.”
“Damn it!” Winry scrambled out of bed, searching for her clothes.
“Pitt’s already called the train station and Ed’s not there,” Izumi said. “He must’ve slipped out sometime last night.”
Winry yanked her clothes on, finding her shoes and stepping into them. She stuffed her hair up into a hasty ponytail. “Coming!” She scrubbed the sleep from her eyes as she hurried out of the room, a flash of her dream coming back to her. Winry hesitated, glancing back into the bedroom. It looked the same and different from her dream. With a shake of her head, she followed Izumi.
Pitt stood outside, his hands on his hips. The color of the sky in the east foretold the dawn but it was still some time away. Winry scowled, looking in either direction along the road. She didn’t not see anyone, not even a shepherd moving a flock.
“We should split up,” Sig said, his voice deep and rough from sleep. Winry wondered if he knew his hair stood on end.
Izumi squatted next to the road, her elbows resting on her thighs. “Or we could track him. Look, someone was using crutches…” She pointed to a trail in the dirt.
Pitt sighed. “That explains what happened to my chair. He used alchemy to make crutches.”
Winry joined Izumi at the road, staring down the length of it. It dipped and rose again in the distance, finally curving away on another hill. The road led to the train tracks but not the station, crossing over them and heading northeast, all the way into Corrida, the next town over. Ed wouldn’t be able to hop a train, Winry knew. She didn’t think he’d try. The crossroads led to other houses, to farms, eventually to the town square and the train station. If Edward turned right, it would take him to the farmlands. If he turned left…
“I know where he is.” Winry sucked her lower lip between her teeth. “Izumi…stay here, please. I know how to find him.”
Rising up, Izumi shifted her weight from one foot to the other, as if debating Winry’s request. “You’re sure.”
“Mm.” Winry smiled at Izumi, including Sig and Pitt in her grin. “It’ll be all right. Wait here and…I’ll bring him back.”
Pitt laid his hand on Winry’s shoulder. He searched her eyes. “You’re sure, Winry?”
She tried to keep her smile from going lopsided. “We’ll be back soon.” Reaching up, she squeezed Pitt’s hand and gently pulled it down. “I’m going.” For a second her heart ached. Winry ignored it. “I’ll be back soon,” she repeated knowing if she stayed, if she waited - no, she couldn’t wait. Spinning on the ball of her foot, she took off, running down the road. As soon as she could, she turned left, hopping a ditch and climbing over the stone fence. This was one of the sheep pastures, nothing dangerous in it, like some of fields with bulls they used to tease when they were stupid little kids. A stream cut through the lush green grass and Winry slowed down enough to clamber across it. A stitch knitted into her side, letting her know she wasn’t breathing deeply enough. Winry dropped her stride down to a fast walk, wishing she’d kept up her wind. Working metal kept her strong but didn’t do much for building her wind. Once she’d caught her breath, she picked up her speed.
The sun painted the hillsides in gold and orange, the sky exploding in pinks and violets. Winry climbed over another fence and stopped for a few seconds to rest. The birds chirped territorial warnings and somewhere overhead, a hawk screeched. After trying to work up some moisture in her mouth, Winry gave up. She’d get a drink at the well on the Culbertson farm when she swung through their pasture. Pushing off the fence, she hurried on. Concern pulled her along, made her want to run, but the well beckoned and she needed something to drink before she finished her journey.
The sweet, cold water cleared her head. Winry drank from the ladle attached to the bucket, dipping it three times. Her stomach protested the chilly water but she ignored it. She needed to keep moving. Pouring the water back into the well, Winry upended the bucket on the stone wall and started walking again.
Winry sloshed along, not able to run just yet with a belly full of water. Her goal nearly in sight, she slogged on. Roosters crowed in the farmyards, saluting the new day. Dogs barked, readying the sheep to move to the pastures. She heard some halloes and waved, not taking time to stop and talk, not when she was so close.
Once upon a time, a white house sat on a hill. A tree grew to its left with a swing hanging out of its branches. Two little boys lived there with their mother. But their mother died of an illness, leaving the boys all alone. They missed their mother so much they tried to do something they shouldn’t have - to bring her back from the dead. If they’d thought their lives were horrible before, after the attempt their lives were considerably worse. In reaction and to make sure they had nowhere to return to, no place they could call home, the brothers burned down their home.
Panting, trying to catch her breath, Winry staggered on toward the remains of the Elric house. The blackened trunk of a tree caught her eye, the uneven ground with grass stubbornly trying to smooth it out reminded her where the house used to stand. Winry started climbing.
As she crested the hill, she spotted Edward. She wouldn’t have seen him from the road. He leaned against the tree, a pair of crutches in the grass nearby. “Hi.”
He barely turned his head to acknowledge her, his lips skinned back from his teeth. Dew soaked his clothes and sweat plastered his hair to his face. Tremors rattled the shoulder plates of his automail. “Kn-new y-you’d c-come.”
Winry squatted next to him, stroking the hair out of his eyes. “You’re freezing. Are you trying to make yourself sicker?”
“Nn.” Edward shivered. “N-needed to c-come here.”
“Couldn’t you have come during the day? I would’ve brought you.”
Edward shrugged. “Wanted to go home,” he mumbled. “‘Member the swing? We used to…I jumped out an’ broke my arm…”
“I remember.” Winry smoothed his bangs. “There are a lot of memories here.” Too many, she thought but didn’t say out loud. “You’re cold and wet, Ed. We need to get you out of here. Back to Pitt’s.”
He rolled his head to meet her eyes. “I wanted to come home, Winry.” He raised his hand, fingers still clumsy from the cast to touch her cheek. “I want to come home.”
Winry covered his hand with hers. “We don’t have a home any more, Ed.”
She barely heard his whisper of, “I do,” and wondered where he meant. Back with Josie? Or somewhere else? Risembool, even though both their houses were gone? Maybe it wasn’t time to ask but Winry knew she’d be thinking about it, trying to solve the riddle. “All right. But now, you need to get dried off and warmed up. Do you think you can walk with my help?”
Edward dropped his hand. “Yeah. If you get me my crutches, it’ll help.”
The walk back wouldn’t be as fast, Winry knew, but they’d make it. She wasn’t going to fail Edward this time.
X X X