FMA Big Bang Fic - Fracture Critical - Part One

[lynx212]

Title: Fracture Critical 
Author: lynx212
Artist: sonjajade  LINK
Genre: Tragedy/Drama/ Angst 
Rating: R
Word Count: 19,799
Pairing/Characters: Roy/Ed, Maria Ross/Denny Brosh, Al, Hohenheim, Trisha, Madame Christmas, Mustang office crew, Olivier and Alex Louis Armstrong and others
Warnings: Graphic depictions of abuse, possible "trigger" subject matter
Summary: Because everyone says there are no good FMA fics with the cast made younger I decided to go there... yes I stuck them in *gasp* High School *ahem anywho* on to the summary....

Tragedy strikes the Elric family changing it forever. Ed is left with a mentally challenged sibling and a father that can’t cope with his guilt, grief and anger. Ed becomes his father’s favorite target just as one good thing in the form of Roy Mustang comes into his life. Having dealt with his own misfortune Roy isn’t easy to scare off and he won’t let go of Ed without a fight. Sure that all sounds bad enough but will anyone be able to help Ed when things get even worse?

When true madness takes hold of Hohenheim Ed may lose more than he can live without and there might not but much left of him for anyone to save.

+++++++++++++

For Edward Elric the morning was starting just like any other morning had over the past three years. As he flipped the sausage patties his mind traveled back to a time when he woke up to the smell of breakfast cooking instead of waking up and cooking it himself. The last few years have been long one’s and despite knowing there was nothing he could do to change it he often found himself trying anyway. It was probably sad that at fifteen he still spent most of his time either daydreaming of the life he hopes to have one day or remembering the one that once was before everything fell apart.

It was hard to believe that one day, one decision and one moment could turn a family’s life on its ear. But it happened and for Ed every day since then has felt like he’s been walking a long winding road to hell.

Lost in thoughts best left buried he’s startled when his brother Al bounces in the kitchen and offers his ever cheerful good morning. Ed watches as he sits down at the table and picks up the newspaper. For a split second Al looks like the Al Ed dreams about at night and misses more than anything in the day. Sadly part of him is waiting for some witty commentary on the days headline to come from the other side of the paper instead of the question he receives.

“Brother what does c-l-o-v-e-r say?”

“That spells clover Al,” Ed sighed as he turned his attention back to breakfast.

“The cat found a four leaf clover. Why is that something that’s lucky?”

“It’s because they are uncommon.” 

“Uncommon?” Al asked and for Ed the confusion in his voice was hard to endure.

“It’s rare,” Ed began as he took the sausage out of the skillet and grabbed the eggs. “which means there’s not that many of those out there.”

“Oh ok. Thanks Brother.”

Ed merely smiled at his younger sibling and ruffled his hair. He didn’t know why he kept hoping that one day the Al that use to beat him in chess and almost any other game they played would suddenly reappear. Logically he knew that Al was gone forever leaving the childlike Al who could barely read the comics section in his place. It wasn’t that Ed loved him any less he just missed the old Al.

Some days it was harder to swallow the bitter pill fate had given them all than others and today was one of those days.

The sound of his father’s heavy footsteps over head had him rushing to get breakfast on the table. Nothing was surer to put Van Hohenheim in a bad mood than having to wait on breakfast. Not that the man was ever in a good mood these days but quietly gruff trumped loudly irate any day in Ed’s book. All he wanted to do was get through breakfast so he could head to school.

Ed sat the food on the table and the moment his father’s eyes settled on the toast causing his eyebrows to knit together he knew his hope of a peaceful transition through their morning meal wasn’t going to happen.  He wasn’t sure what was wrong with it but judging by his father’s expression something was. Hoping that he would just eat it and grumble Ed didn’t ask and proceeded to make Al a plate.

When Hohenheim took the paper from Al the young man complained that he wasn’t done and the response of, “You can’t read anyway so quit whining,” made Ed’s hackles rise but he bit his tongue.

Deciding to distract Al by arranging breakfast on his plate so it looked like a smiley face, Ed got his brother to calm down.  He was just about to fix his own plate when his father took a bite out of a slice of toast then dropped it on his plate making a sound of disgust. Ed was already holding his breath to keep his left hand from shaking. He never knew how these moments were going to go which left the fear draped over him until the incident was over.

“I’m sick of this dried bread,” was the complaint as his eyes locked with Ed’s. “Your mother had biscuits on the table every morning.”

There it was. The stinging reminder of what they’ve all lost along with a nice cruel layer of comparison and a side of guilt.

Knowing that he couldn’t say what was on his mind and not being able to come up with anything that would placate his father rendered Ed silent. When he attempted to make his own plate a hand seized his wrist. Fearful golden eyes met angry ones of the same hue.

“How about you preparing something worth having before deciding you deserve to eat.”

That was a new one, Ed thought, as he lowered his eyes. He would have sat down but Hohenheim still had his wrist. As the pressure increased Ed eyes shot back to his fathers. Still struck silent they remained in a soundless stare down until Hohenheim let Ed go, pushing him away hard enough to rock the chair he landed in.

“We’ll see if you bother to fix it,” was the all he said before he resumed eating a meal Ed obviously wasn’t welcome to take part in.

Not knowing what else to do Ed got up and started cleaning the kitchen. When his father and Al were done and Al had gone in search of his beloved fire truck, Ed began clearing the table. Without much thought as he picked up Al’s plate he popped a half eaten sausage patty in his mouth. He wiped the table down and was still chewing when he turned around plate in hand to see the angry face of Van Hohenheim.

“You’re chewing awful hard for someone who’s not supposed to be eating.”

Ed froze. He hadn’t meant to disobey his father but he was certain it didn’t look that way at all.

“I… I’m sorry I didn’t…”

He didn’t even get to finish his apology before he was backhanded. The plate he was holding fell to the floor and shattered across the tiles further enraging his father. The man launched into a tirade about how he didn’t buy things for Ed to destroy them. How he wasn’t worth half the things he ruined in some fashion. Ed was so focused on picking up the segments of the shattered plate and keeping his emotions in check he failed to hear the question his father asked him.

Stepping on the back of his son’s hand Hohenheim forced Ed’s left palm down onto one of the jagged ceramic pieces. When Ed’s head snapped up he said, “I trust I have your attention now.”

Afraid to open his mouth Ed nodded vigorously. His sealed lips were the only thing keeping the scream lodged in his throat at bay.

“I asked you if you’ve learned your lesson?”

Ed nodded again but that wasn’t good enough. The foot on his hand pressed down a little harder and the pained squeal of yes seemed to be what his father was looking for. He backed away and watched Ed examine his injured hand.

Ire not spent Hohenheim called Ed's name and when the boy looked up he backhanded him across the same cheek once more. Unprepared for the assault, Ed toppled over, bloody hand instinctively going to his face.

"Forget about going to school today you need to clean this up and keep that brother of yours out of my hair."

Ed mumbled yes sir and the terror known as his father left the room.

On his knees Ed finished picking up the big chunks of the plate before wrapping a towel around his hand and sweeping the entire room several times. He knew from past experience just how far broken glass could travel. The last thing he needed was for Al to get injured by stepping on a piece. With that done he grabbed the first aid kit and went into the bathroom to check on his hand. Once he rinsed the blood off he thankfully found that it wasn't as bad as it had felt. Sure it could probably use stitches but it would heal ok without them.

After bandaging his hand he looked up into the mirror at the redness on the right side of his face.  Ed had no doubt that it would blossom into a bruise before lunch and it would probably take three days or more for it to fade to the point where it wouldn't raise questions.

Shaking his head and sighing at what his life had become, Ed left the bathroom to put the first aid kit away. Done with that chore he trudged down the hall toward his room and passed a picture of his mother and father shortly after they were married.  They were both smiling so broadly their eyes were nearly squinted closed. Ed remembered when everyone in his house looked like that.

He can remember a time when everybody smiled and all they did was laugh. Even when doing chores they managed to make that fun somehow. Not being able to stand it any longer he moved on to his room. No sooner than he sat down on the bed and contemplated taking a nap did Al burst through the door.

"Al, how many times have I told you to knock?"

"Sorry Brother," Al mumbled and it was then that Ed took in how melancholy his younger sibling looked.

“What’s wrong?” Ed asked but when Al didn’t reply Ed knew exactly what that meant. "Did dad fuss at you?"

Al nodded instead of answering and looked down at his sock covered feet.

"Come on," Ed said as he patted the spot beside him, "shut the door and let's take a nap."

For once Al didn't argue and climbed in bed beside Ed. In a matter of minutes the Elric brothers were fast asleep.

Singing… the sound of traffic, rain and singing.

They were in the car, all of them. Ed with Al in the back seat and his mom and dad were up front. His dad was driving them all to the Circus. They went every spring like clockwork. It only came close to their town once a year and going became a tradition after the very first trip when Al was still in diapers. His dad had started singing some traveling song his mother found annoying and soon all the men in the car were singing it as Trisha made a big show of covering her ears.

Everyone was laughing and all was well until the rain picked up. It was coming down so hard Hohenheim was barely moving. He said he was going to pull over as soon as they reached to next fuel station or store. Trisha asked if he thought they should just pull onto the side of the road until visibility was better. Less than five minutes after he answered no, did fate intervene and make him regret that decision. 

An oncoming car was headed straight for them causing Hohenheim to swerve.  The car dipped off the road and when he tried to pull it back on he over corrected sending it into a spin. The car spun across both lanes, his mother screamed and that was the last thing Ed heard before the world fell into darkness and confusion.

Water hitting his face woke him up and everything was a confusing mess. He couldn't tell why nothing looked right or why rain was coming in the car. His vision was blurry but he could make out part of Al beside him but that was it. He could hear his father screaming for help just before he felt something shift and that was all before the darkness came back again.

Sitting bolt upright in bed Ed had to choke down the scream. Fine time to have that old nightmare Ed thought as he checked to make sure he hadn’t awakened his brother. Hadn't today sucked enough for him? Did he really need that added to it?

He looked up at the ceiling and tried to fight the memories pushing at his mind but they wouldn't be denied so he quit trying. 

Terrible recollections of waking up in a hospital bed looking down at himself and noticing his missing leg. A fact that was only made worse when he shifted and realized his right arm was gone too. That day had spiraled further and deeper into the clutches of a nightmare as he slowly but surely found out the status of his family.

His mother… dead. As in gone from this world forever.

His brother… comatose with serve head trauma and internal injuries.

His father… a few broken ribs and a concussion, by far the luckiest out of all occupants in the car.

He wasn’t able to attend his mother’s funeral; Al was still comatose when they held it and his father had spent most of his time at Ed’s bedside either, babbling and inconsolable or grief stricken and quiet.

Al regained consciousness three weeks after the accident and the brain damage was only categorized as less than they had anticipated because they hadn’t thought he’d wake up at all, but it was more than Van Hohenheim’s mind could handle.  Gone was the witty young man that always made everyone laugh with his comedy skits and impersonations and in his place was a person with the mentality of a five year old.

His wife was dead.

His eldest child severely maimed.

His youngest child was brain damaged to the point his mentality would never age.

…and all because he wouldn’t pull over in the rain.

For days he sobbed at Ed’s bedside begging for his forgiveness and speaking in ways the grief stricken often did. Time passed by slowly and shortly after Ed had been fitted with the first of two automail limbs both boys were deemed well enough to go home. But the return was not a warm one. Soon after that something broke in Hohenheim and it’s been fracturing little by little ever since.

Ed was getting use to maneuvering around on crutches with the added weight of a metal leg and Al was playing in the floor with the fire truck the hospital had given him once they realized he was truly a small child again.  Their dad had been quiet for days and when he came in from work he dismissed the nurse that he had hired to sit with them telling her that her services were no longer needed.

Confused Ed didn’t even get a chance to ask why before the first of many violent outbursts took place.

Al ran up to their father much like he always did since becoming young of mind again but instead of hugging him or ruffling his hair as per usual their father snapped at Al and pushed him away. When Al began to cry Hohenheim got louder and angrier. Ed put himself between his brother and his father and as he was trying to get Al to settle down it happened.

While he was still recovering from automail surgery, on crutches and missing an arm, Hohenheim shoved his eldest son hard enough to knock him off his feet and the situation has only gone downhill since that point. Shoving led to grabbing which led to shaking which led to slapping, punching, kicking and anything else he could think of to vent the frustration and fury he was feeling.

Ed knew his dad carried a tremendous amount of guilt over what had happened but it wasn’t until just before Ed had the second automail surgery that he had found out why. Apparently when the car had veered off the road and slid down the embankment it was teetering on a ledge.  They estimated that everyone was alive and well at that point and it was Hohenheim climbing out of the car, leaving Ed on the driver’s side alone, that caused the vehicle to flip over. The difference in weight was all it took to send it on its long rough journey down the mountainside. His mother was partially ejected from the passenger window of the vehicle so each time it rolled the weight of it landed on her body.  Al’s seatbelt held up but all that did was keep him in an upright position and once the vehicle sustained damage such as bent frames and broken windows his head made contact with the ground as it tumbled down the hillside. Ed’s own seatbelt did the opposite. It snapped meaning he was tossed around like a ragdoll. What remained of the door frame severed his right arm on one roll and he eventually ended up wedged under the driver’s seat and that apparatus mangled his lower left leg to the point they had to amputate what was left of it. 

It was more than a little morbid to overhear someone talking about your missing limb. A fact that was made even worse when they said it was found twenty-five feet back up the hill from where the vehicle had finally stopped at.

It was estimated that the car rolled over one hundred feet from the original crash site. They say it was a miracle that Ed and Al survived at all.

On days like today Ed wasn’t feeling so blessed.

Ed had found out later that his dad had been granted early retirement from the company he worked for. When he asked his dad if he had quit work to stay at home with Al the man had broken down into tears. Carrying on about how his job was now beyond him because he couldn’t think clearly enough to get the work done.

Not knowing what to do Ed tried to comfort his father by embracing him and telling him being an engineer wasn’t the only job he had and that he still had him and Al. Then like a flip of a switch the tears were gone and biting sarcasm took its place.  Hohenheim looked at his eldest son and said, “The real Al died the day of the crash and there’s not enough left of you to count.”

That had hurt, it had hurt a lot.

Life was so centered on loss at that time Ed couldn’t breathe. Even the few things he thought he’d be able to hold onto was ripped away from him. He was never any grand artist but he loved to sketch and draw comic strips that Al would most often write the dialog for and gone was the arm he drew with as well as his partner in crime. He loved sports but fate and the opportunistic nature of others had seen to it that he be banned from competing in any and all sports at his school.

Because surely missing two limbs and having to cart around more than fifty pounds of metal was an advantage right? 

It had taken a lot for Ed not to become bitter and if it hadn’t been for Al’s bright face and his close friends he was certain he would have become so. His friends never treated him any differently. They didn’t make a big deal of having to slow their pace while he was getting adjusted to the automail. If anything Ed thinks it made some of them closer to him than they were before. Especially Winry, Ed knew she had a crush on him and him ending up with the two extensive pieces of the very thing she was so fascinate with just made him more desirable in her eyes.

That was great, a little creepy but great nonetheless. He had been so afraid to face everyone after the accident his nerves were shot by the time it happened. However, his fears were all for nothing. They were so happy he was alive it was easy to forget two of his limbs were gone in their presence. Sure, some people still whispered as he went by and others stared if any of the automail was visible but it was nothing like he thought it would be and he could deal with that.

Plus living through that tragedy had given him the knowledge to help Roy once fate had decided to make him a target. It was a little over a year after his own accident that Roy and Maes got caught in the stadium collapse. It was a large disaster for such a small city and it garnered a lot of media coverage. The collapse injured over eighty people and seven people lost their lives that day, unfortunately Maes was one of those people.

Roy had been buried, horribly injured but alive, beside the corpse of his best friend for nearly three days. So confined dark spaces were a big no-no for Roy just like cars were for Ed, he knew all too well what it was like to have a fear of something that most people couldn’t even imagine being apprehensive about nonetheless downright terrified of.

So Roy walked to school with Ed safe from the rolling death traps known as vehicles and Ed watched movies with Roy in the bright confront of his living room, not in the compact caves known as theaters.

Giving up on sleep Ed decided to go dig up his mom’s recipes cards and gather laundry. He might as well be productive since he had to pass the time somehow. First he went into the attic where his father had placed most of his mother’s belongings. It didn’t take him long to find her cookbooks and recipes cards. Thinking if food was going to become something he was punished for he may as well study them and try his best to become a decent cook.

As he flipped through the cards he came across one titled Bright Eye’s Meat Buns and almost lost his composure.  Anytime Ed was feeling ill, had a bad day at school our just looked like he needed a pick me up his mom made meat buns. Not just any meat bun’s special meat buns just the way Ed liked them. She used to say they put the sun back in his eyes.

It took a lot for Ed not to curl up on the floor and cry. He missed her and the life they all had so much he didn’t have words to describe it. It was a soul deep pain he’d wish on no one. Shoving the card back in the little red and white gingham box he put it on top of the books, picked them all up and climbed out of the attic. Dwelling on the past wouldn’t help him and he couldn’t fall apart. That wasn’t an option, he was all Al had.

When he got back to his room he put those things on his desk before grabbing his clothes he carried them out to the hamper in the hallway. Next he made a pit stop in the bathroom and one look at the fuzzy mess his braid was had him deciding to undo it and brush it out. As he did so he tried his best to keep his eyes away from the bruise forming on the left side of his face. It ached and was sore to the touch but it didn’t seem like it was going to be as bad as the last one. Ed was thankful for that. The previous one had hurt so badly he dreaded blinking.

Hair done he headed toward Al’s room. Al’s clothing was strung all over his room but it made Ed smile once he realized a few items were used to make a tent like structure in the corner of the bedroom. That was something they use to do years ago and for Ed it was nice to have a flashback that was pleasant for a change.

His smile was short lived once Ed realized he had to get his father’s clothing as well. He wouldn’t dare be caught doing laundry without checking his father’s room. Another mistake he’d made before. At the present time there were more rules and regulations in Ed’s house than the young man could keep up with.

As he walked down the hall the walls felt like they were closing in on him. His breathing rate picked up to the point where he had to stop and compose himself before he knocked. He stood outside the door what felt like hours before a curt voiced asked, “What do you need now?”

“Just… I’m doing laundry and…”

“Come on in but make it quick.”

Ed’s hand was trembling as he turned the knob but he made it a point not to make eye contact with his father and planned to get in and out as quickly as he could.

A plan that was shot to hell once he saw the mess of clothing strewn about, it looked worse than Al’s room. Clenching his teeth he moved around gathering things as quickly as he could. He was on his way out the door when Hohenheim called his name.

“Yes dad?”

“What’s up with your hair?”

What an odd question Ed thought as he wracked his brain trying to come up with a response but he had no idea what his father was referring to.

“Answer me.”

“I… I’m not sure what you’re asking me so I don’t know how to answer.”

Van Hohenheim stood up then and Ed had to fight with himself not to take a step back. He was staring at Ed so intently it had his heart pounding in his chest.

“Why isn’t it braided?”

“I just brushed it, I was going to braid it later.”

One of the hands that had caused Ed more pain over the last three years than he thought possible reached out and he flinched.

“Quit being so jumpy, it makes you look even weaker than you already are.”

Ed just nodded, swallowed past the lump in his throat and focused on keeping his panic down. As strong fingers moved through his hair he wondered if the insults would ever lose their ability to sting. One would think after years of hearing them it just wouldn’t matter anymore but that wasn’t the case at all. It hurt each and every time.

“Keep it braided until I tell you different.”

Ed nodded again.

“You’ve got a mouth use it.”

“Yes Sir,” Ed replied, his voice cracking as dread washed over him. His father sounded upset and that never lead to good things.

The hand in his hair stilled and moved away causing Ed to let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Hohenheim continued to stare at Ed so long he was ready to crawl out of his own skin. 

"The next time I see you it needs to be braided."

"It will be."

With nothing more than a snort Hohenheim turned and walked back to the desk he was sitting at when Ed came in.  Sighing in relief Ed assumed that meant he could leave and began walking toward the door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

His tone made Ed's stomach knot, "To… to do the laundry."

"I haven’t dismissed you yet."

Stunned at yet another new development Ed asked, "Is there something else you need me to do?"

He received no answer as his father picked up a book off the desk and began reading. Thinking maybe he didn't hear him Ed began asking again only to be cut off.

"Apparently I didn't knock enough sense into you earlier. Do I need to try again?"

"N…no Sir."

He went back to his book leaving Ed just standing there with a laundry basket on his hip. Twenty minutes passed without getting permission to leave so Ed set the basket down. The look he received for that action had him picking it back up in a hurry.

Thirty minutes, forty minutes, more than an hour goes by and Ed is still standing there.  It wasn't until Al woke up and began moving about that Hohenheim told him he could leave the room.  Ed was a nervous wreck by the time he left his father’s presence. He had no idea what that was all about and it terrified him to think today’s new additions would become permanent rules of the house.

He went immediately to the bathroom pulled his hair back and braided it. It was a stupid request from his dad but it would be even more stupid for Ed to end up making his father angry by not doing it. He didn’t know what his father’s deal was with his hair but he wasn’t going to rock the boat by asking.

His ship was already sinking as it was.

When he made it downstairs Al was playing in the living room floor. Happy as could be with his fire truck and some army men.

“Did you have a good nap, Al?”

“Sure did Brother. Did you?”

“Yup,” Ed lied as he opened the basement door. “I’ll be back up in a few minutes ok?”

Al didn’t reply, he was already immersed in his own little imaginary world. Ed flipped on the dim light and disappeared down the steps. For most of his life he hadn’t cared for the basement but after the accident it became his only safe haven at home. Hohenheim only ventured down there if he absolutely had too and Al was scared of it. It was the only place that held any semblance of peace.

As he folded the clothes that were in the dryer he came across the jacket that Roy had given him for his last birthday. It had been the only present Ed had received for the occasion. His father had stopped celebrating such things.

Ed lived a bleak existence but there were a few rays of hope and Roy Mustang was one of them. He’s been Ed’s closest friend for years. He’s more than that now and Ed was ecstatic about that even if his father wasn’t. But of course nothing Ed did ever made Van Hohenheim happy so it really wasn’t any different than the dozens of other things the man was upset about in one form or another on a daily basis.

He didn’t talk about his relationship with or his feelings for Roy. He also didn’t make a big show of it the few times Roy was allowed to visit him and that seemed to suit his father just fine. If his dad wanted to pretend like nothing had changed Ed could and would play that game. He just chalked it up right along with the rest of the games he’s had to learn to play over the past few years.

Ed hadn’t planned on telling his dad about his relationship with Roy but Al had taken care of that for him. Even though Ed’s punishment for that was harsh it was just as well. His dad would have found out eventually and it would have probably been worse if it had been going on longer.

He could always tell when his dad was looking for a reason to hurt him. Al dropping that ball just gave him the outlet he was looking for. It was going to happen that day regardless so there was no sense in Ed being upset with Al over it.

Shaking his head to try and dislodge those less than pleasant memories Ed slipped the jacket on and let his mind flash back to that day a few months ago when everything changed between him and Roy. For once change had brought something besides misery into Ed’s life. 

He and Roy were sitting in the tree outside Roy’s house talking about their upcoming tryout for alchemy regionals. They were certain they would be the ones to represent the school this year especially once they ironed out their final project. The sun had begun to set and as Ed sat there watching it dip below the horizon Roy was watching him. He called Ed’s name and when the blonde turned around Roy finally did something Ed had daydreamed about for weeks.

He kissed Edward Elric.

Ed kissed him back and the rest as they say was history. The most pleasant history Ed has had in a long time. Folding the last of the clothes Ed turned off the dim single bulb hanging in the basement and climbed the stairs.

Al was still in the kitchen happily playing but when Ed asked him to take the basket upstairs and put his clothes away he pouted.

“I’ll make you a deal. If you take the basket up I’ll fix you macaroni and cheese for lunch.”

That put a smile on Al’s face and he happily took off with the basket up the steps. Ed rifled through the cabinets looking for something that his father would like for lunch when the man came in and nearly slammed his hand in the cabinet he was looking through.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“It’s noon I… I was going to fix lunch.”

“No need to look in there, sandwiches will do just fine.”

“But I promised Al macaroni and cheese.”

“Sounds like your problem.”

Ed bit down on his bottom lip and thought hard. He didn’t typically have to ask his dad what to cook. As long as food was prepared he was usually fine. Today seemed to be the day for everything to change. As if there wasn’t enough inconsistencies in Ed’s life now the few things he took comfort in were going to be added among them.

“What kind of sandwich would you like?” Ed asked but he didn’t get an answer and that put him on edge. His father merely sat at the head of the table and watched him with those harsh golden eyes that look nothing like the warm suns that use to smile at him when he came in from school. Frustrated by not knowing what to do and pissed he was going to have to disappoint his brother Ed decided any type could be just as right or wrong as any other so he went with ham.

As he made lunch he wondered if he was going to be allowed to eat any of it. Not having breakfast sucked but it wasn’t that big a deal. However, if he didn’t get lunch either it would soon start to cause a problem.  The automail put a strain on his system and if he didn’t eat soon he’d feel like crap for the remainder of the day.

“Can I have something for lunch?” 

“Yeah fix yourself a slice of that toast you’re so fond of feeding me.”

It wasn’t the ham sandwich Ed was hoping for but it beat nothing.

Ed had prepared his dad’s lunch and was working on Al’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich when Al came back into the kitchen. When Ed sat the sandwich in front of him Al grew instantly upset.

“But you promised me mac and cheese,” Al whined as he plopped back in the chair and folded his arms over his chest.

“I know and I’m sorry but I… I don’t have everything I need to make it,” Ed lied as his eyes darted over to his father who was giving him a smug look but didn’t say anything.

“Can we go out and get the stuff?”

“Maybe for dinner if it’s ok with dad,” Ed said swallowing hard as he hoped that he wasn’t digging his own grave, “but for now I need you to eat your lunch ok?”

“Ok Brother,” Al said as he dug into one of the four sections Ed had cut his sandwich into. Relieved, Ed got up to make his own meager lunch and when faced with deciding how many slices he was allowed Ed erred on the side of caution and toasted a single piece of bread.

When he sat down with it Al looked at him worriedly and asked him where his sandwich was and the lie about him not being very hungry rolled out without thought.  Lying to Al once life went to hell use to make Ed lose sleep at night. However, once he realized it was truly for the best it slowly became second nature even if it did still leave a bad taste in his mouth. Regardless, the bottom line was an upset Al meant a pissed off Hohenheim and no one wanted that.

His own paltry lunch was gone in minutes but Ed sat there until Al was done, reminded him to put his plate and cup in the sink and sent him off to play. When his dad pushed his own plate away Ed gathered it too and began washing the dishes.

“You know those lies rolled off your tongue so effortlessly it made me wonder just how much practice you’ve had at that.”

Ed didn’t know what had his father in such a foul mood this day but he was terrified of making it worse.

“I… I just didn’t want him upset over something that was my fault. I know you don’t like it when he whines or cries.”

“Is that so,” was the question asked of Ed and even though his back was to the man he could feel those eyes boring into him.

When nothing further came of the situation Ed dared to ask, “Can I take him into town to get more cheese? We could use some anyway.”

“Wasted trip,” was the grumbled reply.

“I had to go in order to get some baking powder and buttermilk.”

Ed was still scared to turn around so he didn’t. He kept washing the five things in the sink over and over.  Just when he thought the man might have left the room he felt his braid lifted off his neck and nearly jumped out of his skin. He didn’t know if it was going to be yanked on, cut off or what. With the way this day was going anything could happen.

Heavy silence filled the room as Ed focused on keeping his breathing under control and methodically washing the dishes. Each time there was a slight tug on his hair he mentally prepared himself for the worst.

“I suppose you can learn after all,” was the only thing his dad said before he dropped Ed’s ponytail over his right shoulder, laid some money on the counter and left the room.

By the time Ed finally left the kitchen each item in the sink had been scrubbed over a dozen times.

++++

Part Two