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FMA Big Bang Fic - Fracture Critical - Part Three
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+++++++++
The next morning things were moving much more like the fucked up normal Ed was used to. He made everyone breakfast, his dad ate in his normal gruff silence and Al was all excited about that day’s comic strip in the paper. He walked to school with Roy and all was as well as it ever got.
School went along great Ed handed in some of the work he’d missed and life coasted like this for a while. Sure his Dad was still an angry person in general but the violence toned down to a tolerable level and for Ed that was all he could hope for. After two weeks of peace Ed braved asking his father if he could go over to visit Roy. He hated to rock the boat but sitting in the house everyday was starting to get to him and Al too.
Surprisingly Hohenheim said yes and he even gave Ed enough money to get Al some kind of treat on the way home. When he told them to be careful and be home at a decent hour it made Ed's heart of ache. It reminded him that under all of the anger and violence the father that used to dote on them both was still in there somewhere.
Ed knew that, he really did but sometimes it was really hard to remember that life hadn't always been as miserable as it has been for him the last three years. He knew it was hard for Roy to understand it but in some ways Ed hoped his father would snap out of the violence as quickly as he had seemed to fall into it.
He only had one parent left and it was too depressing to think that the car accident had really taken both of them.
Wasn't it bad enough that his mother was gone, Al's mind was forever changed, and he'd lost two limbs? Was it so wrong of him to want to hold on to something even if it wasn't ideal? Even if it was probably a lost cause? He'd told himself that he'd hold on until he graduated and if things didn't change he would do whatever it took to get him and Al out of their childhood home. He'd disappear if he had to.
On their way to Roy's house they passed the Hughes residence and the melancholy that had settled over Ed as he'd thought on life got a little thicker. He hadn't been as close to Maes as Roy was but he missed him all the same. He had a contagious laugh that wouldn't be denied and he was the only person that never picked on Ed for being shorter than everyone else.
He had to work hard to push those thoughts aside as he moved toward his destination. The last few years were full of more loss than he wanted to think about.
When he arrived at Roy's his aunt answered the door and greeted him with a smile. Ed was thankful for the warm welcome.
"Come on in boys it's been a while. How have you been?"
"Good," Ed lied as he smiled brightly but that didn't hide the fact it didn't quite reach his eyes. "and you?"
"Fine as ever. Feel free to track down that nephew of mine. He's around here somewhere."
Ed chuckled at her words as him and Al set off to find Roy. It didn't take them long to find Roy around back. He was looking rather disgruntled about something but the moment he saw Ed knitted brows faded into a smile. Al was all excited to be back near Roy's tree house and made a beeline for it before he even said hello.
"This is a pleasant surprise. How did you manage it?"
"I just asked," Ed said with a shrug as if it were nothing, but Roy wasn't buying it. He's been thinking on what his Aunt had to say about Ed's situation. As much as he understood him not wanting to be separated from Al it terrified Roy to think Ed could be hurt to the point he wouldn't recover.
"I hate to put a damper on your visit but I need to talk to you."
Ed's eyes went wide and his heart sank. Was their relationship over before it even had a chance to begin?
"Why does this sound like the beginning of a Dear John speech?"
Roy gave him a look of confusion before it finally dawned on him what Ed was thinking.
"No, no, no… nothing like that Ed."
Ed breathed a sigh of relief before narrowing his eyes at his boyfriend and swatting him on the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"For making me worry," Ed grumbled.
"Sorry I didn't mean to but I do have something important to say to you, and I don't think you're going to like it."
"Now that you're using that tone of voice I know I'm not going to like it. So just spit it out already."
"You need to tell someone what's going on and I don't mean someone like me I mean like the police. Someone who can help you."
"It's not always as bad as it's been the past few weeks and he didn't even seem upset today so…"
"Listen to yourself Ed. This has gone on so long you only see it as "bad" if it gets to the point you have to limp to school."
Ed pulled his knees up to his chest, buried his face in them but remained silent.
"I know how important staying with Al is to you but you also have to consider what might happen if your Dad really snaps. Do you want to leave Al alone with him?"
"That's a dirty move, Roy," Ed said as he sent a glare in Roy's direction.
"It wasn't meant that way Ed but I don't know how else to get you to listen to reason. Everyone's starting to notice how often you're gone and to be honest I don't think you will be able to hide it much longer."
"You told someone already haven't you!" Ed shouted at Roy and Roy would be lying if he said the accusation in his tone didn't sting.
"No Ed, I haven't but I didn't have to. I think him showing up at the school and hauling you off by the arm said it all for anyone who saw it. Don’t you see, this is getting worse and quickly. When I first found out about this he never left a bruise where it couldn't be covered and now it just seems like he hits you wherever and…"
"Let it go, Roy."
"But if this keeps up he could seriously injure you and if that happened…"
"Just stop already, ok! My life's fucked up and there's nothing I can do about it so could you please not rub it in."
"That wasn't what I was trying to do and I'm sorry if it felt that way but there is something you can do, Ed. You can stop this now before it gets worse."
"Leave this alone Roy you don't know what it's like."
"You're right I don't know what it's like to be you but I do know what it's like to have to sit and watch you suffer like this. It's harder than anything I can ever remember doing and coming from someone who was once buried alive I think that's saying something."
Ed didn’t reply and as the silence stretched on Roy hated himself for making the blond so sad. However, it killed him in a whole other why to see him suffering as he had been. He hadn’t thought it possible to care about Ed more than he already did as one of his best friends but here he was, almost hopelessly drowning in what he felt for Ed. Watching Ed withdraw into himself was more than Roy could stand. He’d said his peace he had to get Ed out of this funk.
“Just… just think about it ok?” Roy said as he stood up and Ed followed, “For me?”
When he added the, for me Ed gave him a look, “Now I know you’re playing dirty.”
“If you think that’s dirty then this next move will be downright obscene.”
Before Ed could finish asking what, Roy silenced his companion with a kiss. When they parted Ed smiled at him and Roy took this as permission to initiate a second kiss. But Ed noticed this one was nothing like the first one, in fact it wasn’t anything like any of the kisses they had shared. This kiss made something in his stomach flutter and caused his body to heat up.
When Roy pulled tried to pull away a wobbly legged Edward leaned forward with him. Chuckling he steadied the blond on his feet and kissed him on his forehead.
“Wha… what’s so funny,” Ed asked trying his best to sound indifferent but failing miserably.
“You are, but at least you answered something for me.”
“What’s that?”
“I always wondered if I was any good at this kissing thing. I think your response answered that in my favor.”
Ed folded his arms across his chest, turned his flushing face away from Roy and mumbled, “You just caught me off guard that’s all.”
“Oh, don’t be that way about it Ed I was only teasing you,” Roy said as he grabbed Ed’s hand and pulled him toward the door.
He was so tired of being scared and apprehensive all the time Ed let Roy drag him along. He knew there was nothing in Roy’s house to be afraid of so he was going to enjoy it.
++++++
The few weeks of peace shattered for Ed out of the blue. Al had left a few of his army men in the hall and Hohenheim stepping on one was all it took to set off the man’s volatile personality. He was walking down the hall when his father smacked him across the face hard enough for him to lose his balance.
His father told him he could forget going to school tomorrow. That he needed to stay home clean the house and keep up with Al. Ed didn’t argue but he hadn’t done that in years. Disagreeing never made any difference and only made things worse so he didn’t bother.
It was what it was and arguing with his dad about it didn’t change anything.
+++
The next time Ed missed school and returned with a note Maria was determined to address her concerns with the principle in person. She took with her all of the notes she'd saved and hoped that he would see no child, automail or not, was as clumsy as these notes tried to make Edward out to be.
Knocking on principle Grumman’s office she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. She wasn't looking forward to this but it had to be done.
Once he told her to come in she opened the door and the beady eyed man smiled at her and said, "Good afternoon Miss Ross. I won't be able to call you that much longer will I?"
She smiled at his humor, "No, only a few more weeks left so enjoy it while you can."
"So to what do I owe this pleasure?"
Maria sighed and said, "I think one of our students is having trouble at home."
"Oh? Who is it and why do you think this?" He asked as the subject matter slid the smile off his face.
"Edward Elric, and on more than one occasion he has limped into my class with a bruise of some sort."
"Ah, him again. I got your letter concerning the matter but I don't think there is anything to be concerned about. I understand he has two automail limbs."
"Yes he does, but I don't think they are the cause of his injuries."
"Well his father states that he has become quite the klutz since he got the prosthetic limbs."
"With all due respect Sir, I don't think his father's account of things should taken as gospel. I have observed with my own eyes how roughly he handles, Edward."
Scratching his chin and letting out a sigh of his own he replied with, "I know it's hard for women as nurturers to understand but sometimes children do need to be disciplined. Plus, if his father says he is clumsy then I don't see where the big concern is."
Gritting her teeth and biting her tongue Maria says, "Discipline and abuse are worlds apart."
"I understand this but I don't…"
"Humor me and come to the gymnasium. There is something I want you to see."
Confused the man gave her a look but she just insisted that he follow her. Realizing that he wasn’t going to get any peace until he did so, principle Grumman followed her out of his office and across the parking lot to the gymnasium.
Once they got there they saw students all over the place doing everything from playing basketball to lifting weights.
At the far end of the first level Maria pointed out Edward Elric on the balance beam. The young man stood at the edge of it for a while before launching into a slow series of back flips that carried him the length of the beam. Once at the opposite end he did two cart wheels back in the other direction before dismounting like the professional gymnast he was on his way to being before fate intervened.
Maria was staring at the principle so hard he was surprised there wasn't a hole in his head.
"Is that what you wanted me to see?"
"Yes," was her stunned response. She couldn’t believe she was going to have to spell it out for him.
"What does this have to do with your concern?"
Sighing in exasperation she replied, "Does that look like "quite the klutz" to you?"
Taken aback at his own blindness to the obvious Grumman looked at the young man that was currently flipping around the uneven bars with practiced ease then to Maria.
"I see your point Ms. Ross. I think I'll make a phone call."
Smiling in relief she said, "Thank you sir."
"No, thank you for apparently seeing something the rest of us have missed Ms. Ross."
+++++
Later that day when it came time for Ed to return to her classroom for technical writing she noticed his seat was empty. Once the bell rang she asked Roy where Ed had disappeared to and the other boy’s face darkened before he said Mr. Elric had picked him up. Ed’s brother Al had another appointment and apparently Ed had to go along to keep him calm.
She felt sorry for Ed because even she knew he hated riding in any sort of vehicle. She couldn’t help but think him keeping Al calm was just another excuse given by his father so he could torture the boy more. It wasn’t that she doubted Al having an appointment. She was well aware of the brain damage he had suffered in the car accident. From what the other teachers have told her of his quick wit and charm she missed having the opportunity to have him in her class.
But back to the situation at hand, what Maria truly doubted was Ed’s alleged need to be there. To her it seemed like Mr. Elric was using Ed’s devotion to his sibling as a means of manipulation. As she thought on this, Maria decided to talk to Roy. Asking him to come to her classroom at the end of the day made the young man nervous but she assured him he wasn’t in any trouble.
At the day’s end a timid looking Roy came into her room and shut the door. Maria was still amazed at how much he’d changed since the accident. But she supposed being severely injured and buried alive next to the body of your best friend for almost three days would change anyone.
“How long have you and Edward been together?”
The flushed face and immediate back pedaling had Maria fighting not to giggle.
“It’s okay Roy I’m not here to lecture you about that. But I take it your parents are not happy about this?”
“My aunt doesn’t mind, its Ed’s father that’s the problem.”
“That’s exactly who I wanted to ask you about. I saw him picking Ed up the other day.”
“Don’t you mean dragging him away by the arm?”
“Is he always that rough with Ed?”
“Yes, and most of the time it’s worse than that.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“Since the car accident.”
“But that was three years ago, why hasn’t Ed said anything?”
“He doesn’t want to risk being separated from Al.”
“Is their father abusive to Al too?”
“Sometimes but nothing like the way he is with Ed.”
“We will figure out something Roy we won’t leave him in this situation.”
“We?”
“Yes I’ve informed the principle of my suspicion.”
“YOU WHAT!”
“No need to be upset Roy he’s a very discrete man and…”
“No it’s not that, if he called Mr. Elric or sent someone over there Ed’s in big trouble.”
++++++
Ed knew it was coming but it still took him by surprise.
Once he realized it was the school calling and questioning his dad he knew how the night was going to end. Al had decided to draw on the bathroom floor and he was scrubbing the evidence away when a booted foot caught him in the midsection sending his body into the wall. His father was screaming something but Ed couldn’t focus on his words over the pain from the foot that was repeatedly kicking him.
When he didn’t answer some question, hands that were once clenched in anger wrapped around Ed’s throat and tightened. He desperately clawed at the fingers but it was futile. The last thing he heard before he lost consciousness was his father telling him he wasn’t worth the energy it would take to kill him.
When Ed finally regained consciousness he realized night had fallen because he could hear the sounds of bullfrogs croaking wafting in from the open window. His head was aching and his whole body hurt and trying to swallow was damn near impossible. He attempted to stand but couldn’t and after several minutes of trying he gave up, resigning himself to a night spent on the bathroom floor.
As he curled up in a ball on the cold tiles he tried to focus on the two people that made facing another day in his own personal hell worth the pain.
If not for Al and Roy, Ed would save his father the trouble and off himself.
+++++
When Ed returned to school from his most recent absence Maria knew something was very wrong the moment she laid eyes on him. He was never one to show off his automail limbs but the turtle neck he was wearing was a bit much for even him considering it was late spring.
He was silent all through class which was highly unusual and apparently Roy thought so too. They were leaving class when some of the other kids started asking Ed what he was hiding. That rolled into them teasing Ed saying he was hiding hickeys from Roy. Ed kept shaking his head no but they kept on until Roy told them to back off.
Later that day when she saw them in the hall their friends Havoc and Breda were still giving Ed a hard time. When Ed was asked why he wasn’t speaking after swallowing hard he croaked out, “Sore throat.”
“Suuuure,” Breda said.
“Why don’t you just show us and get it over with,” Havoc said and before Ed could react he grabbed the neck of his shirt and pulled it down.
The angry looking red and purple ring around his neck that came into sight had them all frozen in place. Jerking away from Havoc, Ed darted down the hall with Roy hot on his heels calling his name.
When Roy caught up to Ed he refused to talk about it. Roy tried every angle he could think of to get Ed to see the violence he was being subjected to had to be stopped and it wasn’t something that was going to go away on its own. Ed refused to listen and when he walked away from Roy, because their last class wasn’t together, Roy made a decision.
If Ed wasn’t going to help himself, Roy was going to have to do it for him.
He could only hope Ed would forgive him.
++++++
When the final bell rang Roy returned to Maria's classroom all but dragging Ed behind him. He asked if they could borrow her classroom for a little while and when Maria said yes the dark-haired youth shut the door.
Maria noted the panicked look on Ed’s face and grew even more concerned. Roy asked him questions about his absence but he would only nod.
Visibly uncomfortable, Ed stood to leave but Roy wasn’t having it. He grabbed Ed by the arm and the resulting cry of pain startled them both. Roy pushed up Ed’s sleeve and the pattern of bruises made Maria’s heart hurt. Having seen enough she was ready to summon the principle as well as the proper authorities when Ed flung himself at the door blocking the way.
“Please don’t Ms. Ross… I promise you, it looks worse than it is.”
“Even if that was true Edward, it wouldn’t change the fact that this is wrong. No one is allowed to hurt someone like this.”
“But they’ll put us in an orphanage. You both know the chances of finding someone that will take on a brain damaged child and an amputee is practically nonexistent!”
“Even still Ed this is…”
“Don’t just please don’t, I only have to put up with this for another year, once I’m working we can move out and I can take care of me and Al.”
“What if you don’t make it another year?” Roy asked leaving his somber expression and tone to say what his lips had left unspoken. He knew the abuse was getting worse and more than anything he feared losing Ed to his father’s rage.
“I can and I will, either way it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
Such strong words said in such a broken voice had Maia giving in yet wanting to scream. She'd stayed idle long enough, this ended today regardless of what Ed wanted. She walked over to him and when she reached out for his hand the resulting flinch was heartbreaking. Moving slower she grabbed his trembling hand and led him to the seat across from Roy. There she sat him down and with both of his hands in hers she looked up into terrified golden eyes and sighed.
"Edward I know you think you are doing what's best for you and your brother and I can't even begin to imagine how much courage it has taken to do what you have done for as long as you've done it. This has to stop before it's too late for you and anyone else involved."
"Ms. Ross Al and Dad are the only family I have left. I don't want to be the one to ruin what little we have no matter how imperfect it is."
"Edward honey, it's not your fault. You are the victim in this."
"But even though my dad is mean to me sometimes I still don't want to see anything bad happen to him."
"I know and I understand this but you can't protect everyone at the expense of yourself any longer. I knew of your dad before tragedy struck your family. From what I can tell this is not typical behavior for him at all."
"It... it isn't at least it didn't use to be," Ed said as his head dropped and unruly bangs covered his face. "Was it stupid of me to keep hoping he'd turn back into the old dad again?"
"No it wasn't stupid of you at all," she replied and when her voice waivered Roy cut in.
"That's what family is about Ed sticking together when times are hard but you also have to know when you are in over your head.”
It was then that the door creaked open revealing principle Grumman and a female officer of some sort. Ed’s eyes went impossibly wide as he looked back and forth between his teacher and his boyfriend. Roy sighed as he looked down at his feet. He grabbed Ed’s hand and said, “This was my doing Ed, so don’t be upset with Ms. Ross.”
“Why… how could you do this to me? What about Al?”
When Roy fell speechless the woman in uniform walked over kneeled down so she was looking Ed in the eye and introduced herself.
“Edward, right?”
“Yes, yes ma’am.”
“My name is Olivier Armstrong. You have nothing to fear from me, I’m here to help you and so is my brother. He is outside waiting on us.”
“Waiting on us?”
“Yes. I know you may be upset with Roy but regardless if you can see it now or never, he did this because he cares about you and doesn’t want to see you hurt anymore. I know you may not understand it, but what your father has done to you is a serious crime.”
“But I’m his kid.”
“Yes you are but that doesn’t mean he can do anything he wants to you. Do you understand that, Edward?”
When Ed just looked at her she went on to say that sending him to his room or grounding him from activities and yes even corporal punishment of some sort is acceptable but vastly different than what has been taking place. She told him if it was possible they would see that his father got the kind of help that he needed to deal with his grief and his anger.
“The next few things that we have to do will be difficult for you but I promise you that you won’t have to walk this road alone.”
“Wha… what do I have to do?” Ed asked and Maria could feel his hand shaking and more than anything she wanted this to be over for him.
“We are going to remove you and your brother from Van Hohenhime’s custody. However, in order to do so we need to see evidence with our own eyes of the abuse.”
“We?”
“Yes, me, my brother and either Mr. Grumman or Mrs. Ross. The more proof we have the easier it will be if he tries to hinder us from taking you and your brother Al.”
“Where, where will we go? I want to stay with Al.”
“I know you do and if it is possible we will do that but first and foremost you will be going to the hospital if what I can see of your arm is any indication of what’s hiding under your shirt.”
Ed looked down at his arm and it was like he was seeing the bruises for the first time. It looked horrible. His arm didn’t even look like it belonged on his body. He looked over at Roy as he wondered if what he could finally see with “open” eyes was what Roy saw all the time.
“But to put your mind at ease Roy’s Aunt has volunteered to look after Al if he is well enough to not have to go to the hospital as well. She said she would take you both but in all honesty considering her age, and the fact she is already the single parent of one minor child I doubt any judge would let that be more than a temporary situation.”
“Well… well then what?” Ed asked as his eyes glassed over. He was fighting so hard not to cry. With his soul laid bare, he felt weak and helpless enough as it is without adding that to it.
“Only time will tell Edward we have to take this one day at a time, ok?”
“Ok,” Ed replied as his grip on Maria’s hand tightened. She’d give anything in the world to take his place right now. She could only imagine what this had to be like for him.
“Good, but first things first, I need you to remove your shirt. Is there anyone you’d like to have leave the room?”
When Maria moved to stand Ed simply held on to her tighter, “It’s… it’s ok Ms. Ross I think I’m done hiding. I guess I’ve been hiding this too long haven’t I?” Ed asked as he looked at Olivier. She nodded at him with a smile as she stood and backed away to give him some space.
“Now be forewarned, my brother is a large man in size but he is nothing more than a big teddy bear at heart. I didn’t want his appearance to shock you.”
Ed said ok and she went to the door when she opened it the largest man Ed had ever seen came in and even with the warning it was still a bit of a surprise.
They stood at the back of the room as Ed steeled his nerves. He was self conscious enough with just the automail. Having to do this knowing he was probably black and blue made it even worse. Closing his eyes he let go of Maria’s hand but when he tried to take his shirt off he realized he was more stiff and achy than he had foreseen.
Seeing his dilemma Maria offered to help him and once she finally worked his shirt off what she saw had her feeling so many things at once she didn’t know how to react. Bruises in the shape of boot prints covered Ed’s torso. His arm wasn’t much better and the purple ring around his neck from where someone had obviously choked him was hard to look at. When she looked at Ed he still had his eyes closed and when her eyes traveled over to Roy he looked ready to crack as well.
Once Ed met the eyes of the big hulking man Olivier had identified as her brother he left the room without a word.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No Edward, like I said he is just a big teddy bear under all of that size and muscle and he has a huge soft spot for children. It’s hard for him to see them in the shape that you are in.”
“So,” Roy began as he pulled his jacket off and gave it to Ed so he wouldn’t have to try and put his shirt back on. “What happens now?”
“Edward goes to the hospital and we go get Alphonse.”
“I don’t want to go to the hospital.”
“But you…”
“At least not yet, I think it would be best if I went with you to get Al. He doesn’t know any of you except for Roy.”
“You don’t have to face you father today Edward. If that’s something you want to do I understand but, it doesn’t have to be now.”
“I know and I appreciate that but as bad as I know this… this mess is he was still the single person I admired most for the first twelve years of my life. If you plan on trying to help him like you said I don’t want to just disappear. I owe him more than that.”
“I don’t think you owe him anything Ed,” Roy grumbled looking appalled at the mere thought.
“While I don’t like the idea of taking you with us I don’t feel I have the right to refuse you after all you have been through,” Olivier replied before she turned her attention to principle Grumman. “Would you be so kind as to make sure the halls are empty. We do not need an audience.”
“That I can and will do Miss Armstrong but first I would like to say something to Edward.”
Ice blue eyes narrowed at the man and he knew he had to make it short.
“Edward it is my responsibility to make sure every student that enters this school is safe. I feel like I failed you in that. If there is anything at all that I can do to help you and your brother I shall.”
Ed didn’t know how to reply to that so he merely nodded at the normally quiet man. With a bow to them all principle Grumman left the room.
Ed didn’t know what to do as they all stood there waiting for the principle to return. The door cracked open and someone on the other side whispered something to Olivier that caused her to nod.
“Roy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Someone would like to speak to you,” Olivier said and Roy sent a smile Ed’s way saying he’d be back as soon as he could be.
When he stepped outside his aunt was there with Mr. Armstrong and she smiled at him, “I’m proud of you.”
“Don’t be, I feel awful.”
“Doing the right thing is seldom the easy road, Roy. More often than not the path with the most resistance is exactly the one a person needs to follow. Especially in situations like this."
"What do I do if he never forgives me?"
"Could you have forgiven yourself if you had lost him to his father's rage?"
"No."
"Then the fact that he is ok will have to be your comfort if he doesn't. But I don't think it will come to that so don't worry so much. Take it one day at a time."
Roy sighed just as principle Grumman returned. He disappeared into Maria's classroom and soon everyone filed out in a single line. When Ed looked at Roy it made his stomach knot. They stood there locked in a tangible sort of tension for what felt like years to Roy. He was in the middle of preparing a please don't hate me speech in his head when Ed reached out for his hand.
Despite being such a simple gesture it meant the world to Roy.
Ed and Roy rode with Ms. Armstrong and Roy’s aunt as Mr. Armstrong followed them in another car. Ed still hated vehicles but Roy was pretty sure he had so much on his mind that, that fear was far down on the list. When they pulled into the driveway of the Elric home Ed's hand tightened on Roy's for a moment before he let go and opened the door.
He wanted to get this over with. He didn't want the weight of it any longer.
Ed had done nothing but think the entire trip and the more he thought about being free of the life he's been living the more he liked it. Walking up the steps to his front door it occurred to Ed that this could possibly be the last time he does this. Taking a deep breath he reached for the door only to have his hand freeze inches away from the knob.
“We are here with you young Edward,” Armstrong said as he laid a large yet comforting hand on Ed’s shoulder. “No harm shall come to you or your brother I promise you this.”
Ed nodded and was finally able to force his hand to close around the doorknob. The moment he walked in the yelling began. It would have continued if his father hadn’t noticed Ed was not alone.
“Who are these people and why are they here?” Hohenheim demanded of Ed.
Stepping in between Ed and his father’s stare down Olivier spoke, “Mr. Elric I am Officer Olivier Armstrong and that is my brother Alex. I am sure you already know Roy and Ms. Mustang.”
“Ok now why the hell are all of you here?”
“We have come to pick up Alphonse and take him with us.”
“What do you mean, take him with you?”
“The abuse Ed has suffered at your hands ends today and you will be taken downtown for questioning and evaluation.”
“You’re not taking me or my kids anywhere,” he shouted but Olivier didn’t flinch. “I don’t know what abuse you’re talking about but you need to get the hell out of my house and off my property.”
“What I stated still stands whether you like it or not Mr. Elric. Ed, Roy, go get Alphonse.”
When Ed moved toward the stairs his father looked over Olivier’s shoulder and said, “What kind of lies have you been telling these people?”
Ed started to ignore him but decided if this was going to be their last meeting he was going to say what was on his mind.
“I haven’t told them any lies Dad.”
“Like hell! They wouldn’t be here spouting this nonsense if you hadn’t…”
Years of pent up frustration and fear flipped into anger and for the first time since this nightmare began for him. Edward Elric shouted back.
“It’s not fucking nonsense!”
“How dare you tell these people lies like this I…”
“Do you even realize what you’ve been doing to me? DO YOU?”
“You mind your tone and tongue with me young man.”
Olivier was just about to interfere when Ed shook Roy’s coat off and let it fall to the floor. The action shocked everyone including Van Hohenheim.
“Look at me Dad, look at me! Does this look like lies to you?”
Everyone present was speechless.
Something in Hohenheim’s eyes softened as looked at the various bruises covering his son. When the man didn’t reply Ed’s anger faded into sorrow.
“I… I can’t keep living like this and neither can Al,” Ed said as he let Roy help him back into his coat. Ed didn’t say any more before he left the room with Roy behind him
When they returned with Al, Hohenheim and Mr. Armstrong were nowhere to be seen.
“Are we really coming to stay with you for a while Ms. Mustang?” Al asked sounding as chipper as ever.
“At least for a little while,” Chris answered smiling back at him.
“You be good for Roy and his aunt until I get back ok?” Ed asked as he gave Al a hug.
“I will brother I hope you feel better soon.”
“I feel better already,” Ed said as he smiled at Olivier.
“I’m happy hear that, Edward.”
“Come on kiddo lets go get you settled in,” Chris Mustang said as she stuck her hand out and lead him out of the house.
Once they were out of ear shot Ed said, “I hope that’s the last time I have to lie to him.”
“I think it will be Edward. Are you ready to go now?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be for a trip to the hospital.”
“Well at least you won’t be alone,” she said as she looked over at Roy.
“Can you give us a moment Ms. Armstrong?”
She nodded at Ed and walked out of the kitchen and onto the porch. The two of them stood there looking at each other, lost in the moment for a while before Roy finally said, “Can you forgive me?”
“It’s already done. Thank you, I don’t think I could have done this on my own.”
“You’re welcome, Ed.”
The silence returns for a moment until Ed asks, “So what now?”
“We take it one day at a time. Are you ready?”
“No, but as long as you are beside me I think I’ll be just fine.”