FMA Fic, "Pathetic", Roy/Ed, G

[dragonimp]

Title: Pathetic
Author: dragonimp
Rating: G
Genre: Somewhere between angst and fluff
Pairing: Roy/Ed
Warnings: Spoilers for Ch. 102
Summary: "I'm . . . pathetic, aren't I."
Notes: Speedfic—well, my version of speedfic—and probably something that will end up being AU once a few more chapters of the manga come out. Presupposes an established relationship.

The Rockbell house was something of a minefield. They'd picked it up quite a bit out of consideration, but there still tended to be forgotten pieces of automail and just—things scattered about. Although Roy was confident that once he learned to maneuver here, he could probably handle anywhere.

He swung his newly-acquired cane in a small arc, and tried to guess by sound and feel what was in front of his feet.

Small table or chair. Couch, or upholstered chair. Something metal. And finally, clear space. Roy took a cautious step into the room, then another.

Something—a curl of the rug, a discarded piece of clothing—caught his foot, and sent him sprawling.

"Break anything?" came Ed's voice from the next room.

"No," he ground out, shoving some unknown object that had bruised his arm to the side and pushing himself upright. It wasn't the first time he'd stumbled today, and he was sure it wouldn't be the last.

Roy rubbed a hand over his new bruise as he listened to Ed walk over and kneel down in front of him. "You'll get the hang of it," the young man assured him.

He sighed, wishing he had the same confidence. Logically, he knew it was only a matter of time, but right now he felt like he would never cope. He raised his face toward Ed's approximate location, and forced himself to voice what he feared was true. "I'm . . . pathetic, aren't I."

"Yeah." Fingers brushed through his hair with a sort of awkward tenderness. "But you're allowed."

One corner of his mouth twitched up in appreciation for the honesty. The last thing he wanted was platitudes.

"But hey, this is nothing," Ed continued. "Remember how pathetic I was when we first met?"

"What I remember from that meeting was the look in your eyes. The one that said you weren't going to let anything stop you." He would never be able to do that again, to get a person's measure with just a glance.

"Yeah, but that was 'cause of you, 'cause of the chance you gave me. _Before that, I pretty much had the market cornered on pathetic."

The older man snorted, something that wasn't quite a laugh. "Yeah, I guess you did." He didn't say that he hated this. Hated being pathetic, hated being dependent, hated what his life had been reduced to.

"Don't worry. If you ever get that pathetic, I'll be sure to give you a swift kick in the ass. Only right to return the favor, right?"

That made him smile. Elric-brand reassurance.

"In the mean time, give yourself a break, okay? You've kinda earned the right to be a bit pathetic."

Roy closed his useless eyes and sighed. Then he leaned forward, using Ed's voice and hand to find his shoulder. Just for now, he gave in and stopped trying, and let himself be supported. Ed pressed a cheek to his hair and rubbed his back, and let the moment of weakness go unremarked.

Finally Roy gathered up his pride—which had been bruised, but not broken—and pulled back. He smiled his thanks, and hated that he couldn't know if Ed was returning the gesture. That kind of silent communication was lost to him now. Hesitantly, he lifted a hand to the young man's face.

The loose hair whispered against his hand as Ed turned into his fingers. The features he knew so well still seemed a bit foreign by touch alone, but that was improving. He traced the scar Ed had gotten earlier in the year, during a dangerous ploy to capture a homunculus. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

"You know, you still owe me five hundred and twenty cenz."

"Eh." He shrugged, the movement bumping the other man's arm. "You're not running the country yet."

Yet.

He laughed. The confidence in that statement was so casual, so matter-of-fact that, in that moment, Roy believed it himself.

"Well. I better get on that them." He found his cane, and climbed to his feet. "But first things first, right?"

"Yeah." Ed bounced up, and Roy could hear the grin in his voice. "We need a fuhrer who doesn't trip over his own feet."

He took a swat at the young man as he listened to the easy laughter, allowing himself a small, pleased smile when the blow connected.

Ed squeezed his arm, then stepped back just far enough to let Roy find his way.

Comments

[randomcheeses.livejournal.com]

Awww! The cuteness!
Love the 'Elric-brand reassurance'

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

Hee, Ed has his own ways ^^.
Thanks!

[pandoraculpa.livejournal.com]

Lovely. I really felt for Roy in this, being forced to accept the limitations of his condition. So many little regrets- the bit where he can't see if Ed is returning his smile was a heartbreaking detail. But what I really loved was the final line, which carries so much weight. That was worded perfectly to wrap up the story. Very, very nice. :)

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

It seems it would be the little things that would be the hardest - realizing over and over again that life has been changed. Thanks! I'm glad that came off well ^_^.

[havocmangawip.livejournal.com]

Nicely done!

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[amethyst_koneko]

<3 Very nice! If the events of the current chapter turn out to be permanent, I would like to think that this is what (more or less) would happen. I believe Ed would take Roy in to help him heal. Ed would not leave Roy on his own no matter how much bickering or animosity might be between them. Roy I know would find the strength to overcome this obstacle no matter what. :) That said tho, I still hope that Roy's blindness isn't permanent! (A girl can dream can't she? :D)

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, Ed's far too loyal to leave him on his own, even if they aren't "together" like they are here - and Roy's far too stubborn to let this keep him down for good. Though at this point, I'm not even going to try to predict where Arakawa's going to have everyone end up!

Thanks!

[evraskame.livejournal.com]

This was really great, very well written. I love the way Ed is nice to Mustang without being too much nice which could make him feel even more miserable... That was lovely :)

But I hadn't read the chapter 102 (I don't read scans) and I didn't want to know that XD poor Roy, I hope he will be alright...

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

Ed can probably relate to what Roy's going through more than most people - he'd know better than to coddle ;)

Thanks! And sorry for the spoilers! ^^;

[claytonsgrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh Chapter 102 killed me. It's amazing how fast you wrote this response to it.

This piece actually helped me cope with Roy's blindness. Their relationship and Edward's words of wisdom were very well done.

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I love the thought of Ed taking care of Roy, though Roy would probably hate being taken care of. Ed can probably sympathize more than most!

[lynx212.livejournal.com]

This was absolute greatness my friend! Loved it!

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

^_^ Thank you!