Chapter Text
Edward fell backwards onto his bed, groaning softly. Binding had been a little more rough on him today, his back was killing him. But he didn’t want to take it off, not just yet; he wanted the illusion of a flat chest to stay with him a little longer. It was one of the few things that made him feel right in his body.
He could admit that he was lucky he was where he was now; not only was he able to start his transition early on, but he had been able to get the military to pay for it because it was technically a medical expense. He hated having to tell Mustang, he wanted as few people to know as possible, but it was the only way he could get his treatment, at least without burning a hole into Winry’s pocket. And he had been on puberty blockers and testosterone injections for almost a year now. All in all, he should be happy to be where he was, right?
It’s not that he wasn’t happy to be where he was, he really was. But he felt as long as his body looked the way it did, he could never really be himself. It was a looming reminder that he wasn’t really where he wanted to be. And he wanted that to change as soon as possible. But with military missions always keeping him and his brother busy and him getting their bodies back taking top priority in his life, he was just never able to get around to it. For now, it would just have to remain a distant daydream, something he would have to do once all this was over.
His thoughts were impeded when Alphonse stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him before speaking.
“Are you still wearing your binder?”
Ed grunted in response, not moving.
“Brother.”
“Just gimme another minute.”
“Brother.”
Another frustrated grunt from the occupied bed.
“I know that it makes you feel better, but you know you can’t leave it on for longer than you’re supposed to, and you’ve already been wearing it all day. You remember what happened last time you wore it for too long?”
“I remember, alright?” He snapped.
There was silence between the two for a minute.
Edward sighed, sitting up slowly. “I’m sorry, ok? Today’s just been rough for me.”
“I know. I know what this does to you. And it’s not like I can’t handle you snapping at me, I’ve already gotten used to your mood swings.”
Ed let out a soft chuckle before his face fell again. He put a hand on his collar, gripping the binder.
“I wish I could keep this thing on forever. At this rate, anything that would give me a flat chest would be worth it.”
“Well, you know, now you won’t have to deal with it much longer.”
Furrowing his brows, Ed looked up to see his brother fidgeting where he stood.
He knew that reaction, he’d seen it before; Al was excited.
“What do you mean?”
“Edward...I booked a consultation. We’re halfway there.”
He froze, momentarily not comprehending.
“A consultation...you mean like?”
Al nodded energetically.
“Al, don’t mess with me, are you serious?”
Another nod.
“You’re really serious?!”
Another nod.
“Oh my god, shut up! Oh my god!”
He fell backwards into the bed, laughing loudly, damn near hysterical.
“Holy shit! It’s happening, it’s finally happening! Are you serious?!”
“Why would I joke about something like this? Of course I’m serious!”
“Oh my god! Holy shit!” He dissolved into laughter once more.
“It’s a month from now. I booked it in Resembool so we can stay with Winry until you’re healed. We both figured it’d be best since they’re family and Winry knows a little bit about medical things. And Mustang says you won’t be going on any military missions for at least a few months so you can recover.”
Edward sat upright, breathless from laughing so hard. Alphonse could see he had tears in his eyes.
“I just can’t believe it, it’s finally happening.” He put a hand flat against his chest. “Soon I won’t have to wear this stupid thing anymore.”
Al sat on the bed opposite him. “You’ll be able to move around and breathe easier when you fight.”
“No more having to plan my day around binder breaks.”
“No more rough summers having to deal with it.”
“When you get your body back, we can go swimming together.”
There was a brief pause before Al responded. “I think I’d like that a lot.”
“Well considering this, we’re one step closer to it.”
He sighed contentedly, stretching out on the bed.
“Just one month until the consultation. One month until everything changes.”