Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Sir, Fullmetal just called from the station. He said his train just arrived in and he’ll be here shortly with his report.” Hawkeye called from just outside Mustang’s office.

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Roy said sifting through a few papers on his desk. He’d been waiting all morning for the youngest member of the military to arrive in Eastern headquarters. Edward was beyond late for their meeting, but Roy couldn’t exactly blame that one on the kid. His train had been delayed a few hours and with all the rain they’d been having the last few days it was like the whole world slowed. Today’s forecast had been noticeably worse too, seeming like the heavens had opened and refused to shut as it rained mercilessly for hours upon hours. At least he’d been able to catch up on some paperwork with Havoc and Breda that was admittedly long overdue. With nothing else planned for the rainy day, he couldn’t find an excuse not to do it.

Thirty-five insufferably long minutes after Hawkeye received Ed’s call, the young alchemist came shuffling into Mustang’s office with water dripping from his coat and hair. He looked out of breath as he stood in the doorway. All three men looked to the sopping wet rag of a boy, hiding snickers as Edward took off his gloves and rung out his ponytail.

“Oh is it raining out? I didn’t even notice.” Mustang was the first to say. Edward only glared at him. “How was your train ride Fullmetal? And where’s Al?” Edward in vain tried to dry his hands on his coat and shuffled over to Mustang’s desk.

“Yeah, where is the kid?” Breda added.

“He said he was gonna pick up a few groceries and head straight for the dorms…I told him I’d meet him there after dropping off my report.” Ed’s voice was quiet, much different from his normal arrogance. It caught Roy’s attention.

“What? Did your little train nap leave you groggy?” He joked with a raised eyebrow. Ed rubbed his eyes and hunched a little.

“No, but I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep, okay? It’s been a long few days, and I’m tired...” he said. Breda came over and patted the kid on the back.

“Ah lay off the pipsqueak, Colonel. Kid hasn’t even had the chance to dry off yet.” All had expected Ed to throw a fit then, but instead he remained scarily still.

“Don’t call me pipsqueak…” was all Ed said under his breath. Now they were worried.

“Well that’s new, did the rain cool you off? I was expecting a little more of a reaction.” Mustang said.

“Gimme a break, would ya? I already told you I’m tired…” Ed argued, but it concerned the men just how tired he really sounded. All three men noticed for the first time since Ed walked in that he was shivering slightly. He also still had his head down and was looking paler than any of them would have liked. He looked small, smaller than usual, and worryingly unbalanced. It was taking longer than it should have for him to catch his breath too as he swayed a bit.

“Kid, you feeling alright?” Havoc asked as he snuffed out a cigarette and came a bit closer to Ed’s other side. Edward moved his hand from his face down to his right shoulder, gripping it with shaking fingers.

“I’m fine…I’m…I’m…” he trailed off as he started to fall into Breda’s side.

“Shit! Kid hey!” Breda cried as he caught the boy, keeping him up. The man’s face suddenly paled a little as he felt Ed’s clammy skin. “Oh jeez, Roy he’s burning up.” He said. Roy was quick to stand from his desk while Havoc knelt down to look up at the kid.

“Ed, you with me?” Havoc asked, giving his own check to the boy’s blazing temperature. Ed weakly grabbed Breda’s arm, trying and failing to straighten up a little as he gave a slight nod.

“My head hurts a little…” he muttered. Roy rounded his desk.

“Breda, help him over to the couch. Havoc, can you get him some water?”

“Sir.” Both said in unison. Havoc dashed out to the hallway while Breda began guiding the boy over to the couch. Edward was dragging his feet, noticeably trying to relieve pressure from his left leg as he leaned into the older man.

“C’mon kid, you should sit down for a bit.” Breda said quietly. Once Edward was set down, Mustang knelt in front of him and felt his feverish cheeks and forehead.

“Edward? You still with me, Fullmetal?” He asked calmly, taking charge of the situation. Edward kept his eyes closed as he nodded.

“Yeah, I’m okay…I just- I need a minute…” he croaked. He sounded unfocused and distant.

“Are you feeling dizzy?” Mustang continued, trying to keep Ed’s attention. Ed nodded again and cradled his right arm close to his chest as he shivered. Mustang was about to comment on it when Havoc returned.

“Here’s that water.” Havoc said as he came back in the room holding a little paper cup. He knelt beside Mustang, took Ed’s left arm and pressed the cup into his hand. “Here kid, take a few sips, it’ll help your head.” He said softly. Ed complied and drank slowly until he finished the cup and took a few deep breaths. Mustang took the now empty cup and placed it on the floor as he watched a touch of color return to the boy’s cheeks.

“How do you feel now?” Mustang asked, scanning his face.

“A little better…thanks.” The young alchemist said and went back to hugging himself close. “Just…really cold…” He added quietly. Breda went behind the couch and started peeling the still soaked red coat off of his small frame.

“Here, let’s get that thing off you. You’ll only get colder if you’re all wet.” He said. Edward let him remove the jacket, but he shivered harder without the added layer. Without a second thought Havoc removed his coat and threw it over the kid’s shoulders.

“Havoc, you don’t have to…” Ed started.

“You could use it a hell of a lot more than me right now pal, just warm yourself up for a while.” Havoc said with a smile. Ed nodded and wrapped himself up like it was a blanket. The jacket reeked of smoke and cheap cologne, but the kid didn’t seem to mind one bit.

“Edward, how long have you been sick for?” Roy asked redirecting Ed’s attention. When Ed looked back down at the colonel, Roy was greeted by the same dull stare he’d only seen on Edward the day they met. There was nothing but pain and exhaustion in his eyes, it was a look Mustang had hoped to never see again after that day. He tried not to let his uneasy feeling show as he questioned the boy.

Ed was slow to answer, having to think long and hard through feverish thoughts to remember. “I…I think two or three days…but I woke up feeling worse today with all the rain.” He said dully.

“Why didn’t you just call out sick?” Mustang asked. Edward shrank a little more into Havoc’s coat.

“Cause I can handle dropping off a stupid piece of paper. I wanted to get this over with so I could head to the dorms and sleep off this fever…” the young alchemist said. Slowly he reached for his pant pocket where he pulled out a neatly folded and surprisingly dry piece of paper and held it out for Mustang to take. With a sigh the colonel took it, and handed it off to Havoc to place on his desk to deal with later. Right now he was a little too occupied with what to do about the sick kid in his office.

“Are you in pain?”

“I’m fine…really-“

“Answer the question Fullmetal, are you in pain anywhere?” Mustang repeated. He kept his voice quiet but it was a command nonetheless. Edward sighed shakily.

“My automail locks up sometimes when it rains…it’s a little sore…” he admitted. Breda and Havoc shared worried looks while Mustang’s gaze never left Ed’s face. “But it’s fine, really, I’m used to it.” He added quickly.

“Yeah but you don’t normally have a fever to tack on top of it chief.” Breda said. Edward couldn’t deny that.

“I guess…” he croaked. Roy rubbed the back of his neck and looked to the hallway.

“Lieutenant, can you double check and make sure my schedules clear the rest of the day?” He called.

“Already on it sir.” Hawkeye called from the doorway. Havoc probably already filled her in before he came back with the water.

“Great, thank you.” Mustang said, redirecting his gaze back up to Edward. The poor boy looked like he was fighting for his life just to keep his eyes open. Mustang put a hand on his knee. “Alright Fullmetal, you rest up here for a bit while I finish some paperwork and then I’ll drive you back to the dorms, sound like a plan?”

“You don’t have to…I’ll walk back in a bit…” the boy said.

“Kid you’re under my protection while you’re here, you might as well take advantage of that and let me drive you back so you’re not walking in the pouring rain.” Ed didn’t put up much of a fight.

“Fine…” he whispered. Mustang patted his knee and stood, heading back to his desk.

“Sir, shouldn’t you get him back to the dorms now? We can handle the rest of the forms.” Havoc whispered at his side. Mustang sat back down at his desk and unfolded Edward’s report, giving it a once over.

“Kid looks like hell just from his walk here. He could use a few minutes to rest up before I drag him anywhere else.” He whispered back. “Besides, I’m in no rush to head out in this rain and neither is he.” Havoc took another look Ed’s way and nodded. There were worse ideas than letting the kid doze for a bit.

Chapter Text

For the next twenty minutes or so, Mustang pretended to busy himself with a stack of papers as he watched Edward slowly drift in and out of consciousness. He had originally planned to fill out another form or two, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Edward as he scooched himself into the corner of the couch and rested his head into the back cushions. When the rain let up a little, Roy decided it was probably his best chance to head out and made his way back over to the kid.

Ed looked so small wrapped up in Havoc’s coat like that. His eyes were closed and his head was down, looking like he was dozing off again as he held the warmth of the jacket close. For a moment, no one had the heart to stir him. Mustang was the first to break the silence, kneeling down in front of Ed and put a hand on his knee.

“Fullmetal, can you stand?” He asked softly. Ed hummed and rubbed his eyes.

“Yeah, I’ll manage.” Mustang thought he heard the kid mutter, but it was so quiet he had almost thought he’d imagined it. That was until Ed begrudgingly lowered the jacket and collected himself before trying to stand. Mustang stood tall in front of him, holding out a helpful hand as the boy made his way up. It was clear he was trying not to put much weight on his left leg, but it left him unbalanced and a little shaky. Mustang held his left arm and Ed leaned into it to keep himself from toppling over.

“The rain’s letting up some, can you walk?” Mustang asked. Ed straightened up ever so slightly and nodded. It was clear he was weak, and tired, but Edward Elric was never much of one to admit defeat. The boy took a step towards the door and winced. “Are you alright?”

Edward nodded slowly again, but he was pale, and clearly in more pain than he let on. Mustang sighed.

“It’s not too far a walk. C’mon.” he said.

“Feel better kid.” Breda called as he scooped a small stack of papers from Roy’s desk. Ed flashed him a tired smile.

“Thanks…sorry for all the trouble.” He said quietly.

“No trouble at all, just promise to get some rest and we’ll call it even.” Havoc said. Ed nodded and followed Mustang to the door. The colonel grabbed Edward’s coat from the rack where Breda had hung it and draped it over his arm before grabbing his own coat and throwing it over Ed’s shoulders. The weight of the thick fabric was a little much for his weary frame and made him stumble, but he remained standing with a puzzled look Mustang’s way.

“Don’t give me that. Your coat’s still soaked and Alphonse would kill me if I let you get sicker from the rain. You’ll wear my coat out.” Mustang half ordered. Edward looked back to the floor, looking like he was being swallowed by the fabric as he held the coat close.

“At least it’s warm…” he muttered. He sounded relieved. Mustang couldn’t stop himself from smiling a little. Times like this reminded him that Edward was just a kid, he deserved to be cared for like one once in a while. Mustang patted his back, motioning to the door.

“C’mon.” Was all he said. Ed limped on silently, never fussing about his automail as he gripped the thick fabric close. Thankfully Mustang was parked out front so it was a quick and only slightly damp walk. Once Ed was in the car, Mustang watched as the kid’s eyes closed again and his forehead pressed against the cold window. For a moment Roy pictured Edward like this on the train, wrapping himself in his red coat as his head bounced against the icy hard windows of his cabin, desperate for sleep that wouldn’t come.

He wondered if Al even knew his brother was sick, but knowing Alphonse he never would have let Ed out of his sight if he knew about this fever. He probably assumed Ed was just a little worn down from his automail if it was as common as Ed said it was, or maybe he’d suspected something more, but with no way to feel for a fever, he couldn’t prove Ed was lying. Either way, Mustang was sure Fullmetal would be getting a lecture from a certain suit of armor the moment his fever broke.

By the time they reached the dorms, the rain had let up almost completely and Edward looked like he was out cold. Mustang barley had the heart to wake him again.

“Fullmetal? Wake up we’re here.” He said softly, putting a hand on the kid’s shoulder. Ed stirred and blearily opened his eyes. He was slow to adjust to the world around him, and it hurt to see him so confused for a moment before his memories started clicking back into place.

“Right…thanks for the drive, I appreciate it.” He muttered. Mustang scoffed.

“Don’t thank me yet, we still gotta get you inside.” Edward frowned.

“I don’t need an escort to my room.” He said.

“And I don’t need the boys back at the office to say I half assed my job of getting you here. Besides, I want to say hello to Alphonse. How could you deny me that?” Mustang said with a smirk. He could see in Ed’s eyes that he wanted to argue, but he couldn’t spare the strength it would take. Instead he sighed and nodded, opening the car door. He staggered into the building with Mustang close at his side.

“Hello, what can I do for you?” Asked the receptionist the moment she saw the pair. Mustang threw on his best smile and approached the desk as he shook a few stray rain drops from his coat.

“Afternoon miss, this is Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist here to check in, please.” He said with a hand on Ed’s back, motioning down to him as he spoke. The lady adjusted her glasses and looked to the small boy looking half asleep where he stood bundled up in Roy’s coat. He didn’t look much like the genius teen prodigy in this state. “Caught a cold in the rain.” Roy whispered her way. The woman nodded understandably and flipped through a large book of names.

“Ah yes I thought so. A tall boy in a suit of armor checked in not too long ago. You’re in room B32 on the second floor.” She said and closed the book. “You know for a moment I thought he was the Fullmetal Alchemist with that suit, imagine my surprise to see such a little guy instead.” She said with a laugh.

Roy cringed, knowing those were usually words spoken right before disaster and turned to Ed. The boy didn’t look angry, in fact he barely reacted at all. Instead he pulled the jacket tighter around himself. It unsettled Roy a little.

“Room B32…got it, thanks.” Ed replied and dragged himself around the corner to the stairs. When Mustang caught up to him, Ed was just staring at the top step. Still holding the damp red coat in his arms, Mustang stood looking between Edward and whatever invisible force up top was keeping them down here.

“Hey colonel..?” Ed croaked as he rubbed his thigh where skin met metal. Roy perked up. “I really hate having to ask this…but do you think- …can you help me up the stairs?” Roy was taken aback by the kid’s request. It was so rare he ever outright asked for help that Roy knew it was serious when he did. “I can’t lift my left leg that high right now…” he added, looking back to the ground.

He sounded embarrassed to even be asking. Mustang couldn’t help but realize again just how small the kid really was as he looped an arm around Ed’s torso, supporting his weight.

“Well we wouldn’t want you passing out in the stairwell now would we?” He joked. Ed let a small huffed laugh escape as he cracked a smile and the two slowly made their way up the stairs.

It seemed like an eternity getting to the second floor and by the time they reached the top, Ed was winded again and panting for breath. He managed what strength he could and released himself from Mustang’s hold.

“Thanks…I’m good from here…” he said in between breaths. Mustang nodded, not wanting to push his luck and watched Ed carefully as he shuffled to his door. A shaky hand turned the knob and he stepped inside. It was a nice little apartment Roy noticed, complete with its own kitchenette, bathroom and separate bedroom. It was small, and probably would have been considered cozy by anyone who wasn’t Alphonse in a hulking suit of armor.

“Hey Al, you here?” Ed called with a broken voice into the small apartment. Alphonse was soon poking out of the archway to the kitchen.

“Oh brother! You’re back, how’s the co- oh, hi colonel.” Alphonse said once he saw Mustang standing behind his older brother.

“Hey Al, I’m just here to drop off your brother.” Roy said with a smile and wave. Ed was rubbing his shoulder as he stepped farther into the room.

“Colonel bastard insisted on driving me back.” He said, already heading towards the bedroom. “It was better than walking in the rain…”

“Brother, you don’t look well. I knew you looked sick this morning!” Alphonse said in a huff like they’d already had this conversation one too many times today.

“Yeah yeah…” Ed muttered waving his hand as if fanning his brother’s words away. “I’m gonna lie down for a while, okay? I’m beat…”

“How’s your automail feeling?” Al asked a bit softer this time. Ed already had a hand on the bedroom doorknob.

“Jeez Al, you worry too much. I already told I’m tired. I’m going to bed.” He said disregarding the question entirely and shuffled into the dark room and shut the door behind him. Mustang glanced over at the window, noticing that once again Mother Nature had decided to bring hellfire in the form of a downpour and the good colonel was in no rush to head back out in it. If anything he was a bit thankful, he was looking for an excuse to stay longer and keep an eye on the young alchemist and now he didn’t have to think of something on a whim. He stepped further into the dorm room and shut the door behind him before hanging Ed’s coat and his military jacket up on the coat rack.

“Sorry to intrude Al, but I hope you don’t mind me staying for a few minutes while the rain passes.” He said.

“Oh I don’t mind at all, I was actually kinda hoping you could tell me what’s wrong with Ed. He’s been kinda off for a few days and he just keeps telling me he’s tired, but I know something’s wrong.” The armored boy said crossing his arms as he looked to his brother’s bedroom. Roy rubbed the back of his neck.

“Well aside from him almost passing out in my office? Kid’s got a nasty fever there, and it doesn’t seem like he’s lying about his automail hurting him either. Is it always this bad for him when it rains?”

“Not that he’s told me. He says it gets a little sore when it rains, but I’m sure it’s different when it’s been nonstop for days and he’s feverish on top of it. No wonder he hasn’t been acting like himself. Ugh it’s so frustrating when he doesn’t tell me these things!” Al was pacing back and forth now, antsy with what to do about his brother’s condition.

“Al, it’s not your fault your brother’s so stubborn, but I would like to help if he lets me. Do you know what helps his automail when this happens?”

“He says warm compresses or a hot bath usually help. I think we have a hot water bottle or two in the bathroom cabinet.”

“Do you think you could get some water boiling for your brother?” Mustang asked already heading to the bathroom. Al nodded and mostly disappeared behind the archway.

“Yeah! I got it covered.” He called.

“Good.” Mustang entered the small bathroom, crouching down to the cabinet under the sink where he in fact did find two hot water bottles as Al had said. One was pale and worn while the other looked newer, but they’d both work all the same. he grabbed both and a small towel and headed back for the kitchen. Water was starting to boil on the stove as Mustang found a bowl and filled it with cool water, dunking the towel inside. Al filled the water bottles and followed Mustang to the bedroom.

The colonel creaked the door open, letting the living room light flood into the otherwise dim room. Inside was Edward all curled up on top of the bed, keeping himself wrapped up in the colonel’s coat. In his rush to get to bed, he probably hadn’t even noticed he still had it. He was not so peacefully sleeping by the look on his face and sweat was gleaming on his forehead. Mustang sat down on the side of the bed, setting down his bowl and motioning Al to do the same with the water bottles. Mustang wasted no time grabbing the towel and wringing out the water before dabbing it to Ed’s face and draping it over his eyes. The poor kid took a shaky breath but didn’t wake.

“Why don’t you head back to the living room Al? I’ll look after him for a bit.” Mustang whispered.

“Thank you, colonel.” Al whispered with a nod before slipping back out of the room. Once he was gone Mustang started pulling his jacket off of Ed, careful not to rouse him too much. The boy was a shivering ball as he laid there curled in on himself, clutching his right arm even as he slept. He still had his boots and black jacket on, too exhausted to remove them before falling asleep.

“You don’t make things easy for yourself, do you kid?” Mustang whispered. With gentle encouragement he was able to get Ed on his back where he removed the kid’s boots and placed them on the floor. He then wormed a hand behind his back and sat the kid up, causing Ed to groan softly but do nothing to stop the action. Mustang took down his hair and slipped off his jacket, leaving Ed to just his tank top underneath. Like this, Roy could see where Ed’s arm connected to his shoulder and how it looked a bit red and irritated. He’d never really seen the kid’s automail up close like this before and he couldn’t even begin to imagine the toll it’s had on him over the years.

He laid the kid back down and grabbed the water bottles, placing one on Ed’s shoulder and the other on his thigh. Ed sighed shakily at the relief it brought. When Mustang wet the towel again and washed Ed’s face, he watched the boy stir, and open his eyes just a crack. The usually bright gold looked so dull and lifeless now.

“Col…nel?” He croaked with furrowed eyebrows. Mustang shimmied the blanket out from under Ed and threw it over top, smoothing it out.

“Go back to sleep kid. It’s alright.” He said softly. For once in his life Ed didn’t have the energy to argue. He simply nodded and closed his eyes again, easing his head back against his pillow. He was asleep again in seconds. He looked calmer now, finally comfortable after pain had plagued him for days.

Mustang stayed for a bit, chilling the cold compress again and again when it got too warm under the heat of fever. Ed’s chills didn’t seem to be letting up as he shivered though, even with the blanket and heating pads he looked frozen to the bone. Mustang sighed and draped his coat overtop, watching the young alchemist melt under its warmth. Finally he looked peaceful and content. Mustang smiled, glad Ed could finally get the rest he deserved. He placed the cool cloth over Ed’s eyes one final time and slipped out of the room. Outside the rain was finally letting up again, an unfortunately perfect time to head back to the office. Alphonse was sitting on the couch reading some alchemy book and glanced up when he saw the colonel.

“How’s Ed? Is he okay?” He immediately asked. Mustang nodded.

“Yeah he’ll be fine, Al. Just let him rest for a while and make sure he eats something when he wakes up.”

“Yes colonel. Oh! And I almost forgot, I picked up some cold medicine while I was out this morning. I figured even if brother wasn’t sick, it would be good to have.”

“Smart move. Make sure he takes it then and keep him hydrated, alright?”

“Alright.” Al said with a nod.

“I’m heading out then.” Roy said heading towards the door with a wave.

“Colonel?” Al called to him. Mustang turned back around to the kid. “Thank you for taking care of Ed. I know he’s stubborn and won’t admit it, but he’s thankful for the help.” He said. Mustang smiled and threw his uniform jacket back on.

“Anytime. Oh and make sure the runt gives me my coat back the next time he sees me.” Al laughed.

“Will do colonel.” With that Mustang made his way out of the dorm and down the stairs, back to where his car was parked. It was beginning to rain a bit harder again as he entered the car but he didn’t mind. After all, it couldn’t hurt Ed anymore today.