Wish you well

I'm not sure what happened, I haven't been able to write anything worth reading for a bit, then I sat down to write a letter and this came out instead. The song is an old one I wrote and a small band in Saskatoon plays it occasionally. Please review and let me know if I'm back to speed or not :)

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, but if I win the lottery tonight, I'll probably buy every bit of associated reading, dvds, keychains, pillows, and anything else I can get my little hands on.

Wish you well

~Why aren't we together now?~

Ed stumbled down the hill towards the lights. He could see Ressembool at the bottom but he was headed for the Rockbell's, it looked like some kind of party. “She is gonna be so happy to see me, I can't believe I made it back.” He still didn't understand how, but it didn't matter, he was here now.

He could hear loud music and laughter from the house and see what appeared to be the entire town gathered around the yard. A young man he didn't recognize was standing by the gate. “Hey, what's going on?”

~I came all this way~

“What? You don't know? Winry just got married, it's been big news for months. Where were you? Hey, I don't think I know you, who are you?” The man's forehead creased in a slight frown.

“I'm, I'm Edward Elric, I used to live around here. Are you sure it's Winry? Winry Rockbell?” Shock held him in place, she couldn't have. “What year is it?”

“Yeah, yeah it's Winry Rockbell, Elric now. Are you related to the groom? Al grew up here, you know, lived with Winry for years before they started going out. It's a bit odd, she's so much older than him, but it's love I guess.” A swaying in his stance gave away that the young man might not be as sober as Ed had thought. “His brother disappeared like ten years ago, weird huh? Al used to travel a lot, used to be a State Alchemist too. It's strange to have military around for a big party like this.” He winked and laughed, “Usually they're the ones breaking them up, not having them.”

“Ten years? No, it can't be that long.” He did some quick calculating. It had been, ten long years since he'd been home, dreaming of it and the peace he would find there. He turned and walked back down the path, away from the lights and music.

~Why don't you love me anymore?~

“Hey, where are you going? Come in, have a drink, there's lots. Everyone is welcome.” Ed just waved him off and continued back up the hill. He needed to be alone, to think.

Roy turned, for no reason he could think of, and looked towards the gate. A bit of gold, black and red caught his eye. 'Is that, no, it can't be, not after so long.' He took off in mid conversation and followed the short form away. Once they were out of earshot of the house, he called out. “Edward? Edo, is that you?” The figure stopped, his back stiff.

“Mustang. What do you want? Leave me alone.” The blond started walking again, stumbling a bit. His auto-mail still worked, but not well, leaving him with a steady limp. Roy silently followed him all the way up the hill and sat beside him at the top, looking over the valley. “Why are you here?”

~I fought a war for you.~

“Because. When did you get back?” Roy leaned against a tree, his legs bent in front of him.

“Just now, don't know how, I was at my apartment, there was a loud noise, then I was here. I can't believe it was ten years, didn't seem that long.” He wrapped his arms around his flesh knee, letting the metal leg lay flat.

“They looked for you, six years, he still goes out every few weeks to look, research.” Ed nodded, he knew they had, but it still hurt. “Riza got married you know, last summer.”

The blond looked at him and felt just a tiny flare of hate. “Oh. I suppose congratulations are in order.” His voice was flat and he kept his face blank.

~I wish you well~

Roy looked at him in surprise. “Oh, no, not to me. She, ah, decided she was more for tobacco than sparks. I didn't go to her wedding either, though I hear they're expecting their first child soon.” Ed immediately felt ashamed of himself, of course Roy wouldn't flaunt his own happiness when he was so miserable.

“Sorry.” The blond head rested on his arms. “I thought about her a lot, tried to come home for her and Al, I promised I would.” Tears started trickling down his face. “She promised to wait, she said she would always be there.” Roy rubbed his head.

“I know. I'm sorry, I know.” The older man shuffled closer and hugged the smaller male. “It's alright, go ahead.” Sobs wracked the slim frame and a small face was buried in the crook of Roy's neck.

~In whatever hell~

Soon, Ed wound down, exhausted, his body weakened from changing planes. They sat together in silence, giving comfort in their solitude. Finally, “What are you going to do now?”

“I don't know, I never really thought about anything other than getting home.” Ed hung his head, all those years spent pining for her, wasted. What was he supposed to do?

“Why don't you come back to Central? There are lots of opportunities there, alchemy, schools, libraries. You could even rejoin the State Alchemists. I could probably get you under my command again.”

A small smile grace the full lips, “Why would I want to work for a lazy-ass bastard Colonel like you?” Roy bopped him on the head.

“I'm a General now, thank you very much. And if I'm willing to put up with a shrimp, you should be able to put up with me.” He smirked and started laughing when Ed started one of his old rants.

“Who are you calling so tiny he couldn't possibly become a State Alchemist? So insignificant he can't be seen even by a microscope? So” Roy cut him off with a hand over his mouth.

“Now, now, Fullmetal, I didn't say any of that, you did. Think about it, I can give you lots of time to do research, if that's what you want. We need talent like yours, always have. Al's good, but you, you love alchemy for it's own sake, not as a tool. Maybe you could write it down, help make us stronger. Just think, in fifty years, some kid would be going through your notes and books.” The older man stroked the ego that had served him so well years ago.

~She puts you in~

Ed considered, the things he knew were dangerous, but some of it might be fun to share. There was nothing here, he might as well go back, where he could read and study. There might even be some interesting missions he could take. But, Al, he should see Al, and Winry too, to say goodbye. “Alright. But, I have to go down first, have to see them. Come with me?” A pathetic plea and he wished he had it back as it left his mouth.

“Of course.” A genuine smile, the first he'd seen, appeared. The older man stood and offered a hand. Ed took it, pulling himself up and leaning on the offered shoulder. They talked quietly on the way down, slipping into a back room. Ed waited while Roy got the newlyweds.

The door opened cautiously and a blond head, so like his own, peeked in. Gold eyes examined him while he examined the young man in front of him. “Al. You're beautiful, even more so that I thought you would be.” The 20 year old stared, shuffling his feet and edging closer.

~I lived for you~

“Edward? I, I've been looking for you, I missed you, I” He stopped, unsure before this stranger in his thirties.

“It's alright, come here. I missed you too.” Ed reached out, drawing his brother in for a hug. “I missed you everyday, I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back.” Al hugged his brother back. “I'm going back to Central with Roy. You should come visit me sometimes, ok?” Blond hair waved as the younger man nodded. “So, I hear you got married? Wanna bring in the bride?” The older man grinned shakily.

“Brother, I” His apology was cut off by a waving hand.

“Nah, I was gone along time. Bring her in, I'd like to see her too.” He smiled bravely. 'Have to be strong, don't ruin their day. Be strong.'

The door opened as if summoned and Winry walked through. She was wearing a short white dress with red embroidery around the edges. She blushed and looked at the floor. “Hi, Ed.” Edward's chest constricted painfully, it should have been him to make her cheeks glow like that.

~I think about you all the time~

He held out a hand to her. “Hi yourself. You look gorgeous. No wrenches?” He teased lightly. She moved forward to take his hand and hugged them both, tears starting to fall. “Now now, don't do that, you'll ruin that great makeup. It's ok, everything is fine.” He ignored her attempted protests and hugged them both before pushing them gently away. “I'm just stopping by. Just to say hello, I guess. I'm going back to Central, recommend me a good mechanic? It's been a while.”

“Oh, I can do it, no problem.” Ed shook his head quickly.

“No, you guys are going on your honey moon, won't hold you up, someone else can do it.” 'And,' he added to himself, 'I can't take watching you be happy with someone else.' A knock drew his attention.

Roy looked in, “I think we're almost ready to leave. Do you want to stay a day or two?”

“No, I'm ready. Winry, are any of my old clothes here?” She nodded. “Can you grab me a few outfits please? I didn't bring anything with me. Al, can you give me a hand?” He stood and was assisted out to the car. Winry silently handed him some old outfits, much too small, but he could fix them when they got back. He hugged them both, his reasons for living for so long, now together without him. Roy closed the door and settled beside him in the back, Falman driving and Fuery riding shotgun. They all waved and pulled away, leaving the past standing on a dirt path behind them.

~I died for you; And came back again~


Why aren't we together now?
I came all this way.
Why don't you love me anymore?
I fought a war for you'll

I wish you well
In whatever hell
She puts you in
I wish you well

I lived for you
I think about you all the time
I died for you
And I came back again

I wish you well
In whatever hell
She puts you in
I wish you well

You said you loved me too
Now we aren't together anymore
I miss you more and more each day
Why can't you love me anymore?

I wish you well
In whatever hell
She puts you in
I wish you well



p.s. The 'she' refers to the Goddess, it can be interchanged with 'he' as the situation warrants. There is one more stanza, followed by the chorus, but it didn't fit with the story, so I left it out.