I've Grown Tired of This Body

Separate

Their souls being separate made saving Ed possible, not easy, as Mustang was quickly finding out. They were in completely uncharted territory; there was no precedent, no method he could easily follow to put Edward back to normal again. The boys, who were undoubtedly more skilled than him in human transmutation, were at a loss, too.

It was frustrating all of them greatly. Two days with no progress at all was wearing them down. He'd hardly gotten any sleep at all in the past couple days, determined to make a breakthrough, and he was certain the same was true of the brothers. It worried him, but he said nothing. It didn't feel like it was his place to say anything. Besides, he'd be a hypocrite if he did so. He certainly had no intention of getting any sleep any time soon.

Mustang itched for a bottle once more, wanting nothing more than to drink until he passed out. His inability to make any progress was only hurting Ed and Al. It brought back memories of Ishval, of all the people he'd hurt then, too. He ached for the familiar warmth of alcohol to bury it all under a haze once more, let him forget for just a little while.

...He couldn't do that, though. He could already see Ed and Al's disappointed faces joining Hughes'. He took a deep breath, putting all of his focus back on his research once more. They were not beyond saving. He could still help them if he only stopped running away.

He felt the final piece of the puzzle click into place as he stared down at his notes, eyes widening. He stood abruptly, scrambling for something to write with. Had he really figured it out?

"Mr. Mustang?" he heard Al question from where he was sitting. He didn't even feel the need to correct him on his rank, for once. Pen in hand, he began furiously scratching out a sample circle. He couldn't get it on the paper fast enough.

Two heads peered over him, looking at his circle as he stepped back, breathing heavy. "You two know how to deal with transmuting souls, right?" he asked rhetorically. The brothers stiffened at that and he hurried to explain himself. "If we temporarily bind their souls to something else, unbinding them from each other will be much easier, and we can minimize the risk of trying to separate their bodies."

Al stood up straighter and Ed's eyes widened, tail flicking anxiously. "That...that could work!" Al exclaimed. Then, more subdued, "but it will be dangerous."

Mustang shook his head. "I don't think there's any way to do this that isn't dangerous. But this seems like the safest option we have." He turned to look at Ed, who nodded firmly, though his tail never stopped its anxious movement. His meaning was clear: Ed wanted to try, no matter how nervous it clearly was making him.

Mustang briskly walked to the door. "I'm going to call Hughes," he told them. "His wife's a nurse. She's the best option we have if anything goes wrong trying to separate their bodies."

Al nodded at that. "Good idea. We'll start working on the circle for...for their souls."

A quick phone call briefly explaining the situation had Hughes and Gracia both hurrying over. It seemed like no time had passed at all before there was a knock on the door, and Mustang rushed to let them in. Gracia immediately headed where Mustang pointed her, while Hughes stayed in his living room. "I'll keep Nina company out here," he said with a smile that seemed somewhat forced. "Can't leave her alone, after all. Besides, I doubt there's much I can do to help right now," he laughed sheepishly. "But if you do need anything, I'll be right here."

Mustang nodded at that. "Thank you," he said. That earned him a much more genuine smile from Hughes before he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Go on, then," Hughes said. "The boys are waiting on you."