Pills and Buttons

Strength

Edward had sat on the floor a good hour before May and Al went home with the kids. Riza had left for town to get some dinner, Fia by her side. She had convinced the bird to let Ed have some space, which made the alchemist very grateful. He had found the strength in his arms to half butt scoot across the floor, now sitting on the top stair to catch his breath. Tears tickled in his eyes, but he forced them away.

He hated to cry. He really did. He thought himself to be weak each time he did.

His arms were sore from being used so much, his muscles tight and aching. I can do this... he had to find the mental strength to say he could, getting back on his stomach to drag himself to his room once again. The door was wide open like he hoped it would be, not a soul stirring the silence of the room. He could tell there was now moonlight gracing the floor, cold and sweet silver in color. He lifted himself over the threshold, swallowing a breath of air. He was so close, he grabbed onto the bottom posts and was able to lift himself all the way into the bed. Edward took a gulp of air, gasping for breath. I did it...

"Edward?" Riza called. "Edward?!" She was panicking. "I told you not to leave him here!"

"Up here, Riza!" He yelled, voice cracking when he pronounced the last syllable of her name.

"Thank God." She sighed, jogging up the stairs. Had he really taken almost an hour to get across the house? He felt so helpless... Riza smelt like steak and chicken when she walked in. "Did Roy come back and move you?"

Ed winced. "No, I moved myself..." there was rug burn on his palms. Riza knelt in front of him, wrapping his small body in a hug.

"Well, I got you some food. Want me to bring it up here?" She was really blurry to Ed, but he could tell she was smiling because of her tone and the bright red lipstick she wore.

"Please?" He was afraid to ask, shifting back more soundly onto the mattress. The same place Roy had given him his first ever kiss, the same place he promised to make love to him... he shook his head after Riza left, trying to rid himself of it all. He wouldn't do any of that. Why did he ever believe him? Why was he such a foolish child to believe he would actually get what he want?

Why did he actually believe that someone as handsome, smart, sexy and charming like Mustang would get want to love a broken down, sinned, mess of a disabled boy who wore his hair like a girl?

Why did he do believe anything?

Edward brushed water from his cheeks, his emotions overpowering his common sense. Riza didn't seem to notice as she brought in the great smelling chicken covered in cheese. Eggs noodles were circled around it.

"When you're done, we got some ice cream and board games to play. Fia says she'll defeat us both at cards, but she never will!" Riza gave a short evil laugh, the idea of ice cream making Ed smile. "Call when you need me." She gave his forehead a motherly kiss, standing back from her crouch and moving back downstairs. He poked at the chicken, taking a bite before picking at the noodles. He wasn't really hungry... Bella came in, her tags jingling as she sat beside him. Her head was on the bed.

"Hey girl." His voice was quiet as he fed the dog half the chicken. "You need this more than I do..."

Okay so I am so sorry this is short. My tablet was gonna die and I wanted to write. :33 Plus this IS ALL PART OF MY MASTER PLAN. MUAHAHAHAHA!