To Be A Child

Chapter 11

Edward stared at Roy, and Roy stared back. The bowl of stew sat innocently between them, and Roy knew that both of them were thinking the same thing.

How the hell was Edward supposed to eat?!

It hit Roy right then and there that this was probably going to be the least of his problems. Edward couldn't do a single thing for himself anymore. Heck, in this state he wouldn't be able to change his clothes, brush his teeth, or even bathe himself . . .

There was no way Roy could do this.

Not that he didn't think he was capable of doing these things for Edward – he was a very capable man after all, and not at all useless – but he didn't think Edward would be able to tolerate it. Even though they were both male, they weren't close at all, Edward hated him and Roy was his superior officer. What would anyone have to say about that?

"I'm not hungry." Edward broke the silence between them and jerked Roy out of his thoughts. "You can just take me to my room. By tomorrow my mobility will probably be back."

Roy would've been lying if he said he didn't want to take Edward up on that offer. But the truth was that he would just have to man up and take care of Edward – even if it would be uncomfortable and awkward for both of them.

"I'm not going to take you to your room Edward," Roy said pleasantly, "I'm going to feed you some stew. It's your favourite, right?"

The look Edward gave him would've been priceless in any other situation – the teen looked like he wanted to disappear – but right now Roy only felt sympathy. Not that Edward wanted any; he had made that quite clear in the past.

"I'm not hungry," Edward repeated. "I'm serious Roy; I don't want to eat!" Edward's tone took on a desperate edge as Roy stood up and walked around to Ed's side of the table.

"Everyone needs to eat," Roy said simply. He steeled himself before plopping down in a seat next to his wheelchair bound charge. He placed the bowl of stew on his lap and scooped up a spoonful. Edward's face was as red as a tomato and he wouldn't look Roy in the eye.

"You don't have to do this." Edward's lips barely moved and his face was turned to the side, as if he was afraid Roy would try to just shove the spoon into his mouth if he gave him the opportunity.

"You don't have to do this," Roy said back. "Please, just work with me here, Edward."

"How can I?!" Edward turned his face back to Roy and fixed him with a fiery glare. "How can I look you in the eye while you feed me like baby?"

"You don't have to look me in the eye."

Roy quickly placed the stew back on the table and got up to circle around Edward. The boy tried to follow his movements but once Roy was behind him there was nothing he could do. He grabbed the handles of Ed's wheelchair and pushed him into the living room.

"What are you doing?"

"Just trust me."

Roy parked Ed beside the couch and circled around to the front of him. He undid the straps holding Edward in place and picked him up.

"Urgh, put me down, Mustang! I'm not some doll you can just tote around whenever you feel like it!"

Roy ignored Edward as he sat him on the couch, and then went back to the kitchen. Edward was slowly but surely tipping over by the time Roy came back with the bowl of stew in his hand, and Roy quickly sat down beside Edward so that the child leaned on him. He slung an arm over the back of the couch so that Edward would be more comfortable against his side and balanced the stew on his lap.