slayers_desire | the case of the disappearing daughters ((Ed thread))

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the case of the disappearing daughters ((Ed thread))

Rebuilding a community took a lot of time and dedication. It also required a lot of volunteers. Fortunately, April was able to visit her home universe occasionally to help. And when she did visit, she always brought a helpful hand.

Many times it was Clark, her husband. Today it was Ed, her friend and 'guardian'.

They were working on rebuilding a community center. Things were turning around slowly, but there was hope there. A hope that people were afraid would be lost in a split second.

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"I know about him," Ed says with a small smile. "I never actually got to meet him, since you insisted on going to see him alone. And since I've been boning up about the Superman mythos pretty much ever since I met Clark... I kinda don't want to meet that version of him. The Luthors scare me, they remind me a lot of Dante, who never cared about anyone else but herself, and who was willing to start wars for her own selfish desires."

Ed can't feel her hand there, resting on his right arm like that, but since he can see it there, it is still a comfort. He thinks about the question for a minute, and when he answers, there's a bit of distress in his voice. "I don't really know," he says. "Maybe... maybe part of it is those nerves everyone seems to get about developing romantic feelings for someone... both Bakura and Kat mentioned to me that one of the reasons it took them so long to finally start dating was because they were both scared the other didn't feel the same way, and they were scared that it wouldn't work out. Part of it's probably that... I'm worried that maybe she only thinks of me as a brother, or maybe she's already in love with Al, or... neither of us..." he shakes his head. "And... Winry and I are both such hot-heads. Even as best friends we always got angry at each other so easily..."

"...And I always seem to make her cry," he adds, voice dropping to a whisper. "I try to do something nice for her, but I end up flubbing it and hurting her instead, and I hate it when that happens, because more than anything (at least when it comes to her), I want her to be happy. Every time it happens, I swear to myself that I'll never make her cry like that ever again and somehow... I manage to do it anyway."

"I wish I knew her better. I wish I could calm some of your nerves, by sharing her feelings with you." But April wouldn't be able to create a mental connection with Winry. While Ed does have feelings for her, the only reason she was able to do so with Al was because of the Soulmate bond.

"But don't be scared of loving someone. Of caring so much about them, that they are who you think about."

"And trust me, there will be times of tears, time of anger, time of happiness, time of stress. All these things must be experienced, and they will test your relationship. But they are worth it."

He listens, struggling to fight back tears, and just rests his head on the table, near her arms, so his forehead is just barely touching them. "Do you and Clark ever fight?" he asks quietly, his voice just slightly more high-pitched than its usual light tenor, like it always gets when he's nervous or scared. "'Cause I've never seen you two fight... I've never seen Teacher and Sig fight either... or Kat and Bakura, or Yugi and Yami... it always seems like you guys have the perfect relationship..." He sniffs a little. "Can't speak for Mom and Dad, because I don't remember seeing enough of how they acted around each other to know if they fought or not... I was so young when Dad left, just a toddler... I only have hazy memories of him, and Al doesn't have any..."

"Of course we fight." April reassured him softly. "We had a couple of disagreements. One spectacular yelling match. And there were times when I was just so mad at him, that I couldn't speak."

"But you know what..." She leans in, as if telling a secret. "Even when I was mad at him, I still loved him."

"No relationship is perfect. A perfect relationship just doesn't exist. Because a true relationship, one where you share everything... is so much more important."

That does reassure him, and he exhales a little. "I hate arguing with her," he says quietly. "Always makes me feel like such a jerk. I mean, I know I can be a jerk at times. But there are people I just... don't want to think of me like that. Winry's one of them."

He shakes his head a little and sits back up again, sitting slouched over with his hands clasped on the table. "I don't know what I should say to her, the next time I see her..." he admits. "Part of me... doesn't even want to say anything at all. I'm scared... that she doesn't feel the same way, and that I'll make a fool of myself if that's so."

"Better to be the fool and saying something, than not let your feelings known. What happens if you don't get your chance? You would never forgive yourself."

He's quiet for several long moments. "You're right," he says. "I haven't forgiven myself for not saying something before we got separated. But then... she wouldn't've had any way to know I was still alive, so even if I had told her... and she felt the same way... she might've thought I was dead and... it would've made her sad again. And I couldn't bear that if it did."

He stays silent for a minute, just thinking. Then, out of the blue, he says, "She braided my hair for me..."

"Does she still think you are dead? Isn't there a way for you to contact her, at all?" That worries April. And makes her feel helpless.

Ed shakes his head. "I don't know if she does. I imagine Al would've told her I was still alive after you and I got in touch with him a few months ago. He'd've told her about our Bond. She is our best friend. But... I don't know if she would've taken his word for it. I have a hard time believing that she wouldn't, but... I just don't know."

"Why not ask Al to include her in your next conversation? You are meeting with him more often, right?"

"Yeah, I am," Ed says. "The Doctor offered to arrange meet-ups three times a year... on my birthday, Al's birthday, and on Christmas... But I don't know if she'll actually be with him next time." He shrugs. "I mean, I'll definitely ask, but she might not be there. She wasn't in Dublith last time we spoke to him."

((Fortunately, she is going to be there, so I will be bringing her into the meet-up. :) She and Al both going to be hanging out together at Maj. Carter's place together when the meet-up happens. Mostly because Carter has a pet cat, and Al loves cats and goes all Cuteness Proximity around them. Which is, frankly, adorable. It was adorable even when he was in the armor. XD I think Cas is going to have to help the Doctor do some of the psychic heavy-lifting as a result, though... even if he doesn't have to, he'd probably insist on helping anyway.))

"There you go... it is time to share your feeling with her. And no matter what, Clark and I will be here if you need us."

((cool))

Ed lets out a shuddering, nervous breath. "I know..." he hugs her tightly, clinging for several moments. "Thanks... for listening... This... it's something I've always tried to deny before... because I was scared. I never talked to anyone about it. And I needed to." He gives her a brotherly peck on the cheek. "You're an awesome friend."

((Munich plot is close to coming together... I'm starting to get my plot point notes down and I have just a few more things to discuss with Victor-mun, mostly details :).

Mini-Elrics are also developing nicely... I have the most figured out about Dan right now. He's the eldest, though, so that's probably for the best. ^^; I'm going to create a Google Doc with my info about them pretty soon... want me to share it with you? =P))

"That is what I am here for Ed. Any time."

((sounds good. This scene is reaching an end anyway. Sharing is always good))

((Yep, this seems like a good place to end. Victor-mun and I are nearly done; we can probably start the scene later today, if you're up for it! :D))

((totally! looking forward to it))

((Post is up!))

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the case of the disappearing daughters ((Ed thread))

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