#Edward elric fights back

[shocotate]

[tossawary]

"Fullmetal Alchemist"'s use of fantasy elements is interesting to me because of the way it... reduces... certain horrors to these unflinchingly direct basics. (Warning for spoilers and unorganized overview discussion of canon-typical violence.)

Like, the violence and pain is depicted in hideous, nightmarish detail, and/but the pursuit of power at the expense of other people's lives is simplified at the climax into an equation so straightforward that it hurts. All previous prizes of land and resources, which are forms of power, have been stolen by the Amestris military by way of terrible, hateful bloodshed. Father's Promised Day array then throws all that aside, throws it onto the fire, and takes a step further to directly exchange human lives for godlike power.

Another example is that Roy Mustang is not permitted the false distance of a bomb, but has the effect of one using his own two hands. The result is the same, but State Alchemists are not permitted separation from their tools: they ARE the weapons of war. A gun is nothing without someone to hold it. It really underlined to me that if Roy HAD used bombs instead of alchemy, it still would have been his hands that killed an unimaginable number of people.

I don't think FMA is above criticism, but this specific aspect felt to me an incredibly effective narrative tool, especially because things like "our military was created from the beginning to do evil" are accompanied by / backed up by normal humans knowingly going along with Father's plans out of greed and fear, as well as normal humans supporting the country's crimes out of idealism and fear and hatred and selfishness and confusion. It's not just "oh, it was inhuman monsters secretly manipulating everything from the shadows all along"; it's "oh, it was inhuman monsters secretly manipulating everything, representative of humanity's most deadly sins, appealing to our most selfish desires and basic fears, and we all WENT ALONG with it".

From the very first chapters, all of the friendly adult characters were directly saying things like, "Edward, you shouldn't be a part of the military. It's corrupt. I have killed innocent people for nothing and it haunts me." In the final battle, inside the command building, the Armstrong siblings and their allies are straight-up fighting against mindless, starving, created soldiers that kill everything they come up against and stop for nothing. The fascist Amestris military, after years of violent, fabricated conquest and violent, inhumane research, is EATING ITSELF FROM THE INSIDE.

And, of course, the characters cannot use their magic system to escape reality: the Elric siblings cannot undo their mother's death. Life is so incredibly precious because some things cannot be undone. And grief and arrogance allowed to run rampant takes heavy tolls on Edward, Alphonse, and Izumi's bodies.

The only way to miss the messaging in FMA, to have the point go over your head, is to intentionally duck it, because the author is throwing it at your face like a brick. Repeatedly. There are so many bricks. It's not subtle. And I enjoyed it.

[sassydefendorflower]

I think one of the few genuine plotholes in Fullmetal Alchemist (Brotherhood & Manga) is the fact that Roy Mustang can get healed by the Philosopher's Stone in the end.

Hear me out.

Quite often, when something isn't answered in the text of fma(b), the answer can still be procured by building up from the existing canon. The magic system of the world is solid and consistent enough for us to create very solid and coherent world building.

Which is why it always irked me in the end when the Stone works on Roy's eyes.

Why?

Because it is heavily implied that not even a Stone has the power to restore what was lost to the Gate. This is of course, not something we as the audience know or believe from the get-go. We are introduced to the Stone via the Elric brothers, who mostly just know that this mystical stone can do the unthinkable. The impossible.

But, as we later learn, not even the Stone can bring back the dead. Death is eternal and cannot be reversed. It is one of the hard truths of the show. No matter how much power you hold, you cannot bring back the dead.

Even Father's showing in the last fight, when he brings back the people of Xerxes, fails to actually deliver on Hohenheim's taunt of "creating life" - because he is just returning souls he already carries within him to the physical realm.

So, that's the first limitation of the Philosopher's Stone firmly established.

But there's a second one.

We know the Stone can heal - Marcoh uses it to heal countless people in his town, some even from deadly diseases and such. We see Father heal Edward's broken arm and create an entirely new arm for Alphonse after his got eaten. Edward uses his own soul like a Stone to close the wound in Baschool, so, yes, healing is firmly within the realms of the Stone.

It is probably far more effective than Alkehistry when it comes to healing, because it CAN ignore the boundaries of the body. I'd actually go so far and say that someone talented and medically knowledgeable could maybe even restore a limb with the help of a Philosopher's Stone. We've seen it do the impossible after all.

But I don't think a Philosopher's Stone could ever actually restore Ed's limbs. Not in the classical sense at least.

Why?

Because when Hohenheim encounters Izumi and tries to help her, he cannot restore her lost organs. He cannot walk that path for her. He can heal her - he rearranges her inner organs and heals the open wounds within her gut, probably giving her another ten years of healthier living, but he cannot return to her what is lost.

He also never offers Ed to give him his limbs back, even after everything has been revealed and they're preparing for the Promised Day.

(He does promise to sacrifice himself for Al in the end, but we'll get to that in a bit)

This is something the Elrics don't know - they don't know what Hohenheim did and did not do for Izumi. They believe, up to the end, that they could restore their bodies with a Philosopher's Stone, but they choose not to.

I think, actually, that Hohenheim might be the only one who knows that it is not possible.

Because what they have lost was a price paid for pushing past the boundaries of humanity, it is a punishment for arrogance just as much as it is a toll for knowledge gained. They didn't lose their organs during childbirth, their arms and legs on the battlefield. All of them walked into god's domain and paid the price.

It is the Unforgivable Sin, after all, the Ultimate Taboo.

This is not something you can reverse by paying a bribe (the souls of the stone) - not unless there's a personal sacrifice bound to it as well.

Which is why it probably would have worked if Hohenheim had given his own life for Alphonse - because it would have been the sacrifice of a father for his son. Equivalency restored.

To get back what you've lost from the Gate, there needs to be an Equivalent Exchange - and the souls of strangers don't do it in the Eye of Truth.

Which doesn't mean that you cannot open the Portal of Truth with a Philosopher's Stone. We've seen it. It is possible. But never once successfully when it comes to the restoration of a body. You can push through the Gate using a Stone, you can heal, you can force someone else through the Gate... but you cannot restore what the Gate itself has taken.

That is a much more personal gamble, a much more personal exchange.

It is the second limitation of the Stone: you cannot gain back the toll you paid for stumbling into god's realm without sacrificing something yourself.

Which brings me to my original point: the fact that Roy Mustang's eye sight could be restored using a Stone.

It's a plot hole.

It is one of the few plot holes in the show/manga, and even as I write this, I am trying to think of a watsonian explanation. Maybe it's because Roy didn't do the human transmutation out of his own free will. Maybe it's because he was forced through. Maybe it's because Truth feels responsible for what happened to him. Maybe the story is lenient to him and his wish to see the future.

But the truth remains, that every time I encounter this story, that part of it trips me up.

And now you know it too.

[waitineedaname]

shoes in FMA rated on how comfortable they'd be to fight in

Edward Elric

considering Ed's uhhh very distinct taste in aesthetics, these could be a lot worse. they look relatively comfortable and don't seem like they'd be difficult to move around in. they are platforms though, which I imagine makes things more difficult. I'll be generous and give these a 7/10

Most of the Amestrian military

pretty much everyone in uniform wears the same shoes, so I'm lumping them all together. these are Roy's, if that matters. they look fine. I imagine that because it is part of a military uniform, it's designed to be moved around in and worn for hours on end, so ideally they're relatively comfortable. it doesn't look like there's much traction, but they're usually fighting on flat surfaces so whatever. 8/10

Fu and Lan Fan

these shoes fucking rule. the picture I've included is Lan Fan's, but they wear p much the same shoes. I fucking love these things. they have spikes. Edward Elric fucking wishes. considering this seems to be part of the bodyguard uniform, I'd imagine they're as easy to run around in as the military shoes, if not better since they're expected to be doing martial arts in them. but most importantly, they have spikes. 10/10, no notes.

Ling and Mei

on the topic of doing martial arts, both Ling and Mei wear these.... I'm not sure what they are. flats? slippers? it's unclear. (EDIT: they are apparently Kung Fu shoes!) they seem relatively easy to move around in I guess since they're not very cumbersome and both Ling and Mei rely on being very nimble. they look like they have absolutely no support in the soles though, which is gonna get painful after a certain point. also depending on what fabric they're made of, they could definitely start chafing. I've worn flats. I know that hell. 7/10 for the potential blisters, but at least they're designed specifically for martial arts

Greedling and Bradley

it's hard to get a good shot in this scene because neither of them stop moving, but I swear to god, they're fighting in dress shoes. I cannot stand them. this CANNOT be comfortable. I know Greed prioritizes aesthetics over function so this was probably a compromise between his and Ling's tastes but ohhh my god. he was probably wasting so much of the philosopher's stone just passively healing the million blisters on his feet from running around in these things. there's a chance Bradley is wearing the military uniform shoes but I think he was in more formal dress when he got blown the fuck up, so I don't think so. no wonder he complains about being sore, quit running around in dress shoes you fucking moron. 4/10.

Greed

THESE FUCKING THIIIIIIIINGS. WHY ARE THEY POINTY AT THE END. WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE SOMEONE HIT HIS FOOT WITH A MALLET AND FLATTENED THEM. he's so dumb. I love him. looking at these things tells me he would probably wear goth cowboy boots if he could, and tbh that would probably look better. 3/10 for Greed's overall silly as hell fashion sense

Lust

okay. the heels make sense considering her whole vibe. however. these are part of her fucking BODY. when she gets incinerated, they grow back. can she even take them off???? I'm scared to ask. I guess if theyre part of her body, she doesn't have to worry about adjusting to balancing in them like you would normally with heels, but oh my god. she can never wear normal shoes. I would also be murderous if I had to wear heels all the time. 4/10.

Father and Izumi

guys. these are sandals. it has been four hundred years and Father is still wearing the same outfit he was wearing in the damn desert. find a new outfit man. Izumi is apparently wearing bathroom slippers (hence the WC) so idk why she's even wearing those out of the house. Father gets 0/10 and Izumi gets 1/10 because she still manages to kick everyone's asses while wearing these, so respect

Envy

PUT YOUR FUCKING TOES AWAY. -10000000/10

[crazylittlejester]

Tbh I think you’re cooking with the voice headcanons. I’ve never heard Warriors or Legend’s voice described like that but like…yes, you’re correct

(also how would you describe the rest of the chain members’ voices? Now I’m kinda curious…)

THANK YOU, BECAUSE I FELT CRAZY TYPING THAT POST OUT. Here’s how the rest of the chain sounds in my head (im insane):

Time: Matthew Mercer specifically as Resident Evil 6 Leon Kennedy, but if his accent shifted somewhere between Welsh and the southern American accent, and usually ended up sounding like that transatlantic accent. The more time he spends away from the ranch and Malon the less the occasional really American sounding word slips in

Warriors: Joe Keery if he was British and had the same inflections and overall whiny dramatic way of speaking that Astarion from bg3 does. Like the same tone and pitch as Joe Keery (specifically as Steve from Stranger Things), but with Astarion’s sass, one liners, and overall cuntiness. (His real accent is NOT British to me, but he copies the ‘Castle Town Accent’ so usually, that is what he sounds like)

Twilight: Jeremy Jordan, but with a thick southern American accent. I mean near incomprehensible when he starts talking fast

Sky: Jordan Fisher, make him British, but make that British very weird in a way that makes it sound more like his native language is something far more ancient that came BEFORE British English

Hyrule: Ryan Potter, specifically as Hiro from Big Hero 6, but with a vaguely French sounding accent, almost as if that’s his native language but he hasn’t spoken it in a VERY long time and he can sound British for the most part but occasionally he says One Word and everyone stares at him like “???”

Legend: Chris Colfer from Glee but if he had the same raspiness to his voice that Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist does, and also if he were British (it’s a fake accent that Legend puts on, his real accent is a thick Irish one, but most of the time he speaks in a British accent)

Wild: Wild is weird because I have yet to come across a single person in any media I’ve consumed whose voice I’ve heard that’s made me go “That’s Wild.” So, to be even more insane, I’ll just describe what he sounds like. His voice isn’t necessarily very high, but it’s dropped as low as it’s going to and it’s very androgynous sounding. That being said, it’s hard to make out the actual tone and pitch of his voice some times because it sounds incredibly raspy and he can absolutely lose his voice if he talks for too long or screams too loud. If he takes proper care of it which he doesn’t always do it CAN sound more full and not as crackly, but there’s now always this element to it where it SOUNDS damaged. That doesn’t stop him from yapping, or singing, or screaming. It just makes Twilight roll his eyes at him while he makes him tea

Four: Zeno Robinson specifically as Hunter from The Owl House, but if Hunter was fighting to keep back a thick Boston accent every single day of his life. You piss Four off and that accent comes off as he starts angrily rambling at the others for improper sword care and they just sit there and stare at him blankly because they can barely understand a word he’s saying, he’s talking so fast. He sounds vaguely midwestern American when he’s trying to hide his accent

Wind: I’m not even close to original for this one and every time I see people talk about voice headcanons for the chain everyone says this for Wind, but Walker Scobell, though for me, SPECIFICALLY Kraft Mac and Cheese era Walker Scobell. And Wind’s accent is ALL over the place, he tends to pick up whatever the people around him sound like. Growing up his native language was the hyrule equivalent to Spanish, and then he was surrounded by a ton of Scottish people for a VERY long time so his ‘English’ (whatever language they speak in hyrule) became very Scottish sounding, but the more time he spends with the chain, the more he slowly starts to sound like a blend of all of them. So sometimes he’ll be talking and one word of his sentence will sound EXACTLY like the very unique way in which Time says something, or one word will sound like Sky. And his Scottish sounding (because it’s never been entirely Scottish) accent is slowly losing its strength as it starts to LITERALLY just become a blend of what the chain in general sounds like

And to an extent, the overall group accent does change a bit as they spend time together. Their individual accents, even if a lot of them are British, are all different because of the eras they’re from, but as they spend so much time together the accents start to blend a little and they sound more like each other. Of course if they were consciously thinking about how they sound while they speak they’d be able to talk exactly how they did before, and when they go back to their own eras the only one who’s going to sound noticeably different is probably Wind because his neurodivergent brain just copies whatever is around him and he’ll need time to adjust, but yeah

Those are my voice headcanons!! This is what they sound like in my brain when I’m writing/reading. I’m weird and this is insane, I’m aware aldkmdkd

[fairy-writes]

congratulations on 900!! ed and 20 for the event? 👀🤌🏼

TRACING SHAPES

Reblogs and Comments are greatly appreciated!!

__________________________________________________________________________

Fandom(s): Fullmetal Alchemist

Pairing(s): Edward Elric x Gender Neutral!Reader

Prompt: Tracing their lover’s scars (Action Prompt #20)

Notes: THIS IS POST-FMAB EVENTS

This is a bit short but I hope you like it nonetheless :)

__________________________________________________________________________

For someone who had fought and sparred practically every day, Edward’s skin was soft. Not his hands. Well… his right hand was, it was as smooth as dipping your fingers in the stream behind your house. But his left hand was callused and rough from years of handling weapons and fighting.

But he was also covered in scars.

Bullet wounds, stab marks, scars from alchemy-related attacks, he had them all. They dotted his skin like constellations that you connected with your fingertips.

You lay on your side in your shared bed, your right hand propping your head up, as you traced Edward’s back with your left hand. He was on his belly and didn’t have a shirt on, the quilt up to his waist, arms underneath the pillow. He was sound asleep, snoring softly, and had his face buried in the pillow.  His locks of golden sunlight was splayed across the pillow.

It was deep into the night, the moon illuminating the outside world and casting the darkness aside. 

The scars were soft underneath your hand. They were but bumps in a path but woge stories like fairy tales, telling of his adventures and antics.

Edward stirred, breaking you from your musings, and you glanced down at his face. His nose scrunched, and golden eyelashes fluttered open. His eyes caught yours, and he smiled sleepily, eyes alight with adoration. You return the smile and lean down to kiss him. 

His lips are soft, and he tastes like the beginnings of morning breath, but you don’t mind.

“What are you doing still awake? It’s like three in the morning.” He mumbles against your lips. You pull away and hum, laying back on the bed and mussing his hair with your fingers. He grumbles in playful anger, batting your hand away but looking at you with such love it makes your heart ache. 

“Just can’t sleep.” You say, and he hums, tugging you close and burying his nose in your hair. 

“Anything I can do to help?” He whispers, and you shake your head, nosing the crook of his neck.

“Just being here is enough for me.” 

The two of you are silent, your fingers tracing over the puckered scars from his automail on his right shoulder. The skin is rough, unlike the smoothness of his other old injuries. 

“Why do you like touching my scars so much?” He asks suddenly, quietly, almost as if scared of the answer. 

You pull back and lay your hand on his cheek.

“Because it reminds me that you came back to me alive.” You say, and he grins that smile you love so much. 

“Of course, I came back! I promised you I’d marry you one day, didn’t I?” He says, his left hand cradling the silver engagement band on your ring finger, and you chuckle,

“Ed, we were like six.”

“Still counts! Plus, I have the ring on your finger, don’t I?”

The two of you fall asleep, tangled in each other, legs entwined, and your arm thrown over his waist, his hand protectively pulling your hip close. 

[persnickety-doodles]

Five Ships, Five Fandoms

awww! thanks for tagging me, @korrasamibottles!!

Korra/Asami Sato (The Legend of Korra): They stay winning. I love everything about their dynamic and that whole friends-to-lovers relationship is my personal favorite.

Edward Elric/Winry Rockbell (FullMetal Alchemist): They will have a special place in my heart. Forever. Gosh, I tear up every time I think about them. They're that childhood-friends-to-lovers. There-for-each-other lovers. I mean she built him an arm and a leg goddamit. they're just so ugggh I lose words for how I feel about them.

Harley Quinn/Poison Ivy (DC): Again, that friends-to-lovers dynamic strikes back! This time, they're both academics killin' it! The Harley Quinn show kinda solidified them for me.

Aloy/Seyka (Horizon:burning Shores): I loved their dynamic in burning shores. Seyka can easily keep up with Aloy on their adventures, and their endless banter and flirting had me hooked. I know Aloy/Talanah is a more popular pairing, and I am intrigued by them, but Talanah feels like that one straight bestie that still hasn't realized she might be into girls. So, like there is a chance?? Her character arc in the second game was disappointing imo.

Sabine Wren/Shin Hati (Star Wars): Keeping my fingers crossed that the writers will make them official. Their lightsaber fight was too gay for me to think otherwise. I know it's a long shot, but their enemies-to-lovers dynamic would end me I think (in a good way ofc).

I choose whoever sees this!! I'm tagging you!

[the-catmans-offical-2]

I wanna ramble about Ed/Wrath (Wrathfull) so much so I'm gonna.

A lotta people I've met have been seeing Wrath as related to the Elric brothers bc of his relationship to Sloth - but I gotta say that I personally don't agree with this.

Yes, Wrath does later state in episode 47 (before killing Lust) that he's going to take everything Edward loves (even though he doesn't want Al, he doesn't want Winry, he doesn't want anything - except Ed's limbs/body and a maternal figure.) Yes, Wrath clings to Sloth, calls her mommy/mama and sees her as his genuine mother.

But you HAVE TO realize it's not reciprocated, and even then - a clear point shown with the homunculi - she's *not* Trisha. She is, but she isn't; She once was, but is no longer her. Just like how Lust is no longer that Ishbalan woman that Scar's older brother once loved, just like how Wrath is no longer that infant Izumi miscarried. The homunculi were ONCE human, ONCE those those people - but they aren't anymore. Anyway, back onto the topic at hand, Sloth doesn't feel any maternal love, she doesn't allow herself to express it nor feel it; A huge part of her character is being apathetic, is changing herself and not allowing herself to chase the frivolous dream of being who she once was - which was a loving mother.

Sure, she let's Wrath hang off her and depend on her - but that's probably to help keep him in check so he'll listen better to Dante and whatnot, because she can easily ACT maternal, but not express it.

So yeah, that's my clarification. Ed and Wrath (And Wrath and Al) aren't related in anyway (even if Wrath did say "she was your mama too", in ep 48 after Sloth was killed and Al was kidnapped).

Also, as an additional clarification - yes, as I've posted before, I do genuinely think that Wrath ages. So in CoS he'd of been 17-18, and in the end of 03 he'd be 14-15. (Ed is 18 in CoS, and 15-16 at the end of 03.)

NOW, with all of that out of the way, here's why I ship this ship; And why I think I may be one of the only people that ship it.

THEIR FUCKING RIVALRY IS AMAZING; This may honestly be one of the only ships I ship that involves them being straight up rivals. They hate each other (or so they think?) - Wrath wants to deprive Ed of his limbs, while Ed just wants his limbs back and deprive Wrath of his (temporarily.)

They're two sides of the same coin, their goals are similar - to regain or gain human body parts in order to complete their individual goals; They both yearn for maternal love, they both are just kids.

But unlike Ed, Wrath is playful and childish - Ed had to grow up fast in order to survive and take care of his brother.

But unlike Wrath, Ed isn't as carefree and trusting to the world.

I dunno, they're just so UGH they make me sick.

Ed clearly is unsure of how he feels about Wrath - at first he's jumping on him and fighting him for answers, being aggressive and trying to kill him, and then he seems to just give up on that; He let's Wrath throw him around, punch him and strangle him. He let's Wrath scream and yell, and cry. He even catches Wrath and gives him a look over after Envy kicks him in the warehouse!! AND on top of that, his reaction to Wrath's death in CoS hits me HARD.

In this scene, I'll maybe get the specific translation later, Ed remarks about how he's surprised that Al got out of the underground city - and Al replies that Wrath showed him the way out, to which Edward questions by saying Wrath's name and Alphonse simply says that he used Wrath to open the Gate on his side. LOOK AT THE DESPAIR HE HAS; And yes, this could be just at the fact Al had to take a life - something Ed never wanted Al to have to do - but I see it as both. ESPECIALLY WHEN ED BRINGS UP WRATH LATER.

Meanwhile, Wrath seemed fearful of Ed at first - likely due to how he'd attack him at first and question him so aggressively - and then calm around him; Before reciprocating Ed's violent behavior. That violent behavior then turning to grief and despair, before Wrath seemed to become an ally for Ed a bit too late - hell, he was fucking SHOCKED when Ed died.

In this scene he only said "he's.. Dead" in the English dub - and he sounded so sad :( Then in CoS, as we all know, he tells Alphonse that he doesn't want to see him sacrifice his life for Ed's again - and very likely doesn't ever want to see the reverse again! I don't think Wrath was solely upset about Sloth during the whole four/three years before CoS took place - especially since he begins to miss Izumi - I think he was absolutely fucked up about Ed. ESPECIALLY SINCE he and Rosé were the last to see Ed alive, they didn't try to stop him, Wrath couldn't bc he was down two limbs and Rosé had to get her baby out of there and Wrath - it must of broken their hearts :(

But yeah! I ship them, and I have never seen any fanart of Ed and Wrath being shipped together, never seen any fanfics - and this really, really surprised me ngl.

If anyone ever does see ship content of them please lmk!! It'd be very much appreciated, I will go insane.

Uhh, that's all I gotta say ngl. If anyone has any questions just ask, my ask box is always open.

[newtthetranswriter]

Please may I have a Fairy tail headcanon of Gray Fullbuster with a female S/O who has Edward Elric's abilities from Fullmetal alchemist. S/O joined Fairy tail when she was a young child not long after Gray did..S/Os unlimited abilities meant that she can basically create anything that she can put her mind too..she isn't nicknamed the metal mage for nothing. She isn't proud of what she had done back then..she earned those abilities to be a metal alchemist at a consequence of trying to revive her late mother..she was damn lucky that she didn't lose her body parts..she is a independent young woman in Fairy tail and a member of Team Natsu.

So, I've never done headcanons before, but I'll give it a go, hope you enjoy these. I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but I did my best, if you enjoy please feel free to let me now and don't be afraid to send ion more requests. Anyway Enjoy and have a good day/night. MINORS AND AGELESS BLOGS DO NOT INTERACT

Alchemy isn't an exact science, things can go wrong, and that's what happened when you tried to bring back your mom.

Unlike past Alchemists who had tried to bring people back from the dead you were lucky, you saw the truths of the world but managed to hang on to all of your limbs.

With the knowledge of the universe giving you a major boost in your magic at such a young age, you needed to join a guild to help control and grow this power.

At the age of 8 you wondered into the guild hall of non-other than Fairy Tail, a legendary guild full of powerful mages.

You were welcomed with open arms by nearly everyone there except one kid who couldn't keep his clothes on, when you first meet Gray, he was cold to you, not to say you were really any better having just lost your mother for a second time.

As time passed you grew stronger and more confident in your abilities to manipulate the chemical structure of items and shift them into new things. You primarily specialized in turning things to metal to create more useful weapons.

Master Makarov saw your potential and by the age of 17 you had become an S class wizard known as the Metal Mage.

Along with growing your power the tension between you and gray only got worse, almost like him and Natsu's fighting but with a little more flirting

like I see you guys sitting at the guild hall ignoring each other until he pops off with something stupid about being better a making things with his magic and you just use your magic to make something to hit him with using the table and yell at him about covering his abs because in typical gray fashion he's probably in his boxers.

At first no one notices the more flirty comments until one of you calls the other handsome/beautiful directly making the other blush

Being as stubborn as you are you try to deny it for the longest time and so does he

Now if we add on the being a part of team Natsu, it gets more hectic

I'm talking Happy teasing you, Natsu trying to tease you but ultimately ending up fighting Gray for something he says, Wendy is just confused, Lucy and Erza think its kind of cute that the two stubborn mages wont admit their feelings, and then there is Carla who just thinks everyone involved is dumb

And when you guys finally get together i don't think a lot would change

like yeah you guys don't fight as much or the comments aren't as pointed but there is still playful bickering between the two of you

I just feel that Gray is the type to show affection by being sarcastic

also spend a lot of time just hanging out show off your magic to each other and getting ideas from each other

When you get together Happy still makes stupid jokes, Natsu still tries to tease you guys but fails, Lucy, Erza and now Wendy are secretly planning your wedding as soon as it announced you're dating, and Carla is happy for you two.

Now on to some other aspects of the relationship,

If you are having a bad day because of something reminding you of your past Gray will 100% understand, and try to help you calm down

He knows how hard it is to have a difficult childhood and lose your family so he's going to try to make it better

he may not be able to bring your mom back but he can try not to fight Natsu as much and stay close to you for support.

and vice versa, if he's having a hard time with let's say Juvia being annoying, You would be there to try and be a buffer, or if she doesn't take the hint just telling her off.

Overall I see Gray and you being very close and comforting when its just the two of you, but if you're with the rest of the guild or on a mission you know how to be respectful of everyone around you.

[imagines--galore]

edward elric with a s/o that is autistic and selectively mute .. ^^

Pairing: Edward Elric x Reader Rating || Genres || Warnings: K. Romance. A/N: Alright so I do hope I did this right! I'm really nervous about writing a character with autism and selective mutism but I do hope that I did an alright job and I don't offend anyone! Also the moment in the end happens after the whole major fight and everything, so Alphonse has his body back, and Ed his arm.

Communication was something you had struggled with for as long as you could remember. Even as a child, when you had shown up at the Rockbell house, you had struggled to get even two words out. But the people that lived there, the Rockbells, only assumed that you were lost. And with the state you had arrived in, one could only deduce that you were an orphan. Perhaps because of the war? Whatever it was, Pinako Rockbell had decided to gather you in her arms and carry you home. You were such a tiny thing. Yurih and Sarah Rockbell had tried their best to deduce your age, but it had been difficult even for them, given your lack information on yourself. Finally, they had decided it was not important. What was important, however, was that you were safe, and with caring people.

Winry had been a little apprehensive of you at first, but her mother had advised her to be kind. And so she had taken you under her wing. She would take you by the hand and the two of you would spend hours exploring. And while you stayed silent, Winry would chatter enough for the both of you.

She even took you to meet her two friend, Edward and Alphonse. And though you had hid behind your new friend, finding the two new boys a little scary, you had slowly come out of your shell.

Over the years, you did show signs of speaking. But those moments were rare and far in-between. And every time you did speak, there was always an emotional outburst from someone.

Like the first time when you had called Winry by her name, and called her your sister. You had then proceeded to acknowledge her parents as your parents, and Pinako as your granny. Oh the tears that had been shed, and though you didn't really understand why they would react so, you did smile widely and accepted their embraces and sweet kisses.

Your next interaction was hilarious. You had been playing with the Elric brothers, alongside your sister when you spied Edward trying to take a heavy tool from Pinako's work bench. He had needed to jump up high to try and get the desired piece of equipment. Edward turned to look at you, and your eyes met. Raising a hand and pointing at the golden haired boy you spoke one word.

Short.

Needless to say, Edward had keeled over at the sorrow of having that word being the first you said to him. Alphonse had laughed and laughed until he had to lie on the floor, while Winry had giggled and hugged you in congratulations. You honestly didn't understand Edmund's reaction. You had only stated the truth.

Moments like these always sought to bring you closer to your loved ones. And though you didn't speak for a good year or so after your parents death, you did come back from it.

And that too happened when you saw the pain and suffering that Edward and Alphonse felt after they tried to get their mother back. You didn't know what had happened, wasn't really able to understand it. All you did know was the Alphonse was hiding in the armor, and Edward was hurt.

Hurt bad.

You had sat beside him during his recovery, and had helped however you could. From getting him food, water or new sheets, your tasks were minimal, yet it brought you some satisfaction. That you were able to make him comfortable.

You had been very sad to see him and Alphonse leave, but Edward promised he would be back, and you knew he would never break a promise. And you had made a promise to him, that you would try and talk a little bit more. At least with the people you were familiar with. He had smiled and patted you on the head. You were both the same height at that point of your age, and you had smiled brightly at him in return.

Over the years you had discovered that if there was one thing you were good at when it came to communication it was through flowers.

Every flower held a different meaning. A secret message. From an early age you had filled books upon books of research and notes that detailed every last piece of information that could be found on flowers, both local and rare.

Whenever Edward and Alphonse would return from one of their trips, they would bring you new books about flowers and you would devour them in days.

It was here that you started to speak. You had a certain confidence in your knowledge of flowers. From the very tips of their roots to the softness of their petals. Winry and Pinako would listen to you speak for as much as you were able. It was slow progress, but it was something. And though you were mostly still a very quiet person, you were able to communicate a little more.

It was during that time, when Edward and Alphonse returned for one of Edward's leg repairs, that you decided to show them your new-found skill. Flower crowns.

While Winry worked on Edward's leg, you managed to drag both brothers out into the open ground around the Rockbell house. Alphonse was more then happy to indulge in your new activity, wanting to spend more time with you. Edward was simply content on lazing around and laying on the ground with his arms behind his head.

You spoke to Alphonse at length about every flower the two of you were adding to your flower crowns. You had picked a bunch of flowers for the occasion, to make a crown for everyone.

Winry, and Granny and Den, and Alphonse and Edward,

You had stopped talking sometime ago, but Alphonse had continued speaking, telling you about all the adventures he and his brothers had had, all the people they had met.

Your gaze flickered over to where Edward lay a few paces away. You glanced down at the flower garland in your hands before glancing back at the boy. Alphonse seemed to have understood your little dilemma. He gave you an encouraging nudge and a nod. You rose to your feet, slowly walking towards him, leaving Alphonse to place Den's flower crown on his head.

You stood over Edward, prompting the boy to open one eye and gaze up at you.

"What is it Y/n?" He asked, grumbling softly at having his semi-nap disturbed. Silently you held out the crown you had made for him. Edward sighed, sitting up and holding a hand out to take it. You smiled happily as you lay the delicate garland in his hands. Edward gave a small smile before asking.

"What do these mean?" He gently ran a finger along the white petals of the flowers.

You took a deep breath before explaining. "They're called daisies. And they're used to represent many things when given to someone else. Some of them are, purity, joy, new beginnings, and innocent love." At the last part Edward seemed to freeze up, his gaze turning to meet yours as you smiled down at him. The wind picked up a little as his mind raced. He was more then aware then when it came to you, things were taken in the literal sense. And he may be stupid at times, even he admitted it, but he had known you long enough to understand you completely.

Though you would never come outright and say it, you conveyed your feelings through your actions or with flowers. And right now, he couldn't help but allow a small smile to pull at his lips.

With a blush creeping along his cheeks, Edward slowly stood up. Standing in front of you, he raised the crown to his head and allowed it to nestle against his golden hair. Your eyes widened in absolute delight as you clapped your hands and let out a small joyful laugh. And Edward Elric fell all the more in love with your sweet nature.

Though he had already been halfway there over the years, this moment simply confirmed it.

[number1greedlingfan]

ik its been months since u posted but im curious on your first impressions on various fma characters. Ling and greed specifically but im curious abt others also

ooooo this is a toughie... see the problem is its been Years since i first watched fma. but i vaguely remember. keep in mind i was 15 okay 😭

edward elric - "RAAAAAAA THATS MY GOAT" (and more upsettingly) "hes just like me fr"

alphonse elric - "sweet :)" (i often sidelined him in my head. i am Better now. he is the true goat 🙏‼���)

winry rockbell - "cool" (also frequently sidelined bc i was a diehard edling shipper to the point of sickness 😐 i am not proud of this)

ling yao - "AAAAGGHH SO FUCKING COOL" + "oh there's something wrong with him" (second one is where the obsession began)

lan fan - "cool" (15 yr old me hated women or something because why did i give ling sm credit for his fight scenes and lan fan NONE for CHOPPING HER OWN ARM OFF?!)

greed - "I CAN FIX HIM" (i also wasnt attracted to him until he was greedling... rookie mistake. rookie mistake to think he needs fixing too)

roy mustang - "cool fire powers but the annoying old bastard needs to get a life" (i dont think i need to explain this one) "HE SHOULDVE STAYED BLIND"

riza hawkeye - "mustangs subordinate whos significantly cooler and nicer than him" (for some reason i didnt conceive of royai being an option back then)

jean havoc - "i THINK this guy is a boy kisser" (this is where my thoughts started and ended and i didnt even ship him with anyone)

van hohenheim - "neglectful abusive bastard i HATE HIM" (i wasnt 15 years old and projecting. 15 yr olds never do that can i get an amen)

those are all i can remember! thank u for the question anon this was a neat trip down memory lane lmao 🫶

[i-mostly-shift-to-anime]

I've been curious about shifting before. I feel like I may have on accident once, as I ended up in a DR with Edward Elric, Alphonse, and Lust....riiiiight in the middle of an apparent conflict and fight.

In the end, I got stabbed in my left arm iirc. It felt real, but not enough to get me to shift back if that makes sense I guess? I ended up in the hospital with an extremely worried set of Elric brothers watching over me 😅

But I got a cool sword during the fight! That broke....and didn't do anything to help me, but it was COOL.

That’s really cool, I’m happy for you!

[shonenmilfshowdown]

Dr. Kureha is a "witch" doctor from Drum Island. After her friend, the mad doctor Hiriluk, died fighting the tyranical Wapol, Kureha took his adopted son, the reindeer Tony Tony Chopper, into her care as both her apprentice and as her own son.

Izumi is an alchemist of Amestris, who tried to bring her dead son back to life. After failing to do so, she became a proud housewife, who later on took on Edward and Alphonse Elric as students, becoming a sort of mother figure to them.

[prettyiwa]

I do not authorize the translation or reposting of my work anywhere. Do not mention me or my work on Tik-Tok.

Relationship: Edward Elric x F!Reader Content Warnings: Post-Story Events, Nightmares, Panic Attacks, PTSD, Angst to Fluff, Aged-Up Edward Elric Summary: Years after the events that took place in Central, Ed still struggles with nightmares. Word Count: 1,300

A/N: I had taken this down from Tumblr and left it up on AO3. Since I've made my works only accessible to registered AO3 users in the past week, I thought I would repost it here as it started as a tumblr request.

Four years later and it still affects him as though it were yesterday. The mounting anxiety and anticipation in the week leading up to it, the concern he held for Al, the frustration he felt at seeing Hohenheim一at first, anyway一working alongside Scar and the chimeras. Some parts are a blur, like how they got into the underground tunnel or the way they had to fight those mannequins, but others? Others are ingrained so deeply in the folds of his brain that, when he closes his eyes, he can still see it, still feel it.

Like no time has passed.

But it has passed. It’s passed marvelously. Al is visiting Mei in Xing right now, whole and in the body he had been deprived of for so long. Winry and Granny are in Resembool, happy and healthy with increased business thanks to Winry’s time in Rush Valley. And now he has you.

Constant. Patient. Brilliant and luminous, just as your paintings.

Each time he finds himself reliving that day, you are here to remind him of the present. Each time he wakes from a nightmare, you’re right beside him, content to hold him to you or to nestle closer in his arms. You’re here.

But this dream is so vivid, so real, it muddles the line of distinction, making it difficult to discern dream from reality. He calls it a dream一a persistent, desperate hope more than anything一but he can’t quite tell.

His heart thunders in his chest, rewatching the familiar scene in horror一Mei sobbing over what remains of Al’s armored body, too destroyed for Ed to do anything; the rebar pierced through his left arm while his right is achingly malnourished, disgustingly weak; the acrid smell of smoke that fills the air, mixing with the dust raised from the destroyed buildings.

Everything is too familiar, but it makes it easier to go through the motions, to do what needs to be done, to end this fight. Because he does. He knows he does. He knows what it’s like to see Al in his body again. He knows that day is coming where you walk into his life and irrevocably alter it.

Except that, when the time comes to make the trade for Al, he can’t quite remember what he trades. He knows that this is a problem that he’s already solved, but the answer is sitting at the back of his throat, just out of reach.

In that moment of hesitation where his mind blanks, he hears the sardonic laugh that’s taunted him in nightmares for longer than he cares to admit and two things happen.

The first is that Al stands before him, completely healthy, unlike his appearance on that day. He wears a look of concern, confusion, eyes not meeting Ed’s, instead focused on something just behind him.

The second is the scream, terrified and in immense pain. He knows the voice, even if he’s never heard the sound.

He seems to freeze in place, unable to turn and look at you, unable to accept that you’re somewhere you’re not supposed to be, that you’re hurt, that something is very, very wrong. It’s the way Al calls out your name, pushes past him to get to you that snaps him out of it, that makes him turn around.

The air surrounding you is purple as metaphysical hands pull at you, unraveling you, mirroring the scene from years ago. Your eyes find his as you reach out, pleading for him to help you, to make the pain stop, to save you.

It’s the breaking of his heart as your hand falls into his just before you’re gone, the aching of his soul at your absence. It’s the immeasurable pain that wakes him, that finally allows for his consciousness to win out, to pull him back to reality where you’re okay and here and 一

You’re not.

You’re not here.

The sheets cling to him, weighing him down as he jolts up, as he tries to force his eyes to adjust to the darkness in an attempt to find you. Outside of the warmth on your side of the bed一which isn’t comforting given how the summer heat is making everything so damn warm一there’s no indication that you were here.

His throat seems to close and it becomes impossible to breathe, to think. Just as in his dream一at least, he’s desperately hoping it was a dream一his heart is pounding, the sound of his blood pumping the only thing he can hear.

Maybe… maybe you stepped out? You like the heat just as much as he does, and, according to you, he’s a furnace when asleep. That’s a very real possibility. Or maybe you went to the restroom and are about to come back?

Whatever it is, wherever you’ve gone, he feels the nerves building up within him, the need to find you, to ensure that you’re safe and whole. He needs to be proactive, can’t afford to wait. He’s never been good at waiting, at sitting still, even less when the people he loves are at risk.

Potentially.

Assuming that you’re in danger. Which you’re not. You can’t be. There is no danger to be had, not anymore. Right?

Stumbling out of bed, he makes his way out of the room, scanning it once more before opening the door. The bathroom door is open, revealing a dark, empty room devoid of you. He releases a shaky breath and turns to check outside before he hears a faint click! and is faced with his diffused shadow, illuminated by the kitchen light that’s now on just down the hall.

“Ed? What are you doing up?”

Swiveling, he finds you illuminated by that same light, almost creating a glowing halo around your being. You’re leaning against the entryway to the kitchen, tired eyes taking in his appearance. Before he can truly process it, he’s stepping forward, wrapping his left arm around your waist as his right hand cradles the back of your head, pulling you to him, letting him crush you against him.

A puff of air escapes you, surprised by his reaction, but you’re quick to wrap your arms around his middle, quick to offer some kind of relief. His hold on you tightens and you seem to understand his unspoken need for reassurance, for the harsh reminder that you’re here. Mimicking the strength with which he holds you, you press him to you, burying your face in the crook of his neck.

“Wanna talk about it?” you mumble into his skin.

“No—not right now.”

A small nod is all he gets in response and you’re in no hurry to be let go. You wait, as you always do, allowing him to calm down as you hum a nonsensical little melody for him. When his grip starts to loosen, you explain.

“I woke up because it’s hot. I thought you might want a glass of water when you wake, so I came to the kitchen to get it. ‘M sorry, love.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just that you di— disappeared in my dream. I panicked,” he replies, unable to even admit that in his dream, you died. It doesn’t matter now, anyway. Not really.

“Oh. Well, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” It’s a promise, one he’s heard many times before. “The truth is that you’re stuck with me, Ed.” You press a kiss to his cheek, releasing him to grab the aforementioned glass of water. Offering it, he drinks the water, remembering the conversation you once had about how water helps with panic attacks.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” It’s his truth, the one that harmonizes with yours.

Please reblog this fic if you enjoyed it!

[manias-wordcount]

Edward Elric x reader, where the reader comforts him when he's having nightmares. Please??

Absolutely Nothing (Edward Elric x Reader)

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼 !!! 𝗶 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝗼 𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 :))

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

When he lies with you at night, he lies stiller than a corpse.

  You’ve heard all about how he used to toss and turn at night, but that was a sight you rarely got to see. A sight you rarely got to witness. Instead, all your nights by his side are spent with an arm curled around your waist and an automail hand raised above both of your heads. His legs will tangle with yours, and you’ll fall asleep to the feeling of him surrounding you with his body and his warmth in the sweetest of ways. Sometimes if you’re lucky and you wake up in the middle of the night, you’ll hear his voice as he sleeps. Soft, quiet mumbles under his breath. About work. About his research. About whatever made him mad this morning. All sorts of things. 

  But eventually, it’ll all end up the same. He’ll quiet down so that there’s nothing you feel but his body wrapped around yours and squeezing you tight as if to remind his own sleeping body that you’re still here. It comes at the same time as his even breaths, and his hair begins to brush against the back of your neck- something you didn’t know you would cherish until you did. And so, you’ll doze off once more to the small rise and fall of his chest and the steady rhythm of his heart. The very same heart that you swear you can feel as it beats in time with yours. 

  But this was not one of those nights. 

  He started shifting and turning early into your shared slumber. You thought nothing of it at first. He spent the whole day worked up and busy with piles and piles of books and paperwork. It’s only natural for such a restless sleep to follow close behind such a day. Only he began to grow worse and worse as the night grew longer. It seemed like every couple of minutes, you were being woken up to a distressed murmur pouring from his lips. It seems like every couple of minutes, his breaths against your skin would hitch and slow and increase and fall and over and over and over again. It seems like every couple of minutes, the arms around your waist were curling and grabbing at your hip- tugging you closer and closer to you swear there was nothing in between the two of you anymore. Absolutely nothing. 

  And suddenly nothing was becoming too much for you. You love him. You love him more than anything else in the world, but his grip has become suffocating. Dangerous even. But not to just you. To himself too. You were terrified to think of what he could be capable of in his sleep. His body may be made of metal, but not his heart. As you try to squirm in his grip, calling out, “Ed, Ed wake up! Ed, please, wake up!” you wonder just what horror has trapped him here. It’s the one time a day you can almost guarantee the easiest of expressions on his face. The one time a day you can almost guarantee he doesn’t have to have his guard up. He doesn’t have to fight, he doesn’t have to prove himself. He doesn’t have to do any of that.

  But the way he lays here? The way he lays here as a possessed body back for an act of vengeance- fighting and fighting for its right to disrupt what little peace you know in this world? It’s terrifying. It’s sinking its claws into his warm skin. It’s invading all the thoughts he keeps inside that wonderful mind of his. It’s taking control. And all you can do is call his name as his body clings to yours in a way you know you have to end. All you can do is beg and plead with him to wake up in a way that you hope can reach him through all the horrors of the darkness. All you can do is speak to him. 

  “Ed! Ed, please. Ed, wake up! Ed, please, please please wake up!”

  Until finally…

  “EDWARD, PLEASE!”

  …he broke free.

  At the sound of you calling his name- his full name after many, many tries to pull him from his sleep, it worked. But at the cost of him ripping his body away from yours. No more arms wrapped around your waist. No more legs tangled with each other. No more hair tickling your neck. None of it. When you turnover on your back to look up at him- the man who you love but the man who you’re just so terrified to lose- you swear you see a different man. A completely, and utterly different man.

  “I’m…” His voice is hoarse as he addresses you, yet he doesn’t turn around to give you chance to read his expression. Instead, he continues to sit up and face the wall. Long hair a tangled mess against his back. His body, shivering and shaking as if the cold wind itself blows for only him to feel. Him and him alone. “I’m sorry for waking you. I…I had a bad dream…that’s all.”

  That wasn’t all. You knew that from the beginning. And you especially know that now. So, you push. You push because you have to know. You push because you want to know. You push because there is no one else to do this for him. 

  Not like you’re able to at least.

  “A bad dream?” You ask gently, slowly raising up to sit right behind him. You let your arms move at a leisurely pace as they come to circle around his waist from behind. You’re careful not to move too fast- you don’t know what you could do to him. But the second you find your arms locking around him, he’s falling back into your embrace. Collapsing as if all the strength had left his body. Collapsing as if there was no strength, to begin with in his body.

  Collapsing as if all he could do at this moment was to rely completely and utterly on you.

  “Yeah…” He murmurs back, blonde hair spilling against your arms as you hold up both of your weights. His hands reach up to touch your skin, and the stark difference between his left and right hand will never fail to surprise you. But there’s something about this touch that feels more necessary than contact between lovers. Something about this touch that makes you feel like you could die without it. And something about the way he tilts his head back at you and looks at you with tear-lined, golden eyes. Something about the way his lips quiver despite the way he opens his mouth to let a broken, shaking voice tell you, “Just a… just a bad dream…”

Something about all those things make you think he would have died without this touch too.

  So you let him touch you. You let him run his fingers up and down your body. A right-hand takes a lock of your hair and swirls it around the pointer finger. A left-arm brushes against yours before joining palms and locking fingers together. In return, he lets you touch him. He lets your hands leave his waist so one can brush through his hair, freeing it of knots and gently scratching against his scalp. The other squeezes the hand that’s now caught within its grip. But it’s by the time that you lean down and press the lightest of kisses against his forehead that every finally breaks. Everything, including him. Everything, including you.

  He tells you about his nightmare. And for the first time, he tells you about what happened to his body. Everything that happened. All the hardships he went through. All the regrets he has. All the things he would have changed- especially for his brother.

  The moment he spoke of Alphonse, he began to cry. But you would only know it from the silent tears streaming down his cheeks and rolling off to splash upon your skin. He told you about how he lost everything that day and what he had to do to keep his brother. He told you that even now, he fears for the moment when Al’s spirit rejects the current body it holds on to. The body that does nothing but let his little brother survive. Not live, but survive. He tells you all the things he wishes he could do or trade or make or wish for to make things right. He tells you everything about him. He tells you everything.

  And at this point? You can’t help it. You can’t help but cry too. Because you have not lived the dangerous life that the man you love has. Because you have not experienced the horrors that the man you love has experienced. Because you have never played with life and death. Using a power that belongs to the gods. Using a body that belongs to men. 

  But you don’t let his stories break you. It’s not your place to let them break you. No, you spend your time brushing the tears from his cheeks and looking at him with the utmost love and care you could ever muster in your gaze. You know it’s isn’t much. You know it isn’t powerful. And you know it wouldn’t rid him of his problems. Not by a long shot.

  But you like to think that it helps him, even if it’s just a little bit. You like to think that as his tears slow to stop. You like to think that as breathing starts to even out. You like to think that as his eyes take longer and longer to open after each time he blinks.’

  And you like to think that as he finally drifts off to sleep once more.

  With an arm curled around your waist and an automail hand raised above both of your heads. Legs tangled with yours. A quiet mumble under his breath. About work. About his research. About whatever made him mad this morning. All sorts of things. But for the first time that night?

  Nothing about the terrors he has faced.

  Absolutely nothing about them at all.

[i-aint-even-bovvered]

The fact that every time Ed mentions getting Al's body back Al has to add, "Yours, too, Brother!"

Ed never intended to restore his arm and leg. His first priority was always Al. Even during the inciting incident. He begs Truth to take anything, even his heart, to bring Al back.

His despair during the final fight when he sees his restored arm and Al's empty armor? He never wanted his arm back. He only ever wanted his brother.

But Al's trust in Ed is unwavering. Even when he started to doubt himself, it was because someone else talked him into it. And it didn't last long.

When they fight, there is always the unspoken agreement of "if I fall, you will catch me." They don't need to plan, because that is how it has always been.

In that final fight, he gives everything up to give Ed the advantage. He knows Ed will come back for him. He knows Ed will do anything for him.

It's a gambit that never could have paid off if they had even the slightest bit of doubt in each other. And when it comes to choosing alchemy, the thing that makes him skilled, famous, and important, or his brother? Ed doesn't even hesitate.

Everything he does has always been for Al. Ever since Hoenheim made him stand in the hallway with a bucket of water, his life has been for Al. His one selfish act was the one that cost Al everything but his disembodied soul, so he spends the years after that making up for it.

I always wonder if Al could have given up his portal to gain his body back instead of Ed, but that's not the point, is it? The point is Al's complete trust in their bond.

I've watched other media with co-dependent brothers, but this is the only story that really drives home that they are two halves of a whole. Even when they're apart, there is no Ed without Al, and there is no Al without Ed. We never hear "Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse." They are always and forever "The Elric Brothers."