#agere ling yao

[agere-edelric]

Some really cute FMA plushies I would love to own!

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[paper--moons]

Regressor!Ling Headcanons

(with cg!Greed)

Greed hasn't exactly taken many human hosts over the course of his existence (in fact, he's only taken the one), but even he can tell there's something a little different about the young prince. How sometimes—but not all the time—when they have their little chats inside their philosopher's stone, Ling's soul seems different. Younger, more innocent. And even if the base is human, homunculi aren't supposed to be innocent. But for the most part he brushes this aside, instead focusing on his plans—at least at first, that is. And Ling is more than happy to let it slide as well. Gunning for the throne with a secret like his isn't necessarily ideal, as any weakness can be used against him.

It becomes glaringly obvious that something's up however when, during a bit of downtime after the latest scrap, he feels Ling tug on him and their body gets...fuzzy? Almost like the limbs are filled with cotton stuffing. But that can't be right; Greed's supposed to be filled with souls of the damned and far more avarice than is healthy, not soft teddy bear stuffing. His movements turn clumsy, his coordination is a far cry from what it is normally, and there's an overwhelming feeling of small permeating his entire being. There's a moment where he thinks he might have pushed them both too much, that Ling is broken in some way, but that doesn't feel right. This isn't what it's like to break. Naturally, he calls for a little tête-à-tête to demand that Ling explain what's happening to them. What he gets in response is not what he expects, however.

For his part, Ling hadn't expected to need to explain his regression—he wasn't in control of his body any longer, so why should it still come up? He's honestly just as surprised as Greed is when he starts slipping, and the way his body still reacts tells him that Greed has let him maintain more hold over their body than he originally thought. But no amount of resisting can stop him from slipping inside the stone, where he feels simultaneously surrounded and isolated, not to mention scared. And when Greed starts asking him questions—Why the hell is walking so hard right now? There something you forgot to mention, kid?—he can't stop himself from crying. It's worse than he imagines it might be, because once he does start crying Greed goes silent, and Greed is never so quiet. Ling knows he's messed up everything and only cries harder. Greed will want a new host now, he won't be able to take the throne, he won't, he won't...

A soothing sound somehow reaches him in spite of his sobs. Though it takes him a minute to realize that the tentative hushing noises are coming from Greed. It's clear that he's apprehensive, that he doesn't know what he's doing, but the gesture is enough that Ling calms down. In here, he sees Greed as he looks when he activates his ultimate shield; while the face looming over his very soul should be frightening right now, he finds comfort in it. It's familiar, it's safe. It's the face that protects him. So Ling tries his best to answer Greed's questions after a few hiccups. But he's so small that he can't, definitely treading babyspace instead of his typical three to four. Probably because he's been ignoring his regression, coupled with the stress at the turn his life has taken. It takes awhile before he comes back up entirely, and once he does he's embarrassed. Ling knows he wasn't acting like a prince, he wasn't even acting like a teenager—but Greed had been so, so patient with him. Willing to let Ling have control as he observed, but not without providing guidance from time to time.

Despite any embarrassment, Ling does answer the questions from before and explain things to Greed. How he's never gotten to really be a kid, always being taught how to be Xing's next emperor and avoiding assassination attempts for as long as he can remember. How sometimes he needs it to all just...go away for a little while. And after hearing all of this, Greed knows what he wants to do. He wants everything, after all. Every single human experience. So it shouldn't be so surprising that he wants to be this kid's papa. He thinks he'll do a better job than his old man ever did for him, not that Father was, well, much of a father or even reminscent of a father figure. The proposal that he'll look after him has Ling filled with a shy sort of excitement at the idea. He was never close with his actual father, and though Fu provided a sense of what a protective male figure might be like, the older man always kept a line of professionalism between them. Greed is different though; they're the same, there is no hiding secrets, and with that comes a deep mutual understanding.

However by the same token, it takes a bit of trial and error to figure out how everything will work, what with them sharing a body and all. But typically, once the fuzzy feeling starts encroaching upon their body, Greed is quick to find them a safe house for the next few days, along with any supplies he thinks they'll need and basically preps to hand things back over to him. Ling gets to spend time being small without having to worry about anyone finding out or any worrying at all really, and without feeling so alone. He's got his papa there every step of the way, whether it be to remind him that it's time for a nap or to listen to him babble about his toys (So what if Greed splurged and found the kid some toys? Sue him.).

And while he still can't believe it sometimes, Ling becomes happier with his regression overall. Happier than he's ever been. So much so that, together, they find out that the withdrawn toddler that they started out with is much more hyperactive and bright now that he's got the support he needs and deserves. Bouncing off the walls until Greed takes back over to quite literally steer him towards a different (calmer) activity. Always careful to frame it in a way that makes Ling want to do it too; redirections like Can you show me how to color again? Not sure I get the concept yet, kid. get Ling coloring for the next hour or so as he's only too happy to demonstrate. Until the urge to create chaos once again rears its head against the tyranny of naptime, and then they're back at square one. And these snatches of downtime that they share together to exist for a simpler reason, rather than their larger-than-life goals, are times that Ling cherishes long after Greed is gone.

[paper--moons]

Regressor!Ling Headcanons

(with cg!Mustang)

Ling gets the first inkling that something is off shortly after the Promised Day. Maybe it was losing Fu, or maybe it was losing Greed. Whatever it was, it was causing him to feel sort of lost and fuzzy around the edges. There's something else there too, something that he can't quite figure out. But with so much to deal with in the aftermath he gets shuffled along through it, doing his best to ignore the feeling. No one seemed to notice however, and he figured that it was a one time thing.

Even after returning to Xing and taking his place as the emperor, the feeling still rears up every now and again; it comes in waves and most definitely isn't a one time thing. Again, there's still no time to deal with it. Ling has never truly had time to deal with anything, his life being a political climb since birth, but he really wishes he could deal with this. Lan Fan was starting to notice, and he needed to do something before others noticed too and decided to get rid of him. However he realizes he's already too late when, during a visit with the current Amestrian representative for foreign affairs (that representative being Mustang, who he's fortunately familiar with), a small group makes an assassination attempt.

He's no stranger to such attempts by any means, having grown up with them because he was the 12th in line for the throne—but this one was worse. Far worse. Because he forgets for a moment as the adrenaline takes hold of him that he is no longer a vessel for Greed, and that the armor the Homunculus provided is gone. Sticking up his hand to grab the dagger aimed at his face instinctively results in aforementioned dagger piercing clear through his hand and suddenly that feeling from shortly after the Promised Day is back and he can no longer fight it. As much as he wanted to protect and prove himself, Ling finds himself dropping to his knees with a sob.

Mustang takes care of the remaining assassins in a (literal) snap, leaving them alone in the private delegation room once more. And as he's crying, he suddenly recognizes what it is that he's been feeling as he lets it all out. Ling wants more. He wants to be small, to be protected and cared for. Wants unconditional love and affection for being him and not for being the emperor's son. Wants, wants, wants. He barely notices when Roy crouches down next to him to inspect his injured hand, but he does notice the way Roy gently shushes him as he pulls his hand away from where he's got it cradled to his chest.

Ling hiccups and looks up at him in confusion when a thumb starts brushing away his tears. He asks him a few questions, not unkind or judgmental, but Ling cannot find his voice. But when Roy asks him if this has happened to him before, he shakes his head—the answer seemingly determining his course of action that appears set in his features as he goes to confer something with Hawkeye. Ling knows this can't be good, but Roy doesn't seem to mind what's happening. If anything, he seems well-versed in what's going on as he picks him up and carries him somewhere more private with the help of Lan Fan. Hums lightly at his babbling (Ling still isn't sure where his words went), interjecting with soft "Really?"s and "You don't say"s every so often.

To his surprise the fuzziness and utter feeling of small doesn't go away once they're somewhere more secure. Roy has bandaged his hand, and Lan Fan has brought him something soft while Hawkeye has stationed herself at the door. They speak quietly about something and he can't focus, too busy fiddling with the blanket in his grasp—but he does notice when they mention his name, and he also notices when Roy stands up and suddenly a few of his words are back. "Stay. Please?" His voice is soft when he asks, and he half expects Mustang to leave. But Roy does stay, and he can hardly believe it.

And Roy stays afterwards too. Gently explains to Ling that he regressed, and makes sure he knows that he didn't mind watching him and that he doesn't have to worry about him telling anyone. Even tells him if he feels like that again that he can have Lan Fan come get him. It's a lot for Ling to take in, and he isn't sure exactly why Roy bothered staying but it meant a lot to him regardless. So it shouldn't surprise him that when the next time he feels close to regressing he takes him up on his offer. Plus, since Mustang isn't Fuhrer (yet) and has been assigned to work with Xing for the foreseeable future, he doesn't see why he can't step in from time to time to act as his cg. He can always tell what sort of "meeting" they'll be having by which delegation room he's been invited to.

[paper--moons]

for the ask game: ling from fmab, regressor, numbers 2 and 5! (i'm the anon that asked about requests lol--this character is my fave, but i'm holding off on the Big Questions for when your requests open!)

Oh, I certainly look forward to these Big Questions of yours! In the meantime, have these. 🌙

2) Comfort item(s)?

For the most part, Ling isn't too big on or has ever needed much in the way of regression gear. That being said, he absolutely has to have his blanket. It's old and worn and hardly more than a scrap of cloth at this point, but his mother weaved it for him and he's always kept it with him. He's well off enough that he doesn't have to want for much and could easily aquire a newer or bigger one, but he prioritizes the sentiment behind it.

5) Is there anything they do to get ready to regress (set up a space, change into comfy clothes, etc.)

Ling definitely has to have a space set up before he regresses! This is both for his own benefit of keeping him safe since little him is constantly into everything, but also to keep his cg sane. Not only will he make a mess, but if he does and the space hasn't been checked for dangerous items first there is a 9/10 chance there will be an IncidentTM (Truth help you if he gets ahold of his dao).