Random angsty Ed, because I felt like it… Not happy with the last half of it but I wanted to get this finished, for once! (I'm totally on a roll) Yeah there isn't much a storyline, it was hard to work into it :\ Oh well, enjoy I guess :P

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa

He drew it across slowly but steadily, fascinated by the stinging sensation from the cool, thin blade that carved the beautiful lines into his heated flesh. He needed this, more than Roy could ever understand. What happens when the only person who can stop you crying is the one who made you cry? Metal is more solid and real, the alchemist realised, offering more comfort to the Elric than human flesh and blood. It anchored him, stabilized his emotions and stilled his thoughts.

"People are hurting and dying every day, and here you are causing more hurt?"

Edward whipped his head around at the intruding voice, almost hitting himself in the face with his ponytail. Alphonse looked at his brother sadly from the doorway, and the disappointment and betrayal he felt was evident on his face despite the dim lighting.

"Al—" he started to explain, but his voice cracked as the younger Elric vanished as quickly as he had appeared. Tears threatened to spill from his darkened gold eyes, but Ed took in a sharp breath and bit down on his lip fiercely, determined not to let a single drop fall. He welcomed the salty taste of the blood seeping onto his tongue, providing some moisture to his suddenly dry mouth.

"Al," he repeated in a stronger voice, though said boy was long gone. His brother was right, he didn't need to add to all the bloodshed already happening. He didn't need to add to the pain, either, and an image of Roy flashed in his mind.

He snapped the pocket knife shut with a click that coincided with something inside him, something that suddenly fell in place. Ed knew Al wouldn't tell the flame alchemist about what he discovered just now; the younger boy would carry his brother's secrets to the grave and beyond. But he also knew Al would trust him to do the right thing.

With a determination that had sparked inside him, Edward found the first aid kit; he wrapped the gauze around his arm, focusing only on making sure the pressure was exactly right so as to stop himself changing his mind. Then he pulled his sleeve back down roughly and sprang up, racing out the door.

Roy was surprised when the young alchemist entered so silently and sat down beside him on the couch. But when Ed took his arm and placed the pocket knife in his hand, Roy understood. Putting the knife aside, he considered Edward for a moment. The boy hung his head as if afraid to see, too, Roy's disappointment, or maybe fury.

"Edward," Roy murmured softly. "It's okay." He pulled the boy in close and brushed his blond bangs aside. "I get it." And he did. He knew Ed had broken his promise, but he also knew surrendering the knife was the boy's way of being honest as well as letting him know that he did actually care about Roy.

And as the two sat there, Roy's arms wrapped reassuringly around his lover, Edward finally let two silent trails of tears fall down his cheeks, and knew – he had done the right thing.