Ed was finally being released from the hospital after 3 days of the smell of death and meatloaf that he swore he saw breathing. He was being pushed to the doors in a wheelchair as per hospital protocol, and though originally refused, he was secretly grateful because walking pulled painfully on his stitches, hurt his ankle, and he was still dead tired from nearly bleeding to death a few days prior. His broken ankle had been in a red cast, which had become even more red after it became soaked in blood. Since he had to have it removed anyway, and he couldn't really use crutches, his doctor had replaced it with a black walking boot, as long as Ed promised to take it easy. He had just regained the ability to walk and they were making him sit some more! He sat with a grimace on his face, slightly hunched over with his heavily bandaged arm in a white sling.

"Are you still pouting, brother?" Asked Al from behind him as he wheeled Ed down the hallways.

"I'm not pouting!" He protested, sitting his head in his metal hand. Al giggled at his antics.

"Sure you're not, Ed." Al replied sarcastically. Ed rolled his eyes, the edges of his mouth upturning a bit. He watched the tiles beneath his feet blur as they rolled closer and closer to freedom.

"Okay, Ed. Riza pulled the car around, so it's just a few steps through these doors. Unless you want to stay, of course." Roy teased with a playful shrug. Ed stood from his chair so fast he saw spots in front of his eyes. Roy placed his hands on his shoulders for balance him, which Ed quickly shrugged off. He hobbled through the doors, taking a deep breath of relief, admiring the warmth of the sun on his skin and the sweet smell of fresh air.

"Freeeddooooommmmm!" Ed moaned, his nose turned to the sky. He swayed uneasily in his place. Roy placed a hand on his back and gently pushed him towards the car door which Al had opened for him.

"Okay, Hopalong. Sit down before you fall down." Roy chuckled, urging Ed into the back seat. Ed groaned as he reluctantly eased himself into the seat, Al climbed in next to him as Roy swung the door shut.

"Hello, Edward. Ready to go home?" Riza called from te drivers seat, smiling at Ed through the rear-view mirror. Ed nodded giddily.

"I don't even care if we go home or not, anywhere is better than here." He breathed, sinking into his seat as Al reached over and buckled his seatbelt.

"Alright, then. Let's get going." She chuckled, turning the wheel and pulling out of the parking lot.

This would be their last night in their house in Kinsley, and Ed would be lying if he said he wouldn't miss it. It was kind of nice to have a family again, and he would miss being 'normal' again. Most of all, he would miss his friends. He had really bonded with them during his time here, and even Al and Winry enjoyed their company while they were at the hospital with him. Ed smiled faintly as he watched the green fields blurring by as the car sped on. It was a bittersweet memory of his life before his busy life as a state alchemist, and something deep within him ached to have to leave it again. He hoped he would be able to visit the quaint town again.

The car slowed as they pulled into the gravel driveway of the red brick house that had become quite homey to Ed. He would miss it when they left. He limped out of the car, being met with 4 familiar smiling faces.

"Hey, Ed! We knew you were getting out of the hospital today so we came to see how you were doing!" Jesse explained, a wide grin on her face.

"Yeah, how are you feeling? You look like a wreck!" Fin taunted with a smirk. Ed smiled and rolled his eyes.

"You would look a wreck too if you got drained of blood and torn to shreds by a psycho homicidal teenager." Ed retorted as he hobbled up the driveway. Roy, Riza, and Al all hovered anxiously around Ed, ready to catch him if he were to fall. Ed ignored them, pushing past them and into the house, waving his friends behind him to follow. He painstakingly wobbled up the stairs, sighing delightfully as he plopped onto the soft mattress of his bed. His friends followed closely behind, settling into random spots around his room.

"So..." Jason sighed, swinging back in forth in Ed's desk chair. "You're leaving tomorrow, huh?" He frowned. Ed nodded softly.

"Yeah, I've got to." Ed admitted quietly. "I've got a lot of work to do in Central." Finley smirked.

"Yeah, Jason. He's got to go back to his fancy life as a state alchemist!" Finley tormented, nudging Ed with his elbow. Ed rolled his eyes.

"Trust me, it's not fancy." He assured them. " I live in a tiny military dorm with my brother and I live off instant noodles." He added, earning a chuckle from his 4 friends. Jesse sighed.

"I am so gonna miss you, Ed! Can't you stay any longer?" She pleaded, putting her forehead on Ed's knee as she say criss-crossed on the floor. Ed frowned.

"I wish I could." He muttered. "I'll definitely keep in touch, though. I'll miss all of you guys." Ed told them. They all nodded in response.

"It'll be quiet around here without you, Ed." Lily chimed in timidly. "You always brightened up all of our days." Ed flushed at the compliment, crossing his arms around himself.

They went on for hours, reminiscing over their short time together, laughing over stories and going quiet upon remembering how much they would miss each other when tomorrow came. Eventually, the sun began to set and they all had to make their ways home before dark. Ed waved them all off as they walked away down his road. That night, he didn't sleep much.

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Ed threw his suitcase under the seat of the train, sighing as he sat down and lay his forehead against the window.

"What's the matter, brother?" Al asked concernedly. Ed smiled sadly.

"S'nothing, Al. Just gonna miss this place, is all." He answered quietly. Before Al had time to answer, Ed's head shot up in confusion as four figures came into view as they quickly approached the train station. Finley, Jesse, Jason and Lily all stood panting and waving at Ed. Ed grinned and slid down the window.

"What are you guys doing here?" He asked, eyes scanning over them.

"Oh come on, Ed! What kind of friends would we be if we weren't here to see you go?" Finley exclaimed, throwing his arms around a bit for emphasis. Ed chuckled as the train let out a hiss and began slowly moving. "Ope, looks like we're just in time!" He added. The train pulled out of the station as all four of his friends ran after the moving vehicle, waving hysterically at Ed. Ed stuck his upper half out the window and waved back, despite the action pulling on the stab wound in his automail shoulder. He waved until his friends fell behind, not being able to keep up with the speed of a train, and he continued waving until they were only tiny specks in a sea of green grass. He sighed contently, pulling the window closed and leaning back into his seat. He watched the fields of Kinsley rushing by, and he smiled. He would be back soon.