Title: Remember Me
Pairing: Ling/Ed
Theme: #4: our distance and that person
Comment: Written for theme 4: our distance and that person at 30_kisses

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The Minister of Law rifled through his thick stack of papers as he recited a detailed mental list of the day’s offenses. Across the table from him, the Emperor sat straight-backed in his large, upholstered chair. His hands were folded regally in his lap and he regarded the Minister with an expression of interest and contemplation.

The Minister, pleased with being the sole recipient of the emperor’s attention, drew out his report as long as he could, unaware that behind that thoughtful gaze was a man going out of his mind with boredom.

Ling resisted the urge to start tapping his fingers. Predictably, his thoughts began to wander until the Minister’s drone became nothing but the pesky buzz of a fly to the colorful images reeling through Ling’s head. Also predictably, those images always settled on a temperamental blond with a short fuse.

In the last several weeks, he had felt that lump of unease that had settled at the base of his spine when he’d left Edward sprout wings and flutter through his stomach, making room for itself in his chest by beating furiously against his ribs. Each day, he became more and more afraid that, despite the hope in Ling’s heart, that same hope was dissipating from Edward’s. That great stretch of desert between them seemed ever more un-crossable.

He knew, of course, that he was perhaps being a mite irrational. But he also knew that Edward had a one-track mind when it came to his goals and had probably swept Ling and their time together to the back of his mind the instant Ling’s back had disappeared on the train. And he wouldn’t have done it out of insensitivity, or lack of caring. Ling knew that Edward cared for him.

He cocked his head attentively, appearing to consider the Minister’s words (which, if later asked to recall, he would draw a complete blank). He felt justified in his fears not because of Edward’s nature, but because of the memory of the woman who had waved at him from between the Elric brothers (Al not yet restored) as his train had sped away. She had twined her arm with Edward’s-his real one-as she’d tilted her head, her blonde bangs brushing his cheek. And Edward had let her.

Winry Rockbell. A remarkable woman-strong, able, intelligent, and Edward relied on her as he would never rely on Ling.

Beneath the table, his foot began tapping impatiently against the thick rug. He frowned lightly and the Minister’s voice faltered, uncertain of what he’d said to warrant the reaction. He imagined those two bright heads dipping toward each other, lips pressing, gold and flaxen mingling over Edward’s white pillows and felt the pounding in his chest finally break loose.

He abruptly stood, determined. The Minister jumped to his feet, head bobbing and apologizing profusely for whatever he’d done to offend him, but Ling ignored him.

“Minister. Inform the Council that I have decided to renew our relations with Amestris. I will be leaving immediately.”

“B-But Sire!” The Minister floundered a bit as the Emperor strolled past him before he quickly gathered his papers and shuffled from the room.

The end.