Title: A Promise
Pairing: Ling/Ed
Rated: G
Comments: Written for theme 20: the road home at the LJ community 30_kisses.

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Ling could feel his feet beginning to drag, his weight having seemingly increased exponentially since they’d entered the desert. He forced himself to stand up straight before glancing over to see how Ranfan was fairing in the heat. She gave him a smile, weary with their travels but undoubtedly joyful at the prospect of returning home to Xing after so long being abroad. Thin lines cut the smooth skin of her face, lines that hadn’t been there when they’d first set out. Ling felt a pang of guilt in his gut, but ignored it and the echoing chimes every time he looked at her automail arm. Ranfan had chosen her own way.

His gaze lingered on the metallic sheen of her arm. The Rockbells had done an impressive job with the new limb. He felt a separate weight settle in his chest as he recalled the grim set of Edward’s face, his own pale and drawn with worry, as they’d sat outside the operation room, listening to Ranfan’s labored breathing, her barely suppressed cries.

He sighed. Edward.

He allowed some foolish whim to turn his head and glance behind him towards Amestris, as if by some miracle of alchemy he’d be able to see the blond going about his duties in Central, his long braid and red cloak flapping behind him. His fingers twitched as he remembered the feel of that cloth against the rough skin of his palms…smoothing it aside to reach the lightly tanned skin just beneath.

He could hear Edward’s words again as the blond scolded him for even thinking about staying in Amestris. After everything they had fought for, Edward had said, Ling was going to damn well go home and get his crown.

His hand lifted and he brushed the tips of two fingers over his lips, dry and blistered from the heat. Unaware of Ranfan’s sympathetic gaze, he blew a kiss into the wind and promised that after he took the throne, after he dealt with those who would undoubtedly oppose his ascent…that he would return and claim the one person he would have given his kingdom up for.

The end.