Day 71: Sun Room

[lighthearted]

For the first time in a long time, Sora woke up in a comfortable bed outfitted with sheets and pillows. It wasn't like the Landel's standard beds were even that nice, but after sleeping in various places in Farwell (generally not in anything bed-like), it was definitely a change.

Sora's eyes opened slowly -- blinking once, twice, and then taking in the white ceiling above him. Of course, he'd expected this. He'd asked for it, even. Now that he was back in the institute, though, he had to admit that he felt his stomach churn with the knowledge that he'd been caught once again, even if it was by choice.

That feeling was what got him up out of bed, but as he stood up he heard something fall to the ground. Right, it was that bone bracelet that the skeleton had given them! He'd said that it would take them right back to that underground lake area, which meant that Sora would be able to return to Farwell pretty easily. The question was, would he be able to take someone with him?

For now, though, he was really only focused on one thing, and that was getting back to his friends. Speaking of which, one such friend was laying in the bed opposite his. "Link," Sora said quietly, but he knew that he probably wouldn't be able to wake up his roommate. He'd just have to catch him later on in the day.

Instead, Sora quickly hid the bracelet, making a face as he was reminded of where the materials for it had probably come from. There wasn't much he could do about that, though.

A nurse stepped into the room and sent him a bright smile. "Matthew!" she greeted, as if he had never been gone. "Where would you like to go this morning, the chapel or the Sun Room?"

Sora needed to get to the bulletin board first and foremost, so the answer to that question was easy. The trip from his room to the Sun Room was one that he still remembered in perfect detail, but it was weird having to fall right back into this routine when he'd had a break from it for a few days.

Once there, Sora moved over to the bulletin, grabbing for a pen as he started to draft up a note. He was really looking forward to seeing all of his friends again, so it was too bad that none of them were here yet...

[For Tsurugi.]

Comments

[armoredsoul]

"Doesn't mean you can't learn to be!"

[fullmetalheart]

"Hmph." Ed folded his arms across his chest and pretended to sulk.

Meanwhile, an orange tabby jumped onto the back of the couch and meowed at Al's head.

[armoredsoul]

Al yelped and jumped, turning to look for the source (shit shit it's not night it can't be back!) and turning pale.

[fullmetalheart]

Don't worry, you just get a normal cat licking your face.

Ed also jumped and scrambled away from the cat before he registered what it was. Then he settled himself back into place. "You're a cat magnet."

[armoredsoul]

Al chuckled weakly, reaching up to scratch the cat's ear and coax it down into his lap. "So long as the cats I attract are the normal kind, I think I'm okay with that."

[fullmetalheart]

The cat makes its way to Al's lap, purring.

"It's day, there aren't gonna be monster ones out yet," Ed said, watching his brother and the cat.

[armoredsoul]

"Thankfully," he agreed, happily petting the tabby. This definitely wasn't a bad way to start the morning. And it's fur was so soft!

[fullmetalheart]

"At night is bad enough. At least during the day, we get a break."

[armoredsoul]

"Yeah. Even if that break involves being treated like crazy people," Al added with a grumble, glancing over at their nurses.

[fullmetalheart]

"Yeah," Ed said, leaning against him again and petting the cat.

[armoredsoul]

The cat purred and leaned into Ed's hand, and Al's smile widened. "...could be worse, though."

[fullmetalheart]

"Yeah. It could be just one of us here alone."

[armoredsoul]

Al grimaces at the thought. "Yeah. I'm not sure I could deal with that."

[fullmetalheart]

"I don't think I could either," Ed said softly. "Not with not knowing what was happening to you, given when we were pulled from."

[armoredsoul]

Al nodded, leaning against Ed. "...I think we got lucky, given all of that. Who knows what the homunculii would have done with me."

[fullmetalheart]

Ed swallowed hard. "Yeah. And they'd probably have a sedative iv drip in me or something."

'They' being the nurses, obviously.

[armoredsoul]

Al can't help a weak laugh at that. "And you think I'd be doing any better if it were me stuck here alone?"

[fullmetalheart]

Ed also laughs a little. "Not really."

[armoredsoul]

Al sighed, closing his eyes and still petting the cat. "...I wonder if Scar and Lust even could come back home. Nevermind that there are plenty of reasons they wouldn't want to..."

[fullmetalheart]

"I have no idea," Ed admitted. "And even if they could, Scar's still gonna have problems."

[armoredsoul]

"No kidding." Al frowned. "The tattoo is gone, but he's still got the scar on his face. Even with him being listed dead, I don't think he could make a new life."

[fullmetalheart]

"Yeah." Ed tilts his head to let it rest against Al's. "Maybe we can all go somewhere else, keeping in touch with those we want to still talk to."

Mostly meaning Winry and Pinako.

[armoredsoul]

"Maybe, once we make sure the homunculii and whoever else can't keep messing with people."

[fullmetalheart]

"Well, obviously," Ed replied. "And dump the keeping an eye on things after on the Colonel. Lazy bastard could use something keeping him busy."

[armoredsoul]

Al laughed. "Getting back at him for sending us on missions at the drop of a hat?"