Ed x Reader: Home At Last

Ed x Reader

Summary: Post WWII A/U: Ed returns, after years of war, to his wife.

Your eyes widen in a mixture of disbelief and glee. A familiar blonde head caught your gaze in the distance – could it really be him?

You knew the war was over and that he was coming home. Of course you did. But you had dreamed this moment for so many nights that you feared you were dreaming yet again. With a creak, you anxiously pushed the door open; you knew it was him, there your husband stood, smiling in his ever-familiar boyish, charming way.

His amber eyes watered slightly at the sight of you after so long; sure, he kept a photograph in his wallet, but the grey specks on the wearing paper were nothing compared to the real thing. Blinking back the tears, he placed a hand in his pocket and slowly walked towards you. You froze at the doorway, almost afraid to go forward. Afraid it might just be another tormenting dream in which you would wrap your arms around him, only to wake with nothing but blankets curled around your form. Hesitating at first, you cautiously stepped outside your door.

“Edward?” you called, quietly.
He lifted the opposite arm, waving above his head before returning it to his side. Your lips curled into a smile and your eyes welled with tears.
“Edward!” you cried, darting towards the long-haired blonde. He called out your name in turn, his smile widening. When you two met in the middle, you couldn't stop yourself from launching towards him and pulling him into a close and tight embrace. Laughter escaped both of you, Edward being taken a few steps back.

“I missed you too, Mrs. Elric.”
“Oh, shut up...” you wept happily, burying your face into his shoulder. He petted your soft hair before pulling away to get a close look at your face. After so long, he'd almost begun to forget the hue of your eyes. He brought the hand which stroked your hair to your cheek, discarding the tears that fell upon it. Your hands slid down from his shoulders as your lips met his, his returning the gesture tenderly and closing his eyes. Your hands moved down his forearms and his wrists before reaching his hands – you squeezed both tenderly, but opened your eyes upon noticing something...off.

Edward looked at you, brow knitted in confusion for the briefest of moments before horrifying realisation, followed by guilt and shame.
“Edward...?” you questioned, rolling up his right arm sleeve, “What's--”
You stopped, your eyes widening in shock. Edward's head was bowed, as if too ashamed to meet your gaze.

“Y-your arm...” your hand gripped the false limb, the one he had hidden in his pocket, “W-what happened to it?” after a moment of silence between the two of you, he finally spoke.
“I...it's not just my arm...” he admitted, not moving his gaze from the ground, “My leg, too...I'm sorry. You told me to come back in once piece after all.” he gave you a forced smile, trying to make light of the situation, remembering how you'd demanded he take good care of himself while he was away at war. Shaking your head and pulling him into another hug, you shushed your husband.
“Don't be silly, Ed...” you whispered, “I'm just happy that you're alive...”
He squeezed you softly in return, his chin resting on your shoulder.
“I love you.” The blonde breathed into your ear, his voice evoking all of the relief and happiness he felt, at last holding you again.
“I love you too, Ed.” You said, taking his prosthetic limb in your own. “Let's go inside. I'll get you some milk.” You smirked at the disgusted look your husband gave you.
“Jeez, this is what you call a 'Hero's welcome'?” rolling your eyes, you retorted a simple 'shut up' before leading him inside, closing the door behind you.

You smiled to yourself as you closed the door; you didn't care how many pieces Edward Elric was in, you knew that no matter what, you would always be there to pick them up and put them back together.