trans_9 | Things gone by [Open]

Fletcher should have known that it couldn't last. They'd actually been happy, relaxed, and enjoying themselves for once; of course it had come to an end. Everything had come crashing down around them. He should have predicted it. And Fletcher had spend the entire fight cowering, hiding, and clinging to his brother.

And now he was back on the ship again. He could have gone back to the science labs and picked up his plantsuit research again, or over to Hydroponics to do some work there, but right now he just felt lost. Again. As usual. He was ten years old; what could he do when a crisis like that came up?

Instead of doing something productive, Fletcher had run off to the Sensoriums. Right now, he was lying on his back in the garden at Belshio's house. Resting on his chest was a copy of the hologram picture Edward had taken back on shore leave: Fletcher and Russel standing in front of the line of statues that the two older brothers had transmuted. He wasn't looking at that right now, though; he was staring up at the bright blue simulated sky, watching the clouds float by.

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Ed grinned and his grin turned ferocious. "Alright!"

And in a flash of light, the entire scenario changed around them to showcase the yard in Dublith, Ed's old stomping grounds as he stood up. "I wanna see what you know already. C'mon Fletcher, try to beat me up! And we'll work on everything from there!"

He had scrabbled to his feet and he waggled his good hand in a "bring it" manner. "If you don't pass this test, then I'll forget everything I said today!"

Fletcher stood up with Edward, setting the photograph and statue aside, but his brief and sudden show of bravado wavered. He swallowed. "Um-- Even though you're already hurt? I mean-- we can wait until you're better..."

While learning to fight, on the surface, was something he definitely needed, Fletcher was the sort of person who caught spiders and ants when they got inside and then put them out in the garden. He wasn't sure he could hurt another person even to save his own life.

Which was actually the whole point.

"C'mon Fletcher! One good hit, I can take it. If you do, I'll sweeten the deal by teaching you things that even Al can't do!"

"Equivalent Exchange, even in fighting. Alchemy's like a battle Fletcher. For every punch you land, I'll teach you something new!"

So tempting. It was so, so tempting. He wanted to learn, he wanted to get stronger... but it was impossible to do without hurting anyone, wasn't it?

Maybe he was wrong. Russel, Edward, Kang... everyone on this ship was good at fighting, at least that's how it seemed to him. And they were people he looked up to and admired. Maybe he was wrong about not wanting to hurt anyone.

Fletcher took a deep breath, and threw himself at Edward, hands curled into fists. He punched wildly, without any sort of technique or consideration. He was in need of more than just a few lessons.

Ed grinned as he was pounded into, blocking a few stray shots that went below the belt with his good arm but otherwise let Fletcher hit him. The impacts stung since the surface area of his fists were rather small and packed quite a surprising amount of punch.

After counting mentally, he clapped his hand around Fletcher's fist. "30! That's enough!" He grinned. "Man you have a good punch."

"As promised, 30 impacts, 30 days of training. For every day you hit me in real training, the more I will teach you. And the first thing you need to learn is how to throw a punch without hurting yourself. And falling. We'll work on endurance, speed and technique as soon as you get good enough to keep moving at a high intensity pace."

"I won't lie to you; this is going to be rough. I teach like teacher taught me. High intensity, painful, but the results will be worth it. Those kids I saw on the battlefield, the ones who were kicking and punching like they knew what they were doing? You can do it too. And I'll arrange sparring lessons with them as well."

Ed grinned. "You hit pretty good."

Truth be told, Fletcher's knuckles were sore, and his shoulders ached a little, and there were a few times when he would have fallen over if he'd missed his blow, which luckily he hadn't. He didn't know the proper way to punch, and it was obvious. But at least he'd managed to land some blows.

He stopped finally, when Ed took hold of his fist, and couldn't help looking a bit guilty as he listened.

"You-- you really think I can do it?" If Edward thought so, it was probably true... But it was something so bizarre for him to think about. "Um...! Okay. I'll do my best, Edward. I won't let you down. Honest."

Ed grinned and patted him on the head. "Don't worry. Everything starts small and grows. You'll make it out alright. And who knows? You'll probably surprise me when it comes down to it."

Ed grinned. "I'll meet you here around seven ship standard time. Sound good? I've got a few things to do, people to meet... and duck. Once Winry finds out I've been fighting and got my arm busted, she'll beat me till I'm black and blue."

He shivered. "I wonder if I can get a nifty transforming arm with a gun in it..."

Fletcher nodded, and folded his hands behind his back. "Um... good luck with Winry, and your arm," he said.

How would Russel feel about this, he wondered.

"Same to you." And Ed headed out, knowing Russel would probably FLIP at the thought.

Things gone by [Open]

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