Avainsana: :s

phantomrose96:

So having the Rockbells right next door (and serving as adoptive family) obviously turned out to be very convenient for Ed in his eventual, limbless position. But I would also like to propose that it became the source of morbid jokes among Ed and Al well before that, way early on in their human transmutation research.

When the transmutation fails, Ed instantly understands what’s happening (he says it’s a rebound right as it’s happening.) They clearly did a lot of research into it first. The literature EXISTS. There must be countless pieces of documentation on the failures, and the results, of these past attempts.

Accounts of alchemists who were found torn up–dead or half-dead–beside an enormous circle. Theories which were published half-completed because the alchemist studying it was killed in the transmutation.

No doubt, at SOME POINT, the boys got concerned. “Ed, this one says that whole pieces of your body can be ripped off if it fails. …what if that happens to us?” “Come on, Al. We’re not going to be using half-complete theories. And what’s a few limbs if it means getting Mom back? It’ll give Winry something to do finally. She just sleeps in class.”

As it becomes more and more apparent that most past attempts resulted in some mutilation of the performing alchemist, the boys actually start discussing which body parts they’d be willing to have replaced with Winry’s automail. Hands, feet, legs, arms, definitely. They wonder what other non-vital body parts could be replaced. They even subtly ask Winry. What types of automail exist outside limbs? How much do these surgeries cost? Winry thinks they’re just being nice and taking an interest in her family’s work.

Gradually, they drop the idea as they get more and more confident in their theory. It seems solid. No exchange needed. They’ve cracked it when no other person could. They almost forget about the plans they made to get back arms that could hug their mom, legs that could follow her out into the garden…

Months later, Ed remembers. But there’s nowhere he wants to be. No one he wants to hold. The reality of pain, and recovery, and the mental and physical strength that would take are all things he can’t picture handling anymore.

His adoptive family are automail mechanics. He and Al had spent a long time considering just how useful that could be. But when it actually comes down to it, Ed chooses to remain in the wheelchair.