Work Text:
“ Edward, your father is here.”
Ed’s teacher called the young child, who jumped excitedly to his father, he got his small lion backpack and dashed to the door, where his teacher who was talking to his daddy, Roy Mustang, who looked as if he was not listening to the woman.
“ DADDY! HULLOO!!” Ed crashed into his father’s long legs, he nuzzled his face into the man’s thigh, “ Edward shshsh, Dad has a headache.” his father winced and nodded his goodbye and thank you to the young teacher, took the child’s hand and started to leave the kindergarten.
As the Mustangs were walking on the sidewalk, the younger one was chatting about what he did at his school day, “ and we talked about the jobs that our mommies and daddies had! An’ teacher ask me wha you work an’ I say dat you had lots AN LOTS of jobs…” Roy blocked his son’s chatting feeling a little guilty but not that much. He was exhausted and didn't get any sleep in 36 hours, and his boss had been yelling all day at his head, and Ed’s chatting only made him feel worse. His stomach is empty, and it has been for a while.
Might buy myself a sandwich. Roy thought, his stomach making a gurgling noise, mouth-watering as he remembered the taste of juicy tomatoes and wet lettuce and the soft chicken- I Need to pay bills. Bills, bill bill bill bills. Can't buy sandwich. Billsbillsbills
“ DADDYYYYYY!” the young child whined, voice High and childish, was Ed’s voice always like that? The noise was annoying to the point it made him glare at his son, “ What?” he hissed, “ you no liestnin’ to Eddie.” Ed pulled his hand away from his father and crossed his arms, Edward can't throw an tantrum now! If he did then I will be late for my shift and if I was late then I can't pay for Ed’s Daycare and if I did not do that then what will I do?! “ Edward, I don't have time for you not listening to Me. We have to go to your daycare now before I get late to work.”
When Edward refused to move and only stomped his foot with an annoyed Huff, his father pulled him harshly from his hand with a sigh as he grumbled about how he couldn't afford being late. The child just stared at his dad with wide eyes as the man kept repeating how he couldn't be late.
Daddy is acting weird.
Ever since his dad lost his job at being a hero and making fire from his hands, he has been acting weird, they had to change homes and he had to sleep on the same bed as Daddy now, and it was on the ground. Daddy will sleep really late and will wake up really early everyday and Eddie just thinks that isn't healthy.
It worried Eddie. Daddy says that sleep is very important and that everyone needs it, so is food! Which is something else Ed noticed changing. Daddy doesn't cook much, and when he does he cooks very small dinners, and he doesn't eat saying he will eat later on because he has lots of work to do, so Ed can eat until his tummy is happy.
Work.
Daddy has lots of work. He isn't a hero wearing blue anymore, and Eddie doesn't know why. But what he knows is that Dad has lots of new jobs, which is why he works all day, and why Eddie has to stay in school, clubs, daycare, and with a nanny before he can go home.
Edward feels bad for being bad now that he remembers his dad last night.
It was past Ed’s bedtime, he was supposed to be sleeping and he was until he heard his dad cry on the small table they had in their small kitchen. The bed that they had was in the small living room (?) The child wasn't sure what it was, they stay in it and ate in it and slept in it. So it was a mix of rooms.
Ed tried to not show he was awake, as he looked at his father who was crying he looked at some many papers and envelopes as he had his wallet out, putting money in them.
Daddy works so much. He is really tired.
It did not take them much until they got to his daycare, his dad went down and checked him over making sure he looked good, he ran his hand through Ed’s short blond hair tamping it down a little, used his thumps wipe the crumbs of his lips, “ be good, okay?”
“ yes, Dada.”
“ Atta Boy. Do you have your snacks and juice?”
“ Yes, Dada!”
“ Good.”
Ed beamed with joy at his dad’s words and held his hand as he entered the daycare, his dad said hi to his teacher and went to the small bathroom, where he took few minutes to get out, wearing another clothes for this other job, he placed his backpack on, then waved bye to Ed before he left running to work.
Imma make Daddy a gwift! Make him no sad!
He asked his teacher to help to come up with ideas and give him some materials to make the gift, such as papers, sessions, glue, and coloring markers. He sat down at the crafting table and worked really hard.
Scribble scribble, cut cut, glue glue! Daddy ‘S gonna lobe it
A few hours into his work, his masterpiece was almost finished, it just needed more work here and there, then it would be done!
“ Ed sweetheart, your daddy is here!”
The 4 year old cheered as he collocated his things, his present wasn't done but he could finish it later, now it was time to go home! He skipped with his bag on his back and hugged his teacher goodbye and that is when he saw the big bruise on his dad’s cheek.
“ wha’ happen?” Ed was no stranger to his dad getting hurt when he was a hero and make fire and wears blue, but ever since his dad left that job and now has 4 new jobs, he seems to have more owies, “ that’s nothing, now come on.”
Edward took his dad’s hand and started to walk with him on the sidewalk, it was late sunset, as they walked bit more, the Orange colored sky shifted to Darke blues and blacks, “ Daddy, why da moon look big like circle some days an’ like eaten cookie on other days?”
“ not now Edward.”
The child frowned as he followed his father, it took him a second till he realized they weren't heading home, where we goin’? the child opted not to ask his clearly stressed father, as they roamed the streets in the early night. As they walked, Ed noticed how his dad would top for a few seconds, his hand will be pressed to his head and his other one fiddled with his shoe, which looked very uncomfy.
Daddy need shoes.
It didn't take them much after that m until they arrived at an apartment building that had few lights on, “ who we seein’?” The child asked, his tiny hand wrapped around the man’s fingers, “Someone will take care of you while I go to my new job. So you better listen to her and don't do anything wrong, okay?”
Something about Daddy’s voice made Edward worried. It was as if Dad was sick or was really tired and needed sleep. It reminded Ed when he gets hungry and needs some food to take a long nap right after, or when he used to read lots of books and stories!
Daddy S sick?
“ Daddy?”
“ what?”
“ you sick?”
The man paused and stared at his son with wide red eyes, “ what?” he asked again, his voice in a hiss, why was Ed acting strange and loud today?, “ You sound ti’ed an’ sick. You also have an owie.” the child hugged his leg as he nuzzled his cheek to the knee, “ Edwa-”
“ you keep sayi’ Edward. You say Ed O’ Eddie.” matching eyes looked at him, worry danced in the young orbs, “ Why go work when you need sleep?”
Roy wanted to cave under Ed’s soft, adoring gaze, sleep sounded good. But he took a new job so he could buy his son a new jacket and winter clothes after all, Fall is here now, and winters in Central City didn't joke. He needs to have money just in case his kids got sick and need to buy meds or go to the doctor.
“ I can't do that.” that Was all what Mustang said when they got to one of the apartments, “ Behave.” he ordered as he knocked on the door. They waited for a few minutes before a woman opened the door, she had a face mask on and her hair was in rolls, “ Mustang? What in god’s hot hell are you doing here?”
“ you mentioned you can watch Edward wh-”
“ and you came late! It’s 7, and we didn't agree on that.”
“ We… we didn't agree o—”
“ MUSTANG.”
The woman grabbed the man by his shirt and pulled him harshly, “ do I look like I play?” she hissed, her hands gripping the jaw harshly, nails digging into the cheeks, “ No ma’am.” Roy whispered, unaware of how his son was watching, “ I thought he was older. How old is he?” the woman looked at Ed who hid behind his dad, “ he is 5, and I assure you he is behaved. He can go to the bathroom by himself, and he doesn't need help washing. He has snacks in his bag. He won't trash, I promise you.”
The woman let him go and looked at Ed, “ that will be 100 cenz.”
“ 100 cenz for two hours?!”
“ or take your kid and go away.”
Ed decided he hated this lady, she was meanie to daddy! He glared at her and stuck his tongue out, “ Edward, listen to her okay? I will be back soon.” his dad pushed him to the woman and dashed down the hallway, Ed only held his backpack straps in his hand, eyes looking at where his dad disappeared.
“ in we go kid.”
That is how Edward spent the next two hours, in the dark living room while the woman and her husband were watching tv, he had his knees to his chest as he tried to curl as little as possible, not wanting to upset the woman and her husband. He just there as he watched the very not fun show. He wondered why his dad had taken on another job.
The child almost dozed, cheek on knees when a slight knock on the door woke him up. The meanie lady went to open the door to show his Daddy! Daddy didn't seem to be happy when he saw him, “ Hi.” Ed waved and took a hold of his dad’s pants, his dark eyes watching as his dad took money from his pocket and gave it to the woman with a small thank you.
And they started walking again.
“ home?” Ed asked as he rubbed his eyes, “ uh. Yea. Home.” his dad nodded, looking sleepy and upset, the blue eyes shimmered under the moon’s light, they walked a little more until they reached a park where Ed asked if they could sit down for a second. Which luckily, his dad agreed to do.
Roy sat down with a heavy sigh, his eyes looking at his worn-out white shoes. Ed sat next to him and opened his backpack, got the last snack in it, and handed it to his dad, “ Eat Daddy.” the snack was an oatmeal granola bar, the child has opened the packaging and placed it on his dad’s pale lips. Roy looked at it as if it was going to kill him, he pushed the tiny arm and shouted, “ YOU DID NOT EAT?!”
Here is the thing, doing his arts and crafts made Ed forget eating and drinking his juice, “ WELL… no Daddy, I drawin’ an’ I forg’t to eat. Buh S otay! So you can eat some!!” The blond shoved the bar into his dad’s hands and gave him a look that made Roy give up. With a sigh, he raised the food to his mouth and started to numb on it.
“ you no eat break’ast, o Dinn’r las’ night, even lunch! I do no see you eat!! Daddy you say no eatn’ make us s’ck.” the child moved his legs that hand from the bench, “ Y’know daddy, you also need sleeps. Sleeps R good fo’ yous.” Ed took out his juice box and handed it to the man next to him, “ here! Drink Juice. Make it better.”
The Ex-soldier’s eyes watered. Ever since he was fired for an unknown reason and lost almost everything he owns, he has been fighting for Ed. It was enough that he lost his car, and that he had to move houses only to move into a very small place, it was painful. Then there was the whole trying to find a job- a well paying job, which was hard.
That’s why he ended up taking 5 jobs, and it was exhausting. The toxic workplace, the abusive bosses, the screaming customers, the low-paying salary, and the ever-changing prices.
He stopped eating much and sold most of his belongings in order to afford housing, which is why he has a smaller-sized shoe, because he accidentally sold his original one, “ Daddy… why no buy you new shoes! I know the ones you havff are smol and they hurt your feet! You also need to sleep daddy, you Ook’ awful an’ you havff lots of owies.”
Tiny hands suddenly took his face and forced him to look at the young face, which had a bug frown, “ Daddy, I really Lob you so much. An’ I am sowey dat you havff to work lots.” the blond nuzzled his nose with the older’s nose, and said, “ you doin’ so so good, Daddy. An’ I know you try so hards to make Eddie feel good. Buh I also want you to feel good. I want you to sleeps, an’ Eddie can take care of Eddie! You no have to take me to schools an’ cares an’ stuff.”
Roy was trying his hardest not to cry at his son’s words.
He had no one, no friends, no family no support. He forgot how important his son was, and how much his son impacted him- All of this is for him, and yet here he is comforting me… he shouldn't be doing that.
“ Eddie?” he cut the child’s rambles, earning a stare, “ you know that I love you, right?” Edward took a second to smile and nod, and before words could leave him, his dad pulled him into a warm big. It has been a while since he took care of his son like this. Since he listened to his chats and they cuddled.
“ sorry, I made you worry, baby. Daddy still has to go to work tomorrow, but here is the thing… I will sleep tonight, okay? What if we picked up dinner first and then we go back home?”
Mustang ended up spending 20 cenz on dinner, which normally makes him think about the bills and clothes for Ed and food on the table and house- but this meal meant that his boy was able to feed on a fuller meal- he even ate. Even if he had to take more jobs in the future in order to make a living, then he doesn't care.
He only is thanksul for the boy that was sleeping on his chest.
AnotherInternetUser Sun 29 Oct 2023 06:26PM UTC
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Dusweet Wed 08 Nov 2023 08:02AM UTC
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