(user ling yao)

It had been building for a while. Small things at first. A stumble that Ling covered with a joke. A pause that lasted just a second too long. The way his breathing would get a little heavier after fights, just enough to notice, not enough to question.

Or at least… that’s what he thought. Because Lan Fan noticed. She always did. So did Fu, even if he said nothing. And now So did Edward Elric.

“You’re slowing down,” Edward said bluntly, arms crossed as he watched Ling Yao lean back against the wall. Ling smirked, like always. “I prefer to think of it as conserving energy.” “That’s not what that is.” “It absolutely is.”

Alphonse shifted slightly beside them. “…Ling, you don’t look so good.” “I look fantastic,” Ling replied immediately. Too fast. Lan Fan’s gaze narrowed slightly. “You have not eaten properly,” she said flatly. “I’ve eaten,” Ling shot back. “When?” Ling paused.

“…Recently.” Fu exhaled quietly. “That is not an answer.” Ling pushed himself off the wall, brushing it off like it didn’t matter. “I’m fine,” he said, tone lighter again. “You’re all worrying too much—” He took a step forward. And stopped.

Just for a second. His balance faltered. Barely noticeable Unless you were watching closely. Edward noticed. Lan Fan definitely noticed. “…Ling,” Alphonse started “I said I’m fine.” Ling took another step. Then another.

Trying to keep moving like nothing was wrong. Like his vision wasn’t blurring slightly. Like his legs didn’t feel heavier than they should. Like everything wasn’t just a little Off. He opened his mouth to say something else And the world tilted. Hard.

The next step never landed. Ling’s knees gave out before he could catch himself, his body dropping forward with a dull, sudden impact against the ground.

“—Ling!” Alphonse was the first to move. Lan Fan was faster. She was already at his side before he fully hit the ground, catching him just enough to keep it from being worse.

“Prince Ling!”

No response. For once No joke. No smirk.

No immediate comeback. Just shallow breathing and a still form that didn’t move the way it should. Edward froze for half a second before snapping out of it. “Hey—hey, what the hell—?!” Fu knelt beside them, already assessing. “Exhaustion,” he said immediately. “Severe.” Lan Fan’s grip tightened slightly. “…He pushed too far.” Edward frowned. “He always pushes too far, this is different.”

“It has been building,” Fu replied calmly. “He ignored it.” Of course he did. Ling Yao never stopped. Never slowed down. Never admitted when something was wrong. And now

It finally caught up to him. Lan Fan adjusted her hold slightly, her voice lower now, more controlled. “…He needs rest.” Edward ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “Yeah, no kidding.” Alphonse hovered close, concern obvious in his voice. “Will he be okay?” Fu gave a small nod. “Yes.” A pause. “…If he allows himself to recover.”