This is inspired by a song called Alchemist's Chamber by Midnight Syndicate and was written for my 2020 Tumtober challenge.

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Tonic C24. Added turmeric and coconut oil. Tastes bitter and upset my stomach. What’s missing…

In the Alchemists’ Chamber, Edward Elric bent over a journal, writing feverishly in sloppy penmanship. Rain and wind whipped the windows while candlelight flickered and flared and cast shadows over the rows of beakers on tables and objects hung from the ceiling.

The front door opened and another young man entered and quickly shut the door behind him. His clothes and short hair dripped with rain water, but he wore a contagious smile.

“Hey, big brother!” The young man hung up his coat and came over to Edward’s desk. “How’s the new healing mixture coming along?”

“Hey, Al.” Edward looked up for a moment and gave him a half smile. “Well, the trials are moving along but...these taste tests are taking their toll.” He sighed as he clutched his stomach over his vest.

Al frowned when he heard his brother’s stomach grumble angrily. “You need to pace yourself, Edward.”

“I’m fine…” Ed winced.

“I know just what you need.” Alphonse crossed the room to a large beaker full of grass, plants, and tiny wooden structures. He peered into the glass and softly called out: “Ginger?”

A small feline face appeared around a tiny hut. “Oh, Al! You’re back!” The tiny cat hurried to the opening of the beaker and climbed out and the scent of Ginger filled the air. “Which client did you visit today?”

“A family friend who’s suffering from runny nose and eyes. I treated her with one of our tonics, and she was feeling better before I left!”

“That’s great!”

“Yeah!” Al beamed and gently patted her head with his finger. “So I came over here to ask a favor. Brother has an upset tummy again. Think you can help him out?”

“Leave it to me, Al!” Ginger walked towards the edge of the table. “Uh...could you…?”

“Of course!” Alphonse held out his hand and let her crawl onto his palm. He held her close to his chest and carried her over to Ed, who was still bent over his work.

“Here you go, Edward. You need her.” Al placed Ginger on the desk and watched her toddler over to Ed.

“Hi, Ed!”

At the sound of her voice, Ed set aside his journal and vials and held out his hand for her. “Hey there, Gingersnap.”

Ginger grabbed onto his index finger and crawled into his hand to sit on his palm. “Al told me your tummy is upset.”

“Yeah, I guess it is… but you can help me with my tummy troubles, right?”

“I sure can!”

“You’re the best.” Ed started to bring her up to his mouth, then froze and looked up at Al. He blinked.

Al held up his hands. “You don’t want me breathing down your neck. I get it.” He chuckled. “I’ll go upstairs and change out of my wet clothes.” He left and walked upstairs, leaving them alone.

Ed looked back down at Ginger, who gazed up at him with wide mismatched eyes. “You’re adorable, ya know that?” He ruffled her hair.

Ginger giggled. “I know. You and Al tell me that all the time!”

“I know, can ya blame us?”

“...Nope!” Ginger grinned. She frowned and looked down at Ed’s stomach when she heard it rumble. “I’m ready when you are, Ed. I want to help you feel better.”

Ed thumped his chest and gave an uncomfortable burp. “Unf...c’mere, you.” He lifted her up to his mouth and gently placed her on his tongue like a lozenge. He rolled her around inside, letting the strong ginger flavor coat the inside of his mouth before he tilted his head back and gulped her down in one deep swallow.

Ginger landed in his tummy where she began to soothe it with her paws as it gurgled and contracted around her like a loud massage. Not only did she smell and taste like ginger root, her body acted like a non-dissolving, long lasting medicine while she was inside. Once Ed felt better, he would spit her up, or keep her inside overnight.

Ed sat back in his chair and rubbed at his stomach, feeling better already with her safe inside. Having her inside also relaxed his mind as well, one of the gentle reminders that he needed to take a break.

“How are you feeling, Ed?”

“I am. Thanks, Gingersnap.” Ed patted his stomach.

A few moments later, Al came back downstairs, having changed out of his vest and trousers into dry clothes. “Looking better, brother.”

Ed looked up and sheepishly crossed his arms over his stomach. “Y-yeah...thanks. Both of you.”

“Anytime. Well, I’ve got a fire going upstairs and I started some tea. Are you guys ready to turn in?”

“Yeah, that sounds great.”