Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Train Ride ( Chapter 21 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 21: Train Ride

 

“I don't know about this.” Ed complained, sitting in the private compartment of the train. He was sitting by the window with his arm looped about Briana's shoulders. Her chair was folded up with the wheels locked, and placed in under the window. “I don't think we should be leaving so soon.”

 

Rolling her eyes, his wife jabbed him in the side. “Would you stop already? You're going to drop me off in Resembool and then continue on. Winry is going to be waiting at the station. She'll get me back to her house while you two go find that temple you were talking about. End of story.”

 

Shaking his head, Al would have grinned at the scene if it would have been possible. His sister-in-law didn't see his sibling as anything more than a man. She didn't care if he was a state alchemist, he could still be ordered around. In that way she was exactly like the mechanic they were going to leave her with.

 

“But what if you get attacked again?” His tone had changed, he was really worried about it and had been for a while. It was the reason he'd never gone anywhere without her. He didn't want to risk loosing her. “I'm not sure I want to leave you without some sort of protection.”

 

Leaning over, she kissed his cheek. “You're stressing yourself out over nothing. Just think, once this trip is over you won't have to think about searching anymore.” She smiled at Alphonse. “You two will be free to relax, maybe get a nice safe desk job where I won't have to worry about you.”

 

This time Al decided to bring up a subject that had been on his mind. “If we do find it, we could bring it back with us. Then it could also be used to repair the damage done to your nerves. You'd be able to walk again.” He caught the glare from the other man as soon at it was given.

 

`I don't want to get her hopes up.' Glancing back outside at the passing scenery, he sighed. “Yeah but that's only if we find it. We've gone through this a thousand times before. It might just be another dead end.” He didn't sound very enthusiastic about the situation.

 

Brie didn't like his attitude, although she realized he'd been let down many times before. “Oh look on the bright side, it is a possibility. So until you're on your way home without it, let's assume you'll find it and we'll all live happily ever after. I mean we may as well, right?”

 

Shifting slightly, the alchemist peered into her blue-green eyes. “Alright fine, I'll try and do that. But don't get your hopes too high. I don't want you depressed if it doesn't work out. The doctors said not to get upset remember?” When she turned her head away defiantly, he placed a hand on her chin and pulled it back around. “Remember? Brie they were serious.”

 

Frowning she faced Alphonse. “He treats me like a baby. As if I can't handle my own emotions.” With a smirk she returned her gaze to her husband. “I remember what they said. How could I forget with the way you keep reminding me? Besides, I'll be happy if you return without broken automail. How about that?”

 

Ed gave her his usual grin. “I doubt you'd be the only one glad if that happens. Winry has already threatened me if I damage this set she's made.” Glancing to his sibling he continued, “Besides Al will be there to watch out for me. Between the two of us I'm sure we'll be fine.”

 

Giving a single nod, Alphonse laughed slightly. “Although, that's never stopped you from breaking it before. Of course, when we both came back broken that one time she was really ready to kill you. She had to make you a whole new arm, and then you broke it.”

 

Edward's eyes glazed over as he stared out the window. “Yeah I remember that time.” It had been after the second breaking that the two Elrics had gotten into a big fight. Al had been convinced he was a fake without a real soul. It had cut the elder to the core, a wound that apparently still hadn't healed.

 

“What happened Ed?” Brie whispered, having noted the change in his demeanor. When he refused to answer she turned to her in-law. “What happened, when he broke his automail?” Bowing his helmet, he refused to answer. Sighing she leaned into her husband's shoulder.

 

“So much we don't know about each other.” The alchemist mumbled, not even glancing at her. But he could feel her questioning stare. He seemed to be thinking out loud as he continued with the thought. “There are so many things about each other's past that we don't know.”

 

Frowning Briana leaned in tighter. Again she disliked his tone. It sounded as though he regretted something, although she couldn't be sure what. “Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you.” That gained her a glance. He was thinking of something and she feared what it might be.

 

“Anything?” An interesting smirk came over his face when she nodded. What he was thinking of was exactly what she expected. “What exactly happened between you and that Wyatt guy? Not only recently but back when you were younger? Did you date him then?”

 

Giving a slight moan, Brie pulled away from his grasp. “We did go out for a while. We were young.” Closing her eyes she frowned. “He'd always been there. Since back before my parents died. After that happened he sort of became my protector. Everywhere I went he was there…

 

 

It was a cool February afternoon in Brook Haven. Standing just outside the classroom, wearing a backpack, was a fifteen year old boy with dark brown hair. As the door opened out filed eighteen students, the last of which was a curly haired girl, who was frowning. Her books were clenched against her chest like a shield.

 

Taking them from her the boy scowled as well. “The day didn't go so well I take it?” She shook her head, wrapping her arms about herself. Making their way out of the schoolhouse, the two continued down the street side by side. “I'm sorry about the test. There's always next time.”

 

A tear crept into the corner of her eye. “It's not the test. I'm sure I passed it but…” Bowing her head, she began to feel worse. “I just… I don't know I feel so alone lately. Half the girls in class received bouquets for Valentine's and I only got a few cards from my friends.”

 

Looping his free arm around her, Wyatt smiled. “Don't worry about it. You've got a ton of people who care about you.” Leading her toward the park he made his way to the flower cart. Fishing the money out of his pocket he bought a small arrangement. “And the other.”

 

Leaning down behind his stand, the salesman pulled out a small box. Handing it to him he gave the girl a wink. Wyatt thanked the worker before walking with Briana toward the river. “Do you realize that we've known each other since we were kids and I still haven't told you how I really feel about you?”

 

He took a seat on one of the stone benches and laid her books on the ground. She was already holding the flowers, her face flush. “Brie I've loved you all these years and I think it's about time I told you so.” Opening the velvet box, he produced a golden heart shaped locket, his eyes beaming with a new light. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

 

After she'd allowed him to slip it around her neck she opened it to find a picture of herself in one side and him in the other. Closing it again she let it fall against her neck as she wrapped her arms around him. “Yes of course I will!” With that she received her first kiss.

 

 

“I was caught up in the moment I guess. It only lasted a few months before I broke up with him. Of course we remained friends.” She sighed as she lifted her head to look at her husband. “Although it was different after that. The gleam in his eye never quite left. I suppose it never left his heart either.”

 

Edward scowled as he returned his stare toward the window. “I figured that much out when he proposed to you.” He'd gotten his answer, like it or not. “But I guess all that matters is that your love for him didn't last. What was it that made you change your mind anyway?”

 

She frowned at him. “I never changed my mind because I was never in love with him.” When is face turned back to her she continued, “Like I said, I was young and got caught up in the moment. Being in a relationship then wasn't exactly like having one as an adult. It didn't mean nearly as much.”

 

“Hmm.” Leaning over Ed kissed her temple. “You're right, I'm sorry. I suppose you want to know what happened that time I broke my automail?” She nodded slowly, as if she did but wouldn't press the matter. “We got into a fight. Al thought that… he thought that I…”

 

“That he created me.” Alphonse finished, his tone one of humiliation. “I thought that brother had made me. That I didn't have a soul and wasn't human. After all you can't see a soul. I accused him and then ran away.” Bowing his helmet he could still feel the shame.

 

Swallowing hard, the alchemist tried to figure out how to finish the story. “I didn't know what to say. I was afraid that he hated me for putting him in that armor.” Going back to the window, he watched as a farmhouse passed by. “It's my fault he's stuck in that shell, so I couldn't blame him.”

 

“But I don't!” Al exclaimed, holding out a hand in a stopping gesture. His voice was strained, pleading to be heard, his words to be taken to heart. “Brother you know that I don't. And it wasn't your fault. We both chose to try and bring mom back. It wasn't just you.”

 

Edward didn't believe that anymore now than he ever had. `It was my fault. It's always been my fault. I was supposed to protect you but I couldn't. I couldn't even stay awake to comfort you.' He felt a tug at his arm, forcing him to shift so that he could see the one beckoning him.

 

“The problem isn't whether or not he blames you. It's whether or not you blame yourself, and I know that you do. But in return you're giving your life to him. You've dedicated yourself to finding the stone.” Leaning against him she sighed. “Equivalent exchange. Isn't that what it's called?”

 

The alchemist huffed, `She's right. I've taken his life but am giving mine in exchange. All these years… I've never looked at it that way. What if this continues on until I die? What will he have gained?' Shaking his head he felt the train pull to a stop at their destination. “We're here.”