Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Return ( Chapter 25 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 25: Return

 

Alphonse was up with the sun. It seemed like he just couldn't waste his time in bed. Everything still seemed new to him and he didn't want to miss a minute of it. He only hoped that his brother and sister-in-law had slept well. He was worried because he'd seen how agitated she had been the night before.

 

`She's worried about her legs. That's got to be what it is. Nothing else would explain it.' It was obvious, to him at least, that she was both proud and ashamed of her braces. He supposed she'd expected Ed to still have his automail which would have made things easier on her.

 

Instead she was faced with a now normal husband, one who would still understand, but looked just like everyone else they knew. It was funny; his automail had made him who he was. Now both Elrics wondered if he would still be recognized in Central as the great Fullmetal Alchemist.

 

Stretching, he decided that it was late enough so it would be alright to head downstairs. He hadn't wanted to wake anyone but staying in that room was driving him crazy. `Someone is bound to be awake by now! Maybe I could try fixing breakfast, if I don't end up burning it instead.'

 

Making his way out into the hall, he strained to hear the sounds of anyone moving around. To his dismay nothing met his ears. However going back into that empty space behind him was not something he wanted to think about. Going down the stairs, he smiled at the feel of the banister under his palm.

 

“Oh, hey Al.” When he reached the first floor he could see that Briana was already up and walking. She wore a robe and was headed toward the kitchen. “I'm hungry, how bout you?” He nodded eagerly before following her. It was slow going, but she wanted to do it on her own.

 

“You're doing pretty well.” He complemented, rubbing her back gently. The fluffy housecoat made it apparent that she'd used fabric softener in the wash. “I'm surprised you're up this early though. I thought you'd still be in bed with brother. He is still sleeping, isn't he?”

 

Grinning she opened the icebox. “Of course, you don't expect him to crawl out until he absolutely has to, now do you?” They both snickered. Alphonse took the milk from her once she'd retrieved it from the icebox. “It's just as well. I want cereal and he always turns his nose up at the stuff. Says anything with milk on it isn't worth eating.”

 

Again they laughed. “Yeah I know what you mean, but I'd like some.” To be honest Al couldn't remember what the stuff even tasted like. All he knew was that his sibling absolutely hated it. Moving to the table he sat the carton down. Glancing back over his shoulder he could tell that she was having trouble reaching the boxes on the second shelf in the cabinet. “Let me get that.”

 

“Thanks.” She mumbled. Shifting to get two bowls and spoons out of the dish drainer, she gave a slight frown. `I can't do anything anymore and it's driving me crazy!' She'd always been short, but having to keep her balance by using the crutches made things even more arduous.

 

Alphonse glanced at her as she set the table. “What's wrong?” It troubled him to see how much difficulty it took for her to simply sit down. She had to release the clamps at her knees before they would bend. Taking a seat himself he studied her face. “Does it hurt much?”

 

Shaking her head, she tried to seem fine, although it was hard to do so. “No I'm alright, don't worry about it.” Opening one of the boxes of cereal she poured it into her bowl then added the milk. “Do you think we'll be going home any time soon? I'm really ready to get back.”

 

Fixing his own breakfast he shrugged his shoulders. “I'm not sure. It all depends on brother I guess. It's up to whether or not he wants to stay a while. Why? I would have thought you'd want to stay with Winry so she could make sure the braces were working… Or is that the problem?”

 

Briana laughed. “You guessed it. She's driving me crazy with all the minor adjustments she wants to make.” The brunette took a bite and swallowed before continuing. “Every time I turn around there's something she wants to change. I know she means well but I just want to get on with my life.”

 

The taste that filled his mouth was sweet but crunchy. Downing it he thought about how many times Ed had dealt with the same dilemma concerning the mechanic. “I guess we can see about going home tomorrow. If we left today Winry might get upset. We did just get back after all. She'll probably want to do something to celebrate.”

 

Stirring her breakfast with her spoon, Brie sighed. “Maybe we could bake a cake or something. We might…” She paused when her husband came into the room stretching. “Well look who's decided to crawl out of bed. Do you want me to fix you something to eat?”

 

Moving to stand behind her, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. Peering down into the bowl he frowned. “No thanks. I'll find something that doesn't include milk.” He heard the slight giggle but didn't let it get to him. As he went to the icebox he added, “Morning Al.”

 

Swallowing quickly Alphonse greeted, “Good morning brother. I think I saw some eggs if you want to fix yourself one. I'm sure Winry has some bacon in there as well.” He smiled, watching as his sibling began to prepare an egg. `Old habits die hard.' He noted as his brother touched the skillet using his right hand without a potholder. Later it would cause a minor burn.

 

 

“Do you have to leave so soon?” The mechanic queried as she followed the trio outside. Briana took a seat in the wheelchair. It was too far for her to walk to the train station. “What if something goes wrong with the braces? I wouldn't be there to fix them. Maybe you should wait awhile.”

 

Shaking her head, the other woman laughed. `It's just as I feared, she already wants to rewire.' Aloud she told her friend, “I'm sure I'll be just fine, and if anything does change you're only a phone call away.” Receiving a light hug, she smiled. “It'll be ok Winry. I promise.”

 

Edward nodded, “Besides I'll be there to take care of her. I've already called Mustang about getting a desk job there in Central.” Taking hold of one of the handles he waved goodbye with his other hand. “We'll see you later. And don't worry so much, everything will be fine.”

 

Giving her a quick hug, Alphonse whispered in the mechanic's ear, “I'll watch over her for you. If something happens I'll let you know.” He received a nod, but he could see that those blue eyes were still full of sadness. Turning, he had to trot to catch up with the couple.

 

As they made their way along the pathway, Briana watched the passing scenery. She hated having to ride while the men walked. “I bet I could make it. Don't you think I could try?” But when she lifted her head she could see the answer on his face. Huffing slightly she slouched against the seat. “Well I bet I could.”

 

Ed leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I know you could, I just don't want you to. Let me take care of you, at least a little bit, alright?” When she didn't answer he sighed. “After we get back home we'll go for walks in the park. Will that be okay with you?”

 

Frowning she tilted her head back so that she could see him. “I suppose so seeing as how I had to quit my job at the library.” Glancing to Al she reminded, “You'll need to call Scieszka about the cats when we get home. I'm sure they're sick of books being piled everywhere at her place.”

 

He laughed as the thought of them being lost in that mess crossed his mind. “Assuming they even recognize me. I'm not exactly the same master they knew. Hopefully they won't be scared.” A frown slowly crossed his face as he remembered how they'd reacted to Envy.

 

“That's not possible.” She assured him, having heard the slight pang in his voice. She knew it still made him sick to think of the form that the homunculus had taken just before stabbing her. “They'll know you by your voice and your… well aura. It's hard to explain but they'll know who you are.”

 

Edward chuckled. “But they might be mad at you for leaving them with the bookworm.” He could just imagine the towers of novels falling as the kittens brushed against them while dashing around the room. They had a tendency to run through the house at top speed, toppling anything that got in their way.

 

Coming up along side her, Al reached out to take his in-law's hand. He still wasn't sure about her reaction. Was it all a façade? He simply had to know. “What about you? The way I look now, does it bother you?” His voice was cautious, and he dared not look at his sibling whom he knew didn't appreciate such a thought.

 

Smiling up at him, Briana entwined her fingers with his. “There's only one thing that I think is rather sad…” She stole a quick glance toward her husband before continuing. It was wrong but she just simply had to say it. “and that is the fact that you're taller than Ed.”

 

“What! Who are you calling so short he has to look up to an elf?!” The alchemist exploded for only a moment before he heard her laughter which was like music calming a savage beast. With a huff he added, “It's not like you can talk Brie we are the same height!”

 

Alphonse was also chuckling. She'd done it just to lighten the mood that much was obvious. As soon as he found he had his breath back however, he pressed her further. “That wasn't nice. But seriously, do you mind?” His tone was soft, pleading with her to be truthful.

 

This time she would oblige him. “When I first saw you I was awestruck. Not because you look like that thing did, but because you were so… so you. You are exactly as you should be Al, soft and sweet.” Sighing she maintained, “You're nothing like that creature was, and I wouldn't change you in any way.”

 

 

Once they'd reached the station, Briana got out of the chair and was allowed to walk the rest of the way. After she'd made it to the private car she sat down with a sigh, unlatching her knees. Instead of leaving room for her husband to sit she lifted her legs up onto his place and leaned against the wall.

 

“Hey.” After locking the wheels on her chair the blond poked his wife in the side. “Where am I supposed to sit?” She grinned and pointed to the bench beside Alphonse. With a frown he closed the door then did as directed. “Well fine, but I'll get you back for this.”

 

Nodding she laughed. “Oh sure you will, sure you will! Just keep it down over there so I can get some sleep.” Closing her eyes, she folded her arms across her chest. She hadn't slept well the night before. How could she when the alchemist had brushed against her braces and cut himself? Not to mention the fact that he'd bumped it hard enough to put all the connections in pain.

 

He knew what had kept her so restless and it sent a pang to his heart. The gash in his leg didn't bother him, it was the fact that he had hurt her without meaning to. From then on he'd have to be more careful. Winry had explained that as time passed jarring the connections would cause less and less pain until it would no longer be noticed. Until then however he'd just have to watch himself.

 

Edward noticed that his sibling was yawning as well. `He's still not used to using energy.' So, to make the other Elric more comfortable, he slouched against the wall. Draping an arm around his brother's neck, he allowed the younger to lean against him. It was just like when they were children.

 

As the train rolled down the tracks the trio rested. Just beyond the window, the countryside rolled past. The world seemed to go on as if nothing were wrong, just as it had when the siblings had failed in their attempt to bring back their mother. Just as it had when Brie had been attacked. However this time, as a gentle mist began to fall it was on a peaceful ending. Although… nothing ever ends...