Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Discussion ( Chapter 28 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 28: Discussion

 

Back at home, Briana sat on the bed with Andrea. After eating they'd come back here to discuss things more privately. The boys were in the living room having their own conversation. “So what happened to Jake's automail? I noticed that his hand is normal now. How'd that happen?”

 

Cringing, Brie tried to think of a good excuse. But what would possibly make any sense? “It has to do with his work in the military so I can't really tell you. But he got his leg back too.” Patting the other girl on the knee she smiled. “Why don't you stay the night here? We've got a couch that's free.”

 

The artist nodded, “Alright that sounds good. It's better than staying in the back room of the shop anyway. I've got a futon there but it's not all that comfortable. I'm hoping to find an apartment somewhere close by.” Looking around the room she grinned. “Maybe something like the one you have here.”

 

Then, with a serious expression she ventured to ask, “What about you? What happened to your legs?” When her friend turned away she gave her a quick hug. “I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you upset. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I really won't mind.”

 

Shaking her head caused her curls to bounce. “No, it's alright.” With a heavy sigh she continued, “I was attacked and… when he stabbed me in the stomach he damaged the nerves that go to my legs. But the mechanic that made Ed's automail was able to give me these.” She lifted her skirt to show the braces.

 

 

“Brother what do you think about her?” Alphonse was on the couch, one of the kittens in his lap, purring its little heart out. “I mean… she seems really… doesn't she? And she's friends with Brie, so she must be nice, right?” His mind was going a million miles a minute. He'd never felt like this before, never been given the chance to experience such a rush of emotion.

 

“I'm sure she's wonderful Al.” Edward leaned back, and taking in a deep breath, closed his eyes. For some reason he felt utterly exhausted. Perhaps it had something to do with how upset he'd gotten at the restaurant, or how he'd tensed when hearing this new girl had known him as his previous self.

 

`What can those two be talking about?' He wondered, agitated by the fact that they were alone. `What if she starts remembering how it used to be? Maybe it'll upset her enough so that she'll change her mind, and wish he was back. I don't want that longing to return to her ever again. It would hurt her too much and there'd be nothing I could do to stop it.'

 

His train of thought was broken as the two women came into the room. “I've invited her to stay here until she finds a place of her own so she won't have to sleep at the shop. She'll be using the couch if that's alright with you guys.” The smile Briana gave was one that asked for the scenario to be accepted.

 

“You can have my bed.” Alphonse offered, blushing when she turned to look at him. His ears seemed to ring as the blood rushed to his face. `What is wrong with me? She's just a girl.' But even as he thought that he denounced it. She was so much more than just another girl.

 

“Thank you very much.” She herself could feel the heat in her cheeks. `You can't let him do this to you. Just because Brie says he safe doesn't mean he is… does it?' It was like they were playing a game, dancing around each other until they knew it was alright to get closer.

 

“Well then it's all settled. Al could you get her the bedclothes?” Stretching the brunette yawned. “I've got to go lay down my legs are killing me.” She hugged her friend tightly, “Goodnight, I'll see you in the morning alright? But don't get up too early; I still like to sleep in.”

 

Edward gave a nod toward the woman before following his wife. “Night.” Was all he said before making his way to the bedroom. Once inside, he closed the door behind him, leaning against it. “You two spent a lot of time in here alone. What were you talking about?”

 

Turning with a grin toward him, she looked almost like a cat. “You still don't trust me, do you Darling?” He bowed his head in mock shame. With a giggle she flopped back onto the bed before unlocking her knees. “You are such a child Ed. We were just discussing what's happened since we saw each other last.”

 

Falling onto the mattress himself, the alchemist crawled up to straddle her. His tone changed to that of a man asking to be forgiven. “I'm sorry I ever doubted you.” With his lips against hers he begged to be pardoned, which of course, he inevitably was. “I need you Brie.”

 

She giggled as he rolled off to lie beside her. “I know.” Rubbing her hand over his evening shirt she smiled. “But I really am tired and I've still got to get out of this dress.” Sitting up she shifted her hair so that he could unzip it. His cool fingers danced across her shoulders blades.

 

He was delighted when she shivered. Moving so that he could reach her neck he kissed it gently. When she pulled away he scowled. “I told you, I'm exhausted.” She explained, rolling her shoulders to try and relieve some of the tightness that had settled into her muscles.

 

“Alright, but at least let me help you.” When she moaned he persisted. “Please. I want to.” This time she didn't answer, so he tugged the gown off of her shoulders. After managing to get it off he found a long tee-shirt, and slipped it over her head. With a smile he queried, “There now, was that so bad?”

 

Shaking her head, she let him to lift her into his arms, allowing her to throw back the covers. When he slipped her under them she sighed. Propping up on one elbow, she watched as he dressed for bed. He switched off the light so that only the beams of the moon shown in through the window. To her he looked like some great warrior from the past.

 

When he peered at her though the darkness he could have sworn he saw a pair of wings and a hallo. She beamed with a passion he'd never seen in her before. It was as though he were looking at her for the first time ever. All the fatigue was gone from him as she stretched out her hand for him to take.

 

 

“This is very kind of you.” Andrea told him as she clutched the pillow he'd handed her to her chest. Her eyes were cast downward, not daring to look into his silver ones for fear of blushing again. Something was going on with her emotions she couldn't seem to control. “But don't you have to work tomorrow?”

 

Alphonse nodded, taking the extra cover off the bed to use in the living room. They'd already taken down the extra set of mattresses and so wouldn't be able to use them. “I'm in the military doing bookwork at the moment. But as I said, I'm hoping to become a state alchemist like my brother.”

 

She smiled, finally lifting her head to see his expression. When she did so he averted his own gaze. He seemed so timid for a man his age. It was as though he didn't know what his next move should be, like he didn't know how to play the game. Stepping forward she murmured, “It's not really all that late. We could stay up and talk awhile, that is if you want to.”

 

“Yeah.” He led the way out of the room to go sit on the couch, and then motioned for her to sit. “Want something to drink? I think we've still got a couple of cold sodas.” When she nodded he moved to get the cans out of the icebox. Luckily he found the last two sitting in the door.

 

Bringing them with him, he took a seat next to the artist. He couldn't get over that beautiful glow that seemed to follow her around. “Brother is supposed to go back to the office tomorrow. It'll be his first day back since the accident so I'm glad you'll be here with Brie.”

 

Popping the top she shook her head. “I've got to get set up but I've been thinking…” Taking a drink she watched the expression that laced his features. “What if she were to come to the shop with me? I mean, she's dying to get out I'm sure, and I need someone to do the bookkeeping. It'd be perfect.”

 

Leaning back, Al sighed. “Have you discussed it with her?” When she nodded he grinned. “Well I'm sure it'll work out. All she'll have to do is convince brother that it's the right thing to do.” He laughed at the thought. “So I guess that means it's settled. She can talk him into anything.”

 

Andrea giggled with him. “She could always do that, even before. I guess it was hard though,” Her voice had changed, becoming serious and cautious. “not having him around during those years. I guess it must have seemed like a miracle finding him again after all that time.”

 

She was probing him, trying to see if he was upset by his sibling's marriage. If so, then he wasn't someone she would be willing to deal with. However much to her surprise he grinned. “It was hard, but now I've got him back and a sister who loves him. That makes it all seem worth it.”

 

Who was this man who could be so giving? `He's like no one I've ever met before.' Just then the pair of kittens came dashing across the back of the couch as they chased after each other. “Oh you've got cats!” Her smile seemed to become brighter as she caught one. “Aren't you a handsome fellow?” She cooed to the feline who purred merrily at being captured by someone who appreciated him.

 

Picking up the other, Al began to gently stroke her furry back. As their conversation progressed, they found there was more than just their love of cats in common. It was as though they had been friends forever. However there was already a pang of something more to the relationship which neither would acknowledge.

 

 

“Darling?” Briana murmured into the darkness. It was late but by his breathing she could tell he was still awake. His back was to her so she propped up on an elbow to look at him. “Would it be alright if I helped Andrea with her shop?” He stiffened slightly. “It would just be the bookwork. She really needs someone who's better at math to keep up with that stuff for her.”

 

The alchemist turned onto his back, gazing up into her blue green eyes. Touching her face he questioned, “Is this what you want?” She nodded before laying her head on his bare chest. With a sigh he rubbed the arm she draped across him. “Well then I suppose so, but only if you promise not to strain yourself.”

 

Shifting so that she loomed over him she smiled. “You mean it?” That smirk said it all. He didn't want her to work, but also didn't want to leave her alone. This way she would be with someone he assumed he could trust. Leaning down, she kissed his lips. “I love you.”

 

He grinned. “I know.” When she scowled playfully, he pulled her down on top of him. “I've got to get some sleep woman. I've got to go to work tomorrow…” For the rest of the sentence he paused between each word. “and so do you.” With that he pulled the covers in tight around them, allowing silence to follow.