Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Evening ( Chapter 32 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 32: Evening

 

Reluctantly Alphonse continued to go through old files. “Brother I don't think this is such a good idea.” In all the time his sibling had been gone, the younger Elric had been excellent at his job. Now that that Fullmetal was back however, things became more complex, and he was more likely to be drug into something that was considered off-limits

 

“Don't worry Al.” The alchemist told him, pulling out papers and returning them without a second glance. “Brie needs to know what happened to her parents. All she was able to tell me was that they were killed because of her father's research. It's making her unstable now.”

 

Shaking his head, he tried to reason further, “We don't know what happened to dad.” Instantly he received a piercing glare. He knew better than to bring up that topic but sometimes he felt he had to. “I'm just saying that it's not a disaster. It shouldn't affect her like you're saying after all these years.”

 

Returning to his work the blond retorted, “He left us Al. You know that. He left us and he left mom, end of story.” Hate dripped from his words like venom from a snake's fangs. “And it is hurting her. She thinks if I die the military won't tell her anything, the same way they did Mrs. Hughes.”

 

Alphonse felt the pang in his chest at that. He didn't let it show. Instead he continued to scan the documents he held. “But you're safe now brother. We aren't chasing after the stone anymore so she shouldn't worry. Unless…” His grey eyes grew wide as he realized what he was reading. “How old was she when they died?”

 

Glancing up, Edward peered at him for a moment. “When she was about five or six, why?” His sibling shifted, holding out the papers he found. Taking them from him slowly, the alchemist could see from the younger's expression that something was seriously wrong.

 

He stood, reading the document slowly at first, picking up speed as he went. The two murdered were referred to simply as man and woman. From the report it was clear that they had been killed by an “inhuman being” which changed before the eyes of an anonymous witness. The bottom line sickened him. `Left behind, one daughter in care of grandmother.'

 

Sinking into his chair, he placed the pages on his desk. He had to swallow hard several times before finding his voice. “It's them Al and they were killed by… Envy.” His sibling nodded, already having realized that very information. “But why? Was her father studying the stone?”

 

Alphonse looked to the clock and with a sigh reminded, “It's time to go home. You'll be able to tell her what you've found out.” He was surprised when the elder shook his head. “But why? You said that she needed to know, that it would make things easier for her. Why not tell her?”

 

“Because…” The alchemist began, standing and taking his coat from the chair. “Knowing that it was that homunculus might send her over the edge.” His eyes glazed over as he continued, “Envy killed our child, and almost took her life as well. If she knew, she might not let me do what I have to.”

 

The younger man waited for him to finish although nothing more was said. Instead he merely followed him out the door. It wasn't very late, but later than they would have been. He wondered what excuse his brother would make for their delay. Little did he know one would not be needed.

 

 

 

She was lying atop the covers on the bed when they came in, the sound was evident. The brunette had put on a smile for him earlier but now found it impossible to do so. Everything inside her seemed to ache with darkness. Almost against her will, she was giving it the control it desired.

 

Brie could hear the murmured voices of Andrea and the brothers in the living room. For that reason she wasn't surprised by the expression on her husband's face as he came in. Instead of greeting him she turned her head to the side, closing her eyes tightly. `I can't face him. Not right now.'

 

He wasn't cross with her, although to anyone else it might seem as though he were. Closing the door he pulled off his red jacket, and then took off his shirt and tank top. Sighing he murmured, “Today was pretty long for you, wasn't it? I guess your legs probably hurt.”

 

She only nodded, watching while he changed into a pair of jeans. Once he was done he retrieved a simple pullover from the closet and put it on. Moving to sit beside her, he ran his fingers through her curls. “Do you want to talk about it?” She shook her head without speaking.

 

Leaning down, he kissed the bridge of her nose. “I love you.” He breathed, changing position so that he was lying next to her. His arms wrapped around her waist as she turned onto her side, her back pressed against his chest. “It's going to be ok. We'll get through this together.”

 

Shaking her head again, a tear slid slowly down her face. “I can't do this Ed. I'm not even sure who I am anymore.” Holding onto his arms tightly she began to sob. “Every time I turn around I'm crying and I don't know why. I can't make it stop, I want to but can't.”

 

Propping up on one elbow he stroked her hair gently away from her eyes. “It's alright Darling. The doctors said this might happen, remember? We'll just take it one day at a time.” His thumb trailed along her lips until the corners turned upward slightly. “There now, see? We can make it.”

 

Rubbing a hand behind his neck she drew him down into a long kiss. As he backed away she smiled. “I'm sorry.” She mumbled, sitting up and wrapping her arms around him. Hugging him close she inhaled deeply. “I've been so much trouble lately. I don't know why you put up with me.”

 

Edward shifted, hugging her close once more. “For the same reason that you followed me around all those months, I love you. I'm here for you no matter what.” A flash of memory came back to him suddenly although he didn't realize it. “But you swore to me that you wouldn't leave, didn't you? You said that nothing in this world would ever keep you from me.”

 

Pulling away, Briana peered into his eyes for a long moment. “Yes, I did but… That was before you got your memories back. How could you possibly know?” His brow furrowed as he shrugged. Running her fingers through his bangs she smiled. “I'm so glad I didn't give up on you.”

 

Leaning his forehead against hers, the alchemist grinned. “Me too.” Bring their lips together seemed to help heal her even more. He began massaging her neck, the muscles of which seemed to be tight. “You know I think a hot bath would make you feel better. Wanna try?”

 

She nodded allowing him to help her from the bed. He followed her to the bathroom, closing the door behind them. Alphonse watched as they passed through the hallway. Turning to Andrea he sighed, “I wish I knew what to do to help her. It seems like nothing ever does any good.”

 

Taking a sip of her coffee, the artist smiled. “You have no idea how much good you two have done. She speaks as though you were angels instead of men.” When he sat down at the table across from her she continued. “After you went back to work she was worried that she'd made him feel bad.”

 

Shaking his head, Al stirred extra sugar into his mug. He still couldn't take the strong flavor which both she and his sibling preferred. “I don't think it was because of what she said, but because she has these… episodes. It makes him wonder if he isn't doing enough.”

 

Andrea set the cup down, peering into the dark liquid. “He doesn't remember then.” It was more of a statement than a question. Letting out a long breath she tried to explain, “Briana has always had problems with depression. It's been that way ever since I've known her.”

 

Nodding thoughtfully he thought back to what they'd learned from the old file. `She's never known. That had to be hard on her.' Clearing his throat he ventured to ask, “Has she always had a fear of abandonment?” He believed he already knew the answer but wanted to make sure.

 

“Yes, since her parents died when she was so young she has a hard time letting go. When Wyatt moved from Brook Haven it took her close to a year to get over it.” Bowing her head to take a drink she missed the flash of distrust in those grey eyes. “Those two were really close.”

 

His hands gripped the mug tightly. Alphonse didn't like that man for the sole reason that he'd almost taken Brie from them. He knew if that marriage would have taken place it would've crushed his brother's heart. “A whole year huh? Well then I guess she must have really cared for him.”

 

Finally picking up on his mood Andrea waved both hands before her while shaking her head. “It wasn't that she loved him. Just that he had been her rock for so long. He was the one she could always count on. He was there after her parents died, and that meant a lot to her.”

 

The Elric loosened his grasp on the defenseless cup. “I suppose so. That was before she met brother?” Receiving a nod he relaxed a little more. “Were things ever this bad though? She seems to have a mental breakdown at least twice a day, sometimes more. I'm afraid she's going to loose it completely.”

 

Reaching an arm across the table, the artist took his palm in hers. “It's to be expected Al, look at all she's had taken from her. It'll take time but things will get better.” Squeezing his hand she smiled. “With the two of you to help her I'm sure things will go smoother. She needs you both.”

 

Alphonse bent forward, and considered kissing her knuckles but chose to resist the urge. “She needs him, not me. I'm the one who got in the way remember? If I hadn't have shown up they might have the baby right now.” With that thought he released her, leaning back into the chair.

 

“What do you mean?” Andrea still didn't know what had happened or why. Because it was considered to be highly confidential by the military, he couldn't tell her. She shrugged when he didn't answer. “Look I don't know why you think that but I'm sure it's not true. Brie is happy you found Ed, she told me so.”

 

He glanced up, believing that for the first time in a long while. Before when she had said it, after the couple had reunited, he'd thought it was true. But after the accident, his faith in that answer had waned. `Even after all that, she's still glad that I came into her life? But it was…'

 

A screech interrupted his thoughts. Standing quickly he almost knocked over his chair as he raced toward the bathroom door. Once he made it there he realized that he couldn't just open it. He could feel Andrea sanding close behind as he listened to see if he could hear anything.

 

“You idiot! That wasn't funny!” It was Briana's voice, and she didn't sound at all happy. But the sound of Ed's laughter came through almost immediately afterward. The other thing which could be heard was the toilet refilling itself. “I don't even know why you're in here! I can wash myself.”

 

The alchemist was still chuckling loudly enough for his sibling and the artist to hear. “I want to make sure you don't fall. Why can't you just take a bath? Then I wouldn't have to worry about it... and you, my Darling, would be left in peace.” He was obviously enjoying himself.

 

“It's hard to wash my hair that way.” She grumbled, the rest of her words becoming low enough that the two eavesdroppers couldn't make out what she was saying. Grinning, they moved away from the door, the girl having to cover her mouth so that her giggles wouldn't escape.

 

“Sounds like they made up.” Alphonse snickered, taking a seat on the couch. His heart raced when she plopped down next to him, leaning her head back. “Oh I forgot to tell you, I've found you an apartment to rent.” Her eyes widened as she looked at him in shock. “It's right next door.”

 

Joy overtook her as the realization came. She finally had a place that was close to both her friend and her work. On an impulse she wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Oh thank you Al! You have no idea how much that means to me!”

 

Hugging her back, he felt a flush come over his cheeks. “It's no problem.” He mused, surprised that when she pulled away she too was blushing. Gently brushing the hair out of her face he smiled. “I'm just glad that you're happy about it. I know Brie will be when we tell her.”

 

“Oh.” Another thought came to her mind, much more logical than her first ones. “But what about the down payment… and the rent? How much is it? I'll have to see how much I have and… oh I don't know how long before the store opens…” Her mind was racing causing her to ramble on.

 

“Don't worry.” He said, silencing her by pressing a finger to her lips. “I'll help you with the bills until you get on your feet. Don't worry about paying me back, I want to do this.” She started to protest but he continued, “It'll be good for Brie to have you so close. She needs another woman around here.”

 

Andrea only smiled at that comment. Somehow his closeness seemed to be all she could think of at that moment. `I can't let him do this to me…but it feels so right.' His eyes peered into hers, melting her will and resistance. Somehow he had been able to break down her barrier without even trying.