Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Wounds ( Chapter 33 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 33: Wounds

 

Briana sneered at her husband when he tried to help her dress. “Get off! I can't believe you. Do you have any idea how much that hurt?” She was still grumbling about his having flushed the commode, instantly changing the warm water into cold. The drastic temperature drop had caused the connections in her legs to start throbbing.

 

“I said I was sorry.” Ed moped, trying to fasten her skirt for her. But she pushed his hands away, buttoning it herself. He moaned, and leaning back against the wall, gave her a sorrowful gaze. She had a pained expression on her face. `Nice job, do even more to make her life a living hell.'

 

When she noticed the emotion his eyes had taken, she sighed. Reaching out, she touched his cheek gently. “I've been horrible today haven't I?” The left side of his mouth turned upward slightly, producing a smirk. She giggled, realizing he knew better than to answer that question.

 

“Love you.” He murmured, leaning forward just enough to allow her to choose whether or not to kiss him. When she did, he was thankful because it meant he had been forgiven. Wrapping his arms around her, the alchemist mused, “You look absolutely beautiful with wet hair.”

 

Shaking her head energetically, she effectively sprayed both him and the mirror with little droplets of water. She began laughing when he frowned. “Awe what's wrong? I thought you could use a shower.” Her amusement increased as he smiled and began tickling her. “Hey no fair!”

 

When she was out of breath, he stopped, pleased that she laid her head on his shoulder. It left the side of her neck exposed, giving him an advantage which he quickly ceased. He pressed his lips against her flesh and his heart rate quickened until he felt her push against his chest.

 

“No.” She murmured, although the gleam in her eye gave a completely different answer. “Andrea's worried about me, and I've still got to fix supper.” When he started to pout she grinned. “Come on, we've been in here long enough. I don't know why you had to chaperone anyway.”

 

Opening the door, he placed a hand on her back, allowing her to take the lead. “Because I didn't want you to fall.” Just after she'd taken her first step she scowled with pain. Leaning down slightly he felt of the metal, it was like ice. Somehow it was still affecting her nerves. “Here.” He didn't wait for her to object before lifting her into his arms.

 

“I can walk.” She grumbled, although not too harshly. The last thing she wanted was to upset him any more than she already had that day. When they entered the living room both her friends rose, looking very dismayed. “Don't worry. He's just being overprotective again.”

 

Setting her down on the couch he frowned. “No I'm not.” That's what he said, but his actions seemed to say otherwise when he reached for a blanket that had been left on the back of the sofa. After wrapping it around her legs he turned toward the kitchen. “Come on Al, we'll fix dinner.”

 

He glanced toward his in-law before following the elder into the other room. In a low voice he asked, “What's wrong brother? You hate to cook.” He didn't receive an answer; instead the alchemist opened the icebox to see what they had. “Brother, I'm part of this family. I need to know if something's wrong.”

 

Reluctantly Edward closed the door to the fridge and leaned against it. He refused to meet his sibling's gaze. “I screwed up Al. I thought… I don't know what I thought I just…” Shaking his head, he couldn't find a good excuse. “The cold water hurt her legs and it's my fault.”

 

Alphonse gave a sigh of relief. “That's it? That's all that this is about?” Moving to the cabinet, he began to rummage through the various mixes. He found himself grinning, after having been so worried that something was terribly wrong. “I thought it was something serous.”

 

His sibling scowled at him, his voice remaining low so that his words wouldn't be overheard. “It is serous Al. I hurt her again. Everything I say and do just causes her more pain.” That was enough to catch the other man's attention. “I've been thinking, with equivalent exchange I could…”

 

“No.” The food was forgotten. The younger Elric stood, looking down at the elder, two silver eyes boring into a pair of golden ones. “We can't risk it brother. If we tried we could loose everything we've gained. Is that what you want? Do you think that's what she would want?”

 

His face was etched with defiance. “I never said `we'. It wouldn't have anything to do with you. I would be the one doing everything. There's no way I'd ever consider putting you in danger like that again. It's my fault that her legs are like they are and I'll be the one to pay the price.”

 

Alphonse gawked at him with disbelief. “It wouldn't have anything to do with me? How can you say that after all these years brother?” His voice showed just how hurt he was by what he felt was an accusation. “We're a family, the three of us: you, me and Briana. We take care of each other. That's why you can't do it.”

 

Leaning against the cabinet, Ed placed his head in his hands. “I don't know what to do anymore Al. Every move I make seems to be the wrong one. I'm not sure if she's getting better or worse. Every time she cries I want to fix it but can't.” He felt helpless, like he had in those seconds before finding Al lying inside the armor.

 

Moving to stand next to his sibling, he laid a hand on his shoulder. “Brother it's alright. Andrea told me that Brie has always had a problem with depression.” The elder glanced up at him. “She also said Briana depends on us, that we are helping, even if we can't see it.”

 

A hopeful grin slid over his lips as his golden eyes looked across the room at nothing. “That's right… she would wake up crying for no reason. I tried to ask her about it once, but she said she didn't know why.” Letting out a long sigh, he seemed not to realize what had just taken place.

 

“Brother…” Alphonse knew, even if the blond didn't. “you just recalled something, from back before.” He didn't say anything more, didn't have to. The Elrics simply looked at each other in disbelief. After a moment they broke the gaze and began cooking supper, neither speaking.

 

Somehow the memories were gradually crossing over, fusing Jacob and Edward, so that they would truly be one. Trying to recollect did nothing for the alchemist. It was as if the recollections chose when to surface. If only he could capture them at will, then perhaps he would be better prepared when his wife cried out in the darkness.

 

 

“I didn't mean to get so upset, but it hurt.” Briana was still rubbing her legs, desperately trying to ease some of the pain. Regardless of what she did it simply wouldn't cease. The last thing she wanted was to have to call Winry and explain the situation. She couldn't deal with the mechanic, not now.

 

“He didn't mean to.” Andrea reminded, earning her a look that said the other woman already knew that. “And I'm sure you weren't too bad, other wise he wouldn't be in there cooking for us right now. By the way, I've been meaning to ask, he can cook better than Jacob, right?”

 

Brie laughed at that question. “No I'm afraid not. He tries but that's about it. If you want we can go in there and save ourselves from a meal that might otherwise be inedible.” But she received a shake of the head. “No, I suppose you're right. I should let him do some things for me.”

 

With a smile, her friend took her hand. “You really should. It's not often that you find a guy who's willing to cater to your every whim.” Her own thoughts drifted off toward Alphonse who was also in the kitchen. `Maybe he knows how to cook, but I seriously doubt that.'

 

Neither was willing to deprive the men of looking out for them, although for the sake of digestion perhaps they should have. The smell that eventually drifted into the room was one of smoke rather than a meal being prepared. Luckily for them, the fire alarm didn't go off.

 

Coughing, both Elrics retreated into the living room, frantic to get away from the smoke. Edward gazed at his wife, relief flooding over him when he realized that she was actually laughing at the situation. It allowed him to ease up considerably. “I think we'll call out for pizza.” He mumbled, reaching for the phone.

 

“Good idea.” She giggled, trying desperately not to upset him. She certainly didn't want to make him feel as though he'd done something wrong, even if it was one of the most frequently used pans in the house. Once he was finished ordering, she reached out a hand toward him. “What did you two attempt to make in there anyway?”

 

Her husband frowned, turning his head away. Alchemy was said to have been born in the kitchen but he couldn't quite get the hang of that part of the science. “It was supposed to be spaghetti. I'm not sure what went wrong but I think we're going to have to throw that big pot away.”

 

He sunk down to the floor at her feet, his palm still in hers. Gently she stroked his head, as if soothing a wounded child. `In a way I suppose he still is. Part of him will never grow up.' She assumed that was how all men were at heart, holding on to a piece of the past and taking it with them.

 

“I can probably clean it.” Andrea offered after a long moment of silence. Alphonse was already holding out a hand to help her up. She smiled as he led her toward the kitchen. Apparently he would be aiding her in what he deemed to be a hopeless task. To him the only cure for the pan would be either the trash can, or alchemy.

 

When they had left the room, Edward laid his head on Brie's lap, basking in her warmth. The braces had finally regained their normal temperature and he hoped that meant her legs were feeling better. “Al rented the place next door so your friend will be close by all the time.”

 

She giggled somewhat. “Oh and I'm sure his only thought was for me. It probably has nothing to do with the fact that he's falling in love with her.” When the alchemist chuckled she knew that she was right. “I'm glad he did it though. Those two would be good for each other.”

 

At that comment, he ventured to look up at her. Standing, he moved to lie on the couch, his head returning to her arms. “You're playing matchmaker again aren't you?” Something in her eyes changed, and he realized why. What had caused him to use the word `again' when he didn't remember their past?

 

“I suppose I am. So what of it? I think they'd make a wonderful couple and you do too.” He scoffed at her statement, although she knew he agreed with it. Brushing back his bangs she mused, “They just click, like we did. Given the time they'll realize it and they'll live happily ever after.”

 

Edward laughed, rubbing his hand across her chin. “I suppose that's what we're doing now? Living happily ever after?” She nodded without hesitation, although she would have had a right to consider her response. `Maybe we are. No one ever tells what happened after the prince rides off into the sunset with the woman he loves. Maybe this is how it works.'