Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Moving Day ( Chapter 34 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Author's Note: Thanks to my 3 reviewers! I'm updating for you!

 

Chapter 34: Moving Day

 

Briana was giving directions rather than being allowed to do anything. She was becoming restless. There was no packing to be done, but she'd defiantly be there to help unload those boxes. “Watch it Ed! You don't want to break the couch now do you?” Her scolding wasn't harsh and so wasn't received that way but she realized that their new one would be delivered soon.

 

Groaning under the weight, Edward tried a different tactic, turning the sofa onto its back. `How did Al ever get this stupid thing in here to begin with?' The fact that they had to get it out one door, only to bring it through the one right beside it, drove him crazy. “Enough!”

 

Setting his end down, Alphonse peered at the blond, who was fuming. “It's alright brother, we'll figure a way if you'll just…” But his words were wasted because the alchemist already had his hands clapped together. “Brother you can't do that!” He moaned, although not in time.

 

A flash of light filled the room as his palms met the wall that merged the two apartments. In a moment two double doors had been created. One opened slowly from the other side to reveal an extremely shocked Andrea. The handiwork was well done, without a single flaw.

 

“Edward you can't just go changing the structure of the building!” Brie informed, realizing what he'd done. “We don't own the place you know. What do you think the manager is going to say when he sees an opening between her dining room and ours?” Unfortunately she couldn't hold back her laugher which was already threatening to break through.

 

“It's not like I changed any of the support beams.” He told her, surveying his work. “Besides I can always change it back later. But for now…” Already he was picking up his end of the couch, Al following suit and lifting the other end. Both men found it much easier to make it through the newly formed arch.

 

Shaking her head, his wife apologized, “I'm sorry I'll have him close it off if you don't want it there.” But she could already see that her neighbor was thrilled with the development. They'd already discussed how at least they wouldn't have to walk so far on the cold days to visit each other.

 

“Now we won't even have to go outside.” Andrea mused, content with his work. She smiled at her friend. “That sure would have been handy if we would have known back before. It would have made moving my stuff out of my parents' house a lot easier on all of us.”

 

It was true; the three of them had gone through some difficulties when trying to convey the stuff into the upstairs apartment. That had been when Jacob had first taken up residence with Briana. He had been the reason the girls hadn't shared the flat they'd planned on.

 

 

“Don't tell him.” Andrea begged as they sat on the floor packing the whatnots. “Jake doesn't have any other place to go and I do. So just don't say anything alright?” She'd been disappointed at first but quickly realized how much the amnesia patient needed her friend.

 

“I know, I know.” Brie murmured, quieting down when the man in question entered the room. She still couldn't believe that she'd allowed him to stay with her. `I'm loosing my mind. That's the only logical explanation I can think of.' She'd always been somewhat of a loner, so why take in a stranger now?

 

He was aware of the tension in the room, although he didn't say so. Instead he grinned at both girls, trying to lighten the mood. “If you take much more stuff there won't be any room for you to actually live.” He wasn't at all surprised when his roommate pushed against his leg.

 

“You just don't want to have to move anymore boxes.” She mused, happy when he sat down next to her. Somehow she felt as though he radiated something she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was like he was strangely different from all others, though it was somehow more than just his lacking memories.

 

As they finished wrapping things up, both metaphorically and literally, they spoke of things that meant little. It was basic everyday small talk made simply because they hated the silence. None of them wanted to speak of what they were thinking. Perhaps they should have, but chose not to.

 

 

Sitting on the floor with her legs stretched out, Briana opened one of the boxes her friend had given her. She was alone in the room, Andrea having left with Al to pick up something for dinner. Edward was nowhere to be seen, so she supposed he was back at their apartment.

 

Shifting through the photos, the brunette smiled. Most were of their teenage years, high school pictures and such. She found one of her standing in the hallway, in front of the lockers. To one side stood the artist, and on the other was Wyatt. The threesome had been such dear friends back then.

 

`Maybe I should call him. The last time I saw him was just after I'd gotten out of the hospital.' She bit her bottom lip, placing the photo back in the box. `But it would upset Edward.' That was the last thing she wanted, even if it meant hurting the man who'd meant so much to her while growing up.

 

Without warning she felt a pair of arms slip around her from behind. Peering upward she saw the alchemist kneel down so that he could rest his chin on her shoulder. “You don't have to keep this up you know. Most of the stuff has already been unpacked. Leave the rest for tomorrow.”

 

Closing her eyes, Briana sighed, leaning her head against his. “I guess you're right.” Glancing at the clock she realized that it was indeed becoming very late. “Where are those two anyway? They've been gone over an hour.” The man behind her only shrugged, slipping his hands under her arms so that he could help her stand.

 

Once he'd gathered her crutches off of the floor, he handed them to her. Putting them in place she grinned. As they made their way to their own apartment she actually felt as though things were the way they were supposed to be. “You know what? I think we might get through this after all.”

 

Smiling, Ed rubbed her back. “Of course we will, that's what I've been trying to tell you.” He was pleased when she giggled, and even happier when he realized the destination she had in mind was their bedroom. When they'd arrived he closed the door behind her.

 

Sitting on the mattress she sighed heavily. Her muscles ached although she refused to admit it to her husband. Laying back she closed her eyes, feeling the movement when he decided to crawl across the bed toward her. A grin passed over her lips momentarily. “Love you.” She mumbled.

 

His fingers trailed across her jaw line before he dotted it with soft kisses. The sun was already set, the streetlamps lit. Outside the darkness was beginning to blanket the world. But inside, the light that was their love was brighter than the sun. He needed nothing more than to be with her.

 

“You should have told me.” He muttered, massaging her neck with his lips. When she gave a grunted `what' he continued. “About Andrea, you never said anything about you two wanting to be roommates. But I'm kind of glad you didn't… or else we wouldn't be here now.”

 

Pulling back from him, Briana stared at her husband for a long moment. `I don't get it… why are his memories coming back now?' Whatever the reason, she was relieved. Perhaps, given the time, her husband would be whole once more. “I didn't want you to leave. Besides you didn't have anywhere else to go.”

 

As Edward rubbed her back he peered into those beautiful blue-green eyes. “I guess. Was she very upset though, about me living with you?” A giggle and a shaking of the head was his answer. Placing a kiss on her lips he grinned. “Where are they anyway? Al knows this town so they can't get lost.”

 

 

“Do you have any idea where we are?” She was watching Alphonse intently as they walked the dark streets. In his hand, he carried the bag of oriental food which had grown cold as they tried to find their way home. What was supposed to have been a shortcut had ended up getting her guide confused. With the shadows cast about them here and there, Andrea was becoming tense.

 

A stray cat jumped onto the top of a trashcan, and loosing his balance caused it to topple. The woman at his side jumped, grabbing hold of his arm tightly. Inwardly Al laughed. “I think I'm getting my bearings, just give me a moment.” But that was a lie; he had no clue where they were.

 

Her grip on him didn't let up even in the slightest. `I hate the dark. I hate the dark. I hate the dark!' That one phrase kept repeating in her mind as they strolled along the sidewalks. She still hadn't found a thing that looked even remotely familiar. What's worse was the fact that overhead, storm clouds were quickly forming.

 

A flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a clap of thunder which resounded off the buildings. In that one moment of light, Al realized that they were close to the shop. “Come on.” Rushing through the streets they made their way to the front door of the store.

 

Pulling out her key, Andrea unlocked it, hastily getting inside. Standing there in the darkness, she could hear her heaving breathing. `But his breath is hard too.' Hadn't he remained calm? Perhaps it had been an act to keep her own emotions in check. Switching on the lights, she glanced at him.

 

“I guess we should…” Al hadn't even finished his sentence before the clouds broke through. The rain came down like a curtain, nosily announcing its presents to the world. Glancing up at the ceiling he listened to it for a moment. “I was going to suggest taking a break then heading on home, but maybe we should wait for it to pass.”

 

Nodding, Andrea moved toward the phone. Picking up the receiver she had to ask the Elric for his number. She made a mental note to memorize it later. After dialing, she waited patiently for an answer. Receiving a greeting from Edward she smiled. “Hey it's me. We kind of got lost and…”

 

“You what?” The alchemist shook his head, leaning back against the wall. It wasn't possible. He and his sibling had spent years in Central. So how could they possibly get lost? “Put Al on the phone.” He could have been kinder and asked, but it was obvious by his voice that it was a request rather than a demand.

 

“Brother,” Alphonse was ashamed of himself, and assumed the elder would be amused by such a circumstance. “don't worry we're here at the shop. But with the rain coming down like it is, we're going to wait here for it to pass before we try to get back.” Then, just to get the subject off of him, “How's things between you and Brie?”

 

Ed grinned smugly toward the bedroom door where his wife was standing. They'd managed to make it through a whole conversation without his upsetting her. “She's fine, but what about you getting lost? Al you know Central as well as I do. If you wanted time alone with Andrea you could have just said so.”

 

The heat rose in the younger man's cheeks. In a hushed tone he retorted, “Brother, it's not like that. I tried one of your old shortcuts and got lost.” He heard laughter on the other end and remembered just how many times that had happened to the Elrics while they had been searching.

 

“You should know better than to follow my directions.” He had to wave away Briana, who was standing at his side, listening intently. Covering the receiver he murmured, “They got lost.” She giggled, backing away so that he could finish the conversation. “Where are you now?”

 

Sighing, Al scratched the back of his head. “I told you, we're at the shop with the food. Can you see about getting you and Brie something there at the house? I don't want to get out in this storm.” Glancing toward the door, he could see that it had become even heavier than before.

 

“Alright, you can spend the night there if you need to.” Listening to the rain outside, the blond realized that trying to walk back to the apartments would be unwise. The lightning came through every second or two and visibility was limited. “Use alchemy to make a couple of cots. We'll take tomorrow off.”

 

Nodding, the younger glanced toward the clock. “Ok, I'll call you if anything happens.” With that they said their goodbyes. Turning to Andrea he smiled. “Looks like we're stuck here, for the moment at least.” To his surprised she didn't seem too upset by that information.

 

They'd end up making the best of the situation. After all, they had food, water, and they were dry. With the use of his alchemy, Alphonse created a place for them to sleep. Outside the tempest raged on well past midnight. Inside, the fire of friendship grew, keeping them warm.

 

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Preview Chapter 35: Taken

Shrugging, he tugged off the outer red jacket, and then the black under one, watching his hands while doing so. “I just decided to…” When he glanced back at her, he realized that she was staring at his shoulder intently. Touching it gently he scowled, “What's wrong Brie? Why are you looking at me like that?”