Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Confessions ( Chapter 43 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 43: Confessions

 

“I believe Colonel Mustang is expecting us.” Briana told the woman sitting behind the desk. It was some new girl who eyed the couple suspiciously. `She obviously doesn't know who the Fullmetal Alchemist is.' She waited until the worker finally rose, moving to knock lightly on the door.

 

After sticking her head in and asking she gestured them in. Having seen to that, she went back to her papers. “Have a seat.” Roy told them, putting away a file he was supposed to have been working on. Then turning his full attention to them he clarified, “I don't remember ordering your presents Fullmetal.”

 

Scowling Edward draped an arm around his spouse's shoulders as they sat on the couch. “Since when have I started following orders?” He retorted, earning him a disapproving look from the brunette. But she wouldn't say anything, not in front of his superior. “Besides don't you want to hear what I have to say?”

 

The Flame Alchemist frowned. “I'll read it in your report.” He informed his subordinate without lenience. Turning his gaze on the woman he chose to take a kinder tone. She had been through hell and he knew it. The fact that Hawkeye had told him to take it easy on the girl only served to fuel his compassion. “Tell me what happened.”

 

Sighing Brie thought back to those horrible days. Instinct was already beginning to bury the memories, and perhaps that was why he'd insisted on seeing her so soon. “He looked like Edward when he first came into the shop. I thought it was, I thought the worst had to be behind us.”

 

Her eyes glazed over as she continued, “I didn't realize until we were in the old theater that something was wrong. When he took off his coat there was a scar on his shoulder where the automail would have connected. But my husband doesn't have that. I tried to get away when I tripped and fell. It knocked me out completely.”

 

Swallowing hard, her brow creased as things came rushing back in horridly vivid detail. “He had me strapped to a table when I woke up.” This was where fact would have to become fiction in order to keep her freedom. “I don't know what he did during that time but my braces were gone.

 

“He was standing in the shadows. Once I saw him he came forward he unbuckled the straps. When I realized I could move my legs I tried to run.” She had to stifle a sob. “But he came after me as Ed. I tried to get away but… but…” She shuttered remembering the feeling of his tongue sliding into her mouth.

 

“Just take your time.” Mustang told her while Fullmetal held her close. `Whatever happened in there must have really had an effect on her.' When she managed to calm a bit he nodded for her to continue if she could. He was inquisitive about the ordeal if nothing else.

 

“He kissed me.” She murmured, leaving out the fact it had happened only after assuming the face of the younger Elric. “He told me he wasn't going to kill me. He wanted everything Edward had, including my love. But that was one thing he couldn't take, and I wouldn't give.”

 

Wincing from the remembered pain, she ran a hand across her abdomen. “So he started beating me. He kept saying it was punishment and he would always look like Ed while doing it. It was the same thing every day; he'd kiss me as himself and then beat me as Edward.”

 

Nodding Roy had to admit that given time the plan might have worked. No love could possibly last under those conditions, or so he thought. “What happed to the homunculi?” His question was directed toward Fullmetal. “Has he been disposed of or is he still on the loose?”

 

The blond frowned, “It appeared that Envy had a strange stone he used to heal Briana's legs. He pulled it out during our battle and tried to use it but somehow the gate was opened instead.” Scowling at his superior he lied, “There was nothing left after that, the stone vanished.” It hadn't vanished but had been dragged into the gate at the same time as that creature.

 

“A stone that a non-alchemist could use?” Mustang pondered aloud, leaning back in his chair. “It seems that there's a new branch of alchemy out there waiting to be explored. I'm sure you and Alphonse are eager to look into it.” But he could see that he was wrong about that.

 

“No.” Edward stated flatly. “I'm not going on anymore searches for stones. I've got what I want and I don't plan on risking it for anything.” He stood, pulling his wife up with him and saluting the colonel. “If that's all.” He muttered, already turning to go without waiting on permission.

 

“I see.” Roy mused. “I don't recall dismissing you Fullmetal.” The blond turned to glare at him defiantly. Ignoring him the Flame Alchemist spoke with Brie, “It seems you've taken my best hound and turned him into a small lapdog.” He grinned when the subordinate began fuming.

 

But Ed kept his temper enough not to go off on a tirade. He had to get her out of there before a medical examination was ordered. “Al and I are taking some time off Colonel, assuming that's ok with you.” His voice inflected that it didn't really matter, he was going on vacation regardless. His superior waved him on, not wanting to make a scene in front of the young woman.

 

“You could have requested leave.” Brie murmured as they made their way down the hall. He only turned, giving her the smirk he'd used since his teenage years and looping an arm around her waist. Shaking her head she thought ahead to what preparations would have to be taken care of before their departure.

 

`We'll have to make sure and pack everything we need. I'd hate to forget anything.' But she hadn't been on a real holiday for so long. Jacob had made so little that they had barely scraped by. Now, however, her husband made enough that they were finally living comfortably.

 

 

Sitting on the floor, stuffing clothes into her only suitcase, Andrea sighed, `I don't get it. Why do they want me to go? I'm not family.' She felt as though she were intruding, and what was more, she couldn't swim. The thought of all of them splashing about in the water made her heart sink which was just what she was sure she would do.

 

Al had been in her apartment to track down one of the pets when he heard her sigh. Making his way to stand just outside her bedroom he looked in the open door. Knocking on the frame before entering he took a seat next to her. “What's wrong? You don't sound too excited about the trip.”

 

Shrugging she looked at the bathing suit she'd just pulled from the bottom drawer of her dresser. `I haven't even worn the thing.' He touched her shoulder lightly, silently asking for an answer. Giving a low moan she finally admitted with great shame, “I don't know how to swim.”

 

It shocked her when he laughed. “Neither do I!” Slowly a smile spread across her lips as she joined in his amusement. “Don't worry about it.” He told her, gently rubbing her back absentmindedly. “Brother can't swim either. Since he had automail it sort of weighed him down.”

 

Grinning she giggled, “Well I'm me and I think that's what weighs me down.” Tossing the bathing suit in the suitcase anyway she wondered, “So what's your excuse for not learning how to swim?” She wasn't expecting the aura of darkness to settle around him. “You don't have to tell me.” Andrea murmured, sorry she'd asked.

 

Shaking his head he removed his hand from her back, using it to brush back his hair. It would need to be cut soon or it would become like his sibling's. “It's just that… the reason is complicated.” He didn't want to lie to her, but how much stranger would he seem if she knew his past?

 

When she continued packing in awkward silence he felt bad. Gripping her wrist gently he caught her attention. “I'm sorry Andrea. I just don't want you to think I'm some sort of freak.” Although in his own mind he seemed to fit the description, at least to some degree.

 

“Why would I think that?” She questioned, suddenly realizing just how little she knew about the man who was stealing her heart. `But Briana didn't know anything about Jacob, although that was because he didn't either. Still if she trusts Al then why shouldn't I?' Her friend had always been a good judge of character, even in the oddest situations. Little did she know that was why he had been welcomed by Brie, even as a suit of armor.

 

“I'm… different.” He muttered, shifting his gaze away from hers. His in-law had told him it was safe to tell the artist his past. Still he couldn't help but be wary of her reaction. After all, he was beginning to love her. “You know that brother had automail, well it was because of something we did…”

 

Was he really doing this? Was he honestly telling her? Swallowing hard he continued, feeling his muscles tense. “We used our alchemy to do something considered taboo. It cost brother his leg but for me…” How could he let her know? What would her reaction be?

 

His mind raced with images of all the fearful looks he'd received while living life as what should have been an inanimate object. `What if she...' But words continued to flow from his mouth rather hesitantly. “My whole body was taken, leaving brother alone. He attached my soul to a suit of armor.”

 

Her eyes widened slightly, and she let out a low gasp. She wouldn't have believed him save for the fact that she could remember reading somewhere that the Fullmetal Alchemist was always accompanied by a large man dressed in armor. He watched all this but sustained the conversation.

 

“That's how he lost his arm; he gave it up in exchange for my soul.” Having come to the end of his story he waited for what would come next. `She'll either think I'm crazy or shun me for what we did.' However he hadn't imagined that she would lean forward, hugging his neck.

 

“So that's what happened. Oh Al it must have been so hard.” Tightening her embrace, she supposed, “To live like that while Edward was with Brie, it had to have been a nightmare.” But then backing away, her arms remaining around his neck, she stared quizzically, “Were you like that when he was gone?” The man nodded. “But then, what happened, why are you like this now?”

 

Shrugging he grinned, “We located something called the Philosopher's Stone. It allowed us to get back what we'd lost. But it was used up so we couldn't fix Briana's legs with it.” Her closeness seemed to make his heart pound a million beats per second. “Anyway that's why I never learned how to swim.”

 

She smiled, finally releasing him and returning to her packing. “Well at least you have a good excuse. I just never got around to it.” Andrea could feel the palpations in her chest escalate. `I can't believe I hugged him like that!' Glancing toward him she couldn't help but notice, `Of course he didn't seem to mind.'

 

Alphonse still couldn't believe her reaction. It was just too good to be true. `If I wait long enough I'll wake up.' However if he truly believed that theory he would have tried kissing her. He wasn't willing to press his luck. She had hugged him and that was closer then he'd ever gotten to a woman he cared for as more than a friend.