Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Descent ❯ Till Death Do Us Part ( Chapter 44 )

 

Descent

 

Chapter Forty-Four

 

Till Death Do Us Part

 

The sun wasn't up yet before the bustle in the Rockbell house began. Al and Winry were woken by the sound of Pinako yelling through the house that `everyone needed to get up and get ready for this damned wedding' and that Russell had better `get his ass out of bed and come help in the kitchen'.

 

The two of them stared wide-eyed at each other for a moment before practically climbing over one another to get out of bed. Winry hurried to the door and peaked out. When she didn't see anyone, she looked back at Al and gave him a smile before hurrying out of the bedroom to scurry back to her own. She didn't exactly want her grandmother to find out that they'd spent the night together last night. It would just be too embarrassing; plus, she didn't know if she'd get a lecture for not waiting until they were married.

 

With the door closed behind her, Winry turned on the light and stood in the middle of her messy room, trying to decide what she needed to do next. Her brain was still asleep despite the fact that her body was fully awake.

 

“Dress...” she said, looking around. Yes, the dress... an excellent starting point. She rushed to her closet, stubbing her toe on one of her tools scattered on her floor in the process, then flung open the closet doors. She stared at the dress for a moment, then realized that she couldn't possibly get in the dress without a shower...

 

Quickly grabbing some clean underwear and a towel, she rushed out of her room and through the house. “I'm showering!” she yelled loudly. “Don't anyone go to the side of the house!”

 

Winry raced outside to where they kept the shower(1) and shimmied out of her night clothes. The eastern horizon was barely beginning to lighten, and she was glad that it was summer. In the winter she would have needed to take a bath inside and that would have taken a lot longer.

 

She washed vigorously as she thought of all that she needed to do in just a couple of hours... before... Winry stopped her washing and stared down at the ground. Today was the day... She swallowed and wiped the streaming water from her face. In just a few hours she'd be married, and in just a few hours Alphonse would leave her... She felt like crying both from joy and from sorrow.

 

Winry didn't want to cry; didn't want to be weak.

 

Looking up at the sky, she forced the pain away. She would not cry; at least, not right now. Today she would smile and she would rejoice that she was being married. She would be brave for Al. It wouldn't do to have him see her cry. Not when he didn't want to leave her either...

 

Taking a deep breath, Winry finished her shower, put on the clean underwear, wrapped the towel around her, and dashed back toward the house.

 

;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

 

Alphonse held the earrings tightly in his hand as he walked into the kitchen. Pinako was rushing about the kitchen making breakfast. He could also see that she was putting some food together for him and Russell to take when they left. He bit gently on his lip. She was already so busy... Maybe he shouldn't ask...

 

But at that moment, Pinako caught sight of him and said in a brisk tone, “What is it?”

 

“Oh, eh... um...” At his stuttering, she stopped and stared at him expectantly. “It's nothing...” he finally said, deciding not to ask.

 

She folded her arms across her chest and smirked at him. “Now, you look here. I raised two boys and I got pretty damn good at knowing when they wanted something. Spit it out. I'm a busy woman.”

 

“I know, that's why I—”

 

“Alphonse...” she said in a slight warning tone.

 

“Alright, well...” He took a deep breath, then said in a jumbled rush, “Winry gave me two of her earrings to make into a ring, but I just can't get myself to change their shape so I was thinking about wearing them the way she does, so if you could help me, I'd really be grateful.”

 

Pinako raised an eyebrow and stared quietly at him for a moment, then said, “I wish you'd said something yesterday.”

 

“I know,” Al said, feeling guilty.

 

“You do know that we don't have a lot of time, don't you?”

 

“Of course...” He knew that better than anyone else.

 

She sighed and moved to wash her hands. “I'm not going to bother numbing your ears so it will be a little painful.”

 

Al waved that away. “I can handle a bit of pain.” It couldn't possibly hurt that much, he reasoned as he followed her out of the kitchen.

 

;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

 

Winry hurried into the house and started toward the stairs, then stopped and rushed toward the kitchen. She'd completely forgotten about needing someone to help her with getting the dress put on and fastened. Originally, Winry had planned on having some of her female friends that she'd grown up with come and help her, but now she didn't think it would be a good idea. They'd want to know why Al was rushing off, and they were probably asleep right now anyway...

 

She stuck her head in the kitchen, not wanting to walk right in with just a towel if Russell was in there. Glancing around, she frowned when she didn't see granny; in fact, no one was in there. Breakfast was half made and so was the food for Al and Russell's journey... Suddenly, from another room in the house, there was a loud yell. Winry turned quickly, recognizing the shout as Al's, then gasped in shock at seeing Russell standing right behind her. He was so close that they were almost touching.

 

Winry clutched at her towel, and took a step backward to increase the distance between them, then said irritably, “You shouldn't sneak up on people like that!”

 

Russell raised an eyebrow and gave her a small smirk. “Is it my fault that you weren't paying attention?”

 

She scowled darkly, both at his tone and the condescending look he was giving her. “What do you want?” she asked, feeling angry.

 

He shrugged and moved past her. “I was asked to help with the food.”

 

Winry opened her mouth to say something, then cut off when she heard quick footsteps coming toward them. A moment later, Pinako walked into the kitchen, then said, “Seriously. Men have no real tolerance for pain.” She turned to Winry and eyed her quickly before saying, “Hurry up, Winry. The mayor should be here in about thirty minutes.”

 

“I'll need some help with the dress...” she said, feeling a little guilty for being a burden.

 

Pinako nodded. “Go and start getting ready. Let me finish breakfast so that the boys can eat and I'll be up to help you.”

 

Winry nodded and hurried out of the kitchen. She glanced in the direction the yell had come from, then rushed up the stairs to her room. It hadn't hurt that bad when she'd gotten her ears pierced...

 

;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

 

Al took a bite of his breakfast and tried to ignore Russell's look of amusement, but it was hard. It was almost as if he was enjoying the fact that Al's ears still hurt, and it took an effort not to whimper. He definitely should have done this last night when he could have had them numbed... Not that they hurt horribly... anymore... it was just that they still throbbed...

 

He took another bite, swallowed, then glared at Russell. “Say it,” he growled. Russell raised his eyebrows in a questioning gesture. “Do I really look that stupid?” he asked, tired of the looks Russell was giving him.

 

With a smirk, Russell said, “Yes.”

 

Al's mouth dropped open for a moment, almost in disbelief that his friend would be so brutally honest, then took one more bite before picking his plate up, dumping it in the sink, and leaving the kitchen. He rushed up the stairs and glanced at Winry's bedroom door before heading into his own bedroom. Shutting the door firmly, Al walked over to the mirror above the dresser and looked at himself.

 

He had to admit that the small hoop earrings did look a little funny on him, but that's just because he wasn't used to them, he was sure. Frowning, Al turned his head one way then another before groaning. He did look strange.

 

The gesture of wearing them was meant to be sort of... romantic, but no one else seemed to think of it that way. Al gently touched one of the earrings, winced at the twinges of pain, then turned his attention to his clothes. He was dressed in nondescript traveling clothes; nothing to mark him as anything out of the ordinary, but sadly nothing like he'd imagined he'd get married in...

 

Pushing away from the mirror, Al sat heavily on the bed and stared dully down at the floor. It was almost so unfair that he had to leave; unfair that they had to rush things... Life had been going so smoothly before... What had happened...?

 

Winry seemed to blame Russell, but the idea was ludicrous. There was no way that Russell could have made him and Winry fight, or have caused the military to show up in Rizembool, or for those soldiers to be waiting on the road. It all just had to be a coincidence... right?

 

There was a knock on his bedroom door before it opened and Russell said, “The mayor is here.”

 

Al looked up and studied Russell for a moment. Was he doing the right thing? What if the People's Army wouldn't help him? What if Colonel Archer was waiting for Al to try fleeing from Rizembool so that he could say, `See! This is proof that he's guilty!' Was this just a set up to get Al to join up with him? Some sort of twisted blackmail? And the People's Army... What if he never came back? What if something happened to him? Winry would be left a widow before she even had a chance to have a husband...

 

He looked over at his suitcase and wondered if he was doing the right thing by marrying her right now. Should he have said no to her? Even if he should have, Al didn't know if he would have been able to. He wanted her to be happy; and by leaving, he was only bringing her sadness...

 

“Are you ready?” Russell asked, breaking into his thoughts. “If you're going to do this marriage thing, you should do it so we can leave. The sun is almost fully up and we should be leaving... not having a wedding. If you ask me, she was pretty selfish to have even suggested this.” He sounded irritable, and Al gave him a dark glare.

 

Standing, Al grabbed his suitcase and said, “It's not selfish... You just don't understand...”

 

“Oh?” Russell asked, folding his arms. “Your life is in danger and she wants to stop and marry you first?”

 

“If anyone is being selfish, it's me,” Al said. “If I would have just given in and let her come with us, then she wouldn't be asking for this.” He sighed. “But I want her to be safe... I want to know she's safe...” He shook his head. “Besides... I want to get married right now too.”

 

Al started to walk past Russell when he said softly, “What's wrong? You afraid someone will snatch her up while you're gone?” He stopped walking and ground his teeth together in frustration and anger. He wanted to say something against it, but that was the biggest reason that he'd agreed to it... “Perhaps, you're afraid she doesn't love you as much as she says she does?” Russell asked in a whisper.

 

Turning his head, Al glared at Russell angrily. The tone in Russell's voice suggested that he was amused by this line of thought, yet when Al looked at him, his face showed no such thing.

 

“Let's go down stairs,” Al said tightly, then moving down the stairs. Now wasn't the time for this discussion... Winry did love him! As much as Ed? his traitorous mind asked. Shut up! Al thought, walking out the door and down the steps from the porch.

 

“Where's the mayor?” Al asked, looking around.

 

“Upstairs talking with Winry and Pinako,” Russell responded, then grinned. “I got a look at her, by the way. She looks nice. Too bad you won't get to sample the goods before leaving.” Al blinked, then scowled and tried to ignore Russell's comment, but his face was heating as he thought about what he and Winry had done last night.

 

There was a pause, then Russell said, “Oh, I see how it is...” Al looked at him. “You've already had a taste. Tell me...” Russell leered and said more quietly, “Was she good?”

 

Al, seething now, grabbed Russell's shirt and pulled him close. “You'd better shut the hell up!” His breathing was short and labored, and his hands twitched to punch Russell out, but Russell merely laughed and stared Al in the eyes.

 

“Are you going to do to me what you did to that soldier?” he whispered with a grin.

 

Memories of being inside the soldier's mind—of killing him—flashed before Al's eyes and his grip on Russell loosened. He squeezed his eyes shut, and turned his head away before letting go of Russell completely.

 

“No...” he whispered roughly, trying to fight the bile that was burning his throat now. He'd never really wanted to kill anyone. He'd never wanted it to happen... Al squeezed his eyes shut even tighter and clenched his fists. It was a lie—or rather, it wasn't the whole truth. He'd never wanted to kill anyone before, but in that moment of pure rage and desire to protect Winry, he had wanted to kill that man.

 

But to have actually done it...

 

Al opened his eyes when he heard the door open and looked up to see the mayor and Pinako coming out and walking down the steps. Pinako stood off to one side of the steps and motioned for Russell to come stand by her. The mayor stood on the other side and studied Al with a disapproving frown before scratching at one of his ears and giving a forced smile.

 

“Are you ready?” the mayor asked, his voice pleasant, but with a small hint of dissatisfaction.

 

Part of him wanted to launch into an explanation about the earrings—he was sure that's why the mayor had frowned at him—but he had much more important things on his mind than what the mayor thought of him.

 

In nervous excitement, Al nodded and looked up at the porch expectantly. His heart beat quickly in his chest and his palms were sweating. Every second waiting for Winry to come out seemed like a thousand eternities. When the front door opened again, his heart stopped in his chest and Al could only stare in rapture as Winry walked out and started slowly down the steps.

 

Her blonde hair fell down her back and over her shoulders in wide curls from where it was pinned up at the back of her head. The simple, yet beautiful, white dress she was wearing had a scooped neck and long, flowing sleeves. The skirt of the dress was so long that it hid her feet from view. In her hands, Winry held a bouquet of wild flowers, held together with a white ribbon. Her eyes were fixed on his and a radiant smile lit her face.

 

As she stepped next to him, Al whispered, “You look... You're so...” He couldn't seem to find the words that fit, so fell back on, “You look like an angel...”

 

Instead of scowling, Winry smirked, “For someone who doesn't believe in a god, you sure do mention angels a lot.”

 

He smiled softly. “I believe in you...”

 

She opened her mouth, closed it, then blushed and ducked her head in a way that was so demure and very un-Winry-like. “I believe in you too...”

 

The sound of a throat clearing sounded behind them, and Al looked to see Russell being elbowed hard by Pinako. She was obviously displeased with him trying to rush this special moment.

 

“Are the two of you ready?” the mayor asked.

 

Al looked at Winry. She was studying him with a bemused smile, and it was his turn to blush. She must be thinking he looked really stupid with the earrings... he thought self-consciously. Why had he ever thought this was a good idea?

 

She looked at the mayor and nodded, then Al turned his attention to the mayor as well and said, “Yeah, we're ready.”

 

“Very good. Now, face each other and hold hands, if you please,” the mayor said, slipping a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles on and opening a small book.

 

Al and Winry turned and reached out for each other. With their hands joined, Al felt a lump form in his throat. They were creating a circle... Just like in alchemy... He smiled, wondering if Winry would laugh at him if she knew he was thinking of alchemy at a time like this.

 

The mayor cleared his throat, and said, “I usually prepare a speech when I perform wedding ceremonies, but I must say that with the timing, I wasn't able to do so. I might also be nosy and ask why the quick wedding; and why you, Alphonse, are leaving in such a hurry, but in these dark times, I think it's better not to know some things.”

 

Al glanced at the mayor, feeling grateful, but also knowing that it was probably for the mayor's benefit as much as his and Winry's.

 

“Now, even though I don't have a speech prepared, I do have a few things I'd like to say to you. Right now, the two of you are beginning a great journey together, and there will be many hard times to come.”

 

Al glanced at his suitcase and swallowed hard. There were already hard times...

 

“But, there will also be good times as well,” the mayor continued. “Cherish those moments. Cherish each other. Love each other and trust each other. Put the wants and needs of the other before your own, and try not to let the fire of your love go out over little rain drops of disagreement.”

 

Winry glanced down and squeezed his hand, before looking up and giving him a smile that seemed as if it held pain as well as joy.

 

The mayor cleared his throat and continued. “Marriage is not to be taken lightly. The vows you take today are not to be abandoned when inconvenient or when life becomes too hard. You must bond together and support one another. You must learn to understand each other's differences and learn to compromise. And, in times of trial, you must turn to each other for comfort from life's storms, and no other.”

 

I could never be with anyone else... Al thought, gazing at Winry lovingly.

 

“Now... do you have rings?” the mayor asked.

 

“We've already exchanged them...” Winry said, holding up her hand, then, with a funny look on her face, reaching up and gently touching one of the earrings in Al's ear.

 

“I see,” the mayor said, glancing emotionlessly at Al's ears. “In that case, I'll have the two of you exchange vows.”(2) He turned to face Al more fully and said, “Alphonse Elric, do you take Winry Rockbell to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

 

Al's throat constricted and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to speak. It seemed like such an obvious question. Why else would he be here if not for those reasons? He searched Winry's face, squeezed her hands, and choked, “No... Not just until death. Forever...” He squeezed her hands again. “I'll love you and cherish you forever...” Winry smiled and he could see a shimmer of tears in her eyes now.

 

Turning to Winry, the mayor said, “Winry Rockbell, do you take Alphonse Elric to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

 

A tear trickled down her cheek, but she didn't bother to wipe it away. She opened her mouth to speak, but only a small squeak came out and she closed it. Swallowing hard and sniffling, she nodded, then whispered hoarsely, “Always.”

 

“Then, as the mayor of Rizembool township and surrounding countryside, I pronounce you husband and wife.” There was a slight pause, then a softer and more gentle, “You may now kiss your lovely bride, Mister Elric.”

 

Al gazed silently at Winry for a moment trying to commit this moment to memory—the quiet morning; the soft and gentle breeze that made the strands of her hair tickle her delicate skin; her moist, but happy eyes staring lovingly at him... He never wanted to let her go... Swallowing back the lump that was forming in his throat, he stepped forward, gathered her in his arms, and gently pressed his lips against hers. Her arms wrapped around him and held him back tightly. Al broke the kiss and hugged her, feeling both joyful and grief-stricken. There was nothing he wanted more desperately right now than to stay by her side...

 

“I love you...” he whispered in her ear. “I love you... so much... I wish... I...”

 

“I love you too,” Winry whispered back, then sniffled a little. “Remember your promise...”

 

He pulled back a little and searched her face. She was smiling, but another tear was just escaping one of her eyes. Al reached up and brushed it away. “Please don't cry...” he said, his chest tightening painfully.

 

“It's because... I'm so happy...” she said; and though that might have been true, he doubted that was the only reason.

 

“Will you be alright?” he asked quietly.

 

“Of course,” she said in that stubborn way of hers. “You'd better call me or send me a letter as soon as you can.” It was more of a demand than a request and it made Al smile.

 

“I will.”

 

Stepping back, Al shook the mayor's hand, then gave Pinako a hug before looking at Russell and reluctantly saying, “We'd better go...”

 

Russell nodded, then stuck out his hand. “Congratulations.” Al shook it, then watched as Russell offered his hand to Winry. “Misses Elric, congratulations,” he said. Winry gave him a distasteful look, but quickly shook his hand anyway.

 

Al picked up his suitcase and gave a heavy sigh. It seemed as if it weighed a hundred tons... Turning, he gave Winry another hug and kiss. “I have to go...” he said in a reluctant and breathy voice.

 

She nodded, and he turned and started down the road with Russell following him. Every step was agony and it took everything he had within himself not to throw his suitcase down and run back to his new wife, or to tell her that she could come along.

 

He had to keep her safe, and this was the best thing...

 

Stopping, Al turned and waved. Just one more look... Winry waved back with a smile on her face. He smiled back, then started way once more, feeling so very weak. She was so much stronger than he was...

 

;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

 

Pinako watched as Al and Russell started away and blinked her eyes to make the stinging go away. So many of her family had been taken away by war, and though Alphonse said he wasn't joining with the rebellion, she knew how easy it was to get involved.

 

When Al stopped and waved to them from a distance, Pinako turned and watched as Winry lifted one of her hands and waved back with a smile on her face—though Pinako thought it looked forced.

 

Then, Al turned away and, after a moment, Winry's smile faltered and her hand fell down to her bouquet. Her other hand was already holding it tightly, but Winry wrapped the hand she'd waved with around it anyway. It seemed to be something she could do with her hands—something to keep them occupied.

 

Pinako looked back the way the two boys had gone. They were almost out of sight... A small sniffle caught her attention and she glanced back at Winry to see her clenching her teeth and fat tears silently falling down her cheeks. Then, after another short moment, Winry fell to her knees, doubled up on herself, and pressed her forehead against the ground. Large sobs shook her body and it seemed all the girl could do to not start wailing.

 

The mayor caught Pinako's attention long enough for him to let her know he would leave them alone, then she moved over to Winry and knelt down beside her. With slow strokes, Pinako quietly rubbed Winry's back. There was nothing she could say to make it better; nothing she could do. Life was such a cruel thing sometimes...

 

“He'll come back, right...?” Winry sobbed. “He... promised... He'll be fine...”

 

Pinako pressed her lips together, but said nothing for a moment. Truthfully, she didn't know if Al would come back. War and conflict had taken many people away from her, and she feared that it wasn't done taking. Would it be cruel to give Winry false hope? Of course, Alphonse and Edward had always come home before. They'd always made it through whatever problems they faced... But this was different...

 

“I think he will...” Pinako finally said, and hoped, for Winry's sake, that she was right.

 

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1 - You'll remember that when Ed was at the Rockbell's house he showered outside.

2 - I'm using the traditional Catholic wedding vows as a reference here because many civil marriage vows have been adapted from them, and because they're so well known.

 

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