[ log ] a family reunion

[equivalentfaith]

Who: Edward Elric (equivalentfaith), Alphonse Elric (kimitoaruiteku), and later, Winry Rockbell (hide_the_wrench)
Status: Active/closed
Style: Paragraph
Where: Himorogi, by the big tree
When: Week 12, Day Seven
Rating: I can't see this going above PG-13
Warnings: Aaaangst. Possible Winry!wrenchings later? >D

Comments

[equivalentfaith]

It's really me, Brother. Body and memories and all.

You kept your promise. You did it.

You kept your promise.

You did it.

Ed suddenly feels off-balance, head spinning as he hears the words. He did it. He--no, they pulled it off; a human transmutation. It's almost too much to take in and for a moment, Ed wonders if this is really happening, if he'll blink his eyes and Al will be there in the armor again, reminding him of what he left unfinished when he was pulled here.

Al holds out a hand to him, and Ed raises his own (the left; the wants to really feel it, Al's warmth, the softness of his skin) and when he reaches forward, discovers it is trembling. A moment of hesitation (of fear), and he grips Al's hand. Lightly at first, and then tightening slowly as acceptance slowly filters into his mind. He can feel Al's heartbeat pound lightly against his hand, strong and steady, and suddenly his own is racing. His grip tightens and his head lowers, accompanied by the sharp intake of breath.

He stands there for a moment, like that, before his other arm, the automail one, is reaching for Al's shoulder, pulling it closer to him and resting his chin on the space between his neck and shoulder. From this position, Al can see those proud shoulders of his brother shaking as he holds onto Al, but the drops of moisture that drip down his cheeks are concealed from view.

He doesn't speak any further, just stays there, holding onto Al like a life preserver, hoping for all the world this doesn't turn out to be a lie.

[kimitoaruiteku]

For a moment, it looks like Ed might fall over or faint, but thankfully he remains on his feet. Al curls his hand tight around his brother's, smiling the whole time. He's not surprised when Ed hugs him, and Al lets go of his hand so he can hug him tightly in return. He mirrors his brother, resting his own chin on shaking shoulders.

"It's okay," Al murmurs, surprised to find that his voice is a little choked up. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." He squeezed Ed a little bit tighter, grateful to finally be able to get to hug his brother. They'd been in the middle of a battle, then had gone through the Gate and there'd been so many things to do, there hadn't been time for something simple like a hug.

He's content to stay like that for a long time. It doesn't matter if this is another world. Where he is right now, holding his brother tight... This is home. Always was, has been, and will be home.

aksjdfk sorry for the delay! been crazy hell week for me

[equivalentfaith]

It's several more moments before Ed is able to compose himself, but that pressure against him as Al hugs back, or the breath against his neck as he speaks--it helps. It's soothing in a way, reinforcing the facts he sees with his eyes and Ed clings to that reassurance, to Al's words that he's not going anywhere.

He wants to believe it, even if he doesn't understand how it's possible because he hasn't lived it yet. But for once, for right now, Ed's okay with not having an answer--with accepting this reality for what it is. He's done a lot of that in Kannagara so far anyway, and at least this time it's not something frustrating like how he can't get back to Amestris or how he doesn't have memories that the others do.

Ed doesn't let go when he finally lifts his head to speak again, and his voice is still subdued, but there's a bit of a grin in it.

"So, two years, huh? Can't believe I missed you getting back into real food. Any particular favorites since then?"

[tsukisusume]

Al lets out a light laugh. He's perfectly content to keep a firm grip on his brother. He's not going to let Ed walk away another time. "First thing Winry made for me when I got home was some pie. It probably wasn't the most healthy first thing to have but it was really good."

[equivalentfaith]

"I'll bet it was! I bet if we can find ingredients she could make some for us here--"

Oh. Shit. He'd been so distracted with the fact that Al was back in his body that he had totally forgotten about Winry. He was so, so getting wrenched for running off on his own and not at least calling her.

"She's waiting for us, so let's go, yeah, Al?" he says with a distinctly sheepish grin of the kind he wore when he messed up his automail.

[hide_the_wrench]

Winry waits outside of the Hisato complex, scanning the horizon for any sign of them. It wouldn’t be worth it to try to catch up now, but… she is going to hit Ed so hard once he comes back. Or she might just hug them both and start sobbing again. She hasn’t quite decided yet. Could be a combination of both.

She glances down at her Hitomi every once in a while, and the sight of Al’s face frozen in a smile is enough to make her grin every time. It fills her with a small amount of good will too; yeah, she can kind of understand Ed just running off to grab him. It was her first impulse- to just drop everything and go hold him until every moment he spent trapped in a suit of armor really felt like nothing but the past.

Doesn’t mean she isn’t going to clock Ed, but it’s something.

[tsukisusume]

Al grins but nods firmly. He wants to see Winry and give her a really big hug.

He follows Ed's lead as his brother takes them back to where Winry is waiting, listening to him talk about this new world and what it's been like. Once they near and he sees her waiting, a smile breaks out and he picks up his pace, going past Ed to reach her faster.

Once he gets up to Winry, he gives her the same big, tight hug he gave his brother. "Winry!"