FMA: Gilded (Years)
Twenty-fifth chapter of Gilded! Can't believe we're almost done. First chapter can be found here, with links to later parts.
Title: Gilded
Prompt: Years
Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist (manga/Brotherhood)
Word Count: 361.
Rating: PG
Summary: In which there is an anniversary.
Warnings: SPOILERS through to the end of the manga/Brotherhood. I've been advised by evil_little_dog to warn for "incessant cuteness" as well. :)
Author's Notes/Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist and all associated characters, settings, etc., belong to Hiromu Arakawa-san. The only profit I make from this work of fiction is my own satisfaction and, possibly, the enjoyment of others.
October 3rd, 1915
Al quietly slipped out of the Rockbells’ that autumn night. He was not - exactly - trying to be sneaky. There were just some things that were hard to explain, even to those as close as family. And as he made his slow way through the long grass, still wet from that day’s rain, and down the seldom-trodden path, careful not to trip in the dark, he didn’t expect to meet anyone. But when he arrived at his destination - a dark pile of ashes, so old that they no longer smelt of smoke, with a few half-burned beams sticking out of the rubble - he found he had been beaten there.
That well-known silhouette didn’t deter him. He knew his brother would not mind his company.
Ed didn’t say anything when Al sat down beside him, but he did nudge Al’s shoulder slightly with his own. Al leaned against him in response.
They stayed there for one long hour, while the moon rose higher into the sky. Owls occasionally flew overhead, causing a momentary lull in the familiar sounds of a Risembool night. Finally, Ed got to his feet, automail knee squeaking from the lingering humidity in the air. “We’d better get back,” he said softly. “Don’t want you to catch cold.”
Al nodded, allowing his brother to help him up. They stood still for one moment more, then together turned back to the dirt trail leading to the Rockbells’. “I think we should get all of that cleaned up,” Al whispered as they walked.
“Yeah.” Ed’s voice was thoughtful, but not melancholy.
“Maybe we can build another house,” Al proposed. His brother was silent. Al smiled to himself. “Someone could even live there, get married, start a family…” he trailed off meaningfully.
Ed nodded slightly, then seemed to realize what, exactly, he was agreeing with. “Hey! Al.” He shot a warning look over his shoulder.
Al blinked innocently. “What’s wrong, Brother? It was just a suggestion.”
Ed scowled at him. “Well, stop suggesting.” But he reached back and ruffled Al’s hair, so Al knew he was only acting mad on principle.
Besides… Ed hadn’t dismissed the idea, now had he?
To Be Concluded ( Part 26 - Zenith)