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His new body feels unnatural, too big and cumbersome for him to move properly, but he hasn’t got any other choice.
He needs to hurry.
Edward is gravely injured, possibly even dying.
He doesn’t have time to waste.
Not when his brother’s blood stains the armor that now houses his soul.
This wasn’t supposed to happen… Mom… Ed… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!
All they wanted was to see their mother smile again, to hear her voice.
What was so wrong with that?
“It’s going to be okay, Brother. We’re almost there. Just a little longer.”
He’s pretty sure Edward can’t hear him anymore. That he’s slipped mercifully into unconsciousness.
Or what he prays is unconsciousness.
If Ed… If Ed dies…
He can’t lose anyone else.
He can’t.
Not after Mom.
Not after the horror they just experienced, that’s still so fresh in their minds.
They’ve managed to staunch the flow of blood with what they could find at the house, but, even so, Alphonse knows he’s lost a worrying amount.
Is it too much?
He doesn’t know, he doesn’t
remember
.
They were interested in alchemy, not medicine.
“Granny!” He falls against the Rockbell’s door in his urgency, voice rising in a desperate wail. “Winry! Help me! Please!”
The door flies open.
Winry stares at him, eyes wide, mouth agape. Her expression quickly shifts from confused to horrified when she lays eyes on Ed. “What…?” She sets her jaw. “Come inside. Granny!” she calls, rushing them both into the house.
Al clutches his brother as tightly as he dares. It’s hard to know his own strength as he is now.
“Bring him here.” Pinako materializes in the kitchen, immediately taking charge. She leads them briskly through the house.
Al spares a glance at Winry.
Despite the tears running down her face, she doesn’t falter once as she ties her hair back away from her face. Her expression is hard with determination.
Has she always been this strong?
“Get him on this bed. Now.”
Al does what he’s told without question, laying his brother down.
Ed’s expression twists in what can only be pain, a deep furrow forming between his brows, but he doesn’t open his eyes.
“Please, brother…” Al whispers brokenly, clutching his one small hand in his two large ones.
Pull through this.
Wake up.
Don’t leave me alone.
Pinako is at his side. “Alphonse,” her voice is firm, but gentle. Alphonse immediately dreads whatever it is she has to say, “I need you to leave so that we have space to work.”
“But…” His protest dies before he finishes it.
“I promise we’re going to do everything in our power to save him.” Pinako meets his soulfire gaze levelly.
“O-Okay.”
With Ed’s life hanging in the balance, he doesn’t dare waste a second of precious time arguing with her.
He knows they’re not doing it to be cruel.
There’s no one he trusts more with his brother’s life.
He understands the logic behind their decision as he goes to wait outside the room, seating himself on the bench in the adjoining hall.
With this new body, he’ll only get in the way and that’s not something they can afford. Ed’s life is at stake and he can’t do anything.
Not even stay by his brother’s side.
He clenches his trembling fists down by his side.
He’s useless.
He can’t even cry for what he and his brother have lost .
Den whines in sympathy, his tail thumping.
“Alphonse?” Winry comes to see him much later. Her arms are wrapped around herself and her eyes are red-rimmed and swollen. She offers him a wobbly smile. “Are you okay?”
He’s anything but okay and he sees no point in lying to her. “No.”
“Right.” She takes a seat beside him. “Stupid question.”
“Is he…?” Alphonse doesn’t dare finish the question.
“He’s going to make it.” She lifts her head. This time, her smile is something more sincere.
Al feels almost lightheaded with relief if such a thing is possible as he is now.
He may not have a body and his brother is short two limbs, but he’s alive.
He’s alive.
That’s enough for now.
Because as long as his brother’s alive, they’ll find a way to keep fighting.
Together.