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The memory of their faces—of their determination—made me waver against the snowy landscape. I lowered my gaze to the bracelets gleaming beneath the overcast sky; the way they fit my wrists so perfectly made my chest ache with a genuine, unsettling worry. They were throbbing… I swore I could feel a heartbeat in each hand.
The feeling was bittersweet, yet I couldn’t stop a smile from slipping free as I remembered their nervous, regretful expressions.
Alphonse had been hiding behind Edward. They both appeared at my front door one morning after the storm, neatly dressed, their proud gazes refusing to meet mine.
“Forgive us!” They shouted in unison, extending the bracelets toward me. Their fingers trembled as they held the jewelry, though I couldn’t tell whether it was from fear or the cold.
“Ah?”
They bowed deeply, still presenting the gifts. I grabbed the fabric of their shirts and pulled them inside; the sight of them standing in my living room made my heart shudder. It had been a long time since they’d been here.
They kept glancing at the bracelets with the look of abandoned puppies, waiting for me to accept their apology for the way they’d lashed out at me the other day.
I took them, hesitating before fully accepting them. They looked expensive, where had they gotten the money?
I hoped they hadn’t spent what little savings they had… Were these boys really that irresponsible?
I decided to give them a chance.
I examined them closely, noticing the beautiful, uneven soldering. One was made from a fine silver chain that caught the sunlight with a subtle glow. My fingertips brushed one end: a small, smooth heart, carefully polished… and on the other side, a circular charm framing a delicate cut-out inscription. The elegant yet clumsy curves were perfectly legible.
Lara.
The one Edward gave me felt different in weight. It wasn’t delicate—it had presence. Honesty. A rigid, braided steel band, polished smooth; at each end were two wolf heads facing one another without touching.
My favorite animal.
They didn’t look merely decorative, but protective. Majestic creatures carved to watch, to endure, to never retreat. I felt a twinge of guilt, I wanted with all my heart for them to take them back and recover the money they’d spent. And yet… another part of me wanted to be selfish and keep these beautiful things.
I was truly happy.
I couldn’t wait to show them to my mom or to Winry, though… deep down, I sensed this wasn’t a simple “sorry.”
Maybe I should have returned them.
But their wide smiles and the way their arms wrapped around me were reason enough to keep them. It was an apology worth accepting—worthy of them. Even if the tightness in my throat and chest was warning me of something, I wasn’t about to hesitate with them standing right there in front of me.
They helped fasten the bracelets around my wrists, noticing how perfectly they fit—like they’d been made for someone in particular.
Someone like me.
“Do you like them, Lara?” Al asked, his eyes sparkling.
“Of course I do! I love them!” I hugged them again, and we ended up tumbling onto the floor together, the carpet softening the fall.
The three of us laughed, just like before.
“Alphonse scolded me a bunch of times, going ‘Brother!’”—Edward mimicked Al’s higher voice—“‘Those wolves look terrifying for Lara, don’t put that on there!’ Hahaha!”
“Hey! I still think mine looks way better, more elegant and delicate.”
“Oh yeah!? Wow, Lara, are you hearing this? Alphonse is calling you weak! Hahaha!”
“Of course she's not!”
I laughed at the familiar sight of these two, always trying to grab our attention, Winry’s and mine alike.
“I love wolves! Of course they’re terrifying, that’s what makes them the coolest animals ever.” I paused, standing up slowly. “You guys… did you make these?”
Their small internal argument halted as they looked at me. They glanced at each other again, growing flustered, a faint blush blooming across their cheeks. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling, they looked ridiculous.
“You could say that…”
Their answers were always so vague. How they’d done it? I had no idea.
But I couldn’t stop staring at my hands, holding them with quiet devotion, reassured that—somehow—I mattered to them.
That day, they stayed for lunch. Just rice and stew. For a moment, the house felt alive again, our voices echoing through every dusty corner, my parents watching us with warm eyes. Deep down, I knew they enjoyed seeing us act like children again.
I forgot about letters, riddles, worries. In my head, there was only now: which game we’d play, where we’d run, which other neighborhood kid we’d tease next. Perfect plans with my best friends.
My cheeks ached from smiling. I hadn’t laughed this much in a long time. Being there, drawing together and teasing one another, felt wonderful.
I didn’t want it to end.
It didn’t last forever.
But having them with me—just one more time—was enough.
“See you soon, Lara!” Edward said hurriedly.
He lifted his thumb with a big, goofy grin before turning around and running out of my house. Alphonse kissed my cheek softly and raised his hand in farewell as he chased after his brother, without another word.
I smiled at the memory, lifting my hands toward the gray sky to admire my treasures, the icy air playing with my hair, answering me as if the narcissus themselves were thinking of me.
Where are they?