This is my first FMA fic. This story has been living in my mind for quite some time now, and I'm incredibly excited to get it out on paper.

I do not own the characters or storylines of FMAB. All OCs and original storylines are my creation.


Grandfather's body shook with the hacking cough that had plagued him for months now. Julin readjusted the pillows beneath his head, trying to make him as comfortable as possible. She'd tried to heal him with the alchemy he'd taught her but it proved fruitless time and again. Now it was just a waiting game. The dark circles under his eyes creased as he smiled weakly at Julin.

"I love you, granddaughter," his voice rasped over the words. "You've taken good care of this old man." He reached for her hand and she gently cradled the frail fingers in her own.

"Oh, Grandfather," She choked out, trying futilely to hold back her tears.

"What will you do when I'm gone?" Grandfather had always been brusque and up-front. There was no beating around the bush for him. She held his hand tighter.

"I'm sure one of the auto-mail mechanics will take me in." Living in Rush Valley, there was certainly no shortage of those. Grandfather's particular brand of alchemy had been in high demand among the mechanics as his healing knowledge was useful for the patients who'd lost limbs. When he became too weak, Julin had taken up his work. She was only 15, but with Grandfather's teaching she'd learned quickly. Grandfather always said she was an exceptionally skilled alchemist, but she wasn't sure she believed him.

"Ahh, yes. Perhaps the Fielders. Or the Garfiels." He seemed content with her answer. The truth was, Julin didn't exactly want to stay in Rush Valley for the rest of her life. She wanted to learn more of alchemy than just healing. Grandfather was so protective of her that he hadn't taught her much beyond that. She knew it would break his heart if he knew that she would not be continuing his work, and the idea did pain her a bit, but she felt a strong desire to carve her own path.

Grandfather reached up to brush a dark strand of hair from her cheek. "Remember to show the world your best face," he repeated the familiar phrase. Julin often wore her dark bangs over her equally dark eyes, carefully flipping them out of the way if need be, and she knew Grandfather never appreciated the look. He said he hated that she hid her mother's eyes. It was one of few things they'd ever argued about, but sometimes Julin wanted Grandfather to see her as herself, and not as her mother's daughter.

"I will, Grandfather," She acquiesced softly, tucking her bangs behind her ear. Now was not the time for an argument when she had so little time with him left. "Winry asked me to come by the shop this afternoon. I'll pick up some food on my way home. What would you like me to make tonight?" She'd taken to asking this question every day, wanting to make him his favorite meals to enjoy one more time.

"Just a simple stew tonight, if you will. My appetite isn't so strong right now." She had noticed this morning that his pallor was increasing. Though she knew his time was coming, the thought of it was still a stab in her gut every time. He was the only person she had left.

"Of course, Grandfather." She leaned down to kiss his weathered cheek. "I'll see you tonight. Get some rest."

Julin left the small house and made her way to Garfiel's shop. In the short time Winry had been apprenticed there, she and Julin had struck up a friendship. Paninya had introduced them. That friendship was a story in itself.

Julin had caught Paninya at one of the shops trying to sneak an apple from her basket. The poor girl had looked hungry, so she offered to let her keep the apple. She'd gained Paninya's respect and the two had been friends ever since. Whenever she could, Julin snuck Paninya some of their dinner or a few copper pieces she'd earned helping the mechanics. After hearing her story she couldn't help feeling sorry for her, and though her pleas to live honestly fell on deaf ears, Paninya was the only friend she had.

Winry had actually convinced Paninya to give up pickpocketing and help out around town instead. Julin would be forever grateful to her for that. In addition she was an extremely skilled auto-mail mechanic. Julin had always admired the mechanics for what they did, but the technology behind it had always been a little beyond her reach.

"Hi, Winry!" She greeted the girl with a raised arm as she entered the shop. Winry wore a green bandana and swiped at a smudge of grease on her cheek with her gloved hand.

"Julin! You're just in time. Jamison here came in the other day to be fitted with an arm, but his wound wasn't healed properly. I can't seem to adjust the auto-mail to fit correctly." Julin took in the situation quickly. A young man sat near Winry's workbench with his left arm resting on the table. It was cut off right below the elbow, but the skin connected jaggedly at the end.

"Mind if I ask what happened?" Julin asked softly as she carefully drew her transmutation circle on the table with the chalk she always carried in her pocket. Sometimes knowing helped her heal the wound more cleanly.

"Factory explosion," He responded with a grimace as she gently touched the still-tender area below his elbow. Satisfied that she could perform the task, she carefully rested her fingertips on the edges of the circle, feeling the energy begin to flow as it glowed blue. The man watched transfixed as the end of his arm smoothed before his eyes. He rubbed the area almost in disbelief.

"I've never seen alchemy like that before!" Jamison said in awe.

"My grandfather developed the technique," Julin explained with a blush. She grabbed a grease cloth to wipe the chalk from the table. "He studied alkahestry for years to perfect it. His mother was Xingese." There was more to it, but that was the explanation she offered whenever people were curious. It also explained her dark hair and eyes.

"Well, thank you!" He said gratefully.

"Yes, thank you, Julin!" Winry added her own thanks. "I don't know what we'd do without you." Julin felt a pang in her chest at that remark, but it didn't lessen her resolve. The people here would manage without her. They had before she and Grandfather had arrived, and they would again.

Winry reached into the register to pull out a few coins. "Is this enough?"

"Yes, thank you, Winry." It would buy some vegetables and meat for the stew tonight with a little leftover that Julin could put in the stash under her bed. "Bye!" She called as she left the shop. She stood watching through the window as Winry began to attach the arm through before turning to be on her way. She had to hurry if she wanted to finish the stew before Grandfather fell into his exhausted sleep for the night. The amount of time he spent sleeping worried her.

Julin had to feed Grandfather his stew that evening. He was too weak to even lift the spoon to his mouth. The bowl was barely even half empty when he insisted he couldn't eat another bite.

"Julin, I might not make it through the night," He rasped, short of breath. "It feels so close." She didn't have to ask him what it was.

"Don't say that." Stubborn tears pooled in the corners of her eyes. "Let me try alchemy again." She reached for her chalk but he put his hand over hers, stopping her.

"It won't work." Sometimes Julin wished he didn't have to be so honest all the time. "I'm dying, but I'm content with that. My only regret is that I am leaving you so soon. But, I know you will be in good hands and I know you are turning into a strong young woman. Just like your mother." For once Julin didn't mind the comparison to the mother she barely remembered.

"I'll miss you, Grandfather." Her words were strained as she fought back the tears, not wanting him to see her that way. She could let herself go later, when she was alone. "I love you."

"I love you too, child." His soft, aged palm rested against her cheek. "I am so proud of you." Julin's heart swelled at his words. "Your grandmother and your parents would have been too." Julin's tears began to fall freely at that. They had been through so much together, her and Grandfather. And now he was leaving her too.

"Thank you for everything you've taught me. I've learned so much, and I'm going to use it to help people just like you." She promised. Though not in the way you think, she added silently.

"I know you are, granddaughter. And whatever you choose to do, always remember that I love you and am proud of you no matter what." A knowing gleam shone for a few moments in his shadowed eyes, and Julin realized that Grandfather was still more alert than he sometimes let on. He knew her so well. Julin finally released the sob that had been building all this time and buried her face in her grandfather's chest. She breathed in his familiar scent for what she was well aware might very well be the last time. He caressed her hair with a gentle touch as she sobbed against him.

Once that storm was over, Julin pulled away swiping at the last tears hanging from her eyelashes. "I love you, Grandfather." She repeated once more, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

"And I love you, my Julin," His voice was barely audible. "Please don't worry about me. I'm going to be with your grandmother, and with your parents. You'll see me again." The last sentence ended with a breathy snore, and he slipped into a calm sleep from which Julin was certain he would never awake. Though she'd planned to continue her preparations to leave Rush Valley that night while Grandfather slept, she sobbed herself into a fitful sleep instead.


I hope you've enjoyed so far. The Elrics will be making their appearance in the next chapter!