Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, the manga or either of the two animes.
I'm just brushing up some of my old work. This was something I just wrote a long time ago because it simply had to be written! It would not leave my mind until I wrote it.
And I'll say this again, I don't know why it's Rose, it just is. It just…works I guess.
Originally Done: 9-16-07
Redone: 7-11-11
Jealousy
By: Animeroxsmyworld
Edward rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as people began to crowd around him, their voices reaching him in a jumble.
"Oh Fullmetal Alchemist! Thank you!"
"You've saved the town!"
"Thank you so much!"
Ed only grinned widely as he waved off their compliments and praises, some sharing some jokes with him before the crowd roared into laughter. Only two figures stood outside the bundle or people, their eyes fixated on the blond grabbing all the attention.
"Ed sure is famous." Rose stated from where she was leant against a nearby building, Alphonse Elric filling the space beside her. His metal armor clanked as he shifted ever so slightly.
"Yeah, he is." Al replied casually after a beat. Ed was always getting praised one way or another. He was a child prodigy, accepted into the military as a state alchemist at the age of 12, which had been 3 years ago mind you. Ed was known far and wide, though most people mistook Al for the Fullmetal Alchemist, much to his brother's chagrin.
He was starting to become a household name.
Al shifted once again.
Rose looked up at him, her violet eyes soft.
"He must cast a big shadow." She replied quietly, a feeling of remorse settling in her chest for the younger whom, although dressed in 7 foot armor, was overlooked by his brother's reputation.
Al only shrugged.
It had never bothered him.
"Don't you ever feel mad? Jealous sometimes?" Rose questioned as she arched a brow, leaning away from the building now to try and peer at Al's face better. It was kind of hard to imagine a brother who wouldn't be envious of the other from time to time. It was just so…unnatural…so unbelievable.
Al was silent for a moment. Ed got to eat, sleep, get tired, and feel things, while Al could feel nothing. He was trapped inside this shell of metal, never touching or knowing the rest of the world beyond. Ed however had to cope with many things, like being in the military, and having follow commands that could eventually lead them both into severe danger. Edward lacked his freedom to make his own choices and decisions, something Al knew he hated with a passion.
Al also knew that Ed stayed up late at night researching on the stone, an adventure that they were constantly on…and was very dangerous, a risky adventure that almost seemed like a giant goose chase at times.
Yet Ed persisted.
"No." Al replied after his silence, Rose starting briefly. He had been silent for so long she had wondered whether he would answer her or not.
She collected herself and processed his answer quickly. "Why not?" Rose asked in disbelief.
"Because…" Al trailed off as he saw Ed look through the crowd, before his eyes landed on Al and he smiled, giving his younger brother a quick wave, beckoning him over.
"He's doing it all for me."