Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or the characters mentioned in this fanfiction. I also do not own the song Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.
[Author's Note] This is set after the last battle at central had concluded.
Into Your Arms
[Hohenheim POV]
- - When my legs don't work like they used to before. - -
It was scorching hot. I massage my temple furiously, hoping that my endurance to the weather can hold. I looked out of the train window hoping to get some peace of mind with the scenery of mother nature. Grasses were brown, lands after lands were barren. It was one hell of an endurance test. I wonder how this country could manage their crops in this weather. I look around the other compartments, hoping for some glances of happy faces to calm my nerves. Other passengers were as dehydrated as I am. The only people who seemed unaffected by this heat were children, either too busy playing with one another or hogging their parents' drinks.
The journey is over for me. I could start thinking about retirement like how old men does.
As the train reached Resembool, I braced myself for this heavy retirement. It was supposed to be peaceful. That was my plan when I left.
- - And I can't sweep you off of your feet. - -
I disembarked from the train, carrying my luggage and headed towards my would be rebuilt home. I wonder if she was disappointed with me. I came home completing my mission, but I could not claim to have children. They were raised without me, without wanting to know me. She would be proud of them. I didn't want to involve her children in the matter but in the end it was them who solved the matter for me. Maybe Alphonse did forgive me, or maybe he didn't think anything of me. Edward was clearly angry, but as much as I like to believe he had forgiven me, some part of me couldn't forgive myself. Even now, all I wanted to see is her loving face. I did not try to save relationships with the living, even if that's the right thing to do. Somehow my heart long just for her.
- - Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love? - -
Edward never did ask me about her. Maybe he didn't want to acknowledge a me in her life. I didn't expect him to. I was surprised when young Alphonse asked of our meeting. He was surprised to learn that I fell for you immediately. Time did not allow me to linger in the memories back then. I guess her children will never learn of how we met, of our story. To be truly honest, I was glad I didn't have the time to speak to them about her. It is something they deserve to know, but I wish to keep the memory of her to myself. I have failed her as a husband, and I have failed them as a father but since I could not turn back time, I can only stay stingy with her memories.
- - Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks? - -
Instead of walking towards the burnt house, I decided to see her. To strengthen my will, to find solace, even I'm not sure. I wanted confirmation, I wanted her to give me some signs. I walked carrying all my sins, unsure how to approach her grave. Surprisingly, each step felt lighter as I move.
- - Take me into your loving arms. - -
Somehow I knew she loved me. Loves me. We don't need apologies. I kneeled by her grave, thankful that she had once lived. I smiled. Of all the things in life, she was not a mistake. I fell for her, and I was happy.
- - We found love right where we are. - -
Trisha, I'm home.
Then I was back in her arms.
