Title: Move
Author: Aviy
Character: Alphonse
Disclaimer: Writing mine, characters not.
Notes: Inspired by Switchfoot's Dare You to Move.

CC deeply appriciated, I don't bite.


You step out of one dream, and into the next.

This one you recognize instantly. It would be pretty impossible not to, after all, you spend more time in it than any of the others. How long has it been? Well, ten years by the dream's time. You aren't surprised? But it has been a long ten years for you, hasn't it? Don't stake too much on that though. It's said that you can live a lifetime in a night within a dream, you know.

You sit up in bed, and don't mind that creaking sound, you're just a bit rusty in the left shoulder. There is no one to wake up anyway, the bed across from you is empty. But that's alright. Ed - sorry, 'niisan', how could I forget - hasn't slept in that bed more than a dozen times in the past two years. When he does at all it's only because he and Roy - no way, Major General Mustang is a bit much, sorry - have had another lover's quarrel. Yes, I do realize that's putting it politely, I can be tactful you know.

That's much better; you have a beautiful smile, Alphonse-kun. Yes, I'm aware that you don't have a mouth, but I can see it from here, not all matters are of the body. Why, you're welcome, but I speak only the truth.

Now just ignore the empty bed, the sunrise is gorgeous. Not the same as in Rizenbul, but none-the-less not something you should miss.

It's almost time, are you ready yet?

Yes, Alphonse-kun, I do mean to rush you. It's necessary, isn't it? You've been thinking this for the past five years, aren't you tired of running it endlessly through your head? The dream has been nice at times, but you know it can never end happily. Even now your brother's search takes him from his lover. At least if you end the dream now he will Cease in the bed of someone he cares for. Who cares for him.

Don't be so sad, please..I can see your tears from here too. You know it's for the best, but no one but you can end the dream, Alphonse-kun. Do you even remember what it's like to be awake? To feel a cool breeze? To eat anything at all, even if it's Winry's cooking?

Wouldn't you like to remember?

You remove the helmet now, setting it on the window sill so you can keep watching the sunrise - and I'm sorry for what I said, don't be so morbid. Everyone is still there in the real world, after all. You don't have to be sure of that, I am.

Your hand lifts, the steel fingers easily scratching a smaller array next to the one in blood on the inside of the armor. Very good, now all you need to do is press it and...

-

God, the universe, the world, the one, you, I and Alphonse Elric smiled as He felt the last part returned to Him. Grey eyes shut, closing out the mindless white of this place, and He didn't struggle as the door behind Him slid open. The black tendrils poured out then, rolling toward Him as an inky wave, but their cold touch was welcoming. He shifted amiably, allowing the shadow-hands to wrap around His naked form and drag Him toward the Sephiroth.

Just before being pulled through He opened his eyes once more, catching the meta-physical gaze of the only other Being in this part of the white eternity. Quicky He flashed an apologetic smile and waved once. He hadn't wanted to leave the Other alone like this, but it had been a long time for Him, so close to resting but unable to because He was not complete. The Other's boy was still quite alive, even sans a few limbs, and the Other would be waiting a while yet. But as for Himself, He was tired.

For the second time He watched the door shut from the inside, but this time it would not open again.