This is just a short one-shot inspired by the song.
It's first-person from both Ed's perspective and Alphonse's. It goes back and forth.
It takes place before Ed gets auto-mail while he's bed-ridden and missing limbs.
Basically it's a story version of the lyrics.
Lyrics that inspired it-
(Edward)
How can I repay you, brother mine?
How can I expect you to forgive?
Clinging to the past
I shed our blood, and shattered your chance to live
Though I knew the laws, I paid no heed
How can I return your wasted breath?
What I did not know has cost you dear,
For there is no cure for death
Beautiful Mother,
Soft and sweet, once you were gone
We were not complete
Back through the years
We reached for you
Alas t'was not meant to be
And how can I make amends for all that I took from you?
I led you with hopeless dreams
My brother, I was a fool
(Alphonse)
Don't cry for the past now, brother mine
Neither you nor I are free from blame
Nothing can erase the things we did,
For the path we took was the same
Beautiful Mother,
Soft and sweet, once you were gone
We were not complete
Back through the years
We reached for you
Alas t'was not meant to be
My dreams made me blind and mute
I longed to return to that time
I followed without a word
My brother, the fault is mine
(*Both*)
So, where do we go from here?
And how to forget and forgive?
What's gone is forever lost
Now, all we can do is live
~ED~
Why did I do it? Why did I lead you into this? I knew somewhere deep down that it wouldn't work. I knew that you were right and that we shouldn't have tampered with the past.
But I did it anyway. I forced you into it and now look at you.
You're trapped in a metal body, not living as you should be. You can't show any emotion, you can't smile, you can't even take a breath or sleep.
And it's all because I was selfish and had to try to bring back what we lost.
How can you even stand to be around me, Alphonse? I've ruined your life. There's no way that I can ever help you get back to normal like this. Your life is going by and you're unable to live it like you should.
I never will say that you aren't alive, for I know that you are. You still are my little brother, Alphonse.
The only thing that made me do it was the urge to see Mom's smiling face. I know you wanted to see it too, but I'm the one that made the choice to revive her. I knew it wouldn't work and I still did it! How can you ever forgive me?
~AL~
Brother, I know you blame yourself for all this. But the fault isn't yours to bear alone.
I followed you blindly, not thinking clearly. I could have stopped you if only I had tried harder.
We both shared this horrible fate because we both walked the same road. We both gave our blood, our life, to bring back Mom. Now we've paid the price.
You gave up part of yourself for me, Edward. I caused you more pain that necessary. If only I would have tried harder to stop you…
~ED~
I have to keep going. I will keep going. If I give up, who knows what would happen. But if I continue on, I know what will happen.
I'll fix it. I'll fix it all.
It was my fault and I'll find a way to get you back to the way you once were, no matter the cost to me. I swear to you, Alphonse, I will get your body back. You are my family and I must do this for you.
The past is in the past and must remain there forever. Even if you find a way to forgive me and forget this, I'll never forgive myself.
~AL~
Somehow I will move past it. I may not have Mom, but I still have you.
If we can stay strong and leave the past behind, we can move on together.