A/N: This fanfiction is going to be based off the manga for the most part, but some stories from the anime may be used. The ending will be different from either of these endings though in a certain way that I will not reveal yet. I hope that it turns out well, but a forewarning-its going to be sad! I hope you enjoy!

"Do you, Edward Elric, take Miss Winry Rockbell as your beloved wife?"

"I do." The mans golden eyes shown, a confident smirk smacked across his face. He was marrying the woman of his dreams, family and friends surrounding him with smiling faces. As he looked around these faces, he realized that one was missing, the one who got him through everything. The one that always had a smile, even when it wasn't possible for him to smile. The one that brought comforting words when nothing went correctly, held him back when his rage filled him with stupid ideas, had been with him through everything, and the only one who knew him better than Winry. A small tear appeared in his eye, but quickly it was gone as he remembered where he was and what was going on. Only one person in the mass of people noticed it, but she said nothing. 'This is what you would want…I miss you…" he murmured under his breath, hitching on his own words inwardly, but reflecting a confident persona on the outside. Once mustang finished and said the words "You may now kiss the bride" Edward swooped towards Winry, dipping her low and kissing her with such love that it shocked even her. She wrapped her arms around her new husband, grinning. Mustang chuckled at the young couple, reminiscing in his own marriage day not long ago. He grinned at Hawkeye, knowing she was thinking the about the same day when he saw the gleam in her eyes. The crowd cheered, and a man who could not be noticed stood in the back grinned. Well, not really standing, more of shimmering in the light. No one could notice him, not even Edward, as he stood in a clean tux and combed hair. He wasn't really there.

'I'm proud of you. I miss you too… brother.'

The festivities lasted all night, music and laughter echoing through the cool night air. Edward had joined in for the majority of it, but as people began to speak of family he quietly excused himself saying he needed fresh air. His friends gave him a pitiful, understanding look as he strode outside. Once outside, he began to punch his metal fist against the wall.

"Why aren't you here? You big idiot!"he clenched his fists, sweat appearing on his brow. "The truth… the gate… its all so stupid! Its all my damn fault!" He sunk to his knees, tears forming in his eyes. He continued to clench and unclench his fists, the automail one creaking from punching the wall. 'No its not brother, stop being so hard on yourself.' Al's voice whispered in the night, soundless to everyone but himself. Of course, Edward could not hear him, but somehow the message seemed to have gotten through to him. He sat against the building, staring up into the night. Alphonse sat next to him, crossing his legs and looking to the stars. 'We both made the mistakes. Its both of our faults…' Alphonse turned his attention to his brother, who had his head in his hands. He wished he could truly be there, truly help him. He reached forward to put a hand on his shoulder, only to have it go straight through. This new form was even worse than his metal body he had been bonded to. At least then he was truly there, not invisible to all around him. At least then he was able to help those he loved, and not just stand by and watch as they crumbled before him. At least then he could help his brother. He would rather go through the torturous sleepless nights, the inability to sleep, eat, and feel, than be like this. He felt so… helpless.

"Edward!" He heard Winry call,

"Its time to dance, come on!" she dashed inside, giving him a minute to compose himself. Ed stood up and squared his shoulders, shoulders that carried more guilt and worry than should ever be allowed. Alphonse remained seated, knowing there was no use in getting up anyways.

"Come on Elric, its time to dance… with your wife" Edward whispered to himself, a small smile appearing on his face as he began to think about her. He began to walk towards the door, hands in pockets, when he suddenly turned around. Alphonse looked up, and was surprised to see his brother appearing to be staring straight at him. Edward narrowed his eyes and than shook his head. "I must have had too many drinks…" he mumbled as he walked away. Alphonse sighed, the slight hope in his chest gone.

'How silly of me, thinking he could see me at all.' Sighing again, he stood up and walked towards the fields. His shimmering form dissipated into the night as he strode off in a similar way as Ed had, hands in his pockets. However, instead of going towards friends, family, and laughter, he walked alone into nothingness, darkness enveloping him into the night.

Edward woke up early in the morning, a extremely rare habit for him, especially after such a big night. He turned around to see Winry still sleeping peacefully beside him. He smiled warmly, caressing her cheek and moving hair out of her face. The thought that she was his wife now soothed the ever-present ache in his chest. Quietly, he got out of the bed and walked to the porch outside of Winrys room. He looked at the vast countryside, green hills lolling over the horizon and summer sun rising above them. Various birds flew across the side and sheep roamed the hills slowly, grazing on the lush grass. Den was sleeping under the large oak tree, tongue rolling out of his mouth and chest rising steadily. Ed studied the tree, memories of three blond headed children frolicking in and beneath it swimming through his head. One memory suddenly flooded forward at full force, causing a pained look to come over his face.

"Big brother, you're climbing pretty high! Maybe you should climb down now!" Alphonse looked up worriedly at his older sibling who was getting into the highest limbs of the tree.

"Hah, please I'm fine Alphonse!" Edward smirked down at his brother who huffed out when he saw the cocky look on his face.

"Really brother, you're going to hurt yourse-" his words were cut off as Ed lost balance. He suddenly tumbled towards the bottom of the tree at an alarming rate. The younger Elric leaped under him, practically tackling before he hit the ground so he did not injure himself. He groaned when the weight of his brother hit him into the ground, causing him to wince.

"Br… brother…"Alphonse wheezed

"What? How did I?" Edward seemed startled at his newfound ability to actually fall out of the tree.

"Please… off… heavy…"

"Sorry!" Edward yelped, leaping off of his brother. "Thanks for catching me." Al stayed silent. "Alphonse?"

"You…you…"

"Are you alright? Alphonse?" Edwards face twisted in worry.

"IDIOOOOOOT!" Alphonse yelled, sitting up right. Ed was too surprised to do anything, eyes widening.

"I TOLD you to get down, but NOOOOO Eds gotta go to the top!" Alphonse crossed his arms but winced at the action. "And now look, for saving you I hurt my arm!" he huffed again.

"Sorry…" Ed rarely apologized to anyone but his brother, and when he did, it was sincere. For once he regretted not heeding to his younger brothers advice. Alphonse rarely got mad, and he felt bad for hurting him. Alphonse sighed.

"Promise you'll listen to me in the future?"

"Fine." Ed said in a half sarcastic tone, beginning to regain his usual demeanor.

"Promise?" Al asked again, and Ed noticed the concern on his face. He realized he had scared his little brother, and that's why he was mad. He didn't care that he hurt his arm; he cared about his brother's safety. Eds face loosened and a small smile creeping across his lips

"Promise." He said with full confidence, clasping his brother on the back.

"OW OW OW OW" Alphonse yelped, Edward momentarily forgetting that he had hurt his arm.

"Sorry!" he said again, helping him to his feet. They laughed as they made their way back to the house.

Edward sighed as the memory hung in his mind. Winry walked towards him, seeing the pained expression on his face.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?" she questioned gently.

"Yeah." Edward looked away, not wanting her to see him like this. She sighed.

"Ed, we ARE married now, you really should let me see you in pain sometimes. Its alright." She pulled him towards her and made him face her face to face. "Its okay to hurt. Its okay to cry, to be mad, feel anguish, its okay." He looked down at her, seeing the concern cross her face as he just nodded, eyes glazed over as he mulled over her words and memories of Alphonse. A dark memory tried to break through the barriers of his mind, trying to make him relive the most painful thing that had ever happened to him. He pushed it back, back into the deepest depths of his mind. Winry pulled him into a hug, and he did something he never did. He cried. It was a soft cry, the only kind he allowed himself in most situations. Winry felt strange holding the young man, used to it being the other way around. Usually, she was the one crying, not the one comforting the golden haired figure. He looked up, wiped his face with his sleeve, and straightened his posture. Within a few seconds he had one from fragile and weak to confident and strong. At least, that's what he looked like. Winry understood that the pain had not completely left him, and that he was thinking of something dark and evil. She decided it was time to get his mind off it.

"Come on, let's go get breakfast." He nodded in response.

"Okay, want me to hel-" he was cut off as Winry violently shook her head.

"NOOO WAY! Remember the last night you tried to "help" cook something?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about" He folded his arms. She glared at him.

"Alchemy freak."

"Gear-head"

Winry smiled an evil smile.

"Short stuff." While he was taller than her now, he still was self conscious of his height. The vein on his forehead twitched.

"You didnt…" he growled. They walked inside, bickering all the way.

'If you loved mommy, why couldn't you save her?'

'Big brother….wanna play?'

Dark figures with empty eyes swirled around him, mocking him.

'Stop!' He cried in vain, but the memories continued to cascade into the darkness. 'Please, stop!' He fell to his knees, hating the feeling of being so hopeless. Faces that he had seen die came before him, those he could not save. The words left a sour taint in his mouth as he spun in never ending circles, trying to escape from this hell. He tried punching the misty figures, but his hand only went through them. He ran, never ending running, trying desperately to leave. Suddenly, a light came out of the darkness.

'A…. Alphonse?' he choked on his words. The dark blonde held out his hand, a smile on his face. Edward walked slowly towards him, the menacing figures looming behind him. Just a few more steps….

Pained screams.

Cry's of desperation.

Five more steps…

Sobs.

Pain like no other, defeat.

Two more steps…

Helplessness.

He reached out to Alphonses hand, but when he grabbed it there was only mist. The figure suddenly wrenched over in pain, coughing blood. His body seemed to grow thinner, shimmering slightly.

"ALPHONSE!" Edward yelled attempting to grab at the dissipating figure. The golden eyes stared blankly at him, as the darkness began to swallow them both whole…

Edwards head shot up, and he looked around like a crazed man for a second. After eating breakfast, he and Winry had gone to the town to get more automail parts. When they arrived at the house, Winry had gone to work on her various automail while Edward took a nap under the large oak tree. He had fallen asleep quickly, only to become tangled in memories he wished never existed. Sighing, he looked at the summer sun beating down on him.

"We're damned idiots…"

A/N: At first this was just going to be a one-shot, but there is a sort of plot developing in my head. Its pretty much my first fanfiction, so please review! I'm not sure how much ill update, but hope it's often enough. If you guys like it ill upload the next chapter when I finish writing it! Thanks for reading :)