"On that day, we burned down our house, and all the familiar things inside. Because some memories, are not meant to leave traces." ~Alphonse Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Is the pain worth forgetting?

Chapter One: Dull

"How's Ed doing?" Winry asks nervously, wringing her mechanically skilled hands together obsessively. "Has he been taking care of his automail? Has he even moved around much at all?"

Alphonse stares at the poor girl, studying her sad blue eyes carefully. He decided that it would be kinder to just lie. So, he said; "Brother is getting better." A small crack reaches his voice, as he saw Winry's eyes light up again. If he could cry, and be physically seen doing so, he'd be in some serious trouble a this time.

How could I just lie to her like that? He thinks to himself sadly. It hurt for him to lie, because naturally, he was quite the goody-goody (as some would call it).

"I do hope he's up again soon," Winry states, with much more enthusiasm and eagerness than the tone she previously took on. As if that one lie, was her only hope. Of course, in times like these, it very well could be. "He's been sulking in that room of his for far too long." She sighs sadly, blue eyes casting their gaze half-heartedly out the window. "He didn't even come with you to visit."

"I know, I'm sorry," Alphonse bows, large armored pieces clanking together with a subtle sort of sound. "He doesn't even research with me anymore." Winry's eyes immediately narrow at the sound of that with suspicion, causing Alphonse to scold himself harshly.

Gah! I just told her Brother was ok! She's gonna figure it out... I'm such an idiot...

"Alphonse," Winry says shakily, eyes shielded by her blonde bangs. "You're not telling me the truth." Suddenly, she brings up her wrench-weapon and smacks it against the unfeeling metallic suit, not holding back one bit. "You said you'd look after him!"

Alphonse was shocked at the sound of this. He was being blamed for his brother's downward spiral; that much he could make out. It wasn't fair, no matter how you looked at it. He blamed himself enough as it is.

"Winry, I-" Al begins to explain, trying his hardest to keep a steady composure. Winry's grief cut him off, though. He shrinks back.

"I can't believe you'd let him slip away like that!" The mechanic was already in tears. Alphonse was crying, too, though you'd never be able to tell. The difference between the two of them, was that Winry had tears to shed. "You don't understand, Alphonse... I loved him."

Al stares at his feet silently, and Winry falls to her knees. Tears drip on to the floor. She was crying her heart out, but Alphonse was rendered speechless. Winry's bright blue eyes were sparkling with remorse. Tears were not the only differences here.

For back at Central, Edward's eyes were dull. Like he couldn't see anything but the past.