Author's Note: This story was inspired by this lovely work ( post/84720929039/i-am-sure-there-were-some-really-bad-nights-one) by bees-and-spice on Tumblr. The art belongs to them and I highly recommend checking out their other artwork! I do not own any of the characters mentioned, only the scenario I placed them in.

Bad Night

He stared at his hands. They were mismatched, one was unfeeling, and the other was as real as can be. But he did not feel real. Edward Elric was alone this evening. The moon and stars twinkled outside. He glanced toward the window, his bro- no, roommate should be back soon. He didn't deserve his roommate's company. This whole world was one big cosmic joke right after the other. Alfons arrived shortly after his father finished fitting him with a new set of prosthetics to use. They just weren't the same anymore, however they could be concealed easier and he didn't have to rely on gloves like he did when he was younger. However, Alfons' appearance could not be concealed and he hated it.

He'd watch him closely. Hoping there was a chance that it was in fact Alphonse. Alas, he found no such refuge. He held the letter his father last wrote tightly in his hand. He finally forgave him and now he's gone. Once a bastard always a bastard, he thought broodingly. Maybe he should ask Alfons if he needed any help working with the rockets. Maybe he should just give up and finally embrace this reality. No, that'd mean giving up on Alphonse, he would never stoop that low. He slumped forward on the couch, lost in thought.

This world did have some perks: A second chance with Hughes and Gracia for instance. Hell, Gracia was their landlady after all and gave him a place to stay. But Hughes was different somehow. Not quite Alfons different, but it was a vague tremor of unease about the way he acted. There were also some co-workers of Alfons' that looked like the chimeras he met in the Devil's Nest. He has gotten to know them quite well. That's another perk, he guesses.

Edward's eyelids start to droop, he tries to fight them, sleeping equaled unwanted nightmares. Sleeping equaled weakness, sleeping equaled… He wasn't able to give it another thought. His battle was lost and he collapsed into the couch in a deep slumber.

The door opened and Alfons stepped in and was about to call that he was back, but noticed the misplaced alchemist curled up on the couch. He smiled softly, but his not brown eyes painted a different picture: that of worry. He took off his coat carefully and hung it up. He looked around and with a bit of rummaging finally found a blanket. He tip toed over to where Edward was resting, if you could call it that. Alfons draped the blanket over him and the nightmare ridden blond eased up. He took a seat next to Edward. He unfurled the fingers clenching the letter with care and set the letter on the table. Noticing the tension was still visible, he recalled an old lullaby his mother used to sing to him when he had trouble sleeping as a young boy.

He didn't remember the words, but the melody came clear as day to him. Alfons brushed the stray bangs away from Edward's face and hummed softly. When the nightmares seemed to disappear from his face, Alfons whispered in hopes that Edward would hear him "Sometimes there are really bad nights, but sometimes Edward, there can be really good days, I hope you will find them one day. Maybe even find your brother." He looks out the window, unknowing that Edward has opened his eyes. Edward smiles at him, closes his eyes, and dreams.