We sorta wanted to make Roy cry.. xD

Pairing: Possibly slight RoyEd.

Disclaimer: Don't own it! Song lyrics at the end are from 'I Constantly Thank God For Esteban' by Panic!At the Disco.

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BUNDLE

"Col -- Colonel?"

The darkhaired man's shoulders were shaking uncontrollably. He was holding a bundle in his arms, one Aru couldn't quite discern. The bundle was crimson, and it wasn't just because of the color of the fabric. It was covered in blood. Aru's eyes widened as directly in front him, Roy Mustang sank to his knees, hunching over whatever it was he had in his arms.

"Colonel Mustang...?" he asked again, slower this time. "What... are you alright?"

Then Roy looked up, and Aru was horrified. This was the man who had always been strong, always there for him and his brother, and now... His eyes... they scared the younger Elric brother immensely. They were.. indescribable. Roy looked utterly broken. The only word was broken. He didn't look dead, but he did look... traumatized. Or something. Aru couldn't describe it, could only gape in horror at whatever had happened to this once-confident colonel.

Roy shook his head, clutching the bundle. "No," he whispered finally. "No... He's.."

Aru blinked, crouching and placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "Please," he said quietly. "Please tell me what happened to Nii-san."

Roy bit his lip, then sat back, uncovering the bundle. Aru stared in horror. In Roy Mustang's arms... The limp, damaged body of... His brother? A chimera? Whichever it was, it had the blonde locks, the molten gold eyes... No. It didn't have the eyes. His brother's eyes had always been bright, and these ones were clouded, deadened. Was his brother... No. He couldn't be. Could he?

He was.

Aru let out a choked sound, and Roy lowered his head again, sweeping the cloth around the pointy-eared person in his arms. Edward's tail hung limp from the bundle, the orange-ish fur on it slightly clammy.

Just as Roy had broken down moments before, Aruphonse Elric did now, letting out a howl that nothing could contain. He could see Roy's tears running down his cheeks, but he was quickly blinded as his own began their own waterfall of sadness.

Maybe he'd never know how it happened. He didn't care. All he had was the now, and he still didn't care.

/Give us this day our daily dose of faux affection

forgive our sins (and those who've sinned against us)/