Another train. Another lead. Another city. Another struggle.
Ed slumped against the glass, pretending to be sleeping. Through half-closed lids, he saw Al scribbling in his notebook. Adding the Shepard's pie he, Edward, had eaten earlier into the list, no doubt.
He, Edward, who could still eat. He, Edward, who still had a living, breathing body. He, Edward, who led them onto this road of sorrow, of despair. He, Edward, who didn't pay the ultimate price.
Yet…Alphonse was happy. He was with his brother. They were a team. They fought battles and won them. They knew each other like they were one.
The constant ups and downs of the train reminded him of their lives. Just when he thought they'd reached a hopeful light at the end of a long, dark tunnel, that light is snatched away as abruptly as it came. And the tunnel just kept going and going and going and going…until he could go no more. Until he finally took off the red coat for the last time. Until he gave up.
No!
I will never give up, he snarled to himself. I will never let Al down.
What sounded like a sigh escaped from the suit of armor sitting across from him. It wasn't a sigh of amused weariness during his brother's frequent fits about his height, or paternal concern, when he discovered that Ed was sleeping with his shirt untucked again.
It was a sigh of hopelessness. It was one of those rare times that Alphonse allowed his misgivings to take over. It only happened when he thought his big brother couldn't see. It was a tired sigh. He was tired of always traveling, always researching, always moving. Wondering when the tunnel will be gone and the wondering when they could reach that light, and hold on to it.
Edward clenched his teeth. He really hoped that they could find the Stone soon.
A/N: So, how's my angsty Ed? I love Angsty Ed, by the way. I find Happy Ed disconcerting. I love the movie Inception too. One of the best I've ever watched. And this drabble was based on one of itsbest lines. Finish the quote and I'll give you a cookie!
Greedling