an exchange in the endless white.
/ "Little alchemist, here again?"/
white on white on white.
a Cheshire grin.
(equivalent exchange.
one is all. all is one.)
(oh, he hated white.
so /empty./
red was better. bright. vivid. bold.)
a deal with a devil nonetheless, but he'd do anything.
/anything/
to get his brother back.
he'd do it. for the (idiot) colonel. for Teacher.
but most of all, Alphonse.
he grins euphorically, golden eyes alight in (bitter)sweet cheer
-"Sorry, Al. I have a job for Truth."
pauses. time's running out.
"In another world. Don't look for me."
"I'll be back soon."
Al launches at him, clutching at him tightly.
He hasn't said anything.
Can't.
He opens his mouth but he says,
"I love you, Al."
"I love you too, brother."
(the white is fading away and Alphonse is too and-)
"Brother, /please/ don't leave-!"
( i've only just gotten you back )
he clutches at consciousness but it's slippin through his
once again
/mismatched/
fingers
but it fades to velvet
black
(somewhere, far, far away
he clenches his gloved fists
and
makes a
/promise./
"I'll be back. Don't worry, Al, Winry, everyone.")
the fullmetal alchemist will come home.