... I finally re-posted chapter 2. Enjoy! (I guess).
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Chapter 2: Relapse
My eyes widened as I took a step back. My breathing became rigid as I tried to make sense of this.
But I couldn't.
'What's going on?!' I panicked in my mind. Why was there an array in front of me?
As the circle grew wider, it became brighter. I shielded my eyes from the bright light, yet I couldn't bear to look away.
And then, I saw something slowly appear in the middle of the circle. Then the figure became more definite, and I saw it was not something... but someone.
It was...
Him.
He knelt there, his blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, not his usual braid. His golden eyes were focused at the transmutation he was performing. And he had automail as well. It was hard to tell, seeing he was wearing long sleeves, yet I saw his right hand.
It was enough for me to know who this was...
It was Brother.
Brother...
The circle then began to dim, shrinking rapidly until it was no more. Then Brother momentarily looked at me before dropping unconscious.
At first, I stood there frozen on the spot.
Brother was back... he was back! There was no need to worry any longer... Winry... she'd be happy to see him again...
Then I realized he might be exhausted from the transmutation. I rushed to him, hoping he was okay.
I knelt on the ground, staring at Brother's face. He looked a bit different... older... but four years passed, and change was inevitable.
What if this was a dream?
I shook my head at the thought. It can't be a dream... I refuse to believe that...
But what if it is? Any moment now, I could wake up in bed and find him not there, like the countless other dreams I had...
Trembling, I gently touched his features, hoping not to wake him up.
His eyes... lips... hair...
It all felt real...
And then I knew he was really here. There was no denying it.
Brother was back.
I picked him up and carried him on my back. Even with his automail, he still felt quite light...
"Brother... we're going home." I whispered, smiling to myself as I went on my way.
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"Winry! Winry!" Al yelled as he entered the house. He was excited by what had just happened.
'I can't believe this! Brother's back, he's finally back... I knew he'd come back after so long...'
"Winry, come here! I have a surprise!"
The blonde mechanic rushed over to Al, wondering what was going on.
"Al, what... is... it..." She breathed, her voice faultering as her eyes landed on the unconscious Ed.
"Al... is that..."
Al nodded, smiling.
"That's right, Winry... he's back. Brother's back." He said as he laid the blonde on the couch.
Winry tried to proccess this information. Her body walked over to him, eyes widening with each step she took.
He was here.
After all these years of denying herself... after all these years of telling herself her childhood friend will never come back...
"Winry... you're crying..." Alphonse whispered, looking worridly at her.
She gently placed a hand on her cheek and found it wet. Indeed, she was crying. Wiping the tears away, she knelt on the floor, watching her friend sleep...
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It's strange...
He looked so peaceful, sleeping like this...
I gave up so long ago... I thought he wouldn't return...
When we came to that thought, I felt my heart tear in two. I had no idea why, though... I mean, I've always thought of... him as a good childhood friend...
But now... with him there, I not only felt relief that he was back but guilt for not believing he would come back...
And that familiar ache in my heart...
I saw him shift in his sleep, and I smiled. He did look cute...
Wait, what am I saying?! He's a friend, not a lover!
Ah, forget about it... just forget about it...
It's not like he'll love me back...
I heard him groan, and my eyes widened.
"Al... He's waking up!"
"Really?"
I nodded, and he rushed to the couch.
He opened his eyes slowly, revealing those golden eyes I loved so much...
Sitting up, he looked around. I thought he looked confused at that moment...
"E-" I hesitated. Was I ready to say his name yet?
I had to... now that he's back, I have to find the courage to say his name again...
"E-Ed..."
Somehow, I found the ability to say his name again. I began saying it over and over, throwing my arms around him and hugging him tightly.
But he pushed me away, confusion and fear in his eyes.
What's wrong with him? Why did he react like that?
I looked at Al, who had a puzzled expression on his face. Looking back at... Ed, I began wondering what was wrong.
"Who... who are you?" He asked.
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There, I finished re-doing this chapter after so long! Do you see hints of EdWin? Onesided EdWin? I'm not good with romance, so...