Chapter 2

"You know that's bad, Alexander!"

"Oh, I'm sorry."

You freeze. You were expecting this. You were ready for this. You knew this would happen. You knew they would be here. Both of them. Nina. And Shou Tucker. So why... why can't you say anything?

Al is apologizing for you. Tucker is pulling Alexander off of you. You want to tell him not to come near you, but all you can do is stare dumbly up at him from the ground.

Mustang introduces you. "This is Alphonse Elric. And the short one on the floor is Edward. These are the boys you said could stay with you to study for their State Alchemist exams."

"Of course." Tucker nods and opens the door wider, to let you all in. You've picked yourself up off the ground and followed them a few steps into the house before Mustangs words have even had a chance to register in your mind. But now the moment has passed and Tucker is talking to him while Nina is holding Al's hand and telling him all about her daddy's job. You settle for glaring at the back of his head instead, and try to keep your mind in the present. As Tucker shows you around his home, every room you walk through is giving you flashbacks.

All you can see is Nina and Alexander chasing you through the house. You and Al running through the empty house, looking for Tucker and his daughter. Al dragging you away from the books to go play outside. Nina writing a letter to her mom. Walking down the basement stairs, knowing something horrible was about to happen. Making snow angels in the yard. Transmuting flowers for Nina. Nina. You're in the basement. And Tucker is there, with his chimera. The whole room is heavy with tension and something is not right here. And it's saying your name and it's saying my name. And it's amazing. A talking chimera.

And what happened to your wife? And where is Nina? And I know all your secrets but it's too late to do anything.

"-other? Brother! Brother!" You blink. Al is leaning over you – no, he's holding you up. You've collapsed against a wall. Tucker and Mustang walked on ahead – didn't notice. Nina is standing behind Al. She looks nervous. She looks alive. And suddenly it's too much. You don't know how you got here. You don't know how she's alive. You are a man of science! And you know she can't be alive. You saw what was left. You saw the blood. Her blood was everywhere. It was everywhere.

But now here she is standing in front of you, intact and alive and human. But life doesn't just give out second chances like that. And why her? Why give Nina Tucker a second chance, but not them? Why not Al? Why not anyone? People don't just come back to life. But then, maybe it happens all the time. Maybe people just don't notice. Your legs give out and despite Al supporting you you sink to the floor and put your head in your hands.

"I don't think I'm okay, Al." You didn't mean to say it, but boy is it true.

"Ah? Brother?! What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just think I'm about to throw up."

The sound of retching brings Mustang and Tucker out from wherever they'd gone off to to talk. You're embarrassed. You're sitting on the floor dry heaving like a little kid with all these people just standing around and watching you. Al is holding you up with one hand under your ribcage, and rubbing your back with the other. You know he means well, but it only makes you feel even more childish. You know the stupid Colonel will never let you live this down. Nina is holding onto Tucker's hand and making squeaky noises. Maybe she's trying to whimper. Mustang is saying something but you ignore him. Probably something stupid anyway. Just making fun of you. You're done, and Tucker moves to help you sit up.

"Don't touch me." You hiss. The room falls silent at the venom in your voice. You even surprise yourself. "I'm sorry." You apologize immediately. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Apologizing to that monster. But you need to act normal, if you're going to figure this out.

"It's quite alright." Tucker replies, voice thick with courtesy. "I'm sorry if I upset you."

"No, it's not that. I just haven't been feeling well today. I'm sure I'll be better by tonight."

Mustang gives you all a look, apparently mulling something over in his mind. He must have come to a decision because he abruptly turns and announces "well, I'm sure you boy's will do fine. Havoc will be back to pick you boys up again this evening. Make the most of your time here." And with that, he walks out the door, leaving you and your brother alone with Shou Tucker, and his daughter.

There is a long, tense, moment, where all you can do is stare at him. He's still standing in front of you with a hand on your shoulder.

"I can stand fine on my own now, thank you." You say tersely, through your teeth.

"Oh. Of course." He lets go and backs off. "Do you want to finish the tour? I still haven't shown you my lab. Or would you rather sit down for a bit? I could make some tea."

You consider your options. Go down into that horrible lab, or share a nice cup of tea with the psychopath who killed his daughter. You take a moment to mull it over.

"Tea would be... great." You grit out, eventually.