Summary: I never meant for it to happen. It never actually happened, either. But what he saw clearly wasn't matching my story.

Rated M for a reason, loves.

Enjoy!

Requested by Andomiyu Orokatta


Things aren't always what they seem.

Books are not meant to be judged based upon looks.

But that's how it happened.

It really wasn't what it looked like.

But that meant nothing to the anguish clouding my brother's eyes.

"Alphonse... P-Please tell me I'm not seeing this." Edward's voice was breaking as he realized what he was seeing.

Me, his brother, his lover, in the arms of his superior.

"Ed, wait! Please, let me explain!" I shouted as he pushed past me and ran out the door.

"I-I'm really sorry, Mustang! I have to go after him!" I said, running as fast as my feet would let me.

"Ed, please! You have to let me explain!" I cried, seeing my brother's stoic form block out everything.

"What is there to explain? Obviously you and Mustang..." He looked away. "Are together now," His voice broke. "And I'm no longer important to you."

As he tried to leave, I sharply pulled him back to face me.

"Ed, listen to me! Just for a damn minute!" Ed sighed.

"Why? You'll only deny it. It hurt me enough to see you with him. Don't you think denying it more just hurts me?" Tears were now rolling down sun-kissed skin.

"Please, Edward. Y-You're all I have now." I heard my voice cracking as I realized what was happening.

"I'm sorry, Al, I just can't do this. If this thing with Mustang has been going on for as long as I think it has, then I'll leave. I'll give you a year to cool off, get things straightened out. When you're ready, you can come find me." His warm hand slipped from my grasp.

I stood and watched as he walked into the distance, away from our home, away from me.


That was four months, two weeks, and 4 days ago.

Four months.

Four months without even writing to my brother.

I look into the mirror, and I have to refrain from asking "Who are you?"

I don't recognize the reflection staring back at me.

Eyes gray and lifeless.

I didn't look like me.

I hadn't since he left.

I walked over to my small desk, and picked up a letter I'd been meaning to send.


~*Ed's P. O. V.*~

A few days later, an envelope was slipped under my door.

Wait a minute... I know that handwriting! It's Al! I thought excitedly.

To my delight, it was a letter from my brother.

But it didn't contain the words I'd hoped to hear.

Dear Brother,

I know it's been a while since we've talked. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for hurting you. Sorry for hurting everyone else as well. Don't worry, I won't hurt anyone anymore. You don't have to worry about me. Where I'm headed I'll be just fine, and no one will get hurt ever again. It might hurt when you come home to an empty house. I won't be there to say 'hi' anymore. But that's the price for not hurting anyone: I have to go. I'm very sorry.

Love, Alphonse.

A hand was clamped over my mouth to hold back the scream threatening to tear from me as I realized what Al was going to do.

I knew what I had to do.

If I wanted to keep my brother alive, I had to go back to him.


~*Al's P. O. V.*~

I paced the small bedroom, looking at my frazzled reflection.

It's for the best. No one else will get hurt this way. Silent tears streamed down my face as I let the blackness take over me.


~*Ed's P. O. V.*~

I opened the door just to hear a loud crash from upstairs.

"Shit. Al!" I shouted, but no response came.

I shakily opened the door to his room, following a trail of red to my brother's body.

"You... Came back." He croaked, eyes opening weakly.

"Al, don't you dare die on me." I pressed a cloth to the dripping wounds on his arms.

"I... I thought... This would make sure... No one else got hurt. But all I did... Was hurt you more." His voice was stronger.

"Shhh, Al, you need to rest. We can talk later." I said, as Al practically fell asleep in my arms.


~*Al's P. O. V.*~

When I woke up, I was immediately greeted by a pair of familiar golden eyes.

"E-Ed... You really came back." I said, throwing my arms around him.

"Course I did. I missed you. And... I'm sorry."

"For what?" Ed sighed, running a hand through his golden locks.

"For not listening to you, and leaving you here alone. It was wrong and I'm sorry. I should've listened to you. If I had, you wouldn't have almost-" I silenced him by placing a finger to his lips.

"None of that matters now. You're home, and I'm glad." I buried my face in his shoulder.

"And I'm never, ever leaving you again. You're too important to me." Ed added as he tilted my chin up so our lips met.