Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist
Summary: Al is back in his own body and everything seems back to normal… except Ed.
Author's Notes: First person PoV with Ed. The chapters are supposed to be short.
Fourth Sin: Greed
Sitting on the small couch in Mustang's office, I'm forced to listen to the Colonel go on and on about something I've done wrong. For the most part, I've learned to ignore it.
I only came here to give Mustang my report and instead he keeps me here under the threat of Riza's shooting accuracy until he's done lecturing.
Hawkeye watches me from her post by Mustang's desk. You can never tell what that woman is thinking. Sighing to myself, I nod, still pretending to listen to the man's lectures on military codes and procedures.
Finally, I couldn't take anymore. Rolling my eyes, I blurt out that I understood and everything was my fault. That seemed to cause an awkward silence within the room.
Mustang laughed, amused, saying that not everything was my fault. So… I might as well take responsibility for the whole thing and get it over with.
Hawkeye whispered something to the Colonel that put a halt to his laughter. How does she do that? For years I've been trying to shut the Colonel up and she can do it in an instant!
Maybe because she'd the only one that can stand him. Mustang… stuck-up-power-hungry-flame-throwing-want-to-rule-the-world idiot. By the looks of it, whatever she said made my situation worse.
The Flame Alchemist sat back in his chair, eyes fixed on me. Whenever he did this, it meant he was trying to figure out something… Usually with only slight interest.
I told them whatever trouble I was in now, I'd take fault for it. They only watched me, gaze somewhat heavy. Without warning I asked if I could be excused, and left. What is wrong with everyone?
Is what I'm doing on a day to day basis that strange? Have I really changed that much? I don't think so… besides… most people would call it growing up.
Entering the hallway, I find my brother waiting for me with a smile like always. Can what Mustang said about not everything being my fault true? … It can't be… even in my dreams…
Everything is my fault. My brother's lost body, the homunculi, the people that died because I searched for the stone, the loss of Al's memories…everything… I am the root… the cause of all their misfortunes and I hate it.
I hate my brother's smile, too… Yet I long to see it everyday. It's a picture that has been burned into my memories as a reminder of the past.
If I had changed something I did back then, would all be ok? Maybe if I didn't know alchemy… or if I didn't try to bring back mom… It's impossible…
Reality nothing can change. We were meant to follow certain paths since we were born into this world. No one can change fate. And I was fated to plague the lives of those around me.
I smile back at Al, telling him we'd pick up something to eat on the way back home. He laughs, asking what took so long and if I had done something wrong again.
Shrugging slightly, I took Al by the hand and left.
That smile… Please don't smile at me Al. I don't deserve it. Smile at everyone else, the world could use a light of hope like you. So don't worry about making me feel better.
This chapter kinda depresses me... poor Ed. Anyway look forward to the next chapter!