This chapter is shorter than the last one. XP
I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, the anime or manga.
Edward Elric returned from another long conversation with Truth. He was becoming quite good at speaking through his mind. Now his problem wasn't accidentally talking out loud, it was unintentionally trying to communicate with others with thoughts instead of words. Roy Mustang had just been asking him to visit the Hughes when he replied wordlessly. There had been a long and suspended silence as each person waited for the latter to respond. Finally, Mustang had to repeat his question, and Ed realized his mistake.
Near afternoon, Edward strode down the mushy sidewalk with a coat bundled tightly around him. It had been snowing last night, but the pure, luxurious white had become tainted with filth. Now the ground wasn't pleasant and crunchy, it was freezing and slushy. Ed quickly rounded a corner and arrived in front of Maes Hughes' house. Two cars were parked neatly in front of it, each with military license. No doubt Al and everyone were already inside.
Climbing up the steps with numb legs, Ed knocked once on the door and waited impatiently for someone to answer. His welcoming committee consisted of two kids. One of them was none other than Elicia Hughes; the other was Alisa, the girl he saved during the train incident.
"You!" Alisa abruptly pointed a finger at the man before her.
Elicia Hughes glanced at her friend in surprise. "You know him?"
"Yeah! He's the guy I was telling you about! You know. The one from the train." Alisa went on and on until Elicia questioned her with curiosity.
Unsure of what to do, Ed stood dumbly at the doorway. The girls kept on mumbling back and forth, leaving him to wait nervously for an adult to come along. Luckily, Al appeared at the end of the hall and quickly ushered the two children away.
"Hey, Vic. Everyone is already here. They're all inside." Al closed the front door and led Vic down the hallway to the dining room. Seated around the extended table was Roy Mustang with his entire staff, all enjoying warm cups of afternoon tea.
Roy said to Gracia, "This is Vic. I asked him to come meet you."
Mrs. Hughes, as welcoming as ever, didn't hesitate for a moment to greet the newcomer. "It's my pleasure to meet you."
"Same here," Vic replied.
At that moment, little Elicia came up and gave Vic a warm cuddle. "Do you want to be my big brother?"
Immersed in the friendly gaze, Vic could do nothing but stare for a second. The sparkle in Elicia Hughes' eyes at that moment reminded him so much of Nina. He wanted nothing more than to lean down and return her hug. So he did. Getting onto one knee, he squeezed her back and said, "Sure, I would love to be your big brother."
Delighted, Elicia squealed like the nine-year-old she was and bounced away with Alisa to play in the backyard.
Vic watched her go with a goofy smile on his face before noticing the amused eyes on him. "What?" He straightened up.
"Nothing," Al said innocently.
"I'm surprised that she took to you so well." Gracia took a small sip of tea before continuing, "She's stopped calling anyone 'big brother'. She used to refer to Al in such a way but now she calls him 'Mr. Alphonse'."
"Mr. Alphonse?" Vic sniggered at Al.
"I dunno." Al shrugged.
At that moment, Elicia and Alisa ran back in, their eyes glittering like stars. "Big Brother! Mr. Alphonse! Do you wanna help us dig a cathole?!" Elicia yelled out her request as proud as though she was giving out diamonds.
"A— A cathole?!" Al spluttered, a bit disgusted. By the shocked chokes from his companions, everyone else too, was not amused. Everyone that is, except Vic Alrec.
"Sure!" Vic exclaimed, already running after the duo.
"Wait a sec, wait a sec!!" Al grabbed Vic by his sweatshirt and hauled him back.
"What's the problem?" Vic asked his brother.
"What do you mean 'what's the problem?' A cathole! A cathole! You're gonna help those two dig a cathole?! You're supposed to be a big brother! Not a little one!"
Vic's reply carried the obvious enthusiasm he had. "Oh com'on! It sounds fun! Have you ever dug your own bathroom before?"
"No! And I don't want to!"
"Don't be such a killjoy. I mean seriously. How many people get to dig their own toilets?!"
Al could do nothing but gawk. "How old are you?!" he shrieked after an inner episode of appalled panic attack.
"I'm almost 22!" Vic cried over his shoulder as he took off for his new friends again.
Behind him, everyone wondered how the hell someone of that age could be as immature as a child. But at the back of their minds, they knew it comforted them to know that at least someone out there still had the pure, simple essence of a youngster, despite the years in life. To tell the truth, Al also wanted to be out there and enjoying the bright sunshine but perhaps playing tag rather than burrowing cesspools. With an exasperated growl, Al threw up his arms in utter defeat to his own temptations and dashed out to join the uproarious trio. To hell with dignity, he was too young to ignore the delights of existence, and he planned to live life's enjoyments to its fullest potential while he still had the chance.
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Hours later, Vic sat with his brother and friends in the dining room yet again, this time accompanied by Alisa and Elicia, who were both gathered in the far corner of the room, chatting away. Like true kids, they honestly believed that no one else in the room was wary of their conversation. And, listening to them now, Al would much rather if they took their discussion elsewhere.
"Why won't you call Al by his nickname? What's so special about adding 'Mister'?" Alisa asked her friend.
"Because… Because… Just because!" Elicia blushed furiously and shoved her pal playfully.
"You like him don't you!?" Alisa giggled.
"Shut up!"
Vic had his face in his hand as he tried desperately to smother his chuckles. Then he heard Alisa say something along the lines of, "You have a crush on him! Ha!" At that, Vic tumbled off his chair and roared with laughter.
Al was upon him at once. "Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up!!"
Unfortunately, Al's obvious embarrassment only increased Vic's need to express his uncontrollable glee.
"Brother, you are so immature!!" Al exclaimed. He opened his mouth to yell at Vic again. Then what he said caught up to him, and his blood ran cold. He didn't. He couldn't have. Alphonse looked over to the others. The stunned look that conquered their expressions only confirmed it. Al realized with dread that, just now, he had actually mistaken Vic Alrec for Edward Elric. He had just called Vic "Brother", the title reserved for Edward Elric and only Edward Elric. Al turned his gaze down to Vic and saw the man sitting upright, the only thing visible on his hooded face was a frown.
With a barely suppressed whimper, Al scrambled from his seat, bolted out the door, and shot down the hall to the street before anyone could even breathe.
Chairs were scraped back and knocked over as everyone, including Vic, jumped up.
"Al!" Vic called, even though he knew the young man was a long way off already. He then took off after his brother and heard footsteps right on his heels.
"Ready the car, Hawkeye! Havoc, you get the other one!" Mustang ordered his men and they complied without complaint. Falman called out to Vic to get in, but he wasn't listening. Cars were no use. Al was already out of sight. Only someone who knew exactly where Al would go during hard times could find him. Waving off the two waiting cars, Vic flew down the sidewalk and followed the map in his mind's eye to the spot he was convinced Al would be. And sure enough, after ten minutes of running, Vic arrived at the only river in Central.
Al sat at the bank, his head buried in his hands as he sobbed out the guilt and misery he had been plagued with since a few days ago.
Vic waited patiently for Al to ease away his tears even though he wanted nothing more than to rush over to his only sibling and scream out the truth he had been hiding for the past three months. But if he dashed to Al too quickly, Al would just freak out and run away again. That would be troublesome, so Vic had to give him a little more space and time. After what seemed like a whole lifetime, Al finally settled to gentle moans and occasional hiccups.
Vic approached slowly, the setting sun casting his shadow across the soggy, grassy ground. Al saw the silhouette of a figure at his left and gasped. No one, absolutely no one, had been aware of where Al found comfort in except his brother. As the shadow closed in like a dark, ominous cloud, Al leapt up and whipped around to meet his pursuer. When he saw Vic's outline against the sun, he wanted to drown himself in the river. But before he could make a move, Vic grabbed him and pulled him into the warmest embrace he's had since far too long ago.
Without releasing his baby brother, Vic whispered quietly, "There's something I have to tell you."
(Author's Note: You should be VERY glad I don't end this right here as a cliffhanger. That is, if you consider this to be cliffhanger-material.)
Carefully freeing Alphonse from his hold, Vic motioned for Al to sit back down.
Despite the very overwhelming urge to escape, Al was interested to hear what Vic had to say. He was taken aback when Vic, instead of talking, strolled over to the river and flipped back his hood, Al's eyes widened in astonishment when a blood red braid was revealed. Now he really wanted to see what's up. And then, he heard a vivid clap that made him jump with nostalgia. His heart began to pound excitedly in his chest as his mind began to make predictions. The spark of alchemy only increased his anticipation and when the hair on Vic's head turned gold, his heart nearly stopped. Al gulped as Vic stood up and a pair of sunglasses clattered to the ground. Alphonse hopped up when Vic turned around.
"Hey Al," said Edward Elric, his pure golden eyes punctuated by the sun.
Alphonse Elric could hardly believe what he was seeing. He wanted to blurt out one question after another but found a huge lump of jumbled emotions in his throat. Not that he really cared. All he craved for right now was just to touch his brother, to feel him, to make certain that he was really here. Al stumbled two steps before his damn knees gave away under him. But it didn't matter. His brother was coming to him. As soon as Ed was within reach, Al seized his arm like a lifeline and dragged him down. Alphonse gripped his brother and unleashed years of tears he had been unconsciously holding back. He dumped every ounce of his worry and fear onto Ed's shoulder. His mouth moved but no words would come out. All Al could do was to bawl his already swollen eyes out, knowing with happiness, contentment, and relief swelling in his chest that his brother was back. Al's last thought before sinking into the first peaceful sleep he's had in five years was that his brother, Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, has returned.
Ed staggered under the sudden increase of weight as Al went limp in his arms. Hearing the gentle snore, Ed smiled and laid Al down in a comfier position. Smoothing Al's hair out, Ed was preparing to nod off too until he heard the Truth.
So… You told him.
Ed frowned at the unspoken resentment borne in Truth's voice. Why are you mad? Weren't you the one who allowed me to come back just so I could reunite with Al?
The Truth remained silent for awhile. I'm sorry. I… I guess I just didn't realize how much I would really miss you. I know that it was I who sent you back, but I suppose that it just didn't feel real at first. I've never before revived anyone. When I did, I felt sure it was only temporary. I thought I was only giving you a month or two to speak your last words.
Ed felt an extremely unnecessary shame build up in his very being. It was unbelievable, but half of him was actually regretting his choice to come clean with Al. Hot tears ran down Ed's already wet face. I'm sorry. I really am. But… I don't know. I'm confused, okay? You're the Truth; tell me what it is that I really want because I sure as hell don't know.
Well I don't know neither! Your desires are split into two major pieces. I can't tell which one is stronger than the other.
Ed squinted against the glare of the slowly lowering sun and pulled up his sunglasses again. His hand brushed against his hair, and he heard a crunch. When he patted his head, he realized that the water in his soaked head had froze in the freezing weather. He tossed back on his hood in an attempt to keep some warmth.
The Fullmetal Alchemist honestly had no clue whatsoever of what measures to take at the moment. Ed searched high and low for a solution out of this mess but found none. He did, however, cling to the fact that Al already knew, so it didn't matter what actions he took now. Al would never let him go again, that's for sure. So, in what Ed felt was an inescapable situation, he began to explain that to Truth, only to be interrupted when Al stirred in his sleep. Drowsy gray eyes flickered open and flurried wildly before landing on Ed.
"Hey," Ed began.
Al flew up and tottered away.
"What's wrong, Al?" Ed advanced toward his brother only to flinch when Al shook his head vigorously.
"What happened?" Al asked.
"Huh?" Ed cocked his head in confusion.
"I… I had this dream… You told me…that you were my brother." Al started. "Was it a dream?"
Ed realized that Al thought he had dreamt the entire conversation they had had. Hearing the desperation Al's voice carried, Edward immediately began to elucidate everything when he sensed the Truth's obvious sullen mood. Truth tried to hide it and urged his friend on, but Ed couldn't. Edward Elric was always one to look at things logically. He'll always calculate and analyze everything before making the final decision. After summing up all the numbers, Ed determined that Al still had others. Alphonse had all his friends in the military. Al had Winry, Grandma Pinako, and even Rosé. But who did the Truth have? No one. Do the math. It wasn't kind of Ed to pick either one over the other, but he knew the fairest move.
"Yes, Alphonse, it was a dream."
This was a bad ending, I know. But before you start yelling at me, please keep in mind that this is NOT the final chapter!!! I just wrote this because reviewers have been asking for Ed to reveal himself. As the author of this story, I didn't want to have that any time soon, but I also realize that I should at least give my kind readers a taste of what it'll be like if Ed really did tell Al the truth. I hope it was satisfactory! It'd better be. I stayed up 'til five in the morning just so it'll be ready for you guys today!!!