Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist

Claim: Envy/Ed/Lust

Prompt + Number: #039, "Awkward"

Title: Promise

Rating: PG

Word Count: 295

Warnings: Hints of Al/Winry

Summary: "Um…look, Al, I can explain—"

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"Um…look, Al, I can explain—" Edward began, but a simple shake of Al's helmet was enough to quiet him.

"Brother…is this why you've made me go to headquarters so much?" Al asked, holding up Edward's book—only a few pages filled with notes.

"I just—" Ed sighed.

"Just what, Brother?"

"…I wanted to figure out if we could find an advantage against the Homunculi. And when Envy and Lust practically offered themselves up…"

Al remained silent. Edward couldn't remember ever feeling so awkward around his little brother.

"It was Equivalent Exchange, right?"

"Yeah."

"…Brother…" Al groaned, clapping his gauntlet to his helmet with a sharp clang. "What if they hurt you? What if they kill you?"

"Al, look, you and I both know I can take care of myself. Just give me half a year. Okay? I promise you I'll have information on the Philosopher's Stone, and the Homunculi. As soon as that year is over, I'll break all ties from 'em."

Al stared at him silently for a moment, filling the room with an awkward feeling. Ed couldn't help but wonder if he had been taking lessons from Winry on how to keep things going in the proper direction. Ed had never been one to back down from a challenge. But…

"…6 months, Brother," Al said softly, placing his gauntlet on Ed's shoulder. "And I'll be checking up on you every Saturday in the meantime, just in case. Winry's been wanting me to visit anyway."

The awkwardness faded away as Ed cracked a joke about Al's relationship with the blonde mechanic, letting the promise cement itself in his mind.