9: First Song
Ed's P.O.V.
I watched as Asher stared at me. It took a few minutes, but what I did finally registered in her brain.
"GET OFFA ME!!!!" she screamed, her voice louder than I ever heard it.
"geez, did you have to scream so loud?!" I asked, holding my ears. "People are staring again!" I hissed.
"you didn't have to lick me!" She countered. "Disgusting!" She wiped her face with her sleeve. She rubbed her face furiously, turning away, but I saw a bit of red.
"you liked it." I teased. She shot me an "I'm-Gonna-Rip-Your-Face-Off" glare.
"I-I did not!!" She stuttered, blushing harder.
"Liar." I said in a sing-song voice, enjoying ticking her off. She deserved it. she had been way too calm through everything.
"you're a liar! I said I didn't like it, so there!" she snapped, sticking out her tongue and folding her arms like a little kid.
"your face says otherwise." I provoked her.
"Shut up!!" she spat.
"make me!" I retorted, sticking my tongue out at her. That was probably one of the stupidest things I've ever said to her.
"alright." she agreed, her voice dangerous. Her eyes glinted murderously and evil grin spreading across her face. "You shouldn't have said that." She warned, slowly bringing her hands together. Now I was scared. I've only seen her alchemy once, and just her amplified scream scared me.
"That's enough! You're both acting like little kids!" Al raged, grabbing my collar and putting me back where I was before we learned our train would be delayed.
"Killjoy!" Asher whined. She glanced over at the train platform, stood up and stretched before grabbing her small suitcase and walking away.
"where're you going?" I asked.
"Train's coming, stupid." she said over her shoulder. "I wanna get a good seat!" al and I followed her.
Asher's P.O.V.
I sat close to the window, my left arm resting on the sill. I absently twirled a lock of hair with my fingers, a bad habit I've never been able to break. It was near midnight (I had a weirdly accurate internal clock) and I couldn't sleep. I was tired, but my mind just wouldn't shut down. I glanced at Ed and Al, who sat across from me. Ed was asleep, sprawled across the seat with his head on Al's lap. He snored a little. Al's eyes were black, so I guess that meant he was asleep too.
"how long has it been since I performed for you?" I asked the crescent moon. It gave no reply.
"cupcakes..." Ed mumbled, grinning and rubbing his stomach. I giggled.
"that long, huh? Well, I guess there's no time like the present." I smiled at the moon.
"... I want onion rings..." Ed muttered, rolling on his side and curling up into a ball. I took several deep cleansing breaths and thought of what I wanted to perform. I decided on a song I learned when I breached dimensions and wound up in a place called America several years ago. Far Away, it was called, by a group named Nickelback.
"This time, this place, misused, mistakes, too long, too late. Who was I to make you wait? Just one chance, just one breath, just in case there's just one left 'cause you know, you know, you know...
That I love you. I have loved you all along and I miss you, been far away for far too long. I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go. Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore.
On my knees, I'll ask last chance for one last dance 'cause with you, I'd withstand all of hell to hold your hand. I'd give it all, I'd give for us, give anything but I won't give up 'cause you know, you know, you know...
That I love you. I have loved you all along and I miss you, been far away for far too long. I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go. Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore.
so far away, so far away, been far away for far too long. So far away, so far away, been far away for far too long, but you know, you know, you know....
I wanted... I wanted you to stay 'cause I needed I need to hear you say that I love. I have loved you all along and I forgive you for being away for far too long 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore. Believe it, hold onto me and never let me go. Keep breathing 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore. Believe it, hold onto me and never let me go. Keep breathing. Hold onto me and never let me go. Keep breathing, hold onto me and never let me go...." I finished and kept humming to myself afterwards. I really hoped no one would get mad at me.
"that was really good, Asher." Al said, startling me. I twitched. Oh jeez, he was awake?
"Oh...um... you think so?" I stuttered, embarrassed. "I thought the moon and the stars were the only ones in the audience tonight..." Man, I sounded stupid!!
"I really liked it. honest." Al assured me. I smiled. I'm only freakishly modest when people sneak up on me when I'm singing by myself. If I get up on stage and perform for an actual audience (no offense, moon!) I'll suck up complements like the desert sucks up water, thirsty and dying for more.
"if you think that was good, wait till you see me on a stage." I joked.
"I've never heard that song before. Did you write it?" al asked. I shook my head.
"No, I heard it when I... went on a... vacation, I guess you could say." I fumbled with the words. I really wanted to tell him what happened.
"what do you mean by vacation?" Al inquired. I sighed and got ready to tell another piece of my story.
"Several years ago, when I was still living with my uncle, I stumbled across a very odd looking transmutation circle. Into it, actually. I accidentally stepped on it and it glowed with blinding light. I felt my body separate from my soul briefly and I fell through an unearthly purple light. I woke up and I was in a different place. A teenage girl walked up to me and asked me what I was doing and if I'd ever been to a place she called "America" before. I had no idea what I was doing or how I got there. She took me in and cared for me. I really like music and she forced me to listen to everything she had. I memorized most of the songs. I still could use alchemy, and one day I got so homesick I just clapped my hands together and wished for a way back home. I woke up in Ishbal and that's where I met Yoko." I finished. I yawned and stretched. "so tired..."
"Then sleep. We'll be there soon." Al said sweetly. I smiled and curled up on the bench. I dreamed a simple dream that night. Ed was standing on a hill, holding out his arms and calling my name. Nothing really happened, but I was happy. I blinked and woke up. Ed's face was inches from mine.
"Asher..." he mumbled, still sleeping.
"Yes?" I responded, messing with him.
"...don't ever leave...me..." He muttered, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"I won't." I replied honestly. I closed my eyes and listened to him breathe softly.
"good." he said, his voice stronger. I was not expecting to have him smash his lips onto mine.
