Notes: So sorry about the wait! Also, this one and the next will be kind of shorter chapters. Again, sorry.
Disclaimer: Never owned it. Will never own it.
After being pulled back through the Gate, and out of Gluttony, my body ached and was momentarily drained of energy. Fleshy lumps fell over and around me (or maybe I fell into them, it was hard to tell), poking into my already painful broken ribs when I tried to breathe too deep. Right then, I didn't have the will to do anything about it and just sat still.
I couldn't take Al's body with me.
I mentally ran over the meeting at the Gate, letting it spin faster and faster in my mind's eye. It confirmed my theory, Al's gate and mine were connected. But still, even with Envy's stone used in payment to get there, his body still wouldn't come with me. Because I wasn't Alphonse.
Is there any way to get Al there and back safely? And even then, would it survive the return? Could it host a soul in the state?
Al's body had looked so thin, with all of his bones showing painfully obvious. It had been a chore for him even to stand! I needed to eat more healthy items. Maybe even milk. Maybe. Probably not. Through my thoughts, I barely registered talking, but I had more important things to think about.
"Brother," Loud, fast clanks, and a familiar voice grew close.
Al?
"Brother," he asked, now hesitant. I focused on taking deep breaths to regain my strength. I didn't want him to worry more than he already sounded. I felt the weight over and around me shift. Suddenly it was easier to breathe without worrying about being poked in the ribs too hard. Slowly, I lifted my head and opened my eyes. Al's armor kneeled in front of my and Envy's green people supported me.
"Al," I replied slowly. "Your back in your armor. So that means-" I cut myself off and looked around for Ling. I located him on my right, then closed my eyes again and let a small smile slide on my face. I held out my metal fist.
"We're back in the real world," Ling finished, placing his fist over mine.
I'm okay, it doesn't really matter if Envy is okay or not, and the Idiot Prince survived too. It worked.
"Brother," came Al's joyful cry, and suddenly I was picked up, surrounded, and crushed but steel. Al might have been spinning around but it was hard to tell with my broken ribs screaming at the pressure.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow," I screamed.
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! What the hell, Al!?
"You're crushing me," I complained, struggling against him in a pathetic attempt to escape.
"You're okay-," Al said at the same time.
"-Let me go! -"
"-So happy you're alive- "
"-I've broken my ribs," I called, and right away Al dropped me. I sat up and made to stand, but stopped when I noticed he was now on the ground too. And he was shaking.
No, not shaking, trembling. I didn't think he could still do that…
"I'm sorry," even Al's voice was shaking. "But I thought… I thought you were dead."
Oh, Al… That explains his reaction. It's just like after Al disappeared during the Transmutation.
If he could, Al would be crying right now. In my mind's eye, I could see him crouched down like he was now, eyes hidden behind his hair. He wasn't making any sound right then, other than the rattle of his armor, but I could easily imagine the ground beneath him turning to a darker gray with his tears. I smiled fondly at the image, then wiped my nose while I thought of something to say that wouldn't make him feel worse.
So, nothing on what just happened. Or what I saw. Yet.
"I'm sorry," I said before reading out with my right hand to place it on his head. Just like when we were kids. "I'm sorry I worried you." He stopped trembling at the sound of the contact. He looked up and I grinned before standing.
We're okay. So, where are we? This isn't where we disappeared from?
I stood, ready either fight someone or find a way out. I had a lot to tell Al.
So short. Al's version might be longer, but I wouldn't count on it. The next update shouldn't take as long.
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