Ch. 10 - Silent Words.
The golden-eyed young adult was momentarily shocked by the other man's outburst, eyes wide and looking as if he wasn't quite sure what to do. He had to admit…that he hadn't really been expecting such an impulsive reaction from the man. As much as he hated to admit it, well, he felt a bit touched that the other seemed to care as much as he did. But…it was nothing to get carried away with! Besides…Mustang probably meant he worried…more as a friend and superior rather than anything else. At this point, he wasn't going to start hanging himself on hope for more.
Edward narrowed his eyes slightly at the man he had once called Colonel…well, 'Colonel Shit-head' and 'Colonel Bastard', more or less…but still Colonel. Not now though…the man that held him by the collar had now been promoted-- the new Fuhrer of the military nonetheless. And here he was, lecturing him on keeping in touch and responsibilities…the was certainly one to talk.
The blonde-eyed boy grabbed the older man by the wrist, tightening it enough for it to hurt and make the man lower him back so that both feet were firmly planted on the floor. Once there, the long-haired boy removed the hand from his collar and stepped back. By now, several people around them had ceased their conversations and decided to watch both of them.
Sparks seemed to shock the air as the two glared at each other, all traces of friendship lost within the fiery and angered eyes of both men. Both, of course, were upset with the other for different reasons. But neither one moved as they played out their old-fashioned stare-down…each waiting for the other to give up first. The raven-haired and straw-headed men didn't move a muscle-- but something caught the older of the two by surprise. The younger man's eyes faltered, changed, if only for a few seconds. He didn't see anger or hate, nor spite or disappointment. He saw sadness, loneliness, and sorrow…regret and a sense of loss.
The eldest of the two men was shocked when the younger alchemist turned his back to him and stormed off in the opposite direction…his brother running after him in a desperate attempt to bring the boy back to the party. He watched the boy follow after his older brother, practically begging the other to suck it up and return to the other guests that had attended.
"Edward-- brother, please, just for tonight! I promise that this is the only time that you will ever have to be around this big crowd of military familiars and friends-- I know that you wanted to forget about everyone at Central…or at least almost everyone…" The youngest added the last several words quietly, causing his brother to flinch at the thought. "Look Ed, I know blackmailing you was wrong, and I know that you'll want me to come up with another explanation as to how I managed to drag you back down here. Don't worry about that…I'll think of something else-- I won't let Mustang, or anyone else for that matter, know the real story. And I'm not just saying that because I promised…but because that's something he needs to hear from you, brother."
The statement caused the eldest of the pair to snort indifferently at the idea and turn his head away, relaying the prompt message that it would never happen. The younger boy sighed and disappeared back towards the crowd of people, leaving the other to think quietly to himself.
'Alphonse…why? You lead me here when you well-knew that I didn't' want to come; that's what I convinced myself to think. Did you know otherwise, little brother, or was it you who truly missed being here? Al, I just don't know anymore. I don't know just what it is that I want. Though it seems that you know perfectly what that is…and I end up being the hesitant and uncertain one.'
The blonde shook his head and stepped out from the shadows, head hung a bit in confusion and dismay as he walked back up next to his brother…who beamed brightly when the other decided to at least come out from hiding.
"…I knew you'd come back around, brother; you have a voice, Ed…even if you can't hear it aloud. It might surprise you…that it doesn't take a lot of verbal communication to relay a message. Take a look at all the other ways there are to say things: there's sign language, Morse Code, and writing as well. There's three examples in themselves, Ed…just have a little more confidence in yourself!" He pointed out in that overly-happy tone of his, causing the other to shake his head and issue a 'lets just get this over with' attitude as the old military friends and partners started flocking around the duo once more, asking questions and receiving explanations from Al.
As Ed looked around, though…he didn't see a trace of the newly named 'Fuhrer' for the remainder of the 'welcome back' ceremony. But he pretended not to care, for the man was no longer the object of the younger alchemist's current attention-- he had the public of the military who had attended to deal with right now…or so he claimed. To tell the honest-to-god truth, Mustang was not far from the pair during the entire time, watching with weary eyes as the two carried on with their evening.
'…Someday, FullMetal. Someday, someway…I'll find a way to tell you…just how I really feel. But, I'm sorry, until that day arrives…I'll just have to do as I am now-- watch you from the safety of the shadows. For both your own well-being…and mine.'
With that thought in mind, the Fuhrer turned on his heels and snuck his way deeper into the library. The reason? Just to get away from the crowd…and the pain in his chest, which he deluded himself into thinking was completely anger and disappointment in the blonde male whom he'd just recently ended up being face-to-face with. Never in a million years had he thought that he, the newly appointed Fuhrer, would have crashed into Ed at his own welcoming party and ended up on the floor drenched in the substance of an overturned punch-bowl. But…somehow…it seemed to fit Ed well.
It was hard to hear the truth from Al, seeing as the boy had once held the title 'the voice of the people' among all those he'd come across in his travels and helped. Though, no doubt, his actions must have spoken just as loudly as his words. The hint of a smile displayed hidden across his lips; for now, though, all he could say to the one he admired was this.
"…Welcome back to Central, Sir FullMetal Alchemist…"
_+_______+_
Oh..my..GOD! ^0^ Two updates within a week! What a shocker! Well, hope you like this one as much as you did the last one..I tried to make it longer still for all you fans-- it's up to at least a half a page longer on my Microsoft Word than it was! Just trying to please! Keep up the reviews; I love the input and I want to make sure you all like it! Peace! :3