Hello again.
So some time has past between the last chapter. Just so you know.
I'm sorry if this took so long to update but I had a REALLY busy week. So, lo seinto.
Alright! Time to start this wild party!
Disclaimer: Atemu'sLotus was sitting in this expense restaurant. The waiter asked her if she would like to choose her fish. So she got up and saw the FMA fish. She pointed at it but the waiter said no, those rights will never belong to you.
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"Do you need any help Lamya?"
"Sure! Thank you Alphonse!"
Ed watched as Al slightly limped over to the kitchen counter. Lamya was preparing stew, again at Ed's request. It was a week into the healing process for Ed and Al, and Al was in total bliss. After Ed explained the situation Alphonse had become depressed but after a little confession of how Lamia was too scarred to truly love him, he began to lighten up after a few days. He had decided that he would make it with Lamya. And it really wasn't that hard for him to fall in love again. This Lamya was more cheerful and more confident then Lamia. She smiled all of the time just like their mother. Plus, she was way more receptive to Al's flirtations.
"Shall I chop up the carrots?" Al asked as he stood next to Lamya.
She looked up and smiled, "Yes, please!"
Alphonse was almost head and shoulders above Lamya but that made it even better when it came to helping in the kitchen. Observe.
Lamya turned from the counter and stepped towards the cupboards on the wall. Standing on her tippy toes Lamya attempted to reach the big serving pot.
"Um.. Al?" Ed pointed to the stretching Lamya behind him.
Al twisted his head to see the funny predicament. Chuckling, Al leaned over Lamya and grabbed the serving pot. Of course this created an odd position for the couple but only for a few seconds.
A deep crimson blush formed on Lamya's face as she mumbled a thank you.
Being clueless, Al didn't notice the tension and responded with a cheery welcome.
And so it was like that for the whole evening. Ed would sit on his bed reading a book that he had chosen off of Lamya's shelf while Al and Lamya enjoyed some time in the kitchen.
As Ed watched the happy couple he kept thinking about how they were so much in tune with each other. Alphonse would reach for something at the exact same moment that Lamya would turn to stir something else. When one watched them in the kitchen it looked like they were dancing. They would flow with each other and never get in each other's way. Without speaking, Al would know what ingredient Lamya wanted and at what time. The same rule applied to Lamya when Al needed a certain knife to cut the celery or one of the other vegetables.
Lamya looked up at Ed and asked, "Edward, would you like to set the table?"
"Not really but I will," Ed responded with a smirk. Lamya just smiled and went back to dancing with Al in the kitchen.
Slowly but surely Ed got up. When he got to the kitchen, Lamya had already placed all of the plates and utensils on the counter. He picked them up and proceeded to set the table.
"It looks like we have some leftovers. I'll just go put these in the compost pile, I'll be back." Lamya said as she picked up the scraps.
Al turned, "You have a compost pile?"
Lamya smiled as she walked towards the stairs. "Yep, up in my little sanctuary. If you want I can show it to you after dinner. But only if you keep it a secret." She winked at Alphonse and began to climb the stairs.
Ed lifted his head in time to see Al blush and then go back to work.
"Aww….does my wittle bwoder have a wittle cwush?" Ed mocked as he set the final plate down on the table. Before he could say anymore Ed found a carrot flying towards his face.
When it hit its target Al chuckled, "Shut up and set the table Ed."
Ed growled, "Don't tell me what to do! I don't have to set the table if I don't want to!"
"Oh, well that's all right I'll finish it," A small voice said. The source of the voice was standing by the stairs.
Slowly Ed turned around to face a sadly cute Lamya. Guilt rose up into his chest. "N-no! I'll do it! I was just angry at Al that's all…… I'll go set the table." Ed bowed his head in shame and walked over to finish setting the table.
Lamya smiled, "Do you need any help?" She walked over to the table and looked down at the plates.
"Nope, I got it," Ed said as he set down a fork, "Say Lamya?"
"Yes?" Lamya responded while she went behind Alphonse. She pointed something out and he immediately began to stir the stew.
Instead of asking his question Ed just watched Al and Lamya.
Al took a spoon from the utensil drawer and scooped some stew from the pot. He motioned for Lamya to try the hot liquid. Smiling, Lamya leaned in and took a taste. She closed her eyes and nodded at the taste. Al took the rest of the sample and tasted it. As the hot stew rolled down his throat Al sighed. The young lovers then gazed at each other and smiled.
As Al looked down upon Lamya he noticed that she still had a little bit of stew on the left side of her mouth. 'Should I?' Al thought. His face became strained as he contemplated the consequences and benefits of his action.
A worried look crossed Lamya's face as she saw Al furrow his brow.
Noticing this Al just smiled. He leaned in and kissed the left side of Lamya's mouth, licking the stew off in the process.
Needless to say Ed was stunned, as was Lamya because she just stood there frozen on the spot with a blush quickly forming on her cheeks. Al just turned back to the stew but only Ed could see the devious little smile that graced Al's lips.
'Dirty old man,' Ed thought to himself with a smile. He went back to setting the table, completely forgetting that he had to ask Lamya a question.
"D-dinner's ready," Lamya stuttered. She then quickly picked up some platters full of bread and scurried to the table.
Al picked up the pot and set it in the middle of the table. Then he took everyone's bowls and filled each of them.
"Thank you," Lamya chimed as she took her bowl. The brothers paused as they waited for Lamya to say her prayers and then they dug in.
After Ed's third helping, he remembered that he had wanted to ask Lamya a question so he swallowed his stew and asked, "Lamya?"
"Hmm?" She said looking at Ed.
"Where are we?" Ed inquired
Al stopped eating to look at Lamya. By the looks of it Lamya was just as surprised by the question as Al.
"I never told you? Hmm….Well, anyways, we are on the outskirts of Central. If you would like you could go to Central, it only takes a couple of minutes if you walk fast," Lamya said as she leaned her elbows on the table.
This took Ed back a bit. "We're that close to Central?"
Lamya nodded, "Yep."
Sitting back in his chair Ed sighed. Lamya looked to Al for guidance but he just stared down at his plate.
"Do you want some desert?" Lamya questioned while getting up from the table. But Al just touched her arm to tell her to sit down and that he would get the desert.
Whilst Al was up Ed looked outside to see rain pouring down. Lamya followed his gaze to the window.
"You're not going to go out again are you? I don't like it when you go out there in the rain," stated Ed, who was staring intently at Lamya.
Lamya just shook her head and smiled. "Nope, not tonight. I got all of my supplies the last time that it rained."
"Why do you go out in the rain anyways? Isn't it harder to get supplies in the rain then in the day time?" Al asked as he placed the cookie dish on the table.
A sad smile fell on Lamya's lips as she sighed. "You would think so but no, it is much easier and safer to go out in the pouring rain. Funny, huh?" Lamya looked down in her lap and rang her hands.
The two brothers glanced at each other. Al sat down next to Lamya, and as if on cue, both Ed and Al leaned in.
"Why?" They both chimed.
Shocked at the sudden question Lamya fumbled a bit and rang her hands together even more. "Umm…well…you see the people around here don't exactly..like…me…so it's safer if I go out at night because then they can't see me as easily…"
This was something new. 'Lamya acts just like Lamia so why would people hate her? Is it because of us?' the brothers thought.
While they were processing this new piece of information, Lamya took a cookie off the dish. She chewed on it in silence but she couldn't keep quiet for long since the brothers stared intently at her, waiting for more answers.
"I suppose you want to know why the people dislike me around here?" Lamya asked in a weary tone.
The brothers nodded. Al extended his arm and gently squeezed Lamya's hand. "You don't have to if you don't want to. We'll understand," Al said.
Lamya smiled, "No it's okay. It's quite simple actually." She stopped and took another bite out of her cookie. "You see, my father was an Ishbalan priest who fell in love with a state alchemist."
"Oh." Ed said as he looked down on his plate.
"Yeah, my parents were supposed to be complete enemies but they fell in love, got married, and had me. Now everyone around here treats me like a traitor. They've attempted to kill me numerous times but it seems that luck is on my side. That's why I go out in the rain to get supplies. My neighbors don't go out in this weather so I'm safe."
"Wait," Ed leaned in and put his elbows on the table, "They've tried to kill you?"
Lamya looked shocked, "Yes, why?"
Ed banged his fists against the table making Lamya jump.
"Did you report this?" Al asked kindly while keeping an eye on his older brother. Now that Ed had his young body, he was slowly becoming a little more rash. It was as if his new body gave him a new sense of pride and nerve.
"Well, no-"
"THOSE BASTARDS! What the hell is wrong with people?? WHY IS DEATH ALWAYS THE ANSWER??" shouted Ed as he got up and walked towards the door.
Al quickly got up and grabbed his brother's arm. "Ed! What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm going to kick their asses! What the hell did you think I'm going to do?" Ed shoved Al away and grabbed the door knob.
"No!" Suddenly Lamya slid herself in front of the door, blocking Ed's escape. Lamya grasped Ed's hand and pleaded, "No, please. They have no idea what they are doing. It's not their fault that they were raised that way! Please Edward. You still haven't healed yet. Please…" Ed watched as Lamya's head and shoulders fell in defeat, "Please…don't get hurt needlessly."
With a heavy heart Ed turned away from the door and back to the table where he picked up a cookie before sitting down. Lamya looked up to see Ed glaring at the opposing wall with such vigor that it could have melted. A sad smile graced her lips. Slowly Lamya walked over to Ed. She stood next to him but he refused to acknowledge her so she bent down and lightly kissed the side of his forehead.
Ed looked up at the touch with a face of confusion.
Lamya smiled and said, "Thank you."
"Hmph, whatever. I was just doing what my little sister wanted. No big deal," Ed huffed and chomped his cookie.
The words 'little sister' rang through Lamya's mind. 'Little sister? I-I have a family?' Lamya just let it soak in and a warm sensation coursed through her body. 'Family. Yes. Family.'
"Right!" Lamya cheered.
All three smiled at each other from Lamya's reaction. Then Lamya remembered something.
"Oh! Alphonse!" Lamya turned to said Alphonse, "Do you want to see the compost pile?"
Al's eyes lit up, "Sure! It's upstairs right?"
"Yep! Come on I'll show you!" Lamya bounced towards the stairs while Al eagerly followed.
After the two were gone Ed just shook his head. "He better watch it. No one hits on my little sister and gets away with it," Ed said with a grin. But that grin faded and a sigh escaped as Ed looked out the window to see the rain dying down. "Winry, you're so close. But are you still waiting for me? Or do you have someone new? …..Heh, women are so complicated." Ed leaned on his elbow and rested his head on his hand with a sigh.
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Al followed Lamya to the back of the house. The stairs creaked as the two bodies crept on them. When they finally got to the top Lamya stopped and turned to point left. Al's eyes followed her finger and saw a beautiful garden with a compost pile next to it. All of the plants were blue from the incoming moon light, which came from the massive hole in the roof. There were rows and rows of vegetables that stretched from the farthest wall to about ten feet away from the stairs.
Lamya took Al's hand and guided him along the rows of vegetation. She pointed out the different types of vegetables and every now and then she would crouch down and show Al the various characteristics of the plants. Alphonse saw the sparkle in her eyes as she explained everything to him. It looked like Lamya really adored her garden especially from the way she delicately touched each plant.
When she was finished with the tour the two just sat by the edge of the stairs, looking up at the stars. Alphonse sighed. He turned to look at Lamya to see her smiling brightly at the now clear night sky. This made him smile and turn back to the heavens.
"If you were wondering, that hole," Lamya pointed up at the non-existent roof, "it was made when my neighbors tried to burn my house down. When I was fixing everything up I decided to keep it, that way Mother Nature could take care of my garden as well. Besides I like looking up at the sky, it makes me feel free."
There was a long pause until Al finally spoke. "Why do you stay here if you're trapped?" he asked but kept his gaze towards the sky.
"Because I was waiting," whispered Lamya.
Now Al turned to look at Lamya, she turned as well and smiled sadly. "I was waiting for the day when I could go outside onto my lawn and finally feel the warm sun on my skin and the cool grass underneath my feet. That's my dream. To enjoy being outside in the daytime and not be afraid for my life." Lamya curled up into a sitting fetal position and muffled something into her legs.
"What? I didn't catch that," Al questioned.
Lamya lifted up her head and rested it on her legs while looking at Alphonse. "What's your dream Alphonse?"
"My dream?"
"Mhmm."
"Hmmm… To finally sleep peacefully and to experience all things, whether good or bad. I want to use this body that my brother gave me-" Al stopped and looked wide eyed at Lamya.
But his slip up didn't seem to faze her. She just looked at Alphonse with one of her eyes brows raised and smiled.
"It's okay Alphonse. You don't have to explain," Lamya turned back to the night sky but Alphonse kept staring at her.
He made a decision but first he had to ask Ed. Besides, Ed could probably explain the whole parallel universe thing better than himself. So Al stood up and offered Lamya his hand, she looked up at Alphonse in confusion but took his hand and followed him down the stairs. Still holding onto Lamya's hand Al walked up to a surprised Ed.
"Brother we need to tell her," Al stated in a stern voice.
Ed was taken aback by the sudden change in mood but after a few seconds Ed's face became somber and he nodded. Lamya just watched the silent conversation that the brothers had between themselves.
"Sit down Lamya it's high time that we tell you our story," Ed said while pulling out a chair.
Lamya did as she was told and sat down. Unbeknownst to her this would be one of the most powerful conversations that she would ever have with the brothers.
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After a couple of hours or so of explaining their life the brothers had to wait another hour for Lamya to stop crying. Ed was sitting facing Lamya while Alphonse was sitting next to her, holding her close while she cried. Lamya had understood about their life but the part of Lamia was hard to take. The brothers reassured her that they liked her not because of her similarity to Lamia but how she acted as a human being. They claimed that she and Lamia were two completely different people and that the brothers would treat her as such.
A couple of sniffles later Lamya looked at Ed and lunged. Ed just sat there shocked with Lamya crying and hugging him.
"You two are so wrong," Lamya cried.
Ed looked at Al and then back at Lamya who stopped hugging him and collapsed in her chair. She wiped her eyes and sighed. "You thought that you didn't have family when your mother died but you did. And when you entered the military you thought you only had each other but you were wrong again. That man that you called a bastard may have been idiotic at times but by the way you describe him it seems that he took you in under his wing. Kind of like a second dad." Lamya stopped and blew her nose.
The brothers thought of what she said. They hated to admit but she was right. They had the Rockbells and everyone in Dublith when their mother died and when Ed joined the military the brothers looked at Roy and Hughes as paternal figures while Riza acted like a second mom.
"The family that you were searching for was right there all that time and still is. All you have to do is open your eyes," Lamya said with such a soft voice that all Ed could do was hide his face behind his bangs. Al nodded and smiled a little bit.
A few minutes of silence and contemplation followed.
"Maybe we should have told you before, I kind of feel free now that you know everything," Al chuckled.
Lamya smiled. "Maybe you should have but that was up to you. Now, Edward," Ed lifted his head to look at Lamya, "What are we going to do about your Miss Rockbell?"
A blush crept up Ed's face and he began to stammer. "I-I-I w-w-weell, a-a w-what?"
Alphonse burst into laughter and Lamya joined in. It took a minute for Ed to realize what happened and then he too began to laugh.
Yeah, family was there the whole time.
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Hmm… yes…yeah, I was way too lazy to write out their whole history okay?
You all know it anyways so why bother? ;P
Well, I hope you like it and thank you MangoSorbet and dantecell for beta reading!!
BONUS
Lamya lifted up her head and rested it on her legs while looking at Alphonse. "What's your dream Alphonse?"
"My dream?"
"Mhmm."
"Hmmm…. To dance with chickens or platypuses. I want all of the experiences in life. Maybe I should buy a hippo..yeah…I'll go do that…." Al promptly stood up and left.
Time
Ed wakes to a breeze. Gradually he opens his eyes until he sees where that breeze is coming from.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Oh, brother! You met Herbert the hippo! What do you think? Brother? Ed?"
"I think he died from a heart attack."
"Dang…"
….
"I call his jacket!!"
"Not fair! You're his brother so you get everything anyways!"
"Mlah!!! I called it first! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!"
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Ugh. I need sleep.
See ya later!
Please enjoy!!