This took me forever to write and I actually like how it came out. Maes Hughes is an Angel the world dosen't deserve.
anyways enjoy
Elise had decided to take a walk, since Alphonse has still been in such a bad mood and Edward had been getting his automail fix by Winry and Isabelle. A walk alone sounded nice, she needed time to sort out her thoughts.
What had been bugging Al so much? And what the hell happened at the fifth laboratory to make him act like this? Alphonse is one of the sweetest kids Elise knew. A cat loving, Kind and caring kid stuck in a suit of armor because of one mistake. Elise sighs and quickly turns a corner; not really paying attention where she was going.
I just hope he feels better soon I hate seeing Alphonse so upset.
"Well, well, if it isn't a friend of the fullmetal kid and precious sacrifice!" A voice called out from behind Elise. Elise turns around quickly, only to find out there was no one standing behind her. What the hell is going on?
"Whos there?" Elise called out into the darkness of the ally.
"I'm The homunculus Avarice."
" And What do you want?" Elise whimpered, still looking for the person the voice belonged to. Nothing.
"You ask too many questions.." the voice said annoyed and swoops down from where they were standing on the roof.
"M-mom?" Elise shuddered as she looks over the woman that stood in front of her. She had looked exactly like Elise's Mother had before she passed. Every feacher on the woman's face had matched up perfectly with Elise's late mother except for the women's purple eyes.
"Shush now and listen to me!" the woman snapped."As long as you and the Elric brothers stay out of our way, no harm shall come to you or the brothers. We can not kill you just yet, but we can badly injure you." Avarice hissed scratching Elise's arms and side.
"Ahh."
"Remember that pain. . .way!" she hissed out again and pulls Elise's Hazelnut brown hair before disappearing.
Elise falls to her knees quickly,low sobs escaping her mouth.
Back at the hospital
Elise hadn't said anything to Ed, Isabelle or Winry about her attack earlier, not wanting to worry Ed or the others more than they already had been with Elise's late arrival back to the hospital. Elise planned to keep her attack to herself for now.
"Okay! Your all set!' Winry said and wiped a towel over Ed's automail.
Ed sat up happily and moved his arm around making sure everything was working right." Well Done! Ah, It Feels good to have it back. thanks a lot."
"Sure, No problem."
"Yo! Ed my boy, Is it true you Brought a pretty blond and a chestnut haired girl in here to maintenance you?" Hughes yelled as he bared into the room.
"THEIR JUST MY AUTOMAIL MECHANICS! THAT'S IT NOTHING MORE!" Ed yelled, falling out of bed.
"Oh, So you've seduced your mechanic's, have you?"
"Ahh,that's not what I said at all! Were you even listening to me!" Ed pulls his hair in mental agony, as Hughes walks over to Winry and Isabelle.
"Maes Hughes. Pleased to meet you." He said shaking both Winry and Isabelle's hands.
"You too, I'm Winry Rockbell and this is Elise's little sister Isabelle." Winry replied.
"Nice to see you Hughes, but don't you have work to do?" Ed asked, sliding himself back onto the bed.
"Don't worry, It's all under control. I gave Sheska some overtime."
"You're a real jerk, aren't ya." Ed sweat dropped.
"By the way, I just found out you and Al shouldn't need to be kept under guard for to much longer."
"Really!" Ed's mood brightened while Winry and Isabelle's faces were startled.
"Bodyguards? What kind of danger have you been in?"
"Er, well you see.. It's.." He takes a deep breath and turns away from Winry."It's nothing that concerns you."
"Of course not, I don't know why I bother to try. It's not like you'll talk to me anyways." She turns away from Ed and grabs her toolbox."Fine,I'll see you tomorrow, Me and Izzy need to find a place to stay tonight."
"Come on, no need for that! How about you and Isabelle stay at my place tonight.. You to Elise."
"Really?" Winry asked staring at hughes in confusion."
"Of course! My family would love to have you three!"
"Alright." Winry agreed. Hughes smiles brightly and grab's Isabelle's suitcase and begins dragging her and Winry out of the room.
"Alright.. I.. guess I'll see you later then?" Elise said standing up and follows the others out the door.
When they had finally reached L.t Colonels apartment they were greeted with more people than the trio were expecting.
"Happy birthday Elicia!" the crowd of people said in sync as Elicia blew out her candles.
"Are you sure it's okay for us to stay, we don't want to intrude on your daughter's birthday or anything.."
"I've told you this already, We're glad to have you. Just enjoy the birthday."
"Yeah, My birthday!" Elicia called out from behind them.
"That's exciting. how old are you now Elicia?" Winry asked.
"I'm two- No i'm three!" she smiled and hold up three fingers.
"How Adorable!" the trio said in sync and wiggles back and forth from the little girls cuteness.
"I've known the Elric's for about as long as I can remember, We grew up together, along with Elise and Isabelle. Their like family to me."
"And Knowing Ed and Al, i'm sure they give you a lot to worry about."
"That's an understatement. When they finally came back for a visit, it was because Ed's arm was all busted up." Winry said and looks to the side. "And now he calls me out here because he's seriously injured again. Something's bothering Al, too. But they keep their mouths shut. they never tell me what's going on. It's like when they left resembool for the first time.."
"Maybe nothing needed to be said? You know these boys, Winry. It's possible they thought you'll understand without them saying anything."
She looks down."Maybe, But there are somethings that I actually need to be told."
Hughes laughs and takes off his glasses and cleans them with a cloth."What am I going to do with you Winry? In general, Men let their actions speak louder than words. When they're in pain, They don't want to burden anyone else, not if they can help it. They don't want anyone to worry about them. That's how they are. Even so, they may come a time when they ask for your help. And when they do, I know you'll be there for them. Isn't that enough?" Winry stared at hughes.
"Elicia we want to play! Lets go!" a group of boys called running up to Elicia.
"Can you put me down now?" Elicia said and looked up at Winry.
"Alright down you go!"
The Little boys soon began fighting over who Elicia wanted to play with more. This had caused Winry to look at Hughes and Smile.
"She's quite the heartbreaker already isn't she?" Winry smiled and looked back at Elicia.
Hughes Quickly puts his glasses back on his face and loads his gun. "Listen boys, you try anything funny with my daughter, and you will answer to me!"
"Your actions speak too loudly!" Winry yelled.
The next morning
"Are you sure you girls have to go? You're all more than welcome to stay with us as long as your here." Gracia smiled at the girls.
"We don't want to put you out, more than we already have." Elise said smiling at gracia. Elicia tugged on the older girls sleeve causing Gracia and Hughes to smile even wider.
"She's really gotten attached to you girls."
Hughes laughs." Well would you look at that, you all could be sisters."
"Sisters, be safe and come back and visit really soon, Okay?" Elicia said looking up at the girls with her bright green eyes.
"It's settled, you girls are staying here again to night." The girls all bend down and pulls elicia into a hug.
Back at the hospital.
"So we meet again you little bastard! I'm not drinking you!" Ed said and glared down at the milk that was on the table.
"Brother, you have a living body that needs nourishment." Al said then looks at the ground. " you have to drink it."
"I don't have to, If i don't want to. It may not look like it but i have grown some. But everyone still calls me a pipsqueak. I wish I was like you Al. you have such a big body now." With that Al stood up causing the chair to fall behind him with a 'thump'. Neither Ed or Al noticed that the door to the hospital room opened and Winry peaked her head in.
"It's not like I asked for this body, Brother!" Al yelled.
"S-sorry. You're right. It's my fault it happened. But i'll make it right. I'll get you back to your real body, you'll see Al."
"That's what you always say, but you don't know that for sure!" Al yelled again this time causing both Elise and Isabelle to flinch at Al's yells. They never seen Alphonse act like this towards anyone, Especially not Edward.
"L-look, i'll get you back. Believe me, i'll do it!"
"Believe you! How am i supposed to believe anything when i'm stuck in this body! What should I believe in, My memories? Memories are just scraps of information made up as easy as anything else!"
"A-Al, what are you talking about?" Edward asked still staring at his brother.
"Do you remember when you said there was something you were too afraid to tell me. I- I think i might know what it was. Maybe you wanted to tell me that my soul and memories are really artificial constructions you created!" Edward gasped. "You,Winry, Elise, Isabelle and Granny.. You been lying to me all along haven't you? What do you have to say for yourself brother?"
Edward slammed his fist on the small table causing everyone including Al to jump and look at Ed.
"Is that what you really think? Have you believed that all this time?" Ed's body was trembling, his bangs covering his face. "So are you finished, or is there more you want to say?" Al said nothing; just looked down. "Okay." Ed moves the table out of the way and walks past Al, Elise, Isabelle and Winry.
"E-Ed." He kept walking."Don't go. Edward come back!" Winry called out then turned back to Al. "Al…you moron!" She yelled hitting Al over the head with her wrench.
"W-Where did that come from?" Al asked confused and looks back at Winry, tears now rolling down the girls cheeks.
"Winry.."
"You idiot!" She hits him again." You have no idea how Ed feels. Do you know what he was so afraid to talk to you about? He wanted to know if you blame him for what happened to your body Al!." Winry hit him over and over, each hit lighter than the last."and than you idiot.. You said that. who would ever do something like that. Who would ever be prepared to give his own life to create a fake brother? Don't you get it… all you two have left is each other. Now, go get your brother." Al stood up quickly. "Start running!"
"Right!" Al yelled back and ran out of the room.
"You okay Winry?" Isabelle asked.
"Yeah.."
Come on Izzy, let's go for a walk." Elise said quickly and walks out of the door.
"Okay.. We'll be back later I guess?"
Once the sisters were far away from the hospital Elise turned to her younger sister and Sighed.
"You may not believe me, but I was attacked by mom."
tbc