Hooray for a chapter that gives you absolutely no answers! Woo! In case it wasn't obvious, this will be from Alphonse's POV. You'll probably notice that the writing of this chapter feels a bit different than normal...I wanted to make this kinda choppy, to play up the tension, and to show how Al's brain works a bit. Super short, which I am sorry for. I don't wanna drag this out for too long, because we need to backtrack a bit and get back to Ed. Also, because I'm sure it will come up at some point, NO, Alphonse does not have incest-y feelings for Ed. He just loves his brother more than anything in a very intense platonic way. No sexual undertones.


The moment my brother came home, I knew something was wrong. No, not just wrong.

Broken.

It wasn't the dirt on his clothes or the blood on his hands that told me this.

His eyes told me all I needed to know.

It was all I could do to drag him upstairs and wash him off. It was hard because he was trembling so much.

I took him into his room, and we huddled up under his blanket. I ignored his tears and just held him.

We didn't speak a word, and my cheeks burned with shame.

I wasn't brave enough to ask questions.


Teacher picked up on the fact that Ed wasn't himself, of course. But he refused to say anything about it. He spoke in a carefully measured monotone and his eyes were flat, betraying absolutely no emotion. I didn't like that look. It brought back bad memories.

Finally she asked;

"Does this have anything to do with that boyfriend of yours?"

For a long time, Ed didn't say anything. Then, he shook his head.

"No...we aren't...together anymore."

This time, I couldn't hold back my question.

"Did Roy break up with you?"

"No. I broke up with him."

A little bit of the old determined spark came into his eyes with that, so I let it drop.


Of course, I had expected it.

But still, Roy's eyes boring a hole into my back during class was unsettling.

I had also expected him to corner me and I knew I would cave into speaking with him.

I wanted to talk. Roy was mad, but I was certain he would understand my fears.


"Let's skip the chit-chat, shall we? You know why we're really here."

I put the papers down and promptly forgot about them. I'd already glanced through them while Roy and I had walked to the Student Council room. Someone had completed them long ago.

"Brother."

"Yes. He texted me over the weekend telling me he wanted to break up. Do you know why?"

"Well..." I hedged, knowing that I really shouldn't involve Roy in this...

But I was scared.

"I don't know the exact reason. But, a few nights ago he came home from work and...it was really bad. He's been leaving after breakfast and returning really late ever since. He didn't come to school today either."

Roy was quiet for a long time, but I could tell his anger was beginning to ebb away into worry.

"What do you mean, 'it was really bad'?"

"There w-was..." I swallowed when my voice cracked. Roy moved a bit closer, looking really concerned. Probably because I was trembling like a frightened rabbit. I felt like one.

"Alphonse?"

"There was a lot of blood. But...none of it was his. He wasn't hurt."

"Blood? What-"

I shook my head furiously to clear it of stray thoughts. "I don't know! All I know is that it's got something to do with that stupid gang!"

"Alphonse, don't-"

"It's taking him away from me!"

Now that I'd said it, I couldn't take it back.

Concerns for my brother's health and happiness were only second. I just wanted him by my side, no matter the cost. I knew he would need money and resources to stay with me, so I'd let him join the State Alchemist's without thought for his health. Now it had become an obstacle, so I wanted to remove it.

How selfish could I get?


To My Reviewers:

MARYLOVER- Aw, thank you. How will I make the couple work? Watch any anime involving a couple, and you'll find the answer! The power of love trumps all obstacles and all that happy shit. Also, Ed and Roy are a dynamite-ass-kicking-team!

shadowX101- Hmmm, your gut feeling was probably right! The next chapter will be a doozy...

littleleanna- Yeah, I feel bad for him.

Kyna Kurosaki- This is a plot twist you aren't going to like. I don't like it. But it needs to happen.

sad1st1c m1stress- Glad you like it!

Alexia-Esco- Needed to be done. The boys will see each other again soon.

lil' fayri grrl- I am a meanie face, I totally am. Ugh, so much angst and it aint stopping soon. What happened to my fluffy coming out story? *sobs*

mychemicalbitchbot- W-Wow, such high praise. I am soooooo happy you like this! I-It's not really epic...*blush*

Lola- Meh, finding out about this is gonna be bad. But I gotta do it.