A/N: I know it's been another long break, but I kinda lost inspiration for these bits (and felt that the fiftieth prompt had to be something special). So, I'm watching FMA again for nostalgia and inspirational purposes. And since yesterday was Father's Day, I decided I should write something for it. Enjoy!
Prompt 50: Memories
Inspiration: Rewatching FMA and an old idea.
"How could we have learnt from somebody who wasn't here?"
It was a plain lie- that was what it was. Though Al hadn't been old enough to remember, Edward was. He just didn't say it aloud, because he had left and that had ruined any remaining good memory of him that Ed had.
It was just his luck that memory had come back with a vengeance. And just on this day too. It was like the world was conspiring against him. Another reason why Ed felt that God or whatever higher being out there was toying mercilessly with him.
The blond alchemist looked down at the book he was holding – Beginner's Guide to Alchemy – and closed his eyes, remembering that time.
They weren't supposed to enter their father's study. Hohenheim was a busy man, Mom had reminded them, and he did a lot of important work.
But Ed wanted to enter, and despite Al's half-hearted protests, the younger Elric wanted to do it too. They saw Hohenheim rarely these days, the man always having a frown on his face, and Ed really wished to know what he was working on so intently, managing to rope Al into it.
And so, they opened the door and tiptoed in, comically exaggerating their movements to avoid being caught. Of course, it was an absolute failure and their father caught sight of them from his chair, golden eyes moving from the book he was reading and falling on the two.
"Edward? Alphonse? What are you doing here?" He closed the book immediately, stacking the notes neatly and out of reach of the two.
They thought for a moment whether staying quiet would help, and deciding not, they straightened up. Al looked sheepish, eyes darting towards Ed in the hope that his brother would answer.
Ed was slightly apprehensive, but he still found enough courage to answer, "Dad, what are you doing here?"
"Hmm?" Hohenheim looked at them in confusion. "I'm working, Ed."
Al piped up, "What are you working on?"
Their father chuckled at the curiosity of the two. "Alchemy."
"Can we see? Can we see?" They chanted, nearly running to him. They had always heard a lot about alchemy from everyone, but never had they seen anything about it. Hohenheim always kept his books safe and in a place the two couldn't reach, and Trisha would always tell them that they weren't old enough to learn it yet.
Hohenheim stood up, giving a small smile. "Just a moment." He went to a shelf, taking a book more fit for the young children, even if he felt it would be a little high for their level. This could be the last time he would spend with his children like this...
Unaware of the man's sad thoughts, Edward and Alphonse tried not to quiver from the excitement they were feeling. They glanced at each other and grinned, feeling glad they would finally see what this alchemy was all about. Especially from their father, a very famous alchemist.
Hohenheim soon returned, sitting on the floor. Ed and Al were on both sides of him, looking at the book with interest.
Opening it, he started reading aloud, pointing out the arrays and explaining the concepts to them. The day passed in a blur, the two Elrics heads filled with dizzying knowledge at the end of it. Ed couldn't remember a day he had spent like this with his father, full of laughter and happiness. Despite the fact that they were gently pushed out of the study after two hours, Al and Ed sported identical smiles.
A few months after that day, Hohenheim left them and never came back.
Ed's hand was trembling now, the book almost mocking him with the bold letters on its cover. Letting out a low growl, he nearly threw the book back on its place and stalked off, fists clenched. He didn't care if he had been there for research – he would come later and do that.
For now, he wanted to curse the bastard who had tainted one of the best memories Ed held of his childhood. The man who left their whole family without a glance back, who left Mom with false hope that he would return even in the last moments of her life, the person who Ed hated from the bottom of his heart for his betrayal.
But even as he left the library, he couldn't help but wish Father's Day had been a happier day for him.
A/N: *stares* This got out of control. A lot out of control.
Note: The quote in the beginning comes from Episode 3 of the first series (it's taken from the subbed version).
