Long Way Home

Written for Ishte, who asked for a drabble but didn't give me any prompts. Therefore, she got a fic post That-Movie.


There were things Edward tried not to think about much once he'd crossed through the Gate a second time. One was what Winry thought about him leaving her, again. He hoped that bastard, Mustang, had the chance to explain to Winry why he'd left – and even more importantly, that it hadn't been his idea that Al follow along and that Winry would've actually listened to it. Edward wished he'd had a chance to tell her everything himself, but there hadn't been time. And when he'd thought, maybe, there would be time, instead he had to return to the other world, to make sure no one would find a way back through to Amestris.

His consolation was he had his brother with him, flesh and blood, not a suit of armor. And that made up for enduring those years here in this world alone. Al, though, couldn't make up for Ed's desire to see, one last time, a pair of blue eyes and a sweet smile welcoming him home.

It was easier and harder with Al next to him in their new world. Al wouldn't take any of Edward's bullshit, even forcing him to open up when Edward would've preferred to stay quiet. Al knew his brother well enough to press when the pain became a boil needing lancing, and when it was time to step back and let it go, at least for a little while. Edward appreciated that, even if he rarely could express the feeling. And they'd worked together, researching like in the old days back in Amestris, only this time, they were trying to find a way to return home.

Edward hated that he was the first one to give up on returning. He'd lost his temper, ripped up research, burned his journal. Alphonse had been the one to settle him down, to get him drunk when he needed it. Al had continued the research alone, not telling Ed until he found a way to get them back home.

And now, they stood next to a stone fence, with a path leading up to a yellow house. Al was smiling, his grin nearly brighter than the sun. Ed hesitated, though. It had been years – so long ago since he'd crash landed in that underground city and Winry had whispered, "Welcome home," in his ear. He would understand if she hadn't waited. He'd never said anything, after all; had even pushed her away when all she wanted to do was help. Edward had admitted to himself that he'd been an idiot in regard to Winry and her feelings and even his own emotions when it came to her. An apology would be the least he owed her.

"Are you going to stand here forever, Brother?" Alphonse was ready to walk on up to the house and bang on the door. Edward almost wanted to let him do it by himself while he waited here, to find out what might be there inside the house. Winry, married? Moved on? Gone somewhere he couldn't follow? "Come on, Ed!" Al broke through his thoughts, clapping Edward on the shoulder. "I'll race you!" Before he finished the sentence, he'd taken off, running for the house.

"Al!" Even the name came out breathless but Edward accepted the challenge, charging after his brother. Whatever happened now, at least they were home.

He only hoped, even after all these years, Winry still kept a light blinking in the window for them.


A.N.: Before you ask, no, I don't plan on writing more in this particular scene, unless something suddenly strikes. Considering both Ishte, in her story, Chasing the Trail, and D. M. Evans, in her stories, Source of Sorrow and Sorrow's Dark Array, have brought Ed and Al home to Amestris in ways that I love, I'd feel I'm walking in someone else's footsteps.