Theatre Music


The warmth in the house made Alphonse drowsy, lulling him into a light doze. He thought he could hear conversations going on throughout the house, but none of them pertained to him, so he drifted instead. Somewhere, a radio played, and he recognized the opening theme music for Gold Star Theatre, a faint smile crossing his face at the familiarity of it all.

Edward's mismatched steps intruded, though Alphonse didn't open his eyes yet, not until his brother asked, "Al?"

"Mmm?" Sleepily, he looked up at his brother through his lashes.

"Are you awake?" Edward squatted next to the sofa.

"Kinda," Alphonse mumbled, setting aside the book he'd been looking at. He blinked a couple of times, clearing the sleep from his eyes, and realized Edward wasn't actually looking at him. "What did you do, Ed?"

"Nothing," he muttered, though his mouth turned down. "Except."

"Except?"

"Mustang's taking me back to Central." Edward sighed, sitting down next to the couch and leaning his back against it.

"We're going to Central?" Alphonse narrowed his eyes.

Edward's shoulders tensed. "Not you. You're going to stay here with Winry and Granny, and recuperate." Turning to Alphonse, he said, "I need you here, Al. I can't…can't take care of you where I'm going. And it won't be for long. I promise. But it's probably the best way to find a way for us to get back home."

Alphonse struggled to sit up, letting Edward help. Even that little bit of effort left him lightheaded for a few seconds, but he managed to glare at his brother anyway. "You're going alone?"

"With Mustang," Edward grated out.

"I know what he did." The words hung between them.

"Me, too."

"It's not the same as Scar."

"Nope." His expression dark and cold, Edward said, "It's worse."