Don't Forget

By: Hakai

Disclaimer: I [Hakai] don't own anything Fullmetal Alchemist related. They belong to their respectful owners. Beware bad writing skills.

A/N: Yep. This plot [plot? What plot?] definitely calls for angst. I love angst! Scratch that. I love angst that can go humor in .5 seconds. I love FMA!! w00t! Go angsty-humor. Or is that humorish-angst? . how lame… Sankyuu for all the comments everyone!!

Renamed: was Memories. Sorry for the change. .

Set post-series: Roy/Ed, possible Winry/Al

Chp. 3 - Kazoku - Family

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Your family is always there for you. When something's bothering you, you go to your family. They listen to your problems and then find some way to help you. If it lasts longer than expected, they stand by your side in till the end. Friends may come and go, but family is always there. So where was Alphonse now? Why wasn't he with his brother?

It was often asked which of the two was the elder. Alphonse may have seemed like it with his calm maturity and stability. Not to mention that he was a good deal taller than Edward. But Ed wouldn't want that mentioned. But even Ed, despite his short-temper and irrationalness, had his moments of sensitivity. Like now, for example. If he could have cried, he would have. But, pride wouldn't let him.

Roy Mustang. Why couldn't he remember? The blonde teen sighed and slumped further into the couch. Something tugged at the back of his brain, willing him to remember. But no matter how much he wished to remember, he couldn't. He felt there was something important about this man he should know. But what?

A soft knock on the door cut his thoughts short. It was no surprise when Ed opened the door and saw Al. It was, however, a big surprise when he saw the colonel behind him as well.

"T-Taisa?!" Ed stuttered out much to his embarrassment.

The colonel nodded. "Fullmetal." He said by way of greeting. "Please, take a seat." He said when Edward didn't move. Slowly Ed made his way to the couch, Al joined him shortly. Something was wrong. Something didn't feel right. Edward just couldn't put his finger on it.

The colonel took a seat on the coffee table and cleared his throat before speaking, "Fullmetal, in a couple of days there will be several new recruits joining us in the dormitories here. We are short on rooms so, I'm sorry to say, that you and your brother will have to split up in till further arrangements can be made."

The braided blonde stared wide eyed at Roy. If he'd just sprouted wings and croaked, Ed wouldn't have been more surprised. "You want us to… split up?" Ed gasped out, finally finding his voice. After all, he and Al hadn't been apart since… well, Ed didn't think they ever had.

"Just in till further notice." Roy assured him. "Some of our other officers have had the luxury of rooming alone far too long. I will be placing you with one of them. And who knows, perhaps time apart will be good for you." He said as if he knew what Ed was thinking. And knowing the colonel, that wasn't entirely implausible.

"Please, Nii-san. I'd rather have Colonel Mustang place us with people we already know, rather than someone higher up placing us with complete strangers." Al begged. Edward stared at his younger brother. Well, if that was what Al wanted… He shrugged. It was the closest thing to an agreement they would get from him. Al smiled. "Thank you." Ed gave him another look. Why was he thanking him? Surely Ed hadn't annoyed him that much. Why was it that Alphonse wanted this so much? It was almost as if…

"If that's settled," Roy said startling Ed out of his train of thought. "then I will take my leave. You boys better get some sleep. You will be moving in with your new roommates first thing tomorrow morning. And be glad, Fullmetal." The black haired man said when he saw Ed about to argue. "Your brother is not military, I could very well simply kick him out." With the threat aimed at his only family, Ed shut his mouth and nodded, almost meekly.

"Who will we be rooming with?" Al asked, breaking the silence.

Roy checked a few notes on a small notepad before answering. "Alphonse-kun, you will be rooming with 2nd Lieutenant Havoc. And Fullmetal, you will be with…"

With you, Edward found himself thinking. That startled him. Where had that thought come from? Why would he want to be in the same room as that man? They had only just met, and already he had annoyed him on more than one occasion. He couldn't imagine living with him all the time. And yet…

"…Sergeant Farman." Roy concluded putting his notes away. Ed couldn't feel his heart beat stop for a second as hopes he didn't understand, fell.

"Understood, sir." Al said. Ed snorted.

"Tomorrow then, Fullmetal, Alphonse-kun." Roy Mustang said with a tip of the head before finally leaving the brothers to themselves.

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The next afternoon would find Edward Elric in a new dorm room trying to get in some reading while Sergeant Farman was working on some paper or other. Farman wasn't a bad roommate, but he wasn't a good one either. He didn't say much to Ed, which was good in a way, because then he wouldn't be disturbed. But whatever question Edward might ask him was promptly answered in dictionary form. Farman, like Ed, worked under colonel Mustang, but the two had never spoken much.

He tried to concentrate on his book but found in increasingly difficult. His mind kept wondering off to a pair of brown eyes and dark black hair. But why? Why did it bother him so much. Sure, he had forgotten the man, but should it be bothering him this much? He still had the nagging feeling that there was something important about the man he should know, but he had yet to quite place his finger on it.

He tried to organize his thoughts. What did he already know about colonel Mustang. He was a straightforward, manipulative, bastard. That sounded right. But, Ed could see a deeper side to him. Despite the rumors he'd heard from the staff about Mustang being a playboy, all of them had failed to mention any girlfriend that Roy might have been with. So he could be lonely. Roy didn't seem to be the social type. Highly eloquent, yes, being socially active was another story.

He also seemed to put a little more care into watching the brothers. Would any other superior officer have offered them new rooms? Or simply have kicked them out entirely. Especially, Al, who was technically not part of the military.

So, in conclusion, Roy Mustang was a caring, lonely, manipulative bastard? That didn't sound quite right. But then… It had only been a day.

Edward sighed. It had become painfully obvious that he wasn't going to be getting any reading done. "Juni, I'm going to look for Al." Ed called out before he left, not bothering to wait for a reply.

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Edward found Alphonse in the cafeteria talking to a cute brunette in a military uniform. She gave the short haired boy a small giggle before skipping away.

"New girlfriend?" Ed teased taking a seat across of Al.

Al blushed. "Don't say that, Nii-san. You know the only one I…" His voice trailed off as his face turned beat-red.

"Yes, Winry. I know." Ed said with a mocking smile. "When are you gonna tell her?"

"…Soon." Al said slowly. Edward laughed. He knew it would be a long while before his shy little brother could work up enough courage to tell their childhood friend his true feelings.

They both started at their lunches as they began talking. They talked about everything, from the weather, to their new roommates, to politics, even the cat Al wanted. Half way between The last bit of Ed's hamburger and his bowl of noodles he asked his younger brother the oddest question. "Do I like girls?"

"What?" Al nearly shouted, trying not to spit out his food.

Ed slumped his shoulders as he sensed several people in the cafeteria looking their way. His question had startled even himself. But words once out, had to be explained. He sighed and lowered his voice. "I mean…" Ed tried to figure out how to word his question. "Have I ever had a girlfriend?"

"You've never been interested." Alphonse answered honestly before returning to his steak.

"I'm not attracted to girls?"

Al chewed slowly so as to allow himself legitimate time to think. His next words would be important for his brother to hear. "Well, honestly, I don't know. We don't talk about girls much, Nii-san. Except… Winry or something. I think we've always been too busy to care." Al said 'we', but he meant 'you'. Alphonse had held deep feelings of affection for their childhood friend long before losing his body. Edward, however, had never found girls interesting in that way at all.

The elder Elric nodded as he set to work on his noodles. Al thought that would be the last he heard of the topic, unfortunately, it wasn't. "So, I've never had a relationship before?"

Al swallowed. Why was his brother asking such hard questions? If he had said: 'Have I ever had a girlfriend before' Al could have honestly answered him with a noncommittal 'no'. "Wouldn't you remember it, Nii-san?" He couldn't outright lie to his older brother.

"I suppose." Ed sighed, seemingly satisfied with the answer. Al nodded. He wished that to be the last he'd hear about whether Ed was attracted to girls. Al knew he wasn't, but in his current state of mind he wasn't sure what that kind of information would do to his brother. Besides, it was better if he found out for himself.

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A/N: What d'you guys think so far? It was a short chapter. But… gawd I'm so tired. Anyway, please review! . much appreciation!!

Another poll: About what length makes a good chapter? And is there anything you want to see happen?