Okay, I'm sure some of you are wondering how this fic can be Angst AND humour at the same time. The answer is simple. Some of the 'letter chains' in this fic are purely to lighten the mood and take away from the main plot the 'angstyness' of Ed and his guilt, and the disappointment Al has because he thinks he failed his brother.

In particular, the letters between Ed and Roy are purely for humour content.

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Brother,

I don't understand why you had to leave, without telling us like that. We were in all such a panic looking for you, Colonel Mustang as well, though I doubt that you will believe that.

He was the one who actually found your letter this morning, as we were searching everywhere for you. I'm surprised that I didn't see it when I thought that you were in the study, but then again, your desk isn't the cleanest of places. It's next to impossible to find anything there. When you come home again, please clean it brother. For me?

No, the colonel didn't read the letter, he just handed it to me. He had the strangest look on his face, Brother, almost as if he knew what you had done. I almost wish I hadn't read it out loud now; there were so many things in that letter that I believe you wouldn't have wanted him to hear. But then again, your prediction that I would meant that well, you wrote things carefully.

If that is the case, brother, the feelings that you spoke of in the letter, were they muted?

Winry, myself, and everyone else do not blame you, Brother, for what you had to do. Which is why we, and everyone else is so surprised at what happened. You hadn't let on to any of us, even the ones who know you so well, that you were going to do this. Teacher didn't either, but then, Teacher I good like that.

You say that I know you better than you know me. That is a lie, brother, and you know it. If anything, I don't know you as well as I would like to, because you are incredibly secretive, even from me. You claim I know the ins and outs of your personality, however, I didn't know half the things contained in that letter and I feel guilty for it.

Do not feel guilty for me, Brother, I'm just happy you kept me alive, and, if anything, it's my fault that we went through with the transmutation, because I could have said no.

Everyone was so touched about what you said about them, how you think that they are family, but brother, we're all worried about you! What do you mean you don't want us to get close because you might kill us? We want to be there for you! You do not have to take the world on your shoulders. You could not have saved Hughes, do you hear me Brother? You couldn't have.

You'd laugh if I told you I was crying, wouldn't you. But I would be, if I could. I feel so terribly hopeless, not being able to do anything to help you. I'd love to say these things in person, but much like you, I would probably be too shy to.

Come, Brother, come back home, and we'll work out these things together, as a family, with Winry and Aunty Pinnako and everyone else, just like we should. None of us blame you for wanting time away, but we just don't understand why?

Why do you feel as if you have to shoulder this burden on your own, my brother? Why?

Your loving Younger brother,

Al.

01/10

TELEGRAM

TO: Teacher Izumi

FROM: Colonel Roy Mustang, Central City

DATE: 01/10

Fullmetal.

I can have your watch for this STOP Get your short ass back to Central this instant STOP

Colonel Roy Mustang

EEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDD!

HAVE YOU THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING?

You left us so distraught when you left! You hurt us all! And that you think that we can't help you with your problems.... oh! I'll hit you with a bloody SPANNER when you get back. My largest one! SEVERAL TIMES! You're such an IDIOT!

I HATE YOU IHATEYOUIHATEYOU!

Come back, please. We all are missing you already. It's not the same without you here! We all love you too much.

Even though right now I want to kill you for going away. Have you ever thought about psychiatric help? Stop taking the most drastic solution possible! Don't you trust us enough to talk it out?

Have you even thought about what'll happen to your Automail while you're away? Without a mechanic there to fix it, you'll break it, or even worse! Not take care of it properly. Do you know how much time went into making it?

JUST COME BACK BEFORE I EXPLODE!

Waiting with a spanner aimed at your head,

Winry.

P.S. If you come back soon, I'll be less angry with you.

01/10

Edward.

They seem to be rather insistent that you come back.

Izumi.

01/15

Al, Winry.

I WILL NOT TELL YOU WHERE HE IS! LEAVE ME ALONE!

Izumi.

01/15

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As you can tell, the short letters are merely for humour, while the long ones will carry the plotline. Unless it's Winry that's talking. Then it's a mix.