This is something of a follow-up to the previous drabble, First. This time, it's not an AU and we have Al's reaction to all that angsty stuff that happened.

Just as a side-note, the things that Ed and Al are saying, about being first and second and et cetera, they're just saying that because they're hurt and angry and have no idea what to do. I don't believe the majority of it and doubt they do either.

Second

Yada yada yada...END OF SERIES SPOILERS, incessant angsting...blah blah blah, you know the drill, right?

Um...I don't know how or why, but this one looks kind of like RoyEd as well...Alright, I swear that the next drabble I write will be het, RoyAi or something, lol. Man, I don't know how I get hooked on all this insanity so quickly... XD

"…brother…"

Al knelt before the tombstone, laying down the bundle of handpicked flowers with trembling hands. A short distance away, Roy Mustang stood, a man he no longer truly remembered, watching the ominous clouds rolling overhead.

It had been Brigadier General Mustang who had told him that there wasn't a body in the coffin they had buried where his brother was supposed to rest. It had been Mustang who had driven Al back to Risenbul after waking up alone in that horrible place, not remembering anything, needing to see a face he knew. It had also been Mustang who had told Al the most about his brother; the adventures and horrors they had survived together.

And it was only Mustang who had managed to convey through to Al the reason that his brother had done what he'd done.

"…brother…why…did I always have to be second? You…were always the one mom loved the most, the one who picked up alchemy the fastest…"

Al didn't notice as Roy Mustang suddenly began to walk closer, too absorbed in his own despair.

"…for once, just once, why couldn't I have been first? Brother…" Al's voice trailed off as his sobs won out.

But suddenly Roy's gloved hand was on his shoulder.

"Al…you may second now, but when Edward gets back, you will be the first he wishes to see."

And Al looked up, saw the absolute certainty on Mustang's face and smiled. A real smile. So genuine and happy that even though it was splashed with tears, only a shadow of grief remained.

They stood like that for what seemed like an eternity, waiting.

Ed would come back to them.

And they would wait for him, 'til he returned.

--Owari--