Hullo, everyone! Welcome to the next chapter of my drabble story!I know, I know, it's been a while, but I just dunno what to write anymore. I promise though, I'll try my best to update at least once a week for all you lovely people. Oh, and I'm still taking requests, so if you want to see a certain something, go ahead and ask!Today is a oneshot I wrote when I wasn't all there. Hehe. Well, enjoy!

Update: This story will feature oneshots, poems and songfics every once in a while, so keep watch!

Notice: Beginning of the End has been deleted. Don't worry though!I'm just revising it to make it better!

Pairing: Not based around Roy/Ed, but yes, it is in here.

Category: Angst/Tragedy/Reflection/General

Setting: Mutliple settings

Rating: K (T at best)

Words: 1,888


He knew it was a risk, but he had to take it, he had to keep his promise. He wasn't going to turn back. It had been quite sometime since they had tried to bring their mother back. Or, at least...it seemed like it. In reality, it had only been what, maybe...5 or 6 years? 'Something like that...' He thought to himself.

Now, it seemed like everything they had gone through was pointless. It had failed. A perfect Stone had failed them. And Edward...Edward wasn't ready for the consequences. The rebound was, to say the least, one that Ed never expected.

It had worked until the rebound hit. Al had his own body again, and, now that Ed thought about it, they celebrated too soon. Strangely enough, the rebound (or, rather, what Ed considered a rebound) didn't happen for a while after they finished what they started roughly 6 years ago. A year passed, and the brothers were happy. Ed kept his auto-mail limbs as a reminder of what happened so long ago.

Alphonse was off to a shaky start, but soon, he was able to act like a normal human for the first time in a long while. Ed had rushed to Mustang's office to tell him what had happened. The boy was chatting happily, telling the older man of everything that happened after the transmutation, and Roy was grateful that they finally got their wish.


But one day, Al got sick. His body was still weak, and he couldn't fight off the illness that struck him down. He was bed-ridden for weeks before his body gave out.

"Don't worry, Nii-san. Everything's okay now, I promise." Al smiled at Ed lightly, those strange colored eyes clouded. "We got what we wanted, and I'm glad I was able to spend a year back in my original body. I finally got to hug you again, Ed, and finally feel your warmth. And that made me happy. I'll save you a place, okay? Even though I know you're not religious or anything..."

Alphonse Elric had been laid to rest shortly after. Everyone Ed knew was there. And Mustang, now a Lieutenant General, stood by his side. Ed refused to cry in front of everyone. His body shook with anger, unshed tears, and silent sobs. The Lt. General rested a hand upon the younger one's shoulder in a comforting manner.

That one gesture brought down all the barriers for Edward, and a weight had been lifted. He flung himself onto the raven-haired man and sobbed into the formal military uniform, worn for occasions such as weddings, military balls, or...funerals. This uniform had been the same one that Mustang had worn to his best friend's funeral 3 years ago.

Roy held the crying child -- No, the crying man, as that was what Edward was now -- and whispered soothing words to him. Even Riza Hawkeye, who had been promoted to a Colonel, had cried. Winry was in hysterics and Pinako could only watch. By the time the Lord's Prayer was recited, there was hardly a dry eye. The priest finished the sermon and the coffin was buried.

Ed remained at the grave, Winry, Mustang, and Hawkeye waiting for him a few yards away. His once fierce amber eyes were now soft, dull, and red from tears. "Al, what am I going to do now? Damnit, why did YOU have to die! You were the innocent one, not me! It should be me in there!" He sobbed loudly, falling to his knees in front of the tombstone Lt. Col. Armstrong handcrafted for the younger Elric brother.

Snow fell silently around him and a heavy coat was placed over his shoulders. Startled, Ed looked up to see Roy standing over him. "Edward, are you ready to go?" "...Yea...just a few more minutes, alright? Please..." Ed's eyes turned back to the grave. Roy nodded in silence. Ed's eyes closed for a moment before he stood and turned his back to the grave.

"I'm ready..." He murmured softly. An arm snaked around Ed's shoulders, a hand resting softly on his auto-mail shoulder. His flesh hand reached up and grabbed onto the fabric of the blue military uniform of the man next to him and the two walked together back to Winry and Riza. "Edward, I need to know... Where are you going to go now? Will you remain in the military, or will you stay here?" Mustang asked.

"...You know I'm not one to just stay in one spot... I need a job and I personally think I'm damn good at mine. Besides, Al wouldn't want me to sulk or anything..." Ed replied softly. The Lt. General nodded. "Anytime you wish to come back here, at least leave a notice. You can leave anytime you want." Edward murmured a 'thanks' before sighing softly. The group walked to the military car and Roy and Ed climbed in the back as Hawkeye climbed into the driver's seat.

"I'll probably need to come back every now and then, Winry, to get some maintenance. I'll try not to be reckless. You take care of yourself, okay?" Ed held out his hand -- the auto-mail one -- to Winry. "I will. You take care, too, Ed, okay?" the blonde haired girl replied, smiling sadly as she took his hand. Ed squeezed it gently. "I'm off now. Give my regards to Auntie Pinako for me." Winry nodded and waved as the car drove off.


Another year passed. Ed was determined to find a way to bring Al back, but this time, he was going to make the damned Philosopher's Stone work. This time, he knew how to make it. No human sacrifice was needed.

The hardest part was getting the one thing he did need: human blood. So, he went to Mustang and told him his plan. The older man told Edward that he could contact blood banks and claim it was for military purposes, but it would have to be kept quit, lest the Fuhrer find out.

"You need to figure out how much you need, so I know exactly how much to get." The Lt. General informed him. "…The more you can get me, the better off." Ed had replied. "Edward, I don't think you should risk this. You never know, he may get sick again, and besides, he wouldn't want you to die trying to bring him back."

Ed gawked. How the hell did he know? He never mentioned anything to Roy. Oh right… He was just that predictable. If anyone besides Al and Winry knew him inside and out, it was the obsidian-eyed man in front of him. He sighed. "I know…but…I wanna try… Roy, please, you know what this means to me."

"I know, Edward, but listen to me for a second. Even if he were to keep his body this time, Alphonse wouldn't be happy if you ended up hurt, or even dead trying to bring him back. You've tried, and failed. Now it's time to step aside, and live on, as harsh as that may sound."

Ed's eyes widened. "What… What are you saying? That I should just…give up? Is that it? Is it!" he shouted, angry, betrayed tears streaming down his face. He clenched his eyes shut, hoping to just disappear. Two hands rested upon his shoulders. "I never said that… I never said you should 'just give up'. I'm just telling you to move on. Al wouldn't want you to waste your life away on him."

The blond alchemist tried to shove the older man away, but the hands tightened their grip and his was pulled towards a warm body. He looked up, eyes red from crying. "But I… We've never been apart… It's lonely without him… He is…was…my only family…"

Roy smiled, a genuine, gentle smile. "You have a family, Edward. You have everyone here, you have me, you have Gracia and Elysia, and you have the Rockbells… You have a family, and a rather large one that loves you, at that." He said, wiping the tears that fell away from Ed's face. "Never forget that you have a family.

"I know that he was very precious to you. I know you'd die for him. But you can't let that drag you down. The only thing you can do until we find a much safer solution is live for him." The raven-haired man said. "…I guess, but…what do you mean by 'until we'?" Edward asked.

"I'll help you find a much safer solution. As will everyone else, if you wish us to. I have hopes that there's an easier way." Mustang replied. Ed smiled and hugged the man tightly. For as long as he could remember, this man, who held him in his arms, taunted him, and messed with his mind, but he knew it was not because he was a heartless bastard. Ed knew Roy never meant any harm, though yes, sometimes his words hurt.

When he needed him, he knew Mustang would be there. The man would always do his best to push him forward when he fell behind; pick him up when he hit the ground. He guessed that was why he fell in love with this man. Ed sighed, soft sobs wracking his body. "Edo?" The voice was soft, concerned. "Mm… I'm fine. Just happy…" Ed whispered.

"Good…" The Lt. General stroked Ed's hair, causing the smaller one to purr softly. If time permitted, both men wanted to stay like this, but they knew a human life didn't last for eternity. Nothing so perfect lasted forever…


Years passed, Ed now 39 years old. He grew in mind, body, and spirit. His eyes held much more wisdom, and were still the same bright amber color. His hair was still golden blond but it had grown, reaching a bit past his rear when braided. He grew about 4 inches, and he was damn proud of it. No more short jokes. Edward also learned to control his infamous temperament. So much had changed…

He stood in front of a military grave, eyes saddened. 4 years ago, Roy Mustang passed away from an illness that plagued him for several months. Ed didn't cry at his funeral. He couldn't. He had to be strong, for himself, and for Mustang. On certain days, he would visit the man's grave. He placed a single red rose on the grave before turning his gaze upwards. "Take care of each other… Al, Roy… Mom, watch them, please… You too, Hughes…" He whispered before snapping a salute and doing an about face, walking off with his hands in the pockets of his military-issued pants.

'I love you all… Take care of each other, and save me a spot beside you…' A gentle breeze picked up, causing the loose blond braid to sway a bit. As long as his mother, Alphonse, and Roy stayed with him in spirit, he'd never give up hope. A small smile graced his lips as he walked home. Home… The home that belonged to he and Roy for what seemed to be a long time. 'So many have died… Roy, Al, Nina, Mother, Hughes… They're gone, but never forgotten… I'll never forget them… I have to live for them. That's the only thing I can do now.'


(………………………………)

(Stand up and walk forward.)

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