Halfmetal Alchemist: Chapter 19

Edward and Leroy: Always Brothers

Ed watched Leroy dangle his legs over the edge of a building and throw rocks at a tree. Ed sat next to him. "What's your deal, Leroy? I'm not mad at you... for..." he mimicked the large explosion with his hands and Leroy shrugged, still staring at the stone in his hand.

"I can't see, Ed."

Ed started. "Get glasses then, it's not that hard."

"No!" Leroy clenched his fist, squeezing the stone in his palm.

"It's not that... I can't see color. I'm... colorblind."

Ed looked him in the eyes. "For how long? Don't tell me you've been colorblind all this time!"

Leroy nodded and plucked at the sand, letting it drain through his fingers. "I can't see color. Remember that smear you were talking about on one of the graves? I thought it was just water or something."

Ed remembered. Leroy walked next to him, passing a glance at the grave in question, and waved dismissively. " 'Probably nothing.' That's what you said, I think."

Leroy nodded. "And that light in Rizenbul. I asked you what it was because I couldn't tell." Ed nodded again.

"And that bomb... I could tell black and white... but I couldn't see the red, I couldn't see it... If Dad hadn't been there, we'd all be dead."

"You should tell him, you know. He'd understand."

"How could he understand? I can't see color! I'm useless."

"At least you're his son," Ed murmured quietly.

"He told you then? I thought you knew already."

"I didn't want to believe it. It was such a nice lie to live, wasn't it?"

"I suppose. But... you never know. The truth might be better off for you."

"I saw him."

"Who?"

"My real father. He's the Fullmetal Alchemist."

"Edward Elric?"

"Yeah. The Fullmetal Alchemist..."

"Did you ask him where he's been?"

"No. I... didn't want to talk to him. I just wanted to leave."

"I see... You're still upset?"

"A little." Leroy patted his shoulder.

"We're not real brothers... but we're close enough, right?" Ed smiled at him.

"Yeah, I suppose."

"And what about Al and Alley?"

"My cousins. In no way related to you, my dad's brother's kids."

"Alphonse Elric, then. I wonder... what happened to him? And your mom?" Ed shrugged.

"He... 'Uncle Roy', sounded angry. I don't think either of them knows. She's his sister, you know."

"That's why Dad picked you up then. Family."

"Maybe. He lied about my arm too." he flexed it. "I lost it in a fire."

"A fire... well... maybe this is what Dad brought us out for."

"Huh?"

"To tell us the truth, y'know? About your parents, and Al and Alley's parents... It's a bit of a shock for me as well... and I knew it was coming."

"Do you think we can find them, Leroy?" Ed said quietly.

"I don't know. I honestly couldn't tell you. But... we'll try. We have a lot of people helping us, Ed, I know we'll find out about them sooner or later."

"Whether they're dead or alive, putting it blatantly."

Leroy chuckled. "I heard the Fullmetal Alchemist is a bit touchy about his height. Sounds like someone else I know." he grabbed Ed in a headlock and noogied him. "No going mushy on me, okay? What happened had to happen sooner or later! Nothing changes between us though!" Ed laughed and struggled out of the headlock.

"No, nothing changes. Nothing except that we are brothers no longer."

Leroy stood in front of him and they faced each other. "Brothers by blood we never were. But... we'll always be brothers. You have to understand that first, Ed." Ed nodded and grinned.

"Nothing changes?"

"Nothing changes." Leroy paused thoughtfully. "If we're lucky though, your height might!" Ed twitched and he bolted after Leroy who had started running down the street.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SPECK THAT EVEN AN ATOM WOULDN'T NOTICE?" he howled.

"Some things never change, Edward! Maybe your height is one of them!" he smirked at him over his shoulder and continued to run.

Circumstances may change the way we look at one another, but we'll always be brothers. Leroy thought, and at the exact same moment, Edward Elric the Second, the Halfmetal Alchemist, thought the same exact thing.

This was a bit of a very long dialogue between Ed and Leroy, and I thought that this might show how strong the bond between these two boys are! And I did give you clues to Leroy's condition through the story, though I doubt that anyone caught them earlier! Notice also, that a monumental thing has just occured! Ed has passed from Edward Mustang, to Edward Elric the Second! Makes me want to cry T.T - T A