A/N: Hi, I'm SongSwifteye. This is the first Full Metal Alchemist story I've ever posted, even though I have about three in the works. Was listening to music one night and this came to me. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Alchemist or any of the characters thereof. Nor do I have any rights to the song "Moon River." However, the plot wasmy original creation.
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"Brother?"
"Hnn? Al? What's wrong?"
"I…uh…"
Edward Elric sat up in his bed, untangling his cocoon of blankets. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, standing and stretching, grunting as his muscles protested. Stumbling, he found his brother's bed. Reaching out, he put his hand on the cool metal of Al's arm.
"Now, what's wrong? Is there something you wanna talk about?"
Alphonse turned his head, not able to look at his brother.
"Brother, I've lost another memory."
Ed's face reflected pain and compassion as he looked at the hulking armor that housed his little brother's soul.
"What…what this time, Al?"
Al's voice was small and sad, tinny and fragile in the armor.
"Do you remember, that song that Mom used to sing to us when we couldn't sleep? I used to think about it when I was giving up hope, but tonight I can't remember how it goes. Do you remember, Brother?"
"Yeah," Ed whispered, eyes glistening in the starlight. "Yeah, I remember. The one about the river, right?"
"I remember it had a moon…but that's all," Al sighed.
Ed looked down at his little brother with a sad smile, before his look became determined.
"Scoot over, Al, let me on with you."
He settled himself near Al's head, letting the heavy helmet rest on his shoulder. Clearing his throat, he growled, "Don't laugh, okay? I'm not very good at this."
Al looked up at him questioningly, but he looked away and began to sing.
"Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style, someday.
Old dream maker,
You heart breaker,
Wherever you're going,
I'm going your way."
Al smiled inwardly. His brother always knew what to do when things were going wrong. Just hearing the familiar words again was bringing back memories, memories he thought he'd lost. Like the reason he'd gone to the river after their first fight. He'd remembered his mother singing to him, and had, in his childhood innocence, decided to follow the river to find the rainbow she sang about. Or about after his mother's death, when he and his brother had been so alone, so very alone, and he'd cried until his eyes were dry and sore and he couldn't cry anymore, and his brother had come to hold him and comfort him, and…
Two drifters, off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same Rainbow's end,
Waiting 'round the bend,
My huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me."
Ed finished, still holding onto Al, his arms now wrapped around his bigger little brother. Al just looked at him.
"You've sung that to me before, haven't you, Brother?"
"Huh?" Ed had almost drifted off before Al spoke. "Oh, I have? When?"
"Do you remember when we first lost Mom? I couldn't sleep at night for crying, and you wanted me to keep up my strength, so you sang me to sleep."
"Hmm, I'd almost forgotten that. I'm glad you remember, Al."
They lay in silence for a few minutes, until Al spoke up again.
"You know what, Brother?"
"What?"
"I remember, now. I could almost hear Mom singing along with you, just like she used to."
Ed smiled, sure that he was imagining the feel of soft lips brushing his forehead as though he were being tucked into bed.
"Yeah, I know. I did too. Goodnight Al.
"Goodnight, Brother. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Al."
As Ed drifted, he thought of soft eyes and light brown hair and a smile like sunlight.
'Thanks, Mom.'
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