Title : The Sound of Circumstance
Genre : Anime/Manga
Category : Full Metal Alchemist
Disclaimer : FMA belongs to someone with money; and that's certainly not me.
Summary : He heard the door close, followed by the faint sound of his mother crying. That's when Edward knew, he wasn't coming back.
Warnings : None, really.
Rating : K
When the small child had closed his eyes, the stars had attacked the sky, spinning their brilliant wonder before his tired golden orbs decided to close. But the sound of spiraling thunder awoke him from his pleasant youthful dreams, lightning flashing before his sleep-filled eyes.
A soft whimper escaped his trembling lips, instantly feeling the need to call out for his mother except for the other soft sob that had made its way to his ears. He sat up slowly, his baby blue blanket sliding down to reveal a faded grey t-shirt with white stripes panning across it.
The youth looked over at the crib that was adjacent to his small bed, two little eyes gleaming tearfully through the wooden bars. The immediate need to protect the little infant his mother had told him was his brother came over him, the almost two year old climbing somewhat carefully out of the warmth of his bed and padding lightly across the hardwood floor to his younger sibling.
Another soft sob parted the baby's lips, his honey colored eyes watching every move his older brother was making. Two little fingers made their way between the bars, trying as hard as they could to touch Edward's face, not even coming close.
"'S okay," the quiet voice came from the golden haired boy, a toothy grin parting his mouth. "'M here. Goes back to sweep, okay?" he gently prodded, holding Alphonse's tiny hand in his own. "'S gonna be okay, okay?"
The infant peered up into his older brother's eyes, the older boy's voice soothing him for the time being. Within a few minutes, the littler one's eyes drifted shut, his two tiny fingers still wrapped around one of Ed's.
The toddler was about to make his way back to his own bed after prying his little brother's digits off his own when he heard a door close just outside theirs, and quiet footsteps follow. His curiosity was immediately summoned. The tiny blonde made his way over to the door, pulling over a miniature step stool so he could reach the knob. Turning it ever so slightly, he managed it open and looked out, his father's silhouette fading at the foot of the stairs.
"Dad?" a little voice called out, just barely audible. "Dad?" Nearly tripping off the stool, he followed the shadow, but stopped when he heard faint sobs coming from his parents' bedroom door. "Mom?" he asked, his attention now turned towards her. "Mom?" he tried again, reaching for the door knob, yet not quite able to touch it.
A tiny, aggravated grunt escaped his lips, turning back towards the stairwell. His brow narrowing, he made his way there, hugging the banister tightly as he carefully proceeded down the steps, one by one. By the time he had made it to the bottom, the front door had already closed, leaving evidence of the storm inside.
His little feet carried him over to the nearest window, rain beating against the pane. He pulled back the curtain, barely able to see out due to his height disadvantage and the water running down the glass.
In the distance, he could just make out the outline of his father's trench coat and the drenched ponytail that hung to just past his shoulders. His mother's contained sobs made their way to his ears again, and somehow, at that very moment, he knew his father wasn't coming back.
Author's note : I have only seen up to episode 45, so if there was a flashback scene of when this happened later on in the series, forgive me. But if not, hope you enjoyed.