A/N: Tobu Ishi gets the credit for writing the beautiful English version of "Brothers." Her name is rarely mentioned so I thought I'd give her mad props here. Also, I would like to thank pyromoogle for reviewing the first part of this fic. Now hopefully I can pull off Al's POV (it's easier with Ed because we have a lot in common). I've tried to make the 2 sections mirror one another. It was quite a challenge getting the word count (minus the notes of course) to be exactly the same. –Hana Li
Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or either version of the song "Brothers."
Brothers
Oniisan
Ed, don't blame yourself. It took the two of us to create that abomination with Mom's face so let me take some of the burden away from you. I know as the older one, you're supposed to take care of me, but let's get through this together. Although our love for Mom got twisted into something horrible, I don't fear that our brotherly bond will ever be anything but pure and true.
I am the one who is weak. Deep down inside, I knew that what we were going against the laws of nature yet I couldn't resist the thought of bringing Mom back. Don't make it seem as though you forced me into helping you perform a human transmutation. You may have been the one who came up with the idea, but we are equally guilty in our actions. No, I am the worse sinner. I practiced forbidden alchemy despite knowing that it was wrong. That night, I had a gut feeling that something was going to go awry, but I didn't say anything. I am the worse soul because I did not have the power make things right.
You've done so much for me already. I can't imagine what you went through to get my soul back, and now you plan on doing whatever it takes to return my body to me, even if it means being a part of the organization that was responsible for the death of Winry's parents. How can I ever repay you? I don't want you to stain your hands with blood. I don't want you to risk your life for my sake. My body isn't worth it because nothing is more valuable than life.
But I do want my body back. Is that selfish of me? I want to be human again and to know the pain you have to go through each day. I want to feel what you feel so that you don't have to suffer for the both of us. Right now I'm just an empty suit of armor. I want to be your brother again.
It's okay to cry sometimes, Brother, because you're still a kid like me. We've lost a lot of our innocence, but you still have your emotions. However, I don't want you to be sad for me. I've forgiven you long ago. Anyway, brothers have to stick together, right? I know you want to be strong for me, but sometimes the little brother has to take care of the elder one.
Let's make a deal, huh? You can get my body back, and I'll get you your arm and leg. If we try hard enough, I know we can fix things. While we may be insignificant humans, we've endured enough to prove how strong we are. I'll find the power within this current form to help you. Then, one day, we can go back to being a family.
I always be by your side because I love you, Big Brother.