Chapter 5: You Really See Me

Elly stared at Ed in bewilderment and Al raised his hands happily, "You mean it, brother?"

"I wouldn't have said so if I didn't." Elly studied him,

"Why the change of heart?" She was taken back when he gave her a genuine smile.

"Well, who likes being alone?" Elly blinked at him, realizing his question was rhetorical. All the same, she gave him a reply anyway.

"Nobody."

They had just reached the town borders when Elly began to inform them,

"I don't want you taking any sort of pity on me."

"That's not why I-" Ed began but she cut him off,

"Because I'm more than capable of being alone..." As per usual, Al remained silent, wondering where this conversation would land them and he hoped it wouldn't be smack dab in the middle of another fight. They continued walking, Elly trailing their footsteps. Ed kept moving, not caring to turn around for eye contact.

"Just because we can be, doesn't mean we want to be," he informed. Elly smiled weakly.

"You're pretty smart for a kid." Ed grumbled,

"I am NOT a kid. And besides," he paused, "you don't have to be smart to know something as simple as that."

"I know, it's just, when I look at you, you're so young but the things that come out of your mouth...if you were a book, and all anyone could see were the words, they'd take you for a very old man. You're wise beyond your years, Edward Elric." Still he kept walking, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips.

"Yeah, well, life does that to you, Elly..." Ed didn't know her last name.

"Just Elly." She informed, expecting this to agitate him as it didn't take very much to upset his temper. To her surprise, he said nothing and they continued walking in silence, reaching the next town as night consumed day.
Getting a room in the city's first happened upon inn, they settled into the room that only had two double beds. "I'll sleep on the floor." Elly quickly volunteered.

"No, you take the bed," Al offered. "I don't need a bed. I don't sleep." She should have expected as much but Elly found herself surprised by this.

"I'll go and try to find us something to eat. Stay here, I'll be right back," said Ed. And the two were left alone again, watching as his form disappeared behind the withered oak door. Elly flopped herself onto the bed, staring up at the water stain on the pale ceiling. They were silent for several minutes and she could sense him preparing to question her.

"I promise to tell him," Elly blurted, as if reading Al's mind. "Just not yet." Al nodded and took a seat by the small window. "But I'm right about him," Elly suddenly said and Al turned to look at her, her body still spread about the bed's crumpled sheets. "Aren't I?"

"Ed's been through a lot..." Al muttered, staring back out the window into darkness.

"And so have you," she replied. "I know he deserves to know, but now isn't the right time."

"But when will it be the right time, Elly? As they're taking off with you?"

"I won't be allowing them to take me anywhere. I'd die first before helping the likes of them."

"Have they've tried before?"

"No. I suspect word hasn't reach them yet."

"You have to tell Ed tonight, Elly. Or I will." She was thrown off by his sudden ultimatum. It was the last thing she had expected him to do.

"He'll have nothing to do with me afterwards. I'll be saying goodbye, for good." She let him know and Al was silent for a few moments.

"It was like you were looking right at me. I mean not this," Al motioned to his armor, "but the real me."

"That's because I was."

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it may just be fan fiction but its still a story and I'm still a writer, so review or not I'll continue solely because I enjoy writing it. Just know, reviews are still greatly appreciated...compliments and criticisms alike. Who doesn't like feedback? I like to know what readers are thinking.
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