-1A/N: Posted a few weeks ago on LJ. Somehow I forgot to post it here. Whoops!
Disclaimer: Not mine, but Christmas is coming up, Arakawa-sensei...
Selfishness
Of all the seasons, winter was Edward's favorite. He loved the cold air that nipped at his nose and cheeks, the icicles he would try to knock down from the eaves (despite his mother's warnings of being hurt), and the warm, cozy feeling he got after coming inside from an afternoon of romping all over the countryside, Alphonse in tow.
But most of all, Edward loved the snow. So beautiful and serene, yet cold and uncaring all at once. Like time, one could lose himself in it, and it wouldn't care. Either would envelope him, and eventually consume him entirely.
Ever since Edward lost his limbs, he'd begun to see beauty in things he normally wouldn't have given a second glance. Like the snow. For their entire lives, he and Alphonse had viewed it as something that was just present; to be taken note of, but not actually acknowledged. But from his wheelchair, Edward acknowledged it. Pinako rarely let him out of the house during the winter months, so Edward just sat by the window and watched Den scamper through the vast whiteness. He would touch his fingertips against the cold glass and wish to join the dog, just as he had as a child.
It was spring when the automail went on, so Edward had to wait a good nine months for the snow to return. When it did, he was as happy as an orphan with two fake limbs and a suit of armor for a brother could be. He jogged out into the fresh powder, a gleeful smile planted firmly on his face. Alphonse followed him calmly, glad to see his older brother finally enjoying himself.
"Isn't it beautiful, 'nii-san?" Al asked; a frigid wind blew, knocking the shimmering dust out of the trees nearby.
"Sure is," Ed replied as he tossed himself to the ground, splaying his limbs as he landed on his back. He eyes fluttered as a few snowflakes were blown into them. As Ed slowly dragged his arms and legs back and forth through the snow, he made a new discovery; when automail became cold, the nerves attached to it ached mercilessly in protest.
"Is something wrong?" cane Al's voice through the dull pain; evidently he'd noticed Ed's face twitch at the new sensation.
"No way," lied Ed as he sat up and rubbed his shoulder where flesh and steel became one. The gleeful smile returned. "C'mere, Al."
The suit of armor obeyed.
"Lie down and make a snow angel, too." Once again, the younger Elric followed his brother's suggestion. As the boys helped each other up without disturbing their works of art in the snow, Edward's smile faded.
In the snow were two figures; one was a perfect angel, its wings and skirt beautifully formed. But beside it was something…monstrous.
Inhuman.
Edward couldn't bear to look at it. He hated the fact that that thing was his brother. Just for a moment, Edward hated his beloved Alphonse.
And being only tender, spoiled boy of 11, Edward sank to his knees and cried. Not for Alphonse, but for himself and his selfishness.
End.
A/N: I know, I know…stuff is probably wrong. Yes, and I'm aware that technically, Ed isn't an orphan. But 'child with a dead mother and a father that ran off long ago' was slightly too wordy. (grin) Happy reviewing!
