Clap.
He didn't suppose he had realised it until the boy hit sixteen. Edward Elric, the famed
'Fullmetal Alchemist'. Before he had been a child, round faced, red cheeked, glaring and pouting and shut up you Bastard.
He had changed from a child into Edward Elric. Elegantly pointed chin and sparkling golden eyes. Soft - - much too soft - - hair. Edward's sly, mischievous grins that promised tricks and for Him always treats.
Clap.
Lithe body, smooth skin. If Edward lowered his lashes just once, when he was reading or writing or just contemplating chemical compound...
He was always mesmerised by the way Edward's large eyes widened and wavered in Fear. In the alleyway, that would forever be engraved in their memories, wide eyes, wide golden eyes, blood and rain and please don't forget.
Clap.
Please don't forget.
Clap.
They came to visit him, in his isolated home in the snow. Snow he hoped wouldn't remind him of Edward. Of the Fullmetal Alchemist. Of the boy. He heard them talking outside. We should invite Riza, they said, she'd be able to reason with him. No, said the other, that's not who he's waiting.
No.
Not her.
Him.
Just Him.
Please don't forget.
Clap.
He held Alphonse back as the older brother went to go through the gate for the second time, to leave Amestris for the second time. Older now, but still elegant, lithe, golden eyes and soft hair and god please don't forget.
And, for a moment, gold eyes flickered lovingly from their younger brother to his, and for a moment, he knew.
I'll never forget.
Clap.
And for the third time the Fullmetal Alchemist comes through the gate, he isn't there. Because he doesn't know. He answers the isolated home door with dread and sorrow. And there he his, standing there, sly mischievous grin always promising a trick and always promising a treat, just for him.
Edward goes to Snap. The Colonel goes to Clap.
Just to see if they are dreaming but secretlydesperatelyhoping that they're not. Hoping they won't way with burning chests and burning eyes and liquid clear and smooth.
But they stop.
Calloused and scratchy hands come together, slow, soft, and please remember. And mouths, warm and needy and yes I remember. And eyes, gold and obsidian, liquid filled but not her liquid, their liquid. And falling back together inside the home, arms clutching tight and eyes clutching closed and hands clutching something just to know that -
Yes.
I'll never forget.
Fin.
