[DISCLAIMER: I do not own the anime/manga series "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" because it respectfully belongs to Hiromu Arakawa. I only own this one-shot and the plot that it follows.]
NOTES: This is going to be based on a chapter story that I plan to write in the future, which will basically explain everything that is going on in this fic, including the reason as to why Ed is taking care of baby Al.
THIS FIC TAKES PLACE JUST THREE WEEKS BEFORE ED JOINS THE MILITARY.
AL'S AGE: 6 WKS
ED'S AGE: 15 YRS
("Lullaby and Goodnight" is a song originally composed by Johannes Brahms, but the version in this fic is by an artist named Jewel. I have no rights to it whatsoever!)
…
EDWARD PACED the nursery floor, slightly bouncing and whispering continuous words of comfort and reassurance to the inconsolable baby in his arms. For the past hour, Ed had been trying to get Alphonse back down to sleep, but no matter what he tried, the poor newborn would just continue to cry and kick his chubby legs in a tiny fit. Ed couldn't really blame the poor kid, though; this was the first time Al had experienced a storm this severe.
Earlier in the late afternoon (or technically yesterday afternoon, since it was well past four in the morning now) Winry had received a call from one of her clients in Rush Valley about there being a possible issue with the new automail limb he had ordered, and since Pinako was supposed to go to Dublith for some medical supplies she needed to pick up, quickly decided that she and her grandmother would travel together to avoid wasting unnecessary time and money. With that, the Rockbells' planned to leave as soon as possible, while Ed stayed behind at the house to take care of Al, who had been incredibly fussy since the day before. It broke the elder Elric's heart to see his baby brother so upset, especially when no amount of rocking and cuddling could make it all better, but with Pinako's gentle assurance that the infant's fussiness could just be a sign of colic, Ed realized it was nothing to be stressed over.
Before she left with her Granny, Winry explained that they would only be gone for a week at most, but to Edward – because he was currently caring for a cranky baby – that seemed more like an eternity. The blonde was also still processing everything that had happened three weeks ago after he'd selfishly performed human transmutation in an attempt to resurrect his dead mother, so the thought of almost dying and leaving his newborn brother – even if it was merely a memory of the past – was almost too much for him to handle. That tragic night would always be imprinted on his mind, even Pinako and Winry knew that, but it still didn't make the recollection of those events any less painful, or the fact that he'd broken down in the way that he did; begging and pleading for the women not to be angry with him, tears streaming down his face as he sobbed uncontrollably into Alphonse's soft pajamas, desperately cradling the baby as best he could with only one arm.
After bidding the women 'farewell', and after getting Alphonse to calm down and stop crying (for the umpteenth time that day, he should add!), Ed made sure to keep the baby entertained as much as possible for the remainder of the day. They played a few rounds of peek-a-boo, did some tummy time on the floor, and he even gave Al a bath after he'd had his bottle. All in all, the rest of their day hadn't been too bad; it actually turned out to be pretty good. There had been a few more tears at bedtime, but after some cuddle time in the rocking chair and a gentle story, Al was a sleepy baby ready for bed. Once Ed tucked the infant into his crib – as well as his favorite stuffed elephant - and was certain he was fast asleep, he took himself to his own bed for a peaceful night's rest of his own. Unfortunately, that tranquil peace didn't last long.
About six hours later, the eldest Elric was woken up by loud, pitiful wails coming through from the baby monitor. The poor baby had apparently been startled by a severe thunderstorm that was currently raging outside. When it had started, Ed didn't know, but all the older brother could figure out by listening to Alphonse wail in his ear was the fact that he obviously was just scared.
From then on, he'd tried everything from swaddling to humming nursery rhymes, but Al just wouldn't settle down for any of it. He even tried to take him in the bathroom with the sink turned on so he could listen to the running water – a method Trisha said always worked on Edward when he was a baby – but the infant would only cry harder and squirm unhappily when Ed tried to hold him anywhere near the faucet. He didn't know what to do anymore. At this point, he was seriously contemplating whether or not to call Winry and Pinako, and telling them to haul their asses back to Resembool before Ed ended up dying of a broken heart from listening to his baby brother's distressed cries.
He couldn't do that to them, though, he couldn't just give up. Edward was Al's big brother, as well as the only father figure in his life. He could, and would, figure out a way to calm his little one down.
This early morning thunderstorm be damned…
"C'mon, little man, you're breakin' my heart. There's gotta be something I can do to help you stop crying," Ed murmured, rubbing Al's back in soothing circles as he continued to lightly bounce him back and forth across the room. "Maybe… Maybe we can try some running water again, hmm? Turn the faucet on in the bathroom, listen to some music–"
Wait a minute… That was it! How did he not think of that sooner?
"For the love of God, I'm such an idiot," Ed whispered to himself.
The eldest Elric walked over to the plush rocking chair in the corner of the room and sat back down, adjusting Alphonse so he was cradling the baby against his chest.
"Okay, baby boy, let's try one last thing," Edward quietly cleared his throat. "Mommy used to sing this to your big brother when I was a few years older than you are now."
"Lullaby, and goodnight, in the skies stars are bright
May the moon, silvery beams, bring you with dreams
Close your eyes, now and rest, may these hours be blessed
Till the sky's bright with dawn, when you wake with a yawn
Lullaby, and good night, you are brother's delight
I'll protect you from harm, and you'll wake in my arms…"
This song had never failed to calm Edward down when he was young, regardless of how hard or loud he seemed to be crying.
Sure enough, Al's wailing gradually grew quieter and quieter as Ed continued to sing to him; until the little one was reduced to sniffles and whimpers, his eyelids growing heavier every time he blinked. The blonde didn't stop singing, though, and he even began to gently rock the chair back and forth, which created a soothing environment for the baby to feel safe enough to fall asleep in. Just as Edward was humming the last verse of the song underneath his breath, Al's breathing steadied and his baby blue eyes fluttered closed, his tiny fingers loosely clutching Ed's muscle shirt.
The eldest Elric sighed heavily, relieved that he was finally able to get his baby brother to stop crying and go back to sleep (hopefully, it would be uninterrupted this time). He took a moment to just gaze down at the baby in his arms, taking in his sweet, innocent, peaceful – albeit tear-stained face – as he slept.
Another painful memory slammed into him as he remembered the many nights several years ago where he'd sat in a similar position, except a young and healthy Trisha sat with a five-year-old Edward. Whether it'd be from a nightmare or just a difficult time getting to sleep, Trisha would sing that soft, gentle lullaby to her son. And now, a decade later, he had the privilege of singing that same song to his brother.
Edward grinned softly at the newborn curled against his chest, love and warmth radiating through his body.
"Sleep tight, little man. I love you so much."
…
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed reading this cute, little one-shot! It was my first FMA: Brotherhood fanfic, but I had lots of fun writing it. So let me know what you all thought!
Just to be clear, I slightly altered the lyrics in the second verse so it would apply more to Ed, but it's literally just one word.
XOXO – Madi XD