Ed schlepped through the door of the military barracks, drenched in the beginnings of a sudden downpour. Stupid Mustang, needing his stupid report. Stupid rogue alchemist on the outskirts of East City who caused Ed to have to write this report after Ed thoroughly beat his ass into the ground. His leather boots squeaked with each drenched step, leaving a line of soggy footprints all the way down the hall leading to the dorm the Elrics shared.

"Al," Ed called as he shouldered into the brothers' small room, "I'm back."

He pulled off his coat, giving it a good wring before hanging it on the hook to dry.

"Brother! How was your meeting?" Al sat in his usual spot against the wall, book dwarfed in his hands as he settled it on his folded legs.

Ed rolled his eyes. "Mustang gave me an earful as usual, said transmuting a city street into a giant tidal wave was no way to catch a criminal. He didn't even seem to care that we caught the guy, Al! Plus, he didn't have any leads for us! I don't know how, seeing as he doesn't seem to ever do any other work!"

Al laughed. "Well, it was a bit unorthodox, Brother."

"It worked, didn't it? Plus, I put the street back in better shape than it was before! I told Mustang that when he started going on about liabilities and damage costs, blah blah blah." Ed flopped back onto the bottom bunk of his bed. "I'm done thinking about it." He sat up on his elbows to peer at his brother from between his feet. "Anything go on while I was at HQ?"

Alphonse shrugged, dogeared his page, and placed the book aside. "Nothing much. I was just reading this book I started yesterday. There are a few others I know I've seen at the library I think might want to cross-reference this one with. Oh, and I went down to the mailboxes, you got something."

Ed heaved himself up. "It's probably junk mail or something," he muttered as he ambled over to the table Al pointed to.

He shook his head. "You know it's not, Brother."

Ed picked up the envelope and felt a stab of emotion race through his body. He honestly hadn't expected on of his mother's letters to arrive here, at the military dorms of all places.

He grimaced, remembering his reaction to last year's letter. He could have attributed his violent reaction to the cocktail of drugs he was slowly being weaned off of, but Ed had all but had a breakdown after trying to get through the first two sentences of that letter.

Eventually, after the tears had dried enough that he could erase them from his face, he had ambled sorely across the room and retrieved the crumpled letter from where it sat in the corner of the room. He had felt bad; even if he didn't deserve his mother's kind words, those words hadn't deserved to be mistreated just because Ed was a screw-up. He hadn't been able to bring himself to read that letter until he had passed his state alchemist test. He had come back to Resembool to retrieve Al and pack the rest of his meager possessions. He had found it between the pages of an old alchemy book, pressed in the heavy tome to reduce the damage of the wrinkles. Ed had smoothed it out as best as he could but the damage had already been done. Still, he had finally been able to get through the letter without stopping, knowing now that he couldn't bring his mother back, but he was finally on the path to making things right for Al.

Ed hadn't heard his brother stand up—quite the feat for a seven foot suit of armor—until Al spoke. He must have seen the deep contemplation on Ed's face because he quietly excused himself to the library, promising to be back in a little while.

Ed grunted in acknowledgement, his eyes never wandering from the letter. He was too distracted by the sudden torrent of emotions to realize how grateful he was that Al was so in tune with his brother's emotions and needs.

Ed laid down across the bed as the door closed softly in the background. He tore open the letter with an almost sort of desperation, and began to read.

My Dearest Darling Edward,

Happy birthday, little man.

Ed felt his chest loosen from a tightness he hadn't realized was pressing down on him. He wasn't sure what he had expected. What had he been so afraid of? His mother's gentle, kind demeanor was still prevalent in her letters. She didn't know what he had attempted, didn't know he had become a military dog. In her eyes, Ed would always be untainted and innocent. Her letters would never speak the horrors he and Al had witnessed.

Today you are officially a teenager. That's quite the accomplishment, you are growing into quite the young man, I'm sure. I am so incredibly proud of you, remember that, sweetheart. Whatever you have done or wherever you go, know that I was, and always will be, so proud of you. I know as you grow older, you will make the right decisions, both for yourself and those around you.

He sat up, curling around the letter, feeling much like he did after receiving his mother's first letter; sad and alone and like a small child. He bit his lip as he felt a sob trying to surface. He swallowed it back. No, he wouldn't cry. Not until Al could as well. He let out a small gasp and wiped at his eyes again, thankful that his brother had kindly excused himself.

You have always been such an intelligent, strong willed and caring person, I know these characteristics will only strengthen within you in time. Things may be tough right now Edward, I know being a young teenager comes with all its own tribulations, and many times adults try to minimize those pains. But being young, Ed, it's harder than a lot of adults remember.

Remember, you're still just a boy, you're my boy, and it's okay to cry and be scared and need help sometimes. It's okay to need other people and to ask questions or ask for help. Even though I am not here with you, I know there are so many others around who care about you and Al so much. Just know, whatever happens, you will always have a home in Resembool, and you will always have a caring support system of friends and family who will be willing to catch you when you fall. And there will be times, sweetheart. I know you're a capable and strong young man, but everyone needs help sometimes, everyone has bad days, and everyone feels like giving up at times. It's a part of life as much as it is a part of growing up and coming into your own.

You're moving into the twilight years of your youth, but you still have a ways to go, a lot to grow, and much to learn. We never really stop learning, Edward. I thought when I became an adult I would suddenly know everything and I would know how to do whatever I needed to. But that's not true. As soon as you came into my life, Edward, I realized I didn't know anything, I felt so young and confused again. I had no idea how to raise a child, neither did your father. We were so afraid of messing up, making a mistake, and ruining your life, that we forgot that life makes room for mistakes. Everyone makes them but they don't define us.

I like to think you and Al both turned out more than alright, so I suppose your father and I figured it out along the way. And you will too, sweetheart, no matter how big or small an issue or mistake may seem, there is always a way to fix it. And life will always continue to move on, and you will grow better from it, no matter what. Growing up and growing old and letting go are some of the hardest things a person has to do, Edward, but even though you are young, you are one of the strongest people I know. I have no doubt that you will get through whatever challenges life may throw your way. You have never been one to give up, sweetheart, I know that no matter what, that is something that will never change.

Love forever and always,

Mom

Ed jumped at the sudden dark splotch that appeared on the paper. He wiped quickly at his eyes, not realizing he was crying until he felt the wetness on his face. He smudged away the teardrop on the paper before it could do any more damage.

Ed sat back to look at the letter again, and in spite of the tears still trickling slowly down his face, Ed smiled. How did his mother always know what he needed to hear? Even years later, her words from the past were such a comfort even in the present. She had no idea what he and Al were going through, and yet, just reading her reassuring words was a slight balm to Ed's constantly frayed nerves.

He had made a mistake, much bigger than his mother ever could have anticipated. But she was right, he would fix it. He had to, for Al's sake.

He didn't know how his mother could be proud of him now, after all he had done in the past year and a half. But he knew, he was heading on the right track for redeeming himself.

I swear it, Mom, Ed thought as he folded up the letter as gently as he could manage. I'm going to get Al's body back, and you'll be so proud of both of us again.