I own nothing (unfortunately).

Chapter One ~Another Morning

Edward yawned as he sat up. He looked across the room and saw the blue bed. It was Alphonse's. Alphonse was always up early. Smiling to himself, Ed pushed himself out of his red bed and made it lazily. He quickly let himself downstairs. "Mom!" He called in greeting as he saw her in the kitchen.

His mouth started drooling as he noticed she was making pancakes. She piled five fluffy pieces of heaven onto the white plate before handing it to the eager Ed. "Thanks Mommy!" Ed sang out as he sat down as fast as he could. He was about to stab a pancake, but it was with an imaginary fork; he had forgotten one. "Oh," he murmured with a realization only six year olds like him could have. He pulled his legs over the chair to go get one, but his mom had been right by his side.

"Looking for this, Little One?" She smiled that sweet smile she always had.

Ed replied with a mouth open with joy. "Thank you," he spoke as he looked into his mom's flawless eyes. He clutched the fork and turned to dig into the pancakes. He lifted up a whole pancake and brought it to his face. He took a huge bite before his mom started cutting up the pancakes for him.

Trisha smiled and retreated to the kitchen, placing the other pancakes on plates for her husband and other son, Alphonse. Ed stuffed his face without a second thought, not noticing Trisha's new frown.

Ed was sucking on his finger dipped in syrup as he turned to the door to see his younger brother, Alphonse. Alphonse smiled at Ed before trotting into the kitchen to hug Mom. "Hey Mom!"

Trisha gave a convincing smile. "What did you do outside, honey?"

Alphonse shot his hands out like fireworks. "I played with Winry! She showed me some gears Pin had laying around!" Pinako was Pin. Ed called her Old Lady, but Alphonse thought shorting it to Pin was more fitting.

"Well, that's just great!" Trisha's voice was ethusiastic. "I'm glad you and Winry are great friends!"

"Yeah! One day, we'll get married!" Alphonse held a toothy grin before grabbing a warm plate of heavenly breakfast. As he sat down, Hohenheim came into the room. Trisha frowned at him for a second before painting a fake smile.

Hohenheim tried to hide his disappointment. He had been noticing Trisha's descent into sorrow. But what could he do? Is it me? Hohenheim was haunted every time the clock ticked at the second.

Ed gave Alphonse a thumbs-up. "You might just get married to Winry, Al!" His smile radiated joy. Alphonse grinned back, but he was thinking opposing thoughts.

What if he tries to marry Winry instead? Alphonse eyed his brother as he tried to imagine if Ed could do it.

Hohenheim sighed. He needed to sort this out with Trisha. "Kids, why don't you all go play outside?"

Alphonse had just stuffed a pile of pancakes into his mouth, but he didn't silence his protest. "I just came back inside!" His complaints were heard clearly through the muffle of food.

Hohenheim looked at Trisha, who was avoiding eye contact. "Please, boys."

Alphonse sighed as he followed the excited and dancing Edward outside.

Hohenheim waited for them to leave before grabbing Trisha (gently) by the shoulders. "What is wrong?"

"Nothing."

"I don't believe that."

"Sorry."

"What can I do to fix it?"

"Nothing." Trisha's eyes were empty and emotionless.

Hohenheim looked at his shoes. It was... Damn, this is hopeless. He looked back at Trisha and met her eyes. His eyes had tears at the brims and looked the opposite of her soulless ones. "I'll leave, then."

Trisha didn't hesitate. "No."

Hohenheim almost smiled. Was she still in there?

"I'll leave."