Death IV: Brotherly Love
It had been three months since Alphonse Elric had seen his elder brother Edward and he was immensely anxious as he stood on the dock awaiting his ship to come in. The war in Drachma had been an unexpected detour in the brothers' search for the philosopher's stone, and Alphonse had worried ever moment of everyday for Edward's safety. After all, they were all each other had, and right now, despite being unable to physically feel, all the boy turned suit of armor wanted was to hold his dear brother close and never let go.
There were others waiting with him by the bay. Winry, Paniya, Ling and Lan Fan all stood nervously awaiting their friends return. Granny Pinako had been unable to come, but sent her well wishes, and told him to tell Ed to come home for dinner when he could. She would make his favorite; stew. Finally, after what seemed like eons, a large battle ship pulled into the harbor, empting its contents of battered, homesick soldiers. Alphonse scanned the crowd for any sign of Edwards form, but could not find him. He saw a tired looking General Mustang and Lieutenant Hawkeye wave to him, and the rest of their crew hobbling over to a table lined with food prepared for the soldiers.
Where was Ed? Despite popular belief, his brother was small, but certainly not hard to miss with his unusual features. After another minute or so he heard Winry squeal in delight and he turned to meet the smiling gaze of Edwards golden eyes. His brother stood before them, bandaged, and limping slightly as he grinned in only a way he could. If they could Alphonse knew his eyes would be watering…he was so happy, he could die. For a minute there he had thought Ed would not be coming.
But he was here and he was safe.
"Hey there Al, miss me?" Edward said waving at the younger boy.
" Brother!"
Alphonse could not contain his happiness any longer, he jumped up and rushed over to his brother, pulling him into a bone crushing hug.
Literally bone crushing.
There was a sickening crack that went unnoticed by the large boy who kept holding his brother, even when the others tried to tell him that something was wrong.
Edward elric survived the war, but was unable to defend himself from his brothers' unfaltering devotion.
Love hurts.