Back with another chapter! This one's pretty long *Almost 10k words long*, so feel free to enjoy :) No content warnings other than some swearing. There's fluff and dealing with being sick in this chapter as well so eat it up, friends!
"Run it by me again Ed, you said this is an old gold mining town right?" I asked, rolling my bag higher on my shoulder as we walked under the hot summer sun. The South wasn't nearly as hot as the East, but the sun was relentless no matter where we seemed to go. 'What's with this country and being so damn hot?' A light breeze flittered through the air and it felt nice against the back of my sweaty neck as we passed a few empty mines toward the brick buildings in the distance.
"That's right. This used to be the main producer of gold in the South up until a couple of years ago. It's said this place had so much gold the town deteriorated quickly when the mines dried out. Guess they got too dependent on the influx of money running through here, it probably collapsed their economy." Ed mused, suitcase in hand as we trucked along the dirt path. It was mid-afternoon and I was surprisingly awake, somehow managing a good couple of hours of sleep on the train on our way here. Ed, on the other hand, didn't seem to fair as much. He yawned into his palm, and I shook my head as I tried to process the weird explanation.
"How do you know so much about this kind of stuff? Half of those words didn't make any sense to me." I raised a brow at him and he shrugged his shoulders.
"It was in the file." He said plainly and I mentally smacked myself. 'Of course.' I took in the sights around us, the bright and colorful view of the towns we passed by train days before were lush with greenery and mountains. This place was…kinda dull. It was like a random dust bowl was smacked right in the middle of a mountain valley and I half wondered if some wicked god got bored and decided to mix things up with this place.
"This place is pretty…empty looking. What happened to all the...everything?" I asked gesturing to the vast caverns and rock formations that looked like they were stripped bare of any life it may have had once upon a time.
"Well, what did you expect? It's a mining town, this place has been dug dry for the minerals inside the mountains and as a result, nature went with it." Ed said snickering at me like I was some kind of moron and I glowered at him playfully.
"I was just expecting, a little more that's all." I huffed and Al chuckled from behind us.
"Alright, you two don't start fighting now. The train ride was so peaceful." His sentence tapered into an almost whine at the notion of the train ride and I couldn't help the devious smirk that drew on my lips.
"Yeah, that's probably because Ed hardly said anything the whole way here. It was blissful silence." I teased and the blonde growled, golden eyes digging into the side of my head, but I pretended not to notice.
"What is with you digging on me? I'm older than you damnit!" He stopped suddenly, feet halting in the dust. Al and I stopped as well and I quirked a brow at his change in demeanor.
"What?" I asked and he gave me a considering look.
"How old are you anyway?" He asked and my eyes widened. 'Guess I forgot that little tidbit huh?'
"Oh…um, you mean like how long since I was born or made?" I asked thinking nothing of it, and Ed's jaw practically fell off and a flit of anxiety rose in my stomach at the sight.
"Born." He said as if that was the obvious answer and I squinted my eyes toward the ground as I contemplated the question. Truth is…
"I don't know. I don't remember anything from before I was made. I don't even have a birthday from when I was created in the lab." I answered finally and the two seemed to reel even more. The two looked at each other like they did anytime I gave them a confusing answer and Al turned to me.
"You don't even know your own birthday?" He seemed surprised but the scent coming off of them suggested more than that and I tried to brush it off.
"Well yeah, I didn't even have a name until I met you guys. You're really that surprised?" I asked and the two seemed to only grow more concerned, the scent made me feel a little sick and I laughed flippantly at the rising tension.
"It's no big deal guys, I just figured it doesn't matter anyway, so, don't feel down about it." That only seemed to bother them more and a waft of a mix of emotions swam from them both. Confusion, concern, pity…It only made my anxiety rise more as the uncomfortable silence grew and I couldn't help but feel a bit distressed. "You'd think I kicked a puppy or something,'
"Well, I suppose we could just give you a birthday," Al said, his emotions being the first to smooth over. Just as his concern started to rise, it was gone in a matter of seconds. I almost couldn't sense anything from him anymore. Ed on the other hand seemed to still be lingering on it a bit, but it was muted in favor of a small smile on his face, head lifting to his brother's shared gaze once again.
"That's a great idea," The blonde's smile didn't waver as the two turned back to regard me and my face flushed at the attention.
"Uh...sure?" I offered weakly and the two started to contemplate what to pick, me going unnoticed again as they talked amongst themselves.
"My birthday is in the spring, and yours is in the winter, so maybe something in the summer?" Al offered and Ed nodded his head in thought.
"That could work, and it is summer already, so why not today?" He suggested with a grin and the two turned to me again. I could practically feel the heat creeping up my face and neck.
"Today?" My heart drummed in my chest and ears relentlessly as the two confirmed with a shared nod of their heads.
"Why not? Today's a better day as any. Besides, we can do something simple for you before we have to inspect the mines. They're not going anywhere, right Al"? Ed turned his gaze up to Al again, his free hand resting on his hip and the armor clinked as he did the same.
"Yeah. It could be a lot of fun." Al agreed and I was almost positive he'd be smiling if he could. Thank god I don't have my tail right now…
"But wait, you said you were older right? Does that mean I'm Al's age or something else?" I asked, trying to push past the flush on my face and the two seemed to brainstorm again. Ed tilted his gaze upward as he rolled the idea in his head.
"That actually works pretty well. Certainly would make things easier for us." He admitted and Al nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. Would be kinda nice to have someone younger than me for once."
"I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that," I said rolling my eyes playfully and the armor laughed softly in turn.
"So then, how would you like to celebrate?" Ed beamed and I couldn't help but flush even more at his exuberance. I'd have thought not sleeping well on the train would have put a damper on his mood, but he seemed to be quite the opposite.
"I have no idea. I've never done this before..." I admitted and squirmed a little under their gaze.
"Well, we could take you shopping and go to dinner?" Al offered and I felt a rise of guilt claw at my throat as I stammered a response.
"Y-you guys don't have to go through all this effort for me, r-really." I tried and Ed simply laughed.
"Sure we do, you're our friend and besides, it could be fun to just relax for once." He gave me that snarky grin he always wore and I buckled, heart clamoring hard in my chest at the attention the two were giving me.
"Well, alright maybe just something small," I said, feeling at the absolute mercy of my coursing shyness and they just laughed.
"Alright, first thing's first, let's get into a hotel, I am NOT carrying this all over town." Ed gestured to his suitcase with a grumble and I rolled my shoulder again as the bag I'd been carrying started to weigh on me as well.
"Agreed." I groaned tapering into a small breathy chuckle and we started on our tired march toward town once again, my emotions seeming to settle with every step. '14 huh? I could pass as 14 right?" It certainly wasn't something I had to think about before, my age was irrelevant until now. Even so, the sentiment made me feel incredibly seen. Like giving me a name and an age validated my human existence. I felt warm inside and I was sure my face was plastered with a goofy grin, but for once I didn't care. It felt nice to be appreciated, and maybe even celebrated, even if it was for something somewhat depressing.
After a few minutes of walking, we made it into town, the brick and stone buildings seeming empty as we traversed the small town. We passed by a few shops, all seeming of little interest when something bright glared in the corner of my eye and I tilted my head to the side, rubbernecking hard when my legs continued to walk without the rest of me. My heels dug sharply into the dirt as I came to a stop and I squinted my eyes over the shop window of a jewelry store. Despite my better judgment, I started walking over to the large observational glass window before I could stop myself. Within seconds I was standing almost nose pressed to the glass and my eyes darted straight for the shiny jewels resting in their comfy red pillows on display for the whole town to admire. And admired they were. I shamelessly found myself staring and was only pulled from said staring by a low voice beside me.
"That was easy." Ed clicked his tongue from beside me and I paled as he peered down at the intricate craftsmanship behind the glass, hardly noticing the look on my face from my embarrassment.
"Oh well, normally I wouldn't be into this kinda stuff…I think the sun just got in my eyes." I lied with a laugh and he gave me the most unconvinced look I'd ever seen
"Uh-huh. Why don't we go in then?" He offered and I could feel the heat swarming my cheeks relentlessly.
"Oh no that's okay, really. I was just looking." I shook my hands in front of me vigorously and he rolled his eyes with a laugh, grasping my wrist before dragging me toward the door with practiced ease.
"Come on," He drawled amused and I whined deep in my throat as he tugged me along like a limp noodle. 'Kid's strong, what the hell?'
"What? Ed!" I cried out to no avail as I was lightly brushed inside by Al from behind me with a light chuckle of his own.
"Come on Em, it's just a jewelry store." I felt like I was gonna be sick, or crumple into a pile of nothing as we stepped in through the door and the two let go of me, satisfied with their success.
"Alight, go on and look around," Ed said with a smirk as I was encouraged to browse on my own. 'A tag team effort huh?'
"Um…okay," I said slowly, giving into the temptation and my eyes scanned the room as I took in my new surroundings. Dozens of glass cases of various shapes and sizes aligned every wall and some stood in the center of the room enticing buyers to come closer. My eyes flittered to a smaller case up against the window and I figured there would be a good start. Timidly, I approached the glass container and regarded the intricate gems and crystals inside. They shone brightly refracting the light from the sun outside, painting the glass and surrounding walls in fantastical colors. This whole shop felt a bit expensive and I was apprehensive to touch anything. A bright shine from the corner of my eye drew my attention to a blue stone, light and more clear than I'd ever seen before. It was cut in many precise angles I was sure were considered of high quality by whoever made it and I was absolutely mesmerized.
"You like it?" Ed's voice picked up from my side and I jolted harshly, blood running cold and I tried to steady my racing heart when he looked over questioning my jumpiness.
"Oh um…I mean, yeah it's nice…yeah.." I struggled to manage an answer that fit what I was thinking and settled with my eyes back down at the glass feeling ashamed for my terrible attempt at responding.
"It is nice, matches your eyes," Ed said plainly and swiveled on his heel toward the purchase counter as I gaped after him. 'Did he just say, what I think he said?' My cheeks burned furiously and I choked back an answer I didn't even know would land anyway and just shut my mouth closed as I followed like a shy puppy behind him. It was several painful minutes of standing with my eyes darting everywhere but the store clerk as my mind was racing trying not to make my embarrassment obvious. Movement from my peripheral brought my attention in front of me when I was addressed again.
"Here." Ed held out a delicate black box in his palm toward me and I accepted it gingerly as it was passed into my own trembling hands.
"T-Thanks…" I managed out, face still furiously flushed as I flipped open the stiff top of the case to reveal the delicate jewel nestled into the black pillow inside, a silver chain glistening alongside its new ornament. "It's a necklace,' my mind supplied in thought and I gently slipped it out of its confines to hold it up to the light, its brilliant shine casting rainbows onto my face and the ground.
"No problem," Ed replied simply, hands in his pockets as he turned for the door and I followed along behind him and his brother as I continued to admire it. We exited the store and I observed the small clasp on the back of the delicate chain in the palm of my hand as I tried to decipher how to get it undone.
"You need help?" Ed piped up again, leaning forward slightly to catch my eyes with an expectant look and I flushed madly again.
"What? I…I mean…yes…" I admitted lamely and he chuckled as he held out his hand for me to deposit the jewelry into it. He took it carefully, sweeping past me to lay it along my collarbone, and instructed me to pull my hair to the side for him to clasp it shut. I did as I was told and listened to the resounding click of the clasp before he gently let go and it drooped down my neckline to nestle comfortably above the apex of my chest.
"There, how's that?" He asked and I caressed the new gem between my fingers as I looked down at it.
"It's really nice…Thank you." I said as a swell of emotions suddenly overtook me and I had to suck in a deep breath to quell them from inside my chest. Appreciation, embarrassment, acceptance…every last bit of it swirled and I allowed it to take space inside me as the two brothers beamed in front of me, moods lifting with a newfound ease. 'Is this…what I've been looking for..?" The warmth that rose in my chest became a new familiar and I welcomed it gladly as the boys suggested dinner and once again Ed was ahead of us on the hunt for his next meal before I could even get another word in. Al and I followed our little bloodhound in companionable silence toward a section of buildings harboring restaurants a block away from the jewelry shop. The street filled slowly with more people as the stores closed for the night to make way for the dinner rush as restaurants and cafes got their second wind. All of it was mostly unnoticed by me, as my mind was elsewhere, quietly following the boot tracks left by Ed's wake as we walked.
Taking a normal inhale as I stepped, a small tugging sensation pulled at my chest and I slowed as I tried to pinpoint what it was. My heart pumped like it usually did, but something felt off. I felt restricted like I couldn't quite breathe and my head spun slightly. I stumbled a little as I walked and looked down at my feet, one step right in front of the other as I tried to focus on my steps. Then like a rush of wind, it suddenly all stopped. I darted my eyes around the street where we were traversing the dirt road as people went home to their families, and others went out for dinner. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and I inhaled deeply, regaining the lost air from my lungs, and the air smelled fresh again like nothing had happened.
"Hey! Hurry up slow poke I'm starving!" Ed hollered with a laugh and my eyes wandered back over to my companions as they ushered me over. Smiles and exuberant waves shot in my direction as they seemed completely oblivious to the strange attack I was just under. Slowly, I made my way toward them, the feeling in my chest dissipating as fast as it had arrived with no discernible cause and I brushed it to the back of my mind as I approached them. I was playfully chastised for falling behind before we were back on our merry little way none the wiser as we entered a restaurant that had a few warm bodies inside. There was a bar set in the middle of the room with tall stools aligning the underside of the counter all the way around it to seat guests of drinking age. I considered it for half a second but was almost certain I wouldn't pass for an adult and followed the brothers to sit down at a sizable booth against a window that was quite reminiscent of the one in East City. The thought made me feel a little bittersweet, my memory of the first week with these two flitting across my mind as if it was only yesterday.
We were promptly sat down without much hassle and I managed to break away from my confusing thoughts long enough to order for myself before my mind was swept away again. Not for a lack of trying. There was just something about this place. I of course realized I'd been thinking that about a lot of things lately but this was a special case. It wasn't anything like deja vu in the restaurant from East City or the strange dreams I'd been having. No this was a lot more physical, and I'd never experienced anything like it. It felt like my whole core was under attack and I half wondered if I was gonna pass out. But, then it just vanished. That seemed way too weird to be a coincidence. I considered putting voice to it and informing Ed and Al, but they seemed so happy, laughing and joking, and playing some sort of game with their thumbs I hadn't bothered to ask the purpose of as I had been spacing out. They probably would just worry over me, did I really wanna do that? No, I concluded, better to keep this one in my back pocket as well, just until I can get an idea of what it was.
I was mostly successful in being present throughout the course of our dinner together, I joined in on their 'thumb-of-war' and lost as per usual before being pleasantly surprised by the arrival of our food. That surprise became a bit stale however when that strange feeling started to come back slightly, and I had to take in a sharp breath to stop the pain from becoming noticeable. Thankfully I seemed to be pretty good at hiding it as the boys didn't notice and I was blessedly left to suffer quietly in silence.
It was only on our way to hunt down a hotel for the night when it became increasingly hard to ignore. I had been walking again like before, watching my feet as they swept one in front of the other in the dirt when a sudden wave of vertigo overtook my body. I swayed slightly like I'd been drugged as my chest constricted oddly and I gripped my shirt as I tried to breathe. This time it was a lot more noticeable and Al was the first to stop in his tracks, turning sharply to gaze at my hunched-over form as I sucked in deep wavering breaths.
"Whoa, Em are you okay?" Al asked concerned and rushed to my side with a heavy clank, arms hovering over me unsure how to help as I gasped softly.
"Yeah, just not feeling great." I managed out between breaths, a light film of sweat gathering around my neck and face and I was almost sure I looked awful. Ed was quick to jump over to my other side face painted with concern and he rested a hand on my shoulder.
"What can we do?" He said and I waved them off drunkenly as my head swam with the straightening of my back and I tried to regain my footing, the chest pain easing slightly to my relief.
"Nothing, I'm alright, I think it's just the heat," I assured with a shake of my head, the dizziness in my brain subsiding slightly and my body relaxed just like it had before. This time, however, it left me exhausted, like I'd run a mile and I stumbled slightly again when I tried to move past them. They both gasped as they reached out to grab ahold of my elbows to steady me.
"Yeah, I think that's enough sun for you." Ed chirped with a glance up to Al and he replied with a confirming nod. The two boys did their best to walk me to a nearby hotel, me reassuring them incessantly that I was fine the whole time. After checking us in and ignoring the oversimplification of my symptoms, Ed flopped onto his bed on the left side of the room closest to the window while I sat heavily with an oomph on my own.
"Oh yeah, that cool air feels much better." I breathed as Al shut the door quietly behind him as he was the last to enter the room.
"I'm glad to hear you're feeling better." He chimed in as he swept into the room, soft clanking sounding off the walls as he came to stand in between the beds.
"What was that anyway?" Ed asked, rolling onto his back before heaving himself upright to remove his boots and I tilted my head in thought as I looked down at my legs.
"I'm not really sure, but like I said it was probably just the heat. I run pretty hot," I lied and he raised a skeptical brow at me for a moment before deciding whatever it was he was thinking wasn't worth mentioning and he took his coat and jacket off, preparing to pass out as unceremoniously as he'd done many times before. Instead of immediately completing his nightly routine as usual, however, he just sat there, eyes on me as he scanned my body like he was assuring himself of my health.
"You sure you're okay?" He asked and I sighed with a breathless chuckle.
"Yes, for the millionth time, I'm fine," I stated with a look of my own that heavily suggested he let it go, but I couldn't stop the small smile on my lips at his concern and he shrugged it off.
"Okay, If you say so." He said finally, deciding to put his concern to rest for the night and Al did the same, settling into a spot on the floor against the wall to begin his own nightly routine and I found myself watching them from my spot on the bed. It was a little awkward at first, spending the night in the same room as them, but over time, I'd found a sort of comfort in it. Like I knew someone would always be there.
Soft snoring filled the room as Ed was quick to sleep in his bed to my left and I smiled fondly as I watched the slow rise and fall of his form under the blanket. A small part of me was a bit jealous of his ability to fall asleep so quickly. He never seemed bothered with restless thoughts before bed and that was something I hadn't felt in a long time. On some nights, I'd stay up a little late to talk with Al just the two of us until I was too tired to fight sleep any longer, but not tonight. Tonight I felt more drained than I ever had before, and sleep seemed to be calling me with a newfound strength I didn't dare ignore. Settling into the covers of my own bed, I didn't even bother with a change of clothes, simply slipping into the cool sheets of the unfamiliar bed, and I closed my eyes, the last thing I heard was the sounds of a familiar blonde in his own peaceful dream state, and I eased into my own with a relaxed exhale. Tomorrow I'd feel a lot better.
Safe to say that was a lie. I awoke more sore, and more full of pressure in my skull than I'd ever experienced before. Crusted eyes creaked open as I peered at the adjacent wall next to the right side of my bed and I realized I'd been sleeping on my side, the rest of the room oblivious to me. A swirling in my stomach caused me to roll over onto my back and that only seemed to make it worse.
"Fuck…" I groaned out and Al's familiar clank of armor greeted me from somewhere in the room.
"Language Em," He warned and I found myself lacking the energy to counter it despite the many hours I had been asleep. 'Had I been asleep? That's a silly question isn't it?' An intense scratching clawed in my throat and I coughed roughly and undoubtedly loud into the open air, and this seemed to ruse Al's softer side out of him as I heard his heavy footsteps come to my left side.
"You okay?" He asked concerned and I squinted at the wall facing the foot of the bed as I was gently sat up despite my aching body wanting the complete opposite.
"Maybe…?" I asked, my voice coming out croaky and weak. Al disappeared into my peripheral as I continued to stare blankly at the wall before my vision was full of his armored body coming into view again and he handed me a water bottle. 'Oh sweet Al, you're a blessing.'
"Here," He offered it and I took it into my hand I hadn't noticed was so sweaty until now. 'Am I dying? Is this an illusion?' My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden shift of blankets from my side as Al's voice cut through the previously quiet hotel room.
"Brother get up, I need you to check Em's temperature for me." He said a little less than calm as he roused his brother who until now was dead to the world in the other bed and the blonde groaned gruffly at his brother's pestering.
"What the hell Al? What time is it?" Ed said with a deep yawn and a rub of his eyes as he begrudgingly sat up.
"Early, now please check her," Al pressed as he made his way to the shut curtains and drew them open, the two of us hissed at the shift in brightness and Ed grumbled at his brother's sudden urgency.
"Check her for what-" Ed asked as he turned to look at me and his expression dropped quickly as he took in my current state.
"Whoa, you don't look so good." He said with a bit of alarm and I tsked softly as he shuffled out of his bed to my side.
"Yeah, I don't feel too good either," I chirped sarcastically and he didn't try to say anything in response as he swept a hand over my brow, eyes darting over my face before turning to Al with a hum.
"She's burning up." He confirmed and Al rested his hands on his hips.
"What should we do? Take her to a doctor?" The mention of a doctor made my already heavy heartbeat race more and I brushed Ed's hand away.
"No, No doctors. I am not going to a hospital," I said before coughing gruffly into my fist as my chest wheezed and my head spun again.
"You are in no condition to be making orders right now," Ed said sternly and then, my cough wasn't the only one in the room as Ed half choked from beside me and my eyes blew wide in his direction. He seemed a bit stunned as well before his head drew toward the ceiling with a loud insufferable groan.
"Oh hell no, This is not happening right now." He sighed as he tried to will away whatever sickness seemed to be infecting us and Al just hummed from his place inside the room.
"Well, this is a bit of a problem." He stated and I weakly looked up at him, no strength for politeness in my response.
"No shit." Al seemed to hold back whatever reprimand he wanted to give me as his nurturing instinct took over and he sighed quietly.
"Well, maybe I can at least find a pharmacy or something and get you guys some medicine to help the symptoms clear," Al noted as he rummaged through Ed's things for his wallet, securing the item in his gloved hand and Ed groaned again.
"I'm not sick, I'll go." Ed stood up and reached for the wallet but Al swung it easily out of his reach, the other hand pressed lightly to his older brother's chest.
"No way, you stay here and get some rest, I'll be back," Al said firmly and his brother gaped up at him.
"Since when do you tell me what to do?" Ed countered, glowering up at his younger brother and the armor stood his ground.
"Since right now, bed," Al commanded with a point of his finger in the direction of Ed's disheveled bed, previously abandoned and his brother opened his mouth to retort, then slowly clamped it shut with a huff, retreating to said bed and Al was out the door before another word was spoken. I shook my head at the whirlwind that I'd just witnessed before taking a swig of my water with a snort.
"He told you," I said amused and the blonde growled from my left.
"Shut up." Was all he said before throwing the blanket over his head with another loud huff, quietly lying under the sheet to block out the rest of the world again. I shook my head and turned my gaze toward the door carefully shut in Al's determined wake as I sat there dumbly. 'Does he even know how pharmacies work?'
"Can I get a name?" The lady asked, not looking up from her scribbles of writing on the notepad she'd been using.
"A…name?" Al asked a bit apprehensive, not entirely sure he'd heard correctly.
"For the prescription." She clarified and the armor chuckled at himself over the misunderstanding.
"Oh right, it's Emelia-" He paused, Em didn't have a last name, what was he supposed to say? The lady behind the desk lifted her eyes at him with a raise of her brow as she awaited his response and he fumbled for what to say.
"What did you say your name was?" She questioned seeming to raise some suspicion and Al could hear himself shaking.
"It's Alphonse, Alphonse Elric." He supplied, voice stumbling slightly and he tried to reclaim his composure as he stood there awkwardly, the sound of coughing patients filling the room just above his clanking. The woman's thin brows rose higher on her forehead.
"Elric? Like the Elric brothers? State Alchemist Elric?" She repeated and Al's nerves only grew more.
"Yes, that's my older brother Edward." He answered and the woman took one good look at him with her lips pursed in a way he didn't quite care for. The next thing Al knew, he was helmet first in the dirt street just outside of the pharmacy, the howling of an angry pharmacist shouting at him from somewhere in the store.
"The real Elric brothers are up there right now helping to create the Philosopher's Stone with Mugear. You can come back when you're done tellin' lies!"
"The…Philosopher's Stone?" Al intoned a bit unsure if he heard her right and he sat up with a clank. He turned his gaze back to the slamming of the pharmacy door and sighed.
"Now how am I gonna get that medicine for Em and Brother?" He felt hopeless, heaving his large metal body onto his feet to depart from the street when a small voice flitted from beside him.
"Um…I could get it for you," Al turned to his side and peered down at a young boy in green overalls over a white shirt and a green trapper hat over a mop of blonde hair to match. Soft blue eyes looked up at him shyly as his cheeks flushed from the warmth of the summer heat. "If you'll let me."
It was a few moments of waiting outside of the pharmacy, Alphonse making himself small to avoid the foot traffic of the locals as he stood there trying to remain inconspicuous.
"Here," A small voice called from below him and Al jumped slightly, being pulled from his thoughts when the boy from before stood in front of him, arms stretched out toward him with a paper bag concealing the medicine Alphonse was looking for. Al gingerly took the bag from the boy and looked inside to confirm it was what he needed with a small sigh of relief.
"Thanks…" He trailed off and the timid-looking boy smiled softly before coming to stand adjacent to him, facing the regular flow of people out and about on the dirt street.
"Why did you offer to help me?" Alphonse asked curiously and the boy's demeanor seemed to sour as he looked down at the ground, face obscured slightly from the fin of his hat.
"I…I wanted to make up for, borrowing your identity," The boy admitted quietly, his lips drew tightly like he was trying to keep something in and Alphonse couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"I see." Was all he offered in reply, looking down at his own hands, leather met his eyes and he felt a sense of irony wash over him.
"I'm sorry…" The boy apologized and Alphonse lifted his head toward the scenery of the morning sun as it cut its path across the light blues and yellows of the early hours.
"It's okay," Al offered and the boy's shoulders relaxed as he looked up to the armored giant next to him.
"You're not mad?" His small voice sounded so innocent and small, Al couldn't help but be reminded of himself.
"I'm sure you've got your own reasons," Al admitted simply and there was a gentle silence that fell between them as the two watched the world move around them. Women talking and wandering the streets in search of amenities and men on their way to work. It was a quiet little town, hardly a dot on the map, and yet, it was still lively and Alphonse found it charming.
"So, is it true?" Alphonse asked and the boy stiffened slightly at the curious question.
"Is what true?" The boy lifted his eyes up at Alphonse again and he pressed on.
"The philosopher's stone. Are you and your brother really making it?" He asked and the boy's face shifted into one of conflicted emotion as he looked down again.
"Well actually-" The boy was cut off as his eyes were drawn to something in Alphonse's peripheral and he turned to see a taller boy, a head of familiar hair draping over his right eye and he looked on expectantly at the two.
"Um, sorry but I've gotta go now." The fake Elric boy said and Alphonse reached out to stop him as he made his way down the street.
"Wait!" But the boy and his older sibling were already gone before Alphonse could say anything else and his eyes lingered down the street where the two disappeared as he retracted his arm with a sigh.
"Man…" He grumbled helplessly, standing still for several moments before remembering the bag in his hand and he acknowledged its contents again. Glancing at the medicine inside, he crumpled the top of the paper bag closed before begrudgingly heading back to the hotel where his brother and Em were hopefully fairing okay without him.
"Did he say what I think he said?" Ed asked as Al leaned up against the dresser across from the beds as his brother rummaged through the white paper bag he'd snatched for the bottle of cough medicine we'd been prescribed. Or was it smuggled? That part was a little unclear.
"Something about there being two other Elric brothers working on a stone or something?" I intoned a little vague of the details and I eyed the strange liquid encapsulated by a bottle in Ed's hand as he inspected it.
"Yeah...sounds like we'll be making a house call tonight," Ed stated plainly, popping off the cap and giving the contents a wary look.
"A house call? You wanna investigate the lab?" Al asked as Ed took a sharp breath through his nose and tilted his head back, eyes tightly shut as the strange liquid was drunk unwillingly. He pulled it from his lips when he was done, a disgruntled look on his face as he tried to keep down whatever hellish flavor I was doomed to experience as well.
"Yep." He panted out after a couple of moments where I couldn't tell if he was gonna cry or throw up. He shook his head ridding himself of the experience before turning to me and holding the bottle out for me to take.
"Your turn." I eyed the bottle again, sticking my nose out to sniff the air, and caught a vague whiff of something I just knew I was gonna hate. I took the bottle from him, holding it firmly in my hands, and lifted it to my nose to get a better smell. That was a mistake. Sour cherry and chemicals stung my nostrils and I pulled it away with a crinkle of my nose.
"Oh, I don't know if I can do this," I admitted, turning my gaze over to the boys and Ed rolled his eyes as he swished some water in his mouth.
"If you wanna get better, you're gonna have to suck it up." He said plainly and I whined softly in the back of my throat as I turned my gaze back to the bottle of medicine. The smell alone made me wince and I lifted my head again, giving Al a pleading look.
"Sorry Em," Al offered sympathetically and I sighed softly as I prepared myself for the worst drink of my life. I stared down the bottle as I willed up all my nerves. Slowly, I lifted the bottle to my lips, took a deep breath, and sucked down the contents. Or at least I'd like to say it was that easy as it proceeded to go down more thickly than I expected and I gagged as the liquid got caught in my throat, hacking until some of the liquid was in my system, and the rest was all over my chin and lap.
"That was god awful," I groaned once the coughing fit ceased and the brothers winced at my struggle, Al moved into the bathroom before reemerging with a towel and offered it for me to take, which I did so graciously. I wiped away what I could off of my face and clothes while Ed snickered beside me.
"Yeah well, medicine wasn't made to taste good," I grumbled lowly as he took the bottle from me allowing me to clean myself up a little better before offering it to me a second time, a sympathetic smile on his face.
"Try and actually swallow this time," He said jokingly but it still pissed me off and I swiped the silly concoction from him with a frown.
"Yeah, I'll do that," I said with more bite than I meant, but he didn't comment as they both waited in case I caused myself to choke again. I shook my head, willing myself to drink it once more, and this time, it went down a bit smoother as I was more aware of what to expect. The taste tingled my mouth as the remedy lingered on my tongue and I panted out in relief as the ordeal was over. I shoved the bottle away into Ed's chest as I reached for the water bottle and hastily swished the godly liquid in my mouth to rid myself of the medicinal flavor.
"New hate, cough medicine," I stated after a few minutes of swigging water in my mouth repeatedly, the nasty taste never quite fading away and it made me feel worse.
"Yeah, I'm not a fan either," Ed said, resting the bottle on the nightstand between the beds against the wall, cap twisted securely over the lip which I couldn't help but feel a little smug about. 'Damn you hellish concoction. May you be capped and never ingested again.'
"I don't know that it's a great idea to visit the lab right now, you two aren't exactly in the best shape," Al said re-approaching the previous conversation and Ed rolled his eyes with a sigh, back pressed against the mattress as his hands came to clasp behind his head.
"I took the dumb medicine, I'll be fine. We'll just give it until it's dark out and we'll be good to go." Ed's voice swirled through the room and I suddenly felt kinda bubbly.
"I think Al's gotta point Ed. I think we should snuggle up in our blankies, and go night night for a while." I said with a tired grin, doing just that as I shuffled back into my blankets, lids becoming heavy with a sudden onset of exhaustion I swore I didn't feel a second ago.
"Blankies…?" Ed mumbled confused but I was already drifting off into blissful sleep, body warm and laxed in the welcoming embrace of snooze town.
"Are you sure you really wanna go in there? What if we get caught?" Al asked warily, body up against the smooth stone wall of the mansion high onto the hill overlooking the small valley that made up Xenotime. That hike was a pain in the ass, to say the least. Ed peered around the corner of the wall, shoulder pressed tightly against the stone to remain out of sight before turning back toward us, brows furrowed up at his brother.
"What are you talking about? Of course, WE are going in there, I'm gonna confront these imposters and get them to cough up what they know about the Philosopher's Stone." He hissed lowly and I raised a brow at him from my hunched-over position on the other side of Al, slightly out of breath from the dead sprint across the courtyard a few moments ago.
"WE? I don't remember agreeing to this…" I panted out, head still a bit foggy from the unexplained illness that overtook us earlier this morning. We'd resorted to napping throughout most of the day, waiting until the moon rose to shroud us in darkness when we hiked our way up here to infiltrate the lab. Our attempt at a "house call" as Ed had previously put it.
"Come on you two, don't wimp out on me now," Ed grumbled, kneeling down on the soft grass before clapping his hands and pressing them to the ground below, a brief flash of blue sparks danced around the transmutation, digging a wide hole into the earth before dissipating, leaving some sort of tunnel deep underground.
"Time to test out operation mole hole," Ed commented with a smirk down at the hole as he admired his work. Al and I shared a look, brows raised in confusion.
"Mole hole?" We intoned in unison and the blonde gave a nod of his head before easing himself into the dug-up earth and I looked up to Al who only shrugged his metal shoulders before following along after his brother. I eyed the hole warily when a voice called from deeper inside the tunnel.
"Hurry up Em!" I looked around at the open expanse of the courtyard one last time before sighing softly not looking forward to another activity outside my comfort zone, then crawled down into the hole as well. Ed lead the way on all fours, transmuting more of the tunnel as we traversed underground. The whole situation reminded me of a memory about a story with a white rabbit and some playing cards with staffs and it made me giggle. I stopped in my tracks when a strange sound came from above us and I squinted my eyes intently listening to it.
"Do you guys hear that?" I asked and the boys stopped their movements as well, listening and waiting for whatever it was I was talking about.
"I don't hear anything," Al said and I bowed my head in concentration, the rushing in my ears sounding like something I'd heard before.
"It sounds like rushing water," I commented and the tunnel was filled with the sound of breathing again before a resounding clap sounded from ahead of me as Ed pressed his palms to the earth, breaching another tunnel upward until it broke through the surface somewhere under the lab if I had to guess. The sound of water became a lot clearer as whatever part of the building Ed had carved an exit out of had reached the place the noise was coming from.
"Well, we've gotta be somewhere under the mansion by now," Ed stated, grunting as he heaved himself up through the vertical tunnel space and lifted himself out of it, Al doing what he could to assist him from his spot inside the tunnel before following his brother's lead and wiggling his awkwardly large shape out of the hole as well. I was the last to emerge from the tunnel, Al reaching a firm hand out for me to take and heaved me up onto the flat ground above. I was so grateful to be out in open space again and looked around at the unfamiliar room we were in. It was a long chamber of sorts, bright glowing water ran in a continuous stream from one end to the other, like a sewer system. The water smelled funny, like chemicals that seemed oddly familiar.
"So this is where they're keeping the red water. Guess Mustang was right after all." Ed said, hand under his chin as he examined the strange liquid surging through its carved-out trail in the concrete below us, and that weird spinning in my head started again. I felt fatigued and I flailed a drunken hand out to the empty space beside me, halting when my hand landed on the wall to my right and I tried to focus on my breathing. The two continued to talk but I was no longer listening as each breath I took only seemed to get thicker and harder to intake air. I heard coughing from off to my other side and I dizzily lifted my head to look at Ed as his hands came to raise around his throat, shoulders shaking softly as he tried to suck in a breath.
"I'm having some trouble breathing," He choked out and that was the last thing I remembered, blurry images of grey reaching out for him, and the cool pavement below reaching for me.
"I'm having some trouble breathing," Edward choked out to the best of his ability, head swimming as his vision blurred suddenly and Alphonse gasped, armored arms coming to scoop his brother's body as he slumped over, and was only barely able to swing around to catch Emelia as she too passed out from beside him. It all happened so quickly the poor boy didn't know what to do.
"Brother! Em! W-What do I do?" He wasn't sure who he was asking, himself or maybe the universe as the sound of rushing water and his desperate voice reverberated off the stone walls around him. Red eyes darted frantically across both of their faces as he tried to think of something to do. A sudden jolt of a door swung open to Alphonse's right and he snapped his metal helmet toward the sound as a boy in familiar green overalls called to him over the crashing of the water's waves below them.
"In here!" The boy's young voice cracked as he ushered Alphonse over and he gasped.
"It's you," He mumbled in disbelief and the boy's face only became more frantic as he stood there.
"Hurry!" He pressed and Alphonse scooped his brother and Emelia in his arms to the best of his ability, raising to his feet to carry them out of the corridor and toward safety. The door shut firmly with a bang behind him as he collapsed to the floor, laying their bodies on the ground as gingerly as he could in his stressed state. He brushed his brother's golden bangs out of his face before turning to Emelia and doing the same for her, black hair becoming disheveled around her fair face. He waited, eyes glued to their sleeping forms waiting for any signs of consciousness when the boy spoke from somewhere in front of him.
"Are they gonna be okay?" His voice was small, concern thick as he stood off aways unsure if he should approach the three of them and Alphonse looked up to the boy.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" He really hadn't meant to come off so rude, he was just really stunned by the sudden situation he found himself in and felt a little guilty when the boy flinched at his tone.
"I-I'm sorry…" The boy said quietly, eyes cast down at the sleeping bodies under Alphonse's careful gaze when a low groan flitted from below them and Alphonse's eyes beelined for his brother's face as the boy stirred from his temporary sleep.
"...Al? Where am I?" Edward croaked slowly as his consciousness arose and he turned his gaze over to the other boy in the room, sitting up gruffly in Alphonse's gentle grasp.
"Who the hell is that?" He growled and the boy cowered away, blue eyes swimming with threatening tears.
"I'm sorry," He repeated and Edward's brows furrowed at the boy.
"What are you sorry for?" The boy opened his mouth to speak but was silenced by the sound of another door to the room creaking open and all eyes shot up to an older boy, hair a familiar shade shared with the younger sibling as he swept into the room.
"There's nothing you did to feel sorry for Fletcher. Now I should be asking what you are doing here." The boy stated and the younger one ran to his brother's side, standing in between the three as Edward rose to his feet with a sigh.
"An awful lot of questions being thrown around without answers huh?" Edward stared down the new presence in the room as Alphonse tended to the other body on the floor, pulling her close and checking to assure himself she was still breathing. He couldn't understand why she was taking longer to wake up. The thought worried him.
"I take it you're the real Elric brothers then? I never expected to run into you out here of all places." The older boy said, hands in his pockets and Edward snorted.
"Yeah, and I never thought I'd have to deal with someone stealing my name either."
"Well while I've enjoyed our little visit I'm going to have to ask you to leave the premises now, and take your comatose friend with you." The taller boy said, eyes flicking toward the girl in Alphonse's arms but Edward didn't waver, attention drilled into the other teen.
"Why? You think we're gonna uncover something you don't want us to know about?" He asked daringly and the boy raised a brow, a smirk tugging at his lips at the blonde.
"What gave you that idea?" He feigned innocence at the boiling young man, taunting him and Edward growled.
"We know you two are creating the philosopher's stone." He countered flatly, golden eyes glaring into the other boy's blues. The taller of the two continued the verbal spar unbothered.
"Then I'm sure you're aware that we can't let you run around the lab gaining our secrets. Not to mention you forgot one little detail," His poker face fell as he procured something from his pocket, a gleaming red stone poised in his slender fingers as it was shown off to the others in the room.
"We're not only making the philosopher's stone but have successfully created one." He stated, his smile returning with a fire in his eyes and Edward's expression changed into one of surprise as his gaze zeroed in on the stone.
"Y-You actually made it?" Edward stammered as his mind reeled slightly. How could these two novices make the Philosopher's Stone? There was still so much they weren't telling him. He could only assume what that might be.
"Yes, in no small part to our added effort over the past few months, we've been quite successful." The taller boy preened in the response Edward gave and he remarked the stone in his hand with fondness. He eyed the other boys from the corner of his gaze, cocky smile ablaze and Edward glowered.
"Good then you won't mind if I give it a little test drive!" Edward shifted his feet under his weight and barreled himself toward the other brother, a fist diving for the taller blonde who pivoted out of the way with ease. The two danced around each other as multiple swings were made and swiftly avoided from one another until the fake Elric raised an arm in front of him and Edward met it with his own, the two caught in a will of strength. Edward heaved his weight against the other, knocking him against a table with a metal lamp on top of it. Flicking his eyes downward, Edward barely managed to step back as the other boy reached for the lamp and transmuted it into a brilliant sword. Bright red sparks surged and sparked from his grip as the transmutation settled and he held its impressive size out as if to intimidate his opponent. But he had no idea who he was messing with.
"Yeah, a fake sword from a fake stone huh? I think I can top that!" With a clap of his hands, Edward drew his left hand over his right, dragging it along the metal guard of his forearm as the metal sprung to life, stretching into a sharp blade that protruded from his arm. As the blue sparks dissipated Edward thrust himself forward again, swinging his weapon out to collide with the sword from the other boy like before. The other teen may have been taller than Edward, but he knew he was heavier, and he used that to his advantage as he pressed his weight forward, barring down on the weak metal sword that cracked with a resounding snap under his blade. That simple move told Edward everything he needed to know and he smirked triumphant at his assumption.
"Mine's the genuine article." The other boy scowled under his affront and thrust a knee into Edward's gut, sending him backward and he reeled back onto his feet a short distance away as the boy swiped the sword down at his side, eyes baring down on him.
"Ed this is crazy!" Alphonse shouted from his place on the floor, red eyes darting between the two helplessly as he tore his attention away from the unconscious girl in his arms.
"You're brother's right, just go and you can live!" The taller blonde shouted, eyes almost pleading behind his facade of anger but Edward brushed past it as his own anger continued to simmer in his chest.
"No way, I'm not gonna lose to a sniveling punk using a fake stone!" He retorted, bringing his arm up in front of him again, readying for another attack when a loud whistle blew from the hallway beyond the closed double doors leading into the room from his right. Everyone froze as blood ran cold in the veins of the teens. Edward's eyes cut to the bottom of the doors as the younger of the other brothers hastily drew a circle he didn't recognize onto the door and pressed his forehead over his palms on the circle. The resulting transmutation pulled a winding branch from the nearby tree in its pot by the door, as it grew in size and blocked off the door in an impressive show of plant alchemy. Of course, alchemy that manipulates plants! Perhaps the youngest of the group was more than Edward had previously thought.
"Go! We'll hold them off as long as we can! Just hide!" The young boy shouted over his shoulder, blue eyes wide with urgency and Edward turned his gaze to his brother who nodded, scooping Emelia's unconscious body in his arms before the two bolted for the nearest hiding spot. Edward considered breaking a nearby window and escaping that way but decided against it when a closet door presented itself in the corner of his eye and he spun toward it, swinging it open before being shoved inside by his brother's large meal body. The space was cramped but it would suffice as the double doors to the large room swung open roughly and more bodies piled into the room. Edward peered into the space through a gap in the door and watched as a few gunmen swept through the room, scanning for intruders. He held his breath as he listened in on the conversation beyond the door before his attention was pulled by the sound of another set of breathing from behind him. He tore his gaze away from the door to see his previously unconscious companion as she slowly awoke. Even though the space inside the closet was dark, only a sliver of light giving him a small amount of sight from beyond the door, Edward couldn't mistake what he saw even if he wanted to. Emelia's once bright blue eyes were a piercing red as deep as blood.
AHHHHH NO! A cliffhanger!? YES! mwahahaha! now before anyone goes throwing a fit over her eyes being changed, NO, she's not a homunculus in disguise so just save it haha. It's not going where you think so just sit back, eat your popcorn, and watch it unfold like the rest of us okay?
Also, just some notes, I wanted to take the time to add Em's birthday not just for the fluffiness meter which is super high, but also to set up more character building as well as building a stronger bond between the three. This opens up an avenue for some plot points that are going to take place in the future, so I wanted to slip that in there.
Also, I chose to have Ed experience some of the side effects of the red water as well in the form of him having a small cough because it never made sense to me that he wasn't affected by the same illness everyone else in town was having. The Tringhams avoided it by having plants placed all over the lab to absorb the red water in the air, but that doesn't really help everyone else in the town down the mountain. So, Ed and Em were affected as a result because that just made more sense to me. However, obviously Em was affected more seriously for a reason that is important later in the story but that's for me to know and you guys to find out. Anywho, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please feel free to comment and kudo, it's greatly appreciated as always! Bye for now!