The next morning at the inn, Serah was the first one to wake up of her and Ed. Al was sitting against the wall near his brother, the Ishvalen stretchered her arms over her head causing her shoulders to pop. She walked into the bathroom with her traveling bag and returned to the room a few minutes later. The Ishvalen had changed into a beige colored tank-top and a pair of brown baggy pants; a faded red sash tied around her waist. She ran her fingers through her long white hair, pulling it into a high ponytail with a hairband from her wrist. The Ishvalen folded her worn clothes before placing them into her traveling bag, Serah turned to Al as she tightened the sting around her bag.
"Good morning, Al"
"Morning Serah." She stepped over to the younger Elric and placed a hand on top of his helmet; lightly petting his head. The kind gesture made Al blush which caused Serah to grin slightly, before she turned to Ed who was still sleeping and snoring loudly with the linen half of his body and a hand on his stomach.
"Like always." Serah sighed with a soft smile, placing a hand on her hip and a shake of her head. The Ishvalen stepped over and grabbing the shades from the nightstand, she pushed them back on her nose as she walked over to the door.
"I am getting some breakfast for us, wake Ed, Al." She heard a sure from him as she closed the door behind her, entering the main room of the inn. The Ishvalen noticed Halling's wife was working from behind the counter with a soft smile on her lips as she hummed, the air felt warm and welcoming. Serah really hoped that it wouldn't change again, they deserve this happiness after what they went through with Yoki and his men. And…. and it gives her a tiny hope that it could be the same for her people, shaking that thought from her mind. She can't think like that, her country and most of her people were destroyed or murdered. She would never gain what she had lost, again.
"Good morning." Halling's wife, Loren smiled at the Ishvalen as she placed a cleaned mug on the counter. Serah had stepped closer to the counter, greeting Loren with a good morning.
"What can I help you with, dear?"
"Well, I wondered if there were a spot where I can get breakfast."
"Well, we only got the inn, but I have a bit of bread and cheese." Loren replied as she pulled out the items and placed them on the counter, Serah placed a few coins on the counter and took the items.
"That's more than enough, thanks Loren." The Housewife smiled in return, staring at the shade wearing Ishvalen.
"The breakfast is on the house; it is the least I can give you for all you have done for us."
"Keep the coins and get something you want or like." Loren stared at the Ishvalen as Serah walked back up the stairs leaving Loren with the coins; not giving the older woman a chance to protest and give the money back, the older woman shook her head with a smile. The young girl is truly kind and loving even with what she has experienced, Loren just hopes that the Ishvalen will continue to be kind.
"Al!" Serah heard Ed shouting, opening the door to their room. She was met with the sight of Al trying to pull the linen of Ed who had a tight grip on it, with a sigh she stepped further into the room and closed the door behind her.
"Ed, get up. I bought breakfast." The Alchemist sat up and let go of the linen, causing his brother to fall on his ass while still holding the sheet. Ed moved over to the Ishvalen and reached for the bread, Serah moved the item out of his reach and poked his nose.
"Bathroom first and get dressed then breakfast." The older Elric grumbled to himself as he marched over to the bathroom while the Ishvalen walked over the table and placed the bread and cheese down.
"And no cursing!" Al chuckled as he watched Serah scowled his older brother.
Serah rested her legs over Ed's thighs while picking at the bread slowly, the Alchemist was eating a piece of bread with cheese while the three of them were talking about where they should go next.
After finishing eating breakfast, they cleaned the room and left the key at the counter before walking to an open lot. Ed then took off his red coat, gloves, and leather jacket, leaving him in a black tank top and pants. Serah placed her bag on the ground next to Ed's suitcase, pulled her shades off, and gave them to Al. Ed stood behind her and braided her long hair after she pulled the hairband of, The Alchemist and the Ishvalen were talking softly to each other while Al sat down a bit away from the pair. Ed tied the end of the braid with the hairband.
Almost ever since Serah joined the Elric brothers on their travels, she demanded that they at least train or spar a few times a week. Ed protested loudly and whined about it for weeks until Serah had enough and wiped the ground with him. Al had silently laughed at the sight of his brother getting his ass kicked by a girl, it was hilarious to watch.
Ed stepped back, for a moment they stared at each other before the older Elric launched at the white-haired girl. He tried to grab her wrist when she dodged, moving under his arm as she grabbed his shoulder before pushing him away from her. Ed turned around as Serah rolled down, going for his legs. He jumped over her as she moved to her feet, Ed went after her, gripping her shoulders. She fell backward and pushed her feet against his stomach, throwing him over her head and away from her. Ed landed on his back with a grunt, Serah shifty moved to her feet and into a fighting stance. Ed rolled over and pushed himself up to his feet. The Ishvalen launched at the Alchemist, he lifted his leg and kicked her to the side and grabbed her forearm. Ed pressed a fist against her throat, they panted heavily while staring at each other for a long moment. Serah noticed the moment when Ed started to let his guard down, with a smirk she grabbed his tank top with her fingers while tripping his foot causing him to fall down on his stomach. Ed laid on the ground, face down for a moment before rolling over. Al stepped towards them, while Serah smirked at the Alchemist as she rested her hands on her hips.
"You do know that you shouldn't have let your guard down if it were a real fight. You would be dead or hurt." Ed groaned while glaring at the sky as Serah sat down beside him.
"I know, Serah." The Ishvalen laughed at the salty expression on the Alchemist's face, for the most times when sparring, Ed loses. Serah turned to Al as she pulled her knees to her chest.
"What is the score now, Al?" The younger Elric hummed for a moment as he thought about the question.
"97-19."
"Well, I can't win every time." Serah grinned, Al laughed seeing his brother's glare and pout. Ed launched at Serah, wrapping his arms around her waist. The force from the throw, caused them to fall on to the ground. Ed lifted himself up on his hands, taking his weight from Serah. The Ishvalen blinked a couple times before a smirk graced her lips. Ed's eyes widened in shock and surprise as he felt her feet press against his stomach, the Ishvalen pushed at his stomach, forcing Ed away from her. The Alchemist rolled away from Serah as she twisted her body while lifting her leg up and was about to slam her heel onto Ed's stomach. She missed by a second, immediately Ed was on his feet. Al wanted to spar with his brother and friend, so he went for his brother. Ed's eyes widened for a second before he leaped back and away from Al's fist. Serah snorted as she got to her feet, deciding to let the brothers spar with each other.
Loren and Halling were walking, arm in arm down the main street. The married couple was talking and laughing softly to each other, Halling noticed the trio first, he stopped walking which caused Loren to stare at him in surprise and confusion. She turned and saw Serah running at Al who crossed his arms right as she landed on his arms, he threw her back. She flipped around in the air and landed on her feet, moving back as Ed threw a punch at her. The older couple gaped as they watched the trio sparring, it's clear that the trio have sparred with each other before. It looks like they are equal matched in martial arts, and that they know each other's moves. Kayal came running towards his parents before he noticed the trio fighting each other, Al rolled on the ground as Serah leapt over him; she landed in a roll. The Ishvalen moved swiftly to her feet as she rested her arms in a defense position. Loren squeaked in slight horror as Ed launched at Serah from behind, the Ishvalen dropped to the ground which caused the older Elric to miss her. Al lifted his leg and was close to slam his heel into Serah's stomach, using one of her favorite fighting techniques. Halling grabbed hold of his wife's arm as she took a step, Kayal yelped as the family watched the trio. The Ishvalen rolled to the side, immediately pushed herself to her feet, seconds later she ducked as she sensed Ed leaping at her yet again. Ed landed on his feet, Serah panted, lightly holding a hand to her stomach. The brothers turned to the Ishvalen who rolled her shoulders; "That's enough sparring for today." Ed nodded, looking sweaty and were panting slightly before falling backwards to lay on the ground. Al took a seat, feeling a bit amused while he watched the pair's slight discomfort as the Ishvalen and Alchemist was sweaty from the work-out. Serah bent forwards, placing her hands flat on the ground. Kayal ran towards the Ishvalen, his eyes filled with wonder and glee. Serah glanced at the kid as she turned to him, smiling slightly; Ed pushed himself up onto his elbows as he watched Kayal gesture with his arms widely.
"That was amazing, Serah! can you teach me how to fight like that!?" Halling and Loren stepped closer, the Ishvalen folded her arms underneath her chest with a huff.
"To fight like we do, takes years to learn. But if your parents agree, I could teach you a move or two." Loren and Halling shared a look before Halling nodded, it wouldn't hurt for Kayal to learn a little of self-defense and who better to teach their son than Serah. Kayal beamed and turned to the Ishvalen with an eager expression, Serah gestured for Kayal to take a stand beside her.
"Alright, let's start with teaching you how to throw a punch, kid. Show me how you would throw one." Serah spoke, resting her hands on her hips as Kayal nodded. He punched the air, Serah hummed as she tapped his fist.
"Start with curl your fingers like this- "She demonstrated with her hand; Kayal mimicked the moment.
"Good, now place your feet a bit apart with your left foot forward. Keep your knees slightly bent, hold your elbows close to your body." Kayal did as the Ishvalen explained, she nodded; a small smirk tugged at her lips, proud over how fast he adapted.
"Good, now try rotating your hips, like this." Serah moved her feet apart, placing her right foot forward and held her arms like she told Kayal. She threw a punch, showing the kid how to make a correct punch.
"Alright- "The Ishvalen smiled as she watched Kayal mimicked her move, Serah stepped over to the kid, taking a spot beside him.
"How about learning how to do a proper chokehold?" Kayal nodded excited; Loren looked a bit concerned while she agreed to let her son learn some self-defense. A chokehold is a bit extreme, Serah glanced over to her as she sensed the unease and worry from the housewife.
"But first, let me be clear. A punch or a kick is better than to try a chokehold on someone, a punch to your stomach; right here- "Serah pressed a finger to Kayal's sternum, before moving her finger to his ear. "Or here- "She pointed to his nose." Or here, it will hurt and hopefully allow you a chance to run away. And never use what I taught you to cause a fight, only to defend yourself, am I clear?" Kayal nodded, shallowing hard as he saw the expression in the Ishvalen's eyes. They were hard and cold, she never wants the kid to start fights, but protect himself in defense if it's needed. Loren smiled, hearing Serah telling Kayal to only use self-defense to protect himself; it meant a lot to the housewife. Halling wrapped his arm her waist, bringing her close to his side. The married couple watched as the Ishvalen waved Ed over, he stood in front of her. They were facing each other, the older Elric threw a punch and Serah moved slowly so Kayal could see what she was doing, the Ishvalen grabbed Ed's automail wrist and pulled. She moved to stand almost behind him, pressing his arm behind his back as she wrapped her free arm around his neck. Ed elbowed her stomach lightly, just under her chest; causing her to let go of him. He grabbed her wrist and threw her onto the ground, pulling her arm behind her back and pressed his knee lightly onto her back. Serah tapped the ground twice, Ed immediately let her go. He helped her up from the ground, she waved Kayal over.
"Let's start, Kid."
In the East military base. A blonde woman, wearing a navy-blue uniform; was holding a stack of papers as she walked besides her officer in command; Colonel Roy Mustang as she explained the situation.
"The hijacked train is the 04804 limited express from new obtain. The crime was committed by east area radicals called the 'blue group'." Colonel Mustang glanced at his Lieutenant before looking forward as they arrived at one of the offices in the building. The colonel opened the door with Hawkeye behind him.
"Any declaration?"
"A rather spirited one came in; do you want to read it?"
"No thanks, it's definitely going to be insulting to us anyway."
"Quite correct."
"They are demanding the release of their imprisoned leader."
"As usual... so, is the general really on board?"
"We're still trying to confirm that, but yes most likely."
"Well, that's going to be a problem, and I had a date tonight too." The flame Alchemist sighed as he rested a hand on the base of his neck.
"Have an overtime date with us once in a while." Breda, one of the men of Mustang's unit, told him with a flat tone while holding a newspaper and a mug of tea in his hands.
"One possibility is to sacrifice the general and then the case will wrap itself up..."
"Please don't say anything dumb, Colonel. Here is the list of passengers." Furey, another of the Flame Alchemist's unit, handled the Colonel a piece of paper.
"Ah, old man Halcrow is riding with his family."
"Good grief... he knows how unsteady things are over here, but he takes a vacation at a time like this..." Mustang read the names of the passengers that are on the train, stopping at two very familiar names.
"Ah, gentlemen! it looks like we can leave earlier today than we thought." The only female of Mustang's unit, Hawkeye looked over to the Colonel as he smirked.
"The Fullmetal Alchemist and the Scarlet Phoenix is on board."
The Fullmetal Alchemist had taken one of the benches for himself, Serah's eye twisted annoyed as she watched Ed snoring in his sleep. Her arms were crossed under her crest with an annoyed expression, she and Al sat across the older Elric. One of hijackers was staring at the sleeping Alchemist while holding a rifle in one hand.
"You can sleep pretty well in a situation like this, kid." The man poked Ed's cheek with the rifle, Serah growled under her breath at the sight.
"Hey! Hey, wake up!" The man told the Alchemist, Serah and Al could only sit and watch the scene as they had to be careful for the moment. They wouldn't want the rest of the passengers to get hurt because of them, they need to be sure that the rest will be safe from the hijackers before they would or could do anything.
"... You..." The hijacker spoke with a hint of anger in his voice, Ed was still snoring loudly with one of his hands on his stomach.
"Why don't you act a little more like a hostage, you... Shrimp!" The male hijacker shouted at the Alchemist; Ed woke up as he heard the word Shrimp. he stood up with a shadow over his eyes, still not completely awake. Serah pushed the shades higher up on her nose as she crossed her legs at the knee and turning her head to the side, completely ignoring the scene in front of her and Al. The younger Elric sweat dropped as he watched his older brother clapping his hands around the rifle and transmuting the barrel of the rifle and then kicked the hijacker in his face. Al placed a hand over his eyes in disbelief as another hijacker came over to the trio, pointing a handgun at Ed.
"Not bad, Punk. We're told not to give mercy to anyone that resists us. I don't feel right about shooting a shrimp like you, but."
"Now, now, calm down, you two." Al gripped the wrist of the hijacker and lifted his hand, away from his brother.
"What!? you want to put up a fight-." Ed jumped up and slammed his knee against the hijacker's face, Al and some of the passengers stared at the scene in shock and a bit of awe. Serah sighed, still ignoring the Alchemist and the hijacker. She decided to let Ed whatever he wanted to the terrorists as they had interrupted their journey, she just wanted some peace and quiet for once.
"Too?" The Hijacker managed to finish the sentence before Ed went at him again.
"Who the hell is the flea-sized ultra-shrimp!?" The Alchemist shouted at the hijacker while holding his collar, Al stood nearby, watching his older brother along with the passengers.
"I didn't say that much!"
"Brother, brother. He'll die if you do any more than that." The older Elric ignored his younger brother, causing him to sigh, and turned to the Ishvalen still sitting on the bench with crossed legs.
"Serah, stop him," Al begged her, the Ishvalen rolled her eyes. She unwillingly stood up and walked over to the Alchemist, she couldn't say no to either of the brothers. Serah placed a hand on Ed's shoulder, he turned to her as he dropped the terrorist. His eyes cleared as the fog from the nap disappeared from his mind, Ed gestured to the unconscious guy.
"Who are these guys?"
"Hijackers, but I don't know their motive for taking over the train."
The two hijackers were tied up by a rope, the first one was still out of it while the other was sitting on the ground with a bloody nose and lip. Ed stood beside Serah who was leaning against the armrest of one of the benches with crossed arms and Al was standing beside his brother.
"Other than us, there are two in the engine room, four holding the general in the first-class car, and four of us are guarding the hostages spread throughout the passenger cars." Ed tightened his automail hand, holding his fist up like he was prepared to punch the guy.
"And?"
"That's it! really!" Ed glanced at Serah from the corner of his eye, she had closed her eyes while trying to sense the Hijacker's emotions and if he is telling the truth. The Ishvalen turned to the Alchemist and gave a nod, the passengers turned to the trio. The fear and frustration filled the air, Serah tightened her grip on her arm, Ed stepped towards her and placed a hand over hers.
"There are still ten of them?"
"When they find out what happened to their friends, aren't they going to retaliate...?"
"If a certain someone had acted calmly, this would probably have ended peacefully, right?"
"We can't move on if we only regret the past, little brother!" Ed spoke loudly causing Serah to snort under her breath as they moved over to one of the windows, The Ishvalen reached for the window and opened it.
"Can't be helped, I'll take the top. Al, you handle things down under, okay?"
"Okay, Okay." Al agreed as Serah crawled out of the window, she grabbed the edge of the roof and lifted herself up. She moved to her feet and glanced around with her hands on her hips, Ed followed her seconds after, he stopped as he saw Serah. Her braided silver hair moved with the wind and she had a small on her lips, the Alchemist swallowed a lump in his throat. shaking his head, he pulled himself up onto the roof. Serah turned to Ed with a smirk as she held out her palm towards the Alchemist, he took her hand and let her help him up from a kneeling position.
"Right, and now we are off!" Together the Alchemist and the Ishvalen ran to the front of the train, as they passed the first-class cabins. Gunshots came up through the roof, Serah lunged forward, one went through her left thigh and another graced her right shoulder. Ed caught a bullet in his left foot, they landed between two cabins. Serah grunted in pain as she wrapped her hands around the bullet wound in her thigh, ignoring the small wound on her shoulder for the moment.
"Wah! Too close, too close! I'd be a goner if it wasn't my left foot." Ed took out the bullet and dropped it before he noticed Serah was groaning lowly and under her breath as she tried to wrap her sash around the wound. Ed took the sash from her, gently he wrapped the cloth around her thigh before tying it tight with a knot. He rested his hands on the cloth, Serah laid a hand on top of one of his, while she pressed her free hand against the graced shoulder. Ed's eyes narrowed as he stared at the Ishvalen who rested her head against the door to the cabin behind her. Anger showed up in his eyes the longer, he stared at her. Ed clenched his fists tightly; he rested his forehead against hers for a moment while Serah let out deep breaths as she opened her eyes to look at the Alchemist.
"Damn them! They are going to pay for this!" The Ishvalen brushed her knuckles against his cheekbone before Ed stood up, the pair glanced at each other for a moment while Serah flashed the Alchemist a weak smile.
"First up is to recapture the engine room!" Ed crawled onto the roof, leaving Serah leaning against the door. He needed to take care of the hijackers first before he could return to Serah and take care of her, he hates the fact that he had to leave her on her own as she is wounded. But the sooner he has finished capturing the hijackers, the sooner, he could go back to Serah. Ed threw a small stone into the engine room from the opened window, seconds later, he kicked one of the hijackers in the back of their head, knocking him into a pipe before kneeling on the floor with a furious expression. One of the workers slammed a shovel against the side of the other hijacker's head, knocking him out before another worker helped the first one with beating the hijacker. Ed returned to the outside of the train, with a third worker looked out of the window, at the Alchemist who was crawling up the ladder.
"Any way I can help?"
"You can drive safely., I'll take care of the rest." The driver nodded, seeing the expression, the older Elric wore. The driver smirked, knowing that terrorists are in for it; judged by the looks of it. Ed came back to the top of the train and looked right at another of the hijackers holding a rifle from an open-air vent. He was pointing his rifle right at the Alchemist. Ed's eyes shifted to the side, a bit to the right behind the hijacker. Serah slammed the metal plate of the vent, hard against the back of the hijacker's head. With a kick and a grunt, she pushed him back into the train. She closed the cover with her hand, as Ed quickly crossed the roof while she stumbled on her feet. The Alchemist pulled her into his embrace, with a frown between his brows.
"You shouldn't be on your feet, Serah."
"Yeah, then who will care of you, just help me." Ed shook his head as he wrapped an arm around her waist, he pulled her arm over his shoulder. They went back to the tender and the water car, Ed helped Serah to sit down on the roof before he transmuted the side in the car under them, into a speaker.
"Ah Ah, Attention all criminals, we have recaptured the engine room and the rear cars. All that is left is this car. Please release the hostages and surrender yourselves, failure to do so, and we will have to remove you by force."
"Fuck off... I don't know who you are, but as long as we have hostages, we can't lose!"
"Oh, dear me. Still full of that fighting spirit. Too bad, negotiations have failed." Ed transmuted the metal of the water tank into a large pipe under the speaker. Serah was laughing softly under her breath while pressing her hands on her wounded thigh, blood colored the fabric. Ed stared at the Ishvalen with a soft look in his eye.
"All hostages please hide behind the shelter." Ed opened the handle to let the water fill the car, the force of the water took most of the hijackers out. Ed jumped over the grape and disappeared through the opening of the roof, landing in a kneeling position with a furious glare when he noticed the guy with an eye patch. The Alchemist transmuted his favorite weapon from his automail, ripped the glove.
"Oh!? Another automail user?" Ed's glance turned to the automail and narrowed his eyes, the guy could be the one who shot at him and Serah and that means he is the one who hurt her. Ed sliced his blade through the automail, stopping halfway through, with a glare as Al moved silently up behind the leader of the hijackers.
"What? you're using some cheap goods." Al gripped the leader's shoulder while raising a fist, slamming his fist against the leader's head while Ed pulled his automail blade the left way through the leader's automail. The Alchemist immediately transmuted his automail, removing his blade as he stepped towards the door of the car, opening it. He looked up and saw Serah sitting with her legs over the edge of the roof of the engine car, he lifted his arms and she jumped down from the roof, trusting that the Alchemist would catch her. Ed helped the Ishvalen inside and over to a bench, he kneed down and untied the knot, and slowly removed the cloth from the wound.
"Al, find another cloth." The younger Elric immediately turned around and went after their luggage, knowing that Serah keeps a small first aid kit in her bag. Ed dripped the cloth into the water on the floor and gently cleaned the blood around the bullet wound and her upper arm. Soon Ed had cleaned and re-wrapped her thigh and upper arm after he had tried the knot of the cloth around her arm. Serah pressed her forehead against his temple, closing her eyes with a sigh.
Later the train had arrived at the east city station, Ed was helping Serah with an arm around her waist and her uninjured arm over his shoulder with Al behind them. The Colonel and the Lieutenant were standing a few feet away from the trio, as they had been waiting for them.
"Hi Fullmetal, Scarlet" The young Alchemist glared at the Colonel while tightening his hold on Serah's hip, the Ishvalen sighed before nudging him in his ribs with her free fingers.
"It has been a while, Colonel, Lieutenant." They nodded in greeting, Hawkeye went over to Serah and Ed. Taking over for Ed and brought Serah over to a medical officer for the medic to look at the injures. The older Elric's eyes stayed on Serah as the medic removed the cloths around her thigh and arm.
"Why does that face look so unhappy?" Mustang asked with a flat voice, Ed growled at the Colonel.
"Aarrgghh, I should have stayed out of the colonel's jurisdiction!" Mustang huffed under his breath, turning to watch the shade wearing Ishvalen.
"As cold as usual... and... you still haven't restored yourself." Ed lifted his automail and stared at his metal fist.
"We searched books and the like, but we didn't get anything... We're going to through east city now, but we haven't found a good way of doing things yet."
"I've heard rumors, it seems that you've done quite a bit here and there."
"Erk, you've got sharp ears, as usual." Ed sweat dropped, staring at Serah as she limped over to them.
"It's only because you make such a show of it." Serah chuckled as she came to stand in front of Ed and the Colonel.
"That's true, Ed" The young Alchemist scowled at the Ishvalen who laughed under her breath, her expression changed as the air became filled with fright and hatred. Ed reached for her and pulled her to his side, they turned to the leader of the hijackers and the injured officers.
"You... Son of a...!"
"Uwah!" The leader was breathing heavily, glaring at the traveling trio and the colonel. Serah could feel the murderous rage leaking of the leader, she gripped Ed's hand tightly as he brought her closer to him.
"Colonel, please stay ba-" Mustang held out an arm in front of Hawkeye, causing her to trade off right as she had pulled out a gun.
"This should be fine." The leader lunged at the Colonel as he lifted his automail up in front of himself. The Colonel lifted his arm and was ready to snap his fingers, a second later Mustang snapped his fingers together. A large ball of flames left his fingers and moved towards the leader, pushing him back on his side. Two officers were holding guns and pointed them at the leader as another reached for the leader. Mustang walked over to the cuffed leader, staring down at him.
"I went easy on you, if you're going to resist again, I'll turn you into cinders got it?"
"Fucker... What the hell are you!?" The leader glared at Mustang.
"Roy Mustang, rank Colonel. And one more thing, I am the 'Flame Alchemist.' Please remember that." The Colonel wore a smirk as he stared down at the cuffed leader.
So, Serah and Ed had quite the small moments in this chapter, I wonder when they will get together. You are welcome to make a guess :)
Ed cares deeply about Serah, she is after all someone who has been there for him and Al ever since they started to travel together. Sure, Al has always been there Ed's whole life but somehow it is different with Serah, he confines in her in a completely different way than he does with Al. It kinda feels wrong to Ed to talk with Serah about things, he can't even bring himself to tell Al but Ed doesn't want to burden his younger brother with his own doubts and fears. Serah has never felt that Ed had burdened her with it, every time he shares one of his doubts with her. Serah shares one of her own in return, equal trade. And somehow during the years, she has been traveling with Ed and Al, she managed to slip through the Alchemist's walls, he had made to keep himself safe. If no one could slip past the walls of his heart, then he wouldn't get hurt when they decide to leave him. The thought scares him more than he is willing to admit to himself and others, he never wants Serah or Al to leave him, he doesn't want to be alone.
A/N:
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.'
See you guys, next time.