Ch 3: Isolation
Rating: K
Characters: Alphonse
Timeline: general
Notes: this is the drabbliest drabble I've ever drabbled. It's also not very good, but I didn't have an actual plot for it and i honestly just wanted to get to the next one. So yeah. Some of these prompts just aren't hitting for me lol
When Alphonse was ten years old, he would have defined isolation as being away from the people he loved for an extended period of time. That was how he felt that time he and Edward had a fight and Alphonse spent a whole two days alone at their house while Edward stayed at the Rockbells. The Rockbells were surprised, because they always thought Ed would be the one to isolate himself like that when he was upset (which was generally true), but Al was also no stranger to hiding away. He usually just went to the river to think, but that day, he needed somewhere even more stable to be alone. It was fine for a while, but once he had time to calm down, he started feeling more and more lonely. Only pure stubbornness kept him isolated as long as he was, and when he finally went back to the Rockbells, he never wanted to be away from them like that again.
Now, Alphonse has a new definition of isolation. True isolation, because if such a thing exists, it's definitely what he experiences as a disembodied soul tied to a suit of armor. He didn't understand loneliness until he learned how absolutely, achingly long the night is when you physically can't sleep. When everyone you love (and even everyone you don't) is asleep, and you're awake, and you can't do anything about it. Alphonse wouldn't wish that experience on his worst enemy, yet it's an everyday reality for him.
One time, early on after Edward's automail surgery, Edward asked Alphonse how he manages to stay positive despite his situation. In truth, Alphonse isn't really even sure. He's always been the more positive of the two brothers, sure, but he can't lie and say it's easy to live the way he does. He really, really wants his human body back, but not because he can't accept himself, or because he's ungrateful for Edward saving his life. He just honestly doesn't know how long he can take the isolation the nighttime brings. In truth, he believes he's only lasted as long as he has because of his love for his brother. He can't even imagine not being there for Edward, and he knows Edward feels the same way. They're going to see their goals through to the end—even if it takes them their whole lives.
But, for now, Alphonse will have to be isolated. He just has to hold on to hope, that even if he's isolated in spirit, he's never truly alone…and one day, he and his brother will be together again, whole.