This is no different, Al. It's the price we've paid. Think about it, every time we've gone near the Gate there's been a cost and we have never, not ever, not once, been afraid to pay it. We have died for each other, Al." Ed paused and then smiled at his brother. "Honestly Al, I would rather be here like this than not at all. You once told me that you never blamed me for what I did to you and now I say to you that I do not blame you for this. This is not your fault. I could never hate you Brother."
"But, but…" Al looked at his brother. The one person who could convince Al to admit, albeit grudgingly, to himself that perhaps he hadn't failed completely was standing right in front of him. The one person who had never let him down, who had always believed in him, had protected and had always seen him as human and whole. The one person who loved him unconditionally for all that he had been and all that he was. Al's lips curved upwards in a wobbly twitch as his eyes felt blurry. It was a poor attempt at a smile but Ed saw it and laughed softly as he cuffed the side of Al's head with his hand.
Later when they had time, Ed knew they would both sit down and go over the calculations and the array and he knew that Al would again start to take the guilt trip. Guilt and blame were something he had had too much experience with. Along with human transmutations. Al had come so close to the ethical edge with that array of his. Ed had the random notion that if Al had brought him back as a homunculus his name would be Guilt. He shivered at that and looked at his brother.
"No buts, Al. We will get through this somehow." Ed paused and Al heard him swallow. "I'm more worried about how Winry is going to react."
Al's jaw dropped and he groaned. "Oh no, she'll kill us." He whispered and felt Ed nod in miserable agreement as he moved back to sit next to his brother again.
"I'm going to need a whole new arm, Al, port and all. And she'll have to redesign it to make it look more… feminine." Ed almost growled at that. "She is going to scream at me for disappearing for four years, then she'll hit me for losing my arm and then she'll kill me for not being male anymore." He felt Al twitch beside him. "I guess my only consolation is that she's going to kill you too for trying the transmutation and for not telling her about it."
"She wouldn't do that, Brother. It's been four years, she's grown up now and she'd never be that childish anymore." Al spoke quickly in her defence. Ed's ears pricked at a small warmth in Al's voice and his eyes narrowed, then a brief smirk twisted his lips before he said in the most nonchalant voice he could manage.
"I guess you're right Al. And besides maiming your boyfriend's brother is probably illegal somewhere."
"Of course it is, Winry would never…" Al stopped short and turned his head, eyes wide and mouth open. He looked at Ed in total shock. "How did... what did…?"
Ed laughed, he couldn't help it. The look on Al's face was priceless.
"Oh come on Al. I've been expecting this since we were kids. You and her are perfect for each other." Ed smiled broadly. It wasn't often he could win one against his younger brother. "So, is it official yet?" He smirked.
"No! I mean not yet." Al was feeling a bit flustered. He bit his lip. "I didn't want to talk to her until after this…" he waved his hand around them "… you know, just in case something went … wrong."
"I understand, Al, but now it's alright and you can ask her." Ed smiled. "And maybe she won't kill us too much."
Al was silent for a moment then snuck a peek at his brother and he managed to keep his smirk hidden as he spoke carelessly. "Of course, I'm not sure she's going to want to share her clothes with you."
Ed turned to look at Al, his face now frozen in shock.
"Wha…?" Ed couldn't speak.
"After all, you can't wear those clothes for much longer can you, Sister."
"Why you little…" Ed started to his feet and felt his face burning as his teeth began grinding noisily together. Al gave a small squeak before he started to laugh.
"My turn," he grinned. "Gotcha!"
.
.
.
‼️🎈hello everyone thank you so much for reading this chapter! 🙏 If you'd like to read the full novel "FullMetal Alchemist: Unequal Exchange", you can find it on my Ko-fi page: ko-fi.com in the store section. This fanfic will consist of 10 volumen , this is the 1st Volumen with 49 chapters . 🎈‼️
👇🏻👇🏻
Ko-fi.com/arcfable