Sacrifice [Alphonse]

[jayne]

J A Y N E
'KIND HEARTED'

Rain. Why did it seem to ruin the moment of the day? A blond haired girl sat stirring her fresh warm coffee, soon to finish and taste test it. Nice! Clasping both hands softly over the cup, she let the warmth flourish her before she glanced upward and over the cup, somewhat hiding her bright blue eyes. She smiled. For before her, was the most gentlest and well natured boy she'd ever met. Alphonse. Everything about him... was just so perfect. She could not ask for a better friend. Actually, she desired something more than just a friend... He was just.... so special to her. She desired to ask him... but was just too nervous to do so. Did he understand the way she felt also?

Her mind was content entirely on Alphonse everyday of her life. Even her room was filled with the fun pictures that both her and him had spent together. From simple walks to the park to generally having fun around the area. Good Friends. Their bond was strong, and Jayne felt so much alive, felt.... loved, for the first time in her life... For her sister... Emma was not much to care, she had her own way of life, and it angered Jayne so much that she did not take the time to spend with one another, like sisters should. The thought made her sigh before she placed her cup on the table, only to then stir it subconsciously, unaware of her surroundings.

"Need anything?" it made her jump, and she hadn't expected it either. Her arm ended up jolting that it had knocked off her coffee, causing it to splatter all over the table. Jayne almost screamed before she pushed back in her chair to prevent it dripping on her. "I am sooo sorry!" The waiter didn't seem too bothered and gave off her own smile with a faint laughter. "It's okay, happens all the time." well, she seemed nice, and Jayne returned with a smile of her own. "Please, let me help you at least clean it up..." her voice soft. "No, no, it's fine sweet." Jayne instantly responded, well... she knew what she was doing anyway.

Jayne blushed before she regained consciousness from that shock to speak. "So... Erm... Ready to go?" her voice slightly nervous before she gathered her things. Talking to Al suddenly seemed harder than ever before. It was the sudden shock of spilling coffee and embarrassment that seemed to stream through her, and it had seemed to reveal the emotions that she had hidden so long for Al. She hoped that he could not see how silly she looked, Coffee down her slightly, but she did not mind, she wasn't going anywhere fancy after all. But the fact it had happened in front of Al just made her feel foolish. He wouldn't notice... Would he?

It was then that she realized. The rain! Remembering, she had bought her umbrella! Lucky! Instantly, she turned to her bag, placing it on the table to rummage through its findings. After a moment, she found it, whipping it out ready to go. Her eyes diverted back to Al, a smile on her face. "We can share... Together." it seemed extremely hard to say that last word. The girl stood, flushed cheeks as she placed her bag back over her shoulder, bright crystal blue eyes watching Alphonse carefully. Her mind was just so deep in thought about him. After all, he was every girls dream (well, to Jay he was) and pretty much... she'd do anything for him... All to see him happy.

[Alphonse Elric]

It really was a funny old day, the rain seemed to have come out of nowhere, the day starting bright, without a cloud and the sky, and now there was this. Alphonse watched the people through the window of the coffee shop, running with their umbrellas held high to try and shield themselves from the rain....he would most likely get wet himself when he left, that part he was not really looking forward to. Normally he would have remembered to take his coat with him when he left the flat, even on a fine day, but there was no one to remind him to take it this morning, what with Edward being at work, still, it was rather funny how it just happened to rain on the one day that he had forgotten it. He smiled to that thought as he lifted his teacup from the saucer before him taking a sip before he wrinkled his nose slightly in a somewhat disgusted manner....it seemed that his tea had become cold whilst he was thinking...surely he had not spaced out for that long?

Shrugging slightly Alphonse placed the teacup back on the saucer, which let off a slight chinking sound as it moved...well, even with the cold tea it had been an enjoyable day...and the company he kept made the moment even more wonderful. His eyes moved to gaze upon Jayne for a brief moment, staring into those blue eyes before he blushed slightly, moving back in his seat, fidgeting somewhat, why was he so nervous around her? Well....it was obvious really wasn’t it? He had taking a liking to her almost instantly, she shared his interests for one...and of course...she was beautiful. The time they had spent together over the last month had been wonderful, and whilst most of it was about having fun and merely getting to know each other, there was also the serious side. She had discussed her views on physics with him, and they had spent long hours simply talking about what interested them in the subject. A smile crept across Alphonse’s lips as he thought on the time he had spent with her....it had all been wonderful...every second of it.

Alphonse swallowed hard as he looked to the table trying his best to avoid eye contact for at least a moment...every time he looked at her he felt nervous, felt his stomach tighten in a knot....the silence was killing him, and yet he couldn’t think of anything to say. His leg began to bounce up and down slightly as he swallowed again, his eyes catching hers for a moment before he lowered them again, why was it so hard to speak to her now? It had been easy enough just a short while ago when they were walking down the street, now he found himself lost for words. "Need anything?" he raised his head at the waiters voice only to jump back in his seat slightly as Jayne, seemingly in fright, knocked her coffee over, he watched her shocked for a moment before he tried his best not to smile....well....that had certainly broken the ice now hadn’t it, only not quite in the way that he had expected. "So... Erm... Ready to go?" Alphonse nodded in reply, standing from his seat before gently pushing it under the table.

Was she all right? Well...perhaps a burn from a coffee wouldn’t have been as bad as scolding water but still...was it wrong to be concerned? No...there was nothing wrong in being concerned for people you cared about....cared about.....yes...he did care for her, perhaps more than he himself even realised. He dug his hand into his pocket fishing around for a few seconds before he retrieved some money and placed it on the table, a tip for the waiter, and a thank you for helping Jayne perhaps. "We can share... Together." Alphonse looked back to her quickly as she spoke...share? Share what? He seemed a little perplexed for a moment before he realised what she meant...oh...and umbrella, right.....what did he think she had meant? “Oh...that would be good...thanks” he said coughing a little afterwards his voice leaving him halfway through the sentence. His brother would no doubt have a few choice words about this little encounter, Edward did like to tease him a lot, but it was not in a malicious way...and Alphonse did not mind all that much. “Oh!” he cried before moving to the door opening it carefully. “Ladies first...”.

[jayne]

J A Y N E
'KIND HEARTED'

She could tell something was on his mind. Was it same as what she too was thinking? “Oh...that would be good...thanks” she smiled warmly. “Oh!” Huh? What was wrong? It was then that she watched Al rush to the door and carefully open it. “Ladies first...” A flush of her cheeks seemed to brighten that reddish tone as she walked over toward the door, somewhat embarrassed. "Thank You Al." a giggle escaping her. She caught his eyes with her own for what seemed to be the longest of moments. He... he was just so nice... such a gentleman. She could ask for nothing more than the kindness of his manner... and as well.... a better friend than one like Al.

As she exited the shop, she instantly whipped up her Umbrella, allowing the aid of shelter to be provided over her head, and as well, waiting for Al's presence to also cover him, to share it together. Jayne glanced around her, the rain quite strong now. Just great. Turning, she faced Al with that smile of hers. "Wish to come back to mine Al? I can show you some new Physics work that's just been sent to me!" her voice quite excited about it all. She really wanted him to come back to hers. Besides, her sister was out, she pretty much didn't live there anymore, always around her 'friends' house or something, although Jayne knew instantly it was no 'girl' friend either...

A sigh escaped her, but not a sad one, a happy and calm sigh. Her mind was strong on Al. On how everything about him was just so.... perfect. She was glad she met Al, even if it was that little accident in the Library, it seemed to be coincidental, if not, fate. She thought of herself to be the luckiest girl in the world to have met someone so.. gentle, kind hearted, sweet.... Her heart began pounding in her chest even more as she thought of him, her nervous system kicking in again. Why did she have to be so nervous around him!? Jay swallowed hard to calm herself as she looked to him, but it wasn't until something caught her off guard completely... a huge gust of wind forcing itself at her harshly.

She was so oblivious around her that she had not even realized she had released the umbrella. Her instant reaction was to scream as she watched it float like a leaf caught in the breeze. "Oh no!" her voice worried and filled with concern. Although it was just an Umbrella, it was hers and Al's only chance of keeping dry out here! Her eyes wide as she looked to Al with confusion on what to do. She seemed to be frozen to the spot, as if unsure what was happening. Her nervous system had taken control of her... amazingly.. she seemed even to nervous to retrieve her own umbrella! She had no idea what she was doing... all she could do, was simply stand there... and stare. Al probably thought she was rather silly just standing there!

[Alphonse Elric]

Alphonse really was the perfect gentleman, he was a kind and considerate young man, an attitude that did him credit...and it certainly seemed to impress Jayne anyway, so it was a good thing really wasn’t it? Sometimes...it had been a problem, there were times when people had used Alphonse’s naturally caring nature to their advantage, getting him to believe what they wanted, making him feel sorry for them...and it usually worked. He was older now, and perhaps a little wiser with it, but he was still a child regardless, and as a child, he still held some innocence of the world. He leaned back against the door slightly, using his weight to keep it open, his arm tiring slightly, it had been an enjoyable day to say the least, the morning spent walking through the local park, and then his idea to go somewhere for a coffee...or a tea in his case, he had been pleased when she had said how the idea had sounded wonderful, and he had felt his heart jump in his chest, the quickening of his breath...she made him feel things he had never felt before.

Did she feel the same way he did? He could but wonder really...he was to scared to ask, too afraid of rejection...what if she said no? What if what he was reading...was just friendship? He frowned slightly to that thought but as he looked to her, noting that light blush on her cheeks, that smile returned and his own flushed in response. He nodded to her thanks, and waited until she had exited the shop before he looked back inside for a moment, his head nodded in thanks to the waiter from earlier before he too exited the café, stepping under the somewhat poor excuse for a shop awning. Alphonse’s eyes trailed to the sky above, and he sighed slightly, the rain only seemed to be getting worse, and there was warmth in the air, a possible sign of a storm perhaps? Well, the weather was always unpredictable, much like in Amestris, it seemed that whatever the differences between the two worlds, the weather was a constant factor. "Wish to come back to mine Al? I can show you some new Physics work that's just been sent to me!" her voice shook him from his thoughts and he looked to her, his grey eyes focussing on hers. “Um....sure...sounds...great” he said, his voice a little unsure, holding that hint of nervousness.

Stepping out from under the awning he moved close to her, ducking slightly to fit under the umbrella with her well....if he was going to be stuck in the rain....he could think of no better person to be stuck with. As the wind got up Alphonse moved back a touch, the sudden force a shock to him, and a shock to Jayne it seemed as she cried out, her umbrella snatched from her hand to be led dancing down the street by the mischievous wind. "Oh no!" he looked to her for a brief moment before showing her a determined smile. "I'll get it" he cried and with that he raced off down the sidewalk after it, the rain soaking through his shirt almost instantly, his fringe sticking to his forehead, but he didn’t care about getting wet now, only retrieving his friends lost property was important. The wind finally decided to relinquish its hold upon the Umbrella, and it danced out into the road, settling in the middle, rolling slightly as the wind died down. Taking a brief glance at both ends of the road Alphonse rushed out into the middle, bending slightly to snatch up the handle as he smiled once again, a look of satisfaction upon his face, before he turned, waving the umbrella above his head triumphantly as he laughed somewhat.

[jayne]

J A Y N E
'KIND HEARTED'

"I'll get it" Wait. What? She watched in both worry as well as curiosity as Al ran ahead, that determined expression on his face. He truely was a caring soul, although it was just an umbrella, the fact he was determined to retrieve it meant more than anything in the world to her. Her eyes followed him the entire time, to ensure that he was alright, to ensure for his safety. As soon as he waved the umbrella above his head in achievement, and that laughter that followed, she couldn't help but giggle and wave a hand back. "Thanks!" her voice thrilled and grateful. Yet... that smile did not last, and to what her expression changed to, was that of shock... and sheer horror...

A bright set of lights seemed to settle exactly over Al's form. Her eyes followed them to the source, and to what she saw, her heart skipped a beat. It only took a matter of seconds for it to sink into her mind, her mouth open before her blue eyes scanned back to Al. It was then that she responded. "Al!" every inch of worry was heard in her shriek. "MOVE!" but she knew that it would be too late. Taking a deep breath, she acted, all with determination, and most of all, the love she held for him. The girl sprinting out into the open, the rain splattering hard against her, but she didn't care... it was all for the safety of Al... and she'd do anything.. even if it meant risking her life...

As soon as she reached him, her arms infront of her ready to impact against Al. Within those matter of seconds, she shoved him aside, forcing his form out of the way of the oncoming car.... It all seemed to happen in slow motion. Her head turning to face the direct lights which blinded, the rain clattering clearly within their beams. She knew then, that it would be her that would be hit, not Al, and it was then that she felt a pang of relief to saving his life.... the screech of tyres, water splashing, and it was then....... a thud. Her body being sent down the road, and the entire world was at a stand still to the event that had just currently happened.....

Silence..... Then the screams began. The girl lay limp, shivering somewhat from the rains bitter coldness encaving her body. Her eyes half dazed, her mind filled with the strong images of Al, and what she had done... all to save him... Although the completely agony and pain that streamed through her was unbearable, she knew that it was all worth it, all for the sake of him. Then that sudden shot of agony burst through her straight to her leg, and all she could do, was lay there.... and take it... her body being unable to move... unable to express how she felt... even a simple frown could not be formed.... and all she wanted to do... was call for Al... call for his warmth...

It then hit her. Where was he!? Was he okay!? Those very questions repeated as they ran through her mind. The rain merely dripping against her now pale skin. Then she saw them. The people. Their eyes of curiosity seemed to burn against her as she lay there... still... Could they not see she was in pain? Could they not call for help!? Then the words she so longed to here burst through the crowd. "CALL AN AMBULANCE! NOW!" a male voice it seemed, but it was not to bother who it was, it was a matter they held concern and care. She wished to smile, to say thank you. Even in pain, she was so giving, so gentle. But more than anything right now, she wanted Al to be at her side... For better... or for worse...

[Alphonse Elric]

In one instant the whole thing was ruined, a moment of sheer joy crushed under a feeling of dread as he heard her screams, turning sharply only to come face to face with the bright lights of the car and like a frightened deer he merely stared into the headlights his eyes wide his heart seemed to stop dead in his chest and his jaw dropped slightly the umbrella leaving his grip, falling to the road beneath him. He couldn't move, his body frozen to the spot with fear, his breath leaving him and yet he did not struggle for air and it felt like time was standing still as the car drew ever closer, Alphonse’s mind wandering back over the times he had spent with his brother, his brief time with Jayne, his life flashing before his eyes. Suddenly he felt an impact, felt himself be thrown onto the roadside and he rolled a little ways with the force, landing rather painfully on his arm and he winced as his body finally ceased to roll from momentum.

Alphonse’s eyes were closed, the rain beating down upon his face as he shivered slightly, his face contorted in pain as he lay on his back, his clothes soaked through, blood trickling from the side of his mouth. A scream, worried cries, a thud....he’d heard it all...but....if he had been hit by the car....why wasn’t he dead? Groaning slightly he rolled himself onto his stomach with some difficulty, lifting himself up slightly with his left arm he turned his attention back to the road, and his jaw dropped, his face holding an expression of pure terror as he realised what had happened. There...in the middle of the road, crumpled...like an old rag doll tossed aside carelessly by a child.....Jayne....Alphonse swallowed hard and stared at her for the longest of moments...she...she’d pushed him out of the way?

Realising the severity of the situation he got to his feet forgetting his own pain, he nearly fell as he ran over, his legs like jelly before he collapsed at her side, holding his right arm to his chest. "Jayne.....Jayne....say something....please" his voice was filled withe emotion and he visibly shook, his breathing erratic as his left hand was poised hesitantly over her body before it was withdrawn..afraid to touch her. "Please....get up....". The silence was nerve racking, no sound, no response.....what could he do? Tears began to fill in his eyes as he stared at her, his breathing becoming more erratic as he started to panic, that shaking becoming more violent."GET UP!" he screamed his voice squeaking somewhat with the emotion held within. The only sounds that reached his ears was the sounds of the people around him panicking, the low drumming of the rain as it collided with the pavement...and the rumble of the thunder as it sounded over head, they all seemed to merge into one sounds, causing confusion in his mind...confusion, and terror.