A good sign [PRP: ED]

[Edward Elric]

It didn’t surprise Edward that Alphonse didn’t turn to look at him but he found himself glad, not to be gazed upon as the piteous pile of rubble he felt he must look like. It wasn’t a big thing, either, but the fact that he didn’t have to watch as Al’s face contorted with apprehension towards the piss poor excuses that tumbled from Ed’s mouth made the rapid beating of distress in his chest slow just a little. And even smaller still, the fact that he could take a deep, steadying breath let him wait for Al’s reply with a bit less anxiety.

“Okay, I’ll give you time,” Al told him in a wane voice as he switched the light on, bathing his form in a harshly bright silhouetting light. “I’ll make a promise, too,” he continued, and though he turned Ed could still just slightly make out his features, but he knew Al could see his and he stiffened his jaw slightly. “I'll try...not to bother you about it so much...and...I promise, the next time I stay out all night...I'll...call or something.” It wasn’t much of a promise, even to Ed’s ears desperate to hear something worthwhile or forgiving, but it was enough that Ed actually almost smiled.

Why something so little, in a situation that seemed so dire, sounded as though it was the most important thing in the world he couldn’t understand, but something about it pushed him to speak, to say something, anything.

“Alright, Al, I promise I’ll be listening, then.” He said, clearly for once, it didn’t mean anything, made and no difference but he hoped Al could take the little bit of reassurance he had tried to pack into the words for what it was.

It was odd, how an argument started over something so ridiculous and small could be resolved with something equally unimportant, and though it didn’t really solve anything in the long run, Al’s pale words made Ed feel just a little better. And his own words, well, one truth in a bed of lies has got to be worth something.

[Alphonse Elric]

I still remember the world
from the eyes of a child

Alphonse sighed, wanting to lower his gaze to stare dully at the floor, but he forced himself to keep his eyes on Edward, he didn’t want to break eye contact, at least for the moment, but he doubted Edward could see him properly, especially in this light, but it was better than sitting in the dark of the living room and hoping for the odd flash of lightning to show where his brother was. Things could have gone differently perhaps, the argument could have been worse, things that were not meant could have been said and the younger boy was both relieved and disappointed that he had folded so easily. He always tried to apologise for things that were not his fault, even if this time he was pretty sure he was at least partially to blame, if not completely, but he’d apologised to end it, that was the only reason…that and sitting around in his sopping wet clothes hadn’t exactly made him feel comfortable.

The atmosphere between them now was calm, but he couldn’t say it felt exactly ‘normal’ either, but the anger had faded and the younger Elric was thankful for that. Everything was justified perhaps, everything he had said, everything he’d done…it was all right, or so he wanted to tell himself, frankly he found his own behaviour confusing. Perhaps he could have merely put it down to teenage hormones…or something like that anyway, but he had never really been the rebellious type, no, that title went to his brother. “Alright, Al, I promise I’ll be listening, then.” Edward spoke and Alphonse sighed deeply, releasing the breath he had been holding. He hadn’t expected Edward to even answer him on that, but he had, it had been a stupid promise to make, and it hardly made sense, but if had felt right to say something in that moment, only now he wished he hadn’t said anything at all.

It took a full minute for Alphonse to actually move from the bathroom doorway and actually step inside to grab a towel from the top of the wicker hamper in the corner, and after a few seconds of unfolding he began to rub it furiously against his hair, attempting to dry it at least partially as he made his way back to the bathroom door still rubbing his hair. Grey eyes once again fell on Edward before he lowered his gaze to the floor. “Well….night brother” he said quietly, forgetting the bathroom light as he made his way across the hall to his room. “I don’t think I’m getting any sleep tonight” he thought as he opened the door to his room, closing it quietly behind him before leaning back against it. Edward was cracking under pressure…he was beginning to see that, but just how long could he wait before that wall of his finally collapsed?