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Post by Alphonse Elric on Jan 14, 2009 1:38:04 GMT
It had been a hour...or was it two? He wasn’t really sure, every hour seemed to meld into one, becoming one long stream of endless time, to the point where he wasn’t sure whether it had passed at all. His mind was as confused as it had been but hours before, hurting, aching, much like his body, he didn’t know what to do, or whether he could do anything, no matter how much he tried...he just couldn’t get the thoughts to stop, the thoughts....his mother, seeing Jayne like this....it was like a nightmare, one that showed little sign of ending. It was like he was ten years old again, seeing it all for the first time...his mother had been much like Jayne, so soft...so sweet, and perhaps that was why this was harder...why it hurt more...it was like...losing his mother all over again. To be around her...was still somewhat difficult, she didn't seem to be getting any better...and somehow it felt like it was his fault, like he wasn't doing anything right, like...he was...no...he wasn't doing anything wrong, no matter how much he told himself that, he knew it wasn't true, but it was eating at him all the same.
He had brought her here...to his home, the nurse had explained with a somewhat saddened expression that Jayne had no where else to go once she was released from the hospital, that her sister was not around...he had been confused at that, surely, her sister would want to know if she was sick? Would want to help her? But no...it seemed she did not, for whatever reason, it seemed she had little interest in her younger sister...and Alphonse found that somewhat hard to take in. His relationship with his brother, had always been friendly, they had both always cared more about the other than themselves but.....everything seemed to have changed somewhat lately....Edward was...no, this wasn’t the time to think about his problems...he had to think of Jayne, had to keep himself calm. He sat upon his bed, looking into those sapphire blue eyes...Jayne’s eyes, he had gladly given her his bed...he didn’t mind, and besides which, he seemed to spend most of his nights on the sofa of late, so a few more would not hurt him in his mind. Alphonse watched her silently, a somewhat happy expression upon his face, though there was something off about it, it was all in his eyes... it was a facade, a front for her, to make her happy perhaps, to prevent her from worry.
He had told himself, over and over that If he could not control what happened to her, he could at least control himself to aid her, as best he could, keep those feelings of worry and pain locked inside...no matter how much he longed to cry, no matter how much he longed to break down here and now...he would not, he could not. Alphonse swallowed hard and sighed deeply, his hand moving to cover hers as she coughed, his expression changing ever so slightly...did it never stop? She didn’t deserve this...what had she done, that she deserved this punishment, the sickness, he knew it was hurting her....he could see the pain in those eyes, hear it in her voice when she spoke, and made his stomach twist and tighten around itself...and yet he still kept up his lie...telling himself it was for her in the end. What if....what if she died? Here and now? Slipped through his fingers...leaving him alone, he wasn’t sure if he could handle that, but still the thought stayed with him, and that feeling of dread only seemed to increase. He lowered his head, frowning slightly as he fought back tears at the very thought of it, before he looked to her with that fake smile once more. "I'll be back in a minute...ok?" he said quietly, he didn't really wait for an answer as he headed for the door, opening it slowly, feeling that urge to look back...to make sure she was still there again, but he stopped himself, trying to reassure himself she was still there, holding strong. As he left the room he closed the door slightly leaving but a small gap, and he ran his hands down his face rubbing it slightly as he tried his best...to prevent himself from crying....from breaking down, physically and mentally. |
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Post by jayne on Jan 14, 2009 13:30:47 GMT
Jayne
Al... She knew he was there.... watching over her, giving her strength. Yet, the illness was still cutting her down, and it had gotten worse since she had arrived here. With every breath she took, she shuddered, her mouth was slightly open, gasping for any possible air she could, her eyes were closed, having barely any energy to open them. She just lay there.... in pain... immobilized. She could feel it, even hear it, her heart beating within her chest, trying to cope with the sudden flush of the Pneumonia, and every inch of her throbbed, knowing that her body was trying its best to cut away at the unwanted germs. Her head panged hard, her stomach ached terribly, that horrible sickly feeling arousing her in dreaded warmth, causing her to sweat, and every so often, coughing would arise, a horrible painful coughing that would send a shiver down her own spine, and a pang to her stomach, a gut retching pang that felt even worse than the medicine she'd been taking.
She was frail, frail as a rare china doll, and pale, as though all colour was flushed from her once brightness. Her personality remained intact, yet, it appeared her soul and well-being was being eaten away by the unwanted and unexpected. All of a sudden, she felt it, a comfort, a touch.... A hand.... It was soft, that of reassurance. Without control over her aching body, she coughed once more, and returned to the repeated methods of pain, breathing heavily, eyes closed. It was obvious that it was hard for her to breath, her breaths were quick and sharp, and unknown to anyone but herself, they were also very painful, her chest tightening at every inhale. Only the sounds of her breath and her heart could be heard within the silence of the room, but shortly, a voice broke it, although, once more, it was gentle. "I'll be back in a minute...ok?" .... Don't leave... Al.... Amazingly, and slowly, she opened her eyes as she managed to see a blurred figure move out of sight. With all strength, her voice emerged, it was extremely weak, but it was determined, it was desperate.
".... A...l....!" she didn't want him to leave, she wanted him to be besides her, every step of the way. She knew he'd only said 'be back in a minute', but every minute he was away, felt like an eternity to her. Straight after she spoke, she began to cough again, it seeming that any strain she put into doing anything, resulted back to the pain and shivers that were sent through her body. She couldn't lay here.... like... like an invalid.... Her eyes watched as the door closed to a jar, revealing a small source of light. Al.... Incredibly, she moved herself, wincing in pain and discomfort as she attempted to budge her torso, and after a moment of effort, she prevailed. It had felt like an eternity since she had sat up straight. Her head throbbed non-stop and ached like hell, placing a hand to her forehead, she felt those beads of sweat, the clamminess that she truly felt inside. Her arms, her legs, every part of her was shaking violently, but, she did not care, she longed to be besides Al, in his arms again... She needed to tell him...
One foot in front of the other, she stepped so carefully, swaying as a result from the energy that drained from her. One eye was closed in a wince like state, her teeth gritted as she reached out for the aid of the wall to help her. Quietly, she made her way toward the door, her eyes becoming strained from the burst of light, but she kept going all the same. As soon as she approached the door, her opposite hand lifted, shaking, as it grabbed the door handle to pull it open. Slowly, she managed, and it shocked her with that sudden burst of light. For a matter of seconds, she froze. Her eyes half closed, dazed, she stood swaying, only managing to pick up the blurry form of Alphonse, and before she knew it, or could even prevent it, she fell, her eyes closing as she went, until once more, she was in a state of the unknown, unsure if she had made it into the arms of Al, or onto the floor. But in her heart, she knew Al was there.... She knew it...
Edward
Where the hell was it!? Where was his money!? Highly enraged, the Elric brother rummaged through his entire wardrobe, draws, even his bed, every inch and morsel of his room to find his missing money. After moments of failure, he stood up straight, a hand coursing through his fringe as he thought of where it could possibly be.... Wait... No... He wouldn't? Ed's eyes widened, and sharply he turned, bursting out of his room. "ALPHONSE!" He wouldn't have the nerve to take it, surely!? "Al!" his voice strict and holding that powerful hint of anger, as well, his expression revealed all anger that was swelling up inside him right now. Ed stormed toward where his brother's room was, and there, right outside the door, was Al, having just left his room.
Ed halted out front of his room. "Where is my money!?" he stood firm, golden eyes glaring at his brother. He held that position for a long time, not changing his anger in any way. "WELL?" but before anything else was said, something stirred him from his thoughts, and his questions. His eyes widened as he notice the door move. What the? Who was in there? Ed stepped back, quite cautious on what was going on, and as well, confused. "... Wha?" He couldn't keep his eyes off the comotion, and for that very minute, he had forgotten about the money problem. There, right before him in the doorway, was a girl.... but... something was wrong... she didn't look well at all. So pale... Like mother had been that night... Gritting his teeth, he instantly shook that thought from his mind. NO. Can't think of that...
Finally, his throat allowed him to speak words once more. "Al.... What's going on!? Who is this!?" his tone slightly freaked from all of this. Why was there a unwell girl in his room!? Ed could no longer speak, not even move anymore, he just stood there, staring, and his eyes widened even more as she fell.... Oh my god... Was... was she alright? "... Al!?" his final words as he stood... shocked...
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Post by Alphonse Elric on Jan 15, 2009 1:58:43 GMT
Alphonse tried to gather his thoughts as he stood there, leaning slightly against the doorframe as he sighed deeply, his hand running through his fringe, wiping it from his eyes before he took a deep breath. He had to try and remain calm, try and keep himself from falling...if he let go now....he might not be able to regain his control, and that was something he was not willing to relinquish yet, not when she needed him. He adjusted the collar of his shirt, through the top button was loose, it still felt as though it was there, pressing against his throat, causing his to have some slight difficulty breathing, no matter how many times he played with the collar, it didn’t seem to go away, the feeling of something being there remaining with him. It was all in his mind really wasn’t it? He was coming apart at the seams, slowly but surely, it was a lot to deal with, and anyone in the same situation would have broken down already...but for now, he was holding on, keeping himself from falling, but it was taking it’s toll, some of the stress evident upon the young boy’s face.
"ALPHONSE!" That shout caused a jolt to coarse through his body, shaking him from his thoughts as those grey eyes widened in some shock...Edward was home? He blinked a couple of times in rapid succession before he stared at the clock in the hallway...it was after five...he was early for once, but he didn’t think on that too much, he didn’t really think on anything. As his brother stormed out of his room, he took a sharp breath and held it, he had been expecting a confrontation....but he had not thought it would be this soon, he admitted to himself that perhaps borrowing that money had been a bad idea, but he had been desperate, and what with having very few funds of his own, well...he would pay him back. Honestly he wanted to retreat back into the room as Edward approached him, seeing that angered look upon his face...all of that anger being directed towards him...he did not like it much, and frankly it made him somewhat nervous. "Where is my money!?" There was a pause, a long silence, and the younger Elric couldn’t manage to say anything in that space, which only seemed to cause Edward to become angrier at him.
"WELL?" Alphonse lowered his head slightly as his brother spoke again, his tone more enraged, he shifted slightly, standing straight, swallowing hard as he tried to speak.. “I...I borrowed it...brother.” he said quietly keeping his eyes lowered. He waited with baited breath, waited for an explosion, more words from his brother...but nothing came...he was quiet, unusual for Edward. Somewhat confused Alphonse raised his head only to see his brother’s wide eyed expression, and he turned to look behind him, his own eyes widening as he caught sight of Jayne...and then she started to fall, only a split second later she was within his arms as he caught her quickly, his expression worried, and somewhat confused, what was she doing out of bed!? Wasting little time, he lifted her up into his arms, cradling her against him for a moment as he stared at her face....she was so helpless....he frowned to his thoughts and shook his head looking back at his brother. "Al.... What's going on!? Who is this!?" He didn’t answer him, but that worried expression remained as he moved back inside his room, holding her closer to him as he approached the bed, laying her back down upon it gently, his hand moving through her hair before he pulled the sheet over her.
“I....I’m sorry brother...” he said quietly as he moved away from her slightly, but not so far that his hand could not reach hers, and he placed it over her own small soft hand before lowering his eyes. “...She didn’t have anywhere else to go....I just...”. It was there again, that awful sick feeling, the lump in his throat that refused to go away, no matter how much he swallowed, he was useless wasn’t he? All he could do was watch her, wait it all out, to see if she got better, but what was the point in waiting? What did waiting ever do for anyone? That was the doctor had told them...when there mother was lying there...dying, to wait, to wait and see if she got better, to see if there was any change...this situation was so much like that...but...she wasn’t going to die was she? He wasn’t going to lose her too? No...he could not allow himself to think such thoughts, and once again he told himself to be strong, mentally cursing his weakness wishing he was stronger than he was, stronger...like his brother. |
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Post by jayne on Feb 1, 2009 1:32:02 GMT
Edward
The entire time, he watched him. He watched the girl, then back to Al as he carefully carried her weak body back to the bed. A flush of guilt, as well as empathy rushed through him. The anger that he had thrown at his brother, he believed to be for no reason, yet, here was his brother, doing as much as he possibly could to save this girls life. “I....I’m sorry brother...” Ed grinned to this. He was the one who should be sorry. “...She didn’t have anywhere else to go....I just...” Ed sighed before a smile crept along his lips. Quietly, he stepped in, watching the poor girl for a bit before glancing back to Al. "It's okay Al...." He nodded. "Just don't let it happen again." his tone was light now, gentler than before. There was no need to shred anger upon Al when it was obvious he was in some sense of pain over the poor girl. Then again, he would be too... especially if it was his own brother in that situation.
Ed stood aside the bed, looking to her, his frown returning. Her breathing seemed heavy, sweat. He could sense the pain that she was in also.... just like mother had been. Ed swallowed hard as he closed his eyes, trying to prevent the visions from returning, those horrible images that flashed in his mind every night. Taking a deep inhale and exhale, he refreshed himself slightly before looking to Al. "I have a day off work tommorow," he sat down upon the nearest chair, golden eyes still focused on Al calmly. "I can stay and help if you like....?" for that matter, he would have a purpose to be at home, to help his brother take care of her, after all, he hated seeing people so young... like this... unable to live their dreams, broken down by the very element of illness. Although he barely knew the girl, he knew her enough to care for her much like Al.
There was a long silence before he returned to looking at the girl, only to then turn to the bedside cabinet at the source of liquid on the side. Gently, he picked it up, reading the label. 'Antibiotics'. It was fairly unusual to see such medication in a liquid form, but if it was the only source to provide her with it, then it was for the best. Returning his gaze back onto Al, he frowned. "... so.... what did the doctors say?..." there was a slight pause before he looked back to the girl, who had by this time, seemed to have drifted off in a gentle sleep; that was best for her, unable to feel the pain, and resting, over all, the best possible cure in this situation. "... is she okay?" his tone slightly shaky in directing the question toward Al. No matter what it would take, he would do anything he could to help this girl, and especially, help his brother. For even he knew that Al had strength in him. He knew it...
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Post by Alphonse Elric on Feb 5, 2009 14:15:36 GMT
(That could have been better do'h)
Alphonse watched Jayne silently, that look of concern still all too evident on the young boys face. It was…it was like a nightmare, and one it seemed he was not going to wake up from anytime soon, no matter how much he screamed, tried to jolt himself awake, it never dissipated, never left him in the real world…where Jayne was happy, and well. He squeezed her hand slightly, shaking just a little, but he did not cry, to cry before her….even when she was in the unconscious state…it was a weakness, and a weakness he was not going to allow himself to have before her. He was trying to be strong, as strong as Edward had been when their mother had died, he had held him together then, told him that everything would be alright…this time, it was his turn to be strong, for her….for Jayne."It's okay Al...." He raised his head to look at his brother, seeing that his anger had dissipated, all that remained was the kind look that Edward often held that one of concern, and empathy. "Just don't let it happen again."
Alphonse nodded to his brothers words and managed to force a half smile…he was grateful that his brother was able to see the distress he was in…somehow….it made it more bearable, to know that someone knew how he felt The younger Elric swallowed somewhat painfully as he felt that lump in his throat again, did it ever leave him? He wanted to express his emotion, perhaps even tell his brother everything, but he knew that the moment he tried to explain…he would break down…and he wasn’t sure…if he would have the strength to build himself back up again. ”I have a day off work tomorrow; I can stay and help if you like....?" Grey eyes remained on Edward as he spoke and Alphonse found himself sighing with some relief at his brother’s offer. “Yeah…” he said quietly closing his eyes briefly before opening them again that smile becoming more sincere. “Thanks brother…”
It was then that Jayne started to cough and Alphonse’s smile turned into a frown and he leaned forward slightly, his left hand poised over her for the longest moment before he withdrew it, unsure what to do. Why was this happening to her? What had she done to deserve this? She was so innocent, so pure; surely someone with such a kind heart…did not warrant a punishment like this illness. He found himself coughing shortly, his left hand moving to his throat as he felt his windpipe seem to shrink, quashing his breath, but he managed to control himself…for the moment. His brother’s words seemed far away, jumbled…and yet somehow he managed to make sense of them, managed to string together the words to form that sentence. “…She…” Alphonse went quiet for a moment, trying to let himself speak the words…it was…hard. “…pneumonia…” he said quietly before lowering his head.
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