Gemma Glarea

Route to Resembool

       Silence filled the atmosphere, as if it were ringing louder than the sound of the train, and it felt like it was impaling you mentally. You didn't understand what their problem was, maybe they knew how you could use alchemy without a circle. You really didn't know why you could do that, you also didn't know enough alchemist to realize it was that uncommon. You just realized one day that you could, and you never really thought too hard on the subject. Why does the fact that you don't need a transmutation circle, make Edward so unsettled? Is it that he could feel, threatened? I mean what else could make him seem so distraught over you doing alchemy with no matrix? Your thoughts are quickly interrupted, by a more than serious sounding Edward.

"I don't need a circle either." Edward says calmly but seriously.

Well that kicks my first, and only hypothesis of him feeling threatened, in the nuts. What on earth is this boy's deal, you keep wondering.

"Did you see it?" Ed asks looking at me still.

"No, I never saw you do alchemy yet." you respond, looking back at him.

He closes his eyes and says, "you really don't know, do you?"

"You aren't making any sense Edward!" you say, beginning to get aggravated with this boy, to had a clue but that wants something you planned on sharing.

"We committed the taboo of alchemy (y/n)." Alphonse breaks the silence that was settling in again.

"AL!" Edward says, looking up to his little brother with a look of despair and with a hint of anger.

"You mean, you...?" you begin to ask, but stop as your mind takes over. So maybe that is why you don't need a matrix after all, it would make sense.Is that why I don't need a matrix?

"We wanted to see our mother's smile again.." Edward mutters with sadness drenching his words.

Your eyes search for a face that was slumped forward, with his hair yet again covering his face.

"Edward... I.." you say wanting to comfort him.

He doesn't move, or make a sound even. You feel like you already knew, remembering last night, when you found Edward on the roof. You completely forgot about last night, as today has already put you through a wide range of emotions. The events on the roof got covered by your blanket of happiness, and excitement. Maybe that's what Edward wanted, maybe somewhere deep inside yourself, he wanted to be covered too. You never found yourself caring about many people, not this much at least. Seeing him look so defeated, so miserable, made you want to break down and cry. Even though you know their secret, you still have a small sliver of hope that they won't have to find out your secret, no matter how similar these secrets were.

"We made mistakes, and that one being our biggest one." Alphonse breaks again the silence.

You look up to Alphonse, and say, "Al I'm sorr-" you were quickly cut off by Alphonse's words.

"(y/n), It's our sin you don't have to apologize to us. Don't worry, we will never give up our journey to get our bodies back to the way they were." Alphonse says.

Edward looks up to Alphonse and gives him a weak smile. He seemed thankful that his little brother handled this situation so well on his behalf, although that is usually what Alphonse does anyway.

"Maybe I shouldn't apologize to you guys for your actions, but that doesn't mean I won't care about you two." You say, more serious than you ever had before.

They both look at you shocked. A tear rolls down Edward's cheek. Could what you said have actually affected him that much, or maybe it was because of the memory of all they must have been through? You wonder, as you try to decide what to say next.

"So you really aren't in that armor Al?" you ask looking down.

"Not exactly. My soul is." Alphonse responds as he takes his head off, to show you his blood seal. "Brother made this symbol with his own blood to save me, he gave up his right arm to bond my soul to this armor." Alphonse finished, sounding almost calm and collected about what information he just shared. He must have been in that body for quite some time for him it be that comfortable about it all.

Not knowing what to say, you stand up and squeeze next to Alphonse. You hug into his arm close, as you become close to tears. Edward stares at you, a little surprised at your actions, with a mixture of sadness as well.

"I'm sure you will get your bodies back.." You say, as you let go of Alphonse's arm.

"(y/n).." Alphonse says in small sad sigh.

You smile at Alphonse before saying, "You are a sweet and kind person Al, you deserve to get your body back."

"Thank you (y/n)..." Alphonse says with more appreciation than sadness this time.

You then squeeze out from between the side of the seat and Alphonse, then return to your train bench shared with Edward. You proceed to hug Edward too. Edward's face fills with sudden shock.

"It will be okay, you boys will achieve your goals, you are strong from what I can tell.." you say, sounding sure of yourself, as Ed pulls you into an embrace.

"See Ed, I told you she was nice, and trustable!" Alphonse says cheerfully, already liking you as a friend for treating him so well and equally.

Edward looks over to you quickly to make sure you weren't upset that Alphonse's statement insinuated he didn't trust you. Too his relief, Edward looks down to find you smiling up at him

Your smile remained directed at Edward until You earned one from him in return. You didn't know exactly what it was that made you care this much, but you knew for sure that you did, and there is no going back on that now.

"Look brother! I can see Resenbool!" Alphonse shouts cheerfully as he points to the window.

"I guess were here." Edward says, feeling much better and, surprisingly comfortable.