Sacrifice [Edward Elric x Reader]

chapter 15

You stagger into the hall where the doorway to your suite stood. Al's warm body presses against yours, and despite your exhaustion, you feel happy, butterflies erupting in your stomach. One thought comes into your mind as you stare at his caramel brown hair: I really like him.

When you reach the door of the suite, you stop, taking a deep breath to calm yourself. Ed's in there...

You set Al down so that he's leaning against the wall to open the door. You reach for the handle but suddenly, Al's hand is holding yours tightly. Your face turns a light shade of pink as you cry in surprise and Al spins you so that you were facing him.

"(Y/N)..."

You inhale sharply and stare into his eyes, mesmerized again, like earlier.

"(Y/N), why didn't you run earlier? You could've just left me and saved yourself. Look now," Al's hand goes to your stomach and you blush, "you re-opened your wound."

You couldn't say anything.

"Now what?" Al continues. "You'll have a huger scar on yourself. (Y/N), why didn't you just run?"

You stare at him, processing his words. Did he really just ask you why you didn't run!?
You really could've saved yourself from this harm. I could've taken care of myself and-"

"Al." You interrupt his talking, switching your gaze from his face to your shoes. Your hands starts trembling. "Al, did you really think I could just leave you? All your troubles right now,-"

You stare into the distance. "This is all my fault, isn't it?"

"-your injuries,-"

His face was scraped up, scratches running down the sides of his arm. The was a deep puncture wound in his leg, which was still dripping blood.

"-Ed's problems,-"

He still doesn't say anything. Something was off. His dull and spiritless eyes trail you.

"-your ruined plans,-"

She said she had to leave, but she'll come back in a week or so.

"-it's all my fault, Al." By then, all the memories and flashbacks were overwhelming you with feels and guilt, and your eyes become blurred over. What is wrong with me!? Why am I crying so much!? Your subconscious mind screams at you.

"So why are you so selfish?" You continue, looking up at Al, tears spilling out. "Why do you guys try to make me forget about my mistakes and let me make them all over again? You're so selfish, asking me to do that..."

Your gaze flickers downwards, and you remember the flashback you had, and how you liked Al. I still do...

Your mind tells you not to speak, but your heart does (I know, cliché) and you clench your fists in contemplation.

"(Y/N), I-"

"I remember now, Al." Your face flushes completely red and you raise your voice, embarrassed. You look at Al again. "I really liked you before I came through that gate, and- and..." Embarrassment takes you over and your heart pounds loudly through your head. "And I still do!" You spit out, looking away.

The hall goes silent, and you hold your breath, waiting for Al's reaction. When he doesn't say anything, you give a small, exasperated laugh.

"I'm sorry, Al. I'm forcing all my feelings onto you all of a sudden," you look up again, locking eyes with Al, whose face was red and eyes wide, "but I just wanted you to know that I really like you and that there was no way I would've left you back there. That's it." You try to smile, but your mouth ends up twisting in a grimace. What did you just do!?