Fate's Break

'Another day wasted' I thought, walking to my room to go to sleep. 'Al hasn't given up hope yet, but I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever make it back to our world.... I only made it by a fluke last time. But we destroyed the Gate. How can we find another way through? Maybe we're just meant to stay here.....'

I walked in my room, looking at the picture on my nightstand. The smiling face of a beautiful girl with blonde hair and blue eyes in the photo reminds me why I'm trying so hard to get back to Amestris. Winry.... I regret leaving her but I  had no choice. I had to make sure the Gate was destroyed from both sides. Now, she's the only reason I want to go back. I never got much of a chance to talk to her when I was back. I was only home long enough to save my friends and then I came back here. Now, all I have left of the girl I love is the automail she made me and the photo on my nightstand. 

Five years ago, I wound up in this world, after using alchemy to bring my brother, Alphonse, back and restore him to his body. Then, after two years, I found a way back to my world. But, in order to protect it, I came back here. Three years ago. And I never got much of a chance to talk to Winry about anything. Or even to tell her I love her. I'm sure by now, she's gotten married to someone else, but I have to go home and tell her the truth. Even if it changes nothing. Thinking of Winry, as I am every night, I eventually drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I came downstairs while Al was eating breakfast and reading, with my thoughts of being meant to be here still on my mind.  He always has some book around these days. He's researching different ways to try and get us home.

"Hey, Al."

"Morning, Brother." He replied with a smile as he saw me. "Sleep good?"

"Same as always." I sighed. He knows I always think about Winry before I fall asleep.

"I know, Brother. But we'll get back to her. I promise." He tries reassuring me.

"Maybe not, Al. I'm not trying to sound pessimistic, but maybe we're just meant to stay here."

"Brother... where did this come from?" He asked sadly.

"I was just thinking about it last night. Winry has probably moved on and married someone else by now. I just... I don't want to go back and wind up messing things up for her...." I sighed. Al looked at me with a sad smile.

"I understand, Brother."

"I do want you to go home, though. I know you miss Amestris. Al, I don't want you stuck here." I told him. 

"I told you when I followed you through the Gate. I want to be by your side. You're my brother and I don't want to be separated from you again. So, if you plan on staying, I do, too."

I couldn't help but smile. "Alright, well, how about we make a deal. We take one last chance on the new development. If it doesn't work, we're finished. We'll have to move on."

Al nodded. "It's a deal. The place I read about is in a cave not far from here. About thirty minutes by car."

"Sounds good. Let's load up and get going." We smiled at each other. Al took care of getting the books together, while I got the supplies he said we would need. After loading up, we started to the cave. Al told me about it. Apparently, there were rumors about a lot of strange energies coming from the center of the cave. We were hoping that it would be a crack in the space that divides this world from Amestris. If we exploited that crack, we may be able to use alchemy and open the Gate long enough to get home. It would be one of the few places where alchemy in this world. If our calculations were correct, the crack in the space would open the path home. If we were wrong...... We could only hope it wouldn't be a bad fall out.