Flying Blind

Face your fears, you sad little man.

Alfonse slumped in the chair Alistair usually piloted the ship from, picking absentmindedly at the dark brown leather covering it.

-What a day this morning has been, he sighed.

Alistair smiled.

The intruders had been laid off to the authorities in the nearest town. They had confessed to escaping from prison, turning out to be the performers of a few fairly daring robberies executed some time ago.

"Too bad they became too confident with that last stunt and got themselves in prison," had lamented Alfonse at the news, "or else they would've gotten away with everything they had worked for so far. And being that noisy? Tsk, truly a shame if you ask me." That... earned him a glare from Alistair.

Their intent had been to cross over secretly to the neighboring country, then take a ship or train to a different continent. From then on, presumably, they could've continued with petty thievery until they got back on their feet. But that plan was useless now, the most they could hope for being to end up as cellmates for the next half a decade, give or take.

After that whole ordeal and the deliveries were done, Alistair and Alfonse, with the calm and ease of people with a bit of time letf to spare, went on a walk around the town to find a place to buy food from. They then leisurely made their way back into the ship. And that was how they reached this moment, Alfonse occupying a chair that wasn't his and Alistair leaning on the ship's control panels.

-God, it sure is sunny outside, he huffed, rolling his sleeves up to his elbows. I cannot wrap my mind around why you wear so much black.

The other stared blankly at him. Well... through him. It worried Alistair for a second. "Didn't he mention losing his brother or something?" he frowned. "Now I've made a proper idiot of myself, I don't think I should've asked-"

-Hm? Alfonse's head snapped back at him, seemingly still processing the question. I am so sorry, he laughed, my mind was... elsewhere. You don't look quite alright, what's the problem?

"Oh."

-It's nothing. Only that it's very warm outside, and you wear so much black, so I thought... why? S'pose curiosity got the best of me, don't mind it.

-Well, it takes dedication for sure. But I at least look nice, he grinned. I don't mind that it's sunny, the view of the town from here looks just too nice.

-Ah, this height isn't a problem? I might've overestimated your fear of it, then. Although, in my defense, you did pick the bottom bed bunk.

The other, surprisingly, considering it was not that humorous of a joke, actually laughed!

Alfonse leaned on one elbow, turning his head to glance at him. In the sun, Alistair looked... well... he radiated. Streaks of light coming through the glass panels hit dark hair, tan skin, and where it hit, it looked... golden. Specks of gold shined in soft curls, in bright, green eyes.

-You thinkin' again? he laughed, startling Alfonse.

-No, no, the other quickly answered. The sun was- the sun was in my eyes.

He got up, rolling his sleeves to his upper arms. He had to admit, that damned sun was starting to get to him.

-Would be best if I went to my room, he huffed, fanning himself with his hand.

-To get a shirt that isn't black, I suppose?

-...yes.

Alfonse supposed that his excellent luck was to blame for the fact that he came back right in time to get a good look as the ship rose thousands of meters above ground. "Oh god", he gulped, then slid back down to the floor of the cabin. He was growing quite used to it, as he had almost fallen asleep on it mid-sentence on the first night spent on the ship.

Alistair looked back at him from his seat.

-Could you come closer for a second? he asked, gesturing with his hand.

-Do you expect me to crawl? Alfonse responded drily.

-Do you expect me to carry you?

He rolled his eyes, raising up on unsteady knees. Starting at the bright sky in front of them was oddly calming, but equally alarming. On one hand, he couldn't know how high up they were. On the other hand... he couldn't know how high up they were. He stuck his eyes to the control board in front of him instead.

-What is it?

-Would you like to try piloting the ship for a little while? Alistair smiled. It might soothe your nerves, seeing how it works and such.

-You have got to be mocking me, the other frowned, scandalized. No. No! God, no. What is wrong with you?

Alistair waved a hand, dismissively.

-Oh, calm down, you hysterical old lady. We're sailing straight ahead, it's a beautiful day, you'll have fun. Just try it, he said, getting up from his chair.

The other carefully sat down.

-Fine, he grumbled. Saved you from some bloody serious trouble last night and that's how you reward me? Shoving me face to face with my greatest fears? Damned ungrateful, I-

-Ship's swaying a little to the side.

How Alfonse wished he could pretend he didn't let out a horrified little noise at that. Alistair laughed, reaching from besides him for a lever on the control board.

-Hold this.

-Hand's too shaky, Alfonse stammered. I'll kill us both.

-Don't worry, he tutted. You'll see it's quite steady, there's nothing to worry about.

The other gulped, trembling like a leaf. It made Alistair feel a tinge of guilt. He wasn't... actively trying to make Alfonse faint. He'd thought it might help with his fear, not worsen it.

-Al? Are you alright? You know I'm not... forcing you to do it, don't you?  If it makes you this nervous, you don't have to push yourself.

-Hahah, I've had a nightmare about this exact situation once, Alfonse choked out, trying very hard to lighten the mood.

And failing just as hard.

-Oh, hell. Get off. I'm not letting you experience your first heart attack on my seat.

Alfonse laughed, more at ease.

-It's alright, I can take it. I'm just- I'm truly clueless. You need to give me more information about what these mechanisms do.

-Fine, the other sighed. I'll show you the easy parts, I wouldn't want to rush you. We'll just go slightly left and right, so you'll see for yourself it's nothing dangerous.

Alfonse managed to... hold himself together quite well, for a man who almost collapsed the first time he entered the cabin.

-See? he rolled his eyes, as the stood up from the chair. I did perfectly fi-

He tried to ignore the involuntary laugh Alistair let out as his knees gave out, choosing to focus on the hand the other extended to him instead.