Housework

One more for today, I still need to brush up on the last few. Enjoy and let me know what you think! It's a very mushy chapter though, so be warned.

Letters and Healing

It was a plain envelope, with only his name and address on it. It was thick, as if there was padding in it. Ed opened it, slicing the edge quickly with a metal finger and tapping the letter out. The edges of the paper were worn, it had obviously been handled frequently, and there were a few smudges on the back. Roy's neat, orderly script flowed over the pages and when they were unfolded, a small, cloth wrapped package fell into Ed's lap. He set it aside for after and began to read.

'Edward.

First of all, I am sorry that I didn't tell you about the stone, both what I knew and where it was. I wanted so desperately to find another way, to not burden you with it and it's use. I wish there had been more choices. Please forgive me. I hope, with your power, that the cost was still not too great and that things are as they should be.

As to your brother, no one will ever love him as much or as well as you do. I know that you will continue to help him grow into the wonderful young man he had started to become. Remember to let him go, he must find his own path as well. Listen to him, he will help you in the future as well. There is not much I can say, as I had little to do with your upbringing; you did it on your own and all I did was watch.

Lastly, forgive me for this. I never intended to tell you, but if you are reading this, then I have broken my promise and not returned. I love you, and I always have. You were beautiful the day I first saw you, your strength and passion showing even then. Over the years, you only became more precious as you grew into adulthood. Grace, compassion, determination, loyalty, stubbornness, temper, all are found in you. Know that you are beautiful and find someone who sees it to share your life with. I understand that you can not accept me, but I wanted you to know. I have sent you a gift, use it as you will. My only request is that you not throw it away. Even if you do not wish to keep it, give it to someone you care about so that they may carry on the tradition.

Thank you, for everything. For coming into my life, for caring for me, for allowing me to love you, for yelling at me when I was a poor example and hugging me when I was a good one. You and Al are my life. I know I was a poor guardian but I did my best anyways, and hope you forgive my errors.

I love you,

Roy Mustang.'

Tears splashed over Ed's cheeks as he reached for the package. He knew what it was but couldn't stop his hands from shaking when he unwrapped it. The gold gleamed as if it had just been polished and the diamonds shone brightly, even in the dim light. When he turned it in his hand, he noticed etching on the inside of the slim band. 'I love you' His hand curled tightly around it; that hadn't been there the first time he had seen it, four years ago in a dusty tower on an exercise field.

“Oh, Roy. You never let us down, you saved us. You loved us, even when we were broken and useless, and you picked us up when no one else cared enough to look down.” The thin chain was still wrapped through the ring and he shook it out and clasped it around his neck, holding the ring in his fingers. He fell asleep holding it with one hand and Roy's hand with the other.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

After leaving the room again, Al wandered to his own room, turning the letter overt an over in his hands. His brother hadn't helped him the way he'd hoped, leaving it to him, forcing him to make the decision. He sat on his bed, fiddling until he finally just tore it open and unfolded the pages.

'Alphonse.

My darling, patient Al. I'm so relieved and pleased that you are reading this, it means you are safe. You've always been so sweet and trusting, and I hope you never lose that. Do try to remember that you are your own person and do not let Ed push you around too much. He loves you, but you need to stretch your own wings as well.

I want you to know that I cherished every moment with you, from the day I first heard your voice calling to me from the other side of the door. I love you very much, and I miss you every second I'm away. I am grateful you boys came to me, you made my life worth living and brought me inconceivable happiness.

I made many mistakes with you boys, particularly in regards to the stone and your father. I should have told you what I knew about the stone, and I hope you forgive me for not doing so. I am sorry. I wanted to find another way, a way without the heavy burden of the stone's creation.

As to your father, I wanted you to grow up without the influence of his mistakes, to learn to control your strength without fear of it. The folder with the information is in my office. Press the bottom of the desk top three inches from the chair side edge and a drawer will open. Everything is there. You will not be like him, you are not capable of such cruelty. You both have learned to handle your power with grace and skill and will never lose control of it.

You have always taken care of me, even when I was a poor example of a guardian. Thank you, for that, and for allowing me into your lives. I am forever grateful.

I love you,

Roy Mustang.'

Al's head hung as he digested the letter. 'Roy, you loved us more than anyone has since our mother died. You were everything to us, the only thing we had of our own was your love. We should have thanked you, every day, for letting us in.' He rolled himself into a ball and sniffled until he fell asleep, clutching his letter.

***************************

In the morning, Ed woke early and immediately shook Roy out of bed, dragging him to the bathroom and dressing him quickly in loose clothing. He banged on Al's door on the way by and headed for the kitchen to make breakfast, Roy holding the back of his shirt. When Al stumbled in, his eyes bleary and red, breakfast was already half eaten and Ed was cleaning up their dishes.

“What's going on? Why are you in such a hurry?” Ed was usually the last one up, and almost never made breakfast, unless Al was sick.

“Roy and I are going to the training field. He's obviously feeling better, so I think it's time to get him back in shape. It'll be good for him, and me, to get some exercise. I haven't been to the gym or even running for a week now.” The older blond had maintained his habit of running and working out everyday. He still loved the gym and made up for his lack of height with an impressive strength.

Al looked at Roy, who was happily eating the burnt toast in front of him, his eyes fixed on Ed. “I don't know, is that such a good idea? I mean, he's not even making choices yet.” A grin slipped onto his face, “Look how happy he is to eat whatever you make. I wouldn't eat that if I was starving.” He laughed at the outraged look on his brother's face and protected his plate. “But then again, I'm not starving.” The white blond started shoveling food into his mouth before it was taken away, ignoring his brother's grumbling about ungrateful brats.

Al decided to come watch. They waved at the guards and made their way to the West field. Almost no one used it anymore, all recruits had been sent straight to Amara and there hadn't been new ones since the end of the war. Edward usually had the course to himself and would run it for hours at a time before moving to the indoor gyms.

Roy stood and watched avidly as Ed warmed up, then ran the course once quickly to ensure nothing had changed. Al warmed up as well, more slowly, encouraging Roy to stretch too. The two brothers nudged and prodded at him for an hour with few results. He would follow if they both left him, but slowly, going around obstacles instead of over them. Finally, “Oof. This is pointless. Maybe if we could get him to chase us.” Ed flopped down beside Roy's feet.

“Brother, I don't think that'll work. He doesn't seem to want to go fast, he just wants to be near us, and we can't just take off and leave him, hoping he'll come.” Al looked over at his brother to see an evil smile spreading across his face. “Brother?”

“I got it! Get out of the way Al, he's definitely gonna come after me this time.” Ed jumped up and climbed to the top of a wall. “Hey, Mustang! You are a real bastard.” Roy's eye started to twitch. “You are completely useless, can't even catch one boy.”

“Brother! Stop it!” Al yelled at him, Roy was not looking happy and they were going to be in trouble unless he could stop this. A gloved hand started to come up and Al did the first thing that came to mind. A quick array and rain fell onto Roy, soaking him. A glare as hot as his flame was sent towards the interferer.

Ed's voice rang out again, distracting the alchemist, “You're so useless, you're never gonna get home.” Roy took off, racing towards the wall, scaling it easily only to watch Ed leap off the other side. He followed, scrambling over and through obstacles, blindly following his taunter. Within 20 minutes, he was exhausted, his body giving out on him and he lay gasping.

Ed jogged back, calling gently that it was him and did Roy want him to come over? A limp hand waved in the air, reaching for him. It was captured immediately by a metal one and hugged to a solid chest. Al appeared on his other side and held his other hand, petting his damp, dark hair, smoothing it back from his face. “That was really good, Roy. We'll have you back in shape in no time.” A cocky grin was in Ed's voice, he was thrilled that they had gotten a reaction, particularly a strong one. By the time they returned home, Roy was stumbling, exhausted. Ed lay him down for a nap, reading beside him while Al worked around the house and made lunch. The rest of the day passed uneventfully, setting the pace for the next few weeks; exercise in the mornings, naps and reading in the afternoons, chess in the evenings.