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(“Al said he’s going to bring Ed back.” Rockbell said, her emotion hard to discern through the phone. “He’s very sure on the idea that Ed’s somewhere out there.”
“And is he?” He simply asks. Maybe he should’ve been more surprised at the news, but truly, those two have always done everything they could for eachother, didn’t they? Al Alphonse would go after his brother, sooner or later, wouldn’t he?
“Who knows?” She says. She sounds unsure, but there is no denial in her voice.
And indeed, who knows?)
He looks at the crackling fire, his cold hands attempting to absorb heat. The fire is weakening, and he gets up - although reluctant - to get more wood. How ironic, is that, for the Flame Alchemist to say? (He hasn’t used his own fire alchemy since that day. When he tried, all his mind could muster was the memories of the Furher’s house, of the young boy who didn’t deserve to be attacked that day, of the countless victims from the simple snapping of his fingers)
(Of how, right before, he had seen Edward. And if maybe, if only maybe, he could’ve done something then to save his kids)
Briggs isn’t a welcoming place, not at all. It is too cold, too barren, and too lonely. Sometimes even he wonders why stay in such a place anyway (or why keep existing, anyway).
He puts more wood into the fire, finally feeling the heating actually reach his body.
But hope is a interesting thing, isn’t it? It is so simple, yet so strong. During times of war, it’s what keeps soldiers and civilians alike going. During periods of instability and unceirtanty, it is what drives people to keep going for a better future.
And Roy has been hoping for a long time now. The hope of seeing him again. That one day, he would see his face and frame at least one last time, and show to the world that he’s, in fact, still alive (but doubt can be strong too, and there were many days were he doubted, were he thought he was a fool, were he almost gave up).
But come back he did.
The moment he heard about the weird appearances in Liore and the earthquakes that only happened there and in Central, something in the back of his mind just knew.
It could only be those two. It could only be Edward, in his dramatic way of showing up (even if unintetional, as it might be.)
So he goes to Central City, and, of course, he’s there. He is clearly older (the more angular face shape, the tired posture of someone who has seen way too much of the world) but he’s not much taller. Something in the back of his mind tells him to say something about it. Yet he doesn’t.
Alphonse is there, too. He also haven’t seen him in a long time (does he even recognize Roy?) and he has grown, too (but not as much as he should). The long hair and the coat gives him a look that makes Roy momentarily thinks his vision has worsened and that he’s seeing two Edwards (is he even aware how similar he looks now? Is it just a coincidence? Could it be a subcouncious decision and somewhere, deep down, he could still remember the three years of his life he lost?)
(Al looks shaken. He wonders why. The wreckage of buildings could be a reason, with the bodies who were unmistakably got cought up in the rockus)
They both have that flame of determination in their eyes that Roy grew accostumed to. And thus, he shall help fuel it (at least, one last time).
He left. They left. His kids Edward and Alphonse. Forever. Never to be seen again.
(“They could have at least said goodbye” Winry Rockbell said.
“They had never been good with goodbyes, have they?” He answered, sorrow (but fond, too, because he can’t help it). She shows a sad smile in agreement.
He looks up in the sky. It’s not raining. In the end, they have no option but to keep going.)
The flying vehicle is fast. Edward is inside. The path towards the machine is destroyed. As the minutes pass, Edward gets far and farer from his family the paltform were Roy and Alphonse stand in.
Alphonse looks like he’s in the verge of panick.
Three years is a long time to search for someone. And, most importantly, it is way too long of a time for the Elric brothers to be separated. And they’re about to be separeted, again. And this time, Edward wouldn’t come back.
And it pains him, to know (because of how much they fought and suffered, for each other).
He looks at Alphonse. He puts his hand in the boy’s shoulder, and “Go with him.” he says, firmly, to the boy.
Alphonse looks at him with those blue eyes, looking almost lost “B-but the gate…” he starts, uncerntainty in his voice (does he think it’s weird, that a man who is nothing more then a stranger to him is helping him out like this? Doe he know, how much Roy actually watched these two grow in pain, all for the sake of the other?)
“I’ll close it. Now go.” Roy answers, with even more conviction. This seems to be what clicks for Al, who takes no time in getting ready to reach the flying machine. Extending part of the platform they’re in, he gets of to jump into the vehichle, reaching for an opening that lets him get in.
He looked so determined, and as Alphonse enters, Roy can see the bright smile in his face.
(Just that smile makes this worth it, he thinks, before reality truly sinks in)