#never. trisha would be too easy. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

trishamaesblog · 29 days

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12 jupiter

Hi my name is trisha mae B.isidro im 18 years old i love travel dance sing and soon to be a successfull business woman

The hidden

treasure Map”

"I am a hidden treasure, buried in the ground, unearth me carefully, for I am quite profundity ancient markings and a gleam so bright, I hold the secrets of the past, shining in the light. (Visual) What am I ?

After some brainstorming, the friends realized that the answer was an artifact.They unearthed a hidden treasure,a small gem that sparkled (visual) like secret whispered.Excitedly, they returned to their grandmother's house, where they discovered a hidden compartment in the attict a tiny word of gotten tales sealed within the wood-(Synecdoche)In the Inside, they found a chest filled with gold coins'In the dimly lit they stumbled upon a treasure chest.Its rusted hibges groaning slowly opened to reveal a dazzling

array of gold coins,glinting captured sunlight and whispering tales of opulence and wealth-(Imagery)precious gems, and a note that read, "Congratulations, brave adventurers! You have successfully completed the word hunt and found the treasure. Use your newfound vocabulary skills-(Metonymy)to continue exploring the world!"

The friends celebrated their victory, knowing that their vocabulary journey had just begun.They savored the flavor of the gratitude thanking each other for the collaborative exquisite efforts in teamwork-(Gustatory)

A poor girl

Own story

One upon a time, there was a poor girl when she was just 6 years old, her mother passed away. Her father eventually married a new wife.but things took a turn for the worse.

Her step mother was unkind and treated her poorly she made her do all the housework while her own children. Had an easy life.the poor girl felt so lonely and sad

Despite her own difficult life,the girl never lost hope. She found comfort in her dreams and believed that one day, things would get better. She was determined to work hard and make her own happiness

KNOW YOUR SELF

Poem

Know yourself they say

And don't be led astray

but how can I know who I am when I'm different every day?

Some days I am the smart one

With the answers people need and some days I'm the strong one

Standing up to take the lead

On other days I'm sure

That if the wind blew me too hard I would shatter like a glass into a million tiny shards

Drama/script

Once upon a time, there was a rich family who was well-known by its succeed efforts. Mr. Arthur, as the father, was a leader of the largest oil company in United States. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur had a son named Victor. They had planned before that they would marry Victor with Catherine, a daughter of Mr. Arthur’s bestfriend who already passed away. Unfortunately, they didn’t know that Victor had a relationship with Alice, Catherine’s sister.

One day, Victor brought Alice home after they had a date all day.

Alice : “Victor, thanks for today! Today is very joyful!”

Victor : “Me too! Let’s hang out again next time.”

Alice : “Sure! Hurry up, go back to your home. I don’t wanna your parents be suspicious like before. Be careful!”

Victor : “Don’t worry, I’ll always keep this secret.”

Then, Victor went home. He arrived at 10 p.m. so of course his parents were angry.

Mrs. Arthur : “Victor!!! Where are you going?!”

Mr. Arthur : “ What time is it? It’s bed time, hoaaahmm~”

Victor : “I’m sorry, I have to meet client that father told me before, didn’t you?”

Mr. Arthur : “Oh, yeah? Hmm, I think I don’t tell.....”

Mrs. Arthur : “(Cut the words) Don’t try to make another fake stories! Your father gets amnesia anytime and anywhere!”

Victor : “It’s up to you, Mom. I’m so tired, goodnight!”

Mrs. Arthur : “ Waaaaaiiit, listen to me now!”

Victor : “What?”

Mr. Arthur : “ You know, in 2-3 years again I’ll resign. And you, as my son, gotta be the leader of our company.”

Mrs. Arthur : “So you have to prepare your next generation too.”

Victor : “I don’t understand.”

Mrs. Arthur : “How fool are you! To the point, get married soon Victor!!”

Victor : “Aaah, be calm, one day, I will.”

Mrs. Arthur : “No, no, no! I already chose a girl!”

Victor : “WHAT?!”

Mr. Arthur : “ She is Catherine, the best girl I’ve ever met. You know, she’s our bestfriend’s daughter.”

Victor : “I won’t!”

Victor ran to his room and sent a message to his bestfriend, Edward. Next day, he met up Edward in a restaurant.

Victor : “You’re so late!”

Edward : “Sorry bro, I woke up at 10 a.m.”

Victor : “Oh my God... I need your advice, fast!”

Edward : “Just say it to me, what’s your problem? I guess it’s so serious and mysterious.”

Victor : “My parents asked me to get married soon.”

Edward : “WOW! That’s great, congratulations! I wanna follow your way too! I imagine if….”

Victor : “Shut up! It’s not with Alice, but with Catherine, her little sister!”

Edward : “WHAT?! Please, don’t be like that!”

Victor : “What’s wrong? So I have to refuse?”

Edward : “Yeah! Right! Of course! Exactly! Absolutely! Don’t marry her!”

Victor : “What’s the reason?”

Edward : “Victor... You have known me for a long time... I’m in... I’m in...”

Victor : “(Received a message) Sorry I have to go, thanks, bye!”

Edward : “I’m in... I’m in... I’m in... I’m in love with Catherine! God, please, break their plan, although he is my bestfriend, I don’t wanna lose Catherine! She is just for me forever!”

Edward got broken heart. So the truth he was in love with Catherine and Victor didn’t know that. Edward was in dilemma. Who would he choose? Both of them were vert precious in his life.

In the other side, Catherine was so confused. Actually she didn’t want to get married early. She was too young and she wanted to reach her dream first. Her sister, Alice, who was in love with Victor, didn’t know that Catherine would have a marriage with her boyfriend.

Alice : “Hey sis, you look so sad, why?”

Catherine : “Alice, I wanna share something.”

Alice : “Tell me.”

Catherine : “I don’t know why, but, our mom’s old friend, Mrs. Arthur met me 3 days ago and she expected me to get married with her son.”

Alice : “Wow! How lucky? How does he look like? Have you ever met him?”

Catherine : “That’s the problem. I don’t know him so I doubt.”

Alice : “So what’s your next plan?”

Catherine : “I confused. Do you remember? Before mom died, she ever told us to get married with one of the son of her bestfriend, whoever he is. But how can it be?”

Alice : “Yeah, I know. And I break it. I love Victor so much but until now I haven’t met his parents coz I still doubt if I must break that promis or be with Victor. I’m afraid.”

Catherine : “Yeah... So, do I just follow your way, sis?”

Alice : “No, my way is wrong. It’s mom wish. You had better meet him first.”

Catherine : “Okay sis, thanks for your opinion.”

After shared stories, suddenly Catherine’s pho was ringing. She felt heart-beated because it was from Mrs. Arthur.

Mrs. Arthur : “Hello, is it Catherine?”

Catherine : “Yeah, it’s me, Mrs. Arthur.”

Mrs. Arthur : “Nice to hear your voice. By the way, do you have spare time tomorrow night? It’s time to introduce my son to you, at Four Seasons Restaurant.”

Catherine : “Tomorrow night? But...”

Mrs. Arthur : “It won’t take a long time. I’ll order my son to pick you up.”

Catherine : “No! It doesn’t matter, I can go there by myself.”

Mrs. Arthur : “No prob, I’ll ask him.”

Mr. Arthur : “Don’t force her mommy! Let her...”

Mrs. Arthur : “(Trampled Mr. Arthur’s foot) Ssshhh, shut up!”

Catherine : “Umm, please, I can.”

Mr. Arthur : “(Pick the phone) Okay, be careful on the way Catherine!”

Catherine : “Thanks, Sir.”

Alice looked so happy.

Alice : “Wow, like I said before! That’s cool!”

Catherine : “I’m afraid sis, please accompany me.”

Alice : “I can’t Catherine. My task haven’t finished yet then I need my friend’s help tomorrow."

Catherine : “Oh sis... Please pray for me.”

Alice : “Everything will be okay, goodluck!”

On the next day, the great incident had started. There was Edward too, but he hid.

Edward : “I hope Alice won’t accept that he is Victor. Bless me, God!”

Catherine : “Where is he? Doesn’t he know that girls don’t like to wait? (Saw Victor was walking) Hey Victor! What are you doing here?”

Victor : “(Talked to hisself) Oh my God, what should I do? (Talked to Catherine) Emm, I have a bussiness here, how bout you?”

Catherine : “Huffft, the story is so long.”

Victor : “You got a phone from a woman named Mrs. Arthur yesterday night?”

Catherine : “How do you know that?”

Victor : “She is... My mother.”

Catherine : “What!? You’re kidding!

Victor : “That’s the fact.”

Catherine : “Alice, oh, it’s mom’s wish, but I won’t betray Alice!”

Victor : “Me too, sis. Be calm, for now, we should keep this secret until the right time, okay?”

Catherine : “What should I tell if she ask me about you?”

Victor : “I know it’s hard. Try to lie, I’m sure you can do it for our best decision.”

Catherine : “Really shocked... Okay Victor, I must back, goodbye!”

They back to their own home, and fortunately they didn’t realize that Edward was there.

Edward : “My praise for you, God! Catherine doesn’t love him and she’s still respect her big sister. How kind she is... Love you more! Go Edward go! You can get her!”

Next week, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur made plans again for the next.

Mrs. Arthur : “We need to meet Catherine and ask when the wedding would be hold.”

Mr. Arthur : “Wedding? Isn’t it too fast?! They even know each other just a week.”

Mrs. Arthur : “They already mature. Don’t worry.”

Mr. Arthur : “It’s too rush, dear!”

Mrs. Arthur : “Be silent please! I’ll text her to meet us tomorrow.”

Then Catherine accepted the messade from Mrs. Arthur. She stressed out, and Alice read that message, made Alice’s mind be worse and reach the worst.

Alice : “Hey! Now it’s my chance I could meet him! Please, I wanna go with you!”

Catherine : “I already made a promise with Edward too, I’ll refuse this.”

Alice : “Choose the most important sis. Remember our mom.”

Catherine : “But... Yes I know. But don’t come please.”

Alice : “Why? I must protect you. I think it’s too rush, so it will be better if I go too. See you I’m sleepy!”

Catherine can’t do anything. Then she sent a message to Edward that made Edward so angry.

Edward : “(Read a message) “Edward, I’m so sorry that I can’t meet you tomorrow. Suddenly Victor’s parents wanted me to encounter their family. We still have the other chances. Forgive me Edward.” “(With mad) Oh! They always break my chance to say that I love her very much! I hate them!”

Next day would be a catastrophe for Victor and Catherine. The truth would be revealed. Alice was the one that was being hurt the most. Finally, the most unexpected day had come…

Mrs. Arthur : “I can’t wait. I was dreaming if Catherine would be my daughter in law. Oh, so nice!”

Victor : “Mom, let me explain something…”

Mrs. Arthur : “You can no longer to have her as your wife right? Be patient.”

Mr. Arthur : “Why you always cut someone’s words when he is talking?”

Mrs. Arthur : “And why you always critic me? You don’t love me anymore?”

Mr. Arthur : “Don’t think negative. You are the one and only. Hey look, they are coming!”

Catherine looked so afraid. And when Alice looked at Victor, she got surprised.

Alice : “Victor, so the guy is you…”

Victor : “No, I…”

Alice : “Enough! You’re liar! And you Catherine, you’re a traitor! I won’t believe you again!”

Catherine : “Sis, forgive me! I don’t love him!”

Alice : “Big liar!”

Alice cried and left them behind. She didn’t believe Victor or Catherine. At home, Alice and Catherine didn’t talk each other. Whenever Catherine tried to apologize, Alice always blamed and left Catherine. Alice didn’t answer Victor’s call too. Everything was in crash. Finally, one day Edward called Alice, and because Alice was too tired to face it, she answered that call.

Alice : “What do you want?”

Edward : “Don’t be mad, listen to me Alice. Catherine was so depressed. She doesn’t love Victor. It was a miscommunication between both of you.”

Alice : “Why didn’t she tell the truth from the first time?”

Edward : “She is afraid it will shock you. She waits until the right time.”

Alice : “Too late, her ways are wrong. It makes me sick of her.”

Edward : “YOU”RE SO STUBBORN ALICE! We need to talk at Rainbow Park tomorrow. It’s up to you,I just wanna help you to solve this, it’s your fault if you don’t come, bye!”

Alice : “ Ed, Edward…”

Actually, Mr. And Mrs. Arthur, Victor, Catherine, and Edward have made plans before. All of them came to Rainbow Park. They ordered Edward to call just for provoke Alice. The final conflict began on the next day.

Victor : “Mom, Dad, Catherine, Edward, just hide here.”

All : “Okay.”

Alice was coming. Victor came from behind her.

Alice : “Where is Edward?”

Victor : “I’m here, my beloved one.”

Alice : “So Edward trapped me? I won’t hear anything from you.”

Victor : “(Hold Alice’s hands) Alice, you’re the only one I love, no one can replace you. My parents have agreed our relationship, cause you’re the daughter of my dad’s friend too. It’s click.”

Alice : “Are you serious?”

Mr. Arthur : “Sure, Alice. I think you’re the best for Victor. Victor have told many things about you. And.I know, no one can love someone under pressure from their parents.”

Mrs. Arthur : “I know your mom had 2 daughters. But I don’t know that you are the one. Victor is lucky.to have you, honey. Please forgive him.”

Victor : “Will you marry me, Alice?”

Alice : “(Froze for a while)…… It’s my dream, Victor. I love you.”

Victor : “I love you too, thanks Alice.”

Mr. Arthur : “Oh so sweet! Like our stories when we were young, mom.”

Mrs. Arthur : “Stop. I’m shy!”

Alice : “Catherine, my deepest sorry. I’m too stubborn, I’m so proud to have a sister like you. I love you, thanks for all.”

Catherine : “You’re very welcome sis. I’m so happy you’ll get married! I wish there is a guy come to.me later like Victor.”

Edward : “Don’t you realize it? The guy is here.”

Catherine : “Here? Where?”

Edward : “It’s me Catherine!!! I love you from the first time we meet!”

Catherine : “You’re kidding!”

Edward : “No, it’s my real feeling for you! Should I shout here so anyone would know that I love you?!”

Catherine : “Don’t! Don’t! Stop it!”

Edward : “So, would you be my girlfriend? One day, I’ll prove that I can make you happy more than.Victor had done for Alice! Yeah I will! You love me, don’t you?”

Catherine : “It’s a stupid question. Of course I do.”

Alice : “Yeaaay, congrats sista! Your wish come true!”

Victor : “Longlast bro!”

Mr. Arthur : “I want to say something too. I love you mom, don’t ever leave me.”

Mrs. Arthur : “We will be together until the death come. You’re the best dad!”

Then all of them had met theirs partner life. They lived happily ever after. Love is destiny. Believe that God have prepared the best for you. A kind man for a kind woman, so do something that useful and always be grateful in this life!

Thanks for reading!

THE END~

Script

Contact Information

Trisha mae B isidro

Magalang,Pampanga

Philippines

(+63) 9754866504

[email protected]

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youraveragecommstudent · 1 year

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Keep Your Friends Close, and Your Frenemies Closer

Podcasts are the modern version of talk radio. People don’t have to tune in at a specific time and are less constrained by a network’s rules and regulations. Podcasts come in such a wide variety of genres and themes it is easy to find something that fits your interests. One podcast channel I have been watching for a long time was started by a Youtube couple named Ethan and Hila Klein, called the H3 podcast after their Youtube channel, H3H3. This podcast was all about inviting celebrity guests and discussing things about pop culture from their own point of view. This show grew in popularity because of the dynamic between the hosts and their crew and the jokes and bits they built upon for years. Eventually, they created several other shows like H3TV and H3 After Dark in order to streamline their original podcast to focus on interviews. Eventually, they even started an entertainment political show called Leftovers featuring political commentator Hasan Piker.

However, no single show was quite as popular as their show named Frenemies. This show starred Ethan and YouTube personality, Trisha Paytas talking about various pop culture topics and playing various different games. They often came dressed up in crazy costumes each episode with Ethan even shaving his head to come dressed as Fester from The Addams Family. This seems like a simple concept, and it is. Less entertaining people would cause this show to flop. What made this work was the history these two people have together and the dynamic they have on camera. They had Trisha on an episode of the H3 Podcast where they got to know her zany, bubble-headed, and controversial Youtube persona. She is known for causing a significant amount of controversy and for not being the sharpest crayon in the box. They also had her on their own version of the bachelor where they tried to find a partner for Hila’s brother Moses. They ended up leaving the show and hooking up before officially getting together during the pandemic. The reason why Frenemies was so popular should be abundantly clear by now: the DRAMA.

This dynamic could not be created through traditional media sources. A figure as controversial as Trisha Paytas would not likely be the first choice as a co-host. The dynamic the two shared on-screen was also extremely volatile, with some episodes showing Ethan and Trisha getting along like they were best friends while in others they fought to the point Trisha left mid-episode. Everything was so unpredictable, no traditional media business would ever try this dynamic because it was too risky. Ethan took this risk head-on and it paid off because this show became an online cultural phenomenon. For a while. Things eventually became too volatile and Trisha left the show officially, which was followed by internet beef and drama for months afterward (which leaked into the personal lives of the hosts themselves, as by that time Trisha and Moses were engaged).

This show is something that could never be created again because of how unique and risky it was, but because of that, it would forever live on in internet history as one of the most entertaining podcasts out there.

Below is the first of many episodes where Trisha and Ethan fought and Trisha walked out.

youtube

Tweet: https://twitter.com/reaganlauren12/status/1650215020469387264

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randomvarious · 1 year

Photo

Today’s compilation:

Country Undercover 1998 Country / Country-Pop / Country-Rock

Definitely not too big of a country head, but this compilation of countrified covers of some rock & roll classics that was put out by BMG in 1998 isn't too bad. And it features some real legends of the genre on it too, like Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, Steve Earle, George Jones, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Rogers, Conway Twitty, and Loretta Lynn. Good mix of old and contemporary acts here.

But I don't love this release, overall. Some of these songs are pretty good, but none of them are really all that spectacular to me. Favorite song though, *from a musical standpoint, not a lyrical one,* is probably Tanya Tucker's live rendition of The Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," which contains some pretty controversial lyrics on it that, depending on who you ask, may or may not be glorifying the Confederacy 😬. For what it's worth though, established publications, like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork, have ranked The Band's version on some of their own X-number "greatest songs" lists. And if you've never heard Tanya Tucker sing because you have a visceral dislike of country music or something, give her a chance, because her spunk and distinct rasp are really great. A soft-spoken and delicate white southern belle she most certainly is not; she's fierce! 😤

Something that's striking though—and I've run into it a bunch of times with other albums—is this 90s studio sound that just feels so sanitized and soulless? It's hard to put a finger on what it is exactly, or if there's a term that's been coined for it at all, but I feel like you hear it with a lot more adult-oriented releases from this decade. It just feels like it lacks so much warmth. And there's so many songs from this era that are plagued by it too. I know I sound vague here, but it's not a really easy thing to describe! Hopefully someone out there understands what I'm trying to say, but a bunch of songs on this album suffer from it. Vince Gill and Karla Bonoff's "When Will I Be Loved" and Rodney Crowell's "Candy Man" are prime examples. Would love to know what it is exactly that makes them sound so lame!

No highlights.

#country #country music #country pop #pop country #pop #country rock #rock #music #70s #70s music #70's #70's music #80s #80s music #80's #80's music #90s #90s music #90's #90's music

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worryinglyinnocent · 2 years

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Fic: Diverging Paths (29/31)

Summary: Xerxes falls and the only two survivors walk away from the dead city.

Homunculus is keen to make the most of the new human body he now wears, and he goes out into the world, still planning his ascension to godhood as he strips away his vices and turns them into homunculi.

Van Hohenheim believes he has become a monster, and he hides himself away, befriending the other abominations of the world, failed human transmutations doomed to agonising half-life without the intervention of a Philosopher’s Stone.

Years later, Homunculus meets Trisha Elric and sires two sons with her before vanishing into the night, whilst Hohenheim tries to foil his doppelgänger’s schemes.

Years after that, Edward and Alphonse Elric are caught up in the middle of it all…

A Father-Hohenheim role reversal switcheroo, following Mangahood’s main plot with elements of ‘03, based on the premise ‘what if Father was Ed and Al’s father and Hohenheim was the one hiding under Central?’

Rated: Teen

[One] [Two] [Three] [Four] [Five] [Six] [Seven] [Eight] [Nine] [Ten] [Eleven] [Twelve] [Thirteen] [Fourteen] [Fifteen] [Sixteen] [Seventeen] [Eighteen] [Nineteen] [Twenty] [Twenty-One] [Twenty-Two] [Twenty-Three] [Twenty-Four] [Twenty-Five] [Twenty-Six] [Twenty-Seven] [Twenty-Eight] [AO3]

Content Warning: Canon-typical violence

Twenty-Nine

Ed would admit that he was desperate. He had no idea what to do now, and looking at Teacher, he could see that she had no idea what to do either. They were cut off from their back-up, and the only reinforcements that they did have up here in the throne room were both unconscious. Considering Father’s vast power, it would be stupid to try and attack him now, just the two of them.

Maybe with Al and Hohenheim they could have put up a good defence, but Ed still couldn’t help thinking about the fact that Mustang was probably going to appear in their midst soon. He didn’t want to think about what state the colonel might be in, and having to take care of him in the middle of a pitched battle wouldn’t have been easy.

There was a tiny little cough from Al’s armour and Ed looked across at him, but he showed no signs of waking. Indeed, the little cough seemed to have echoed from within his chest cavity rather than being his normal voice.

He ventured closer as the cough came again, and this time it was loud enough for Father to have heard it too.

“How interesting.” He stepped down from his throne and came towards Al; Ed threw himself between them.

“If you lay a finger on him…”

Father dutifully did not move any closer, but there was the crackle of alchemy and Al’s chest cavity opened of its own accord, revealing May curled up inside. Ed gave her a hand out and she glared at Father.

“Hmm. An interesting stowaway for sure, but ultimately of no use or interest.”

Ed clapped, ready to defend May to the last, although he had no idea quite how he would do it when Father could perform alchemy merely by thinking.

Before Father could do anything, however, there was a bright crack of alchemic lightning and a heavy thud, everyone’s attention immediately being drawn to the centre of the room, where two figures had just landed in an ungainly heap. One of them got shakily to their feet, and Ed recognised a very battered-looking Patience.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say let’s never do that again ever. You all right, Colonel?”

Ed’s blood ran cold and he raced across the floor with Teacher towards the colonel, who hadn’t managed to get further than all fours. Mustang’s nose was streaming blood, and Ed dreaded to think what Truth might have taken from him at the gate, even more so when he knew that Mustang would never have performed human transmutation willingly.

“Ok, that’s not good.” Patience’s flippant attitude dropped and they crouched down beside Mustang again, fishing in a pocket and coming up with a handkerchief. “Right, lean forward, can you still see?”

There was a nasal affirmative; at least Mustang was still conscious and coherent so there was some hope that it wasn’t his brain pouring out of his nostrils. Ed noticed that his hands were injured too, blood on his slashed gloves that had not come from his nose. He chilled further when he realised that meant Mustang would not be able to perform flame alchemy.

“Ed, we've got this, you get back to Al and May,” Teacher said.

“It’s almost time,” Patience agreed. “He’ll start as soon as Al and Hohenheim are conscious.”

Across the room, Ed could see Hohenheim beginning to stir and pick himself off the ground. Maybe if Al stayed out of it just a little while longer, they could do something, maybe…

There was a metallic ringing sound in his ears, and he knew from May’s sudden pained expression that something had shifted. He clapped his hands together, but he couldn’t feel the alchemy. He was powerless.

The sky was almost full dark outside now, it was nearly time.

Al suddenly sat bolt upright with a gasp and Ed ran over to him.

“Al! Are you ok?”

“Ed? What’s happening? Where are we?” He patted his chest frantically. “Where’s May, she was in my armour, did she get left behind?”

“I’m here Alphonse.” May patted his hand, trying to smile and put a brave face on it, but Ed could see just how scared she was.

Al gave a sigh of relief and looked around the room. “Where are we?”

“This is the very top of Central Command.” Ed nodded towards their father. “Where the country is run from.”

Father just smiled. Everyone was conscious now, and he had all five sacrifices ready and waiting, powerless to do anything to stop him. All of the parts of his plan were in place.

“Now that we’re all here and all awake, I think that it’s time to begin.”

The sun faded from view completely as Father pressed his hands together, and shadows began to snake rapidly across the floor from his feet, grabbing Ed and Al before either of them could dodge out of the way and wrapping around them to immobilise them before throwing them out to the corners of the room, pulling them down onto the ground.

“Is this Pride?”

“No.” Hohenheim, evidently still groggy, was similarly restrained, and Ed could see that Teacher and the colonel were getting the same treatment. Patience was unaffected, and they grabbed May out of the shadow’s path, carrying her to the very edge of the room as the sacrifices were positioned onto the points of a huge transmutation circle. “No, this is Homunculus’s true form. He created Pride in his own image.”

Ed looked on in horror as his father’s body began to melt and disintegrate into shadow, a mass of eyes and teeth just like Pride had been but so much worse.

Then there was only blinding pain and oblivion as the Promised Day began in earnest.

“Edward? Edward, are you all right?”

Ed forced his eyes open; every nerve felt like he’d been squished through a laundry mangle five times over, but he had to know what was happening, he had to see for himself. Hohenheim was crouched beside him, holding out a hand. Across the room, Al was sitting up too, with May fussing over him, and he could see Izumi and Mustang getting to their feet as well. At least Mustang’s nose seemed to have stopped bleeding now.

He really didn’t want to look at the centre of the room, but his eyes were drawn to the throne nonetheless. Father was sitting there again, at least, Ed assumed it was him. He’d regained his physical form but lost about two decades from his original appearance, now looking like a young man, although his cold, arrogant expression remained the same.

“Hohenheim, is that what you looked like when you were younger?” Patience asked.

Hohenheim glanced over at Father as he helped Ed back to his feet, the others all coming over and congregating around them. Right now safety in numbers was probably their only chance.

“Yes.”

“Wow. You were really very pretty, you know.”

“Patience, much as I love your compliments, now’s not the time.”

“You’re absolutely right and good grief!”

Father’s form appeared to shift before their very eyes, morphing out of solid form and into something more resembling the true many-eyed, many-toothed shadow form before reforming back into the youthful appearance, but he still seemed unable to hold the form, as if all the souls now inside him were bubbling under the surface, squirming to get out of their new prison.

“I take it back, you were definitely not pretty.” Patience just looked on, agog. “What the everloving heck is going on?”

Ed couldn’t explain it, and from the look on Father’s face, he couldn’t explain it either.

“My failsafe.” Hohenheim’s expression was grim, but there was nonetheless a note of triumph in his voice, and as he went on to explain what he had been doing for the past few years, Ed had to agree that the triumph was definitely deserved. Gradually laying down souls in the ground to counteract Father’s nationwide circle using the shape of the umbra, he could reverse what Father had just done without any conscious intervention on his own part.

The expression of utter rage on Father’s face as he realised that it had all been for nothing and he could not hold onto those millions of souls would have been a delight to behold had the circumstances not been so dire.

He could not keep hold of the souls much longer, not when Hohenheim’s alchemy had activated and was working of its own accord. There was a shriek of alchemic power and the sound of thousands upon thousands of souls screaming as they poured out of him and back towards their bodies, and Ed allowed himself a sigh of relief. Even if they couldn’t defeat Father and fell at this last hurdle, their friends outside weren’t dead. They’d managed to stop that, at least.

Now that Father did not have the power of the souls inside him, though… How would he hold onto the full, unmitigated power of Truth?

Ed ducked on instinct as a blast of pure alchemic energy flew across the room towards them, even though he knew it would probably be a useless defence. He clapped but there was still nothing doing. Scar must not have been able to set the counter-circle in place yet, and he was counting down the seconds until he felt it come back to him.

Right now he was powerless, and so were Al, Teacher and Mustang. It was up to May and Hohenheim to save them all from this madman.

They were doing the best they could, May keeping the room steady around them whilst Hohenheim held back Father’s continued attack. Ed could see his hands disintegrating down to the bone and reforming with the crackle of the Philosopher’s Stone.

At last the sustained attack stopped as suddenly as it had started, and as the lightning finally faded and Hohenheim and May could get their breath back, Ed could see why Father had stopped. Even though the souls of Amestris had been released, Father was still unable to keep his human shape, shifting and disintegrating and healing on a constant loop.

He gave a roar of rage, going for Hohenheim again.

“What have you done?”

“For once, this one’s not my fault.” Hohenheim deflected the blow before it could connect but it sent him off balance, Ed and Al both shot forward to prop him up. “I have as little idea of what’s happening as you do. Unless…” He glanced behind him at Patience, who was checking on Mustang. “Unless your five sacrifices were only four. If the alchemist doesn’t pay a toll then they never see the truth, and if they never see the truth, then they’re useless to you. With only four sacrifices, the power would not settle properly.”

Mustang had come through with Patience. Patience had a stable Philosopher’s Stone at their core. Patience’s Stone had paid the toll instead of Mustang.

Father had consumed God, but now it seemed that God was trying to consume him instead.

He was still shifting and changing form as he continued to rage, and Hohenheim could not hold back the searing alchemy at the same time as stopping the punch to his gut, Father trying to siphon out the souls within him to bolster his own Philosopher’s Stone even as he kept trying to go for the others that Hohenheim was defending.

Ed was powerless to do anything except watch.

Scar let Chastity and Chary all but drag him into the middle of the chamber, and he slammed his hands down against the complex array that had been hidden in his brother’s notebooks.

Bright white lightning flared out, and he took a moment to appreciate a job well done before allowing himself to pass out from the blood loss.

Ed felt the metallic ringing sound again, and he clapped on instinct, hearing the crack of alchemy and smelling the ozone, the tectonic energy practically singing in his veins. The rush of power was intoxicating almost, not just the ability to perform alchemy again, but the sheer force of it, the like of which he had never felt before. The layer of Philosopher’s Stone under the earth had not just nullified his alchemy whilst Father had it active, it had been dampening the effects for all the time that he had been using it.

Ed slammed his hands down on the ground, destroying the floor into an explosion of concrete, stone and timber, shards flying and impaling Father, sending him flying and cutting him off from Hohenheim, who collapsed onto his knees with a groan of exertion. Teacher too was on the offensive, alchemy ringing out and mangling the floor even more as she pummelled Father.

Ed was back, and he was angry, and he was going to beat this Bearded Bastard to within an inch of his pathetic life, because he had just killed everyone in Amestris, because he thought that he could be God, and because, above all else…

“You killed my mom!”

Al needed no prompting to get into the fray, working in tandem with May’s flying kunai as she did what she could as well to defend Mustang and Hohenheim, Patience darting in between the flying alchemy looking for any opportunity to land a physical blow.

Even as they all threw everything they had at him, though, Ed knew that they would end up fighting a losing battle. Although Father was nowhere near as powerful as he could have been had he held the full power of Truth, he still had far more power than all of the rest of them, and he would never hold back, not when he had nothing to lose like this. Ed could see him draw in his power, and a massive blast of lightning ricocheted around the room, sending spots dancing in front of Ed’s eyes.

For a moment he was certain that he was dead, but then Hohenheim was back on his feet and coming between them, and Patience was pushing Mustang and Teacher down out of the radius, and Al’s armoured body was steadfastly taking the blast to protect Ed and May as much as he could as they scrabbled back against the far wall and realised there was nowhere left to run…

The light faded. Ed watched in horror as Father tossed Hohenheim aside like a ragdoll and Teacher hauled herself up to go and check on him, winded and weakened from the blast. Al’s armour was wrecked and almost in pieces. Patience was flat on their back, Philosopher’s Stone sparking as they healed from whatever damage the blast had caused them. May was already exhausted from the strain of holding everything together, struggling to get back on her feet. Mustang was still covered in blood and still couldn’t transmute.

Father was coming towards Ed.

As he looked at the scorch marks on the wall next to him, a hair’s breadth from where he was pressed up against the stone, Ed realised something very fundamental and terrifying.

His arm was gone. His arm was gone, smashed to smithereens even more effectively than it had been during that first fight with Scar, and like that first fight with Scar, Ed could feel the panic begin to course through his veins, because he had no defence now, and he had no alchemy, and because this monstrosity with the power of a god had wiped the floor with everyone else. This time there would be no Patience jumping in at the last minute to buy him time before the military arrived.

The military would not arrive. No one else was coming, no one else could come, it was all down to those of them in this room, and there was nothing any of them could do right now.

Father was still coming towards Ed.

He felt the soft whoosh of moving air beside him, and glanced to see May’s kunai in a perfect formation around his shoulder stump.

No. No, no, anything but that. No.

“ALPHONSE!”

The light was blinding and the pain was searing white hot.

But his arm was back. Barely more than skin and bone, the nails long and cracked and worn, but it was an arm and a hand that he had not had before, and right now, Ed could feel nothing but rage, alchemy forgotten as he pushed himself back onto his feet and stood to face the flickering thing coming towards him, clapping and smacking and sending shards flying, before punching out with both fists and thrashing the grotesque monster, landing blow after blow in the hope of easing some of his pain by causing as much as possible to his father. You killed my mom and you took my brother from me, and I will make you HURT.

He was weakening, Ed could see that from the way the alchemic lightning was flickering around him constantly now, expending all of the souls in the Stone at a phenomenal rate just to try and keep his form stable as he struggled to contain all the power of god within an imperfect vessel. He would not contain it much longer, he could not, as long as Ed just kept forcing him to use the Stone to heal as well as to keep himself together, he would fail, he had to fail, Ed had to win, this thing could not continue to exist as it did, it was already breaking down and rebuilding…

The thing that had once been father staggered away from him, losing form and function with every passing second, and Ed landed a final blow to the head before sinking down onto his knees, winded. Please let that be enough. Please let it all be over. The sheer, uncontrollable rage that he felt was beginning to ebb. He was so tired, and he was in so much pain, and so bereft at the knowledge that Al was gone now.

The homunculus gave a final eerie scream, thousands of voices all crying out at the same time, before it began to implode in on itself, hundreds of red souls escaping and vanishing into the atmosphere through the smashed out windows as the physical form shrank down and dwindled until it was just a ball of smoke.

“Hohenheim!” It was such a small voice, like a child almost, begging. “Hohenheim, please!”

Hohenheim shook his head sadly, and then the smoke ball was gone.

It was all over.

#FMA Brotherhood #FMA Fanfiction #Edward Elric #Alphonse Elric #Fic: Diverging Paths

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kikis-writing-world · 3 years

Text

Whiskey Straight - The Mission (3)

Jack Daniels x F!Reader

The adrenaline rush you got from completing missions, aiding an international spy, was something you didn’t realize your life had been missing at home. You were hooked. But Phil’s latest ask might be farther past the line than you can let yourself go.

Word Count: 5.3k

Warnings: Unwanted sexual advances, and someone doesn’t respect the word “NO” - it doesn’t get too far, but I definitely don’t want anyone being triggered. Light violence. Something I guess I would call a kidnapping scenario?

A/N: A little more Whiskey in this one, but mostly a lot of Phil... but also, it’s starting to get good. If you’ve stuck with it this far, thought all the set-up, I hope you’re really going to enjoy where we go from here. Divider graphics by @firefly-graphics

Series Masterlist - Prologue - One - Two - Three - Four - Five - Six - Seven

It took two long, boring weeks for the call you were waiting for to come in. Finally hearing your codename again had a zing of adrenaline shooting through your system. Phil wouldn’t tell you over the phone what he needed but he gave you specific instructions on where and when to meet him the next morning, down to the minute. You agreed, knowing your boss likely wouldn’t have a problem with you taking your morning break a little early. You probably over rehearsed asking in your head given that your boss didn’t ask any questions, simply granted your request. You tucked your book under your arm - Phil had told you to bring a book to avoid looking suspicious - as you headed for the park.

There were a handful of people out, walking their dogs or just passing through the park. The bench Phil had described to you was empty, so you sat down and glanced around you before opening your book. You didn’t even bother trying to read, too excited to focus on the story you’d already read once before. You kept your face trained towards the book but kept your eyes sweeping your peripheral vision.

“Turn the page once in a while.” The voice behind you made you jump. You started to turn on instinct when he told you, “don’t look. It’s me.”

“Phil?” You whispered, staring at the page in front of you. After a moment, you took his advice and turned the page.

“Yes.” He confirmed. You felt something, likely his elbow, nudge against your back as he sat down and got comfortable on the bench that was backed against yours. It was strangely comforting to feel him there when you were being so clandestine. “Did anyone follow you?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“I think so.” You had been trying to pay attention as you walked to the park and you didn’t notice anything strange. Now you were worried - had someone followed you? Would you have even been able to tell?

“Good.”

A silence fell over the two of you and you wondered if it was too soon to turn the page again. You were antsy for him to tell you more about what he needed you to do.

“When I get up in a few minutes, I’m going to cross in front of you. Don’t look, don’t watch me. I’ll drop an envelope on the bench beside you. Pick it up and slide it into your book. Don’t open it until you get somewhere safe.”

You almost nodded until you realized he wouldn’t see anyways. “Okay.” You confirmed.

“There’s a few pictures inside of a suitcase,” he continued. “I need you to find a suitcase that looks as close to it as possible. There should be enough cash in there to cover it.”

“A suitcase?” You questioned, not sure why he needed you to buy a suitcase.

“Yes. I can’t have it tied to me. It’s classified, I can’t tell you why.”

You had no choice but to take his word for it.

“I’ll call you on Thursday to arrange the pick-up. Do you think you can have it by then?”

It was Monday. That gave you almost 4 days to figure out where to buy this suitcase. As long as it wasn’t some rare, customized piece, that shouldn’t be hard at all.

“I think so.” You told him.

“Good. If anyone asks, you’re just shopping for new luggage. Maybe you saw a picture of this one and you like it.”

“New luggage.” You repeated with a nod of your head.

“You’re a gem, Trisha.”

You felt your face heat with the praise. You weren’t sure what to say, but Phil kept talking anyway.

“I’m about to leave. Remember, don’t look. Wait a minute or two before you take off.”

“I will.” You confirmed, flipping the page in your book and keeping your eyes on the print. You heard his jacket rustle and the bench creak as he stood. His footsteps were muted as he made his way around the benches. The plain white envelope dropped to your side and you picked it up, sliding it in the back of your book. As anxious as you were to open it, to start planning out where you would find the illusive luggage, you followed Phil’s instructions. You faked reading for another minute before leaving the park.

Once you were back at work, you opened the envelope. Inside was a stack of 20s and the pictures of the suitcase. You were happy to see it looked pretty plain, a blue suitcase with no major distinguishing marks. There was even a close up of the logo so you’d be able to identify it easily.

You were eager to get started, going to a nearby mall on your lunch break. You found a few suitcases that were similar but you knew you could do better. You grabbed something quick from the food court to eat on your way back to the office, making a mental list of other stores you could think of to check out this week.

You left Jack a message you would be a little bit late that night before leaving work. You planned to stop at a few of the stores on your way home to check if they carried the type of suitcase in the picture. You lucked out, finding it in the first store you stopped in.

“For your husband?” The saleslady had asked. You just nodded with a hum as you paid.

You were on a high, having completed the “mission” so quickly. Phil had given you 4 days and it hadn’t even taken you one. You were better at this than you expected.

The day of the pick up he had you drive your car to a parking lot and take a bus from there to the station, where he picked you up. You acted like old friends as you arrived, going so far to hug each other in the terminal as he took the bag for you and led you to his car. You were thrilled to ride in his sports car as he drove you back to your own vehicle. It was easily the nicest car you’d ever been in and if you thought the purr of the engine was impressive from the outside, it was simply on another level from the inside. You couldn’t help but laugh as he sped past the other cars on the highway, the adrenaline surging through you from the successful mission and the speed of the car.

It didn’t take you long to become addicted to the feeling of helping Phil with his international espionage. The missions were never hard - he’d send you to buy something that he couldn’t be traced to, or he’d ask you to spend an evening sitting in a café to watch if someone came in. You never felt like you were directly in danger but the excitement was real nonetheless. The debriefings you had with Phil, sitting in hole-in-the-wall restaurants and coffee shops around the city, were filled with more stories of his travels and the dangers he encountered. He also started coaching you, sharing little tips to help watch if you were being followed, ways to stay safe. It was all fascinating.

The latest mission had been to spy on a woman in a hair salon. Phil had given you cash yet again and made you an appointment at the same time as her. All that he asked while you got your hair done on the government’s dime was to listen in to the conversation she had with her hairdresser. It was easy, except for when the dryers were turned on in the salon.

You couldn’t stop the spring in your step as you met up with Phil immediately afterwards. Today the two of you were meeting in a coffee shop only a few blocks from the salon. The nice weather of the fall afternoon plus the confidence boost from your hair - and the excitement to finish the mission report - made it a quick walk.

“Trisha,” Phil stood, greeting you with a hug as you reached the booth. “You look fantastic.”

“Thank you.” You smiled, cheeks heating slightly under the pleasant attention. Your hair did look fantastic, and you felt fantastic for it.

“Good day?” Phil asked, pulling your chair out for you. You knew he was asking if you’d been able to get any information off the “mark,” as Phil had taught you to call her.

“Of course.” You grinned, waiting until the waiter approached the table and giving your order before filling him in on everything you’d overheard.

The woman hadn’t said anything that sounded important to you, but you’d done your best to memorize it regardless. She mostly griped about her ex-husband, a used car salesman that sounded like a loser. Phil ate up the information, sharing with you in hushed tones that the government had reason to believe her the man was spying for the Ukrainian government. You hoped the information helped as you sipped your latte.

You returned home, excited to show Jack your new hairdo. Maybe it was due to all the new excitement going on in your life, but you were ready for a change. The style wasn’t something you usually went for but you were extremely happy with it. You couldn’t wait to see Jack’s reaction.

“Jack? I’m home.” You called into the house as you toed off your shoes. You had told him you had an appointment as you were leaving the house that morning, but hadn’t told him it would be to have your hair done - and most of all, not that it was to spy on some unsuspecting lady.

“In here.” He called back from the den. You double checked your appearance in the mirror of your mudroom, fluffing your hair up a little bit before padding through the house.

You leaned against the doorframe, watching Jack read the paper as you waited for him to look up at you. After waiting several beats, he still hadn’t acknowledged you.

“Jack?”

“Yes, honey?” He hummed, still not looking up as he flipped the page.

You sighed, pushing off of the wall and making your way to sit on the arm of his chair. “Anything new in the news?” You asked, trying to give him the hint.

“It’s news, new is part of the definition.” He chuckled.

You blinked at him as he continued to peruse the print. You shoved his shoulder, trying to get his attention off the damned paper.

“Sorry, honey!” Jack apologized, folding the paper closed and resting it on his lap. He kissed your cheek, having to lean up a little in the chair to do so. “How was your day?”

You waited a moment, giving him a chance to notice, but he just waited for your answer. “Seriously?” You deadpanned, smile falling as he looked up at you.

“What?” He questioned, brow furrowing in confusion.

“You don’t notice anything different?” You prompted.

You saw the slight panic in Jack’s eyes, the typical deer in the headlights look of a man who knows he’s on thin ice. “Is… is that new… lipstick?” He drawled, his southern accent coming in stronger as he stretched his words, buying time.

You deflated, shaking your head as you stood from the chair. You couldn't believe he didn’t even notice.

“Hair!” He shouted after you, and you could hear the newspaper fall to the floor. “Your hair, it looks gorgeous! I couldn’t see it before!”

“Never mind, Jack.” You huffed, waving him off over your shoulder as you tried to keep your disappointment in check.

You heard his footsteps stop as he let you go, cursing under his breath. You barely spoke to him for the rest of the day.

The phone on your desk rang late Monday morning and you answered it as usual. You weren’t expecting Phil’s voice on the other side of the line.

“I need to see you.”

You glanced around, nervous someone would overhear. “Phil?” He’d never called you at work before.

“Can you meet me?”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“I think so…” You bit your lip. You could probably take an early lunch.

“Where we first met.” He instructed.

“I’ll be there.”

The line clicked dead.

You hung up, once again checking your surroundings to see if anyone had overheard your end of the conversation. No one seemed to have taken notice.

“Sandy?” You called over your coworker and closest friend at work. “Can you cover for me if I take an early lunch?”

Sandy grinned, crossing her arms over her chest. “Going to meet this mystery man you won’t tell me about?”

You felt your face heat up, but you denied it. “I told you, there’s no mystery man.” Sandy had been insistent there was someone you were seeing on the side for weeks.

“Mmhmm,” she hummed disbelievingly. “You’re chipper, you’re glowing, you got your hair done. There’s a mystery man.”

“I’m happily married, I don’t need another man in my life.” You reminded her.

“You’re married, alright.” She huffed, and you knew she purposely left out the “happily” part.

“Are you going to cover for me or not?” You asked, already pulling your jacket on.

“Of course,” she scoffed. “Just remember who had your back, and think about telling her about your new mystery man.”

You rolled your eyes, knowing she wasn’t going to give in. You had to meet Phil, you could argue with her later. “Thank you!”

Phil was sitting at the same table you had been at the first time you met him, the day that he had dropped that briefcase at your feet. He looked nervous, which in turn made you nervous. The man had always been cool and collected every time you spoke. If there was something dangerous enough to make him nervous, you didn’t want to meet it.

You slipped into the seat across from him and you noticed his relief at seeing you.

“Phil, what’s wrong?” You whispered, leaning in close to keep the conversation between you private. There were a few other patrons, but it was luckily too early for the lunch rush.

“I need your help.” Phil told you. “This is… it’s bigger than anything else you’ve done for me so far.”

“Tell me.” You pushed, reaching across the table to rest your hand on top of his. It felt strange, trying to comfort the man you knew to be so calm. He was usually calming your anxieties about missions, not the other way around.

“I have to go to Paris.” He blurted out. You nodded in understanding, waiting for him to explain your part of the plot. “And I need you to come with me.”

You swore you didn’t hear him properly, as you stuttered, “w-what?”

“I need you to come with me to Paris.” He repeated, slower this time.

“Paris… Texas?” You questioned, shaking your head in disbelief.

“France.” He confirmed.

“I can’t go to France.” You argued, still shaking your head.

“Why not?”

“I have a job, a husband-”

“It wouldn’t be for long, just a few days.” He cut you off. “You can make up a vacation. No one has to know you’ve left the country.”

You gaped at him, mouth opening and closing lamely as you tried to process what he was telling you. The little lies you’d been feeding people in your life were just that, little. Harmless. This was a huge lie. Leaving the country without telling anyone? “I don’t know, Phil…”

“I need you, Trisha. You’re the only person I trust to do this with me.” He pleaded, turning his hand over to grip yours. You stared at your joined hands, a feeling of pride blossoming in your chest knowing he trusted you.

“I’d have to know more before I can agree to anything.” You told him, losing some of your fight at his flattery.

“I need you to pose as my wife. Other agencies, other spies, they’re looking for a single man travelling alone. No one is going to be looking for a married couple. That’s all you would have to do. Give me a cover story by pretending to be my wife.”

You sat silently, absorbing the information. Phil continued to talk about his mission, about what he’d be doing while in Paris. You’d get to sight-see while he was working and occasionally he would join you at certain landmarks, watching for the mark. It truly would be a vacation for you, and all you would have to do is pose as Trisha Strickland, wife of Phil Strickland.

“The mission isn’t until next month, so you have time to decide. To plan. Please, consider it. If not for me, then for America.” Phil begged.

“I’ll consider it.” You promised, feeling numb.

You couldn’t concentrate when you went back to work. Your mind was swirling, preoccupied with Phil’s request. Paris was beautiful, and you’d always hoped you would go there someday. The museums, the history, the food. The romantic part of you always hoped you’d get a cheesy picture kissing the love of your life in front of the Eiffel Tower. Even if you did go, you obviously weren’t going to get that picture- or any pictures for that matter. It would be an absolute secret.

It had been a long time since you’d taken a vacation. They’d been planned for sure, but they often were cancelled last minute due to Jack’s work. You’d grown accustomed to stay-cations, spending the days relaxing at home with no obligations - but it got lonely. The last time the two of you had gone anywhere of note had been your honeymoon. There had been smaller trips since then, but nowhere exciting. You missed the thrill of planning a trip away and being able to actually go through with it.

You drove home, having to mindfully force yourself out of the daze you were in and watch the road. You wished you could talk to someone about the situation, asking for their opinion and advice. You remembered when Jack had been the person you could turn to for anything, but this was something you couldn’t share. You banished the thought as guilt bubbled up within you for keeping this secret from him. From keeping the whole secret from him, from the very beginning.

You parked in the driveway, surprised to see Jack’s Bronco already parked in it’s spot beside yours. You usually got home before him, so it was a pleasant surprise to think that the two of you would have some extra time together this evening. You thought of the early days of your marriage, before the routine and the responsibilities of Jack’s position set in. The two of you would make dinner together, laughing as Jack got sauce on his nose or misread a teaspoon of salt for a tablespoon. A night like that would be good for you, would help you take your mind off of Phil and Paris, at least for a little bit.

You could hear Jack’s heavy footfalls upstairs as you entered the house, walking around in a hurry. You wondered what he was up to as you made your way up the stairs.

“What are you doing home so early, babe?” You asked, following the sounds to your bedroom.

“Emergency down in Kentucky.” He explained quickly, his whole being seeming to run on full speed. You frowned, watching as the man was throwing clothes into his suitcase carelessly. “Have to catch the red-eye tonight.”

You fought against the disappointment rising in your chest, trying not to show it on your face. You sighed quietly to yourself, pushing Jack out of the way to pack his suitcase properly. “Let me help.”

Jack stopped running around like a madman, letting you take over his packing. He wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his head on your shoulder as you refolded a shirt that had gotten all rumpled up in his attempt at packing.

“What would I do without you?” He praised, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

You smiled back half-heartedly.

“I’ll go order us some dinner.” Jack told you as he left the room before you had a chance to answer.

There you were, packing another suitcase for your husband as he took off across the country again. You felt bad, knowing it was part of his job. It wasn’t like he was jetsetting to get away from you or to go live it up… but you still felt the bitterness that he was once again leaving you behind.

If he could take off with little to no explanation at the drop of a hat, then so could you. You’d get a hold of Phil tomorrow after Jack left and tell him you would go with him to Paris.

You drummed your fingers nervously against your leg as Phil drove. The speeds and sounds of his sports car only adding to your trepidation, not giving you the adrenaline rush like the previous times you’d ridden with him. The more he sped, the closer you got to your destination, and the closer you got to rehearsing for your trip. He was kind enough not to mention your nerves as he drove, letting the radio play softly to fill the silence.

Phil had been thrilled when you told him you’d decided to join him on his mission to Paris. He promised you would love it, raving about the times he’d been. He didn’t often get to sightsee while he was there, but he did mention loving the food. Your excitement grew the more he talked about the country, wondering just how much you’d get to see in the few short days you were there. When Phil had asked to get together to go over the mission, you’d agreed. It wasn’t until he mentioned practicing your fake relationship that your stomach felt unsettled.

“We need to look comfortable around each other,” he’d reminded you. “If an enemy sees us flinching, or looking out of sync, that could be the difference between life or death.”

You hadn’t been close to a man that wasn’t Jack in years. Even before the two of you were married, you’d been dating for 2 years before that. The last time you’d even held hands romantically with another man had been on a date to see Love Actually in theatres! You didn’t know how to be with anyone but Jack anymore.

You watched as he pulled off the highway, navigating his way into the woods. He pulled into a small clearing where an old tow-behind camper sat. It was a light brown colour with an orange stripe around the middle and it reminded you of the 80s. The retractable awning was out, but the fabric was all torn up, flapping in the breeze. There were no lights on inside, but the cheap string lights along the awning were lit. You stepped out of the car, unable to the grimace on your face as you took in the rundown appearance of the place.

“Do you live here?” You asked skeptically.

“No,” Phil laughed as he ushered you towards the door. His hand on the small of your back made you jump. “It’s just a safe house.”

You said nothing, trying to relax at the warmth of his hand pressing into you through your clothes. He dropped his hand as he unlocked the door and you felt more at ease again. He stepped up into the trailer first, turning the lights on ahead of you.

You followed, closing the loud squeaking door behind you. The interior was just as dated as the exterior. Oranges and browns took over most of the décor. Fake wood paneling on the walls and the air is musty and stale.

“See, this is why we need to practice.” Phil spoke once the door was closed. “Even my hand on your back made you freeze up.”

“I’m sorry,” you laughed, feeling ridiculous. “It’s just…”

“It’s okay, I understand.” Phil chuckles, opening the fridge. “Beer?”

You’re about to decline automatically when you rethink it. One drink wouldn’t get you wasted, but hopefully it would help to take the edge off the nerves sending you for a loop. “Sure.”

Phil pops the top off two bottles and sits heavily on the brown bench seat. He holds one out to you as he nods next to him, inviting you to sit down.

You take the bottle, sitting down and taking a drink. As you do, Phil moves closer to you and it nearly makes you choke on the cold beer. You quickly swallow, which you’re glad to have done when you feel the weight of his arm drape over your shoulders.

“You need to relax,” he reminds you softly, his warm breath brushing against your cheek from how close he is. “It’s just me.”

“I know, I know.” You nod, breathing deeply as you try to force your shoulders to relax. You aren’t sure if you’re telling him or reassuring yourself at this point.

“If we’re going to pass for husband and wife, you need to let me touch you. Just imagine I’m your husband.” He continued, letting his thumb brush up and down your bicep. You could tell he was trying to be comforting, but it wasn’t working.

Thinking of Jack made your stomach churn. You felt guilty, sitting here with Phil instead of being at home with him. You were upset he’d been gone so much lately, but here you were with in an old camper with another man.

“Phil, I don’t know if I can-”

“I need you, Trisha.” He cut you off, his face directly in front of yours. When had he gotten that close? “The Government needs you.”

You opened and closed your mouth, searching for something to say. You felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. There was the mission but- You didn’t want this excitement anymore, and the government could shove it. You just wanted to go back home to Jack.

“Time to bite the bullet.” Phil told you, and it was the only warning you had before his lips were on yours.

You froze, completely unmoving except for your wide eyes and Phil tried to coax you to kiss him back. You managed a squeak as you tried to push him away, but he just pulled you in tighter. You dropped the bottle of beer you were holding, barely even hearing it clatter to the floor as you pushed his chest with both hands.

“Phil, it’s too fast-” You tried to tell him but he kept pressing his lips to yours, making it hard to speak. His hand wrapped around the back of your neck, his other hand massaging your thigh and you squeezed your eyes shut, trying to imagine it was Jack touching you. Except Jack didn’t feel like this. Even if your relationship hadn’t been as exciting lately as it once was, it was always special with Jack. He would never push you like this.

“Relax, Trisha.” Phil breathed into your ear before kissing your neck. It sent a shiver down your spine but not in a pleasant way. It felt wrong. You needed space.

“N-no. I can’t.” You shook your head, pushing harder against him. He didn’t listen, his hands and his lips continuing their explorations.

“Phil, stop. I can’t do this. I can’t.” You repeated like a mantra as you tried to push him off. Your arms started shaking with the force and the fear that was starting to spread through you. You’d said no, you didn’t want this.

He tried to slide between your legs, but you managed to plant your foot against his stomach and kick him back. He fell backwards off the bench seat, startled at your sudden burst of strength.

“I can’t!” You cried, curling up on yourself and backing away, trying to put as much distance between the two of you as you could. “I can’t do this!”

Phil was breathing heavily, looking at you with wide eyes. He was shocked you’d pushed him away. “Trisha-”

“That’s not my name!” You interrupted him, your mind swimming with what had happened. “I can’t… I’m not your… You’ll have to find someone else.”

“Please, you’re the only person I trust.” He cooed, reaching out until his hand touched your ankle. You jumped at the touch, kicking him away. His flattery didn’t work this time, the feeling of his lips on your skin too fresh.

“I don’t care! I can’t do this!” You shouted, keeping your voice firm.

The lights in the trailer went out suddenly, stopping Phil from saying anything more. You looked around, all the more fearful now that you were alone in the dark with him. Before you could ask what was going on, a blinding light shone in through the front window and you could hear helicopter blades louder than you’d ever heard before. You sat up, trying to block the light from your eyes. Sparks jumped through the walls, making you scream. They moved, cutting through the cheap paneling of the trailer until the entire front end fell off. The light was blinding, the wind from the helicopter surging around you in an overwhelming way. Phil stumbled as the wall gave way, falling back onto you.

“What- Get off!” You screeched, trying to free yourself from under him. Silhouetted by the light, two men ran into the trailer, making you scream. The door was kicked in with a loud bang, two more men running in so you and Phil were surrounded. You squeezed your eyes closed in fear as you heard the clicking of a gun near you, unable to stop yourself from screaming in fear once more.

Phil was ripped off of you but you were petrified stiff. You could barely hear Phil reasoning with the men over your own shrieks and the sound of the helicopter. Another man hauled you up by your arm, pulling you out of the trailer.

“Please! I didn’t do anything!” You begged as he pushed you ahead of him, his hands quickly taking hold of your shoulders. The wind outside was worse, the light too bright as you continued to beg to be let go. The man said nothing, only heightening your panic. You couldn’t see where he was leading you, but you knew you had to get away. Realizing his hold wasn’t too tight, you lurched forward out of his grasp. You spun around, blindly kicking out at him. You heard him grunt as you connected, but you didn’t stop to check if he was down. You turned and ran as fast as you could away from the trailer.

The helicopter’s search light followed you, making it hard to tell where you were running. You dodged trees that appeared in your vision at the last second, your breath coming in panicked gasps.

A van screeched to a halt in front of you, cutting off your escape. You moved to run around it but you were grabbed from behind. Two large arms wrapped around you and lifted you off the ground. You flailed, trying to kick backwards. When you didn’t connect, you leaned down and bit his arm as hard as you could. You heard him grunt as he dropped you.

You only got a few steps away before something hit you on the head. You stumbled, grabbing the back of your head as pain bloomed through your skull. You didn’t stop, staggering forward. You couldn’t stop.

Black dots clouded your vision as you were grabbed once more. You were hauled over the man’s shoulder. You protested, demanding he let you go as your strength failed you. Your vision grew darker as you were dropped into the back of the van. You only had a moment to take in the man, a tactical style vest and balaclava over his face, before you lost consciousness.

tagging @wickedfrsgrl @din-damn-djarin @dinthisisthe-wayson @vonschweetz @insideafictionaluniverse @driedgreentomatoes @computeringturtle @thottiewinemom @phoenixhalliwell @sheerfreesia007 @and-claudia @weirdowithnobeardo @massivecolorspygiant @mrstaekim @chibi-liz05 @adrieunor @ilikechocolatemilkh @thirstworldproblemss @dynishot @diamond-doritos @o-sacra-virgo-laudes-tibi

#Agent Whiskey #Agent Whiskey x Reader #Agent Whiskey x F!Reader #Agent Whiskey fanfic #Agent Whiskey imagine #Agent Jack Daniels #Agent Jack Daniels x Reader #Agent Jack Daniels fanfic #WookieTales #AU: Whiskey Straight

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burntlikethesun · 2 years

Note

For dw day - boomtown or fires of Pompeii :)

Boom Town:

'You've been in that skin suit too long. You've forgotten. There used to be a real Margaret Blaine. You killed her and stripped her and used the skin. You're pleading for mercy out of a dead woman's lips.' I really like this episode despite it being the 'cheap' one of S1 - it's worth it for the scenes between Blon and the Doctor in the restaurant alone - 'because she smiled, because he had freckles. because she begged' ugh so good. Annette Badland is so good at camp comic villainy ('slipped on an icy patch' 'he was decapitated' 'it was a very icy patch') but also being properly pitiful when she's pleading not to be returned back to Raxacoricofallapatorius to pay for her crimes. The episode does take the easy way out by allowing her to regress to an egg, but like.. I don't want to see her escape nor do I want to see the Doctor, who is so much better after 11 eps with Rose, take her to be executed. So I don't mind, plus it sets up the heart of the TARDIS nicely for the finale. I like Rose and Mickey being a bit of a dick to each other - Rose is still stringing him along and he's dating Trisha to get back at her but still tries to get a hotel room with Rose- I feel like people really struggle with the fact that neither party is in the right here. Nice to see scenes of the gang just hanging out laughing at the start - 'Into time! And SPACE!'. Cute. Fires of Pompeii:

'Hold on a minute. That sign over there's in English. Are you having me on? Are we in Epcot?' Love this episode. Top 10 for sure, still, after over a decade. Catherine Tate gets to flex her acting muscles properly and prove anyone who doubted she would be a good companion wrong! DT effortlessly continues to be a stand out, every scene he delivers convincingly, you feel the intensity of his trauma when he says 'I can never go back. If I could, I would, but I can't, I just can't', which means Donna's convincing him to save one family all the more powerful. The Pyroviles are fun, as is the soothsaying stuff, and I love Lucius Petrus Dexterus (lol at his name being Mr Stone Arm) hinting at Rose returning and there being something on Donna's back - DELICIOUS foreshadowing that had my mind racing. Peter Capaldi is a great guest star and puts his all into quite a small role. Enjoy the running gag of Ten and Donna speaking latin phrases like 'status quo' 'ipso facto' and having the other characters think they're speaking Celtic due to the TARDIS lol.

#doctor who

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lotusthewriter · 2 years

Text

A loaded gun won’t set you free (so you say)

Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)

Rating: T

Relationships: Alphonse & Edward, Alphonse & Noah, Edward & Noah

Characters: Alphonse Elric, Noah, Edward Elric; MENTIONED - Alternate Gracia Hughes, Trisha Elric (Sloth)

Summary: “… I drank Brother’s whiskey bottle,” he reveals.

Noah’s eyes are horrified.

“Alphonse…”

Al shrugs, “I wanted to know how it felt like.”

Word count: 4.208

AO3 / Fanfiction

TRIGGER WARNINGS - alcoholism, depression, underage drinking, hangover, vomiting, self-harm, past character death and trauma

DO NOT SHIP THE ELRIC BROTHERS.

Even in such a chaotic world and current events, mornings have been easy.

On the most part.

Noah is making coffee for herself and Alphonse, Edward away to college. Al doesn’t usually wake up past 9:00 AM. Ed leaves earlier, at 7:30 or 8:00 when he gets late, but Al eventually meets with him at college to study at the library and support him.

So, Noah is certainly not expecting sickening sounds when she’s setting the breakfast table.

She rushes to the bathroom door and knocks. “Al?”

The sounds appear to be swallowed when Noah talks to Al. The boy tries to be silent, but she hears his tenseness.

“Al, is everything okay?” Noah insists. She finds out the door is locked.

“Y-Yeah! Yeah, just give me a minute—” Al gags and makes a vomiting noise. It sounds really painful.

“Al, what’s going on? Are you sick?”

“N-No,” he manages out, “I’m okay.”

Noah certainly knows that isn’t true. Although she’s aware she’s a good reader, Al is not exactly being good at lying right now. Not when he’s vomiting multiple times.

“I’m sorry, Al, I don’t want to be inconvenient,” she clarifies. “But I just want to help. I mean it.”

Al seems to think over her pleads, even if he doesn’t answer just now. It takes a couple minutes, but then the bathroom door opens, and it smells horribly like vomiting, and… something else she might not want to know. Al looks like he’s slept too much but not well.

“… I drank Brother’s whiskey bottle,” he reveals.

Noah’s eyes are horrified.

“Alphonse…”

Al shrugs, “I wanted to know how it felt like.”

Noah shakes her head, he’s so young to end up like this. Ed isn’t really a good example, though, the older Elric has never gotten rid of his alcoholic behaviors since she met him. He’d still regularly buy whiskey bottles and drink himself to sleep when he couldn’t.

But Al, of course, is still just a child. He’s 13. Whiskey of all things…

Noah sighs, as she shouldn’t be stuck in her own thoughts.

“Alright, I’ll call a doctor to check up on you. For now, you need to stay hydrated. The water will help clean up your stomach,” she decides. “You can’t eat anything, can you?”

Al denies. “I vomited the entire breakfast.”

“Right. I’ll get you some water then. Would you rather stay in your room or the couch?”

“Couch.” Al already gets his feet to the small living room, lying on the sofa without much holding back. Noah makes sure to get an empty bin in case he can’t go back to the bathroom for any reason.

Before she heads over to the house phone, Al makes her a sad request.

“You’re not going to tell my brother about this, right?”

Noah pulls her hand away from the phone, taking a deep breath.

“Al, you can’t just hide you’re sick. He wouldn’t want to see you hurt.”

“Exactly. He can’t know.”

Noah thinks over. “He’s going to find out at some point, Al. You can’t run away from it.”

“Then don’t tell him just yet. Please, Noah.”

She knows she shouldn’t, but she can’t throw away Al’s trust either. Noah has promised herself to respect other people’s secrets and personal life. She promised she would never read someone’s mind without their consent again. Noah also knows she can’t simply not tell Ed, because she is lying to him even if by omission.

But then Noah decides to call the doctor and Ms. Gracia only, the latter to ask if she knew something homier for Al to cheer up. Gracia of course questions what happened, but Noah tries not to give many details, only tells her that Al has a stomach bug. So, she emphasizes on the water and tells her she’d be baking a pie for him to eat later. Noah smiles at her motherly words and reassurances.

The doctor takes about ten minutes to arrive. He does the most common habits, like measure Al’s heartrate and blood pressure. The checkup is quick enough, the doctor only tells them Al will need a lot of rest and requests some specific medication for the hangover. He tells Noah to keep alcohol bottles away from him, so after he leaves, she removes the ones hidden in Ed’s room. There’s quite too many for her likening.

Noah ends up asking Gracia to buy the medication, otherwise she’d leave Alphonse alone and she couldn’t do that. The bright-eyed woman readily accepted it and told her she’d be there soon to see Al, too.

The phone starts ringing, and Noah takes it, keeping an eye on the boy while she answers the call.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Noah.”

“O-Oh! Ed!” Noah blurts out. Al actually goes to his room as soon as she says it, and she watches him go with conflict, knowing she needs to stay next to him, but Ed is talking to her like nothing is going on.

“Hey. Are you okay?” She sees him giving her his signature worried frowning. “You sound a little… tense.”

“Let’s just say my night of sleep wasn’t the best,” Noah jokes awkwardly. She’s never good at jokes.

“Right, I get it. Anyway,” Ed clears his throat, “is Al home? We were supposed to meet at 11 here, but he hasn’t shown up… is he okay?”

“Ah…” Noah actually forgot they had a schedule sorted out specifically today. She recalls Ed talking about it early morning. “Al won’t be going. He’s sick…”

“Oh?” Ed is instantly on alert. “W-What does he have, is it deadly? Is it manageable?”

“He just has a stomach bug,” Noah uses the same excuse she told Gracia. “I called the doctor, he said Al just needs to drink lots of water. Ms. Gracia is on her way with the medication he prescribed.”

Ed sighs in relief, “Oh, alright. Thank god…”

While Noah feels some warmth knowing how much Ed worries about Al, she’s haunted by the dreadful lie she’s giving him. Noah doesn’t want to hurt Edward again, but she promised Al, too. What gives them to talk to one another? She hopes Al really does come around to it.

“I-I could come back if he- if you need,” Ed suggests. “I’d take a while to be back, but—”

“It’s alright, Edward. Al will be okay.”

“Okay. Sorry. I know you take good care of him, but…” Ed hesitates, “Sorry. Nevermind.”

“It’s okay. You can go back to work. Al will be just fine.”

“Yeah. Yeah,” The older Elric mumbles to himself. “But if you guys need anything, anything at all, please call me right away. I’ll make sure to be back home soon. I’ll try to get home earlier, too. Otherwise, I’d be gone until 7 PM today…”

“Do what you’re able to do, Ed. Right now, we have no emergency. After Al takes the medication, I’m sure he’ll be better.”

“Alright, good. I’ll see, then. I’ll try to call later to know about him, if you don’t mind.”

“I wouldn’t.”

“Okay. Thanks, Noah. I’ll be going now.”

“You take care of yourself, will you?”

Ed laughs, “Sure thing. I’ll call you later, then.”

“Goodbye, Ed.”

“Later.”

Noah heads to the room as soon as she lets go of the phone, finding Al lying miserably in bed. He looks sad but he’s awfully quiet about it. Almost numb, apathetic, like he’s vomited all of his feelings away.

“He’s worried, isn’t he.”

Noah sighs, “Of course, Al. He loves you more than anything.”

Al turns his head and sleeps to the wall, only his back exposed. The curtains have been closed due to the hangover migraine.

Ms. Gracia arrives just in time, having also brought flowers for Al. At the very least, the boy talks some more to her. Al really likes her, and she loves mothering the boy whenever she can. Al helps them at her flower shop when he’s free from university.

Gracia stays in for quite a while, until the day darkens, and Al is half asleep due to the remedy. Ed really does keep the promise of calling once more, though he’s quicker about it. He says he’s on his way home, likely arriving in at least twenty minutes.

Noah tries to grab a book to distract herself, but she really can’t with the smell of alcohol in Al’s room. Noah has cleaned the floor to disperse some of it, but she’s not certain if Ed won’t notice. She doesn’t really know what to do anymore.

Regardless of her actions, thankfully Al is getting better. He’s stopped vomiting and now he sleeps peacefully. Maybe he’ll be able to eat Gracia’s pie when he wakes up, likely to eat for dinner. Ed would have a pleasant surprise with her food, too.

Even then, Noah is simply… heartbroken at all this.

She found a home with the Elric brothers for the first time in her life. Noah’s life has been nothing but hardships. Not that they have disappeared completely, but she’s certainly safer with the two brothers. She also really enjoys Alphonse’s company. He reminds her of a face long lost, but Al has a genuine, lighthearted innocence that Noah wishes she could have. Al helps her with the house chores, sometimes doing all of them, and he helps her with groceries when they have enough money to buy their own food.

Needless to say, Al has become a very close friend of hers. She feels some responsibility, as she’s an adult and he’s a young teen. Noah doesn’t know much about Al save for what Ed has told him (and what she’d caught from when she disrespected Ed’s privacy). Noah also tries not to read his mind whenever she touches him.

Noah really, truly does mean to caress his messy, long hair, not for any other intention. She avoids reading all of his mind.

But she feels…

Loneliness.

Anger.

Repression.

Al doesn’t look like an angry person, but his rage is like nothing she’s seen in her whole life. Noah ensures not to read the full details, because that’s none of her business. But it worries more than enough. He should really talk to his brother.

Speaking of which…

Ed is home like he’s run an entire country, his things falling off his hands. Despite the fact he called Noah not too long ago, Ed comes rushing to Al’s room like Al is in high-risk danger. He relaxes when that’s not the case, of course.

Al jumps at the sudden noise.

“What…?” He asks, his voice small.

“Hey, Al. Sorry for waking you up,” Ed whispers, standing on a knee next to Al’s bed.

“Brother?”

“Hi, Al,” Ed smiles, “Are you feeling better?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“That’s good.” Ed ruffles his little brother’s head. “You hungry?”

Al stretches his arms. “A little,” he admits.

“I smelled something really good at the kitchen. Noah said you have a surprise from Ms. Gracia?”

“Oh yeah… she gave me a pie…”

“You mind if I take a piece?”

Al hums. “… Half a piece.”

“Gee, Al, you want to starve me?” Ed complains. Al laughs for the first time today.

Noah smiles behind them but lets out a sigh when they’re not watching.

She leaves the book on Al’s desk.

Al in fact does eat dinner.

He eats quite a lot of the pie. Ed tells him to be careful, but Gracia’s cooking makes it almost impossible not to exaggerate.

Al is better than he expected. He does hold in some of the migraine from earlier, but drinking water helps lots. He quietly thanks Noah for all her help, and certainly for keeping his secret.

He can’t help but remember her words. He’s going to find out at some point. You can’t run away from it. It’s an obvious statement, but Al admits he’s… terrified of the truth coming after him when he least expects.

Before he goes back to his room after dinner, Ed stops him, but not to limit him. Ed just seems really, really concerned despite seeing that Al isn’t too sick.

“Hi,” Ed says, awkward, “you’re going to bed again?”

“Yeah, I don’t really have the strength to do anything…”

“That’s okay. It’s important to rest.” Ed pats Al’s arms like they’re dirty and need to be adjusted…

But as it turns out, Ed doesn’t let go of Al’s shoulders for anything.

He eventually notices and pats them again, laughing and avoiding Al’s eyes.

“Sorry. I know I’m being clingy,” Ed apologizes. “I just, um…”

As Al knows what he’s going to say, he only nods and says nothing.

Ed hesitates, tries a couple times, but he finally pulls Al in a hug like he’s trying to prove that Al is real and actually there. Ed is insecure about it at first, but then he tightens his grip on his little brother, clutching tight at his messy, possibly sweaty shirt.

“I really hate seeing you sick,” Ed whispers. While he doesn’t add anything else, Al senses it weighing on both their heads.

Al remembers it very clearly now. He’s never been someone who gets easily sick. Al is maybe the healthiest (or used to be) out of the two brothers. Apparently, his father didn’t get sick often, either. Ed and Mom were prone to allergies or colds that would hit Resembool every now and then.

When Al did get sick, Ed used to freak out because he’d get surprised Al was sick at all. After… After Mom died, his fear got much worse, even though Granny was there to pick up the pieces. Ed wouldn’t leave Al not even to go take a shower or use the bathroom unless Al needed.

Of course, Al didn’t get sick for three years. His time at Resembool without memories wasn’t filled with sickness, either. Al seemed okay for the most part.

But it was never the truth.

The hug lasts longer than a normal hug should be. Al suppresses the childish need of desperately clinging to Ed like he used to. Al is the one that pushes his brother away, but obviously not harshly. Ed respects it.

“I think I’m going to bed now,” Al makes the excuse.

“Okay.” Ed sounds… disappointed.

“Good night, brother.”

“Good night.”

Al doesn’t close the door, knowing Ed and Noah would be watching him carefully. Before he does get to bed though, he quite literally hears his brother biting his own lip.

“Hey,” Ed calls him, in a lower tone. Once Al looks back, Ed whispers, “I love you.”

In spite of everything, Al can’t help but smile back. “I love you too, Brother.”

He finally turns back, avoiding Ed’s big sad eyes.

Only this time, Al can’t sleep again.

Ed has never been an easy sleeper.

He’s dealt with insomnia after Hohenheim left. He never admitted to Al, and never would in a million years, but some childish part of him had begged their father to come back home. But of course, Hohenheim never did, even if he had his reasons as Ed found out.

Ed didn’t sleep for three days straight after Mom had died. He would sink himself in books while Al would fall asleep next to him. Winry would yell at him to get proper sleep, but he never did, not while he and Al lived alone in that empty house.

During the three years of discoveries and tragedy, Ed wouldn’t rest well, either. Not while knowing his little brother couldn’t sleep at all, Ed tried to include Al as much as he could. He knew Al felt really, really lonely at night, so he’d lose sleep sometimes for Al. Well, until Winry dragged him back to bed with a cup of chamomile tea.

He misses her.

…

Well, here he is now.

The only thing that can soothe Ed is a whiskey bottle. Not that he would end one in one night… But it was the only thing that would calm him down. He and Alfons almost had arguments over it. Alfons begged him to see a doctor, but Ed knew no doctor, no one would get it.

He regrets pushing Alfons away. Just thinking about it makes him want to drink. Funnily enough.

Now that Al is back, Ed is noticeably drinking less. He’s… good at hiding it, or so he wants to believe. Al never questioned, and he wasn’t an ignorant person, far from it. Al always knew when Ed was down, especially when he was in an armor and could only focus on other people rather than himself.

Ed is trying to stop the habit. Noah quietly begs him to seek help. He wants to listen to her.

… but just this one time… he promises himself. He won’t exaggerate. Truly.

He pulls his chair to get one bottle, except…

There’s nothing down there.

Ed frowns and rubs his eyes to ensure he’s not hallucinating.

No, there’s really nothing there.

It can’t be, Ed remembers buying it yesterday.

He looks all over his room, wondering if he hid anywhere else – while remaining as quiet as he could while everyone else slept.

Nope.

There’s nothing.

Ed doesn’t get it. Noah never went into his room. She doesn’t like his habit, but she wouldn’t enter his room without his approval, at least not after what happened with the Thule Society.

Which means…

…

No.

He prays to God or whoever is there, don’t be that, don’t be that.

Ed slowly opens his door, his destiny right next to him. The other door is still open, and… a lamp is lit, illuminating the dark apartment.

Although he’s tense, he does knock on the door before coming in, so he doesn’t scare Al. Some shuffling ensues before Ed opens the door fully.

“B-Brother?” Al lets out, like he’s been caught doing something wrong indeed. “Weren’t you sleeping?”

“No, not really,” Ed sighs. “You’re not feeling worse again, right?”

“No, no. I’m fine.”

Ed knows through it.

Al is hiding something behind his back, his covers and clothes messy and all over his room.

“What’re you doing?” Ed asks curiously.

“Nothing.”

The older Elric smells the tense air, and his stomach drops even though he’s known it all along.

Ed looks at Al unbelievably, and his brother notices.

The former finally approaches the bed.

“Al,” Ed calls him, serious, “show me what you have.”

His little brother looks away to the wall, relying on it to hide the thing from Ed.

“Al.”

No answer.

“Al, I’m serious, just drop the act already.”

No can do.

There’s a beat inbetween…

And Ed advances.

Al fights back and growls in protest, but Ed isn’t afraid. It’s very similar to when Ed is disarming a villain.

He isn’t able to actually get the thing, but the fact he’s easily beating Al, who’s always been better at fighting even before he was an armor, should be a warning sign.

Distracted, likely still affected by the sickness, Al exposes the gun of the crime. Only it’s not an actual firearm.

Instead, it’s a whiskey bottle.

Emptied to its half.

Ed only stares at Al. He doesn’t verbally ask him the questions in his head, but he’s sad, he’s so sad and heartbroken, and Al is just…

Al just looks older than his fresh thirteens.

“Al, give me the bottle,” Ed begs. He tries to take it, but Al pushes him. “Al!”

“Stop! Leave me alone!”

“No!”

Due to his shock, Al gets off his bed and tries to run away from his room, but Ed is fast enough to catch his free arm.

“Let me go!” Al screams.

“Stop it, Al!”

“Just let me go!” Al tries to break free, but Ed’s automail arm is no match.

“I’m not letting you go drunk out there!”

Al shivers at the d-word, stopping for a second, but then tries aimlessly.

“Al, I’m ordering you to stay!” Ed shouts.

“You can’t tell me what to do!”

“I’m your older brother, and you’re a child!”

“What do you care?!”

“Look at me for once!”

“No!”

“AL!”

“Shut up! You’re NOT my mom!” Al finally has it, “YOU KILLED MOM!”

When Ed lets go, Al is so surprised that the glass in his hands shatter. Somehow, not louder than Al’s rightful accusation. There are whisky and broken shards splattering on the floor, but Ed can only look at his little brother, unable to defend himself. Unable to fight.

Despite his emotional immaturity, he’s not the one who cries.

Al does.

Al cries because he’s still a child, like Ed said.

But he’s a child because of Ed.

His little brother almost falls on his knees, but Ed puts an arm in front of him before he gets hurt by the spreading glass. Rushing steps come over, Noah is in her pajamas and looks panicked, only to realize what happened.

They don’t do anything while Al sobs, the apartment only filled by grief.

There’s nothing but the masks shattered, and feelings taken out of their twisted minds.

Noah and Ed clean up the whisky together. Ed finds out Noah was the one who took his bottles away, but apparently Al found them. Noah swears she tried to keep them away from him, but Al is smarter than they give credit.

Well, not smarter.

In any case, Al has stopped crying, he and Ed are both sitting on the couch. Noah stands in front of them, a plethora of feelings shared between them.

Noah finally breaks the ice.

“I expected this would happen. I’m sorry I can’t help you more than I can,” she says, “but you two… you need to talk to each other. You need to stop keeping secrets.”

Ed and Al only share glances, and soon enough they avoid each other’s eyes.

Noah sighs and walks away, “I’ll make you some tea.”

She leaves to the kitchen, though Ed knows she won’t be back any sooner.

Al holds a bin but doesn’t vomit anything. His hands tremble against the plastic object. Ed only plays with his own skinned and metal fingers, unsure what to do with them.

He wishes he could punch himself.

Ed is not stupid. He tries to be ignorant, but he isn’t.

Turns out he hasn’t changed from his equally ignorant teenage years.

Ed has always known Al was hiding something, Ed has always feared Al was furious with him after everything. His brother wanted to reunite with him at all costs, and so did Ed, so he avoided talking about it. Even though he was the one spewing the speech “we can’t pretend only our dreams exist”. He’s a fucking hypocrite, that’s for sure.

And he should do something. Ed owes Al that.

“Al…” He opens his mouth but silences himself. Suddenly the words disappear.

He gets nothing in response. Nothing to counter his argument.

And that hurts more than being yelled at.

“… I’m sorry.”

Ed sniffs before he can think of it.

“T-That won’t fix anything, I know,” he explains, “but I’m sorry, Al. I’m- I’m really sorry.”

Al is staring at nothing in front of him.

“I didn’t want to admit anything, and- and I forced you to watch it. I made you suffer, and I acted like I didn’t care,” Ed says, “I’m still a coward. I’m so sorry, Al.”

Even though he isn’t crying anymore, Ed hears it like he heard Wrath mourning Sloth. Wrath and Al do look the same when he thinks over it. Turns out Wrath helped Al get Ed home, too.

“You don’t need to forgive me. You have the right to be angry. You can even hate me, I swear. But I promise you, I’m not gonna ignore it again. I promise I’m not going to hurt you again. I’m not going to fail you like I did Mom.”

Al looks hurt, guilty. “Ed…” He gives up.

Ed reaches out his metal hand, taking Al’s left arm.

“Let me help, please,” he begs. “You don’t need to hurt yourself like that.”

Al frowns slightly. “You need to remind that yourself, too.”

Ed smirks sadly. “You’re right. I promise I’ll try if you try.”

“You’re blackmailing me?”

“Maybe,” Ed smiles. “But I mean it, Al. I love you. I want to make things right.”

Al considers it and nods. “Okay.”

Ed pulls him with his arm and kisses the top of his head. Al takes it, relaxing on his shoulder now that he’s relatively smaller. He knows Al will grow a lot more, but he’ll take advantage of this opportunity, as Al wants.

Noah returns with the tea for the three of them after such a hard day. Al lies his head on Ed’s lap while he and Noah talk about the more normal aspects of their routine. Al falls asleep not too long after. Ed doesn’t have the courage to interrupt his good sleep, so he accepts another sleepless night.

Well, the tea betrays him.

Ed wakes up on the couch cuddling his brother, a blanket thrown over them.

This is probably the first time Ed feels like they’re really home after so long.

He’ll take care of Al, and himself. For real this time.

#fullmetal alchemist #fma 03 #fma 03 spoilers #alphonse elric #fma noah #edward elric #elric brothers #alcohol tw #alcoholism tw #vomit tw #vomiting tw #vent fic #fanfiction #long post

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confused-stars · 4 years

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... do y’all want this? it’s a “Trisha doesn’t die” au so everything is fine and nothing hurts The last thing Hohenheim expected upon coming home was to be punched square in the face. And yet. "That was for leaving!" Edward is glaring up at him with a fierceness that is all Trisha, and his right hook is way too impressive for a fifteen year old from a tiny, peaceful town.

Then, Hohenheim is surprised again as Edward grabs onto the front of his vest and holds on tight, weight tipping forward to lean his forehead against Hohenheim's chest. Edward reaches up to his chest now, almost to his shoulders. How strange.

"And that's for coming back," Edward adds, clearly trying to keep his voice from wavering.

Hohenheim has just enough time to awkwardly pat him on the back - how long has it been since he's had any human contact? How long has it been since he's held Ed in any way? He was always scared of tainting his sons, but Trisha would call him silly and put them in his arms anyway.

"I was always going to. I'm sorry it took me so long." Ten years is an awfully long time for anyone that isn't him, huh? But Trisha probably understands. She's always understood him.

Edward pulls away and looks him over. "You look like a tired, old man. C'mon, Al's making stew."

Hohenheim isn't even sure where to start there. His brain gets caught up on the fact that Alphonse is cooking. His tiny little Alphonse, who would cling to the back of his brother's shirt all day, trailing after him like a puppy. Cooking. Edward looks amused at how stunned he is, and Hohenheim tries to shake himself from his state and steps inside. It's that easy.

There's the smell of hot comfort food wafting out from the kitchen, and Hohenheim can feel his stomach contract with hunger. It's been a while since his last meal, and it smells like Trisha's cooking.

"Al, look what the cat dragged in!" Edward calls out as he enters the kitchen, and Hohenheim can't really do anything but follow after him. "Huh?" Alphonse is standing at the stove, and he's tall, taller than Edward, but his face is rounder, more youthful. There's less of Trisha in it, except for his eyes. His eyes that widen at the sight of Hohenheim.

"Dad!" The ladle drops into the stew pot and some of it lands on Al's shirt. But he doesn't seem to care. And Hohenheim is too busy with the word 'Dad' echoing in his brain. He blinks rapidly, and misses the moment when Alphonse launches himself at him. His hold is strong and warm and Hohenheim manages to keep his balance and hug back.

"You're home," Alphonse murmurs into his shoulder, and Hohenheim's throat feels tight. He's missed them. His boys. His clever, kind, wonderful boys.

"I've missed you," he murmurs to Alphonse, who tightens his hold in response.

"So, how's saving the world been going?" Edward asks from where he took Al's position by the stove. Hohenheim pulls away from his youngest to look between them. "... Trisha told you." "We're old enough to know," Edward replies with a half shrug, "She thought it'd help if we understood why you were gone."

Hohenheim feels a familiar, heavy feeling in his chest. "... did it?" Edward doesn't reply. Alphonse sighs. "It's definitely better than thinking you didn't want us and that's why you left."

It's stated plainly, with a soft undertone, and it breaks his heart. Hohenheim swallows. "I'm... sorry."

He's about to say something more, and from the look in Edward's eyes, so is his son, but they're interrupted by the front door opening. "Boys, I'm home! And I brought Winry for dinner!"

Trisha. Her voice sounds just like he remembers it, like a song, like the sun after a long period of rain. Hohenheim feels rooted to the spot for the first time in his life. "Oh, wait. Wait. Al, stall them!" Edward orders, shoving his brother out the kitchen door. Hohenheim frowns at him, startled. "Into the pantry, old man." "... what?" Edward huffs impatiently. "We're surprising Mom! Honestly, and you claim to be the greatest alchemist of our time."

"I never claimed anything like that," Hohenheim murmurs, even as he allowes his son to push him into the pantry, shutting the door behind him. He stares at the dark wood. Huh. Edward still has that mischievous energy, then. That's nice.

He leans forward towards the door at the sound of voices. Alphonse talking excitedly, something about sweet potatoes and mushrooms, and there - a light chuckle that makes Hohenheim ache. Trisha. Just on the other side of this door. The clattering of dishes.

"Ed, honey, isn't that one too many?" Hohenheim can hardly hear over the pounding of his heart in his ears.

"Nah, that's Dad's," Edward says, sounding nonchalant.

Silence.

"... what?"

Hohenheim takes his cue and opens the door into the kitchen.

A gasp. Then, a blur of motion. And Hohenheim finds himself tackled by a family member for the second time this night. He wraps his arms around Trisha and buries his face in her dark hair, and she's clutching at his chest and crying and he thinks he's crying, too. The empty spot in his chest begins to fill itself.

"Trisha... Trisha," he murmurs against her, and she sobs, shaking in his arms.

"I kept it," she says, muffled by his travel coat, "I kept my promise."

And Hohenheim has kept his.

He still has one last trip to make, on the Promised Day. But that's months away, and he doesn't want to think about that. Not now. Not when he's with his family. Not when he's finally home.

#fma #fmab #happy october 3rd yall #heres hohenheim centric stuff #my writing

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casually-shipped · 3 years

Text

Jeff Wittek is DUMB! Means well, but DUMB!

That interview. Where to begin? The turn this interview took, I didn’t even want to write this. I’m more torn for metoo which is further harmed by, and at the expense of this shit show. From Jeff’s handling of this, to Ethan and Trisha’s involvement in this conversation. Jeff was thrown from the very beginning. He fucked up. As genuine as he wanted to be, Ethan dominated him because Jeff was unprepared. I am shocked Jeff didn’t refresh his memory on the situation, that he would speak out when he didn’t know fully the information to even speak out about. From the moment Jeff released his own video on his YouTube, he was working without the complete information. Which unravels anything he hoped to achieve.

I was very disappointed to realize that Jeff is, and was more interested in protecting himself (excluding his employees) his business, than the concerns of any allegation. I’m glad he realized that too, and said as much. I get Jeff, I get his history, and I see how this situation is not easy for someone like him, his self esteem, his past, secrets, and new found success. He wants to protect himself so much, but at the same time protect his friends, those he loves, and the alleged victims, and he is tripping all over himself. For the morons on the internet, in the court of public opinion, this did him and this situation no real favors.

Ethan and Trisha are master manipulators, and very smart when it comes to this. Jeff was very much out matched especially with this team up. The worst part in all of this is Jeff resorted to past problematic behavior imo. He lied! You see, when you choose not to speak truth to power, or speak truth out of fear of saying the wrong thing, or to protect someone, you lose credibility immediately. As you should. I didn’t expect Jeff to take this turn, but I can see it because he was backed into a corner, and when this happens to him, this is the result. He panicked, and fucked up. From this point on in the interview when he says he doesn’t remember the photo Ethan showed him, the interview went further down hill.

The photo was used by Ethan to trip Jeff up. It was a brilliant move, but someone with actual brain cells would know, that the picture wasn’t time stamped. That was an upload time, but Jeff didn’t realize this, nor understood that, so he doubted his own memory, which I wouldn’t be surprised is screwed up especially after his so called “near death car accident.” (EDit: Further analysis, I thought the photo was an upload from a social media site, it might actually be a time stamp.) “Which means his memory of events are very questionable, but his entire statements are in doubt regardless!”

Not only did he doubt his memory, but the situation doesn’t truly matter to him because he believes his truth, that he didn’t bother to do the work. It showed. It showed Jeff doesn’t actually believe the victim, and even if he is telling the truth, even if the victim is lying, this isn’t how you handle this situation. Believe victims, for the sake of the movement until proven otherwise. He tried to walk this line, but ultimately failed. He failed to tell the right truth because he doesn’t truly understand this. He shouldn’t have spoken at all to this degree outside of a court of law in the first place, for his sake, his friends, the metoo movement, and the alleged victim.

Once he doubted his own memory because of the photo and Ethan’s clever rues, he crumbled. From this moment it was very hard to watch. There came a point where it seemed Jeff was trying so hard to distance himself, it really sounded like, and I believe this is what he was doing, throwing everyone who isn’t him under the bus. Intentionally or not, that was publicly damning. He acted as if there was a cover up that he wasn’t aware of, and tried to protect himself which came across as confirmation of the allegations. Which again began to destroy public confidence and his credibility. As well as his character. He quickly became an unreliable source. If Jeff wants to remember where he was, if he had his location turned on his phone, he can look up his location from that time maybe? lol Just a thought! Well, the authorities will anyways.

Ethan’s way of asking questions was to project a truth that he believes or wants people to believe and plays off that. He makes people think that his opinion or point of view is fact, as well as making shocked faces, using certain tones and inflections, being accusatory, twisting words, ignore and not following up statements, moving past answers in favor of his own answers, talking over Jeff and retailing Jeff’s point of view and the point of view of the allegations, with his own narrative. At points Trisha did the same, which Ethan allowed and played off of. This interview was a hit job, not getting any other side or truly getting to the bottom of something. Ethan disgusts me! This interview DISGUSTED ME! If you can call this an interview outside of an opportunity for exploitation, and monetization. After the interview even began to make jokes was disgusting do to the serious nature of all of this.

I’m glad I powered through the interview because it was so cringe, too cringe, but I got through it. What a waste of time. I walked away knowing more than I thought I would, but I put myself through mental anguish just to end up with more questions. I have an idea what Jeff is hiding about his eye. I have many theories about Jeff, and David. These theories is pretty eye opening for me when it comes to this situation. I do still give credit to Jeff and surprisingly even Trisha for this situation to a degree. Trisha will however always be trash for me. But she isn’t wrong about how David in some ways treated her, even if it was mental health driving her physical, emotional, and mental abuse towards others and Jason. There’s just no excuse for her. No excuse for David either. David is and was a very insensitive self involved individual. To the point where his pranks deffinetely crossed a massive line. Brandon even thought he was a psychopath, he truly believed it. David had to beg for forgiveness and say even sorry to his parents for what he put Brandon through. An emotionally traumatizing moment. Shit like that David needs to own, and hasn’t.

If what happened with the victim happened, then she as well as everyone involved has to speak out. Even if it didn’t! That’s just doing the right thing for the movement. Let’s say the victim messed up her story or is lying? You still treat this with the respect it is owed until it becomes a criminal case, or defend yourself in court for defamation and we hear otherwise. If you have privilege then you will gain back anything you lost when the truth is finally known, if you are innocent. Some thing you don’t allow to play out in the court of public opinion, literally fuck the public, it’s the only way to protect victims and the movement from being destroyed by outrage cancel culture, the way it has been. David and others who were there, not speaking is a mistake. However, I disagree with how far you have this conversation. Jeff in my opinion has gone a little too far. Some truths you keep to yourself, even if it makes you look bad, until court. It comes out then not before to respect the victims involved publicly as well as the movement.

What are my final thoughts? Personally, I don’t really know what to believe. I in all honesty am not sure I truly believe the victim, but, I choose to because of the movement, and that I wasn’t there. So I don’t know shit! But if you want just my honest opinion, I believe Jeff wasn’t involved in that way, I also don’t believe David would go as far as being insinuated, he’s dumb and careless, but not that. But even then, who really knows? Anything is possible. I just don’t think that part of the story is correct, but that’s just me. I have always at that time when I saw this vlog, thought it was faked. I remember David peaking and nothing was happening. They were all dressed, but that could have been shot at a different times, again no one knows. This is edited footage here.

David in the past has been involved in edgy sexual content when it comes to consent. Heath (and I can’t remember who else it was, maybe Zane,) were in a hot tub clearly drunk, and David used that moment when they kissed for a fun video moment and that was a moment David took advantage of for content. They may have consented for that video to be uploaded after the fact, but it seems David has always had a problem with consent, AFTER THE FACT! I do believe David has grown and changed a lot, but he still imo hasn’t come far enough. There are things he still needs to take accountability for, and he never has. His video, very much wasn’t that. The whole situation is just awful. I can however mimic some of Ethan’s words at the end to Jeff. I hate Ethan, but damn if he wasn’t right. Credit where credit is do. But fuck Ethan! David HAS to treat this issue with more respect that it is owed!

#Jeff Wittek #Ethan Klein #H3H3 #Frenamies #Trisha Paytas #David Dobrik #Durte Dom #MeToo #Vlog Squad

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lotusthekat · 3 years

Text

Bratja

Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Rating: T

Relationships: Alphonse & Edward

Characters: Alphonse Elric, Edward Elric, Truth; MENTIONED - Trisha Elric

Summary: When Al gets his body back, he finally accepts that things never go the way he wants.

*Inspired by Conqueror of Shamballa. Canon divergent.

Word count: 1.391

AO3 / Fanfiction

A/N: I’m aware this probably filled with plot holes - since Al doesn’t sacrifice his soul for Ed’s arm and stuff, but I only wrote this for the angst lmao.

I also wrote this while listening to “Brothers” on loop, oof ;-;

Hope you enjoy this!

TRIGGER WARNING - implied character death

If you ship Elric*st or Roy*d, get the fuck out.

Al faces the inevitable.

The armor can no longer bear his soul, so he must return to the Gate and face the Truth for once and for all. Meanwhile, Ed will figure out a way to get Al back home. The younger Elric knows it.

So, Al is back to the white nothing, and sees him. The boy with long, blond hair, malnourished body barely able to stand. Golden eyes empty, without any essence. He looks at the armor with the desperate, craving need to take what’s his.

Yet when Al is making his way to his body, the Truth appears between them with their wicked smile. Of course, it shouldn’t be this easy. Truth always takes something in return. Whatever it might be, Al is ready.

Except their offer is…

He looks down to his metal feet.

“It’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it? To live everything again, just like before?” Truth inquires.

Al clenches his fists. “Y-Yes, but…”

This isn’t it, he wants to say, this isn’t…

“You two still haven’t learned,” Truth laughs. “You think that only persevering and teaching everyone else will get you everything you want. But that’s not how it works. There are consequences, there are sacrifices. Life is made of sacrifices, for balance to exist.”

Al almost wants to protest, because equivalent exchange isn’t entirely correct. There are horrible and unfair things in the world, like the genocide of Ishval. Not every death or anguish is worth anything.

But in this case, Al did do something wrong – he messed with something he shouldn’t have. He felt the need to be more powerful than nature, because of the love for his mother. And not only did he lose his body, but his brother is forever haunted as well.

No matter how much Al wants things to return, he knows it will never be the same. In this case, it really won’t, and he can’t imagine how awful it will be if he accepts the sacrifice.

“There is no time,” Truth reminds him, “you must decide. Your body can’t live much longer without its soul. Either you accept it or perish forever.”

Al looks at the boy behind the wicked Truth. How weak he seems. He only wants to live and feel again. He can’t feel without his soul, and the armor won’t live for long either. He doesn’t have time.

Al can’t feel pain, but he does feel sick about the thought of the exchange.

Regardless, as he’s convinced by the golden eyes nearly deprived of life, Al nods.

“Okay. I accept it.”

Truth’s smile widens, their teeth thick. Al shakes, as he feels the armor dusting away to the whiteness that encircle around them.

If he could cry right now, he would.

I’m sorry, Ed.

As if waking from an awful deep sleep, Alphonse wakes up to find… nothing ahead.

No, everything is white. And for whatever reason, he has little to no energy to stand up. Al trembles violently, but not because he’s cold. He’s… weak.

When he looks up, there are the tallest and darkest doors he’s ever seen. Symbols are drawn in it, filling the door with knowledge Al doesn’t actually understand.

Where is he? Why isn’t he home? And why—

Why is he so thin?

And to make things even more terrifying to him, he hears steps coming from behind. Al gasps, unable to protect himself. It’s… another boy who tentatively approaches him; hair and eyes blond just like his, except he’s not pale.

“Al? Al, hey,” the stranger says softly, standing on his knees to meet Al’s eyes. “It’s me,” he whispers.

The starved boy realizes, only one person speaks to him this way. The same look of fondness and concern that took care of him from the very beginning.

“… Brother?”

Ed looks so… different. So much older; he’s not small anymore. His hair is braided, his clothes are ripped, injuries all over his body. And to add to it all…

“B-Brother, what”— Al hiccups —“what happened to your arm? A-And your leg?”

Ed’s confused smile fades completely into shock. Al looks again at his own unkept hands; is everything connected? As to why they’re here? As to why Ed lost his arm and his leg, and why Al’s body has been neglected?

“… Al,” Ed calls him, serious, “what’s the last thing you can remember?”

The younger Elric doesn’t look up, as he ponders in his brother’s question. He certainly can’t recall what brought either of them here.

“I… w-we were going to…” Al gulps, eyes widening in realization. “We were going to transmute mom.”

Ed’s eyes are impossibly horrified.

Oh, no.

Only this could explain…

Despite Al’s obvious dehydration and starvation, his eyes fill with tears.

“It- It didn’t work?” He asks innocently. At Ed’s stunned silence, Al cries, “I-It should’ve worked! We did everything right, didn’t we?”

Human transmutation was prohibited, but they could’ve done it. They worked so hard, they studied the theory, they found a teacher, they understood everything to alchemy. This shouldn’t have happened. His brother lost two of his limbs. And Al… he doesn’t know. He can’t remember.

The tears fall and disappear in the white under him. Somehow, Al and Ed are sitting in the nothing. They lost everything.

“N-No, this shouldn’t- I d-don’t understand! W-We should’ve brought her back, Ed! Why didn’t we?” Al sobs. “Why…”

He cries nonstop, as if he hasn’t cried in years. That’s how much time has passed, isn’t it? And for the life of him, Al can’t recall anything. This is his punishment, right?

Al finds the metal replacing his brother’s limbs and he sobs harder. Ed paid for it, too.

“I-I’m sorry, brother…” Al says, “it’s- it’s all my fault, isn’t it? I must’ve done something wrong. I-It should’ve worked, Ed… I’m sorry… I’m sorry!” He cries out.

Al seeks his own body and hides in it. He looks awful – he is awful. How could he do this to his big brother, who’s suffered so much for mom and for him?

Even so, even with everything against him, Al is pulled hard in someone’s arms – and it’s such an odd sensation. Again, years must have passed, and it must be the first time someone ever touches him.

It’s Ed, his big brother. His brother, who’s badly wounded, is holding onto Al for dear life. Ed shakes as much as Al, and the latter feels the tears wetting his bony shoulder.

“A-Alphonse…” Ed sobs quietly, “it could never be your fault. I’m the one who insisted, I’m…”

“But you did everything you could, brother, and I only ruined it…”

“No, Al. You couldn’t”— Ed swallows —“we couldn’t have known. We thought we’d be better, and we both suffered for it.”

Al shakes his head, but he doesn’t protest. Because Ed is right. They thought they could do it. They thought they could play with nature.

But in the end, you can’t return one taken by the earth.

“W… What now, brother?” Al asks desperately. “What should we do? I-I can’t remember anything, a-and you lost your limbs…”

Ed doesn’t answer, as if considering his question. Eventually, his big brother takes a deep, painful breath.

“I don’t know,” Ed replies honestly. “B-But I’ve got you back, Al. I’ve finally got you.” His voice cracks, and Ed holds Al closer, tenderly running his fingers through the long, blond hair that hides Al’s back. “And I promise you, whatever it takes, I’ll take care of you. I’m never letting you go again.”

Al hurts. In both senses.

He hurts for his brother. Ed must have been in a never-ending quest to get Al back, to his own expense. They couldn’t see their mother’s smile again. They will never see her again.

But he also hurts in the good way, because Al needs to be held. He needs his brother here, to hold him and support him. Al needs it, because it’s the only way he can believe that maybe, maybe things might get better, no matter how lost he is.

So, Al finally raises his weak arms to wrap them around Ed.

Thank you and I’m sorry is all he wants to tell him.

Ed hears them and rubs his back in response. It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m here.

Al sighs in relief for the first time in years.

#fullmetal alchemist #alphonse elric #edward elric #fma truth #death tw #death mention tw #fanfiction #long post

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kvyson · 3 years

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( twenty six , cismale , he / him ) ✉ ― hey babes, have you met 𝐊𝐀𝐘𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐒 ? they’re working here as 𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐑. you might hear them singing along to 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐒, it’s their favourite song. yes, they hear that they look like 𝑻𝒀𝑳𝑬𝑹 𝑷𝑶𝑺𝑬𝒀 a lot, actually - it’s really uncanny. their friends back home in 𝑩𝑹𝑶𝑵𝑿, 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐑𝐊 say that if they were on a tv show, their trope would be 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑, how funny is that ?

* whispers * i usually have something witty & crafty to say to start this off , but i’m blank okay . let’s cut right to the chase & enjoy the show .

the story begins with jeremy & trisha de santos , awaiting the arrival of their first born . . kayson . being in labor at five months wasn’t necessarily deemed as safe , but trisha was hopeful that her precious baby boy would survive . and he did .

thankfully , being a survivor was embedded in him since birth . things immediately took a dive for the worst when he was six years old . from a mother dealing with her newfound illness to a lackluster of a father figure , the young boy was forced to actually gear into survival mode once more .

school lunches would be somewhat enough to hold him while he traveled back from home from school , only to place his priorities on the backburner for a couple hours . his mother’s health , as well as his mental health , fluctuated up & down ( having extremely high ups & devastating amounts of lows ) ─── yet he never gave up . he did it for her .

as if elementary school wasn’t already hard enough on its own , the horror stories surrounding middle & high school were just as true . bullies constantly tormented the male for any simple reason , friends quickly became enemies , & the entire experience grew to be something that he could live without .

although , staying around in school served as a proper distraction to the clusterfuck of emotions that the boy was facing back at home . no matter how much kayson tried to suppress his emotions on the matter , there was no backing down from the truth . the boy was growing heartless . his need for socialization crashed , resulting in a rapidly dwindling social life , leaving tons of room for the male to find himself . besides , wasn’t that what high school was all about ?

the remainder of high school was shifted specifically on that , experimenting . leading to grades slipping , more academic probation than desired , and a reputation of a male who lost everything practically overnight . the addition of college into his life was surprising , sure , but it had been something his mother & him always talked about . it was the least he owed her .

time met kayson eventually , easily resulting in grief , the end result in the male turning his entire life around . well , somewhat . his mother’s wishes continued to live in the back of his mind , yet temptation slowly crept up to reveal his innermost colors .

in a nutshell , the male finds himself at the villas steadily picking up the pieces after his heart - shattering loss . urges to find a distraction whether it be his job , co - workers , alcohol , drugs , endless spree of hook - ups , the blazing sun . something .

wanted plots ( inspired by some of my fav songs ) :

80 / 20 - maintaining a long distance relationship is never easy , kayson would know , his busy schedule & duling long days leave him away from the one special person back home . in comes muse b , his co - worker and source of happiness , providing him with pure comfort & stability : the other half of what he’s missing . it’s tempting , too tempting , & the thought of muse b continuously runs through his brain . will be able to resist temptation ? we’ll see .

rendezvous - what do you call a relationship without any labels or commitment ? a situationship ? a hookup ? unlimited hookups ? don’t know , but that’s what kayson has with muse b : hookups that are definitely under the radar . in order to avoid any semblance of feelings or issues with other staff members , they sneak around & try to fulfill each other's needs no matter the time , the place nor busy schedule .

moment - tensions have been forming between kayson & muse b since .. well , his first day at the job , he assumes . he can never forget the quick , longing glances across the room to the other or the many daydreams of finally having them to himself . after weeks of non - stop teasing & flirting , he’s finally able to get them alone , offering the best of his services to them . question is what happens after : will things be awkward ? or will muse b finally realize that kayson was the best thing to ever happen to them ?

waves - like any relationship , what kayson & muse b shared had its fair share of up & downs . having to see them on a daily basis takes a lot out of him than he wants to admit , feelings that he’s harbored for months after their break up . then it hits him , they were practically meant to be . does he fight for them ? avoid them ? it’s an endless , sick game of thinking about them constantly then wanting to ghost & eliminate feelings for his own sake .

attention - muse b , opposite of what kayson is , catches wind of his existence , much to his surprise .. especially with everyone’s objection . they were out of his league , he was absolutely sure of it , but he didn’t mind . not with the attention finally on him . he ignores the warning signs , the obvious , immensely blinded by infatuation . it isn’t until the gift - giving wears off & the good boy image drops that he sees the truth , his money & affection was being flaunt off elsewhere . break his heart , please .

sorry not sorry - anyone with a normal pair of working eyes would think kayson would be reeling from his obvious loss , but much to everyone’s surprise .. he’s okay . or has a really good poker face , he hasn’t decided yet . muse b can find kayson enjoying too many drinks at the bar , or even something more extreme , worrying about his well - being . he appreciates them , but cannot stand having a new babysitter .

+ also wanted : [ best friends , exes , lovers to enemies , acquaintances , platonic friendships , friends with benefits , slow-burn relationship , forbidden love , secret relationship . ]

#villasintro #this intro graphic was ... stressful for me .#but yolo .#im exciteddddd ;~)#tw death #death tw

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