Disclaimer: You know.

Author's Note: ZOMG epilogue! X3 I've been looking forward to writing this… I hope you guys enjoy it!

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Grandpa, as a self-proclaimed scientist, had always been incredibly cynical. I'm not sure if he believed in God or not, but I know he'd called 'Heaven' and 'Hell' a load of… well, I don't think I really want to repeat what he said.

Still… Grandpa was a good man. He'd try to deny it, he'd try to dismiss it— but he was. He was loyal, strong, and brave; so many people would have been lost without him. And though he'd committed many sins over the many years of his long life, he'd atoned for each countless times over.

Yes, Grandpa was a good man. He deserved—deserves—happiness.

And so, even if he never believed in Heaven… I hope he found it anyway.

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Skeletons

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Epilogue

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"There you are. I've been looking for you."

Taken aback by the unexpected appearance of another person, Edward Elric gave a stunned start, straightening. However, his shock was brief and fleeting; it quickly melted into a sunny smile— dazzling golden eyes sparkling with delight upon seeing the speaker. "Hey, Al," he greeted brightly, scooting a few inches to the left; making room for his little brother on the onyx step. "Sorry, was I gone long? I haven't been watching the time."

"I can see that," Al grinned, resting his chin in the palm of his hand as he lowered himself onto the offered seat. "What've you been watching instead?"

"The usual," Ed replied flippantly, leaning back on his miss-matched arms. "They grow up so fast, you know… it's like I blink and they're both adults."

Al laughed, mimicking his older brother's stance and gestures. The soft, draping fabric of his tattered scarlet coat bunched around his wrists as he did so, too large on his 13-year-old body. "They haven't aged that much, Brother," he snorted, long auburn locks rustling in a non-existent breeze. "They're still just children in society's eyes."

"Fuck society," Edward sniffed haughtily, though on his face he wore a roguish grin. "When has society ever been right? I'm telling you, Alphonse… I've met 80-year-olds with less maturity than them."

"'Met them'?" Alphonse teased, tugging playfully on the ends of his brother's pale-blonde ponytail. "Brother, you were one of them!"

He ducked with a laugh as Edward promptly retaliated: mercilessly tickling his baby brother until Al was squealing, begging for forgiveness. It was a wish that Ed, being the benevolent (and oh-so-very-humble) being that he was, granted with a smug smirk. Then he kissed the younger boy's cheek, wrapping his arms fondly around his shoulders.

Winded but content, Alphonse beamed, blushing an endearing shade of pink as he cuddled into much-loved arms. He'd never grow tired of being close to Edward… but all the same, it was time to go. Murmuring promises of adoration, Al hesitantly broke the embrace, standing and dusting off his pants. Ed watched him do so with a lethargic sort of interest, grinning when Al offered him a hand.

"Well?" Alphonse asked after a moment, flexing his fingers in his older sibling's direction. His lips turned upward, forming a warm, adoring smile. "Are you coming, silly?"

Edward chuckled, taking his little brother's hand and pulling himself to his feet. "Of course I am," he assured, voice silky-soft and sweet. Casting one last glance over his shoulder, he allowed his tender smile to widen. "…I think they're going to be okay."

Al beamed. "I know they are."

Together, they walked hand in hand through the open Gate doors.

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"Hm—?"

Alexander sat up abruptly, snapping his head towards the window. 'That's weird,' he mused, face darkened by uncertainty. 'But I thought I just heard…'

"Al?"

Puzzled by his boyfriend's sudden, jerky movements, Edward leaned around his easel and canvas, lowering his paintbrush and mixing plate. Cocking his head, Ed scrutinized his brother, who had been reading on his "new" second-hand couch. "You okay?"

Lowering his magazine with a preoccupied frown, Alex considered—then graced his brother with a lighthearted smile.

"Never better."

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Well guys, that's all she wrote! X3 At least, for this fanfic. As I've already said—many times—there's still a lot more to come in the world of Skeletons; but as far as this fic goes… that's the end!

Thank you, again, for all of your support, sweet comments, and beautiful fanworks. I've saved them all, and I've never been more touched or honored. You guys pwn my soul, and I love y'all for it! XD

On that note, it's time to say goodbye—for now, anyway. Take care of yourselves! XD

Hugs, Kisses, and Moonlit Nights,
Maiden of the Moon

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"Hey, Ed… I've been meaning to ask you something."

"'eah?" Edward mouthed around the spare paintbrush clamped between his teeth, concentrating on the image before him. His brush paused on the canvas; he pursed his lips thoughtfully, tilting his head. Then he continued with a delicate flick of his wrist.

Alex watched him for a moment, ruffling the pages of his magazine, before continuing. "Well, I was in the video store the other day, picking up some anime for Rosie, and you know what I saw there?"

"Mmm?"

"Old DVDs of that series Dad used to work on. You know the one—it was hugely popular. And we saw a big poster for it on Grandpa's 100th birthday?"

Ed pulled away from his picture, forehead crinkled with thought. After a moment, however, he nodded; spitting on his spare brush. "Oh yeah…" he then verbalized, wiping off his hands on a spare rag and smiling. "I'd forgotten about that. What was its name? Fullsteel something-or-other?"

"Something like that," Alexander agreed, dropping his magazine on the floor and pulling his knees to his chin. "Anyway, when I was looking at the cover, I noticed something kind of strange."

"Yeah?" Edward hummed conversationally, pulling out a cardboard box full of Tupperware. Inside each plastic container was a different hue of previously-mixed green. The blonde lifted two or three tubs, inspecting each, before eventually deciding on a shade of dark jade. "What's that?"

"Well…" Alexander hesitated, drumming his fingers contemplatively. "It's just… I mean, Mom's an artist, right?"

"Uh huh," the older boy nodded, turning to give his full attention to his little brother. "She wanted to stay at home to raise me after I was born, so she quit teaching history. After you came along, she started drawing. You know that."

"I know, but…" Alex curled his toes, resting his head against his kneecaps. "I was wondering— what's that name she always signs her stuff with?"

Understandably baffled by the abruptness of this question, Edward scrubbed at the back of his neck, uncertain. "Uh… geez, I dunno, Al," he shrugged, puzzled. "I think it was Hiromu Arakawa, or something like that."

Arching an inquisitive eyebrow, Ed couldn't help but smile; plainly amused by the adorable expression of shock that overcame his lover's face. "Oh? And what is that look for, Al?" Ed pried, eyes narrowing in a teasing sort of way. "I don't get the joke. Why do you want to know, anyway?"

But in response, Alexander simply smiled.

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