Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist is created by Hiromu Arakawa and is distributed by Square-Enix, Viz and Funimation. No profit is made from this story.

Cause and Effect

A Fullmetal Alchemist Ficlet

by Anne Packrat

The suit of armor that was Alphonse Elric stood in front of his brother nervously running his hands through the plume on his helm. Ed sighed, that gesture was Al's way of dealing with anxiety, and it usually meant he had something unpleasant to say.

"Brother," Al said, his tin voice wobbling a bit, "I have a confession."

Frowning, Ed pulled out his chair from the Rockbell's kitchen table and stood to face him. "Yeah...?" he asked warily.

Al paused to take a deep nonexistent breath. "You know you're a pretty deep sleeper, right?"

From across the table Winry snorted, attracting the attention of the two boys. "I'll say! I had to practically drag you out of bed just to get you up this morning, Ed!"

Ed grunted. He refrained from mentioning that there were more interesting ways that he'd prefer Winry would use to get him up. (Several of them involved her not wearing much in the way of clothing.) He blushed at the direction his thoughts took. He coughed to cover up his embarrasment and turned back to Al, "Yeah, so I'm a heavy sleeper, what's the point?"

Fidgeting, Al continued, "Well, when we were younger I really didn't like the idea you might eventually be taller than me," he paused to gather his thoughts, "So I every night used to push down on your head, trying to keep you from growing." Ignoring the look of horror growing on his brother's face, Al continued, "So, brother, I'm afraid that I'm the one responsible for you being so short."

"Y-You...." Ed sputtered, disbelievingly. He was interrupted by Winry.

"Oh, Al don't worry about it," Winry said, not looking up from the automail she was working on, "I used to do that too. So if anything we're both at fault."

Ed's face had gone red as his coat. "You.... YOU HEARTLESS DEMONS! HOW COULD YOU?!"

What followed was one of the longest and loudest Ed tantrums the world had ever seen.

Author's Indulgence

This was written on the spur of the moment for SJ Smith's "Don't Forget" challenge. I think I completely missed the point of it. Oh well. ^^;;

Thanks to the cast, crew and creators of the assorted Fullmetal series.

Thanks to my husband, he of the new Ipod.

Thanks to those who leave feedback or reviews, I am eternally grateful.

And thanks to you for reading.

--------- Anne Packrat (October 6, 2009)