Chapter 8
The train had resumed it's journey with Elizabeth and Edward still holding each other. Their tears had stopped but they held onto each other a bit longer, the companionship they felt from the other was compelling and hard to let go of.
The sun had started to rise when they finally let go of each other. Both had dried tear stains on their faces, red eyes and a few lingering sniffles. Elizabeth was the first to go to the washroom, her left hand brushed against Edward's right as she left, his coat still on her shoulders.
Edward blushed and slid back to his spot by the window and stared at the horizon, hoping to hide his blush from his brother and the large metal wolf that seemed to be staring at him. Said armor shifted and what was probably meant to be a clearing of the throat sounded more like a deadly growl and sent shivers down the blond's spine.
"Not the sound I intended but..." Howard stated calmly. "She seems quite taken with you kid. She's never opened up like that since before the accident." He sighed and hung his large head. "I only want her to be happy but it seems she only wants to undo what has been done to me. I'm still not sure what happened that night but she seems to blame herself for it and insists on carrying that burden all alone, not wanting to accept any help." his voice cracked a little. Edward listened to him and felt a stab of pain in his chest. He knew he had Al but had never really had someone who truly understood what it felt like to lose someone so close and have them ripped away from you. It's a unique pain that is impossible to understand unless you have gone through it. Ba-Chan and Winry understand lose but not a lose brought on through your own foolish actions, or seeing someone disappear before your eyes. No, it's a unique and devastating pain that can crush your very soul with the guilt it brings.
He saw every bit of that pain in her eyes earlier and he knew that they were just alike and searching for the same things; forgiveness, retribution and a way to make things right.
"Sorry about that, you can have a go now Ed." A tired voice broke his thoughts. Elizabeth plopped down next to his spot as he stood to go wash his face. She sighed and stared out the window at the scenery that flew by. "He's something else isn't he?" She said softly.
"My brother is a kind person but he carries a lot on his shoulders without allowing help, even from me. He's nice, stubborn and hot-tempered but he's my brother and I love him no matter what." Al responded. Elizabeth's lips twitched into almost a smirk, which was noticed by her brother who's soul eyes widened. When was the last time she smiled? He thought in amazement. Her eyes were just a tiny bit softer, a slight blush on her cheeks and a small smirk, she was slowly coming back from the brink and if he still had his heart, it would burst with happiness. My dearest Beth.