I absolutely loved this!

This story reminds me of a song from Adventure Time, "Please forgive me for whatever I do, when I don't remember you..." I don't actually watch that show, but I've listened to the song and now it's stuck in my brain. I think the lyrics are very fitting here.

I think it's brilliant how you pulled it off, the Edward-exchanges-his-love-for-Alphonse thing. Because the true opposite of love isn't hatred, but apathy, and that's exactly what it was. Ed wasn't actively trying to hurt Al or declaring him his enemy, he just didn't care anymore, and the emptiness itself was what made him angry. The saddest thing in the story for me was how Alphonse started to doubt if he was worthy of Ed's love by the end... poor Al. And poor Ed, too. He must have felt so awful when he finally returned to normal, the moment he realized how horribly he had hurt the person he loved through his sacrifice.

This story is such an incredible emotion-manipulator it's ingenious. I'm almost envious of your writing skills. It's utterly heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, and that's not an easy thing to do. This is amazing, no doubt about it - if I rated these things, it'd be 11/10, maybe even 12/10 if I'm feeling generous, and extra credit for the ending.

Amazing job, well done.
-Blue Teller

Broke my heart and reforged it in nine thousand shimmering words ;_; thanks for sharing!

This is really good!

Ow.

That was a very unique kind of torture. That was REALLY painful to read. But, as always, very well-written, with a satisfying conclusion. I like that so many of your deviations don't just show immediate effects, but the difference it would make in the larger story, and how it could be resolved. Well done.

YOU MADE ME CRY

I'M STILL CRYING

BUT I AM OKAY WITH THAT BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD KIND OF CRYING

It was so painful to see Al be like that and suffer that sort of treatment, but it was beautiful to see them together after, with more love for each other than ever before.

I once had a similar idea where Ed sacrificed more than his arm and managed to get most of Al's soul and body back, but he wasn't able to get Al's heart. Al was a total unfeeling jerkface, and didn’t care or love or anything, to the point where it was dangerous for him to be around people because it didn’t matter to him if he caused them pain. But... what you made is a little crueler, and yet a whole lot better. And it's absolutely fantastic work from one of my favorite authors ever.

Thank you for this story! ;u; I wish I could favorite it into infinity, but I can only click that button once. What a shame.

Oh. OH GOSH. I always assumed one of them dying would be the worse case scenario but today you proved me wrong. Usually "power of love" stories are hit and miss for me, but this one was raw, emotional, and full of great moments and characterizations. It even tangentially reminds of plot elements in Princess Tutu, which I found really creative and interesting in the world of FMA! And I adore the conversation between Ed and Winry... knowing how Ed truly felt about everything really helped make the whole conclusion that much more heart-wrenching, yet oh so satisfying.
There were SO MANY wonderful lines that got to me, among them being Ed's exchange with Mustang at the beginning ("Because he's your brother." "So?"), and towards the end; "The brothers froze, staring at each other, realizing for the first time the true extent of what they'd given up for each other." You made me a happy, sobbing mess after reading this fic. Bless.

Adorable XD
Love it XD

I didn't see who wrote this before I read it but I should have known it was you Griselda because I started crying halfway through lol great job 3

That was...wow. I just wasn't expecting that at all, I gasped out loud at the words "all of it" and after that I just had to shed a few tears for the brothers...beautiful writing...a beautiful idea too. Happy FMA day!

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH *inhale* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Goddammit. You made me cry.