The Most Amazing Thing

S J Smith

Written for the lj comm, fma_fic_contest, with the prompt being "smoke"

Rating: Anyone can read

Disclaimer: No, no, never, never, uh-uh-uh

Warning: Speculations for the end of the manga; second person POV.

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You might never share this, but to you, the best thing that came out of the battle of the Promised Day is your son, Alphonse, now returned to his body. Oh, that body is weak and so frail and needs much cosseting, but nonetheless, he is incredible. He is so joyful, when he's awake long enough to be, and so eager. And so tired, so much of the time. Your other son, Edward, tells his little brother that some of Granny Pinako's stew will fix him right up and you beam, becoming a foolish, proud man again at the sound of your children's laughter.

It is remarkable that you all lived; that you and your sons survived the Promised Day. You hadn't really expected to; it had been a showdown between you and that creature that you helped create centuries ago. But you won – something that still gives you a little bit of pause at the idea. You won, and you're still reeling from the shock.

You realize that you are rebuilding your relationship with your eldest boy. Edward still hates you, you know that, but a sort of grudging respect is forming – well, grudging on his part, respectful on yours. Even if he did do stupid things in the past, he made good on his promises and that, to you, is something to be proud of. When you try to compliment him, he gets that shifty look in his eyes; waves off your praise. Alphonse later tells you that his brother appreciates the words you say, "…Deep down." You tell Alphonse his older brother is the image of you at that age and you can't help but chuckle as your son, his eyes wide in horror, says, "Don't tell him that!"

And isn't it marvelous, that you can laugh at that idea? You don't want to think of how many people died to get you to this place and time but that you fathered such a pair of sons, that you can laugh at their antics and compare them to the things you did as a foolhardy boy child, slave or no, this must be your reward for living out this oh so long life.

But as you three return to Rezembool, as your sons are embraced by the girl who loves them best, you catch a faint smell of sweet smoke from Pinako's pipe and realize what these boys have already learned – the most amazing thing isn't the journey, but coming home again.

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