Ironically, I almost forgot October 3rd
Would anyone delight in a wip?
The late morning was peaceful today.
Not to mention, nature really likes its morning song. Birds chirping cheerily, breeze blowing like a smooth tenor and the leaves on the trees rustling together like a harmonizing choir.
But Ed’s favorite sound by far is the shuffling of Al’s feet as he inches to the other side of the room. Ed watches too, each hesitant yet excited step. He observes every time his brother’s crutches land with a thunk against the wooden floor and his smile grows wider the farther he gets.
The pride wells up in his chest even as he can see the minute details showing that Al was fighting collapse. It doesn’t go out even when he does fall with a yelp and Ed has to come in and catch him under the arm on his left side. He got farther than yesterday. It was only maybe five steps more but that didn’t make it less deserving of Ed’s pride.
Al’s panicky expression peers at Ed for a moment and no longer as they both let out chuckles. Not really because it was funny, but because it was nostalgic. A metal leg isn’t something you get used to over night after all.
“Okay, okay. I’ve got this. Totally got this!” Al said, his voice crystal clear and just a bit deeper than Ed was used to. That was the thing about having vocal chords isn’t it? They grow and change with the body.
“Sure you do.” Ed says, not really meaning the sarcasm in his voice. Still, Al gives him a look that tells him if he weren’t acting as his support at the moment, his dear younger brother would’ve smacked him upside the head. Ed huffs a laugh.
Together they steady Al back on his feet. His crutches firmly supported his weight. Ed steps back carefully and once Al seems to have his balance, he begins again, legs a bit weak but determined and persistent. Ed would be a hypocrite to tell him not to push himself, as if Al needed reminding for that kind of thing.
In the meantime, Ed swiftly grabs the wheelchair folded up in the corner, ready with it unfolded for the moment that Al makes it to the other wall.
“One foot in front of the other. One foot in front of the other.” Al mumbles to himself. Each of his steps carefully spaced and calculated. “It’s not even a science, just one two, one two–”
“The man himself says as he counts his steps.” Ed jokes, unable to resist the teasing. Al pauses, and stands straight the best he can as he turns his head to glare at Ed.
“Brother, I love you, but I will hurt you.” He threatens. Ed sticks his tongue out at him. “I’d love to see you try.” Is Ed’s response. Al pouts and turns again to continue his daunting journey across the room.
The brothers both hold their breath as Al got just a few feet away from the wall. One step, then another and another and—
His hand touches the wall.
Immediately the two of them whoop with excitement. Ed came in quickly with the wheelchair so that Al could sit down. Ed wrapped an arm around his brother’s shoulder. Nothing harsh or tight due to his body’s sensitivity and weakness, but the hug was warm regardless and Al leaned into it.
It’s been a couple of months now since the Promised Day. Definitely over four but Ed would have to find a calendar to say for certain which month it was. Al has been improving steadily since that day too. Just two weeks ago he had been cleared to start physical therapy, that of which Ed and Winry were in charge of. Why would Al need hired help when Ed has done it himself and Winry has more than the necessary qualifications to assign and monitor it?
Of course, Al was going to need a wheelchair for a long while. Ed knew this and was more than prepared to wait and work at Al’s pace no matter what. However, his brother, the miracle that he was, was improving at a faster rate than expected.
Four months may sound like a lot, but it really wasn’t if you take into account that his body had only just enough nutrients to survive, that it was unused and overly sensitive and before had lacked the muscles to even properly stand up on his own. Now though, he was filling out, his bones getting less and less visible as the weeks flew by and his skin got used to sensations again. His muscles grew steadily and Al itched to get out of bed and get moving already.
All that was really just to say that Ed was damn proud of his brother.
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