For Alphone LeElric

[heroproceeding]

[ It's still hard to believe in the end.

Especially after being there for so long, they're finally going home. Or at least... where they feel home would be. They've all been given a choice. He doesn't have to go back. He doesn't have to die. Not again. He can live out the rest of his life in a different way. Away from ShinRa and clones and other horrible things. Away from being chased down and on the run constantly. Finally, he has a choice in all this. And he's decided.

But there's one little thing the administrator warned them about.

'Don't let your thoughts slip. If they slip for even a moment, if you lose your focus, I can't guarantee you'll get where you want to be.'

He'd thought it would be easy enough. He thought he could do it. But one moment, he's thinking of Jim and Benbow and the next-

The next he's landing unceremoniously on dusty, hard ground. Dusty, hard warm ground. With the bright sun above already heating up his once ever freezing body. Damn, it's really warm! And sunny! And as he slowly rolls onto his side, he can see green fields for miles and the clear blue of the sky. It's both exhilarating but also confusing and that's when panic sets in his chest. He's a mess of scrambling limbs as he picks himself up onto his feet, eyes darting every which way, wide with dread. Where's-

He cups his hands in front of his mouth. ]

Kunsel! Jim! [ He pivots. ] Zell!

[ Did he really just mess this up, too? What's going on? ]

Comments

[armoured]

Y-Yeah... yeah, it's me.

[Not the most intelligent of rejoinders, but he's still utterly shellshocked at the appearance of Zack Fair on the road leading up to the Rockbell residence.

The embrace hurts just a little, but he relishes in the small ache, and tightens his own grip as much as possible.]

How did you get here? Is everyone else with you?

[heroproceeding]

[ Feeling that returned grip, if not a weaker one... that's reaffirming in it of itself. Although in his glazed vision, he might have finally noticed the crutch not far from the ground and that gets him to ease on the poor kid. It definitely doesn't stop him from holding onto him for a while longer though and sorry, Al. Your hair might be damp now.

He sniffs as he tries to rein himself in. The questions at least give him something to focus on as he mumbles out in a gravelly voice: ] The administrator sent us all home through this portal. I was going to Montressor with the others... Guess there was a change in plans. [ Admittedly, part of him has to wonder if the others made it. And what the others must be thinking once they realize-

But he shuts that out. Not now. Focus on Al. Focus on the fact that Al's alive. He pulls away just a little bit. Just enough to see him though he keeps him in the circle of his arms. ] But what about you? I mean HOW--?

[ He lets the question hang in the air, unable to finish it as a few tears stray down his cheeks. ]

[armoured]

[Al feels something loosen inside his chest. A knot that's been there and growing tighter in the months since he returned from Norfinbury, the worry about all the friends he inadvertently abandoned and left behind.

And god-- god, he's so proud. He feels like his heart is about to burst with it. He always knew they would find a way out if they just kept moving forwards, and they've proven him right. Maybe this isn't Montressor, maybe Zack didn't end up exactly where he wanted, but people were safe now.]

I know, it's crazy, right?

[He gives a choked half-chuckle and looks up at Zack, so weird to not be looking down at him, beaming brightly.]

I told you that we'd find a way to get our original bodies back one day, didn't I? You should've listened!

[heroproceeding]

[ No less weird as it is for him to not be looking up at Al, especially when that's such a rarity. It's hard to distinguish his face when his eyes blur again, but still he finds a smile. ] I guess I should have... [ That's... totally not a sniff. He totally didn't just sniff as he gives his very real and very human body another squeeze. His smile goes finicky in his next teasing words. ] Got a few inches on you now, kid. Think you'll catch up for real this time? No cheating, right?

[ It's the stupidest joke he could ever make, but humor him, Al. ]

[armoured]

R-Right.

[He pulls back a little bit, smiling all over his face so much that his cheeks are starting to ache.]

I don't think I will catch up now, this is probably as tall as I'm going to get. Brother seems like he's growing now, though!