Title: Rage
Characters: Ed, Al, Shou Tucker
Rating: PG (there's one swear word)
Summary: There's rage in Edward's eyes, and hatred, but that's to be expected.
A.n.: I'm rereading FMA (and I've talked my sister's boyfriend into liking it, HA!), and this popped up in my mind. And I wanted to post something before the Fire&Ice Challenge begins, too ^^



Rage

There's rage in Edward's eyes, and hatred, but that's to be expected.

Alphonse, sweet Alphonse himself looks at the chimera sitting beside him, its head pathetically bowed– no, not just a chimera, but once-lovely, once-lively Nina -, and feels a shiver run down his imaginary spine, his non-existing muscles twitching in response. His fists clench, and he's ready to strike, wants to strike…

Edward beats him to it.

It is only then that Alphonse realizes that Tucker is speaking.

"Fullmetal alchemist! Take a look at your limbs and your little brother! Aren't those the results of your so-called "toying with human lives"? We're the same, you and I!"

There's rage in Edward's eyes, and hatred, and… Pain? Fear?

Edward strikes again, and again, and harder, harder every time, and Alphonse isn't listening to what they're saying anymore. What he's just seen in Edward's eyes…

Targets have changed, and Tucker leads the dance now. He smiles a victorious, vicious smile, throws truths aimed to cut deep and painfully at the boy, and Edward keeps on punching him because, goddamnit, he never wanted any of this, never intended to destroy his little brother… He's going to make that bastard understand, to physically beat into him that he is no monster… He isn't, is he?

Alphonse watches, and knows it's up to him to stop them before Edward completely loses it and kills Tucker. He smothers his own anger and grabs Edward's wrist, holding him back.

"Brother, if you hit him any more than that, he'll die."

Alphonse's voice is gentle but firm, bringing Edward back to the here and now and he lets go of the older alchemist because he. Is. No. Monster.

Trying very hard not to throw one last punch at Tucker, Alphonse leads him out of the lab, a comforting hand on his shoulder, thoughtful as ever.

He knows perfectly well that this is not over. They walk a tortuous and dangerous road, and innocence is more than likely to be shattered again. Alphonse just hopes he'll be able to protect his brother from himself again. That's what little brothers are for after all.