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galesh · 4 years ago

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Wish fulfillment au of Severus who was born in Albus' Dumbledore's time. I just wanted to post it as a reply on a discord server but then it got out of hand. So

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- Two clever swots duking it out... in academics!

- Debating each other of old spells and whether or not they're dark and the librarian jinxing them out of the library with hexes for being too loud

- Albus and Sev rubbing their stung bums and arguing about the hexes the librarian used

- Albus and Sev both discovering they're poor halfbloods and railing against the arswholes in charge who think they can sting their bums and get away with it

- Them stinging each other's bums because it's a fascinating body part and maybe rubbing them with a different set of hands because maybe it'll help, and they're experimental

-Albus viewing the fascinating kid with so much dark potential with new eyes.

-Sev keeping an eye out for the twinkly eyed twit because it's unnerving, really, and because he always found the goodness in others fascinating. He doesn't believe he can emulate it, but maybe some would seep through him in osmosis. That's what that muggle book said anyway

- His ma always said he had a thing for redheads. He's starting to suspect her of practicing black magic

- Albus and Sev working on potions and transfig together because none of them can tell the other they're bloody brilliant and that they're fascinated, and could we just get to stinging bums and rubbing out the soreness please

- Sev visiting the Dumbledore's on summer break because his father is dead and his mother as good as, meeting the creepy girl creature because he's nosy and of course he'd look at the one room Kendra told him not to

- Abe running to Ariana's room because she screams bloody murder. It's only when he gets there that he realises that that bloody snake they let into their house is being accosted by a happily shrieking Arianna who wants to meet this strange new black haired scarecrow her brother likes

- The older one

- Sometimes, Arianna suspects

- Sev being horrified by Ariana's sad tale, and not wanting her to waste away, working with Albus to make sure she can get out

- Abe (begging to) help them because he really wants to, and because he doesn't trust the snake

- Sev learns Abe can't bloody spell after the third time.he has to squint if the bottle has fluxweed or filchweed (Dyslexia is not recognised yet, but it will be, in the muggle world) amd tries to help. It's more insulting than helpful, but he tries!

- Albus feverishly searching for a way to fix what those muggle boys and their mother's imprisonment and his neglect have wrought. Searching in the darkest grimoires, because really, what is honor and goodness if it can't even help his sister?

- Ariana getting her father's silver signet, carved with the runes of protection, family, forgiveness and renewal. They can't fix her magic, but the magic she once loved has caused her loved ones only harm, and really, it's time to stop listening to the voice inside her, who wants to rip her mother to shreds and burn the whole world down

- In the end it's abe, who comforted her when her mum looked at her with hate and Albus ashamed who puts her ring on as she says the words the runes describe. It's hard to forgive her mother and those muggle boys, but Arianna thinks they've suffered enough (it'll be years later that she realises that she left one person, but as she watches her daughter's delightful coo as she Dan's her nose with a glowing goden finger, she is only thankful that her lack of forgiveness didn't take all her magic away).

- She kisses her brother-in-law to be on the cheek, as is only proper for a member of family.

(Ariana has a very feeble grasp on social niceties. She tries, okay! You try learning everything from books while trapped in a cottage like a demented princess, with a brother who even she knows has an unhealthy fascination with goats who'd talk to her normally)

(Arianna's husband and her daughter, who she names Severus --because every universe must have a second child with a severusly controversial name -- would really come to fear her social skills, or lack thereof. Severus blames her godfather and her uncle with a the raging hate of a 10 year old who's been denied Uncle Sev's sweets)

- Sev and Albus competing for the top spot in the classes with professors and the bottom in the classes without

- Albus meeting Gellert in the evening he's supposed to leave for France and noticing the same dark charm. Severus noticing, but wanting to taint it than emulate it

- A black owl pooping on Gellert's golden hair because he Does Not Share!

- Albus sharing his plans to Change The World which would kill a girl with beautiful, uncontrolled magic and put a vengeful father in a prison of his own despair

- Sev agreeing to them and adding some rather inventive and cruel revenges he'd have on the Wankers who disowned his mother for following her heart

- Albus crossing out those points with eyes that twinkle in gentle admonishment, because really Severus, where would you even get a fully grown basilisk, and ignoring the calculating glitter he gets in return

- Abe following the idiots because Ari orders him to help the idiots and he can deny her nothing

- Gellert becoming a Light wizard after being at the wand end of a particularly dark spell (they teach *that* at Hogwarts, the light school!?!?!?!?) By a vengeful gargoyle after he drunkenly kisses*Bruder* Dumbledore

(years later, Headmaster Dippet can't figure out why his newest Dada teacher is so militant about students knowing everything about Dark magic and why some magics should never be studied, or why flinches everytime he sees a mistletoe. He has enough experience at 300 Not To Ask)

- Albus learning the most beautiful healing spell at the hands of a scowling-dark-phoenix with moist, angry black eyes after the 12th use of a dragon's claw soon after he discovered the 12th use of their blood

(Fawkes could never forgive Severus Snape for stealing it's thunder. Also he smells owl. They're the worst!)

-Severus stealing the Flamels' thunder by creating a philosophers stone after being at their home for a month.

(Perenelle suspects it's because Nicholas, who can be really old fashioned about these things, forbade their apprentice and that brilliant boy with no thoughts from rooming together)

- Severus lacing Albus' lemon drops with the elixir of life because clearly, that imbecilic martyr thinks dragon claw wounds are amusing

- Albus lacing Severus' tea with it because it would be such a horrible thing to live alone

(or without the one person who matters, no offence to his family. Oh, alright Abe, you're definitely not it!)

(the elixir of life prepared yearly mysteriously dissappears into tea and lemon drops. Albus stops worrying over Severus getting killed by vampires while he gets their teeth in exchange of galleons like a demented tooth fairy, and Severus stops worrying about Albus getting nicked by antsy Dragons or Phoenixes or Nifflers, or whoever Albus scraps with in his spare time)

- Albus putting his demented convoluted plans in motion by destroying wizarding currency through inflation. It somehow leads to a goblin revolution, equal rights for magical creatures, and the adoption of muggle currency. Don't ask

(Rumour has it that Gellert, Wizarding Britain's champion one look at the the scowling face of a Severus Snape and proposes negotiations.

Muggle currency was great, really. Made mathematical sense, easier to handle, and twinkly eyed not quite evil overlords can't dependably reproduce all the identifiers. They hope

Quite coincidentally, as Severus will assure you, all the pureblood families --including the Princes, coincidentally-- lose all their accumulated money in the resulting changeover.)

- Albus rules everything from behind the iron curtain with gentle fists and an open smile. Everyone learns to agree with him because behind him stands the spectre of DEATHOMgWatdidyoudo that you want to always keep happy)

- An excited Tom Riddle learns about magic from a charming Professor who's really interested in how he speaks, and who agrees that muggles are awful but keep it down will you?

- Tom Riddle learns to confide in and trust the person who introduced him to the magical world; and tells him when he accidentally discovers the chamber of secrets while hissing open at one of the taps in the girls loo that just wouldn't dispense water (he was under a lot of pressure okay! No, he's not a creep!)

- Tom Riddle grows up to be a politician with a particularly hard view on those muggles. Being backed by the Headmaster of Hogwarts helps. The society has made great strides in the concept of equality and democracy however, and most creatures really don't like him for some insane reason. Albus Dumbledore wins the elections by a landslide again. Tom is tenacious, and plots for when he'd get the position after the old man dies

(On his deathbed, Professor Emeritus of Hogwarts, Professor Tom, curses todgy old men with unnaturally long lifespans)

-Harry Potter, who grew up loved and a headmaster who didn't want to train him in any way, shape, or form (Harry was glad. Headmaster Grindenwald was nice and all, but he really didn't want to know all about the Dark arts and why not to use them kplzthnx). He went on to work at the ministry because his mother instilled in him values of fairness, kindness, and Get Out The House And Go To Work You Bum!

(He named

- Ariana's first kid is named after Abe. Her second is called Severus. Severus being a girl, never forgives her, and years later, when her son is born, names him Ariana with a vindictive gleam in her eyes.

(Ariana never really learned a the social niceties. They're horribly ineffective, and Abe tells her she's always charming in any case)

(Severus Smith is comforted by the fact that her godfather is a immortal wizard who gives her the best sweets)

- Severus and Albus never really fall out of love, even though they fall out of bed many times. They are a different breed of men, really. Eternal devotion means eternal devotion, as they find out. The Flamels' are happy they finally get to go on what the muggles call double dates.

- They also never stop stinging each other on the bum, but that is a rather more mature tale.

#pls ignore #severus snape #albus dumbledore #snumbledore #for spider #discord has a 2000 character limit #how rude

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karkarofftms · 4 years ago

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𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐊 / the patronus drabble . 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 / the flamel family . 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 / none . 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐂. / eulalia recalls the origin of one of her most prized possessions .

the wife of the minister is ensconced by guard aurors immediately , swiftly ushered towards any nearby fireplace that could floo her safely away from the chaos of the alley . eulalia knows itʻs the done thing and she lets herself relish momentarily in the protection of her position . she also knows , however , that sheʻs quite capable of defending herself against the likes that sheʻs currently being made to run away from . all it takes is the memory of a little piece of parchment .

✧

the flamels , as they were , did not have the time nor the energy to humor each and every one of their numerous descendants . thereʻs too many of them , generations and generations of children ( for almost all are mere children to ones like NICOLAS and PERENELLE FLAMEL ) who dog their shadows and attempt to match them in skill . too many children who want to fill their giant shoes as the next great alchemist .

eulalia is not one of these children .

she is sixteen and sheʻs granted the opportunity to meet them all the same . the couple like to keep connected , to meet each of their legacies at least once to see their lingering mark on the world . so eulalia stands in a small cottage in pontoise and watches as a second cousin trembles his way through a stuttered self-introduction . he babbles about his own skill in alchemy and nicolas , the kind one , friend to albus dumbledore , indulges him in shop talk for a bit .

perenelle , on the other hand , stops in front of eulalia . they stare at each other for a moment and eulalia is arrested by the sight of her . diminutive , shorter than eulalia , and yet filling the whole room with the weight of her presence . itʻs a mark of her prowess, the way she cuts an imposing figure while barely coming to eulaliaʻs shoulders . a woman who spurned death at every turn . a woman who was great but not good , whose shared ambition with her husband transcends every other in the world .

eulalia wants to emulate her so badly it hurts .

❝ and you are ? ❞ perenelle asks , not kindly but not quite unkind . she hasnʻt the patience to be kind to every single descendant that wants her attention like her husband does . eulalia , wanting nothing more than to prove herself as DIFFERENT to this woman , declines to offer an introduction .

❝ some day , ❞ she promises , shoulders straight and unshaken and with more ambition than sense as she looks her ancestor directly in the eye . ❝ youʻre going to know my name without me having to tell you myself . ❞

dark eyes glitter with amusement at her impudence . thereʻs more knowledge there than eulalia could ever hope to own in her entire lifetime . she had never once wanted for immortality ( eulaliaʻs name will last because she will make it so , not because she lives long enough to ensure its remembrance ) but the long , cursory look that perenelle affords her makes her doubt her own conviction for a moment . eulalia would make childʻs play of an elixir of life if it made her half as formidable as the woman in front of her . her great-several-times-over grandmother hums low in her throat and her gaze turns considering .

❝ yes , ❞ comes the reply and eulalia nearly stops breathing . perenelle inclines her head , an upturned twist to her weathered lips . ❝ i believe that one day i will . ❞

✧

years later , eulalia is appointed one of the youngest ambassadors to hail from france — a position she gains through her OWN merit , without the use of her lofty family name , and one that will pave the way for more opportunities in the future . the day of her appointment , she receives an owl holding a simple slip of paper with no signature .

the paper bears nothing but a cheeky inscription of her own full name written in perfect cursive and eulalia burns .

✧

after the mess of the festival is over , the aurors will be able to report to her husband that she made it out safely and without much incident . the prophet will be able to report that it saw a wispy silver crow fly through the alley before the minsterʻs wife was whisked away from the scene .

#nox.task #𝐞𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐟 ━━ ˟ ⊰ history .#𝐞𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐟 ━━ ˟ ⊰ isms .#all i do every day is think thoughts about the flamel family #also nicolas and perenelle made the philospherʻs stone together and you can quote me on that

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mudaship39 · 5 years ago

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Alpha Centurion War: The Battle of The Andromeda Galaxy and Milky Way Galaxy

Arcane Assassin or Mystic Mercenary (Laurissa Owen “Lori” Jones). Lori Jones is a polyamorous bisexual child of a female magical human or homo magi and a goddess of war born through a combination of arcane magic of a powerful sorceress and witch (who defeated Merlin, Perenell Flamel, Arthur Pendragon, Nicholas Flamel, & Morgan Le Fay by herself) and divine and celestial power of the heavens. Little humans can declare to be a demigod but less still can assert the ancestry that she possesses. Her mother a magical human of an ancient bloodline and lineage of Europe was courted by the powerful goddess of war Athena herself. Together they sired her, a true child of a goddess of war itself. As a goddess of war she can summon undead armies of Greek Spartans and Roman Centurions. As a goddess of war she can command armies of Aesir Valkyries, Atlanteans, Greek Amazons of the Kingdom of the Greek Mount Olympus, & Roman Amazons of the Kingdom of the Roman Mount Olympus. The only person she answers to is her sworn sibling Alexander Mack "Alex" Smith/Alexandria Macy "Lexi" Smith a polyamorous genderfluid pansexual superhero who is an alien titan of war who can even command alien armies. She is the niece of the Greek God of War Ares and the Greek Goddess of Love Aphrodite. She is the godchild of the Roman God of War Mars and the Roman Goddess of War Bellona. So she has gifts of beauty from Venus and Aphrodite. She has gifts of smiting and forge from Vulcan and Hephaestus. She has gifts of combat and war from Mars, Bellona, & Ares. Her uncle Ares and Aunt Aphrodite sees her as a failure due to her ways. Though Laurissa has tried to copy and emulate them both to get their validation. As Ares’s niece she always endeavors to warrant his admiration through gory battles in his name with a weapon or two in hand. As Aphrodite's niece she always tries to gain her respect by seducing immortals and mortals. She hopes to one day battle at her mother Athena’s side. She yearns for the opportunity to clash her steel to her godparents Mars and Bellona in an epic battle between godparents and god child. Due to the combat sense from her god parents, uncle, & mother Athena, she finds it simple to assemble others to her cause. Whether commoners or soldiers those around her feel more disposed to escort her into battle against her foes. The more likely the triumph the easier it becomes to sway others to fight at her side. She knows the position of all army camps and guard towers, guard posts, & outposts in the territory and can inquire about asylum at any one of them due to her background. She is expected to earn her keep by doing such tasks as helping the blacksmith in repairing weapons, shields armor or even contribute in battles. These tasks are easy as she was trained by Mars and Bellona and trained by Vulcan himself. As someone in particularly high standing with the division they provide her and her party with provisions, supplies, & water even pristine weaponry, shields, & armor. She regularly feels the need to impress those around her. One day she hopes her mother and her will battle side by side in a battle of blood and glory. She longs for the day she can lead her own army of Greek and Roman Amazons into battle as general. She may have a god of war for an uncle but she condemns gratuitous violence. Though she feels the fury and rage tempt her as the niece of Ares himself and sometimes uses her Amazonian Rage or Goddess of War fury. She trains so that she might one day duel her mother Athena and win her true admiration. War is all she knows as a child of Athena, the godchild of Bellona and Mars, & the niece of Ares and so peace is a scary idea to her. To her an army without discipline is like a sword with no edge. She does not question the authority of her commanding officers (the Queen of the Roman Amazons of the Roman Mount Olympus and the Queen of the Greek Amazons of the Greek Mount Olympus) as those subordinates (the Aesir Valkyrie, Greek Amazons, Roman Amazons, & Atlanteans of the Atlantean Empire she summons) below her do not doubt hers. All those that stand in her way will taste her celestial blades. She hopes she will bring reputation, honor, respect, & credit to her regiment of Amazons, her mom Athena, her mother a magical human, & her land. Not every niece of Ares has to be a sword swinging monster. It is her duty to ensure the safety of those she cares for. Her regiment of Amazons of Roman Mount Olympus and Amazons of Greek Mount Olympus is one of the only family she needs (other than the superhero teams the Elites, Paragons, & Sentinels). She still cares deeply for her mother a powerful magical human (who rivals Morgana, Merlin, Nicholas Flamel, King Arthur in power) and will do anything to protect her. She cares about those who are orphans of war and child soldiers like her sworn sibling Alex Smith/Lexi Smith a genderfluid pansexual superhero who used to be a super soldier who has fought since they were a metahuman and superhuman child soldier. She has a favorite drinking buddy who is also her childhood friend. She has flaws of pride and arrogance inherit from her uncle Ares. She sees any mortal as beneath her for she is the child of war itself. She often charges into battle without a plan. As the daughter of Athena she tends to mourn the loss of her comrades a bit too much. When she gets hurt she tends to fly into rage and wildly attacks whatever hit her with her Amazonian rage and her Goddess of War Fury made stronger by her connection to Ares. She believes that she is too strong to die and so tends not to heal herself. Imagine this war child just charging through battlefields of war bloody and super injured because she does not believe she's so weak as to die from something so mundane and her enemies being even more intimidated because dude you are literally bathed in hellfire and your leg and arm is broken like what the fuck?!.

Laurissa Owen Jones said, “As a demigoddess who is half god half homo magi I have been living for a long time.” “I ruled Sparta as Queen as Ares’ niece & I ruled Athens as Queen as Athena’s daughter.” “I ruled the empire of Rome behind the scenes as Mars & Bellona’s goddaughter.” Laurissa Owen “Lori” Jones roared, “I fought in the Trojan War against my mother Athena & my uncle Ares!” She snarled, “I clashed celestial steel against his divine bronze!” Ares shouted, “Niece!” “I see you want my respect.” Ares shouted, “Come take it by force with steel, flint, bone, & blood!” “I wanted my uncle’s validation.” “I wanted my mother’s respect.” “I wanted my godparent’s admiration.” “I know its bad to want validation from Ares.” “Ares is not as venerated as my mother or respected as my godparents.” “Mars and Bellona wage war for glory, valor, nobility, fame, valor, honor, glory, courage, tribute, & heroism.” “Athena wages war for peace, principle, morality, & justice.” “Ares just wages war for only bloodshed, violence, death, & carnage.” “That is why Ares is so vilified.” "Mankind the superhuman species of metahumans and superhumans they despise my uncle because he is humanity's worst parts." "He is pride, lust, greed, envy, & wrath personified." "Humanity loves war, loves violence, loves carnage, & loves bloodshed." "Humanity leaves one war and one conflict just to leapt into another." "Humanity being a species of metahuman and superhumans they love intergalactic warfare they crave it." "Humanity thinks that they are so perfect but they are flawed just like he is." "They hate him because they see themselves so much in him." "I hate humanity and aliens of Earth because they betrayed Alexander/Alexandria." " I loath mankind and extraterrestrials of this planet, star system, galaxy because they turned their back on his/her/them when he/she/they needed it most." "I will never forgive them for that." "Alex/Lexi sees the best in humanity and aliens." "But I know in my heart that they will have never been worthy of his/her/their love for them." "I know in my soul that they will never ever be worthy of his/their or her/their love for them." "One day he/she/they will chose to leave and they will rue the day they ever questioned him/her/them!" "I hate Ares because I see myself in him." “But I cant help to because I feel that rage, that fury, & that wrath of being his niece.” “For his power taints my Amazonian Rage & my Goddess of War Fury turning it into a berserker rage like Wolverine’s.” “That power it is addictive.” “So much blood was spilled in my name.” “Mostly from my Roman Centurions, Greek Spartans, Greek Amazonians, & Roman Amazonians under my command.” “Thanks to Loki’s actions humanity is now a superhuman species of metahumans & superhumans.” “That’s good because in the past I didn’t need to see my human consorts die because they were nigh immortal.” “They lived as much as I did because humans were a race of metahumans and superhumans.” “Loki’s actions is why Atlantis is an empire.” “I was there when my relative, the son of Neptune and a Atlantean empress, was born.” “A fellow demigod.” “I saw him rise from a prince, to a king, to an emperor.” “I saw him unite the seven seas & merge the 9 kingdoms of Atlantis together with the Quident of Power of Oceanus.” “The kings and queens of Atlantis answered his call.” “The ones who answered him were the kings & queens of Atlantis.” “One was Inuit Indigenous mixed Atlantean who wielded Quident of Power of Poseidon.” “One was mixed Afro Caribbean Atlantean who wielded the Quident of Power of Neptune.” “One was mixed Afro Latinx Atlantean who wielded the Quident of Power of Amphitrite.” “Five were Polynesian Indigenous Pacific Islander (Maori, Tahitian, Samoan, Hawaiian, & Tongan) mixed Atlanteans who wielded the Quidents of Power of Triton.” “This was in the ancient past before I was given alien powers in a super soldier experiment in the 23rd century that basically Kryptonianized me and gave me the power to fire energy blasts, energy breaths, & optic blasts when exposed to magic or solar radiation.” She was later kryptonianized in a super soldier program and given alien powers and can fire energy breath from her mouth, can fire energy blasts from the palms of her hand, & can fire optic blasts from her eyes. She is made stronger by magic and the moon and is given alien powers when exposed to solar radiation from red, blue, white, & yellow stars.

#Ironically this started as a supercorp reigncorp & wondercorp fanfiction comic bahahaha

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somediyprojects · 3 years ago

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Mirabilia Designs #149: Andromeda WIP stitched by Julie Rumans. Pattern designed by Nora Corbett.

Mirabilia Andromeda on 32 ct linen from the “Bronte Sisters Collection” by Nicholas Flamel Design (imre5649) with a skin conversion to emulate Halle Bailey in the upcoming live action The Little Mermaid movie! I started this with Alexis for her birthday in August.

#cross stitch #inspo #x #mirabilia designs #nora corbett #conversion

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shmengels · 8 years ago

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Don’t Forget

Fullmetal Alchemist (Edwin)

Word count: 3,893 - FF.net - AO3

Grasping the concept that love can come unconditionally is difficult for some people.

A chorus of 'Happy Birthday Ed!'s rung out as Winry Rockbell set the cake in front of the elder Elric.

"Jeez, first you guys manage to convince me to drag myself all the way back here, but then you just had to throw me a party, huh?"

"Of course, pipsqueak. You didn't really think we'd only bring you home from the west just to lounge about for your birthday of all days, did you?"

Pinako Rockbells tone was teasing, but to Edward, he really would have appreciated as much.

Ed never was one for social gatherings of any magnitude, and he wasn't afraid to show his distaste. His following comment under his breath about how he would have rather settled for lounging earned him a stiff smack on the back of the head by his trusted mechanic, and sort-of-fiancé.

"Believe it or not Edward, some people actually enjoy celebrating the fact that you managed to live another year."

"She's right brother! You should enjoy yourself a little more once and a while."

Ed only scowled but it was quickly replaced when he caught sight of Winry's teasing smirk. He lightened up quickly; after all, they had been down this road before. As per Winry's request, Ed was required to just accept that sometimes people wanted to do nice things for him, and that he ought to act grateful. Of course, Ed already knew this full well but his experience with charity hadn't had a good track record in the past. When people went out of their way to do things for Ed, they typically ended up in danger, or worse. His mind drifted off towards memories of the then lieutenant Colonel Hughes who had lost his life assisting the Elrics search for the philosophers stone. His mind also envisioned Winry, determined on doing everything in her power to keep him safe with her automail, only to be caught in the crossfire of his escapades on multiple occasions. His disdain was a learned trait but he'd been realizing, slowly, that not all gifts or helping hands were one way tickets to suffering. Not to mention the second part of the problem; it irked him when people thought they could just spring kindness on him then act like he wasn't required to return them with a favor. He was an Alchemist, he full well understood equivalent exchange. All those favors were piling up and he'd have to pay the debt eventually. But for Winry's sake he smiled through it, keeping mental tallies of all the ways he could possibly repay everyone for all they've done. Fortunately, some debts had more leniency than others. For instance, thankfully, all they'd given him so far was dinner and some desert. He could live with that much…

"Alright, just as long as you guys didn't get me any-"

"PRESENTS!"

And there was his other half, dashing in with arms full of wrapped boxes.

His smile faltered and his eye twitched.

As much as he could do without the fanfare, his presents weren't that bad. He'd received silk pajamas, picked out by Al during his time in Xing, along with various figurines of idols he assumed to be of a religious origin. Neat to look at but not really of any use. There were some old alchemy books Pinako found out window shopping. A sort of makeshift kit with supplies for taking care of automail, accompanied by some not so subtle suggestions as to its use. As well as a plethora of new clothes to fill out the wardrobe he barely had.

Yep, he could easily repay a few trinkets one day. Best to not dwell on that though, he was finally to the part of the evenings which he actually enjoyed. When they would all sit, and laugh together and just enjoy each other's company. More cake was distributed, and just when he thought he could consider his birthday officially over, Winry's voice called out from the kitchen.

"Hey Ed, could you come here for a minute?"

He sat up, shooting a glare at Alphonse, who was snickering and giving him one of those looks again.

"Uh, Yeah sure…"

Crossing through the doorway, he found Winry stood in the opposite corner holding a small box close to her.

He began to groan at the sight of yet another gift, but was too intrigued by Winry's strange attitude. The closer he approached, the more nervous she seemed to become.

"H-here."

She shoved the box towards him, causing him to finch slightly.

The box didn't seem to be anything special, just a simple wooden case. However, judging by the fabric on the edge of the lid, it seemed to indicate that it was meant for something fragile within. It was some sort of jewelry box?

He glanced confusedly up at her, to find her biting down on her lip staring intently at his face.

When all he could do was stare back dumbly for a moment, her expression growing irritated.

"Well, open it! It is for you after all!"

Ed returned his attention to the box, unhooking the latch and pushing up the lid.

Inside was something disk like, and glimmering against the rooms lights from the polished silver that comprised the object. Gently dislodging the item, he lifted it higher to inspect it better. Its chain followed it out. As he was able to get a better view of it, his mouth hung open as he recognized the symbol on the face of the object. It was the same that had emblazoned his coat for all those years. A Flamel Cross, a symbol of Alchemy he inherited from his teacher long ago. It's meaning: 'fixing of the volatile'. He had told her it's meaning once and she certainly seemed to catch onto the significance it held with him.

Reaching his thumb upwards to the latch on the top, he jumped when the device sprung open, only confirming the obvious.

"I noticed sometimes you'd reach for your pocket watch and well, you know, since they wouldn't let you…"

His shocked reaction had apparently unnerved her some, and her already quiet voice drifted off. He again examined the cover, a near perfect reproduction of the Flamel. He traced his fingers over the surface. This only grew his fascination.

"Winry… did- did you make this?"

"Wha-? Ah, No! Not really, I just went out and bought a plain old silver pocket watch then reworked some of the metal casing to make that design you had on your coat…"

She said it as if it wasn't a big deal. Somehow, she had perfectly adorned the watch with the cross and serpent he had worn proudly as a symbol of his mission. Without alchemy either. She really was amazing.

"Winry… this is incredible! I don't know how I could repay you for this."

"Ed, it's your birthday. It's a gift. You can drop the whole equivalent exchange nonsense."

"I know, I know, but how can you give me something like this and not expect me t-"

"Ed, really, how hard is it to believe that sometimes all we ask for in return is your smile?"

His smile? Ed was a smart man, some might even use the term 'genius', and he recognized the symbolism. She meant his happiness. Long ago Ed came face to face with these questions; what the material price of extra-physical concepts, such as emotions and life itself, was. He fully understood the properties of matter and the physical world, but Winry had a knack for working somewhere beyond that. Some place that didn't completely abide by set laws of equivalence. Where equivalence itself was subject to each's own perspective. Apparently, a meaningful gift such as this was worth his happiness to her. And eighty five percent of her life was worth half of his... To her anyways. Every day, Ed became surer that no amount of his life could be worthy in exchange for any of this wonderful young woman's. And yet she insisted. No, Ed certainly had yet to grasp what equivalence meant outside the bounds of the concrete scope of science.

Just as he did whenever Winry went off again, uprooting his laws and reasoning, he laughed and drew her in to his arms.

"Winry, you are so incredible! This might be the best gift anyone's ever given me. Thank you."

She let out an airy sigh into his shoulder that blended into laughter.

"Thank goodness, I was worried you might think it was corny!"

He clutched the pocket watch tighter, thumbing over the surface.

"No, it means a lot to me. It's another reminder."

She pulled back, looking up at him with curious eyes.

"A reminder of what?"

"That I have people that want me to be happy."

She blushed and looked down, her hands clasping a little tighter on Edwards shirt.

"Well, I wanted to show you somehow…"

"Win, you make me happy already, this is a reminder. One I certainly won't forget."

She returned the broad smile that he had, embracing him tightly again.

"Happy birthday Ed."

Four months later

She wandered out of her workshop that afternoon feeling slightly down. Edward was leaving today on another excursion to the west. He promised he was almost finished for good and she undoubtedly believed him but it was still hard on them both. Ed had been getting more antsy as of late, she could tell. He was bounding at opportunities to come back home, and then when home, spend time with her. She appreciated it greatly but she could tell he was tired. He'd been traveling for a few years now and he seemed to actually be homesick. She felt a little more disheartened over his condition. She knew full well he'd be back for good eventually; it was only a matter of time, but Ed was almost annoying with how often he reassured her it wouldn't be too much longer. It was obviously more reassurance to himself than to her, she decided. He really didn't want to keep her waiting, but the silly alchemist failed to realize that she'd been waiting on him for years. She knew her limits and she'd be as patient as she needed to be and eventually it would work out. She wished Ed would stop trying so hard to appease this fantasy that he absolutely needed to be home this instant. Really, what was the rush? They'd (sort-of) decided that they had their whole lives ahead of them. Was he afraid of emulating his father somehow, leaving her behind to a life of solitude? Or perhaps that she'd move on in his absence? Neither of those were ever going to happen. She wished she knew how to ease his mind but she didn't have a clue where to start.

Winry made her way to his room, expecting to find him packing. To her mild surprise, it was vacant. A suitcase laid open on his bed, not yet filled, but the intention to was there.

"Ed?"

She peered further into the room, silly as it might be, checking behind the door.

"Edward?"

She called a little louder, so that if he were elsewhere in the house he could have heard.

No response. She shrugged.

Wandering over to the items laid on his bed, she glanced curiously over what he'd take with him. She never really knew what Edward packed for traveling, but it wasn't anything too surprising. A few changes of nicer clothes, some work wear, a couple alchemy books and his journal. She adjusted some of the folded clothes, hoping that he wouldn't mess it up when he went to place it in the suitcase.

She had just turned to leave, when a shimmering glare caught her eye.

Set out on the corner of his desk was the pocket watch she'd given him for his last birthday.

Winry was proud to say she rarely saw Edward without it, so much that he almost seemed protective of her gift.

That, or…

He was keeping secrets again.

She strode to the desk and picked up the watch, her suspicions being confirmed when the lid did not immediately flip open. They were supposed to be past this whole hidden guilt thing! So help her if she found some angsty message when she got this thing open...

Despite her tugging on the lid, it would not reveal its secrets easily. Something about this situation seemed eerily familiar, but how he even managed to seal it without alchemy was beyond her. She finagled it with a spare screwdriver until at last the silver cover popped.

She could only stare wide-eyed when she found no message of remembrance or past regrets. Instead, staring back at her, in a photograph neatly trimmed and pressed into the lid, was her own image.

She was smiling brightly, she remembered that day well. It was shortly after Ed and Al had returned, granny dragged them outside, taking pictures of each of them and then one of all three of them together. For memories, she had said. The picture of her and the Elrics was hung downstairs next to a similar one of them in much younger years. Last she'd checked the individual photos of the brothers were framed and placed on the tables flanking the couch. She never was sure where the photo of her had gotten to.

Her vision misted over at the thought that Edward had been carrying her around, everywhere he went, always with him.

She knew he thought of her, but this meant more than she could have expected. She closed the lid gently, proudly admiring the craftsmanship she had embellished on its cover before taking it with her back to her workroom.

"Dammit, where is it?!"

Ed threw more papers to the side, checking under books and notes. He was not leaving without it.

Under his bed and behind the desk he crawled, tearing apart his room in search of his missing item.

He needed it on him. He regretted even setting it aside now.

Where was his pocket watch?

Certainly, he needed it to tell the time; that was its practical use. Winry had been correct when she noted that he should have a new time piece, seeing as how the military would not let him keep his old one. If he was still an Alchemist the story might have been different but it's shockingly hard to be a state alchemist without the ability to use alchemy. But just to tell time he could have went out and got a cheap watch at any general store if he wanted. No, he needed his watch right now.

Following a quick knock, the door to Winry's studio opened.

"Hey Winry, have you seen my pocket watch?"

She whipped around on her stool, pressing her back against her workbench, blocking any view of whatever complex project the gearhead was captivated by.

"Uhh… N-no! No, I haven't. Did you check the, uh… living room?"

"...No, I'm sure I didn't leave it there."

"W-well check there anyways, you never know!"

"Win, I know it's not there…"

Her face was bright red, which thankfully for Winry, the young man only assumed was annoyance.

"Well it must be in your room then! Look harder!"

"I practically tore the place apart, it's not there!"

"Tell you what Edward, give me a minute to finish up the… thing I'm working on and I'll help you look."

"Alright fine, fine."

"And check the tables by the couch, Granny forgets things there all the time too!"

"I'm not the old-hag but okay!"

His voice carried with him down the hallway and she heard the telltale sound of feet stomping down the stairs.

That was too close.

Just. One. More… There! She held her project up admiring it before replacing its original contents and racing off to Edwards room.

Downstairs, Ed humored her and glanced over the side tables on either side of the sofa in the parlor. Of course, it wasn't there, he knew absolutely that it was last in his room. In fact, he was certain it was sat at the lower left hand corner of his desk. He sighed, and made to check elsewhere when Winry's voice carried from above him.

"I FOUND IT ED!"

He raced into the room to find her stood smugly holding up his watch by the chain.

"Wha- but I checked everywhere in here, where was it?!"

"On the floor, next to the desk."

"There's no way I missed it there, I looked everywhere!"

"Well that's where it was! You always give up looking for things if they're not in most obvious place, then come begging for help, don't you?"

She knew that wasn't totally true but if she tried berating him, it might draw his attention away from the obvious lie.

Luckily it worked, just not quite in the way she anticipated. He let out a breath,

"Thanks Winry, I don't know what I would have done without it!"

He was smiling softly at her, relief obvious on his face.

Winry held the watch out for him, which he took hastily, placing it with care into his left pocket; the chain being attached to his belt loop.

"Now, you've got a train to catch!"

With that, he raced to gather his things.

"And remember to take care of your automail, okay?"

"Hey, I've made it this far without any problems, haven't I?"

She laughed,

"Maybe, but it's never too late to pick up a few bad habits again!"

He chuckled in response, before turning somber.

"Listen Winry, it won't be too much longer I promise."

Here he goes again…

"Ed, Stop. It's okay. I understand that there are things you want to do."

"I want to be here with you."

She gulped under his intense gaze. She did not expect him to be quite that direct.

"I-I get that Ed, but really it's fine. Just as long as you come back."

"I will, I always will Winry. I swear."

"I know Ed, I know. I've waited this long, I'm pretty sure I can wait a little longer."

Her attempts at lightening the mood seemed ineffective.

"But for how long? This isn't good for me to be away so much."

"Edward, you are not your father if that's what you think. You're not leaving me to wither away. And I'll gladly wait for you to get back, I promise you that."

They stared intently at each other, waiting for the other to back down.

And as per usual, Ed finally sighed,

"You're right, you're right. Sorry. I just can't help but worry."

She smiled up at him, placing a hand on his cheek.

"Sure, I wish you could be here with me too but you're not doing anything wrong and I don't think any less of you for taking this journey."

He looked at her in shock, sometimes he hated that she could read him like a book. It almost irritated him to admit something so mushy, but nowadays his biggest fear was that Winry resented him for not being there all the time.

"I know you Ed. I know that you need reminders to keep your head in the right place."

She took her foot and lightly tapped the shin of his metal leg.

"And you shouldn't worry, everything'll work out."

She pulled his head to her own, capturing his lips.

Ed's mind was as of this moment, putty. He hardly even noticed she'd pulled away until her giggle brought him back to his senses.

"Now you're gonna be late, better hurry!"

He glanced at the clock; departure was in just ten minutes.

"R-right!"

With one last quick peck and a sharing of goodbyes, he fled out the door.

The train bumped and rocked, making him incredibly uncomfortable. Trips within Amestris were fine, but as it turns out, international lines totally lacked the amenities one would think would be more likely with long distance travel. He rested his cheek on his fist, idly surveying the now familiar landscape of Creta. It really was a beautiful countryside. Large mountains that bled into rolling plains, perfect for the abundance of vineyards, gardens and orchards which dotted the landscape. He'd have to bring Winry here someday.

Winry…

The name alone made him homesick as of late. And he hadn't even reached his destination yet.

All he wanted was to make her as happy as she made him. He knew he had a lot of catching up to do on that front, and he certainly couldn't do it from a thousand-some miles away. Curse that woman, ever understanding, caring, thoughtful and patient. How the hell was he supposed to hold up his part of equivalent exchange? He knew she didn't believe in it, and that only made him more upset at himself. She'd give him the world, her whole life, and expect nothing in return. Meanwhile he had little to offer her but promises for the time being and despite her assuring the contrary, that just wasn't enough. That's why he worried. He wasn't giving enough, so how come he received so much in return? It didn't add up. And so, he worried; that she may move on, that she might not feel the same as he did, that he may lose her… It was like a little routine whenever he returned home: he'd be mopey, she'd reassure him, and he'd be ready to go back out and face the world again. But with every passing departure, the time it took for the doubt to creep back in grew shorter and shorter. This had to be a record time. In fact, it had only been…

He opened his pocket watch. It read 4:37.

Great. Only about five hours.

He shifted his eyes to the picture he placed under the lid shortly after she first gave it to him. He'd vowed long ago that he'd make that beautiful woman in the photo happy one day. He even read up on some jewelers where he was headed, and he hoped to pick out a ring. But in the meantime, how could she care for some idiot like him?

It was going to be a long trip at this rate. He wished Winry was beside him again with her words of consolation. She had been right as usual; he needed the reminder that she cared to keep him going, or else he wasn't sure he'd make it out of bed the next day. He had the watch, but he found that even that was no longer enough. He desperately wanted to have her say it again.

Removing the photograph from the silver lid, he held it up to the light shining through the window.

Sure enough, the sun wasn't nearly as radiant as her smile.

He remained that way for a while, determining everything he was going to do to give her the life she deserved, if only he could last through the next few months without her.

As he went to replace the photo in the watch, he was caught by surprise to find something behind the usual place of his keepsake.

He chuckled to himself, grinning down at his pocket watch.

It looks like he'd make it after all.

Carved, in a familiar manner, on the inside lid:

Don't forget

I love you

#503week #503 #edwin #Fullmetal Alchemist #fmab fanfiction #fullmetal alchemsit brotherhood #edward elric #Winry Rockbell #ed x winry

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