Elricest: Marriage

He watched as the family of four walked down the street together. There was nothing strange about this family. That was not why he watched.

He watched because they were perfectly ordinary.

There were the mother and father, happy, smiling…married. Bound in a way…that he could never be.

Not with the one he loved.

The children, so obviously their's. Heads full of beautiful blond hair, eyes bright and blue. The looked like their father.

A hand brushed his own, and he started. His own silver eyes met golden orbs filled with worry.

"You alright, Al?" his brother asked, lacing their fingers together.

Al jerked his hand away, stepping away from Ed. A look of hurt flashed across his brother's face before the blond could hide it. "We shouldn't," Al whispered, choosing not to answer Ed's question. "People could see us."

Ed grinned, looking uncomfortable. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

Al's gaze returned to the family, now linked together in a chain of arms. His heart longed for a life like that…a life like that with his brother.

Yes, they were lovers. It was true. But they could never be like the family of four. They could never be married, they could never have children…they couldn't even bring their relationship into the light.

They were in love, but no one could ever know about it.

His eyes stung with tears, but he willed them not to fall. This wasn't a time to cry.

But it was hard to convince himself. His heart was soaked in pain.

While Al was lost in his thoughts, Ed turned away to glance in a store window as they passed. A smile lit up his face as an idea entered his head.

And as Ed smiled, a tear rolled down Al's cheek.

~~~~~~~~~

"Al! Al! Where are you?"

Al looked up from the book he wasn't really reading anyway. He hadn't been interested in anything for a while. Not since the family. Not since the realization that he had to spend his life living in a lie.

"What is it, Brother?"

Ed peered around the corner, grinning wildly. "Come in here!"

"Brother-"

"Come on!"

"Okay, okay…"

Al started to enter the living room before Ed grabbed him and led him to their large French windows, where the sun was shining through the lavender curtains Al had purchased when they bought their little house outside the city. Their love haven, they had called it.

"What do you want, Brother?" Al demanded, blushing at the fact that Ed hadn't yet let go of his hand.

"I want you to close your eyes," Ed answered, still grinning.

Sighing, Al did as he was told, and something light was placed on his head. His eyes flew open, his vision now slightly distorted by what looked to be a piece of silky, somewhat shiny fabric hanging over his face. His fingers curiously poked at it, meeting a ring of fake flowers sitting on his head.

A…veil?

His eyes filled with tears.

"Is this supposed to be a joke?" he managed to choke out. "Because it's not funny, Edward."

Ed's cocky grin had turned into a sweet, loving smile. "It's not a joke," he laughed lightly. "I'm going to marry you. Right now."

Al looked away, his teeth clenched. "Are you stupid? We can't get married." No matter how much I want to…

"I know we can't officially, but we can still have our own little ceremony. Right?"

"Why do you sound so serious?"

"Because I am serious. I love you, Al, and I want to show you any way I can."

Al let out a low sob, his lip trembling. Ed's eyes widened, and he quickly went to take the veil back. "I-I'm sorry, Al--I didn't mean--"

Al held on to the veil with shaking fingers, refusing to let Ed take it. "Stupid Brother!" he cried. "Don't you think I want to marry you too? I've--I've dreamed of it, longed for it. I love you, too, darn it!"

Ed looked shocked at his little brother's sudden outburst. "Al…"

"Stupid brother…" Al repeated. "Get on with marrying me."

Ed's smile returned, and he took both Al's hands in his. "Let's see…how am I supposed to do this? Hmm…"

"Isn't this something you're supposed to know before you assault me?"

"Shut up…uhmm…A-Alphonse Elric, do you promise to love me forever and take care of me and….have sex with me whenever I ask?"

Al had to laugh. His brother really was an idiot, but…

He's my idiot.

"I promise," he agreed, still snickering. "But the sex only comes if you ask nicely."

Ed grinned, looking embarrassed. "Shh…and…I, Edward Elric…promise to love and care for you for forever, and I will spoil you and let you know how special you are everyday, and buy you a lot of nice things, like--"

"I get it, I get it!" Al interjected, completely red. "Move on."

"I promise all this and more, Al…" Ed finished, his voice soft to match the smile. He reached into his pocket with one hand, holding Al's left hand still. He pulled out a thin golden ring, sliding it on to Al's ring finger. Another gold band was pressed into the brunette's palm, and, blushing, he did the same for Ed as his brother had done for him.

Their eyes met, and stable hands, so unlike the shaking hands Al currently had, lifted up the silk part of his veil. Ed's palms softly caressed Al's cheeks as he leaned in slowly, gently pressing his lips to Al's. Al's arms wrapped around Ed's waist, and his heart filled with love for his brother, and gratefulness for the fact that Ed had understood, somehow, what he needed.

It wasn't even close to a real marriage ceremony. It had lasted all of three minutes, and his brother had no idea of proper wedding vows. But to Al, it was perfect.

He could never ask for anything else.

******

"Hey, Brother…why do I have to be the bride?"

---END---