[Fic] The Simple and the Subtle – Chapter One

Cross-post from my archive.

Fandom/Arc: Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamashii
Characters/Pairings: Alphonse Elric, Amos, Scar
Summary: Al goes to Ishvar, searching for answers.
Meta: Drama, I-3
Wordcount: 2380

Al sighed. Getting to New Ishvar had been simple. Finding the temple had been even easier; it was the tallest building in the city and by far the most finished-looking one. The next step was proving a little harder.

( The Simple and the Subtle - Chapter One )

[Fic] The Simple and the Subtle – Chapter Two

Cross-post from my archive.

Fandom/Arc: Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamashii
Characters/Pairings: Alphonse Elric, Amos, Scar
Summary: Gil does his best to make restitution and finds himself being drawn out by Al.
Meta: Drama, I-3
Wordcount: 2600

Gil had not been surprised when Alphonse mentioned nightmares. The boy had died, been hauled back by his heels and bound to a suit of armor, tramped all over the country running after the false hope of the Stone, been transmuted into the Stone, and finally sacrificed those years of love and effort to be returned to true life. Nightmares were surely to be expected. He hadn't quite expected his new houseguest to start up in the middle of the night, screaming, though.

He certainly hadn't expected it to happen every night.

( The Simple and the Subtle - Chapter Two )

[Fic] The Simple and the Subtle – Chapter Three

Cross-post from my archive.

Fandom/Arc: Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamashii
Characters/Pairings: Alphonse Elric, Scar
Summary: Al settles into closer company with Gil and, as the year draws on, finds the key he needs—if he can use it.
Meta: Drama, I-3
Wordcount: 1895

He frowned down at the sheaf of papers in front of him, the delicately colored and carefully labeled concentric circles and the dissertation below on their interrelations. "All these accounts and explanations... they all talk about joy," he murmured.

"Of course." Alec-san blew on a carefully copied page to dry it and pulled up a fresh sheet of paper, turning to the next page. "They speak of the pathways to completion, to perfection, if you will."

Al frowned some more, tapping his pencil against his chin. If that was so, then why was it only fear that he remembered?

( The Simple and the Subtle - Chapter Three )

[Fic] The Simple and the Subtle – Chapter Four

Cross-post from my archive.

Fandom/Arc: Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamashii
Characters/Pairings: Alphonse Elric, Scar
Summary: Gil assists Al and has a bit of an epiphany, and finds some peace with his past.
Meta: Drama, I-3
Wordcount: 1410

Alphonse looked stubborn. "I need to not be afraid. If I'm afraid of the Gate, I'll just keep running away from it and forgetting and I'll never be able to find Nii-san through it." The stubbornness shifted into the earnest entreaty Gil was far more wary of. He had fewer defenses against it. "Please, Gil-san. I do think it should be you."

Gil stifled a sigh. He wasn't at all sure he was ready for the burden of that trust, but if it was laid on him already he couldn't bring himself to break it. "Very well."

( The Simple and the Subtle - Chapter Four )

[Fic] The Simple and the Subtle – Chapter Five

Cross-post from my archive.

Fandom/Arc: Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamashii
Characters/Pairings: Alphonse Elric, Edward Elric, Scar
Summary: Al finds his brother. In a way. LAST CHAPTER, INCOMPLETE
Meta: Drama, I-3
Wordcount: 632

Even asleep, Al could tell this dream was different.

( The Simple and the Subtle - Chapter Five )