heavens light.

FMA Rewatch: Body of the Sanctioned

It made everything that happened in Liore and Ishbal extra painful

The moment that Rose's hand took hold of his one of metal, carefully guiding him to one of the stools of the bar, nearly broke him. The sensation of feeling that metal arm be pulled stuck with him far more than he wanted to admit, as that would meant he hadn't been fine this whole time, that he had missed home so desperately he could simply collapse against the desert floor and the flood gates would be opened.

All those nights wishing to go home. Every dream that made his heart ache in ways he couldn't soothe until he drowned it in alcohol. Those familiar faces that made him wish that those faces knew him in return like he remembered.

"I'm really home.."

His voice wavered– the sound getting choked in the back of his throat– trying to not break further as he finally brought the gloved hand of flesh and blood to make contact with Rose's own. The heat of her body against his own..

The tears spilled over finally.

It really did give him grace. Finally, it forgave him for his greatest sins of trying the impossible and..

Finally home.

Oh, how glad he truly was to be in Liore again, for something far happier than he ever remembered.

His breath caught in his throat.

".. I can't have it be a dream again.."

Rose stood there in front of him, her voice seemed real, the way she looked at him seemed real, it didn't feel like the dreams he'd have.

They always seemed so peaceful and happy but this.. this was the real deal. It had to be, how else would the desert feel so real? Like the very first time he had ended up in Liore again. The alchemist took his own step forward, the sand sunk under his weight as he did.

Did the portal give him grace somehow?

Did it decide that he had paid his debts?

Maybe.. Maybe it did.

"A portal.. That connected our world to another, I spent some years of my life in that other world. The price to pay to bring Al back to himself I suppose.."

"Rose..?"

Had he been finally allowed to stay home? Was he able to be back home and not have to go to that other world again? It seemed almost like a cruel dream, one where he'd think he ended up back in Amestris, back with everyone he loved and cared for and then.. It would collapse on itself and he'd wake up in tears.

Was he.. Was this his break?

Please let it be so.

with a bittersweet expression, a halfhearted chuckle slips, still amazed by the situation itself. " you're not dreaming .. i promise .. " she confirms softly under her breath, taking a step forth towards him. whatever sort of alchemy had returned the elder elric back to their world wouldn't surprise her. there's humor in how they keep meeting like this.