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Description
"Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange."

Crossroads characters inside Fullmetal Alchemist AU.

Saren is a state alchemist from Amestris, while Naava is an alkahest from Xing.

Any questions you have, feel free to ask.

Saren and Naava belong to Quentin.

Story by

The cheap screwdriver felt cumbersome as I tried to twist off a screw in my automail leg. From my right knee to my foot it was a mechanical nuisance… especially when I had to perform any sort of maintenance. I felt hot because of this motel’s shot ac unit so I had taken off my shirt and rolled up both my pant leg to waste time.

As the screw driver slipped and my groans became more apparent, one of my companions, a xingese girl was lying in one of the beds belonging to this cheap motel room in Youswell. Our third friend was getting supplies as we were on our way to North City, choosing to bypass reporting to Central Command. The girl’s hair was a raven black color, endearingly messy. A beige scarf-thing was wrapped around her neck and fell down her back like a sort of hood, something she used in the desert between our countries.

Eventually she grew fed up with the racket.

“Peg-leg, I’m trying to sleep.” She was a guardian for her family, and yet here she was.
Because we had failed to take out a powerful enemy of her’s… something she was holding me accountable for (because I saved her life instead of going after Ronin).

“Sorry Naava, but if we’re heading out tomorrow than this can’t wait.” The screw driver blunted and chipped, and I groaned, clapping my hands together and gripping it, an electric blue light flashed and the elements of the screw driver re-arranged themselves, reassembling into the exact same object, but more sturdy now. Naava scoffed at the use of my abilities.

“Why is it you don’t even need a circle? All the other alchemists I know need one… ones that are better than you.” More of a snide joke, she hated especially that I wouldn’t make any snide response back.

Because unlike her, I was a nice person.

“It’s a long story, not one I’d like to share.” I had never even told that story, not even to Connor, wasn’t intending to. I managed to peak her curiosity, as she stepped towards me, looking down and groaning at my missing shirt.

“Youswell’s a coal mining town you know, it gets cold at night.”

“I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about me.” And she scoffed, scrunching her nose in an extremely adorable way.

“I’m not worried about you, idiot.” I unscrewed the bolt “If that leg’s gonna be a liability”-

“What, cut it off? Wouldn’t that slow us down more?”

“You know what I mean.” She grimaced.

“Well if you’re so worried, why don’t you help me.” She turned, as I opened up the panel in my leg. I could barely reach it, let alone operate.

“It’s really easy, don’t worry.” Naava accepted, taking my screwdriver, “I’m just checking for any debris that might have gotten in there, after that fight with that rival of yours.”

“Fine, I’ll take a look… no promises” For the next couple minutes I led her through the ‘operation’. She was as clumsy as I was, it didn’t help she was an alkahest, and so working on machinery wasn’t her strong suit.

When we had fought Ronin to get her brother back, we had nearly beaten him until we had to sacrifice the philosopher stone to save Lune.

Needless to say, my leg went through a lot of wear and tear in that desert. When she finished, I shifted my automail’s joints, happy to discover it was improved. “It’s better… not great but-”

“I get it, don’t need to rub it in that I’m not a mechanic.” She snarled.

“That’s not what I was saying.” I replied, closing up the panel and returning the screws to my leg. “You did better than I could, so thanks Naava.”

“…” She sighed, still knelt there in front of me. “You’re welcome.” She remained settled there, I noticed small fresh bruises covering her thin shaking hands. She had tried so hard to help out, and she was assuming I was ungrateful.

She felt like she owed me, while still refusing the notion.

“Your hands.” She pressed them together as if trying to squeeze an invisible lemon.

“They’re fine, you don’t need to coddle me like”- I reached out for them, irking her as she was about to yank away when I reassured her with eye contact. She relented, and allowed me to study them. It seemed to sooth her almost, as I traced them. It was strange, how paler her skin looked when up close to my darker shade… Her hands felt frigid, cold in my grip.

“You’re freezing.”

“Well you’re all sweaty.” She commented with a tinge of redness exuberating. “I have poor circulation okay, and well”-

“It’s alright… nothing to apologize for.” She thankfully didn’t call me an idiot. “I’m grateful for your help, you know.” She tried to pull her hands away but I continued.

“But you don’t have to do this,”

“Clean your joints?”

“Help me go after Ronin, I mean.” She frowned.

“Yes I do… like your stupid equivalent law says, you help me, I help you.”

“Wow, you don’t know anything about our law’s.” she shrugged. “Just… you could go home, be with your brother, your family.” She seemed like she had been waiting for this conversation.

“Saren, I’m happy you think this is that simple… but as long as that Sand Noose monster’s still out there, Lune and my family will never be safe. So yeah I have to do this.” I frowned, “It’s my decision,”

“If this is about how I saved you… it’s not like you owe me.”

“I don’t… but you shouldn’t have saved me.” I turned.

“It’s not like I could just have let you die.” She frowned,

“You know I’m right… when you realize Ronin will hurt more people because of what you-”

“That’s not a good excuse to let my friend die.”

“Friend?” she scoffed, eying me, and then pausing, face still red.

“Yeah, you’re my friend, so I don’t want to hear any more of that talk, okay?” She scowled, “Just be happy you’re alive.” I squeezed her hands.

“Whatever, Saren.” And then on the right side of her face (my left) I noticed something, a thin and fading scar. Something I hadn’t noticed
before because the hood had obscured it.

“Where’d you get that scar?” I asked.

“Like your alchemy, it’s a long story.” She seemed odd in how she talked about it, reminded me of myself. I found my left hand raising from her hands, reaching her cheek with a slight brush. She eyed me like I was crazy, unsure what exactly to do as I touched her scar… taking in the smooth texture of her skin. Her cheek was hot, putting her poor circulation argument to shame (until I figured out the real reason this was happening). She was about to object, but oddly enough seemed compelled to remain silent, as our eyes met. Her right hand had fallen from my grasp, while her other remained, confused.

Time seemed to stop, as I studied her, realizing how beautiful I thought she was. I couldn’t stop thinking about how her vibrant eyes sparkled like emeralds at night, or how cute I thought her messy hair was. I had noticed it all from time to time, but never brought it up. I even loved that way she would mock me, how her face lit up whenever she did. In all respect, I should have hated her… but I didn’t.

It dawned on me why I thought those things… and I knew she was nearing the same conclusion I had.
Was I?-

“Saren…” she muttered, unsure as I leaned forward, she did the same, my hand unknowingly pulled her in. My head turned slightly, about to press forward into her, as she seemed to accept the same realization I had, our eyes entering a trance. I felt attracted to her, like by a magnet… we were two forces pulling towards one another.

She was arriving at the realization there was more between us than just being friends.
I neared her by every microsecond, almost meeting when we heard something, a rough opening of the door to our room and Naava’s eyes widened. She ejected away from me, tripping on my automail and landing humorously on the floor while I hit my head on the back of the wall with a groan. Naava turned from me, embarrassed and eying a boy walking in holding a paper sack of groceries, groaning.

“Guys, I’m back.” The bag obscured his view of us.

“C-Connor!?” Naava exclaimed, she blinked towards me then back to my best friend. “You’re back so soon?”

“Yeah, er…” Connor sighed, putting the bags down on the counter, luckily not witnessing anything. “Let’s just say I’ll be glad to be leaving this hick-town.” He rubbed his head, “Were you two busy or something?” he asked, noticing how flustered we both looked.

Naava and I glanced towards each other, realizing that whatever just happened, Connor could not know about it… not yet.

“No, not at all.” I uttered, and Connor smiled.

“Good, then you two can get started packing.” We groaned, and Naava tossed me my shirt, which I caught, rising up. And then I noticed something from her lips, the tinge of an awkward smile.

Valentine FMA AU Series:
Day 1: Kisa
Day 2: Coko
Day 3: Miru
Day 4: Angeki
Day 5: Minai
Day 6: Saava
Day 7: Aryuu
Day 8: Shimee

Description
"Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange."

Crossroads characters inside Fullmetal Alchemist AU.

Saren is a state alchemist from Amestris, while Naava is an alkahest from Xing.

Any questions you have, feel free to ask.

Saren and Naava belong to Quentin.

Story by

The cheap screwdriver felt cumbersome as I tried to twist off a screw in my automail leg. From my right knee to my foot it was a mechanical nuisance… especially when I had to perform any sort of maintenance. I felt hot because of this motel’s shot ac unit so I had taken off my shirt and rolled up both my pant leg to waste time.

As the screw driver slipped and my groans became more apparent, one of my companions, a xingese girl was lying in one of the beds belonging to this cheap motel room in Youswell. Our third friend was getting supplies as we were on our way to North City, choosing to bypass reporting to Central Command. The girl’s hair was a raven black color, endearingly messy. A beige scarf-thing was wrapped around her neck and fell down her back like a sort of hood, something she used in the desert between our countries.

Eventually she grew fed up with the racket.

“Peg-leg, I’m trying to sleep.” She was a guardian for her family, and yet here she was.
Because we had failed to take out a powerful enemy of her’s… something she was holding me accountable for (because I saved her life instead of going after Ronin).

“Sorry Naava, but if we’re heading out tomorrow than this can’t wait.” The screw driver blunted and chipped, and I groaned, clapping my hands together and gripping it, an electric blue light flashed and the elements of the screw driver re-arranged themselves, reassembling into the exact same object, but more sturdy now. Naava scoffed at the use of my abilities.

“Why is it you don’t even need a circle? All the other alchemists I know need one… ones that are better than you.” More of a snide joke, she hated especially that I wouldn’t make any snide response back.

Because unlike her, I was a nice person.

“It’s a long story, not one I’d like to share.” I had never even told that story, not even to Connor, wasn’t intending to. I managed to peak her curiosity, as she stepped towards me, looking down and groaning at my missing shirt.

“Youswell’s a coal mining town you know, it gets cold at night.”

“I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about me.” And she scoffed, scrunching her nose in an extremely adorable way.

“I’m not worried about you, idiot.” I unscrewed the bolt “If that leg’s gonna be a liability”-

“What, cut it off? Wouldn’t that slow us down more?”

“You know what I mean.” She grimaced.

“Well if you’re so worried, why don’t you help me.” She turned, as I opened up the panel in my leg. I could barely reach it, let alone operate.

“It’s really easy, don’t worry.” Naava accepted, taking my screwdriver, “I’m just checking for any debris that might have gotten in there, after that fight with that rival of yours.”

“Fine, I’ll take a look… no promises” For the next couple minutes I led her through the ‘operation’. She was as clumsy as I was, it didn’t help she was an alkahest, and so working on machinery wasn’t her strong suit.

When we had fought Ronin to get her brother back, we had nearly beaten him until we had to sacrifice the philosopher stone to save Lune.

Needless to say, my leg went through a lot of wear and tear in that desert. When she finished, I shifted my automail’s joints, happy to discover it was improved. “It’s better… not great but-”

“I get it, don’t need to rub it in that I’m not a mechanic.” She snarled.

“That’s not what I was saying.” I replied, closing up the panel and returning the screws to my leg. “You did better than I could, so thanks Naava.”

“…” She sighed, still knelt there in front of me. “You’re welcome.” She remained settled there, I noticed small fresh bruises covering her thin shaking hands. She had tried so hard to help out, and she was assuming I was ungrateful.

She felt like she owed me, while still refusing the notion.

“Your hands.” She pressed them together as if trying to squeeze an invisible lemon.

“They’re fine, you don’t need to coddle me like”- I reached out for them, irking her as she was about to yank away when I reassured her with eye contact. She relented, and allowed me to study them. It seemed to sooth her almost, as I traced them. It was strange, how paler her skin looked when up close to my darker shade… Her hands felt frigid, cold in my grip.

“You’re freezing.”

“Well you’re all sweaty.” She commented with a tinge of redness exuberating. “I have poor circulation okay, and well”-

“It’s alright… nothing to apologize for.” She thankfully didn’t call me an idiot. “I’m grateful for your help, you know.” She tried to pull her hands away but I continued.

“But you don’t have to do this,”

“Clean your joints?”

“Help me go after Ronin, I mean.” She frowned.

“Yes I do… like your stupid equivalent law says, you help me, I help you.”

“Wow, you don’t know anything about our law’s.” she shrugged. “Just… you could go home, be with your brother, your family.” She seemed like she had been waiting for this conversation.

“Saren, I’m happy you think this is that simple… but as long as that Sand Noose monster’s still out there, Lune and my family will never be safe. So yeah I have to do this.” I frowned, “It’s my decision,”

“If this is about how I saved you… it’s not like you owe me.”

“I don’t… but you shouldn’t have saved me.” I turned.

“It’s not like I could just have let you die.” She frowned,

“You know I’m right… when you realize Ronin will hurt more people because of what you-”

“That’s not a good excuse to let my friend die.”

“Friend?” she scoffed, eying me, and then pausing, face still red.

“Yeah, you’re my friend, so I don’t want to hear any more of that talk, okay?” She scowled, “Just be happy you’re alive.” I squeezed her hands.

“Whatever, Saren.” And then on the right side of her face (my left) I noticed something, a thin and fading scar. Something I hadn’t noticed
before because the hood had obscured it.

“Where’d you get that scar?” I asked.

“Like your alchemy, it’s a long story.” She seemed odd in how she talked about it, reminded me of myself. I found my left hand raising from her hands, reaching her cheek with a slight brush. She eyed me like I was crazy, unsure what exactly to do as I touched her scar… taking in the smooth texture of her skin. Her cheek was hot, putting her poor circulation argument to shame (until I figured out the real reason this was happening). She was about to object, but oddly enough seemed compelled to remain silent, as our eyes met. Her right hand had fallen from my grasp, while her other remained, confused.

Time seemed to stop, as I studied her, realizing how beautiful I thought she was. I couldn’t stop thinking about how her vibrant eyes sparkled like emeralds at night, or how cute I thought her messy hair was. I had noticed it all from time to time, but never brought it up. I even loved that way she would mock me, how her face lit up whenever she did. In all respect, I should have hated her… but I didn’t.

It dawned on me why I thought those things… and I knew she was nearing the same conclusion I had.
Was I?-

“Saren…” she muttered, unsure as I leaned forward, she did the same, my hand unknowingly pulled her in. My head turned slightly, about to press forward into her, as she seemed to accept the same realization I had, our eyes entering a trance. I felt attracted to her, like by a magnet… we were two forces pulling towards one another.

She was arriving at the realization there was more between us than just being friends.
I neared her by every microsecond, almost meeting when we heard something, a rough opening of the door to our room and Naava’s eyes widened. She ejected away from me, tripping on my automail and landing humorously on the floor while I hit my head on the back of the wall with a groan. Naava turned from me, embarrassed and eying a boy walking in holding a paper sack of groceries, groaning.

“Guys, I’m back.” The bag obscured his view of us.

“C-Connor!?” Naava exclaimed, she blinked towards me then back to my best friend. “You’re back so soon?”

“Yeah, er…” Connor sighed, putting the bags down on the counter, luckily not witnessing anything. “Let’s just say I’ll be glad to be leaving this hick-town.” He rubbed his head, “Were you two busy or something?” he asked, noticing how flustered we both looked.

Naava and I glanced towards each other, realizing that whatever just happened, Connor could not know about it… not yet.

“No, not at all.” I uttered, and Connor smiled.

“Good, then you two can get started packing.” We groaned, and Naava tossed me my shirt, which I caught, rising up. And then I noticed something from her lips, the tinge of an awkward smile.

Valentine FMA AU Series:
Day 1: Kisa
Day 2: Coko
Day 3: Miru
Day 4: Angeki
Day 5: Minai
Day 6: Saava
Day 7: Aryuu
Day 8: Shimee