He had thought nothing would hit him harder, but Ed's final whispered words seared through him like a burning blade. He felt his breath rush out of his lungs, the reply instinctive and so quiet as to be near inaudible.

"Brother, no..."

He knows it wasn't Ed's fault, but that didn't stop the blood being on his hands or the memories of the act. His fingers tighten in his big brother's clothes so tight, so ridiculously tight, burying his nose in Ed's hair.