Ed came home that night smiling and whistling. He cheerfully hung up his coat and chuckled as he shook the snow out of his long golden hair. "How was work?" asked al brightly. "Great." Replied Edward. Al was glad Ed was pleased, but was also slightly confused. He hadn't been this happy since he had been promoted to colonel. "I got some new library books too," added Edward, nodding towards a small box. "This one's really good." He said holding up a small green book. Edward all but bounced to the sofa, where he sat down and began to read with a smile on his face. "I should probably start the laundry," noted Alphonse. He began to gather the clothes from the wastebaskets, swiped the coat off its hook, and took everything into the laundry room to load into the washing machine. As he was piling the clothes into the wash, he noticed something strange about Ed's coat. It was covered with short dark hair. It took a minute for Al to realize that the only person they could have come from was general Mustang.
Al never had liked mustang, always felt as if there was some immoral emotion lurking behind his taunting. Al always felt protective of Ed around him, as if he would jump up and…. No. Thought Al. I'm being ridiculous.But was he? He looked back down at the raven-colored hair on Edward's coat. It was too obvious. Somethingmust have happened; the thoughts that followed made Alphonse shiver. How long had this been going on for? Had Ed ever planned on telling him this? He probably would have eventually, thought Al.
So his brother was gay with mustang. Al knew it was Edward's choice, but somehow, he felt like crying. I'm his brother, thought Al. As long as nii-san is safe and happy I should not be sad. But he was. Alphonse was terribly depressed at this new found lover his brother had acquired, and he slumped down to the cold floor crying.
- . -. -.-.-
Al had gone to bed early that night, and he lay awake for hours until his brother came into the room. Al pretended to be asleep; he didn't want to have to talk to Edward right then. He heard the rustling of clothes shed, the unzipping of zippers; Alphonse carefully peeked at his brother through hardly open eyes.
Edward was beautiful. His toned chest shone bare in the moonlight, as he wistfully stared out the window. He sighed as he gracefully let his hair down, working at the buttons of his pants. When Edward's trouser's started to come down, Alphonse shut his eyes again. He couldn't deny it any longer; he was in love with his brother.
I am in love. Thought Alphonse. This was a new concept to him, although he had heard the phrase in movies before. Now he knew what it felt like. His chest was warm, but also somehow empty, longing for Edward to feel the same way for him. He wanted to roll over and find Edward by his side. He wanted to be able to tell him, "I love you." And have him know what he really meant. He wanted to feel Edward, and have Edward feel him too. But that would never happen, he thought. Alphonse fell asleep that night, Edward covering his mind.