A/N

SPOILER ALERT: This fanfiction contains major spoilers for the Full Metal Alchemist series (Not Brotherhood) and the Movie The Conqueror of Shambala. Read at your own risk.

There are a few twists of course such as Al keeping his hair long. I want to keep his childish appearance because I think it will fit this story best.

For Elricest fans, please enjoy! If you don't like it, I'm not forcing you to read.

Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful Full Metal Alchemist

Chapter 1 The Question of Asking?

Al had wanted for so long, to see Ed with his own eyes, feel his brother's soft skin against his own, entangle his fingers in the long blonde hair that had mesmerized him for years, and remember what it was truly like to be embraced. Memories of running around in a tin suit of armor plagued his mind. In those days, he couldn't feel anything except the pain in his soul. Pain for not having a body, pain for not being able to eat, agony for having to sit by while his brother went through hell, and it was all for him. Ed had done so much for him while he barely did anything in the end, and it left a hole in his torn heart. He needed to mend this hole, someway, somehow. Like all great things, it started with a question.

"H-how did you ask Gracia to marry you?" Alphonse blurted out to an old friend hoping for a good background on dating.

"Hold on a minute there," Hughes tilted his head to the side as they walked down the street. "We're not married." Oh right. Alphonse had forgotten that the loving pair from this world weren't even engaged, but their feelings were still the same. It still reminded him of the pair he knew once back in Shambala as they liked to call it, so he referred to them as Mr. and Mrs. Hughes on a daily basis. "But I am planning on asking her one day."

"Really? How?" He stood up straight leaning closer to his companion, wondering what mad skills it took to ask someone out.

The officer had a far off look in his eyes as he stared into the blue sky with silent joy. "I'm not sure yet, but I can tell you this, Al." He smiled ruffling the eager teen's head, "When you find someone who you love, it's not always easy admitting your feelings. It took me years to approach her and then many more to ask her out. In fact, I'd still probably be watching from a distance without a little push from your brother." A small chuckle escaped him. "You'll know how to ask when the time is right."

"But what if they don't like me back!?" The boy pleaded. He didn't know if he could take rejection after so many hard years of loosing everything. This denial wouldn't only affect him, but it could affect their relationship as close brothers. He just got Ed back. He couldn't risk loosing him again. It was something he could never regain.

"Then you'll just have to be happy for them. Support them. You can't force someone to love you, Al. But if you love them, you'll want them happy no matter the outcome. Love is selfish thing and it requires two to bind themselves only to each other. Not many will commit to that, and it's a sad thing. Someday, you may come to understand it a bit better."

The officer walked on ahead leaving the boy behind to stare after him as a gentle breeze brushed passed his long hair, deepening his thoughts. He adored Edward, and he bore no shame. The only fear he had was that Ed would find it repulsive that he loved him more than just a brother, that he craved every part of him. Alphonse looked at the palm of his hand and clenched his fists tightly with a game plan. Edward's birthday was coming up. He had the perfect gift in mind.

This story isn't going to be very long. I want it to end kinda quickly but still well written for the most part. At most, 7-8 chapters.