The funny thing about common sense is that it isn't all that common.

Don't wanna, but do wanna. He is happy. He should feel my pain. I love him. I want him. But don't want him. Its bad for an older brother to feel what I am feeling. But he is so innocent. His brown eyes always watching. I hate him for it. He flaunts himself without realizing. Tempting me. Tempting my restraint. His soft and caring voice was repeating the same word no matter what "Brother, Brother" Disgusting. I want to take him for my own…

Edward Elric turned as the door opened. A young lady in her early thirties appeared in the doorway. Long brown hair flowed past her shoulders tied in a loose ponytail. Her soft brown eyes looked sad. "Hey baby. You alright?" her voice thick with concern. He nodded, smiling.

He looked past his mother and saw a girl his age. Winry. She had long brown hair. Light blue eyes stared at him. He smiled. Trisha watched the exchange, carefully examining her eldest son. Pretty…Alphonse was behind the girl. Innocent want him…Edward smiled at both. Trisha moved away from the door and the two other teenagers walked in Edward's vast room, decorated in black. The girl just stood there. So quiet…weakness…so very pretty just like Allie.

Alphonse smiled. "This is Ruth. She is an exchange student from Australia. And she doesn't have kangaroos in her backyard." he giggled.

Stop being so innocent Allie. Stop it. Stop flaunting. Stop testing. I will hurt. Stop looking. Stop! Stop!!

Edward's eyes were bright. Alphonse watched carefully, standing next to Ruth. "She is very nice Brother"

There is that word. I hate you. Stop it! She is pretty. Innocent…none at all…all gone…

Ruth had no expression on her face as she said "Hello"

Edward smiled. "Hello" Such a soft voice…so innocent…Allie who have you brought home…

Alphonse smiled brightly. "She is going to stay with us for a while. Her parents requested her to take a break."

Fathers are complete bastards…they should all die…how fun…

Ruth moved to the window and stared out of it, emotionless. Alphonse watched carefully. He didn't know what to expect. Would his brother get along or attempt to beat her life away like he had done to so many others. Or would he like her and consider her a friend? Edward smiled at Alphonse. He smiled back, uncertain.

Innocence is such a beautifully corrupted thing. Stop it Allie. Stop being so innocent you silly little boy.

Edward giggled. Alphonse tensed slightly. Ruth continued to stare out the window oblivious to the whole thing. Edward giggled again, then cackled insanely. Alphonse watched with caution. Moving towards her Edward smiled friendly. He watched the birds fly past in the blue sky.

"Do you like it here so far?" his voice soft and caring.

Alphonse's brown eyes widened. His brother took a liking to her. He didn't know if it was bad or not.

"It's okay, I miss home" she replied tonelessly.

"You're like me" he giggled.

Alphonse shuddered. "Brother?"

Edward turned to Alphonse, his eyes caring and his voice kind. "Go help mum, Al"

Alphonse quickly glanced at Ruth and reluctantly left.

"Like you how?" she asked a tinge of annoyance in her voice.

Edward giggled once more. "You have been hurt…really badly. Hurt is funny in a way. It shows weakness. I learnt that the hard way. Did you?"

Ruth shrugged "I may have I may have not but I'm not willing to share that with you. No offence. I don't get along with anyone anymore"

Such a pretty voice…so much like Allie…so much pain in her eyes…she can see it…I can see it…I wanna bring it out…I wanna….I don't wanna…but I wanna…so badly…so pretty…Ruthie…

Edward giggled. "I don't like people they are so annoying…they don't know the pain of reality. No. They. Don't. You do though. I can see it, you can see it, Alphonse can see it, I know he can, I see it in his eyes and yours. As the quote goes The Eyes are the windows to the soul." He grinned crookedly.

Ruth sighed "My eyes may show the pain but they don't show the source of my pain and believe me its best to avoid my mentioning of the past"

Edward giggled again. "Who do you believe worse off?"

"That is difficult to answer considering I am not aware of the goings on in your past and you are not aware of mine" she said in one breath.

Edward smiled sweetly and widely. "Maybe we should share?"

Pretty, pretty come lay next to me. One hit, two hit. You've been a bad girl. Come, come, come, come with me. Come, come, come, play with me. You've been bad, you've been nice, now come, come for your reward, come for your punishment. Pretty, pretty come lay next to me. Come lay on me. One hit, two hit. You've been bad.

Ruth stared at the look on Edwards face "Share??? You want me to share??? I don't even know you! It would seem odd" finally she had some emotion in her voice; shock.

Edward grinned. "It be fun?"

Ruth frowned "Fun? Fun!? To relive hell!! What's the matter with you???"

Edward tilted his head to one side, a look innocence spread across his face. "I don't know? To much pain I suppose" He looked outside the window. Watching his mother and brother tending to the roses in the garden. There were purple ones. Edward smiled.

Ruth frowned "Tell me Edward about your pain"

End Chapter 1