A/N: As of now this is my second Elricest fanfiction ever, and the first that is scheduled for more than one chapter. Feedback and reviews more than welcome, infact rather incouraged, just so I know how I'm doing and that the next chapter will be worth it.

Overall Rating: M

Chapter Rating: K+, a bit of language.

Warning: Yaoi, Elricest, fluff.

With a frustrated sigh and a few sounds of mismatched footsteps Edward tossed the rather drained pitcher that had contained juice into the sink. Rain pattered dismally against the windows, uneven and unrelenting. Another lonely exhale escaped parted lips and Ed was no longer interested in anything in the kitchen. The tile was cold against his flesh foot, the light was dim, an unfriendly draft flickered the curtains with whistling cold; those things informed him that a better area for his suffering would be the living room. Or better yet, his sleeping quarters. He just hoped he could make it before the pain seized again.

Taking no care to be quiet, for there was no one to disturb, the blonde plodded quite noisily back through the kitchen door, flicking the bare lamp off, and heading for the back of his apartment. No lights were turned on as he went, he didn't feel the need for light at that moment. When there was no one else there, the rain seemed to echo hollowly through his 'home' only retaliating his feeling of loneliness. Not that he begrudged Al's short vacation in the least, actually he was glad that the younger had decided to take a weekend away, enjoy his newly found body. Besides, he was certain Winry would enjoy the company and Grandma Pinako was always happy to see him. Matter of fact, it worked out well that Alphonse had decided to go on leave. The ghosts had started kicking in and Edward was glad his baby brother didn't have to deal with it.

For the time being Edward's 'ghosts' happened to be the pains that accompanied the ghost of a limb. Henceforth ghost pains. The first time it had happened had been in the office, delivering a report to Mustang, when suddenly an overwhelming tingling sensation followed by a horrific burning had latched itself to the right arm that was no longer there. Ed had winced and bared it until he couldn't keep himself standing beneath the weight of it. After a brief collapse the Colonel had sent him to the military infirmary in order to find the source of the problem. The doctor he had spoken with gave him all of the information about Phantom Limb Syndrome which is a condition where an amputee experiences feelings in a missing limb; the symptoms can range anything from an irritable itching to an unbearable pain. The longer it takes for the brain to try and locate the missing appendage the more serious the symptoms. It had taken Ed's brain almost nine years for an attempt and the pain was vast.

The first few times he had experienced it his arm had been the target, as of more recently it had been his absent leg. And each time he had been lucky enough to be in a position to conceal it from his brother, this time was no different.

The heavy wood door to his quarters swung open easily with the minimal creak of a strained hinge. Suiting his mood and the rest of the house the room was dark and cool with a vague smell of age and timber. His bed was rumpled, the starchy military sheets thrown back in disarray, pillows disarranged some having slipped partially from the sterile cases; the heavy coarse wool blanket had slithered unnoticed to the floor in a pool of dark scratchy fabric. In accordance with military standards hovering above his bed was yet another bunk, this one's bedding pulled taught and perfectly clean: Al's bunk when he was here. Used clothing lie in unorganized heaps across the thin, rough carpet giving the barren room a bit of a home-like feeling.

Unfortunately Ed was in no mood to appreciate the smaller things and did no more than plod towards his bed slightly uncomfortably. An unsustainable itch had begun to burden his non-existent limb, warning him of what was coming. Gripping the top bunk's frame he slid feet-first into his bed, pushing aside the disheveled sheets as he went. As he settled his against the connecting frame and his pillows the itching escalated to an ache, the kind you'd get after overexerting uncommonly used muscles. Leaning his head back to rest on the cool wood he gritted his teeth as the ache steadily began to increase. Rapidly the dull pain crept towards something more unbearable, like flames licking at the flesh, bone, and muscle that no longer resided there. Soon his breath was coming in uncontrollable gasps and agony clawed at his throat begging him to cry out but he fought them back, refusing to give in.

A familiar sound interrupted his pain and instinctively, though not paying much real attention, he cocked his head to listen more closely. The noise was a door opening, in his nearly incoherent state it sounded more like an echo than anything and he was alerted only that his own dorm's door had been the one opened when an even more familiar voice spoke. "Brother, are you here?" It asked in a loud whisper. Keys clattered to a table and it continued. "It's only eight you wouldn't really be asleep." Ed cursed under his uneven breaths doubling over beneath the burden of affliction. Light footsteps padded down the hall growing unwaveringly closer until Alphonse's head poked through the door, "Ed?" He questioned into the darkness.

"Hi, Al." Edward answered through grinding teeth.

"Brother!" The young man's tone said that he hadn't really expected an answer and the light switched on. "What were you doing sitting around in the da…What's wrong?" Tilting his face to look at his little brother Ed forced a smile.

"It's nothing," his voice was steady but quiet and he dragged in a few deep breaths as the initial pains started to fade. It was obvious the effort was wasted though; Al rushed to his side to examine his face with great intensity.

"Did you hurt yourself somehow?"

One small soft hand came to rest comfortingly on his shoulder and Edward shook his head.

"I'll be fine," was all he replied pulling a few more short gasps as the remnants of fire were put out, at least temporarily. "It's really nothing."

"That really didn't look like nothing!" Al argued, "Something's wrong. You're not pregnant are you?" Ed blinked at his brother's imploringly innocent face and a peel of unhindered laughter escaped his mouth.

"Al, you're such a dork!" He chuckled and Al's pursed lips broke into a smile as well.

"That was rather silly, wasn't it?"

"Yes, very. What are you doing back so early? I thought you were staying the rest of the week." For a moment Alphonse looked like he didn't really have an answer to that.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing, brother. But don't try to change the subject, what hurt you?" Ed sighed and shook his head.

"Couldn't you just let it go? It isn't a big deal," as he spoke the frustrating itch returned, he silently warned it off but of course that did nothing. The younger man's expression was pensive; he still looked to argue but nodded slightly.

"Unless it happens again." He promised.

-End-

A/N: Chapter two will be from Al's point of view^^

Much love to readers, even more if you'd please review.