She had been in the house all day. It was really starting to bother Alfons.

"So, Noah," Began the blonde, when he got home. "What have you… Um.. Been up to?" He glanced around the kitchen, where she sat at the table, and grabbed a glass and went to get some juice out of the ice box. His blue eyes flitted to the dark olive skinned girl, and he noticed that she was beautiful. He still didn't understand Ed's obsession with her. Wow, that was bitter.

"I've been sewing." Noah smiled at Alfons appreciatively. She seemed surprised that someone actually took an interest in what she was doing. She held up a sheet of cloth, with embroidered roses on it.

Alfons nodded, and took a sip of his juice. "I see." He nodded after swallowing, before he jumped as he heard the door behind him shut.

"Hey Alfons! Hey Noah!" Edward walked into the room with a grand smile on his face. That type of smile that made Alfons weak in the knees. Or it would, if he wasn't so angry.

"Edward," Noah stood and brought her embroidered fabric with her. "Look what I've done today! Gracia is such a good teacher. Almost motherly." She smiled, looking almost giddy in showing him.

Edward looked at it, and smiled softly. "Yeah, she is." He looked nostalgic, and Alfons hated it. The memories he had from that other world must have been flooding his mind. It killed him.

"Hey, Noah," Ed shifted slightly, noticing Alfons's glare. "Uh, I think Miss Gracia needs you down in the shop for a moment. She mentioned it when I walked by." He was staring down at his feet, shuffling them slightly.

"Oh." Noah paused, and her look of concern gave way that she knew more than she would tell.

"Please, just for a second?" Edward pleaded with the distressed look in her eyes.

"Okay…" Noah left the kitchen and walked out the door, fast-walking her way to Gracia's shop.

"Okay, now." Ed sat down. "What's the deal, Alfons? You've been acting weird ever since Noah came about." He looked up at the lighter blonde, and frowned.

"She's a gypsy."

"She's a Roma." Ed interrupted. "There's a difference."

"No there isn't." Alfons rolled his eyes. "And she looks like that girl who brought the cherries last month." Alfons's eyes brimmed with tears that wouldn't fall, and he couldn't help feeling dejected.

"Please." Edward's golden eyes stared up at him, and they would've normally taken his breath away, if he weren't so mad. "Don't talk about that."

"First cherry girl, and now a gypsy!" Alfons was dropping low blows. "What next! You'll up and disappear to your "home world"?! I don't think so!"

Ed stood up. "What are you going to do about it…" He whispered, as though the sudden standing knocked the wind out of him.

"I—" Alfons started to cough. "I think," He began. "I think that you need to figure out what it is you want! A gypsy or-"

It was Edward's turn to roll his eyes. "A gypsy or you? Is that what you're getting at? Why are you so scared I'm going to up and leave?" He crossed his arms, and Alfons clutched his hands into fists.

"Yes!" Alfons slammed his hands down on the table. "I'm scared because that's all you ever talk about!"

Edward took a step back. "No need to get so angry," He said calmly. "I just wanted to know—"

"There is need to get angry!" Alfons sounded like he was begging. "You're replacing me with her and it's not okay!" Alfons flailed one of his arms, and started to cough again.

"I am not replacing you." Ed's tone was stern and his stance was rigid. "I would never replace you. Just like how I'm not using you to replace my brother." He coldly replied.

"Then what are you using me for?" Alfons spat at him.

"Well, here's the thing." Ed started. "I'm not using you. You're my friend. We care about each other. That's how things work. I don't use or replace you." He went on. "So get past this whole replacing you snag, and we can move forward."

"Why can't we talk about this!?" Alfons grabbed his left hand as he turned to leave.

That's when Edward spun around and softly put his prosthetic hand on his cheek. "We already have." Edward whispered, and kissed him softly.

Alfons sprung backwards after the kiss broke. "W-what…?" He looked at Edward, who was heading out the door.

"I'm going to get Noah. We're not talking about this again." He stated, and shut the door behind him.

"Ed, wait!" But his feet were already on the stairs.

It took Edward about an hour at the bar before he could taste anything but Alfons's lips. And he felt better off talking to Noah tasting like scotch than Alfons. When he got to the flower shop, he was woozy and tipsy, but could walk and talk. But he reeked of the alcohol, or, at least, he felt like he did.

"Noah!" Edward stumbled through the door.

"Edward!" Gracia helped steady him.

"Thank you," He paused. "Miss Gracia." He smiled at her.

"My God, Edward, how much did you have?" Noah came from behind the counter.

"Seven."

"Seven what?! Beers, I hope!"

"Scotch…" Ed paused. "On the rocks," He paused again, before he hiccuped. "Of course."

"Noah, take Edward back to the apartment, I'll close down early and meet you up there." Gracia turned and patted Noah's shoulder, before trading her Edward for the shop keys.

And Noah saw. She saw his feelings for Alfons. His pain in having those feelings. And his yearning to escape back to his home from them.