AN: See, if you ask it happens. Maybe not right when I said it would but still. Well anyways, onwards and upwards as I always say... Or my brain does anyways. For once I agree with it.

I managed to stop myself from calling this chapter 'To whore or not to whore, that 'tis the question.'

Chapter Four - Freedom or Self Respect?

Ed had left Al alone to go shopping. He briefly considered getting Al some medicine for his cold but by the looks of things Al wouldn't wake up until after it was gone. He had been told it was ok. Al needed rest anyway as long as it didn't last too long.

He grabbed some just in case. It would be nice to think everything might work out from here on but that was pointless. Edward knew that if he didn't find out what had gone wrong he would never be able to fix Al.

The thing was, it was so hard to concentrate when he was worrying about and taking care of his little brother. He might be able to do something now that Al was asleep.

What was the worth of hope? In the end what did it all come down to? They had sacrificed, hoped and done everything they could; given up so much. What had they gotten for it?

XXX

Alphonse stared (more like glared) at the doorway.

He could wait as long as it took. Odin hadn't stopped feeding him and did let him out to use the bathroom. On these occasions a servant followed him to make sure he didn't try anything. So far they didn't seem to care one way or another that their master was for all intents and purposes holding him prisoner. Then again Al wasn't the one that payed them.

No matter how well decorated a room was after spending this much time in it, it could get rather dull.

He couldn't think of a thing to do. It was still better then sitting staring off in the armor all night. Not that he would tell his 'captor' that.

Almost on cue Odin came in. "I'm board." He stated flatly.

To this Al just raised a brow.

"Hey! I'm talking, stop staring at the door."

"It's more interesting."

"Do you want out yet?"

Al kept his expression carefully blank. When Odin waved a hand in front of his face he had to resist the urge to bite it.

"Oh come'on, I can't be that bad can I? If you go along with it I'll give you anything you want."

"That has nothing to do with it but while you're asking, yes, you can and are 'that bad'. You're like a child but with less manners. The only reason I'm still here is that I promised and I haven't decided if I'd rather get eaten by the wolves or not. You do not ask someone to have sex with you when you hardly know them. I. Am. Not. You're. Whore!" His eyes narrowed, betraying his rage and the corners of his mouth tilted down as he made himself stop talking. He was being asked to give out his body like it was on sale to gain his freedom.

He didn't like the thought of how violated and dirty that would make him feel. He wasn't about to let that happen just to expand the walls of his cage.

Odin forced their mouths together. "We'll see about that." The smoldering look he had matched Al's. He stormed from the room and for the first time Al wondered how far 'not all the way' could go.

He didn't even know what he wanted. Once again he was beginning to not care. Besides, his body wanted to go along with it. It was a dream, he really didn't know what was holding him back. He could admit to himself that he wanted Ed and this was the closest he would ever get. He was even beginning to feel attracted to Odin himself. He knew that under the anger and spoiled exterior there was something good. He had written him after all.

He still didn't want to go along with it until Odin could act more civilized. If he did then he might get even more obnoxious and that was the last thing Al wanted.

He lay down and curled up on his side.

XXX

Odin marched aimlessly through the halls and came to a dead stop. One of his servants barely managed to stop in time but continued on around him like he was a table that happened to be in the way.

'How dare that insolent brat talk to me like that. I offer him everything and he practically spits at it. It's not like I'm ugly or something like that.'

He found a place to sit and fume for a bit but it didn't help. He marched back in with the intent of taking what he wanted. His anger quickly faded when he saw Alphonse. Sleeping peacefully with his mouth slightly parted. He stroked Al's shoulder with his thumb then bent to kiss it.

He waited until Al woke up. "I'm sorry, you can go where you want, I wont force you."

It took a moment for his groggy brain to work, when it did he sat up and considered this. His first instinct was to continue refusing him but there wasn't the same consequences here, the moral code didn't apply. Who would it hurt?

He leaned forward and brushed their lips together. Gentile, lingering and more wonderful then he could ever have thought. Odin lay him back down and they kissed again, this time he used his tongue to gain access to Al's mouth. He felt a surge of pleasure when Al moaned against him and responded. He wasn't about to ask why the change of heart.

His mouth trailed over soft skin. Down Alphonse's neck and collar, hands exploring freely. Another breathy moan escaped Al. It was quiet but Odin heard it perfectly.

Odin nipped then lapped at the spot. Al started and when he did their bodies pressed closer together.

Odin suckled at Al's bottom lip then kissed him hungrily. Watching the dazed/content look on Al's face made his heart falter. The way his limbs where loosely placed however they had been when he first lay down. The fact that there was no fear.

He pressed their hips together so that Al could feel his arousal.

A blush spread over his soft features.

This time he lingered at Al's mouth longer so he could show him everything he could think of. When he came up for air they were both panting.

He was stopped from going back by a knock on the door.

Now it was his turn to glare at it. A voice from the other side announced "Sir, there are men to see you. They're armed and don't seem much happy."

"Fine, I'll be right there." He had slid off of Al and sat on the edge of the bed. He relaxed before turning back to Al, still in the same position. Eyes hazy and skin flushed and another wave of want went through him. "When I come back I'm going to show you the difference between having sex and making love." He didn't wait for an answer past the flash of arousal that coloured Al's eyes.

"Wait!" Al called when he reached the door. (Retched thing, grumble grumble) "I want to come with you."

"No, trust me. This is something that happens frequently, I know what to do."

XXX

Ed checked in on Al before setting to work. He heard him mumble "Don't put your sword there!..." And he didn't want to know what he was dreaming about.

Finally, it was time to get some work done.

A/N: Heh heh, coloured and colored have different definitions in the WordPerfect dictionary.

As a note, Odin isn't really aware of the spell.

...and Al has the hair he had throughout most of the movie. If I haven't mentioned it before.

I hope the new year turns out well for you all.

o.O That was strange, a transport just went by and my headphones made the noise like when your turning between stations on the radio.