A/N: Hello everyone. I apologize for the tardiness of this chapter. Once again I was suffering from writer's block and I had not time to sit my butt down in front of a computer terminal. So now to make up, I'm going to write a long chapter. I can guarantee, the Elricest will be aplenty in this chapter. And a lot more next chapter considering our two favorite brothers will be on their own in a cabin on the ship (hint, hint) Also I noticed I made a slight mistake in a name in the previous chapter. I used the name Franz Hopper, when it was supposed to be Fritz Lang, I apologize for the inconvenience. Now I give you chapter 7.

Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist belongs to its respective owner. I however own the title, idea and anything not mentioned in the series, manga or movie so suing is not a bright thing to do right now.

Chapter Seven: Preparations and Promises

Edward slowly sat up, hearing the faint creaking of his auto-mail arm and leg. Luckily, after Winry had fitted him with it she had handed him thing of sewing machine oil. It was just like the one he had received all those years ago. He reached over to his bedside table and carefully oiled his joints. His thoughts were interrupted when Alphonse knocked then entered without permission. He was expecting that. Ever since they were kids, they would knock then enter.

"Brother, I just got off the phone with Mr. Lang. He just called to remind us to meet him outside of the docks at 12:15." Alphonse said dragging in his already packed suitcase into the room.

"You're already packed? Well that shouldn't be that big of a surprise. You've always been an early worm. I figured you'd be packed and waiting by the door by the time I woke up." Edward joked as he finished his oiling, and placing the little container on the side table again, "Remind me not to forget that."

Alphonse chuckled, "Oh if you want while you're packing I can make you some breakfast. In order to wake you up fully, I'm guessing something sweet with no milk."

Edward turned towards his brother and pulled him into his arms, "Why bother to have you make me something sweet when I have all the honey and nectar I can get from these?" he said as he captured his brother's lips with his own. The two had started this routine ever since that night. Two breakfasts instead of one, and sometimes a little brunch if they felt like it. But all it was, was kissing, nothing more. They weren't ready for anything like that. Well at least not yet.

Alphonse was the one who pulled away, "Brother, please, you need to get something in your stomach, not just in your mouth." The comment he spoke was dead on since he had just pulled his tongue out of his brother's mouth.

Disappointment flooded Edward's features but nevertheless he released his brother and pulled out his own suitcase, "You know you're lucky you're so adorable." He murmured.

"Hey brother, I got a question for you. Do we want anyone to keep an eye on the place?" Alphonse asked from the kitchen.

"What are you talking about Al?" Edward called back as he started to zip up his nearly packet up suitcase. There were just a few things left. Thanks to Al's voice; however, Edward was now distracted.

"I mean someone to get the mail and hold it for us while we're gone and such." Alphonse answered.

"Oh didn't think of that. Well, perhaps we can ask Mustang." Edward suggested stretching his arms up and cracking the kink that developed in his neck.

Over the past few days the Elric brothers had become acquaintances with their new neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Mustang. So they hoped they would agree to the little arrangement. The couple hadn't been married yet, but the brothers decided to address them that way. To their surprise the couple didn't mind in the least.

"Sure, why don't you head over and talk to them while I set the table." Alphonse said.

Edward shrugged, "Ok, be back in a moment." He grabbed his jacket and walked out, making sure not to lock the door. A habit that had started a couple of days ago for reasons he didn't want to think about. He reached his destination and knocked on the door.

After some commotion coming from the other side the door swung open and there stood the soon-to-be Mrs. Mustang, "Ah Edward, nice to see you. Is there something wrong?"

"Good Morning Mrs. Mustang. My brother and I have a favor to ask you and your husband."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Well Al and I are going to be going to America for a couple of weeks and we were wondering if you could hold the mail for us and possibly keep in touch with us if anything strange happens." Edward explained.

"Ah, well, I don't see why that would be a problem. I do hope you consulted the landlord about your absence from your apartment." Riza pointed out.

"Yes, we spoke to him last night and he said he'll keep the place running but told us we have to have someone else take care of the mail and what not." Edward answered rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"All right, well-"

"Brother, your pancakes are getting cold!" Alphonse said sticking his head out the door, "Oh good morning Mrs. Mustang." He greeted.

Riza smiled, "Good morning Alphonse, thanks again for letting us use your shower that day. I honestly don't know how that drain got plugged."

Alphonse smiled in return, "No problem, Edward and I had that problem back where we used to live." It wasn't a lie. The showers they had used back in Shamballa weren't exactly made of gold, but they sufficed.

"Well I better get going. Like Alphonse said my pancakes are getting cold." He bowed respectfully, as he turned and walked back into his apartment. He headed over to the table to find a stack of Alphonse's famous blueberry pancakes in front of his chair drenched in syrup. Next to it was a glass of water. Edward sat down at his chair and began to almost literally inhale the pancakes, "You know Phish ish the besh…"

Alphonse rolled his eyes, "Brother, chew, swallow, than talk ok." He instructed.

Edward blushed as he did as he was told. Once his mouth was pancake free he spoke again, "You know this is the best breakfast you've made yet."

"You're only saying that because you won't want to do the dishes right?" Alphonse asked.

Edward shrugged, "Maybe." He said as he swallowed another mouthful. This time finishing up his plate and taking it over to the sink, "I never said I wouldn't do the dishes. I just want to do them alone." He admitted.

Alphonse caught on as walked over to his brother's side and the two of them began to wash and dry the dishes. With both of them working the dishes were done in more than half the time. This meant they had more time to be with one another, "Brother, go finish packing and I'll put the dishes away." He suggested.

Edward nodded and ran into his room. He had started packing last night but found it to be too exhausting for his taste. So he decided to take short nap and finish before hitting the hay. Well his plan didn't exactly go the way he expected it to. He had fallen asleep and slept through the entire evening and into most of the morning. Nevertheless, all he had to add to his suitcase was laid out in the corner of his bed. After he closed up the suitcase and dragged it out by the door, he saw his brother sitting at the kitchen table. His nose was stuck in a book, "So, Al, any other ideas on how to pass the time?"

Alphonse looked up at the clock and chuckled, "Wow, I never realized just how much time we have." As mentioned earlier the two brothers were to meet Fritz Lang at the docks at 12:15. But according to the clock on the wall, it was only 10:45. It only took the boys no more than 15 minutes to get to the docks, probably 20 considering they now had access baggage. So that meant they had over an hour to kill, "I can think of something." The younger Elric brother said as he marked his paged and placed his book on the table. He walked over to his brother and took his hand into his own, "Come with me brother." He said leading Edward back into his bedroom. Alphonse figured since they had used Edward's bedroom the last time, it was time for them to use his.

Edward knew what his brother as leaning towards as the two of them slipped off their shoes and curled up onto the bed. Both of them; linking their fingers together, just looking across at the one they loved.

"Brother, what do you think Mom would have said if she saw us like this?" Alphonse asked lightly kissing his brother's hand.

Edward blushed, "Well to be honest, I'm sure she would disapprove but I think she would be happy for us at the same time. You know how Mom was. If this made happy then she probably wouldn't argue."

Alphonse beamed faintly, "Edward, tell me again. Tell me how much you love me."

Edward shook his head and chuckled, "Alphonse you're everything to me. I mean spent my entire teenage stage to search for a way to put you right again. And not to say I'm glad what happened; happened, but if it did, I'd gladly spend that time searching again. But this time, I would never hurt you." He leaned forward and placed his lips on his brothers in a full out kiss.

Alphonse returned the embrace as well as his tongue. He loved the taste of his brother. He loved everything about his brother. He ran his right hand through his brother's silky golden hair as he tightened his grip with his left one, "Brother, I love you. I really do." He said before capturing the 18 year old's lips again.

Edward only chuckled through the kiss. He too wanted to say those amazing words in return, but found kissing his brother a lot more satisfying. Without even realizing it, Edward began to unbutton his brother's shirt.

Alphonse felt his brother's exploring hand and broke the kiss, "Ed what are you doing?"

Edward shrugged, "You're looking a little warm all, I just wanted to cool you off." He spoke honestly. Well partially. He wanted to see his brother's body. Just seeing that light brown chest and small yet noticeable muscles. It brought a huge thrill to the blonde.

Alphonse shrugged as he too, began to unbutton his brother's shirt as well, "Well, if I'm going to cool off you might as well too." He said kissing his brother's neck sending a chill down Edward's spine.

Edward hissed, "Alphonse don't do that." He warned.

Alphonse smirked, "What's the matter Edward can't take a little thrill." He asked now nipping at his brother's neck. He was careful though, not to leave a mark. It would have been really hard to explain a hickey on either one of their necks when the town knew neither of them had sweethearts.

Edward tightened his grip on his brother's hand. He couldn't believe that all the while the two of them had never let go. He planned to make sure they stayed that way to.

A/N: As promised a longer and more detailed chapter. Next chapter will contain the voyage as well as the introduction to Armstrong. I decided that in Germany he's pretty much the same. You'll know what I am talking about next chapter.