TABOO - A strong social prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared as forbidden; breaking of the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society. Two weeks left.

12.

Things had been great for Alphonse after he had made his decision. In the following days after he apologized to Ed for his strange behavior, the relationship between the two had returned to normal. Ed and Al went to work in the shop every week day and on the week ends they would just hang out with Winry and go into town, or sometimes have picnics. Every once in a while Al would have another dream, and wake up slightly distressed. But thankfully cold showers hadn't failed him like plan B did, and they were much more comfortable in the summer heat. Yeah things were going great for Al, that is, until today.

"Brother! Get up! We told Winry we'd go into town with her today." Al yelled from the end of the hallway while he held the pan of cooking eggs in one hand and a spatula in the other. "If you sleep any longer you'll miss breakfast, now get up!"

"Uuugh" Ed grunted, as he flopped out of bed and dragged himself to the bathroom...literally.

'What was that about?' Al thought as he set the pan and spatula down, following his brother to the bathroom.

"You okay Ed? Are you sick, you look terrible." In fact he did. He was huddled over the toilet holding his stomach, and he was much paler than usual.

"I...don't think..." He gagged, "...I'll be going...anywhere today..." He gagged a second time.

"What's wrong, does your stomach hurt?"

"No, it just...feels really..." He didn't finish, due to the torrent of vomit that was pouring out of his mouth at incredible speeds.

"EEEEWWW!" Al squeaked, taking a step back and looking away. He listened to the sickening sloshing noise until they stopped, before looking back. " Are you done ye.." Another waterfall of vomit, "Oh, jeez how much is in there!" He couldn't help but chuckle a little, he wasn't trying to be mean or anything, it was just a little amusing to see the famed Fullmetal Alchemist look so helpless.

"'s not funny Al!" Ed tried to sound angry, but he was too exhausted.

After Ed was finished vomiting his brains out, Al helped him into bed and found an old bucket in the basement. Setting the bucket next to Ed's bed, Al wet a washcloth and began to softly rub his face.

"Mmm, feels good." Ed mumbled, as he fought to keep his eyelids open, he was so tired.

"Shh, brother. Get some rest you'll feel better." Al's voice was soft and soothing.

"What 'bout you, aren't you gonna go with Winry into town?"

"What, and leave you here alone, sick and miserable. I don't think so."

Ed was touched, "There's no point in two of us being miserable today. Go ahead, go with Winry I'll be fine."

"No, I'm staying with you." Al replied forcefully

"Al, listen to your big brother, and go. Don't worry about me, I've been in worse conditions before."

Al suddenly remembered all the hospitals they stayed in over the four years he was in the armor, guilt ran through his body. 'Not once were we in those hospitals for me, it was always brother who was hurt. I never even felt any pain, it's not fair. I promised to be the best little brother I could be, so if he suffers, I suffer.'

"No, I'm going to stay with you brother, and that's final." Al's face was stern and determined.

"Al if you don't leave me alone, I'm going to throw up all over you."

Al was out the door in a matter of seconds.

"Stupid stubborn Brother." Al said to himself as he walked up the hill towards Winry's house. "Why won't he ever let me make my own decisions.", Den plowed into him nearly knocking him over, "Woah, Den calm down."

"Hi Al, where's Ed", Winry inquired, following close behind Den.

"Oh, hi Winry. Ed's sick he, won't be coming with us today."

"Sick? I bet he caught a cold from sleeping with his stomach out all the time, huh." She chuckled.

"No, this was no cold, trust me." Al had a strange look on his face, as though the thought of it scared him. 'I'm gonna have nightmares of Ed throwing up on me for weeks!'

"Okaaaay. Any way, where do you want to go first." Winry asked

Al snapped out of his traumatized state of mind, "Oh, let's go to the bookstore!"

"Ugh, Aaall! We always go to the bookstore first, let's go to the hardware store!"

"No way! I know you Winry, we'll be there for hours." Al crossed his arms, pouting.

"Oh, come on Al, they just got the new models of stainless steel wrenches in! I've been dying to get my hands on them." Winrys Eyes shimmered. Al kept pouting. "Ugh, alright. If you go to the hardware store with me, I'll buy you a new book."

"Okay!" Al blurted out quickly.

Winry thought for a second, "Hey, wait a minute. That's what you wanted me to say isn't it!"

"Heh heh, what are you talking about Winry? Come on lets hurry before they run out of those new wrenches." Al started sprinting in the direction of town, a huge smile on his face.

'I swear, sometimes Al can be just as mischievous as Ed.' Winry thought, as she hurried to catch up to Al. "Hey wait up, Al. I'm not finished with you, you little rat."

Al was proud to say he received the first lump on the head by Winry's new wrenches that day.

13.

"Thank you Winry." Al said, as he used the one hand that wasn't rubbing the bump on his head, to squeeze his new book to his chest.

"Your welcome Al. But why'd you want that book?"

"It looked really interesting." There was an old man on the cover, probably the writer. "It's this guys theories about human traits and behavior."

"What's so interesting about that?"

"Well, there's one section of the book that actually caught my attention."

"Oh yeah, what is it about?"

"Oh you know, stuff." Al tried to sound nonchalant, it didn't work.

"Stuff huh." Winry narrowed her eyes on Al as they walked down the sidewalk. "Let me see." Winry snatched the book from Al's hands.

"Hey! Winry give it back!" Al began to blush as he tried to snatch it back. Luckily Winry was a bit taller than he was.

"Oh, come on Al. Don't be such a baby." Al finally gave up and chose to brood instead. Winry read the index, then she spotted it. 'There's a chapter on homosexuality in here. Oh I get it, how cute, he's curious.'

"Oh thats so cute Al, don't be so embarrassed. It's okay to be curious about yourself."

Al grunted as he snatched the book back. "I'm not curious...I just wanted a bit more insight."

"Insight? Why don't you just talk to your brother about it."

"What would he know?"

"Well, I guess your right, Ed is a bit of a numb skull." Winry laughed.

"And plus, this guy's a genius. He probably knows alot." Al smiled a bit.

"Is he gay?" She asked pointedly.

"Well...no."

"Then what would he know?"

Al thought about it for a second, 'Damn it she's right, how much could he know. It say's right here in his biography he's married with children.'

"I didn't think about that."

"See you should just ask Ed." Winry repeated.

'Why does she keep saying that? Ed's not gay, what would he be able to tell me.' Al pondered. "I'm not gonna ask Ed, he wouldn't know anything."

"Okay, Ed's a numbskull but he's not that dumb, Al. Of course he would know something, I mean he is the guy from my story remember."

Al froze mid step, eyes wide. 'That can't be, that guy was gay. That would mean...but he would have told me...no, she must be wrong.'

"No, that can't be Winry. That would mean Ed is gay." He was confused, he couldn't believe it. But deep down, he knew. "And if Ed was gay, he would have told me! Why would he...", He knew the truth.

Winry stared at Alphonse in shock, "Al? Didn't he tell you?"

"NO!" Al was on the verge of tears. 'How could brother do this, why didn't he tell me? Doesn't he trust me!" He was about to panic.

"Oh, god that idiot. I'm so sorry Al, he said he told you." Winry felt horrible, and mad. 'I can't believe him, what is his problem!' She grabbed Al around the shoulders and led him to a bench on the sidewalk. He just sat there, looking lost and scared.

"Why, why Winry. Why didn't he tell me." He didn't know what to do, it was as if his entire world had been turned upside down.

"I'm sorry Al. I didn't know he hadn't told you, your brother can be a real jerk sometimes." Winry soothingly rubbed Al's back, like she did that day when he was depressed. It helped calm him down.

"So then, you talked to him about it right? Did he tell you? Did he tell you why he didn't tell me?" He looked her straight in the eyes, waiting for her response.

"Well, he didn't say alot. I guess the main reason would be because he thought it was his fault..."

"His fault?" Al interrupted.

"Calm down, let me finish." She continued, "He thought, that since he was the one that gave you your body back, maybe somehow he had inadvertently made you gay in the process." Al stared at her, puzzled. "I know, I know" Winry went on, "It's a stupid idea, and I told him that too. But, he must not have believed me."

'I guess that makes sense, in brother's eyes anyway. He was always so paranoid, thinking everything was his fault. I can't imagine how nervous he was when he brought my body back. I guess when I told him I was gay, he figured he had somehow done it. Stupid, brother!'

"What are you gonna do know?" Winry asked, giving Al a worried gaze.

He took a while to answer, "Well, I guess I'll tell him I know." he said a bit calmer than he was before, "AND THEN I'LL BASH HIS HEAD IN!"

"Woah, calm down there Alphonse, that's my job." Winry chuckled, she could tell Al was actually a little happy about the discovery. "Come on let's get back home now, we've had enough excitement in town for one day."

"Okay, I'm getting a bit hungry anyway."

"Yeah me too."

The entire way back home, Al's thoughts lie on his brother. 'Some how, I think I always knew. Besides the obvious signs, the fact he's never had a girlfriend, the tight black leather pants.(Which Al secretly enjoyed seeing him in) But one thing doesn't add up. He didn't know I was gay till a few months ago, before that he had no reason to be afraid to tell me he was gay. Then what could it be? Maybe he thinks he's disgusting! Maybe he thinks that being gay is wrong, and he wishes he wasn't!'

Edward had a lot of explaining to do that day.

14.

By the time Alphose arrived home it was dark out. He opened the door and walked in to find all the lights were still off. 'Alright, where is he!' Al searched around the house turning on the lights as he did so. 'He's not in the kitchen or the living room, the dining room or the basement, he's not even in his room. That leaves one room besides mine...' He found Edward asleep in the bathroom using the toilet as a pillow.

"HAH, HAH, brother your so weird." Al's bad mood vanished. Ed looked so cute, how could he mad a him now.

Al dragged a barely conscious Edward to his bed. Looking at the bucket, he realized it must have filled up fast, thus explaining Ed's location in the bathroom.

"A...Al...you back from town already?" He sounded terrible, and looked it to match once Al turned the light on.

"Already? Brother, I've been gone all day."

"Oh, sorry I've been sleeping, lost track of time."

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah, I'm just still really tired."

"Okay, get some more rest."

"Alright, sounds good."

As he was on his way out of Ed's room, he remembered why he was in a bad mood earlier, "Oh, brother, just to let you know, I had a little talk with Winry today." Al became very stern, "And I found out a few things that made me really mad. So I'm warning you now, tomorrow I want answers, so you better be ready to give them."

Ed stared wide eyed, 'What the hell, he was just in a good mood? What could they have talked about...Oh no! It can't be that! Please don't tell me Winry told HIM!'

"Good night, brother." Al walked out and slammed the door.

"G-Goodn-night Al" Ed responded, this wasn't going to be a good night at all.

Ed was right, because he had gotten so much sleep during the day, he stayed up all night. All night with nothing to do but think about what he was going to say to Al in the morning.

It was a long night.

15.

Al awoke the next morning and did the same thing he did every morning. He stretched on his bed, took a deep breath, got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Once in the bathroom, his morning proceeded as usual, he brushed his teeth, took a shower, and combed his hair. After that he went back to his room, put on a change of clothes and went to the kitchen to start breakfast. On his way to the kitchen he met Edward, who was sitting at the table still wearing his pajamas. Al noted, that Ed's eyes were very blood shot. Al said, "Good morning brother" as usual, Ed just stared. Al took out a box of his favorite cereal and began pouring it into a bowl, then it hit him. 'Hmmm, wasn't I supposed to do something this morning...OH YEAH!'

Al left the box of cereal floating in mid air as he joined his brother at the table.

"What was that about?" Ed inquired, slightly puzzled.

"Uh, sorry brother, I forgot." Al rubbed the back of his neck.

"You forgot? YOU FORGOT? Here I've been, up all night scared to death cause my little brother gave me some kind of strange 'Hidden Meaning' message, trying to come up with your stupid 'Answers' and you FORGOT!"

"I'm sorry, it's still early! I wasn't thinking straight." His neck was burning from all the rubbing.

"Ugh, I'm gonna go take a shower for work."

"Not so fast brother! You have some explaining to do, and besides, it's Sunday."

'Damn! Stupid perceptive Alphonse.', "Alright!" Ed sat down again, crossing his arms pouting.

Once Al got over how cute Ed looked sitting like that, he started his interrogation, "Okay. Brother, there's something I think you need to tell me."

Ed fidgeted for a while, delaying the inevitable.

"Brother!"

"Okay, okay. Don't get your panties in a..." Ed suddenly saw the image of a flying wrench in his mind and stopped. "Alright, what did Winry tell you exactly."

"She told me that she once loved a guy, and that guy turned out to be gay. She said that guy, was you Ed."

"So, she told you that story, huh." Ed took a deep breath, and thought for a while.

"Is it true?" Al interrupted his thinking. "Is it true, are you the guy?" His face was stern, but his eyes were searching.

'Okay, there's no turning back now. Suck it up Ed and do it, you don't have a choice now.', Ed bowed his head, and stared as this hands, he was still getting used to seeing two flesh hands instead of one. "Yes, I am that guy."

"Then that means..."

"Yes, Alphonse. I'm...gay."

Alphonse took his gaze off of his brother, choosing to stare at the kitchen counter instead. He felt like crying, "Why? Why wouldn't you tell me?"

"I...I was afraid...I was afraid I made you this way..."

"Stop lying!" Al interrupted, "You could have told me this years ago. Don't...Don't you trust me." Although Al was very close to crying, he didn't want to, he didn't want to look weak, so he held it in.

"Of course I trust you Al. And the fact is, I...I don't really know why I didn't tell you." Ed was looking at Al now, Al still hadn't taken his gaze off the counter. "Maybe I was afraid or something, I don't know...all I know is that I'm sorry."

Ed looked away again, there was a deafening silence between them for what seemed like a lifetime.

Until Al spoke, "I don't believe you, I think there's something your not telling me."

Ed stiffened, 'No, he couldn't possibly know that. I didn't even tell Winry that! He's got me cornered, I don't know what to do, what to say. Think Ed, think...I've got it.'

"Okay Al, I do know why I was afraid to tell you but before I say, you have to answer a question of mine." Ed said cooly

"What do you mean, what question?", 'What in the world is he talking about?'

"Tell me Alphonse, what is it that you couldn't tell me that day you were depressed.", 'I've got him now.'

'Oh no! What do I say! Think, think, think!', "Okay I'll tell you, but I asked you first.", 'Heh, now I've got you brother.'

"That's not fair Al, It's your turn to tell a secret!" Ed sounded very childish, but he didn't care.

"NO! You first!"

"No You!"

"No You!"

"NO YOU!" They Yelled in unison.

"FINE!" In unison again.

"DO YOU THINK YOUR DISGUSTING?" Once again, in unison

"WHAT?" Unison

"Okay, Al I'll repeat it.", Ed beat Al to the punch, "Do-you-think-your-disgusting? Is that what was bothering you."

Al was confused, "What makes you think that?"

"Well, I was talking to Winry, and we got to guessing. That's what I came up with, now answer me."

Al suddenly got a brilliant Idea, 'I'll tell him that's what was bothering me, that way he won't ask me about it again. Yes, your a genius Al.' He gave himself a mental high-five.

"Yes, thats it. I thought I was disgusting and thats what made me feel so sad." Al lied, Now what about you, is that why you were afraid to tell me?"

Ed paused for a moment, "Yes, I thought that I was gross and disgusting, so I didn't want to believe it. It was when Winry told me she loved me that I knew."

"So then, what about now?" Al was nervous, 'Please don't say you still think that. I don't think I could deal handle that.'

"No, of course not. If I still thought that, then I would be saying your gross and disgusting, Al. I would never think that about you. You know that." Ed smiled a bit.

Al was touched, he got up and walked to the other side of the table. "Come 'er", He said as he gave his brother a hug, "Thanks brother."

"Thanks for what?"

"For being my brother, of course."

"Heh, Al your such a sap."

Al then walked over to the floating box of cereal and finished pouring.

"What the?" Ed had just noticed what happened, "How did you do that."

"Did what?"

"Uh nothing, nothing.", 'I better get some sleep, my minds playing tricks on me.'

Al smirked at Ed's back as he walked out of the kitchen.

Later on that night, as Al was getting ready for bed, Ed lie on the living room sofa. He was thinking about the morning's events, 'You did it again Ed. You just can't stop can you. When are you gonna stop lying, so much! You know damn well why you were afraid to tell Al you were gay. And it wasn't because you thought homosexuality was "Disgusting" at all. If anything is disgusting it's you, and the way you...'

"Good night brother." Al said as he emerged from the bathroom after brushing his teeth.

"Oh...good night Al." He listened to the door to Al's room close. 'Well I'd better get to sleep soon.'

Ed walked to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. Then went to his room, changed into his pajamas and went to sleep. More like laid in bed for an hour, then dozed off.

Al awoke in the middle of the night for no real reason. He didn't move, he just stared at the ceiling. 'Why did I wake up?' He looked around the room, then he saw him. Standing in his doorway, was Edward. 'What is he doing?' He was just standing there, but it was too dark to see Ed's face. Al was a bit scared, Ed was really freaking him out. After a short while, Ed backed away and closed his door quietly. Al listened as Ed padded back to his room. 'What was that about? It was really weird.'

He remembered something then from his dreams, something that Ed said in them, "Al, I know you watch me when I sleep sometimes." Is that what he was doing? But why? The reason I do it is because..."You don't need to say anything, I know how you think about me sometimes too."

Al stayed awake for a long time that night, just thinking.