Both brothers now knew the Taboo lifestyle they were beginning to lead. But could they handle another journey into Taboo land? Would they risk everything to make it there? One thing was for certain, Edward and Alphonse Elric couldn't get it off their minds. Even with the tragedy that had befallen them. Three days left.

24.

The door creaked as it was slowly shut closed. Alphonse dragged his feet as he made his way to his room. Edward stood by the door still holding the knob with one hand, the other loosening his tie. He stood there for a moment, thinking, before he preceded to his own room removing his suit jacket.

It had been a long day for the two...the day they buried Granny Pinako...a very long day. But nothing had felt so long as the silent treatment the brothers had been giving each other. Ever since the day Pinako died, and Ed gave Al the message that he knew, the two had said almost nothing to each other.

Alphonse lay on his bed still in his black suit, similar to the one he wore the day they buried his mother. His eyes were sore and red from crying, and his head hurt from all the thinking he had been doing over the past few days. Although the death of one of the most beloved people Al knew was heavy on his mind, he couldn't help but think of what Ed had said to him that day. Not only was Al depressed about Pinako's death, but he was depressed because his hopes of being more than a brother to Edward had been smashed to pieces, again!

'So much for being the best little brother for him.' It was too much for Alphonse to deal with at once, and the lack of communication with his brother was making things much worse for him. Al silently cried, as he lay in his bed staring at the wall.

Edward stood in his room, looking out his window. He hadn't cried at all over Granny Pinako's death. To be honest he couldn't cry, he wanted to more than anything, but he couldn't. Like Alphonse, his mind was filled with thoughts of Granny Pinako and what he said to Al that day. He didn't know why he and his brother weren't talking, he just couldn't find the right words to say. What could he say? He didn't want to hurt Al more, especially given the current situation.

'I'm gonna miss the old hag.' Ed thought fondly. 'Poor Winry.'

Over the past days all he had done was comfort Winry, the lose of granny Pinako was too much for her to bear alone. He wanted to comfort Alphonse as well, but he was too afraid of how he would react to him. Ed actually thought Al was mad at him.

After a while, Ed became bored with the night sky. It wasn't as interesting without Alphonse at his side. Ed took off his suit and dressed in his normal sleep attire, even though he wasn't tired at all. Laying his bed he stared at the ceiling.

After a while, when things seemed deathly quiet in the house, Ed heard it. A very familiar sound, that he hadn't heard for some time, yet he knew exactly what it was.

Walking towards Alphonse's room Ed could see a faint blue glow under the doorway. As he slowly opened the door peeking in, he found Alphonse sitting on the floor doing alchemy in the dark. It was odd to see Al doing alchemy again. After they got their bodies back the two didn't really feel the need to study alchemy anymore. And who could blame them after all the trouble knowing alchemy had brought them.

Al either didn't notice Ed's entrance, or just didn't care, he kept on. Ed stood in the door way, and after his eye's adjusted to the dark he was to surprised to see what Alphonse was transmuting. Small horse figures out of wood, like the ones they made when they were younger. The sight made Eds heart hurt a little, he decided to take a seat next to Alphonse and just watch. Now he was certain Alphonse didn't care that he was there, because he still didn't move an inch.

"You know Al, your gonna make a hole in the floor if you keep using it for those horses." Ed suggested softly. Alphonse made no reply. Ed sighed, "Look Al...I'm sorry for the way I've been acting to you lately. I know granny Pinako's...well, I know her passing must be really hard on you." Ed paused to see if Alphonse wanted to say anything, but no, he kept making the little horses.

Ed decided not to continue with that conversation, he knew that Pinako's death was bothering him. But it wasn't why he wasn't talking to him.

Alphonse had about six or seven little horses by now, and he was placing them in neat little rows next to him. Ed watched on, staying silent. He was surprised to find Al hadn't kicked him out already. Every once in a while a soft blue glow would illuminate the room, and every time he could see Alphonse's puffy eye's. He felt sad for him, and he felt worse than ever for what he said to Al.

'Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut, I always seem to hurt him when I open it. Ah, what am I doing here anyway, he's probably waiting for me to leave him alone.' Ed rose from the ground suddenly, and made to leave the room, but just as he did so...

"Don't go." It was quiet, so quiet. The words barely reached Ed's ears. For a moment he thought he was just imagining things, but then it came again. "Don't go."

Ed quickly took his seat next to Alphonse back, staring intently at his brother. "I'm here Al, I'm not going anywhere." he whispered back. 'Finally, he's talking to me.' He felt a little relieved.

Alphonse had stopped making the small figures, but his gaze still focused on the last horse he had made. For a long time the two sat in the darkness. Moonlight shone in through Al's window, and Ed could see the look on Alphonse's face. He was thinking.

"Brother..."

"Yes Alphonse?" Ed waited.

"...Brother!" Al yelped, as he tackled Edward to the ground, hugging him fiercly. "I...miss...her..." He sobbed.

After Ed recovered from the shock of being pounced on so quickly, he rubbed Alphonse's back, "Shhh, It's okay Al, It's okay." He whispered into Alphonse's ear.

"Brother..." Al whispered back.

"Yeah Al."

"Do you think...do you think she went to the gate?"

"...I suppose so."

Al thought for a second, "...What do you think's on the other side?"

"Well, for me, it was a place called Lun-dun. If I remember correctly"

Al thought again, "So then...do you think she went to this, Lun-dun."

"Well, when I went, I was still alive. I don't know what happens when a soul goes through the gate after death."

Al thought for a while again before continuing. "I hope it's nice, where ever she is. And maybe she's with mom."

Ed's heart sank a little at the mention of their mother, "Yeah, maybe."

They sat there for a while, just hugging each other fondly. Then Ed noticed something, even though Al was laying on top of him, he wasn't embarrassed or nervous. He was happy, he felt as though he was whole, and nothing could ever bother him again. The feeling of Al's body as he breathed was ryhthemic and soothing. He could feel Al's heart beating in sync with his own. Al's warmth surrounded him, making his tense muscles relax, and his face soften. They stayed there for what felt like an eternity, basking in each others warmth.

Then the silence was broken, "Brother...did you mean it."

There was no point in playing dumb, Ed knew exactly what Al was talking about.

"...I..." He didn't know how to respond. 'I did mean it...didn't I...of course I did, I mean it would be wrong if I didn't...but...' Being here, with Alphonse like this, he couldn't tell what he wanted. Because for the first time, it didn't feel wrong to be this close to Al. "...I don't know..."

Al slowly lifted his head, face to face with his brother, their noses nearly touching. "You...you don't know?"

Al's heart began to pound, and he could feel Ed's heart racing as well. 'His eye's...their...burning...'

Slowly, so slowly, Al began to lower his head. Coming closer and closer to Ed's face. Ed didn't move, he stared into Alphones' eyes, they were incredible. There was an intensity in them, an intensity Ed had never seen before.

Al came closer and closer, with each passing moment Ed could feel Al's breath coming faster and faster on his lips. It was too much for him, Ed lunged his head forward, and then...

...he stopped...millimeters away from Al's lips, suddenly realizing what he was doing. Slowly he lowered his head again, and looked away, ashamed of himself. Alphonse stared at him, eye's pleading, but it was futile. Al sluggishly rose himself up, off of Edward. He kneeled in front of him, avoiding Ed's eyes. Ed slowly rose to his feet.

"Good night...little brother." Ed quickly retreated to his room.

Al stayed there, on the floor. His mind was blank, and his eyes stung. Eventually he got up and walked the short distance to his bed. He curled up under the sheets, bringing his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them, he stared out the window. But the stars weren't as interesting without Edward at his side.

'Am I still being punished? Wasn't four years as a feelingless, hollow suit of armor enough? Can't I have this one thing, haven't I paid enough?...am I damned...'

Al listened, but no answers came that night.

25.

Gloomy wouldn't even begin to describe the mood. The three sat at the dining room table, Winry playing with her food, Alphonse absently chewing his beef, and Edward amazingly had barely touched his food. They were silent, with only the soft tick tock of a clock hanging on the wall. Edward and Alphonse continuing the vow of silence the two had subconsciously made to each other. Winry still oblivious to the awkward silence between them, focusing on the mushy substance on her plate.

Tic, toc, tic, toc, tic, toc...

"Thanks you guys..." Her voice was husky and low.

Edward stared, surprised by the comment. "...for what?"

"...for being here. I know this must be hard for you guys too. You two have seen enough death, so thank you for being here with me."

"No problem Winry." Al added as he grasped her free hand tenderly. She gave him a weak smile in return.

Ed and Al's eyes met for a second, and quickly averted each other, as they focused their attention back on their diner.

tic, toc, tic, toc, tic, toc...

The hot water ran down Edwards back, easing the tense muscles. He twisted and turned his head, allowing the water to evenly soak his hair. His hand was placed against the wall for support as he leaned into the falling stream. '(The gate is waiting for you, you know.) Oh, it's you again. (Yup, and don't think I'll go away so easily this time. You've supplied me with enough fuel to keep hounding you for a long time. So were was I, oh yeah, the gate.)'

Ed listened quietly, 'I probably deserve this, (Damn straight you do.Any way, that gate is just quivering with excitement. It can't wait for you to show up on its doorstep. It's gonna have alot of fun with you.) ... (Oh, what's the matter? No threatening comment? No defensive statement to make yourself feel better?)...(So you've accepted it then? You accept the fact that your a damned soul?)'

He turned off the water and stepped out, grabbing his towel from the rack and absently drying himself off. '(So why didn't you do it, huh? Why didn't you steal your brother's innocence, like the sick little pervert you are?)

'Because it was wrong!'

'(What's worse is that you don't even believe that. You know how you felt before you tried to kiss him, only disgusting perverts think of their brother's like that...)'

'ALPHONSE IS NOT DISGUSTING!'

'(What...? Oh yes, that's right, he thinks about you the same way you think about him doesn't he?)'

'(Wether you made him that way or not your both disgusting human beings and you both deserve to ...ACK... WHAT... THE...YOUR...ACK...YOUR CHOKING ME! HOW THE...GUH...HELL ARE YOU...CHOKING ME! I'M NOT...gurgle...EVEN REAL!)'

'I may be damned, and disgusting, and sick. But my brother is NOT! I love him, even if I'm not supposed too! So If that damns me to suffer for an eternity in hell, IF THERE IS SUCH A PLACE! Then I'll do it gladly, so why don't you go see what the flames of hell are like, I'll be there shortly!'

'(AGH...ACK...gurgle, gurgle...)'

There was a blinding light, then a loud boom. "(What? Where am I?...AH! THE GATE! NO, THIS CAN'T BE!)"

A small faceless figure sat at the foot of the gate, "Hello there, I remember you. You were with the one from which I took an arm and a leg. Well, he took them back, and I wasn't too happy about that." A large toothy grin appeared on the figure.

The gate loudly creaked open, hundreds of arms flung out. "(AH! NO, WAIT! NOOOO!)" The gate slammed shut, and all was quiet again.

Edward stepped out of the bathroom, he felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. After getting dressed he found Alphonse lying on the living room couch, face buried into the cushions. "...H-hey Al, bathrooms empty..."

A moment passed when neither moved, then Alphonse slowly rose from the couch and preceded into the bathroom. Edward sighed, 'I have to do something. We can't keep doing this to eachother.'

Alphonse let the hot water rinse through his hair, using his hand to support him as he leaned into the flow of steaming water. 'I'm tired of this, I want to talk to brother. I don't even care what we say, I just want him to talk to me. He's probably waiting for me to say something, but what do I say! "Sorry for almost making out with you brother, it won't happen again."? then it'll just be even more awkward between us. Ugh, I know what we want is wrong, but who cares, I don't.'

He turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. When he stepped out of the bathroom, he saw that Ed's door was closed and his light was on. 'I wonder what he's doing. Maybe I should go talk to him.' Al stood there, in front of the bathroom door, thinking it over. 'No, it's late and he's probably tired. And anyway, I still don't know what I'd say.' He sighed as he walked into his room.

As Al lay in bed his thoughts were on Granny Pinako, 'I really miss her.'

While Alphonse was dozing off, Edward sat on his bed skimming the pages of a familiar book with the picture of an old man on it's cover. "Chapter Three" he read to himself, "Love"

Edward read the entire chapter before turning off the light and going to sleep that night.

26.

"I have a confession to make Ed. My dreams...well, their not so innocent."

Ed's eye's flew open, he was panting. 'The dream...I had it again. Damn it, why can't I stop thinking about that.'

His guilt's words echoed in his mind, (Why didn't you steal your brother's innocence, like the sick little pervert you are?) It was probably the only thing he agreed with. He wasn't going to live his life knowing Alphonse lost his innocence to his own brother.

'It's wrong. As long as Alphonse and I have these emotions for each other, AND THATS IT, nothing else happens. I'm sure we'll be fine. I mean it's not wrong to love your own brother, it's just wrong if your lover is your brother.' He reassured himself, but it didn't make him feel any better.

He sat up in bed, his heart pounding. Something was making a noise, but he couldn't tell what it was. On further inspection of his room, he found the culprit. Raindrops softly padded against his window, then a flash and a boom. "It's raining again."

Ed lay back down, trying to fall back into slumber. But he couldn't. The dream's images were still fresh in his mind. Acting on pure impulse he got out of bed and found his way to the door. He stepped out into the hallway, and shut his door behind him, making almost no noise at all. The hallway was pitch black, but he knew where he was going, he had done this many times before. As he slowly crept along the hallway, inching nearer and nearer to his destination, a floorboard creaked giving way to the weight being put on it. The problem was, it wasn't his weight that caused the floor to groan. 'Oh, so we have an intruder eh? I guess I'll have to teach him to never mess with the Elirc's' The hallway was too dark for him to see anything, but Ed could tell were the direction of the noise came. Placing his footing in the right position to pounce on said intruder, Ed waited and listened to the floorboards creek as the invader came nearer.

WHAM! "OW! WHAT THE?"

"Hah! Thought you could mess with the..." Ed flicked on the light, and suddenly felt very foolish.

"Brother, what are you doing!" Al said as he rubbed a large lump growing on the back of his head.

"Al? What are you doing out here?"

"I asked you first, and why did you hit me!" Al pouted

"I thought you were a burglar."

"A BURGLAR! Idiot brother, everyone knows your the Fullmetal Alchemist around here. Who in their right mind would try to rob us!"

Ed felt even more foolish, "Don't call your big brother an idiot!"

"I call 'em as I see 'em!" Al retorted angrily.

"That's it Al! I'm gonna..." A loud clap of thunder shook the house to it's core. Al visibly tensed, his eyes going slightly wider. Ed sighed, "Look just forget about it. Now, why were you out here in the hallway?"

"I asked you first." Al said, childishly crossing his arms.

"Quite being such a baby, just answer the stupid question."

"I'm not a baby!" There was another clap of thunder, and another visible tensing of the muscles.

'Oh I get it, the thunder. Duh.' Ed mentally kicked himself. "Did the thunder wake you up, is that it." Ed said slightly annoyed by Alphonse's attitude.

Al fidgeted, "No, wasn't the thunder."

"Then what was it Al."

He fidgeted some more, "I...I had a dream, and it woke me up."

'A dream?', "What, you mean like a nightmare?"

"Well, some would call it that."

'Huh? What does that mea...Oh, I get it.', Edward felt sorry for his brother. He knew what kind of dreams some people would call nightmares were like. He just had one. He watched as Alphonse fidgeted, avoiding his stare. 'He must have been coming to my room to make sure the dream wasn't real. Just like I was doing.'

Ed watched him for a while, "It's raining pretty bad out there." Ed commented conversationally.

Al looked up to meet his gaze, "Yeah."

There was a pause as the two watched each other, "Well It's pretty late. I'm going to bed." Ed flicked off the light, then walked over to his room opening the door. Letting the small amount of light from his window illuminate the hallway. He waited there for a moment looking at Alphonse, who hadn't moved and was watching him intently. "Well, you comin or not."

"H-huh?"

"It's raining pretty hard out. There's alot of thunder and lightning, don't want you getting scared or anything." Ed smirked.

Al blushed, "Thank you brother." he mumbled as he shuffled past his brother.

Ed closed the door and the two got into the cramped bed together. They lay on their backs, staring at the ceiling trying their hardest not to feel awkward.

"N-night brother." Alphonse whispered.

There was a bright flash, followed immediately by an almost deafening clap of thunder. Alphonse yelped and latched to Edwards arm, Edward tensed. For a second neither moved, then Alphonse suddenly noticed what he had done, and quickly let go. He returned to his original position, on his back staring at the ceiling. Now they did feel awkward.

"Night Alphonse." Edward whispered quickly, closing his eyes and trying to fall asleep. Alphonse did the same, although neither of them actually fell asleep for a long time.

Edward and Alphonse slept very uncomfortably that night, trying their hardest not to touch.

27.

Ed's eyes slowly opened, he was surprised to find Alphonse's face only inches from his own. Then Al's eyes opened slowly as well. The two stared at each other, half awake and half asleep.

Something over came Edward then, a mixture of pent up frustration and lust. He suddenly leaned forward and captured Alphonse's lips with his own. He wrapped his arms around him passionately, deepening the kiss.

Alphonse did the same, sliding his arms around Ed's hips, pulling the two together. He backed away for a moment to breath, then reconnected with an intense force.

Their lips smacked, as they lustfully sucked and licked. The heat was intense, their lips were on fire. They pulled each other closer, trying to feel as much as they could. Al's hands wandered up and down Ed's back lustfully, feeling each muscle, each scar. Ed's hands explored Alphonse as well, one hand running wildly through his hair. The other roaming Al's shoulders.

"..Alphonse.." Edward moaned huskily

"...Bro-ther..." Al panted.

"...Al...I...love you..."

"...Brother...!" Al dug his nails into Ed's back.

"...Ah..." he yelped weakly.

Suddenly there was a flash and a loud clap. Ed's eyes widened, horrified. 'It's raining! But...it never rains in this dream...OH MY GOD!'

Ed pulled away from Alphonse violently, he was shaking. "...aren't...aren't I dreaming...?"

Alphonse's eyes grew in shock. "...I...I thought I was..."

To be continued.