AN: I'm doing this on a whim sorry… this will not have a chapter title because I don't think it deserves one thank you for reading and a special thank you to Angel Eyes Kagome for reviewing.

Breakfast was bland as usual, eggs and rolls. They had just moved in to Manhattan after all, they'll eventually have to get a part-time job for research expenses… like yesterday's grand ball clothes.

"Let me point out again why that was necessary." Ed stated as he and his younger brother were taking to account how much money was left with them.

"I know, I know already." Al cut him in. "Dr. Couver's Demonstration will take place in that newly built research institute in which, as you have said, will probably be sealed in tight with security, which is why this charade is necessary right? In order to get in freely thus minimizing our problems into getting out with whatever the good Doctor's exhibiting. Did I miss anything?"

Yeah he missed hiding the sarcasm in his tone. Ed had never heard his brother talk like that maybe it wasn't that obvious then when he rarely had a facial expression. His disputes were to be expected though, knowing that this con they're leading will hurt not only Al but Winry too – not that they should care about her, she isn't HER after all, a fact that Al, as it seems, should always be reminded of.

"Ne, Nii-san," Al stopped picking on his food but turned his face towards a picture of him and his brother. "What was Heiderich-san like? Is he really… like me?"

"What, are you afraid she'll notice?" Ed retorted dodging the question.

There was a time when he thought he could live in this world make-believing Heiderich was his brother as Al spent his days in Amstria finding a way to bring him back. Was Al like Heiderich? Yes, so much so that he almost made himself believe Amstria was just a dream and his life here was reality, that Al was really Alphonse. Of course there were those trivial physical differences like Al's darker blonde hair, his stubbornness to grow it long and tie it up like his brother, the cheerfulness and optimism in his eyes which Heiderich lacked but everything else has an uncanny resemblance. Maybe these mere dissimilarities could only be distinguished by him, the only one closest to both.

Alphonse Heideric as he knew him before, was eccentric and hardly regarded anything that didn't concern his work. He had eventually grown accustomed to Ed's presence and had been thoroughly amused with his stories of Amstria, which he believed to be fiction until his last day. He couldn't give himself merit for perceiving reality either for they have been together for months and yet he was oblivious of the other's fatal illness.

"It was your fault."

"Huh?"

"This whole thing! Not that I don't understand that we didn't have a choice at the moment but what if Winry does notice that I'm not him?"

So, he was talking about him posing as Winry's fiancée… For a split moment there he had wanted to die. If someone were to outrightly tell him it was his fault he'd die. Their attempt on reviving their mother, the existence of the homunculus Sloth, those long years of trying to regain their normal body, Nina's death, those people who died in Loir, the people Pride killed, Heiderich's… If he were to write his biography it would be a series of deaths, bloodsheds, lost, something so dark it'd drive you into committing suicide before you reach the end. But there would be bright chapters for instance…

"Remember that time when we asked Winry which one of us he wanted to marry?"

"No. Was there really such a time?"

"Yes! Too bad she didn't pick me!"

Then who did she pick?

"I'm finished." The sound of Al clearing his part of the table snapped him out of his reverie. He stood and did the same.

"As to be expected Dr. Couver invited us to his presentation. It's a week from now." Al filled him in since he never did came back for the second half.

"We'll be needing a map of the place. Knowing where securities will be stationed and the safest way to get out is imperative. In the worst-case scenario, if that masked alchemist is there he'll surely recognize me but not you. That is to say, we won't be together coming in and it might be best if I stir clear of your fiancée too."

"Jealous?"

"Like hell I'm not!"

"At any rate, any info on what exactly is to be presented there, with whom and other substantial information will mostly be gathered by you."

"Yeah… along with pretending to be Winry's fiancée."

"Its not like you don't want to." Seeing the expression on Al's face he regretted saying it.

"Do you ever get use to this place? The other day I think I say the colonel selling fish in the market."

He would've cried laughing if Al hadn't been saying it on a serious tone.

"Heh. Wish I could've seen it."

"You should! I rushed to a phone booth and cried laughing."

He let himself laugh for a while. He'll surely drop by the marketplace one of these days.

"Well then I'm leaving." Al said as he returned the last plate to the cabinet.

"Where to?"

"My fiancée's place. Where else?"

"Ah."

"Jealous yet?"

"With that loud-mouthed brat? Let's see you last for a week." Ed retorted coolly amidst the urge of throwing his brother out the window.

"At least she doesn't throw wrenches at any of us."

"You're right… careful with that piano then. I'm guessing it weights about a ton or two."

Purple clouds suddenly found their way to Al's head.

"Just kidding. Kidding! Take care on your way now." He cooed, pushing Al out the door and closing it firmly.

"Jealous huh?"