Rakuen (Paradise)

Hello everyone I'm back with the next chapter! This chapter is not very long and not much happens but never fear! You wont have to wait much longer for the lemony goodness I believe chapter six is very lemony and eight is extremely lemon flavored! I would also like to thank my new beta reader cause I need all the help I can! The next chapter will be up in a few days all I have to do is proof read it. Thanks for all my reviews! I really enjoy them and they inspire me very much, I know this chapter sucks but I still hope I get some reviews for it. Thanks!

Enjoyness!

Lemon warning: Ice water with a fake plastic tiny lemon slice across the street.

Chapter Four: Patchwork

For the next few day Ed did everything he could to avoid Al. When they did encounter each other there was little to no conversation between the two, and Ed even seemed to leave without telling anyone. Most of the time Ed would come home fairly late smelling like alcohol, and he would go straight to his room to sleep. It wasn't like Ed wanted to distance him self from Al, but he had nearly made a move on him, and the feelings he had grew more every time he looked at Al. He just had to get over it and alcohol seemed to ease the pain a bit.

Al heard the front door shut, and soon after the bedroom door. Al came out of the kitchen and looked upstairs knowing Ed had just arrived home. He sat down on the couch and looked at the clock. It was nearly midnight. He started to go over everything for the fifteenth time. It seemed Ed was pissed off at him for a reason he couldn't figure out at all. Al thought so hard about Ed's behavior he was nearly in tears. He heard someone coming down the step and perked up hoping it would be Ed coming to explain what was wrong but instead it was Winry. She took a seat in front of him looking rather concerned.

"Al is something wrong?" She asked.

"No.." He said quietly seeing her frown at him.

"…I don't know." He changed his answer.

"Are you and Ed fighting?" She asked.

"I'm not fighting with him, he just has been avoiding me for the past four days. I don't know what's going on." Al said a little distraught.

"Did you do anything to him?" She asked

"No…I don't remember doing anything to upset him. Ever since General Mustang's party he has been rather different." Al said

"Maybe you should talk to him." She said.

"He avoids me." Al said quietly.

"Don't worry I will help you."

The plan was to have Ed show up at the same place as Al where they would have to interact. Winry talked Ed into going to a club that had just opened up. Ed tried to refuse, but Winry was ever so aggressive he couldn't get out of if. After realizing Al was there Ed suddenly wanted to leave, however Winry hung on him like a two year old until she could find a reason to get them to talk to each other. Al sat alone at the bar watching everyone dance and have a good time. The bar tender asked him several times if he needed anything, and finally he poured a drink for him just to cheer him up. After finishing it he decided that intoxication might help a bit. Three or four drinks later he was feeling a lot better. The strobe lights and flashing colors were now amazing. He started to wonder if they were so flashy before the drinks.

Despite all her efforts Winry couldn't find a way to bring the two together. Ed had planted him self at the bar refusing to get up. He too had several drinks put away and the noise and lights seem to be like a drug in its self. At the end of the night Ed found him self one of the first to leave. He walked outside to wait for Winry. People filed out of the club but Winry had yet to come out yet. Finally she was one of the last people to exit followed by Al. Ed groaned to him self knowing what she was trying to do.

"Ready to go?" She asked a bit too happily. The ride home was horribly tense. Winry was the only one trying to strike up any conversation. The tension was starting to get to them. Finally she pulled up to the house and got out of the car. Ed got out first followed by Al. Neither said a word as they waited to go inside.

"YOU TWO ARE IMPOSSIBLE!" She yelled just before going inside and slamming the door behind her. Ed just stared at the door not wanting to go in the house with the crazy girl.

"Nisan?" Al said meekly. Ed was quiet. Just then Ed felt weight against him. He turned just before Al fell over. Ed held him up once again. Al looked up at him putting his arms around Ed's neck to keep from tipping over.

"I'm sorry Nisan…for wwhhat ever I did to make you annggry at me." He mumbled still leaning on Ed for support.

"I'm not angry at you Al." Ed said starting to feel guilty.

"Yeshu are. You wont even tallkk to me." Al said as tears ran down his face.

"No I'm really not mad." Ed said pulling him a little closer. Al's breath smelled strongly of beer and his body was moist from sweat making his shirt stick to him.

"Then why are you ignorin' me all thhee timme?" Al said digging his tears into Ed's shirt.

"No Al, its not you okay? I'm not mad at you I'm just…" Ed stopped. Al was quietly sobbing into Ed's shoulder.

"I don't wanntt yoou to iggnnore me. I lovvee yoo." Al said gripping Ed's shirt.

"I'm sorry Al, I wont ignore you anymore. I love you too." Ed said with an unplanned nuzzle to Al's soft hair.

"Mmm cann you take me to bedd now?" Al said sniffling a bit and taking a shaky breath. Ed blushed trying to drag his mind out of the gutter. The way Al hung on him was making him a bit exited. Thoughts of taking advantage of the drunken boy were quickly thrown out of his mind.

"You smell like beer Al." Ed said

"So do yoouu." Al said.

Ed and Al pulled apart slowly then the two both headed inside to their room. Al was aware enough to remove his own shoes this time. Ed took a trip to the bathroom before returning to the bedroom. He opened the door seeing Al shirtless laying on his bed on top of all the covers. Ed sighed looking at him once more feeling the same attraction rush through him as four days ago. He laid down still keeping his eyes on his brother's pale skin, and the last thing he saw before falling a sleep was Al rolling over to face him.

The next day seemed a lot better. The relationship seemed to return to the way it was before. Winry noticed right away. She seemed to glow knowing she had took part in the repair of the two's friendship. Ed made his way to the shower while Al finished breakfast. Winry took the chance to investigate the newly solved problem they had.

"I don't know what he was mad about." Al answered her

"But he seemed like he was mad, he didn't tell you why?" She pried

"He just said he wasn't mad at me and that he was sorry for avoiding me over it." Al said

"Well that little jerk. Making you all upset for something that's not even your fault, and he wont even tell you what it was!" Winry said

"I'm sure he has a reason and if doesn't want to tell me right away then I will wait until he does." Al said

"What ever you say." Winry said. By this time Ed was finished showering and He came downstairs to find Al.

"Lets go Al." He said. Al got up and followed quickly. Winry watched as they left and as the door shut she rolled her eyes.

"Boys."