The cherry blossoms fell from the trees as Duo stood underneath their shade and he appreciated the beauty of this marvelous ritual.

There was a figure that moved with such grace it seemed almost unreal. Duo tried to get closer, but every step closer made the figure go farther away. So, Duo decided to watch from a distance; feeling that the person he so admired was now unreachable.

After a while of standing there and watching the unidentified person almost dance with the falling blossoms; Duo got the courage to try to see this person again.

This time, they didn't retreat from Duo, but as he got closer all he could see was a dark figure instead of an actual person. They had on eyes or any other physical traits except for the outline of a human being.

"Do you love me?" Its hand reached out for Duo and it brushed against his cheek gently.

Duo heard its voice, but couldn't seem to tell if it was a man's voice or a woman's. He felt his heart almost leap into his throat when the figure moved closer to where they were only inches apart from each other.

"Do you truly love me?" It asked again with more yearning in its voice.

Duo couldn't find any words to say to this strange person. He loved the person, but he also felt love for someone else in his heart.

"I think I love someone else too, but at the same time I really do love you."

"No, you love him now, don't you?" The figure asked as it backed away.

Duo began to pursue the person when he was suddenly awoken by someone yelling. It sounded like Edward, but Duo couldn't be sure with the state he was in.

"I'm not some little toy you can keep manipulating Roy! I'm a human being!"

"It's equivalent exchange. I give you information and you give me whatever I want."

"Do I look like that gullible to you? We already tried it before, and you know it'll never work!" Edward stepped into Duo's room again with his back to Duo.

"You still owe me Fullmetal." Duo could see Roy walk past the door and toward what Duo suspected was the exit.

Edward turned around while still cursing under his breath and didn't notice at first that Duo was awake and following him with his confused eyes.

When Edward had calmed down a bit then he finally noticed Duo was staring at him. At first he muttered a bunch of incoherent apologies before he said it in a clear voice.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that."

"What's going on between you and Colonel Tight-ass?"

"We don't have anything anymore, but we tried a while back." Edward explained while looking ashamed of his past actions.

"What about now? Do you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend?" Duo asked and felt an alien hope as he waited for Ed to answer.

"Not at the moment."

When he uttered those words, Duo could feel his heart soar, but he couldn't explain why he was so happy that Edward was single. Unless it was like in his dream! He loved two people, or at least he thought he loved two people. Maybe it was just a small crush or an infatuation for a cute guy.

"Oh, I hope you find someone soon." Duo said with a grin.

"Yeah, I kind of have someone in mind, but I don't think he'd ever want to get with me. We just met anyway…" Edward said, hoping that Duo didn't catch on.

"Sometimes guys just need a kick in their ass for them to finally notice your feelings, ya know what I mean?"

Edward smiled as he opened up the window to let some fresh air come in. "In a way."

Duo glanced out the window and saw the same metal suit that had been with Edward the day they captured him. He was curious of who this giant stranger was, but thought best not to ask.

There was a knock on the door and suddenly the giant man in the suit of armor was in Duo's cramped room.

Duo tried his best not to look shocked at him when he heard the small voice he had, but it was a hopeless try.

"Hi Mr. Duo, my name is Alphonse Elric and I'm Ed's younger brother." Alphonse introduced himself with a small bow.

"Just… just call me Duo." Duo said as he tried to make his mind comprehend what he just said.

This big guy in the metal suit was his younger brother. It almost seemed impossible, in fact, it did seem impossible!

Ed intervened, "I know you're probably wondering how I'm… shorter and still the older brother. I'll explain to you later, but for now try to get to know my brother while I go get us some dinner."

When Ed left an uncomfortable silence filled the room before Duo spoke at last, "So you are Edward's younger brother. What's it like to be Ed's younger brother anyway? Or what is he like?"

Alphonse seemed to find Duo's questions really funny.

"Ed? Let's see he's reckless, hard-headed, loud, a little obnoxious when he's not the center of the universe, and a troublemaker. But, I have to admit that he is a good brother overall."

"Oh really? Some of that sounds a bit like me sometimes."

Alphonse moved out of the way from the door so if anyone wanted to come in they could, and then turned to face Duo again.

"You know, when you first came here and all those crazy stunts trying to get away from us, I wasn't too sure of you. Now though, you seem like a nice guy when you're not cornered."

Duo attempted to reply, but was interrupted when Ed walked in balancing two trays of food.

"Lunch is ready." Edward said as he almost dropped Duo's tray onto his lap.

"Thanks!"

Duo greedily began devouring the food and Edward seemed to do exactly the same. While Alphonse stood in the corner and sighed, "Brother, you're so rude sometimes."