The dreaded situational action...at least for this author.

Background, Foreground /piece II/

"Don't forget, Al! Noah's visiting for dinner tonight!"

The yell reaches his ears as the door swings open with a loud creak. He pauses for a moment, flashes a list of foods, and then, with a smile, waves over his shoulder and disappears into the afternoon, closing the door behind him.

Edward watches the door fondly for a moment, his eyes frozen on the worn wood separating him from the outside world. After several quiet moments elapse, he grins and turns back to his musings, not the slightest worry on his mind. Alphonse said he would be back; the one constant with his brother, the epitome of a kindhearted and trustworthy soul, is his word, a precious gift that is never broken nor has a single string attached.

His blonde ponytail flips as he turns to sit, hoping for the opportunity to rest after a long day. In the quiet of the otherwise empty apartment, he whispers aloud.

"Sometimes I don't know what I'd do without you, Al."

—- - - - - -—

Snow is drifting down as he makes his way through the streets of Munich, hands buried deep in his pockets and a calm look on his face to match his easy gait. This has become his favorite time of year by far. On this side of the Gate, he has found, the people celebrate a wonderful holiday called "Christmas" that encourages goodwill, giving, compassion. According to local calendars, the day is only two weeks away. As he passes various houses and apartments on his way to the market, he glimpses beautifully decorated trees and fascinating light fixtures that inspire a warm feeling in his heart.

Before he makes the turn, a young girl catches his eye. She is staring through the window of her home, face and hands pressed against the glass, watching him.

Alphonse pauses for a second.

Then he smiles heartwarmingly, and the girl turns from the window, exclaiming and pointing at him. He continues with a grin, turning the corner to the marketplace. A familiar scene is spread out before him. Locating the stand that sells the best meat, he proceeds towards it, nodding in a friendly manner to people he passes as he draws money from his pocket.

When he arrives, he points out the cut he wants and waits as the man tending the stand packages it for him. The man looks at him quizzically as he hands over the product.

"You look familiar," he states, "Do you come here often?"

Al nods politely. "Yes sir. I buy almost all of my meat here."

He pays up and turns to leave before the man calls out to him.

"I remember you now. My wife says that you're a great young man."

Before departing, Al smiles one last time and waves. "Tell her thank you. And have a Merry Christmas."

He checks the rest of his list and looks around, attempting to match food to stand, until everything is planned out.

And so Alphonse goes about his business, taking care of the small efforts that make this new lifestyle for him and his brother so easy. A soft grin creeps across his face as he pays for a basket of fruit. He knows that when he gets home, after dinner is served, the first thing his brother will say is "This is all thanks to Al. It'd be nothin' without him," and that he will agree with embarrassment, politely changing the subject.

For though his menial tasks are often brought into the foreground, he prefers to relinquish the spotlight, fading into the background that so often allows him to throughly enjoy life.

A/N: I know it's stupid and pointless and bull to try asking a single person to review but...I guess I've never been one to listen to common sense. Whatever. I might do #17 later or I might not. Right now I'm focused on my new Samurai Champloo fic, because people who read in that section actually enjoy reading it, and they care enough to review and let me know what they like and don't.

But I guess sometimes one can just ask for too much.

LL