A/N: Thanks for reading! I'm always happy to see hits to the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA ************************************************************************************************************************
Two innocent eyes gazed inquisitively at him and the little pigtailed girl tugged his coat sleeve.
"Mister, whyddya have a cane?"
Al laughed as the girl's horrified mother admonshid the child and pulled her back to stand in front of him in line.
"It's alright," he assured them, "Staring doesn't bother me. I'm used to it."
The woman's mouth dropped open, appalled.
"For having a disability? How callous and rude!" she assessed. Al shrugged and waved a dismissive hand. He neglected to elaborate on the fact that he was normally used to people gapping at his former armoured body. Kids asking why he leaned on a walking stick was a welcome change. The mother,daughter pair reached the ticket counter and Al pulled his money out apprehensively. Now that he was close enough to read the marquee, he wasn't sure he and Ed had enough.
The new government was revamping the system quickly and the first order Fuhrer Grumman decreed was to abolish the state alchemist system.
In one swift stroke the money that was so wontonly spent in that department was freed for reconstruction projects and the citizens of Amestris,
who despised the "dogs of the military" trusted that the old man was in their corner.
While Ed and Al had agreed that it was ultimately a wise decision to remove the program with the largest influence on alchemic warfare,the action had seriously slimmed Edward's paycheck (he was now a mere enlisted man). This would not have been an issue of course, since Ed had built up a healthy savings account, but the enormous hospital bill they received upon discharge, as well as the tickets from central, all but depleted this safety cushion.
"Next!" barked the ticket clerk.
"Six oclock to Resembool, two please." Al requested.
"Evening to Resembool is sold out sir"
"ER-"
A fat mustachioed man behind him huffed and tapped his foot in irritation as Al dithered uncertainly. The next train left tomorrow and he and Ed had barely enough for two tickets, let alone dinner and a hotel. They would have to make arrangements for a free bed tonight somehow. It looked to be the only option.
"I'll take the first train in the morning then," Al decided handing over the money with a touch of anxiety. Hopefully Ed would approve of his resolution. Tickets in hand Al thanked the clerk and hobbled toward the East city station restrooms, grateful to get away from the impatient fat man.
Al wrinkled his nose as he stopped in front of the bathroom door to wait for his brother. The sense of smell was one that still overwhelmed him. His brain had adjusted to filtering out extraneous sound, light, even touch, but taste and smell still effected him with such powerful ferocity that he felt faint in the presence of excrement odor. He moved to a bench a ways back, still in view of the men's room, and resolved to scream at Ed to get his attention.
He plopped down, weary from riding the morning train from central. He was surprised Ed had never complained more about how uncomfortable train rides were. He closed his eyes and took a deep fresh breath and immediately bolted up as a familiar scent flooded his nose. It conjured images of a yellow house. Al scanned the jostling crowd for its source and caught site of a swish of blonde hair rushing to catch a train. He called out to her, unable to break through the sea of people that seperated the two of them. She did not turn. He shouted a second time, but a shrill train whistle cut him off and Al gave up in disappointment, sure that she would not hear him above the cacaphony of the station.
"Who are you yelling at?"
Al blinked and was surprised to find Ed standing at his elbow peering in the direction Al had clarmoured to get the girl's attention. Suddenly, Al noticed several pairs of eyes watching the two of them and he realized, emabarrassed now, how silly he must have looked waving his cane and calling out vociferously.
"I thought I saw Winry, but it was probably just my imagination," Al explained. Ed looked dubious too.
"Yeah, why would she come to East City when her letter said she was stuck at home?"
Al shrugged in response unsure of what to say. His brother looked like he was pouting.
"Well we'll be seeing her tonight anyway. Just have to stop off at bastard's first." Ed shook a letter menacingly lines of frustration lining his face. Al frowned and stared at the envelope. Mustangs offical scrawl spelled out his brother's name on the front of it.
"About that, I uh could only get tickets to go home for tomorrow morning. The evening train was sold out."
Ed swore vehemently and led the way out into the street. Al followed concerned.
"Are you sure you want to do this brother," he asked pointing the paper clutched in Ed's hand," If you resign today we'll be penniless and possibly end up being a burden on Winry and Granny. The tickets were expensive..we're going to have to find someone to take us in for the night."
Ed stopped and stared at his shoes.
"I don't want to be a soldier," he affirmed and steeled his eyes,"I'm not afraid to find menial jobs to help out. I'll wager I'm clever enough to figure out how to fix things without alchemy"
Al felt pained by the reply. He had been to afraid to ask until now, but outside in the fresh sunlight he finally decided it was an opportune time.
"Do you ever regret it? Sacrificing your alchemy?"
"No." Ed replied firmly looking Alphonse full in the face.
There was a finality in his tone and Al took the hint to consider the subject closed. The knot that had been twisting in his stomache since that day in the hospital released slightly. They walked up the cobbled street in silence for a time each brother contemplating the uncertain future. They turned up a side road to a residential area and Ed pulled out a map to check that they were headed in the correct direction.
"I think this is it" Al determined pointing to a steal gate number 206. They pushed it open with a creak and entered an extremely over grown garden. They reached a small stone house and Ed pulled the bell and smirked cheekily.
"We could always wager our money against ol Mustang to get some cash for tonight"
Al groaned. Ever since Ed had lost so monumentally at poker he had worked very hard to improve his bluffing skills and was eager to prove himself. Tonight was probably not the best time to test them however.
"Please don't. If you even try to gamble with him we'll be left sleeping on a park bench and pan handling for dinner."
"You underestimate me!" Edward scoffed as a door swung open revealing a pajama clad Roy.
"Its four in the afternoon" Ed scorned taking in the untidiness of the man. Roy merely grunted in reply as the brothers crossed the threshold into an even more disastrous scene. Boxes and clothes littered the floor and to Alphonse's extreme displeasure, so did take out cartons and old food wrappers. Al covered his nose and without asking permission, opened a window. Roy tossed items from the couch to the ground too and motioned for the boys to sit.
"I've been working 14 hour shifts since I came back last month" he explained. Today is my first day off...sorry I didn't feel like cleaning."
"Or bathing apparently" Ed assessed his eyes roaming over the General's five oclock shadow and greasy hair. Roy, completely disgusting, still managed a handsome grin in reply. It was enough reason to hate the man.
"You got my letter I see."
"What the hell is this about anyway?" Ed demanded opening the offending document,"Why can't you accept a resignation yet? I don't want to be on your leash anymore"
"I'm doing you a favor kid" he leaned back and scratched his stomache. It was slightly unnerving to see him in such a relaxed setting. Al fidgeted.
"I want you to have some source of income until you've found something else to replace it. You don't even have to report in. Being on a medical leave of absence is a reduced paycheck, but its better than nothing. I'll cut you loose in December. That's the longest I can give you money without questions being asked. I'm sorry it isn't more."
Ed mollified by his explanation withdrew into his chair and said nothing in response.
"Thank you General" Al responded.
"Yeah...thanks"
Roy smiled at Ed's sheepish admission of gratitude. He was going to miss tormenting the kid, but was happy he and his brother were done with this journey.
"So what time does your train leave? Will you have time for some dinner before you go?"
"UH-about that" Al began, "We sort of don't have any money and had to buy tickets for tomorrow. Can we...uh...stay here?"
Roy raised an eyebrow and then smirked.
"Sure, no problem, but if you want to eat you have to work. How about you tidy my house?"
Ed and Al frowned as Roy stood up and strectched.
"You sneaky bastard!That's why you told us we had to come today?" Ed barked to the man's retreating back as he disappeared into the kitchen. Al privately agreed.
An hour later civilians passing the home were witness to two irate teenagers cursing out a young man as he commanded them to mow the lawn as well.
"At least we'll see Winry tomorrow." Al grumbled wiping sweat from his brow. The radiant smile that blossomed on Edwards face had enough glow to illuminate the dusk.