Chapter one - Waiting
"Things are getting to be terrible," Gracia said as she poured Alphonse a cup of tea. He sat down at the table, calmly, as he listened to her speak. Edward was with him, of course, sitting to the left. He wasn't drinking anything but he was gnawing on a cookie; Edward loved Gracia's cookies, even if the sugar was limited due to rations. "I can hardly go outside anymore. There are so many people being taken away, I'm just waiting for my time," she said softly as she handed him the cup.
Alphonse took it and frowned, "Gracia, please don't say such things. You don't fit any qualifications," he said as he sipped at the tea.
"No, not yet; but demand is getting to be higher. The only thing really protecting us is the fact Hughes use to be one of them. If he wasn't, they probably would have come up with some kind of excuse to kill us by now."
"That's such a negative thing to say," Edward said as he crunched the cookie in his mouth. Watching a few crumbs fall out of his mouth and onto the table; he wiped them off the table cloth and onto the ground. Alphonse watched him, as did Gracia, "your both so negative. Sure this thing is terrible, thousands of people are dying. We just have to keep watching out for each other and things will get better. Just wait. One of the Russian leaders or someone will come and stop them."
"A Russian leader? They wouldn't help us," Alphonse said as he rolled his eyes. "They're busy doing other things. Besides, last I heard, they approved of this whole thing. France and Britain aren't any help either."
"Negative!" Edward shouted playfully as he pointed at Alphonse.
Gracia nodded. "He has a point Edward. They don't seem to be in a big hurry to do anything."
"Well not right now, but that's why we need to just hold on," Edward said as he took another cookie, twirling it around a bit before chewing it.
"We should have gone with the other scientists to America," Alphonse said out of the blue as he set his cup down on the table and looked over at his brother. "This isn't happening over there. In fact, they seem to have been having a great couple years with tons of new inventions. If we went, we might have been able to-"
"I already told you," Edward said rolling his eyes as he finished the second cookie. "They wanted us to be packed and ready the next day and it was too soon. Besides, I've heard their stock market has been going downhill. A lot. A whole hell of a lot bigger than ours even."
"That was just a rumor," Alphonse frowned.
"Yeah well, I like to believe that there are other problems in the world besides our own." Edward explained as he reached for another cookie, only to be swatted by Alphonse. He gave his brother a questionable look and Alphonse gave him a 'you've had enough' look in return. Edward pulled his hand back and leaned in his chair. "I'm just making a point," he said with a sigh.
"Not a very good one," Alphonse said as he sighed also; he looked down at his cup of tea, staring back at his reflection.
"Now who's being Negative?" Gracia asked with a small chuckle, "you two shouldn't worry so much. Edward, your hair is more blonde than any of those so called Aryans," Edward perked up a little, "and Alphonse. You have done absolutely nothing to be considered a threat." Alphonse smiled and nodded, "neither of you have done anything to be considered 'impure' or whatever else it is they say.
"Ed, your probably right. Some other country will jump in and save us any day now. We just have to wait and see," she said a little happier than a moment ago.
"That's the hardest part," Edward said as he stood up to stretch a bit. Alphonse watched him, "not knowing when this whole thing will end. I'm ready for it." Edward stated with a small yawn, already bored of this chit-chat.
"We all are," Gracia said as a small creaking sound was heard from off to the side. When the three turned to its source, they spotted a little girl. She was around four years old or so, with little blonde pigtails and bright aqua colored eyes. She was wearing her pajamas still from the night before, but looked content in them.
"Mommy your being loud," she said softly as she walked over. She was sleepy from the looks of it, and the boys smiled as she approached.
"Oh Elisia, I'm sorry." Gracia said as she got up and walked over to her daughter to pick her up. "Your big brothers are here, do you want to say hi?"
"Hi big brothers," Elisia said with a little wave.
The two Elrics just smiled and waved in reply as Alphonse got up to walk over. "Hey Elisia, your birthday's coming up soon isn't it?"
"Yeah!" Elisia said with a little smile, "I'll be four!"
"Yeah I know," he said with a laugh "what do you want for your birthday?"
The little girl gasped excitedly, "you really want to know?"
Alphonse laughed with a small nod, "sure I do. What do you want?"
"I'll show you," she said as she asked her mother to put her down. Once back on the ground, she took Alphonse's hand and dragged him off.
"Be right back," Alphonse said as he left the room.
Gracia just watched them go before turning back to Edward. She sighed, her smile vanishing into a frown. "Edward, I need to speak with you."
"Hm?" Edward blinked, "okay. Shoot."
"It's about your arm and leg," she said as she glanced at the limbs "they're both fake aren't they?"
Edward went quiet a while then looked down at them and nodded. They had their 'skin' colored covering on for the moment, covering the automail, "yeah. Both my arm and leg are gone. Winry gave me these automail ones, but they're starting to get too small and rust." He said as he held his hand up.
Gracia looked at them for a while then nodded, "yes. Are you aware of the newest group that is to be put into the camps?"
"Cripples," Edward said softly as he put his arm down.
"Technically, you are counted as one. Even if you do have fake limbs that help you with mobility." She said as she sat back down in her seat. Edward did the same as he watched the ground. He wasn't sure what to say; it was a true statement. Sure he could get around and sure he could hide them; but in reality, he was counted as a cripple.
"Yeah, I know." He said quietly. "Hughes told me that the order was for cripples and diseased to be put to death. No place for them in this world, so they figure they'd just get rid of them altogether." He shrugged, "sounds so illogical to me."
"None of this sounds logical, because it isn't." Gracia explained with another sad glance to the table cloth.
There was silence between the two for a long time, then Edward spoke up, "please don't tell Al. He...he doesn't know yet and I'd rather he didn't find out unless it gets way out of line."
"I wasn't planning on telling him," Gracia said as she grabbed a cookie and held it out to him, "here. Have a cookie."
"No thanks," Edward said with a weak smile. "Al made it clear I was done for now. Maybe I can take a few back to the apartment with me?"
"No problem," she said with a little sigh. "Life is too short Edward, enjoy it."
Edward nodded and picked up a cookie, just to look at it. "Yeah...tell me about it."
"Brother, I'm going to go to the graveyard for a bit okay?" Alphonse called from the front door. He was all ready to go, with his large and heavy black coat draped across his shoulders. He had one hand stuffed in his pocket and the other one on the door knob. He turned back towards the stair case to wait for some kind of reply, but when none came he just left.
It had been three days since their little visit to Gracia's house and since then all Alphonse could think about was the conversation they had. Both Gracia and his brother had made good points. None of them had done nothing to get put into on of the camps or be murdered. Then again, neither did the jews; and the more he thought about it, the less fair it seemed.
Alphonse let out a long and dragged sigh as he started walking down the sidewalk. He casually glanced around at the buildings and people that were walking about. Many of the buildings were run down; some burnt, some torn and some just old and rotting. They lived in a, considered, poor neighborhood. Where the only entertainment you could find would be down at the local pub. Somewhere Alphonse wasn't allowed to go for various reasons.
Then, after examining the buildings, Alphonse looked at the people he saw. Some were sad looking and gloomy, wearing almost permanent frowns. Some were waiting, like they were, for the Nazis to come get them. Then there was a small group of people walking around that seemed happy; either agreeing with the Nazi way of life or they just hadn't realized what was going on.
Germany had hit rock bottom. Living in Munich was worse than living other places too, by the way. Alphonse hated living there, but it seemed they had no choice. They couldn't leave for some reason, and this was the place where most of the events took place. This was where many people were killedand this was the place where the conference had taken place. The start of hell, in short.
It made Alphonse sick to think about, and finally reaching the graveyard did nothing to boost his confidence in the legal system. He stopped a few feet through the gate and looked around.
The graveyard, which covered a good couple hundred feet, was getting old like the rest of the town. Tombstones were knocked over or broken, chipped to where one couldn't read the names anymore. Alphonse frowned again as he began walking off somewhere in the back.
He stopped again when he reached a familiar grave.
Alphons Heiderich. He had been Edwards room mate, and the closest thing he had to a friend. They spent several months together before he was shot and killed after helping Edward return to his 'real' home. Edward always had claimed that Alphons looked just like his younger brother, and that was what brought them together.
Alphonse smiled weakly as he bent down to clear away some dust. He often times had to tell himself that this man was a friend of theirs and that it was because of him Alphonse was back with his brother. At the same time, Alphonse hated him. Envied him for having Edward as long as he did. He hated the face that his brother would even consider replacing him with another person just because they looked like him.
He sighed and shook his head as he went into a real smile, "hi Alphons. I just wanted to drop by and say hello. Sorry it's been so long," he said as he sat down near the stone. When was the last time anyone was there? Was Noah the last one to be there? Alphonse frowned again, "sorry Noah isn't here with me right now...she's actually probably with you right now. If she is, can you tell her I say hi?" He said to himself mostly.
He didn't feel so alone anymore, "brother is doing fine. He has his moments when things just get too crazy for him. Then again, who doesn't? This war is driving the whole world mad." He explained as he shook his head, "but don't worry, we're doing fine. We haven't done anything wrong and Gracia says we have no reason for them to come and kill-"
"Anyway," Alphonse said to cut himself off, "I just wanted to say hi. I sure hope this war ends soon; I can't stand to see so many people die." He whispered the last part, and as if in reply, the sky opened up and began sprinkling rain.
"Al? Where have you been?" Edward scolded as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Alphonse had just stepped through the door, drenched in water; cold water. "I was worried sick! Do you honestly want to give your brother a heart attack?"
Alphonse laughed lightly and shook his head as he hung up his coat. "No, I just went out for a bit. I told you that I was going before I left," he pointed out.
Edward stared in confusion, "you did? I don't remember."
"Well I did," Alphonse said as he took off his shoes next; thankful for the person who invented boots. Wet socks were never any fun.
"Well next time, say it louder or something," Edward said shaking his head. "Seriously Al, I was worried that maybe they-" Edward stopped and shook his head, "forget it. Come on, I have lunch waiting for us in the kitchen."
Alphonse nodded and headed upstairs with his brother. He knew what Edward was getting at; he had been jumpy about Alphonse leaving the house without him for a while now. Even just going outside freaked Edward out. He was so scared that the Nazis would come and kill Alphonse; that was why Edward was the one always going outside to get groceries. Instead of Alphonse doing it like he had in the past.
It made Alphonse sad to see his brother so fearful, but there really was nothing he could do. He felt that way about it towards Edward too. Whenever Edward left, he knew there was a good chance he may not come back; he dared not to think of it.
"So what are we eating?" Alphonse asked as he finally got to the kitchen, sitting down at the table. Edward grinned as he walked over to the little stove top. He slipped on some oven mitts as he went over to a pot and opened it looking in. He smelt it a moment, then nodded and set the top aside. Grabbing two bowls, he took out a giant wooden spoon and scooped out some of the lunch.
Alphonse watched him curiously, and before long Edward had brought the bowls over. Setting one out in front of his little brother and one for himself; "here we go. Something you'll recognize," he said with a smile as he took off the mitts and sat down in his usual chair.
Alphonse was still confused until he looked into the bowl and saw its contents. He smiled as he looked back to his brother, "stew? I didn't even know you knew how to make this." He said as he grabbed his spoon.
Edward laughed slightly as he took his own spoon to get a nice mouthful of stew. He swallowed, licking his lips as he looked back at Alphonse. "Me neither. I get a recipe from Gracia," he explained as he ate some more.
Alphonse took his first bite. Then another. Then frowned as he looked over at Edward, "but this probably cost a lot to make. All the milk, beef, vegetables. Not to mention the spices."
"Relax. I took a little out of my own savings account. Nothing out of our savings for house payments and groceries," Edward took another bite.
"Your own savings?" Alphonse gasped lightly, "that's yours for buying a new car."
"Yeah well, lately there seems to be no need for a car," Edward said sadly as he watched the thick soup. "I have no desire to go on a Sunday drive anywhere anyway."
"What about after this war is over?"
"Then I'll just buy one with my new paychecks," he said with another smile. Soft, gentle, and possibly hiding a few things. "Don't worry about it Al, I'll take care of us. I promise you."
Alphonse nodded. He didn't doubt his brother on anything; especially when it came to him taking care of his family.
The brothers spent the rest of the meal in silence. Both boys deep in thoughts about things. War. Friends. Family. Things like that. Some memories were happy, others were painful. "Hey Ed?" Alphonse asked after a while.
Edward blinked once as he popped the spoon out of his mouth, "hm?" He tilted his head as he took another bite.
"What do you want for your-"
Knock knock knock.
Edward blinked again as he set his spoon down on a napkin and stood. Alphonse stood also, but Edward motioned for him to sit back down. Alphonse obeyed, but watched his brother carefully as he went down stairs.
Who would be knocking on there door?
Edward opened the door cautiously, "yes?" He asked the figure that stood there.
It was a tall man, with brown sandy hair that was cut very short. Not quite shaved, but close. He was wearing a uniform that Edward had only seen so many times, but the pin on the front gave it away. He frowned at Edward as he held up a piece of paper, "is this Alphons Heiderich's residence?"
Edward shook his head, keeping his distance, "no. He passed away a few months ago. Who wants to know?"
"My name is Edward Krushien. I was sent here to retrieve an Alphons Heiderich for some research," it was a well told lie.
Edward narrowed his eyes, "what a coincidence, that's my name too. I'm Edward Elric. My younger sibling and I have been living here for a while now. Ever since he died. Now if you don't excuse me, we're kind of in the middle of-"
Edward tried to close the door, but the man caught it before he could. Edward narrowed his eyes again. The man only copied him, "your eyes." He said simply. Edward didn't budge, "they're golden like your hair. Are you an Aryan?"
"Do I look Aryan to you?" Edward hissed. An accident really. Something he'd regret later on no doubt.
"No. In fact, I'm not sure what you are," the man said. He opened his mouth to speak again, but another voice cut through the room.
"Brother? Who's at the door?" Alphonse asked as he stepped down the stairs looking at the man. When he'd reached the bottom, he froze. He knew that uniform as well; and the look the man was giving him...
"You both have golden eyes," the man said as he glanced from Alphonse back to Edward. Edward, who was almost fuming.
"Get out!" Edward snapped dangerously. Before the man could protest, if he was going to, Edward slammed the door shut. Locking each lock. Spinning around he leaned his back against it. He panted a bit for some reason, adrenaline rushing maybe.
He stopped his heavy breathing as he looked over at Alphonse who had gone very pale in the last couple minutes. Edward's eyes softened as he frowned. He was quiet for a long time before turning to see Alphonse with tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Al..."