A/N: Okay, dear readers. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but Alphonse had no set birthdate in the FMA series, correct? Well, it is time to utilize this advantage and stick it boring month! HAHA!

Chapter 7

April

The morning air blew through the open window in chilly, damp gusts. Edward, remembering that he left the window open the night before, pulled the covers over his head with a groan. He hated cold, wet air like this. It made his amputated limbs hurt like hell.

"Close the window, would you, Al?" Ed's voice slurred, addressing his brother in the bed on the other side of the room.

"You're closer," grumped Alphonse.

"Yeah, but you have a real leg and a real arm that don't ache in this weather," Edward shot back, opening one eye to glare at Al.

"Oh yeah? Well, you have hair and I don't. My head might get cold," growled Alphonse, going completely under the covers.

"Really? Well, I stayed up later than you last night, trying to clean up the dinner dishes you forgot to do!" Edward sharply replied, becoming frustrated.

"Hmph. It's my birthday today and I don't want to close the window," Alphonse retorted.

Edward sat up abruptly and quickly turned his gaze to the calender.

April 6th: Alphonse's Birthday!

Edward's eyes bugged, realizing he completely forgot his beloved brother's birthday. And Ed was trying his hardest to make this the best year ever for Alphonse.

"Stupid!" Edward grumbled, smacking himself on the forehead.

"What's wrong, Brother?" Alphonse asked as Edward jumped up to slam the window shut, then raced around grabbing random articles of clothing.

"I just remembered that I've got to go get something. I'll be back soon!" Edward replied, hastening out the bedroom door and shutting it behind him.

-x-

Edward paced around Main Street wondering what the heck he could buy Alphonse that would be the best birthday gift of all time.

"Movies and gift cards are so mundane," mused Edward as he scanned the shop windows.

Edward almost settled for a gift card when he walked up and down the street without seeing anything that caught his eye.

Ed sighed with defeat as he walked a little farther down the left side of the road and passed a building with a large sign on the front that said, "Nina's Pet Shop."

The idea for the perfect gift hit Ed like a ton of bricks. What was Alphonse always asking for?

A kitten.

Of course, Edward's idea was also filled with much skepticism. Ed hated cats. He was always a dog person. Cats were vicious, irritating, overly curious, and annoying. But, Al wanted that more than any other thing in the world. And that was reason enough for Ed.

Edward went inside and looked around, seeing multiple animals caged all around the room.

"May I help you, sir?" a female voice called out.

Edward turned to the shop clerk, who was a teenage girl with brown hair and a cheerful grin, and replied, "Yeah. My little brother's birthday is today and he has always wanted a kitten. Do you have any?"

"As a matter of fact, we just received a new litter of kittens just the other day. There are a lot to choose from," she answered with a smile, gesturing for Ed to follow her.

Edward trailed after her to an open-top glass cage on the far side of the room where a dozen kittens crawled about.

"Which one would you like?" the young lady asked.

Edward cringed at the kitten, feeling disgusted by the fact that he had to actually pick one up and buy it for Alphonse.

"One of these ugly creatures has to live in my house . . ." thought Ed in revolt.

"Uh . . ." Edward stammered, then jabbed a finger at an orange tabby kitten who wrestled with one of its siblings, "Th-That one."

"All right, pick him up and bring him over to the counter," the lady said, walking away from the cage.

Edward planned the entire thing out in his mind. If he picked it up with his automail hand, that would mean he didn't really touch the vile creature. Ed quickly scooped up the kitten in his right hand and carried it to the counter, holding the animal as if it were toxic.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, sir. We are having a two-for-one deal on all baby animals today. Would you like to take home a second kitten?"

"No!"

-x-

"Happy Fifteenth Birthday, Alphonse!" cried Edward as he slammed the apartment door shut behind him.

"Glad to see you remembered," chuckled Al, who was pouring himself a bowl of cereal.

"Were you hinting?" growled Edward in irritation.

"Maybe. What did you buy me?"

"Maybe I won't give it to you now. I don't like bad attitudes," snapped Ed.

"Have you done a check on your attitude lately, Brother?" Alphonse replied quickly, grinning.

Edward grumbled and put a wrapped box (with many air holes) on the table in front of Al and mumbled, "I can't exactly return it anyway. Happy Birthday."

Alphonse eagerly lunged at the box and tore the paper off viciously.

"Wow, a crate," groaned Alphonse, looking completely deflated while staring at the box.

"And people say I'm dense," scoffed Edward under his breath, reaching forward to unlatch the front of the crate.

Alphonse's eyebrows (or lack thereof) furrowed in confusion as Ed reached inside the crate with his right hand and pulled out a fluffy, little orange kitten.

For a moment, Alphonse just stared at the creature, blinking rapidly. He bit his lip and took the kitten gently in his hands, cuddling it to his chest.

"Well?" Edward asked, tilted his head in wonderment, pondering on the reason why Alphonse wasn't ecstatic.

"I–" Alphonse's voice broke off, and tears began to slide down his cheeks.

"Al, what's wrong?" Ed asked in concern.

"You are so selfless, Brother . . ." whimpered Alphonse, stroking the kitten's tiny head.

"What?"

"I know how much you hate cats, yet you would put up with one if it made me happy. I love you, Brother," Alphonse cried quietly, standing up and wrapping his free hand around Edward's shoulders.

Edward, too stunned for words, awkwardly hugged his little brother back.

"Thank you so much," Alphonse whispered, "This is the best birthday present ever."

Edward slightly smiled, looking down at the cat between him and his brother. It was that stupid cat that seemed like such a problem that Edward thought it as a sacrifice. But this sacrifice just made a brother who wouldn't be on the earth much longer, just a little happier. And the kitten even seemed to lift Edward's spirits a little bit too.

A word from Gabe: *tears* The finale is getting closer! Arghh! Thanks for reviews, and please do continue to r&r. I love hearing from people!

Fullmetal Epicness: Oh, yeah! A day at the beach would fill up the June slot. And it would be amusing to have Ed go to an amusement park and be made to get on some of the rides, considering how weak his stomach is! Thanks for the ideas. Oh, and yeah, Ed did take Al out of school, I just forgot to write that into the story. Oops. Yeah, Al won't be returning to school at all.