Now the real thing is finally starting, and we'll at long last see our two favourite lovers again. ;)

Although, the question is, will things still be like they used to be between them?

Chapter 2: Welcome to Central

--

Twisting and turning on the pale sheets and with a short hitch of a breath, Alfons Heiderich's cobalt eyes shot wide open. A pounding heart skipped a few beatings and for a long second he had no idea where in the world he was.

Breathlessly he sat up in the unfamiliar bed with a thick swallow and stared around the small dark room. Clutching his covers hard, he realized that this place wasn't home. It wasn't even anywhere near it.

Just as he was about to panic, Alfons turned his head perplexed to the side and slowly calmed down again.

Across the room, another person was sleeping deeply while hugging his pillow underneath his head. His body was curled up on the side and his long blond hair rested loosely around his serene face. Alfons hadn't seen him sleep that deep for ages.

This was how Edward Elric looked like, spending his first night back in his own world.

Alfons lied back down and sighed, thinking of everything that had happened the day before. Edward had brought him to this world to save his life from the creature Envy. Back in Munich he had already been destined to die of tuberculosis. But after coming to this world, he discovered that the illness had vanished, taken away from his body. He didn't understand why. Edward had tried to explain it. That the Gate had removed it in order to contain the balance between the two worlds.

Alfons could still only call it a God damned miracle.

Had it only been a day since all that?

He felt a little confused by everything, since it would seem that the cycle between day and night was flipped in the other world. And that was probably the reason why he couldn't even get a good night's sleep, despite all he had been through.

Alfons shifted to lie on his side, watching Edward sleep. He still loved watching the older blond sleep, especially now. It was kind of reassuring. Edward looked like every deep worry and heavy burden on his shoulders was finally washed away from the world. It probably meant that things would be okay. Eventually.

Alfons smiled softly.

Of course everything wasn't as easy as it seemed. After they came to this world, Edward had learned that his little brother had mysteriously disappeared. Alfons knew, he would do everything in his power to find him. Especially since it was a possibility that Alphonse Elric had been captured by Thule Society – only one week before they crashed into this world in one of Thule's rockets.

When they had left the hospital in Lior, the military brought them to Central City. They had arrived late last night and received a shared dorm room and some fresh clothes at the HQ. He was glad he could share a room with Edward. He had probably never been able to sleep at all if he had been alone, considering the fact that he was stuck in a completely different world from the one he belonged to.

Edward's face suddenly stirred, whimpering perturbed in his sleep.

Alfons scowled. Not again. Edward was having nightmares too. But Alfons had hoped they would stop after coming to this world. He didn't expect Edward to wake up just after something like that though. Edward could sleep through typhoons. He simply shifted abruptly to his back and continued his deep slumber. But something felt wrong, and it made Alfons suddenly alarmed.

Edward's body was tensing like he was struggling to snap out of his doze.

"Edward?" Alfons said, almost in a whisper while his stomach filled with uneasiness. So much for the peaceful appearance he had only seven seconds ago.

Edward shook his head, breathing hard. He looked like he had a fever.

Alfons sat up in his bed with growing anxiety. It didn't look like Edward's usual nightmares. He went over to Edward's bed and knelt down onto it, supporting himself on his palms and spending some seconds to observe his stirring friend. Edward twisted, like someone had him pinned and prevented him from escaping.

Gently he closed his palms around Edward's shoulders and curved down, placing soft kisses on his cheek and forehead while whispering nonsense to calm him down.

With a cry that alarmed Alfons even more, Edward's struggling considerably calmed down, and only the heavy breathing remained.

Alfons crawled into the bed and lifted Edward's upper body carefully to rest against his chest. He wrapped his arms around him and gently rocked back and forth, protecting him. The movement made Edward abruptly awake, and he jumped and gasped from the unexpected position. He made a move to escape, but Alfons kept his hold firmly while stroking his hair and back. "Shh… it's me," he said in a whisper.

Edward relaxed slowly, noticing who was holding him. "Alfons... What are you doing?" he asked, somewhat embarrassed.

"You were acting oddly in your sleep," Alfons said slowly. "Like you were fighting something. Nightmare?"

Edward sighed. "Oh."

"What were you dreaming?" Alfons asked.

"I don't remember," Edward replied. "But I'm okay," he added, "you can let me go now."

His tone sounded rather standoffish, and Alfons felt slightly hurt. But he didn't show it. Maybe he was just paranoid. "If you say so."

"Go back to sleep," Edward said, lying down again and turning his nose to the wall, away from him.

Alfons went slowly back across the room and curled up on his side in the small single bed. He could only stare into the wall, not able to sleep one more minute.

--

Colonel Roy Mustang watched the two boys before him closely. Both of them had entered his office precisely at noon, as they had agreed the day before.

Edward Elric stared around his office, probably feeling nostalgic of being there. Mustang could still not quite overcome how much older he looked. He had grown up to be more like an adult than an older teenager while being gone for over two years.

Alfons Heiderich looked more wary and nervous, being in a military office in a new country, in a new world, far away from his own home. He had many similarities to Edward, not to mention to Alphonse Elric, since he was his parallel person.

Mustang still found it hard to believe that people had a parallel person, but the evidence stood right there before him in the flesh. If Alphonse Elric had looked seventeen, he would have been almost a splitting image of Alfons Heiderich. The only differences were the eye and hair colour. Heiderich had bright sea-blue eyes and was considerably more fair-haired than Al, and he was taller than Edward, but he had the same delicate features as the Elric's.

As he watched them, the two shared a look, like they had a silent conversation between themselves.

"Good afternoon," Mustang said. It was kind of hard to begin. He was still quite surprised to have them so suddenly. He cleared his throat. "I have heard most of the story already, but allow me to see if I have understood everything correctly."

Edward nodded and Heiderich stayed quiet.

"You two met two years ago after Edward disappeared from this world, in another world. Then you came into trouble with Thule Society, an organization which had their interest in alchemy."

"Thanks to my father," Edward muttered. "He helped them and gave them some ideas. Obviously he didn't have a clue what he was doing, because they ended up killing him."

Alfons gave him a look, obviously thinking Edward behaved rude for saying exactly what fell into his mind at any time.

Mustang didn't miss the grim tone, but couldn't help being amused. These two kind of reminded him of the relationship between the Elric's. Always the younger one who kept control over the older.

"You have my condolences," he said. "What happened is regrettable. But I daresay he must have understood his mistakes before the end."

Edward nodded, admitting. "Yeah…"

"So," Mustang continued. "They kidnapped you to make you transform a Gate, and they used flying machines to enter this world."

Edward nodded again. "I didn't have a choice. And I didn't even know it would work either."

"I've already said that I'm not blaming you," Mustang said sternly. Typical Edward to put up his defences. "All I want is every fact put on the table."

Edward silently looked away.

"Then you tried to close the Gate, but it didn't work. Then what happened? Only the details around that feel quite unclear to me."

Their reaction seemed quite odd. Neither of them looked at one another or gave any sign to answer the question.

After a minute Edward muttered. "We were at Thule, trying to close it. And then the homunculus called Envy showed up and made me take him back through the Gate."

"Is that all what happened?" Mustang asked.

"Sure. If I hadn't brought him back he would've killed us."

Mustang had a feeling something nagged the both of them, but he couldn't put his finger on exactly what. He decided to put the thought away for now. "Where is this creature now?" he asked instead.

"Ran away in Lior," Edward replied.

"I see." He let his eyes grace from Edward and over to his younger companion. Alfons Heiderich stood slightly stiff, but met his eye as he swiped it over him.

Had it been just a coincidence that Edward had ended up living with his brother's double in the other world?

Mustang couldn't help dwelling upon his secret suspicions, wondering if this young man was the reason for Edward's rejection of him at their first meeting after he got back to this world. Embarrassing as it had been, he had somehow believed that Edward would still feel the same for him. Mustang didn't even bother hiding it from himself. He had missed Edward. Even if he had had other relations while Edward had been gone. Short ones.

Edward had been someone special to him. He would always be.

Although, despite it all, he still had to admit to himself that the two made a pretty good couple. They were so alike, both resolute and good-looking.

Mustang put those thoughts away for now, before going too far. He didn't want to alarm them by staying silent for too long. He wanted to get to the bottom of this, but now was definitely not a good time. Two years and eight months was a long time. Of course he couldn't have expected Edward to feel the same for so long. He would've wanted Edward to move on with his life in his situation.

"You have to be quite brave for wanting to follow Edward here," he addressed Heiderich carefully. If he was to reach to the boy, he had to do it slowly and be trustworthy.

Alfons Heiderich seemed quite nervous to be addressed directly like that, not exactly sure what to reply. He glanced quickly at Edward before he opened his mouth for the first time.

"I didn't come on my own accord," he said. "I was unconscious and Edward brought me here on his own."

This was news to him. He looked at Edward. So he really did care much about this young man, obviously not wanting to leave him. But he had left that part out when he explained his story to him. Still, he remembered Edward's words at their first meeting after he came back.

"I hadn't planned on coming back…"

Edward took the word. "He was dying, so I brought him here."

"Dying?" Mustang repeated.

"I was sick," Heiderich explained. "But when I woke up in this world it... the illness was gone."

"The Gate removed it," Edward added. "But it will probably come back to him if he returns through the Gate again."

"I see," Mustang said. "And that was that? You then used a rocket Thule had left behind and made it through to Lior?"

Both of them nodded.

It would do for now. "It's quite a remarkable story," he commented before continuing on with business. "First of all, I will tell you about your first mission under my command," he started and they listened closely. "Based on Edward's idea, you will build a machine similar to the one's this Thule Society possesses. Machines like that in our hands will make it easier to defend our people, not to mention follow the enemy to their hiding place."

It had been Edward's idea, which made him as still being Edward's commanding officer, have the right to be in charge of it. The Fuhrer President was pleased with the initiative. "Possibly it will be an armed machine," he added, repeating the Fuhrer's suggestion.

They nodded slowly, looking serious. Apparently they both were catching the drift. They would make something that would be used to kill. However, Mustang didn't want anything unsaid, so he wouldn't leave anything behind. "You need to be aware of that this machine will be used to necessarily destroy our enemy. Before they destroy us."

"And what about my brother?" Edward asked abruptly.

Mustang fell silent for some seconds. "Havoc's team is still out looking for him."

"But do they have any clues?"

"Not yet."

Edward's eyes narrowed. "That's because they have him. We need to find Thule and then we'll find him. I won't allow you to attack anything before he's safe."

Mustang felt something twitch inside his heart and couldn't stop the sudden flood of words. "Do not think for even one second that I'd ever do something that isn't for your brother's own well-being," he said, his voice harsher than he really meant.

Although, he hadn't been able to protect him…

There was a silence while Edward's golden eyes pierced his black, and Alfons looked a tad worried from one to another.

Then Edward looked away. "Promise?"

"I promise," Roy said, feeling a small smile revealing in his own features. He had to admit he had always admired the small blond's strong and unwavering determination.

"So, about you two," he said, shifting back to the main thread of their subject. "You might be aware of that you'll end up in trouble if you talk about the other world, Thule Society or your mission to anyone else than me, understood?"

"Yes," they said.

He addressed Edward. "Fullmetal, you're expected in court on Tuesday next week to explain why you disappeared. If you don't attend, they'll assume that you deserted the military and punish you by all means." He didn't like saying this. "Which is the hardest punishment of committed crimes."

Edward's brown knitted to a frown, but he seemed surprisingly calm. "I see."

"Does that mean…?" Alfons whispered.

"Execution," Mustang confirmed honestly.

Heiderich didn't seem to believe his own ears, gawking in shock. He looked tentatively at Edward, who just stood there, seeming unaffected by the news.

"We need to give them a convincing story of why you were gone for two years, unable to come back," Mustang continued. "I guess it can't be helped. We have to tell them about the Gate and the other world and connect the facts to how this Thule Society showed up, but without making it seem like you helped them get here."

Edward's eyes flared. "Sounds like quite a challenge."

Alfons turned to him again, looking pale. "They won't decide for an execution as long as you show up, right?"

Edward shrugged. "Whatever they decide, I refuse to let myself get executed. They're ridiculous if they think so."

Alfons was alarmed and gazed back at the Colonel again, who noted his strong concern regarding his friend.

"The laws are exact," Mustang said. "But you don't have to worry. I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know," Edward said.

Amused, Roy Mustang fell silent for a moment, meeting the large golden orbs that were directed at him. So Edward trusted him to fix up the mess once again, huh?

What a spoiled brat he had created.

But he was pretty pleased with the thought that they had to count on him. Both of them had no other choice than depend on him.

Alfons glanced at Edward, carefully noticing the sudden odd atmosphere and that something was possibly hidden from him. But then Edward turned to him and gave him a slight smile, telling him not to worry.

"There is another slight problem," Mustang finally said, drawing both of their attention towards him again.

"And what is that?" Edward asked; the determined sound in his voice grown solid once again. He wanted to know, apparently so he could take it upon himself to fix if he had to.

Mustang knew that. That was just how Edward was. He liked having control of things. Even though he could leave some dirty work with higher-ups and such to Mustang, he was a responsible person.

Despite that, Mustang felt somehow content with the fact that there was nothing either of them could do about this particular problem. They would once again have no other choice than depend on him.

Had he been someone else, another superior officer of higher rank, he might have taken advantage of it. He almost should've. It was equal exchange. Although, he already had something they needed to do for him. With their help, he might be able to get a promotion. No, it was almost a guarantee.

The world is a cruel place.

But at least he cared about other things than getting a promotion as well. Getting a promotion wasn't everything to him anymore.

"Alfons has no records in this world," he said, lowering his voice. Walls could have ears. "He doesn't have a legal ID of who he is."

Edward scowled, interested at this, and Alfons' eyes widened nervously.

This was clearly something neither of them had thought of yet.

"I'm afraid I can't hire him without having something," he continued. "And if the Fuhrer pokes his nose into this subject, it would mean trouble." Mustang gazed into the deep, azure eyes, addressing the boy directly. "Questions will be asked. Who are you and where did you come from? How do you know how to build flying machines? Do you know Thule Society?"

Alfons swallowed hard, looking very troubled.

"You could in fact be suspected of being a spy and put to trial, thrown in jail until your innocence is proved," he continued matter-of-factly. "As long as they have proof that you can be related to Thule Society, they won't risk having you walking around freely." Mustang almost pitied the boy. He looked trapped in a corner, trying to look brave. And there was more. He continued unaffected. "Not to mention the fact that both of you are alive because of illegal alchemy."

Edward snorted and crossed his arms at this.

"As said, it can't be helped that the Gate has to be connected to Edward's disappearance," Mustang said. "But for you, Alfons, if we shall be able to maintain your innocence in the matter we have to keep you as far away from the possibility as possible, not only because of your sudden appearance but also because of your knowledge of technology that is completely unknown to this world. If they relate you to the Gate, they will look at you the same way as Thule Society, since they'll figure that you come from the same place. And if that happens they'll definitely suspect you for having helped them with building flying machines."

Alfons Heiderich stared at him with wide eyes, pale as a sheet. He was clearly sucking up every word like a swamp.

Not that everything wasn't true, but maybe he had a very serious way of putting it, Mustang thought. He wasn't actually that worried. He knew exactly how to handle things like this. Nevertheless, Mustang realized he gave the Heiderich-boy a quite hard time. Of course Heiderich wouldn't be familiar with this country's game rules. So why did he play so harsh with him? Was it because of his suspicions...? No, that would be rather ridiculous, wouldn't it? he mentally concluded. Wouldn't it? Maybe he just wanted them to be sure they knew what he would do for both their sakes. He wouldn't easily get away with this if the higher-ups found out.

Nonetheless, Edward clearly didn't doubt for a second that he could handle something like this.

The blond alchemist frowned slightly at his words, but didn't show any sense of fear like Alfons did. "We'll just have to make sure the higher-ups stay out of it then," he said. "It's not like they're going to research him, right?"

Alfons threw Edward a nervous gaze at this.

"It's not as easy as that," Mustang said, nonchalantly crossing his arms. Edward was awfully relaxed. "The Fuhrer President is in charge of every new recruitment. He has personally requested an interview with every new recruit, which means that Alfons has to attend to a meeting with the Council, already the day after tomorrow."

"That soon?!" Alfons blurted. "What in the world am I supposed to say to them?"

Edward scowled at Mustang. "Isn't it anything you can do?" he asked, sounding slightly annoyed. "Without Alfons, building the airplane will take forever. No." He changed his mind and continued: "Without Alfons, there's no point building any planes at all."

Roy smirked. So he played that card, eh? As in, protect my comrade, or there won't be any deal.

Now Mustang was even more certain that there was something between the two. Although, no deal meant that he wouldn't get any chances to move up the rank scale.

Fair enough.

He pretended to be in deep consideration of more alternatives, even though there was only one way. "I'm sure we can work something out quietly."

Now both of them watched him expectantly, but he noted the slight wariness from the youngest. Alfons Heiderich was clearly not completely convinced that he could trust him yet. Edward on the other hand, only nodded to what he had said.

He turned directly towards Alfons again, since this in fact concerned him the most. "Alfons," he said, carefully using his first name. "You'll need an Amestrian ID and a convincing background story. Without that, uncomfortable questions will be asked. And your background must be in concordance with your knowledge of flying machines."

Alfons nodded slowly. "But how can I explain something like that? I have learned most of it from my father, he was a pilot in the war. Part from that I've learned from school and books, not to mention practical experience."

Needless to say, those kinds of things didn't exist here.

"I only need you to trust me," Mustang said.

Alfons was slightly taken aback by the unexpected request.

"I can fix you an ID on your name easily, and a background story as well," he assured.

"You can do that?"

"Yes."

The youngest blond shared an optimistic look with the older; Edward's saying 'told you.'

Roy Mustang tried to hide a smile. "It is highly important that you make a part of my unit as soon as possible. You'll become my subordinate at equal rate as the others in my squad, and by then we must rely on each other. You can count on me to take care of you, and I have to count on you to work for me. Is that understood?"

Alfons Heiderich nodded firmly, looking very much like the way Alphonse Elric did the first time he had stepped a foot inside his office after having his body back. "Yes, sir."

A good boy. Respect like that, he would never get from Edward.

"Attend to me tomorrow at 10 am sharp," he said to Alfons. "I shall see what I can do until then."

"Thank you, sir," Alfons said.

He nodded. "That would be it for now."

"What about the airplane?" Edward asked. "When do we start?"

Impatient as always. "After Alfons is in," Mustang replied. "One more thing," he suddenly remembered. He opened his drawer, handling out a new silver watch. He threw it over to Edward. "You're still a dog, after all."

Edward caught it, staring nostalgic at the proof that he was still a state alchemist. "Heh. You never have a proper way of giving it to me, do you?"

Mustang just smirked. "That was all for now."

Edward nodded, bowing politely and Alfons followed him, copying what he had just done. So Edward still had some senses of respect after all, he thought. Not bad.

"By the way, Fullmetal," he added. "I'd like a word with you in private before you go."

Edward stiffened almost inconspicuously before he gave Alfons a confirming nod that he could go on beforehand. Alfons followed, and went out the door without a word, closing it quietly after himself.

Being the two of them alone in the room, there was a short silence. He noted how Edward suddenly avoided looking at him at all, the sharp golden eyes were seemingly more attracted to the carpet.

Clearly Mustang wasn't the only one who found it hard to start the conversation. But it was he who had requested it, so he guessed it was up to him.

"Fullmetal," he started, and Edward finally glanced up towards him. He couldn't see if the young man felt nervous or curious. Maybe he was both.

But Edward wasn't stupid. He knew that he knew, or at least suspected it.
"There's something I've wanted to ask you," Mustang continued.

"I thought so," the reply was.

"It's quite a personal matter," Mustang added, not rushing into the questions. That would probably just make him wary.

"Get to the point already," Edward sighed, crossing his arms.

Did he even know how adorable he looked when he did that?

Mustang cleared his throat. "Two years is a long time, I know. But why did you reject me? Did you forget about us?"

There was a heavy silence. Roy almost regretted asking. It seemed like it took Edward forever to reply, and he was about to dismiss the younger alchemist and drown his sorrows in coffee or something like that, when the blond finally opened his mouth.

"No," Edward replied, still dwelling. "But I've already said, I wasn't planning on coming back. Obviously I would've moved on over there. I thought you would too."

Somehow his words hurt more than even Roy Mustang himself had ever imagined. "I did," he said slowly. "But you're not gone any longer," he added, feeling quite ridiculous for even being in this situation. He wasn't used to asking nicely for what he wanted.

Edward's arms loosened till they hang laxly down his sides, brows knitting while his eyes trailed elsewhere than him again. "Things are different now."

Roy Mustang nodded, feeling his suspicions had finally been confirmed. "So it is him that you love now then?"

Edward abruptly opened his mouth, staring bluntly at him. For a second or two, he was near speechless. But then he frowned and looked away again. "Yes."

He managed to hide his disappointment, because somehow the answer didn't seem too convincing to Mustang. Still he said: "If that's how it is, I will forget about what we had." But before Edward could feel relieved, he added: "On one term." After all, he could still see a slight chance. He had never been a man who gave up after two goes.

Edward gave him a wary look. "What term?" he asked.

There was a silence before he replied.

"Kiss me. Just one more time."

He hadn't really meant to request something like that from him, but he couldn't help it. He still loved Edward, even if Edward didn't feel the same anymore. He just wanted to feel the taste of the small alchemist's lips one more time.

Edward had completely frozen. Beautiful, gold eyes wide of bewilderment. Continuing to look at Mustang in slight shock, eyeing his commanding officer closely without any reply, he probably tried to figure out if he was joking or not.

Mustang offered the paralyzed blond alchemist a small smirk. He hadn't really expected Edward to answer and he couldn't actually refuse to let him go if he rejected his request once again, like he had done at their first meeting after he came back to this world. Mustang cared about his subordinates, and somehow there was something special about Edward that made him feel there was something more than just a commanding officer to his subordinate type of relationship. Even now.

He had figured that out over three years ago, and even if he had seen other people the past two years, seeing Edward now had made every sleeping feeling inside his heart awaken again, like they had laid in dormancy up till this moment.

And since he cared about Edward, didn't he at least deserve a good bye kiss? He had never even gotten the chance to have that at the time before Edward so abruptly disappeared.

He moved slowly forward. Edward would have plenty of time to run for the door if he wanted to. And if he didn't like it, he would either punch him or just tell him. Roy decided to take his chances, and advanced smoothly.

Although, Edward neither ran nor said anything. Mustang took that as a good sign. Actually, he didn't move from his spot at all. Neither did he look him in the eye.

Mustang stopped close in front of him and touched his cheek with the rear of his hand, letting his knuckles gently caress the pale skin. "I will always care about you, Fullmetal," he whispered softly. "And I will do anything in my power to protect both Alfons Heiderich and your brother."

Edward's face lifted slowly and he finally looked at him straight in the eye, a special sparkle lightened in his large golden orbs. And he could remember that look from a long time ago. Grateful and believing. It was that look Edward Elric gave people he trusted with all his heart. It was probably a look a very few people got the privilege of having. And having that from Edward made him somehow feel that he could accomplish anything in the world. Edward was probably the only person in the whole world who had that effect on him.

Roy curved down and caught Edward's lips tenderly, brushing them lightly, before claiming him more imposingly. Closing his eye, he mentally smiled while inhaling the scent of the younger alchemist. Somehow Edward smelled exactly like he remembered, and tasted just as good.

Edward tensed of the passionate clash, but he didn't struggle or pull away. Roy was thankful for that. His pride would've gotten a small crack if Edward had backed away just a second before he went into action.

Roy was slightly surprised how Edward submitted into the situation, not acting like it wasn't happening, not even being passive. Instead he closed his eyes, leaned slightly towards him to meet him, and parted his lips obediently when Roy let his tongue sweep all so gently across the other's lips.

Roy stuck his tongue inside the warm, tasteful mouth, consumed into the feeling of passion and trust.

Trust.

Edward would never kiss anyone he didn't trust. He would hardly let anyone touch him.

Roy decided to test his chances even more, lost in the excitement. His hands slowly moved around Edward's shoulders, almost by themselves, wrapping him into a tenderly embrace before trailing down his back and up again to his neck.

The action evoked a slight scowl from the blond, but nothing more.

A whispering thought in the deepest and darkest corner of Roy's mind had a tiny hope that Edward might come to remember how perfect they were for each other. That maybe after tasting it once again, perhaps he would change his mind and come back to him…

--

While he sat waiting outside Colonel Roy Mustang's office, Alfons felt a terrible discomfort. He had been excited over coming to Central City yesterday, but now everything seemed like a complicated mess.

Homesick already? he asked himself quietly with a thin smile. Maybe a little.

He wasn't sure if he really wanted to go through with all this. He had no idea what kind of people he was forced to approach face to face with a fake, made up story. Apart from that, they were powerful and highly respected men. And if they had known who he really was, they would lock him down behind bars in some dark, Godforsaken place. Like he was some criminal.

Alfons shivered of the thought. In the beginning he had imagined a quiet and peaceful town, living a happy life with Edward, meeting his friends and family and not having a single worry. Maybe start some new, small projects. Not too big, or else it would be suspicious. But just enough to be acknowledged.

It had come down to him now that it wouldn't be exactly like that. It seemed like he had to make up an earlier life, and base his future life on this lie.

At least Colonel Roy Mustang seemed to care about both Edward and his brother, and Edward trusted him. The way Edward responded to him and looked up to him was unmistakeably his way of showing reliance. And if Edward trusted someone, they must have done a great deal to deserve it. The Colonel had probably done a lot for Edward before Alfons met him over two years ago – since he recently had learned that Edward had worked for the military since he was twelve years old.

"I won't let anything happen to you," the Colonel had said.

"I know," Edward had replied. Completely without any doubt.

Alfons caught himself being slightly jealous. He shook his head with a small frown.

What was he jealous about all of a sudden?

That he wasn't the only person on Earth Edward trusted anymore?

He leaned forward, rubbing his forehead in his hands. What a ridiculous way of thinking. He even had to smile of himself. Stupid Alfons, he told himself. But still, the thought kept nagging his mind, and after some seconds his smile faded.

After giving his recent time with Edward some thought, he couldn't help noticing that something was different between them. Edward hadn't showed him the same acts of reliance as he had used to back in Munich.

Alfons had to admit to himself, the last thing he had done to Edward when they were in Munich hadn't been something that deserved someone's trust, rather the complete opposite. He hadn't trusted Edward when he said that he wanted to stay with him instead of going back to his own world.

"I want you to go," he had said.

He had just refused to believe that Edward would've wanted to give up everything he had tried to achieve the last two years, give up everything he had before, even his only chance to see his brother again, for him. His illness had also been something to consider at that time. He had been dying anyway. And when he was gone, Edward would have had nothing left in that world. Since he had kept his illness secret all that time, it didn't seem fair to let Edward destroy his only chance to have the life he had always dreamed about having. With his brother.

That's why Alfons had made the decision for him. That's why he had drugged Edward to sleep, and strapped him to the rocket in order to make him leave. Even revealed that he had lied to him about his illness. He had thought Edward would travel all the more willingly through the Gate by then. But the only thing Alfons had managed to do was to break his heart.

It was only right after that the creature Envy showed up and knocked him unconscious. The next thing he knew was being in a desert outside a city called Lior next to a wrecked rocket.

But even after they had talked, hugged, kissed, he still found it hard to believe that Edward trusted him the same way as before. He was pretty sure he didn't.

Thoughts spinning freely in his mind were a dangerous game. They just continued out of his own control, making him feel lost and miserable.

He sighed deep.

"You look like you're far away from home," a voice said kindly.

He jumped up right in his chair. He hadn't even noticed the pair of black military boots that had approached him. He looked up, seeing a beautiful but tough-looking blond woman, staring down at him with a soft smile.

He was too shocked to reply, most of all forgotten everything about manners.

"1st Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye," she presented herself, offering her hand to him.

Alfons abruptly awoke from his trance and stood up before taking her hand. "I'm sorry…" he started bluntly. "Alfons Heiderich."

She laughed softly. "Yes, I know. Why are you sitting here?"

"I'm waiting for Edward," Alfons answered.

"I see." She took a seat beside him, and he sat down again as well. "I hear you used to build flying machines."

"Hm, well," he started. "Not exactly. I built rockets. But I guess it's a kind of flying machine..."

She smiled. "It's quite amazing."

Alfons blushed, finding it hard to take his eyes away from her. She was so like her.

Riza noticed his look. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I'm sorry." Alfons shook his head. "You just… you look like someone I used to know…" he managed. Parallel persons… So that's how Edward's days had been like in Munich. Suddenly meeting people who looked exactly the same.

She stared questioningly at him. "Really? Maybe my look isn't the one that sticks out in crowds," she stated.

"No, no," Alfons disagreed. "Rather the opposite… I don't know if you know. But everyone has a person they look like."

Her soft smile never faded. "I guess so. You know who you look like, don't you?"

He nodded.

"Forgive me for pointing this out, but you're exactly like an older version of him," she said kind-heartedly.

"Yes, I've been told so."

"So, who do I look like?" Riza Hawkeye asked.

Alfons hesitated. "I don't know if it's appropriate to say…"

She scowled at him while smiling. "It can't be that bad, can it?"

"Well… You…" Alfons blushed slightly again. "You're the parallel person of my mother."

Riza felt slightly taken aback. "I see."

Alfons smiled at her. "She was strong, like you."

Before he knew it, she lifted her hand and gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze. "I'm sure Alphonse-kun will be excited to meet you when he returns home," she said gently.

Alfons nodded. "M-m."

"Take care, Alfons," she said, standing up again and left for the door.

Alfons stared after her. Everyone seemed to be optimistic about Edward's little brother's return. Alfons really hoped they would succeed in retrieving him. After that, maybe Edward would be ready to live a happy life.

With him.

--

The door to the Colonel's office went abruptly up, revealing Edward coming out and shut it tightly after him. Still facing the door a deep sigh escaped his mouth, having not yet noticed that Alfons stood there.

"Is everything all right?" Alfons asked.

Edward whirled around and unleashed an almost unnoticeable gasp by seeing him. Alfons frowned. Edward was flushing red in his face, and didn't quite seem to know what to do with himself. But only for a few seconds.

"Everything's fine," he said huskily, and continued towards the doors without any further explanations.

Alfons just stood there for some seconds, wondering what the hell that was about.

"Are you coming?" Edward asked, holding the door open.

Alfons nodded once and followed.

Edward was really acting abnormal, but he couldn't point out exactly what was wrong.

"What did the Colonel want with you?" he asked while they walked down the labyrinth of halls.

"Nothing," Edward replied shortly.

"Nothing?" Alfons repeated, seeing that Edward clearly didn't want to share it with him. But what could possibly be so secret?

"Was it about the hearing?" He hadn't forgotten about the hearing Edward had to attend to. It was even scarier than his interview. Edward could be in deep trouble.

"No," the reply was.

Alfons frowned. Edward sounded mad at him. Was it something he had said? Or done?

Edward was walking fast, avoided looking at him and answered to any type of conversation like there was a thick wall between them. Alfons didn't like it.

"What's the matter, Edward?" he asked.

"Nothing," the oldest teen replied again, sounding annoyed. "Stop asking stupid questions all the time."

Alfons fell silent.

Was this the result of the trust issues between them? Was this the beginning of the fall of the whole relationship?

Alfons didn't even want to think about it. How could something like that happen now? When they finally had succeeded to come safely to this side...

They reached their dorm room and Edward unlocked it without a word, simply stepping in and went right for bed. He let himself drop down on it, facing the wall.

Alfons remained standing. "Edward, please tell me what's wrong."

Edward replied with an annoyed sigh. "I thought I told you, nothing's wrong."

"You've been acting strange lately," Alfons indicated.

Edward turned around, scowling at him. "I'm not acting strange. I'm simply being myself. If you have a problem with that, just leave me alone."

Alfons felt the anger and hurt eating at his heart from inside and out. "In case you forgot, you used to at least talk to me."

"I'm talking with you now," Edward opposed, rubbing his forehead with his prosthetic hand. "What the hell is your problem?"

Alfons frowned and fell silent, hurt and confused. Why was Edward acting this way if nothing were wrong? If nothing were wrong they would've cuddled together on the bed by now. Or having a deep conversation. He couldn't help feeling scared of what the answer to his next question would be, but he had no other choice but ask.

"Is it what I did before we came here?"

Edward sighed and turned towards the wall again. "Stupid..." he muttered. "I said leave me alone."

Alfons turned slowly and went out of the dorm room, closing the door quietly behind him. He didn't even know where to go, but he didn't want to spend another minute in there.

Clearly they had some work to do.