Chapter 25: As Long as You Smile

He could hardly believe it. It had all become so obvious when the Colonel put it in that way, Edward scolded himself for not seeing it before now. He had known that Alfons would try to act on his own to save him from a death sentence. But doing something like this... Alfons was no soldier.

He had to talk to him. Alfons obviously did not want him to know that he had signed the contract, but now he knew and he had to talk to him. Maybe there was a way of reversing it without any fatal consequences. No matter how the Brigadier General had helped him, he had done it for himself not for Edward. It stirred Edward's anger even more. He wouldn't just let that man use Alfons to get power.

Since he didn't exactly know where Alfons would be stationed for the day, he went back to the dorm room, knowing that he could go look for him in the cafeteria at lunch time or wait until he returned at the end of the day.

To his surprise, he found his lover already present there as he locked himself in. Edward stepped inside with a small scowl. Alfons lay on his bed on his stomach, sleeping lightly. Next to him lay a brown envelope which seemed to be addressed to him from the Brigadier General. Edward went soundlessly to the bed and picked up the envelope. Alfons hadn't opened it. Fighting off his curiosity, Edward put the envelope down on the nightstand and seated himself on the edge of the bed.

"Alfons, wake up," Edward said, his voice a little sharp around the edges. He shook his shoulder gently, making the younger blond stir.

Alfons opened his eyes fast and wide, breathing in sharply as he noticed that he wasn't alone in the room. "No!"

Edward gripped his shoulder. "Alfons," he said, feeling a little troubled. "It's me."

Alfons stared up at him, supporting himself slowly up on his elbows. "Edward…"

"What's wrong?" Edward asked. He had almost already forgotten that he was mad at him.

"Nothing," Alfons replied quickly, avoiding his eyes and sitting up on his knees.

"Why are you here sleeping?" Edward asked. "I thought you were working."

Alfons shook his head, calming down from the small shock. "He let me off."

Edward nodded slowly. "Ah. Is he letting you off easily since you've signed his contract?" He felt his roommate freeze and stare a little apprehensively at him.

"Edward… that's not..."

Edward frowned at him and rose from the bed. "The Colonel told me about it. Why did you do something like that, Alfons? Are you aware of how much control that bastard will have with the rest of the military? You're the only one with competence like that in this world, and now you've sold that to him."

Alfons looked away from him. "You have that competence too, Edward. Anyway, I couldn't just do nothing."

Edward wanted to yell at him, feeling all his frustration starting to bubble back inside him. But no matter how much he wanted to, he didn't have the heart to start yelling. Even the Colonel had said it. He wouldn't have been set free if Alfons didn't do it. But… selling himself off like that. Edward looked away as well. "I don't want you to be around him," he muttered.

Alfons lifted his gaze, but he didn't say anything. This almost scared him. Edward reacted this badly, knowing only that he had signed the contract. He couldn't imagine how Edward would take it if he knew the rest.

Edward slumped down on the bed beside him. "You could at least have told me the truth."

Alfons sighed. "I'm sorry… I knew you would be mad. I didn't want it to bother you… or for it to come in the way of…"

"Our reunion," Edward said. He sighed. "Tell me. What exactly does he want from you?"

Alfons felt very uncomfortable, but didn't let it show. "Flying machines. He's going to hire some alchemists to perform the same thing you did. He has your manual."

Edward scowled. "I see." He knew it was the Brigadier General's right to keep his manual. He had been in charge of the Azure-project. He couldn't go and take it back even if it was his own work.

"I'm sorry," Alfons said in a low voice.

Edward shook his head. "It's not your fault. I owe you one…"

Alfons' eyes lit up slightly, and Edward was reminded of how much he liked it when Alfons was smiling. He wanted to see him smile more than anything. He reached for his knee and squeezed gently. "But don't do anything like that again, okay?"

Alfons snorted. "If you stop getting into trouble."

Edward pulled him close and attacked his lips. "You're the one in trouble right now," he murmured between the kisses. He pressed Alfons down on the mattress, holding down his wrists. Alfons squinted up at him in surprise. "Now?"

Edward shut him up with another kiss, letting his tongue slip between Alfons' lips and eagerly explored the inside of his mouth. Alfons fidgeted. Usually he wouldn't have anything against it, but somehow he was unbelievingly uncomfortable. He had never felt like this around Edward before, but something about the fresh memory from the incident in the Brigadier General's office made him just want to run away again.

He twisted his head to the side and stopped moving. Edward lifted his head questioningly, noticing his inattentiveness. "Is something wrong?"

Alfons shook his head, not looking at him. "I'm not in the mood right now."

Edward slowly let go of him and pulled back. "Oh... Okay," he said, his expression a combination of embarrassment and confusion. Alfons sat up, leaning on his palms. "I'm sorry. I'm just… a little tired. I'll go find us some lunch." He stood up from the bed. "Why aren't you working anyway?"

Edward sat back against the wall and rested his elbows on his knees. "I was let off as well."

Alfons nodded. "Oh. I'll be right back." He went out, continuing fast down the hall and out the doors of the dorm building, actually feeling relieved of getting out of there. The atmosphere had become quite uncomfortable between them, and he didn't like it very much.

He took a deep breath as he came outside, bathed in the pale sunlight. What had gotten into him? Edward's feelings for him should have been, if anything, a comfort after what he had just been forced to do by the Brigadier General. Still, he had been afraid.

Afraid of what?

That the images of the Brigadier General abusing him would come across his mind as he was with Edward?

It was Edward, for goodness sake. He was of course not aware that Alfons had been forced to do something like that.

I'm still keeping secrets from him after all, he thought darkly. After all that has happened in the last months.

He really hated it. But if Edward was to become enlightened about today's events, he would definitely be beyond furious. Alfons remembered suddenly a flash of a moment when they were captured in Thule Society, when Ackman had forced himself onto him. Edward had looked like he was about to be torn apart. And when Edward had become aware that Dietlinde Eckart had hurt his brother, he had been ready to kill. What would stop him from killing the Brigadier General if he knew that Kiehle had used Alfons for his own sexual pleasure? Turning Edward into a murderer wouldn't solve anything. If Edward so much as touched the Brigadier General, he'd only succumb to the same burdens that he'd just been alleviated from.

Alfons sighed, staring up at the large clouded sky and felt a slight breeze ruffle his hair. He would be better off if he could just forget that it ever happened.

Instead he went to the cafeteria to find something to eat. He chose meatballs and mashed potatoes and returned back to the dorm room with two packages wrapped in aluminium foil. Edward sat on the bed, reading a book. If he was still a little puzzled about Alfons' behaviour earlier he didn't show it.

"Welcome back," he greeted.

Alfons sat down next to him, handing him the food. "Here."

"Thanks." Edward put the book away and arranged the food on top of his crossed legs underneath him. "Smells nice."

Alfons felt the urge to apologize for earlier, but he didn't want to bring the topic up. Next time Edward wanted to jump him, he would definitely not resist and he would make it up to him. He left the thought at that.

"Mustang said Peterson's interrogation hasn't given them anything yet," Edward informed conversationally. "But I think we might already know enough. The Gate is still there, so they have to be somewhere close to it."

Alfons nodded, glad to have a new subject to reflect on. "And the fact that he has already revealed that they're trying to control the Gate."

"The question is why," Edward muttered. "What are they planning to use it for?"

"I would rather stop them than figure that out," Alfons replied quietly.

"Hm." Edward stuffed some mashed potatoes into his mouth. "I'm curious, but whatever it is, it will be fatal for both of the worlds."

"But how?" Alfons wondered.

"I don't know," Edward said, pensively rubbing his forehead. "The balance is..."

"The worlds are far from balanced right now, and you know it," Alfons shot in. "I've been wondering something for a while now. Why hasn't anything happened yet? Almost everything that has happened is something only Thule Society has caused."

Edward stared at him for a long second. "It's... It's complicated." Again, he had the feeling that Alfons knew more than he seemed to let out. But it could be just a feeling. Alfons was right on more than one thing. Even if he hadn't told Alfons that only one doppelganger could live in one world, there was still the fact that Alfons and Al were two parallels in the same world. And not to mention Thule Society's people probably had parallels somewhere as well, in addition to the technology and things they had brought with them from the other world. "I don't know much about it," he said, looking silently down in his food. "But I think whatever might happen, it will possibly have an effect on species, nature and climate. The Gate possesses all the information that exists in the two worlds."

Alfons slowly bobbed his head. "That could be."

"But if we close it," Edward continued, "the Gate won't have any control over things anymore, and the worlds will hopefully be able to retain their own balances again." He sighed. "I guess we're just lucky that abnormal things haven't occurred yet."

Alfons stopped eating. "What do you mean... abnormal?"

"I don't know... Like when something happens to you that isn't normal?" Edward reached out his tongue. "How should I know what kind of weird signs the Gate will come up with?"

"I started talking German," Alfons said fast.

Edward frowned at him. "What?"

"Don't you remember? I spoke German to you at the prison, and the next day I was stuck with it for several minutes. I couldn't speak Amestrian no matter how hard I wanted to."

"Actually, I don't remember that," Edward said slowly.

"You looked like you reacted, but then you were taken away by that guard."

Edward scowled and was silent for a long time.

"What do you think that means?" Alfons started feeling anxious because Edward looked awfully serious.

"I don't know," Edward replied.

There was no way Edward couldn't know. Alfons stared hard at him. "Did you read anything about this in your father's book?"

"There was nothing about languages."

"But does it have something to do with the balance? Was it rejecting my ability to speak this world's language or something?"

"No," Edward said out loud and Alfons went silent. Edward put his food aside and leaned closer to him. "Whatever all this is, it's connected to your mark. I'm going to fix it!" Golden eyes dug almost desperately into him. "I'll fix it as soon as I can."

Alfons started having a bad conscious. It wasn't Edward's fault... It wasn't his responsibility to cure him. But he would nonetheless. Alfons lowered his head. "I know," he whispered.

They finished their food in silence and Edward reached for Alfons' plate to throw it in the garbage can. He slumped down on the bed once again, resting his back against the wall. The atmosphere between them had calmed slightly.

"Something you want to do today?" he asked and looked at his silver clock. It was the same one he had gotten from Mustang the day after he returned to his own world. It still looked as good as new, not like the one he had over two years ago. The inside of it was blank. "It's only noon," he added.

Alfons didn't feel like doing much at all. Now it was his turn to crawl closer to Edward and kissed his lips gently. Maybe he would feel more forgiven like this. "I think I'll just stay here and rest a little."

"Come on," Edward said. "If you sleep the whole bloody day, you won't be able to sleep at night."

"I didn't sleep too much last night anyway," Alfons confessed.

Edward softened with amusement and welcomed his lover with caressing touches by the hairline of his neck. Alfons immediately felt forgiven and nestled against Edward's shoulder. Even if it was the metal one. Anything that belonged to Edward worked as the world's best pillow.

"At least hold sleeping off till after dinner," Edward said. "We can take a walk instead or something." He was too restless to do nothing at the moment. Then his eyes fell on the envelope he had put down on the night table. Alfons hadn't even paid it any mind. "By the way, what is in that envelope?"

"What envelope?" Alfons asked drowsily. He couldn't really care about that right now when he was busy snuggling against Edward's shoulder, but Edward pushed him up. "You got it from Kiehle, didn't you?"

Alfons eyes suddenly widened. "Oh... Yeah..." He had almost forgotten about it already.

Edward stood up from bed and snatched the envelope from the nightstand before Alfons could react. "This one."

Alfons stared at it, almost with dread in his eyes. Edward scowled.

"I don't know what it is," Alfons admitted. "He called it a gift. It's probably not worth-" he interrupted himself as Edward started opening it. "Stop that!" he shot out and motioned forward to grab the envelope from him, suddenly wide awake. Edward held it out of reach with his arm stretched out, but had at least stopped opening it. He offered Alfons a cheeky grin. "You didn't seem very interested in it two seconds ago."

"Give it back," Alfons said dangerously.

"Are you going to open it?" Edward asked unwavering.

"No, I'm going to throw it away," Alfons replied. He rose from the bed and reached out his arm quickly and tried to fetch the brown envelope, but again Edward held it out of reach and backed off. Now that triggered Edward's interest even more. True to his nature, when he was either told to do something or not to, it suddenly became very appealing doing the exact opposite.

"Why aren't you going to open it?" Edward asked.

"Do you think the Brigadier General would just give me a gift?" Alfons tried.

"No reason not to open it," Edward countered. "You don't even have to accept it."

That was true. But at the same time, Kiehle had clearly ordered him to accept it. Again Alfons lunged at the envelope, but Edward dodged.

"It doesn't matter," Alfons grated a little frantically. "I don't want to know!"

"I want to know," Edward said.

"It's none of your business!"

"I don't care, I want to nonetheless."

"No, just give it back you nosey moron!"

For some minutes they performed a fierce, epic battle over the envelope around the little dorm room. Edward was as always annoyingly dodgy and fast, constantly finding a way around Alfons' attacks. But at least he managed to catch Edward after some time on the other bed, holding him down and trying to fetch the envelope at the same time.

"Don't you have any sense of curiosity?" Edward shot out, laughter pervading his every word as he wrapped his legs around Alfons' waist and stretched back as far as he could, still holding the envelope out of reach with his left hand and tackling Alfons with the other.

In the end Alfons gave up and discharged back into standing still, staring a little irritated at his roommate. Edward had carried himself up to his feet and was now standing on top of Alfons' bed, holding the envelope high above his head. He grinned. "Giving up already?"

Alfons crossed his arms. "You're behaving like a child, Edward."

"Why can't I just read it?" Edward sighed.

Alfons sighed as well. "Fine. Just read it then. I don't really care." He turned away and lied down on the other bed with his face pointing towards the wall.

"Stop being stupid," Edward said. "You cared just a second ago." He almost sounded disappointed in Alfons' surrender. When Alfons didn't reply to that, he just snorted. "Fine, be that way." Then he tore off the end of the envelope and pulled out some papers. He scowled and slumped down into sitting position on the bed, reading it carefully.

Alfons turned around half-heartedly. "It's probably nothing. I haven't even-"

"Nothing?" Edward said, looking up with a strange look in his eyes.

Alfons thought he looked disturbingly happy. "What is it then?"

"Alfons, he's given you a house," Edward said.

"A what?" Alfons asked dumbly.

"A house," Edward repeated. "You know... a place where people live."

Alfons was speechless.

Edward rose and sat down next to him with the papers. "Why is he giving you this? It's kind of... exactly what we need."

"I've never asked for anything," Alfons said fast. "I would never-"

"Look," Edward said. "He's written that he wants you to have a proper place to work and concentrate. A 'welcome into his unit-gift'."

Alfons scowled down at the papers. "I don't want it," he said in a low voice.

Edward looked surprised at him. "Don't want it? What the hell? Would you rather stay in this dump? This is a great opportunity. So what if it's from him. At least it seems big enough that Al can stay with us."

Alfons opened his mouth, but not a sound came out. Instead he took the letter from Edward and read through it quickly.

"1st Lieutenant Heiderich, I hereby give you a place for you to stay after work time as a fair compromise of what your mission consists of. There you will have proper space to investigate your work, as well as to concentrate on your task. The house stands empty today, so feel free to move in whenever you like.

Welcome to my unit, I hope you'll find it both challenging and inspiring."

Beside the letter was the contract for the house, signed off to him by the Brigadier General and a set of keys.

"I didn't know he had made you a 1st Lieutenant already," Edward said, frowning. He didn't sound pleased.

Alfons looked at Edward, feeling totally lost and unknowing what to do. For a minute he even almost told him what he had done. I sucked off the Brigadier General. He forced me. It wasn't for this. But he inhaled sharply instead and forced a smile.

"It's not the same as a real 1st Lieutenant," Alfons clarified. "I'm more like his assistant... I guess."

Edward eyes darkened. "That doesn't matter. He's made you his dog. Damn it all..." He squeezed Alfons' shoulder. "But still. We should just go for this. We need a place to stay. If you don't want to let him give it to you, that's okay. I'll simply buy it from him."

Alfons stared puzzled. "You?"

Edward nodded. "My account has been here for two years with a decent financial percentage. I have a lot of money actually. And we probably earned something off building Azure as well."

"I doubt that he'll agree," Alfons said, feeling uncertain. "He'll persist that he's given it to me."

Edward snorted. "Commanding officers don't walk about giving their subordinates goods like this. I wonder if the Fuhrer actually knows about it. Maybe he'd get a few minus points if the Fuhrer finds out. If I elaborate on the situation, Kiehle might even beg me to buy it." He smirked.

Alfons became even more tentative by that. "Why can't we just buy someplace else like we've already planned?"

Edward sighed. "It sounds easy putting it that way. But finding a good place isn't that simple, and this house is only around fifteen minutes away from HQ. We don't have to worry about getting to work every day."

"I guess, but-" Alfons stopped, not really knowing what to say anymore. When Edward was trying to act reasonable there was no method to oppose against him. And if he came up with any more negative responses, Edward might get the wrong idea. "Fine," Alfons said. "But if we do this, I don't want the Brigadier General to have any excuse where we have to repay him anything."

Edward looked a little strangely at him. "Of course not. I don't want you to have that either. That's why I'm buying this house. I'll go talk to him later. But first," Edward grinned, holding up the keys. "I think we should take a look around, how about you?"

Alfons couldn't hold back his smile as well and gave in. "Alright."

If they were going to buy this place they'd have to see how it looked like first.

"It's somewhere around here," Edward said, gazing at the address. "This is the right street."

They were in a quite nice and peaceful street with many small houses. Most of them had pretty gardens with flowers in all colours.

"Number thirty-seven?" Alfons mused around. "I see it. Over there."

Edward followed his gaze. "Looks like it."

Alfons tried not to feel too excited. He would've almost preferred it to be an ugly house so Edward would consider finding someplace else. The house was white with a black roof. The small garden in front of the porch wasn't as pretty as the other gardens, as it looked like someone hadn't lived there for a long time. The windows were dark.

Alfons hesitated a little. "Are you sure it's alright to go in?"

"The paper says it's your house," Edward said frankly. "Whether the key fits or not, I'm going in."

Alfons sighed. It was kind of ridiculous of him to think that Edward would let an opportunity like this slide. It was just the Brigadier General's reaction that worried him. What if he did something to him to... punish him for not accepting his offer? But for starters, they were merely checking the place out.

He nodded silently as a signal, and Edward unlocked the door with the key. The hall was dim and a little dusty. Alfons wondered how long it had been since someone lived here, and who? The Brigadier General himself?

Edward went in first and Alfons followed close behind. The hall led into a living room with windows to the right and a kitchen inside an open doorway to the left. There was even furniture—a green sofa that didn't look half bad, a table and a matching chair. The kitchen was a decent size. Everything seemed almost flawless, despite all the dust.

"It's a little dusty, but totally acceptable," Edward said, turning on a light in the living room ceiling. "I'll offer him one million cenz."

Alfons gave him a disgruntled look. "What about asking me first?" he said.

"Come on, Alfons," Edward said. "There's no problem. You won't have to accept any gifts from him and you don't have to pay anything."

"That's not it," Alfons said nervously. "I'm just..." He didn't find any words. How was he supposed to explain that he was afraid to be sexually punished if he didn't do as the Brigadier General expected?

Edward looked at him softly. "Let's check it out upstairs."

Behind the kitchen was a staircase up to the 1st floor leading up from the living room. They came up to a new hall and Edward scanned the ceiling. "There's a door to an attic," he said excited. "Remember how we used to climb up on the roof by the attic and watch the sky in Munich?" He smiled.

"Yeah..." Alfons thought about the time Edward had asked him to come with him to his world. Alfons had said no. But stubborn as Edward was, he had brought him with him anyway. Alfons smiled as well at that and opened one of the doors in the hall. "Here's a big bedroom," he said, trying to sound a little more positive. Edward looked so happy with everything already, and he didn't want to give him any excuse to let go of that smile. The bedroom even had two beds inside of it, a little bigger than normal single beds. "I wonder how people would react if we shared a bedroom in this house," Alfons mused out loud.

Edward teasingly ruffled his hair. "Don't think about that. It would look like we have each bed, wouldn't it?"

"Hey." Alfons ducked away from his hand, giving him a small jesting push. "There's still more rooms to check out."

"Bathroom," Edward informed, opening the next door. "And a smaller bedroom next to it. Al could sleep there."

Everything seemed so perfect about this house, Alfons had to admit to himself. Annoyingly perfect. It seemed like he would have to agree on Edward's idea, unless he could find something else by himself. He doubted that. He wasn't even familiar with Central yet. And Edward kept smiling like that...

"Last door," Edward said, opening the one furthest from the stairs. "Nice," he commented.

There was a small room with a huge window, with view towards the city. In front of the window there was a desk and a chair, and to the left there was a huge bookshelf.

"It's your study, it seems," Edward said and turned to him. "Still not convinced?" Without waiting for a reply he stepped inside, straight for the desk and opened the drawers, obviously too curious if he would find some hidden treasure to be able to resist. He didn't seem to find anything, but kept snooping around towards the bookshelf. "I wish there were some books left here."

Alfons knew how Edward loved exploring old, worn books at the second-hand bookshops in Munich, and occasionally he spent too much money buying books that were already about to fall apart, containing all kinds of odd subjects.

Alfons slowly went across the floor to the window and stared out towards the trees and houses outside. He had to accept that there wasn't much to complain about. "Who do you think used to live here?" he wondered.

Right then he heard Edward stumbling over a loose plank on the floor, and he turned sharply to see if the floor and Edward were both okay. This was a very old house, after all. Edward dropped to his knees, frowning. He seemed unhurt, and was lifting up the loose wooden plank off from the floor.

"Edward, what are you doing?" Alfons asked with a scowl. He went towards him as Edward dug around underneath the planks with an excited glint in his eyes. "There's something under here." Maybe he had found a treasure chest, after all.

Alfons kneeled down beside him as the smaller blond pulled out a small stock of papers from the secret room and looked at it carefully.

"What is it?" Alfons couldn't help feeling both excited and anxious. Why were there hidden sheets of papers underneath the floor? Did it belong to the former owner of the house?

"I think this house belongs to the military," Edward said in a low voice as he was reading. "These papers are old records of an officer. Seems like he participated in the Ishbal War."

"Why would they be here?"

"Probably sloppy on the military's part," Edward replied. "They would definitely have removed it if they had found it. This man..." He showed him a picture of a soldier as they both rose back up to their feet. "His rank was Sergeant Major. He died in that war, about 13 years ago." Clearly he hadn't put these documents here himself. Maybe he had had a wife who had left them here?

Alfons stepped closer to Edward's side, reading the papers over his shoulder. "What does all this mean?"

"It means that this house is military property, since they obviously haven't sold it." Edward grinned. "Don't worry, Alfons. Kiehle will definitely let me buy this house now."

"Oh? How can you be so sure?" Alfons asked confused.

"I'm sure," Edward said. "Let's make a deal."

Alfons crossed his arms and sighed, but he wasn't completely uninterested.

"If I can't convince him, we'll find something else and even better, okay?" Edward said resolutely, reaching out his hand. He always liked a good challenge.

Alfons snorted through a smile. "Alright, deal." He took his hand, feeling the cool metal against his palm. He squeezed it, even if he knew Edward couldn't feel it.

Edward made a soft grimace. "Just trust me a little."

"I do trust you."

Before Alfons could pay any mind to what he was doing, he had stepped closer and their lips were connected into a soul-stealing kiss. He closed his eyes as their tongues lashed together and pulled the older blond closer to him, seeking both his warmth and his cool. Perhaps he just wanted to apologize for earlier. The awkwardness between them had been totally his fault.

I do trust you...

There was a soft rustling of papers dropping to the floor as Edward became too distracted to keep holding onto them. Alfons felt his hands stroking over his back and he found himself sagging backwards and colliding into the desk. Their lips parted only to breathe before they connected hungrily again, excitement starting to tickle down Alfons' spine and awakening the deep passion that had rested inside him until now.

He wrapped his hands around Edward's neck, just as Edward thrust his hips into his crotch and his hands feeling up and down his hipbones, bringing his shirt up from his slacks. Alfons let out a breathed moan and got pinned down on the desk. His body arched up against Edward's and his hand reached for the band of Edward's trousers. He didn't know why, but somehow it didn't even bother him, doing this right then and there. This place was like a secret hideout, like their own sanctuary, a place that was known to the two of them only.

Edward scooted down at his neck and was already unbuttoning his shirt, touching and stroking the smooth skin over his torso. As the buttons were opened, Alfons shivered lightly and a trail of goosebumps ran over his stomach. Edward kissed the newly revealed skin where each kiss echoed on the surface in the form of cooling air. Hands, one metal and one flesh moved down towards Alfons' fly.

The hard wooden layer was totally insignificant to him. He pulled Edward's long hair loose, running his palm through it and arched up to just kiss something that belonged to Edward. He reached the flesh shoulder with his lips and bit gently, not enough to hurt, but enough to make the older writhe adorably on top of him. Edward was opening his fly, massaging him outside his shorts and Alfons muffled a moan into his neck, automatically surging into the pleasing touches. His own hand attained down inside Edward's slacks, gently stroking back along an obvious hard-on.

"Alfons," Edward moaned, closing his eyes. "I won't ask why you would suddenly be in the mood in this place and not at the dorms."

Alfons smiled sheepishly. "Good." He gasped out as supple fingers stroked against the entrance of his rectum, drawing out a pleasing burn from the depths of his spinal column before the fingers were replaced with something else. Slowly and gently Edward drew into him, his eyes filled of golden fire and his breath deep and warm against Alfons' throat. Alfons hugged around the body above him tighter.

I don't care where we live... Where we are... As long as I'm with you and your smile.

A while later when they were both spent and the sound of Edward's breathing filled his ear. His lover lay hunched laxly over his chest, his skin feeling warm and damp, and it was like Alfons suddenly woke up from a trance. A spell only Edward was able to bind him with.

Edward kissed his chest. Against his pounding heart. "Let's go back," he said quietly. "I want to talk to that bastard right away."

Alfons wondered slightly if he would even be able to concentrate—let alone work—in this room after today.

"I'm buying this house," Edward said. He hadn't even knocked before he burst inside the door, resolute and demanding as always. He held the contract up in front of the man.

"Watch your manners, Fullmetal," the Brigadier General warned. Then he looked puzzled at the sheet of paper from his spot by his desk. "Is that the same house I gave to Alfons Heiderich?"

"That's right."

"I gave it to him," Kiehle said simply. "Why don't you buy it from him?"

Edward stepped closer. "Not that easy. He won't accept it as a gift, and I agree. Superior officers usually don't wander around giving away gifts to their subordinates. And especially not on the account of the military itself."

Kiehle bared his teeth. "What are you talking about?"

"Obviously, this house wasn't yours to give away in the first place. Or maybe the rest of the military simply wasn't aware of its existence there, empty?" Edward said simply.

"Why don't you prove it?" Kiehle spat out.

"Oh, I'm sure the necessary records exist," Edward countered. He held up his papers, cleared his throat and started reading out loud. "Fallen in the Ishbal War, Sergeant Major Jame-"

He hadn't even read out his full name before the Brigadier General rose abruptly from his seat and slammed his hands down on his desk.

Edward let his arms sink slowly and stared at him closely. Kiehle knew exactly who this man was, it seemed.

"Where did you get that?" Kiehle asked.

"From the house," Edward responded. He started to wonder, who this person was to Brigadier General Kiehle?

Kiehle reached a hand out to take it from him, but Edward easily held it out of reach. He snorted a small smirk. "If the Fuhrer knew about this, ouch. That wouldn't be so good for the man responsible."

"You little..."

Edward pushed a check and pre-signed documents he had also found over the desk. "The contract you gave Alfons' isn't officially authorized. But, with this the house will be legally mine because I'm kind of buying it from the right owner, not from you. That way, both Alfons and me owe you nothing. The higher-ups don't have to know a thing." He scowled over something for a second, and then added: "And I'm not short!"

The Brigadier General looked at the check signed to the military, but his eyes had shot up at Edward by the mention of Alfons' name. "Owe me nothing?"

"That's right," Edward said. "It's equal exchange, although you had nothing to give in the first place so naturally you don't receive anything either." He wasn't sure if the Brigadier would really understand the principle of equal exchange nonetheless. At least the money would go to the military funds and not directly into this man's pocket. Lucky he had found the original franchise documents on the house.

The Brigadier General snorted. "Fine. I accept this ridiculous deal. But if you ever interfere with any of my business again, I'll make sure you'll regret it." He spoke the words like they were just a simple matter of fact. "You're already getting on my nerves, so get out."

Edward glared at him spitefully. "Just tell me again, Brigadier General. Why did you make such effort to save me?"

The man snorted. "You know why," he said smugly. "So your friend Heiderich can help me receive a promotion."

Edward huffed bitterly. I still have to punch you for that sometime...

"Congratulations on your new place. Now, please get out of my sight before I report your insolence and get another year added to your record of military service." Kiehle returned to his paperwork without paying him any further notice.

Edward nodded, saluted quickly and left in a haste. That was a piece of cake. He'd have to ask Alfons nicely if he would bake a cake for him in their new house.

Only two minutes after Alfons had went inside his and Edward's dorm room, the door knocked hard. He turned in puzzlement. Who could that be? Maybe Al.

He opened the door, and before he got the chance of doing anything, someone attacked him and pressed him hard against the wall inside the small hall.

"Wah!" he gasped in surprised.

A girl as equally tall as him with long blond hair and blue eyes pinned him to the wall and glared a million deadly daggers at him.

"YOU!" she screamed, tears in her eyes. "How could you?"

"W-Winry..." Alfons stuttered, actually feeling scared. She looked bloodcurdling.

"YOU KNOW I WAS LEFT AT HOME WORRYING SICK AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN CALL ME!" Winry yelled in his ear.

Alfons opened his mouth to answer, but not a sound was able to come out.

"YOU DIDN'T EVEN CARE TO TELL ME ABOUT ED'S TRIAL!"

He glanced desperately behind her shoulder for help. There stood Al and Scheiska. They looked equally scared as him. Alfons had a feeling that they had been through something similar.

"Winry, I- I..."

"Shut up!" Winry yelled. "Where is he? Where is that ungrateful, little bean? When I get my hands on him, he'll wish he was never born and I'll see that his head is replaced with automail!"

Alfons swallowed. "He's not here right now," he managed. "And I'm really sorry," he hurriedly added.

Winry pushed him further into the room until he was forced to sit down on one of the beds. "When he gets here, I'll-" Winry went around in a circle, elaborating the most frightening ways of how she would dismantle Edward when he got back.

Al's bronze eyes were huge as saucers as he went slowly into the room, followed by Scheiska. Scheiska looked as pale as a sheet, and quivered at the sight of Winry.

Alfons cast a glance at Al, who responded with a swallow. He sat down on the bed next to Alfons. "Uhm, Scheiska told her about the trial last night, and she took the first train to Central."

Alfons stared at Winry, still scared to death. He had never seen anyone so angry before. Not even Edward.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Scheiska said fast in a shrieking voice. "I was too afraid to tell her before I knew that everything would be alright! But... then I had to tell her everything from the start."

"I'm mostly disappointed in you, Al," Winry said, glaring at Al, making him cringe and look down in shame.

"You could've informed me immediately, but you didn't! I've been there for you since you came back and this is how you thank me?"

Alphonse became visibly smaller. "I had lots of other things on my mind, Winry. I was concentrating on finding a way to help Nii-san."

"That is no excuse!" Winry thundered. "You knew perfectly well that I was thinking about all of you, and you didn't even give a thought!"

"I told you already, I'm sorry," Al said intently.

"Alfons?" A new voice sounded from the hall, sounding to be slightly alarmed of finding the door to the dorm room open. Alfons wanted to yell out and warn him, but he knew better. Winry would probably smash his head under her tool box.

Before anyone could even react any further, Winry stormed out and pinned Edward directly to the wall in the hall outside with her fist ready to attack. Al, Alfons and Scheiska rushed up to the opening door to witness what was going to happen to him.

Edward's eyes went a little wider as his back hit the wall. After that followed a hard and painful slap across his cheek. The skin immediately reddened by Winry's firm hand.

Edward touched his own cheek in surprise, staring agitated at her. "Winry..."

"I've never had any worse friend than you!" Winry said with tears running in floods down her cheeks. "You've never trusted me with anything, have you? Not even your relationship with Alfons."

Alfons' eyes widened at that, and so did Edward's. How could she possibly know about that?

Scheiska stared at her in surprise as well. Obviously she hadn't known, and to judge from the look in Al's eyes, he hadn't said anything either. Alfons started to wonder if she had known all along.

Edward was silent, but his eyes were locked.

"You're a completely nutcase. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?" Winry slowly let go of him and stepped back. "I was so worried all the time, and for what reason? You don't even care."

Edward sighed. "Don't be such a girl," he muttered.

He received another punch, this time in his shoulder. "Ouch!"

Winry fisted her palms in front of him. "If you ever do something like that again, I'll-"

Before she could elaborate any further, Edward stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Winry's breath got caught up in her throat as his cheek came in contact with her own, and she let her arms fall laxly down by her sides.

"I'm sorry, Winry," Edward said in a low voice. "Usually, you're the first one I would tell."

"You almost died," Winry cried. "You were almost killed." She clutched his shirt and dug his face into his metal shoulder. "What was I supposed to do if I had suddenly got a call that you were dead?!"

Edward stroked her back and sighed.

Finally the others dared move closer. Al put a hand on Winry's shoulder. "We didn't want to get you involved in it. The military was infiltrated and all. If they knew how close you are to us, they might have tried to take advantage of it."

Winry slowly let go of Edward and stared down at Al. "What...?"

"Al's right," Edward said. "We know that at least one person from Thule Society was acting as a soldier. He's been captured now."

Alfons smiled at her. "It's not over, but at least we're all here now."

Winry nodded silently.

"Why don't you all come to our new place," Edward said, breaking the silence.

"Wow, you actually did it," Alfons said.

"Of course I did. Did you honestly think I wouldn't?"

"No," Alfons admitted. "I guess I lost the bet."

"What new place?" Al asked.

"Yeah, what are you talking about?" Winry wanted to know.

"I just bought a house," Edward said.

The house needed a little work, but for now they would manage it the way it was.

"The only thing missing is something edible," Edward muttered at the empty fridge. "Guess we need to do a little shopping before the stores close."

"It's a nice place," Winry commented, looking out the window in the living room.

Scheiska agreed. "It's great."

"Thank you," Alfons said, still trying to comprehend the fact that it was really theirs now.

"But..." Winry said, looking at Edward as he joined them in the living room. "Won't you come home?"

Edward stared at her sincerely. "Home... No. Unfortunately I have to stay here in Central for work. Same goes for Alfons."

Winry shook her head in disbelief. "Why?"

"Because I have to," Edward said simply. "And I have to get rid of the Gates."

"How did you stumble upon this place anyway?" Winry asked, addressing both of them.

"A coincidence," Edward just said. "Of course, you can come visit whenever you want." He smiled softly at her. Then he turned to his younger sibling. "Al, I'll show you your room!" He grinned.

"My own room?" Al repeated in happy surprise. "Awesome!"

Edward went up the stairs, followed by his younger brother hanging in his arm. There were no pictures or signs of personal belongings on the walls or elsewhere, despite the furniture. Still it seemed like the house had been abandoned. Though it appeared that all the personal belongings of the officer who used to live there had been removed by the military. Edward sighed and grinned as he played with his little brother on the way through the hall, jokingly fighting each other and trying to kick each other off their feet.

Eventually they reached the right bedroom and Edward tackled Al down on his bed.

"You're cheating!" Al complained.

"You're not in the big steel armour anymore," Edward teased. "Which gives me an upper hand." Then he chuckled and sat down on the edge of the bed, and Al sat up on his palms while looking the room over with large excited eyes.

"Stay here for as long as you want, Al," Edward said softly. "But I understand if you'll rather live in Rizembool."

Al flopped down on his back, resting his arms behind his head. "No. I want to live with you."

Edward smiled, glad to hear that.

"Where will you and Heiderich-san be sleeping?" Al asked.

"In the other bedroom across the hall," Edward replied.

"Are you sharing a bedroom?"

Edward blushed slightly. "Yeah."

Al looked startled. "What if someone else finds out?"

"There are two beds in there," Edward said.

"Ah." Although, even Al understood enough that one of the beds would remain vacant.

"Alfons and I have been through a lot together," Edward said silently. "I want him to settle down, because I literally forced him into this whole mess."

Al was quiet for a while, staring at a seemingly interesting spot on the wall.

"The same goes for you," Edward added. "I want you to feel safe."

"You don't have to worry about me, Nii-san," Al said softly, "even if I'm not a suit of armour anymore."

A small smile twitched at the edges of Edward's lips. "Yeah."

Al lowered his gaze. "There's something I've wanted to ask you, ever since you were arrested by the military."

Edward pushed himself back and rested his back against the wall next to the bed. "Oh, what's that?"

"At that time..." Al said slowly, and the memory of his older brother's words came back as a flash through his mind.

"This is important, Al. Promise me, do not use soul transmutation again. Ever."

"Oh, that," Edward said in a low voice. "How long have you used alchemy like that, Al?"

"Since my training with Sensei after you were gone," Al said. "She thought it was interesting, but..."

"She warned you too, didn't she?"

"Yeah," Al admitted. "But she never told me why I shouldn't use it."

Edward leaned forward, looking at Al. "When you're affixing your soul into soulless things, you body becomes weaker, and you could lose control of the amount of 'soul' you need for the object. If your entire soul accidently gets transferred, you may not be able to return to your body again. That's why you should never use it."

"I've never used it enough to lose myself," Al countered. "I'm careful, Nii-san."

Edward nodded. "Yeah, I know. But... you're a great alchemist without using it, Al. Don't take the risk, okay?"

Al nodded smiling. "Sure."

Edward felt silently relieved. Who knows what could happen since the Gate could be pretty close to the soul of the alchemist when using of that sort of alchemy.

Alfons had lingered in the kitchen, feeling a little uncomfortable as Winry suddenly came into view and looked at him.

"I'll... I'll go outside for a moment," Scheiska said prickly, aware that Winry had something on her mind. After she was gone, Winry stepped closer without meeting his eyes.

"Alfons," she said. "You two have been together for a long time, haven't you?"

"Only a few months actually," Alfons divulged. Even though it felt like he had been together with Edward forever. He tried to lighten up the atmosphere. "We were just friends at the University, and we lived together for a long time after that without being anything more than friends."

"Do you really love him?" Winry asked.

Alfons felt like she had just hit him. He studied her eyes for a moment before he answered. "Yes."

She looked away again. Then she smiled.

"I've loved him far longer than we've been together," Alfons admitted. "Why do you ask?" He figured she had a hard time accepting it, or maybe she didn't even want to accept it? What if she didn't like the fact at all? How would Edward take that? She was his childhood friend after all.

"Yeah, why indeed," she murmured. "Maybe I thought that after all of this madness was over, perhaps I would've fallen for you."

Alfons was silent, not having a clue what to say. Fallen for him? Winry...?

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"I'm sorry too," he offered silently.

"Don't be silly," Winry shot back. Then she smiled again. "As long as Ed is happy, right?"

Alfons smiled softly back. "I thought, out of the two of us, you would've picked Edward over me."

Winry laughed. "I thought so too. No actually, Ed is more like a brother to me." Her blue eyes beamed at him. "Once someone gets to know you, you're not as bad as you think, Alfons."

Alfons laughed as well, despite the warm blush spreading over his cheeks. "You don't seem so bad yourself, despite the way you look when you're angry."

"Hah," Winry replied. "You haven't seen me in action with a wrench yet."

Alfons grinned nervously. He would rather not ask any further.

"I'm happy for you two," Winry said. "Ed deserves someone like you."

Alfons didn't know if he could agree to that, and that thought bothered him.

Later that evening Edward and Al had been out with Scheiska to buy some food, and Alfons and Winry took it upon them to have it cooked.

"Edward has barely cooked anything in his entire life," Winry said conversationally, laughing a little. "Al was always feeding him as a suit of armour. He was more like a guardian than his little brother."

Alfons smiled at the thought. He didn't doubt it for a second. "Actually, he made me breakfast a few times. Scrambled eggs."

"Wow, how did that go?" Winry asked curiously.

"So and so," Alfons grinned. "It was edible though."

"Such luck!" Winry giggled.

"I'm curious about something..." Alfons started, feeling more secure around her now than during their last conversation.

"Mm?"

"We tried having a low profile when we got here," Alfons started embarrassed. "How did you figure us out?"

Winry took a sip of her glass of orange juice and leaned towards the counter. "I've known Edward forever. Something about the way he was always smiling while in your presence, despite the fact that Al was abducted. It did seem suspicious."

"But you never mentioned anything in Rizembool," Alfons said.

Winry shook her head. "I didn't say anything because I had a bad conscious for thinking that you were a homunculus." She blushed slightly. "I had enough with apologizing. Besides, I knew you both wanted to keep it secret. It just kind of burst out of me today because I was mad."

"It's all right," Alfons said fast. "You had a right to be angry."

"Maybe," Winry said. "Anyway, you're kind of cute together though."

Alfons felt his face heat up in a blush again and concentrated hard on cutting vegetables. "Is that so?" No one had ever told him something like that before, obviously.

Winry gave him a shrewd smile. "He's still not drinking milk, is he?"

"Never," Alfons replied.

"As I thought."

"You two are becoming good friends, it seems," Edward commented, leaning against at the doorframe to the kitchen.

Winry turned at him, beaming. "Sure. Alfons and I are sharing some deep secrets about you."

"About me?" Edward sighed and stepped closer, crossing his arms. "I'm sure there's a lot you two know about me that I don't," he said. His voice sounded like he preferred not to know. "When is the food ready? I'm starving."

"Can you ever stop being hungry?" Winry asked. She didn't wait for a reply. "It'll be ready soon if you get your ass out."

Edward looked a little peeved before he disappeared back into the living room. Alfons could only laugh. "You're the only one I've seen who's able to do that."

Winry winked at him.

Half an hour later all of them sat by the table in the living room, eating dinner.

"I'm glad you're settling down," Winry said, addressing all three of them. "But you'll come visit us, right?"

"The military will probably keep a sharp eye on me," Edward complained. "But yeah, of course. When we get rid of the Gates and Thule Society, things will mostly become normal."

Even if he talked so lightly about something so difficult, Alfons couldn't help feeling relieved. For a long time he had wondered if he would ever fall into a safe routine again, or if tomorrow actually existed for him. Now he knew that there would somehow be a tomorrow or a next week, and he would be able to plan something ahead.

"We'll travel to Lior in a couple of days," Edward said. "Then I'll destroy the first Gate."

Winry scowled at him, and Alfons noticed the worry in her eyes. "Destroy the Gate? With alchemy?"

"Of course," Edward said.

"Won't that be dangerous?" Winry said.

Edward was silent for a second, and Alfons' thoughts started spinning. Winry was right. It could in fact become very dangerous.

"Probably," Edward said. "But that won't stop me from trying."

"And I'll help," Al said resolutely.

Winry stared at both of them across the table. "You better be okay when you get back, both of you."

Edward smiled and snorted. "Don't worry, Winry."

It was getting late and the girls were getting ready to leave. Out on the small porch, Winry remained standing and looked out towards the stars.

Edward stepped behind her with his hands stuffed inside his pockets and followed her gaze. "It's a quiet place up here. Not as quiet as home, but it'll do."

Winry turned to him and smiled. He talked about Rizembool as his home and not Central. That would be good enough for her for now. "Take care, Edward," she said.

"You too," Edward said. He received a tight hug from her and had a hard time covering over his slightly red cheeks.

Scheiska hugged Al and Alfons. "You take care too, okay?" she said.

"M-m," Al said with a smile.

Alfons gave Scheiska a warm smile as she let go of them. "We'll meet again soon."

She nodded. "Yeah. And you can tell me more about the libraries in Munich."

He laughed. "Sure."

Winry stepped to Al, hugging him tightly as well and kissed him on the cheek. Al blushed in all shades of red. "Winry..."

"You are like a little brother to me too, you know," Winry told him softly. "Be safe, okay?"

"I will," Al promised.

Then she turned to Alfons. "Take good care of them, Alfons." She smiled. "I'm counting on you."

"I'll do my best," Alfons said earnestly. She hugged him, and he wrapped his arms around her back. He really was starting to care a lot about this person. He had a lot in common with Winry after all.

"Come back soon," Winry said.

Alfons nodded. But as he watched the girls disappear down the street, he knew he wouldn't see them again for a long, long time. Alphonse went back inside, while Edward lingered out on the porch beside Alfons for a while.

Their street was lined by street lamps all the way down to the centre of the city, where they had a view over Central Headquarters. The large white building was lit up and shining brightly in the middle of a million small lights of houses and buildings. But as beautiful as the city might be by nightfall, it was nothing compared to the night sky above them. It was all the bright stars there who had both of their attention.

"It's darker up here," Edward said quietly. "So you can see the stars better."

"I think you were right, Edward," Alfons said softly.

"About what?"

"The sky here looks the same as the other world's."

Edward snaked an arm around his waist, softening with amusement. It felt like ages ago he had said it. And he found himself content that Alfons remembered...

"Alfons, are you...?"

Alfons glanced questionably at him.

Edward was unsure how to word the simple question he wanted to ask.

Are you happy?

He sighed, looking away again and back towards the stars. Just give me a couple of days, and then you'll be completely safe. I won't let you disappear.

"I am happy, Edward. As long as I'm with you."

Edward's eyes widened a little, and his golden eyes met Alfons' smile. His smile was the most wonderful thing he had seen for a long time.

Next morning Alfons woke up with a warm body lying close to him, the feel of soothing breathing tickling his ear. The sunlight already shone brightly through the window. He smiled softly as he glanced over to the clock at the nightstand. There were only ten minutes until Edward had to wake up because of his meeting with the higher-ups today. Since his commanding officer was going to be at the meeting, Alfons didn't have to come to the office until later. He lay on his stomach, lifting himself slightly up on his elbows and watched his sleeping lover. Edward lay on his back, his lips slightly parted and breathing deeply, almost with a hint of snoring.

Alfons nestled into his neck, not very worried if Edward would wake up. Even if the whole military suddenly decided to storm their house, it was dubious if he would wake. Therefore Alfons arranged himself discreetly between Edward's thighs and snuggled his arms around his chest. Edward just stirred, but didn't wake up. Alfons rested his head on top of Edward's warm chest and closed his eyes. He wished he could stay like this forever, but in mere minutes the clock would call out and he would be forced to drag Edward out of bed and put him in the shower if he was to make it to the important meeting.

Alfons sighed and hugged the body underneath him closer. At least they would have many mornings similar to this. They had their own place, a bigger bed where both of them could actually fit without being uncomfortable, and Edward was able to be together with his little brother. It couldn't be better.

The clock started ringing and Alfons shut it off immediately. Edward stirred again, squirming a little from the weight on top of him. Alfons rested his head down on top of his chest again. "Morning," he said.

Edward opened his eyes, moseying up in the unfamiliar ceiling. "Morning," he yawned. He rubbed his eyes with his flesh hand and tilted his head down at Alfons. "You look comfortable."

"Mhm," Alfons smiled. He felt Edward's fingers rub gently through his hair, down his neck. He became immediately sleepy again, his entire body getting heavy. Nothing could make him as sleepy and relaxed as when Edward's hand was stroking lazy circles at his nape like that. If it continued like that much longer, he wasn't sure if he would be able to let Edward leave bed.

Edward made no motion to act otherwise. "I'd stay here if I could," he murmured, running his hand through his hair.

Alfons snuggled into his neck, leaving a couple of light kisses. "You're really trying to make me stop you from going, aren't you?"

Edward grinned at him. "Maybe."

Alfons actually considered it for a second. In this position it would be quite easy. But then his rationality outweighed his feelings and he let his thoughts down. "No matter how troublesome it is, there is a reason you have to be there, isn't there? If they consider my world a threat to this one because of Thule Society..."

Edward sighed. "You're right. Someone has to knock some sense into those bastards with power."

Alfons smiled and kissed him. Long and deep. When their lips slowly parted he said: "When you come back, we're officially moved in."

Edward grinned. "Officially? Then we'll have to celebrate." He caught Alfons' lips into another deep kiss.

"That's right." Alfons pulled back and rolled off of him. He was still a little sleepy and curled up on his side.

Edward sat himself up and stretched, his back creaking soundly as he did. Then he looked down on his lover and pulled the sheets up over him. "Sleep for a couple of hours more," he said. "I'll see you later."

"I love you," Alfons murmured, already about to doze off again.

Edward smiled. "Love you too."

At nine o'clock sharp all the chairs around the long table were occupied. The Fuhrer President sat at one of the ends and among the present men were Michael Austen and some others from the Council, Brigadier General Kiehle and Colonel Roy Mustang. There was a tense and formal atmosphere in the huge meeting room, each of them seemingly not sure of what to expect even if a façade could easily hide it.

Mustang glanced at each and every one of the men. At his left side Edward was sitting, intentionally placed at the middle of the table. Most of the powerful men around the table had at least one of their eyes fixed on him. Mustang was still impressed by how calmly Edward seemed to handle the situation. The young man's eyes were serious and his back straight, ready to face whatever this meeting was leading to.

"I'm sure you all know why we're gathered here today," Fuhrer Hakuro announced. "This meeting concerns the future and safety of our beloved country. Our enemies are still out there, possibly plotting their next move and we have to be ready for it."

The gathering looked slightly startled, even if they had been aware of that fact all along. Amestris had already suffered a great loss of people, civilians and soldiers, as a cause of the terrorist organization. Until now they still hadn't found a proper way of defending themselves against bomb-dropping flying machines. The only thing they had were programs to get people to safety from the cities as fast as possible.

"The terrorist organization, Thule Society, has to be stopped at any cost," Fuhrer Hakuro continued. "To do that, we must learn everything we possibly can about them."

The men nodded in agreement to that.

"I give the word to Major Edward Elric, who knows Thule Society better than any of us," Hakuro had set his eyes at Edward, and Mustang noted the expression of interest in them.

Edward rose from his chair and bowed politely. "I know them, but either way – the only logical thing to do is to travel back to the mountain and wait for them before they can harm another city," he said. "Although, in my opinion, I think they're still located there."

"What makes you so sure of that, Major?" Hakuro asked.

"The Gate to the other world is still located there," Edward replied. "If we can make them go back into the Gate, I can close it up and we'll never see them again."

There was a small silence around the table.

"Another world," Fuhrer Hakuro whispered. "If this is really true, can't we expect them to do something similar in the future?"

"They won't," Edward said. "They couldn't make a Gate in the other world without me or my father, so there's no chance they'll be able to make a new one after I've gotten rid of it."

Mustang raised a hand. "Sir, Edward has a point. There is no reason to dwell upon the truths of another world out there since the rest of that world is not aware that this one exists."

"Is there really any guarantee of that?" Brigadier General Kiehle said. He sounded solemn and looked at the Fuhrer. "The knowledge of another world could be incredible news to scientists and explorers all over. Is it really okay to ignore such thing?"

Fuhrer Hakuro looked thoughtfully from Mustang to Kiehle.

Edward frowned. "Are you seriously considering entering the Gate? It's way too dangerous. You'd need to fly at high speed." Or perform a human transmutation. He didn't mention the latter out loud.

"Then how did you manage to go to the other world from this side?" Kiehle asked smoothly. "You didn't have any access to a vehicle with the ability to fly you there at that time."

Edward stared straight at him. "I was lucky."

Fuhrer Hakuro rose suddenly. "I'm deciding, our world should be our priority and I choose to trust Edward Elric's words that this other world will not do us any more harm if Thule Society is stopped."

Edward took a deep breath. So far, so good. Kiehle gave him a circumspect look, but didn't say anything against the Fuhrer's decision.

"Each commanding officer will inform their unit of the tactics we'll discuss here today," the Fuhrer said. "First I wish to send out a unit of a few people to the targeted location and find out if they're there and about their routines."

"In the meantime I will send the Elric-brothers out on a different mission tomorrow," Mustang informed. "To Lior."

Edward looked at him with bright eyes. "Colonel..." He was glad he could finally go. Considering what Alfons had told him about his confusion with languages, time was about to start getting short.

"What's happening in Lior?" Fuhrer Hakuro asked.

"He might be able to destroy the Gate which still exists in the other world," Mustang explained. "By doing that we're reassured that no one else from the other world can enter this one again."

"When I came to this world three weeks ago, the end of the Gate was located in Lior," Edward said. "By using that same location I might be able to find the link connected to the Gate from there and destroy it."

"Sounds motivating," Fuhrer Hakuro said. "I wish you good luck on your mission, Major. When you return, we'll hopefully have our schedule ready to head for Thule Society based on the reports from the team I'm sending out."

"Thank you for helping us out, Riza-san," Al said with a smile. He had been in an unusually good mood since yesterday. Alfons could only smile at him. They were busy cleaning the house and moving in.

"No problem," Riza replied. She was standing on a stepladder in the living room and just finished hanging up some curtains. "I'll make some lunch for you two," she offered kindly as she stepped down and then disappeared into the kitchen. She had already done some shopping for them earlier that morning.

Alfons' stomach rumbled at the thought of food. He hadn't even had breakfast yet and it was already almost noon. He was finished cleaning the floors in every room of the ground floor and was about to start on the stairs.

"It's getting nice in here," Al said. He had slumped down on the sofa, having a break from cleaning the windows and the furniture.

"Yeah, it is," Alfons said. Actually, he was really looking forward to being finished with the house and to start living in it. And he hadn't forgotten his little promise to Edward. They would celebrate tonight, for being officially moved in and he couldn't wait. Maybe he'd even bake that cake Edward had pleaded for lately.

There was a hard knock on the door, and the boys exchanged looks. Who could that be?

"I'll go," Al said, letting Alfons continue working with the stairs. He went to the hall and opened the door.

Outside stood a soldier in the familiar blue military uniform. By the sight of Alphonse he quickly saluted.

"I'm here to pick up Alfons Heiderich," he said formally. "Brigadier General Kiehle is calling him in for duty."

"Oh," Al said. He turned in the doorway. "Heiderich-san, it's for you."

Alfons stood up and entered the hall as well. "Is the meeting finished already?"

"Kiehle wished for you to wait in his office until it's finished," the soldier said, still saluting. "It won't take long," he said.

Alfons sighed. "I guess you'll have to manage the rest without me," he said, addressing Al.

"It's fine," Al said. "See you later."

"Bye," Alfons said and followed the soldier out to the car. The soldier held up the door for him to the backseat and Alfons climbed in without a word. It was a little strange of the Brigadier General to send someone out to get him like this. Alfons had planned to walk there so he could be at the office at 1:30 because the meeting was supposed to take at least a half of the day. But maybe the meeting would be finished earlier, and the Brigadier General might be impatient of putting him to work on the new flying machine. Alfons wouldn't be surprised.

He regretted that he hadn't had time to eat before he left home. Alfons smiled thinly. Home. Was he already addressing that place as home? In one way it was a little early for that, but in another he hadn't had a real home since he lived in Munich, so it felt good to finally have a place he could consider his home again.

Some moments later the car parked at the Central Headquarters. The soldier got out and opened the door for him. Alfons felt almost stupid, not at all used to this kind of conduct.

"This way, 1st Lieutenant Heiderich," the soldier said, and Alfons followed him inside. They took the elevator up to the right floor and went through the same hall Alfons and Al had pursued Thomas Peterson in the other day. The soldier stopped in front of the door to the Brigadier General's office. "You may go in and wait for Brigadier General Kiehle's return, 1st Lieutenant."

"Thanks," Alfons said, not really feeling any more used to be called by rank.

The soldier saluted and Alfons made a half-hearted hand gesture back before he proceeded into the office. The desk was empty, so he sat down on a couch to wait. He wished he had something to read while waiting, for he didn't like being here in particular. He pushed the memory of the dreadful visit far back in his mind. The Brigadier General had crossed the line at that time, but it was Alfons who had agreed to it. He hadn't tried to run away, and the result had made Edward free. It was equivalent exchange.

Alfons sank further down on the couch with a sigh. He was almost dead beat already after working and cleaning the house since he stood up from bed. He just longed for the day to be over so he could spend the rest of the evening with Edward. Needless to say, whenever Edward wasn't in the same room as him, Alfons missed him.

Suddenly the door went up and the Brigadier General stepped in. "Ah, Alfons, I see you're already here. Splendid." He closed the door carefully.

Alfons stood quickly up from the couch.

"Just sit," Kiehle said with a smile. "You looked comfortable."

Alfons sat down slowly again, scowling. He was far from comfortable.

"The meeting was pretty interesting," Kiehle said conversationally. "I learned some new things about your world. It must be a good place, isn't it?"

"Sure," Alfons replied in defeat. He just had to rub it in that he knew the truth on everything about him.

"Mustang must have done a pretty good job covering for you," the man continued easily. "Very impressive indeed. And without any of the higher-ups noticing anything. Mustang can be quite the furtive bastard."

Alfons' eyes widened. "Sir... That's not-"

"Oh, don't try covering for him," Kiehle brushed him off. "I found out after a girl named Winry Rockbell called me a while ago, and she suggested that you weren't the one you said you were. You could never have done anything of the sort without Mustang's help."

Alfons shivered in both fear and anger. "Sir, please..."

"No worries. As long as I can trust you, Alfons, no one needs to know." Kiehle gave him a cunning smile. "I wouldn't put you in some unnecessary trouble now, would I?"

Alfons' lips quivered slightly.

"Just make sure to keep your dear friend Edward far away from my business in the future, is that understood?"

Alfons literally got scared. He had to be referring to the fact that Edward had bought the house instead. Edward had probably made a small scene and told Kiehle that he would tell the higher-ups about whatever it was Kiehle had been hiding away from them considering that house. Alfons didn't know the details around it himself, and neither did he want to become further involved. He rose from the couch again and bowed his head. "I'll make sure he will."

"Good," Kiehle smiled. "Anyway, I called you in to give you a new assignment," he continued, stepping to his desk and found a file from his drawer. He placed it on the desk.

Alfons watched the file. It was a brown envelope. Another one of those? No, it was a different one. Much thicker than the last envelope he had gotten. This was really a proper mission it would seem, and not an unnecessary gift.

"I'll start on it immediately," Alfons said and stepped in front of the desk to receive it. He just wanted to leave. As quickly as he could.

"Oh, I admire your eagerness," Kiehle said. But his hand was still on top of the envelope, so even if Alfons tried he wouldn't be able to pick it up. Alfons felt extremely uneasy.

"This isn't just a mission," Kiehle said. "This is a copy of your dear friend Edward's manual for the Azure-project."

"What do you want me to do with it?" Alfons asked befuddled.

"Improve it," Kiehle replied. "Your deadline is short, so eagerness is a good quality for this mission. I want you to come back tomorrow morning with the finished manual."

"Fine," Alfons said. He had to pull an all-nighter, alright. But as long as he could get out of this office soon, he wouldn't complain.

"Ah, show a little more spirit, Alfons," Kiehle said. "Like you did when you were practically on your knees begging me to save your boyfriend. Is that a lot to ask of you?"

Alfons shifted uncomfortably the weight from his right foot to his left. He had no clue of what to reply to such slick comments. And the fact that Kiehle actually knew this much about him bothered him.

Kiehle stepped around the desk until he stood face to face to Alfons, uncomfortably close. Alfons wanted to stretch passed him, grab the envelope and run out of there, but there was no way he would get away with it. And before he could think of moving away, the man had taken a good hold of his arm and cupped his cheek with the other.

"Maybe this will help you show some spirit," Kiehle said. Then the older man's lips suddenly connected hard with Alfons', and Alfons didn't have a clue what to do. Kiehle kissed him firmly and hungrily, and his hand moved from his cheek and back around his neck.

Alfons twisted his head to the side. "Stop!" His hands shot up to Kiehle's chest in an attempt to push him away.

Kiehle smiled slickly as he let his hand wander down Alfons's back and up again, around his nape. "You know you don't have any other choice than to submit to me," he said in a low, smug voice. "If you don't, what will happen to Edward? What will the higher-ups do to Mustang? Strip his state alchemist licence and his position at best. And what about Alphonse Elric?"

Alfons' eyes suddenly fixed hard on him. "Are you bringing Edward's little brother into this as well?" He had no idea how he suddenly managed to speak with such hard voice. But the thought of someone hurting Edward's little brother again... The thought about how that would affect Edward... It made Alfons' heart stir with fury.

"I'm not stupid," Kiehle said. "And I'm not an alchemist. But as a reply to my question of how Edward Elric was able to enter the other world without a flying speed, he replied that he was lucky. Oh, he was lucky alright, but that wasn't all, was it? His brother was a suit of armour, and suddenly he turns up without the armour after his brother disappears? Isn't that a remarkable coincidence?"

Alfons didn't reply. Kiehle had already figured out the truth. About absolutely everything.

"Human transmutation is forbidden. The result of the trial would be execution, no doubt about it," Kiehle surmised. "And what about little Alphonse?"

"Stop," Alfons said. He bowed his head and let his arms fall down at his sides. "Please, don't make this concern anyone else but me..."

Kiehle grinned and patted his head like he was petting a dog. "As long as you do as I say." Then he turned and picked up the envelope and shoved it into Alfons' hand. "You have a lot of work to do. I suggest you get started. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Alfons accepted the envelope with a trembling hand. "Yes, sir." He turned fast and quickly stepped out. Once the door closed behind him, he started sprinting down the hall until he reached the elevator. Safely inside it, he leaned against the wall with his heart trashing wildly inside his chest.

Had he ever been this scared before? He couldn't remember.