V.- Of Baby Blankets

Alphonse was walking home from school with a smile on his face. Most people seemed to have forgotten the incident some days prior and he could relax and not be ashamed of himself. After all, he was probably the cutest guy in class so all the girls were drooling after him. Thumb sucking made him cuter.

He had decided to take the long path home, the one that crossed the small city, before reaching his home. He looked around and saw all sorts of people enjoying their time in the streets. He always enjoyed seeing people hanging out in peace. Made him remember the good times he had back on his homeworld.

After walking for a long while, he saw a new store that had been recently opened.

It was a baby store.

He stared at it, wondering why he had such strange feelings towards it. He felt enchanted by it, as if he as being pulled by it as if it were a magnet. And he was sure his body wasn't metal anymore. Without realizing, he started walking towards the store, wondering what he would find.

Alphonse entered.

He found all sorts of thing, a lot of baby toys and cribs and such. He was surprised, and he blinked in surprise when he felt some sort of jealousy towards the babies that would enjoy such fine pieces of childhood.

His eyes suddenly were fixed upon an object: a baby blanket.

Almost by instinct, he walked towards it and grabbed it. It was really soft and cute, with embroidered little cats. Cats. Of all the animals there were, it had to be kitties. It was of a baby blue color and it was charming him, he didn't know how or why. But it made him feel so good when he grabbed it.

"How can I help you?" asked the clerk, an elderly woman with a smile on her face.

Alphonse blinked and noticed he had his face against the baby blanket. With an embarrassed look, turning red as an apple, he put it down. "I was just… looking for things for my new baby brother! Yes, that's it, my baby brother."

The woman smile. "Well, you certainly have good taste! That baby blanket is almost one of a kind, its cloth is hard to find on this country. It's also very cute."

"Yeah," said Alphonse, captivated by the baby blanket. "I'll take it!"

And so, he bought the baby blanket.

Alphonse arrived home and noticed that Edward was still at school, probably grading his students and failing them on their tests. He looked at the bag that contained the baby blanket, and with love, he to it out. He stared at it.

Without wasting another second, he walked to his room and almost immediately, he tossed his backpack aside and took off his shirt and pants, staying in just underwear. He grabbed his footed sleeper and put it on, he wanted to rest and he was really comfortable in that one piece pajamas Edward had bought him.

Once he had his footed pajama on, he jumped over the bed and grabbed the baby blanket, hugging it against his body. It was soft and warm. He felt such ecstasy that he was even feeling nervous. Almost by instinct, he grabbed his pacifier and stuck it in his mouth and began to suck idly.

Hugging the baby blanket, in footed pajamas and pacifier in mouth, he fell asleep.

Boy, those kids are such a chemistry failure. The test was so easy!

Edward was arriving home after giving his student their grades, which were deplorable. Just a few couple of his students managed to pull through. He had earned an award last semester for being the best teacher, sadly this time he got the worst group.

Without further thought, he tossed his portfolio and looked around. "Hey, Al! I'm home!"

Boy, I'm starving.

He walked up the stairs to the second floor, hoping to find his brother. I wish my students were like Al, not even one B…straight A's. It's not even normal. My little brother is such a genius. Well, he was an alchemist after all.

He opened his brother's door and entered the room.

What he saw made his heart turn.

There he was, his little brother sleeping in his footed pajamas, with a baby blanket in arms and a pacifier in his mouth. He looked so adorable it would be a sin to even consider waking him up. He was resting so easily that Edward wondered how he did it. Was he that comfortable?

Without thinking much, he walked towards his brother and kissed him in the forehead. "Rest nicely, baby bro."