Entkommen die Vergangenheit

Chapter Two

Meeting The Past

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Ed had found it. If his research was correct he could open the gate and find his brother.

The circle was perfect. He had made sure.

He would find Al and bring him home. And he would prove to himself that the desire that had been steadily increasing with the thought that Al would have his body back didn't mean anything.

He was ready.

Ed place his hands on the circle, feeling it working.

XXX

They sat knee to knee on the floor.

They'd began to do this everyday.

"No, Ich, not Ick!" Heiderich laughed.

Al tried again.

"That's better."

"Say something else." Al asked

This continued for an hour, Al was a fast learner but it would take time for him to speak a new language fluently.

"Now try saying something we haven’t just been practicing."

"Sie sind perfekt."

Heiderich smiled "Küss mich."

Al leaned forward and kissed his tutor.

The lesson was put on hold.

XXX

"So you like the outdoors?"

Al turned away from the window.

"Yes, why?"

"I have something to show you then."

Heiderich brought Al outside. "I don't want you wondering around because the trees can be dense and you can get lost easily. But there are some nice spots."

They reached one of those nice spots. The clear stream sparkled in the moonlight at the edge of the clearing.

Al walked away from the trees, then looked up at the sky. "It's beautiful."

Heiderich watched Alphonse walk around, exploring. He went to meet him and pulled Al into an embrace. "I know something much more beautiful."

"What?"

Heiderich kissed him.

Al blushed realizing what he had meant.

Heiderich's hands caressed his shoulders, pulling off the shirt Al had thrown on before leaving.

Hot kisses trailed over Al's exposed flesh.

When Al whispered his name Heiderich pulled him closer, their bodies fitting together perfectly, Al's fingers digging into his back.

Their lips met again for a long kiss that left them breathless.

It was at that moment that Heiderich knew beyond a doubt that he never wanted to spend one day without Alphonse there. He wanted to know every time he came home Al would be waiting.

Al was everything to him, nothing in his life had ever meant this much.

He gently lowered Al to the ground so the brunette was under him. He sat back looking down at Al, bathed in moonlight.

A frown creased the perfect brow. "Are you crying?" Al asked confused.

Heiderich said everything that had just crossed his mind.

Al smiled tremulously. His fingers skimmed up to tangle in Heiderich’s hair and pulled him down to show him that he felt the same.

He reached down to undo Al's pants, his knuckles brushing Al's abdomen.

He felt Alphonse stiffen beneath him then relax.

Heiderich slowly pulled the rest of their clothing off, loving Al s restlessness.

He rubbed Al's thighs before tightening his grasp and plunging in. Pausing to watch Al's expression. He always loved that.

The way his lashes fluttered when he was aroused, the way he bit his lip when he entered him.

Close his eyes tight, brow tilting down when it was rough, skin turning heated with a blush that spread over his body.

Or the way his lips would part like an indentation as he sighed, muscles clenching and unclenching in waves when it was gentile. Sometimes opening his eyes to share a look that was beyond words.

Heiderich began to move within him, somewhere between the two and his favorite response came as Al moaned his name, shifting so that Heiderich's strokes deepened and moving in perfect sink with him and Alphonse’s expression changed so that he looked sweetly innocent, arching, exposing his neck for Heiderich's mouth.

Heiderich quickened as he felt Al gradually working toward the breaking point. Every few moments he quickened it even more.

Soon they were panting covered in sweat.

Alphonse loved the way Heiderich responded too.

No matter how lost he was he always took note of the changes. Heiderich would sometimes have an almost sorrowful look that would melt as soon as he saw Alphonse.

He always wanted to make love after that look, and Al had never refused.

When Heiderich entered him he would make a noise in the back of his thought and would move in a possessive way that Alphonse loved.

He loved the way Heiderich could be hard and not even think of being gentile and let the sensation take control of him then be almost regretful after only to do it again moments later.

Even better he liked it when Heiderich was fully aware of everything, claiming Al with every knowledge of what he was doing. He was always possessive but the difference was the consideration he showed. Letting the emotion take hold instead but they seemed to somehow amplify the sensations.

And that look after. He couldn't explain it yet it conveyed so much. Heiderich would look at him in a way that made him aware of every nerve in his body as shivers ran through him. When he looked at him that way it wasn't lovemaking that he wanted.

Heiderich would undress him and look him over, sometimes planting a kiss somewhere before sitting on the bed and pulling Al down with him and they would lie awake, their bodies tangled together. Heiderich’s arms wrapped protectively around him as he whispered sweet nothings in his ear. And somehow that was as far as it got.

Yet Heiderich had looked at him in that same way just now.

Alphonse moaned and Heiderich was almost undone. He lifted Al's hips, striking even deeper.

Bitting down on Al's neck he felt the other tighten his legs and Heiderich hit the perfect spot.

Alphonse gasped, not able to manage more as Heiderich came inside him.

Heiderich lapped and kissed Al's neck. He laughed thinking of the fact that Al always wore something with a high collar if they went out, but at home he always wore something with a low neckline as if taunting for more. He would rub the spot, look at Heiderich as a slow smile spread across his features and then continue with what he was doing.

He felt Alphonse begin to respond.

Slowly exploring the soft ready mouth Heiderich began moving once more.

Alphonse pointed at the horizon, barely visible beyond the trees. "The sun's coming up."

The sky had lighted as the first rays of sunlight crested the horizon.

Almost as an afterthought Heiderich asked "Are you sore?"

Al looked at him surprised at the question.

"We were more busy last night then normal." Heiderich grinned at the thought.

Al leaned forward to kiss him. He was sore and weary but wasn't about to admit to that.

He didn't care about that and neither was he at the point that he wasn't ready for more.

Heiderich had once said he could be insatiable but the same was true of Heiderich himself. If he was in one of those moods Al defiantly wasn't going to discourage him.

Heiderich moved away, not what he had expected.

He caught the confused look and explained. "I know something that will help."

Heiderich lead Alphonse to the stream. He had often relaxed in it but this was the first time he had brought anyone here.

Al shivered at the feel of the cool water around him as he sat in the spot in front of Heiderich the blond had indicated.

The water was halfway up his back when sitting. It felt good, relaxing. Heiderich began to massage his tension away.

Heiderich received the soft purring sigh that he had hoped for.

When he was done he pulled Al back against him.

Dipping his hand in the water Heiderich brought it up to let water run over Al's shoulders.

Another sigh as Heiderich bent his head to lap up a droplet.

Al turned, eyes dark with want. He kissed his way up the blonds chest, starting at water level.

He felt a shiver go through the other that he knew had nothing to do with the cold. He reached the hollow of his neck and only then really started.

Heiderich allowed this to continue for several minutes, pressing his hand to the back of Alphonse's neck, coaxing the younger into more. Feeling himself growing hard.

"Put your legs around me." It was a command and Alphonse did as told.

Heiderich positioned Alphonse then brought him down.

He felt Al stiffen, the water couldn't erase all of the leftover sensitivity. He waited for Al to relax before continuing.

They found that water made it so that Heiderich could enter deeper much more easily.

Al rested his head against Heiderich’s shoulder. Holding on tight in fear of losing himself in it.

Heiderich moaned at the hot breath that suddenly fanned his neck as he hit home, a dry sob escaping Al's lips.

He never wanted it to stop. They went through one climax, continuing on.

Al brought his head away to almost blindly find Heiderich’s mouth.

Al bent his head back squeezing his eyes shut but Heiderich didn't let him stop then.

Finally the last wave hit them and he all but collapsed into Heiderich's arms.

They stayed longer, letting the slow currant drift past them.

Alphonse was numb, he didn't think he could stand if he tried.

Heiderich had that look again as he watched Al's breathing slow.

The one that said more then words ever could.

XXX

It was evening by the time Heiderich woke up. They had managed to make it back home and to bed before falling asleep that morning.

He was greeted by a rare sight. Alphonse was curled up against him looking angelic in sleep. He didn't get up, afraid to wake Alphonse but it was pointless.

The brunette woke, almost as if sensing the other had.

He looked sleepy but satisfied. "What time is it?"

"Around six I think."

Al murmured something that sounded like 'we should do that more often' before falling back asleep.

XXX

Al lounged in the shade of a tree in what was technically Heiderich's yard. It was close enough to the house that he wouldn't get into trouble for being here.

Hearing a faint noise he followed it.

Al found a kitten the size of his palm.

He picked it up curiously. "What are you doing out here?" How had this tiny thing gotten all the way out here? There wasn't a house for miles.

Looking around he figured it out.

The mother had died birthing it. There was another kitten but it wasn't moving. He looked sadly at the kitten in his hands. He couldn't leave it out there.

Carefully he cradled it and went to find Heiderich.

Heiderich was sitting on the front steps daydreaming.

Al looked at him pathetically and held up the kitten. "Can we keep it?"

"No!"

"But." He stopped, remembering something about a similar situation. Checko?

"Al?"

He slowly shook his head to clear it then continued with his plea. "It can't take care of itself! Please!"

"Fine. We can keep it." Al’s odd reaction had disconcerted Heiderich more then he wanted to admit.

"Really?!" Al tilted his head cutely and smiled.

Almost as an afterthought Heiderich asked. "Do you even know how to take care of a kitten?"

Al thought about it. "I don't know." Had he ever had one before?

Heiderich was glad he used to have a friend that was obsessed with cats. They had told him what to do in this situation enough times that he would never forget.

XXX

Heiderich didn't seem very happy with the new kitten.

Al tried to keep an eye on it but it was better at hiding then he was at finding it.

The only reason he let Al keep it was because he knew it made him happy.

They had to be careful because it was so little, Heiderich had almost stepped on it more then once and Al had the idea of using a laundry basket to keep it in.

That lasted one night before it figured out how to climb out.

He had no idea how the tiny thing had managed to climb up and fall over to the other side without hurting itself but it had.

The other unexpected thing about the kitten was how loud it could meow. A full grown cat couldn't be that loud if it tried.

If Al wasn't around it would meow none stop until he picked it up and it would suck on his pinky and start to purr.

Heiderich was sure it knew he didn't like it.

He had tried to pick it up to move it and it had hissed and ran away, not to emerge for an hour.

"Dumme katze." He muttered when he saw it slide across the floor, Al following it.

"Hey! Come back! It's just water!"

The kitten had knocked over the juice so Al was left with the task of washing it.

Heiderich had told him not to put it on the counter when he was in there but apparently Al had 'forgotten'.

Seeing the kitten dart to the side and under the table Al tried to stop but ended up sliding on the glossy floor.

Heiderich tried to catch him but they both ended up on the ground.

Al was on his back, Heiderich on top of him.

Al looked up, the kitten was sitting there licking itself.

"Do you still like the cat?"

"Yes!"

"I'm sure it planed it, it's evil." Heiderich fumed.

Al giggled and tried to get up.

Heiderich held him down, kissing his neck once before letting Al get to his feet.

He grabbed the kitten before it could run away again. It growled. Heiderich gave it to Al and it stopped.

Al closed the door this time so it couldn't get away.

Heiderich shook his head. "Stupid cat."

XXX

It had been almost two weeks since Alphonse had moved in. The Kitten was finally able to go from only milk to occasional canned food.

He still hadn't remembered much.

They had found out that it was impossible for Al to sleep at night, the first night being an exception.

Sometimes he could sleep during the day but never at night.

On some days it seemed they couldn't keep their hands off each other for more then five minutes. Others they would be content with the others company. Silent or not.

Alphonse found out that Heiderich followed the same routine of getting up and going downstairs when he thought Al was sleeping.

He also got cold easily. Al didn't mind warming him up. He quite enjoyed it actually.

XXX

It was bound to happen. Alphonse could just be so curious sometimes.

One night he followed Heiderich out of bed.

Sitting at the top of the stairs he peered through the pillars.

Heiderich opened the 'forbidden' cubbord. He took a small bottle of pills and swallowed one.

Al was back in bed before he could be caught.

XXX

Heiderich had gone. It was a ten minute drive to town. It would take at least that long to do whatever he had gone for. So Al had a half hour to figure things out.

He opened the drawer and went through the contents.

After he walked to the couch and sat with his head between his knees.

The door opened and he ran straight to Heiderich, not slowing as he neared.

Heiderich stumbled back a step as Al threw himself full tilt into his arms.

"Why? Why, why, why..."

"Why what Al." He had that look that said he was afraid to know.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

Surprise, understanding then anger crossed his features.

"I told you not to look in there! It was the one thing I really asked! Why couldn't you just listen?!"

He stormed off.

Alphonse jumped when the door closed.

He bit his thumb. Thoughts not able to settle down.

He began walking.

XXX

Heiderich got up early the next morning. He was still upset but starting to feel badly about treating Al that way.

Unfortunately Al wasn't anywhere in the house.

He wasn't in the yard either.

How hard had he taken it?

Starting to panic he got in the car and slowly drove down the road.

He pulled over, thankful it had rained before he had gotten home.

Heiderich followed the footprints, he knew that this lead to a stream, it would be deep this time of year.

His heartbeat quickened.

"Alphonse?"

No answer.

He found him sitting with his arms around himself and his head against his knees.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you." No answer.

"Are you ok?"

Alphonse's eyes flashed. "ME? It's you I'm worried about! You should be too!" At least he had gotten a response.

"I might not... I may... There's still time."

Al looked up, eyes steely, he refused to let depression overcome him. "How much time?" His voice betrayed him.

Heiderich looked away.

Al put his head back down. "Exactly."

"Don't do this Alphonse. If we don't have much time then we should make the best of it."

Al got up turning away. "We should go back."

"Al."

He bit his lip. Heiderich's words running through his head.

"Al, don't..."

Giving in he turned back. Heiderich still sat in front of the spot he had vacated.

The look in his eyes enough to make Alphonse's heart break.

Heiderich had let Al ask what he needed to and Al had agreed to make the most of things.

Heiderich still had a couple years left. That was an estimate though. Something could happen to shorten that time.

Al hoped that he would have longer. It was possible, if unlikely.

XXX

Heiderich could tell that it was affecting Al strongly. He had started to act more solemn.

During the night he could feel Al's tears, he only cried when he thought Heiderich wouldn't know.

Heiderich worked hard to get him to be like he used to and it was starting to work.

He had come to terms with it long ago but it was new to Al.

He wondered how he would feel if the situation was reversed and something happened to Al.

He decided that Al was taking it well after all.

XXX

Ed had looked everywhere, asked countless people.

He had a picture of Al and himself before Al lost his body.

If it had worked and Al got his body back then if anyone had seen him they would recognize the picture, if not then he was following the wrong path.

He had found out a lot about this place and had constructed a story for himself and his brother.

Their mother died when they were little, their dad was in the army. He had been MIA for two years now. They knew he was dead.

He had to take care of his little brother by himself because they had no one else.

Feeling guilty his brother ran away.

That was years ago, he was eleven but by now he would be sixteen.

No mater how may people he asked they always had the same response. "Sorry, but I don't know him. Wish I could help..."

He stood outside of a hospital, if no one knew Al here then he would have to try another city.

A bright nurse welcomed him. "Hi! Can I do something for you?"

He repeated his story and showed her the picture.

"Why yes, I have seen him before." She looked surprised.

"Really? Where?" He couldn't keep the excitement from his voice.

"He was a patient here for quite some time."

"Was?"

"Yes he had been in a coma but he woke up so we released him."

"Do you know where he is now?"

"Why yes. He's staying with a friend of Dr. Cavanagh. I can call if you like."

He couldn't believe it. After all that it was this easy.

XXX

Things had returned to a semblance of normality.

Al had even laughed the other day. Heiderich liked to pretend it hadn't been to make him feel better.

A few more days and things really would be ok again. It would always hang over them, they would never forget but for now they could pretend. As long as it didn't make itself obvious then it was almost like nothing was wrong.

The phone rang.

"Adeline? Is something wrong?" He listened to her exited explanation. "Are you sure?... So there's no doubt?"

Al had woken up and stretched.

"Alright, well be right down." He hung up the phone and stared at it.

"What's happened?"

"What do you know about your family?"

"Nothing why?"

"Because your brother is at the hospital looking for you."

"What? I have a brother?"

"Apparently. She said that he has a picture of the two of you."

Al tried to remember, something sounded right about it but he couldn't see what.

"I told them we'd head straight there."

Al panicked. So soon? He wasn't ready!

"Al, I know why you don't want to go but you have to. He's been looking for you all this time." Heiderich thought it more then a little odd that this brother would show up after this long, just happening to find Al not long after he woke up.

"Nothing will be different will it? I can still stay here?"

"Yes, we'll talk to him. If it comes to it he can stay here too."

When he knew Al was ready they left.

XXX

The nurse disconnected the phone.

"They'll be right here Mr. Elric. It may take a bit for them to get here but they're on their way."

"Thanks." Ed still couldn't believe it. He had found Al and Al had his body back to normal!

"There's something you should know though." She had the look of one who was gossiping about something she wasn't supposed to. "You see, after he woke up he couldn't remember anything. Apparently a few things have come back to him but nothing helpful. So don't worry if he doesn't remember you. On the other hand seeing you will probably jog his memory! I'm sure everything will turn out fine!"

Ed wondered if that was the price Al had to pay. There was a possibility that Al had pretended not to know for whatever reason.

"If it's not to much trouble, could I see him alone?"

"Oh! Right, of course. You haven't seen him in so long you must want to catch up ehh?" She slid her chair out. "Right this way! This room isn't being used at the moment. When he comes I'll tell him you're in here ok? Ok!" She walked away humming to herself. Ed waited in the room. Wondering and worrying.

XXX

The nurse greeted them exuberantly.

"Hi! He's in room 103! Said he wanted to talk to you alone! You must be sooo exited!"

Al looked at Heiderich. "It'll be fine."

Al went ahead, looking at the numbers as he went down the hall.

"He's a bit nervous." Heiderich explained after Al had found the right room and gone in, closing it with a click.

"Oh! Of course! Perfectly understandable!"

The nurse made him a bit uneasy. She was just too happy. No one was that happy, it wasn't normal.

XXX

Al took a moment to stare at the figure in front of him. Broken memories of his childhood whirled by.

"Nii-san?" The term came from that dark hole in his mind he couldn't penetrate.

He remembered when they were little, playing.

And grieving. For what or whom?

"Al." Ed looked happy and sad at the same time.

Al flung himself into Ed's arms. "Niisan! But you've changed." He looked up at Ed." You're older." He only realized how silly that sounded after he said it. Of course he was older! Al was remembering when they were children.

"You really don't remember do you? You weren't making it up?"

"No. Why would I make something like that up?"

"No reason!" Other then fear of having his alchemic abilities discovered. "So what have you been doing since you woke up."

"I've been staying with someone. His name is Heiderich." Al looked unsure. "Do we have a home?"

"No. There's nowhere to go back to."

Al brightened. "Heiderich said you could stay at his place too."

"And exactly what is he to you anyway?"

"He's my friend!"

Ed wondered if that was really all.

"I was wondering... What happened that we got separated in the first place?"

Ed repeated the story he had told everyone else. He figured that it would be easier for Al to take that in then the truth.

"I ran away?" That didn't sound right but it must have happened. "Sorry. I..." He wasn't sure what to say.

"It doesn't matter anymore. We're together again and that's all that matters right?"

"Right."

Ed stepped back. "Let me get a better look at you." Al had aged since he lost his body. He was how old he should be if nothing had happened.

He could tell that Al had remembered a bit when he saw him but would everything come back or would he always be like this?

"That friend of yours is probably worried I'm going to kidnap you, why don't you introduce us?

"Ok!"

XXX

Heiderich had indeed offered his home to him and Ed had accepted. At least until he found a way to get home.

They were both suspicious of each other, Al was completely oblivious to this.

If Al didn't factor in Ed would have liked Heiderich but he wasn't comfortable with the thought that more might be going on between the two that he didn't know about.

Heiderich and Al were at the spot near the stream. It was hard to find a moment alone.

"We're going to have to figure out a sleeping arrangement."

"He can have the spare room can't he?"

"That's supposed to be your room remember? You'll have to share a room with him. You can't keep sleeping in my bed, he's already suspicions as it is."

"Oh."

"We can still be together, we just have to be careful from now on."

Heiderich rolled on his side and placed a kiss on Al's belly. "Ok?"

"Mmm." Al's lips parted as he watched Heiderich work his way down.

XXX

It was the first night they spent apart.

Al's mind wouldn't rest. He wondered if his brother had told him everything, if he would ever get used to having anyone other then Heiderich beside him.

"Al, don't forget it's forty three, not forty two. Last time..."

Al wondered what he was dreaming about. Maybe math work?

He settled back down, determined to sleep tonight.

XXX

The door had been left open a crack. Heiderich couldn't resist checking.

Al lay curled up with his back to Ed. Ed had his arm draped over Al. He pulled him closer so that Al's hair brushed against his mouth.

Al yawned and said something Heiderich didn't understand.

He wondered just exactly how close the brothers had been.

XXX

Ed woke up before Al. He figured there was a first time for everything.

Heiderich was already up.

He didn't mention what he had seen, deciding to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Ed asked how Al had been doing. If he had been acting strangely or been ill.

Heiderich told him what he could. Ed admitted that there had been issues with Al’s memory before

"It might not be because of the coma then?"

"What might not be because of the coma?" Al asked plopping on the couch beside Heiderich. Still dressed in his pajamas.

The kitten used its tinny but sharp claws to climb up his leg and settle on his lap.

"Ed said that something like this happened before, with your memory."

"It was never this bad though. You never forgot everything before and not much that was important." Ed explained. He wondered if it was because he had transferred his soul or if it could be a coincidence.

"How long did it take to remember?"

Ed fidgeted. "Well, you see. You never really did remember much. I'm not saying you forgot a lot!"

"So, I may not ever get my memory back?" Al looked devastated. He got up, holding the kitten against him, and wondered to the window. Staring out yet not seeing.

"I don't know Al. Like I said, it was never like this before so it may go differently and you may remember everything."

Heiderich watched Al, at a loss for words. In a way that he was ashamed Heiderich hoped Al didn't remember. Some part of him feared that if Alphonse remembered he would loose him. Would he change? Or would he remember something that would make him want to leave?

XXX

They all got to know each other in their own ways over the days that followed.

Ed complained that Al let the kitten sleep in the bed with them and Heiderich had jokingly asked if it took up to much room. Ed didn't complain after that. He didn't really care all that much in the first place.

At random times Ed would go out, most of the time he walked. He never told them what he was doing.

Ed was torn. He wanted to get back to their home and friends but Al was happy here. He didn't want to make Al chose. Ed wasn't about to leave his little brother alone here and he wasn't going to force him to go back.

He looked for a way home anyway. In the hopes that Al would remember and want to return as well.

Ed had met someone that had given him a lead. They had pointed him in the direction of a German scholar.

The scholar was going to be told to expect him.

Heiderich was absorbed in his work, he barely noted when Ed asked to borrow the car.

Ed found his brother. "Come on Al, we're going to go see someone."

Al followed him to the car.

"You know some German right?"

"Some. I don't know how much help I'll be. Why didn't you ask Heiderich to help?"

"He's busy. You'll do fine."

"If you're sure."

XXX

Ed knocked, receiving an invitation to enter.

The house was cluttered, stalks of papers were piled everywhere. In few years Heiderich's place would looked like this. In a few years... Al forced himself away from the thought.

The man must have been in his sixties. He patted one of the chairs beside him. An indication for them to sit.

Ed had said that the man didn't know any english so it was pointless to ask.

"You must be the little brother. Welcome, what can I do for you?"

"Ask him what he knows about alchemy."

"Alchemy? Why?"

"Just ask."

He asked.

"There is a place in this city with a circle said to have been made by great alchemists not of this world.

Not of this world?"

"Not much is known about them but it is said that they came from another world. Much like, and unlike, our own. They brought their power with them to our world. In the end they said that this could never really be their home. They worked on a way back. One night they made that circle and vanished."

"Where is the circle?"

"In the exact center of the city. There is a duplicate in the University."

Al repeated everything to Ed.

"Is there anything else?"

"No, not that is known."

Al thanked him.

"If you find anything you'll let me know?" The scholar asked.

"Yes, of course."

"Did you find what you need?" Al asked as they left.

"I think so."

Al waited for Ed to elaborate but when nothing was forthcoming he didn't ask again.

Al wanted to ask Ed some things. He was sure Ed had lied about their story but without his full memory he couldn't be sure.

He knew that their dad left when they were children, he didn't even remember the man. But was their more to the story then he had been told? Had his dad actually left to fight in the war and he hadn't been told because they figured someone his age wouldn't understand?

There were too many unknowns to bring it up.

XXX

Ed, assuming that he was the only one awake, and not really thinking, used alchemy to quickly heat the water like he had for Gracia when she was giving birth.

He could have waited for the kettle to boil but alchemy was so ingrained in him that he used it without a second thought.

"What did you do? Al was pail, staring at the heated water. Remembering "Alchemy... We studied it didn't we?"

"Yes Al, but you can't tell anyone. Do you know what they do to people here that do things they can't explain?"

"Heiderich wouldn't."

"He may not do anything but what will he think? To him you'll be a freak, something to avoid. Right now you're normal, acceptable. Do you want him to hate you."

"I don't think..."

"Can you be sure? Is it worth the risk? And don't forget that if you tell it affects me as well as you." Ed didn't like talking to Alphonse like this but he felt he had to. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes."

******************************************************************************

Footnotes!

Yes that's right, I didn't forget about Ed... Really I didn't.