Log: Complete

[deduced.livejournal.com]

When; 30th July
Rating; PG
Characters; Edward Elric deduced and Alfons Heiderich opfern
Summary; After finding out about a certain mechanic being absorbed into 'the Blob', Ed plans on heading out to save her. Things only get worse when Alfons comes over to share the news that Winry wasn't the only one taken.
Log;

Alfons was dreading letting Edward know about this... There was a chance he already knew about Winry, but since Alfons had actually witnessed Alphonse attempt the rescue, he was pretty sure Edward was clueless. No way he would have let his younger brother go do that alone.

Really, he hadn't even suspected that the younger Elric would be so reckless. Ed probably figured he had gone out for groceries or something.

He'd gotten Edward downstairs in the butcher shop, and as Alfons tried to think of a tactful way to explain the situation, he set down his shoulder bag and leaned back against the door, carefully clicking the lock into place. If he wanted to race out and play hero, he'd have to go through Alfons first, right?

"So...well... I believe...Alphonse attempted to save the day? And he and Winry...you see...ah... Well, apparently they can breathe! That's a good thing, right? But I bet they'll be hungry, and I should cook something for when they're freed! Which really should be...any time now..." He was floundering.

The news, as was to be expected, hadn't gone down well. Finding out that, despite being warned countless times already Winry had headed out alone, wasn't the news he'd hoped for when checking the network that morning. ...the laptop would need replacing later, thanks to that little piece of information.

Storming his way downstairs, he already knew what he was going to do. Which meant heading to the creature and making a plan then and there. However, there was one problem with that idea. And that came in the form of a certain blond who now blocked the door.

...and managed to increase his anger in record timing.

"What the hell?!" He'd heard wrong. He had to have. "What did he do?" A level and seemingly calm voice managed to escape him, despite the fact he was about ready to hit something. Or two someone's.

Alfons flinched and held up both hands defensively. "He was trying to save her, obviously! Honestly, I expected that out of you, but I thought he would have been more level headed about it. See, no good comes from getting near that thing!"

Frantically thinking of a way to calm Edward down, because he looked like he was about to explode, he braced one hand against the door frame. "But they're both uninjured, from what I could see! Not that I was willing to get close enough to really inspect their situation."

"Helping her and getting stuck inside that are two different things!" In truth, Ed was only step behind Al. Heading to 'the blob' was the very reason he'd come downstairs.

"You were there?" Crossing the gap toward Alfons, Ed scowled. "None of you were meant to go anywhere near it!" He paused a short space in front of the other, a scowl on his face. "Out of the way." They'd gotten themselves into trouble, and now it was Ed's job to get them out of it.

"Hey, I wasn't-- I mean, I was just going to get some breakfast for Nill, alright? I didn't get close!" When he realized Edward was closing in and very much wanted to exit, Alfons braced both arms against the door frame and shook his head.

Really, he knew that if it came down to a physical fight, he wouldn't stand a chance against Edward, but he wasn't going to just step aside and let him run to have a very slimy picnic with his brother and pseudo girlfriend.

"No! If Alphonse couldn't do anything, what do you expect to do about it?! Don't be a hypocrite. Just calm down and I'll make some coffee or something." ...Decaf.

): A glare. And it was fully directed to the one thing between him and his family. "Get out of the way now." It was the one and only warning he was going to get. Especially given Ed's current train of thought. If Alfons was getting in the way of him helping his brother, then Alfons was...

...an enemy?

Shaking his head violently, Ed refocused his attention of Alfons, a hand flying out to grip the collar of his shirt. "I'm not Alphonse. And I'm not about to let that thing get me or keep the others."

It was surprising how intimidating Edward Elric can be when angered, regardless of his stature. Alfons and him had gotten into plenty of arguments, certainly, especially over disagreements regarding theories and blueprints in Munich...and since entering the City, there were even more things to argue about. But Alfons had never gotten between Edward and his brother before, at least not intentionally, and so this was a whole new form of ire that he hadn't seen before.

And yet it...didn't matter. He didn't care how much it pissed off Ed, and his fingers dug into the door frame as his collar was grabbed. "I'm not moving! I promised her I'd keep you from doing anything reckless. It's just a curse! They aren't injured, and they can breathe, and at least they have each other for company. The best thing you can do is wait it out!"

"You promised who? Winry?" His grip tightened, and it took all he had to keep from hitting Alfons. "I don't care what you've told her. I don't even care if Al told you to keep me away. I'm going!" Was it really that hard for him to understand? He couldn't sit back and watch while Al was trapped. "That's my brother. What part of that don't you understand?"

Finally managing to force his hand free, Ed made a move toward the door, ignoring the fact there was an entire body to get through first. He was going out there, no matter what.

Alfons found his resolve weakening a bit at Edward's ferocity. Was he really the enemy? Why did he have to be the bad guy? But honestly, he wasn't keeping Edward away just because he promised Winry... That was just the easiest excuse, honestly.

Shaking his head, he stepped to the side to fully block the doorknob, bracing a hand against Edward's shoulder and shoving to keep him away. "So because it's your brother, you can be stupid and reckless?! Use your head once in awhile, Edward, and stop plowing ahead without thinking of the aftermath! You were always that way with work, too, and I always had to find some way to cover for you!"

A growl of frustration escaped him as he found himself shoved backward."I'm not being stupid. I know exactly what I'm going to do. And I don't need anyone covering for me." He was close, too close, to having to force his way out. And Alfons' own stubbornness wasn't helping matters in the slightest.

"Alfons." The single word came with an obvious warning. "Move out of my way. I'm going to get them back now. So stop." His hands raised, held a short space apart in his last warning. One clap, and he'd be leaving.

Brow furrowed, Alfons weighed his options. Logic, or duty? Logic... Duty...

Oh to Hell with it.

Quickly, he moved forward, knowing that Edward wouldn't actually expect a physical assault from his former roommate, considering fighting was not a strength of the weaker blond. Still, the element of surprise was his best bet, and he went for Edward's left arm, grabbing it with both of his and twisting it behind him before slamming all of his weight against the shorter man to knock him to the floor.

He wouldn't have stood a chance to hold back his automail arm, but maybe with this arm held secure and one knee against his back, that would be enough. ...Maybe. God he hoped he wouldn't regret this.

"You aren't going to get them back! Countless people have tried and haven't succeeded... People far more powerful than you. What makes you think you're any different?! I'm not letting you go!"

Shock. Surprise. ...and pain, as his head practically bounced off of the floor. In all their time living together, there'd only been a very few times that they'd fought physically, yet alone Alfons being the one to start them. The last time had been...

"Get off." His voice was muffled, as the shorter blond remained still, his vision slowly returning to normal. What use was it trying to escape if he couldn't see straight? "I don't care. I already told you." Shifting a little, he twisted his free arm round, the cool metal digging in to the wooden floorboards as he tried to push himself up. It didn't help that he couldn't bend his back, thanks to a strategically placed limb. "I don't care how strong they are. None of that matters. I just need to get him back."

Alfons reminded himself that he would need to get some pain medication and offer an apology later for this, but he was simply not moving. Edward's single minded loyalty to his brother could be touching, but it was also very...grating.

Afraid of Edward throwing him off when he saw that steel hand press against the floor, Alfons dug his knee into Ed's back to push him back down. "It matters, Edward! How are you going to get them back? What are you going to do? Obviously alchemy doesn't work, or Alphonse would have him and Winry out of there in a flash! So now that you know alchemy doesn't work on it, what will you do? Yell at it? Punch it? Brilliant strategy, really. I am humbled by your genius."

Face, meet floor. Once again, Ed found himself squashed against the floor, his arm still pushing back against the floor. That was now his head, his back, and his shoulder that was going to remind him of this moment for the next few days. ...not that the idea of his brother and his friend being stuck inside a giant ball of goo was going to leave him any time soon either.

"Alphonse didn't know what it was made of." Or at least, that was what Ed was going to believe. "Now that I do, I can force it apart and get them free." And he refused to think about the fact that the thing may very well be alive.

Alfons quickly shook his head. "It will probably just re-attach itself before you can get them free, and then snatch you right up! Everyone's saying that even magic won't work on it... I doubt the science of your alchemy will work at all, regardless if you know it's compound or not!"

His grip on Edward's arm weakened as he sat back a bit, feeling guilty for injuring him. "Just calm down... Calm down. They'll be free soon. The vampires are eating it, alright? Apparently that's the only way to get rid of it... So now it's just a waiting game." But ah, he knew how terrible Edward was at that sort of game.

Turning silent, Ed turned his head, cheek resting against the ground as he stared at the wall. It came as a relief when Alfons loosened his grip, but even then, he didn't move. Play it calm, and soon enough he'll find another opening. Hopefully.

"...unless you've forgotten, vampires were the last thing to take a bite of my brother. So I'm sorry if I don't actually trust them to do the job right." No, no. Stay calm. Calm was the key. "How long?"

He sighed. "These vampires seem to be helpful, alright? If they just wanted a bite of human, I doubt they'd go to all the trouble to ingest that disgusting thing when they could much more easily grab a victim out of an alley way. Use your head." To emphasize his point, he reached over to shove Ed's face back against the floor in irritation before completely letting go of his arm and standing back up.

"Judging by how it's going now... I think it should only be one more day?"

What was it with people hitting his head lately? First Winry, and now Alfons. Who was next? ...he really didn't want to know the answer to that. Once he was free to move, Ed shifted over, sitting up and looking at Alfons. Finally. " So we're meant to just wait another day and hope they get out?"

He was surprised to find that his own arm was actually sore from holding Edward down, and he rubbed at it absently as he stepped back. Surely it was safe to let him go, right? He wouldn't run off now.

"Exactly. They should be fine. But that doesn't mean I want you sharing their fate."

He continued watching Alfons for a while, waiting for a time to move. Regardless of what he was told, Ed wasn't going to rest until he was able to at least see for himself that Al and Winry were alright. Slowly getting up on to his feet, he took a deep breath, stretching out his back. Something about having a knee forced into it didn't make for the most comfortable of positions. "I'm not going to get sucked into that thing."

Alfons watched Edward as he stretched, not even realizing he was staring as he spoke softly. "I'd rather not let you risk it." When he did catch himself staring, he was quick to duck his head and move back over to where his bag was lying, leaning over to pick it up and set it on a nearby counter.

"I'm certain Winry would be flattered at how tenacious you were in wanting to go rescue her and Alphonse," he murmured flatly.

"Like it matters." Now would've been the perfect time to get out of there. Only something kept him from doing just that. Or more precisely, someone, and the way they spoke. Glancing back over at Alfons, Ed could only feel confused. "She'd just end up yelling at me." Had he met her yet? She was almost as stubborn as he was could be.

"Of course she would! That's because it's a stupid idea. But regardless, I'm sure she would appreciate the thought." Finally relaxed when he figured Edward wasn't going to try to make a run for it, he moved away from the door to find a seat, wearily collapsing into it. He'd barely been getting any sleep at the Cathedral, and it was starting to show.

"You've known that girl your entire life and never asked her out? I don't understand you. She's a fine lady, and very smart."

The path was clear and he still couldn't force himself to move. Not yet at least. "What's stupid about it? If I want to go see if I can get them out, why should it matter? It's not like I'm planning to just stand there and let the thing take me too. I'm not as stupid as them two." He paused for a moment, a frown on his face as he took in the state Alfons was in. Something else that needed remedying soon.

"Ask her out?" Confusion, followed by shock, and then he was bursting out in laughter. "Winry? You're kidding, right?" It took a few moments before he managed to compose himself. Or at least, enough to talk properly. "A long time ago, maybe. But things have changed since then. She's...like a sister to me." Or a slave driver, when his automail was involved.

Alfons merely rolled his eyes at Edward's insistence that he wasn't as stupid as Winry and Alphonse, grateful that those two poor souls couldn't hear such a claim.

The laughter made him raise an eyebrow, and he folded his arms across his chest. "I've never been furthest from 'kidding'. She might be like a sister in some ways, but she isn't your sister. What would you do if she asked you out? I hope you wouldn't laugh like you did just now. You really should think more about your future, and I think she would make a decent wife. At least she can keep you in line, it seems."

"She wouldn't do something like that." He hoped. Considering the way he acted, it was highly unlikely that Winry even thought about asking him out, yet alone the idea of them married. "And besides, even if she did, it's not like I want all that. She might not be my actual sister, but she's close enough."

His voice dropped, eyes on the wall, the floor, anywhere but at Alfons right then. "I've got what I want already. I told you that."

He should have been relieved. Grateful. Thanking the Heavens and everything else that Edward just wasn't interested in that girl. But then he remembered the way she had spoken of Edward... Her feelings were clear as crystal to Alfons. How could Edward be so dense as to not even suspect it?

Resting his face against his hand for a moment, he tried to keep calm as Edward spoke, but that last comment was just too irritating. He quickly straightened up and slammed his fist down against the table. "What you want is wrong!"

Then, to fill the awkward silence that followed, he hushed his tone while staring out the window. "You should ask her out on a date. She would say yes, trust me. Give her a chance."

Was it really that difficult for him to understand? Was it really that much of a problem? One day, he was going to end up hitting Alfons, just for the fact he could be one of the most dense people he knew. "What's so wrong about it? And why now? Why, after all this time, is it wrong?" Things were going downhill, and fast. And Alfons just seemed to be making things worse by the moment.

"So, I have to ask her out...because you say so?" He could only glare at the other, his hands closing into fists as he forced himself to try and stay calm. Just a little longer. "I'm not giving up the one thing I want, just because he's busy trying to make me ask out someone else!"

"What do you mean, after all this time? You're talking like there's actually something between us," he hissed out, standing up to glower. At least height was an advantage for him when it came to a glaring match.

Why did Edward always have to make him lose his cool so very easily? He just couldn't keep his temper in check lately, but Edward always made it a hair trigger. "You made it pretty clear to me what you think of me after that curse day!" And Edward ought to know which one he meant. The one that had resulted in him sleeping with Cirucci, and then what he had done to poor Edward after that.

It still gave him nightmares. But it wasn't him and they both knew it.

"I would never do something like that, and yet since then you've treated me like nothing but a colleague again, like when we first met. And you know what? Now that I've had plenty of time to think about it, I think you made the right decision. This place has no future for you. I'm not only male, but I'm dead. Dead dead dead! Stop avoiding it and thinking it'll go away like a common cold!"

The switch in positions threw him for a moment, and all he could do was glare right back to him. Considering that a few minutes ago they were talking about Al and Winry being trapped, the conversation had taken a sharp detour, and neither of them seemed to be veering back on course right then.

"I don't know what this is. Was. But I wanted it. And I still do." Being able to stay with Alfons had been the only reason he'd managed to make it through the past years. He was his friend, his family, and something more. And now Alfons was wanting to ignore everything, just because Winry had shown up? "I can't lie about it. That curse. I...I can't just forget about it. I don't think I ever will. But I know it wasn't you. And I want to just...carry on." Taking a few steps closer, Ed's glare intensified. "I don't care if you're dead. You're here, and you're real. That's all that matters."

Ed's brutal honesty caught him completely off guard. Any sharp retorts he might have had ready died on his lips, and he was left staring at the table beside him, rubbing a thumb absently against a knot in the wood. He was taking a moment, but he didn't want the moment to last too long, afraid that Edward might run out if he took too long to respond.

Shutting his eyes, he struggled to keep his composure under control. He certainly wasn't going to start crying like a woman! But still when he opened his eyes to glance back over to the other blond, his voice trembled, far more unstable than he would have liked.

"Is that all that matters to you? Really?"

It was a look of surprise that Alfons was greeted with. Even now, even when they were in the middle of an arguement, Alfons was still able to stop everything and turn it all around. With one simple question. And it was one he already knew the answer to. It was the very same answer that it always would be. "Of course it is. You're here, aren't you? That's all I want."

Sighing to himself, Ed moved to stand behind Alfons' chair, his arms dropping down over his shoulders as he ducked down. A hug, possibly. But a way to get closer to the other. "Whatever happens, it wont change how I feel. Even if you start yelling about it." ...and trying to pair him off with his friends. "You're alive, here."

The tightness in his chest was just too much. If his heart couldn't beat, then why could it still hurt?

With a shaky sigh, Alfons sat back into the embrace, relaxing under the mismatched weight of a flesh and metal arm. Reaching up, he rested a hand over each arm, squeezing his left arm and blinking rapidly to keep the threatening tears at bay. Honestly, he was afraid to say anything, because the last thing he needed was for his voice to crack right then.

How lucky was he, to be someone that Edward Elric cared for this much? Was he allowed to be selfish, then? Could he just stop trying to make everyone else happy, and focus on this warmth? Even with the back of the chair in the way, he could still feel the rapid heartbeat, and it was soothing.

"...Thank you," Alfons choked out, and yes his voice did crack, so that was all he let himself say.

His grip tightened, the only move he made for a few moments as he stood there. He'd said all he could, and for once, Alfons had finally understood. ...it'd taken long enough. All this time, and finally he'd gotten through. Or at least enough to stop Alfons from...worrying? To stop them from arguing over pointless things?

To waste however much time they had left there?

Sighing once again, Ed reluctantly loosened his grip, enough to stand back up properly. "I told you all this before." His voice remained low, his arms refusing to break contact with Alfons. "This is what I wanted." And if he'd explained it better then maybe things would've been easier. Though it was a bit late to be thinking that now.

Alfons only nodded a bit at first, waiting for his emotions to become less turbulent. When he felt more calm, he dropped his hands to rest in his lap, tipping his head back so that he could smile up at the alchemist.

Even if Edward had been saying this all along, Alfons hadn't heard it that way. Something that was lost in translation, apparently... But not it was clear as crystal, and he just felt silly. "What was it that you said I was before? An idiot? I think I'm agreeing with you."

"Amongst other things." It was a relief to finally see Alfons smiling back at him again. It was something he missed. And something he wasn't going to let disappear again. Not as long as he had a choice in the matter.

His arms finally slid free from Alfons as he grinned down at the other. "That's why it's easier just to agree with me." Which included a few things unrelated to their relationship. Taking a step backward was the only clue he gave, before the simple phrase escaped him. "I'll be back later." And then he was moving, straight to the door.

Edward's line made him roll his eyes. Like he would just start agreeing with--

"Hey.. Where are you--" Then his eyes widened when he realized Edward was indeed leaving. After the talk they just had, was he really still going to--?!

"I can't believe you!" Abruptly he was out of his chair, running over to grab him and shove him against the nearest counter. "Get me all weakened so you can make your escape? That's it, Edward Elric." Grabbing the automail arm before he could react, he shoved it down onto the countertop with both hands. Before the whole awkward fiasco had happened months ago, Alfons had taken plenty of time inspecting Edward's automail as he slept, so it was only a matter of remembering how to remove the arm.

Really. What was it with Alfons trying to attack him today? Tugging harshly, Ed tried to free his arm. But having someone practically attached to the limb made things a little harder than he'd like. "That wasn't why I said all of that, you know." Another shift, a twist, and he used his other arm to try and pry Alfons off of him. "I told you already. I need to help him. I have to get him out of there." His job, both by blood and by friendship. There was still time to get him free.

"I don't have time for this. I just...I need to go and get him out." His attention shifted from the grip on his arm, up to Alfons' face. "...please."

It was amazing just how pitiful Edward could look when he wanted to. It most definitely left Alfons questioning himself. Should he just let him go?

...No. He knew that neither Al or Winry would went Ed sharing their fate, and so it was up to Alfons to keep him away...and that meant using whatever means necessary. If Edward could take advantage of openings regardless of the others' feelings, then so could Alfons.

So it was with a gentle smile that he reached down to cradle Edward's face. "Alright. I'll let you see them..."

Flattening the shorter man back against the counter, Alfons took advantage of the moment to capture his lips in a solid kiss. It had been so long, and considering how angry Edward was going to be mad at him in a moment, he enjoyed it as much as he could. And it was just as he broke away that he found the locks and yanked the right arm clean away from Ed's body.

"Tomorrow."

Finally. It'd been too long since he'd found out that Al had been stuck. So it'd been much too long since Winry had been absorbed into that blob creature. Between trying to get past Alfons, and trying to sort things out, Ed knew he needed to hurry up and get out of there. And at last, his 'captor' had agreed to letting him get out of there.

...though he was kissing him? Well, Ed wasn't going to complain. His grip loosening, Ed grinned slightly, the kiss being returned happily. An action that was short-lived.

"What the hell are you doing?!" His hand jumped to his shoulder as he all but shoved Alfons away. Had he seriously just taken his arm? "Give that back NOW!" If he'd been angry before, then that was nothing compared to now. He needed his arm back, and he needed to get out of there. It was the sole reason for his sudden lunge at Alfons. He'd take his arm back by force.

Well one arm certainly didn't stop Edward from slamming into him with enough force to knock him off his feet, sending the arm skidding across the floor. Determined not to let Ed get to it in time to reattach it, he grabbed onto the blond's right ankle to yank and keep him off his feet so that Alfons could grab hold of his left arm and yank him back up to his feet.

He was still bruised from the kick Tayuya had delivered the day before, and now he was positive he had a couple more from being knocked over like that. Great.

Still winded, but determined, he shoved Edward towards the stairs, leaving the arm behind. He would go back to get it later. "You aren't going anywhere, and you aren't using your alchemy to cheat. You're going to stay in your bedroom until tomorrow. If they're still in the blob tomorrow, I'll let you out."

He took the chance while he could, dashing forward to try and reach the renegade arm. The only trouble seemed to be the sudden pull on one of his feet, causing him to stumble over. Another round of 'face meet floor'. Or so he thought. Instead, Ed found himself being torn upward and back onto his feet. He was left with little choice than to follow, despite trying to wriggle away. If he managed to get Alfons to loosen his grip for even a moment, he could head back over...out...downstairs to get his arm.

"Alfons. I need to get him out of there." He glanced backward as well as he could as he practically pleaded to the taller blond. "He's my brother. I have to look after him."

Alfons forced himself not to be swayed by the look in Edward's eyes, instead grabbing his shoulder bag before heading up the stairs, looking straight ahead and making sure neither of them tripped on their way up. "And I have to look after you," he answered simply as he dragged Edward with him towards his room.

Only to just about trip over a stack of books. A lot of irritation was shot in Edward's direction as he tightened his grip on his arm and yanked him in. "What is this mess?! Don't you ever clean your room?" With a shake of his head, Alfons locked the door and set the bag down on the desk, pulling out a pair of hand-cuffs with a wicked grin on his face as he glanced over to Edward.

"I had a feeling you would react like this, so I prepared. Find somewhere comfortable to sit, because that's where you'll be sitting for the rest of the day and night."

"I can take care of myself." Though he couldn't deny the fact it felt...nice...to know that there was someone there who was so focused on trying to keep him safe. ...not that he needed it, of course.

Being forced along the familiar path, Ed easily guide himself into the room, a smirk breaking through at the idea that Alfons was having trouble navigating. "I wasn't expecting you to be coming in here. Not today at least." It wasn't long before his smirk was disappearing yet again. The door being locked was bad enough. But to then see the 'extra measures' that Alfons seemed to be taking.

"Handcuffs?!"

"Yes because I'm sure you would have cleaned up just for me," he muttered with a roll of his eyes before dragging Edward over to the bed. "They sell these at shops in the Underground, actually. And if you aren't going to pick a spot, then I will. I guess this is the most secure..."

The headboard was made of metal, after all. So it was with a determined look that he shoved Edward onto the mattress before leaning over and snapping the handcuffs around one of the bars, then cuffing Edward's wrist in place. After checking to make sure it was secure, he stood back to survey his work.

"Hm, alright! Now, anything I can get for you? Water? Lunch? A book?" He looked terribly amused right then, and there was no wiping the grin off his face.

He could only glare. And scowl. And generally throw a variety of angry looks in Alfons' direction. Even news of Alfons' venture into the underground didn't shake it. Being handcuffed to your own bed, you arm being taken, and being left with a guy who was set on making your day as bad as possible, wasn't the way he'd planned things to go.

Maybe there was another way.

Shifting on the bed (which was a hard task when you hand no arms to use), Ed tried to move into a more comfortable position. Or at least one that left free space on the bed. "If you're planning to lock me up, you've at least got to stick here with me." A sigh, and Ed rested his back against the headrest, looking lazily over toward Alfons. "Need to keep me occupied, or I'm going to keep thinking of ways out of here."

Well, Alfons hadn't really gone to the Underground. The last time he'd gone there was on his eighteenth birthday with Grimmjow, and he didn't care to repeat that adventure. In truth, he'd taken the handcuffs from Hansel and Gretel, and hadn't actually thought he'd ever have a use for them...until now.

He was just leaning over to pick up a book to inspect when Edward's invitation made his ears burn, and the hard bound book was dropped to slam right onto his toe. It was fortunate that he was wearing shoes, but it smarted enough for him to yelp and hop for a second.

Then, he glared over at Edward. He wasn't going to fall for that! There was no way he was going to be manipulated again. So instead, he grabbed the desk chair and pulled it over, pointedly sitting in it and not on the bed. Then, he leaned over to pick up the book again, leaning back and flipping it open.

"Alright. I'll read you a book. Ah..." He trailed off, having expected something related to science, only to close the book again to re-read the title. "Animal Farm?"

"Yeah?" So he thought it'd be as easy as that then? If he kept away, then Ed would have no way to 'use' him as an escape. In that case, maybe it would help if Alfons was forced to get closer. And he had just the plan. Shuffling in his seat, Ed frowned, before sighing in frustration. "I...need some help." Turning his attention back to Alfons, he tried to make himself seem as embarrassed as he could. Something that was a lot easier than it should've been. "...can you help me take my jacket off?"

It really was kind of warm, all things considering. Though that could've had something to do with a certain couple of fights they'd had mere minutes ago. "Please?"

Alfons was too busy gawking at the summary on the back of the book to hear Edward at first. Pigs revolting? What kind of book was this, and why did Edward have it in his room? He wondered if it was just Al's and perhaps Ed was borrowing it...

"What? Jacket? Oh... Why are you even wearing that in this weather?" He gave him a wary look as he stood up and set the book down, then moved over to rummage around the desk. When he found the pair of scissors, Alfons moved to sit beside Edward so that he could begin cutting through the jacket's sleeve to get it off.

The whole while he worked very hard to keep the smirk off his face. Edward could always get a new jacket. Alfons was not removing the handcuffs.

"I was heading out. It's automatic now." So now he was cutting his clothes off of him. Well, it was a step closer at least. Waiting until his hard was within reach, Ed's fingers carefully reached out, gripping the sleeve of Alfons' shirt.

"I'm not going anywhere. You've made sure of that." His arm lifted a little, a clang echoing around the room as the handcuffs were pulled against them. "And even if these weren't on. How would I get past you, through a locked door, downstairs, reconnect my arm, and out of here, before you managed to stop me?" He smiled gently, looking up toward Alfons. "...I just want to get more comfortable. Seeing as we're stuck here all night."

Alfons raised an eyebrow at the grip to his sleeve, then glanced back to Edward's face before sighing and straining to set the scissors onto the nearby desk. "Easy. If I removed them, you could distract me just long enough to handcuff me to the bed instead, giving you all the time in the world to go get your arm and go play hero. I'm not falling for it, Edward."

Idiots didn't get very far in his profession, after all.

Still, he remained on the bed, knowing that it wasn't much of a threat...not unless Edward tried to kick him, which he supposed he could do, but considering Ed was at his mercy...it wouldn't have been a very smart idea.

The look he was offering was somewhat sympathetic, though. "I'm not your enemy. This is for your own good." He checked himself, then smiled a bit sheepishly. "Well, and mine... If you go and get sucked into that monster, who am I going to spend my time with? Noah's gone."

"And I'm meant to do all of this with only one hand? You realise it's really hard to move when you're off-balance, right?" Not that he hadn't had plenty of practice before. Getting his of his arm had been the easiest way for people to beat him. The subject of attack, and thus, the reason Winry had ended up hitting him so often.

Shaking his head slightly, Ed couldn't help but find amusement in the fact that Alfons was really acting so strictly about the situation. Especially given his usual, caring attitude. "So you say. But the way I see it, you're locking me up in here and stopping me from at least looking to see if they're okay." Which, if it were anyone else, would automatically make him an enemy, But this wasn't anyone else. "I just want to see for myself, at least."

His pleading ended there however, as Alfons let loose a new piece of information. "She's gone?" ...which would mean that Alfons was now living alone. Well, not quite alone. There were a certain pair of homicidal twins living there too.

Alfons frowned and folded his arms across his chest. "I just saw them recently, so you'll just have to trust me and take my word for it. They're safe. Alright? Honestly if you weren't being so stubborn about this, I wouldn't have had to take your arm like that. Believe this isn't how I wanted to spend my day."

Really, he felt just awful. Not only was he keeping Ed from the people who he cared about, but he was having to treat him like a prisoner. But again he wouldn't have to if the older blond would just...cooperate.

"Mm? Yes. Hansel let me know... I was hoping that maybe she was just off doing something, but they said she hasn't returned at all. At least they get along with the kittens." He had gotten so used to Noah's constant presence that being without it now left him...absolutely miserable. At least wrestling and trapping Edward had been a distraction from that. Now that he was reminded of her disappearance, he was left feeling somewhat empty inside again.

It wasn't often one found such special friends, after all. So with a shrug, Alfons smiled. "...It's good, though. That she's returned home."

"I do trust you. But you saying they're okay and me seeing it for myself, are two different things. I just need to see them." And so, to keep playing on the guilt card. "I know it could be over tonight. But at the same time, it might not. They've been stuck in there for long enough already. ...if I'd been there in the first place, then I could've got them away in time. I need to check on them. Please. Even if I don't go near the thing." Of course, if he'd actually managed to get out of the room, that idea would be changing in seconds. "It's my brother and my oldest friend. It's my job to look after them."

"...you know, that means you could just move in here then." Frowning slightly, Ed looked away, already knowing one thing that'd be brought up. "They can take care of themselves. Besides, I...miss having you around." Even if part of that had been due to the fact that they hadn't spent more than a few minutes around each other without discomfort filtering its way through. "She's safe, so now it's your turn."

He made a point to ignore Edward's plea to let him escape 'just to go see'. He'd lived with Edward, and worked with him, and he knew just how damn sneaky he could be. He wasn't giving in. So he focused on the next topic, awkward as it was, in the hopes that it would be distracting.

The idea seemed nice. Warm. Comforting. Especially now that he was getting along fine with Alphonse, ignoring that awkward curse awhile back. He'd only just Winry, but she seemed nice enough...

...But he knew about her feeling for Edward. Could the two of them really live under the same roof?

Edward actually admitting to missing him was nearly his undoing, though, and he slumped down a bit to bite his lip. "I miss having you around, too... But I can't abandon them. I'm their guardian right now, Edward. Just accept that?" With flushed cheeks, he glanced shyly over to the other. "You could always move back in with me, though. Isn't that more fitting, anyhow? You moved into my place the first time, too..."

The change in topic was noted, his brief smirk proof enough. Well, there was another important topic being discussed just then. "...I can't." It was as simple as that. Or at least, it was from Ed's point of view. His view also contained information that wasn't going to go any further than him, and those involved.

That was more than enough.

"Why is it down to you, out of all the people here?" Something that he wasn't ever going to understand. Alfons was just too happy to help everyone. "They can take care of themselves. And you can go check on them whenever you want. I just...I'm sick of you being so far away all the time."

He couldn't? Well that wasn't a very good reason. At least Alfons had a decent excuse to offer... What was Ed's?

Alfons shrugged again, brow furrowing in thought. "I don't know, Edward. Hansel and Gretel picked me. Cirucci picked me. I've given up trying to figure out why they picked me."

Then Alfons smiled that disarming smile as he leaned over to kiss the top of his head, almost as if trying to dismiss the subject. "But I'll always wonder why in God's name you picked me."

Because he was gullible? Because he cared too much? "You're the only one who bothers listening to them." Though he still couldn't understand why that was. After everything they'd already done, so both his friends and other residents of the City, Alfons still didn't seem to find what he was doing wrong. "Just because they say they want you to do things, it doesn't mean you have to. You get a choice in the matter." But as always Alfons had been too busy making sure everyone else was happy, at the expense of his own.

"...don't." This was one subject he refused to let drop. Not until he'd been given a good enough reason to do so. "Why do you think it's down to you to look after them? There's plenty of other people here who can do the same. And Cirucci's not exactly helpless."

"And what's wrong with listening to them? I'm not doing anything I don't want to, Edward. Not anymore. Cirucci isn't blackmailing me. I spend time with her because I truly enjoy her company, and I see a light in her, even if nobody else does. And as for Hansel and Gretel... Even if they aren't exactly normal, they're still children. They still play hide-and-seek, and they try to eat the cookie dough before I put it in the oven, and when they're asleep... I hear them talk in their sleep."

Alfons leaned over, resting his hands against his knees and staring at his shoe laces. "They talk to God. They ask him to make everything better. Sometimes they cry. And I try to think of what they would be like if they only had parents. If only the world had shown them an ounce of kindness, then they would have turned out differently."

Upset over thinking about it, he looked over his shoulder. "I won't turn my back on them, even if that makes me the only one."

Once again he found himself hating the fact his arm was gone. What he wouldn't give just then to be able to reach out those few feet. "I don't mean you have to turn your back on them." Though that would've been a bonus. A selfish one though.

"I admit, I don't know how you can agree with what you're saying, even now. But that's your choice. Always will be." And he'd be there to pick up the pieces once things went wrong, as he was sure they would. "But moving here doesn't mean that you're abandoning them. It's not that far, if they need you to go over there." Alfons going to see them, as opposed to them coming to the apartment.

"Mm..." He shot Edward a grin. "I'll think about it." And he would. He doubted he would change his mind...but he wouldn't reject the proposition without serious though.

Which was more than Ed had even attempted. He really was curious why Ed was so against moving in with him instead. Because he just didn't want to leave Al? The 'visiting' option could have been an option for them as well...

"Now, is there anything you need that doesn't require removing the handcuffs? If you start trying to get me to remove them again I will gag you." All said with a smile of course.

For some reason, he didn't see things changing any time soon. Sighing heavily, Ed shifted back against the head of the bed once again, his gaze drifting away to the opposite wall. "No." The single word was the only thing he said for a few, long minutes. It was obvious enough how he felt about the situation, so there was no point in trying to make things any worse right then.

"You don't need to stick around. I'm sure they're missing you already." Well, so much for that idea. At least it wasn't too late, let. Hopefully. Resting his head against the cool metal, Ed's eyes drifted shut for a moment as he took a few deep breaths. No more arguing. Especially not right now.

Well even if Edward was moping, that was better than constantly arguing with him. Really, Alfons was not built to be a fighter. He was worn out and tired after having to wrestle Edward to the ground twice, and then have a good long argument or three. Did normal people have to deal with these things on a regular basis, or was he just 'lucky'?

Pulling the book off of the chair, strange as the summary sounded, Alfons flipped it open and leaned back against the headboard next to him, deciding to give the book a shot. Though he was just going to read silently, because he was no narrator.

"There's nobody else I'd rather be with," he murmured as he began to read the first chapter.

He didn't need to open his eyes to realise what Alfons was doing. Waiting until he'd stopped moving, Ed finally cracked his eyes open, unsurprised to find the other reading the very same book he'd seemed so shocked by. He could only smile at the sight, his head ducking away quickly at the following words. Alfons really could be a sap sometimes.

Sliding a little closer to Alfons, Ed rested against his side, his arm twisted back behind him as he tried to get into a comfortable position. It was easier said than done. But after a few minutes, he managed to pull his attention away from his limb and focus on his company for the following night.