Hello all!

Thank you so much for clicking on this story. I sincerely hope you decide to continue reading. So, I'm actually really excited about this story. Contrary to all of my previous one, I've really thought this one out. Honestly, I've done everything everyone's told me to do from the beginning. That being said, please enjoy, and review/comment if you have the time!

~Lauren-kun

"So, I heard you're back in Central." Al's cheerful voice rang though the telephone speaker, his words just loud enough to cover the annoying buzz of static behind it.

Ed scanned the area around him, boxes still piled high with possessions he probably didn't need from the recent move. He sat on a cheap wicker chair -the only piece of furniture he owned- in what would soon be his bedroom, if he ever actually got around to unpacking. "Yeah," Ed affirmed, still slightly amazed. "I've got my own apartment and everything." He paused for a moment before adding smugly, "I can actually see Central Command from my bathroom window."

Al gave a small laugh, and Ed relished the sound. "Sounds like a nice place. Has Winry moved in yet?"

Ed felt his cheeks burn, despite the normalcy of his and Winry's relationship. "No," he replied, kicking back in his chair. "Winry and I aren't married yet, and Pinako is surprising strict about this sort of thing."

There was a long pause on the other end. "Really? Even though you're engaged?"

Ed ran a hand though his hair, frustratedly brushing it out of his face. "Actually," he muttered, his voice quiet with embarrassment, "I still haven't proposed." Ed heard Al sputter, sending the static into a frenzy.

"Come on, Ed, still?" Al asked incredulously, "You already told her you loved her, and that was four years ago!"

Ed lurched, barely avoiding tipping backwards in his chair as his cheeks burned several shades brighter. "I was only sixteen then, so it was three years ago, actually," he retorted hastily. "Besides, I told her I'd exchange half of my life for hers, not that I loved her."

Al snickered. "Come on, Ed. Even I'm not that mushy."

Al waited for Edward to respond, letting his brother stew in his own words. Finally, Ed buckled. "Fine, you win, Al. I told her I loved her." He paused, searching for the right words.

"Then why not make it official?" Al asked sincerely. "She already knows how you feel about her; you've got nothing to lose."

Something cold and hard settled in the pit of Ed's stomach. "I'm not worried about that," he lied, attempting to clear his throat. "It's just that I haven't had the right opportunity. I've only been back in Amestris for a couple days, and she's been busy at work in Rush Valley. Speaking of returning," Ed began, rushing to change the topic before Al decoded his rambling, "when do you plan on coming back?"

Al released a long, thoughtful breath. "I don't know," he replied honestly. "I mean, I miss you guys so much, but Xing is incredible, and I've just begun to really understand alkahestry, and May says-"

Ed interrupted Al's torrent of unfiltered thought, seeing a promising opportunity to restore his pride. "Oh? And how are things going with May?" Ed drawled, stretching out the girl's name. "She still stuck to her shining knight sans armor?"

Al cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable. "Very funny, Ed. May and I are just friends. She's taught be a lot about-"

Once again, Ed pounced on his chance. "Oh I'm sure she has, little brother."

Edward could basically see Alphonse squirming in discomfort at his insinuation.

Alphonse cleared his throat again, stubbornly ending his thought. "About alkahestry, brother," he replied tightly. Al paused again, and Edward could hear him gulp several times. "Plus Ed, I'm not some little kid anymore, alright? I'll be eighteen in a few weeks."

"Eighteen's little."

Al sputtered, jaw probably hanging around his knees. "But you're only nineteen!"

Ed struggled to keep his smile out of his voice. "You can gain a lot of wisdom in a year. Plus, voting rights."

"You totally suck, Ed." Al replied, defeated. "I hope you know that."

Ed kicked his chair back again, admiring his handy-work. "Yeah, well, I'm still you're older brother, so you're stuck with me."

Al scoffed, but was interrupted by someone before he could reply. By the highness of the tone, Ed guessed it was May, but he couldn't make out the actual words.

"Uh, listen Ed, it's been…nice…talking to you, but May wants me-"

"Oh, I bet-" Ed tried to interject, but Al stampeded over his words.

"-WANTS ME to help her look over some old books she found in the Xing Royal Library. Talk later?"

This time, Ed let Al hear his laughter. "Yeah, sure, Al," she answered, chuckling. "Good luck."

There was a small hesitation. "Thanks…I think," Al replied, and a moment later the line went dead.

Ed sighed, placing the phone back onto the cradle. He stared at it for a moment as it rested on his lap, wondering if he should call anyone else. He hadn't spoken to any of his military friends in at least a year, possibly more. In fact, he knew close to nothing on how the country was shaping up after the fall of Bradly and the nationwide human transmutation circle, which was part of the reason he decided to live in Central. He knew Lieutenant General Grumman became the Fuehrer in place of Bradly, and that the government had actually held a public election, confirming his new position. Mustang had been promoted to… some sort of impressive position. Ed was sure he was working hard, doing something very remarkable and progressive; he just wasn't sure what.

And then there was Winry. He had done a much better job at keeping in touch with her -even pausing his research to visit a few times- but there was no denying that their relationship had deteriorated. So much time had passed since they really hung out; she could be in another relationship… or married…or…

No, he decided. He wouldn't call Winry yet, but other than his friends in the military and the Rockbells, the only person he could think of was his teacher.

Who he hadn't talked to in two years.

Who he hadn't seen in longer.

Who could probably still dropkick him like a newborn kitten despite having grown more than a foot since they last talked.

On second thought, maybe he would wait to contact her too.

Realizing he was getting nowhere, Ed slid the phone off his lap, setting it gently on the floor beside him. Stepping over the sleeping bag he'd been using as a bed, he exited the room, deciding that a walk around Central would help clear his mind.