A/N: Just to forestall anyone who wants to gripe about the timeline, remember. The world as we know it is at least two years ahead of Simon's world, which is still in the beginning of the twentieth century.

Epilogue, Part One

July 31, 2002

St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies

"Okay, now, Mrs. Malfoy, you need to push," the Healer urged the exhausted mother-to-be. Hermione bent forward, Draco supporting her and murmuring soothing loving words into her ear, and gave a mighty push. She felt something pulled from her, and she collapsed back against her husband, panting harshly. The squalling babe was quickly wrapped in white towels and whisked away to be cleaned and checked over. Contractions raced through her abdomen again, and she groaned weakly. "I know, sweetie," the Healer crooned to her, rubbing her stomach gently. "One more big push, and it'll be over." Heaving herself forward to hunch over again, she nearly flopped down to the bed, too tired to even breathe. Her husband was there in an instant, holding her up again so that she could muster up enough strength to push out the second baby. It, too, was whisked away to be cleaned and checked. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. You have two fine, strong, healthy twin sons."

One swaddled child was handed to his exhausted mother, while the other was handed to the proud, overwhelmed father. Both children sported a head of riotous curly blonde locks, and their eyes were the warmest cinnamon color. They had their father's fine-boned features, with their mother's peachy skin tones. All in all, they were a perfect blend of both parents, and were instantly cherished beyond all measure. "Ours are the first newborns to be introduced to the changed wizarding world," Draco murmured softly, nuzzling his nose into his son's soft cheek.

"Luna's will be the second," Hermione whispered huskily, throat dry. Malfoy immediately summoned water and held the glass while she took sips from the straw. "Have you decided on names for them yet?"

"I have," he murmured, smiling lovingly at his wife. They had discussed the Malfoy traditions when it was discovered that Hermione was expecting. She was more than willing to abide by the customs and rituals that her husband's family had performed, knowing that, though his father had betrayed all of the Malfoy family values so thoroughly, her husband wanted to keep those traditions and rituals alive. So she agreed that Draco would be the one to name his firstborn, as was tradition. "I name thee Simon Edward Malfoy," he whispered to the boy in his arms. The magic flared around them for a moment before subsiding, marking the child in the Book of Magic. He turned and lay a tender hand on his other son's head. "I name thee Roy Alphonse Malfoy." Again, the magic flared and cemented the child's name in the Book of Magic.

"I think Lily and James would be honored that you would name your child after their son," Hermione said, smiling. "You broke tradition a little, though, darling. You didn't name them after constellations."

"No, I didn't," the blond replied softly. "I named them after heroes of the wizarding world."

September 14, 2002

St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies

"Okay now, love, you need to push for the Healer," Severus murmured into Luna's ear. The young woman was exhausted; her firstborn son had already been taken away and cleaned. Now they were waiting on his pokey brother. There was a slight complication, as the child had wanted to come out arse first, but with a little bit of gentle manipulative magic, he was turned, the umbilical cord no longer around his neck. He had crowned a couple of minutes earlier, but seemed to want to linger in the birth canal for a bit. Using a bit more manipulative magic, and a hefty push from the frazzled mother, the Healer was finally able to extract the second child, who promptly began to wail and fuss. He was whisked away to be cleaned and checked, while the Healer sank into a chair that had been placed behind her, huffing out a tired laugh.

"Merlin, but he's a stubborn bugger," she mumbled, startled when Severus barked out a laugh.

"Just like his mother," the Potions Master said fondly, brushing his fingers tenderly through Luna's sweaty blonde locks. She gave him a tired, half-hearted glare before closing her eyes and sighing heavily. A few moments later, two squalling children were placed in their parents' arms. Instantly, they quieted, looking at their mum and dad with wide ebony eyes. The boy in Severus' arms had silky blond hair and pale skin. The boy in Luna's arms had wispy midnight black hair and rosy skin. "Well," the dark man murmured, "at least we'll be able to tell them apart."

"I want to name them Lorcan Severus Snape, and Lysander Severus Snape," Luna whispered as she brushed a kiss against her son's forehead.

"Why do they need the same middle name?" the Potions Master asked curiously, flushing with pleasure at the idea of both of his sons carrying his name.

"Because Severus is a strong, noble name, and since both of our sons will be strong, noble men, their names should reflect that."

"Indeed."

July 31, 1918

Central Command

"Happy birthday, Simon," Roy said quietly as he stared at the twenty year old. When they had returned, Roy and Ed had jumped right into work, traveling to outlying military posts and training the staff on how to relate to their constituents. It had been a hard road; many had chafed at the idea that a mere child would be able to teach them anything. There was speculation that Edward had earned his place in the military, and his rank, on his back, with his legs spread. There were those commanding officers in some of the posts who had assumed that the lithe blond would be more than happy to bend over for them. His age never came into the equation, a few of the commanders revealing alarming pedophilic tendencies. Their mistakes cost them their promotions and their jobs, and, in some cases, their lives. Soldiers witnessed their commanding officers attempt the sexual assaults, and did not lift a finger when the blond retaliated viciously, secretly glad that the freaks had been dealt with. Roy sent reports back to Central Command, outlining the behaviors and responses to the Führer, who cleared Edward of the charges that had been levied against him by underlings anxious to step into the vacant slots. Ed had then sent his own recommendations for whom he thought would be the best soldier to promote to the position left open. Once the staff at the posts had seen Elric in action, they understood better what the Amestris military was trying to do, and enthusiastically welcomed the changes.

"Thanks, Roy," the raven said quietly, smiling around at all of his friends and family. The twins were cuddled with Ed on the sofa in Mustang's office, smiling widely. On the eighteen year old blond's left hand was an engagement ring; the twins and Ed were to be married on his nineteenth birthday, in September. Alphonse was chatting up Riza, and Simon smirked at the success of his baby brother. He'd known Riza for six years, and in all that time, he'd never known an instance where the woman had gotten rattled. She had never even blushed to his knowledge. But Al had the attractive blonde flushing and giggling. Giggling! Envy was there as well, with a beaming Neville and their little twin girls, named Augusta Marie Longbottom and Alicia Marjorie Longbottom. They had married shortly after Longbottom's arrival, and had found a willing surrogate to carry their children. Envy had never known his last name, so he had willingly taken Neville's.

The surrogate was one of the people that Thorfinn had taken in off the street, after he'd refurbished the Devil's Nest, turning it into a safe house for all of the abandoned and orphaned street kids. It was his trip back to Hogwarts, and the level of love and respect between Severus and the students that had the large blond man rethinking his goals. He'd made his original kids, the Deadlies, supervisors and counselors, to help the young kids and teens make the transition from potential criminal to contributing member of Amestrian society. Al would help in the evenings, after his college classes, offering tutoring and job training. There were a fair few potential alchemists in the orphans, and Alphonse took them under his wing, helping them to develop their skills for the military.

Because he'd helped to clean up the streets by providing housing and security for the disenfranchised, Roy was able to get the Amestrian government to give Rowle a substantial yearly grant, which, in turn, helped to cement the image of a caring, supportive government with the people of Amestris.

The rest of Roy's men were there as well, and the atmosphere was one of joy and peace. Civil unrest had diminished greatly in the five years since the Elrics had returned from their destined task in another time and place; the corrupt officials had been eliminated, either by execution or imprisonment. Führer Bradley had even taken Mustang under his wing, after numerous encouragements from his officers and underlings, and was training him to be the next in line to become Führer. Simon was bursting with pride as his fiancé continued to climb the ranks. Edward, as well, continued to advance, and was set to take Roy's place as commanding officer of Central Command.

The celebration was in full swing when the outer office door burst open, admitting an older man who looked remarkably like the younger Elrics. Van Hohenheim had been in and out of his children's lives sporadically after they had returned. He'd brought with him evidence of the existence of other witches and wizards in outlying countries. He'd discovered, in his travels, that it was this influx of magic, both from those who arrived to their world from elsewhere and natural-born magicals, that had changed their alchemy. It was the magic that was fueling the evolution and growth of their alchemy into something more alive. He'd also found that the alchemy of their world had become more active; it had become a driving force in the evolution of their people.

"I have brought you a letter, Simon," their father said as he strode toward the raven. Edward had a tense relationship with his father; he was still angry and hurt at the seeming abandonment of he and his brothers, and couldn't help, in the wee hours of the night, blaming him for their miserable and painful childhood. He often thought that, had Hohenheim stayed, he would've been there when their mother died, and would have been able to support and raise them. Had he stayed, they never would've attempted the human transmutation, and never would have suffered as they did. Simon would talk to Ed-he was the only one that could-and remind the blond of all that they would have lost, or missed out on, had they not been pushed down the road that Fate had mapped out for them. Van handed the missive to the emerald eyed young man, then turned to his other children, eyes cautious. "I am sorry that I have not been a part of your lives as I should have been," he told Alphonse and Ed. "I know that much of what had happened to you was my fault. I have no excuse; I allowed my calling to pull me away from you, and I abdicated my responsibilities to you. I did not know that your mother was so very ill; had I known, I would've stayed. I hope that, one day, you can find it in your hearts to forgive me." The man turned to go, but was stopped by words from his second-eldest.

"We…we understand about Fate, and the strong pull she has on us," Edward said into the silence. He'd talked to his fiancés at length about his father, and they had helped him put his feelings into perspective. "I don't want to be mad at you anymore, Father. We've lost enough of our family as it is. Just…just give me some time to come to terms with everything. I still have a lot of guilt for what I'd done to us, and I find it easier to blame you for that." Hohenheim turned toward Edward and took two long strides, grabbing his son and wrapping him in a strong, warm embrace. Ed stiffened for a fraction of a moment, then relaxed, wrapping his own arms around his father's waist and burrowing his head into the man's chest.

Simon dropped his eyes to the letter in his hands, not wanting to embarrass his brother by staring. Everyone else found something to do, giving the pair a semblance of privacy. The raven leaned back into Roy, breaking the wax seal on the letter and pulling the parchment from the envelope.

My son in all but blood,

I wish to tell you that Luna and I have married. We have two fine twin sons, and their names are Lorcan Severus and Lysander Severus Snape. They are two now, and are holy terrors. I couldn't be happier. I thought I would write, and tell you how things have been going for us since you left. Draco Malfoy was made Minister of Magic shortly after the defeat of Voldemort. The population of the British magical world had been decimated; there were, perhaps, six thousand British magicals before the rise of Voldemort. Now, there are a scant one thousand left. It will take time to return our population to what it once was. We've noticed an influx of 'visitors', many of them British magicals that had fled and hid, to avoid any confrontations with the Dark Lord. New magicals are born in the muggle world every day, which will help to boost the population, as well.

Draco has put measures into place that will monitor those muggleborns, to ensure that they are accepted by their birth families and are safe. If it appears that they are not being adequately cared for, they will be removed from their parents and replaced with non-magical orphans, the memories of the parents altered. The muggleborns will then be placed with loving families here. He also wants to try and open lines of communication between the muggle and magical world. Other countries seem to have a successful symbiotic relationship between muggles and magicals, the United States being the most prominent. He feels that we are not adequately reaping the benefits of some of their technologies, and feels that a peaceful coexistence could be had, if we're careful. His wife, Hermione, is working within the muggle government to see that it is done. The Statute of Secrecy has been changed; while we will still maintain our secrecy, we will interact more fully with the muggle government and its agencies. We will need their help to take care of the muggleborns more adequately. Additionally, we will need their cooperation to create more magical/muggle towns, so that mixed marriages have a better chance for acceptance and assimilation into the wizarding world.

Draco and Hermione have also birthed twin sons. They are Simon Edward and Roy Alphonse Malfoy. They were named after heroes of the wizarding world. They were also the first births in our world since the defeat of Voldemort and the restructuring of the British magical world. It took us nearly five years to clean up the mess, and get a decent government going once again. We wanted to wait until our world was back on its feet before we married and had children. Now, things are looking promising, as more and more children are being born. Pansy has married Blaise and Theo, and they have their second child on the way. Their first was a girl, whom they named Lily Luna Zabini-Nott. Ron and Seamus have also wed, and a surrogate carried healthy twin girls for them. They are named Frederica Molly and Georgina Ginevra Finnegan-Weasley. I will endeavor to try and keep you apprised of things on this end as I can. However, this is not the reason I wrote. I was entrusted with letters from your godparents and your father, to be passed on to you when you defeated Voldemort. I had only just now found them, and remembered my promise, so here they are.

I love you, Simon, and wish nothing but the best for you.

Severus

Simon folded the letter, tears in his eyes as he handed it to Roy so he could read it. The raven then turned his attention to the first letter, eyes scanning the page.

My son, my Prongslet,

I am James Potter, and I am your father. Enclosed you will find a picture of your mum, your godparents and me. This was taken while we were still in school, and it was one of the happiest times in our lives. I am so very proud of you, and of all you will accomplish.

I understand if you don't want to read this. I'm sure you're probably pretty pissed that we didn't go with you. Let me explain. You and your mother were the most important people in our lives. Mine, Sirius', Remus' and even Severus'. When he came to us and told us about Dumbledore's plans for you, we were livid. There was no way in hell that we would ever be willing to voluntarily sacrifice your life for the greater wizarding world. Selfish, I know, but that's the way it was. Since Severus had access to more arcane magic than we did, we encouraged him to try and find a way to save you and your mother. You, because we didn't think you deserved to be used as a puppet for the Greater Good. Your mother because we all loved her deeply, and wanted to make sure you had her in your life. We will remain here, and keep the Dark Lord occupied until you and your mother can make good your escape. It will probably result in our deaths, but there is a no more worthy purpose for which to sacrifice ourselves than yours and your mother's life. Just believe that I love you with all that I am, and I will always be watching, no matter where I am.

Love,

Father

Roy pulled the teen into his arms, comforting him as he cried for his father. It took a few moments, and in that time, he was surrounded by Edward and Alphonse, both wrapping their arms around he and Mustang and lending their comfort. Finally, he was able to get himself under enough control to read the other letter.

Master Prongslet,

Remus and I love you very much. Always remember that. We know that your life probably won't be easy, and for that, we're sorry. It was necessary to see to your safety above everything and everyone else. As we write this, you're on the floor, playing with the kneazle kitten we'd gotten for you. That kit loves you so much. Unfortunately, it probably won't survive the coming attack. Or, if it does and escapes, it will most likely turn feral. We'd gotten it for you before we found out about the headmaster's plans. Another innocent victim to the coming madness. We would try and find another home for it, but you love it so much, and we don't want to do anything to hurt you.

I'm sure James has explained why we didn't come with you. We want you to know that you are the most important, most precious thing in our lives. You've brought happiness to us all that we will cherish, both in this world and the next. We will always be with you, no matter what. We will always hear you, and will try and help as we can. I know that the coming years will be hard for you. I just wish that we could somehow be there and help to temper some of the adversity. Perhaps, if the gods are willing, we will be able to watch over you and guide you in small ways. Someday we will meet again in the next life. Until then, know that you are special and that you are loved.

Forever,

Your loving godparents

Sirius and Remus

August 31, 2004

Snape Manor

Godric's Hollow

Severus stared at the glowing orb, which he had placed in a cradle on his desk. It was midnight, and both his wife and his two sons were sleeping. His daughter, who had become restless, was cradled in his arms as he sat in the rocking chair in the corner by the desk. The orb had shown up shortly after Simon, his family, and his friends had left Hogwarts. Luna had cradled it in her hands, staring intently into it for several long moments before handing it to him. "You will know when the time is right," she said cryptically. Since then, the orb had been safely tucked away as they worked to rebuild their world. Severus had spoken with his wife, and she had agreed that they should rebuild the cottage in Godric's Hollow. Draco had made sure that the deed to the property was legally signed over to the Potions Master, and they had built a grand manor on the grounds. Severus had also obtained the properties to the left and right of the cottage, and had developed a potions garden in the one on the left, while the one on the right was a complete playground and exploration area for his children.

He looked down into his baby girl's grey eyes, smiling softly as she stared raptly up at him. Genevieve Xenophilius Snape gurgled happily at him; she was a daddy's girl, and reveled in the Potions Master's undivided attentions. "Well, my girl," he murmured to her, "I suppose now would be as good a time as any to see what this thing is." He pulled his wand and shot a spell at the orb, activating it. Lily's figure coalesced above the glass fixture, and Severus' eyes widened, shocked.

"My darling Severus," she began, smiling at him with love, "thank you for saving my son, and sacrificing yourself to do it. I know sending me away couldn't have been easy; I understood your feelings from the moment we met. I loved you too. I just didn't realize how much until you'd saved Harry and I. I do not regret my marriage to James, but, had circumstances been different, you would've been the one I had chosen. You see, I had gone to a Seer in third year, and she told me of the future my son and I would face. She also told me that the choices I made would affect the wizarding world, either for the good or the bad. That was an exceedingly heavy burden to lay on a thirteen year old's shoulders, but it was no heavier a burden than the one that sat on a one year old's. You were my soul mate; my one true love. I had to make choices that would have kept our world from being destroyed, and what's one man's or woman's happiness, compared to the entirety of the wizarding and muggle worlds.

"Harry will know of you; of your bravery and courage. He will know of my deep and abiding love for you, and of the sacrifices we all made to ensure that our world continue on. In all of this, my only regret is that he wouldn't be your son. I am sorry that things turned out this way, and I would change it if I could. Just know that I will always love you. You will always be a part of my soul. Good bye, my love. I shall wait for you on the other side."

The orb darkened, its message delivered. In the dim light of the fire in the fireplace, Severus' face shone with tears as his heart lifted in joy. He had been loved as he had loved her. Simon had told him that when he was in Hogwarts, but a small part of him didn't truly believe it. He saw it as the boy's attempt to soothe wounded feelings. But those words, from his precious Lily's lips, soothed a wound that the man hadn't even realized was there. Finally, he could let go of the memories that had haunted him, and move into his new life with a peace and serenity that he'd never known.

Outside, in the cemetery of Godric's Hollow, stood a statue in the center of this hallowed place. It was of three people; James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. Revered as heroes by the British wizarding world, they stood in the cemetery, keeping watch over the little village. On the base was a plaque, engraved with a list of names. Names of those who had died in the quest to free the wizarding world. The names read as followed: James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Lily Potter, Zacharias Smith, Dean Thomas, Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Andromeda Tonks, Narcissa Malfoy, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Percival Weasley, Xenophilius Lovegood, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Astoria Greengrass, Joseph Bradley, Millicent Bulstrode, Cho Chang, Derek Jeter, Ernie MacMillan, Marcus Flint, Ernie Cadwaller, Justin Chambers, and Rubeus Hagrid. The statue glowed for a moment, the figure of Lily Potter shimmering into being in James' arms before solidifying, the glow fading as the foursome looked benevolently over the small hamlet.

In the Ministry of Magic's atrium, the statue of the 'brethren' in the center of the fountain had been replaced by the carved image of Draco Malfoy and Hermione Malfoy, reaching hands across the representation of the Earth, and grasping the hands of the President of the United States and the Queen of Great Britain, the two most prominent political figures in the world. Around their feet capered children of all ages; purebloods, halfbloods, muggleborns and muggles, all playing together in one world. A plaque on the fountain's base listed the names of those who had saved them from the Dark Lord. The list read as follows: Simon Elric, Roy Mustang, Alphonse Elric, Edward Elric, Thorfinn Rowle, Severus Snape, Luna Lovegood, Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Hannah Abbott, Alicia Spinnet, Andrew Kirke, Daphne Greengrass, Cormac McLaggen, Lavender Brown, Susan Bones, Cedric Diggory, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Demelza Robins, Eddie Carmichael, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Derrick Wolfson and Jack Crowley. All who came to the Ministry paused at the fountain, seeing the hope for a new, more cooperative world in the figures, and acknowledging with quiet gratitude the names of the people who had kept their world alive.

May 14, 1920

Simon keened softly as fingers gently brushed against his arousal, still trapped within the tight pants he wore. He writhed on the bed as Roy chuckled lowly, a glint of mischief in ebon eyes. "You like that, love?" he asked softly, stroking his fingers over the clothed erection again. The raven arched into the fingers, nodding his head frantically as he keened again in the back of his throat. "Say it, love. Tell me what you want."

"I want you," the young man panted harshly. "I want you to fuck me hard." Ebon brows flew up Mustang's forehead at the straightforward answer. Instantly, fingers were fumbling at the fastenings of Simon's trousers, Roy yanking them off the young man before he disposed of the boxers. Eyeing the turgid member jutting from the dark, coarse curly hair, Roy licked his lips before he bent and engulfed Simon's cock to the root. The twenty year old arched into Mustang's mouth with a scream, eyes wide and hands clenched tightly in the bedclothes. Roy's head bobbed up and down rapidly; he hollowed his cheeks every time he rose to the head of the raven's erection, the suction incredible. Roy's right hand disappeared behind the young man's arse, where he dipped his index finger into a pot of lubricant. Moving carefully, he inserted the finger, up to the first knuckle, in Simon's entrance, waiting until the clenching muscles relaxed enough for him to continue to breach the raven. He paused at the whimper, tongue flicking over the head of Simon's cock to distract the man, then started to slide his finger in and out when the muscles released their death grip.

Simon was in heaven, the stimulation to his cock nicely counterbalanced by the slight, painful burn at his entrance. Roy lubed and inserted a second finger, scissoring them slightly to get the young man's hole to loosen up. Simon forced himself to relax, bearing down slightly on those fingers, which seemed to make their invasion a little easier. After a few moments, emerald eyes snapped open wide and a keening wail erupted as Roy's fingers grazed past a spot within Simon's body that sent sparks of incredible ecstasy through him. Smirking around his mouthful, Roy continued to stimulate the young man's prostate, sucking enthusiastically as the raven began to fuck himself on Mustang's fingers.

"I'm gonna…" Elric rasped out, before he came so hard that he saw lights pulsing behind closed eyelids. He arched and writhed, twitched and moaned as he rode out the astounding sensations running all up and down his body. Roy continued to torture Simon's spent cock, making the orgasm last longer, the sensations continuing to roll through him and frying his synapses. Finally, when the sensations became just too much, the raven curled his hands in Mustang's hair, tugging gently to get the older man to release him. Still shuddering, he relaxed into the bed as Roy climbed his body and engaged him in a passionate kiss. Simon tasted himself on Roy's tongue, humming a little in satisfaction. He felt the hard length of his lover throbbing against his thigh, and shifted a little, spreading his legs to allow Roy to lay between them. Simon raised his hips a little, hinting at what he still wanted. Not one to disappoint, Mustang rose up and lubed his cock, then guided himself to the loosened hole, carefully pushing into the tight heat. Simon winced and whimpered a little, the burn magnified as something a great deal larger than fingers breached him. Breathing through his nose and bearing down again, he held still as Roy continued to push his way in, until he was fully seated.

Mustang paused in his movements, gritting his teeth and riding out the almost desperate urge to come. This allowed Simon the opportunity to adjust to the new sensations. When both men felt they were ready, Roy began to thrust, gently at first. Unsatisfied with the pace, Simon clenched his muscles, startling a strangled yelp from his lover, and a glare from ebon eyes. Smirking down at the younger man, Roy pulled nearly all the way out and slammed back in, his cock banging into his lover's prostate with unerring accuracy. The raven screamed and arched, emerald eyes wide in shocked arousal. Huffing out a laugh, Roy continued to slam into Simon's prostate like a battering ram, driving the both of them over the edge shortly after.

"Are you happy, Simon?" Roy asked. They had just finished showering together, where they had engaged in another bout of lovemaking, and were relaxing on the bed, the younger man curled possessively around the older. Mustang's fingers were carding gently through Simon's raven locks, eliciting occasional purrs of contentment.

"Yes," the younger man rasped huskily, throat sore from the screaming. "I wouldn't trade any of my life for anything. A small part of me will probably always regret that I never got to know my dad, but I wouldn't change anything. I have a family that I can be proud of, friends that I'd die for, and a lover that is my whole world. I couldn't ask for anything more."

"Merlin, you're so tight, Ed," George husked out. He was buried balls deep in his husband, and Ed's mouth was wrapped around Fred's cock, sucking for all he was worth. It was the third day of their honeymoon; they had eleven more days to celebrate their marriage before Ed had to return to Central, and they were taking advantage of every single one. They hadn't left the bed in the three days they were at the luxurious hotel in Xing, and they didn't intend to leave it until their holiday ended. Mumbling met this exclamation, making Fred arch into the blond's mouth, the vibrations stimulating him to a painful degree.

There were no dominant/submissive dynamics in their relationship. All three had discovered that they liked to top and bottom. The twins learned that Ed, as brash and impulsive and independent as he was, enjoyed being coddled and taken care of once in a while. When he was in that mood, he was more than happy to bottom until he was satisfied, and those feelings were shelved for another time. The twins adored their little dictator, and did everything they possibly could to make him happy.

Deep in the night, there were violent nightmares. The twins would gentle him through them, then listen as he talked out his fears. The experiences with the Gate and his family's subsequent destruction still weighed heavily on the blond, but with the twins constantly bolstering him, those night terrors were slowly beginning to fade.

The small bit of the Gate within Edward's soul also did what it could to soothe the pain and anguish. The Gate of Truth had chosen Edward, Simon and Alphonse to be the ones to save magic and alchemy. They had done what was expected of them, and were rewarded for it. Though it left its scars and wounds on the boys, they emerged from their experiences stronger and more alive than they had been before. The pain and suffering were necessary; however, the Gate also knew that, if the suffering had continued, the boys would have turned darker, more bitter. So it did what it could to mitigate the anguish, because Edward, Alphonse and Simon were vitally necessary to keep magic and alchemy alive. They were the carriers of the new future; of both this world and the other.

A/N: Well, that's it. End of the road. Hope you liked it, and I'll see you next time.