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[transmutates]

[ When the feed turns on, at first, there's nothing but a dizzying view of the stars. The fansuwoth turns in Ed's hands until he's looking into it, setting it nearby where he's sitting atop Iki's rook. Yeah. He climbed up there. And he's currently sitting on a blanket he's brought up with him, the ever present journal with him too. The place it's

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[alkahestry]

[The day and Mr. Nagi did not allow for the free time to spend in the library or besides his brother as he would have liked, but chores and lessons were easy enough tasks to complete. He returns to his room, well after Ed has made his broadcast. It's late enough he doesn't bother to even use the fansuwoth to contact Ed and he heads back to room under the assumption that he's already there

[alkahestry]

So long as it was outside ...

[He was fairly certain Mr. Nagi would not appreciate if anything happened to the house itself. He draws a breath as he settles a bit more against Edward and takes another bit of pie.

Alphonse was going to have shift most of his research away from Ukiyo and it's history to more modern technology at this rate. He supposed as he was not any closer to understanding this world that a change in focuses couldn't hurt.]

We'll need to get glass and some abrasives to use on the surface.

[It would take time, but between the two of them the work would go twice as fast he supposed.]

[transmutates]

That's a given. Maybe, if we can save enough, we might be able to get our own apartment like Kiyoha has.

[ Flips through a few more pages. ]

Aya mentioned checking to see if there's a glass blower in town. If they do, we can get them to help us out. Won't quite be the same without the funds I got from being a State Alchemist, but we might be able to work something out.

[ Provided he doesn't have to rely on the method Aya suggested. DNW. ]

[alkahestry]

Rockets, telescopes, an apartment...

[Al's head is dizzy and it has every right to be. Edward as usual is thinking about ten different things. The funds of course made every difference in the world, and money here was the key to everything. Each of them had their own unique debt after all.]

I'm sure once we figure out where to start ... [Meaning: slow down, one thing at a time] that we'll figure out a way to make it work. Telescope first then, right?

[transmutates]

Heh, right.

[ Gives Al a sheepish grin, realizing he has been going at too many things at once. It's a product of how his mind works, but at least Al seems to understand it, and that's a relief. ]

Telescope first.

[alkahestry]

If I can find some extra work, maybe I can start putting aside some money, but for now we'll manage with the hospitality we've been given.

[As much as Ed might not like it, he's also thinking about his inevitable Auction and the fact that he'll be expected to entertain afterward. Keeping up with clients would also be a way of making money - for personal use and for his debt. His body begins to sink as his mind wanders more at his thoughts. The sky ... the stars ... and other worlds forgotten for now.]

[transmutates]

[ The grin slips as he realizes what Al's been thinking. Brows come together and he gently nudges Al with an elbow as he tugs a knee to his chest again. He should be the one thinking of those things, taking care of Al, and focusing on the future. After all, he is the big brother. ]

Hey, don't worry about that. If anyone should be taking on extra work, it should be me.

[alkahestry]

We both have debts to pay off, Brother.

[He says in an off handed manner and then blinks as he realizes that his thoughts got the better of him. His body lifts upward, muscles stiffening as his eyes find Ed's face. The last thing he wanted to do is bring up the inevitable auction, the clients, or the extra work that would come in the future for him.]

I meant ... !

[transmutates]

[ Color forms in his cheeks momentarily and he shifts his gaze away from his brother, upwards to the sky above and he forces down the urge to clear his throat. Because as awkward as the topic is, Al's debt is a reality they both need to acknowledge. Especially with Al's auction looming nearer and nearer. Once again, the idea that had come to him during a drunken conversation with Aizen returns to the forefront of his mind and his brows knit. He is the older brother after all. It's his duty to take care of Al. Even now. ]

Don't worry 'bout that either. I told you. I'll take care of it.

[alkahestry]

[It is his turn to draw his legs slowly up to rest against his chest. Head tucking off to the side as he stares down towards the edge of the roof and the ground he can see below. While most of the time it is easy to listen to Ed, it is impossible to just not worry about the Auction and the debt. Arguing with Ed was inevitable, he already knows Ed will insist, just as Ed will plot and scheme to get him out of it.]

Brother...

[He starts to say, body curling more into itself as he shields his core away from the cold.]

You can't protect me all the time... and you promised, that morning, to share the burden.

[transmutates]

[ Sensing the chill in his brother's body, he reaches out and tugs him closer, draping an arm over Al's shoulder as if they were simply sitting together by the river in Resembool and not atop the roof of a building, worlds away. With Al warm against his side, at least, there's a bit of comfort and he relaxes, cheek pressed against Al's crown. ]

Can't blame me for wanting to try.

[alkahestry]

No.

[He admits as he curls into the warmth that Ed provides. One hand moving away from his legs to find Ed's, intertwining fingers and squeezing as he closes his eyes a moment.]

I'd be more worried if you didn't.

[transmutates]

[ It's moments like this, wrapped up in Al under the stars, eyes only for his brother as their fingers clasp and squeeze, that he feels truly at home. He'd kill for this, he thinks. Just a little bit. The feel of warmth seeping through Al's skin into his, warmth that he'd missed for six years, is like a drug and he soaks in every minute of it. ]

Heh... [ His voice is quieter now, as if he's not quite willing to disturb the comfortable peace of the night and their embrace. ] I wouldn't be your brother if I didn't.

[alkahestry]

[The edges of his knees hide the smile that claims his lips. The wave of relief that washes over him, causes a warmth to spread from the center of his chest.]

Thank you.

[It's the kind of thank you that he knows Ed needs to hear, part of him thinks he should probably say it more often. So as he tugs Ed closer, head lifting as his body leans more into Ed.]

Thank you.

[For everything.]

[transmutates]

Al...

[ His brother's soft tone, filled with the kind of gratitude he doesn't expect much less thinks he deserves, makes him shudder just a little and tugs a bit more, pulling Al even closer. Fingers shift, move, brushing through gold hair and across those firm shoulders, broader and stronger than his own. What an idiot, he thinks, trailing fingertips along Al's jaw. Thanking him for anything. He should be the thankful one. But instead of saying it, he nuzzles against the side of Al's face with a murmur of his own. ]

Yeah.

[alkahestry]

[Al let's the position and their embrace linger. Ed is warm and the temperature is less then appealing. He's lost to the scent of paper and ink that clings to Ed, they are scents that remind him of home. He sighs contently and with a smile on his lips that's only meant for Ed to see.]

Did you want work on your chart more, I could help?