Shadows in the Dawn

Author's note: Same disclaimer as usual, Heidrich is nothing like how he is in the movie (I guess, anyway, I've still yet to see it), still think I could have characterized him a bit better and not made him such a damn girl, oh well, whatever, enjoy.

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Chapter 3 - Warmth

Alfons fretted about his apartment, trying to get it into some semblance of order. Glasses on the tables needed to be washed and put away, books needed to be shoved back into their shelves…at least his two cats had already been fed. Al wasn't a messy person by nature, but he had grown more than a little lazy due to his utter lack of guests in the past few weeks.

"He could have at least given me more than an hour's warning…" Al grumbled as he grabbed the last dirty glass on the coffee table. He wasn't so much annoyed at the young man he had met, though, but more so at himself for having left the place in such a state of disarray that he had to run around like some sort of headless chicken to fix it up into a proper state for visitors.

His hand twisted the water faucet on, and after making sure the hot water wasn't going to scald him, took a nearby rag, and poured some soap onto it. He hummed to himself a senseless tune as he washed what glasses and plates were in the sink. 'Let's see…should probably put a pot of coffee up…' he thought to himself as he placed the glass and porcelain items onto the drying rack. 'It's been too long since someone was over. Two months, maybe? And even then, it was just casual visits…'

Al chuckled as he shut the water off, stretching his body up slightly in order to reach the top cabinet where he kept the coffee jar. He flicked open the cabinet door before snatching the jar (making a mental note to himself to keep the stuff in a more accessible place, because there had been one too many incidents where he had fallen right into the sink in the mornings in his quest for coffee).

At this point in his life, he could make the beverage with his eyes closed, though he wasn't about to try that in fear of burning himself. Regardless, he filled up the coffee maker with water, enough to make a few cups, scooped in the ground beans, shut the machine, and hit the button.

He sat at the kitchen table, watching the dark brown liquid drip. He lay his elbow onto the table and rested his chin in his hand, sighing. Still, a smile was on his face, and he was happily anticipating meeting his new friend again.

---

Alfons Heidrich, age 18. Ethnicity: German. Occupation: University student. Parents: Deceased.

He was what most called a model student. Intelligent beyond his years, hardworking… Al was an extremely friendly person, though some might say he was too friendly for his own good. His amiability and compassion, though both good traits, came at a price, as he was easily taken advantage of at many times. However, it wasn't enough to change his way of thinking or acting.

Even though both his parents had died a few years previous, Alfons still had the strength to keep a sunny and cheerful disposition. If he couldn't even bring himself to be happy, how could he help others? And so he focused on trying to make life as pleasant as he could for him and people around him.

It may have been a lost cause, especially in the time and place he was in, but it wouldn't stop him from trying.

---

He jolted to attention when he heard a knock coming from the front door. 'Only two minutes late…' Al thought as he glanced at the clock, before he stood up and made his way out of the kitchen, into the living room, and to the door. "Who is it?" he asked, even though he already knew who he was.

"Uh, Edward," called the voice from the other side.

Alfons smiled, unlocking the door and opening it, standing aside to let the younger blonde in. "It's good to see you again. I apologize if my house is a bit of a mess, I just haven't had visitors in a while, so…" he trailed off.

Edward looking around the apartment, letting out a low whistle. "You call this messy? You should see my dumpster of a place. Well, it'd be a lot more messy if I actually had things to leave lying around, but…damn." His eyes moved to the couch. "…can I use your couch?"

Al raised an eyebrow. Now that was a strange question. "Uh…sure, go ahead…?"

At least Ed had the good grace to take off his partially muddy boots before flopping down on the couch. "Ahhh, this feels so good…it's been so long since I've been able to lie on something soft…" he murmured, looking as if he just entered through the gates of heaven.

"…Don't you have a bed, at least?" Al asked, his other eyebrow raising as well.

"Nah, just some blankets and a pathetic excuse for a pillow. Like I might have said before, my financial situation ain't too good. I can barely afford rent as it is, so furniture at this point in time is out of the question."

"I see…" Al said, moving over to sit in the chair beside the couch. "Do you have a job?"

"Yeah, but I just got laid off yesterday, so I have to look around for another one."

Al blinked. It seemed like Edward was having no luck at all with, well, anything. "How old are you anyway? You look pretty young to be out on your own, even in a place like this."

He noticed Edward twitch a few times, but decided it best not to ask why. "Just about seventeen," the other responded. "And you?"

"Nineteen," Al responded, standing up. "Would you like some coffee, by the way?"

Ed nodded. "Sure."

"How would you like it?" Alfons asked as he made his way to the kitchen. "Milk, sugar, what?"

"Black with, uh, four sugars," he heard the voice from the living room respond. No milk and an excessive amount of sugar…yes, this Edward was a strange one, but what could he say. He pulled out two mugs from a side cabinet, placing them down on the counter. Next came the milk for himself, and he took the container out of the refrigerator before pouring a little into his cup.

Alfons heard a few meows coming from the room, and smiled. It looked as if Ed had come into contact with his cats. 'Well, I just hope he's a cat person,' he thought.

It was probably good for Al that he didn't hear what had happened just previous to those meows, which was a small feline yelp and Ed hissing 'Oh shit did I just sit on the cat!'.

The coffee was poured and the sugar mixed in before Alfons strode back into the living room. "Here, it should be good," he said as he put the mugs down onto the coffee table. "It's hot so be care--…Edward…?"

He stared at the boy on his couch, whose eyes were now closed, a soft snore escaping him. His arm was slung around a pillow as if he was cuddling it close to him like some sort of stuffed animal. The sight was rather cute, he had to admit.

Alfons chuckled, taking his own mug off coffee and sipping it. Well, they were in no rush. Besides, Edward looked like he really needed the sleep… And there was also a look on Ed's face that he hadn't yet seen, an expression of peace. Even when his face had lit up with a smile at the prospect of getting help, he could still see a kind of pain there, something that had seemed to be permanently etched into his features. But now… He looked even younger than his---what was it, almost seventeen?---years like this, and Al wondered how such an innocent looking person could be driven into such harsh circumstances.

There was a lot more to Ed than he let on, that much was obvious, but Alfons could wait. He didn't feel like prying. He would help Edward as much as he can, regardless of whatever situation he had gotten himself into.

---

Dear Journal,

I've met a new friend by the name of Edward Elric. He's a little strange…not much younger than me, but…well. He says he came here to study science, so that's why I'm helping him out. But it's as if he came here with no idea of what he was getting into. He doesn't hold a steady job, he says he can barely afford the rent…When you move to another place, you usually make sure you have enough money to cover your lodgings until you can manage to get a steady job, don't you? Well, I wouldn't know, since I've lived in this town for ages, and until I finish university and get my own job, I'm living off inheritance…

Well, besides that, he seems like a pretty smart person, but he isn't in school. Why he hasn't enrolled in a university or something, I have no idea.

I wonder if there's some other reason for him being here.

Oh well, I shouldn't be complaining. It's been lonely for the past two months, so having someone to talk to and spend time with again is more than welcome.

…

I wonder how long he'll be gone for. He said it would only be a few months, so… Eh. He still hasn't written so much as a postcard. I'm not worried or anything, he can properly take care of himself, but… Well, he'd probably just call me silly for acting like this. So I'll just have to wait.

Still, I miss him a lot.

I miss him, I miss him, I miss him, I miss him.

I'm probably being horribly clingy, and heck, I'm not a woman or anything, so I shouldn't be. Oh, what does it matter anymore. I'm horribly attached, and that's that. Nothing I can do about it.

Funny how some people call it wrong. Well, I don't care. Let them…it doesn't affect me.

Okay, I'm wasting ink now, and Edward looks like he's about to fall off the couch. I better make sure he doesn't hurt himself or anything. He could probably use a blanket too. Jeez, when's the last time he had a decent sleep? I could see the dark circles under his eyes now that I'm really looking.

Hm, Beansprout looks ticked off for some reason, and his fur's all messed up. I better give him some catnip or milk or something. I wonder what happened?

-Alfons