Al was very worried about his brother.

Ever since returning from Gluttony’s stomach, Ed had seemed very depressed, choosing to stare out the window most nights instead of sleeping.

Al couldn’t sit in silence anymore. He had to say something.

“Brother?” The suit of armor clanked and squeaked as Al shifted closer to the small form by the window.

Ed didn’t even move when he replied, “What, Al?”

Al rested a hand on the teen’s shoulder, watching Ed’s face to make sure he wasn’t being too rough. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Ed was silent for a moment, then sighed and moved over into Al’s lap, resting his cheek against Al’s cold metal chest plate. “I just can’t stop thinking about seeing your body in the gate,” he mumbled.

“Brother…” Al whispered. “You don’t have to worry…my body will be okay.”

Ed gave a choked laugh. “Trust me, Al, if you had seen your skinny ass you’d be worried, too.”

Al started to pet Ed’s hair like he would pet one of his hidden cats, hoping to relax the visibly tense body in his arms.

“I have to get your body out of the gate as soon as I can,” Ed said quietly, more to himself than to his brother.

If Al had been able to frown he would have. Instead he only answered, “It doesn’t matter to me if I get my body back soon or not. All I care about is being with you, Brother, and being able to see your smile. Don’t get me wrong--it’s not as if I don’t want to be able to feel you again, but…I’m okay as long as you’re with me.”

Ed slowly looked up, blessing Al with his golden gaze before the blonde’s lips were pressed against Al’s helmet, where the armor’s mouth would have been.

When Ed pulled away, he was finally smiling. He smacked the top of Al’s head with his automail hand, then slid out of younger one’s lap, walking over to his twin bed.

“Thanks, Al,” Ed whispered, but his tone said, I love you.

And for once, Al was glad he didn’t have a body. He’d rather Ed not see his burning cheeks.