Doubtless

Edward tossed his pencil down and ran his fingers through his hair. His research wasn't getting anywhere. Not to mention he wasn't even focusing on it entirely. His thoughts were on his brother instead. He was still trying to figure out why Alphonse kept setting him up on dates with girls. It's not like he needed a girlfriend, or wanted one. Not remotely. He picked the pencil back up and scribbled on his notes. Only a short time later though, he let the writing utensil slip through his fingers again. It was almost pointless to try to do anything worthwhile with this on his mind. He kept trying to logically figure out Al's intentions in his mind but he couldn't come to a definite conclusion. He didn't think Al was trying to be nosy or that his little brother thought he knew what was best. And he certainly didn't think Al would be trying to get him to get married and move out. No, not after all they did to get back to each other ...

A soft sigh escaped Ed's lips as he leaned back in his chair. Absent-mindedly, he sloppily braided his hair before wandering downstairs to find out what his little brother wanted to do for dinner.

"Al? Alphonse?" he called out as he reached the bottom stair. But his brother was nowhere to be found. He walked into the kitchen and found a note on the table.

'Brother,

Meet me over at the usual restaurant. I was hungry so I left without you! Hurry up, okay?

Alphonse'

Ed gritted his teeth a little, figuring this was probably just another set-up date but decided to go along anyway to humor his little brother again. Maybe he could try to piece together this puzzle for once.

When he got there, he saw a girl standing in front of the restaurant and he called out to her but the second she looked up at him, she ran down an alleyway.

"Hey, hang on! I just want to talk to you!" Ed was sure that had to be the girl that Al wanted him to meet, but why was she running from him? He easily caught up with her, and grabbed her by the arm just before she fell. Apparently she wasn't used to running in shoes with heels. The girl was still turned away from him. She had long blonde hair, a little like Al's and was wearing a long pink and white dress with lace. It was pretty cute all in all.

"Are you alright?"

The girl looked up at him and he had to blink a few times before he realized that the person whose arm he was holding was none other than his own brother's.

"A-Al?"

"Brother ..." A small tear slid down Al's cheek. "I .. I'm sorry. I can't be a girl. I wish I was. Maybe if I was you'd ... No."

"Alphonse, what are you talking about? Tell me what's been going on."

"Maybe if I was a girl, you'd ... you'd fall in love with me. Even if I am your sibling. Just maybe. But I'm a boy."

"... That's why you dressed like this?"

"But when I saw you, I got scared and ran."

"So, all this time, you've been setting me up on dates because---"

"I can see the way you look at couples, Ed. I know you want to be with someone. I just wish ..."

When Al paused, Ed just looked at him quizzically, wanting his brother to finish the sentence on his own.

"I just wish that ... it was with me."

The older boy pulled his brother closer and took his hand, squeezing it gently. He was relieved that he didn't have to be confused anymore. And that he wasn't the only one with these feelings. Al had been going through the same thing.

"I do want it to be with you, Al."

Alphonse looked up at him in surprise, his face still wet, a tear again sliding down his cheek. He really did look perfect in that dress with his hair flowing around his shoulders. He always looked beautiful though. To Ed anyway.

"Brother? ... Brother ... I love you."

Ed leaned in very close so only Al could hear the next words from his lips. "I love you too."