Sunshine burned his eyelids, a breeze from a nearby window prickled his skin, sending faint shivers along his spine. He faintly heard his brother, a familiar angry undertone in his voice. The rough material of the thin blanket scratched at his tender skin.
Then it hit the boy full force., what his mind was registering.
The heat from the sun felt weird, as did the chills or the touch of the blanket. But he could actually feel it, and that alone made the boy want to jump for joy. It was then his brain also registered the pain in his arms and legs. Perhaps jumping was not a good idea.
His eyelids felt unbearably heavy and everything was loud, but that was to be expected. It took a few moments, but he found enough energy to open his eyes, soon regretting such a decision. The light in the room blinded his poorly adjusted eyes and he must have let out an audible noise of distaste, because he heard someone curse before the lights shut off. He heard footsteps, one heavier than the other.
"Alphonse?"
He heard his brother speak his own name, He felt a stronger, firm hand grasp his own frail one. and he turned towards the presence. His eyes focused and a lazy little smile grew on his lips. He stared at his brother, not saying a word.
Edward looked like hell. He was pale and his clothes were nearly in shreds and his hair had fallen out of his braid. His voice was so soft when he spoke to his brother, scared he might be too loud for Alphonse.. "Hey, you're awake.."
"Seems that way." Alphonse quickly regretted speaking. Despite using his voice often enough while attached to the armor, his throat, his physical vocal chords hadn't been used since he was young and, oh, how they ached. It felt like nails scraping against the inside of his throat.
His brother, bless him, had to have noticed his discomfort. Edward was soon reaching for a styrofoam cup filled with water. He had to help his brother drink it, the frail boy already exhausted. Once he set the cup back down, a timid nurse came into the room,looking at Edward unsurely. The older boy shot her a glare.
Despite Al giving her a weak smile, she didn't speak, only approaching and checking the machines surrounding the boy. She left after only moments, causing Al to turn towards his older brother.
Edward was completely enraptured by his brother. Not in a romantic way, rather he was sort of entranced by the fact that he was here at all.. Edward's rough fingertips carded through his brother's hair, too long and dirty and rough but it was him. His brothers touch, any touch really, soothed Alphonse. It constantly reassured him that this really wasn't a dream. If it were a dream, he wouldn't be able to feel so much. If it was a dream, he wouldn't even be in the armor because it would be a dream. He would be asleep.
So Alphonse stayed in the bed, perfectly happy where he was. It was all he actually needed. His brother and just themselves. Now that Alphonse had that, he supposed he'd be able to get a bit of rest.
So he did. With all his senses back and his brother with him, he could finally sleep.
tbc
