Really Long A/N Hey there! I'm Took! I'm definitely not new to the world of FMA, but I've never gotten around to writing for it. Seeing as I've been super productive lately, I decided to finally give it a shot!

This is a two-shot (with part two arriving very soon) that's set after the movie. Really, I wanted to do something with Ed and a human Al, and it's turned into this. I apologize if Al doesn't seem mature enough. I don't think he had enough screen-time for us to really see the extent to which he'd grown. He's more like he is in the series. Also, Ed may be slightly OOC (I'll let you guys be the judge of that).

Also, this is not Elricest. I don't much care for it. I don't think there's any mistaking that, but I thought I'd say it anyway.

I do love these little brotherly moments.

I think that's all the important stuff I needed to get out of the way...well, except for the disclaimer. I know that you know that none of this is mine. After all these years I'm a little tired of saying it... Wow, I'm rambling...I do that sometimes.

xXxXx

Part One - Some Things Never Change

"Are you sure that's all you have?" Edward Elric flipped through his wallet, noting unhappily that it was rather empty. He looked to the burly man behind the counter. "There aren't any...cheaper rooms? Maybe with two beds?"

"Thirty marks. With that you should be glad you're getting a room at all." Ed sighed, handing over the money. The man was right, this was the cheapest inn in town. One bed would have to do for them. The man grunted and passed him an old, worn key. "Upstairs, end of the hall."

Without a word of thanks, Ed turned to his brother. Alphonse held his coat close around him, soaked through from the rainy night outside. "Did you get a room, Brother?" the younger Elric asked hopefully.

"Yeah. Looks like we'll be bunkmates tonight, though."

Al smiled at his brother. "Like when we were little, huh?"

"Yeah." Ed bent to pick up their suitcase, casting a glance at his little brother. "Cold, Al?"

"Huh? Uh...yeah."

"Well it's no wonder, we've been running around in the rain all night. Let's go get into some dry clothes." They made their way up the battered old stairway and down a short hall. Ed fumbled with the handle for a moment, the ancient key fighting at the lock. Several minutes passed in silence, broken only by a murmur of rain from outside and the swearing of the elder Elric. Al watched him struggle in amusement.

"Here." he said, deciding that it had gone on long enough. Swatting his brother out of the way, he easily turned the key and pushed the door open with a smirk.

"Oh for crying out loud..."

"You're too rough, Brother." he smiled, allowing Edward to push past him with a grunt.

There wasn't much to the room: a chair, a radiator, a folding partition next the wall, and a single bed. It wasn't fancy, but it was dry. Ed deposited the suitcase on the bed, rifling through it and pulling out some clothes.

"At least there's heat and a window." Ed said, nodding towards the opening in the wall. Al glanced out, noting the dark alley below.

"Can I use the partition?" he asked, taking the proffered clothing with one hand while still holding his coat with the other. Ed shrugged, sending the younger Elric scurrying out of sight.

Away from his brother's watchful eyes, Alphonse let his coat fall open, gently pulling a bundle of fur out of his shirt. The tiny white kitten blinked up at him. 'What am I going to do with you?' he thought, as he bundled it snugly into the dry shirt Ed had given him.'Brother will never let me keep you...' He couldn't help the smile that crossed his face as he watched the kitten curl happily into the fabric and begin to doze.

Swiftly, Al peeled away his wet clothing, letting it drop with a splat to the hardwood floor. He pulled on the dark trousers (his brother's, he noticed). Scooping the shirt into his arms, he pulled a fold of fabric over the kitten, sheltering it from view. "Brother, can I ask you something?" he asked as he stepped out from behind the partition.

Edward was standing at the window, absently buttoning his shirt as he stared out at the rain. He turned to Al, something close to a dismal look crossing his face. He made a mental note to get his little brother some clothes of his own...Edward's were slightly big on him.

"Sure thing, Al."

"Okay, well..." Al hesitated, trying to work out how to confess that he'd rescued another cat and beg to keep it all in the same statement. He stood in silence for several moments, Ed staring at him expectantly.

"Can...can I keep him? Please?"

"Keep what?" A knowing look clouded his face and he groaned when he saw Al's shirt wiggle a little. "Oh, Al..."

"Please, Brother? I'll take care of him!"

"Al, we don't have the money. How would you feed it?"

"I'd give it my food!"

"You're not giving it your food. Besides, we don't even have a home, where would it stay?" Al's face fell. Sadly he bowed his head, uncovering the little kitten and nuzzling his face into its fur. Edward moved to lay a hand on his shoulder, a soft sigh escaping him. He hated it when he had to do this. His little brother was so kindhearted, it tore him apart to see Al feel like he was abandoning something that needed him. The younger brother had tried everything he could think of to keep kittens in the past (some of them he had even named after his brother), but their situation had never allowed it.

Had they been settled down somewhere, Ed would have said yes in a heartbeat.

"Look, I'm sorry, Al. But...you need to get rid of it." Al stiffened, his head snapping up to stare at his brother in disbelief.

"W-What!? But, Brother! It's cold outside, and it's raining! He'll get sick, I can't put him out there, he...he needs me..." Al's voice had shrunk to a whisper. He gazed down at the little fluff ball, tears welling in his eyes as he pushed it into his brother's arms.

"Al! What are you-"

"I can't put him back out there. You do it." he wiped his arm across his eyes, disappearing back behind the partition.

Ed stared guiltily after his brother, his flesh hand scratching the kitten's head. It purred loudly as it leaned into his touch. He glanced towards the rain spattered window, before letting his eyes fall to the little bundle in his arms. The kitten began to swat and bite at his fingers playfully.

Al was probably right, it could end up sick out there. If its mother had already moved on to another alley...it was such a tiny thing. Al really had a knack for finding the pathetic ones. Edward gave a soft sigh, realizing that he didn't want to put it out in the rain either. Perhaps by morning the rain would be gone...

Silently, Ed moved closer to the partition, pausing to peek around the corner at his little brother. Al was crouched against the corner of the wall, his chin propped on his hand. He looked up as his brother approached him, the kitten offered in his outstretched hands.

"Brother...do you mean I can...?"

"Just for tonight."

One would have thought he'd said it could stay forever, the way Alphonse leapt to his feet. His arms bypassed the kitten, instead curling around his brother's torso. Edward couldn't help letting a fond smile creep across his face as he gently set the kitten on Al's hunched shoulder.

"What are you so happy about? It's only one night."

I know." Al released him, pulling the kitten into his arms and nuzzling it to his cheek. "But that means one less night little Nii-san has to stay in the rain."

"Nii-san? Al, you know that never works." Al merely grinned, pulling a face so much like his brother that the elder Elric turned away with a laugh.

"You get the wall."

"What? I had it last time!"

"I'm older, I decide who sleeps where."

"No way!" a bundle of wet clothes was suddenly shoved into Ed's face, his voice sounding in a muffled groan from behind the sopping mess. He peeled it away, his eyes falling across Al laying sprawled across the good side of the bed. He smirked at his big brother, curling into that same little ball he'd slept in since he was two. Little Nii-san was happily curled against the top of his head.

It was a sight Ed had waited years to see, one that he didn't think he'd ever get tired of: his brother...flesh and blood...happy. A warm feeling spread over him as he climbed over Al, and under the thin covers, making sure to kick him lightly with his real foot. Al grunted, kicking back good-naturedly. After a moment he straightened, turning vaguely in Ed's direction.

"Thank you, Brother."

"For what?"

"Nii-san."

"What kind of brother would I be if I didn't say yes once in a while?" Ed said, chuckling to himself.

"You'd still be the best kind there is." Ed turned to smile at his brother, but Al had already turned away, his arm reaching to extinguish the little bedside lamp.

Darkness enveloped them, and Ed smiled to himself, listening to his brother's breathing quietly even out. "Yeah, it's just like when we were little." he murmured, letting sleep overcome him. Unseen by the elder Elric, Al scooted closer to him and the same genuine smile played across both of their faces.