A/N: Written for my November self-challenge of a fic a day. Haven't written FMA in forever, and I enjoyed the brothers being fluffy. :)
"You shouldn't be so worried about Winry, Ed."
It was, quite possibly, the most absurd thing Alphonse could have 'd been walking home for the past hour, stopping and letting Alphonse rest as he needed to. If anyone should be worried about Winry's reaction to their return, it should be Al! Alphonse, who still looked so terribly emaciated he reminded Edward of pictures of people who'd spent months in war concentration camps. Alphonse, who couldn't walk a mile without needing two breaks. Alphonse, who still looked so weak and pathetic Edward badgered him to eat and drink his milk until Alphonse threatened to vomit on his shoes-all matter-of-factly and scientifically because his stomach simply wasn't used to big meals and needed time to get used to eating again.
The point stood, if anyone should be worried about Winry's reaction to their current state, it was Alphonse. Alphonse of the chicken bone limbs and too sharp cheek bones and chin. Winry was going to stuff him until he was sick. Then he'd vomit on Edward's shoes because Alphonse has always been a gentlemen. Edward wondered if all those years in a body too large helped enforce his sense of manners but didn't like to think it had. Alphonse had always been the more polite brother.
"You're the one who should be worried."
A grumble. Alphonse's the one with the weak looking body.
Edward happened to be the one with a metal limb. The one who didn't do exactly what they promised. Original bodies...
Alphonse smiled. "I'm not. Winry likes me more."
"Hey, you're the one she rejected," Edward snapped, rocking back on his heels. He could hear the metallic sound of his ankle moving, suddenly hyper aware of the metal limb he'd taken for granted for years.
"I said she likes me more. She loves you. Love is the more volatile and violent emotion."
Alphonse stood, dusting grass from his pants as he stood. Had he looked any less frail, Edward would have gone for a blow, but Alphonse was still. . .
Still new, and the normal bluster hadn't overcome the reverence of having Alphonse's body back.It would, soon, but, until then. . .
"I'm not worried." Edward shoved his hands back in his pocket and walked. He'd just helped save the world. It was going to take a lot to worry him now. Winry? He wouldn't worry about what she'd do to him for returning with a metal leg.
"I know." Alphonse's tone made Edward aware he had that dopey smile on his face-the one that tended to happen when he thought about Winry lately. Edward scowled and shoved Alphonse-lightly, so very lightly and only shoved Alphonse a tiny bit of balance. Not as hard as he should have or enough to make him stop laughing.