Just a cuddly little ficlet, written for the challenge "Gratitude" at 15minuteficlets. Set pre-series, I suppose.
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Alphonse was frightened.
The thunder growled and the lightening illuminated the room, even getting under the thick blankets piled above him and through his eyelids that were scrunched so tightly. Clenching his hands until he was sure that there would be crescent shaped marks in them come morning, he shuddered. His fever was still running high, his skin was clammy and pale, and his head hurt- the thunder wasn't much helping that- and he was frightened. Tears spilt slowly down his cheeks to soak into the pillow.
Stupid thunderstorms.
So he was oh-so-grateful when his brother's mattress creaked, loudly enough to be heard even over the thunder, and the muffled footsteps crossed the floor. The blankets were gingerly peeled off him and the face of his brother moved into his line of sight.
"Al? Are you okay?" Edward was worried and Alphonse was sorry he'd made him so, but also strangely glad of the fact. It meant he wasn't alone anymore.
"No… 'm scared." He whimpered, and Ed looked unsure of what to do. "Sleep with me tonight?"
A look of relief passed across his brother's face as the answer was supplied, and with a soft 'of course' he climbed in next to the younger boy. Snuggled together under the thick pile of blankets, Ed yawned and soon fell. Alphonse smiled slightly as his mouth fell open and a soft snore emerged.
"Thanks, big brother."
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Started: 6:33 pm
Finished: 6 47 pm