Summary: Sometimes, you need someone else to believe in you too. What else are brothers for? NO ELRICEST! Not that I don't approve or anything, it's just that this particular fanfic is not Elricest. K?

Disclaimer: Sadly, Fullmetal Alchemist is not mine. Yet. :D But I bow to Arakawa-sensei, without whom my beloved Edo-kun and Aru-kun would not exist. :D


Confidence

Edward squinted at the early morning light, filtering down through the pillars of the train station platform.

"Damn Mustang," he grumbled, trying for the thousandth time to rub the sleep from his eyes. "Why does he insist on sending us on these stupid missions, anyway? He's just holding us up!" His voice deepened to mock the timbre of the taisa's voice. "'Sure, Fullmetal, I'll give you the lead. What's that? Too short to reach? Well then, I guess you'll have to earn it! Har har har!'"

Alphonse watched his brother in exasperated amusement. "Nii-san, it seemed like they really needed our help this time." Ed sighed and scratched the back of his neck, a sign that he was aggravated.

"Yeah, I know, Al. It's just…" His voice took on a childish whine. "Why does he always have to call me short?" Al couldn't resist the jibe.

"Well, perhaps you should try to drink more milk, Nii-san." He was rewarded with a ten-minute long lecture on how his older brother would never ever EVER drink a white juice that was secreted from the orifices of a cow. (A/N: Can't say I blame him there. Bleh! :P) Ed looked at Al and sighed suddenly, and the younger boy was struck by the sadness in his posture as he slumped to the ground, his blonde bangs covering his eyes. "Nii-san?"

"I'm sorry, Al. It's just…. I promised to get your body back, right? That's our goal. But there've been so many hang-ups, and you're hurting in there every day that I can't fix you, and… I'm just sorry, Al." Alphonse was silent for several long moments, shocked. He had no idea the missions bothered his brother so much.

"Nii-san, I love you no matter what happens. And I know you feel bad, but you shouldn't. These missions are a necessary evil, equivalent exchange for the leads and information. I know you'll get my body back, Nii-san. I believe in you." There was silence between them, and the train pulled into the station with a screech. Quietly, Ed rose to his feet and offered Al a bright grin, and he was relieved to see the determined fire back in the elder's golden eyes.

"Thanks, Al. I… needed to hear that." The train whistled, startling them, and Al grabbed Ed's flesh hand, pulling him towards it.

"Hurry, Nii-san!" As they ran towards the train, Ed smiled and tightened his grip on the leather glove, confident that someday soon, the hand he held would be flesh.

-fin-