"Come on Al, you can't really be that angry with me." Ed shivered under the blanket. Alphonse remained silent, not trusting his voice. Ed had kept his promise and allowed himself to be taken to the hospital, the two brothers were now waiting for the doctor to return.

"It's not so much that I'm angry with you, it's that I'm worried. I'm glad you kept your promise, but you seem to be getting worse now, you're shaking." Al said at last.

"Sometimes a fever can make you feel-"

"I know, Mom had that when it first started," Al interrupted.

"It's not the same thing Al. I told you I'm-"

"Don't tell me you're fine. If that was true, you wouldn't be here. You wouldn't be sick at all."Ed felt his heart break for his brother, the younger Elric sounded as if he were close to tears. Ed had never liked to see Al upset. A long silence passed between them in which the brothers turned away from each other. The silence would be broken by Ed's harsh cough and a low moan as a sharp pain traveled through his body.

"Maybe you should lie down, do you want me to see if I can get you more pillows or maybe another blanket?" Al offered

"N-no, I just... hope the doctor... comes back soon so we can... go.' Ed said trying to catch his breath.

"That doesn't sound good, you can't even breathe right, just-"

"It's getting better, just calm down. It probably looks worse than it-"

"Brother please, stop say things like that, I'm afraid."

"I told you there's nothing to be afraid of, I'm not going anywhere." Ed lowered himself down against the pillow, the strength seemed to be draining from his body. Before the younger Elric could respond, the doctor appeared.

"Well, I have some news to give you and you won't like it but-"

"Hey Al, can you do something for me?"Ed asked weakly.

"Anything you want Brother." The suit of armor replied with a worried tone.

"Do you think you could get me something to drink?"

"Of course, I'll be right back, just lie there and rest okay?"Ed nodded.

"I will don't worry."Ed watched his brother leave the room before turning to the doctor.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Pneumonia in both lungs. I'd like you to stay for a day or two. I can start you on some medication to help, and once you start feeling a little better, you can go and finish your recovery with your brother."Ed sighed.

"Isn't there a way you could give me the medicine and I can take it-"

"Brother, you promised me. You said you'd do whatever you had to do." Al cried reentering the room with the glass of water.

"Al, it's not that bad, I can-"

"You swore on our bond as brothers, you can't take that back because if you do...then it means that our bond means nothing to you and if you die-"

"I told you, I'm not dying, I just don't feel very well, that's all."

"Brother, I love you, but if you go back on your word and something happens to you, I'll never forgive you." Al's voice was filled with a pain that Ed hadn't heard since they lost their mother, the sound of it shattered the alchemist's heart instantly. His younger brother, who had always depended on him, needed him now and who was he to let Al down again?

"Okay, I'll stay just like I promised. I hate it when you use that against me." Ed said taking the glass from his brother and sipping the cool water.

"I hate thinking I'll lose my brother but that didn't seem to matter to you a second ago."Al bowed his head.

"That's not true, if it didn't matter, I wouldn't be here at all. You know that. You're my brother Al, you're important to me."Ed said honestly.

"What's wrong with him?" AL asked turning to the doctor.

"Pneumonia, before you get too upset, it could be a lot worse, I'm keeping him to start him on a little bit of a higher dose of medication so it doesn't get out of hand. He's very ill, but not critical."

"Does this mean he won't d-"

"It means you're stuck with me Alphonse, for a long time." Ed responded, turning away to cough. Al put his hand on his shoulder.

"Good. Since you made me a promise, and kept it, I'll promise you something."

"What's that?"

"I'm going to take care of you brother, and make sure you get better. I won't leave you either." Ed smiled faintly.

"Thanks Al, you're the best." He said taking a second sip and placing the glass on the table beside the bed.

"I still think you are. Get some rest now, and don't worry about anything." The younger brother instructed.

"I'm not worried Al," Ed said closing his eyes. " You're not going to let me be sick for too long."

"Of course not. I want you to feel better."

"And I will, thanks Al."

"For what?" Al asked in confusion.

"Everything." Ed replied drifting off to sleep. Al touched his brother's hand.

"Thank me by getting better." he whispered. He knew he wasn't going to stop worrying until Ed was back to his full health, he also knew Ed needed him and Al would be there no matter what, the Elric Brothers had only each other. As long as Ed kept his promise, Al would do everything he could to keep his.