The golden pair was worn on Ed's face in the day they lost their mother and when Nina became a chimera.
Al walks into Ed's room. He gazed at his brother sleeping. He looks like a fallen angel... He thought, as he shook his brother slightly. Hm...brother seems a little hot today... He wondered.
"Wake up, Brother. Why are you burning up? Your skin is hot..." Al's voice trailed off as Ed woke up and started a fit of coughing.
Al feels Ed's forehead, and jerked back because of the heat. "Um, Brother? I'm going to take you to the hospital. I think you have an intense fever."
Ed shot up. "HELL NO! I don't wanna go!" and with that, he whipped the covers over his head and mumbled, "It probably was the blankets or the summer that is making me feel hot, but I feel just fine, Al."
Al shook his head. Sometimes he wondered who was the bigger brother.
Ed acts enthusiastic during breakfast, but ends up coughing, worrying Al even more.
"Why...why do you have to force yourself!" Al demanded an answer.
"Al..." Ed scoffed out before coughing some more.
"I'm going to the Headquarters right now! You must stay at home and rest!" and with that, Al stood up and went to his shoes.
"Al...there's no need..." Ed stood up to go stop his younger brother, but sat back down from the forces of his coughing.
"Brother..." Al looked at his brother. Why? Why did his brother wanted happiness for only him and not himself?
"Making you worry like this...it's my fault...but I'm really...I'm really fine...there's still a lot of work waiting for me...Al...you wouldn't want your brother to be an irresponsible person, right..." Ed smiled a weak grin and changed into his uniform.
"Brother..." ...Why are you taking the blame?
As they leave the house, Edward is surprised that Al is following him.
"I'm going to see you off to work!" Al said, reading his brother's mind.
"See me off..*cough*..Al, you really like to worry..*cough*..I already said I'm fine..." Ed's face began to drown in redness as his head became numb.
"If you won't let me, then I won't let you go to work!" Al protested.
"Al..."
"Brother, it's your decision!"
"I understand...then let's go..."
"Yes!" Al pumped his fist into the air.
Ed shook his head. Sometimes he wondered when Al will finally mature a little.
Al looked thoughtfully at the sky. "You know, Brother, we haven't done this in a while, huh?". Upon seeing Ed's sad face, Al quickly says, "It's...it's not that I'm lonely or anything...I'm just..."
"I understand..." Ed nodded before he tried to subdue a cough.
"Brother..."
"If you're free this weekend, then let's go out together!" Ed beamed a warm smile. And Al knew this smile wasn't warm from the fever.
"Brother...you...at least get better first!" Al scolded.
"I'll definitely get better soon..."
"Yes...you definitely will..." Al smiled just as warmly.
At the gate of the Headquarters~~
"Hm? Sir Elric? Why is Alphonse here?" Hawkeye asked with questionable crimson eyes.
"Miss Hawkeye...my brother...he..." Al started.
Edward interrupts. "It's just an ordinary flu...*cough* *cough*..."
"It looks serious, however..." Hawkeye observes.
"I told Brother to stay home and rest, but he said there are some important matters he needs to take care of, that's why..."
Hawkeye interrupts. "I understand, Alphonse. Don't worry, I'll watch over your brother and make sure he takes care of himself!"
"Thank you, Miss Hawkeye!" Al bowed and started his way back home.
Edward's pouting. "I already said you didn't need to worry..."
"Brother, I'm leaving now. Take care of yourself! Goodbye, Miss Hawkeye!"
Hawkeye chuckled. "Al really loves to worry..."
"You don't want to worry your brother, which is why you're forcing yourself..." Hawkeye said, wiping the smile for her face.
"I...that's not true..." Ed said before holding his hand to his mouth and having a coughing fit.
Ed looked at his disappearing brother's figure, happily walking home. Ed smirked, the same smirk that was on his face the day he was given his second name. Hawkeye can feel Ed's determination-more than anything she could have imagined.
"Nonetheless, I've promised Alphonse, so I will protect him forever!"
~~End