Title: My Personal Moon
Author: Kitana
Warnings: PG-13, maybe? Fluffiness, ahoy! Elricest, and spoilers for the movie.

This place is so much different than what he used to know. Alphonse can compare it clearly now with his memory completely restored. He misses the plush grasses of Resembool that he used to roll around in; he misses the fresh and crisp air that stung his nose if he inhaled too deeply. Vaguely, he misses all the people he used to know. Winry's cheerfulness, Pinako's stern love and home-cooked meals, and Izumi. His sensei, twice in a row.

Alphonse knows he can never go back. The gate has been destroyed; it's gone for good. Whether that impacted alchemy on the other side, he will never know. It's still hard adjusting to the fact that a clap of his hands doesn't do anything anymore, but the brunette doesn't have regrets. Not as he stares at his older brother, the one he gave up so much for and who sacrificed the same, if not more, for him.

Edward's nose is practically touching the book he's engrossed in, his long bangs shielding his face. He is re-reading Einstein's work, and instead of picking out the things that once seemed like answers to the gate, he's putting the theories into work for this world. Edward's always working so hard on something.

It gives Alphonse fond memories of studying alchemy with Ed; the times they used to discuss the complexities of the science, rake over the encrypted codes with a fine-toothed comb. Yet, there is a difference now. Alphonse is the warm comfort for Ed's frustration, when all he used to be was distant reassurance.

Al walks over to where Ed is, overcome by a sudden urge to be near the older boy. He slides over the back of the large chair Edward is sitting in, and maybe it's him or maybe it's the chair, but the brunette fits so neatly between his brother and the back of the chair.

"Nii-san." Alphonse whispers as he loops his arms under Ed's, and around his chest.

Edward looks back, a faint smile on his lips. "What is it, Al?" he replies. Ed doesn't remember where their relationship changed, or when he realized that there is more to his brother than just the familial tie. He doesn't think about it anymore. As long as Al wants to be this way, that's just how long they will stay the way they are.

Alphonse doesn't say anything, opting to bury his nose into Ed's hair instead. Ed's fine with the silence and goes back to reading. Alphonse's embrace is soothing, and strangely, Ed feels less stressed. He relaxes into Al's warmth, and it seems easier to focus on his book.

"You're tired, nii-san, you should come lay with me." Alphonse says after a while, when he catches himself falling asleep against the back of Ed's neck. He may be more sleepy than his brother is, but the 'tired' excuse never fails. Edward's always tired somehow. The blonde just isn't satisfied with himself until he's on the brink of exhaustion.

Ed hums a reply and Alphonse takes that as an agreement. The blonde bookmarks his page and drops the book to the floor with a dull thunk, but neither of the boys move afterward. Ed mumbles something to which Al replies to, and the brunette unwinds his arms from Ed's torso.

The pace is slow as though both boys were experiencing the same spell of sleepwalking. They hit the bed at nearly the same time, and it seems as though they have never broken contact.

Edward pulls Al close, and the last thing he thinks is that it's always better to sleep with someone nearby.

It's always better to sleep with Alphonse nearby.

Owari