Author's Note: Thank you so very, very, very much to all of you who read this story—this is actually one of the ones I want to be writing. So as long as you read, I'll write:)

Standard disclaimers apply.

The boy watched the faded scene; a girl, who was hazy, as if he couldn't quite remember her, smiled warmly at him and then turned around, working on something at the kitchen counter. "So then…what're you going to wish for?" she asked quietly.

Without knowing what was going on, the boy felt his lips moving, answering the distorted image of the girl; "If I tell you," he began slowly, "then it won't come true."

X

X

X

"…Brother…?" a soft voice broke into the boy's dream, forcing the blurry memory to fade. "Brother, are you awake?"

The boy moaned, holding up a hand to his eyes as the bright light of the room flooded his vision. "Who…?" his eyes widened once they had adjusted to the light. The boy gasped and sat up quickly, scooting backwards as far as he could until he hit the wall behind him. "You're that tin can freak!" he shouted, pointing a shaking finger at Al. "Just keep away from me!"

"Brother…" whispered Al sadly, taking a few steps away from the frightened boy.

"Edward," barked Pinako, straightening her posture, "grow up!" she ordered. "You can't play the lost fool forever!" The boy stared at her, confused. "Even if you have lost your memory, I will not allow you to treat your brother that way."

The boy seemed to calm down slightly as he lowered his hand. "My… brother…?" he questioned slowly, giving Al a good look over. "But… why are you…"

"Hollow?" finished Al for him. "And why you're missing an arm and a leg?" the boy nodded.

"Perhaps," said Pinako, stopping Al, "it would be best to discuss that later." He thought for a moment, and then nodded in agreement.

"So… you're my brother, huh?" asked the boy, still sitting on the floor. "What are you, two, three years older than me?"

Al flinched and waved his hands at him. "N-no," he squeaked nervously, "I'm your younger brother!"

The boy blinked at him. "But… you're so much bigger."

"It-it's just this body…"

"Oh right…" the boy grinned, "Even so, I must be pretty small for my age! I'm like what, 16?"

"Actually, you just turned 17," stated Pinako; the boy started laughing at himself. Al and Pinako shuddered; he really must have lost his memory if he can laugh at his height. It's kinda scary…

"Hey," said the boy, finishing his self mockery, "what'd you say my name was?"

"Edward," said Pinako, "you are Edward Elric, and this is your brother, Alphonse."

"Can I just call you Al?" asked the boy, smiling up at his brother.

"Always have," whispered the boy. "So… are you still freaked out?"

"Of course!" he chirped, "Who wouldn't be? But if this is how I've lived all my life…" he shrugged, "not much I can do about it."

"Umm…" Al wanted to tell him about the Philosopher's Stone and their entire quest to retrieve their original bodies, but when he looked over at Pinako, she shook her head; he'd just have to wait to tell him.

"So, Edward," said Pinako, turning away from Al. "You were asleep for quite awhile; you must be hungry."

"I'm starving…!" he whined, grasping his stomach. "What is there to eat around here?"

"There's plenty of food down in the kitchen," chuckled Pinako, "Though I'd try to refrain from making anything too complicated; you weren't a very good cook even with your memory."

Ed groaned and Al quietly laughed at him; "Don't worry, Brother," he reassured, "if you ask nicely, I'm sure Wi—" he stopped dead, cutting himself off.

"…You're sure who'll what?" asked the other boy after a long pause.

"It's nothing, Edward," whispered Pinako, "Don't concern yourself with it." The old woman fell silent and she turned to stare out the window. As Ed watched her, he seemed to see a deep longing in her tired eyes, as if she were waiting for someone to come home. "Well," she sighed, breaking into Ed's thoughts, "we can't let you boys starve to death. Come on," she ordered, clicking her cane on the wooden floor, "if worse comes to worst, I'll just have to try and remember how to cook."

Ed shuddered and made a face. "And how long exactly has it been since you last prepared a meal?"

Pinako grinned and turned around to face him. "Let's just say you'll be very, very lucky if it doesn't kill you." With that, she exited the room.

Ed bolted to his feet and dashed after her, calling, "I'd rather die by my own cooking, if you don't mind!"

Al listened to his brother frantically scampering downstairs and he smiled to himself. But his smile soon faded as his thoughts drifted back to what he had almost said. "Sorry," he whispered to the empty room, "I have to remember to respect the deceased." He then headed downstairs.

Author's Note: I need to write faster. Please review!