A/N: hey, everyone, it's been a while. A lot has happened in these past few months. Now that I'm back, I'm trying to take one step at a time. Which is certainly not easy, which is why I managed to write this. I wish well to everyone in the same path.
"Al?"
He's already expected his brother to come around, knowing Ed's incessant worrying over him. He won't admit it, hates it even, but it's kind of nice.
"What are you up to?" Ed insists.
"Nothing. Really," Al sighs. "Just wanted some fresh air."
"It's getting kind of cold out here." Ed is already prepared, as he immediately wraps Al up in a blanket.
"I'm fine, brother."
"You've been sitting here for a while, staring into nothing."
"I've always done that."
"Exactly. You never tell me anything, Al."
Al sighs, "I don't want you to worry."
"And you don't have to worry about me, either. Just tell me what's on your mind."
Knowing how stubborn his brother is, Al sighs yet again and gives in.
"I'm just… bored."
"Bored?"
"Yeah, bored."
"You've just gotten back and do all the things you wanted, and yet you're bored?"
Al nods, lowering his head. "I don't feel like doing anything anymore."
Ed finally sits beside him by the stairs of the Rockbell household.
"What do you mean?" The elder brother asks.
Al doesn't look at him, instead hiding half of his face in his knees.
"I know I should be excited to be back to normal, but there's nothing I want to do. Nothing makes me happy. It's like I'm still in that empty armor…"
The silence is heavy, as it's a sore topic for Ed. Al knows his brother is going to blame himself, as he hasn't stopped apologizing to Al, terrified he might hate Ed for it.
"Hey, it's okay to feel out of place."
"But it sucks! I should be out there living my life, but I'm stuck here with my own thoughts. I don't want to do anything. I wish I could be on my feet again without needing any help. I wish I was normal again."
Al shivers at the hand that lands on his head to pat his hair.
"It's okay to take your time, Al. You've been stuck in that armor longer than any of us can imagine. It's okay to take it slow."
Al sighs. "I know it sounds selfish, but… I wish it wasn't so slow."
"You have the right to feel that way. It's okay to grieve what you lost. It's important to process it, so you can move forward."
"Right… I know."
Ed puts an arm around him, rubbing his shoulders.
"Hey, do you want to take a walk?"
"… that sounds good."
Anything to keep his mind busy, really.
Al takes his walking stick with him, and so the brothers are off to the open fields. The birds are singing everywhere they go, flying wherever home is. He can't help but ponder.
Hopefully, he might be able to fly away again. On his own time.
