A/N: Well, the general consensus seems to be that I should keep writing. Your wish is my command, dear readers! Still, I feel like I should take some time to note that this chapter was originally when the story was going to end. I've modified it a bit to keep it going. Enjoy!

Ed woke up when he heard footsteps outside the room. He looked out the window and saw that it was dark out. Winry was still sleeping peacefully in his arms. The footsteps stopped and he saw a shadow under the door. Quietly, Ed slipped out of the bed and made his way over to the door. He stood behind it, waited, then threw it open.

Al was standing there contemplating whether he should see if his brother was awake or not, when the door swung open and hit him in the face.

"Ow!" Al said as his hand flew up to clutch at his now throbbing nose.

Ed stepped out and saw his brother there.

"Oh, it's only you, Al. Sorry about that." Ed said quietly.

"Who did you think it was, brother?" Al asked, annoyed.

"I don't know. I just got paranoid I guess," Ed said sheepishly."

Al sighed.

"Why are you up at a time like this anyway?" Ed asked.

"I was just going to get some water," Al responded.

The brothers walked into the kitchen together and each got a glass of water. They sat down across from each other at the table.

"So, did Mei arrive?" Ed asked.

"Yeah, she got here around dinner time. Thanks for calling her back, brother. It helps, you know?" Al said.

"Definitely. Today I discovered how helpful it can be to have someone you care about near you," Ed told him with a small smile.

"Speaking of which, you disappeared in the middle of the afternoon. What were the two of you even doing that whole time?" Al questioned disbelievingly.

"I'm not really sure to be honest," Ed began, "but I think we just lay there for a while. We talked a bit, and then we went to sleep. That was kind of it. At least, that's all I remember."

"Aww, that's so sweet," said Al with a smile.

"What about you, Al? How did you spend your afternoon?"

"Mei and I went for a walk around town. Got some fresh air, we talked about random things, and then we stopped under the tree at our old house. And, well..." Al blushed.

"What?" Ed asked, curious.

"Well... I kissed her!" Al said excitedly.

Ed was surprised, to say the least. He'd always seen his little brother as someone who was always a step behind him, who needed his help. Now Al had taken the lead socially. The main reason this bothered Ed so much was because it felt like his little brother was all grown up now. He wasn't sure how to feel about that.

"Wow," was all he managed.

"I know!" Al exclaimed, "I might propose to her! Although, that might seem a little rushed. I've never felt more sure about anything in my life, but I don't want to pressure her. What do you think, brother? If I was going to propose, I'd need a ring. And a store to buy the ring from! And money to buy the ring with! So much to think about, am I right? Also, I still might want to go to veterinary school, and of course there's my research in the East. Am I really ready to settle down? I don't know. Maybe I could be? What about you? Also..."

As Al continued to fire off comments and questions at a mile a minute, Ed sat there and wondered where the little kid Al used to be had gone. Now he seemed so much older, more responsible. More than that, Ed was realizing that they would never be brothers in the same way. Other people were becoming more important in their lives than each other. Ed felt kind of sad about that, but at the same time, he felt like it brought him some independence. Ultimately, Ed had no idea what to feel. So much was going through his head. It was just too much to process. Suddenly his head started to spin and he started to feel a bit nauseous. Ed put his hand to his forehead to try and stop the world from spinning.

Al saw this and paused in his rapid fire sentences.

"Are you okay, brother?" AL asked worriedly.

"I need to go back to bed," Ed groaned.

"Oh, are you feeling sick?" Al asked.

Ed nodded and got up. He swayed slightly and Al got up to steady him.

"What's wrong, brother?" Al asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I just... need rest..." Ed mumbled, and Winry... he added mentally.

Ed stumbled back to Winry's room and collapsed into the bed next to her. He put his arms around her and tried to get as close to her as he could. Winry stirred.

"Huh?" she muttered drowsily, "what's wrong Ed?"

"Too much..." Ed replied.

"Oh, Ed," she murmured fondly, and pulled him in close.

"We can talk about it in the morning, okay?" Winry told him.

He nodded. Eventually they both fell back asleep.

A/N: So I might post an extra chapter this week. Also, expect some other characters to make appearances as the story progresses. Hope you enjoyed! Review, subscribe, all that!