He shouldn't have left home.

They already had plans to spend the weekend at Rush Valley, only for Alphonse to decline. Which meant he would rather spend the entire weekend alone. Edward knows his brother better than anyone else; Al is the last person to ever want to be alone.

Ed should've trusted his gut and not gone with Winry and Granny. Hence why, thanks to Winry's encouragement, he decided to head back home. Especially after he did try to call Al, receiving no answer from the other end.

After a trip that felt absurdly long, the once Fullmetal Alchemist buys some groceries to make Al some food. He knows he can't keep babying his brother forever, now that Al is learning how to walk by himself, yet Al was acting so strange last night. He was… distant, sad, and tired. Ed noticed and still ignored it. He can only hope nothing went horribly wrong.

When the Rockbell house is close enough, it feels as though the remaining distance has grown bigger, like he's in a dream.

And when Ed does arrive at the door, he hesitates.

He doesn't know why this feels so familiar.

Either way, he goes in.

The house is dark. As in, the curtains must still be hiding the sunlight.

Maybe Al is still asleep. Maybe that's why he didn't answer earlier.

Ed sighs in relief, heading to the kitchen to leave the groceries, so he can go to his and Al's bedroom to check on him.

He stops dead in his tracks.

Near the phone lies…

"... ALPHONSE!"

Ed has dropped the groceries and rushed to him, desperately taking him in his arms. Al looks much worse than he did last night, so, so pale. He looks lifeless, even though his heart is still beating as Ed checks on it.

"Al," he begs, shaking the other boy desperately, "Al, can you hear me? Al?!"

There's… a small cough. Eyes that barely open.

"Br… other…?" Al asks, confused. "You're… back?"

"Yes, of course I am."

Al, however, shakes his head.

"You… shouldn't… have."

He blacks out again.

"Alphonse," Ed shakes him once more. "Al!"

Nothing.

The older Elric puts a hand on the other's neck, flinching like it's boiling.

Shit. He's really sick.

Al has been sick this entire time and Ed was too stupid to–

No. No, he can't blame himself. He needs to call a doctor. And of course, he needs to call Winry and Granny to let them know.

"You're gonna be okay," Ed promises his little brother, even if he can't hear him. "You're going to be okay, Al. I've got you."

Al doesn't move while Ed carries him to their room.

The latter wants to not cry.

But it's impossible.

… Macaroni.

It smells good.

Simple but tasty.

Al's vision is blurry, only acknowledging a warm, soft lamp illuminating the room. He's aware the sun is strong outside, hence why he… didn't open the curtains…

Wait.

Why is he in bed?

He doesn't remember coming back here.

The last thing he does remember was the phone ringing downstairs, and him on his way to pick it up. Nothing after that.

If he blacked out, then… who carried him to bed?

Alphonse hears… someone speaking downstairs. Maybe to the phone, because soon enough he can make it to the noise, indicating that the call is over.

Then, he hears said person rushing upstairs.

… sniffing.

Al immediately sits up, which makes his vision darken suddenly. His head feels heavy.

"Hey, easy!" Edward orders, then softly, "Easy."

He makes Al lie down again, gently.

"Brother, what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be in Rush Valley?"

"Don't worry about it." Ed looks terrible, tear-stained. "Are you feeling okay?"

Al hums. "Head hurts."

"I can tell." His brother is touching his cheeks, both to check on his temperature, and to make sure he's there. "Are you hungry?"

"Kinda, yeah."

"Okay." Ed reveals a plate of macaroni indeed, and he puts it on the bedside table, preparing the fork.

"Brother, I can eat it myself."

"Oh, after you quite literally passed out? I don't think so."

Al gulps, even though Ed doesn't actually sound angry despite the comment. The former is also too sick to protest, so he allows Ed to help him eat, which brings him back to the days at the hospital. Ed also gives Al a glass of water to take a sip every now and then.

"You're taking medicine later, okay?" He tells Al. "I called a doctor while you were asleep."

"Okay." When Ed gives him another piece of food, Al shakes his head. "I think I'm good."

"Alright."

Al nervously looks away from his older brother's concerned frown, already knowing what he's going to ask.

"... why didn't you tell me?"

Alphonse sighs.

"I didn't want to get in the way."

Ed is taking one of his hands.

"Al, you could never get in my way."

"I mean, you were all so excited to go to Rush Valley, I didn't want to ruin your trip."

"Al…"

The sick boy is tearing up.

"It's true, Brother," Al sobs quietly. "I'm just a burden."

"No, you're not."

"You always have to sacrifice things for me."

"Well… yeah. But it's worth it."

"Why?" Al looks back.

Ed's eyes are glowing with tears, too.

"Because you're worth it. And you're sick, Al. You don't deserve to be alone for being sick."

Al contemplates.

"I… don't have to be useful?"

"No," Ed answers obviously.

Indeed, it should be obvious, right?

"Al… I know you were taught to believe that while you were an armor," Ed says like he's reading his mind. "I know back then you couldn't focus on yourself. I want you to know that it's okay to prioritize yourself, especially now that you're human again. You get to be human now, Alphonse."

He gets to be human now.

Al cries harder.

Ed hugs him.

The other clings to him like a little kid. It also feels like Ed is hugging him in relief.

Al sniffs, "I-I'm sorry for w-worrying you, Brother."

Edward sighs. "I'm always going to worry about you, Al. That's not really your fault." He pauses. "Just promise me you're going to tell me when you get sick, okay?"

"Okay. I promise."

"Good." Ed is the one that sobs now.

It hits Al, then.

How his brother must have felt finding Al unconscious downstairs. How familiar it must have been for him…

"I'm sorry," Alphonse repeats.

Ed tenses, probably realizing the meaning of the apology.

Thus, he squeezes Al a little tighter.

"It's okay. I've got you now."

"Yeah," Al smiles sadly on his shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere."

That seems to reassure his big brother, since he relaxes for once.

Al doesn't want to let go. Not yet.

Or ever.

But he doesn't want to force Ed, either, not with him being sick.

Yet apparently, with his older brother instincts…

"Hey, scoot over, will you?"

"But… I'm sick," Al argues.

"Well, you need me, Al. I'm not going to leave you."

"But what if you get sick?"

"I'm gonna be fine."

"Brother."

"It's okay, Al. Really."

Al hates that he wants Ed to stay and hug him. He hates that he doesn't want to be alone.

But… It's okay to be human.

For both of them.