(I don't own FMA.)

Edward Elric walked down the path in a hurry, ignoring anyone he saw along the way, even though his newly returned arm hurt because it still had metal in it, and he would no doubt get in trouble later for not sticking around when he needed medical attention. Truth hadn't exactly been concerned with returning his arm to it's completely original state. That didn't matter. What did matter, was that Al was getting medical attention, and he was asking for Ed.

He reached the room they were keeping his brother in. Ed was happy Al had his body back, but it was hard not to be concerned looking at him. He tried to put that aside for the moment, coming to Al's bed and smiling.

"Hey Al? What is it?"

Al looked at Ed, eyes fluttering briefly before he opened them fully.

"I'm sorry brother. I tried to fight it. But . . . I think I'm dying."

What? For the moment the world blacked out around him. Yes, Al's body was in bad shape. It was why he was getting help. But he'd been standing, and walking, not that long ago. His voice was a little weak, but probably just from disuse. It didn't sound like he was having trouble breathing or anything. Ed hadn't thought to check for a pulse, but surely someone had in all this time. Right?

"What makes you say that?" Ed managed to ask.

"I can't . . . seem to keep my eyes open. Everything's so hard to focus on, and my eyes feel heavy. But if I close my eyes . . . it's not just dark, everything's fading away."

Ed blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what Al was saying. That didn't mean he was dying, neccissarily. It just sounded like. . .

Ed's eyes popped a little and he stood back up, laughing.

"Brother? This is serious."

"You're not dying," Ed said. "You're just falling asleep."

Al's owns eyes widened for a moment, before they fell half shut. He really was tired, no surprise there.

"I am?"

"Yeah. So you just . . . close your eyes now."

"Oh. I'd forgotten what falling asleep felt like."

But Al did close his eyes, with a smile on his face. Ed watched for a moment, seeing Al take steady, still very alive, breaths. Then he sat down next to the bed. If anyone wanted to look at his arm, they could come here.