It had been at least a month since Ed had gone to his world for what felt like too little of a time before returning to a world without alchemy. He'd had to leave, it's not like he had a choice in the matter. Not in his opinion, anyway. Still, he missed using alchemy and visiting Winry. Hell, he missed Mustang too. He'd never thought that could be possible.

Right now, his brother appeared to be missing the same stuff. They were eating breakfast outside, Ed eating biscuits while watching Al poke at some eggs. Poor Al, he had this homesick look on his face like the time they'd had to stay over at a friend's house away from Mom for a few days because of a blizzard that had caught them at just the wrong time. Ed was starting to feel a little depressed just looking at him.

"Do you regret it," Al's head snapped up at his brother's voice. "Coming here, I mean. Do you ever wish you had stayed back?"

Al looked thoughtful as he absently shredded a piece of toast, but smiled several seconds later. He replied, staring right into Ed's eyes.

"No."

Ed chewed another biscuit.

"Never," Al continued. "Not even once. Don't get me wrong—I've wished many times I could use alchemy sometimes, that we could see our friends again, but…"

"Go on, I'm listening."

"I'd regret it even more if I didn't come. We've been through too much, Brother. I couldn't stand losing you. Not again."

Al looked mournful, probably reliving the nightmare that was his brother's death.

Ed smiled. "Come on, don't look so sad. I'm here now, that's what matters. It's a good thing you're so sure about this, it makes me feel better. I'd feel bad if you weren't happy here. I know I'm going to be."

"What makes you so sure?"

"You're here."

Al met his eyes. "Thanks"

"No problem, you don't go well with that depressed look."

"No," Al smiled. "I mean for everything. Thanks for always being there for me."

"What are older brothers for?"

"The torture of younger siblings?"

"Well, that too." Ed raised his glass to his lips. "You're welcome, by the way. I wouldn't have done anything different, not for the world."

"Which one? This one, or…"

"Shut up, you're ruining the moment."

"Really?"

"Yes, now stop playing with your food and eat it. We're not rich."

I was randomly inspired to write this by some story I read a while back. I can't remember a title or the author-- something about both brothers splitting up to secretly buy presents and Al getting upset about not knowing what to get for Ed, while Ed got a him a cat I BELIEVE was later called Wobbles or something of the sort. Anyway, the Ed in that story was saying how happy he was that he had his brother back, so I took it in a slightly different turn in a less dramatic approach. But who cares about my rambling? I'd like to know how many of you have kept reading this far.

IMPORTANT: For you people who have too little time to listen to me babble on with my A/N up above, please at least read this. I am deathly uncreative with thinking up things to do for this sort of stuff and I would like to accept any requests in the following categories so I can possibly end my endless boredom: Fullmetal Alchemist, D. Gray-Man, Naruto, Soul Eater, and Bleach. I don't know what I can and can't do, but why not give it a shot? I will absolutely NOT accept any yaoi crap, nor anything else too ridiculous or disgusting. I can have a go at romance, but nothing creepy like that. You fan obsessives can keep that to yourselves. Now...

Thank you for actually caring enough to read,

~Shiro~