"It's not your fault." Okay. That certainly came out of nowhere, Edward thought.

"What?" Was his oh-so-intelligent reply.

Alphonse looked at his brother, somehow conveying patience. "I said it's not your fault."

Edward looked at his brother with a perplexed look on his face. He really wasn't sure what Al was talking about it where it came from really. They'd only been trying to decode Dr. Marcoh's notes for a day now, so he was really confused at to what his brother meant. Ed opened his mouth to respond but was cut off but his brothers next statement.

"You talk in your sleep sometimes Brother. Usually it's incoherent, but sometimes I can understand what you say." That explained it somewhat. A ball of lead seemed to settle in Ed's stomach.

"Oh? You never mentioned it before." He replied nonchalantly, trying to play it off.

Alphonse looked sheepish at that. "I uh, like to pretend that you're awake and talking to me." Ouch. That felt like an automail punch to the gut. Guilt churned in Ed's stomach, right next to that ball of lead. Ed went to apologize again-for his failure, for everything- but Al cut him off again.

"I didn't tell you to make you feel guilty brother." He murmured with a sad look, "I'm telling you because I don't want you to wear yourself down. It's not your fault."

"I...but it is my fault Al. I'm the older brother, I'm the one who came up with the idea I'm the first place." Edward said with a weary conviction.

"That doesn't matter!" Edward jumped at the loudness of his brothers exclamation

"You may have thought of it, but I went along with you. If anything, we're both to blame." Al sounded sad but firm in his words.

"I don't blame you, and it's not your fault brother. Please don't burden yourself, there are others here for you, I'm here for you." Ed could feel tears pricking his eyes, crap. Don't cry Fullmetal!

"I, I know Al. I try, but it's hard." He replied after a few moments.

"As long as you try brother, that's all I can ask for."

Edward nodded and gave Al a small smile. They both turned back to their work and sat in companionable silence. Safe. Ed thought as the tension eased and he felt like his sleep talking had passed.

"Hey Al?" He asked softly a few minutes later

"Yes brother?"

"...thanks." I promise that I'll fix everything Alphonse.