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Compared to his older brother, Al had been exceptionally affectionate as a child, though that wasn't much to go by.
Ed never really cared for physical affection, allowing only his mother and granny to give him head pats. It could be yet another thing he could place blame on Hohenheim for, but really, he was just fine as he was.
That pattern travelled with him into adulthood, only primarily giving Al a pat on his shoulder - even when he was in armour - and sharing small kisses with Winry, being in close proximity without necessarily touching (PDA wasn't really either of their thing).
Ed never really considered how hugs, or head pats, or even a hand on his shoulder would feel to Al as just a soul bonded to a suit of armour. Already the concept was out of the ordinary. Sure, he heard of alchemists bonding souls to objects, which is how he was able to even have the skills to attempt such a task in the first place. But, the only other people he knew stuck in armour was the criminals him and Al fought - one of which even convinced Al his life was a lie. Ed didn't exactly have material on how touch might feel to someone that doesn't have senses in the way a human had.
Hell, Al didn't even eat, breathe, sleep, or anything, Ed was sure something like touch was the least of his priorities. Still... did Granny's pats on his back; Sig's head pats; Teacher's punches; Major's hugs give any sort of... sense of love? affection? He couldn't even feel temperature, how would a hand in his clothed tin one resemble any sort of warmth?
Edward hadn't remembered Alphonse being overly affectionate at all as a child. He pulled gently on Ed or Winry's shirts when he was nervous or at school, not wanting to get seperated from the excitable children. He loved cuddles from Granny and their mother, as Ed did. He was even known to be extremely ticklish, not that him nor Winry would admit to abusing that knowledge.
Something was different - well, a lot was different - when he got his original body back. Suddenly, almost over night did Al become this overly affectionate person that made Ed fake a gag, or roll his eyes at. It was something he believed was a habit of May's he picked up on after their long travel through Xing, maybe it was her culture, but even being back in Resenbool for several months, his habits seemed more unusual, more frequent.
"oh yum!!" Alphonse gleamed, practically having stars in his eyes, "Winry, I can't wait to try it" he stared longingly at the apple pie in the oven. Winry could hardly close the oven door before arms were wrapped around her happily. She was a little winded, but giggled,
"Not to sound too much like Granny, but remember this is to share with Ed too." she placed a hand on his interlaced ones around her waist.
Ed walked into the kitchen, grabbing plates out of a nearby cabinet, "you seem happy Al" he observed. Al let go of Winry to help Ed, still smiling.
"Can you smell it brother? Winry is baking apple pie again"
"Yeah, smells great Winry." He commented, without looking up
"I'll take those brother," Al took the plates off him, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder, squeezing gently.
Edward furrowed his eyebrows a little at the contact, "thanks Al." The younger brother smiled even brighter, walking off, leaving a small warmth on Ed's shoulder. Ed's face tightened in thought. "Have you noticed anything... weird about Al recently?" He asked, voice more hushed.
Winry glanced at Ed, reading his slight frown and ruffled eyebrows. She hummed "no, why? He seems normal to me" she shrugged, removing the red, worn oven mitts, ones Ed had sworn were in such a rough state as a child as well.
Ed looked to the kitchen door Al recently exited from, sighing, "nevermind"
They shared a brief kiss, Ed gathering dirty dishes scattered across their counter tops.
---
Ed thought more about Al’s ‘unusual’ behaviour; started to pay more attention to his habits.
Al got sore and achy a lot. Not that anyone would have been surprised, given his body was uninhabited and for several years. Even after all this time, Al still got symptoms of his once malnourished body. Some days were worse than others – most days he would be able to spend several hours out provided he had his support.
Al had a cane that was well used by now – 2 years on – with a little metal cat keychain Winry had bought him soon after the brothers’ return. Al was over the moon at the charm, asking Winry to put it on for him as his fine motor skills prevented him from doing such a task. The slightly worn cat, with paint slowly peeling off had seen Al on the best and worst of days, supporting him through it all.
When Al was sore, he got tired. Very tired. He’d end up resting his head on his brother’s or Winry’s shoulder during meals, not always sleeping, just resting in the company of his family. On these days, Al usually had to be helped to the couch to lay for the rest of the day, Den – their beloved dog – laying on him as Al pet behind his ears until they both fell asleep, Ed ensuring his cane is lying close by for assistance.
Affection wasn’t uncommon for Al since he was restored to his original body – most of the time it was essential in getting him places (Ed could swear he spent 90% of the 2 months he was hospitalised with Al’s arm slung around his shoulder). He was also prone to falling. A lot. Even with his cane Alphonse always seemed to find a way to trip up over his own feet. Usually Winry or Edward were nearby to assist him up – and if they weren’t, they’d certainly hear a thud followed by Den barking.
Al’s recent affection was much more deliberate. Hugging Granny after every meal, braiding Winry’s hair so it didn’t get caught in her current automail projects; giving Den extra hugs; randomly hugging Ed with a small “thank you, brother”. All things that would appear, well, normal… for anyone who wasn’t Alphonse Elric’s older brother.
Knock, knock
Ed sighed, standing in front of what used to be his and Al’s bedroom, but now remained the latter’s as Ed was long moved in with Winry across the hall. Even so, that small distance between them was the most they’d had since before Al was born. Edward didn’t think he’d ever not share a room with his brother.
Ed heard some shuffling, Alphonse groaning a little before shouting “come in!” So Ed did, closing the door quietly behind him. Al was sitting at his desk, several notebooks displayed with various transmutation circles etched onto the paper.
“sorry brother,” he said, scratching his neck, one hand firmly on his cane, “I did try get up,” he laughed slightly.
“Hey, don’t worry, I just wanted to talk to you,” Ed sat on the end of Al’s bed, looking towards him, “are you… feeling okay?” Ed wanted to face palm himself for a silly question given his brother wasn’t able to stand mere seconds ago.
Al giggled, “I think I got a bit stiff from sitting brother, but I’m okay” he said, with the smile that Al always seemed to have even when he was bored in hospital, or in pain, or missing all the people they lost on their journey, Al remained smiling like the positive little brother Ed had always known. Even so…
“Recently, I mean.” Ed corrected himself, “I don’t want to imply it’s a bad thing but-“ the older fumbled, unsure how to word it. Al gave a slight frown and glanced back at his notebooks, almost as though they would give him advice.
“Is this about me hugging you?” Al asked, now completely avoiding eye contact. Ed’s mouth laid slightly open.
He sighed, “I’m just… wondering if you’re okay…” Ed’s voice was soft, gentle, caring, and oh so clearly laced with concern. Ever since Al’s discharge from the hospital, every sneeze was analysed by Ed in worry, fear of his brother was a given being older, but, after all they’d gone through, that fear grew in size until simple things like Al being more affectionate than normal was a red flag to him. And Ed could see the guilt it was making his baby brother feel. Ed stood and offered Al a hand. The resemblance to when Ed walked himself and Al out of the portal felt surreal. Like a wave of relief flashed him, Al took his hand in one, his cane in the other.
Ed hugged him. Really hugged him. Tightly. How they did when they won a board game in a team against Winry and Granny; when they built their first snowman; when Al hurt his knee and started crying; when their mom died; when they finally made it back home safely.
Ed held onto Al’s back tightly, “I hadn’t… ever considered how much you missed hugs and all that sap when you were in armour,” Al gave a small, quiet laugh. Only his brother would call physical affection “sap”. His recognition made Al’s eyes well with tears, an understanding he didn’t know he needed.
“… I missed mom’s hugs.” He whispered so quietly Ed could hardly make it out. But he knew. Of course he knew. He missed her hugs just as much. “and…” he continued, “I thought…” between sniffles and hiccups, “we would see her again, and we’d hug her again but instead…” Al let out a big sob, and Ed only held onto him tighter, especially as his cane shook alongside Al’s body, his grip and need for it only strengthened, “I lost the ability to… feel.”
Hearing Al say it himself cut deep, so much Ed thought if he squeezed his younger brother tighter it’d be classed as one of major’s bone crushing hugs, “I am so sorry Al,” Ed’s voice cracked, followed by both brothers mummering “sorrys” again and again. They felt whole and fallen apart simultaneously, heard and understood, but so broken and tired. Neither knew how long they stayed in one another’s embrace, something both desperately needed.
It wasn’t until Ed could feel Al’s knees shaking slightly against the floorboards, did he move, cat cane in hand, to his bed. Edward sat beside him, wiping tears as though they never fell, “thank you brother,” the (slighty) shorter one said with a deep breath
The other shook his head, “you have nothing to thank me for. I’m… sorry I didn’t realise sooner.”
“We’ve had other things to worry about.” Al stated, gesturing to his cane, then to his brother’s arm that was still physically weaker than the other. “I think I just… really like hugs and, and headpats and all of it a lot more now, because I didn’t have it for so long.”
If Ed’s heart wasn’t already broken from this conversation, it was now, “You can always hug me, okay? I’m your big brother, It’s what I’m here for. Whatever you need: headpats, hugs, a slap, I’m there for you.” Alphonse snorted and laughed, as loudly as his smile was. He rested his head against Ed’s shoulder. It was a comfortable position due to their similar heights – not that Al felt he could survive telling Ed that. Ed brought him in closer, more to his chest, using the previously laid upon arm to rub circles on Al’s back – another thing Granny does to soothe the younger when he has bad pain days. Al fell asleep, then so did Ed.