Alphonse could tell right away that something was wrong with Edward when he came back. "Brother?" His voice dripped with worry.

Ed understood his unspoken question. He sat down and sighed, his shoulders sagging. "You're right."

Al's heart dropped. "About what?"

"About me actually dying all the way. About me, the me who's talking to you right now, only being a copy of the original. But I think I've figured out the reason why the homunculi restored me."

Al watched in anticipation as Edward pulled down the collar of his jacket and shirt, exposing his left shoulder. There was... was that an ouroboros tattoo?

"What- what is that, Brother?" Al breathed. It wasn't what he thought it was. It couldn't. Ed wasn't a homunculus. He couldn't be! Right?

Edward stared at the ground, his face shaded by his bangs. "It's exactly what it looks like."

Al just stared.

Ed... was a homunculus?

"When they revived me, it was to turn me into a homunculus. They injected the homunculus soul into me." Ed still wasn't meeting Al's eyes. "I've been having these blackouts lately. I would suddenly wake up in random places with no memory of how I got there. Two souls can't be in control of the same body at the same time. I have a feeling that when I black out, the homunculus takes charge."

Al had to admit that it made sense. That's why Envy took Edward's body- to turn him into one of their minions. But it didn't work out the way they wanted. Instead of being an obedient homunculus, they accidentally brought back the rebellious Edward Elric.

Al almost smiled at the thought of Ed messing up all their plans once again. Almost. But then Ed opened his mouth.

"I should stay away from you."

Al was shocked. "What?! What are you talking about! I just got you back and you want to leave?! You idiot!"

"I don't want you to get hurt. I mean, who knows what might happen when I black out? I could kill you!" Ed's eyes met Al's, shining with repressed tears. Pleading.

"No." Al's voice was firm. "I'm not leaving your side. You never left mine, no matter how hopeless things seemed. We can find a way to turn you back to normal. For real, this time. And we'll find a way to get rid of that homunculus soul." Al reached across the table and grabbed Ed's shoulder. "All right?"

Ed buried his face in his hands, shaking. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

"Hey." Al tried a smile. "You know you've never won a match against me, right?"

"But that's me. Who knows what it's capable of?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Al said stubbornly, crossing his arms. "We're the Elric brothers, and we always stick together!" He slammed his palm down on the table to get his point across.

Ed smiled softly at the sight of Al all fired up. Deep inside, he really didn't want to leave his brother. It would not only kill him to put Al through the pain of him leaving right so shortly after his return, but Ed would miss his brother too much if he left. Al was his life, even if they had already succeeded in restoring his body.

Plus, he had a horrible feeling that dark times were approaching, and he didn't want to face them himself.

You're not alone. You know this.

The voice echoed faintly in his head, sending shivers running through him. Ed's breath quickened. It was the homunculus. He knew it. That voice was not his own. But... he was in control right now! The homunculus should be buried and unconscious, not able to whisper into Ed's mind. Even worse, the fact that it had answered him meant it could hear his thoughts up to some point.

Al leaned forwards, concern splashed all over his face. "Brother? Are you okay? You look pale."

Ed nodded quickly. Al had gone through enough for one day. He didn't need to know that the homunculus could potentially hear everything that was being said.

Al gave him a skeptical look.

A sudden thought occurred to Ed, one that would be sure to distract Al. "Al! I can't believe I haven't told you yet! Look!" He tore off his right glove and shoved his hand in Al's face. Al shied away from the sudden invasion of his personal space. He reached out and pushed Ed's hand into his line of sight.

He stared at it for a few moments, confused by the sudden change of subject, before it clicked. His face completely lit up. "Ed!" he exclaimed. "That's your right hand! You got it back!"

Ed grinned back despite the circumstances. Al's excitement was contagious. "I know!"

"How?!" Now Al was leaning halfway across the table, the red coat dragging in his empty plate. He starting rolling up Ed's sleeve. "Did you find another Stone?"

Ed shook his head. "Remember when we fought Envy? He had crazy regeneration powers. I guess I must have gotten those too."

Some of Al's excitement drained at the mention of the homunculi. "Oh."

Ed shrugged. "Equivalent Exchange, right? I can't have my limbs back without having to give something up." So don't pity me, were the words he didn't need to say.

Al nodded. He understood, even if he wasn't happy about it.

Ed smiled. "So, Al, there's just one thing left to discuss." He flashed a smirk. "Why are you wearing my coat?"

Al blushed almost as bright as the coat. He looked away. "I..." His blush faded. "I..." His embarrassment turned to sadness. "I just wanted to feel like you were still with me." He stared at the table to hide the watery brightness of his eyes. He tried to blink it away, but the flood of tears was coming and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Ed was here now.

Ed was here and he was okay.

There was no need to be sad anymore.

There was no need to wear his coat anymore because now Ed was here to wear it himself.

Al no longer had to hold it in and try to be strong, because Ed was here for him now.

The tears escaped him and he started sobbing into his hands, right there in the middle of the cafe. He heard Ed pull up a chair beside him. He felt Ed wrap his arm around him. He heard Ed murmur things to him in a comforting tone. Al couldn't hear what he was saying, but that was okay. The only thing that mattered was that was that Ed was there.