I've Grown Tired of This Body

Epilogue

Edward breathed in deeply, relishing the feel of skin on skin. His right hand held his brother's left, soft and warm and alive. He slept deeply, peacefully, and Edward never thought he'd be so happy to see someone fast asleep.

He turned at the sound of a creaking door to find Mustang walking in, two bowls of steaming stew in hand. He immediately recognized it as Gracia's, something Al had added to his list of foods to try when they first met her three years ago. He gently shook Al awake before accepting one of the bowls from Mustang's hand. "Hey. You hungry?" he asked, offering the bowl. Al nodded, gratefully accepting it. Ed then turned to take the other from Mustang and began eating, as well.

Al's eyes blew wide as the taste hit his tongue. He swallowed, then said, awestruck, "It's even better than I expected!" before beginning to shovel it in more urgently.

Mustang placed a hand on Al's shoulder, prompting him to look up. "Slow down, kid. It's not going anywhere. Don't make yourself sick." Al nodded, looking sheepish, and began to slow to a much more reasonable pace once more.

He knew Mustang would deny it if he said anything, but Ed didn't miss the soft look on his face as he took Al in. Not the Ed could blame him. He was sure he had the same expression whenever he looked at Al, too. Besides, Mustang hadn't been able to see him at first, blinded during the Promised Day. With his sight only recently restored, no doubt being able to see Al back in his own body felt all the sweeter. It reminded him of the looks Ed would catch Mustang giving him when he had become human again, back when he was not quite thirteen and had gotten himself fused with Nina's cat.

He'd never say it to the bastard's face, but he found he rather liked his softer side. He thought it suited him well.

"Can't blame you. There's a reason Nina and I like it so much," Ed said with a chuckle, taking another bite. She was probably eagerly eating it just as the two of them were right now. She was doing well now, which Edward was grateful for. He was worried, what with Hughes having to suddenly leave for his own safety after discovering Father and the Homunculi's plot, but he had finally gotten to return to her, Gracia, and Elicia after the Promised Day was over. Their reunion was full of tears and joy alike, and Edward couldn't help the smile on his face at the memory.

Things were unbelievably good again. He and Al had their bodies restored and were both slowly recovering. Tucker was in prison while Nina and Alexander had been taken in by the Hughes family. They had a home, had family again, after the unlikely events leading Mustang to take them in all those years ago. They had achieved their impossible dream and could finally live again. He wasn't sure what they'd do with their lives now that they'd accomplished the only thing that had been on their minds for so many years, but they'd figure it out. And they wouldn't do it alone. He knew Mustang would be with them every step of the way. He couldn't help but smile once more at the thought.

It was good to finally be home.