[It's a good thing they hadn't ordered anything, because if Ed had a cup in his hand at the moment those words left his brother's lips, he would have dropped it.

That would not have ended well.

The look Ed gives him at that point might remind him of the pleading in his expression at the mall. This can not be happening.

He swallows. Voice hoarse when he speaks.


If he can believe this- believe that it's really happening, believe that's really his brother sitting across from him at that table. Even if it was only his brother from some 'other' reality, that it's his Al, not an Alphonse or an Alfons.

Alex.

It brings all the emotions of the last time he saw him crashing back.] ... Alex?


This isn't a dream.

[Maybe even here, he'd want nothing to do with him.]