015. fist bump ( alphonse ♡ )
▉▊▋✕. ( soft. accepting. )
❛ Man, it really feels like that hill got bigger. ❜ It’s not the first time since they’ve been back that he’s made the trek -- though it is the first without the crutch and Alphonse would be lying if he said he wasn’t feeling the strain. So he’s not going it; as truly, absolutely incredible ( unbelievable, extraordinary ) as it is to be comprised of flesh and blood again, and while he can’t, will never, begrudge the painstakingly slow process of rebuilding his muscles -- he can’t help the good natured complaining.
Busy regaining his breath and kneading the heel of one palm into his thigh, it takes him a second to realize that he is seeing something in the periphery of his vision -- and laughs when he recognizes Ed holding his fist out, waiting for reciprocation. So Al obliges heartily, knocking their knuckles together, flesh on flesh and both of them stronger with every passing day.
❛ --- But nothing beats that view. ❜
His voice is warm -- with nostalgia, affection, gratitude, a simple and quiet joy. The world is wide and in time, it will beckon them. He wonders if Brother feels the pull already, to seek sights beyond the verdant, rolling hills of Resembool. But that’s just fine. They’ll get out there again and soon. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t beautiful, to watch the sun set from where they have sprawled at the peak. Together.