7 AM. One hour before they're supposed to officially wake up. Alphonse leans himself up slightly to get out of bed but is stopped by the large arm around his middle tightening slightly. "Al?" The arm's owner sleepily whispers, blinking up at the doctor. "Where are you going?"
"I just, er." How is he supposed to explain that he's done this same thing for the past year or so, without anyone else on the team apparently noticing? "I just... Have to go do something. Go back to sleep, schatz."
"What is it?"
"J-Just something. Bitte-" The arm moves, and Al wiggles out of bed and stands with a groan. He almost goes towards the door, but pauses at the sound of his bed creaking and Immanuil climbing out of it. "Er. Manny?"
"I want to come." Manny stands beside him, arm sliding around the doctor's shoulders, and Al gives only the briefest of nods before setting his hand on the other's and making his usual trek towards the closest restroom.
"What's the damage for today?" He mutters out of habit, stepping closer to the mirror with his hands on the edge of the sink.
"'Damage?'" Alphonse swallows a little nervously at the response, and immediately moves a hand towards his discolored eye, rubbing at the skin around it. "Is there something wrong with your eye?"
"Well... A little. The color..." Al mumbles as he pulls his hand away, watching Manny in the mirror. The Russian frowns, then gives a little shrug. Nothing more. His hand sweeps to the bridge of his nose next, gently pressing a single finger against the thick bunch of stitches across it before pushing down, slightly harder. He gives a wince.
"Are you okay?" Another interruption from Manny, and Alphonse lets out a slightly agitated huff.
"Yes."
"Does it hurt?"
"Yes." He snaps out his response, but does pull his fingers away from the stitching for now. Immanuil still looks worried, but stays quiet, instead moving slightly closer to Al. A warm hand settles on the doctor's back, encouraging him to try to go on. Alphonse combs his fingers through his hair but stays quiet, pressing against the stitches hidden under his hair and again idly thinking about hair gel, or combing, or whatever. It's hard to focus with a hand on him and the man he loves watching from behind his back, however.
It ends early and Al doesn't even bother looking at his tooth or the stitches on his neck, chest, and back. Instead, he leans back into the waiting arm beside him and lets out a long sigh. Manny nods in understanding, just leading the two of them back towards Al's room while they still have time to rest. It's only when they're both lying down and Alphonse's head is to his chest that he lets out another sigh and quietly speaks.
"Oh, gott, I'm so sorry! I didn't- I'm sorry, let me-" Al grabbed the end of his apron, lifting it towards the larger man's freshly stained shirt, but was stopped by a hand gently pushing at his own. If his face wasn't red out of embarrassment before, it certainly was now.
