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Al didn’t didn’t think much of it since he’s grown up around Ed. It took him a little while to notice how other people might view this particular interaction he has almost daily with his dear brother.
Ed has always been oddly protective of his hair and Al only figured it out through literal years of observation.
Al thought Ed just really liked how long hair felt on the back of his neck. Then he saw their mom looking at Ed adoringly and helping him brush it where Ed couldn’t reach. Mom said Ed looked like their father and that she loved them both so much. Mom would sit down with Ed for hours teaching him different styles. Al liked to watch.
Ed stayed away from their father’s signature high ponytail after mom taught both Ed and Al how to braid. Ed could braid his own hair, but he strongly preferred for him or mom to do it. Ed seemed to absolutely melt when one of them was combing their fingers through his hair before plaiting it. It became a routine. They all sat on the living room floor at night and took care of Ed’s hair.
Al was happy to be involved, he loved his brother and Ed’s hair grew alarmingly fast. Al wasn’t convinced that Ed hadn’t made some kind of array to make his hair all long and smooth.
Then their routine was broken.
Mom died.
Ed never cut his hair after Mom died. Ed told him years later that his happiest moments were their nights in the living room and cutting it off feels like he’s losing his last memories of Mom.
So Ed let it grow. And grow. And grow.
They still met every night in the living room so Al could do his hair. They both kept turning over their shoulders to talk to Mom before remembering what happened. They didn’t speak but they kept up their new routine.
One night, Winry walked in while Al was about halfway done with the braid. They all froze. Winry took one look at what they were doing and Ed’s tense posture before turning around and waking right out that door.
She didn’t mention how Ed was on edge for days after the event.
When Al lost his body and Ed lost his arm and leg, one of the first things Ed did was complain about how hard it would be to do the complicated styles with one hand.
The next time Winry walked in on them doing their little ritual, he paused for a second but Ed didn’t tense or try to shoo her out. She watched them carefully and Al continued braiding. She walked in and sat across from Ed and took this moment for what it was, one speaking of love and trust.
She came back the next night too. And all the nights after that.
Ed got his automail. Al got used to his life being contained to a suit of armor. He didn’t blame Ed. He followed his brother when he went storming into Eastern Command Center, demanding to meet with Roy Mustang once more.
Ed passed. He’s a state alchemist. They are one step closer to getting their bodies back, to being able to return to Resembool.
They stayed where they could. A nearby inn, the dorms, the Hughes’ place.
They kept doing their thing. And it wasn't that big a deal, it’s not like there were people walking into their rooms at night or constantly trying to get to Ed’s hair. Only Al and Winry were allowed to touch but that’s fine, no else tried.
Well, almost no one tried.
Al and Ed loved Mustang’s team, they really did, even if Ed would never admit it. But they didn’t know the group long enough to talk about the whole hair thing.
Some of the more observant members had definitely noticed by now that Ed’s long braid was a place of pride for him. They noticed that the only thing Ed would accept compliments about without punching someone was his hair. New styles, when it looked particularly nice, when they noticed new hair bands or how it matched new clothes.
Of course, his brother would still be difficult and never accept a compliment but it was the closest they would get. Ed would preen.
People like Mustang, Hawkeye, and Falman mostly. They knew how to pick up on people’s tells.
They were also the only ones completely unsurprised when Ed flipped Havoc straight over his shoulder after Havoc had grabbed Ed’s braid. Probably out of pure boredom, as Havoc was avoiding paperwork and Ed was standing in front of him giving a report to Mustang.
Al just sighed. This had happened multiple times with other random passersby and Al usually said it was a religious thing as Ed ran off.
He couldn’t use that excuse this time because Team Mustang definitely knew they were not religious whatsoever.
He walked over to them in his clunky armor and held out a hand to Havoc while Ed continued glaring down at him.
“Are you alright? Sorry about Ed, he doesn’t like people touching him,” Al said.
“Yeah,” Havoc took Al’s hand and stood. “It's all good. I shouldn’t have done that in the first place, sorry Chief.”
Ed had stopped glaring and was now looking down at his shoes. “It’s fine,” he muttered.
Al was sure the rest of the team had never seen Ed like this. He was slightly hunched over, hair to the side over his shoulder, and speaking quietly on top of all that.
Ed looked up and straight into Al's eyes. Al saw the desperation and conflict residing there. He flicked his gaze off of Ed and to the door leading out of the office before turning to Mustang, who was standing frozen in place.
“Brother will be able to give the rest of the report tomorrow or I can fill you in if it’s urgent. He’s going to leave now and will come back early tomorrow morning.” Al could read his brother like an open book. He needed to get to a safe place, alone, right now or he’s gonna have a mental breakout here instead.
He knew Ed was angry at himself. He knew Ed thought he should be ‘over’ this and something like hair shouldn’t mean that much to him. But it does, and the Elric brothers know how to adapt.
He sees Ed nod and leave out of the corner of his eye but keeps watching Mustang. Mustang inclines his head and Al takes that as his cue to take sure Ed gets out the door okay.
The second the door slams the rest of the team turn towards Al. Now, it wasn’t exactly hard to lie about what just happened. Ed angers easily on a good day and you don’t see people just hanging off him so it’d be natural to assume that someone grabbing him unexpectedly could warrant the reaction they just saw.
However, the way Ed and Al acted afterwards is not going to be something he can explain away easily. Especially since they know that Ed actually doesn’t mind Havoc so it’s not a personal thing.
Al sighs again. “It’s not my business to share, but please don’t touch my brother unexpectedly in the future. He hasn’t had many good experiences.” Al paused and decided to tack on, “Also touching his hair is the number one way to get him upset so avoid that too.” There, not too invasive of Ed’s privacy and not technically lying either.
The team was exchanging looks and somehow came to an agreement without using any words.
“Thank you, Alphonse.” Al smiled at Hawkeye and headed out. He had an angsty brother to help.
They knew it wasn’t personal when they saw Ed pull the exact same move when a know it all lower ranking soldier grabbed Ed’s shoulder and hair, making some very rude comments.
Al was still the only one who understood what it meant for Ed when he walked into the office to see his brother sitting with Mustang plaiting his hair, speaking of a childhood surrounded with sisters and learning of hair care, makeup and all types of things.