[Hey, papa -- Hohenheim far enough back from the bed that at first, Al didn't see him. He thought he was alone. So, as his body emerged from sleep, he drew in one and then two unsteady breaths before letting out a soft, pained whimper.

He didn't want to bother Winry, or upset her, and if he said anything Brother would freak out... but every nerve of his body felt like it was on fire, where the blankets and sheets scraped against hi skin.]