"But at the end of the day, I always go back to my brother," Ed said stonily. "That’s not going to change. Ever."

"Ever" Ed? Really? Jeez. Did you have to make it sounds so final? Like you were about to break up or something? :( You're breaking my heart over here! :) I wonder how Al would react if he knew why Ed's laugh sounded so hollow, if he knew that, yet again, Ed was sacrificing himself for Al's benefit.