Ed is still asleep when Al returns from helping Yuffie, seemingly unaware that his brother had left - or posted to the network - at all. The movement of the couch when Alphonse settles back down is the first thing to get his attention, pushing himself up onto an elbow and offering a mild scowl, the obvious glare of someone just woken up and trying to piece together their current situation.

Right, research. He pushes himself upright with a slow stretch before glancing around as if to see where he'd left off, muttering quietly "Did you just continue without me?" It was such a familiar concept that Edward was so many years removed from at this point there was almost a sense of déjà vu he couldn't quite place about it, even if he was fully aware of the reason.