Suppose the series ended with Al restored, but not Ed, and Bradley still in power. Divergent Future, spoilers through ep 18. Roy takes Ed back under his wing and teaches him to be even more formidable. Drama and domesticity ensue, as Ed and Roy deal with politics and relationships and wind up being unspeakably adorable in their own way.

The sheer naughtiness of it all was unexpectedly exciting, and she found herself trembling even before the cold steel met her skin.

Where the loss of ignorance is more valuable than the knowledge gained, and Edward figures out the source of alchemy a lot sooner than before. "Edward has cockroaches under his skin and leeches in his veins. He's vibrating and bursting and his body is too small, too big, doesn't fit quite right. He needs Al to know - needs to tell someone, anyone, but he will cut out his own tongue before he burdens anyone else with this knowledge."