Compared to him, I mean. I'm trying to be the responsible one, more realistic, is all. I'm the older one so I gotta look out for him.

[Not to say Ed himself isn't optimistic, isn't idealistic and naïve at times given he too is just a kid, only a year older than Alphonse. But just in comparison to how Al could be, how Al sees the world. Sees others. Their situation.]