Title: Absence
Chapter Title: After Long Absence
Author: S J Smith
Rating: Gen
Summary: Winry's waiting at the station.
Disclaimer: Arakawa absolutely owns all.
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Winry stood on the platform of the Rezembool train station, lacing and unlacing her fingers. She turned her head to stare down the tracks, as if her gaze might make the engine appear. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she fought to hold herself still, knowing she would fail.
The call had come a day ago, on a line that crackled but did little to hide his excitement. "I'm on my way, Winry, I'll be in Rezembool tomorrow. Meet me at the station."
She'd left the house early, unable to wait, even if she knew the train was usually a little late, and now stood, unable to sit still. Winry shifted her weight from foot to foot. A glance at the clock showed only another minute had passed since her last look, and she let out a groan. Mr Coyle, the stationmaster, kept walking past her, sweeping the platform clean. Winry almost asked to take over the chore, just to have something to do while she waited.
When she finally heard the whistle blow, her heart thudded so loud, it overwhelmed the rest of her senses, focusing her attention into a tunnel vision that wouldn't let her see anything but the engine, finally chugging up the tracks. Winry wrapped her arms around herself, closing her eyes tight, almost ready to pinch herself.
This wasn't a dream. After long absence, Edward was finally coming home to her.
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