Last Goodbye

This story is about Ed going to say goodbye to Winry for the last time because he has to go save Al from the homunculus. The problem is, he won't ever be coming back. Hope you all like the story!

X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X

Edward Elric stood outside of the Rockbell Auto-Mail shop for the last time. He had to rescue Al from the homunculus, but he couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Winry. Ed knew what he had to do to get Al back, even if he had to sacrifice his own life. Equivalent Exchange, his life for his brother's.

"I hope she understands." Ed thought to himself as he knocked on the door.

The blonde who was his life long friend answered the door. "Ed, what are you doing here? And where is Al?" She asked when she only saw Ed.

"That's what I need to talk to you about." He told her.

"Edward Elric! You better tell me what's going on!" Winry yelled. Sounding a little worried.

"Al's been taken by the Homunculus, but I'm going to get him back." Ed said.

"What do you mean Al's been taken? And what the hell are Homunculus?" Winry said angrily. "You never tell me what's going on!"

"You understand anyway." Ed answered back.

There was an awkward silence, for neither said a word for a good five minutes. Winry broke the silence by asking Ed to come inside since it was pretty dark outside. She also told him that her grandmother was going to be gone for a day because she went to get some auto-mail parts.

"So, what are you going to do?" She asked him.

"I'm going to get him back." Ed told her. "That's why I came here.'

"Did you need my help for something?" Winry asked.

"Yeah, I was wondering if you could check to see if my auto-mail is alright." He lied. Because he couldn't find the courage to tell her the reason for his visit.

Winry checked Ed's auto-mail. She made sure that all of the screws were in nice and tight. Then she told him that everything was fine. They went to go sit on the hill outside like they did when they were little. Ed and Winry just stared at the stars for a little while.

"Winry, there is something I have to tell you." Ed said, breaking the silence.

"What is it?" She asked as she looked at him.

"I didn't come here just to have you check my auto-mail." He told her.

"I don't understand what you mean." She said.

"The real reason I came was to say goodbye." Ed said. Then quickly looked away.

"Why would you come all the way out here just to say goodbye?" Winry asked.

"Because I'm probably not going to be coming back." He said. "when I go to save Al, I'm going to get his real body back. Even if I have to trade my own for his."

"No! Ed, there has to be another way!" Winry practically yelled as tears started to form in her eyes.

"I know where the Philosopher Stone is, but that isn't enough. Al deserves his real body, not some tin suit." Ed explained.

"I know, but Ed, still…" She couldn't finish her sentence because she was fully crying now.

"I wanted to say goodbye to you face to face, so I could see you for one last time." He said to her.

Winry knew what Ed meant. She knew that he wasn't going to flat out say it, but the boy she knew all her life was going to his death. He was going to sacrifice his life for his brother's. the Edward fell in love with will never return to Rizenbul to see her. But Winry didn't know if she should tell him how she felt. She had to, especially if she was never going to see him again.

"Ed, there s something that I want to tell you too." She said between sobs.

"What is it?" He asked as he slowly looked over.

"Ever since we were kids, I always liked you. I was so happy when you and Al came to visit. Even if it was just for a repair. It made me happy just to be around you, and know that you were alright. And now, after all of this time I realize that I fell in love with you. I love you Edward." She said softly.

Winry wanted to run away after she said all that, but her body wouldn't move. She wanted to know what he would say.

Ed gave a little laugh. "I should have known this was coming." He said.

Winry began to cry again. "I'm not saying this because you're not coming back! I said it because I mean it. I love you Ed! I don't care that you don't feel the same way about me. But I knew that if I didn't say anything I would regret it." She told him.

Ed looked at her. "I never said that I didn't feel the same way." He said. Then he leaned over and kissed her.

This was something Winry never expected. She was very shocked, but returned his kiss. After they kissed, Ed took his real hand and wiped the tears that stained Winry's cheeks. Then she took her hand and wiped away the single tear on Ed's cheek.

"It's getting late. We should get some sleep." He said.

X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X

The next morning: Ed was the first to wake up. He was getting ready to leave as Winry came down the stairs.

"You're leaving right now?" She asked on the verge of tears again.

"Yeah, I have an early train to catch." He told her. "Don't start crying again."

"You don't understand!" She said. "I can't help it."

They walked up the path that leads to the cemetery. Ed paid his last respects to his mother. Then the two silently walked to the end of the road. Winry started to cry, but Ed tried to get her to stop.

"This is the last time that I'll ever see you again." She said.

"I know." Ed said softly. Then he leaned over and kissed her for one last time.

"Goodbye Ed." She whispered.

"Goodbye Winry." He whispered back. "Tell your old granny that I said bye."

Then Edward Elric left Rizenbul for the last time. Along with the childhood friend he fell in love with.

"I'm sorry Winry. For everything and how it turned out." Ed thought to himself.

As Winry Rockbell watched Ed walk away, she cried, but not for him or Al. But this time for herself. Because she knew that he would never come back up that path ever again. She knew that he had to do this for his brother, and that being an alchemist calls for equivalent exchange. Because he was Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist.

:The End:

X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X

I hope you guys liked it. If you guys liked it and I get enough reviews. I'll write another short story! Please R&R