All was calm. The cool autumn winds carried crisp, warm-colored leaves along the tall grass of the Amestrian countryside. Vacant swings danced in breeze, while the melodic tunes of wind chimes haromonized themselves with the soothing sound of water flowing down the brook. Freshly-washed clothes had been pinned on the clothes line of the Elric home, and the white sun barely peeked its head over the rolling hides, setting the sky on fire.
The harmonious silence broke when the Elric boys, ages four and five, slammed opened their door. The two brothers sprinted out of their Resembol home, and dashed toward the Rockbell adobe. Their small legs carried them as fast as their little bodies could go, while each boy desperately tried to outrun the othr.
Alphonse triumphed over his brother. He was the first to reach the Rockbell's, and pound hard and repetitively on their front door. "Dammnit!" His older brother, Edward, yelled, pounding his feet against their porch. "I declare a rematch!"
"A Rematch to what?" Winry Rockbell, also five, inquired. Ed had failed to notice the girl they sought out for had already answered the door. Ed's cheeks reddened, but it didn't take long for the boy to reduce himself to muttering angrily about utter nonsense.
Alphonse Elric faced Winry. The younger brother took a deep breath, and puffed out his chest, trying to make himself look more grown. "Winry," Alphonse practically yelled. The brother's was hard and determined, and his gold eyes were focused. "Will you marry me?"
"I'm sorry, Alphonse," Winry replied, maintaining a sweet smile. "But, I'm going to have to decline."
Alphonse let out the breath he was holding, and slouched his shoulders in dissapointment. Out of courtesy, Alphonse forced himself to say, "Thank you anyway."
Edward pushed his brother aside, and stepped towards Winry. His face was also cringed into a determined, set expression, but it didn't resemble Als at all. Alphonse was hopeful and optimisimistic. Ed... Ed was just stubborn."Marry me." Edward said, sticking a finger in Winry's face.
"Sorry Ed," Winry repeated. Winry removed his finger from being in her face. "But I'm not marry you either, and hasn't your mother told you its not polite to point?"
Ed's face became as scarlet as the sky above them, and his eyes widened, shock and embarrassment flooding him."Wh-Why not?" Ed forced out.
Winry giggled, and simply smiled at the brothers. "You two are just a little short. That's all."
Rather oddly, Edward did not lose his temper, and exaggerate everything Winry had said in a very classic who you calling a pint-sized midget, bean boy who can't reach the handle of the door? Instead, Ed frowned, and let the determination returning to face. "Wait here." Ed demanded.
The resilient five-year old took large, loud steps back towards his home, and went inside. No less than a minute later, Edward came stomping back toward the Rockbell house. Something large in his hands. He marched back to Winry. His eyes locking with hers. In front of him, Edward laid down a stepping stool, and stood on it.
"Marry me." Edward repeated, folding his arms across his chest.
Winry smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. Ed's furrowed face fell into shock, and the boy felt the air is lungs swept out of him. "Maybe someday, Ed." The young girl said, giving him curt bow before re-entering her home.
Seconds past, but Ed regained his composure. The boy crossed his arms, and nodded. "Challenge accepted."
He overcame that challenge.
