Fullmetal Alchemist isn't mine and never was
Much of his time was spent wandering alone lost within his thoughts. When he wasn't speaking to Al or reading his books, Ed would wander the streets of Munich and sometimes out into the country on a nice day. People barely noticed the young man with gold eyes. He was known for keeping himself to himself.
It was because he was unable to forget. His only aim in life was to return home to his waiting loved ones. Least, he hoped they would be waiting. They had no reason to be true, but something deep in his heart told him they would not give up hope that easily. His brothers face would forever be embedded in his mind; the smell of Pinakos cooking, the feel of Winrys hair brushing his arm.
Today he decided to walk in a direction he had not tried before. He had been in this city for a year now and was slowly getting to know it inside out. If he got lost he would surely be able to find where he was just as quickly. Getting lost did not bother him for he was used to wandering. But oh, how he would give anything for a reason to stay still.
Rounding a corner he stood at the end of a very wealthy looking street. The houses were all immaculate, gardens tidied to perfection, women walking by in the most expensive clothing Munich had to offer. Thankfully he did not look out of place however much he felt it. Taking a deep breath he decided to proceed. He casually walked down the street not talking to anyone as he always did. He stopped to look at one building across the road from where he stood. Flowers decorated every window giving the place a fresh but somewhat false feel. It was more like a hotel than a home.
As he stood admiring the front door burst open. A figure darted out quick as she could. She wore a long satin dress but covered her hair and face with glasses and a head scarf. A cry rang out from the house.
'That blasted girl has gone again!'
A man appeared. He looked fierce and angry at that. He was a bulk of a giant, fists clenched as he scanned the area. Ed pointed down the street. He ran off in the direction that Ed pointed to acknowledging him. Course Edward gave him the wrong direction. He decided it would be best to try and find her. She could be in any kind of trouble. Apparently this was a regular occurrence.
He ran as fast as he could in the direction she went. Although she had run out of the house quick as a flash her dress would be tangling itself in her legs. He ran past the pair of glasses she was wearing at some point. They had cracked and the glass was falling out. Turning a corner he saw a headscarf tangled in some bushes. It was caught in some holly; sharp as knives was this bush. Her cover was blown. A horrible thought went through his mind…perhaps she was a Jew. If she had been marked by the community anything could happen to her. Yet, she was in fine clothes in a fine house. Perhaps they were looking after the girl, but all she wanted was to return home.
A cry of pain rang out. He picked up where it had come from and followed to where she was. There was a fence covered in more holly that had recently been disturbed. He clambered through. She was lying face down, her long slivery blonde hair sprawled about I the grass. She had a nasty gash on her leg and her dress was caught on a spike on the fence. The rest of her body had also clearly been caught by the needle like plant.
'Are you alright?'
She gave a small squeal at his voice.
She turned to face him.
Sapphire met gold.
'W…Winry?'
The girl gave him a terrified look. She ripped off the part of her dress holding her and got up to run.
'Wait!' he called.
He didn't need to run far. She collapsed from the pain in her leg. She turned to face him one more time, before fainting out of sheer terror.
Her eyes slowly opened. She was sore all over from the cuts thanks to the holly bush. Then she noticed the pain in her leg and tried to move.
'Sit still, you must be calm.'
She hadn't noticed the boy sitting by her side. His eyes were the same as hers and his dirty blonde hair flicked across his head. He was not the guy from before. Had she possibly dreamt that moment?
'What is your name?' the lad asked gently.
She tried to speak but her voice was caught in her throat.
'Winry,' another voice said.
He walked in, she had not dreamt it. But she had dreamt of him many times. Nothing but his face yet it was etched into her memory. She shrank back in fear. How did he know her?
'Who…who are you?' she stuttered.
For a moment for two more he studied her, before replying, 'Edward Elric.'
She had heard this name before. Master had mentioned it around her before. He had always said it with a harsh tone in his voice. She knew that tone well for it was all she heard when he spoke to her.
'Where am I, how do you know me, do you work for him too?' she asked in a panicked voice.
'You are at our home. I have tended to your wounds,' the gentle boy said. 'My name is Al. We don't work for anyone. Please be calm.'
Yet she could not. Edwards eye scrutinized her in a way she had never been before. Men looked at her in a way that disgusted her, but his glare was something altogether different. She couldn't look him in the eye, but she knew he stared.
'Who were you running from back there?' Ed asked.
She would not answer for she did not want to. It was this stubbornness that had got her into such trouble in the first place. So what if she did not want to be what they wanted her to be. She would take the beatings for she was strong.
But his eye was on her again and it sent shivers through her. It was as if he could read everything about her just by looking. Had he dreamt of her?
'I'll go make some tea, which should help calm you.'
She smiled as best she could at Al as he left. She wanted him to remain but kept quiet. Ed took the place on the chair next to the bed.
'How do you know my name?'
He laughed. This angered her, what on earth could be so funny.
'It is a long story, but I assure you I do not know that man who was chasing you. Why was he chasing you? If you are in some kind of trouble you must tell me.'
'Why do you care?'
Her question was so abrupt it shocked her as well as him. She finally met his golden glare and did not let it go.
Ed stopped dead in his tracks, why did he care?
He had always tried to help anyone in trouble. She had seemed in trouble. That's all it was right?
Just as it was with Al, it was hard to look at her and not think of his own Winry back at home. Her eyes may have been a slightly darker blue but they were just as wide and innocent. Pinako had always said she could get away with murder just by looking at someone. She certainly did with him anyway. Only once had she ever given him the wide eyed look and not he given in. What haunted him most was the look in her eyes when they had departed for the last time. He had hoped he had seen something there…something new.
'I just care, that's why. How is your leg?'
She flushed when she realised it was exposed. He had to keep from a snigger. She was so skittish yet so stubborn.
'It's fine. Why did you bring me here?'
'I couldn't just leave you there…'
'No. Why didn't you take me back there?'
He sighed, 'You ran away for a reason. Are you…are you…a Jew?'
She looked at him for a moment and then shook her head. That was his greatest fear for her put to rest. She looked ashamed however.
'He…' she began as if answering his questionable look, 'he hates them and wants them all dead. He doesn't like new people…or anyone who is different.'
He dared again. 'Why were you running from him?'
She sighed. 'I am not the same as my sisters.'
'Sisters?'
She nodded. 'All married with children. All social elites. I am not one of them and never want to be.' She shook her head. 'What am I telling you for?'
He went to respond when a commotion was heard downstairs. There was the sound of someone thumping upstairs.
The door burst open.