Moving On

Hello all, this is a new work that I'd been thinking about for a while and finally got around to creating. I don't plan on making it too long, just something cute. But we'll see how it goes. Tell me what you think?

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA but I do own Mearyn


Weddings are a joyous occasion that brighten the moods of everyone who attends, but not all of the guests were in a celebrating kind of mood at the beautiful wedding taking place in Resembool on that crisp spring afternoon. Edward Elric gazed down at his empty glass of whiskey with a small frown playing at his lips. He was trying to enjoy himself, but it was hard to have a good time when the woman he loved was dancing with another man. Winry's smile was radiant as she waltzed around the room with her husband Jared...or was his name Jason? Ed couldn't remember, but that was besides the point. That was supposed to be him out there dancing with Winry. He was supposed to be the one waiting for her at the end of the aisle, not the one walking her down it. She'd always be the one that got away and he'd always just be her best friend. He'd have to settle for that. While he was brooding, he hadn't noticed someone take the seat next to him.

"You look miserable." said a smooth voice.

He peered at the voice's owner, he couldn't recognize her. But that wouldn't stop him from snapping back at her.

"Well what's it to you?"

The woman chuckled and it sounded almost like a bell.

"Just making an observation," she replied with a shrug, "you know, it's not good to drink alone."

Before Ed could say anything, the woman replaced the empty glass in his hand with a full one. She held up her own glass, tapped it against his, and took a swig of her drink. Not wanting to be out done, he took a drink and let the strong flavor burn and scratch his throat.

"How'd you know what I was drinking?" he asked.

"I've been to a lot of weddings, I know what a depressed looking guy usually drinks at a wedding."

"I'm not depressed."

"Could have fooled me," she scoffed, "if you're not depressed when what are you?"

He set his glass down and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not anything..."

Cause that definitely didn't sound depressing.

As if she'd just read his mind she said, "That wasn't depressing or anything."

Ed scowled. "Did you just come over here to bug me?"

She ignored his question and replied with her own. "So what's got you so upset?"

"None of your business."

It sounded childish, but he didn't care. This woman was starting to grate his nerves.

"When your frowning starts to distract me, it becomes my business." She elbowed him slightly and offered him a small smile. "I'm a good listener you know."

He couldn't help but stare at her, she looked so different with a smile. When she'd first arrived, he hadn't noticed anything spectacular about her. She'd blend into a crowd with ease. But a smile revealed a pair of dimples on her pale cheeks and her round green eyes seemed to have a new sparkle in them. She was pretty, in a quirky sort of way. She cleared her throat and the noise snapped Ed out of his daze. He hadn't realized how long he'd been silently staring at her. To his chagrin, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment and he whipped his head around to look away.

"...I used to be in a relationship with the bride." he grumbled under his breath.

She leaned in, letting him get a whiff of her floral perfume. It was intoxicating. "Excuse me?"

Ed sighed. "I used to be in a relationship with the bride."

"Oh so you're the infamous Edward Elric."

"Infamous?"

She shook her head. "I've heard about you from Winry. So I take it you still have feelings for her?"

He took a drink. "I guess, not much I can do about it now. She's married now."

"Well if you've got such strong feelings for her, why'd you let her go?" she asked.

A scowl settled onto his features. "I just wasn't around, I travel a lot and for a while Winry accepted it and everything was fine, but I guess it got to be too much. I can't blame her for that though."

"It sounds like it's your fault."

Ed glared at her. "You think I don't know that?"

He sighed and averted his attention to the happy couple. Winry's smile was still going strong and that in turn helped ease his irritation.

"I just want her to be happy..."

She placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. "And trust me, Jason is making her happy. And I know you'll always have a special place in her heart."

"That's good, I swear if he hurts her though I'll kick his ass. How do you know Winry anyway? I feel like I would have heard of you or something."

The woman laughed while hoisting herself up. She tipped her head back, finishing her drink in one gulp. She grimaced before handing him the glass.

"I've got to go, but it was nice chatting with you. I'm sure we'll meet again."

Without answering him she walked away, blending into the crowd.

"That was strange, I didn't get her name though."

Wanting a change of scenery, Ed set the two glasses on the table and made his way outside. He sucked in a deep breath, the fresh air helping to clear his head. He hadn't been home in a while now that he thought about it, he'd just been so caught up with his travels and work that it'd slipped his mind. The door from the reception hall opened and he peered over his shoulder to see his younger brother.

"What are you doing out here Ed?" Al asked.

"Just getting some fresh air."

Al nudged him. "I saw you talking to a pretty girl."

"She was irritating if anything, I guess she knows Winry though."

"Oh you don't know who she is?" he asked.

"No am I supposed to or something?"

"You were talking to Mearyn Lorell, she's a famous pianist from Central. I'm surprised you haven't heard of her." Al explained as though it were common knowledge.

"Piano isn't really my thing. What the heck is she doing here?"

"She's also Winry's new sister-in-law."

Ed's face fell. If Mearyn is Winry's sister-in-law then that means he...

"Oh jeez, I just threatened to beat up Winry's husband."

Al stared for a moment to see if he was telling a joke, but Ed made no indication otherwise causing him to bend over to let out a hearty laugh. The older Elric frowned.

"I don't see what's so funny."

It took Al a moment to regain his composure, he even had to wipe a small tear from his eye.

"Sorry brother, but it's pretty funny. You'd better hope Winry doesn't find out though, she'd slug you for sure." he warned.

A chill rolled down Ed's spine at the thought of Winry and her trusty wrench. He touched his head, hoping to avoid getting another bump.

"Ugh don't remind me, I haven't been hit with that damn wrench of hers in ages and I don't plan on having it happen again anytime soon."

"Well lucky for you she'll be gone for a while on her honeymoon."

"Cause that's such a blessing." Ed huffed.

Al frowned. "Brother, you can't be hung up on that for the rest of your life. If it was meant to be then it would have happened. And besides, we're at her wedding. You should be happy for her."

"Yeah yeah, trust me I already got this talk from... what's her name again? Mary?"

"Mearyn."

"Yeah from Mearyn and I definitely don't need to hear it again," he sighed, "I'll get over it."

Al clapped him hard on the shoulder and smiled. "You'll find someone, I know it. You're getting a little old now that I think about it, time for you to settle down." he teased.

Ed rolled his eyes. "Oh please, I'm only twenty six. I don't need to settle down."

"A lot of people already have kids by your age." he pointed out.

"Whatever... and who are you to talk Al? I don't see you with a girl. You're not holding out on me are you?"

"Of course not brother, I've been very busy in Xing is all." he answered with a laugh.

"Mhmm, sure."

They stood together in silence for a short moment until Al spoke up again. "Where are you going to do next?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, probably to Central. I've got some work to do there."

"Be sure to send me your address so I can send you letters."

Al waved to his brother before returning to the wedding reception. Ed watched him go and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his slacks. What was he going to do? For a long time all he did was travel, researching various chemicals or doing other odd jobs while staying with friends. But he couldn't travel for the rest of his life and he hadn't been able to perform alchemy for a while now. What could he do?

He sighed and made his way back to the reception.

"I guess we'll see if Central has anything new to offer."


SO what'd you think? Did you love it or hate it? Should I keep going with this? Hopefully I portrayed the Elrics, but I mean they're quite a few years older than the last time we saw then in Brotherhood. HA. What about Mearyn? Is she annoying? Hook a sister up with some reviews. And in the meantime I will start on chapter two. Thanks guys!