(fanfare) As promised! Here is the romance!
Sorry this first chapter is kind of short, but I have this problem with starting long fics. (As experienced in my previous one. DX) But no worries! This one will take off no problem! Jump right in there and get the plot moving! No side quests, no underlying plot, just a straight fic!
Anyway, here you go! Enjoy.
Remember, if you don't review, I won't know if I'm doing anything wrong. XP
Even a few kind words couldn't hurt. :)
Thanks!
Chapter 1 - Together in the Beginning
It was the rough times in their lives that made them appreciate peace ever so much more. All the traveling, the enemies, the hardship, all the pain just seemed to melt away when back in their quiet home of Resembool. Ed lay flat on the grass beneath the big oak tree, staring up blankly through the leaves at the small bits of sunlight that managed to weave their way through the tangle of branches. "Hey Al." He began, a soft, light hearted tone in his voice. "Do you ever stop to think about how lucky we are?"
Al, seeming to be surprised by his older brother's words, sat up, allowing the soft semi-bent grass beneath him to prop back up. "Of course I do. You're the pessimistic one. Remember?" He smiled at the happy notion his brother was trying to get across. "Why do you ask?"
He turned and faced his younger sibling. "No reason...I just thought about all the things we could have lost...but didn't. We gave up so much and after a whole lot of work, we got it all back. Not many people get a second chance." He lowered his head in embarrassment. "Sorry, I should really stop thinking into it too much."
The younger of the two placed a hand on the cool automail shoulder that reflected a glint into his eye. "Getting lost in thought isn't a good thing. Knowing you, you're liable just to make yourself depressed." He drew his knees in close to his body and stood up straight. "Let's get back. Den's going to overheat if we leave him stay out in the sun too long." He said, referencing the dog crouching down by the cool brook, taking a drink.
"He is getting pretty old...sure. He always naps this time of the day anyway."
After calling the dog, Ed and Al headed toward home and in a matter of minutes, they were there. In the front yard they could see Aria working hard on her vegetable patch, their father enjoying a cool drink up on the front porch and Pinako, who was on the side of the house, hanging laundry. Den quickly ran up the front stairs and into the house, most likely to his food bowl and then to the end of Winry's bed. He liked to sleep there. Her window was on the far side of the house which didn't get a whole lot of sunlight, so it was considerably cooler than the rest of the rooms with a bed.
"Hey guys. Have a good walk?" Aria asked as she dragged the back of her arm across her forehead. Her bright red hair was tied up in a bun as to get it off the back of her neck; though with the cumbersome amount of hair she was trying to restrain, it still flopped down and made the back of her neck swelter in the heat.
"Yeah." Al responded as he smiled at her. "You should get out of the sun, you're going to overheat."
She waved a had at him nonchalantly. "I'm almost done. But...would you mind taking up that basket? I have more string beans than I care to handle." She asked, pointing at the large weaved, soft rope, basket, laying on the ground packed full of yellow and green string beans.
Al leaned down and picked up the basket, it had quite a bit of weight behind it. "You weren't kidding."
She smiled. "I was thinking of making green and yellow bean casserole tonight."
Ed smiled. "Sounds good." He stretched and looked around the yard, someone seemed to be missing. "Where did Winry go?"
Aria shrugged. "Not sure. But if she was where I saw her last, she'd be in the garage looking after a patient."
"Thanks--" Ed was cut off by the basket of beans being held in front of him.
"If you're going that way, you might as well take these with you then. I'll stay here and help Aria finish up." He smiled.
Giving Al a nod, Ed took the basket. "Good idea. Get out of the heat as quick as you can." He turned and walked up to the front porch where his father, who decided to be lazy today, was lounging on one of the deck chairs enjoying some kind of juice, it looked like ice tea. "Don't work yourself too hard." He remarked snidely at his father.
As his son passed by, he reached into the basket and pilfered a few of the tasty looking beans. "Funny." Taking a bite of the bean, he enjoyed the cool crunch.
Ed cringed as he heard the combination snap and crunch of the small vegetable. "Uuh." He shivered. "You and Al gross me out. I don't know how you two can stand eating raw vegetables."
Hohenheim looked over his shoulder. "What are you talking about, you ate raw carrots yesterday." He said slightly confused.
He stopped mid-doorway. "Carrots don't count." He said as he entered the house. Walking by the pantry, he lifted the box of the wooden crate and lifted the string beans, in their basket, and placed them in the bottom. The sit perfectly in between the sweet potatoes and the green peppers.
Aria truly was skilled at gardening. With all the produce from the garden, they were able to save so much money from not having to buy vegetables. Ed smiled, she really was a nice girl, he was glad she decided to stay with them rather than going back to her home town.
Ed rounded the corner that led to the door of the garage. He peeked in and saw Winry, sitting on the bench, fiddling with some mechanical piece. With a wide smile, he pushed the door open. "Hey Winry." He greeted her as he stepped in the room and closed the door behind himself.
"Edward?" She turned, and made eye contact with him. "Where's Grandma?"
He leaned against the door. "Out back. So I figured it would be safe to come and visit for a second."
Wriny smiled. She and Edward had kept their a love a secret from Pinako in fear of her disapproving the two of them. She knew that they would eventually have to tell her, but until it was absolutely necessary, they decided to keep quiet. Though Winry had been speculating that they had something going on for the last month or so.
Two months had passed since everything had returned to normal. Aria was staying with them and being a productive member of the home. Ed and Al's father also stayed with them, not as productive, but he supplied a third pay cheque along side Ed and Al's which helped to keep the car in check and a little extra food on the table; not to mention, a little extra Brandy in the cupboard, Pinako swore it was for cooking, but no one believed her.
Ed wrapped his arms around Winry and pulled her close. "Ooh, Edward." She swooned. "I still have some work to--"
Not letting her finish her sentence, he quickly kisser her, lulling her to be quiet. They stood there, in quiet embrace.
"Sorry for barging in, I forgot my coat." The young man, Winry's patient, an older boy whom they both went to school with as children, who Winry originally thought left already, popped back in briefly. To his surprise, he saw what was transpiring. "Oh, sorry."
Ed and Winry quickly broke apart, a predominantly blush on either of their faces. Ed turned and avoided eye contact while Winry fished the guy's coat. "Here you go."
"I didn't know you two were dating." He smiled and waved. "You look good together." With that said, he left out the door from whence he came.
Winry sighed. "I hope he doesn't tell everyone."
Ed sighed and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Here's hoping." It seemed to Ed that he had spoken too soon. His life was always going to be full of drama regardless if he wanted it to be or not. "Aria's making green and yellow bean casserole tonight, are you going to help her?"
Winry nodded. "I'll clean the vegetables...they're in the bin right?"
Ed nodded. "Yeah...and I was wondering...do you think we could go out tonight?" He asked, rubbing the back of his head. "It's been a while since we went out."
She knew exactly what he was implying. "Sure. Tonight's suppose to be a warm night anyway. After I'm done cleaning up the supper dishes, we'll head out."
He smiled wide. "Great." With that said, he gave her a peck on the cheek and was on his way.
Winry couldn't help but smile. Though they had to keep any relations they had a secret, at the same time she didn't mind the excitement of getting caught. Their first time, in Winry's bedroom, was a memorable one, the problem was the noise. Be it the creek of the bed or even an unstifled voice could tip of Winry's grandmother who resided in the room right next to hers. Going outside so they could be together was the safest route.
Even still, Winry sensed that Pinako was beginning to suspect something. It didn't matter to her any, they would have to come out in the open with it eventually. She feared more for Edwards safety than her own. She would get a scolding, but Ed would more than likely get beaten to within an inch of his life.
She shrugged it off and continued working. Winry was tightening a joint that the young man had left there. She had given him a temp for the time being so she could work on his leg overnight. The young blond girl smiled as she worked away, automail was truly her passion. Wincing in pain, she stopped. Her head began to throb and ache. The heat really was getting her. She was confused. 'I've been in the house all day though.' The headache's had been getting worse ever since the heat wave began. Normally the heat of summer would be dying down by now, but for some reason, it was staying as hot as ever.
Standing up, Winry began to walk toward the sink to get herself a glass of water. Upon standing, her vision blurred and a quick wave of lightheadedness knocked her right off her feet and down to the floor. She tried to get up, but nothing she tried worked. Her legs, arms and even her head felt as though they were made out of lead. Receiving a bit of comfort from the coolness of the floor, she laid there, still, hoping to regain some of her strength. Making a quick mental note before closing her eyes. 'I need to remember to drink more water.' With that, she shut her eyes tight and slipped into the unavoidable sleep.
Don't worry, she's not dead. :)
Preview CH2 - Winry suffers from yet another ailment. What will the doctor have to say?
I apologize for the uneventful chapter, but give it a bit, it'll get good. I looked all over fanfiction and couldn't find a good story like the one I'm planning here. So keep on reading, I'm sure you guys won't be let down.
You have my word. :)
