The Hug

Biting wind disheveled Ed's hair as the spiraling castle once known as Table City came bountifully into view. Only one year had passed since he and Alphonse returned the ruined country to its former glory, and the people to the land that was rightfully theirs. A search for the escaped convict, Ashleigh Crichton, had become much more when they'd learned the story of a country they had not been told existed.

He turned back into his row of the train, crossing his arms. Sitting beside him, Winry and Alphonse chatted listlessly away. Mustang, Hawkeye, Armstrong, and the rest of the Mustang Gang followed suit in the seats across the aisle from them. They were all so content, which Ed couldn't understand why. He was still nowhere closer to obtaining the Philosopher's Stone, and even if he was, the blood of living humans was not a price he was morally willing to pay.

The only reason he had agreed to come to Milos on vacation was because Al wanted it, and there was someone he wanted to meet up with again. The daughter of two very skilled healing alchemists, Julia Crichton, (and the sister of the escaped convict who turned out to be a fraud later,) could teach him how to use healing alchemy to regain his brother's body. Trapped on the brink between life and death, she'd preformed human transmutation on her brother in an attempt to save his life. Having lost her leg in the misfire, the Rockbells had built her a new one – since the mechanic of her people was not nearly as skilled, she'd consented to getting an up-grade. She could not lead her people properly if she was not fully functional herself.

"Hey, Ed."

He pulled himself from his thoughts, facing Winry. "Yeah?"

"When is the ball again?"

Oh yeah. The ball to celebrate the rebirth of Milos. Ed made a mental groan. "I think it's tomorrow night," he said. "I'm not sure." He turned his back on her and his brother, and focused out the window.

Winry snorted. "What's got you in such a bad mood? Did someone already call you short today?" She began to giggle, and Al did too.

Any other day, Ed would have rebounded on them with a witty comeback. And today was no different. "I wouldn't say anything! You're not much taller than I am!"

"Don't be such a baby! Accepting you have a problem is the first step to change!"

"Grr!"

"Hey, lovebirds, we're here," Mustang's deep voice cut in. The train had begun to screech to signify its stop.

"Don't call us that!" Ed shouted.

"You're so funny when you're angry, Brother," Al chuckled.

Really? Because it's definitely not funny to me, Ed wanted to scream. He knew no one would care if he did, though. They'd only laughed harder, and continue the ridicule.

This is why he kept his mouth shut.

When they finally de-boarded the train, someone was waiting to greet them on the platform.

"Welcome to Milos, all," the small man greeted, smiling pleasantly. He had the looks of more of a Xingese man, wearing the tiny fez hat atop his forehead, and the squinty eyes alike to Ling, but something about him gave the notion, whether Xingese or not, he was raised by Milosians. "My name is Pikkan. I will be your guide, and help you with anything you need during your stay." Here, he stopped to take a bow. "Would you like to visit your hostess before or after settling in your rooms? The valet will be happy to carry your baggage for you." A group of middle-aged men and women waved behind him, all dressed in elegant white suits.

"We'll see our hostess first," Mustang replied.

"Very well, right this way." The little man led them to a lineup of carts steered by bicyclists, as the valet group boarded the back of the train.

Ed, Winry, and Al got in one together, and they were off.

He remembered when people used to scurry across the roads of Table City in fear, withdrawn as though scared of an attack. Milos had been nothing more than a rift in the Earth, where Amestris and Creta had left their spilled blood to gain allegiance over the plentiful land. Amestris dumped their own unwanted trash into the valley, even when they knew there were people living there. Anyone who attempted to scale the cliff between Death Valley and Amestris was shot, no questions asked. Now, the streets of Milos were thriving with life Ed had not thought possible. People sashayed lazily from place to place; children played ball in their backyard alleys; the scent of baked bread wafted among the merchant stands in the market square; everyone was lively. Milos was more beautiful and connected than Amestris had ever been. It reminded Ed of Resembool in some wonderful way.

However, the time passed had marked nothing for him.

When they arrived at one of the top levels of the spiraled castle of Milos, Winry squealed in ecstasy as she leapt out the cart. Pikkan brought them through the main doors, two great things made of stone with boorish designs, but awesome all the same.

The doors were shoved closed, and they made their way down a grand hallway of stone. Inside, it was chilly and airy. Ed became aware it was, truly, becoming winter. Soon he would be 16, and Al would be 15. Five years since they'd lost their mother, their home, and their bodies. Any more time and they'd have none left.

Pikkan took a left in the center of the hall, through a doorway. They were halted in a room covered in gold and red carpet: the ground, ceiling, and walls were unseen. Their hostess rose from her desk.

Julia Crichton, age 16 and a half, ruler of the newfound country of Milos, stood resolutely with one hand behind her back. "Please, have a seat," she said, gesturing with her other hand to the couches before her desk. She grinned as broadly as her lips would allow. "Good to see you, Ed, Mustang, Al, Winry."

"Good to see you too," Ed remarked, taking a seat with everyone else. Julia took the chair behind her lavish, chestnut-carved desk.

Julia placed her hands atop the wood of her desk. "I know you all have a busy schedule, and took valuable time out of your jobs coming here, so I thank you." She smiled again. It struck Ed that that desk was far too big for her. "However long you stay is up to you. Just know that the celebration marking our first year anniversary of independence will be tomorrow, and last for the next two days in honor of our god. There will be food, refreshments, entertainment, and the like. Try to dress in something formal, but it doesn't have to be too fancy." She took her hands from atop the table and put them on her knees, rocking back and forth in a more childish manner. "Other than that, do whatever you please."

"Where will the celebration be?" Alphonse spoke up, somewhat shy.

Julia sure was fond of smiling. "At the bottom level of this castle, starting at 6 o'clock at night," she directed.

Al nodded. "Thanks."

"Is that all?"

No one spoke, which seemed to indicate everyone was tired and needed rest.

"Pikkan will show you all to your rooms. I hope you have a nice night."

Mustang and company followed Pikkan to the hallway on the left of Julia's desk, but Edward, Alphonse, and Winry stayed back on Ed's command so he could speak with Julia.

"Ed, can't it wait until tomorrow?" Winry snapped, yawning.

No, it couldn't wait until tomorrow. "I'll meet up with you guys later, okay? Just go on with me." They did as he said, though reluctant. Ed caught up with Julia as she was about to exit through a door to the right.

"Hey, Ed, what's on your mind?" Julia asked, one hand on the gold-curved handle of the door. Ed was about to ask her if she could teach him healing alchemy, until he got a good look at her. He could see in her face she had been faking that smile. Her normally alive, shimmery eyes were dulled in some way, dark circles lining the skin underneath, and her whole figure looked crooked. She limped on her automail leg when she stepped back toward Ed.

Ed wasn't sure how he could ask now. What had changed her from the high-spirited young woman he remembered?

"H-hey, Ed… Um –" She must have noticed he saw how poor of health she was, because her eyes fell a little. "Truth is I need to speak with you, too."

"Sure, Julia…" he murmured. "What do you need?"

She said, "Come out here, and then let's talk." She opened the door to reveal an outside pathway winding all the way around the castle of Milos, though not connected to the main road.

Flurries blew by them as they walked down the slope around the edge of the castle, to a place unable to see. Ed wondered how she wasn't cold, with the thin brown pants, and thin purple shawl she wore over her yellow shirt. They both turned toward the other to ask what was on their mind at the exact moment. It was polite to laugh in the absence of communication, so they did.

"You go first, Ed," she said.

"No, that's okay. You go."

Her mind traveled to a place far beyond where they were standing now as she said, somewhat dryly, "It's hard running a country. Not as hard as I, or anyone, had anticipated." She paused, then said in a mechanical voice, "I haven't heard anything from my brother since I healed him. I hear he stays with the Cretan army, fighting in mindless war with Amestris, but I wish he would come home." Ed wondered where she was going with this, sensing she was not finished. Julia's former determination showed in her face when she asked, "Is there any possible way the Philosopher's Stone could have damaged my open-mindedness when I swallowed it? Lately things have been a drag; even the festival I'm supposed to be holding tomorrow night, I'm dreading." She was lost in her words again. "You'd think I'd want to celebrate the rebirth of the country I fought so hard for, but I feel… different somehow. As though my aspirations have been worn away."

Baffled, Ed had no idea what to say. Julia broke the silence for him. "How do you do it?" she asked, keen for the answer. Her determined expression wavered.

"D-do what?" Ed sputtered.

"How do you keep a strong mind throughout everything else, without ever giving up?" She retreated into herself once more. "If I were you, I would have given up on restoring your brother's body a long time ago."

Ed couldn't speak after that. The truth was, he was starting to give up. Yet another side of him scolded him for even suggesting such a thing. He scrunched his eyes shut tight and said, slowly, "I know – I may seem more… strong-willed than a lot of people… but everyone has their low moments…" Was that really the best he could do? He wasn't even convincing himself at that point. He opened his eyes to find Julia watching him, her eyes misty. "Besides, my problems aren't nearly as big as running an entire country." Ed smiled, unsure.

She shook her head. "N-no! That's not it… I'm just… thinking about a lot…" She pushed the hair tickling her face behind her ear.

Ed sighed. "I know… I'm sorry for burdening you with my problems. You already have enough to worry about."

Julia shifted her focus between him and the distance. "N-no, I don't mean all that – well I do mean all that, but it's not what I mean. I, umm…" She settled her eyes on Edward. "I meant I'm thinking about you."

Ed blinked, not understanding what she meant. "W-wha…?"

Julia gulped, seeming to back away. "Yeah… I mean…" She gained more confidence. "It's hard not to."

Though he was not sure why, Ed felt his face go warm. "Uh, thanks, Julia…. But I don't understand what you mean…"

She made a face that said, 'How could he not understand?'

"U-uhh…" She mumbled, more to herself, "Do I really have to say it bluntly…?" Clearing her throat, she said hastily, "I, um… It's hard not to think about someone you have feelings for…" Her face flushed bright pink. "Like… someone you like," she choked out.

It finally clicked inside Ed's mind. He blushed. "W-wait – hold on a second – do you mean you – YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR ME?!" he blurted unknowingly, stepping back in aghast.

Julia's face grew redder by the second. "I-I mean –" She avoided his eyes out of embarrassment. "I probably shouldn't have said that anyway…" she said, thinking of Winry. "Forget about it." Julia's face dropped, though she was still blushing red.

"N-no, it's okay," Ed said, going closer. "W-why would you say that?"

Julia kept her face down. "I… don't want to get in the way…" she said breathlessly.

Ed was bemused. "Get in the way of what?"

"Y'know… you… and Winry… It's not that hard to see."

"Me… and Winry…?" He understood what she was trying to say, but also… he didn't. "I can see why some people would think we had a relationship like… that," Ed muttered, lowing his face. What came to mind were all the times she'd made fun of him when he needed to be consoled; when she'd almost been killed from being too stubborn; when she had almost killed from wanting revenge. So many people assumed without truly knowing. They backed off and teased him because of it. Which is Ed decided something right then. Right then and there, he knew one thing to be true. "But she's not interested in me." Ed raised his face to look at Julia. "We're just friends."

"H-how are you able to tell?" Julia crossed her arms awkwardly.

Ed scratched the back of his head, grinning. "I dunno. It'd be weird; considering how long we've known each other."

"I guess… If you put it that way…" She looked to the side.

Ed started speaking before he thought it completely through – something he did often and usually ended up regretting. "S-so… uh… maybe… would you like to um…" He shifted uncomfortably to the side, blushing as he made a pouty face to try to keep from humiliating himself. "Accompany me to the celebration tomorrow…?" He blabbered hastily, "I-if you don't want to, that's fine – no hard feelings!"

Julia's eyes widened. "U-um… N-no, I'd love to…" Her face lit in amazement.

"Yeah, see, it's okay, I won't – WAIT WHAT?!" Ed withdrew in shock.

Julia swallowed. "Yeah…" She bit her bottom lip nervously.

Ed didn't know what to say. Did this mean they were going to the celebration tomorrow?!

Julia swayed anxiously. "W-well don't just… stand there like that with that look…" she said. "Makes me feel weird…"

Ed slapped himself out of his stupor. "S-sorry…" He smiled a little. "So… see you tomorrow…?" he offered, extending his automail hand.

Julia laughed, and hugged him instead. Shocked, Ed wrapped his arms around her. Muffled from her face pressed against his shoulder, she said, "Ed, thank you."

Suddenly much warmer than before, Ed leaned more against her, feeling as though things might just be all right.

Hoorah! I've actually decided to write one of the millions of ideas that pour into my brain every passing day. I recently started role playing this couple, and it sparked some inspiration. I'll only write more if you ask for it~