Do you know that I can't write FMA fanfictions while the show is on TV? I feel like I'm contradicting it all. But, it is fanfiction so I do have some creative rights I guess…well, I have no rights because this is a fanfiction and I don't own any of it...hehehe!

Haha- for the very few people who took out the time, taybabyflower, S J Smith, Syolen, LittleChemist, KingdomHikari, Kuroxdoragon, and Loyal Subject thank you for your wonderful reviews!

No beta this time (Didn't feel like sending it over because I am a horrible person) so there may be many typing errors.

Beautiful World

Chapter Two: Fleeting Days That Pass Us By

If one of my wishes were to come true

"Guys!" Winry banged noisily on the Elric brother's bedroom door. "GET UP!" She shouted even louder, forgetting her manners and barging in.

They must have been tired, she mused at the pathetic sleeping states she found them in. Edward, asleep on his stomach with his rear-end raised quite high in the air. While Alphonse on the other hand was hanging nearly off the bed, bringing the sheets down with him.

Moving in between the two, she yanked the sheets off both of the beds, causing Alphonse to fall to the floor and Edward turn over on his side, facing her. She scowled deeper for there was no reaction.

And so she let the anger simmer for a mintue or two...

Finally Edward stirred and growled in his sleep, immediately knowing the cause of the interruption. He cracked open an eye and saw the scowling face of Winry, lucky no wrench in hand.

"Get up." She ordered.

"Bitch." He cursed, turning away from her face. "I want to sleep more."

She really wasn't in the mood to deal with his pissy attitude. So…she pushed him right off the bed, the loud crash finally awaking Alphonse who had up until now been asleep on the floor. His own fall not being enough to wake him.

"MORNING!" He shouted, sitting up. He looked around at his surroundings and saw the bedroom, and then Winry, and then the feet of his older brother.

"BITCH!" Edward cursed her again, magically rising to his feet in one quick motion. Winry put her hands on his hips, leaning forward and inching closer to his face. "Why did you do that?" He shouted, being careful not to spit on …his morning breath was probably a killer for her already.

"I only came as a warning!" She shouted back, her breath giving off the slight smell of maple syrup and chocolate. "I first came up here all calm to tell you breakfast was ready but you WOULD NOT WAKE!" She stomped her foot and Edward cocked an eyebrow, finding it slightly funny.

"Cause I'm trained to ignore you." He gave her a sweet smile, and evilly sweet smile.

"Ass!" She shouted, pushing his shoulders causing him to lose his balance slightly. Edward shrugged as he crawled back into his bed, getting ready for another few hours of sleep; unfortunately Winry's suddenly growing evil grin went unnoticed by him.

Alphonse all the while sat on the floor, watching the familiar scene unfold in front of him. The perfect normality of it all was on his mind happily. It was just like Edward had requested…life as if it never changed.

"Now, leave so I can sleep more." He said as he pulled the covers back over him, snuggling back into the bed.

"Well, fine then." She faked her own surrender as her wicked smile was still ever-present. "I just thought I should tell you that I came here out of the goodness of my heart…considering there's only enough juice for one person. Other then that the only thing left is milk." She sighed and pouted her lip sadly.

And out of the bed he flew, racing down the stairs faster then any moving object ever seen by man or beast.

Barely seconds passed and…

"BITCH! THERE'S A WHOLE CARTON OF JUICE HERE!" Edward shouted.

"I knew that would do it!" Winry laughed.

"He could have had water." Alphonse sighed.

Winry turned to the younger Elric brother, "Morning Al." She greeted, the delight of the good day moving her out of her bad mood. "Are you ready for breakfast?" She held out her hand and helped the boy up off of the floor.

"Yes, I'm very hungry actually…" He sighed, the thought of how much his brother had already gotten his hands on frightening him. He hoped Winry wouldn't have to remake the entire breakfast from scratch.

They walked down the steps toward the kitchen talking of small things until the came up on the room itself and Edward sitting at the table, a newspaper open and a reasonable amount of food on his plate.

The two stood in the doorway dumbstruck.

Edward, feeling the stares on him, placed the paper down and glared questionably at the two. "What?" He asked for he did not find any reason for them to give him that certain look.

"You…" They both pointed, the scene awkwardly unsettlingly. He was supposed to be normal right? Why did he look so…grown-up?

Maybe because he is a grown-up…Winry thought with a small smile. It wasn't that strange now that she thought it over. She moved out of her stupor and fetched a plate for Alphonse, setting his place and giving him a nice helping of eggs, bacon, and toast. If he wanted the pancakes she had also prepared he could fetch them himself for plate rested right in front of him.

"Here you go." She said happily, pulling out his chair. Alphonse nodded slowly and took his seat, taking small bites. His eyes never left his brother. He needed to crack this mystery that was Edward Elric.

But then the answer came just as quickly as the question. It was obvious wasn't it?

It wasn't an act more so a choice to be the man of the house, to take care of everyone, himself included.

Alphonse smiled as his bite size increased. "It's good Winry." He told her sweetly. Winry smiled in return and nodded in thanks as she turned to the sink to begin the few pans she had used in her cooking. It only took a few moments to clean up and when she had finished she turned back to the brothers, just a small smile gracing her face.

"I'll be outside with Den." She told them, drying off her hands. Alphonse nodded while Edward waited patiently for her to finish her thought, "If you want me to take care of your dishes come and get me, okay?"

She patted her legs softly as the old dog got up off the kitchen floor slowly and followed her outside.

"You did eat Winry?" Edward asked the second before she was out the door. She stopped and smiled though it was unseen.

"Yes, thank you for asking Edward."

Edward didn't reply, hoping his thought reached her anyway. She finally left the room, the morning air welcoming her to the new day.

A quiet moment passed between the two brothers...

"Well…" Alphonse started, his brother looked over at him and frowned deeply.

"Well what?" He questioned in return. Alphonse was a smart young man; whatever thoughts were cooking up in his head Edward wasn't sure if he should have feared it or be grateful.

"Seeing you not eating all of the food this morning was a bit of a shock…" He took his last bite of egg and pushed the plate to the side, his elbows coming to rest on the table, his hands crossing in front of his mouth. His right eyebrow cocked slightly, showing his expression of doubt.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He slammed the paper down, his normal persona returning to Alphonse's amusement.

"It means I came down from bed after you had a huge fight with Winry, you call her a bitch for tricking you and then you magically become all mature. What's the deal brother?" Even though Alphonse already knew the answer…he would much rather hear it straight from his brother's mouth.

"No deal." Edward sighed, his bites of breakfast increasingly becoming larger and larger.

"Right…" Alphonse sighed. As much as Edward relied on him, sometimes it seemed he just needed to sort it out with himself. Maybe he really wasn't sure why he had thought he needed to be the adult, why he thought it was time to grow-up.

"I don't know what you're talking about Al." Edward sighed but the fluster in his voice was obvious by the look on his face as he rose from the table to throw his plate into the sink. "What am I supposed to do now?" he whispered to himself but his brother heard him anyway.

"Actually, could you walk into town and pick up a few things?" Alphonse asked as he appeared next to his brother with his plate in his hand, ready to wash both dishes.

"How do you know we need anything?" Edward asked, moving back to the kitchen table. He pushed the chairs in as a means of something to do. It seemed wrong for him to just stand around and do nothing at all.

"Winry told me before when we came down here." He said simply. There was really no more to it then that. "Just some errands and such. Winry knows…" he started, a sneer finding its way to his face. "You should both go. It would be a nice walk."

"A walk?" Edward questioned like he had never heard of such a thing before.

"Yes brother, a walk." He laughed, turning towards him. Edward nodded slowly, considering it. It would give him and Winry a good chance to talk…something he felt like they haven't really done in such a long time.

"Yeah, and plus she knows what to get and all." He finished as his excuse.

"Right, that's what I said." Alphonse noted, turning back to the dishes to conclude his chore.

"Yeah…" Edward trailed off, finding the conversation a little nerve-wracking. He wanted to be alone with Winry but he didn't want his brother to know about it even though he probably did and knowing Alphonse…he probably did. Edward left the kitchen from the backdoor and looked around the yard for her...for Winry.

There she was…

She sat under a tree for shade as Den laid her head in her lap. Winry petted the old dog softly…the gentle breeze blowing through her let down hair.

"Winry." Edward called, walking towards her. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Are you ready for me to wash the dishes?" She asked, ready to lift Den's head from her lap. Edward stopped her though, grabbing her hands. Winry looked up at him, a bright pink blush tinted her cheeks at his touch.

"No," he said slowly, letting go. Winry didn't move after that, her curiosity getting the best of her. "Would you like to walk into town with me? Al said that you needed to run some errands and I thought we could…" He stopped, hoping to not fumble his words. "We could go together?" He hoped that his voice didn't squeak from nervousness on that last word.

Winry smiled up at him, giving him a little more hope then he had when he had first gotten to her. "Of course." She said brightly, "Let's go inside Den." She told the dog, making Den rise to his feet slowly.

"Are we going now?" She asked, putting her hand on Den's head.

"Yeah, I guess…" He trailed off, willing to go whenever she wished to.

"Okay, let me grab my purse and I'll be right out." She spun around lightly as the old dog caught on to her excitement, his tail wagging happily behind him. He followed his owner inside without hesitation.

As Edward waited, stood out in the back of the house, looking out over the familiar scene of his home. The small pond that rested nearby seemed to be bright with colors from the reflection of the sun, even though as he looked at it the light looked so bright it was white. Then his eyes travelled to the vast, rolling green hills that seemed to go on forever and ever. And now, despite the fact he knew of the places that lay beyond those hills, ther was nothing better then this, right now. He smiled, seeing magnificence in the old town that he had never noticed when he was younger.

"Ed?" Winry called lightly, tapping his shoulder and waking him from his thoughts. He faced her and gave her an unusal bright smile. She didn't mind it at all though, didn't even think to question it.

"You ready to go?" He asked her with an offer of his hand. She took it gladly and nodded.

"Let's go." She cheered, pulling him around the house towards the road.

"Winry, why the hell are you pulling me?" He asked with a smile, though he didn't find anything wrong with the forcefullness, just wondering.

"I don't know!" She answered back, slowing her pace and walking side by side with him. They walked down the old dirt road that lead to the main part of town for a while, enjoying one another's company and giving their greetings to old neighbors and friends from long ago.

Much to Edward's pleasure, no one had yet insulted him about his short stature...

"Everyone looks so grown up and we haven't even seen half of our old friends yet." Winry exclaimed, letting Edward's hand free so she could show her enthusiasm properly, arms in the air and all. "I feel like I haven't even really blossomed yet, you know?"

"No, I really don't…" He spoke softly, hoping to not anger her in his stupidity.

She looked at him a moment then nodded, "You wouldn't." She agreed. "It's more of a girl thing I suppose. I mean, you came into yourself a long while back…it's hard not to imagine you not looking…" Her eyes widened with realization and she trailed off, finding the words she wanted to speak to him a little more embarrassing then she would have liked.

"Not looking like what?" He asked, his voice light with false innocence. Though it was wholly true he really had no idea how Winry's mind worked. No clue what she thought, and lastly what she felt.

She laughed drying, looking up at the pale blue sky. "It's nothing…I was really just talking to myself more then anything."

Edward nodded, though he hardly believed her. But, thought it was best not to press the subject any longer. He knew Winry's feelings were easily hurt and he hated when he was the cause of her pain…when he made her cry.

"So…" Winry started, her eyes giving Edward a quick glance.

"So what?" He questioned in return, his eyes focusing only on the road ahead of him.

"Okay," She sighed, walking up ahead of him and turning around. She walked backwards slowly as a means to better face him. He blushed slightly and she gave him a doubtful smile. "When are you and Al going back to Central?"

"Wha?"

"Well, I know you guys can't stay here with me for very long, you never do." She paused for a moment, stopped walking only to start speaking again, "So I would just like to know in advance...so I can prepare myself for it…" She sighed, and Edward stopped, confused. "I hate when you leave...but you are adults and I can't stop you."

He looked her up and down, like he didn't believe she could be asking this question.

"Do you think I'm still with the military?" he asked, his voice more surprised then anything else.

"No, I know you've been relived of your duties Ed..." She looked away from his golden eyes, the warm gold seemed to freeze over into a fierce amber, it was hard to look at directly.

"You asked me for my help, didn't you? And here I am! Damn it Winry…" he trailed off, sighing in exasperation. "I've put us both through hell, I've come home like I promised, the moment I ate your pie...so that's it…" He couldn't find anything else to say anymore.

"I see…" Winry replied softly, trying her hardest to hide her sudden smile. Edward was so serious and she felt bad for finding happiness in his words… "Can I be happy with that answer?" She asked, looking back at him. Her sudden stare flustered him.

"I want you to be happy with that answer." Though the sentiments of his words were sweet his tone of voice gave off his annoyance with her. It was perfectly Edward in every way possible.

"So now let's get off this subject! We're getting into town…" She ran up ahead, a carefree innocence filling the angst that had been holding her previously.

Edward wasn't leaving her this time…

"Winry!" A female voice called, waving her over. Edward's attention perked as Winry's direction swerved to the left rather then staying straight on the road towards the general store.

"Erin?" Winry asked, questioning the woman's presence in front of her. Erin nodded, a grin plastered on her face. Winry took the girl in a quick hug and pulled away just as fast, looking Erin up and down.

"You've grown up." Winry said, faking an envious tone.

"So have you!" Erin commented back.

By the time Edward had reached the two chatting girls, he was already lost by their conversation.

"So what brings you to the dress shop?" Winry asked, looking up at the old building. Edward looked around to, though he only noticed the discount sign in the window, which he was slightly thankful for in the case Winry got a feminine urge to buy a new dress or something along those lines, something he knew she'd make him buy for her.

"Wedding dress shopping…" Erin said happily. She held out her hand for Winry to see the ring her fiancé had given her. Winry's mouth gaped open, a pure, joyful look filling her eyes.

"Who?" She asked, dropping her hand to place her own hands on her hips. She couldn't believe Erin was getting married, thinking back to their days in school, she was always so shy back when they were younger...

But maybe it wasn't so much shock, more so she was jealous she was getting married before her.

"Remember Anthony Williams?" Erin asked, a gleeful feeling in her voice.

"Are you kidding?" Winry exclaimed. "He was so mean to all the girls in class! How did that happen?" She questioned and at the same time peered over her shoulder at Edward who stood by in silence like the gentleman he was…or just the man without a thing to say.

"He's changed so much over the years." She told her softly, picturing him in her mind. "He's so kind and very gentle…" She trailed off and she leaned forward, a weird glint in her eye. "And he's an animal in bed!" She whispered darkly.

"Oh my god…" Winry's eyes widened and she knew that Edward had picked up on that last little detail. She feared to see his reaction to it.

"Have any other of our old classmates have gotten married?" Resembool was a small town and mostly the people who lived there stayed there for life. People married young and they stayed married. The town was almost surreal compared to the rest of Amsteris.

"So many now that I think about it. Nellie and Jacob, Laura and Bobby, and Anna and Theo just had a baby…." She laughed, realizing how many weddings she had been to in the last couple of years. "Now we're waiting for you and Edward!" She exclaimed, her hands clasping together in joy.

Edward turned sharply towards the young woman, speechless. Usually he was able to spit out denials for his feelings almost as fast as Riza Hawkeye could shoot a bullet but now it was…nothing.

Winry laughed, not wanting to fight it but knowing she couldn't agree without giving herself away. She looked over at Edward who seemed too lost in his thoughts to even pay attention…

Oh how little she knew…

"Oh Erin, I don't know about that…" Winry laughed, playing along with Erin's hopes for the Elric and Rockbell couple.

"Why not?" Erin pouted slightly, looking over at Edward who was still too far in his stupor to speak. "Whenever you two were brought up in conversation people always wondered if Ed had asked you for your hand…" Erin stopped, rethinking her thoughts. "Though I thought you'd look much better with the little brother, Al."

"WHAT?" Edward finally exploded. Like hell he could stand losing Winry to anyone even if it was his own little brother!

Was that even what they were talking about?

"I'm kidding Ed." Erin laughed, starting to walk into the store. "Well, I've got to get going…if I don't pick out something my mother will make my gown for me and I really don't want that! Take care you two and please invite me to the wedding!" And with that she disappeared into the shop, leaving the Elric and Rockbell couple all alone.

"Well…" Winry trailed off. "That was interesting." She nodded her head, turning back towards the street, heading towards the general store.

"Interesting?" Edward asked. More like nerve-wracking…he thought bitterly. He would ask Winry to marry him on his own time, no one else's.

He stopped for a moment, wondering where on earth that thought had come from. "What time is it?" He suddenly found himself asking, looking for anyone, anything to change the subject from what it currently was.

Winry shrugged, "Dunno," Winry said briskly, "I'm not the one who carries a pocket watch…" She pointed to the gold chain of the watch Edward kept in his pocket. He reached in a pulled it out, remembering the agony he had felt when he needed to get a new one after handing in his old one.

He flipped open the top and stared blankly at the clock, "Nearly four hours has gone by since we left the house…" He trailed off, not believing the time the clock presented to him.

"Really? So it's noon?" She asked, kicking up dust from the old dirt road.

"Yeah." He nodded, still not believing how much time had gone by, could the walk really have been that long...no way. "This thing must be broken, this day can't go by that fast…" He said softly, looking up and shading his eyes from the sun right above him.

"Maybe it will pass us right by Ed…" Winry mused, a whimsical smile on her face. Edward didn't catch her meaning, but could see a certain something shimmer in her eyes. She looked away from the main road, then glanced back at him quickly.

"Do you wanna see my hiding spot?" She took his hand and pulled him down another road through town but Edward pulled back his hand, confused.

"Hiding spot? Winry, what about the errands?" He asked, looked up towards the center of town. Normally he was all for skipping work but wasn't he supposed to be the adult now?

"We can do them later…" Winry said softly, her blue-gray eyes nearly begging for Edward to follow her. It was the look on her face that made him follow her…

Or maybe it was that she was Winry and he was Edward and that was a reason good enough in itself…