Chapter 2: Stray Thoughts & Sad Eyes

[Winry]

It's been two months since Ed and Al left. I've tried to ignore it, but the ache in my chest is almost too much. I can't stand the thought of losing Ed again. I can't lose him again. I just can't…I'd rather die.

"Winry? Oi, Winry! Doshta?" Obaa-chan waves a hand in front of my face.

I blink and pull away. "Huh? What?"

She sighs. "You were spacing out again. What's with you nowadays?"

I quickly look away as my face gets hot. "N-nandemonai, Obaa-chan. I've just had a lot on my mind."

"You're thinking about them again, aren't you?"

"So what if I am?"

Another sigh. "Winry, I've told you that worrying—"

"Will get me nowhere." I finish. "I know."

She sits next to me. "You've been acting strange lately. What is it? You're spacing out and you always look so sad."

I look at her for a brief second. I want to tell her. I want to tell her so bad but I can't. Why? Because it's stupid, that's why. I feel like such a fool for feeling this way.

"Winry?"

"H-hai?"

She frowns. "He'll be back. He always comes back."

I bite my lip and nod. She walks out and I cover my face with my hands. The uninvited tears fall. Crying is weakness. Stop it! How many times have you cried in front of him? Stop it! No matter how I scold myself, it just doesn't work. Maybe I need to cry then…So I let myself cry. I don't even hear the door open.

"W-Winry?" That's Al's voice!

I don't look up. I don't speak. I just sit and cry.

Al sits next to me. He puts my head on his shoulder and hugs me. I clutch his shirt and cry some more. He doesn't need to ask. He knows why. I'm sure he misses Ed too, but he doesn't quite show it like I do.

"You're thinking about Nii-san again." Al says.

I nod.

"He should be back soon. He went on an assignment by himself."

"Doko?"

"I don't know. He didn't say."

The tears stop. But I don't let go of Al's shirt. "Ne, Al, do…do you think I'm foolish for acting like this?"

"No. It means that you really care for him."

"B-but so do you."

"Yes, but in a different way."

We sit there for a few minutes in silence.

"Arigato, Al." I say finally.

"For what?" he asks.

"For being here."

He smiles. "Anytime, Winry. Anytime."

I smile, wipe my face, and sit up. Al looks at me and grins again. He looks so much like Ed it's scary. The only differences are the hair, face shape, voice, and eyes (personalities are a given). I smile a little at the thought.

I stand. "So, how'd you like to have a home-cooked meal?"

His face lights up. "Just like old times?"

I nod. "Just like old times."

He wraps his arms around my neck. "Arigato, Winry! Hontoni arigato!"

I laugh and pat his back. "Oi oi, there's no need for that."

He lets go. "But you don't understand! I haven't had a home-cooked meal in a long time."

I ruffle his hair. "Then I better get cooking!"