I stood motionless in the shower, letting the seemingly endless water hit me like warm rain. I felt helpless, I couldn't help Ed. Sure, I was pissed, but I still wanted to help him. A knock at the door brought me back to reality. Granny and Al had gone shopping, and unless Den had learned to knock…
"Win? You've been in there a while. Are you okay?" Ed could be a sensitive, caring guy. Sometimes.
"Yeah, just drifted off."
"In the shower? You are now the only person I know who can do that." Ed laughed. I didn't have to see him to know he was wearing a goofy grin.
"Oh shut up!" I yelled, turning off the water and grabbing a towel..
"Thanks, Win."
For what, turning off the water?
"What for?"
"For earlier."
Oh. That.
"I know you don't feel like you helped, but you did."
I heard the floor creak as Ed walked away. That night, big surprise, I couldn't sleep. I headed downstairs, heated up some leftovers and grabbed a book I knew I'd read before. I was about two chapters into the book when Al rushed downstairs.
"Winry! I-it's Ed, he's having a really, really bad dream. He's hyperventilating! Granny and I can't wake him up, either!"
I set the book and plate down and ran back upstairs with Al. Zed lay in his bed sweating and crying. I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen him cry.
"No, no stop!"
AL looked at me with eyes filled with concern.
"He's been calling your name, too."
I sat on Ed's bed and put my hand on his face.
"Ed, please, wake up!"
Edward's eyes shot open and darted around the room. When they rested on me, I could feel myself blush as he threw his arms around me.
"You're okay,"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Ed? I don't think Winry can breathe." Al said.
Edward let go, but wouldn't stop staring at me. Al stood and grabbed his crutch.
"Just take a picture, it lasts longer." AL hobbled out of the room, leaving Ed and I alone.
"What was that for?"
"Bad dream," Ed said grumpily, rolling over.
"Tell me."
"You were dating a total douche. He hurt you in more ways than one."(A/N: this was sort of a predecessor to Hurt and Compassion…)
"I've known you longer than I can remember, probably longer than you can, too."
"Yeah? So? Just cut to the chase." Edward said bitterly.
I sighed.
"Ed," I said slowly, "I'm not going to date any guy-"
"Well isn't that good to know?"
"Damn it Ed, let me finish! I was going to say that I wasn't going to date any guy that wasn't you. But you're obviously too occupied with your damn sarcastic remarks to give a shit!"
Edward stared at me, dumbfounded.
"Winry, I-"
"Forget it, Ed." I stormed out of Ed's room, leaving him alone.
The next morning to my dismay, Edward was already up.
"Morning."
I ignored him.
"Winry, I-"
"Screw you, Ed." I said, pushing past him.
Edward turned on me, grabbing my shoulders.
"Please, just listen. I'm sorry about last night, okay? I thought you were gonna talk about some guy, so I got pissed."
Ed Elric, jealous?
"Truth is," Edward sighed, "I love you, Win. That's why I asked you for advice yesterday. I was a total jerk and screwed everything up."
Ed trudged up the stairs to his room, shutting his door quietly behind him.
Sure, make me seem like a bitch….