Note: Ed and Al are way OOC in this chapter for a bit…you'll see what I mean. Please don't hate me! Laugh instead! It's hilarious! And as stated in the last chapter, I realize that Amestris probably does not have the same new year date as the United States does, however, just use your imagination. Also, Risemboul does not have a radio station. I just needed somewhere for the music to come from, and yes they do have radios. Remember Cornello? And they didn't have smurfs either.
Disclaimer: I do not own FMA, or its characters, or it's ideas, or its places, or anything of that nature at all. The only things I own in this story are the plot and Winry's friend Lil. The character Jess belongs to me on weekdays, as does her restraining order against energy drinks. Maybe I'll write that in somewhere…(trust, me, it's scary). Everything else belongs to Hiromu Arakawa, Tokyopop, Square Enix…you know the rest cuz I'm too lazy to write out the entire credit line…I also don't own the smurf.
Muse: Diamond
Holiday
By Midnight-Wolf-314
Chapter 2: New Years Eve
"Hey Al, You ready yet?"
"Hold on, brother!"
"Hurry up!"
"Maybe I could if you'd leave me alone and stop asking if I'm ready when I'm obviously not!"
"Whatcha getting so dressed up for anyway, Al? You have a girl to impress or something?"
"Stop asking questions!"
"So you do have a girlfriend…and we've only been back for seven days…who knew my brother, poor shy little Alphonse, could be a player?"
At that moment, I opened up the door just long enough to through a shoe at my wonderful brother's head.
"What was that for?!"
"For being an idiot!"
I heard Ed stomp off, back to his room, probably, to sulk. He'd be back, though. Just give him about 2 minutes…
Ed's just impatient. Tonight is New Year's Eve. Winry's throwing a small party for the event, nothing special, but I, unlike Ed, actually take a little pride in my appearance.
So maybe I do have an itsy bitsy crush on one of the girls showing up. But no way is Ed going to find that out. I'd never hear the end of it! I'm not a player…it's just one girl. Ed would think she was pretty too, once he saw her. That is…if he'd stop staring at Winry long enough.
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What is Al's problem?! It's not like it's a formal party. Besides, it's only Winry, her couple friends, and us. You'd think he really did have a gir-…
Wait a minute! I bet he does! And he's not telling me! His own brother! Not like he'd have any problem getting 200 girls, one shouldn't be a surprise…He's just as famous as I was at 16, which was pretty famous (not like I'm bragging or anything…).
And he doesn't even have the decency to tell me! I feel insulted! I should do something about it!
"Oh, Alphonse…"
"Brother, the sooner you stop asking, the sooner I'll be ready!"
"Come on, Al, I know you have a girlfriend! Just tell me who it is!"
Pause. I can practically see the blush on his face, even if we are separated by his bedroom door.
"Oh please. You should really stop trying to butt into my love life and start worrying about yours!"
Mine? What love life do I have? Unless he means…but he couldn't know that, right?
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!?"
"Don't even try to hide it. It's blatantly obvious to anyone who comes within 2 miles of you that you and Winry have something going on…"
"WE DO NOT!!!"
"Oh, sure. I see the way you look at her, Ed. You love her. That's all there is to it."
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There! Finally, the last balloon is up! And I have absolutely no breath left! No thanks to my two slaves, er, I mean helpers… you'd think I could get those two idiots upstairs to do something to help out, but nooooooo, they're too busy getting ready! What are they? Girls? I guess I'll just have to teach them a lesson later.
Seriously! People think girls are bad when it comes to getting ready! Those two have been up there for hours! What could they possibly be doing!?
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Ed and I have been up in my room for at least three hours. Who would have thought that Edward Elric, the greatest state alchemist who ever lived and his brother, would be holed up in the guest room of Winry Rockbell's home acting like a couple of idiot, boy-crazy girls? (Flipped around, of course). Well, not us, and deffinatly not anyone else. Yet here we were, doing just that.
We'd been up here for ages! And what were we talking about? Girls. It was a strange kind of game. Not something you're likely see boys doing, that's for sure. It started out with just admitting whom we liked. Then got to a complicated question and answer game. It started simply enough. Ed just asked me a question.
"So, where did you meet her?"
I answered, and then asked Ed a question. Theory was, that if Ed could answer the same question, he was supposed to. But since I already knew where he met Winry, then I got to choose a different question. Such as, "When did you realize you were in love with her?"
After we ran out of simple questions, they started getting a bit more personal and sappy. The first one to refuse to answer a question had to do any chores the other was responsible for, including anything Winry spontaneously asked one to do.
Sad, right?
Well, no one was ever going to find out about this. NO ONE! We're just two hopelessly lovesick guys acting like idiots. Or girls. Or both, however you wanted to put it.
They say love makes you crazy.
I think they might be right.
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Finally, that stupid game is over! The things I do to pry into my brother's love life!
But I won! Well, barely, but I won! Edward Elric triumphs over Alphonse yet again! (Actually, wouldn't this be the first time? Or close to that. Never was too good at beating him, mentally or physically… but no one's supposed to know that!)
Poor Al just wouldn't tell me her name! Wait a minute…why didn't I ask that earlier? We could have spared a few hours! Dangit! Oh well.
Okay, so I love Winry. Bet no one ever thought they'd actually hear me admit it, ever. How long? Who knows? Sometime over the years I suppose. It could have been seven days ago, or two years. Maybe ten or fifteen even. Heck, maybe I've always loved her. Some time, somewhere, it just slapped me in the face. Okay, so that part was the seven days ago bit, but as for how long I've actually been in love with her, even when I didn't know it, could have been forever. Does it really matter how long?
I love Winry Rockbell, the greatest automail mechanic in the world! See, I can admit it. And that's all there is to say.
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Wow. Putting up decorations is boring when you don't have any help. Already, the girls are coming in. Nelly, Lil, and Jess showed up about five minutes ago at the same time. We'd be ready to start the party if it weren't for the two idiots upstairs.
The girls make themselves right at home, plopping down on the sofas as I move toward the stairs to call the boys. I haven't taken two steps when Jess grabs my hand and pulls me into a nearby chair.
"So, Ed's back, huh?"
I think I know where this is going, but I decide to play along.
"Both Ed and Al."
"You must be overjoyed that Edward finally showed back up after all these years."
"I am…"
"And I bet he was happy to see you as well."
"That I wouldn't know." I decide to get straight to the point and just ask. "Do you have some strange obsession with Edward and me, Jess?"
"Yes. Now tell me, when he saw you did he immediately kiss you or did he wait a little while for it to sink in?"
"What?!"
"Or did you kiss him? Details, girl, you can't just kiss the guy you're madly in love with and not tell your best friend what happened!"
I sigh, trying to act nonchalant, though my face is probably about the same color as Ed's old jacket right now. "And I would tell you. That is, assuming I was madly in love with anyone, or I had kissed someone, or Edward, as you so blatantly put it, but I'm not and I didn't."
"Oh, come on, Winry! It's not that difficult to see the way you look at him!"
"How would you know how I look at him? He hasn't been here in four years! Or maybe you didn't notice!"
"I mean the way you used to look at him. Back when he was here. Everyone could see it! The way you'd wait around endlessly for him, all sad and depressed when he wasn't here, and then as soon as the red coat came over the hilltops your eyes would light up and you'd bounce around until he left again. It's like someone would just flip a switch whenever Ed showed up. Maybe it was how you'd always have automail ready for him, and every time the styles changed or something about its weight or strength could be improved, you'd tear it apart and remake it. Maybe it was how you'd lock yourself up in your room and cry for days when he left again, or worried about him endlessly. Or how you couldn't hold a conversation with anyone without bringing him up. You're obsessed, sweetie. There's no point in denying it."
"First off, I never did any of those things," I lie through my teeth, "and second, even if I had, that was years ago. How do you know I didn't give up on him when he was gone?"
Jess rolled her eyes. I see the thought in the back of her mind—"how dumb could you be?" but I'm not about to just admit that she's right. Never. She sighs. "First off, yes you did. You can stop lying to yourself and to us. Second, haven't you ever heard the saying 'true love never dies'?"
"Who said this was true love?"
"It's obvious. Please stop digging yourself into corners. It's pathetic, really."
I just stare at them.
"Let me get this straight—you think I'm in love with Ed?"
"Well, you are, aren't you?"
I laugh a little. Enough lying. Not like they don't already know anyway. "Yeah, I guess I do."
"Ha! I knew it!" Jess let out a huge grin while Nelly and Lil, in the background, start laughing, swooning, making kissing noises, and just all around being immature. But, I'm not about to admit that they don't have a right to do it. Plus, it's good for a laugh or two.
"But…" I say dramatically, "He doesn't love me."
"Oh yes he does!"
"Jess, he just up and left without even telling me! He didn't come back for four years! And he still wouldn't have if he hadn't gotten his arm blown up! And then, just as soon as we he starts actually talking to me again, calling, writing letters, that kinda thing, he runs off and gets himself sucked into another world! Then, he shows up another four years later, finally ready to stay, or at least I think he is, he still won't tell me anything! Not about his enemies or about working for the military or about the places he saw, or even about the other world! Now, if that holds any evidence of him even thinking of me as a friend, let alone as someone he loves, then my name is not Winry Rockbell!" I pause for a moment and take in their shocked faces. "Any questions?"
"One…" Jess spoke up again.
I'm quickly getting tired of this little 'game'. I sigh. "Yes?"
"If your name isn't Winry, then what is it?"
I groan. I don't need more sarcasm, or smart remarks. "I don't know…Crystal or something. Just pick one. Does it really matter?"
"Why hello Crystal, do you happen to know where Winry went to we can answer her questions?"
Oh, I really don't need this before a party. Things have been bad enough today. "So you're telling me that he does love me and it has been displayed at least once in the above stated evidence that he does not love me."
"Yup."
"How?"
"Well, obviously he doesn't want to trouble you. I mean, just look at the evidence. Suppose all these enemies of his really were all that dangerous, which they probably were for his arm to wind up like that so many times. What would happen if they were tracking him? What if this dangerous arch nemesis were to show up in Risemboul when he's not here? No one in this town can fight. We're just a bunch of farmers. What if they found out that if they can kill this Winry Rockbell and destroy this town, then Edward Elric's life would no longer mean anything to him? Or worse, what if they kidnapped you? Ed would never forgive himself were something to happen to you because of his stupidity. And so, you became the loathsome mechanic to him. The one person he detested so much he couldn't even look at her. And he never told you. One slip up could give it away.
"Or, maybe he didn't want you to see what he was seeing. You may be strong, and you may be tough, but if you get upset when you see his arm, imagine how you would react were you to see his real body as torn up as that automail was. Maybe he just doesn't think you should have to imagine all the fighting and the pain if you don't have to. Maybe he doesn't want you to know death the way he does. I don't know what it looks like either. Maybe it's just too horrible to discuss. Or maybe he thinks you'd hate him if you ever found out he'd killed someone. Or maybe he blames himself for all those deaths. What if someone innocent died, like a young girl or a sweet elderly woman and he believed it to be his fault? Maybe he doesn't want you to think of him like that. Or maybe he just-"
"Alright already!" I cut her off. I hadn't thought about those things. But that couldn't really be the case, now could it? I almost feel like crying. I know that if Ed ever said that stuff to me, I would be in tears and hysterics halfway through the rant. But he'd never say anything like that to me, of all people. "I get the idea. But I also think your imagination is running a bit on that one. No one in this room has any evidence for most of what you just said. It's all made up, for all I know. The only 'maybe' you could take out of the small bit of evidence we all have is 'maybe Ed really does hate me'."
"Fine. You want evidence I can prove? How about the way he looks at you? The way he's always staring at you when you're not looking. Just watch him tonight. You'll see what I mean. And, I bet, you can even get him to blush if you ask him to dance!" Jess winks at me and I know that's as good of a truce as I'll get out of her tonight. "Argument over." I state. "We'll just have to see tonight. And now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go find out what in the world is taking the topic of our conversation and his brother so freakin long to get ready!"
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"Alphonse, are you ready yet?! I realize you have to impress what's-her-name, but it doesn't take this long!"
"Ed, just shut up, okay? I'm almost ready. If you're in such a rush to see your darling Winry then go down by yourself!"
I huff. I do not want to see Winry that bad. Really. I search my mind for some amazing comeback, but find nothing. So maybe I do want to see Winry. Yeah because I like her, but more so because the longer I wait the more likely I am to be hit with a wrench upon entrance. "Fine! I think I will."
I stomp away from the door to emphasize my point. As I reach the head of the stairs, I hear strange noises…like someone making fake kissing sounds or something. Then someone else starts laughing…maybe they're in the middle of something…I should just go back and wait for Al…but curiosity gets the better of me, as always.
I take a couple steps down the stairs, quietly so no one hears. I find I can be quite good at sneaking now, even with a metal foot. I hear Winry sigh.
"But…He doesn't love me."
That was Winry. Who doesn't love her? What are they talking about?
"He just up and left without even telling me! He didn't come back for four years! And he still wouldn't have if he hadn't gotten his arm blown up! And then, just as soon as we he starts actually talking to me again, calling, writing letters, that kinda thing, he runs off and gets himself sucked into another world!"
Who? Just tell me who! Let's see…four years, arm blown up, other world…sounds like Al and me. But she doesn't love me…it must be some other person.
"Now, if that holds any evidence of him even thinking of me as a friend, let alone as someone he loves, then my name is not Winry Rockbell!"
She thinks the person doesn't love her? What idiot wouldn't be in love with Winry? She's beautiful! No guy in his right mind would turn her down for anything! Wait a minute! That means she does love somebody else! And that jerk would actually have the audacity to love her back! Whoever he is, he's gonna die!
I start listening again. The main girl talking…okay, the only girl talking…Jess, right? She's pretty good. Are we sure she isn't a boy in disguise? She has a pretty good idea of what goes on in a guy's head…she's right on the mark with what I did…she's smart.
"Alright already! I get the idea. But I also think your imagination is running a bit on that one. No one in this room has any evidence for most of what you just said. It's all made up, for all I know. The only 'maybe' you could take out of the small bit of evidence we all have is 'maybe Ed really does hate me'."
She thinks I hate her? I think I should scream! I should run down there and knock some common sense into her! I should just go kiss her senseless and tell her exactly what Jess just said! I should run back up to the room before she finds out I just heard that!
"I think I'll go find out what in the world is taking the topic of our conversation and his brother so freakin long to get ready!"
Uh oh. No time for that. Just act natural, Edward…Act like you just started coming down the stairs…I stomp on the same step a couple times to allot for the other stairs I'd already come down, and then begin the rest just as she comes around the corner.
"Ed?" I look down, trying to act confused.
"Yes, Winry?"
She eyes me suspiciously. "How much of our conversation did you just hear?"
"What conversation?"
She pulls out the wrench. "Really?"
I gulp. If she ever finds out about this…but I hold back a meeping sound long enough to answer. "I didn't hear anything, Winry. Was there something I should have?"
She turns beet red and I hold back a laugh. "Not at all. What took you so long?"
"I've been upstairs waiting on Alphonse to get himself out of his room before I have to drag him down here by force. It seems my sweet little brother has a certain girl here whom he's trying to impress. He wants to look nice. But I say he's overdoing it. He won't come out."
"So you're telling me that you've been sitting outside of Al's bedroom door for five hours waiting for him to get ready?"
"That about sums it up, yeah."
"And you took no time at all in getting yourself ready. You just felt that you had to wait for your brother before you could make your own entrance? You don't take any pride in your own appearance?"
"I take pride in my appearance when I need to. You said this was an informal party, so I felt no reason at all to get all dressed up. Were I trying to impress a girl, looks should not matter to her or to me. Not to say I wouldn't take time getting ready for a special occasion, I just felt no need to for this one."
She gets that suspicious gleam in her eyes again. "So were I to go upstairs right now, I would find Alphonse in his room brushing his hair fifty times over and were I to ask him to confirm the story he would say the exact same thing you just did." I briefly catch a glimpse of the wrench behind her back.
"Yes."
"Then would you mind accompanying me to your brother's room?"
I groan. "Whatever."
We walk up the five stairs to the upper floor of the house and Winry knocks on Al's door.
"Edward, I told you to just leave me alone! I'll be ready when I'm ready!"
"Alphonse…" she says. "Winry would like to ask you a few questions. Would you open the door please?" I nearly laugh at the saccharine tone to her voice, just daring him not to follow instructions.
Two seconds later, the door opens. Now why can't I have that effect on him?
"Hello, Winry, sorry I'm taking so long." Alphonse is wearing black dress pants and a dark blue jacket, halfway buttoned, and a green tie draped over his neck. I hope he's in the middle of changing. Even I wouldn't wear that together.
"That's perfectly fine, Al. Can I just ask you a few things?"
"I suppose."
"How long have you been in here changing your tux?"
"About five hours."
"You're not lying to save your brother's neck which will be broken five times if either of you are lying to me about this?"
"Of course not."
"And is there a reason you're wearing a tux to such a small, informal party?"
"Not really."
"Alphonse…" her voice is threatening.
"Okay, so I want someone to like me."
"Someone here?" her eyes light up.
"Yes." Al is blushing.
"Who?"
He glares at me, and then whispers something in her ear. Winry's eyes start sparkling—never a good sign about anything. Ever. "Oh really." I inwardly groan. Someone's gonna get set up tonight. "I'll be happy to help." She smirks. "Edward, you can go downstairs now. You're story appears to be clean. So far…" I gulp. "I just need to speak with Alphonse alone for a moment."
I turn as though I were a wind-up toy and start marching down the stairs.
"Now, Al, first were going to work on your outfit…" I briefly hear her say before she's out of earshot. Then it's replaced by giggling girls. Never a good sign. I gulp for real this time. Please, someone help me…
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I briefly stare at Winry, then turn away. She's currently going through a rampage in my closet, trying to find something decent that will make a certain someone drop dead…I'm almost a little scared for my life right now. I think Winry wants some revenge for something…it seems more like we're torturing the girl rather than impressing her…but, it's trust Winry or go downstairs with a new concussion. I guess we'll just have to tough it out.
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Oh, matchmaking is so much fun! I, Jessica Stout, thought I was lucky to have an hour to help out Winry, yet here, Winry goes up to play around with Al and sends me some new material—namely, the one I was trying to set her up with in the first place! Ah, life is sweet.
Just wait, Edward Elric and Winry Rockbell…you will be together by the end of the night if it's the last thing I do!
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Why, oh why did Winry leave me with this psychopath? One soda. Just one. A little bit of caffeine, and she's gone absolutely mad! Well, I can't wait for Winry to get back down here and start this party! We've only got an hour left till midnight…
I hear her and Alphonse laughing. That's a good sign. It means they're close enough for me to hear which means they're almost down here.
"Alright, everyone, let's get this party started!" Winry calls from the foot of the stairs. I turn around to see her, and there, standing next to her, is Al…I think. He looks nothing like he usually does. He's not overly dressed, but he looks great. The poor girl he likes is going to drop down on her face when she sees him.
I turn around and look at the three girls, trying to tell which one is the lucky girl…or unlucky if Winry's on the job…and call me crazy but I think Jess has a bit of red tinge on her face…maybe it's just the caffeine she had. She doesn't seem like the kind to blush…but maybe she just did.
I'm taken out of my thoughts as the music starts playing, blasting from the small radio in the corner. Since when does Risemboul have a radio station? Shows how long I've been around, doesn't it? Oh well.
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It's about thirty minutes into the party, and it's already almost midnight! I guess we've all been talking for way too long. I finally get to plop down on the couch, as Lil and Nelly have finally decided to take a punch break and stop forcing me to dance. Well, that's probably because of the slow song that just popped on…Ed is sitting next to me. He doesn't look like he really wants to dance. Across the room, I see Al asking Jess to dance. With the makeover I gave the poor boy she better accept, too. She does. I can see Al's giant grin all the way from over here. Jess is right. Matchmaking is fun.
Jess is mouthing at me, something about dancing…she wants me to ask Ed to dance, I know. But I don't feel like it. Maybe I would have two hours ago, but now? Too much has happened this evening. If I even got within three feet of him I'd explode and tell him how I feel. We can't have that at all.
I look over and see Ed staring at Al, looking rather confused. I look at Al too, and I can't make out whatever it is he's mouthing. Obviously, neither can Ed.
"WHAT?" he screams across the room. Al shakes his head. He gives Ed an apologetic look and then screams his answer—
"Just kiss her already, damnit!"
I think the world just stopped. The song ended, Jess looks at him in shock, Ed is gaping, and I gasp in horror. Al never, ever says things like that! Ever! It takes a couple seconds for the first part of his message to lock into my brain. 'Kiss her…' I look at Ed. His face has turned an interesting shade of purple, possibly a combination of blushing and forgetting to breathe. He stands up rather bluntly and walks off towards the kitchen, almost too calmly.
I think about going after him, but I can't. Not after what Alphonse just said. Best to just await his return for now.
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I can't believe Al just said that! Right in front of her! I enter the kitchen, not even noticing Lil and Nelly standing in the corner giggling. They turn their heads toward me.
"Hey, Ed, you okay?" Lil asks.
"Yeah, you look a little pur-, well, you did look purple. Now you look kinda green."
I don't think I can talk right now. I shake my head no.
"Well, what happened?"
"Al…damnit…Winry…kiss…"
"Nelly, I think he means to say that Al watched Winry kiss him."
"No, Lil, he means that he kissed Winry."
"Nelly, I'm telling you, he means…"
"Both of you stop it!" It seems as though I've regained my composure. "Al was trying to mouth something and I couldn't tell what it was, so I told him to just say it and he screamed out across the room 'Just kiss her, damnit!' and as we all know, Al doesn't say things like that, at all, ever, and I was sitting right next to Winry and she started looking at me and then I came in here."
"Ooooooooohhhhh…" they both said in unison.
"Well, you should just kiss her."
"I mean, she's waiting for it and,"
"You're waiting for it and,"
"It's never gonna happen,"
"If you don't just do it."
What are they, twins or something? They sure like finishing each other's sentences…
"I'm not going to kiss her!"
"Why not? It's New Years Eve, right?" Nelly points out.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well, people usually kiss at the stoke of the New Year, right?" Lil answers.
"It's good luck." Nelly replies.
"If you kiss your sweetheart at the stroke of midnight, you'll have a prosperous year together."
"If you don't kiss her tonight, you might end up sucked back into the other world."
Well, at least it started out plausible… "You two are crazy."
They nod eagerly and in unison. "Of course we are!"
"Yeah. You're just now figuring that out?"
I sigh. "Why don't you two just go back into the other room and dance off some of that craziness?"
"Good idea! But it won't help…"
"Do it anyway."
"Okay."
"But maybe you should learn to take your own advice." They both winked at the same time, then strolled casually back into the other room.
I sigh. Could tonight get any weirder? I suppose it could…if I kiss Winry…
The thought just won't go away. Yes, I've wanted to kiss her for a while, but I couldn't just do it, could I?
Well, I guess it's a good enough time to go back as well. I glance at the clock first. Ten minutes. Just ten minutes. Well, we'll come to that when we get there.
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I was laughing on the inside. Truly I was. Poor Ed had no idea how insane the two "twins" could be. No, they weren't really. They weren't even sisters. But they sure acted like it when you got them together. I look at the clock. Just ten minutes. Ten minutes to get Edward to dance. I can so this! Well, I can as soon as he gets his butt out of the kitchen.
Finally, he emerges, shortly after the girls. I stand up. "Edward, I…"
He cuts me off. "Would you like to dance?" Yeah, I see it. The faint outline of a blush is just barely creeping onto his face. Does Ed even know how to dance? Not that it would matter if he didn't, but I really had no idea.
I smile. "Of course. I was just about to ask you the same thing."
"Really? I thought you were going to confront me about what Al said."
"Edward…" I get a sort of motherly tone into my voice. "It's none of my business if you feel like kissing Lil or not…"
He gets a horrified look on his face. "WHAT?!"
"Kidding, Ed. Seriously, you should try to relax a little."
He grins. "I guess I can, huh? It's good to be back."
"You're not very used to this, are you."
"No, I'm not. Too many years of being gone, away from you…not really being able to laugh like I should have." He's gets a distant look in his eyes.
"I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, I felt the same way while you weren't here. It's hard to have fun when your best friends left…"
"Yeah, and that's my fault too."
"Nothing was your fault, Ed. You made some mistakes and you went to correct them. It kept you away for a while, and took many things it shouldn't have from you, but you're back now, and that's all that matters." I smile up at him…up, wow. He really has grown!
"You're right, as usual. But I did miss you. You know that, right? I couldn't help leaving you for so long, but I hated every moment of it."
I felt the tears coming. Just a couple hours earlier, I was having this same conversation with Jess. I thought she was joking…but maybe she was right. I pull him closer to me and rest my head against his chest.
I know his panic level is probably rising. I hate crying in front of him…he just laughs at me, or thinks it's his fault, or both.
"What did I do?" He's looking at me with worried eyes. I don't have to see them to know what he's doing. It's amazing.
"Nothing." I let the tears fall. "It's just good to have you back, that's all."
"Winry? Did you think I didn't miss you?"
"No."
"Yes you did. Admit it."
"Okay, I thought you hated being around me."
"Why?"
"Can you blame me? You just took off! I got one letter from you, and that was it! Four years, Ed! I thought you'd moved on. Or were dead. And then you just showed up one day. Every time after that I saw you coming over the hill I thought you'd come back just to visit, or maybe even to stay, like old times, and yet it was always for business. Then you'd leave again. All the letters and phone calls we got were about automail. That was it! You never told me anything! You never called or came to visit just to see me. I knew you two were busy, but it was like you were avoiding me. Then I saw you in the hospital that one time and I thought 'is this what happens every time?'. I was so worried, and you never said anything! Then you left for good. You just disappeared. When you finally came back, two years later, I was ready for you to stay. Al was back to normal; you could just go back to a normal life. And then, you left again! Roy said you didn't have to! He said you could have stayed but you didn't! You went back there. Now you show up again and ask why I thought you wanted nothing to do with me? I thought you hated me! I thought all you wanted from me was automail! You just wanted an arm and a leg and then you were set to go off on another adventure, leaving the sad little mechanic girl who actually believed that you would come back for real alone for another year! I thought you-"
He put a finger to my lips. "I understand. I'm sorry. For everything. But listen when I say I will never, ever hate you. I couldn't, for any reason, stay angry with you. You're 'Winry Rockbell my best friend', first and foremost. 'Winry Rockbell the best mechanic in the world' just happens to be an added bonus."
I nod. "Now, will you please stop crying? You know I hate it when you cry…"
"If you'll just tell me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Why did you never tell me any of this before?"
"That is something to save for another day."
"Why?"
"Well, you see, the answer is very long. And, if you should happen to look at the clock, you would notice that we only have about thirty seconds before the new year." I smile. I think I just might know where this is going…
His eyes move away from the clock and straight into mine. "Ten…" he whispers.
"Nine" I smile at him.
We continue to count down. With each number, our voices grow softer, and we move closer together.
"Three…"
"Two…"
"One…" his face is only an inch away from mine. "Happy New Year" he whispers and starts to close the gap. My heart quickens. I might actually kiss Ed! And then…
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Lil screams out as the clock strikes twelve.
I feel the tension in the group. Jess looks ready to strangle, and Al seems about ready to send out a string of very foul words but is attempting to hold them back. Ed realized that we're not as alone as we seemed to think and that we had an audience. His entire body shoots away from mine and his face turns that purple shade again.
I must say, I'm a bit shocked too. After a near heart attack and early death, I move back over to Ed, laughing just a bit.
"Breathe, Ed. We don't want you passing out now, do we?" I smirk and kiss him oh so lightly on the cheek. I don't think the act even registered in his brain, seeing as his face was still a bit purple…
"Well, another year is here!" Nelly shouts out.
"Time for bed!" Lil finishes.
Jess looks over at us. "We'll just see ourselves out before we get the carpet all bloody…right, Lil…" She looks fairly evil right now…I'd hate to be Lil at this moment…not that I don't want to kill the girl myself…but I think Ed needs a bit of help remembering how to breathe still…
I toss my wrench on the floor next to Jess. Don't hurt her too badly, guys…just a little bump on the head…and I expect my wrench back by noon tomorrow!
Jess laughs manically and Lil looks a bit sick…
They exit the house into the freezing night air, and I turn back to Ed.
"Come on, Mr. Smurf, time for you to go to bed…"
His face turns normal again. I knew that would work. "I am not small!"
"Didn't say you were. I was just referring to the bluish color of your face."
"My face wasn't blue."
"Yes it was. Now, it's after midnight. Time for all good little boys to be in bed."
"Now that was a small crack, I just know it! I'll have you know I'm at least a foot taller than you are now!"
"Try six inches, shorty."
"I'm still taller than you are."
"That may be, but to me you'll always be little Edo-kun!" I smirk at him.
"What did you just call me!?"
"Ha, your face is back to normal. My work here is done. Night, Edo-kun…"
"You're just mocking me now, Winry, get back down here!" I'm already halfway up the stairs. "I said, goodnight, Edward."
And with that, I go up to my room, leaving a fuming blonde boy behind.
End Chapter 2
Next Chapter: Valentine's Day.
