Love me. Don't leave me. Chapter 4, yay!

Dammit! How could I just say something so completely forward to her like that! She probably thinks I'm weird now! I groan and bury my face into my pillow, swearing and yelling into it as if it were the pillow's fault.

"…Brother?"

I jumped at the sound of Al's voice, then sat up and looked around the dark room for him.

"Is there…something wrong?" He asked me.

"Mmm…" We both know that I can't lie for any thing, especially to Al, but…just once, maybe it will work… "No Al. I just…have a lot of things on my mind…"

"Brother, don't lie to me." Al said in a disapproving tone.

Damn.

"I…I…It's none of your business…" I said, lying back down, and away from the direction Al's voice was coming from.

"Brother.."

"Fine! I…told Winry she was pretty, alright?" I yelled, throwing the blanket over my head.

Silence fell between us, and I started to grow uncomfortable.

"That's it? That's not a big deal, brother."

…But…it's a big deal…to me.

Pinako was just setting down breakfast when I walked down the stairs. Winry was sitting at the table, laying her head on her arms. She seemed tired.

"Winry!" Pinako snapped, causing the blonde to sit up quickly. "Look at you, you're a mess!"

Winry groaned and put her hand to her forehead, sucking in a breath. "Sorry Granny, I had a rough night."

I caught the glimpse she gave me and gulped. She stayed up all night, probably bothered by what I said. I thought guiltily and I moved to the table and sat down.

"That is why I don't like you working in your room. If I don't stop you, no one will." Pinako's bickering seemed to have Winry settle into a more irritated state. Blah, blah, blah…those pancakes smell good…

"Winry why don't you go for a walk before you start working. The fresh air will do you good." Pinako said, scrubbing a dish at the sink. "Dress warm. It's starting to get cold out."

"Mmm…" Winry groaned. "Alright, I'll go see how everyone's doing."

With that, Winry threw her sweater on and left. Maybe it's just me, but she seemed distracted by more than lack of sleep. So, I waited a little while after she left before following after.

I stood on the porch and looked out over the country scenery and toward the forest where he saw a small colorful speck (otherwise known as Winry) walk into it.

Crossing my arms, I followed her. Geez. It really is getting cold.

She was sitting at the lake when I spotted her. I tried not to get her attention, but I accidentally stepped on a branch, causing it to snap, and she turned.

Her cheeks turned red and she turned back. She…blushed? At me?

"Something the matter?" I asked casually.

"No…I just didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I was up all night working."

I began to walk closer to her. "Do you do anything besides auto-mail?" I smiled.

She shifted. "Well, it's the only thing I'm good at."

"Have you tried alchemy?"

She shrugged. " I never really understand it, I guess."

I hesitated for the longest time, but I decided to say it. "Do you want me to teach you?"

For some reason…I want to be closer to her.