I'm on the Down Low Because I Love You
Disclaimer: I Don't Own FMA In Anyway.
Rating: PG—PG-13 Due To Bad Language.
A/N: YamiChi from DA! This chapter is dedicated to you! I hope you like it! ;)
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When Jack finally reached the door of his home, he placed his right hand to his forehead. He took note of how cold it was and brought it to the front of his face. He sighed as he saw no glove to hide his Automail.
Automail…he thought sadly. Looking down at the metallic palm, Winry, once again, poured into his mind. He wrapped his flesh hand around his metallic wrist, holding it tightly.
Wait a minute...the Alchemist thought nervously. Where the hell's my glove? He asked himself. Thinking back, he suddenly remembered that Winry had been holding his hand before he left. He immediately realized that his glove must've slipped off.
Being a metallic arm, it came as no surprise. But, that wasn't what worried him. What worried him was…
What if Winry saw my arm?
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The next morning, Jack was the first to awake. He dressed into his usual clothes; white button shirt, brown pants, vest and shoes, and walked into the kitchen of his home. Not bothering to get his usual cup of coffee, he sat down on a stool which sat in front of the counter he would sit in front of to eat.
This morning, he didn't have to go to work, nor did he currently have an appetite. His thoughts were clouded with the events of last night.
I kissed Winry
He placed his flesh hand over his Automail arm, squeezing it tightly.
I kissed Winry
He held his metal arm securely, he hoped to seek some comfort from the arm; it was Winry's creation. Just knowing that gave him reassurance…and also remorse and regret.
Sighing to himself, he lowered his head slightly, strands of his black hair falling over his hazel eyes.
Unexpectedly, he began hearing footsteps coming down the stairs. Getting off his train of thought, he looked up to see his younger brother.
As Devon stepped down the last step, he looked to his elder and became worried at the teens appearance; stress lines below his eyes and worriment written all over his saddened face. "Brother?" he finally asked worriedly.
Jack stayed silent as he looked to the ground, tightening the grip on his Automail.
It stayed silent for what felt like an eternity…before Jack spoke, making an incredible decision.
"I'm gonna tell her" he said as he looked up once more.
Devon's eyes widened. "What?" he asked, hoping his brother meant what he thought he meant.
"I'm going to tell Winry, Al…I can't lie to her like this anymore" Jack replied. "I thought I was protecting her by letting her think that I never came back…But I'm realizing that I'm only causing her more pain this way" he admitted reluctantly.
Devon's eyes widened even more. "You want me to come along?" he offered, thinking his presence would make the confession easier for his older brother and Winry.
"No" the elder replied. "I have to do this myself; Winry deserves that much from me" with that being said, he stood up and stepped upstairs once more. Walking down the hall, into the bathroom, he looked at himself in the mirror.
Jack Hanson was who he saw before him.
Edward Elric was who he would become.
He filled the sink with water about halfway. Then, he pulled his long, black-dyed hair over his shoulder and bent down, dipping the tip of his hair into the water. Carefully, he clapped his hands together and placed them on his head.
In seconds, he began to see his onyx hair transform into its original color; gold.
The water began to turn the color of his dye; a dark black.
Once the sound of the transmutation was gone, he pulled his head away, squeezing the little bit of water from his hair. Standing upright, he looked at himself in the mirror. He drained the water out and looked at himself more closely.
Just one more adjustment he thought.
The Alchemist carefully closed his eyes and clapped his hands together, afterwards placing his fingers on the side of his forehead. He felt the electrifying shock sensation hit his eyes as he scrunched his face slightly out of minor pain.
When it was complete, the teen warily opened his eyes. His reflection made him smile; he was the one and only, Edward Elric. He looked around the bathroom; in the medicine cabinet, he found what he was looking for; a small, black, stretchy band.
Pulling his hair back into a high ponytail, just how he had it in Munich, he tied it securely with the band as the finishing touch.
His identity was finally returned; his golden hair was as stunning as ever and his matching eyes had even more fire burning within them.
He was the handsome Edward Elric.
The Alchemist sighed. OK he thought anxiously. Winry's next
The elder Elric quickly stepped back downstairs.
Devon, who was at the counter drinking a glass of milk, widened his eyes when he saw his brother stepping down the stairs. He stood up and walked up to him, jaw dropped. "Brother?" he asked.
Edward smiled at his sibling and blushed, looking away. "How do I look?"
Devon smiled back at him. "Like Edward Elric" he walked next to him, placing an encouraging hand on his shoulder. Nodding his head towards the front door, he smiled.
"Go to Winry; she's been missing us for too long" Ed smirked at his younger brother's encouragement.
"I know"
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(A/N: The following scene is credited to YamiChi from DeviantART. YamiChi, also known as Chiyo Ishida here FF. NET on I hope you enjoy!)
Winry had awoken that morning in an anxious state of mind. The events of last night continued to replay themselves out in her head.
She decided to go out and work on her Automail design she had yet to finish. She was currently sitting next to a river that was somewhere near her home. Sitting cross-legged, she had the paper design she had been working on a piece of wood, to be able to write properly, with the paper atop of it.
Seeing the design reminded her of her old friend, Edward.
It also made her wonder about Jack.
Why did his hand shine like that last night? She asked herself nervously. Does…does he have Automail…like Ed? The mechanic wondered. She shook her head, brushing the thought away. Not like it matters; after what happened last night…I don't think I'll ever see Jack again, either.
She sighed and forced herself to continue her current task at hand.
So caught up in her work, she became deaf to events around her; including that of footsteps coming closer to her.
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Edward was now, nervously, taking steps toward the Rockbell girl. She hadn't even taken notice of his steps which crunched grass under each stride. Quietly, he took in a small breath and set it free. This is for you, Win
Stepping closer, he swallowed several lumps that were forming in his throat.
Winry paused for a moment in her work. Placing her pencil in her hair, she looked at her reflection in the water before her; in her opinion, she looked very pretty. Her azure eyes were cheerful and welcoming; her bright yellow hair, which was picked up in a clip except for the hair at the sides of her beautiful face, was shining brightly from the Sun.
She looked the very opposite of what she felt; like crap.
Jack kept sneaking his way back into her thoughts; his kiss from last night was so sweet and full of nothing more that love and passion.
Yet, she could never forget Edward. Though she had never kissed him, he was her best friend and first love; her first generous but rough love. She smiled humorously as she remembered the Elric's attitude.
Looking to her reflection, she noticed another shape beginning to form behind her. Her brow furrowed in confusion.
After a few more steps, the reflection of this other soul took a final shape as he had stopped. Her eyes widened at the person; he had golden hair tied back in a high ponytail, matching golden eyes that burned like fire with determination and compassion.
This was none other than Edward Elric.
Am I losing my mind? She asked herself, thinking this was nothing more than a cruel trick of her confused mind. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes, looking back to the reflection; he was still standing there. Dare I look behind me? She asked her herself.
She stood still for a moment, wondering whether or not this was a dream or reality.
"C'mon, Win, you didn't forget about already, did you?" Winry's eyes widened as the figure finally spoke, with a playful tone to his voice, she might add.
Carefully, the Rockbell looked over her shoulder, only to see that this was no dream. "Edward? I-is it r-really you?" she asked him nervously.
The Elric smiled and nodded at her. "Of course, Winry" he teased. "Who else could I be?"
Winry went to stand up but stopped as Ed's Automail came into her view. She looked up at his smiling face.
"Need a hand?" the Alchemist offered jokingly.
Winry blushed and placed her hand in his.
The elder Elric gently tightened his grip on her hand and pulled the Rockbell to her feet. Unintentionally, Winry accidentally tripped, as she was finally on her feet, causing her to fall towards him. Luckily, the Elric caught her in his arms and kept them standing.
"Not as steady as before, are you?" Ed teased with her as he smiled.
Winry laughed quietly. "I guess not" she replied playfully.
Ed's smile faded into a frown and he pulled Winry into a tight hug.
Winry was surprised by the act and tried to move away but Ed tightened his grip around her, not allowing her to pull away from him.
With her hands on his chest and her head now next to his, just above his shoulder, she looked at him through the corner of her eye. "Edward, what's gotten into you?" she asked worriedly. She noted that his shoulders tensed at her question, and he drove his fingers into her back.
"I…just missed you, Winry" he replied finally.
Winry swore she saw a small crystalline tear roll down his cheek. "You're crying" she stated quietly.
"I am not!" Ed snapped stubbornly and prideful as he buried his, slightly damp, cheek into Winry's hair.
The Rockbell smiled. Same Edward as always she thought, contentedly and humorously at once.
She, herself, now buried her face into the crook of his warm neck. "I missed you too, Ed" she brought her arms around his back and held onto him as if holding on for dear life. "I always missed you" she told him and, unexpectedly, began crying quietly.
As soon as Ed felt the skin at his neck moisten, he pulled away and looked to Winry worriedly. "What's wrong, Win? Is it something I did? If it's for leaving you, Winry, I'm sorry; I didn't want to leave, I swear! Oh, please Winry, don't cry!" the elder Elric, hating to see the girl he held so closely cry, pleaded and apologized nervously.
Winry laughed quietly at Ed's anxiousness. "It's OK" she told him. "I'm just happy to see you" she looked up at him, her cheeks tear-streaked but her lips in a happy and thankful smile.
Ed's face stayed confused and fearful. Eventually, it melted and he smiled once more. He held his arms out to his sides, indicating an offer of another free hug.
Winry smiled and took the offer without hesitation. "What's gotten into you?" she asked. "It used to be so hard to touch you, much less hug you" she teased.
Edward held her tighter, unsure of how to reply. What had gotten into him?
"I really don't know" he said unwillingly.
Winry laughed more and pulled away, smiling and keeping her arms around him. "Maybe the great Edward Elric has grown even more" she said amusingly.
Ed chuckled quietly. "Yes…perhaps I have" he teased in return.
"Where's Al?" Winry asked suddenly.
"You'll be able to see him soon" Ed replied.
"Is something wrong? Is he OK? What happened?" the Rockbell asked nervously.
"He's fine, don't worry" the blonde Alchemist reassured.
Winry nodded and pulled him closer, smiling, lovingly, at him.
Ed's joking attitude left him and he blushed.
"Ed" the Rockbell whispered sweetly. "I have to tell you something" she brushed a few strands of hair away from the Elric's eyes, which only fell back in place.
Ed sighed sadly. "Me too" he admitted miserably as he looked away anxiously. Abruptly, he felt Winry's soft hand come to his left cheek, forcing him to look at her once more.
"Me first" the Rockbell mechanic said softly. She slowly brought her face closer to his.
Ed slowly returned this by doing the same.
Once their lips were mere millimeters away, the two blondes looked at each other, affectionately, with half-lidded eyes.
Finally, they pulled their lips together, taking in each other's sweet taste and exploring each other as much as they could.
Winry noted certain similarities between Ed and Jack's kiss; they were both extremely passionate, and were both very willing and confident when 'exploring'.
She pulled away, quickly, and placed her fingers on her lips. Why do they both kiss so…similarly? She asked herself apprehensively.
Ed frowned at the sudden loss in pleasure and looked to Winry, confused. "Win?" he asked her uneasily. "What's wrong?"
Winry stayed silent for a moment and then looked up at him. "Jack?" she whispered.
Ed's eyes widened fretfully. "Wha-what did you call me?" he stuttered; had she figured him out by…his kiss?
Winry shook her head and looked away. "It's nothing" she lied, bringing a hand to her forehead.
The elder Elric sighed. "It is something" he stated. "Winry…what I have to tell you…I…" he stopped and swallowed a major lump in his throat.
"Ed, what's wrong?" she asked him.
The Alchemist let his shoulders drop, defeated, before responding. "I…I'm not sure how to tell you this…and I'm afraid that, when I tell you…you won't want to see me ever again" he said fearfully.
Winry brought her hand to his right cheek and looked him in the eyes. "Why would I never want to see you again, Ed? I…I love you"
Ed blushed a deeper crimson than before. He brought his Automail palm, carefully, over Winry's hand and rubbed his cheek against it. "I…love you too, Win…more than words could ever say…" he smiled as he said it but it reversed to a frown once more. "But…this may shock you and most likely will"
Winry pulled her hand away and hugged him, placing her head on his right shoulder. "Try me" she challenged.
The Elric Alchemist sighed and placed his hands around her waist, placing his head over hers. "Winry" he began.
"I'm Jack Hanson"
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A/N: Dun dun DUN! XD -Chants- he told her, he told her! HA! Take that! I bet all of you are wondering what's gonna happen next, eh? Well, you'll just have to wait! ;) Anyway, please, R&R, constructive criticism, no flames :) thanks!
BTW, just so everyone knows, next chapter will most likely be a little short :P Yes, I'm actually telling you :\
Another BTW, YamiChi; I really hope you liked the chapter and are enjoying the story! ;)
