My Heart is Heavy chap.7
It was four days later when Winry called Edward to the basement. Their relationship over the past week had almost fell back into the same as it was years ago. Although he hadn't opened up to her on his feelings yet she figured there was something else on his mind. He had been a little on guard lately and preoccupied and she wanted to ask why but she figured it was just his way of dealing with things. As he entered the basement she and Al were standing there grinning like stupid fools. So he just scratched his head and looked at them "What is it?" A giddy squeak came from Winry as she turned and lifted the automail she had made for him up "I finished it!" she walked forward and showed it to him. He saw the sheer happiness on her face and he smiled slightly "I suppose now you want to cause me pain attaching it?" She nodded her head yes vigorously.
"Sometimes I think you like seeing me in pain when you attach these." The smile left her face for a moment "That's not true Ed I hate to see you in pain." He walked over and sat down and took his shirt off as she began to remove the arm his father had made. She noticed he had kept in great shape over the years his abs still toned and his left arm was muscular. It was hard for her to keep her eyes focused on the task at hand but she managed stealing a look at him here and there. Careful to check out his chest plate where the arm would be attached for any pulls it had gotten over the years she was surprised it had held up beautifully. But then again it was her grandmother that attached it. Edward hadn't grown that much in the size of his chest but he had gotten somewhat taller. Figuring their might be hairline pulls she began to examine him but found that he'd actually compensated by keeping his abs and chest toned. He had grown into a fine looking man as she studied his physique. Her eyes then wondered to his leg "Alright you have to drop your pants" she said blushing slightly and he smiled a flirty smile "I was wondering how long it would take you to get my pants off." He said jokingly. Her cheeks then turned bright red as she turned around "BROTHER!" Al yelled as Edward smiled at him and he knew Ed was joking. Reaching down he undid his belt and pants and dropped them to the floor and when she turned back around he breath hitched in her throat 'Oh my he has grown into a fine looking man' she thought letting her eyes wonder up his whole body checking out every part of him. Edward had done the same because she was actually dressed in her tube top and overalls tied around her waist. Only thing was her breasts were fuller he figured from having kids and her hips were rounder probably from having kids too. But as he studied her body she still looked great. Al just face-palmed "Are you two going to gawk at each other all day or can we get this done already?" Both of them shook their heads and flushed in their cheeks.
Winry gathered her thoughts as she walked closer to Ed "Al's going to help me dock these because granny can't. I've showed him how to do it so hopefully we can get it the first time." Edward had a pleading look on his face as he turned to Al as if to say 'Please don't screw this up' Al chuckled "Don't worry brother I practiced all night last night on that." He pointed to a dummy that had the arm hole ground out and Edward's eyes widened seeing the damage. Al turned and grabbed the leg "Don't worry Winry said I could do the leg because it's easier." Laughing to himself Al couldn't help but bust out laughing at the sheer terror on Ed's face knowing full well he hadn't caused the damage to the dummy someone else did. He had actually got the docking down in one try but making Ed sweat was amusing to him.
Winry positioned herself with his arm and Al put the leg in the hole as she leaned close to Ed's ear "Are you ready?" Edward's face cringed "Yeah" he said looking back up at her. She turned to Al "Alright on the count of three like we practiced Al." Al nodded "Sure thing" All that went through Edwards mind was 'Oh God, Oh God, My brother's never done this' Winry counted down and when she hit three they both pushed and the nerves connected as Edward let out a slight groan. He realized Al had done a great job as Winry began tightening his arm up. Al held the leg in place till she told him to take the long bolt and put it in the hole and twist.
Grabbing the bolt Al put it in the hole and began tightening it "See brother that wasn't that bad." Edward smiled "Yeah you did a good job Al" feeling less freaked out about it now. Winry started at the back and worked her way forward to the front tightening the bolts. After Al got the main bolt in she told him she'd finish up so he stood up and turned to walk to the door then stopped "Hey brother I didn't do that damage to the dummy but it was funny watching you sweat." He laughed out loud as Ed's eyes narrowed "I'll get you for that later Al." Al left laughing his ass off as Edward was left alone with Winry. Her concentration while she worked on automail was serious as she moved to the top of his shoulder then down the front tightening away. He used to keep his face straight and his eyes closed as she worked but this time he watched her. The sheer look of pleasure she got while she tightened and screwed bolts in made him smile. He had never paid that much attention to her as she worked on him but this time he took the time to watch her. Taking his long hair in her hand she moved it over his left shoulder she stopped and noticed him watching her as she smiled "What" she asked softly as he stared up at her.
He smiled at her "Nothing" he said softly turning his head to look straight again as she went back to work. When she got to the front of his arm she leaned in some and slightly turning his head his nose hit the top of her head and he inhaled the scent of lavender coming from her hair. She looked up at him "Ed have you forgotten how to sit still? Geez you used to sit like a statue now you're all over the place. What's the matter with you?" It was then she noticed how close her lips were to his and she stared into his amber colored eyes as he stared back into hers and before she knew it his head started moving towards hers and he kissed her. Shocked by it she didn't know how to react as he leaned back and quickly said "I'm sorry" and looked forward terrified with eyes wide. Thoughts scrambling through her head all she could get out of her mouth was "Uh, Okay" as her cheeks flushed and she went back to work.
Finishing his arm she moved to his leg as he watched her intensely which sort of made her nervous because he had never done that before. Finally she looked up and smiled "Alright Ed what's going on with you? You've been watching me work for an hour now." 'Busted' he thought as he smiled "I'm just watching you work Winry. I realized that all the times you've worked on me I never really watched to see what you did." 'That's understandable but is he flirting with me?' she thought as she looked back down and continued bolting his leg. She tightened the last bolt and stood up and stretched her back out "There all done" He watched as she stretched and he couldn't understand why he kept staring at her but then he realized he had done the same thing the last time he was here. The day of the invasion only she hadn't noticed because she was so caught up in getting his limbs on quickly at that time. Was it then that he had realized he was in love with her? Shaking his head and gathering his thoughts back he stood up and stretched the arm out "Feels great" then the leg "I don't know how to thank you." She put her wrench down and turned around to face him "Edward that kiss. Why did you do it?" He wanted to tell her but instead he sighed "I don't know Winry." She had a confused look on her face as she walked over to him "You don't know why you kissed me?" Looking into her eyes then his gaze dropped to the floor. How could he tell her he was in love with her if she didn't feel the same? So he just turned his head to the side and said sternly "I just wanted to that's all." Knowing he was hiding something she sighed because he just lied to her and she didn't understand why, so she turned around "Fine then just don't let it happen again." Because next time she didn't know if she could handle not telling him she loved him. Feeling he had crossed a line he felt somewhat hurt inside and he answered with his cold voice "Fine."
As she walked out he could have kicked himself in the head right then because he knew he had hurt her feelings and of all things he kissed her without even thinking about it. Now he just felt like an ass he had done something stupid again. He was supposed to be grieving and yet here he was kissing her. 'What an idiot I am' he thought. It was just like when they were kids and he tried to protect her from certain things and they would talk coldly to each other. Why? Why couldn't he just tell her? He figured it wasn't the right time so he turned and got dressed and went outside "Hey Al it's been awhile but what about sparing some to see how this handles?" Al looked up knowing full well his brother was going to come at him with full force for that dummy situation in the basement. Luckily for him he had been practicing since they got back hoping Ed would let her put automail back on him "Uh, Sure Brother."
As they walked into the yard the kids all sat around to watch and were amazed at how their father and uncle could move. Finally after about an hour Ed looked at Al then the boys "Why don't we show them a couple of moves little brother." Al smiled calling Winry's two boys out and Edward called Steven. The boys were so excited to learn some moves so Edward and Al taught them a few to keep someone off someone else. Steven picked it up quite quickly and so did little Edward. Little Al still had short legs and his kicks didn't have that much strength behind them. Edward told him if he really wanted to learn he'd show him some exercises to strengthen his legs and Little Al agreed. Steven asked his father to teach him more but Edward wanted him to master the move he just showed him so they practiced nearly all day. After that Edward showed him some block moves with his hands but they hadn't practiced those a lot before Winry called them to dinner.
Later that night Edward lay in bed wondering if Winry was going to sleep somewhere else tonight she had been working on his automail for three night's straight. Since the first night they slept in the same bed together and he knew she was probably pissed off at him for kissing her. So he rolled over and closed his eyes only to hear the door open "Ed, are you asleep?" He thought about pretending for a moment but then he opened his eyes "No I'm awake." She walked in and sat on the edge of the bed as he looked up at her. She looked troubled about something and he figured he knew why. But instead she spoke softly "I'm scared Ed" His heart dropped for a moment and he put his hand over hers "I'm scared of my husband. I sent divorce papers to him but he didn't take it well and I'm afraid he's coming after us." Edward sat up quickly and pulled her to him "No one is going to hurt you or your boys Winry. I won't let them I promise."
"I don't want you to get into trouble Ed." She said feeling if her husband did something Ed would probably kill him. Edward smiled slightly remembering what Mustang said in his office that day about him being any help. He realized that Mustang had sent them here for this particular reason and it was over his dead body that anyone would hurt her or her children. So he sat there and held her for a while then as she began to relax in his arms he laid down and patted the bed "Come on we need sleep we have very active children that need their parents at their full extent of strength." Smiling slightly at him she laid down and curled up next to him and fell asleep.