Chapter Eight: Until I See You Again
Edward Elric wasn't hungry, for once.
In fact, he felt quite the opposite. His stomach was rolling nauseatingly and his head felt like it was about to explode. Of course, that was probably because he was very, very nervous. Or in Winry's own words, afraid. And he wasn't doing very well hiding it. In fact, he was surprised that Al hadn't noticed sooner.
"Are you alright Ed?" Al asked worriedly. Ed smiled thinly at him before looking back at the very high pile of pancakes. He swallowed back bile.
"M'fine," he grunted. Al raised an eyebrow and he added, "Just a little nervous."
"A little?" Both Al and Winry said disbelievingly. His head collided with the table, and he groaned.
"You can admit you're scared Ed." Winry said and she rubbed his back. "You don't have to be brave all the time, and especially not now." Ed lifted his head, looked at her and smiled softly.
"Thanks." She looked surprised.
"What for?"
"Everything." Now she looked afraid, so Ed added, "I'll be becoming back. It's just the nerves talking. I feel like I'm going to be sick, actually." Winry chuckled and Al grabbed the pancakes. Ed stared at his brother as he began to shove them into his mouth.
"I'm going to grow out my hair," Al said suddenly and Ed stared at him. "So that we'll know how long it is when you come back." He took another bite. "Please Ed? Just a tiny bite?"
Ed smiled slightly. "Sorry Al. I don't want it to come back up." He took a tiny sip of water, choking it down. Al shook his head and the door creaked open. Riza Hawkeye stepped in with shadows visible under her eyes but she smiled at Al.
"You three didn't hear me when I knocked." She explained, then looked at Al. "Al…? Is that you?"
Al grinned, although Ed noticed that he looked a little forced. "Yeah, it is. Ed's not hungry." She looked at Ed in surprise and Ed smiled weakly.
"So, a guy can't not have food?"
Riza rolled her eyes and Al smiled. "Do you want some coffee, Riza?" Winry offered suddenly. Riza looked up and smiled, nodding slightly as she did so. Winry poured it into a cup and handed it to her. "Ed?" She offered. Ed stared at her, wondering if she was crazy. She smiled sheepishly. "No?"
Ed glanced at the car and sighed, turning back to Al and Winry, both of whom were surrounded by MPs. Ed was as well. Winry suddenly rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly and Ed was startled by the tears that were in her eyes but not falling down. "Promise me you'll come back." She whispered. Ed smiled slightly.
"I already did, to Al."
"I don't care," She replied. "I need you to promise me. That way I won't go crazy." Ed smiled sadly and brushed her hair back.
"Very well, then. I'll come back." She smiled slightly and held out a bag of cookies. Ed's eyes lightened and he smiled. "Just promise me something." He said, grabbing the hand holding the cookies and holding it.
"Anything." She replied almost instantly.
Ed smiled. "Don't let Al do anything stupid. And keep moving forward." Winry smirked slightly, tilting her head.
"That's two things." She said warmly and Ed smiled sheepishly. "But I will. I'll take Al over to Granny's so that he won't do anything stupid." Ed, acting on a surge of emotion, gathered her up into his arms and kissed her passionately. She kissed him back, wrapping her own arms around his neck.
He broke it off faster then he would have liked. "Don't cry," he whispered. "Not for me." She chuckled slightly.
"Dummy, I always will. But I promise I won't until you come back. And only then they will be tears of joy." Both of them smiled in nostalgia and Ed turned to Al, who looked like a kicked puppy.
"Oh for… Al, I'll be becoming back." Ed grumbled well naturedly. Al smiled and Ed returned it.
"I know you will. And don't crush the cookies." He said and smiled slightly. Ed grinned.
"I will and won't. And we'll be out here, in that tiny garden when you come back." Al promised and Ed's smile widened.
"Strawberries…" He said thoughtfully. Al chuckled and Ed walked over to him. "You can keep Felix I suppose…" he added with a well-worn sigh. Al grinned in delight.
"Thanks, Ni-san!" Ed smiled slightly then glanced at Mustang who was watching them with a queer expression.
"Well Al," he said gloomily. "I guess this is good bye for now."
Al frowned. "Don't say that Ed. It sounds like you're going to be gone forever. And you're coming back." A sense of foreboding hit Ed but he forced it back.
"Sorry Al." He said shrugging slightly. Al smiled, his eyes lighting up with courage. Ed felt a rush of pride.
"It's alright. I suppose I'll see you later then?" It wasn't really a question and both of them knew it. Ed vowed that he would get back to his family, no matter what it took. He locked eyes with Al and nodded firmly, not knowing that his eyes were lighting up with a different fire that was different then the other kind that usually filled them, hope, determination, firm resolution and courage was filling his heart. Al smiled in satisfaction.
"Of course." Ed replied, not knowing that his voice would echo in their hearts for those long months ahead. "You won't get rid of me that easily." He balled his automail hand into a fist and smacked his flesh with it, his eyes hardening slightly.
"You ready to go Fullmetal?" One of the harsher MPs asked, scowling slightly. Ed glanced up and paused.
"Almost." He turned to Al and pulled him into a hug. "Stay safe," Ed whispered into his ear, barely moving his lips at all. "And be careful." Al's eyes widened but he wrapped his arms around Ed.
"You too."
Ed grinned and pulled away, resting his hands on his shoulders. "I'll come back." He said softly and Al smiled. He turned to Winry who was holding back tears. "I love you." He said, meaning those three words and spun around to follow the MP. As he reached the car he paused. "Oh and Al," he said spinning around and smiling at his brother and girlfriend who were staring at him forlornly. "Eat some stew for me, will ya?" Al laughed slightly and Ed grinned, slipping into the car. The doors slammed closed with a loud bang.
Ed watched his home disappear around the bend, sadly, but he didn't shed a single tear.
After all, he didn't need to. He was coming back.
Author's Note: So... how was it? Just so you know I'm working on chapter 21 :D (yeah... my writing spree lasted that long...).
