Chapter Ten:

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow II

"Take good care of her, ya hear? I don't want to get a phone call hearing how you left again. You stay for a good long while!"

She had heard her former-Master say that, loudly and clearly, and she was told by Al that Ed nodded. That meant he would do just that: take care of her, and stay for a long time. But from what she had just heard, the previous would not be happening. He would most likely brush off the latter, forgetting to call her just as he always had.

She couldn't take it anymore.

She heard footsteps walking toward her, and she scrambled onto her feet, walking toward the stairs where maybe she would get lost in the stars as the sun had set only minutes before. She needed to call someone, someone who could help her out and set her straight. There was only one person in the world that had ever done that for her, and she knew this time would be no different.

"Winry? How long were you standing there?"

She stopped walking, why not being a question here. Her shoulders tensed and she stared at the staircase she was so close to reaching, and heard the steps close in on her. From the matching steps and soft voice, she knew it was Al. She turned around, her shoulders sinking, and smiled the fakest innocent smile she could manage. "Not too long. I was just about to head upstairs. Why, is something wrong?"

The immediate silence and downward gaze wasn't very reassuring, and she walked closer to him. "What is it?"

Ed turned the corner, and saw that the two were talking. He couldn't find it in himself to tell her he was going to leave, and he certainly didn't want to have to break the promise he'd made to stay with her for a while before leaving again. He'd promised her and himself that he'd stay for a few months before leaving for weeks, maybe even months.

Al looked back at up at her, that knowing gaze he had when he knew that she knew something. She continued to smile, though both Elric brothers knew it was fake. It was funny; there was nothing fake about this girl, which is only one of the many things Ed loved about her, except for the fake smile she forced herself to put on when she knew he had to leave her behind.

"Winry," Ed cut in, knowing full well that nothing he said could take back the hurt she held inside her heart. "For all we know, he could need me to make a short errand, not even gone a month. You know as well as I do that I wanted to stay, that I wanted to be with you, but you have to understand . . ."

"Oh, I understand," Winry interrupted, her voice dark. Al found it inappropriately nostalgic. "You told me you were going to stay, and once again you're going to leave me behind. There's just no pleasing you, is there, Ed? I can't do anything to make you stay. You just can't stay put." She walked away, ignoring the pleas to turn around and listen. She ran upstairs, her tears already having started rolling down her face.

Neither of the brothers nor Pinako could get Winry out of her bedroom for the rest of the night. When Al had tried, he said he heard her mumbling to herself, her bed-springs alternating back and forth as if she was rocking. When Pinako tried next, she said she heard high-pitched whimpers and sniffles coming from closer toward the door. It was Ed's turn next.

"Brother." It was a statement, not a question. "You're the only one who can fix this. You know it; just fill her in. And, when all else fails, tell her you love her and be on your merry way." It was as if it was the simplest thing in the world, and Ed swallowed his pride and nodded. His brother was right; it was as simple as those three little words.

Wasn't it?

Ed sighed and stopped outside her bedroom door, his throat closing and causing him to suffocate. If he couldn't get her out, then . . . he wasn't even sure. He rasped his right hand on the door, and heard nothing of the sort. He stared at the door, and without blinking an eye, pushed through her door. She wasn't in the room, but her window was open, and he, for a split second, stopped breathing.

"Winry?" his voice was soft but filled with worry, and he stepped toward the window, where he heard mumbling. He knew where she was; she was sitting on the roof, as it was slanted enough so that one could easily sit on it comfortably. He climbed out the window and stood on the sill to reach up and grab the edge of the roof. He was sort of elated that he could reach it now, and he pulled himself up, looking around. He could see the top of Winry's blonde hair over the tip of the roof, and he called out again, this time gentler, "Winry."

She looked back at him, tears having been trailing down her cheeks, and he made a strangled noise in his throat. Aw crap. He pulled himself all the way up, swinging his leg over the top of the roof, and moved cautiously over to her. She laid her head on her knees and mumbled sadly, "Go away. Leave me alone."

Ed sat down beside her. "I can't do that. You know I can't. Winry, please listen to me."

She made no noise or action that allowed him to continue to talk, so instead of pushing on, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her down to lay with him. "You know what? This is nice. Let's not talk anymore."

Winry blinked and bit her tongue; the only thing she wanted was to talk, but about nothing in particular instead of the something that was going to make him leave. She listed quietly on his shoulder, looking up at the silvery-blue moon that lit up the night sky. Ed looked down at the right moment and saw the moon glowing in her deep blue eyes, and he bent down to kiss her lips tenderly.

To his surprise, she kissed back, making a whimper as he leaned over her more, getting more comfortable.

"Winry, I . . ."

"Don't."

They lay there, kissing in the moonlight, the stars illuminating Winry's eyes as they broke for air and stared at each other. Ed couldn't bring himself to do anything, let alone say anything. Instead, he kissed the top of her brow and smiled down at her. Winry smiled back, wrapping her arms around her neck to bring them nose to nose, and she kissed his lips again.

Winry Ed thought, bringing his left hand under her neck and cradling her head. I love you.

Edward Winry kissed Ed sweetly, struggling to grasp what little air she had left I love you.

You know... I'm not sure about this one. The kiss was... nyaa, but I'm not sure if it flows right, ya know? One of my dear friends said they're in character... let's see if I spoil that down the road, LOL.

I could rant about other stuff, but you all might get mad at me... So, I'll stay with chatting with Eby~ ^^

Review Replies:

MissTreason: Gah! I'll PM you! Sorry, I've been busy. But yes, Mustang is going to have quite the mission for Ed... whenever I get back to writing about it, buahaha.

besring: Well, I hope you learned your lesson. ;) For some reason, I like writing sad Winry... in another story I'm also writing at home (since this story is at school, so... that's another reason why the deadlines to this and TtLG are so similar and longer...) I started writing angsty Winry, and I must say... I'm pretty damn good at it now. xD That... sounds really mean, doesn't it...

Queen NekoChan: Buahaha. "~". I always use the 'squiggly thing' to emphasize a sing-song voice, or if someone drags someone else's name out. *shrug* I'm glad you were so enthralled in them, though! XD And... cliffhangers are sort of my thing... I looove them! :D

Songbird Alchemist: Actually... That's a really good guess of what happens. But instead of it being something bad, it's sort of a... comeback of a character we all know and love. (Wow... sorry, that was a spoiler. After I PROMISED I would do anymore... ) But! I think you'll just have to see until then~ (See, Queen NekoChan? That's a sing-songy voice.. xD)

Purple Dragon Ranger: ... He is? I tried not to make him too soft, but I guess I'm failing miserably. I see '03 anime-Ed being more of a softie, for some reason... we can talk about that in PM if you like. *shrug* Thanks for the feedback!

SoulxXmaka2435: Hey now! Weird is good! *points to self repeatedly* I'm weird, too! :D And buaha, I honestly didn't think anyone would do them out in the "real world" (pffffft). ^^ I can do... 2? Yeah, I think so. XD

.Janiga: Wow, welcome to the story! It's no problem that you didn't review earlier; all the push-ups and everything is just joking around... unless of course you want to do them? If you wanted to, then... xD Thanks for the feedback! (And the wrench and scolding is more of young Winry... Since she's older now, I think she'd take it more... I dunno, she'd try to keep the hurt to herself sort of thing, ya know? She doesn't need to be a scolding mother anymore; they're 18 years old.)

brit02: Actually, there had been a small chapter where it had Ed going over the thoughts in his mind, but it got deleted because it was something I did last year, and all that old stuff I accidently deleted, buahaha. *sweatdrop* So, I'll make a mini-chapter or something...

gomez46356: My god! It only took... one look-back at your name! XD Thanks for the feedback! (UGH I wasn't kidding! UPDATE~ )

MMShadowWolf: Yes, tension... Tension of all sorts... *coughSEXUALcough* Umwhat? xD

Eby: YES, one day before Edo's birthday! :D I figured I'd share that...

Mangaka Shuzen: Yes, I'm heard of "heard not tell"... xD I'm still discovering the "descriptive" side of me, so... I'll work on it! *salute*

(blank reviewer): Aw, not even a name for meh? *pout* Aw, thank you! I'm glad you like it so much, and the compliment made me blush! XD

NiceStories: Your name made me smirk ever so slightly. I wanted to make this story long, but please also keep in mind the other stories I have to finish... it's bull-crap, really. xD I'm just stressing myself even more, lol. Thanks for the feedback, and I'm glad you like it so much!

Next Update: 15 February 2011 (Happy early/belated St. Valentines Day! :3)

Reviews keep me going! Also, ideas are always welcomed~ ^^ Ja-ne!

~Cookie