(Riza's POV)
It had been a long day of errends and paperwork in the office.
The day consisted of pointing my gun at the men's heads to keep them on task. Consisdering that only three-no, wait, four warning shots were fired, i'd say it was a pretty good day. The colonel had been out of the office sense Edward's admintince to the hospitol. I figured it was time to retrieve him from his watch and take him home for a good nights sleep. The colonel had been at Edward's side since the very begining.
I had visited once before, finding the state of the colonel do be...quite alarming. The dark, black and purple bags and blood shot eyes were hard to look away from. He was stressed, exhausted, and beyond his mental capcity. I sighed heavily, and stood up at my desk. I cleared my throat, getting Breda's, Havoc's, and Furey's attention.
"You all are dissmissed early. I have to go pick up the colonel from the hospital.
"Besides," I smirked, "I doubt any of you have any objections." A chorus of "Yes ma'ams" filled the room in unison. I smiled, mostly to myself. I grabbed my standard issued military coat and car keys, and walked to the door. I reached for the doorknob, but before I could turn it and make my exit, I felt a lingering presence behind me.
"Lt. Hawkeye." Havoc stood behind me. His eyes transended his worry and concern.
"Yes, Havoc?" I asked, "What can I do for you?" he stared down, in the direction of his own feet.
"Please, bring Colonel Mustang back. It's not healthy for him to be hovering around Edward like this. He's failed to get a single good nights rest in the last few days. So please, come back with him soon," Havoc finished in a strong, firm voice. The colonel's men were truly worried for him; they cared, and trusted him more then even he knew.
"I will. I promise you that," I said before leaving through the oak door and departing on my way.
I turned the keys in the ignition, turning the car off. I listened to the roar of the engine die, and I exited the vehicle. I stood in front of the large, bland, colorless Central Military Hospital. The color was a dull, worn white. It was weather-worn from decades of the harsh Central winds. I locked the car doors and entered the hospital entrannce. I was welcomed by the secretry behind the large desk on the far wall of the large room. I smiled, and the young women smiled back.
"Good evening Lt. Hawkeye," she said with a knowing expression on her face. I was shocked. This women knew me by name, yet I did not even remember her face. The women seemed to read my expression, and said,
"It's not that shocking really. You and Colonel Mustang come in here quite a bit." I went to interject, when an imaginary light bulb appeared above her head. Her face lit up.
"And, I bet I can guess who your here to see." I laughed at this, in good humor of course.
"That isn't a very hard question to answer though," I felt a smile spread across my face, a real smile. I hadn't felt so stress free in a long time.
"Edward Elric." She paused. "The names hard to forget." The women's grin evaporated.
"What kind of life is a boy his age living that lands him in the hospital so often? I have a son his age, even he dosen't get hurt this much. It hurts me to see him in here yet again." I could only look at my feet. The look of a disapointed sadness lingered on her eyes.
"I know. Imagine working with the kid on a day-to-day basis." I sighed, and asked for a room number. I thanked the women and headed for room three-fifteen. I went to knock, when the door suddenly opened and a furious and raging Roy Mustang brushed past me.
"Sir, what's-" I hesitated.
"Let it go Lieutenant" the colonel snapped harshly in my direction.
I continued on through the door, thinking to myself how I would deal with his stubborness and stupitity later.
"So, you want to tell me what happened, or am I going to have to pull my gun out? I asked impatiently. Edward visibly tensed, giving me reason enough to smirk at his reaction.
"It's nothing you need to know. Besides, you wouldn't like what you hear." Taking Into consderation the quiet, constricted tone in which he spoke, I continued on with caution.
"Why is that? It can't be that bad," I spoke with a (hopefully anyways) reasuring smile. The look in the young child's eyes confirmed his words to be the truth.
"You don't have to tell me. Not right now. But were always here to talk: me, Breda, Havoc, Furey, and even the colonel. I'm always ready to listen." I stood from my chair and readied to leave, but before doing so, I spoke faintly, yet not enough to evade Edward's hearing:
"Your not alone in this fight, Edward. I wish you could see that." On that note, I left the room in silence.
I stood in front of a Ms. Winry Rockbell's hotel room door. I had already knocked, now waiting for the young girl to answer the door. Not five seconds later, the door opened, revealing a young Winry wrapped in a blanket, and dried tears on her face.
"Ms Riza, what are you doing here? It's not like you to visit me. I mean-that was rude. I'm sorry." She was frazzled, and looked to be discombobulated. It's alright. I know you ment no disrespecr. May I come in?" Winry nodded opening the door completly, allowing me to enter. I found a spot on the couch, motioning for her to take a seat on the couch beside me. She looked wary, but did so.
"I just wanted to talk to you. Theres nothing to be afraid of." sje still looked worried, but not for the same reason as before.
"It's about Edward, isn't it?" She caught me off gaurd by her question.
"Yes," I answered. "He's in the hospital again." the look on the girls face turned to terror. "But he's ok. I promise," I hurried to say, as not to worry Winry any more than she already was.
"What did the idot do now?" she asked, her voice boarding a tone of sarcasim.
"A few days ago, Edward was taken to the hospital for achohol poisoning." Winry's face paled considerably.
"Go on," she muttered faintly.
"My real resaon for coming here is yo ask you something." I didn't know how to ask for such a favor, and what reaction I would get.
"I know you havn't been to visit Edward yet. I know he would be more than happy to see a familar face. Especially yours, Winry." it was silent now. Nither of is spoke, the air full of tension. Soon, Winry broke the ice.
"I want to. I rely do. It's just, hard. The last time we saw each other, well, lets just say it didn't go so well." I could only imagine what had happened between the two teens.
'll think about it. In the mean time, would you care for some tea, Ms. Riza?" Winry asked.
"That would be wonderful Wimry," I replied. Winry dropped the blanket from around her shoulders onto the couch and stood. She begin preparing the tea, and was back in minures with two hot, and steaming ready cups of tea.
"Just like old times," I thought to myself.
(Winry's POV)
I had gotten up that morning, thinking to myself, "I'm going to do it today." That changed when I was dressed and had my shoes on to leave. I was scared: scared to see him and frightened to tell him. I had been wanting to tell him this for a long time now, and today was the day I did. I pulled the door open and was on my way; on my way to see Edward. I reluctently made my way down the street towards the hospital. I was anxious , unsure of what I would say. What was I supposed ti say? I cared for Edward, and we had been through much together: me , Edward, and... Alphonse.
I couldn't even begin to imagine the pain of not knowimng where my only fami-no. Me and Granny were always there for them. But him and Al had a bond that was unique, indescribable. It was something that only two brothers could understand.
I had made it to the hospital, lost in my own thoughts, and hadn't realized where I was untill I looked up. I made my way to room three-fifteen. Riza had told me the room number before she had left the previous night.
I did not knock, but went in without warning. Edward looked at me, and I looked at him: his expression was filled with many emotions.
I thought you might want some company," I stated, not sure if I sounded emotionless or confliced.
"I'm glad your here. I thought you might not want to see me after what happened," Edward replied, looking up at the ceiling.
"That's not something you have to worrg about. I will always care about you, I just, sometimes need time to process my thoughts is all, some time to myself." He seemed lost. I didn't knoe what to say to help him.
"Winry." I looked to Ed's face, surprising me by his firm, flat tone in which he said my name.
"Why can't I win? What's the point of fighting for a dream if you only get beat down, over and over again?" I was silent. I wasn't sure how to reply.
"Edward, there's still hope-" I began.
"Hope?" he scoffed at this. "All hope is is a futile and meaningless word that we humans use to keep ourselfs going. It pointless to grasp onto something as transparent and foolish as 'hope."
Tears ran down my face. I wanted to scream in anger; scream at him that what he said was not true, that there was still hope...but I found I had no energy. I walked to Edward's bedside, and pulled myself onto the bed. Ignoring his confused stare, I curled up beside him. There was no resistance.
I wrapped my arms around him and embraced the cold of his automail on my face: it was a comforting sense of ease. He warpped his arm around me, and soon I could hear the sounds of deep and content breathing: Ed had fallen asleep. He wore a small smile on his face. I could not help but grin as I sat up slightly, just enough to reach Ed's forehead, kissing it gently.
"I love you, Edward," I said, smiling down on Edward's sleeping figure.
(Edward's POV)
I awoke to find Winry still in my arms. The silver light of the moon seeped through the blinds covering the window. I gazed at Winry's sleeping face: her hair lay sprawled over the pillow and my arm, her lips pulled into a grin wider than her face, and she looked more happy than she had been in a long time.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something on the night stand. I reached for it with my arm and brought it to my face. Due to the lack of lighting in the room, the words were difficult to read:
"The Central Diner-7:30-two days from now.
-I see you took Envy's advice and got a room. Good for you Fullmetal."
I cloud feel the blush in my cheeks as I read Lust's final words. She really pissed me off sometimes. What the hell happened to privacy?!
Domo arigatou! I want to thank everybody who has followed and favorited 'Unspoken Fears.' I started this story without much hope for it. I am excited to see where it goes, and hope you all stay with it to its end :) A special thanks goes out to Lacila, for all your support and fun reviews! I look forward to every single review I recieve, and hope to get some feedback for chapter 10!