In Advance

Timeline: Chapter Nineteen: Here We Are

Rating: K


He noticed it instantly. The overhead sign swinging from the wind, paint chipped on one corner. He chose this one instantly. Granted, it was the first store he had seen, but knowing her... Ed nodded to himself. Mirah would pick the first one she saw, too. Knowing her.

The bell chimed as he strode in, a soft smile on his face as he thought of her. Butterflies kicked up, inside his gut. She had this affect on him, recently...

"Somethin' I could help you with?" A gruff voice broke his thoughts, and he turned to see a man wiping down a sales counter.

He nodded, taking a few more steps before stopping, hands in his coat pockets.

"Later today, I'm going to be coming back in here with a young woman"—Those butterflies rose again—"She's a good friend of mine, and she'll try and pay for her clothes." He reached for his wallet, flicking it open and withdrawing a small amount of money. It would cover whatever she would buy here. "Don't let her, okay? I'm sure this is going to be enough."

"So you're beating her to the payment," the employee replied, taking the money as it was handed to him.

"Yeah," Ed nodded. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."

"Don't even mention it!" the man proclaimed, and Ed returned his grin with an even wider one.

The alchemist pivoted, starting back to the entrance. He spoke over his shoulder, hands in coat pockets. "I should be back here soon."

A throaty laugh answered him, the thick stack of money waved high in the air. "Take your time! Let me know if she wants anything else!"

Ed grinned, and returned his wave as he exited the shop.