Disclaimer: Don't own it!

007: Meteorites

Winry stood out on the balcony behind her room, watching the sky as it turned from ice blue to chilled peach to sugared plum. She was wrapped in a few blankets while she waited for Alphonse to come back with some hot chocolate. Tomorrow was the second day of the new year, and she would be boarding a train early in the morning to head back to Rush Valley. Winry squirmed a little. She saw the irony of her waiting for so long, only to leave the brothers waiting on her (maybe they would finally understand how hard it was to be that patient).

When she had finally called Garfiel to tell him she wouldn't be coming back, her grandmother rapped her head hard with her pipe. Then Pinako grabbed the phone and said Winry would be leaving Resembool on the second and should be in town by the fourth, if that worked with his schedule. Winry didn't even get a chance to argue.

Finally, Alphonse came back with the hot chocolate. He gave one to Winry and held the other with both hands.

"It sure is chilly tonight," he said.

"Mmm, that's why there's hot chocolate," Winry replied.

"Why did you want to come out here again?"

"The New Year's Meteor Shower should be happening soon. It usually starts around dusk."

"Oh! Didn't we stay out and watch that when we were kids?"

"Sometimes."

Edward came out on to the balcony, dragging a thick quilt. He snatched Alphonse's hot chocolate and threw the blanket over his brother. Alphonse scowled at him. Edward glared back.

"It's cold," was all Edward would supply.

Alphonse pulled a face, but then obliged his brother. He wrapped himself up in the quilt until only his hands and head were visible.

"Better?"

"Yeah."

"Can I have my mug back now?"

"Yeah."

Edward looked at the darkening sky. The moon was a sliver, hanging close to the horizon, and the first stars were starting to shine. He shrugged and went back inside. Alphonse grumbled a little about his over-freaking-protective brother, but Winry just smiled at him.

After a few more minutes, the sky was completely dark. Bit by bit, meteorites started flashing across the northern sky. The two friends 'oohed' and 'ahhed' where appropriate and enjoyed the other's company. Twenty minutes passed, and the shower seemed to be dwindling. Winry sighed.

"What's wrong, Winry?" Alphonse asked.

"I feel like a horrible person."

"Why? You're one of the nicest people I know!" His brows were furrowed, and he looked concerned for her.

"Well," Winry paused, chewing on her lip a little. "I feel like you guys just got here, and now here I am, gallivanting off back to Rush Valley. It seems so hypocritical!"

Alphonse chuckled, earning a glare from Winry.

"Winry, you're not 'gallivanting off,' you're finishing your apprenticeship."

"Still!" She huffed. "I should be here with you two."

"Look," Alphonse tried. "Brother and I want to see you fulfill your goals. And think of all the ways going back to Rush Valley will help you make Ed-proof automail. Just because he's not fighting homunculi all the time doesn't mean he won't find a way to break it."

"That's true," she sighed. "It doesn't stop me from feeling like I'm leaving you behind, though."

Alphonse rolled his eyes. "You know we're going to go visit Teacher soon, right?"

"Oh, yeah. Isn't she in... Dublith?"

"Yeah, so we'll be able to stop by and visit you on the way to and from. It'll be just like old times."

"Just like?"

"Well, mostly. Minus all the dangerous stuff."

Winry gave a small laugh. "I guess that'll help."

"Just don't stop going after your dreams because of us. We'll always be here, Winry, just keep going forward," he finished. Finally, Winry cracked a smile. When they looked up, one last meteor shot across the sky.

A/N:

A quarter of the way through, woohoo! I've been on a bit of a writing jag lately (as if you couldn't tell from the rabid updates), and I kinda like where the story is going (um, it found a plot! Whoa!). Also, I've had fun tucking in some new characters with familiar faces (so be on the lookout, not all of them blatantly introduce themselves). I appreciate all the feedback, so thank you very much!