Disclaimer: Don't own it! Warning: Some strong, capslocky language.

025: Pierce

Winry frowned at the little piece of metal in her hand. With a soft growl, she glared at her ear lobe in the mirror.

Of the earrings that had already found their home in her ears, it was one of the posts that refused to go back in. It seemed it took about a year for that one hole to close up. Winry had asked Garfiel for help re-piercing it, but he just handed her a blow torch and skipped off.

"Winry, I got the apple!" Paninya called as she hopped up the stairs toward the bathroom. "Why do you need this thing again?"

Winry took the proffered fruit. "Aw, I need it cut in half."

Paninya held up a switch blade. Winry raised an eyebrow, and the other girl just grinned innocently. With an eye roll, Winry grabbed the knife and cut the apple in quarters.

"Now tell me, why do you need the apple? How does that help you poke a hole in your ear?" Paninya asked again.

"Granny used one when she did these the first time. I think it gives something for the needle to push into besides my thumb."

Paninya stuck her tongue out at the image. "Gross."

"Well you don't have to stay and watch if you don't want to."

"Nah, someone needs to drag your body downstairs for a blood transfusion."

"I won't need a blood transfusion. There aren't any blood vessels that big in your ear."

"Well, you know, just in case."

Winry chuckled. She grabbed the blow torch and used it to heat up the needle she was holding in some tongs. Paninya oohed.

"Whatcha doin' that for?"

"Kills the germs. And it'll help to cauterize the wound."

Shutting off the flame, Winry grabbed the cool end of the needle and readied the apple. Scowling in the mirror, she lined up the needle.

"Shit."

Paninya tumbled backwards into the bathtub she had been sitting on. "OH GOD, WHAT?"

"I forgot to numb my ear," Winry sighed.

"Oh. Is that important?" Paninya replied as she resumed her perch.

"Mm, yeah. This is gonna hurt. Cartilage always hurts the worst."

"You're still gonna do it?" Paninya screeched as she almost fell backwards again. Winry gave her a sideways look.

"Yeah. I'm tired of waiting!"

Paninya blanched.

Winry drew in a steadying breath and lined up the needle again. Another lungful of air. She pursed her lips. Then she pushed the needle through.

"AARGH! SHIT! OWW! SHIT! SHIT! FUCK! GAH! DAMMIT! "

Winry bit her lip and danced back in forth, wincing in pain. Paninya fell into the tub again.

"WHERE THE HELL IS THE STUD?"

She groped around on the counter. Feeling a round piece of metal biting into her thumb, she grabbed the errant earring. Winry groaned as she pulled out the needle. Quickly, she shoved the stud through the fresh hole and snapped the clasp on the back.

"Ugh, I think I'm gonna be sick," Paninya moaned from the bottom of the tub.

"You? The needle didn't get anywhere near you and you're gonna be sick? You're such a wuss, Paninya," Winry scoffed. She leaned against the wall behind her and slid down to the floor. "What is it with automail users and needles?"

Paninya just groaned.