A/N: I think the only time we saw Winry in these thirty-seven chapters was during the second chapter (and for a very short time). I actually wasn't quite that confident on writing her, but it has to happen one time or another… So here's a chapter for Winry!

Prompt 38: Waiting

Inspiration: A list of prompts I wrote down in my rough book.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

She thought on that quote as she waited for her best friends to return back to Resembool for the last time. How true those six simple words were…

In the past, she had always taken them for granted. They had all been friends, and she had never thought they could be parted. It was part of their childish innocence; days spent playing games outside and having picnics by the river. Those were the times she desperately longed for.

Now, she could only wonder what was happening to them. She was afraid for both of their lives, and though she would always shout at Ed for breaking his automail, she was glad it gave her a chance to visit the two and make sure they were fine with her own eyes. Otherwise, there were only words to reassure her, and there was only so much that words could do.

Her work was the only thing she had to distract her. In their absence, she threw herself into automail engineering, making all the designs she could and burning the midnight oil to complete her work. She had gained a mighty reputation for herself, free from underneath her family's shadow with her work. But no matter what she made, her best automail designs would always be reserved for her childhood friend.

She knew Ed would never give up; that he would do all he could to get both their bodies back. She knew Alphonse would do what he could to protect his elder brother in their quest. She also knew it would be impossible to deter the two from their goals.

She waited for the day her two friends would be back home, never to leave, their golden hair like beaming haloes in the sunlight and eyes bright with their victory. Both of them made fully of flesh, not needing her expertise with metal any longer.

After all, the Elric brothers were never ones to break their promises.

And so, she kept waiting.

A/N: I just discovered it's pretty fun to write Winry. I know this topic has been written about a lot of times, but it seemed like a good place to start for introspection. Hope I managed to put some new thought here or there.