Promises to Keep

EdWin angst with a happy ending.

As Ed stood there staring at Winry's closed bedroom door, he knew this would be one of the toughest things he would have to do and yet… Ed hangs his head, letting out a long, drawn out exhale in an effort to calm his nerves. It was something that needed to be done. He never wanted to put her through pain, to have to worry about him, and yet it was the one thing he always managed to do to her. 'Soon,' he reminds himself, 'this will all be over soon…' One way or another they were ending this battle with Father.

Ed raises his hand to knock, pausing centimeters against the wood. He couldn't do it, holding the fist mid-air, and clenching it tighter, with tears threatening beneath his closed eyelids. She's been though too much. Lost, too many loved ones and here he was about to throw himself in front of the fire once more. It almost didn't matter that he was doing it for her, for everyone he cared about. She deserves better, and he knows it. Maybe someday…. 'We'll cross that bridge when we get there.'

The stage had been set, plans long in progress and time was ticking down. He knew she deserved to hear the whole truth from him. About what they were doing and when he, they would be leaving for Central. It was up to him to prepare her for the coming Promised Day to make sure that she and Pinako would be as safe as possible. He just prayed she wouldn't hate him for this.

"Win," Ed knocks lightly, "are ya up?"

Gentle shuffling sounds along the wooden floors are the only indication of movement from inside the room.

"Yes," he hears her quiet response from behind the door, "did you need something Ed?"

"Could we…" he pauses to gather his resolve. "I need to talk to you about something."

The seriousness of Ed's tone causes Winry to flinch behind the door. Suspicions had been mounting the entire time she'd made it home to find Ed, Greed, and the others holed up in her home that something was going on. Not that she didn't already know, considering others like the Briggs soldiers that had helped her to escape were plotting too. It had been frustrating to be kept out of the loop of much of what was happening, but maybe it had been to protect her was the only rationale she could come up with. She sighs, unlocking the door and cracking it before walking back to her bed to sit down.

Without a word, Ed quietly let's himself in, noting the forlorn expression already seated upon Winry's face. He sits down beside her with his hands folded in his lap. She was staring at the floor, and that wasn't helping his nerves. It was obvious Winry suspected something. "Win…" he reaches over, placing a tentative hand upon hers. "Winry I wanted…." He hesitates, sighing with abandon. "You deserve to know the whole story. We…. We plan to leave in a week for Central for the fight with Father."

"I figured as much…" she breathes out.

He glances over, studying her faced down expression. "You did?" Ed rubs the back of his neck, "I guess it wasn't too hard to figure it out. Aren't you upset?"

"Of course, I am." Winry finally turns to face him. "There's nothing I can do about it, but it's okay Ed, I know you have to go." She cracks a half-hearted smile. "You have to save Amestris, I get that. Doesn't mean I have to like it, but I understand."

Ed had been prepared to get yelled at, scolded, maybe even smacked by her and told he was crazy, but Winry was taking it all so well. "I think you and granny should take the next train and get out of the country. Head to Xing, you'll be safer there…"

"No. I'm not leaving my home."

"Win, why do you always have to fight me on things?"

"It's to keep you on your toes," she smiles. This time it's Winry that takes hold of Edwards hand, squeezing lightly in a gesture of reassurance. "Besides I know granny won't leave either and I can't leave her here alone, so... we're staying put," adding a sharp nod of her head at the end finalizing her determination.

Why did she have to be so stubborn? Then again, it was one of the things Ed loved about her. He looks away, hiding the light flush to his cheeks lurking beneath the surface of his skin. Her blue eyes would pull him in so easily before he could catch himself when they glinted in a smile or flashed with determination. But it wasn't right. He didn't deserve her, not yet, and he certainly didn't want to break her heart. Because what if he didn't return? That was a big what if. They'd faced Father once and lost, what if he really was too powerful? What if Hohenheim failed to do his part in releasing the Xerxes souls? What if the Briggs soldiers failed to take Central's military headquarters? What if? What if? Too many what ifs, and not enough certainty for his analytical mind.

It would have been easier to let Edward wallow. Winry knew him too well not to realize he was probably still calculating and analyzing everything in his mind, the familiar furrow of his brows, or slight twitch of his neck vein when he was deep in thought. And she wasn't an idiot, part of that equation was their safety, hers and granny's. They were far enough and out of the way from Central to be affected by direct military actions, but maybe there was more to the story? What else could be causing him to worry so much?

"Ed?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you telling me everything?"

"What do you mean?" He looks up. It was true he hadn't told her about the giant transmutation circle or how Father had planned to kill everyone and take their souls because he didn't think she needed to know. It was the whole reason he wanted them out of the country but knew there was no arguing with her once she'd made up her mind. "You think I'm still holding back?"

Winry simply stares him down, raising an eyebrow for effect.

He flinches, knowing that look could be proceeded by a painful lesson. "Alright yes, there is, but I'm still not telling you. All you need to know is that it's going to be very dangerous on that day for everyone in this country and that's why I wanted you to leave."

She takes a few moments to process everything Edward was explaining to her. Whatever this secret was must be important, and based on his expression, scared him to an extent that he was unwilling to talk about it. It was hard enough knowing, she may never see him again once he walks out of the house to leave, but at the same time, she's learned over time, her strength, gave him strength.

"I'm just scared I'll lose you Win."

"Ed, I'm just as scared to lose you too. You and Al and granny are the only family I got in this world. But," she forces him to look at her, placing a hand on his cheek, "I also know how stubborn and strong you both are, and have faith that at the end of the day you'll win."

"You can't know that," the tears gather at the corners, "Father is strong…"

"And you are stronger! Edward Elric, I have never seen anything stop you before. Even when you were scared, you fought through it. You're the toughest person I know!" She looks up holding his amber eyes in a deadlock. 'Was he really this much taller than me?' Banishing those thoughts for the time being, "you've come this far Ed, I know you will finish it and come back home to us."

Somehow, in some way, that flickering flame behind her blue eyes sent a warmth flooding through his frame along with a renewed sense of confidence and hope. Not that he thought as highly of himself, but Winry was right about one thing. He wasn't one to back down from any fight, and this was the biggest to date. It was time to fight for not just his life but hers, and Al's, and grannys, and everyone else that meant the world to him. It was time to protect them.

"Thank you," Ed leans in, letting his forehead rest against hers. He places his hand over the one she still holds against his cheek. "You really are my strength Win, and I promise I'll come back home to you."

"You swear?" Win's own tears threatening, but she holds them back. She'd promised not to cry until it was over, and she wasn't about to give in now!

"With every beat of my heart."