Hello all! This chapter is slightly different, and we get to see a different point of view. But I hope you will all like it! Thanks for the comments and, this one is for you big sis!
Chapter Twenty-nine: Her Turmoil
Things had settled down soon enough after our return. I was welcomed into Winry's house as one of her relatives and she had taken care of me lovingly, which reminded me of the old days. No matter how kind brother was, no matter how happy Winry was to have me back, my mind constantly wondered to my life in Germany. I felt selfish. Selfish to my family back there… and selfish to brother for even feeling this way after everything that he had gone through to regain me.
I had lost all power to use alchemy… despite the fact I understood all the concepts perfectly. I had told Winry of my problems only to have her break down and cry. She believed that I wasn't happy here with her, and I, being depressed about the issue only depressed her. I had begged her not to tell brother and she promised with her heart and soul. That night she made me an extra delicious supper (Much to brother's delight) and claimed that she wanted to do something nice for me. This only made me feel guiltier. I didn't want Winry to work harder to make me feel better, as if brother wasn't enough for her to handle already.
I sighed and slouched slightly on the couch. The days were boring here… I wasn't qualified to do anything except join the military… but I wanted to settle down, fall in love, and have children. Brother was as restless as ever and ran around the town most of the day leaving Winry at home alone.
She was strong, she would wave and let him go without a fuss, even if there was a possibility he wouldn't come back for a few weeks or more. Winry was working on an auto-mail behind me and brother was lazing over the couch next to me.
"I'm bored." Brother yawned, glancing around the room.
"Brother… aren't they coming today?" I asked with a slight smile.
"Who?" His face perked up a little before he grunted. "You mean the bloody military, yes!" He sighed with annoyance. "Honestly why do they have to come, and sensei as well, as if I don't have enough to put up with." Edward glanced over his shoulder and rolled his eyes at Winry, who had turned around to listen to the conversation. Her face instantly tensed at his comment.
"Maybe they want to see your brother for the first time!" Winry argued standing up and placing her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, yeah…" Edward replied shooing Winry away. He turned his head to give me a slight smile, happiness distant in his eyes. He looked at me like this a lot. I knew he was happy to have me back, he was proud of me. "Right Al?"
"I really want to see everyone." I told brother with a smile, perhaps I was missing them slightly, and that's why I was still upset.
"Better than hanging around her all day!" Edward grinned, pointing to Winry who was running her fingers through his hair. I rolled my eyes and turned away. I knew what was going to come soon enough.
"Why are you so mean to me?" Winry yelled, hitting Ed across the head.
"Because you are slowly decreasing the number of brain cells in my head!" Edward argued, standing up to look her in the eye.
"Only when you are a jerk!" Winry said stomping her foot down.
"Winry you hit me last night for no reason!" Ed chimed in between her grunts of frustration.
"You weren't talking to me that's why!" She moved closer and shoved the wrench in his face.
"I was busy!" Edward cried hitting his forehead in an obvious matter.
Time to leave the room I think…
I stood up from the couch without either of them noticing. I didn't mind when they fought anymore… I used to think they were both too mean to each other, but I had realised many times during my return it was their deranged form of flirting. I didn't want to encounter another heavy make-out session today, so I was gladly fleeing from the scene.
I walked into the kitchen, hearing the climax of their fight. Any second and they will be all over each other. Winry and brother fought all the time, always disagreed, had nothing in common and never got along. But through it all there was one thing that the two of them shared; a deep passion for each other. Hell, they couldn't keep their goddamn hands off one another, they loved each other. I had heard from Winry back in Germany that when two people fought like brother did with Winry, they cared about each other more than possible.
"I HATE YOU! ED! PISS OFF!"
"GRR YOU'RE SO STUBBOURN!" Brother yelled. They turned their backs on each other and groaned. No matter how many times I told myself to avoid there little exchanges… I couldn't help but peek every now and then. It was terribly interesting.
It was Winry who first looked over her shoulder. "Ed…"
"Shut up! I have had enough!" He replied sticking his noise up in the air. She walked over to him slowly and waited for him to turn his head and look at her. They glared at each other for a moment, and before I knew it she was in his arms kissing him violently. I rolled my eyes dramatically. I heard the excited noises escape Winry's lips, asBrother pushed her down to the couch. In times like these, I wanted to raise a flag and say, please refrain while Al is in the room. But they wouldn't have heard me anyway.
I grabbed some bread and walked past the couch watching them with fascination as I proceeded to sit outside. I never knew the ultimate speed of kissing until today. I sat outside on the porch hearing the two from all the way out here. Why the hell do they fight? I don't understand!
Sometimes I wanted to hit brother for acting so careless in front of Winry. I knew he cared a lot for her. He had told me one night…
We were sitting out underneath the stars, stargazing like we used to.
"Brother it was mean of you not to let Winry come with us…" I told him with a slight sigh.
"She'll get over it."
"Brother!"
"I just wanted her to wait for me, that's all." Edward smiled slightly, shutting his eyes with content. "I don't want to always be around her, I don't want to depend on her." He told me with sadness. "The honest truth… I can't stand being away from her, I'm training myself!" He grinned.
"Brother…"
"Yeah pretty pathetic huh?" Edward said with distant eyes.
"No brother, I think it's really nice."
"I really care about Winry, she just doesn't see things from my point of view."
"Maybe you don't see her point of view." I told him sternly.
"Maybe… but I will always love her, that's all I can offer."
I smiled at my brother, content with his answer.
He really is stubborn.
My eyes widened as I noticed Colonel walking slowly towards the house. I had spaced out and in the meantime Riza, Armstrong, Ross and Brochewere almost upon the doorstep. Ross grinned as she saw me for the first time and began running towards the door. This is not good. She wrapped her arms around me, the others approaching steadily. I could see a slight smirk on Roy's face and I knew that he was instantly thinking about paying out Edward for me being taller than him.
"My, My! I never knew how handsome you were." She paused as I pulled away from her with a grin. I raised my hands in front of my face and blushed slightly. "Just like your father. I could tell Broche was depressed over her comment and chuckled slightly.
"I am so sorry; I don't think brother is dressed… I will just go wake him! Wait here!" I said quickly regaining my intelligent thought. I ran inside the house, and shut the door quickly behind me before they saw the mess on the couch.
Just as I had expected, the two had gotten worse. They would never do anything too R rated while I was around, but that didn't stop brother from sticking hands all over the place.
"Brother!" I yelled slapping him across the head. It was the only way I was going to get his attention. He lifted his head from Winry's chest with a nervous smile on his face.
"Al… ahaha" He laughed, removing his hand from underneath Winry's shirt suspiciously. I don't even want to know what he was doing. "I didn't know you were here…" He laughed looking down at Winry with a gulp.
"Hahahaha didn't you go to the shops or something?" Winry asked, pulling her hand out of Edwards pants. I rolled my eyes and sighed.
"You two are so immature!" I said with exhaustion, slapping my forehead. "Our guests are at the front door and look at the two of you! Honestly I am not your father!" I said with aggravation. All I ever do is look after them.
Edward and Winry immediately jumped off each other and began straightening themselves up. Winry buttoned up her shirt so her bra wouldn't be exposed to the military, and Edward quickly wrapped his belt around himself. I glanced at them as they exchanged a nervous blush and twitched. They have their clothes on properly… but something still looks suspicious. They went to answer the door, and I knew that our guests would instantly know what had been going on. Winry's hair was all over the place, including her current mood. She looked like she was about to faint by just standing next to brother… he side-glanced her nervously as the guests just gaped at them.
"Well erm- hi… we just woke up." Edward said quickly, blushing instantly as he looked down at Winry. The memory was obviously still fresh on their minds, and they obviously weren't satisfied either.
I slapped my forehead with a sigh and walked up behind them, the nervous smile on my face didn't help either.
"W-welcome." Winry grinned cheerfully flinching asbrother accidentally brushed against her. I could see the magnetic force attracting them to each other quite clearly and so could everyone else. Tension and chemistry.
"Well Fullmetal." Mustang coughed. "Are you going to let us in or continue to just stand there?"
Winry and Ed both went to get out of the doorway but ended up bumping into each other in the process due to their suddenness. That was it, they had both cracked. Brother quickly grabbed Winry's hand and grinned suspiciously "If you will excuse us for one second!" Brother said raising a finger. Before I knew it, they had bolted for the nearest room and slammed the door behind them. I smirked slightly and watched as the others looked between each other with confusion.
The afternoon progressed fine… or so I thought it would. I talked to the guests of all my travels and watched the admiration radiate from the ladies. I had brought out the drinks and laughed with them of their tales on how restless Brother had been in my leave.
"You really did all that? You're amazing!" Armstrong declared. Standing up to flex his muscles, just to prove his point. I sat there and nodded with fear. Hoping and praying just like the rest of them, that he wouldn't take his shirt of and start crying rivers.
Before long brother and Winry had emerged from the room in content, and it wasn't long before Winry brought out the snacks. Brother sat down next to Riza and gave Winry a little wink before she proceeded to go inside and bring out some more food. Winry blushed and headed inside, it seemed that the effects brother had on her were endless.
I followed her while brother laughed happily with the guests, he makes out that he doesn't like this, but I know he does. I walked into the kitchen to help Winry and noticed she was crouched down over the phone talking quietly.
"Hi I am just ringing about the tests." She whispered so softly thatI had to move slightly closer to even bring the sentence together.
"You're… joking…" She said after a few minutes silence. "No it can't be true!" Winry said, raising her voice slightly. "But… can't you do them again or something? Just to confirm?" Her voice had become shaky and I stared at her with worry. "Definitely?" Shegasped in absolute shock and horror. "Okay thank you!" She slammed the phone down and leaned over the bench, digging her forehead into her hands. "What the hell am I going to do?" She whispered with desperation.
"Something wrong?" I asked her, blinking slightly.
"Al!" She jumped back with shock and laughed slightly. "No but you could help me with these!" I nodded with a grin and helped Winry take the rest of the food outside. Brother kissed her on the cheek quickly to say thank you, much to her surprise before she disappeared into the house to take the plates back. I sat at the table joining in the conversation with brother and the rest. I somehow felt at home. It was sad to know everything I had missed, but it was damn hilarious to hear the very many numerous stories as well. Before long I noticed Winry sitting a little way away on the porch staring out over the scenery. Brother glanced at me curiously as I rose from my seat, however forgot it as soon as Roy began paying out his height.
I heard the laughter of their conversation close by as I went to sit down next to Winry. "Something wrong?" I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She turned to me suddenly, desperation in her beautiful eyes. "Al!" She said under her breath quietly. I could see the tears brimming in her eyes and furrowed my eyebrows slightly. "I need your help please!" She cried frantically.
I nodded. "Sure, just don't cry, brother wont be happy if he sees that."
She suddenly mouthed something leaving me confused. "Huh?" I asked. I realised she was trying to keep her voice down, but that was going to the extremes. She urged me to come closer and whispered in my ear.
"I'm pregnant."
I froze and waited till she pulled away from me. The words suddenly sank in and I grinned uncontrollably. "CONGRATULATIONS!" I yelled throwing my arms around her. The table all stopped and observed us, including brother who raised his head slightly with confusion to get a better look at the situation. I laughed nervously as Winry glared at me and watched brother raise his eyebrows.
"Congratulations…?" He asked frowning slightly.
"Don't worry, don't worry!" I said with happiness, turning back to Winry with a dumb grin, when the rest had forgotten about it already.
"AL! THAT WAS CLOSE!" She whispered loudly and sternly lowering herself slightly with embarrassment.
"They had no clue what I meant, its okay, so what do you need help with?" I asked with delight. Perhaps the baby's name? I was so delighted, I was going to have a little niece for sure! That's what I wanted.
"No Al." Winry's gaze was now distant. "I don't know what to do… Ed is going to hate me for sure." Winry said.
"What?" I shook my head with confusion. "Why? He will be so happy, you won't be able to pry him from you."
"No, I talked to him a while ago, and asked him if he wanted children or a wife… he blatantly refused… I can accept no commitment; I can… because I love him so much. As long as he stays with me… but having a child is going to ruin everything!" She cried, her tears falling down her face as she confessed her deep feelings to me. "I told him so many times to wear protection! Damn that idiot!"
I smiled softly. "Winry did you ever thinkthat brotherdidn't use protection because he didn't mind if you got pregnant?" I asked realistically.
"Definitely not! He is just a cocky jerk!"She fumed.
"You shouldn't get upset at him until you actually talk to him." Brother definetly can't blame her if he didn't want to use protection.
"He is going to leave me." She began sobbing desperately into her hands. "I can't get rid of it though, we made it together… how am I supposed to deal with this? If I don't abort it I know Ed will hate me forever, he will probably think I am trying to con him into marrying me." Winry cried into her arms. "DON'T TELL HIM AL!" She suddenly raised her head and glared at me. "If you do, I will never forgive you!" he yelled.
I nodded with fear and let her dig her head into my chest.
"I have to be cold to him for the time being, I have too!"
The night eventually ended. Winry and I had just been sitting together and watching the night sky. But as soon as the guests declared they were leaving she was by Edwards's side giving a good impression. I realised how hard she tried to please him.
"Didn't get to talk to you much Winry, maybe next time." Riza smiled as the rest agreed with a nod. They said farewell to the guests and stood there with an awkward silence.
"Winry…" Edward started. She began to panic when Ed looked away with sadness. He knows! I began to panic as well and bit my fingernails for Winry's sake. "Why did you um… sit alone?" He asked. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and awaited Winry's reply.
"I was just thinking." She replied coldly. She is turning on her defences; this is really going to frustrate me. Edward looked up with confusion.
"Winry thankyou so much for making all that food." He smiled stepping slightly closer to her. He grabbed her hand and kissed her gently on the lips. Winry looked away.
"It's okay." She said softly. I observed with sadness as Edward became more and more confused. Poor brother doesn't know what the hell is going on.
"Are you mad because I didn't come over?" He said cocking his head to the side, his voice was surprisingly soft and I wondered if he was in a good mood. By now they would just be at each others throats.
"Course not, you had people to attend to." Winry answered. Brother instantly took this as a sarcastic comment and gulped.
"S-sorry." He let go of her hand and looked away. "I just saw Al and thought that it was okay…"
"I am going to sleep in a separate room tonight okay?" Winry said. She then walked inside the house leaving Brother there with a blank face. He turned to me after a few moments and pointed towards the house.
"What's wrong with her?" He asked.
"Mmmm… well…" He waited patiently for my reply. I sighed. "Nothing."
"What the? She is sleeping somewhere else, that's pretty serious." Brother replied opening the front door for me to walk inside.
"I guess so." I laughed nervously.
"You're a bad liar Al, what did she complain about? What did I do?" Edward exhaled. "She gets angry over the stupidest things."
"This isn't really stupid brother."
"Al…" Brother said dangerously low, telling me that I had better tell him before I copped a punch to the face.
"I can't tell I promised brother…"
"Good enough I guess…" Ed walked ahead calmly, digging his hands into his pockets; I was surprised by his reactions, but knew that brother had always taken confidences seriously. "I guess I will just have to hope it sorts itself out, get a good nights sleep." With that he shut the bedroom door behind him. It left me standing there with a smile. Honestly brother tries to be so strong, but he doesn't know I can see his invisible tears.
Saturn Stars