Ripples:
A/N: The first chapter of my first FMA fic, if you can even call it that. Most were composed during 6th period geometry… it's a long class, so be nice. If I run them out of character, please tell me… I'm not the most knowledgeable person on all the ins and outs. All pairings will be cannon, sorry, folks.
The first stone: Impulsive
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Winry Rockbell was fairly well convinced that this was the stupidest thing she'd ever done. Actually, she was probably more sure.
She decided at the very moment that she was far to impulsive. Sure, everyone had told her that before, but now she was actually realizing the full extent of her lack of self-control. Maybe she ought to listen more, too. But it wasn't as if she could take it back now. It wasn't as if he was going to just forget.
Served him right, though. After all this… after all the times he had shown up on her doorstep with nothing but a worn bag and a contrite smile… after all the times she'd been there… he just kept running. She couldn't quite figure what was so scary about her, what drove him away. Okay, so the wrench was a little bit scary. Fine. That still didn't excuse him. Even the suggestion of him just turning tail and leaving again was enough to make her blood boil.
Still… that didn't exactly excuse her either. But she'd been through everything with him… from the times they'd spent together as children to the painful auto-mail surgery just hours ago. That didn't exactly cool her down either. Why should she work hours on end repairing the armor that he'd managed to destroy time and time again? Why did it stop bothering her more than superficially when he showed up at the door? Because then he came back… he came home. He still left her with half an idea to beat him senseless for going in the first place.
This wasn't a punishment for leaving… it was a supplication for his staying. And it had just the right effect, too. They hadn't moved an inch in about a minute.
He looked terrified, composure completely broken. He was a glowing red and she noticed the slightest tremble across his shoulders. But he wasn't running away. She'd effectively stopped the Full Metal alchemist in his tracks as few others had before. And as long as she could, she was going to keep it that way, no matter how foolish she was going to feel later for this. His bright golden eyes were frozen in something akin to shock. His coat was wrinkling where her fingers gripped it with animalistic ferocity. What had brought them to this?
"Thanks for everything Winry…!"
She only heard it from upstairs. She'd just left the shower, and they knew it. They had to find some method of escape. It was getting to hard to sneak out on Winry when she patrolled the grounds at night. But the Elrics were sure they'd found the solution. She'd never come after them in nothing but a bath towel. Even she wasn't that crazy.
They were running, full sprint through the kitchen. Al was no more than a step ahead of his older brother, but it was enough. There was a second's delay that stopped Edward from reaching the door. It was a second enough. She'd managed to secure the towel, but the elder brother found himself facing a very angry, barely dressed Rockbell. "C-come on, Winry…" He whined. It was far too late for pleading now. She felt the tears hot in her eyes, but she wasn't going to cry. She had to do something, though. …Oh, she had the worst idea.
And, damn her impulsive streak, she'd not thought a instant more.
At last, she was forced to relinquish her moment of triumph. Stupid air. Who needed air, anyway?
He didn't move, didn't breath. In fact, for a second she thought she might have killed him. Oh, this was not going to end well. She was absolutely sure now. This is the stupidest, most impulsive…
"Winry…"
…most ridiculous… ludicrous… crazy…
"Y-y-you kissed me…"
…most bizarre…
He slumped against the wall, still reeling. The younger was halfway up the road, looking back. But Edward had lost all previous control of any limbs whatsoever. He was still staring at her as if she'd slapped him clear across the room.
"I'm gonna go sit…" he absently muttered.
…most effective idea I've ever had.
