Nyago – Yes, yes… hurt it will. Poor Winry, so oblivious. Thanks for the R&R!
Kistune No Youkai – I'm a sucker for EdxWinry too, dun worry. They're the cutest couple, no? And you want angst you say? Well… here's this chapter, a huge slab of angst! Enjoy and thanks for reading!
SoulOmen64 – Hahaha! If that's your case then I'm doing what I planned for this story! Glad to see another likes Winry Diamond. Hope you won't hate me later, though. O.o Thanks for the R&R!
faithful taijiya – Ah, thanks! Sorry to say it only gets more depressing from here. Hope that won't drive you away, though. Thanks for the R&R!
Monkeyfeet108 - Laughs Oh, that was a bit harsh? You gotta put some blame on Ed too, ya know… for leading her on and all. Or maybe he wasn't leading her on? You decide. ;) Thanks for reading!
Saturn Stars – Heya lil sis! Thanks for the R&R! Sorry this chapter made you so sad, BTW. Hahaha! Glad you enjoyed the humor. I tried and I personally think I failed, but as long as someone appreciates it, then it's all good. And don't worry, Envy isn't out the picture. Not by a long shot. Shortly he shall make Ed's life very miserable, as usually. Just like the evil mini-skirt wearing bastard he is. Well… I'd hope a good author wouldn't make his or her readers die.. but making them on edge is better. ;) Thanks again for reading, little sis!
hiei44 – Hehehe, thanks. The comb part was my personal favorite as well. ;) Yes, here's hoping he gets to kiss his childhood friend. Thanks for the R&R!
heart of flame – Hehehehe… that rhymed. Er, sorry. I'm such a loser. XD; But yes… it's more like poor Winry now. Thanks for the R&R!
Vash & anonymous – Thanks so much!
Chiyo Ishida – OMFG it's big sis! …Stop stalking me! ;) Kidding. Thank you so much for the review, though! I'm happy you found me and hey, do you think I want to escape your awesomeness! ;) Ooooh, methinks I should review one of your stories now! Thanks again, big sis!
Marii – Thank you, thank you! I tried to portray that Ed and otherworld Al are friends, but still not as close as brothers. I dunno… did I succeed? Glad you enjoyed that regardless, though! Thanks for the R&R!
SxStrngSamurai13 – Ah, yes, Poor Hoho-Papa has been neglected a bit, no? Don't worry, he'll play a more important role. After all, Envy's been after his head originally. Ah, but you see…. Has Ed even fallen for this Winry in the first palce? Hm… I'll leave you to wonder. Mwhahaha! Thanks for the R&R!
"Gone, she's gone
How do you feel about it
That's what I thought
You're real torn up about it
And I wish you the best
But I could do without it
And I will, because you've worn me down
Oh, I will, because you've worn me down
Worn me down like a road
I did everything you told
Worn me down to my knees
I did everything to please
But you can't stop thinking about her
No, you can't stop thinking about her"
- "Worn Me Down" By: Rachael Yamagata
Winter in Germany
paradise lost
There was a certain tension in the air the next morning when Winry arrived at the hanger wearing the clothes she had promised to return to Ed on this day. At first she couldn't understand why the air was so thick. She had been convinced the tension was between Al and Ed and she wondered if they had had an argument. However as she sat down and began to work with Ed, she discovered the tension was not between Ed and Al but rather between Ed and herself. He was outwardly cold to her, but not harsh. He just didn't care for small talk like he usually did during the lessons. He merely instructed her, going straight to the point. Several times Winry would turn her eyes to him in hopes to meet his golden ones, but he absolutely refused to look at her. And this hurt her beyond belief. Instantly she regretted her show of affection to him last night and kicked herself repeatedly for ruining their relationship. But she had been so sure it would work...
And despite the heavy air between them now, her feelings did not change. To put it plain and simple: She had fallen in love with the distant dreamer Edward Elric. There was no doubt in her heart now, as there had been in the beginning. She had fallen incredibly fast for this man. It had taken her by surprise and had knocked her clear over. She had been afraid of this sudden new feeling, but she hadn't shyed away from it. And in the end she had come to terms with it only to discover how much in love she was with Ed. So it was understandable that having him treat her like this hurt more than she thought possible. He might as well have ripped her heart from his chest and stomped on it until it was nothing by a thousand bloody pieces.
The tension did not go unnoticed by Al, who found himself extremely nervous. Something had happened between them after he had left. That had become clear the moment Ed had returned, fleeing to his room without so much as a word. Talking to him proved useless and when Al told Ed to come out for dinner he was promptly snapped at and told to get lost. He ended up picking the lock to Ed's room and bringing food in for him, only to find the blonde haired boy had disappeared to the rooftop. But he had left the food on his desk anyway and left without a word. But unlike last night where he only had to deal with the moody Edward, now he had to deal with both Ed and Winry. The tension between them was so thick Al was sure he physically ran into it two or three times as he wandered about the hanger to collect tools and parts. He kept a wise distance from Winry and Ed, throwing them worried glances over his shoulder.
The bomb exploded around noon. The sky had been gray all day and had finally opened up, dropping the white flakes of Heaven down upon the earth. It had been eerily quiet inside the hanger, save for the tools working on the machines and the occasional grunt of effort. Suddenly Ed stood up fast from his chair, which screeched loudly against the cement floor. His gloved hands slammed down on the desk's wooden surface, jarring everything on it and knocking a wrench off the edge. Winry had been working alone near by and she jumped. Both she and Al turned startled faces to Ed, eyes wide and confused.
"I'm going for a walk," Was all Ed offered them before he abruptly stormed out of the hanger.
The door slammed shut, leaving a blinking Winry and Al. After a long pause, Al spoke up.
"What... happened between you two last night?" He blurted out, turning inquiring blue eyes to Winry's face.
Winry's eyes remained on the doors, looking sad and hurt. A frown tugged at her lips and Al felt his heart break at the look on her face.
"I... did something stupid."
"Oh? Well, I won't ask. It's none of my--"
"I kissed him."
Al choked on the rest of his words and blinked rapidly at her. Why was she telling him this!
"O-Oh yeah?" He stammered, not sure what he was suppose to say to something like that.
Winry bowed her head, green eyes falling to her hands that were now folded in her lap. Al watched her and rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn't sure he understood this. Ed was mad because she had kissed him? Heck, if Ed didn't want her affection he would gladly take it. But no... he didn't like Winry that way. Maybe he did once in the past, but now they were merely friends. But besides that, he really couldn't understand why that had Ed so upset. He was so sure Ed liked her in that way.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I have anything to say that will make you feel better, Winry," Al told her truthfully, dropping his hand from his neck. "I think you should go talk to him."
"I can't," Winry whimpered.
"You have to if you ever want the tension to go away."
Winry frowned and bit her bottom lip. Al was right. She took a deep breath and stood.
"Right! I'll go then," She said, looking determined.
Al chuckled at her sudden change in attitude and stood, taking his heavy coat from the back of his chair. He held it out to Winry.
"Don't worry. I think you of all people know that Ed isn't as hostile as he acts."
Winry smiled and nodded, taking the coat with a soft 'thank you'. She hurriedly slipped it on and raced out the door to catch up with Ed.
Edward had been in such a rush to get out of there he had forgotten his coat. Now the cold air seeped through his thin layer of clothing and nipped at his skin, numbing it as he moved briskly down the sidewalk. He looked extremely angry, although he really wasn't. But with golden eyes narrowed at the snow covered sidewalk and eyebrows furrowed, people stayed out of his way. He was frustrated with himself. He couldn't sort out his feelings and was beginning to lose that ground between his fantasies and this reality. He was attracted to this Winry, he wouldn't lie. But he was attracted to her for all the wrong reasons. It wasn't love that drove him toward her, it was loneliness. Maybe lust as well. It hurt to have to push Winry away so coldly, but he had to. It was for her own good. Now if only he could convince himself of that.
"Edward! Wait! Please, wait!"
The voice startled him and he staggered to a halt, glancing over his shoulder to see the subject of his thoughts hurrying toward him, Al's coat severally big on her small frame. He narrowed his eyes and whirled away, continuing his fast pace down the sidewalk. He had to keep pushing her away.
"ED!" Winry begged and ran as fast she could, managing to catch up with him.
She snatched his arm in a surprisingly tight grasp and forced him around to look at her. Green eyes pleaded with his frustrated gold ones and she clung to his arm tightly, refusing to let him go. Several snowflakes fell onto her long dark lashes, melting and causing her to blink to rid her eyes of the water. Whatever Ed had been feeling abruptly threw itself off the cliff of his mind and he found himself transfixed by her eyes, only able to stare into them. He was sure the expression on his face was odd. But apparently Winry was not bothered by this. And she had long since picked up his attraction to her. It was only a matter of turning that into something more. She drew her face close to his so that their noses were almost touching and she closed her eyes as she felt him breathe on her face.
"Ed, please don't be mad at me," She whispered to him. "Please don't runaway. I'm sorry."
"Sorry..." Ed muttered, abruptly jerking his head away, eyes now cast to the side. He had not spoken that word like an apology of his own, but merely as a sarcastic echo of her words.
Winry's eyes fluttered open and she frowned, hands now pressed on his chest. "Ed, stop. I don't like you being so cold to me. I said I was sorry. I won't do it again, I promise."
"Then what are you trying to do now?" Ed demanded, golden eyes angrily flickering to her face.
Winry looked startled and abruptly pulled away, taking several steps backwards. She wrung her hands in front of her.
"I-I'm sorry... I can't help it," She muttered, eyes never leaving them even though it appeared they wanted to.
"Can't help it?" Ed echoed incredulously. "Can't help what? No, wait. I don't want to know. Go back to the hanger, Winry."
He turned and continued his trek down the sidewalk, although his pace had slowed considerably. Winry hurried after him, falling into steps beside him.
"You're the one who should go back. You forgot your coat, you idiot."
She suddenly stepped in front of him, forcing him to halt mere inches from her. Winry slipped off Al's coat and handed it to him.
"Here, this is Al's. You can use it," She offered, smiling faintly.
Ed blinked stupidly at the coat in his hands. "Wait... isn't this suppose to be the other way around?"
"There is no rules to love," Winry giggled.
Ed flinched at her words and handed the coat back to her. "Forget it. You take it."
Winry frowned but didn't argue, slipping the overly large coat back on. Instantly the sleeves fell over her hands. Ed chuckled lightly at this as Winry pouted. He took the sleeves without a word and rolled them up for her so that her hands could be seen and used. Winry blushed, but couldn't help by smile as she watched his hands work. When it was finished he pulled away. Winry hurriedly grabbed his arm and clung to it before he could turn away.
"Come to lunch with me," She said cheerfully, as if their earlier squabble had never happened.
"Eh, it's too early for lunch..."
"It's almost twelve-thirty!"
"What about Al?"
"We'll bring him something back. C'mon, please? I wanna make it up to you... I want to show you I'm sorry," Winry said, pulling at his arm and giving him her best puppy dog eyes.
Ed rubbed the back of his head and avoided her eyes, rolling them skyward.
"All right..."
Winry smiled happily and proceeded to drag him off. She decided Das Tier Tavern was a nice place for lunch and Ed, having had the wonderful food there just yesterday, didn't protest. It was weird how he can be so angry and so frustrated one moment and then so totally in bliss and happy the next. Winry seemed to have always had that effect on him and this Winry was no different. So things got better between them over a lunch and the incident was mostly forgotten as they now made their way back to the hanger, laughing and joking. However half way there Winry realized she had promised to return home at one o'clock and seeing as how it was now almost one-thirty...
"Ah, sorry Ed," She said, frowning in apology.
"No worries. I'll expect you tomorrow then," Ed said, smiling in return.
Winry smiled back and nodded, taking the coat off and handing it back to him. "Yes, of course. And thank Al for me."
She then waved and hurried off. Ed watched her retreating back for a moment, smile slowly fading to a frown. He then turned and headed back to the hanger. Damn... I'm such an idiot...
Although Winry was running late, that didn't stop her from stopping by Ed, Al and Hohenheim's house. She discovered she had lost an earring the night after the ball and since she couldn't find it at her own house, she figured she might have lost it in Ed's room when she was probing his false limbs. Thus she slipped inside after unlocking the door. She assumed Hohenheim wasn't home since the door was locked. She made her way quickly up the stairs, easily locating Ed's room (the fact that she knew so well where it was now made her blush) She entered it carefully, as if she was afraid to walk in on someone, although she knew very well no one was inside. She peeked around the dark room, lit barely by what little light there was peeking through the heavy gray snow clouds. Green eyes surveyed the room.
"Let's see... where could it have fallen?" She muttered to herself.
After a moment's thought she moved to the bed. After checking underneath it and even in it (messing up the covers in the process) she moved to a new area. She tried not to tear Ed's room to pieces in search of the expensive diamond earring as she checked all the obvious places. When there was nothing, she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest, now positioned in the center of the room.
I looked everywhere! Where could it--Oh! Maybe Ed found it and put on his desk?
Her eyes wandered to it and she sweatdropped. The old desk made of wood could hardly be seen underneath all the papers and open books. Several papers had overflowed onto the floor along with what appeared to be several photographs. She wandered over to the desk, shaking her head as her hands dropped to her hips.
Jeez Edward, you think you could at least organize it a little. Honestly...
She crouched down and began to gather the papers in one hand, green eyes fiercely concentrating on the task. One paper she grabbed had been underneath a photo and when she picked it up, the picture flipped over. She reached for it, but froze. Her eyes widen and the papers collected spilled from her hand, scattering everywhere across the floor around the desk. A shaky slender hand touched the picture, as if it was going to bite her, and slowly she picked it up. She brought it closer to her face and could only stare at it in silent horror. It was Ed... or a younger version of him at least. He was sitting on grass, part of a yellow house behind him, in nothing but a white undershirt and blue boxes. He appeared to have hs false limbs, but they looked much more complex than his current ones. He looked positively embarrassed, eyes downcast and face red. This was due to the girl behind him, arms wrapped around his neck and chin resting on the top of his head. She was smiling wildly, blue eyes sparkling. She had obviously surprised Ed. A dog was partly in the picture as well, appearing to have a metal leg. But that girl was what drew her eyes. That girl who was an exact replica of herself, save for lighter hair and blue eyes. The photograph went flying and both hands attacked the others scattered about, looking at them all frantically.
And as fate would have it, Ed had returned to the house to retrieve something he had forgotten. It had been a simple sketch of a design idea for a part and he had wanted to show Al, but had sadly left it in the mess on his desk. He was nearly knocked over from shock when he entered his room, only to freeze in the doorway at Winry knelt beside his desk, surrounded by familiar pictures of faces that were beginning to fade from his memory. One of them was clutched in her hands and her head was bowed, long dark blonde hair spilling over her shoulders to hide her face from him. His eyes widen when he recognized the mess of photos.
Shit.
"W-Winry... what are you doing in here?" Ed stammered, unable to keep horror from his voice.
"Is your idea of a sick joke!" Winry exploded, standing up fast and waving the picture in her hand at him.
Tears had collected in her eyes but had not fallen. She looked very angry and it made Ed reel back.
"Answer me!" Winry cried. "What is this! What IS this!"
She pointed to all the photos and picked one up. An older picture of a young Ed with his brother and Winry.
"Why does this kid look like Al...? Why does this girl look like me! Tell me!" Winry cried, tossing the photos in the air where they gently floated back to the ground.
But Ed's voice had fled and all he could do was open his mouth soundlessly. Winry had pinned him in place with a terrible stare. What made it terrible was all the emotions in her eyes. Everything from fear to sorrow to hatred.
"Is this why... you've treated me so kindly, Ed? Is that way you seem attracted to me? Because I remind you of this girl... this girl who looks exactly like me. Is this the reason, Ed! Tell me!" Winry cried, voice going from soft to loud.
When he still did nothing but stare, she lunged at him and grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, clinging tightly to it. She shook him angrily, eyes squeezed tightly shut.
"Don't just stare at me! Give me answers, goddammit!" She cried.
Ed's hands flew up to grip her upper arms to stop her from shaking him. His touch, however, seemed to disgust her now and she jerked away.
"It's true, isn't it?" She sobbed, feeling her tears fall. "You're in love with this girl and I... I'm just a replacement! Just a stand-in until you can be with her again! Tell me the truth! That's it, isn't it!"
"Winry... It's... It's not like that..." Ed muttered. But the horrible fact of the matter was that it was like that. Exactly like that.
"Then tell me what it's 'like', Ed! Tell me this is a cruel joke! Tell me you fell in love with me for me!"
Dead silence filled the small room and Ed's eyes dropped to the floor. Winry's pleading face changed to a horrified look, but her eyes were filled with indescribable sorrow. Her fists clenched at her sides so tightly her nails cut the skin of her palms.
"Oh God... So all this time..." She whispered.
Then she bolted, shoving past him in a mad attempt to flee. Ed was abruptly thrown into the door frame, but this seemed to snap him back to reality.
"W-Winry! Wait!" He cried, hurrying after her.
"Stay away from me!" Winry sobbed, pausing briefly at the doorway to give him a truly hated look. "I hate you!"
Her words made Ed freeze in his tracks and he nearly tripped.
"Don't ever come near me again, Edward Elric!"
She then turned and ran. She ran as fast as she could through the falling snow, eyes closed and tears spilling down her cheeks. She didn't dare look back. She didn't even think about it. She just ran. She had to get away. She had to get away from him, for those feelings. How dare he! How dare he lead her on... make her believe that... Her foot caught ice and she tumbled forward, crashing hard on the ground near the front gates of her house. She cried out and tried to get up, only to fall back down onto the snow in her grief. She buried her face into her hands and curled herself into a pathetic shivering ball, sobbing as the snow continued to fall, unforgiving.