"He always leaves me. Without a doubt he always has to leave. Or so he says. No one tells him he has to leave I think he feels as if he is obligated to. But what he does not know is that I want him to stay. I want him to be here. Here with me. To share his thoughts, feelings, everything, with me. I know it hurts him. But that's the reason I want him to stay because when he leaves I get hurt too. He thinks he's protecting me. From what though? In truth he's only causing me more pain. 'Stay with me', those are the words I long to speak to him. But I'll never. I can't. Besides, we're only friends and nothing more...Or are we? Are friends allowed to kiss?"
555
Winry hoisted herself onto her feet. She took some time to dust of her skirt and straiten her blond hair. Winry started to make her way down the hall, away from Roy's office. It had been quite a while since she had first arrived at Central, but still no sign of Edward. The fact that she came all this way to see him and he was not there was driving her insane. And Winry was tired of waiting.
She finally made her way to the front doors. The main doors that could be seen from the outside. She had walked briskly down the hallways and levels of the building not stopping to glance at anything. She put her hands up against the metal doors and forcefully pushed them open. Winry was greeted with fresh air and a familiar voice. The voice of, not Edward but, Ren.
"You were sitting in there for a while." He said with a smile.
"Hm. I figured Ed might come back soon. Guess I was wrong." Winry said with a slight chuckle. She was laughing at her own stupidity. When did Edward ever 'come back soon'?...You're right, never.
"How can you sit still without going crazy, being in that place." Ren asked as he turned his attention from Winry to the blue sky that hovered over the Earth.
"What?" Winry asked as she scratched her head in confusion. She was kicked out of her thoughts about Edward and had no idea what Ren was talking about.
"Sorry, you must think I'm an air-head." He kept his bright silver eyes on they sky. It was as if he were looking toward some distant world that Winry could not bring herself to see.
"Oh, no. Not at all." Winry commented politely. She was used to all this day dreaming and whatnots, Edward did it a lot. Somehow Winry had gotten so adapted to it that it didn't seem to phase her one bit.
"It's just that I don't like being in there where all those damn rules are put into play. It's irritating." Ren continued. "I have enough things to worry about and rules are something I do not want to add to that list." Ren said as he returned his gaze to Winry. "I'm sorry. I keep dumping all of my troubles onto your shoulders. And we just met! Arrrgh! I'm such an idiot!" He yelled obviously embarrassed.
"It's really not a problem. I like when people tell me things. It's nice to know that they can share what they're feeling with you." Winry gave Ren a kindhearted smile. But she only wished Edward would share what he thought and felt with her. Whenever she saw him he would smile, but what he did not know was that Winry could see through his every action. She could see that he was suffering on the inside. It was not only hurting him but it was also hurting her. It hurt her because it felt to her as if she could not be trusted. Not even by a friend whom she had known since they were children. Is to be trusted too much to ask? She thought to herself as the smile faded from her face and her eyes became clouded with sadness.
Ren saw this and now it was his turn to be confused. "What's wrong?" He asked thinking it was his fault.
"Mmm. Nothing. I'm fine." Winry responded in a cheerful tone, hoping it would cover her mood.
"Sure?" Ren asked suspiciously as if her were teasing her.
"Yeah I'm sure. Positive!" She chirped.
"Okay...I'm trusting you now." Ren said still retaining his suspicious voice.
Winry laughed and Ren chuckled. She had only just met him but it felt like she had known him for years. Maybe it was because Ren was so much like Edward, in appearance and personality. If it was in fact because of that or if it was because of something else, who knows? She liked him and that was that. But only as a 'friend' of course.
"Winry!" She heard a voice call out to her.
She spun around to see Edward running toward her, his blond braid flying behind himself as he ran. She thought about waving and smiling at him but thought she wouldn't. Winry figured she'd stick with their normal greeting, a hit to the head and a few harsh words.
Edward stopped abruptly infront of Winry and Ren. He was breathing heavily. It seemed like he had ran quite far.
Winry was about to release all of the words that she had planed to say, it went somewhat like this, "Edward Elric you jerk! Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you? I come to visit you and you make me wait for nearly three hours! How dare you! You are such a stupid idiot! And don't forget how unbelievably SHORT you are!" But Winry thought better when she felt the tension in the air rise.
"What the hell are you doing talking to him!" Edward questioned Winry. She could see the anger boiling within Edward.
"Umm...So? What's wrong with me talking to Ren? I can talk to anyone I want to, Edward Elric!" She yelled.
"Wait! That's not what I meant! Don't hit me! I really did not mean that! The words came out wrong!" Edward begged for forgiveness knowing if he did not he would surely be punished.
Winry sighed. "Whatever."
Edward turned his attention back to Ren and gave him a cold glare. Ren answered him with a glare of his own.
Winry just watched the two boys stare each other down. And yet again it was golden eyes burning into silver ones. A death glare.
She thought quickly of something to do. Something to relieve the tension that was so thick it was suffocating.
I've got it! Winry thought snapping her fingers. She brought her hand up behind Edward's blond head and guess what she did? Just guess...Yup she hit him with a force that almost made him fall to his feet.
"What the hell was that for, Winry!" He asked his rage now directed at Winry.
"Do you expect me to stay out here for the whole day as you two just stare at each other like little girls having a popularity contest?" Winry stood stubbornly with her hands on her hips. She was not picking a fight with Ren just with Edward. She hoped he didn't take the comment seriously. Ren probably noticed why she was doing this and gave her a nod.
"Fine! Where do you want me to take you? There is no place to go!" Edward yelled.
"We can always go to the shops in town! If you buy me something I'll think about forgiving you." Winry said with a smirk.
"What no way! I hardly have any money as it is!"
"Oh well then. I guess you're going to have to accept your punishment as a man."
"NO! We'll go and I'll buy you something, okay? Happy?" Edward yelled furiously. First he lost to Roy and now this? He felt pathetic.
Winry smiled happily. She always did win when it came to fighting with Edward. She reached down, grabbed his hand, and started to drag him off in the opposite direction. She looked back only to see what kind of expression Ren had on his face. She was glad to see him smiling, but his silver eyes had anger residing in them, Winry could see it clearly. She didn't understand why the two had looked at each other with such feelings of hate. It came as a surprise to her. She had thought they were friends at first. Big mistake. But all that didn't matter. For now all that did matter was spending this oh so short time with Edward. He'd have to leave her again eventually and Winry knew this so she decided to bring the most out of the time she did have with him. The only thing to do now was to get Edward to open up to her a little more. But that could take some time...
555
Winry sighed and pulled back her blond hair in to a pony tail. It was driving her insane when it kept whipping against her face. Winry and Edward had just got back from shopping. It was enough to last Edward a life time. Winry had gone into almost every store and bought at least one thing from each. Using Edward's money!
Winry sat on Edward's bed going through her millions of packages, a broad smile pasted over her face. She kept uttering words of thanks to Edward. He only grunted in response. It wasn't like he could have refused. She would have bashed him if he did. And that would not have been good. Not at all.
"Ed?" Winry asked curiously looking up from her mountain of bags.
"What?" Edward asked turning from his desk to Winry. There were books scattered all over it's surface. Books about alchemy of course.
"Have you been taking care of your arm?" She questioned as she walked toward him.
"Uhh...hahaha...It's funny that you mention it." Edward laughed nervously.
"What did you do?" She picked up his arm and pulled up his sleeve and gasped. The auto-mail was partially rusting and chipped in some areas. "Edward!" She screamed.
"Sorry!" He apologized. "It got wet and some previous fights took it's tool on my arm."
Winry sighed. "I guess I'll have to fix it." She was to tired from shopping to argue with this stubborn jerk. "I might have to stay here for about a week of two."
"What! It takes that long to just fix it?" Edward asked in shock.
"I'm not a miracle worker, Ed." She stated simply.
There was silence for quite a while. Winry thought Edward had started reading his books again so she did not say a word. She went to sit back on his bed. But Edward was not reading; his thoughts were elsewhere.
"Why are you here, Winry?" Edward asked seriously. The question had been nagging at his mind and he needed to let it loose. Although he did not turn around to face the blond-haired girl.
"What are you talking about? I've visited you before. Why would this time have a special meaning behind it?" Winry questioned.
"C'mon, Winry. Something's up. You would never offer to stay here unless something was really bothering you."
"I would offer to stay! You would just never let me even if I asked." Winry muttered. She turned to look at the ground. "You would just tell me that you were working hard to bring Al back and you couldn't afford to put me at risk in case anything happened."
"You know that's not the reason, Winry." Edward disagreed.
"But Ed-"
He interrupted her. "Just tell me."
"I...can't." Winry began to tear slightly. Her vision was becoming cloudy.
"Please, tell me. I know something is wrong."
"The...house, itÕs gone...Ó She slowly finished. ÒAnd so is grandma.Ó
"What!" Edward said in shock he bolted up from his chair and ran to Winry. "How did it happen?"
"I think...I left the candle lit that night...I forgot to blow it out. The candle...must have fallen and started a fire. Before I knew it I was awoken by the heat of the spreading fire. I managed to get out with just a few burns but..." She cried into the palms of her hands. "It's all my damn fault! I'm so stupid!"
Edward didn't know what to do, how to react. Should he comfort her? He wasn't sure if he should. I think I'll just give her some time to herself. I'm sure she'll feel better after. He told himself.
He rose to his feet and headed for the door. But before he could reach the door knob she caught him. "Ed...don't let go." She pleaded as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Don't leave me now."
Edward flinched. Why is Winry being so cuddly? He asked himself. It was making him even more nervous, if that was possible. He began to sweat.
"I missed you so much. When grandma died I thought I had no one but I still have you, right?" Winry pressed herself closer to Edward. She looked up at him with teary eyes.
"I...Winry. Y-You should get some sleep. I'm sure you'll feel better tomorrow. Then we can find you a place to stay for the time being." Edward said trying to pull away from her hold on his waist.
"But Ed...I want to stay with you. You are my best friend and you're all the family I have left."
If this is how she treats friends I wonder how she treats the people she loves. Edward thought to himself. She did not release him, she just held him tighter. Edward looked down at the blond who had held him so tight. He really wanted to pull away. Winry was his friend not his...lover.
Winry looked up again into Edward's scared childlike eyes. And he looked into her sad, teary eyes. "Kiss me." She said.
"What!" Edward tried to full away but to no avail. Winry had already locked lips with him. She gave it all of her passion but Edward just stood there like a statue, not returning the kiss. When Winry had pulled away to catch her breath Edward walked calmly to the door.
"What was that all of a sudden?" He asked. "Friends do not kiss. And I want you to remember, you are my friend, nothing more. So rest up tonight and tomorrow we'll find you a place to stay." Edward said coldly walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.
A/N:
Okay, how was this chapter? Talk about mood swings. I thought I displayed their emotions really poorly. But I hope you liked it, nonetheless. Even if I think it did suck. Oh yeah! And you might be finding the house fire incident a little awkward. There is more behind the story though. Is it that Winry is not aware of it or does she simply not wish to speak of it? I am not telling you will just have to find out yourself!
THANKS!
Well I just wanted to say thank you to the people who reviewed! I love you all! You make me want to keep writing! The list of people who get a cookie and a hug are as followed...
Akina Hasegawa- You reviewed for all three chapters! Yay! And lookie how much you typed! Wow! I admire you! HereÕs a big cookie and a big hug! Thank you so much!
Captain Stu- Thank you for taking the time to write a review. You have no idea how happy it makes me feel to get my readers responses. Positive ones too! Thank you again! Oh and here is your cookie and hug!
GundamWingFanatic90- Sorry. You are kind of confused, yeah? I wanted to start the story off somewhere in the middle so it would not be so strait forward. But by the later chapters you will be completely filled in on what happened. Thank you for reviewing and here is your cookie and your hug!
LovelyRedRose- lol I am glad I got you so into the story. LetÕs me know I am doing an okay job. Thanks a bunch. Oops! Cannot forget the cookie and hug!
dbzgtfan2004- Thank you for your kind words and as you can see I am continuing the story! Take your cookie and here is your hug!
Luthi585- Before I forget, here is your cookie and hug! And a big thank you! Ok, onto my random blabbering... More kind words! Yay for me! Though I really did not inspire Ren in anyone. I just thought, Hey, I know! I will make some guy like Ed and make them rivals! I did not put much thought into it.
AnimeDarkRain- I really do not know what that is supposed to mean. Care to enlighten me? But you can take a cookie anyways! And I am in a happy mood so have a hug too!