Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Full Metal Alchemist, the original plotline or characters therein.
Posting the second chapter because the first chapter seemed to go over well thanks to all who have been reviewing!
Ed sat outside on the porch, his hands on his knees as he bent over to play with a loose string on his jacket. He sighed heavily and looked out at the fields of Rizemboul. He had grown up here, he and Al and Winry. He had proclaimed his eternal love to her, that he would definetely be the one to marry her when they got older. And here he was; 12 years later and he felt as immature now as he did then. But at least then, he had openly admitted his affection for her. They still fought like little kids. Only this time the stakes were much higher. If he hadn't told her to stay, she might have died.
For a moment he thought about going back inside and apologizing to her, to tell her why he really didn't want her going. But she might try to force her way into going with me. The thought suddenly struck him. What would life be like for he and Al if they hadn't had a profieciency in alchemy, if Mom hadn't died, if they hadn't tried to trasnmute her and if Al hadn't lost his body. Would he still be close to Winry? Would they be closer friends, or even a couple? Or would they be apart?
As much as he hated his prosthetic limbs and the situation Al was in, a small part of him knew that having the auto mail brought them closer together. They shared a special, odd sort of bond. The auto mail brough them together. She put her heart and soul into making the auto mail. HIS auto mail. The one she made especially and only for him.
He didn't know if he would see her again after he left in the morning. What if this journey was his last? He tried not to dwell too much on this subject. Anything could happen. Before he had realized his feelings for Winry, none of these questions had caused him any particular concern or worry. But the thought of never seeing her again gnawed at his conscience. How could he do that to her? What right did he have to do that to her? He didn't. He didn't have any right to.
" Brother" a voice spoke from behind him. Ed turned his head around to see the suit of armor looming over him; hand lifted in greeting.
"Al"
Al sat himself down on the wide steps next to his brother and looked at his hunched over figure. Something was obviously bothering him. He knew it had something to do with Winry. The younger brother had heard them fighting and the door to Winry's bedroom slam.
"Brother, why didn't you just tell Winry the truth? She would have understood " he said cautiously, trying not to agitate his already irate brother.
Ed scowled darkly. "Yeah right! What would I tell her?" he made a face and snarled and took on a sarcastic tone. " Gee Winry, I don't want you going because Envy might kill you? Or because I might fail to protect you? Maybe you will hate me" the alchemist shook his head and stood up crossing his arms across his chest. " I can't do that to her Al! If she died then I would have failed her! Like I . . like I . . ." his fists clenched again as he looked down, his bangs covering his eyes. " Like I failed you" he murmured.
" Brother!" Al cried and put his heavy, metal hand on the shorter boy's shoulder. " How can you say that! You did the best you could and I'm grateful for that! Winry would never think you failed her! She cares about you brother! She loves you!"
Ed stiffened at what his brother said and tried to supress a feeling of happiness that flickered. He couldn't let her love him. She couldn't know he loved her either. She would get hurt and he didn't want that.
" I don't care!" he snapped." what happens between she and I is our business! Besides; she probably just thinks she loves me! Women are stupid. I don't care if I ever see her again! She's just... just a . . A PAIN!" Ed shouted.
"Brother how can you be so selfish! " Al cried out in anguish and grabbed him, spinning the older brother around to face him. " If you don't go to her now you might never see her again!"
"Thats exactly why I don't want to see her Al! Don't you get it! If I go to her now, then I'll want to stay and I still need to give you back your body! I don't deserve to be happy or to give it until you're restored and back to your old self!" He stared up at his younger brother pleadingly. "You have to understand that Al!"
" I do understand Brother! You give up so much for me! You gave up your arm and leg just to keep me in this world. I want you to be happy! Winry makes you happy! You smile when you're with her. If you don't go to her now you'll miss this chance to tell her you love her. We might not come back this time!" He looked hopefully to Ed, loosening his grip on his shoulder and stepped back.
Ed looked down at the ground, scuffing the dirt with his boot. Al's words had hit him hard and he nodded numbly. "Alright. I'll go tell her , but she isn't coming with us. " He turned to the right and made his way back over to the steps and into the house. Al watched his retreating form and then looked back into the setting sun. He sincerely hoped Ed would tell her. He was so stubborn sometimes.