Standard disclaimer applies.
Author's notes: Warnings for fluffiness (I did promise it, right?) and possible OOC… or not, because Ed can be a total moron when he wants to. ((smiles)) Thank you for your reviews in earlier chapters, I love every single one of your comments. I'll try to update the next drabble in a week or so. See you soon!
Self-suficient
24.04.2005
The two walk side by side down one of Central's hallways. He brandishes a new frown and a nasty cut on his lower lip. His black leather jacker is open; bandages around his waist are visible under the thin, white t-shirt. She peers ar him, wincing when he turns at her and glares darkly.
He snaps. "I told you I can go by myself!" His voice echoes on the hall.
She does too. "Oh, can you? Really?" The blonde pokes his ribs and he hastily bends over his body with a grimace on his face. Pain seethes through his teeth.
"You little..." he hisses, throwing an angry glare at his childhood friend.
"Ed!" she growls, "Do you see now? You're not fully healed. You have to tell Colonel Mustang that you can't go on another mission this soon!" she pleads.
"Winry," the Fullmetal starts in a scolding tone, "I am fine, okay?" He stands up, carefully straightening his jacket as if not to touch his sides too roughly. "Don't worry, it's not like I'm still a sissy ten-year-old! I am able to look out for myself."
"You don't," she declares, brave enough to defy him, and then crosses her arms over her chest.
"ARGH, Win...!" he yells, because he never wins against her, and it frustrates him. Moreover, she's always right.
They engage themselves in a stare fight, neither losing concentration. If they could they would surely stay there for more than a couple of hours, neither giving into the other, but then they hear Armstrong walking down the hall while talking to a private, and Ed blinks and swears silently. The blonde girl smiles triumphantly.
"Winry," he pales, "You win..." He pauses as the steps get closer. "And I... I'm not so okay."
Her growing smirk fades and turns into a startled face as he pulls her hand, pushing her inside the janitor's closet, closes the door, and shuts off the closet's tiny light bulb.
They wait, hearing the heavy footsteps coming closer and then wandering away from them. And while they wait, her hands curls around his in a tight grasp. He holds her hand back, and he gulps down something he refuses to acknowledge.
"Winry... I'm sorry…"
She says nothing, and instead turns the lights on, slipping her fingers away from his. She turns to look at him and smiles awkwardly. "I think Lieutenant Armostrong is already gone."
He turns the light off, his hand taking hers once again. "Can we stay here a little longer?" his voice has a hint of panic, "Just in case he comes back."
'No, but of course he can take care of himself…'She smiles and nods to the darkness.