The clank of the train kept my mind at easy as I relaxed for the rest of the journey. Luckily, the journey wasn't too long to Resembool, we arrived there just an hour later and collected our things from the carriage. As I put the case on my back Edward looked at it suspiciously again as I smirked,

"Why are you so fascinated by my case?" I chuckled, pulling at the straps,

"I want to know what you have it there…" Edward pouted and peaked around,

"You're like a child trying to sneak into a cookie jar." I laughed as Alex and Alphonse chuckled.

We walked through Resembool to get to the Rockbell house, and I noticed on the way Edward and Alphonse's home was burnt down. I stopped and stared at it for a moment, Edward stopped and looked back at me and then realised where I was looking. Edward looked down as I turned my head towards him,

"Come on, Winry's waiting." I spoke, I didn't want to bring up anything with Edward without him offering to talk about it first. I walked beside Edward as I saw Winry's house ahead as I smiled,

"It hasn't changed much," I spoke, Edward nodded and waved his left arm,

"Hey! Granny Pinako, I'm gonna need your help again!" Edward called as I stopped and admired the house from a distance first. I looked back and over the fields, admiring the peace and quiet the countryside offered. The house was just as I remembered it, the Automail sign, the yellow painted wood, the balcony and the stone platform,

"Man, I missed this placed…" I smiled and put my bangs behind my ears. I looked back at the house and saw Edward had been introducing Alex to Pinako.

"I know I haven't seen you for a while, Ed. But you've gone and grown smaller!" Pinako spoke as I noticed Edward look angry all of a sudden,

"Granny, you've got it wrong. You're supposed to say 'how big you've grown lately, Ed." Edward explained as I moved to his side,

"But why would I say something so clearly untrue?" Pinako questioned as I covered my mouth with a giggle,

"I'm still taller than you, you mini hag!" Edward suddenly yelled.

I let my head drop forward as I laughed to myself, Edward and Pinako used to argue like this a lot

"Yep… hasn't changed," I sighed and then saw a wrench fly and hit Edward on his head,

"Edward, I thought I told you to call first when you're heading back here for maintenance!" I heard a younger female voice, as I looked up, I saw her bright blonde hair and blue eyes, Winry…

"Winry! Are you trying to kill me?!" Edward yelled and held his head as I walked towards the house,

"Ah ha, ha! Welcome back!" Winry laughed and waved with a big smile,

"Yeah…" Edward grumbled as I stepped forward and grinned.

"Hey Winry!" I grinned and waved at her; Winry looked shocked as she saw me on the ground. She probably forgot all about me no doubt,

"Reaka?" Winry questioned, I nodded and walked up the stairs,

"Yea, long time no see huh?" I smiled, and then heard Pinako hum,

"You haven't aged a day since we last saw you, Reaka," Pinako took a breath of her pipe as I nodded,

"Well, you know what condition I'm in Pinako," I smiled, Pinako nodded and gestures to the door,

"Mm, yes, anyway let's get inside," Pinako spoke as I walked to the door.

I looked around the house and Pinako stood beside me,

"Let me take you to a room to stay in." Pinako spoke as I nodded,

"Thanks," I smiled as Winry came running downstairs and then suddenly grabbed me and hugged me,

"Rea! It's so good to see you!" Winry grinned, she was taller than me now as I smiled and hugged her back,

"You've grown up." I smiled as Winry nodded,

"And I'm surprised to remember how short you are…" Winry spoke as Edward laughed,

"Yeah, I didn't have a great childhood so I barely had the nutrients to grow, and obviously I can't in my current state so." I shrugged as she stepped back. Winry smiled gently and then looked at Edward,

"You should have called me as soon as you found Rea again." Winry snapped,

"Well, it was out of the blue and things have been a bit of a whirlwind since." Edward explained as he scratched the back of his head,

"Yeah, it was only over a week ago we found each other." I smiled as Winry pouted,

"Still…" Winry muttered as she folded her arms in annoyance.

Pinako showed me to my room, and I put my case on the floor. I heard Winry shouting downstairs about the automail as I chuckled to myself, she was dedicated to her work. I brought out a sketch book and some pencils as I went to sit outside, I enjoyed observing the countryside. I sat against a tree and rested my sketch book against my legs as I had my knees bent, putting a pencil to paper I started drawing the landscape ahead. I had plenty of years of practice, so I was able to learn a lot of skills over the years. I could hear Winry continually yelling at Edward about how her auto mail was destroyed, it made me smirk as I felt something nudge my arm, I looked at Den and wrapped my arm around the black and white dogs' neck and stroked him gently, his fur was soft and as he licked my cheek I smiled and nuzzled into him.

Den lay down next to me as I continued to draw for a bit. I decided to start on a new drawing and flipped the page, as I just started to sketch, I didn't really think about what I was drawing. I started on an eye, drawing the detail slowly and following the shape of the waterline, I then followed with another eye and then the nose.

I heard movement to my left as the door opened and I saw Edward, Alphonse, and Alex walking out, I quickly looked at my drawing and then at Edward, I had been drawing him. I quickly flicked to the next page and started on a flower that wasn't too far from us, Edward sounded frustrated as he walked around me and then sat on my right and Alex put Alphonse down near us.

"So, how long will it take?" I asked as Edward leaned his head back against the tree,

"Three days." Edward answered,

"That's not too bad." I spoke as I worked on the petals of the flower,

"It's so boring around here… Nothing to do…" Edward snapped as I smirked,

"Things have been so rough lately, maybe taking it easy is not such a bad thing, right?" Alphonse said, I nodded in agreement,

"I'm not the kind of person who takes it easy!" Edward waved his arm about, as I chuckled,

"That's for sure…" I muttered,

"What was that?" Edward looked at me as he peered over my right shoulder and looked at my drawing.

I turned my head towards Edward as he was staring at my drawing,

"Hey, that's pretty good…" Edward pointed at the flower and went to take the book from me,

"I'm not finished." I pulled it away as Edward tried to grab it,

"I just want to look!" Edward spoke,

"And you can look when I'm finished!" I explained as Edward pouted and went to fold his arms but obviously, he only had one which made me laugh,

"You never take a day to relax, I bet your muscles are really tense, you need to at least have once a week chill time, seriously Edward… the number of stories I heard about you guys around central it was like you never had a week off." I sighed and closed my book,

"Well, you seem to be on the move all the time," Edward moved to face me as he frowned,

"Yea, but I do chill out once in a while, everyone needs to have a break sometimes… and this is now for you and Al," I stood up and pointed at him, "So just shut up and take a chill pill and relax for a bit, don't make me hold you down and yell cos I want to relax too," I snapped.

Alphonse chuckled at us both as I stood up straight and looked at him,

"I know! If you're that bored, why don't you go visit mom's grave?" Alphonse suggested,

"Visit mom's grave huh… But what about you? You're in no condition to go anywhere." Edward spoke,

"I don't want to have to ask the Major to carry me, so I'll just stay here. We're leaving for central as soon as the auto mail's finished, right? You shouldn't miss this opportunity to go pay your respects." Alphonse explained,

"You're right… I guess I'll go over a there for a little bit." Edward stood up, I folded my arms and Edward turned to leave.

"Actually, Rea? Do you want to come?" Edward asked, I blinked in surprise and looked at him,

"Yea, you were a really good friend of mom," Alphonse spoke, I looked between the brothers and stuttered,

"If you guys are ok with it?" I asked,

"Sure, we're ok with it, I wouldn't have asked else," Edward spoke, I gave a small smile as I was happy to be invited to see his mother's grave,

"Ok." I smiled, I picked up my book and pencil and Den got up and moved next to me.

Edward, Den, and I started walking towards the graveyard. I didn't know where it was as I'd never been, but I had a rough idea because I knew the surrounding area. I opened my book and started to draw as we were walking and Edward kept glancing over,

"How are you drawing while you walk?" Edward mumbled,

"Over a hundred years of practice and you can learn to do a lot of things." I smirked,

"Oh yeah, like what?" Edward asked,

"Fish, hunt, draw, sing, dance, play instruments…" I started to list a few things,

"Do you have an instrument in that case? Is that why it's so big?" Edward asked,

"I…" I stopped and sighed, "yes," I admitted, Edward smirked proudly at being able to work something out.

We walked along the path through the fields for a bit, Edward was asking me questions about all the other things I learnt over the years. It was nice to talk about it, nobody had really asked me about my skills or what I could do. It was nice to explain what I learnt over the years.

"Hey, Edward! What're you doing back?" A man called, he pulled us out of our conversation as we were walking down the path,

"Long time no see!" The man's son smiled,

"You're still as small as ever." The older man joked,

"Don't call me small!" Edward snapped, as we moved next to the wall, I chuckled as the son looked at me,

"You still doing that government whatever job?" the son asked,

"Is this your girlfriend Edward?" The older man asked,

"No, I'm not Edwards girlfriend! I'm just a friend! Nothing more!" I laughed and put my hands up to dismiss the question quickly,

"Sure… right Edward," the older man laughed as I saw Edward's cheeks go a little red, I couldn't help but smirk and feel my own face heat up,

"She's right! She isn't my girlfriend!" Edward spoke up, I could see he was a little embarrassed. It was adorable to see him flustered as I laughed,

"don't get embarrassed Edward, she looks very beautiful, even if she isn't your girlfriend," the older man smirked,

"Erm… thank you," I laughed as I looked between the old man and his son, they were sweet, and I could see they were trying to wind Edward up which was working. I couldn't help but notice how embarrassed Edward was getting, it was nice to see.

We continued to talk to them for a short while about Edward's job and his travels until we moved on and left them to continue their work on the farm,

"Sorry about that, they tend to wind me up a bit," Edward sighed, I smirked and watched him frown slightly,

"A bit?" I chuckled,

"Shut up…" Edward looked away with a pout,

"Aww, you have a bad temper anyway, I would be shocked if you weren't wound up so easily," I laughed as Edward looked at me, Edward didn't know how to respond as I smirked and glanced at him.

We carried on walking together and the conversation died down as we got close to the graveyard, I could see all the headstones as I frowned and followed Edward into the area. I kept behind him as we walked through the area.

I stopped besides Edward at a headstone and looked at Trisha's name on the grave. Edward placed his flowers in front of the stone as I frowned and looked down,

"I can't wait to be mortal again… I hate this." I frowned and sighed, Edward looked at me for a second,

"How come?" Edward asked,

"You outlive everyone." I answered and sighed, "everyone you meet, friend, lover, you… you outlive everyone you care about. There's nothing you can do to stop it." I spoke as I looked at Trisha's grave as I could see Edward looking at me, I knelt and put my hand gently on Trisha's grave, "I'm sorry I wasn't there." I muttered, I felt my nose tingle and my eyes burn as I looked over her grave.

I stood and glanced at Edward,

"I'll wait for you at the edge." I spoke and Edward nodded as I moved away, I folded my arms and walked down the path to the edge of the graveyard as thought about my life.

I had its up and downs… I couldn't lie, but the one thing I did hate the most was losing the people I came to care about. I looked at Edward as he was looking at the grave and felt my heart drop. He was going to die before I turned mortal… I felt my stomach turn as I opened my sketch book and flicked back to the page where I had started to draw Edward. I continued my drawing as I let Edward spend some time to talk to his mother. I drew his nose and mouth, his hair followed, along with his jawline as I thought about my feelings for Edward.

He was caring, dedicated, and truly cared about those around him, even though he never showed it obviously. I felt my heart jump as I frowned, I didn't want to fall for anyone again, not until I was mortal. I had only seen Edward over this last week, and we connected a lot on conversations and our goals. He had grown up… with how old I was I never really considered people's ages. Because of the way I looked I tended to attract a lot of people around the teenage years or young adult men… but emotionally I was mature enough to understand what I was thinking right now. I truly admired Edward, he was so strong and determined. I hoped that he would be able to make me mortal again, so I could have a shot at living a normal life…

I walked to the other side of the path and turned to face Edward, I could see him at the top, staring at the grave as I sighed. I moved to sit on the floor with my back against the stone wall as I opened the book again and continued my drawing.

I couldn't allow myself to fall for Edward… I couldn't allow myself to feel anything.

I looked at the drawing I already started for Edward and sighed, I'd added enough detail on his face, I just needed to detail his hair, neck, and stop as I continued it.

It felt like an hour before Edward started to walk back to me, I had done a lot of detailing and shading to the picture I made of Edward, so much so I knew I was growing feelings for him. I hadn't felt like this for an extremely long time. I watched him walk down as I looked over his face, he had grown up. I felt my cheeks burn as I looked away and closed the sketch book in frustration. Edward was technically a teenager; he wouldn't be ready for that kind of commitment.

As I stood, I looked at Edward as he moved beside me and we went to walk back,

"Are you okay?" Edward asked,

"Yeah… let's go." I smiled and lied as I closed my eyes, Edward looked at me suspiciously and frowned,

"Okay then…" Edward muttered, and we turned and walked together.

I could Edward was in deep thought as we walked together, I wrapped my arms around my sketch book as we walked,

"Reaka," Edward spoke,

"Hm?" I looked at him and smiled gently,

"I'm going to make you mortal again, so you can live your life like the rest of us," Edward explained out of the blue as I blinked,

"I… Thank you." I believed him, I smiled sadly and felt my heart break as he said it, even though I believed him. I'd heard a similar promise before and that person couldn't keep it. "As I previously said, I'll help you and Al get your bodies back as well." I nodded as Edward smiled, "as a team. I believe we can do it." I spoke as Edward nodded. I moved closer to Edward's side as I smiled to myself.

We ended up going to Edward's old house and looked at the ruins,

"You really did burn it down as you said…" I muttered as I bowed my head slightly,

"Yea." Edward nodded,

"You still have a home you know, with Winry and Pinako, they treat you both like family," I explained. Edward smiled a little and looked at me, I put my hand on his arm gently, "you have a home here." I added as Edward looked back at the ruins; I couldn't believe how the ruins hadn't decayed completely by now. I took a breath and sighed,

"Let's go. Everyone's waiting for us," Edward spoke,

"Yea," I smiled, I moved my hand down Edward's arm and took his hand in mine gently. I felt him freeze as I looked and saw he was staring at our hands, "come on." I smiled and Edward looked at me and then nodded, his expression softened greatly, and I felt his hand gently squeeze mine.

We walked back to the Rockbell workshop opening the door I went in first and we saw Alphonse was back inside with the others,

"I'm back." Edward spoke, Alex suddenly started crying as he saw us and he grabbed Edward off the floor,

"Oh, Edward Elric!" Alex wrapped his arms around Edward as I jumped back and watched the commotion, "What unyielding love to try and bring your mother back to life! What a tremendous sacrifice to give up your arm in order to transmute your brother's disembodied soul! What determination to burn down your own house! To make sure there was no retreat! Come, Edward…!" Alex suddenly ripped off his shirt as I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh loudly. "Allow me to offer you this comforting embrace!" Alex tried to grab Edward again,

"Just stay back! Don't rub your chest on me!" Edward yelled as I started chuckling and Alphonse looked at me.

"How did the trip go?" Alphonse asked,

"Ah, it was nice." I smiled as Edward tried to dodge Alex around the room again, I went to Pinako in the kitchen,

"Do you need help with anything Pinako?" I put my sketchbook down and looked at her,

"I'm alright, my dear. Dinner won't be too long now. Though, if you could take Winry a drink upstairs that would be good and bring down any empty cups she may have." Pinako spoke as I nodded,

"Sure thing." I grinned and grabbed the cup along with my sketchbook and pencil.

Heading upstairs I dropped the book in my room and then carried the drink further across to Winry's room, as I walked inside, I saw auto mail material everywhere. I walked around and saw three empty cups on the side so grabbed them and put the fresh one there.

"How's it going Winry?" I asked,

"Okay." Winry simply replied as I looked at her, she was incredibly focused on her job and I didn't want to interrupt her further as I smiled,

"I've left you a drink here, if you need anything just call for me." I smiled, and walked back to the door as Winry was just working,

"Okay." Winry nodded as I chuckled and walked out the room, pulling the door too I looked at Edward as he was stood at the end of the corridor.

"Hey Edward." I smiled and walked forward,

"Hey, how's Winry getting on?" Edward asked,

"She said three days. So not much progress." I smirked, "but you know she's good for it. Very focused." I nodded as Edward smiled. "How are you?" I asked and pointed at his leg as Edward shook his temporary one,

"This felt weird the entire walk to see mom." Edward muttered as I chuckled,

"It does look strange to see you in something so different." I laughed, "anyway, we've got dinner soon, so let's head back down." I spoke as Edward nodded and glance in my room before we went down the stairs.

As dinner was served, I took a plate to Winry so she could eat while she was working and another drink. The conversations were about Alex and his work and concerns about the current situation, and I just listened as I thought about the next few days.

It was going to be nice to just relax, to have some time to catch up on some needed down time. And some time for me to sort out my feelings… I kept glancing at Edward as we ate. I couldn't fall in love with him… I couldn't have any feelings for him. He was going to get older than me physically soon AND I doubted that I'd become mortal any time soon, no matter how much he promised it to me… in my heart I didn't believe it anymore.

I didn't realise I had a small frown on my face the entire meal until my forehead started to ache slightly. I finished my food then rubbed my forehead,

"Rea?" Alphonse spoke as I looked at him,

"Sorry, just tired." I lied and stood up, "dinner was lovely Pinako. I'm going to head to bed shortly." I spoke as Pinako nodded.

I put my place away after cleaning up my part of the table, Pinako tried to stop me, but I wasn't having it. I knew her house well, I wasn't about to let her slave over us the next few days. That's not how I work.

Heading to my room I got changed, decided to keep sketching for a bit and then went to sleep with the book in my hands on the bed.

I woke up early the next morning and put some three-quarter length black trousers on with a tight crop top and a hoody on top. I put some white trainers on and headed downstairs to head Alex working outside and Pinako in the kitchen,

"Morning! Need help with anything?" I asked as Pinako smiled,

"You could help Alex with the firewood chopping if you wanted?" Pinako asked,

"Yes! That would be good exercise!" I grinned and moved to the kitchen door,

"I'll call you when breakfast is ready!" Pinako yelled as I waved my hand to acknowledge her call.

"Hey Alex! Need help?" I smiled at Alex as Alphonse was sat in the box not too far away,

"I… Yes, if you want to have a go!" Alex spoke as I smiled,

"I used to do it for Pinako when I was here, I know what I'm doing." I smirked as Alex nodded and moved along on the chopping block as I grabbed the axe and placed some wood.

"How are you this morning, Rea?" Alphonse asked as I grinned as I got ready with the axe,

"I'm good! Was a lovely sleep." I spoke as I threw the axe over my head and onto the wood, slicing through the centre,

"How are you doing?" I asked as I moved the wood to chop into another half,

"Okay, can't wait to get moving again," Alphonse answered as I repeated the action of chopping wood,

"I bet!" I laughed,

"Why are you chopping wood, Alex has it under control?" Alphonse asked,

"It's a nice workout." I smiled as Alex nodded, "got to keep the body fit!" I explained as Alphonse nodded.

It was another hour before Edward came down and he was watching Alex and myself work. We took a break for a short time for breakfast before I went back to chopping wood again with Alex. Alphonse returned outside with us, and I started to sweat as I could feel the beads sit on my forehead as I wiped my sleeve over my face.

"I bet you are warm in that top." Alex chuckled as I nodded,

"Yeah, it's a good thing I didn't put much on underneath." I laughed; Edward looked at me in surprise as I dropped the axe for a second. I grabbed the hood and lifted it over my head and took the garment off. I didn't normally wear clothing that didn't cover my arms or stomach… it was just too hot in Resembool today. I went to drop my hoody on the floor, but Edward walked to me,

"Here, I'll put it on the wall, rather than dirty it on the floor." Edward spoke, I could see he was trying not to look at my stomach as I smirked, it wasn't flat, but it did have minor muscle definition as I could tense my arms as well and you'd be able to see some muscle definition there.

"You certainly are strong for your size." Alex spoke as I smiled,

"Thanks, Edward, and Alex." I smiled at Edward and then looked at Alex, "That's why I carry the case now. It helps me stay relatively fit. I've not been this physically fit for a long time, I love it. The reactions I get are priceless." I smirked as Alphonse chuckled,

"Teacher used to make us train our bodies before we learnt anything alchemy related." Alphonse spoke as I smiled. Edward sat next to his brother and was avoiding looking at me as picked up another log to chop.

After another hour Pinako came out with some drinks and I decided to call it as my back started to ache. I walked away from the chopping block and lay on the grass as I looked up at the sky.

I looked at Edward as he walked next to me and looked down at me on the ground,

"Let me breath! I'm too hot and I ache!" I moaned as I had been sweating, I wiped my forehead again as Edward moved away.

I heard a squeak and opened my eyes,

"Ed! I wouldn't!" Alphonse yelled as I looked over my left and suddenly Edward aimed a hose on the side of the house towards me as I screamed in shock as water hit my body. I jumped up off the ground and looked at Edward as he was laughing,

"That should help you cool down!" Edward laughed as I growled at him,

"You son of a-!" I yelled loudly and Edward smirked and dropped the hose, I ran after him as Alphonse and Alex laughed.

I chased Edward around the back of the house, I think because he was wearing a different leg he wasn't used to running and I ended up catching up with the Elric. I grabbed his black jacket top and yanked him backwards as I stopped. Edward tripped and I fell to the side because of my wet shoes. I pulled Edward to me, and we ended up falling on the floor together.

Edward landed on his front, and I ended up falling on top of him as I yelped and ended up on his back. I lifted myself off the ground and was on my hands and knees over Edward as he groaned,

"Serves you right…" I mumbled and Edward turned over on his back as I lifted myself up on my knees, I sat back on my heels and ended up sitting on Edward's knees as he sat up,

"Can you get off me?" Edward asked, I frowned and folded my arms,

"Apologise." I snapped,

"What? No! You said you were hot, so I helped you cool down!" Edward explained,

"That's not what I was asking for though!" I glared, Edward glared at me as I pouted, "fine…" I pushed Edward back and as he only had one arm, I quickly grabbed his wrist to stop him from moving and my free hand attacked his sides as I started tickling Edward,

"I… Hey! That's not fair!" Edward laughed as I pinned his legs with mine,

"Well… this is revenge!" I laughed as Edward started crying with laughter, I stopped soon after and listened to Edward laugh. I couldn't help but smile as he grinned at me, "don't do that again." I warned Edward as he stopped laughing and looked up at me. I looked over Edward's face for a moment and felt myself blush as I removed my hand and moved off Edward. I stood up and offered my hand to help him stand and he took it without hesitation as I pulled him from the ground to stand.

"Have you cooled down?" Edward smirked,

"I-! Only a bit… but that wasn't funny. I'm still soaking wet and I'm going to have to clean up now." I groaned as Edward chuckled.

I felt my clothes stick to my body as I glanced at Edward. I did see his eyes glance down for a moment and his face and cheeks flush red as I smirked, "plan backfired huh?" I smirked as Edward looked at me,

"Wha-? No!" Edward snapped,

"Oh, but I saw you look at my body then." I teased as Edward's face was already blushing, I poked his chest gently as I smirked. "It's okay. I know what boys your age are like, having experience from over two hundred years of it. I remember how their minds can work sometimes." I chuckle as I put my hands on my waist and smile,

"Shut up!" Edward didn't know what to retort as I laughed,

"You're so cute!" I turned and walked away as Edward growled, I glanced back at Edward with a smile as he was rubbing the back of his head. I couldn't help but smile, "it's okay, Edward." I genuinely smiled at him as I knew I probably embarrassed him, "I have a lot of experience on top of what you've got and it's a good thing I'm not insecure about my body…" I moved next to Edward's side, he frowned in confusion,

"You have a…" Edward trailed off as I glanced at him,

"Huh?" I looked at him, "what did you say?" I smirked,

"Nothing. Have you had a partner before? Saying you have experience…" Edward pouted as I was surprised by the question, I frowned and sighed,

"I did." I answered and walked away,

"Hey… Rea." Edward noticed my sudden change in demeanour and changed as well, he tried to grab my hand, but I moved away and went towards the house,

"I'm going for a shower and to change." I spoke as I waved at Alex and Alphonse as I walked inside the house.

I took my shoes off to not tread mud across the floor and went to clean up.

The rest of the day I spent it by myself, I took out my sketchbook and went to sit on the opposite side of the house away from the men. I finished my drawing of Edward, the landscape, and the flower. I was wearing my hoody again with some long trousers as I had my other clothes hanging to dry. I enjoyed the time to relax, but I wish I hadn't been reminded of my past.

After dinner I ended up going to my room and grabbing my guitar, I pulled it out and sat on my bed with my back against the wall. I slowly started playing my guitar as I hummed to myself, I knew a lot of songs and could play quite well on my acoustic guitar. It was my favourite instrument; I could also play violin and the piano. It was a skill I was proud to have as it took a long time to build.

I heard the door open partly and I looked at Edward standing in the door,

"Hey Edward." I smiled at him, he was staring at the guitar, "this is the instrument I brought." I smirked, Edward walked over and sat at the end of the bed and put one of his legs bent on it so he could look at me,

"I just wanted to make sure you were, okay? After what I said earlier." Edward spoke, I moved the guitar off my lap and put my hand on his knee to quickly reassure him,

"Edward, it was nothing you said. You haven't done anything wrong." I smiled at him, "I just… As I mentioned previously, being immortal, I'm surrounded by a lot of death. The people I care about die before me and I can't do anything to stop it. I have been in love before, I'm not going to deny that, as it's the best feeling in the world. But don't ever feel you can't ask me anything or talk to me. I've got years of experience on a lot of things and I'm happy to talk about it." I smiled as Edward just listened,

"How long ago was it that you loved someone?" Edward asked, I didn't expect the forward question, but I smiled,

"Way before you were born, I met him as a kid, and we kept crossing paths. I never make the first move, mainly because of the way I am. I want to avoid getting my heart broken." I chuckled, Edward looked over my face, "if I can avoid falling in love I will, to save the pain of their death. Selfish I know." I frowned and turned away, "but he kept pestering me when he turned seventeen." I spoke, "I… we tried, but it was difficult because I still look young." I sighed and sat back, "We we're together until he was twenty-three… then I left, it was starting to affect him. That I never aged, and kids wanted to play with me. I left and he met someone else and had a family. It's always been like that…" I leaned my head back against the wall, turning back I looked at Edward, "I know one day I'll be mortal again. But it's so hard to act on anything when I don't know when that day will come." I explained as Edward nodded,

"Thank you for telling me." Edward spoke as I smiled,

"I told you I'd tell you anything you wanted to know. Happy to be open about anything with you." I smiled, "even if you wanted advice about girl's bodies." I smirked and Edward suddenly flushed,

"Don't say that! I don't want to be with just anyone." Edward snapped as I looked at him,

"So, you have someone in mind then! Saying not just anyone! Who is it?" I chuckled as Edward flushed,

"That's not what I meant! I-!" Edward tried to get off the bed, but I pulled his wrist back and wrapped my arm around his neck as I laughed,

"You can tell me anything Edward, you know that!" I smirked as Edward tried to wriggle out of my grasp. Edward stopped and I jabbed his side with my fingers making him laugh as I started to tickle him again,

"Stop it, Rea!" Edward laughed as I let go and he moved to stand in front of me. I looked up at Edward with a smile as he was frowning at me.

"Why so grumpy?" I teased, Edward just sighed, I could tell he was thinking about something, I couldn't read his face though. I'd not seen him look so serious since we found each other again, "Ed…" I spoke quietly, I saw his expression change instantly as I said his name like that, "are you okay?" I asked him, he looked away,

"You don't normally call me Ed." Edward was looking away,

"You don't normally stare at me like that." I spoke, Edward sighed and looked at me,

"I'm just trying to work out how we can make you mortal again." Edward spoke as I smiled, I moved off the bed and wrapped my arms around his neck as he froze,

"Thank you." I smiled and slowly felt Edward's arm move around my waist as I squeezed him slightly and then stepped back, "Want to listen to me play some music?" I asked, Edward looked at my guitar and nodded.

I sat back on the bed and Edward moved onto the long chair next to my bed as I pulled the guitar on my lap. I started to play a quiet melody as Edward just listened and watched. My fingers danced across the strings as I wanted to be able to play fast and slowly. It was nice just to have some time to play, I got lost in the music as I didn't realise, I had been playing for a while.

I looked up after some time as I started playing slower music and saw Edward was asleep, I smiled and gently put the guitar down. I grabbed a blanket from the cupboard in my room and gently laid it on Edward as he just instinctively grabbed it,

"Night Edward…" I whispered and then leaned down and kissed his head gently like I did when he was younger.

"You seem close?" Alex spoke as I jumped and held my chest,

"Alex!" I snapped quietly, "Christ… don't sneak up on me like that." I looked at him standing in the doorway, I took a deep breath and relaxed as I saw him smiling, "I… he's a close friend." I spoke and Alex chuckled,

"I can take him to his room if you'd like?" Alex asked,

"It's okay, I'd rather not disturb him." I spoke and moved to my bed,

"You care a lot for him?" Alex asked as I froze and felt my body sink,

"I… can't." I frowned, I looked at Edward, "You know why." I looked at Alex, "I don't want to hurt anyone else." I spoke and moved on my bed,

"Edward Elric will be able to help you. He's an intelligent alchemist." Alex spoke as I pulled my knees to my chest, "have faith. Goodnight Rea." Alex spoke as I nodded,

"Night." I nodded and I saw Edward move on the chair as I moved under the covers.