Welcome back for chappie 2! Thanks to everyone for reviewing! As the chapters go along, I'll respond to your reviews, but for now, i'm sleepy -yawns-

Little Secret

Chapter Two

Her eyes opened as a warm sensation rested upon them. She sat up to greet the sunlight that poured in through her bedroom window. Smiling, she looked beside her at Ed. He lay half under the covers, his legs spread apart, his night shirt revealing half of his exposed stomach. He snored softly as she rose up out of bed.

Pulling on a pink, fuzzy robe, and putting on her slippers, Winry headed out of her room, closing the door behind her. She crept down the stairs and into the kitchen, knowing fully well that Alphonse and Granny were not yet awake. After yawning and stretching a bit, she bent down to pull a pan out from under the sink, and started making eggs and bacon for everyone. She hummed happily as she cooked, eventually placing the finished project on the table, a small bounce in her step. She turned to head back to the fridge, and noticed Alphonse standing in the doorway, sleepily rubbing his eyes. He had just recently gotten his body back, but would already be embarking on a new journey to become a State Alchemist like his older brother. He had been up late the night before, reading as many textbooks as he could get his hands on.

Al yawned before walking over to the table, "Morning Winry."

"Good morning, Al!" Winry chirped, a certain glow to her smile. She set four glasses of milk down on the table, then pulled up a chair opposite of Al, and plopped down. "How are you this morning?"

Alphonse raised a brow, "I'm...fine..." he replied slowly, unsure as to why Winry was so cheerful this morning. Usually she'd be prying Ed out of bed and force feeding him milk by now. Yet here she sat, perfectly content with the fact that Edward was still asleep upstairs. "I got tons of studying done!" Al added, turning to his breakfast.

"That's great!" Winry replied, smiling even more brightly. Her smile was almost becoming blinding, so that Al had to shield his eyes. Suddenly, Winry jolted up from her seat. "Whoops, almost forgot to feed Den!"

Al simply chewed on a piece of bacon and watched as Winry poured a bag of dog chow into a dog dish, setting it down on the floor. "You sure seem cheerful, Winry." he commented.

"You think so?" Winry asked, sitting back down and starting on her meal. "I guess I'm just glad to have my boys back."

Al blushed lightly at being called someone's boy. He stared as Winry ate, and then continued his own meal, finishing it a few minutes later. He got up from his seat, taking the full cup of milk with him, and while Winry had her back turned he emptied the glass into the sink. Grinning slightly, the sound of his brother's yawn filled his ears.

"Onii-chan, ohayo!" Al greeted, watching Edward take a seat at the table.

Ed yawned once again and stretched his arms out. "Ohayo..."

Winry's eyes grew distant as she stared over at the young alchemist. A faint blush crossed her face, and she felt herself slip into a daydream state. Of course, the second Ed caught sight of her, the same feeling came over him, and soon the two were staring endlessly into each other's eyes.

Al's headed tilted to one side. "Onii-chan? Winry?..."

Instantly, the two snapped out of their trances and looked over at the younger Elric. "What?"

Al blinked. "Nothing...I'm going out for a walk." He then proceeded to the front door, swinging it open and stepping outside.

"DON'T BRING BACK ANY STRAYS, AL!" Ed shouted after him. It seemed as though his brother wasn't listening though, for he shut the door halfway through Edward's sentence.

Silence fell over the two after Al's absence took place. Both were trying their hardest not to make any eye contact with the other, but that couldn't be helped for long. Winry's eyes wandered toward Ed's, and they instantly became locked. "Ed..."

"Hmm?..."

"Last night..."

A soft smile made it's way to Edward's lips. He reached foward and cupped Winry's face in his hands. A light blush came over the girl's face as her eyes shimmered. Edward leaned foward and gently locked lips with her. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment. So she wasn't just dreaming. Last night actually did take place, and Ed didn't seem to mind. In fact, it seemed as though he really enjoyed it.

"Win?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's go for a walk."

---

Winry walked beside the young State Alchemist as they made their way across the huge front yard and onto a dirt path. She wasn't exactly sure of where they were going, but she didn't mind being alone with Ed either. It wasn't until they drifted from the main path that she was sure he was leading her into the woods.

When they were younger, adventures in the woods would get them in trouble. Of course, Winry and Alphonse were never the one's who suggested going into the forbidden area, it was always Ed. Figuring they couldn't let him wander alone, the two usually tagged along. Winry recalled one time in which she and Al got seperated from Edward, and the two panicked. She remembered Al clinging to the sleeve of her shirt, crying out for his brother. The fear of being lost in the woods almost took over her, and then Ed appeared from behind a tree, stating he never lost them to begin with. Of course, this earned him a punch from Al, and it took a week for the swelling in his cheek to go down.

Winry giggled at the memory and Ed looked over at her.

"What's so funny?" he asked, quirking a brow.

"Nothing," Winry replied, straightening up. "Just...remember how we used to be so afraid to go in here?"

Ed laughed. "From what I remember, you were the one who was scared."

"Oh come on, Ed! You got scared a few times too!" Winry protested, falling behind him.

Ed just ignored her, continuing on the path not saying a word. Once again, Winry was left to wonder where they were heading. However, she was only lost in her thoughts for a mere few minutes. Standing before them, was a small wooden house; their old playhouse. A smile played across Winry's lips. Edward stared back at her, grinning widely.

"Remember this place?"

"Mmmhmm." Winry replied, approaching the door-less house. Crouching down, she entered through the doorframe, and stood up once inside. The top of her head brushed against the ceiling as she stood, taking in everything in view. A small plastic table sat to one side, three paper plates lay upon it. A vase sat in the center, it was chipped and faded, but still held a withering rose. When their parents weren't around, Edward, Winry, and Alphonse would come out to the playhouse and have dinner. It was their own secret hideout; their sanctuary.

Ed bent down and walked into the house, sitting down in one of the plastic chairs. "This was our house."

"We used to pretend we were living here..." Winry smiled. "You and Al fought over who would get to marry me."

"I won that one," Ed smiled.

"I was secretly hoping you would." Winry answered, sitting in the chair beside him. "But Ed, why are we here?"

Ed lifted up his head, his eyes catching onto hers. Sunlight poured in through the window of the wooden house, and shone brilliantly against his golden orbs. "Someday, we'll live together like this, as husband and wife."

Winry smiled warmly, she hadn't been expecting this. Ed was never this romantic, maybe it was because he was leaving though.

"I'll return, Winry," he continued. "And when I do...I'll ask you to marry me."

"Edward..." Winry leaned in closer to him. "You don't even have to ask, you know my answer."

"It's settled then..." Ed captured her lips with his own, softly and passionately they kissed, as the sun flooded into the wooden house. Though she was still upset that he was leaving, she now had something great to look foward to, and she would wait for him to come back, even if she had to be alone.

---

Hand in hand, Ed and Winry approached the Rockbell residence. Standing outside, Alphonse awaited their arrival.

"I was wondering where you two had run off to," the younger Elric brother called out.

"Just saying our goodbyes." Ed replied, coming to a stop in front of his brother.

"Pretty long goodbye." Al muttered under his breath. Winry caught his words and giggled to herself, however, Ed remained clueless.

Auntie Pinako stepped out onto the porch, her pipe in her hand. "It's this late already? I guess you two had better get going, you wouldn't want to miss the train."

Ed nodded and turned back to Winry. He could see the sadness and hope flooding her eyes. "What I said before was a promise," he started, reaching out and cupping her chin. "When I return, you'll be happy, and I'll never make you cry again."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as Winry smiled. She nodded and hugged her boyfriend for the last time in a long time. She would wait for him, just as she always had done in the past...

-Author's Corner-

Well, this took longer than expected! -wipes sweat from forehead- However, I'm happy to announce that this story now has a better and more improved plot! But I can't tell you just yet what's gonna happen -winks- you're gonna have to wait!

Thanks so much for all your kind reviews! I promise by the next chappie, I'll write back to everyone, even if it's just to say thanks again!

-Colie-chan