Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, if I did, believe me the anime would not have ended like that.

A/N: I noticed that the link for the fanart pic that inspired me to write the last chapter got cut off and for some reason wont let me post links in chapters. So if youwant to see the links go to my profile. I'vealsodecided that every chapter will have a scene inspired by a fanart pic in it and I'll put a link for the fanart that inspired the sene for every chapter in my profile. I really appreciate fanart (probably due to my lack of drawing skills) I just want everyone to know that all the links to the fanart have nothing to do with me or this story and if it's your work and you want the link taken down just tell me and I will. Okay on with Chapter 2.

The Loss of Innocence

Chapter 2: The Silence Means so Much More

Now, most members of the male population would love to have a blond girl in a miniskirt wrapped tightly around them, but Edward did not liked to be touched by people he did know, let alone a complete stranger. What bugged him even more was that this act was distantly familiar and comforting and in some way in made him feel relaxed and at ease. Being relaxed caused distractions. Distraction made you weak. Edward Elric could not afford any moment of weakness.

Once he was finally able pull himself away from the girl he asked the question on his and just about everyone else in the classroom's mind (as they all knew the 'don't touch Elric" rule).

"Who the hell are you and why are you touching me?"

The room was filled with utter silence. The girl had a look of inquisitiveness on her face instead of one of horror. That surprised most of the people in the classroom considering Ed was giving her the death glare right now. That very glare was the reason Ed had never had so much as a detention at their school despite the trouble he caused sometimes and his lack of attendance. People were just too scared of his eyes to do anything about it.

Oh, please don't tell me I got the wrong person. Winry thought. How embarrassing would that be? My first day of school hugging some random guy then insulting him! People are going to think I'm crazy!

She looked into his eyes again. It had to be Ed. There was no other way. Once she came to this conclusion a big smile spread throughout her face and her eyes lit up again. Thoroughly confusing the rest of the class.

"Edo? It's me, Winry! You know, best friends since we were in dippers?" Winry said, once again pleading to god that this was her Ed and not his doppelganger.

Ed's eyes widened just for a second. Other than that he showed to recognition that he knew her.

"Oh, so you guys moved back? Cool." He said nonchalantly before maneuvering around his old playmate and taking back his seat.

Winry just stood there rather foolishly before taking a seat next to Ed. While the teacher went on about Stoichiometry Ed turned to Havoc and asked:

"How come you let her take my seat."

"Sorry, man. But you haven't been here in over a week. I was on the same page as Mustang and thought you finally dropped out."

"I know it's been awhile. I've just," Ed paused "been busy."

"Huh." Havoc replied while nervously tapping his finger on the table.

"Trying to quit again?" Ed smirked and Maria chuckled.

"It's a bitch. It's been almost 3 days."

"Mom catch you again?"

Havoc looked down embarrassed and Ed laughed the class turned to look at him and Mustang sent him a glare which Ed gave right back until Mustang looked away to continue his lecture.

"So," Havoc started, turning to Winry, "you and Ed were 'best friends since we were in dippers' huh? What was he like as a child?"

"We spent hours playing until out parents called us in," Winry said with a smile remembering old times, "then we'd sneak out after that. He was very intense and mature, but he had his funny moments. Like that time a the river--"

"Don't tell that story." Ed said shortly.

"Aww! What happened by the river?" Havoc said sarcastically.

Ed flipped him off.

"Winry?" Maria asked.

"Yeah?"

"When you saw Ed why'd you scream 'you're alive'?"

"I just got back a few days ago and I was walking around the neighborhood and came across Ed's old house and it was completely burned down." Winry was oblivious was the sudden awkward aura that came over the table. "When I asked what happened no one would answer me. I figured something really tragic happened and that everyone in there had died. I've never been so happy that I was wrong before in my life. What happened there anyway Ed?" She asked turning towards him.

"Ed?"

Ed was looking down at the table, staring at his hands. He suddenly got up from his stool and walked out of the classroom without looking at anyone. He never returned.

"What did I say?" Winry stated worriedly. Sure he hadn't been acting exactly like her same old Edward but to suddenly just walkout?

"Winry," Havoc said, looking at her square in the eye, "nobody talks about what happened that night."

"What night?"

"3.October.10."

Winry saw Ed a few more times that day but he ignored her completely. Winry didn't like to feel left out and she continued to ask around about what happened to the Elric house five years ago. Again nobody would tell her. It got to the point that she was pretty sure that people were avoiding her because word had gotten around about her asking too many questions.

After gabbing all the books she needed she was about to start heading home when she spotted his red coat heading in the other direction.

For a loner he sure does like to wear stuff that stands out.

An autumn storm was coming in and she knew she should probably head home she couldn't resist trying to reconcile with her best friend that had changed so much.

She had to sprint to catch up with him but once she was close enough she snuck up behind him and said "Do you wear the coat to make up for your lack of hight? Because it definitely makes you easy to spot in a crowd."

He just ignored her. She continued walking in silence with him for five minutes before he turned to her and said:

"You don't give up do you?"

She smiled slightly "Have I ever?"

"My parents thought that it'd be best for me to have real friends instead of the temporary traveling kind."

"That's nice how are they doing?" he said politely hoping that if they had a semi-conversation she'd eventually leave before they reached his house.

There was a long pause and he turned to look at her. She was shivering and her hair was blowing in the crisp wind. Her eyes looked distant. "They're kinda dead at the moment."

The pause was twice as long as before. "Oh."

Her smile returned seconds later, though it was kind of hard with the chattering teeth.

"Here." Ed said hand her his red coat that she was making fun of earlier.

"Thanks." she said draping it over her shoulders. He blushed slightly.

"I'll walk you back to your house before the storm comes in." Ed commanded rather than offered.

"You don't have to," Winry stuttered, even though the coat was keeping her plenty warm.

He didn't say anything, just turned around in the direction towards her house.

The walk back was quiet, but not awkwardly so. Who knew the lack of stuff there was to talk when you haven't talked for ten years.

When they walked past the ruins of what was his home it became eerily quiet. Winry desperately wanted to ask what happened, but she had finally gotten him to stop avoiding her and she didn't want to ruin it now. Once her house was in site he started to talk again.

"Do you live by yourself?"

"No, I live with Granny. You?"

"Just me."

By himself? What about Al and Mrs. Elric? But by his tone Winry knew not to delve any farther than that.

Just as they were about to reach the porch and little old woman came out "There you are Winry, I didn't realize that it took so longer to walk back here from school. Who's that you got with you?" she asked before she too adopted the expression that her granddaughter had hours before.

"Edward?" The woman said before rushing down and encompassing the young boy in a hug. "Why, you've grown up haven't you? Though not literally, I think Winry's taller than you!"

"Who are you calling short! I'm still taller than you are Auntie Pinako!"

"Why don't you stay for dinner, we can catch up," Pinako suggested.

"No, thank you." Was all he said before turning away.

"By Ed!" Winry called after him, he just gave her a backwards wave."

"He's changed," Pinako said, "I never remember him being this quiet.

It wasn't until Winry got inside that she realized that he left his coat.