"Vivie!" Maya chirped as a little rodent climbed into the window. Edward looked up at it as it climbed up on Maya's bed. "Edward, this is Vivie, my pet dormouse. She must have followed my scent. She has a very talented little sniffer." What an absurd little pet, Edward thought as Maya cooed lovingly to the little critter. She was small, about the size and shape of a squirrel with big brown eyes, reddish-brown fur, a twitchy nose and long whiskers that moved up and down as she sniffed Maya's hand. Vivie crawled up Maya's arm and rested on her shoulder, nipping her ear affectionately.
Winry had wandered off somewhere so he was alone with the child. He settled her on the bed and pulled the thin blanket and sheet over her. Maya snuggled under it, Vivie nuzzled in the crook of her arm. "Edward," she said as he turned to leave. "What are they going to do with me? I know I can't stay here, the soldiers have no use for a little five year old Alchemist-in-training. I have a brother, but I don't know where he is." She was staring at her bandaged hands. Edward smiled, placing a hand on the child's shoulder as he sat down next to her. She clambered into his lap, depositing Vivie on the pillow. Edward obliged, holding her comfortingly close.
"It's alright, little one. I won't abandon you. You can stay with me, my brother, and Winry. We'll take care of you Maya. Now, lie down and sleep," he whispered gently and Maya obliged, easing back against the pillow, Vivie in her arms, allowing Edward to pull the blanket over her.
"Edward," she said in the tiniest whisper, her voice barely audible. "Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"
"Sure kid," he whispered, sitting back down on the bed. Maya closed her eyes, asleep instantly.
When Maya awoke, the hospital wing was pitch dark. A single candle in the corner provided the only light in the room, flickering in the slight breeze, its light casting eerie shadows across the walls. A storm had picked up outside, causing the building to shake with its peals of thunder. Vivie was sleeping soundly next to Maya, her soft breathing being one more sound adding to her unease. Maya whimpered as she eased out of her bed. Vivie yawned and leaped off the bed and followed Maya as she exited the room. Her mussels still were sore from the previous day's abuse, but she was able to walk. The hallway seemed one endless corridor as she padded down the dark hallway. "Winry?" she whispered. A flash of lightning illuminated the corridor and Maya gasped, taking off at a run in the direction she hoped Winry, or someone helpful was. The thunder rumbled, shaking the building again. Maya yelped, running faster in a blind panic, not even sure if Vivie was behind her anymore. "Winry!" she yelled, turning down and equally dark passageway. The thunder pealed overhead and the rain spattered the windowpanes, the lightning crackled around her, making Maya remember a scene from a Stephen King movie. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she nearly leaped out of her skin.
"Whoa there Whirlwind," Edward said. "You're not afraid of thunder storms, are ya'?" Maya hastily shook her head and, upon the next peal of thunder, thrust herself into Edward's arms. He chuckled and hoisted her up on his hip and nuzzled her cheek with his forehead.
"Vivie is scared to sleep alone in the hospital wing. She's afraid of the dark."
"Oh really? Well I guess Vivie's gonna have to come sleep in my room. Any chance you might want to join me and your rat?"
"Are you mocking me?"
"No, sweetie, I'm patronizing you." Edward chuckle again as he carried Maya off to his room, Vivie following behind them.
Edward was awakened early the next morning by the sound of the door of his room opening with a loud creak. "Edward!" he heard Winry gasp as she shook his shoulder. "Edward I went to the hospital wing to make sure Maya wasn't scared of the storm and I couldn't find her."
"Shh, Winry, it's alright," Edward whispered, gently tugging the covers away from Maya, who was cuddled up against him. Winry smiled.
"Edward, I thought you didn't like children."
"When did I say that?"
"When we first found Maya."
"Well, I don't."
"Are you kidding? You are head over hill for that little girl."
"What can I say? I have a thing for blondes. Now, shut-up Winry. You're going to wake the kid." Winry giggled as he sat up, leaning against the headboard as she crawled up on the bed next to him. "Are you scared of the storm too?" he asked teasingly.
"No, I just want to sit with you two." Edward wrapped his arm around Winry and kissed her cheek, gently running an absent finger over Maya's hairline. Winry looked like she was already almost asleep and Edward chuckled, brushing kisses across her forehead cheek and lips. Edward felt Maya fidget as she rolled over, opening her amethyst eyes and blinking blearily at Edward.
"G'mornin' Squirt," Edward said. Maya yawned and rubbed her eyes with a sweet smile.
"Hi!" she said softly, crawling into Edward's lap. He snuggled her close to him.
"Hey, Sweetie," Winry said and Maya gave her a searching look.
"Were you afraid of the thunderstorm too?" she asked Winry.
"No, sweetie, I was just looking for you to make sure you weren't scared."
"I wasn't scared, Vivie was," Maya said, gesturing at the dormouse sleeping on her shoulder. Winry nodded.
"Poor Vivie. Is she feeling better?"
"Now she's mocking me."
"No, sweetie, she's patronizing you too." Edward replied. Maya glared.