A/N: Walis, the little knot of jealousy inside me is eating away at my soul. Gee, thanks. XD. Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews. I'm late for work, so I might edit more later. It probably needs it.
XV. The Merlion Party
"Edward," Winry whined, extending her vowels. "Come on. It's not going to kill you." When he did not respond, Winry snatched at his arm and began to pull him toward the door. "I know you're got be getting cold now. I'm freezing, and I'm not half metal."
Edward stood his ground, his face upturned slightly and illuminated by the yellowy green of the backlighted sign. "The Merlion Bar," the sign read, in bold, black print over a background of the green and white Amesteris flag. Winry gave him another hard tug, and Edward jerked his arm away.
"Go in by yourself if your so cold," he snapped, flicking his eyes toward her.
"I don't want to go alone!" she replied, putting her gloved hands on her hips. "I don't know any of these people. You do."
"That's not true," he muttered as he looked back up to the sign. Winry could see his brow furrow. "I don't know any of them either."
"Sure you do, Ed. Mr. Mustang and Miss Hawkeye, you know them."
Edward scoffed. "Not anymore than you do."
Winry rolled her eyes. "Would you quit being so aloof and pouty? You might actually have some fun."
"I doubt it," he muttered.
With a loud sigh that left them both in a curling cloud of condensed breath, Winry punched Edward in the arm. "What are you so afraid of? It's my last night in Central, Ed. Would it kill you to at least pretend to be a gentleman?"
"This has nothing to do with my etiquette, and I'm not afraid of anything," he spat back, glaring.
"Then hold the door open for me and follow me inside, Mr. Brave and Chivalrous!" Winry gave an exaggerate shiver and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. "Why didn't you tell me it would still be this cold?"
"You didn't-" Edward began.
"Hey, Chief!" interrupted a loud voice from a short distance down the street. Both Edward and Winry spun around to see a tall man in a brown overcoat jogging down the sidewalk toward them. From his lip hung a lit cigarette that glowed and faded with his breath.
"Hey," Edward muttered before examining the concrete at his feet.
"What're you waiting out here for? It's already ten-thirty."
"I was just leaving," Edward lied. Winry scoffed and stood akimbo.
"That's not true," she interjected, turning to the smoking man. "We've been standing out here forever, while he glares at the door. I'm freezing to death here, and he's being sulky."
"Elric? Being Sulky? Never," replied the man before grinning at a very disgruntled Edward. "Since the major here obviously doesn't want to, I'll introduce myself." The man pulled the leather glove off his right hand and extended it to Winry. "Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc," he said, flashing her a smile that had melted greater women than she.
Winry blushed dark enough to be seen in the lamplight and accepted his hand. "Winry Rockbell," she replied. "I'm Edward's mechanic."
"A pleasure, Miss Rockbell," Havoc said. He looked up toward the glowing sign then back down at the children in front of him. "If you're looking for a decent escort, Miss Rockbell, I'd be happy to assist you."
Winry felt lightheaded at the offer. She looked from Edward, who was still scowling at the pavement, to Havoc and back again. "Hmph," she said before sticking her nose in the air and looked back at Havoc. "I accept, Lieutenant," she said haughtily.
Havoc grinned, stepped in front of Edward, and opened the door wide. Winry strolled past Edward without a glance back and went inside. Havoc followed behind her and paused in the doorway. He turned back to Edward and said, "I think your girlfriend likes me."
Edward bristled. "She's not my-" he was cut short by the door swinging shut. For a moment, he stood, fists clenched, growling at the closed passage. "All right!" Edward yelled at no one in particular. He threw his hands up into the air and stormed toward the door. With more gusto than necessary, he threw the door open and stomped inside.
Immediately, Edward struck a wall of smoke. Coughing loudly, he waved his hand in front of his face. Once his lungs grew accustomed to the burn, he squinted through the clouds and dim lights.
Edward found it hard to believe that this little bar was a military favorite. He had imagined something a little more prestigious than a rectangular room with a bar at the back and a sea of rickety looking tables and chairs on the floor. In the corner by the door was a vacant stage that looked like it had not sported a musician in years. There were no windows save the grimy pane in the door, and the only light was provided by a few hanging lamps over the bar. Through the dim, grayish light, Edward could make out two people at the bar and a small congregation that took up a square table near the back.
"Fullmetal," a familiar voice called from the clump at the table. "I was afraid you had bailed on us."
Lieutenant Colonel Mustang raised his hand and gestured for Edward to join him. Pushing smoke out of his way, Edward wove through the tables. As he came closer, he could make out six bodies around two tables pushed together.
A blonde head popped up when Mustang spoke. At least half a foot shorter than everyone else at the table, it was obviously Winry. "Edward!" she cried. "Come sit down, silly!"
Edward felt a wave of embarrassment at her display but pulled out a chair between Warrant Officer Falman and Winry.
"Some party," Edward said, looking around the table at the assorted glasses in front of everyone. "You invited me out to get drunk with you?" Edward asked Mustang with a glare.
"On the contrary, Fullmetal," Mustang replied. "You won't be drinking on my watch."
"You're letting her drink," Edward said, pointing to Winry, who was cupping a beer in her hands as though it were something precious and entirely alien. Edward was not particularly interested in alcohol, but Mustang always put him in the mood to be antagonistic.
"She's not leaving for Youswell on a seven o'clock train," Mustang said before taking a draw off his gin and tonic.
"Thanks for reminding me," Edward muttered.
"Enough pleasantries," Major Hughes said, drawing patterns in the condensation on the side of his beer stein. "Now that we're all here, I'd like to propose a toast."
Everyone breathed a collective sigh when Hughes opted to cut to the chase and not waste good drinking time with pictures of his wife and newborn child. Hughes lifted his drink while Mustang and the others followed suit. Even Winry raised her cherished bottle. Edward blew out a breath that ruffled his bangs and leaned his cheek heavily against his fist.
"To the newest member of the Merlion Party, Edward Elric. May he not burn all his bridges with us before he is old enough to actually drink with us."
Edward sat up very straight at the mention of his name. He wished he could have slid under the table and crawled out of the bar through the smoke cover.
"The youngest state alchemist in history," Havoc said.
"The brat who lost me the title of youngest state alchemist in history," Mustang added. Edward growled audibly.
"The bravest twelve-year-old I've ever met," Hawkeye said, giving Edward a rare, genuine smile.
"A good guy to have around in a tight situation," offered Falman. He smirked, obviously a little embarrassed.
All eyes turned to Winry, the only person left who had not given Edward his acclamation. Her beer began to shake in her raised hand as a flush spread over her face. Edward did not realize he had been holding his breath until he started to feel dizzy.
Winry felt a gentle elbow against her ribs. "Even honorary members for the night have to go," Havoc said, close to her ear. Winry swallowed and nodded. Just one little compliment, and all these strangers would stop staring at her. That was simple enough.
But how, she wondered, was she supposed to sum up Edward in one sentence?
When nothing else seemed near appropriate, Winry simply said, "My best friend."
Hughes smiled and nodded. "Edward Elric, consider yourself initiated." At that, everyone lifted their glasses and drank deep except Winry who sipped timidly and winced at the flavor.
Edward looked around, still a little stunned at being showered with praise. "I-I don't understand. What did I just join?"
"We like you, Chief," Havoc said. "We've decided to keep you."
"You make it sound like a cult," Mustang said, laughing. "We're actually all eunuchs, with the exception of Hawkeye. You're just in time for our ceremonial mass suicide."
Hughes and Havoc burst into laughter while Hawkeye and Falman shook their heads. Winry looked around, wondering what a eunuch was. Fortunately, she was not brave enough to ask.
"You're frightening him," Hawkeye chided, gesturing to Edward, who was looking rather pale. He, unlike Winry, knew exactly what a eunuch was.
"Relax, Edward," Hughes said before taking another drink from his beer. "The five of us have been meeting at this bar for… how many years now?" Hughes asked, turning to Mustang.
"At least four," Mustang answered. Havoc nodded in agreement.
"Four years now. It's become sort of a tradition. You know, a few drinks, a hand of poker; anyway, we thought you might like to join us."
"The Merlion Party?" Edward asked, looking around at the faces of his comrades.
"Yep," Havoc said. "We'll teach you how to drink like a pro so you'll be ready in…" Havoc paused and wrinkled his nose. "Is it really six years until you turn eighteen?"
Edward sighed. "Yes."
"Wow… I keep forgetting you're only a kid. Anyway, we'll get that tolerance up."
"We will not," Hawkeye interjected. "Edward, we're simply inviting you to play cards with us after work."
In the silence that followed, Edward realized it was time for him to accept or decline. He hated this kind of attention. Usually, he could laugh it off and pretend to enjoy himself, but somehow this felt serious. His comrades were offering some kind of approval of him. Looking around, Edward saw that everyone was smiling at him, not smirking, not sneering, but smiling honestly. Even Mustang, whom Edward already believed was incapable of authenticity, was smiling, albeit rather resignedly.
"Thanks," Edward said.
He did not want to be one of them.
"But I'll have to pass." With that, he pushed his chair back and stood up. Forgoing goodbyes, he turned and left the bar quickly.
For an awkward moment, the six remaining members of the Merlion Party exchanged glances. Havoc, ever the tactful one, broke the silence. "It was the eunuch comment," he said, pointing an accusing finger at Mustang. "You freaked him out."
"Please," Mustang said. "He knew I was joking."
"Why else would he run off like that?" Havoc asked.
Winry watched this exchange. Before she knew it, her eyes were welling with tears. She knew why he had left. Mustang and Havoc's bickering sounded asinine to her, and she decided to leave before they could see her crying.
With terse goodbyes and thanks for the beer, Winry stood up and followed Edward out the door.
Outside on the dark sidewalk, Winry looked right then left. Edward was already a distance away, sauntering through a pool of lamp light with his shoulders hunched and his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Edward!" Winry called as she broke into a run. He did not give a reaction. Even as Winry skidded to a walk at his side, Edward did not look up.
"Edward," she repeated. He continued you ignore her. "That was rude, you know? They were trying to be friendly."
"They can give their pity camaraderie to someone who wants it," he muttered, still watching the pavement.
"They don't feel sorry for you, Ed."
"Come on," he snapped, stopping abruptly. "A group of adults inviting a stupid kid like me to play cards with them? They feel sorry for me. They think I need their sympathy."
Winry frowned and came around to stand in front of him. "I think they think you need a friend." Her expression betrayed that she entirely agreed with them.
"I don't need their stupid friendship."
"Because they're in the military?" Winry asked. Edward refused to meet her eyes. "Because they're grown-ups? Why?"
"I wasn't expecting you to understand," Edward muttered, stepping around her and continuing on his way back toward the barracks where Al was resting.
"Or is it because you don't think you deserve it? Like how you don't think you deserve anything! Edward Elric, I'm talking to you!" Winry stood her ground and stomped her foot, her fists clenched.
"I haven't done anything," Edward muttered. He did not expect Winry to hear him, but he knew she had when she jogged up, seized his arm, and jerked him around to face her.
"Haven't done what?" she barked. Edward looked at her for a moment before rolling his eyes. He tugged his arm free and started walking again. Winry grabbed his sleeve and pulled him hard. "Haven't done what?" she asked more gently. "Haven't earned a friend? Or their respect?"
Edward shrugged. Winry wanted to slap him.
"Didn't you hear what all they said?"
He did not reply.
Winry felt her heart sinking. She was right then. "I thought you were very brave, Edward."
He scoffed and rolled his eyes, which seemed to be shining rather brightly in the lamplight. After clearing his throat, he replied, "I didn't do anything."
"You saved my life," she said simply. "That's something, right?"
Edward sniffed rather loudly and stepped away from her. "Right," he replied. "Look, I have to get up really early tomorrow. Don't drink too much and don't walk back to your hotel alone. Get Havoc to walk you."
"Okay."
"Goodnight."
"Edward," she said. He paused and looked back. "What time does your train leave?"
He considered telling her the wrong time but decided that he probably owed it to her to let her see him and his brother off. "Seven o'clock," Edward said. With that, he turned, thrusts his hands into his pockets, and stepped out of the light.
Winry waited and watched him moving from shadow to light and back to shadow before he took a turn and disappeared. Once he was gone, Winry went back into the bar, declared that she was tired, and asked someone to walk her to her hotel.