Summary: Rated T for blood loss. "Sometimes the most amazing things can happen...sometimes, no matter how loosely or tightly you hold onto him or her, your love, your dream, he or she will slip right through your fingers."
Disclaimer: If I owned full Metal Alchemist, Archer would've been included in the ingredients for the Philosopher's Stone. I really don't like that guy.
It's not the way I hoped or how I planned…
"Love, true love, grows from friendship. Never forget that, Winry." She hadn't forgotten. She concluded then, that unless she got out and made some more tall, dark and handsome friends, she was stuck with a client or one of the Elric brothers. Most of the Rockbell clients were old, and she was sure there were laws against marrying animals. Besides, while Den was lovable, she wanted children someday.
As for the Elrics, they were like brothers to her, but it didn't take much of a stretch to imagine either of them as more than friends.
Alphonse was sweet, gentle and caring. He'd promised me once that when he got his body back, they were all going to the carnival. He was also a skilled fighter. He could always beat Ed, and that was quite a feat. The cats might be a problem, though. Den was friendly, but he's still a dog.
Edward was ambitious, very devoted to his loved ones, and loyal to his value system. He could not be bought, traded or sold. Although he had a gruff exterior, he was as loving as his brother was. Many ghosts haunt him, though, and will continue to, even after he restores himself and Al. Something her grandmother had told her was remembered: "When you love someone, you recognize their faults, but you don't care about them. You don't want to change that person, because the vices, as well as the virtues, are what make that person them." She thought about that. No, she didn't want to change him. That temper of his was annoying, but if it was ever turned on her, she could match him. And maybe one day he'd become comfortable with his height. Until then, trying to stop him from slaughtering whoever made the comment would be fun. Funny, she thought, that I never thought I'd end up loving him. I'd always planned on a knight in shining armor, not automail.
(A/N: There's really no excuse I can use this time. Just please don't hate me. I was sitting here, reading my philosophy homework, thinking, "I wish I had something better to read." Suddenly, I remember that you guys must be thinking the same thing. I'm very sorry for this being late. So while I beat my head against my desk, read, review and enjoy this week's installation.)