"Winry! Wake up!"
Winry's day starts with Pinako shouting at her from downstairs. Then she comes down in her pajamas, still rubbing her eyes, and asking what time it is. This day was exactly the same…or so she thought.
"Bachan? Isn't it a bit early?"
"Winry, you say that everyday."
"I need to sleep more, bachan."
"It's your fault that you don't sleep early."
"I'm studying hard about automails. I'm not wasting time."
Pinako sighed and put a plate in front of her stubborn granddaughter. Yes, this was exactly how every morning started. After the Elrics left anyway.
The rest of the morning seemed to go peacefully. After the usual routine of rise and shine, Winry and Pinako both started working on automails. Den sat on the floor, a little bored, scratching his back. Then suddenly, he raised his ear and started barking. Winry was surprised by his unexpected behavior, when a voice surprised her even more.
"You have mail!"
A boy shouted from outside the door. He probably was on a part-time job. It was not everyday that the Rockbells received letters. When they did, it was usually a commission for automails, or…
"Thanks!"
In a flash, Winry was at the door and snatched the letter from the frightened boy. She slammed the door in his face, and looked at who it was from.
Edward Elric
Yes, it was the letter that she had been waiting for. She was scared that after the last letter, Ed might not write to her anymore, but he did.
Pinako sighed, seeing the expression on her granddaughter's face. It was the happiest yet saddest face she ever had. Pinako stood up from her chair and patted Winry's shoulder.
"Well, I'm tired now. Let's call it a day…"
"Really? Then I'll just go up, ok? Call me when you need me…"
Winry said as she climbed up the stairs. Pinako felt a little sad that her daughter was old enough to have "those feelings" already. She had always thought Winry will stay her little girl…but that wasn't it.
Winry went in her room, slammed the door closed and locked it, then got scissors. Unlike Ed, she was a neat person, and she didn't just tear envelopes open. She carefully took the letter out, and read it. Soon, her eyes fell and she felt so bad. Did she just make him lie? She was positive she did. Well, not exactly, since he didn't say anything, which means he can't exactly lie. But it was, in a way, worse than that. And she also knew now that no matter how much she tried, she would never be able to convince them to tell her everything.
But then, she resolved that that will be alright. She wasn't there mother or anything, and she didn't have to know everything. She just would be there if they needed her anytime. She glanced at a picture of Ed, Al and her on her desk. Yes, that was enough. She was here. If they needed a place to call "home", then they had her.
xoxox
Dear Ed,
Lieutenant Colonel Mustang, huh? I remember him. He was good looking, actually. How old is he anyway? He can't be that young since he's already a Lieutenant Colonel, but he looked like he was in his 20s.
People calling you a dog of the military…That's just so sad. They don't even know what you've been through. They don't even know why you became a state alchemist. You didn't even want to be one, but you had no choice. No matter how many people say that you sold your soul for privileges, I know that you didn't. I will always be on your side。Not that that would make much of a difference.
Always,
Winry
P.S. Alphonse is doing fine, too?