Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 7 - Journey of Reunion and Love

[Alphonse's P.O.V]

When they part, Brother whispers something into Winry ear. She blushes madly and laughs loudly. He similes wide and brightly. Winry then grabs his hand as he grabs her suitcase. The both of them, start walking away from the station. I wanted to yell out to them, but they seemed so happy."Hey Al. Aren't you gonna say hi to them?" Zampano asks me. I nodd my head "Not ...right now." I say unsurely of what to do next. "So what now then?" Jerso asks. ..."I'm hungry." I randomly say just to change the subject. Zampano pats my back. "That's what I'm talking about! Let's go!" And with that we head off to eat.

[Alphonse's P.O.V ends]

Walking into the restaurant, they find a seat. A waiter shortly takes their orders minutes later. "I certainly wasn't expecting to see that!" Zampano says.

Jerso - "Who knew the shrimp had it in him?" Al smiles. Both of them notice. "What's got you in a grin there, Alphonse?" Jerso asks.

Al takes a deep breath. "I've never seen my brother smile like that before, you know. It was like he was at peace. Content, in some way." Jerso and Zampano nodd in understanding.

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Win - "So Ed?"

Ed - "Hm?"

Win - "I wanna know when did you start seeing me as more than just your mechanic?"

Ed freezes, holding his breath, blushing madly. Then he takes a deep breath. he puts one of his hands behind head, rubbing it. "Hahaha. Crazy story about that Win, you see-" She turns around and puts a finger to his lips.

Win - "Never mind. It's ok." She says. She grabs his hand again as they continue walking down the street.

{Flashback Begins}

1915, Resembool: 3 months after The Promised Day

All three of them sitting at the kitchen table. Ed and Al are sitting across from Winry. She starts. "I want to know what happened on The Promised Day. Tell me everything... Please." Ed sighs. "Before we start Winry, There's something I've been wanting to ask you since Granny already told us of what she felt that day, but we wanna hear your side as well. ... H...How-How did it feel, Winry?" With her head down, she replies. "It-it felt like my soul was being ripped from my body. The next thing I was felt (She starts shaking as tears are starting to fall from her face, Ed grabs one her hands with his) was a bunch of screams coming from all over the place. Then out of the blue I was waking up with granny next to me again. It felt like a dream, until... until granny and other people from Resembool experienced the same thing I did..." She then covers her face with her other hand as she begins to cry and Ed stands up to give Winry a hug. Al stands up and hugs her moments later.

1916, Resembool

Waking up, Ed walks downstairs and heads outside to start chopping wood with an ax. (Yes Ed worshippers, enjoy this picture in your mind!) Shirtless, his hair pulled back in a ponytail, droplets of sweat cascading down from the side of his forehead to his chest, falling down to his stomach and his abs, only to move lower to his ... his... His arm muscles are flexing, only to tighten seconds later. He brings his arms over his head and swings the ax vertically, breaking the piece of wood in half. Once he feels like he has enough chopped wood, he then carries them over to the corner of the house.

Winry wakes up as she hears the back door open and close. She dashes down the steps to the kitchen. She then opens the door and covers her eyes from the bright sunlight of the morning. Once she puts her arm back down to her side, she sees Ed holding the ax, chopping away at some wood. Blushing, staring and unable to take her eyes off of him, (can't blame her though, eh) until he turns around and she thinks that he noticed her. She quickly turns and closes the door behind herself, embarrassed and flustered.

1917, Resembool:

Winry and Ed are in her room as his leg is being worked on. With his leg detached and he's sitting up on the corner of the bed. She's sitting on a chair in front of a desk, adding and removing parts from his leg, blabbing in a secret mechanic language that Ed's mind cannot translate whatsoever.

Ed asks. "Hey Win, I'm not trying to be pushy but is my leg done yet?"

Win - "In a moment, Ed. Just be patient." "Ok." He replies. A few more minutes later, she holds up the leg and says. "THERE! All Done!" Putting the leg on her lap and turning, she smiles at him. "Are you ready, Ed?"

Sitting in front of him, she starts counting. "1...2...3! " She connects the leg to the port. Grinding his teeth, Panting soon afterward, he lays down on the bed, closing his eyes. Catching his breath, he tries to open eyes but stops as she places a cold rag on his forehead. "Thanks, Winry." He says. She replies."Your welcome."

Minutes later, he takes the rag off of his face and stands up. Stretching, bending and shaking the leg, making sure that everything is good, he sits back down on the bed. She asks. "I'm glad that you still trust me to take care of you like this, Ed. I mean I thought for sure by now you've would of have had another mechanic or at least a girl-"

Ed interrupts her. "Nope. I don't need another mechanic or woman Winry ... when I have you." He tells Winry as he's looking directly at her. She then stands up, walks and leans forward, giving him a quick peck on the lips.

"EEPP!" She squeals as she backs away from him, turns and runs out the room.

Ed stares blankly for a moment only to start realizing what just happened, blushing and trying to hide his face with his hands afterward. He then falls back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, grinning from ear to ear.

{Flashback Ends}

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{Flashback Begins}

Earlier that day; On board the train heading to Central: Janine and Winry

"What's this?" Winry asks AJ, who hands her an invitation letter. "It's an invite to Colonel Alex Louis Armstrong's party tonight. I'm allowed to bring a guest. Do you wanna come?"AJ asks. Winry replies. "I've a-I've never been to something so classy and formal." "Seriously, Winry?" "I'm serious." AJ stays silent briefly then asks. "Do you want it? The letter for yourself? It's fine. I'll be alright." Win stares at the paper in her hand. "I don't know. I mean. (sighing) I don't even have a dress to wear." AJ says. "Don't worry about that. I'll cover ya. After all I do owe you for enthusiastically showing me around Rush Valley." Winry nervously chuckles.

{Flashback Ends}

Both Ed and Winry are sitting at a table outside of a restaurant.

Ed - "So Armstrong is having a formal party. Since when?" As he's re-reading the letter.

Win shrugs her shoulders. "Don't know. I didn't ask." She stands up and he follows after leaving their tip on the table. "Anyway. Let's get going, I need to buy a dress. I wanna buy you something to wear as well." She says as she grabs his hand.

Walking down the street after leaving the restaurant, Ed sees Al who's with Jerso and Zampano when they're leaving another restaurant. He calls to his younger brother.

Ed - "Hey Al!" Alphonse turns his head. Ed lets go of Winry's hand and starts walking toward his brother. Al smiles as walks to Ed. They hug each other.

Win - "Hi Alphonse!" She says as him and Ed separate. Al then says hello back giving her a hug as well.

Ed - "So whatcha doing here, Al? I thought you were in Xing training with May?" Al backs up a little bit from Winry, putting a hand on the back of his neck.

Al - "I was but..." He sighs. Jerso steps in.

Jerso - "May's mother's side of her family intervened with their training, saying they didn't her training an outsider or becoming romantically involved of any kind with someone not of their blessings.

Zampano - "They were being jerks in other words." Al sighs sadly.

Winry places a hand on one of his shoulders. "It'll be okay Al. You still have us here." He nodds and smiles. "Thank you Winry." He says. Ed pats him on the back.

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Finally making to the Armstrong Mansion, Ed, Al (who was later invited by Alex himself) and Winry arrive and enter immediately. A few minutes later Janine shows up with Riza, Rebecca, Roy and Jean.

Walking inside, Alex greets them at the door. He then bows his head to AJ. "Good evening Ms. Janine. It's a pleasure to have you here."

Bowing herself in a lady manner, she then corrects herself. "Thank you for inviting me, Alex."

Becky - "Alright Armstrong, my good friend! Point me in the direction to the wine!"

Alex - "I beg your pardon, Ms. Catalina! There are teenagers here!"

Becky replies. "Which is exactly why us grown-ups need some Patience Juice!" Riza sighs, then grabs AJ, pulling her out of the middle of Alex's and Becky's squawl.

AJ - "As much as I want to ask a question about what just happened, I'll think I'll just keep it to myself."

Roy - "Hm. Good call, kiddo." Riza and Jean nodd in agreement.

AJ - "Anyway, It's been a while since I've attended a party like this. So ...what now?" She says as she looks at them.

Just as Roy is about to say something, someone pats him on the shoulder. He looks over his shoulder.

Becky - "There you guys are. Just left me up and dry, you jerks. Anyway, Janine come with me, there's someone I want you to meet." She says as she grabs AJ's hand and drags her away from everyone else. "Hey Catherine!" Becca yells as she approaches her. The other girls who were suddenly around the youngest Armstrong, move to other parts of the dining hall giving AJ dirty looks, while whispering to each other.

AJ looks the other girls. "I don't think this is a good idea."

Becky - "You'll be fine. Hey Cat! I want you to meet my friend Janine, Janine Mustang." AJ extends her hand.

AJ smiles at Cat. "It's nice seeing you again Catherine."

Becky - "Wait! You two know each other?" They nodd their heads. Cat shakes AJ's hand.

Cat - "It's a pleasure to see again as well, Ari. You've grown taller. I can tell."

AJ - "I have?" Cat nodds her head. The two of them share a laugh. Rebecca smiles and then excuses herself.

Walking down a hallway, Riza tries to look for Becky and AJ, but to her surprise she runs into...

"Hi Riza." Winry says and waves as she is walking towards her.

Riza - "Hi Winry. You surprised me." She waves hi back. "So Alex invited you to the party? I'm guessing Ed is here as well?

Similng, Winry says. "Alex didn't invite me to the party, someone else did. Yeah. And Alphonse is here as well."

"Alphonse is here? I thought he was supposed to be in Xing training with that little xingese girl... What was her name again?" Riza puts a finger to her chin trying to remember May's name.

Win - "May, was her name. And it's quite a story alright of why he's even here to begin with." Just then Ed comes walking around the corner.

Ed - "Winry, what the hel-!" He tenses when he walks around the corner and sees Hawkeye standing there.

"At ease Edward, no need to get all jumpy everytime you see me." In the distance, she hears someone until she realizes that it's Al.

Al then turns the corner Ed just came from. "Brother I swear Winry is gonna-...Ms. Riza!" She waves hi to Alphonse.

Ed - "Of course since you're here, that prick Mus-" Out of the blue...

"Ah Fullmetal! Still my favorite little shrimp! Man I thought you've would of grown up at least a speck." Making the size of a speck using his fingers.

"A SPECK you bastard!" Ed, balling his fists up and growls/replies. Al is on the sidelines trying to calm him down.

Then they all hear laughter from the distance. A door in the corner of the room opens up. "Bye Catherine, we'll talk again soon." She waves her hand before she closes the door. She turns and she sees Winry. "Winry!" She yells. "Janine!" Winry yells back. They run to each other, giving each other a hug. Win complements AJ's outfit and she thanks her.

AJ - "And you! You look AMAZING!" Winry blushes.

Win - "You think so! Well thank you for buying me the dress, AJ."

AJ - "My pleasure, so are you having a good time, here." She asks Winry as they are walking back towards the others.

"Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait." The girls stop, looking at Roy as he asks. "You two know each other? When?"

Winry - "I met her in Rush Valley the other day. I showed her around since it was her first time there."

AJ - "You forgot the word enthusiastically, Winry." Winry chuckles nervously.

Ed notices Al fixed stare at Janine. Nudging him in the arm, he whispers in Al's ear. "Quit staring, go say hi." Al blushes and looks away. Roy quickly bites his lower lip. Riza notices his nervous behavior.

Win - "I wanna introduce you to the Elric brothers. You've heard of The FullMetal Alchemist, right?" As the girls continue their walk.

AJ grins. "Well yeah, who hasn't." Winry then points to Ed. "Yes I already know what he looks like, Win." Winry smirks, cocking an eyebrow. Janine stops, covers her mouth, turning to Winry and mouths "that's your boyfriend?" Winry nodds. "Wow, just wow... Jeez this world is even tinier than me." Everyone laughs but Roy who chuckles lightly. Calming herself down. Then she walks up to the both of them, with her hand out, smiling. "Pleasure to finally meet the both of you, I'm Janine Rambo."

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Making their way back to their hotel room. They head right up to their room after Al heads off to his own room after he says goodnight.

Ed - "So that Janine chick seemed pretty cool."

Win - "Yeah. She's pretty nice. Did you notice Al kept drooling at her?" Ed laughs. Winry then notices something in Ed's pocket. "Ed, what's that?"

Pulling it out his pocket, Ed says. "Oh this? This is a pocket watch I picked up in Creta. Old habits don't die so easily, eh Winry?" Already seeing her eyes glitter with curiosity as she's staring at it. He smirks and says. "Well anyway I'll be right back. Here hold this for me, Win." He hands her the pocket watch to hold, he then walks off. She thought she might of heard something broken in the watch when he placed it in her hand.

Once she sees the door to the personal bathroom close, she hesitates first, then grabs some of her tools out of her purse and starts trying to break it open. 'I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I fixed his broken watch for him' She tells herself.

"Yes!" She whispers when she successfully opens it. She gasps. Inside of the watch is a ring that is metal and has a steel gray color to it. On the inside top of it of the watch, engraves. "I knew you would open it." She puffs her face angerly, then calms herself and takes out the ring, holding it in her hand.

Opening the bathroom door gently and sneaking up on her, Ed asks as wraps his arms around her waist. "Will you marry me, Winry Rockbell?" He nervously whispers in her ear before he lets go and walks in front of her. Startled, she looks up at him, he's blushing as he's rubbing the back of his head with one of his hands. "So can I get an answer or are you just gonna stare at it." He bluntly asks.

She looks back up at him and smiles as happy tears are falling from her eyes, causing him to become teary eyed as well. "W-Win-Winry?" He asks, thinking he just messed up. She says. "Yes. Yes I will marry you Edward Elric." And with that he grins as he gently grabs her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger, She closes and slides the pocket watch back into his pocket. She then grabs his face with both of her hands and kisses him passionately. Ed willingly returns Winry's kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist as she wraps her arms around his shoulders.

When they part, trying to catch their breaths, staring at each other's eyes. Ed breathlessly says. "I love you, Winry."

With happy tears still falling, She replies. "I love you too, Edward." Before leaning forward, kissing him again.

End of Chapter 7

Author's Notes: I kept thinking to myself what unique and 'edward elric' way or thought would Edward Elric use to propose to Winry. Then came the idea of what if he used her curiosity (not against her but as an advantage) in some way towards his engagement to her. That's when I came up with the idea for the pocket watch.