Chapter 2 of my FMA drama…I've decided to be generous and get another chapter up quickly since I've already had two people who took the time to give me a review. See? Give me praise and I reward you.

Winry ran as fast as her slim legs would carry her, not caring where in fact she was going. 'Edward…It's taken me over six years to get the strength to say that, and you didn't even respond!' she cried out in her thoughts, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She grew out of breath and collapsed near the tree line of the forest.

She laid on the ground and continued to sob, her chest heaving violently. Inside her head, she began yelling at herself for blurting those words out…possible destroying her chance…

The worn-out military member slowly made his way after the mechanic, feeling he should at least try and talk to her. Her words echoed in his head and then he replayed his reaction. He cursed inward at himself for not even saying anything.

"Winry?" he called out softly, casting his eyes to the ground as he neared her crumpled form. After she made no reply but stifled her crying, he went closer and bent down on his knees a few feet away. As he opened his mouth to say something, the female quickly sat up and her hand flashed out, her palm striking against the side of his face, sending a searing pain across his right cheek.

The girl sure knew how to hit hard…Like a bullet grazing the skin.

"You're such a jerk! Do you know how long I've wanted to tell you my true feelings, how long I've planned to confess to you!" she shouted bitterly, tears still running down the side of her face. She pulled her hand back and as she raised the other to hit him on the other side, his hand shot up and gripped her wrist.

"Look, I'm sorry alright?" he sad quietly, slowly raising his gaze to meet hers. He loosened his grip and she slipped her hand away, wiping her eyes. "How do you think I've been over the course of years? Struggling out in a pointless war that we were clearly outnumbered in, wondering if each day would be my last…not knowing if I'd ever return to see Al, Grandma, or you."

Winry shuddered slightly and took a breath, wiping her face with her shirt. "I've waited for your return so long…crying myself to sleep every other night, fearing to answer the door, thinking one of these times it's going to be an officer…here to deliver some news from the war." She choked out, fighting her tears back.

"Come on. Let's get back to the house." He muttered, pushing himself from the ground and slowly straightening up, holding his hand out to the girl.

Winry looked at the ground for a moment then accepted Ed's hand, pulling herself up. As the two walked back to Pinako's, neither said a word to each other.

Den barked at the side of them and bounded off the porch to the two blonde's. He stopped in front of Ed and wagged his tail, barking a few times. Edward smiled lightly and scratched the canine's head.

Winry continued walking with her head down, going inside past Pinako without a word, and straight to her room. She closed it behind her and the lock clicked.

"Hey old lady." Ed greeted tiredly as he dragged himself inside after Den.

"Welcome back shrimp." She greeted back before getting up from her desk and going into the kitchen. Den followed at her heels.

Ed ignored her remark on his height, too tired to yell a response. He sighed and sat on the couch, closing his eyes as his weary limbs finally began to relax. The war had been really harsh on his body. He had almost managed to lose a few of his limbs if not for the gifted medics that the State had brought. He opened his eyes and glanced over at Winry's door, a frown tugging at his lips.

She sat inside with her window closed and curtains shut; no light at all in the room. She was sitting in the corner of her bed, hugging her knees to her chest with her head down, silently crying. After keeping it inside for so many years she had finally said the words she's always wanted to say, and it got her no where but sitting alone in the dark crying. Not how she had planned it in her head over the years.

Pinako let out a soft groan and sat in a wooden chair at the kitchen table, Den lying down by her feet. "This is quite a mess we have here isn't it?" she asked, looking down at the dog.

He huffed as if replying.

"Oh well, nothing we can do about it. This is something the two of them need to work out." She said quietly, then glancing towards the back door. "Well, Alphonse will be returning soon, right? Maybe that'll cheer them up." Pinako said down to Den, trying to raise some hope.

He gave a large, long yawn and slowly stood up, pushing out into the living room and heading to bed.

"I guess it is getting late." She muttered, standing up and walking to the living room door, shutting the kitchen light off and walking out. She gave Ed a pillow and blanket, said goodnight, then went to Winry's door. "Winry?" she called out.

"Hm?" came the blonde's quiet reply.

"Den and I are heading to bed. Don't stay up too late, alright?" the old woman called in. Hearing a quiet mutter in reply, she left the door and followed the dog into their bedroom.

Ed tossed his pillow on the side of the couch and laid down, draping the blanket halfway over him. He gave another sigh and looked up at the ceiling for a moment. Something kept repeating in his head even after he closed his eyes.

'I should have told her…if only she knew how I felt….'

Ai, short chapter…. Gomen….it's late…I need sleep…have other things to work on tomorrow….I'll try and make up for it in the next….