Disclaimer: I don't own FullMetal Alchemist. Maybe you do. If so, I will give you a piece of gum for it. Enticing, eh? Well you think about it then tell me. On with the story.
Chapter 8 - Peace At Last
After Ed left, Mustang looked regretful. He was a proud man, admitting he was wrong wasn't possible, but Winry looked a bit hurt, because Ed had never backed down on an insult. For being a teenager, he was almost as proud as Mustang was. So in his words, he was the 'nice guy,' and upon his regret, would tell Ed he was wrong.
"If it'll make you feel better, I'll go talk to Ed." She looked up at Roy.
"Thanks." Ah, the duties of Mustang. They were tiring and degrading. As he got up from the basement, he looked at the time. He had been down there for almost an hour.
'I can't even stand Hawkeye that long. What makes Winry so different?'
Roy couldn't stand the fact that Ed could be right. Roy was a man, Winry was still a girl. No way could the honorable Mustang develop feelings for someone who wasn't even near his age. Damnit Ed, stop confusing everyone. Ed was in his room, looking out the window, leaning on the edge. He's just a boy inside, no matter how tough he acts, whether it's mature or like a baby. The time were rare where Mustang could consider Ed a man.
"I don't understand you, Elric." Ed turned around, realizing he had company. Seeing it was Mustang, he turned around unphased and disappointed.
"What don't you get?" Roy took a step forward, formally of course.
"You've been through quite a lot. You've lost more things then a regular boy should ever have to lose. But you never try to gain anything. It's always been a fight."
"What's confusing about that? I don't deserve to gain anything yet." Roy sat down on the bed and sighed. It was time for his nice genes to come out and console Ed.
"You're wrong Ed." Ed turned around and looked at Mustang, surprised and intrigued. "I've seen you work with the military. You're the most dedicated person, let alone kid I've ever met. Don't you dare feel sorry for yourself." Ed slightly smiled.
"You sound like my mom."
"Don't get used to it."
Winry was finally done with the design of Ed's new 'hand.' She marched up to the stairs and sat with Al, whom was sitting on the porch steps.
"Hey Winry." Winry smiled at him.
"You're in a good mood."
"I've decided something Winry." Winry looked at him, interested.
"What?"
"I'm going to make Ed quit the military."
"Why? Don't you want your body back?" Al didn't reply right away.
"No. Not if he's going to keep on getting hurt. I want it to stop, Winry. We can stay here, and not worry about it for the rest of our lives."
"It's not that simple, Al." Al looked at her.
"Why is everyone still telling me that? It is that easy! He can just quit!"
"He can't just quit. He's been working on this for years."
"Yeah, he has, and it's about time to stop. We're not going to get any closer. Besides, don't you want him to stay?" Winry looked away.
"It doesn't matter what I want, Al. Your brother's been working hard, and all of it was for you. It's what he wants, and there's no priority he would move in front of you." It didn't matter if she wanted him to quit, although she did. Ed's mind was set and there was nothing that could change it.
"I don't care what you say, Winry, I can make him do it. And if you're not going to help me, fine." Winry sighed, and walked away. She couldn't help Al. She knew making Ed stop after all this time was wrong and selfish, but how would she convince him?
If she didn't care about him, she wouldn't feel so tempted to help Al. She wanted Ed to stay home. She wanted him to be happy. But all Ed would say was that Winry was nagging and holding him back. Could he feel any regret for leaving her all the time, in a small, country town?
She did miss him when he left. But did he even once miss her?
Back upstairs, Roy and Ed were finally getting along. It had taken such a long time, but for once, they had a conversation that didn't lead to an insult and someone (normally Ed,) storming away. Recently they were having a conversation, that included each other's past.
"Do you remember anything about your father?" Ed asked Roy. Roy nodded.
"He was really strict when I was young. Weren't all parents? There's not much to remember. Just a whole bunch of bad memories that should be buried. He took off on me and my mother." Ed nodded.
"Figures. In fact, I don't think many people I know have their parents."
"We're not as different as you think."
"How are we the same."
"Determination. By what, we don't know. We're dedicated people when it comes to our jobs. For whatever aspect of it we crave." It made Ed feel a bit complimented.
"Could you consider us friends?" A difficult question to answer. Can you consider two people, who at one point consider themselves rivals, friends? All it took was Roy to put his pride aside and talk like they were equal.
"I guess you could." Ed nodded.
"Then as friends, I have to ask you something. Do you feel anything for Winry?" Whether it was Ed being curious, or Ed being afraid of the answer, he needed to know.
"I could ask you the same thing." Very true.
"Let's get off the topic."
Kinda late, sorry. Went to Cedar Point. Sorry the chapter before this was short. I tried to make this one a bit longer, but the next chapter will be a reall story mover, I promise.
