A/N: GOD I haven't updated this story in ages! It doesn't have that much fans anyway but oh well I suddenly got struck with an idea for its new chapter xD So here goes nothin'…haha. I suggest you to listen to the song mentioned inside there as you read that part of the story :D
Chapter 4: Connection
History class, oh why does it have to be History class?
The frantic question was grunting inside Winry's head for the past twenty minutes as she hurriedly maneuvered her way towards the corridors leading to the said class' room. It was already pass 7:15 and the mob of students are already thinning down, another sign rubbing painfully on her face that she is hopelessly late. Gently opening the back door of the classroom, Winry heaved in relief when she saw Ms. Router's back facing the class. After a few successful tiptoes, she finally reached the closest vacant seat at the back of the room and finally let herself settle down and get ready for class.
Glancing at her watch, she read 7:26. Not bad after waking up ten minutes before class.
"Alright, class. Open your books to page fifty-six." Her stoic order echoed in the silent, obviously bored, classroom; only the rustling of pages and small stretching movements of sleepy students.
"Oh, Miss Rockbell?" Winry's blonde head perked up from her Introduction to World History book, some of the students turning to look at her from their seats. "Yes, Ms. Router?" She said slowly, watching the woman doing something with her watch.
"You're eleven minutes late for class. That means detention for you." She announced with a red card already dangling from her hand, beckoning her to fetch it from her. Winry's mouth hanged open. "Bu-but-"
"Are you questioning my rules? I already have given you a chance the last time. I did warn you that the next time will be a red one." The teacher reminded with irk, her eyes piercing directly at her from across the room.
Biting her lip from saying anything that will make this even worse, she quickly stood up and walked the aisle towards the teacher's table; willing herself to ignore the stares of her classmates. It was just her third day at Central High and she already gotten herself a detention. Just whoopin' great.
After snatching the red card of helpless doom from the devil herself, Winry gave her a stabbing look before turning back to her seat. If looks could just really kill, she and every other student of hers would be redeemed from these ridiculous detentions. Once she reached her seat, the sixteen-year-old let out a tired puff. What a way to start her morning.
"Hey." She was about to write her first notes when she heard the person in front of her call. Looking up, she saw a brown-haired guy beaming at her. "Don't worry about getting detention from Ms. Router. Everybody here already got one, if not all of them. She's a real prick to deal with." Winry smiled at the comfort. "Thanks." She whispered back. It was nice to know that she was not the only one suffering here.
"Though be careful next time. It's Patrick by the way." He said playfully with a wink then went back to listening to the lecture.
Ten peaceful minutes later, the pen in her hand almost flew from her grasp from sudden noise of the door sliding beside her. This is why she hated sitting at the back. Not lifting her gaze from her notebook, Winry continued to follow the text before her and ignored the latest student side stepping in front of her to get to the last vacant seat beside her.
"Ah, Mr. Elric. Twenty-one minutes late." Ms. Router sang in her twisted delighted way, making Winry snap her head up to look at Edward Elric slouched on the seat beside her. His golden eyes simply flickered boringly at her for a few seconds before rummaging around his bag. The teacher obviously just likes to pick on him and it was just getting way too old to fight back. Besides, he was just not in the mood for anything today.
"Detention. This time you'll be doing it with the newbie. You may be the perfect guide for her since you've taken almost all if not all of my detention sessions." She announced in a flat tone as she scrutinized her least favorite student of all generations.
"Don't make it sound like I want it, old hag. You practically shove it in my throat every time you see a chance. I'd say you're the one who wants me in every one of your detentions." Winry's eyes almost bugged out of their sockets at this guy's quick and unhesitant retort.
Emily Router was smoking in red fury; the veins in her temples already tracing themselves. "DETENTION FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK!" She hollered and slammed a hand on the table before sharply turning back to write on the blackboard. No one dared to utter another breath and went back to their notes.
"Not much of a difference." She heard him mutter to himself as he twirled a pen around his fingers. She gaped at him incredulously. "You're really out of your mind, aren't you?"
"Just mind your own business." Edward shot back coldly then started to scribble some words on his notebook.
"First it's just detention, now I have to deal with you too while in it. Just great." She whined almost to herself as she turned back to her own business.
"Also blame world hunger on me, why don't you?" Edward snorted back as he ran a hand over his tired face. He had a tough morning and this is really not helping him to quirk up.
"Just shut up. Your big mouth is the reason why you get into so much trouble." Golden eyes glared her way as she continued to highlight some important points in her book.
"Don't fucking talk to me like you know me. You shut up. You're the one who started it. Bitch." He spat with hate then turned some pages on his book noisily for emphasis.
"Asshole." She bit back with vehemence.
"You two back there." It took Edward and Winry a moment before they realized it was them again at the center of attention. The look on Ms. Router's wrinkled face was very obvious.
"Three hours detention." With that she returned to her lecture nonchalantly. Winry slumped back in her chair with a sigh.
The thirty minutes were uneventful as the lesson about Xingese influences went by as lively as a rock. Winry was trying her best not to imitate the number of students bobbing their heads in struggle with sleep in front of her; chanting mentally that she has already gotten herself into enough trouble for one class.
"Three centuries, and fifty-three princes later, Xing finally-" A rap on the door interrupted Ms. Router's lengthy conclusion of the lesson, much to her dismay and a bit of the delight for her jaded students.
"Come in." She ordered her voice thick with displeasure.
A head of a brunette girl poked out from the slither of the door, her expression that of panicked. "Sorry for interrupting, Ms. Router, but Sanders needs to talk to you. It's an emergency." Worry suddenly masked the woman's face and with an abrupt excuse to her class, she immediately followed the girl outside.
Murmurs suddenly filled the room about the possible commotion, leaving Winry quite left out and confused. She doesn't even know who Sanders is.
"Becky Sanders is the Drama club president. Ms. Router is the club's adviser so she's practically the only student who likes her." Patrick said to her with his arms resting on the back of his chair, smiling ever so widely at her. He's a bit cheeky, Winry decided, but she was thankful for answering her silent question.
"I see. Never would have thought acting would be one of her passions besides torturing students." Winry pointed out in serious wonder. Patrick laughed at her heartily.
"Quiet down." The stern order was like a silent spell as the students who were sluggishly gossiping with each other a minute were now sitting straight in their seats as if to listen to the teacher on front intently.
"Rockbell and Elric." One of the heads called perked up obediently.
"Stay after class. I need to talk to you."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Damn, what the hell did I do now?! I haven't moved a finger out of place after she'd given us that detention!" Winry said indignantly as she ran her hands through her long, loose locks. Edward yawned as he watched the girl pacing back and forth in front of him, scratching over his wrinkled navy shirt.
"Would you relax? It's probably not as bad as you think." He said with a roll of his eyes. Girls and their drama. He already had just enough of it for today.
"Ha! Yeah, like I would trust your level of 'not so bad'." She said with a glare towards the unbelievably detached teenager before her. He really is such a bastard without any trace of empathy.
The Elric was just going to retort back when Ms. Router came walking behind Winry, who turned around sharply in surprise. "Ms. Router, whatever I did-"
"I'm here to make a deal with you two." She stated rather hesitantly, hating the fact that she's actually asking favors from the very students who, as she aware as she could be, hates her.
"Instead of taking your detention sessions with me, you are going to perform a song number in the Twinkle Town Musical later after classes."
"What?!" Winry shrieked louder than she had intended too, but the shock of the statement was just too much. "Me? Sing? But I don't sing ma'am."
"It is just one song, dear. It won't hurt much, right? In exchange for that dreadful three hours of detention with me ordering you around my office." She bit her lip, her brows knotted in indecision. She couldn't believe this teacher is making it so tempting? But still, why is she considering this in the first place, anyway?
"But Ms. Router, I really don't-"
"I am in dire need of help here. The Drama club is in need of help. The performers who were supposed to do a song number backed out at the last minute and we couldn't find anyone to do it on such short notice." Emily Router almost begged, but her composure of authority was still standing. Edward crossed his arms and slumped in his seat.
"Then just don't do the damn song number. Your Drama Club has plenty of other antics to fill that up." He honestly suggested which earned a kick on the shin. He shot a death glare at the culprit. "What the hell?!"
"Just shut up! You're making this worse!" Winry fired in gritted teeth.
"I'm giving her a suggestion!"
"All the members of the club are already occupied with their respective roles for the musical. The song number is crucial for it will give time for the performers to change costumes for the next act. We cannot leave the audience hanging for that long." The Drama club adviser explained patiently, looking at her two students for understanding.
"I'm not doing it." Edward raised his hands; wiping his person out of it. The other student standing beside him wanted to say the same thing, but she glanced hesitantly at the almost pleading eyes of Ms. Router.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am but-"
"I won't give you any detentions for the rest of the school year. No matter what shenanigans you get yourself into." Edward straightened up in his seat at that, surprised at the clear bribery going on here. He looked over Winry, whose jaw was now slacking open in bafflement.
"I'd rather be stuck in your office for three hours rather than perform in your Twinkle Toes clown show." He quoted the name with poison then stood up with hands on his pockets.
"Edward!" Winry scolded with an angry look. "What? You want to do it? Then go do it yourself and be bribed. I don't give a flying fuck." Biting her lip and her losing patience, Winry was about to fire back when Ms. Router sat on chair and bowed her head towards them. "Please, I'm begging you, Edward."
She looked up, her eyes soft and pleading with some hint of tears. "I know you can play the guitar well. If you could just lend your talent for a few minutes-"
"That's none of your business." Edward cut her off, the veins in his neck visibly showing.
"I know I haven't been the best teacher to you in your years of stay in this school, and I admit that in times it is not your fault but mine." Winry was only one thing right now – utterly and speechlessly awestruck at the things happening before her. It was like watching a mountain crumble down as she continued to listen to her cold-hearted teacher's words.
Side-glancing at Edward, she could see him somber down himself, though the tense in his shoulders is still there, hindering him from backing down. "Edward, just this once." Winry offered, a hand on his shoulder. He let out a heavy breath and walked away from her touch, contemplating his choices.
Music is something that is very private for him, and it just really vexed him that his least favorite teacher had known about his guitar skills. If he played up there in her stage, then everyone will know. And on top of that, he hates the old hag.
Turning around, he gave Ms. Router a hard look then swept his eyes to the blonde Winry girl and sighed. "Are you serious about giving us immunity from your detentions?" He firmly inquired, to which Ms. Router nodded vigorously in return. "Of course! No detention for the rest of the year!"
Edward crunched his brows as he let those words roll in his mind. No detention for the rest of the year means no more pointless hours with the bitch until he graduates.
"Come on, just think about it like a couple of minutes in hell. Once we get down from that stage we're out of the fire again." Winry shrugged, her eyes flickering at the forlorn middle-aged woman who was looking at him expectantly.
Putting his hands again inside the pockets of his beaten up jeans, he stared at Winry for a second before letting out a small smile. She said she can't sing but just to help this good-for-nothing teacher she's willing to give up some of her dignity in front of the whole campus? "It's not like you have a choice once you're getting sent to hell." He simply stated with a shrug. He was just too tired to retaliate any further and getting his detentions off his back will give him more time to go home and rest.
Both women in the room smiled in glee. As morbid as it is, it was definitely a yes. "Thank you so much! I owe you my life, Edward Elric and Winry Rockbell! Be at the auditorium fifteen minutes before the show. Again, thank you so much!" With that and a few strong handshakes, from which Edward snatched his hand away immediately, Emily Router was out of the room to bring out the news to her club, leaving the two teenagers alone.
A flat silence covered the two until one of them turned a pale face towards the other.
"We just agreed to sing in a musical." Winry breezed, still processing the blur of events in her mind.
"Technically it's just you. I'm playing the guitar." Edward pointed out without mercy. Winry looked up at him slowly, a look of fear and despair. He really has no trace of empathy. "It's not going to be that bad, right? I mean, it's just a musical. Not much people will be watching it, anyway."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Holy Christ, that's a lot of people." Winry freaked out as she and Edward poked their heads over the red curtains to see the mass of students and teachers watching the performance intently. This was the last act before they perform their filler number. Pulling themselves back to the dark back stage, Winry began to fidget with the end of her shirt and bite her nails in agitation.
"Will you just relax? You're working yourself up so much I think you're going to throw up on stage." Edward reprimanded then went back to one of the blue folding chairs and tuning the blue guitar that the Drama club lent him, twisting the tuners here and there before occasionally strumming the strings to check some chords. His mouth formed into a grim line at how the guitar was clearly not carefully maintained.
"Why are you not nervous? It's not like you performed on stage before, right?" She demanded rather than asked which stiffened the Elric boy from his actions. He looked at her with clear annoyance which Winry replied with a raised brow. Picking up the papers beside him, he reached his arm over for her to take them. "Just learn the lyrics so we can get this over with."
Winry shooed the papers away like they're some dirty parasites. "Scripts make me nervous. Besides, I know the song. Luckily." She let out a few more heavy hyperventilating breaths before her nerves calmed down a bit. She had never been this nervous and that fact just added to her discomfort.
"Just relax. Don't think about the people." Edward advised and ran his adept fingers over the nylon strings. They could already hear the announcement of the end of act five, the applause of the crowd loud and wild. "Just get a connection with my playing and let your singing drift away with it."
Winry nodded, actually liking the way he said that. "Right, right. Drift away."
"Now folks, before we go back to our marvelous musical, we have a special song number by two of the senior students from Class B! Please welcome our wonderful performers, Winry Rockbell and Edward Elric!"
A few murmurs echoed everywhere in the auditorium at the mention of the last name, surprise and excitement mixing in the faces of the students and even the teachers.
"That's us." Edward announced then took the lead towards the stage, Winry shakily keeping in tow. Once they got pass the red curtain, the excited whispers among the audience and looks they were giving her with a phrase of 'Is she a new student?' here and there were really making her want to puke in embarrassment. It was starting to dawn to her that this is just too much. What the hell was she thinking? She doesn't even sing in the shower for crying out loud.
Edward took his seat and began to test his guitar with the microphone amplifying it, adjusting the capo a little further down on the neck before trying it again. He seemed to be natural with the guitar and mindless about the people watching them that it made Winry jealous. It really looks like this isn't his first time performing. Unsure of what to do as she waited for him, she walked towards the microphone stand and tapped the head, which sent a successful clear feedback on the speakers. She glanced back at her classmate for guidance, sweat building along her temples. "I don't think I can do this." She mouthed at him, who threw her a cold-hearted, "Just do it." before focusing on his test plucking. Turning back, she finally faced the mass of at least three hundred people looking intensely at her. Gulping hard, she took a moment to gather her thoughts before her first words on stage echoed in the microphone.
"Hello everyone. I'm Winry Rockbell, new student." She started awkwardly, waving a hand a little over the gawking audience who seemed to be waiting for her to do something better than that. "And um, this is Edward Elric on the guitar." The referred person gave a stern stare towards the audience before going back to his guitar. Winry wanted to whack him for not helping her out here even just a tiny bit. "And we're going to play Paramore's 'The Only Exception' as we wait for our real performers to get ready for Act six." That earned some giggles from the crowd and it made Winry smile in triumph, her confidence somewhat boosted up.
Looking to her right for Edward, he glanced back at her with his fingers already set on a G major. "Ready?" She asked squeamishly. For a brief moment, it made Edward smile, a sudden gush of memories filling him. "Ready when you are."
Giving him a small chortle, she nodded then turned to face the audience. With that on cue, Edward began to strum the intro, his fingers expertly switching between G major, D minor and a few other ones that he invented here and there.
Winry let her body sway a bit with wonderful notes, listening intently for her cue to sing. After another round of the same chords, blue eyes went straight looking to the audience with composure as the first lyrics began.
When I was younger I saw my daddy cry and curse at the wind
The audience, together with Edward, perked up their heads in astonishment at the wonderful sweet voice coming out of the shy, new girl, mesmerized at this surprise. Edward tried to focus on his chords as he looked at her at the same time. Even if it was still shaky, her voice was definitely amazing.
He broke his own heart and I watch as he tried to reassemble it
Her voice began to gain have its momentum, her hands now firmly gripping the neck of the microphone. His fingers slid to play a new chord, fingers spread along the four frets as he strum in the song's pattern.
And my momma swore that she would never let herself forget
She let her voice carve her emotions as Edward's guitar led it and drift it away.
And that was the day that I promise I never sing of love if it does not exist
She turned slightly to her partner as she sang the lyrics and for a moment, blue eyes connected to golden ones, communicating with each other along the melody. It was a connection that made her feel at ease, a feeling as natural as breathing. A bright smile tugged her lips before she returned to her audience, her fear and anxiety completely washed away.
But darling you are, the only exception
The guitarist began to bob his head along the song, his mind and soul at the captive of the harmony, his fingers stroking and sliding along the instrument like it was second nature.
Oh you are, the only exception
Cheers and jibes from the crowd began to resound along the performers. She even saw Schezka stood from her seat and shouted 'Go Winry!'
You are, the only exception.
Winry began to feel a self that she had never known before. The voice inside her kept letting itself out, pouring into the song.
You are…the only exception
She backed away from the microphone slightly as she let Edward's strumming take over this time, one hand holding the microphone as she let her body dance slightly, smiling at the audience who began to applaud in their seats, shouting her and Edward's name.
Maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul that love never lasts
She shook her head as if to agree with the lyrics, her eyes closed, letting the song possess her.
And we've got to find other ways to make it alone or keep a straight face
Edward dared to look at her again, a little afraid that if he did, she will truly captivate him and never let him free. But he still did, and thought that being a prisoner of such solidarity won't be so bad compared to having freedom in misery.
And I've always lived like this keeping a comfortable…distance
Her sensual voice mingled with the air and made the people in the room wanting, clearly not getting enough as they leaned on their seats and listened for more.
And up until now I have sworn to myself that I'm content…with loneliness
After that she took the microphone from the stand and walked more ways to the front, leaning towards the edge of the stage with her other hand gripping the stand for support.
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
Leaning a bit more forward off the edge, she sang that line with such conviction that the audience at the front row had gone wild and stood up to sing along with her.
For you are, the only exception
She then stepped closer to Edward's side and held her voice high as the chorus came.
You are the only exception
Half of the crowd were already standing and clapping their hands in tune with the song.
Oh you are the only exception
Everyone, even the people outside the auditorium began to stand along and watch them. Winry beamed and continued to let her voice carry her away.
You are the only exception
She pointed towards the audience, bending her legs a bit as she reached a high note at 'exception', making the standing crowd roar in applause. Swaying along the interlude, she saw one of the first years jumping in excitement as they rocked with their invisible guitars.
"You're the man, Edward!" Someone in the second year section boomed and she peeked just in time to see a proud smirk cross upon the Elric's lips.
I've got a tight grip on reality but I can't
Winry shook her head once more with the lyrics words, her body leaning towards the audience.
Let go of what's in front of me here
Everyone in the room was singing along with them now, their pounding fists in the air making the performance look like a live concert.
I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up. Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream.
"Oh oh oh ooooh! Oh!" The singer rocked her long, loose locks along her body and raised her microphone in feat. The audience went rampage as she finished and won that awfully high note by a landslide.
You are the only exception
The students and even some of the stiff teachers began to sing along by heart, their eyes hypnotized as they followed along Winry's singing voice.
You are the only exception
Another voice in the microphone joined her this time, and swiveled her blond head to the side and looked at her duet slash guitarist, a microphone suddenly at his side as his voice mingled with hers in perfect harmony.
You are the only exception
Another new chord was strummed by Edward as he continued to sing the last iteration of the chorus with her, his eyes briefly acknowledging the cheers directed at him before going back to his fingers on the strings.
You are the only exception. Oh you are the only exception
Edward's voice rang clear beside hers this time, his baritone showing its hidden talent. It was amazing how he could sing like that and play the guitar proficiently at the same time.
You are the only exception
Some of the Drama club performers went out of the backstage to peek at the roaring song number, clapping and singing along in their tree costumes.
You are the only exception
Winry dared another glance and this time she was caught again by her partner's golden gaze. They grinned at each and had the same thoughts that this is not such a bad idea after all.
Oh you are the only exception
He let her voice dominate over his as she again hit another high note magnificently, the curl of her voice gaining shouts of praise from everyone.
And I'm on my way to believing
She noticed Edward didn't sing along with her anymore. Feeling a bit bad if she took all the credit to end this song by herself, she raised her eyebrows at him, signaling him to sing the last of the song with her.
Oh and I'm on my way to believing
Their voices spiraled together in perfect melody, making it sound like the song was truly theirs. Strumming the last chord as an ending, everyone went from standing still to jumping with endless rounds of applause, chanting Winry and Edward's names with vigor.
Beaming, Winry made a small bow. "Thank you." She said then waited for Edward to collect his instrument before they started to retreat.
"Now that was something else! Who here wants to hear some words from our splendid performers?" The master of the ceremony shouted and Winry twirled around to see him beside her, microphone extended towards the audience for an answer.
From the rowdy applause and cheers of affirmation, it definitely means that their hell on stage wasn't over yet. "I think that's a yes! Just a couple of questions so don't be afraid! Our Twinkle Town performers have to get back and own it here soon anyway." The onyx-haired announcer mused and gestured to the poking heads of the Drama club members.
"Whatever." Edward muttered as shift his weight to the other foot, lazily settling the guitar on the floor as he played it around by its neck.
"Let's start with you, Edward." The MC taunted playfully which almost made Edward glare daggers at him if it wasn't for Winry's shoulder bumping rather violently against his.
"Behave. It's almost over." She whispered to him through gritted teeth before plastering a fake smile on her face once again. Growling under his breath, he decided he will concede with her this time.
"It seems like everyone doesn't have prior knowledge of your out-of-the-world talent with the guitar because man, did you just see how awfully better his playing compared to Paramore?!" He exclaimed which gained wild rounds of screams from the audience, which was from most of the female population. Edward couldn't help but to roll his eyes, using his best ability to do it as subtle as possible when the head of the mic was suddenly under his chin.
"I've been practicing." He stated in a monotone voice to which, in Winry's surprise, received a whole lot of squeals than it deserved to have.
"Seems like you have a lot of fans already, Edward." He pointed out cheerily followed by loud cries of the said Edward Elric fan club.
"But sorry girls, we're running out of time so let's ask the last question to our lovely vocalist, Ms. Winry Rockbell!" A louder set of voices chanted and wooed as Winry smiled and blushed as the MC wrapped an arm around her shoulders. At this point, Edward made sure that the roll of his eyes could be seen from across the auditorium.
"So how long have you been singing?" He asked casually and held out the mic for her.
Stuttering a bit, she replied, "This was my first time performing on stage." It wasn't the whole truth, but still the truth. God, why was she suddenly thinking like some kind of a celebrity?
"Olala! We have some modest performers here. In that case, you should perform more on stage with us because we totally love you, Winry. Right, guys?" A loud agreement from the crowd of students and teachers answered.
"You said you're a new student, right?"
"Yes I am. Very new." Winry giggled, leaving the fact that this is just her third day as a Central High student.
"Well then, from now on, you're the new student and everyone here will be waiting for your next performance!" He exclaimed in a very loud voice which earned another round of cheers from the audience. "Again, thank you so much our performers, Winry Rockbell and Edward Elric from Class 4-B!" Taking that as their cue to exit, Winry halted for a second for another bow towards their 'fans' before sauntering after Edward.
"Hey wait!" Winry called when she saw him reached the last of the steps. Taking two steps at a time, she was just in time to appear in front of him when he turned around with a rather sour look.
"What?"
Not really knowing what to say, she stared at him for a few moments, trying to figure out what just happened up there. "Thanks."
"For what?" He asked, truly clueless. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and smiled genuinely at him for the first time since they met.
"For singing with me." Edward stared at her, making her feel that she just said the most idiotic line ever.
"No problem. If you read the script, it said there that I'm supposed to sing with you starting after the interlude." He stated while setting the guitar securely in his arm. Winry stared at him for a while, digesting his words. Then she glared. Edward chuckled with a shake of his head then headed towards one of the exits.
"You only sang with me on the last chorus. You jerk!" She vexed rather weakly. She wanted to scream another line of obscenities for his uncaring walking back when he suddenly stopped and turned around to face her.
Then he did something that mildly shocked her. He gave her a lousy thumb's up, a small smirk tugging the corner of his lips. "Amazing voice. You should do this more often." With that, he returned on his tracks, the guitar protruding from his side.
Winry watched him for a while, pondering that the connection wasn't just her voice and his playing.
A/N: I've been meaning to write this chapter for a long while and I finally did! Hope you enjoy! And Happy Holidays! ^^