Tune Up
Disclaimer: I do not own FMAB
Enjoy!
2 hours later
"And that explains everything." Al said as he finished up his story.
"You guys literally went to all corners of Amestris to try and figure out a way to get back Ed's alchemy on a theory and riddle?" Jenna asked.
"Alchemy is pretty much a riddle and codes, and it's different for every alchemist." Ed said.
"So can all alchemists do alchemy like you guys, without a transmutation circle?" Aaron asked.
"No, only those who have seen the truth…only those who have committed the ultimate sin or like my father who was a philosopher's stone." Ed said.
"What is the ultimate sin?" Mila asked.
"Human transmutation, the creation of another human through the use of alchemy. There is a vital element that one can never get, a soul to place in the being you create." Al said.
"I lost my leg and arm while Al lost his whole body." Ed said.
"Right, Winry told us about that." Aaron said.
"Speaking of her, where did she run off to?" Pinako said, noticing her granddaughter's sudden disappearance.
"Ed, you know the routine by now, Al, you should know it after all these years. Shirts, boots, pants, off now." Winry said walking back into the room with her toolbox, overalls on, hair back in her ponytail and bandana, and working gloves on.
"Damn she moves fast." Jenna giggled.
"I'm not stripping in front of your friends; can't we go to the work room?" Ed asked annoyed.
"No, Aaron just went to get it clean and prepped for surgery, so it's either here or my room, and since Al can't get there and you're not of much use with that hobble of yours, there's really no choice here." Winry said.
"Make them leave then." Ed said annoyed. Winry almost shouted back at him, but then stopped herself and smirked.
"Aw, it the little alchemist scared? Is the teeny weeny baby alchemist shy of my friends? It little Ed all scared of me?" Winry said in baby-talk making Ed go red faced with anger and Al duck. Ed took a deep breath.
"Fine." Ed hissed as he started taking off his shoes.
"You're not yelling back at me? Does this mean I'm not in trouble?" Winry asked astonished.
"Patience Winry, patience." Ed chuckled as he peeled off his shirt, leaving him there in just his boxers. May helped Al strip down and then wheeled him over to the other couch and placed him there.
"So when did you two get the ink?" Winry asked as she noticed the decorations on Ed's and Al's arms. One was the same flamel on the back of his coat, the flamel of the Curtis school of alchemy, while the other was a burning house with the date of October third year eleven and the dates of the promised day within dark clouds over the house, the one on Ed's was different than on Al's, but the flamel was the same.
"About seven months ago." Ed and Al said indifferently as Winry began to measure Ed's leg and her friends tried not to stare too much. Once she got all the measurements needed for Ed she moved on to Al.
" So how have you been holding up since we last met?" Ed asked.
"Fine, with the occasional annoyances like earlier." Winry said just as the front door flew open and in walked the girls from hell.
"I knew it, you little…" the girl began.
"I have an automail leg you dumb bitch! It needs to be adjusted and she measures the good leg to make it symmetrical, now get the fuck out!" Ed shouted in frustration as he transmuted a spear and pointed it at her.
"What about him?" she asked snobbishly.
"In case you didn't notice, my brother is missing a leg." Ed said, gesturing to his brother who waved unamused.
"Ok Al, all done with the measurements. Ed, please face forward." Winry said, ignoring the girls there. Ed did as told and Jenna and Winry removed the leg, Ed winced slightly.
"No matter how many times I do this, that part will make me flinch." Ed growled.
"That's expected, it's where the nerves connect. I'll get started on the adjustments today, probably have them done by tomorrow as long as Jenna or Aaron is willing to do an all-nighter, and then we can start on Al's leg." Winry said.
"Sounds good, but I'm going to need a wheelchair until I get my leg back." Ed said.
"Hello, standing right here." The girl said.
"I don't care; now get out." Winry chirped in a sweet deadly tone. The girls glared before turning on their heel and stomping out like children.
"Jenna, come on, we have metal to cut and nerves to make and connect and so on and so forth. Aaron, get Ed a wheelchair." Winry said over her shoulder as she and Jenna walked upstairs. Ed couldn't help but stare at her wide hips before snapping his attention back to his brother and Aaron, who brought over a wheelchair. Just then the phone rang and May raced over and picked it up.
"Rockbell automail, this is May." May said before her eyes widened and she nodded vigorously before hanging up.
"Winry, you're not going to like this." May shouted. Winry walked to the top of the stairs.
"Ok, who was it and what was it about?" Winry asked.
"It was Brigadier General Roy Mustang. He wanted me to pass a message onto the Elric men and to their mechanic. Ed and Al have to take their state alchemist certification exam by the end of the month, which limits Winry's time to build the automail." May said.
"Hell, when I get my leg back I can go do that immediately." Ed said boredly before noticing Winry's expression.
"You're going back to the military? And you're joining?" Winry asked both men.
"Win, Al works at the local market and I work at a newsstand. The nation has changed, and they need those who helped make it change." Ed said sincerely.
"You're not leaving until Al has his leg for at least a week." Winry hissed.
"I can work with that." Ed said. Winry nodded and went back to the room to work on Ed's automail.
7 hours later
Ed and Al were outside, seeing as how it was the only place they could practice their alchemy without Winry yelling at them. Just as Ed transmuted five pillars using a combination of alchemy and alkahestry Winry walked outside.
"So help me if you say we can't practice outside in your backyard I'll go back to the ruins of my old home." Ed hissed.
"No need to get pissy Ed, I was just coming down to say I finished your leg and have already started on Al's oh, and dinner's ready." Winry said, rolling her eyes. Ed and Al wheeled their way back into the house to eat.
"So, we'll attach your leg tomorrow and maybe get started on Al's surgery." Winry said after they finished eating.
"Fine by me." Ed and Al said.
The next day
Winry and Jenna helped Ed onto the stool in the room that was all prepped and ready for when Al would be getting operated that day. Winry grabbed her latest piece of work and Jenna grabbed all the equipment as Aaron helped line it up.
"One. Two. Three." Winry said as Aaron pushed in the automail and connected the nerves, making Ed flinch. Winry and Jenna got to work on tightening the bolts. It was then that Jenna noticed the scars on Ed's stomach, legs, chest and even his back and arms, but those were mild.
"Good lord, you have been through hell." Jenna said as she tightened her last bolt.
"I was a state alchemist from twelve to fifteen. I intend to go back and continue on that course, not completely for the thrill or the money, but for the fact that I have a say in the way the country is operated." Ed said as he stood up. Ed walked over, grabbed his clothes from the floor and then quickly pulled up his pants and walked out of the room.
"I'll get Al." Ed said as he left.
"Thanks." Winry said. Ed returned a few moments later, Al in arms and placed him on the operating table.
"Brother, be honest with me, how bad does it hurt?" Al asked as a pillow and mattress were brought so he would be a little more comfortable. Ed picked him up again and then placed him back down before responding.
"Me telling you won't make it any less painful, just look at it as at least you're only getting one thing done." Ed said, slightly twitching at the memory of the pain, his arm growing sore.
"Oh." Al said, bowing his head slightly. Ed left the room, and was half tempted to leave the house, but knew if he did he would never be able to forgive himself if his brother did need his help. Ten minutes later, the sounds of Al's cries of pain began to emit through the house, Ed and May sat on the couch, both hearts aching from such a horrid sound.
9 hours later
Ed knew they were almost done when Al's cries had reduced to whimpers and the sounds within the room had started to die down. Jenna walked out of the operating room, her eyes tired and sweat on her brow. Soon after Aaron and Pinako walked out looking just as tired.
"Can we go back and see him?" May asked frantically.
"Winry told us to come out and ask that you help her move him to the bed in the room." Aaron said. May and Ed rushed into the room to assist Winry.
"Could one or both of you help me move him to the bed?" Winry asked, her tone weary from two days of no sleep. May looked to Ed and Ed nodded.
"May and I have this, you sit down and take a break." Ed said, gently pushing her away from Al. Winry was stubborn though and pushed his arms off of her.
"I'm fine Ed." Winry said, anger seeping through. Ed scowled and then in the blink of an eye picked her up over his shoulder and then plopped her down in a chair on the opposing side of the room.
"Stay here." Ed said in a serious tone. Winry went to get up, until she noticed the small flickering lightning. She looked down to see Ed had secured her to the chair with alchemy and glared at him as he walked over and helped May carefully place his brother into the bed. Al's eyes fluttered open.
"The surgery is done and a success?" Al asked tiredly.
"Yes Al, but you need rest now dear." May said as she pulled the blankets up to his chin.
"Alright. Hey brother." Al chuckled, holding out his fist. Ed smiled back and bumped his fist to Al's.
"Hey there champ." Ed chuckled.
"He needs to rest for at least nine days before he starts being somewhat mobile. The rehab will be painful. You sure you can't postpone his joining until he's fully recovered?" Winry said as she struggled in the chair. Ed walked over and let her loose and she shoved him away, angry at him.
"We don't have that kind of time. Three days to rest before starting rehab is all he should need." Ed said annoyed.
"Ed, who's the doctor?" Winry asked glaring at him.
"How about six days then?" May suggested, hoping to end their growing argument.
"Good idea." Ed said, knowing that if Al agreed Winry would have to deal with it.
"I think I should be good to start moving again in six days." Al said with tired smile. Winry let out an irritated sigh.
"Fine, six." Winry growled before stomping out of the room.
"She's pissed." Ed chuckled as he watched her storm off.
"No kidding, now go make her feel better." Al chuckled, receiving a light elbow to his ribs from his fiancée.
"Al!" May whined before Ed left the room, rolling his eyes at his brother's joke. Ed walked into the living room with no luck of finding his pissed off mechanic.
"She's in the shower Ed." Pinako chuckled. Ed nodded and then made his way through the kitchen.
With Winry
He doesn't always know what's best for me, hell, he hasn't even visited in the last two years. Winry growled mentally.
"Ok, so he's called and wrote, but it's not the same as actually talking to him." Winry mumbled as she scrubbed her hair. Her muscles relaxed under the heat of the water as it gently and rhythmically beat against her back. After she felt that her hair and body were good and clean she turned off the water and pulled on her bathrobe and wrapped he hair in a towel and went for her room. She was unaware that Ed had been in there eating his dinner away from the gooey couple – Al and May – as she took her wet hair out of the towel. Ed wanted to speak, but his throat went dry as she let her robe drop. It was then that Winry finally noticed him, too late but nonetheless, she quickly grabbed her robe and held it close to her as Ed covered his eyes, though he got quiet an eyeful.
"Ed, what are you doing in here?" Winry hissed.
"Eating." Ed gulped as he kept his hand firmly over his eyes.
"Ed, it's pointless to keep your hand over your eyes, plus I have my robe." Winry said.
"Is it on?" Ed asked hesitantly before he heard the slight shuffling of clothes.
"It is now." Winry said, much closer to him now. Ed put his hand down, though the robe did little to no good, seeing as how it was made of thin cashmere.
"So, do tell me why you were in my room?" Winry asked, quirking an eyebrow at the man.
"Uh…to get away from the lovebirds downstairs." Ed said, mentally telling himself to look at her eyes and no lower, or a wrench to the head would be his reward.
"Reasonable at least." Winry said, crossing her arms across her chest. Ed stood, once he felt he was calm enough, and practically ran downstairs to where his brother was resting, though he was awake.
"Is everything alright brother?" Al asked tiredly.
"No, everything is not alright Al." Ed said, hiding his red face.
"What happened?" Al asked, wide awake and confused.
"I was up in Winry's room eating because sometimes you and May drive me crazy, no offense, and in she comes, in a bathrobe and towel and…uh…erm…well…" Ed stuttered, turning a brighter shade of red every second. Al smirked and then busted into hysterics.
"Hey shut up!" Ed shouted.
"I-I-I'm so-o-o-orry, bu-u-ut you-ur fa-a-ce was just to-o-o funny." Al laughed, clutching his sides. Ed crossed his arms and grumbled incoherently before the door opened and in walked Winry, still in just her robe.
"Ed, did I say we were done talking?" Winry asked.
"Well….no, I just assumed that we were since you weren't saying anything." Ed defended. Winry rolled her eyes and then looked to Ed.
"Come with me, I still need to talk to you." Winry said in a tone Ed couldn't quite distinguish. Ed got up and followed Winry back up to her room. He sat on her bed next to her, the door was closed and Ed felt a little anxious to be alone with her in her state of undress and his male hormones running rampant.
"That was total dejavu moment, you know that right?" Winry giggled.
"What?" Ed asked, confused by her lack of anger.
"Oh come on, you know what I mean. About you eating in my room and me, being totally unaware of you in here until the last second." Winry laughed. Ed attempted to hide his blush at the memory of when he almost saw Winry without a shirt, only this time, he saw everything, and pretty much still could.
"Ed, you don't need to be shy or nervous about it. You in essence proposed to me before you left, remember?" Winry giggled and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I know." Ed replied, wrapping his arm around her slim figure.
"So what did you think of the view?" Winry asked, kissing Ed on his red cheek.
"Winry!?" Ed exclaimed before she bursted into hysterics.
"You're so funny when you're flustered." Winry giggled, resting her head on his lap as she gripped her stomach. Ed rolled his eyes before he looked down at her and smiled. Even though she could be infuriating at times, he cared about her. Ed leaned over and pressed his forehead to hers as he giggles died down.
"I missed you." Winry whispered, her lips barely brushing his.
"I missed you too." Ed replied before closing the last bit of distance between them and kissing her fully.
5 days later
Al had been feeling considerably better, and had been stretching out his leg, making the pain slowly die down. He still had to be in a wheelchair, Winry would not budge on that rule. Another thing that had become common were the small arguments that Ed and Winry would get in, usually over chores or Ed practicing alchemy somewhere else than in the house. Al knew that they cared about each other, but he just wished they would finally get on with it and just become a couple instead of beating around the bush.
"Sooner or later, it will happen. Doesn't matter how or when, but it will happen." Al said to May as she sat next to him, reading.
"Yeah, because their little love quarrels are going to give me a headache." May said.
"Ed! Please put the dishes away! I've only asked you about three times!" Winry shouted.
"I still have two days before I leave and go to Central to get recertified. I'm spending this time practicing!" Ed retorted.
"Lord help their children." May chuckled.
"Those kids will have strong wills and thick skulls." Al laughed.
So what did you think? Next chapter will be a bit more intense and part of the main reason for the M rating. Anyway, R&R please!