(A/N) You know my excuse. Remember me (40,000 words. OH MY GOD) NaNoWriMo, School, Doctor Who screen play/Radio Drama. Okay I'm doing a lot of writing so, forgive me.

"Alphonse! Alphonse! Get up here!"
"Brother! What is it!" I lifted my hopelessly tangled hands up to him as he entered the bathroom.
"This tie was your idea. Now help me."
"Alright, brother." Al came to free me from the evil, evil tie. "You tie it like this."
"I hope I only have to wear on you know, like..." Wedding, Al's wedding, funeral, childern's weddings... Presuming my life happens right on schedule. "...5 more times in my life?"
"Don't count on that...There. Now, come on. Winry will be waiting at the country club."
"Good, we're skipping the dinner? I'm already nervous as is."
"Yeah. But, brother, don't be too nervous."
"I'll try." I took one last look at myself. It felt so weird wearing this. "I don't know if I should be more worried about over heating, or just, not really knowing what to do."
"You'll be fine Ed! I've told you before. You don't have to dance!"
"But what if-" He smacked me on the head.
"Stop it! It's just a dance!"
"Mm."
"You can just sit at one on the tables, criticizing the music all night long."
"And you?"
"I'll probably be with Mei, working out the cultural differences."
I chuckled lightly. "Alright. Good on ya." I patted down my lapels nervously one last time.
"I'll be in the truck," I tossed him my keys, following him slowly.
"You go ahead and drive. You need as much practice as you can get."
"No I don't, I'm already a way better driver then you are."
"Shut up."
We got in my rusty old pickup. It sputtered to life, faster than usual, Winry probably snuck over to do a tune up at some point.
"Brother, I know that you're nervous..."
"Not really. If I'm lucky, I'll just be dragged in to two dances." Al just huffed humorlessly. Eyes on the road. "What. Don't tell me you're nervous too."
"No, no. Just thinking, that's all."
"About Mei?"
"Yeah! Shut up." We pulled into the parking garage. Already crowed with clumps and couples.
"Where the hell is she?"
"I don't know, she said to just meet us inside. I though the point of her being my "Date" is that we like, walk in together...ah I don't care."
"Really, Ed?"
"Yeah." We walked in, showing our tickets and IDs. And was instantly, thoroughly, whelmed by the heat light and sound that greeted us. I saw Winry immediately, dancing away like it was some show.
It was just too much. I had to leave. I mentioned to Al that was going to the bathroom. How can guys deal with girls being just, so damn enticing. I sat in the stall for a while, I was about to leave, when I heard her name.
"Yeah, Winry is looking hotter than ever, huh?"
"Definitely. She's just asking for it."
"Can you believe she came here with Elric? I mean, I knew she was dodging me, but not for that queer."
"He's such a faggot. I mean, he's known her forever, and never once pursued her. Gay as shit."
No. I just actually have respect for women.
"But, I'm sure we could probably, convince Winry at the after party."
"Oh yeah, she'll be wasted and easy."
"You know I've been wondering how much hotter she'll be na-"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I burst open the door, punching him square in his fucking nose.
"THE FUCK DUDE! SO WHAT IF I CALLED YOU GAY!"
"You know that's not what I'm pissed about." I grabbed them both by the collars. "You think you can take both of us?" I let them go.
"No, but if you ever hurt Winry, I wont be the only one you have to deal with."
"What? You and your girly-ass brother?" Jase spat after me through a paper towel..
"We're both black belts. And, Mei is a black belt in Karate, Judo and tai quan do. So keep your asses in line!"
"Is that a threat Elric?" Blake joined him trying to corner me. I rounded on them.
"Yes. You can bet is sure as hell is. You stay away from her." I turned to leave.
"Obviously because you just want that sexy all to yourself!" Blake taunted.
"That's it." I charged at him kicking Jase out of the way while I grabbed Blake by the arm and pinned him down. I left him and sweep kicked Jase again, grabbing him by the collar to punch him again-
"OI! BREAK IT UP! THIS IS A DANCE FOR GOD'S SAKE!"
"Stay out of this Hughes!" I barked while I avoided a lumbering Blake.
"Edward! Stop!" He grabbed the back of my shirt. "Owens! Smith! Explain!
"What you think we started this? It was that asshole!"
I sputtered back at them. "Don't you dare play innocent when you were planning to rape my friend!"
"It's not rape if she enjoys it!" I started at him again, Hughes tightened his grip.
"Elric." He said darkly. "Let me handle this. Go cool down." He pushed me towards the door. Seething, I went to go sit on the bench right outside of the ballroom.
"Edward." Her voice sent an odd chill up my spine. "You got in another fight?"
"Mm."
"Is that that all you have to say?" Hands on her hips she walked towards me.
"Yeah." She screwed up her mouth. "Ed- you know I don't like-"
"Winry! Shut up!" She glared at me with pursed lips.
"Wh-"
"They were planning to fucking rape you Winry! How can you be so blind?" I stood up angrily. Heading to the door.
"Edward!" She clicked after me. "Stop!"
"No! I'm just so fucking pissed off right now! I just need to go home and punch some pillows!" I even felt angry tears begin to brim. "Winry, just leave me alone. For all I know when I'm this angry I could hurt you! No, just go! Have fun with your friends!"
I heard the clicking of her heels stop. We stood in the open air, near the buzzing of cars and the drift of smog. "Edward." I let her touch me, soothingly on the shoulder. Just remembering that she was there and that she was okay. "Thanks. " She said. craning up to peck me lightly on the cheek. "I know I'm naive...but, just...don't do anything you'd regret. Even if it's to protect me." I huffed darkly. Suppressing a fiery red blush. "I'm going to probably go somewhere after the dance." I tensed up. "But, Al and Mei will be there." She smiled at me. "I know how you worry. I'll text you later to let you know I'm alright."
"Okay." I looked at her solemnly.
"C'mere." She mumbled as she hugged me tightly. I grunted but didn't reject. "You big, stupid, moron, you."
I laughed in to her hair. "I'll see you tomorrow. 'Kay?"
"Yeah." She sniffed. "But-" I pulled away to see the hesitation on her face.
"You don't want to go back, do you?"
"Yeah. Not without your irritated commentary on the song choices." She smiled, breaking through the sadness.
"Just come home. We can catch the late run of the episode with cold pizza and all."
"But, Nell'll probably be super pissed."
"Screw that. This is the season 6 season finale Winry!"
She laughed. "Yeah. It is."
"I'm actually super excited for this."
"Come on Ed. You have me convinced. Doctor Who, Pizza and Mettalica vinyls."
I held my arm out to her. Truly exited now. "May I?"
"Yes you may, Mr. Elric."
"It's always an honour, Ms. Rockbell."