Equivalent Exchange
Ed shut the door behind him. Winry, inside the room, would no doubt be crying, though why this time, he had no idea.
He scratched his head. "Oh, well…" He murmured.
Slowly, he walked – hobbled – downstairs, and finally reached the kitchen table. Once new, he now saw hundreds of scratches and marks ingrained into the surface.
He looked around to see Pinako, standing at the sink. Al was nowhere to be seen.
Slowly, he took a seat. Pinako, noticing his presence, gave a sad smile.
"Don't worry about it, Ed. That girl is overworking herself."
Ed chuckled. "Can't say I'm surprised. She seems really tired."
Pinako sat down opposite him. "Al's gone to bed too. Seems you can't sleep, though," She added, noting the shadows beneath his eyes.
Ed looked away. "It's been a long four months." He muttered.
Pinako waited. Finally, she said, quietly, "What happened?"
Ed looked into her eyes. Then he sighed.
"There was an incident involving alchemy. Thanks to undergoing a horrific experience, my alchemy improved and I was able to retrieve Al, but… I saw things. Terrible things." He paused. "Every time I close my eyes I see bodies. I see things which would drive most men insane. I can't ever sleep again." He paused, and laughed. "Equivalent exchange! I'm the strongest alchemist… but I'm trapped in this life of constant knowledge."
Pinako looked at him, and through her glasses Ed could see her eyes searching him.
Then she suddenly said, "You love Winry, don't you."
Ed was forcibly
reminded of the time when Lieutenant Hawkeye had said the same thing.
He said what he'd said to Al. She paused, then laughed. "Rubbish!"
She chuckled. "Utter bull. I know love when I see it, young man.
Your mother'd turn in her grave if she heard you talk like
that."
Ed looked shocked. Pinako sighed. "Edward Elric," She
said, "You are a young man with a smart mind. You've had a
horrible past, and it seems the only way for you to become 'stronger'
is by hurting yourself. It's a shame your hand didn't turn to
mechanics, you'd have been a natural at automail advancement."
She grinned.
"I'm going to have it again. I want to start tomorrow." Ed said, grinning.
Pinako slammed an elbow on the table. "Done!" she said, as Ed shook her hand with his left.
