A/N: Another chapter down finally. I was thinking that the story was progressing a little slower than i would have liked, but im trying not to bolt through it just to get to the good parts lol, so hopefully it isnt painfully boring. Please review, criticism always helps and its good to know people are enjoying the story, and thanks in advance to those who do. Enjoy
Disclaimer: Don't own FMA.
Butterflies filled my stomach as I stood staring out the kitchen window, weather it was from the soft lips still burning at my temple or the fact that I was about to wreak the rewards of my years of work, I didn't know. I let the metal pocket watch fall heavily back into my pocket as I turned towards the door. My childhood friend met my gaze in the hall, dropping her bags to embrace me tightly.
"Edward, we missed you so much, what happened to-" the soft voice fluttered into my shoulder but I quickly slid from her grasp as a thin blonde boy entered the hall, Roy tailing behind him with another suitcase. My breath hitched in my throat, hearing the very word I longed to hear for years.
"Brother.." I practically tripped over Winry's bag as I launched past her, my arms wrapping around his warm body, something so far from the cold armor I was used to. I had so many things I wanted to say, so many things I needed to know but a flood of tears stood in their place. I tried to keep from crushing him with my automail and a pale hand touched my shoulder in surprise.
"brother.. I thought.." of course he didn't expect my metal limbs to still be screwed into my bones, but I had already accomplished all I needed.
"That doesn't matter anymore, You are here and that's all that matters."
Once I could calm my tears, we all sat in the living room, the warm fire crackling from its brick home. The three of them conversed about all sorts of things, but I couldn't bring myself to do anything but stare, taking in every feature of that body that matured outside this world. Sparking blue eyes flickered to mine as if he couldn't get enough of my sight either. Neatly trimmed light blonde hair shimmered in the afternoon sunlight, I could just barely make out a light dusting of freckles across his cheeks from where I was sitting.
"So you are coming back to Resembol with us right Ed?" Winry's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"Oh, well.. I was thinking maybe me and Al would stay in the city for a while, since I can still get my job back,"
"Are you sure you will be able to support yourselves? Do you even have a place to live?" There was the slightest bit of hurt in her voice, could she really be mad at me for wanting to take our lives back? I felt bad that she had to pick up the pieces and care for Al when I couldn't, but I was still slightly upset that she got to be the one to nurse him back to health, and show him the world once again.
"Yes we will be fine, like I said I will be working again and I am working on finding an apartment in town." Well maybe I stretched the truth a bit we would manage. She seemed to let the topic go but the air felt tense between us. Had she fallen for him? I couldn't find any other explanation of why she would be mad about him moving to the city with me.
We continued talking and catching up, but no one tried asking what had happened to me for those two years, which was good because I wasn't ready to dwell on it again.
I offered to make dinner that night as I searched the cupboards of their contents. I pulled out a few things, deciding on spaghetti when a curious glance looked me over.
"What are you making?"
"Spaghetti" I replied, pulling a pot from a different cupboard.
"Oh," uncertainty laced her breath, "Anything else? Al hates spaghetti." I paused for a minute to turn around, Al gave an embarrassed smile, wishing to not be a burden like always.
"Its alright, really." he said in an apologetic tone. Regardless I put the items back in their homes, scanning the food inventory once again.
"What about a pizza or something?"
"it's the sauce he doesn't like.." I felt my blood pressure rise involuntarily. Was she being difficult on purpose?
"On second thought I'm not really hungry, I'm just gonna head to bed." I turned on my heels, heading up the stairs. I plopped down on the guest bed not bothering to turn the light on. My automail felt cool on my forehead as I let my head fall into my hands, not looking up as the door creaked open. The bed beside me sagged a little and the sweet smell of cologne filled my senses.
"You okay?" silence filled the room, I guess he was actually waiting for an answer.
"Yeah I'm fine, I guess I was just hoping things would go back to normal. I feel like she is doing this shit on purpose to get on my nerves or something." A strong hand enveloped my shoulder, slowly working the muscles in my neck. I don't think I would ever get used to the strange affection he was showing me, but it was something I was never used to getting from anyone.
"Don't let it bother you, I'm sure she is stressed by this too." I couldn't help the sarcastic chuckle that fought its way from my throat. Stressed? How can she be stressed.
"Yeah right. I spent years sacrificing myself, practically living on the road and bending over backwards to accomplish what I did, and then I was ripped from my home for it. She doesn't know shit about being stressed." I feel into the touch of his massaging hand, and ended up leaning against him, my head in his shoulder. My hand went to his thigh to keep myself somewhat upright. Despite the warmth of his body, I was incredibly tense, not wanting to move in a way that would make the position awkward.
"Well, she has been taking care of him for you, you disappeared and we thought the worst, so can you really blame her for being slightly protective of him? I know you have seen the way she looks at him, of course this is going to bother her." he explained while trying to brighten my mood. "Why are you so tense?" the calm voice whispered near my ear as he pulled me just a bit closer hoping to dissipate any awkwardness.
"Listen," I did just that, but it took a few moments for him to continue. " If I make you uncomfortable at all, let me know okay? I don't want to-"
"I know." I whispered, giving a gentle kiss to his smooth cheek. Slender fingers slid under my chin pulling me closer to him as I glanced into his eyes noticing the dark blue color close up. A breath whispered against my skin as he closed the distance between us, velvet lips meeting with mine and sending chills down my spine. His hand made its way to the back of my neck, tangling in my hair as he gently nibbled on my lower lip. I couldn't keep the small moan from escaping my throat as I tried to keep up with his expertly moving mouth.
I ventured downstairs and made my attempts to be civil for the rest of the night, which of course was Mustang's request. Dinner was on the quiet side besides a bit of small talk here and there.
"You and Al mind sharing a room? I only have one spare bedroom."
"That's fine, thank you Mustang." Al responded polite as always.
"Thanks for having me but I will just stay at a friends place tonight." Winry tossed in.
"You sure? I can crash on the couch if u want to sleep upstairs," Roy started, hoping she didn't feel unwelcome.
"No, no really its ok. I promised I would visit with her anyways but thank you."
After dinner she gave us all quick goodbyes and left for the night.
After changing, I sank down into the double sized bed, glancing over at the blonde I was sharing it with.
"Sorry about Winry, I guess she is just upset that you want to stay in the city." he said softly.
"Its ok… Hey Al? I know its not really my business but, are you… and Winry?" I hinted, not really wanting to flat out say what I was thinking, but by his reaction, I didn't need to.
"Oh, no its not like that… I mean, she has some feelings towards me I guess but I see her as more of a sister." he said, a light blush crossing his face at the thought.
We stayed awake talking for hours, and I told him everything that had happened since I left, I never wanted him to think I abandoned him but I did everything I could to get home.
He fell asleep nuzzled in my side, clinging onto me like he was four again and needing comfort from a nightmare but it made me feel needed again. Soft blonde hair tickled my skin and I stayed up late through the night, watching him sleep peacefully, something I wouldn't trade for the world.