Tonight
A/N: This story is going much better than I had ever expected. This chapter is what I have been witing to write and I am very excited to get it finished and up for you guys. So, please review on it and tell me exactly what you think.
(.2011)
.Sin.
Thank You for Reviewing on Chapter Four: DeathBySugarCube, Harryswoman, madman42, and Anana553.
x. The Beginning .x
Edward's gaze never left the young woman that sat across from him in the privet car. The train's bumps and noises never once made him break his look. Even when Winry caught him looking he never turned his head to hide it. Ed didn't know if his gaze looked stupid or not, he didn't care. This was a side of Winry he had literally never seen in his life. He really loved it.
"Major Elric?" there was a soft knock on the door following the weak voice. Ed's eyes snapped over to the door and he reached over, opening it slowly. Behind the door was a servant. Well, the correct word would be waiter, but on trains like those they never got paid all that much.
"Yes?" Ed asked, glancing over to Winry for a moment, wondering why they had been bothered. The train ride was not all that long. They shouldn't be asking him if he wanted any kind of food or anything. Though, him being a military major meant that they would probably be up his ass all the time no matter how long he was on the train.
"Would you, or your guest, like anything to eat or drink?" he asked, smiling to the both of him. Ed really should have seen that coming. Of course the man would have to ask him that. It was a little humorous and he knew Winry must have felt a little strange seeing Edward getting that kind of attention.
"No thank you. We will be having dinner when we make it to the city," Ed said, gesturing to Winry. The man took that answer and left quickly, sliding the door closed.
"Wow, I guess it never really registered to me that you are in the military," Winry said just as the man left. "And a respected officer at that. Who would have thought that the little boy I used to know would grow up to be something like that," she smiled softly and played with the end of her dress.
Ed smiled back and reached over, taking her hand into his. He sighed softly, not wanting to take his eyes off of her. "Who was to think the chubby little girl I used to know would be so beautiful," he muttered, squeezing her hand with a bit of force.
Winry seemed to take it as a complement, the way Ed had meant it, at first. Her face was made over with soft pink and began to heat up. But, just as it seemed that she would smile she frowned and glared at him. "Chubby? I was never chubby, Edward Elric," she said snatching her hand away and crossing her arms.
Ed was a little surprised by how she reacted, but he couldn't stop himself from retaliating the way he always did. "You were too! I thought you would never get smaller," he grinned, crossing his arms just as she did. "It's really shocking you actually got to be very curvy and thin." So much for hopeless romance that night.
"And I never thought that you would get any taller than me!" Winry smirked herself, obviously proud of what she had said to him.
"I was never that short!" Ed yelled, jumping up from his seat. "And now it doesn't matter. I'm taller than you!" he put his hands on his hips and smiled. "I win."
"What? How so? I'm not chubby anymore, not that I was all that chubby as a child," Winry said, getting up as well and assuming the same position as Edward.
They were nose to nose, both smirking and claiming victory. They didn't even really notice how close they were. They were in the moment of satisfaction. In their minds they had won. But, realization washed over both of them at the very same time. Blushes covered their faces as they pulled away from each other quickly, sitting back down.
Ed looked outside, seeing the lights of the city coming nearer. He couldn't help but honestly smile and look back to the woman. "No fighting tonight. Tonight was meant to be perfect," he muttered, putting his hand out to her and allowing her to, slowly, slid her hand into his.
x. Later .x
Once they had been able to get off of the train Ed was starving. He hadn't eaten much that whole day, nervous for the night. It was finally happening though, and he was ready. Blood was pumping through him at a million miles an hour. It was like when he was in a fight. He was fidgeting a bit as they moved through the crowd, her hand still held by his.
"It's so beautiful here," Winry said as they got out onto the sidewalk. There were lights everywhere, and many well dressed lovers it seemed. Beautiful women roamed in packs, showing off what they had. None of them looked as breathtaking as the woman on Edward's arm though.
"You've been here before haven't you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow to the girl at his side. He knew that she had to have been there. He was with her, but it was a long time before then. He could have ben mistaken.
"Of course I have. I just haven't ever seen the night life," she said, hanging tightly to Edward's arm as she looked around at everyone. She looked like she would fit right in with everyone that night. No one would ever be able to guess that she was a mechanic from a small town. She looked like… well the girlfriend of a high ranking military officer. Even higher than a Major.
"Edward Elric?" Ed cringed at the voice he heard from behind him. He could almost feel himself going pale. If anything could ruin this romantic night for him it was this. The booming voice. The large body. And the sparkles. It could only mean one thing. Armstrong.
"Good day, Major Armstrong," Ed muttered, turning around to see the man standing, dressed in his normal clothes. He seemed to just be out on the town just as Edward and Winry were. And, more surprisingly, there was a woman beside him. She looked to be small, weak as any normal woman looked around there. She looked done up though. A tight fitting black dress covered her right down to the ground and around her shoulders was a fur shawl.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Major Elric," Armstrong said dramatically as he forced Edward into a long hug. Ed felt as if he was going to bust in the man's arms.
"Same to you," he grumbled, pushing away and fixing himself. "Who's you're date?" he asked, putting his hand on the small of Winry's back. He had to be pleasant to the man, but he also wanted to indicate that they didn't have time to talk.
"This is my lovely bride, Ivory. We were married only two weeks ago," He answered, taking the woman's hand into his own, seeming to make sure that he was careful with the woman. She looked as if she would break if he was any more forceful.
Ed was surprised to hear of the marriage, but as he thought back he remembered Mustang receiving a letter inviting him to the wedding. The General declined politely.
"Hello Ivory. I am Edward Elric and this is my… this is Winry Rockbell," Ed said, reaching out to take her hand in a soft hand shake.
"It is nice to meet you, Major. Alex tells me so much about you," she said, taking his hand and shaking it quickly before going back to her own husband. "He tells me all about his adventures with you," Ivory looked up to the man in a dream like state. Of course, he had to have a wife that loved him just as much as he loved himself.
The couple stood, looking at each other for a moment. Looking just as in love as they could be. Ed cleared his throat and began to move away, pulling Winry with him. "Well, we have dinner to get to. It is nice to meet you, Ivory. I'll be seeing you later, Major," Ed called as they walked away quickly. He really didn't want to have to deal with Armstrong all night. He wanted to be alone with Winry.
"They were so cute," Winry muttered as they made their way down the sidewalk, headed towards the restaurant. Ed sighed and nodded to her, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "That must be what love looks like," she said softly, leaning into him.
Ed blushed at her comment and looked straight ahead of him. "I think love can look like a lot of things. They are just full of each other," he explained as they came to the door. There was a pretty long line, but Edward bypassed it like it was nothing. Winry looked at him with wide eyes as he went right up to the front desk and pulled out his wallet. "I request a table for two," he said, flashing the man his military ID. He felt like it was a bit full of himself to act like that, but it was the perks of being in the military around there. Easy to get in anywhere.
They were taken right to a table and given the menu. Winry seemed to be astonished by the prices, they were pretty high. "Edward… This place is really…"
"Get whatever you want, Winry," he said, pushing the menu down to look her in the eyes. "I mean it. This is nothing. I want everything to be perfect," he said, smiling at her. "And enjoy this. I am never this romantic," Ed laughed, realizing how cheesy he was being. He loved it though. It was a bit of a nice change.
Winry seemed to accept this from him, looking back to the menu. They sat for a bit before ordering. With their food Ed was sure to get their best wine; he was told that was a great move by Mustang. He wasn't even sure if Winry drank wine. She seemed pleased with it when it was brought out to them.
"Edward, I never expected this from you," she said after sipping on her wine for a moment. "This is just… so romantic. So… Not you,"
Ed sighed and took a drink of his own, "I know it's not. But, I just wanted to give you at least one night of your life," he said, reaching out and taking her hand. "I know that we are at that age… everyone is looking to settle down and you're such a catch at home. I just wanted you to remember that you're giving me half your life," he muttered.
She was silent. Overwhelmed by what she was hearing really. It was just nothing she was used to. Winry wasn't ever treated like that, defiantly not by Edward of all people. It wasn't that she didn't like it, she loved it. She loved feeling like she was a woman.
"Do you… Remember when you and Alphonse fought over me," she asked. This was a question that was often asked to Edward. He had heard it many times. Each time he would answer with a no. He was the only one that couldn't remember.
"You know… I'm starting to remember," he smirked.
x. Years Before .x
Six year old Alphonse and seven year old Edward were glaring at each other with only the tree swing to separate them. Their eyes both a burning gold. They were in an argument to end all arguments at the moment and no one needed to get in their way.
"She's going to marry me, Al. Why would she want to marry a baby like you?" Ed asked, crossing his arms and pouting. They had been arguing over this very topic all morning and it was time to end it all. They just had to fight it out like they did everything. The only thing was… Al always won the fights.
"Baby? I'm not a baby. Her and I are the same age, brother. She will like me better because of that," Al retaliated, stepping closer to his brother "Plus, at least I drink all my milk at dinner. You are so wasteful,"
"That's no reason for marriage, you idiot!" Ed yelled, getting ready to run at him. Words were about to be finished. It was about to be time to fight it out. Al was the first to run at Ed, punching at him. Ed moved just in time, able to get a good kick in the stomach to his brother.
The fight went on for some time, there was even blood. That was not a normal thing for the two of them. But, finally, Edward was the victor, standing over Alphonse with a bloody nose. "Ha! See? Now she will have to marry me!" he yelled, laughing.
"Edward Elric! What have you done to your brother?" the shrill voice pierced through Edward's ears as his head shot up. Pinako stood there, Winry at her side with bags from the market. "I told Trisha to never leave you two here alone. Get your asses to my house so we can clean you up," the woman yelled. "And get some of these bags while you're at it,"
The two brothers were forced to go to the Rockbell's house, where Sara and Urey were safe at the moment, not yet taken to war where they would be killed. When they were walked into the living room the parents were startled by the sight in front of them.
"Ed, Al! What happened to you?" Sara asked, going over to the quickly and taking a look at what had happened to them.
"Oh, Sara, don't worry yourself with these two. They did this to each other over something probably stupid. Just get them cleaned up will you? I'm going to make some dinner," Pinako said, going into the kitchen with Winry right behind her.
Sara and Urey went hard at work on the two boys, cleaning and patching them. "Wow, this must have been a hell of a fight," Urey said, finishing Ed up and standing. "What could you two possibly be fighting over,"
Ed blushed a bit, being asked that question. He looked down at his feet and began to mutter, "Well… We were just fighting over something… stupid,"
"We were fighting over who would marry Winry. Brother won!" Al said quickly, a smirk gracing his lips. Ed was surprised by his brother. Al had never been so… vindictive before. He knew what he was doing. He was getting Edward in trouble.
Payback was a bitch they say.
"My daughter?" Urey glared at Edward. The man was crazy over his daughter and the thought of her marrying was too much for him. "What makes you think you're good enough for my daughter?"
Ed began to move away from the man. "I… I just…"
"Urey! Stop it. I think it's cute," Sara smiled, putting her hand on Edward's shoulder. "So you want to marry our daughter? Well, I hope that when you both have children they bare your eyes, Ed," she said softly.
Of course, the woman did not think of it much that the two would really be married. At dinner that night she was very pleased to bring it up to Pinako and Winry, who had been cooking when the conversation was happening.
"So, Winry. I have heard that Edward here fought tooth and nail for your hand in marriage," she said, looking to her young daughter, who seemed clueless. Her father was still sour about the subject, but kept his eyes down.
"Ed?" Winry asked, looking over to the blushing boy. He was trying his best to hide behind his bowl as he ate. "I can't marry Ed. He's too short," she said, glaring at him.
Ed's eyes shot over to her. "SHORT? I'M NOT SHORT!"
x. Back .x
"I can't believe you could be so mean to me," Ed sighed, looking over to her, "I have scars from that fight and you wouldn't even take me. I'm hurt," he smiled softly, allowing his hand to venture into his pocket and touch the small box inside.
"Well, you were pretty short, Edward," she said as the food was placed in front of them. Ed thanked the waiter and began to eat quickly. Some things couldn't change that night. Ed's eating habits was one of them. He didn't even look up from his food until he had finished the whole plate clean. He would never go that long without eating again. It seemed he wasn't the only one that was overly hungry. When he finished he saw that Winry had also finished and was fixing her face of any mess.
"Wow, I guess you were hungry, huh?" he asked, smiling softly. It was cute to him how she ate. Though, she ate just like him.
"Yea," she laughed nervously. "I haven't eaten much lately," Winry had been getting thinner lately, that was something he had noticed. He knew that it must have been from her lack of eating. She just worked all of the time lately.
"You should eat more. Keep your strength up," he muttered, putting his hand back in his pocket. It was time. It had to be now or never. He bit his lip hard and took a deep breath. "Ummm… Winry…" he muttered, getting out of his seat.
Winry looked up to him for a moment, "Are you already wanting to leave, Edward?" she asked, getting ready to get up herself. Ed shook his head quickly, pushing her back down.
"No, no. I just have something to ask you…" he said, blushing as he got down on one knee. He wanted to do this right. No talk of Equivalent Exchange. He wanted to do what most men would do for the woman they love. "Winry… I can't ever live without you. I have come to find that out since I had to leave for Central," he started off, pulling the box from his pocket. "And, I know we haven't really been dating at all, but I know that I…" he paused, blushing darker, the lump in his throat was making it hard to speak. "I love you. I want you to be with me forever. Will you please marry me, Winry?" he asked, opening the box and reveling a diamond ring that would make most girls pass out on sight.
In fact, that being said, the young woman's eyes rolled right back into her head and she fell over, Ed having only enough time to discard the ring and it's box to catch her.