I apologize for the wait on the updates! But I honestly only feel I can update when I have a spot of writer's inspiration so please bear with me and be patient. This chapter I'm particularly proud of so I hope you enjoy! Lots of intense EdxWinry fluff and even very subtle hints of lemony fluff! xoxox!
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After only a week since the boys' return home, things settled back to normal with surprising ease. Since their old home had been burned to the ground, Edward and Alphonse were welcomed by both Granny and Winry to live with them. At first, Edward had prostested-albeit mildly-feeling a bit guilty on imposing. Winry had only smashed him over the head with her wrench, declaring, "You idiot, you spent over half your time here when we were growing up anyways; this is like your second home so stop being so ridiculous!"
He rubbed his head, grinning sheepishly. "Okay Winry, settle down, I get it."
Since then, there had been no more fuss and the boys quickly became permenant fixtures of the Rockbell family.
One morning, Winry was late getting up after a long night of remeniscing with the boys by the fire, she'd dragged her almost-corpse-like body to bed and hadn't cracked an eye open until noon.
Seeing the time on her bedside clock, she shot up with a start. "Land's sakes! I can't believe I've slept this late!" Not even bothering to change, she flew out the door, down the hall and barreled down the stairs to the kitchen.
The sight that met her sky blue eyes, had her skidding to a hault in shock and disbelief.
There stood Edward Elric in all of his grey sweat pants and bare chested glory-making pancakes.
And eggs.
And Bacon.
Not to mention he was mixing the pancake batter with one hand and stirring up the fresh orange juice with the other.
Winry just stared, thunder-struck.
Since when does Edward cook? ...and is he...multitasking?!
She didn't have long to ponder however when the next moment, her golden-eyed friend turned around and met her with a warm-yet surprised-smile.
"Uh...morning Winry?"
She blinked several times. "Who are you. And what on earth have you done with Edward Elric?!" She exclaimed loudly.
Edward cringed. "Whoa easy on the high pitch there, Win; Granny's gone to town already but uh Alphonse is still sleeping." He chuckled when she suddenly clamped her mouth shut.
"Since when-do you cook?" She asked still completely dumbfounded at this newly-discovered skill of his that she couldn't fathom how she had missed.
He only chuckled as he brought over a two plates laden down with pancakes, eggs and bacon and set them at the modest kitchen table. "Well since Al and I left home and we had to start taking care of ourselves? You know mom did have us in the kitchen a few times, Win; we weren't always absorbed in Alchemy." He winked at her playfully.
For some odd reason, her cheeks dusted a bright red when he winked at her and she felt the oddest fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach. Not really sure on what it was, she ignored it and stepped tentatively into the kitchen.
"Um okay well I guess I just never-knew."
"It's alright; it's not like there was ever a circumstance when we were together that you would have."
She nodded and settled herself in the chair across from him, taking up her fork.
It hovered over the plate for a moment or two and eyeing him skeptically, she asked. "I'm not gonna kill over and die if I eat this, am I?"
He scowled at her incredulously. "Shaddup, just eat it."
She couldn't suppress a giggle as she took a bite. "Oh. My. God. Edward, you can cook!" She joyously exclaimed as she proceeded to shovel down every bit of her food, not even sparing the tiniest crumb.
Edward watched her with wide-eyed curiosity. She certainly had never been much of the lady-like type of girl and her table manners-or lack thereof-only proved that fact. But he only smiled as he returned to his own plate.
Afterall, she'd grown up with two rough-housing boys so no body could really fault her when she didn't have much of a choice to begin with.
Just then, Winry had finished and scurried to the stove to get a second helping.
She didn't notice as Edward came up behind her, patiently waiting his turn and when she turned around, she nearly dropped her plate, colliding with his chest.
"Oh, Ed I'm sorry, I-"
The words died on her lips.
Her eyes were now level to the middle part of Edward's chest and they caught sight of an ugle wide, jagged scar that ran from just beneath his collar bone at his right shoulder, all the way across to the left side ending just above his first rib.
She couldn't speak.
Her eyes were fixated to the spot and she felt a suffocating tightness in her throat.
Of course Edward had scars.
She knew this.
She knew how dangerous his life had been over those six years and it really wasn't surprising that he had sustained some scars, commemorating those events.
But Winry knew that much more had happened to him, physically and mentally than he was ever willing to admit. Edward was a private person and even though she knew this, she hated how he stopped telling her anything, the moment him and Alphonse had walked out of their lives.
It made her more angry than anything but she had tried to come to terms with it, reasoning that they were only keeping things from her to protect her.
She had eventually accepted this.
Mostly.
But now that there was clear physical evidence staring her right in the face, she suddenly felt a lot less certain and it hit her even more that these boys had literally risked their lives more times than she ever cared to think about.
This scar was blarring proof of that.
And it was too much for her to bear.
Suddenly, her hands shook and tears stung her eyes painfully as she willed herself to tear her eyes away from Edward's jagged scar.
Oh gods-I have to get out of here, I'm gonna lose it.
"Winry?" Edward caught her eyes when they collided with his scar and the moment they widened, he knew it was too much for her to take. He mentally cursed himself for not having the care to replace his shirt before she'd had the chance to see him.
But now it was too late.
Winry weakly pushed past him before he had the chance to say anything else besides her name and she was out the front door before he even turned around.
Edward left his plate on the counter and squaring his shoulders he went after her. It didn't take him long; he found her up on the hill that overlooked the valley-a place that had always been their favorite since childhood.
He'd thankfully had the forthought to grab his V-neck tunic shirt on the way out and was now in the process of pulling it over his head when his golden eyes spotted Winry leaning heavily against the big Oak tree with her back to him.
She was bent over and he could hear the wretching sounds coming from her before he even got within arm's reach of her.
She stood up briefly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, only to heave over again, wretching heavily-the now-acidic contents of her stomach burned her nose and throat as she lost most of her breakfast along with the previous night's dinner.
Edward came up behind her as she leaned over for what looked like to be the last time, nothing but dry-heaving left in her system.
He rested a comforting hand on her back but to his bewilderment, she shot up and whirled away from him as she wrapped one arm around herself and wiped her mouth with the other.
"Winry..."
"Don't you dare "Winry" me, Edward Elric!" She spat at him, choking on the tears that were just now beginning to fall.
"You-kept so many things from me-all those years-you and Al both!-you kept telling me it was just to protect me and you know what? for a while, I started to believe you-I even started to tell myself that it really wasn't as bad as my gut told me but that!"
Her eyes fell to the marred area of his chest, now mercifully hidden beneath his white cotten shirt.
"You can't stand there and tell me that's not something that nearly took your life, Edward. You can't tell me that."
She was crying now, the tears fell freely from her eyes, trailing down her cheeks and it killed him to see it especially when he couldn't remember the last time he'd ever seen her cry.
Winry Rockbell was a tough girl. The toughest one in all Risembool and she never cried-or if she did, it was where no eyes could see.
He had never imagined what it would be like to see Winry cry because he'd foolishly deluded himself into dismissing such a thing.
Winry Rockbell? Cry? Not ever!
But he had been wrong.
So wrong.
And now the sight of her gorgeous blue eyes overshaddowed with unspeakable pain and tears trailing down her beautiful face, was enough to make Edward want to die.
He decided then that there was a reason why no one ever saw Winry cry.
It was too much to bare and he himself, couldn't stand it for another minute.
He took a step towards and, taking hold of her hand and pulling her to him.
"No, Edward-don't!" She cried vehemently, pushing against him but he ignored it and only pulled her tighter against him.
"Winry-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry-but please-please don't cry."
Hearing his soft pleading only made her cry harder, uncontolled sobbs shook her body and it was soon evident that she had been holding back a great deal of pent up emotion.
He shook his head sadly as his arm tightened around her waist and his other hand came up to cradle her head against his chest.
"Why-? W-why wouldn't y-you j-j-just t-tell me-?!" She sobbed against him.
"I-I c-could have-b-b-been there-f-for you!" She gasped and hiccuped between bouts of sobbs.
"Shhh..." He hushed her softly, petting her hair soothingly.
"I'm sorry, Win...I just...didn't want you to worry about us...I knew it would break you...to see me like that."
"Really?!-it's b-b-breaking me-now, Edward!"
She cried harder and Edward felt tears coming to his own eyes. "Aw Winry-please don't-"
She shook her head, her tears only subsiding marginally. "I would've-t-taken care of you. -But you-p-pushed me away-it's like you didn't-c-care about m-me at all-" She sobbed softly into his shoulder.
Hearing this, Edward pulled back just enough to cup her face and make her look at him. "Oh damn, Winry no-that's not true!" He pleaded softly.
"Please just-please stop crying, Sweetheart-it's killing me to see you cry." He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, brushing away the tears that continued to fall as he looked pleadingly into her eyes.
She met his eyes for the first time then and the overwhelming saddness, regret and worry she saw in them was enough to soothe her tears.
She didn't want him to worry or hurt anymore because of her-even though she knew that he partly deserved it.
She finally quieted down only to realize for the first time that she was encircled in Edward's arms-and pressed against his very broad and very muscled chest.
She blinked a few times-like she always did when something suddenly dawned on her-and then her cheeks flammed a beat red.
"Uhh-I-uh-I'm sorry I didn't mean to-get all-emotional and-leaky." She stuttered awkwardly, her eyes darting everywhere else but Edward's face.
He cocked an eyebrow at her as she suddenly became all flustered and didn't seem to want to look him in the eyes.
Suddenly, he was aware of her small hands pressing against his chest like she was trying to extricate herself from his arms, and that's when it dawned on him.
He was holding Winry Rockbell.
In his arms.
Pressing her body flush against his.
And damn, did it feel amazing!
He'd had her in his arms once before-the day he and Al had come home-but that had been different. It was a simple friendly hug.
And they'd hugged before all through the years of them growing up.
But this was different.
It even felt different.
His arms were tightened around her waist so snuggly that he could feel the subtle dip of her waist as it melted into her hips. The intense warmth of her skin seeped through her thin cotton night dress and set every nerve ending in his skin, humming.
She was so close that he could feel her breath caressing his neck every time she exhaled.
Her hands pressed against his chest and he could almost feel the tantalizing softness of her skin.
Okay Elric-whatever you do just stay cool. Stay cool.
Edward eyed her in amusement as she continued to avert his penetrating gaze and he had to keep reminding himself not to laugh.
"So um-yeah anyway-" She pushed against him again-this time a bit more firmly but to her surprise, his arms only tightened around her.
"Where are you going?" He quirked an amused brow at her apparent eagerness to be out of his arms but he wasn't quite ready to let her go just yet.
He was enjoying her nearness and he wasn't about to let this moment slip away so fast.
"Uh I-back to the house-?" She gestured uncertainly over her shoulder in a questioning tone.
Edward smirked. "Are you sure? It doesn't sound like you're too sure."
She blinked several times, completely confused by his odd behavior.
"Okay well there's still food out that needs to be put away-and well-A-Al is probably awake by now-so-" His grip seemed to have loosened around her but she only made it half-way before his arm reflexively tightened around her again and pulled her-somewhat possessively-back up against him.
"He can get his own breakfast."
She gasped when she felt herself being pressed up against him again. Her blue eyes met his questioningly but when she saw a seductive, charismatic grin playing at the corners of his mouth, she gulped hard as her cheeks burned red.
"Uh-E-Edward-?" Her voice trembled a little as she noticed Edward's face growing closer and closer to hers.
She held her breath. Excited and terrified all at the same time. "E-Edward-" She uttered breathlessly.
"What's wrong, Winry-are you-scared of me-?" He asked huskily, keeping his golden eyes trained on her sky blue ones.
"I-uh-I-d-don't be r-ridiculous-"
"Then-why are you-shaking?" His lips were mere inches from hers when suddenly they heard their names being called. "Ed? Winry, where are you two?!"
Edward closed his eyes, blowing out a frustrated breath. "I'm-so gonna kill him." he muttered angrily.
Winry laughed nerviously, her cheeks tinging red.
"It's okay, Ed." She gave him a reassuring smile as she self-consciously brushed a piece of hair behind her ear.
He shook his head as he glanced reluctantly towards the house and then back at Winry.
He ran a hand down his face, muttering agitatedly under his breath. "Damn it, com'on." He grabbed her hand before she could respond and reluctantly pulled her back to the house behind him.
Winry's cheeks dusted an intense red when her eyes flew down to their joined hands.
She'd never held his hand before-well technically, he was holding hers-but still. She actually hadn't ever held any boy's hand before.
But then, Edward clearly wasn't a boy anymore-he was a man and the thought that this handsome, daring rougish man was holding her hand, sent a delicious shiver down her spine.
He'd been that close to kissing her too-bare inches from pressing his lips to hers and she'd been breathless with a mixture of fear and excitement.
But then Al had to interrupt just at the perfectly wrong moment...
But was it really a bad thing they'd been interrupted?
She wasn't sure it was such a good idea anyway; they'd been friends since they were kids and to cross that line now could be dangerous...
She didn't want to lose him; he was her bestfriend!
But she couldn't deny that she also wanted him at the same time.
It was such a foreign feeling for her; she'd never experienced anything like it before...
But what if they tried for something more and it didn't work out?
It could end up ruining everything between them altogether.
She shuddered, not wanting to even think about what her life would be like without him...
A complete disaster... she thought with certainty.
Just then, they reached the house and Alphonse came out and met them on the porch.
Edward trudged wearily up the steps-his hand still laced with Winry's-and shot his brother an annoying glare. "You'd better have a damn good reason for hollering at us just now, Al or I swear to God-"
Alphonse held up his hands deffensively. "Whoa easy, Brother! I just wanted to make sure you two had finished breakfast so that I could clean up!" He answered cherrily. Then his eyes caught sight of the their joined hands and he reddened sheepishly. "Uh-o-oh did I-?"
Edward shook his head, smiling ruefully. "Forget it, little brother, it's nothing; get your ass back inside, we'll be in in a minute."
"Uh right!" And away he went, disappearing back indoors.
Silence befell them again.
Winry stood awkwardly behind him, her eyes flitting around nervously and soon she shuffled her feet anxiously when she found his penetrating golden eyes narrowing as he watched her closely.
"Okay Uh I'm-really umm-over this whole a-awkward silence thing, Ed-"
She chanced a glance at him as if waiting for a response.
But he only stared at her-warmth shining in his eyes as his radiant grin appeared on his lips.
She watched him expectantly but then felt the impossible heat rising to her cheeks again. "Ok, right I'm just gonna go inside then." She walked past him, clearly flustered and embarrassed but when she reached the door, she felt a tug on her hand.
Turning she found him looking up at her, something almost pleading reflecting in his eyes as he spoke softly to her.
"Hey-I know we got uh-interrupted back there."
She shook her head, attempting to assure him as well as to free herself from this increasingly awkward moment. "No really, it's totally fine Ed I wasn't-"
But he interrupted her; something he only did when he had something important to say. "No look-I-I don't like that we weren't able to finish talking-so-would you meet me later tonight? -maybe down by the river? Say after dark? Al will be asleep by then; crazy kid always goes to sleep early. And Granny will most likely go to bed early too so then we won't get interrupted and-it'll be just us."
She watched him carefully; anxious excitement and a hint of trepedition building up inside of her.
She suddenly felt like she was ten years old again; sneaking out of the house late one night just so she go to the Risembool fair with Ed. They'd been caught by her father of course and the two of them had been severely grounded. But to this day, they both maintained that it had been worth it.
However, this felt considerably different.
The earnest, hopeful look in his eyes as he waited anxiously for her answer.
The way his fingers tightened around hers almost like he was bracing himself for her to say no.
She couldn't help but bite her lip, smiling a little as that odd yet delicious fluttery feeling appeared in her stomach again.
"...Yeah. Sure, I'll meet you."
She couldn't believe how bright his eyes lit up and there was no mistaking the sigh of relief and happiness he let out as he tossed her his cheeky grin. "Alright then-I'll be waiting, Winry."
With that, he turned and walked off to the shed, fetching wood to stock the wood box for the coming evening's fire and Winry couldn't help but look after him, biting her lip again as the sweetest girlish smile appeared on her lips.
"...I think I just got a date with Edward Elric." And she giggled excitedly to herself as she traipsed merrily up the stairs and into the house.
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The clock on the living room wall struck nine and Winry peaked at it anxiously over the top of her book, gnawing on her fingernails as she watched the minutes tick by.
She'd been on tinter hooks all day in anxious anticipation of her 'after dark rendevous' with Edward, that she had scarcely been able to concentrate all day.
Granny watched her curiously over the top of her spectacles, wondering what had come over the girl.
Then the clock struck half-past nine, Winry suddenly shot up from her seat and excused herself. "I think I'm gonna turn in early, Granny; I'm-beat." She did her best to keep her eyes averted from Edward who was presently staring intently at her from across the room.
"Alright Dear well...rest easy."
"Thank you!" And with that she was up the stairs in a flash.
Edward ducked behind his own book, concealing a boyish grin, knowing her anxiousness was because they were meeting up later. It felt really good knowing that such a simple thing as meeting up with him privately, had her so excited and he was resolved to make her that excited more often.
Winry lay in her bed, eyes trained on the small bedside clock; it's softly ticking hands pointed to 10:05pm.
She groaned impatiently as she rolled over onto her back in a huff.
Ugh! is ten thirty ever going to get here?!
She couldn't help but glance at the clock again but it was only a few seconds since the last time she'd checked and she scowled at it angrily.
Wait...why am I so...anxious? I mean it's just Ed...it's not like it's some super-special secret-thing.
But deep down, she knew better. It was super-special to her because it was Edward. Her cheeks tinged red and even though there was no one to see, she self-consciously pulled the sheets all the way up her eyes, trying to hide the traitorous blush.
She'd been crushing on Edward since-well since forever, it seemed like.
When had it hit her again?
She thought long and hard until her eyes caught sight of the minute hand as it struck ten fourty-five.
"Damn it, I'm late!" She whispered harshly, throwing back the covers and pulling her long thick cartigan sweater over her shoulders.
She hadn't bothered to change; leaving a long pair of black leggings on and her tunic grey sweater, she tiptoed down the stairs and peared into the living room. No one was about and the fire still crackled warmly in the fireplace though it was beginning to dwindle.
Reaching the door, she pulled on a pair of shin high lace-up boots and slipped noislessly out the door.
It was a brisk evening as fall was approaching and the crisp night air blew threw her hair that hung in a loose fishtail brade over her shoulder as she made her way to the back yard, hiking up the hill that lead to the river on the other side.
Reaching the top, she scanned carefully for any signs of Edward but didn't see anything.
She felt hesitant then, paushing and scuffing the ground with the toe of her boot. "Maybe he didn't come after all?"
She bit her lip nervously and was just about to turn around when she heard a voice from behind her.
"You're here early."
"Gahhh!" She whirled around only to find Edward leaning casually against the Oak tree behind her, dressed in a pair of grey cotton pants, his white V-neck night shirt and of course his now-trade-mark long brown trench coat.
"Damn it, Edward!" She scurried over to him, smacking him soundly on the arm. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
He threw his head back and laughed.
It was a warm, deep throaty sound that Winry had seldom heard and she instantly liked it very much.
She wished he would laugh more often.
"What, did you think it was a homonculus sneakin' up on ya?" He winked at her playfully and she scowled at him.
"Well the thought had crossed my mind." She muttered.
He shook his head. "You're so silly." He took her hand and lead her down the other side of the hill until they reached the riverbank. Finding a nice spot that wasn't muddy, he lowered her gently to the ground and then settled himself beside her.
It was then that she noticed he had a rolled up wool blanket under his arm. He set it down on the other side of him then propped his legs up, resting his arms on his knees and clasping his hands together.
Winry settled herself in the cool grass, with her legs outstretched before her and her hands resting in her lap. She gazed intently at her fingers for the longest time, wondering for the first time that day, why exactly Edward had wanted to meet her alone.
She felt her heart racing with mounting excitement and soon her pulse pounded loudly in her ears; she hoped to God Edward didn't notice as she chanced a sideways glance at him.
His face was upturned towards the star-studded sky and he had the most peaceful expression on his face that she had seen on him in a long time.
He really looked completely, irrevocably happy.
She smiled to herself, secretly hoping that maybe she had a little something to do with it.
As if reading her mind, Edward sighed contentedly. "I'm glad you came, Win."
She let out a tiny gasp, turning surprised eyes towards him.
He was looking at her now, smiling that radiant grin that always had her stupidly weak in the knees and fighting to breathe.
"W-well why wouldn't I?"
He shook his head, chuckling softly as he turned his gaze back up to the stars. "I don't know-maybe a little part of me thought that you wouldn't-maybe you'd think I was-being creepy."
She couldn't help but snort at this. "Seriously, Ed? You're always creepy."
He scoffed but there was a smile on his lips. "Of course you'd say that."
She shoved him playfully as she giggled, feeling much more at ease as she settled back on her hands and gazed up at the moon. "You know it's been-so long since I've come out here like this; I think it's the first time in-five years." She breathed softly.
Edward looked at her, shocked. "What? We used to come out here all the time when we were kids, Winry-you-you loved this place!"
"I still do." Then she turned towards him, looking him straight in the eyes.
"But you just said we... 'we' being the opperative word; this was-our place, Ed; I mean even Al never came out here; he stuck to that flat spot further down down stream...by your place, remember?"
"How could I forget? He'd always go out there and mope after we'd had a fight and I'd always have to be the one to go out and get him; Mom never knew where he was." He smiled at the memory.
"Yeah. Well this right here-" She petted the ground between them affectionately, letting the blades of grass slip between her fingers. "This was our place. I came out here once; about six months after you both had left...but..." She trailed off, her lip quivering a little as she felt the familiar painful ache rising up in her chest.
"...it was too painful...too much; I just couldn't find any happiness in this place anymore without you so...that was the last time I came. Until now."
She met his eyes then but hers were sad and lonely, despite the brave smile she attempted to put on for him.
Seeing her sad because of him was like a kick in the gut and instinctively, he reached out and took her hand in his, squeezing it. "Winry, I'm so sorry-I hate myself for just leaving you like that-" he stopped midsentence, running a hand through his golden locks as he searched for the right words to express his feelings.
"Ed it's-you had to go; for you and Alphonse-I get that now-and I-I understand so don't beat yourself about it; I'm okay."
He shook his head, pressing his lips together in a thin line as he looked straight at her. "That's just it; you're okay. But you-you weren't happy; not once in all those years did I really see you smile again. And I hate myself for that!"
He grit out, shaking his head angrily as his brows drew together in a harsh V and his eyes hardened.
Winry didn't like seeing him like this. It was just like before.
He always blamed himself for everyone's pain and beared the whole weight of the world on his shoulders without even a complaint.
It was admirable at times-but mostly it just pissed her off and made her want to smack some senses into that incredibly intelligent, dense head of his.
She gritt her teeth firmly and then slid over closer to him until there wasn't even a foot of space between them.
Edward turned towards the sound of movement but was met with a surprisingly strong, firm smack to the face.
"Ow! Wha-Winry what the hell was that-?!"
Then, even more bewildering was when she took his face in her hands, her fingers gently soothing the now-red stinging area on his left cheek.
She drew his face so close to hers that their noses almost brushed against each other and pierced her blue eyes into the depths of his golden orbs.
"Stop it."
Her tone was firm and her expression dead-serious.
He let out a gasp but he didn't utter a word, knowing Winry wasn't messing around; she had something very important to say.
"You've spent the last six years bearing the burden of your mother's death. Of Alphonse losing his body, of little Nina being turned into a Caymera and of Brigadier general Hughes death."
He grimaced slightly at the mention of Hughes.
"You carry everyone's pain on your shoulders and God knows what else you blame yourself for but I won't have it anymore. That's enough, Edward."
She firmly admonished him, still cradling his face between her hands as she pinned him with a steady gaze.
Edward was taken aback at her earnest words.
Even though she was aggresively scolding him, he also caught the deep affection and worry for him hidden behind her stern words and suddenly, he was overwhelmed with the most powerful, possessive affection for this girl-this woman-who had always held a special place in his heart.
Overcome by his powerful feelings, he gripped her waist and pulled her fiercely against him, claiming her lips in a hot possessive kiss.
Winry inhaled sharply when he pulled her hard against him but the heated touch of his lips had her reeling and heady with overwhelming ecstasy.
Soon, it was just too overwhelming and she had to pull away for breath.
Winry pulled back from him, gasping for air; her lips pink and swollen from the heated force of his kiss. She made no attempt to pull out of his arms however and Edward was extremely glad of that; being robbed of her nearness and her warmth now would have been utter torture.
"W-Winry-" He uttered her name breathlessly, his golden eyes molten and smoldering as he gazed at her beautiful face that was flushed in surprise.
"E-Edward-"
Suddenly, she didn't know what to do and stumbled to her feet as if she was about to turn and run.
But Edward caught her by the hand, determined not to let her go.
"Winry, I'm sorry, please-don't go." He pleaded anxiously.
She stopped, gazing down at his eyes, at a complete loss for words.
"What-why are you apologizing?" She didn't know what else to say.
He bit his lip nervously. "I-I don't know-habit I guess." He gave her a sheepish grin just then."
She flushed a deep shade of red, biting on her bottom lip as a bashful smile crept over her lips.
"-Winry-"
Her eyes shifted to meet his again and she knew-she knew whatever this man asked of her from now on, she'd never be able to tell him no.
"-Stay with me."
Her eyes narrowed, searching his intently.
She didn't fully comprehend what had just happened or even why Edward had kissed her.
Everything was confusing and muddled in her head as she desperately attempted to sort out the jumble of thoughts and feelings.
Whatever reasons Edward had for keeping her at arms length and concealing so many secrets from her, she would never fully understand it.
But inspite of that, right now it seemed he was trying his hardest to convey a very different message.
He needed her.
She didn't know why.
She didn't know how but the greedy desperation relayed in his kiss was too poignant to ignore and gazing at his unguarded pleading stare told her that for whatever reasons, he needed her now more than he ever had before.
"Okay. I'll stay." She whispered and that seemed enough to calm his nerves and he visibly relaxed.
Pulling the blanket from beside him, he unraveled it and spead it out over top of him.
Then he pulled Winry down beside him, tucking her in beneath the blanket and pulling her securely up against him.
She almost couldn't breathe as she felt his arms wind around her waist, pulling her to him. For a few moments, she just laid there rigidly but once she felt his warmth radiating through her and the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingers, she relaxed against him, settling her head on his chest and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
Edward could feel his heart racing and hammering furiously, the moment Winry rested her head against his chest. Her golden hair had somewhat loosened from it's braid and sections of it were now splayed across his upper chest and shoulders, brushing against his nose and lips.
Her smell was an intoxicating mix of vanilla flavored coffee and automail that assaulted his nose and his eyes fell closed as he breathed it in deeply.
He loved how she smelled and he secretly hoped her scent would drench every inch of his clothes so he could always have it with him.
"Winry-are you warm enough?" He whispered softly into her hair.
His warm breath against her hair caused her to shiver involuntarily as she snuggled deeper into his arms. "Yeah, I'm pleanty warm Ed." She breathed back, a smile evident in her voice.
"Good. Just keep close to me and you'll stay warm." He instinctively tightened his arms around her and was pleased when he heard her breathe a contented sigh.
She yawned. "I'm-glad-you're here-" She sighed sleepily as her eyes grew heavy with growing exhaustion.
"I-mmm-issed-you." It was a barely audible as she finally succombed to slumber but Edward had heard it clear as day.
He smiled lovingly down at her sleeping face and pressed a warm, tender kiss to her forehead, closing eyes and letting blissful sleep overtake him.
"I missed you too, Win."