A/N: I love weekends! So much time to write, write, write. I'm determined to at least get to March today, but my birthday party is tonight. I'm turning 18! I feel a quote coming on!

Ed: *smacks Al's helmet off* What, you thought I'd still be a runt when I'm eighteen years old!

Okay, random quoting is over. I'm sort of a runt-ish person, so I relate to Ed's short rants. Probably why I adore the blonde alchemist so much :D

Chapter 5

February

"Valentine's Day is tomorrow," Alphonse distractedly said during dinner on February 13th.

Edward looked up and held back a cringe to see his completely bald brother sitting across the table from him.

"Yeah . . ." Edward mumbled, going back to his ramen.

"So, what are you going to get Winry?"

Edward choked on his food and spat it back out in his bowl.

"That's lovely, Brother," Alphonse muttered with disgust.

"What makes you think I'd get Winry anything?" growled Edward, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out," scoffed Alphonse, "Yet, you are the closest thing we have to a scientist in this house, and you still haven't figured it out."

"Wha– Figured out–What are you talking–" Edward spluttered indignantly.

"You're in love with Winry, Brother," chuckled Alphonse.

"I AM NOT!" shouted Edward.

"Denial is the first clue," Alphonse replied, picking up his plate and setting it in the sink.

"I'M NOT IN DENIAL!"

Alphonse passed behind Ed's chair and patted his older brother on the head, "You're almost twenty years old. Grow up a little and realize that love is something that happens to everyone."

Edward crossed his arms like an immature child and grumbled under his breath.

"Be thankful you have the time to love a girl," Alphonse slowly whispered as he settled on the living room couch.

Edward's head whipped around. He knew he heard that, and it was the first time Alphonse said anything that had to do with sadness about his coming death.

Ed leapt off his chair and dashed into the living room and cried out, "Al!"

Alphonse glanced up in shock.

"You are sad to be . . . to be leaving us, then?" Edward asked anxiously, bounding on the couch next to his little brother.

"Of course I am, Brother."

"But . . . you acted as if you weren't sad," Edward returned.

"Don't you want me to be cheerful?" Alphonse asked, looking entirely confused.

"Well, of course I do, but you weren't acting . . . normal. You were acting as if you were . . . in shock," Edward told Al.

Alphonse blinked at Edward. The elder brother was stunned when Al suddenly broke down in sobs.

"Alphonse!" whispered Edward urgently, placing a comforting hand on his little brother's shoulder.

"I-I don't know what was wrong with me, Brother! I couldn't cry! I couldn't even think of anyone but myself! All I could think about was what was going to happen to me! I didn't want to think of what it would do to you and Winry when I die!"

"Al, I think in this case, you're allowed to be a little selfish and worry about yourself," Edward replied gently.

"That's all I was doing, though! I was being so selfish that I tried to put on a brave facade and make you think I was happy to die. I'm not! I don't want to leave you, Brother! I love you!"

Al flung his arms around Ed's neck, shoulders shaking as he bawled.

Edward wrapped his arms around his little brother, hesitant tears trickling down his cheeks.

"Never underestimate the time you have with others, Brother. You'll not have me for much longer, and who knows how long you'll have Winry," cried Al.

-x-

The next day, Winry heard a knock at her apartment door. She put down her coffee mug and strode over to open it.

A delivery man stood on the other side of the door, a long box under one arm.

"A delivery for Ms. Winry Rockbell?" the man stated.

"That's me," Winry replied.

"Sign this, please," the man said, giving her a clipboard.

After she signed it, the man handed over the box. Winry closed the door after he walked away and studied the rectangle box with pink wrapping paper and a large red bow on the top. She tilted her head, wondering who sent her a box that was this extravagant. Slowly, she lifted the lid off the box to reveal a dozen red roses.

Winry's mouth fell open as her eyes rested on the card that was tied onto one of the rose's green stems.

A wise kid told me to never underestimate the time you have with loved ones. Happy Valentine's day, Winry.

Love, Ed.