"S'cuse me, sir, you alright there?"
Edward nodded, waving a hand at the old man. He was leaning forward over a grubby trashcan, the remnants of his stale lunch on the train gurgling in his throat. His left hand was clasped over his mouth, and his face had turned a sickly green. God, he hated train rides early in the morning.
Bending backwards slowly, Edward picked up his suitcase from the ground, inhaling the light scent of fresh air into his nostrils in relief. The old man shook his head, fishing into his pockets and revealing a pack of peppermints.
"Here, son," he said, holding a peppermint out to Edward. "Ye might wanna have one. Cures nausea like no other."
Edward graciously accepted the treat, almost unable to restrain himself from shoving the mint into his mouth like a dog. The effects gradually took over, calming his senses. With a quick thank-you, Edward jogged to the opposite entryway of the station. Several taxicabs were parked along the perimeter of the building, a river of businessmen flowing in and out. Edward scrunched his nose at the sight. How he hated them. Quickly, he seated himself in the nearest taxicab, handing the driver the address along with several pounds. It had been a while since Edward had visited Kent, almost two years to be exact. Normally, it would be Noah and Kain who would visit the brothers. The circumstances at this point in time were different, though. Edward and Alphonse were both in school still at the time, and were low on their budget, not able to afford train tickets along with their daily necessities as well.
The cab stopped directly in front of Kain and 'Nora's residence. It had been just the way Edward remembered it. A small house, white exterior brick walls and brown shingles as a roof. It brought a smile to his face.
Edward gathered his suitcase, dragging his legs up the steps. It was barely 8:30 in the morning on a Wednesday. Surely Kain and Winry were out of the house by then. Edward sighed. He'd have to wait.
After three knocks and several seconds, the door was opened to reveal Noah's beaming face.
"Edward!" She laughed giving him a quick squeeze. "Come in! It's been so long."
"It has." Edward replied, patting Noah on the back. "Sorry to have come so early."
"Don't mention it. Go on, sit down. I'll bring you some coffee and biscuits. You must be hungry."
"Hungry for real food." He mumbled in a barely audible voice, his stomach twisting again from the memories of the 'sausage casserole' he'd had on the train. He lowered himself on the couch, and felt the tight muscles in his lower back relaxing. It took everything in him not to release a groan of comfort. Instinctively, his eyes wandered the room. The small kitchen where Noah was pouring a plump mug of tea in, the stack of boxes in the corner, Kain and Noah's bedroom, the bathroom, and finally, a door that was left slightly ajar, revealing a readymade bed with a nightstand holding a vase of flowers. Winry's room. Edward rose from the couch, slowly making his way towards the room. Pushing the door open, a homely waft hit him like a train. It smelled slightly of strawberries. Edward simply stood there for a few moments, gazing at the room. If he didn't know better, he'd just assume this was a guest bedroom. There was no trace of personal belongings, all her clothes seemingly tucked into the drawers of her dresser. Unfortunately, he did know better, which kept him glued in his place.
"Edward?" Noah's voice called from behind him. Edward lost his train of thought, turning back and walking towards to couch again.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Edward chuckled, accepting the mug from the Roma. Noah stared at him for a short moment before seating herself on the opposite side of the table.
"They left over an hour ago." Noah said, playing with her fingers. "Winry usually starts work at around 7:30. She likes going in early, though."
"She didn't know I was coming today, did she?" Edward asked, a nervous knot in his chest. Noah shook her head slowly.
"No. No she didn't. Kain wanted her to be surprised."
Edward smirked, leaning his head back against the couch. He and Noah had dove deep into conversation in almost no time at all. She began asking about his work, his life in London, about Alphonse and how he was fairing (Edward barely hesitated telling her about their rough patch), the young Doctor Harriet, and Alphonse's superb grades in mechanical engineering. Noah responded with brief details of her own life, confirming she'd been fairing rather well, considering her situation. They chatted for several hours, just like old times, maybe a bit happier than that, even. It had certainly fazed on Noah that Winry played a part in it. Thoughts of the blonde began reminding her of the odd visions she'd been having. Glancing at the blonde before her, she thought twice about telling him, in fear of wiping that radiant grin off his face, as he was leaning back into the couch. She mentally kicked herself. He deserved to know.
"Edward... I've been seeing things."
This immediately caught Edward's attention, as he lowered his head back and glared at the Roma with a frown. Noah sighed.
"My migraines... They're the cause of transition between the twin worlds." She began. "I was having them because of Winry's arrival."
"How can you be sure?" Edward asked slowly. Noah shook her head.
"There's no other explanation. Don't you remember? I had the same one the day we brought Alphonse back. And I also remember having two others before... seemingly one when your father entered our world and one when you did."
"I guess that makes sense." Edward replied, scratching the back of his head.
"But... at the same time, Edward, it doesn't." Noah responded. "Winry di- Eh... The events back in Amestris happened roughly 7 years ago. Winry just returned under a year ago. Why did her transition take so long? How did she end up here?"
Edward shook his head, his eyes falling to the ground. He really hadn't thought of that. How did she survive? How did she get here?
"Do you think the patterns on her stomach are a part of it?" Noah asked. Edward squinted his eyes, rubbing his chin with his thumb and index fingers.
"I really don't know." He replied finally. "That tattoo is really weird. It looks nothing like a transmutation circle, for one thing. The patterns are all vertical. Transmutation circles have precise symmetry, and the patterns must be part of an ongoing cycle, in a circle. But that one... I've never seen anything like it before. I've studied alchemy for years, and there's been so such record of it."
Noah sighed. "Well that isn't all..."
"What is it?"
Noah hesitated for a moment. "A few days ago," she began. "I had a strange vision. I didn't... I didn't quite see a lot but I did hear something rather disturbing. There was a man. And a body. A really light skinned body that was lying on the floor, so comfortably, almost as if it were asleep. But there was also a scream. A very frightened one."
Edward bit his lower lip, his frown arching further downward. "What are you thinking?"
Noah sighed. "Edward, I... I don't want to jump to conclusions." She finally replied. Edward shook his head.
"Then don't. I don't want to be thinking about that stuff right now. I just got her back, Noah."
Noah parted her lips slightly, hesitating her words for a moment. "Edward... Do you love her?"
Edward raised an eyebrow. "I've always loved her, Noah. She was- is family to me."
"You know what I mean." Noah said with slight annoyance. Edward's face remained unchanged. He was silent for a moment, just watching the Roma, his eyes glancing towards the clock (the time was 2p.m) and back again.
"I don't know, Noah."
Noah pursed her lips slightly, before standing up and making her way into the bedroom.
"She works at the bookstore down the road, if you want to go see her. Pinako." She called.
Edward's eyes widened at the name. Noah had barely made it to the room before turning around to see Edward going out the door. She sighed. A small part of her had hoped he'd stay and chat with her for a bit longer.
"...Please forgive me, Miss Rockbell..." Allan squeaked from beneath the counter, hiding from the cloud of dust that had surfaced around the shop. Winry chuckled, continuing her chore.
"Don't worry, Allan! I've got it all under control."
Allan nodded, regardless of the fact that Winry wouldn't be able to see him, and sniffled to refrain from sneezing for the hundredth time that day. The bookshelves needed cleaning, and Pinako had asked Winry to do it on the same day she'd positioned Allan to categorize at the counter. He peeked out at the young woman, whose hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and was cascading down her back like a sunshine waterfall. Her bangs were swept to one side, tucked behind her ear, and there were two long loose strands on either side of her head. She looked rather pretty this way, despite the black grime smeared across her left cheek, and the fact that she was wearing cleaning clothes. She was almost done cleaning the entire shop. She'd begun at 8 a.m, as it was currently 2 p.m. Perhaps she'd finish quickly and be allowed to go home.
"Well, well, would ye lookit this place!" Pinako's voice boomed from behind the counter. Allan looked up to find his grandmother looming above him, two fists on either hip, a sly smirk on her face and her usual pipe sticking out from between her teeth.
"This place hasn't looked so clean since last spring cleaning!" She laughed. "Allan 'ere aint very good with cleanin'. Allergies, he says. Bah!"
"I really am allergic, Auntie..." Allan sniffled.
"Allergies are fer th' weak, boy." She called with a flick of her wrists, ignoring the 'I don't think you understand how allergies work!' shout that came from her nephew. She strolled over to Winry, patting her on the back.
"Well done, girly. Although you're due fer a wash. Better go clean yerself up the best you can so you can get home without lookin like a beggar."
Winry nodded. "Right I think I'll do that."
Winry disappeared through the back door. Allan grumbled, finally standing up and wincing from the pain of his bones cracking from doing so.
"We've been getting more and more customers these days." He said, rubbing his posterior. Pinako chuckled.
"Its cause 'a madam there." She said. "She quite the looker 'nd all the men wanna get a good look at 'er."
As if on cue, the door swung open. Allan turned to face a young man whom he hadn't seen before. He had a square face, golden hair pulled back into a ponytail, a simples white blouse and dark brown khakis. Allan gulped when he met his eyes. It was as if he were thinking 'what the hell is he looking at?'
"Hullo, sir. How can we help ye?"
The man's eyes traveled down to meet Pinako's. His eyes widened suddenly, and he almost jumped. Allan raised an eyebrow.
"Uh... I was looking... for... Winry." The man finally replied. Pinako threw her head back and laughed.
"Ye see, Allan? Another suitor for Miss Rockbell!"
The man's face suddenly crumbled into confusion and fluster. "Huh? Suitor? That's not it at all! I'm a good friend of her's!"
Pinkao seized her laughed and turned back. "A friend, ye say? What's yer name?"
"Edward. Edward Elric."
Allan's brow rose in surprise. "You're Edward?" He asked, gawking at the man. Edward raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Oh. Um... Nothing, she - I mean Miss Rockbell! – told me about you."
He looked surprised, and Allan could've sworn he saw a faint blush appearing over his cheek. Rubbing the back of his head, Edward mumbled an 'I see'. He really wasn't what Allan had expected. The boy had to admit, he was handsome. It was no wonder Winry had a swooning look in her eyes when she'd talk about him.
"Alright, I'll get 'er fer ya." Pinako called, making her way back behind the counter and through the back door. Allan awkwardly stood still, swallowing the nervous pit in the centre of his throat.
"S-So... uh... do you... like... things?"
Edward raised an eyebrow, and Allan had to restrain himself from slapping a hand over his own face.
Winry could hardly contain her excitement, nervousness, confusion and panic. He was here! She heard the conversation between Edward and her co-workers from behind the back door, her heart nearly seizing in her chest. Why was he here?
Finally snapping back to reality, she looked down at herself. The work smock she wore was covered in dust grime, as were her arms. She spun on her heel and dove back into the bathroom, nearly shoving her whole head under the running water of the tap. Grabbing the towel off the rack, she scrubbed away at her arms, tossing the dirty towel and smock into the laundry bin. Breathing a sigh of relief she tilted her head up to look at herself in the mirror and froze in horror. There was a prominent black smear of grime across her left cheek. Frantically, she turned the tap back on, splashing water onto her face repeatedly. What if he'd seen her like that? She'd have died of embarrassment!
"Winry, ye got a friend 'ere to see ya." Pinako's voice came from behind the door along with two gentle knocks.
"I'll be there in a minute!" Winry blabbed beneath the dripping water of the sink. Looking back into the mirror, she was relieved to see the black smudge gone. She sighed one last time, reaching for the towel and-
She'd used the towel to scrub her arms!
Her mind was thrown back into panic, as she spun around herself, looking for something to dry her sopping face with. She groaned, reaching back into the laundry basket and fishing out the smock. Flipping it inside out, she used the opposite side to pat her face dry. She glanced in the mirror one last time, undoing her hair from its high ponytail and letting her long yellow hair cascade down her back. She took several deep breaths, placing a hand on her chest. Glancing up to reassure herself one last time, she dropped the smock back into the laundry pile.
She quickly ran to the door, but paused before revealing herself. He was there! Edward! Winry pinched her cheeks several times to stop herself from smiling, and stepped out.
Almost immediately, her eyes met with Edward's. He looked bored almost, but once he caught sight of her, his face broke out into a smile. Winry felt her heart begin to flutter, and her stomach begin to do somersaults. She didn't try restraining the grin that slowly spread across her face.
"Hey, Win." He said with his boyish smile. Winry forgot about self restraint, and immediately ran towards him, throwing her arms around his neck and pecking him on the cheek. She immediately felt his arms around her waist, lifting her up and returning her embrace with equal strength.
"Edward! You're here! I'm so happy!" She laughed, burying her face into his shoulders. Edward felt his cheeks cramp from the wide smile he had.
"I missed you, Win. I had to come and see you again."
Winry pulled away slightly, shocked. "You came all the way here to see me?"
Edward nodded. "Why else would I come?"
Winry shrugged, oddly okay with how close their faces were, before realizing Pinako and Allan were still watching them. Her face suddenly turned beet red, and she removed her arms from around Edward's neck, ignoring the temptation to stay the way they were, with Edward's silent breaths tickling her lips.
"I suppose I should introduce you. Edward, this is Pinako," she began, motioning towards the old woman, "and Allan." She said, motioning towards the boy who was slightly blushing from the scene that had just taken place. Edward nodded at both of them with a smile.
"Nice to meet you."
Pinako nodded. "Likewise." The old woman then turned to Winry with a smirk on her face. "I suppose you'd like to leave early today to spend some time with this young man."
Winry's jaw dropped open. "Oh, I...! Well, um, I mean-"
Pinako held up a hand to stop her. "Consider it done. You've worked hard enough today, madam. Go have fun."
Winry clapped her hands together. "Thank you, Pinako! Bye, Allan!"
Pinako sighed, turning to Allan, who was staring at the couple leaving with a distant look on his eyes and a smile on his lips. The old woman's heart sank in her chest. She opened her mouth to say something – anything – but Allan beat her to it.
"Freya's happy, Auntie." He said. "Freya's happy."
Edward had announced that he was disinterested in returning home so soon, and Winry had accepted his request to take a detour through the parks before heading back. She could hardly contain her excitement. She told him about her days at the bookstore, and about Allan. She told him about Freya (although he seemed slightly shocked about that). She told him about all the books she'd read, and how mechanics fascinated her, and how she'd like to study it one day, when things were 'back to normal'.
Edward had stayed quiet through most of the talk. He'd just watch her with a smile on his lips. When he'd helped her up onto a high stone ledge of a fountain, she hadn't let go of his hand. When he'd cracked a joke, she rolled her eyes and chuckled. When he purchased a hazelnut cone for her, she'd pecked him on the cheek. His heart had begun to flutter more and more with each contact they'd made. The sound of her laughter was so much more vivid than it was back in Amestris. Her complaining had become easier to sit through. At one point he'd remembered the broken zeppelin piece piercing through her body, and had almost pulled her into him, holding her with everything he was, is, and would be.
The sky was beginning to grow darker by the time they'd returned. Kain had opened the door for them, his face breaking out into a grin upon seeing them together. The four of them had dinner together, then tea (coffee in Edward's case. Why was tea ever invented?), and soon, Winry had let out a silent yawn. Noah suggested she go sleep, picking up the plates and heading to the kitchen with Kain in pursuit. She nodded, saying her final goodnights, and pecking Edward on the cheek one last time.
It had become something of a habit for her at that point. As for Edward himself, he'd begun to subconsciously wish she'd practice her aim for next time.
A.N: DOUBLE CHAPTER UPDATE IN ONE WEEK WHAT-WHAT!? This is kind of my apology for not updating for about 3 weeks. HEHEHEHEH-eh... I GAVE YOU A POOPY-LOAD OF EDWIN HERE, SO JUST TAKE IT, AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR FEELS.