Draped in Wires
by. Poisoned Scarlett
Theme 062: Sleepless Nights
"WHAAAAA!"
Winry cracked an eye open. Her entire body felt sore, like she had exercised for the past two weeks without a single break. She hadn't felt this tired in days but soon Winry would know a whole new level of exhaustion as their child cried in the middle of the night. If she though this was the end of her exhaustion, she was sadly mistaken. Pinako had warned her of fidgety children but Winry never thought their child would be this easily disturbed!
Then again, it was Ed's son...
She could still remember holding him for the first time, brushing her fingers down his chubby cheek with a fond smile. Her son, Nicholas Elric, the newest addition to the family. Edward had been silent, leaning over her and gazing at their son with a slowly blossoming smile on his face. He had whispered the name after a few seconds and Winry had agreed with him instantly, both of them marveling the little bundle that they had both created through their passion.
And that little bundle of wonder was now wailing as loud as its little lungs allowed him to, his crib pushed to the corner of their bedroom.
"Ed," Winry croaked, closing her eyes again. "Your turn."
"No, it's not. It's your turn." Edward mumbled back, not even moving a muscle as Nicholas continued to cry.
"Ed!"
"What?"
"Go see what's wrong!"
"Winry," Edward groaned. "I'm tired!"
"So am I!" Winry snapped. "Go tend to your son!"
"Ughhh," Ed groaned, dragging himself out of bed. He leaned over the crib lazily, stifling a yawn in his hand. He squinted down at Nicholas, who hiccupped before another wail tore through his little mouth. "What's wrong with you now, Nick?"
"Edward…" Winry warned from their bed.
"C'mon," Ed reached down and picked him up, holding him awkwardly for a moment before adjusting him in his arms as Winry had taught him to. "Shh, go back to sleep!" But Nicholas was only half-way pacified by being held, small whimpers escaping him.
Winry was now sitting up, turning on the lamp by her beside. She rubbed her eye as she said, "Maybe he's hungry again. I think it's time to feed him…" She glanced around for a clock and checked the time, her statement confirmed when she saw it was three in the morning. "Give him to me, Ed. He's just hungry."
"He's always hungry," Ed grumbled, heading over to her. "Even I'm never this hungry!"
"He's just a baby, Ed." Winry scolded, breast feeding her infant. She winced but adjusted to the sensation once more, watching Ed fall onto the bed face first in exhaustion. "Ed?"
"Hn?"
"Are you…are you leaving tomorrow?" Winry asked, hesitant to even ask such a question. He'd stayed for a total of five days in Resembool with her, helping her with her son and adjusting to being a father. He'd already received a talk from Pinako that if they ever needed any help, they could always come to her. Al and Mei had taken to sleeping in Pinako's house because they were always being jolted awake by Nicholas' loud cries various times during the night.
"No, not until next week." Ed mumbled into his pillow. He turned his head and smiled tiredly at her. "But I'd rather be here than in Central reading over somebody's alchemy fails." He dropped his face back into the pillow. "I'll get that wet matchstick back one day for assigning me to that department…"
"At least you're still working with alchemy, Ed." Winry gently said. She smiled sadly when Ed became still, rolling onto his back. A deep sigh escaped him, his golden eyes gazing up at the ceiling blankly. "Do you ever miss it?"
"What? Alchemy?" Ed filled in for her, not needing to see her nod to know. "Of course I do, Win. I deciphered my first alchemy theory before I could even go to school…" He paused, reminiscing. Winry could almost see him reliving those golden days before it all became a nightmarish dream: Al's terrified scream as his body deconstructed and his own hoarse cry before his leg became nothing. "But I don't regret it. I'd do it again if I had to."
Winry smiled slightly, glancing down at their son. Nicholas was soundly asleep against her chest, curled up in her arms. He was so small, he reminded Winry of Ed when he was a baby. His eyes were a lighter golden than Edward's, the few wisps of hair on his head reminding her of her own long mane of hair. But they wouldn't know until he grew up a little more. But if she had any say, she would say he was the spitting image of Edward when he was young.
But only time would tell, Winry told herself. She needn't get so ahead of herself just yet.
"Is he asleep?" Ed asked, softly.
"Mhm," Winry nodded, taking a breath of relief. "I'm afraid to move him. He might wake up again."
"Nah, give him to me." Ed dismissed her worries, reaching over for him. "You'll never fall asleep holding him like that!"
"But, Ed," Winry whispered, unsurely.
"Come on, look at him – he's out like a light!" Ed smiled gently at Nicholas, carefully bringing him out of his mothers arms.
"Whatever you say, Ed." Winry said lowly, watching her husband tip-toe to their sons crib, pausing and holding his breath when his son shifted a little in his arms. After a few seconds, Ed released that breath and placed Nicholas back into his crib. He placed his blue fleece blanket over his small body and made his way back to bed just as silently, sighing in relief.
"See?" Ed whispered to Winry, snuggling into his pillow contently.
Then Nicholas woke up and wailed, shattering the comfortable silence.
"Told you," Winry smugly said.
"Dammit." Ed moaned into his pillow, as Winry stood up and walked over to the crib to calm their son once more.
A.N: I actually wrote this part right now, after posting chapter 61. I was suddenly struck with inspiration and I figured I shouldn't keep you guys waiting, so I posted this chapter up as well. What I want the most is to finish this collection as soon as possible, before I begin to really lose interest in it!
But I'll pull through for you guys!
Ideas are always welcomed, however…
Scarlett.