A/N: LIES. I am updating on schedule after all. I apologize in advance for typos. Mandatory coworker fun night carried over to affect my proofreading skills, I'm sure. No specific universe for this one, probably alternate because really, when the hell did Elrics ever stick around Central for any length of time,x and when the hell did Ed actually call Winry about maintenance? LIBERTIES: I am taking them. Or already took them. Whatever.

Also, this is definitely one of my favorites here. Look for a follow-up coming in… around 15 chapters? Something like that. Math and I don't get along right now.

27. Rejected

Ed was starting to consider dropping the trademark jacket. At first, it had inspired respect; people connected the jacket and his reputation, and suddenly he was much more than some teenaged punk-alchemist (Yes, it was the coat that tipped them off, not the lack of height, and to this day he'll punch anyone who says different). Even if Al did still get mistaken for Ed sometimes, the coat made him easy to identify in most situations.

Lately, it was attracting a bit more than respect and recognition around Central. Everywhere he went, he now had a growing collection of shadows following him- giggling, twittering, annoying female shadows. If Al said the words "fan club" one more time, he would be scrap-metal. They could hardly get anything done with everyone tailing them. If Ed didn't know better, he'd say they were working for the homunculi, sent to interfere.

They had a leader, of course. She was always leading the pack, twirling a lock of dark hair around her little finger with a vacant look in her brown eyes. Whenever Ed felt eyes on him and whipped his head around expecting a chimera, there she was- staring, blushing, and whipping her head away, the incessant giggling burning his ears. He thought it couldn't get any worse until he felt a tap on his shoulder and mistook it for his brother.

"Al, you better have good news," he snapped, only to be confronted not with the familiar armor, but more of the God-forsaken giggling. "WHAT," he shouted, doing his best not to break her nose.

"Hi, I'm Trina!" she squealed.

"So what? Wha'd'ya want?" he deadpanned, arms crossed stiffly.

"Um, well, my friends and I were, like, wondering if you, like, wanted to come have, like, some coffee with us, or something," she asked very fast, and so rushed that Ed could hardly make out words beside "like."

"No," he said flatly and started walking toward Al, who he'd seen at last, already on the train platform.

"Wait, like, hear me out!" Trina called, racing after him.

Damned coat, Ed thought as he found himself unable to lose her in the crowd. He spotted Al easily and weaved through the throngs of passengers effortlessly. The girl might be able to find him, but he could at least make it a hard trail to follow. Winry was already off the train and giving Al a hug when Ed reached them.

"There you are, Ed," she called as he neared.

"What, I'm so small you thought someone stepped on me?" he grumbled. Winry laughed and pulled him into a hug. Ed blushed a little, but the approaching sound of giggles snapped him out of embarrassment and reminded him of the problem at hand. "Hey Win," he whispered in her ear, "these damned girls have been tailing us all week; play along for a second, 'kay?"

"Sure, what do I-"

Knowing it was now or never, Ed acted. He slid his arms from her shoulders- his left to cup her cheek and his right to her waist- and pulled her into a kiss. He almost fell over in shock when Winry not only refrained from wrenching him into next Tuesday, but she also threw herself fully into the act (which, let's face it, Ed thought, doesn't involve much acting on my part.) Her arms went around his neck and Ed swore her leg even went up like in the movies.

"Uh, guys? The fan club's gone," said Al, a slight quiver in his voice. "Maybe we should get going," he added.

Ed detached his lips from Winry's and slowly opened him eyes. Winry angled her head slightly as she looked at him. "Thanks," he muttered as he disentangled his arms and shoved them into his pockets.

"Yeah, anyti-" Winry started, but she blushed and looked down as she cut herself off. Al stayed silent and thanked God they hadn't turned on him instead. As if on cue, Ed quickly grabbed the suitcase just as Winry bent to do the same and brushed his hand. Ed ignored her as he sped off, case in hand and Winry in tow. Al shook his head and followed a safe distance behind.

Poor girl, she never saw the rejection coming; heck, even I never saw it coming like that.