Chapter 8 has been revised! Enjoy!
EDWARD'S POV
I groaned at the cold wet sensation that was placed on my head by my younger brother. Sprawled out on the couch in the living room, I tried to tune out Alphonse who continued his charade of disappointment in me.
"Seriously brother! You know better! Auntie was very firm in you two waiting until you were married! And now you've placed me in an awkward position!" Alphonse said, pacing back and forth.
"Quit freaking out Al, I didn't even do anything. You're making my head throb."
Alphonse came to a complete halt and looked at me with disbelief.
"Are you crazy?! What did I just see up there then?!"
"AL I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! SHE'S A FREAKING SEDUCTRESS!"
"Don't talk about Winry like that brother!"
"WELL STOP YELLING AT ME!"
I thanked all the great forces out there for the immediate silence and let myself sink deeper into the couch. I felt like a teenager caught in the act who was getting reprimanded for my indecency...however Winry and I were in fact adults and were keeping to ourselves in her room - so what the hell was the harm? This was purely all her fault and I was the one getting screamed at by my YOUNGER sibling. YOUNGER! I was the older one! Didn't that come with any respect?!
"Ed...she's...she's not pregnant is she?" Alphonse glanced at me timidly with wide puppy-like eyes.
"ALPHONSE! WE WEREN'T EVEN NAKED!"
"WELL I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU EXPECT ME TO DO! I'M JUST TRYING TO KEEP YOU ALIVE!"
"Look, I promised the old lady I wouldn't...do...well, do..-"
"Have intercourse?"
"YES AL! I PROMISED I WOULDN'T HAVE INTERCOURSE WITH WINRY! HOLY FUCK!" I yelled, throwing my hands in the air. The cloth full of ice chips spilled open and toppled down the front of me and I heard a muffled laugh come from Alphonse.
"Why not just marry her sooner?" He asked me.
"She hasn't exactly made the whole process easy ya know...besides...I plan on it after...it's finished. I can start working on the house when Pinako gets back." I stated matter of factly. Alphonse smiled at me and I stuck out my tongue before he could make some comment about how sweet I could be and blah blah.
"I really do think Mom would have loved to see you in our old home with your own family...she always loved the thought of you and Winry. Are you sure you don't need help in rebuilding it though? That sort of thing does require some knowledge in the skill...maybe we should hire someone?"
"I don't need help from some random idiot. It can't be nearly as hard as alchemy was. Any dumb ass can pick up a saw and building something!" I said confidently.
"Brother...the job does require more than just a saw and an over confident man..."
"I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING! Besides, you have to be here and cover for me and keep that crazy woman up there distracted while I'm gone during the day. Maybe go bust up Eric's automail so she has something to do." I grinned, replaying the image of Eric getting his ass beat over and over in my head. I still believed he was out to have Winry as his own, the way he acted all charming and sincere...Hmph.
"So...you want her to spend time with him?" Alphonse laughed.
"Nevermind, bad idea..." I grimaced as the dirt bag's smiling face haunted my thoughts. I looked over to my younger brother and frowned. "Hey Al...you sure you don't want to rebuild a house of your own where Mom's used to be instead? I really don't mind." I said guilty. I couldn't help but feel like I was being selfish, but Alphonse shook his head and gave me a huge grin in return.
"Nahhh. I want you and Winry to have it. I won't be here as often since I plan on traveling to Xing quite a bit in the future."
I gave him a sly smile as I watched him turn pink from head to toe. I had known for quite some time that he had become fond of the princess, May Chang, and boy did I love teasing him about it.
"So, uh, May hmmm?" I smirked.
"Ed, don't be crass. Unlike you I consider myself to lead a less debauched lifestyle."
"DEBAUCHED?! ALPHONSE DON'T BE STUPID!" I growled and sat up. Alphonse only laughed at my reaction and clutched at his stomach. I crossed my arms and slumped back down, kicking a nearby dog toy. Den growled at me in response and got up from his resting spot to follow Alphonse out of the living room.
"I guess I should go make food for us since you're already cranky and that normally is an indication you need fed." He yelled from the kitchen.
"Whatever.." I mumbled in response.
"And don't go upstairs! Winry should be asleep by now. She needs to rest so her side can heal!"
"I'm not going to wake that gear head, calm the hell down."
"You're kind of loud in general Ed. I'm just asking for you to not have a short temper for only a of couple hours!"
"ALPHONSE! WHY THE HELL DOES EVERYONE CONTINUE TO CALL ME SHORT?! I'M TALLER THAN BOTH OF YOU! WE FUCKING MEASURED THE LAST TIME WE WERE HOME! ONE WHOLE FUCKING CENTIMETER TALLER AL! ONE BIG ASS CENTIMETER MORE THAN YOU! I CAN REACH FOR THINGS ON THE TOP SHELF ONE CENTIMETER MORE THAN YOU CAN!" I yelled into the kitchen. Alphonse peeped his head around the corner, glaring at me.
"Are you serious? What did I just say? Be quiet! Why don't you take Den on a walk? He's been stuck inside since Auntie left."
Oh No...he said the word...I heard the persistent noise of barking as Den's claws made noisy contact with the floorboards as he bounded up to me.
"No no no no! Den! No!" I begged.
But my pleas did nothing as the enormous mutt jumped in the air and tackled me to the ground, his tail wagging at his victory. I shielded my face from his dog breath as he panted happily.
"Walk?" I sighed, defeated. Den barked in response and licked the side of my face with approval. Despite his older age, he was still such a puppy.
"Yeah yeah don't get all sappy about it." I laughed and picked myself up from the floor. With one swift move, Den was out the door before I even had the chance to step out myself. It was good exercise for him at least to get around.
"I'll be back later Alphonse...you better save some rice for me."
"Pretty sure it's the other way around. I have to make sure to save rice for the rest of us before you devour all of it." He laughed, walking back into the kitchen.
I rolled my eyes and stomped my feet out the door with the anxious pup. Can't a guy eat 7 bowls of rice and NOT have to hear about it?
WINRY'S POV
I was awoken by the door creaking open. Rubbing my eyes awake, I felt my heart do a little jump in hopes that it was Edward. Even if he pissed me off earlier, I still felt such a strong need to be around him.
"Edward?" I called out to the door.
"Nope. It's the other Elric! The nicer one!"
"Hi Alphonse." I smiled wholeheartedly and chuckled. He really was so sweet and had such an amazing way with people. I knew that he would make a wonderful husband and father someday. I was so proud of the person he was and the man he had grown to be. No matter how old he got though - he would always be considered my little brother.
"I brought you some rice. You need to eat to gain some of that strength back!" He said cheerfully.
"I'm surprised there is any food left. Did your brother eat already?" I asked, peering over to the side to see if Edward was standing behind him. My heart sunk a little when I saw he wasn't there.
"Not yet, he took Den out for a long walk. I thought it was probably best for him to...go cool off a bit." Alphonse gulped and laughed nervously. I raised my eyebrows at his comment. Cool off? I guess he might have been mad at me for throwing my wrench at him...maybe that wasn't the best decision...however, he DID call me a demon. Never mind. He totally deserved it.
Alphonse walked over to my bedside and sat down, placing the tray of rice on my lap. He leaned over and fluffed my pillows for me and I couldn't help but grin at how cute he could be. I always wanted a younger sibling, and I was thankful that I had Alphonse in my life.
"Thank you Al." I said warmly. "You really are the kinder one! I honestly wonder how you and your brother are related sometimes...hahaha!"
"Ahhh well, Edward has his own sense of charm, but you already know that." He said and winked at me. I blushed slightly and grinned nervously.
"I guess you're right."
"You know...he really would do anything for you Winry. He would never admit his feelings for you when we were trying to get our bodies back, but it was evident to everyone how he felt. Every time I tried to get him to open up about it he would immediately backlash and go off on a tantrum."
"It was for the best that he didn't focus on me. You two had a lot on your plate. It was important for you both not to be distracted."
Alphonse scratched the back of his head.
"Wellllllll I wouldn't say he was always 100 percent of the time focused. When we did visit, or saw you at all, something changed in Edward. He got-"
"Even more snappy than usual?" I said with a mouthful of rice.
"Awe come on Winry, you know why he acts like that. Besides you two caused each other grief when we were teenagers...actually you both still do that." He laughed.
I stuck my tongue out at the younger man and laughed along with him. We sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes as I chewed happily on my food. Thank god for Alphonse or I'd probably be left to starve. I peered through my blinds and noticed the sky was already beginning to turn dark.
"Geez! How long was I out?!" I asked in astonishment. Laying in bed most of the day felt like such a waste, but I knew in order to start accomplishing anything I'd have to let my side heal...it was just hard not to be working.
"You slept most of the day after I took Edward downstairs earlier. Oh! I did have the neighbor lady come help dress you earlier though...She will be stopping by until Auntie gets back. Actually, she should be here soon to help you into the bath. I just thought you'd rather have another woman help you than Ed, so you can have your privacy." He smiled.
Ahhhh, so innocent.
"Thanks Al. I really appreciate it."
I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about Edward seeing me completely unclothed just yet, maybe if I wasn't injured...but isn't everyone nervous the first time someone they feel intimate about seeing them so exposed? I ate the last bite of rice from my bowl and placed it back down on the tray. Like clockwork, we both heard a knock on the front door. Alphonse hurriedly picked up my tray and hastily walked out of the room. I listened to his feet quickly hit each step on the way down the staircase and chuckled at hearing the loud thump of him missing the last stair. He could never touch the first step since we were kids, something about it being lava and I guess he just stuck to his routine.
I kicked off my sheets the best I could as I listened to Alphonse warmly greet the neighbor. She was an older woman, possibly 5 years younger than granny and kept herself busy helping at the nearest nursing home. I didn't know much about her except that she seemed like a kind soul and was widowed as of last year. My grandmother sometimes stopped by for a visit to see how she was carrying on.
From a distance I could hear Den's excited barks. Peering between the blinds, my heart fluttered at the sight of Edward walking down the path while the happy dog ran circles around him. I was so lost in watching him walk towards the house that I hadn't heard the soft footsteps climb the wooden steps.
"Winry dear?"
I withdrew quickly from the blinds like I had been a teenager caught spying and snapped my head towards the creaky door. I greeted her with a smile as she walked over to my bedside.
"How are you feeling?"
"I've been...better." I chuckled. "How have you been doing? Granny said you were still working at the nursing home."
"Yes! It keeps me busy most days and folks there are good people."
She smiled and patted my leg gently as she sat down beside me in order to help me stand next to her. I winced on the count of three, but found myself happy with the ability to walk without reopening my wound...even if I had to move like a turtle. We took small steps towards the bathroom. I looked over my shoulder when I heard the front door open. Immediately my curiosity took over as I tried my best to strain my ear to listen to Edward, but it was to no avail.
"Okay kiddo, I'm going to lower you onto the edge of the tub for now, so you just sit tight while I draw up your bath."
The running water drowned out any possibility of hearing Ed and Al and I gave up on my endeavor to listen and focused on the steam rising from the warm water. It felt good against my skin and I found myself growing excited to get into the tub. A hot bath was honestly wonderful sounding. My neighbor closed the bathroom door softly and began to carefully help me undress. I flinched as the shirt slid over my head and quickly placed my arms down awkwardly to keep the stinging pain at bay. She carefully cut off my bandages and glanced over the severed skin.
"There's no sign of infection so that's good, but let's get this cleaned up first and covered up. It's not good to submerge the area in water just yet until it's healed up a bit more."
As she reached for the antiseptic, we both paused at the sound of a large crash from downstairs, followed immediately by Edward's profanity. I sighed and rolled my eyes as I continued to listen to Alphonse who appeared to be scolding his sibling for being impolite with a guest in the home.
"Sorry...that's Edward. He can be a bit rude at times." I said apologetically. She chuckled and shook her head.
"He's a young man, it's just a sign of lots of life thriving in him!"
We both laughed in unison at her statement and I nodded in agreement.
I tried my best not to jerk around as she cleaned my side, to which she apologized for the discomfort. Squeezing my eyes shut, I focused on listening to Edward and Alphonse's quarrels down below. After what felt like an eternity, she clapped her hands together in success and began bandaging my waist once more. Removing my last articles of clothing, she slowly helped in lowering me into the tub, the hot water only reached up to my legs but felt so inviting nonetheless. I began to feel dazed and let my thoughts wander as the older woman began washing my hair with the utmost care, as I was unable to raise my arms above my head without turning the bath water into the red sea. Yes, pun intended.
WINRY'S POV CONTINUED
"Are you sure you don't want a night shirt? It might get pretty cold tonight."
"No that's okay. It makes bathing and changing my bandages easier for tomorrow. It's just me in here so I don't mind sleeping in my undergarments." I said, attempting to hide a blush that I could feel creeping up to my cheeks. Technically speaking it WAS my room so one would assume it was just me sleeping in here right? She didn't really need to know about a certain grumpy blonde making possible nightly visits - to which I hoped would happen.
"Okie dokie. Well, if you need anything make sure you have those boys help you! I will be here tomorrow unless your grandmother comes home early, so if I'm not back you make sure you take care of yourself and say hi to Pinako for me, alright dear?"
I smiled and nodded as I watched her turn around and walk out the door where she was greeted by Alphonse and Edward at the doorway.
"Thank you so much for helping us with Winry. Can one of us accompany you to your home to make sure you get there safely?" Alphonse asked, looking at his brother who nodded.
"I'd be happy to walk with you." Edward chimed in.
I peered over at him surprised by his sudden sense of manners. He caught me staring at him and I almost gave myself whiplash by the speed of snapping my focus in a different direction. I heard the older woman chuckle.
"I'm a tough cookie, besides that little beauty over there needs you right now more than I do. I'll be just fine. The walk isn't very far anyways." She said, smiling warm heartedly. "I can see myself out, take care Winry!"
I sat up against my wall of pillows as Edward and Alphonse walked into the room. For the sake of poor Al, I curled my fingers around my covers and held the fabric up to my shoulders to avoid exposing myself in only a bra and panties. Edward shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the wall, his usual cranky frown back on his face.
"How ya feeling?" He asked.
"A little sore but I'm just thankful to be clean. I hate laying in bed all day...it makes me feel gross." I replied. My heart beat rapidly at the sight of him. His toned forearms were exposed from his rolled up sleeves and I couldn't help but steal a quick glance at his broad shoulders. Alphonse cleared his throat to grab my attention. Damn..he really was paying close attention to everything Ed and I were doing.
"So...I don't want to be in your business or anything, but you know how Auntie feels about...that..that..thing." He moved his feet awkwardly while avoiding eye contact with either of us. "Just...let me fall asleep first so I at least can say I was unaware!"
Edward scoffed at his younger sibling and started rubbing the back of his neck.
"Alphonse, just stop talking. Please. You're embarrassing yourself."
"Right! Uh...You must be tired still! Do you need anything else from us Winry?" He asked nervously, looking in my direction.
I looked over at Ed who was still scowling over the previous subject. Why was he so angry about EVERYTHING?
"No, I'm not really tired after sleeping all day..." I trailed off. "I'm pretty sure...I'll be exhausted soon though." I said, flicking my gaze back to the pouting man. His golden eyes softened at me and he raised his eyebrows curiously at my comment. Alphonse didn't sense the sudden attraction and smiled with relief.
"Good! Well then, we will see you in the morning! Come on brother!" Alphonse exclaimed happily, shuffling his older brother out the door.
"Yeah..." Edward said looking over his shoulder and staring at me inquisitively.
The lights flickered off and I immediately began timing Alphonse to fall asleep. Ever since he got his body back, he was no longer the light sleeper he used to be when we were children. And I did not plan on sleeping anytime soon...
So this is the revision. I have to say that I like it A LOT better. Those of you that made the comment previously please let me know what you think about the changes now! I hope this is better! Thank you for being kind in your reviews! :) and please no flames!