Chapter 9! I hope you enjoy it and thank you for reading my story!

EDWARD'S POV

I yawned and groggily looked at the clock on the wall. Despite my lethargic feelings I couldn't fall to sleep. Sleep used to come so easily to me, but now that I didn't have much stress I guess my body found rest no longer a necessity. I suppose you could say I got used to the adrenaline rushes of our journey to get our bodies back. Hell, I might even go as far as to say I had become addicted to the feeling of danger at times, but I enjoyed the sense of peace being at home too. It was strange - but a good and comfortable strange.

My thoughts were interrupted by the floorboards creaking from above me. Footsteps. And from the sound of it, they were coming from Winry's room. I sighed deeply and began rubbing my forehead. I felt Den's cold wet nose nudge my hand and he began to whine.

"Yeah I know I'll check go check on her."

I pat his head gently and stood from the comfort I found on the couch, stretching my arms above my head. Honestly, being back at home with Winry...it was a whole new whirlwind on its own. Being around her was a rush in itself with having to dodge her life-threatening tools she hurled at my skull, so was I REALLY in less danger? Maybe it was one of the many reasons I found her so alluring...

I shook my head from my thoughts as I made my way up the old staircase, attempting to dodge all the creaks and groans of the wooden steps. She should've been asleep by now, and most definitely not walking around. Why the hell did she have to be so stubborn? I thought back to my mother laughing at the two of us when we were young children. She used to say how I had met my match when it came to Winry. I didn't quite understand what she meant back then, but had my dear mother been alive today - she would have witnessed that Winry...was clearly way more obstinate than myself.

I chuckled softly and grabbed onto the banister to hoist myself upwards, skipping the last few steps. I reached for the doorknob to her room and slowly eased it open. Peering my head in I looked around to find any suspicious activity, I didn't know what she was up to and I wasn't about to be caught with my guard down, but the only thing that greeted me was the dim light from the lamp in the corner. I stuffed one hand in my pocket and looked around the room. The bed was distraught with covers and pillows scattered on the floor.

"What the hell?" I said to myself and raised my eyebrows at the displacement. Winry was nowhere in sight. I heard an eerie noise come from the door and looked over my shoulder to see that it was closing on me. I sighed as I realized the position I had just placed myself in when my eyes caught sight of a barely clothed blonde female staring back at me.

"So do you just not wear clothes anymore? Because this seems to be an ongoing occurrence with you since I got here." I scoffed. Part of me wanted to hit myself in the face. Why did I always come off so snarky and annoyed? To my surprise she didn't lash back, not a single sarcastic retort...instead she placed a hand on her hip and let her lips form a smirk. I raised an eyebrow at her in question to her odd behavior. Really...she wasn't going to fight back? Our usual tango of who has the most vicious rhetoric?

"Winry...?"

"Are you saying you don't like my attire?" She asked sweetly, which wasn't exactly in her taste.

Okay...what. the. fuck. I didn't budge from my stance. Something just didn't feel right. My body felt confused between excitement, suspicion and hell - a little bit of fear. I looked incredulously at her and scanned the room to see where her wrench was. I pulled at the collar of my shirt, feeling extremely hot all of the sudden. Winry was waiting for a reply and my brain was just not functioning. I figured I had two options really, continue to be sarcastic (my comfort zone) or I could do what a blessed man should do given the opportunity with someone like her...

"Wear whatever the hell you want then." I scoffed. Ah...you fucking idiot. You stupid stupid stupid asshole...

I watched Winry's face fall and she bit her lip nervously as the atmosphere grew awkward. We stood there as a tormenting silence fell between us. Her hands gripped at her side as she slowly began taking little steps towards her bed. I might have not been the expert on romancing her, but I flew to her side with such a track worthy speed to ensure her safety. With one swift motion I had her cradled in my arms with absolute care to avoid any further injury and softly lowered her to the swarm of pillows she had on her bed. I may not be smooth with words, but credit can be given to my actions speaking for me that I cared for her.

"Jack ass." She muttered. I decided not to fight her on it due to the statement holding a lot of truth at the moment.

"Yeah, I am."

I sat down beside her slender frame, letting my eyes drift towards her long toned legs. I cleared my throat and began laughing nervously when she caught me staring at her body after all.

"Why do you do that?" She asked me. I looked at her curiously as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Do what?"

"You can look at me you know."

"I am looking at you."

"No, ugh! Ed! You know what I mean. We are obviously attracted to each other. We've already cleared that up. Why do you keep making it so awkward?"

"Because you've been doing awkward things since I got here!" I stated flatly. Why couldn't I get this right? She responded with a look of annoyance and pinched her temples in frustration.

"Honestly am I always going to be the one to have to make a move in order for us to go forward?"

I felt my face heat up and pondered at her question. She wasn't exactly wrong. I guess the only time I really did make a...well, move, is when I was intoxicated. I suspected that shouldn't count though. I had been holding back feelings for her for so long that I hadn't yet let my defenses down. It WAS okay for us to be together now, I had done what I had set out to do. I had no reason to keep my feelings hidden any longer or hold back from the life I wanted with her. I've looked nightmares in the eye and for some strange cause I didn't have the guts to proceed with Winry despite previous events and the train station.

"Ed...?"

I felt her place her hand on my arm, but my inner battle with myself persisted on. Everyone knew. Everyone had KNOWN that I was in love with her. Hawkeye who had barely witnessed any affection between the two of us noticed it right away and called me out on it. I knew that Winry was the one for me, but I had a promise to Alphonse that kept my mind busy from the thought of her and I.

"Edward are you listening to me?" She said annoyed.

Crap. I needed to do something! There was no reason to hold back anymore! Damn it what was wrong with me! Why the hell couldn't my brain work!?

"Ed!"

I growled in frustration and turned my body towards her on the bed. Pushing away every single thought and debate in my head, I let my body take over since my brain refused to function and kissed her. I felt her lips let out a small squeak at my sudden, and for me, quite daring gesture. Kissing her felt right. It felt like everything I wanted to say to her was in the simplicity of our lips being in contact. I felt Winry begin to pull away, and the sudden sensation of her lips being away from mine made me overwhelmed with my greed to have them back. I moved quickly and captured her lips hungrily. I felt all sense of control diminish and every time she attempted to pull away for air I hastily had them against mine again. I continued this until my lungs felt ready to burst and was forced to break for air. Feeling an immense amount of confidence I refused to break eye contact from her. I could tell she was just as unsatisfied as I was from the mirrored passion that reflected in her eyes.

"Winry Rockbell, I have loved you since the day I met you."

The words had barely left my mouth before I saw something snap in her gaze and we were immediately kissing again. I welcomed fully the strange new sensation that took over me. I really can't explain it except to admit that I've never felt so alive in my life. Winry did something to my body that only she was ever capable of doing. I felt her moan into my lips and grab on my shirt, yanking me closer. I bit her lower lip, feeling my skin go on fire from the intensity of our bodies desiring to be closer. Somehow underneath all the passion, I remembered to watch out for her injured side - the only thing keeping me from ravaging her at the moment. It was only natural for me to crave Winry in that way, but I didn't want it to just be about me lusting for her, I wanted to make her feel incredible in ways she made my body feel because I loved her. My head grew light at the thought of having sex that I hadn't noticed Winry climbing up onto my lap.

"Win. Your...mm. Side." I managed to breathe out between her kisses, but she ignored my statement. I was a little afraid to look at it since Winry was being so careless about it, I found it likely she had made herself bleed again. Her kisses had become so deep in passion that my back hit the wall with a thud. She leaned away from my lips, giving me a chance to take it all in. Her legs were straddling my waist while her hair was flowing disheveled from our eager need for the other. My eyes widened at the sight of her bandages and I gasped.

"Winry we have to stop! Look at your side! I told you to be careful!"

But she was not having it. Quickly grabbing my wrists, she ignored my pleas and brought my hands to cup her breasts. She paused and waited for my response.

"Ughhhh Winry..." I growled. My brain and body were at war with each other; one side was reminding me of the old hag and my promise, along with Winry's side, the other was only able to respond to her mischievous tactics. I heard her giggle and became even more annoyed. She was dangling my life in front of my eyes - she clearly wanted her grandmother to skin me alive. I regretfully removed my hands from her chest and held her shoulders to grasp her attention. She frowned at my decision and sighed deeply.

"Edward."

"Do you want Pinako to kill me?!"

"Is that why you keep stopping us?"

"You're right. I've only been through hell just to finally come home and be killed off because I slept with you before I married you. What the hell am I thinking?" I scoffed.

"Don't be sarcastic!"

"You want another reason? You want us to do freaking acrobats on the bed while your side isn't even healed up! Throwing yourself all over me like this!"

Winry's eyes widened and a blush appeared rapidly across her cheeks. Okay so maybe I was a bit drastic on how active we had gotten on the bed, but I had every right to be cranky! I'm not the greatest at displaying romantic emotions but the abuse she was putting my body through lately was unbearable. My thoughts were interrupted by Winry undoing my ponytail and running her fingers through my hair.

"Will you at least sleep here tonight?" She asked, her eyes getting big and hopeful.

"I hate when you put that face on."

"Whyyyyy?" She laughed. She knew exactly why. That same puppy-eyed look cost me a pretty penny at Rush Valley every time we took her there. How many tools did the woman freaking need? I sighed in defeat and she wrapped her arms around me once discovering she had won the battle.

"BUT! WE ARE SLEEPING WINRY."

"Yes, yes. I'll be good! Hahahaha!"

I raised my eyebrows at her, holding no amusement in the situation.

"I don't trust you, woman."

She continued laughing and I couldn't help but grin at the sight of her beautiful smile. That same smile that always welcomed us home and encouraged us every step of the way. Winry really was one remarkable human being.

I cautiously scoot myself upwards while balancing Winry on my lap, only to clunk my head on the wall in the process and causing her to chuckle at my clumsiness. Instructing her to hold onto me, I stood up with her in my arms, wincing at how tight her legs squeezed around my waist.

"What are you doing?" She asked me as I placed her down on top of her dresser. I opened up her end table and took out the roll of white bandages.

"Your inability to resist me has your wound in need of attending to." I smirked at her. She blushed and looked away.

"Maybe I do want to sleep by myself!"

"No you don't." I laughed and leaned in to kiss her softly on the neck, smiling at the chills I caused to her skin by the simple contact. What was meant to be as innocent soon turned into Winry and I in a frenzy of kisses all over again. Her dresser thud loudly against the wall a few times before I reluctantly pulled away, panting.

"We are going to wake up Alphonse and the last thing he wants to hear is us." I whispered in frustration, grabbing the nearby bandages and once more attempting the first task at hand.

"You started it this time! I know what was going through your head when you were twisting your fingers in my bra straps!"

"You removed my pants!"

"And you took off your shirt all on your own. But hey, we aren't having sex tonight remember?" She winked at me and rubbed her leg dangerously close to my member.

I looked away embarrassed, were we always going to be this easily flustered?

"I always sleep in my boxers." I scowled and began removing the blood-stained bandages. I proceeded wrapping her waist with the clean ones...which with our track record would probably need changed in a few hours anyways.

"Hey Ed..."

"Hm?" I looked up from her side and instantly was overtaken by the softness of her lips.

"I love you."

I smirked at her and she hit my arm playfully in response. We both always knew in the back of our minds how we felt this whole time, but it felt so strangely comfortable and relieving to finally be able to say it.

"I love you too, gear head."

Sorry it took me a bit to get the next chapter up! Thank you for reading and being patient with me. Please no flames. Thanks!