(A/N: Sorry for the delay, my few followers. I hope you aren't mad. It took me a while to start this story. Anyhow, enjoy to your hearts content!)
Sunlight slowly dripped down onto the valley's and fields of Resembool. The sky had different shades of oranges and reds and only a small strand of blue was seen on the other side. It had a warm effect but in reality, if you went outside at this time of the evening, it was already chilly. Which is why Winry had her hoodie on. Well, technically Ed's hoodie. Her grandmother had asked her to walk Den around since he wasn't getting a lot of exercise just lounging around the house all day. Sounds like Ed and Al on a daily basis she thought to herself. But she knew the real reason for it. Al was still getting stronger but sitting around, reading Alchemy books wouldn't do him any good. She knew he needed to get out and do something. Or at least walk a little more than usual. That would help a whole lot more.
Den began to bark at someone who was walking toward the Rockbell house. She really couldn't tell who it was. But she could tell they were wearing a military uniform. She called to Den, and the dog ran back to her. She was close enough to the house if something were to happen. And if she yelled loud enough, Ed, AL and her grandmother could hear her as well. She thought the person was close enough so she yelled out to them.
"Hey! Are you from Central?" She was finally able to notice who it was. If the buff muscles and tallness weren't obvious enough, then the trademark sparkles all around him completely gave away who he was.
"Major Armstrong?" she said out loud.
"It is I! Alex Louis Armstrong, here for a visit!" Major Armstrong yelled from across the lawn. Winry couldn't help but give a lopsided smile. She wasn't in touch with anybody except for Lieutenant Hawkeye (although she called her Riza now) and seeing old faces was certainly a pleasure.
"It's good to see you again!" she said. Major Armstrong approached Winry and gave her a hug.
"It's been too long. I have missed all of you. Where are the Elric brothers?" he asked, looking around and walked to the side of the house in hope of finding them.
"I'm pretty sure they're both inside the house doing nothing, as usual." she complained. The front door opened and Al slowly walked out.
"Why do I keep hearing Major Armstrong's voice?" he asked, shielding his eyes from the sun. Tears ran down Major Armstrong's eyes and he ran to Al, capturing his in his arms.
"Oh, Alphonse Elric! It feels like ages since I have last seen you!" Major Armstrong spun Al around and around, choking the life out of him.
"I-It's great to see y-you again, Major A-Armstrong!" Al was able to strain out. Major Armstrong put Al down and took a look at him.
"I see you have gotten a lot stronger since I last saw you. I'm glad." Al couldn't help but stand up a little straighter to show pride in his progress.
"It's from all that sitting around, right Al?" Winry teased. Al gave Winry a glare but she wasn't even affected by it.
"I don't just sit around. Sometimes I do other stuff." he said. She gave a Suuure you do look to Al.
"Like what?" she challenged. Al put his index finger and thumb to his chin and looked up at the sky with a thoughtful face. Finally, he spoke.
"Ah. Nothing." he said. Winry's palm connected to her forehead. Major Armstrong gave Al a hard pat on his back and Al felt the wind being knocked out of him.
"Don't worry, Alphonse. You look strong enough to attract any lady in plain sight." Al couldn't help but blush a little at that. Winry giggled at his attempt to cover his red face. Major Armstrong noticed Winry wearing Ed's hoodie and decided to tease her about it.
"And what's this? Is it possible that Edward Elric has finally declared his romantic feelings for you?" he said. Winry was gaping at him, opening and closing her mouth. Al had to cover his stifle and he turned around. But Winry could see his shoulders shaking. Suddenly, she remembered the event that occurred a week ago. She couldn't stop the blush forming on her cheeks.
"So it is true!? Congratulations!" Major Armstrong said. She shook her head but she still couldn't get the words out. Al couldn't hold it in any longer and he burst out in laughter.
"What's with all the noise?" Ed asked, stepping out of the house in a black tank top. He was rubbing his eyes, clearly from being woken up after taking a nap. When he noticed the Major, his eyes went wide.
"Oh, no." he whispered. Major Armstrong began to cry again and was able to grab Ed before he took off into the house again. He spun Ed around, just as he did to Al.
"Edward Elric, it's great to see you again! You have certainly gotten taller, I assure you of that!" Major Armstrong said to him.
"D-damn it, Major. I-I can't breathe." Major Armstrong finally put him down and Edward actually gave him a smile.
"It's good to see you, Major." Everybody look surprised. Actually, they looked dumbstruck. But the Major just smiled back at this small change.
"Anyway, what'cha doing here? I'm pretty sure you're not sight seeing." Ed asked. Al noticed that behind the curiosity in Ed's eyes, there was something else: a secret. He decided that he was going to ask his brother about it later.
"Well, General Mustang sent me here to check on all you. He was curious as to what the trio was up to nowadays." he told them. Winry glared at Ed and he knew full well why she was mad. Al chuckled at them and looked back at Major Armstrong who had clearly understood what had happened.
"Some interesting things have happened recently but mostly it's been neutral." Al replied.
"I see. You all seem to be having fun. And here I was thinking of inviting you back to Central for a visit." Winry and Al held out their arms in denial, telling the Major that they wouldn't mind coming back to Central if they weren't so busy with so many things. Ed, however, kept quiet.
"Hmm. I'll have to tell the General about this then. I'll be returning in a few days though. Is your grandmother home, WInry? I would like to ask her about my request for staying here." he asked Winry. But before Winry could respond, Ed spoke up.
"Sure, why not. It's been a while since we all got together. I'm sure everyone's going to be there, right Major?" There was a hidden message in Ed's and the Major's eyes. Only they both knew what that meant.
"Yes. I'm quite sure that everyone will be there. After all, it's for A-" Ed kicked Major Armstrong's mouth, stopping him from talking. Apparently, the Major didn't understand that it was a hidden message that the two were sharing. Ed sighed, and the Major rubbed his jaw.
"That was quite a kick, Edward. But you have to do better than that." Ed didn't even have any time to stop the Major before he sent a punch in his way. Ed was able to dodge it, but only by a second.
"Dammit, Major! I'm not trying to start a fight! It's too cold to fight anyway!" he pointed at his black tank top that was horrible at fighting off the bitter cold. Major Armstrong tore off his military jacket and his undershirt, leaving him shirtless.
"Then, let's make this fair! Get ready, Elric brothers!" Ed just tried to flap away the sparkles surrounding the major while Al gave a groan.
"Since when was I a part of this?" he asked. Winry rolled her eyes and walked back inside to leave both boys fending themselves against the Major.
"Craaaap!" Ed's voice echoed throughout the house from outside. Winry made her way back to her work area and sat back down. But she couldn't help but think about what Major Armstrong and Ed most likely have in plan at Central. Sighing, she went back to work before she heard her grandmother.
"Winry, aren't you going to give Ed his hoodie back?" she asked. Winry blushed but didn't bother to take off the hoodie.
"I don't think he'll miss it that much." she responded. Once her grandmother was gone, she took out the letter hidden underneath her automail tools. It was from Riza. When Winry told her about what Ed had done to her, she sent some advice of her own.
Men have a knack of giving women their sweaters to show affection. Take Edward's jacket and if he doesn't ask for it back, he's telling you something.
Wearing Ed's hoodie was only a test to see if what he did was a joke or if there was a meaning behind it. When he noticed her taking his jacket a couple days ago, he only shrugged and walked by her. But not before he whispered something to her.
"It looks nice on you." Winry's confusion had been answered and since then, she hadn't even thought of giving him back his white hoodie.
(A/N: You guys remember Ed's white hoodie, right? The one he wore when he came back to Resembool? Or how about when Winry was it wearing on the last episode at the train station? See what i did theeere? So yes, more old familiar faces are coming back as well...What is this hidden message between Ed and Major Armstrong? What is going to happen at Central? Why am I asking so many questions!?
Anyway, review please?)
(A/N Part 2: For any of you Royai shippers, I was thinking about doing a one-shot about them. Look out for it in the really near future!)