Chapter 22 - Emptiness
Sleep eluded him, the couch small and lumpy under his now-long frame as he grappled with regrets more painful than any recent scars. He wished he'd stayed and fulfilled his vow, eradicating every man's shirt Winry would wear but his. His could hang low too.
Only she could carve into his carefully-compartmentalized psyche, scooping out everything making him sane in an evening of polite coldness that gouged like a dull knife. He had needed declarations of missing and exuberant running-hugs and gotten only stiff nods and forced smiles. It felt like an echo could go on forever inside his chest.
A/N: Week of May 16, 2015: 5 chapters posted.