A/N: Hello!
An apology for the slight delay in the publication of this chapter, but FF was not of my side yesterday :(
Anyway, this time this is a note that should have been in the initial notes of this story but they were already long and I was just leaving it pass so it's better late than never hehe.
The title of this story is based on one of the translations of the 46th poem of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, which is a collection of 100 traditional Japanese poems written by 100 different poets dating back to the 12th century.
These poems are also used in a traditional Japanese game/sport called karuta and what I have come to learn of all this has been thanks to the Chihayafuru anime and manga. If you want to learn about this cultural aspect of Japan this is an excellent choice. It has characters that you get attached to quickly, games that put you on the edge of your seat and, if we focus on the anime, it has such a beautiful animation. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, it has a love triangle ;) it's slow-cooked, but believe me, every moment with a certain romantic tinge is worth gold. Chihayafuru is an anime/manga that I'm also very fond of so I highly recommend it.
Now back to the fic itself, I hope you enjoy this new chapter where we will see more interactions between Ed and Winry as well as a new appearance of Eddie and of course Rose although this time let's just say that Winry and Ed will be stealing her screen time because they have had very little time to talk and they still need to test the waters between them.
Many thanks to everyone who reads and also to everyone who takes the time to leave a comment!
Golden
When Winry returned to the room, Ed wanted to find a way to regain the good atmosphere they had had before everything got uncomfortable but was not very successful. Although friendly, Winry remained in her professional role commenting and asking questions related exclusively to the automail and the parts of his body where they would be installed while helping him do some exercises to strengthen his body.
Occasionally Ed was able to intervene and get some conversation out of her until, near dusk, he brought up the subject of the planes and light aircraft that had invaded Amestris and, as if a switch was turned on, Winry's mood and interest were noticeable. She began to ask him a thousand and one questions about his knowledge of them. Winry didn't know it but, in addition to his own research on rockets, Ed had learned quite a lot about the means of air transportation on Earth and all that hunger for knowledge had arisen from the blond's personal whim to have something useful and interesting to share with her that could be useful to Winry, and not so much because he was interested in the subject outside of what concerned means to return to his world. Those airships had brought destruction but that depended on who controlled them and he was sure that if there was someone who could recreate them in Amestris to put them to good use to help the population it was Winry Rockbell.
Unfortunately, for both of them, the conversation regarding the planes had come up very late in their conversation so they were only able to talk about a couple of basic details before Winry had to call it a day. Although Rose had offered her to stay in Eddie's room, Winry declined saying that she had already rented a room at a hotel. Ed offered to escort her but, reprimanding him slightly, Winry told him no as the effort it would require would be counterproductive in his current state. Resigned, he had to agree to let Winry leave on her own looking forward to seeing her again.
The next day, Ed began the day with the pleasant company of Rose and Eddie at the dining room table. Encouraged by the prospect of regaining his former mobility in the next few days and by the additions to his diet authorized by Winry, Ed decided that it was enough of taking his meals in the guest room so he ventured into the kitchen before Rose had finished cooking. Rose smiled at the sight of him as the determination and energy in his eyes was more noticeable than ever, and Ed reciprocated her smile as he offered to help with the cooking. Rose politely declined his help saying she was almost done, which Ed ended up inwardly grateful for as he realized it was difficult to maneuver and hold objects when he only had one hand available, which was constantly firmly attached to the crutch he was using. In return, Rose asked him to go call Eddie.
Ed knocked on the door but when he got no answer, he entered the room surprised to find several sheets of paper lying on the floor with circles drawn with crayons on them. They were circles with no details on them but Ed was almost certain that this stemmed from the talk he had had with the boy two days ago.
In the middle of all that mess of paper was Eddie lying on the floor of the room making other drawings of circles while waving his little legs. The look of such concentration he had on his face at the moment made Ed not surprised by the boy's previous lack of response.
Ed cleared his throat a little to get the boy's attention before speaking. "Eddie, time for breakfast."
The boy's face immediately lit up. "Ed!" With a bound he jumped to his feet and approached the blond quickly, taking care not to bump into the crutch the young man was walking on. "Look!" He raised above his head the sheet on which he had been drawing. "I'm practicing. I want to do alchemy but I can't do it until I learn how to make straight circles." He said with a slight tone of a tantrum at the end.
Ed laughed lightly. "No wonder you didn't let yourself be seen yesterday, buddy."
"And?" Eddie asked in an excited tone.
"What?" Ed asked with a raised eyebrow. Noticing that some sadness was beginning to show on the boy's face, he reacted. "Ah!" He took the drawing and pretended to analyze it in detail as he gave a couple of nods before replying. "These circles are coming along nicely. A little more practice and they'll be perfect as a base for a transmutation. Remember, we can't risk doing a transmutation if the base is flawed."
Happy at the compliment, Eddie smiled again. "When I get it right, can we do a transmutation?"
"How about one to make a paper heron?"
Eddie pouted. "Why not one to make a spear?"
Ed sighed internally. I had to tell him about that... "Maybe in a few more years." Or your mother will kill me if we do it now. "First we have to take it one step at a time. You'll see that every transmutation, no matter how small it seems, can teach us a lot about the elements involved and how a single variable can change the outcome completely."
Eddie crossed his arms, not entirely convinced.
Ed ruffled his hair. "Come on, Eddie. You'll see it will be a lot of fun. When you see the light and the result of your first transmutation you'll understand what I mean."
"Okay." Said the boy in a resigned tone.
Before Eddie could think to convince him, Ed replied. "Well, then let's go have breakfast."
"Are you going to have breakfast at the table with us?" Eddie asked with eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Sure, unless you'd rather have more room at the table."
"Yay! Let's go." Eddie said as he tugged on his arm, momentarily throwing Ed off balance but that didn't stop the blond from smiling at the boy's enthusiasm and joy.
During breakfast Eddie kept asking Ed questions about alchemy, causing the blond to still not have finished eating when Winry arrived at the house.
Rose, who had already finished breakfast and was washing some dishes, went to greet her and they both returned to the dining room chatting, finding some symbols drawn on Ed's plate with egg yolk which were admired by Eddie.
"Ed, you're not going to finish eating if you keep this up." Rose said with a smile at how well her son was getting along with the young man.
"Just a minute." Ed said as he held up a finger and then drew a rune which he quickly explained to the boy.
Winry smiled at the scene and opted not to make her presence known to the blond until she saw that the explanation was over. "Good morning, boys."
Eddie was the first to react. "Aunt Winry!" He said before running over to her to hug her, taking the opportunity to interact with her since the previous day he was forbidden to enter the room while Winry did her checkups and took measurements.
Winry reciprocated the hug and lifted the boy. "What a big boy you are, Eddie! Before long I won't be able to carry you anymore."
"I grew two inches this summer!" Eddie said excitedly.
"You sure did. You're a big boy now. I guess you don't want me to spin you around anymore." Winry said a little sadly.
"Spins! Spins!"
Knowing his answer beforehand, Winry widened her smile and began to spin Eddie around, eliciting laughter from the younger boy.
When she stopped, the boy looked up at her with a pouty face. "More."
Winry put Eddie down and tapped him on the nose. "You'll have to settle for that, mister. You just had breakfast and I don't want to be the one to cause you to throw up. Besides, I've got work to do as soon as someone finishes breakfast." She concluded looking at Ed with a raised eyebrow.
Ed blushed slightly as he realized that he had been staring at the scene with a smile on his face without even saying hello to his friend. "Uh... Morning, Winry."
Winry rolled her eyes though she smiled. "Typical of you not to greet properly."
"Sorry, I got distracted." Ed said as he ran his hand over the back of his neck before resuming his task of finishing his breakfast.
"Would you like some coffee or tea, Winry?" Rose kindly interjected as she picked up the dishes her son had left on the table.
Winry shook her head. "Thank you, Rose. I had breakfast at the hotel but maybe later I'll take you up on that offer."
Ed finished his breakfast and wiped his mouth with a napkin before speaking again. "I'm ready."
"Good." Winry turned in Rose's direction. "Rose, did the doctor give you Ed's medical records for the past few weeks yet?"
"No, but he'll probably bring it in today. As soon as I get it I'll bring it to the room."
"I'll bring it." Eddie offered cheerfully.
Rose bent down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you, Eddie. I hope you're not doing it to get away from your summer homework, though." At the obvious guilty expression the three youngsters laughed lightly. "It's only a few weeks until we have to go back to school, young man. So come on, while Winry helps Ed let's go see how you're doing with your homework."
The boy nodded resignedly as he was led by his mother's hand into the living room of the house while Ed got up from the table to, with some difficulty, wash his dishes before following Winry into the guest room.
Once in the room Winry proceeded to take out the notebook in which she had made her notes from the previous day to continue with Ed's medical follow-up and thus have a little more information before performing the exams and tests the next day. She then took out a couple of the tools and utensils she would use during the checkup and removed the collar she wore around her neck not wanting to risk it getting stuck or mistreated at any point during the checkup. As soon as Ed sat down on the bed, Winry began to ask him a few questions regarding his health before starting to take measurements for his future automail, check his heart rate and the reaction of his remaining limbs.
At first Ed feared that Winry would be distant with him again but was pleasantly surprised when, after the initial questions from that day's checkup, she began to make small talk, picking up on the previous day's aerial theme. He continued the conversation and within minutes the two fell into a pleasant conversational rhythm that stayed with them for the rest of the day.
Thinking that Winry seemed happy that he was telling her about what he had seen in the other world, Ed described some of the places, foods, festivities and style of dress on Earth. He had a feeling that Winry was more interested in knowing precisely how he was doing living that lifestyle but he didn't feel able to talk about it yet. He did not want to sadden her by telling her about the hopelessness and loneliness he felt in the last few years and how this had impacted his way of living, especially living in a place where, when he least expected it, a reflection of acquaintances and friends made their appearance spontaneously turning homesickness into something more and more unbearable. Therefore, when it was strictly necessary to continue the conversation, Ed came to mention himself as something very much in the background, never fully expressing how some custom or place he visited, for example, had affected him. If necessary, perhaps in the future he would tell her everything in detail but now he couldn't do that. He had a feeling he should but could not find a way to make himself talk about it.
Perhaps taking it as an example, Winry was also not very personal when talking about what had happened in Amestris since the first time Ed disappeared. Any questions about places and people known to him were answered with as much detail as Ed kept asking but always focusing directly on the object of the young man's interest even though Edward was almost certain that most of the stories the girl told him must involve her to a great extent even if she didn't include herself in those stories whenever she could.
However, there was one point where, almost without thinking, Ed made a comment that made Winry realize that Hohenheim had been with him on the other side of the Portal. Winry was surprised and, although she tried to disguise her curiosity, asked him how that was possible. Even though it was a subject that Ed was not very comfortable sharing, he decided that the least he could do now that he had slipped up was to be honest with her and tell her a little about his father. He told her only briefly about what had happened between his father and him while on Earth, telling her that they had somewhat made peace and had lived together for a short period of time until Hohenheim disappeared for months only to meet again on the eve of the invasion of Amestris, an encounter that quickly ended with his father's death.
Although he wanted to feign indifference to hide the pain it had really caused him to lose the only family he had with him at the time, something must have given him away because when he finished his story Winry came over and hugged him for a few minutes telling him how sorry she was that he had lost his father under those circumstances. Since Ed and Al had left Resembool, the hugs Ed and Winry had shared had been rare but this one felt just as warm and comforting as the one she had given him three years ago. It was a simple gesture of friendship and affection but Ed couldn't help the quickening of his heart and the subtle blush that adorned his cheeks. That was why he returned the hug with strength and filled himself with Winry's essence as much as he could knowing that he had no certainty that they would share one again soon. Those couple of minutes flew by and, as they parted, he wished he didn't have to.
As they parted, Ed could tell that Winry was also blushing a little but seeing how she avoided his gaze he decided not to make any attempt to steer the situation into something slightly romantic... for now. Unlike yesterday and despite how reserved they had been about what they had personally experienced over the past few years, Ed was finally beginning to feel that the warmth, comfort and trust they had had years ago was building back up between them allowing them to have a pleasant time.
Taking advantage of the fact that she had sat down next to Ed on the bed so she could hug him, Winry looked into his eyes and bit her lower lip for a few seconds until Ed realized her nervousness.
"What's wrong, Win?"
Winry ducked her gaze. "There's something I haven't told you yet, Ed."
Ed felt a new tightness in his chest. A couple of hours ago, while Winry was relating Al's adventures to him (after confirming to him that the letter she had written to the youngest Elric would be in the shipment three days from now), the subject of the Curtises and, thus, the passing of the Elrics' sensei a few months before the otherworldly invasion had come up, of which Ed had previously been informed just a few days ago by Rose during one of their talks. Although he knew that Izumi's health was delicate, the intensity and energy with which his sensei carried out her daily activities, had given him the impression and hope that this strength would help her to overcome the extreme conditions of her organs but, unfortunately, it was not so. Perhaps he had not been able to spend so much time with her since he joined the military, but her teachings and her affection expressed through some affectionate blows he would always carry in his mind as a precious memory.
Realizing that Winry's gaze had clouded slightly as it had earlier when she told him about Izumi, Ed gulped in preparation for the very likely bad news. "Tell me."
Winry looked into his eyes again revealing that her bright blue orbs were glistening from the moisture that was beginning to form in them. "My grandmother died almost two years ago."
Ed felt as if a bucket of ice water washed over him. Yes, the news of Izumi's death had given him a rather similar feeling but the fact that Pinako, the woman who had practically adopted them and taken them in as her own grandchildren hurt even more deeply, especially when he naively believed that Pinako was well given that Winry had mentioned her a couple of times giving him the impression that she was still in this world. Also Rose had not mentioned to him that Pinako had already passed away. After his initial questions about how everyone was doing, Rose had focused on telling him about Al after telling him about Winry and her work situation. Of Pinako she had mentioned how she and Winry had welcomed her home after he had first disappeared and had spoken of her with obvious affection and admiration so Ed thought Granny was doing well. He had certainly had some sense of unease at not having a recent anecdote that included her but he hadn't wanted to focus on it believing that he would soon hear from her with Winry's arrival but now he realized the mistake he had made in allowing himself to be lulled into the false sense of security he had self-imposed by making himself believe that Pinako was perfectly fine.
With Granny Pinako something similar was happening as with his mother. His haziest and most distant memories included his mother and Granny Pinako so, after his mother's death, Pinako along with Winry had become the only constant he had kept in his life since the early years of his life. Certainly she was a woman of strong personality and not exactly someone effusive but with her actions and care it was more than obvious that a great affection bound them together.
Blinking a couple of times to keep away the slight dampness that wanted to make its appearance, Ed asked. "H-how?"
Winry was quiet for a few seconds. Then she sighed and answered without looking him in the eye. "It seems it was the simple passing of time. Granny was already an old woman but the arduous years of work must have taken their toll because about 5 years ago she started with arthritis problems which were later followed by the progressive reduction of her eyesight." A sad smile tugged at his lips. "Although, as you can imagine, that didn't stop her from continuing to work on automail parts." She inhaled deeply trying to keep the tears at bay as Ed brought his hand to his face to cover his eyes with it. "But don't worry. Despite how it all sounds, she kept her good attitude and smile until the very last moment... so much so that for a moment I thought I'd have my grandmother for several more years." Without being able to help it a couple of tears escaped her.
No way... Silently Ed inhaled and exhaled a few times to control the emotions that were filling him. He regretted not having valued Granny Pinako's presence and support more in time, and for not having been by her side in the last days of her life. Now that he was slowly realizing that returning to Amestris did not mean that he would find everything perfectly fine and happy as he would have liked, it made him feel an even greater sadness.
Feeling tears gathering at the corners of his eyes, Ed rubbed his hand across his face and pulled it away to look at Winry. If he felt bad at the news he couldn't finish imagining how she felt and how the blonde still felt having lost her only remaining blood relative. Upon seeing her, the young man noticed that Winry had begun to cry but in a controlled manner as her tears were silent and that made him feel worse as, from what he could tell from the look in her eyes, he was almost certain that, in her own way, she was trying to control her grief so as not to make him feel worse.
"Win..." He murmured in a soft voice.
"I'm fine." She replied with a shaky smile as she ran a hand over her face.
Without another second's thought, Ed pulled her to him and squeezed her tightly. "You don't know how sorry I am that I wasn't with you and especially that you had to go through all that by yourself."
Winry opened her eyes in great surprise at the sincerity, regret and pain so palpable in the blond's words. Ed had always been somewhat reserved about his feelings and thoughts, a situation that was exacerbated after the failed attempt at human transmutation. For years she had tried to understand and support him but continually felt that there was some sort of invisible wall that prevented her from fully reaching his heart but now... it was different. Ed seemed different. Even though the two of them had spoken in a reserved and careful manner about personal aspects, she could sense a certain willingness on Ed's part that wasn't there before that made him reveal a little more of himself with his look and with the way he expressed his words which was a considerable breakthrough that years ago she wouldn't have believed could happen in the near future. Also, the increasing ease with which he now sought closeness and physical contact with her...
Winry closed her eyes and inhaled deeply to push away the idea that wanted to form in her mind. Years ago she had fallen in love with Ed and for a moment she believed that perhaps her feelings were reciprocated after the kiss he had stolen from her during his last visit to Amestris but as time passed she had to convince herself that it had only been a spur of the moment impulse that had surely been born out of the happiness of being back home.
However... there was nothing wrong with her enjoying the warmth and reassurance that his embrace was conveying to her right? They had grown up together so there had to be no problem with them sharing a hug now that a painful event had come to light.
A few minutes later, when he felt Winry's breathing had begun to regularize, Ed pulled away from her so he could look into her eyes discovering that, although shiny from the tears shed, her gaze looked calmer. Unlike years ago, her crying had not been as noticeable as before, which puzzled him for a moment, but there was still the trace of some tears on her cheeks so, without thinking, Ed moved his hand closer to Winry's face with the clear intention of wiping them away.
At this, Winry opened her eyes a little wider in surprise and turned her face away from Ed. Perhaps she was giving him more importance than necessary but the current atmosphere and closeness seemed to want to take a more compromising course than that of a simple friendship and she couldn't allow that. The day before she had accepted his gesture but she could no longer do so. She could not let the last few years in which she had worked hard to convince herself that Ed saw her as nothing more than a friend and mechanic go to waste.
Pretending not to notice the confusion and sadness her denial caused in Ed's gaze, Winry stood up. "Gosh, it's a good thing I brought tissues with me." She said with a light chuckle as she walked over to where her toolbox was located.
Though hurt, Ed played along. He'd rather let the bitter pill they'd gone through pass so Winry could smile again. "Who knew an automail freak would have something as feminine as tissues in her purse."
Winry looked over her shoulder at him. "First of all it's not a purse, it's a toolbox. And secondly, since when are tissues feminine?"
Ed shrugged. "They usually come in boxes adorned with flowers, don't they?"
Winry turned around carrying a small blue and white box with her. At the sight of it, she rolled her eyes. "Wow that's super mature Ed, I thought you were past your elementary school days."
Ed frowned. "Obviously I have."
"Really?" She asked with a smile of fake innocence.
"What are you insinuating?" The blond asked with a raised eyebrow.
Winry stopped in front of him and looked him up and down. "Nothing." She said cheerfully as she held out the box of tissues to him. "Want one?"
Winry's stare didn't go unnoticed by the blond. "I've grown up, you know?."
Winry put a hand to her mouth. "Oh, that's right!" She exclaimed with an obvious tone of surprise.
"Why are you feigning surprise?!" Ed complained slightly annoyed. He certainly wasn't the tallest of men but he had gained several inches in all these years.
Winry laughed. "Stop whining and take it." She handed him the box of tissues. "Clean yourself up and let's get on with the checkup."
"Bossy woman." Ed muttered with a mixed tone of annoyance and humor. He didn't like it when they questioned the obvious height he had acquired over the past few years but, for this one occasion, if it served to keep Winry smiling so they could put the sadness of a few moments ago behind them, he would gladly do it.
