"Darling"- Chapter One, Part Two
Darling" Chapter One, Part Two
Title: Darling- Chapter One
Type: Romance/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Elricest
Warnings: OCs, uber-long chapters, one-sided love?
Summary: Ed asks Winry to marry him in four years, provided she isn't marry by then. Four years later, Ed returns to Resembool to fulfill that promise...and that is only the beginning...
Dinner that evening commenced the glaring match between Ed and Kenneth, both determined to win. When Winry asked for the potatoes, both blindly reached for the bowl, their eyes locked as their hands fished around the table. Kenneth’s longer arms hit pay dirt and Ed’s glare intensified when Ken shot him a cocky smirk. Next Pinako asked for the string beans, which sat in front of Edward. The alchemist pounced on the plate and rudely shoved it towards the older woman, his turn to smirk. Kenneth shrugged, because while Ed grabbed the beans, he had refilled Winry’s water glass.
But Ed was not to be outdone. When Winry observed that the chicken was cold, he coolly clapped his hands together and touched the plate, reheating the meat with a blue flash. Kenneth’s eyes widened and Ed nearly won, but the brilliant show of alchemy merely lowered Kenneth’s fine eyebrows further down his forehead.
Winry tried the best she could to create harmony at the table, but finding suitable conversation that would involve both men proved difficult. In the end, she turned to the only thing she really thrilled discussing: automail prosthetics.
"You know, Edward, that I modeled Kenneth’s leg after yours," she said. "Of course, I had to make modifications, seeing how yours was the left leg and Kenny’s is the right, but both of you lost your leg right below the knee, so it was easy to do the conversion."
Ken smirked at Edward. "Ah, so that’s why they call you Fullmetal. A runt like you with such a heavy name; makes sense now."
Ed glowered across the table. "Not that that’s very original," he said in return. "You’re not the first to say that."
"So, you’ve got an automail leg, huh? Bet mine cost more, seeing how it needs more material," said Ken.
Edward opened his mouth to retort, but a look from Winry stayed his tongue. Finally, he shrugged and said, "Actually, I’m the Rockbell’s cash cow; I’m the reason why business is so good."
Pinako laughed from her end of the table. "You’ve got that right. Banged up his arm so much, we never had to worry about money!"
"A prosthetic arm too, huh?" Kenneth said. "What’d you do? Get into a fight with a lion for calling you crumbs?"
Edward was finding it extremely tempting to transmute Ken’s chair into a death trap, but sometime during the conversation, Winry had grabbed his right hand and was squeezing it tightly. He would have called it endearing, except she kept her eyes on Kenneth the entire time. "Well what about you?" he asked, choosing to ignore Ken’s question. "How’d you lose your leg?"
Winry turned her head to Ed, her eyes shining. "Oh, it’s a very interesting story! Go ahead, Kenny, you tell it so well."
Kenneth sat up in his seat and smiled at Winry. "Well, if you insist." He cleared his throat. "I was hunting in the woods one day when, in a thicket, I came across a little girl. She had been crying, for she had gotten lost in the woods and could not find her parents. I lifted the girl up on my shoulders and assured her that we would find her parents again. The girl gripped my hair in her little hands and said, ‘Mr. Ken, I have faith in you!’
"So we set out to find the girl’s parents. But dusk soon fell and we had not found anyone, nor any way out of the forest. So we had to sleep in the middle of the woods.
"Sometime in the middle of the night, I heard a struggle that roused me from my sleep and just in time, for a band of thieves lived in those woods and were kidnapping the little girl! I stood to chase after them, but discovered that one of the rogues had placed a bear trap at my foot, and when I tried to run after them, my leg got caught in the teeth! However, I promised the girl that I would bring her back, so I pulled the trap up from the ground and ran after them." Ken turned to Edward, a condescending smirk on his face. "I had decided that keeping the trap in would at least stem the flow of blood from the wound," he added, as though Ed had asked. "Anyway, despite my near-fatal injury, I managed to keep behind the thieves all the way back to their hideout. And there, I waited until all the lights went out and I knew they were asleep. Then, grabbing a dead tree limb, I crept into the den, knocked each thief unconscious, and rescued the little girl.
"I knew we had to get out of the forest as fast as we could, before the thieves woke up, so I placed her on my back and ran through the woods back the way I had come. By the first light of dawn, the edge of the forest was in sight, but the teeth of that trap dug deeper and deeper into my leg muscles. Collapsing to the ground, I sent the little girl ahead and told her to bring back help. She was reluctant to leave me, but I convinced her that it was the only way to save us both. The girl kissed my cheek and promised to return with help, and then I watched her little legs hobble towards salvation.
"So there I lay, for hours and hours, the blood pouring freely from the gauges in my leg- I was still wise, though, and left the trap in my leg, or else I would have drowned in my blood before long. I lay on the forest floor for eternity, until the sun had reached its zenith in the sky and past, and I thought I should be forsaken and left to die there, soaking in my blood. But the girl had kept her word, and just as dusk was creeping in upon me, she came back, her parents and a pair of hunters with her. They carried me out of the wood, but when they moved my leg, now throbbing with pain, I fainted and remembered no more.
"It was days before I opened my eyes again, and immediately I knew something was wrong. When I sat up in bed- the hunters had a cabin up in those parts and were very kind to me the entire time I remained in their home- I realized what it was. Where my legs ought to have been, I saw only my left foot rising from under the covers. And that’s when I realized I had been so badly wounded that my right leg had been amputated. It was painful to see only that one leg, but I was thankful to be alive, and I knew there were worse things that could happen to me.
"I remained in the cabin with the two hunters for a month, just recuperating. But I thought my life, as I once knew it, was over. How could I live, without my leg? I admit, that first month was the moment of my deepest despair. But I moved on, and after that month was over and I had accustomed myself to moving around with crutches, I started to travel around the country, searching for some place to stay, but everywhere I went, no one would take me in or give me a job.
"That is, until I came to Resembool. It was an accident, actually! On the train, I met this major who told me about a mechanic who made automail prosthetics. It was a dream come true, to believe that I could have a leg again- walk again. I never knew that anything like that was possible. So I got off at Resembool, and with only a name to guide me, made my way to the Rockbells." Kenneth glanced over at Winry, a tender smile on his face. "They saved my life, this pair of amazing women."
"Hmm, and he’s been staying here ever since, too!" Pinako muttered affectionately around her pipe. "Freeloader."
Ed leaned back in his chair, unimpressed with the young man’s story. Though one aspect did interest him- "That major you met on the train. His name wouldn’t happen to have been Armstrong, would it?"
Kenneth turned to Ed. "Yeah, that was him. Big hulking fellow; kept bragging about old Armstrong traditions and the like. Weird, but he did tell me about this place, so I’m grateful to him."
Ed nodded. "What a small world," he said.
"You know him?"
"Yeah," Ed smirked, leaning his head on the heel of his hand. "Escorted me out here once, when I needed some maintenance done. So, actually, you owe me for ever hearing of the Rockbells. The only reason Major Armstrong knows about them is because of me."
Kenneth narrowed his eyes at Ed. "That so? Well I say I would have heard of them anyway. Who needs you, with the reputation they’ve got?"
"Where do you think they got it from, huh? Everyone else’s too chicken to get automail like mine; I’m the reason they’re known! No one would have heard of them if it weren’t for me!" They were starting to shout by this time, both rising from their seats.
"Oh, this is enough!" cried Winry, jumping from her chair and slamming her fists down on the table. "Will you both stop acting like children? Who cares where Granny and I got a reputation from. What matters is that you both heard of us and got fixed. That’s all that matters. Now can we all just settle down?"
Ed and Kenneth glanced up at Winry, eyes wide and mouths hanging open, then they nodded their heads quickly. "Yes ma’am," they said in unison, then turned to glare at each other. Winry sighed.
---
The next few days Ed spent visiting his acquaintances and old friends in Resembool. Winry and Pinako were busy working on Kenneth’s leg and Ed hated the guy too much to even think of spending his day with him. Besides, there were people that Ed had promised to see the next time he was in town. Den accompanied him on each trip.
Well, to be truthful, Edward did not really hate Kenneth, only the way Winry’s eyes watched him, and the way he smiled at her every time they passed glances. He hated how Winry called him "Kenny," and the way her face lit up each time Kenneth stepped into the room. It wasn’t exactly jealously; no, not that, even though Edward had come to Resembool for one thing only…no, it wasn’t jealousy. He just didn’t want to see Winry get hurt.
Besides, Kenneth reminded Ed too much of someone he once knew, someone who was of great irritation and nuisance to him. Ed didn’t hate that guy either, but some memories were less pleasant than others. Especially the height thing. Edward prayed that Kenneth was older than him.
But not too old.
On the third night, while Pinako instructed Kenneth in his new automail leg- don’t break it, be gentle on it, don’t break it, polish it well to keep it in condition, don’t break it, don’t be rash with it, and oh, don’t. break. it.- Edward pulled Winry into his guest room and shut the door behind him.
"Winry, it’s been four years," he said to her questioning face.
She nodded. "I know, Edward. I take it, then, that you’re here to fulfill your promise?"
Edward sat down on the bed and pulled Winry down next to him. "Look. You of all the people I know- I will ever know- understand me best. You understand me, and you accept me the way I am. You know my deepest secrets and my darkest sins. If I ever could marry anyone, Winry, she would have to accept those sins as a part of me, and love me despite them. If I could ever find someone who could- but the only person I know like that is you. That’s why, if you’ll have me, I’ll marry you, Winry. I don’t think I could care about anyone more."
Ed picked up Winry’s hand in his metal palm and squeezed it lightly. "But that’s not to say I’ll love you the way you ought to be loved. You’re my sister, Winry, if not by blood at least in spirit. I can guarantee that I will always love you, but as a person loves their other half, their soul mate- I’m not sure I can promise that, Winry. So, I release you from your promise, if that’s what you desire."
Winry gently wrapped her arm around Edward’s smaller frame, pulling him close. "Thank you, Edward. I love you too, Ed, but I don’t think I could ever marry you." She pulled back and smiled sadly. "I knew the moment I saw you in the kitchen why you were here, and I nearly hoped you had broken your arm again, because I understand automail so much more. It’s more concrete, and I didn’t want to break your heart, Ed. I don’t think I could have done that, if you hadn’t spoken first." There were tears in her eyes, something that made Ed’s heart beat fast with fear. What if she started to cry again? Would she say she was doing it for him, because she thought he ought to cry for his lost love?
But Winry did not cry. Instead, she smiled and kissed Ed on the cheek. "Anyway, I can’t marry you now. Kenny just asked me to marry him." She held up her hand, a small gold band encircling her ring finger.
"Does he love you?" asked Ed.
She nodded. "Yes, he does. And I love him, even more than automail, more than anything in the world!" Ed shook his head at her shining face. It wasn’t necessary to say- he could see it in her face, hear it in the tremors of her voice, feel the love like heat radiate from their smiles. Still, he couldn’t help but worry; the question came as pure instinct. After all, Winry deserved the best.
"Yeah, I suspected as much. Anyway, I’m glad you’ve met someone, Winry. And for what it’s worth, I suppose I approve." Winry frowned, earning a rare laugh from Ed. "C’mon, you don’t actually expect me to be happy, do you? He’s a stranger, and he’s been wooing my sister! Besides, you were always supposed to choose Alphonse," he said.
Winry laughed back. It was an old argument between the two brothers, who would marry Winry. She never knew who won, but she knew she could never choose between them. Apparently, so had Edward. "Both of you are like brothers to me. I could never choose one over the other. Besides, why Alphonse?"
Ed turned away, but Winry spied the betrayal of a smile at the corner of his lips. That little upturn of his mouth looked so sad. "Because then you really would be my sister. And I wouldn’t have to worry any more…"
"Edward?"
Ed stood up suddenly and walked towards the door. He placed his hand on the knob, then turned around. "I think we should celebrate your engagement! Dinner’s on you tonight!"
Winry leapt up from the bed and laughed. "But only if you drink your milk!"
"Winry!" She giggled and threw her arms around his neck.
"You know I’m joking, silly. C’mon, let’s go!"
---
The next morning, while the others were eating, Ed emerged from his room, suitcase in his hand, fully packed. Winry stood up, forgetting her cereal. "Edward? You’re leaving already?"
Ed nodded. "Duty calls. I have to report into Central tomorrow, so I figured I’d get in today so I could get settled. Sorry I’m leaving on such short notice, but I got the call just last night."
Winry hugged Ed tightly, tears in her eyes. "You come back soon, okay Edward? We don’t see enough of you." Ed gripped her shoulder tightly and gave her a grave smile. Then he walked through the kitchen door and was gone.
Winry sat back down and stared at her cereal blankly. Slowly, laughter bubbled up her throat and she quietly start to shake. Pinako glanced at her granddaughter, eyebrows up in skepticism. "What’s the matter?"
Winry, still laughing, said, "I get it now. Ed didn’t come here to marry me; he came to check up on me. And once he saw Kenny, he understood everything would be alright. Ed was just waiting for an opportunity to talk to me; he never planned to marry me." Pinako shook her head and Kenneth shrugged.
Winry stood up from the table and picked up the telephone. "I’m going to do something nice for Edward now."
---
Nobody knew that the Fullmetal Alchemist was coming into Central that day, so Ed didn’t expect to see any familiar faces at the train station, and if he did, just by coincidence (though he did pray not to see Mustang.) But as Edward stepped off the train that afternoon, in all that bustle he saw the one face that made his heart stop.
Chapter One- Without hesitation
This is the newly revised "Darling"! Though it so happenss I'm pretty happy with the original. Lucky that means posting here should be a snap! I only have to edit the chapters, not write them out. Anyway, you can read the whole thing at ff.net, under my user name Rowan and Sakura...or you can wait for me to post the new and improved chapters! Either way, I'll want to get feedback...it's only fair. Equivalency and all that...
Title: Darling- Chapter One
Type: Romance/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Elricest
Warnings: OCs, uber-long chapters, one-sided love?
Summary: Ed asks Winry to marry him in four years, provided she isn't marry by then. Four years later, Ed returns to Resembool to fulfill that promise...and that is only the beginning...
Dinner that evening commenced the glaring match between Ed and Kenneth, both determined to win. When Winry asked for the potatoes, both blindly reached for the bowl, their eyes locked as their hands fished around the table. Kenneth’s longer arms hit pay dirt and Ed’s glare intensified when Ken shot him a cocky smirk. Next Pinako asked for the string beans, which sat in front of Edward. The alchemist pounced on the plate and rudely shoved it towards the older woman, his turn to smirk. Kenneth shrugged, because while Ed grabbed the beans, he had refilled Winry’s water glass.
But Ed was not to be outdone. When Winry observed that the chicken was cold, he coolly clapped his hands together and touched the plate, reheating the meat with a blue flash. Kenneth’s eyes widened and Ed nearly won, but the brilliant show of alchemy merely lowered Kenneth’s fine eyebrows further down his forehead.
Winry tried the best she could to create harmony at the table, but finding suitable conversation that would involve both men proved difficult. In the end, she turned to the only thing she really thrilled discussing: automail prosthetics.
"You know, Edward, that I modeled Kenneth’s leg after yours," she said. "Of course, I had to make modifications, seeing how yours was the left leg and Kenny’s is the right, but both of you lost your leg right below the knee, so it was easy to do the conversion."
Ken smirked at Edward. "Ah, so that’s why they call you Fullmetal. A runt like you with such a heavy name; makes sense now."
Ed glowered across the table. "Not that that’s very original," he said in return. "You’re not the first to say that."
"So, you’ve got an automail leg, huh? Bet mine cost more, seeing how it needs more material," said Ken.
Edward opened his mouth to retort, but a look from Winry stayed his tongue. Finally, he shrugged and said, "Actually, I’m the Rockbell’s cash cow; I’m the reason why business is so good."
Pinako laughed from her end of the table. "You’ve got that right. Banged up his arm so much, we never had to worry about money!"
"A prosthetic arm too, huh?" Kenneth said. "What’d you do? Get into a fight with a lion for calling you crumbs?"
Edward was finding it extremely tempting to transmute Ken’s chair into a death trap, but sometime during the conversation, Winry had grabbed his right hand and was squeezing it tightly. He would have called it endearing, except she kept her eyes on Kenneth the entire time. "Well what about you?" he asked, choosing to ignore Ken’s question. "How’d you lose your leg?"
Winry turned her head to Ed, her eyes shining. "Oh, it’s a very interesting story! Go ahead, Kenny, you tell it so well."
Kenneth sat up in his seat and smiled at Winry. "Well, if you insist." He cleared his throat. "I was hunting in the woods one day when, in a thicket, I came across a little girl. She had been crying, for she had gotten lost in the woods and could not find her parents. I lifted the girl up on my shoulders and assured her that we would find her parents again. The girl gripped my hair in her little hands and said, ‘Mr. Ken, I have faith in you!’
"So we set out to find the girl’s parents. But dusk soon fell and we had not found anyone, nor any way out of the forest. So we had to sleep in the middle of the woods.
"Sometime in the middle of the night, I heard a struggle that roused me from my sleep and just in time, for a band of thieves lived in those woods and were kidnapping the little girl! I stood to chase after them, but discovered that one of the rogues had placed a bear trap at my foot, and when I tried to run after them, my leg got caught in the teeth! However, I promised the girl that I would bring her back, so I pulled the trap up from the ground and ran after them." Ken turned to Edward, a condescending smirk on his face. "I had decided that keeping the trap in would at least stem the flow of blood from the wound," he added, as though Ed had asked. "Anyway, despite my near-fatal injury, I managed to keep behind the thieves all the way back to their hideout. And there, I waited until all the lights went out and I knew they were asleep. Then, grabbing a dead tree limb, I crept into the den, knocked each thief unconscious, and rescued the little girl.
"I knew we had to get out of the forest as fast as we could, before the thieves woke up, so I placed her on my back and ran through the woods back the way I had come. By the first light of dawn, the edge of the forest was in sight, but the teeth of that trap dug deeper and deeper into my leg muscles. Collapsing to the ground, I sent the little girl ahead and told her to bring back help. She was reluctant to leave me, but I convinced her that it was the only way to save us both. The girl kissed my cheek and promised to return with help, and then I watched her little legs hobble towards salvation.
"So there I lay, for hours and hours, the blood pouring freely from the gauges in my leg- I was still wise, though, and left the trap in my leg, or else I would have drowned in my blood before long. I lay on the forest floor for eternity, until the sun had reached its zenith in the sky and past, and I thought I should be forsaken and left to die there, soaking in my blood. But the girl had kept her word, and just as dusk was creeping in upon me, she came back, her parents and a pair of hunters with her. They carried me out of the wood, but when they moved my leg, now throbbing with pain, I fainted and remembered no more.
"It was days before I opened my eyes again, and immediately I knew something was wrong. When I sat up in bed- the hunters had a cabin up in those parts and were very kind to me the entire time I remained in their home- I realized what it was. Where my legs ought to have been, I saw only my left foot rising from under the covers. And that’s when I realized I had been so badly wounded that my right leg had been amputated. It was painful to see only that one leg, but I was thankful to be alive, and I knew there were worse things that could happen to me.
"I remained in the cabin with the two hunters for a month, just recuperating. But I thought my life, as I once knew it, was over. How could I live, without my leg? I admit, that first month was the moment of my deepest despair. But I moved on, and after that month was over and I had accustomed myself to moving around with crutches, I started to travel around the country, searching for some place to stay, but everywhere I went, no one would take me in or give me a job.
"That is, until I came to Resembool. It was an accident, actually! On the train, I met this major who told me about a mechanic who made automail prosthetics. It was a dream come true, to believe that I could have a leg again- walk again. I never knew that anything like that was possible. So I got off at Resembool, and with only a name to guide me, made my way to the Rockbells." Kenneth glanced over at Winry, a tender smile on his face. "They saved my life, this pair of amazing women."
"Hmm, and he’s been staying here ever since, too!" Pinako muttered affectionately around her pipe. "Freeloader."
Ed leaned back in his chair, unimpressed with the young man’s story. Though one aspect did interest him- "That major you met on the train. His name wouldn’t happen to have been Armstrong, would it?"
Kenneth turned to Ed. "Yeah, that was him. Big hulking fellow; kept bragging about old Armstrong traditions and the like. Weird, but he did tell me about this place, so I’m grateful to him."
Ed nodded. "What a small world," he said.
"You know him?"
"Yeah," Ed smirked, leaning his head on the heel of his hand. "Escorted me out here once, when I needed some maintenance done. So, actually, you owe me for ever hearing of the Rockbells. The only reason Major Armstrong knows about them is because of me."
Kenneth narrowed his eyes at Ed. "That so? Well I say I would have heard of them anyway. Who needs you, with the reputation they’ve got?"
"Where do you think they got it from, huh? Everyone else’s too chicken to get automail like mine; I’m the reason they’re known! No one would have heard of them if it weren’t for me!" They were starting to shout by this time, both rising from their seats.
"Oh, this is enough!" cried Winry, jumping from her chair and slamming her fists down on the table. "Will you both stop acting like children? Who cares where Granny and I got a reputation from. What matters is that you both heard of us and got fixed. That’s all that matters. Now can we all just settle down?"
Ed and Kenneth glanced up at Winry, eyes wide and mouths hanging open, then they nodded their heads quickly. "Yes ma’am," they said in unison, then turned to glare at each other. Winry sighed.
---
The next few days Ed spent visiting his acquaintances and old friends in Resembool. Winry and Pinako were busy working on Kenneth’s leg and Ed hated the guy too much to even think of spending his day with him. Besides, there were people that Ed had promised to see the next time he was in town. Den accompanied him on each trip.
Well, to be truthful, Edward did not really hate Kenneth, only the way Winry’s eyes watched him, and the way he smiled at her every time they passed glances. He hated how Winry called him "Kenny," and the way her face lit up each time Kenneth stepped into the room. It wasn’t exactly jealously; no, not that, even though Edward had come to Resembool for one thing only…no, it wasn’t jealousy. He just didn’t want to see Winry get hurt.
Besides, Kenneth reminded Ed too much of someone he once knew, someone who was of great irritation and nuisance to him. Ed didn’t hate that guy either, but some memories were less pleasant than others. Especially the height thing. Edward prayed that Kenneth was older than him.
But not too old.
On the third night, while Pinako instructed Kenneth in his new automail leg- don’t break it, be gentle on it, don’t break it, polish it well to keep it in condition, don’t break it, don’t be rash with it, and oh, don’t. break. it.- Edward pulled Winry into his guest room and shut the door behind him.
"Winry, it’s been four years," he said to her questioning face.
She nodded. "I know, Edward. I take it, then, that you’re here to fulfill your promise?"
Edward sat down on the bed and pulled Winry down next to him. "Look. You of all the people I know- I will ever know- understand me best. You understand me, and you accept me the way I am. You know my deepest secrets and my darkest sins. If I ever could marry anyone, Winry, she would have to accept those sins as a part of me, and love me despite them. If I could ever find someone who could- but the only person I know like that is you. That’s why, if you’ll have me, I’ll marry you, Winry. I don’t think I could care about anyone more."
Ed picked up Winry’s hand in his metal palm and squeezed it lightly. "But that’s not to say I’ll love you the way you ought to be loved. You’re my sister, Winry, if not by blood at least in spirit. I can guarantee that I will always love you, but as a person loves their other half, their soul mate- I’m not sure I can promise that, Winry. So, I release you from your promise, if that’s what you desire."
Winry gently wrapped her arm around Edward’s smaller frame, pulling him close. "Thank you, Edward. I love you too, Ed, but I don’t think I could ever marry you." She pulled back and smiled sadly. "I knew the moment I saw you in the kitchen why you were here, and I nearly hoped you had broken your arm again, because I understand automail so much more. It’s more concrete, and I didn’t want to break your heart, Ed. I don’t think I could have done that, if you hadn’t spoken first." There were tears in her eyes, something that made Ed’s heart beat fast with fear. What if she started to cry again? Would she say she was doing it for him, because she thought he ought to cry for his lost love?
But Winry did not cry. Instead, she smiled and kissed Ed on the cheek. "Anyway, I can’t marry you now. Kenny just asked me to marry him." She held up her hand, a small gold band encircling her ring finger.
"Does he love you?" asked Ed.
She nodded. "Yes, he does. And I love him, even more than automail, more than anything in the world!" Ed shook his head at her shining face. It wasn’t necessary to say- he could see it in her face, hear it in the tremors of her voice, feel the love like heat radiate from their smiles. Still, he couldn’t help but worry; the question came as pure instinct. After all, Winry deserved the best.
"Yeah, I suspected as much. Anyway, I’m glad you’ve met someone, Winry. And for what it’s worth, I suppose I approve." Winry frowned, earning a rare laugh from Ed. "C’mon, you don’t actually expect me to be happy, do you? He’s a stranger, and he’s been wooing my sister! Besides, you were always supposed to choose Alphonse," he said.
Winry laughed back. It was an old argument between the two brothers, who would marry Winry. She never knew who won, but she knew she could never choose between them. Apparently, so had Edward. "Both of you are like brothers to me. I could never choose one over the other. Besides, why Alphonse?"
Ed turned away, but Winry spied the betrayal of a smile at the corner of his lips. That little upturn of his mouth looked so sad. "Because then you really would be my sister. And I wouldn’t have to worry any more…"
"Edward?"
Ed stood up suddenly and walked towards the door. He placed his hand on the knob, then turned around. "I think we should celebrate your engagement! Dinner’s on you tonight!"
Winry leapt up from the bed and laughed. "But only if you drink your milk!"
"Winry!" She giggled and threw her arms around his neck.
"You know I’m joking, silly. C’mon, let’s go!"
---
The next morning, while the others were eating, Ed emerged from his room, suitcase in his hand, fully packed. Winry stood up, forgetting her cereal. "Edward? You’re leaving already?"
Ed nodded. "Duty calls. I have to report into Central tomorrow, so I figured I’d get in today so I could get settled. Sorry I’m leaving on such short notice, but I got the call just last night."
Winry hugged Ed tightly, tears in her eyes. "You come back soon, okay Edward? We don’t see enough of you." Ed gripped her shoulder tightly and gave her a grave smile. Then he walked through the kitchen door and was gone.
Winry sat back down and stared at her cereal blankly. Slowly, laughter bubbled up her throat and she quietly start to shake. Pinako glanced at her granddaughter, eyebrows up in skepticism. "What’s the matter?"
Winry, still laughing, said, "I get it now. Ed didn’t come here to marry me; he came to check up on me. And once he saw Kenny, he understood everything would be alright. Ed was just waiting for an opportunity to talk to me; he never planned to marry me." Pinako shook her head and Kenneth shrugged.
Winry stood up from the table and picked up the telephone. "I’m going to do something nice for Edward now."
---
Nobody knew that the Fullmetal Alchemist was coming into Central that day, so Ed didn’t expect to see any familiar faces at the train station, and if he did, just by coincidence (though he did pray not to see Mustang.) But as Edward stepped off the train that afternoon, in all that bustle he saw the one face that made his heart stop.
Chapter One- Without hesitation
This is the newly revised "Darling"! Though it so happenss I'm pretty happy with the original. Lucky that means posting here should be a snap! I only have to edit the chapters, not write them out. Anyway, you can read the whole thing at ff.net, under my user name Rowan and Sakura...or you can wait for me to post the new and improved chapters! Either way, I'll want to get feedback...it's only fair. Equivalency and all that...