FMA: Gilded (Ultraviolet)
Twenty-first chapter of Gilded! First chapter can be found here, with links to later parts.
Title: Gilded
Prompt: Ultraviolet
Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist (manga/Brotherhood)
Word Count: 493.
Rating: PG
Summary: In which Al and Winry have a talk.
Warnings: SPOILERS through to the end of the manga/Brotherhood. I've been advised by evil_little_dog to warn for "incessant cuteness" as well. :)
Author's Notes: The "closet incident" to which Al refers took place in chapter eleven, " Kiss".
Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist and all associated characters, settings, etc., belong to Hiromu Arakawa-san. The only profit I make from this work of fiction is my own satisfaction and, possibly, the enjoyment of others.
Al was a little surprised to find Winry lying in the grass with her eyes closed, arms behind her head as she soaked up the warmth of the sun, but he didn’t say a word as he dropped to the ground next to her. She didn’t open her eyes, but she did move one of her hands to his hair, ruffling it in greeting. “I need to talk to you,” he blurted, and was surprised to realize she’d spoken at the same time. They both laughed easily; she was, after all, his oldest and best friend besides his brother, and they understood each other very well. “You first?” he suggested, cowardly grateful for the brief reprieve.
“Mmm.” She rolled onto her stomach to face him, visibly steeling herself. “Al, Ed and I… we’re seeing each other. Romantically.”
He grinned lopsidedly at her. “Winry, I know that. Don’t you remember the closet incident?”
She flushed but barreled on. “I wanted to tell you, though, because I didn’t want you to be - to be hurt or anything.”
“Winry, I do love you.” Her eyes widened in horror and he fought back a grin. “Like a sister! No offense, but the thought of kissing you - ew.” Al didn’t conceal his shudder. “It’s safe to say that I got over my crush on you a long time ago.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, reaching out to tug at his hair. Her relief was obvious. “I tried to tell Ed that, but he was convinced that we were going to break your heart.”
Al shook his head. “Brother’s always thought that I was more fragile than I am.”
“I know the feeling.” They shared another smile. “So what did you need to tell me?”
He fidgeted. “Um, I got a letter… from Mei. She asked me to come to Xing - t-to study alkahestry!” he added quickly when her smile deepened to a grin.
“Uh-huh. And are you going?”
“I think so - yes. I want to help people, and alkahestry’s a good way to do that.”
“Good.”
“You really think so?” Al asked, suddenly uncertain. He did want to go - for more than one reason - but he’d never been without either Winry or his brother for so long. And he knew neither of them would be going to Xing with him.
“I want you to do what makes you happy, Al. If that means running off with a Xingese princess…” He ducked his head, hiding his blush as well as his grin. “Then I’m all for it.” She stood, brushing the grass off her clothes, and he rose as well. “Oh, I’m going to miss you!” Winry flung her arms about his shoulders and he hugged her back fiercely.
“I’ll miss you too.”
She pulled away, smiling despite the glisten of tears in both their eyes. “Now come on. It’s almost time for supper, and I know you don’t want to miss it.”
“Never!” he answered, and followed her back home.
TBC ( Part 22 - Value)