FMA: Gilded (Want)
Twenty-third chapter of Gilded! First chapter can be found here, with links to later parts.
Title: Gilded
Prompt: Want
Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist (manga/Brotherhood)
Word Count: 495.
Rating: PG
Summary: In which some people stay up late.
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/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 yawned as he passed the open door to the den, drowsily intent on getting a glass of water before he returned to bed. Then he blinked, reviewing what he had looked at but not really seen, and backtracked to peer into the den, where he was greeted by the sight of Winry sitting on the couch reading. What had taken Al aback was the presence of his brother with his head in Winry’s lap, a soft smile on his sleeping face. The fingers of Winry’s left hand slowly ran through his hair; her right held the latest issue of her Monthly Mechanic.
“Winry?” he said curiously.
The magazine lowered to reveal a smile identical to his brother’s on Winry’s face. “Shhh,” she whispered, gaze flicking down momentarily.
Al lowered his voice as he walked towards them. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”
“I’ll be fine.” Her smile broadened. “I don’t want to wake him when he’s so peaceful.”
“He’d be mad if he knew he was keeping you up for no reason.”
“Good thing he’s not awake to make my decisions for me, then,” she replied lightly. “And I wouldn’t say it’s for no reason.”
Al cocked his head to the side, his confusion clear.
Winry set the journal down on the armrest and reached out to caress his cheek. His cheekbones were still plain for anyone to see, but he had gained more weight in the Rockbells’ home than he had at the hospital - and on better food, he often informed them. “Don’t you get it, Al?” she asked softly. “I’ve been waiting for you to be able to feel this - for Ed to be relaxed enough to stay with me like this - for years. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing, nowhere I’d rather be, than spending time with the two of you here.” Then she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Now, go to bed.”
Al’s lips parted, but he found he couldn’t say much more than, “Okay, Winry. Good night.”
She settled herself into the couch, picking up her magazine again. “Good night.”
Al cast one glance back at her content face, then smiled himself. It’s good to be home, he thought firmly as he made his way back to his room, water forgotten.
~-~-~-~-
“You’re such a sap.”
Winry swatted him, eyes on her magazine. “Oh, shut up.”
“So is Al, for believing that crap.”
“It’s not crap, Edward,” she replied, still not looking down at him. “I was being serious.”
He was quiet for a moment as he peered up at her from his horizontal - and thoroughly comfortable - position. Her gaze remained fixed on her reading, but there were two small spots of color high on her cheeks. “I’m sorry for worrying you,” he said, not for the first time.
Finally she let the magazine fall. “I know.” Then she was smiling again. “Now, where were we?”
And Ed let her grin meet his own as she bent down to kiss him.
TBC ( Part 24 - Xenophile)