Chapter Text
Ed wiped his forehead and brought the hammer down again. The damn plank wouldn't stay down. And if it wasn't the plank, it'd be some new leak! The sun overhead wasn't helping the matters in the slightest.
He’d been at it since the morning having taken a leave. The fence was fixed, the shelf in the workroom too, and the garden was finally free of weeds.
A crash rumbled through the house. Then a shriek.
He dropped the hammer, jerking his foot back just in time, and rushed down the ladder, somehow managing not to just jump off the roof.
His feet pounded across the wooden floor as he ran for the workshop.
“Wha-” he panted bracing a hand on the doorframe.
Winry wasn’t there. All he could see was a mountain made exclusively of automail parts. The shelf he'd fixed that morning tilted above it, on the verge of falling. At least the shelf hadn’t snapped.
So, the crash was these parts. Where was Winry? She had shrieked!
He got his answer as a groan from inside the mountain.
Shit! He flung the parts aside digging his way in.
Winry was half-sitting on the floor, glowering at the ground. She rubbed her back, a bruise blooming on her forehead. She actually looked like she was in her natural habitat with all the metal around her.
“Are you hurt?” Ed kneeled beside her, pulling her upright. He couldn’t see any other obvious injuries. Must have ducked in time. He checked her head more carefully. Concussion?
“Hey!”
A concussed person couldn’t be that loud. Could they? There was no blood anyway.
This woman was going to give him a heart attack one day. He’d die of a heart attack after fighting the homunculi and a god. Great.
He tapped her forehead. She winced.
“Put ice on it!” he ordered.
She shooed his hand away.
“Later.” She jumped up on her feet. Okay, she looked fine. She would be whining if she wasn’t!
She yelped. He shot up and caught the shelf that was about to come down on her head. She sighed and took a step back like this happened every day.
“What did you do, gearhead?” he asked, pushing the shelf back into place and dusting off his hands.
“I didn’t do anything. A whole shelf fell on me! I was just sorting out the parts,” she complained while glaring up at the shelf.
“You should be careful! You could have been hurt!” he scolded very calmly. He was calm!
“You’re one to talk, Ed!”
“At least you could have asked me for help!” he yelled back.
She jabbed a finger at him, wrinkling her nose. “You in my workshop.” She waggled the finger in front of his face. “No, never.”
What? She didn’t trust him?
He pouted and folded his arms.
She stretched her arms, wincing a bit, and sat down to sort out the parts. “At least now I won’t need to get them down.”
“See? You should have called me!” He grinned. “I’m tall!”
“You’re not that tall, Ed!” Winry commented, inspecting an automail arm.
“What?! Who are you calling a microscopic organism you can't see with the naked eye?!"
She rolled her eyes, not looking at him.
He poked her arm to get her attention. “Winry!”
“What?”
“You’re ignoring me!” he snapped.
She shook her head, still focused on her task.
He groaned in irritation. “By the way, I’m a head taller than you, in case you forgot!”
She giggled, throwing a part away. He stared at her, resting his chin in his palm.
“What were you doing?” she asked after a moment, tapping his nose. “Stop scowling!” He shot her a glare. He wasn’t scowling!
“I was – right – I was fixing the roof. Will get back to it.”
“Don’t fall from the roof! And don’t you dare get hurt from the hammer,” she warned.
He waved her off and headed for the door.
“Be careful,” he shouted from the doorway.
***
He opened the closet and pulled out his suitcase, still half-packed from Creta. Clothes went in first, thrown in by the armful.
The books were packed in a separate suitcase already. He couldn’t fit in all of them. Fine, he could buy more. He grinned at the prospect. Winry wouldn’t be able to complain!
He rummaged through the drawers sorting out stray papers.
His hand closed around something small and shiny. The Flamel charm Winry had given him a while back.
He shoved it in his pocket and went back to folding everything in the suitcase. He'd learned after his first couple of trips that everything fit better when he packed it properly.
He was done in thirty minutes. Not like he had much to pack.
He meandered to Winry’s room. She had been in her workshop all day, packing her tools and organizing the automail parts there.
She stood beside her bed, hands on her hips, scowling at the clothes littered across it.
He had always known she liked having a big variety of clothes - something about colors and getting bored wearing one thing - but this was absurd!
“Hey! All this won’t fit in the bag!” Well, she should leave some here too.
“I know that, Ed! I’m trying to decide what I should take with me.”
“You really like making a mess.” He eyed the pile. He'd never seen her wear most of these. He wasn’t good at remembering clothes so he might be wrong. Might be.
“It’s easier to sort this way!” she huffed and puffed up her cheeks cutely. Cute? Fine, whatever.
“Need help?” he asked tentatively. On a closer look, he realized that many of these “clothes” were coveralls, half of them torn.
“You can fold them and put them in the bag as I pick.” Wait. Was he being used?
“What? Shouldn’t you pack yourself?”
“It’s boring, Ed!” she whined.
“So apparently I'm only good for boring stuff?!” He glared at her.
“Well, you do boring things the whole day – your paperwork is boring, you read boring books and… You’re just a boring person!”
Yeah, paperwork was boring. He wasn’t a boring person!
“My books aren’t boring! And you like me!”
She rolled her eyes. “You can get out if you don’t want to help.” She picked up a top, inspected it and threw it on the bag.
He groaned, sitting down to start packing as she kept throwing her things at him. Yeah, she really thought he was her personal servant.
“You’re done with your packing?” she asked.
“Yeah, not everyone is like you.” She flung a coverall over him.
“This one is fully stained, you don’t even wear it.” He tossed the coverall back at her head.
She glared, peering up from the cloth. “So what? I may need it!”
“We can buy a new one!”
“I have too many coveralls, idiot! No need to buy more.”
“So, pack the ones that are actually wearable!” he retorted, scowling for emphasis.
He was winning! She groaned and dramatically fell down on the clothes.
“Fine!” she yielded.
She got back to packing after more of her tantrums. Maybe she was actually nervous about leaving.
She passed him the dresses they had bought in Creta, making him smile.
“I don’t think I’ll ever have the chance to wear them,” she mused, looking at them. He had realized that later. Such a pity.
Maybe he should buy her clothes that she could wear on a regular basis.
“You can roam around wearing them at home. I don’t mind.” He smirked.
Her hands stopped and she blushed. He smiled innocently. She silenced him with a bundle of coveralls.
Finally, they were done after two hours of arguing. Packing. Whatever that was. He had to talk Winry into leaving some of her coveralls as she fussed over their sentimental value. Clothes? Sentimental value? They weren’t even alive!
He was glad she had started packing early! They had a train to catch.
“Granny! Are you sure you’ll be fine?” she asked again, hugging her tightly. He rolled his eyes, exasperated.
Well, he was also a bit concerned. Leaving an old woman alone did that to you! She wasn’t just an “old woman” though. She was Granny.
“I will be fine!” Granny insisted, patting Winry on her back awkwardly.
Winry released her, still looking kinda frazzled.
“Um…Are you sure? You can move in with us,” he tried again, for what felt like the millionth time.
“Of course! I can’t leave Resembool!” she said firmly. He sighed.
“I swear you two are acting like I am an invalid.”
Winry plodded into her workshop to check things there again after a minute or so.
“Take care of her,” Granny said suddenly. She was serious, glaring at him when he peered down at her. He swallowed and scratched the back of his neck. The old hag sure was scary!
He straightened up and answered earnestly, “Of course. No need to ask.” He shot her a smile for good measure.
She smiled, startling him. Then she slapped him on the back, almost proudly.
“Let her take care of you too.”
***
Winry stared out the window distractedly. He had to admit it did feel…different?
He had left Resembool countless times like this but today it felt final, like they were genuinely leaving which was weird because they would keep coming back!
Maybe because this time Winry was with him? Or because they would be going away long term?
He shook his head, glancing at Winry again. Winry had never left Resembool for more than two months. Not like this. She made frequent trips to Rush Valley, usually staying with Paninya. They'd stayed at an inn once, when he came back from Creta.
They had more luggage this time – both of them. He had two suitcases, one crammed with books and research. She was carrying an even heavier tool box.
He glanced around. Not many people, and no one was looking. He looped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. She sighed and settled her head on his shoulder.
***
The first apartment they tried was on the second floor, two streets away from Garfiel’s.
“The color of the wall is off,” Winry remarked, tapping her chin.
“What’s wrong with it?” He squinted at the wall. Yellow was a nice color.
“It’s too bright!”
“Doesn’t look bright to me!” Well, she did have a point. It was a bit much on the eyes. But he wasn’t about to tell her that.
“Go get your eyes checked,” she quipped.
“Maybe you should try wearing your glasses,” he shot back.
“They are for automail repairs, moron!” He knew that of course. He went to check the room in the corner.
“I don’t think this room’s big enough,” he said seriously.
“Looks fine to me.”
“You’ll need space for your tools and parts. And I don’t think I’ll have any space for my work table.”
She glanced around the room again and grimaced. He grinned. She gritted her teeth.
“Let’s look for another place.”
They had tried four apartments so far. Some were too small, others too big.
They had started from their rented inn at the crack of dawn for apartment hunting.
“Let’s get this one!” he announced. He had better things to do than this!
She had her brows scrunched up, staring at the lease document.
“What now?” he groaned.
“I think the rent is a bit too much for this.”
“Is it?” He looked at the papers. Not too much. More than normal? Not that he had any idea about rents. “It’s fine, Winry!”
She glared at him, shutting him up.
The next one had a very small kitchen. Winry was fine with that. But he needed space to cook! And he liked having Winry with him while he cooked so it was out.
There had been no arguments over this apartment. The kitchen was big with space for a dining table just in front leading the way to the hall. He liked the hall too – it was spacious. He could even spar with Al there!
“I think we should have more rooms,” he said seriously staring at the doors of the rooms.
“Why? There are three rooms. One can be workspace, one can be for Al or Granny. And the other one for us.” She tilted her head. Us? She kicked in her sleep! But fine. No, his cheeks were okay. It was the sun. Right, sun.
“Well, what about a guest room? What if we don’t have enough space?” It was possible!
“Do you really think we are going to have that many guests?” Well, no, when he thought about that.
“But there is no space for my books!” He pointed to the room Winry had selected for herself – them.
“You can take a corner in the workroom. And it’s not like you’re not gonna build shelves in the bedroom!”
And they were done.
They plopped down on the floor. It had been a tiring day. He groaned, remembering he would need to go to work tomorrow. At least it was just a two-hour ride.
He scanned the apartment. They needed to buy so many things!
“First, we need a bed. I won’t sleep on the floor!” Winry exclaimed.
“We can go back to the inn to sleep.”
“We should save money, Ed!”
“Why? It’s just a small amount!”
“Still!”
“You can just use me as a bed. But what about me?” he whined. Somehow, she could sleep on him comfortably. He had no idea how!
“Ed!” She blushed and punched him on the shoulder.
“It’s true!” He laughed as she tried to hide her red face in her hands.
He pried her hands away, still chuckling, and pulled her in for a kiss. She shrieked against his lips but then kissed him back.
***
Ed took off his shirt and slumped into the couch. He was glad he didn’t need to deal with Mustang anymore! At least Clemin wasn't a smug bastard like him. He was some different kind. Ed would figure out the type later.
They had managed to get a couch and a bed yesterday. He pulled out his pocket watch. Winry must be at Garfiel’s.
She always got swarmed with clients for some days when she came to Rush Valley. Most of them were eager for their automail to be looked over by her. Some wanted to catch up.
He got up and glanced around the kitchen. They had been eating out, with no time to shop, let alone cook.
Did she have lunch? Couldn’t blame her if she didn’t. She must be swamped with orders. She had even gone to the shop before him.
Fine. Groceries.
He came back with grocery bags and a pan, a spatula, and two spoons. Enough to survive on. For now.
She should be back soon, he thought, looking at the pocket watch he had hung over the fridge. They should buy a wall clock too.
He cracked an egg into the pan. Fried rice would have to do. He hadn't bought enough for anything bigger.
He pulled out one of his books from the suitcase to read and settled back down on the couch. He hadn’t been able to begin the investigations or raids today. It would be tricky with Clemin and the others not knowing about his other job.
He still answered to Mustang but if he went poking around South City too much Clemin would raise questions. Well, let him. It wasn't like he was committing a crime or anything.
After a while, he put the book down. It was getting late now!
He knew Rush Valley was safe and the shop was just some buildings away but still she shouldn’t be out till this late.
He would just need to drag her out of the damn shop!
He opened the front door to find Winry standing there, keys in hand.
“Oh, you’re back?” she asked in surprise.
“Of course!” he exclaimed, taking her hand and pulling her inside. She was exhausted – her eyes drooping closed as she staggered in.
He steered her to the couch, patted her head, and turned for the kitchen. She grabbed his sleeve and pulled him down beside her.
“Hey! Let me get something to eat first.” He was hungry too!
But she just leaned into him until he toppled back onto the couch, then settled on top of him and closed her eyes. Yeah! Bed.
He shook her shoulder. Was she asleep?
“Just wanna sleep,” she murmured groggily.
“You need to eat first!” He tried to get up. She whined and held on tighter.
“Don’t wanna.”
“You can sleep after eating.” He finally wriggled free, easing her down onto the couch. She groaned, her eyes closed.
She was snoring softly against the cushions when he came back with the plates. He had no idea where to put them! They should get a table too.
He placed them on the floor for now. The couch wasn’t safe, not with her feet anywhere near it.
Her forehead shone with sweat, her cheeks covered in grease. Her hair was sticking out everywhere. He still had no idea how someone could look this beautiful while being such a mess.
There was no use in shaking her – she wouldn’t wake up – so he sat her upright as she groaned. Her head bobbed and she peeked through a half-closed eye. He dropped down beside her so she couldn’t tip over again.
“Eat now,” he ordered, handing her the plate.
She shot him a glare before picking up her spoon.
After they’d eaten, Winry leaned against his shoulder, talking quietly, the empty plates at the foot of the couch.
“We can go and sleep, Winry,” he said, cutting her off. She shook her head and continued, her eyes closing.
Soon her words slurred, and her head dropped into his lap. She was fast asleep, her cheek pillowed on her hands.
He smiled and bent down to pick up his book from the floor. Winry didn’t even stir. He found his page and picked up where he’d left off, one hand stroking her hair. She sighed in her sleep and burrowed closer. He’d have to carry her to bed soon.
For now, this is… nice.