Work Text:
INT. THE RESEMBOOL KIDS’ APARTMENT, KITCHEN- DUSK
WINRY- a young woman with light blonde hair up in a messy bun- and ALPHONSE- a tall young man with short golden blonde hair- are in the kitchen of their apartment making the final preparations for dinner. Alphonse takes a plate and serves himself when EDWARD- a shorter young man with long, golden blonde hair in a braid- walks into the apartment.
WINRY
Hi Ed!
ALPHONSE
How was class?
EDWARD
Fine. I’ve got a lot of work, so I’ll just eat dinner in my room.
Edward takes the plate that Alphonse was holding and heads into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
WINRY
He’s always working. Is his course load that bad?
ALPHONSE
I think it’s the research that’s stressing him out. He spends most of the day in the lab, he hardly has time for homework.
WINRY
Does he ever take a break? He hasn’t even had dinner with us this week.
ALPHONSE
At least he’s eating dinner.
INT. THE RESEMBOOL KIDS’ APARTMENT, BOY’S ROOM-DUSK
Edward is sitting at his desk with his laptop open and is working out problems in a notebook. The dinner plate sits on the corner of the desk. He has only taken a few bites. Behind him is a big whiteboard covered in formulas and chemical balancing equations. Winry knocks softly on his bedroom door. Edward doesn’t even look up from his work.
EDWARD
Not now, Winry.
WINRY
Ed, is everything all right?
Edward turns to Winry with a fake smile.
EDWARD
Everything’s fine. Now leave me alone, will ya? I have a lot of homework.
He turns back to what he was working on.
WINRY
Okay, I’m just making sure you’re not upset with me or Al or anything.
The idea is so shocking to Ed that he drops his pencil and turns in his desk chair toward Winry.
EDWARD
What? Why would I be upset with you?
WINRY
I don’t know, that’s why I wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong. You never hang out with us anymore.
EDWARD
I’m just busy, that’s all.
WINRY
If that’s the case, will you at least take breaks? Even if it’s just to sit down and have dinner with us.
EDWARD
I’ll try. But not tonight. The Colonel has us doing so much in the lab…
WINRY
The Colonel?
EDWARD
That’s what the guys in the lab call Roy, since he’s in charge of the project. We’re all just doing a lot in the lab to make sure our project is ready for this big science presentation. It’s really exciting stuff, actually.
WINRY
And your homework?
EDWARD
Yeah, I usually don’t have time to start it until I get home in the evening.
WINRY
Are you doing a lot of writing? Do you give your right hand a break?
EDWARD
What’s with all the questions?
WINRY
I know you, Ed. You tend to overwork yourself and ignore the signs of injury until it becomes too painful to bear.
EDWARD
I’m fine, all right? Now will you please let me work on this?
WINRY
Fine.
Winry leaves the bedroom and Edward goes back to what he was working on.
INT. THE RESEMBOOL KIDS’ APARTMENT, KITCHEN- DUSK
Alphonse is sitting at the kitchen table waiting for Winry to come back.
ALPHONSE
Did he kick you out?
WINRY
Yeah. He won't listen to me.
ALPHONSE
That’s Ed for ya.
WINRY
I know but…
ALPHONSE
But?
WINRY
Never mind.
There is a knock at the front door. Winry goes to answer it. It’s LING- a tall young man with long black hair in a ponytail. He leans on the doorway nonchalantly.
LING
Hey neighbor! Can I steal a cup of sugar from ya!
WINRY
Sure thing!
Winry gets a measuring cup and scoops a cup of sugar. She hands it to him.
LING
Thanks!
WINRY
No problem!
Ling then proceeds to eat the sugar straight out of the measuring cup.
LAN FAN (yelling from down the hall)
Ling! You can’t just down straight sugar!
Ling runs down the hall away from Lan Fan.
LING
You can’t stop me!
Winry shuts the front door and returns to the dinner table.
Alphonse and Winry finish their dinner. Alphonse takes Winry’s empty plate to the sink and washes it for her. Winry leans on the counter.
ALPHONSE
What?
WINRY
Why won't he take care of himself? Or ask for help when he needs it? And he’s so frustrating whenever I try to make improvements to his prosthetic leg. Is it me?
ALPHONSE
Come on, Winry. It’s not you.
WINRY
Then does he think not asking for help makes him look stronger?
ALPHONSE
I don’t think it’s that. I think he’s just so used to being independent that he doesn’t think to ask for help. And he’s so passionate about chemical physics and the things he’s studying that he just goes non-stop. That’s just how he’s always been.
WINRY
Doesn’t he realize that he wouldn’t have to worry about pain in his wrist, or migraines, or anything else like that if he just tried to take better care of himself?
Alphonse rests his hand on his fist and smirks.
WINRY
What’s with that face?
ALPHONSE (Teasing)
Nothing, you’re just really worried about him.
WINRY
Well, of course I’m worried about him! I-
ALPHONSE
Like him?
WINRY
Oh, come on.
ALPHONSE (Sing-songy)
You like him!
WINRY
Shut up, Al!
Edward suddenly emerges from his bedroom and storms into the kitchen.
ALPHONSE
Hey, what’s up?
Edward rolls his eyes and goes straight to the cupboard. He grabs a bottle of pain reliever with his left hand.
ALPHONSE
Writer’s cramp again?
Edward struggles to open the pain medication.
ALPHONSE
Need help with that?
Winry slips behind Edward and grabs the pain medication from him.
EDWARD
Hey!
Alphonse makes a hand sign to Winry to say “nice”. Winry opens the bottle for him and pours out a couple pills for him. Edward relents, softening up to Winry.
EDWARD
Thanks.
Edward swallows the pain reliever. Alphonse wiggles his eyebrows and heads toward his bedroom.
WINRY
Shut up!
EDWARD
Huh?
WINRY
Not, you. Alphonse.
EDWARD
Ah.
Edward heads back toward his room.
WINRY
Not so fast.
Winry grabs Edward by his right arm.
EDWARD
Ow!
WINRY
Thought so!
EDWARD
Winry, what the hell? That hurts!
WINRY
You’re developing a repetitive stress injury in your hand and wrist. I told you, you’re overworking yourself!
EDWARD
Winry, let go of me!
WINRY
You have to rest it and ice it! Or do you want to lose your movement in your right hand?
EDWARD
Lay off, will ya? Quit yelling!
WINRY
Well, it’s the only way I can get anything through your thick skull!
EDWARD
You calling me stupid?
WINRY
Yes! You’re the biggest idiot and I’ve been trying and failing to get through to you! Why don’t you listen to me?
Edward is silent and wide eyed. It’s a fairly long pause before Winry breaks the silence.
WINRY
Edward?
EDWARD
I… Winry, will you help me treat my wrist?
This time, it’s Winry that’s stunned.
WINRY
Yeah… Go sit on the couch, I’ll go get some ice.
INT. THE RESEMBOOL KIDS’ APARTMENT, KITCHEN- DUSK
Edward sits down on the couch. Winry sits beside him. Edward rests his arm on Winry’s lap, and she applies an ice pack to it.
EDWARD
Winry, I never meant to make you think I wasn’t listening to you. I just… I made it this far taking care of myself. Even if I wanted someone to take care of me, I wouldn’t dare ask, for fear of being an inconvenience.
WINRY
You’re not an inconvenience.
EDWARD
I know. But, everything’s so hard for the both of us already. I just don’t want you to think you have to do everything yourself.
WINRY
Why don’t you take your own advice for once?
EDWARD
Touché.
WINRY
Independence is not the same as isolation. You can count on me to be there for you. I’ve always been able to count on you. That’s only fair, isn’t it? Equivalent exchange, or whatever?
EDWARD
It’s different than equivalent exchange, don’t you think?
WINRY
How so?
EDWARD
Our motivations.
WINRY
What do you mean?
Edward lifts his left hand to Winry’s face and cups her cheek.
EDWARD
I hate to see you cry. That’s why I’m always there for you. That’s why I’m coming up with dumb stuff to get you out of the apartment and cheer you up.*
WINRY
And I hate to see you in pain.
Their faces are closer together.
EDWARD
So then… we both take care of each other, expecting nothing in return?
WINRY
Yes, I think that’s what we’ve been doing this whole time.
EDWARD
Then… what does that say about us?
WINRY
Well, it’s safe to say we’re more than just friends.
EDWARD
How much more?
WINRY
How much more would you like?
Edward closes the gap between them and kisses Winry.
EDWARD
That much more.
They both blush bright red, but then Winry kisses Edward.
INT. THE RESEMBOOL KIDS’ APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM- NIGHT
After icing Edwards wrist, Winry has wrapped it in an elastic bandage. Edward has fallen asleep, his head on Winrys lap, and his hand on his stomach. Alphonse steps out of his bedroom. Winry holds her finger to her lips.
ALPHONSE
You’re still up?
WINRY
I think I might just have to sleep here. I don't want to move and wake him.
ALPHONSE
Like when a cat falls asleep on your lap. I guess this means you finally got to him?
WINRY
He passed out from exhaustion. But yeah, I think we’ve finally come to an agreement.
ALPHONSE
An agreement? Does that mean you’re together now?
WINRY
I think so.
Alphonse smirks.
ALPHONSE
Hurt/comfort works every time.
WINRY
Well don’t act so smug. If this lasts, you’re going to have to find new roommates.
ALPHONSE
Crap.
END.
Artwork by me, E. D. Hawkins (@hawkin_headlines on Instagram)
No art reposts please. Do not use my artwork without permission.