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Ed woke up that day in a good mood, he had made good progress on his Cretan alchemy research last night. He was planning to spend the day with Al. He needed a good sparring match; his body felt stiff after sitting and reading all of yesterday.
He found Winry sitting on the couch, a book in her hand. He smiled wider, moving towards her, opening his mouth –
She was holding onto her stomach, and biting her lip. She looked in pain. He frowned. His eyes went to the calendar on the wall beside him. Yeah. It was the day. He sighed, bracing himself for a long few days.
“Good morning, Winry,” he said, ruffling her hair a bit.
“Morning, Ed,” she said grumpily, shooing his hands away. He made his way to the kitchen, starting the tea on the stove before making coffee for himself. The herbal tea helped with cramps, he'd read that somewhere.
He watched her from the corner of his eye. He poured the tea in a cup, with coffee in another, and walked towards her. He handed her the cup wordlessly sitting by her side, drinking his own coffee. She sipped her tea quietly, still reading her automail journal.
He reached behind her and pulled her slowly, making her lean on him. She closed her eyes, relaxing in his hold.
“What’s your schedule for today?”
“Hm… I have some orders, one of them needs to be done by tomorrow. I swear Matthew is just as bad as you were. What is he even doing with his arm? He has an exam in the afternoon tomorrow, needs it done by then,” Winry said, looking up at him with half-lidded eyes.
“That’s rough,” Ed said quietly. She should rest today! Dammit. They continued sipping their drinks in silence, his hand making circles on her shoulder lightly.
She sighed. “I should get to it now.” He took her cup from her.
He knew there was no chance of him talking her into rest today, Winry didn’t leave her clients like that. Even when it hurt to work like that.
“What do you want for lunch?” He knew her answer already.
“Pasta,” she said without skipping a beat.
“No, Winry. That’s not healthy enough for you. You need iron, not just carbs.” Winry glared at him. She really looked menacing! He glared back.
“Fine! Why did you ask then?” Winry snapped.
“I’ll make beef stew. You love it, you know that,” Ed said, heading for the kitchen. Winry huffed and went to her workroom. He knew she liked it, maybe not as much as pasta but still. He had perfected the recipe from Izumi, then upgraded it by adding some of Granny’s tricks.
He might be better than Izumi now, not that he'd ever say so to her. He shuddered as he started chopping meat. He pulled out some spinach from the fridge quickly blending it and putting it to the side. Winry wasn’t a fan of spinach, he usually had to hide it in her food. Such a baby. He shook his head, chopping some vegetables.
Al entered the kitchen when he was almost done, smelling the stew.
“Smells nice, brother. You can open your own restaurant someday.” Ed snorted.
“You and Winry will be bankrupt if I do that.”
“You'd charge your own brother and girlfriend?!” Al put his hand on his heart and gasped dramatically.
“Don’t be such a drama queen, Al.”
“It’s done, go set the table,” Ed said wiping his hands. “I’ll go get Granny and Winry.” Al nodded, moving to get the dishes.
Ed knocked on Granny’s door. She mostly worked in her room or just read on her bed. Sometimes she went out to meet her friends… drinking buddies. Old age was getting to her, she didn’t work on automail much now. He opened it to find her asleep. He sighed. “Granny?” He shook her shoulder lightly.
She opened her eyes, “What?” she said curtly.
“Lunch is ready. You don’t want any?” Ed joked lightly. She got up and pulled out her pipe, hurrying out of the room. She must be hungry too.
Ed followed her out, turning towards the room down the hall.
He found Winry with a wrench in hand tightening a screw, hissing and cursing under her breath. Her grip looked too tight.
“Lunch is ready, Win,” he said as softly as he could, knowing she could snap anytime at him.
“Okay.” She continued working on the screw.
“Winry? Come on, get up now.” He tried taking the wrench from her, she might throw it at him, better to get it out of the way.
“Go away, Ed! I am working.” She took it out of his hand. Now that he focused, he realized that she was not tightening the screw, she was trying to pull it out.
“Um… Can I?” Well yeah, he could at the very least unscrew things.
Winry looked up and glared harshly. He flinched – She must be in pain.
“What? You saying I can’t do it myself, Edward?” Full name, he was in trouble now.
“No, you can do it yourself. I know that, um… maybe you are just tired,” he started hesitantly. “And I know you are in pain so… I can help?” He knew she hated it when he pointed out her pain. Ridiculous.
She narrowed her eyes as he kept smiling, sweating a bit. Then she handed him the wrench. He took it and turned the screw, oh it was actually stuck. Well, he was strong. Stronger than your average man. But he knew strength wasn’t enough here, he could break something.
“Tilt it a bit down and then try forcing upward while rotating,” Winry told him grumpily. Three things at the same time? Ok he could do it.
At last, yeah he did it. The screw was deformed and it was concluded it couldn’t be used ever again. He got a wrench in the head as evidence of his half-failure. But he was finally able to get her out to have lunch!
They found Al and Pinako already at the table eating.
“Got distracted, Brother?” He teased. Ed stiffened, trying to talk him down with his eyes.
“What do you think of us, Al? Huh? I was working on an arm, Dammit!” Winry snapped at Al, glaring daggers, he flinched back. Ed sighed.
“Sorry Winry. That wasn’t nice of me,” Al said, guilty. Ed knew Al could also see Winry was just in pain and was actually apologetic. Pinako just kept eating keeping an eye on Winry.
“It’s ok, Al.” Winry rubbed her head, serving herself the stew. Ed added one more spoon for her wordlessly.
They kept eating in silence after that, Al sometimes breaking it to talk about Xing, Winry and Ed listening excitedly.
They all got up after that, Winry walking towards her workroom,
“You should lay down for a while?” he suggested. It came out as a question.
“No need, Ed. I want to complete the arm fast.” Well, he understood. The kid needed it. And she was right to want it finished fast — her cramps would only worsen from here, and better to get it done before they did. But…
“Sitting hunched like that for hours cuts off blood flow to your lower back and pelvis — it'll tighten everything up and make the cramps hit harder later. You should rest for a while every so often.” He said wisely like he had many times before. He knew that she understood her body better than him but she could sometimes be ignorant of her own health!
“Drop it, Ed.” She scowled and walked towards the workshop. She was just too stubborn. He sighed.
He walked into the workshop sometime later, settling a heating pad against her lower stomach. She looked up at him in thanks, moving it in a better position.
“I’ll be out training with Al. Call me if you need anything.” He smiled at her, and then leaned in to peck her forehead. It felt kinda warm. Great. Now her temperature was also rising a bit. He held his hand over her forehead.
She sometimes got a low fever during her periods. He didn't know why. It seemed to be different for everyone. It didn't feel worrying, and it was a hot day anyway. She swatted his hand away, shooing him out the workshop.
Al came at him with a feint low, then swept high – Ed caught the strike on his forearm. Automail muscle memory. Then shoved back. Al staggered a step in the dirt.
Ed glanced at the workshop, yet again. “She’ll be fine Ed.” Al told him, striking at him again.
Ed shot him a look. “I know. But she is in a lot of pain, it may get worse later.” They both knew that.
“Hey! She has been having periods for years now. It’s normal.” Al tried. Ed landed a punch on his jaw.
“Yeah, But it doesn’t mean it’s not hurting her,” Ed snapped sharply. Al sighed, landing a kick. He blocked it.
“I swear, you both act the same when she is on her period. But you become such a docile pup for her, if only Mustang could see how to rein you!” Ed kicked him hard at Mustang’s name.
***
Ed could see Winry was acting weird today. He was lying on the work bench while she worked on his arm in silence. He’d just need a tune up and had come this morning. She was biting her lip and looked unfocused,
“Are you alright, Winry?” he asked glancing at her.
“Yeah, I think it’s just a stomach bug. My stomach hurts.” He nodded. It made sense.
“You can rest then. I can wait.”
She continued feeling his arm for any screw that needed adjustment. “It’s fine, really. It’s not that bad.” He let her keep working.
Then she stopped. Her eyes widened, face going white then red. “Winry?” He sat up.
She bolted out.
He blinked. Al entered at the same time.
“Um… Did you two fight or something?” Al asked, eyes on the door.
“No, Why do you even think that? She just ran out suddenly!” he yelled, getting up to walk out after her. Al’s armor clanking beside him.
What’s even going on with her?
They reached her room, standing in front of the door wondering what could be wrong.
He heard muffled cries from inside. Ed opened the door running inside. Al behind him.
They found Winry sitting on the floor against the wall, her knees bent, face buried. Tears were flowing from her eyes.
***
Winry looked up to find Ed and Al in her room, crying even more at that. She was mortified.
She got her first –
In front of Ed of all people? Shit!
She knew it was normal. She was thirteen. She knew what to do, why it happened, all of that. She had read loads of medical books. Pinako had also explained all about it to her a few years ago.
But knowing it didn’t make it easy. She kept her head down not looking up at Ed who was kneeling beside her, shaking her shoulder, panicking.
“What is it, Winry? Are you hurt? Where? Your stomach?”
Al hovered over her, “Winry? Say something, why are you crying?” Al asked, worried.
Ed tried to get her knees down, scanning her for injuries.
His eyes widened. “You’re bleeding?” he said pointing to her pants. Her face turned red, more tears leaked from her eyes. She shoved him away, pulling her knees up again “Go away, Ed.”
He stood startled for a second. His face blanked. Then he blushed.
Oh shit! She was having her – He could tell it was first time for her. Why was she crying like this though? Does it hurt this bad? He didn’t remember his mom crying every month!
What should he do?
He looked around frantically. Granny wasn’t at home. Just our luck. He turned to Winry again. Her face was very red, still crying. Was she embarrassed?
He felt embarrassed too, seeing your best friend like this does that to you! But why was she?
He looked up at Al, who had gone silent. He could imagine him pale. Great!
He was the oldest one. He needed to handle this.
So, he started reciting what he read in the books.
"It's just blood loss from the uterine lining shedding, it's completely normal, it happens to basically every girl once she hits a certain age, there's nothing wrong with you, it's not an injury, it's not—"
“I know all that, Ed!” she snapped, shutting him up. She glared at him fiercely, tears still running. Of course she did. But what could he do then? Why won’t she stop crying?
“It’s ok. Winry. You’re alright.” Al tried as Ed remained silent.
“I know it’s ok!” she snapped again, burying her head in her knees
“Then why are you crying, Winry?” Ed asked confused, putting his hands on her shoulders, urging her to look up at him.
“I-I don’t know” she yelled, her eyes red from crying.
“Does it hurt that much?” he asked concerned. It wasn’t supposed to… right? She lifted her head fully now.
Ed? What’s going on with him? He’s not weirded out? He was explaining it to her?
She realised how ridiculous it was to be this embarrassed. Yeah! It was normal.
And these two were her best friends.
“No, it doesn’t hurt that much. It hurts but it’s not too much.” She wiped her tears, trying to explain.
“Then what is it?” Ed asked frowning.
“Nothing, Ed, really. I was just being stupid.” She sniffed. Then Ed’s arms were around her.
She stiffened. Ed didn’t hug her much!
She hugged him back.
“Don’t be stupid then. No need to be embarrassed too. It’s just… normal,” he said softly.
Then he released her standing back, a bit unsure what to do now. At least she’d stopped crying.
Winry’s eyes widened. Ed turned to her sharply. “What is it?”
“Um… I don’t have anything. Don’t know if Granny has any.”
“What do you need, Winry?” Al asked, his childish voice echoing in the armor.
“Um… you know -“
“Sanitary pads” Ed said without thinking, he remembered reading it somewhere. Then he turned red.
She blushed and nodded. "Okay.” Ed stood, jaw set with the grim determination of a soldier accepting a mission. "I'll go get some. Al, come on."
"Me?" Al's armor gave a startled clank.
"You're not making me do this alone."
Which was how the Elric brothers ended up standing in front of a lady at a chemist shop, twenty minutes later. This should be it.
“Um… Do you have any…” Al tried.
“Well, ya know, we wanted um…” Ed stuttered. He was red as a tomato.
“What do you want?” The woman looked at Al oddly.
“Um…ya know…” Ed had no idea why he was this embarrassed, maybe because he had never done this before. Al looked the same as him.
“Sanitary pads.” They said at the same time. Both realising they were being ridiculous. There was nothing to be embarrassed about.
"And where's the girl? Sending boys to buy this for her?" She frowned, pulling a box off the shelf. Ed just glared at her. What did she mean?
"It just happened. What was she supposed to do, walk here herself?" Ed snapped. He could feel Al glare at her too.
They headed back to the house, feeling rather proud of themselves. Ed handed Winry the box wordlessly.
***
Ed wiped up his face with a towel, moving out of the bathroom. It was a nice spar, he was feeling relaxed now. He checked the time and frowned.
He went to the workshop to find Winry still hunched over the arm. She was pale now. She was gritting her teeth one hand pressed to her middle as other kept working on the arm. He crossed to her, pulled out a chair.
“Winry? Can you please stop?” he pleaded.
“No, Ed. I need to finish this.”
“Lie down for maybe thirty minutes? Fifteen?” He looked at her concerned.
“It’ll be done soon, don’t worry.” A whimper escaped past her lips. His chest tightened at that. He picked up the heating pad which had gone a bit cold and went out to refill it.
He came back with the heating pad and his books, settling beside her to read. She sighed as warmth relaxed her a bit. Ed tried to read. He glanced up at every gasp. His own jaw was tight.
He hated this. And he couldn’t even do anything for her. Why did she have to go through this every month? Well, was the pain necessary for this important biological process? He knew, it was just the outcome of the process itself. But couldn't there be some other way?
Finally, she looked up at him. He put down his books.
She got up, setting the heating pad aside, and cried out at once. Ed caught her shoulders holding her, as she gripped his arms tightly, gritting her teeth. She relaxed a bit as her cramp passed and her body unclenched. Standing up abruptly like that after sitting for hours did that to her. He should have reminded her to get up slowly!
She walked out the room, him following her. It was dark outside.
She went to her room, and plopped down on her bed. Ed looked at her as she curled up on her side. He pulled the covers over her, pecking her cheek, which felt warmer still.
“I’ll go get you dinner.” She nodded.
He came back to find her in the same position, her eyes tightly shut, whimpering softly in between.
He sat down by her bedside and settled the tray beside her.
“Winry?”
“Hmm,” she murmured.
“I got you dinner, can you sit up a bit?” he asked gazing down at her.
She turned her head towards him, then rolled onto her back, “Take it slow,” he told her gently, knowing that sudden movements hurt her.
He pulled out a pillow settling it behind her head so that she was still lying down mostly. She looked up at him then moved to grab a spoon. He placed his hand over hers, putting it back on the bed, picking up the spoon himself.
He blew on the spoon and fed her. She just smiled at him. He smiled back. He took a spoon for himself as she chewed. She closed her eyes.
He saw that the heating pad was lying beside her, he reached for it and settled it over her stomach. Then he continued to feed her. She shook her head a bit saying no.
“Just two more spoons, Win.” She nodded, opening her mouth.
He wiped her mouth with his thumb, and took the tray out. He looked through the fridge, he had gotten some chocolates for her in the afternoon. I swear, if Al’s eaten – He found them in the door, he must have forgotten.
He picked out a chocolate bar and went back to her room.
“Winry! I got you chocolate.” She perked up at that.
“How did you know I wanted chocolates?” she asked excitedly sitting up. He pushed her down by her shoulder gently.
“I’m just amazing,” he said cheekily. He gave her the bar, tearing it a bit for her. She ate happily.
He sat beside her.
He threw the wrapper in the dustbin. She shifted, curling into herself again. She was still whimpering and gasping in between. He wanted so badly to hold her close but it may hurt her. He gritted his teeth. It would be better in the morning… right?
She looked up at him. “Um… Can you lie down with me?”
He lay down beside her, it was awkward as she was still curled up.
“C-can I lie on you?” He was confused. It wouldn’t exactly be comfortable for her, he wasn’t soft.
“Are you sure? I don’t mind, but I’m not exactly bed-material.” He was actually toned, it may feel hard to her, she was just too soft.
“I want to.” She said softly.
He helped her shift onto her stomach against him. She looked up at him, smiling, then sighed and closed her eyes.
She placed her head on his chest.
He settled one arm around her shoulder and other on her lower back, kissing her forehead. He started massaging her lower back slowly, he'd read that it helped. She exhaled, relaxing more into him.
He kept looking at her, not moving an inch.
After a while the door opened. He looked up, eyes leaving Winry, his hand still circling on her lower back.
He saw Al open his mouth to say something. Ed put a finger to his lips and motioned at Winry with his eyes. She was finally falling asleep.
Al just smiled at him and moved towards them quietly, placing the covers over both of them. Then he turned off the light and left the room, slowly closing the door.