Chapter Text
Ed was sure the hill had gotten steeper since he'd been away. The path had definitely gotten more gravelly. He hadn’t messed up his automail that bad! He clutched his leg through his pant and kept walking.
A twig snapped under his foot, making Ed kick it away. They should fix some lights here – it was damn hard to see in the dark!
He moved more of his weight to his right leg and trudged up the path, hoping no one would see him limping.
Some thugs had decided to try to rob the bank today. He'd landed too hard on his automail leg jumping off a building after them. He had kept walking the whole day, paying it no mind, obviously. But now it hurt and he was late.
Winry was going to kill him. He brushed his fingers over the shallow cut on his forearm. A stupid thug had managed to nick him with a knife.
He sighed in relief when he reached the Rockbell house and opened the door trying not to make any noise. The hall was empty, a book lying on the couch with some papers stacked on the table beside it.
He went to his room and changed out of that damn uniform quickly. It was a bit tricky with his leg stiff and his stump throbbing at every movement. His shirt was ruined; he'd need to buy another, since he only had one left. At least the coat was fine. He never wore it anyway.
He glanced at the wall clock and headed for the workroom, working up the courage to face her wrath.
He found Winry working on what looked like a blueprint, papers strewn around on the table and floor with some automail parts.
Maybe she was in a bad mood – he was done for. He swallowed.
He crept up behind her and peered at her table. Her writing looked messy – she usually wrote very neatly. He wanted to bend down and hug her from behind but his leg wouldn’t let him and she’d know!
Finally, she turned around in her chair, pulling him out of his thoughts.
“Ed! Why are you standing there?” she exclaimed, smiling broadly.
“Um… I just… you know… I-” He had known her since he could talk and he still couldn’t get out a single sentence. It was just too hard to lie to her. Not like he could get away with that.
She raised an eyebrow, and her eyes dropped to his leg. She was out of the chair before he could blink, reaching out to pull up his pant leg. Yeah, she knew him too well.
“What did you do to my automail?!” she snapped. He yelped when her hand brushed his stump.
“No, I didn’t do anything! I mean yeah kinda but it was those thugs! They made me jump!” He waved his hands in front of him.
She stood up. “Your knee joint is stuck. You dislocated some gears I think.”
He straightened up and braced himself. The wrench was surely coming, or a yelling match. He preferred the yelling.
“Why do you have to be so careless, Ed?” she asked wearily, her palm pressed to her forehead. He blinked. How was he supposed to respond to that?
“S-sorry?” He almost never apologized for his automail and she never expected him to. But she hadn’t yelled!
“You got into a fight?” She narrowed her eyes, inspecting him from head to toe. He shifted uneasily under her gaze.
He nodded stiffly and tucked his arm behind him instinctively.
She snatched his arm and tugged at the sleeve. She went still when she found the bandage.
“Remove your shirt!” she ordered.
“Oh, no need! It’s – it’s bandaged! I got it checked.” He smiled nervously not wanting her to fret more.
“Take it off,” she growled. He flinched and took it off hastily.
She took his forearm in her hands and checked the bandages, her lip coming between her teeth. He waited for her with bated breath as she fussed over it.
She released it after a long moment. He sighed in relief.
“The thugs?”
“Yeah.”
“You hit them, right?” She glared at him. Or the thugs?
He grinned. “Of course!”
She nodded still looking unsettled. Such a worrywart!
“You need to learn to take better care of your leg,” she murmured, eyes back on the automail.
She was sad? Over his leg and a scratch? Why? At this point they were used to his leg breaking or him neglecting it.
“I don’t need to, I have the best mechanic in Amestris.” He coaxed a smile from her. Or tried to.
Her head jerked up, then she looked away. "I'm not," she said quietly.
What?
“What is it, Win?” he asked tipping her chin up. Her dark circles hadn’t gotten any worse. Something recent then?
“We can talk later, Ed. Sit down. I’ll get the tools.” He nodded, tugging his pant leg down and pulling his shirt back on as he limped to the bench.
She would talk to him only when she was done with his leg. He hoped he hadn’t messed it up too badly today.
She bent down beside him, and started pulling out the screws and the plating.
He sat with his legs stretched before him and watched her frown at the insides of the automail. They always remained silent during tune-ups and maintenance. In recent years, he had gotten into a habit of staring at her when she worked, not that she seemed to notice.
She was focused, her hands deep inside the leg adjusting something. Gears? The wires? Whatever. He didn’t feel much except occasional tingle in the connected nerves.
She was thinking – he could almost hear gears turning in her head. Gearhead. But she said she would talk, he just needed to wait.
Come to think of it, she'd sounded tense on the phone yesterday too. Almost nervous.
He gripped the bench when she disconnected the nerves. She peered up at him in apology as he glared at her. She never warned him! Something about it hurting more if she did.
She put his leg down beside him and started adjusting the wiring.
Her screwdriver was in her mouth like one would hold a pen. He had told her a hundred times not to do that!
He braced for the reconnection, knowing she would connect at the count of two.
She reconnected at one instead. He gritted his teeth feeling the nerves connect. He had gotten used to it now but it still hurt like a bitch.
“You should relax for a moment!” Winry pushed on his shoulder to get him to lay back down.
He shook his head, the pain dimming now.
He took a deep breath and asked in a voice that left no room for argument. “Now tell me what it is.” He pulled Winry to sit beside him, swinging his legs to the side.
She looked at their joined hands for a moment before she spoke. “W-Well, I have decided to move to Rush Valley. I think it’s good for me to expand my work. I have been working more on designs than the real thing nowadays. I need to be where the work is.” She was talking even faster than normal.
She had been commuting between Rush Valley and Resembool for over a year now. Garfiel mailed her orders whenever she was here, and half her time went on posting them back and forth, which meant late nights to make up the difference. She'd be less overworked if she moved. Or maybe not. But –
“That’s great, Winry!”
“But I would need to leave you and Granny! I would need to leave my home. I don’t want to, Ed.” She looked even more distraught.
“What if you break your automail and I’m not here? What if something happened to Granny when-“ Her eyes widened, but she continued as a tear slipped from her eyes.
“Maybe it's alright you can come to her but I would see you even less! You are in Central half the time already. You’re so bad at calling and now I’m-“ more tears slipped from her eyes making him panic.
“Winry!” he yelled cutting her off. She sure had a tendency to overthink and fret over small things! “It’s fine. Granny will be fine. Like you said I can check on her. And Rush Valley is not that far, Winry. I’ll call you and I can come to see you! I will ask that bastard for leave if I have to.”
“Okay,” he added. “Maybe you’ll see me less. But it won’t be worse than my state alchemist days.” She cried a bit harder, hiccupping now. Okay, very wrong thing to say.
He pulled her into a hug, settling her head on his chest. “Don’t cry!” he exclaimed, his eyes going wide. She wasn’t stopping!
He patted her head, keeping an arm around her shoulders. He hated seeing her cry!
“Winry, please don’t be sad? We’ll figure it out,” he said awkwardly. He would!
Her breath evened out after a moment, some stray tears still there on her cheeks. He wiped them off – maybe not as tenderly as he wanted to but she didn’t mind.
He kissed her softly, tilting his head down, his palm cradling her cheek. She reciprocated, her arms looped around his neck.
After a moment, he felt one more tear fall on his cheek. He pulled back, and scowled. “I said don’t cry!”
She glared back. “I’m not!” She still had that stupid weary expression but she wasn’t crying. He sighed, pulling her close again.
Maybe spending all day in the workroom didn't help her mood.
“You shouldn’t start crying on me like that, Winry!” he said seriously.
“I can’t help it sometimes, Ed!” she snapped. He pecked her forehead, making her smile. If only he could make sure she never cried.
***
Ed strode to Mustang’s office, his steps thumping on the floor. He slowed down when he saw the door.
His hand hovered over the handle. He grudgingly decided not to kick it open today.
“Hello, Fullmetal.” Mustang smirked. Ed threw his reports on the desk absently. Oh, he was supposed to be nice! Whatever.
“Records show a lot of hidden research sites in the South,” he blurted out. Mustang raised an eyebrow.
“I found chimera research in some papers recovered there, disguised as a newsletter by a former State Alchemist. She was trying to find ways to alter the nervous system.” To control it. He felt a shiver run through him, remembering the three months he'd spent piecing her research together.
“There are still some labs and hideouts that haven't been cleared out, a few in the East and West too. I’m not sure about North. I didn’t find much there.”
“But most of them point to the South,” he repeated, hoping Mustang would finally respond.
“I read your reports. You already got her license revoked. What are you getting at?” Mustang actually looked confused, his eyebrow still raised.
"D-don't you think I should go South?" Ed said, a little too quickly. "I need to investigate there," he added, more seriously.
“You can if you deem it necessary for your research,” Mustang commented dryly.
“I mean don’t you think it should be for longer?” he conceded. The lengths he went for that girl.
Mustang steepled his fingers under his chin and studied Ed like a puzzle.
“Rush Valley,” he stated. Ed flinched. How did he know?
He regretted his decision to join the military for a split second. He should never have said yes! He could have become a househusb- houseboyfriend for Winry. It would have made everything easier. He was good at cooking too!
“Why should I approve your transfer, Ed?” Mustang drawled, clearly enjoying this.
“Because it is beneficial for us?” Ed said, all business. It was!
“Are you sure that’s the only reason, Fullmetal?”
Ed nodded.
“Okay, I was going to transfer you South soon anyway.”
Ed gaped. He’d gone through all this trouble for nothing?
Mustang signed a sheet and slid it across the desk. “We can do other paperwork later.”
Ed took it and walked out in a daze.
He closed the door behind him and then realized, oh! He could go with Winry now!
He jumped, then checked the corridor. Empty. He let out a breath. He tugged his shirt straight, undid the top two buttons, and walked back to his office.
Ed hurried through his paperwork, hoping he could make it home today.
His workload had finally eased off by the time he was done with that cursed research. He was glad. Winry worried less now.
He still had all the absurd Colonel duties, and the investigations ticked along in the background. Not that he had much to do there right now. Most of the records were coming up clean.
He twirled his pen in his hand looking at the paper in front of him. This area was secluded – good for hidden experiments.
No one had bothered searching the South. Even he and Al hadn't, back when they were hunting the Stone. It was more machine-focused with automail and all. But alchemists could be anywhere.
“Sciezka?”
“Yes, Colonel Edward.” He rolled his eyes. He had asked her to call him Ed, and in the end she came up with “Colonel Edward.” Even Edward would be better! Colonel made him sound way older than he was.
“Can you bring me records about a Southern Alchemist named Ottmar Krenz?” He knew she had the whole inventory in her mind. She would be quick.
“Yes sir.” She saluted and went outside.
Winry would be happy when he told her about his transfer! He was awesome. He patted himself on the back mentally.
“Looking happy, chief,” Havoc commented, grinning.
Ed schooled his expression and snapped, “None of your business.”
***
Winry was staring at the pan with disdain, like it had personally mocked her automail. Ed lingered at the dining table. He leaned over to peek at the pan– she had been making eggs which were now black. He edged up behind her trying not to alert her.
She turned around when he was about to hug her from behind. She shrieked when he caught her by the waist and lifted her clean off the floor. He laughed, twirling her around.
"Ed! Put me down," she protested, wriggling in his grasp.
He did, after a moment. She kissed his cheek, beaming. She still had lines on her forehead.
“You’re back a day early!” she exclaimed.
“You’re not happy to have me back?” He pouted, trying not to grin.
“I am!” she shot back, then narrowed her eyes, “You look like you’re in a good mood.”
“Oh? I don’t know about that.” He kept his face straight.
He pointed at the burnt scrambled egg, raising an eyebrow.
She glared at him before he could tease her. “I just got distracted!”
“Sure you did,” he commented smugly. She bristled.
“I’ll be back.” He bolted to his room to get out of his uniform.
He came back to find Winry stirring the eggs rather reproachfully. Her last attempt sat at the side of the counter. Poor eggs.
“Move away. Let me do it,” he said, snatching the spatula from her hand.
“I can do it! You go and rest.” She tried to take it back, glowering.
“We’ll run out of eggs if you keep this up,” he said, keeping it out of her reach.
She slammed a plate down on the counter and stormed out of the kitchen. He rolled his eyes. She could be such a drama queen.
He strolled into the hall, plates in hand. Winry sat on the couch fuming, looking like an angry kitten. No, puppy. Kittens were Al's thing.
She was cute when she was angry. Not always, though.
“Come on, Win. Edward Elric the extraordinaire has made you eggs!” he announced, smirking.
She didn’t laugh. She narrowed her eyes.
He frowned and passed her the plate. So much for making a joke. Whatever, she’d be happy soon.
“So, you do want me away,” she said quietly.
“Hm?”
“You’re happy that I’m moving out, aren’t you, Edward? Now you won’t need to deal with me daily – half a week! Good for you,” she said bitterly.
Is she out of her mind?
“What are you talking about, you moron?” he yelled indignantly.
“Well, you don’t look bothered in the least about it! Anyone would think you don’t care!” she snapped, throwing the plate on the table. So, he didn’t care. Right.
Ed took a deep breath. Handle this maturely. Yup.
“You really are an idiot,” he muttered.
“I’m getting transferred to the South!” he yelled. Screw handling it “maturely.”
She stared at him, stunned into silence.
“What?”
“How?” she whispered.
“Most of my leads point South.”
“Oh? So, you got transferred?” She scratched her forehead.
He nodded, picking up the spoon.
“Isn’t it kinda sudden?” she asked sceptically. He coughed on the eggs.
“Um… Maybe. But it happens, you know.”
She watched him for a long moment before tackling him in a hug. He nearly dropped his plate and only just got it onto the table.
He hugged her back, stroking her hair.
“Thank you, Ed.” She pulled back and smiled.
Why the hell were tears beading in her eyes?
“Hey! Why are you crying now?” He cupped her cheeks, glaring at her.
“I’m not! And we decided I can cry tears of joy, remember?”
He smiled, then pulled her back into his arms, hugging her tightly.
“We’ll be leaving Granny,” she murmured into his chest.
“We can take turns coming back here. We’ll work it out. Just relax now.”
“I don’t know how to tell her.” She slumped further into him.
“You haven’t told her?”
“I’m scared, Ed. I know she won’t mind but…” she trailed off.
He felt bad about leaving the old hag alone too. She'd taken him in when he was a kid, and he'd grown to care about her. Not that he'd ever admit it.
It must be hard for Winry…
***
Ed had barely stepped through the door when Den launched himself at him. He dropped the suitcase just in time to catch him.
He scratched behind Den's ears until the barking turned into tail-thumping. Den licked his cheek. Gross, his face was still covered in train dust.
He glanced up. Winry was pacing the hall, cursing under her breath.
“Ed!” she whined and threw her arms around him. Now she looked like a kicked puppy.
“You didn’t tell her?” Ed asked, hugging her back.
“I can’t. Whenever I open my mouth nothing comes out!”
Ed would have found it amusing if she wasn’t distressed. Usually he was the one who couldn't get the words out. At least she didn’t put her foot in her mouth like him. Did she now? When he wasn't there to hear it? Damn. He'd missed all of it.
“You need to stop overthinking and say it! It’s just Granny,” he said sagely.
“It’s Granny, Ed!” she pointed out, starting to pace around the room again.
Winry peered at him over her plate nervously. He tried to reassure her with his eyes. Was it possible to talk with eyes?
Maybe he should learn telepathy. He could talk like this with Al. Mostly. This was different anyway.
She knew what he was saying! It wasn’t like there was much else to say.
Tell her now! he ordered in his head, nodding at her.
The timing was perfect. He'd made beef stew especially for tonight. Granny loved it, though she'd yet to admit it. She would. One day.
Winry looked downright miserable, biting her lip and glancing between him and Granny. He took her hand under the table and smiled at her.
She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak. Yes! Finally!
But then she closed it again, her eyes turning to him helplessly. He brushed his thumb over her knuckles.
Granny cleared her throat. “Can you two flirt later?”
She knew they were not flirting! Obviously.
They both still turned red.
“What is it, Winry?” She crossed her arms.
He encouraged Winry with his eyes, You can do it, Win! How unscientific.
Maybe it worked. “Granny…I-“ Oh, it didn’t.
“Say it already, Winry,” Granny barked, rapping her pipe on the table.
Winry flinched. She looked like a kid caught stealing candy. Not that she ever had.
He tried his eyes again, with a smile – half-smile this time. Granny was scary, alright.
“I’m moving to Rush Valley,” she mumbled.
“That’s all?”
“Yeah?” Winry said, perplexed.
“From the way you two were acting, I thought you were pregnant," Granny said dryly. Then she sighed in relief.
Ed and Winry both recoiled, snatching their hands apart. It wasn’t even possible!
He wanted to crawl under the table and never come out. Seriously, what did this old hag think of them?
Well. They had been sleeping in the same room. But he wasn't about to explain that to her!
“So, where are you going to live?” she asked, making both of them jerk up.
Winry peeked at him timidly, then turned back to Granny, still blushing.
“Um… I was planning to find an apartment. I have enough funds to afford one now.”
“When are you planning to leave?”
Winry whipped her head toward Ed. He hadn’t told her when his transfer was!
“In a week,” he answered before he could stop himself. Winry started to nod, then slapped her forehead.
“A week?” Granny raised an eyebrow. Shit! He swallowed and nodded.
“How is work, Ed?” she inquired, taking a drag from her pipe.
Why did it feel like he was getting interrogated? He was even starting to sweat. It was just a question!
“It’s great. I have made a lot of progress and I may need to go South-“ He clamped his mouth shut.
Him and his big mouth. He really needed lying lessons from Mustang.
Winry pinched his elbow under the table.
“South, huh?” He was done for. Why had she never tried for the investigation department? He'd recruit her if she asked.
He nodded stiffly.
“When are you going South?”
Another attack.
“In a week.” Why was his damn mouth betraying him? For some reason, Granny had always been good at getting things out of him.
“Are you going to stay with Winry then?” He nodded.
“Actually, I got transferred to the South,” he admitted, giving up. Winry shook her head.
Granny just nodded and went back to her stew.
“Are you going to be okay, Granny?” Winry asked quietly.
“What do you take me for? I raised you both myself. I can handle it.”