Fic - Grow Old Along With Me
Nov. 13th, 2011 10:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessTitle -- Grow Old Along With Me
Author--![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cornerofmadness
Disclaimer -- Arakawa owns them, not I
Rating -- teen
Characters/Pairing -- Ed/Winry Al, Mei
Timeline/Spoilers -- post 108, no real spoilers unless you don’t know what happens to the brothers at the end.
Word Count -- 4,389
Summary -- He was so very nervous about it all
Author’s Note -- written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
fireandice2011 for the prompt ‘flower crowns’ Much to my surprise and delight I won first place. Thanks to everyone who voted for me. I'm so glad you liked my story. The title is from a Robert Browning poem.
banner by evil_little_dog
XXX
Ed wiped the sweat beading on his forehead. It was an unprecedented moment. He had beaten Winry back to Resembool. He’d returned from comparing notes with Teacher and playing with Ethan, the boy they had adopted, one of the many left orphaned in the battles surrounding the Promised Day. He’d never seen Izumi look so happy.
Winry had been in Central with General Jackass discussing the idea of setting up a clearinghouse for the soldiers so they could easily find the best automail mechanics and avoid the ones with complaints against them. He worried a little that she might want to set up shop there herself and he’d have to go to the bastard’s parties for muckety mucks even though he was well and truly retired from the military. His pocket watch was somewhere gathering dust in Granny’s house.
The old biddy had sent him to go meet the train, telling him it would arrive at noon. Winry wouldn’t want to miss the Longest Day festival. He had missed these a lot while he had been traveling, but knew Winry had always enjoyed them. It would be perfect. Ed had it all planned out in his head. He’d pick her up from the station in the sleek black car Mustang had talked him into buying. Havoc had put him in touch with a dealer and it did come in handy, even if the roads around Resembool sucked. It was worth the extra money to put it on the train for those times he had to go to Central for extended periods to do research. He couldn’t wait to see Winry’s face. She’d probably lose her gear-loving mind.
Trying not to think about all the things Mustang claimed could be done in a back seat parked by a lake in the dark, Ed planned more realistically. He’d take her to the Wagonwheel for the best lunch that could be had in Resembool, then they’d take a walk down by the river today before it got crowded in the next few days with the festival. He had so much he had to tell her, to ask her. Ed had been more than willing to race out in the blazing sun to melt on the train platform waiting for her.
He didn’t even realize he was bouncing on the balls of his feet as the train pulled up and people started disembarking. Trying to see her blond head amongst all the other blonds pushing off the train wasn’t easy. Instead, he spotted something out of the ordinary, one dark-haired petite girl and a tall blond wearing a blindly blue silk jacket covered with those symbols Ling had said were lucky. His pants were just as brilliantly blue but at least lacking the gaudy gold symbols. What the hell? Had Ling been left naked in Xing by a blond robber? Oh hell! He had flowers in the car and a card promising sweets and just where he’d eat them from when he and Winry got home.
“Al! What are you doing here?” Ed whined.
“Oh, hey, Ed,” his brother said brightly. “I guess Granny sent you to meet us. Mei and I are going to be staying over, too. It was going to be a surprise.”
“It is. I thought I was picking up Winry,” he huffed. He was going to kill Granny when he got home.
“She’s not here yet?”
“No. Did you rob Ling?” Ed gestured to the pajamas his brother was parading around in.
Al ran a hand over the silk shirt. “It was a gift. Looks great, doesn’t it? What’s the matter Brother? Not happy to see us? You didn’t even say hello.”
Ed mumbled a “hi,” then added, “Was expecting Winry.”
“I think someone is disappointed,” Mei giggled and Ed went red to his ear tips.
“My car is this way. Meet me when you get your luggage,” Ed rasped out, hurrying away and ignoring his brother’s outraged cry. Al got his luggage on the train by himself, he could get it off.
Ed yanked the car door open and hid the suggestive card in his pocket. What the hell to do with the flowers? Son of a bitch, Mustang was right when he insisted Ed get a car with vases in the back seat. Leather stank like wet dog when he tracked rain water in so his car came with built-in air fresheners, matching cobalt blue glass vases, etched with flowers. Ed had thought they were a little silly, but Mustang told Havoc what to have his guy get and Ed, knowing nothing about cars, had stood back and let him. He would never tell Mustang the man had been right. He broke his bouquet into two, shoved them in the vases. Disappointed and yet naturally happy to see his brother, Ed headed back toward the platform. Al wouldn’t know what the car looked like, after all.
“Can you drive,” Al said, when he saw the vehicle.
“Mustang taught me.”
“Mustang? That man nearly killed us going around corners how many times?” Al’s eyebrows rose.
Ed just smirked.
XXX
“I can’t believe you bought a car!” Winry bounced around the sleek black vehicle while Ed lugged her appropriately named luggage off the platform. His second run to the train station in three days made him a bit happier, but what in the hell did she have in her bags? All the automail in Amestris?
He levered the suitcases into the trunk then ran a hand over the polished-til-he-could-see-himself ebon surface. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“It’s the best thing you’ve ever bought. I didn’t even know you could drive.” Winry grabbed his hands. “Can I drive it?”
Ed took everything he knew about his girlfriend, then imagined going around a corner of two wheels, flipping and dying a fiery crash. “Are you nuts?”
Winry pouted.
“Maybe later.” He thought about it. “Outside of town where you can’t hit anything.”
Winry hit him instead.
Once he had her settled in the passenger seat and they were motoring toward Granny’s over the country’s roughest roads, Ed thought again about all the things Mustang had talked about when it came to lonely country roads, dark nights and backseats. He looked over at Winry then at the backseat and realized that was entirely the wrong line of thinking since he hadn’t seen her in months.
“Granny said you were disappointed that I wasn’t on the train earlier this week.” Winry ran her fingers up his arm. “Did you have something planned?”
“Granny talks too much,” he grumbled. All of his plans were ruined, really. The people from out of town had started arriving, some of them actually pitching tents near the oxbow bend of the river to be close to the festival. The hotels were full. Granny’s house was full. He couldn’t conceivable get Winry alone unless they did take that late night drive. “I had flowers for you, but you can check the glove box.” He had put the card about the chocolates in there, but the moment the words left his lips, he wondered about his sanity. Did he really listen to Mustang again? Who made him the authority on these matters? Oh, right, his shady upbringing. Winry was going to think he was only after one thing.
Her eyes widened then she grinned. She slapped the card against her palm. “I’m holding you to this.”
“I have no problems with that.”
She slid over on the seat, kissing his cheek before settling her weight against him. Ed wished he could just drive all the way back to Central like this.
XXX
Granny had visited with them all through dinner then made excuses about having an arm to finish. She disappeared into her workshop, leaving the young folk to talk.
Ed draped his arm casually over Winry’s shoulder then stretched a leg out to tap his brother’s foot. “You should have seen Alphonse coming off the train. Somewhere Emperor Ling is naked and missing his blue pajamas.”
“They aren’t pajamas. I keep telling him this and they were a gift from Ling. I didn’t rob him,” Al protested.
“Everyone in Xing wears clothing like that when they’re dressed up,” Mei added. “Al looks good in blue.”
“I’m sorry I missed it,” Winry said, sounding honestly curious.
“I can go put them back on if you want to see it. Besides, I need to go get your gifts. I brought you back something, Winry,” Al said, getting up.
“Oh, that’s sweet of you, Al.”
Ed waited until his brother was out of the room before glancing at Mei. “So, what did he bring?”
She shook her finger at him. “You can wait and see.”
Ed was never good at waiting and he could see Winry was winding down after the long train ride. Al came back quickly in slightly rumpled blue silk, carrying a couple bags. He handed one bag to Winry.
She took it and ran a hand over his arm. “You look very good in this, Al. Ignore your brother.”
“I have years of practice. I hope it fits.” He nodded to the bag. “Mei helped pick it out.”
Winry took a box out of the bag and inside was a teal blue dress with a high collar, a lot like the ones Ed had seen on Mei. Peonies bloomed in a riot all over it. His mouth went dry at the thought of Winry in it. Could he encourage her to go try it on without sounding like a horny pervert?
“Oh, Al, it’s gorgeous.” Winry popped up and hugged him. “I’ll try it on later.”
Ed grinned. Problem solved. “It is nice. You’ll look really pretty it in, Winry.”
“I’m glad you liked it. Al was so picky about the color and the pattern,” Mei said.
“I wanted it to be right.” Al pulled a little woven tube out a bag and flipped it to Ed. “For you.”
Ed stared at it. “What the hell is it?”
“Finger trap. It’s a toy. You put your finger in either side and pull,” Al replied, fishing a box out of the bag.
Ed did as his brother said, trapping himself. What the hell was he supposed to do with this? Al opened the box to reveal another set of silk pajamas in black with a red dragon on the back of the jacket. Ed tossed the toy aside, lurching forward. “That is so cool. Thanks!”
Al jerked the jacket back. “This is for Roy, not you.”
Ed pouted. “He won't appreciate something so cool. I like dragons.”
“So does he.”
“I get a finger trap and he gets this?” Ed groaned and Winry patted his knee.
“Look at you pout.” Mei laughed and Al joined her.
He tossed Ed the last bag. “Before you have a heart attack.”
Ed tore into it, the box lid hitting Winry's foot. He ignored her half-hearted “Ow.” His set of silks were red and black, the jacket his favorite shade of red and, instead of his familiar, but now-abandoned flamel sign, there was a black dragon. “This is great! Thanks, Al!”
“You're welcome. See, Mei, told you teasing him would be no fun. He just sulks.” Al nudged the girl who shoved him back.
Ed ignored them, running his fingers over the fine material. He had no real place to wear something like this except if he went to Xing and didn't Ling once say only royalty could wear dragons? He must have specially okayed these jackets. Ed hadn't even thought to bring anything from the west back. He was a heel sometimes, but he'd worry about that later. Right now his mind was filled with thoughts of wearing his new outfit and escorting Winry, somewhere.
Turning to her, the lusty thoughts died when he saw her tired eyes. “Winry, you look beat. Traveling always wears me out, too. Why don't you turn in? We have a couple long days out in the sun at the festival,” he said.
She stifled a yawn. “I think you have a point.”
“I'll carry up your bag,” Ed said, grabbing it, totally aware of his brother's smirk. He'd settle that up with Al later. Of course he knew Winry was more than capable of carrying one dress, but he was being a gentleman. Did that warrant a smirk? Oh right, yes it did.
Winry didn't argue even when he carried it right into her bedroom and put it on the dresser. Ed leaned against the piece of furniture, not wanting to leave and knowing he would have to. Granny only allowed so many shenanigans in her house, though the things rolling through his mind would probably be allowed. Ed had ideas how that woman got the name the Panthress of Resembool, but they all made him shudder. It was Al who'd be merciless because that's what brothers were for.
“Ed, are you growing roots?”
“I don't want to leave,” he admitted.
Winry smiled at him, crossing the room to tug a lock of his hair. “You'd only be disappointed. I really am exhausted.”
He put his arms around her, kissing her softly. “You could never disappoint me.”
Winry melted against him. “I missed you.”
“Missed you, too.”
She gave him another kiss then patted his chest. “But I better get to bed before I fall down.”
Ed stole a final kiss. “Goodnight, Winry.”
He went back downstairs and talked with Al and Mei for a while before she retired to her guest room. He and Al went to the one they shared with hard twin beds that might conceivably be from Granny's childhood from the feel of them. Ed sat on the bed in his boxers watching the curtains belly in front of the open window. The wind did nothing to cool the room down. Al flopped on top the sheets.
“So, you finally going to tell Winry you love her or are you doing to continue to be an idiot?” Al asked without preamble.
“Oh, shut up.”
“So idiot then?”
“I haven't told you this yet because I didn't want to write in a letter but..” Ed paused, wondering if he should even say it. After tomorrow, it wouldn't matter. “I sort of asked Winry to marry me.”
Al nearly fell, he jumped off the bed so fast. “What? Ed, how can you sort of ask someone to marry you?”
Feeling his face get hotter with every word, Ed explained the whole ‘equivalent exchange, half my life’ train station proposal.
When Al caught his breath from laughing, he said, “That's lame, Ed.”
“I know. It's a surprise, but I'm going to ask her again tomorrow, ask her better this time. So, no planning long trips before we decide when we're going to sign the registry.” Ed stabbed a finger at his brother.
“I wouldn't miss it for the world. Too bad I won't be able to see this tomorrow. You'll cry.”
“Go to hell, I will not!”
“Will, too.”
Ed snorted. “We were sort of dumb when we were kids. I know we thought we had no choice but to destroy the house, but I wish I had some of Mom's stuff.”
“Dad's books,” Al added.
Ed nodded. “I wanted to give Winry one of Mom's rings, not that she had an engagement ring, dumb bastard couldn't even manage to get that right.”
“Mom was happy enough without it.” Al shrugged. “But I understand what you're saying.”
Sighing, Ed flopped back on the bed. “It doesn't matter, but we should have kept some stuff. Granny would have put a few boxes in the basement.”
“We were young, traumatized.” Al patted his brother's shoulder before going back to his own bed. “And Ed, congratulations. You and Winry will be very happy.”
“Yeah, we will.” Ed couldn't keep the dreamy tone out of his voice.
“It also means you need to settle down a little, get a real job instead of living off your State Alchemist savings,” Al teased, but there was a thread of seriousness in his voice.
“I know. I'm considering be a dignitary to welcome Xingese travelers like Mustang keeps suggesting.”
“You would have to coordinate with the Emperor. You and Ling will manage to create an international incident but sure, it would be a good job for you.” Al laughed.
Ed offered up some invectives before settling down to sleep. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.
XXX
“Ed, are you going to eat everything in sight?” Winry grinned at him.
He paused mid-chew of his cornmeal-covered sausage on a stick. “When do I get to eat this kind of stuff?”
She wagged her head. “Do you know where your brother and Mei went?”
“I think he's showing her all around town and the fair.” Ed headed to the spun-sugar stall, holding up one finger. The woman spun him one, passing it over.
“Really, Ed?”
Ed pulled a piece of the white fluff off the stick and offered it to her. Smiling, Winry lipped it off his fingers, sucking on them in the process. Ed's whole plan for the day almost deserted him as the desire to just take her for a long drive into the middle of nowhere took over. Winry plucked off a piece, feeding it to him. Her fingers tasted good, not like grease, and Ed was thankful for that.
“Do you want to see the sheep dog exhibition or see the clog dancers or participate in the greased pig catch?” she linked her arm with his.
“Maybe, only if you want to, and are you insane?” Ed asked.
“I would love to see you trying to catch a greased pig,” Winry laughed.
“You lie and you would take pictures, so no.”
“I would take pictures if you entered the donkey race.”
“And then you and Al would mail Mustang pictures of my donkey-bit ass,” Ed pulled her close. “Still no.”
“So what would you like to do, Ed?”
Before he could answer, a young girl came up with an armful of woven flower crowns. She held out one to Winry. “Want a Longest Day crown?”
“Of course, two please,” Winry said, stooping down.
“Winry...” Ed had not planned on making his proposal with flowers on his damn head.
“Hush.” Winry waved him off then picked through the crowns, selecting her two. She chose one with white daisies and red wild flowers, threaded through with crimson ribbon for herself and a ribbon-less one of small blue hydrangeas and yellow daises for him. The little girl ran off. Standing up, she put the crown on his head. “Remember making these when we were kids?”
“I remember you and Al getting the flowers and making them. I was pretty much useless or pulling the flowers apart.” Ed shrugged before plucking the remaining crown out of her hand. He placed it on her head. Damn, it made her look so beautiful. He really couldn’t wait any longer. “I’m not too keen on them now either, but you look so pretty.”
She blushed. “You look better than you know.”
He felt his face redden to match hers. “Let’s go somewhere quieter. It feels like I haven’t had time to spend with just you.”
“I’d love that.”
Ed led her away from the main thoroughfare of the festival to a wide, slow part of the river. The grass sloping down to it was mostly empty, except for a few others picnicking or just laying back in the grass for a rest. Ed wished he had thought to bring a blanket, but that would have been odd to carry around. He staked out a place under an oak, out of the intense summer sun.
Winry rested against his arm, his restored arm, and a sappy little thought about being happy to be able to touch her with two hands full of nerves and warm flesh danced in his head. His stomach flipped a little as he thought about what he was going to do, or maybe it was just all those lamb skewers about to repeat on him.
“It’s pretty here,” she said, gazing out over the water they both knew so well. “I miss this when I’m in Rush Valley.”
“Yeah.” Ed hated Rush Valley and he hoped that when they started making plans, moving there wasn’t in them. He wasn’t cut out for desert life. He’d seen prettier places than this, but none held the meaning and comfort of home. “I do miss this place, a little quiet though.”
“I suppose it is.”
Ed felt tight all over. What the hell was wrong with him? If he didn’t knock it off, he’d be just as ridiculous as he was on the train station platform. This was Winry. He’d known her since they were in diapers. He loved her. So why did he want to jump up and run off shrieking? He was being ridiculous. He’d faced down power-ravenous homunculi. Pulling a ring out of his pocket should be nothing to him.
Ed stuffed his free hand into his pocket, feeling the velvet box. The fingers of his other hand meshed with hers. “I was telling Al last night, I’m a little sad that I burnt down our house. It would be nice to have reminders of Mom.” At her sadden look, Ed knew he was on the wrong track.
“I’m sure.”
“I had something I wanted to give you that was hers, but it’s gone,” he hurried along. “I’m not really good at this sort of thing, not really good with words, so I guess maybe I should pass on that dignitary job.”
Sad melted into puzzled. “Ed?”
“Sorry, sorry, I’m babbling like an idiot. I’m doing this even worse than last time.” Ed gulped air and wiped his palm on the inside of his pocket. Why the hell was he sweating buckets suddenly? Damn sympathetic nervous system.
“Doing what, Edward?” Winry was giving him a look that let Ed know he was failing again.
“See, so bad you can’t even tell.” Ed puffed at a strand of his hair and yanked the jewelry box out of his pants. “I wanted to do this right. At least I found the pretty place for it. Winry, I meant what I said at the train station before I left to go West. I love you and I want you to be my wife.” It took him three tries to get the box open and for some reason he couldn’t even see Winry clearly any more. His voice cracked when he added, “I thought diamonds were so boring, just clear and sparkly, and you’re not boring, not even a little bit. It has some little diamonds.” He pointed to the sparkling circle of them around a large brilliant cut blue stone. “But the sapphire was beautiful, like you. It made me think of your eyes and I though I had to have it. I know you can’t wear it all the time, not with your job but…dammit, I’m babbling again. I….I don’t know what else to say. It’s okay, right? You meant it, too, that day, didn’t you?”
Winry laughed, no wait, she was crying. What had he done? Her hands cupped his face and only then Ed realized he was crying, too. “You silly man, of course I did, and it’s more than okay, it’s beautiful.”
Winry hugged him so hard he nearly dropped the ring. She knocked him back on the grass. Her lips pressed against his, hard, their flower crowns slipping and crushing fragrantly between their foreheads. When she let him go, Ed slipped the ring on her finger.
“I can’t believe I’m crying.” Ed wiped his face. “Don’t tell Al. He said I would.”
Winry kissed his wet cheek but made him no promises. She got up and went to look at the glittering stones in the sunlight. Whirling around, she grinned at him. Backlit by gold, a slash of grey river behind her, Winry was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Ed got up and caught her in his arms, twirling her around with him in an impromptu dance.
There was no real need to hurry so they lingered by the river, kissing, discussing the future, before Winry decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She had to show everyone the ring and to make sure they could find the perfect time to go enter their names into the registry before either he or Al flitted off again for half a year. At least he wasn’t going to look like an idiot, crying his way back to the festival.
Ed forgot about the crown up until the point his brother popped out of the vendor alley like the cats he so loved. Where the hell Al got the camera from, Ed didn’t know, but he wouldn’t be surprised to find Al had stalked him out to the river and he had been too nervous to notice. It wasn’t until Al and Mei had made he and Winry pose for several pictures, that Ed remembered he was standing there with a ring of daisies and hydrangeas on his head.
Al even made Ed wear the crown when he treated them all to a celebratory dinner at the best restaurant in town, with the promise of another dinner when they went to Central, at a better restaurant was understood. Ed could barely eat, nerves making a meal of him. He had done it. He was officially engaged and it felt like his whole body was off kilter at the thought of it, but in a good way.
The girls had suggested going back to the fair to the evening dance. Ed could hardly say no. They did look for Pinako first, but she was off somewhere, probably getting in trouble. Age rarely slowed her down. Ed hoped Winry stayed as feisty as her grandmother. As they spun to the slow, sweet beat, Ed realized he was looking forward to seeing that, to growing old next to this woman. His throat tightened a little. He finally understood what had drove his father away all those years ago. He couldn’t imagine staying young and watching someone he loved like he loved Winry getting older, frailer and inevitably dying.
Ed didn’t know why he was even worrying about it. He wasn’t his father. Pulling her tight against him as they waltzed, Ed knew that finally life was giving back to him more than it had taken. They would grow old together. They would love and fight some and love even more. There would be children and he would not be his father and each child would add to the love in their family. Ed could see that future as clear as if it were on a photo in his hand now. He was finally content.
One stolen kiss later, the words, “I love you,” melted into the music.
Author--
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer -- Arakawa owns them, not I
Rating -- teen
Characters/Pairing -- Ed/Winry Al, Mei
Timeline/Spoilers -- post 108, no real spoilers unless you don’t know what happens to the brothers at the end.
Word Count -- 4,389
Summary -- He was so very nervous about it all
Author’s Note -- written for
fireandice2011 for the prompt ‘flower crowns’ Much to my surprise and delight I won first place. Thanks to everyone who voted for me. I'm so glad you liked my story. The title is from a Robert Browning poem.
banner by evil_little_dogXXX
Ed wiped the sweat beading on his forehead. It was an unprecedented moment. He had beaten Winry back to Resembool. He’d returned from comparing notes with Teacher and playing with Ethan, the boy they had adopted, one of the many left orphaned in the battles surrounding the Promised Day. He’d never seen Izumi look so happy.
Winry had been in Central with General Jackass discussing the idea of setting up a clearinghouse for the soldiers so they could easily find the best automail mechanics and avoid the ones with complaints against them. He worried a little that she might want to set up shop there herself and he’d have to go to the bastard’s parties for muckety mucks even though he was well and truly retired from the military. His pocket watch was somewhere gathering dust in Granny’s house.
The old biddy had sent him to go meet the train, telling him it would arrive at noon. Winry wouldn’t want to miss the Longest Day festival. He had missed these a lot while he had been traveling, but knew Winry had always enjoyed them. It would be perfect. Ed had it all planned out in his head. He’d pick her up from the station in the sleek black car Mustang had talked him into buying. Havoc had put him in touch with a dealer and it did come in handy, even if the roads around Resembool sucked. It was worth the extra money to put it on the train for those times he had to go to Central for extended periods to do research. He couldn’t wait to see Winry’s face. She’d probably lose her gear-loving mind.
Trying not to think about all the things Mustang claimed could be done in a back seat parked by a lake in the dark, Ed planned more realistically. He’d take her to the Wagonwheel for the best lunch that could be had in Resembool, then they’d take a walk down by the river today before it got crowded in the next few days with the festival. He had so much he had to tell her, to ask her. Ed had been more than willing to race out in the blazing sun to melt on the train platform waiting for her.
He didn’t even realize he was bouncing on the balls of his feet as the train pulled up and people started disembarking. Trying to see her blond head amongst all the other blonds pushing off the train wasn’t easy. Instead, he spotted something out of the ordinary, one dark-haired petite girl and a tall blond wearing a blindly blue silk jacket covered with those symbols Ling had said were lucky. His pants were just as brilliantly blue but at least lacking the gaudy gold symbols. What the hell? Had Ling been left naked in Xing by a blond robber? Oh hell! He had flowers in the car and a card promising sweets and just where he’d eat them from when he and Winry got home.
“Al! What are you doing here?” Ed whined.
“Oh, hey, Ed,” his brother said brightly. “I guess Granny sent you to meet us. Mei and I are going to be staying over, too. It was going to be a surprise.”
“It is. I thought I was picking up Winry,” he huffed. He was going to kill Granny when he got home.
“She’s not here yet?”
“No. Did you rob Ling?” Ed gestured to the pajamas his brother was parading around in.
Al ran a hand over the silk shirt. “It was a gift. Looks great, doesn’t it? What’s the matter Brother? Not happy to see us? You didn’t even say hello.”
Ed mumbled a “hi,” then added, “Was expecting Winry.”
“I think someone is disappointed,” Mei giggled and Ed went red to his ear tips.
“My car is this way. Meet me when you get your luggage,” Ed rasped out, hurrying away and ignoring his brother’s outraged cry. Al got his luggage on the train by himself, he could get it off.
Ed yanked the car door open and hid the suggestive card in his pocket. What the hell to do with the flowers? Son of a bitch, Mustang was right when he insisted Ed get a car with vases in the back seat. Leather stank like wet dog when he tracked rain water in so his car came with built-in air fresheners, matching cobalt blue glass vases, etched with flowers. Ed had thought they were a little silly, but Mustang told Havoc what to have his guy get and Ed, knowing nothing about cars, had stood back and let him. He would never tell Mustang the man had been right. He broke his bouquet into two, shoved them in the vases. Disappointed and yet naturally happy to see his brother, Ed headed back toward the platform. Al wouldn’t know what the car looked like, after all.
“Can you drive,” Al said, when he saw the vehicle.
“Mustang taught me.”
“Mustang? That man nearly killed us going around corners how many times?” Al’s eyebrows rose.
Ed just smirked.
XXX
“I can’t believe you bought a car!” Winry bounced around the sleek black vehicle while Ed lugged her appropriately named luggage off the platform. His second run to the train station in three days made him a bit happier, but what in the hell did she have in her bags? All the automail in Amestris?
He levered the suitcases into the trunk then ran a hand over the polished-til-he-could-see-himself ebon surface. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“It’s the best thing you’ve ever bought. I didn’t even know you could drive.” Winry grabbed his hands. “Can I drive it?”
Ed took everything he knew about his girlfriend, then imagined going around a corner of two wheels, flipping and dying a fiery crash. “Are you nuts?”
Winry pouted.
“Maybe later.” He thought about it. “Outside of town where you can’t hit anything.”
Winry hit him instead.
Once he had her settled in the passenger seat and they were motoring toward Granny’s over the country’s roughest roads, Ed thought again about all the things Mustang had talked about when it came to lonely country roads, dark nights and backseats. He looked over at Winry then at the backseat and realized that was entirely the wrong line of thinking since he hadn’t seen her in months.
“Granny said you were disappointed that I wasn’t on the train earlier this week.” Winry ran her fingers up his arm. “Did you have something planned?”
“Granny talks too much,” he grumbled. All of his plans were ruined, really. The people from out of town had started arriving, some of them actually pitching tents near the oxbow bend of the river to be close to the festival. The hotels were full. Granny’s house was full. He couldn’t conceivable get Winry alone unless they did take that late night drive. “I had flowers for you, but you can check the glove box.” He had put the card about the chocolates in there, but the moment the words left his lips, he wondered about his sanity. Did he really listen to Mustang again? Who made him the authority on these matters? Oh, right, his shady upbringing. Winry was going to think he was only after one thing.
Her eyes widened then she grinned. She slapped the card against her palm. “I’m holding you to this.”
“I have no problems with that.”
She slid over on the seat, kissing his cheek before settling her weight against him. Ed wished he could just drive all the way back to Central like this.
XXX
Granny had visited with them all through dinner then made excuses about having an arm to finish. She disappeared into her workshop, leaving the young folk to talk.
Ed draped his arm casually over Winry’s shoulder then stretched a leg out to tap his brother’s foot. “You should have seen Alphonse coming off the train. Somewhere Emperor Ling is naked and missing his blue pajamas.”
“They aren’t pajamas. I keep telling him this and they were a gift from Ling. I didn’t rob him,” Al protested.
“Everyone in Xing wears clothing like that when they’re dressed up,” Mei added. “Al looks good in blue.”
“I’m sorry I missed it,” Winry said, sounding honestly curious.
“I can go put them back on if you want to see it. Besides, I need to go get your gifts. I brought you back something, Winry,” Al said, getting up.
“Oh, that’s sweet of you, Al.”
Ed waited until his brother was out of the room before glancing at Mei. “So, what did he bring?”
She shook her finger at him. “You can wait and see.”
Ed was never good at waiting and he could see Winry was winding down after the long train ride. Al came back quickly in slightly rumpled blue silk, carrying a couple bags. He handed one bag to Winry.
She took it and ran a hand over his arm. “You look very good in this, Al. Ignore your brother.”
“I have years of practice. I hope it fits.” He nodded to the bag. “Mei helped pick it out.”
Winry took a box out of the bag and inside was a teal blue dress with a high collar, a lot like the ones Ed had seen on Mei. Peonies bloomed in a riot all over it. His mouth went dry at the thought of Winry in it. Could he encourage her to go try it on without sounding like a horny pervert?
“Oh, Al, it’s gorgeous.” Winry popped up and hugged him. “I’ll try it on later.”
Ed grinned. Problem solved. “It is nice. You’ll look really pretty it in, Winry.”
“I’m glad you liked it. Al was so picky about the color and the pattern,” Mei said.
“I wanted it to be right.” Al pulled a little woven tube out a bag and flipped it to Ed. “For you.”
Ed stared at it. “What the hell is it?”
“Finger trap. It’s a toy. You put your finger in either side and pull,” Al replied, fishing a box out of the bag.
Ed did as his brother said, trapping himself. What the hell was he supposed to do with this? Al opened the box to reveal another set of silk pajamas in black with a red dragon on the back of the jacket. Ed tossed the toy aside, lurching forward. “That is so cool. Thanks!”
Al jerked the jacket back. “This is for Roy, not you.”
Ed pouted. “He won't appreciate something so cool. I like dragons.”
“So does he.”
“I get a finger trap and he gets this?” Ed groaned and Winry patted his knee.
“Look at you pout.” Mei laughed and Al joined her.
He tossed Ed the last bag. “Before you have a heart attack.”
Ed tore into it, the box lid hitting Winry's foot. He ignored her half-hearted “Ow.” His set of silks were red and black, the jacket his favorite shade of red and, instead of his familiar, but now-abandoned flamel sign, there was a black dragon. “This is great! Thanks, Al!”
“You're welcome. See, Mei, told you teasing him would be no fun. He just sulks.” Al nudged the girl who shoved him back.
Ed ignored them, running his fingers over the fine material. He had no real place to wear something like this except if he went to Xing and didn't Ling once say only royalty could wear dragons? He must have specially okayed these jackets. Ed hadn't even thought to bring anything from the west back. He was a heel sometimes, but he'd worry about that later. Right now his mind was filled with thoughts of wearing his new outfit and escorting Winry, somewhere.
Turning to her, the lusty thoughts died when he saw her tired eyes. “Winry, you look beat. Traveling always wears me out, too. Why don't you turn in? We have a couple long days out in the sun at the festival,” he said.
She stifled a yawn. “I think you have a point.”
“I'll carry up your bag,” Ed said, grabbing it, totally aware of his brother's smirk. He'd settle that up with Al later. Of course he knew Winry was more than capable of carrying one dress, but he was being a gentleman. Did that warrant a smirk? Oh right, yes it did.
Winry didn't argue even when he carried it right into her bedroom and put it on the dresser. Ed leaned against the piece of furniture, not wanting to leave and knowing he would have to. Granny only allowed so many shenanigans in her house, though the things rolling through his mind would probably be allowed. Ed had ideas how that woman got the name the Panthress of Resembool, but they all made him shudder. It was Al who'd be merciless because that's what brothers were for.
“Ed, are you growing roots?”
“I don't want to leave,” he admitted.
Winry smiled at him, crossing the room to tug a lock of his hair. “You'd only be disappointed. I really am exhausted.”
He put his arms around her, kissing her softly. “You could never disappoint me.”
Winry melted against him. “I missed you.”
“Missed you, too.”
She gave him another kiss then patted his chest. “But I better get to bed before I fall down.”
Ed stole a final kiss. “Goodnight, Winry.”
He went back downstairs and talked with Al and Mei for a while before she retired to her guest room. He and Al went to the one they shared with hard twin beds that might conceivably be from Granny's childhood from the feel of them. Ed sat on the bed in his boxers watching the curtains belly in front of the open window. The wind did nothing to cool the room down. Al flopped on top the sheets.
“So, you finally going to tell Winry you love her or are you doing to continue to be an idiot?” Al asked without preamble.
“Oh, shut up.”
“So idiot then?”
“I haven't told you this yet because I didn't want to write in a letter but..” Ed paused, wondering if he should even say it. After tomorrow, it wouldn't matter. “I sort of asked Winry to marry me.”
Al nearly fell, he jumped off the bed so fast. “What? Ed, how can you sort of ask someone to marry you?”
Feeling his face get hotter with every word, Ed explained the whole ‘equivalent exchange, half my life’ train station proposal.
When Al caught his breath from laughing, he said, “That's lame, Ed.”
“I know. It's a surprise, but I'm going to ask her again tomorrow, ask her better this time. So, no planning long trips before we decide when we're going to sign the registry.” Ed stabbed a finger at his brother.
“I wouldn't miss it for the world. Too bad I won't be able to see this tomorrow. You'll cry.”
“Go to hell, I will not!”
“Will, too.”
Ed snorted. “We were sort of dumb when we were kids. I know we thought we had no choice but to destroy the house, but I wish I had some of Mom's stuff.”
“Dad's books,” Al added.
Ed nodded. “I wanted to give Winry one of Mom's rings, not that she had an engagement ring, dumb bastard couldn't even manage to get that right.”
“Mom was happy enough without it.” Al shrugged. “But I understand what you're saying.”
Sighing, Ed flopped back on the bed. “It doesn't matter, but we should have kept some stuff. Granny would have put a few boxes in the basement.”
“We were young, traumatized.” Al patted his brother's shoulder before going back to his own bed. “And Ed, congratulations. You and Winry will be very happy.”
“Yeah, we will.” Ed couldn't keep the dreamy tone out of his voice.
“It also means you need to settle down a little, get a real job instead of living off your State Alchemist savings,” Al teased, but there was a thread of seriousness in his voice.
“I know. I'm considering be a dignitary to welcome Xingese travelers like Mustang keeps suggesting.”
“You would have to coordinate with the Emperor. You and Ling will manage to create an international incident but sure, it would be a good job for you.” Al laughed.
Ed offered up some invectives before settling down to sleep. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.
XXX
“Ed, are you going to eat everything in sight?” Winry grinned at him.
He paused mid-chew of his cornmeal-covered sausage on a stick. “When do I get to eat this kind of stuff?”
She wagged her head. “Do you know where your brother and Mei went?”
“I think he's showing her all around town and the fair.” Ed headed to the spun-sugar stall, holding up one finger. The woman spun him one, passing it over.
“Really, Ed?”
Ed pulled a piece of the white fluff off the stick and offered it to her. Smiling, Winry lipped it off his fingers, sucking on them in the process. Ed's whole plan for the day almost deserted him as the desire to just take her for a long drive into the middle of nowhere took over. Winry plucked off a piece, feeding it to him. Her fingers tasted good, not like grease, and Ed was thankful for that.
“Do you want to see the sheep dog exhibition or see the clog dancers or participate in the greased pig catch?” she linked her arm with his.
“Maybe, only if you want to, and are you insane?” Ed asked.
“I would love to see you trying to catch a greased pig,” Winry laughed.
“You lie and you would take pictures, so no.”
“I would take pictures if you entered the donkey race.”
“And then you and Al would mail Mustang pictures of my donkey-bit ass,” Ed pulled her close. “Still no.”
“So what would you like to do, Ed?”
Before he could answer, a young girl came up with an armful of woven flower crowns. She held out one to Winry. “Want a Longest Day crown?”
“Of course, two please,” Winry said, stooping down.
“Winry...” Ed had not planned on making his proposal with flowers on his damn head.
“Hush.” Winry waved him off then picked through the crowns, selecting her two. She chose one with white daisies and red wild flowers, threaded through with crimson ribbon for herself and a ribbon-less one of small blue hydrangeas and yellow daises for him. The little girl ran off. Standing up, she put the crown on his head. “Remember making these when we were kids?”
“I remember you and Al getting the flowers and making them. I was pretty much useless or pulling the flowers apart.” Ed shrugged before plucking the remaining crown out of her hand. He placed it on her head. Damn, it made her look so beautiful. He really couldn’t wait any longer. “I’m not too keen on them now either, but you look so pretty.”
She blushed. “You look better than you know.”
He felt his face redden to match hers. “Let’s go somewhere quieter. It feels like I haven’t had time to spend with just you.”
“I’d love that.”
Ed led her away from the main thoroughfare of the festival to a wide, slow part of the river. The grass sloping down to it was mostly empty, except for a few others picnicking or just laying back in the grass for a rest. Ed wished he had thought to bring a blanket, but that would have been odd to carry around. He staked out a place under an oak, out of the intense summer sun.
Winry rested against his arm, his restored arm, and a sappy little thought about being happy to be able to touch her with two hands full of nerves and warm flesh danced in his head. His stomach flipped a little as he thought about what he was going to do, or maybe it was just all those lamb skewers about to repeat on him.
“It’s pretty here,” she said, gazing out over the water they both knew so well. “I miss this when I’m in Rush Valley.”
“Yeah.” Ed hated Rush Valley and he hoped that when they started making plans, moving there wasn’t in them. He wasn’t cut out for desert life. He’d seen prettier places than this, but none held the meaning and comfort of home. “I do miss this place, a little quiet though.”
“I suppose it is.”
Ed felt tight all over. What the hell was wrong with him? If he didn’t knock it off, he’d be just as ridiculous as he was on the train station platform. This was Winry. He’d known her since they were in diapers. He loved her. So why did he want to jump up and run off shrieking? He was being ridiculous. He’d faced down power-ravenous homunculi. Pulling a ring out of his pocket should be nothing to him.
Ed stuffed his free hand into his pocket, feeling the velvet box. The fingers of his other hand meshed with hers. “I was telling Al last night, I’m a little sad that I burnt down our house. It would be nice to have reminders of Mom.” At her sadden look, Ed knew he was on the wrong track.
“I’m sure.”
“I had something I wanted to give you that was hers, but it’s gone,” he hurried along. “I’m not really good at this sort of thing, not really good with words, so I guess maybe I should pass on that dignitary job.”
Sad melted into puzzled. “Ed?”
“Sorry, sorry, I’m babbling like an idiot. I’m doing this even worse than last time.” Ed gulped air and wiped his palm on the inside of his pocket. Why the hell was he sweating buckets suddenly? Damn sympathetic nervous system.
“Doing what, Edward?” Winry was giving him a look that let Ed know he was failing again.
“See, so bad you can’t even tell.” Ed puffed at a strand of his hair and yanked the jewelry box out of his pants. “I wanted to do this right. At least I found the pretty place for it. Winry, I meant what I said at the train station before I left to go West. I love you and I want you to be my wife.” It took him three tries to get the box open and for some reason he couldn’t even see Winry clearly any more. His voice cracked when he added, “I thought diamonds were so boring, just clear and sparkly, and you’re not boring, not even a little bit. It has some little diamonds.” He pointed to the sparkling circle of them around a large brilliant cut blue stone. “But the sapphire was beautiful, like you. It made me think of your eyes and I though I had to have it. I know you can’t wear it all the time, not with your job but…dammit, I’m babbling again. I….I don’t know what else to say. It’s okay, right? You meant it, too, that day, didn’t you?”
Winry laughed, no wait, she was crying. What had he done? Her hands cupped his face and only then Ed realized he was crying, too. “You silly man, of course I did, and it’s more than okay, it’s beautiful.”
Winry hugged him so hard he nearly dropped the ring. She knocked him back on the grass. Her lips pressed against his, hard, their flower crowns slipping and crushing fragrantly between their foreheads. When she let him go, Ed slipped the ring on her finger.
“I can’t believe I’m crying.” Ed wiped his face. “Don’t tell Al. He said I would.”
Winry kissed his wet cheek but made him no promises. She got up and went to look at the glittering stones in the sunlight. Whirling around, she grinned at him. Backlit by gold, a slash of grey river behind her, Winry was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Ed got up and caught her in his arms, twirling her around with him in an impromptu dance.
There was no real need to hurry so they lingered by the river, kissing, discussing the future, before Winry decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She had to show everyone the ring and to make sure they could find the perfect time to go enter their names into the registry before either he or Al flitted off again for half a year. At least he wasn’t going to look like an idiot, crying his way back to the festival.
Ed forgot about the crown up until the point his brother popped out of the vendor alley like the cats he so loved. Where the hell Al got the camera from, Ed didn’t know, but he wouldn’t be surprised to find Al had stalked him out to the river and he had been too nervous to notice. It wasn’t until Al and Mei had made he and Winry pose for several pictures, that Ed remembered he was standing there with a ring of daisies and hydrangeas on his head.
Al even made Ed wear the crown when he treated them all to a celebratory dinner at the best restaurant in town, with the promise of another dinner when they went to Central, at a better restaurant was understood. Ed could barely eat, nerves making a meal of him. He had done it. He was officially engaged and it felt like his whole body was off kilter at the thought of it, but in a good way.
The girls had suggested going back to the fair to the evening dance. Ed could hardly say no. They did look for Pinako first, but she was off somewhere, probably getting in trouble. Age rarely slowed her down. Ed hoped Winry stayed as feisty as her grandmother. As they spun to the slow, sweet beat, Ed realized he was looking forward to seeing that, to growing old next to this woman. His throat tightened a little. He finally understood what had drove his father away all those years ago. He couldn’t imagine staying young and watching someone he loved like he loved Winry getting older, frailer and inevitably dying.
Ed didn’t know why he was even worrying about it. He wasn’t his father. Pulling her tight against him as they waltzed, Ed knew that finally life was giving back to him more than it had taken. They would grow old together. They would love and fight some and love even more. There would be children and he would not be his father and each child would add to the love in their family. Ed could see that future as clear as if it were on a photo in his hand now. He was finally content.
One stolen kiss later, the words, “I love you,” melted into the music.
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no subject
Date: 2011-11-14 01:23 pm (UTC)...and in re: the other thing I posted - ignore it. I see them now.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-14 04:30 pm (UTC)thanks
ok
no subject
Date: 2011-11-14 11:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-14 08:59 pm (UTC)Feeling his face get hotter with every word, Ed explained the whole ‘equivalent exchange, half my life’ train station proposal.
When Al caught his breath from laughing, he said, “That's lame, Ed.”
Loved that part. I agree with Al XD
no subject
Date: 2011-11-15 03:09 am (UTC)and yes i agree too