Fic Update - Strands of Nightmares
Sep. 12th, 2007 10:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessStrands of Nightmares
author-![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition. I don’t make a profit
Rating – PG-13
Pairing – Ed/Winry, Roy/Riza, Al/various
Time Line – manga based, future fic, based heavily on the dark future Riza predicted should Roy attain his goals. Spoilers for manga beyond #38.
Summary – It should have been a time of great happiness but fate is rarely kind
Warning – apparent character death
Author’s Note – Thanks to Mjules for the beta. This was written as a holiday gift for evil_little_dog for Yule 2006 and as per usual is a WIP. Sigh. Hope you enjoy
You can find previous chapters here
Chapter Five
Qiang didn’t want to wake up. It was too early in the morning except for one less than minor thing: Eria was spooned around him, the baby kicking against his kidneys. Groaning, he got out of bed. Eria mumbled, reaching for him. Slowly her eyes opened.
“You getting up?”
“The baby was kicking me again.” He smiled at her.
“I’ve learned to sleep through it,” she replied, rubbing her belly.
He leaned over the bed, kissing her rounded stomach right over a tiny hand visible through Eria’s taut skin. “That’s a good thing.”
“You’re looking so happy lately.” She smiled up at him.
“I have a beautiful wife. We’re going to have a baby and our friends are all around us. I have things to be happy about.” He caressed her belly and a foot came up, kicking at his hand.
“You’re enjoying the brothers’ stay,” Eira said, arching into his touch. The soft blue sheets looked good against her skin, he decided.
“Well, Alphonse at any rate,” Qiang said, making a face.
“Please, you can’t fool me.” She caught his fingers, squeezing gently. “You enjoy bantering and baiting Edward. He reminds you of a young you.”
“I dare you to say that to him.” Qiang smirked, just thinking on those fireworks.
“I think I’ll leave that to you, Qiang. Tormenting Edward is your forte.” She smiled. “What are your plans for the day?”
“The ships from Xing should be here today. That’ll keep me busy.” Qiang went to get his hair brush off the walnut dresser. I’ll have to turn over whatever intelligence Ran Fan and Mr. Fu have for Armstrong so he can tell his sister.”
“With the brothers occupied, Winry will be at loose ends. I know Elicia’s already claimed some of her time. I’ll see if we can arrange for her to play with Elicia when I have my doctor’s appointment this afternoon. That way I’ll have free time for her.”
“I’m sure Winy will appreciate it.” After brushing it, Qiang tied his long hair up with a silk tie and began to braid it.
Eira got up and helped him. “I love you with long hair. It’s very sexy.” She kissed his shoulder.
“That’s right, get me all worked up when there’s no chance for an outlet.” He smiled at her.
“Later.” She kissed him. “I have to go make sure Elicia’s gift is ready for delivery. You need to get ready to help the boys.” She yawned. “Why is it all I really want to do is lay around?”
Qiang took her in his arms. “Let’s stay in. I’ll send word I’m sick.”
She tugged his queue. “Behave. There is too much to do. I’d like to have everyone here for dinner but I’ll need to get this place cleaned.”
He shook his head. “I’ll see if Xue-Li can help. I don’t want you working too hard.”
“You baby me too much,” Eria replied but didn’t turn down the offer of help.
X X X
Al couldn’t let his brother know how nervous he was. Ever since Ed had learned he was Ran Fan’s occasional lover, things had been awkward. At the moment, it didn’t help that Ran Fan seemed very nervous herself but Al didn’t know what had her upset. Once the cargo was taken care of, Ed went with Mr. Fu to discuss business with Qiang. Al had asked Ran Fan to come with him.
Al looked up at the sprawling trees overhead. He didn’t know why he had chosen a park to talk to Ran Fan about the things bothering him about their relationship. He could tell Ran Fan noticed this strangely public choice for a meeting place. Al and Ran Fan would normally go back to his hotel room.
“Is something wrong, Alphonse?” she asked in her usual quiet tones.
“I…I’m not going say wrong, per se,” Al hedged, wondering why this felt so difficult. “I was going to ask you the same thing. You have a strange look in your eyes.”
“This is hard.” Ran Fan looked away, the servos in her automail hand whining as she tensed.
“You don’t want to be with me any more,” Al said, thinking that was the only thing that could make her this nervous. They had been careful. She couldn’t be pregnant, which was the only other thing to explain this level of nervousness. That or Emperor Ling had found out and was furious.
Ran Fan’s head snapped over to face him. “How did you know?”
“I was going to say the same thing. This isn’t fair to you, Ran Fan, pulling you between me and Ling. I care about you very much and I can’t do this with you any more. It’s not right.” The words rushed out of Al, stumbling over one another. He didn’t want this to hurt and it did. He put his hand on her shoulder, feeling the familiar rigidity of metal. It was hurting him and from the look in her dark eyes, Ran Fan felt the same pain.
Ran Fan bowed her head, her short, dark hair swinging forward. “I am…glad is not the right word. Relieved, maybe?”
“You were going to say the same thing. I guess you feel much the same,” Al said, his relief showing in his voice more than he wanted it to.
She made a soft, dismayed sound. “I do but my reasons were different. Ling’s advisors have told him that having a family would make him look more…normal, more acceptable to the people.”
“Like Bradley did with Selim.” Al shuddered at the memory of both homunculi.
“He wanted me to be the first wife to have a child, even though I’m not really a wife and never truly could be.” Ran Fan’s words strangled as she tried to work them free.
Al felt his face go cold and white. A homunculus like Ling was sterile. “He wanted you to have my child.”
The nod was barely perceptible. “I couldn’t do that to you.” She rested her flesh hand on his chest, not quite meeting his eye.
“You should never have been asked to. That’s heartless of Ling,” Al raged, getting up. He stalked over to a tree, his fists clenching and unclenching.
“It was Greed who asked,” she replied softly, crossing her arms over her chest as if a cold breeze had sprung up. He knew to her Greed and Ling were not the same person and he rather agreed. Ed was less certain. Al, feeling like he was adding to her pain, came back over to her.
Al put an arm around her, his hand resting on her metal arm. “Do you want to go back there, Ran Fan? This is a big country, you could…”
“No,” she said sharply. “He wouldn’t force me to. Ling wouldn’t hurt me. He mostly keeps Greed at bay.”
Al didn’t find that reassuring. “The offer stands should he ever fail at that,” he said tentatively, knowing he couldn’t push this particular topic. Ran Fan was as loyal to Ling as Winry was to Ed and Riza to Roy.
“I am grateful to have a legitimate reason for not doing this. Your refusal to keep up this relationship will absolve me of any responsibility. I wasn’t sure I could lie to him,” she said, her silver fingers curling into a ball. “He always knows.”
“If it helps…” Al felt his face go hot. “You might hear an ongoing joke about me having two girlfriends. It’s not true but you could tell him that I have someone else, if it makes it easier.”
She nodded. “It might.” Ran Fan’s eyes met his. “You should find someone else. You are too sweet to let your heart grow cold.”
Al smiled. “Thank you. I will. I just worry about you.” He stroked Ran Fan’s cheek.
The tip of her tongue flicked over her lips. “I’ll be all right.”
Was that all there was to a break up? What was he supposed to do now? Kiss her cheek? Squeeze her hand? Just walk off and leave her? Maybe he wasn’t supposed to do anything at all. Al sensed they had come to the end of the conversation and it felt awkward. Changing the subject was the only thing left. “Maybe we should find your grandfather and Edward.”
Ran Fan looked grateful for the diversion.
X X X
Winry watched as Elicia got her playhouse fixed just the way she wanted so they could play. Winry felt envious of the girl’s house, wishing she had had one like this. All she had was Ed’s tree house and that had been…dangerously made. Winry had grown up in the country with a lot of room to romp, something Elicia hadn’t had in Central. That all changed when Gracia and Elicia had moved to the mountain town. Now, behind the cottages that went with the hotel was a child’s playhouse done up like a mini-cottage. A wide expanse of grass rolled out behind it right up to the woods. It was a wonderful place to play. The little girl disappeared inside of the playhouse.
Winry heard someone coming up behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled at Ying-Hua. “Good afternoon, ma’am.”
“And to you.” The old woman sat on a cast iron bench that wrapped around the thick trunk of a tree. Her iron grey hair was put up in an elaborate twist. “Are you enjoying your stay, my bratty son aside?” Ying-Hua grinned.
Winry laughed. “Qiang’s not so bad.” She shrugged. “Maybe I’m just so used to Edward that I don’t notice.”
“Yes, your young man is much like my son was at that age,” Ying-Hua said, her dark eyes twinkling so much like her boy’s were wont to do. “I hope my boy hasn’t made you too uncomfortable.”
Winry shook her head. “I’m not bothered. Qiang has some good ideas. I’m beginning to think those herbs of his might be needed.”
Ying-Hua laughed. “That poor boy of yours does seem a little…stunted in that area. Edward seems quite mortified his brother has a girlfriend.”
“Worse, one Ed was too self-absorbed to notice she existed,” Winry said knowingly. “But maybe it’ll help. Ed was so wrapped up in sacrificing himself so he could help Al get his body back. Now he needs to learn how to live again. I think your son can help with that. He pokes Ed and Ed jumps. Qiang can get Ed moving if only out of spite. I can handle him once he’s in motion. I know Ed feels something. Getting him to admit it is the problem,” Winry sighed.
“Find time with him alone,” Ying-Hua counseled. “Some men can’t do public displays. Mostly your boy is always with his brother. Maybe Edward is shy around him.”
Winry shook her head quickly. “I can’t imagine Ed ever being shy but I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Otherwise, you could decide to tackle him and tell him what you’re going to do with him.” The old woman’s lines deepened as she grinned.
Blushing, Winry laughed harder. “Now I know where your son gets it from. But I like the idea. I came to that conclusion myself.”
“Good girl.”
“Winry!” Elicia poked her head out of the playhouse with Black Hayate – now her dog upon Riza’s ‘death.’ “I’m ready now.”
“Coming, Sweetie. Excuse me, Ying-Hua. I’ve been summoned.” She grinned.
“Enjoy.”
X X X
“I don’t like the looks on your faces,” Al said as he entered Qiang’s back room at the shop. He gazed uneasily between Qiang, Ed Havoc and Armstrong.
“Alphonse, news has come that it is possible the Crimson Alchemist is in the area,” Armstrong said, his blue eyes flashing dangerously.
“That’s really bad,” Al stated the obvious.
“He knew me fairly well in Ishbal and as enemies after that. I’m not sure this disguise will fool him,” Qiang said, gesturing at his long hair, the tattoos on the back of his hands flashing.
“What do we do?” Al asked wearily. He was so tired of all the intrigue.
“Right now, not much,” Ed said. “Qiang and Armstrong want to check it out more before we panic.”
“Crimson is crafty but we can outfox him,” Armstrong said confidentially.
“And tomorrow is Elicia’s birthday party. I don’t want to interrupt that,” Qiang’s eyes went grim.
The brothers shared a look, not only was the little girl potentially in danger if Kimbley was around but also Winry. She dealt with Kimbley once before and that was plenty enough for one lifetime.
X X X
“You’ve been tense all evening. Is it because of Armstrong’s news?” Winry sat on the bed, vaguely nervous now that she had Ed all to herself for a change. Ying-Hua’s words rang in her head. The question was: was she ready? Oh yes, very very ready, she decided.
“Mostly. They have a nice life here now. The Little Xing community makes a good cover for the bastard and, with his insane plan to make more of himself, they don’t need to be on the run. It’s tough,” Ed said sympathetically. “But…it’s Al that’s bothering me.”
“What about Al? He’s looking good now, healthy, enjoying life,” Winry said and Ed made a face. “Ah, this is about Al not being a virgin any more. It’s been bothering you since he told you.”
Ed stalked around the little bedroom. “Little brothers aren’t supposed to do things first.”
“Well, whose fault is that, Ed? Maybe Al doesn’t want to spend a lifetime repressing his feelings while you, you get nervous whenever you so much as think about a girl and start spewing the composition of crap. Even Kimbley thought you were deranged and that’s saying something,” Winry said sourly, crossing her arms over her chest. Maybe this wasn’t the way to seduce Ed but he needed to hear these things.
Ed paused in his pacing, red blotches on his cheeks. “What was I supposed to do, Winry? Tell you I loved you and then disappear just like that bastard father of mine? It was so hard on Mom raising us alone. It wasn’t fair to do that to you.”
“I’m not ready for kids, Ed. We’re still kids ourselves, after a fashion, but you could have told me,” Winry said, so frustrated she barely heard his confession of love. “Relationships aren’t meant to be decided by one person.”
Ed didn’t answer her. He went and sat on the window seat, looking out. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be back, Winry. I wasn’t even sure if I’d live. I couldn’t put you through that.”
“I went through it anyhow. Still, that’s all over now. Your journal is done. Al’s back and parts of you never will be but that’s okay. I love you in spite of that.” Ed made a noncommittal noise then poked his head out the open screen-less window. Winry scowled. “ Ed, are you listening to me? The conversation is an important one and it’s not out there,” Winry snarled, wondering where her wrenches were. Ed could use one now.
“Is that my brother out there?” Ed ignored her implied threat. “Is he kissing Xue-Lie?” Ed went to slap the sill and Winry caught his hand.
“Leave Al alone. You can’t hide your feelings, pretending to be worried about your brother,” she told him, poking his chin. “Al told Ran Fan no more. Obviously he wants to be with Xue-Li.”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s not allowed to kiss her,” Ed pouted, looking cute even if he was infuriating.
Winry crossed her arms over her chest. “Why not?”
“Because if he kisses her, he could fall in love with her and then the Bastard will be my brother-in-law and don’t tell me that’s not the end of the world because it is.” Ed shook his finger at her.
Winry laughed, too amused at his frantic expression to remain angry with him. “Ed, it’s just a kiss, not the end of the world.”
“A kiss is everything!” Ed said.
“Oh, really? Well, if you feel that way, then…” Winry pressed him back hard against the wall next to the window, kissing him reverently. When she let him up for air, she grinned at the stunned and pleased expression on Ed’s face. “So?” she queried. “Is it everything?”
Ed wrapped his arms around her, meeting her mouth hungrily, his tongue slipping inside her mouth as instinct took over. Their bodies moved against each other, slipping closer to the window. Ed continued the starved-for-love kiss until he nearly lost his balance against the open window.
Winry laughed, hauling up off the window seat. “Come on, before you fall out and land on, Al.”
“Qiang would never let me hear the end of it,” Ed said as Winry pushed him on the bed.
“He wouldn’t have been the only one.” Winry straddled Ed, sitting on him. She leaned over, kissing him.
“Winry… is this too fast?” he asked, lusting beginning to fade. “Should you be sitting on me?”
“I think you like me sitting here.” She shifted her weight on him. “I know you do.”
Ed burned brightly, muttering something that might have been words. Winry pushed up his shirt, kissing his belly. “Believe me, Ed. This is not too fast. It’s been far too slow in arriving.” Grinning, she reached down to where his zipper was forced to climb uphill and that was the last protest she heard from him.
on to chapter six
author-
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition. I don’t make a profit
Rating – PG-13
Pairing – Ed/Winry, Roy/Riza, Al/various
Time Line – manga based, future fic, based heavily on the dark future Riza predicted should Roy attain his goals. Spoilers for manga beyond #38.
Summary – It should have been a time of great happiness but fate is rarely kind
Warning – apparent character death
Author’s Note – Thanks to Mjules for the beta. This was written as a holiday gift for evil_little_dog for Yule 2006 and as per usual is a WIP. Sigh. Hope you enjoy
You can find previous chapters here
Chapter Five
Qiang didn’t want to wake up. It was too early in the morning except for one less than minor thing: Eria was spooned around him, the baby kicking against his kidneys. Groaning, he got out of bed. Eria mumbled, reaching for him. Slowly her eyes opened.
“You getting up?”
“The baby was kicking me again.” He smiled at her.
“I’ve learned to sleep through it,” she replied, rubbing her belly.
He leaned over the bed, kissing her rounded stomach right over a tiny hand visible through Eria’s taut skin. “That’s a good thing.”
“You’re looking so happy lately.” She smiled up at him.
“I have a beautiful wife. We’re going to have a baby and our friends are all around us. I have things to be happy about.” He caressed her belly and a foot came up, kicking at his hand.
“You’re enjoying the brothers’ stay,” Eira said, arching into his touch. The soft blue sheets looked good against her skin, he decided.
“Well, Alphonse at any rate,” Qiang said, making a face.
“Please, you can’t fool me.” She caught his fingers, squeezing gently. “You enjoy bantering and baiting Edward. He reminds you of a young you.”
“I dare you to say that to him.” Qiang smirked, just thinking on those fireworks.
“I think I’ll leave that to you, Qiang. Tormenting Edward is your forte.” She smiled. “What are your plans for the day?”
“The ships from Xing should be here today. That’ll keep me busy.” Qiang went to get his hair brush off the walnut dresser. I’ll have to turn over whatever intelligence Ran Fan and Mr. Fu have for Armstrong so he can tell his sister.”
“With the brothers occupied, Winry will be at loose ends. I know Elicia’s already claimed some of her time. I’ll see if we can arrange for her to play with Elicia when I have my doctor’s appointment this afternoon. That way I’ll have free time for her.”
“I’m sure Winy will appreciate it.” After brushing it, Qiang tied his long hair up with a silk tie and began to braid it.
Eira got up and helped him. “I love you with long hair. It’s very sexy.” She kissed his shoulder.
“That’s right, get me all worked up when there’s no chance for an outlet.” He smiled at her.
“Later.” She kissed him. “I have to go make sure Elicia’s gift is ready for delivery. You need to get ready to help the boys.” She yawned. “Why is it all I really want to do is lay around?”
Qiang took her in his arms. “Let’s stay in. I’ll send word I’m sick.”
She tugged his queue. “Behave. There is too much to do. I’d like to have everyone here for dinner but I’ll need to get this place cleaned.”
He shook his head. “I’ll see if Xue-Li can help. I don’t want you working too hard.”
“You baby me too much,” Eria replied but didn’t turn down the offer of help.
X X X
Al couldn’t let his brother know how nervous he was. Ever since Ed had learned he was Ran Fan’s occasional lover, things had been awkward. At the moment, it didn’t help that Ran Fan seemed very nervous herself but Al didn’t know what had her upset. Once the cargo was taken care of, Ed went with Mr. Fu to discuss business with Qiang. Al had asked Ran Fan to come with him.
Al looked up at the sprawling trees overhead. He didn’t know why he had chosen a park to talk to Ran Fan about the things bothering him about their relationship. He could tell Ran Fan noticed this strangely public choice for a meeting place. Al and Ran Fan would normally go back to his hotel room.
“Is something wrong, Alphonse?” she asked in her usual quiet tones.
“I…I’m not going say wrong, per se,” Al hedged, wondering why this felt so difficult. “I was going to ask you the same thing. You have a strange look in your eyes.”
“This is hard.” Ran Fan looked away, the servos in her automail hand whining as she tensed.
“You don’t want to be with me any more,” Al said, thinking that was the only thing that could make her this nervous. They had been careful. She couldn’t be pregnant, which was the only other thing to explain this level of nervousness. That or Emperor Ling had found out and was furious.
Ran Fan’s head snapped over to face him. “How did you know?”
“I was going to say the same thing. This isn’t fair to you, Ran Fan, pulling you between me and Ling. I care about you very much and I can’t do this with you any more. It’s not right.” The words rushed out of Al, stumbling over one another. He didn’t want this to hurt and it did. He put his hand on her shoulder, feeling the familiar rigidity of metal. It was hurting him and from the look in her dark eyes, Ran Fan felt the same pain.
Ran Fan bowed her head, her short, dark hair swinging forward. “I am…glad is not the right word. Relieved, maybe?”
“You were going to say the same thing. I guess you feel much the same,” Al said, his relief showing in his voice more than he wanted it to.
She made a soft, dismayed sound. “I do but my reasons were different. Ling’s advisors have told him that having a family would make him look more…normal, more acceptable to the people.”
“Like Bradley did with Selim.” Al shuddered at the memory of both homunculi.
“He wanted me to be the first wife to have a child, even though I’m not really a wife and never truly could be.” Ran Fan’s words strangled as she tried to work them free.
Al felt his face go cold and white. A homunculus like Ling was sterile. “He wanted you to have my child.”
The nod was barely perceptible. “I couldn’t do that to you.” She rested her flesh hand on his chest, not quite meeting his eye.
“You should never have been asked to. That’s heartless of Ling,” Al raged, getting up. He stalked over to a tree, his fists clenching and unclenching.
“It was Greed who asked,” she replied softly, crossing her arms over her chest as if a cold breeze had sprung up. He knew to her Greed and Ling were not the same person and he rather agreed. Ed was less certain. Al, feeling like he was adding to her pain, came back over to her.
Al put an arm around her, his hand resting on her metal arm. “Do you want to go back there, Ran Fan? This is a big country, you could…”
“No,” she said sharply. “He wouldn’t force me to. Ling wouldn’t hurt me. He mostly keeps Greed at bay.”
Al didn’t find that reassuring. “The offer stands should he ever fail at that,” he said tentatively, knowing he couldn’t push this particular topic. Ran Fan was as loyal to Ling as Winry was to Ed and Riza to Roy.
“I am grateful to have a legitimate reason for not doing this. Your refusal to keep up this relationship will absolve me of any responsibility. I wasn’t sure I could lie to him,” she said, her silver fingers curling into a ball. “He always knows.”
“If it helps…” Al felt his face go hot. “You might hear an ongoing joke about me having two girlfriends. It’s not true but you could tell him that I have someone else, if it makes it easier.”
She nodded. “It might.” Ran Fan’s eyes met his. “You should find someone else. You are too sweet to let your heart grow cold.”
Al smiled. “Thank you. I will. I just worry about you.” He stroked Ran Fan’s cheek.
The tip of her tongue flicked over her lips. “I’ll be all right.”
Was that all there was to a break up? What was he supposed to do now? Kiss her cheek? Squeeze her hand? Just walk off and leave her? Maybe he wasn’t supposed to do anything at all. Al sensed they had come to the end of the conversation and it felt awkward. Changing the subject was the only thing left. “Maybe we should find your grandfather and Edward.”
Ran Fan looked grateful for the diversion.
X X X
Winry watched as Elicia got her playhouse fixed just the way she wanted so they could play. Winry felt envious of the girl’s house, wishing she had had one like this. All she had was Ed’s tree house and that had been…dangerously made. Winry had grown up in the country with a lot of room to romp, something Elicia hadn’t had in Central. That all changed when Gracia and Elicia had moved to the mountain town. Now, behind the cottages that went with the hotel was a child’s playhouse done up like a mini-cottage. A wide expanse of grass rolled out behind it right up to the woods. It was a wonderful place to play. The little girl disappeared inside of the playhouse.
Winry heard someone coming up behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled at Ying-Hua. “Good afternoon, ma’am.”
“And to you.” The old woman sat on a cast iron bench that wrapped around the thick trunk of a tree. Her iron grey hair was put up in an elaborate twist. “Are you enjoying your stay, my bratty son aside?” Ying-Hua grinned.
Winry laughed. “Qiang’s not so bad.” She shrugged. “Maybe I’m just so used to Edward that I don’t notice.”
“Yes, your young man is much like my son was at that age,” Ying-Hua said, her dark eyes twinkling so much like her boy’s were wont to do. “I hope my boy hasn’t made you too uncomfortable.”
Winry shook her head. “I’m not bothered. Qiang has some good ideas. I’m beginning to think those herbs of his might be needed.”
Ying-Hua laughed. “That poor boy of yours does seem a little…stunted in that area. Edward seems quite mortified his brother has a girlfriend.”
“Worse, one Ed was too self-absorbed to notice she existed,” Winry said knowingly. “But maybe it’ll help. Ed was so wrapped up in sacrificing himself so he could help Al get his body back. Now he needs to learn how to live again. I think your son can help with that. He pokes Ed and Ed jumps. Qiang can get Ed moving if only out of spite. I can handle him once he’s in motion. I know Ed feels something. Getting him to admit it is the problem,” Winry sighed.
“Find time with him alone,” Ying-Hua counseled. “Some men can’t do public displays. Mostly your boy is always with his brother. Maybe Edward is shy around him.”
Winry shook her head quickly. “I can’t imagine Ed ever being shy but I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Otherwise, you could decide to tackle him and tell him what you’re going to do with him.” The old woman’s lines deepened as she grinned.
Blushing, Winry laughed harder. “Now I know where your son gets it from. But I like the idea. I came to that conclusion myself.”
“Good girl.”
“Winry!” Elicia poked her head out of the playhouse with Black Hayate – now her dog upon Riza’s ‘death.’ “I’m ready now.”
“Coming, Sweetie. Excuse me, Ying-Hua. I’ve been summoned.” She grinned.
“Enjoy.”
X X X
“I don’t like the looks on your faces,” Al said as he entered Qiang’s back room at the shop. He gazed uneasily between Qiang, Ed Havoc and Armstrong.
“Alphonse, news has come that it is possible the Crimson Alchemist is in the area,” Armstrong said, his blue eyes flashing dangerously.
“That’s really bad,” Al stated the obvious.
“He knew me fairly well in Ishbal and as enemies after that. I’m not sure this disguise will fool him,” Qiang said, gesturing at his long hair, the tattoos on the back of his hands flashing.
“What do we do?” Al asked wearily. He was so tired of all the intrigue.
“Right now, not much,” Ed said. “Qiang and Armstrong want to check it out more before we panic.”
“Crimson is crafty but we can outfox him,” Armstrong said confidentially.
“And tomorrow is Elicia’s birthday party. I don’t want to interrupt that,” Qiang’s eyes went grim.
The brothers shared a look, not only was the little girl potentially in danger if Kimbley was around but also Winry. She dealt with Kimbley once before and that was plenty enough for one lifetime.
X X X
“You’ve been tense all evening. Is it because of Armstrong’s news?” Winry sat on the bed, vaguely nervous now that she had Ed all to herself for a change. Ying-Hua’s words rang in her head. The question was: was she ready? Oh yes, very very ready, she decided.
“Mostly. They have a nice life here now. The Little Xing community makes a good cover for the bastard and, with his insane plan to make more of himself, they don’t need to be on the run. It’s tough,” Ed said sympathetically. “But…it’s Al that’s bothering me.”
“What about Al? He’s looking good now, healthy, enjoying life,” Winry said and Ed made a face. “Ah, this is about Al not being a virgin any more. It’s been bothering you since he told you.”
Ed stalked around the little bedroom. “Little brothers aren’t supposed to do things first.”
“Well, whose fault is that, Ed? Maybe Al doesn’t want to spend a lifetime repressing his feelings while you, you get nervous whenever you so much as think about a girl and start spewing the composition of crap. Even Kimbley thought you were deranged and that’s saying something,” Winry said sourly, crossing her arms over her chest. Maybe this wasn’t the way to seduce Ed but he needed to hear these things.
Ed paused in his pacing, red blotches on his cheeks. “What was I supposed to do, Winry? Tell you I loved you and then disappear just like that bastard father of mine? It was so hard on Mom raising us alone. It wasn’t fair to do that to you.”
“I’m not ready for kids, Ed. We’re still kids ourselves, after a fashion, but you could have told me,” Winry said, so frustrated she barely heard his confession of love. “Relationships aren’t meant to be decided by one person.”
Ed didn’t answer her. He went and sat on the window seat, looking out. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be back, Winry. I wasn’t even sure if I’d live. I couldn’t put you through that.”
“I went through it anyhow. Still, that’s all over now. Your journal is done. Al’s back and parts of you never will be but that’s okay. I love you in spite of that.” Ed made a noncommittal noise then poked his head out the open screen-less window. Winry scowled. “ Ed, are you listening to me? The conversation is an important one and it’s not out there,” Winry snarled, wondering where her wrenches were. Ed could use one now.
“Is that my brother out there?” Ed ignored her implied threat. “Is he kissing Xue-Lie?” Ed went to slap the sill and Winry caught his hand.
“Leave Al alone. You can’t hide your feelings, pretending to be worried about your brother,” she told him, poking his chin. “Al told Ran Fan no more. Obviously he wants to be with Xue-Li.”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s not allowed to kiss her,” Ed pouted, looking cute even if he was infuriating.
Winry crossed her arms over her chest. “Why not?”
“Because if he kisses her, he could fall in love with her and then the Bastard will be my brother-in-law and don’t tell me that’s not the end of the world because it is.” Ed shook his finger at her.
Winry laughed, too amused at his frantic expression to remain angry with him. “Ed, it’s just a kiss, not the end of the world.”
“A kiss is everything!” Ed said.
“Oh, really? Well, if you feel that way, then…” Winry pressed him back hard against the wall next to the window, kissing him reverently. When she let him up for air, she grinned at the stunned and pleased expression on Ed’s face. “So?” she queried. “Is it everything?”
Ed wrapped his arms around her, meeting her mouth hungrily, his tongue slipping inside her mouth as instinct took over. Their bodies moved against each other, slipping closer to the window. Ed continued the starved-for-love kiss until he nearly lost his balance against the open window.
Winry laughed, hauling up off the window seat. “Come on, before you fall out and land on, Al.”
“Qiang would never let me hear the end of it,” Ed said as Winry pushed him on the bed.
“He wouldn’t have been the only one.” Winry straddled Ed, sitting on him. She leaned over, kissing him.
“Winry… is this too fast?” he asked, lusting beginning to fade. “Should you be sitting on me?”
“I think you like me sitting here.” She shifted her weight on him. “I know you do.”
Ed burned brightly, muttering something that might have been words. Winry pushed up his shirt, kissing his belly. “Believe me, Ed. This is not too fast. It’s been far too slow in arriving.” Grinning, she reached down to where his zipper was forced to climb uphill and that was the last protest she heard from him.
on to chapter six
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-09-13 04:19 am (UTC)Much love for the romance all around. The contrast between Qiang/Eria, Al/Ran Fan, and Ed/Winry was nicely done, and I like how even in important conversations all the characters are very much themselves.
And now there seems to be action/adventure plot, which I am also loving.
And lastly...
Go Winry go!
no subject
Date: 2007-09-13 04:24 am (UTC)And now there seems to be action/adventure plot, which I am also loving. you only think that since honestly they won't tell me about this. jerks.
Winry just plain got TIRED of waiting on Ed to do something
no subject
Date: 2007-09-13 01:00 pm (UTC)Think you're missing a word at the end of this line:
“Winry… is this too fast?” he asked, lusting beginning to fade. “Should you be sitting me?”
no subject
Date: 2007-09-13 11:32 pm (UTC)Yeah Ran Fan has a small role but it's rather angsty.
As for Ed, sometimes you just have to knock a boy down.
no subject
Date: 2007-09-13 06:32 pm (UTC)Uh and Kimbley thats never good ...
Oh and yay you for the update! ;-)
no subject
Date: 2007-09-13 11:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-15 10:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-16 01:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-15 11:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-16 01:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-16 04:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-16 07:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-16 08:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-18 04:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-18 03:14 pm (UTC)glad you liked this
no subject
Date: 2007-09-19 12:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-19 01:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-26 03:08 pm (UTC)I liked Winry's assessment. Although from this chapter, it appears that triggering Ed's competitive streak with his little brother works pretty well, too. I enjoyed the interludes with the other two couples, too.
no subject
Date: 2007-09-26 04:18 pm (UTC)thanks