Birthday Girl

by fuzzzylemon

Summary:

Ed takes a break from his research to visit Winry in Rush Valley for her birthday.

The noise of machines whirring engulfed the store as Winry was finishing with her 8 am client.

 

Since her return a few months ago, Winry had been swarmed by clients. They flooded her calendar, some old and some new. She had missed this. 

 

The business, the people, the smell- it was exactly what she needed after being away. For two years, she had assisted her grandmother in running their family business back in Resembol, and she adored being home, but Rush Valley was different.

 

She was a bit older and a lot more independent. She paid rent for her own little apartment just five minutes away. 

 

Sure, Winry had grown up a bit faster than most girls her age because of the cards she was dealt, but she always had her grandmother’s support. The boys were a bonus; they had been her friends since the beginning of time and were there to help her whenever she rang.

 

Her grandmother was getting older, and the boys went to travel, leaving her, for the first time, to feel as if she were stepping into real womanhood. 

 

She was satisfied here and lucky to have such amazing clients who allowed her to move freely. Winry had Paninya and Garfiel, who always treated her like their own, so even miles from home, she still had people to lean on.

 

It was now June, and she could feel the heat of Rush Valley getting one degree more sinister each day. She couldn’t remember the last time it rained, the smell of the dry heat filling her lungs as she worked. 

 

The small shop bells tinged as the door flew open, Paninya making her presence known.

 

“Heeeeeeelllllloooooo!” She shouted for the shop next door to hear.

 

Winry had just finished with her first client and wondered how long of a break she could sneak in before her 10 am. She wiped her forehead to look over at the large analog clock just above her station. It was 9:45 am, leaving her merely enough time to clean up and reset for her 10 am client.

 

She was exhausted, but grateful. There were shop owners and mechanics who would be fortunate to reel in even one client, so she felt appreciative to have people who relied on her expertise and trusted her work.

 

She pulled her safety goggles up to the top of her head and peeled off her gloves as she whipped her head around to acknowledge Paninya.

 

“Good morning to you too,” she laughed and spun back around on her rolling stool.

 

“You’re good as new! Hopefully that thing will last you a few months so you won’t have to see my face for a while.” She slapped her hands on her thighs and stood up, ready to walk him towards the exit.

 

Thomas got up slowly from the exam chair and started for the door, fiddling with his refurbished metal fingers.

 

He gave a flirty laugh before turning back towards her. “Damn, maybe I need to slam my hand in a door more often so I can see your pretty face.” He quipped, the words rolling off his tongue smoothly.

 

She rolled her eyes and turned the doorknob, the bells filling in for her silence.

 

She poked her tongue with her cheek, her other hand coming up to rest on her hip. “And maybe I should call my boyfriend to come down here and kick your ass.”

 

He responded with a sarcastic laugh, eyes glued to her face as he crossed the threshold to leave. “I won’t give up as easily as you think,” he said, walking off with his hand in the air, bidding her goodbye.

 

“Jerkoff,” she mumbled faintly as she shut the door.

 

“Ew, he’s so gross.” Paninya retorted, and they fell silent for a few seconds. “Anywhoooooooo,”

 

Paninya clasped her hands behind her back and strolled around the shop as though she withheld suspicious information. Winry looked at her with one eyebrow raised, awaiting her reply, and Paninya sighed loudly.

 

“It’s your birthday tomorrow!” Paninya clamored, half disappointed. She pointed at the 9th day on the calendar, and Winry only shrugged in response.

 

“Don’t you dare tell me you booked clients for tomorrow,” she started again, practically fuming.

 

“It’s not that big a deal!” Winry cried out, “And besides, I love working.” She threw up her hands, trying to believe her own words as they left her mouth.

 

“No. No, no, no, no, no.” She began walking towards Winry.

 

“I get that you love this shit,” Paninya gestured around the room, “but you’re turning 19! Win, it’s your fucking birthday. I’d be damned if I let you spend this ONE day working. We’re going out, whether you like it or not.”

 

“But I don’t—”

 

Paninya cut her off, “I don’t even care if you want to just lay in bed all day, as long as you don’t step one foot in this place, you have my approval!”

 

“I’ll think about it,” Winry responded seriously this time.

 

It was her birthday tomorrow, but it didn’t feel like it. 

 

Until her 5th birthday, it felt like the most magical day on the planet. Winry would help her parents bake her own cake and invite their neighbor Trisha and her boys over to celebrate.

 

Until her 12th birthday, Pinako and the boys would try their best to keep the tradition going, but it always ended in her room late at night, with tear-soaked pillows. The next four years were tiny celebrations, Pinako trying her best to keep Winry together.

 

Since then, she never really cared much for her birthday, trying to draw attention away from the grief that came with it—another year older meant another year without her parents.

 

The shop bells rang yet again and pulled her from her thoughts. A tall boy with freckles and scruffy dark-brown hair gripped the door carefully. 

 

“Good morning, sorry I’m a bit early.” Winry looked at the time, accepting the end of her non-existent break.

 

She put on a gentle smile, “Hi, Leo. No worries at all! Let’s get started.” Winry gestured for him to sit and organized her tools.

 

Paninya eyed her friend closely with a sad smile before grabbing the newspaper from the entryway table. She threw herself into Garfiel’s empty exam chair and kicked her feet up on top of a crate.

 

About half an hour later, Paninya peeked over her paper at the sound of an entrance. Garfiel greeted the young ladies and sifted through the mail that was resting on the countertop. He flipped through them and gasped loudly.

 

Garfiel’s mouth opened wide in surprise, his other hand dramatically slapping across his mouth. Paninya could see the hint of a smile creeping across his face and practically leaped out of her chair to see what he held.

 

Winry sat up tall and bounced her eyes between them both as they hovered over the piece of mail.

 

“Ahhhhhhhhhh!” Paninya screamed as Garfiel flipped the letter around on his chest, revealing its sender. “So the Mr. Edward Elric writes us letters now?!” He pursed his lips and looked around the room at Winry.

 

“What—” Winry’s mouth slightly opened in shock, a smile slowly tugging at her lips. Paninya was bouncing around like a teenage girl as Garfiel walked over to hand Winry the thin envelope.

 

It had been a few months since she last saw Edward off at the train station. They had established their relationship before they departed, both agreeing to remain together to see how the distance would affect them. They arranged to be apart for months at a time, depending on where he traveled to next. It had only been a couple of months, and Winry missed him terribly.

 

She would daydream at work, recalling the touch of his skin. She missed the way he kissed her gently and played softly with her hair. Her mind was constantly flooded with thoughts of him. From the way he smelled to his snarky remarks. God, she missed every little thing about him.

 

The one thing she didn’t miss too much was his voice. He was always bouncing between hotels, and he did his best to call her as often as he could. He would time each call to be sure she was snug in her apartment. Their conversations sometimes lasted for hours.

 

She would ask how his research was going, and he would ask if work was going smoothly. His voice was curious to hear about her and yearning to see her. The sound of it made her wish she could hop through the phone. She looked forward to his calls, and frankly, she wasn’t too sure if she could make it this long otherwise.

 

She tore open the side of the envelope, pulling the contents from it as though it were surgery. The paper was neatly folded in thirds and seemed to have been torn from his travel journal. As she unfolded it, there was a photograph tucked carefully inside.

 

 

Winry,

 

I hope this reaches you before your birthday, and if it has passed, I hope you enjoyed your day. I’m sorry that we couldn’t spend it together.

 

I have a few things in my bag for you, small things I found while being here that reminded me of you. I don’t want anything to get lost in the mail, so I’ll hold onto it until I see you again.

 

A few days ago, I stepped out for a walk late at night, and when I got back to the hotel, the sun was rising. I walked behind the hotel to get a better look, and a man was sitting on a bench near the water. We got into conversation and enjoyed the sunrise together. I told him a lot about you, and before we parted ways, he took a photo of the sky with his camera. He gave it to me for you, so I slipped it in here.

 

Things are going quicker than I anticipated; that being said, I may be in Resembol by early November. I know I always hear you on the telephone, but I miss you terribly. It feels a lot different to write this than to say it.

 

I hope this week has treated you kindly, and I should be able to get some more work done this week, so I’ll call you when I do.

 

Yours,

Ed

 

 

Winry studied how perfect his handwriting looked and found herself smiling at the sheet of paper. She observed the picture for the second time, studying it closely. The water had just crashed near the pavement the moment he pressed the shutter, and the sky was so orange it was breathtaking.

 

She pressed it to her chest for two seconds before placing it carefully back into the frail paper. She folded it just as it had been and placed it back into the envelope and onto her work desk.

 

“So what did he say, what did he say, what did he say, what did he sa—” Paninya sounded like a child on a sugar rush.

 

Winry pulled her goggles back down on her face, returning to her work. She spoke to Paninya with her eyes fixed on Leo’s shoulder. “He just wished me a happy birthday.” She said it as though it wasn’t a big deal.

 

Winry was just barely finishing Leo’s shoulder in time for her 11 am client, Kenny, who she was hoping would be a few minutes late. After him, she could run to grab some food and take a little break before her next client at 2 pm.

 

She was tightening the final screw when she heard the shop bells jingle. Winry, assuming it was Kenny, shouted out into the shop. The footsteps trailed over to the countertop, and she resumed with her final touches.

 

She thanked Leo, assuring him that he was all good to go. He pushed up off the arms of the exam chair and stepped around her toward the door. She looked quickly over her shoulder at him and back to her messy station.

 

He thanked her for her service and bid her farewell as she pulled the tips of her work gloves before ripping them off completely. Removing her goggles from her head, she pulled her hair loose to redo her ponytail. She spun around on her rolling stool and stood up to greet Kenny.

 

He stood tall with a shy smile; one hand held a leather trunk, the other a big bouquet of colorful flowers. Realization set in, and Winry threw her hands up to cover her face, her heart nearly bursting out of her chest.

 

“You’re joking!” She laughed manically before running over and throwing herself into Edward’s arms. He let go of his trunk, and it hit the floor with a thud. He wrapped his free hand around her neck and kissed her temple as she breathed into his chest.

 

She moved her head up to look at him, begging to be kissed. He set the flowers down on the counter and gripped both sides of her face firmly. He took a second to look at her before she pushed off her toes to kiss him deeply.

 

They kissed for a long time, Ed’s hands leaving her soft cheeks and finding their way to the small of her back. Winry’s hair was still loose, and he felt it brush along his fingers.

 

She was extremely grateful that the shop was empty; this moment belonged to them. She was the one who pulled away first, dying to ask. 

 

“What are you doing here?!” She beamed. “I just opened your letter. It was very sweet.” Her smile softened, and she placed her hand on the side of his face, reaching up to kiss his other cheek softly.

 

“Are you kidding? I wasn’t going to miss your birthday,” he said matter-of-factly, “The letter was my plan to throw you off a bit; I’m glad it got here before me ‘cause that would’ve been awkward.” He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed. He held out his other hand, offering the flowers, and she accepted them.

 

“These are stunning, thank you.” She beamed and squeezed his hand tight; the sound of bells pulled them from their bubble as the door swung open.

 

“Oh. My. God.” Paninya stopped for dramatic effect. Garfiel’s mouth hung open, a smile tugging at his lips from the surprise. They both froze for a good amount of time, and Winry turned her body back to Ed. 

 

“Looks like you got them just as good as you got me.” She looked back at them as they stood still as statues.

 

Paninya walked inside slowly and couldn’t refrain from smiling. “What! The! Hell!” She bounced around and slapped his arm before greeting Ed with a bear hug. He hugged her back, all his teeth showing, before greeting Garfiel as he held his hand out.

 

They had a million questions that Ed answered for them as Winry fixed up her tools for Kenny.

 

The real Kenny.

 

He walked in and greeted them all before planting himself into her exam chair. Winry got to work while the three of them spoke about Edward’s travels. She worked on her client’s wrist, occasionally entering their conversation without interrupting her work.

 

Garfiel sat up and grabbed the bouquet from the countertop, playing with the petals. “After you finish up with Kenny, please take Edward and get something to eat. You need a break, doll.”

 

“A break? Please, she won’t even take a break on her damn birthday,” Paninya replied in annoyance. “Edward, please convince her to spend the day with you tomorrow. You came all this way!”

 

Edward was about to protest that Winry shouldn’t change her plans just because he arrived with no notice, but Garfiel spoke first.

 

“Done.” He handed the flowers to Edward, and for the first time, she actually stopped working on her client and spun around on her stool to look directly at Garfiel.

 

“But I already scheduled people for tomorr—” Winry began.

 

“I’ll take care of it. You’re off.” Garfiel spoke plainly, and Ed sank into his chair a bit, knowing where this would lead.

 

“But!—” Winry cried out.

 

“Aht! Don’t let me see you here tomorrow, girl. Enjoy your birthday off. Get cozy with Edward or something!” Garfiel swatted his hands to emphasize his point further and headed for the door.

 

Ed’s face got hot, and he moved his head down, eyes now deep into the flowers. Winry rolled her eyes and returned to her work to avoid further eye contact.

 

Minutes after Paninya and Garfiel left, the shop suddenly seemed a touch more peaceful. Ed sat quietly, watching Winry finish up on her client.

 

She looked so beautiful when she worked. Maybe it was because she genuinely enjoyed it, but the way her brows furrowed as she followed her routine made his heart skip.

 

Her long hair was now up in a tight ponytail and cascading down her back. Her bangs were slightly damp and her cheeks pink from the heat, making her look flustered. Occasionally, she’d bring her forearm up to her head to wipe sweat or lick the salt from her lips. 

 

Ed had seen her in so many ways, but he could admit this was one of his absolute favorites.

 

Winry finished her work and walked Kenny to the door of the shop, thanking him for his patronage. She flipped the sign to communicate her one-hour break and spun around on her heels. She didn’t expect to see Edward already staring at her; she looked up at the clock to avoid his gaze and put her hands on her bare waist.

 

She was dressed in her work overalls, as she always was. The top half wrapped around her waist to combat the temperature of Rush Valley, her black bandeaux covering only her chest. 

 

She’d been sweating from work, and Edward watched carefully as a bead rolled down, right between the nook of her breasts.

 

She must have sensed his immense focus, because she tilted her head to the side and smiled wide, “Hungry?” 

 

Ed gulped softly to mend the knot in his throat and nodded continuously. “Uh yeah, you can take me anywhere.” He smiled back as though hers was contagious.

 

Winry grabbed his luggage and tucked it away safely behind the counter. He held the shop door open for her, and she kissed his cheek on the way out.

 

They strolled side by side down the alley, patiently waiting for the other to speak first. The silence was noticeable but comfortable. Ed was about to open his mouth to speak when she started first.

 

“So how was your trip?” She looked up at him, eyes flicking between both of his, still full of surprise.

 

“It was good. I read a bit until I fell asleep. Then the guy next to me was telling me about his travels, and we spoke for a while until I fell asleep again. After that, I looked out the window for a long time until I fell asleep again.” He grinned as he watched her throw her head back and laugh.

 

He threw his arm around her shoulder, and she melted into him, wrapping her arm around his waist. Her head leaned into the side of his chest, and he gave her a small kiss on her forehead.

 

She beamed up at him. “You have no idea how happy I am right now.” He ruffled her hair slightly, her head still perched up to meet him. Ed kissed her once more, this time on her lips.

 

They sat at a small food stall and fell into comfortable conversation. They bonded over their work as usual until Winry remembered the time. As he walked her back to the shop, he tangled his fingers with hers.

 

Their discussion carried on as he listened to her talk about what her next couple of days at work would look like. When they reached the shop, he brought her hand to his mouth, and her skin tingled.

 

“I get off at seven o’clock. You can hang in the shop if you wanna.” She pointed her thumb over her shoulder, awaiting his response.

 

“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. I might see if I can get some work done in the library, but I’ll be here at seven to come and pick you up.”

 

They parted ways for the next few hours, and Edward kept his word as he arrived just in time to pick Winry up. She was grabbing her things when he opened the shop door.

 

He hadn’t seen her new apartment yet, so Winry led the way. It was a five-story building with a small staircase. Each floor had two apartments on either side, sharing a tiny hallway. 

 

He followed as Winry went around and around the metal stairs until she reached the final floor. She pulled her keys from her bag and opened the door.

 

The apartment was small and cute. He could tell that she had attempted to minimize her work when she was at home, because she only had one small, folding table designated for it.

 

From the frame of the door, there was a kitchenette to their left. A tiny countertop and sink with a two-burner stove pressed up against a slim fridge. On the fridge hung a few photos of her grandmother, the boys, and a few other friends, all held up by different magnets.

 

There was a little round dining table in the middle of the room that could fit three people. A potted plant sat in the center with a few pieces of mail scattered about.

 

In the back corner of the apartment was a bed and a dark green dresser. Two large windows faced the street with white lace curtains draping down.

 

All the furniture was either old or entirely refurbished; it was exactly what he thought the space would look like. Her. 

 

The house was full of pieces that were extremely different, but all touched up in some way. He could tell they were things she found and picked up from being tossed, and decided to give a second life. The final corner of the apartment sat a compact couch for two.

 

Winry had begun apologizing, organizing her mail and picking up her pajamas that were hanging from the dining room chair. Ed chuckled and watched her scurry about, placing his suitcase down gently by the door.

 

She gestured for him to come further inside, “Make yourself at home, I don’t bite.” He laughed and smiled skeptically, walking over toward the couch. 

 

“I’m not sure if you even believe that yourself.” He eyed her cautiously, and she stuck out her tongue.

 

“Would you mind if I used your shower? I’m not really sure I should be sitting on your couch with these clothes,” he tugged at his shirt.

 

“Of course you can. It’s just over there.” She pointed toward the bathroom door, but her eyes never left his face. He thanked her and grabbed his bag before walking over to the tiny bathroom.

 

It had baby blue tile along the wall and a butter yellow curtain with a matching rug. Ed had already begun unbuttoning his shirt when he heard a soft knock at the door.

 

“Can I come in?” He opened the door before she finished speaking.

 

“Sorry— I, it’s just that the, uh, the water is a bit tricky to turn on. I can start it for you.” She fumbled with her words as she watched his fingers continue to undo the buttons of his shirt.

 

He could sense the grasp that he had her in, and honestly, he was amused by it. He loved to see her cheeks tinged pink at the idea of him. The thought of her brain short-circuiting at the sight of him was exciting, and he was no better than her.

 

He lost all the cool he had when she bent over to twist the knobs that controlled the shower. He watched her hands twist knobs in all different directions, adjusting a few settings before the rough stream shot from the showerhead.

 

“All set!” She shouted over the water. I’ll just be outside, she gestured awkwardly as she let herself out. “Let me know if you need anything!” Her voice got quieter as she turned and slammed the door shut.

 

Once he was done, he wrapped the towel around his waist and opened the bathroom door. He stood in the doorway as Winry shot up from her bed.

 

“Would you happen to have a spare toothbrush?” He asked, “I think I might’ve left mine behind.” His hair was sitting around his shoulders, dripping wet. She blinked twice, realizing her mouth hadn’t yet moved.

 

“Uh– yeah! There should be an extra one just under the sink.” He smiled kindly and thanked her before closing the bathroom door again.

 

She was so confused about how her mind could betray her. She’d been with Edward for some time now. They had been friends forever, shared their deepest secrets, and they’d been intimate a few times already. 

 

What the hell was she so nervous about? Her boyfriend staying the night? At that moment, she’d never felt so pathetic and so much like a teenage girl.

 

She’d been looking down at her hands when he appeared at the door frame of the bathroom. He was wearing pajama pants and a white ribbed tank top that emphasized his torso.

 

“You can put your stuff on the table by the couch if you’d like.” She started to get up from her seat on the bed. “I’m gonna shower. I’ll leave the door unlocked if you need anything.” She grabbed a tiny tank top and pajama shorts and made her way to the bathroom.

 

After her shower, she walked over to the blue couch and slumped down; he strode over carefully and tousled her hair, and she returned the gesture with a tired look back, patting the cushion next to her.

 

He fulfilled her wish and plopped down, his hands returning to his lap. She threw her legs over him, and he ran his fingers down them, giving her goosebumps. She scooted closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in.

 

“You must be so exhausted from traveling,” she whispered and placed her hand on his cheek to pull his face towards her. She took a deep breath and kissed him gently behind his ear. Ed swallowed hard and turned to look directly at her, her face a culmination of anticipation and embarrassment.

 

He missed her desperately, and having her in this moment meant everything to him. He didn’t have to imagine that she was lying in his hotel bed anymore; she was really here. 

 

Her soft, shiny hair and her eyes the size of the moon. It took everything in him not to unwrap her in that second. He wanted to do so many things to her, but instead he placed a soft kiss on her nose.

 

“Yeah, I could use a good night’s sleep.” He hummed playfully, and she looked away, embarrassed at his sly rejection.

 

“But how could I when I have the prettiest girl sitting right next to me?” She beamed, showing all her teeth and pinched his cheek. 

 

“Ew, you’re so cheesy!” She teased, and he winced before throwing his head back to laugh.

 

She leaned her arm up on the couch and put her fist into her cheek. She stared, wide-eyed, before continuing, “I still can’t believe you’re really here.”

 

“I still can’t believe it either.” He looked at her lips and then back at her eyes. “I almost got jumped by three mechanics earlier, and you can’t even see my automail! I swear they can smell it.” He feigned annoyance, and Winry laughed loudly, squeezing her eyes shut.

 

They went on like this for an hour or two, falling into comfortable conversation. Ed couldn’t stop staring at her as she spoke; it still felt unreal. The way her hands moved when she was trying to passionately convey a point, or the way her eyes stared when she was listening to him intently.

 

He’d just finished another story from his past couple of weeks in the West when her eyes flickered back and forth between his eyes and lips.

 

It was Edward who went in first for a small kiss. She must’ve felt the same way because her hands went up to his face to pull him in deeper. They kissed for a long time, his hands skimming her legs and feeling the goosebumps he had created. She played with his hair, still slightly wet from his shower, and twirled it with her finger.

 

Still very deep into their makeout, eyes closed, Winry adjusted herself into his lap. One hand gripped her hip, and she sat comfortably between his legs, while his other arm cradled her. Her arms swung around his neck, and she broke the kiss first.

 

The sound of their panting encouraged them to open their eyes. Staring closely, Winry tucked her face into his neck to place a soft kiss on his skin, making him shiver. She appreciated his reaction and repeated the gesture, blood rushing straight to his groin. He felt lightheaded and needed to find a way to direct her elsewhere.

 

He didn’t want her to get the wrong idea or make it seem like he came all this way to have sex with her. No, he knew he could control himself. He had come here for her anyway.

 

Right, her birthday.

 

He peeked over at the battered clock hung just above her door, and read the time. It was 11:23 pm, just a few more minutes until the day.

 

He snuck one arm underneath her knees and another around her back to pull her off of the couch. She gave a little yelp followed by a giggle and continued with her neck kisses. Her arms tightened around his neck as he walked over to her bed.

 

“Is this alright with you?” He placed her down gently on top of the covers, her hair spread upon the pillow.

 

“Please, I’ve missed you so much.” She begged, and that was all she had to say to undo him. He walked over to the foot of the bed and grabbed her by her calves. 

 

He dragged her so that her bottom sat at the edge of the bed and got down on his knees. He grabbed her foot and placed a soft kiss on the top of it.

 

She sat up, wanting to watch him, and her stomach fluttered at the sight of him. He knelt on the floor as he kissed her foot. She felt so powerful, yet so incredibly weak at the same time. He looked up at her with big, amber eyes, and she had to focus her attention elsewhere to ground herself.

 

He held one foot with both hands and trailed his kisses up her leg. Where his lips went, his hands followed. Her skin got hotter as his hands made their way up to her thigh. He kissed her on the surface of her underwear, and she gave an involuntary moan.

 

He removed her underwear, and she arched into his touch. He slid a finger inside her, and she moaned once more. His heart flipped at the sound. 

 

She was such a hard worker, and he wanted nothing more than to make her feel pure bliss. “You sound so beautiful.” He slipped another finger inside, earning him an even louder moan.

 

He liked to experiment and hear the different sounds she would make. They had been intimate a few times already, and as much as he enjoyed the pleasure himself, he loved memorizing her body and pleasing her even more.

 

She opened her eyes to see him removing his fingers. She inhaled a sharp breath when he stuck them in his mouth. Her eyes half-lidded, she leaned down and forced him into a deep kiss. Her tongue swiped his lip before going deeper to taste herself.

 

“You taste so good,” he mumbled against her lips.

 

Satisfied, he put his hand on her belly and gave a soft push, urging her to lie back down. She obeyed and returned to her position, as did his fingers. He continued pumping into her, attempting to send her over the edge.

 

If they didn’t already know, her neighbors now knew she had company. She had tried her best to keep quiet, occasionally using her hands to muffle her noises, but she couldn’t focus anymore. He would find a way to force it out of her, as though he’d perfected the skill.

 

Her breath quickened, and she got up on her elbows to look down at him. He sped up with his fingers and brought his mouth between her legs, looking up at her.

 

It wasn’t just the sensation of his hot breath and big fingers finding their rhythm but the image of him alone, on his knees, so desperately trying to please her.

 

The minute she looked down to watch him, she returned to lying on the bed. She threw her head back, eyes closed, and arched her back.

 

“Ed,” she whispered softly. Her hands found their way into his hair, and she pushed herself deeper into his mouth.

 

She inhaled another sharp breath, his name falling from her lips. She felt terrible as she roughly yanked his hair, trying to ride out her orgasm completely. 

 

Her grip loosened, and he brought that same hand to his mouth. Placing a small kiss on the inside of her palm. She no longer had any energy. The exhaustion from work hit all at once, and her arm plopped back down as his lips left her skin.

 

He let out a low laugh, and the sound vibrated through her. She sat up on her elbows and looked down at him once more. Her hair was tousled, eyes low, and she wore a soft, lazy smile.

 

He got up from his position on the floor and moved to the bed, pulling her into his arms.

 

He kissed her on the forehead and smoothed her hair. “Happy birthday, sweet girl.”

 

She didn’t even care to look at the time. All she knew at that moment was that she was lucky. She had someone who knew how to take care of her, and he would do anything to see her happy.

 

“Thank you,” she mumbled lazily into his chest as he held her close. She could feel his erection pressing into her thigh and felt a pang. She reached down to touch him, and he grabbed her hand once more, placing another kiss into the palm of her hand.

 

“Can I take care of you?” She looked up with wide, sad eyes, hoping he would change his mind.

 

“Tomorrow, I promise.” He turned off the lamp on her bedside table. “Okay,” she said, sounding disappointed but sleepy, “goodnight.”

 

She reached up to kiss his cheek. “Goodnight.” He responded and gave her a tight squeeze.

 

She must’ve been exhausted, because just a few moments later he heard her snoring faintly. He laughed to himself. 

 

She had always pushed herself so hard to take care of her clients, her friends, and her family. He wanted her to feel taken care of finally, and he truly hoped she did.

 

***

 

Winry awoke to the sun peeking through her window and the faint conversations outside her window. She squinted and turned her head to see Ed sleeping peacefully beside her. His hair was messy, and he was snoring lightly.

 

She watched him for a while before sitting up. She rubbed her eyes and felt Ed fidget. When she looked back towards him, he was squinting back at her with a pout.

 

“Good morning,” she whispered and waved jokingly.

 

He sat up and wrapped his arms around her, dragging her back to lie down. “Good morning, birthday girl.” He squeezed her so tightly that she yelled and tried to squirm out of his grasp.

 

She was still laughing when he placed a soft kiss on her lips. “What do you wanna do today?”

 

She put her pointer finger to her cheek, “Hmmmmm.” He looked at her, a smirk on his lips, trying hard not to laugh. 

 

“Nothing.” She deadpanned, and Ed rolled his eyes.

 

“Let’s go out and do something, anything.” They lay tangled in sheets for a while before actually deciding to get up.

 

They took a taxi to the next town over and spent the day exploring it. They enjoyed the sunset and decided to go to a bar before heading back to her apartment.

 

“One drink,” they mutually agreed before heading inside. Ed held the door open as Winry stepped inside.

 

The bar was very dim with yellow lighting. There were posters for previous events and flyers hanging around. The walls were decorated with mismatched picture frames. Groups of friends and family of the business adorned the walls next to other photos of people laughing, enjoying a night out.

 

Winry wore a black top with a tiny denim skirt and rugged moto boots with metal buckles. Her hair was loose and reached her waist, and she carried a small black bag snug underneath her arm. The men at the tables continued their conversations, but their eyes followed her as she walked inside.

 

The bartender had been a client of hers once when his primary mechanic was away. He welcomed them in, and she gave a shy wave. Ed followed closely behind, his hand now at the small of her back. 

 

They occupied two stools at the very edge of the bar, hoping to conceal themselves a bit. They ordered one drink as promised and slipped into comfortable conversation, as always.

 

They sat as close as physically possible to each other. Ed had one foot on the ground, and the other on the metal footrest of Winry’s stool facing her. One elbow leaned on the bar counter, his hand messing with the label of his bottle.

 

Winry’s stool was practically between his legs, her knees pressed together. Their hands found their way to each other as they spoke. He would place his hand on her thigh, or she would run her fingers down his forearm as it rested along the bar. 

 

They ordered a second drink and followed with their third.

 

Ed pulled the bottle to his lips as Winry asked her most anticipated question yet. She had to get over it. She had to grow up; she understood he was only here for a short while, and in the next few hours, her birthday would be over officially. 

 

She always prepared for the worst, trying hard to remember that this fantasy would soon be over. He would return to his research, and she would fall back into her work cycle. 

 

Maybe she was self-sabotaging, but she needed to know. She needed to prepare herself for his departure. It was who he was, and she had agreed with that arrangement. The words finally clawed their way out of her throat.

 

“So, when are you leaving?” She regretted it the second it came out. She took a sip of her beer, trying to seem as unbothered as possible. He raised his eyebrows and studied her face as she drank.

 

“Never, I’m moving in with you. I hope you can make enough space for me.”

 

She rolled her eyes and tilted her head, annoyance written on her face. It was a bad joke. She wanted to be the sort of girl who could let it roll off her back, but she couldn’t.

 

His smile faded as he reached for her hand, his eyes now apologetic. “I was thinking about catching the first train back Monday morning.” She pulled her hand softly out of his grasp to grab her bottle, taking another sip.

 

“Winry, I’m sor—” She cut him off, her attitude becoming more relaxed. She was upset at herself, and she knew it was wrong of her to feel this way. She had been thinking about it since the moment they parted in Resembol.

 

“Stop.” She laughed and held her hand up, rejecting his apology. 

 

“You don’t have to apologize for anything. You haven’t done anything wrong.” He sank into his seat a little, calculating his response.

 

They both glanced around the bar; a minute or two went by before he spoke.

 

“It’s unfair of me to just come and go as I please.” She waited, not knowing what to say herself. “It’s a lot to ask of you. To just sit around waiting for—” She scoffed, a bit offended.

 

“Ed, I think we both know that’s not the kind of girl I am.” She held her hand up again, not wanting to sound rude, but the liquor was cruising through her system. 

 

“I agreed to continue seeing you, even while you work. We’ve had this talk before; I don’t get why it’s being brought up again.” Ed’s eyes narrowed, and he was taken aback. 

 

“I just didn’t think you’d come all this way to be here for 72 hours. But I guess you got what you came for.” She took another swig and placed the bottle down gently.

 

Upset, he laughed out loud, and she clenched her jaw. “You’re joking, right?” She knew it was wrong to say and tried to direct herself somewhere else.

 

“You only came here for my birthday, and now you’re leaving. It’s fine, I get it, you have things to do.” She waved him off, and he furrowed his brows. His guilt started to come back with full force. He hung his head, and Winry regretted bringing anything up. 

 

Why did she have to ruin a good moment? She hated herself for it, and she knew she would feel terrible about it in the morning. Right now, all of her negative thoughts were bubbling up and eating away at her.

 

He swiped a hand down his face and took a breath. “What do you want me to do, Winry?”

 

The sound of her name falling from his lips made her heart ache. She was sorry for everything. Sorry for feeling this way, sorry for saying these things, sorry for making him feel like it wasn’t worth it.

 

She turned to look back at him with wide eyes and swallowed hard. Her brows knitted, tears begging to escape. She put her hands against the bar and pushed her barstool back.

 

“Excuse me,” she slipped her bag on her shoulder and hopped down onto the floor, “I have to use the bathroom.”

 

She made a beeline toward the women’s restroom. She passed a few men who eyed her and a couple that was deep into their heated makeout before pushing open the bathroom door.

 

She locked it quickly and pressed her back against the door.

 

She wanted to retch, and she wanted to cry. She wanted to scream for putting herself into this predicament. She knew that this would happen, and she was an idiot for thinking anything would be different. It was all going exactly how she knew it would. 

 

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Most of all, she needed to apologize. She owed Edward a sincere apology for her behavior. She allowed her insecurities to ruin this moment for her.

 

He had done nothing wrong. He took a break from his own work, paid for a train ticket with his own money, and traveled all this way to come see her. He was probably in the middle of some important research, and maybe that was the reason he wanted to return as soon as possible.

 

Why would she use the little time they had fighting over his departure when she knew it was coming? She felt ungrateful and silly and regretted the entire conversation itself. She would reel her tears back, regulate her breathing, go back out there and apologize.

 

She wiggled her hands and unlatched the door.

 

“Finally!” A woman spat and squeezed into the bathroom, slamming it behind her.

 

Winry puffed her cheeks once more before heading back down the narrow hallway. 

 

When she reentered the space, everything was just as it was when she left. The men at the tables still gave her looks as she walked slowly, and the sound of billiard balls clacking over the loud music filled the air.

 

But when she glanced over at her seat, she found it was no longer vacant. A beautiful girl with long red hair sat in her seat, leaning into Edward to hear him talk. 

 

His body language was different from how she left him, now facing the bartender with both hands wrapped around a new, cold bottle.

 

Winry’s lungs betrayed her, her breath picking back up again. She focused her eyes on the exit and stomped towards it.

 

She pushed it just enough to swing open and felt relief as the air from outside was significantly cooler. She wanted to run into a corner and throw up, but the sound of her boots hitting the pavement grounded her.

 

She heard the door swing open, the sound of loud music escaping before being trapped again behind the wooden door.

 

“Where are you going?” The sound of his voice made her want to cry.

 

He wasn’t angry with her; his voice was bathed only in concern. She had been so unfair to him and remembered her conversation to herself in the restroom.

 

She turned around slowly with her arms crossed, eyes looking around. They stood two feet apart, before her determined face turned soft. Her mouth turned into a frown, and he walked towards her.

 

“Hey,” he whispered, wrapping her in his arms.

 

She cried into his chest as the tears she kept trapped down her throat finally made their way up. “I don’t deserve any of this.”

 

Her arms stood by her sides, and Edward put one hand behind her head to cradle it. He placed small kisses on her temple, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying her hardest to quit crying.

 

“I’m sorry,” she said before sliding her hands around his waist. She fisted his shirt, and he pulled her face out of his chest to look down at her.

 

“And I’m sorry for what I said earlier; it was wrong to joke about that.” His voice was low and serious.

 

“I just—” She sniffled and started again, “these first few months without you were brutal. And it feels so selfish of me, but I can’t help it. I’ve missed you terribly.”

 

His eyebrows knit with understanding; he nodded, wholly agreeing with her declaration.

 

“And for you to just show up here…” She gestured to his body with her hands, “I just— I don’t think I’ve had enough time to process it at all.”

 

He wiped a tear from her pink cheek and tucked a hair behind her ear, listening closely.

 

“Sometimes it’s hard for me to accept when good things happen to me.” She looked up at him, and his amber eyes were already focused on hers.

 

“Even if it doesn’t happen that often.” She looked away and wiped her nose softly. She chuckled, getting a soft smile out of him.

 

“And I’m sorry if I made you feel like I only came here for— your birthday.” He responded, and she felt a pang of guilt at her previous insinuation, and she was sorry she even brought it up. It wasn’t true at all.

 

“Ed, I—” He cut her off, continuing. “You’re right, I was already worried about making you feel like I just came and went, and that’s exactly what I did. I should have considered that.” He looked down, playing with her hands.

 

“I just finished the first part of my research, and that was the main reason I even thought I could have time to come and see you in the first place. I should enjoy the time I have here with you right now.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and closed his eyes to kiss it gently.

 

Butterflies roamed about in her stomach and left quickly when her guilt took over again. “I really am sorry. It was immature of me to react that way, and I should’ve just told you how I truly felt.” She squeezed his hand, and he moved it up to her cheek, holding one side of her face.

 

“You know you can always tell me exactly how you’re feeling. No matter how uncomfortable it might be, I’ll always listen to what you have to say.” Her heart swooned, and she steadied her hands on his chest, tippy-toeing to reach his lips with her own.

 

Her lips tasted salty, and his heart broke at the thought of making her cry. When they pulled away, he held her face and used his thumbs to wipe what remained.

 

“I should go back and pay our tab,” he threw his thumb over his shoulder awkwardly, and she laughed loudly.

 

“Oh my God, they probably think we ran off.” She covered her mouth and started towards the door.

 

They reentered, and no one batted an eye. Winry was thankful, because her body was ready to be flooded with embarrassment if anyone had noticed.

 

They returned to their corner, Edward’s previous drink staring back at him. “Wow, this seat’s still warm,” Winry poked fun, acknowledging the other girl who had sat in her place previously.

 

Ed chuckled and rolled his eyes at her insinuation, and before he could open his mouth to respond, the bartender walked over, looking at them suspiciously. “We didn’t run off, I swear!” Winry put her hands up, joking with him.

 

The bartender chuckled. “Give me a sec.” He wiped his hands on the rag attached to his hip and returned with a new beer, placing it in front of Winry.

 

“Happy birthday, this one’s on me.” He gave a charming smile, and Ed looked over at her, just as confused. She thanked him kindly and turned to Ed, who shrugged, clinking his beer with her new one. Realization dawned once he figured it out.

 

“He must’ve overheard my conversation,” he smirked, still looking toward the bartender.

 

“Oh, the one with your other girlfriend?” She took a sip and swallowed before laughing out loud.

 

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” His face was expressionless, and Winry was amused.

 

“She told me she’d never seen me before and asked me if I’d just moved here.” She blinked, waiting for him to continue, swirling the liquid around in her bottle.

 

He paused for comedic effect, and Winry looked around the room, waiting before he continued. 

 

“I told her I came to surprise my girlfriend for her birthday.” She gasped, and her hand went to her chest, feigning surprise.

 

A hint of a smile tugged at his lips. She leaned in closely and whispered, their positions returning to how they had been earlier. “Wait, you have a girlfriend?”

 

He took a sip of his warm drink and nodded seriously, making her laugh.

 

“Yup, and she thinks she’s very funny.” Winry put her elbow onto the bar and leaned her head. She grinned and pressed her cheek into her fist. She stared up at him with big eyes, and his heart fluttered.

 

If he looked close enough, he could see the faint redness in her eyes slowly disappearing. “Tell me more,” she joked. And he did.

 

“She’s beautiful, and she works really hard.” She smiled and ran her fingers down his arm.

 

He continued, “She can bake a mean apple pie.” She took another sip of her drink and laughed. “She’s very kind and cares a lot for others.” Her face softened, listening more seriously. 

 

“And she’s the coolest person I know.”

 

She beamed and threw herself into his lap.

 

He held her tight in one hand, and she had both arms wrapped around his neck. She kissed his cheek, no longer caring about anyone else in the bar. It was much busier now and a bit crowded.

 

He looked up at her with half-lidded eyes, and she melted. He stretched his neck to give her a quick peck on the lips. Her eyes fluttered closed by the time he pulled away, and she was hungry for more.

 

She looked over her shoulder and reached to grab her bottle. She removed herself from his lap and stood between his legs. He stared at her as he took the final sip from his bottle and placed it on the bar, softly.

 

His eyes never left hers, and she eyed him closely. He licked his lips and placed both his hands on his thighs, looking up at her from where he sat.

 

She knew exactly what was going on. He didn’t have to say a word; neither did she. They continued in silence, reading each other’s movements.

 

He broke eye contact to ask the bartender for the bill and pulled his wallet from his pocket to pay the tab. She sat back down in her stool watching him closely.

 

The way he leaned over to place the money underneath the empty beer bottle. The way he thanked the bartender kindly for his service. She wasn’t sure whether it was him or the alcohol making her skin hot.

 

She threw her head back to finish the rest of her drink and placed it down. Ed held out his hand to help her out of the seat, and she stood up, fixing her skirt. 

 

She slipped her bag on her shoulder, holding her hand up to thank the bartender with a smile. He wished her a happy birthday and thanked them both.

Ed turned to walk towards the exit, weaving a path through people. He held onto Winry’s hand tightly as she followed behind him, one hand in his, the other on his forearm.

 

She was focused on Ed as they made their way towards the door. They were halfway through the crowd when she felt someone yank her roughly.

 

She turned around, hoping it was a mistake until she saw her client from yesterday, Thomas, with his hand wrapped over the entirety of her shoulder. 

 

She was jerked back so hard that Edward paused to turn, confused at the sudden halt. He looked back to see Thomas’ hand still on her shoulder.

 

He didn’t want to fight. He didn’t want to ruin this night or make it more complicated than it already was. He was exhausted and frankly just wanted to get back to Winry’s apartment. However, as exhausted as he was, the audacity of this guy to put his hands on her, or anyone for that matter, infuriated him.

 

Before Winry could push him off herself, Edward tugged her hand, pulling her in front of his body instead of behind where she followed.

 

“Watch out,” he said roughly as he pushed Thomas’ hand off her shoulder. They exchanged a look before he peeked around Ed to take another look at Winry.

 

“Don’t forget about me,” he blew her a kiss and laughed before turning and making his way through the sea of people.

 

As annoyed as Ed was, he’d ask Winry about it later. He knew better. They had been drinking and had already worked through some issues. The last thing he wanted to do was let his emotions get the better of him and say things that could be misinterpreted.

 

She looked up at him, anxiously waiting for him to say something, but he stepped around her and continued leading them towards the exit. She followed closely behind again, both hands still holding his arm.

 

As he finally made it to the door, a few girls were blocking the path. She heard him say “excuse me,” and they stepped aside. He thanked them and pushed the door, holding it open for Winry.

 

She looked to her left to see the red-haired girl from earlier. The girl rolled her eyes and gave her an annoyed look. Winry quickly shot back with a look of her own before crossing the threshold outside.

 

The air was cool and refreshing on her hot skin. Ed suddenly realized he had no idea where he was, nor what direction he was going. Winry wobbled to one side, earning a laugh out of Edward. She followed with a laugh of her own and held her hands out to balance herself. He placed both hands on either side of her waist, hoping to steady her.

 

“If I knew where to go, I’d take you, but unfortunately only you know the way home.”

 

That word sent a jolt of sadness through her when she remembered it really wasn’t a home. It was just somewhere to lay her head at night when her true home was miles away. 

 

A home was somewhere she imagined they could both be one day. Where they would lay their heads together every night, make love, cook dinner, and tuck in children. She realized she was staring at his mouth a bit too long and blinked herself out of her dream with a sad smile.

 

“Should I call a taxi?” Ed followed up.

 

“Uh— yes, yeah. Sorry.” The street was fairly quiet with cars occasionally driving by. They were able to catch one, and Winry climbed inside as Edward held the door. He followed Winry inside, shutting the door as she gave the driver her cross streets. The driver only nodded and began his route.

 

Winry crossed her legs, touching Ed’s with her foot. He circled his arm around her waist, and she laid her head against his chest. 

 

They sat comfortably in silence for the first two minutes, until Winry leaned up to kiss his cheek. He turned towards her, looking down at her lips before dipping in for a real kiss.

 

One hand traveled up his chest to the nape of his neck; the other rested gently on his thigh. She moved her hand closer up his thigh, and he broke the kiss with a quick breath. His face getting hotter, she looked up with wide eyes as though she had done nothing wrong.

 

That look alone drove him mad, and he looked towards the driver, who was ignorantly making his way through town. He must have been used to this. Picking up a couple at 2 am from the bar, surely this was nothing new, just two kids in the backseat eager to get home.

 

She leaned up to kiss his neck in a way that made him weak. He grabbed her face with both hands and kissed her deeply. He ran his hands down her sides and sunk his fingers into her waist, her head leaning against the window. 

 

She felt a sudden heat grow in the pit of her stomach that faded quickly when the driver made a familiar, sharp turn down her street.

 

The driver came to a complete stop and held his hand over the seat, demanding payment. Flustered, Winry reached for her bag, but Edward pulled the amount from his pocket first and placed it into the man’s hand.

 

He swallowed thickly before thanking him. Winry followed up nervously, “Thank you, goodnight.” Ed helped her out of the car, and before she could fix her skirt, the driver was turning out of her street.

 

Embarrassed, she started walking up the stairs to her building, sliding her bag off of her shoulder to dig for her keys. Ed remained in the same spot the cab left him, watching her carefully as she made her way up. He smiled and sighed, shaking his head.

 

She opened the building door slowly as though she was in trouble. She looked over her shoulder to see Edward following behind her. He shut the door almost silently behind him and began her trek up to her apartment.

She tiptoed up the stairs, having done this every day, but the five-floor walk-up was no joke. Ed trailed behind her awfully slowly. So slow that he unintentionally began to see the lace of her underwear.

 

He had to stop for a second, gripping the metal handrail tightly. She stood at the top of the stairs and looked down at him, confused. He looked up at her and swallowed, his pants suddenly feeling too tight.

 

He continued up the stairs, and she waited for him. When he was close enough, he slipped his hand under her skirt, his fingers softly touching the lace. Their eye contact stood solid as understanding came over her.

 

She gasped and fluttered her eyelids, giving him a flirty smile before continuing to climb the stairs. This time she did move too fast, just enough to be out of reach. She laughed playfully, and he shook his head, acknowledging her teasing.

 

He picked up his pace slightly, grabbing her waist and pinning her against the wall. She bit her lip hard, smiling wide, and his mouth went to her neck almost instantly. 

 

Her breath hitched, and she picked one leg up, placing it on the railing behind him. He ran his hand down to her knee, mouth spreading hot kisses between her chest and neck.

 

She closed her eyes, and her head went back. A minute passed before she pushed him playfully off of her. She enjoyed toying with him, and he enjoyed being toyed with.

 

She ran up a few steps just out of reach and bent over slightly, completely exposing what her tiny skirt was meant to conceal.

 

Her panties were lavender with a small, wet spot, and he wanted to tear them off of her right there. He had to take a deep breath, and she laughed at him, running up a few more steps.

 

She shuffled through, searching for the right keys, and he came behind her. He sank his fingers into the side of her hips and brought his mouth to her neck once more. 

 

She moaned, and her hand flew to her mouth to conceal the noise. She whispered, her voice breaking as she spoke. “Ed, please.”

 

She giggled before pushing the door open. “You’re insane!” She yelled, still in a low whisper. Once her door shut behind them, it was fair game.

 

They stood still for a second before he hoisted her up and she wrapped her legs and arms around him, instinctively. Their mouths crashed with the hot, wet kisses they had been dying for since they sat at the bar.

 

She kicked her boots off by the door, and he did the same, never losing his grip on her or her mouth. He held her up by her butt, her skirt all the way up and far from her hips where it lay.

 

They kissed as though they had never kissed before. All the built-up tension from earlier snapped, and they were a mess. Hands found their way into hair, and fingers undid buttons, removing clothing.

 

Ed walked towards the bed; only his pants and her skirt remained. Her breasts were perky and her nipples hard, begging to be touched.

 

He placed her softly on the bed and began removing his trousers. She sat back on her elbows watching him with half-lidded eyes, and her skin felt like it was on fire.

 

She rolled over on her hands and knees and crawled away from him, heading toward the other side of the bed.

 

He grabbed her leg and pulled her back towards him. She laughed like a maniac, and he smiled, playing into her game.

 

He remained standing at the edge of the bed, and she pressed her body up against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her knees pressed into the bed, keeping her upright. She kissed him behind his ear, and journeyed down his body.

 

She followed the trail of golden hair that led into his briefs with her tongue, and he clenched his jaw, tangling his fingers into her hair. She sat back down on her heels and tugged the elastic from his underwear towards her, urging him to lie down.

 

She grabbed his hand and brought his fingers to her mouth, kissing them as he made his way onto the bed. He pushed his middle and ring finger into her mouth, and she sucked them, obediently.

 

He laid his head on the soft pillow, curious. She climbed on top of him and repeated her kisses from earlier. She made her way down and stripped him of his briefs. Feeling incredibly exposed, he brought his hands down in an attempt to cover himself.

 

Winry swatted them away, and he used one to elevate his head to watch her, his bicep flexing slightly. She licked her lips, her eyes full of desire, and he was ready to give her anything she asked for.

 

She started running her hand up his length and back down, painfully slow. She observed his movements in awe and moved her face closer.

 

She opened her mouth wide, her eyes looking up at him. She took him deep in her mouth, and he had to shut his eyes. He was afraid of not lasting, absolute pleasure overwhelming all his senses.

 

Her eyes glued to his, she sank her head deeper this time, squeezing her eyes shut when he grazed the back of her throat. She continued for a long while until it felt like absolute torture for him.

 

He sat up, grabbing her chin roughly with one hand. “I need you so fucking bad right now.” She chewed her bottom lip with a wide grin. She crawled slowly up his body and placed a delicate kiss on his lips.

 

She straddled him and pushed against his chest for him to lie back down. She placed both of her hands to his shoulders to balance herself.

 

Tasting him had gotten her aroused; she was practically dripping as he lined himself up with her entrance. She sank slowly until she was sitting on him comfortably. Completely swallowed by her, he grit his teeth, and she let out a faint cry.

 

He placed his hands on her thighs, and she rocked against him. She continued, her pacing slowly picking up. She threw her head back and scratched at his stomach, trying to keep herself upright.

 

His fingers slowly dug into her skin. He watched her sit up and back down, the repetition making his eyes flit between her core and face. Her brows were furrowed, and her lips slightly parted at the feeling. He couldn’t help it; he needed more of her.

 

He thrusted his hips upward to fill her to the hilt; her eyes reopened wide as she inhaled sharply, smiling mischievously.

 

Worried at first, his expression quickly changed. She came down to press her chest against his, kissing him deeply. His hands went up to her face, and his tongue instinctively explored her mouth. She pulled away to gasp for air, pushing herself back up to ride him.

 

His fingers found their way to her hips, and his grip tightened. “Faster,” she whispered so low he wondered if it was his imagination.

 

He obeyed, and she let out a helpless moan, throwing her head back again, her hair so long it brushed against his thigh. He slipped his fingers into it and tugged hard, her pacing driving him wild.

 

“You feel so good,” She spoke clearly this time, so he knew it was real. His hands went up to grab the sides of her face.

 

Still keeping her rhythm, she turned her face to kiss his hand. His middle and ring fingers dipped into her mouth again, and she sucked them hard. She hummed and smiled into it. “Mmmmm.”

 

He placed his hands back down to her waist, attempting to control his heartbeat. He yanked at her hair again, this time much harder, and sat up.

 

With her head back from his grasp, his mouth found its way to her chest. He sucked gently, and her fingers found their way into his hair. She pulled him closer, practically shoving his face into her.

 

He licked her agonizingly slow, and she released her grip on him, frustrated. A laugh escaped his lips, and she frowned in response. He returned to her chest, this time much more aggressive. She responded noisily, and he continued.

 

“I’m so close.” She muttered under her breath. Her breathing became more ragged and desperate; her hands left his hair to steady herself on his shoulders.

 

“Ed, I can’t—I.” One of his hands came up to hold the back of her head, the other wrapped around her waist as she continued to ride him. He wanted to admit that he too was almost there, but the words wouldn’t come out of his mouth. His mind completely focused on the way she looked.

 

Her bangs were damp and stuck to her forehead, and her cheeks were warm and pink. Her eyes fluttered closed, and he watched her closely. Her mouth was parted slightly, and she opened her eyes again to find him staring at her. She laughed and beamed at him, her hair messy.

 

He wanted her to always feel like this. He wanted to take care of her and make her laugh like this. The thought of her, of them, here, tangled in bed sheets and loving each other.

 

She buried her face into his neck and clawed at his back, her movements suddenly getting slower. She shuddered, and he ran his fingers down her arms, feeling her goosebumps.

 

It wasn’t too long until he followed suit, holding her tight to his body, kissing her hard. After some time, they lay back down in silence. Neither of them wanting to speak first.

 

“Ed,” She bit her lip, her lustful haze dissipated, and anxiety washed over her again. He looked over at her and waited for her to continue. “I’m really sorry for everything I said earlier. None of it was true, I—”

 

He shook his head and laughed, “Hey, hey.” He searched for her eyes.

 

“I’m sorry, too. I really don’t want to make you feel like you can’t tell me your frustrations. When we’re apart, I miss you terribly. I really don’t know how I handled it for those few weeks. I figured I would call to hear the sound of your voice but—” he took a second, gathering his thoughts.

 

“Nothing will ever compare to being here with you, physically. To be able to hold you and kiss you and touch you— everywhere.”

 

Her cheeks red, she hid her face with one hand and laughed loudly.

 

“No, really, I am sorry. We agreed that we would try and see this through, and when it came to it, I couldn’t handle it.” She shook her head in frustration, looking down. He grabbed her chin to tilt it back up.

 

“It’s not gonna be easy, and I know it’s a lot to ask of you, but I really do care about you. I want to be with you,” he reached for her hand, his face serious. “I love you, and I see a future with you. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”

 

She placed one hand on his cheek and rubbed it softly with her thumb. “I love you, too. And so do I. I think about it all the time.” He leaned into her touch and turned to kiss her hand.

 

Inching closer, she placed a soft kiss on his lips and whispered. 

 

“I think loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” His mouth turned into a half-smile, and he closed his eyes slowly before dipping in to kiss her again.

 

Looking for a way in, he opened one eye mid-kiss and spoke against her mouth, somewhat inaudible. “So who was that guy at the bar?” Winry pulled away from his face and looked confused for a second before remembering.

 

“Oh, Thomas.” She rolled her eyes at the sound of his name and swiped a hand down her face. Ed blinked, waiting for her to continue.

 

“He’s just a client of mine. He always tries to flirt or make stupid comments, but I always shoot him down, and it pisses him off.” She tried to brush it off like it wasn’t a big deal.

 

“Has he ever put his hands on you like that?” She looked down at the bedsheets and her fingers played with them gently.

 

“No, never. This was the first time he’s ever grabbed me like that.” She paused before continuing, “Maybe it was the alcohol. I hope he knows better.”

 

Ed’s brows furrowed, remembering the situation, anger bubbling back up. “I don’t know, he seemed pretty confident.”

 

Winry didn’t know what to say. Almost all of her clients were men, some her age and some older. It wasn’t okay, but she’d learned throughout the years different ways to redirect conversation and pivot gently. Some were more persistent than others, and she had to admit, this wasn’t her first rodeo.

 

Since the beginning of time, her grandmother had always warned her about men’s behavior and what it meant to be a woman working in a male-dominated field. It was worrisome, but she wouldn’t let them drive her away from what she loved. She loved to help people, and she knew deep down in her heart she loved to take care of others. For now, she could use the boyfriend excuse.

 

“Funny enough, I did some work on him yesterday morning, just before you surprised me.” She stood staring at the bedsheets, avoiding eye contact.

 

She continued with a smirk, “He said something I can’t even remember anymore— and I told him that I’d call my boyfriend to come and beat his ass.” She glanced up at him, and they both laughed.

 

“Now you’re just setting me up,” he joked before starting again, “No seriously though, I would come down here and beat his ass.” She chuckled softly, and she looked back down at the sheets.

 

“You’re here by yourself, and there’s a lot of people that can harm you.” He continued seriously, and she had the face of a child being scolded.

 

He thought back to all the times she was in constant danger because of him. The way Bradley and Kimblee used her as a weapon in their schemes. A way for him to follow orders because they knew he would never let them touch her.

 

The countless times he woke up sweating, because his problems would always entangle her somehow. Nightmares of her being tortured, raped, sometimes even killed before he woke up sobbing in a pool of sweat.

 

Her combative voice brought him back from his thoughts.

 

“I’m not alone; I have Paninya and Garfiel— and Dominic.”

 

He let out a deep sigh and rubbed his temple. “I know, Winry, but please, you have to be careful. You can always call me if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or does something like that again. I’m serious. I will hike here if I have to.” That pulled a small giggle out of her, breaking her expressionless face.

 

She leaned up to give him a tender kiss and pulled back quickly.

 

“I know you would,” she placed a hand on his chest before leaning fully into him. Her shoulders were no longer tense, and she exhaled before looking up at him again. She rested her chin on his chest, still keeping eye contact.

 

He stared at her for a while before realization came over his face. “Wait, I almost forgot!” The words came out in genuine surprise, and Winry moved off of his body as he began getting up from the bed. He slipped on his pajama pants and headed for his trunk. He dug for a while as Winry watched him, her face full of confusion.

 

He returned to the bed, cuddling his way back under the sheets. He sat up against the headboard and hung a dainty necklace from his fingers, revealing it to Winry.

 

Her eyes followed their way from the top of the chain to the tiny blue pendant that swung with it. “I saw this and thought you might like it.” His voice no longer confident, he awaited her response as she remained staring.

 

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered and brought a hand up to gently grab it. She held it in her hands, still admiring it before looking back up. “Thank you,” she smiled. “I love it.” He brought his hand to her cheek, and she leaned into his touch before reaching up to kiss his lips.

 

“I picked it up a few weeks ago, but was worried it would get lost in the mail, so I figured I’d hold onto it until I saw you again.” He put a piece of hair behind her ear, and she thanked him once more.

 

“I’m gonna miss you so much.” She admitted softly, and he kissed her forehead. 

 

She hummed in delight, closing her eyes. “What do you wanna do tomorrow? It’s your last day.”

 

“Um, you mean today?” They both looked towards the clock. “Since it’s almost 4 am.” He gave her a thin-lipped smile, and she rolled her eyes.

 

“Okay, smartass. What would you like to do later once we sleep all this off?” He laughed, wrapping his arms around her with a tight squeeze and dug his face into her neck, mumbling.

 

"I could stay here in bed with you all day.” She shoved him away, laughing and feigning disgust, and he kissed her wherever he could reach. They talked in bed for a while before eventually succumbing to sleep.

 

***

 

It felt like a nap, because Ed awoke to a knock at her door. The sunlight washed through the white lace curtains, and he held his hand up to cover his eyes. He looked over to see Winry still peacefully asleep, and his heart ached at the thought of waking her.

 

Her long hair was messy, and she had one hand under her face, squishing her cheek slightly. He nudged her awake softly, and she squinted her eyes open. 

 

They knocked again, this time a bit softer, and Winry stared at the door, puzzled and still very sleepy.

 

“Do you work today?” Ed asked quietly.

 

She whispered back. “No, it’s Sunday, right? I’m off.”

 

She looked genuinely confused for a second and started to slip on Ed’s shirt from last night.

 

“Do you want me to get it?” He began putting his pajama pants on while thinking the worst. He imagined Thomas or someone who was looking for her.

 

His thoughts from earlier came crashing back, and she sensed his protectiveness, holding a hand up at him for her to handle it.

 

She walked over to the door, tippy-toeing to reach the peephole.

 

“Oh!” She looked back over at Ed, who was back in bed and now covering his torso with the bedsheet. She slid the chain lock to open the door to reveal a thin, old lady with short white hair.

 

“Hi Ruby!” She beamed and leaned into the door to hold it open, crossing her arms. His shirt was large and looked like a dress on her small frame.

 

“Hi honey. I feel awful bothering you so early in the morning, but I made you a little banana bread for your birthday yesterday. I tried to give you a ring last night, but you must’ve been sleeping.”

 

Winry held her hand to her heart and smiled wide. “That’s so sweet.” Her eyes were appreciative and soft. “Thank you so much.” She grabbed the small, glass container carefully.

 

Ruby could see the top of Ed’s head from her spot by the door and gave a friendly wave.

 

“Sorry to bother you while you have company, sweetie. I’ll see you—” Winry felt terribly rude, not wanting her to feel like an intruder. Winry took two steps inside, holding the door wider.

 

“Oh please, you’re not a bother at all! This is my boyfriend, Edward.” She motioned over to Ed, and he sat upright on the bed, the sheet falling to his lap, exposing his torso.

 

“He was working in the West, and he came all this way to surprise me for my birthday.” He blushed and waved at the elderly woman.

 

“How very nice to meet you.” She said with a dimple on her cheek. “Wow, and he traveled all that way to celebrate you? You must be one special girl.” She looked between them both while speaking, and Ed grinned.

 

“She’s the best.” He spoke to Ruby, but kept his eyes on Winry, who had both hands clasped behind her back, now blushing.

 

“I didn’t know you had such a handsome man locked away in here!” She whispered enough for Ed to hear, and Winry threw her head back, laughing.

 

“Ed, this is my neighbor, Ruby.” He gave a kind smile before speaking, “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

 

Winry broke the silence, “We’re always helping each other out or keeping one another company.”

 

Ruby nodded, and Ed smiled at her again before speaking, “Thank you for taking care of her for me.”

 

“Oh, anytime! She knows my doors are always open for her.” Ruby reached for Winry’s hand, giving it a tight squeeze before stepping outside.

 

“Well, I’ll let you two enjoy yourselves. Or your sleep.” She waved a hand and turned once more before leaving.

 

“Don’t hurt my girl, Mr. Edward.” She pointed a finger at him, and Winry covered her mouth, laughing.

 

“I would never.” He narrowed his eyes jokingly, and she gave him a serious smile with a thumbs up. Winry bid her goodbye and thanked her once more before gently shutting the door.

 

“Would the world’s handsomest, Mr. Edward, care for some birthday banana bread?” She shook her head as she spoke and batted her eyelashes. He looked around the room for someone else, and she laughed, opening the glass container.

 

“Wow, this smells so good.” She closed her eyes, and Ed laughed.

 

“You don’t have to sell it to me, you know.” He peeled himself from the bed and searched the small kitchen for a knife. She broke off a piece and ate it, humming with her mouth full.

 

“This is so good.” She covered her mouth, and he chuckled. He cut a small piece and tasted it before nodding in agreement.

 

“Damn, that’s good.” They had a few more bites before snuggling back under the sheets together.

 

They did exactly what Ed had said. For the rest of their Sunday, they lay in bed talking, kissing, touching, and resting. He fell asleep with his arm wrapped around her as Winry leaned into his body.

 

***

 

Ed’s eyes crept open slowly; the light spilling through the window was enough to cause a pain in his chest. Disappointed, he closed his eyes softly and sighed deeply before reopening them.

 

He turned his head over and kissed Winry’s forehead. She squirmed in her sleep and returned to her calm breathing.

 

He slipped his arm out from underneath her neck and gently fixed the blanket. He put his pajamas on and strode over to the bathroom, shutting the door quietly.

 

He looked at himself in the mirror and then down at the sink, gripping the sides of it. His hair fell haphazardly around his face, and he looked back up, tugging his bangs before swiping a hand down his face.

 

He couldn’t leave her; his heart broke at the thought. It was torturous.

 

He took another deep breath before combating his thoughts. He had to grow up. They were transitioning into their early stages of adulthood, and they had their own lives to live. She had her own life to live.

 

Who was he trying to fool? He was the problem. He still had places to visit and things to discover. Why couldn’t he have both?

 

He wanted to wake up and kiss her all over her face. To finish his day at the library and return to her big smile. He felt incredibly selfish, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

 

His breathing picked up, and he felt his chest tighten. He put a hand up to his chest to try and slow it down, but it wasn’t working. He wiggled his hands, feeling a panic attack creeping its way up.

 

This wasn’t the first time, no. He’d suffered with them post-promised day. He spoke with Al’s doctor and got an immediate answer. “The best way to stop them is through your breathing.” Dr. Renner’s voice found its way to his brain, and he did just that.

 

Counting down from ten, he steadied himself.

 

When his breathing returned to normal, he leaned over the sink once again, his tears falling straight into it. He heard a soft knock on the door that made him jump a little.

 

“Ed, can I come in? I have to pee.” He took a deep breath and wiped his eyes. “Yeah, sorry, I was just about to brush my teeth.” He spoke loudly as he unlocked the door.

 

She looked at him sleepily and smiled. He gave her a half smile and walked past her quickly, allowing her to enter. Her eyes followed him before closing the door gently.

 

When she reappeared in the doorway, he was sorting his things into his trunk. She slipped back into the warm sheets, sensing a bit of tension. 

 

The room was silent; only the sounds of folded clothes and the clinking metal handle from his bag were heard.

 

Winry sat up, covering herself in the blankets cozily. She decided to break the silence first and tilted her head.

 

“What time does your train come?”

 

“Uh, I think the next one is in 40 minutes.” He kept his eyes focused on his task, knowing he would fall apart if he looked at her face.

 

“Mm.” She hummed and looked down at the sheets, fiddling with the edge of the blanket.

 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I–”

 

“Was just trying to sneak out without saying goodbye?” She finished the sentence for him, dryly.

 

“No, I was going to wake you. I wouldn’t do that.” Annoyed, he walked over to the bathroom to brush his teeth, leaving her with her thoughts.

 

She looked around the room. With his clothes packed away, it felt empty. Was this how she’d been living the entire time? Her eyes found the bouquet of colorful flowers that sat at the center of her dining table, and she gave a sad smile. Once he left, those flowers would be the only thing to look for him in.

 

The door creaked open again, and she darted her head towards him. His eyes were red, and he put on a fake smile, holding up the toothbrush she’d given him. “Can I steal this?”

 

She chuckled softly and nodded her head. He walked over to his trunk, hiding his face once again.

 

She got up slowly and walked around the bed. He looked up at the wall before looking down at her. She looked up at him and placed her hands softly to either side of his face. She studied him for a second before she realized he’d been crying.

 

She reached up to kiss his cheek and brought her hands down around his waist, hugging him tightly. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head, his hands wrapping around her shoulders.

 

“Can I walk you to the station?” He only nodded, and she turned for her dresser. She changed quickly into a T-shirt and shorts, throwing on a pair of flip-flops.

 

He grabbed his trunk and walked towards the door; she held it open for him as he walked out. He turned and glanced inside once more as he waited for her to find her keys to lock the door. 

 

She turned around to find him already descending the stairs and followed him quietly.

 

The walk to the station was rather silent. She reached for his arm and hugged it, before sliding her hand down to hold his. He squeezed it, looking straight ahead.

 

From Garfiel’s, he’d walked to the station a few times. His muscle memory led them all the way to a bench, as they waited at the end of the platform.

 

Winry sat up on the bench and turned her body first to look at him. He moved his eyes to her face, but his body remained completely still. His hands were deep into his pockets as he slumped into the bench.

 

“I’m going to miss you so much.” She gave him a sad smile, and he returned with a twisted one, with tight lips.

 

“You have no idea how terrible this feels right now.” He moved his eyes from her to his hands that now sat in his lap. 

 

“Somehow it’s worse than leaving you in Resembol last time.” He laughed to lighten the mood, eyes still fixed on his lap.

 

She tilted her head before speaking. “I’ll see you in November. It’s not too long.” She placed her hand on his thigh, giving it a squeeze. He reached for her hand and brought it to his mouth.

 

“No, 20 weeks doesn’t sound long at all.” He replied sarcastically, and she pushed his shoulder playfully.

 

“Who knows, maybe I’ll come and surprise you.” His eyebrows went up as he smirked, not believing her. 

 

She chuckled before continuing seductively, bringing her lips to his ear. “I’ll show up at your hotel room with a trench coat and nothing else underneath.” 

 

He threw his head back, and they both fell into a fit of laughter.

 

“No, but seriously.” She climbed into his lap. It was still very early, and there were only two other people on the other end of the platform. “You can call me whenever. I love to hear your voice.” She brushed his hair out of his face slightly, and he reached his mouth up to kiss her jaw.

 

“You know I will.” He responded in a low voice that made her stomach flip. One hand circled her waist, the other resting on her thigh as she sat sideways in his lap.

 

The train horn blared, and the wheels screeched against the track as it made its way toward the station. Winry wiggled out of his lap, and he began getting up.

 

He looked down at her and sighed deeply. She beamed up at him and went in to hug him. He closed his eyes and squeezed her tightly.

 

Her arms circled his waist, and she fisted his shirt. They stood that way until the train started slowing into the station.

 

She looked up at him again, and he moved his hands to her face, leaning down to kiss her deeply. She returned the gesture, kissing him tenderly before hugging him once more.

 

With his eyes still on her, he reached down to grab his bag and the door of the locomotive opened with a loud clank. He kissed her forehead and tousled her hair with his free hand.

 

For some reason, that gesture broke her, and she felt her throat tighten, tears threatening to escape. She gave a tight smile, trying to bury them back down.

 

“Have a safe trip. I’ll miss you.” She smiled a bit bigger, but her eyes remained sad. She crossed her arms, holding herself.

 

“Thank you,” he started, “I love you, and I’ll see you soon.” She nodded and watched him walk into the train.

 

Through the window, she could see him place his trunk on the rack above his head. He sat by the window, sliding it open, and looked out at her one more time. “I love you, too,” She said loud enough for him to hear over the noise.

 

She let go of her grip on her arm to hold her hand out, waving at him. He smiled and waved back gently. As the train pulled out of the station, she held her hand to her mouth, a few tears finally finding their way out.

 

She watched the train until it was out of view. In the same manner, he watched her grow smaller until she was completely out of focus, then put his head back against the seat. He closed his eyes and smiled to himself because he knew deep down in his heart he would see her before November.