Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ The Journey Within ❯ Compressed Carbon ( Chapter 8 )

~I do not own our favorite pint-sized alchemist or any of his friends, but I certainly wished that I did. That way, I wouldn't have to put up any disclaimers.

~Here is the last chapter! I had severe writers block and this last chapter only formulated itself this morning in my brain. I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I've loved writing it. Closing comments are most welcome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Journey Within

Chapter 8- Compressed Carbon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some time later…

 

Winry Rockbell sat curled up in a blanket on the couch of her family's home, watching the fire burn contentedly in the blackness of the rest of the night. Den, as always, was laying at her feet, though the grey hairs in his black and white coat were evident and seemed to glisten in the firelight.

 

`I can't believe it's been so long since they left. And not one word of how their doing.'

 

She let her gaze fall onto Den, which earned her a tail wag and a small whine from her furry friend. And while she didn't smile, she leaned down to give him a small pat on the head.

 

`Three years…gods, I was 16 then.'

 

~~Flashback~~

 

Not long after Ed had proposed, and she of course had managed to eek out a yes through the current of tears running down her face, The Fullmetal Alchemist had finished their house and set a date to depart once again with Al. During those last precious few weeks he was in Rizamboul, Winry had the happiest time of her life.

 

On the day that they left, he had taken her by the hand and led her away from the house in the early morning sunlight. She had let him led her away without complaint; she hadn't spoken all morning, and Winry just didn't have the strength to ask him where they were going.

 

`I knew this day would come. But still.'

 

Tears pinpricked at her eyes, and she held in the sigh that threatened to escape her lips. Looking away from the automail hand that clasped hers, she instead let her eyes settle on the green hills and pastures that made up the majority of their hometown.

 

`I will not ruin this. He needs to go out there and find a way to get his and Al's bodies back to the way they were. They're bond is so strong…I could never forgive myself if I was the one to come between that.'

 

Suddenly Ed stopped and turned to face her, and since she wasn't paying attention Winry ended up crashing right into him. As a muffled apology started its way out of her mouth, she felt his arms reach up and encircle her.

 

“Edward, I'm…sorry…”

 

And the tears fell.

 

Ed just held her tighter, and laid his cheek against the side of her head. After a few minuets, when her sniffling had ceased, he broke the silence.

 

“Winry, I have something for you.”

 

“Mduhg fuesl apwrun guh.”

 

He smiled. In a tone of voice reserved only for her ears, he gently brushed some stray strands of hair out of her face. “Winry, you have to unbury yourself from my chest so that I can understand you.”

 

Feeling the blush stain her cheeks, Winry reluctantly pried herself away from her fiancé and met his gaze.

 

“You didn't have to get me anything, Edward.”

 

“I know, but I…I wanted to.”

 

Reaching into his pants pocket, he pulled out a balled up automail fist.

 

“I know when I asked you, I didn't do it proper or anything, and I…”

 

Winry could tell he was practically choking on his words, but instead of waiting silently for him to finish, she timidly reached out to his human hand and have it a small squeeze. The tension lines vanished from Ed's face, and he exhaled deeply.

 

“You know that when I give my word about something, nothing comes between me and fulfilling my promise, right?”

 

Winry gave a small nod in reply.

 

“But, I wanted you to have this…just in case I don't come ba…”

 

Tears pricked at her eyes again.

 

“Just in case, Winry. I want you to have this.”

 

As he uncurled his metal hand, she couldn't make out what it was he was holding. After a few seconds, she could see a different type of metal glistening from the middle of his palm. Quizzically, she looked up at him, and reached for whatever that was in his grasp. But Winry stopped short when she realized what it was.

 

“Ed…you're giving me an engagement ring?”

 

Heat flushed his face, and he looked away from her questioning eyes.

 

“I know, it's dumb, and doesn't mean anything in compassion to my word, but I just….I wanted you to have it. I made it myself, so I understand if you don't like it… I don't really know why I did…”

 

His shoulders slumped, just a slight inch, but Winry knew that he had controlled himself from letting them completely drag him into the ground. Pulling his eyes to meet hers again, he continued.

 

“I just wanted you to have something to remember me by. To always remind you that I'm coming back here to Rizamboul when this is over,” Ed voiced cracked, “And I am going to marry you.” A tear slipped down his face, and he could only managed to finish in a whisper, “If you'll still have me when this is all over.”

 

Winry's sudden bright smile took Ed aback for a moment.

 

“Of course I'll be here, waiting for you Ed. I'll always wait for you…for forever, if I have to.”

 

Shyly, she let her head dip so that she peered up at him with big, blue eyes.

 

“But, do I have to put it on myself?”

 

~~End Flashback~~

 

 

 

`I still can't believe he bartered for these natural elements then made me this ring.'

 

Lifting her left hand, the solitary diamond set in a silver setting glistened on her ring finger.

 

`Who knew compressed carbon could be so beautiful.'

 

Winry was shaken from her thoughts when Den's sudden barking cut through the night air. Panic immediately gripped her chest, and she struggled to stand.

 

`Please don't let it be the military messenger of bad news…'

 

Straightening up, she could hear footsteps on the front porch, as Den began to scratch at the door.

 

`Get a grip girl, and just breathe.”

 

The footsteps became louder.

 

`Just breathe.'

 

And instead of a knock, the doorknob began to slowly turn, allowing the weight of the door to gently ease it open.

 

`Just…'

 

A pair of blue gray eyes, peaked around the edge of the front door, followed by a head of messy light brown hair. The rest of the person followed, and while he wasn't dressed in a military uniform Winry could sense the air of quiet importance around him. Bowing slightly, she clasped her hands in front of her, in a vain effort to keep them from shaking.

 

“Hello, I am Winry Rockbell. How can I be of assistance?”

 

“Winry?”

 

She froze mid bow, her eyes wide.

 

`I know that voice. Oh my god…it can't be.'

 

With a look of complete awe, she straightened and looked at the teenager in front of her.

 

“AL?!”

 

The sheepish grin that was her reply only fueled the fire.

 

“Oh my god, AL!!!”

 

Rushing across the room, she slammed into Al's now taller frame, throwing her arms around him.

 

“Nice to see you too, Winry. It's been a while.”

 

Laughing, she pulled away, wiping the happy tears out of her eyes. Granny Pinako appeared at the top of the steps, chewing on her pipe.

 

“Look Granny, it's Al! He's back! And he's in his real body!!!”

“I can see that dear, I'm just old, not an idiot.”

 

Turning her gaze back to her childhood friend, Pinako just smiled as the torrent of her granddaughter's questions flooded the room.

 

“How did this happen; WHEN did this happen? Are you done traveling then? Where's…”

 

Hesitating, she could feel her pulse quicken.

 

“Al, where's…”

 

A second set of footsteps echoed on the front stoop, and Winry felt faint.

 

“Edward…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No one had said a word when Edward Elric had walked though that door. Time had seemed to stop as he crossed the room, gathered Winry up in his arms, and let the tears that never fell soak her hair. Sensing that they needed time alone, Al and Granny retired for the night, quietly discussing what had happened over their three-year absence.

 

Noticing that they were now alone in the room, Winry was the first to speak.

 

“God, when I hadn't heard from you, I just though…I thought…”

 

The great heaving sobs that broke through the quiet night air seemed to fill the whole room.

 

“Oh Edward, I'm so glad you're alright!”

 

Inhaling deeply, Ed pulled back, and the look of seriousness that marred his features spoke more than words ever could.

 

Only hiccupping slightly now, Winry grabbed his left hand, and led him upstairs to her room. Gently closing the door, she took a seat on the bed next to her Alchemist, and waited.

 

`I know you want to talk Edward, so I'll just wait right here.'

 

Scooting closer to him, she rested her head on his automail shoulder.

 

`I'll wait forever…wait…automail…what…?'

 

At first when she heard the gentle sobs, Winry had thought that she had begun crying again. But when the man beside her began so shake with each ragged intake of air, she realized then why he hadn't spoken since his and Al's unexpected arrival.

 

`You got Al's body back, but at what price?'

 

Ed buried his face in his hands, as the tears continued to fall.

 

“Winry, I…I failed.”

 

She waited, slowly circling her left arm around his waist.

 

“I…I….I could fix Al, but it was either him or me and I…I'm so sorry Winry….I told you that I would get my limbs back but I just couldn't…” Ed's words trailed off into silence, and he slowly rubbed the wetness from his eyes.

 

“I had to choose; it was either my limbs, or Al's body, and I chose Al.”

 

`She's never going to want you now, you dumbass. With this imperfect body, she'll kick you out on your ass.”

 

He never expected the gentle tug on his shoulders to usher him to lie down on the bed, and when he felt her clutch him to her chest he could almost feel his heart shattering.

Golden eyes looked up to meet hers for the first time, and she had to stop herself from flinching at the emotion that overflowed from them.

 

“Ed, it never mattered to me, you know. What was automail, and what wasn't.”

 

The air felt like it was being squeezed from his lungs as she continued.

 

“And it's not because I'm a machine junkie…I could care less what you're physically made up of.”

 

Fresh tears welled up in her eyes.

 

“All I know is that I love you, Edward Elric, and nothing would make me happier then to always be by your side, you alchemy freak.” Placing a small kiss on his forehead, she sighed.

 

Ed could feel the weight he had been carrying on his shoulders the past eight years begin to melt away. Reaching for her hands, he brought them in front of his face, gripping them tightly.

 

“I couldn't have made it this far without you, you know.”

 

“I know.”

 

Not missing the playful jab, Ed suddenly flipped Winry on her back and pinned her with his weight. The early morning light beginning to steam in through her bedroom window magnified the light in Winry's eyes, and Ed nearly let fresh tears fall again.

 

`How did I ever turn out to be so lucky?'

 

Using his automail hand, Ed brushed her lips with his fingers. The small smile he received in return sent shivers up his spine and he physically shuddered, while the bulge in his pants only grew more uncomfortable. Leaning down until he was nose to nose with the feisty automail mechanic, it was impossible not to notice the curves of her more matured body, and the sweet scent that was undeniably Winry.

 

“So, you wanna get married this week?”

 

The fiery kiss that met his lips was all the reply he needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much Love,

The Cerulean Alchemist.