Unfiltered (Edward Elric x Reader)

7 - A Place to Call Home

"Hey gear-head, don't go scaring her off with all your freaky automail talk!" Edward shouted, grumbling once you were out of sight. "Crazy woman."

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"Wow, that's incredible! You mean you really did this all by yourself?" With big eyes you examined Winry's workshop. She held her chin high, proudly showing off and grinning ear to ear.

"Are you in need of any maintenance?" Her question made you shiver. Edward warned you about her excitement, but witnessing it firsthand was bone-chilling.

"No- I'm all flesh," you rolled up the sleeves of your sweater and held your hands up to let her see for herself. She shrugged with a disappointed sigh.

She settled into her desk, organizing parts and tools to get straight to working on Edward's arm. "Those boys are always getting into trouble. Keep hanging around them and you'll need one of these sooner or later," her eyes sparkled as she said it, as if hoping she'd obtain a new client. "So, (Y/n), why are you traveling with those two idiots anyway?" Her question made you laugh.

"Well..." You didn't want to spill too much, noticing how sheltered she was from their harsh world. Edward hadn't told her what happened to his arm, and he wouldn't. You didn't want to overstep, and being the kind girl she was, you wouldn't want to get her involved in something so brutal. "We're looking for the same thing- kind of."

"That stone or whatever?"

"Exactly," although it was much more complex than that.

You chatted with Winry for a while, watching her magical hands work on auto mail for the reckless, hotheaded boy. She never asked you to leave, being curious about you and excited to make a new girl friend. She made it easy to talk to her, it felt so natural. Even so, she was able to focus on her work. A true professional.

Pinako had determined she needed to adjust Edward's leg as well, seeing he'd grown since the last maintenance. She guaranteed a 3 day repair period, but even with the rushed order Edward felt stuck, being so close yet so far to the answer they'd dedicated their lives for. In the meantime, Edward would wear a spare leg and aimlessly pace around the house.

Armstrong made himself useful immediately, chopping firewood and offering to do any other heavy duty chores around the house. Pinako enjoyed having him around.

You offered to help with meal preparation and chores that Armstrong wasn't already handling. If you let yourself sit still for 3 days you might drive yourself crazy.

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It was still early in the day, and the weather was beautiful. You sat outside with the boys, watching the clouds pass with time and listening to the brothers talk about their memories from childhood.

"You should go pay respects to mom," Alphonse said to his elder brother.

"But what about you?" Edward stopped in his tracks, staring down at the broken brother piled up in a box.

"I don't want to make Armstrong carry me around. I'll be fine, I think you should go see her while we're here," he insisted.

"Alright then, I will." Ed stretched his arm above his head, letting out a big yawn as he turned on his heal and started to walk away.

You watched as he walked off pursing your lips and tapping your fingers against the ground. Alphonse noticed your restlessness. "You should go too, it might make him feel better if someone is with him," he urged you.

"Then you'll be alone," you argued.

"I'm fine, go."

You hummed and pushed yourself off the ground, dusting off your clothes. "Ed, wait!" You caught up to him, walking beside him at a good distance away. "I uh... mind if I tag along?"