Unfiltered (Edward Elric x Reader)

30 - Dread

"I'm gonna dig it up."

You were taken aback, it was the last possible thing you could've expected him to say.

"What? Wait a minute Ed- that's insane," not only was it morbid, it would mess with his head and unlock deep-rooted traumas that he buried- literally.

"I know that, but if I don't see it for myself it will eat me alive," he was dead set on his decision, and you knew you wouldn't be able to steer him from it.

You sighed helplessly and laid your head on his shoulder. "You're crazy," you said in a near whisper, and he let out a breathy laugh in response.

"Yet you're still here," he argued.

"I'll be behind you no matter what you do," you hooked your pinky around his loosely in an unspoken pinky promise, and instinctively he tightened the grip. You were locked in; partners in crime.

"I think that makes you just as crazy as me," he felt a warmth spread in his chest that he only ever felt around you. You lifted your head from his shoulder to look into his eyes.

"It took you this long to figure that out?" You teased.

"I knew from the moment we met," he reminisced.

When he opened that door to Mustang's office and you tried to make a run from the shirtless Armstrong. He grabbed ahold of you and looked deep into those mysterious eyes. He wouldn't admit even now that his heart was racing so fast he thought it would explode.

"Was it that obvious?" You batted your eyelashes innocently.

"There's no hiding it."

What started as a pinky promise somehow turned into all of your fingers becoming intertwined.

There was - at this point - no denying your attraction for each other. You couldn't keep your hands to yourselves, always seeking each other's warmth.

But something was holding the both of you back. Insecurities, the unknown future, and previous negative feelings toward one another. But that barrier was starting to come down, and rather quickly.

You pulled back intending to get out of bed so you wouldn't make a bigger fool of yourself than you already have, but you noticed his messy hair and couldn't help yourself. "Your hair is getting long," you commented and used your free hand to flatten his flyaways. Your endearing motion made a chill run up his spine.

"I've been meaning to trim it," he reached up to tie his hair back in a ponytail.

"I'll help, if you trust me," you offered.

"Sure."

When you stood up, his eyes followed you. You have also grown since you've met, in many ways. And how you managed to look more beautiful with every passing day was baffling.

"Yours is getting long too," he watched your hair fall over your shoulders. You hummed and ran your fingers through it.

"Does it look okay?" You asked.

"You look beautiful," the words fell out of his mouth before he could catch them. "Uh- it. It looks beautiful," he corrected himself and cleared his throat nervously.

His unwavering response caught you off guard. Your wide eyes met his once again, and he turned his attention away from you so he wouldn't feel embarrassed.

Shut up Edward! He thought to himself.

It felt good to hear him call you beautiful, your hair or otherwise.

You smiled sheepishly and tucked your hair behind your ear. "Thanks, Ed," you stepped out of the room, and as soon as the door clicked shut, you completely lost your cool. You pressed your back to the door and caught your voice in your throat.