I Just Know I Love You

Chapter 1

The rumble of the train under my seat nearly put me to sleep. Although the train was definitely the fastest way to travel, I preferred smaller methods of travel. I loved motorcycles the best.
I reminisce about when I was back home in Resembool with my bike that I'd made myself. The hills provided the momentum my hodgepodge motorcycle needed, the wind in my face keeping me awake, and the miles of empty dirt roads I could ride to my heart's content.
Since Resembool is home to sheep farmers and craftsmen, I didn't exactly have what one would call a "proper education", not like what kids in bigger cities would have. So, when I wasn't helping my family on our farm, I had time to tinker away and read up on all the engineering books I could get my hands on. Thankfully, my friend from a little ways down the lane, Winry Rockbell, had a special interest in auto mail and had plenty of engineering books she let me borrow. All of us were great friends: me, Winry, and the Elr-
"ALPHONSE. Can you PLEASE stop shaking me awake every time you see a field of livestock!"
"I can't help it, brother! I just want you to see all the sights you can before we get to central. We won't be able to just travel as we please for a long time!"
I was snapped out of my thoughts, once again, by my two other friends; the Elric Brothers, Edward and his little brother Alphonse. After our admission to being state alchemists, we were asked to come to central to be assigned further missions. We said goodbye to Winry and her Granny in Resembool this morning, and now we're on our way to central by train.
Edward and Alphonse sat in the seat facing me, Alphonse being closest to the window.
Edward had been trying to sleep since we boarded the train this morning, and Alphonse had been trying to show Edward every animal he saw out the window on the way.
Edward gestures towards me sleepily, "Why can't you just show (Y/N), Al? She's awake and already looking out the window anyways!"
I shook my finger at him, shaking off some sleepiness myself, "I've been paying attention this whole trip. It's your turn, Edward." Edward's groan was drowned out by the metal tapping of Alphonse's finger on the glass window, pointing to a flock of pristine white sheep being led by a golden dog.
We finally began to pass into the city, leaving the potential animals outside behind. Edward noticed the lack of finger tappings and took his chance to pull his red coat up over his head a bit to create some darkness. However, as soon as he settled into the cushy seat, the train whistle blasted through the quiet train car, leaving everybody inside alert and awake, including the thrashing Edward.
After unloading and stepping out into the central station crowd, after Edward's sleep-deprivation-induced tantrum, the three of us hunched over a small map depicting the city. It's not every day we get to go into the city, so we're a little unsure of where to go. Though we've been once before, for our state alchemist test, none of us really remember our way around. We embarrassingly admitted that to each other on the train ride there.
After looking at the map for some time, we finally set out. Well, Edward got tired of waiting around to figure it out and ended up starting down the first street he came to, so Alphonse and I had to follow suit.
We passed many tall, high-rise buildings, cute little corner shops, and many, many flower stands. It was a gorgeous city, but I couldn't help but feel out of place. Firstly, I'm not used to so much movement around me. People and cars ran along at high speed around us, which was much more different than back in Resembool.
Second, it didn't help that I was walking with a short, stomping boy with a bright red coat and a giant suit of armor. I at least looked somewhat normal, despite my auto mail, which was normally hidden unless I rolled up my sleeves or pant legs. Honestly, if you didn't know the Elrics well, they most definitely would become irritating very quickly. They are sometimes, but it's endearing.
Ever since we left the Tucker household, ever since we found Nina- or what was left of her- in that alleyway, we'd all acted much more careful with whose attention we attracted. Although physical appearance can't be helped much, we three definitely acted differently in public, all of us hoping the other two wouldn't notice.
Alphonse didn't like to talk much to strangers and reveal his young voice, acting more like an adult in costume than a child his age. It seemed like he was afraid to come into a conversation where the armor of his physical appearance was talked about and gave up acknowledging questions about it all together. I wore gloves like Edwards, long sleeves, and long pants to hide my automail as much as possible. Although people are less likely to ask me about it, they certainly do stare, even if they try not to. Edward was much more protective of Alphonse and I than he ever was before. He started walking in front of us when we went somewhere together, putting his arm out across us when something to be scared of was in front of us, and being hesitant to tell us important information, usually concerning the philosopher's stone or the military.
" I appreciate his intentions, but it gets annoying after a while," I looked at the back of Ed's coat and thought to myself. We passed more and more buildings, turning corners as if we were thieves trying to shake the cops. Alphonse's metal shoes tinked on the concrete behind me as I watched Ed's golden braid swish between his shoulder blades.
"Maybe I'll tell him to calm down a bit later this evening when we get some down time. I shouldn't wait and let this spiral out of control," I picked up my pace to walk next to him, trying to give him a little hint. He gives me a glance out of the corner of his eye as I approach, and I give him a small, quick smile. He does the same back to me, walking slightly in front of me, but still allowing me to be somewhat next to him.
Eventually, Edward's disappointing excuse for directions leads us where we need to be- Central Command. We stand before the white stairs, separating the city from the military building that resides on the island inside the moat around the premises. The three of us stand looking at the sheer size of the complex for only a moment before beginning our climb. Midway through, I look over the side of the railing and into the glimmering waters below. It was both gorgeous, and scary- which was most likely the emotion intended to be presented.
Once we reached the top, we heard the swishing of the green and golden flags of Amestris, smelled freshly cut grass from the front lawn, and saw the enchanting white building which held more information about alchemy than we could ever dream of. Soldiers dawned in brilliant blue uniforms walked briskly back and forth across the many paths, all hurrying as if their lives depended on it. I assumed that that was just how it is for them and, soon, how it will be for us, too.
A man with short, dark hair and blue soldier's uniform stormed his way over to us, arms swinging sternly by his side, a glare on his face sharp enough to cut us in half. He stepped in front of us and studied us with a sweeping gaze before speaking,
"I assume you three are here to receive your state alchemist titles and pocket watches, am I correct?" he says sternly, not wasting any time with formalities.
"Yes, sir," Edward replies, his voice a bit croaky from our nearly silent walk around town.
"Hm. You're a bit late. Try not to make a habit of that," the soldier remarks, turning on his heel and walking briskly back in the direction he approached us from. A bit startled, we hesitantly followed after him across the grand field, up the ivory steps, and into the Central Command building.