Transmuting Love ~ (edXwinry FMAB fanfic)

Part 52 - Whispers Beneath a Midnight Moon ~ 1

[Ed's View]

The next night, we lay in bed, side-by-side. The window was open and a nice, cool breeze swayed the curtains and goose-bumped our flesh. Winry shivered, so I turned to her and put my arms around her chest, over her arms. I could, once again, smell her freshly washed hair that dampened our pillow. Fresh, crisp watermelon. The moon was out, a full, laminating circle hanging in the clear blue sky. Stars patterned the sky. They looked so distant. It made me think of Teacher.

When we were returning from our island-survival test, we were rowing back to main land. Me and Al lay down on the wooden deck, Teacher soon joined us.

"One is all, all is one," Teacher she had whispered to herself, looking up at the moon and stars that shone from above. "Reach for stars kids... And you can achieve anything," She had smiled.

It's sad to think that when she said that, it made our minds contemplate a sin. A taboo illegal for all. Human transmutation.

When we had sinned, I remembered those words. Reach for stars kids... And you can achieve anything. 'Maybe' I thought, 'Just maybe, if I reach for the stars I can make everything better'.

But I was too delusional. It has been more than ten years and I still haven't made anything better. Nothing at all.

"When do you think you'll leave?" Winry innocently blurted out.

"Not sure," I said, pulling her closer and never wanting to let go. The thought of leaving her by herself for more than a long while made my heart beat faster with nervousness. "Maybe a month..."

"It's okay. I know you want to leave earlier. I understand..." Her eyes closed and she took a deep breathe. Then re-opened her eyes and smiled.

"What?" I asked, with a confused smile in return.

"I'm so weak. Both emotionally and physically. If only I could come with you, but I'd only get in the way..." she sighed.

I didn't respond.