Eternity | Edward Elric x Reader

Chapter Seven

~ You ~

"This is the place?" "Yep." "...An automail shop?" "Uhuh."

Looking over the place, it definitely seemed family-owned. If Edward was getting maintenance here, in his hometown, he and Al must've been close friends of the Rockbell's, and your thoughts are confirmed as Ed casually walked up the porch and opened the door. "Hey, Winry, Granny, we're back!"

A loud crash ensued from inside the house, greatly startling you and Al jumped slightly.

"EDWARD! I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO CALL US BEFORE YOU CANE HOME FOR MAINTENANCE!" "GaaaAAAGHHH! Winry put the wrENCH DOWN!" A blonde haired girl you assumed was your age stormed into the living room, carrying yes, a very much real wrench.

When she glanced over to you, a shocked expression came over her face and she straightened her posture and gave a nice smile. "Ooh, we have a guest- sorry for that ruckus, aha. Welcome to the Rockbell's automail shop, how may we help you..." Winry trailed off as she studied your arms and legs.

After realizing you weren't there for automail, she put a hand on her hip, saying sincerely, "oh, so you're friends with Ed, huh?" Calming yourself down, you nodded, replying, "yeah, he and Al's teaching me some alchemy so I can get into the military." "Military, huh..."

Whipping her head around to face and glare at Ed and Al, she growled, "you're not pulling her into all your crazy stuff by force, right?" "Of course not, this is of her own free will!" After everyone calmed down for a few seconds, an elderly woman entered with gray faded locks and short stature.

"It's been what, a couple months since you were last here?" "You say that instead of greeting us-?" "Unless you wanted me to tell you that you're just as short as ever."

Tic marks appeared on Ed's forehead, and just in case, Alphonse restrained his arms. You in turn burst out with laughter, breaking the tension. "So it's like that everywhere, huh?! Someone tells him he's short and then he goes on a rampage!" "Hey, shaddup!"

~ Alphonse ~

After introducing yourselves, Winry politely offered you a seat on the coach while she quickly assessed Ed's automail. Concluding it's shape was good to go, Pinako Rockbell then asked, "so, why are you really here? We all know that you never come back just to drop by and say hi along with a quick little check up."

Al sheepishly scratched the back of his helmet, laughing a bit while saying, "you do catch on fast, Granny... Actually, we need you take make something for her."

He turned (Y/n)'s way- as did Edward. She gestured to her body. "Uh, excuse me, but I have both arms and legs. I don't need automail."

Ed simply snorted and rolled his eyes. "Of course not. But since they specialize in automail, the thing we want should be a piece of cake." "Stop beating around the bush. What is this 'thing'? You haven't even told me yet, and it's supposed to be for my use!"

As she sprung up from her seat in slight anger and impatience, Edward took two steps forward and confronted her, their faces only a couple inches away from each other.

"Patience is a virtue." "Okay, shrimp, you of all people have no place to say that."

Silence followed the confrontation. The only thing that broke it was Winry's elbow which bumped softly against the table, as she leaned her head on her hand. "Yeah, Ed, I'm going with (Y/n) on this one."

"Don't you always side against me anyways?" "Well, yeah..." "Then, DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO SAY THAT!!"

<<>>

"Sorry, (Y/n), but we really wanted it to be a surprise." Al tried to reason with her, as she lay back on the soft grasses of the hills behind the Rockbell's house. "Ah, you're forgiven, Alphonse, since that's sweet of you," the girl sighed, sitting up and giving him a pat on the shoulder.

"This shrimp, however-" she jabbed a finger towards the elder brother- "isn't." "...why him and not me?"

Al laughed a bit, and Edward in response glared back. "Whatever, it's not like I care much." Suddenly, his golden eyes opened wider and he sat up. "Hey, why don't we have a little warm up sparring match before you try on your gear, (Y/n)?!" Moderately surprised, the teenager took a few seconds to think. Then, grinning at the challenge, she replied, "sure, thing!"

"W- wait! What about me?!"

They couldn't here his protests, as they'd already started running.

"Ed? (Y/n)?"

"..."

"I feel like I'm very quickly going to become the third wheel."

~ Winry ~

Of course, the thing that Ed and Al requested was a cinch compared to her and Grandma's normal jobs. Winry had made the base of the object, so Pinako took over the more detailed but less time consuming work. Currently, Winry was seated and contentedly watched the three outside.

And (Y/n)? She was wonderful! Winry had immediately taken a liken to her, as she introduced herself and during their interactions. She thought... that (Y/n) was exactly the kind of person the boys needed in their lives.

Sure, Winry and Pinako provided as much support as they could to the brothers, yet they couldn't be with them constantly. All they could do was give them a cozy home to return to after they finished a bit of their military commissions... and for the Elrics, Winry didn't particularly feel like that was enough.

So (Y/n) could help them.

And of course, Winry wasn't the type of person to be bitter about her role as genuine support taken by someone else. All she wanted was the best for Ed and Al.

She'd have to thank (Y/n) later.

"Ah, Winry! I've done the finishing touches- come here and look at it. Then we'll take it out to them and let the boys do their thing." "Oh, sure!"

A couple minutes later, the metal was in her hands and she shouldered the slightly ajar front door completely open, shouting, "Edward, Alphonse, (Y/n)? It's done!"

====================

Okay, I'm sure you guys know that I'm sorry about the late update, so I'm just not gonna rant about it and get on to the message I really wanted to share.

I will be resuming Weave in a couple of days!!

Don't worry, I'll try to keep updating this one too since I can't keep you guys who've been here for a bit wait.

~ Aelin