Ok, set during no. 36 of the manga, this is my take on events. Just a silly little fic really. I couldn't face complete angst so it's comical as well. As appears to be the fashion at the moment.

Darn I have so many fics here

*fic has now moved to page two as I have revised and updated it*

*Dies* That was SO cute! And hysterical! *Pats Ed* Dun worry, that will come for you and Winry soon enough.

AWESOME JOB SIS!!

WOW !!! That was AWESOME!!!!! Super cute!!!

Great job Chiyo!

Thank you so much guys, I was worried when nobody was replying.

Brings new meaning to expect the unexpected XD
But we all know what blueberry>apple

hmm...PIE!!

Nice story. Nice surprise.

Heheheh pie. I could imagine the look on Ed's face after he saw the pie.

Waaah, so cute! Really cool ending, very original.

Most of the time, it ends with a kiss or a hug or something mushy, but this was much better. Very good story.

It was a good and powerful stoey, I loved it

good, i like the twist. not the typical

Whee!

Little sissy, you did it again! Man, I loved this! Comical, but angsty! Ah, paradoxal genres strike again. And in all it's beautifully written form.


I applaud.

*chokes* My big sis, the oh so talented Shardy, complimented my work *cries*

I don't know what to say.

That's because you deserve it sis! This was truly a wonderful piece and if you don't know that welll... *Shakes head* I just don't know what to do with you. Write more.

@Chiyo: Good job ! It seemed kind of short, compared to your other fics, but just as well written . Edward's thoughts made me laugh, but toward the end it turned into sadness , but I still enjoyed it . A good flow of emotions is a key factor in fanfictions, and I thought you did a wonderful job of it .

You are all so supportive, thank you.

Good fic i enjoyed reading it. Pleae write more!

I loved it! Great job!

Yes alright its a damn bloody old thread, but I have revised this work and re-written it in places. I need to know if you think it needs improving?

******

He felt his head thud on the table, fork still held in place between his teeth. It had been quite a day, even though days like this were becoming a regular occurrence. It had started with the near severe beating he tried to give Mustang for the death of Maria Ross. He had not really mourned her loss yet and probably would never manage to. Much as he hadn’t himself truly mourned Hughes.

His frustration and guilt spilled over when he realised he had left the newspaper in full view. With the door open and the paper gone it was only natural to assume Winry had found it. So she had found out about Hughes death without him needing to tell her but that was so much worse. He had tried to keep it from her as best he could, not wanting her to feel pain. But she had found out in the worst way.

The silence between him and his brother was a mutual worry but for Ed it was also the overriding guilt. They had no idea where she could do very little but wait for news. When they had heard the knock at the door they had both assumed in a moment it was her. Unfortunately that had not been the case.

He had to face even more pain when they had found Winry to be at Gracias house. He knew he would have to meet Hughes wife at some point but to know the hurt in Winrys eyes when she would gaze upon him sent a shiver down his spine. Not only the hurt but the accusation of keeping this information from her.

But he had not received it. She looked up at him with confusion if anything. She had apologised which for running away as she had, but it was he who needed to apologise. Words were not his forte so he delivered the truth as basically as he could. Winry had clearly taken in all he had to say but it did not brighten her sad face.

It eased his guilt when Gracia did not blame him but it did not stop him brooding over it. Lying on the table he wished he had received a scolding or harsh words. But the brave face Gracier had shown them was just a cover He also knew, as the waiter asked if he was ill, Winry hadn’t eaten or even emerged from her room. He would have to face her sooner or later.

The door looked so much larger when he stood outside it. He swore he could hear quiet sobbing inside and it turned his insides into one big knot. Still his hand carefully reached up to knock.

At first there was no answer and he wondered if she was still in there. But when he called her name a fragile looking form opened the door to him. A small smile spread across her face.

‘Have you eaten your dinner yet, the cafeteria is about to close?’ he asked.

She looked guiltily at him but still remained with a slight smile.

‘Your body won’t carry on unless you eat a little something,’ he said, turning to walk away after checking she was alright.

‘Ah…hold on.’

Her hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. He turned to her, jumping at the sudden move. Her eyes and smile looked so gentle a blush slowly played across his face. She turned and pulled him with her into her bedroom.

Her quiet ‘Come in,’ seemed more of a demand then an invitation.

He almost had to yank himself out of her grip to sit on the sofa opposite her bed. She slowly sat down and looked at him with a real purpose. Something in her stare made him feel very uncomfortable and he feared what was coming.

‘Ed…erm,’ she started.

He gulped hard, ‘What is it?’

She opened her mouth several times to speak but nothing more then a sigh managed to escape her lips. Finally, taking a deep breath, she spoke again.

‘There is something I’ve been wanting to give you for a while, I’ve just been too embarrassed to do it.’

‘Oh…why…it’s only me,’ he laughed, wondering why after all these years she felt embarrassed to tell him something.

She blushed heavily but he decided not to notice.

‘It’s something very special, even if it may not seem it to you. It’s not something I could give to Al. It is only for you’

Cogs began to turn in his head as he thought about what she was saying to him. What could be so important she was embarrassed to give it to him and not give it to Al. Something special that only he was allowed.

Oh good God. She couldn’t…no…surely. He thought she was upset but she had gone utterly mad. He had heard about women needed comfort physically but he never expected this!

She brushed a hair away from her chest and it took his all not to look. She let out another low sigh which stirred something so deep inside of him he didn’t know it was there. Not until now that is…but this was Winry…his childhood friend…even if she was anything but a child now.

‘Oh, Winry…’

‘Let me finish Ed. It meant a lot you coming to get me. I’m sorry for running off and causing you trouble. I guess I was a little angry at you for not telling me.’

‘I said sorry didn’t I?’

‘But I forgave you when I was at Gracias. I had plenty of time to think about it there. I talked about it with Gracia and she thought it was a good idea.’

‘You talked about that with Ms Hughes!’

‘I don’t really speak to any other females. She understood and talked me through it,’ Winry laughed slightly, ‘she even explained the first time she did it for Mr Hughes.’

By now Ed had gone beyond blushing, he was practically glowing red. Words got stuck in his throat, not that he was even sure what he would say if he could speak. If he had known what Gracier and Winry had discussed beforehand he could never have visited the house, no matter how important it had been to explain all. He dared to look back up at Winry. As her shoulders slumped the strap on her top had fallen down and she hadn’t cared to put it back in place.

The situation really began to become clear to Edward. Al wasn’t expecting him back any time soon so he didn’t have to explain time away. Winry did mean a lot to him even if he never would admit it to anyone. He couldn’t deny that she was beautiful and that he had noticed girls in ‘that’ sense. Maybe if he took up her offer she would feel better. Then he would feel better and they could put it all behind them. Yea, it made perfect sense, and she would feel better for it….perhaps

‘I know it’s my first time but I hope you’ll like it,’ she giggled and choked at the same time.

His heart began to thud in his chest, ‘Ok Winry, I accept your offer.’

Curse his inelegant use of words, he wasn’t taking money from her he was…well what could he have said.

She beamed, ‘Then close your eyes.’

Where did all this confidence come from? She said it was her first time and he should hope as much. His mouth begged for some water but he said not a word. Obediently he closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable. He held his breath as he heard her rise from her bed.

‘Ok, open them.’

His eyes snapped open. She sat in front of him, smiling with all the sweetness she could muster and holding a box lid. In front of him were the box and its contents.

‘Apple pie?’ he inquired, narrowing his eyes at the box contents.

‘I borrowed Gracia’s kitchen to make this,’ she said, watching at how hard he looked at it. ‘Hey, take a bite.’

He really didn’t feel much like eating. The knot in his stomach remained coiled out of embarrassment and guilt. It was the first time she had baked a pie and given it to anyone. Al couldn’t eat so of course she couldn’t give any to him. How could he have even considered she was talking about anything else? Of all times to be thinking with the part of anatomy other than his brain that controlled him. What kind of friend was he?

‘Hmm, it huge,’ was all he could gather.

‘The credit belongs to Gracia. This apple pies recipe was taught to me by her.’

He finally looked back up at her. The smile on her face was beginning to fade and her eyes were welling up. He inwardly wished her pains away but knew that was just childish fantasy.

‘I shouldn’t say this but I’m getting pretty good at it. Some day,’…she choked again, ‘I had hoped Mr Hughes could have tasted it,’ she finished, succumbing to her tears. In almost a minute he had gone from looking at her with lust to looking at her with pity.

How he hated to see her cry but he knew better then to try and stop her. He felt bad that he had taken her meaning the wrong way, but now he felt even worse that he could not comfort her. Even when presented with her delicate and weak he could not assemble himself to hold her in his arms. Any decent man would have done so.

He looked down at the pie. The filling wasn’t apple at all. It was Winry, kept in a shell that was slowly breaking away. He took a piece and savoured her hard work. It was the perfect mothers touch. Hughes had been right, she would make a good wife someday.

Whether it was as his he did not care to think about.

‘It’s delicious,’ he replied quietly.

She did not respond.

so sweet!! i loved this scene in the manga, it was angsty and sweet at the same time. great work, your writing is awesome.