So this is the second "chapter" of the Aftermath.

Rating: K+

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA: Brotherhood

Whole

She hadn't meant it when she jumped on the two of them, but she did it none the less. The slightest graze of her soft, delicate lips had his whole body tingling. The sun's warm, golden rays showered down on him, highlighting the soft blonde hairs in his darker mane. Above him, Winry's own flowing, lemon hair seemed to glow. The deep ocean waters that were her eyes glistened with happy tears, sparkling like diamonds as they trailed down her cheeks.

"Welcome home," She murmured, rising to look both Elrics in the eyes. She let them up, but it wasn't long before she was latching on Alphonse yet again. She gently hugged him this time, afraid he might break any second and return as an armored man. The weakened male hugged her back, and a wide smile claimed his lips. Al couldn't be happier, which made the elder brother's smile grow even bigger.

"Edward," An older voice called from above. He dusted himself off subconsciously before grabbing his suitcase off the ground. Looking up at the all too familiar door, Granny Pinako stood with a pipe hanging out the huge grin that was plastered across her round face.

"Come on in, the pie's almost done cooling." With that she turned and headed back inside, leaving the door wide open in a welcoming gesture. The former alchemist didn't have to see the excitement that lit up in his brother's eyes—the half-squeal, half-gasp was enough. Winry's laugh rang like bells in his ears, their echo cheerfully fading.

Without thinking, the mechanic grabbed onto Alphonse's soft and Edward's calloused hands, nearly dragging them up the stairs. Her face twitched as she took the first step, but from Edward's angle, he brushed it off as nothing. Across the porch and into the two-story house they went, the kitchen's distinct pie smell filling their nostrils greedily. The younger alchemist practically drooled and his face was quite comical, but Ed didn't say anything. He knew he would've reacted the same way if he couldn't smell anything for over ten years.

"Is it almost done?" The thin boy frantically asked as the three rounded the corner. Al's eyes connected with the steaming treat immediately.

"Just about. Why don't you guys go wait in the dining room and I'll bring you out a piece?" Winry suggested with a smile, giggling as Alphonse uncharacteristically slumped in rejection. The pie was just in his reach, but it could've been a million miles away and not made one difference to him. The taller man beside him laughed, guiding him back into the living room where they both took a seat.

It wasn't long at all before the shapely blonde came in with two bowels of homemade apple pie, a spoonful of vanilla ice cream melting on top. Now both mouths watered as the sweet-smelling delicacy was placed in their hands. Edward inhaled his desert, while Alphonse savored each mouthful as if he'd never get to taste such a wonderful delight ever again.

"I don't know why, but somehow I just had the urge to make a pie today. Now I'm glad I did." Winry's voice went in one ear and right out the other with the two boys, but she didn't mind. A chuckle of gratitude escaped her throat when she found Al silently begging for more. He didn't want to be rude, she could tell, but she'd only find it rude if he hadn't wanted another piece. Edward was another story. He was a one-slice kind'a guy, and right now he was laid back relaxed with his eyes closed in the soft cushions of the couch. A bit of the vanilla ice cream was still smeared on his lips, and Winry found herself licking her own.

Started by her action, and praying Alphonse didn't see, she took the bowls and rushed to the kitchen. Her cheeks were starting to heat up and she felt just a tad hazy. With a frown, Winry shook her head and huffed as she cut another slice of pie. Putting on another smile and hoping they would buy it, she walked back in and handed the dish to the starved man. Al thankfully took it and eagerly started shoving the delicious morsel in his mouth, faster than before.

"Ed, can I talk to you?" She piped up, motioning to her bedroom with a slight tilt of the head. Eventually, Edward knew he was going to have to talk to Winry about his leg, and he was sure that was what she wanted from him now. He sighed.

"Uh, sure." His tone was a bit forced, nearly giving him away altogether.

The bedroom was just as he remembered it only a few weeks ago, though it felt like an eternity. The day where he had simply wanted a quiet place to eat his sandwich, but instead he got a sneak-peak at Winry and a "cautionary tale about guns" went down. After that she fixed up his automail once again, and he had told her to get lost for her own protection. That, of course, wasn't how it was going to happen in her eyes. Then he left her with harsh words echoing through the small room.

A twinge of guilt washed over him while he sat on the edge of her mattress. She stood on the other side of the room, strangely quiet with her arms crossed. She was biting her lip, staring at his leg before averting her gaze to something else before returning back. She had noticed him limping up the stairs—it had been pretty obvious even with her in front of him.

"So..." She couldn't find the words to pull together a sentence. A conflict seemed to be brewing within her and hurt flashed in her dark blue orbs.

"Winry, I—"

"After all that?" Her words were a whisper, but they cut deep. She wanted Edward whole again, just like his brother. She wanted him to run up the large green hill with the giant tree on his own two legs; to walk in the fields and feel every blade of grass with his own toes; to kick up dirt without a care in the world. Now he was limping, because of a leg that wasn't even his.

They were silent for awhile, and neither could look at each other directly. The awkward tension growing between them became too much, but still nothing good could be said to fill that tension.

"I thought you—Why didn't you get your body back? I thought that was the whole reason you left!" Winry's eyes began to water, and the frustration that had been pent up within her since the train ride back to Rush Valley began to leak out dangerously. Edward stood in one fluid motion, but he swallowed his words.

"Why? Why didn't you...?" The words were nothing but mere whimpers now, and another tear fell. It wasn't one of joy.

Edward clenched his fists. The minute she cries of happiness, she turns around and balls over something that couldn't have been helped. He couldn't tell her; he couldn't explain to her why he didn't get his leg back. She wouldn't have understood. It was true he wasn't completely human...

He looked down into her sorrowful stare; both of them only centimeters away from each other. It was true he had kept her away from Central. He had kept her away from Father and the remaining five homunculi. He had kept her from becoming a hostage once again. He had saved the woman he loved.

Without thinking, Edward leaned down and cupped Winry's face in his hands. His lips pressed gently against her own while he closed his eyes. Calloused thumbs wiped away the tear marks and soothed her quivering lips. It had all come as a shock to the shorter blonde. The way he strode over in the middle of her fit, cupped her face and kissed her. She was no doubt shocked, but her lips acted on their own accord. She gave in to him. She had always been the rock when he needed someone, and he had always picked her up and dusted her off when she couldn't find the will to do it herself.

It was true he wasn't completely human...but he was whole—and so was she.

Oi so what you think? I GOTTA KNOW! Review and tell me! I think I did...hmmm okay? Not mi best work, but in the beginning I felt really inspired. Aftermath kinda has to be an inspired fic..if not...I'll try too hard DX

IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ON LIFE AFTER THE SERIES END...MESSAGE ME AND TELL ME! That is...if you want me to update X3