=Two Weeks Prior To Chapter Three=

The sun beat down brightly on the three children as they chased each other across the green hills and dirt trails of Resembool. Each of the trio had grins on their faces, smiling widely as they ran.

Winry, in her outfit of a t-shirt and overalls on top, was able to keep up with the boys, much to their delight.

She had been determined to win in one of their races, and the only way to do that was to first be able to keep up with them.

She found it was easier if she focused completely in her task, lengthening g her stride and pushing off with equal force for each step. This matched her gait tho those of the two more athletic, albeit shorter, males.

Each boy held a woven basket full of the several fruited and vegetables their mother had requested, while Winry clutched a new dress in her arms. The money for it had been a gift, marking her turning from four to five.

In the end, of course, the two boys had drawn slightly ahead and won, tying with each other, as Winry slowed to a stop a foot away from them, smiling breathlessly.

She doubted it would be long before she won. She was still growing, legs growing longer and therefore her stride would be linger, allowing her to pull ahead.

They were having dinner here, at the Elric household, because Granny was working late on an automail job. While Winry was disappointed that she couldn't help with building the intricate machinery, she was excited. Dinners or lunches at Ed and Al's house were always joyful occasions, sometimes a picnic, or sometimes just a simple dinner, followed by pie of some kind or another.

Either way, Miss Elrics food was delicious, and it was once again proved by the amazing quiche she had made. She'd smiled gently at Winry when she had pointed out just how amazing it was.

Miss Elric had ruffled her hair gently, happiness gleaming in her eyes. "When you next come over you can help, how's that sound?" Winry smiled eagerly, nodding, before running off to accept a challenge issued by Ed. He had tagged her as he passed, and now he was sprinting away, that same gigantic grin on his face as earlier.

Winry got her chance when Ed stumbled, causing Alphonse -who was directly behind him- to careen wildly out of the way.

Winry sped up, passing the two boys and racing towards the usual finishing point.

She made it.

Alphonse, who had managed to regain his speed, came second, and Ed, who had sprawled face first into the soft grass and dirt, came third.

Winry had won due to a small mistake made by a small male. How ironic, really.

She was smiling happily, having won for the first time. Ed was grinning as well, mouthing a 'Good job' in her direction.

At first she had been confused by Ed not ever speaking. As she grew older, however, she had learned he was mute by birth, and she had accepted it fully. She had gotten rather good at lip reading thanks to him, and constantly practiced whenever she went out into town. She felt a sort of pride when she was correctly able to interpret others conversations just by looking, and Ed gave her a grin and a thumbs up with each successful attempt. Alphonse merely sighed, holding his small hand to his face, that still bore the baby fat that Winry and Ed were already starting to lose. It was an overly adorable action, and Ed and Winry smiled brightly.

Although Ed regularly wished he had his voice, even if to only tell his brother and friend just how much he adored and loved the two of them, he was also content with his muteness, and merely used those wishes as fuel to learn more than ever about sign language, all of the finer points, and practicing til his hands hurt and he could no longer sign for the cramps that plagued his joints.

Ed smiled, walking over and ruffling his brothers hair, smile turning into a grin at his brothers complaint, as he tried desperately to fix his now sticking up hair.

Really, his brother was precious. Last time, he had taken for granted every smile, laugh, and glimmer of happiness that his brother shared to the world. Every act of kindness was so pure, so heartfelt he could only smile now. He would do anything to keep things this way. Peaceful, mom alive and dad still here.

But it wouldn't. Although he still felt the old hate towards Hohenheim at times, he also knew that his dad had to leave in order for everything to turn out alright. That didn't mean he couldn't try to keep the man here, however. Damn it all if he didn't at least try. Al deserved a dad. A childhood.

He became aware of a hand waving in front of his eyes, and he blinked rapidly, grinning sheepishly at his brother. He must have blanked out. Al huffed, but grinned, the smile splitting his face and making him all that much more adorable.

"Come on, we'll miss the train!" He exclaimed.

Winry huffed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. "How are you two so energetic, running about so much? I only barely beat you two in a full speed race just now!" She complained, but took after Ed and Al, who were running side by side, occasionally bumping into each other, trying to push each other out of the way.

The trains whistle blew in the distance, the black train appearing over one of the many hills. A black line, speeding across the land.

They drew up next to it, huffing as they tried to keep pace, before laughing in defeat as they tripped in turn, sprawling or rolling forward onto the soft grass that Resembool just seemed to be full of at anytime besides winter. Even then, this countryside town was beautiful. Quiet, coated in ice and snow, it was the perfect winter wonderland as Al called it.

--1026 Words--

AwesomeSauceMe Hope you enjoyed your little happy chapter! Don't worry, it'll be back to angst soon ^-^

~The_Sin_Pride