(A/N- (F/c/b)- Favorite children's book)

"Brother, can I ask you about something?" Alphonse said quietly.
Rain was pouring down outside, dark clouds occasionally glowing with lightning.
Alphonse had left you in the library to go talk to Edward. He of course, being the gentlemen he was, made sure you would be alright by yourself, asking before he made his exit. There was something that was bothering him, and he decided he needed to ask his elder sibling about it. Alone.
"What is it?" Ed answered with a question.
"U-um," Alphonse paused, trying to think of the right words. He wanted to phrase his question correctly, or his brother might make fun of him for asking. "Uh, d-do you know that feeling where your heart races, and you get nervous, and stumble over your words around someone?"
Edward looked surprised at first, but his facial expression quickly changed to a smirk. "Yeah."
"A-and is that feeling is only around one certain person?"
"Yeah."
The door opened, and a feather duster entered the room to work. Riza looked over at the two brothers briefly, then continued with her chores.
"A-and you wonder if that person gets the same feeling when they're around you?"
Riza glanced back over at them, before smiling and going on with work.
"Yeah. Do you get this way around someone in particular?" Ed was smirking.
"Um, yeah."
"Would this person happen to have beautiful (h/c) locks and majestic (e/c) eyes?" Ed teased.
"I-I never said she had b-beautiful hair and m-majestic eyes!"
"Well you act like that whenever you're around (Y/n)!"
"I-is it really that obvious?"
"Yeah. She seems to be the only one that doesn't notice."
"Well that's not really reassuring."
"You're wondering what that feeling is, aren't you?"
"Y-yeah. Wait, how do you know about the feelings I described?"
"I, uh, kinda feel like that around Winry," Ed rubbed the back of his furry head, running his hand through his hair, which could even be considered a mane.
"Well, do you think she feels the same way about you?" Al asked.
"Who?"
"Winry, or course! Do you think she feels the same way?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure how someone could feel that way about me in this state."
"But at least you have a chance! I don't even have a body to hold (Y/n)! M-maybe I just shouldn't have asked, I'm just getting my hopes up for nothing."
"Al, you're kindness in a can. I'm not sure her feeling the same way is really impossible. You should at least try," Ed advised.
"I agree with Edward," Riza cut in. Both the brothers looked at her surprised. They had forgotten she was in here. "Not all girls are after the good looking guys. Some of them aren't so shallow, and can look past appearances. And in this case, I say that neither Winry nor (Y/n) think in a shallow way."
The brothers stared at her, Edward blinking a couple of times.
Riza started walking towards the door, having finished her chores and given her advice. Before she left them, she turned back and told them one more thing.
"By the way, those feelings you were describing, that was love." And with that, she left. She knew those feelings well. She felt that same way about a certain candelabra named Roy.
Unknown to either of the brothers, Riza had also had a very similar discussion with you when she was working in your bedroom. Except, instead, you had been thinking of Alphonse as you asked her your questions.
***
Boom!
Light flashed through the library, and you looked slightly worriedly out the window.
"It sure is stormy out," you said to yourself. The memory of a large overturned cart outside in similar weather flashed briefly in your mind, and you shook your head furiously.
"No, stop thinking like that. You're safe in here. The rain can't hurt you," you breathed.
You got up from your seat and went to search for another book. As you walked, you heard what sounded like a slight chattering sound. You started following the noise, eventually finding yourself in the children's section of the shelves. You located the general area of the sound and started looking on the selves.
On one of the lowest shelves, your eyes landed on a small, shaking tea cup.
"Elicia? What are you doing here all by yourself?"
Elicia looked up at you, eyes filled with fear.
"I-I'm hiding from the thunder!" She squeaked.
You sighed, gently picking her up.
"Thunder can't hurt you. As long as you're inside, you're safe from the storm. Do you want to go find your mom and dad?" You asked, voice calm and kind.
Elicia sniffled a little, before nodding a cute little tea cup nod.
You slowly stood up, but before you could step anywhere, you heard the library doors open.
"Where's my little girl!? Where did she run off to!?" Mr.Hughes' voice sounded through the room. His overprotective father instincts were kicking in.
"Calm down Maes, we'll find her. I'm sure she's fine," Mrs.Hughes' voice had a much calmer tone to it. You decided it would be easier to just call them over. That, and you didn't really feel like moving.
"She's over here!" You shouted.
Not even five seconds later, the tea pot and sugar holder were at your feet. You placed their daughter down and remained kneeling, watching the family reunion.
"Oh my precious little girl! I was so worried about you!"
"Sweetie, calm down."
"I-I'm sowwy I ran off. I was scared of the lightning," Elicia apologized adorably.
Boom!
That lightning sure had good timing. Elicia shook slightly, moving closer to her parents.
"Don't worry Elicia, daddy will protect you from the storm!"
The reunited family started walking out of the library, but not before Elicia turned around and waved at you.
"Bye, (Y/n)!"
You smiled and waved bye back, still in your crouched position. The door clicked closed again, and they were gone.
"Now, where was I?" You asked yourself, standing back up. As you stood, you turned and looked at the shelf next to you.
Boom!
'(F/c/b)' was the first thing you saw as outside light filled the room once again.
Memories started rushing back into your mind, everything resurfacing at once.
***
"(Y/n)? Why are you hiding under the bed?" Your mother's voice called. She peared at you under your bed frame, laying under it, trying to block out the loud sounds of thunder that were shaking through the house.
"I-I'm hiding from the thunder," you whimpered. Another clap of thunder earned a shriek from you, followed by more whimpering and shaking.
"(Y/n), thunder can't hurt you. As long as you're inside, you're safe. Now come here. You're father's downstairs waiting for you and me to come down for dinner," your mother gently took your hand and pulled you out from your abode of safety. She picked you up in her arms and carried you down the stairs.
"C-can we read (F/c/b) after dinner?" You sniffled.
"Of course. Your dad made your favorite food for dinner, too."
"Hurray!" You cheered, hugging your arms around your mom's neck.
***
"Mom!" You shouted as loud as your little lungs could. Tears streamed down your face, adding to the rain. Your eyes went to look at your father.
"Dad!" You cried.
The storm refused to subside.
The overturned cart was lit up with a flash of lightning, illuminating the crushed forms of the two people you held dearest under it.
"Mommy! Daddy! Please! Come back!"
Blood was pooled around your parents. No one could survive being crushed under a weight that heavy.
And you knew that. But you screamed out for them all the same.
A loud roll of thunder echoed, and your previously conquered fear of thunderstorms resurfaced. You screamed as loud as you could, looking around for any sign of people who could help, even if it was already too late.
Your terrified (e/c) orbs spotted a house in the distance. It was one you knew well, your best friend's house. The Rockbell's house.
You began limping your way to the familiar building, tears streaming and whimpers emanating constantly from you. With every sound from the sky, you screamed and jumped, shoulders raising a few inches every time. You eventually made it to the front door, soaking wet and sobbing. With as much force as you could muster in your fragile state, you knocked on the door.
The door was opened by Winry's short grandmother, a pipe in her mouth. When she saw you standing there, her facial expression changed to a seriously concerned one. She quickly turned and shouted into the house.
"Winry! Get down here! (Y/n)'s at the door and needs our help!"
You were hurried inside as you continued sobbing and shaking. Winry's footsteps echoed down the stairs, and she made her way into the room. When she saw you, she gasped, immediately running to your side.
"(Y/n)! What happened to you!?"
"Thunderstorm... cart... parents... overturned... dead," were the only words you were able to choke out.
Pinako was putting a rain coat on and preparing to brave the storm.
"I'm going out to see for myself."
"I'll come too," Winry began to get up, but Pinako stopped her.
"No! We can't leave (Y/n) by herself in this state! You stay here and keep an eye on her!" With that, Pinako headed out into the rain.
A few minutes of silence followed, in which Winry silently got you some blankets and sat you down in a comfortable chair.
"Are you comfortable, (Y/n)? Do you need anything else?"
You looked at her and inhaled to begin speaking, but a fit of coughing racked your body, and you grew breathless. Eventually it subsided, and you said softly in a raspy voice, "A book would be nice. And some water."
Winry smiled, then went to go bring you your book and beverage.
While she was away, the front door opened and closed. You didn't look to see who it was, already knowing it was Aunt Pinako. She silently walked back in front of you, giving you a sympathetic look.
"I saw what happened. I'm afraid it's as you feared."
You looked down, tears threatening to spill again.
"If you want to, I have no problem taking you in. Sort of as an adopted grandchild. You can stay here and be taken care of."
You looked back up at her, awestruck. You had never seen her act this kind before. Usually she was stern and strick. But right now, she was showing a softer, kinder side of herself.
"Th-thank you. I'd very much like that."
***
"(Y/n)! (Y/n) wake up! Please!" Alphonse shook you, trying to get a response out of you.
"W-what?" You looked around confused. You were in the library, lying on the ground. Alphonse was holding you in his lap, looking down at you worriedly.
"I walked in here and found you collapsed on the floor. Are you alright?"
You stared blankly at him. All of that had passed, it had happened years ago. You weren't going through all that pain again. You were safe, inside during the storm.
"Y-yeah, I'm alright," you lied.
Boom!
You jumped and hugged Alphonse suddenly, fear evident. The return of painful memories also brought forth the return of your fear of thunder. You whimpered a little, holding onto Al for moral support.
"(Y/n)? Are you scared of thunder?"
You nodded slightly, before another thunderclap made you grip him tighter.
"A-and, I j-just had some m-memories come b-back to me. S-some of them, w-weren't the happiest."
Alphonse seemed to understand what you were getting at. He comfortingly hugged you back.
"Do you, do you wanna talk about it?" He asked cautiously.
You remained silent, then nodded your head.
You had a feeling it would help you feel better in the long run, as well as help Al understand you more.
You began to tell him your story.
"W-when I was little, I was terrified of thunderstorms. My mom would always find me hiding under my bed, but she would coax me out with the promise of a story, and my dad's cooking..."