** For any AOT fans out there please check out my Levi Ackerman X OC story, "Risk"! Also, check out the sequel, "Fallen"! Hope you'll enjoy!! :)) **

I despised the look he gave me. It was almost pathetic. I already knew what he was thinking, hell, I knew what everyone was thinking.

I didn't know how to fight, and I was being ridiculous for challenging Ed. I click my tongue in irritation, wait till I proved them wrong. I cock my head when I smirk devilishly at Ed.

He needed some sense knock into him. He needs to know that getting in my business would only irritate me more.

"What? Scared I'll beat the crap out of you, shortie?" I taunt. Just like old times the mere mention of his height made him explode. With an irk showing up over his brow and his eyes gleaming red, I knew my comment hit its mark.

"I'm not short, you microscopic flea!" He rages.

My body flinches at the nickname, the rage inside me bursting into something hot and unyielding. I may be taller than Ed but I was shorter than most girls, and I hated it. But I mostly hated when people pointed that out.

"Shut your mouth, jerk!" I spat venomously before shoving past him. "Instead of arguing like a bunch of children let's settle this outside."

"Alright," he growls. "You're on."

It didn't take much for Ed to follow my lead. We ignored the calls from both Al and Winry. Even the threat from Pinako.

The shouted after us, hollow footsteps mixed with the light ones of Winry and Pinako filled my ears. But I didn't look back nor did Ed. None of us cared, only anger was set on our minds.

There was too much for me to handle and I figured, throwing fists would solve everything. The sun was setting in the distance when we make our way to the dirt road before the house. Soon it would be night and soon it would be difficult to see.

I've been trained to fight in the night though, but it was never my forte. I hated and I'm sure Ed does too with all the fights he gets into. He sends me one last look, one I couldn't understand, before stalking away from me.

At least there was eight feet between us, giving each of us a good running start. Hesitantly, as if he weren't willing, he gets into his fighting stance one that I was familiar with.

I never liked that stance, I used to make a huge deal out of it when I trained as a child. So I stayed put, only watching him with a feline gaze. I needed to get a feel of how he fought.

"Y/n!"

I hear my name being called out once more. Knowing who it was so sigh in irritation. I whirl my head to Winry.

"What now?" I snap. She clenches the bar of the porch, her eyes wide with worry.

She shakes her head in warning, "Why are you doing this?" She asks. "It's not like you to provoke——"

"Stay out of this, Winry!" I warn. "I know what I'm doing."

Though when those words spilt passed my lips I found myself second guessing. Did I really know what I was doing? Was this just me being impulsive?

"Are we starting or what?" I knew Ed was getting impatient. His voice was terse and he bounced on his feet impatiently. Still, his eyes gleamed in something I couldn't understand. But I don't say a word, instead I bring up my fists and beckon him.

"Your move," I say firmly. Ed doesn't move however, despite the permission I gave. He watched me closely as if he could read what's on my face. Biting his bottom lip he slightly lowers his hands.

"Y/n," he starts with crinkled brows. "I don't think this is a good——"

"Shut up! You agreed to it!"

Dashing towards the blond I throw my fist out for a jab, but he dodges it with ease. He swerved to my right and I throw a round kick fiercely. He blocks it, a grunt escapes him.

I didn't pay mind to the rough pain radiating over my shin from his automail arm. I only bare my teeth as I try to break his defense.

"You think I'm weak?" I demand hotly. "Is that why you won't fight?"

"I-it's not that!" He proclaims. "You're sick and we can't worsen your condition."

"You don't make that decision, Ed! It's my body—only I know what's good for it."

I kept throwing punches allowing my anger to take control over my fists. Ed kept blocking, keeping his arms over his face it seemed he had no intention of fighting back. And that angered me more.

I wanted him to fight. I wanted him to throw something at me. But he was too weak—too soft.

I realized he was only blocking his body and face, his legs were open for a hit. I huff at the realization. Taking one confident step I crouch into a squat before sweeping my leg past his own.

A surprised yelp escapes Ed before he falls with a thud. I stand in triumph. "Got you," I huff proudly.

It was easier than I thought, fighting Ed. I'd figured since he gets into so much trouble during his travels he would at least know how to put up a fight. I click my tongue in disappointment—what a waste of time.

Though, those dark thoughts—they still resided in my mind. I could still hear the painful moans of that night. Could still remember how the temperature dropped so suddenly that the air pricked my skin.

I could still see everything and it made me want to vomit. And I figured, if I beat Ed then they would all go away—just for a bit. After all, every time I looked at him nothing but guilt fills my troubled heart.

"Okay, you wanna play that way then, huh? Fine, let's do it."

An unexpected shriek gurgles through my throat and I feel myself losing balance. Ed attempted to sweep me off my feet like I did, but it was poorly timed.

I only ended up loosing my balance for a second or two, but that was enough for him. He pushes himself off the ground before landing a firm punch on my shoulder.

"I was trying to take it easy," he breathes, fists raised. "But you're being stubborn, Y/n."

I breathed heavily, pain twisted throughout my right shoulder. He didn't hit it as hard though, only enough to know that he's serious now. He wasn't going to hold back.

I roll back my shoulders before bouncing on the balls of my feet. I click my tongue, my eyes filled with nothing but anger. Finally, he wasn't taking this as a joke.

With an approving huff escaping me, I launch myself towards my friend. He puts his arms up in a block just as I threw my left fist out for a cross punch. We lock ourselves into a world in only which we see.

Just us fighting and throwing anything at each other in order to win. Yet the more I landed hits and the more I felt the pain from his own, the more my mind started to think. I couldn't I understand my raw anger, at least, not anymore.

I was angry at myself for remembering everything all at once. Angry that I couldn't change someone's fate because I was too afraid. Angry that everything still haunted me.

I was beginning to question my actions, questioning why I was doing this. I didn't want to hurt Ed, yet my body still fought. Still threw punches and kicks, but they weren't as precise as before.

He blocked all my moves, he moved with such confidence. A faint smirk befalls his lips and it only angered me more. Any remaining ounce of anger that laid within me I allowed it to take control.

My hits became rushed and powerful. I suddenly obtained tunnel-vision. All I wanted was to win at any costs. I pushed Ed to a defensive state, he kept backpedaling as I continued to hit him.

I saw his lips move, but wasn't sure what he was saying. Nothing registered in my brain, no matter how much I wished to know. My chest rises and falls rapidly, the adrenaline pushing me past my limits thrummed loudly in my ears. It was the only acting force inside me.

"Y/n! I said that is enough!"

A loud clap rings on my ears then the sound of metal sheathing. Edward had extended his arm into a blade, waving it wildly before him. He looked like a desperate animal, doing anything they could to defend themselves.

I jump backwards, startled by the sudden appearance of a weapon. My breathes came out unevenly, even my body shook uncontrollably. My fists still held position in front of my face, but my eyes were on Ed's new stance.

He now stood with his automail arm before him, placing the blade in a defensive position. His eyes were narrowed into a deadly focus. But what caught my attention was what's on his blade.

It glistened in the remaining sunlight, dripping down onto the dirt below him. It was red and murky—just like the color of blood. Confused as I was I barely heard the wails and angry shouts coming from my left.

Winry suddenly appears at my side with Al next to Ed. He was screaming outrageously at his older brother, who seemed to be caught in a trance just like me.

"Y/n, look at me! Are you okay?"

A firm shake awoke me from my trance, and I blink to see Winry staring at me worriedly. I couldn't understand her reaction till I felt a strong stinging sensation coming from my right arm.

Looking down I see a gash starting from my shoulder to at least two inches above my elbow. Blood stained my arm and dropped rapidly down it. I suck in a stifling breath.

He actually cut me.

"I'll clean it up for you! I-it's not the bad, okay? Everything will be fine." She almost sounded like a concerned mother who found their child with a scrapped knee.

Although I don't blame her, I'm sure my face went paler than usual. Looking back at Ed I notice that look in his eyes. They were kept firm on my arm, the look of fear in his eyes confused me.

Even his face went pale. He was ignoring Al's angry shouts and took a step towards me.

"Y/n, I—"

"It's fine," I bite. I swiftly turn my back on him. "You won."

Without a second more I haste my way back into the house with Winry not far behind. It took all my energy not to burst into tears right then and there.

\/\/\/\/\/

"Ow! Winry, that's too much alcohol!" I exclaim in pain.

"You'll be fine!" She shoots back with a look. "It's your fault anyway. Why in the world were you picking a fight with Ed anyway?"

I wince once more at the stinging sensation radiating over my wound. But I don't pull away and allow Winry to clean it. It took awhile for me to answer for I didn't have one. At least, one that made sense.

"I don't know," I finally answer. "I guess, he made me mad."

"For what?" Winry demands with a huff. "For worrying about you?"

I sigh impatiently, "You're twisting the situation! The guy was seriously getting in my business!"

"But that doesn't mean you challenge him to a fight! Honestly, this is so unlike you, Y/n! You're worrying me!"

Giving my bandage one last tug she finally pulls away. We both sat on my bed with me looking at the wall attempting to ignore Winry's piercing stare. I wasn't in the mood to argue, let alone with Winry.

But she wasn't having it, I could tell she wished to hit me atop my head.

"You got a huge crush on Ed so why in the world would you try to beat him?"

My shoulder blades tightens at her words, and I could even feel my throat clamp up. My heart started to thunder in my ears with heat rising to my cheeks.

"I-I don't like him," I stammer defensively before sheepishly adding, "At least—not that much."

"Oh, it doesn't matter!" Winry sighs. "The fact is you tried to hurt him and that's something you would never do. What's going on with you, huh? I get it that you get your occasional mood swings but this isn't like any of those times."

I bite my inner cheek as I balled my fists atop my lap. I wasn't sure if I should tell her, hell, this was something I rarely speak about. I could sense the rush of anxiety blooming inside me—it made my body shake and my breathing uneasy.

Though despite it all Winry was waiting. She probably had a hunch of what's on my mind, but it was never her to pry it out of me. She knew everything already, it wouldn't hurt to tell her how trapped I felt now.

I swallow thickly, gaining a small amount of courage. "Fine," I mutter, turning to her. Her friendly gaze slightly eased my anxiety. "I'm beginning to feel like——"

A soft rapping came at the door. It wasn't loud, but demanding enough to know someone wanted in. Slumping my shoulders I listen to Winry shout, come in, to whoever it was.

As the door creaks open someone shuffles in. Ed had this guilty look on his face when he meets my gaze. I don't say a word and look away.

"Um, Winry can you give us a minute?" He mutters solemnly. Winry hesitates, she glances at me before looking back at him.

Gaining no response from me she heaves a sigh as she stands. "Okay."

Ed gives her a thankful nod before leaves the room. Once the door clicks an awkward tension befalls us. I kept my eyes firmly away from his direction.

Though he kept his eyes on me. And the more the stared without saying a word the more anxious I got.

"I came here to apologize," he finally speaks. His voice was rough and tight, as if the will to speak was a difficult task. "I—I didn't mean to hurt you. It was——a force of habit. I-if you know what I mean."

I nod mutely knowing he meant no harm. He probably got into fights daily, I was sure it was it was his call to defend. It was nothing personal.

"Okay," I mumble softly. It was quiet once again and it wasn't better than the last. I wasn't sure if Ed got the hint he should leave, and if he did then he was ignoring it.

I wanted to call him out, and maybe demand him to leave but I couldn't find it in me to say so. Despite how terrible I felt for starting something, I couldn't find it in me to speak.

I was surprised though, Ed gained the courage to walk towards me—even take a seat next to me. I listen to him clear his throat before taking in a sharp breath.

"By the way, not to sound weird or anything, but I overheard what you and Winry were talking about."

I shift on my bed uncomfortably. I clench my fists tighter and even bit my inner cheek harder.

"What about it?" I question softly.

"Well—I was wondering, if you would rather talk to me about it. I mean, seeing that you wanted to spar with me I-I think I should know what's going on, you know?"

Considering the pain I was ever since he arrived, it was obvious that I owe him an explanation. But could I do it? Could I tell him everything?

Glancing to my side I see that Edward was staring at me with those enchanting gold eyes of his. He looked concerned but also a tad curious.

He waited patiently—just like Winry. He should know, I tell myself. Otherwise nothing would be the same.

I swallow thickly as I try to calm my unnaturally rapid beating heart. I should at least try. Making an effort is better than nothing.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

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