16 with edwin for the prompt thing? 🥺
Edward pushes the door, the doorknob creaking with movement as he carefully peeks inside. The room is silent, no lights on, no windows open. There's no one around, except for the lean silhouette against the balcony open.
He closes the door – that could hardly be called that since from the outside is a book shelf against the wall – and steps towards her. He knew it was better to keep his distance after the commotion. He had an image to sustain and more than that, he had his own anger and hatred to deal with it. He wanted to kill them, rip their throat out, send a message to anyone who tried to touch her. But he couldn't.
Edward sighs and that's enough to alert her of his presence. She turns, her eyes infinity oceans, her blue and white chiton falling to the ground. He hates this. Hates how everything is so complicated.
"Did they catch them?"
He takes a step closer to her. "You already know the answer for that."
Winry sighs and turns her head, gazing at the outside garden. She always loved Xerxes gardens more even than its library. He gets close enough to count her pretty freckles, his fingers nothing more than whisper against hers; he feels like she'll disappear before his eyes.
"You shouldn't be here," Winry says in a choked voice. "You know that."
"I had to make sure you were okay." Edward gazes her face kindly, noticing the dark bruise on her left cheek. Instantly, his blood boils. and he feels his hand shake. "Can I come in?"
She chuckles. "You're already here."
"I can leave if you want," As much as it pains him, he would leave if that's what she wants. Or needs. "If you want to be alone–"
"No," her hand grabs his wrist. "No, I–"
Edward can see the conflict in her eyes, the unshed tears, the pain. He hates it. He hates everything. He hates his father for what he's doing. He hates himself for not stopping the attacker. Hates himself for being so powerless, so human.
Instantly, Edward steps forward and embraces her, his arms circling her waist, his face pressed against her shoulder. She's warm and so small against him. Sometimes he forgets she's just a girl, a normal person like him, trapped inside this world of greatness and danger.
Edward breaths against her shoulder, feeling her body shake with sobs. He steps back, only just a little, and presses his forehead against hers, breathing her in. His thumb wipes the tears from her cheek.
"I'm sorry, my love." he whispers.
I'm sorry that we are in the opposite sides of this war.
I'm sorry someone tried to hurt you today.
I'm sorry that I can't stay away from you. I love you so much.
I'd give up the throne if that meant to keep you safe.
"I know," she says against his lips.
