?Just the way you are [Edward Elric]?

"Grrr!" You growled as you tried for the umpteenth time to straighten your frizzy, tangled mess of a hair. Your teeth were clenched in frustration as you focused intently on the hair in your hand. Trying all your might to make it nice and straight, opposed to the bird’s nest you’ve had all your life.

At one point, you became so frustrated that you threw the flat iron on to the floor, pulling the plug out before storming off. Deciding to brood in the den.

It wasn’t long until Edward found you. His jacket laying over his arm as he watched you for a few moments. You didn’t even acknowledge a presence in the room until you heard.

"You look insane."

You spun around so fast that you toppled off of the couch you were on, scrambling to get back on to your feet.

"W-what??" You exclaimed, confused. "When did you even get here, Elric?!" You demanded, trying to smooth your hair down. As stated, it’s always been a mess but it was more so than usual thanks to the frustration the flat iron gave you.

Edward didn’t seem to miss this observation.

"Your hair looks like even more of a bird’s nest than usual." He grinned as he added. "What? The birds fly from the nest and poor little [Name] couldn’t handle it??"

You sucked in a breath, glaring at him before promptly retorting.
"Let’s not talk about "little", puny man."

"OI!" Edward shouted, indignantly. "Who are you calling so short that they can’t even be seen through a microscope!?"

You stared at him blankly, used to his antics. "You did. Just now."

"Shut up! I didn’t come here to be insulted!" Edward spat, stomping a foot. Breathing heavily as he tried to control his anger.

You rolled your eyes before shaking your head. "Yeah, yeah." You focused on him once more. "Why are you here…?"

Calming down a bit, Edward observed you in silence. He then sent you his own query. "Why are you straightening your hair anyway?"

You were about to say something when you stopped. Staring at him like a fish out of water.

"Ah…wha…what?" You blinked rapidly before finishing with. "Who said I was straightening my hair??"

Edward snorted. "Please." He gestured around as he explained. "The place smells like burned hair!" Your face burned a bit as he said this. "Your hair is crazier than usual, partially burned and…" he stopped for a moment before adding. "I heard what happened from Winry."

At this, you stopped gaping. Your mouth now a thin line, swallowing gently. He knew…? Heh. Of course. Naturally Winry would tell him…she was probably worried.

Sighing, you looked away. Your arms crossed.

"So what?"

"So." Edward crossed his own arms. "Why do you care?"

You frowned, resisting the urge to bite your bottom lip. "…why wouldn’t I care??" You turned to him, your brows furrowed as your eyes showed obvious hurt. "I…I care for that-" the rest of your sentence was drowned out by Edward’s over powering reply.

"So what!?" His fists were clenched and shaking, his jacket slowly sliding down his arm. "Just because of some punk, you’re going to change yourself?? Who the hell are you and where is the [First Name] [Last Name] I went to school with? The [First Name] [Last Name] that used to go around striding her bird’s nest proudly? Beating anyone who said anything bad about it up?!"

You bit into your lip, your head sinking as the shame washed over you. Your eyes became glassy as the memories played in your head. You remembered those moments. Those defining moments in your life when you shone like no other.

But no where were you…? A small cry escaped your lips as you quickly turned around to hide your face from him. A hand over your mouth to silence the sobs.

You don’t think you’ve ever hated yourself more.

Edward watched your back. Watched you cry before sighing and walking over to you. Stopping just two steps away from you. His gaze flickered from the side to the back of your head. Feeling a bit at a loss.

"…hey. You know, I’m short…" he then quickly added defensively. "And yes I know it’s plain to see!" He coughed, clearing his throat. "Anyway. I get picked on all the time for it by everyone. Friends and strangers alike." He straightened himself out, standing tall. "But that doesn’t stop me from being the biggest man on the block! In here," he pounded a fist against his chest. "In here," tapped two fingers against his head. "And especially…in here!" He raised his automail fist.

You had been listening to his words, slowly taking them in as you wiped at your tears. Turning your body to him, you watched him, sniffling. Your gaze on his own. Watching those fierce amber hues exhibit such strength, you couldn’t help but smile lightly.

"…yeah." Your smile became a crack larger, placing a hand on his head, emphasizing the height difference. "You’re just a little firecracker, huh?"

Edward froze. His arm falling limply at his side as he processed your words. Did you really just…? And after his…?

What. The. Hell.

"SCREW YOU, [NAME]. SCREW YOU AND YOUR HAIRDO OF DOOM. YOUR BIRD NEST OF HELL. YOUR CRAZY LOCKS FROM CRAZY TOWN! YOU’RE HOUSING AN ENTIRE FAMILY IN THERE! I KNOW IT! DON’T THINK I DON’T KNOW IT!"

You shook your head, laughing as you grinned. Already used to his outbursts.

Edward continued on with his shouts until he finally acknowledged your laughter. Which was loud by now. A large grin on your lips.

He stopped. Staring at you in slight wonder.

"Haha, yeah. My hair is housing an entire family." You then slammed your fist into your open palm. "And a whole lotta hurt."

Edward’s mouth parted, taking a step back.

"…I’m not afraid."

You chuckled. "Good." Walking over to him, he continued taking a step back.

"I thought you weren’t afraid~?"

"...I’m not!"

You then suddenly reached out and hugged him. Edward flinching for a moment as he winced. He was expecting pain.

This only made you laugh as his cheeks burned from the embarrassing miscalculation.

"W-what the hell? Why are you hugging me?!" He roared, squirming, his face reddening.

"To thank you. Of course."

Edward stopped squirming around so much. "Oh…well, quit it!" Only to start squirming around again.

"Okay." You released him, stepping back. "You know, Elric. There are other reasons as to why a girl would want to change herself. It doesn’t always mean she’s betraying her true self."

Edward snorted. "That may be true for most girls but not you."

You stopped, watching him with both curiosity and amusement. "And why’s that?"

He scoffed. "Because you and I are going to stick together, of course!" He crossed his arms. "We’re both battling with our own challenges and we’re both awesome people!" You stared at him, feeling touched until he added.

"And I’ll be damned if I let you "change yourself" before I grow taller! We’re in this together, dammit!"

Ah. There’s the Elric you know and went to school with. You grinned.

"My mistake. I’ll never try to surpass you again."

Edward nodded, pleased.

"Damn straight you better not. Now go take a bath! Your hair is more ridiculous than normal!"

You rolled your eyes. "We already established that, nimrod." Bopping him on the head. Nonetheless, you walked off, intent on washing your hair.

Edward watched you depart until you were out of sight. Plopping down on the couch. Placing one leg over the other as he settled into it.

Edward’s hand held his face up, he watched the clock lazily. Snorting once more.

"Tch. I can’t believe that guy rejected you."

Clearly there was a reason as to why Edward showed up…

~ [❤

[A\N]: This reminded me of my love for FMA. I love yoooou~! Anyway, I’ll try to write more for other anime. =w= Need to expand and what not.

Also, I wanted to do this little series thing. About all the different forms of Love! It’d be fun. Twisted. Cute. Romantic…

Blardy, blah, blah.

I also liked how this ficlet showed a person who struggled with an aspect of themselves. I’d do more but it’d be the same situation over and over. @_@; I’ll figure out ways to change it up then! XD

R&M=♥