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[He still hadn't awoken. Winry wouldn't let it show but it was terrifying her. She felt like she was going to lose her mind with all the stress and emotions running through her. Guilt from betraying Greed. Frustrations and impatience from all the questions her Captain and crew were bombarding her with. And so, so many other things.]

[She let out a frustrated sound as she opened the door to her room, bowl of water and towelette in hand. It's still as messy as ever except for the bed which has been cleared and where she has rested Ling. She walked over to him carefully, picking her way over papers, books, inventions and different stones. She'll sit down on the bed, wring out the towelette and put it on his forehead before resting her head in her hands, letting out a despairing sigh]

Comments

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[Blinking at being fussed over so much but not quiet able to move much yet he looks up at her.

He still wants to know why she sounded so sad. ...was it because of him? Was it because of what she'd had to do to help him. The guilt started to pour in. She must have missed Greed.]

I'm sorry. Don't- I'm sorry that I've made you sad.

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[And he's half right. Winry did miss Greed--of course she would never admit that. But she's also sad because]

Welcome back, Ling

[it's an awkward hug since he's still lying down, but a hug none the less]

I'm sorry I took so long.

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[Ling's quiet now and, though his arms feel a little heavy he reaches up to hug her back. He shakes his head.]

Thank you.

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[She holds onto him for a while longer. She's wanted to do this for so long, sometimes to the point where she would almost be tempted to hug Greed.

After a moment she pulls back and smiles at him, eyes filming over a bit but she blinks it away]

You...[she's not sure what to say. Asking if he is alright seems like a crude question but besides that her mind is still too shocked to really get past the fact that he's actually back]

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't want her to cry because of him, so he just tries to smile for her. He's okay and he will be okay, really.

He'll try to sit up a little to talk to her better. Tilts his head just a little as she trails off her sentence.] Yes...?

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[...]

Are you. Do you need anything? Hungry? Cold? Anything hurt?

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

I-

I'm a little tired, but I don't hurt. Ah- [And then at that opportune moment, his stomach makes itself known and Ling nearly flops over groaning.]

1/3

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................

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[snort]

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I'll go get you something then.

[and she'll be off for a quick moment]

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[No energy to say otherwise so he will just nod, Winry you are an angel.]

[While she's gone he take a moment to take in his surroundings. It looks like it's Winry's room. There's a certain sense of familiarity to it that reminds him of her old shop and that makes him smile.

So long ago yet not at all. Time was really so lost on him it seemed.

Ah- And then Ling's gaze catches the mirror somewhat off to the side. He hasn't seen his reflection in almost four years he catches himself staring a bit. ]

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[She want's to make him something good to eat but at the same time she doesn't want to leave him alone for too long. He's been alone far too long, after all. For now she'll just grab some basic rations (but a lot of them) before hurrying back, ignoring some concerned and questioning looks.

When she enters the room she sees Ling looking at himself in the mirror and she remains at the threshold looking at him. This must be the first time he's seen himself in years so she gives him some time before drifting over to him, setting down the tray near him]

Here. It's not much, but I promise I'll make you something better later, once you are well enough to leave the room.

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[Food catches his attention and he gives her a grateful smile. Oh he doesn't care what it is right now, it looks so good so he is immediately digging into that like a pig.

About half way through he pauses to start laughing, setting his food down.

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[Winry can't imagine how hungry he is after so many days without food. Moreover, disregarding that time they had been lost in the Badlands this is the first time in years he has tasted, isn't it? So needless to say she's a little caught off guard by the laughing]

Ling?

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[Laughing continues a bit until he tries to calm himself down, hand over his mouth.

Quietly now:] I'm not dreaming am I?

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[gives him just a tiny tweak to the nose]

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[Pauses to look at his nose, crossing his eyes before looking back at her. He grins again and the look in his eyes is very much him trying to hold back --]

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[Her hand lingers near his face and when she sees that look in his eyes it falls to his cheek, her thumb caressing his cheek in an attempt to be comforting before she hugs him again]

It's okay now, Ling. You're free and it's going to say that way.

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[Hugs back, burring his face into her shoulder. There's no sound but its obvious he's crying from the movement of his shoulders.]

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[The hug tightens and she rests her face on top of his head, rubbing her cheek against his hair and whispering hopefully comforting words]

It'll be okay, Ling. You'll see. You'll get use to things in no time. You'll meet some people here---you already know Beat---and we'll catch you up on everything that's happened since last time. And you can have your life back and do whatever it is that you want. And I'll be there, I promise.

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[Holds onto her tightly for several more minutes, liking the sense of security Winry's giving him right now. He'll hesitantly pull away, keeping his face from her eyes and trying to subtly wipe at his eyes.]

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[She gives him a couple moments to clear any tears, and smiles, eyes crinkling]

So what do you want to do Ling? Now that you're out. [wants to get him thinking on more positive things]

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[Pulls himself together and sits in thought a moment.]

I ..need to see the situation on my family.

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[she thinks about that for a moment. Family in Ivona. No way could the 4423 get there--and even so Isako would be hard pressed to go anywhere on the whim of someone who was no longer part of the crew. Even if she requested it]

[she nods] We'll give you a day or three to recover, okay? Then we'll see what we can do to get you back in Ivona. It'll be a bit tricky.

[waywardprince.livejournal.com]

[He nods a bit distantly. He's almost afraid of what it looks like these days. If his math is right...it's been seven years since he's seen anyone.]

I'm not sure what I'll do after that.