Note: This will be home to my collection of my Ed x Winry stories for livejournal community 30-kisses. Enjoy!

Title: Keen Observation
Pairing: Ed/Winry
Theme: #4. Our distance and that person
Summary: I could always read Nii-san pretty well; but now little things I once was uncertain about, were perfectly clear. Alphonse POV
Notes: Roughly set post-current manga events.
------------------------------------

We'd missed Nii-san's birthday this year. It's not like we meant to, or that people didn't send their well-wishes (it certainly wasn't forgotten.) It just wasn't on the top of our priorities at the time, so it got put off until things calmed down a little.

And now that things had, we were on a train back to Risenpool to celebrate. Winry had gotten her assistant to cover things for her in Rush Valley and was due home on a train earlier that day. Whether Nii-san would admit it or not, I think he was secretly glad to be headed back home, even if it was just for a day. Especially since lately, he'd been so worried about Winry's safety...another thing he tried to hide.

Perhaps it was because all that had happened, or maybe it was because now I had seen the gateway myself- but either way, I felt more attentive to those around me. I could always read Nii-san pretty well; but now little things I once was uncertain about, were perfectly clear.

One of those things being Winry Rockbell.

As for Winry, even she'd been a bit strange lately. There was just this...something when she was around me that I could never pinpoint. That day, the day we celebrated a late sixteenth birthday for Nii-san, I finally figured out what that something was.
----------------------------

Things back home were normal. The second we made it up the pathway, Winry was up on the upper balcony berating Nii-san for once again damaging the automail she'd made. A flying wrench and few insults later, Auntie Pinako ushered us inside.

It was good to be home.

Since it was mid-day and still a few hours until dinner, Winry insisted that she was going to start the repairs on Nii-san's arm. I passed the time helping Auntie around the house; doing little things like chopping firewood or moving heavier boxes around. In the background, I could hear the usual exchange between Nii-san and Winry.

She blamed him for the damage to her automail. He retorted that he paid for it; therefore it was his to damage. And back and forth it went- just like always until Winry had finished the work and Nii-san had fallen asleep to let the pain of the nerve-endings ebb away.

Curious as to how Nii-san was fairing and hoping to talk to Winry as well, I'd gone to knock on the door. It was already open, my metal fist poised to knock just edging the cracked door open further.

And that's when I saw her, sitting by Nii-san and...

"Al!" She started, jumping up from the couch. She'd noticed me and I had a feeling that I had just intruded onto something I shouldn't have.

Slowly, she crossed the room; muttering to herself and probably wishing she'd shut the door better. I waited until she'd come out and shut the door behind her before I spoke.

Choosing my words carefully, I glanced to the door behind her.

"Winry, has something... changed?"

She blinked, obviously trying to gauge what I meant, "Changed?"

"Between you and Nii-san."

Blue eyes widened at that and I noticed her trying to hide her blush.

"No- I mean- what would make you think that, Al?"

"I saw. You... you kissed him on the forehead while he was sleeping, didn't you?"

Winry grimaced, turning a brighter shade of red. Despite everything we'd all been through, we were all just children at heart. She started to fidget and I couldn't hold back any longer. Reaching out, I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay, Winry. I guess you could say I approve."

"Al..."

I hung my head in thought, "Father and Mother aren't here anymore, and I know I'm the younger brother so I really haven't much a say in the matter, but- take good care of him, Winry."

I felt her arms attempt to wrap around the torso of the armor as best as she could. The distance between us, that awkward something- was now open armed acceptance. It was all suddenly so clear; that she loved him, that she didn't want to hurt my feelings if she picked him over me, that she had perhaps even just realized these feelings herself.

"Idiot," Her voice cut into my thoughts, "Stop trying to act so grown up. We'll both look out for Ed; he needs all the help he can get."

I laughed at that, echoing inside the armor as I did, "Nii-san does get into more trouble than most."

"But...thank you, Al. To know you approve, well, it means a lot."

I hugged her tighter, this girl who had always been like a sister to me.

"Let's just hope Nii-san will get a clue soon, right?"

"Get a clue about what?" Nii-san's voice interrupted in as he peered out from the doorway. Luckily, gauging by his sleepy expression, he'd not heard much.

But I had to admit, he did look slightly irked that Winry was still hugging me. I smirked inwardly; glad to see that at least on some subconscious level he had realized how strong his feelings for our childhood friend were.

"You'll figure it out, Nii-san," I replied, wishing I could give Winry a wink to tell her that this was our little secret for now.

But she understood anyways, turning to face him with her hands planted firmly on her hips.

"Oh yes, I'm sure the great and wonderful Edward Elric, alchemy freak, has many books to study on this matter," She said sarcastically, practically laughing.

"Hey! What are you talking about?"

Winry tapped him on the nose, "It's a secret."

Then without a word more, she left him dumbfounded in her wake as she headed towards the kitchen.

"What was that about?" He asked me.

I shook my head. Alchemy might be one thing, but when it came to romance- sometimes he could be a bit slow.

"Nothing. Let's go, dinner should be ready."

Nii-san stretched then, testing the joints of his new arm. As we headed towards the kitchen, I saw a little bit of his 'intelligence' slip through.

"Winry's sure something else, isn't she?"

I smiled, "Maybe next time, you should tell that to her."

He snorted at the idea, as if such a thing would never happen anytime soon. But inwardly I knew- it might not be too long before it did.

-----------------------------------------