An hour had passed since they had attached the new prostheitcs, and Winry was anxious to know how her friend was doing. He always shrugged things off like it was nothing, but in her experience she knew that his tolerance was uncommon. That and she knew how pig-headed he could be about things.
She made her way through the quiet house, stopping outside the door to the guest room. The door was shut, and she couldn't hear anything from inside the room. Maybe he was resting? No, he was probably plotting something stupid. Edward was never one to lie down and rest when he had other things planned.
The young mechanic opened the door and stepped inside, only to be surprised at her findings. Ed sat on the edge of the bed in nothing but his under-shorts, leaning over a side table with a small pan on top. His long, blonde hair flowed freely into the water within as he gently worked his hands through it. The younger brother sat quietly against the far wall, casting giant shadows on the floor as he blocked much of the afternoon light. It was Al who noticed her entrance first.
"Hey, Winry."
"Hey, Al. Ed." She watched as the elder brother acknowledged her presence, squeezing out his sopping wet hair into the pan as he sat up. Casually he draped the wet locks over his flesh shoulder, and she couldn't help but follow the rivulets that trickled down his chest. "I came to see how you were doing. How do they feel?"
"I'm fine. They both feel great!" He flexed his metallic arm, though once again she found her attention drawn to other parts of him.
"That's good." She stared as he started to rake through his hair with his hands, presumably to braid it. "Do you need any help with that?"
"No, I've got it."
"Please?"
"I think Den would like to spend some time in the warm sun. Let's go, girl." Al stood and carefully maneuvered his large body around the captivated girl with dog in tow. That boy was so always so perceptive.
With Al now gone, Winry moved toward the bed with pleading eyes. "Please, Ed? I never know when I'll get to see you again, or what kind of shape you'll be in. Can I help you with this while I can?"
His golden eyes locked with hers, and she found her answer in them immediately. He turned his back to her to offer better access to his long locks, and she couldn't help but notice the way his muscles moved as he shifted on the mattress.
Some fifteen minutes later, Winry emerged from the Rockbell dwelling both flushed and glowing. Pinako sat on the top step with gentle circles of smoke puffing from the end of her pipe. The old woman turned at the sound of the door, grinning slyly at the sight of her granddaughter.
"Hey, Granny."
"You shouldn't chance a customer's health like that, Winry, though I dare-say he enjoyed the treatment."
