Winry was taking longer than he thought she would to come back. He flexed his toes under the covers, pleading with them to stay warm. His belly was full and warm, but the effect was quickly wearing off every other part of him. His newly-installed shoulder port was especially going chilly fast, making it hurt more. To top things off his tummy was now feeling uncomfortably full and as much as he hated being carried, peeing in the bed again was worse.

"Come back, soon, Winry." Ed muttered to the air, trying to pull the blanket up one-handed around his shoulders.

He let out a sigh of relief as he saw the doorknob turn. He stifled a laugh as he saw her bob her way in, her arms full of a tea tray, a large binder, and a big fluffy blanket. It always amazed him when she stacked up so much stuff she couldn't even see where she was going, but somehow never dropped anything.

"Okay, Ed. I got some more tea since you were so cold. And another blanket, as promised. Oh and dun, dun, DUN! The Automail Book!" He laughed again as she sang out this last bit. She waited until he had finished laughing at her before she continued. "So, do you want to lie back down?"

"Actually, um, I have to go to the bathroom."

"Oh, duh, I should have thought about that. Do you want for me to call Al or do you want to hobble with me?"

Ed screwed up his face as he though about it. "I don't want for Al to feel like my personal carriage or something."

"He can always stay while we talk about automail. He may want to know about it, too."

"Okay, but hurry. It's freakin' cold in here." He regretted saying it instantly as a look of concern flashed across her face.

"I'll hurry." He was forced to wait again as she left the room. He hoped Al wouldn't mind.

Ed looked down at his lap when the door opened again. He felt shame fill him as the armor clanked around, but it couldn't be helped right now.

"Hey Brother, I'm here to help." He looked up in response to the soft greeting, gratefulness for Winry again filling him as he realized he was going to be spared from having to explain the situation. He grasped her hand as she pulled his blankets away, squeezing tightly and then dropping it when she gave him a smile.

"Thanks Al. Winry's going to go over some of the automail stuff after if you want to hear it, too."

Al turned to look at Winry for confirmation of this, which she gave with a nod. "Sure." He wasn't sure, but he thought Al sounded pleased at being asked to stay. Al's arms gently came around him and he wrapped his left hand around the big shoulder spike. The routine was already routine and Ed felt a familiar dread course through him as he was lifted. This he would never get used to, even if he didn't show it. Al, of course, noticed and let Ed have moment to settle before starting off for the door.

"If you need help call for me." Winry said to their backs, causing Ed to flush.

"Winry is so sweet, isn't she, Brother?" Al asked as soon as the door was closed. Ed was still figuring out how to read Al's moods, but would swear he was being teased.

"Easy for you to say. You didn't have to spend the morning getting tortured by her in the bathtub." He tightened his grasp on the spike as Al laughed in response. To his humiliation he needed Al to stay in the room and help him balance on the toilet. He almost wished he had hobbled with Winry instead, though that probably wouldn't be any better.

They headed back to the room, Ed's stomach a little less tight, but his limbs decidedly colder after resting against the steel that was now Al. He was pleasantly surprised and a bit apprehensive when they got back to the room and saw Winry under the covers waiting for them to get back. A chair had been pulled close to Ed's side for Al and her big book of automail was spread out in her lap.

"Hey guys. Are you ready?" Her eyes were bright with excitement and he felt a little better, seeing her smile at them.

A short argument followed between the three as Ed fought for the right to remain sitting up while going through the book. He eventually won and soon everyone was settled, Al quietly taking the chair and fussing over the blankets. Winry made him hold a cup of hot tea with his free hand and insisted on putting her sweater around his shoulders. Ed was secretly grateful for it all, even though he resisted their attempts at making him more comfortable.

That comfort soon faded as Winry opened the automail binder, the first page being a pretty accurate sketch of him in boxers. He glanced sidelong at Al who was already looking at him. Winry's smile or not, he felt a familiar dread about the conversation.