For days after this declaration neither Ed nor Winry actually saw each other as they were both busy with work; Edward was sorting out some things at work and Winry was bogged down with the usual old perverts who specially requested for her.

Winry had started working in central over a year ago; after she'd finished her apprenticeship. After everything that had happened in central; there were a lot of people in the need of new limbs, so, seeing this as an opportunity she'd come over to help assist one of her grandmother's old friends.

It had been a strange year for Winry, but an enjoyable one, as the move had meant she was able to see Ed and Al more frequently than she had in years. Of course there were many things she missed about rush valley; such as her old friends and customers but in the end she got far more satisfaction out of her work in central as she was faced with the many new challenges that 'incident' had left her with.

Winry, was, of course a hard worker but that particular day she felt very eager to get all her work finished as fast as she could. After nearly a week of silence between them Ed had finally bothered to call her. He'd been very awkward about it but he'd asked her to come round to have dinner with him and Al the next day-if she could make it. Whether he's sounded reluctant or not didn't really matter, nor did the fact that Al would be there too; she was just happy that her feelings had finally been properly acknowledged.

After she'd finished at work she headed home to wash off all the oil and muck that had accumulated on her body while she was at work; also making sure to choose her outfit carefully. She hoped, that maybe for once, Ed might actually notice this.

She knocked or the door of Ed and Al's apartment tentatively, before then waiting for someone to answer the door.

'Winry!' said Al, greeting her with a huge smile.

'Hey Al' she replied warmly.

'Do you want be to call brother for you?' he asked, a mischievous smile, she was just about to say no when he shouted 'Hey Ed! You're girlfriend is here'

'Al' she hissed but he continued shouting, only stopping when Edward appeared, flustered, at the front door. Al suddenly disappeared and then it was just the two of them left with the aftermath of Al's stupidity.

'I'm going to kill Al later' Ed muttered furiously, still steaming with embarrassment.

'Not if I kill him first' Winry joked awkwardly as they both stood on either side of the door.

Ed, realising this, moved away from the door so that she could come inside.

'So you told Al then?' she asked once they were both inside.

'What? Oh yeah…' he mumbled; rubbing his hand on the back of his head uncomfortably 'do you mind?'

'Not really, I think it's sort of nice'

'What? To be made fun of like that?' he asked irritably 'I just think he likes being a pain'

'I guess you won't want any dinner then, will you brother?' they heard Al calling from the kitchen 'not if I'm that much of a pain'

'Still making your little brother cook for you Ed? I think you're the one who's the pain' she laughed as she watched Ed's face scrunch up angrily as he grumbled something, disgruntled, about being the family bread winner.

'Says the guy who was out of work for 3 months' she said, folding her arms across her chest as she readied herself for an angry reply. But instead he turned away from her, a confused frown marring his face.

'Dinners ready!' Al called from the kitchen, stopping Winry from asking Ed what was going on.

'Coming' they both replied in unison, before heading into the small kitchen.

The kitchen really was tiny; it was a small compact room with barely enough floor space one person to prepare a meal- which was why they always had to eat at the foldout table.

'So how are things going for you at school Al?' Winry asked, once they had all sat down and begun eating dinner.

'It's great because their always really strict and patronising' he said happily, and he wasn't being sarcastic; after so many years of being locked up inside of a tin can Al had formed a great appreciation towards people who treated him like a kid.

'That is great! Just make sure you don't let you're friends know you feel that way about-you might get bullied' she added with a giggle, finding it hard to imagine anyone being able to something like that to a sweet guy like Al.

'Don't worry about that Winry, whenever the teacher does something the other kids don't like I always just think of what brother would say' he joked. His words making Winry burst into laughter.

'That is so true, Ed and I were talking about it the other day and I just couldn't help but think that it would have been fun if we had all had the chance to go to school together'

'Really?' Edward interrupted, 'because I thought we'd both agreed it would've be hell'

'Well the learning part would have been boring but the rest of it would have been amazing'

'Amazing how?' Ed asked as he tried to stifle a yawn.

'You know, running to school late, going to parties, checking out the latest gossip, talking with friends who have similar interests…' she said wistfully.

'Because there are billions of teenage girls who are into automail' he smirked wickedly.

'Well I'm sure there are billions of geeky boys who are into alchemy'

His face as red as a fire truck, he was just about to retort with what he thought was a witty remark, when the sound of Al's chair scrapping against the floor caught both his and Winry's attention.

'Where are you going Al?' Winry asked, feeling it was unlike him to just leave the table.

'You both seem to be having such a passionate conversation; it makes me feel kind of awkward sitting between you two' he then got up to go eat in the living room.

Once they were alone Ed could only mutter, 'he's the one who keeps making everything so damn awkward'

'Really Ed? Because to me it feels like you're the one with the issues here' for a while Ed didn't say anything as he stared down at the table unhappily.

'It's weird' he muttered, looking up again 'don't you think it's weird?'

And all of a sudden Winry's heart was racing in panic as a scary though entered her head; what if Edward was having second thoughts?

'What's weird Ed?' she asked, straining desperately to keep her voice level.

'Everything, it's like it's the same but its not…' he answered with a strange, nervous, smile 'you know, like everything should have changed but it hasn't'

'I think that you probably only feel that way because so little time has passed since then' she told him simply 'things will be different though' she said blushing as she lightly rubbed her foot against his under the table. Edward nearly asked Winry why she kicking him before he realised what was going on; he turned a deep shade of red as he tried to figure out how to respond.

'W-Winry' he stuttered, still under the distraction of her feet 'next time we'll go on a real date, ok?' he mutter as he rubbed his hand on the back of his head, looking away from her as he tried to appear cool.

'Yes' she said smiling 'I'd like that Ed'

Later, after Winry had gone home; Edward and Alphonse both sat together for a while, on the couch, and talked-well mostly Al just nagged Edward for all the "dirty" details.

'So did you kiss her?'

'No' he replied sourly 'for the hundredth time, no!'

'You're so boring brother, didn't the two of you do anything at all?' Al asked impatiently.

'Not really' he said, though this time he sounded far less irritated and more, unsure? 'All we did was touch feet…' he mumbled, the look on face contrary to what he'd just said; the small on the corner of his lips clearly saying how he felt.

'Hey Ed,' said Al, his tone having suddenly become serious 'have you told her yet?'

'No…She'd just feel bad about it and blame herself' he said unhappily.

'So you'll just wait till you find a new job brother?'

'Pretty much, though I'll have to make sure I can find something where I don't have to travel…' he continued thoughtfully.

'You're pretty serious about all this aren't you brother? Quitting your job just because you didn't want to upset her…'

'Shut up Al! I know what you're thinking so don't you dare say it!' he threatened.

'Fine brother, but you should still know that I don't blame you for quitting that job either, if I felt that way about-'

'Just promise me you won't tell Winry' he pleaded before going to bed; though what it was he didn't want Al to tell her remains uncertain.

Point out any grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes and please review with your feedback :] Sorry for the occness