As usual I don't own any of these characters.
Edward and Al were at the table eating breakfast with Granny. It was the middle of winter, and it was cold outside. No one wanted to venture unless they had to. The family heard the slow dragging steps coming down the stairs. Winry arrived at the table, and sat down. She looked rough. "Winry, were you up late?" Al asked, not wanting to say anything about her looks.
"No, but I feel so tired," Winry replied putting her head in her hands leaning on the table. Her voice sounded muffled, and then she sniffled.
Edward put his hand on her back, and noticed she was really warm, which was weird because it was so cold out. He put his hand on her forehead. "Winry! You're burning up! You could fry an egg on your head!"
Granny got up and felt for herself. "Winry, you're taking the day off. One of you boys go get the acetaminophen out of the medicine cabinet." Edward bolted to the medicine cabinet, and brought the bottle downstairs. Granny poured her dose, and gave it to Winry. "Eat something, and then go back to bed."
"But you need help in the shop today." Winry whined.
"One of the boys can help me. They can earn their stay," Granny told her.
"You want me to make you a plate?" Edward asked her. "There's eggs and bacon and toast."
"Just toast and eggs. I can't even smell anything," Winry sniffled again. Edward made her a plate, and sat with her while she ate. When she finished, he went with her to her room to make sure she actually laid down to rest. He sat next to her and read a book while she rested in bed in and out of sleep. He checked her forehead, and the fever seemed to be down so he went downstairs to see if Granny needed help in the shop. He had to lift a few heavy pieces to the work table while Al would help bring the smaller tools.
While Granny helping a patient, Al and Edward went upstairs to begin lunch. The boys then got an idea to help Winry feel better. Al suggested that they cook chicken noodle soup for dinner. "It's like alchemy. We combine the right amount of ingredients at the right times," Alphonse said. They found a recipe in an old cookbook, and Edward went to the grocer to get the rest of the ingredients that they were missing.
'At least I have the northern automail still on. It's freezing out here,' he thought as he walked home with a bag of groceries.
Edward eventually returned home, and he felt like he had been a freezer. His nose and fingers were numb but if this soup helped her feel better, then it would be worth it. Alphonse made tea to warm Edward up, and Edward went upstairs to offer Winry some. She was resting in bed but awake. She was too tired to even read. He sat down next to her on the bed. "Feeling any better?"
"Not really. My nose is so stuffy," and then she sneezed. He passed her some tissues, and she blew her nose. "Ugh, I feel so gross." Edward felt her forehead, and she still felt really warm.
"You still have a fever," he was started to get concerned.
"It's just a nasty cold. I'll be fine," she draped an arm across his legs, and closed her eyes. "Can you read to me?"
"What do you want me to read?" Edward asked.
"Anything." So he read the fantasy novel he was reading to her.
Later while Winry was sleeping, Alphonse and Edward were trying to make chicken noodle soup for dinner. They chopped up vegetables, and put the broth and chicken into the pot. "Are you sure we don't put in the noodles yet?" Edward asked Alphonse.
"Yes! It says to only put in the noodles 30 minutes before serving," Al said while pointing into the book. Edward had to learn patience while cooking.
Winry woke up to Edward bringing her a tray with a bowl of soup, and some more tea. She sat up and looked at her dinner. "Granny made soup. That's so sweet." Winry said and grabbed her spoon.
"Well, Al and I made it," Edward said proudly. Winry put her spoon down.
"You guys made this? Is it safe to eat?" Winry asked.
"Come on! Just try it!" Edward told her. She hesitantly tried a spoonful. "Well?" Edward asked after she swallowed.
"I'm surprised. It's pretty good though my sense of taste is probably off," she smiled. He sat on the bed while she finished eating.
The next day, the family had enough leftover soup for lunch. Winry was still sick but feeling better than the day before. "You boys did very well with the soup." Granny said. Edward and Al looked really proud of their creation." Maybe you two should cook more often. Like maybe once a week. Consider it as rent payment, " Granny told them. The boys' joyous faces turned sad as they realized they would be spending more time in the kitchen.
Author's note: I think it's important that everyone learn to cook. Even the Elric boys.