Yeah, a skimpy ending, I know.

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

Al did not question why they were late.

He probably wouldn't have liked the answer he had gotten either, as Winry was done being over emotional, and was dangerous now that she had her throwing arm warmed up.

It was late afternoon when Al requested his leave. Ed had agreed, providing he didn't pick up any stray cats, and though Al's enthusiasm dropped at that prospect, he stayed true to his word and sulked away nonetheless.

Winry took Ed's silence as a hint for her to start repairing his automail. To her relief, it wasn't as bad as it had seemed the first day of his arrival and sent to work while Ed waited patiently at the other end of the damaged arm. She hovered close by, making adjustments while a striking look of determination passed over her.

Clank. Clank. Twist. Mutter. Clank.

It was the rhythm of her work.

Ed could not help but feel accustomed to this tradition – him being reckless, her scolding him but selflessly fixing it, efficiently as any professional.

When she was done, without any pain or detachments, she displayed a look of devotion and pride among the sweat beads dotting her forehead. Ed flexed it once, twice, before letting out a decided utter of approval.

"Thanks, Win."

"No problem, just don't bust it up again." Even as she said that, she was keen on the juvenile Elric and did not mind the company.

After a small pause, Edward leaned forward and pressed his lips against her cheek. The act was as spontaneous as it had appeared, as he had no time to plan, and mentally chided himself, pink burning his cheeks.

Winry blinked, sitting stiff. 'What do I do? I can't tell him I've fallen for him, or… kiss him back…'

Ed took this as a polite refusal and turned from the room, but not before Winry had held his shoulder secure and spinned him around to meet her curious orbs, faces an inch away.

"Edward, you ass."

Before he knew what had happened, she covered his lips with her own.