Winry practically leaps off the stairs to welcome Ed and Al. She grabs Al's arms to help him up. She gives him a big hug. Al hugs her back, holding her very tight.
"I missed you so much," she says. She let her arms fall to her side, but Al was still holding on to her. "Al, are you okay?"
Al half smiles, "If you knew what I've gone through for the past couple of days with my brother… I'm lucky I can even stand." He finally lets go, wobbles over to the stairs, and sits down almost falling again. He takes in many breaths trying to gain back all the air he wish he had while carrying Edward.
Winry was so happy to see Al that she forgot Edward was laying on the ground. He grunts as he pushes himself up with his one arm and sits back on his behind. Winry immediately kneels on the ground and embraces Ed in a hug. Ed almost falls back from her actions.
"Welcome back," she smiles. Ed doesn't hug her back considering it might be weird hugging her with just one arm. He doesn't know what to think at the moment. Him and Al just came back through the Gate a couple of days ago, they've been walking for miles for over 72 hours, Al just fell on top of him smashing his face into the ground and hurting his back once again, and now Winry is hugging him.
Ed was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't notice Winry was staring at him. He gulps, "What?"
Winry asks, "Why do you only have one arm and one leg?"
Ed panics. 'Great! I was hoping I wouldn't have to get hit by another wrench ever again! I'm already in enough pain. Maybe she'll go easy on me.'
"Please don't get mad at me. It wasn't my fault. Remember two years ago when that flying contraption crashed, and I tried to stand up but I fell back down? The limbs from the other side of the Gate don't work in our world. So when we came through the Gate again, those limbs didn't work anymore. You see? So it really isn't my fault. We actually came back here so you can give me automail since yours is the best," Ed spits out. He talked so fast neither Winry nor Al actually understood half of it.
She pulls a handkerchief out of her pocket and wipes the dirt off of Ed's face, since Al did smash it in the ground. "As long as you're okay that's all the matters," she says.
Ed slightly blushes. He has never really made "physical contact" with Winry except when she puts his automail on him and when she rarely hugs him like she just did. She shoves the handkerchief back into her pocket and notices Ed's slightly red face.
Winry giggles as she stands up. "I guess you guys have a lot of explaining to do. Let's go inside," she says. She grabs Ed's arm with one and hand wraps her other arm around his waist. Even though Al is already completely exhausted, he stands up to help Winry. They lift Ed up and into the house.
Winry closes the door while Al lays Ed on the couch. She laughs, "You two look famished. How about I make some dinner, and we can sit on the couch while you tell me everything that happened?"
Ed says, "That sounds great, but where is Granny?"
Just as Ed asks that question Pinako walks from around the corner. "I'm glad somebody missed me," Pinako says, ending with a grin.
Ed grins back. "Granny Pinako. Long time no see."
Pinako walks closer to Edward and takes a good look at him. Noticing that one of his sleeves is flat and one pant leg is flat, she laughs, "Well, still getting into trouble I see? You haven't changed one bit."
"I didn't do it…," Ed quietly moans.
"Good thing Winry has been working on your automail. I'm eager to see how much you've grown."
Ed props himself up and yells, "Who are you callin' a super tiny… wait a minute. She was working on my automail? Why?"
"Your automail design has always been her favorite. She enjoys every minute she has building it. Ever since you left, she started making spin-offs of your design for some of her special customers. She has missed you two so much, especially you, Ed. Even though she doesn't say anything, I can tell in her eyes that she worries about you every day."
After Pinako stopped talking, Al's snores could be heard. Ed and Pinako both laugh quietly. Both of them also noticed Winry hasn't been in the room for a couple of minutes. She came back holding some things in her hand.
"You actually came just in time. I got really bored one day and started rebuilding your automail. It's almost finished. I just have to clean it up a little, so I'll do that tonight. Pinako will put these on you for tonight," Winry says. She hands two hard plastic prosthetic limbs to Pinako and goes back into the kitchen to finish dinner.
Winry set the table for four and put plates in front of each. "Dinner is ready!" she yells.
Ed and Al immediately jump up and seat themselves. Pinako smiles, "I'm not very hungry. I think you three have some catching up to do. I'll be upstairs." She goes upstairs.
Winry made a huge homecoming dinner for Ed and Al. Chicken, beef, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, and much more. She sets all the bowls on the table. Food starts flying everywhere; however, Ed is the one eating like a pig.
She sighs, "Same old Edward. Always eats like a pig." Winry began to eat the plate she saved for herself, knowing there wouldn't be any food left.
It only took Ed and Al a little over 10 minutes to finish eating. Ed pats his stomach, "That hit the spot. Soooooo good."
Al smiles, "Your cooking is very good, Winry!"
She smiles, "Thanks, Al. Let's go sit on the couch and let our food digest."
Ed and Al nod and sit next to each other on the couch. Winry pulls up a chair and sits across from them so she can look at them.
"So, tell me everything! I have no clue what's happened to you guys for almost four years," Winry says with excitement.
"Well, where to begin…," Ed grins.
Ed and Al talked for almost four hours, mostly Ed. He was so excited to tell Winry about the other side of the Gate, Germany, Alfons Heiderich, the war, flying machines, and so much more. Ed and Al told her almost everything; however, some things they decided to keep to themselves because no one else should have to know. Winry paid so much attention to their fascinating story, but half the time she was just looking at Edward. She has strong feelings for him, but she's afraid to tell him because he might break her heart. She thinks Ed doesn't have those same feelings for her, but it doesn't bother her. As long as they can still be friends, she will stay content.
Winry frowns, "You guys aren't leaving again, are you?"
Ed smiles sweetly, "Aw Winry, turn that frown upside down. We aren't leaving anymore. I think Al and I have had enough adventures."
Winry loves Ed's smile. Not that scary smile, but that smile where he shows care. She does what he says and smiles. "That's good," she says.
"So Winry, what has happened in Amestris? I'm sure this world has changed somewhat," Ed asks.
Winry opens her mouth to speak, but she closes it. So much has happened, but Winry just got an idea. She grins, "There is a lot that happened, but let's save that story for tomorrow. It's almost midnight, and you two look exhausted."
Winry led them upstairs to an extra bedroom. There are two twin size beds, dressers, and a window that gives a great view of Risembool. Winry's house is full of automail parts, but it still looks so nice and decorated.
"You guys can have this bedroom. Now that I think about it, where are you two going to live?" Winry questions.
Al says, "We are going to build a house in Risembool. Winry, would it be okay if we live next to you?"
Ed butts in, "I had no say in this idea. Al just told it to me today."
Winry smiles, "I would be very happy if you stayed by me. Well, I'm going to go finish your automail. G'night Al. G'night Ed."
"Wait, Winry. Aren't you going to bed too?" Ed asks.
Winry shakes her head. "No. I'm almost done with your automail. I want it to be ready for you in the morning. Oh yeah, that reminds me. Give me your clothes!" She holds out her hand in a demanding way.
Ed's face turns red. He yells, "What! Why do you want my clothes?"
She sighs, "So I can WASH them. Al, give me yours too."
Ed and Al took off their shoes and threw them next to the beds. Ed took off his vest, white shirt, and pants so he was just left in his blue boxers. Al took off his black pants and black shirt so he was just left in… go figure… blue boxers as well. Haha, brothers. Winry is just standing there puzzled. 'Ok, why are they just standing there in their underpants? I don't have all night ya know.' Ed looked over at Al and winked at him. Al gives him a confused look, but he gets it. Ed and Al chuck their clothes at Winry.
"Eek!" Winry shrieks. She only catches about half their clothes, the rest on the ground or on her head. Ed and Al burst out laughing. Ed fell onto his bed holding his stomach. Winry picked the clothes off of the floor and off her head. She looks like she wants to cry, laugh, and yell.
"Goodnight boys!" Winry yells nicely, slamming the door.
"Phew! That was funny," Ed said.
Al says, "It was mean too, but she looked like she wanted to laugh. It's so good to be home."
"Yeah, it sure is…".
"Those boys…" Winry sighs. She throws their clothes next to Ed's automail. Before she starts on that, she has to make phone calls. A lot of phone calls. She dials the first number.
A voice clicks on the other end, "Mustang speaking…".
Winry says, "Hi Mr. Mustang. It's Winry Rockbell."
"Oh hi Miss Rockbell. You do realize it is past midnight. Are you okay?" Roy asks with concern.
"I'm really really sorry I'm calling so late. I'm fine. I have two boys… well, I guess you could call them men now… staying at my house, and I think I need your help with something…".