Edward woke up in his hospital bed the next day feeling very sore and drowsy from the wounds and sedation. Remembering the incident, the pain and the long overdue confession of love to Winry didn't make him feel better.
"My feelings are finally out in the open" he thought "Hopefully Winry doesn't take this the wrong way."
He glanced around the room to see that Alphonse was awake and looking at him from a couch across the room.
"Did I wake you brother?" Al asked.
"No. I guess Lieutenant Hawkeye went home." Edward replied.
"Yes she did. She was relieved that you were okay and were out of your coma."
"And where did Winry-" Ed asked, showing concern in his voice.
"To Central Inn" Al said with assuring tone "She's safe. Don't worry. I escorted her there myself. She said she had something she had to do. She did say she would stop by today in a while.
"Good." Ed said with a sigh of relief "I want to talk to her anyway."
"Is this about what you said before you fell asleep brother?" Al asked
"It's entirely about what I said before I fell asleep Al" Ed replied "I don't want her taking it the wrong way like it was the drug that made me say it. I want her to know I meant it."
"She does. I know she does."
"Why? How? Did she say something? asked Ed.
"No. No. But come on brother!" Al replied "Everyone knew you'd be in love with each other since day one!"
"And how did everyone even begin to think something like that?"
"Your eyes," Al said "When Winry's blue eyes meet your golden eyes, they all shine so bright it's blinding."
"Really? I've never noticed it before." Said Ed
"It's probably because you've been too scared to admit you love her. Winry probably hasn't seen it either."
Edward turned away from his brother in sadness. The girl he loved for as long as he can remember, the feeling was hidden by fear. He turned back to Alphonse
"I feel so stupid." Ed said looking away again "I wasn't strong enough to tell her I loved her sooner."
Maybe, but you were strong enough to show her you loved her!" Al said excitedly "You were willing to lose your own life to save hers!"
"But-" Edward began, focusing on Al again, despair in his face
"NO!" Al said so loud it knocked the despair right off Ed's face and replaced it with shock. He got off the couch and moved into the chair beside his brother.
"That is the ultimate form of love! She understands that! I know she does! And now you, the one who was willing to do everything it took to keep her from harms way, needs to understand that too!"
Ed layed in his bed, staring at Alphonse's tinted red eyes. "Wow. Uhhh….I never thought about it like that. But I still want to find out what she thinks."
"That's fine brother," said Al, victoriously "She should be here in five minutes."
Five minutes later they heard a light knock from the other side of the door. Alphonse got up and opened the door slowly and there was Winry. She entered the room with two packages, one large and one small.
"Hi," she said quietly "Sorry. I thought you might be sleeping."
"That's okay." Edward said, glancing at the packages "What are these Winry?"
"Oh! Here. I hope you like it." She sat down beside where Al was and opened the large package. Ed sat up and stared wide-eyed at a new shiny automail arm and leg.
"That's why I wanted to go back to Central Inn. To make brand new automail for you. If not…" Winry paused and looked at Ed "I would have stayed here with you all night. I wanted to be with you but I knew you would need these. We can put them on whenever you want."
"Thank-you Winry…I would have wanted you to stay too." Ed said staring at Winry "What's in the other one?"
"Oh yeah! Here! You'll love this!" She said with a smile. She opened the package and the smell of baking quickly filled the room. Ed looked down with a smile to see the apple pie he knew was made in Gracia Hughes kitchen.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye must have told the Hughes about what happened because on my way here I spotted them in the lobby at the inn." Winry explained while slicing the pie "They said they were sorry they couldn't come but they send their best wishes, in the form of apple pie!" She handed him a piece. When they were finished Ed layed back down, Al fluffed his pillow and Winry pushed some strands of hair off his face.
"You look tired Ed." Winry said "Do you want to rest?"
"No thank-you Winry." Ed said with an exhausted smile "What I want is to talk to you… about last night and what I said."
"Oh. Um…Okay" Winry replied "We should try and get this out in the open."
"Winry," Ed started "I want you to know that I didn't just say what I said because of loss of blood or sedation or anything like that. I love you so much."
"Ed…" Winry replied
"Winry, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"
"What?" Winry asked "Confessed that you have the same feelings for me as I have for you? Don't be sorry!"
"Then…That means!" Ed said, his smile widening
"Yes Edward. I love you too, so much!" she said with a smile
Winry's blue eyes stared deep into Edward's golden eyes and Ed's into Winry's. Then, for the first time, they both saw a light shining so bright out of the others eyes.
"I told you!" Alphonse said. The two looked at the suit of armour. "The light is there! And you saw it because you know you love each other!"
They turned back to each other and Winry began to stroke Ed's face gently. Ed was so relaxed by the presence of those he knew loved him, he fell asleep, golden eyes slowly shutting.
