Chapter 2

A week and a half later Winry was preparing dinner. She could occasionally get Ed and Al to help, but for the most part she enjoyed the quiet structure of preparing a recipe from scratch. Cooking and baking were a lot like making automail. Once the design, or recipe was created, putting the correct components together and using the right measurements would result in something completely different from the sum of its parts. In the situation of automail, something functional and essential would be created and in the case of cooking something nourishing and delicious. She also found it relaxing and delighted in the precision required by both. Small differences in amounts or parts might result in bad flavors or loss of functionality, and all components, big or small, were important in their own way.

Winry did some of her best thinking when she cooked. If it was a recipe she was very familiar with she would allow her body do the work while letting her mind wander, like she did today. As she washed vegetables in the sink she spotted Ed and Al through the kitchen window. They were sparring outside in the yard. The sun had just started to set and the orange glow seemed to make their blonde hair even brighter. It looked like Al was winning, but she had a feeling that Ed was letting him. Ever since Al had gotten his normal body back he'd had to adjust his skills in combat and found that his new size and strength were substantially different from what he'd been use to as a large suit of armor. In the suit he had beaten Ed on every occasion. Now, although the brothers seemed of equal skill, Winry had suspicions that Ed was allowing his younger brother to have the upper hand in order to boost his confidence. Isn't that just like Ed? She sighed.

The fight ended with a roundhouse to Ed's obliques. He flew sideways to the ground and threw up his hand in defeat, laughing and clutching his ribs. Winry smiled as Al offered his arm to his brother, pulling him up off the ground. She couldn't hear their words but they chatted for a bit, with one or the other occasionally doing a play-by-play of the action. Al happened to look in her direction and noticed her watching. He smiled broadly and waved, a faint blush spreading over his features. She happily waved back only to notice Ed looking away as if he hadn't seen her. He had his hands in his pockets and was absentmindedly kicking at a rock. Jeez, what was up with that guy lately? she thought. She turned away from the window and accidentally slammed a pan down onto the counter.

It had been wonderful to have them both back, a little strange, but wonderful. In some ways, Al in his original body was like living with a stranger. Practically overnight he had changed from a little boy to a man. Even his voice was slightly deeper. Maturity-wise Winry thought he must have matured naturally, like Ed had (hah, Ed mature, yeah right), but to suddenly have his suit of armor replaced with flesh and blood after so many years was slightly unnerving. His tall and lithe frame were part of who he was now. But she had made a real effort to feel comfortable with him again, trying to spend a lot of time with both brothers, and now after 6 months truly felt like he was the Alphonse she'd always known.

It had been different with Ed though. The changes in him had been so gradual that she'd barely noticed them until they were fully manifested. Two years ago she could swear that she towered over him. Last year she remembered an argument when they were eye-to-eye. But now it was he who looked down on her from a height of 5'11". Ed had once hypothesized that he was somehow remotely nourishing Al's body while it waited for its owner's soul at the gate. Winry assumed that with Al's return Ed was once again eating for one and finally able to grow properly. But maybe it was just natural male adulthood since it was before Al got his body back that Ed's shoulders had slowly broadened and his arms had thickened with muscle as his baby fat fell away. She shivered suddenly and headed into the living room for a heavier shirt she'd left on the couch.

Her feelings for Ed had grown in the same way his height had, gradually and almost unnoticed. She really couldn't pinpoint the exact day where she started loving him. She could, however, vividly remember the day that she admitted it to herself. It was that day on the train, when he promised her the next time she cried it would be tears of joy. He had looked so determined, so earnest, so set on making sure she was happy. And he had been successful, they both had.

Winry had hoped that during their six month visit she would have an opportunity to tell Ed how she felt. Although she wasn't certain he returned her feelings, she had high hopes that it would be the case. Was it all in her head or was she right that the looks he sometimes gave her contained more than brotherly affection? On one occasion she'd even caught him staring at her from the doorway of the shop while she worked. She had no idea how long he'd been standing there and he jumped a bit when she noticed him. The opportunity to tell him her feelings had never come up though. More honestly, she was just never brave enough to seize it. It seemed like Ed and Al were together all the time, although that was understandable, and the few times she'd been alone with Ed they'd been interrupted or she couldn't get the words out. The last time it happened she had started to say,"Ed I think I love you." but changed it to, "Ed I think I lo-left something on the stove!" only to dash inside to "check" for a phantom pot.

These thoughts were uncomfortable and she shook her head like a dog shaking off water. It would happen at some point, there was no rush, right? I mean, surely she'd tell him soon. Or maybe, if she kept waiting he'd even tell her…..

Her thoughts were interrupted by Al and Ed's entry into the house where Ed demanded to know when dinner would be ready.

"It would be ready a lot sooner if I'd had your help." Winry looked at them both accusingly.

"I would love to help you next time!" Al responded. Winry smiled, Al was definitely the nicer brother.

Ed said nothing but started to set the table. Pinako came downstairs and they all began to carry in plates of food from the kitchen. Dinner was fun and full of good conversation, as it usually was. There was always a lot of talk about alchemy and automail, and establishing Winry's new shop.

But was it Winry's imagination or was Ed avoiding making eye contact with her. He wouldn't look at her when she spoke to him and when forced to reply to her questions quickly flicked his eyes towards her and then back to his plate. This kind of behavior had been going on for days now, maybe even a week. He seemed to be interacting with Pinako and Al normally though, so maybe she was just imagining it in regards to herself. Ugh, get a grip Rockbell, she internally lectured.

"Wow, that's your fourth helping Al! You better watch it or you'll start getting fat." Ed's teasing cut through Winry's thoughts.

"I am only trying to nourish my once starving body." Al responded with dignity.

"Well you're not starving anymore." said Pinako, "And I actually agree with Ed that you should slow it down. Two servings is more than enough for anyone not to mention four."

Al lowered his fork and sighed. "You're right. It's just that since I've gotten my body back, eating has been such a pleasure. It's hard for me to stop."

Winry patted his hand, "I say enjoy it while you can Al! Don't listen to them."

To Winry's surprise Al blushed a deep scarlet and stammered out a "T-thanks Winry."

Ed dropped his fork and abruptly excused himself to use the restroom. Jeez, Winry thought, whatever's going on it's catching.