"When your arm is attached we'll have to get you some new clothes." She said lightly. Ed had enough to consider, she didn't need more pressure no matter how well intentioned it was.
"You're smaller than Winry, so you'll need new underwear as well."
Ed looked horrified but resigned. He didn't try to hide his reluctance. He was fully aware that he did need some new clothes although Pinako's tone seemed to have the words 'a whole new wardrobe and then some' subliminally implanted in there somehow.
Edward spent the next day moving from his bed to the bathroom and back again. Pinako wouldn't let him come downstairs and insisted on his staying in bed even for meals. Ed could see the sense in her commands so he obeyed her even as he complained and cursed her. It was a game the two of them enjoyed immensely.
Al came and sat with him and Ed could see he was under orders 'not to distress the patient' so their talk was of lighter subjects or rather Ed had to listen to Al talk about how wonderful Winry was. Apparently their little excursion last night had let them both finally express themselves more fully than they had two days ago. When Al started to repeat himself for the third time Ed sent him out to find the object of his desires and then sank back into his pillows with a relieved smile.
Ed looked around the room. Now Al was gone there was nothing to occupy himself with. He had slept the morning away and although he was still tired, the pain was now a distraction that wouldn't let him go back to sleep again. What he wouldn't give for a book right now. His eyes caught on Al's suitcase and he grinned. He remembered it containing papers and books. Moving carefully he slipped out of bed and returned with the case. Settling it on his knees he opened it and his eyes widened at the wealth inside. Not only books but notes and journals. Oh yes this would be more than enough to keep him happy.
Ed had always known that his brother was gifted in alchemical theory but he hadn't realised just how brilliant he actually was. Al's notes were absolute masterpieces; they lifted the workings of alchemical process into the realm of pure mathematical magic and scientific genius. Even the theories Al had not finished were stunning. Ed became completely absorbed in his reading. Al had almost rewritten the whole basis of alchemy with his research. Ed was totally awestruck.
When Pinako came in with his dinner she had to shake him – very gently of course - by the port to make him aware of her presence.
Ed held his breath and gritted his teeth as the loud click echoed in his ears and his arm was locked into position. He shuddered as his nerves burnt like strands of fire through his shoulder and down his spine. Heat and pain flared behind his eyes and he grunted through a clenched jaw, the only sound he would allow himself to make. His flesh hand gripped tightly at the arm of the chair he was in and his feet were braced against the floor.
"She's fine Al," he heard Winry reassure his brother and he grimaced through another wave of pain. They were all starting to do it. He was becoming 'she' and he didn't know if he liked it. He still couldn't bring himself to do it.
He forced himself to take long slow breaths, refusing the urge to flex his fingers until the initial shock of connection had lessened. Then he turned his head to watch as he twitched and saw his fingers move one after the other. They were slender and almost delicate. Slowly he lifted his arm, wincing as the weight pulled at the port and saw the gleaming silver lines of the automail. It looked so different to his old one. He had never realised just how beautiful automail could be until now. He had always appreciated Winry's work and had known that her automail was the best he could ever have had. His arm and leg had never let him down, well except for that one time which they never spoke of. The quality of Winry's workmanship had saved his life more times than he could recall.
But this arm was slim and elegant. This arm was complete and seamless. They had placed the plates in such a manner as to minimise the joins and the smooth finish was perfection itself. It looked as if they had literally remade his flesh arm in living metal. He raised both hands and looked at them. Long slender fingers of flesh and steel. He stretched his arms out and marvelled at how alike they were. When he placed his palms together they were perfectly aligned. One steel, one flesh – whole. His eyes were wide in appreciation and awe at their craftsmanship and he couldn't find any words as he looked at them both standing there.