Categories > Anime/Manga > Full Metal Alchemist > Forbidden Acts
Title: Forbidden Acts
Author: HaganeNeko
Pairing: EdxWinry
Rating: This chapter PG-13 for language
Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist/Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (鋼の錬金術師) belongs to Hiromu Arakawa, Bones, TBS, Square Enix, Viz, and Funimation. No infringement is intended. Written for entertainment purposes only; I make nothing from this fic.
My eternal gratitude to elasg/ArielPHF, for being an awesome beta and for helping me with subjects like martial arts, forestry, and horses!
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Chapter 4: A Mother’s Touch
Morning dawned, casting a merciless light through the opening in the heavy curtains, and woke Edward as it fell across his eyes. He groaned and rolled away from the offending brightness, craving a few more moments of sleep. Just as he was dozing off, a knock came at the door.
“Brother, it’s almost 7:00; you’d best get up before Ms. Izumi comes looking for you.” Alphonse didn’t open the door, very aware how foul his brother’s mood could be this early in the morning.
“Go away,” Edward moaned, his voice muffled by the pillow, “I’m still tired.”
“Ms. Izumi won’t take that for an excuse, you know. You shouldn’t have stayed up so late.”
This only made Edward cross.
“GO. AWAY. I’ll get up when I feel like it!”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” came Alphonse’s glib response, and Edward heard him retreat. Certain his brother wouldn’t be back, he nestled back into the comfort of his pillow and drifted back to sleep. His extended rest didn’t last long. The door suddenly burst open and the covers were whipped back, exposing him to the cooler air of the room.
“GET UP NOW AND GET YOUR LAZY ASS OUT TO THE COURTYARD!!”
Edward was still half asleep as he scrambled out of bed and tumbled to the floor. When his sight cleared he found Izumi Curtis looming over him, her eyes glowing with fury.
‘It’s Saturday already?!’ the terrified thought raced through his mind. He leapt to his feet and was grateful he had remembered to wear pajama bottoms to bed last night. Often, it was only his boxers or less.
“Yes, Ma’am!” he sputtered and sprinted to his private bath.
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The pair faced off, circling one another while crouched in a defensive stance. Alphonse feigned a charge and Edward answered with a graceful sidestep. Alphonse then aimed an open-handed chop at his brother when Edward left himself open. Edward ducked Alphonse’s swing and responded with a roundhouse kick. Alphonse captured his brother’s calf and turned, pulling Edward off balance. He landed hard on his backside.
“Shit,” Edward mumbled and lay back to wait for the pain radiating up his spine to subside.
“Done already, Brother?” Alphonse taunted and offered a hand up. Still panting for breath, Edward only stared at it before taking the assistance.
“I wish,” he groaned, rising to his feet. He took a moment to brush dirt and bits of grass from his clothes.
“I did warn you.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“You idiot!” barked Izumi. Edward tried not to cringe as she approached. “Never let your guard down! I would have thought you would’ve learned something as simple as that by now!” She stopped only inches from him and bent forward, hands fisted into her hips. He couldn’t help but lean away and force a swallow as she glared daggers at him. Izumi Curtis was the only woman on the planet that could intimidate him, yet despite his momentary fear, he respected her.
From the first day that Edward and Alphonse had been brought to the mansion to live, Izumi Curtis had, in a round about way, taken the place of their mother. She had welcomed the two small boys wholeheartedly, helping them feel secure in their time of loss, and filling the void their mother had left upon her passing. Izumi and Sig Curtis had made the large, empty mansion feel more like home, giving them a sense of family in a place that would have otherwise been devoid of warmth.
In spite of the fact she often used tough love on him, he cared deeply for her, even if he couldn’t admit it out loud or to himself.
“Sorry, Sensei! I’m just a bit tired, that’s all!”
“No excuses, Edward! I don’t accept excuses!” After a short staring match in which Edward offered no defiance, Izumi backed down and slapped the side of her protégé’s head. He yelped in protest and rubbed at the resulting sting. With a tired sigh, she turned away. “Take a few minutes to rest, then we’ll work on your alchemy lessons. I’ll bring us some refreshments.”
“Yes, Ma’am!” Edward and Alphonse chorused and relaxed as Izumi returned through the kitchen service entrance. Edward made sure she was gone and shuffled over to the fountain to sit on the stone rim.
“You really have her riled up this morning,” Alphonse remarked, facing his brother, “What had you up so late?”
Edward hesitated, reluctant to tell him he had snuck out to a nightclub on the opposite side of Central the night before. It was a good thing Alphonse hadn’t detected the scent of perfume still lingering on his skin that his late night shower had failed to completely eliminate. The memory of making out with a redheaded beauty in the darker recesses of the noisy, crowded establishment momentarily returned to him and Edward held back a sly smile. He opted for a white lie, instead. “I was working on a project and lost track of time, that’s all.”
Alphonse regarded him with skepticism, one eyebrow arched high. “I might be way off base, but did this project involve something soft and pretty and female.”
‘Damn it! How the hell does he do it?!’
Edward’s actual answer was to offer the middle finger of his right hand.
Alphonse took no offense and simply laughed. “Don’t worry, Brother, your secret is safe with me!”
“How did you know?” Edward muttered crossly, tired of Alphonse always ferreting out his deeper motives. “How do you always know?”
“It’s your eyes,” Alphonse replied as joined his brother on the rim, “You can never look me in the eye when you’re lying. That, and you blush; not much, just a little on the bridge of your nose, but enough for me to tell.”
All the older brother could do was curse under his breath.
“You’d just better hope no one recognized you or knew Rose’.” Alphonse admonished. “If word got back to her, there’ll be hell to pay.”
Edward snorted. “I could care less if she found out.” A devious smirk crossed his face. “Hell, it might be one way to get out of this stupid engagement.”
Alphonse shook his head. “Ed, trust me, you don’t want her to find out. Word would certainly get back to Dad and it worries me to think what he might do to you. You know how concerned he is with our image, considering we’re ‘new money’ and not part of the old aristocracy. If he knew how you were acting, he might disown you and throw you out on the street.”
Edward came close to saying ‘Fine with me, then I’d finally be free of both his bullshit and that crazy broad’ but refrained when he remembered that would mean leaving Alphonse behind. “Whatever,” he said after a long moment and heaved a sigh of defeat. “That’s his issue, not mine. I could care less about his ‘image’.”
“Honestly, Ed, you can be so reckless sometimes!” Alphonse scolded, “You could think things through once and a while instead of just acting out.”
Eyes flashing with anger, Edward spun on his brother. “What the hell do you know?!”
“I know you want out of this situation badly enough that you something really crazy. You always act first and think later, and you’re not above doing something stupid to get what you want.” Alphonse’s scowl softened. “What would you do if you left here, Brother? Without Dad’s money, how would you survive?”
Another shrug. “I could join the military as a State Alchemist. I understand the salary is decent, and since Amestris’s borders have been quiet, I wouldn’t be expected to fight.”
Alphonse sprung to his feet. “No way, Ed! You can’t do that! I know you’ve heard the rumors, what they call the State Alchemist?! Dogs of the military! You would be expected to do horrible things, even not in wartime!”
“Okay, okay, I won’t join! Happy?” Edward placated, holding his hands out in front of him. “I just wish I could get out of this mess, that’s all.”
“You’re smart, Brother, I know you’ll think of something.”
“One of you boys come here and help with the tray!” Izumi commanded, interrupting the uneasiness that settled between them. The brothers spun to find her standing at the kitchen entrance, holding a tray with three glasses and a pitcher of lemonade.
“I got this.” Alphonse stood and trotted toward Izumi, who was now tapping her foot impatiently. Edward slouched with a groan. How on earth was he going to get of this nightmarish situation?
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‘I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!’
Winry squeezed through the gate when it opened enough for her to fit through, and sprinted toward the back of the mansion.
‘I shouldn’t have stayed up so late working on Mrs. Webber’s automail! I was so tired I never heard the alarm clock go off! I’m so in trouble!’
She flung the door open and dashed into the main servant’s entrance, nearly crashing into Schiezka in the process.
“Sorry, so sorry!” Winry brushed past her and headed for her locker.
Schiezka, a demure woman about Winry’s age, and the fourth maid employed at the mansion only smiled knowingly. “Good morning, Winry! Ms. Riza isn’t in right now, so I don’t think you need to worry. Besides, a formal breakfast generally isn’t served on Saturdays because Ms. Izumi has other things to attend to.”
After a cursory glance about, and seeing no one, Winry started to undress in front of her locker. “Thank goodness! I was so worried I wasn’t going to be here for the morning service that I ran all the way from the bus stop!” She pulled on her maid’s dress and Schiezka helped her tie her apron. “I didn’t have a chance to eat or even get some coffee,” she bemoaned, closing her locker and slipping into her shoes.
Schiezka pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “Ms. Izumi set out some pastries, fruit, and finger sandwiches just in case any of the staff needed a pick-me-up. There’s also fresh coffee on the stove. We can grab something to eat before we go finish our work in the main ballroom.”
Of course! In her hurry to get to work this morning, the engagement party had completely slipped her mind. “That’s right, there’s a big party tomorrow night,” Winry sighed and followed the other woman into the kitchen. “What’s left to do?” She pushed aside the fact the party was intended to announce Master Edward’s engagement. It was something she still preferred not to dwell on.
Schiezka poured coffee for both of them and took two plates down from the cupboard, “Mostly just setting up the service, like putting tablecloths down and putting out the glasses, silver, and dishes besides our normal duties. Rebecca, Maria, you, and I did most of the cleaning and polishing last week, remember?”
Winry nodded and took the plate and mug Schiezka offered her. “That’s good. I’m so tired I don’t think I could manage anything more than that today.” The rich scent of coffee reached her and she took a tentative sip. It was hot and bitter. She generally preferred adding sugar, but was grateful for the dose of caffeine, sweet or not. A bright red apple amidst the other fruit in the bowl on the counter called to her, as did some of the finger sandwiches that were neatly arranged on a plate next to the bowl.
“Are you working the party?” Winry asked her co-worker and bit into the apple. It was sweet, juicy, and very crisp.
“Yup!” Schiezka took a generous bite of her doughnut. “Are you? I know Rebecca and Maria are, but hadn’t heard if you were.”
Winry nodded as she swallowed the bite of sandwich she had taken. “Yes, I’ll be here, too. Even if I hadn’t been required to work, I would’ve volunteered.” She picked up another finger sandwich. “I need the cash and the more I work, the faster I can pay down my expenses and help my grandmother.”
The pair chatted and snacked for a while, and was in the process of cleaning up after themselves when Izumi came in the service entrance from the courtyard, carrying a tray with an empty pitcher and glasses.
“Good morning, girls! I’m filling in for Ms. Riza today. You know what chores need to be done?”
“Yes ‘m!” they said in unison.
“Good! I might also need some extra help in the kitchen later, so if you find some free time, would either of you be interested in putting together some of the hors d’oeurves?” She set the tray near the sink and added the glasses to the dishwater.
“Of course!” they replied, again in unison.
Izumi nodded in approval and smiled warmly. “Excellent! Just come back here when you’re done with your chores.”
Winry couldn’t help but smile back. She hadn’t known Ms. Izumi for very long, but found the woman very likable; strict, yet fair. There was also a warm, caring side to her, what was often referred to as ‘a mother’s touch’, and Winry likened the way she cared for the younger members of the staff to a mother’s affection for her children. Once she found out Winry’s parents were deceased, Ms. Izumi had taken Winry under her wing and tended to favor her.
The young women excused themselves, and were nearly to the Great Hall when Winry noticed something absent from her uniform. She halted and frantically patted her head.
“Oh no, I forgot to put my bonnet on!” She turned and darted back toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right back!” Schiezka nodded and continued.
It was a quick trip to the servant’s quarters. Izumi was no longer in the kitchen, Winry noted on her way to her locker, and that the door to the courtyard was ajar. She retrieved her bonnet, but decided to put it on while heading back to her job.
As she came back through the kitchen door, she crashed into a very solid body, one that was warm and wore an open shirt. Winry was shocked into silence and flushed beet red. At work for less than an hour and she had nearly knocked over her second victim.
This just wasn’t her day.
“I’m so sorry—!” The rest of her apology died as she followed the smooth chest up to a face and found out whom the warm, solid body belonged to; Master Edward. The remainder of a finger sandwich hung from his mouth and his eyes were equally wide with surprise as he looked back.
Winry’s mind went blank. Where had he come from and why was he standing in the kitchen half undressed? His close proximity was disconcerting yet exhilarating, and she found herself momentarily mesmerized by the heat radiating off his body. It was then she became very aware that both her palms were braced against his sweaty and very muscular chest. Winry gave an undignified ‘eep!’ and jumped back, very conscience of where her hands had just been. She tucked them against her breast and backed away.
“M-my apologies, Master Edward, I meant no offense!”
The faint blush left his cheeks and he quickly dispatched the sandwich with a quick gulp. “None taken. However, you are out of uniform.” He smirked and pointed at the bonnet dangling from her hand. “You are aware the house rules state that you must be dressed properly for the job at all times, don’t you?”
Winry shifted away as he continued to press into her personal space. “Yes, sir. Again, my apologies—it won’t happen again.”
Edward leaned in close and held her nervous gaze in his. “Perhaps we should take time to review the house rules, Miss Rockbell. Maybe we could…discuss them in private?” he asked, archly. The smirk shifted into a knowing and cocky smile.
Her deep blue eyes went wide with dismay. Was he serious? His leer answered her question quite clearly and she instinctively stepped back again as he bent closer still. “No, sir, I know the rules quite well. I promise to be properly dressed from now on. If you’ll please excuse me, Master Edward, I have chores to attend to.” Without waiting to be dismissed, Winry scurried past him, careful to not make contact with him as she did so.
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Edward watched his very pretty prey slip into the antechamber and scowled as his presence of mind returned. What the hell was up with this girl? Any other woman would have melted under his charms, but this one seemed resistant to his charisma. It didn’t help that her recalcitrance frustrated him and left him feeling confused, a bit insecure, and very cross. Why did she continue to turn away his advances?
He could still feel the warmth of her palms where they had made contact and ran a hand over his chest. This young woman stirred a multitude of conflicting emotions within him, ranging from curiosity to longing, and a few others too uncomfortable to confront. It also didn’t help that her beauty was beyond compare, drawing him like a moth to a flame. Non-fraternization rules be damned, he wanted her, although he wasn’t entirely sure in what capacity.
It also irritated him that Miss Rockbell was inconsistent when it came to the house rules. Edward expected a certain level of decorum and obedience from the help, because he was one of the masters of the house; she had been working here long enough to know the rules by now, yet only seemed to follow them when it suited her. This exasperated him to no end. What would it take to weather down her independent streak and make her conform to the mansion’s code of conduct?
‘Wait…didn’t she start working here because she was in financial trouble?’
It took a moment for Edward to recall the interview that led to her hiring; she had mentioned that her grandmother was ill, and that she needed the income… Wait, hadn’t Alphonse mentioned in passing that there were back taxes due on her home?
A grin lit Edward’s face. The more he thought about it, the more assured he became he could make this information work to his advantage. All he needed to do was wait for was his father’s absence, make a few well place phone calls, and set everything in motion.
Feeling much better, Edward left for his private chambers to freshen up for the day.
Author: HaganeNeko
Pairing: EdxWinry
Rating: This chapter PG-13 for language
Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist/Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (鋼の錬金術師) belongs to Hiromu Arakawa, Bones, TBS, Square Enix, Viz, and Funimation. No infringement is intended. Written for entertainment purposes only; I make nothing from this fic.
My eternal gratitude to elasg/ArielPHF, for being an awesome beta and for helping me with subjects like martial arts, forestry, and horses!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 4: A Mother’s Touch
Morning dawned, casting a merciless light through the opening in the heavy curtains, and woke Edward as it fell across his eyes. He groaned and rolled away from the offending brightness, craving a few more moments of sleep. Just as he was dozing off, a knock came at the door.
“Brother, it’s almost 7:00; you’d best get up before Ms. Izumi comes looking for you.” Alphonse didn’t open the door, very aware how foul his brother’s mood could be this early in the morning.
“Go away,” Edward moaned, his voice muffled by the pillow, “I’m still tired.”
“Ms. Izumi won’t take that for an excuse, you know. You shouldn’t have stayed up so late.”
This only made Edward cross.
“GO. AWAY. I’ll get up when I feel like it!”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” came Alphonse’s glib response, and Edward heard him retreat. Certain his brother wouldn’t be back, he nestled back into the comfort of his pillow and drifted back to sleep. His extended rest didn’t last long. The door suddenly burst open and the covers were whipped back, exposing him to the cooler air of the room.
“GET UP NOW AND GET YOUR LAZY ASS OUT TO THE COURTYARD!!”
Edward was still half asleep as he scrambled out of bed and tumbled to the floor. When his sight cleared he found Izumi Curtis looming over him, her eyes glowing with fury.
‘It’s Saturday already?!’ the terrified thought raced through his mind. He leapt to his feet and was grateful he had remembered to wear pajama bottoms to bed last night. Often, it was only his boxers or less.
“Yes, Ma’am!” he sputtered and sprinted to his private bath.
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The pair faced off, circling one another while crouched in a defensive stance. Alphonse feigned a charge and Edward answered with a graceful sidestep. Alphonse then aimed an open-handed chop at his brother when Edward left himself open. Edward ducked Alphonse’s swing and responded with a roundhouse kick. Alphonse captured his brother’s calf and turned, pulling Edward off balance. He landed hard on his backside.
“Shit,” Edward mumbled and lay back to wait for the pain radiating up his spine to subside.
“Done already, Brother?” Alphonse taunted and offered a hand up. Still panting for breath, Edward only stared at it before taking the assistance.
“I wish,” he groaned, rising to his feet. He took a moment to brush dirt and bits of grass from his clothes.
“I did warn you.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“You idiot!” barked Izumi. Edward tried not to cringe as she approached. “Never let your guard down! I would have thought you would’ve learned something as simple as that by now!” She stopped only inches from him and bent forward, hands fisted into her hips. He couldn’t help but lean away and force a swallow as she glared daggers at him. Izumi Curtis was the only woman on the planet that could intimidate him, yet despite his momentary fear, he respected her.
From the first day that Edward and Alphonse had been brought to the mansion to live, Izumi Curtis had, in a round about way, taken the place of their mother. She had welcomed the two small boys wholeheartedly, helping them feel secure in their time of loss, and filling the void their mother had left upon her passing. Izumi and Sig Curtis had made the large, empty mansion feel more like home, giving them a sense of family in a place that would have otherwise been devoid of warmth.
In spite of the fact she often used tough love on him, he cared deeply for her, even if he couldn’t admit it out loud or to himself.
“Sorry, Sensei! I’m just a bit tired, that’s all!”
“No excuses, Edward! I don’t accept excuses!” After a short staring match in which Edward offered no defiance, Izumi backed down and slapped the side of her protégé’s head. He yelped in protest and rubbed at the resulting sting. With a tired sigh, she turned away. “Take a few minutes to rest, then we’ll work on your alchemy lessons. I’ll bring us some refreshments.”
“Yes, Ma’am!” Edward and Alphonse chorused and relaxed as Izumi returned through the kitchen service entrance. Edward made sure she was gone and shuffled over to the fountain to sit on the stone rim.
“You really have her riled up this morning,” Alphonse remarked, facing his brother, “What had you up so late?”
Edward hesitated, reluctant to tell him he had snuck out to a nightclub on the opposite side of Central the night before. It was a good thing Alphonse hadn’t detected the scent of perfume still lingering on his skin that his late night shower had failed to completely eliminate. The memory of making out with a redheaded beauty in the darker recesses of the noisy, crowded establishment momentarily returned to him and Edward held back a sly smile. He opted for a white lie, instead. “I was working on a project and lost track of time, that’s all.”
Alphonse regarded him with skepticism, one eyebrow arched high. “I might be way off base, but did this project involve something soft and pretty and female.”
‘Damn it! How the hell does he do it?!’
Edward’s actual answer was to offer the middle finger of his right hand.
Alphonse took no offense and simply laughed. “Don’t worry, Brother, your secret is safe with me!”
“How did you know?” Edward muttered crossly, tired of Alphonse always ferreting out his deeper motives. “How do you always know?”
“It’s your eyes,” Alphonse replied as joined his brother on the rim, “You can never look me in the eye when you’re lying. That, and you blush; not much, just a little on the bridge of your nose, but enough for me to tell.”
All the older brother could do was curse under his breath.
“You’d just better hope no one recognized you or knew Rose’.” Alphonse admonished. “If word got back to her, there’ll be hell to pay.”
Edward snorted. “I could care less if she found out.” A devious smirk crossed his face. “Hell, it might be one way to get out of this stupid engagement.”
Alphonse shook his head. “Ed, trust me, you don’t want her to find out. Word would certainly get back to Dad and it worries me to think what he might do to you. You know how concerned he is with our image, considering we’re ‘new money’ and not part of the old aristocracy. If he knew how you were acting, he might disown you and throw you out on the street.”
Edward came close to saying ‘Fine with me, then I’d finally be free of both his bullshit and that crazy broad’ but refrained when he remembered that would mean leaving Alphonse behind. “Whatever,” he said after a long moment and heaved a sigh of defeat. “That’s his issue, not mine. I could care less about his ‘image’.”
“Honestly, Ed, you can be so reckless sometimes!” Alphonse scolded, “You could think things through once and a while instead of just acting out.”
Eyes flashing with anger, Edward spun on his brother. “What the hell do you know?!”
“I know you want out of this situation badly enough that you something really crazy. You always act first and think later, and you’re not above doing something stupid to get what you want.” Alphonse’s scowl softened. “What would you do if you left here, Brother? Without Dad’s money, how would you survive?”
Another shrug. “I could join the military as a State Alchemist. I understand the salary is decent, and since Amestris’s borders have been quiet, I wouldn’t be expected to fight.”
Alphonse sprung to his feet. “No way, Ed! You can’t do that! I know you’ve heard the rumors, what they call the State Alchemist?! Dogs of the military! You would be expected to do horrible things, even not in wartime!”
“Okay, okay, I won’t join! Happy?” Edward placated, holding his hands out in front of him. “I just wish I could get out of this mess, that’s all.”
“You’re smart, Brother, I know you’ll think of something.”
“One of you boys come here and help with the tray!” Izumi commanded, interrupting the uneasiness that settled between them. The brothers spun to find her standing at the kitchen entrance, holding a tray with three glasses and a pitcher of lemonade.
“I got this.” Alphonse stood and trotted toward Izumi, who was now tapping her foot impatiently. Edward slouched with a groan. How on earth was he going to get of this nightmarish situation?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
‘I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!’
Winry squeezed through the gate when it opened enough for her to fit through, and sprinted toward the back of the mansion.
‘I shouldn’t have stayed up so late working on Mrs. Webber’s automail! I was so tired I never heard the alarm clock go off! I’m so in trouble!’
She flung the door open and dashed into the main servant’s entrance, nearly crashing into Schiezka in the process.
“Sorry, so sorry!” Winry brushed past her and headed for her locker.
Schiezka, a demure woman about Winry’s age, and the fourth maid employed at the mansion only smiled knowingly. “Good morning, Winry! Ms. Riza isn’t in right now, so I don’t think you need to worry. Besides, a formal breakfast generally isn’t served on Saturdays because Ms. Izumi has other things to attend to.”
After a cursory glance about, and seeing no one, Winry started to undress in front of her locker. “Thank goodness! I was so worried I wasn’t going to be here for the morning service that I ran all the way from the bus stop!” She pulled on her maid’s dress and Schiezka helped her tie her apron. “I didn’t have a chance to eat or even get some coffee,” she bemoaned, closing her locker and slipping into her shoes.
Schiezka pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “Ms. Izumi set out some pastries, fruit, and finger sandwiches just in case any of the staff needed a pick-me-up. There’s also fresh coffee on the stove. We can grab something to eat before we go finish our work in the main ballroom.”
Of course! In her hurry to get to work this morning, the engagement party had completely slipped her mind. “That’s right, there’s a big party tomorrow night,” Winry sighed and followed the other woman into the kitchen. “What’s left to do?” She pushed aside the fact the party was intended to announce Master Edward’s engagement. It was something she still preferred not to dwell on.
Schiezka poured coffee for both of them and took two plates down from the cupboard, “Mostly just setting up the service, like putting tablecloths down and putting out the glasses, silver, and dishes besides our normal duties. Rebecca, Maria, you, and I did most of the cleaning and polishing last week, remember?”
Winry nodded and took the plate and mug Schiezka offered her. “That’s good. I’m so tired I don’t think I could manage anything more than that today.” The rich scent of coffee reached her and she took a tentative sip. It was hot and bitter. She generally preferred adding sugar, but was grateful for the dose of caffeine, sweet or not. A bright red apple amidst the other fruit in the bowl on the counter called to her, as did some of the finger sandwiches that were neatly arranged on a plate next to the bowl.
“Are you working the party?” Winry asked her co-worker and bit into the apple. It was sweet, juicy, and very crisp.
“Yup!” Schiezka took a generous bite of her doughnut. “Are you? I know Rebecca and Maria are, but hadn’t heard if you were.”
Winry nodded as she swallowed the bite of sandwich she had taken. “Yes, I’ll be here, too. Even if I hadn’t been required to work, I would’ve volunteered.” She picked up another finger sandwich. “I need the cash and the more I work, the faster I can pay down my expenses and help my grandmother.”
The pair chatted and snacked for a while, and was in the process of cleaning up after themselves when Izumi came in the service entrance from the courtyard, carrying a tray with an empty pitcher and glasses.
“Good morning, girls! I’m filling in for Ms. Riza today. You know what chores need to be done?”
“Yes ‘m!” they said in unison.
“Good! I might also need some extra help in the kitchen later, so if you find some free time, would either of you be interested in putting together some of the hors d’oeurves?” She set the tray near the sink and added the glasses to the dishwater.
“Of course!” they replied, again in unison.
Izumi nodded in approval and smiled warmly. “Excellent! Just come back here when you’re done with your chores.”
Winry couldn’t help but smile back. She hadn’t known Ms. Izumi for very long, but found the woman very likable; strict, yet fair. There was also a warm, caring side to her, what was often referred to as ‘a mother’s touch’, and Winry likened the way she cared for the younger members of the staff to a mother’s affection for her children. Once she found out Winry’s parents were deceased, Ms. Izumi had taken Winry under her wing and tended to favor her.
The young women excused themselves, and were nearly to the Great Hall when Winry noticed something absent from her uniform. She halted and frantically patted her head.
“Oh no, I forgot to put my bonnet on!” She turned and darted back toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right back!” Schiezka nodded and continued.
It was a quick trip to the servant’s quarters. Izumi was no longer in the kitchen, Winry noted on her way to her locker, and that the door to the courtyard was ajar. She retrieved her bonnet, but decided to put it on while heading back to her job.
As she came back through the kitchen door, she crashed into a very solid body, one that was warm and wore an open shirt. Winry was shocked into silence and flushed beet red. At work for less than an hour and she had nearly knocked over her second victim.
This just wasn’t her day.
“I’m so sorry—!” The rest of her apology died as she followed the smooth chest up to a face and found out whom the warm, solid body belonged to; Master Edward. The remainder of a finger sandwich hung from his mouth and his eyes were equally wide with surprise as he looked back.
Winry’s mind went blank. Where had he come from and why was he standing in the kitchen half undressed? His close proximity was disconcerting yet exhilarating, and she found herself momentarily mesmerized by the heat radiating off his body. It was then she became very aware that both her palms were braced against his sweaty and very muscular chest. Winry gave an undignified ‘eep!’ and jumped back, very conscience of where her hands had just been. She tucked them against her breast and backed away.
“M-my apologies, Master Edward, I meant no offense!”
The faint blush left his cheeks and he quickly dispatched the sandwich with a quick gulp. “None taken. However, you are out of uniform.” He smirked and pointed at the bonnet dangling from her hand. “You are aware the house rules state that you must be dressed properly for the job at all times, don’t you?”
Winry shifted away as he continued to press into her personal space. “Yes, sir. Again, my apologies—it won’t happen again.”
Edward leaned in close and held her nervous gaze in his. “Perhaps we should take time to review the house rules, Miss Rockbell. Maybe we could…discuss them in private?” he asked, archly. The smirk shifted into a knowing and cocky smile.
Her deep blue eyes went wide with dismay. Was he serious? His leer answered her question quite clearly and she instinctively stepped back again as he bent closer still. “No, sir, I know the rules quite well. I promise to be properly dressed from now on. If you’ll please excuse me, Master Edward, I have chores to attend to.” Without waiting to be dismissed, Winry scurried past him, careful to not make contact with him as she did so.
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Edward watched his very pretty prey slip into the antechamber and scowled as his presence of mind returned. What the hell was up with this girl? Any other woman would have melted under his charms, but this one seemed resistant to his charisma. It didn’t help that her recalcitrance frustrated him and left him feeling confused, a bit insecure, and very cross. Why did she continue to turn away his advances?
He could still feel the warmth of her palms where they had made contact and ran a hand over his chest. This young woman stirred a multitude of conflicting emotions within him, ranging from curiosity to longing, and a few others too uncomfortable to confront. It also didn’t help that her beauty was beyond compare, drawing him like a moth to a flame. Non-fraternization rules be damned, he wanted her, although he wasn’t entirely sure in what capacity.
It also irritated him that Miss Rockbell was inconsistent when it came to the house rules. Edward expected a certain level of decorum and obedience from the help, because he was one of the masters of the house; she had been working here long enough to know the rules by now, yet only seemed to follow them when it suited her. This exasperated him to no end. What would it take to weather down her independent streak and make her conform to the mansion’s code of conduct?
‘Wait…didn’t she start working here because she was in financial trouble?’
It took a moment for Edward to recall the interview that led to her hiring; she had mentioned that her grandmother was ill, and that she needed the income… Wait, hadn’t Alphonse mentioned in passing that there were back taxes due on her home?
A grin lit Edward’s face. The more he thought about it, the more assured he became he could make this information work to his advantage. All he needed to do was wait for was his father’s absence, make a few well place phone calls, and set everything in motion.
Feeling much better, Edward left for his private chambers to freshen up for the day.
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