Something Hot and Sweet
Dara stared out of the window of the toasty warm coffee shop at the soldiers across the street. Day after day they were forced to stand outside in front of the military embassy to guard it. Guard it from what? They were in a small village full of women, children, and old men. Most of the young men had been taken away and killed during the war. Maybe they were protecting the man inside that office because he was responsible for enticing those men to join the military. They were protecting Roy Mustang from the wrath of the women which was far more frightening than anything he ever faced on the battlefield. Another reason he incurred so much hatred is the man seemed to view it as his personal duty to satisfy the sexual desires of the lonely women of the entire village. In the last two months of the year he has been here there's suddenly been an explosion of births of children with black hair and slanted dark colored eyes.
Dara sighed heavily as she looked at the poor men stuck outside in ankle deep snow. One had shaggy blond hair that she had only seen when he would take off his fur lined cap to knock off the snow. His eyes were kind and deep blue in color. He would readily give her a smile every morning when she came to work and every evening when she left. It was cruel how long they were forced to stand there. They were rewarded with the occasional break to rest or eat. The other man was shorter and more rotund with red hair and brown eyes. Although she would never admit it, she enjoyed watching him freak out when dogs from the village would approach him. Apparently, he had a phobia of dogs because it was much more than a slight bit of apprehension.
Dara ran behind the counter to pour two cups of steaming hot coffee and grabbed two big chocolate chip cookies. She wrapped the cookies in waxed paper and a napkin and put the lids on the cups. They deserved a treat and there was no one in the bakery at this moment so it was a good time to take them something. She trotted across the road with a cookie and a cup in each hand.
"Hi!" she cheerily called to the two men who smiled brilliantly at her. "I brought you something."
"Thank you. Oooh, hot coffee," the blond murmured with obvious delight. He pulled off the lid of the cup and inhaled the wonderful scent while letting the steam warm his nose. He smiled at her over the cup before taking a sip.
"Thanks! A cookie!" the red head exclaimed happily, eating it in two bites.
"Would you like another one? I can run get it," Dara offered, pointing back toward her shop.
"Is that your bakery?" the cute blond asked, handing the man his cookie.
"Yes it is. I've watched you guys out here every day, and I couldn't stand it anymore. I hope I don't get you into trouble," she said since they were soldiers and they were on duty.
"The Colonel doesn't mind. Sometimes I think he forgets we're out here," the other man said, crumbs flying from his mouth while he talked.
"Quit being a pig, Breda," his comrade chided him, his blue eyes opening wide. "Oh, I'm Jean Havoc. This little piggy is Heymans Breda."
"I'm Dara Achava. Nice to meet you guys," she said, shaking their hands that were covered with leather gloves.
"It's very nice to meet you, little lady," Heymans returned, nodding his head with a big smile on his face.
"I'm very pleased to make you acquaintance," Jean rejoined, holding her gaze briefly.
"What do we have here?" a deep monotone voice inquired from the doorway.
Dara looked at the handsome dark haired man with black almond shaped eyes: Colonel Roy Mustang himself. She forced a smile that turned into an expression that looked as if she wanted to bite him which she in fact did. When he approached her, she took several steps back. She stopped when he confidently grabbed her arm to halt her retreat. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jean lurch forward then stop himself before he committed an act of insubordination that would get him court marshaled.
"Did you bring me anything hot and sweet?" the Colonel asked, reaching out to run his fingers through her curly mocha colored hair. Her eyes were the same shade of brown as her hair and were now locked in a silent battle of wills with the lascivious Colonel who was shamelessly pawing her.
"Oh, Colonel," she giggled flirtatiously, lowering her eyes then raising them in a coquettish manner. She jerked out of his grip, frowning hatefully at him. "I hear you get something hot and sweet from a different woman every night. Ask one of them."
Dara flipped her nose in the air and flounced back across the street.
The two men speedily snapped to attention, saluting Mustang when he turned to reenter the building. They broke down in loud guffaws when they heard the door slam behind him.
"I like her," Breda laughed.
"I really like her," Jean said, gazing across the street. He waved when he saw her pretty face in the bakery window. His heart skipped a beat when she waved back.
"Ask her out then," his friend encouraged him.
"I think I will," he said, whistling cheerily. He could barely wait until five o' clock when she would leave to go home.
Dara was tired. She had a big rush of school kids when the school day had ended. The good thing was they had cleared out her baked goods so she did not have much clean-up to do. Bad thing was she had to arrive extra early the next day to make double batches of everything. She sighed heavily with weariness while she was locking the door.
"Dara! Dara!" Jean yelled for her.
Dara turned to see him motioning her to come across the street. Oh, he was so cute and sweet but she was really not in the mood to talk. Her bunny slippers and flannel nightgown beckoned her and a cup of hot chamomile tea would be delightful. Taking a deep breath, she walked over.
"Hi!" he greeted her merrily.
"Hi, Jean! Heymans," she said, acknowledging the other man.
"You look tired so I won't keep you long. I just needed to ask a quick question. Would you like to go out with me Friday night?" he inquired, smiling at her expectantly.
Dara smiled warily, lowering her eyes to the ground. Yes, she would love to go with him. Their choices for 'going out' were extremely limited in the small village with only one restaurant and a bar being their only options. She really did not care for either. It would not be proper for a young, single woman with no family to invite a man into her house so what could she do? Then she thought of something.
"Come to the bakery when you get off work Friday evening. I'll cook for you," she suggested, exceedingly proud of herself. It had probably been years since he had a good home cooked meal.
"That would be great. I look forward to it. I'll see you in the morning," he said, tipping his hat to her.
"Bye!" she exclaimed, swiftly walking away. She was smiling so hard it hurt her face. Her steps felt light as if she were barely touching the ground on her walk home. She laughed at herself for being so silly. It was difficult to get to sleep that night. Her dreams were dominated with thoughts of the handsome blond soldier who would be coming to dinner Friday night.
When the breakfast pastries came out of the oven, Dara wrapped up two and fixed two cups of coffee to once again make a delivery across the street. They both smiled and called to her when they saw her coming.
"I can't stay long because I've got cookies in the oven. I just wanted to bring these while they were hot," she told them while she handed them the food and beverages.
"Thank you," they said in harmony.
"I'll be back at lunch," she called back to them when she was halfway back across the street. Her mama always told her that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. She was going to test that theory.
At lunch Dara prepared three bowls of her homemade chicken noodle soup and grabbed a whole baguette to take to them. This time she carried food for Mustang. Might as well kiss up to the boss to make life easier for the man who could possibly become her boyfriend. After packing three sugar cookies, she headed over. She feared she would wear a rut in the dirt street at this rate.
"I come bearing gifts for the boss this time," she announced upon her arrival.
"Wonderful. He'll like that," Jean said, taking her by the arm to lead her into the building.
Dara chattered ecstatically as she laid the food out on the long wooden table for them. When Mustang walked in, she saluted him which brought a grin to his face.
"Sir, this time I did bring you something hot and sweet," she said, pointing to the food on the table.
"You are a nice girl," he complimented, patting her on the behind.
Dara emitted a sound of disgust, slapping him across the back of the head.
"Ow!" he yelled, rubbing his sore skull. "Oh, a spirited one. Havoc, this one might be a keeper."
"I think so too, sir," Jean mumbled, blushing deeply.
"Good day, gentlemen. Enjoy your lunch," she said, bowing slightly before running out of the door. She giggled the whole way across the street.
A nice surprise awaited her when she was ready to go home that evening. Dara made her way across the street to bid them good evening.
"Can I walk you home?" Jean asked her, smiling at the obvious surprise on her face.
"S-sure," she stuttered with astonishment and trepidation.
"You really impressed the Colonel. I can't believe he allowed me to leave early to walk you home," he informed her excitedly while they walked.
"It was his idea?" she inquired, truly astounded.
"Yeah! I couldn't believe it either," he replied, moving closer to her. As they walked their arms bumped infrequently.
They talked as they walked to get to know each other. Jean told her about his mother and father who lived in the East and owned a little general store that had been in the family for years on end. He told her about how his career started in the military. When he talked about his Colonel, he spoke with the utmost respect and admiration. Dara shared that her father was killed in the war two years ago and her mother had died from sickness a year ago. It was her belief that her mother died of a broken heart because she had loved her husband so much. She was left alone to run the bakery. She did not see it as a burden and was thankful because it gave her a source of income. Since she had been working there literally all her life she already knew how to make everything and she had no problem running it on her own. Stopping outside of a very small but neat house surrounded by a picket fence, she indicated this was her home.
"I would invite you in, but you know…" She dropped her eyes and her words because she was embarrassed.
"I understand. Tomorrow night then? At the bakery right?" he inquired, taking her hand between his.
"I'm looking forward to it," she confirmed, smiling when he squeezed her hand then let her go. "Good night, Mr. Havoc."
"Good night, Miss Achava."