Me own nothing. Me want FMA, but me own nothing. Yet.

Books, Falls and Not-So-First Meetings

Chapter 4: Coffee and Questioning

It took him three renewals to finish it. Three bloody renewals. And as he snapped the cover shut, finished at last, he had frowned.

Edward Elric did not understand Tolstoy. Hmmm, maybe something had been lost in translation.

Not that he would admit it to his favourite librarian. Upon returning said book, he had all but cornered Sciezska at her front desk, refusing to let her by to collect the volumes in the return bin until she agreed to have coffee at a small café down the street. Frustrated and behind in her work, she had agreed. His explanation had been simple enough: Two avid readers meeting over a hot cup of coffee to have a friendly discussion about books and the like.

However, upon later thought, Edward realized that he had left himself completely open to humiliation as he would be forced to admit he hadn't a clue what Leo rambled about. He decided to play more on 'the like' part of the discussion.

"When is your birthday?"

Sciezska froze, her spoon halting from its previous activity of stirring, her wide green eyes darting up to meet golden ones. After a moment of watching him stare at her, his lips curled in that sly smile of his as he awaited her answer, she breaks the connection. She blinks, staring down at the swirling black liquid as she responds shyly.

"April."

"The?"

"Eighteenth."

Edward nods at this, seeming satisfied. He leaned back, left arm draped over the back of his chair. His eyes scan the way Sciezska lifts her cup to her lips, sipping when he continues.

"Where did you grow up?"

She stops, lowering the cup and he waits, still staring unblinkingly. She shifts nervously, all too aware that he is stock still, not breaking the gaze that she feels on her as she looks down again.

"Düsseldorf."

He nods once more. She doesn't look up this time and he tilts his head until he can see her eyes past her chestnut hair. His eyes widen at the slight blush on her cheeks and he reaches to brush her hair back. She jumps and he does in return, both laughing. Finally they calm and Edward sips his coffee. Sciezska pounces on the opportunity.

"So, about books…"

Edward swallows and shakes his head. Sciezska mirrors him and frowns, watching as he holds his hand up to stop her.

"No, I'm not done yet. Any siblings?"

Sciezska sighs and folds her arms across her chest. She had obviously been misled.

"Not one. About Tolstoy…"

Edward returns to his former position, right leg crossed over left, left arm over the back of the chair, though he doesn't reply. He drums the fingers of his right hand on the table, the metal apparent under his gloves, his grin set firmly in place, burning golden eyes firmly holding their connection with hers. At last he speaks.

"No ring on your finger, are you married?"

"No."

Sciezska answers briskly and tilts her head to the side, eyes burning. She had never agreed to a game of 21 Questions. At last she makes the connection between his constant interrogations and his defence to her advances.

"You didn't understand Tolstoy, did you?"

Edward sighs, his head hung in shame. Cornered and poked in the ribs with a sharp stick.

"Not a word."