A/N Ohh I'm so excited to be posting this! First AU of the collection! To be honest it was kind of hard to write it, yet freeing at the same time. I didn't have to stick to canon yet I felt I needed to provide more backstory - more information about the universe wasn't mentioned (like Ed's automail, Al etc) because I wanted to keep it relevant and short-ish (if I start rambling about the universe it'd end up at least 5,000 words or something which is too long for this collection). I guess keeping the length right while trying to give info about the universe was the most challenging part.

Then, however, I thought that this is just a small snapshot - Roy and Ed's first meeting. I didn't have to ramble about insignificant details cause no-one reveals everything about themselves on the first meeting.

That being said, I'm kind of happy with how it turned out and I hope you enjoy it too! I actually really like coffee shop AUs and I've got more in my head. Might write them...


Title: A First Meeting

Rating: T

Warning: language

Note: AU!

I wasn't sure how to add in Ed's automail while remaining relevant, so I guess I've left that to your imagination. If you want to think that Ed has fake limbs, you can. This is an AU after all, and this little oneshot is just a snapshot. It's not going to include a whole load of back-story...That would be kind boring in my opinion. So yeah ;p

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The steaming coffee was exactly what she needed right now. The hot beverage slid down her throat smoothly, warming her insides. It made her sigh in contentment.

Outside the wind howled, the beginnings of hail hitting the windows of the local coffee shop. The sound was comforting.

She gazed outside, studying the way people hurried towards their destinations, their bodies heavily covered in coats and scarves.

Edeline leaned back, settling in. There weren't many people here at this time of day – everyone was usually at work.

She was lucky in a way, she supposed; her job as an alchemy writer allowed her to have a more flexible schedule. Ed liked having control of her job. She got to choose what to write, how to write it, when to write it and, more importantly, where to write it. This little corner in Bell's coffee shop was the perfect place, one not many people had the opportunity to choose as their work place.

Now she was having a much deserved break. She'd woken up early today, her mind full of alchemy theories and ideas she was dying to put on paper. She'd driven here, where she ordered a sandwich for breakfast.

And then she got started on her newest project; human transmutation. It was a taboo subject, one not many people had the guts to write about. But she could write about anything. Attempting human transmutation was illegal but, when someone did attempt it, they usually ended up dead or severely disfigured. The reason no-one had ever been successful was one she'd been all too pleased to research.

She'd been writing nonstop for hours – at least three. But now she was finally pleased with the first draft and allowed herself a coffee break.

A glance at the clock told her it was almost eleven thirty. She'd relax for ten minutes and then get on with editing.

The schedule she'd decided on said she had to finish the article today. Nothing too bad would happen if it ran a bit late, but she was so obsessed with researching alchemy and jotting down all her theories that rarely was anything late.

The bell dinged from above the shop's front door, making everyone around look up. The couple in the other corner, the only other customers at the moment, quickly returned to their quiet conversation.

A man entered, dressed in a blue military uniform. His posture was impeccable, his shoulders broad and frame tall. He held an air of confidence as he walked towards the cashier to order.

Edeline paid close attention, like she always did, taking in his unruly black hair and dark eyes.

Black coffee. A brownie.

Instead of sitting at a table to wait for his order, he stood next to the cash desk, looking around the shop. He seemed to be admiring the warm atmosphere of the place – the brown and crimson walls, the black leather couches – when his eyes landed on her.

The feeling of being caught staring was something she was familiar with, yet as soon as his obsidian eyes connected with her prying ones, she felt the blood rush to her face.

Hastily, she averted her gaze, letting her blonde hair hide her face and observing him instead from the corner of her eye. She wrapped her hands around her hot cup of coffee and pretended to be reading something from her notes.

Movement caught her eye. The military man turned once his order was ready. Ed felt it safe to look again, and her eyes were inadvertently drawn to his moving hand.

She paused, her mouth opening in surprise and interest.

Both his hands were covered with white gloves, but his right had a symbol on it...A very interesting symbol she'd only ever read about in books.

A fire alchemy circle.

"Fucking yes," she mumbled to herself.

Before reacting she assessed it, making sure it was related to fire alchemy, but she'd already been sold. The oxygen manipulation circle was there, the triangles aiding in the control of the fire's direction right in the middle.

She'd published an article about this before. It entailed her theories on how it worked, her speculations about people who could use it – her doubts about anyone being able to use it at all.

And now she'd hit the jackpot.

She'd been so focused on her thoughts that she didn't even close her mouth when he turned around again, let alone avert her gaze. Their eyes locked again, and she could've sworn he flashed her a small smile.

She had to talk to him.

The man grabbed his stuff and started walking towards her, which had surprisingly made her incredibly anxious. She never felt anxious when asking people about their alchemic speciality, even if those people were assholes or a bit too informal. She'd only focused on the information they were giving her, the knowledge.

The military man came to stand tall by her table, a polite smile on his face. He seemed to be quite confused. It was understandable; she'd been flat-out gawking at him!

"Do I know you from somewhere, Miss?"

Sure her face resembled a tomato, she fumbled to explain herself, before he got the wrong idea.

"I'm a writer," she blurted out. As his brow furrowed in perplexity, she winced. "I-I write alchemy articles and, um, publish them."

She was so embarrassed, nothing was coming out right. "I was just interested in your glove."

The man glanced at his hand in reflex, and then at the couch opposite her, and she grabbed the opportunity.

"You can sit!"

Maybe she startled him with the awkward zeal in her voice, but he sat down nevertheless.

She pushed her notebooks aside to allow space for his coffee.

A few seconds passed in utter silence, and Ed was wondering why the fuck wasn't she drilling him for information about the circle on his glove.

"So," the man started, extending his hand. "I'm Roy Mustang. Lieutenant Colonel or, more commonly used, Flame Alchemist."

After the list of titles Ed wanted to roll her eyes at – some men had such huge egos – she reciprocated the handshake. "Edeline Elric. I'm an alchemist."

"I thought you said you were a writer?"

She flushed. "I'm an alchemist focusing on writing theories and exploring possibilities. Some of my work has been published in the morning newspaper."

Roy seemed to think for a moment, before he actually looked like he recognised her, and it sent a thrill of excitement through her veins that made her crave for a pen to write a million articles. If he'd read something she'd written...Why the hell was she so happy?

He smiled, flashing straight, white teeth. "Are you the one who wrote that fire alchemy article a few months ago?"

Knowing she was the only one invested enough to write about something like that, she knew exactly which one he meant.

Her heart pounded in anticipation to his judgement. "Yes, I am."

He chuckled. "While I admire your dedication and obvious research, most of it was wrong."

Her heart stopped. "What?" Unexpected shame washed over her and she rushed to explain herself. "Most of what I wrote I'd researched! I read books explaining fire alchemy, a fucking tonne of them! I–" She hadn't even realised she swore, but he didn't seem to be offended.

"Let me rephrase." He smirked. "I was referring to your speculations. Most of the theories were wrong."

"Oh." She deflated, leaning back on the couch. For a moment nothing came to mind. Her thoughts were preoccupied with alchemy and this man, who had just waltzed in here and told her, deadpan, that one of her favourite articles of hers was a load of bull.

Yet she was intrigued. And aggravated with herself.

Roy smiled sympathetically. "Sorry," he said. "You probably weren't expecting it to be, were you?"

She shook her head, hiding her bubbling irritation. "It's fine," she half-snapped.

Why the hell was she annoyed? While usually a very temperamental person, she'd taught herself to keep it under control when it meant getting information about alchemy. She'd been doing fine all this time, yet now this guy was seriously getting on her nerves.

And he actually seemed to be enjoying it.

"So, are you going to tell me what was so 'wrong' about my theories?"

He smirked, his eyes amused. She was faking indifference, and he seemed to be on to her.

He leaned back on the couch. "Well. First off, you wrote about how no-one has been able to master the art of fire manipulation because of how hazardous it is. As you are staring at a fire master right now, I assume you've realised your first mistake."

Now she was actually pissed. This guy was so fucking cocky, his ego was grating on her nerves.

How come she'd never seen him around before? He was clearly a rare talent – and a very annoying one – and he damn well knew it.

She took a sip of her coffee to calm herself. Equally cockily, she said, "What is a military officer doing here anyway?"

Roy blinked at the change of topic, before smirking again. "Do you come here often?"

Answering a question with a question. This man was infuriating – he was pushing all the right buttons. It was like he had a manual with everything that pissed her off. And he was making sure he ticked off all the boxes.

"I do, actually, " she drawled, her face challenging. "I come here almost every day."

"Then I'm sure you're aware that military Headquarters is just around the corner."

Ed paused.

She'd never noticed that...

The blood rushed to her face once more. She had no idea why this bastard had such an effect on her. "O-Of course I'm aware of that."

Roy was smirking, his eyes twinkling in utter amusement.

What colour were his eyes anyway? Black?

She averted her gaze, her cheeks on fire.

Roy decided to have mercy on her. He leaned back, gulping down his coffee. "I'm on my break. Thought I'd better grab some quality coffee for once. Military coffee's shit."

"Right..." She trailed off, glancing at him through her lashes. A lot more than ten minutes had passed since she started her break. Her gaze strayed to her notebooks. She should really get back to editing. But...

Her eyes went back to Roy, who was quietly eating his brownie with an actual knife and fork. She couldn't contain an incredulous smile; he was so proper. It actually kind of reminded her of her brother, Alphonse...

She should probably get as much information about fire alchemy as she could. She would then write another article – this one accurate...

With a sudden feeling of determination, she said, "When are you available for interview? I'd like to know more about fire alchemy."

Roy looked surprised, though it seemed a bit fake, teasing...

"Is that not what we're doing now?"

The twinkle in his eye was back, and it made Ed realise...

Shit – what were they doing now? She supposed she could ask questions now, but for some insane reason she enjoyed his company, and other kinds of questions were coming to mind. Much more personal...

Her face was on fire again.

Roy finished his brownie and looked at his pocket watch.

He stood, and Ed's heart dropped, but she'd never admit it.

"My break's almost over. I should get going."

She scrambled up as well. "W-What about the interview? I–"

"Here's my number." He held a small card towards her. She stared at it, pathetically dumbfounded.

Roy went on. "Call me whenever. I'm sure I can find some time for you and your questions."

His voice held that tone that set her face flaming again. When she took the card and looked up, he winked at her.

W-What the fuck?

"A-All right." Flirty bastard.

He put on his black trench coat. She only just realised he'd draped it over the couch.

"I hope I stumble across you again. It was fun talking to you."

Despite the cold outside, she felt peculiarly warm. "I guess it was fun."

Roy stared at her in amusement once again, his lips pulled up in a teasing smirk. "If I ever feel stared at again, I'll know you're near."

Did he just...?

"F-Fuck you, bastard!" Her face was literally so red she was sure it could melt ice. Attractive as he was, he had some nerve! She stared at everyone – it wasn't like he was an exception!

Roy – the bastard – actually laughed. "See you, Edeline." He waved and began walking away.

She averted her gaze in embarrassment and annoyance. "See you."

When she looked up again, he was out the door.

With a relieved sigh, she plopped back in her place, gathering her notebooks. She set the card he'd given her aside.

How the hell was she going to concentrate now?

It was hard to process he had given her his number. Yes, it was for the interview, but, for some reason, she felt that had only been an excuse...

And for some reason she didn't particularly mind.


A/N By the way! Is everyone who celebrates it excited for Christmas!? I sure hell am! I just can't wait for Christmas day and the presents and the food...Heaven.

Until next time peopleee!