Another EdwardXRoy fanfiction.
This is more of a Slice Of Life story. It will not be in the world of alchemy that we all know and love. It will be in our modern world BUT I will still use the name of the regions from the manga (and anime). No alchemy and Edward will be a bit OC since he is older and more mature. Plus, he had a tough life without alchemy so hes not really the same anymore. I imagine him as the Edward that grew up in our world and not the anime universe. (oh and Maes Hughes is still alive cause there's no HOMONCULI!)
So if you wanted more action, I'm sorry, this is a love story hue hue~
POV = Point of view. Basically means that we see through the eyes of the character and can see what they are thinking.
Edward POV.
No but seriously. What is love? Other than that stupid overpopular song... Is it just one person being obsessed with another one? They say that they care for each other but really? All they think is about the other, what are they doing at that very moment, what are they eating and with who they are? Really seems to me like its obsession or even a disease. Disgusting even. I know love is a release of dopamine in the brain but hey, you can get dopamine even from a cheap chocolate bar. I just don't understand how a chemical reaction like that can make you fall to your knees for someone. Some people even say they get butterflies in their stomachs; so, is it not just a reaction from the brain? I don't get why that word is just everywhere, even in songs, in commercials and on cereal boxes. How can people take the word so lightly when they describe it as a powerful feeling?
Don't get me wrong, I do love some people. Like my deceased mother and my little brother. Sure, I do love them. But its more of a family kind of love. I can love friends too. But its not the same as those romantic songs we always hear on the radio or the people who talk about their "significant other". What is so different? When I was little, I did say that I was going to marry Winry but not out of love. It was just a normal thing to say as a kid who didn't know anything of the world. True, one of the first thing our parents teach us when we're little is that you have to fall in love, marry that person and have a big family in a big house. It's the life goal for everyone. But when you get to adulthood, you get to look around you. Some couples just fall out of love and even cheat on their partners. Even if they have kids. Love becomes a routine as the years pass and people are looking for something more exciting. That first feeling they felt with that same person they spent fucking years with. I guess that's what love is too. A feeling you have in the heart. So, is it not just in the head? Is it just not a release of a special chemical?
I'm just so fucking confused but I guess its because I never felt it. At the same time, would I want to feel it? I don't want to be dumb and drool on the shoes of someone else just because of "love". Saying stupid shit like "you're my everything" and "I would die for you". Seriously, who would do that? Love is a stupid thing… Makes people stupid. Even makes some forget they have friends or family they need to take care of. Maybe I'll never fall in love. It would be better that way. I'll keep taking care of Alphonse and bring money for both of us. I want him to finish school and have a real life. I don't have time for someone else and I sure don't want to spend my energy and time to please someone for the sake of "butterflies in my stomach". I can't even spend time on myself!
We hear about love so much in our life that even me, who never was in love could write a stupid and corny love song. Is it a competition? The person who writes the best song or the couple that seems the happiest wins? I don't believe that love can be so white or perfect. Every couple must have downfalls or even disputes, no? Its stupid… Love is stupid… But I never was in love so I don't know. And I kind of don't want to know either.
That was a little of my thoughts while I was walking to get to work. Someone has to bring money to our little family and I sure don't want my little brother to work for it. I want him to have a life that I won't be able to have. I want him to go to school and get a diploma. Be successful which I will never be. Maybe. I'd have to go to school after he finishes his and after he finds a good job. Maybe I'll be able to live freely when he will be able to live on his own. But who am I kidding? You have to work to live. Get money to keep on living. As if love could change any of that.
I get to the back door of the bar where I work and open it after unlocking it. Same changing room as always. Dimly lit and pieces of clothes on the floor and the staff table. Couldn't they be more civilised and pick their stuff up? I go to my own locker and start to put my uniform on.
I look at myself for a bit, make my ponytail once again since it got messed up in the wind outside and rearrange my necktie. This uniform is way too luxurious for the kind of work I do. At least, that's what I think. Long black pants with black leather shoes. White shirt with a black long-sleeved vest. At least I could choose the color of the necktie which is a bright red. There's just too much black. But hey, black is classy and luxurious apparently. I look at myself one last time, faking a smile on my lips. When working with customers, you always have to wear that fake smile to make people see that everything is fine and dandy. Or just to please them because if they're having a bad day, you sure have to show them that you're not. Everything is fucking perfect in my pitiful life, thanks for asking. People seems to buy it. Or maybe I've become a great actor cause no one can see through it.
I start walking in the long corridor. Same wallpaper, same decorations since I've started working. I haven't been working at this bar for a long time but I'm still getting sick of it. It's always the fucking same. Every where I look, nothing changes. I walk to go behind the bar and give a small glance at the customers sitting there, sipping on their glasses of alcohol. Customers never changes either. Always the same regular customers. Why are we dressed so good for them? I'm sure they wouldn't even care if I came to work in my usual clothes.
I tell my co-worker briefly that he can go rest and I take over the bar. That old lady Marnie looks at me the second I come behind the counter and calls me by my name. I hate it. Why must they feel so close to people who are only there to fill their glasses and take their money?
"Edward my boy! Could you bring me another glass of rum and coke?" She asks while handing me her empty one with a big and bright smile.
I give her the best smile that I have, only for the customers, and take her empty glass.
"Sure thing Marnie."
I turn my back to her to put the glass in the sink and start to make another one for her. Orders never changes either. She always takes at least 4 rum and coke before going back home. At least she isn't a problem like other customers that I have. When old Franky takes one too many, he likes to start fights over nothing. I still wonder why we haven't kicked him out or even banned him from the bar. Maybe its because Madame has a thing for him. I mean, he does bring a lot of money on the night that he orders. Oh yeah, pretty much all my customers are old too. Using the adjective "old" must be pretty redundant.
The night passes quite smoothly. Same customers, same orders, same decor, same bottles… My break finally comes by and I go look at my cellphone in the changing room. One text. I open the lock screen and see the text my brother sent me.
"Are you coming home for supper? I made stew."
I smile at the message. A genuine smile for once and I answer him back.
"I'm sorry, I have to work until 2 AM tonight but you can leave it in the fridge, I'll eat it when I get back home."
Just as I send the message, someone knocks on the door. Weird, usually people just come in. I hide my phone in my coat and open the door to see who knocked. I see a large woman with long wavy black hair. I recognise her immediately.
"Good evening Madame Christmas" I sweetly say with a smile.
"Hello Edward" She simply answers "I have a job for you."
I know that look. And I know what she is talking about. You see, Madame Christmas owns the bar where I work. But she also has another company on the side which she hires me when she's short staffed.
She has an escort business.
Usually, only female gets to be escorts but she has one or two guys that works for her and they aren't always available. Being an escort sure gets you a lot of money but working one night a month for a guy isn't enough. Females usually are more popular. So she comes to me instead if the boys are working elsewhere. I know that I am quite good looking, plus I know how to act to not get into trouble in big events. I guess I am a good actor in the end. I did change from when I was younger and started getting irritated over nothing and everything. Plus, I get paid more than working a night as a bartender. I'd say it's maybe equal to working three to five nights as a bartender.
"What is the job this time?" I ask her curiously.
"There's a big event coming up for the soldiers of Central. I already rented out all of my staff for this event but I would need one more."
"You know I would say yes anytime for you Madame" I say sweetly. I want to look good for the owner you know? That's how I got so far in life.
"There's one problem though… If you could hear me out." She said. Even though she doesn't look troubled at all.
"Yes?" I say, a bit hesitant.
"I need a woman for the job and you are my only option."
I can't lie, I got quite confused after that. I look around for a bit, thinking.
"I don't know any women in Centr - "
"I know, I want you to act as a woman" She said as she cut me.
"… Wait… What?" I must've look really confused because I see the littlest of smirk appearing on the corner of her lips.
"I rented all the girls and boys that I have." She continues. "You are my only one free for the night and the man who wants to rent you knows that you are a boy. But he wants you to come in a dress and act as a woman."
"No way." I simply say. "No fucking way I'm doing this job."
"You didn't let me finish… You know, the man who wants to rent you will pay handsomely."
I start to consider her offer.
"How much?" I ask.
She then leans forward to whisper in my ear the amount.
It feels as if my jaw could hit the floor.
"Seriously?! He needs an escort that much? He must be really rich!" I can't help myself to say loudly.
"Yes, he does. Now, would you want the job?"
I hesitate for a bit. I'm a man. What man wears a dress? Yes, trans, I know, but I'm not trans. And never will be. But that's a lot of money! I could buy clothes for Alphonse, food for maybe 2 months and even more! I could pay the rest that I own for Alphonse's school, pay rent and the electricity bill. It really is a lot of money.
I start to crunch the numbers in my head. It would even leave a bit of money for myself. I do have a lot of debts… I have a payment due soon too… And if I pay it, I'm afraid I won't be able to buy groceries for the rest of the month… I can't refuse… I just can't!
"Okay… I'll do it. When is the event?" I reluctantly ask.
"In four days. Do you think you'll be ready?"
"Well I don't have a dress…"
"Don't worry about that. Can you at least walk in heels?"
"If they are heel blocks, yeah…"
"I'll find some. Prepare mentally until then. Remember, you have to act as a woman."
"Yes, I know." As I say, a little pout on my face.
She smirks and then leaves. She sure must be happy to have found someone to rent… Fuck. This isn't going to be an easy job like the other ones. Being a male escort is easy you know? Accompany the girl, bring her drinks and participate in conversations. Being an escort is different from being a prostitute too, you don't have to sleep with the person who rented you. It's even taboo to sleep with a client. But what about girl escort? What do they do? They surely don't bring drinks to their clients. I'm sure they don't lead the conversation either. What if someone wants to touch me? Yes, there are perverts like that anywhere. I'm pretty masculine though, will someone really try to touch me?
I hear my name being called out at the counter. I go back to work but can't get the fact that I will be a woman for a night. How do women act naturally? How do they act when they are in big events? Fuck… Should I have really said yes to Madame Christmas? I really need the money though…
First chapter done.
Tell me what you think by leaving a review, I would be happy to answer you or just take the critique.~