So this is the next chapter of Holiday Season; some more random Christmas spirit from the two alchemists. RoyxEd. Enjoy…
--+--
Cookies and A Hat
--+--
"GaaAAAaar!" screamed Winry upon walking back into the kitchen to find Edward with the phone in his hand instead of the cookie sheet he was supposed to be buttering. "What are you doing?" she demanded, raising her wrench.
Edward flinched down and grabbed the cookie tray, holding it above his head in protection.
"It was nothing! Mustang called!" he yelled from beneath his shield.
Winry's expression wavered.
"Oh, the Colonel?" she asked, a bit nervously, "What did he want?"
"He's coming over."
"C-coming over?" she said, eyebrows furrowing. She knew about Edward and the Colonel, but still... Well, it wasEd's house. She'd have to deal with it for now, but... Stop that! She shouted at herself. She plastered a smile on her face. "Oh, ok!" she said cheerily.
"Yeah, says he wants to help me finish the stupid baking."
"Stupid baking…?" asked Winry, a menacing glint in her eye.
"Oh, I mean, the Wonderful and Productive Way of Celebrating the Holiday Season," he mimicked Winry in a falsely cheery tone, and then scowled.
"That's right," she said, smiling eerily. Edward muttered as he went back to mixing the cookie dough with the wooden spoon, remembering exactly how he had come to be in this mess.
/Flashback\\
'Ding Dong!'
The two musical notes reverberated through the small apartment, snapping Edward, who had been sprawled nonchalant on the couch, to attention. He walked groggily to the door and pulled it open.
"Surprise!" shouted Winry happily in Edward's face. Edward nearly fell over. Winry laughed as Edward slowly recovered from his shock, and his expression changed from dazed to angry. She laughed harder.
"Why you little—What do you want?" he demanded, fuming at the positively glowing look on Winry's face.
"I thought I'd come over to say hi and help you decorate!" said Winry, completely unfazed by Edward's hostility.
"Decorate? Decorate what?" asked Edward confused.
"Your house of course," said Winry, bending down to pick up a box from behind her and push her way past Edward inside. "We can't have it looking like this come Christmas!" she glanced around distastefully at the dull, messy apartment.
Edward stood in the doorway, dumbstruck.
"Uhh, why not?"
"Because its awful. Now close the door, you're letting in the cold," she ordered, eyeing the room. "Look at all this junk, do you ever clean? Well we'll have to deal with this. Get out the vacuum. Do you have a vacuum? What about a broom? You need one. Oh never mind, start picking up!" she said, quick fire, hardly letting Edward get out a spluttered reply.
He stood still, looking incredulously at Winry, who had begun to pick up clothing and put books back on the shelves.
"What are you doing? Work!" she shot at him.
"What? You're not actually serious are you? I mean—No! I'm not gonna clean…" he said darkly.
She stood up, eyes flashing. From somewhere she withdrew The Wrench.
"I didn't come all the way out here in this freezing weather to hear you complain," She brandished the wrench threateningly, "Now WORK!" she screamed.
Edward flinched and immediately obeyed, wondering if Winry'd finally lost it.
"There," said Winry approvingly, anger gone, smiling happily.
So Edward found himself spending his 'relaxing' morning cleaning, vacuuming, wiping, and scrubbing his small apartment until it gleamed… Literally. ("Winry, you're not going to get me to vacuum the ceiling. Your not even supposed to do that!" –Ed "Oh yeah? -glare-" -Winry)
Then had come the decorating. Winry opened the box she had brung, revealing Christmas colored fabrics, garlands of holly, tinsel, mistletoe, and little elf figurines. Following that had been yelling, screaming, and eventually Edward going around the house tacking up holly and mistletoe everywhere Winry fancied. He somehow found himself setting up the little elf figurines on the coffee table, and arranging a vase with a sprig of holly in it for the kitchen.
Winry, with the help of her wrench, turned Edward's small apartment into a room directly off of Santa's Workshop. Needless to say, Edward was not happy. So when Winry had pulled out a Christmassy apron out of her Magic Box, and held it out to Ed, he fumed.
"No… No no no no and NO! There's no way, after all this, that your going to get me put that stupid little frilly apron on and BAKE!" he spat, grabbing to fists full of his hair and gritting his teeth in exasperation.
Winry no longer threatened, she acted. She swung her wrench, smiling at the painful little 'thud' that came with it.
"Was that arguing Edward?" she asked sweetly.
He grumbled, rubbing his head. "No," he muttered.
"Good!" she said happily, thrusting the apron at Edward. "Then just follow the instructions here," she pointed to a page of a cookbook, "and you'll be fine. I'm going to be in the other room for a while. I'm making you a surprise!"
Edward felt like he'd had plenty enough surprises for a while, but said nothing. At least cooking wasn't as bad as the other stuff. He could deal with cooking. It was as close to alchemy as any ordinary skill could get, he thought. Its that same basic principle, you just use an oven. He tied the apron around his waist, and got to work.
\\ End Flashback/
'Ding Dong!'
Edward jumped at the noise, dropping the cookie sheet he was holding and ducking down to hide behind the counter. He took in a ragged breath, and then stood up slowly. Its not Winry again, don't worry, he said to himself, she can't come twice. He stood there wondering for a moment about whom it could be, imagining all kinds of other terror to ruin his day. What if its Armstrong come to wish me a happy holidays again! He thought, remembering the three other times in which he'd hid behind the couch, ignoring the loud pounding on the door and shouts of,
"I just wanted to come by and give you my heartiest holiday greeting young Edward. The recipe of the cookies I brought for you has been past down in the Armstrong family for generations!"
But no, it couldn't be the Major. He'd left town just yesterday (phew!). Then who could it b--? Oh yeah! Edward slapped his forehead and walked to the door as the doorbell rang a second time, and Winry called out,
"Its not polite and Christmas-like to leave your guest's waiting outside in the cold, now get the door!"
He swung open his front door for the second time this morning, this time to reveal Colonel Roy Mustang.
--+--
The Colonel's hands were shoved down deep into the pockets of his over-coat, a scarf hanging limply around his neck. He smirked at Edward as he stood in the doorway.
"Nice outfit,"
It was then that Edward remembered that he was still in his pajamas and a Christmassy apron, oven mitts on his hands. He scowled.
"Shut up," he muttered, standing aside and letting Roy step into the apartment.
Roy looked around and whistled.
"Winry sure has done a number on this place, eh Edward?" He asked, looking around at his chibi lover, who was standing awkwardly to the side. He scowled, though was slightly happy that Roy liked it now that it was clean. He'd never admit it, but it WAS nicer.
"Whatever, the cooking is in here," he said, walking back into the kitchen. Roy took off his coat and scarf, then followed.
"Uhh, what's that supposed to be?" asked Roy, pointing towards the half-completed bowl of cookie dough.
"The cookies, stupid," said Edward, grabbing the milk out of the fridge.
"That's a cookie?" asked Roy, skeptically.
Edward blinked, wondering if the Almighty Flame was serious. The look on Roy's face told him that he was. Edward proceeded to put his face in his hands, sighing.
"They're not finished yet… Jeez… Haven't you ever made cookies before?"
Roy shook his head, still narrowing his eyebrows at the bowl of soupy dough.
"Have you ever cooked ANYTHING before?"
Roy shrugged. "Ramen… sometimes,"
Edward groaned.
"Look, just put in the milk," said Edward, handing Roy a half-cup measuring cup and the jug of milk. "I'm gonna get the flour,"
Edward threw open various cabinets in an attempt to locate the bag of flour. Behind him, Roy eyed the measuring cup he was given and then tossed it aside. Ahh, there it is, thought EdwardBut his satisfaction didn't last long. The bag was on the top shelf. Edward scowled, cursing himself for putting the flour in such an insanely high place. (In fact it wasn't that high, he's just shor-- -gets slapped by Edward-).
He stood on tiptoe, turning his head and reaching out his fingertips as far as they would go towards the large white bag. His outstretched hand, however, was still a long ways from its desired destination. He scowled; he'd have to get a stool. He pulled out the little three-legged stool from under the sink and set it under the cabinet, stepping up onto it. He was just about to reach again when—
"Noooooo!" he shouted, jumping off of the stool and crossing the distance to the counter in one leap. He snatched the bottle of milk from Roy, who had been tipping the entire carton into the bowl with one hand, gazing around blandly.
"What are you doing!"
"I was pouring in the milk, Edward, just like you told me too," said Roy, looking surprised.
"I meant to pour in the CUP!" shouted Edward, furious. He was going to get in so much trouble when Winry saw what had happened.
"You did? Oh… Well how was I supposed to know how much a cup was?" asked Roy, blinking innocently at Edward.
"I gave you a measuring cup," said Edward, through gritted teeth.
"OH, that thing?" asked Roy, gesturing carelessly to the abandoned measuring cup.
"Yeah… That."
"Hmm… I knew something wasn't right!" said Roy, looking as though he were quite proud of himself for having realized this.
Edward slapped his forehead.
"Now we'll have to make it an extra big batch to make up for all the milk you added. Good going, bastard," he said, starting to measure out more ingredients.
Roy thought for a moment. "Well, at least you'll have more cookies now," he said, smiling. He relished in the furious scowl that greeted him. He loved torturing Edward.
"Now look," said Edward harshly, pointing at several measuring cups filled with different ingredients, "just pour all those into the bowl, and stir it up. JUST those, okay? I'm going to get the flour… again."
Roy did as he was told, beginning to stir the dough.
He watched, bemused, as Edward returned to the cabinet, and stepping up onto the stool, reached for the bag of flour again. He struggled to hold back a smile as Edward groaned and stamped his foot, his hand still about 3 inches from the bag. Cute, he thought, continuing to stir.
Edward stretched up a third time, in hopes that maybe the stool had gotten taller. He stood on tiptoes, tottering precariously. He was about to relinquish and get an even TALLER stepladder when he felt Roy behind him. Mustang reached up over the young alchemist (who was still shorter than him even on the stool), and retrieved the bag of flour. He wrapped his empty arm around Edwards's middle, handing him the bag of flour and resting his head on the boy's shoulder.
"This what you're looking for, shrimp?" he said playfully in Edward's ear.
Edward scowled, trying to hide his blush.
"Shut up," he muttered, forcing Roy's arm off his stomach and stepping off the stool. He moved to go back to the counter, but Roy caught him by the waist and pulled him in. The bag of flour squished uncomfortably between him and the Colonel.
"Geroff me," said Edward through Roy's shoulder.
"What's the matter Edward?" asked Roy, laughing. He leaned down and brushed his lips against Edward's, relishing in the shiver he felt go down the boy's back. After three months together, Edward was still a bit hesitant. But Roy didn't mind.
Edward moved again, but this time not to leave Roy's embrace. He reached over and set the constricting bag of flour on the counter. He swung his automail arm around Roy's neck and leaned in for more. Roy smirked as their lips met again. They both pulled roughly apart when they heard a,
"I don't hear any cooking in there! Save it for later guys!" from Winry.
Edward stared hatefully towards the bedroom door where Winry was working for a moment, before reluctantly turning back towards the counter. Roy smirked and made a mental note to get Winry back for that one--... He cursed himself for even thinking he needed to "get" her anymore than he already had. He sighed and watched the back of Edwards golden head as he bent again over the bowl of so-called "cookie dough".
--+--
"Edward, what are you doing?" asked Roy, looking over Edward's shoulder. He had cut a little gingerbread-shaped man out of the sugar cookie dough and was decorating it in black, blue and gold.
"Making you," said Edward, pointing to the design, which strikingly resembled Roy's military uniform, with black hair.
Roy just laughed and turned his back. A moment later he to turned to face Edward again with another gingerbread man. Roy began adorning it with yellow, black, and red sprinkles. Edward smirked and lay his "Roy" on the cookie tray. Roy laid his "Edward" next to it. Roy stood back and stared for a moment, then he "tsked" and reached toward the "Edward". Roy took the knife and cut off about two inches of the legs, adjusting the height to match correctly to the "Roy". He then smiled and stood back approvingly. Edward stared deathly over at him.
"What'd you do that for!" demanded Edward, seething, almost knocking over two containers of sprinkles.
"I was just making it more realistic, Edward," replied Roy calmly.
"Why you little—"
"I'm not the 'little' one—"
"ARGH—"
"I'm done!" interrupted Winry happily, popping up in front of the two. She was clutching something in her hand, which she was waving wildly in their faces. It was a fuzzy green elf hat, complete with the golden bobble at the end.
"It should be the right size, and if its not I can always make adjustments," she said, holding it out to Edward.
"Huh?" asked Edward, dread building in the pit of his stomach.
"I said that I can change it if it doesn't fit, now try it on!"
"What? Oh HELL no. Winry, that's going too far, there's NO way your gonna get me to wear that thing," he shuddered.
"Of course you are," said Winry, smiling widely, "now put it ON!" she ordered.
Roy chuckled.
"You heard her, Ed," he said.
Edward shook his head furiously, glancing menacingly at Roy for his remark.
Winry withdrew the wrench.
Edward snatched the hat from her and pulled it down over his head.
Roy smirked.
"Oh!" gasped Winry, "its adorable! Look in the mirror!" she considered for a moment, "I know, you can wear it when you and Roy go to get the Christmas tree!" she said brightly.
"Christmas tree?" asked Roy and Edward in unison.
--+--
Heh, yeah, ok, longer chapter this time to make up for the incredibly short one last time xD. Umm. Yeah, just more holiday stuff. I know this was really long, but I didn't want to split it up because I knew a lot of you were looking forward seeing Roy make cookies. It wasn't meant to be like that, just to encourage, sorry about that xD. Anyways, thanks for reviewing last time! Sorry if it seemed like I "guilted" you into it xD Anyways, thanks ) Next chapter up soon! .
--+--
Tenshi-Battosai- Thanks. Yeah, I know, it was short. Well, this one was longer.
BlackMercifulFaerie- Yeah, I know, I forget stuff like that a lot. I hope this chapter proved to be better about that. I'll keep that in mind. )
The Kitty-kitty- Heh, yeah, I know. They'll get longer, I promise.
Edfan!- Heh, glad you liked it. I know this chapter was slow, so the next will be super soon.
Prozacfairy- Heh, thanks.
Dorayaki- Heh, here's me updating. But, though it doesn't seem like a very Edward-ish thing to do, his cookies probably wouldn't be all that bad. Keep in mind that Alchemy was born in the kitchen. Cooking is probably the most like alchemy an ordinary skill can get.
Foolish Mortal- Umm, that's what –points to chapter-
KryingGuy- Umm, ok, here's the update, hope you liked it .
Anmbcuconnfan- New chapter . And some RoyxEd goodies, though I'm still not very good. More will be coming, don't worry ; )
--+--
-Aemi