Chapter Four
Winry felt like she had swallowed a forest's worth of butterflies. What if Ed was still in a grumpy mood about all of this? What if he didn't like her dress? What if she dropped something on her dress? Maybe she shouldn't eat. Maybe she should fake a fever. She jumped, feeling a hand on her back.
"Easy, sweetie," Gracia said, smiling at the girl's nervousness. "It'll all be just fine. You're beautiful. The boy will notice."
"Better put your coats on ladies, even if it is a shame to cover up such beauty," Hughes said, showering them with proud looks. "I see the car arriving and I can't wait to show you both off."
Gracia and Winry helped each other into their overcoats gingerly, mindful of hair, jewelry and outfits that didn't dare wrinkle or muss until the grand unveiling. Winry cautiously tucked the delicate flowers pinned to Gracia's dress under her coat. She smiled at the woman. Gracia looked so pretty with her hair decorated with a pearl studded spray of silver. Winry was grateful that Mr. Hughes was such a shutterbug. He already had taken copious pictures of her and Gracia - and she had taken several of the couple - which was a good thing. No one in Rizenbool would believe her if she told them about this party. Not matter what else happened, she knew she was beautiful going into this. That was important, right? What did she have to be nervous about? So why did she feel like her bladder was going to pop even though she had just gone five minutes ago?
All bundled up and ready to go, Winry regretted that Al wouldn't really get to see her dress but she liked that Ed would have to wait and wonder. She could hear Al clanking along up the well-cleaned walk. She was surprised when the brothers came through the door. Did Ed actually look nervous? It had to be her imagination. Edward Elric never seemed to get nervous. His amber eyes widened seeing her and a ghost of a smile flitted across his face. Those eyes roamed over her hair. Riza's hairdresser had done a beautiful job, Winry thought. The sides of her hair had been braided with a string of fake pearls and wrapped around her head like a crown. The rest of her hair had been laborious curled into a mass of ringlets that spilled down her back.
"Your hair looks really nice, Winry," Ed said then turned to Gracia, as if unsure including her would dilute his praise to Winry. "You, too, Mrs. Hughes."
"They look like angels," Hughes said, heading over to an interior door. "Speaking of angels, Elicia, Al's here." After bellowing for his daughter, Hughes handed Al a piece of paper. "All the phone numbers to the hall are on there in case anything happens, Al, and dinner is already made so you just have to finish baking it for her. Gracia wrote out all the instructions."
"Okay, sir," Al replied.
"And we wrote down her bed time for you, too, Al," Gracia put in. "Don't let Daddy's Little Angel tell you its anything else." She raised her eyebrows meaningfully at her husband, who gave her a mock-pout in return.
"I won't, ma'am," Al promised enthusiastically.
"Al!" Elicia squealed, popping out of the living room. "I'm coloring. Come color."
"Okay. Have fun tonight, everyone." Al followed the girl. He turned when he got to the doorway, beckoning. "Winry?"
She went over to him, looking up expectantly. "Yes, Al?"
He leaned over and whispered, "Edward's really nervous."
Winry cast a glance over her shoulder at the alchemist. That made her feel infinitely better. If Ed was actually nervous, it meant he was finally taking this seriously. She smiled up at Al. "Good."
"I've told him to be on his best behavior. Luckily, you know what that means..."Al sighed with a wag of his head. "And you do look beautiful, Winry."
She touched his arm. "Thanks, Al."
"Brother," Al said, sharply. "Don't forget."
Ed's eyes narrowed. "What?"
Al patted his hip and realization dawned in Ed's eyes. "Oh, right." Ed reached into his overcoat and pulled out a small box. "They're for you, Winry...only I don't know where they go now that you have your coat on."
Winry went over and peeked inside. "They're wonderful flowers, Ed."
"You can put them on when you get to the hall, Winry," Gracia suggested.
"Thanks for remembering, Ed," she said though she suspected she should be thanking Al.
They said their goodbyes to Al and Elicia - Gracia having to prod her husband along after the fourth goodnight kiss to his daughter - and they all piled into the waiting car. Winry sat next to Ed, wondering where to put her hands. They wanted to wander everywhere and Ed looked as antsy as she felt. Mrs. Hughes gave her another reassuring smile.
"You'll both have a lovely time," she predicted, patting Winry's shoulder.
"Wait to you see the spread they have. We'll be too stuffed to move for hours," Hughes said with a wide grin. "Some of us might be safer that way."
Ed gave Hughes an evil look. "I'm safer now."
"I heard they tried to teach you to dance." Winry smiled.
Ed's lips fell into a huge pout, seeing everyone teasing him. "I did it for you."
"And I appreciate it...and I've learned Mrs. Hughes and Lieutenant Hawkeye are right," Winry said, patting his hand.
Ed's brow knit. "About what?"
She flashed a happy cat smile at him. "Ohhhh, nothing."
Ed scowled, knowing she was laughing at him but he wasn't sure why.
Hughes laughed. "Once they know they can make you do anything they want, Ed, there's no use in fighting it. Just accept that you're theirs."
Ed opened his mouth then closed it with a snap. His gaze slid over to Winry. "Have you gotten any more merciful since you hit me in the head with the wrench?"
"Guess you'll just have to find out for yourself." Winry smiled sweetly, relaxing back as much as she dared, afraid of wrinkling her dress. Lower lip trembling, Ed looked plaintively at Hughes but he was busy cooing at his wife. Winry's fingers snaked out and captured his real hand. Ed jumped a little, surprised that she had done that. Deciding he liked it, he smiled down at their entwined fingers, then squeezed her hand gently. Winry reached over and touched a soft lock of hair that tumbled down to frame his face. "You did something different with your hair. I'm not sure I ever said it, but I like it long," she said, softly.
"Thanks." He blushed shyly.
She snuggled in a little closer then realized Mr. Hughes was smiling at her and Ed. She grinned back shyly. Winry wondered if Ed knew that he had picked up a sort of surrogate father in the lieutenant colonel. It felt very warm and cozy inside the car, a happy prelude to the ball.
Even though Winry had helped with the preparations, she was awestruck by the hall. The decorators had turned it into a place worthy of a king. Flowers, ribbons and decorations festooned every surface and column. The air was spicy and sweet. She felt like a princess. Colonel Mustang was at the coat check when they arrived. She didn't know the petite blue-eyed blonde with him but she was glad for Lieutenant Hawkeye's sake that he hadn't invited Bryony Draken.
"Hughes, Gracia, nice to see, you," he said graciously then his eyes flicked over to Ed, a wicked smile hiding in the corners of his lips. "Miss Rockbell, it looks like you managed to temper Fullmetal a little."
"Until you wind him up, sir," she replied brightly and he smirked. Winry could feel Ed tensing. If he had one eruption of ill manners at any point this evening, she'd flatten him.
"Roy excels at it," Hughes said jovially, taking his wife's coat.
"Miss Rockbell, I'd like you to meet Miss Kathryn Armstrong." Mustang put a hand on the shapely blonde's back.
"Oh, hi. Are you related to the Major?" Winry asked, unbuttoning her coat. "I'm Winry."
Kathryn smiled. "Alex Louis is my brother. I came in to see him for the holidays and the Colonel was good enough to invite me to the party. My brother said there will be a lot of interesting people here."
"That's nice," Winry said, taking off her coat and handing it to the coat check girl. Hearing a strange noise beside her, Winry looked at Ed. He seemed to be utterly mesmerized by something. It took a moment for her to realize he was captivated by her. His eyes roved over her neck then down over her body but she wasn't sure if he was fixating on velvet and silk or exposed pale flesh. She decided it didn't matter
"I think Edward approves," Roy said to her, a knowing smile on his face.
Ed snapped out of it at that. "Winry, you look so...you're beautiful. I didn't dream..." He shut up as if sensing he might be verging into dangerous ground. He touched her shoulder. "I'm the luckiest guy here."
She smiled broadly. "Thank you."
"Ed," Hughes broke in softly as Ed started to turn over his coat. "Flowers."
"Oh, damn, right, thanks." Ed put his coat on the counter and dug out the corsage of his pocket.
Winry caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Ed had done a wonderful job in picking it out, tiny blue roses and silvery-white fragrant blossoms with a deep blue ribbon. "It's perfect," she breathed.
Ed just sighed, looking so relieved that she liked it. He tried to tie it onto her wrist but his hand was shaking. He glanced up and saw the adults had moved off to give them some privacy. He managed to tie it onto her strong wrist.
Winry lifted her wrist to her nose. "It smells so good."
"So do you," he whispered, drinking in her perfume.
"Thanks." She slipped her hand into his gloved one. "We'd better go with the others."
Ed nodded. "There's Riza and Havoc."
Mustang paused at that announcement. Everyone waited for their friends to catch up with them. Winry couldn't wait to see Riza's dress but she wouldn't have expected the brilliantly red silk halter topped gown that wrapped around the Lieutenant's bared neck and plunged to her navel, corseted with red ribbons. The skirt hugged her knees then flared out to the black braided leather strapped shoes with their incredibly high heels and jeweled sun burst cabochons over her instep. Winry thought Havoc and Mustang's eyes were going to fall out they were so big. She glanced over at Ed then with one finger pushed his slack jaw up.
"Try not to drool on yourself, Edward," she said tartly, tapping his chin.
"Sorry." Ed's cheek's colored. "It's just...that's an amazing dress."
"I can't argue that." Winry glanced down at herself as if to judge herself against Riza.
Ed touched her arm. "I like yours better."
Winry couldn't help the light feeling that overtook her. "Thank you, Ed."
"We're sitting at the Colonel's table," Gracia interrupted them.
"Perfect," Ed mumbled under his breath.
"Be good," Winry hissed, hoping she wouldn't have to take the time to explain why Ed needed to hold his temper.
"I promise," Ed said, his eyes trailing after Riza. Winry noticed that Ed's gaze wasn't the only one glued to Hawkeye's backside. She wasn't sure how Mustang and Havoc were able to see where they were walking. Even Hughes' eyes flicked over for a quick look. So this is what Deiene had meant about boys. Deiene was Nelly's older cousin but the girl didn't mind if Nelly and her friends hung out with her some times. Most of what Winry knew about boys and sex had come from Deiene's exploits. "Don't take this wrong, Winry, but as pretty as Hawkeye's shoes are, I'm glad you didn't decide to wear something like them."
Winry laughed lightly. "I weighed the options and came to two conclusions. I couldn't walk in something like those shoes, and you'd need to stand on a box if I did."
Ed scowled. "Okay, that's not fair, short jokes after I promised to be good."
"Not a joke, just fact. Now if I said, if I had your experience in wearing um...thick soled boots, then I'd be able to wear heels like Riza's, that would be a joke." Winry smirked at him.
"That is really unfair," he moaned but Winry saw he was almost smiling.
"I'm sure I'll make it up to you somewhere along the line." Winry paused in the doorway, realizing Ed had done so as well.
"Wow," he said under his breath, taking in the enormous banquet hall that opened to the dance halls beyond. "Did you help with this?"
Winry shook her head. "This wasn't even done when I was here last. All my contributions are in the ballroom…and there." She pointed to the punch fountain that bubbled happily along one wall, artfully displayed along with flowers, candles and other holiday decorations. The tables all had matching centerpieces.
"Any idea where our table is in all of this?" he asked, softly.
"Follow Colonel Mustang," she suggested, figuring he would know.
They followed Mustang and the Hughes to a table near the front of the room. Winry and Ed didn't need to be told that the big table was for King Bradley and his entourage. They were uncomfortably close to the head table, probably thanks to Mustang. Riza and Havoc were one table over. Ed pulled out Winry's chair for her close to Riza at the next table, and right next to Gracia.
Riza leaned over her chair. "So was he?"
"Speechless for several long moments," Winry assured her and Ed glared at them then his eyes widened and his mouth took on a hungry look.
"Who's that with Major Armstrong?" he asked throatily, nodding at the tall, buxom woman in a dress white as snow. Strapless, the gown was ruched in with a silver brooch between her ample breasts and a waterfall of ruffles spilled down it all the way to her feet. A spray of crystals in a long loose tail caught her white-gold mane.
"That's Lowenna Gaims," Havoc offered, with an appreciative ogle of his own. "She owns the brewery in town."
"She's…." Ed trailed off, giving the impression his tongue was hanging out.
"I know," Havoc said, nodding his head.
"Now that you're actually realizing women exist, Fullmetal, try not to overdose on them," Mustang said with a wide smirk, patting the boy's shoulder.
"Besides, you need a net just to date Winry. If you so much as looked at a cloud-scraper like Miss Gaims, you'd need climbing gear," Havoc added.
Ed's fist clenched, gears whining. "See how good I'm being?" he asked Winry through gritted teeth.
"I'm very proud of you," Winry replied with a smile.
"And she's plotting how best to run to safety when all the suppressed attitude makes the top of your head explode, Fullmetal." Mustang's smirk broadened.
"I'm even going to ignore that," Ed said, his jaw clenching tighter.
"Relax your hand before you pop a rivet," Winry replied, nudging him. "Gracia, do you know when dinner starts?"
"Pretty soon, dear. Maybe once they're busy eating, the men will stop teasing poor Edward." Gracia gave all the men the dim eye including her innocent husband.
"I'm sure we will," Mustang said, running a hand through his dark hair, fluffing it. "Until the music starts."
"And you give me looks when I call him a bastard," Ed said to Winry, with a 'see what I endure?' look on his face.
"It's because he knows you'll take the bait. When he makes you cut your hair and wear the uniform, then come cry to me," Winry said and Ed's eyes widened as if he had never considered that.
"She's a smart girl, Edward. I'd be careful to make sure she doesn't get away from you," Mustang said then saw Bradley entering the room. "Maes." He nodded toward the Fuhrer. He and Hughes migrated over that way while Armstrong and his date joined Ed and the ladies at the table. Armstrong made the introductions for Lowenna and complimented Winry profusely, leaving the girl with a heady blush.
"He's very handsome," Katryn sighed, her eyes on King Bradley.
Lowenna nodded, her eyes sweeping over Bradley's form. "You can't underestimate the power of nice broad shoulders."
"See," Winry whispered to a shocked Ed. "Told you so."
"I noticed." Ed rolled his eyes at Lowenna, still stunned that Major Armstrong had such a lovely woman on his arm.
"And Major, sir, I'm sorry about the other day. Someone needed to be taught a lesson." Winry lightly elbowed Ed.
"A good demonstration is often the best teacher," Armstrong agreed, graciously.
"Does it count at all that I learned my lesson?" Ed moaned, picking at the gold braid on his uniform.
"And he even took dance lessons," Riza offered from her table. "But he isn't a prodigy at everything."
"Maybe if you whipped me less," Ed grumbled but no one looked surprised since tales of Ed's training had grown to epic proportions. Lowenna and Katryn didn't appear to hear what he said.
"Then you'd never learn," she replied, her red lips parting in a wide smile.
Winry listened to Ed banter back and forth with Riza, Havoc and Armstrong while half hearing the low buzz of Gracia, Lowenna and Katryn picking out King Bradley's attractive points and contrasting them to the men they were with. Winry was getting the idea that Katryn had only come to the ball with Mustang so she could spend time with her brother and window shop for other men. She didn't seem to think Mustang was handsome. Winry wasn't sure she agreed.
Her world suddenly narrowed to a wash of inky silk sheathing pert little breasts and a lean form so tightly that Winry wasn't sure how the girl walked. The swell of ruffled cloth at the ankle had to be the only thing freeing Selena to move. Winry didn't recognize the soldier the girl was with. Selena caught her eye and gave her that horrible little superior look of her. Winry tried to give one back. She was not going to let this girl take Ed from her.
Riza had stopped talking and Winry followed her gaze to Bradley's table. Bryony Draken was dressed to ensure every man looked at her in her emerald dress with crystals running along the straps and a bodice key holed for maximum viewing. The skirt was slit high and Winry knew Ed had noticed both women by now. She leaned in and whispered, "You're proving Mr. Mustang right."
His head whipped around so fast their noses clashed. Ed sat back then leaned forward again and put his lips close to her ear. "Sorry." He hovered in close for a moment and Winry thought he'd kiss her but instead Ed reached for a glass of water. "It's reflex."
Winry snorted. "I know all the human reflexes, Edward. That's not one of them, though you couldn't tell it by the way all of you men are acting."
Ed shrugged, his eyes now on a waiter who came and set little plates of crystallized fruit and powered flower petals on every plate. "Is that food?" he whispered to Winry, excitement on his face.
"I think so," she said, watching Mrs. Hughes and Katryn starting in on the artful little arrays. The men folk were heading back to the tables. "Who is that older man with Bryony?"
Ed squinted at the man's ranking. "No idea, some brigadier general. Don't know who's with Selena either but she doesn't look happy to be with him."
"No, she wanted to come with you," Winry said bitterly, hating herself for letting it slip out.
"I wouldn't have enjoyed that," Ed said and that made her feel better. He put a flower petal on his tongue, not sure what he was meant to do with it. As his hand moved, the light caught his cufflinks, drawing Winry's attention to them.
She took his hand for a closer look. "Starburst. How did you know?"
Ed swallowed the petal. "The Lieutenant Colonel gave them to me."
Winry smiled over at Gracia and mouthed, 'thank you.' The older woman smiled back.
"That necklace is beautiful, Winry. You picked it out yourself?" Ed's eyes went to her throat.
She decided to ignore the implication she wouldn't have taste enough for that. "I remembered all the times you, Al and I would look at the stars back home and it made me feel so good inside that I had to have it." She liked the way Ed's face softened as she told him why she loved the necklace. "I didn't charge it to you."
Ed ran a living finger over the stones around her neck. "I wouldn't have minded. It's beautiful." His amber eyes flicked up to meet hers. "Those times…" Ed licked his lips. "they meant a lot to me and Al, too."
Winry wished they were alone at the table. She wanted to kiss him badly just then and couldn't work up the nerve with everyone around them. A waiter with wine glasses interrupted those warming thoughts.
"Not for them," Hughes said as the waiter went to place wine glasses down in front of her and Ed. "Sorry, kids, but you're too young. You'll have to make do with water."
"That's okay, Mr. Hughes," Winry said. "So long as it isn't milk, Ed will live."
"Milk is evil," he assured her, nibbling on a crystallized berry.
"Yes, Ed, I know. You take as good of care of your living parts as you do your automail. It's a wonder you don't just collapse in a heap." She smiled at him and he snorted, sneaking a berry off her plate.
If he was hungry, he didn't have to wait long. Winry didn't know there could be this much food at one setting. Gracia explained that the appetizers were matched to whatever entrée they had selected on their invitations. She and Ed mostly talked about old times and the adults buzzed about whatever was going on in their lives, while the food swirled around them.
Winry had a creamy, almost liquid, cheese in a puff pastry as her hot appetizer while Ed was served sweet mollusks wrapped in bacon. They both traded bites back and forth. Cold appetizers of melon wrapped with smoked ham for her and smoked fish for him proved to be almost too much food already. She watched Hughes and Mustang eating the thinly sliced raw beef while Ed up eyed that treat. She barely picked at the salad loaded with berries and nuts for fear she'd never make it to the seafood-stuffed chicken dinner. She stole a few shrimp from Ed's plate, which was covered with shrimp and rare, peppered beef with pungent horseradish sauce. Venison with wild berries made a feast for both Armstrong and his sister. By the time the desserts were served, Winry thought she'd explode. That didn't stop her from eating the hand painted chocolate boxes they were all given and she traded half her chocolate cake packed with raspberries and raspberry liqueur for Ed's butterscotch and rum soaked cake.
"I don't think I can move," Ed said softly, almost surprised that something had satiated his hunger.
"I can barely breathe," Winry said, putting a hand on her velvet-clad belly. "But if I died now, I'd die happy."
"Next comes the less stimulating part," Mustang said, leaning back in his chair. "All the holiday wishes from the Fuhrer and his delegates. It'll give us time to settle the meal before the music starts. Then Ed can show you what he learned. I hope you don't bruise easy, Miss Rockbell."
She smiled. "I'll be careful, sir."
"When this is over, I am so going to get that…" Ed said but hushed when she put a hand on his knee. His eyes tracked her hand as if wondering what was so entrancing about that touch. She slipped her hand away, wondering the same thing herself.
Mustang wasn't wrong about the rather boring, if sweet, holiday reminiscing that dragged on for over an hour. Winry started to feel both a little sleepy and a little comfortable with being with Ed. He was on his very best behavior – better than she had ever seen – and she was feeling confident about herself. Nothing would ruin this night. Well, until the Fuhrer announced that all the ranking officers would join him on the main ballroom dance floor for the first dance.
"What?" Ed whimpered, his eyes the size of crown jewels. "No one told me about this."
"Because we knew you'd whine," Mustang said, holding his hand out to Katryn.
"You can relax, Ed, it's the slow dance, the one you concentrated on. That's why I suggested Gracia start you there," Hughes added, slipping his arm around his wife.
Ed held out a hand to Winry then whispered as they headed for the ballroom, "I apologize now. I'm not very good at this."
"We'll be fine," she assured him.
Bradley and the woman he was escorting stepped out onto the dance floor first and slowly the officers trickled after them. Winry found out Ed wasn't lying. He wasn't very good but he was trying. And it felt good being tucked into his arms even if she was taller than him in her heels. Gracia smiled at them as she and Hughes glided by gracefully and mouthed something that might have been 'kiss him,' but Winry wasn't sure. She figured if she tried now, Ed would trip in shock and start a chain reaction.
Ed was just glad he hadn't tramped on Winry's feet in the first five beats. Maybe it was because he had a nice view down her bodice and he was too spellbound to be nervous. He glanced up to see Mustang smirked at him over Kathryn's shoulder. The older alchemist mouthed 'kiss her.' Ed looked at Winry, considered it, wanted it, but only managed to turn ruby red. He heard Mustang say clear as day, 'the boy's too shy,' to Hughes as the two older men danced their partners around with skill that made Ed jealous. Ed gazed into Winry's eyes and felt that desire to kiss her welling but it went to war with his shyness. He was suddenly all too aware that he had his automail hand on her waist, that he couldn't really feel her and all she was feeling was metal and he felt ashamed. He knew it was ridiculous. Winry wouldn't care but it killed the desire in him.
When the song was over, Ed steered her very quickly off the floor. He looked up, hearing a rumble as the snow machine churned to life, spitting 'snow' out over some potted trees along one side of the dance hall. Dancers could enter a little dance circle if they wanted to move through the snow. Across the dance hall, a curtain opened to reveal the revolving dance floor.
"You did a great job with this, Winry," he said, his head twisting back and forth to take it all in.
"Thanks, Ed." She squeezed his hand. "The dance was nice. You didn't do so bad."
"Didn't do so good either but I didn't break anything so that's a plus." Ed looked around some more and saw there were more tables in this room and Gracia and Riza were busy claiming one of them. Gracia waved them over.
"We're taking this table for dance breaks," Gracia explained, setting her purse down. "The waiter will be bringing drinks over."
"Okay, we can sit and wait for them," Winry offered and Ed sighed with relief. "We can talk some more, Ed. You and I barely have a chance to do that any more and I'm enjoying it."
Ed pulled out a chair for her as the older women went back out on the dance floor. He noticed it didn't take long for Mustang to exchange Katryn for Riza while Havoc had found Maria Ross. Katryn was being introduced to King Bradley by her brother and Ed saw the Draken sisters were still corralled by their dates. He felt relieved by that. "I'm sorry I'm not more fun, Winry."
"You're fun, Ed," she assured him. "I'm having a good time. I didn't expect to dance to every tune."
"Good." Ed looked at his gloved hand. Why hadn't he found a way out of this? If he got gloomy, Winry wouldn't have a good time. And his poor brother, having to miss out on everything, it really hurt.
"Al and Elicia are probably having a lot of fun staying up past her bed time," Winry said, knowing what he was thinking about.
He smiled softly. Winry knew him so well. That was one of the reasons she was a joy to him. "I know. I just wish…you know what I wish. I promised myself I wouldn't go into that tonight."
"Good, Ed," she said, decisively. "Not that I don't want to hear it because you know I love Al, too, but you need to forgive yourself even for only a night."
Ed tugged at his ponytail. "Thanks, Winry." He tried to look happier. "I promise, I will dance with you more tonight," he added as the waiter came over.
"Colonel Mustang's table?" he asked. "Or Lieutenant Colonel Hughes?"
"There and there," Ed said, pointing to the purses left behind on the seats.
The waiter left the fluted wine glasses for the officers and their ladies. Ed got a feral look in his eye and reached over to snag Mustang and Hawkeye's drinks. He handed a glass to Winry. He looked at the amber liquid. "What Mustang doesn't know, won't hurt?"
"I've always wanted to try wine." Winry sipped the sweet alcohol, smiling. "Ooo, that's good."
"Yes, it is." Ed downed his glass hurriedly.
"I don't think you're supposed to gulp it, Ed," Winry chided.
He shrugged. "Don't want Mustang to catch me."
Winry considered that then drained her glass. "Delicious, but we can't keep stealing it all night. I need to use the ladies room and then I'll bring us back some nice, safe punch."
"Sounds good."
Ed watched as Winry headed out. As if sensing one of their own leaving the flock, Riza and Gracia broke away from their men and followed her. Ed had seen this phenomenon before but he still had no idea why women needed to use the toilets en masse or what they did in there that took so long. He had ideas but he didn't dare ask.
"Edward."
Hearing the soft feminine voice, Ed turned and looked into deep sloe eyes. "Selena," he said nervously.
"Dance with me, Ed."
"I'm not very good at it, Selena," he hedged. He didn't want to be rude to his research assistant but Winry wouldn't like him dancing with Selena. He couldn't help himself. Ed let his gaze wander over her form.
"You looked fine during the King's dance," she argued, holding out her hand.
Ed decided he couldn't afford to irritate his assistant and what was one dance? Even Hughes was dancing with Armstrong's date at this point while Gracia partnered Strongarm himself. At least the music was still in the slow, one-two-three beat that he knew best how to move to. Selena pressed up tight against him as they moved. He didn't know how to tell her it was distracting. He was afraid he'd step on her and the way her breasts and hips felt against him was doing strange and wonderful things to him. All too late, Ed realized he was in trouble.
"You survived your first dance with the little menace," Riza said, checking her elaborate hairdo in the rest room mirror. Winry didn't want to know how long it had taken to arrange. Riza's hair had been rolled into many little coils then herringboned over the back of her head.
"You and Gracia did pretty good in making Ed manageable out there," Winry said, giving the color of her lips a critical look.
"He's such a stubborn young man," Gracia said, glancing at Winry from her reflection in the mirror. "I know he wanted to learn but yet was so convinced he couldn't."
"That's Ed all over. When it's something he really wants, nothing stops him but if it's something he has to do and doesn't want to, watch out." Winry smiled. "I'm just glad he danced at least once."
"I should have brought you my crop." Riza smiled viciously.
"You mean that wasn't a joke?" Winry asked, wide-eyed and Riza's grin broadened as she shook her head. Winry had a better appreciation of what Ed had done for her.
"It's not very nice," Gracia said, touching her shoulder. "But sometimes stern discipline is needed. Especially in one as stubborn as Edward Elric."
"Speaking of which, I'd best get back out there before the Colonel gets himself into mischief," Riza said, heading out of the rest room.
"Good luck bringing that man to heel," Gracia said, following her. "And same to you, Winry. Ed's a little handful."
"I know but I've always known that. We grew up together after all. I can handle his faults," Winry assured her.
"That's key," Riza said with a nod.
"She's right," Gracia said, resting a hand on Winry's shoulder. "It's one thing to love the good points about a man but when you can love him in spite of his faults, then you know you have something real."
Winry pressed her finger to her lips, thinking on that. Was she that in love with Ed? It was a scary thought. She watched the older women head back to find their men. She went to fill two punch glasses for her and Ed, feeling so elated by the night. It was more special than she could have hoped.
"I have to say, I'm a little surprised you brought one of the workers to the ball," Selena said, steering him instead of the other way around.
"Winry's my oldest and best friend and she's not a worker," he said, wondering how to get off the dance floor without making a scene. He didn't like the way she talked about Winry. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hawkeye glaring at Mustang for dancing with the other Draken sister. Well, at least he wouldn't be the only one in trouble.
"Yes, well, a man in your position needs to think of who he's being seen with," she said, giving him a wise look as she squeezed his hip.
Ed's lips thinned. No one insulted Winry around him. He started for the side of the room but couldn't quite do it without barreling through other dancers and he knew Winry would be humiliated if he made an ass of himself. "The Rockbells are renowned surgeons and automail experts. They're so good that Winry was asked here specifically by the Fuhrer," Ed said not really sure of that but if Mustang had authorized her involvement, it was a good bet. "I'm very happy with my choice of partner."
"I'm sorry to hear you say that. I had such hopes for you, Edward," Selena said, letting him retreat a little as she danced them to the sidelines. He couldn't walk off, no matter how much he wanted to. "You have such potential."
"I'm glad you think so but I'm not who you think I am, Selena. I'm not the kind of boyfriend who'll remember important dates or take you to all the right places. I'm the one who's never here. The one who's always in danger. I'm not right for you."
She smiled at him. "You underestimate yourself and me." Her eyes sparked almost maliciously. Ed wondered what she was thinking then she was on him, instantly her lips sealed to his. Her tongue snaked into his mouth, taking him utterly by surprised, so much so there was no sense of pleasure in this at first. An indescribable feeling swept over him as she sucked on his tongue. Somehow, Ed heard a painful sound behind. He pulled away from Selena, looking over his shoulder. To his horror, Winry was at their table punch glasses in hand.
"I'm amazed. Your little worker girl got the grease out of her fingernails," Selena said cruelly, tossing her long dark hair back. "Really, they shouldn't let servants attend the ball."
Winry's eyes brimmed with tears as she spun around, running out of the room, glasses still clenched in her hand.
"Winry!" Ed went to go after her but Selena had his automail hand. His glove slipped off as he tugged away.
Dropping his glove, Selena's painted lips fell open as her eyes widened in obvious horror. "What?"
"Didn't you know?" he sneered, snagging the fallen glove. "That's why they call me Fullmetal. Half my limbs are automail." He wiggled his silvery fingers at her. "Didn't you ever wonder why you never saw me in short sleeves or without my gloves? Still want me, Selena?" Ed threw back his hair and shoulders in one smooth, almost arrogant move. "No one wants to look at this, except maybe Winry. She made me. I'm her work of art."
"Freak," Selena hissed, whipping around and heading off, presumably for the first whole eligible bachelor of rank she could find.
"Ed, what's wrong?" Hughes asked as he escorted Gracia back to her seat.
Ed's chest felt tight. How could things have gone so horribly wrong? "Selena called Winry names right after she kissed me. Winry saw it. I have to find her."
"I'd suggest you hurry," Hughes said with a grim look.
Ed took off.