She knew all too well his habitual fixation on politeness; saw straight through his excuses and offered apologetic smiles; saw his apprehension and nervousness at physical contact; knew the armor plating of distance he had built about himself, even when he craved intimacy in spite of his fear. And even while a situation so deep might have called for some profound spiritual remedy, she found that food was far more effective. After having taken up his former position as the house cook, leaving him little to do in those times but to review blueprints and read the newspaper, stirring up small bits of impersonal conversation, she determined that she could coax him out of his shield, even if slightly.
The first day, it was a dumpling, rather hot, surely undercooked, which he happily chewed without mentioning its faults. On the second day, it was just a bit of Spaatzel she insisted he should test, but only right beside the stove, lest she drop it on the floor. On the fifth day, he allowed her to rest her hand on his shoulder while she awaited the verdict of his taste testing opinion. By the end of the first week, he told the blunt truths, good and bad, and she was secretly proud of her progress.
By the end of two weeks, he grew bolder of his own accord, and he ventured to lean against her back, hold her free hand comfortably, and comfortably nuzzle his chin upon the slope of her shoulder. She forgot about stirring and simply sighed, warming into his embrace.
"Did you want to try-"
"No," He cut her off, "I'm not very hungry."
And in accordance with some unwritten law of the universe, Edward chose this moment to stumble in the door, his arms overflowing with research papers, loudly declaring "Sorry I'm late!", and suddenly looking up to catch the scene. With a brief stutter, a supressed grin, and a flash of red across his cheeks, he gathered his things quickly.
"Well then," He said, pushing back amused laughter as he sidled towards the stairway, "I'll just be upstairs then. Don't mind me!"
His smug giggle as he bounded up the stairs implied that perhaps Noa hadn't been the only one to see this coming.