When Winry woke the next morning, she hurriedly went through the motions of her normal routine so that she could leave early enough to meet Alphonse for coffee. Remembering to pack clothes for work along with her books for class, she quickly grabbed her schedule from the counter, shoving it into the zippered compartment in her large bag.
Locking the door behind her, she was ready for her second day. As she approached the diner, she saw the girl with glasses from her Biology 101 sitting outside, reading yet again. Walking up to the bench, she called out to her.
"Hey!" Looking up at her in surprise, the girl squinted at her, trying to make Winry familiar to her. "Didn't mean to interrupt, I saw you here and recognized you from class yesterday so I thought I would say hello." Smiling widely at her, she noticed the girl seemed really happy to have been remembered.
"Oh, hi! I'm Sheska, it's nice to meet you!" Winry liked her happy-go-lucky demeanor and extended her hand in greeting.
"Winry Rockbell, nice to meet you too! Do you come here often?" Returning her handshake, Sheska answered her.
"A couple days a week actually; it's close to where I live and near the campus. I was going to get coffee, but I got distracted with this book and forgot to go in." That sounded like someone else she knew, which made her think of her new friend who should be coming anytime now. Watching as Sheska shut her large book and turned to give her full attention, Winry caught sight of Alphonse approaching them.
As he got closer, she called to him, "Hey Alphonse! I just ran into Sheska, who I had class with yesterday. Sheska, this is Alphonse. Alphonse, this is Sheska." The girl next to her seemed as caught off guard by his stunningly handsome face and unique features as she had been.
Looking at the book Sheska was holding, Alphonse seemed flustered, but commented, "That's a great book, I'm actually reading the same one right now." Flashing Sheska his copy, their eyes met and held as they both awkwardly let the coincidence sink in.
Finding her voice, Sheska spoke nervously, "I have read it a couple of times, but I always seem to pick it back up." Winry stood there as the conversation continued around her about a book she now wanted to check out for herself but probably wouldn't because her lack of free time... which would likely only become smaller once classes were really under way. Apparently, she had spaced out because they were looking at her as if waiting for an answer on the topic.
"I'm sorry! I was thinking about something, what'd you say?" Embarrassed that she hadn't been listening at all, she focused solely on them.
"I was telling Sheska that you got a job at The Dark Horse, but I didn't remember when you said you were supposed to start." Al's voice held an undertone of laughter regarding her former lack of attention.
"Oh! I start tonight actually. I am pretty nervous, I hope I won't screw up too badly. I am mostly used to working with automail. I may try to find part time apprentice work here as well for the days when I'm not at The Dark Horse." Just thinking about diving into a new piece set her fingers to curling absently, almost as if she could picture putting her tools to good use.
"You work on automail?" Sheska seemed utterly astonished by this, though she should be used to the reaction by now.
"I do; it's my dream to be a biomedical engineer. I'm actually in the process of a theory that if proven correct, would probably be enough to earn my certification based on merit alone, but it is slow moving. I need more biology and anatomy knowledge, though I have a decent background in it due to my Granny." As she held the door open for Alphonse, they all headed in for coffee, though their collective expressions of awe nearly stopped her outright.
"So have you done an insertion surgery before?" Al's voice asked the next question as they waited to order.
"Twice now, it's a very intense process with many nuances that must be done precisely to reduce the risk of rejection. I have mainly built and maintained mail and I have almost everything necessary to the trade from when my Granny passed away." Moving forward, their conversation was cut off as they each ordered. Turning the talk in another direction, she asked Sheska about what her major was. Finding out that she was studying to be a teacher, she thought about how well that would suit the brunette. She came off as a patient and intelligent person. After a moment the employee, a young guy this time, gave them their drinks while thanking them and wishing them a nice day.
Al went on to tell them what she already knew was his major, Organic Chemistry. His golden eyes lit up just talking about the topic, it was actually quite similar to how the other Elric brother sounded while teaching. The way they spoke about the subject, you couldn't help but to become enraptured as well. She had never seen anyone, let alone two people, so excited about how certain elements affected others and the possibilities therein. There he was again popping up in her mind. This was ridiculous, she hadn't even made it a full two hours. Sighing inaudibly, she tried not to let Al or Sheska think they were the cause of her frustration. Wiping her face of any trace of irritation, she suggested that they all go outside and enjoy the weather while they talked more.
While discussing their upcoming classes, she dug in her pack to see what her day held. Her first subject was the ever dreaded English 101, which she was delighted to note that Alphonse had with her. Looking down at her schedule again, she found her night course as a pit of unease churned inside her. Chemistry 101, Professor Edward Elric. Was there any damn subject he didn't teach here? How the hell was she supposed to endure five days a week of his strange behavior and obvious dislike? Even if she could get moved from one of the classes, it was doubtful that she would be able to get out of both of them. Feeling the hope she had hung onto the previous night dwindling quickly, she noticed that once again Sheska and Al were looking at her to figure out what she was tensing for. Running her fingers through her silvery blonde strands to calm herself, Sheska questioned her innocently.
"So, what's your evening class Winry?" Chocolate brown eyes gazed at her with curiosity, as she just handed the paper to her. "Chemistry 101, Professor Edward Elric. Oh, that's our biology teacher also, isn't it?" Mentally throwing her fists skyward in anger, Winry's eyes flickered to Al's to catch his reaction. Wearing an expression of indifference, he stared back at her. Nearing the point of separation for their days, she edged away.
"Yeah, it is." Trying not to let the tone of everything she was thinking sour their nice morning, she pasted a bright grin on her face as she told Sheska that she would catch up with her tomorrow during class or later if she popped into The Dark Horse. Alphonse also told Sheska goodbye, saying he hoped to see her again later. As they headed in the direction of English, Al stopped her.
"Hey, don't worry Winry. Brother doesn't hate you, so don't stress about your studies. Even if he really didn't like you, which I know isn't true, he would be fair." Now she was curious as to what undeniable proof he had in his pocket to discount the former evidence she had collected.
"How do you know?" Eagerness at the answer laced in her voice.
"We talked about it last night and I asked him." Holy shit, they had spoken about her at home? She put her face in her palm with a loud smack.
"WHAT!?" Trying and failing to keep her response to a yelp, Winry couldn't believe that Alphonse had directly asked Professor Elric about her. She was absolutely mortified. Now he knew how irritated and self conscious she was about their exchange.
"Yes, it's no big deal." Snorting indelicately, she waited for more explanation. "I told him you were my friend, and we talked a little bit. Seriously, don't stress about it. Also, just so you know, he promised me that he would get his leg checked out." How could she possibly not be freaking out? They had clearly talked about her mentioning his automail and she could actually visualize his disdain in her mind. "Honestly, he's not so bad once you get to know him. He's pigheaded, but he knows how important the upkeep to his mail is if he doesn't want to go through a rejection from miscare." Glancing down at his watch, he spoke again, "Class is going to start soon, we should head in." Nodding in agreement, she put aside her internal panic for the moment, as they entered.
Leaving English, Al told her that he would try and stop out at her work that night if he got his coursework done. Smiling at the thought of seeing his cheerful face later, she told him she was going to grab some food in the cafeteria before her next class and try to start on the homework they had been assigned so she wouldn't have to try and finish it after work. Parting ways, she hurried down to where the map showed the area to be.
Finding it with little trouble, she was happy with her small success. The room was relatively empty, only a few students were there and those who were, were completely engrossed in their own business. Very similar to how her high school had been laid out, there was a long stretch where you picked up your food and then a tall island in the middle with a drink station.
Making her choice from the fairly decent looking selection, she reached into her wallet to pay for her salad and cookies. Not a great combination she realized, but still they sounded good and were reasonably priced. Reaching the cash register she also paid for a coffee that she would need to grab from the separated section. Taking her tray in her hands, she glanced briefly up to see that coffee must be on the right side of the massive station, then returned her focus to her food as she took the small turn.
Colliding into a sturdy body, she heard the sound of her plastic tray making contact with something glass or ceramic, before both her and the other person hit the ground. Immediately apologizing profusely, while placing her amazingly still intact meal on the ledge, sapphire eyes met honey and widened. Oh, shit! Noticing the huge, blackened stain covering Professor Elric's formerly pristine, red shirt and khaki-colored pants, she cursed herself for her inattention.
Without thinking she grabbed some napkins, lowered herself to her knees and began attempting to soak up the dark liquid, not noticing exactly where her hands were pressing. After a moment of awkwardly trying to dry him, she chanced a look at him, noticing that his tanned skin was a deep scarlet, and he was wearing an expression of shock.
As his gloved hands gently removed hers from what was very nearly his crotch, the realization of the inappropriateness of her actions dawned on her. Sputtering, she backed away almost like a crab, turning a brilliant shade of tomato red herself. She couldn't even bring herself to look at him again, he was probably furious and more than likely doubly so considering where she had been so blatantly touching him.
Wanting nothing more than for the ground to swallow her whole, she didn't react right away when a hand was shoved into her face to help her to her feet. Taking the assistance hesitantly, she stood finding herself counting the lines in the flooring. Finally, she found her voice, "Thank you..." Meeting his intensely molten eyes, she continued as she tried to gauge his mood from them. "I'm so sorry, I honestly wasn't trying to feel you up." Clamping a hand over her mouth at her words, she was shocked to hear a booming laugh fill the air. Looking at him dumbfounded, then around the room to see who might be watching their calamitous encounter, she felt her lips twitch upwards as the humor of the incident also made its way into her mind. Strangely, she found herself laughing with him. The sound of his amusement only incited her own, it was rich and warm, instantly putting her at ease.
When they calmed, he cleared his throat and spoke, "Well Ms. Rockbell, I don't know if I have ever had anyone come onto me quite like that before." Smirking lazily, he stared at her almost cockily. Feeling her indignation rise, she tried to quell it by telling herself that he was kidding.
She coughed a laugh in response and said, "Or anyone in general?" She couldn't resist the snide comment and tossed him an equally proud grin.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Raising a brow and giving a half wave, he turned away, flipping his golden ponytail vaingloriously and leaving her standing alone with only herself to mutter to. That man had to be the most self-centered, hardheaded idiot she had ever met! More irritatingly than that, she hated to admit her own curiosity to the previously posed question. Not that it was as if she liked him, but she did wonder what kind of girl he would deign to consider worthy of his precious time. Sighing in frustration, she grabbed said vexing coffee that had started the whole nightmare to begin with and sat down to eat while working on her homework.
Finishing up her assignments with time to spare, she glared forward at her cup wondering how in the hell she was going to make it through class with him tonight and then through her first night at work. Collecting her stuff, she headed to the opposite side of campus almost, for Chemistry.
Maybe if she was lucky, Professor Elric would have gone home to change and then cancelled class because he lived too far away. The chances were low, but she needed some dream to hang onto. As she found the door, she was relieved to notice that she was the first to enter the room, so she hastily walked to the back and set her bag and drink down. Perhaps there was some justice in the world after all, however, an all too recognizable voice spoke then, startling her.
"Wanting to play it safe by sitting in the back of the room?" And perhaps, justice was a sneaky bitch. Turning to face him, she saw that he had changed clothes. Now he was wearing a grey colored shirt, and black pants. No, they weren't just black, they were what seemed like a soft, supple leather stretched over muscular legs. Feeling a slight blush color her face, she realized that she had been staring at his pants, which in turn probably looked like she was staring at him lasciviously. Lifting her eyes quickly to his, she felt provoked by his smug grin. "See something you like? Or were you just wondering how you could get your drink to soak into these? I thought wearing leather would be a good idea in your presence." Where were all the other students? Couldn't anyone walk in and save her from his arrogance?
Picking up her belongings and burning a hole into his arrogant face with her scathing gaze, she moved to the front to show him that he didn't bother her in the slightest. "No on both counts, I am just surprised you managed to grace the class with your timely appearance tonight. I mean considering how much I'm paying for my education, I should have some semblance of an instructor present." He moved to stand in front of her seat and leaned forward close enough that she was able to breathe in his oddly calming scent. Smelling like aftershave and oil, she wondered if he had lubricated his automail recently. Shaking her head of the mechanical imagery that littered her brain at the strange connection she'd made, she flicked her eyes up to his amber ones.
"Ms. Rockbell, you are certainly an..." Suddenly his voice was drowned out by the group of people who were entering the room, and he backed away instantly to write his name on this board as well. When he turned to face her, he looked flustered as the remnants of what she was guessing had been his own embarrassment lightly covered the bridge of his nose and cheeks, disappeared before her. Grudgingly, she admitted that he was rather attractive when discomposed. What had he been beginning to say to her? He hadn't seemed mad, if anything he had been amused and something else that she couldn't place.
Gradually the room filled, including the seat next to her by a man that couldn't be described much more spot on than masculine. Having white hair and red eyes were mild in comparison to the large scar on his face that didn't really detract from his features at all, maybe even enhanced the strange coloring. Wearing a football jersey and being joined by two other guys in matching jerseys, he settled into his spot. They all ribbed with each other for a few minutes before he looked in her direction. Once he did though, he stopped listening to his friends and introduced himself as Michael and she reciprocated feeling a bit intimidated by the obvious 'jockness' about him. Of course, his friends cut in then, to tell her that everyone called him Scar because of the injury he'd received last year during the end of the season. Even if that was what everyone else called him, she would stick to Michael since he'd introduced himself that way.
Clearing his throat loudly, Professor Elric called them to attention, striking her as unusually stern in that moment. Really, she didn't have much to go on, but from what little she did including Al's biased opinion of him, she would consider him humorously full of himself. Recalling his earlier outburst of laughter, she smiled slightly, which didn't go unnoticed by either the man next to or in front of her. She had probably come off as happy about her short-lived conversation with Michael. Averting his scrutiny elsewhere, the elder Elric began his lesson.
When class ended, she prepared to leave and head to work but Michael interrupted her thoughts by asking if she was going to come to the first game on Friday. Wanting to snort in response to the asinine question, she knew that was not the polite way to behave. Seeing Professor Elric watching from his peripheral, she told Michael casually that she didn't know since she wasn't sure if she would be working or not. After the crimson eyed man told her he hoped she could make it, she said she would let him know Thursday following the lecture. Ignoring her completely then, her teacher rushed out of the room, leaving her wondering what she had done. Brushing off the confused and strangely disheartened temperament that began to settle within her, she left for The Dark Horse.
About an hour into her first shift, she realized how much she loved the atmosphere in the dimly lit bar side of the dual business. The taste was varied and kitschy, with great knick knacks and old books everywhere. Wishing she was able to sit and enjoy a drink herself while there instead of bussing tables and running drinks. Winry was glad that at least her shifts would mostly be in four-hour increments allowing her to be in bed no later than she normally stayed up. For having no background in service at all, she felt like she had caught on rather quickly. The prices were clearly printed everywhere from the menus to the chalkboard on the wall so there was no hardship in not knowing them all by heart. The man she was working with, Jean, was a chain smoker and a shameless flirt, and she couldn't help but find she had instantly warmed to him.
When the second hour rolled around, a couple of familiar faces entered, and she found herself bouncing over to their table. Alphonse was correct in the fact that no one bothered to ID him, and she wasn't going to say anything one way or the other since she was so excited to see him and Sheska. Telling them she would be right back, she ran the drinks that had appeared in the drink pick up area while Jean took their order, taking all responsibility of serving a minor out of her hands. Though from the small talk Al and her had made previously, she knew he would be 19 soon, making him legal. Their birthdays were a little more than three months apart, but her birthday had already passed. Walking back to Al and Sheska's table, she had begun to talk when his eyes lit up and he called out.
"Brother! Over here!" Oh, no. He was not here. No way. She glanced down at her low-cut blouse and frowned. Sensing him walk by her, she turned on a smile for Al's sake and sweetly asked him what he would like.
After telling her his drink order, Winry replied, "Whiskey and soda, anything else Professor Elric?" Lifting a golden eyebrow at her, he answered.
"No thank you, but please, we aren't at school, so Edward is fine." Feeling dumb for not gathering that he probably wouldn't want to be called that in a bar with his brother, she sheepishly corrected herself.
"Okay, Edward..." The name felt unfamiliar and awkward on her tongue as she said it. Briskly heading to fill his order, her mind raced. Was he or wasn't he upset with her? She couldn't keep up with his mood swings. Maybe he hadn't known that Alphonse was coming here with Sheska to see her. That was most likely the case. He wouldn't willingly come within a mile of her.
Repeating his order to Jean, she waited until he handed it off to her and then headed back towards the table. Setting it down in front of him with a napkin as a coaster, Sheska smiled up at her and started talking. Luckily, she only had one other table right now and they were freshly set up for a bit.
"Winry! I forgot to ask you earlier, are you related to Pinako Rockbell?" The side conversation that the brothers had been having ceased once the petite brunette had spoken.
"Yes, actually she was my grandmother, but she passed away after I graduated high school. How do you know her?" Curious as to the connection, Winry was excited at the possibility of having someone to talk to about her wonderful Granny.
"Well, Rockbell Automail is pretty well known, and I've read about it in a mechanics magazine I saw once. I have a photographic memory but didn't put it together until later today." Pride at her grandmother's work being so well known tugged her lips into a huge smile but was nearly cut off once she saw the look of confusion on Alphonse's face.
"She was the best, though I had no idea she'd ever been written about before. I would love to get a copy of the article." Alphonse was now looking at Edward with the most peculiar expression. Sheska went on to suggest that she check the library archives. A few minutes later she went to check on her other table and to see if Jean needed anything. Returning to their booth, she felt the physical tension that cooled their previously good mood. Uncertain as to what had happened yet again, she tried to get a laugh out of Al over her small mishaps at The Dark Horse thus far. Earlier she had taken the wrong drink to the wrong table and watched as an elderly woman spit a vodka tonic everywhere. While he had chuckled some, he also came off as a bit nervous. Not long after that, both of the brothers said they needed to get home and prepared to leave, paying their tab and wishing her goodnight.
Even more oddly, Professor Elric had been just as friendly as Alphonse normally was when they exited, telling both Sheska and her that he would see them in class tomorrow without a hint of his typical swagger or grumpiness. Once they had left, Winry asked Sheska if she had gotten the same feeling from them, but she said she couldn't tell either way. Maybe she was imagining things, or possibly Alphonse was tired from classes. Before Sheska left they decided to have lunch the following day.
As she finished her side work, Winry kept trying to sort through the day as a whole. The brothers left her emotionally drained with the spectrum of things running through her mind. Deciding not to worry about it anymore and to just see how tomorrow went, she told Jean goodnight, hoping that the following day would make more sense than this one had.
AN: I would love to hear your thoughts, so please review!