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the-haunted-office · 3 months ago

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The turnstile door is pushed open with as much force as it will allow, which isn't much considering it's designed to move slowly to prevent people from getting caught up in its moving mechanisms. It's happened before, with some of the other living buildings in the area, but this particular building doesn't want that, hence the slowness of the turning doors.

Stanley regrets his tendency to take well-worn paths, as he realizes after the fact that it would have been much more satisfactory to him to have been able to kick open a pair of doors, which he would have been able to do had he taken one of the emergency exits positioned at the end of the various stairwells around the Office.

Well. It's too late now. The slow-moving turnstile door is already spilling him outside into the hot, humid, end-of-summer air, hitting him in the face like a wet towel that's been soaking in a hot tub all day, and he is not going to go back into the Office just so he can stomp around and find a different set of doors to play out the grand exit he had in mind. So the man named Stanley briefly surveys his surroundings - surroundings which he has surveyed many times before, yet never taken much stock of - picks a direction, and just goes.

(Cut here due to length!!)

Like all choices he's ever made in his life, once he's made it, he makes it without looking back. It's not that there isn't any internal struggle or sense of regret, it's a literal lack of looking back. Stanley forges ahead, marking his path with only his footsteps left behind - that is, wherever the ground is impressionable enough to accept the indentation of his shoe prints. Anywhere else he is simply lost to the wilderness of the outside that is... the outside of the Office.

He's aware of just how dangerous this is. It's dangerous enough to be out here with a group of people, but to be out here alone? By himself? Just Stanley? What will he do should he encounter one of those slasher zombies? What will he do should he encounter a regular zombie? Or a streetlamp monster? Or even a squirrel? Those can be rather mean when caught by surprise, can't they? Stanley doesn't know - he's always had the people of the Office to defend him when he's caught squirrels by surprise, so he doesn't exactly know precisely how dangerous they are in this world outside of the Office, not the way the world is now, at any rate.

The world the way it is now is... exceptionally different than the way it was when he left it back in his own dimension. He might not be from this dimension, but as he understands it, from all he has heard from his Officemates, it once closely resembled the one he came from. He thinks. Stanley isn't entirely sure. All he has are clues, because you see, his actual memories of what his life was like before he came to be in his own Office are all faulty. Faulty, or fake, or manufactured, or altered, or... bastardized somehow. Point being, they're all missing and the memories he has of his life before can't be trusted to be real.

But the clues are clues, after all. His Narrator came up with them from somewhere. The idea of the Office and the imagery surrounding it didn't just come from the mind of some mad cosmic alien god with nothing better to do than torment an Earth man he claimed to be in love with - those very specific ideas were plucked up from very specific locations, and Stanley couldn't help but have the uncanny feeling that they were specifically plucked from his life, from the life his Narrator stalked and destroyed, and then had the gall to rub in his face under the guise of it being his own ideas.

After destroying his memory of it all first, of course.

Just how much of this was intentional, Stanley has yet to figure out. He may not ever figure that out, and quite frankly, he's done trying, he just wants to live the rest of his life in peace from all of these damn Narrator fucking around with him, he's sick of it, and as he's walking along outside of the Office, getting a feel for where he's going, which isn't much of a feel at all, considering he has precisely no idea where he is going, all he wants is to avoid surprising any squirrels, he suddenly realizes that he isn't alone.

Someone has followed him out here.

He realizes this because his surroundings, being mysterious and unknown as they are to him, have nonetheless changed. And become more inhibitive.

Stanley doesn't know how to identify trees, but a good deal of them around this area are common in the American Midwest - sycamore, maple, Bradford pear, cedar, and some varieties of pine, to name a few. All of these, including various species of bushes and shrubs and brambles, have all suddenly gone from dotting the landscape to filling the landscape, and crowding in together. Instead of looking like what you would expect your average outdoor wildlife reserve to look like, Stanley's surroundings now suddenly resemble something more manmade, something purposely structured, purposely built, something like straight out of a sandbox game, like a person took a bunch of trees and bushes out of their inventory and stuck them all into the ground in rows to create a barrier or because they thought it looked nice. It certainly wasn't because it looked in any way natural, which is in direct contradiction to the fact that the trees and bushes are all natural things.

More to the point, the trees and bushes are all now boxing him in and preventing him from moving forward. The message is clear.

You can't go this way, Stanley. Pick another direction.

Stanley recognizes right away what has happened. Of course, he's seen this all before and has been in the middle of it.

He stops. Huffs. Folds his arms. Waits for the person to reveal himself.

And soon enough, he does. Of course he does. The man is too impatient not to.

It's just his voice, though. Just his voice. It fills the air around Stanley, like the voice is the air. Like it is the world itself. Stanley knows better, though. This voice belongs to a man, a man who may be a cosmic alien god to whom Stanley owes his life - but he is also the one who took his life away. And Stanley will never forget, or forgive, that.

"Where do you think you are going, Stanley?" asks the Narrator, who Stanley now knows go by the name of Arthur Wright.

Stanley doesn't say anything, either by sign language or by using his neural thought-to-speech link (which is something Arthur made for him - it's a useful device for speaking to those who don't know how to use sign language, but still a sore point for him, seeing as it's because of Arthur that he lost his ability to speak in the first place).

"Stanley... Are you really still going to give me the silent treatment? The... cold shoulder, as they say?" Arthur asks. There is silence for a moment, save for the wind in the trees. A silence which speaks for itself. "I don't know how many times I can apologize to you for my mistake. It was a simple one, although of course I understand the ramifications of it now. I can see it all now, and I understand it all perfectly, and I am sorry. I'm sorry, Stanley. Stanley. I'm sorry."

He still doesn't understand. Even now, he still doesn't understand, Stanley can tell. The Narrator still thinks this is all about how much cloning his body has hurt him, and nothing else. The Narrator has no comprehension of how much he has hurt him as a whole person, him, Stanley, Stanley's whole life, all that he's taken away from him. It's all just about how much he's hurt his body, his little puppet, his toy, his plaything. Outside of that, the Narrator can't fathom what he's done.

Stanley still doesn't react. Doesn't acknowledge the Narrator at all. He's not worth his acknowledgment anymore. Instead, he presses his molars together, lifts his chin, unfolds his arms, and keeps moving forward. Whether or not the barrier of trees and bushes will stop him, Stanley keeps moving forward. Because there is no point in looking back.

He reaches the line of trees, and there's a moment where he's sure they won't part. He's sure they will remain packed together, keep him prisoner, demand that he go back, keep him contained.

But they don't. They move aside. He swears he hears a sigh, and then the trees and bushes all spread apart, the way they were before, leaving him with the open landscape he was presented with when he first walked out of the Office.

The air is still heavy and humid and still feels like and wet towel fresh out of a hot tub has been dropped over his head. But it feels great.

For the first time in his life, Stanley is free.

#arthur wright #writing for days #i haven't proofread this yet but i will in a sec!#long post #cw long post #🧍‍♂️ Stanley Johnson

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shegxox · 2 years ago

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special christmas episode | valorant protocol

how you experienced christmas within the valorant headquarters

notes: hc style with images right after, not proofread bc it's hella rushed– will edit soon

a.n: literally started writing this five hours before christmas. I suddenly realized I haven't whipped a christmas special yet 💀 hope you guys enjoy and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

previous : next

THE START OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Brimstone is actually a big fan of holidays

loves celebrating it, loves seeing everyone at the table

Christmas is one of his favourites

Plans to throw a party before sending everyone for their short vacation

the 'white christmas' theme is obviously out of the picture

headquarters is literally within a tropical island. . .with a volcano.

despite that, even without snow– christmas is christmas

first task of the christmas celebrations: decorating.

majority of the agents love this part

but there's one thing they hate about it

getting the artificial tree from the stockroom

cue jett, phoenix, and yoru fighting about it

"why don't you get it, I thought you're the strongest one around here." Jett spats out

"I am." Yoru frowned. "But my strength is not worth. . .this. Are you insulting me??"

But then. . .Brimstone remembered what your radiant abilities were

"Gaia."

Brimstone eyed you intensely as he sat with his elbows on his desk, fingers intertwined and pressing them against his upper lip.

"Ye-Yes, Captain?" You sweatdropped, trying to avert from your leader's firm gaze.

'What's with this weird atmosphere. . .'

"Can you do it?"

Your eyebrows shot upwards, mouth parting slightly.

". . .Do what, exactly–" is he asking what you think he's asking? "–Captain. . .?"

"A pine tree."

"Huh?"

"Can you do it?"

What.

Did you just hear him right?

You let out a nervous chuckle, "Wait– Hold on a sec, Captain." You thought he was gonna ask you to hide a body or something, "Let me get this straight—"

Brimstone didn't react much, he continued to just stare at you.

"You're asking me. . . If I can make a pine tree?" You questioned. "Is that right?"

Finally, your captain moved from his position.

"That is correct." He nodded, putting down his forearms on his desk. "So, can you do it?"

"Of course I can," You grinned awkwardly, still a little confused about where this is going. "But. . .why?"

Turns out it was already the month of December, you couldn't believe how time flies so fast, you swore you were just celebrating Halloween a couple of weeks ago.

Anyway, Brimstone requested you to make a pine tree in the common room where the Christmas party will be held soon, and honestly? You were kind of excited.

You love celebrations as much as Brimstone does, but mostly because there will be lots of good food laid out once again.

"Is it true?!" Jett bursted through the common room with excitement filling her smile, "Gaia's making a pine tree?!"

Sage, Raze, and Killjoy were already in the room with you, waiting for you to work your magic.

Reyna sat quietly by the bar, sipping her purple drink peacefully with a pinch of interest towards the situation while Chamber– who's wiping a glass behind the bar looked at you with a hint of glee in his eyes.

Omen casually sat on the couch knitting away, only glancing towards the scene in front of him every now and then.

"I was just about to." You chuckled hands already raised in the direction where you plan to create the tree.

"Perfect timing," Killjoy chirped before motioning her hand to Jett. "Come, come!"

The wind radiant eagerly made her way next to Sage.

"Oh man, I love watching you use your power." Jett comments. "So magical."

"Agreed." Sage nodded.

"Alright fam, you sure this one's a good spot?" You asked for the last time.

"Yup."

"Yes."

"Absolutely!"

You sighed, shaking your hands, "Here we go then."

Using your radiance, your palms glowed green. The ground of your target space started to rumble just a bit before breaking and sprouting a small pine tree.

"Woah." Jett gasped in amusement.

Raze tried to hold a giggle bubbling from her throat

"That's so cute."

"Tell me when you're satisfied with it, okay?" You say before making the tree grow and sprout its leaves.

Everyone in the common room watched as the tree bloomed beautifully.

"Wait, stop!" Jett exclaimed and you did, the green glow on your palms fading. "That's the most perfect tree I've ever seen."

And just like that, there's an actual pine tree in the common room. Not an artificial one, a real one.

"Oh look, it even sprouted some pinecones." Sage pointed out, grinning delightfully.

"Ah, it smells wonderful too." Killjoy sighed as the aroma of fresh pine started to creep into the space.

"Welp, what are you guys waiting for?" You grinned. "Time to decorate!"

Just as you said those words, Phoenix entered the room, his eyes glancing at the tree by the corner before doing a double take.

"Wha–," His eyes widened. "Where did that come from?"

"Gaia made it." Jett responded. "Cool, right?"

"Uh–"

"Oi, what's the hold-up? Get your ass out of the way," A male voice grunts from behind Phoenix, a very familiar blue jacket peeking. It was Yoru, and he's carrying the artificial tree that he got from the stockroom due to Phoenix's insistent pestering, the tree blocking his vision upfront.

"Um, Yoru?"

"What?" The riftwalker spats out, clearly annoyed from carrying the tree.

Phoenix laughs nervously

"So uh, funny story. . ."

TROPICAL CHRISTMAS

You requested everyone to put a personal ornament on the tree

And you even grew some mistletoes and wreaths for everyone to decorate.

It was fun decorating

You all finished dressing up the common room that same day as well

The room looked magical, especially at night when the Christmas lights are all on

Holiday dinner will be in the next few days

So before that, you all decided to take on the 'tropical christmas' theme and have a day out on the island

A beach episode within a christmas episode

Even Viper agreed to get some sun in her system

Sage, Neon, and Jett dragged you along with them in picking swimsuits

"Oh! I bet this looks cute on you, Gaia!"

You tried on at least ten swimsuits that day

The girls coaxing you to show more skin and be more confident

"Gaia, I think you'd have Sova drooling if you wear this–"

"Neon!"

"Sova? You mean Chamber?"

"Sage, not you too–"

"You think Omen would knit you a biki–"

"Jett, stop!"

Cue you turning fifty shades of red

Today was a beautiful day.

The sun wasn't too harsh on the eyes nor its heat was too much on the skin. The sea was sparkling clear with a tint of blue that makes you feel refreshed as soon as you jump right in.

Breach and Brimstone were surprisingly getting along at the grilling station, chatting and watching over the others at the shore.

Jett and Phoenix were already playing some beach volleyball against Yoru and Skye, both teams were clearly riled up with their own competitiveness with Neon keeping score.

The two lovebirds– Raze and Killjoy were making their sand-snowman. . .sandman, on one side, gathering seashells and washed up sticks and branches for the sandman's body parts.

Reyna peacefully lays on her deck chair under an umbrella, dark shades covering her eyes with a refreshing drink in her hand with Viper doing the same next to her.

Astra and Sage stood near the grilling station, preparing some snacks and refreshments for everyone to enjoy.

"Is Gaia not here yet?" Sova asked aloud, just stepping out of the water wearing blue trunks with his muscular upper body confidently exposed, he slicked his long wet hair back, biceps flexing as his eyes wandered around looking for you.

Sova lets out an teasing grin, reaching out for his towel from a deck chair.

"She'll be here any minute now," Sage said with a smile before chuckling. "She must be shy because if her swimsuit."

Sage made sure to find you the perfect swimwear that not only matches your skin tone but also greatly compliments your body.

"Did you actually get her in one?"

Absolutely not doubting the idea of you getting into a bikini.

"Ah, you do not know the struggles we faced in forcing her into one." Sage said in a playful tone.

"I don't want to ruin your expectations but," Chamber's voice chimed in, he was sitting on a deck chair next to Sova's wearing swimming trunks and an unbuttoned short sleeve shirt exposing his lean upper body.

"Isn't that Gaia over there, approaching us?" The french man's lips curled into an amused smirk. "Personally, I like what I'm seeing."

Following his direction the two looked to their left and immediately saw you.

Sova lets out a laugh and Sage's mouth fell.

"Oh my. . ."

"LET'S GOOO!" You shrieked from afar as you started to run towards the water.

You were literally wearing a black and white striped t-shirt and swimming shorts (yes, like the one from. . .idk old old times) with a bright yellow duck ring floatie around your waist and more floaters on your upper arms. Bright pink goggles already covering your eyes, kicking off your slippers as you neared the shore.

You didn't waste any precious time in jumping into the refreshing waters.

"Was that Gaia?" Brimstone asked.

"Yes. . ." Sage answered with an empty smile. "Out of everything we bought for her. . ."

Astra lets out a light-hearted laugh, "Well, what do you expect from our mother earth."

"Yo! Gaia's finally here." Phoenix announced from the volleyball area. "Chicken fight!"

"I've got the water guns over there!" Jett dashed towards her deck chair.

"Oi! Are we just forgetting this fight?" Yoru frowned, fire still in his eyes to play volleyball.

"Who cares bro, we were gonna win anyway." Phoenix said smugly.

"Why you–" Yoru went after him towards the water. "Get back here!"

"Hey, wait for me!" Neon excitedly dashed her way to the water as well.

Sova put down his towel before running towards the sea, "I call Gaia's team!"

"Not if I get to her first." Chamber suddenly said, running alongside the russian man.

Watching you already enjoy yourself in the water, the two were so close to you when suddenly, out of nowhere, you were raised from the water.

"Ah!" You squealed grabbing a hold of what seemed to be. . . Shoulders?

"Omen?"

". . .I wish to participate." He states in his deep voice, carrying you on his shoulders with his head in between your thighs. Jett and Phoenix had just joined in the waters as well with Yoru hot on their trail.

Chamber and Sova almost tripped to a stop.

"Merde."

"Гавно."

"Not fast enough huh?" Cypher teasingly mused at the two obviously looked distraught. Sova gave him a weird look.

"Why are you still wearing your work clothes." Sova comments.

From afar, Viper slipped on her shades.

"The children are getting noisier. . ." Viper uttered to herself.

"Lighten up, Viper." Reyna smiles, sipping her drink.

"Today is a great day."

HOLIDAY DINNER

You know what time it is: Cooking time

This time with Jett

This is going to be grand feast for sure

Sova tried to help again like before

Got blocked by Sage though

"I just want to help." Cue cute pleading face Sova

"Sure you do, friend." Sage dismissed, knowing another person might come by as well

It's already a little crowded in the kitchen

Finished a little earlier making dinner

Jett turned a little bit like Gordon Ramsay while cooking

"Where's the sauce??"

"Shit– uh, I'll make it right now."

"Double time, Gaia!"

"Y-Yes chef."

By Brimstone's royal decree, the dinner is now deemed: formal.

Everyone has to wear something formal

Thank gods you have more time to prepare.

You had just finished doing your hair and make-up when you suddenly heard a soft knock on the door.

Quickly getting up, you smoothed over the skirt of your dress and and cleared your throat.

"Come in."

The door slid open and you were face to face with–

"Ah, Chamber." You smiled. "What a nice surprise."

The man looked exquisite with his all-black suit, as always his hair was neat and slick, and that familiar scent of his cologne was starting to waft around your room.

Chamber stepped into your room before gently taking hold of your right hand.

"Ma chèrie," He smiles charmingly. "You look wonderful tonight."

You wore a short yet elegant cream-colored dress with puff sleeves partnered with a big bow styling your loose half up half down hair.

Bending slightly, he placed a soft kiss on your knuckles.

"As do you, monsieur." You grinned. "What brings you here."

"Well," the man sighs, straightening his posture once again. "I would like to have the honor of escorting you, ma belle."

You gave him a light chuckle, "It's just dinner, Chamber It's okay."

He then went to your side and stuck iut his arm.

"But if you insist." You smiled, accepting his offer as you wrapped your hand around his bicep, feeling it tense just a bit as you did.

"I'll take that offer."

As the two of you entered, almost everyone was already there.

"Oh, what's this that I see?" Phoenix grinned. "Gaia and Chamber are finally here!"

Your friends came to greet you as they slowly peeled you from Chamber's hold, complimenting your look and chatting you away from his grasp much to the french man's dismay.

"Well, I'll consider this your redemption from that swimsuit you wore three days ago." Sage joked, linking her arm with yours. "Your dress is adorable! Where did you get it?"

"Your bow reminds me of that old disney movie," Raze comments. "I think it was the little mermaid?" She turned to Killjoy for confirmation and her lover nods.

"Yup, the little mermaid."

You gave them a bright grin, "Thank you, my loves. You all look wonderful as well."

Sage wore a long and flowy baby blue dress while Killjoy and Raze wore matching white suits that were styled to match their own aesthetic.

"Sorry I'm late, everyone." Your eyes turned towards the door and found your mentor at the entrance.

"Woah. . ." You accidentally slipped under your breath

Sova came in wearing a tight black fitted button-up partnered with a dark blue blazer and slacks.

"Sova!" You greeted him with a wave, instantly gaining his attention, he gave you a smile before walking towards your direction.

Sage smiles coyly, pulling you a bit in place, "Ah, excuse us for a moment, Gaia."

"Oh yeah sure."

"Wait hold on I need to ask–" Killjoy was cut off by Sage ushering them out of the scene.

"Later, laterrr."

Exactly when the three of them had gone, Sova had reached you.

"Gaia, you look lovely." He compliments with a soft smile.

"Thank you, you look–" Your eyes accidentally darted towards his chest, catching yourself off guard from the sudden action, you quickly looked up– heart beating a little fast.

"You look dashing."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Sova utters, a little out of breath. "I went to your room but I guess you already left."

"Ah, yeah," You chuckled shortly, "Chamber came in and asked if he could escort me."

Sova raised an eyebrow, "Did he?"

"Yup, he's right over there now." You nodded your head towards his direction, Sova following your gaze and locked eyes with the weapons designer.

Chamber gave him a smirk before lifting his champagne glass to your direction slightly.

"We're just waiting for Brim, then we can all finally eat." You comment with a sigh, looking over to the buffet of food laid out on the table. "Damn, I wanna eat already. What's taking him so lo–"

"Gaia."

"Hm?"

You gazed up to Sova with an innocent look, "What is it."

The man didn't say anything, instead he merely glanced up.

"Huh. . ?" Confused, you looked up, eyes widening as you saw what was above the two of you.

'Ah. . .' You could feel your cheeks starting to get hot as you looked at Sova with wide eyes.

Above your heads, there was a mistletoe.

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that-crazy-five-foot-two-chick · 4 years ago

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Summary: Winry sat in the optimal place to study in the school cafe for the entire fall semester. Then spring came, and suddenly some self-entitled twit who dressed like off-brand Gerard Way decided it was his territory. He was so not going to get off easy.

Rating: T

Word Count: 1.8k words of coffee shop/college AU with a side of enemies to almost-lovers

A/N: It's finals week, I posted this on Ao3 at almost 5am, and if the rest of the sentence didn't make it obvious, I'm writing from unfortunate experience. Not beta-ed or proofread, although I happened to see one thing to fix when I woke up this morning. Feel my raw power. Rawr.

It wasn't that big a deal.

It kind of really was, though.

Every Thursday morning during the fall semester, Winry sat in the same spot at the same school coffee shop. It was the spot sent by the entire patron pantheon of cram papers. Maybe one person didn't need an entire booth, but it was in the corner, and the tops of the bench seats had opaque plastic barriers that just so happened to be perfect for minimizing excess visual chaos. For the most part, there weren't loud conversations, and the jazz music that came through the speakers helped her tune out people ordering coffee. Add to that the fact that she could use campus flex dollars and not her own bank account that was begging for mercy, and it was the perfect spot to get papers done.

But apparently not this spring.

As soon as Winry walked in, she noticed him in the corner. Some emo wannabe guy on his computer. Probably on Reddit complaining about how women didn't appreciate the amazing pics he sent them on Tinder. Or at least, it was a fair guess based on the sour look on his face. Why did this guy of all people have to steal the holy grail spot? Ugh. She was still gonna get her coffee, darn it.

"You know the deal, Sciezska. Medium roast with a shot of espresso and vanilla creamer."

"On it! You paying in flex?"

"Yeah." She scanned her student ID and lowered her voice. "Who's off-brand Gerard Way in the corner?"

"Who's Ger—"

"The punk kid."

"Ohhh. I can try to get his number for you, if you want."

"No, he looks like a total tool! And not the kind I like dealing with!"

"Which means you think he's hot. I didn't think you were into that type, but you're not wrong."

"For the last time, no, Sciezska! He took my spot! And I'm trying very, very hard to keep this to a stage whisper, but if you keep trying to set me up with some random creep, I won't be able to!"

A distinctly male voice grumbled, "I'm not a creep."

"Keep telling that to the girls on Tinder. I'm sure they'll understand eventually."

"Yeah, and I'll bet if you look at your 'Live, Laugh, Love' sign a little more, you'll understand it eventually." He mumbled something under his breath.

"What was that, Mr. Nice Guy?"

"Lay off, it's eight in the morning. I said the only reason I even have a Tinder account is because my roommate stole my phone while I was going to the bathroom."

"Well, if you didn't want it, why didn't you delete it?"

"Eh, I figured if I really got sick of being single one day, it'd already be there."

"Never would have guessed you were single," Winry said dryly.

"Come on, it's way too early to be rubbing that kind of crap in. Who says I'm not fine with being single anyway?"

Sciezska timidly spoke up. "Medium roast with espresso and vanilla creamer?"

Winry thanked her as red jacket boy continued. "'Edward Elric, Bachelor.' Almost sounds as good as 'Edward Elric, Bachelor of Science.'"

"B.S. degree. Sounds about right."

"About time you stopped acting like I'm an idiot!"

Winry snorted. "That's not what I meant."

"Hey!"

"And with that, I'm going to go find some other spot to write my paper."

Edward, as his name apparently was, scoffed and mumbled something that sounded like "good riddance". Maybe the librarians wouldn't get on her case too much for bringing in coffee.

-----

A week later, Winry walked into the cafe, assuming the circumstances of the previous week were an anomaly. They were not.

"Medium roast with a shot of espresso and vanilla creamer," she grumbled and sulked in the direction of the corner seat.

"Hey, don't start with me again, blondie. I've had a whopping four hours of sleep and I can't promise you'll like what comes out of my mouth."

"We're at a coffee shop. Get some coffee. I can't help it if you're too hung over to be polite."

"Now look, genius. I did not stay up until 4 A.M. working on a stupid chem paper for that sadistic pyromaniac excuse for a professor just for some random chick to accuse me of being hung over."

"Oh."

"Yeah. And for your information, coffee doesn't really help me wake up. It just helps me focus on homework." He lifted up his empty cup and gave it a shake.

"That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard."

"ADHD is a weird thing, and yet, here I am."

"Huh, interesting."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pick up where I left off with the same stupid ten page paper I started last night."

"Oh right. Sure," Winry stammered. "Listen, I'm really sorry I just assumed things about you. It was wrong of me, and I'd like to make it up to you, if that's okay."

Edward eyed her suspiciously. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well...I could look over your paper once you're done writing it? I've got a paper of my own to write while I'm waiting, and I can sit right across the table here so you don't have to come get me. I won't try to talk to you or anything. Neither of us need that kind of distraction."

"Alright, alright. Get your coffee and sit down. The girl at the counter's been up there waiting for a good minute or two while you've been at confessional over here."

"Wait, she has?" Winry's eyes widened, and Edward laughed at her expense. He was kind of attractive when he wasn't scowling...wait what? She pouted and got up to retrieve her coffee. When Winry returned, she plopped down on the bench opposite Edward and opened her laptop. Peeking out from behind it, she added, "By the way, I'm Winry. I figured you ought to at least know the name of the person who's proofreading your paper."

"Well, Winry, you're the one who volunteered." The corners of his mouth twitched upward. The two worked on their assignments in silence, occasionally speaking up when necessary.

-----

Edward was in the corner again the next week as well.

"Hey, Edward! Mind if I join you for homework again?"

"Normally, I'd say no, but you didn't bother me too much last week, so you might as well." He turned away slightly.

"Great! Have you gotten your coffee yet? I didn't see a cup, and you got something the last two times."

"Eh, I haven't been here long. If you're going up and getting yours, would you mind ordering a caramel macchiato for me?" He asked, sliding his ID across the table.

"Yeah, no problem. I'll be back in a sec."

She returned and slipped his ID back before pulling out her computer. "Do you have anything for me to look over this time?"

"Not this week. But if you have anything you need looked over, I can do that, too."

"Actually, I do, if you wouldn't mind."

"Winry, I just volunteered. Just send the paper to my school email. Mine's 'elricedwa'," he instructed as he proceeded to spell it.

"Medium roast and a caramel macchiato?" Sciezska called out.

"Coming!" Winry replied and turned to Edward. "I just sent it, so you should be able to start while I'm getting our stuff." Eyes glued to his laptop, Edward gave a thumbs up.

Once she returned with their drinks, Winry sat down and wordlessly set Edward's drink next to him.

"Thanks," he muttered distantly. His lips mirrored the words he was reading. Though his lips weren't plump by any stretch of the imagination, they were shapely. His steely concentration made the air leave Winry's lungs. To top it all off, the first rays of sunlight came through the window just right, hitting Edward's hair in a way that made it positively glow.

What was she thinking? Those were only the sorts of things people thought when they had a crush. She'd only had two positive interactions with him, including this one. ...well, maybe it was a crush. She could certainly do worse than someone with a questionable fashion sense. After all, he worked hard, and he got good grades, if the quality of his writing was any indication. Okay, fine. He was also drop dead gorgeous, if you could see past his clothing choices. Yeah, she had a crush.

"Did you hear anything I just said?"

"...no."

"Figures. I finished reading your paper. It's not bad, I just left a few suggestions for sentence structure. Now I am going to enjoy my caramel macchiato." He took off the lid and breathed in the steam with his eyes closed, nearly drooping into the cup in content. When he opened his eyes slowly, Winry was awestruck by the similarity between the color of his eyes and his drink.

"What?" Edward furrowed his eyebrows.

"Nothing. I didn't say anything. At all. Nope."

"Okay." He shrugged. She reopened the document and went through his suggested edits. Gnawing her lip in concentration, she leaned forward a bit to settle in and tackle the editing.

"...hey, uh, Winry?" Edward gulped. "Are you going to drink your coffee?"

"Oh! Yeah, I almost forgot. Thanks, Edward!" she smiled.

"No–no problem. And you can call me Ed, you know. Most people do. Except for that excuse for a professor that calls me pipsqueak. Can you believe he's my advisor? I mean, come on, I'm a grown man. I'm not that short."

Winry made a poor attempt at containing her laughter. "Okay then, Ed. Prove it. Stand up."

"Fine." He slid out of the booth and stood. Winry followed suit and appraised their respective heights.

"Well, I'd hardly call you tall, but you're at least taller than me by a few inches, for whatever that's worth."

Edward grinned as if he had won some sort of prize. "Time for shorties to sit down now!"

"Watch it now. You're not too far from that label yourself, mister."

They both returned to their positions in the booth and worked steadily for the next hour. At the end of that time, Winry closed her laptop. "Ed, are you okay? You seem distracted."

"ADHD. I'm always distracted," he dismissed.

"No, like, are you sick or something? You did get more than four hours of sleep this time, right?"

"No comment." Ed's mouth twitched. He mumbled barely loud enough to hear, "Wouldn't have mattered anyway."

"Are you sure? If you're not feeling well, I can drive you over to the health center."

"N-no. That's not it." He exhaled, then slid a napkin across the table. His hands trembled slightly. "Anyway, here's my number. In case you need me to look over a paper. Or whatever. I've got a class soon."

Winry blushed, but tucked the napkin in her laptop. "Thanks, Ed. See you next week?"

"Yeah. Next week."

-----

Winry: This goes with your major, right?

Edward: Blocked

#fma #fma fanfic #503 day #when i wrote it it was probably still 503 day somewhere #edwin #edward elric #winry rockbell #fma sciezska #fma sheska #my writing #my fic #coffee shop au #college au

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